trove cove

Beyond Our Conscious World

2011-10-27T09:39:00.000-07:00

I studied abroad in England almost a decade ago where I encountered a funny little British elfish professor whose discourse mainly consisted of understanding the phenomenological mind and how it connects to the material world. Needless to say at first it was a stretch for me to process these "new" ideas. Then I recall the day it all clicked. I was reading one of his books and seemingly out of nowhere I no longer struggled to understand his ideas. It was the first course I took where I finally learned how to understand the material being taught. My understanding went beyond concepts - I finally was thinking critically, metaphorically and attempting to apply it to my life. Without knowing it this professor opened my eyes and mind to philosophy of psychology. There is a world beyond our own and we impact one another in ways which we can not process without disclosure or extreme hyper awareness which is basically impossible. Anyway, he'll never know how grateful I am as I venture to become a psychotherapist (and maybe one day a psychologist).

Thank you Dr. M. Velmans!

Max Velmans from Jaguar Mary on Vimeo.

the Polish joke's on you.

2011-06-10T16:30:00.000-07:00

There is a Polish Poster shop that sells amazing vintage movie, concert, theater, etc. poster reprints that I want. They are so creative. The various artists had to have been on acid when they made these. Gotta love the surrealists.

This one was a bad trip.

Really, the list goes on and on. I'd buy the lot if I could. Maybe I could? They are affordable. Best of all, they are all so unique, interesting, and fantastic.

BE

2011-06-02T08:31:00.000-07:00

Brian Eno guest dj. Nice.

New Style!

2011-05-31T23:06:00.000-07:00

the BF and I moved recently and it's my favorite job in the world to figure out how to decorate. For years I've been chasing after great french industrial finds that are similar to Restoration Hardware. I always described my interior design taste as a cross between the French Industrial, Laboratory/Apothecary Chic, and British Colonial, which is true but I don't really like a lot of the fans, weaving, and whatnot that British Colonial style embodies. In fact, today I just learned that I lean towards a totally different "British Colonial" look that's less Tommy Bahama and more Tommy Gun. It's similar, but different. It is called British Campaign style. The furniture has a lot more folding and easy to pack away fixtures so it's easy to mobilize, in all definitions of the word. I had NO CLUE!

Anyway, here's my future dining room set. It's still mostly French Industrial... Can't stray too far.


West Elm

Cost Plus World Market


Ikea

Wisteria

Ballard Designs

It's a mix-and-match design. If I had tons of money I would rather get this table, but I'm not complaining!

Restoration Hardware

Prediction=True

2011-04-29T08:14:00.000-07:00

Just as I predicted, Kate Middleton chose a more modest dress that covered her arms and bust, similar to the style of Grace Kelly. Classic and very choice.
To see more of this coverage, click here.

Side note: Kate looks all smiles during the ceremony, what's wrong with Will? Was his upper lip not limber enough to allow his British teeth to make an appearance, or was it something more than that?

living appliances

2011-03-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

A lamp that sews it's own shade from the power generated when lit:
Sleeping Beauty

Take Control

2011-02-28T15:49:00.000-08:00

Today's inspiration comes to me in the form of
Listening to early U2 (i.e. Boy - War)
and this flow chart

image http://tylertervooren.com/advancedriskology/

Retrofitting

2011-02-26T14:40:00.000-08:00

Love Love Love, Love Love, Love Love.
I wish I could live in this reclaimed, revamped, super architectural, industrial, exposed brick, ruin porn house. Well, it's not a house, it's part of a school, but it looks like a house and I'd convert it into one if I owned it.

Images:haworthtompkins

Prediction

2011-02-25T10:39:00.000-08:00

I predict when Kate Middleton marries Prince William, she'll wear a more modest wedding gown, most likely covering her arms and neck. This will change the current trend of wedding gowns with exposed decolletage. I for one am excited for this change, if it happens.
We shall see...

Image: Princess Grace Kelly

First Paper

2011-02-23T13:52:00.001-08:00

Wikipedia: Kathoey.

Can We Have Gender Equality?

Throughout life males and females of all cultures experience gender stereotypes. It is no secret that cultures’ collective attitudes are perpetuated through gender based comments and behaviors. However, gender discrepancies vary depending on the culture and era’s zeitgeist. Still, no matter how much we recognize gender stereotype’s falsehoods, the collective unconscious attitudes still exist and maintain a stronghold of even the most seemingly progressive gender-neutral people.

Cognitively people like to categorize and define anything in life. It helps one to understand a potentially chaotic world by creating patterns and expectations. When expectations are met, it allows us to react efficiently and appropriately, and most importantly, it sets our emotions at ease. This includes compartmentalizing human beings. The day we are born, people treat and teach us our gender roles based on our respective sex. Children pick up on this information easily and prefer to gender stereotype. For example, when I was a child in the 1980s, I was watching MTV and was confused by Boy George. My mother tried her best to put in layman’s terms that Boy George is, in fact, a boy, but likes to dress up like a girl. Still not grasping the novel concept, she attempted to set my mind at ease by stating that Boy George is confused and that I am not. My mom knew Boy George was not confused, but later told me that kids first try to grasp life’s fundamentals before they experience and learn the exceptions to the rules. She believed that at my age I would have a very hard time understanding this concept, but knew as I matured, I would understand Boy George was comfortable portraying to the world his gender-bending personality. This is when I realized gender roles are learned and perpetuated by society. Sex is fixed; gender is fluid. Sex is universal; gender is contextual. Sex is nature; gender is nurture. Not everyone has to fit into society’s gender molds. Still, people learn by compartmentalization, and when patterns are interrupted, they become uncomfortable with the unfamiliar. It is a threat to their basic understanding of the world and to society because it interrupts the collective unconscious. This is why gender bending is so shocking. However, it does not have to be if we are taught early on not to define sex by gender-specified behaviors.

I was a teenager during the 1990s in America when girls did not have to fit into a feminine role. Riot Grrrl music was on the rise, Grunge was slowly fading out but women were still attractive by being androgynous, dirtier, and exude a masculine edge. Although it was generally accepted at this time to be a girl who acted like a boy, I wished I were a boy instead. Firstly, I thought because masculinity was projected by both genders in pop culture, then being feminine or a girl was undesirable. Secondly, and most importantly, I witnessed how boys were respected to finish thoughts in conversations by not being interrupted. In spite of this, my mom continuously tried to change me. Instead of wearing baggy jeans, she preferred I dress more femininely, set my hair in curlers as she did as a teenager, and wear more makeup. I rebelled. I explained that if a guy was attracted to me, or if I were to receive any respect, it would be because of my intellect and wit, not my appearance. She rebutted that first impressions are the gateway to respect and guys are attracted to women first by their beauty, then you keep them with your intellect and wit. Later on I discovered that maybe there was some truth to her statement. I noticed I received more positive attention when I feminized my appearance. That was when I decided to change. I wanted that attention from society, so I had to learn how to give society what they preferred, a more feminine looking woman. From this, I further questioned why getting what I wanted from society meant I needed to fit into what society wanted from me.

Why do Americans prefer to seek traditional gender roles and marginalize the few instead of accepting all? Why is it that gender differences plague adults in the way men are supposed to be strong leaders and women dependent on them? For example, my friend Rosy received pejorative criticism about the course of her life and she reacted sharply by stating, “I am a young, vivacious, attractive, well educated, and well-traveled woman. I have a B.A., I speak four languages, I’ve lived abroad, I’m a Fulbright fellow, I have a good job, I’m fully independent where I don’t have to rely on anyone for anything, and I have great relationships with family and friends. But none of that counts because I’m not married and I don’t have kids.” Rosy’s complaint is a frustrated reaction on how society perpetuates existing gender discrepancies and how they are valued. When American culture has come so far to allow women like Rosy to be as independent as a man is supposed to be, why is she still valued in a traditional way? I believe the answer lies in several psychological theories, including Evolutionary, Socio-Cultural, and Cognitive theories. Our primal instincts help us pick a proper mate, but not necessarily in matching us with someone youthful or healthy. Why are young men and women attracted to Mick Jagger - an aging, womanizing, ex-drug addict whose skin seemingly will drip off his skeleton? Instead, I believe evolution’s influence on cognition and society coincides so that we prefer to protect those who exemplify qualities we value. We favor people who fit into our schema, and are therefore nonthreatening. Although Jagger pushes boundaries, he has mass appeal because he exudes what we know as masculine by being confident, successful, and independent. Furthermore, the cultures that idolize Jagger also value personal expression. He follows these guidelines well and is therefore sexually desirable. Regardless, culture’s traditional gender roles may take generations to change or unlearn. Stereotypes are closely tied to identity and civilization’s survival, and unless it is taught early on, society might never fully change to gender neutrality.

One time in my life I valued males over females. As I matured, my schema shifted when I continued to question why gender differences mattered. I realized it perpetuates a culture’s existence. Traditions thrive because familiarity to our values is nonthreatening. So as long as we understand this, American society may change by not teaching and rewarding equating current gender characteristics with the respective sex. Hopefully gender equality will be valued instead.

I just found my new favorite website

2011-02-16T10:21:00.000-08:00

If you like history... If you like art... If you like people, places, things (yes, nouns)... then you'll love HOW TO BE A RETRONAUT

This Makes My Tonsils Tingle

2010-10-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Van Der Glas' jowl jewelry.

9/11

2010-09-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I live in a good Country. A Country that is founded on the basis of struggle in hopes to live in a just and free world. A world that promotes human rights that are defined by man being created equal in the eyes of a higher power (and if you do not believe in G-d, then just by being born) and not defined by ourselves under our prejudicial limitations. That we all have a chance to grab destiny by our grip and pursue our wants, needs and dreams. This comes with the responsibility to pursue a life we want without holding others down so that they may be granted the same rights we have been granted, just by being born. I want us to remember these rights that were thought of by the enlightenment philosophers and the suffering and plight that continued for generations before and after our forefathers wrote down on parchment what these rights are in our Country, and what the meaning behind all of this is and is not. It's our duty to continue this idea for ourselves and hold this mentality up for others as well. These are human rights, not just American rights. Do not be confused, I am not suggesting amnesty for those who do not hold up their part of this. But today is a day of reflection in America. I suggest we stand back to allow yourself to comprehend and remember the lessons of which today reminds us of why and how this Country is so great and to bring peace to all man.

2010-08-30T11:31:00.000-07:00

A year ago I predicted computers and other electronics would return to wooden framing that was so popular in the 70s and 80s. Well, I discovered something better on etsy.com: Old Time Computers makes custom made "steam punk" style monitors, keyboards, mice, and mouse pads. Would you buy?

promote things i love

2010-08-11T12:17:00.000-07:00

when I first moved to SF in 2007, i came across an article about a french artist who designs and paints graphics onto women's vintage shoes. I wanted to either purchase or commission him to make a pair of my own, but never got around to it. Since then his work has grown quite a bit and all of the shoes are just as incredible as the next!
because of cyberspace it's been easy to follow his talent beyond shoes. his creativity shows even when experimenting with other mediums and working as a collaborator. If you haven't heard of him, I thought i'd share the inspiration with you all.
Ladies and gentlemen: Monsier Ndeur/Mathieu Missiaen.

I am not alone here.

2010-08-10T12:56:00.001-07:00

The old adage, "If you want something done, give it to a busy person" usually rings true, however there are times when this hypothesis does not hold up. Case in point:

Maybe it's the type A's v the lazies? The ambitious v ambivalent? The haves v the have-nots?

In any case, I think Hyperbole and a Half's blog post sums it up pretty well.

ps- thanks again and again to my friend at ThePlusSizePug for introducing me, and now you, to this awesome blog!

just because

2010-08-07T19:11:00.000-07:00

my thoughtful and generous bf bought me a new MacBook. I'm playing with photobooth. these are my masterpieces:

My best impression of one of the Ramones. Johnny? Joey? Marky?

the above two are for my siouxsie and the banshees cover band album covers

Oh hey guys! did you hear? Like, there's a raging bonfire party down at the pier? Yeah like Cyndi Lauper is supposed to show. but you know, like, no big deal.

30 before 30

2010-06-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

My good friend, RdR, has inspired me to create my very own 30-things-I-want-to-do-before-I-turn-30-years-old list. If I can't cross-off all of these things from this list by Oct. 29th, well, I'll give myself an extension: Dec. 31st.

Apply to graduate schools!!!!
Celebrate my double-15th birthday with a quinceañera themed party.
Travel to NY with the bf and experience his NYC.
Lose those pesky 5 lbs.
~~Get a job in the mental health industry (or at least get a good job if I'm volunteering in the mental health sector.)~~
Join a dance class. Jazz please!
Reorganize and de-clutter the home office.
~~Host a nice party at my home with good friends.~~
Go out clubbing with my girls once a month! (This does not happen as often as I want)
Cut down on my TV addiction.
~~Introduce Mike to Nana.~~
Make a skirt from scratch.
Get better about managing my investments.
~~Start carrying my mobile on me again.~~
If I can afford it, either take more spin classes or pilates.
Find a great indoor hanging potter for our plants.
Be better about talking regularly to friends and family, near and far.
Get stuff out of my AZ storage.
Organize our magazines, cds, and dvds.
Draw or paint a picture for the apt. and hang it.
Do laundry more often (before I get down to my last pair of undies).
~~Get my CA driver's license. (breakin' the law, breakin' the law).~~
Organize online photos.
~~Fix my computer (or at least get a new one).~~
When said computer is fixed, make a cd for Mike's dad.
Backup files on external hard drive.
~~Take public transportation more often.~~
Hang out with my siblings in SD and get to know sister-in-law better. (I just visited with my Chi sib).
Go through a week without mentioning anything negative about my mind, body, or abilities.
~~Find a local coffee shop/library with comfortable furniture and work from there.~~

is life really what you make it?

2010-06-09T11:58:00.000-07:00

I have a theory on life. Yes, I'm about "get all meta" on you, as my boyfriend would say.

The theory is best described through the example of the "Choose Your Own Adventure" (CYOA) books that were popular with pre-adolescent boys in the 1980s. These books began like any other book, giving the reader a buildup to a story. When the plot starts to form, the reader "creates their own tale" by choosing an option of how they would like to proceed in the novel. For example, if the protagonist comes to a fork in the road, the reader is given the choice to go left or go right. If they want to go left, then turn to page 99; if you choose to turn right, turn to page 74. From there, the reader will continue a storyline and proceed like this throughout the book until they either end up happily ever after, or die. More often than not they die. But the point is that the reader actively creates their own fate and discovers the consequences already predetermined by the text.

Like the CYOA books, I believe that we all have the choice and act of free will to do anything in our lives, however there are predetermined outcomes for these actions. an endless variety of fates, if you will.

I came to this hypothesis when I was the most hyper-aware and happy in my life. I started to notice that there were several small reoccurring coincidences. This I found to be almost like "markers" letting me know that I was on the right track to live out a "happily ever after" destiny instead of winding up miserable or dead.

I bring this up because my friend has a new man in her life. Not that's huge news for those who don't know her, but there might be a reason outside of her own control on why this happened and here's the coincidence to explain:

My friend's mother bought my friend some peonies the other day, just because. sweet huh? well, a few days later my friend tells me the news that she and this new guy are on a good track. So far, no coincidence to speak of. Then today, I happened upon this article about how Peonies are the flower that will bring you love. I don't want to say that this is her future husband, but I think she is on the right track right now for a relaxed and enjoyable romance that will make her happy.

What do you think? Is there some truth to my CYOA theory?

Iron

2010-04-26T14:02:00.000-07:00

I just can't get enough of the French Industrial Machine-age Chic interior design that popped into the mainstream last year. It's everywhere (including my living room) but no one seems to get it just right like Restoration Hardware. Now I want it to creep into my bedroom.

Gawd, I love this bed

Quote of the Day

2010-04-14T20:03:00.000-07:00

"You're so 'liberal arts' with your journal. I'll make you an excel spreadsheet."

-my ex-coworker, an engineer, who scoffed at my suggestion to keep a journal for posterity on her 2 week European vacation.

Zee Germans beat me at my own game!

2010-03-23T19:26:00.000-07:00

About a year ago when my boyfriend started working in social video gaming I came up with a really great game idea: A homeless game (it didn't have to be for social sites). The bf was intrigued and wanted to learn more.

Over a romantic dinner we talked all about the details: As the gamer, you are a bum living on the street. Your goal is to stay alive, but you'll have a hard time reaching any success. You can do things like try to avoid drugs, or score drugs, find and keep a dog companion, make sure your possessions don't get stolen while you sleep, find and keep sleeping arrangements, figure out how to make money, etc. you get the picture. I provided the ideas and he relayed how it can be practical in relation to game theory. In the end this was a strategy-driven game and a social-commentary on how the other half live.

Well, turns out that the pessimists are right: no one has a unique thought.

To my dismay, a new hobo game has been released by some German company. It's a social role-playing game called "Street Rivals" where you're a bum and you can fight other bums, recycle bottles, and go dumpster diving.

Ugh. I'm so BUMMED! I wish the bf and I produced my game first! Well, maybe there's a chance since the two aren't exactly alike but have similar premises? What do you think?

I think on vacation

2010-03-17T16:15:00.000-07:00

You know how you go on vacation and you typically sight-see, party, chill whatever...
You know what I do? I go to networking events and talk to local politicians, that's what I do, sukka!

But it's a better story than that:

My longtime friend from college, who now lives in the UK, is in charge of finding the funds for this one rich socialite power lesbian's new political campaign in London called, "The Commons." The politician is a highly motivated 25-year-old who has no idea what she's really doing, but she has the courage, verve, and optimism to do it anyway. You know the kind? ugh.

I spent that afternoon visiting my friend, doing the typical vacation things (drinking, eating, catching up on life stories) and before too long she has to head to a networking event for work and I decide to join her. She sneaks me in, and I make my way around the cocktail hour telling people that I can't do anything to bolster their careers because I'm an American on holiday. It seemed to break the ice on small talk at least.

After chit-chat, we made our way into the adjacent auditorium where there is a panel of speakers. The topic is how internet's social networking sites (i.e. Twitter, Facebook) are being used in their elections. One panel speaker is an American from the Obama campaign, the rest are Brits, two of whom are MPs (The equivalent of our US Senators, but much more outlandishly rude in the House of Commons).

While the panel is talking about things like "Social sites hold public figures more accountable because the public is watching and tweeting about them" there is this giant back screen displaying a live tweet feed happening and NO ONE is paying attention to the speakers. The audience is posting insults about everything on the feed! it was really distracting and rude but really, kinda funny and entertaining because the Brits are major trash-talkers.

This one speaker, Tom Watson, was the first MP to blog and he loves playing games on facebook and says some rad stuff like this is actually the first TV campaign for Britain! Literally, they never had tv debates before!!! it's insane~ ok, while he's talking I get a BRILLIANT idea:

1. My friend is fundraising for her politician
2. Tom mentions he plays videogames on facebook
3. My boyfriend's social gaming company makes money on microtransactions from facebook videogames

So all of that lead me to think why don't these politicians fund raise via microtransactions from their supporters on social networking sites? BRILLIANT!!!

I want to ask Tom this, but I freak out in public speaking. So I'm sitting there pressuring my friend to ask my question since that's her job...she won't.

So I wait until the presentation ends to go up to Tom Watson and I ask him my question/tell him my brilliant idea he lights up! He said no one does that and that's a great idea and I should use it.

So I said I would love to and told him to give me a job.

No, I just said that I don't work in politics, but I'm proud to meet a politician who gives me and validates my good ideas. In the end, we both are obviously stupidly happy with this epiphany, he shakes my hand, and I leave thinking he'll use this on his campaign and satisfied with what I accomplish on my vacation.

Catastrophic

2010-02-16T10:53:00.000-08:00

It looks like my boyfriend's "Cats: The Silent Menace" article wasn't accepted. However, the editing staff did say they loved what they saw and "strongly encourage [him] to try again...and hope [they can] find an opportunity to work together in the future."

Not Bad.

On another note, i have a hard time sleeping through the night because our apartment was built in the 1930s and has no insulation. this means i hear the garbage shoot at 11pm, the neighbors clomping up the stairs at 2am, and the garbage collector at 4am. Sometimes I put in earplugs to cancel out sound and other times I leave the tv on as white noise.

Two nights ago, at 4am, the garbage guy was beeping away but the tv was still on and there was this great song playing. It roused me further from my slumber and I had to find out what amazing band was performing at Austin City Limits. It turns out it was a scene from "My Life As Liz" where Liz was performing Band of Horses' "The Funeral" at her school's talent show. Her cover was so hauntingly good that it kept me up for a few more hours.

Cat Scratch Fever

2010-02-03T15:09:00.000-08:00

Today's JOD was supplied by my boyfriend, who I now realize gets me because we're both silly as hell. Below is an article he actually submitted to a professional site that publishes experts' articles on topics such as "Cat Scratching".

Cat scratching is a nuisance and an epidemic that has been sweeping the country since the dawn of upholstered furniture. As an expert on all matters feline (I served as the United States Special Cat Envoy to the Republic of Catistan), I have an uncommon understanding of the source of cat scratching. Buckle up, things are about to get hairy.

The primary reasons that cats scratch is due to the fact that cats and furniture have been enemies since the dawn of time. The origin of this conflict lies in territorial disputes over the ancestral borders of Catistan; cats claim that their borders should stretch across the Iberian Peninsula. Furniture was unavailable to comment.

What is clear is that cats will extract their revenge on furniture regardless of the cost of the furniture or the audience who is privy to the scratching. Who could forget the State Department dinner when the Foreign Minister of Cultural Affairs for Catistan, Mr. Steven ‘Boots’ Cheshire III, raked his claws across President Carter’s trusted counselor, Leather Recliner Chair? Certainly not President Carter nor the American people.

Another reason that cats scratch furniture is due to the fact that cats are bored with their cloistered lives in many American homes. Cats and their obnoxiously cute offspring, commonly referred to as kittens and uncommonly referred to as Fluff Nuggets, have a tremendous capacity to analyze complex problems. Engage your cat with complex calculus problems. Challenge him to a game of Risk. Set your cat up with a stack of classic English Literature. Whatever you do, make sure that your cat is occupied. After all, a bored cat is a destructive cat.

And the final and most unsettling reason that cats scratch furniture is to keep their claws razor sharp for the inevitable cat overthrow of the American government. Cats are always at a heightened state of combat readiness, constantly sharpening their weapons to be ready for the call from the Grand Czar of Cat Invasion, General Olaf Caterson.

Many Americans assume that cats are lazy, no good consumers of sunshine and delicious cat food (food that could be used to feed undernourished American families mind you). Cats reinforce this notion by sleeping up to 16 hours a day and hypnotizing Americans with their lazy cat eyes. Don’t fall for their trickery! Vigilance and Education are the 2 keys to turning back the inevitable cat uprising that is threatening the sovereignty of the American people! Fight back against your cat by keeping him unfit with generous portions of lasagna. Dave knew how to fight against the threat of Garfield and so should you! Remember, a fat cat is a slow cat, and a slow cat makes an easy target on a battlefield.

Good News

2010-01-25T15:00:00.000-08:00

Guess who got engaged....

(Click here to find out.)

excuse me, that's my red swingline stapler.

2010-01-15T10:52:00.000-08:00

I'm not in love with my job. I treat it as a paycheck and it makes me miserable for all the right reasons:

I feel I'm trapped due to a bad economy. management laid off 99% of my favorite co-workers. I get paid less than the day I started (2 years ago), yet I have way way more responsibilities. It's a dead end job because I'm about to hit my glass-ceiling. I'm highly under appreciated and it shows when people are rude and aggressive towards me, yet management doesn't care to regulate said unprofessional behavior. So basically it stinks!

Moreover, there's this one person who is my office nemesis. She's a compulsive interrupter, talks non-stop about herself, doesn't listen to others, takes credit for my ideas, and makes several anti-Semitic remarks (management hasn't done anything about this either). I must be a saint for saving her life (I'm not even joking. i literally saved this girls life by rushing her to a Dr. all the while she was convulsing and had shallow, short, almost non-existent breathing patterns!! i find it hard to believe she'd return the favor.)

So I've hatched this evil plan for when I finally move on from this job.

This is not like setting the office building on fire, but when I leave I'll reset all her phone's auto-dial buttons to sexy 900 numbers, or the like. Since no one knows about this VOIP system that I control, I think they'll have a hard time figuring out how to reprogram.

I know, it's juvenile, but i gotta have a little fun when i leave, right?

this will make you pee your pants

2010-01-14T13:54:00.000-08:00

If you like to read the twitter, "shit my dad says", then you'll like my friend's new blog, mama's mouth words.

Totally Awesome!

Bring on the Payne!

2010-01-14T10:33:00.000-08:00

When i was in high school a bunch of my friends discovered this great new novel by Harvard grad, C.D. Payne called Youth in Revolt. it was a tome compared to what i was used to reading in school (about 900 pages from what i remember), but it was the fastest read of my life. None of us could put the book down! (plus it probably helped with our SAT vocabulary).

The protagonist, Nick Twisp, is a loquacious self-proclaimed genius 14-year old suburban boy trying desperately to lose his virginity to his unrequited love, Sheena, while rebelling against his jerk parents and any authority. Show me the teenager who wouldn't be consumed with this kind of story?

Now, about15 years later (am i that old?) and they finally made a movie and released this as a blockbuster to the world (yesss!!!).

Because this book played a part of my adolescent identity, i'm sensitive and proud of it... (but i have yet to see the movie.)
So, my friend casually brings up in conversation that she and her new quasi-boyfriend agreed that he's supposed to see a "chick flick" with her. This is our conversation on the subject:

Friend: oh! do you consider Youth in Revolt to be a chick flick? because (my guy) said it's a chick flick i'm like, um, no.
me: i consider youth in revolt to be AWESOME
Friend: YES ME TOO
me: i mean ok i loved that book and im a chick, but it's just transcendentally downright good. it's not anything like a chicky-romantic comedy
Friend: yeah, i didn't think so either
me: it's honing in on a young indie audience. (your guy) lost points.
Friend: i think he's just saying that so it can be used as his "chick flick" movie that he has to watch with me
me: yeah, no. it's about a kid trying to lose his virginity while revolting against asshole parents/authority; that is NOT a chick flick
Friend: yeah, i was trying to explain it to him. i think he just doesn't want to watch Leap Year haha
me: in the book there's this one part where he and his best friend want to see what it's like for a girl to give a BJ, and they test it on one another and his mom walks in....
Friend: hahaha i bet that's not in the movie
me: should be. would be awesome
Friend: (my guy) doesn't even know what the movie is about
me: then he's dumb

So i'm probably being way harsh Tai (may Brittany Murphy rest in peace), but you gotta admit he's gonna lose this one.

JOD

2010-01-08T16:15:00.000-08:00

I'm just pumping these blogs out lately!

So my brother and i have this thing we call the JOD (Joke Of the Day) to help break up the drudgery of the workday.

His JOD to me 8jan10:

my law school friend and neighbor married a tall, tight-body blonde; kind of a butter face. she's sweet. i like her.

her facebook status: i told my coworker i love my new hdtv and he said it's good i didn't get an hd mirror.

REUHHHHHEUUUDDDD (sound it out).

One of my other favorites is a few years old, but it's also yet to be realized...:

A few years back my brother and i were hanging out and he said that he couldn't wait until his friend Mark Wang proposes to his girlfriend.

I'm like that's sweet, but why do you care?

He said that he has a killer engagement gift for them.

Me: oh yeah? what's that?

Him: Well, you should know that Mark's girlfriend's name is Mai (pronounced "My") and I'm gonna make them custom matching tee shirts with her full married name printed on it, "Mai Wang", except on hers will be an arrow pointing up at her face, and on his will be an arrow pointing down toward his belt.

and i thought my friend RdR had a good married name (which is totally a palindrome)!

Happy Birthdays!

2010-01-08T15:09:00.000-08:00

i gotta give some shout outs to some of my peeps for turning another year older:

1. Nana - She's the freshest fly girl i know. (it's like 1992, right?) but really, if there's one person whom i admire or could call a role model, it's my nana. she's so worldly, regal, loving, and provides sage advice packaged in long-winded meandering stories, yet is so down to earth that she repeats chris rock's dirty jokes.

2. Cara - love this girl. She embodies the true meaning of a pillar of strength, trust and honesty. When she says something she means it and will always follows through- be that with work, her relationships, and her emotions. Plus, she's a freaking nutjob. i love goofing off with her (and her mom).

3. Earl - Nana's husband. the man who introduced me to the Manhattan (he always orders one with his dinner). he's a stoic and dry-witted talented artist. what a great man for nana because he's quite calm compared to her neurotically sensitive personality. (Similar to my relationship with my "beau").

So my love goes out to these wonderful people in my life. Happy birthday to you all. you make it really easy for me to remember your bdays by being born within 24 hours of one another (well plus or minus a few years too).

CreepSauce

2010-01-07T15:53:00.000-08:00

When I hit puberty I started to struggle with my weight. I was never overweight, but I wasn't one of those enviable/confident/sexy teenagers that all boys wanted and girls wanted to be. At the time it created dissonance within me; while I wished I was sexier, I found security in not receiving unwanted attention. This way I could be flirty and fun but it wouldn't be misinterpreted and taken to a weird unmanageable level. I wasn't always happy that I couldn't just get any guy, but in retrospect I did date a few great boys and it worked out just fine.

Finally in my 20s I came into my own and decided to recreate myself. I lost 20 lbs. and managed to keep it off. I still struggle with my pear-shaped "problem areas", but I'm the only one who seems to be bothered by this. Ironically my least favorite body parts, my booty and hips, get all sorts of positive attention from men and women-- I'm like the Jewish Kim Kardashian. I've been holla'd at multiple times by some randoms on the street, including my favorite where I was told to "fish tail it gurrrl". Think about it.....

So all of this weight management comes with hard work. I eat what I want, but I usually count calories and work out on a regular. I keep a caloric-management profile on livestrong.com and today I received a total creepsauce note from what looks to be a born-again-ESL-troglodyte-spam-mailer who finds me "worthy of a friendship". the weird thing is that my one pic on that site is of my toilet. (eating disorders are not funny... so I'm told).

From: precious00
Date Sent: Dec 30, 2009
Subject: Hello Dear,
Hello Dear,I saw your nice profile,at [livestrong.com] and something motivated me to communicate with you'i found you worthy of acceptance and godly;My Dear in your usual time may it pleases you to write me back in email address[preciousweah@hotmail.fr]So that i can send you my pictures and also tell you more about myself.A friendship is the foundation build on other relative things to come.May God bless you as i wait impatiently to hear from you. Your lonely friend,precious.

Golden Birthday!

2009-12-29T09:11:00.000-08:00

welcome to the final year missy! 365 days until you're officially too old to trust.

is nothing sacred?

2009-12-11T09:24:00.001-08:00

i was maybe 10 or 11 years old visiting my dad's sided of the family in LA when we passed the time to see a little weird movie that changed my life. This movie is titled Drop Dead Fred. I was so moved by the picture that my memories from the day are more vivid than those from yesterday. I recall leaving the theater, jumping onto a fountain's ledge, dancing and rejoicing with fulfilled amusement. From there we all walked to an italian deli where the adults got fancy coffee drinks and the kids got some delicious international treats.

The title character played by Rik Mayall went on to be one of my favorite comedians of all time when I rediscovered him in The Young Ones as a young teenager (they used to play reruns on Comedy Central when i was maybe 13.)

Well, the most uninspiring and unimaginative industry, current-day hollywood, is ruining the classic tale of a woman trying to regain her confidence via her destructive childhood imaginary friend. They're casting that annoying prat named Russel Brand who will never be anything close to the obnoxious googly-eyed visionary that is Rik Mayall. Although the original was critically known as a flop, I predict the remake will never ever make it to cult status.

All i have to say is that Snotface better rebel and stop the dog poo from getting all over the silver screen.

Say, What's the Time?

2009-12-11T08:48:00.000-08:00

i gotta look stylish yo. That's why im gettin' myself these fresh watches:

Timex silver classic

Casio Gold ~~time machine~~ Data Bank

The best thing about the latter is the testimonials on amazon.com. This one in particular said, "Also different time zones can be viewed just by touching one simple button, It looks so elegant in your wrist. I ordered two-one in golden and another in silver steel."

I mean just look at that thing; it's obvious that the watch belongs on Audrey Hepburn's wrists, but it's insane how technology has advanced! 1 button lets you view 2 different time zones?!
I was sold.

Lisa better have returned it!

2009-12-10T16:10:00.001-08:00

so im fb stalking my old roommate. i think i totally miss her?
anyway, she has the funniest craziest pictures of herself and her friends from high school on her page. they're so great because she's a few years older than me making her a prime candidate for blackmail; there's nothing but giant over-hairsprayed permed-out hairdos topped with scrunchies, giant Cosby sweaters, mini skirts, and layered socks.
There's this particular school dance style photo of all her girl-friends awkwardly posing which is just perfect for awkwardfamilyphotos.com.
the best part is her photo's caption: "Can you believe we got this picture taken? LISA - THAT'S MY SWEATER!! :)"
I can't tell you why i think that's the funniest shit i've read in the longest time, but i can't.stop.laughing.

Bestie Brides

2009-11-18T15:04:00.000-08:00

My close friend RdR keeps a wonderful blog that she created to help organize her wedding. Once she got into the planning spirit she started to post her ideas for her best friend's hypothetical weddings. Well to keep this tradition alive I'll throw in some of my own suggestions for our friends.

This Bestie Bride is dedicated to Coco.

Coco is freaking awesome. She's the first to throw costume parties and the first to save the fish. What more could you ask for in this bridal outfit?
But RdR made a good point, "how will her very regal mother approve?"
I say, "who cares?! we'll tell her she's being traditional. It's something new and blue."
RdR: "wow. you're very convincing."
me: "I've got it worked out."

I bacon your pardon?

2009-10-27T11:37:00.000-07:00

H1N1 aka Swine flu has been giving pigs a bad rep, but as the saying goes, "there's no such thing as bad press." So with that has anyone else noticed a general interest in bacon lately? I see it popping up everywhere outside our breakfast plates: my earlier blog post (remember the briefcase and business cards?), desserts, SOAPS! yes soaps. just take a looksie...

yes, that's right bacon jam

oink oink

vosges' sweet and savory treat for you porkers.

all this and MORE found at perpetual kid

I rooted most of this stuff from my favorite masculine blog. Thanks for these bacontastic finds.

quote of the day

2009-10-13T13:42:00.000-07:00

13Oct09:
he said, "hahahhahahaha".
i might be exaggerating. he said, "hahahhaha".

5Oct09:
yes pregnanacy f's you up, yo.
i would know - i took health class in high school.

duggars annoy the ever living day out of me.

2009-09-16T14:47:00.000-07:00

except i like how self-sufficient the dugs are; they built their own house like society never developed into the machine age.

chat time:
me: btw i think im getting carpal tunnel
Pal: oh no
me: yeah, right hand
Pal: there's this commercial that plays on tv all the time. it's for "the brown center" and this guy will fix your carpal tunnel for you. features him and his wife and like 16 children
me: ew, she has carpal tunnel in the vag and his ween is bent out of shape and achy it's on it's way to carpal
Pal: yeah that's what i think about every time i see that commerical--her vagina is definitely like throwing a hot dog down a hallway
me: that's the image i have of the duggars. i am constantly offended by them
im offended by her hair, his name, their kids, their lack of imagination, their version of proselytizing...
me: if you're going to have that many kids, a colony, name them like Cap'n Cool or fishface or name them like how they look
Pal: fishface! that's from judy bloom that brought me back to 5th grade
me: he was born with a pointy blue face, so im calling him ice arrow
Pal: HAHAH that's a SWEET name--ice arrow. omg i'm totally stealing it. my first born-- Ice Arrow.

the office

2009-08-28T11:46:00.000-07:00

this steel desk with an antique finish is so cool. why can't i just have everything i want?

i have problems

2009-08-26T10:55:00.001-07:00

i am experiencing sheer terror about being a broke student again. (i am working on getting into grad school at the moment) i've tasted the treats from what a good paycheck will get me and sadly i don't know how i will be able to handle life without my instant gratifications. ughhhh.
i have a few new items on my MUST HAVE list:

1. an old school bodysuit shirt c. 1990

2. a bustier style top

3. some excellent earrings featuring a subway tag scene (yeah im a little bit street)

4. a rockin' ring

5. monocle necklace. and maybe add a skeleton key:

the following gchat conversation sums up my most recent confession pretty well:

me: i called mike up and was like, "im the kind of girl who breaks clothes while trying them on and lies about it and then makes the sales girl find me a perfect one in another store... wanna date me still?"

bosa: OMG> and he said marry me!

me: ahhaha right?! he sort of didn't care. what fun is that?! i thought it was hilarious and he was on the train and embarrassed bc other ppl can hear him talk...
and i said, "you're like a kid getting dropped off in the front of school and your mom is making you kiss her goodbye".

poor boyfriend. he has to put up with me.

more stuff i want

2009-08-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

i don't know how to cook, but i know how to look. they rhyme, they must be one in the same:

Crib Candy

edison chandelier at pottery barn

my future home

2009-08-14T15:24:00.000-07:00

i've just been inspired.
i no longer want a home with the same theme throughout. i want one of those ridiculous eclectic homes with a different style designated to each room. I think it'll be more fun to say to guests that they can meet in the "forest" room for a spot of tea and then they could retire in the "80s coke den" room for the evening.
80's coke den is a shout out to my nana's palm springs getaway home that my mother had designed in the early 80s and hasn't changed since. (It's a total time warp. we even have original bottles of NyQuil from 1985 lying around as well as a working 8-track player. I found an old jacket of mine from when i was maybe 6-years-old in one of the closets that i took back home with me when i realized it fit like a cool little boy cropped coat. But the entire place is stark white and all the way '80s. you gotta love it).
so here's my vision for my future house:
1. the study will be a gentleman's study:

2. the living room will be industrial chic:

3. the bedroom will have fabric surrounding walls and bed that hang from the ceiling:

4. the den will be the blueprint room:

5.kitchen will be vintage-modern:

you will be missed

2009-08-06T14:36:00.000-07:00

A generation mourns over the passing of an icon and icon-maker. As reported, John Hughes suffered a fatal heart attack in NY while visiting with family.
Sad day, but his humanistic films and humor will live on.

new prediction

2009-08-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

i predict the in the near future stylish designs in the computer and/or tv industry will go back to wood.
what do you think?

oh wow. as i was finding a picture of an old 1970s/80s era tv with a wooden frame, look at what i found instead. the future is now:

gimmeeee

2009-08-05T15:33:00.000-07:00

firstly, thank you CEH for this find at Wisteria.com
there's a good chance we'll get it because the commissioned piece and designer are still MIA. (To all you people in need of a table: James L. with JR. Allen and Co. in Michigan sucks ass. and if you know him, tell him people are looking for him.)

i'm also in the market to purchase a new mobile phone.
i'm looking at the palm pre and the t-mobile G1. whatchu fools think?

lay your cards on the table

2009-07-27T22:53:00.000-07:00

as you know i've been trying to furnish my not so new apartment and have been finding great deals on several sites, especially etsy.com. There was this one furniture designers who i commissioned to do our coffee and dining room tables. They were to be a bit different in styles, but use the same kind of wood so they'd coordinate enough. Well, after extensive email conversations and patience, my bf and i received our totally awesome 100 lb. dining table... pictures to come...
however!!! never received the second table for our living room. i'm so fed up of emailing and calling this guy who resides half-way across this vast country. so now i'm getting etsy involved to see what they can do about it. he can't just steal my money! and all i wanted was this "almost finished"piece. ugh
sadly, I'm back on the hunt and may have to cough up more dough. DOH!
this is cute and goes with my vision:

stantonhomefurnishings.com
i originally wanted this:

restoration hardware

ding dong

2009-07-27T14:43:00.000-07:00

i love me some good ol' rock 'n roll bells.

balmain

ew, katie holmes annoys the crap out of me, but i like the pants.

i've wanted them for at least a year now, but i HATE shopping for pants bc my body type looks so much better in skirts. but a girl can't without her jeans. she just can't. so seek and receive.

poster art found: london transport museum

2009-07-10T11:53:00.000-07:00

a whole 24 mph!!

amen.

smoking cars? wow.

f'art

2009-07-09T09:29:00.000-07:00

years ago i wanted some vintage european propaganda prints. i remember i loved this particular website that sold unique prints from a specific country that wasn't obvious like germany. sadly, i couldn't afford them. instead i painted a loose interpretation of a russian anti-drinking print, but didn't keep it because it was a gift. (besides, the color scheme wouldn't fit into my new decor).

since i don't really see myself picking up a paint brush anytime soon, here are examples of what i'm thinking of acquiring now that i can afford 'em.

allposters.com

duchamp

lefty left me leaving me lonely.

2009-07-06T22:10:00.000-07:00

i hate to admit it, but i get emotionally attached to my possessions. i think it's because i think carefully before i buy anything. (my mom always taught me that i must love something instead of impulsively purchase just anything. it really helps to save cash in the long run and it makes you appreciate what you do consciously decide to buy). so i hold onto my purchases, shoes especially, for decades and take care of them like they're my children (that is toss them in piles in the dank closet after i spend a day walking all over them).
sadly, i lost the left of my black jeffrey campbell tassel loafers. i purchased them last year and can't even find a picture of them on the intertrons. i mourn each day that lefty doesn't return and grieve over my unfinished outfits.

le sigh.

alas, i am trying to move on, so i search for a similar pair:

urban outfitters

vegan penny loafers for you animal loving preppies at lulus.com

pukey looking tassel afterthought on an embellished ballet flat. oddly cute. gojane.com

plasticland.com

oh mourn...

a coffee table book that turns into a coffee table

2009-07-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

it's fun to creep my boyfriend out with these centerpieces:

functional AND scary looking

similar, but the one i have is a single clamp. flowers will make it prettier.

decor

2009-07-05T18:25:00.000-07:00

oohhh lala, stuff is a comin in:

edison lamp at stanton home furnishings

white river placemats at viva terra

white and mustard pleat pillows from cb2

desks!

2009-07-05T17:31:00.000-07:00

i've found a few desks that will fit my industrial/montauk beach style apartment. the look is an amalgamation of old industrial/reclaimed items and beachy pieces, like glass and pebbles. the industrial metals can create a factory vibe, but combining it with natural woods and pebbles will bring tranquility to the potentially harsh environment.

My color scheme is black, white, browns (mostly from woods), and mustard-yellow.

the first desk is the one i love the most. even though it's a bit mid-century modern, it's two-tone wood is unique and you can't beat the price at just under $450.00. The second goes well with my aforementioned look. I think i'd prefer it in the mahogany, but the latches wouldn't be silver. Oh the choices...

overstock

pottery barn

let me be the first

2009-07-02T13:19:00.000-07:00

this is my new blog everybody! so let me start out with a preamble on what i want this blog to be about.
i hope not to get too introspective and keep you all on a superficial level of intrigue. i'll talk fashion, interior design, music, working out, celebrities, and every other stereotypical interest a western gal should have. (oh but before you peg me into a niche: i don't do windows, nor pies for that matter).