29 September 2009
The Wine Life
Right now I'm actually working on an article for PalatePress.com about life as a young wine drinker. It's exciting, but tough. I hadn't written a news-style article in awhile and, I must admit, it's quite like getting back on the horse. I feel a little rusty, which is why it's taking me a little longer than normal. But it feels great to be working on it! I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Otherwise, just enjoying the beautiful Monterey CA weather and trying to prep for my French exam on Thursday. Bon chance!
01 September 2009
Life's Little Surprises
26 August 2009
Sucker for Evil
24 August 2009
New member
The Bitch Code
13 July 2009
What a Trip
29 May 2009
The Roommate Factor
22 May 2009
Why Blog?
13 May 2009
Job and Life: Update
As far as getting a new job goes, I'm in the final throes of getting hired at a restaurant in Cannery Row. I'll make good money there and the people seem really nice. I have a final interview tomorrow and I'm pretty sure I have the job.
I feel so good right now ... I feel more in control of my life than I have in awhile. I feel like I stood up to a tank and said DO NOT PASS. I've needed to feel this for a long time now.
I'll let you know whether or not I got the job ... and I promise I'll FINALLY post some new pics of my new house.
Beth
p.s. last Saturday my family and I put our dog, Misha, to sleep. She had been with us for 13 years, and it was really hard to see her go ... but we didn't want her to suffer in pain anymore.
02 May 2009
The life I lead
14 April 2009
Warcraft Update: Hooray!
11 April 2009
Pics from the trip!
07 April 2009
Flat tire
06 April 2009
Live in Gualala!
03 April 2009
Send me on my way
What I love the most about Gualala, other than the fact that it's gorgeous and we don't have to pay for a room, is the isolation. Cell phones don't work there and there's no internet at the house. That means that for five days I'll be completely cut off from the rest of the world, and it's really exciting. It's a freeing feeling.
There are two cafes with internet access in town - I might go there once or twice over the weekend and update this blog about the trip ... but I can't make any promises ;).
I'll be back next week!
01 April 2009
Warcraft Update
31 March 2009
Rant about Warcraft
I hate that my boyfriend plays Warcraft. Hate hate hate hate hate. And I don't know how to tell him. I've tried so hard to be gentle and compassionate, then upfront, and then pissed off, but I'm seriously at my wit's end. I'm afraid that if it continues and he doesn't follow through on his promise to change, it's going to be an ever-growing wedge between us. I don't want that, and I don't think he realizes just how much it's happening.
Last night was our last night in our little house before moving next door. I wanted to spend some time with him, cuddle a bit in our little house. He told me he would be finished by 10pm, 10:30 at the latest, and I said I would wait up for him. Well, I did, and he wasn't finished, because his friends were late in "showing up" and it was taking "longer than he anticipated." I ended up staying up until 11:30 for him and he never got off the fucking computer. I think he was on there until past midnight, which he promised me wouldn't happen anymore.
I talked to his mom about it this morning and she said she's had it with his addictive game behavior. I think she's going to have a serious talk with him, which is good, because apparently he isn't listening to me, no matter how hard I try.
I hate Warcraft.
new house!
Oh yeah, forgot to mention, the house we're moving into is the one Julien's parents used to rent, right next door to ours! It's been the easiest move I've ever had.
I'll show you some footage of the new house as soon as it looks presentable, i.e. without a bunch of boxes clogging up the works.
Barefoot and pregnant
Well, I was so stricken by the hell-hole that is this article, that I posted what I considered to be a logically-based argument against his misguided theory. Make sure to read the article before reading my response, otherwise you might not understand:
Dear Writer,
I'm not going to assume your education level, religion, even your gender - I'm just going to speak to you as a person. Your claim that men are ruled by logic and women are ruled by emotion is weak, misguided and completely ridiculous, both scientifically and philosophically.
You do realize that every motivation, regardless of any physical characteristic, including gender, comes from a personal, subjective standpoint ... which is, guess what, emotional. It is impossible for anybody to be completely logical, because logic implies a complete lack of meaning, response or personal interest.
And before you claim that those are "women's words," those ideas are philosophical findings that were introduced by men far before women had any rights apart from their fathers or husbands. These philosophical concepts were reinforced by scientific research into the brain that was introduced, again by men, in the mid 19th century.
In addition, the idea of the word "emotion" (and all that's attributed to it) is merely an umbrella term for any physiological response that the brain provides in order to assist in a reaction to outside stimuli. That's the very definition of logical thought: see, process, respond.
So in retrospect, are emotions logical or are logistics emotional?
Maybe you should do a little more research before ranting about something you don't understand.
Signed,
Anonymous
p.s. I suppose you feel like slavery should still exist, too.
27 March 2009
Survey
what is your current obsession?
The weekend.
what are you wearing now?
Libertine for Target button-up blouse, black mid-waist pants, my red robot socks, Camper sneakers and a yellow fedora with the tag cut out. This entire outfit only cost me $8 (for the hat, everything was was hand-me-downs or gifts).
do you nap a lot?
No, because my mind is always way too busy.
why is today special?
Because it's Friday and I get to pack for the move this weekend!
what would you like to learn to do?
I want to perfect my French before I learn anything else.
what's for dinner?
Je ne sais pas. I might cook up that gnocchi I've been saving, grab some gorgonzola from the store and cook it with some veggies. Sounds pretty yummy. Jules will be jealous.
what was the last thing you bought?
Groceries. So exciting.
what are you listening to right now?
An air condition. I really should turn on some music.
what is your favorite weather?
Depends on my mood. It's a beautiful sunny day today and I'm loving it.
what is on your bedside table?
Don't have one right now.
what's your style?
Hmm ... I would say a mix of boho and preppy. I like to mix things up. Oh, and I always like wearing a bit (or a lot!) of color. Hence, the hat.
what is your most challenging goal right now?
To clear this little debt I have from having to replace all the brakes in my stupid car.
say something to the person who tagged you.
Nobody tagged me, I volunteered for this little thing.
if you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where do you want it to be?
Paris.
favorite vacation spot?
Gualala. Going there next week!
name the things you cannot live without.
Life, love and edamame.
what would you like to have in your hands right now?
My boyfriend.
what would you like to get rid of?
My debt.
what was the last book you read?
Technically it was my French textbook. Don't have much time for reading, my dear.
if you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Home. Sleep.
what language do you want to be able to speak?
I think I've already established that.
why did you start blogging?
Because it's fun!
26 March 2009
Nameless
Nameless
You give everything
and still I don't know you.
You take everything
and still I don't know you.
You dance in fields,
laughing, shouting.
I watch from the darkness
like a stranger.
25 March 2009
Two Things
1. I had to take my car in to get my brakes fixed. I figured I probably should after they would screech when I accelerate and shake when I braked. 2 days of crappy sleep and $500 bucks later and I have my car back, good as new. The only downside is the bad brakes really took a toll on my two rear tires, which I have to replace now. Gonna cost another $200 bucks or so. Yippee. Luckily I get to sleep in my own bed tonight and use my own car in the morning. I've been staying at my parents because my repair shop of choice is in their town and my boyfriend currently doesn't have a car.
2. The 'avant-green' fashion event that I've been planning for 2 months happened last night. I've got to tell you, I'm so glad it's over! It was fun, but I am exhausted. The models were great, except one didn't show up. The problem I had was with my fellow volunteers. I had to show up at 5:00 because I worked, and when I got there it was like there were no volunteers helping the models, even though at least two of them were assigned JUST to help them. I had to drag people in to help me just to keep everything going. And then I kept having to drag them over the course of the entire night, which sucked for me, because I wanted to relax at least a little bit. But no, I'm not allowed that luxury. Overall the event was a success, but it really battered the crap out of me.
17 March 2009
Virginity
In the article, "Natalie" mentions how society has always viewed virginity as a valued commodity, i.e. fathers would sell their virginal daughters for profit and status, which is true. That's not what bothers me, although it essentially does ... but that's for another article. It's the next part that bothers me. She says that she considers herself independent for taking that tradition and "flipping it" so that she's benefiting from it financially instead of some man. Now, that's the part that isn't true.
She isn't flipping it, she's helping it.
By selling her virginity online in such a crude and lucrative way, "Natalie" is perpetuating a ludicrous and sexist system that only serves to continue viewing women as objects to be purchased. "Natalie" is creating a bad example for young women everywhere - that, as long as we live in crooked times, we should accept what we're given and milk it for all it's worth. Those kind of things never turn out well, both principally and emotionally.
Am I the only one who sees the heartlessness is this?
Now, I'm not advocating for treating your virginity like some priceless artifact that needs to be handed over to your dear husband for him to put on his shelf. But I do believe that one's virginity is something that is personal, private and should be shared with someone who matters to you. Not some John Doe with an extra mil or two to spare.
It happens everywhere
Women in Congo Speak Out About Rape
16 March 2009
The neverending awesomeness ...
Anyway, after the 4th time of having to send it in for repairs, I finally got annoyed enough to request a no-lemon policy, which would allow me to get a new computer. The Geek Squad guys didn't go for it at first, but I wouldn't back down, and they finally relented and sent in the request. Last Thursday I got a call saying it had been approved! I went it straight after work on Friday to collect on my one piece of computer good fortune that I'd had in years.
This is the part where it gets good.
So I went in to Best Buy, expecting to get a newer version of the computer (which I would've been happy with, since my old laptop was only 1g and the average one was 4g now). Instead, they told me that I would get a credit that I could use toward whatever new laptop I wanted. I got scared for a minute, because my computer was way passe. I bought it for $800 but feared I wouldn't get more than $400.
Well, next thing you know, the Geek Squad guy tells me that, since the average price of the laptop was $791, that was the price they were going to give me. Can you believe that?! I was stunned. He told me that I could get any laptop for up to that price. Hmm ... well, I tried another approach.
Let me introduce this next section by saying that I'd always wanted a MacBook, but could never afford it.
I asked the guy if I could use some of my money and get an upgrade, and sure thing, he said yes! So I went straight over to the Mac section, found the MacBook of my dreams and picked it right up. After over an hour of tweaking the cash register, the total for my laptop finally came up ... including tax, $580. A hell of a lot better than $1300, I'll tell you that!
One more thing. Despite the fact that my Geek Squad rep told me that I could transfer the one year remaining on my warranty, the guys upstairs said that I couldn't. However, to make up for all the shit I had to go through, they offered to pay for half of a new plan. I didn't want to spend much, and figured I could buy a new policy later, so I decided to go for the $100 accidental coverage to go with my manufacturer warranty.
Well, just as you know it, the guy ringing me up accidentally comped me for the entire warranty! Afterwards, he said that he was too tired to undo it and didn't care, so he gave it to me. So, in essense, I DID get my one-year policy transferred to my new laptop! Isn't life great?
So that's my happy ending. And you know what? After all the crap the last computer put me through, I tell you what, I deserve it :).
10 March 2009
RapeLay
I should've known better.
Meet 'RapeLay', an underground Japanese eroge video game ... or as it's often referred to, a rape simulator. That's right, a rape simulator.
The sole purpose of this game is to play a wealthy man who was accused of being a pervert years ago, and is now taking his revenge by raping a series of women without getting caught. Yes, he's the protagonist. You go through a series of interactive scenes that guide you to "corner" women and rape them. Apparently they struggle at first, but then start to enjoy it. Because all women secretly enjoy being raped, right?
The United States is considering banning it, but since it's not publicly available at any American stores, real or online, it probably won't end up happening. Besides, any idiot can download it through to their system.
This kind of mentality about sexual violence is just another piece of the puzzle that creates tolerance of domestic abuse and rape. We as a society need to look at rape, sexual violence and domestic abuse and really see it, rather than just know it's there. Because if more Rihanna / Chris Brown situations continue to happen, especially because he'll most likely get off on parole without serving any jail time, then we're looking at a cultural disease that we won't be able to cure.
Say no to rape.
09 March 2009
What kind of message?
Domestic violence isn't something that's normally reported on so diligently - although approximately 1 in 4 women have been or will be abused by a spouse or partner in their lifetime, domestic violence tends to grab far less headlines than shark attacks, shootings or lightening strikes ... all of which are far less common.
Domestic violence has always been something I've felt very strongly about. I've witnessed emotional and physical domestic violence before, a couple of my friends used to be in abusive relationships, as well as seen the long-term effects that it has had on them. It can effect someone for years, maybe even decades. Some people never get over it.
But since I have never been in an abusive relationship myself, it's hard for me to look at it from a sympathetic viewpoint. I personally have virtually no sympathy for abusive people, and do not have any room in my heart to include them in my life. I also do not believe that couples should stay together after any abusive confrontations.
It's true: when someone abuses you, they're going to do it again, because they know they can get away with it. The only solution for any abusive situation is to leave. Let that person get therapy on their own, and hopefully develop a healthy relationship with someone else after they've cured their own demons.
Nothing can ever be the same after abuse comes into the relationship. It's exactly the same with cheating. Once you have brought mistrust, doubt and fear into a relationship, it can never be completely vanquished. You can patchwork it together into a working relationship, but it will never be healed. I know that probably sounds harsh, but it's just my opinion on the matter.
I hoped that Rihanna would follow that advice and end things with Chris Brown. After all, she's a woman who's a role model for countless young girls out there, girls who need to be shown that it's okay to say no to abuse, violence and degradation. It would be the best decision, for both her personal health and her career.
So when I heard that Rihanna, despite being beaten almost to death, got back together with Chris Brown after just a few weeks, I was crushed. What kind of message does that send to young girls, other than that abuse is okay?
I can just imagine the scores of young teenage girls suffering from abusive boyfriends and saying: "Yes, he may have physically harmed me to the point where I may have permanent brain damage, or tell me I'm stupid long enough where I lose my scholarship and am forced to work the Returns at Walmart, but I know he didn't mean it. He's going to get better and I am going to help him. That's what Rihanna and Chris Brown did."
That kind of thought behavior is criminal. If Rihanna or Chris Brown have any kind of real successful careers after this, they are going to be built on failure to truly understand what it means to be role models for others and themselves. Abuse is a viscious cycle that never ends until someone comes in with a pair of scissors and just snips.
04 March 2009
Staredown with the crooks at Dreamworks
How many bland copies does it take to annoy me? Well, I've just found out.
I've had a bone to pick with Dreamworks Pictures for quite some time now. It first started when they allegedly (although anyone with a brain knows it's true) stole Pixar's ant-world idea and created Antz in a rush so they could beat the premiere of A Bug's Life, a much more original and highly developed movie with a better storyline.
I'm still on the shelf about Madagascar and The Wild. It's obvious that one was a complete rip-off of the other, and whilst Madagascar DID come out first, I'm not convinced that Disney was the copycat, because The Wild had much better animation and a more diverse voice casting. And given Dreamworks' track record with Antz, I wouldn't be surprised if they had ripped off The Wild too.
Then the whole Shrek thing. I did enjoy the first and second ones, but it seemed a little tweakish that they could create an entire trilogy out of copying ideas from Disney copying ideas from original fairy-tales. It seems like such a complete hack, like those 'Disaster Movie,' 'Date Movie' and 'Meet the Spartans' spoofs that only serve to further dumb down the population by hurling physical gags and sexual innuendo until we're ready to kill ourselves. Not to mention the whole farting, burping and whatnot (that's in just about every scene from Shrek) really gets on my nerves. By the way, did you know they're making Shrek into a musical? There's an entire song devoted to burping and farting as some sort of romantic gesture. I'm not kidding. Seriously.
But now they've really crossed the line into desperation. The new Dreamworks movie, 'Monsters vs. Aliens,' features a character named Bob, a slick, sarcastic, yet somewhat endearing piece of blue goo that has the ability to slide around and move his arms in and out of his body.
Sound familiar? That's the exact same character description for Bloo (see way above), one of the stars of 'Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends,' a darling and highly original show on Nick. The only real difference that I've noticed, other than the animation quality differences, is the fact that Bob has only one eye, whilst Bloo has two. Everything else about them, in retrospect, is exactly the same. In fact, you can create the name Bob from Bloo by combining the 'l' and 'o' into one letter and putting it at the end! It's mind boggling!
It's totally obvious that Dreamworks wanted to capitalize on the success of Bloo's character by morphing it just enough to avoid a lawsuit and plucking it into this movie. It's pretty mental, if you ask me. The only thing that saves the character of Bob from bring thrown headfirst into the bottomless pit of my eternal malcontent is the fact that Seth Rogan is providing the voice.
Ten bucks says I'll still end up seeing this movie. But I'm goin' in a Bloo t-shirt. If I can find one. I'll have to make a stop at Hot Topic.
01 March 2009
Thank goodness!
27 February 2009
My body hates me
26 February 2009
A message for all the locals
'Avant-green' fashion/art show looking for models/volunteers
Are you interested in being a model for a day? We certainly hope so!
The Hospitality Group from Monterey Peninsula College is hosting a benefit event for the Women's Services Dept. on Tuesday, March 24, 6-9pm, at the Student Center at Monterey Peninsula College. The event is called 'Avant-Green,' a fashion/art show featuring live models posing as living mannequins, displaying the latest in sustainable and chic resale clothing. We are looking for female volunteers, ages 18-35, to be living mannequins for this chic fashion event. Here's what this event would involve:
1. Being able to stand/sit/lean as a living mannequin (limited movement, no conversation) for three 20 minute intervals. You will be given a 40 minute break between each 20 minute session to relax and change.
2. Willing to wear chic, fashionable clothing from local sustainable and resale boutiques, including Haute Dame Boutique and Dress For Change.
3. Willing to have your makeup and hair styled by local artists, in a chic runway style.
4. We would need you to meet us once at one of the boutiques for a fitting, approximately 1 1/2-2 weeks prior to the event.
5. You would need to arrive at the event by 3pm on Tuesday, March 24 for makeup and hair styling.
6. You would need to provide your own shoes (flats, boots or high-heels, please bring 2-3 pairs) and nylons/tights.
We're also looking for makeup and hair artists to assist and help create the looks for our models. If you are interested in being a behind-the-scenes player, please send a photograph of your work (makeup or hair).
If you are interested in participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event, please contact Beth at jainomo@gmail.com. Please send your measurements and a current photograph. The deadline for consideration is Monday, March 9th and space is limited. We hope to see you there!
24 February 2009
Well I'll be ...
This was definitely not something I expected, but definitely something interesting! A supergroup with Taylor Hanson :). My sister Christine is going to be psyched.
23 February 2009
Wine Blog
Wino Rhino
Cheers!
21 February 2009
"Serenity now"
(Let me take a moment to say that we had at least 2 feet between our mats)
Not wanting to make a scene, I simple said okay and proceeded to move my mat even closer to the door, making it virtually impossible for me to circle or rotate without hitting the cubbies filled with towels and shoes. But hey, at least she was no longer slightly inconvenienced.
If that wasn't enough, the woman continued to lecture me on what they do in the class, how they do it and how she needs a lot of space to do it ... as if I was some idiot first-timer who was only in the class to fulfill my New Year's resolution for a few weeks.
By the way, I've taken Pilates for months and certainly know the gist of it.
So I look her directly in the eyes and said, "Yeah, I know, I've been in this class before" before turning around and walking to the restroom. By the time I returned class had started, but the woman certainly made it clear that I was inconveniencing her workout by the way she was circling and rotating her legs ... despite the fact that I had given her more space than half the other people in the class had given each other. Because, you know, everybody else had manners.
I was in a sour mood the entire time, didn't concentrate very well and now I just feel annoyed. So much for inner peace. And common decency.
Hermit month
I really recommend this for anybody who's needing a bit of a financial breather. Not to mention how nice it is to get away from the whole consumer culture for a bit. I can't tell you how many times I end up feeling so wasteful just from all the shit I buy and keep around. I don't know how so many people can keep doing it all the time. Must be crippling.
April's going to be a little crazy, money-wise. We're moving into a more expensive house and purchasing a TV from Julien's parents. Not to mention the vacation we're taking to Gualala, which I'll be posting several pics and videos from. It's one of those places that you have to see to really appreciate. Anybody who's been there gets it. If you haven't, well, you just don't.
Anyway, I'm going to go work on my story a bit more and start reading the Declaration of Independence. It's for my literature class. I know, a bit of a bizarre choice, but not my call. Ask the teacher.
19 February 2009
Gold and ambition
Honestly, I just want to prove to myself that writing a novel is something within my reach. I plan on using this current semester of Creative Writing II to achieve just that.
I'll keep you all posted with updates of how it's working out. I already have my first page but I'm not going to reveal it yet ... I'm showing it in class tonight and I want to see if anybody likes it before I submit it to the world beyond.
18 February 2009
If you change your mind
I've recently started to come to the realization that, truly, everything is about perspective. Regardless of the situation around me, I can influence my every reaction to it simply based on my perspective. If I walk into something expecting to be upset, angry or remorseful, then that's exactly what's going to happen. Or rather, if I step into something expecting to be optimistic, peaceful or humorous, then that's (usually) how I feel.
I really need to start taking that into consideration more.
Wine Weekend
It was my first time really going tasting after being hired as the Wine Club Coordinator for Heller Estate. I've gone to a couple tasting events before, but that was partially for work so it wasn't quite the same. It certainly helps (both my wallet and my ego) when I can use my Heller business card to not only get free tastings anywhere I go, but also to get 20-30% off all wine purchases. It was splendid - like being part of an exclusive club.
We went to a few Carmel Valley tasting rooms on Saturday and to Soif Wine Bar and Restaurant in Santa Cruz on Monday. Sunday I was sick in bed so we didn't get to make it a three-day affair, unfortunately.
My favorite part about the experience were the great conversations Julien and I had about the wines we were trying. He and I have both greatly improved our palettes since first meeting each other, and we're both really noticing it, especially together. It was the most fun I'd had in awhile. It was also nice to be on a certain wavelength with the winemakers and TR hosts that we encountered. I felt respected in a really positive way. Here's a list of our favorites wines, the ones we took home with us:
1. 2005 Talbott Sleepy Hollow Chardonnay - Both Jules and I really enjoyed this wine because it had all the positive qualities of the 2006 Sleepy Hollow, slight tropical notes of pineapple and melon, a hint of lemon curd, slight oak and a warm buttery cream, but without the excess acidity that the 2006 seemed the have. The 2005 was more fluid and subtle, and the finish was clean without dropping out too quickly.
2. 2006 Parsonage Syrah - Parsonnage has two distinct wine categories in their collection. The first would be their everyday wines, with grapes that are taken from different vineyards and mixed together. The second is their private reserve, which only boasts two grapes that they grow themselves: syrah and cabernet. In all honesty, I did not like their cabernet at all. It had elements of vegetable and vinegar, without any distinct fruit sweetness or earth. On the other hand, their Syrah was deep and rich. It had excellent dark berries, coffee and a great amount of natural terroir (i.e. earth, sun and breeze) in its flavors.
3. 2002 Bernardus Marinus - Jules and I first tried the 2003 Marinus (a meritage-style blend), which is included in the general tasting. Afterwards, we saw that the 2002 was priced exactly the same. We asked if we could try it and the TR hosts opened a bottle for us. While the 2003 was great in all respects, the 2002 had something special to it. The one year made so much difference between the two vintages. It also helped that the 2002 had less emphasis on the cabernet grape, which allowed for more interaction between the different varietals. We immediately decided to take that one home with us. As we were leaving, Jules overheard the two TR hosts gossiping about us, about how we knew our stuff.
Anyway, those wines are now sitting in our small but quaint collection, just waiting to be drank. I look forward to trying them all again. As soon as I go out for another tasting or try a new bottle I will definitely keep you informed.
17 February 2009
Never love something that doesn't love you back
Well, here's to new beginnings!
p.s. if you want to see something interesting, check out my original Jainomo Blogspot, written when I was still in high school.
Ill at ease
It's hard to work when you're sick.
My mind is going everywhere and nowhere at the same time. My brain is fuzzy and I can't concentrate. My fingers keep stumbling over the keys. If I posted this without fixing all the spelling and grammar errors I'm making, this would make for a very lousy and hard to read blog entry. It might be funny, though. Something to think about for next time.
My whole body feels weak and strained. It sucks.
14 February 2009
Clogged Arteries
Nothing says love like basic human anatomy! Delicious anatomy, too! Chalky and sugar-coated.
I wonder if I'd look like a cannibal if I ate this.
13 February 2009
Avant-green
So I have some pretty exciting news.
I'm currently taking a Special Events Management course at MPC, to help improve my skills set. I've always had a knack for planning fun, unique events - but the logistics always seem to fall through the cracks in one way or another.
Anyway, this specific semester is unique because, for the first time, the class is actually planning a real event. Apparently they usually divide everybody up in groups of 4 and have them plan fake events. Not this year. This year they've decided to do something real.
And guess whose event proposal they chose?
Well, if you couldn't guess by the over-the-top exhuberantly exhilerated tone (which I completely had, by the way), it was mine :). I proposed a fashion showing prioritizing sustainable resources, like organic, bio-sustainable and resale clothing. But it's not just any fashion show, with the runway and cheesy music. We're going to do a living mannequin display. We're getting a series of models to pose as living mannequins for the evening - we're dressing them in lavish clothing, fabulous makeup and crazy hair. We're also going to have green vendors, food and (hopefully) beer and wine. The event is called "Avant-green." I randomly came up with the name at the end of class last week and the teacher really loved it. She thought it was very unique and got the message across.
We're planning on making it a benefit for the Women's Services Department, which provides bus passes and donated work clothing for in-need working professionals.
Right now me and the other girls in charge of the Fashion Show part of the event are working to get donations from local organic and resale stores, as well as art and fashion students from local colleges. If anyone is interested in participating, please let me know. We're always looking for up-and-coming designers, and we're also on the lookout for models as well.
I'm so excited! I feel really positive right now, and excited at seeing this vision come into reality.
Just to let you know, the event is Tuesday, March 24 from 6-9pm. I really hope that all of you can make it, because I'd love to see you there.
Eternity exists as I inhale
I breathe in lives
from the atoms
to the atmosphere.
Millenniums, centuries, weeks, days
flowing on windswept currents.
The blush of hope.
The flush of desperation.
The first and last tear-stained smile.
Hands and fingers reaching
for the light of the sun.
Straining through clouds, rain and snow
for a hint of warmth,
a brush with completeness.
Their eternal hearts beat wildly,
circulating through creation.
As my own hands become dry and brittle,
fingers curling, unable to reach,
I realize
in a matter of years
someone will breathe in me.
12 February 2009
has become less than
I baked you a pie
It's lodged in my stomach
Unable to come up
Unwilling to break down
I wash my sticky, slippery, shifting scales
In the sand
Turning pebbles into dust mites
And fortunes into crowns
My scales
They glow as rainbows glow
Shooting sunspots out of your eyes
Into the vacant spaces
Peace be with the monsters
Who ease my flickering spirit
I've only been late for everything
Before this
10 February 2009
Damn this blood condition
So lately I've been obsessively listening to the Repo! the Genetic Opera soundtrack. Well, some of it. I must admit that some of the songs are pretty horrendous. What else can you expect from a modern-day rock opera where there's no spoken dialogue and everybody is basically talking about guts, genes and surgery? Not to mention the whole "Paris Hilton is in the movie" thing, which I still think was a bad choice. I mean, given all that, some of the tunes are gonna be duds.
However, the songs that are good are really good. My favorite is 'Legal Assassin,' sung by the father/repo man. The repo man is played by the guy who was Giles on Buffy (just in case you ever watched the show) and, man, does he have a set of pipes! He reminds me of my dad. A very strong, powerful yet surprisingly tender voice. Another couple of good songs are 'Infected' and 'Genetic Emancipation,' both sung by the girl who was (formerly) the young girl in the Spy Kids series. Man, what a couple years and some black bondage tape will do to you! A couple other good songs are 'Mark It Up,' for its sheer grossness factor and haunting circus-like accompaniment, and 'Zydrate Anatomy,' which is just a damn fun song to listen to.
I'm really dying (ha-ha) to see this movie, but I've been told that it's really, really over-the-top gross-out gory. And since I have a bit of a tendency to, well, pass out during violent movies, I'm not sure if watching this particular film is really worth it at this point. I mean, do I really want to spend two hours with my eyes closed trying to sneak peeks of the Armageddon-like landscape and gothic/industrial costumes in between the moments of dead human puppets, grotesque surgery and bodily impalements?! I'm not sure.
Maybe I should find someone to suffer through it for me before I check it out. Any volunteers?
Stupid Priceless Artifacts
One thing that sucked about the aforementioned trip to Circuit City was the lost ark of golden opportunity that's still haunting me this morning as I drink my hot chai latte and listen to the warm, steady glow of flourescent bulbs overhead.
Right as I was walking into the children's DVD section I heard this loud, overweight woman in a hideous cheetah shirt proclaim "Hey, here's Alvin and the Chipmunks, would the kids want that?" The other woman replied, "I don't know, maybe." I assumed that she was talking about the live action/computer animation disaster that was released last year. I turned around to look (hey, the woman was loud, she caught my attention) just in time to see it was actually the DVD copy of The Chipmunk Adventure! Right as I was hyperventilating and preparing to jump her for the copy, she casually tossed it into her shopping cart that was stuffed with a huge, bloated supply of stupid movies she'll probably never watch.
I looked for at least 10 minutes for another copy, to no avail.
I told Julien (mon petit ami, in case you were wondering) later and HE proceeded to look for a copy as well, and ended up getting verbally attacked by some tall, thin woman who thought he was crowding her style. In the end, I went home without a copy of that beloved, hard-to-find movie that Tine (ma soeur) DOES have on DVD, but without the cute box or bragging rights of finding such a priceless artifact!
The worst part is, that woman probably didn't even realize what genius glory she held in her shopping cart, which was most likely sandwiched between the Blueray of 'Meet the Spartans' and a DVD of 'Failure to Launch.'
Tragic.
Leave a Comment:
What's your priceless artifact???
Classroom Environment
In my opinion, a semester-long class at college always ends exactly as it begins. I'm not talking about what you learn, but about how you learn it. How the students interact with each other. How the teacher is going to observe, participate and grade. It's just like trying on a piece of clothing - it's either going to fit or it's not. No amount of finessing is going to change that initial fit.
The first day is always an indicator of how the entire semester's environment is going to go. For me, it happens one of two ways:
1) The students and teacher share a polite relationship. Everyone in class is polite. We ask generalized questions that make us seem as though we care about other people's lives, but we really don't. There's a subtle layer of competition underneath everything. People get close but never too close. There's always a wall in between.
2) The students click. The teacher is friendly and open. In a matter of minutes everybody's chatting like they're old friends - interrupting each other's sentences, welcoming new ideas, collaborating and debating in a full, healthy manner. Students exchange cell phone numbers and email address to keep in touch about upcoming projects.
I've had the pleasure (can I really call it that?) of experiencing both of these for this current semester. I'm looking forward to the classes that are option 2. And option 1? Well, let's just say that one gives me a little more anticipation for Spring Break.
09 February 2009
Video Camera
I would say hooray for Circuit City, but it kind of feels wrong to since a bunch of people are losing their jobs. I am thinking it, but I will not say it.
Why am I wanting to celebrate? Because I scored an awesome new mini video camera for a really good price at Circuit City's liquidation sale! It's called the Flip Video Mino, a smaller, higher quality version of their original Flip Video. It's so cute and fits right into the palm of your hand. It takes really good video too - 30 frames per second with a constant frame rate and progressive scan. No, I don't quite know what that means, but it sounds good so I'll take it. Another bonus is you charge it just by plugging it into the computer. The original Flip uses batteries, which would probably be pretty annoying.
No, this isn't an advertisement for Flip that illegally snuck into my blog. I'm genuinely excited and felt like bragging a bit :).
This baby is normally almost $200 but I got it for $125 on sale. You may be asking, why did I spend $125 on a little video recorder? The main reason is because I really, really miss recording little events with my family and friends. We used to do it so often, and I still have so much fun looking at those videos. I figured at this important part of my life, all our lives, really, I really should be keeping track of it at least a little bit. Second is because the iPhone (which I plan on purchasing this summer) apparently has a terrible video recorder and I don't really plan on using it. And another reason is I felt like a little impulse buy, which I'm entitled to every once in awhile, right?
I plan on making videos and posting them on here. Should be fun - it isn't something I've ever really done before. I'm excited. Hope you are too! Well, at least until you get sick of all the Nutcracker puppet shows and shots of me driving around town.
Hallway Fashion
Starting a blog is a hard thing to do. When I was younger blogs were only found in the form of personal diaries you, for some reason, decided to post online for everybody and their neighbor to read. I was one of those people. I wrote a personal diary on a Web site called Teen.com. It was actually quite successful - I got fan mail and everything.
Well, nowadays everybody's got a blog - and it's not enough just to put your thoughts out there for the entire world to read. Now you have to have a niche. A hook. Something that drives people to read it regularly. So I was looking at different blogs online, to try and find out what makes a blog successful. Do I need to make a theme? Tie it down with specifics? Then I looked at a couple fashion blogs ...
Fashion blogs are the epitome of the narcissistic self-love that has come to embody so many blogs (and people) over the past few years. Take the latest issue of Nylon magazine, throw in a young adult eager to become the next Kate Moss or Kanye West and the occasional obscure quote from some movie star or singer, and you've got the components of a perfectly successful fashion blog.
They're short, quirky, filled with spouts about the latest Manhattan or L.A. party or the absolute perfection in finding a vintage designer gold belt for $50 after, oh, about 3 hours of shopping. Don't forget the pictures. For some reason every fashion blogger feels the need to take multiple photos of themselves in random funky outfits and post them every single day. They're always in a hallway, in front of a door or out in the backyard, partially out of focus, with either a lawn gnome or some 60's-era wood carving picture in the background.
The whole thing feels like there's a constant mirror being shown in front of our faces - we need to show the absolute best of ourselves in front of it, lest we look like we're imperfect. It's a reality I'm trying to avoid, but still it lingers, showing my ugly reflection back at me. Maybe I should crack a smile. Or at least take a flash-filled picture of myself in the bathroom.
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