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I really have a lot of homework. And suddenly a lot to blog about too - I've been in a sort of blogging slump the last few days. // Driving to school today, I popped in my Untitled album by the Benjamin Gate. Cool story and meaning to their emblem, tight sound. It's a real bummer they broke up. Check out this 90's awesomeness.

Yesterday was wild. First thing, went to Kay's Country Kitchen in Orcutt with Jonas for breakfast.

I had an artichoke, spinach, garlic omelet that was so good! Jonas got a different kind of omelet that wasn't as impressive, but he got the cranberry muffin which was better than my blueberry one. We have so much fun together. Breakfast was followed by hours and hours of school and we wrapped up with a visit to First Christian's college group. I'm glad we went, and I think we will go again. :) It made me ask hard questions of myself. And besides, the room they meet in has 30 (no exaggeration) couches in it. I am all there. During our mixed media class, there was a patch of light moving across the room, so, what could we do but whip out the camera?

Today, I stupidly waited an extra hour at school because I misread my tutee appointment slip. Poop. It was windy today, though warmer outside than in, so I sat on the lawn in front of the Writing Center until one of those spiky green nut-like things from one of the big trees blew off and landed hard on my leg. After that pleasant experience, I went to the bank and then shopping for some mixed media supplies for my next project. I went to Betty's Fabrics and found this gorgeous cloth. [I was going to add a picture, but the ones I look do it no justice what so ever]. // If I spend very long in there I get sick with want. I was behind a woman at the check out who was probably 70+ years old. She had a really interesting ring on so I told her how pretty I thought it was. She proceeded to tell me that she had been married 2 months ago in Las Vegas and that the ring was the sum total of all the gems taken from her grandmother's collection of jewelry. Great idea if you have too much jewelry and too little time to wear it all. Next, I voluntarily went to OSH and payed 15 cents for some nails. I weighed and labeled them by myself, like a real man. Except, I was wearing tailored pants and heels. The cashier kind of chuckled at me. // On my way home, it occurred to me, accompanied by a mildly warm sensation, that American traffic moves like clock work. Everyone operates by the same rules and takes turns. Novel, really. I get worried that we're a devil nation sometimes, just as the media seems to imply, but honestly, I kind of feel like all the America bashing is just a fad. I guess time will tell. // I need to go to bed early tonight. Zzzzz. Tootles.
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092609

Yesterday was the first real day of my new job which I've officially had for 5 weeks now or something. I had my first "tuttee," as they are called. That is, I tutored a student in English. // When I got home, I called up Jonas and we decided to ride bikes to Blenders in the Grass. 1/3 of the way there, the chain on his bike broke, so we had to walk back and get a different bike and start again. When we got there, he got a peanut butter smoothie, and I got red mango. We were right next to the pet store which helped us devise our devious plan... My youngest sister, Julia, has a little fish bowl that she filled with rocks and shells and water. Then she proceeded to show everyone her "fish" and though it was greatest fun when people confusedly left without having seen it. Sooo, Jonas and I actually bought 2 Siamese fighting fish (Betta fish) - he kept one (it's gorgeous - red with tiny blue scales on its body) and I got a shimmery blue-ish red-ish rainbow looking one. But first, we filled two jars with water and went on and on about the beautiful "fish" inside. My whole family played along and Julia pretended with us. Later when she was occupied, we put the real fish into her bowl and then pretended as if we couldn't see any fish. When we finally all admitted that we could of course see the real fish, she was pretty smiley but said with a giant exhale-laugh, "You guys stressed me out!" Hehe. Julia's doesn't have a name yet, but Jonas is thinking about "Okami" (I think...) for his. He always thinks of great names for things (Julia wanted to name hers Billy...). Here's a painting to show you a bit what these fish look like, since I don't have a picture for our little nameless fish yet. (by DeviantArt's Jennifer The First) They're very shimmery and multicolored, often, which you can't tell from the painting.

We also watched several episodes of Invader Zim which is pretty awesome. Grr is definitely one of my favorite animated characters ever (haha, this picture totally doesn't match with the other two..). "I love dis showwww..."

I have been too lazy thus far to unsubscribe from my word-a-day emails, and this weeks' theme had to do with books. These two words make me happy: 1. grangerize (GRAYN-juh-ryz) is a verb meaning a) To mutilate a book by clipping pictures out of it or b) To illustrate a book by adding pictures cut from other books. 2. comstockery (KOM-stock-uh-ree, KUM-) is a noun meaning overzealous censorship of material considered obscene. Haha, love it! // My room has almost no floor space left... time to clean. We cleaned out our garage this morning and everyone keeps coming to me asking if I want this or that random object because chances are, I will say, "Hm... yes! Mixed media." ^^// Good news: I think... I'm not sure... but I thinkkkk, there might be a little shoot coming up in my flower garden. // Bad news: There is a rumor that Fullerton is increasing it's "fees" by 33% (which will put the new price at $4000 something). Still better than most other places, but kind of a drag when you don't even have $3000 for said fees. // Last, but not least, my promised music discovery, CéU (apparently already hugely popular in her native Brazil). Listen here or here. What a lovely lady and sound.

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NEW MUSIC:: Brand New's album, Daisy (9/22). Love the cover. The retro-church service overtones are kind of creepy. I'll tell you about my latest true music discovery soon.

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I am frustrated with school right now. It seems so endless and much of it pointless and I really have a hard time studying because I have lots of nicer things to do. *agitated exhale! // I did get a blog visitor from Brazil though. I've been awaiting that for a long time. Now I have dots on the map on every continent. ^^ Except Antarctica and I don't know if that's even possible. // I bought Fever Ray's album today. I've known about her for a while and had these awesome photos, but now I'll probably infuse myself with witchiness regularly (I posted an awesome video of hers way back when... I, for one, don't feel like finding the post, but I'm telling you, it's awesome)... dangit, these pictures aren't the same size. Humph.

Pout. Groan. Goodnight. // P.S. While I'm venting, I would just like to say that Lookbook now has too many users for anyone but the already massively popular and the very occasional exceptional new comer to get hyped. It was better in the old days...
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I actually knew today's "word of the day" (odious). Good for me! :D
Ok, I have like... a billion things to share. // My favorite entertainment finds of the week: indie film Once ('07) and perfect old school-new school blend band, Noisettes. First, about Once. I love those movies that you enjoy right from the start. And that are real. I mean, the end of the movie is like a real life ending! Sometimes I like movies to end "right" because I often watch movies to relax from real life, but this one was just right. It was also one of those movies that I ran upstairs and bought the soundtrack for right after seeing it. Glen Hansard & Marketa Irglova = love. I had a short obsession back in my freshman year of high school with the Czech Republic. I can't remember why. // Noisettes have a very different sound, but loads of fun. It's fun and sophisticated at once and I adore the lead singer's style.


My room is undergoing a makeover. I bought a vintage desk (picture later) and took down my regular wall art which made everything look empty, so I my curtain sheer which is suffocates my ferns in the window and tacked it to my ceiling as a canopy. I also bought a red Ranunculus bulb which I'm going to add to my garden. The garden isn't in the ground yet, but I'm slowly accumulating things to put in it. I'm excited for it. It will be like the comfort of the cat that I don't have. // I went to a hippy bike/banjo party for my friend Skaggs this morning. There was pita bread and humus and people with red hair. :j I was a fan.

Just one more thing today, so you're not overwhelmed with awesomeness. ;) My aunt Cathy stopped by and showed us this awesome video. Isn't that so much fun! I wonder if I can ask Matt if he would go to Xinjiang? And it would be fun to be in one of his shots too. I'd never heard of some of those places in his video, but I'd love to visit them all!

I should run off to write a paper on my *possibly* favorite mixed media artist, Swoon. :D Laterz. And happy Labor Day extended-weekend!
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The project I worked on this summer for Hardy Diagnostics was finally implemented on to the web. It's kind of fun to see the pictures on the website and think... "I did that. And it was wretched, but still.... I did that!" // I'm not a big fan of Brooke Waggoner's music, actually, but she sure is a cute lady! And by cute I mean enchantingly indie.

I spent a lot of time falling asleep, sleeping, and being bummed out today. Bad news about transfer business which I am dedicated to mourning over for several days. Why don't lives work out as planned like they do in movies? Why oh why? I got some mixed media home work done (should keep on that in a moment) and tried to start business, but that didn't get far. Instead, I collected some new Etsy gems. Lucky for you. 1. Love Birdies ring by joannarutter, 2. Chair cards by annechovie and 3. Vintage-y blue pendant by faeriedtreasures.



I've also been weeding through my "inspiration draft" which is a drafted email in my gmail full of urls that I should follow through on looking at. One of these dormant notes to self turned out to be about Janet Hill. She is a painter who seems to have a really good grasp of oils. Harder than it looks, my friends. She also has a TON of paintings which I know from personal experience does a lot to make a good artist a great artist. Here is a lovely example of her work, entitled "Toast and Cherry Jam." Her earlier work (wasn't patient enough to make it all the way to the beginning of her blog if those earlier pieces are indeed posted there) are much larger and more dark/dramatic which I almost prefer, but I do enjoy sunshiny things as well. :)

May the rest of this week bring you all good news and sunshine, and not tears!
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082609 // Oh man, I'm going to be so mad at myself later *today* for staying up to write this. But... HULLO... since when has the lateness of an hour kept a college student from blogging? Like, never. Except for the smart ones and that's entirely beside the point. So I just realized that I received two comments and I didn't even know it until I happened to go into my drafted post area... YAHHHHYAHAYAH! Speaking of comments. O.M.G. As in, wow. I had SO many FB posts wishing me happy birthday. I replied to every one which I know is spastic and unrealistic, but there you have it. Thanks to everyone for making me feel so loved! Or really, for loving me. Even though my FB page is a little harried. Hehe. // I'm 18 years old! How 'bout it!? Certainly never yet cared this much about the actual digits. Unless it was like 6 or something, which I don't specifically remember, but I was secretly very excitable at that age, I'm guessing. Anyway, I drove 2 friends home today and it felt great! All those times I had to bum rides off other people... those days are over. // For my birthday, Jonas & family, as well as my family, got me all sorts of plants. I love them so. There are 2 kinds of ferns, 2 cacti, 3 succulents, a potted sunflower and a bouquet of some kind of flower that I don't know the name of in my house right now. Plus my orchid from last year's birthday which is blooming like a runaway train (you know what I mean) and my Valentine's tulip in the fridge which is ready to be planted again tomorrow after weeks of fake hibernation! YATA! Plants kiss my soul, like good food. I have some pictures that will definitely end up on FB if not here. I know I always say that and they never end up here... so just look on FB in the next album I post. ;) // I love my school and my classes. I stuck things I like into my binder cover slip today and I may go about getting my parking permit tomorrow... I love every detail of school. Except maybe the hard chairs after a few hours. Do you want to see some of the awesome things I've learned so far? In environmental geology, Mr. Rock man (I don't know his name yet... I know, bad!) showed us this incredible world clock. You can watch the population tick up by several babies a second! It's incredible. And funny if you try and imagine each birth as it happens. I wonder how many people are born on the same day at any given time? Like how many people on earth share my exact birthday, including the year? You can also watch the number of HIV infections tick up by the second, as well as gallons (?) of oil mined/pumped. It's mind boggling and sobering and intensely intriguing. How many tons of fish are being caught this very moment, how many violent crimes are being committed, where exactly is the sun shining? It will captivate your interest too. He also told our class about a field trip in October. We're going hiking for a week to document all things nature-y. Most of you probably know I'm quite the city mouse, as my mum says, but I'm actually totally excited about this. I like rocks. More detail on that later, I'm sure. Education is like candy to me. // Oi! I keep forgetting that I got a new job! Probably because I'm not working it yet, but I was hired to tutor English at AHC. I'm a little nervous, but again, feeling secure-er with a job. // Ok, I'm going to join the ranks of the sane (if that's still an option) and finish up another time. S'rry!

082709 // Still liking school... no kidding. Some of the glamour has worn off already, but I'm already bouncing with ideas for research papers, art projects, etc. I will attempt to share my favorites as they develop. // Mrs. Farley showed me this awesome site called freerice. I've added it to my favorites over on one of the right side panels. Basically, if you guess the correct defintion to the word freerice spits out, you win 10 grains of rice that go into a little bowl. All of those digital grains are FOR REALLY donated by freerice to the UN to help starving people around the world. You can pick other subjects to be quizzed on too. I'm starting around level 30 on vocab (even though you may be saving lives, it's kinddd of cheating to answer really easy questions all day long, yea?). I'm going to do this instead of a-word-a-day because I'm totally not being motivated by trying to use words with no practical value. The only thing I don't like about studying words on freerice is that some are intuitive enough to guess, but I may not know the word well enough to use it. It only shows up again in your word pile if you get the definition wrong though. I'll try and think of a remedy...

It's 8pm and all I've had all day is a can of Squirt. Boo. I need food. // New band I'm loving, Neon Hitch (thanks Parker). Listen here. I can't figure out where to buy her stuff though...? She sounds to me like a mix of Lady Sovereign, Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. Love the Brits. Love her red braids as well. Also, I love that Lily Allen took a picture of herself crying and posted it on Myspace. Love in in a complicated way. I won't trouble you with social commentary atm. ^^

I'll try and post more photos and do less talking in the next few posts! Hehe. // FB readers - view enhanced post.

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Ooo, my mouth hurts so bad. I have so many sores and cuts from stress/braces. Not my fave. :( // I made dinner today. I made chicken salad with jalapeno and lime and almonds and good things like that while listening to Indian music. It was delicious and my family loved it. You can try the recipe too, if you like. :D // Our house is in the process of being painted yellow. // Tomorrow I am going to wear my new summer yellow dress out for the first time. ^___^ // Check out this stash of classy photos. I got them all off the same flickr account called myvintagevogue. I sometimes wish everyone dressed up like this still. This top one, a 1960's ad for Nina Ricci might be my all time favorite. So elegant and simple.

Miss Vivien Leigh.

Beatrice Wagstaff in '53. Look how young she is!

Simone D'alliencourt, '59. I think I'd like to name a daughter Simone.

Miss Yvonne DeCarlo, how do you get your skin to glow so?

This photo was in a 1960 Life magazine. I love the China element.

Thanks heavens for Vogue, keeping alive a love of fine clothes and class.
This is totally non sequitor, but if you ever have a chance to eat a pomelo, you should take it. It's like a giant grape fruit, but not as juicy and not as bitter. I miss eating (I always try to spell that with 2 ts and "forest" with 2 rs. It's like I'm that goose from Charlotte's Web) them for breakfast in China.

Gina & Sky get married a week from today. I'm so excited to go to their wedding. :D Pictures on FB to be sure, if not here as well. // Ok, I'ma gonna go work on my latest painting for a bit. Hope you are all having a restful weekend. // Actually, first... here is a totally awesome picture. I think it might be of the pianist for Sleeping At Last, but I'm not sure. I was just going to say that I'd been enjoying their music a lot and was looking for a picture to illustrate said thought, when I found this picture which is too amazing not to post, regardless of who it is.

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I can't wait for school to start and my summer job to be over. I decided I would rather do something I love for a paltry sum than something I hate for a fortune. Though I've always known that. A sun chip fell down my shirt and landed in my belly button today. Isn't that gross and weird and TMI? I think so too.
Music is the only thing keeping me from going out of my mind at work. I've known/been listening to Elliott Smith for ages, but kind of rediscovered him. His words combined with regular life stuff right now has me submerged in a painting... if it turns out half way decent, I'm sure it will end up on Facebook. I'm continuously bummed that he killed himself. Look at him smiling...

I also discovered (for the first time) Australian sibling duo Angus and Julia Stone. I can't find a nice sized picture that I really like, but I truly love their music. "Mango Tree" is my all time favorite, but "Paper Aeroplanes", "Bella" - it's all enchanting.

Now if this doesn't make you smile, I'm worried for you. The song is by Jose Gonzalez (I think he might hold the record for the saddest song I know).


Also, some favorites from the runway this summer. Chris Benz, Christian Dior
& Alexander McQueen.


I wish for a giant rainstorm....

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Harold(ed?) as "the best voice you've never heard of," I've just discovered Karen Dalton. Apparently she died about 14 years ago (dang it!), but she's lovely... not a style you hear much anymore.

I know I'm being a slacker blogger. I'm working 8 hours a day and "my" computer died, so I've not had access to my usual store of saved urls and pictures to share.
I do have fun stuff to share... but, another time!

This artist, Jude Miller, is amazing. She makes these sprigs out of paper and wire and beads. They cost about $100 each, but they look absolutely exquisite and completely real, no?





I get a little giddy thinking about decorating a home some day... I won't be buying $100 dollar flowers or
wallpaper/fabric directly from Schumacher, who made these, but I'm always prowling cheap stores and taking notes on how to make stuff look awesome with no money. ^^ I put bars of colors under these prints that I thought would go well (the orange one was put together by someone else though).




My friend Ides introduced me to this Brazilian singer, Cibelle. I'm thinking about perming my hair like hers. ^^ We shall see! This Green Grass video is lovely and whimsical and must have taken a really long time to animate.





Summer is almost here. Mixed feelings on that. :j
Here are some summer lovelies. Tea cup lights from Domestic Construction and bench photo via Style Me Pretty.

Hope there is sunshine where you are too! :)

My sister showed this to me today. I thought it was... hilarious.



I've been working all day on putting together a slideshow for "graduation." Lots of memories. ^^ I made up dinner tonight. I cooked up some sausage and peppers etc. in some Chipotle salsa and then baked it inside of a bread braid. It wasn't half bad! :)

Right now I'm listening to this *apparently very underground?!* band called Mapei right now, that I think is pretty tight. I like this album cover (?) of theirs too. Clever and culturally charged...



Via Lookbook... I discovered this website in its *very* early stages on which you can trade clothes, rather than buy them. I don't know if I'll really be any better off after paying postage (assuming I find something I'm willing to trade for! - I'm only the 3rd user signed up), but I think it's a great idea. You should join too.

Laterz!

Two recently discovered bands I'm digging - Marina & the Diamonds and La Roux. My favorite songs from them are "I Am Not a Robot" and "In For the Kill," respectively, which you can hear if you click on their names, above. If Marina is serious about being from Wales, then I think I just took some extra pride from being distantly Welsh myself, by virtue of association with awesomeness.





Here are some summery-goodness photos for you, thanks to the photography skills of Annika Vannerus. I really want to try my hand at that pancake cake one of these days.


 
 
Also, get a load of this Selgas Cano architecture office in Madrid. Crazy cool, right?





Happy Tuesday to you. :)