Geeky crafts

My favorite store in San Francisco is called Little Otsu, a tiny paper goods store that has an in-house printing press utilizing all vegan and natural dyes. They also carry limited edition prints by new artists primarily in the Bay Area, Portland, and Austin. I spent a whole morning of my recent trip to S.F. picking out handmade cards and stamps for my new (currently non-existent) apartment. After visiting my second favorite store in San Francisco, Tartine, I had pretty much filled my happiness quota for the next several weeks.

Above are some images of the prints I purchased-

I also spent most of my afternoon looking at the following sites:

http://www.lillicarre.com/

http://www.drawnandquarterly.com/index.php

http://www.brooklynvegan.com/

http://asthmatickitty.com/main.php

http://www.stereogum.com/


I am trying to keep myself busy in an attempt to detox this week following an extensive bout of drinking and general debauchery. Soy milk, herbal tea, and running are not as exciting as I remember.

High school journalism

I found this article online after searching around the school website today. The class was watching a video about the mating patterns of frogs... summer school is kind of awesome.

Oh, please ignore the hilarious mis-information and abundent cliches found throughout the article- My favorite band is NOT Poison and I do not only love listening to dance and salsa music as asserted. I think they needed more space in the article and got a bit creative.

...and I totally failed to mention to mention that "The Cutting Edge" is also one of my favorite movies.. they never need to know that.

http://www.elsegundousd.com/eshs/bayeagle0607/DecemberP12Ms.WilsonANewArrival.htm

Summer reading

Instead of reading All Quiet on The Western Front and Night, I have been consuming graphic novels this month. I have always wanted to read Blankets by Craig Thompson- a poignant coming of age story about a young man raised in a fundamentalist Christian household and his first experiences with infatuation, lust, love, guilt, etc. It was probably one of the most touching pieces of literature exploring adolescence I have read and only enhanced by the imagery of the graphic form.

The other graphic novel I finished was The Plain Janes by Cecil Castellucci, the first in a new series by DC comics aimed at the adolescent market. The Plain Janes comments on cliques and the social hierarchy of schools- accurately catching each nuance of what it means to be a creative and "different" in a society increasingly based on fear.

I read each novel with my students in mind- hoping that I could share some of the explicit messages about being "cool" and "fitting in" but Blankets is a bit too mature for many of my students due to direct references to sexuality in the writing as well as nudity in the illustrations. Nonetheless, I am a bit infatuated with both novels and look forward to exploring the genre more - ie Chris Ware, Adrian Tomine, etc.

I should probably be reading "Julius Cesar" instead...

Playoff Game 1

More kickball pictures from 7/16:

We won 3-0.

Photobooth

One last set of Mickey, Britt and I. These are from the photobooth at Tana and Beree's wedding. The three of us pretty much camped out by the booth all night with our drinks.


And yes, Mickey's bow tie does match his skinny jeans-We shopped for pants all afternoon.

Tana and Beree 7-7-07

Pictures from Tana and Beree's wedding last week. I had to miss the beginning due to Tish's shower but made it in time for dancing, drinking, and congratulating the bride and groom. They looked incredibly happy and the wedding was a blast. I miss Tana and really need to plan for more sleepover/empanada eating soon.

Bridal Shower -Tish and Ed

Letitia's bridal shower was beautiful. I finally had the opportunity to visit the new Ivins house and was completely overwhelmed by the impeccable mid century design and landscaping. Modern grass and succulents mingled in the front yard with large stone areas peeking out from the corners of the garden...The Ivins have completely arrived.

Letitia was literally glowing and Ed was grinning all afternoon. The games (I made a questionnaire/survey about the couple) went really well and the family from the Philippines mingled effortlessly with Letitia's childhood friends and new colleagues. I cannot believe that it all happens Sunday. Tish's wedding has to be the most extensive week of socializing I have had in the last few years:

Wed: Bridal prep (hair makeup etc planning is finalized)
Thurs: Bachelorette dinner at Edendale grill followed by dancing in Echo Park (not sure where....)
Friday: Group BBQ for New Yorkers...Mets/Dodgers game ( I am skipping...)
Saturday am: Bouquet tying/flower arranging Saturday pm: Rehearsal dinner at the Ivins
Sunday: The wedding.

I also drunkenly told Tish that I wanted to do a toast...her sister is definitely doing one as maid of honor..but I am totally thinking of backing down now..decisions.

Mickey does L.A.

Pictures from a long overdue visit by Mickey last week for Tana and Beree's wedding. I will be seeing him in Brooklyn soon but I have missed him so much.


-Dinner at El Compadre with Jerry, Taylor, Micks and Lori
- Very sleepy after two flaming margaritas.
- Brittles and Micks- reunited from June street.
- Something you do not see every day...Mickey and Hip Hop Jenny making out.
-My best friend. Matching t-shirts.

pictures only

My laziness and inability to sit in one place for any period of time has forced me into posting only pictures. Here goes kickball two weeks ago.

Top Left: Enabler, Cuddler, me.
Top Right: Warming up
Above: "Meanwald" Greenwald
Above Right: "The Constant Gardner" Linn
Right: Alissa "Grassy Knoell" and Ms. Lozano