clearing my head

Wow--so much mumbo jumbo going through this noggin' of mine.  I think when I study and/or read a lot, my mind gets so stimulated that I get a lot of anxiety.  Or so it seems.  So for 20 minutes I'm going to sit here, breathe and spill all the randomness. . .

1) I just found out why the peanut butter I bought was only $2.39.  Stir.  You have to stir it.  Duh.  I grew up on Skippy so I still often forget the mechanics involved with real peanut butter. 

2) I may or may not be eating apple cinnamon buckwheat pancakes for dinner.  That's right.

3) After hearing my friends rave about them, I finally bought Bunny Snacks.  They're even better than they said they'd be. 

4) Ever since Obama's speech last week, I can't shake the fact that we've been at war for over 8 years, and we probably have several more to go.  Its not that I didn't think I would see this in my lifetime, its that I can't understand the root idea of people killing people to solve a conflict. And I can't really wrap my head around the idea that amidst all our progression as a species, we've also developed bigger and better ways of denonating each other over the years.  And I can't help but wonder. . .what are we going to destroy first--the earth, or each other and ultimately ourselves?

The other day friend posted that haunting quote from Einstein:

"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones."

When I process it all, I'm sure I'll have more to say on the subject.  

5) I've been mentally putting together a "To Read" list in my head for Christmas break.  Here goes. . .

{gonna finish it}

{finally}

{its about time}

{thanks Nate}

6) Well, One final down, two to go.  The third is a massive project but luckily it isn't due until next Tuesday.  That means 5 more days.  When I'm done, I'm going to take a day off, wake up around 10:00, go get a soy latte and drink it while I watch Heros.  Then I'm going to read, draw, listen to Joe Purdy all day, and ponder my future.  There's a lot to choose. 

let's talk tats

I was recently lucky enough to be introduced to the glory that is UgliestTattoos.com.  This site is a gem.  Not only does it provide one with a quick dose of incessant laughter, but for me it solves a question that has been looming in my mind for far too long now: to get another tattoo or to not get another tattoo?  You see, the item I've had to consider is whether or not I'll regret such a commitment.  The first one was just no big deal, but this next one would be a BIG choice.  Since browsing Ugliest Tattoos however, I've realized that the only reason people ever regret them, is when they get bad ones.  Mine, would not be bad.  It would be breathtaking.   

Some inspiration for the time being. . .

just a few little things

I've been reading all day so I decided it was time to take a quick break and gush about some beauty I've encountered this week. 

I've been coat shopping and I'm incredibly indecisive and picky.  But I did decided that in a perfect world, I would have the cash to buy one (or both) of these lovely creations of warmth.  Or anything from Little Houses for that matter.   

Say What?  You want Vintage Frye's in purple?  That's just no problem.

A few other things I've been thinking about. . .

{2010 planners}

{and spice racks}

 

 

all i can say

little blue illusions

I'm not sure if its the onset of winter, or my annual restlessness, or that my eye changes as I get older, but I've had a thing with cooler colors lately.  I've been playing around with a few older photos and am pretty pleased with the results, so I thought I'd share.  Here's to the stillness. . .

{my apologies if this post shows up twice in readers}

xoxo

i made a mix

A few days ago I made a mix of all the songs I've been head over heels with since the end of summer.  Mostly because I just want to hang onto fall a little longer.  Its called, into the strenuous briefness (click the cassette tape to play).  Enjoy!

 into the strenuous briefness is an e.e. cummings poem I adore:

into the strenuous briefness
Life:
handorgans and April
darkness, friends

i charge laughing.
Into the hair-thin tints
of yellow dawn,
into the women-coloured twilight

i smilingly glide. I
into the big vermilion departure
swim, sayingly;

(Do you think?) the
i do, world
is probably made
of roses & hello:

(of solongs and, ashes)

 

 

as fall fades to winter

Finally, as promised, more fall photos.  It was a brief but amazing season this year.  I had a bit more fun with these, and there are a few stories to go along :-)

{I was parked off the side of the road talking on the phone when a *little* gust of wind swooped by
and brushed half the leaves off these trees.  It sounded like rain as they scattered}

{Downtown SLC}

{An abandoned VW bus = eye candy}

{I turned down an alley and saw this sweet pink balloon turn a corner and float into a parking garage}
*It was magical*

  

 

you were right about the stars

I know, I know.  I promised more fall photos and I'm starting to run out of time with this snow we've had, but its been a busy two weeks.  This weekend. . .no matter what!  Here, have some Wilco in the meantime. . .

Its been a bit of a rough day.  Sometimes I wonder if I'll ever get my act together, or if I'll just keep on making the same mistakes, over and over again.  It seems like we just don't ever learn some things.  Or maybe I've just been reading too much Chekhov.  Side note: Let it be known that Chekhov has busted my writing world open.  Beckett might have some new competition for the title of My Favorite Playwright.  And, I might be ready to start writing something big.

But back to the subject at hand.  Rilke's words ring in my head:

There is probably no point in my going into your questions now; for what I could say about your tendency to doubt or about your inability to bring your outer and inner lives into harmony or about all the other thing that oppress you - is just what I have already said: just the wish that you may find in yourself enough patience to endure and enough simplicity to have faith; that you may gain more and more confidence in what is difficult and in your solitude among other people. And as for the rest, let life happen to you. Believe me: life is in the right, always.

Gonna let that soak in.

And speaking of patience. . .The Beatles sure had some genius lyrics from time to time.  (Sigh)  Damn those heart strings. . .

{from Le Love}

 

in search of the perfect chair

I have more substantial things to write about, but for now we're going to cover my current obsession: finding the perfect chair.  Challenge #1. Must be comfy.  I sit at a desk at work and for extended periods of time doing photos and design work so the comfort factor is important.  Challenge 2. Needs arm rests.  Why?  Because I can't just sit still and straight for very long at all.  See #1.  Challenge #3. My "office" is in my kitchen and my counters are that bright retro orange color.  For this reason, I kind of want a retro looking chair, but its gotta work with the orange in there.  Challenge #4. Price.  I can't justify spending much more than $75 on a chair, and even then, I'd rather drop around $40.  I'm open minded though.  Challenge #5. Must be in Salt Lake or easy to order online.  My car just isn't going to make it to Utah County where it seems all the good chairs are.  Here are some favorites from around the web though. . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
I'm hoping that by putting this out there, it will just show up.

 

the power of possibility

This isn't breaking news anymore, I'm just behind on posting about it.  But. . .

Polaroid announced that they will start making instant cameras and film again starting in 2010!!!!!

Read the details on The Impossible Project's website.

{"Don't undertake a project unless it is manifestly important and nearly impossible"}
-Edwin Land
(Inventor of Instant Photography)

All I can say is, YAY!