It's not unusual for newspapers to do stories at my gigs. But it is unusual for me to get to see them.

I was so lucky that my client from the Harry Potter gig sent me the section of the Morris County (NJ) Daily Record that showed a picture of my work:

Barnes & Noble had hired me for first night that the new Harry Potter book would be available. And the line of people wanting Caricatures to remember this special night - it started in the middle of the huge store where I was stationed, extended back to one wall, and then continued all around the store! They were in costumes. The excitement was contagious. Wow!

I took the whole morning off today! That is Soooo unusual for me.

I certainly didn't plan on it, but I'm glad I did it. Today was just a step, a little time spent towards my personal growth. Not my artistic growth. Not my business growth. Not finally getting this house in order. But seeking out my quiet heart - the sweetness that isn't heard while I focus on everybody else.

A friend had called. Complaining that another friend of ours had disappointed him. Again.

Started my regular work. Called an agent. Prepared detailed travel directions for a very hectic day next Sunday (Face Painting at a Labor Day Party in Whippany NJ followed by Caricatures out east at Stony Brook University). Then, Stop. I stopped. I took time to be my own friend. But I wasn't very good at it. Not accustomed to giving to myself, but I persisted. And I felt supported in my efforts by the wonderful Olivia Newton John CD I was listening to.

Enjoying the photo on the cover of the CD, I tried to experience her content mood by Caricaturing the photo. Here's what I came up with. I particularly like how I signed it at the top of the page. It looks like Olivia is looking right at me, speaking right to me:

The music really adds the feeling to the poety, but all I can do here is write the words of some of the songs that supported my morning off:

LOVE IS LETTING GO OF FEAR:

The pain is something that you can't ignore You're always wondering what the hurt is for Your heart feels something, that is can't explain You yearn for love but you're afraid to change Remember the wounded bird still sings Remember that faith has tiny wings

Love is letting go of fear Love is letting go of doubt Love is letting go The chains that tie your spirit down and Love is letting go of pain Love is learning how to dance Inside the light again.

You're always haunted by the love you've lost You're scared that you'll forever pay the cost You believe tis is the bitter end Better lonely than be hurt again Remember there's always one more chance Remember that love's the only dance - and

Love is letting go of fear Love is letting go of doubt Love is letting go The chains that tie your spirit down and Love is letter go of pain Love is learning how to dance Inside the light again Love is letting go of pain Love is learning how to dance Inside the light again.

Good Morning! Here I am, relaxing a playing - as though I have nothing else to do??? But, well, this is what I did.

Perusing my blog, I redrew the picture I scribbled out last 1/6/06. It was so much Fun:

Quick Cac. I coined that phrase to quickly say that I drew the Caricature quickly: