Not just an important sentiment to share on a wall, this is my latest favorite from one of those flickr strangers that I quietly stalk.

nicolasnova‘s photo stream is an rss must-read for me.

Often stark but intriguingly humane, whether home or traveling he sees everything, and presents consistently beautiful, ponderous slices of the world around him… and us.

nicolasnova inspires. clicky.

I’ve been missing in action here for quite some time. Started because I had a whole lot of deadlines and things, and because I’m committing myself more and more to the making of things instead of the writing about things.

But then in June, my mom died and I’ve been reeling since then. I’ve mentioned my dad here before so you know that I’m now parent-free, which is my smart-ass way of saying orphaned.

A lot of people were touched by the eulogy I did for my dad and it helped me a lot, so in the interest of connecting, I thought I’d post my mom’s eulogy. Very different relationships, but the grief is just as painful.

Not sure when or how often I’ll be updating here. I want to give myself the time I need to be quiet and adjust. I’m sure you understand.

xo,
Moxie

Kerin Lieberman
1944 – 2009
Eulogy written by her daughter Moxie (Melysa Lieberman)
Read at Kol Shalom Cemetery, San Rafael, California on June 12, 2009

Almost three years ago, we gathered here to honor and bury our dad, Gene Lieberman. You may remember that I wrote a eulogy for him at the request of my family… I’m not gonna lie to you… nailed it. No seriously… I did, I totally killed.

Less than a year later, we learned that our mom was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer but I was convinced then, like most of us, that this day wouldn’t come for many, many years.

I think part of the reason we are all so surprised to be here now is because of my mother’s strength and determination. Her cancer was stunted by the treatments from the very start, but I like to think she frightened it away with one of her stern looks.

Kerin Erica Lieberman was a self-made, smart, classy, funny, beautiful, woman. It doesn’t matter if you laughed with her, fought with her, worked with her, lived with her, waited on her, loved her, flirted with her or just plain feared her… no one who met her was likely to forget her.

Our mom was a hard-worker, a devoted friend and she lived with a fierce sense of right and wrong. Her life was built on structure, order, and a logic all her own… if she were here, she would probably call it common sense. If she thought you were off track, she was certainly generous with her feedback.

It may surprise you to know that she was also terrified. Terrified you might not like her. Terrified of suffering. Terrified of losing the ones she loved. Terrified of not being in control. Terrified that she wasn’t perfect but, more so, terrified that you might discover that she wasn’t perfect. I wish that she had been with us long enough to realize that we already knew, and we loved her anyway.

As different as we were, me having rejected the very concept of perfection while still in the womb, we did share a sense of humor and enjoyed exchanging one-liners and wry observations, delighting in each other’s ability to think fast and funny. My sister and I enjoyed making her laugh and value the quick-wittedness we no doubt inherited from her.

I also loved the moments when she was able to laugh at herself. I remember as a kid, watching one of the Muppet Movies on tv with her. Miss Piggy is assisting back stage at a fashion show when one of the runway models falls and hurts an ankle. Quickly they rush to Miss Piggy and urge her to take the stage in the model’s place. This is followed by an impressive large scale, Busby Berkley water spectacle, with Miss Piggy center stage. We watched this in silence for a while when my mom, lost in thought, says mostly to herself “Pffft… yeah… like they’d really have a bathing suit in her size…”

I turned slowly to her and said “Mom… you know that’s a PUPPET, right?”

She looked at me for a minute and then we both dissolved into laughter.

But I can’t walk away from this place, where our mother will soon be buried next to our dad, without expressing my appreciation and awe at her ability to create community. Her cohorts, Fern, Lois, Sandy, Anne, Jackie, Tobi, Lynn, and Mo, whom Rachel and I often refer to as “the ladies” are the finest women I know. Her connection with them serves as an example of what true friendship looks like. The nurturing connection she built with her god-children Shira and Talia, women that Rachel and I consider our sisters, serves as an example of what compassion and genuine affection looks like. All of you, standing here in honor of Kerin Lieberman, our mom, serve as an example of what a true community looks like.

In the end, the connection she built with all of you is the most amazing legacy she could leave for her children. We’ll walk away from this place, mourning deeply this epic woman, into dozens of loving arms that would not be here if not for her.

Come for some good information, some networking, and to hang out with me! Sponsored by Grassroots Business Association.

When: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 @ 7pm

Where:
Richard Hugo House
1634 11th Ave
Seattle, WA 98122

(This is a free event, but donations to pay for the space are greatly appreciated.)

A fresh, comprehensive guide to contemporary craft shows. With “Why vend?” as our starting point, we will take you through all aspects of the process, including finding and assessing potential shows, best practice for applying, display techniques, show time survival and more.

Moxie is an artist with years of experience selling her work in large and small venues along the west coast. With obsessive attention to organizing and a rare talent for interpersonal communication, Moxie is also the President and Director of Vendor Relations for Urban Craft Uprising, Seattle’s largest indie craft show, now in its 5th year.
http://www.madebymoxie.com

Kristen Rask sold her first piece of craft at 5th grade summer camp and she hasn’t stopped since. With her vast experience as both a craft show seller and an organizer, Kristen’s passion for all aspects of the craft world only gets bigger. She is the owner of Schmancy, Director of Public Relations and Marketing of Urban Craft Uprising, and is co-creator of Grassroots Business Association.
http://www.schmancytoys.com

I made this as a gift for Jonathan Goldstein, who’s work I adore.

I don’t normally show up places with presents for the famous but when I read that he’d be coming to Seattle for a reading of “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Bible,” I was compelled. I think I did it as a thank you for his work.

This is the only photo I have… I finished the piece about 30 seconds before we had to run out the door to the reading.

His essays and short stories are funny, but very real. I love the way he’s able to capture and describe tiny, awkward, painful, beautiful moments of human interaction… No matter the topic, you can find yourself in there if you’re paying attention.

As for his radio show, Wiretap, I would call it radio-crack, and I can’t get enough of it. Also insightful, one episode can include quiet, contemplative story, and often raucous, completely hilarious quasi-improv conversations.

Almost every single person who contributes regularly is now my hero in one way or another… including his parents. In addition to the clips on the official website, you might find some unofficial audio here.

No end to how good this man is, but for some reason, this moment is stuck in my head like a song right now… a comedy ear-worm or something…

This is my favorite clip of Zach from The Comedians of Comedy: the Movie. it’s 5 minutes long, but it’s so magical, it’ll be worth your time.

If you are a smart person, you will know that Zach is good for you, and you will seek out more.

I don’t think you could get away with a sly stranger trying to sell stuff and keep secrets on a show for kids these days. More’s the pity. Maybe if you put him in a bank setting, this could be about mortgages instead. (P.S. I’m so topical! Zing!)

I constantly feel that this podcast isn’t really FOR me… maybe it isn’t for anybody, which is also maybe why it works so well. Sometimes it’s hilarious, sometimes it’s like eavesdropping, sometimes it makes me uncomfortable. It’s experimental, open-ended, it doesn’t always work, I’m fairly convinced that it’s art, and I love listening.

It’s like drinking a big steamy cup of stream-of-consciousness bisque while taking an extended vacation on Premise Beach.

It’s also a little like Coyle & Sharpe, but self-contained:

“So, if you were going to be the administrative sleeping figure head for this African Virginia University, with lions, is this the kind of thing that could interest you?”

See?

Clicky.

Demian is one of my oldest friends, and a talented, magnificent bastard.

He’s committed himself to drawing a picture every Friday this year, and to date, this one is my favorite. It’s one of several containing keys of understanding.

I feel this illustration for a lot of reasons, but my heart fills with joy specifically because the cake is a lie.

Check out Demian’s Illustration Friday here.

Rowlf and Fozzie Bear crewel embroidery kits in original packaging… so cheap they are practically free. clicky.

Kristen Rask, currator-extraordinaire, brings another must-see show to the people:

gallery hanahou presents
Forget Me-Not
embroidered love from the new craft movement

For generations, women have expressed love of family through the painstaking art of embroidery. This February, gallery hanahou presents a new generation of embroidery artists using needle and thread to depict love in broader terms, whether idealized and simple or brutal and complicated.

February 6 – 27
Opening reception: Friday, February 6th, 6-8 pm

gallery hanahou / 611 Broadway, Suite 730, NYC / galleryhanahou.com