lauramilkins's Xanga

Out Late - Tired Now...

Fri, 04 Aug 2006 22:51:38 GMT

8/03/2006

Weight - 153

Workout - none

FOOD

CALORIES

½ cup granola

1 tsp peanut butter

1/3 cup milk

240

105

2 cups indonesian stew

3 lychee

346

½ cup granola

1/3 cup milk

2 cups pasta w/ tomato pesto

240

450

TOTAL

1470

Went out drinking, but couldn't drink... because I had already consumed my allotted calories. Oh, well, I had a good time and really do like water more than any other beverage.

Now it's very late, and I'm very tired, and I don't feel like writing anything.

Sleepy and weary of all-consuming projects,

-Laura

Techno Ineptitude

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 15:24:01 GMT

8/01/2006

Weight - 152

Workout - 2.5 miles running/ 20 min weightlifting /40 min yoga

FOOD

CALORIES

½ cup granola

1/3 cup 2% milk

240

1 package japanese noodles

1 chocolate cookie

1 mug tea w/ 1 tsp sugar

500

210

2 cups pasta

1 oz mozzarella

450

TOTAL

1535

I've started my "Art Servant" project and am already getting requests. I hope you'll all send the info along to anyone you think might want to participate. PLEASE pass the word along. I want to get tons of requests!

Now if I can just conquer my techno demons, and get my live streaming webcam going!!! I love the scene from the movie "Brazil" where the guy is fighting a big mass of electronics. I often feel like that.

If you haven't seen "Brazil", go out and rent it today!

I went over budget on the calories yesterday. This is mostly due to my Ramen noodly lunch. Boy, who would think a few noodles could have SO many calories (I don't even look at the salt content on those, it's just too scary.) They are yummy though, and ridiculously cheap.

Well, I'm off to make battle.

Your Techno Inept Friend,

-Laura

THE ART SERVANT please participate!!

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:14:38 GMT

THE ART SERVANT

Coming Soon To a Computer Near You!

THE PROJECT:

Have you ever wanted an artist to make something just for you? Now is your chance: The Art Servant is at your disposal! (The idea is to make work for FREE as a performance.)

Just go online and make your request: lmilkins@aim.com http://www.myspace.com/lauramilkins

Then watch the artwork being made via streaming webcam at: www.lauramilkins.com

Be as detailed or vague as you want in your description. You could ask for a drawing of your dog, a painting of your daughter, a weird abstract sculpture made out of bananas and mustard, or just say "make me something." Any project will be considered.

WHEN:

Online Requests ... August 1-18

Art Making... August 12-18

Webcam... August 12-18

MATERIALS:

canvas, board, paint, glitter, paper, cardboard, pencil, pen, ink, charcoal, pastel, oil pastel, glue, gesso, gel medium, beeswax, paraffin, computer, video, photography, sculpy, playdough, plaster, wire, fabric, thread, string, beads, pins, wood, nails, screws, staples, paper pulp, dyes, food, spices

THE PURPOSE:

This is an online, interactive art project. The purpose is to involve the viewer in the art-making process. It combines reality TV, internet chat rooms, how-to painting shows, and performance art. We live in a world of instantaneous, cross-continental communication. The internet is an amazing tool for collaborative art making. In this project, you not only get to commission the work, but watch as it is made and give input about the results.

THE ARTIST:

Laura Milkins is an online performance artist with experience in drawing, painting, sculpture, performance, fabric, papermaking, cooking, book making, and video. She lives in Tucson, but grew up in Michigan and has lived in Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Laura is currently pursuing her MFA at the University of Arizona. In addition, she received a Post Baccalaureate Certification in 1996 and a Diploma in 2000 from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. She also received her Bachelors of Arts in 1993 from Kalamazoo College in Michigan.

Other online options: www.lmilkins.squarespace.com www.myspace.com/lauramilkins

www.xanga.com/lauramilkins

Planet Laura

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:09:02 GMT

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

7/31/2006

Weight - 152

Workout - 2 miles running/ 20 min weightlifting /40 min yoga

FOOD	CALORIES
½ cup granola 1/3 cup milk	240 50
1/4 cup antipasto 1 cheese stick 7 corn chips w/ 1 oz. mozzarella ½ avocado	74 21 230 145
2 cups pasta w/ sundried tomato pesto	450
TOTAL	1210

It's been three weeks and I've lost 8 lbs. Although, I think I was dehydrated today. In any case, I'm well on my way to my goal of 140 lbs.

The unfortunate thing is that when I lose weight, my boobs always go first. They deflate, looking like sad balloons keep too long after the party's ended.

On a happier note, I pedalled home from the gym tonight with my lights flickering, illuminating everything I passed with a bluish glow. It was lovely. The crescent moon made nearby clouds magically appear with crisp white edges. The air was humid, but not too hot. I breathed in deeply as I splashed through puddles.

I really love Tucson. Even on hot days when sweat dries before it hits the air, and the breeze only bring more heat and grit. The desert plants are so stoic, and then they surprise you by popping out flowers in vibrant red, purple and yellow. I love hiking at night, finding a quiet spot in the shade, and wearing shorts in the winter. It is a far greener and more hospitable place than I expected.

Today was a long a tiring. I tried and failed to set up a live streaming webcam. Why am I so inept at technology? Actually, it's not that surprising. In the last two years, I've gone from 0 to 60 with technology. Two Augusts ago the only technology I had was a radio.

REALLY, it's true. I had no car, no microwave, no TV, no phone, no computer, and no stereo. I was coming out of a seven year relationship and realized that all the techno stuff was his... and this didn't bother me at all. I also realized that I don't really value or need gizmos.

So, it is ironic that I've become so obsessed with online projects. It's like I'm approaching the online world from another planet: Planet Laura... in which riding a bike is preferable to driving, books rate far and above TV, phones are an irritation not a lifeline (I've heard that Paris took a call during sex on that infamous video tape), music comes from birds and breezes, and communication happens in person, face to face. What a strange world....

Goodnight and goodtidings from,

Planet Laura

Stalkers!! Stay Away...

Wed, 02 Aug 2006 00:07:49 GMT

Monday, July 31, 2006

7/30/2006

Weight - 154

Workout - none!

FOOD

CALORIES

½ cup granola

1/3 cup milk

1 slice cherry pie

240

350

1 cup celery soup

1 ½ cup indonesian stew

117

260

1 mug coffee w/ 2 Tbs cream & sugar

1 chocolate chip cookie

1 cup indonesian stew

210

173

TOTAL

1455

I talked to my brother today, and he's all worried that I'm going to attract stalkers... So, if you are a stalker, stay away so my brother doesn't have to worry!

I have to admit, I had not given any thought to stalkers. My worries have centered around whether or not this project is boring, or if anyone actually looks at/reads my site. Even now, I don't really believe that a stalker is going to bother following me around because they saw me in a bikini online. Really, don't people have better things to do with their time.

I mean, I spent all freaking day trying to get my webcam up and going... GRRR!!! I really hate technology sometimes!! Gee, if someone has the time to stalk me, they better have some serious computer skills, because I'll put them to work helping me set up my webcam or doing press releases. For those of you who don't understand sarcasm, I really don't want a stalker with great computer skills.

But I DO need to set up my webcam for my "Art Servant" project. I'm going to install myself in a gallery space for a week: August 12-18. And I'll be taking requests over the internet to make artwork for people (please participate!) Then you can watch me make the art online (if I get the webcam going) as I make it! Should be fun...

On a serious note, I have been doing more comparison between me and Paris. Today I focused on the face. We really look nothing alike.. it will be hard without serious plastic surgery (which I am NOT going to do) to look much like her.

To begin with, our basic head shape is different. Paris has a square head and jaw, while my head is a classic egg shape (yes, I'm an egghead...) I have bigger eyes and schnoz, but she has much bigger lips. My lips shrink every year, soon they will be just a line (like Charlie Brown.) The only thing we have in common is asymetrical eyes (one eye is definitely bigger than the other on each of us.)

Anyway, you can do your own comparison, I've posted the pictures. I'll have to see what can be done with makeup...

-Laura

Reclaiming Paris

Sun, 30 Jul 2006 18:44:41 GMT

7/29/2006

Weight - 155

Workout - 2 miles running/ 20 min weightlifting /30 min yoga

FOOD	CALORIES
1/4 cup steel cut oats 3 tsp sugar 1/8 cup cream 1 coffee w/ 1/4 cup cream & sugar	140 45 40 95
1 cup tabouleh	105
1 slice cherry pie 4 cups popcorn 1 slice banana bread 1/3 cup milk	350 200 125 50
TOTAL	1150

I talked to my stepdad for a couple of hours on the phone today. That was really nice. I hadn't talked to him for a while. He'd seen my myspace site and was concerned. He thought maybe I'd flipped my lid... you know wanting to become Paris and all that. But I explained that it is an art project and NOT about me wanting to be/look like Paris. He seemed relieved as I further explained my intentions.

The reason I'm interested in Paris is what she indicates about our culture. She represents the unrealistic goals for women in America: a ultra-thin, bleach blond, perma-tan, professionally made up, rich, sexualized, consumable party girl. The ultimate fantasy frivolous lifestyle. I see her as a kind of performance artist. She has created and maintained this public image for 5 or 6 years. And people gobble it up.

This image of the highly stylized party girl has become some kind of goal for young women in their teens and twenties. I see them around campus all the time. The length that women will go to to emulate this image is scary and at times down right dangerous. I don't understand wanting to become that kind of woman. I don't understand the appeal. I don't understand the quest for frightening, skeletal thinness. I don't understand american media and the people they choose to idolize...

It doesn't seem to be a very self-respecting goal. It's more about being sexy than having dignity. And I personally value Dignity over most other characteristics.

So, in my constant search to understand my culture (especially girl culture and expectations), I have taken on Paris. By engaging in this quest for perscribed beauty, by becoming that which I don't understand, I hope to find some answers and learn what it's like to be "that girl".

On a Mission,

-Laura