Dirty

How is it that my eyeglasses get so dirty just sitting on my face? Seriously, every day there is all sorts of schmutz on them, and lord knows I don't do anything strenuous. I'm constantly cleaning them. It's a life mystery.

Happy New Year

Have a very Happy New Year! Thank you for visiting me, I look forward to seeing you in 2009!

Image from FFFFOUND!

More Books!

One of my resolutions in the New Year, besides trying to get out of the writers block I've had (serious lack of any sort of inspiration), is to read a whole lot more. I will be doing that in one regard, since I'll be taking a technical course at school again, but I've been slacking off in the pleasure reading category as well. I intend to find some really great pleasure reads. I was perusing several lists I garnered from the NPR website, and was excited to find several good prospects. Do you have any great books to recommend?

Image from FFFFOUND!

Hurry Down The Chimney

Best Wishes to you and yours for a wonderful Christmas!

Sad Update: Eartha Kitt passed away this very Christmas from colon cancer. She was an incomparable star of song and screen. Kitt will be remembered for her sultry song stylings, movie and television roles as well as for being plainspoken about causes that she believed in, such as the injustice of the Viet Nam War. May she rest in peace.

Take It to the Bank

Remember others at this time of year that are not as fortunate as we are. Food banks are hurting at this time, especially now that we are in a recession. Monetary gifts, even small ones are much appreciated at food banks since they can purchase 5 times the amount of food that you can. Wow! The other banks that need your help during the holiday season are blood banks. The holiday season typically sees a shortage of supply at blood banks and if you take a little time donate blood or platelets (much needed, ask about it,the process - apheresis, is much like a regular blood donation) you just may save someone's LIFE, how's that for a wonderful holiday feeling? It doesn't cost you a thing, and they give you free snacks too!

Give Blood
Find A Food Bank

Five For Fighting

25

Canary Islands Cancion

While perusing the New York Times I read about El Guincho (real name Pablo Diaz-Reixa), and was immediately sure I was going to like the music since he uses elements of Afro-beat, dub, Tropicalia and rock-and-roll. Bingo! This track is off his 2008 album, Alegranza!.

Chirp Tweet

Lovely of these birds to come visit on such a Fall day.

Images from FFFFOUND!

A Glimpse

Table 44

I'm Not Your Kind

1,2,3,4 no i want more

These photos evoke the feeling that you're looking in on someone else's life, as if you've stepped into a strangers living room and are perusing their scrapbooks and must come up with the narrative to go along with the imagery.

All photos by Moss-Koete and from FFFFound!

Simpsonized!

If I were a Simpson. We can all dream, can't we?

Get your fix at Simpsonize Me.com

Call the A-Team

Image from FFFFOUND!

Rainbow Days

Isn't this a lovely calendar for your desktop? Best thing is that it can be used year after year. Worst thing is that I can't remember where the thing can be bought, only that I discovered the image on FFFFOUND!

Night Drive

I hadn't realized that I could do a sort of long exposure with my digital camera. I found out quite by accident. This is one of my favorite results.

Neon Heartstrings

I snapped this photo while in Reno. I just loved the retro look of the sign, it was in pretty good shape. I can't say the same for the motel itself, although it was right on the strip - which isn't saying very much at all.

The Bizness

If I had an extra $2,195 dollars in my pocket (insert guffaw here) I'd love this bag. What I really like about the Dolce & Gabbana Miss Biz Dome Satchel is the extra strap so that it can be put over the shoulder, because lord knows a bag that big would be filled up by a person like me.

Available at Nordstrom

Pretty Awesome

My lovely blog friends Mary and Rob, formerly of South End Blend, have moved! Please go and visit their special kind of magic at their new place Pretty Good, which is, I must say pretty darn gorgeous.

If My Dad Owned A Bike Store

If my dad owned a bike store, this could be the sign. My first bike was a Schwinn, and lord was it ugly. I didn't get my very first bike until I was pretty old. I'm a middle child and I got lost in the sauce there. I didn't even know how to ride a bike until I was in the 4th grade. No one taught me how, I had to figure it out on my own, and when I finally did, nobody even noticed that I had finally gotten around to it. My mom drove right past me in her car when I was on my inaugural ride around the block on my little sisters bike. I saw her and then my knees hit the handlebars because my legs were too long, causing me to fall and sprain my wrist.

When I had saved enough money to buy a bike, I wanted a mountain bike. I grew up in Marin, home of off-road cycling, and trail bikes were all the rage. I ended up with a cheesy Schwinn imitation of a mountain bike, red with hideous white handlebar grips and brake lines, the kind that turned very dirty with use. I had to wear a red and white bike helmet that made me look like a gigantic toadstool. Glamorous I was not. I had that bike for years and eventually I left it at my boyfriend's cousin's apartment where it disappeared. My dad, Pat, never let me forget it.

Horses and Pompadours

Anno Domini presents Maxwell Loren Holyoke-Hirsch's show A Season In Hell, at their San Jose gallery showing now through November 22nd.

Images from Fecal Face

I Can Dig It, Can You?

Can you get with the groovyness of this comic book cover? Can you DIG it? I can get with it, man. It's got ACTION! It packs JIVE!

Image from FFFFound!

Jam On! ( may be NSFW)

How did I miss this? I'm so off my music game. This is a great collaboration featuring the always awesome David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal, and it comes from the clever musical mind of Brighton's Big Beat master Fatboy Slim. He's working under the name of the Brighton Port Authority and the new album will include collaborations with artists Lateef, Martha Wainwright, Iggy Pop, Pete York, Jack Penate and many others. I can't wait to hear the rest.

O Yeah!

Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama! Thank you to everyone who went out and voted, we did it! I look forward to a reinvigorated United States. Today I was really proud to be an American, this was our most historic moment as voters and as a nation.

Text of Obama's victory speech can be found here at NPR

Vote and then Celebrate with Ice Cream!

Get out and vote, and then afterward visit your local Ben and Jerry's Scoop Shop and reward yourself with a free delicious ice cream cone! (Krispy Kreme is also giving out free doughnuts, and Starbucks will give you a free 12oz coffee if you mention that you have voted.)

A Hope and A Dream Before Bedtime

Starlight, star bright, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight!
(I'm writing it on a piece of paper and putting it under my pillow to dream on.)

Image from FFFFFound!

Purple Rainclouds

It was rainy all day again, and therefore I stayed indoors and caught up on the interwebs. I came across this image on FFFFound! and thought that it was delightfully apropos. I was tickled by the swoopy purple cloud formations, and the dish-dashy rain. Such whimsy!

Image from FFFFound!

Good Times

This reminds me of 5th grade. I was a Micheal Jackson freak. This album still sounds sweet. Good times. I'm going to listen to PYT.

Vote No on Proposition 8

Everyone should have the right to marry the person that they love.

Bits, Bytes and Great Heights

This video was recommended to me by YouTube, and I had actually never seen it. I love this song, it's still just as beautiful as it was the first time I heard it. But, as I was watching it I was struck by how much our lives are influenced by technology, bits and bytes, zeros and ones. Computers influence so much of our interactions, and I can go a year without seeing friends who live less than 40 miles away because emails and phone calls substitute for real visits. I want more of the real thing!

November Precipitation

It's raining buckets here in Northern California, something that we definitely need. Next weekend I'm heading up the coast to Eureka to attend the wedding of my awesome friend Lisa. I sent her a teasing text message today asking if her first dance was going to be to this song... Enjoy, and stay dry!

(btw, Lisa would shred like Slash's very own sister if it were available on Rock Band, just sayin')

Bike Around My Town

This commercial makes me want to go out and find a spiffy bike just like the one everybody shares in this Kaiser Permanente commercial. The very first time I saw the ad I was captivated by the concept of people passing off the bike to each other. It reminded me of the community bikes in Amsterdam, and it has such a delightful song that is perfectly suited for the commercial, I was in love! Imagine my delight when I realized that the last few moments of it were filmed right around the corner from my home! It's the part (0:50-1:00) where the white haired man rounds a corner and rides toward a tunnel, that's Point Richmond! The song "Ride", was written by Nylon Studios, of Sydney, Australia who write music for film and advertising. You may read more about them at http://www.myspace.com/nylonstudios

Let's Be Luddites

Sage advice, some more ideas:

• Go and grab someone's hand, head out the door and take a leisurely walk around the neighborhood enjoying some fall foliage.
  
• Gather a jar with a lid and bring a child out on a bug hunt lifting up rocks, logs and searching under leaf piles, it's something many kids love.
• Put on your hat and clear the garden!
• Hit the thrift stores for Halloween costumes!
• Meet up with someone you've been missing for a cup of coffee or tea.
• Go crawl back in bed with your honey.

Now that you've read this, quickly turn off the computer, slow down and really enjoy your Sunday. You'll be so glad you did!

Reno 911!

Watch it bitches, I'm going to be working my luck up in Reno this weekend! I'm gonna be rich! I may return a hundredaire. Also going to hit up Chik-Fil-A on the way up, awesome. Don't worry, I'll give Jim Dangle, Raineesha, and Deputy T. Junior everyone's regards. Hopefully I'll even get to spot Terry on his skates, that would be a boon for A Rollerskating Jam's photo gallery.

Ouch!

Excellent abbreviated, witty street art from Banksy in New York. I'd love to have a peek inside that guy's mind, he's genius.

Image from FFFFOUND!

Arcs and Angles

I love the simple beauty of this. The delicate feet and neck of the woman, and her elegant up-do. The simple palette and the juxtaposition of swooping arcs against straight lines and sharp angles, all of it pulled together by the blues, reds, white and gray is a delight for the eye.

Image from FFFFOUND

What the Heck?

I don't know about you, but I think this picture is kind of weird. Terry Richardson kind of gives me the heebie jeebies. I'm totally down with Obama, but this photo confuses me. Is it Photoshopped? Please don't let Sarah Palin and the other Repuglicans find out about this.

UPDATE 10/17/08: I checked my Sitemeter stats the other day and found that I had a visitor from Wasilla, Alaska after I posted this. Spoooky!

The Looting of New Orleans

Banksy has been hitting up certain US cities, New York and New Orleans. This image is from New Orleans, National Guardsmen looting a house. I love it. Apparently several of his other works in NO have already been painted over. Too bad.

Image from Kitsune Noir

Conneticut Gets It

The Connecticut Supreme Court has ruled that it gay marriage is legal. There will be no appeal. Beginning October 28th marriages between gays and lesbians will commence. Connecticut joins Massachusetts and California in recognizing marriages between gays and lesbians. Hooray! I hope that this is a sign of better days to come. Congratulations Connecticut!

Super Sucky

Mother's Cookie's , a Oakland institution for 92 years has abruptly filed for banruptcy protection and baking will discontinue on Monday. That means STOCK UP on the delicious, nutritious (yes, the colorful sprinkles are actually vitamins) Circus Animal cookies that everyone knows and loves. Other favorites like Iced Molasses, and Flaky Flix are bound to disappear fast too. I hope some Fairy Godperson appears and saves this institution. What will life be like if I have children who never know the pleasures of the pink and white icing of Circus Animals and the delicious vitaminy crunch of the colorful candy sprinkles atop? Blasphemy. Thanks a lot George W. I blame this on you, you bankrupter.

Bad News Hughes is Back!

One of my favorite bloggers, Patrick Hughes, is back after a too long hiatus, with a new blog. Formerly known as Bad News Hughes, he's now writing at The Domesticated Shithead. All hilarious, all the time. When I found Bad News Hughes I spent days going through his writing laughing myself silly. I also greatly admire anyone who clearly knows the proper use of the word discrete. Run , don't walk. Don't be surprised if you wet your pants. (Highly recommended, Hughes family Christmas recaps from Bad News Hughes. You'll possibly want adoption papers drawn up, or to make sure you live far, far away.)

Stamp of Approval

Beautifully designed stamps for the philatelist in you. These particular stamps from Israel bring attention to environmental pollution; air, water and noise. To my eye they have something of a retro look, but overall they are simply tiny works of art.

Images from FFFFound

For Brian

My husband has always liked the band Dressy Bessy, and I spotted this poster and thought of him. Baby, this is for you!

Image from FFFFound

Chirp Chirp Cheerful

Aren't these notebooks super? I saw them at one of my favorite stores, Fig Garden, in San Anselmo, and knew I had to get them. Luckily I didn't have to make a choice between the two of them because who can decide between a proud peacock and a cute bird perched over delectable cherries? Not I. The decision making is already taken care of for you, they come in an alluring $5 two-pack. They are made by the French Paper Company. All of the paper is manufactured with 100% green hydropower and no petroleum products. I can get behind that! They offer many other paper and gift products. I have only begun to scratch the surface of their website, and have added it to my blogroll because it is so chock full of wonders.

Did anyone let you in on my notebook addiction? I love well designed notebooks. The secret pocket and last tear out pages in Moleskines, genius. Campus Wide notebooks, with "the best ruled foolscap suitable for writing." I have to agree there. It's the smoothest paper ever, a veritable delight to write upon, especially with a Uniball Jetstream pen, a match made in heaven for Campus Wide paper. Jetstream pens are like a miracle, people think I'm talking a lot of hot air until they use my pen, and then they are complete converts. Go and try one yourself. Don't try to take mine, I'm watching you. And I keep notes.

Notebooks designed by Charles S. Anderson Design

Spray Away!

I love me some fine graffiti, but this would be pretty awesome. Maybe you could spray a rainbow certain days as well.

Image from FFFFound.

Ruination

Paulson's bailout plan has me furious.

Oh, and now McCain wants to cancel the debate? I'm no fool, and neither are millions of other Americans. We surely do have a financial crisis, but we also want to hear you speak at the debate. Hiding behind this crisis is a cheap distraction that fools no one.

Image of Market Street, San Francisco following the Great Earthquake and subsequent fires of 1906.

Get Smart

So sorry I've been a bad poster lately. Miss Petunia Face has an excellent post today, you must read it, and the comments that go along with it. Lots of food for thought.

Pay It Forward Exchange for 3 Lucky Ducks!

Pay it Forward Exchange:
I am paying forward from the lovely Claire who writes the equally delightful blog Naked Lady. It's a wonderful place to visit, she always has something insightful to say, a delicious recipe or two and stunning art. I discovered her when she began to drop in and leave me lovely comments. I think she is someone that I would like to know in real life.

Here are the rules: I agree to send something fun, cute, and nice to the first 3 blog owners who post a comment on this entry. In turn, those three will post this information and pick 3 people they want to send something to and so on. Unfortunately, due to postage costs, I can only pay it forward within the United States. If you are interested in participating, be one of the first 3 blog owners to leave a comment!

You have to promise that you will then post about this on your blog, link to me, and then send something to the first three people who comment on your blog so that this continues. When I have the first three to comment I will email you a request for your shipping address and then I'll send you a nice little surprise. I'm already planning, and getting excited! Tomorrow I am going to go shopping for certain supplies, I am so full of ideas!

New York Times Article about Stephanie Nielson

The New York Times published a wonderful article about how the blogosphere has come together to support the Nielson family following the plane crash that has left Stephanie and Christian Nielson in critical condition. It focuses on how the Nie Nie Dialogues is so much fun to read because Stephanie takes so much pleasure in being a wife and mother, and that she does it in an effortless yet accessible way. This is one of the reasons that she has so many faithful readers who feel as if they actually know her, and explains why there has been such a massive outpouring of support from all over the world. Readership on the NieNie Dialogues has skyrocketed from 1000 readers a day to 20,000!

Please read her blog to find out about ways to help, or click on the cjane button on my sidebar to read her sister Courtney's blog, which has wonderful updates on the Nielson's condition as well as other family news. Courtney is a new mom but has also taken in Stepanie and Christian's four young children while their parents are recovering. It sounds like she is doing a wonderful job.

Mad for Plaid

Image from FFFFound

Remind Me

Image from FFFFound

It's So Hot

It has been so hot lately, and this little ice cube makes me feel a little bit cooler.

Image from FFFFound

Mankind Magazine #3

Hot off the press! Get your Mankind Magazine , edition #3 now! You know it's good, and wholesome for you! Here are the stats, from Design For Mankind:

"ONLINE= FREE. Preview it here, and download it here.
PRINT = $8.95. Purchase it here.

Thanks so much for your support, and as we did last month, donations are open and entirely optional. Suggested donation is $1 per download so we can keep the magic happening!"

Image and text from Design for Mankind by Erin Loechner

Masami Teraoka

31 Flavors Invading Japan /Today's Special 1980-1982 Woodcut

I love traditional Japanese art forms, and Masami Teraoka uses traditional art styles but throws in a modern twist, with exceptional wit.

McDonald's hamburgers Invading Japan 1974-5

I love the bright colors used in this work and the inclusion of traditional clothing such as the kimono and geta.

I don't know the name of this piece, but just adore all of the different textures, All the different patterns and the woman's long tongue lapping up the noodles are fabulous.

Teraoaka has several upcoming exhibitions:

Fall 2009 Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu, Hawaii "The Holy Terrors" (a traveling career survey exhibition curated by Michael Rooks of works by Masami Teraoka, 1974–present)

2009 (dates to be confirmed) Solo Exhibition at Moti Hasson Gallery, New York, New York

2010 (dates to be confirmed) Solo Exhibition at Catharine Clark Gallery, San Francisco, California

Images from Catherine Clark Gallery, and Queensland Art Gallery

Boosh-wah!

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Cra-zeee for De La

What has De La Soul been up to? Get the scoop right here! I am cra-zeee for the 3 Feet Hi and Risin style deck that they have behind their heads, I might kill for one. And Girrl, I want a pair of those sneaks! I love De La. They're the blog's namesakes, if you didn't know.


"De La Soul"

Shine A Light

It has been spectacularly hot the last few days. You know it's so when San Francisco sees fully sunny skies and the thermometer reaches 70 before 9 am. On days like these I wonder if the tourists know how truly lucky they are, especially when walking across the Golden Gate Bridge. Even on a fairly warm day in the city, the bridge can be swathed in cold fog, necessitating very warm clothes. Most tourists don't know this, and I have seen many a shivering soul walking across it. If you ever plan a trip out to the Bay Area, late August, September and early October often are our best weather times, warm to hot, less fog, and plenty of opportunities to see our attractions in their best light.

This picture reminded me of the kind of bugs that flit about on warm nights. It makes me miss the humid, hot nights that I experienced when I lived in New York and during my visits to Chicago. There are no fireflies to delight in on the west coast. It's a true Midwest and East coast experience, and what a thrilling one for someone who has never had the pleasure of watching those glorious bugs do their dance.

P.s I'm still looking for a FFFFound invitation, and as promised I will make a package of goodies for whomever is so kindhearted!

Image from FFFFound