THE NATIONAL

Tired and wired we ruin too easy
sleep in our clothes and wait for winter to leave


APARTMENT STORY


LIT UP


MISTAKEN FOR STRANGERS


ABEL


MR. NOVEMBER

The Parting Kiss

HUMID seal of soft affections,

Tenderest pledge of future bliss,

Dearest tie of young connections,

Love’s first snowdrop, virgin kiss!

Speaking silence, dumb confession,

Passion’s birth, and infant’s play,

Dove-like fondness, chaste concession,

Glowing dawn of future day!

Sorrowing joy, Adieu’s last action,

(Lingering lips must now disjoin),

What words can ever speak affection

So thrilling and sincere as thine!


-- Robert Burns (1759-1796)

Since U Been Gone

Kelly Clarkson / 'Since U Been Gone' at LIVE EARTH
After eight years, I can breathe for the first time. I can read the newspaper without clenched teeth. I can view speeches and not want to throw things at the screen. I can listen without cursing every other moronic statement. I can discuss policies without shame and embarrassment. That loser's gone!

Last night I had the great fortune to see Will Ferrell's brilliant send-off to The Former President in "Your Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush". Ferrell reminds us of the many bizarre events we've lived through and reveals new intel... filling in the blanks such as GW's AWOL. Some true... some not true! It's spectacularly funny to have pointed out how idiotic this country has been... but there were moments for me, when I was terribly sad thinking how we allowed this administration to tragically pull us down in the mire of chaos and catastrophe.

Ah, memory lane. The marches with my newborn baby, the camaraderie of protesting, all the incredible street art. Here's some of my better photos of that time...

But, a brighter day has come... Happy Weekend!

Peace and Love,

--christine

SPOOKOO + SUPERFOREST

In the interest of a new year, and for those new to my lil' blog, I would like to provide you a brief summary of who I am and a small statement of what a SPOOKOO is. First, I'm an illustrator and writer. This is how christinenorrie.com describes my work:

Christine Norrie has been working extensively as an artist, writer and designer since 2000. Her primary interest is communicating via comic book illustration for the graphic novel format, as well as short stories and serialized publications. Her unique style has led to projects in other media and industries in creating concept art, storyboards, fashion graphics, and book cover jackets.

Her most noted works include her original graphic novel Cheat , the Oni Press series Hopeless Savages, and the teen drama Breaking Up published in 2007 by Scholastic/Graphix.

Dubbed “a natural storyteller” by Publisher’s Weekly, Norrie has earned two Eisner nominations, A Russ Manning Promising Newcomer Nomination, and a 9th Panel and New York City Comic Book Museum Award.

She works and lives in New York City.

All of these things are true of my career. Yet, here at SPOOKOO, I'm also a single mother of an extraordinary four-year old little girl. I'm a peace and eco-activist, not just in my Greenwich Village community, but also on the internet. Proud friend of so many amazing individuals, who are worldly and diverse and loving. Oh, I also really like music, food, and movies. I'm a silly person that really digs sharing and advocating life ideals... for The Common Good.

In particular, the incredibly positive collective SUPERFOREST.

This movement was started by my good friend Jackson Nash... I'm quite proud to say I was there when he planted the seeds on paper with drawings and writing. He experimented with many ideas, over the months we chatted about all the changes, and here now after a year and half, there's an incredible site devoted to the human environment maintained by a smart global team of bloggers.

The truly exciting part of this is seeing the impact and growth in such a short space of time. The new redesign is beautiful, and seeing Jackson's videos and report of actually being at The Inauguration is not only amazing, but I'm beside myself knowing he's using that opportunity to maximize and inform his mission.

My part in SUPERFOREST has always been artistic support and this year will be no different. Much like SPOOKOO, I know we will evolve and keep creating new things for me and you... and have lots of fun throughout!

Peace and love,

--christine

[Oh, and uh... SPOOKOO is the name of my cat. A stray St. Louis alleycat I'd rescued back in 1993. He was just a scrawny black kitten I'd ever-so-cleverly named 'Spooky' and as I got to know him, his name had come about from a strange story I'd made up about him being from some outer space existence aboard Satellite Spookoo. And there you have it.]

At last...

Times they are a-changin'. And we start now.

Right after I stop bawling my eyes out! Jeez, I was doing so well yesterday, just a might bit weepy after the oath. I celebrated with friends, drank champagne, hugged and kissed my loved ones. Then lovely emails in the evening and went to bed feeling just fine.

Woke up this morning, watched the First Inaugural Dance and my eyes started to seep. On my way to the West 4th Street station, I decide to listen to the OBAMA playlist I'd created during the election, walking by happy people reading newspapers exclaiming PRESIDENT OBAMA, the waterworks in full effect.

A couple hours later, and a tissue box later, I'm realizing we have the upper hand in creating a world for the common good. We have a president who can lead. A government that we can stand behind and who will stand behind us. If we choose it, if we get involved, if we open ourselves, and work at it.

The transition has ended and the new administration has begun. CHANGE.gov is our resource and we can now join President Obama at WHITEHOUSE.gov.

Peace and love,

--christine

America The Beautiful

“To all the other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: Know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and we are ready to lead once more.”

Blackbird

"All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."

-- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

I double-love NY

I love love New York because we have breakdancers and planes crash-landing safely into our rivers.

Yeserday, I was at the 34th Street subway station when I heard the sweet beat of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean. I had all ready exited the platform, but I pulled behind the gate to watch a small group preparing to break. Their lead was a young guy dressed like Michael, black hat, white socks, sparkly glove. He was backed by three dancers, one of which was a girl! Then "Michael" started shouting out whoops and hollers and drummed up a crowd for Wanna Be Startin' Something...



At the same time, mi compadre Jackson's over on the west side of town when he hears a plane awfully close to SuperForest... Being the cat that he is, he immediately went out and took a vid of the scene. The boats and the plane are cool, but I really like seeing shots of the crowd and my favorite intrepid reporter chihuahua Baloo looking so smashing in his parka...



What an amazing week... I love you, New York! Have a happy weekend!

Peace and Love,

christine

Uptown Top Ranking

Ah! 2009 is off to an amazing start and it wouldn't be possible without all the thoughtful caring people in my life...

Now click on this SuperForest linkie and listen to an amazing rekkid! (Thanks so much, Jackson!)