Aprons & Aperitifs (I)

Recently, I was invited to be a part of a monthly project meetup: Aprons & Aperitifs, which started over the weekend in Park Slope. This was a wonderful idea put together by M and I was delighted to be asked to join. Our 1st project involved making preserves, jarring them, and labeling the finished product. Between the 4 of us who were there, we made fresh strawberry preserves and white magic plum jams.




Not only was there great Vegan food and (Vegan/Vegetarian) company, I walked away feeling inspired to create more on my own time.

Oh! I also learned what exactly made sugar Vegan...

Printing for a Monologue

Happy August/Almost September. I'm in bed right now, unable to sleep - I guess that coffee was a bad idea afterall. But it kept me up to blog so it's not all bad.

As you can assume, a lot has happened since my last post yet at the same time, (sadly) not much has changed. But I'll try to focus more on the positive. I took my very first art class at the University this summer. I showed up to class thinking I had signed up for intro to printmaking but in actuality signed up for silkscreening I. This was one of the best mistakes I've ever made.

I found it challenging in the beginning, not the silkscreening process, but letting myself try something new and be open to imperfection. I think this is why I stopped painting - the idea of making mistakes is paralyzing to me. I'm not sure what I was hoping to get out of this class other than learning a new technique and producing some palatable art but I walked away learning some things about myself (which I hate to admit I am still doing at this age).

I have this really annoying habit that one of my coworkers called me out on: Sometimes, I am not responsive when spoken to. I find it unnecessary. It's something I've known about but never understood how annoying it was to others. It's difficult vocalizing my opinions. And I don't expect people to understand that.

Then, I took this class. I had a great teacher, a nurturing class environment, and getting myself covered in paint was so fun! I couldn't believe how much I was enjoying the 4 hr class (which was too short for me). In the beginning, I was still anxious about going to class because I was still associating school with something nerve-racking...then things starting to unwind. My hardwired beliefs started shifting. Moving around the printshop felt right.

Silkscreening was labor intensive but it was energizing. We worked on individual project ideas and executed through printing and the results were critiqued openly in class. When something is your idea, you own it and you have to present it the way you see it. I was able to funnel my thoughts/ideas onto my prints and open dialogue because the artwork asked for attention. I was never particularly comfortable with speaking in front of class but I didn't hesitate during this session. I didn't have to worry about people speaking over me or speaking for me. That is one of the great things of unique creation - sole ownership with the option of sharing with others. After that, you're open for theft. I was told to strive for theft as an artist - to mimic but not imitate.

So connecting the idea of vocalizing through visuals, I tried to understand why I've had so much difficulty speaking up or feeling confident enough when I had something to say. I started having flashbacks of the days when we weren't allowed to speak at the dinner table because it was disruptive and unnecessary - a waste of everyone's time. Whatever we wanted to say lacked importance. The only time our father spoke to us was regarding our progress in school. Nothing more. We were spoken to but no conversation ever followed. Any emotional distress following being told to shut up would only result in more berating. I imagine some of these experiences have contributed to the way I am today. Of course, I am not angry at anyone about this (although, sometimes at myself) but it's still a challenge I have to tackle.

Happy Sunday!
Just wanted to plug this: http://aidswalknewyork2009.kintera.org/superchan
And disappear for now...

This past Monday, Marco & Pepe threw a "Feel Good Event" during the evening despite Mondays generally being their day off. It was a free meal + free beer/wine - what can be better? I was headed there right after work when Dan spotted me at the station. Naturally, I decided for him that he must have dinner w/ me, Lev, and Shankar (who were meeting us there). "Dan, you must eat delicious free food w/ your friends - cry all you want". No room for refusal.

M&P has excellent food. It's a downtown JC joint (named after the owner's two dogs) that offers American cuisine and rustic decor. The menu is simple and the bar well stocked. It is easily a local favorite. It's on the pricey side so I definitely reserve it for a 'I want to treat myself' day. Bar seating is abundant and there's a magazine rack filled w/ an assortment of reads - so hanging out is welcome. The music depends on whose employee's IPOD is plugged into the speakers. It's usually mellow tunes. I'm also a fan of their tea selection (which is served in a personal pot).

That evening, everyone would be sampling the same dish: braised chicken w/ roasted brussel sprouts, carrots, and mushrooms over rice. Initially, I thought it would be a small tasting but it was much more than that. I sipped on some vino blanco while scarfing down the dish. My 9 News was there too - so that was the catch. We were puppets of a publicity stunt...puppets w/ jolly bellies. boohoo. yum yum! We left a nice tip and left quickly so others waiting in line could enjoy the free eats too. We walked Dan home and he put some homemade brownies in a baggie for me. I am the luckiest. Then Shankar made me some Indian chai as I watched part of BBC's Wild China (which Henry figured I would enjoy). Did I mention I am the luckiest? It is really good so far...and I'm excited to watch the rest.

Psst...Congrats, you're halfway finished with the week!

There was lots of work ahead of me this evening so I decided to start a new blog instead. I am the master of self-sabotage. True story. If you followed me over here from my last blog, thanks for helping me move! If you're a new viewer, welcome to my new home!

What shall we expect of this blog? The adventures of Masha Chansky, of course (would you believe that URL was already taken?) and an endless list of things I fancy.

This evening, I grabbed a Chicken Sate Bahn Mi from "Mangez avec moi" for dinner. I've had my share of bahn mi's in my lifetime and have to say that this place never disappoints w/ their sandwiches (i.e. toasty bread, marinated lean chicken, perfect ratio of vegetable + cilantro). Their actual restaurant (located next door to the sandwich shop), however, is another story.

The petite shop offers a lunch time buffet and Asian snacks to go. Staff is all smiles. I always get suckered into buying a random dessert they're offering - tonight was no exception; a Thai dessert of sweet rice noodles fried w/ garlic. I should have quit while I was ahead but it turns out I have no self control (!) and finished the entire container. oops. One other detail I enjoyed about the bahn mi is the long and slender brown paper bag it comes in w/ the name of the sandwich neatly written across the bottom. (I'm a big fan of packaging). Two well kept wooden benches are outside to sit and enjoy your meal. FYI, the same homeless man hangs out near there, he's a bit intimidating but be nice and offer him half your sandwich.