Speaking of monsters, this is how I am feeling this morning:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Gimme a "C"
"C" is for cookie, that's good enough for me. -cookie monster
Speaking of monsters, this is how I am feeling this morning:
Speaking of monsters, this is how I am feeling this morning:
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Gimme an "S"
Happy Birthday, Jason!
For whatever reason I don't have a picture of you holding a cake. rats!
The best I can do is an offering of a cake I think you might remember...
Once I get through this week (and orion's recovered from the flu, and mir is home) we'll have some rosemary remembrance cake -- with candles. I should know better than to try and do anything besides work this week.
For whatever reason I don't have a picture of you holding a cake. rats!
The best I can do is an offering of a cake I think you might remember...
Once I get through this week (and orion's recovered from the flu, and mir is home) we'll have some rosemary remembrance cake -- with candles. I should know better than to try and do anything besides work this week.
Monday, February 16, 2009
gimme an "O"
It is that time of year again...so roll out the red carpet and get ready for Oscar.
I started work this morning and wanted to share a glimpse of the glamorous world behind-the-scenes.
Yup that's my boot. The sole fell off mid-morning amid one of the bigger rains Hollywood has seen this year. And wouldn't you know that I'd be relocated into a trailer with the *fashion* people. Sheesh! It looks to be a busy week, but word is the weather will improve before the big show. Cross your finger!
I started work this morning and wanted to share a glimpse of the glamorous world behind-the-scenes.
Yup that's my boot. The sole fell off mid-morning amid one of the bigger rains Hollywood has seen this year. And wouldn't you know that I'd be relocated into a trailer with the *fashion* people. Sheesh! It looks to be a busy week, but word is the weather will improve before the big show. Cross your finger!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
two loves
Not since peanut butter and chocolate has a combo won over my heart the way kniittiing has. Just look!
Every once in a while I am reminded that brilliance and creativity is alive and well in the world. These artists may not be ending hunger, but they are deserving of a smile-with-head-nod and a round of applause. Even if you do not knit, or knit but do not Wii, you should really take a minute out of your busy day and visit this site of inspiration (look at the photos on the bottom to really grasp how kniitiing can happen). Rachel Beth Egenhoefer is great* and as best I can tell this is truly possible -- there is an engineer turned behavioral scientist involved (!), right?
* I do not know this woman at all, but I thoroughly enjoyed her website.
Every once in a while I am reminded that brilliance and creativity is alive and well in the world. These artists may not be ending hunger, but they are deserving of a smile-with-head-nod and a round of applause. Even if you do not knit, or knit but do not Wii, you should really take a minute out of your busy day and visit this site of inspiration (look at the photos on the bottom to really grasp how kniitiing can happen). Rachel Beth Egenhoefer is great* and as best I can tell this is truly possible -- there is an engineer turned behavioral scientist involved (!), right?
* I do not know this woman at all, but I thoroughly enjoyed her website.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
valentine
Not sure how long this will be up after Valentines Day, but Kate Spade has some great B-mine offerings worth checking out. Thanks to Em for sending me one.
Hope your day is happy. If not meeting your expectations, go buy some chocolate. You deserve it!
xoxo
Hope your day is happy. If not meeting your expectations, go buy some chocolate. You deserve it!
xoxo
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
confession
Confession #1:
Now that I have a draft of my dissertation done, I can fess up to what else I have been doing the past few weeks.
While it is public knowledge that since the start of the new year I have been camped out in the library staring down my laptop, what has gone undisclosed is that when I wasn't there I was reading the Twilight series. I know I am late to get on this bandwagon, but after finding that everyone I encountered was reading it, I was curious. And for three weeks, I was hooked. As I write this, I can also tell you that I am through the withdrawal that followed the completion of book four -- a 700+ page tome akin to the Harry Potters that grew in girth with each new installment. Now that I can relate to popular culture again it must mean it is almost time to start editing the dissertation.
A brilliant friend who mocked my tryst with Twilight (but really experienced it vicariously through plot updates) created this amazing piece:
For those of you who may be unfamiliar, that golden eyed pagan god made of marble-like skin is Edward. He is the vampire all the girls love to love.
Confession #2:
I am working the Oscars.....
Now that I have a draft of my dissertation done, I can fess up to what else I have been doing the past few weeks.
While it is public knowledge that since the start of the new year I have been camped out in the library staring down my laptop, what has gone undisclosed is that when I wasn't there I was reading the Twilight series. I know I am late to get on this bandwagon, but after finding that everyone I encountered was reading it, I was curious. And for three weeks, I was hooked. As I write this, I can also tell you that I am through the withdrawal that followed the completion of book four -- a 700+ page tome akin to the Harry Potters that grew in girth with each new installment. Now that I can relate to popular culture again it must mean it is almost time to start editing the dissertation.
A brilliant friend who mocked my tryst with Twilight (but really experienced it vicariously through plot updates) created this amazing piece:
For those of you who may be unfamiliar, that golden eyed pagan god made of marble-like skin is Edward. He is the vampire all the girls love to love.
Confession #2:
I am working the Oscars.....
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Saturday, January 31, 2009
beasties
This is a great show, and if you are in LA, the days to see it are numbered. All of the pieces are inspired by the Beastie Boys and their music. Not sure if the link up top works, but if not...Gallery 1988 has become a neighborhood favorite of O and I. I still have a soft spot for the B-Boys and the art was really fun (we went to the opening). I hear that when the economy is bad the best thing you can do is buy art......
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Skillz
Everybody has a talent. My gal, Alex, turned me on to this guy's here
It is a nice reminder that there are lots of ways to spend your time. Ah, time.
Speaking of time. You may expect that I would muse about aging, but I refrain. Instead, I just want to share that I do not have to return to the Coumadin Clinic for a whole month! If this miracle has occurred previously (and to the best of my recollection it has not) it was only because I left town or the country. It has been over three years (!!) of visiting for a blood test every other week, on average. While I do adore the staff, I am thrilled to not see them for a while :)
It is a nice reminder that there are lots of ways to spend your time. Ah, time.
Speaking of time. You may expect that I would muse about aging, but I refrain. Instead, I just want to share that I do not have to return to the Coumadin Clinic for a whole month! If this miracle has occurred previously (and to the best of my recollection it has not) it was only because I left town or the country. It has been over three years (!!) of visiting for a blood test every other week, on average. While I do adore the staff, I am thrilled to not see them for a while :)
Monday, January 26, 2009
Saturday, January 24, 2009
short month
I know that technically February is the short month on the calendar, but since Sundance is taking place I have been inspired to watch short films online. This is one that I ran across today, and I just liked it. If you go to the festival site (link above) you can access the 10 Shorts 10 Days in iTunes and view these shorts for free through the weekend. Here's to being short!
A Thousand Words from Ted Chung on Vimeo.
A Thousand Words from Ted Chung on Vimeo.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Things I Love-Hate:
anthropology
writing
Hollywood
being a student
The Academy
owning stuff
computers
the internet
blogs
civil society
jury duty
riding the bus
insurance
thinking
Jason's contribution: Kelly Clarkson*
(*His understanding was that I was looking for things that he hates to love, whereas my list is of things I am just conflicted or flip-floppy about at the moment.)
Feel free to add anything I may have missed. I imagine that I will be returning to make my own additions often.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
aquarius....
This is my horoscope for today. They have all been like this lately. Sheesh!
It's hard to know if you have gone deep enough, for the more you dig, the more you learn. At some point, however, you must finish your research and actually put what you've learned to practical use. Once you accept that your investigation has uncovered a bottomless pit, you'll be more likely to stop spinning your intellectual wheels and get to work, applying your wealth of knowledge. [Tarot.com Aquarius Horoscope]
It's hard to know if you have gone deep enough, for the more you dig, the more you learn. At some point, however, you must finish your research and actually put what you've learned to practical use. Once you accept that your investigation has uncovered a bottomless pit, you'll be more likely to stop spinning your intellectual wheels and get to work, applying your wealth of knowledge. [Tarot.com Aquarius Horoscope]
Monday, January 12, 2009
12 days of the new year
I have been neglecting the blog.
It is fair to say that I have been debating whether or not to keep the blog. It is a new year after all, and I am not sure that I have much the say about PTE these days (thankfully!!) There are a couple of health-related posts that I really should finish and post -- so if that is what you tune in for, hang tight. Maybe it is enough to tweak the name a bit and see if I can gain some momentum in 2009.
My friend, Jason, says that to have a successful blog you really need to have a kid to take pictures of. He may be on to something. We have discussed posting pictures of random children and babies, but I am sure that might lead to problems. I can get away with posting pictures of Sprinkles cupcakes, but kids are different I hear.
My day started with a semi-regular Skype meeting with Lexi. We are still locked in a blood-pact to finish and defend our dissertations this spring. It has been a challenge having her in London, but Skype helps. So this morning, in addition to talking about the strife of writing, she introduced me to the David Lee Roth Soundboard. There is no image that does it justice, you really just have to go check it out. Whether or not you are a Van Halen fan, it is fun(ny).
From there my day meandered through coffee, writing, tea, a Wii break (best xmas gift and such a distraction -- totally deserving of its own post), and ended up with THE VISITOR. This film has been on my list for a while and it really is worth checking out if you haven't seen it (even more so than the David Lee Roth site). For those of you teaching, there are classroom materials available here.
I have movies on my mind because of the dissertation, but more so because here in la-la-land it is awards season. If there is a Hollywood equivalent of the harvest in a 12-month agricultural cycle, awards season is it. With the Golden Globes last night, it is officially in full-swing. Ah, distraction in the name of research! In truth, I have weened myself from data collection as best I can, and the only thing of note at last night's event was the fact that E! introduced a GPS "star tracker" to follow celebs on the Red Carpet. It might have been a joke...but not a terrible idea, eh?
It is fair to say that I have been debating whether or not to keep the blog. It is a new year after all, and I am not sure that I have much the say about PTE these days (thankfully!!) There are a couple of health-related posts that I really should finish and post -- so if that is what you tune in for, hang tight. Maybe it is enough to tweak the name a bit and see if I can gain some momentum in 2009.
My friend, Jason, says that to have a successful blog you really need to have a kid to take pictures of. He may be on to something. We have discussed posting pictures of random children and babies, but I am sure that might lead to problems. I can get away with posting pictures of Sprinkles cupcakes, but kids are different I hear.
My day started with a semi-regular Skype meeting with Lexi. We are still locked in a blood-pact to finish and defend our dissertations this spring. It has been a challenge having her in London, but Skype helps. So this morning, in addition to talking about the strife of writing, she introduced me to the David Lee Roth Soundboard. There is no image that does it justice, you really just have to go check it out. Whether or not you are a Van Halen fan, it is fun(ny).
From there my day meandered through coffee, writing, tea, a Wii break (best xmas gift and such a distraction -- totally deserving of its own post), and ended up with THE VISITOR. This film has been on my list for a while and it really is worth checking out if you haven't seen it (even more so than the David Lee Roth site). For those of you teaching, there are classroom materials available here. I have movies on my mind because of the dissertation, but more so because here in la-la-land it is awards season. If there is a Hollywood equivalent of the harvest in a 12-month agricultural cycle, awards season is it. With the Golden Globes last night, it is officially in full-swing. Ah, distraction in the name of research! In truth, I have weened myself from data collection as best I can, and the only thing of note at last night's event was the fact that E! introduced a GPS "star tracker" to follow celebs on the Red Carpet. It might have been a joke...but not a terrible idea, eh?
Saturday, December 06, 2008
funny is good
brilliant. star-studded cast and witty. Prop 8...the musical. voila!
See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die
Friday, November 14, 2008
Special Comment on Gay Marriage ~ Keith Olbermann
It occurs to me that if you don't live in California you may not be following Prop 8 closely. I have never had a strong opinion about Olbermann, but I have to give him props for this six minutes. Watch it.
thinking out loud
The wording was confusing -- YES if you are against gay marriage, NO is you are for it. Money to fund the proposition came from out-of-state, in particular from churches; churches that have become targets of protest and anger since the elections. Since last Tuesday, people have taken to the streets often to show their distress. Watching the 12,000 strong protest last weekend, I wished I was here to show my support. But driving home on Wednesday and getting stuck in a protest targeting El Coyote (bad food, good margaritas), because the daughter of the owner gave $100 to the yes on 8 campaign, I found myself questioning whether or not a good cause wasn't making itself look bad.
Marriage. I spend a lot of time thinking about this word and what it means. When O and I went to West Hollywood to get gay-married (civil union/domestic partnership -- thank you Gray Davis) in 2005, we knew it was a step, but that it was different than getting married. For years I have been at a loss to come up with an argument for marriage that sways O into thinking it is necessary, and at the same time, I understand that it is important. Even if half of American marriages fail, and kinship in this country is changing, I still think marriage matters. Why else would we go to so many weddings?
I am for activism. I support protest. I think that Prop 8 is a civil rights issue. And it kills me to see the impact this is having on dear friends. But I also support democracy and the rights of individuals to make choices. I still haven't gotten over the 2004 election and my dismay about this country's choices, but in some weird way it prepared me for this kind of democratic disappointment.
The question is: to protest or not to protest? Here is how my internal debate goes: There is no question that I support same sex marriage and think legally recognized marriage should be an option for all. I also think that to be in a democracy we have to respect when it fails us. Having said that, I do worry about the rights of minorities being decided by the majority. I am angry and sad about the outcome of Prop 8. I also get concerned when harm or threats of harm are directed at individuals for expressing a belief or lifestyle ---- whether it be that she is queer or mormon. There are gay mormons (and I know more than one who eats at El Coyote!)
At what point do we trust each other with choice? Whether it is our bodies or our kinship, shouldn't it be up to us? I don't know how to make others less scared or less righteous. Does going to a protest make me any better than the (in)activist I live with? When it comes to voting in my life, the outcomes are what I want about half the time. Maybe that is how it should be...even if it makes me nuts about half the time.
Monday, November 10, 2008
home again, home again
I am pretty overwhelmed this morning.
It is not a bad thing. Not a panic-y overwhelmed, but a full-up-to-the-brim with emotion kind. I think I am just really happy. Happy to have been away. Happy to wake up in my bed and make coffee at home. Happy to know that we have amazing friends. Happy to feel hopeful.
Last week we voted and jumped a plane to nyc, landing in time to see the election called and Brooklyn get rowdy with celebration. It was a good night. Heck, it was a great week. Five years since our last visit to the big city meant lots of catching up to do amidst birthdays, babies, new homes, new "plus one"(s), a wedding.
Every trip I take reminds me how thankful I am to be traveling again. Most of the friends we are seeing haven't seen me since I got laid up for a couple years, so there is a-l-o-t to catch up on. It is also nice to get a change of scene with Orion, to make returns instead of firsts together.
I am staring down a stack of mail (from this trip and the last) and an inbox that begs the question: How long can I put off work for email? My plants are all but dead, and the cupboard is bare. This being the case, I am resorting to the one-word updates...do read on and feel free to share in the shorthand correspondence. xoxoxo
Where is your mobile phone? hiding
Where is your significant other? working
Your hair colour? seasonal
Your mother? amazing
Your father? brilliant
Your favourite thing? color
Your dream last night? forgotten
Your dream goal? peace
The room you're in? sunny
Your hobby? sleep
Your fear? loose-ends
Where do you want to be in 6 years? 39
Where were you last night? flying
What you're not? bored
One of your wish-list items? health
Where you grew up? Portland
The last thing you did? listened
What are you wearing? pjs
Your TV? quiet
Your pets? deceased
Your computer? humming
Your mood? caffinated
Missing someone? always
Your car? parked
Something you're not wearing? accessories
Favourite shop? knitting
Your summer? fantastic
Love someone? yes
Your favourite colour? yellow
When is the last time you laughed? saturday
When is the last time you cried? saturday
It is not a bad thing. Not a panic-y overwhelmed, but a full-up-to-the-brim with emotion kind. I think I am just really happy. Happy to have been away. Happy to wake up in my bed and make coffee at home. Happy to know that we have amazing friends. Happy to feel hopeful.
Last week we voted and jumped a plane to nyc, landing in time to see the election called and Brooklyn get rowdy with celebration. It was a good night. Heck, it was a great week. Five years since our last visit to the big city meant lots of catching up to do amidst birthdays, babies, new homes, new "plus one"(s), a wedding.
Every trip I take reminds me how thankful I am to be traveling again. Most of the friends we are seeing haven't seen me since I got laid up for a couple years, so there is a-l-o-t to catch up on. It is also nice to get a change of scene with Orion, to make returns instead of firsts together.
I am staring down a stack of mail (from this trip and the last) and an inbox that begs the question: How long can I put off work for email? My plants are all but dead, and the cupboard is bare. This being the case, I am resorting to the one-word updates...do read on and feel free to share in the shorthand correspondence. xoxoxo
Where is your mobile phone? hiding
Where is your significant other? working
Your hair colour? seasonal
Your mother? amazing
Your father? brilliant
Your favourite thing? color
Your dream last night? forgotten
Your dream goal? peace
The room you're in? sunny
Your hobby? sleep
Your fear? loose-ends
Where do you want to be in 6 years? 39
Where were you last night? flying
What you're not? bored
One of your wish-list items? health
Where you grew up? Portland
The last thing you did? listened
What are you wearing? pjs
Your TV? quiet
Your pets? deceased
Your computer? humming
Your mood? caffinated
Missing someone? always
Your car? parked
Something you're not wearing? accessories
Favourite shop? knitting
Your summer? fantastic
Love someone? yes
Your favourite colour? yellow
When is the last time you laughed? saturday
When is the last time you cried? saturday
Monday, November 03, 2008
vote and prosper
So if you vote, not only do you get a new President, but you can get in on free perks.
Starbucks: One free 12 ounce cup of regular coffee. www.starbucks.com
Ben & Jerry's: One free scoop of ice cream between 5 pm and 8 pm. www.benandjerrys.com
Krispy Kreme: One free star shaped donut with sprinkles. www.krispykreme.com
This blog, WalletPop, has a list that includes regional freebies.
Perhaps the best Election Day deal of all comes from Babeland, who will give out free silver bullet vibes or "Maverick" penis sleeves if you can show a voter registration card or voting stub. Free sex toys—not a bad prize for simply casting your ballot.
Your perk for reading this post is that you get to see the best Halloween costume ever (ok, top ten. There was this great La Dama at Dia de Los Muertos). My friend, Kirsten, has a super crafty mom and she makes an adorable banana, non?
Feel free to let me know if there are more opportunities out there. Now GO VOTE!!
Starbucks: One free 12 ounce cup of regular coffee. www.starbucks.com
Ben & Jerry's: One free scoop of ice cream between 5 pm and 8 pm. www.benandjerrys.com
Krispy Kreme: One free star shaped donut with sprinkles. www.krispykreme.com
This blog, WalletPop, has a list that includes regional freebies.
Perhaps the best Election Day deal of all comes from Babeland, who will give out free silver bullet vibes or "Maverick" penis sleeves if you can show a voter registration card or voting stub. Free sex toys—not a bad prize for simply casting your ballot.
Your perk for reading this post is that you get to see the best Halloween costume ever (ok, top ten. There was this great La Dama at Dia de Los Muertos). My friend, Kirsten, has a super crafty mom and she makes an adorable banana, non?Feel free to let me know if there are more opportunities out there. Now GO VOTE!!
Saturday, November 01, 2008
You know it's LA...
... when it rains and everyone in your apartment building comes outside to see it. The hugh, Midwestern clap of thunder may have had something to do with it. My kind of day.
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