Where in the world am I?

I am alive. I'm sorry for not blogging for two months. And seeing how my blog feed isn't working, many of you have been wondering where i've been for 5 months!
Thanks for your emails! You make me feel good!

The world of blogging has been fun, but right now I am enjoying reading YOUR blogs, and working on other web projects on the side.

Trust me, you haven't missed much.

I...

Threw Staten a 31st (Surprise) Birthday Party. My camera died before the party, so you'll have to go to our friend's blog for some pictures.

Have become a swap-meet junkie. Get me help now. (But just you wait for the pictures of all the cool things I've found!)

Met Rob Estes and he told me how cool my ($3 plastic fashion) ring was.

Have become an aunt for a second time. Now I have a sweet nephew.

Daffs

It's that time of year again. The flowers are out and proud. Last Saturday was a fluke 75 degree day, and knowing that it would not last, we drove an hour north to the fields of gold.
Sweet Staten. Can you believe this boy will be 31 in less than a month?

2 years

On March 24th, we celebrated our two years of marriage. And since I can't find the uber attractive picture of us gorging ourselves/getting sick on Brazilian food (as we did on our anniversary this year), I decided to post some photos from our honeymoon to Singapore and Indonesia. We look so young.. and much more slendor. Happy Anniversary Staten! I heart you.













(This picture is for all you doubting my claim to curly hair. Because I can mask it well now, doesn't make me a liar. It exists, and this picture is proof. No, I am not half rastafarian.)

Nick of time.

That's surely my favorite Bonnie Raitt song.

It's a phrase that I really like to use. Or rather, enjoy when I hear other people use... because I really don't use it but twice a year.

Do you know how you get a phrase or "saying" stuck in your head and after a few minutes of repeating it over and over again it sounds completely ridiculous?
I've compiled a short list of ones bothering/consuming me today. You are welcome to add to my list:

"In the nick of time"
Which really comes from the 1580s: "In the nick" or "In the very nick" began to be used for the critical moment, the exact instant at which something has to take place. The idea seems to have been that a nick was a narrow and precise marker, so that if something was in the nick it was precisely where it should be.

"Bob's your Uncle"
Not sure who Uncle Bob is... or why it's important to mention him when you are trying to impress the validity of something. This phrase always makes me laugh.

"Moot Point"
To moot means to debate or postulate. (Um, was I the only person who didn't know "moot" meant debate? Where have I been?)

"One Fell Swoop"
Shakespeare either coined the phrase, or gave it circulation, in Macbeth, 1605.
Old Boss was under the impression that this saying was no longer used in younger generations. Maybe that's the case in Minneapolis, but here in Seattle there is plenty of fell-swooping going on.

A tribute to PB & J

(Only one person will get my post title. And that's okay. It's dedicated to you, Mavis.)

Where is Comcast when I need it most? In an effort to save $3 and our brains from atrophy, Staten and I cancelled our cable. I don't know where you're from, but bunny ears and a prayer won't get you more than static and frustration unless you have cable.

So tonight, while I am yearning to watch Medium... or catch up on my Drew Barrymore love saga on TMZ.... I am quietly watching the worst "coming of age" film in all history: I am Reed Fish, courtesy of Netflix. I should really just turn the sap off, but then I would be reminded of the immense sorrow of my day, which includes-- but not limited to:

1) The pinched nerve in my neck... or kink... or something that causes pain.

2) The news that Mimi CANNOT come in May. (I don't blame her- she was flying in to Seattle having spent the week before in Florida and then the next week... somewhere. It's either a very convincing lie or an exhausting jet-setting life that she leads! Yes, Mimi- we are still blogger BFFs, but everyone at work is going to be sad not to meet you. They've heard ALL ABOUT YOU!)


3) That the once-in-a-lifetime, all-time cheap ($900!!!!!!!) tickets to Delhi will not be purchased by moi. I faked everyone out with my "I'm going to Bollywood, I mean... India" talk.
Work won't let me go. I thought I could get away for two weeks, but no. Probably for the best.
I won't hold a grudge. But I might be smelling like curry for the next few months to ease the pain-- which may be retribution enough. I hired an employee recently, who was born and raised in Delhi, and she promises to teach me to make my own Paneer.

4) That my beloved Boss is no longer my boss. Some woman (with an alarmingly similar name to Old Boss) from California, will be my New Boss. I already miss Minneapolis (Old) Boss. And frankly, Minnesota is pretty much cooler than California will ever be. So there.

I'm not being dramatic- I'm honestly devastated. Staten, knowing how close I am to Old Boss, asked "Aren't you going to cry?". And I did, once the shock started to wear off. (And I'm not just saying that because she reads my blog.)
How much will I miss Old Boss, you ask!?
I've compiled a list of things that might give you a clue:

I will miss her more than Elsa Clench on "Style".
I will miss her more than Mars candy bars (which can only be found outside the US now).
I will miss her more than Martha Stewart "Living",the TV show.
I will miss her more than Harry Potter (I'm still mourning the end of a literary era).
I will miss her more than "India Relish" the most irresponsible food discontinuation Trader Joe's has made yet.


Okay. Must go find some Kleenex. Bye.

My TV's on Prozac, but doing very well. Thank you.

Today, at 4:32 PM, Comcast Cable and Samsung TV ended their love affair.
I, being a roommate with Samsung, knew that this would happen.
For it was clear that theirs wasn't a love worth saving.

It all started several months ago when Comcast became withdrawn and detached. When Samsung flipped through his channels in search of something to talk about, he couldn't give her anything. No Office. No Bionic Woman. No Chuck. No nothing... except for Deal or no deal, which Samsung could barely stand to flip by, let alone watch. This distressed Samsung, but she knew she had to be patient with Comcast. She knew he would come around.
Soon, it became hard to empathize with him. If she ever tried to check up on him, he was off... enjoying sunny California weather and eating donuts with Jay Leno, while she was in Seattle trying to find new diversions like her Intro to Morse Code and Pig Latin 101 webinars. They continued this distant relationship- both fully expecting to return back to one another after some "time" apart. But one day when Samsung decided (after reading "He's just not that into you") that she didn't need him. She didn't need his booming and at times, blaring, voice... and she especially didn't need his turbulent attitude.
During their time apart, she found new relationships. She immersed herself into the hobbies she had loved years before. Before Him. She spent time at the library. She rented foreign films and documentaries. She talked on the phone with her best friend from High School- who's expecting a baby in the next month. She went to the park, and when she came back she never thought once of checking on Comcast. Instead, she toiled in her own porch garden.

So this afternoon, when he came around and presented flowers and chocolates, she said, "It's Over." You can imagine his shock! During this time apart, he had an idea this could happen... but he never thought it would. He never thought she would have the courage.

She sure showed him.



Tune in next week when Samsung gets lonely and tries to get back with Comcast.


PS- I got one frantic call/text, three emails and one "gchat" asking if this post "meant" something.
No. I am still married. "Samsung" is not short for "Staten". This almost reminds me of the time I faked everyone out with my Bicycle post... and everyone thought I was pregnant.
Maybe this means I need to be more literal with posts: I cancelled cable.

Help! Which one?

I like the first frame style the best:






But should I use a plain fabric, or one of these beauties?

Tag- I'm it.

This post is in honor of the person who sent it to me, and her instruction (demand) that I finish it. So Mimi... here you are!:)


1. What is your occupation? Paper Pusher. Paper Designer. Paper Enthusiast.
2. What color are your socks right? now black and white stripes. Most days I wear mis-matched socks… and I’m just waiting for someone to catch me with my shoes off long enough to notice.
3. What are you listening to right now? I just bought the newest K.D. Lang CD today. (I’m going to see her on March 19th… )
4. What was the last thing that you ate? Trader Joe’s chocolate and almond cookies
5. Can you drive a stick shift? Maybe. I drove one when I was first learning to drive… but I’ve never owned a manual car. I can sill remember trying to go to Walmart and my mother was screaming in the seat next to me because I stalled the car. She never let me drive it again. Never.
6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Truthfully, I would be black— or a hybrid crayon: black and white. Some days I think I am chartreuse or turquoise.
7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My pal Deb. She saw my post about the headboard and wants to make one with me this Wednesday. Plus, she has a table saw. Neither of us knows how to use it, so I may be missing a finger or two later this week. I play constant phone tag with my mother. She doesn’t have a cell phone OR a home answering machine, so she is impossible to catch.
8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? YES!!! I’ve never met her! But I like her soo much that I’ having her come visit me next month!
9. Favorite drink? Cold: Water (or the occasional Grapefruit Izze) Warm: Steamed milk with Almond.
10. What is your favorite sport to watch? I can’t even name a sport I understand well enough to enjoy watching. I played Golf in high school… but I think it’s terribly boring to watch. Oh! TENNIS! I understand it fairly well… and I do enjoy musing the differences in court material. Plus, Serena and Venus wear the silliest outfits.
11. Have you ever dyed your hair? I still remember the spring break that I used “Glint” on my hair—some cheap wash-out color. It turned my virgin locks orange. Since then I have been very dark, nearly black. My hair doesn’t hold color for very long, so three weeks after I have it colored, it turns medium brown again. Only once have I had blondish highlights. Wasn’t a good look for me.
12. Pets? I’ve never owned a pet. Only Mexican Jumping Beans… several Ant Farms… and two fish (Laverne and Shirley), which were given to me. Laverne died within a week of ownership, and Shirley was flushed the morning I was leaving the country. I couldn’t find anyone to take it for two months!
13. Favorite food? I really love ALL food. Except for eggplant—and that’s more an issue of preparation. Right now, I mostly crave soft cheeses and (real) French baguettes. Crusty and warm.
14. Last movie you watched? The Station Agent. Netflix it today! It is a great movie!
15. Favorite Day of the Year? Christmas Eve. The excitement on Christmas Eve is better than the next day. People are a little more soft and thoughtful this day. I also reeeeeeally love Halloween. It’s probably my favorite holiday. Must have something to do with loving black so much 
16. What do you do to vent anger? Who am I venting to? Or about? I tend to keep things in and then strike when I can be most effective and poignant with my viciousness. But then I am over it. I move on really, really, really fast.
17. What was your favorite toy as a child? Jacob’s ladder, a toy sales-register and kaleidoscope (for hiding my vitamins).
18. Which is your favorite, fall or spring? No contest. Fall, or as I prefer to say with a haughty air… Autumn. Seattle has such lovely weather from late August to November, so you get the warmth of Summer and the colors and freshness of Fall.
19. Hugs or kisses? I’m affectionate. I love them both. I love kissing people on the cheek in a French manner… but I don’t seem to have anyone who will let me kiss them. Hugs have their place too. In a weird way, I think hugs are much more affectionate than kisses. Somehow I have all these friends who aren’t physically affectionate… so I’ve come up with an “Air Hug”, which I yell out when I say goodbye. It’s my little verbal place-holder for what I’m really wanting to do: hug.
20. What kind of pie? Key Lime. I passed off a Trader Joe’s Key Lime Pie during Christmas, as my own…so I am doomed to bringing it to all my family gatherings now. My Aunt called to request it for Easter. I am soo ashamed of myself!
21. Living arrangements? I live in an over-priced, under performing apartment with my husband. We threaten to leave, but I have a feeling we’ll be here for a while because I’m just sooo in love with the popcorn ceiling and funky smelling plumbing.
22. When was the last time you cried? For the first time in a while… I can’t remember! I think I may have teared up the other night while watching The Station Agent. (See item #14) I cry a lot. Good movie, sweet story on NPR, reminiscing with my mother about practically anything, the series finale of any TV show—whether I watched the series or not…. I cry.
23. What is on the floor of your closet? A four foot metal ornament tree that I use for jewelry.
24. Favorite smell? Ginger ale. Demeter sells a Ginger ale fragrance at Sephora and I am tempted to buy it. I love all citrus scents, too. I get headaches from perfume, probably because I never was allowed to wear scents (not even scented lotion) growing up. I must not have ever built a tolerance to scents. I love almond as well.
25. What inspires you? The humanity and kindness in others. I’m in love with the movie “Lars and the real girl” for this reason—it shows the tender and sincere mercies people allow each other.
26. What are you afraid of? Losing my mind. Not remembering things. I’ve got a fairly solid memory right now, but at the times I DO forget something, it really disturbs me.
27. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? Spicy anything. Hamburgers with blue cheese on it. Or caramelized onions… yum.
28. Favorite Car? Late 60s VW Karmann Ghia or Squareback. Not the gangster type. Classic Aston Martin –who wouldn’t, right? Of modern cars: I actually like the boxy Scions everyone loves to hate on. Ohh and a Smart Car is alluring too, in a Euro kind of way.
29. Favorite cat breed? Um, is there more than one? I am 100% not a cat person. Ironically, my closest friends are ALL cat people.
30. Number of keys on your key ring? 8- and ALL are necessary. I can never understand people who have two keys: one for their house and the other for a vehicle. Seems a little sketchy.
31. How many years at your current job? 2 months, today. But really, my entire life was gearing up for this job… soo… forever.
32. Favorite day of the week? Whichever days I have off from work, and completely devoted to myself. That sounds really selfish, but I feel like I’m never really alone. A quiet day with myself is heaven.
33. How many countries have you been to? I’ve been to over 30% of the world, according to the map application on Facebook. I’ve been to almost 50 countries, 5 continents (Australia and Antarctica remain), 4 Disney’s (Euro, Tokyo, CA, FL), 25 Hard Rock Cafes (yes, I actually still collect the pins), 119 Museums, Slept in 14 Trains, 30+ Youth Hostels, Seen 4 Presidents/Prime Ministers/Royalty, Lost my passport, ID, Credit Cards/Cash, favorite wallet in Spain, and was proposed to (quite seriously- talk of dowry and camels was exchanged) in Morocco. I figured once, that I’ve had spent over a quarter, to one-third of my life OUTSIDE the US. But I’m not good at math, so I could be wrong.  (And just so you know, I’m not a snob… I love and appreciate the US just as much. I’ve been to 49 states. Alaska to go!)

Cruiser

I'm (still) looking for a cool vintage car. While I could really care less what kind of car I have... the one I drive really doesn't reflect me... my style... my sense of humor...my.....anything.


See... I drive something boring like this:
(Green Acura)








And I'm really in need of something like this:


or this...

and this...


but, truth be told, I would be happy to have this. Who doesn't love PEZ??

Headboard! Help!

I need to make a headboard. My old co-worker and I were always talking about starting a business making them (it was our get rich scheme! How hard could it be? Really, c'mon!?), but we never even made ONE, let alone sold any.

I was looking at Ashlynn's blog and saw her fabulous headboard . She says it's easy and inexpensive... but I have a feeling I'm in for a seriously intense project. Like um, do I really have to buy/find a saw? Who even has a saw these days? No one I know.

I hope she doesn't mind me posting a picture of her bedroom!

I think it's beautiful!! For mine, I am leaning towards a black and white damask or a french blue, silk dupioni. Sew Bettie has a pretty darn cool one her site. And Be Jane has great directions!

I'll post pictures after I make it in a couple weekends. This weekend is devoted to hanging my paper chandelier. Yes, out of paper.