White Rabbit Photograpy, Ltd.

Tea: Chinese Melon Seed

Music: King Crimson, "Starless"

Time: Late evening.

So, in the span of one day I have gone from not knowing when my next photo show would be to the very real prospect of opening two shows in the same month.

Next month, that is.

One opens June 13 at the Saucy Hound in Westport. The other, at Perk Up! in Overland Park, will happen sometime this summer -- possibly as early as the first week in June. That's sixty photos, give or take, to pick and mat and frame.

I'm trying my best to panic. (No, that's not a typo. I didn't say "trying my best not to panic.") Friend/collaborator/undefinable kindred spirit Seánan Forbes tells me I'll be fine.

(She's a photographer, too, you know. She's good. Better than. And we'll have a joint show -- maybe two -- later this year in Weston, Missouri.)

I'll keep you posted on all fronts. In the meantime, plans for shopping for mirrored sunglasses and growing a bad 'stache have been suspended. I'll be at Hobby Lobby, checking for sales on mats and frames.

You'll know me. Just listen for the frantic muttering.

The Art of ...

Tea: Cherry Vanilla

Music: "Blackbird," performed by a duo of vocal (female) and guitar

Time: Night.

It's been a long, art-themed day for me, workwise. Deadline in the afternoon, a piece for a local arts magazine, and First Friday tonight in the Crossroads.

I can't complain. I met some interesting people tonight, got several story ideas, saw some pieces that stopped me in my tracks -- and it beats writing about people killing each other or having their houses blown away by tornadoes. It positively thrashes sitting at a desk, rewriting other people's stories about death and disaster.

But a long day doing something you love is still a long day, and long days bring stresses, and stresses bring cracks.

So I'm going to keep this short tonight, and wish you a weekend in which at least one piece of someone else's creativity buckles your knees (in a good way, of course).

Cup XX: If I Had a Million Dollars, I Would Buy a Lot of Kleenex

Tea: Blood Orange, ginger added, with honey (but no Dijon ketchup)

Music: Barenaked Ladies, "If I Had $1,000,000"

Time: Afternoon

Stupid allergies. My head's all full of junk, and tonight's First Friday. Can't miss that. Well, I could. But I'd miss the art -- even if there's not likely to be a Picasso (or a Garfunkel) on hand --and the chance to make contacts.

I'm turning into a schmoozer. Oh, well.

And on top of things, my tendinitis is back for its semiannual visit. Left heel, this time. So I'm using the tea to wash down a couple of ibuprofen, too.

Here's hoping everything kicks in by the time I head down to the Crossroads. If not, I'll be easy to spot (or hear) from a couple of blocks away. Just watch for the limping, listen for the sniffling. But if everything goes right, I'll be unstuffed and fully bipedal. In which case, you'll just have to look for the mismatched socks.

Today's creepy story, selected in haste because the annoyingly law-abiding junior daughter needs the computer for homework. (Doesn't she know Friday afternoons are for slacking?)

M.R. James, "The Mezzotint"