One of the projects I helped with at Bonnaroo Bow Line is featured here on notcot.org. You can also see some more images on Brian R. Jobe's website.
I'm back from Bonnaroo, and it's official. I want a hula hoop.
I'm wondering if it can be done in the privacy of my one bedroom apartment, just until I get the hang of it. I'll have to move some furniture around I suppose. Or if you hula hoop and want to hula with me, I could be up for that. I'm not ready for public displays of solitary hula just yet.
One day though, I could be that free-spirited looking girl with rock hard abs shaking my hips in the front lawn of my apartment building, looking as if there was not a thing on my mind. And then maybe I can take it on the road. One can always dream.
All this is to say, I did make it back in one piece, and I have many pictures and words to share. Stay tuned.
I'm wondering if it can be done in the privacy of my one bedroom apartment, just until I get the hang of it. I'll have to move some furniture around I suppose. Or if you hula hoop and want to hula with me, I could be up for that. I'm not ready for public displays of solitary hula just yet.
One day though, I could be that free-spirited looking girl with rock hard abs shaking my hips in the front lawn of my apartment building, looking as if there was not a thing on my mind. And then maybe I can take it on the road. One can always dream.
All this is to say, I did make it back in one piece, and I have many pictures and words to share. Stay tuned.
I leave for Manchester, Tennessee tomorrow. Bonnaroo doesn't start until Thursday, but I'm going early with a crew to help build a sculpture, or a Pod, to be exact.
Scoring free tickets to shows is a small hobby of mine, even if it means working for them. The only other time I've been to Bonnaroo, I volunteered, and though I received a free pass, I did also vow then that I would NEVER mix work with Bonnaroo again. The festival was loads of fun, but the volunteer experience was hellish.
When the opportunity arose for me to go again this year, I considered how different this time would be compared to my last. I'd be going with friends and making artwork. Plus, I was told I'd be fed, have access to showers, and be wearing an Artist pass. Although I'd be there for an entire week, I'd be living in the lap of outdoor festival luxury. I was all in.
But, oh, how the winds have changed over the past week.
I've learned that all those perks were ever so slightly exaggerated. I won't go into detail about it, as I'm trying to get over it as much as I can, but it's not going to be as glamorous as I was told (and then made up in my mind). I fear this is my punishment for breaking my No Work at Bonnaroo vow.
If I make it through this week of being exposed to the elements, I'll be sure to post some pictures and fill you in on all the details, and if you're going to Bonnaroo, come visit me at Pod 4. I'll be the one that looks like a lobster.
Scoring free tickets to shows is a small hobby of mine, even if it means working for them. The only other time I've been to Bonnaroo, I volunteered, and though I received a free pass, I did also vow then that I would NEVER mix work with Bonnaroo again. The festival was loads of fun, but the volunteer experience was hellish.
 |
| Volunteer Tent: Trying to nap on break during our 12 hour shift. Miz. |
When the opportunity arose for me to go again this year, I considered how different this time would be compared to my last. I'd be going with friends and making artwork. Plus, I was told I'd be fed, have access to showers, and be wearing an Artist pass. Although I'd be there for an entire week, I'd be living in the lap of outdoor festival luxury. I was all in.
But, oh, how the winds have changed over the past week.
I've learned that all those perks were ever so slightly exaggerated. I won't go into detail about it, as I'm trying to get over it as much as I can, but it's not going to be as glamorous as I was told (and then made up in my mind). I fear this is my punishment for breaking my No Work at Bonnaroo vow.
 |
| VIP Tent: My brief glimpse of fancy Bonnaroo life. To know that sweetness, you never want to go back. |
If I make it through this week of being exposed to the elements, I'll be sure to post some pictures and fill you in on all the details, and if you're going to Bonnaroo, come visit me at Pod 4. I'll be the one that looks like a lobster.
I was with my family last weekend at my grandfather's lakehouse in Alabama. I've been going there my whole life, and it's where I learned to eat well and ski.
My goal for the past few years is to be able to get up on one ski on the first shot of the summer. I'm usually unable to do it, but this year it happened effortlessly.
I know, however, that it wasn't effortless. I've been in preparation for this season over the past few months- seven months to be exact. I've lost almost 25 pounds in that amount of time, and I've been taking care of some aches and pains, in my back, shoulders, and legs, that I've had trouble with over the past few years.
While there seems to be evidence of my hard work physically, there is still more work to be done in the way of self-discipline as I, sometimes agonizingly, count calories, stretch, swim, hike, jog, and bike. I wouldn't say I always do it cheerfully.
***
I'm not sure exactly what brought on the motivation to alter my life last November. I remember being fed up with my shoulder and neck hurting, so I joined the YWCA so that I could swim, to see if it would relieve the pain.
Then I started doing yoga, and after a month or two, I had accidentally lost five or so pounds. After that, losing weight became contagious. I wanted to walk into a room confidently.
***
After graduating from college five years ago, I sort of let myself go, as they say. Mentally, I was a wreck, but I was also on the mend. I knew I had a lot of healing to do, so I decided the remedy was to live my life "organically", to go with the flow, to do what I wanted, in big and small ways. For me, there was freedom in finally listening to myself, but it was also horribly confusing, not only to myself but to those around me. The problem was I wasn't quite sure what I wanted yet, especially on things that really mattered, when other people were involved.
At the same time, I was relishing in life, going out, eating and drinking with little to no limit. I have no idea how I made it work financially, but somehow I was able to keep paying my rent. I was fatter and happier than ever.
***
I was in a not great relationship at the beginning of this year. It's not that we didn't enjoy each other, we really did, but we weren't on the same page about a lot of things, and you know how that ends up.
It was hard to let go of him, but at the same time, I, rather sadly, realized how much I loved him, more than anyone I've been with in a long time, while also realizing how little he wanted to understand me or listen to what I thought. I was falling for someone who wasn't being the man I needed him to be.
I'm still not quite sure what he wanted with me, someone who thinks about every detail of everything, when he didn't want to think about much at all, but I've always tended to be a magnet to men like him.
I walked away from that disaster, and at the same time, felt like I was walking away from every other relationship I've had over the past ten years. I've liked every person I've ever dated for different reasons- how much they made me laugh, how smart they were, how dorky they were about their interests. My affections can run so strong for only an aspect of a man, so much so that I tend to overlook the qualities I could never live with.
***
It's odd to realize you've never fully loved someone, but I guess it's for the best.
***
I hate it when single girls in their twenties say that they'll probably never get married. (I've said it before, so I can say just how much I hate it.) I won't say it again, but I do know I'm in transition- a stripping away of the foolish girl I've been in the past. I've had to tear my heart out for so many men, to help myself let go of them. Sometimes I wonder how I still have hope, but I do. I don't think a heart can lose it's ability to love.
I'm trying to will myself to turn away from my natural inclinations and look toward something... brighter.
***
It is my desire to be more sensible these days; I have to be able to counter my heart that is always so full. I'm working on self-control, because, quite frankly, living organically has turned out to be a bunch of crap. It left me wreckless, fat, and poor.
Strong relationships, friendships, and bodies don't happen naturally. All of life goes against it. The more adamant I am about eating right, the more friends and co-workers give me free drinks and food. It's a proven fact!
I have to run and I have to eat less than what I used to if I want pounds to shed. While I often (stupidly) daydream of wearing smaller clothes that fall better on a less rotund body and to have men fall for me left and right as a result, I'd like to hope my motivations run deeper.
Though I run the risk of being self-absorbed in my fitness endeavors, I hope that at some point it will mean thinking about myself less.
It's worth a shot.
My goal for the past few years is to be able to get up on one ski on the first shot of the summer. I'm usually unable to do it, but this year it happened effortlessly.
 |
| BETH MEADOWS Gluttony's Humble Get-Together acrylic on canvas 2011 |
I know, however, that it wasn't effortless. I've been in preparation for this season over the past few months- seven months to be exact. I've lost almost 25 pounds in that amount of time, and I've been taking care of some aches and pains, in my back, shoulders, and legs, that I've had trouble with over the past few years.
While there seems to be evidence of my hard work physically, there is still more work to be done in the way of self-discipline as I, sometimes agonizingly, count calories, stretch, swim, hike, jog, and bike. I wouldn't say I always do it cheerfully.
***
I'm not sure exactly what brought on the motivation to alter my life last November. I remember being fed up with my shoulder and neck hurting, so I joined the YWCA so that I could swim, to see if it would relieve the pain.
Then I started doing yoga, and after a month or two, I had accidentally lost five or so pounds. After that, losing weight became contagious. I wanted to walk into a room confidently.
***
After graduating from college five years ago, I sort of let myself go, as they say. Mentally, I was a wreck, but I was also on the mend. I knew I had a lot of healing to do, so I decided the remedy was to live my life "organically", to go with the flow, to do what I wanted, in big and small ways. For me, there was freedom in finally listening to myself, but it was also horribly confusing, not only to myself but to those around me. The problem was I wasn't quite sure what I wanted yet, especially on things that really mattered, when other people were involved.
At the same time, I was relishing in life, going out, eating and drinking with little to no limit. I have no idea how I made it work financially, but somehow I was able to keep paying my rent. I was fatter and happier than ever.
***
I was in a not great relationship at the beginning of this year. It's not that we didn't enjoy each other, we really did, but we weren't on the same page about a lot of things, and you know how that ends up.
It was hard to let go of him, but at the same time, I, rather sadly, realized how much I loved him, more than anyone I've been with in a long time, while also realizing how little he wanted to understand me or listen to what I thought. I was falling for someone who wasn't being the man I needed him to be.
I'm still not quite sure what he wanted with me, someone who thinks about every detail of everything, when he didn't want to think about much at all, but I've always tended to be a magnet to men like him.
I walked away from that disaster, and at the same time, felt like I was walking away from every other relationship I've had over the past ten years. I've liked every person I've ever dated for different reasons- how much they made me laugh, how smart they were, how dorky they were about their interests. My affections can run so strong for only an aspect of a man, so much so that I tend to overlook the qualities I could never live with.
***
It's odd to realize you've never fully loved someone, but I guess it's for the best.
***
I hate it when single girls in their twenties say that they'll probably never get married. (I've said it before, so I can say just how much I hate it.) I won't say it again, but I do know I'm in transition- a stripping away of the foolish girl I've been in the past. I've had to tear my heart out for so many men, to help myself let go of them. Sometimes I wonder how I still have hope, but I do. I don't think a heart can lose it's ability to love.
I'm trying to will myself to turn away from my natural inclinations and look toward something... brighter.
***
It is my desire to be more sensible these days; I have to be able to counter my heart that is always so full. I'm working on self-control, because, quite frankly, living organically has turned out to be a bunch of crap. It left me wreckless, fat, and poor.
Strong relationships, friendships, and bodies don't happen naturally. All of life goes against it. The more adamant I am about eating right, the more friends and co-workers give me free drinks and food. It's a proven fact!
I have to run and I have to eat less than what I used to if I want pounds to shed. While I often (stupidly) daydream of wearing smaller clothes that fall better on a less rotund body and to have men fall for me left and right as a result, I'd like to hope my motivations run deeper.
Though I run the risk of being self-absorbed in my fitness endeavors, I hope that at some point it will mean thinking about myself less.
It's worth a shot.
Finally got there
and I couldn't find you anywhere.
and I couldn't find you anywhere.
the old one
me
the new one
and you
me
the new one
and you
About twenty of my mason jar paintings and a couple of other pieces will be hanging at Three Rivers Market next Wednesday, May 30, through Sunday, July 1, so while you're shopping there over the next month, please take a look. If you've never been there, I suggest going for their hot bar at lunch.
My co-workers are obsessed and I finally found out why last week.
Delicious.
I'm excited because I think the mason jars will be perfect there, and it will be a good chance to see how they look all together. Everything will be for sale, and if you buy six or more mason jar paintings, they are $5 off each. They will also be available via my Etsy shop, and as they sell, I'll keep adding more to the wall at Three Rivers, so feel free to purchase however you'd like.
Here are a few that I've recently listed on Etsy:
Hope you can stop in.
Work by Beth Meadows
May 30- July 1, 2012
Three Rivers Market
1100 N Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Open 9am to 10pm Everyday
I'm excited because I think the mason jars will be perfect there, and it will be a good chance to see how they look all together. Everything will be for sale, and if you buy six or more mason jar paintings, they are $5 off each. They will also be available via my Etsy shop, and as they sell, I'll keep adding more to the wall at Three Rivers, so feel free to purchase however you'd like.
Here are a few that I've recently listed on Etsy:
 |
| Preserves No. 111 |
 |
| Preserves No. 109 |
 | ||||||
| Preserves No. 110 |
Hope you can stop in.
Work by Beth Meadows
May 30- July 1, 2012
Three Rivers Market
1100 N Central Street
Knoxville, TN 37917
Open 9am to 10pm Everyday