...Time Near The Sea

Tomboy Style

2011-05-31T21:02:00.000-07:00

“To define a tomboy requires searching far beyond the simple notion of wearing boys’ clothing. Tomboys have influenced the expanses of popular culture including fashion, film, music, and literature. And although the tomboy is often identified by clothing, what makes her wholly so is an inherent sense of confidence, rebelliousness, and adventure.”

I have fallen in love with this website.

(most excellent quote on the site from a film called Love Story:)

Oliver Barrett IV: Well what makes you so smart?
Jennifer Cavalieri: I wouldn't go out for coffee with you that's what.
Oliver Barrett IV: Well what if I wasn't even gonna ask you to go out for coffee with me?
Jennifer Cavalieri: Well that's what makes you stupid.

Worth A Thousand Words

2011-05-02T21:53:00.001-07:00

"I've never wished a man dead, but I have read some obituaries with great pleasure." - (attributed to Mark Twain, but apparently it's a misquote)

Obama and his staff were able to watch a live video feed of the raid last night; this is a photo of that moment. It definitely gets me. It's an odd feeling to celebrate a violent death, even when we all know that the man more than deserved it, but I can see that this is a very, very cathartic moment for America. Let's all just hope that things only go up from here.

Gold in Them Thar Hills!

2011-04-25T20:56:00.000-07:00

I just love when history repeats itself. Local news is all a-flutter with the story of an 8.2 POUND gold nugget that was found in the Sierra Nevadas last year - just look at that thing! It's a human head! Made of GoOoOold! What would you even DO if you came across that? I know that the lucky landowner who found the massive thing was actively looking for it, he didn't just stumble upon it one morning in his vegetable patch, but c'mon! Eight pounds of gold. Unbelievable. I think it's incredibly cool that there is still gold in those mountains - it seems like such a thing of the past to me, part of my history books but never a current event.

Anyways, this Chronicle article is talking about a "minirush" that's heading up to Gold Country in the coming weeks to comb the mountains for more life-changers, and I can't help but picture modern day 49ers and prospectors and rugged gold-crazed mountain men cruising up to the Sierras with gold fever, believing that they're going to strike it rich. That's who built San Francisco, after all. That's why we're all here, because of those first believers, and I half-wish I could head up there myself, just for a day or two, and see if I have any luck myself. Just for the sake of being part of this unintentional reenactment of history. Can't wait to see how this all pans out (hahaHA! Pun).

Life Changing Moment

2011-04-06T21:43:00.000-07:00

I'm horrendously late with this post, but better late then never I suppose...Months and months and months ago I went to the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival in Golden Gate Park. There were many bands I'd never heard of, a few bands I was really excited to see, and one in particular that I knew was a chance in a lifetime. Levon Helm. Ahhh...where to begin? I discovered Levon Helm when I was in high school and I watched The Last Waltz for the first time, and I fell in love with his voice. He sang with more passion then anyone I had ever seen (and, to be honest, I've always thought drummers were the coolest) and he just belonged on that stage. I couldn't get enough. The Band quickly climbed to the top of my list, as did The Last Waltz, but I sadly put them in my imaginary box of things-I'm-too-late-to-experience because I thought I would never have the chance to see my favorite musicians perform life.

But then. BUT THEN! Outside Lands rolls around. I was planning on going no matter what, but then rumors started swirling and hints about the lineup were dropped and I realized that Levon Helm was coming to my city. I was giddy. I was ecstatic. I was borderline delirious at the thought of seeing him live. AND I was going to see him twice, because I jumped at the chance to buy tickets with my dad to the surprise show the night before the festival (sidenote of awesomeness: my parents were at The Last Waltz. They were there. In real life. Amazing). So here I was, with tickets to TWO shows to see my favorite musician. And you know what they say about expectations, and how they never live up to the real thing? Well sometimes...that's complete bull.

The night show was beyond what I could have hoped. I had no idea he would play all of my old favorites, but he did. I was feet away from the stage. His band are all incredible musicians who love what they do. And he played The Weight. And honestly? I cried. I couldn't help it. It was an absolutely perfect moment and one I'll never forget, and I knew it at the time. Levon smiled at me. During the encore I mouthed "thank you" to him and he smiled and nodded and tried to throw me his drumstick (someone taller then me went home with it). I knew right then that this show would always stay with me as one of the best I've ever seen.

And the next day I woke up, drove into the city, worked my way to the front of the stage and saw him again. After battling throat cancer and years of tough living his voice is definitely shot, but the passion is still there. The man did not stop smiling. It was a beautiful, beautiful, beautiful thing to check this goal that I never thought I'd achieve off of my life list. I saw Levon Helm in concert. Holy Moly. Check.

The Big Wide World

2011-03-27T13:51:00.000-07:00

More National Geographic daily photos. Because it makes me want to pack up a suitcase and a camera and just go.

Simple Things

2011-03-23T22:09:00.000-07:00

I love laughing at nothing and not being able to stop. I wish it was still this easy.

Baby Laughing at Ripping Paper - watch more funny videos

FogPhoto

2011-03-22T22:53:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with this website. It's Part 2 of my favorite website, FogBay, but with the focus slightly broadened; rather then just being photographs and tidbits about San Francisco, FogPhoto is simply a photo blog of beautiful places. And I can't get enough. Perhaps I'm a little biased because many of the photos are of San Francisco (and the fog!), but really I think I'm just in love with the simplicity of it all. The quietly unassuming layout, the stunning scenery, and the wonderful little stories captured in the photographs. I followed FogBay for years and was delighted when FogPhoto sprang up as a replacement, and I'll follow it everyday until Ramsey's next project begins.

Aging

2011-03-21T18:51:00.000-07:00

Another poem I wrote a long time ago, tweaked recently, and shyly post here.

Over sweet days of youth you must soar to grow old
Drag memories across the bare floor to grow old

You must learn all the wisdom before you forget
And recite words of ancient Greek lore to grow old

You must look back at photos of sepia days
And cringe at silly things you once wore to grow old

You must dance with Dylan, one-handed, silhouetted by the sea
And explore your dark heart till it’s sore to grow old

You must welcome wrinkles and aches and slow groaning bones
And break promises on which you once swore to grow old.

You must fill your cup daily with rich heavy years
Only this way will you adore to grow old.

Crazy For The Game

2011-02-08T22:14:00.000-08:00

I love sports. I love the passion it incites in a fan base, the dedication you see in the players and the inspiring, hilarious, uplifting stories that come out of each season. I also love a good list. Take some items and throw numbers in front and I'm right there with ya. Which is why I love this list that I found on Bleacher Report of the 22 Most Eccentric Athletes of All Time. GENIUS. Because who doesn't love a good character on your favorite team? This year San Francisco had Brian Wilson, and he really does seem to live up to the crazy, but I loved reading through the list of others, some of whose names I know, others I've never heard of before. But all of them are worth knowing about. At the very least it's a fun way to kill a few minutes, but to me it's a reminder of how we learn to love our athletes, despite and because of all of their quirks.

David Brent & Michael Scott

2011-01-30T18:11:00.000-08:00

I have loved The Office for a long time, and while it may not be the same as it used to be, they still have great moments. This was one of them. I didn't hear a word they said the first time I watched it on Thursday because I was laughing too hard at the concept. How did it take this long to have a Ricky Gervais cameo??

Agreed

2011-01-24T18:24:00.000-08:00

I love Star Wars, but for the first 1 1/2 films, Luke's complaining and whining and general childishness drive me nuts. So when I recently did a Google image search for Alec Guinness and stumbled on this photo, I couldn't stop laughing. AGREED.

Sacrifices

2011-01-09T19:00:00.001-08:00

"You're the cutest thing that I ever did seeee

I really love your peaches, wanna shake your tree.

Lovey dovey, lovey dovey, lovey dovey all the time.

C'mon baby, I'll sure show you a good tiiiime..."

I am one of those sentimental, superstitious, live-by-routine types, and it used to sort of get in my way. Now I've reigned it in somewhat so that it doesn't interfere with day-to-day things (I don't have to sleep in my Santa hat for the two weeks leading up to Christmas after all!), but I do still set invisible rules for myself. And I've been living in one of those big, personal rules for the last few months - since November 2nd, to be exact. It doesn't interfere with anything I do, but it is a bit of a setback occasionally.

On November 2nd the San Francisco Giants won the world series (I'm still celebrating, in case you were wondering). And since I'm a lifelong Giants fan and overly superstitious, I made a promise with myself when the team began their post season run. I was listening to Steve Miller Band on my way home from work and I was thinking about how much I love his music, but also how much I love the Giants. So I promised myself that if my boys won the World Series I would give up listening to Stevie for one entire year. I didn't tell anybody this, I didn't promise anyone but myself, but somebody up there listened and the Giants won. So since November 2nd I haven't listened to Steve Miller (unless of course he plays on the radio, which is beyond my control, and thus not part of the pact).

I know it doesn't sound like much of a sacrifice, but I really do believe that it made a difference in the Giants' season. Not by itself of course, I wouldn't presume that much importance. But everyone I know had some sort of sacrifice like this during the season - some people never washed their jersey, some people placed a lucky Giants hat next to their TV, some people never left the room when the Giants were up in a game. It's one of those things where all of those thoughts and hopes and prayers get sent up and mingle together, and somehow they make a difference.

So for 10 more months I will not listen to Steve Miller's lovely music, which gets a little tough from time to time. But it's worth it. If you don't know much about the Giants season, go learn about it. It was amazing to live through and forever unforgettable. And every once in a while, whoever heard my promise helps me out and sends some Gangster of Love out on the radio to help me get through until the next Fall Classic.

Lyrical Loveliness

2010-12-28T13:08:00.000-08:00

Lyrics do it for me. Simple and powerful and beautiful. I could listen to this song over and over and over with a glass of red wine and an empty house and be utterly happy. Just try it, you'll like it.

"Harvest Moon" by Neil Young

Come a little bit closer
Hear what I have to say
Just like children sleepin'
We could dream this night away.

But there's a full moon risin'
Let's go dancin' in the light
We know where the music's playin'
Let's go out and feel the night.

Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

When we were strangers
I watched you from afar
When we were lovers
I loved you with all my heart.

But now it's gettin' late
And the moon is climbin' high
I want to celebrate
See it shinin' in your eye.

Because I'm still in love with you
I want to see you dance again
Because I'm still in love with you
On this harvest moon.

Luisa Tetrazzini

2010-12-27T11:20:00.000-08:00

I read this article in the San Francisco Chronicle and completely fell in love with the story. 100 years ago, renowned opera singer Luisa Tetrazzini took to the streets of San Francisco to sing for the people on Christmas Eve. The article is short and lovely, and shows the exact kind of selflessness and love for the city that warms my heart. This is how San Franciscans feel about living here. Tetrazzini loved it too, and she wanted to do something for the people of San Francisco who were still recovering and rebuilding from the earthquake and ensuing fire of 1906 that completely devastated the city. It's the sort of story that I would love to see made into a film, because Tetrazzini sounds like quite a character. "I am old. I am fat, but I am still Tetrazzini." Yes, ma'am, yes you are. Also, an opera singer who has a famous dish named after her (chicken tetrazzini); come on, there has to be a movie in there!

Anyways, from the article it sounds like one of those magical and completely unique moments in a city's history that makes you wish you were there, and should not be forgotten.

Apologies

2010-12-27T10:57:00.000-08:00

I have been a terrible, terrible blogger. Something's happened in the last few months and I've just put this blog on the back-burner, which I really hate. I think about writing everyday but I don't. I think of stories and experiences I want to share, but I don't. I hate to blame it on work because it's not that I'm too busy, it's just that after staring at a computer screen for eight hours I just don't have the desire to turn on my computer at home. But I enjoy writing so much and I need to push myself a little harder - I've been letting Me off to easy, saying "Oh, I'll write tomorrow." Clearly I didn't write tomorrow, or the next day, or the day after Tuesday.

So, to make up for my lack of posts, I would like to share the cutest darn thing I've ever seen. Altogether now....Awwww....

Sartorialove

2010-12-12T12:33:00.000-08:00

Give me a hat, a scarf, some bright colors or a chance to show some leg, and I will love fashion. And please make it comfortable. Thank you, Sartorialist, you win again.

Holiday Discomfort

2010-11-26T18:19:00.000-08:00

Have you ever seen two men more uncomfortable at a makeup counter? Isn't this just a perfect cliche of women taking their men shopping with them during the holidays (or any time of year for that matter)? I LOVE this picture because it was completely candid but captured the moment so well. It was last Christmas season when my family went out for a day in the city. We did some shopping at Macy's but the main focus of the day was dinner and a show. We were in and out of the makeup department in five minutes, but clearly it was five minutes too long for my brother and my dad. But MAN it gives me a laugh every time. The black clothing, the pink counter, the pained expressions. Excellent. Happy Holidays everyone!

Bad Day

2010-11-17T22:16:00.000-08:00

Things That Have Conspired Against Me In The Last Two Days:

-After two months of work I'm still missing my paycheck for my first week, HR can't resolve it until my supervisor is back next week.

-Computer went on the fritz again, leading me to spend four hours of my day off on the phone with India.

-Couldn't find anyone to go to an AMAZING concert with me, and by the time I decided to go stag the show was sold out.

-Most frustrating day of work I've had yet decided to make an appearance.

-Foreseeable yet inevitable overbooking and upsetting friends during the holiday season.

But you know what happened? I turned on the radio to soothe my nerves, and since it's been that kind of week every station was either a commercial or crap rock. In frustration I tuned into my last-resort station and to my JOYOUS surprise they're already spreading the holiday cheer! I couldn't believe it, but it was just what I needed.

And because it's been that kind of week the first song was something sort of icky, but when it ended? NAT KING COLE. Chestnuts were roasting and I wanted to cry because my favorite song was being played weeks earlier then it should be. It was exactly what I needed. It was a pat on the shoulder and a kiss on the forehead letting me know that while today may have been doodoo, tomorrow will be better.

I went straight to my iTunes (computer fixed!) and put together my Christmas playlist, and it's been playing all night. I know I'm early, I know people hate when the holidays start right after Halloween, I know that it doesn't snow in the Bay Area, but I DON'T CARE. I love Christmas. I LOVE IT! And there couldn't have been a more perfect or more necessary moment for me to start thinking like Buddy the Elf. Sometimes you just need that reminder, something to tell you that it's okay, someone's got your back. I still didn't like the last two days, but I feel better about tomorrow because the universe wants me to.

Ok, One More...

2010-11-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

Another beautiful video about the San Francisco Fog, because I'm obsessed.

Summer in San Francisco from Michael Winokur on Vimeo.

Yep, So Good

2010-11-13T11:53:00.000-08:00

Julie Andrews and Gene Kelly being oh-so-lovely.

Julie Andrews Show - Tap Dancing with Gene Kelly from patch king on Vimeo.

Great Advertising

2010-11-08T16:42:00.001-08:00

I probably shouldn't love this ad as much as I do, but I can't help it. It came out a few years ago and it's still stuck in my head as one of my favorite commercials ever - clearly they did something right. I should probably see it as an exploitation of a classic film (especially because I love Audrey Hepburn so much) combined with a total rock song in a weird way. I should probably think that ad executives are slimy for taking two really famous bits of pop culture and smashing them together just to get our attention and sell some pants. But honestly? I think it's wonderful.

(apologies for the logo in the video, it's the best version I could find)

Hats

2010-11-01T12:23:00.000-07:00

I love hats. I love them. I always have, and I have a stack in the corner of my room large enough to prove it. Some ladies go for purses, or shoes, or jewelery - I always go for hats. I don't know if it's my natural laziness about styling my hair, or perhaps the only real fashion outlet that I feel comfortable with, but there is something about a great hat that I can't shy away from. Even as a kid I think I had more of an affinity then most...at least based on the number of childhood photos that show me sporting hats, and videos of my 1-year-old self trying to put a hat on my big curly head, and memories of dress-up not being complete without a hat. And lucky me! My grandma is an all-star knitter, which means all sorts of unique and adorable knit caps come my way (along with socks and sweaters and blankets!).

But my collection spans far past your basic beanie. Oh yes, I have countless ball caps, newsboy caps, fedoras, porkpies, and even a fancy-pants dress hat. And now that the seasons are turning and the weather is chilling I get many more opportunities to sport my favorite accessory. Lately I've been all about my Giants baseball cap (World Series!) but now that the holidays are rolling around I'm scouting some new hats to put on my list. And my first stop is Goorin Brothers, a little slice of heaven that I stumbled into when I was wandering the Haight last summer. Turns out this company, started in 1895, has THREE glorious locations in San Francisco, as well as one in Berkeley (a few other locations are scattered around the country). I love perusing their website to find new and glorious head-toppers that I can dream of showing off. At the moment I'm on the hunt for a nice wide-brim floppy hat to sport around this winter. Fingers crossed!

Stabs at Grandeur

2010-10-27T22:37:00.001-07:00

I love to write, but I don't do it nearly enough. I used to dream of being a poet but I didn't keep at it, and now I only write occasionally. But when I do, I love it. I often surprise myself with the words and images I come up with, especially when I read back on old things I've kept locked up in my computer. I'm not very confident about showing what I've written, but I am very proud of it. My friend Jenna recently encouraged me to show off a bit more, so here we go...

I wrote this when I was living in Australia, taking a poetry class (possibly the most self-indulgent and fantastic class I've ever taken, I loved every minute of it). It was a five month period when I wrote consistently, and I'm really fond of some of the things I came up with. I usually try to explain everything before I show it off, I worry that you won't see the picture I'm trying to get across, but I'm going to let this one sit on it's own and I hope you'll get an image in your head anyway.

“The Red Dress”

The girl in the red dress is the eye of the storm.
She is Newton’s gravity that holds steady

the orbiting leaves.

Legs crossed in the grass, hair unmoving

as the wind makes itself visible

in the rasping swirl of the foliage

around the axis of her dress.

She sits shadowed in the sun;

the balance point of the storm.

Her sunburst cotton dress pulling the world in

against its will.

She is a photograph that will not hold still,

and I want to preserve her in this moment

wrapped in a paper frame

to save on my shelf.

She maintains a dignity in her role as Atlas,

a grace lost on me

in my empty white shirt

sitting in the same spot minutes before.

The ants did not understand my attempt, and they bit my knees.

My hair was unsympathetic to my desire, and it clung to my lips.

The grass ignored my stab at grandeur, and it stabbed me right back.

I conceded the point and left my spot in the lawn

only to have it be filled by that glowing red dress—

the heartbeat of the thunderstorm conducting the flow

of the world around her.

Small Town Mystery

2010-10-18T11:38:00.000-07:00

There is a man in my town who I know nothing about, yet I find him terribly intriguing. He is quite old, frail-looking, rickety even. But the only time I've ever seen him is riding his old bike so slowly along the main thoroughfare in my town with a too-large camping backpack strapped to his shoulders. And this is no easy road; there are twists and turns and blind corners and hills and buses and tired commuters. Yet everyday on my way home I see him. The first time I noticed this man was last summer when I would drive home from my internship three days a week. I always saw him at about 5:20 pm, always in just about the same part of town. Then I went back to school for nine months, but now that I'm home again I take the bus to and from work three days a week, and I see him again. Only now he's riding that same stretch of road at around 6:20 pm.

Who is this man? I've become so curious that I've started choosing which side of the bus to sit on purely so that I can try to snap pictures of him with my camera as my bus rumbles by. He is my Bigfoot, my Loch Ness monster, and I've never been able to catch more then a blur or the back of his helmet. I want to know where he's coming from, where he's riding to, what's in his backpack, why does he always stop at the market, how can he power up the hills when it looks like he's about to roll backwards. I want to know his story. What I should really do is hop off the bus at the nearest stop next time I see him and ask. But I worry that I would seem just a little too intrusive if I did this. I feel like I know him, he's my sign of being close to home after a long day, but he has no idea that I know him. So for now, he'll stay the mystery on the bike.

Nothing Is More Beautiful

2010-10-08T18:25:00.000-07:00

Holy Mackerel! This has to be one of the most beautiful videos I've ever seen. Thank you to my cousin Kelly for sending it my way (in her words, it was "right up my alley"). THIS is why I love San Francisco. THIS is why I have a long-standing obsession with the fog--do you see how it rolls and flows and breathes and never stops moving? It is like nothing else. THIS is why I am so lucky to live here, and share this spectacular view. IloveitIloveitIloveit.

"God took the beauty of the Bay of Naples, the Valley of the Nile, the Swiss Alps, the Hudson Valley, rolled them into one and made San Francisco Bay." -Fiorello La Guardia

The Unseen Sea from Simon Christen on Vimeo.

Dinner For One

2010-09-28T23:09:00.000-07:00

“You cannot be lonely if you like the person you’re alone with.” –Wayne Dyer

It took me a long time to realize this, but I find it to be true. I really enjoy the time I spend on my own. I used to feel sort of guilty about it, like I should want to be with people all the time, but now I've decided that it's just part of who I am. I know plenty of people who would disagree with me, who would rather spend their down time in the company of others, and that's just their way of recharging their batteries. We each have our own preference, and mine just happens to be that I like to spend time on my own.

And I'm rarely bored - that's something I've become sort of proud of. I really enjoy my time alone, I find things to do, I keep myself entertained. I used to feel lonely when I was by myself, but now I really enjoy it. Not for extended periods of time, but having a day all to myself is a real treat for me. I don't feel bad about exploring the city by myself, seeing a movie on my own, making dinner for one. It's kinda, sorta, really nice. It turns out that I'm pretty good company.

Things I Have-And-Will Always Love

2010-09-23T23:16:00.000-07:00

-Peanut butter

-Hugs

-Sunshine

-Skiing

-Mojitos

-Lake Tahoe

-Schedules

-Fog

-Pizza

-Christmas

-Movie nights

-Hats

vs.

Things I've Grown to Love Over Time (a.k.a. Things I Used to Dislike With a Passion But Now Couldn't Live Without)

-Artichokes

-Exploring

-Bob Dylan (sinful, I know)

-Golf

-Spring cleaning

-Big socks

-Red wine

-Being alone

**Picture taken by my lovely friend Jenna Starkey, in my Happy Place of Lake Tahoe. Those are what I call "Tippy-toes of Happiness**

More Natural Beauty

2010-09-13T21:26:00.001-07:00

I can't get enough of the photos from the National Geographic Daily Photo. Stunning.

Pictures That Make Me Happy

2010-09-07T16:37:00.001-07:00

None of these are mine, just ones that I've find lying around the big ol' internet. But they do make me smile.

Kerouac on San Francisco

2010-08-30T17:40:00.000-07:00

From On The Road -- some things don't change.

"It seemed like a matter of minutes when we began rolling in the foothills before Oakland and suddenly reached a height and saw stretched out ahead of us the fabulous white city of San Francisco on her eleven mystic hills with the blue Pacific and it's advancing wall of potato-patch fog beyond, and smoke and goldenness in the late afternoon sun of time."

"Dust, excitement, the great buzzing and vibrating hum of what is really America's most excited city - and overhead the pure blue sky and the joy of the foggy sea that always rolls in at night to make everybody hungry for food and further excitement."

"In the window I smelled all the food of San Francisco. There were seafood places out there where the buns were hot, and the baskets were good enough to eat too; where the menus themselves were soft with foody esculence as though dipped in hot broths and roasted dry and good enough to eat too. Just show me the bluefish spangle on a seafood menu and I'd eat it; let me smell the drawn butter and lobster claws. There were places where they specialized in thick red roast beef au jus, or roast chicken basted in wine. There were places where hamburgs sizzled on grills and the coffee was only a nickel. And oh, that pan-fried chow mein flavored air that blew into my room from Chinatown, vying with the spaghetti sauces of North Beach, the soft-shell crab of Fisherman's Wharf - nay, the ribs of Fillmore turning on spits! Throw in the Market Street chili beans, redhot, and french-fried potatoes of the Embarcadero wino night, and steamed clams from Sausalito across the bay, and that's my ah-dream of San Francisco. Add fog, hunger-making raw fog, and the throb of neons in the soft night, the clack of high-heeled beauties, white doves in a Chinese grocery window..."

Andy Goldsworthy

2010-08-25T23:47:00.000-07:00

When I was a senior in high school I took a really interesting class called "Does Religion Matter?" We touched on all sorts of topics, ranging from religious to spiritual to political - it was a very, very cool class to take in high school. One week we focused on an artist named Andy Goldsworthy. We watched a documentary about his work which I found so interesting, but over the last few years I had forgotten about until I went to the Museum of Modern Art in San Francisco the other day and found a book of his in the gift shop. So of course, as soon as I got home I went and looked up photos of his work online. He produces beautiful works of art with only natural elements that reflect the passage of time through both their design and their physical elements. I can't get over the absolute strength of the images. I love how he creates structures that are meant to be temporary, but are so intricate and beautiful. The film is called "Rivers and Tides" and it is a lovely way to spend an afternoon.

Neruda

2010-08-20T21:50:00.000-07:00

Pablo Neruda has been one of my favorite poets for a while now. I am in love with his language. He uses words in such a beautiful, fluid, melodious way that captures my attention immediately. And when I imagine the poems written in Spanish, before being translated, I'm captivated. He has magic in his voice. He often writes about the most mundane things, like an artichoke or a sock, and he turns the subject into a divine and beautiful thing. I can't get enough of his poetry. This poem, called Cat's Dream, is a perfect example. His descriptions are always spot-on and incredibly unique. The way he articulates the image of a cat so perfectly, so exactly, but in a new and different way then I've ever heard before...I can't get enough.

How neatly a cat sleeps,
Sleeps with its paws and its posture,
Sleeps with its wicked claws,
And with its unfeeling blood,
Sleeps with ALL the rings a series
Of burnt circles which have formed
The odd geology of its sand-colored tail.

I should like to sleep like a cat,
With all the fur of time,
With a tongue rough as flint,
With the dry sex of fire and
After speaking to no one,
Stretch myself over the world,
Over roofs and landscapes,
With a passionate desire
To hunt the rats in my dreams.

I have seen how the cat asleep
Would undulate, how the night flowed
Through it like dark water and at times,
It was going to fall or possibly
Plunge into the bare deserted snowdrifts.

Sometimes it grew so much in sleep
Like a tiger's great-grandfather,
And would leap in the darkness over
Rooftops, clouds and volcanoes.

Sleep, sleep cat of the night with
Episcopal ceremony and your stone-carved moustache.
Take care of all our dreams
Control the obscurity
Of our slumbering prowess
With your relentless HEART
And the great ruff of your tail.

Hugs

2010-08-20T01:01:00.000-07:00

Anyone who knows me at all knows how much I love a good hug. I don't know why I'm this way, and I can't help it. It can happen at any moment, I can be in any mood, and I will grab you and squeeze you tight. Don't try to give me one of those butt-out, back-pat, two-second types; I won't let it fly. I go for it. I want the all-out bear hug. I may even pick you up a little bit. Don't try and let go too early, I'm hanging in there till the bitter end. To me, a hug says "I love you and I'm so happy to be with you in this moment and whatever I'm feeling is so much better shared, so why don't we?" When I don't get enough hugs I definitely notice the absence and as soon as I can I get my fill. Hugs are just so wonderful, who doesn't like a good hug? Okay, actually I've come across a few people who don't seem to share my affinity for hugging, and they don't really appreciate the hugs I give. When I come across these people I know to lay off - no sense in weirding people out too much. But if I had my way I would be hugging all the time.

And for the record, I'm kindasorta known for giving the best hugs around. I'm thinking of turning pro.

Peanuts and Crackerjacks

2010-08-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

Baseball will never bore me. It's true that I grew up playing it, and I love sports in general, and I get to go to a lot of games, but I still think that it is an amazing piece of Americana. It is a team sport that lets individuals excel. It is beautiful and tragic, just like all good poetry. It becomes part of you, if you let it. Baseball, in my mind, is magic. Here are a few of my favorite aspects of the game.

Rally Caps. What is a rally cap, you ask? It's a baseball cap worn inside out by players and fans in order to spur the team on to victory. When your guys are behind and they need a little extra push, you'll see the stands full of cheering people wearing rally caps. Trust me, it works. What I love so much about this little quirk of the game is that it proves that even big tough adult athletes believe in magic.

Foul Balls. I may not have ever caught one, and my chances are slim (40,000+ people at the Giants game yesterday, maybe 40 foul balls hit - odds aren't in my favor) but that doesn't mean that I don't go to every single game expecting to catch one. If there's a fly hit remotely in my direction, I'm on my feet with my hands in the air. Do you see how excited everyone gets every time a foul comes there way? And the person who catches it? They'll be showing that baby off to everyone they know. Foul balls are like little gifts to the fans that let us know that we're part of the game too.

Mitts. Piggybacking on that last item, I love seeing how many people bring their gloves to the game. True hope and dedication right there. These people are so sure that a foul ball is coming their way, and they will be prepared, dammit.

National Anthem. Everyone wears baseball hats to the game. And everyone takes their hats off during the National Anthem. Even the guys buying beer and hot dogs. I love seeing that little bit of patriotism, and I love how it's a part of every single game.

"Run it out." This is a little bit of baseball that I've always appreciated because it shows a players real passion for the game, and it's something that my dad has always taught. If you hit a ground ball and you are 100% sure you're going to be thrown out, it doesn't matter. You run to first base. You never know what's going to happen, and you don't want to stand there halfway down the first base line looking like a tool who was too good to hustle. Yesterday Aaron Rowand, outfielder for the Giants, ran his heart out on two separate occasions and he should have been thrown out twice, but he was safe. The beauty of the game is that you're rewarded when you give it your all.

7th Inning Stretch. Now isn't this the nicest little tradition? Halfway through the seventh inning of every baseball game, the entire crowd automatically stands up and begins to sing. We all know it's coming, but I still think it's so fun. It's a reminder of the community of baseball, the camaraderie, the love of the game.

Baseball is a game that I can't help but love. There are so many different aspects to the game, nuances and subtleties that keep me forever intrigued. And as a Giants fan I love seeing the history of my team, first in New York and then in San Francisco. I love this team, and I love this game. Baseball has been played by generations and generations of people. It is a part of our shared history as well as our present. And it's so damn fun!

Get Moving

2010-08-11T10:51:00.000-07:00

I'm having a bit of a problem: I'm lazy. Somehow in the week and a half that I've been home, I've become terribly slow. I've done things, I've seen people, but considering that I don't have a job and I have few (very few) obligations, I really haven't crossed much off of my To-Do list. I've gotten to the point where doing one medium-size activity counts as a full day. Hour-long bike ride? Done for the day. Make an appointment to get my wisdom teeth pulled? Time for a nap. Meet a friend for lunch? Down for the count. I've even been neglecting this blog. What the heck is wrong with me?

I gave myself a few days to recover from my jet lag and somehow those few days have stretched on and on. What I need is a kick in the butt to get moving on this job search of mine (I've made a list of places I want to apply, I've scoured Craigslist, and I've tweaked my resume - Steps 1-3, right?). I want a job, I want to work and feel productive, I want to get out of my pajamas before noon, but I am feeling just a little too comfortable in this lovely house. I've been lucky enough to fall into a rhythm of slow days and no responsibilities, but I don't really feel like I've earned it yet. I need to work before I can play. The play is just not quite as enjoyable when I haven't had to sweat for it.

So here it goes, today's the day that I get cracking. The resumes are going out, the calls are being made, the plans are being set. Time to get moving.

Welcome Home

2010-07-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

After 10 countries, 29 days, 22 roommates, 726 pictures and only 1 load of laundry, I'm home. I don't really know where to start describing this trip...it was...perfect. It was hectic and unplanned and hilarious and exhausting and unforgettable and frustrating and rewarding and perfect. We traveled through so many beautiful locations, met so many kind people, ate so many delicious meals. It was the trip I've been planning for years, even though we didn't plan it beyond the first day in Madrid. It was everything I wanted out of a European adventure.

I don't think I could sum it up briefly enough to keep it interesting, but here's my attempt at highlights: to begin with, the trains. Oh my, we became so familiar with the trains. I think we had 9 or 10 big train rides to get us from country to country, 5 of them overnight, 2 of them 15+ hours (not to mention the Bus Ride from Hell - 13 hours, cramped, smelly, no air conditioning, plus a 40 minute ride in a windowless train car that the bus drove directly in to). We packed as light as you would hope to for a month of travel, but maneuvering around train stations is not an easy task for a group of eight. We made it work though - I really think that traveling by train is the best way to see Europe. It's efficient, relatively cheap, it gives you that backpacker experience, and you get to see the countries you're traveling through rush by outside your window. And I don't even want to count how many Metros we rode - all I'll say is we need to step up our public transportation systems here. BART just doesn't cut it.

Hostels. We were so lucky in that we had a large enough group that we could rent out little flats or hotel rooms for a night or two or three rather then have to stay in backpacker hostels for the entire month. I think we spent maybe eight of our nights in real hostels, and while it's usually a lot of fun and a great way to meet other young travelers (hello Iceland!) it can cause a lot of stress (locking up all of your belongings, dealing with strangers in your personal space, sharing a room for eighteen). Having a space for just our group was a welcome luxury that kept the trip from getting as exhausting as it could have been.

English. It's really true that everyone you meet in your travels probably speaks some English, which is both a huge relief and a little embarrassing, especially when you speak absolutely zero German. But before I left I looked up a few key phrases in each language, and we learned how to say the really important things ("Where is the bathroom?"). It turns out that as long as you give it a go and try to converse in the home language first, the person you're talking to will like you enough to help you out. And then there's places like Prague or Amsterdam where I barely heard the language at all, people just automatically started speaking English. Thank you!

Everyone I've talked to since I've been back has asked me what my favorite country was. How the heck am I supposed to answer that? Europe is so diverse, so ancient, so beautiful, that I find it hard to pick. I loved each place for something different. I loved Spain because we got to celebrate their team's win in the quarterfinals of the World Cup in the streets. I loved Portugal because of the incredibly nice waiters we had at a little neighborhood restaurant. I loved Italy because I'm lucky enough to be somewhat familiar with it now, and I spent two days in a villa in the hillside. I loved Amsterdam because we rode bikes along canals to the Heineken Brewery and Anne Frank's house. I loved Paris because it was everything I imagined it would be. I loved Prague because it's history is in every stone you see. I loved Berlin because I didn't feel like I had nearly enough time there. I loved London because it was the perfect place to end our trip.

We woke up early, stayed up late, played countless games of cards, sat on the ground every chance we got, laughed at everything, sweated our brains out in the heat, learned way too much about each other, and had a really hard time saying goodbye at the end - at least I did. It was the perfect trip, and as happy as I am to be back home in my own bed and to not have to wear shower shoes and to not be bumping into a million strangers standing in line for something, I miss it so much. I really, really, really love traveling. This world is too big not to see, and even after being gone for a month I feel like I haven't seen any of it. I can't wait to get back out there...but maybe after another nap.

The Louvre's Pyramid.

Rome's Trevi Fountain.

Our cattle car crossing the English Channel.

Beautiful Barcelona.

The Berlin Wall at sunset.

The Lennon wall in Prague.

Panoramic view of Lisbon.

Lots of laundry in Vergato, Italy.

The canals of Amsterdam.

The whole gang.

Off I Go...

2010-06-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

The time has come, my bags are packed, my journals are empty and I can't seem to fall asleep. After a few short weeks of planning, my dream post-college whirlwhind-European adventure is really happening! I'm waking up in five hours to make my way over to the San Francisco airport, and then the fun begins. Just wanted to give a heads up to you 5 regular readers :) that I'll be away and probably not posting much, if at all, for the next month. But I'm sure I'll have boatloads to say when I get back!

I have always wanted to take a trip like this, and this one sort of fell into my lap. I'm going with six friends who I cannot wait to spend too much time with in cheap cramped hostels all across Europe. Our (loose) itinerary is as follows:

Madrid - Portugal - Barcelona - Bologna - Rome - Venice - Switzerland - Paris (Bastille Day!) - South of France - Germany - Amsterdam - Belgium - England. Whooaa nelly it's gonna be crazy! But I cannot wait. It's finally here! My dream Europe trip come true. I will miss home so much, as I only got to be here for about two weeks, but it's hard to complain when I have an itinerary like that staring back at me. So here we go! See you in a month!

Beautiful Sports Moment

2010-06-26T09:18:00.000-07:00

THIS is why I love sports so much. I found this video thanks to my friend Jenna Starkey and it gives me chills, tears and a whooole lot of pride all at once. I don't really follow soccer, but like everyone else, I've become wrapped up in the World Cup. Soccer (I know, I know, it's football) really isn't America's sport, but I can see that slowly changing, and I feel like this video shows a big crashing move forward for the sport in our country. And even if you prefer your football with a quarterback you can't deny the passion and powerful emotion in this video. Sports move us in a way that little else does. It unites strangers and brings a country together. You can't deny it once you watch it happen.

**I seem to be having a problem with the width of the video. If you can't see the right side, you can watch the video on Youtube.**

Richard Avedon

2010-06-20T13:42:00.000-07:00

Last year my parents took my into the city to see a collection of Richard Avedon's work, and it was really fantastic. I had seen some of the photographs before, but I wasn't familiar with his work overall. Well, now I am. Black and white photography is just so beautiful in my opinion. There's magic in the light that just isn't the same in a color photograph. The shadows that show up in the most amazing places. I started looking around the Richard Avedon website and got lost in the photos. So lovely. Here are a few of my favorites...

Home Again Home Again

2010-06-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

(View from my backyard. Reason #673 why I'm so lucky.)

It's official - I'm a college graduate! The last week or two has been a little hectic with graduation/grad party/move out/drive 600 miles with U-Haul/move in, but it was hectic for everybody I know so no complaints here! And while most people are feeling a little bummed to be moving back home, I'm feeling great about it. Could be that I have a beautiful house, a wonderful city at my fingertips, a fully stocked fridge and two amazing parents...could be. As much as I revel in traveling the world, I have always loved being home. So this is a nice little treat for me.

Things I Plan on Doing While Home:

-Giants and A's games...baseball games with my friends = definition of summertime.

-Live music at small venues...San Francisco is the best place for this.

-Stinson Beach...about an hour north of San Francisco, and where I learned to body surf. Joy.

-EAT. Helloooo best dining in America!!

-Dance in circles at how happy I am to be back. For good.

Checking Levon Off The List

2010-06-06T23:09:00.000-07:00

I like to think of myself as a practical person, but I am also very much a dreamer (my mom says it's clear that I'm a Gemini), and so I of course have a list. The To-Do List. The List of Things To Do Before I Die. I keep it on my computer so I can add to it and change it whenever I need to. It ranges from the useful (become fluent in another language) to the frivolous (go to The Oscars). A lot of the items are about traveling, and quite a few are about pushing myself. Some I don't know if I'll ever do (see the North Star from the North Pole) and some I've already done (bungee jump, skydive, get a tattoo, dance on a bar - sorry Mom and Dad!) Whenever I accomplish one of these goals I mark it on the list so I can keep a running tab of what I've done. I have a long way to go, but I'm going to keep working. And, lucky me, I have plans to check another goal off my Life List in a few weeks.

August 14th, 2010, I will be seeing Levon Helm perform live at the Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival in San Francisco. It's the first concert festival I attended (checked it off the list last summer!) and this will be my Round Two - but it will be so much better. Because this year I will be seeing Levon Helm. LEVON HELM! Member of The Band, the group that has my heart all wrapped up in their music. And this is one of those life goals that I honestly never thought I would accomplish. Because Mr. Helm lives in Woodstock, New York, and performs out of his home. I didn't think I was going to be able to make it out there anytime soon. I didn't think he went on tour. But he does, and he is, and I am. I am going to see Mr. Levon Helm LIVE, in person, in my favorite city in the world. Dreams do come true. I promise that updates will come, from the front row, as soon as I check this one off my list.

Sasquatch

2010-06-04T20:42:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a young girl who wanted to disappear from the real world for a while, so she packed her duffel bag, put on her traveling hat, and set out for the north. She was prepared for sunshine and for rain and for daytime and for night, but she was not prepared for the green. The green, green, endless green that is Oregon. Two planes, one bus, and a terrible slice of airport pizza later, and she was there. Her lovely old friend was waiting at the bus stop and took her home, introduced her to old friends and new ones, and they started preparing for the long trip up to their destination in Washington, a lovely little place called The Gorge. And what followed was a real and true escape from reality.

Sasquatch.

Alrighty, enough with the goofy storybook voice. In truth, Sasquatch is an utterly different world from the world I normally live in. It is a three-day music festival in one of the loveliest settings imaginable. It's a sea of tents that stretches on and on and on. It's kind, generous people who are pushing their bodies just a little too hard. And I got to spend four lovely days there with one of my best friends. And it was glorious.

I've been looking forward to this for a long time, and I feel like I disappeared into it for a while. I was away from home for over a week, and I traveled I don't know how many miles to get there and back, but it was worth it. The music was wonderful...Tallest Man on Earth, Local Natives, and Vampire Weekend were some of my favorites. Then there was Portugal the Man, Passion Pit, Kid Cudi, MGMT, OK Go, and about a bajillion others. It was everything I was hoping it would be, including exhausting. I made it back to San Diego a few days ago and I haven't had the energy to do anything but unpack and sit ever since.

But I would go back in an instant.

Ullr

2010-05-20T19:54:00.000-07:00

Ullr, the Norse god of skiing and archery, holds a special place in my heart. First of all, he's the GOD OF SKIING. As a lifelong skier, that's awesome. But how I first came to learn about this guy is what makes him really meaningful to me. When I was a little kid my dad gave me a small blue charm on an old, old red leather string that had this little gold skier with a long beard and pointy hat engraved on it. This Ullr charm was something my dad had kept for I don't know how long, and he was giving it to me. My dad is incredibly kind and probably as sentimental as I am, so it meant a lot to me that he was passing this lovely little charm along. It meant so much, in fact, that I started carrying the charm around with me, playing with it, keeping it with me for good luck.

Unfortunately, I was a kid. And kids lose things. And I lost the Ullr charm. This special pendant that my dad had kept for years, and I had been so proud to have, disappeared from my possession. I don't even know when it happened. Just one day I was looking around my room for it, and I couldn't find it. Over the last 12 years or so since I've lost it I've literally gone through every corner, every box, every childhood treasure stash that I can think of trying to find my dad's lucky Ullr, but no luck. I felt terrible, and, since I was a kid, I of course didn't tell anyone that I'd lost it.

A few years back I got the clever idea to go online and try to find my dad a replacement Ullr. Of course I would never be able to find the same one (although I had high hopes at first); all the charms and pendants and coins I found online weren't quite as special looking as the one that I had lost. They were red with gold, or a silver coin, or the skier looked different...but I found one that I thought looked better then the others, and I had a nice little bidding war on eBay for it. It arrived a few days later, and I presented it to my dad, knowing full well that it couldn't replace the one that I had lost, but I think the sentiment behind the gift helped a little.

I still believe that my Ullr charm, the blue one with the little gold man on the front, is somewhere buried deep in my room, or up in the attic, or lost under the stairs. It's got to be. I don't even remember losing it, and I can't stand to think that it's gone forever. It was a very special charm, and some day I'll find it again. Ullr's got to be looking out for me on this one.

Gunga-Galunga

2010-05-16T23:58:00.000-07:00

“So I jump ship in Hong Kong and make my way over to Tibet, and I get on as a looper at a course over in the Himalayas. A looper, you know, a caddy, a looper, a jock. So, I tell them I'm a pro jock, and who do you think they give me? The Dalai Lama, himself. Twelfth son of the Lama. The flowing robes, the grace, bald... striking. So, I'm on the first tee with him. I give him the driver. He hauls off and whacks one - big hitter, the Lama - long, into a ten-thousand foot crevasse, right at the base of this glacier. Do you know what the Lama says? Gunga galunga... gunga, gunga-galunga. So we finish the eighteenth and he's gonna stiff me. And I say, ‘Hey, Lama, hey, how about a little something, you know, for the effort, you know.’ And he says, ‘Oh, uh, there won't be any money, but when you die, on your deathbed, you will receive total consciousness.’ So I got that goin' for me, which is nice.” -Carl Spackler, Caddyshack

Caddyshack has long been one of my favorite movies, I can't remember how many times I've seen it. And Bill Murray is pure genius. I don't know how much of his character was improvised, but I would imagine that a good bit of it was...actually, I have a feeling that a lot of that movie was improvised, or at least expanded upon during each take. Chevy Chase, Rodney Dangerfield, and Bill Murray - no way you could hold them back. This scene is so fantastically random, but it's exactly what makes Caddyshack so great.

Dreams I Have

2010-05-12T21:59:00.000-07:00

-Spend an afternoon in a pub in Ireland, and exchange stories with the patrons.

-Drive the entire West Coast, from Mexico to Canada, with my windows down and my music up.

-Live in a camper at the beach, with clotheslines and candles and sand at my feet.

-Decorate a small but lovely apartment in San Francisco purely to my liking.

-Laze around a green park all day, feeding bread to the ducks and reading really good poetry.

-Walk as far as I can and take pictures of everything beautiful that I see.

-Collect seaglass and seashells and other sea treasures from a foggy beach.

-Lie in a grassy meadow and hide away from everything but the sun.

Atlantic City

2010-05-06T15:17:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite songs, by one of my favorite bands. The lyrics, the story, the pain, the love, Levon's voice, that twangy mandolin...it is physically impossible for me not to love The Band. I do believe that they are part of my soul, and this song is so lovely, so perfect, that it hurts.

"Atlantic City" by The Band

Well they blew up the chicken man in Philly last night

And they blew up his house too.

Down on the boardwalk they're ready for a fight

Gonna see what them racket boys can do.

Now there's trouble busin' in from outta state

And the D.A. can't get no relief.

Gonna be a rumble on the promenade

And the gamblin' commissioner's hangin' on by the skin of his teeth.

Everything dies, baby that's a fact

But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.

Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty

And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Well I got a job and I put my money away

But I got the kind of debts that no honest man can pay

So I drew out what I had from the Central Trust

And I bought us two tickets on that Coast City bus.

Everything dies, baby that's a fact

But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.

Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty

And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Now our luck may have died and our love may be cold

But with you forever I'll stay.

We'll be goin' out where the sand turns to gold

But put your stockings on 'cause it might get cold.

Oh, everything dies, baby that's a fact

But maybe everything that dies someday comes back.

Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty

And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Now I've been a-lookin' for a job, but it's hard to find

There's winners and there's losers, and I'm south of the line.

Well I'm tried of gettin' caught out on the losin' end

But I talked to a man last night, gonna do a little favor for him.

Well, everything dies, baby that's a fact

But maybe everything that dies some day comes back.

Put your makeup on, fix your hair up pretty

And meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Oh, meet me tonight in Atlantic City.

Stamp of Approval

2010-05-03T14:56:00.000-07:00

Well isn't this lovely?

(Translation - 'it's worth keeping an eye on this blog.' How it works - when you receive the recommendation, copy the picture onto your blog, linking back to the person who sent it to you. Then create a list of your own recommendations so that the love can keep rolling on!)

My blog-friend over at Bit's 'n Bob's/Show 'n Tell sent this little emblem my way last night, and I have to admit that I'm very pleased. Blogging is something that I do for fun, but it started just as an activity I did for myself, and has since grown into an ongoing project that I want to share with the rest of you. I had a nice little upswing in visits last week (by little I mean double the amount of visitors I've had in a year in one week) thanks to a suggestion I made to Letters of Note, another wonderful blog that I follow (if you'd like to see my name up in lights, check it out here!), and now I'm the recipient of this sweet little recognition...I'm feeling good ladies and gents!

So here it is, my list of favorites that I absolutely cannot wait to read whenever I see a new post on my Google Reader account, blogs that make me want to keep writing and taking pictures and living life.

http://iliveheresf.com/ My favorite blog about my favorite city. The author finds people who love San Francisco and have a story to tell (which we all do), and let's them do so in their own words.

http://jennastarkey.wordpress.com/ My dear friend Jenna's new blog. It is terribly professional looking, and is a perfect reflection of her. Can't wait to see what she does with it in the future.

http://www.sequinsandshadows.com/ Jenna's friend Kelly (who I'm sneakily trying to become friends with too!) also has a new blog. Filled with lovely photographs and adorable outfits that are too cute for me to wear.

http://missedconnectionsny.blogspot.com/ I just came across this blog a few weeks ago, but it is full of whimsy and hope and the cutest little drawings you ever did see.

http://thatispriceless.blogspot.com/ My favorite little dose of humor on the internet.

http://www.yesandyes.org/ Perhaps my favorite blog out there. Sarah is so full of fun-loving, world-traveling, humorous-yet-intelligent wisdom and I just can't get enough of what she does.

http://lovelyclusters.blogspot.com/ A peaceful mood board-type of blog that I find endlessly relaxing.

http://amanda-thomas.blogspot.com/ Artsy and adorable, and always inspires me to find a little apartment of my own that I can decorate however I like.

http://myedit.blogspot.com/ For when I like to pretend to be girly and into fashion.

http://www.dailybitsofbeauty.com/ Full of lovely, dream-like combinations of photographs and imagination.

Cure for the Mondays

2010-05-03T13:04:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, just because. You don't always need to have a reason. This is simply too great not to enjoy.

When I Was Your Age...

2010-04-26T11:30:00.001-07:00

Ok, so I'm not a big fan of when adults (people at least 10 years older then me? Sure, that definition will work) try and explain to me what life was like before cell phones. "Now remember, there was a time when you couldn't just look everything up on the internet." "Think about your ancestors and how they were able to function with no flushing toilets." I GET IT. Obviously the Pilgrims did not have cappuccino machines and online banking, and life was harder. Thank you for teaching me that life existed before electricity and iPhones...because I am so young and naive that I had no idea that life was possible like that. Got it.

But, on the slightly-embarrassing other hand...I am totally dependent on technology. What can I say, I'm a member of my generation, a group who has grown up and become accustomed to receiving information immediately, and has come of age at a time when technology has been growing and expanding and making daily life easier at an ever-increasing rate. Can you blame us? We're the first generation to grow up with life like this, with a cell phone not considered usable unless it has a camera, MP3 player and web browser included in a flashy little hand-held device. But sometimes I'm just a wee bit ashamed of how attached I am to technology.

Like when my wireless internet does not hold a connection, or does not work at the speed of light. Or when my cell phone gets no service in one room of my house. Or when my camera's shutter speed is a little slow at night so pictures become blurry. Or when my iPod freezes mid-song and I have to take 20 seconds to reboot it. Or when the left-click on my laptop stops functioning, so I have to adapt to double-clicking on the scrollpad.

Ya, my life is hard.

Dust of Snow

2010-04-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

By Robert Frost

The way a crow

Shook down on me

The dust of snow

From a hemlock tree

Has given my heart

A change of mood

And saved some part

Of a day I rued.

I came across this poem by Robert Frost a few weeks ago, and I thought it was simply lovely. It made me think of how often I let things get to me and ruin my day when instead it would be so much healthier to just let it go. It's so easy to get worked up about something or stressed out until you're in a terrible mood, and I hate when I let myself do that. This poem is like a little reminder to let yourself snap out of a funk like that, and don't let your whole day go sour just because you fall into a bad spell. Let yourself enjoy life, that's what it's there for!

Person(s) of the Moment

2010-04-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

It's a tie! The honor this time goes to Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, two absolutely wonderful comedians. They star in two of my favorite TV shows (30 Rock and Parks and Recreation), they created some of the best recent sketches on Saturday Night Live (Sarah Palin & Hillary Clinton), and they remain great friends. I love that Amy Poehler is married to the equally funny Will Arnett, and I can't get enough of Tina Fey's self-deprecating humor. I am a big fan of everything they do, and I love that they have become famous for their wit and their creativity. Such refreshing role models.

No Scrimping!

2010-04-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

I am a freshly-graduated college student with no job and limited cash. In other words, I'm thrifty. I don't go out to dinner very much, I am a big fan of making large dinners and sticking the leftovers in the fridge, I watch movies online instead of going to the theater ($13 to see Alice in Wonderland!?)...I have money to spend, but I'd prefer not to. But there are a few things that even I don't like to scrimp on. Things that really are better when you just drop a few extra bucks and enjoy the luxury. I try and find good deals as often as I can, but hey, ya gotta live a little!

1. Toilet paper. I heard Ellen DeGeneres call thin TP prosciutto once, and I don't need any of that in my house, thankyouverymuch.

2. Bedding. Icky, scratchy sheets are not my thing. You don't need that fancy high-thread count stuff, but I think you can graduate from your WalMart sheets now.

3. Your car. Tune-ups are ridiculously pricey sometimes, but boy-oh-boy do I feel safer in a well-tuned car.

4. Concerts (and other once-in-a-lifetime opportunities). Like seeing Conan O'Brien live in two weeks? Ya, like that. I could have saved a bucketload of cash and gotten the upper balcony seats, but I know I'll be so much happier down front with my favorite ginger.

5. Skincare. I'm never too worried about my hair because I can chop it off if things look rough, but my skin is here forever. Sunscreens and moisturizers and no brown spots later in life are worth shelling out some extra mon-ay.

Spring Skiing

2010-04-08T13:21:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, I just returned from a week of family fun in Sun Valley, Idaho, and it was glorious! I've been going there almost my entire life, usually in the summer and winter, and I love it so much. Sun Valley is one of those places that feels like a little secret; whenever I tell my friends I go to Idaho, they ask about the potatoes and the Mormons (both of which I rarely encounter), so it feels like nobody knows just how beautiful of a place it is. My grandma lives about two feet from Bald Mountain, probably the best ski mountain I've ever been to, and the towns of Ketchum, Hailey and Sun Valley are juuust right; small enough to have a Main Street that acts as a main street, but have all the amenities that you could want. I LOVE Sun Valley.

Normally we head out there in late December, but we postponed the trip a bit this year, and it worked out perfectly. No high season means no tourists means NOBODY on the mountain (and cheap lift tickets!). I've been skiing since I was three, and it's one of my favorite things in the world. But skiing a private run with your family on a $30 ticket? Hii-ohh! And we had some late season snow storms, which miraculously cleared up every morning so we could hit the slopes and enjoy the day. Oh, and then we went to a fundraiser at a small club to see Steve Miller perform. Front row whaaat? It really was one of the best trips I've had out to Idaho, and even the 12 hour drive wasn't that bad with four of us splitting the time behind the wheel.

Sun Valley is a beautiful, beautiful little gem of a place that I'm deeply in love with. Could you tell?

Daily Wow

2010-03-23T11:04:00.000-07:00

Recently I came across the link to National Geographic's Photo of the Day, and it has quickly become part of my daily routine to check what phenomenal picture has been posted. I had a (short-lived) childhood dream of being a nature photographer, and this site has sparked my interest yet again. How can these photographers possibly get these shots? And they're so clear and so beautiful. It's a remarkable site to look at, and impresses me every day. Here are a few of my favorites that I've come across so far:

A Little Bit of Comedy

2010-03-22T12:11:00.000-07:00

Thank you again, YouTube, for your endless amounts of laughter-inducing videos. You never fail to impress.

Nanna

2010-03-15T22:02:00.000-07:00

“You can’t help getting older, but you don’t have to get old.” –George Burns

Today is my grandma's 80th birthday, and she deserves to celebrate. She has lived for eighty amazing years, and she's done enough cool things to fill three lifetimes. She hikes, swims, and plays golf in the summer, and downhill and cross country skis in the winter. She travels every year, and often roadtrips by herself. Just a few years ago she hiked Machu Picchu and now she's trying to plan a trip down to Australia. She is the most womanly tomboy you'll ever meet, she loves to dance, and is an investment wiz. She wanted to go to Cabo for her birthday. Cabo. During Spring Break. You know what she said to me today over the phone? "I think I'll go skiing tomorrow, because I always said I wanted to ski when I'm eighty." Ohh yes, Nanna is a go-getter, and an inspiration. She's a tough cookie, and she's taught me a lot over the years. Not just the little things, like how to hit a better tennis shot or that ice cream tastes better when eaten out of a mug, but real life lessons. Here's a few that I've come up with that I want to thank her for today. I love you, Nanna, and I'll see you in a few weeks to celebrate!

-Be one of the boys, only better.
-Never stop setting goals.
-Travel the world, and stay with friends.
-Don’t be embarrassed to ask for what you want.
-Dance whenever there’s music.
-Spend the money, if you think it’s worth it.
-Take lots of pictures.
-There’s nothing wrong with showing a little leg.
-Eat the big burger.
-Family is the most important thing in the world.

Outlaw This Word

2010-03-11T10:59:00.000-08:00

Bitch. I detest that word. I think that it's terribly rude and incredibly degrading, and I hate the fact that it's used so casually by everyone around me. I don't know if women are trying to reclaim the word and change the meaning, but it gets under my skin every time I hear my friends say "Hey bitch" to each other, as if it's a friendly nickname. You're referring to your friend as a dog. In fact, I don't even like the word when it's used for an actual dog. And don't even get me started on the music industry; the way that bitch is thrown around in song lyrics and rap music makes me sick. That word seems to make women objects in a man's world. I'm embarrassed whenever I hear it.

I remember one of my high school teachers telling us that his wife hated the word because there's really no male equivalent to it. Yes, bastard, maybe, but not really. It doesn't have that same slap-in-the-face feeling as bitch. I don't like the word at all, and I try as hard as I can to never use it. It makes me uncomfortable every time I hear it, no matter what the context. There are plenty of awful words out there in the world that shouldn't be in use, and this is just one of them. But it drives me crazy.

Sartorialtastic

2010-03-07T09:13:00.000-08:00

More beautiful photographs of beautiful clothes that I would love to wear, courtesy of The Sartorialist. Maybe if I ever went shopping...

Someday

2010-03-04T12:13:00.000-08:00

“A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” –Mignon McLaughlin. May we all be so lucky.

Forgotten Language

2010-02-28T10:07:00.000-08:00

I miss reading Shel Silverstein's poetry. Falling Up had a permanent space on my bookshelf as a kid, and I would flip through it all the time. I loved poetry as a kid, because it had a formal structure and it was organized and pleasant at the same time. I still remember the first poem I wrote; it was about collecting seaglass at the beach. And Shel Silverstein was such a wonderful introduction to poetry, because his poems still had meaning, they weren't simply "Hop on Pop" or something childish like that. Like this one, "Forgotten Language." It makes me want to go back to my bookshelf and pull his book out again.

Once I spoke the language of the flowers,
Once I understood each word the caterpillar said,
Once I smiled in secret at the gossip of the starlings,
And shared a conversation with the housefly
in my bed.
Once I heard and answered all the questions
of the crickets,
And joined the crying of each falling dying
flake of snow,
Once I spoke the language of the flowers. . . .
How did it go?
How did it go?

A Unique View

2010-02-26T11:31:00.000-08:00

StumbleUpon.com has become a wonderful way for me to kill some time online, and one of the sites that I found the other day was Creative Photos, which I think is so cool. Such simple photographs, but the ideas behind them are wonderfully unique and oh-so-lovely. I've been looking into buying a new camera because I would love to get more into photography, and things like this inspire me even more.

Century

2010-02-22T11:45:00.000-08:00

I just realized that this is my 100th post...and being a person who likes nice, round, even numbers, I like the sound of that. I started this blog in part to keep track of all the random thoughts and points of interest that I stumble upon, and partly as a sort of resume/writing sample for future jobs that I apply to, and I've really enjoyed writing every post. So thanks for reading, the 5 1/2 people who've stuck around :) I really appreciate it.

As a thank you, I thought I'd make a list of things I'm grateful for today. One of my favorite blogs, Yes and Yes, (do read it, she's wonderful) posted a quote the other day that really stuck with me: “If everyone in the world put their problems in a pile, you would be so happy to grab yours back.” Now isn't that the absolute truest thing? We all have the right to complain once in a while, but it's always good to recognize that what you're complaining about just isn't quite the same as, say, the people of Haiti, dontcha think? So here's my partial list, the things that stuck with me while I was hiking in La Jolla yesterday...that should be my first one actually...

-Being a frequent visitor of the Pacific Ocean. I think it's the most wondrous place, because it's the largest thing on this entire planet, and there's so much beauty, and so much mystery. And I grew up with it in plain view every day of my life.

-My education. Sure, I complain about school as much as any student, but when it comes down to it, I'm endlessly grateful that I've been able to go to school, and really good schools at that.

-My opportunities. I get so many chances that most people will never get, and I don't know why I'm so lucky.

-The fact that being "busy" means having lots of lunch dates and activities to do with friends. Seriously, if I write something in my day planner, 2 out of 3 times it's about hanging out with someone I love.

-My friends around the world. Germany, Australia, Hawaii, Ireland...not only do I feel I'm a more rounded person for knowing them, but if I ever travel the world, I have a plethora of couches to choose from.

-On that note, I've traveled the world! I've visited some of the most beautiful places in the world, and met amazing people, and had fantastic experiences, all before I graduate from college.

-The people I love love me back. This is the greatest feeling in the world.

Holy Moly, I don't mean to brag, but I am incredibly lucky.

The Olympics

2010-02-17T22:14:00.000-08:00

I have been completely caught up in the Olympic fever. I am in love with the Olympics, partly because I love inspirational sports stories, and partly because I love the camaraderie that you see between the athletes, no matter what country. I cry during the Opening Ceremonies parade of nations, during semi-relevant commercials, and while watching Olympians cry tears of joy on the podium; I'm a sucker for this kind of thing. Even though the Winter Olympics are a much smaller event then the Summer games, I think they are incredibly exciting. The fact that snowboarding is a relatively new sport, but is so popular and important, the recoveries from such terrible injuries, the passion and dedication shown by all the competitors; I love it all. I haven't been able to watch the games nearly as much as I would like, but here are my thoughts so far, for what they're worth:

-Shaun White has fantastic hair. Not just the color, but the curl, and the cut, and the way he wears it. FAN. TAS. TIC.
-I love Lindsey Vonn's hat. The USA beanie with the Olympic rings, so classic.
-There are a lot of sports that get absolutely zero attention for four years, but become sources of national pride during the Olympics. I'm looking at you, curling and cross-country skiing.
-Mens snowboarding has the most interesting choice of outfit this year. Are those denim pants?
-Vancouver looks absolutely stunning. I haven't said this much in my life, but let's go to Canada!
-I need someone to explain the costumes in mens figure skating. What is with all of the glitter and feathers and the dramatics? I guess it's just part of the sport.
-I'm proud to be an American citizen during the Games, but also to be a World citizen. It's amazing what these people do, and how honorably they compete.
-I celebrate the medals that USA wins, but I can't help but wonder...is it just because our athletes have the funding to train better? Is that really a fair measure of the world's athletes?
-The crashes that occur in these sports are immense, and I can't imagine standing up and walking away from them like these athletes.
-I still have a childhood desire, deep down, to be an Olympian someday, standing on the podium with a medal around my neck, listening to my national anthem. Silly, perhaps, but that's the power of the Games.

Ancient Mysteries

2010-02-11T11:58:00.000-08:00

I don't think anything is more intriguing then an Ancient Mystery. Unsolved for centuries, speculated about but never solved...how Indiana Jones! I've always loved mythology and ancient history because it's so unknown, when once it was basic knowledge. At one time these artifacts were useful objects with known purposes, but now their meaning has been lost in time. It's amazing to think of how much knowledge has been lost, and how much of what we know will later be proved wrong.

Tippity Tap Tap

2010-02-08T12:50:00.000-08:00

Somewhere on my Life To-Do List is "Learn to Tap Dance," and this is why. I love old movies like this, where the world is muted and pleasant and it's perfectly natural to break into a song and dance in the middle of the street. Gene Kelly and Fred Astaire are magical to watch, and wonderfully inventive. I remember seeing the newspaper dance a few years ago in a PBS special about Gene Kelly, and it's always stuck with me. Watching these videos makes me want to strap on some shoes and taptaptap my troubles away.

Person of the Moment

2010-02-07T10:57:00.000-08:00

On this Super Bowl Sunday and in honor of his election into the Class of 2010 Hall of Fame - Jerry Rice. I grew up a 49er fan, but unfortunately I was a little late and was still in the crib for the tail end of the Golden Years. But I got to see Jerry play. Jerry Rice IS the 49ers for me, he represents the red and gold that I love so much. He is quite possibly the greatest football player of all time. He holds I-don't-know how many records that many believe won't be broken for years to come, if ever, and he has the respect of his peers and his fans. His work ethic was, and is, unmatched, he has natural skill and an undying love for the game, and he is truly grateful for what he's been able to accomplish in his life, and the people who helped him along the way. And best of all, I got to meet him.

It is so terribly rare that someone gets to meet their hero, especially by accident. I wasn't at a football game or a Niner event - I was at a golf course in Sonoma with my parents. Jerry (yes, we're on a first-name basis) was in town to wave the flag at a Nascar race nearby, and he was taking the day to play a round of golf, and we just happened to be in line behind him in the pro shop. Five minutes later, and we would have missed him. And best of all, he was nicer then I could have hoped.

That's right. Not only did I get to meet my hero, but I got to meet him and he lived up to every expectation. He was kind, and funny, and seemed genuinely happy to meet us. My dad introduced himself first, and then my mom and I shook his hand. The hand that caught a billion touchdowns. The hand that celebrated a billion wins with Steve Young, Joe Montana, Bill Walsh...it was glorious. I didn't get a photo or an autograph, but I will always remember that day. And then we got to play golf behind him, and FYI, that man is still an amazing athlete. We couldn't keep up after the first few holes, and we didn't see him after that. But we met him.

And now, in his first year of eligibility, Jerry Rice has been elected to the Hall of Fame. So here's to Jerry, the greatest of all time.

Bipartisanship

2010-02-03T10:32:00.000-08:00

"Obama Rips Republicans for 'Obstruction'" - it's about time. Probably the main reason that I don't get too involved in politics is because I find it endlessly frustrating. I follow along from a safe distance, and there are certain causes that I am passionate about, but on the whole I shy away from being a politico because I can't handle it. The low-blows, the secret deals, the lies...it angers me to no end. And so does the stubbornness of individuals to cross party lines for the greater good. How can a politician, elected to represent their people, refuse to negotiate on an issue that will help the public? How is that possible? I like this article because it shows Obama taking a stand against exactly that. "If you want to govern, you can't just say no," - "Obama promised to 'call (Republicans) out when (Democrats) extend a hand and get a fist in return.'" Although this was only to a crowd of Democrats, I'm glad the message is out there. Shape up and do what's right for the country, not just for you and your party!

I Live Here

2010-01-29T13:18:00.000-08:00

ilivehere:SF has become one of my favorite sites to visit. It's a blog written in the words of people who live in San Francisco, and want to share exactly what they love about the city. The photographs are lovely, and each time I learn about a new place to explore, or another person's beautiful life story. This most recent post caught my eye, because she only just moved to the city, but she describes the same feelings of wonder and excitement that I have whenever I'm there. It's a lovely, lovely site to visit.

"Your Eyes Are Soft With Sorrow"

2010-01-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

Good music is important, but for me, good music becomes great music when the words are beautiful, when they have hidden layers, and depth, and they tell a story. When the song could stand alone as a poem, that's when it gets me. I think that's why I love old music so much; there seems to be less focus on good lyrics today. Or maybe it's just that everything to say has already been said, so lyrics today sound cliched. But listening to "Sugaree" by the Grateful Dead, or "Shelter From the Storm" by Bob Dylan - that's exactly what I mean. I don't know, but I do know that I love this song by Leonard Cohen. "Your hair upon the pillow like a sleepy golden storm." You can see exactly what he means, that image is perfectly captured and translated, and he uses so few words. That's the magic of poetry.

Further On Up The Road

2010-01-26T13:16:00.000-08:00

The Last Waltz is something that deserves more attention than I can give at the moment, but for now: it was an epic farewell concert for the Band on Thanksgiving, 1976, and the lineup was unbelievable. Martin Scorsese filmed the concert and interviews with The Band, and it is a truly great film. It is one of my favorite films, actually, which means that it is impossible for me to pick a favorite performance, but this is a very cool one. Eric Clapton shows up to play "Further On Up The Road," and just as he's about to start singing, the strap on his guitar breaks, leaving Robbie Robertson to improvise a quick bit of fancy fingerwork. It's impossible not to enjoy these two great guitarists performing together.

There's An App For That

2010-01-24T14:06:00.000-08:00

Absolutely amazing - this man stayed alive in the rubble of a hotel in Port-au-Prince with the help of an iPhone application that guided him in treating his own wounds while he waited for 60 hours for a rescue crew to find him. I stand corrected: iPhone apps aren't as trivial as I like to think. The situation in Haiti is such a tragedy, but there are also a lot of inspiring stories coming out that are showing the triumph of good people and strong spirits. While it is terrifying to read about the devastation that the people are just beginning to face, I'm glad that we get to see how the world is rallying together behind the cause. I can only hope that the goodwill continues and we will still be paying attention and offering assistance as the country rebuilds in the coming months and years.

CoCo No GoGo

2010-01-23T18:05:00.000-08:00

Rolling Stone, and everyone else on the internet, had a nice little review article about Conan O'Brien's last Tonight Show. I am a big Conan fan, and I was upset about the whole NBC late-night debacle, so watching the show last night was like watching the finale of Friends; I really didn't want it to end. But I thought that it was a great finale, funny and heartfelt, with great music (Neil Young's very fitting "Long May You Run" and a great star-studded rendition of "Free Bird" with Conan contributing on guitar) and possibly the most sensible thing I've ever heard anyone say on television. I hope Conan lands on Fox in September; it seems like it would be a great fit for his humor and his audience. For now, thank goodness for online clips!

"All I ask of you is one thing: please don't be cynical. I hate cynicism--it's my least favorite quality and it doesn't lead anywhere. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get. But if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen." -Conan O'Brien

Basic Human Pleasures

2010-01-19T15:08:00.000-08:00

The New York Times has a great op-ed piece that shows giving to others is a natural human desire, and that we derive pleasure from helping others. Very interesting, and very cool to know about. Happiness isn't based on looks, or money, or possessions; what matters are our interactions with others. We are social beings that need to feel like we belong to a group and are part of something, and it just so happens that helping others is a great way to do that. A research team even found that "when a research subject was encouraged to think of giving money to a charity, parts of the brain lit up that are normally associated with selfish pleasures like eating or sex." How cool is that?

Quotables

2010-01-18T22:23:00.000-08:00

I can't help it - I love great quotes. I write them down as soon as I come across a new gem, and I love sharing them with others. I believe that a truly great quotation is like a work of art, something that inspires you deep down. Everyone has different favorites, but lately I've enjoyed finding quotes that make me take a second look at my life, what I have, and what I'm capable of, and make me want to do something with all of it. Each one of these is like a kick in the pants to get out there and take hold of life.

I am in love with words. And sometimes, when words are put together in just the right way, they mean something to you. So here's a few more, ones that inspire me to appreciate what I have and what I don't have yet, but will someday. I hope that the bulk delivery of all these quotes together doesn't detract from their greatness - it shouldn't.

“Write it on your heart that everyday is the best day of the year.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson

"In life you can either be a watcher or a doer. I say, be a doer. Let other people watch." -Professor Stephen Potts, UCSD

"Whoever is happy will make others happy too." -Anne Frank

"You cannot be lonely if you like the person you're alone with." -Wayne Dyer

"Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the wind longs to play with your hair." -Kahlil Gibran

"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." -Kurt Cobain

"If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost. That is where they should be. Now put foundations under them." Henry David Thoreau

"Tell me, what is it you plan to DO with your ONE wild and precious life?" -Mary Oliver
(This one might be my current favorite. It's like a challenge that I need to live up to.)

And Again

2010-01-12T20:59:00.001-08:00

I'm really excited about all the discussion going on right now about the court case happening against Prop 8. Here's a Newsweek article about the two lawyers who will be fighting together on the case. One is a Democrat, and the other a Republican. Interesting, eh? How will they argue the case? Very, very well, in my humble opinion:

First, he says, they will begin "with the fact that denying gays the right to marry damages them and their children. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that the right to marry is a fundamental right and critical to the pursuit of happiness." Second, he says they will argue that allowing gays to marry in no way harms heterosexuals. "It's ironic that the most vocal proponents of family values and marriage oppose extending it to everyone." Lastly they will explore how the primary basis for preventing gay marriage is religion, "but the First Amendment also precludes pushing views on others. To have the state step in and say we're going to legislate for one religious group over another is exactly what is prohibited in the anti-establishment [of a state religion] clause."

And my favorite part?

Boies says the promise of equal rights can and should be argued from all sides of the political spectrum: "It's baked into the soul of America. Our spotted history in actually delivering on that promise has always come from the failure of people to really see someone else as human. But once you accept someone as 'like us' then discriminating against them becomes untenable."

I only hope that people will start to listen this time.

"This Generations Brown v. Board"

2010-01-11T23:17:00.000-08:00

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/01/11/california.prop8.testimony/index.html

Equality is equality, and there are no exceptions. We cannot tell people they are different because of who they love, and ban them from marriage. Civil unions are not the same as marriage, and I'm incredibly weary of hearing that argument. And marriage between two people who love each other and want to make that final commitment is not damaging to society. This period in history will have enough embarrassing things written about it; do we want the denial of basic human rights to be another one?

And this one: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/12/BATV1BH727.DTL&tsp=1

EXACTLY.

Great Plays

2010-01-10T19:41:00.001-08:00

Sports inspire us. They are host to some of our greatest memories and accomplishments, both mentally and physically, they can unite people around the globe, and they fill us with a passion that we don't normally reserve for spectator situations. To be honest, I cry more during a Super Bowl highlight reel then in a romantic movie; there's just something about that intensity and undying spirit of love and devotion and the crushing, heart-wrenching defeats, and the huge men crying like children and hugging their mothers and hoisting the trophy above their heads- it's all there. Sports have the drama and the comedy and the action and the romance all there on the field. I'm a sucker for Greatest Plays of All Time countdowns, so I thought I'd share some of my favorites. I'm giving myself away here as a football fan (okay, as a Niner fan), but HONESTLY, try not to hold your breath when you watch Montana roll right and throw the ball up. Try not to get chills listening to the play-by-play during Cal's epic Play. Try not to smile when little Flutie goes running to celebrate his game winning Hail Mary with his team in the end zone. Just try.

Striking Women

2010-01-06T22:23:00.000-08:00

I think these women are absolutely lovely. They are all beautiful people with wonderfully bright personalities. When you see them smile, you know they mean it; their eyes have that extra twinkle. And the hair! Check out Julie Roberts: stunning. Love that big curly mess, I wish she still wore her hair like that. And they're smart women. Natalie Portman went to Harvard! Anywho, they're just a few whose pictures I've come across and stuck out in my mind tonight.

Just Go

2009-12-29T00:12:00.000-08:00

As if I needed any more inspiration to travel...thank you, CNN, for these visually stunning amateur photos from around the globe. I just can't seem to shake this feeling that I want to GO OUT and DO THINGS. I know I'll be back here, back home, in this beautiful place for a long time, and before I come back I want to go everywhere else I possibly can. I want to be the one taking these pictures in Costa Rica, Ireland, Egypt, anywhere. I want to go meet strangers and learn their stories and fill my journals with words and memories. I am absolutely restless for something new.

Friendships

2009-12-28T11:30:00.001-08:00

What's better - old friends who know everything about you, or new friends that give you a fresh start? I suppose it all depends on your point of view, just like everything else. It depends on where you are in your life. Because old friends mean a lot of history, both good and bad. And sometimes the bad can feel very, very heavy. And new friends mean new chances to figure yourself out. You're not tied down by the expectations of what people knew you as. You can change into who you want to be.

There's an "on the other hand," of course. There always is. On the other hand, new friends do not provide that deep connection of shared history. There is no safety net of unconditional love with people who were complete strangers only a little while ago. They do not come with the promise of always being there like old friends do. They give you the chance to change, but only because they do not know what you are changing from.

When I think about it, I know that I will always choose old friends, because they've watched me grow up, they've grown up with me, and we've helped each other figure it all out along the way. And, with luck and time, my new friends will become old ones. There's a song I learned in preschool that I haven't thought of in a long time, but still rings very true: "Make new friends, but keep the old. One is silver but the other gold."

Reminiscing

2009-12-23T10:21:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things to do now that I'm home for the holidays is to look through all of our old photo albums. I guess you could say that reminiscing is one of my favorite pastimes, and I've gotten quite good at it. I love flipping through all the old photos of things I did that I will never remember, because once I look at the pictures I feel like there's a flicker of memory there. I love seeing pictures of my grandmas running around and looking so beautiful. I love seeing my grandpas, who have both passed away, holding me up or teaching me to gut a fish. But I think my favorite thing is seeing my brother and I when we were little pipsqueaks in Davy Crockett hats or Batman costumes. I've always looked up to my brother so much, and it's funny to see how many pictures there are of me literally looking up at him, even as a toddler. Someday I'll get them all together, but for now here's a few of my favorites that remind me how fun it was to be a goofy little kid.

Person of the Moment

2009-12-14T14:08:00.000-08:00

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. Wow. They're so good I saw them twice in one weekend - in two different cities. They're a great rock band that's been around for a while but I hadn't really heard of until recently, and I'm so glad I know about them now. The guys in the band look like they could be in Stillwater in Almost Famous, the bass player looks like she just walked off the catwalk, and Grace Potter - well, girl can SING. And play guitar and organ, and dance around like it's nobody's business in the shortest sequin dress you've ever seen. They put on an amazing show, both as an opener for Brett Dennen in San Diego and as a main act in San Francisco at The Fillmore. And guess what? They love The Band as much as I do. I'll be following these guys around for a long time to come.

GMH

2009-12-09T20:40:00.000-08:00

This is the most inspiring thing I've seen in a long time. It's a website called Gives Me Hope where people post stories of inspiring events in their lives that highlight the selflessness of others. Forget finals, I've spent all my free time reading page after page of these heartwarming stories. It's the kind of thing you don't hear nearly enough about, and you don't think actually happens in the world. We always hear so much more about the terrible things that happen to people, but this is so much more important. And it truly makes me want to be a better person. Check it out, and bring tissues. It's absolutely beautiful.

Holiday Cheer

2009-12-05T17:47:00.000-08:00

Things That Warm My Heart
-Children reaching out to hold hands with their parents
-Strangers throwing you a smile for no reason
-Christmas music on the radio
-Drinking good beer under a warm blanket
-Twinkle lights
-Reunions with friends
-Hats with pompoms
-Cold, clear nights with lots of stars

Things That Turn Me Into the Grinch
-People ignoring who they're with to talk on cell phones
-Overly-aggressive drivers
-Final exams
-Smoggy days
-Cold hands and feet

More Sartorialist

2009-12-04T12:42:00.000-08:00

Here's a few more photos from The Sartorialist that I've fallen in love with. If I was more fashion conscious, this is the direction I would like to go in - striking, yet comfortable. Yes please.

Kittens

2009-12-02T13:03:00.000-08:00

Strep throat is no fun. But you know what is? KITTENS! Gloriously adorable kittens, frolicking and exploring and curing me better then penicillin. I'm a dog and a cat person, but I know a lot of people who just don't seem to get along with cats. And that's fine, but I think it's because they haven't ever had their own cat. I don't really like other people's cats because they're so independent and skittish; you have to have your own cat to appreciate how loving and sweet they are. Nothing warms my heart more than a cat snuggling on my lap and purring itself to sleep. Honestly. I miss having pets around, but these videos will do for now.

She knows what I'm talking about:

Love Languages

2009-11-28T22:59:00.000-08:00

I recently heard about this book by Gary Chapman called "The Five Love Languages," and I have found it to be very intriguing. I'm a believer (to an extent) in personality tests as a way of understanding yourself better - the Enneagram being my favorite. But when I heard about this book, I identified with it immediately. In a nutshell, it separates people into five categories that define how they convey love: 1. Words of Affirmation, 2. Gifts, 3. Acts of Service, 4. Quality Time, and 5. Physical Touch. It's so interesting because I've found a brand new way of looking at myself, and it's not something that defines who I am as a person, it just helps me identify how I give and receive love, and it's great to think about people I'm close with and what type they are. I guess I like it because it helps you understand yourself and those you love a little bit better. I've noticed that I am a physical touch person; I love giving hugs and little pats on a friend's shoulder or hand just to let them know that I'm there, I'm thinking of you, and I'm happy to be with you. But not everyone likes this, and it's great for me to think about, and try to balance myself out a little. Anywho, check it out if you have some free time.

Celebrate Your Talent

2009-11-23T15:12:00.000-08:00

We all have gifts. The key is to figure out what they are, and do the best you can with them. Exhibit A:

Instead

2009-11-22T23:14:00.000-08:00

It is WAAAY too easy to waste time, and I find that the less things I have to do, the less things I actually do. If I don't have a plan, I just sit on my bum instead of thinking of something great to spend my time on. So here' s my to-do list of things I wish I was doing instead of sitting in front of my computer. STICK TO IT!

-Yoga. There are free classes offered everywhere. Get out there and feel good about yourself!

-Hiking. I live in the most beautiful area, and I don't explore nearly as much as I'd like to.

-Catching up on my correspondence. I don't call my friends nearly as much as I should, or as much as I want to.

-Writing. I have so many ideas in my head, but sometimes I let them just float away.

-Working. I would really like to have a job. Or an internship. Or something that gives me a reason to get out of pajamas and apply myself.

-Taking a road trip. I want to get in a car and just drive to so many places.

-Learning guitar. I even bought a cheap one on eBay years ago, and tried teaching myself. Turns out I'm not a good teacher, so I stopped.

-Making post-college plans. Graduation is coming up in a matter of months, and I have no idea what comes next.

-Cooking. I have a lot of recipes I want to try, and I really want to be a good cook.

-Enjoying the outdoors. Whether on a run, or playing tennis, or sitting and watching the sunset, it's embarrassing to think that instead I'm inside all day. Ugh.

Who's a Grown Up?

2009-11-16T15:59:00.001-08:00

Most of the time, I forget that the world sees me as an adult. I think most people in college are more connected to their high school past then to their tax paying future, and it's easy to think that we're still kids. But boy oh boy, we are not. And there are a few things that I do in my life that remind me that I am, in fact, a grown up.

The first is most definitely grocery shopping. I came to the realization halfway through last year that I will be doing the grocery shopping for myself FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. Mom's not going to keep doing it for me (except when I'm at home of course), and I have to figure out for myself the difference between a sweet potato and a yam, which cut of steak is my favorite, and how to balance the ratio of Cheezits-to-Carrots in my shopping cart. So when I'm checking out at the grocery store, and I swipe my Club Member Card (in my own name) and sign for my credit card and show my ID for the bottle of wine, I feel quite mature.

This leads me to Number Two on my list: Money. I really do not like dealing with money, it makes me nervous unless it's cash. I don't like the idea that I can buy something with money I don't have, and could have to pay a fee later for. I only really use my credit card so that I can build up good credit, but if I could get away with it, I would never use it. Paying bills online is a hard thing for me to trust, but I do it every month, just like I will every month for the rest of my life. Oy.

My next reminder of how grown up I am is being able to purchase alcohol. I had an epiphany at my 21st birthday dinner that I can do this forever. If I have a rough day, I can grab a cold beer. If I'm at a nice restaurant, I can have a glass of wine. I'll never, ever be underage again. This is a wonderful thing, but also very strange for me to wrap my head around. It's a definite milestone, and every drink I have takes me one sip farther from my childhood.

It seems odd that I'm talking about these things as if they're terrible and sad. They're not. They're all great, and I am more happy to do them then bummed. But sometimes it strikes me as odd that I have to be reminded that I'm an adult now, no matter how I feel.

National Geographic

2009-11-15T19:33:00.000-08:00

Nature never ceases to amaze me.

Things I Would Never Change

2009-11-13T12:44:00.000-08:00

Body image isn't just an issue, it's a fact of life. It's always around, coming from the inside and the outside. In the back of our minds, we are always thinking about things we don't like about ourselves, and things we wish we could change. Instead, I would like to make an effort to think about the things I would never change, not for a million dollars on a solid gold plane, things that I used to not like about myself but have decided to take back and claim as uniquely me. Here's what I've come up with:

-My freckles. I don't really have them on my face, but I do have them on my arms, back, and even knees. I love them, they're like little constellations that are just mine.

-My hair. It was blond and straight when I was young, but now it's long and brown and wavy; sometimes curly, sometimes poofy, but never just right. And I love that. I love being the girl whose hair will never be perfect.

-My nose. It's not big, but it definitely wouldn't be classified as a cute little button nose. But it's a family nose, from both sides of my family. We all share it, which makes me love it.

-My feet. They may be flat, but heck, I can balance better then all you gracefully-arched people!

-My blushing. Yes, even this, the thing that has caused me the most embarrassment throughout my life. And I blush hard, but it's okay. It makes me ME.

Everything else, I already love :)

My Thoughts Exactly

2009-11-07T12:16:00.000-08:00

Check out these dance moves...

"San Francisco" by Brett Dennen
Go if you want to go
But I won't follow
Just so you know
Leave if you need to leave
But I won't be here
I wont be here when you come home

I'm gonna to move to San Francisco
Look up some old friends
I'm gonna get me a navy pea coat
And an old Mercedes Benz

This old town it keeps shrinking
There's too many people in my junk
I'm gonna do a lot of drinking
Cause it don't hurt when I'm drunk

Go if you want to go
But I won't follow
Just so you know
Leave if you need to leave
But I won't be here
I wont be here when you come home

I'm gonna rent me an old Victorian
Down in the Lower Haight
I'm gonna find me an old accordion
Play for the tourists on the Golden Gate
I'm gonna plant a garden
Paint my bathroom blue
I'm gonna try real hard
To get over you

Go if you want to go
But I won't follow
Just so you know
Leave if you need to leave
But I won't be here
I wont be here when you come home

Here in the city life doesn't move so slow
There's plenty of good people I know
Up in North Beach they drink spicy Italian liqueur
Down on Market there's a lot of hobos and the hustlers

Down in Hayes Valley, there's a lot of real good restaurants
Deep in the Tenderloin you can get anything you want
Over in the Mission it's always a sunny day
It's a real good baseball town but my team is across the Bay

Go if you want to go
But I won't follow
Just so you know
Leave if you need to leave
But I won't be here
I wont be here when you come home

Male Prima Donna

2009-11-01T11:07:00.000-08:00

GENIUS. This is why The Office is one of my favorite shows. This is one of their webisodes, and they put so much creativity and effort into it. Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly and writes a lot of the episodes, directed this video, and it's hilarious. And I LOVE Andy. Love. Ed Helms is great, and a surprisingly talented musician. Love this show.

A Poem for Home

2009-10-30T00:14:00.000-07:00

Here's a poem I wrote when I was living in Australia and was feeling homesick. Not in a sad way, but in a I'm-so-grateful-for-where-I'm-from way. My parents had just emailed me a picture of a beautiful purple and pink foggy sunset over looking the Bay and the hills to the west. It was so beautiful, and so familiar even though I was thousands of miles away. I knew that picture, I'd seen it so many times before. What I love about sunsets, though, is that they are never the same. They are surprising and terribly beautiful every time. All of a sudden I felt this upwelling of love inside of me for my home. And that's where this poem came from. It isn't great, but it expresses what I feel for San Francisco and California as closely as I've ever been able to say it.

"Repetitions of Home"
I've traveled oceans away from where I learned
to define myself.
I know who I am in California
but now I've seen the world
(or at least a new pinpoint on the map)
and I'm not who I was when I left.
California gave birth to me.
California shaped me.
California whispered to me all I know.
I see the world through California eyes.
Golden citrus westward eyes.
I'm happy to be away
but I dream of going back.
Flying through the night over San Francisco
dodging clouds and peeking at the lights
that flank the bay in silent clusters.
My city is winking hello and welcoming me home.
The undulating terrain below is so familiar
stamped into my mind.
Unforgettable as the face of my father-
burned into my blood.
My blood that pumps California through my fingertips.
My blood that paints California in my toenails.
My blood that heats my cheeks with California.
I know who I am in California
but who does that make me here?
If I meet you now you cannot possibly know me
until you know me
in California.
There's a void in my chest when I'm away from home.
I asked Tony Bennett to keep is eyes peeled
because I'm sure I left my heart
in the same spot that he did.
California makes my hair grow.
California glues my joints together.
California keeps this new air flowing through my lungs.
But the air here doesn't taste like California.
I miss the scent of clean fog on green redwood trees.
I miss the freshwater and saltwater mixing at my feet
in an opposite embrace.
Flowing in and out
in and out
beneath the brick-red bridge that I love.
California is my random luck.
California is my secret wish.
California is my reason to smile.
A single speakable Spanish word
buried at the foundation of centuries of dreams.
Doesn't everyone want to be home in California?

Nick Swisher

2009-10-29T22:05:00.000-07:00

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=4588727

This article made me happy. We used to love Swish when he played for the A's, he's got the best attitude...after Eric Byrnes maybe. I'm bummed he's on the Yankees now (the Yankees are like the spoiled rich kid who buys all their friends) but I love that he brought his personality to his new team. I wish more people were like this. It's kinda like having Buddy the Elf on your team. Love it.

Moving Songs

2009-10-28T22:54:00.000-07:00

"It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful. It has the beauty of loneliness of pain: of strength and freedom. The beauty of disappointment and never-satisfied love. The cruel beauty of nature and everlasting beauty of monotony." -Benjamin Britten

"Without music, life would be a mistake." -Friedrich Nietzsche

Certain songs that we come across in life seem to have some sort of special power over us. They're tied to a memory that never fails to provoke an emotional response whenever we hear them. To me, this is what music is all about. It becomes a part of your life, not just what you listen to when life is happening. Some songs define you, some say what you cannot say, and some forever represent moments that have passed by. These are the songs that have that effect on me, the ones that move me the most.

Crash by Dave Matthews Band
Miss You by The Rolling Stones
Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison
Blackbird by The Beatles
Buckets of Rain by Bob Dylan
Sugaree by the Grateful Dead
Free Fallin' by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
The Weight by The Band

Photographic Joy

2009-10-28T22:42:00.000-07:00

I thought it would be nice to put up a bunch of completely random pictures that make me happy. I like to save pictures that I come across when I'm browsing around websites and such, and now I have a very diverse collection. Here's a few choice favorites.

The cast of The Office goofing off.

My dream.

This had a caption: "Fight the Power."

My elementary school's play structure.

Jenna's picture; mama and baby boat.

Orion's belt.

Joe & Co.

So silly, but always makes me laugh.

Jerry Garcia, looking very colorful.

I think this da Vinci sketch is beautiful.

Outwitting the Sniffles

2009-10-24T10:22:00.000-07:00

Nobody likes getting sick, especially when you have to check out of real life for a couple of days. But everyone seems to have a list of sure-all, cure-all remedies that they swear helps them feel better; well, here's mine.

-Snuggle up. Only comfy, loose-fitting clothes please, especially under the world's softest blanket on the world's squishiest couch.

-Naptime! Sometimes I think that if I sleep enough, my sickness will get bored with me and go away.

-Mary Poppins. A childhood favorite, and never fails to make me feel better. A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down!

-YouTube bloopers. Seinfeld, Friends, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, The Office...anything that makes you laugh and doesn't require too much thinking.

-Comfort foods. Different for everybody, mine is grilled cheese sandwiches and chicken noodle soup.

-Hot Toddys. This warm drink will knock you out and warm you all the way down. Combine hot water, whiskey, honey, lemon, and a little cinnamon, and say goodnight!

-Lots of good books. It can get boring lying in bed all day, so bring out some old favorites and dive in.

-Forget your responsibilities. Worrying about the work you're missing or the things you'll have to catch up on will only make you feel worse. Think about all that later, when you're healed and able to tackle it.

-Call home. Something about hearing Mom and Dad's voices really does make me feel better. Double points if I actually am home and can have them tuck me in or bring me tea.

"California Stands for Change"

2009-10-22T18:15:00.000-07:00

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1931582,00.html?cnn=yes

"California is not another American state, it is a revolution within the states." -Carey McWilliams, 1949

That's right. I have always been a proud native of California, but lately it seems that people are over-eager to criticize my home state. I just found this Time article that fights back against all the negative representations, and it completely reassured my feelings. No matter what people are saying, or how bleak things are looking, California is still the dream state. It is not in decline, although times are undeniably tough. It is not going to fail, although it is certainly making some much-needed changes. I am still proud to be a California Girl.