Oh, I've moved. Official memo here.

http://sarahjanesemrad.blogspot.com

I'll leave this archive up. I don't know where I'm going with my online life and need a reliable place where I can post. Hence the move to blogger. A summer 08 overhaul. RIP old blog on Movable-Type-With-Malicious-Code..... Please update yer feeds.

Wednesday, June 11, 2008 @ 10:35 AM

more pictures and commentary later....

eva at the ranch.jpg

ranch house.jpg

buck at marfa public radio.jpg

burn box.jpg

chinati hot springs.jpg

eva at hotel paisano.jpg

hello meth lab in the sun.jpg

self in valentine.jpg

sj and josh at prada marfa.jpg

good to be home. but, my, what a fabulous trip out west.

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 @ 09:47 AM

Go West

Headin' west tomorrow with the girls. We have before us a grueling schedule of taking pictures, visiting the Chinati Hot Springs, visiting galleries, checking out the stars and talking around a camp candle. Brutal. I'll miss Paul and the kids dreadfully, but leaving and coming back only makes me a better wife and mama. See ya on the other side. Hope everyone has a lovely holiday weekend.

photo above - wallpaper in the ranch house.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008 @ 07:03 AM

Daily Rambler

Oh they'll be some in-depth updates soon, I suppose. We had a classic Semrad party last weekend. Belt Buckles. That's my commentary. There was a clean-up day at the LRTX land. Then Paulie and I were guests on Girl Talk. The podcast airs next Tuesday, I think. I'm not very public about my relationship with P, because, who cares, really? But it was fun to talk about it with our pal Leah for the show. What else? I survived a board meeting and am preparing for another next week for Art Con. The kids are splendid and that Eva is truly talented on piano. Shockingly good. I got my visa papers in for the Kazakhstan trip and am looking forward to other travels this summer. One trip next week out west to Marfa and another trip to NYC for a week this summer. Can't wait to visit all the residencies in the City. I knocked out a grant yesterday. I don't know what else to ramble on about. Hope all's well in your world. Peace.

Friday, May 16, 2008 @ 09:21 AM

Radio Active Artist Exile

Later this year I’m heading out on a mission trip. Not sure why I’m going, except I saw the call sent out from my Dad’s church and said YES. I’m doing what I can over the next few months to learn about their culture and language so that when I go, I can be the most useful and of service.

Semipalatinsk, Kazakhstan. Former U.S.S.R. Other wise known as Semey. It’s far. Really, really far from home – and quite literally in the middle of nowhere. The closest major city is Almaty. Never heard of it? Me neither. My reading is turning up all sorts of tidbits. Semey was built around an old Buddhist monastery in 1718. It grew a bit as a trade town between the growing Russian Empire and the nomadic peoples of Central Asia. Very little history is written (in English anyway) on this part of Asia, partly because it was closed up until recently to Westerners.

Other tidbits? Unruly Russian artists and musicians were sent to Semey regularly, including Dostoevsky. Heh. Also - there was a nuclear test site in the area in the middle of the last century and the fallout continues to cause birth defects and illness to the locals. I’m going to help where I can with physical labor and take tons of pictures to share with our community.

I’ve just ordered two used books on Amazon about Central Asia and the appropriate phrase book is next. Taking this trip will be difficult on the Semrads because it will mean at least two weeks with no income. I’m planning a few low-key fundraisers among friends in the coming months. If you’d like to be included, please email me.