Mommy Dearest

Today's my mom's birthday, and I miss her a lot. She's had to put up with a lot of mediocre to blah birthdays over the years. Usually Taylor and I were shipping off to school the same day. But she deserves the best, and we love her like it's her birthday everyday! 

I hope today has been a good one, Mom, and I just wish I could have shared it with you. Have a great time in Kansas City this weekend! We'll have our own celebration when you come to visit--soon! get those tickets! :) xoxo

Questions of Scale

Keeping with my character, being more of a spectator than a participant, I veg out reading blogs far more than I do any real blogging myself. These days, far more than I do much of anything else. This is something I'm trying to work on--kind of (another character trait is making goals/to-do lists and then forgetting about them). Most are design-arch-decor blogs, but I zip about here and there discovering lots of interesting snippets. Perhaps you do too? I will someday make a post or put a list of those blogs I love on my sidebar.

Let me say, I'm a bit of an abuser. Close friends know I can easily spend an entire evening watching youtube videos or movie previews in front of my shiny little PowerBook. The internet is a wonderful way to get lost in distraction, to avoid responsibilities, to sit on the sidelines. I'm all for the internet--it is its own spectacular world. But it is my fault when I forget the life I could have outside my computer. Or more importantly, when I avoid the life I could have outside my computer.

The internet can be comforting as a noncommittal place where everything can be viewed quickly and discarded. You can learn nearly anything, but usually questions get their answers and are then forgotten. (this is probably fine if you're digging up recipes or trivia, but I bet it worries a lot of teachers. we could use a good public dialogue on how we process and prioritize information in this new era, what intentions and responsibilities are part of learning...Oprah?) So lately, the internet has been sort of a refuge, an entertaining hiding place. Why? Oh jeez, who needs a reason? We know--it's easy, it's fun, it's fast, and so forth. And as I said, I avoid.

For whatever biological or behavioral reason, I tend to be  (overly)sensitive to my own life. Small things can be crushing, minutes can be so slow...metaphorically, speed bumps can become mountains. I let stuff get to me. But then once in a while, one of those Truisms actually hits me: It's not all about me. Of course, I have to be around myself all the time (stale company) and I'd rather be happy, but how petty to always think of oneself. I have found that in times of complete self-absorption, it is best to put all of that useless energy into helping someone/something else. In these times I wonder if I missed the boat and should have been a foreign aid worker, a social worker or start a non-profit. And maybe I really did. But then again, I also think it's true that if we do what we do with our best intentions, we make a difference anyway. Interior design and architecture are not the most selfless jobs, but I can try to make someone's home or workplace more joyful, I can make something interesting or beautiful, and I can try to make buildings less of an impact on the environment.

I suppose I've had the idea of scale on my mind a lot lately. I thought about this as I watched Senator Obama deliver his nomination speech tonight. We're all quite little people, though many of us are great people, and it takes the part of many to accomplish enough for all. And it still has to come from one, but each one. Obama is inspiring because he continues to remind us that while he stands up front, the big picture has to be about everyone. There were a sea of people in that stadium, and while one guy gets to speak, you could see on the occasion of a panning camera that plenty of those watching could really believe in themselves.

I didn't really intend to bring up politics, the internet, or my preoccupation with scale. I actually started writing this post to share a story I came across on the blogosphere. The internet is incredibly vast, but communities arise nonetheless. While a lot of what you find on the internet is rubbish, the essential idea, that people all over connect here, sometimes works out. I read a popular daily blog called A Cup of Jo, by writer Joanna Goddard. Today she posted about another blogger who is going through a terribly rough time; it is tragic, but the compassionate response is outstanding. 

Stephanie Nielson is a blogger, wife, and mother of four small children. She and her husband were recently in a private plane crash. The pilot died, and the couple are in critical condition--Stephanie has major burns over 80% of her body, her husband, 30%. It will take months for recovery, and you can only imagine the impact this will have in their lives. There are so many sad stories out there, and I can't say I'm always empathetic, but this one got to me. Maybe because you can get to know this woman and her beautiful family by reading her blog, or because their injuries are so drastic. Of course I don't have children, but if these were my parents I would be scared and confused, so I think of their four kids as well.

There has been a tremendous response from the blog community. Over 300 blogs are raising money through silent auctions to benefit the Nielson family. Many of them are donating handmade crafts, photography, artwork, and so much more. As a lot of the action stems from a design/crafter community, there are some great items. So, if anyone sees this blog or hears about this story, I hope you'll consider doing early holiday or birthday shopping. If you shop etsy or love handmade, you may as well shop the silent auctions and know you're giving something back as well. *Most auctions will end this weekend. The full list of auctions can be found HERE. 

My purse strings are a little tight, but knowing that I always wish I had an early start to Christmas shopping, I'll at least give it a try. You may find pieces unaffordable as  bids have already gone sky high--and all the better. But anyway, this is just one of those things I wanted to share. 

"and in the end, the love you take / is equal to the love you make"

AHH

Dancing is so much fun!

Yelle - "A Cause des Garçons" Remix Tepr Video Teckto

Dear Blog,

This is what's been going on. Not too much. Ok, a few new things, and some I forgot to mention.

Nathan and I tried a Mediterranean (Turkish owned) restaurant down the street. Their hummus is SO good. Hummus is one of those dishes that is easy enough to make that I hate to buy it, but I certainly don't make it like this. I might devote myself to figuring out their recipe, which means I will need to buy a lot more of it. For research.

That was over a week ago, but I didn't think to mention it. Also, I had lunch with my lifetime-long friend Molly a couple Fridays ago. She's heading to Burning Man this week and then starting school in Olympia, so Nathan and I went to a Farewell gathering at her place this past weekend. Now that we are actually within several miles of each other for the first time in 5 years, I am glad she is not going too far away. What a funny coincidence. It was also nice to see her sister Erin who is moving back to Des Moines this month.

On Saturday we made plans to go the huge farmers market in Redmond. We stopped for gas and couldn't get the van started again. We let it sit a little while, pushed it out of the way, let it rest a bit longer, and finally it started up. We didn't go to the farmer's market in fear of getting stuck. This has happened a couple times before so we made an appointment at a car shop and took it in this morning. Luckily, it wasn't a big deal. A cord connecting the fuses and the battery had corroded, so they replaced it and said it shouldn't happen again. We sat around in a donut shop and had a donut breakfast while we waited. Nathan says he's ready to quit school and open his own donut business (just kidding).

I have been taking care of the eczema problem and my skin is looking a lot better. Shaving is still kind of ouchy. The temperature has dropped into the 50s and we have rain in the forecast this week, so I might like the natural insulation anyway. :P

I bought a side table for the bed ($10, ikea on craigslist). It has two big drawers so I finally have a place for the little clothing items that were in my suitcase. It's kind of a black cube. Now, I think I really must stop looking for furniture for a while. At least until I replenish my funds. I can't help it, I'm a furniture junkie going through a very domestic phase. But here are some lovely things I can dream about for the future.

The first time I saw this Woods wallpaper by Cole & Son was in a restaurant in Chicago (remember family? the good pizza place!)  Since then I've been seeing it often online, but it always looks great. This one stays on my wishlist. 

I want new bed linens, and this gray coverlet from West Elm is looking pretty good (the sale price is looking nice too...temptation, ack).

This glass table lamp (from today's design sponge post) is kind of what I've had in mind for a bed side lamp. 

I want to reupholster everything in Amy Butler fabrics. I'm keeping this idea in mind for near future.

Giant Panda spoonrest being sold on etsy.com. He looks so happy to hold your spoon and keep your stove clean.

Lastly, this Dutch bicycle. Oh so lovely. However, pricey and not a hill climber. This will be more tempting if we become flatlanders again someday.

Oh, and congratulations to my friend Katie who recently became the proud owner of a scooter! Keep ridin' in style!

A Birthday Note

A chilly morning here in Washington following refreshing rains the past two evenings. Just a quick note to wish Nathan's mom Melinda a very happy birthday!

I hope it's one of those 'have your cake and eat it too' kinds of days, with all the icing on top. 

Nummular Eczema

Apparently, I have it.*

*Best guess by dermatologist via phone with my mother.

Sorry for the gross photo. I probably should have warned you. Not very ladylike of me.

Note: a disease most often found in men of their seventh decade.

Why do I get stuck with all the masculine geriatric skin illnesses? 

Homebody

Here's a look at the apartment now that we have added a few pieces. It's getting pretty cozy. 

I've made myself a little office in the corner of the living room. Last week I framed and hung these three prints by my friend Jovencio. Also, I have a new chair, $10 on craig's list.

I had been looking for a long shelving piece to go behind the couch for some storage, and I finally found just the thing! I'm going to buy some feet from Ikea to get it up off the floor.

The medicine cabinet in our bathroom is unusually set opposite the mirror. Right after we moved in I wanted to paper the inside. So here it is now, adding some cheer.

Martha Stewart has a line of paper crafts at Michael's craft stores, which is where I found this cute orangey print. And there's one of my favorite objects: the little jar that holds my bobby pins. :)

And now, this week in foods...

Homemade rolls and the lavender raspberry jam

More of Nathan's delicious cookies. This time, oatmeal chocolate chip. I'm not going to tell him to stop.

Zucchini Fritters! 

We have been catching quite a lot of Olympic coverage. For some reason I have been much more emotional about the games than in any years past. Normally I would not care about sports on tv at all, but this is such a different experience. I realized this when I found myself watching sand volleyball and fencing.  It is exciting as an Iowan to see Shawn Johnson doing so well--I didn't even know we had a gym. And Michael Phelps is, as always, a phenomenon. Watching the swimmers makes me miss cheering at Tay's meets.  

Perhaps more later. I hope you are having a great week! 

This August

Some days I feel like I'm in a new universe, though usually I feel basically the same as I did back in Chicago. I recognize that this summer resembles most of my summers--avoiding the heat, catching up on TV and pop culture, listening to music almost constantly, and wondering if I'm doing enough to further myself in terms of what I face in the fall. It's also very unlike most of my summers.

I felt like I should have made an announcement when August 1st rolled over. This is the first August in 17 years (holy cow) that I have no predetermined place to be at the end of the month. I still have that feeling that the end of summer/start of school is an approaching deadline. I get that little pang of anxiety when I see the back-to-school aisle at the store. Then I remind myself that my deadlines now are my own, and it's got to be my own initiative that gets me there. I recently discovered a new project that is sparking some motivation to tie up my loose ends and begin again.

On that note, here is some architectural inspiration I've come across on the blogosphere (I'm trying to add some professionally-oriented material to my daily reading).

 

The new Aqua tower in Chicago by Studio Gang is being constructed now and planned for a mid-2009 opening. I have this embedded reaction of disappointment when I hear 'condos,' probably because there are so many blah buildings out there. However, I think right now is a cool time in architecture. There are a lot of great buildings going up by talented architects, and this is one of them. The other section of my intermediate studio used the interior layout for a project, and I would have really enjoyed it. 

Sinosteel International Plaza by MAD Architects (via Inhabit)

I dig the way this absolutely rectangular building is wrapped. The facade is made up of varying sizes of hexagonal windows positioned to regulate the building temperature based on climate modeling. I bet the light in and around this building is

 amazing. I consider myself a bit of a modernist so I'm not always crazy about the organic craze (eck'hm, see Zaha below) but I love what architecture is doing with skins.

 According to Inhabitat (again) Zaha Hadid has teamed up with Brazilian design group Melissa to produce eco friendly shoes, which apparently look just like her architecture. I'm kind of repulsed, and strangely kind of smitten. I'll tell ya what: if humankind ever decides to move into space, I'm sure as heck buying these and taking them along.

I like this print by Matt Mills.

I'm just posting this because I've been obsessed with cruising craig's list for furniture. Often while browsing the cheap goods with good intentions I end up searching for those classic modern chairs to start out my collection. Twice I almost purchased Wassily chairs. Oops. I have some xeroxed pages of furniture illustrations I've been planning on enlarging and hanging up for a while. Maybe one of these days I'll get around to embroidering the Barcelona chair on my shirt as planned.

 

Happy August everybody. We don't get to stay kids for long, but the excitement in a fresh box of crayons is forever. I invite you to treat yourself to a new notebook, or glue stick, your fancy. I'll be starting a new sketchbook.