S: Is for systems on empty

For the past two weeks I have felt that I was speaking a foreign language or that I was reading a different book than everyone else. I felt alone, isolated and out of touch with reality.Today it finally hit the fan when even things that were written were not accepted as what were on the page. Thank-God I have a strong support system that fervently let me know it was not me. If you were to ask me to pick one factor that was responsible for conflict—I’d have to choose miscommunication, as the primary factor. Why? Because miscommunication inevitably leads to conflict. How does miscommunication happen? It happens when one side doesn’t communicate enough information to the other, or we misinterpret the real meaning of their words. In either case, we get a different meaning of their words than intended. With the advent of e-mail and IM, this is a becoming a common problem because people do not communicate in real time. It is essentially a telegram. Cell phone communication does not always allow for an immediate feedback, so our minds interpret based on our wishes and wants. People always fear the worst outcome. In miscommunication, the mind fills in the missing information with it's own creative insight, which is often fear-based. Our minds need logical explanations to events. One of our most basic needs is to have answers based on reasons and explanations. We always assume the worst based on our fears and insecurities. Assumption therefore fulfills our need for a logical explanation for the unexplainable events and we tend to become locked into those assumptions,believing them as truth. There is no way to fend against how our minds are wired. In New York it is impossible to know if a meeting will take place, if you can arrive on time or if your cell phone or other means of communication will work. All we can be responsible for is our own actions and intents and pray that others will understand them as well. This city can sometime get you down but it can also full you with such an energy. It's what makes a day a day and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for timeless elements.

It might be said that Jill Schwartz has design in her blood. She is the daughter of two designers, one a graphic designer the other an interior designer. With such creative parents, an appreciation of art was the cornerstones of her upbringing. Her fascination with jewelry was evident at an early age. She was forbidden to have pierced ears until the age of sixteen. So at three years old, she resorted to gluing beads to her earlobes. Like her jewelry, Schwartz's talents combine different elements. The jewelry, frames, journals, books, paperweights, and clocks which she designs, are a natural synthesis of her training as a graphic designer and an interior designer, and incorporates her love and knowledge of ancient and ethnic arts. She uses wonderfully balanced collage and assemblage.Jill Schwartz creates her line of Elements jewelry and paperweights in her Barrington, MA studio Elements' hand crafted Jewelry line is a collection rich with images, antique findings, and collage. Jill Schwartz designs a new line every season each with its own distinct personality. With earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and pins, Elements' has that unique piece of jewelry perfect for you. Paperweights are a perfect canvas for an Elements vignette, where Jill Schwartz can create new scenes with her signature findings, images, words, letters, and themes, housed in sturdy glass tops and pewter bases. Her eclectic collection of parts and her true artistic genius endow all her pieces with beauty and uniqueness.Jill has a love for ancient and ethnic arts. i just love her richly textured pieces and that is a F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Calamity

Just when I thought my computer was fine the virus re-opened. A friend just sent me the following notice: Recently, the FBI warned about electronic greeting card scams. In the latest version, the recipient receives a message with the subject pertaining to a greeting card, such as "You have received a Hallmark E-Card!”. The message has a link to view the e-card but this is a link to malicious software such as a virus or Trojan and should NOT be clicked. The message is very deceiving as its looks legitimate. It should be noted that there may also be variations of this message. Please be extremely cautious of any e-mail described as an e-card. This is a new variant of the spam greeting card scam and FrontBridge/Microsoft Hosted Services have been notified about this variant. If you receive any message such as the ones above, you can report them by forwarding the message as an attachment to a new message and mail to: abuse@global.sprint.com

If someone is reading this and understands the mentality of why someone would do this, Please pass it on and I will write about it. If you are one of those people, do you understand the damage you do to people you do not even know? I did a focus group tonight trying to promote Microsoft and I have to tell you, I am not impressed. I want a Apple. Pass me a MAC and I will be happy to learn a new system if it keeps people who use viruses to prove how smart they are, that damage lives and careers, and do God knows what else away. Or at least at bay. Right now I have to use a friends computer because I can not get my computer to log onto the net. My format of communication has severely been compromised and I don't even know why. We live in a day and age where "Big Brother" is trying to infiltrate our lives but shouldn't they do it where when something happens you can complain? I found out tonight that Microsoft releases programs that aren't even tested, or if they are at only a 20% rate. How smart is that. Microsoft is bringing their technology to the new Nokia phones but if computers can be compromised by a virus what's to stop hackers from getting your phone number and running amuck. We live in a world where electronics are our way and means of so many things. Security should be technology's number one concern and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for the art of Nina

Again I apologize for the fact that this is late. The Trojan virus that attacked my computer is still doing it's worse.

Nina Bernardi's work is the dynamic interaction between glass and clay, water and earth. Working in ceramics for more than ten years, she opened her first studio in 1993. Focusing her attention on the development of "Utilitarian Art"; she created unique objects meant to be not only admired but also used every day.







Raised in a culture where color is an expression of the environment, her work is a mixture of vivid tropical colors, memories of her childhood, the translucency of the Caribbean sea and a deep influence of the native pre-Columbian cultures. Currently she is refining the technique which combines ceramics with fused glass. The result is an extreme range of colors, from bright orange to earthy brown, the contrast between the depth and transparency of a blue pool of glass and the hard and stony surface of the clay, reminders of some ancient civilization. In the "blue fish" and "cactus's on the islands" series, the theme is the sea, the images are fishes seen from a child's eyes,and the pools of crackled glass evoke rebuilt long-lost dreams and colors of underwater gardens, the graphs are the spontaneous strokes of my emotions etched into the crude clay. As objects of art, meant to be used daily, they open the door to a dialog of stories, told thorough glass and clay, and the stories of whom use them every day. In January she will present at the NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR Booth 6112. Location Jacob K. Javits Convention Center Hand Made Division. From January 28 to February 1 2008. I suggest you visit and add some pieces to your home for a sense of light, color and playfulness and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Fashion

New York Fashion week is almost here. This German based designer won't be among those yearning for the coveted designer to wear award. Her combination of the finest merino wool and delicate silks have me infatuated with her creativity. The nature of wool and silk are the guiding ways to the creations of Tiara Mana. Through the act of felting a unique form takes shape. Each single piece shows whether it wants to be worn as a skirt, a scarf or a top. When women wear these creations, their inner blossom unfolds, beauty shines from within. The Queen Within. The whole collection is manufactured in her atelier in Stuttgart Germany. Material and colour combinations are individually chosen, silk dyed with special pigments. Each design evolves like a picture of wearable art. Fashion as individual as the woman wearing it. All of her designs are one of a kind and unique. I have only seen here wares shown at the gift show but this is a name to keep your eyes on.
I can not wait for Nanette Lepore's show. I am already coveting her two piece suit in the window of a local store. This adorable jacket comes with a fitted mini skirt sure to show your best assets while keeping you business chic. Nanette Lepore is one of those designers who flies slightly under the radar, creating smashing designs season after season while never garnering too much press attention. Most recently, her designs have been seen on every starlet in Hollywood-- Nanette is a favorite of Eva Longoria, Reese Witherspoon, Vanessa Minnillo, and more. Her designs are the perfect mix of girly and functional, and are always a hit and that is a F.A.C.T.