epic obsession

Obsession #10: Procrastination

2011-01-02T22:55:00.001-07:00

I have an epic obsession with Procrastination.

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week
- Spanish Proverb

Already, I've procrastinated in writing this blog post (which was suppose to go out yesterday to begin the countdown of my Top 10 Epic Obsessions.) Procrastinated writing about my New Years....

.... I rung in the New Year in black and white.

It was a night of champagne, art, and murder! Yes, the intrigue was none stop during the marathon of fifteen 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' episodes. Personally, I prefer the Twilight Zone, but I take and enjoy what Netflix (Obsession #100) gives.

My usual New Year's Resolution is to not make a resolution. Why set yourself up for disappointment. This year, however, I think I've made one I can stick with.

Keep being awesome....

.... I procrastinate cleaning my house, even though there is an increased possibility there will be people at my house. On Tuesday. The fourth. For my birthday. Twenty- fifth... another thing which I'm going to procrastinate thinking about.

I've procrastinated saving money for our trip. Epp! That one, not such a good thing to wait on. Anyone looking to buy some art?

Happy 2011 Kids! Let's hope it's better than 2010!

Obsession #139: Bloody Marys

2010-12-28T03:05:00.000-07:00

I have an epic obsession with Bloody Marys.

Bloody Marys: a popular vodka and tomato juice cocktail

I like mine extra spicy with a lot of olive juice. Otherwise, it's like drinking cold Cambells tomato soup.

This is a newer obsession for me. In fact, I'm going to go ahead and place all the blame for this obsession on my friend, Tasha. If she hadn't of made me the best BM of my life at the worst time of my life, I wouldn't be hooked.

Which might have saved me some pain and misery this Christmas.

Note to self: The next time you've lost your sense of taste, have someone else make your drinks.

Yes, bad call on my part... getting sloshed at the practically-in-law's Christmas brunch... for the second year in a row... At least it wasn't wine (Obsession #54... down from #33) this year.

By the end of my second BM (which was mostly vodka, I'm pretty sure), I was feeling REALLY good. Another martini later, and I was effin jolly. Luckily, I had Love to support me as I stumbled out the door. At least, that's what he told me. I'd blacked all this out.

Five hours later, after a little Obsessions #4 and #6, I wasn't feeling so jolly... more nauseous, I'd say. This is where I start to remember things. I was still vomiting Bloody Mary mix until 4:30 AM, swearing to the Virgin Mary I'd give up all alcohol if She let me live.

I still haven't had any alcohol. I even opted out of a bottle of champagne (Obsession #33.) Not because I've actually given up alcohol, I just haven't built my strength up for it yet. I mean, the universe needs me to drink. I said no to a beer at one point, and things fell off the wall. In fact, a spicy breakfast sounds delish.

Happy Holidays kids.

Obsession #71: Samosas

2010-12-28T01:45:00.001-07:00

I have an epic obsession with samosas.

Samosa: a popular Indian appetizer (though variations of it are found throughout the world), usually filled with a spiced potato mixture.

This was the initial recipe I followed. But I'm a sporadic chef... I'm all about substitution and convenience. My samosas were wrapped with flower tortillas and stuffed with a potato and corn mixture. Super delicious.

Some lessons for the next time I (and anyone else out there) brave this tasty appetizers...

1. We are not all Indian grandmas. There's nothing wrong with substituting the dough with tortillas. Or wonton wraps. Or pita! Yum.

2. While the vegetarian filling was tantalizing, I'm a meat girl. Next time I'm throwing in some pork or lamb.

3. Spice is nothing to be afraid of! Typically an 'Over-spicer,' I can't believe I had this problem. I think it was the "garam masala" I concocted with whatever spices I had. It didn't turn out bad. Needed more clove, less cinnamon. Maybe more curry? Keep adding until the WHOLE house smells like India.

4. Don't forget the ginger!

5. The "making" process is a two person operation, at least. One person stuffing, one person frying. Note to Stuffer: have a good pinching technique. Note to Fryer: Make sure your kitchen has good ventilation. And don't stand over the smoke... it'll just make you sick...

6. Make some chutney for dipping.

7. I know you want to eat them ALL in one sitting, but don't. Please save some for later. You'll feel better about yourself the next day.

Obsession #25: Lotería

2010-12-27T23:17:00.000-07:00

I have an epic obsession with the Lotería.

Lotería: Spanish for lottery. A Mexican board game like Bingo, but using pictured cards instead of numbered balls. There are 54 different cards in a deck.

My obsession began back in 2007 when I bought a shower curtain that had the Lotería on it. I thought they were some type of Mexican Tarot. Luckily, I have several friends wise in the Lotería ways who educated me. I've since thrown the shower curtain away, but the obsession remains. I think it was the randomness of the images that grabbed my interest the most, with things like the skull, the boot, and the little black man. I fell in love with the style. The very idea of the Lotería.

Eventually, I started making my own version of the cards to use in a collage. I made 20 various cards with construction paper and colored pencils.

The cards are based on my own interpretations of the original deck, so there are things like a pentagram for La Estrella and a skeletal version of ‘American Gothic’ for La Muerte. I never finished the collage, but moved on to do a larger Lotería inspired piece...

La Dama, my masterpiece of cardboard and chicken bones. Making this piece was a religious experience for me. I never really knew why I was making it, but I needed to do it. About a year later, I realized the subject was Santa Muerte... but that's another obsession for later, kids...

Eventually, my intension was to do grand pieces like this for all 54 Lotería cards. You know, like how Sufjan Stevens was going to write 50 albums dedicated to all 50 states...

So that idea fell away quickly. But I was committed to doing a full series of cards. I decided acrylic on 12x12 canvas was the natural middle ground between three inch cards and collage monsters. I also decided to make this series more about the culture that the Lotería comes from. I wanted the whole thing to FEEL like Mexico. In themes. In colors. In style.

So this series is all about bright colors, bold black lines, and faux "tin mirror" frames.

Faux tin frames. Dr Pepper cans, individually painted canvas squares, and an unhealthy amount of Super Glue... and bits of my skin, which I think will someday add to the value. Notice the Art Nouveau style card title? Now that I've figured out the frames, I'm moving through them quickly. Well, quick for me. In two years I've completed one piece, finished three canvases (still waiting for frames), and half painted another canvas. Hmmm...

... Teresa Villegas created her lotería series in two years, one year of research and one year of production... a full set of 54 cards...

I think I'll be getting back to my can cutting now.

the first

2010-12-07T21:14:00.001-07:00

The first entree to a new blog. I'm stressing over it like I'd stress over a first date. Will they like me? Am I interesting enough? Does this font make my ass look big? Just get it over with already!!

My name is Jamie and I have obsession. I'm a passionate person and sometimes my enthusiasm can reach epic levels. I'm an actress, artist, burlesque dancer, writer, traveler, lover, sister, daughter, friend. I spend most of my time thinking up ways to escape Pueblo, Colorado. After a long hiatus, I'm returning to the world of online journaling. It's time for me to return to the world, to share these twisted tidbits.

What can you expect to find here on Epic Obsession? Me. Uninterrupted and uncensored me. My thoughts. My art. My poems. Show reviews. Cultural revelations. Alcohol and drugs. Sex. Travel. Late night high jinks with glamour girls. Food. Women. Pain. Philosophical introspection. Gypsy House Experience events. My idols. Religious insights. Music (I live for music!) Love and Hate. Fears. Quotes. Drama. What I'm hoping will be fun for you AND me.

And in the future look for my other blog, I Hate Your Town! A Gypsy House Experience.