Feb 8, 2000 Dear Diary, Getting mail from strangers writing about writing, tying knots to create an architecture of words.The words symbolize an act, a ritual, something to do w/ making art. We've been invited to collaborate. What? Iâm supposed to introduce myself circumventively ÷ not American artist living and working in New York City. Not middle-aged straight wasp with two small children. Not teaching art to engineering students, not making digital images from video, not collaborating w/ poet and making websites for a living, not designing artistâs books. More later.

Feb 10, 2000 Dear Diary, Got more mail today, this time in italics. I like the brain story, it reminds me of my own brain. A new scientific study has indicated that contrary to popular belief, the brain regenerates new cells over time, rather than loosing them permanently. Thatâs reassuring, I dare say. My four year old daughter is a budding scientist, having stored numerous snowballs and clay wrapped in wet paper towels in the freezer. In the refrigerator, that cavernous compartment below, lies another science project (mine), a jar filled with alcohol which is home to a tiny thumb-sucking fetus. Also mine. When I was in my twenties, a palm-reader once told me that I would bear three children. She was right.

Feb 14, 2000 Dear Diary, I haven't received any email from my collaborator lately. Does this mean that everyone feels as out-of-control about time as I do? Or perhaps there are some who have second thoughts about working on this project. I have to admit, I canât even imagine the shape of what is to come. Perhaps only Brigid knows, or doesnât know as the case may be. Today, where I live, we celebrate Valentines Day, where hearts and candies are exchanged for love. And consumers have one more way to make up for their inadequacies. It used to be that folks had children in order to help out with the work on the farm. Now, we have children in order to have more people love us. In this contemporary alienated society we live in, we all need more love.

Back to introducing myself. You can find parts of me on my website at:

http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~jharriso/home.html

If you want to see pictures go directly (rather than navigate around, searching) to:

http://attila.stevens-tech.edu/~jharriso/images/books/if_it_rained_here/page1.html

Have fun. Think I'll send this today. Looking forward to the unfolding

Cheers, and Happy Valentine's Day

Julie

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