2006 has been a great year so far, and I'm looking forward to more great adventures!
Graduate School -- Thesis: At San Jose State University I continue to work on my Master of Arts in Art History degree. I have completed all of my course work (see links above), and am now immersed in reading and research. Started really working on developing my MA thesis topic and organizing my research with a project plan. Specifically, I am investigating the evolution of didactic images for young women in conservatories in Renaissance Italy at the time of the Catholic Reformation (before, during, and after the Council of Trent 1545-1564). I hope to complete my thesis and graduate in 2007. After that -– who knows! In Spring 2007 I'm team-teaching at SJSU for the Osher's Institute for Lifelong Learning. Also the FREE ADMISSION SJSU Art History Association's 12th Annual Symposium is scheduled for April 2007.
Skiing: Last winter, my gentleman friend Paul and I skiied two weekends.
Swimming: Well after months of swimming in the local pools, working my way up to completing 4 miles a week, I decided I needed a bigger challenge. In May I decided to swim from Alcatraz and signed up for a weekend clinic and bought a wet suit. Since then I’ve swum the mile-and-a-quarter distance 4 times. Each one is its own special adventure. The water has been in the 50s and 60s F, the water is sometimes flat like glass, and sometimes there are 6 foot swells! Generally the tide is slack, but once it roared at 8 knots and we were nearly swept away! My finishing times continue to improve –- however, I’ve yet to break the 60-minute mark during a race, so I keep trying. Now that I’ve proven I can do the distance and not panic or get eaten by sharks -- my practice in the pool will concentrate on increasing my speed and efficiency. As of late February 2006, I can now swim a mile non-stop in about 45 minutes!
Mensa: As a proctor, I’ve been busy administering the admissions test to prospective members all year. Had a blast at the San Francisco Regional Mensa regional gathering on Thanksgiving weekend 2005. Next big event is the Mensa 60th Anniversary World Gathering in Florida, August 8-14, 2006. Come join us for the fun!
Romance: Met Paul at Mensa friends’ Leap Year party (on February 28, 2005) in Hercules and since then we’ve been so very happy together! We’re equally comfortable going to black tie events and zooming around the Bay Area in leather on Tannhauser (his BMW). He’s smart, funny, sexy, and I feel so lucky –- I couldn’t ask for more!
Burning Man: For Labor Day weekend, Paul and I packed up his truck with survival gear and headed northwest into the Nevada desert for Burning Man 2005. This was my fourth year, and it remains impossible to describe in a few words. The theme for 2005 was "Psyche: Conscious, Subconscious and Unconscious" and much of the art was inspired by a combination of mental, fantasy, and "you've never seen this before" influences. The desert playa (dry lake bed) surrounded by the Black Rock mountains is beautiful and awesome. We were there to witness the blinding alkali dust storms and the kaleidoscopic sunrises. If you can participate anytime in your lifetime -- do it -- it's best experienced firsthand!
Come on out for a visit -- it's always warm, and nearly always sunny, here in northern California. Take care until I see you again. Hugs and kisses,
Danita
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All prune-like after my second swim from Alcatraz –- happy it’s over and eager to get warm and dry! On my face you can see diesel residue and sand from the tugboats that served as our guides.
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Paul and I at the Notre Dame High School gala – don’t we clean up good?
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The art at Burning Man is generally large, clever, and spectacular – this horse is made of rebar and steel belted radials.
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Temple of Dreams burning up, and burning down at Burning Man.
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Paul in playa wear with his trusty bike – gotta have one to get around at Burning Man.
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