meta

My Halloween costume this year is a tribute to my avatar of many years (and the inspiration behind the name of this blog).

not much, how about you?

Since I'm overdue for a blog update, I figured maybe I'd treat my loyal following (hello? is this thing on?) to a brief list of What Is New With Me:

• I booked a trip to France for early May!  I'll be meeting up with a girlfriend from Dallas there and we'll spend time in Lille and Paris.  She lived in Lille after college and I'm looking forward to seeing that city with her.  I'm also looking forward to seeing Paris as an adult.  It has been 20 years since my last trip there.
• Spring quarter has started.  I've decided to finish up this certificate after summer quarter, so things are sort of wrapping up. I'm taking the final required course -- Design History and Context -- online and I have Package Design and Design Career Launchpad on campus. I'm excited about all the classes this quarter.  Should be a good one.
• I started up a design blog.  Feel free to stop by and check it out.  I plan to continue updating this blog from time to time, but probably most of the art and design stuff I come across will be exclusively on the new blog. I think one of my classmates will be helping out with content over there and I'm excited to get it up and running! 

(reality tv-related image to follow)

For any Top Chef fans who come by this page.  It is scary how funny I found this Carla Fraggle GIF.  Courtesy of Eater LA.  Apparently I am mentally quite a bit younger than my 39 (!!) years.  

And happy birthday to me.

change I can believe in

One big change in my household last year was that we moved to a little loft-style apartment by the beach.  While for the most part that move was a good idea totally fucking amazing, one tidbit that I've failed to discuss is that we downsized from each having our own giant walk-in closet to sharing one, average-sized wall closet.  For all of our clothes.  The result is not pretty.  So we've been in the market for a wardrobe of sorts, but I have had absolutely no desire to spend money on one.

Today we went to Ikea (an expedition!) and checked out their cheap wardrobes in person because I just don't trust buying furniture off the internet without inspecting it in person first.  And I think we agreed on a clothing-storage system that will alleviate our closet-space shortage!  May I introduce you to the Odda large and small wardrobes that will soon take up residence in a corner of our bedroom.  I'm wondering whether purchasing particle-board furniture will make me feel like I'm a 20-something kid again.  Maybe a lava lamp would look good on top of the wardrobe??

little things mean a lot

I haven't made any large resolutions (though I have been working on the diet and exercise thing for the last month or so, that is always an ongoing project), but I do have a small goal for 2009.  I bought a cute 2009 day planner from Sarah Pinto that contains a To Do section for each day.  My goal is to write down and accomplish at least one thing per day.  It can be a small thing, like taking a yoga class or walking on the beach or reading 20 pages of my current book or accomplishing a task for one of my classes or grocery shopping.  Or even, dare I say it, posting a blog entry.  I just think that I need to do more goal setting (and achieving) to keep the self-esteem up during my period of retreat from the wage-earning world.  I'm optimistic that this little project will get me moving a bit more and keep the spirits up.

poetry in motion

I haven't quite decided whether to attempt NaPoBloMo this month (the theme of which is "Change"), but I may.  I don't have a change-themed blog for today (though I have many changes in mind to be discussed on a future date or dates), so instead I give you a piece of bar poetry that I observed last night.  It is from a tab (not my own) and it struck me as incredibly... well... SOMETHING last night and I wanted to save it for posterity.

Vodka

Vodka

Jagermeister

Red Head Slut

Red Head Slut

Red Head Slut

Red Head Slut

Vodka

Vodka

Jagermeister

Poetic, right?  Happy 2009.

so I'll sit here waiting while the worlds will pass me

Have you ever had a day where every single part of life just seemed like too much work?  I'm having one of those.  Which may explain why I'm sitting around with wet hair at 2:12 p.m.  In theory, I'd like to dry it and make some effort to get out of the apartment, but in practice that sounds like a whole lot of effort.  Especially so soon after that big shower endeavor.

better than tabasco in your eye

In case you are interested in such things, I am now a contributor on the Yo! Venice! blog.  Officially I'm supposed to be focusing on goings on within the Venice arts scene, but I can also write about other things -- I've kicked it off with a fascinating update on the status of a parking lot in my neighborhood*, because I'm exciting like that.  Anyway, yo, check it. 

And, uh, if you hear about anything arty or otherwise cool in Venice, shoot me a message about it.

*There actually is quite a controversy relating to the parking lot and there was an article about it in The New York Fucking Times (slow news day?) because some famous artist types with names like Ed Ruscha and Laddie John Dill would have their open air studios torn down under the initial plans for the lot (these guys closed in spaces behind their buildings on the public right-of-way many years ago to keep the local vagrant population that hangs there from bothering them while they were working; and no, adverse possession** doesn't seem like a claim that has much merit against the city, so they're working more of the public sympathy and desire to keep our famous artists in Venice angle).  I haven't heard whether some sort of accommodation was reached with the artists or not. Yes, it is still just an update on a parking lot. 

**Don't make me break out my bar prep mnemonic on this one. Don't make me remind you that I have passed three bar exams.  Don't make me think about the bar dues I'll be paying for at least the next year or so despite my hope not to have to practice again.  Just don't.

setting fire to the third bar

I have found myself not blogging from time to time because I can't figure out a good title to sum up the point of the entry.  I've decided that is rather silly.  So anyway, the title to this entry has nothing to do with anything, but it is a wonderful song that happens to be in my mind right at this moment.  Moving on.

The party was a lot of fun.  We ended up with a lot of leftovers.  And in a tragic twist of fate (reminding you that I AM the queen of overstatement), our DirecTv was out on Sunday so we were unable to spend the entire day on the couch, munching leftovers and watching football games.  Drat.

So far this week, I've accomplished two big things on my random mental to do list:

1.  Purchased iPhone.  My observations so far are that the battery life leaves something to be desired and that I'm probably going to be right back to my obsessive-compulsive remote e-mail checking after a blissful 3 months of being PDA-free.  I can't seem to get my gmail properly forwarded however (after a couple of tries and despite having every single setting exactly as Gmail advises me to put them -- frustrating!) so I can see my e-mails on the iPhone right now but I can't send any.  I will have to figure this glitch out soon.

2.  Dyed hair a funky color.  This was a promise I made to myself when I was billing my life away.  I always said that I would dye my hair pink if/when I stopped answering to The Man.  Well, a few years later, I decided that I probably won't look that good as a cotton candy-haired late 30-something.  So instead, I worked out with my hairdresser (who I love) to have some fun color interspersed in the lower crown.  I now have dark pink/magenta underlights that peek through below my standard rich brunette color.  And when I'm feeling funky, I can pull back my hair and show a bit more color.  Fun!

This Sunday is Abbot Kinney Fest.  Our street will be closed for a street festival with three stages, artists/artisans, street performers, etc.  Should be interesting.  I'm thinking I won't be following much football this week.

fall quarter revised

Guess I'll be waiting a bit longer to learn Flash.  One of my teachers (who works for Adobe and is a beta tester for the CS4 Design Suite being released within the month) advised me not to take Flash this quarter (they are teaching Flash for CS3, the current program) because there are huge important changes on the way which will make the program much more user friendly.  So with that in mind, I've dropped Flash and will be taking Mixed Media Collage on Tuesday nights instead.  It will be a pretty arty quarter for me, with both drawing and painting accounted for.

tick tock tick (do do do-do)

Today is the last day of summer quarter for me.  That means that I'm about a third of the way (or slightly more) through the certificate program at UCLA Extension.  This quarter has been a bit of a struggle for me.  Part of it was that I moved halfway through the quarter so I felt generally disorganized for much of the quarter.  Part of it was that I took a 10 day vacation with only two weeks left in the quarter to get final projects done upon my return. Anyway, I'm relieved to have this one done.  Hopefully next quarter will be a bit easier for me.  My schedule for next quarter is again a bit heavy on the computer programs classes (necessary, but not all that fun).  Here it is:

Flash I (Wednesday nights)

Drawing For Communication (Thursday nights)

InDesign (online)

I've been looking forward to the drawing class for some time and even refused to take some mandatory history class that (apparently) is offered only once per year -- uh, hopefully they fix that this year -- because I was so excited for drawing.  I think it will be really helpful to have another chance to focus on drawing, as that is what got this whole process rolling a year or so ago.

After today, I'll have the rest of the week off before jumping into classes next week.  I plan to spend a lot of time riding my bike along the beach and practicing yoga at my new favorite yoga studio.

fat bottomed girls

Well hello there.  How are things going with you?  I just wanted to let you know about my wonderful new bike.  I am now the proud owner of a 7 speed electra townie beach cruiser in metallic orange.  And, even better, I can ride it around my new neighborhood.  For errands or to exercise class or just down to the beach for some cruising.  Yes, I'm enjoying my new place.  Loft pictures to come soon...

it was 20 years ago today...

July 29, 2008 is the 20th anniversary of my dad's death.  Last month I started to compose a post about him.  It turns out that there is a lot to say and before I knew what was happening, it started turning into a multi-part series.  Maybe at some point I'll be able to finish more of a life story about him.  He was a really intense and complicated person.  

But for today I will just say that I miss him still.  I think he would have liked the person that I have become.  And I've never found anyone who gives better hugs.  Love you, dad.

there's no place like...

First night in the new place. So far I completely love it.

getting close

'Stina posted a generated map of the US showing number of States visited.  So here is my map:

visited 41 states (82%)
Create your own visited map of The United States

I am not counting the visits to Wyoming and South Dakota that occurred when I was 4 years old because I didn't know where the hell I was. Despite the photographic evidence that I have seen the Badlands.

photographs and memories

I'm still here.  Actually, more accurately, I haven't moved yet.  We've been planning this move for about 2 months now and at this point I'm just ready for it to be over already.  Next Wednesday is our big move date.  We've been able to do some small stuff, like setting up the new bathroom, but the state of our current apartment is not pretty.  Not pretty at all.  We've more or less abandoned cleaning and we have packed and half-packed boxes, bags of clothes for the women's shelter and random paperwork strewn all over the place.  My two largest remaining moving projects are to go through all my old saved paperwork and mementos.  Because we are moving to a loft-style apartment, we have a storage space across the street from the new place, which will be holding all the stuff we don't want to have on display.  Organization pre-move is pretty key.

So anyway, that is what I've been up to.  No real point to this post other than to say hi.  Hi!

wake me up before you meme

In honor of my (April) nablopomo celebration dinner with Ericka of City Elf tonight, I am continuing this meme today:  7 Things About Me You'd Not Likely Guess.  Now that I've done the 100 facts blog, I'm not sure there isn't anything about me I have told my 5 loyal readers, so I'm going with things you wouldn't guess upon meeting me, I guess.

1.  I wanted to be an optometrist.  I think I went to the optometrist when I was 8 or so and it really made an impression on me.  All the cool machines to play with!  At some point this turned into a more general interest in being a doctor.  But a dislike of blood and hospitals changed my mind in high school.

2.  I was a cheerleader in high school.  I don't think I really give off the appropriate cheerleader vibe, but during my sophomore year I cheered for JV football and basketball.  Go Eagles!

3.  I have insomniac tendencies.  I've learned to control the problem primarily through late-night reading, but I have trouble making myself go to bed at night.  It's been particularly pronounced and problematic when I've lived alone.

4.  During middle school (and, less so, high school) I had severe and chronic migrane headaches.  Spotty vision, light flashes, throwing up.  It was fun all around.  My mom went through a similar phase when she was an adolescent, but it was particularly bad for me because the onset happened to be right around the time my parents split up and they were often triggered by stress.  The school nurse knew me very well.

5.  I only started being able to stand to eat eggs in the last 5 years or so.  I only will eat them scrambled and I only enjoy them if the flavor is masked with yummy stuff like salsa and cheese.  And flour tortillas.  However I was really good at breakfast grill when I used to do it at Friendly's in high school.  I make a mean omelette, or so I've been told.

6.  I never liked paper classes at all.  Took the bare minimum in both college and law school.  Give me a test give me a test give me a test.  Design classes are all project-based and that is fine too.  I guess my hatred really just extends to writing papers.

7.  I always assumed I would die young.  When I was a kid I never thought I would live past 40.  Maybe lots of kids do this, I'm not sure.  Guess I'l have to change these estimates in a couple of years.  Still though, 70?  Can't picture it.

I won't call out anyone in particular to continue this, but I'd love to read the entries from some regulars if they are so inclined.

meet me at third and fairfax

ffffound.com had this cute little illustration up today and at first I was a bit alarmed because I am currently (one block) EAST of Fairfax (Avenue, Los Angeles) and I am about to move (several miles) WEST of Fairfax.  Doomed to a life of SUCK, it would seem.  

Until I remembered that I have lived in the vicinity of a Fairfax before.  As in Fairfax, Virginia.  In fact I have lived WEST of that particular Fairfax (by Dulles airport) and EAST of Fairfax (Falls Church) and I can confirm that the map is more or less on point with its biting analysis of NoVa suckage.  Well, not that Falls Church is all that cool, really, but it blows the doors off all points WEST of Fairfax.  

But then I thought -- wait just a minute -- I currently live WEST of Fairfax, Virginia and where I live now doesn't seem so SUCK to me.  Where does this map leave off?  Am I moving even further into the WEST of Fairfax, Virginia SUCK??  And where do these WEST and EAST directionals meet up anyway?  I need some sort of legend here.  Who makes a map without a legend, anyway?  And, wait, is the earth really flat????  And then I realized I really should go to bed.

Mind.  Blown.

[Uh, I probably should add, in the interest of full disclosure or whatever, and despite the damage it will do to the credibility of the above blog entry (to the extent it ever had any credibility), that the illustration is from the Popkiller website, which appears to be a trendy LA hipster clothing store.  So, yes, I am clearly moving from COOL (barely) to SUCK (totally).]

fitter happier more productive

I've spent the last couple of weeks thinking about one of my favorite Radiohead lyrics and doing my best to typographically bring it to life.  Then today I stumbled upon a website that took it a whole other direction for me.  If you enjoy visual representations of type, I strongly suggest you run (don't walk) over to Wordle and start generating pictures from your favorite song lyrics, poems, quotes, etc.

Wordle's version is above and below are my interpretations of Fitter Happier:

FITTER


NO PARANOIA

busy doing nothing

So, um, remember how I was going to quit my job and have all this free time to be creative and blog and learn new stuff? I hereby give you the second blog posting in the month of June. As you will note, the month is not quite half over yet. So, hold on here, just a minute, by my calculations you can expect approximately 4 (maybe 5!) posts from me this month. Progress.

I wish I could tell you EXACTLY (down to the last excruciating detail) what I've been so busy doing lo these last three weeks of freedom, but I'm not sure I really know. I've, um, signed a lease and gotten caught up on classwork and spent some quality time petting the cat. I've done some mid-day shopping and met a friend or two out for lunch or afternoon drinks. I took a trip to Dallas. I'm pretty caught up on laundry. Have you moved away from the edge of your seat yet? I'm pretty sure it isn't going to get much better.

Anyway, people keep asking me about my time off and I'm not really sure what to say at this point. I like it. I wish I was making time to do more. I need to start making myself lists I think. Especially moving-related lists, because there is a lot to do. I think that is where I'll start. Making moving-related lists. Tomorrow.