renée michele andolina » thoughts

testing limits

Renee — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 20:50:09 +0000

Every morning on my way to work, I listen to NPR’s Radio Lab. The other morning, I was listening to an episode about human limits, mentally and physically. There was a segment in the episode that really got me. The section talks about The Race Across America, which, I am sure most of you have never heard of (at least I haven’t). It’s basically a race consisting of bike riders who LITERALLY ride their bike across the entire United States. Really. Non stop. Really. Here is a little bit of information from their website:

The route is over 3000 miles, touching 14 states and climbing over 100,000 feet. Teams typically cross the country in 6 to 9 days, averaging 350 to over 500 miles per day. Solo racers finish in 9 to 12 days, averaging 250 to 350 miles per day. Teams have a relay format and race 24 hours a day. Solo racers have the challenge of balancing a few hours of sleep each night against race deadlines

These riders (or maniacs I would think) ride their bike nonstop every day, rain or snow, sleeping for only 1 hour a day. If that’s not testing limits, then I don’t know what is.

If you are in need for any inspiration, I am highly recommending you listen to the episode. I had included the link above.

you do remember birthdays

Renee — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:38:32 +0000

I have started to make a list of all the things I need would like to get done as far as art ideas, travels, and short term goals. This is not the first, nor the last time I will be making one of these lists. My life is organized on paper, always. I have a compulsion to write down everything in my head…while constantly carrying a weekly calendar, a sketchbook, a medium size lined notebook, and a pouch full of random drawing supplies in my bag at all times. This could explain the reason my bag weighs over 20 lbs on my shoulders.

A super excited thing happened to me the other day. My boyfriend is taking me to HAWAII!!! Honolulu to be exact. I love this boy!!!

It went like this: when I met my boyfriend I found out that he was a huge obsessed fan of the show LOST. When I met him, I had never seen an episode. For almost a year, we spent hours at his place and mine, watching every episode from season one until I was all caught up. I am now a fan of LOST, but not as obsessed as he is.

Because of the final season, premiering in only a few weeks…LOST fans were offered a special package deal. The deal includes airfare, hotel, a special screening of the first episode of Season 6 on the beach of Hawaii, a tour of where they filmed LOST, and hopefully meeting some of the cast! I am SUPER PSYCHED!!! I have a soft spot for Sawyer and Charlie so I am hoping one of them will be there.

Since we are going only for 4 days, I have decided to only take my small camera and a sketchbook. Last time I brought my camera on a plane, something happened to it going through the x-ray and the whole thing stopped working.

Speaking of LOST, my boyfriend is selling a limited edition print of art on Damon, Carlton, and Me. Check it out at http://www.youdorememberbirthdays.com/

feelin’ that seasonal pull

Renee — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:36:50 +0000

Things have finally been settling down a bit over at my life. The apartment is on its way to looking fabulous, and the boy and I are holding our first Thanksgiving dinner at our place! The theme started as a shabby chic look, but its now starting to look a little more like my old room…a colorful melting lollipop. We decorated for the holidays to make it look more festive, and are looking into buying a white x-mas tree! I love our place, seriously I couldn’t ask for better.

I have been experimenting with cooking different dinners, and the other night I decided to make penne alla vodka with shrimp from scratch. I had all the ingredients, and everything was coming out perfect. However, I made ONE little mistake, which ended up being the biggest mistake of the recipe. Instead of 1/4 tablespoon of red pepper flakes (which are REALLY spicy), I poured in a whopping 1/4 cups of it!!! It was so spicy me and the boy couldn’t even handle it! I was so hungry, and it tasted so good that I forced myself to eat a bowl of it, while sipping milk in between each bite.

The derby season is over, which means lots more time for knee healing. I am selling prints once again on Etsy, the link is below to check out. I am in the process of making some roller derby and roller skating wallets to sell as well. I finally got a new sewing machine, and by ‘new’ I mean another 1950’s Singer. The one I have was giving me some problems, but I refuse to get rid of it. Also, the Long Island Roller Rebels have a blog. (http://longislandrollerrebels.blogspot.com) If you scroll down, you can see some of our Halloween fundraiser pictures (Hint: look for the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter).My boyfriend found his silk-screener while organizing the studio room. I am hoping to use it for some wallets and possibly some tee-shirts as well. I have a tendency to create a million art ideas, with little or no time to actually work on them. And I don’t think I can blame that on the ADD or OCD.If you are reading this, and are under 12 years old, you may be interested in some new art classes I will be offering over at The Drawing Studio in Smithtown. The flyer will be out this week, classes start in January.

typing with numb hands

Renee — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 14:12:29 +0000

Woke up this morning to a house alarm. Five hours later, the alarm is still going off. I feel I have been neglecting my blog for one good reason: busy-ness. Since the summer, I have made a comeback to roller derby. It was well missed. There are so many new girls on the league, I almost feel old. If any of you are thinking about seeing the movie Whip It, don’t expect to come to a Long Island Roller Rebels game looking for the WWF. When I first joined the team in 2006, it was a lot like a wrestling meets Nascar game. Now, all grown up, we play the way it’s supposed to be.

I started substitute teaching, and I must say, I love it. Even though I am not always in the art classroom, subbing gives me the opportunity to be a multi-subject teacher. Just last week, I gave two lessons in Social Studies, and read to the English class. It’s a fun challenge to be working in different subjects, and getting to know the students from other classrooms. For two days, I subbed for an art teacher. It felt like home. Hopefully in a few weeks I will be teaching Saturday enrichment classes.

On an even better note, I am moving!!! The boy and I found a HUGE apartment a little further east of here. It’s great because I will finally have an extra bedroom to use as a studio, instead of the 2×2 foot space I have been working in. Packing, on the other hand, has not been fun. I never realized how much crap I actually owned. Please don’t confuse me with a hoarder. I have a ton of stuff, but at least it’s clean and organized. I just cannot part with my collection of Burger King and McDonalds Happy Meal toys from the 80’s, or the many Alice in Wonderland troll knick-knacks that scatter around my room. I can give you a story for every piece in this room, from a trinket to a fortune cookie, and it will be well worth hearing.

Once I pack and unpack my scanner and computer, I will be posting some overdue photos and drawings.

a little story

Renee — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 04:51:06 +0000

The other day, I was outside and saw a duck and her ducklings walking across the street.

Some of them were so small, they couldn’t keep up with their mum.

Later on, the boy and I took a drive out east, and turned left on an unmarked dirt road. We parked, then walked until we hit a loooong staircase.

We decided to walk down to see where it led.

Turns out, we hit the beach! It was so peaceful and quiet. So we stayed awhile.

We walked back up the stairs, and followed a hose along the shore. Until we hit a small cottage in the woods!

It was a hummingbird sanctuary, without the hummingbirds. (out of season) We walked around, and listened to nature. We could see from miles away.

And hear the bees! They were so large and friendly!

The place was so beautiful, I had to draw a picture.

THE END.

12:08am

Renee — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 04:14:44 +0000

This is me finishing up a five month curriculum:

Other than typing, I’ve been spending my last few days loving life. Roller Derby Disco, joy riding around in the finally beautiful weather, and shooting a bunch of new pictures with a new lens I’m trying out. Spring is slowly but surely creeping in, and I am welcoming it with open arms.

To keep my happiness rolling, I am going to a live showing of This American Life this Thursday. Ira Glass hosts this once a year live, and while I went to see him in the city last year, this year I am going to see it streamed in the local movie theater. This, only because I didn’t know when the tickets went on sale, and they were sold out immediately. Brent, you are a lucky cat. If you haven’t heard of This American Life, please click on the link and check it out.

whoa, now.

Renee — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 14:23:42 +0000

I have not been on the computer for longer than checking my email the last month. I am giving my eyes a rest from this computer screen. It’s nice out, finally. March has been a dead month for me due to the massive amount of graduate work I have been immersed in. I have also been spending most of my mornings with this nice fella:

I am taking a short trip at the beginning of April, breathing fresh air, and taking lots of photos.

snow day!

Renee — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 17:26:43 +0000

hot chocolate, snuggles, sketching, LOST season 1, and unfortunately a ton of work.

And this guy sleeping on the train:

The Pickup.

Renee — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 05:02:05 +0000

So today. So I realized I start almost every blog entry with “so today”. I gotta stop that. OK.

Today was spent photographing actors in front of a green screen for an upcoming horror movie, which I am not sure when it will be released. The shoots were for a DVD cover and a few other things, like posters, etc. I’ll let you know when the final images will be done, because the designer at the company will be altering the photos and inserting composite scenes. Pretty cool.

It’s late, and I spent the last 3 hours working on my thesis. I have a love/hate relationship with my thesis right now, and I am hoping that when this is all done I don’t end up hating sketchbooks as well. Eh, that’s pretty much impossible.

How about I refresh you with my heart stockings?