Andrew Bird in Montmartre

Found in the Archives

I was just going through the pictures on my hard drive and I came across this awesome image that one of my internet friends made. It was a while ago (and I have a terrible memory) so I don't remember who made it, but still. So special.

Mac Users Are Teh Secks

Ever since Josh Groban appeared in that Jimmy Kimmel video about f*cking Ben Affleck, I think people have started to realize how funny and cute he is. You know I'm all about the indie rock (i.e. I listen to bands that don't even exist yet) but I gotta say that Josh is one tasty man-treat. Amy (the bff) and I have taken our moms to see him in concert twice and I have to admit that I squeeeee'd through each show. That's right, I'm coming out of the closet as a Groban lover. Now before you hipsters start to judge, please at least keep in mind that he's a Mac user. Evidence:

Okay, do your worst. (Photo via InStyle, July '08)

Crystal Morey

I can't believe I haven't yet mentioned the work of Crystal Morey on this blog. I saw her stuff because of the all-art-knowing John Casey and I think it's amazing and haunting. This is my favorite image of her work and I hope she doesn't mind that I borrowed it from her site. Good stuff:


p.s. My new job is awesome, in case anyone was wondering :)

Kevin E. Taylor and Sarah Smith @ Swarm

There's an awesome show up at Swarm Gallery in Oakland right now. I was there gallery-sitting the other day and here are some photos I took of the work. Great stuff!

Pretty Pretty

This post is really just because I wanted to put up this super pretty picture of my dream living room. I can't remember where I found it so I apologize for not giving more info about it. Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!

Birthday + Beers

This weekend I'll be way up north with a few of my friends to celebrate our friend Owen's 30th birthday. We've all known each other for about five years now, having studied abroad in Italy together. This group of friends means a lot to me because I feel like they understand me better than almost anyone else (except you, Amy). We are also bonded by a serious, serious love of drinking. And so, to commemorate this beautiful birthday event, I give you an awesome photo of Owen from a few weekends ago:

Happy Birthday Owen!

Not A Hippie

I've been struggling a lot lately with what I want to do with my life. I got my fancy degree, started a business, and yet I knew it didn't really matter. I still didn't feel fulfilled. (It is at this point that I would like to interject that I am not a hippie so don't be scared if you aren't either.) If I made a ton of money, would I feel better? What would I do with the money? Am I happy yet? Is happiness a goal?

Bleh. These and bajillions of other questions were constantly running on a loop in my head. Then I happened upon this book by Eckhart Tolle. In it, he says the things we all know to be true. Money doesn't matter and neither do things. If you are constantly seeking things, you'll never find happiness. For some reason, the way he writes and the examples he gives are totally speaking to me. I can feel my life changing while I'm becoming more conscious. If this is something you think you might be into, I highly recommend it.

Degrees of Internet Fame

Most blogs are better than mine but one in particular rules them all: Dooce. Her blog is so funny that internet people make up internet awards just to give to her. Swear. So really, I almost cried this morning when I realized that I sorta know someone who knows someone who knows her!! See, she knows Derek who is like, totally biffles with Kevin, who is like totally biffles with me. I can't believe I don't have a Wikipedia entry yet. Somebody better get on that.

[my fairy blogmother]

San Francisco Games

Being a single girl in San Francisco affords one the opportunity to play one of the most rewarding games ever in existence: Gay or Not Gay? I have grown up in the Bay Area and thus honed my skills (note to readers: we no longer call it "gaydar." that shit is played) but still get stumped everyone once in a while. Today was one of those times.

I was having lunch with a new friend that I met through a friend of a friend. I know, life's complicated. Anyway, he was darling: well dressed (but not too much), good hair (a little product but not exactly coiffed) and sparkly eyes. While I'm not really looking to date, I kept thinking to myself, which of my friends am I supposed to be thinking about hooking this dude up with? My #1 Gay who works at Marc Jacobs or one of my many hot nerd girl friends?


I tried to steer the convo in a direction that would explain things:

Me: I love getting coffee at Blue Bottle. Almost every guy that works there is super hot.

Him: I guess that's a good thing.

Whiff.


So, I still don't know what the deal is. Being in SF, I suppose I could have just straight up asked him but maybe a little mystery is good for us, no?

Um. I went to Fresno.

If you know me, you know I love museums. I have my master's in museum studies because I love them so much. I love them SO MUCH that I drove my ass all the way to Fresno to give a wee little talk at the California Association of Museums conference. It was basically just a re-do of my thesis presentation, which was about new media art in museums, and I think it went well. It was lovely to see some of my friends from school again and to stay at a decent hotel (hello sleep number bed!). It's a bit of a relief that it's over now because I was anxious about it for so long. Here's hoping the next conference is somewhere a little more exciting. Tahiti maybe?

How I Know My Brother is Awesome

Me: Remember how at Grampa's funeral he had an open casket?

Brother: Yeah, that was weird.

Mom: Well I think that's what he wanted.

Me: I don't want that. Give me a viking funeral.

Mom: No. We are not talking about this.

Brother: Is a viking funeral where they set you out on a boat and then someone shoots it with a flaming arrow?

Me: Yeah. I think that's what it's called anyway.

Mom: You're so dramatic. We're not doing that and we're not talking about this anymore.

Me: But it's what I want! Come on, Mom.

Brother: Don't worry, Jen. I'll totally light you on fire.

Me: Thanks, Bro. I knew I could count on you.

On Being Flaky

I've been trying to collect my thoughts over the past 24 hours and calm myself down, but I'm still upset. And here's why: People are flaky.

For over a month now, I've been planning a Weekend Art Brunch for friends and acquaintances. I found an artist willing to do a studio visit with us and assured him there would be a group of interested individuals showing up that day. I stayed in this past Saturday night to bake and assemble treat bags (which were insanely cute) for all twelve folks I was expecting. I woke up early to set up and clean my apartment so it would look nice for everyone.

Then the emails and text messages began to roll in. Canceling, canceling, canceling. Some people didn't even bother to send a message, they just didn't show up. I was crushed.

Three of my friends did show up for me. We had a nice brunch and a lovely talk with a really great artist. I had to explain to him that our group was so small because people are flaky. So embarrassing on numerous levels.

So am I writing this as a guilt trip? Yup. But also because I'm upset about the phenomenon. I've had this happen to other people as well and it's a horrible feeling. Maybe it will be different next time but next time, I won't be the host.

Grilled Salmon with a side of Microformats

Last night I had a very interesting dinner at my friend Tantek's house. The crowd had been gathered by Pownce invitation, and a good crowd it was. I was the only individual there who does not work in tech, though it plays a large role in my life. Over the course of the evening, our group drank quite a few bottles of wine, some beer and purchased at least 4 domains. Geeky? You betcha. The company was great, the conversation lively, and perhaps best of all, I picked up some killer swag:

Twitterpation

Wow, I still have not recovered from yesterday's keynote from Steve Jobs. Have you seen it? Have you seen the MacBook Air? It fits in a manila envelope, people! I can't help looking at my 2 year-old MacBook with disdain this morning. So huge, so clunky.




Side note: Did anyone else know about calibrating your Mac's battery? I just found this out by reading my user's guide last night. I guess I was supposed to be doing it every month or so. That's what I get for not reading.

First Hearts of '08!

Yes, I've been very slow with the updates lately. I give my sincere apologies to all four of you who read my blog.

I thought I'd start this year off by writing up a little list of some of the things I love on the Internet. So here goes:

1. Trulia. My newest obsession is real estate and I love this site that shows what's for sale in any neighborhood.

2. Find of the Day. Every morning I check out the update at Found Magazine. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad, but always intriguing.

3. Janet Charlton's Blog. Man, do I love Hollywood gossip. But this isn't the stuff you'll find on all the other sites. It's better.

4. Design Sponge. Because someday I will have my own place. I will, dammit!

5. Dooce. Comedy gold, pure and simple. Heather is hilarious, she deserves to be a pro blogger.

This list could go on and on. So here's to a new, better year than ever and finding more small things that make us happy!