The Remarkable Passion & Myriad Talents of Justin Timberlake

An awesome illustration for Mirimichi's Cool Player's Club

For the first time ever... in history... an iconic golf brand has appointed a noted actor slash grammy-award-winning performer slash former Mouseketeer... as its creative director. By the way, the multi-faceted appointee has also been named "Most Stylish Man" AND "Sexiest Man" by GQ and Cosmopolitain magazines, respectively.

 However I think we can assume it's Justin Timberlake's extraordinary passion for golf got him the gig with Callaway, and I don't imagine there were many golf industry insiders who didn't quickly see the wisdom brilliance of the appointment when it was announced yesterday.

Here at Golf Girl's Diary we first wrote about Justin Timberlake... and golf... over five years ago. At that point he was merely the "Sexy Back" singer with a great golf swing. During the ensuing years his "thing for golf" only got stronger. We saw him play Carnoustie...and tee off in Abu Dahbi. On Madonna's 50th birthday we saw him gift her with golf lessons. 2008 however, was the year JT really made his mark on golf. His relationship with Callaway took off when he signed an agreement to play the Company’s equipment and carry a Callaway branded golf bag. He sponsored a major tournament for the first time and appeared on the cover of Golf Digest magazine.

2008 was also the year Justin Timberlake planed the renovation of the golf course he purchased, the course that would be called Mirimichi.  This is where I feel JT's passion for golf shines most brightly.  When the course he played on as a child was set to be sold to developers Timberlake bought it himself and put $16 million into renovations, transforming it into the most eco-friendly course in America... and one that can serve as a model for a more sustainable type of golf center.

With US golf participation declining... 2011 marked the fifth year rounds are down in this country... golf businesses are actively attempting to distinguish themselves, while the industry itself struggles to reverse the current trend and "grow the game" with new audiences.  Justin Timberlake has what it takes to do both and now may be in a position make it happen.  It's something the game can look forward to in 2012.

"Upset Lady Photos" from a flea market in Amsterdam.

LIVING WITH AN ILLUSTRATOR

My new roommate (Christopher Darling) is an illustrator too. It's really fun so far. We get to talk shop. We have an understanding! Here's some of his work:


(he didn't illustrate this but he redesigned the cover when working at FSG)


I wrote a lot more about this on my blog, which you can read here.
Living with him is great: I go to get something to eat in the kitchen and he pops his head in to say hello and we talk shop. I need that, you know? We all need that. We illustrators can go crazy if we don't get to talk about our work and the business!

Waiting and letting go or just timing?

Some of you may have noticed that I've had the same book on the right for the whole history of this blog (and for quite a few years before that, too). I've written books for other people, and some of them have done quite well; but despite 6 mss. out there, no published books of my own.

At first, this bothered me a lot, and even affected my confidence -- I didn't think I was a bad writer, but I did think I hadn't found my niche and never would. And then, I just let it go. I wrote what I wanted, when I wanted to, and -- aside from an occasional pang about a novel that never sold -- I came to refer to it as "poor ______" (heroine's name) -- poor Camm. She was a neglected child in the book and now is in real life too -- I really and truly stopped minding, even about her.

This was all I am sure helped by having had freelance work -- enough to live on. I feel grateful and lucky and (last week) finally felt financially secure enough to give some money to causes I believe in. One was CASA, a group that recruits and trains people to be court-appointed advocates for abused or neglected children. Children who have such an advocate, statistically, are much more likely to finish high school, stay out of jail, and stay with the same foster family. The site doesn't say they are also less likely to be abused again: maybe this is assumed? If anyone knows of other good groups that help abused children, and homeless children, please tell about them in the comments....I'm trying to find a group that just gives money to homeless families so they can get apartments or move into hotels. AS someone said and it makes sense to me:
"What poor people need is money."

The other group I found that seems really great is in the UK. They're called SOS and what they do is gather groups of 6 or 7 orphans, build them a house, and hire someone to be their mother. The ideas is that they will stay together as a family unit for life. This group was recommended by the Dali Lama and that's good enough for me!

The day after I made the donations, I got a call saying someone was going to publish one of my manuscripts.

It may be just timing (friends have said, and truly, I think, that getting published is a lot about that -- the right editor at the right time). I believe that these events (the letting go and even the giving and then getting the call) could be causally related, too -- that the shift in attitude helped it happen. Whether it was or not, I am going to keep trying to let go of things, keep giving, and (when I have something to say, not otherwise) keep writing.

LUNAR LIFE + ZINE

WOW!
Econore has re-released the Lunar Life 7" on cassette packaged with a 24-page collage zine made by me. Limited to 50 copies.

You can order it direct from the Econore website.

Getting ready

Apologies for the lack of posting, it's been a busy few weeks while we get ready for family visits and the holidays. This weekend we got our tree at a neighboring farm. It's been a lot of fun starting new traditions with a little one in tow.

On the work front I am most excited that we have just found a wonderful babysitter to come to our house so that I can at last have concentrated work hours again. Until now, Bruno and I have been trading off with the baby (he works at home too), and it's been nearly impossible to finish any of the projects on my list. I am hopeful that the new year will bring lots of productivity!

Until then, hope the coming weeks are filled with lots of holiday fun for you and yours...

Gemütlich - Episode 173 - The Knitmore Girls

Listen here:



This episode has been sponsored by:

Abstract Fiber would like to invite you to join our first yarn club!  We are excited to offer a 6 issue yarn club we’re calling One Skein/Two Skein.  Every other month we’ll send you a new exclusive yarn color and pattern.  We’ll do some solid colors, some colorways and will introduce some new luxurious yarns too. Each pattern will have flexibility for expansion, for example companion pieces, or multiple size and style options.  You’ll have the option to buy extra skeins just when you want them.  Spinners, we’ll have a fiber option for you too!  We’re working with some of our favorite designers, starting out in February with a beautiful shawl by Sivia Harding.  Check out all the details at AbstractFiber.com


So, we’ve talked about the amazing Lo-Lo Bar by Bar Maids before, and I’m sure you’ve all tried, and ADORE, it, but did you know that they also make an intensive moisturizer for your (FACE)? Face Pudding by Bar Maids is as deliciously decadent as its name suggests. There’s one for every skin type, and it’s such a simple way to give your skin the moisture it craves all year long. We all try to ensure that we’re as beautiful on the outside as we are on the inside, so why not use a natural, safe product that provides the kind of results you’d expect from the makers of the Lo-Lo Bar? Give it a try! Your beautiful face will thank you.  I mean, it’s like they say, the proof is in the pudding!
 

Lisa Souza has a brand new lace yarn for your pleasure. Grace is a beautiful combination of 80% merino with 20% silk for just the right amount of sheen and handle. We have been putting the yarn through its paces and love the results, as will you. Grace is put up in 4 ounce/744 yard skeins and comes in at $24, which is a great price point, making for some serious stash enhancement for you or the other lace lovers in your circle. Now, which color to choose? Come by the website at www.lisaknit.com and just try to decide.

Purlescence Yarns is the Bay Area's destination yarn shop. From the best in spinning and weaving equipment to luxurious yarns and fibers, we have what you need to make your fibery dreams a reality. We're always happy to provide mail order service for Knitmore Girls listeners. Call us today, it'll be on its way!

On The Needles:(00:40)

Gigi is working on the Sothia.  Jasmin is knitting on Andrew's sweater.  Gigi is also working on the Katriel.  Jasmin is also working on the Breezy cardigan out of her handspun.  Gigi has also dug up her Origami sweater.

Events:(13:28)

02/23-26/2012: Stitches West 2012.
     -No official Meet-and-Greet, but do come and say hi!
    -We will have Preemie hat collection points (to be announced)
    -Still looking for a signal for shy listeners

Contest:(14:34)

Do some good.  Get your entries in by December 25th.  

We have launched our annual Do Some Good Contest, and we picked some amazing prizes:
- a set of three Lolo Bars: CC clove, Little Pumpkin, and Figgy
- a signed copy of Coastal Knits
- one year subscription to Knitter's Magazine
- a set of Knitter's Blocks
- as of this week: one copy of How to Knit a Heart Back Home, and Wishes and Stitches, and How to Knit a Love Song, and A Life in Stitches by Rachael Herron (signed!).

When Knitting Attacks:(20:25)

Gigi is attacked by her Sothia, while watching Lucy Neatby Intarsia 1 DVD

Review:(23:53) 

We review My Grandmother's Knitting, by Larissa Brown

Totally Warped:(31:11)

Jasmin is working on her Cricket loom.  She just got a Flip loom and wants to do a double weave on it.  Gigi reminisces about her Kinderwebstuhl from Germany.


Holidays With the Knitmores:(36:49)

Turn off the tv, check out Pandora for interesting music, check out some CDs from the library.  Gigi explains "Gemütlich".  Also, the singing gerbils are mentioned.

Straw Into Gold:(39:51)

Gigi spun three bobbins of  Blue Faced Leicester.

And Sew On:(44:48)

Gigi finished a receiving blanket out of Dr Seuss fabric, and talked about stay stitching.  Jasmin's quillow is mentioned