Post Meltdown - Back in Gear

Today is better. Last weekend was not good. Meltdown is not fun at all. But yesterday, I began the return to an even keel. Even on four hours of sleep (and that's another story), things got done and I wasn't overcome with a nebulous blob of anxiety. I've been lucky for months. That space called 'in the zone' is a very nice place to be. I am working my way back there.
My yesterday went like this. Went to Pilates and discovered that every part of me ached, surely a symptom of the weekend meltdown.
Then at noon, I met Gonzo247 at my studio on Harrisburg and we got the table and four chairs loaded up and taken to his place where he'll turn them all into aerosol art. Then we drove to the chandelier shop and picked up that big chandelier structure that needs to be covered with yards of stretchy stretched out fabric so he can paint all over that too.
I heard from Jose Solis and he's got his studio in order and will give me dimensions and photos of the coffee can chandelier in a week's time. I am really happy about that. Over the weekend, I made a scale drawing of the exhibition space and laid out the dinner tables and chandeliers. It looks good and I need his chandelier dimensions so I know where to hang what he creates to best advantage.
Manuel Rodriguez and his brother were rushing to finish the first of the parrot pinata chandeliers by Tuesday and they put the crepe paper on too soon and the colors ran. They've had to redo the feather covering.
Still trying to contact Laurie Perez about a photo shoot for the parrot and perhaps the oil pipe lights so I can get stuff to Sherri for the postcard invitation design. I have the wording for the invitation and Diverse Works reviewed it. Sure hope I haven't left someone off the list of funders and supporters. I'll be refining that list until it goes to the printer in early August.
Have not heard from Modelle about her calls to the monthly magazines. I'd love to know if some - any at all - will include a Second Seating calendar listing. We sent packets in early May. That process is always tricky.
Catarina was here in the afternoon making database address corrections and then she counted all the plates I've written on so I know how many plate holders to buy. The number is close to 60. And this doesn't count Jesse's plates or the plates of any other of the artists. It'll be quite a 'plate wall.'
In an hour, I'll be at Irma's meeting with someone from a cleaning company to see what's involved in getting the space ready for installation. Like power washing the floor which may not ever have been washed. Then I meet with Marci at 9:30, again at Irma's, to talk about FaceBook and how Second Seating can take better advantage of its page. Then on to get a hair cut, to stop by the Apple Store and see why my Microsoft Office isn't working as it should, then on to Melissa's to look at expense spreadsheets, then to PetCo to buy a cat carrier. Where ever did my wooden cat carrier vanish? Marisol needs overdue annual shots. After that I need to pick up oyster shells again. This is an every-other-day event.
So, upcoming day is upon us. Time to get dressed and gather my papers and phone and sunglasses and pen.

Three Day Meltdown

I've been in meltdown for almost three days now, so I'm making efforts to rid myself of this anxiety that is ramping up and clouding my thinking and my work. Went for long early morning walks both yesterday and today, saw a 5:00 p.m. movie last evening and made an appointment with the friend who is keeping up with Second Seating expenses and income.
Still in fund raising mode and I am making a list of everything for which I could possibly be spending money on to install Second Seating. We will tally the two columns and see exactly where this exhibition is headed.
I do have a pretty good feel for it, but I never trust numbers and tend to return to them again and again to remind myself that things are OK. There is enough. Or there will be enough. Work hard and trust in the universe. That combination has worked very well so far.
As part of my self-therapy today, I went to my website MM Hansen Communicates and watched the video of 'la folie innocente du coeur,' that 2005 Marfa installation. Of course, it's filled with portraits of my daughters and mother and the music is evocative and nostalgic. Both conducive to a good cry. Everything is going to be alright. It helps to see something I've already done.


Text and images for the Second Seating postcard invitation are due midweek so design work can begin, followed by proofing, adding in underwriters that haven't surfaced yet, printing and finally that trip to the bulk mail house. The text for the postcard is long and cumbersome because I want to list not only the underwriters, but the companies that have been generous with in-kind. Will all these names fit on a postcard? In addition, I am working on yet another funding application and am gathering support for doing so.
Tomorrow Gonzo247 picks up the table and chairs I bought late last year and we will pick up the chandelier structure that won't fit in the back of my car. He'll cover all with aerosol art and I've given him paint chips so his table will 'feel' like the show, in addition to being a knockout.
Will also pick up a parrot pinata tomorrow from Victor Rodriguez. A month ago, it came to me that we needed a parrot pinata chandelier for Second Seating because of the growing feral parrot population that flies and roosts in our neighborhoods.
It's almost 3:00 p.m. I need to call Irma and see what she's done about measuring those huge banquettes she's storing in the space. We are putting them on Craig's List. Hope they sell and, more importantly, are removed.
Looking onward to Wednesday. I'll meet with someone I know from a big cleaning company and he'll take a look at the space and tell me how much it will cost to power wash the concrete floor. Maybe he'll become an underwriter? Trust in the universe. Then I'll meet with Marci, a friend who will help me make better use of FaceBook for Second Seating. After that, I'm getting a haircut and then will be see Melissa, the friend who will look at numbers and spread sheets with some degree of calm.
My friend Sally asks me periodically when I'll be making 'the art.' I tell her now to ask me that question.