CATCHING UP

It’s been a while since I posted, but now the auction has launched, so I can relax and put my attention on other things.

https://new.biddingowl.com/LCUUCAUCTION2024

I have found a new calligraphy home. It’s called Dreaming in Script. I considered this site a while back when I wanted to take a class (pre-Ash), but the Engrosser’s Script class is offered only once a year in April. Now it is perfect timing for me. I’m going to enroll in the April 1 class, but I have to take an Intro to Calligraphy as a prerequisite. David Grimes is the teacher. I love his story. He went to school for graphic design and worked for companies like Lamborghini, but he didn’t like all the screen time. So, he started with lettering and ended up with Engrosser’s Script being his favorite. His father didn’t encourage the transition, but he didn’t try to stop him. After he studied for a while, he was offered the contract to write the certificates for the Academy Awards/Oscars. Not bad. His script is beautiful, and he seems to be a beautiful soul. Not sure if this will work, but I’ll try to post his Intro to Calligraphy video. Didn’t work, but this one is posted on YouTube, so you can at least get a sense of him.

A person from the Copperplate Script for All Facebook group friended me on Messenger, and we have been corresponding for a while. Her name is Rey Predicala. She never posts anything on the group page, but this morning she did, indeed, send me a sample of her work. I asked why she never posts her work, and she said she was “too rusty.”

Maybe a bit rusty, but not as bad as she made it sound. She is also very helpful and has given me some good pointers. She knows a lot about David Grimes classes from talking to others. So, she has been very encouraging. It’s not an inexpensive venture at $600 (for one year), but I believe it is a “you-get-what-you-pay-for” venture.

Ash told me that he would be “happy” to send me feedback on my work instead of the last two hours of class he owes me, but I haven’t heard from him in over a month. On January 6th he said, “What I forgot to tell you is you can practice basis these videos for some time and send me your work again and with comments / critiques which you saw as a change. You are always welcome to send me your work to check. No problem!” I sent him copies of my work on January 9, 13 and 15th. Not a peep. Oh, well. I guess that’s just part of my calligraphy journey.

I FINALLY went to Trivia on Tuesday. Jerry was also interested in playing, so he, Linda and I went. It’s such a fun night out. Let’s see how many questions I can remember. I’ll put the answers at the end.

What is the capital of India?

What function does the diaphragm serve?

What popular plant has strains called White Widow and Blue Dream?

When this popular Parisian writer died, the brothels in France were closed down so that the employees could attend the funeral.

What does Nova Scotia mean in English?

Caesar proclaimed “vino, vidi, vici!” What does it mean?

Betty came over Thursday night for dinner and to watch Lessons in Chemistry. I’m enjoying it just as much, if not more than, the book. This is another example of how neurodivergent people don’t play silly emotional games when getting to know each other. Great acting. Beautiful costumes, cars and set designs from the ’50s.

Yesterday Barbara picked me up at 8:30 and we went to Debra’s new apartment. She is renting a super-cute upstairs casita from another Barb and her husband, Stefan. We walked a 7-mile loop in Palo Alto, where Deb’s place is. We stopped in town to pick up a baguette and then had lunch at Deb’s. She made a beautiful salad with roasted sweet potatoes and fresh greens from Pascal’s farm. Pascal is Deb’s “partner.” He has a farm up in the hills somewhere. The house is tiny, and his brother and girlfriend are visiting, so Debra decided to find another place to live. Barb offered her the upstairs casita. It’s working out great for both of them. Sounds like it may become a long-term thing. Deb, Barbara and I have also been toying with the idea of renting a house when I come next year. As much as I love the place I’m in, I’m just feeling a little bit trapped by the hill.

Barb came up to join us after her PT appointment for her knee. Barb is a “wild child.” She goes out dancing three to four times a week. She was very happy to have lunch with us yesterday, said she doesn’t do it enough, and so proclaimed that we will plan to have a potluck one day next week. I’m in!

Here are the answers:

What is the capital of India? New Delhi.

What function does the diaphragm serve? Respiration/breathing.

What popular plant has strains called White Widow and Blue Dream? Marijuana.

When this popular Parisian writer died, the brothels in France were closed down so that the employees could attend the funeral. Victor Hugo.

What does Nova Scotia mean in English? New Scotland.

Caesar proclaimed “vino, vidi, vici!” What does it mean? “I came, I saw, I conquered!”