| what should I paint? |
[27 Jun 2009|06:30pm] |
I just used a gift certificate for Posner's art store that I've had forever. I got a pack of basic acrylic covers and 3 canvases. They're smaller, two 10x10" ones and one 5x5" deep edge.
Now, I know I could never keep up with something like a painting a day. . .but I kind of wanted to make myself get back into making things, just by doing small, simple projects. I wanted to start painting these small canvases and not worry too much about content. Just doing things I like and things from my life, like veggie and fruit still-lives, the herbs I'm growing, maybe some wonky portraits. I wouldn't mind just doing some abstractish stuff either. Basically i want pretty things to put on my walls!! I'm not adverse to taking patterns or pictures off the internet and transforming them into something.
What should I paint? What would you want a small, colorful painting of in your home?
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| ew, hollywood |
[15 Jun 2009|02:55pm] |
Trailer for the Time Traveler's Wife is out and it looks aawwwwfuuuul. . .just standard romantic sweetness crap that I hate. I LOVE the book. The book is SO good and just this epic love story that is intensely character-driven and full of individuality and details. boo on you, hollywood. I might not even be able to see this.
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| website help! |
[07 Jun 2009|08:13pm] |
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Blah. I haven't been able to get to textsfromlastnight.com in over a week. . .I think my computer is blocking it. it says "the connection to the server was reset when the page was loading." I've been googling it all week and haven't found any posts saying the website will be down. . .can someone check for me? is the website up and running? and if so. . .how do I make my computer load it??
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| hahahahahaha |
[05 Jun 2009|04:12pm] |
This is basically my life story. amirite?
Does anyone want to do some tai chi?
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| Writer's Block: Place of Residence |
[03 Jun 2009|05:19pm] |
all I can think about lately is a dream house :) I want a house here in Tucson in a slightly southwestern style. I want to paint the outside something fun -- a bright, rusty orange or a deep pomegranite red. Or just have it be a tan color with colorful (red, turquoise) accents on the door and window frames. The inside would be a really open floor plan and I want all tile or wood floors. The kitchen either has to be retro (avocado and red-orange and taupe everything) with a fun retro table and chairs to match, or else it's going to be super southwest with red walls, bright blue tiling, mesquite/wormwood furniture, and of course, red chili party lights.
The best part will be the front and back yard, though. The front yard will have a small covered porch and there WILL be a porch swing. I don't know if I'd plant a lot in the ground, but I'd fill the walkway and front porch with potted plants of all sizes. And the front would be really welcoming -- I hate the new houses where the entire front is a driveway and garage, with the front door hidden in the back on one side.
The back yard will be a party/gardening paradise! I want a covered deck filled with party lights and candles everywhere, and lots of comfy chairs for people to sit on. I'll have a grill and maybe a mini-bar and we will have parties and dinners all the time out there. Again -- lots of potted plants. And a saguaro would be nice. Behind the deck will be a fabulous veggie/herb garden. I think I'd do boxed gardens for these and follow the guidelines of square foot gardening. It would have tons of herbs, carrots, tomatoes, greens, peppers, and garlic. And providing partial shade would be some fruit trees -- lemon, orange, and lime. I'd want a nice little walkway going through the garden (I imagine two rectangular above-ground boxes on either side) and large rocks and chairs throughout to sit on. I'd have sun jars in the back to light things up for night gardening.
sigh! if only!
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| lists please! |
[22 May 2009|06:28pm] |
I am in desperate need of some movie good times. I signed up for blockbuster online again for the summer, and while my old queue with like 200+ movies is still up. . .most of them are movies that I feel like I SHOULD see versus WANT to see.
So, what good movies have you seen in the past, I don't know, year or two? Or what are some good classics you'd recommend? Give me a good summer movie list!
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| mmm |
[14 May 2009|09:58pm] |
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For as much as I can hate my crazy insane busyness, sometimes it makes relaxing afterwards that much better. Today I didn't get home until 9pm after getting groceries. . .I was exhausted and starving. But I made some biscuits, got out the chicken and corn I just bought, put together a tasty plate and downed a glass of orange juice in about 2 minutes. some of the tastiest food I've had in my life! just because I was so tired and hungry. Now it feels heavenly to sit in my bed and just unwind. Ahhhh.
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| photoshop disaster |
[12 May 2009|06:15pm] |
Oh god. You don't even have to notice the PS disaster. Just one look at this will make you forego fashion for the next 5 years:
hahahahahahahhaa
seriously? seriously.
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| rant |
[29 Apr 2009|04:23pm] |
Ok, I think things are getting really ridiculous over the swine flu. Yes, it's scary when a new strain of something comes out and yes, it's very tragic that many people have died. And I think we should all wash our hands and look for symptoms and that scientists need to be seriously researching this new strain and how to treat it and vaccinate against it. But seriously people!
WHO is quoted as saying "It really is all of humanity that is under threat during a pandemic." Really, WHO? REALLY? 159 people in Mexico have died. That's very sad but hardly the collapse of all known civilization as we know it. The one (ONE) US death was a Mexican toddler who immigrated to Texas. In an article I can't find right now on Slate, the author argues that there are most likely thousands if not hundreds of thousands of people in Mexico who were infected with the swine flu but either didn't report the symptoms or just got over them and didn't realize it. . .meaning that the ratio of deaths to those infected is very miniscule. Yes, the flu does appear to spread quickly, but we also know the symptoms and have treatments and are working to get it under control. Can I remind you of one American death? One.
36,000 Americans die of flu-related complications every year. Thirty-six thousand!!!!! 50-100 Americans die of little old bee stings. Almost 43,000 Americans die in car accidents each year. Yet we get in our cars every day and catch the flu a few times a year and are miserable but we don't freak out. Let's just put this all into perspective.
Also to get all conspiracy theory-ish on you, those in power often wait with glee for the masses to get panicked and confused and scared so they can sweep in and make major changes in power structures for the "greater good." 9/11 ---> Patriot Act --> War in Iraq. Also Mexico's president uses swine flu to consolidate power.
"In addition, Calderón has used the health crisis to concentrate political power in his hands. On Saturday, he issued a decree that places the entire country under a state of emergency. He has authorized his health secretary to inspect and seize any person or possessions, set up check points, enter any building or house, ignore procurement rules, break up public gatherings, and close down entertainment venues. The decree states that this situation will continue "for as long as the emergency lasts.
This action violates the Mexican Constitution, which normally requires the government to obtain a formal judicial order before violating citizens' civil liberties."
So let's all just chill out and keep our heads. Wash your hands, go to the doctor if you feel sick, keep up with current events. . .and go about your lives as usual.
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| O_o |
[22 Apr 2009|09:34pm] |
Here in Tucson we are suffering from our yearly (bi-yearly?) grasshopper infestation. These suckers are huge. . .most of them 4" long and very spastic. One got into my room (apparently they can get through security doors!) but fortunately I caught him in a cup.
I say "fortunately." He's been relatively quiet but has decided to test his boundaries. Now he's spastically jumping about, trying to escape.
I'm afraid he just might. These are scary suckers.
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| one more |
[14 Apr 2009|09:29pm] |
I can't help myself.
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| hehehehe |
[04 Apr 2009|10:25pm] |
one of my favoritest 30 rock clips.
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| blogs I like |
[25 Mar 2009|11:04pm] |
So all my posts have been whiny and panicky, and I thought I'd try to add something fun to the mix. A little while ago my friend Rebecca was asking me what blogs I read and how I actually find them. . .I figured I'd post my favorite blogs here for you all to check out! Feel free to share the ones you read too.
In no particular order. . .
1. BoingBoing This is really the one to start with! They constantly update and cover everything: from art, technology, people playing songs on ukeleles, privacy issues, government/politics, toy conventions. . .whatever. BB certainly has some sort of theme going to it, but it's too hard to put into words. This is where I find most good things. I actually found Nick's artwork here first!
2. Videogum best blog eeevaaar. BB may be more extensive, but videogum is my favorite. Do you guys remember the funny video of Gabe and Max's Guide to the Internet thing? Gabe is one of the authors of the blog and that's how I found it. They post crazy web videos, do tv show and movie reviews, and other video/internet related things. Gabe's search for the Worst Movie of All Time is epic, and Lindsay's constant love of Paul Rudd and 30 Rock warms my heart.
3. Failblog Um, duh. A recent Slate article said that if there was only one human being on the planet, Failblog would still have content. And with two human beings, it'd have an audience. It's true. I'm sad this only updates about once a day. And speaking of Slate. . .
4. XX Factor A constantly updating blog on women's issues. This is also a great way to stay caught up on current events, as they draw in topics from everywhere. . .literature, politics, government, companies, media, medical issues, etc. I want more feminist-based blogs. There's feministing but I really really don't agree with Susannah Breslin on a lot of issues, so I don't particularly enjoy it. If you know of similar blogs let me know!
5. Photoshop Disasters there is nothing that irks me more than horrible photoshop! I wish this one updated more and did more awful movie posters.
6. Cake Wrecks Another duh. Cake Wrecks rules.
7. Daily Kos. The most read blog on the 'net! I think Erik once called this something like "Joe Schmoe's Liberal Hoe-Down Blog" or something. It is liberal. Soooo lefty! Evey too much for me sometimes. But sometimes it also helps me stay sane. And again, can keep me caught up on some current issues.
8. Pioneer Woman Cooks I posted this one earlier, and it is quickly becoming a favorite. Sooo many recipes to try. I can't even wait. At the same time I really do truly have hate-jealousy for the author. It is a love-hate blog.
9. Go Fug Yourself Yeah. . .I do read celebrity things, but only this horrible fashion blog! I used to eat up all the fashion commenty articles and blogs out there, but this one is 100 times better than anything you will read on msn or whatever. It is smart and hilarious and you get to vote a lot.
10. I Can Has Cheesburger O, hai.
11. Post Secret Not as into Post Secret as I used to be (an exhibition and research paper on the subject will do that to you) but still like to check it. They have an lj feed now which I like.
12. Dear Prudence Ok, this isn't really a blog per se, but I loooove Prudence! Best snarky advice column evar. Every Thursday I always have this "OMG it's thursday -- PRUDENCE" moment. And now she is doing some chatroom advice thing for some newspaper. . .it was like 4 pages of advice-y goodness! Bliss.
these are my blogs, yo. and yet I still get bored on the internet. . .
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| yupyup |
[14 Mar 2009|02:15pm] |
Just got my taxes done. . .yay for returns! It's kind of sad though: I make so little money, and then they take out tuition expenses from that. . .so my taxable income is like, under $1000. O_o Which means I get lots of federal back, though. Yay for paying off credit cards!
Today is packing and prep day! Erik is off to do lots of laundry and I am going to start packing, deposit some checks, etc. etc.
I need a book to read at the beach! What should I get? Something fun. . .
Gettin' hungry and in the mood for mole. Might go to the bank and then to Fry's for some tasty mexican food ingredients. I <3 Fry's. I also went to a dollar store for the first time in ages today, and I am never shopping anywhere else. woo dollar store!
Time to run. woot to spring break. have a good weekend all!
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| ugh |
[07 Mar 2009|07:05pm] |
Horrible article from Forbes about a Wall Street Trader "defending" his pay. Read it here.
This is so ridiculous and entitled. He writes about the work he and many colleagues did during the worst of 2008 to make sure more businesses and firms didn't go out of business, which is good. But he calls them "heroes" for doing so and "saving" the economy from a worse fate. Um, I'm sure we're all glad that the economic downturn wasn't worse, but 1.) it's called "doing your job" and 2.) those people were fighting to save their own jobs, stock options and savings as much as they were doing it for the economy and all the little people out there. I wouldn't call that heroic, I'd call it doing what you're paid ridiculous amounts of money to do and saving your own ass.
Then he goes on to write about how the people doing the clean-up are different from those evil, awful traders and financial workers who created the crash. Ok, /maybe/. But I'm willing to bet Wall Street didn't just fire off 90% of its staff and hire new people. Maybe some are different, but I imagine the majority are the same people clinging tightly to their jobs. Also, this doesn't address their wages. . .he says that $400,000 needs a bonus or there's no incentive to work. But you're still making $400,000 plus stock options and investments and whatnot! How about we pay you $100,000 and then you can work hard for a nice big bonus. UGH.
I also think it's ridiculous to say that there's no motivation to do good work without a bonus, and that not offering "competitive" salary and bonuses will mean that nobody qualified applies for these jobs in the future. Most jobs in the real world mean you get your salary and benefits and you do the job you were paid to do because of that. No curator is getting a 10-20% yearly bonus because they have a good show and no secretary is getting the same to get his/her work done more efficiently than the last person. We do our jobs because we're paid a salary to do them, period. And we hope for a bit of extra at Christmas and maybe a nice raise and promotions, but we don't expect to be obscenely rewarded for doing what we're expected to do when we signed a contract.
Also, now more than ever, the number of people looking for a good job is huge. I'm sure for every position open on Wall Street there are 100 people anxiously applying. Maybe they didn't all go to an Ivy League college, but that doesn't mean they're not qualified. I'm sure the market is FULL of overly qualified people begging for entry-level jobs. And really, what "qualifies" a CEO to make $5mil+? Is he some sort of rare supergenius bred in a lab? I know you want to fill your business with bright, motivated, experienced people, but the idea that some normal combination of the 3 can entitle you to millions of dollars a year where people with similar experience and intelligence in other fields are making a mere percentage of that is ridiculous. You got paid $400k because there was a bubble and the money was there to pay you. Now that we're in hard times, you might have to face a normal paycheck like everyone else. I think that even in New York and DC you can at least get by on $60k and be fairly secure at $100k. Suck it up.
Rant over.
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| Cult of Done Manifesto |
[03 Mar 2009|01:53pm] |
I love this Manifesto. It totally reflects my "let's just do it" work attitude with no stops involved.
The Cult of Done Manifesto
The Cult of Done Manifesto - There are three states of being. Not knowing, action and completion.
- Accept that everything is a draft. It helps to get it done.
- There is no editing stage.
- Pretending you know what you're doing is almost the same as knowing what you are doing, so just accept that you know what you're doing even if you don't and do it.
- Banish procrastination. If you wait more than a week to get an idea done, abandon it.
- The point of being done is not to finish but to get other things done.
- Once you're done you can throw it away.
- Laugh at perfection. It's boring and keeps you from being done.
- People without dirty hands are wrong. Doing something makes you right.
- Failure counts as done. So do mistakes.
- Destruction is a variant of done.
- If you have an idea and publish it on the internet, that counts as a ghost of done.
- Done is the engine of more.
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