I have had romance on my mind for a couple of days now. My current love interest is coming up later this week to MEET. THE. FAM. (mtf) In a previous post, I had mentioned the early MTF on his side back when I was at school still, and yes, a month later, a backpacking trip to Europe, rocky relations with exes, new jobs, and haphazard communication... I'm sitting here with little baby butterflies fluttering in my stomach all over again. Honestly, I'm excited to see if the sparks that once were so surprising, fun, and easy are still there. Oh and he's just super handsome, in my opinion, so there's a little added ulterior motives present as well...
I feel as though that in this day and age, meeting the parents of a significant other really is a big deal. For myself and many of my fellow twenty-something females, in general we want the man we bring home to be genuinely liked. Society/ Mom and Dad's constant insistence on my independence, self-worth, and limitless happiness have forced a pretty high standard in my "book" (okay novel), and I'm pretty okay with that. I mean, why the hell not? I've spent the last 21/22 years trying to perfect myself, I'd hope I take enough pride in it and enjoy some decent, honest, fun, and loving attention out of someone. I think this guy has the potential at the moment.
The reality is, though, is that I was never afraid to meet HIS family. In fact, his mother reached across the dinner table at his celebratory graduation dinner and basically blessed my soul (this is while Nanna kept chattering on about God only knows WHAT right next to me). His incredibly hot 25 year old brother sat across from me-- a clear distraction, and the rehab/crazy history I know about his 27 year old plastic-surgery filled blonde bombshell of a sister kind of distracted me as well. At least I didn't feel as awkward as his Dad's new wife (and third, I learned later) probably did... but who am I to say. The few glances he and I stole were those of sympathy (maybe his more of pleading help in the clenched grip of his grandma's hand on his chin half of the night).
But needless to say, I feel like my relatively normal family will be more Switzerland for him. and He'll be fine.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Monday,Monday
I knew this would be hard, this whole writing religiously every day thing. Even keeping to a schedule of the every other day thing seems like a lot.
It is certainly not for lack of things to say, mind you, because rest assured, there's plenty to gripe about, philosophies forming daily, and altogether great moments that weave themselves into weeks, months, and really before we all know it, years.
Yesterday I had a day off (my random week-to-week scheduling is less-than ideal!) and my family made a great outing in the North End of Boston. My mom's shoulder/back problem slowed us down, however I had to put into perspective my family has never been the go-get-'em outdoorsy Sear's Coleman Family (see photo).
But it was a fine pace nonetheless.
Naturally we indulged in great Italian cuisine. I ordered a thin-crust pizza with basil, tomato and prosciutto... once again reminding me of my months in Florence last fall. Surprise, prosciutto still makes me gag, but it was pretty good! Dinner was followed by some classic Mike's Pastry, with a GIANT whoopie pie. (pic i will upload when I'm not so lazy)
But it was good. No, it was great. Shared some laughs, good food, and mainly time. As I finished the night bawling to the touching Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (gotta love that sensitive side!), and there is the insinuation of little 12-year old Bailey has passed away from Leukemia, that all we have is the little things.
It is certainly not for lack of things to say, mind you, because rest assured, there's plenty to gripe about, philosophies forming daily, and altogether great moments that weave themselves into weeks, months, and really before we all know it, years.
Yesterday I had a day off (my random week-to-week scheduling is less-than ideal!) and my family made a great outing in the North End of Boston. My mom's shoulder/back problem slowed us down, however I had to put into perspective my family has never been the go-get-'em outdoorsy Sear's Coleman Family (see photo).
But it was a fine pace nonetheless.
Naturally we indulged in great Italian cuisine. I ordered a thin-crust pizza with basil, tomato and prosciutto... once again reminding me of my months in Florence last fall. Surprise, prosciutto still makes me gag, but it was pretty good! Dinner was followed by some classic Mike's Pastry, with a GIANT whoopie pie. (pic i will upload when I'm not so lazy)
But it was good. No, it was great. Shared some laughs, good food, and mainly time. As I finished the night bawling to the touching Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (gotta love that sensitive side!), and there is the insinuation of little 12-year old Bailey has passed away from Leukemia, that all we have is the little things.
"Being happy isn't having everything in your life be perfect. Maybe it's about stringing together all the little things like wearing these pants or getting to a new level of Dragon's Lair - making those count for more than the bad stuff. Maybe we just get through it... and that's all we can ask for. "
So, I will continue to write, if not to remember just this sentiment.
Lots of love!
Lots of love!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
...where has time gone?!
Sorry for the MAJOR delay in details. Life kinda got in the way, i.e. work, feeling pretty worn out, WORK. haha. Life is sooo glamorous here at home these days!
So, I suppose the summary to the previous post goes as follows (I am grimacing thinking back about it, but *sigh* what's done is done.
So after going back and forth on facebook, and then a casual phone convo, we agreed that Sunday was a night that we both could do something. Incedentally, this was my sister's graduation party, and in the back of my mind I sort of already knew it wouldn't happen. Thanks to my super dead/missing phone, I evaded Sunday's rendesvous all together.
After making contact once again (I couldn't straight up ignore the fbook message AND text asking what happened to me), we rescheduled (me more begrudgingly this time) for Tuesday. As the day neared, Dan sent a few texts telling me how he was looking forward to it, confirming with me time and place (a nice Japanese restaurant in town), and re-confirming... But at work all day Tuesday, I couldn't help but feel awful inside. I knew his intentions were wayyy more casual than mine. After venting to a male co-worker, I realized that I wasn't doing him any favors and I had to bring up the fact that I was indeed seeing someone. But I left work more than regretting that I had made the plan to begin with.
So, the next part is a big blur, but here goes:
I call my mom telling her my dinner plans. Needless to say, she was really surprised I was going through with it. She said "Kate, why would you put him through that if you already know his intentions? And don't you already HAVE a boyfriend? Don't you think it's a little unfair...." blah blah blah... The thing is, she was right. I had totally lead him on, believing that I was really interested, and that dinner could lead to something more (I learned later this was his thought)
And here it is. I had to call and cancel. Yes, it was one hour before I was supposed to meet him (oh, I had already discouraged him from picking me up from my house), and yes, it was LAST minute. But, I had to cancel. Why torture the poor guy even more? Plus, I really was not interested "like that". While I am comfortable casually, I should have put up more barriers and made different plans that weren't so date-like. Basically, I screwed up. And I had to put it to a stop.
The conversation... was awful. I at first apologized for it being so last minute, but that "I'm so sorry but I have to cancel dinner tonight." I explained that I was in a long-distance relationship and I just didn't feel right going through with dinner, and that I had the impression that he saw this more as a date, and at that, I didn't feel right. But mostly, I blabbered on and on, even fake cried a little for effect, just hoping that he'd say "Okay" and hang up.
Wellll.... I would have been okay with any response than what he gave. He started by saying that it was terrible what I was doing to him, that he didn't understand how I could be in a satisfying relationship long-distance.
So, I suppose the summary to the previous post goes as follows (I am grimacing thinking back about it, but *sigh* what's done is done.
So after going back and forth on facebook, and then a casual phone convo, we agreed that Sunday was a night that we both could do something. Incedentally, this was my sister's graduation party, and in the back of my mind I sort of already knew it wouldn't happen. Thanks to my super dead/missing phone, I evaded Sunday's rendesvous all together.
After making contact once again (I couldn't straight up ignore the fbook message AND text asking what happened to me), we rescheduled (me more begrudgingly this time) for Tuesday. As the day neared, Dan sent a few texts telling me how he was looking forward to it, confirming with me time and place (a nice Japanese restaurant in town), and re-confirming... But at work all day Tuesday, I couldn't help but feel awful inside. I knew his intentions were wayyy more casual than mine. After venting to a male co-worker, I realized that I wasn't doing him any favors and I had to bring up the fact that I was indeed seeing someone. But I left work more than regretting that I had made the plan to begin with.
So, the next part is a big blur, but here goes:
I call my mom telling her my dinner plans. Needless to say, she was really surprised I was going through with it. She said "Kate, why would you put him through that if you already know his intentions? And don't you already HAVE a boyfriend? Don't you think it's a little unfair...." blah blah blah... The thing is, she was right. I had totally lead him on, believing that I was really interested, and that dinner could lead to something more (I learned later this was his thought)
And here it is. I had to call and cancel. Yes, it was one hour before I was supposed to meet him (oh, I had already discouraged him from picking me up from my house), and yes, it was LAST minute. But, I had to cancel. Why torture the poor guy even more? Plus, I really was not interested "like that". While I am comfortable casually, I should have put up more barriers and made different plans that weren't so date-like. Basically, I screwed up. And I had to put it to a stop.
The conversation... was awful. I at first apologized for it being so last minute, but that "I'm so sorry but I have to cancel dinner tonight." I explained that I was in a long-distance relationship and I just didn't feel right going through with dinner, and that I had the impression that he saw this more as a date, and at that, I didn't feel right. But mostly, I blabbered on and on, even fake cried a little for effect, just hoping that he'd say "Okay" and hang up.
Wellll.... I would have been okay with any response than what he gave. He started by saying that it was terrible what I was doing to him, that he didn't understand how I could be in a satisfying relationship long-distance.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Another one bites the dust?
Sometimes I wonder to myself if being even remotely outgoing to guys is really even worth it. Or maybe I lack healthy judgment skills!
(likely possibility… I’ve had one or two train wreck experiences with guys)
Either way, I mentioned in yesterday’s post we were at my sister’s film festival. One of the judges was a fellow 2006 graduate of my high school. Let’s call him Dan. Dan recently graduated from college having pursued film-making. Coincidentally, he went to my father’s Alma Mater.
I’ll have to admit, I obviously was not expecting to see him ever again after high school… especially on a night I was more or less dragged out of the house after a long day of work, raccoon-eyed, in PINK Lands-End clogs, dress slacks, and limp hair desperately needing a good shampoo (ew). Dan, on the other hand, had been certainly well-spoken, had a carefully crafted coif (something worthy to note, for sure), and sharply dressed in a blazer and (skinny?) jeans. Far more polished and mature that I remember him being – probably was a skater-ish hippie, but I can’t say for sure anymore.
Needless to say, my MOM jumped at the chance to say hello to him after the show. After awkwardly talking (blah blah blah as I remember) with Dan and my Dad/Mom, we all (awkwardly) walked out together.
We briefly talked about our plans for the summer.
HIM? “film-making”.
ME? “Nothing”. I struggled to spit out an awkward “It always catches me off-guard when I run into people now after these four years…”
Dan: “Yeah it’s true, but then I remind myself that I’m the one that’s changed.” (awfully philosophical, even for me)
Me: I say over my shoulder I walk away “Well, it’s for the better!” (Ugh, that was one of those comments when you turn away from the person and mouth “WHAT?!?”)
So obviously when I get into the car, immediately my mom is jumping ALL over me about him being my new boyfriend and how he’s perfect. Kill. Me. Now. But I thought what the heck, and friended him on facebook, even including a message (I know, balsy right?HA). Just short and sweet, “wow, I didn’t think there was any way I wasn’t fbook friends with all of L-S. Since you’re working in the same area as me, maybe we’ll run into each other some time.” I threw in my phone number, mainly because my mom said that I should have when he asked what my plans were this summer…
FFWD a few hours, at like 1 am I wake up from a dead sleep to a four page text (on my old school flip phone, obvs)
“Like a truly outstanding wine, sometimes wonderful things take a little while to come to fruition… Kate, I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see you tonight. From the moment your eyes caught mine I knew I couldn’t wait to get to know you. In fact, I went right from the ceremony to see a movie with some family and couldn’t wait to get out and send you a note. And here I am freshly in the car reading a note from you! (me: OH GOD, now look what I’ve done) As it’s almost 1, I’ll have to wait til tomorrow to call you but I will call you tomorrow. And I really am looking forward to talking with you. In case you need or want it, my e-mail is ________. Pleasant dreams, Dan
to be continued…?
(likely possibility… I’ve had one or two train wreck experiences with guys)
Either way, I mentioned in yesterday’s post we were at my sister’s film festival. One of the judges was a fellow 2006 graduate of my high school. Let’s call him Dan. Dan recently graduated from college having pursued film-making. Coincidentally, he went to my father’s Alma Mater.
I’ll have to admit, I obviously was not expecting to see him ever again after high school… especially on a night I was more or less dragged out of the house after a long day of work, raccoon-eyed, in PINK Lands-End clogs, dress slacks, and limp hair desperately needing a good shampoo (ew). Dan, on the other hand, had been certainly well-spoken, had a carefully crafted coif (something worthy to note, for sure), and sharply dressed in a blazer and (skinny?) jeans. Far more polished and mature that I remember him being – probably was a skater-ish hippie, but I can’t say for sure anymore.
Needless to say, my MOM jumped at the chance to say hello to him after the show. After awkwardly talking (blah blah blah as I remember) with Dan and my Dad/Mom, we all (awkwardly) walked out together.
We briefly talked about our plans for the summer.
HIM? “film-making”.
ME? “Nothing”. I struggled to spit out an awkward “It always catches me off-guard when I run into people now after these four years…”
Dan: “Yeah it’s true, but then I remind myself that I’m the one that’s changed.” (awfully philosophical, even for me)
Me: I say over my shoulder I walk away “Well, it’s for the better!” (Ugh, that was one of those comments when you turn away from the person and mouth “WHAT?!?”)
So obviously when I get into the car, immediately my mom is jumping ALL over me about him being my new boyfriend and how he’s perfect. Kill. Me. Now. But I thought what the heck, and friended him on facebook, even including a message (I know, balsy right?HA). Just short and sweet, “wow, I didn’t think there was any way I wasn’t fbook friends with all of L-S. Since you’re working in the same area as me, maybe we’ll run into each other some time.” I threw in my phone number, mainly because my mom said that I should have when he asked what my plans were this summer…
FFWD a few hours, at like 1 am I wake up from a dead sleep to a four page text (on my old school flip phone, obvs)
“Like a truly outstanding wine, sometimes wonderful things take a little while to come to fruition… Kate, I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see you tonight. From the moment your eyes caught mine I knew I couldn’t wait to get to know you. In fact, I went right from the ceremony to see a movie with some family and couldn’t wait to get out and send you a note. And here I am freshly in the car reading a note from you! (me: OH GOD, now look what I’ve done) As it’s almost 1, I’ll have to wait til tomorrow to call you but I will call you tomorrow. And I really am looking forward to talking with you. In case you need or want it, my e-mail is ________. Pleasant dreams, Dan
to be continued…?
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
a letter (ok e-mail) to long-distance love
Dear Stranger,
hey haven't heard from you in a couple days... are you alive?
I have the day off tomorrow, I think you should try and call! I'm assuming you're in Prague? I hear it's reeeealllly fucking cool. I'd love to see some pictures, although, it would get me very jealous and make me want to pack my bags all over again... when is the nomadic life over?!?!?
Tonight we went to my sister's HS film festival. Hers won first place - it was a hit. It was about a golfball. Maybe I'll have some real Hollywood in my life someday? I know the bum at the Starbucks thinks you are a Hollywood starlet, but Kelly's got a real shot, haha sorry babe.
These days, I wake up every morning wishing I were waking up to you, likely shirtless, playing some Jack Johnson on your guitar. Even though I kinda hate JJ, you make it sound so much sweeter. Instead, I've been even beating the early alarm, most often forgoing snooze
(because I think it is perhaps the most torturous thing on earthhh)
Did you know he's got a new album out? It's called To the Sea.
I think my favorite track is You and Your Heart. Right now he's touring in Germany, coming to the states this summer (wink). If you see him around Europe, tell him I said hello, I think you're great mr. johnson, but that I think you're better. And you're cuter. Definitely.
I feel like I'm writing to a dead person because we've barely talked in person haha.
I guess just know I'm thinking of you :)
ok. til later...
oh and ps. my blog is up and running... albeit i have practically no followers, but who cares. Want to know the title? la dolce vita
( for the most part it's very much true, but having you here would be that much sweeter <3 )
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
What money can't buy
Most of my friends and family can attest to my overly emotional side. It seems that especially as of late, I have the tendency to cry at almost any sad/happy movie, event, story, commercial... everything.
View from the auditorium... of the screen
And we lost audio 1/2 way throughAfter begrudingly agreeing to go (and dragging my eleven year old sister, Brenna, with me), we watched the overall upbeat artistic interludes and lofty - aka naiive - ambitions of the student speakers (I'll confess, I was one of them too!), and the superintendent's commencement address took on a more serious tone.
There were two lives lost during the senior class' four years, including one student who passed of a swift battle of Leukemia. reminding us (in lieu of all the family members invited that could not physically be in the room due to the weather) that there were graduates without parents here, just as there was one family without a graduate.
The superintendent invited the boy's family to speak, and I knew immediately upon seeing their faces, I'd lose it. The genuine words of the boy's father, a handsome man, were eloquent and softly delivered. He thanked his son's friends for all of the love and attention they gave his son during his quick battle. He reminded them- and all of us- to live every minute more fully, that life is too short not to. And to continue to love and remember.
And tonight, on a popular Boston sports blog (of all places!), intended entirely for pure amusement and comic relief, the blogger posted this video. If you don't cry, you don't have a soul.
So, mie amiches~ what feeds yours? What are the things that money can't ever buy for you?
Friday, June 4, 2010
Hmm I like!
Before I could even get my foot into traditional and ever-so globally conscious TOM's Shoes, I stumbled across these!
I can't help but share this bit of wisdom I read today on CNN.com
Since the sixth grade, I have taken interest in what this woman says and does. Unknowing of its powerful message and infamy, I memorized"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings". I feel as thought it is only as I begin to creep closer to the "real world" (still very much in denial...) that I can see the modern woman-in-the-work/life-force application of the poem's message. In her words, I think it's high time to adapt her words as a mantra:
"Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick a--."
Since the sixth grade, I have taken interest in what this woman says and does. Unknowing of its powerful message and infamy, I memorized"I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings". I feel as thought it is only as I begin to creep closer to the "real world" (still very much in denial...) that I can see the modern woman-in-the-work/life-force application of the poem's message. In her words, I think it's high time to adapt her words as a mantra:
"Life's a bitch. You've got to go out and kick a--."
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
EYE love you!
FINALLY found new eyeliner that doesn't rub off or make me look like a tranny at the end of the dayyyyyy!!!!
waterproof eyeliner- EYE LOVE YA!
Sole concepts
I will admit it. I really like my job. Sure, it's retail, and yes, it's tiring. However somehow despite the burning shoulders, avoiding falling boxes, and some very (emphasis on very) difficult customers, there is something pretty personal and hands-on about selling shoes... and I'm loving it (smelly feet, gross bunyons, and flaky skin aside, of course)!
I interned for the corporate office of Clarks Companies, N.A. in the men's design department two summers ago (one of these days I'll post some of the things I worked on), but now I'm getting a whole new perspective on actually selling this famously comfortable footwear brand in their retail stores.
My recent employment is why I was so intrigued by the Design Continuum's (a popular Boston-based industrial design firm) Solay Running Shoe. Here's the scoop: it has a removable footbed insert which can be replaced after cushion has worn down. This concept particularly caught my eye because I have recently noticed in my own incredibly comfortable Avia running shoes that they are not as "cushy" as they once were!
The life of the shoe is extended because you can remove and replace the midsole of the shoe as it gets compressed and worn out. It also occurred to me that orthodic inserts could also be inserted for people suffering from foot problems, surgery, etc. Buying shoes for people with such conditions is pretty difficult, so if there were even greater options and flexibility, I can see this as a very practical product.
I'm no marathon-er, but I do know that as much as I love shoes, I hate finding new sneakers. All in all, I think it's a pretty brilliant idea, don't you?!
I interned for the corporate office of Clarks Companies, N.A. in the men's design department two summers ago (one of these days I'll post some of the things I worked on), but now I'm getting a whole new perspective on actually selling this famously comfortable footwear brand in their retail stores.
My recent employment is why I was so intrigued by the Design Continuum's (a popular Boston-based industrial design firm) Solay Running Shoe. Here's the scoop: it has a removable footbed insert which can be replaced after cushion has worn down. This concept particularly caught my eye because I have recently noticed in my own incredibly comfortable Avia running shoes that they are not as "cushy" as they once were!
The life of the shoe is extended because you can remove and replace the midsole of the shoe as it gets compressed and worn out. It also occurred to me that orthodic inserts could also be inserted for people suffering from foot problems, surgery, etc. Buying shoes for people with such conditions is pretty difficult, so if there were even greater options and flexibility, I can see this as a very practical product.
I'm no marathon-er, but I do know that as much as I love shoes, I hate finding new sneakers. All in all, I think it's a pretty brilliant idea, don't you?!
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Busy?!
It's been a busy last few days!
Thursday, after feeling restless and having been awake since four a.m., I made plans with Danielle meet up at a great lunch at a favorite local breakfast/lunch place in town. After venting to her about my recent dilemma over my future career path (among other things), we set out to DSW, Nordstrom Rack, etc. We even took a break out of the heat (feels like summer already!) at B&N to read some magazines and cool off. It was actually just what I needed to take my mind off things!
My friends got together later that night for the opening day premiere of Sex and the City 2. Now I'll be perfectly honest, I was never a religious watcher (sadly, no HBO growing up), but since the first movie came out- which I loved, I have more or less caught myself up in the show, so I was realllly looking forward to it! And loved it! Samantha was by far left me laughing, and frankly, I thought Carrie was somewhat needy and too dramatic. But overall, the bizarre plot seemed like a fitting thread to tie together hot guys, beautiful clothes, and AMAZING scenery!
Thursday, after feeling restless and having been awake since four a.m., I made plans with Danielle meet up at a great lunch at a favorite local breakfast/lunch place in town. After venting to her about my recent dilemma over my future career path (among other things), we set out to DSW, Nordstrom Rack, etc. We even took a break out of the heat (feels like summer already!) at B&N to read some magazines and cool off. It was actually just what I needed to take my mind off things!
My friends got together later that night for the opening day premiere of Sex and the City 2. Now I'll be perfectly honest, I was never a religious watcher (sadly, no HBO growing up), but since the first movie came out- which I loved, I have more or less caught myself up in the show, so I was realllly looking forward to it! And loved it! Samantha was by far left me laughing, and frankly, I thought Carrie was somewhat needy and too dramatic. But overall, the bizarre plot seemed like a fitting thread to tie together hot guys, beautiful clothes, and AMAZING scenery!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Next Best Thing:: JPK Nylon Bucket Handbags
I feel somewhat obligated to now share my new obsession with these bags after seeing it on the shoulder of a girl on Lookville.com (Thanks for the invite Danielle!).
Okay so here they are! JPK Handbags
My fave is definitely the Nylon Bucket Bags with Gold Hardware, a part of their "permanent" collection
A mid-weight bag (at 12x12.5x4), there is the perfect amount of room to sling over your shoulder, which is perfect for us shoppers! The magnetic gold purse snap closes automatically, and a beautiful floral lining has several zippered pockets on the interior sides of the bag. The outside of the bag is a durable, yet luxurious nylon- and like a kid in a candy store, you'll LOVE the 41 color choices!! The heafty gold hardware carabiners the wide black leather strap to the bag- it truly takes a campy feel to one with a more refined and simply elegant twist. LOVE THIS BAG!
I love the cutesy Spring/Summer 2010 looks too, also featuring the same fun, bright colors!
Okay so here they are! JPK Handbags
My fave is definitely the Nylon Bucket Bags with Gold Hardware, a part of their "permanent" collection
A mid-weight bag (at 12x12.5x4), there is the perfect amount of room to sling over your shoulder, which is perfect for us shoppers! The magnetic gold purse snap closes automatically, and a beautiful floral lining has several zippered pockets on the interior sides of the bag. The outside of the bag is a durable, yet luxurious nylon- and like a kid in a candy store, you'll LOVE the 41 color choices!! The heafty gold hardware carabiners the wide black leather strap to the bag- it truly takes a campy feel to one with a more refined and simply elegant twist. LOVE THIS BAG!
I love the cutesy Spring/Summer 2010 looks too, also featuring the same fun, bright colors!
Maireann croi eadrom i bhfad:: A Light Heart Lives Longest
It being my beautiful sister Kelly's last day of high school (her graduation just around the corner!), I thought I'd honor you by borrowing your senior quote as today's blog title. Congratulations! I love you!
Tree Dwellers:: Epiphany in my Dreams?
Somehow, I knew that once I started consciously thinking about a potential thesis ideas, I would start having crazy dreams about wild ideas and potential possibilities. I'm guessing this never happens to me at school because I sleep so little- thus, dreaming is but a blissful afterthought as my brain simply tries to recover what little energy it can muster before my alarm decides to pull the "plug".
But I awoke this morning to a fascinating idea. To briefly describe the premise of the dream: I was visiting a friend's lake house (lake unknown, it had a name in the dream, however). After sneaking out onto a small motorboat with a few friends during the early morning, we took an unusual path, meandering in and out of the riverbanks away from the more residential side of the lake, which was home to the vacationer's and clearly more affluent and pricey properties.
What began to appear above our heads were these vibrant tree-dwelling neighborhoods. I believe I conceived the dwellers as illegal squatters / shelters of the homeless. But in a sense, these people were not 'homeless' at all. Through the branches (which they sought refuge from seasonal flooding season - thank you Prof. Sho & ARC 500 Goats + Cell Phones...), were makeshift tree houses, complete with ropes linking branches, crude wooden bridges, recycled trash used to construct pulley systems for water, cooking mechanisms, safety precautions, and more. They were draped in colorful linens, sheets, clothing, etc. and other drying laundry (or perhaps this served as their dresser?!) articles.
Some bungalows were more exposed, revealing sleeping people burrowed under dirty comforters, cardboard, etc. Others were more concealed behind branches and dense leaves. It seemed to be an endless community, however, just occupying the world above us, just as birds and squirrels and really numerous species far more foreign to us. This was not your average Swiss Family Robinson construction, however, but a brilliant collage of recycled life amid the canopy of the forest meant for the outcast of society. What a novel concept!
Needless to say, I awoke curious if this type of squatter living existed somewhere in the world. My cursory findings revealed two 'tree dwelling' typologies: the designer tree house (ironically- or not so- featured in Above Magazine I discovered just the other day), and the dinosaur-age-esque Korowai and Kombai tribes of New Guinea. These tribes live in trees mainly for protection (they are apparently enemies of fellow cannibalistic tribes). Mosquitoes are also apparently a reason for the at times 40m lofted abodes.
But I awoke this morning to a fascinating idea. To briefly describe the premise of the dream: I was visiting a friend's lake house (lake unknown, it had a name in the dream, however). After sneaking out onto a small motorboat with a few friends during the early morning, we took an unusual path, meandering in and out of the riverbanks away from the more residential side of the lake, which was home to the vacationer's and clearly more affluent and pricey properties.
What began to appear above our heads were these vibrant tree-dwelling neighborhoods. I believe I conceived the dwellers as illegal squatters / shelters of the homeless. But in a sense, these people were not 'homeless' at all. Through the branches (which they sought refuge from seasonal flooding season - thank you Prof. Sho & ARC 500 Goats + Cell Phones...), were makeshift tree houses, complete with ropes linking branches, crude wooden bridges, recycled trash used to construct pulley systems for water, cooking mechanisms, safety precautions, and more. They were draped in colorful linens, sheets, clothing, etc. and other drying laundry (or perhaps this served as their dresser?!) articles.
Some bungalows were more exposed, revealing sleeping people burrowed under dirty comforters, cardboard, etc. Others were more concealed behind branches and dense leaves. It seemed to be an endless community, however, just occupying the world above us, just as birds and squirrels and really numerous species far more foreign to us. This was not your average Swiss Family Robinson construction, however, but a brilliant collage of recycled life amid the canopy of the forest meant for the outcast of society. What a novel concept!
Needless to say, I awoke curious if this type of squatter living existed somewhere in the world. My cursory findings revealed two 'tree dwelling' typologies: the designer tree house (ironically- or not so- featured in Above Magazine I discovered just the other day), and the dinosaur-age-esque Korowai and Kombai tribes of New Guinea. These tribes live in trees mainly for protection (they are apparently enemies of fellow cannibalistic tribes). Mosquitoes are also apparently a reason for the at times 40m lofted abodes.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Above Magazine:: a new bible?
It never ceases to amaze me when I come across truly sublime things. Okay yeah sunsets, rainbows, etc. Today at B&N I stumbled across this fantastic magazine that is worth choking the $10/issue price (hello Mom- birthday gift idea!), and revealed the most blissfully casual yet
intellectually stimulating read in a very long time.
I couldn't resist a tag line that reads "beautywill save the earth" as I googled the zine when I got home. And more than that, the awesomely user-friendly site lets you flip through the zine page by page! And the articles were just pure COOL, featuring fabulously divine industrial designers such as Stuart Heygarth and his chandeliers made out of recycled eyeglass lenses (left) and toys (right).
Other articles that peaked my interest were designs by Gary Harvey- couture dresses made of newspaper and recycled "green" bags. Another was a five-page spread with glorious photos of the Everglades, and an article filled with history, passion, and a cry for our help.
I was almost disappointed to come to the last page!
Searching for Passion Between the Pages
I have a dilemma. I am embarking on my fifth year as an architecture student at Syracuse University. And I'm officially stumped. As part of the intensive 5-year B.ARCH degree, the summation of our education reaches its pinnacle at the fifth year thesis. And I just have NO idea what I want to spend the next year (hypothetically) developing and designing.
The fall semester is dedicated to a project proposal in which we conduct thorough, on-site research in order to develop an intellectual design problem. Ideally, the research and design problem will evolve into a project, filled with site and design strategies, comprehensive drawings, gripping renderings, and phases of final exquisite models. Ugh. My head hurts just to think about it.
So, in an effort to get a jump on it (something, in theory love doing, I just never seems to follow through to see the fruits of my early labor at the end of such endeavors), I set out on possibly the hottest day this year (thus far, and in my non-AC, broken radio antenna 1980 Accord) to Barnes and Nobles.
B&N is like the holy grail to me. I feel more intellectual just walking down the sacred aisles. On a typical trip, I'd aimlessly grab books off of the shelves, sometimes feigning interest in a book I likely skimmed at best in 9th grade English/Lit, and nonchalantly return them to their perch.
But today, I was on a mission to find a social ill. A dilemma in our world that I could care about enough. Something that could provide me enough fodder to sustain me for research and inevitable project. Well, I didn't find it today. Instead, I was exposed to dozens of new magazines that I had never seen before!
Here's my new favorite: Above Magazine
Monday, May 24, 2010
Breaking in the beach
Today I ventured out early with three of my good friends from home. All of us are blissfully unemployed, amidst in varying degrees of grad-school, job-hunting and undergrad. The other night I was out with my friend Lauren, who has just embarked on her first MBA class tonight, and we decided that this summer we'd create a bucket list of things that we want to do.
First on that list was to trek out at 9:30 this morning to Crane's Beach in Ipswich Mass. I'm kicking myself for forgetting my camera- it was a spectacular day. As the four of us crossed over the wood pedestrian bridge, I knew that we were not in any kind of competition for peace, quiet, and sand space. Just a morning crew of moms and young kids, but even they were few and far between.
A long stretch of low-tide beach invoked conversations about current relationships, ideologies (Danielle's business transaction analogy comes to mind), and catching up on Grey's Anatomy, hometown, and current event drama.
I should have known that my one-time application of Neutrogena SPF 30 wasn't enough... The entire front of my body is healthy tomato red. Ahh. The smell of Aloe brings back such sweet (and painful!) memories...
First on that list was to trek out at 9:30 this morning to Crane's Beach in Ipswich Mass. I'm kicking myself for forgetting my camera- it was a spectacular day. As the four of us crossed over the wood pedestrian bridge, I knew that we were not in any kind of competition for peace, quiet, and sand space. Just a morning crew of moms and young kids, but even they were few and far between.
A long stretch of low-tide beach invoked conversations about current relationships, ideologies (Danielle's business transaction analogy comes to mind), and catching up on Grey's Anatomy, hometown, and current event drama.
I should have known that my one-time application of Neutrogena SPF 30 wasn't enough... The entire front of my body is healthy tomato red. Ahh. The smell of Aloe brings back such sweet (and painful!) memories...
Parental Advice?
I was home alone with my parents for the first time in... hmm I guess I can't really even remember when both of my sisters weren't home, but it was a while, and the three of us went out to a restaurant that my sister couldn't eat at (her stubborn pickiness finally not deterring our cravings). Of course, I have been at school for the last four months, so it's probably more of a regular occurrence than I realize, but it was nice to catch up.
I kick myself sometimes for forgetting that they have a totally separete life going on while I'm at school. Some kids I know talk to their parents EVERY DAY. That's not us. I guess I am made aware that they're there- My mom will never cease the Facebook 'poke' war, and my dad usually drops in with an e-mail or some brief message about watching my spending or something to that effect. No matter what it's about, though, it's always signed "Love, Dad".
Other than that, my world needs to completely be falling apart for me to call home. Or something really great happened. My last phone call home while I was at school was more of both. I had recently started seeing this really great guy- and amazingly enough, I think he liked me enough that he thought it was a good idea for me to meet the fam when they came up his graduation. Of course, I knew I wanted to but it's always a little nerve-wracking. So, naturally, I pick up the phone, dial My mom's cell, and for the next 10-15 minutes, she's calming me down. Not with motherly supportive words, mind you. Just to remind me to speak slowly and to not talk with my mouth full. It's a miracle I have a social life at all if this is the advice I get!
But it was fine. I usally get along really well with older men and women, like 80+, for some reason. So, that's what I did. By then end of the really great dinner that I had four bites of, me and Nanna were best friends. I learned more about his family heritage than I think he knows, and all these really interesting tid-bits about her life. All in all, no advice was need, I was fine.
My only concern was that on the way out to the car prior to dinner, my mom calls me back in a hurry and proclaims, "You know, your father came to MY graduation dinner..." I think I said " I love you" just as I hung up on her and slid into his car...Awesome.
I kick myself sometimes for forgetting that they have a totally separete life going on while I'm at school. Some kids I know talk to their parents EVERY DAY. That's not us. I guess I am made aware that they're there- My mom will never cease the Facebook 'poke' war, and my dad usually drops in with an e-mail or some brief message about watching my spending or something to that effect. No matter what it's about, though, it's always signed "Love, Dad".
Other than that, my world needs to completely be falling apart for me to call home. Or something really great happened. My last phone call home while I was at school was more of both. I had recently started seeing this really great guy- and amazingly enough, I think he liked me enough that he thought it was a good idea for me to meet the fam when they came up his graduation. Of course, I knew I wanted to but it's always a little nerve-wracking. So, naturally, I pick up the phone, dial My mom's cell, and for the next 10-15 minutes, she's calming me down. Not with motherly supportive words, mind you. Just to remind me to speak slowly and to not talk with my mouth full. It's a miracle I have a social life at all if this is the advice I get!
But it was fine. I usally get along really well with older men and women, like 80+, for some reason. So, that's what I did. By then end of the really great dinner that I had four bites of, me and Nanna were best friends. I learned more about his family heritage than I think he knows, and all these really interesting tid-bits about her life. All in all, no advice was need, I was fine.
My only concern was that on the way out to the car prior to dinner, my mom calls me back in a hurry and proclaims, "You know, your father came to MY graduation dinner..." I think I said " I love you" just as I hung up on her and slid into his car...Awesome.
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