rajafacesbothways

Trixie Rides Again

Gift From the Desert was busy today, making it more fun to be a docent while meeting people from all over the world. It's interesting to see what grabs their interest---one woman was ecstatic to see the Hittite Kikkuli cuneiform Tablet of a Horse Training text (early 14th C. BCE); many of the techniques for dressage training remain in use today. Another woman returned twice to show her husband a small cuneiform clay tablet  (about 5x3 cm--late Babylonian) of a receipt for a gift horse from Darius 1st. Why? Because he was the ruler from 516 BCE who put David in the lion's den! (See! I don't even have to make thing up!)

Also Trixie rode again--these are horses in the Alltech exhibition area.

And below is a horse made of shells:

That gal wil ride anything!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax Dollars at Work

Working as a docent for the Gift From the Desert was designated as a special event--a reception for members of the Kentucky legislator. Since they have been making up things in Frankfort I figured I could make things up for them for a change. It wouldn't matter since they probably wouldn't pay attention anyway.

I overestimated them. They gathered to mingle, drink wine and nibble on goodies; a few went through the exhibit, one on his cell phone as he urged his wife to look quickly since they had dinner plans.
It confirmed what I already knew--even at the Horse Park there are more horses asses than there are horses!

Revving Up

Returned to dance class in Lexington today; I've been too busy to go into "town". In anticipation of WEG games, a lot of road work is being done--making me happy I've been too busy to go there. Taking a cue from Chicago's Cow sculptures from 1999, there are decorated horse statues on many corners.

The games are less than a month away. The anticipated crowds have been reduced from 500,000 to 300,000--still a lot of people. And wow! Lexington has also given its approval for people to drink outside in specified areas of the city. (not Georgetown though--no dead drunks throwing up on our sidewalks--so there!).

Workmen hard at work?

World Equestrian Games Approach

The WEG is getting a lot of attention here now. (WEG is the World Equestrian Games) This is an Olympic size event and will be held at the Horse Park bringing the world's finest horses to compete in several events. Estimates are that also 500,000 people will descend on this area from Sept-26 to Oct. 10. This is the first time the WEG has been held in the United States. I've had to get photo I.D., etc. for clearance to volunteer at the Horse Park during that period.

The Horse Park is perhaps less than ten mile from Georgetown so everyone is trying to come up with ideas on how to get some of all that potential wealth into this town. Hotels are running buses--some of the participants will rent or bring cars. It has been suggested that school buses could be used after school to bring people here from the park! Imagine! Sheiks hopping out of school buses to have frickles at Favas!

 Other ideas:  Creating the world's largest origami horse to be displayed at Yoko-en Japanese Garden. And contacting the Guinness Book of World Records to include this marvelous feat. There will be no end to excitement--and blog material.

I am probably the only artist in town who anticipates selling none of my work.

Kentucky Horse Park

This weekend I volunteered at Kentucky Horse Park--its a nearby equine theme park and competition facility on more than 1200 beautiful acres. This was a once-a-year free admission day; I handed out free tickets, goodie bags and pony rides. Admission is usually $15/adults and $8/children so it's a real treat for many.

In 2010, the KHP will host the World Equestrian Games. the largest equestrian event ever held in the U.S. Over 600,000 people from all over the world, competing horses, and 2000 from the media are expected to descend on this area for the 16 day event.

That's the good news.
The bad news is Kentucky won't be ready for them until 2020.

Yogs-Poker Club

Along the lines of fitness, the state has started a "Get Fit, Kentucky" program, encouraging people to walk at least 15 minutes a day or do some kind of physical activity.

I know of a group that is doing it's part--The Yoga-Poker club. (or is it Yoger-Poka?) The women get together, do a little yoga, eat and drink wine, and then play poker.

With high stakes and bad food, it could develop into a program that achieves the mantra--"You can never be too thin or too rich."

Four of This, Four of That

My friend Kathryn challenged me to do a meme, Four of This and That. With a couple of minor corrections I'll give it a try:

4 jobs you had in your life:
Cemetery caretaker, photographer, teacher, piano player
4 movies you could watch over and over:
The Graduate, Blues Brothers, Amicord, Singing in the Rain
4 places you've lived:
Northern Ohio, Long Beach, CA, Chicago, IL, Georgetown, KY
4 places you have been on vacation:
  All 50 states, Europe, Far East, Arctic
4 Favorite foods:
My nephew's clam bake, Chicago pizza, dim sum, asparagus
4 Places you'd prefer to be:
Oregon coast with grand kids
Provence area of France
Riding an elephant in Chaing Mai, Thailand
Missoula, Montana
4 Favorite Authors:
Proust,Gary Larsen's cartoons, Barbara Tuchman, Wallace Stegner
4 albums you can't live without:
Unplugged (Eric Clapton), Beethoven 9th Symphony, the Patsy Cline Collection,
Kris Kristofferson at the Philharmonic

I'm sure the rest of you couldn't care less--but I'm never one to shrug off a challenge

Games Bloggers Play

Visiting other sites, I've noticed bloggers often list their favorite whatevers. So here are a few of mine:

Favorite films:  Singing in the Rain, The Graduate
Favorite authors:  Barbara Tuchman, Wallace Stegner
Favorite journalists:  Karen Titus, Tom Friedman
Favorite artists:  Matisse, Georgia O'Keefe (tho Rembrandt was the best)
Favorite photographers:  Andre Kertez, Henri Bresson
Favorite TV series:  Barney Miller, The Simpsons
Person that changed my life:  George Buehr, teacher and artist
Book that changed my life:  Where's Waldo

(I actually think bloggers resort to this when they have nothing else to say)