LandOfTheLel

2012 New Things: Make a Frittata

2012-01-20T18:31:00.000-08:00

Frittatas intimidate me. I have always known they are inherently easy, but for some reason they seemed too complicated to figure out and the idea of putting a pan from the stove INTO THE OVEN blew my mind. I mean, can you do that? (you can. as long as it's oven-safe, duh.)

Starting 2012 simply, I made a frittata. I am fond of Mark Bittman's recipes and he has a "more veggie, less egg" take on frittatas. Loaded up on asparagus, leeks, peas and spinach, the frittata came out very green. Green is good.

yum.

Keep It Going: 2012 New Things List

2012-01-09T21:01:00.000-08:00

My 2011 Bucket List has, thus far, been my most favorite list I have ever made. Throughout the year, the list reminded me of things I wanted to try and, as a result, I backpacked to Sykes Hot Springs and the Desolation Wilderness, went to the Legion of Honor, made awesome paella and failed mince meat pie, canoed with my family, went snowshoeing and took a tap dancing class. The spirit of trying new things lead me to ride my bike 27 miles, build a counter on my backporch, and meet up with friends more than staying in. In general, I definitely learned that saying yes is way more fun than saying no.

And so, I'm going to continue this idea, this mantra into 2012 and creating a "new things" list (apparently 'bucket list' is morbid to some). Here we go!

2012 New Things

Visit Angel Island
Make a frittata.
Learn to crochet an afghan.
Learn Prelude in C by Bach
Go to a meditation session
Go lazy inner tubing on a river
Watch the Godfather
Read Moby Dick
Visit Mono Lake
Hike to the Tourist Club
Backpack the Lost Coast
Ride a horse
Make tiramisu
Publish in a scientific journal
Eat raw foods for a week
Have an epic crafting party
Take a paddleboat out on Stow Lake
Visit the Pleasanton Ridge
Partake in a fancy tea
See a Great Lake

Yes is more fun than No!

Wolf (never cry)

2012-01-09T19:53:00.000-08:00

Journey. He wandered into California last week, has a webpage and is a young bachelor without buddy or mate. You won't find him on match.com but he may be checking out your herd. As you would expect, animal enthusiasts are yelling about shooting wolves and ranchers are worried about their livestock. Unless this wolf gets all immaculate conceptiony, I'm thinking he's just neat.

If you feel like reading about saving the wolves, check out the Defenders of Wildlife site.

If you want to read more about the history of wolf issues, check out The Wolf That Changed America (PBS).

While looking for the above links, and sadly searching"kill the wolves" in an attempt to find some anti-wolf material, I came across some terrible, glorifying blogs about hunting wolves and different ways of trapping and shooting them. Ugh. So, here's a quote from Jack London's White Fang, which I shall now go read in its entirety to cleanse my soul.

Much of the Wild had been lost, so that to [other dogs] the Wild was the unknown, the terrible, the ever menacing and ever warring. But to him, in appearance and action and impulse, still clung the Wild. He symbolized it, was its personification; so that when they showed their teeth to him they were defending themselves against the powers of destruction that lurked in the shadows of the forest and in the dark beyond the camp-fire.

kayaking in Marin

2012-01-09T10:58:00.000-08:00

Saturday, I had to get out of the house. Too much sleep caused by a cold, too much television, too much being in a small space. So, we went kayaking up in Marin with Anna and Chris. It was a wee jaunt to the bay and back from San Rafael. Beautiful, crisp day (but,seriously, rain, where are YOU.)

off the prow (bow?) of Anna's Kayak. That's China Camp State Park on the right.

Steve and I. This is very much the same position we were in when the tour guide dropped Steve's camera into Monterey Bay, so we were nervous, especially since Anna was using her phone.

I was using Anna's kayak and felt really comfy and sturdy. On the other hand, Steve was using a really really sensitive kayak that would probably become unbalanced and tip if you coughed.

Perfect.

2012-01-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

If a jolly airedale in a field doesn't make you smile, nothing will. I am home from work, nursing a cold, and this literally made me gasp with joy. Happy Friday.

2011: Top 5 Firsts (as documented by iPhone)

2011-12-31T11:41:00.000-08:00

First time taking the family canoe out in about 20 years. July, 2011

First race ever run, Wharf to Wharf in Santa Cruz, California. July 2011

First time Brinly ever slept outside; we had a sleep out on the cabin deck. September 2011

First time at the mystery spot and first time being unexplainably almost as tall as Steve! October 2011

First time ever riding the ferry from Larkspur to a Giants' game. The ride was incredibly awesome and reminded me that exploring my own city and the Bay Area in general is an amazing, eye-opening thing. September 2011.

Top 5 (in a fashion) books of 2011

2011-12-31T10:24:00.000-08:00

I made a list of books I read this year; the list was alarmingly short. I suppose (hm, know) this is a direct result of Hulu and Netflix and my fascination with catching up on TV shows I have never been able to watch due to lack of cable or my inability to remember what night shows come on (breathe). My coworker said that this decrease/increase is probably okay if there are documentaries involved. Two seasons of Vampire Diaries fit that, right?

Anyway. Top 5 (ish) books:

1. Game of Thrones (Books 1-4)*, George R.R. Martin. A shocking oversight that I never read these in my youth, I suppose, so I hopped on the HBO-inspired bandwagon this year and read four of the five existing GOT tomes/doorstops/weights. I don't mean to imply they were not entertaining-- rather, they rhythmically kept you interested, hopping from one character to the next, often in dire situations, so that you had to keep reading to make sure they survived. (Admission: I periodically scanned chapter names all the way to the end of the book to make sure they appeared again). I haven't read the fifth book yet, but intend to. I needed a break from all the violence and viking porn and strange suckling dragons; it was beginning to affect the way I thought. Also, where the hell is Rickon?

2. Two Lipsticks and a Lover (UK title), Helena Frith-Powell. A femininity game changer, Two Lipsticks... is a transplanted English Woman's attempt at understanding the mysterious and alluring vibe of French women. Long story short? Matching underwear sets, lipstick, and an empowering view of self. It's a highly entertaining read and while I didn't agree with everything, I enjoyed reading a different perspective and gleaned some amazing tips. I wish I had read this... ten years ago. So many more years of matching undie sets!

3. All Clear, Connie Willis. I love Connie Willis. In fact, this is more a favorite author discovery rather than favorite book. Somehow, she manages to blend Victoria writing and Science Fiction in a way that maybe only I love. Reading her writing, always makes me thing of Joni Mitchell's, "I could drink a case of you..." All Clear is the sequel to Blackout, which is also the sequel to the Doomsday Clock. All three novels are about historians from the future who travel back in time to observe the past for their dissertation studies. A one-two punch of historical fiction and the threat of paradox! Come on!

*Taking the liberty of letting the GOT books count for multiple top five entries. They took long enough to read.

Top 5: DiscoVeries

2011-12-28T15:20:00.000-08:00

via the awkward bird

The end of the year is here and what does that mean? Round-up, best of, worst of lists -- something I must admit I love wholeheartedly. I devour "Hottest TV Shows" and "Top Ten Instant Celebrities" and "Top Ten New Species" of whatever year -- I can't look away. So, in honor of this addiction, I have decided to do a few "Top Whatevers of 2011." (However, I'm sticking with 5. I'd rather not be long-winded. Or I'm lazy.)

2011: Top 5 Discoveries That Made My Life Easier.

1. Cargo Nets for my Matrix: I was standing at the back of my car, hatchback open. My yoga mat had just rolled out onto the dirty parking lot for the umpteenth time. As follows: I need a way to hold this all in place, there has to be a way, why didn't my car come with those netty things people use, can I buy those, where, why didn't it just come with them, what are all those hooks for, maybe I will check near the spare tire, wait, what are those, they are still in the wrapping, omg, cargo nets!, in my car for four years you sneaky little bastard cargo nets!, I have been waiting for you my whole life and ooh look you can hook them different ways and my yoga mat fits perfectly and I love you cargo nets! All this in the parking lot at Planet Granite, in about three minutes. Three minutes that CHANGED MY CARGO LIFE.

2. A Burr Grinder: Let's be serious. I love coffee. This love runs in my family. It's ritualistic. Time and experience (and articles like this) have shown me that a good cuppa coffee is not determined by the amount of grounds you place in the filter (I'm talking to you, coworkers) nor is it always the type of bean (within reason, of course). It is in the preparation, perfection. Earlier this year, I became frustrated with the mediocrity I was experiencing each morning so I did some research and upped my game by purchasing myself the illustrious burr grinder. Upon stirring my brew in my French Press that first time, I witnessed that beautiful image the coffee-ist strives for: that frothy foamy coffee-ness. (see picture). Do not resign yourself to mediocrity!

3. Laser Hair Removal: It's like magic. Awesome magic. I don't really know what else to say -- I wish I had before and after images of my underarms. Imagine never having to think of shaving again. Go ahead. Just imagine it. Laser hair removal is painful, no joke, but it's over in less than five minutes each treatment (of which there are about 4-8, depending). The procedure is a bit pricey, but I found an awesome Groupon to a place that had been recommended to me anyway (score!) and paid $135 for three treatments; they are usually $99 a pop. Laser hair removal should be done by a registered nurse, so if you decide to go for it, make sure that the place is legit.

4. Grocery Outlet Bargain Market: Well? Laugh. It's fine. I'm okay with the slight ridicule and I even grew to enjoy their rather off-key, annoying jingle (which, btw, they play constantly in the stores). As long as you keep an eye on expiration dates, their groceries are the same as what you would buy in a larger chain store and their beauty products are awesome. I'm talkin' organic, not tested on animals, super fancy over ten dollars a bottle lotion for less than five. For reals.

5. My Iphone: I held out. Slow to warm to new tech, I'm that girl who had cassette tapes well into the CD era and who just parted with all her VHSs a couple years ago ( I may or may not still have a few lying about. Dude. We're talking 7th Grade Talent show and mix tapes off the radio). I was promoted at work this year and with that new position came responsibility -- meaning, they had to be able to get a hold of me and I had to be able to check emails from afield. I love it. My phone. I love the maps most and have began to love checking traffic almost as much as checking the weather. I love Heytell. I love Instagram. I don't even know all that the phone is capable of. Phone win.

(Update: Apartment Therapy has amazing "Best of" lists right now)

UnicornNameGame

2011-12-27T12:04:00.000-08:00

My unicorn name is Daisy Blue Reins
Daisy is a very clever horse with deep, mysterious eyes.
She is as blue as the sky,
and she casts mischievous spells.
Get your own unicorn names from The Unicorn Name Generator!

Full Holiday Press

2011-12-22T10:32:00.000-08:00

Apparently, this is what I look like a lot at the Holiday Party.

The holidayness of last weekend

2011-12-22T10:27:00.000-08:00

Work Christmas Party at Cavallo Point.

The Girls in their Nutcracker performance. Shae was a cookie! Brin played a little boy at the Christmas party and was part of the tea dance!

We were there. In the lobby at the El Companil Theatre in Antioch, Ca.

I love these girls so much, my heart might burst.

little loves in the Nutcracker.

2011-12-19T12:12:00.000-08:00

Orchid Orchid not Lily

2011-12-19T11:37:00.000-08:00

It bloomed! And it's a Cymbidium.

Moment.

2011-12-16T10:38:00.000-08:00

"Everybody needs a little duck ass in their day"

San Rafael, California

2011 Bucket List: Make a Mincemeat Pie

2011-12-15T13:34:00.000-08:00

Oh la la.

I tried making a mince meat pie. It was on my 2011 bucket list. My grandma used to make them but now no one does, so I thought HEY! I will! This is what I learned:

The jarred mincemeat I bought was really really sweet. Too sweet. Must find alternative.
"Trimming" the edges of you pie means pinching the edges that hang over the pan off. This is so pieces of dough do not fall to the bottom of your oven and burn.
My smoke detector actually measures temperature changes, I think. I can't figure out how the alarm didn't go off since my apartment was full of smoke... due to pieces of dough falling to the bottom of my oven.
Not thoroughly cooked pie crust isn't that awesome, not in the way not thoroughly cooked cookies or brownies are.

Pie Fail.

To See or Not To See

2011-12-07T15:07:00.001-08:00

There is a friendly argument going on in the work kitchen today, revolving around a holiday box of See's candy. One woman cut all the candies in half (so we can share! so we can see!) and another woman is berating her for taking away the mystery.

Hm. Thoughts?

(as for me, I always have dibs on the Bordeaux bar.)

Lily Lily: Biding Time

2011-11-23T12:38:00.001-08:00

It's blooming! This plant has been on my back porch for at least two years (it was my neighbors, she moved) and I never knew what it was. I think the plant was sad; now it's so happy, it's literally exploding from the pot. We will have to see what happens -- I know little about caring for lilies, so transplanting it makes me nervous. If you have any tips, let me know!

I can't wait until the flowers open!

Stairways: Hearts

2011-11-22T16:38:00.001-08:00

My sister sent me this photo today. "Christmas is Coming!" she says. We are sitting at the top of the stairs per tradition, per ritual, on Christmas morning, waiting for our photo to be taken and waiting to come down to tree and presents and croissants. Usually, we are feigning sleep at the top of the stairs; I think Buddy was interrupting that part.

Santa, I miss that dog.

Hanging Dry: Holiday Shift

2011-11-16T09:00:00.001-08:00

Fall is officially here. I know September 21st marks the 'first day of Fall' but this year, with all this wonky weather, the last few weeks were just a medley of mild summer and cold winter: confused. Now, there is that familiar crisp air in the morning and low fog gives way to high clouds or cold clear days. Soy Nog is for sale at Safeway. Libby and her pumpkin have invaded stores. Thanksgiving and Christmas decorations are already battling it out. My scarves are back in rotation. Tights are required with skirts. I love it.

Last night, I met up with Meg at Ikea and we perused the Christmas decorations. In 2010, I was almost scrooge-like with my decorating; I'm not even sure I got my standard Trader Joe's potted tree (perfect to the studio-scene), so for 2011, I purchased a few fun things to get things all festive. Behold:

Love: Poem

2011-11-15T09:48:00.001-08:00

Brain:Explosion

2011-11-14T18:33:00.001-08:00

Too long a Monday, too much powerpoint, too much meeting, too much training. And then I read this:

Accuracy is a statistical measurement of correctness of a measured value, and includes components of random error (variability due to imprecision) and systematic error. It reflects the total error associated with a measurement. A measurement is accurate when the value reported does not differ from the true value of a known concentration, spike, or standard.

boom.

Birthday: Gif

2011-11-11T10:41:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Mom!

At Desk: At Lunch

2011-11-09T12:47:00.000-08:00

Reading an article about the loss of BioDiversity and

That genera will disappear--

My coworker walks by with a paper coffee cup;

Same time,

Everyday.

I think, with guilt, of my years at Starbucks and coffeekiosks,

And how my paper cups could fill a room

An apartment

A building.

Then I think of that plastic whirlpool in the Pacific andthe

Packaging my Amazon order came in

The truck it traveled in

The place all of it was made in

The energy that took...

The windmills on the hill (birds dead at the base).

(Windmills are bigger now. Slower. Bird odds increase)

I drive by them, the windmills,

In my 30 milepergallon car

With hopefully more than just me in it

But not always

Because people aren’t always going the way that I am

And sometimes I leave early (or late)

Or forget my travel mug in the car, on the counter, bothvery far

And my carbon footprint won’t carry me there.

I turned off my space heater.

Maybe that will help.

Back Porch: Counter Active.

2011-11-08T13:03:00.000-08:00

A couple of months ago, I started to redo my porch. The mini-project of cleaning up the mess left by negligent renters (including myself) and dead plants turned into a quest to make the back area more usable and welcoming. Enter: Home Depot, an 8-foot piece of lumber, and some brackets. Viola! Back porch counter where wine may be enjoyed and dinner may be shared!

We had to declutter the porch as per the fire code. Also, the landlord tried to tell me that our plants caused the entire back stairwell to require replacement. I call bullshit. Faulty gutters, rain, and fog had more a hand in that. All the same, I made sure plants are elevated and have trays under them.

That ceramic owl is a relic from my grandfather's house. I never really thought of it as creepy until visitors mentioned it -- to me it's just chock full of nostalgia and will be in my gardens forever. Until my potential future kids break it with a soccer ball like I broke my mother's. :)

Taking advantage of the vertical space! During my perusal of small garden ideas, it became obvious that vertical gardening is hugely popular right now. These are hanging planters from Ikea with violets in them. The chain is from Home Depot and just attached to hooks that screw into the wall-- you can see that there is a lot leftover. I wasn't exactly sure how this idea was going to work out and I was determined not to measure anything.

This 8-foot pre-primed beauty fit just perfectly in my wee Matrix -- thank goodness that front seat folds down. I used brackets to hold the counter to the railing; the pressure (it's a snug fit) keeps it from wobbling and no holes were made in the railing wood (which I'm sure Mr. Landlord appreciates). I also repurposed and slightly modified the shelving so that it fits flush to the wall, gives more space, and provides a place to put empty pots. Although you can't see them in this picture, there are two folding bar stools hanging next to the pots. Choosing the wrong size brackets for the counter was a lesson learned, but the leftover edge made for a handy place to hang planters will daffodil bulbs! I can't wait until Spring!

Worksation: BSG EXCEL

2011-11-07T14:45:00.000-08:00

me: indeed4:31 PM for the life of me, i cannot copy and paste this table from excel into word and have it fitand all of it survive the journey4:32 PM it's like in battlestar galactica, when they fire up the FTP and all jump, but not all the ships make it.it's like that4:34 PMMatt: really. could be a problem with the singularity being created by your right clicking. me: i pasted it as an object4:35 PM Matt: it is not easy. in the instant before it pastes, that table essentially exists at all points in the known universe.

Sometimes you just have to stop

2011-11-04T11:02:00.000-07:00

NorthEast Vista Point at the Golden Gate Bridge, this morning. Last night, it rained.

Pretty.

2011-10-17T10:50:00.000-07:00

like the moon of the sea. kidchan.

2011 Bucket List: Can you Canoe?

2011-10-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

I remember once, when I was about six, that my family and I took this green canoe we have out on Weber Lake. It was a little wobbly and way different from the outboard motor fishing boat we normally used, but it was green and wooden and there were paddles (these are important 6-year old things). Since that time, the pretty canoe has hung in my parents' garage, gradually becoming covered with dried flowers and hanging baskets.

Not for long. This summer, I was determined to put the canoe in water and so for my birthday picnic, we took it with us to Lake Del Valle. Seriously, now that I'm older and have moved beyond "green and wooden," I can recognize a beautiful piece of wood workmanship.

Although it was a bit windy and definitely not warm, we all piled in and headed out onto the lake. We had naval names --- I think Steve was Captain and I was Co-captain. Brin was First-mate and after a bit of waffling between "poop deck cleaner" and "lookout", Shae chose the high up spot in the bird's nest.

Look close! we are out there!

Scenes from San Diego

2011-09-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

Submarine meets pirate ship in the harbor.

The view from Crosby's office. Seriously.

Waiting for me on Golden Hill.

Friends.

Last photo by me with Crosby wearing glasses. Hello Lasik, goodbye glasses.

PR Couture working at the Timken Musem. the Art of Fashion.

Flowers in our champagne and on the table too.

Amazing use of felted material, angles, coloring.

Mood lighting.

My favorite breakfast in San Diego. I heart Krakatoa.

When I'm 65,

2011-09-14T08:36:00.000-07:00

I hope my daughter calls me and I'm partying it up in the back of a limo with six of my friends, heading for a night out in the city. I can't help but think there was a disco ball involved.

Rorschach

2011-09-13T15:51:00.000-07:00

I have discovered that when I need to get into a writing rhythm at work or need to meet a deadline, I either listen to the new agey techno CD I stole from my college roommate or Stone Temple Pilots Purple. Without fail, one of them inspires me. I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Before and After: Backporch and Rugtime

2011-09-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

My neighbor Olga moved away. It's a byproduct of a very busy summer that I didn't know this until I went out onto the back porch and all the plants were dead. She and I used to share plant tasks, but as she was looking for work and I was looking for spare time, she slowly took the lead. Last week, I stared at dead plants on my back porch, and began to brainstorm ways to clean it up and plant new things. It is still a work in progress, but here are some befores* and afters.

(*only kinda befores. It didn't occur to me to take photos until after I had cleared away a bunch of random odds and ends and clipped away all the dead plants... and part of my pinky. sigh).

Another apartment improvement was my rug, which has evolved into one of those fascinatingly gross things. White rugs from Ikea? They get dirty. Fast. White rug fail. Lesson learned. (Don't mind the camping gear)

Goblin

2011-09-02T09:52:00.000-07:00

Someone stole my desk chair today.

(Apparently, that is my 'talking to cats' face. Interesting.)

Back to the Start

2011-09-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

Not the hugest fan of Chipotle, but I love Willie and love this video. Besides, props to a fast food chain for sending this message.

Some Sierra Wildflowers, Summer 2011

2011-08-30T13:03:00.000-07:00

pine indian paintbrush, Castilleja applegatei

alpine lily, Lilium parvum

Sierra larkspur, Delphinium glaucum

smokey mariposa, Calochortus leichtlinii

mountain jewelflower, Streptanthus tortuosus

meadow sweet, Spiraea densiflora

prettyface, Triteleia ixiodes

Alpine heather, Cassiope mertensiana

crimson columbine, Aquilegia formosa

This is just a smattering of the flowers we saw on our Desolation Wilderness hike. The trip was a great refresher course for my High Sierra botany. When I was trying to make sure I had the names right, I found this really rad site. We pretty much saw all of these lovely flowers. Check it out here.

Beaver Creek, Big Trees Park, 8.26.11

2011-08-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

We headed out to Beaver Creek in Big Trees State Park to do some Eco-camping (translation: no running water, pit toilets) and celebrate birthdays. The sites were beautiful and isolated and aside from persistent bees, the whole area was pretty quiet. Well, bees and us. Giant Sequoias really are giant and if you want a nice, slightly dusty hike, check out the South Grove.

Lainie makes awesome blueberry pancakes.
All food just tastes insanely good when you are in the woods.

Sophers and T and a really big tree.

Car Camping at it fanciest. Sun. Big Trees. No one around so they couldn't hear us being incredibly loud. Fun.

Adam's rad video:

08.27.11 BIG TREES from N amesak E on Vimeo.

Desolation Wilderness 8.13.11

2011-08-29T11:25:00.000-07:00

Desolation Wilderness Backpacking Trip

Nights: 2

Miles: 15-ish

Elevation Change: 2,200 ft-ish

Mosquitoes: A million

Fun: A gazillion

Adam's awesome video here.

2011 Bucket List: Dance Class!

2011-08-21T19:06:00.000-07:00

This summer, I took a Tap class.

I was the only beginner in my class. I was also one of the youngest students out of seventeen. A motley crew, we tapped our way sweaty. Not only did I learn that I really like tap classes (seriously, is there anything better than stomping your feet sometimes??) and that the left side of my body really is a tad slower than the right, I learned a valuable lesson about trying new things.

If you haven't done this recently, put yourself in a situation that is completely new and where you don't have any idea what to expect. Seeing how you react is as equally interesting as whatever you are actually doing. When the class began, I was most definitely not comfortable with the fact that I was the only beginner and all these ladies were way better than me. Not only that, but I couldn't be as good as them, because I didn't know the steps -- I had to learn. I was awkward and even more awkward and slow... and laughing.

Perhaps this bucket list task should have been called "do something humbling." Regardless, taking tap was incredibly fun, I met some great ladies, and am planning on taking the actual beginner class. So? Win. Left side, catch up.

Summa 2011: morsel

2011-08-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

This summer has been crazypants fun and busy. I have some stuff I want to share, sure, but let's start easy.

Like, with this awesome outfit.

Lake Aloha, California. August 2011.

Shoe fly (don't bother me)

2011-08-09T09:54:00.000-07:00

I feel like I have spent the past year analyzing my buying habits- how much do I spend, how much do I need, how long do things last, why do I impulse buy blah blah blah. I'm sure it's all very multi-layered and sometimes I think it's best not to think too deeply on the whole psycho-evolution of finding temporary fulfillment in a TJ Maxx or Target visit and just go for a run instead.

Phew.

However, I have stumbled upon a few gems in my introspective consumerist period. Social responsibility has become a measurable thing and is worth paying attention to. I would rather buy something a bit more expensive that was made with more sustainable practices (both socially and environmentally). More expensive is a bit daunting, but if you think about it, but one $70 pair of shoes that will last longer than three $20 pair of shoes -- the price difference isn't that great and you are reducing your footprint (zing!). I found this great link here that talks about different shoe companies business practices, calling them eco-conscious footwear and including brands like Dr. Marten, Keen, and Merrell.

Even knowing and accepting these ideas, I still have a rough time. Most of the brands on the list linked above are... clunky and like you are going to go hiking. I love Seychelles and Clarks and I'm still not sure of their business practices. Despite smart business practices becoming trendy (a good thing) it's surprisingly difficult to find information at times. Fortunately, other people will research it for you: Top 10 Eco-Friendly, Socially Conscious shoes.

Pile of Shoes by Misty Gamble

Questions remain. Is it better to buy leather because it last longer and is more durable? Is the carbon footprint of raising cattle offset by the combination of purchasing less and using the cattle for meat as well? Are vegan shoes really that great -- I mean, that's PLASTIC and while the shoe may fall apart, the plastic itself will hang around a long time, not to mention the amount of energy it took to make said shoe.

I'm overwhelmed. And going for a run.

Moment.

2011-08-01T11:19:00.000-07:00

Oh, how I love these women. Dillon Beach, California.

2011 Bucket List: paeLLa party!

2011-07-29T09:30:00.000-07:00

Making Paella made it to the Number Three slot on my 2011 bucket list. Why Paella? A couple years ago, Crosby, Brett and I ate some entirely mediocre paella in the Mission. I remember looking at the dish, with its sad rice and little rubbery prawns, and thinking, "I could totally make this. Better." Then, somewhere along the line, someone gave me saffron and since I only know one thing to make with saffron, every time I saw that wee bottle I would think Oh Right. Paella.

Who could participate in the culinary adventure with me? Wander into the world of yellow rice and weird spice Spanish sausages coupling with prawns? Megan and Jonee of course. The Kruez's (Kruezes, Kruezsss?) are perfect co-conspirators. And so, a couple weeks ago, we gathered in my kitchen, let the wine flow, and had a paeLLa party!

And it was pretty dang good.

Oddly enough, I don't think I really like saffron, but cooking something completely new was fun and challenging and I was really really glad to have Megan's expertise to fall back on. She fielded comments like "oh, you take the casing OFF the sausage?!?!?" and "mussels have beards???" with complete ease. Kudos to Jonee for debearding those pesky mussels.

Since it was my birthday (kinda) Megan and Jonee also brought me the most amazing homemade Carrot Cake with Maple frosting:

I might have eaten it for breakfast the next three days.

Just South. (fill in while the crazy)

2011-07-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, a plastic container plant shot fire balls into the air next to one of my project sites, separated only by a barbed wire fence. No one was hurt, except maybe a fairy shrimp or two.

Day before, an East Bay Parks staffer was shot at by pot farmers just south of another of my project sites (again, separated by a barbed wire fence). He had to be rescued by an armored car. Rugged East Bay hills, ideal for pot farmers farming, my caution is increased.

Glad I'm in the office this week. Even if our servers did crash. Sigh.

Something good? This:

Summer fun updates next!

Moment.

2011-07-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

George and Veronica's Wedding. Danville, California.

Parasitic Daughter

2011-07-05T09:54:00.000-07:00

You know you have seen too many crime shows when a pile of orange stuff in a field feels like the beginning of a Bones episode. Dodder (Cuscuta salina) is a native parasitic plant that occurs in wetlands-- it's bright orange, hugs close to it's host and is usually spread out. However, last week, Ingrid and I saw this... pile of the stuff in a mitigation wetland we were checking out. The denseness made the parasite seem even more alien.

Uvas.

2011-06-27T11:46:00.000-07:00

Shindo, Derek and I headed out to the Uvas Reservoir area to do some pro-bono work for a local non-profit. The weather was gorgeous and not-too-hot which can be a challenge in the foothills. My new boots handled the ups and downs (all 4.5 miles!) really well -- no more toes slamming into the front of my boot! The boys hiked in front of me because I was "slower"... which really meant I was letting them hike in front of me because there were tons of ticks. Novice mapping boys, hahahahaha. Good day.

Here they are, leading the way, picking up the ticks, and gingerly stepping through the poison oak!

All in a day's

2011-06-24T16:51:00.000-07:00

work

Mori Pt (there is blue sky in Pacifica)

2011-06-22T14:13:00.000-07:00

From this point and back, 2 miles. Steps. Kid and pet friendly.

A field visit left me with gorgeous time to spare yesterday in Pacifica, so I decided to hike to Mori Point. Part of the trail is called Bootlegger's Steps -- there was a lot of smuggling n' such in this area during prohibition, so I imagine the name has something to do with that. Mori Point has a ton of native plant species currently blooming. If you are looking for a pretty, quick, and easy hike, this one is a good one.

Crescendo (show not tell)

2011-06-20T22:47:00.000-07:00

Confession: I didn't like Ken Follet's Pillars of the Earth.

Confession: I love period piece dramas.

Confession: I did not realize a mini- series adapted from the book was produced in 2010. That it had Clive Owen (swoon) and Ian McShane (fave! Deadwood much!?!) in it.

Absolution: This is the best opening credits to a mini-series I have ever seen.

The Pillars of the Earth - Main Titles from Acme Filmworks on Vimeo.

Iron Horse*

2011-06-19T22:18:00.000-07:00

Iron Horse Trail to Pleasanton. 27 miles. Three hours.

Amy and I, as my dad put it, "got a bug in our ear" to ride the Iron Horse Trail on our bicycles. I just got my bike a few months ago and am determined to ride more, so....why not? Sure, I hadn't been on a bike more than riding at Crissy Field in, dunno, over ten years, but sometimes I'm overzealous and like to just jump on in.

And it was hecka fun.**

*totally should have been on the 2011 bucket list.
**my sit bones are super sore. I need awesome padded shorts.

Randomly Weird: Modesto

2011-06-17T16:20:00.000-07:00

Yep. That is a bear paw mitten. My boss had to convince me that this gross furry thing wasn't alive or real or recently dead before I would get any closer. He also said it was probably shiny because animals were peeing on it.

We left it there.

I'm pretty sure it's rare, but that's cool.

Legion of Honor

2011-06-16T10:03:00.000-07:00

Museums you live near, no matter how cool, often get ignore simply because they are 'always going to be there.' This year, I created my 2011 bucket list and included visiting the Legion of Honor -- I have lived in San Francisco for almost ten years and never set foot in that pretty pretty building.

Last Saturday, sun and fog duked it out and I made my way to the LofH. I, for certain, found the museum quickly and did not, no did not, get lost in the Presidio, which would have been silly since that is not the part of the city where the museum is.....

LofH is a beautiful building idyllically set along Lands End -- the views alone are a reason to make a visit out there. The museum itself has a fair share of baroque, impressionist, and neo-classical art and a sizable collection of Rodin sculptures (the Rodin museum is my favorite in Paris. If you ever have the opportunity, you should go there). I have discovered that the type of art I lean towards can vary on any given day, but I have a general appreciation for usable art: railings, coins, common glassware. I like to picture the item as it was intended, being passed around a table, grasped while walking down stairs, or passed from hand to hand in a market.

The LofH generally has at least one exhibit running at any given time. While I was sad to just miss the Magna Carta exhibit, I was so glad catch the last day of Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle Borchgrave. Borchgrave is an incredibly detail oriented artist who recreated past fashions and costumes out of paper. We weren't allowed to take photos of the exhibit, but you can cruise through her website (image below). Keep in mind -- that is all constructed from paper, even the lace!. Absolutely stunning -- I walked through it three times. Slowly.

And now, some cool things I saw when wandering:

Odilon Redon (French1840-1916)

Vase of Flowers 1901, oil on canvas

"Flowers are the confluence of two river banks, that of representation and that of memory. It is the soil of art itself, the good earth of the real, harrowed and tilled by the spirit." -Redon

Detailed Bust: Victorian.

A room from King Henry the somethings house. Same mirror!

A dad super excited about Rodin, explaining to his son how the artist made the face from a block of marble. Rodin's Bust of Edward H. Harriman was a great contrast example between the raw material and artistic representation.

Some basics. Parking: awesome, free, got one right up front. Ticket: booyah, 20% discount on-line. Photos: throughout museum, exception exhibits. Crowds: minimal. Views: awesome. Building Amazing. Coffee: Peet's. Time: FUN.

Share Time: OMG.

2011-06-11T12:13:00.000-07:00

It tastes like a mounds bar.

Stare at Lake Merrit

2011-06-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Music Concourse of course

2011-06-08T09:10:00.000-07:00

During a break in the weather this past weekend (it's June for Pete's sake!), a small group of us went for a walk and found ourselves in my favorite spot in the city. The Music Concourse has been under construction for years, but finally the fountains are running, the trees are planted, and a ton of San Franciscans and tourists were taking advantage of the pretty space. To either side of the concourse are the De Young Museum and the California Academy of Sciences -- there is such a vibe of learning and exploring and creativity, I just love it. An official San Francisco historic landmark, the Concourse has it's own support group. More info/history here.

Moment.

2011-06-06T14:21:00.000-07:00

Misdirections Magic, 9th Avenue, San Francisco

In Spring, things grow

2011-06-02T15:54:00.000-07:00

Look at baby Diego!

February 2011

June 2011!

Someone else (but not so else-like)

2011-05-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

The Trephine decided to reduce all of her belongings to what would fit in her car. Not only was she amazed at what she decided to keep (much like the 'what would you take' of the burninghouse blog --- more on that soon) but she learned this valuable lesson, which I found startling, shocking, and upon reflection, likely true:

The less you own, the harder it is to hide from everything still wrong with you. All of the dreams you have yet to realize, even now that your childhood is startlingly far behind you, are suddenly so much more starkly visible once you can’t distract yourself by petting fabric swatches or rearranging your bookshelves. 

We’re always saying life is short, but honestly, if you stop staring at paint chips and shopping for throw pillows and arranging vases, if you have so little clothing (let alone accessories like scarves, necklaces, or earrings, of which I own none) that choosing an outfit is hardly an artistic endeavor, you would be surprised at how much time you have and how absolutely terrifying it can feel to have nowhere to put that energy. 

You become almost the only particularly notable thing you own, and experimenting with rearranging a bookshelf into a rainbow pattern, it turns out, is far easier than experimenting with rearranging oneself. Where does one even begin?

- The Trephine 

During the week: just another day

2011-05-27T10:54:00.000-07:00

This time of year, I spend a lot of days doing this. I walk around, look at and count plants, note erosion, pull tics off my pant legs, and occasionally see snakes. In the photo above, I am standing on a berm on a constructed wetland (the wetland is to my left). Obviously, we need to do some work here -- this berm is eroding away which means the wetland isn't holding water as long as it should and not supporting the water-loving plants we would like to grow there. Mark, our landscape architect, made me be in the photo for scale. I was like, dude, what if I was a giant? This could actually be the Grand Canyon and I make it look tiny!

Also, Crosby tells me I look like a boy when I'm in the field. I think I look prepared. However, I am trying to remedy this situation and purchased a hot pink field shirt. Photos soon.

I walked 5.5 miles and mapped this plant...

2011-05-23T16:04:00.000-07:00

Federally threatened Chorizanthe pungens var. pungens next to a very pretty Castilleja I have yet to identify!!!!

little buzzing

2011-05-23T15:59:00.000-07:00

Hey there tarweed. And your little friend too!

Of the New

2011-05-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

New Bike! Oh, the days of my fluorescent green Huffy mountain bike have long past (although that beauty lasted my from 6th grade through college!) and I now have my first new bike in years! It's so pretty.

Tara and I went riding along the Marina towards Fort Point. The strong wind made our super powerful pedaling completely useless. So, that was hard, but we made it and the way back felt like flying! Also, we passed a Frenchman fighting the wind shouting "Merde!" Funny Frenchman.

Flower Note.

2011-05-03T08:37:00.000-07:00

Bent flower fiddleneck (Amsinckia lunaris), CNPS List 1B. Pretty much the healthiest fiddlenecks I have ever seen.

From the Cal Academy of Sciences

2011-04-18T19:37:00.000-07:00

Megatooth shark
Carcharodon megalodon
Miocene-Pleistocene (18 to 1.6 million years ago)

This is the largest predatory shark to have ever lived. It may have grown up to 15 meters (50 feet) long and is thought to have fed on whales and other large marine mammals. Some researchers believe that the megatooth shark went extinct due to the cooling of the oceans. This model is based on the jaws of modern white sharks. Since shark skeletons are made of cartilage, which decomposes quickly relative to bone, fossil jaws do not exist. But teeth of this species have been found all over the world.

- from a placard at the Cal Academy of Sciences,

San Francisco

It's Thursday

2011-04-15T11:23:00.000-07:00

and this place was empty.

Birthdayness Cuteness

2011-04-03T20:15:00.000-07:00

Loves Taylor Swift = cowboy boots and a hot pink guitar for her birthday. Lessons next!

Moment

2011-03-30T15:53:00.000-07:00

From the Tate Modern

2011-03-21T13:34:00.000-07:00

Salvador Dali's Forgotten Horizon (1936, oil on wood)

"Dali's disturbing, imaginary landscapes often contain references to his own life. Forgotten Horizon is a typical example, drawing upon memories of childhood holidays on the beach at Rosas on the Costa Brava. The striding woman in the distance is his cousin, Carolinetta, while the dancing figures in the foreground were inspired by a picture on a postcard. Dali intended the effect to be hallucinatory, with the figures appearing as if project onto a prepared background or theatrical set."

-Tate Modern Museum description placard

Clocks (at the British Museum)

2011-03-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Moment

2011-03-20T15:40:00.000-07:00

Bradfield, England, in the Post Office/ market/ coffee shop/ gathering place for locals.

Free and free

2011-03-16T01:33:00.000-07:00

London has free museums. Pretty much all of the big ones -- both Tates, the Natural History Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum -- are free, free, free. They ask for a donation, sure, and I bet most people give something -- but talk about an amazing concept. FREE museums, which equates to free activity for citizens and tourists alike, to spending money they would have spent on entrance in the gift shops, and, most importantly, easy access to art and interactive education. As I have wandered around these brilliant places, I see tons of school groups and the occasional artist, practicing drawing or painting some artifact or sculpture.

Even the small places, like the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Park, are free. And when I was there, surrounded by this uber-feminist, anti-war art, there was a mother and daughter (she couldn't have been more than seven) sitting on the floor in the main gallery, paper in front of them and pastels next to them. Drawing. And coloring.

I have been wondering how England funds their museums, whether it's by private donation, tax, etc. I found this from the London Art Network:

"Presently, 7 pence in every £100 is contributed from the public purse to Arts and Heritage. This already seems a small price to pay, given the benefits both economic and culturally that the Arts and Heritage return. What is needed is not a specific settlement of a figure but an open debate on the value we place on culture and the arts and how we are prepared to pay for this. There will always be a need for public/private support for UK museums."

Sounds good to me.

English word of the day

2011-03-11T12:32:00.000-08:00

Sarah has been giving me English lessons. English lessons you say? Yes. Apparently, I've got it all wrong.

Word of the day:
Numpty: A bit of an idiot.

It's also in the Urban Dictionary:

Someone who (sometimes unwittingly) by speech or action demonstrates a lack of knowledge or misconception of a particular subject or situation to the amusement of others.
A good humoured admonition, a term of endearment

Use it well. In trade, I told her what a dingleberry is.

Moment.

2011-03-07T14:28:00.000-08:00

In the market, what she said

2011-03-04T08:06:00.000-08:00

I am going through a period of extreme change that has been a long time coming. I knew it was coming. Pluto will be hanging out for three years, so brace yourself. I have a lot of intuition. I am creative. I have lines that say I have traveled and will always travel. Have you recently suffered a breakdown? If so, do not worry, you do not have to go there again. I know my worth. I have a challenge ahead. Never wear a ring on your middle finger; it will hold you back. I am fertile. I will love hard soon. I am optimistic (which I lost but have now found). I need hand lotion.

Ennui GO!

2011-03-04T01:15:00.000-08:00

SFO---> LON, me, the flat travelers, and our plane.

*posting from Sarah's couch

Share Time: The Stay Put Headband

2011-02-28T13:33:00.000-08:00

Some days, you just put your hair in a headband. It happens. Sometimes, it even looks cute. But other times, the head band slides, or the scarf you are using as a headband shifts, loses its shape and ends up at the back of your head without you even realizing it. Too loose. Too tight (hello headache!).

This weekend, I stumbled upon the answer to my quest for the perfect headband: Goody Stay Put Headbands. I have had the brown one on all day (also comes in purple and black) and I don't have a headache yet. The band has.not.moved. Just in time for my trip to London where who knows how my hair will decide to behave. WIN.

Also, a google image search will show you that these are the very same headbands that Bella wears. Triangle of love bookended by abs* and sparkley skin, here I come!

*barely legal. He's over 18, right? RIGHT?!?!

Moment

2011-02-27T14:34:00.000-08:00

Chabot College, Hayward, California

Sometimes

2011-02-21T18:04:00.000-08:00

Today, a six month pregnant woman was next to me in yoga class. While the rest of us were on our stomachs in locust pose, she opted to do something more simple since obviously that wouldn't have been very comfortable (imagine laying on your belly and reaching back for your ankles) (imagine that six months preggers).

So. She did the splits. And then folded over like a pancake against her front leg.

I pretended I was superman.

Snowpocalypse (2011)

2011-02-20T11:08:00.000-08:00

Mice, Meece, Moose

2011-02-17T20:57:00.000-08:00

Today, Sunny kept saying that his office smelled. Now, him being of the 'pizza box in my car for three years, laundry in my backseat, bottles of hot sauce sitting on the corner of my desk" mentality, we ignored (and mocked) his claims of hovering death.

"Doesn't your office always smell this way?"

"Face it Sunny. It smells like your old car"

"Is that your underwear in that pile?"

"Sunny, why don't you clean everything before we start tearing apart the ceiling?"

We lit candles. He cleaned. The hallway smelled overwhelmingly of orange cleaning oil. And still, he sat there with a discontent look on his face. Crinkling his nose. I rolled my eyes at him, and told him maybe he was like Pig-Pen with odor instead of dust.

We were all being super nice.

Imagine our chagrin when the building maintenance came round, climbed a ladder to look above the ceiling squares, and pulled out four decomposing mice.

Team Snowshoe!

2011-02-17T20:40:00.001-08:00

Call me crazy; the concept of strapping tennis rackets onto my feet and walking through the snow has always been appealing. It makes me think of Little House on the Prairie and how it took them forever to get anywhere and having these mats attached to the bottom of your shoe was not only practical, but entirely necessary. Also, tying yourself to your front door during a blizzard was handy.

So, the Laura Ingalls in me has always wanted to try this thing called snowshoeing. With the Old West image in my mind, a group of ladies and I went up to Arnold to venture out into the great unknown and, well, tramp around. I mean tromp around.

Actually, what we did was strap super fancy flappy shoes on our feet that made walking on snow really simple. We hiked around a pretty area for a few hours, sat on a big rock, ate soup and drank hot chocolate. No blizzard required strings or human chains. No walking ten miles to get flour. Nope. We did, however, get locked out of the cabin for about an hour, but the snow plower with the magic hands finally got the door open. And the next morning, we woke to fresh snow!

Super fun weekend --- and the best picture goes to:

these two divine creatures.

Sykes Hot Springs: an excursion, victory

2011-02-17T20:07:00.000-08:00

So, my 2011 bucket list has been percolating in my brain for a couple of months now, and I am totally behind in blogging. My intention was to first tackle the ones involving snow, but lo' and behold, in January Lori decided she want to go on a three day backpacking trip to Sykes Hot Springs in Big Sur. I say YAY.

Middle of January? Sure. Cold weather gear? Why not. Ten miles up and down, both ways? Bring it.

And it was awesome. The hike was hard (harder than I thought it would be), but the views and the feeling of satisfaction -- not to mention the awesomeness of hot springs in the middle of the woods -- were well worth it. The weather was in the 70s and my pack was so much lighter once everyone ate my apples and Brandon and T threw half of my gear back in my car. WIN.

The Hike

The River by Our Campsite.

The Hot Springs

The Crew

Major victories:

Finding the toilet

Using the toilet

No one fell off the crazy log into the River

Fries at Napenthe post-hike

Injury tally:

2/3 of the crew got some form of Poison Oak (poor Adam, but that's what trail candy gets you!)

1 torn calf

1 person with body bruising due to falling (but not off the log!!!)

...

More Pictures here and here .

Snippet(s):

Then fix it: Bucket List 2011

2011-02-09T23:32:00.000-08:00

One month deep into 2011, and I'm finally writing about my 2011 bucket list. My list is similar to the "32 things I will do before I'm 32" list over at yes and yes (b/c yes is more fun than no!), but since i turn 32 in six months, I figured I would stretch it out by year. Below, you will find an assortment of activities; some big, some small, some simple, and some taking a bit of planning.

And so, my 2011 bucket list:

Take a day trip to Angel Island
Visit the Legion on Honor in San Francisco
Make Paella
Go on a three day back packing trip
Learn to crochet an afghan
Learn Prelude in C by Bach on the piano
Go snowshoeing
Volunteer with an organization that works with elderly
Busk for an afternoon somewhere, playing something
Go to a Renaissance Fair.
Pretend I don't own a car for a week
Write the first chapter of a pararomance
Try indoor sky-diving
Use the awesome family canoe that has been hanging in the garage since forever
Do at least 10 pull ups. in a row. without cheating.
Take a dance class
Eat only raw foods for a week
Do not spend any money for a week.
Make my grandmother's mince meat pie
Got to a meditation session

This list will live in my side-bar (once I figure out how to do that -- but that's a 'to do' list item, not a bucket list item, which is entirely based on experience and broadening one's horizons explanation disclaimer exclamation). If you have any suggestions for additions, let me know! Here we go, 2011! xoxo, lelz

Today

2011-01-11T10:25:00.001-08:00

Eye Meets Curling Iron

2011-01-10T21:32:00.001-08:00

Happy Eva!

2010-12-23T12:29:00.000-08:00

I walked into my chiropractor's office this morning and this little bumbling tumbling floppy bundle of joy barreled out of the back room towards me. It was love at first site. Miss Eva, all fourteen weeks of her, is pretty much the cutest thing I have seen this side of ever and made me overflow with joy. If you know me, you know how much I love dogs. Currently, my life doesn't seem to fit a pooch, but gauging how much I enjoyed this little pup today, I may have to change that soon enough. Ohmigoshloves. LOVES!

Happy Christmas Eve Eve!

2010-12-23T09:16:00.000-08:00

It's a pillow! It's a pet!

The day before Christmas break bears witness to the Holiday Sweater. A bingo board of Christmas Awesome, the Holiday Sweater can be counted on to imbue holiday cheer. It's contagious. This year, the effect was bolstered by close proximity to a pillow pet, the darling Amanda, and her cute baby bump. Happy Holidays indeed!

The golden gate was golden before the bridge

2010-12-21T08:50:00.000-08:00

Bill and I went into work early this morning. We were treated to a beautiful sunrise and a beautiful bridge and beautiful headlands and everything was golden and clear. A "we are so glad we live here" moment with our coffee and early morning conversation.

Also, I was knitting furiously during the drive. And now, there is a super creepy doll sitting on a chair in my office. She is completely freaking out my coworkers. I put candy cane joe-joes next to her to make her more approachable, but I'm not sure that's working.

During the week: mudflats n' marshes

2010-12-14T23:09:00.000-08:00

Part of the pond we were inspecting had dried. We needed to mark the outer edge of the area where mud was showing -- and me, being the lightest, was nominated. I walked on little towers of mud, wobbly and with moats of water around them. The further into the pond I went, the more squishy the towers became until at one point they started cracking. Like you picture ice cracking on a frozen river. I froze too and took data with the GPS unit and then ran back to the shore, hoping that light, quick touches on each mud tower would make them less likely to collapse.

The rain held. It poured when I arrived home. Good day.

A turkey a day

2010-11-28T20:01:00.000-08:00

During the holidays, the city empties. I love this. Parking is easy, traffic is light, and bars aren't crowded. It feels like the entire city is a private party. We took advantage of the first night of Thanksgiving break to celebrate the birth of dear Jonee at Rye. Frankly, it was a delightful beginning to a fantastic few days off.

lovely engaged jonee and megan

Laughing. The best medicine.

Amy came to Thanksgiving! My entire family loved our newest addition.

Our best sides. Me and my girls.

And somehow, I convinced Amy to go with me to Black Friday. We snoozed more than others and didn't get to Target until 715 AM. We succeeded in our shopping endeavors and only one lady cursed at us. Nutty silly lady.

Curiouser and Curiouser: The 12:01 AM crew.

2010-11-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Amy and I always go and see the Harry Potter movies together. We were so excited about the first installment of the finale that we joined that crazy fan crew on opening.. morning. Yes, at 12:01 on Friday morning, I sat surrounded by an array of Potter fans in a packed theater. The two hours prior to the movie were full of high school kids playing Ninja and performing skits based on the books. We did the wave. We sang Happy Birthday to someone. Amy and I ate Skittles. Yay.

Pre-movie jumping. We are excited.

Pre-movie poster pose. People were really dressed up. One girl had a wand coming out of her forehead.

Still excited. Mischief managed.

Nerd Shirt Monday: a draw

2010-11-16T08:29:00.000-08:00

Kate and Amanda

Jeff and me

Nerd shirt Monday was a total draw this week. We had to put it to a company-wide vote. Amanda won; her R2D2 necklace gave her the cutting edge. According to Kate, the winner receives a "confusing blend of pride and shame." Yay!

happy friday!

2010-11-05T08:47:00.001-07:00

"Scottish bar stool" (sent from my Scottish buddy)

new laces

2010-11-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, I put my cleats on for the first time since I was 17. The tattered lace was still on my right shoe; I had this flashback that I wouldn't change the lace in 1997 because my team was on a winning streak. Stringy bits of shoe lace, I tied them in a bow. My 31-year old feet found the accustomed grooves and felt more familiar than they have in years.

People always talk about finding themselves. Lately, I suspect it might be more of a rediscovering.

lately

2010-10-15T11:09:00.000-07:00

I have been in front of a computer so much during the day, I just don't want to see it when I get home. Also, I have spent a lot of time in the last week or so trying to finish a super long book club book. This means I don't blog very much since blogging at work is theoretically frowned upon. There is a back log of activities, thoughts, events I could write about.. but I won't.

In lieu of a list of what I have been up to, I will instead link you to a specific blog post Crosby sent me that is particularly illuminating and that pretty much sums it all up. Happy Friday!

31 things I've learned in 31 years

Anthem (also)

2010-10-03T22:12:00.000-07:00

"Static Waves (feat. Katie Herzig)" - Andrew Belle - Official Video from Seth Cassel on Vimeo.

In this city: some mornings you just have to stop

2010-09-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

Anthem (new)

2010-09-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

Florence and the Machine "DOG DAYS ARE OVER" Music Video from LEGS MEDIA on Vimeo.

Travelin': Ha'aena State Park, Na'pali Coast

2010-09-17T14:27:00.000-07:00

Travelin': Kauai

2010-09-14T11:20:00.000-07:00

Where I was yesterday.

Where I was today.