November 2005 Archives

After MF and I stuffed ourselves with turkey and pumpkin pie, I spent the rest of the four-day break squirreled away at my dining room table. I've been experimenting with different paints, pencils, inks, etc. and I think I've come up with a style that I like. It still incorporates the digital collage element but the look is softer, more sketch-like.

There has been much to be thankful for this year. Last year around this time I had gotten laid off from my job and prospects were looking grim in every facet of my life. Now I am gainfully employed with multiple jobs -- one of which I absolutely love and hope to grow into a full-time gig; the boyfriend turned into a husband and we were able to renew the lease to our cabin-in-the-city with minimal drama (a rarity). A landmark year indeed. 33 more days of 2005 to go! I wonder what surprises 2006 will bring...

I carry around a journal everywhere I go. I just finished filling up my latest favorite journal -- a beautiful notebook by Jill Blissen.

Above is one of my quick sketches on the last page while listening to a local open mic show. I like the paper-cutout effect -- for some reason, I always get the urge to draw when I hear music. Now I must go search for another journal...

I love this picture from one of our mountain getaways back in March. It was bristling cold up in Skagit County and we caught the tail end of snow (though you can't see it here) in the mountains. We didn't do much other than cozy up in the log cabin and take a couple of hikes...my kind of vacation.

I've been digging this Japanese book I found by Masaki entitled "Linen, Baskets and Hyacinth". It's a collection of photo essays in typical Japanese adorableness.

Here's the cover:

The book is divided into monthly sections featuring Masaki's recipes and textile designs but mostly, it's about how she tries to make life at home comfortable and enjoyable for her daughter Yulala. What a great name.

Masaki clearly flexes her designing skills in every detail of the book -- she is the in-house designer (owner? my Japanese is a bit rusty) for the shop Hug o' War in Japan. Oh so charming.

Sometimes it feels like I'm carrying my entire life experience on my back, like a human snail...it's somewhat heavy but comforting too.

Feeling rather burdened with too much stuff accumulated over 10 years, today I cleaned out the closet and managed to create a large pile of clothes and shoes that have not seen sunlight for at least half a decade. There is a place near the university that will buy used clothes and sell it to hipster kids at nominally marked up prices. Brilliant idea, I thought.

I hauled 5 huge bags filled to the brim to the store. However, as I scooted out of the taxi, two of my bags broke. This caused a bit of a traffic jam due to spillage of several pairs of my shoes, a gaudy top from the early nineties and a lacy and thoroughly uncomfortable camisole (the only piece of sexy lingerie I have ever owned --- too bad for my husband).

As I struggled to gather the items, I realized that the taxi driver had dropped me off across the street from the store. And as I pondered this and collected the last of the stray shoes, a tall young man approached me and asked "Hey man, you need some help?" I suddenly felt like an old bag lady but the relief was overwhelming. I quickly handed him three bulging bags and we crossed the street while I thanked him non-stop. "No sweat, man. Peace out." My faith in today's youth was restored.

Total worth of some 60 items of clothing and 20 pairs of shoes? $13. Apparently my clothes weren't hip enough to cater to the savvy used-clothes consumers. I looked through the color coordinated racks and was surprised to see that they were well-stocked with clothes that looked like they came straight out of Vogue. The November 2005 issue. I was a bit saddened by the thirteen dollars scornfully handed to me as the taxi fare cost more than that. Conveniently, they have a bin for rejected items which they donate to the Salvation Army -- I was grateful for the trip saved but it seemed suspect to me, to be quite honest. The venture was a wash, yes, but I'm happy to report that my closet is much more spacious now.

End of the year resolutions:
1. Organize my finances
2. Christmas card designs
3. Handmade gifts
4. Increase freelance projects
5. Exercise regularly
6. Launch a shop section on my website
7. Take a photography class
8. Get my license (it's been expired for about two years now)
9. Knit a sweater
10. Ignore everything from above and eat chocolate cupcakes, lounge in the cool new-to-me armchair and call it a year.