"...being raised to be men...like thier mothers." OUCH!

Some SERIOUS #spokenword about #beingaman, about being PRESENT! I know women will "Like" this post - but the message is really for MEN! Are you out there? Are you willing to LISTEN and SHOW UP. "WE HAVE A GENERATION OF BOYS...THAT ARE BEING RAISED TO BE MEN...JUST LIKE THEIR MOTHERS." ouucch Jonathan Evans​ !

I don't want to stereotype - there are a lot of men who are right there raising their kids and living Godly examples...I am blessed to have many in my own family. But that does not negate that too many are not present or are setting negative, or hurtful, examples. The video is by Jonathan Evans, son of Tony Evans and chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys.

Then go see the #Woodlawn (a #football #movie for everyone), providing examples of a few more #amazingmen who lead by example - some confident throughout, a reluctant hero and strong conversions - yet the underlying personalities stay the same. I love that part...how God uses us the way he made us! (Release date October 16, 2015. Make it a great opening weekend!)

https://youtu.be/z8A_Ya5D7Nw



Heather J. Kirk Art by Heather J. Kirk www.heather-kirk.artistwebsites.com
Literature by Heather J. Kirk http://www.photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books.html

To Do in AZ - Week of January 30 - February 5th, 2012

January 30th - February 5th, 2012 - Scottsdale, AZ


Waste Management Phoenix Open. Just in case you don't already know - it's the golf tournament formerly known as Thunderbirds. (I'm not fond of the name, but who am I to argue when a sponsor pays the big bucks for naming rights.) Lowest price tickets are $25. Might as well make it a day (if you can find the hours on their website... http://wmphoenixopen.com/tickets/general-admission/



February 3 - 5, 2012, Glendale, AZ



Glendale Chocolate Affaire - a delicious delight for the senses as the Glendale Chocolate Affaire creates a chocolate-lover’s dream! Chocolate purveyors from Arizona and around the nation gather in Glendale for this award-winning festival, which celebrates not only chocolate, but romance and the arts as well.


Location: Murphy Park, 7017 North 58th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301

Feb. 3-5, is Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, 5 - 10 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 4, 2012, 10 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, Noon - 5 p.m.

http://www.glendaleaz.com/events/chocolateaffaire.cfm



February 5, 21012 @ 1pm - Phoenix Art Museum:

The Gospel According to St. Matthew (Film)


Italian filmmaker Pier Paolo Pasolini wrote and directed this documentary-style look at the life of Jesus Christ. Presenting Christ as a revolutionary figure, Pasolini, himself an atheist, created one of the most compelling and by many standards accurate depictions of the Christian savior's final years, one that is particularly interesting given the director's separation from the belief. Runtime: 137 min. Tickets to this film are $5, FREE for Museum members.


This film is being run in conjunction with Sacred Word and Image: Five World Religions on view January 4th - March 25th.

http://www.phxart.org/events/index.php



Events Chosen by Heather J. Kirk

Calendar Memoirs - The Blog I Won't Regret

January 21, 2012: I "read" a new book every few days – the quotations around the word 'read' are because I actually listen to downloaded audiobooks while I check my e-mail, surf the web, work on photos. It helps pass the time and keep me going when I would otherwise get bored, tired (unfortunately too often) or want to quit.

(Yes, that's a picture of a digital bookworm - I sure wish it was cuter.) If you live in the Phoenix area and have a library card from your own city, you can check out digital audio books and download the WMA software here. If you live elsewhere, find out if your city has a Digital Library by googling.

The power of story is my motivator. How fitting then that a few lines from last night’s book are what make me start writing Calendar Memoirs – the blog I’ve been putting off for 6 months, maybe more.

Ask For It: How Women's can Use the Power of Negotiation by Linda Babcock, WMA Audio Book (Or buy Ask for It in paperback - Their first paperback book that led to this one is Women Don’t Ask)

Part Two, Phase 1, Chapter 2 (00:00): “What will you regret? Researchers have found that people experience two different kinds of regret. Regret about things they've done and regret about the things they didn't do. … When asked to identify the biggest regret in their life, people are 2 to 3 more times likely to describe something they didn't do instead of something they did.

So try approaching the question of what will make you happy from a different angle altogether. What will you regret not doing? … Is there's something you always planned to do but never got around to? How sorry will you feel if you never make it happen?“

This quote summarizes the number one reason why I am thankful that I stopped everything and moved to the Dominican Republic on January 19th of 2010. I felt so strongly that I was supposed to go, and even though I can’t tell you exactly what I was supposed to do there, or what I accomplished, I can tell you I will never have to wonder “What if…?”

I also know that many of my life lessons from that time have come months or even a year later. And like many of you, I learn a lot about myself by writing. I created a list called “What I learned about life while in the Dominican Republic” that I’ll share with you in this blog – perhaps a little at time. Those who have seen it feel what I learned has opened their own eyes about their own lives, wherever they are – because oddly, the lessons have nothing to do with the location.

Share with me as I flit from year to year and place to place in Calendar Memoirs. Insight and philosophy based on day to day habits and adventures - what I see and what I learn, hopefully helping you to see your own lives and relationships in new and amazing ways, and of course what I’ve done (a bit of a travel guide – in Dominican Republic, Mexico, Arizona, Chicago, California, even your own town). We’ll take walks, go to art galleries, the theater, see movies, read books, take nature hikes and take photos, visit friends and family and eavesdrop on my life.

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/Books Find her art at: Artist Websites and HeatherJKirk.com

Calendar Memoir - Movies, food, dance theater and the IRS!

Okay, it's time to do what I've promised for the last few weeks. Calendar Memoirs is way to share with you the things I've enjoyed - so you can enjoy them also in the future!

Wednesday October 5th, 2011: As a professional art installer, I hang Michel Sarda's photography exhibit. He was Herberger Gallery's curator last year, and this is his retrospective show, Spirit of Arizona. The show goes through October 30th.

Friday October 7th, 2011: I attend Michel Sarda's art opening and book signing event at Herberger with Junjie Verzosa, we go over to Artlink's A.E. England Gallery across from ASU's Downtown Campus in Phoenix's Heritage Square to see Stories of Us: Celebrating the 2 Year Anniversary of the Artlink Galleries. Take the light rail or try to park in front, after making three dangerous left turns around the block and across the rails. Address: 424 N. Central at Taylor.

It's a pretty building right on Central - glasss all around to see the art from the outside as well. Public bathrooms due to the park (Civic Space). I like that part! Live music was playing and I took pretty pictures of the infamous public art flying thing (saguaro bloom / UFO / basketball hoop cyclone.) Her Secret is Patience is the work of Janet Echelman, Central Station, Phoenix.

Junjie's piece is my favorte in the Stories of Us show (curated by cory Weeks). I like it not just because Junjie is a friend, but he takes two classic pieces and makes them his own - a child's portrait (from the eyes up) looking at Bouguereau's Madonna of the Lilies and another Madonna with Child.

See his two Madonna pieces in the center of Junjie Verzosa's website:

William-Adolphe Bouguereau became my favorite artist after learning of him while doing the interior layout and cover design for Mantoshe Singh Devji's book The Virgin in Art.

Also on October 7th, I e-file my taxes and find that someone else has filed before me using my social security number. I spend the weekend figuring out how to deal with this...

Sunday, October 9th: I watch a movie on TV (yes, a rare movie on non-cable): The Miracle at St. Anna - a 40 Acres and a Mule production. A great movie with signature Spike Lee cinematography and editing. Since Buffalo Soldiers (all black batallions) have been written out of WWII history by not incuding them in WWII movies, this story re-writes history (honestly) by putting them back in the war. Yet it is fiction - and ironically this fiction has maddened Italians, because they feel their history has now been rewritten.

I recall seeing a pre-screening of Spike Lee's first film "She's Gotta Have It" when I was at Indiana University. I remember how clear it was from Lee's first movie that he would change film history. I can recall specific scenes, burned intmy memory. It was the first time I saw film as visual art and not just story. How cool it would to meet him - but what could one say that was not cliche or that he had heard a million times before.

Monday, October 10th, 2011: I try to call the FTC (along with about 10 other government agencies) and get amd that they're offices are closed at 3:55 pm. "Nice hours," I think. I later realize my calendar with the teeny-tiny print has made me miss another holiday - this time Columbus Day. But my chiropractor's office is thankfully open - the amazing Dr. Edward Judge. After 3 days of migraines (both euphamistically and literally) the releif is welcomed.

Tuesday, October 11th: I don't bring a single thing to my Water from Rock Bible Study's potluck dinner - and only feel slightly guilty for eating everyone else's wonderful food. I had just read Rev. Tim Smith's eVotional about the healing powers of fire on the pine forest. Intense heat is needed to reseed and grow the forest. I need to believe this - desperately - because this IRS / Identity Theft issue is really starting to get to me.

Thursday, October 13th, 2011: I see the movie Ides of March with my friend Cinda, a scriptwriter, then go to eat at Macaroni Grill and uber-analyze a movie that neither one of us found satisfying. Yet it did bring up many themes to dsicuss.

I then ask about her own screen play. I ask how her trip to NY went and if she was able to meet the producer she had hoped to. "No, Spike Lee didn't make it to the party, but my friend will get it to him."

This kind of thing happens to me all the time - weird conincidences. Almost prophetic thoughts. I wish I could use it for profit somehow...but it will probably have to just remain entertaining.

Friday, October 14th, 2011: Linda Ingraham and I rush to Sophie's French Bistro to make it in time for Happy Hour - it ends at 6 pm. Crepes, quiche and pomme frittes (french fries - in French). I give in and try the Peachtini.

We then head to Herberger Theater to see Center Dance Ensemble - There is a Time to Dance. The first half includes performance by various dance troupes. A solo called "Trapped" choreographed and danced by Martha Hernandez is fantastic - performed flawlessy and humorously. It is based on Corintians 12: 20-22 "...there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you'..." But the dancer endeavors enthusiastically!

Sadly 1/3 of the audience leaves at intermission as their young freinds have already danced and will not perform in the second half. The second half is the main attraction. "The Attic" is a profound, deep, sad and moving dance interpretation of The Diary of Ann Frank. It makes me want to read it - knowing that like when the dancers drop to the floor, and the diary just ends without another entry - many have died and we must remember how it happened. Then I look around the theater to recall - all the youth have left.

You have until Sunday to see it!

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

Just Enjoy the Show

Sunday October 2nd, 2011 – Tempe and Scottsdale, Arizona

Somewhat paraphrased: Peace is not just the absence or lack of something – no war, no more problems. If peace depends on the absence of trouble, peace is only temporary. We live in a broken world, and new problems will start the very next morning. Instead, peace – Shalom – is both a prayer and the presence of something: freedom and confidence. Freedom from fear and confidence that God is in control. If you choose to believe that everything that happens, every detail of your life, is in God’s plan, has a purpose and can work ultimately for good, then there is peace – in spite of your problems, and even in the midst of war.
- Grace Community Church – Dr. Daryl Delhousaye,
Text: John 14: 25 – 31



It’s not unlike the movie I saw later with friends, Money Ball. We can choose to never be satisfied, never win enough games unless you win the “final game” – the pennant. In that case only one team wins in a single game in an entire season of baseball. Not much fun – we could skip all the hot dogs and apple pie, summer picnics and ice cream after the games. In fact the last inning is all that would be worth watching – worth living. Fast forward through your entire life, dissatisfied every step of the way, and then be “shocked” when you can’t remember how to celebrate; or there is no one around to celebrate with. (It’s a metaphor.)

Or you can, as the final song the main character's daughter sings suggests, “I’ve got to let it go and just enjoy the show. You’re such a loser dad. You’re such a loser dad. Just enjoy the show.*” Yes, yes, another metaphor. Another way to say the more common metaphor, “It’s not whether you win or lose – it’s how you play the game.

Personally, I’d like to both win AND play well along the way, maybe we all would. And we’ve got to admit, playing well increases the likelihood of that happening – though of course it’s not a guarantee. Still, there are principals in sports that apply to life, like “Practice makes perfect.” So why do so many of us try to get by on sloppy or lazy work and act surprised when things turn out poorly?

The main character played by Brad Pitt was often stressed out , angry or frustrated. Yet only once did he drink alcohol as a coping mechanism. I liked that. (Eating though – well, that’s another story.)

I’m not a Brad Pitt fan. (I’m maybe one of five women in the world who don’t find him attractive.) Nor do I feel he is a particularly good actor. I like baseball even less. Still, once the story started to make sense, I really liked the movie and felt Pitt portrayed the wide emotional range of the character quite well. Women who aren’t sports fans – don’t worry that it’s about baseball. All viewers – don’t stress over or even try to make sense of the beginning. It will all come together soon enough.

There are two fantastic, high energy scenes that make the whole movie worthwhile. Both include interplay between the characters Billy Beane (General Manager / GM) and Peter Brand (economics intern and assistant to GM). First entails a long group, (non)discussion in which Billy comes in to the recruiters table and announces who they will pick for the team. It’s long, hilarious and the interplay is perfectly timed. Same goes for the second, in which they do some wheeling and dealing over on the phone with other teams. It seems to all come together, until they realize their one mistake. The resulting scene also is well done, yet melancholic.

Now let me skip back to before the show. While buying tickets, a man purchasing tickets next to me asked if Money Ball was full. When he was told no, I told him I was still going to race him for the best seats. I guess he knew I wasn’t quite as quick as he when he told me, “When you get in there after us, just don’t sit behind us."

At the candy counter, another man excitedly asked me, “Do you know who you were talking to?” (Of course the answer is no – I just talk to whoever, sticking my nose in other people’s business when I feel like it.) He told me ended up being the 1976’s basketball Rookie of the Year. (Sorry, still don’t know who he is…) But because he was "too short” (6’ 9”) for the center position he was not expected to go early in the draft. His college coach, who had recently become a Phoenix Suns coach, decided differently. “Too short” for the position, he did so well because of skill and speed.

This story fits the theme of Money Ball as well – drafting on talent (or statistics) and not 100 other superficial or emotional reasons that we base our decisions on every day, in real life. The funniest example in the movie was not wanting to draft someone because his girlfriend was ugly (with some interesting logic behind this). But when we are done laughing, think about how you have judged someone today – and repent! Then just sit back and enjoy the show.

Later in the evening…
I got a shocker when a friend I’ve known for more than 15 years unwittingly gave a one sentence evaluation of what she believes my persona to be. I had told her three of the women where I live regularly gossip about a new male neighbor. She said, “I didn’t know you had friends there. I just imagined you going from your condo to your car, not talking to anyone, and being your usual introverted self.” I didn’t argue, just said that even in a place where most people go from their condo to their cars without talking, in ten years I have talked to a few people.

I chose not to get hurt or offended . But I was shocked that someone I’d considered a best friend for many, many years didn’t even know me. It can be helpful to know when others see us differently than we see ourselves. Yet, the same person told her husband that I am the person she has the most fun with. Before that, he trusted me to keep an eye on her when we travelled – to keep her out of trouble. Now, he’s not so sure he can trust me! (I assured him he can.) It did give me some context to think it all through, instead of losing my peace about it. (I also checked with another friend who said, “You? You’ll speak to homeless men in the park. I wouldn’t worry about it!” ,

John 14: 27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” NIV Version.

*Song by Lenka titled The Show, with the last lines changed. Buy Lenka.

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com

bonding through sneakers

Last night I watched the movie (DVD) Children from Heaven. In this Iranian film (English subtitles or choice between Farsi and French languages) a brother and sister are forced to share one pair of sneakers. Through their secret and their stuggles a sweet bond grows, though it stays real - with the same frustrations all siblings cause one another. Though I'm not sure why, I was surprised and reminded that chilren are children, the whole world over. We are not all that different in the end.

From our omnipresent view we begin to see that thier struggles may indeed bring great blessings, even when they themselves connot yet see it.

I think, "I wish my life were like this movie" - not in the plot itself, but that I could get prophetic glimpes of how each trial might make me stronger or bring me amazing opportunities I would otherwise not be prepared to face or prevail over. I wish I could see what was happening on the other side of the city, or the other side of the world, "chance" encounters or a "random gift", like shoes being accidentally thrown out, and know for sure that difficulties could create beauty in life and in relationships. I want to learn how to accept those "misunderstandings" with the eyes and the creativity of a child.

(Children of Heaven is available through Netflix)

Heather J. Kirk, Photographer, Author, Graphic Designer."We..." an e-book at: photographicartistry.citymax.com/BooksFind her art at: Artist Websitesand HeatherJKirk.com