From Twitter 02-28-2011

11:58:39: Artfire - Texas Guild - JMcCoy - He does some fabulous work with wood, transforming it beautifully #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/cw3Tq2
12:57:56: Artfire - Artisans in Wood - Clocks and Things - Amazingly detailed scrollwork for boxes and clocks #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/cw3Tq2
14:00:39: Artfire - Men of Artfire - Paper Piecing Designs - scrapbook pages, premade piecing embellishments #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/cw3Tq2
15:04:35: Artfire - On Fire for Handmage - Studio Knits - custom, hand knit hats, cowls, and more #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/cw3Tq2
17:05:20: My item of the week on Artfire - A Carbara pen in Sunset Spalted Maple - contact me for 10% off #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/cw3Tq2

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Artfire : Item of the week - Carbara pen in Sunset Orange Spalted Maple

My item of the week for this week is a Carbara style pen turned out of Sunset Orange Spalted Maple.  This is quite an amazing wood and an amazing color.  Coming from an Aggie that hates anything in burnt orange, it's got to be awfully pretty to get me to like anything in this color.  I've got a couple of pens in this color, but the Carbara pen is a very simple stlye:

Here's the description form my shop:

This is a Carbara style pen turned out of a Spalted Maple that has been tinted Sunset Orange with satin nickel hardware. It is a good size for either a man's or a woman's hand and is 4 1/2 inches long. This has a single twist, retractable mechanism that uses a Parker refill.

Contact me this week for 10% off:

Oscar guesses

I only predicted/guessed 8 of the 24 categories correctly for last night's Oscars.  the ones I got correct:

Leading Actor
Supporting Actor
Art Direction
Costume Design
Makeup
Visual Effects
Original Screenplay
Best Picture

Considering the fact that I did not see any of the following movies last year, I think I did ok : "The Social NEtwork", "127 Hours","The Fighter", "Winter's Bone", "The Kids are All Right", "Black Swan", "Blue Valentine", "Inception".

Lunching out: Molino Blanco

I've been zipping over to Molino Blanco recently on Friday's when I'm a little short of time and in the mood for Mexican.  I keep forgetting to make a post about them right after I visit them, so I'm making up for it now.

It's not a perfect restaurant, but it is passable.  I don't particularly like the flavor of their refried beans, or their chips, but they do provide a green sauce that is pretty good and the rice is decent.  It's a nice, locally-owned restaurant that serves pretty quickly.  Below is a view of their green enchiladas, which is something I tend to order when I visit a Mexican restaurant for the first time.  I usually get out of there for less than $10.

Lunching out: Boondoggles

Friday was absolutely gorgeous here. For lunch, I ended up at Boondoggles and they have an outdoor patio from which to enjoy the fabulous weather.  This is the view facing one of the many tributaries of Clear Lake:

I ordered their Meatball sub with tea.  The meatballs were decent, but strictly beef, I think.  I prefer them to have some pork mixed in as well.  The bread was ok, but did not hold up tremendously well to the contents.  I think the bill was just a skosh over $10.

Weekend update

Friday:

I skipped Aikido to go out to dinner with M., K., and K.  I don't get to see M. very often, so the trade0off was worth it

Saturday:

Blueberry muffins
Did some more work on the 4 shelves I'm making for K.  Just need to work on the wall cleats now.
Spent an hour or so filing all of the bills and other items for the past year.  They've been sitting in my to-be-filed box  and finally got moved to the filing cabinet.
Aikido
Watched: "The A-Team", "Karate Kid" (the new one), and another movie that escapes me at the moment

Sunday:

Made some baguettes, "Bath" dinner rolls, guacamole, and Orange and chocolate Creme Brulee
Ran an ethernet cable for the print.  Ella, our cat, chewed up the previous one
Oscar night!  I got very few categories right

Aikido Saturday Afternoon - 02/26/11

Aikido players:  Tim, Trey, and Troy.  Toward the end of class, two potential students showed up to watch.

Ukemi: 

Normal ukemi. 

The Walk:

We skipped the normal start of class Walk.  We did go through the Walk at then end of class for the potential students.


Releases:

Not today


Techniques:

I started out as Tori on the parts of Yon Kata that I could remember.  I got the order mixed up a bit, but I remembered 6 of the first seven.  Trey and Troy made corrections along the way.

We then worked Troy on 1-14, both sides.  He made it through all of them very well, even left-sided Kote Gaeshi (which he had not done on that side before).  Tim showed up just as Troy was working on Kote Gaeshi, to add a little pressure to it.

Trey then worked on Owaza Ju Pon and Koryu Dai San and did pretty well.  We made some tweaks to Shihonage and some of the standing techniques.

After that, the potential students showed up, so Tim had us do the Walk, and warm-up slaps.  We also did 1-5 of Ju Nana Hon Kata.  Trey wanted me to do some of Owaza Ju Pon, so I did a few of those.  There was a bit of rust, but not too much.


Aftermath:

On one fall I took from Trey, my right leg landed a little propped up.  The right heel landed hard on the mat and still aches a bit at the point of impact.

From Twitter 02-27-2011

10:57:23: Grand Prairie Woodworks - Men of Artfire - Fabulous woodcraft creations with an Arts and Crafts flair #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
13:14:17: Sacred Sun Creations - Artisans in Wood - Hand turned ornaments using rescued wood #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
14:04:39: Double Trouble Jigsaw Puzzles - Texas Artfire - Hand cut custom jigsaw puzzles with many options - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fqHMuI
16:13:29: Item of the week - European pen hand turned from Ebony with chrome hardware - contact me for 10% off #handmade #artfire http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:40:03: Artfire - Crazy Train Artisan Guild - LETAMARIE DESIGNS #artfire #handmade http://ow.ly/3Rhqv
18:16:21: Knot Just Knots - On Fire for Handmade - Macrame with synthetic fibers - washable and no fading - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/eDJuan

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From Twitter 02-26-2011

10:53:55: Grand Prairie Woodworks - Men of Artfire - Fabulous woodcraft creations with an Arts and Crafts flair #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
12:56:46: Sacred Sun Creations - Artisans in Wood - Hand turned ornaments using rescued wood #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
14:00:13: Double Trouble Jigsaw Puzzles - Texas Artfire - Hand cut custom jigsaw puzzles with many options - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fqHMuI
16:03:27: Item of the week - European pen hand turned from Ebony with chrome hardware - contact me for 10% off #handmade #artfire http://bit.ly/37AVX

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Aikido Thursday Night - 2/24/11

Aikido players:  Tim, Trey, and Troy.


Techniques:

Kote Gaeshi was the technique for the night.  Tim had me play with it off and on.  Trey did the same.

Troy got the most reps on it, since he's still learning it.  We worked on footwork, spacing and the off-balances.  The footwork was the most important progress of the evening.  He "got it" at the end.  Now he just needs more reps with it.

Aftermath: None of note.

From Twitter 02-24-2011

10:54:18: Grand Prairie Woodworks - Men of Artfire - Fabulous woodcraft creations with an Arts and Crafts flair #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
12:56:40: Sacred Sun Creations - Artisans in Wood - Hand turned ornaments using rescued wood #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:04:00: Item of the week - European pen hand turned from Ebony with chrome hardware - contact me for 10% off #handmade #artfire http://bit.ly/37AVX
18:04:55: Knot Just Knots - On Fire for Handmade - Macrame with synthetic fibers - washable and no fading - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/eDJuan
19:08:21: Double Trouble Jigsaw Puzzles - Texas Artfire - Hand cut custom jigsaw puzzles with many options - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fqHMuI

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From Twitter 02-22-2011

10:54:12: Grand Prairie Woodworks - Men of Artfire - Fabulous woodcraft creations with an Arts and Crafts flair #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
12:57:21: Sacred Sun Creations - Artisans in Wood - Hand turned ornaments using rescued wood #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
14:02:19: Double Trouble Jigsaw Puzzles - Texas Artfire - Hand cut custom jigsaw puzzles with many options - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fqHMuI
16:08:19: Item of the week - European pen hand turned from Ebony with chrome hardware - contact me for 10% off #handmade #artfire http://bit.ly/37AVX
18:05:15: Knot Just Knots - On Fire for Handmade - Macrame with synthetic fibers - washable and no fading - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/eDJuan

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From Twitter 02-21-2011

10:53:20: Grand Prairie Woodworks - Men of Artfire - Fabulous woodcraft creations with an Arts and Crafts flair #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
12:56:48: Sacred Sun Creations - Artisans in Wood - Hand turned ornaments using rescued wood #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
14:00:01: Double Trouble Jigsaw Puzzles - Texas Artfire - Hand cut custom jigsaw puzzles with many options - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fqHMuI
16:04:16: Item of the week - European pen hand turned from Ebony with chrome hardware - contact me for 10% off #handmade #artfire http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:40:06: Artfire - Crazy Train Artisan Guild - THE PENDANT STUDIO #artfire #handmade http://ow.ly/3Rhom
18:05:08: Knot Just Knots - On Fire for Handmade - Macrame with synthetic fibers - washable and no fading - #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/eDJuan

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From Twitter 02-20-2011

09:37:21: HardLuxe - Texas Guild - Cute wireworked bracelets #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fLo2JY
11:40:08: BoatwrightWoodworks - Artisans in wood Fine and funky turned creations #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
15:39:34: MojoGraphics - Men of Artfire - Custom vinyl, t-shirts, and etchings #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:40:10: Item of the week - Wine Bottle Stopper turned out of Padauk - contact me for 10% off #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
18:41:34: VBQDestash - On Fire for Handmade - Extra fabric from a fabulous quilter #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX

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Aikido Saturday Afternoon - 2/19/11

Aikido players:  Tim, Trey, Troy, Brad, and Marvin.

Ukemi:  Normal ukemi.  I helped Marvin start taking falls from his knees instead of the ground-level falls.

The Walk: Twice.  I then worked with Marvin on stones 7, 8, and 9.  We then ran through the entire walk up to that point several times.


Releases: I introduced Marvin to the first release.


Techniques:

Marvin did some work with the Belt Bump the Dummy and Strike the Dummy drills.  We also did some walking drills, trying to get him to slide instead of lifting his feet.  We also did some work on Sugi Ashi (sp?) walking for Brad and Marvin.

I worked with Brad on 6-10 of Ju Nana Hon Kata while Tim watched.



Aftermath:

None of note.

Aikido Friday Night - 2/18/11

Aikido players:  Trey, and Sal.

Ukemi:  Light ukemi.

The Walk: Once.  We got a late start

Releases: I worked with Sal while Trey corrected us.

Techniques:

We played a little with a balance/touch drill that Trey developed.  Tori is perpendicular to uke.  Tori then puts a hand at ukes back and the other hand on uke's chest.  Tori then moves both hand slowly towards each other to attempt to take uke's balance without "threatening" him.  Fun to play with.

Trey then worked with Sal on Shomen-ate and Aigamae-ate.

Aftermath:

None of note.

Aikido Thursday Night - 2/17/11

Aikido players:  Trey was detained at home and Troy was detained on the ski slopes.

I told the earlier Karate class they could have the mat for the rest of the evening and went back home.

Aftermath: None of note.

From Twitter 02-19-2011

09:37:15: HardLuxe - Texas Guild - Cute wireworked bracelets #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fLo2JY
11:40:26: BoatwrightWoodworks - Artisans in wood Fine and funky turned creations #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
15:39:29: MojoGraphics - Men of Artfire - Custom vinyl, t-shirts, and etchings #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:37:22: Item of the week - Wine Bottle Stopper turned out of Padauk - contact me for 10% off #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:40:03: Artfire - Crazy Train Artisan Guild - PIZZAZZLED DESIGNS #artfire #handmade http://ow.ly/3Rhnq
18:43:08: VBQDestash - On Fire for Handmade - Extra fabric from a fabulous quilter #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX

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From Twitter 02-18-2011

09:37:10: HardLuxe - Texas Guild - Cute wireworked bracelets #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fLo2JY
11:41:33: BoatwrightWoodworks - Artisans in wood Fine and funky turned creations #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
15:40:48: MojoGraphics - Men of Artfire - Custom vinyl, t-shirts, and etchings #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:38:22: Item of the week - Wine Bottle Stopper turned out of Padauk - contact me for 10% off #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
18:42:15: VBQDestash - On Fire for Handmade - Extra fabric from a fabulous quilter #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX

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From Twitter 02-17-2011

09:37:15: HardLuxe - Texas Guild - Cute wireworked bracelets #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/fLo2JY
11:40:24: BoatwrightWoodworks - Artisans in wood Fine and funky turned creations #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
15:40:22: MojoGraphics - Men of Artfire - Custom vinyl, t-shirts, and etchings #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:39:37: Item of the week - Wine Bottle Stopper turned out of Padauk - contact me for 10% off #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
16:40:08: Artfire - Crazy Train Artisan Guild - LEELU CREATIONS - #artfire #handmade http://ow.ly/3RhmJ
18:42:51: VBQDestash - On Fire for Handmade - Extra fabric from a fabulous quilter #artfire #handmade http://bit.ly/37AVX
18:51:26: RT @johnpicacio: Congrats to George R.R. Martin & his partner of 30 years, Parris. Married as of Feb. 15th. http://tinyurl.com/4elwpm2 #grrm
18:55:44: Sea Glass Heart Necklace at OceanCharms on Artfire. Gorgeous! http://ow.ly/3YEl9 #artfire #afpounce #handmade
18:59:47: Soon a Necromancer will reside on my desk at work and none shall be safe! See the comic here: http://ow.ly/3YEqA #webcomic #plush

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