why haven't you updated? this is why....

My computer died last month, so I bought an iphone to be able to keep up on the daily emails and other such garbage. The past moth I've been really burning the candle at both ends. Running a summer camp, running a household, and tattooing at the shop on the weekends. Yesterday was my first day off in a while- and most of it was spent drawing a giant dragon tattoo design. I've completely neglected my etsy shop for the entire summer but managed to still squeeze in some yard work and quality time with my dog.
In the meantime while I wait for my computer savvy friend to send me a list of the things I need to purchase to resurrect my dead computer- I've been downloading some really cool iphone apps that have kept me in the loop. I edited my reading list on blogger/google so the updates wouldn't take hours to read.

I might be moving on from one morning job to a new family (I nanny in the mornings for a couple of hours & bring kids to school) but recent tragic events have slowed the whole thing.
The doggie is doing awesome. She moved up to Tim's obedience class; and is begining to understand that we're the bosses. She's been so behaved! Such a cutie too!
Life is grand.

Gratitude

I have to say I'm grateful. My days are spent doing what I love, playing with my dog, and at night I get to sleep like a rock. (Awesome!) My friends are super cool and funny and sweet, my husband is da bomb, the dog gets to have full adoption status this weekend, and I have two days off in a row. RAD!
There's a song by The Queers "Everything's going my way" Yeah!
I have so many different things going on in my world, and they all pretty much make me happy. The money is coming in, the next step is the home. YES, the home.
I hoped the real estate bubble would burst in the East Bay just so we could afford a home. Is sorta did- and now- it's our turn.
I'm going to sing to myself this morning when I ride to work today. Yes!
Soon, I want to have a craft party, shrine-making.

More lists need to be made...

Putting it out there

Sometimes just putting yourself out there is the scariest thing there is. Yesterday I went to interview at a tattoo shop to help cover shifts. This is the first formal interview I've had since the beginning of my apprenticeship. Now that I'm wiser, have a portfolio and the experience; opportunities have been coming to me in weird ways. Friends, acquaintances, and through pure serendipity I've managed to connect with two shops in hopes for something part-time. I should be hearing back from them soon.
I wear many hats already. Working with children in an after-school program, selling vintage clothing and some art in my etsy shop, and tattooing in my private studio have kept me busy. But this may be the open door I need to further my tattooing. My humility has me a bit terrified over it all. Below I decided to post some of my portfolio highlights.

Environments and Installation Art

Recently my husband Jeremy worked for an artist doing some installation work. The project was so intensive that she's put his name in the credit with her work. It didn't make the website- but I think it's great!
The opening is tonight at The Museum of Craft and Folk Art
He installed FLOR carpet tiles in Megan Wilson's Project. Below is one of the interiors that Megan has done in the past. EDIT: Photos of my husband in front of the exhibit.
photo credits: Home 1996 – 2008, San Francisco, California & mocfa.org
The Featured Exhibit for this show is by Mike Shine, who creates this pretty cool Environment called the ArtShack. (pictured below)
photo credits: Mike Shine Shine Shack, Bolinas, California & mocfa.org
The show also will have Edgar Arceneaux and Watts House Project, Jacob Sockness, Merritt Wallace, and documentation of famed California environments. Who'd a thought my ass-kickin' husband would ever be involved in Installation art?

holiday gifts

FYI: Print out this and paste it all over town please.


I'm working full two days this week, then the rest of the time off.
Hustle time.

I spent the day with my two little kids friends at an indoor water park-community center 45 minutes from here. We had a blast, and it was on the clock. The mom(s) asked me to take their car which was a brand new Mercedes Benz. Well, fuck me. That was the first time I've driven one- and hopefully the last. Nice nice-ness of shit I don't need. It was like getting a taste of an elite out-of-grasp, seductive, highly addictive drug. I needed to slap myself. I've always hated everything about these cars (conspicuous consumerism, price, wastefulness, yadda yadda yadda) and how the drivers of them often drive. I found myself in the shoes of the people I generally am disgusted with. I had to admit I could get used to a car that sweet. flooring it in that car on the freeway was awesome. But I enjoy my 11 year-old Honda. I keep the interior clean, and exterior looking like a hobo's jacket. That alone, makes my car nearly completely theft-proof. It's like those crusty punks and how their clothing looks almost like leather but once was denim- the nasty grime keeps the fabric held together- just like the coating of grime and bird shit that keeps my car held together. Its paid for, I prefer to bike wherever I can anyway. It was fun tho.

Now, I'm attempting to make my family members funny gifts they'll use. Yes, this will be goofy.