Oh My Goodness. Yesterday I was looking forward to writing here about my super-exciting weekend. But now I'm already on to more more more super-exciting things for the rest of THIS week. Wow, this is Fun. Let me just see now if I can remember all the stuff that happened lately.

Saturday. Drawing at a Communion. A man in the chair. Some comments from the crowd about his 'position'. "And what position is that?" I asked. Turned out that I was drawing the chairman of the Republican Party of Queens. I recognized that they weren't just fooling around when I saw his professinal posture and confident movements - like he was accustomed to 'publicity'. I think his name is Chairman Phil Ragusa.

Sunday, not officially booked. Overcast. So tired because I got home after 2:00 a.m. from visiting Family. But I forced myself to get up early and get out into the world. It's just too easy to sleep through life and then wonder why life is boring. So I went to do my first Face-Painting in Central Park of the year.

But what happened? I had to cross Park Avenue to get the the Park. Police were at every street corner. And we absolutely were not allowed to cross the street. From either side. "Why? Why?" I asked. "Because the Pope will be riding along this way.

"Safety reasons" I was told.

"How long will it be?" I asked.

"As long as it take. Half-hour. Hour. I'm just to stay on my of the street until I'm told..."

Initially frustrated. Tired. When I suddenly realized that this was a momentous occasion. How many people would have Loved to be here - right where I was!!! I took out my camera-phone. "Don't let me miss it," I said.

"He's coming. He's coming."

Quick! Press the Camera-mode. Again. Options. Take Photo. I got a motorcycle cavalcade. Quick! Camera! Options. Take Photo. Press button. Pause............and.......Click! "Did I get it? Was that the Pope?" I asked the woman who was next to me.

"Yes." She was certain.

But I did not actually see him. Dagnabbit. We never know if we're making the right decision until afterwards. I thought I'd at least be able to see him in the photo, but, well, here it is:

Wonderful day continued. I felt special. I am part of the New York scene. I am a New York Artist. Loooonng day. I remembered the experience of being out there all day working the crowds. Handling the other Street Artists. And the Authorities. Gotta be tough to handle this. It's not for the timid-hearted.

Went out to dinner with a friend after my Park experience.

Here are some of the pictures I drew at Saturday's Communion:

I love this song - Time of Your Life by Green Day:

Another turning point; a fork stuck in the road.

Time grabs you by the wrist; directs you where to go.

So make the best of this test and don't ask why.

It's not a question but a lesson learned in time.

It's something unpredictablev but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind.

Hang it on a shelf In good health and good time.

Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial.

For what it's worth, it was worth all the while.

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

(instrumental)

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

Now I'm focused on a very busy week. So many gigs, I'll even have to cut out the exercise class that I enjoy. Because that day I will be drawing for NYU.

Then, Thursday, I'll be drawing the NYPD in Queens. Saturday, it's a Walkathon for the Westchester SPCA. From which I'll have to pack up fast to get back to Oceanside to draw at a Communion that same day. And Sunday - it's another Communion - right here in Wantagh (where I live)!

I'm having the time of my life ~ We all are ~

I just took photos off my phone. They were taken at 2 recent events.

One was at a Public Library. I've worked at the Baldwin Public Library 2 years in a row now - they have this special day set up for lots of fun events. I like when I'm already known - when people rush right over for their chance. I love my job.

The other was at a NYC Bat Mitzvah at the Citrus Restaurant. I was downstairs with about fifty 13-year-olds. They really had fun at this party. The dancing was so wild because it was so 'innocent' - if that's the word. Brings me back to a time.....

I am so lucky for these opportunities to interact with people of all ages.

Why am I spending my morning just drawing pictures of people who post their photos on the web? I don't know?

Well, it started like this. First, I wanted to practice my 3/4 views - so I looked for faces. But on the page that showed an angular man in a 3/4 view, there was a more interesting photo of a front-view man who was bubbled out with strong glasses, and.....

Okay. So now I'm going to get to sending out literature, taxes, laundry, yoga.....

It's all good.