Freeeeeeeeedom!

I am finally finished with my first quarter of classes. It has not been an easy few months with working, going to school, and interning. I did get my thesis proposal done and also helped develop a user interface for online collection access at the Magnes Museum. I learned a bunch but I'm ready for a break. I refuse to think for the next three weeks.

On Thursday, I'll actually get to go and spend some time with my family and my dog, LuLu. I can't wait! I'll also spend some time writing letters to members of congress, in a small attempt to alert them to the situation with Josh Wolf which is quite scary to me and should be to you too. The idea of an innocent person behind bars for the holidays is distressing.

Teeny Tiny Tree

So, this is my contribution to the holiday decorations. It's kind of small so that at least makes it cute. Decorating in our neighborhood is getting pretty out of control, actually. Someone has transformed all the parking meters into candy canes, and in nearby Noe Valley they've changed the "Noe" street signs into "Noel." As long as I get some vacation and some boozy egg nog though, the holidays are just great with me.

Best. Party. Ever.

On Saturday night, all the geeks in the land descended upon Mighty in Potrero Hill for the Laughing Squid anniversary party. I can honestly say this was one of the best parties I have ever been to. There was a burlesque show, a Photo Boof (which induced much craziness), art cars, and mega-yummy kettle corn. I met some extremely cool people who I can't wait to hang out with more and whose blogs I am now addicted to. You can review all the action on Flickr if you were one of the unfortunate few who weren't able to attend. Lucky for you, there's always next year.

In the picture: Tanya, Liane and Me!

Photo Credit: Tantek Celik

I am currently loving the work of Casey Jex Smith and Josh Keyes. I know Casey personally and he's a great guy as well as a serious artist. Josh and I have exchanged a couple emails because I keep trying to get work from him, but it's selling as fast as he can make it. Anyway, they've both got shows up all the time so keep an eye out for them.

Image: The Fountain of Youth in Proxy for the Tree of Life by Casey Jex Smith

This Weekend

• I dined well with friends
• Got to see my bestest friend in the whole wide world (Hi Amy!)
• Had my apartment flood (boo!)
• Found THIRTY BUCKS in the street (yay!)
• Stepped inside a catholic church for the first time in years and did not burst into flames
• Drank

New Acquisition!

Just in time for Halloween, I bought kinda creepy drawing by John Casey. I know him from Swarm where I have been doing an internship for a few months now. He will also be in an upcoming show at Boontling Gallery in Oakland. Teeny tiny hearts for supporting local artists!

The world is your library.

Check It Out

So, today I edited a wiki. Many thanks to Tantek who played the role of professor. This meet up was the first of what will hopefully be a series of salons for those of us who are lacking tech-knowledge.

I do feel that I have made a huge leap, however, with the purchase of my new computer. It's sleek and beautiful and white. Now I just need to find some teeny tiny heart stickers to decorate it with. Yay.

WE HAVE ASSUMED CONTROL.

This is Kevin. I have taken over Jenny's blog. She is tied up in the corner and has been given her a ball and cup toy for amusement. She will be released following payment of 19 gallons of Cookies & Cream Ice Cream, in half gallon unmarked containers. Payment must be made in two hours or her new Macbook gets it.

Soon, hopefully this weekend, I plan to take a full-on caffeine tour of my new city. I already have some favorites which I share with the people here. Number six on the list is even on my block! Totally dangerous. I want to do some ratings of my own, however. The Coffee Ratings site really does a fine job of judging as far as espresso goes, but I need more than just some good crema to really round out my experience. I'm talking about atmosphere, people. I'll let you know how it goes...

p.s. My first use of a link ever! I'm making progress!

Like most nerd-folk, I love books. I've spent a large portion of my life with my nose in one of them, completely absorbed and unaware of the world around me. I love everything about them and even bookmarks have made me squee with delight on occasion. After moving to San Francisco recently, I told myself that I would really try to cut back on the book buying. Carrying boxes and boxes of weighty art history books will do that to you. Well, I broke that promise to myself. Big time.

Last night I had the seriously kick-ass opportunity to attend the Member's Preview of the San Francisco Public Library Book Sale. I had never previously heard of the event, much less known it's the sale's 42nd year and that it is the biggest book sale on the west coast. Fortunately, I was accompanied (and given a ticket) by my friend Kevin who understands that this is perhaps San Francisco's greatest holiday.

I almost started hyperventilating as soon as we walked in the door of the pavilion at Fort Mason. Rows and rows of tables with every type of book you can imagine, lined up neatly, just waiting for me. Kevin and I jumped right in, armed with multiple canvas sacks to haul away our booty. By the end of the evening we had hardly made it through the fiction tables and had filled our bags. I made off with a ridiculous amount of literature for only twenty five bucks! It was truly glorious and I'll probably go back for more on Sunday. I don't think I'll ever be able to move again. But, then again, why would I?

Hooray! I'm blogging all over you!

Okay, so here we go. Being the young and vibrant ball o' fun that I am, I decided I should finally succumb to being a blogger. Plus, all the cool kids I know are doing it. But what will it be about? My new found freedom from suburbia, the art world, coffee, and probably boys. You know, all the things that occupy my time. I have no idea how this will go but let's give it a whirl anyway, shall we?