The Big Snow

I went on a cleaning spree, and finally organized some bookshelves, and gave Hans the bottom part of the small one, to add to his cavernous box hoarding habits.
Tomatoes are doing very well!
And then the snow came. Apparently its the second biggest snowfall Philadelphia has seen since they started recording.As I was taking pictures of the snow, I noticed this guy, hanging out atop the bar across the street:
My once rooftop garden:
Hans pondering this stuff!
Now that I am so used to spending my time alone, and rather calmly, any sort of movement makes me nervous. I went to Sarah's this weekend for her Christmas party, but spent much too long fidgeting about the trip. Of course the snow didn't help, but everything turned out just fine, and we had a lovely time.

Sarah, Megan, Amelia, and Sarah's sister Kate.
So much fun! Cleaning off the cars!
In addition to feeding everyone, Sarah's parents even got us small gifts, mine was this lovely candle. Our first candle, and of course Hans wants it all for himself.
It really does smell nice in here. I just need to avoid temptation to play with the wax, I always ruin my best candles by playing with them!
And Hanukkah is over, but I hadn't gotten around to photographing this beauty: my grandmother found this awesome sake set at her thrift store. Of course all she does is gape at how much beer I consume, so I can do my part by finding some sake and at least being foreign and therefore classy about it? Haha!

The Tea Shelf!

I have been dying for an adorable tea shelf for ages, but it turns out that one from Ikea works just fine!
And the shelf that the tea was occupying, is now home for everything that used to occupy the table! Making progress!

Looks like Hans will be getting a shiny new cardboard box for christmas!

In other news, I have been applying for jobs like wildfire! Well, more like 2 or 3 per day, which really isn't bad at all. Although, there is a limit to what one can find on Craigslist, Monster, Careerbuilder, and Monster via PhiladelphiaInquirer.com. But at this point I have a few few-days long trips lasting until January, so I'm still enjoying it, much to my future dismay!

So after I applied to Third Federal Bank, which is a few blocks from me, I realized there were a lot of cats hanging out in one spot. At first I thought it was only two, but no:





That's a lot of cats!

And then I went to Circle Thrift and ran into some girls I knew at MICA! Sam is living in Philadelphia, and Susannah was visiting her, but her place isn't exactly around the corner, so it was extra cool. How delightful!

And I'm not going to tell the tale of how someone smashed my tiny car window for fun, and how insurance doesn't cover it but they referred me to a place that was charging $178, but luckily, the auto place next door said they would do it for $140, tomorrow morning. So, tell me, did I actually just save $40? Sure!

Well fellow bloggers, its almost xmas, and I still have some shoppin' to do!

Tippler's Tour, Print Auction, and Happy Hanukkah!

The End Of Year Party at Eastern State (which is different from the Last Day Happy 6 Hours, and also The Christmas Party) can be summed up by the following image (its Eastern State, for those of you without the creative interpretive eye):

It was what they called the Tippler's Tour: basically we went to several hot spots in Fairmount, like, Eastern State, the houses of staff members, and Jack's Firehouse. All stops were loaded with drinks, snacks, and ...us. We had a really nice time, and then wonderful Andrew came to drive me home because there was just no way.

Thursday I took the trolley for the first time, all the way down Girard Ave, to get my car.

The basil plants finally died. I thought it was because it was so hot in the apartment, but maybe its because they needed more sun.

Hans is doing well. He is currently tormented by a tiny fly, of whom he cannot get the better.

Last night was the Print Auction at Project Basho. They are doing a whole month of fundraisers, some of which are doing well. Here is the newsletter that Grisha made for the Print Sale. Notice anything awesome about it? That's right, my donated print was featured. Sweet. It did sell too, for $50, of course it went to Basho which is cool: I gave Alex, the highest (and onliest) bidder, my business card so that he can further his collection. He was really nice, and insisted that I sign it. Cool dude.

Lastly, Happy Hanukkah! Nearly 6 months ago, I bought a cover for my down quilt from IKEA, but since it is too hot for the down quilt, I never had it brought from mom's house. However, it has been under 32 degrees outside lately, and especially at night, which means that it is finally cold enough inside the apartment, to use all of my blankets! (For most of the night, at least). And so, I was able to open my first present, sponsored by the Great Check from Nanny and Poppy, and it was a good first night of Hanukkah.

I have also been knitting again, which is awesome, and productive.

Spring 2010 at Basho: Complete!

So today was food shopping and laundry for the first time since Halloween. I got a wonderful amount of painting done the other night, and I'll work a bit tonight too! Really, I just wanted to share the Spring 2010 course listing for Project Basho that I have been working on for the past two months. Anne started it, and she also finished up the last bit yesterday. Thank you, and goodnight.

Art!

Friday night was fun: my friend Erika took me to the Crane Arts building. It was First Friday, and she knows the woman who owns the building. We stopped by the Slingluff Gallery, which I have been eyeing for some time: I think that the wonderful Ms Darcey Young's work belongs in this space. Just a feeling.

Yesterday I went to Reading Terminal Market again, to have lunch with Victoria. I lost my umbrella, which I really liked and Amelia's grandparents got me for Christmas a few years ago! Well, I suppose all good things must come to an end. And besides, Claire bought an absolutely stunning umbrella last year that I can't stop thinking about. I hope losing mine wasn't a freudian solution to this obsession!

Here is a video of Hans jumping into the box, and out of the box, and into the box, and out of the box:



Last night Celia and I went to a sort of continuation of First Friday: the 2424 Studios had a craft fair, as well as at the Rotunda, which also hosted the 10th Annual Puppet Uprising show. Celia had been dying to go, and so we did. A lot of it was good, some of it was excellent, and some of it was silly and a little obnoxious. Over all we had a great time, and of course we ran into Jovanna, who lives downstairs and who might be dating the emcee of the show?

And today, is painting day.

Tis the Holiday Season!

I am officially "on holiday", as I am choosing to call my current unemployment. Honestly, it feels great! I have worked hard for 6 months, and saved enough that I can afford some time off without having to take time off from a job, as that always makes me feel guilty.

I am applying for several totally awesome jobs for which I am totally qualified! I won't list them here, but when I get hired, ya'll will be the first to know. In the meantime, Celia helped me rewrite my resume last night, and I have never seen anything more beautiful!


Please share at will!

In other news, Thanksgiving was lovely, and no pictures were taken. My mom came to visit, and we had so much good food at Celia's house-sitting house, with her parents and nana, as well as her roommate and roommate's boyfriend. I can't believe it was only a week ago! Since then, I had my last 3 days at Eastern State, followed by drunken celebration (the first night of many leading up to the Christmas party). Here are some images from that fateful night!

Collen!Julia!The crew donning Joe's infamous masks (often made while working, or not working, in the store)

This week was also my last days as Assistant to Project Basho, and Anne returned yesterday. I spent my last two days sorting Onward submissions, and Anne is finishing up the webpages and final information for the course listing. I have plenty of monitoring hours to redeem, and so this month will be wonderfully art related!

Andrew and I went to Reading Terminal Market:
And believe it or not, I finally met his boyfriend Andre! We had a really nice time, and I even stayed for dinner and against my better judgement, did not embarrass Andrew to death with stories from High School!

Giving Thanks!

I can't wait to have time to dedicate to art again...
I bought my first brussels sprouts from the farmers market. They are pretty good, but I always end up with too much of things.

I made dinner with Brittani last week: salmon pasta.

I also made dinner with Celia last week: shrimp pasta, also we watched True Blood.

With pasta, there are less leftovers because we bring them to lunch: I am sorry to admit, those leftover brussels sprouts are stillllllll in my fridge.
I went to the fundraising party at Project Basho on Sunday, and walked the 20 minutes. It has been so lovely outside! Aside from driving being totally lame, I always forget how many more things I see/notice, and photographs I miss by not taking the time to look around.

I was supposed to meet up with my friend Amanda, who I had known in USY, (she had randomly facebook messaged me that we both live in Philly and should get together. I immediately concurred and we made an appointment) but she became too busy with grad school work, so I walked back from Basho, with a full pizza pie in my arms. The Basho newsletter didn't go out, so unfortunately we didn't get a huge turn out, but oh well. We do what we can.

For this month of fundraising, there are a few things we are doing, mainly InsiderPages, and a Prints Auction. I am donating this print, agreed upon by me and Grisha in charge of fundraising:
Driving home from Project Basho tonight, I saw old friend Erika from Eastern State, with her dog outside her house: I pulled over to say hi, and was swiftly invited in for wine. We had a great couple of hours catching up, and I met her boyfriend. She works for the Kensington CDC and happens to know a ton of awesome people. We have tentative plans for 2nd Thursday (like 1st Friday?) to see art and meet artists and be a part of the community I have so sorely missed out on, working hard and proving myself these last 6 months.

Mom is coming to Thanksgiving at Celia's on Thursday! Potluck in the form of wine and dessert, and Celia's dad doing almost everything. I need to go grocery shopping and make noodle kugel! I was distracted by Erika tonight!

Watching Who Killed the Electric Car? which is all sorts of interesting, but not so much that I can't update my blog and surf the internet at the same time!

MICA: 6 Months Later

It seems as though I have survived 6 months today, as a college graduate. Also, I forgot to call my grandparents for their anniversary: all 3 of us are celebrating today!

Of course I didn't take any photographs at Takashi's opening. But Andrew and Celia came and we had a lovely time.

I think I've just been really busy and slightly overwhelmed with everything I am doing: its not as though I am exhausted, but that I am just busy enough to not be worrying about taking photographs of my daily life.

Amelia came to visit for her birthday on Saturday! I documented part of that! Okay, I had a little help:
We went to the Seaport Musuem for the tattoo exhibit: I think it was fun and entertainingly educational (I think we'd both admit we had the most fun playing with the kids educational lifesize toys...). And then we headed down to Center City for shopping! We headed toward American Apparel since Amelia had never been to one, but on the way she spotted Lush, another store she had been meaning to go to. Lush was actually surprisingly fun, and all of their soaps/bath bombs smelled really good, and felt good too! I even bought an "avobath bomb"!

We eventually made our way to South Street, which I forget other people don't get to hang out at often. We enjoyed wandering into shops, and even had some bubble tea. Dinner was at Horizons: maybe it was the good food (or maybe the wine), but we were there for two hours! Lovely acclaimed vegan cuisine, and it was good indeed. After Horizons, Andrew met us for drinks, and more good times were had!

I've been at Project Basho 3 days a week, tomorrow will be the 4th this week, and then I am going to the bakery for my last farmers market of the season (I wonder if I'll go back next year?). I took a walk today, and felt the need to take some photos: last night I watched the most recent episode of Dexter, and he referenced Henri Cartier-Bresson's "decisive moment theory", and I guess it was good timing, since I am now 6 months out of school, and I need to make every moment decisive.

Things are looking well for the Barnes&Noble Cafe job, as well as the internship with Chris Crisman (although that won't be until January). New leafs, new pages.

Not Swine Flu: Time Flu.

Again, I have simply been too busy. So busy, in fact, that I fooled myself into believing that last week was my last week at the farmer's market: this is simply not true. I have one more day at the farmer's market. Great. But I had said my goodbyes, and Nishon actually offered that at an inconvenience of my winter unemployment, that they could "make me useful". Good to know.

I took these when Celia and I made sushi several weeks ago. Remember? ...I barely do.
Basho has been going well, and I was barely scolded at all today! Thursday will be mostly building the pages for the classes, and harassing teachers for more pieces of information.

Tomorrow: Off.

Saturday was my last day off, and I was of course sick. Overcoming Swine Flu is pretty easy, but not as easy as being a hypochondriac. Not me, of course, but everyone. These days, you say "I'm sick" and immediately, "IS IT SWINE FLU?" but, thankfully, its just a nosy old cold. But, the Health Care Bill has finally moved to the house, so, maybe by this time next year, I might not actually die if I did catch Swine Flu. (What will it be next year? Avian... Swine... Fish Flu??).

I'm being silly. (stalling because of my lack of images?)

In any case, I am realizing that time is running out. For the past 6 months, I have been pushing aside all feelings of disembodiment, and estrangement: I have obtained several jobs, made several friends, and updated some photos to a blog. But, friends, my jobs are, actually, ending. Decorating cakes (hopefully) will certainly not be selling baked goods at farmer's markets. And whatever they keep me on at Basho, will certainly not make this month any less credible, but I doubt it will be the same. And of course, Eastern State. I have 8 days left of Eastern State. I have had my issues with them, but truth be told? I love it. This amazing group of individuals has become more of a family to me than I could have imagined possible in a period of 6 months, 6 months of mourning the loss of a much bigger family. Kudos, Eastern State.

So, aside from a severe case of time-loss, I have one pertinent thing to report!

Takashi Arai's opening! Flawless Lakes: Contemporary Daguerreotypes is opening at Project Basho this Thursday, November 12 from 7-9. I'll be there, and would love to see you.

Also, Amelia is visiting this weekend for her birthday! First graduated birthday! I've thought up some things to entertain her during her stay, and now that Septa is running again, the pressure is off Hans.
I know there has been a movement against using my only model, but what can I say?
He's a lot bigger now!

Tune in next time, for photos from Takashi's opening, and Amelia's birthday visit!

Boo-ritos, Takashi Arai, the Ethicist

Halloween was nice with Celia: we made pumpkin pie, waited in line at Chipotle for half an hour for delicious free BOO-ritos, and then watched back-to-back, Silent Hill, and The Skeleton Key. These are both pretty awful "horror" films that each of us secretly likes a lot. I won't tell you which one is mine.

Basho is still going well. Last night after everything was cleaned up, Tsuyoshi asked Tyler and me to get a beer with him, and to watch the Phillies game. I was awfully close to declining, but it was rather enjoyable. Takashi Arai also joined us. He is a relatively famous photographer, teaching this weekend's Daguerreotypes workshop. He is all sorts of awesome, and is here for two weeks.

In other news, I have been really into reading The Ethicist's column in the NYTimes, online of course.

All Hallows Eve Scrooge.

Things have been a little crazy around here. Working at Project Basho has been good: simultaneously wracking my nerves, and building my confidence. I've forgotten to do a few things, or complete them, and have suffered the consequences, but for the most part things are going smoothly. I was also asked to chauffeur around Tsuyoshi and two Japanese professionals from a paper making company. That was Wednesday. At one point driving them to dinner in center city during rush hour, I realized how utterly absurd it was that I was doing this. As though I had been teleported from a year ago, right into the drivers seat of my own car, full of 3 30-something year old Japanese professionals. Quite a turn of events.

Overall things have been good. But being alone for the holidays I suppose is always rough. Especially when the holiday is Halloween. Although I didn't end up going to major parties for Halloween at MICA, I always dressed up and went to the MICA costume party. Seeing hundreds of art students in their best (and worst) may very well have been the highlight of my year. Shortly after Halloween last year I decided that I would be Princess Peach, driving her MarioKart. I have been looking forward to it, but the past few weeks have been too busy for me to make a costume. Aside from that, I would only have worn it tonight, and... to what? I was invited to Baltimore for the weekend, but having work today until 5:30, and work again Sunday at 9:30 seemed to make for a 4 hour drive, and a 24 hour excursion. It was a toss-up, but I declined.

I fear that I am slowly becoming a Scrooge. I'll be the first to admit that weddings are not my thing, and there were many reasons that I did not attend my friend's wedding two weeks ago. But Halloween in Baltimore? Working rather than making a costume? Of course, each time weighing my options and respecting each decision, but I am certainly noticing a trend.

Oh well, Celia and I have a day planned tomorrow: scary movies and Chipotle free "boo-ritos" (dress up as a burrito, get a free burrito). Last week we made sushi and saw Where the Wild Things Are. Personally I thought it was really weird. I thought I liked it, but the more I think about it, I am less certain of that. I thought there were distinctly confusing familial/sexual dynamics between the characters, and I thought that several scenes were much too violent. In addition, I thought the whole theme was much more depressing and upsetting than the care-free, bildungsroman that I loved as a child. Or maybe thats just how I viewed it.

Caramel Bees and Books

Well I hadn't posted because of a shortages of photographs taken, and of course now I have too many images.
Repotted Old Leafy in a lovely yellow pot my grandmother may have accidentally given me. (Thanks!)
Peppers from my roof!

I have been building Hans a scratching post, but he seems to like the boxes I am cutting for it much more, especially when I shoved them together to conserve space:




Crazy cat.
John&Kira's chocolates are sort of a big deal around here. They happen to be at both markets I work at (only since about a month ago) and I help them with their tent sometimes. I offered the girl some bread, and she gave me some "Caramel Bees", I was wondering what the hell that meant, until I cracked open the box!

Adorable!

Well, I guess in other news I finished a really awesome book, Marina Warner's The Image of Female Heroism: Joan of Arc. That link is actually awesome: you can read the first chapter. Its probably the only nonfiction book I have read front to back, and was just loved 97% of it. This book was recommended to me by a professor, and I didn't piece together that actually another book was recommended to me by her, From the Beast to the Blonde, and I realized this connection on Monday, after I finished the book. Joan was much earlier in her career. So of course I love her, and ordered the second one, about Fairy Tales and Their Tellers. I just really love good writing. I started Kierkegaard's The Seducer's Diary today. I miss reading all those crazy Germans. Love.