Michael Jackson died today.

This is my table, raised up. Look, the chair is no longer towering over it. In fact, Andrew, Celia, and I enjoyed some delicious Indian food on this very table last night, with the aid of this chair, and the stool and multi-use chair in the background. It was a dinner success story.
I've been finding some earrings under the couch. I had actually started to get scared that someone was playing some creepy, prolongued game with me, until I asked Celia. She's so smart, know what she said? "Didn't you say you got this couch, used?". Oh Celia, ...oh, Anne.
Bookcase #1, Bookcase #2. #1 needs a makeover, and I also desperately need to move my paintings out of my car. Guess where they'll be stored from now on? That's right, Bookcase #1.
A few weeks ago, I consumed a tomato. I did not consume its seeds. I put them in a pot with dirt. Look what happens? Isn't that amazing?
The Roof Tomatoes: a close up. He looks good! (And Giovanna(?), downstairs, said I could have the tomato trellises, so when the time comes, hooray!)
Aww, little baby Bell Peppah.
Yummy Basil.
Cucumber! Ain't doin nuthin.
Hans likes to sleep!
Awww sleepy face.

In other news, the bathroom window was finally replaced, on account of the corner of the glass being gone.

Also, I am carpooling to work at ESP sometimes now, and by "carpool" I mean, I pick up Toby from a few blocks away, and in return, he DJs the voyage.

Kayla and Brittani visit!

Kayla came to visit since I had a few days off. Her friend Brittani works in Northern Liberties, and is soon moving to Fishtown, several blocks from me. I have met her several times over the years (mostly in Kadima, and also once when she brought a pony to Kayla's front porch early one morning and called, insisting we wake up).

So the three of us took a lovely walk, stopping by the stable Brittani works at, and said hello to the horses.
We walked by the recently ritzy Northern Liberties and commented on their beautiful houses, interesting cars, and somewhat sporadic flower choices.
Kayla noticed these lovely birds painted on a building.
We passed by a mural of buggy rides, and Brittani knew which one she was, centuries ago.
Kayla is down with Ben Franklin, and I am down with this sculpture!

We ended up walking all the way down to Bistrot La Minette, which I cannot emphasize enough, was delicious! I had read in City Paper that on Mondays they show a film, and what luck that it was a favorite of mine, Love Me If You Dare, (Jeux d'Enfants in French- translation, Children's Games). I realize lately how much I really do like fine dining and films.
It was a lovely evening, and today Kayla and I just hung about, and put together my last bookcase. When she left, I lengthened the legs of the kitchen table, so the chair feels less ridiculous in its height.

Work tomorrow, and I had better study for my Penitentiary History Test!

found: graffiti...art?

So the Random Tea Room was pretty delicious, and reasonably priced. I thought the room was a bit too small to hang out for long periods of time, but it was full of great antiques, and quirky things. We each took the metro and met, and walked there. We walked back toward my apartment, and found these incredible wheatpasted pieces of art, most likely from a local high school. I was just blown away.




What a pleasant surprise!

And as usual, Hans is good.

A time contingent update

I was begged to update. Thanks Nanny, always an inspiration.

Yes, I finally got curtains.
What a difference they make!
Garlic, toy pony, and others
My little cucumber. (now with baby tomatoes!)
Windowsill, now with purple basil.My latest project has been the roof garden. As its on a slant, and I feel like I'll break my neck, the pots (smart pots, to be exact: felt pots, which can be folded back down to nothing, and last 4-6 years) are just beneath the bathroom window, where I can (carefully) prop the window up, lean out, and pluck tomatoes, bell pepper, eggplant, basil, and cucumber. I have one more pot, but we'll see if I use it.Hans was very frustrated at being locked out of the bathroom for so long. What a look!

Well, I am off to a Random Tea Room with music of some sort. Celia's idea, and a very good one at that! Andrew has good friends, when he finally allows them to meet!

Apartment realizes potential; day one at bakery/fairmount farmers market.

I think the apartment is about as finished as it's going to be. Which is good, I think. Hans agrees.
Some wallshelves by the bed.
Finally organized the closet (Yes, that is organized). And, behold The Bookcase that my mom had to come help put together. Oh, and pay no attention to the Corner of Garbage Boxes in the kitchen.When giving tours of my apartment, its amazing how many departments I can come up with. But I do technically have a studio section. Nice!

And a study.

I was trying to photograph the cat, but he escaped and I got this sort of funnily saintly image.

Hans likes the window seat. I am thinking about getting some flower boxes for the exterior. And I found this awful seashell in with a box of things Alissa sold to me.

Hans hates two things: shoes, and the front door. Both signify my leaving.

No photos of my job at the bakery, however I can report that it is good. Actually, the farmers market is right across from ESP, so I saw quite a few of my coworkers as they were leaving, quite confused to see me, but they know about my "other job". Also, I have some pastries and a baguette for them tomorrow.

Just a little more, to taste

Yet another nice image from ESP:

And Hans is doing really well, despite his current teething issues:

We are enjoying the apartment coming into its own:

And sometimes we have photoshoots just to document how young and lovely we will once have been:


In the meantime, things are going pretty well. The job at ESP is better than I was expecting, and to be honest, that's super. I am still a tour guide in training, and still have a lot of material to read and etc, but I am catching quickly. And besides the ESP being a part of the American Museum Association (meaning I get free or discounted entrance to almost every other museum in the ol' USoA), when I do choose to leave, I will have gained incredible skills as a tour guide, as well as made acquaintances with the AMA.

In other news, I start a job at a bakery this upcoming Thursday as well. It looks like I'll be working 6 days a week, with tons of free pastries and other baked goods for me and everyone I know. The job entails selling these items at farmers markets twice a week.

I may be a *little* lonely, but I am keeping busy, productive, and definitely on top of my life.

Flint (for the Unemployed and Underpaid): Sufjan Stevens

Friday night Victoria and her boyfriend came to visit. I had her all to myself Saturday, but then Hans had to steal the show.

We attempted to conquer the Mass Transit System, but it kicked out asses. We walked ALL over Philadelphia.

Hans has been... not wanting to use the litter box 100% of the time. We are working through it.


I am slowly getting all my shelves up and emptying the last of the boxes.


Tonight I went for a walk around Fishtown, got pretty far before I realized how far I was! Scoped out some great places for painting too, if I ever actually want to paint outside. Really, its good for you. Like broccoli. Yuck.

Found a nice flower shoppe and greenhouse that I will go to soon.

Also spotted some bars, grocery store, restaurants, and a laundromat.

I start work tomorrow at the Eastern State Penitentiary.


I am beginning to worry if I haven't thoroughly mourned the death of my college years. I am more or less blocking it out entirely, and that's not healthy either. I know that if I really stop to think about how completely alone I am now, I will not be able to make it. I miss everyone terribly. Terribly.