Skating Under the Stars

If ice skating is not part of your routine, you probably only think about going during the holidays or during an Olympic winter. If so, it's time you thought about a session by month's end. It's national ice skating month in the States & many ice rinks & arenas are having special events, plus lower rates for a session. If you go, we'll go. Deal? (Our neighborhood has a small outdoor rink, open November through March. No excuses; we walk by it on the way to the market. Gulp. Photos, um, maybe:) If you're coming to Washington, DC for the Inauguration festivities, you should visit the National Gallery Sculpture Garden & go skating, too. If you live near an outdoor rink, try it (or go again). There's something special about skating at night under the stars that makes up for the cold.  xoxo

PS: Reward yourself with this. Or this, if alcohol isn't your thing.

(photograph by Clara Lidström)

Stay Cool

GG will be back tomorrow. The terrible storms of Friday night & ensuing power outages have wreaked havoc in our world. We hope you have electricity or that it is restored soon. Here's a new-to-us online travel magazine (via Lori) Wayfare to read & an iced coffee recipe.

To all the people we saw waiting to get into cafés for the wifi, good luck!

ciao-meow from Giulia who is resting after many severe asthma attacks due to the power outage. xo

(photograph via Lolita)

One Hundred Years of Cherry Blossoms

While the centennial National Cherry Blossom Festival does not begin until March 20, it's time to start thinking about it now. Whether you live in the DC-area or will be one of the million (yep) visitors at the festival, you'll be pleased to know that the website is vastly improved.

If you're so inclined, there is a photography contest ongoing. If you enter by March 11, the entry fee is discounted by 20%. Check here for details.

ciao-meow/GGCM

PS: The photograph is a detail from Zoohiko. Here are two more photographs from the cherry blossom shoot. Giulia is tapping her paw-pad for a chance copy this chic Japanese cat. We're seriously considering it.

Snapshot: Painters & Photography

The invention of the Kodak handheld camera in 1888 gave post-impressionist artists a new source of inspiration. Investigating the techniques and compositional strategies made possible by the new apparatus, artists captured their private lives, as well as their public domains, in surprising ways. The exhibition debuts many previously unpublished photographs taken by seven European artists, renowned for their paintings and prints. Approximately 200 photographs and 80 paintings and works on paper by artists including Pierre Bonnard, Félix Vallotton, and Edouard Vuillard explore the dynamic relationships among the various media. - The Phillips Collection

If you live in the DC-area (or will be visiting before May 6th), scamper on down to the The Phillips Collection to see Snapshot. If you're so inclined, this photography contest in which you use one of 9 images from the exhibit as inspiration, looks like fun (& you could win a Nikon 1). In fact, even if you won't be able to attend the exhibit, why not use the contest as a guide for a photography project of your own?

ciao-meow/GGCM

(painting by Maurice Denis & a photograph that informed it via Phillips Collection's Flickr)

London Lights

A little calm in the midst of a political storm. We'll be visiting our Washington, DC holiday market today. Meanwhile, you should visit Annie's lovely blog Insideology. She posts on photography studies, architecture, interior design, London (lots of great London posts), & much more. Really worth a visit.

And from last year, Coldplay's Christmas Lights. It, too, is a popular search again this year. We confess: it's one of only 3 songs we own of theirs, but we do like the video of London. And even though it references Oxford Street, these photographs are from Carnaby Street.

pip pip & a merry ciao-meow/GGCM

PS: Liberty London Girl's Bond Street decorations.

(photography & collage by Annie)

Degas & Dancers

If you're in the Washington, DC area (or will be by January 8, 2012), definitely stop in to the new Degas exhibit at The Phillips Collection. There's also a Degas exhibit on at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. There are some good articles in the New York Times & a good slideshow on The Guardian. Here's the Degas label on The Guardian, too, so you can see all the article titles at once.

Can you tell we're rushing? Yes.We're dragging our laundry in & out of the rain & up & down the stairs. At least that's a bit of exercise. Growl.

ciao-meow/GG's beleaguered editor

PS: If you have little ones around, remember these New York City Ballet link coloring pages.

(Dancers at the Barre/Phillips Collection via Wikipedia

Hero Dogs

You're a hero. Everyone keeps telling you, but you don't feel much like a hero. Mostly, you feel frustrated, and angry, and scared. Frustrated at how tasks which used to be effortless now seem like climbing Mt. Everest. Angry, sometimes at the people you love and the very people who are trying to help you, because you hate feeling so dependent on them. This is not the future you had planned. And this - THIS? This 65 pound wagging yellow fool with the floppy ears and the tongue hanging out of his mouth - this is supposed to make any of that okay again? --read on, Hero Dogs

On Sunday, at the Takoma Park Street festival, GG's editor met an adorable (what other kind is there?) 10-week old yellow Labrador puppy who was to begin his training as a hero dog on Monday. The only thing that kept us warm in the cold rain was the puppy, the story of Lady Liberty & learning about the Hero Dog organization in the metropolitan Washington, DC-area. The people of Hero Dogs are new heroes to us. Check out their website, appearances at events in the area, & how you can help.

Giulia is pining for a puppy now.

ciao-woof-meow/the Management

(photograph via Free Desktop Backgrounds)

Writing in Coffee Shops

Friday a.m. update - Giulia's editor remains in exile (for writing purposes) at a coffee shop. The little redheaded one remains at home. It's hot. As the kids say, this blows. All of it. Don't even get us started on the debt ceiling talks.

An article on writing in coffee shops. So far the charm eludes us. Fume.

ciao-meow/the Management

(photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson)

Dance Is The Answer

We almost missed National Dance Week! If you're in the DC-metro area, visit Dance/MetroDC's Dance Is The Answer site & check out the large number of low-cost activities. If you do not live here, but live in the States, check out National Dance Week.

From the website: Dance Week creates a heightened awareness of dance and movement activities in the DC metro area. Dance Is The Answer includes classes, workshops, performances, lectures, open rehearsals and more in different styles of dance from ballet to tap to world dance, and takes place April 15 through May 2, 2011...(read the rest).

Giulia is limbering up. Of course, being a cat, this comes naturally to her.

ciao-pirouette-meow/GG

(Josephine by Mads Teglers via Cup of Jo)

Bikes for the World

...needs your help if you live in the Washington, DC area. There will be a donation day on Saturday, April 16th at area Whole Foods Markets. They will be accepting bicycle (& financial) donations but before that, they need you to spread the word via blogs, Facebook, Twitter, residential & company listservs.

BfW also needs volunteers to help pack the bicycles for shipment. Please see the organization website for details. (BfW is a sponsored project of The Washington Bicyclist Association, check them out too!)

ciao-meow/GG Central

(the beauteous Claudia Cardinale via the fun Rides a Bike)

GG Tea

It's cold & rainy in Washington, DC this morning. We're still sipping our tea & waiting on all sorts of news. We'll be back later today.

ciao-fume-meow/GG Central

(Mad Hatter's tea party via Lewis Carroll Society of North America)

Stand With Japan Walk, Cherry Blossom Festival 2011

The Cherry Blossom Festival begins this weekend in Washington, DC. Giulia & her editor are hoping to be at the walk & to report back. Please read on if you are here (or will be).

Beginning at 6:30pm on March 24, people will gather at Sylvan Theater (15th Street and Independence Avenue, SW) before walking the Tidal Basin. All donations received throughout the fundraising effort will go directly to the National Cherry Blossom Festival Red Cross Online Donation Site, benefiting the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami fund.

People are encouraged to gather to reflect and participate in the walk around the Tidal Basin, where the cherry blossom trees, gifted to Washington, DC from Tokyo in 1912, have stood the test of time for 99 years. Our relationship with Japan is at the heart of the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and the Festival is uniquely positioned as a natural conduit to unite the millions of people who want to assist and express their support in a show of unity, and the evening of hope and perseverance occurs before the 16-day celebration begins on Saturday, March 26. The Festival’s diverse and creative programming honors the gift of trees each year and the enduring friendship between the two countries.

ciao-meow/GG Cherry Blossom Central

(an artist at the Tidal Basin painting cherry blossoms via DC Public Library Commons)

GG's Winter Break

Update - Watch Egypt news on Al-Jazeera Live, here.

How unpleasant to be under spam & hack attacks. While we sort this out & try to feel better, too, a mini-break. GG & her editor plan to be back in time for Valentine's Day. (Update - we didn't make it back but hope you had a lovely Valentine's Day. Message from GG's editor, here)

For a dose of a great big talented heart, visit Jeff Bridges's fabulous interactive website. Dudes, you will totally feel better. Guaranteed.

ciao-meow/GG's editor

(photograph by Heather Pauline via Rebecca Shley on Pinterest)

Have a Cozy Evening

If your evening plans don't include going out tonight (it's too cold here!), the first two episodes of Downton Abbey are online (for US households, not sure about Canada) until 22 February. (You can also buy the episodes through iTunes.)

To warm up, try a mustard bath & some ginger tea. (Giulia is resisting both, so we'll leave her alone. She's clearly very comfy.)

A fascinating & amusing New Yorker article Sweet Revolution, the power of the pastry chef by Adam Gopnik.

A delicious & colorful meditation on Andy Warhol & French pastry.

The latest Mad Man news (they never rest, those Basketcases:)

For a smile, here's the almost criminally-cute baby Toby.

Stay warm!

Running Out

The year is ending (& the new one has started in Australia & New Zealand, hi guys!). Giulia's editor must run out to the market (among other places). Back tonight, EST. You can read about & watch video of 2011's arrival in the Antipodes, here. (photograph via here) Cheers!

ciao-rush-meow/GG Holiday Central

Faux Bo

Bo, the Obama family dog, sits by a larger-than-life holiday decoration of himself in the East Garden Room of the White House. Some 80 volunteers helped create the 4 foot statue, which is made of 40,000 pipe cleaners. (40,000!)

If you want to keep some people busy with pipe cleaner creatures, see here. More things are done with pipe cleaners than ever -- apparently. GG wants a tiara. Of course she does. (photograph courtesy White House flickr stream)

ciao-woof-meow/GG Central

Sparkly Sunday Night with GG

Regular visitors here know that Giulia rarely makes an appearance. She's rather demanding when it comes to grooming (in addition to suggested remuneration fees--which we are ignoring, thank you). Here is a rare moment of calm between fairy lights & GG. She alternates between suspicions that fairy lights suddenly coalesce into a monster to yum, these sparkly lights must be tasty. Otherwise, why would her editor shriek the moment a snaggletooth makes contact with a light tip? Oof.

Here's a new Simon's Cat video, Santa Claws. Even if you don't have a cat, it's funny. Have a good Sunday evening!

ciao-sparkle-meow/GG Holiday Central

Ms. Smith Goes to Washington

Patti Smith will be reading from her award-winning book Just Kids at the National Portrait Gallery this Saturday, 11 December 2010 at 2pm. She is so much fun to meet--you should go if you possibly can. It will be very crowded, guaranteed. But hanging out early at the Portrait Gallery is no punishment! (There are nearby cafés for some good hot chocolate.) Sadly, Giulia's editor has an ironclad obligation at the very same time (mimph).

Here's Patti's website to sign up for announcements.

ciao-meow/GG Central

The Nutcracker, Coast to Coast

A Nutcracker slide-show from the New York Times dance section, along with The Nutcracker Chronicles (just as it sounds, but often funny). Remember this free coloring book from the New York City Ballet & pass it along. We're rushing - can you tell? We await massive rains & high winds here in Washington, DC. Giulia is her usual sanguine self, listening to holiday music. (Really.) She'll share her celebrated-amongst-family-&-friends annual cheesy Christmas music mix next week.

ciao-pirouette-meow/GGCM

(Brian Malek and Yoko Callegari of the Washington Ballet as John Paul Jones and Miss Liberty. Credit: Carol Pratt)

12 Days of Panda Claws in Washington, DC

Panda Claws (the official ZooLights ambassador) will be visiting hot spots in the D.C. metro area over 12 days, between November 29 and December 3 and December 6 and 12. He is very excited to let everyone know that ZooLights is free this year.

GG is excited. She thinks that, finally, this year she will be going to ZooLights. (Doubtful. But you never know.) If you are in the Washington, DC Metro area, visit the link for complete rules & prizes. Personally, we'd choose any prize called The Guppy Gala.

If you're not here but will be visiting, be aware that this is a popular event & though it's free this year, parking is not. Therefore, if it's a mere brisk night, park at an outer Metro station car park & hop on the Metro Red Line to the Woodley Park-Zoo or Cleveland Park stops & follow the hordes. (images via National Zoo website)

ciao-meow/GG's holiday freebie coordinator