Every time I come up with some brilliant personal finance solution, i do a little fist pump for being so freaking brilliant. I mean, checking my bank account balance online? Everyday? Brilliant. Quick! Someone test my IQ. I think I'm the perfect candidate for Mensa.

There is one sad thing about working in my studio at home: the isolation. While the proximity means my work is always available, too often I am pulled away by other demands (hello internet!). While the quiet encourages introspection, too often I end up having conversations with myself. I miss the concentration of knowing I have THIS time and THIS time only. I miss the community of spirit that broadens my perspectives. Often I yearn for a spot where I can discuss the meat of hand work: design, repetition, color, scale, form. Where I can gain another's perspective.

About a year ago, on a post about condoms, someone jumped on my personal blog and left a comment that when I read it, I had no doubt it was from a troll. And I said so. And I was wrong.

Elizabeth Bunsen has sent out an invitation to an irresistable dance: The BlogLandia Ball. The Date: September 26th (the full moon).The Venue: Our BlogsThe Purpose:  Dancing, creating and sharing The Dress: now... about the "DRESS" (in any medium that suits you) - the dress wears YOU - your soul, your truest innermost SELF - fancy, casual, colorful, basic black... etc., - the "DRESS" is your personae at the Ball - BUT!!!!!!! - don't get hung up on these words - make something fun, surprise yourself, make several as your mood changes and the ideas flow... its not a contest but a co-mingling... together.

Speakers List: Jane Goldman (moderating), Carol Lin, Betsy Aoki, Aliza Sherman. You can find more info about them and the panel in the Day One Schedule. Pretty full room this year, folks are starting to get seated and find electricity to charge batteries and getting their connections going (so far so good on that end.) We're starting.... No mic? Yes there's a mic but a couple of panelists are having trouble keeping the mic open.