INSPIRATION
San Francisco. May. 2013.
I got high at the dentist. They offered me laughing gas for $50 and I took it. Laying nearly parallel with the floor, a view of the embarcadero and bay bridge at my feet, I enjoyed an hour of bliss while they drilled away at my teeth to prevent future decay. After a few short and sharp pricks I avoided all pain and took in the narcotics...Read more at thisrecording.
Berlin. August. 2012. // Berlin. May. 2013.
When I was in Berlin last summer I took only my ipad. One day I had it plugged into my friend's power strip and I was doodling away at some silly thing when the wind gushed in from the open window (you know those giant windows that open with that twist handle that remind me of insane asylums for some reason--white, thick, stark). Because my ipad was connected by cord it flew out of my hand and slammed on the floor, the glass smashing into a million pieces. Or at least this is how I remembered it. I think I was hung over.
Anyway, it was maybe day 5 of my 2 and a half week trip and there went my ipad. I was sad, but also kind of giddy. I don't know why; the trip had a very strange start and everything was just so amazing I couldn't really be upset.
I wrapped it in clear plastic before I boarded my train to Leipzig. When I got back to Berlin I ended up going to Potsdam for the day with my friend and my borrowed bike. I left my ipad at my friends house because it was a sunny day and I wanted to bike around the lakes and go swimming.
In Potsdam, I found this store that sold apple products and got myself an ipad protector clear plastic thing. I put it on my ipad when back in Berlin and it all stayed intact until I got back to the US, weeks later, and was able to get it repaired.
Point is, next time I'm in Berlin I can just go to the Apple store because one is opening Friday, May 3rd at 5pm. You heard it here first (and I heard it here first).
Berlin, Berlin 10719
S-Bahn Zoo-Station, Uhlandstraße, Kurfürstendamm
San Francisco. April. 2013. A few of my friends just moved into art/work studios in my neighborhood, both of them starting their own clothing companies. I spent Sunday visiting them and seeing what else is going on at the spaces. I realized once again how amazing San Francisco is...biking everywhere, sunshine (rare), and awesome artists/artisans making it work. I also ran into an old flatmate at the park, who's now friends with one of my best friends. I played stylist for various friends. I stumbled upon old romances, new romances, enjoyed current romances...Yes, this city is incestuous, but in a good way.
Some finds:
Holly Gaiman. Milliner.
'Glamorous. Edgy. A little bit British.'
Zafer Aksit. Artist.
He had a giant glitter piece that I am still dreaming about. His website does not work, but I'm sure eventually we'll see more from him. His business card says it all.
Amber Jean Young. Artist.
She hand sews most of her work. It is amazing.
Kellen Breen. Artist.
I wrote about his show about a year ago. He's since been selected as a Mastermind by SF Weekly. I cannot wait to see more.
As for my friends' clothing companies...more on that as it unfolds!
San Francisco. April. 2013.
I'm not quite sure what the future holds, but I am sure that I will keep doing what I love best: writing, designing, hanging out with friends, living abroad, and creating my own reality. I think as you get older, that's all you can really do...just keep doing it.
In an attempt to get things more together, I just created a portfolio of some things I've created in and out of my day job. I still have a pinterest board for my writing portfolio. Everything is a work in progress, but you've got to start somewhere.
I remember thinking I would be a lawyer, back when I was in high school. Then I remember wanting to be a film producer, back in college. I remember wanting to be a professor, which I still want to do later in life. I remember wanting to be an artist, when I was teaching English and making art in Bilbao. I remember wanting to be an adult, so I moved back to the US, which was probably stupid. I remember wanting to make money going out, and writing about it, which I did until I got bored. Then I remember wanting to be a barista, because I never was one. Then I was a barista and quit when they started selling hot dogs; I still miss having that constant sense of community. I always remember writing and making clothes, so I think I'll just stick with those things for the rest of my life. I'm surprised I actually get paid to do both of those things. So, dreams do come true.
San Francisco. April. 2013. Therapy. Volunteer. Brunch. Dinner. Date. Dance. Spring clean. Tarot. Busy weekend full of reflection and fun, calling my own cards now. Will write soon about it as it unfolds. Four of cups coming my way. Worry ends where faith begins...
Palo Alto. March. 2013.
It is wedding season. As we await the decisions of Prop 8, it is hard to celebrate nuptials that are legally sanctioned without thinking about all those that are unable to do the same. Of course, anyone can throw a party in celebration, but the recognition of a union between two people that want to share the rest of there lives together, and all the pleasure, pain and tax deductions that come with it, should be universal regardless of sexual identity. I have been to quite a few weddings, and the diversity in ceremonies is vast, further highlighting that unions are already consummated (pun intended) in a variety of ways, be it religious, secular, or something in between. Why then is marriage stuck to this very strict and antiquated definition that it's main purpose is pro-creation? Moreover, why isn't the act of raising children, even if not biological, not considered an important necessity to continue the human race?
Let's hope for the best for all humanity and assume there will be lots more weddings in the future, giving you reason to travel and stay at hotels. And maybe some of them will be in Palo Alto. And maybe you will have to share a hotel room with two friends to afford to stay the night. And maybe you will be rushing to the wedding because your ride is late.
And maybe you will let tears run down the side of your face as you beam with happiness when the priest announces Husband and Wife. And maybe you will have an amazing time chatting up fresh in-laws and family friends of the Bride at the reception. And maybe you will reminisce about all the dance floors you dominated as a career flower girl circa 1992. And maybe watching the young girl dancing with the Bride will bring you to tears, because you miss being a little girl dreaming about being a grown up bride, even if you realize you don't think you ever did that.
And maybe the Bride and Groom will have an endless glow that surrounds them as they take photographs, entertain and start their new lives as a married couple. And maybe they will also have a sweet suite on the top floor where you might be able to have a classic hotel after party. And maybe the Bride calls down for a lot of champagne classes and plastic cups. And maybe you talk about playing beer bong. And maybe you realize you can no longer party like you used to and you instead find pleasure in unwrapping all the little things in the hotel room and going to sleep in a fluffy robe in a giant bed. And maybe you just like looking at the bath tub. And maybe you don't work out in the hotel gym, even though you brought your clothes.
And maybe you stand in awe at the hotel attendants ability to pack all you and your friends' (along with the centerpiece you took from the wedding) bags into your car perfectly. And maybe you leave the Four Seasons and instead spend the next day at the Rosewood Sandhill resort pool and bask in the sun to get over your champagne hang over. And maybe, you'll be laying out next to your best friends. And maybe you dream about the chance that someday they, too, can tie the knot, and then you can do it all over again.
