I find that listening to music enhances just about every activity - preparing dinner, walking to work, creating embroidery and even cleaning the bathroom.  As someone in a Disney film said, just hum a little tune.  Increasingly, I find that I am reading and writing, which isn't compatible with listening to most music.  I get distracted singing along to Erasure or trying to decipher the lyrics from songs by The National.  Between what I'm reading or writing and what I'm hearing, there are to many words in my head. Clearly, I don't own enough instrumental music. 

But I have found something that works just as well: music sung in a foreign language.  It provides the background, but I don't get caught up on the lyrics, as I don't another language well enough to really try.  Seeking out music from around the world has opened ... well a whole new world of sounds and expressions of emotion. 

Here are some (there are many more, it was hard to whittle down a list that fits on a single CD) of my favorites.

1. Me Llaman Calle - Manu Chao
2. M'bifé - Amadou & Mariam
3. Dikiy Muzhchina - Leningrad
4. Vilaines Filles, Mauvais Garcons - Stereo Total
5. Barra Barra - Rachid Taha
6. Gamen (Vulture) - Garmarna
7. I'm Coming - Rain
8. Bole Chudiyan - from the movie Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
9. Keyrum Yfir Ísland - Sprengjuhöllin
10. Podemos Hacernos Daño - Juanes
11. Hong Mo Fang - Jay Chou
12. Sin Documentos - Julieta Venegas
13. Yalla Chant - Natacha Atlas
14. Seeing Hands - Dengue Fever
15. Her og nu - Aud Wilken
16. 催眠 - Faye Wong
17. À L'ombre De La Lune - Françoise Hardy
18. Yer Bounda Fara - Ali Farka Touré
19. Um Tom - Caetano Veloso
20. Zhaoderen Nana - Hanggai
21. Phonobaloon Song - Takako MineKawa

My sister had twins a year ago.  It's amazing how those months have passed.  My little nieces went from tiny inanimate bundles to toddlers in such a short period of time.  As far as I'm concerned, this is when they start being fun.  They're mobile, interested in the world and starting to communicate.  They have started to like music and will find any opportunity to dance.  The problem my sister pointed out to me is that most of the music for toddlers is unbearably annoying. Did I know of any music that's suitable for children that won't drive parents batty?

After thinking about it, and consulting my music collection, I came up with an answer: yes, loads.  What kids respond to isn't necessarily the saccharine message and squeaky voices.  Kids (like me) like something catchy, with a simple melody that they can dance to.  Everything that I have learned about children tells me one thing: kids love punk rock.  Now, of course you don't necessary want your kids singing along with every punk rock song (Bodies by the Sex Pistols and a number of Misfits songs immediately come to mind as particularly inappropriate).  But the basic 1-2-3-4 beat, derived from roots rock that appears in punk and indie rock definitely fits the bill.  To mix it up, New Wave songs offer keyboard sounds that inspire giggles. And who doesn't love an anthem? 

So I put together this compilation, for the girls' first birthday party.  They weren't the only ones dancing.

1. Happy Birthday - Altered Images
2. I Wanna Be Like You - Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
3. Nee Nee Na Na Na Na - Dicky Doo & The Don'ts
4. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper
5. Shake Shake Baby - American Teens
6. Pretty Baby - Blondie
7. Yummy, Yummy, Yummy - Julie London
8. Ice Cream - Sarah McLachlan
9. Earth Angel - Penguins
10.  Real Wild Child - Ivan
11. Birdhouse In Your Soul - They Might Be Giants
12. ABC - The Jackson 5
13. Stay Up Late - Talking Heads
14. I'm A Hog for You Baby - The Innocents
15. Up & Down - Supernova
16. Baby, I Love You - Ramones
17. De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da - The Police
18. Here I am baby - UB40
19. Twist And Crawl - The English Beat
20. Maybe Baby - Buddy Holly
21. Tiny Dancer - Elton John
22.  Only Have Eyes For You - The Flamingos
23. Birthday Gal - The Replacements

A few months ago,  I started a project -  a pet portrait of the beloved cat Neo.  I was given a photo of Neo playing in the snow.  I quickly started the project, giving myself a close deadline.  As I worked, I thought about the image.  The composition was great, the image playful, but as I worked on the background something didn't seem quite right.  As I thought about it, and as I realized that it was a portrait, more than just an image of a cat playing in the snow, I decided to start again.  A portrait, in my head is something more personal - I wanted to capture more of his expression, more detail in his face. 

I liked the version I had, but put it aside to create something a little more personal.  Once the project was finished though, I couldn't let the original sit unfinished.  So here it is. And now that it's finished, I can't decide which version I like more.  The portrait definitely captured more of his expression, this one is the essence of a tuxedo cat.  Caught in the moment, he possesses a noble quality.

It is hand-sewn as a counted cross-stitch on 22-count needlepoint cloth.  Although I made the pattern for a cross-stitch, it is done as a tent stitch as the weave of the cloth is so small.  Finished, it measures 4.5"x5"

This embroidery painting can be purchased through Etsy.

photo by Kelly Kingman

When time it at a minimum, the first item to fall off my to-do list is the gym.  I know people who get to the gym several times a week without thinking about it.  I have tried to be one of these people, but it just doesn't happen.  During the cold of the winter and the excitement of spring, I somehow managed to stick to a routine.  Saying I enjoyed it would be a stretch, but I went.  But as soon as the travel plans started and the temperature started to soar, my resolve left.  In this heat I'm sweating when I sit still, the idea of doing it on purpose seems ludicrous.

With all of the road trips and plane rides, one hobby hasn't fallen to the wayside: making compilations.  Playing DJ at parties, soundtracking road trips and making gifts has churned up some old favorites and provided new songs to bond with.  As the travel winds down, I need something to lure me back to the gym.  So I crafted something that ensures my body will get moving. If I don't make it to the gym, this is sure to inspire a few impromptu dance parties in my kitchen. 

As I celebrate the end of the summer, the events that fill it and even just the day-to-day (like going to the gym), here are the songs that make sweating fun.

1. We Want The Airwaves - Ramones
2. Gold Guns Girls - Metric
3. Common People - Pulp
4. Love Of The Common People - Paul Young
5. Iko Iko - Belle Stars
6. O.N.E. - Yeasayer
7. Cobrastyle - Robyn
8. Mauja Hi Mauja - Pritam
9. Acapella - Kelis
10. Now That We Found Love - Heavy D & The Boyz
11. Jungle Love  - The Time
12. Boops (Here To Go) - Sly & Robbie
13. I'm Free - The Soup Dragons
14. Step On - Happy Mondays
15. Clap Your Hands - Sia
16. Victim Of Love - Erasure
17. Remember (Walkin' In The Sand) - The Shangri-Las
18. D.J. - David Bowie
19. Fire with Fire - Scissor Sisters

After that summer, college began and our lives developed.  Somehow the next road trip never materialized ... until this year.  A plan was formed -  visiting a friend in Ohio, taking the great adventure west.  This time, youthful exuberance gave way to mature pragmatism and we flew out.  Hours on the road when work didn't sound as exciting with a work week ahead.  But in my head, the trip still counts as a road trip.

I tried to remember the crucial songs from our original  trip. Songs we sang along with, and completely exhausted.  But for some reason, only a couple came to mind.  I suppose it's best that way.  It was a moment in time.  The memories are so precious that anything infringing on them might feel cheap.  So I decided to create a new road trip soundtrack, with a nod to the original.  This one would bridge the memories and build new ones.  And even though we weren't on the road (let's face it, there are very few good songs about flying), it was a journey nonetheless. 

1. On the Road Again - Willie Nelson
2. Road To Nowhere - Talking Heads
3. American Music - Violent Femmes
4. Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National
5. The Passenger - Iggy Pop
6. Drive - The Wedding Present
7. Go Lil' Camaro Go - Ramones
8. Driving Aloud - Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians
9. Keep The Car Running - The Arcade Fire
10. Turn It Up or Turn It Off - Drivin 'N' Cryin
11. Vamos - Pixies
12. Take You On A Cruise - Interpol
13. 25 Miles - Edwin Spear
14. Graffiti - Throwing Muses
15. Carry Me Ohio - Sun Kil Moon
16. America - David Bowie
17. Beautiful Calm Driving - Sia
18. Lost My Driving Wheel - Cowboy Junkies
19. Road - Nick Drake
20. King Of The Road - R.E.M.

Lumete eye wear is the brain-child of Barbara Warren and Clara Herrera.  Over a year ago, they decided that it was time create eye wear that appealed to their sensibilities.  Highly fashionable and creatively inventive, their sunglass collection is whimsical while sophisticated, with a bit of a punk rock edge.  Put on a pair of their shades and you will instantly feel glamorous.

I have been lucky enough to see the creative process and the birth of the line from concept to final product. And I must say that I'm impressed.  Just time for summer, they have launched the Lumete online store.  Check out the site, their designs and pick up a pair.  Afer all, July is UV Awareness month.

I've mentioned before that the beginning of my summer is marked by the annual FIGMENT Festival on Governors Island.  In June, I take the ferry over and marvel at the views, the fields, the art and the serenity of it all.  At that time I swear I will find excuses to make frequent trips back to the island.  And by the end of summer, I decide that at least I made it out once.

Well, now I have the perfect excuse to return.  On August 2nd, there will be an opening for the Living Pavilliion Exhibition on the island.  Erected for the FIGMENT festival, this sustainable structure offers shade and a gathering place for visitors.  The opening will showcase the design and construction process. 

One of my photos will be used as part of the exhibit.  It's quite thrilling.

If you haven't been Governors Island, take the opportunity.  You can find out more about the event here.

As I grew older, not much changed.  As my methods and technologies became more advanced and my collection expanded, I continued to make mixes of my favorite music.  I do it to this day - which is how I ended up with a copy of Cassette from My Ex. 

My friend Clara and Tom, the recipients of many of my compilations, gave me this book as a gift.  In it, people share precious mix-tapes they received from love interests over the years.  The playlists act as a time capsule, capturing a moment, communicating a mood.  The mixes vary wildly, some include artwork and well-planned song orders.  Some consist of entire albums or artists with hastily scrawled messages.  For whatever reason, over the years these little gems have remained in collections.  They represent a time when feelings could be conveyed with music, when hours were spent driving around in the woods.  They are tangible forms of nostalgia. 

So I'm embracing it whole-heartedly.  I could provide a list of reasons why vampire drama is popular right now, but instead I'll give you the best one: it's fun.

And what is Dusk? I'll let them tell you:

Dusk: Improvised Tween Erotica, a show by and for adults, lets audiences luxuriate in the rich, guilty pleasure of vampires, werewolves, and deeply conflicted adolescent sexuality.

It's in NYC this weekend after showing in Austin and Chicago.  If you're in the area and are a fan of vampire drama, improv theater, or are just curious, I highly suggest you check it out.

You can see Dusk this weekend at the Tank Theater (354 West 45th Street)

Friday July 9th at 7:30pm
Saturday July 10th at 7:30pm
Sunday July 11th at 7:30pm

For more information and trailers, check out the Dusk website.