New Life, Missing Bits of The Old

I am sad to say I have been totally horrible about keeping up on this blog. But to my defense when lots of great things are happening I just do not think to blog, although there is lots to blog about.

I have made the move to NYC about a week and a half ago. Heather wrote a bit about my going away party and posted some pictures. Thank you so much to everyone that came to say good bye to me. It was an extremely fun night and much appreciated!

I had a wonderful last job in Seattle, although it was actually in San Diego. Lots of fun... little bits of work. I will miss the Cutter & Buck crew and my rap buddy buddy sing-a-longs.

I have finally begun to adjust to this immensely large city. Does not help that I appear to have some sort of respiratory sickness (bronchitis?) and have spent much of my time passed out sick in bed! But I did manage to somehow find myself an apartment in an amazing loft with some complete strangers who seem quite nice! All very exciting.

I made my way up to the Guggenheim Museum today to see the Louise Bourgeois exhibit, which was very inspiring and beautiful. I love going to art exhibits for the main reason that when you go you usually see something that you do not like. I am not sure why but there is something inspiring about art that I visually dislike being displayed at the Guggenheim. Maybe you will like her though, check it out: Catherine Opie I could not find an official website for her but most of those images were on display. However I really did like her freeway series but they were completely different then the rest of the exhibit.

Guggenheim Favorites of the day: (Images not from the actual exhibit)

Louise Bourgeois

Louise Bourgeois


Louise Bourgeois

Louise Bourgeois

Catherine Opie: freeways series

Woman Ironing, Picasso
(From the Guggenheim's personal collection)

I am adjusting but missing Seattle. I got to live with Scotty before I left and I cant express how great our time together was. Looking forward to people visiting but trying to focus on adjusting completely here. Oh yes and having no car is awesome!

August over?

Almost and I do not know what happen to it.  I promised myself months ago that I would not work this month.  I would spend time with friends, relax and pack my apartment for the move.  However, like it the past when time has been taken off it only lasts so long.  I worked all month however Friday did mark the last day till September.  I have learned about myself that I need work, like it, feel crazy without it.  So on that note it leaves me one week to pack up my life and ship out!  Well not totally.  Ill be homeless though but still around till the 16th of September.

Today is my birthday and I am feeling awesome about what the next year holds for me.  I know it help that it is always nice out on my birthday and that it is a Saturday.  But I am honestly so pumped for what 23 has in store for me, whatever that may be.

So I do not think that people should celebrate their birth"day" all week.  But this year I broke my rule.  Scotty and I went to dinner at my parents last Sunday and out came the cards, gifts, and cake.  All very yummy (thanks to the bbq my parents have inherited from me due to my move!).  Then Tuesday Scotty took me to an amazing restaurant across the street from my apartment called Harvest Vine.  It was the best date I have ever been on, I adore him and he amazes me more everyday.  

Last night was Widower show and a little bit of dancing.  One was mellow on was intense... sensory overload and almost to much to drink.  But it was an entertaining way to ring in 23!  On my way out the door for dinner with the girls (well most of them) then mod disco night with all.  I am so excited for this evening and this year!

Lovely July: Photo Essay

All Sparkles

4th of July weekend.  For the past five plus years I have either been out of town on work or sick with tonsillitis, but not this year!  A fun weekend full of the usual all American Independence Day activities.  Red white and blue apparel, BBQ, drinks, pie,  corn-hole, badminton, shooting rang, illegal sky lights, and sparklers.  Later home cooked meals, late night dance parties, 2 AM dips in Lake Washington, sleeping in, eating out, new kisses.

Happy Birthday Day America.

So Close but Worlds Away

A long day of work yesterday landed me at Heather C.'s doorstep in a cute flowing dress, layered with a vest, and patent leather black pumps.  Yes as I call them, "big girl clothes."  People are usually shock by this look for me.  With my long chicken legs and accompanied hight heels usually gives exaggerated length and with my normal casual clothes a dress always throws people for a spin.  But I have to say I felt great and people seemed to think I looked it!  I plopped down in the chair next to her bed in her extremely adorable studio apartment and slipped of my heels.  We proceeded to indulge in our normal conversation that I love so much.  The kind where you talk and talk as you clean and by the time the conversation is done with the apartment looks great and both people feel amazing inside.

We decided a meal was due and Ballard was not currently an option.  Seems to be the consensus of the women in my life.  Sorry Ballard, you just aren't hitting our spot anymore, but you will still always hold a place on the back burner.  Sad I know.  The decision was made to head toward Capital Hill, I know not really a better choice, but with that soon came an invitation to have dinner cooked for us by some friends of Heathers'.  I was skeptical for reasons that can remain unsaid, for they have nothing to do with these boys, but I love interacting an meeting new people and a free meal is always nice so on our way we went.

I was told to drive like I was going home and that they lived close by.  And close by indeed.  Its an older house just blocks from my modern dwelling.  It had so much character and history.  Apparently it has been within this family for friends for the past ten or so years and looks as though it has been collecting a little character from each passing dweller as they come and go.  Those are really homes, right?  Unlike the apartment I live in where they repaint the walls oh so white after someone leave?  God forbid it looks like anyone has ever lived there before!  

I had a lovely evening.  Sampled a new bottle of Portuguese wine, savored a vegetable medley stir-fry, and snacked on vegan cookies and Almond Joy like deserts.  Thank you Scotty, my new favorite chef, you and your food were truly delightful company.

Midnight, lighting storms, and 75

This is what happens during the day when that is the night.

Avoiding sunburns.

Human sprinkler.

I just felt the first breeze of the day.

Roseville

My trip began with a cancelled flight.  Stuck in Portland with nothing to do but drink.

I was only gone for about four days but really it felt much longer.  There is something about entering suburbia that really makes time slow so much for me.  Although I love where I spent the first half of my life, I continue to thank my parents for the move we made to Seattle.  

Roseville was originally a railroad town and continues to operate as one.  However in the last ten years it has exploded into mass produced homes and strip malls.  Where miles of quite rolling hills used to separate towns they are now connected.  Its a different atmosphere then I am used to in the city and every time I visit home it reminds me that I am not ready for that routine of a life.  I was asked by my friend Frank if I would ever move back there and I honestly think I never will, but as we all know never say never, right?

Red, Ash, and my sexy leg.

(Roseville is beginning to have some more city like bars.  

P.S. Red just got back from a Brad Paisely concert, I do not come from the country)

So needless to say this is no sight seeing town.  What I love about visiting home is the look on peoples faces when they recognize you have have not seen you in years.  I have visited on a semi regular basis but hardly ever have enough time to see everyone I would like too... maybe since I waste to much time relaxing in the sun.  But usually when I go back there is at least one person that I run into that I have not seen in years or maybe even since I left.   Im not totally sure why and I never expect any of these people to remember me (I was 12 when we moved), but they do, to no fail and there is something comforting about that ingrained existence in their minds.

Pools in backyards?

The main purpose of the trip was to see my brother and meet his family before I moved.  I do not see him often since he still lives in Roseville and we do not talk that much, so it was a really important trip for me to make.  His girls are lovely and I was pleased to see how much love his has found in his relationship and with her daughter as well.  Although my brother has no children of his own I think I will be taking some parenting lessons from him if I ever have that stage in life, he amazed me but at the same time it seemed so normal for him.  They all drove me to the airport this evening and Madison was confused as to why I had to go home.  As we pulled up in front of the airport she asked if that was where I lived?  You could see the look on her face she was not happy to part with me.  This little girl has so much love in her heart for everything and everyone around her.  As usual I held myself together until the last moment.  As my brother was giving me a hug and fussing over my bags the water works began.  Among many other comforting words my brothers response was, "Don't worry, I would not let you move if I did not think you could do it."  Simply put from my brother that means more to me then I can express.

Sara, Madison, Justin

Only about two months and fifteen days to go.