she comes in colors

Mix. Tape?

2010-02-04T23:40:00.000-08:00

My favorite gift I've ever received was a good old mix tape. I like the kind that is recorded on a real cassette. I like the kind that you can play in your car tape deck and the sound is just tinny and right - until you park in the sun too many times and the heat melts the tape, and then the sound is all underwater-y. Or maybe you get frustrated and start winding the spools until the tape breaks and you throw it out the window in little spidery streamers.
The one mixtape I got that I treasured until its death had some really good stuff on it and was passed on to me by an elder, with whom I entrusted my virginal ears. I'm not sure where the tape is. I know I saved it for posterity's sake though, even if the actual cassette doesn't play. Those songs meant so much to me. Reverend Cheeseburger, if you're out there. I'm thinking of you.
I don't have a tape deck, but if someone gives me a tape, I'll find one.

The Year of (Not) Nice

2010-01-30T14:23:00.000-08:00

The Readers' Digests and Oprahs of the world are increasingly concerned with how people, particularly people of the young, single, and male variety, have lost all form of nicety. Sure, there's a lot less expected of people in a world where picking up the telephone to call someone is passe. Who even says "telephone" anymore? Taking these lowered expectations into consideration, I propose - instead of manners and "netiquette" - injecting some simple honesty into our interactions with ourselves and each other. If we acknowledge that it's par-for-the-course to be lazy in our interpersonal relationships (writing on someone's "wall" instead of arranging a date to see that person), than perhaps we can avoid setting ourselves up for confusion, disappointment, and miscommunication.

And so, I am unofficially making my mantra this year "The Year of (Not) Nice".

I say, "so what?" People are lazy assholes - let 'em be. Above all, there must be honesty. Example: texting makes it easier to cancel appointments last minute, like, RIGHT BEFORE you're supposed to meet someone. Getting "stood up" is a quaint circumstance of yesteryear. So, instead of having to make up an actual lie to explain yourself later, you just start out making a bunch of open-ended social plans, with the expectation that they may or may not (probably not) work out - ie: "there's this thing tonight...", "text me later...", or "let's hang out sometime." This is a waste of time.

It would be so much easier to not offer your phone number in the first place, to deny a friend request, or to say "I don't really like you all that much" - even if the "you" is yourself. Because, let's face it people, this is a NEW YEAR, and we all deserve some positive and worthwhile change. As long as you admit that you're a horrible person, there is no room for guessing or beating around the bush.

In marketing courses, we are taught that high productivity is achieved through realizing goals with a minimum cost of resources. And if you think of forming relationships as a way of marketing yourself, this concept can be easily applied for increased efficiency (no wasted time) and effectiveness (positive interactions). So sit in front of the mirror and practice saying "I don't like you" if that's what it takes.

And stop wasting my goddamn time.

CutePost!

2010-01-21T13:52:00.000-08:00

Toot toot! Hi. Here's some cute stuff...

I went to the Woodland Park Zoo whilst visiting my cousin in Seattle last week. It was very wet and my boots were soggy, but we managed to have some fun since NOBODY goes to the zoo in the rain. We were also lucky enough to see the zoo's nocturnal exhibit before it's closure in a couple months. Our favorite nighttime animal and fantasy pet was the wittle slow loris. Obvs. we couldn't take its picture cause it lives in the dark. And who knows what the camera flash would do to those precious (scary) big eyes. Anyhow, some of you might remember this video:

Also on my Sea-town adventure was a last-minute stop at Schmancy, one third of the self-proclaimed "Trilogy of Awesome" boutiques; Fancy, Schmancy, and uhh...Nancy?? Anyway, I told my cousin about my love of weird-o Plush toys, particularly those sold by one Yummy Pancake, and his girlfriend said that he'd HAVE to take me to Schmancy downtown. All this time, I'd been obsessed with having my very own crocheted toast plushy, and didn't put two and two together. Schmancy not only sells the coveted Mr. Toastee plush toast, but is selling an exclusive number of Toastees styled to look like the undead. Cute zombie toast OMG!!!

So I bought one. He comes with his own birth certificate and his name is Jim. God, I'm so weird.

Float yer boat

2009-12-18T19:51:00.000-08:00

I've seriously been diggin' on some boat shoes lately. I'm gonna take a note from CCR and ask, "who stopped the rain?" 'cause I've been really itching to get into a pair of some cozy pac-boot style puddle stompers. My friend also decided to take a mob of people sailing on Christmas day, which could either be amazing or stupid cold. Either way, I'm having trouble deciding on the perfect pair of deck skips.

This delicious pair of chukka boots is just Nike Blazer enough to get away with as everyday winter wear. Band of Outsiders even did a little Sperry collabo for the mens this fall...sigh...until my feet grow to size 9, I'll be sporting something cheaper and a little more traditional.

Don't Let Me Down

2009-12-16T23:27:00.000-08:00

Wow. So this is the frequency with which I blog now. My school semester is over, and two posts earlier, it had just begun. As I was leaving the student center yesterday, where I'd been cramming for my last couple exams, this guy sat down at the jangly practice piano and started jamming out a soulful, saloon rendition of "Don't Let Me Down". Way to play the soundtrack of my life, guy. That finance exam "done me good," alright. It's been a really weird year. But you knew that already.

CutePost!!

2009-10-19T13:47:00.000-07:00

Coca-cola mini can!! I'm so excited! I hate how you have to guzzle the 12 oz can so your fizzies don't fall flat.

Salmon, Burnt Sienna, Dandelion, Periwinkle

2009-06-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

This week was my first week of the Fall semester, and this semester marks my 10 bajillionth semester of college. This is a true story.

For so long, the prospect of a new semester incited in me great plans for the coming year. At least I thought they were great. These plans revolved mostly around who I would sit with at lunch - a matter that's taken pretty seriously well into high school. I showed up that first day of Kindergarten (after the crying and separation anxiety) freshly pressed and coiffed alongside other kids with hair parted and ponytailed and shirts tucked until recess. We eyed each others' cartoon lunch boxes.

College is no different. Just substitute "identity" for "lunch box" and you get the idea. After several bajillion years of this, it's just too much. I've spent enough on tuition and books. Is it too much to ask for an education without all the asserting of self and differentness and Socialist club meetings? I am a tired undergrad. Over the hill. Just give me my degree already and set me out to pasture.

So instead of buying the 64-pack of crayons and a new pencil box this year, I went with the $30 HP financial calculator, the $230 Management Information Systems Textbook bundle, two French review textbooks - $120 not sold separately, $150 in online texts, and several grand above my tuition to cover the coronary I'm gonna have when this is all over.

Dear Urban Outfitters...

2009-06-06T12:18:00.000-07:00

I used to really appreciate your selection of goods; the pre-worn denim and artfully reconstructed thrift store clothes, the seemingly hand-picked wares from up-and-comers and staples like Fred Perry and Puma alike. I even didn't mind paying a couple bucks more for some of your t-shirts even though they were probably made in the same factory as those made for Forever 21 and Express. You guys cornered the market especially for us suburban kids who coveted the wardrobes of hip, urban youth - seen only in the style columns and our favorite blogs. But now, UO, you've gone too far. You are officially a novelty store for the bored and rich.

*this is called the "dirty mug" and you can buy it online for $12.00 +shipping.

Swoon

2009-06-02T23:11:00.000-07:00

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

2009-05-21T00:39:00.000-07:00

It's been a rough couple of weeks, my friends; too long a time full of things to do and too short a time in which to get them done. The last of these tasks is to finish packing for my big summer trip, which I am putting off to do yet something else I've been procrastinating. So consider this an overdue post. And on with the show...

First order of business (because I'm a business woman), and to quote Lil' Kim (because she knows What Girls Like)

You can call me a slut
Who gives a fuck
That's fine nigga shit
I'm a good with mine
I can tell by your shoes you know what I want
Fuck a prenup give me half up front
My sex be the best so we split these costs
You can stop saying mine
And start saying ours

Thank you, Ms. Jones, for charting a path through some seamy territory on behalf of the modern woman. For as much as girls like Kim do to push boundaries, the social structures in which we live dictate that a slut is still a slut and that a man who sleeps around is simply doing what God created him to do. It was that bitch Eve after all who tempted Adam with her profound and earthly delights, exiling them both from eternal happiness. Well, excuse me God, but if it is a sin to be Man's knowledge-seeking better half, then call me a sinner for wanting more. I won't go much further into my feelings on the offensiveness that is the creation myth, but I will say that it's wrong to feed a girl idealized notions of gender equality when men and women continue to inhabit such unequal social spheres. All's I'm sayin' is, if we're gonna pretend that we're playing fair in this game, let's also pretend to take some responsibility. Half up front. No more and no less.

and I'm out.

Adventures in Psychotropia

2009-04-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

I've had trouble sleeping lately. I've had trouble doing a lot of things, actually. I read my horoscope today, which forewarned that "if things are going lousy, get ready for disaster." Awesome. So life has decided to take a big dump on me right now. That's cool. I get it. What doesn't kill me will make me stronger - unless I find a foolproof method for slitting my wrists (results not guaranteed). And so, I've been forced by my own contempt for pitiable characters to take a vested interest in my own happiness. Lame.
Since the pharmaceutical industry has found a way of marketing happiness, and because as Americans we live to achieve success before pleasure, happiness has become an obsession - a glowing fruit on the highest branch that our fingers might brush as we reach for it. The idea is that anyone can reach true happiness if they work hard enough to deserve it. With self-help and the power of positive thinking being the ultimate manifestation of the American independent spirit, we've been conditioned to rely on ourselves to find happiness, and to punish ourselves when that pursuit fails.
Let me just say that this is dumb. I refuse to believe that anyone can do this on their own. Without anyone to see me succeed or fail, I cease to exist.
And so, I feed my head with a healthy dose of Venlafaxine - one of many stimulants (see: Methamphetamine) meant to assist in the treatment of clinical depression. Yes, I take uppers daily and so do millions all over the world, and that's not including recreational use. And this is just to achieve a sense of normalcy - we're not talking hightened mood or awareness; simply the ability to get out of bed and go about one's day.
Yeah. That's not weird. I propose that something is missing here and it ain't happiness. Medicine is a bandaid that attempts to fix the larger problem that is isolation in an individualistic society. I'm not gonna get all hippy-dippy here, but when a person realizes that they are an integral part of someone else's happiness, personal fulfillment seems so much smaller in comparison.

CutePost

2009-03-23T09:57:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited today! It is sunny and I'm in my jammies and it's SPRING BREAK WOOOOOOOH!!! That said, THIS is NOT CUTE, so here are some happy fuzzy breezy things to redeem Spring Break's rep:

1-Ellie Olsen - previously Minnie Wilde, this SF boutique has all the little lady dresses I need and can't afford right now. Luckily, for those with jobs, their Spring sale shouldn't put too big a dent in one's wallet.

2-Wear your beer. Look cute? here.

3-I heart my toast. Check out the adventures of Mr. Toastee and Friends.

MMmmkay?

Lovely Bones

2009-03-23T09:12:00.000-07:00

There was a time when it was considered pretty badass to wear a skull and crossbones. That time was before Hot Topic. That time was probably when Blackbeard the Pirate plundered Charleston in the 1700's. I'm sorry all you rockabilly cats, but that shit is laaame - especially when it's adorning your dinnerware

Enter Alexander Mcqueen - once enfent terrible of the fashion world, now a surprisingly sensible designer with a tongue-in-cheek approach to trends. This spring, models walked the runway in chic, x-ray-patterned dresses and Geiger-inspired pantsuits that make me proud to be a punk at heart. Now if only I could find those couple thousand dollars I've misplaced...

CutePost

2009-03-03T00:18:00.000-08:00

Hai you guys! Fer the past coupl'a weeks I been doing some thinkings about the ultimate weekly blog update on cuteness. Ie:stuffs that will either make you vomitous or will cause your heart to go pit-er-pat. It's my view, however, that in such trying socio-political and economic times, we must look to the ever so smallest of pleasures - the sparkly, the pink, and strawberry-scented - to escape the poopiness that is routine. And so I bring you...

CUTEPOST!!!

1 - Pink Dolphin It's real, guys! Does this mean unicorns aren't so far-fetched an idea?

2 - Trinkety Goodness at Etsy.com. I'm not sure what these are, but they're cute and they come in Easter variety.

3 - BentoFactory Cuz food should be cute.

4 - Loyal Army Locally made cuteness.

5 - Double Punch Toys are cute! We like to play! And they have a gumball machine with cute pins inside. Yeah!!!

More to come...

Hugs,
J

The Near and Distant Future

2009-02-20T09:20:00.001-08:00

Not that anyone really reads this, but I've shirked my blogging duties for several days so that I could play the good student. I apologize if you've been waiting with bated breath for my next post. Moving along...
I've been forced to take an astronomy class this semester to fulfill some GE requirement, and to the professor's credit, I've become increasingly
interested in the course material. Our universe is EXPANDING people - as if it wasn't big enough already!?

As something neither entirely finite, nor infinite, the space-time continuum makes my little life seem so very small. That said, check out the astronomy picture of the day for a daily look into the near and distant future.

Spring forward, Fall back

2009-02-12T11:32:00.000-08:00

It's official, girls! -According to reliable sources, clear heels are gonna be sooo IN this year! I know you can't wait to step out to the disco in a pair o' these sweet, sophisticated sex shoes! Get it on!!

Glass Candy really puts me in the mood with Animal Imagination. Disco.

On the evolution of a song

2009-02-10T11:23:00.000-08:00

This is kindof an extension of a facebook chain note that's getting passed around wherein we're asked to list our fav. song covers. "Hey Joe" is a tune that's been on my mind lately for several reasons: one - A LOT of people have covered this song, and two - it's a fucking great song. DUH. But seriously, what makes a song that compelling? What makes 3,000+ artists cover a song like Paul McCartney's "Yesterday" - arguably the most-covered song of all time (including those versions sung in other languages).

While originally, most covers weren't even considered covers, but were simply standards passed amongst recording acts (see: The Beatles, The Jackson 5, and anything Barry Gordy-related), it seems that alternate songs were recorded and accepted publicly for different reasons. But it also seems that the possibility for a cover requires a certain quality of song - what I like to think of as a bittersweet, angsty tension - like a perfectly and carefully vinted wine.

Jimi Hendrix's interpretation of "Hey Joe" is probably the definitive version because he captures that tension and lets the song take him, rather than the quick, confined and somewhat sterile versions recorded by earlier garage acts like The Leaves and The Creation. And though I normally am head-over-heels for Arthur Lee, Love's recording is simply too frantic.

More recently, The Makeup recorded a version of the song that really takes the song's inner story - that of a man who takes his jealousy to murderous lengths - to a new level, by incorporating a back and forth dialog between band members.

On Stuff That's Awesome

2009-02-08T22:58:00.000-08:00

So I've decided to give this a run - this blog thing that is. I know that blogs have been around since probably when I was born, but I have stuff to say dammit! And for this first posting, I'm opening the field for some possible suggestions on what I should blog about. Music? Fashion? Hot dogs? Mmm...hot dogs...

Speaking of meat encased in meat; if you're wandering around GG Park and are feeling meaty, you gotta try a Happy Belly Dog! It's a strong rival to the Italian sausage dog they sell at the Academy of Sciences across the way. And you can get it with kimchi instead of sauerkraut. Whoever first decided to top a wurst with pickled cabbage was a genius.

Ooh- and to make a day of it, you can eat your dog on the way to the Conservatory of Flowers. At 5 bucks, admission costs less than that Cal Academy Dog - and the building houses one of the oldest living trees in all of San Francisco! No joke.

Happy Belly Foods
SF Conservatory of Flowers