Saturday, February 28, 2004
hey hey! so guess what? today marks my 1 year anniversary of blogging... uhh... *again*. See, I blogged a few years back - back when I knew no other bloggers in person and had somehow stumbled upon blogger.com and thought it seemed cool, so I started one up! I think it's [update: no longer around here] somewhere, but I'll warn you it's so outdated, I'm sure all the links & images are broken. I decided to let that one die.
And then a year ago, I decided I couldn't take it anymore, I needed to blog again!! So, here it is. And I've gotta say, as I've said
before... Writing like this has been so cathartic for me. It's honestly become a really fun, expressive and creative outlet for me. Yay for blogging!!
Not to mention this last year I was delighted to finally meet other bloggers! I know it sounds funny, but before when I was blogging I was the only one I knew - and consequently I sorta felt like everyone around me just didn't "get" it - and so when I finally met other bloggers, I felt quite at home :) I've talked at length with
Jane about this - as she's been a long time blogger and knows a ton of people in the "blogging community". We literally went to a
party of all bloggers!
This last year's been soo fun and I'm really psyched to have it all documented! :) I'm a documenting freak, if you haven't noticed. Rick even said today as I was snaphappy in some store on Polk St, something about how I'll never have to worry about not having photos from when I was 28! That's for sure. And I LOVE IT!
Ok - I owe you a review of lastnight's kick ass show - but I gotta shower now, hit the fabric store w/ Rebecca & then go pick up Kat & Jee & go to Ashley's Housewarming party in the East Bay! The last few days have been a WHIRLWIND!
Friday, February 27, 2004
Tonite is The Stills show with openers: The Stratford 4 / Elephone / On The Speakers
I'm *really* excited... but I gotta say, I'm having NoisePop anxiety!! I want to be at 4 places at once tonite! ak!! I actually really wish I could be at the British Sea Power show - but I know they'll be back. Patience!!
On The Speakers is exciting to me, just cuz I've been waiting to see them again since
I saw them last September and tonite I *will* be buying their EP!
The Friday fun starts tonite a mi casa! Con Margaritas y Tacos! Arriba!!! Jem & Rick will be over for the pre partay fun. WoohoO!!
I have SOO much to do in the next couple hours, so I'm off. Happy Friday everyone!!
Wow, I feel GREAT!!!! Let's hear it for DayQuil!! This sh*t is AWESOME!!!!! My whole body is numb! wooohooo!!!!
Seriously though, I am high on life today. Things are good. Let's see - what have I been up to?
Yesterday was crazy... I had the morning to get some things finished up & then by 2:30 had to head out the door for an appointment downtown, which took so long that by the time I got home I only had maybe but another hour before I had to head out again.
I hit this
Ryze Designer Dinner thing at
Destino. I think it went alright... but it was somewhat of a tough environment to really get to know anyone. It was kinda a whirlwind, as we all sat down for dinner and just ate and introduced ourselves and made small talk... and I actually only had an hour, so I even had to leave early. But I suppose it's just good to place names to faces and see where the networking goes from there. I just think everyone has different motives at those things. Is it to meet new people? Get new business? Exchange tricks of the trade? Make new friends? Networking is weird like that.
From my standpoint and for WilloToons and my web biz, atleast they got to get to see me in person and maybe get a feel for who I am... and that if they have a web, flash or custom illustration project come across their desk, they'll think of me! I'm just not very super stuffy serious with my marketing and stuff right now. I actually like not trying to be just another "Web Design company here to serve you"... I am who I am and can do the work well. And clients I work with value my communication skills, knowledge of the web and usability and my design/maintenance efficiency. So if that's what you're looking for, give it a whirl and see for yourself!!
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The Detroit Cobras show was fun - the first 2 openers (Salem Lights / Demons) didn't do it for us at all really... but the Starlite Desperation were entertaining... the lead was very Mick Jagger/Iggy Pop/Bon Jovi - ish (but mostly the Mick) - and I wasn't too into his voice, but it was their drummer was GREAT. I was just clapping and woohooin for the drummer.
Seeing the Detroit Cobras was great - but the truth is they just weren't "on" or as tight as they could be (which Rachel (lead vox powerchic) painfully pointed out waaay too many times, dissin the poor sound man, etc) BUT she's a "dont take no shit" kinda woman, and pretty cute - and damn is her voice amazing!! That is when she was successfully singing right into the mic and beltin it out. A friends' friend had seen them before and said that yes, definitely they'd had better nights. Ah well - just fun to see them play live whats been playin in my CD player. And I felt great through the whole show (thanks to DayQuil) woohoo!!
Thursday, February 26, 2004
Get em while they're hot:
Super Furry's - Friday Night
The Unicorns ROCKED SO HARD lastnight it _WAS_ FUNNY!!!!!!!!
They had the whole audience crackin up. Not only did they come out on stage w/ these awesome outfits on - the keyboardist (slash vox/guitar/bass/funnyman) in this total pink polyester bullfighter lookin outfit... moppy hair all over his face... and the lead Unicorns man, curly blond boy (who cut in front of us while we were in the will call line to put his friend on the list) was shirtless with a funky pink tie (slash belt?) and brown pants, with not one, but two belts (maybe I should do that too now?) - but the DRUMMER!!! I want to marry his goofy ass. He was CRACKING us up. I just love goofy people. Not to mention cute goofy people who make me laugh AND can play the drums - TALK TO ME!
So ya, we had a great time. We got there a little late, cuz I didn't leave BAM early enough, thinking the show started at 9, but it actually started at 8:30 - so by the time I picked up Becca & met Rick at the show, we missed one of the openers. We grabbed drinks (I got a hot totty, oh yaa!) and saw the tale end of the band: Irving, who I thought were pretty good... they definitely were getting me psyched up for a good night of music, and they were 3 indie boys who sang in unison at one point and I just love that. And the one guy had an argyle sweatervest on... COOL!!!
Ok - so then Why? came on - and it was pretty interesting..... I think I'd prefer listening to them on CD a bit more... Live I was a little caught up in the anger and rage of the performance a little... however it may have just been cuz he got all impatient with the guitar getting all wrapped up - and easily coulda laughed it off, but you could tell it just irritated the f* outta him, and we all felt it too. But the guitar dude was good - and the DRUMMER!!!! The drummer was like a beaver going into cardiac arrest or something.... it was AWESOME! His facial expressions were HILARIOUS and he literally played the drums in convulsions. It was great. I love spastic drummers.
Ok - so that leads us back to right before the kick ass Unicorns went on. (I'm writing in circles, are you following?) By this time, Willo (yup, that's me, talking in third person cuz I'm CRAAAAAAAZY!) was feeling pretty illin'... a good ol' stuffy head/headache and some major fucked up lower back pain. Two thing you really want to have when you're standing at a show with a bunch of loud music. woohoo!!! But I remain with a positive outlook because I know THE ROCK WILL HEAL ME!!!!! That, and my concert buddy, the Rickster, was *awesome* enough to lay his healing hands on me and give me a back massage right there. God damn have I got it good with that boy by my side :)
So today I'm not only more in love with the Unicorns, but I'm more snotty than yesterday too! WAHOO!!!
It just hit me, I'm going to be 29 years old this year!!
29!!!!!!!!! Jesus, how did
that happen!!?!??!?! Wasn't I just like 23 a little while ago? Aren't I only maybe just shy of 26 or so right now? My gawd. It just sounds so... adult!
Wow... 29. That is just so weird.
Wednesday, February 25, 2004
Indie geeks & Music freaks are all abuzz this week, because here in San Francisco we have the extreme pleasure of hosting
Noisepop!! And although it's hard to surpass any previous year's bills,
this years lineup is OUTSTANDING!
I keep wishing I could break out a magic duplicating machine because literally several nights in a row I wish I could be at 2, sometimes 4 places at once!!
Tonite is our first show: The Unicorns! I'm really excited to see this band live. They toured w/ Hot, Hot Heat and are apparently just kick ass live. WOOOHOO!!!
My duplicate would hit the 50 Ft Wave/Loquat show - because I'm way into Throwing Muses and would love to see what Kirsten Hersh is doing now!
Note: links to all these artists are in my events listing on the homepageThen tomorrow night we've got The Detroit Cobras to hit. Rick turned me onto this band and the lead singer's got this awesome musky voice, sorta a cross between the Distiller's Brody Armstrong and Neko Case. We're way pumped for that show. My duplicate(s) would hit the Low / Jolie Holland / The Decoration show AND The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players w/ Call and Response show!! If you haven't seen the Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players yet, go see them - they're a kick! I saw them last year -
see?
Friday night is a DOOOOOOZIE!!! Look at the lineup!! I actually TRIPLE booked myself before realizing it. I literally had bought tix to British Sea Power, Super Furry Animals AND The Stills before realizing THEY'RE ALL ON THE SAME NIGHT!! Not to mention, Neko Case & Friends - AND Pedro The Lion w/ John Vanderslice!! oy! oy! oy!! ALL of those bands are TOTALLY worth going to see. Man if they were only on seperate nights!!
So what did we decide?
We're gonna hit The Stills show. (kick ass line up of openers: The Stratford 4 / Elephone / On The Speakers) woohoo!! Now I actually almost would go to the British Sea Power show, because I've been listening to them & love them.... BUT I'm pretty psyched to see On The Speakers & Stratford 4. And we actually *might* even try to do a double header & hit the tale end of The Super Furries show & skip out on The Stills. Crazy huH!? :)
CRAZY FUN!!!!!
Ok, off to BAM - and then it's off to a show! Lets hope I don't cough to much!! BYE!
I'm finally posting a bunch of stuff on Craigslist that I'm getting rid of... anyone
want these old magazines?
Nothing like waking up the sound of rain just *coming down* like crazy outside... the wind blowing so hard you can hear it bustling throught the trees and pelting the rain against the windows, pattering and pounding to be let in. I literally lied in bed thinking it very well has flooded the city so much that it might start seeping into my windows like a sinking ship.
Only a few hours into the morning I've spoken with
three different people who have floods in their homes!
update: Wow - check out these
photos from today on SFGate!
Speaking of rain - here's a
video (starring
kazoobie, too!) I took of it raining hard a couple weeks back.... that's pretty much what it was like this morning.
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Appropriately for this horrible weather, I have a total chest cold goin on. I think it is literally from that cold I had about
2 weeks ago, that maybe was just dormant in my system - cuz I usually never just come straight into a chest cold w/o going through the build up phase (sore throat, stuffy head) first. This just hit me and all of a sudden I'm coughing up a storm. Total bummer considering all the shows I have this week! But I'm determined to kick it. Lucky for me "my boss" lets me sleep in & come into work late ;)
Here's to cuddling up all cozy, turning the heat on & making some hot tea!
Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Saturday morning, after finally getting my ass outta bed and walking over to my car, was when the bummer hit (
car towed). The good news though is that Karima's offered to split some of it with me. Which she totally didn't have to do - as it was my risk in leaving it... but it's nice of her. We both learned our lesson - her studio neighbor isn't as nice as she thought! :p Just kidding. Rightfully so that he was pissed, but it just didn't have to go down like that... Either way - it's behind us, whats done is done, yadda yadda. :)
Saturday night Rick & I went for sushi, where
my bro got to join us for a little bit! yay!! He might open another
Om Imports gallery in the Haight, which would be cool. I need to hang out with that guy more often!!
Then Rick & I hit a movie: The Lord of the Rings! I was psyched to finally see it... it was good! That Golum is down right FREAKY in this one - and the special effects across the board, in all those fight scenes were just amazing. Ironically I had had a hot dream the night before about being in bed with
hottie Liv Tyler... who then morphed into
Kat and we were trying to look something up online, both with only our skivvies on. Aaah, dreams.
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Sunday was awesome... I met up with
Darren & we hit
A.P.E., the Alternative Press Expo!
I got to meet Keith Knight of "
K Chronicles", and Shannon Wheeler of "
Too Much Coffee Man", both of which I've been big fans of for a long time. I was uber geeked on the whole thing!! Pig in dirt, Kid in a Candy store - all that! My eyes were wide and I couldn't get enough as we went from table to table, strategically covering the entire expo as to not miss a thing. :) Darren is a good expo buddy!!
I was also suprised to see
Brandon Bird there, who I just linked to
2 weeks ago! I picked up a print of his and had him sign it for me. RAD!!
As inspiring as it all ways it's also hard to not feel like "gawd! who the hell do I think I am that I have any shred of talent to do anything when I see all these AMAZING artists who seem to be only living on a shoestring and they're way better than me!" But Darren's great at reminding me, and a belief I hold onto as well, is that there is room for everyone to do their own thing and be who they are. Everyone does it differently and has their own set of skills. And truth be told, it's more about being compelled to do your art regardless of it's return monetarily (however that's always nice too :) but that passion is what drives all these artists to do their comics and artwork anyway - and more power to them!!!!
I loved seeing the incredibly talented women artists there. I wish I would have connected with them more actually. I got this amazing print from this young girl named Daria who doesn't even own a computer (!) and does kick ass silkscreens and homemade cards and shirts and patches and all kinds of cute DIY stuff. I thought she was great.
Darren & I are gonna get together & have a art date (soon I hope!) and do some silkscreening and button making and painting!! He's got mad skills and is like me and wants to start dedicating more time to his art (except he's actually already doing it big time! HE ROCKS!)
So now all those productive talented people are like a little team of motivators in my head now: GET BUSY WOMAN! It was very cool.
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After APE, I headed over to meet Matt's (my ex boyfriends) new kitty
Donovan... or as Matt likes to call him "Big Don" or "Big D" :)
He adopted him from the SPCA and he's really sweet and cuddly... you can tell he's so happy to have a loving home... and I am really happy Matt got himself a cat to love and care for because I know he's been missing our baby
Kazoo so much. And now Kazoobie's got a cousin! (even though really it's a step brother, sorta, cousin just sounds cooler).
It was good to see Matt, but wierd to see his place for the first time since our split - and see all the things that used to be in
our house, now in his. His place is a mess though... which makes me think back to how frustrated I'd get with how messy our place was all the time. Not that I'm any saint in the clean department by any means!! But it's harder with 2 even, and I don't think it's in Matt's genes to be a super clean guy. :)
It seemed less sad and akward this time... and it's amazing how I feel like we're such different people now. But I still love him so much and just think the world of him as a person... he's SUCH a good guy and so full of love. I hope our friendship can grow and get less weird, because I definitely want to have him in my life. I think we might do dinner next week.
Anyway - that's FINALLY my update!!! I've gotta have lunch now!!
Friday night was awesome!! (before the
towing incident reality hit the next morning, but more on that in a bit).
First I met up with this darling girl
Karima Cherif, who is a photographer I met about a year ago at a Copyright 101 for Artists workshop. She's a mad talented photographer and just a bundle of zest, creativity and sexual energy. We had exchanged info at the workshop, and planned to have coffee sometime, but never did. So recently when I ran across my old
post about meeting her and had clicked on her site, I sent her a quick email to compliment her on the new works I saw there and say hello again. And I'm glad I did - she's such a cool gal, it's great to reconnect with her.
So we decided to meet for Happy Hour at the
The Monkey Club, where we downed delicious Mojitos and I had a tasty hummus, olives and dolmas plate (the hummus was so authentic it was almost like peanut butter or some kind of smooth cheese... sounds weird I know - but it was melt in your mouth delicious!). Her friend John joined us, and shortly after Rick arrived, too.
It was great to see Karima, as she works for herself too and can relate to a lot of the hurdles and structure it takes to be an independent creative. I can't wait to hang out with her again. She also wants me to be a model for her
Sexy Sushi Calendar... do you think I should do it? I'm kinda nervous - but I think it'd be fun. So we'll see...
After that Rick & I hopped in a cab (unknowingly leaving my poor car to the fate of tow truck hell) and headed to the
Edinburg Castle to check out Manny's band
Skiffington. We were psyched to hit the Castle since neither of us had been in ages. It's a quality dive bar with an upstairs that boasts a stuffy low ceiling'd room with about 5 tables and a small stage for crazy ass bands to play. Good times. I was super bummed to have forgotten my camera at this point because I missed a great shot of this chic jammin out air guitar style on the floor with Manny. Absolutely hilarious. And besides the great Pixies cover song, the best part was their song "I like taking Ecstacy and F*ing like Bunnies!!" that had Rick & I just ROLLING.
Check it out.
After they were finished we had Manny introduce us to Missy who we've chatted over email w/ forever, but had never met in person. We finished our drinks & then hopped in a cab to head over
Thee Parkside for the Hate Breeders (Misfits cover band - AWESOME!!!!!) and Cookie Mongoloid show.
There we met up with
JT,
Conan,
Grady and Erika, and Tack - and had a fantastic time. The Hate Breeders were amazing! But I *must* tell you all about
Cookie Mongoloid!!!
COOOOOOOOKIIIIIIEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!! Yes, that's right people... it's "Sesame Speed Metal"!!! This guy, Loid :), has got on the cookie monstor head & hands - and aaall leather - and they ROCK out the Sesame Street tunes!!! HAHHAAA!!!
photo by laughing squid. more here.
The best part is he's got about 5 girls with him, dressed up like cheerleaders, each with a big "C" on their shirts who pass out COOKIES!!!!!! They throw them everywhere - cookies are on the floor, we're slippin & slidin' on the crumbs, everyone's got one in hand and smiling and loving the whole damn thing - IT WAS GREAT!!!!!!!!!
Again where I wish I had my frickin camera was to see all those peeps I mentioned above (except sober Grady :) in a line, arms around eachother kickin their legs up and singing along with Cookie Mongoloid!! HILARIOUS!
We were delightfully toasty by the time we closed down the bar... :) We debated meeting up with our friends
Brian &
DJ Jenny ShOOey, but decided that would surely lead us to an all nighter, so we thought we'd better go home instead.
It was *such* a fun night!!
Monday, February 23, 2004
my friend
Matt said this
LaunchBar is pretty sweet for using less mouse, and quickly getting to anything you need by just a couple buttons. Pretty cool!
Check out this cool Flash app my friend
Cody made!
Tally your Sushi Boats
You can download it to your pocket PC and keep a tally of your bill! Neat!
Saturday, February 21, 2004
As promised, I've documented & posted about my new CD organization system. It's nothing monumental or anything, but for me it's very exciting and has created an extremely efficient and easy way to store and access my CDs.
Check it out!
I met up with a friend for drinks lastnight and afterwards she said it'd be ok if I left my car parked where it was, in the driveway of her studio space. I asked her over & over, saying I could definately move it, but she insisted I leave it there - and that she'd leave a note so that the other people who use the space wouldn't have it towed.
Well, you can probably guess where this is going. The jerk she shares space with even saw the note that said specifically that I was a friend of hers and to not tow it - and he goes ahead and has it towed. GRRR!!!! So we get there and talk to him... and understandable that he didn't want my car there, but he could have called her & she could have called me!! And I wouldn't have frickin parked there if she didn't say it wasn't OK!
So $171 for the tow fee, and not one, but 2!! $75 tickets on the car when they pull it out of the lot. Oh, and my friends nice note was still on there, too.
I can't stand it when all of a sudden you have to pay a couple hundred dollars for NOTHING. I just think of all the things I could have bought with that money.
SUCKS!!!!!!!!!
Friday, February 20, 2004
Look! New life! Spring is coming! :)
I got this big gorgeous plant from Bee about 5 years ago. It was probably 1/2 the size and I have been loving and taking care of it ever since. It's pretty big, huh!?
It's always exciting to see a plant growing! Change... growth... life!!
Way back, I had
posted about getting some advice on a yummy latte drink. At the time I didn't have comments implemented, but I got a bunch of fantastic emails and about a month later, I
posted that I had finally found my new favorite coffee drink! A double shot, soy latte!!
Shortly after,
Kat & I were chatting and she said that I simply must get myself
Junior Espresso, because they're so inexpensive & make it super simple to make espresso at home. Well a couple weeks ago, I finally did!! Kat gave me a demo at her place the morning before we all headed up to Tahoe, and then when I bought it I had her give me a few more suggestions by phone, and now I am proud to say, I am making myself yummy double shot, soy latte's in the comfort of my own home! YUMM!!! Thanks Kat!
Thursday, February 19, 2004
To give you a little idea of how I've got my current machine set up all super convenient, I thought I'd just let you take a look for yourself:
- My absolute favorite is having my permanent address bar at the bottom there. I am constantly online or searching for some site, etc. And this way I don't have to always launch a new I.E. (Internet Explorer)window and then type in what I want, but instead I can type it in right there & hit Ctrl+enter (the shortcut for having it make it automatically add the http:// and the .com at the end) AND I can even use it as a search by typing in keywords and hitting enter and it'll bring up the search results.
- Quick launch bar has pretty much all the programs I use regularly, or just want on hand for when I do want to use them.
- See "Links >>" on the bottom-right? Clicking that expands the same list that's the Favorites > Links I have on the quicklaunch bar in I.E. My most visited sites that I want at a touch of a button. I also use the yahoo bar AND the google bar on my browser. Yahoo because I use all their services: Address book/calendar/notepad/YP/maps, etc and google for the Autofill and search box.
- I rarely use the shortcut icons on the desktop, but there are some I don't want to stick in my quick launch bar, so they remain there... and as you can see, are sort of clumped together in categories.
- Doubling the space of the bar at the bottom not only gives more room for quick launch, but it allows more room to see what open programs/windows I have open - and I can see the full date and time in the bottom right hand corner.
As you can see, *I heart my PC!* - hence making a switch a difficult one.
>> "PCs have a small edge, but it is obliviated with the time you lose in crashes/freezes." (jake wrote in
these comments)
This is where I have to say I *hate* the whole argument that PC's always crash. My PC *NEVER* crashes!! Granted my PC ROCKS compared to some, I'm sure a ton of RAM and a hefty processor helps eliminate the crashing... but I'm jus' sayin all "the mac people" always use that to pan PC's, but it's just not a true blanket statement at all, and that won't get me to switch!!
What will make me switch are more design focused. I mean, sure - some of my decisions are more emotional & glamorous than about the power/performance (eg how fluid and *pretty* everything is!! :) But I am really looking to hear more design/tech garb about how programs run on it vs. PC.
For example, someone had posted they though macs are actually best for print designers & PC's are actually better for web developers. (?) And I've also heard that Flash runs better on the PC..... is there any truth to these statements?
And my biggest fear - is will I be just as efficient on a Mac? I know I've said this before and this is a silly question I'm sure (but hey, it's my #1 fear in switching really, so I gotta just say it) is that I'm soooo fast with all my keyboard shortcuts on my PC now... I hardly ever touch the mouse. I'm sure it's just a matter of learning on the Mac... but can anyone who has switched ease my fears here?
Tonite was so fun. I hit
BAM, then even had a little time to do some grocery shopping, drop them off at home, check email & then head out again.
I met
Kat over at
The Makeout Room... I was looking forward to seeing
The Red Thread there - and after chatting briefly on IM today, I found out she just happened to be meeting someone there, too. yay! Always so good to see that sweet kitty :) mm!
Sarah even stopped by to say hi for a quick sec, which was fun. Makes me feel like we live in a small town when your friends can just swing by and say hello. (We all live in the same general neighborhood).
I saw
Jake there tonite - and Deb (aka Daz) from
Playing in Fog. Oh & I met that guy,
Dan I've heard
Ajaxx talk about.
And ya can't forget
Fuzzy Ruzxzzsx! I secretly think he's cute. I mean really, he's a drummer - and he has a fro. Hello Heartthrob! But he seems kinda nervous when I say hi to him. Which somehow I secretly even think makes him cuter. Don't tell him, promise? I try to make conversation, and then he's funny without trying, kinda like Bill Murray... but cuter cuz he's got that dreamy hair. Shit, that whole cute nervous thing is probably the same ingredient that makes his hair so fuzzy fantastic. I love it all.
Ajaxx, seriously, DONT TELL HIM I SAID THAT!! It's very important that this stays between you & me, got it? I don't just go off & tell the whole world these intimate feelings, so keep it to yourself, alright? :) thanks.
Speaking of boys who are cute... the lead singer from Red Thread is cute. I wanted to tell him that, but I'm too shy. Ya, really - me? shy? Well, yes. Probably more because I've learned to not be such an effusive FLIRT and instead I bite my tongue and act all polite. Dumb, huh? Well, because this is my very own blog I'm gonna spill it here:
"Hey, your set was really great... I have some feedback for you." I say...
"Oh, thanks! Feedback? Sure.... shoot." (but he'd probably say it cooler - and for the record, I'm sure the whole exchange wouldn't sound so thought out and forced.)
"I just wanted to say that I thought you guys were great... and you're really cute!"
And he'd probably blush and say thank you... and then I would say (just to be sure my intentions were clear of course cuz so many guys take my natural complimentative statements the wrong way!), "Well, I just thought I'd give you some feedback. BYE!"
Ya, that sounds dorky... I know. Hence why it's always better to just SAY IT!!! Then I wouldn't seem dorky now, he woulda left feeling all warm and fuzzy - I woulda said what I was truly feeling - which is what LIFE IS ALL ABOUT!!!!!
"what?"
EXPRESSION!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Alright. I had more to say - but I have to hit the sack, cuz it's another early risin' day of goin to the gym - aww yaaa!!! Let me be the beacon of hope & inspiration for you all when I say: WORKOUT!! It's a frickin mental health pill and I *guarantee* it'll make you feel great.
Night ya'll.
:::::::
p.s. I just realized "some show reviewer I am!!"
YES the Red Thread was *GREAT*. I'm waaaay psyched to get their stuff. And no, NOT just cuz I had "positive, uplifting compliments" to give the adorable Jason Schwartzman-ish (but cuter) lead singer.
Swell played after them - who I think I had some serious fans there. I wish I'd heard some of their stuff before going. I thought they were good - but I think I was nearing my bedtime and I'd sorta been there for Red Thread, etc... so I put it on the "get some of their stuff & evaluate it later" list.
There. There's my big fat review - HAPPY!?
bed-e-bye now.
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p.s.s. turns out my friend (and coeditor at BAM)
Jake knows the chic from
Young People who are opening for the
Liars! No WAY! What's cool about this is that Jake might join us for the Liars show. woohoo! I sure hope so, cuz that boy needs to come to more shows with us. :)
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
I think I *might* go
powerbook!!!!! ak!!!
specs I'm lookin at:
PowerBook 15.2in
1.25GHz
512/80 5400RPM
Superdrive/56K/BT/Airport Aluminum
Leads on deals/suggestions/sites/support (emotional and technical) are all welcome!! I'll be purchasing something within the next 2 weeks. (gulp!)
*ahem* - here's
a better price. Can anyone beat that?
HUBS/Port Replicators - I like the idea of a hub/port replicator (like
this?) - pros/cons/brands?? macheads speak up!
(
my initial post on this issue)
My
buddy boy is sooo snuggly. Remember how
I said he's been trying all kinds of ways to be close to me while I work? Well check out the hilarious position he layed down in last week (the left & top one)... if you look closely, you'll see his two front arms are entirely off the desk and his head is just pressed against me... hahhaaa! He is so funny.
He's such a baby... so content being so close to his momma :)
update: watch a
video of kazoobie playing with his mouse! (must have
Quicktime plugin) I'll get more like this, a little better, but this gives you an idea of how crazy he gets with his mouse. He's an acrobatic kitty!!
I'm just posting a test again. I know how boring huh? Yesterday I put up some videos and did some fun graphics for it. Had some yummy chili for dinner, went to bed, worked out this morning (yoga!) and now I'm here again.
I seriously will post something more exciting later... but this is just a test. I need some cereal & a latte now!
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
testing 1234
9pm already? wow! testing again....
I posted about this back in November, but never got resolution... I have realized if you blogroll my homepage, it's not showing up as "recently updated".
This is probably because I use PHP includes to insert my blog here. Anyone know how to make it show up on blogrolling?
If you have no idea what I'm talking about - check out
Blogrolling.com. You can keep a list of blogs you read and it'll organize them by the most recently updated! (except mine, till I figure out the problem).
And YES, I have my BloggerPro settings set to ping weblogs!
Monday, February 16, 2004
Ok - the events are now represented correctly on the
calendar view - however, still look to the venue for the correct showtime... that's one detail I dont pay too much attention to when I add the dates :)
Man is there a lot of music goin on!! In fact I missed some great shows this weekend... I meant to go to Bishop Allen and then tonite the Notwist, who've I heard are so great live - darnit!!! I think I will, however, try to make the Red Thread CD Release party on Wednesday night. I want to go to atleast one show this week! :)
I didn't want to do anything all shmoopy goopy romantic for Valentines Day... but I have to admit by the end of the night, I had a very big smile on my face.
Instead of the traditional date of a dinner out at a loud restaurant, Rick & I decided to have a little picnic at the beach (his lovely idea, actually :) so nice!). So we picked up some wine, bread, cheese, and olives and headed down to Pacifica to watch the sun set.
See my new scarf? It's from Crackers & Honey!
It was great to get out of town and although a little foggy for any major breathtaking sunset, it was delightful just to be on the beach watching the waves flow in and out while we sipped on our yummy wine. The air was still and peaceful which made it surprisingly comfortable weather... and we enjoyed watching the last few surfers get in their final waves before calling it a night.
Once it started getting dark, we decided to head to our next destination for the evening, but on the way there I spotted a Ross.
Yup, you read it right - Ross the discount store. :)
Ya see, I had left the house Saturday morning thinking I'd be home again in a couple hours, but before I knew it I had spent all day with Bee - and by the time I dropped her off, it only made sense to grab Rick then since I was on that end of the city already. But because we still had to grab food, we found ourselves on a race to make the sunset and there was no time for me to go home!
So when I saw the Ross, it reminded me I didn't have any clean towels at home for when I did go back to shower & get ready - so I thought I'd just go buy a new one quick! Well, luckily Rick agreed nothing could be more romantic than shopping in Ross together on Valentines Day - so there we went!! See my new towel?
Who knew Ross could be so fun!? We tried on some clothes and
modeled them for eachother - and because it was Valentines Day, I got to pick out anything I wanted! My date got me a new pair of shoes! woohoo!!
I also got a new tshirt that says "Rickie's Speed Shop" which I wore to the next portion of our date: Bowling!
The Sea Bowl in Pacifica is great. We played two games (I even beat Rick by 2 points on the first game!) and drank a few beers and split a romantic meal of a burger & fries. We had such a great time. Here you can see my fierce concentration as I get ready to bowl a strike! Oh & you can see my new tshirt too :)
I couldn't have asked for a more perfect valentines day. :)
Sunday, February 15, 2004
Thursday night I skipped the Flakes/Dazes show... Instead Rick came over, we ordered Thai food & he helped me implement my NEW CD ORGANIZATION SYSTEM!! It's huge in my mind... basically ending the battle with the horrendous system I had before - now I'm like a super CD organizing MACHINE!!!!! Oh yes, I will be documenting and posting for your review, don't you worry!!
I was so ubergeeked out at my new system that we stayed up pretty late to finish it up, and then I even ventured out on Friday to get a few of the final pieces. I think I probably have around 600 CD's (and growing).
Friday night I had friends in town: Dave & Paula of
davepaula.com! It was fun to see Paula again and finally meet her new fiance in person! They (
Dave (paula's brother), Paula and her fiance, Dave) came over here first & we shared the bottle of wine that they brought, which doubles as their invitation to their wedding... and I showed off my new CD organization system. (geek!!)
Then we went & had a fantastic dinner at
Tannour, which is a new Middle Eastern restaurant in the mission. The service was fantastic and the food was DELICIOUS!!! Get the appetizer that takes 20 minutes to bake - sorry, I can't recall what they called it, but it's absolutely amazing. I've had something similar (called Chicken Cilicia) with my main course at La Mediterranee... but this one was fresh and so authentic. YUMM!!
We then tried to do the "hit the Mission bars" thing... but it lacked something. We went first to Casanova Lounge where the music was just annoying and I couldn't wait to leave. Then we hit Dalva, where the Bombay Gimlets we ordered were WAY too sweet. And even after asking him to remake it, it was just exactly the same. Around that time I started feeling like a big baby that just didn't really want to be there anymore, and just plain out felt like I wasn't even making good conversation. blah! But luckily, Dave & Paula hit their east coast late time limit and decided to go back to their hotel. yay!
Around noon on Saturday, I went over to visit my old friend Bee and help her run a few errands. Bee & I were roomates about 5 years ago in a beautiful flat on Polk & Union. She's 77 now and like a second Grandma to me (except more like a dear friend who happens to be 50 years my senior). She's so spunky and just a wonderfully strong woman.
Well, over Christmas Bee had come down with Pnuemonia and been hospitalized - and although we had talked on the phone, I hadn't been to see her yet. It was delightful to see her... but very sad because I had no idea how much her being in the hospital had weakened her :( She has to walk with a cane now and apparently she'd gotten down to about 93 pounds so it's taking her a long time to build her strength back up. Her equilibrium is off and all of a sudden she's having to be on all this medication. She's always had such a quick wit about her and she's spent years getting around this city walking and busing with no problem... so it's really frustrating for her to feel physically limited.
But we had a nice time together as always. I got to see her new apartment, which is in a lovely building that is specifically housing for 65+, so she's able to get the attention that she needs without the stuffy feeling of a nursing home.
I have always said after my time working with teens, my next thing will be to work with the elderly. It's just so wild to how we all get old, isn't it? Bee's lived a wonderful life and is so wise and full of love. It's important to give as much respect and love to our elders as possible - you'll be there too someday!
p.s. valentines day post to come :)
Thursday, February 12, 2004
You wouldn't know it from how fast (and young) my cousins get married back in Indiana... but it is totally so hip to be single these days!
So hip that the comfortable relationship Barbie has known with her hunky boyfriend Ken, is now
coming to an end.
Maybe she'll wanna
join us for the next Stewardesses Girls Night Out?
Wednesday, February 11, 2004
My friend Kristen turned me onto the
Jealous Sound several months back. It's a
great CD - and this guy in her office absolutely loves them, too... so between the two I was really looking forward to seeing them live. They had 2 openers... The Plus Ones (which every time I try to remember their name I find myself struggling: The Push Pins? The Push Outs? For some reason it's not sticking) and Jackson, who's lead singer, Chris Shiflett, is from
The Foo Fighters.
The Plus Ones were just too teeny bopper for me... They do have one good song IMO, however... and yes, it's still teeny bopperish, but it's fun: It's called "All the Boys" off their
It's a Calling CD (you can go to their site & find an MP3). I enjoyed it when they played that song, but the rest of their set wasn't doing it for me.
Jackson was just alright to me, but the lead singer's voice ruined it for me personally. (funny thing is, even on their site, his bio says he sings off key! he does!! I felt like Randy on American Idol... shakin my head and sayin' "Dude...") Although I thought he looked a lot like my good friend Justyn, so that was entertaining. But the music just wasn't movin me... my mind wandered.. I was bored. (see I don't like everything!!)
I really enjoyed the Jealous Sound set. It was great to hear them live after listening to their CD so much. It wasn't the best. thing. ever. but it was pretty good.. mostly just enjoyable to see them play live.
They did however have a lot of "young fans" in the audience who apparently LOOOOVE them, cuz they were going wild like Willo at a Hot, Hot Heat show. This is what the show looked like from where we were standing:
The X's on their hands indicate too young to drink. Actually, we find ourselves at a lot of shows like this! :)
Kristin and her friend showed up later - and we left by midnight so I could go home & sleep of any further impending sore throat doom.
- Realized I got a cold from kissing a certain someone last Friday night. (Why is it that even when you know you're gonna catch something, it's still so damn hard to resist those lips!?!)
- Went to see the Jealous Sound lastnight at BoTH (review to come).
- Slept 10 hours to try to get rid of said cold.
- Got a very nice email and post this morning from an avid reader and fellow blogger.
- Completed and delivered designs for a clients holiday logo. I'll show you when it goes up!
- Had a tasty sandwich for lunch
- And completed and delivered mockups on a custom illustration for a friend's wedding invitations!
So, besides the cold, everythings goin pretty good!
Tuesday, February 10, 2004
these 2 sites are awesome:
>
4AD's We Shall All Be Healed
>
Brandon Bird - look at his paintings and sketches!
I highly recommend you "
shizzolate" my site... it's funny!!
or rather....
I highly recommend yo' ass ""
shizzolate" my site n' shit. .. that shiznit's funny!!
Monday, February 09, 2004
My brother Max is so awesome. He owns
Om Gallery, and not only do they have a great line of products, but they've been fortunate enough to do a couple custom jobs, too. Last year they produced several large 6 ft. lanterns for a club in LA. And recently they furnished the set of Bette Midler's production,
Kiss My Brass, in San Jose!!
Since
Beaches I've always been a huge fan of Bette... My friend & I used to watch it over & over & over again... and yes, we cried everytime when she sang "Wind Beneath My Wings". Max said she even sang that at this show!
After seeing this photo I wish I would have begged him to take me with :) But either way, I'm so proud of him. woohoo!!
Yay! I've been waiting for
Jane to
post her
photos from our Girls Night Out / Stewardess Night.
She got some HILARIOUS shots of us girls hittin the town. I have some too, but hers took the cake. Some of em had me absolutely laughin out loud. What a
fun night!!
Update: Here's
my photos from the night.
Jem recently labeled herself a "show ho" after her 5 shows in a row stint a week or so ago. Damn, honey!
However, after assembling my
list of show reviews.. I think I might got you beat. :)
And to think there's a good handful that I didn't even post about! I've been busy!
I'm workin on this illustration for a friend and it's had me picking up my sketchbook a bit more often lately. (yay!)
Sometimes looking back through my random doodles, I see ones that just crack me up. Doodles are random, kinda like stream of conciousness writing... it's whatever's on your mind, or wherever your doodling takes you.
I plan to scan more in - but this one kinda cracks me up for some reason. It's kinda like 3 guys who work together... and the one guy's giving the point & chk chk Go Team.
