kimann blogged at the news, opinion, and entertainment site that was Huffington Post from may 2013 through january 1, 2018
articles with links follow:
Have you ever wondered: What about poor, old Jacob Marley? Then, this story is for you. Jacob – A Denouement in One Act Stave 1
Jacob – A Denouement in One Act, Stave II
and here is the the conclusion of Jacob – A Denouement in One Act Stave Final
and here, for anyone interested, is Stave Final of Jacob, an Alternate Ending….
search terms: Charles Dickens, A Christmas Carol, Ghost story, Christmas, Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge, Jacob Marley, Scrooge, Marley, Bah Humbug
this blog post features kurt vonnegut’s typewriter & my smith corona corsair, a robin’s egg blue typewriter given to me on my 11th birthday. A Tale of 2 Typewriters
search terms: kurt vonnegut, literature, free speech, radical free speech, typewriters, arts advocacy
this 4-part series features style blogger friends of mine. havin’ a ball – an opera ball & havin’ a ball – an opera ball v.2 have been written to help support the Indianapolis Opera – & as a small contribution to a much bigger picture, in support of the Arts as an essential bridge between Man & Mankind. I am winding down this fun set of articles, this time with a focus on Arts support in the new millennium – across all generations. Havin’ a Ball – An Opera Ball v. 3
And here’s my concluding piece, Had a Ball – An Opera Ball Part 4
search terms: opera, opera ball, philanthropy, fund raising, support the arts, free speech
art erasure: 21st c. iconoclasm – will we look back someday at what will become known as the iconoclastic riots of 2017?
search terms: iconoclasm, iconoclastic riots, censorship, cancel culture, free speech, freedom of expression, history
what time is it? whine time: the Trend Gen – lamenting supply-siders’ millennial tunnel vision & millennials’ self-laudatory tendencies.
search terms: millennial pink, trend generation, wine by subscription, vicarious philanthropy, trend gen, millennials, retail, shopping, snowflakes
a 7-hour flight delay at Newark Liberty International, where touch screens are planted in front of every face, recalling Wall-E’s dystopian portrait plugged in passengers & travelers: where is Wall-E?
search terms: newark liberty airport, travel, plugged in, tech addiction, touch screens, airports, wall-e, dystopia, passenger tracking, airport restaurants
in support of art as alternate non-violent means of expression, picked up by americans for the arts
search terms: arts support, arts advocacy, free speech, americans for the arts, freedom of expression, censorship, art museums, galleries, music, newtown shooter, gun control
I recently traveled to New Hampshire & overnighted in the “tiny house” home of friends Chloe & Brandon. What a fun task, to try & capture some of their fantabulous story, Tiny House: a 21st c Odyssey
search terms: tiny house, tiny house movement, chloe barcelou, new hampshire, pirate ship, housing trends, hgtv, interior design, downsizing, small house, lifestyle
a nod to the unsung originator of the whole earth-friendly movement – recycling olde school: re-use
search terms: re-use, reuse, recycling, earth day, repurposing, earth friendly, environmentally friendly, environment, consumerism
dog, rescue spotlights robin herman of lucky dog retreat, our new pup, mav, & all the lessons i am learning
search terms: dogs, rescue dogs, no kill shelters, lucky dog retreat, aspca, pets, mutts, dog training, animal shelter, man’s best friend, #mavthehav
asking the media – again: who lived, who died: who tells their story?
search terms: hamilton, hamilton the musical, who lives who dies who tells their story, gun control, victims, violence, mass shootings, newtown shooter, victim advocacy, news, media, sensationalism, press
to close the year, for the holidays & beyond: 7 philosophical nutshells
search terms: a christmas story, A+, ralphie, the bird cage, la cage aux folles, dianne west, robin williams, nathan lane, horton hears a who, dustspeck, dr. seuss, theodor geisel, the west wing, rob lowe, sam seaborne, teachers, education, silver bullet, downton abbey, elizabeth mcgovern, lady grantham, hello lover, carrie bradshaw, sex in the city, manolo blahnik, sarah jessica parker, the grinch who stole christmas, the meaning of christmas, materialism, things n stuff, george carlin
a fun film to watch & critique: Mr Right, starring the amazing Sam Rockwell & Anna Kendrick, + twitter post
search terms: sam rockwell, anna kendrick, comedy, romantic comedy, film review, mr. right, moonpie,
trump take, or, hanging with chad is my post election musing on an interesting cultural manifestation
search terms: donald trump, republicans, republican party, america, the wall, mexican border, gun rights, gun control, breaking bad, the sopranos, tony soprano, bad guys, social media, citizens united, quick click, society, faux, congress
this post is a follow up to the piece on hunt slonem (see below), entitled a conversation on creativity: endocepts & excepts, features artist carmelo blandino & delves further into the fascinating topics of creativity & inspiration as key personal & societal conduits for expression and legacy creation
hunt slonem, carmelo blandino, endocept, exocept, creativity, inspiration, arts support, art history, arts advocacy, so there, bunnies, expressionism, galleries, modern art, contemporary art
So There: Hunt Slonem & What I learned On Kindergarten covers talks with artist hunt slonem, personal school experiences (as student and parent) and arts education advocacy, my most heart-centered platform as writer
search terms: see above – also: indianapolis childrens museum, toucan, parrot, painting, original art, acquisition
i love this topic/issue – it has it all: women in society, fashion, social and style history Burkini Bluster: History & Humor Help
burkini, burka, fashion, fashion history, religion, religious garb, middle east, freedom, freedom of expression, sociology, women’s rights, suffragettes, women’s vote, evolution
the celebration of kurt vonnegut’s legacy grows as does the need for support of non-violent expression Kurt Vonnegut & Indianapolis: The Celebration of His Legacy
search terms: kurt Vonnegut, Indianapolis, Kvml, library, literary, free speech, banned books, censorship, slaughterhouse 5, literary greats
are you as over the ticket scalping schneick show,aka Hamilton The Musical, as i am? Hamilton the Musical – It’s All Bacon Now
search terms: hamilton, hamilton the musical, lim-manual miranda, broadway, new york, ticketmaster, ticket scalping, scalpers, resell, resale market, bacon, tony award
the kurt vonnegut library, an indy gem, has launched a kickstarter campaign in its quest for a permanent home. it is rare that a new entity with such potential for culturally relevance comes along, where we can be a true, key part of its foundational process. read, enjoy and please check out their sites. Quest: A Permanent Home for Kurt Vonnegut’s Legacy
my latest huff post blog piece putt putt, prada & paintings: on par or not? is in direct response to a recent wall street journal article, “pandering or populism in the arts” by terry teachout, which takes to task the indianapolis museum of arts’s newly opened mini golf offering. teachout also questions fashion’s relevance in museums – boy, was i happy to respond to that one
my open letter to the media: change how mass killers & violent perpetrators are covered, first published in may 2014 and re-posted/re-sent to media outlets each time another violent tragedy occurs, asks that the proven motivator of press and viralization be erased from the equation
for this clogs clogging’, overall wearin’, camo luvin’ gal, a weekend at the music fashion fest coachella promises to be interesting on many levels. read about the prep and memories behind it, plus comments on the free people pc hoopla – boholuv old school: coachella bound
6s & 8s: the size to fit fashion fuss comments on the repeated claims by amy schumer as to her being a “6 or an 8” and the tangential mess she is referring to, the abysmal lack of standardization in the fashion industry
my most recent trendy wendy post explores the athleisure trend by asking the question: are you a yoganista or yoga slouch?
in & out: my explant experience is my own story as it relates to the disclosures via bravo tv’s real housewives of beverly hills of yolanda foster’s own journey back from silicon enhancement aka our nation’s really rather odd obsession over the big boobed form
can the sci-fi v.2 of The Martian net an Oscar? what a great film, but with no “bad guy;” rather a showcase of man’s gentle power when mind conquers over matter
giving thx boils down to the simple ability to be thankful that one can still be thankful at all, all things considered. + an homage to tom, the turkey
registration games: gender, race age convoluted wordiness on basic fill-out forms suggests a pussy-footing around, when the basic terms of yore, all relative anyway, were fine as is
colts v. patriots – even cookies couldn’t cut it pays homage to sugary, illustrative free speech practices, which sadly still had my beloved team at a loss on the home field, and how tom brad’s stall tactic worked – despite the pending stuff against him, he managed to play this game
‘wir sind die neuen’ – we are the new ones is a delightful film, as of now only in german, worthy of an english language translation so that we too in the US can enjoy its oft hilarious age & life-embracing message
thanks to kurt – letters to vonnegut is my contribution to the indianapolis memorial library’s site page
this is a tough subject & was a doozy to compose in brief – there is so much to say as woman, mother, citizen. Likewise, I could site countless places and people who fit into the conflicting arenas of good/bad/right/wrong, who yet remain valid contributors to our expressive/artistic/historic legacies. Disclaimerland & Validation Via Virtue
exploring the how’s n why’s of fashion is fascinating and fun. Trendy Wendy: What’s Up With TTH via TMI? references the news story on a woman’s hospitalization due to her skinny jeans as well as the “naked dress” conversation brought into the spotlight thanks to commentary by venerable designer, Carolina Herrera
i had the honor to meet & chat with artists Hunt Slonem & Carmelo Blandolino at the Coats Wright Art & Design Gallery. for Kindred Spirits here is my post on both artists & the two women, Dianne Wright & Jane Eckert Coats, who hosted them
crystal fishbowl reflections: real housewives of NYC, season 7 – game on, gals, eh?
FAShion arts society hall of fame style: worn, lived, learned celebrates the life-long journey that is personal style expressed through fashion
it is spring, time for the greening, an homage to a pivotal childhood read
also posted at lewis black’s website, here is my take on a talk lewis to support indianapolis’ kurt vonnegut memorial library & to hear lewis black rant as only he can: gut spillers, truth speakers: lewis black at night of vonnegut
pop culture phenomenons are an interesting study. how they reflect us can be both telling and perplexing, including when i try to honestly gauge the how’s and why’s of my own perspective! 50 Shades of Grey or The 6 Gajillion Dollar Man
nostalgia nouveau: tech on top of tech asks several questions & muses a bit more on personal branding, expounding on my published letter to the editor at vanity fair. living pre-tech & now with it, i also ask: do my questions age me or empower me?
when politicized, polarizing issues & unresolved outcomes of tragic events incite blanketing censorship attempts, it’s time to speak up in defense of fashion & style freedom, one of the simplest (and most fun) ways we get to express ourselves. my hoodie
happy to link my previous article to this new post, a review & commentary on Big Eyes as film and mass media representative for a much loved pop surrealist genre. also had fun with the photo illustration, which features a vintage print that still bears the nameplate ‘walter keane,’ plus works by Jasmine Becket-Griffith, Mab Graves – Her Waifs and Strays and Michele Lynch Art , which beautifully illustrate the connection back to margaret keane herself
NBCs live ‘pan’ in a nutshell is as brief as was this lavish attempt a miss. from the nepostically cast lead to the literal poor timing – a midweek slated kiddie show that went til 11? – pan is little more than pan-worthy
in reviewing the new sci-fi movie, Interstellar, i wound up writing a feminist piece. needed to, in response to the sigh-inducing “scientesse,” character as portrayed by anne hathaway. at least i can have fun creating new words to help explain myself. that, and one other, “eggstronaut.” read my review here – Interstellar: Time Blown
on the outset, this is a story about 2 wild birds i have encountered. reading into the metaphor, it becomes a story about all brave souls & when it is right to ask for help. dedicated to all who serve & have served & to those who help them. semper free: of hummingbirds & heroes
veterans reclaim armistice day – please visit my event news & the companion article in support of art as conduit for extreme expression & catharsis
A Pop Surrealism Primer: Spotlighting Mab Graves helps place a great (and fave) genre onto this rather main-stream online source (something i was surprised was almost non-existent there!) & most especially highlights a fellow indianapolis resident/creative soul, artist Mab Graves
FAShion Arts Society of the IMA grows in size & in the scope of our endeavors, whether it’s to raise funds or to learn and appreciate, all in the context of fashion as wearable and reflector of our place in time. my latest blog entry recaps our first overnighter and focuses on the simple magic that occurs when a group of patrons, professionals and collectors come together had have — fun. FAShion Arts Society in Chicago: the Best Part of the Day
this story, about a tiara & a beloved city, i wrote following a recent trip to berlin. it’s a combination of history, jewelry appreciation/history, & commemorates in its telling the coming down of the infamous wall that once cut berlin in two, which just celebrated its 25th anniversary: window shopping in berlin: trying on tiaras
mom bling pays homage to every noodle necklace, every pipe cleaner bracelet out there…. it’s about the jewelry in life that is, perhaps more than anything else, ALL about the thought, as given by any child to its maternal mentor/caregiver/loved one. what’s in your collection?
inspired by a Business of Fashion editorial the problem with one-for-one models and in my own desire to explore the underlying story behind the acquiring of the carlinesque things n stuff, i pose a series of tough questions on the omnipresent marketing ploy that is charity at point of purchase – or as i call it,”Vicarious Philanthropy.” in giving while getting, who really is benefiting, and in the embedding of philanthropy via consumerism, are we convoluting the path to real and solid betterment of both self and needful others? Vicarious Philanthropy: Are We Doing Good or Just Buying More?
just what is “hipster”? a demographic? a derisive term? it’s vague but it’s everywhere. chatted w Amanda Kingsbury here on Fb, & i decided it was time to weigh in w/ this, my newest HuffPost piece. read & enjoy & join in the conversation – what does this H word mean to you? trendy wendy: what’s up with hipster hate?
this post comes on the heels of the Fashion Arts Society’s marquee event, our lecture/luncheon Hats Off, which this year paid homage to the beloved shoe. fun, friendship & funds were raised in droves for purposes of acquisitions & to promote a key creative hoosier legacy. hat over heels: how indiana nurtures a FAShion legacy also links to a great set of pics – the greatest beauty of all being the smiles all around
super-size my foyer: on size and snark of mcmansions examines not only the sociological issues behind the bumbling, rambling edifices many try to call home, but also the impetus behind the snark: poking fun? analysis? stones at glass houses? as we indulge our attitudes we must be mindful that we americans identify more with quantity than quality, and we get what we pay for in the reflected excess we see all around us
i am honored to have been loaned the “traveling pink sweater” in order to add my post & pic to its roster. as a writer, not stylist or model, i was compelled to tell a story rather than present myself in this beautiful, vintage garment. a tribute to my Aunt is about breast cancer awareness and my aunt, a petite dynamo at 90 years of age, who is a survivor on many levels & as such this must be her story
diddling with arrow buttons: i want that job – that job used to be naming the gajillion paint colors for a paint manufacturer. pepto to mauve or cranberry au lait?…hmm; which one sounds best?… now, that job is the programming position that fucks with useless non-improvements (arrow button colors, the demise of the beloved “decline”) on an iPhone that still doesn’t fix the glitches that truly hinder functionality
the fashion arts society held its first ever virtual event for the 2014 oscars. why not merge our fashion love with high tech? FAS members & friends “met” at our Facebook page and chatted the red carpet show away. the result is a fresh and fun take from our midwest perch. ima fashion arts society’s red carpet review
yes, i confess – i am a casual follower of Bravo’s “Real Housewives”. i’ve had some fun formulating a pop sociological concept based on the way the Housewives (so called) behave, live & do as the seasons accrue (#6 starts next week for the NYC gals!) & dubbed it “crystal fishbowl effect.” bravo tv’s real housewives & the crystal fishbowl effect
this piece was written in response to an article in Forbes Magazine, “7 crippling parenting behaviors that keep children from growing into leaders” raising my 3rd child, my daughter, the questions of sex roles, tradition and gender neutralization are big ones – and nuanced. where girls, our daughters are concerned: what to impart? what not to impart? the Forbes article additionally takes a stab at anti-princess/anti-fairy tale platforms, with which i as a literary person take issue. parenting daughters: fairy wings or lear jets?
on this mid-winter’s day of obligatory cards, chocolates & flowers, here is my newest Huff blog post, a little story of thoughtfulness the mermaid valentine, which comes with my warm wish to you for a day of kindness, love & positive energy
in support of art as alternate non-violent means of expression. it’s my steadfast belief that, in supporting the Arts, we are providing important, alternate means of asserting oneself. i say we foster choices that help guide us to pens, not weapons
this brief post is in direct response to a social media quip i felt compelled to respond to, “if you want to piss a liberal off, wish them a merry christmas.” so-called christian advocates and christmas militants should educate themselves a little more on the history of the holiday, which my essay introduces, called before anyone has a cow over christmas….
trendy wendy is my HuffPost mini-series, in which i attempt to shed light on what i like to call ’emperor’s new clothes’ in fashion. KIR (keeping it real) should guide not only our consumption as buyers/collectors, it should also guide the mega-industry that is fashion retail. my latest trendy wendy post, what’s up with the ubiquitous side-zip closures?
i wrote The Twenty Dollar Chicken: A Message of Thanks a few years ago, when my son was on active duty overseas. it has resided in my “Short Story” folder, unread, since then. i would like to share it with you now, with thoughts of safe harbor for all our children overseas, and with my unmitigated hope for peace, and the wish that our societies can someday evolve to prefer non-violent resolution to all conflicts
nantucket, maine is almost 1000 miles from indiana, yet we are on the same time, thanks to our ridiculous designation as an eastern time zone state. i am sick of starting my days in the “dark of night” – aren’t you? Indiana’s Time Zone SNAFU addresses this issue & provides links to indiana’s central time zone coalition as well as to indiana elected officials
my daughter & i witnessed a purse snatching a few days ago. Witness to a Theft: Thoughts on Simple Pro Activism shares a few ideas i have based on this experience, things that might help all of us be just a little bit safer as we go about our days
fashion world insiders would be well advised to practice the progressiveness they preach in this latest manifestation of the information age, the ever-growing presence of so-called “beautiful nobodies,” the fashion bloggers who have descended upon new york fashion week, who are here to stay. in defense of bloggers everywhere, Fashion World Insiders vs Everyday Fashion Bloggers
Versailles 73 – American Runway Revolution is the story of the fundraiser created for the restoration of the Palace of Versailles – & of the truly revolutionary (& ultra cool!) way the evening played out. this indie film warrants our time & attention – you will find it reinforces all sorts of great things about us & our pursuit of aspects in life that add beauty & pleasure
No Shoes For You. i couldn’t resist – asma al-assad’s renowned penchant for westernized luxury stands in unacceptable contrast to her hubby’s regime, for which she serves as (manipulated?) ambassadress. why is it that these leaders, while pursuing standards of euro-american status and comfort, repress their people as they do?
Leather, Kilts & Corsets: Indianapolis Welcomes GenCon & MotoGP celebrates the diversity and stylish individuality of these two groups, who descended upon Indianapolis late august 2013 with Super-Bowl-caliber results. kudos to indy for playing host so well
when fashion and socially-charged mandates collide: My latest HuffPost article is on the perfect little storm that is national “security,” practicality, women being legislated by male-dominated entities and yes, in a sense, fashion. the accepted personal handbags are so small as to be quite useless in size. NFL Handbag Requirements: the Reality-Based Issue
Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s is the best docu-ad yet, elevating both the entity & its goods, proving in its emotional impact once again how much fashion really means, both in terms of personal expression & social reflection
Obtuse Cheese: A Lament is both my ode to this simplest, best of meals and my beef with the pretense the cheese/meat platter trend ’round here has given rise to, when garbled foreign names are offered up in an attempt at apple-wood-smoked-gourmet foodiness. KIR: keep it real.
Thomas Jefferson & Our Ancestral Tabbed Browser – upon viewing his revolving bookstand at monticello, i muse on its function as a precursor the multi doc views on a computer screen. also touch on the current skeuomorphism v flat design debate
Gatbsy Then, Gatbsy Again: A Comparative Review – pondering the connections between not only the luhrmann film to fitzgerald’s so-called great american novel, but also between its cinematic predecessor, jack clayton’s 1974 Gatsby
fashion blogging on 2 fronts: garment industry sizing inconsistency & a call for more relevant online reviews so all can better work around this age-old issue: Trendy Wendy: Call for Relevant Online Reviews
pondering the connection between us & the things we love & collect: Shoes – the 5th Food Group
delving into what i like to call fashion philosophy: Trendy Wendy: What’s Up with the Spikes?
Rainbows in Her Head, a mother’s homage to her self-dressing, pippi-esque daughter.
and my first feature as HuffPost blogger, a short story about my father’s final day, entitled Walk With Dad. 
butterflybroth 