Hoooeeee, March has been flavored by my body getting used to endurance again. Right now, on Tuesday, after an all day hike (80 miler) out to Pt Reyes Station on Sunday, I'm a little pooped.
We've drawn some at Dr Sketchy's Anti-Art school since the last time I posted. MeeZee visited from FouFou Ha.
David Glamamore made an appearance.
I've visited Lucas Valley Rd and the big rock.
Saw some cows in Marin.
But what I'm really excited about right now is Spring fashion. Spring is one of my favorite style seasons because I love color, and Spring is all about color.
Here is some inspiration: http://www.pinterest.com/alicestribling/spring-2014/
And Colette has done a really wonderful series called the Wardrobe Architect: http://www.coletterie.com/?s=wardrobe+architect
I want to share some things I've been working on, but at the same time I know myself and I'll be bummed if I post ideas that I don't complete. So I'm going to hold off.
I will say that I've drafted a new pencil skirt and my Apparel Arts teacher is helping jump ahead to collars and sleeves, so that I can make a button up shirt.
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Drawrrring and Fundrrraising Recap
Since my last post, many things have happened. As is the usual in life, if you live it.
We drew Dottie Lux, queen of burlesque and Red Hots Burlesque, at the Dr Sketchiest of Sketchy's. She was on fire that night, in one of her newest incarnations: Edward Scissor Fans. I went into the night feeling calm, we had plenty of volunteers to help set things up (thanks people!) and Dottie is wonderful to work with, so I knew that the night would go smoothly.
And I guess that I was on fire!
I've been using these Pentel brush pens and I'm in love. They make it easy to get a very expressive line, both thick and thin, and it is much more versatile than a single micron. In a short pose, you really don't have time to go back and forth between different pens to get different line widths. This pretty much does it all.
Dottie's wig was a very inspiring shape. It was big with dreadlock-ish curls, and most of my drawings started out trying to loosely define the shape. I think it was so much fun that everything else seemed to fall perfectly into place. I was mixing my favorite color (INDIGO) in with black and this worked well for outfit as well as skin.
So like I said, I was on FIRE. And I really like the work that I did. If you like it too, drawings are for sell/trade for AIDS/LifeCycle donations. Just leave me a comment.
We then had Randal the Fabulous pose with two distinctly different looks: Maxfield Parish Arabian nights/1960s draping/yoga AND Butler/naughty butler.
Randal was a feast for the eyes and his poses were AMBITIOUS and challenging. However, I only have a couple of drawings that I really like. I was a little more anxious walking into that night and wasn't feeling on my game.
Went out with on a spur of the moment drawing adventure with Diane and the SF Sketchers group as well on Saturday and did these little numbers.
We went up to Corona Heights and I had a great view of Sutro tower in the fog. It was a grey chilly morning, with not much contrast on the hillside. I wanted to bring in the curve of the road on the left and try to mimic some S curves with the dark trees as well. I also always admire the trees at the top of this hill. I find myself wanting to draw them every time I look at Sutro so I think that I had mentally already memorized their shapes!
I only had one of these drawings in me, so we went down to the Randall Museum afterward to get warm and draw animals.
I really love the guinea pigs and quails, the guineas were eating so they stayed still-ish. The quails were doing laps around their cages and didn't seem to be interested in posing for me. They have a puffer fish shape, round, with those adorable little feathers on top. They make cute noises. This was a fun and unexpected drawing day.
If you are looking for a drawing community, Laurie does a great job organizing SF Sketchers. They go out every week and can be found on Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/
Also, if you are looking for any drawing groups, the SF Figure Drawing group on Meetup has something almost every night of the week. And we would love to see you at Dr Sketchy's!
Finally, to recap the Mom's Body Shop 'Have a Heart' Fundraiser, my friend Shelley started texting before noon that there was a line and it sounds like the crowd was non-stop all day. I went around 6pm and it took about an hour and a half to get tattooed. I'm getting a line of hearts up the back of my legs, like stocking seams. I figure that this is a good spot to add to if I continue to do AIDS/LifeCycle. This year I chose kitty hearts. I'll post a photo when I get a good one.
Last year, my friend Dave Groeschel's shop donated $1200 and it was a giant step towards raising my total to $6000. My team raised over $150,000 and total AIDS/LifeCycle raised over 14.2 million.
That is a great help to folks who need these services to stay alive and healthy, with dignity. It also goes a long way towards prevention, education and eventually stopping this disease altogether.
If you would like to help, please donate to: http://tiny.cc/Alice2014
We drew Dottie Lux, queen of burlesque and Red Hots Burlesque, at the Dr Sketchiest of Sketchy's. She was on fire that night, in one of her newest incarnations: Edward Scissor Fans. I went into the night feeling calm, we had plenty of volunteers to help set things up (thanks people!) and Dottie is wonderful to work with, so I knew that the night would go smoothly.
And I guess that I was on fire!
I've been using these Pentel brush pens and I'm in love. They make it easy to get a very expressive line, both thick and thin, and it is much more versatile than a single micron. In a short pose, you really don't have time to go back and forth between different pens to get different line widths. This pretty much does it all.
Dottie's wig was a very inspiring shape. It was big with dreadlock-ish curls, and most of my drawings started out trying to loosely define the shape. I think it was so much fun that everything else seemed to fall perfectly into place. I was mixing my favorite color (INDIGO) in with black and this worked well for outfit as well as skin.
So like I said, I was on FIRE. And I really like the work that I did. If you like it too, drawings are for sell/trade for AIDS/LifeCycle donations. Just leave me a comment.
We then had Randal the Fabulous pose with two distinctly different looks: Maxfield Parish Arabian nights/1960s draping/yoga AND Butler/naughty butler.
Randal was a feast for the eyes and his poses were AMBITIOUS and challenging. However, I only have a couple of drawings that I really like. I was a little more anxious walking into that night and wasn't feeling on my game.
Went out with on a spur of the moment drawing adventure with Diane and the SF Sketchers group as well on Saturday and did these little numbers.
We went up to Corona Heights and I had a great view of Sutro tower in the fog. It was a grey chilly morning, with not much contrast on the hillside. I wanted to bring in the curve of the road on the left and try to mimic some S curves with the dark trees as well. I also always admire the trees at the top of this hill. I find myself wanting to draw them every time I look at Sutro so I think that I had mentally already memorized their shapes!
I only had one of these drawings in me, so we went down to the Randall Museum afterward to get warm and draw animals.
I really love the guinea pigs and quails, the guineas were eating so they stayed still-ish. The quails were doing laps around their cages and didn't seem to be interested in posing for me. They have a puffer fish shape, round, with those adorable little feathers on top. They make cute noises. This was a fun and unexpected drawing day.
If you are looking for a drawing community, Laurie does a great job organizing SF Sketchers. They go out every week and can be found on Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/SF-Sketchers/
Also, if you are looking for any drawing groups, the SF Figure Drawing group on Meetup has something almost every night of the week. And we would love to see you at Dr Sketchy's!
Finally, to recap the Mom's Body Shop 'Have a Heart' Fundraiser, my friend Shelley started texting before noon that there was a line and it sounds like the crowd was non-stop all day. I went around 6pm and it took about an hour and a half to get tattooed. I'm getting a line of hearts up the back of my legs, like stocking seams. I figure that this is a good spot to add to if I continue to do AIDS/LifeCycle. This year I chose kitty hearts. I'll post a photo when I get a good one.
Last year, my friend Dave Groeschel's shop donated $1200 and it was a giant step towards raising my total to $6000. My team raised over $150,000 and total AIDS/LifeCycle raised over 14.2 million.
That is a great help to folks who need these services to stay alive and healthy, with dignity. It also goes a long way towards prevention, education and eventually stopping this disease altogether.
If you would like to help, please donate to: http://tiny.cc/Alice2014
Thursday, January 23, 2014
Two weeks in, I'm hungry
Everything has started back up again. While it is an exciting reminder that my life is rich and full and interesting, I am tired.
Training for AIDS/LifeCycle, Apparel Arts class and Dr Sketchy's all began again about two weeks ago.
It has been wonderful to get outside again on the bike and the routes are relatively flat...for now. I'm riding with Joseph's Sunday Cat two group until Team Unpopular starts up with training. Last week, some of my team mates joined up with the group and we had a nice time catching up. I now know that the year will be like this: I see a group of folks for about six months, we do a special type of socializing that makes the miles and hills go by, then that fades out in the fall and winter months. And that is ok. Right now it's like this.
During fall and winter I had more time to myself to work on projects. Right now I have about 3 projects in need of some attention, and this is distressing me. I have two skirts that I'm drafting/sewing for pay and trade. And one Ad for trade. I'm grateful for all of these projects, just juggling a bit at the moment.
I wish that I could say training was always awesome. I am right now grumpy and tired from Sunday-Tuesday commitments. I have not committed to any randonneuring this year, I just can't add anything more to my plate. I also want to be there for family and friends.
I am attempting to eat real food for training, still focusing on little to no sugar and taking fruit and likely a homemade 'Nutella' sandwich with me in the near future. I started craving sugar really badly after my first training ride, I felt depressed about not having it.
In Apparel Arts, I'm really trying to stick to the schedule that Suzy gave out to the students at the end of last year. I've drafted all of the dart manipulation exercises, about 8 fronts and 3 backs. I cut out 3 fronts and backs in class on Monday and sewed them up last night. I feel like if I can do homework one night during the week, then I should be ok.
I am excited about Spring. I would like to make a midi skirt, a flow-y dress, and a jumpsuit one day. I did decide on a low buy/no buy until I save for my travel commitments. It's going ok, one day at a time. Right now, I'm digging out my spring color cardigans, and corals and pink makeup...trying to use what I already have instead of buying new things. I'm ready and California is experiencing some warm weather so it's easy to play.
On Tuesday, we had the second Dr Sketchy's of the year with Vivian De Milo. We had 10 or so volunteers, so set up and break down were a breeze. Our model is very gifted, V has impeccable taste and style. V also posed for us as a girl and a boy, which I love. I've been reading more about gender and what a mixed up fluid thing it can be. How one self identifies, who one wants to be partnered with, feeling like one is in the wrong body. It's nice to celebrate it with drawing.
I'm playing with watercolors, I found this blog: http://www.lizsteel.com/2013/04/my-basic-palette.html
Which lead me to this resource: http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/water.html
And then I started geeking and pinning watercolor palettes: http://www.pinterest.com/alicestribling/art-illustration/
Aaaaaand I did make a new palette purchase from Daniel Smith. :) I also purchased a test paint set from them and now I have a list of colors that I want, see below. It's the first time I've really customized my watercolors for what I like, and not just what comes in the preset palette. It's very exciting! I like lots of bright colors, and my day job is in the print industry, so of course I like CMYK and BRIGHTS.
I'll sign off with some eye candy. Don't forget that I'm offering drawings for AIDS/LifeCycle donations. $300 gets you a drawing. Monthly donations are encouraged!!
http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/AliceStribling2014
Training for AIDS/LifeCycle, Apparel Arts class and Dr Sketchy's all began again about two weeks ago.
It has been wonderful to get outside again on the bike and the routes are relatively flat...for now. I'm riding with Joseph's Sunday Cat two group until Team Unpopular starts up with training. Last week, some of my team mates joined up with the group and we had a nice time catching up. I now know that the year will be like this: I see a group of folks for about six months, we do a special type of socializing that makes the miles and hills go by, then that fades out in the fall and winter months. And that is ok. Right now it's like this.
During fall and winter I had more time to myself to work on projects. Right now I have about 3 projects in need of some attention, and this is distressing me. I have two skirts that I'm drafting/sewing for pay and trade. And one Ad for trade. I'm grateful for all of these projects, just juggling a bit at the moment.
I wish that I could say training was always awesome. I am right now grumpy and tired from Sunday-Tuesday commitments. I have not committed to any randonneuring this year, I just can't add anything more to my plate. I also want to be there for family and friends.
I am attempting to eat real food for training, still focusing on little to no sugar and taking fruit and likely a homemade 'Nutella' sandwich with me in the near future. I started craving sugar really badly after my first training ride, I felt depressed about not having it.
In Apparel Arts, I'm really trying to stick to the schedule that Suzy gave out to the students at the end of last year. I've drafted all of the dart manipulation exercises, about 8 fronts and 3 backs. I cut out 3 fronts and backs in class on Monday and sewed them up last night. I feel like if I can do homework one night during the week, then I should be ok.
I am excited about Spring. I would like to make a midi skirt, a flow-y dress, and a jumpsuit one day. I did decide on a low buy/no buy until I save for my travel commitments. It's going ok, one day at a time. Right now, I'm digging out my spring color cardigans, and corals and pink makeup...trying to use what I already have instead of buying new things. I'm ready and California is experiencing some warm weather so it's easy to play.
On Tuesday, we had the second Dr Sketchy's of the year with Vivian De Milo. We had 10 or so volunteers, so set up and break down were a breeze. Our model is very gifted, V has impeccable taste and style. V also posed for us as a girl and a boy, which I love. I've been reading more about gender and what a mixed up fluid thing it can be. How one self identifies, who one wants to be partnered with, feeling like one is in the wrong body. It's nice to celebrate it with drawing.
I'm playing with watercolors, I found this blog: http://www.lizsteel.com/2013/04/my-basic-palette.html
Which lead me to this resource: http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/water.html
And then I started geeking and pinning watercolor palettes: http://www.pinterest.com/alicestribling/art-illustration/
Aaaaaand I did make a new palette purchase from Daniel Smith. :) I also purchased a test paint set from them and now I have a list of colors that I want, see below. It's the first time I've really customized my watercolors for what I like, and not just what comes in the preset palette. It's very exciting! I like lots of bright colors, and my day job is in the print industry, so of course I like CMYK and BRIGHTS.
I'll sign off with some eye candy. Don't forget that I'm offering drawings for AIDS/LifeCycle donations. $300 gets you a drawing. Monthly donations are encouraged!!
http://www.tofighthiv.org/goto/AliceStribling2014
Thursday, December 05, 2013
NoNewClothing 2014?
An interesting chat with my therapist last night left me considering something. I started out talking about NoSugarNovember, and how I still feel like an addict and so I'm not going back to sugar. It feels like I still get plenty of it, because I'm still eating grains and plenty of foods contain sugar. For instance, we had Chinese food on Thanksgiving and I felt pretty jittery after that.
I was also talking about how B and I want to go to Thailand and Vietnam next year, and I've committed to ALC and a short tour of the Sierras. And how am I going to afford all of these things and also keep saving money per Mr. Money Mustache? Her take on it is that the experience of going to Thailand and Vietnam are worth putting off new custom shoes and any new clothing. And she mentioned a friend of hers who decided to not buy anything new for a year.
This is appealing for a lot of reasons. I feel like an addict when it comes to clothing. I do things that aren't quite right for my budget and sometimes I can't seem to help myself. I make excuses. I get depressed once I've done the thing because it effects everything afterwards. I justify it. It just doesn't feel clean and honest.
So a year without means it would be long enough to hopefully break the addiction.
When she first mentioned it I felt bummed out, because living without the creativity makes me feel sad. Style is important to me. But we talked about ways to put it into a creative context, like buying second hand and making allowances for making new things, and it changes it to a challenge. Also going on this trip is worth it. This also reminds me of The Uniform Project, which I really respected.
There are a lot of reasons to consider it.
I want AIDS/LifeCycle to cost less this year, I bought a lot of things this year that might be a little too big now, but I can alter them to fit.
It would be hard to not order any custom stuff, I have plans for new shoes. But I could make do with what I already have.
Pushing myself to be creative, rather than just consume, is very appealing. It's going Against the Stream.
This would be living within the boundaries of YNAB and Mr. Money Mustache, and this is something that I really want to do.
Am I ready? It's such a short time to 2014! Can I do it? Would you do it???
I was also talking about how B and I want to go to Thailand and Vietnam next year, and I've committed to ALC and a short tour of the Sierras. And how am I going to afford all of these things and also keep saving money per Mr. Money Mustache? Her take on it is that the experience of going to Thailand and Vietnam are worth putting off new custom shoes and any new clothing. And she mentioned a friend of hers who decided to not buy anything new for a year.
This is appealing for a lot of reasons. I feel like an addict when it comes to clothing. I do things that aren't quite right for my budget and sometimes I can't seem to help myself. I make excuses. I get depressed once I've done the thing because it effects everything afterwards. I justify it. It just doesn't feel clean and honest.
So a year without means it would be long enough to hopefully break the addiction.
When she first mentioned it I felt bummed out, because living without the creativity makes me feel sad. Style is important to me. But we talked about ways to put it into a creative context, like buying second hand and making allowances for making new things, and it changes it to a challenge. Also going on this trip is worth it. This also reminds me of The Uniform Project, which I really respected.
There are a lot of reasons to consider it.
I want AIDS/LifeCycle to cost less this year, I bought a lot of things this year that might be a little too big now, but I can alter them to fit.
It would be hard to not order any custom stuff, I have plans for new shoes. But I could make do with what I already have.
Pushing myself to be creative, rather than just consume, is very appealing. It's going Against the Stream.
This would be living within the boundaries of YNAB and Mr. Money Mustache, and this is something that I really want to do.
Am I ready? It's such a short time to 2014! Can I do it? Would you do it???
Friday, November 22, 2013
2013 in review
It's a little early, but I'm ready to review. I present to you 2013, broken out into categories.
Practice
This year I changed my alarm so that I have 15 minutes to sit in the morning. This was about 2-3 months ago, now I find myself waking up earlier to get in a 30 minute sit every day.
I find myself wanting to learn more about concentration, equanimity and compassion. My practice now is doing kind and friendly things, even if I don't feel kind and friendly. When I feel really cranky about something, I write down something for which I am grateful. This is sticky because I want to write about material luxuries, but try to find something else.
Apparel Arts
I started taking pattern making classes last January, it has changed my life in a lot of positive ways. Like most people, I have a complex relationship with clothing and fit. But I love clothes so this was a way to make clothing mine. The first section was skirts. I wasn't even interested in skirts before I started taking this class. But now I know that skirts can fit into the weekly wardrobe as easily as jeans.
I learned that I may have an idea for a long time, even over a year, before I can make it.
The gorgeous thing about style is that it can be ever changing and flowing. One style need not define me every day, deciding what I want to wear every day can be fun.
I have enough. Well thought out basics are better than impulsive and trendy purchases. When one has the right pieces, they can mimic the trends if one would like.
Dr Sketchy's
This year we successfully had two events a month at Chicken John's warehouse. The community is wonderful, our space is great, I am grateful to have this opportunity. I like drawing twice a month, I like picking the models. My drawing is always improving and I really like using watercolors.
Family
Bio: Super complex in 2013, but we seem to be past a crisis stage with my father's health. He seems happy, for now he can talk on the phone and he laughs. Mom has adjusted to the changes. We have a lot of help. I show up when I need to, even if I don't always feel like it.
My local chosen family and community rocks. I love my babycakes and the cats.
Financial
You Need a Budget and Mr Money Mustache are changing my views on money. I currently do a pretty good job of saving, but I am very interested in early retirement. I've been looking at a lot of things differently than in the past and I'm grateful that I started saving early. I'm questioning all expenses.
Health/Riding
Lot of accomplishments in this category in 2013. Did AIDS/LifeCycle break down the mental hurdle that kept me thinking that some things couldn't be accomplished? Oh yes.
6 months of training and a 545 mile ride to LA were pretty special. My team, the feeling of helping people, being of service and accomplishing this major goal felt wonderful.
I was also able to participate in some 200ks with SFR this year as well. It's nice to be with that community.
I lost over ten pounds this year, I've lost 35 total. It feels weird to see the hollows under my cheekbones, I like them.
There is a relationship now between art and riding, in that I've been designing posters for SFR and for commission projects.
I just quit sugar in what I am calling 'No Sugar November'. I had a headache for the first 9 days. Eating bread makes me feel the same, and starts the craving cycle. I'm not sure that I am ready to take on bread and grains.
Style
A big year for style! I'm very excited about it. Bill and I both explored the option of getting custom clothing. In the Spring, I started out looking for dress shoes/flats that would replace a pair of shoes that I bought in London in 2006. Eventually it led me to Al's Attire and I had them remade! In my size!
My joke is that there is no venn diagram where wide feet and cute intersect. I ordered two pairs of custom shoes this year and have ideas about what I might like to invest in next year.
I took some fabric that I bought for myself and Bill into Al's and we had shirts made as well.
I'm exploring skirt shapes, volume, color, not so much pattern (this is a hard one), accessories and modern fashion. My Pinterest is about shapes and inspiration. One lesson that Apparel Arts has taught me is that I can hold onto that inspiration as long as I need it, eventually I will have the skills to make whatever I want. And that, while it is clinging, is also freedom.
Evernote
This may sound crazy but Evernote kind of changed my life. I track all of my projects and interests using Evernote, I clip web pages, recipes, all of it. I found out about it from reading an article on the founders of ModCloth.
One big thing I did this year was track all the clothing whims that I had, that I wanted to purchase. I found that most of the things I bought online I sent back, and most of the things that I thought I wanted, if I write them down and think about it for a while...well they don't really interest me for very long. Or if they do, then it is worth saving the money. Trades also rock.
Anyhoo, that's it. Thanks for reading.
Practice
This year I changed my alarm so that I have 15 minutes to sit in the morning. This was about 2-3 months ago, now I find myself waking up earlier to get in a 30 minute sit every day.
I find myself wanting to learn more about concentration, equanimity and compassion. My practice now is doing kind and friendly things, even if I don't feel kind and friendly. When I feel really cranky about something, I write down something for which I am grateful. This is sticky because I want to write about material luxuries, but try to find something else.
Apparel Arts
I started taking pattern making classes last January, it has changed my life in a lot of positive ways. Like most people, I have a complex relationship with clothing and fit. But I love clothes so this was a way to make clothing mine. The first section was skirts. I wasn't even interested in skirts before I started taking this class. But now I know that skirts can fit into the weekly wardrobe as easily as jeans.
I learned that I may have an idea for a long time, even over a year, before I can make it.
The gorgeous thing about style is that it can be ever changing and flowing. One style need not define me every day, deciding what I want to wear every day can be fun.
I have enough. Well thought out basics are better than impulsive and trendy purchases. When one has the right pieces, they can mimic the trends if one would like.
Dr Sketchy's
This year we successfully had two events a month at Chicken John's warehouse. The community is wonderful, our space is great, I am grateful to have this opportunity. I like drawing twice a month, I like picking the models. My drawing is always improving and I really like using watercolors.
Family
Bio: Super complex in 2013, but we seem to be past a crisis stage with my father's health. He seems happy, for now he can talk on the phone and he laughs. Mom has adjusted to the changes. We have a lot of help. I show up when I need to, even if I don't always feel like it.
My local chosen family and community rocks. I love my babycakes and the cats.
Financial
You Need a Budget and Mr Money Mustache are changing my views on money. I currently do a pretty good job of saving, but I am very interested in early retirement. I've been looking at a lot of things differently than in the past and I'm grateful that I started saving early. I'm questioning all expenses.
Health/Riding
Lot of accomplishments in this category in 2013. Did AIDS/LifeCycle break down the mental hurdle that kept me thinking that some things couldn't be accomplished? Oh yes.
6 months of training and a 545 mile ride to LA were pretty special. My team, the feeling of helping people, being of service and accomplishing this major goal felt wonderful.
I was also able to participate in some 200ks with SFR this year as well. It's nice to be with that community.
I lost over ten pounds this year, I've lost 35 total. It feels weird to see the hollows under my cheekbones, I like them.
There is a relationship now between art and riding, in that I've been designing posters for SFR and for commission projects.
I just quit sugar in what I am calling 'No Sugar November'. I had a headache for the first 9 days. Eating bread makes me feel the same, and starts the craving cycle. I'm not sure that I am ready to take on bread and grains.
Style
A big year for style! I'm very excited about it. Bill and I both explored the option of getting custom clothing. In the Spring, I started out looking for dress shoes/flats that would replace a pair of shoes that I bought in London in 2006. Eventually it led me to Al's Attire and I had them remade! In my size!
My joke is that there is no venn diagram where wide feet and cute intersect. I ordered two pairs of custom shoes this year and have ideas about what I might like to invest in next year.
I took some fabric that I bought for myself and Bill into Al's and we had shirts made as well.
I'm exploring skirt shapes, volume, color, not so much pattern (this is a hard one), accessories and modern fashion. My Pinterest is about shapes and inspiration. One lesson that Apparel Arts has taught me is that I can hold onto that inspiration as long as I need it, eventually I will have the skills to make whatever I want. And that, while it is clinging, is also freedom.
Evernote
This may sound crazy but Evernote kind of changed my life. I track all of my projects and interests using Evernote, I clip web pages, recipes, all of it. I found out about it from reading an article on the founders of ModCloth.
One big thing I did this year was track all the clothing whims that I had, that I wanted to purchase. I found that most of the things I bought online I sent back, and most of the things that I thought I wanted, if I write them down and think about it for a while...well they don't really interest me for very long. Or if they do, then it is worth saving the money. Trades also rock.
Anyhoo, that's it. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Stuff and Things
Currently I find myself in Wyckoff, NJ visiting with babycake's mom. This is after a weekend spent with my mom and dad in South Carolina. My parents' living situation has changed recently, they both have their own apartments in their living facility in Spartanburg.
As I'm beginning to understand, dementia has different cycles: crisis, stasis, crisis, stasis. Couple months ago we had a crisis, now we are trying to find equilibrium.
We've hired Geriatric Resource Services and I think they will help to make things more relaxed for everyone involved. I am grateful to have a weekend with my dad where he seems happy and we laugh. I'm sure that things will change. It is possible that one day he will not know who I am and I will have to find the strength to accept him as he is. I find it helpful to stay grounded in gratitude.
We're traveling to New York in a couple of days and I might witness Fashion Week. Since I've been in Apparel Arts, I've been tracking garment shapes and silhouettes on Pinterest. Learning about Fashion without schooling is a challenge. I would say that I've always been interested in style, but I haven't always been flexible in my style. I do find it fascinating to see style chameleons, one who can really can take on and off a persona with a season. I'm developing a willingness to try new things. When one has curves, it can be scary to play with volume for example. One doesn't want to make ones hips look bigger for instance by wearing something with more volume on the bottom. But fuck it. Why not try it? That's where I am.
I had some time over the Labor Day weekend to sew. I forgot something very important, and that is you must always staystitch the top of the skirt pieces so that they don't stretch out as they are being handled. This one stretched. My waistband was an inch and a half shorter than the top of the skirt, oof. I even went so far as to cut a new bigger waistband before I finally figured out what had happened. Fortunately experienced folks on the internets helped me and I was able to spray and iron it back into shape.
This photos shows that the skirt did indeed shrink back down so that it fit the waistband again.
Making stuff can be very very hard. I tend to get down about things when they don't work out, my biggest challenge in life is keeping a positive attitude. Cycling and meditating have taught me that things will always change and to keep going.
My mother was talking about my father over the weekend and she had that he was very good at starting projects and not as good at finishing them. I guess that I learned this and am attempting to overcome it.
I did this little guy at Dr Sketchy's Roller Derby.
Al's Attire finished my walking boots.
It was the summer of custom shoes, I saved for these and it was totally worth it. They are beautiful, comfortable and they are going to last forever.
I'll probably hold off on another pair for a while, I would like to get a tall pair of boots in the next 6 months or for next Fall. I never find tall boots that fit. My legs are very curvy and pretty 17" calf boots are hard to find. Al wants to put me into a pair of button boots. We'll see.
As I'm beginning to understand, dementia has different cycles: crisis, stasis, crisis, stasis. Couple months ago we had a crisis, now we are trying to find equilibrium.
We've hired Geriatric Resource Services and I think they will help to make things more relaxed for everyone involved. I am grateful to have a weekend with my dad where he seems happy and we laugh. I'm sure that things will change. It is possible that one day he will not know who I am and I will have to find the strength to accept him as he is. I find it helpful to stay grounded in gratitude.
We're traveling to New York in a couple of days and I might witness Fashion Week. Since I've been in Apparel Arts, I've been tracking garment shapes and silhouettes on Pinterest. Learning about Fashion without schooling is a challenge. I would say that I've always been interested in style, but I haven't always been flexible in my style. I do find it fascinating to see style chameleons, one who can really can take on and off a persona with a season. I'm developing a willingness to try new things. When one has curves, it can be scary to play with volume for example. One doesn't want to make ones hips look bigger for instance by wearing something with more volume on the bottom. But fuck it. Why not try it? That's where I am.
I had some time over the Labor Day weekend to sew. I forgot something very important, and that is you must always staystitch the top of the skirt pieces so that they don't stretch out as they are being handled. This one stretched. My waistband was an inch and a half shorter than the top of the skirt, oof. I even went so far as to cut a new bigger waistband before I finally figured out what had happened. Fortunately experienced folks on the internets helped me and I was able to spray and iron it back into shape.
This photos shows that the skirt did indeed shrink back down so that it fit the waistband again.
Making stuff can be very very hard. I tend to get down about things when they don't work out, my biggest challenge in life is keeping a positive attitude. Cycling and meditating have taught me that things will always change and to keep going.
My mother was talking about my father over the weekend and she had that he was very good at starting projects and not as good at finishing them. I guess that I learned this and am attempting to overcome it.
I did this little guy at Dr Sketchy's Roller Derby.
Al's Attire finished my walking boots.
It was the summer of custom shoes, I saved for these and it was totally worth it. They are beautiful, comfortable and they are going to last forever.
I'll probably hold off on another pair for a while, I would like to get a tall pair of boots in the next 6 months or for next Fall. I never find tall boots that fit. My legs are very curvy and pretty 17" calf boots are hard to find. Al wants to put me into a pair of button boots. We'll see.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Random Poseurs 200k Dart-xtravaganza
I met my team at the crack of dawn's ass last Saturday at the Safeway on 16th St.
We rolled down to the coast in fog and chill and eventually stopped for a quick break so that I could take a photo of Poteo-dotes, Juliayn, Jim and Ely the bagmaker.
As it happens with long rides, a lot of things happened and a lot of things were discussed. Sitting on the couch a week later, I can't claim to remember it all.
I had time to catch up with Ely and told him about AIDS/LifeCycle. We have not had as much time to ride together this year.
I found out about some of Juliayn's projects, she thrifted some merino sweaters and is making new things from them.
John told me some weird stories, many of which I didn't understand.
I got to hear about Jim's new baby and how he wants to craft a good space to make music. We also talked about getting parents iPads. They seem to dig the Video Chat.
We rode a lot, I saw some territory that we covered in AIDS/LifeCycle. I love hitting those sandy red colored cliffs outside of Santa Cruz. The clouds were really weird and dramatic that day. There were some beautiful parts of the coast with ice blue water reflecting the sky next to almost wheat color sand. I do really love that color combination.
We hit Stage Rd, which I had never been on before. We climbed up and over the bitchy Soquel ridge to Los Gatos. Thank you to Captain Potis for the steady push up that one hour climb so that I could enjoy the rest break you had planned for us at the top. I wish that I were a faster climber, and yet the stuff that needs doing to get faster is always sitting there. Maybe next year it will change. So many things have changed already. I do feel strong.
We had a great time that day. We got loopy and silly together and it was entertaining and fun.
Some highlights for me were eating road side blueberries that Juliayn was smart enough to purchase on Hwy 1. The blueberries from the store are decidedly 'one note' in comparison. I have never felt like I could taste the Vitamin C in a blueberry before these.
While the beginning of the day was gray and foggy, the afternoon and evening yielded beautiful golden light and we had fun taking glamour shots on the bridge in Cupertino.
The Santa Cruz Randonneurs put together a fun Dart, Scott Brittle even had me design a poster for it. This is the second poster I've done for this event.
These photos from Juliayn make me laugh:
We rolled down to the coast in fog and chill and eventually stopped for a quick break so that I could take a photo of Poteo-dotes, Juliayn, Jim and Ely the bagmaker.
As it happens with long rides, a lot of things happened and a lot of things were discussed. Sitting on the couch a week later, I can't claim to remember it all.
I had time to catch up with Ely and told him about AIDS/LifeCycle. We have not had as much time to ride together this year.
I found out about some of Juliayn's projects, she thrifted some merino sweaters and is making new things from them.
John told me some weird stories, many of which I didn't understand.
I got to hear about Jim's new baby and how he wants to craft a good space to make music. We also talked about getting parents iPads. They seem to dig the Video Chat.
We rode a lot, I saw some territory that we covered in AIDS/LifeCycle. I love hitting those sandy red colored cliffs outside of Santa Cruz. The clouds were really weird and dramatic that day. There were some beautiful parts of the coast with ice blue water reflecting the sky next to almost wheat color sand. I do really love that color combination.
We hit Stage Rd, which I had never been on before. We climbed up and over the bitchy Soquel ridge to Los Gatos. Thank you to Captain Potis for the steady push up that one hour climb so that I could enjoy the rest break you had planned for us at the top. I wish that I were a faster climber, and yet the stuff that needs doing to get faster is always sitting there. Maybe next year it will change. So many things have changed already. I do feel strong.
We had a great time that day. We got loopy and silly together and it was entertaining and fun.
Some highlights for me were eating road side blueberries that Juliayn was smart enough to purchase on Hwy 1. The blueberries from the store are decidedly 'one note' in comparison. I have never felt like I could taste the Vitamin C in a blueberry before these.
While the beginning of the day was gray and foggy, the afternoon and evening yielded beautiful golden light and we had fun taking glamour shots on the bridge in Cupertino.
The Santa Cruz Randonneurs put together a fun Dart, Scott Brittle even had me design a poster for it. This is the second poster I've done for this event.
These photos from Juliayn make me laugh:
Wednesday, July 17, 2013
Kill Bill fun at Dr Sketchy's SF
Last night we had Mercy Beaucoup model for us as Beatrix Kiddo, from Kill Bill. If you are familiar with Vol. 1, the major supplies required to successfully render this character are yellow and RED.
For blood splatters, of course.
I think a super fun time was had by all. Everyone's work gravitated towards anime and anyone with watercolors splashed 'blood' all over their page. It was fascinating to see this phenomenon. Totes fun.
I liked my drawrrrings.
Lord have Mercy!
Diane and Olivia, and blood.
This one feels a little stiff, but alright. I'll take it.
This was my favorite. Some of the proportions are off, but oh well. Still like the watercolor bits. I am likely my hardest critic.
If you like, there are more drawrrrings here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/drsketchyssf/
We do this every first Tuesday and third Tuesday. Next up is GI Joe vs. the Transformers. For real.
For blood splatters, of course.
I think a super fun time was had by all. Everyone's work gravitated towards anime and anyone with watercolors splashed 'blood' all over their page. It was fascinating to see this phenomenon. Totes fun.
I liked my drawrrrings.
Lord have Mercy!
Diane and Olivia, and blood.
This one feels a little stiff, but alright. I'll take it.
This was my favorite. Some of the proportions are off, but oh well. Still like the watercolor bits. I am likely my hardest critic.
If you like, there are more drawrrrings here: http://www.flickr.com/groups/drsketchyssf/
We do this every first Tuesday and third Tuesday. Next up is GI Joe vs. the Transformers. For real.
Saturday, May 11, 2013
I ride for Freddie
A lot of folks ride AIDS/LifeCycle for the people in their lives who can't ride, which is beautiful. I'm riding for Freddie Mercury, lead singer of Queen, who died in 1991 of bronchial pneumonia resulting from AIDS.
I am a HUGE fan of Queen. HUGE. In another life, and perhaps sometimes in my apartment, I prance(d) around with the same grace and larger than life exuberance of Freddie Mercury.
From what I gather from Wikipedia and this documentary, he kept his illness a secret because he didn't want to make 'public liars out of friends and family'. They had all denied his illness.
I feel like it's not right that AIDS had/has such a stigma that he kept it a secret. The documentary made me sob like a baby and also made me realize that THIS is why I ride.
Five years ago, I had the idea to merge some interests. Bikes, Queen, Girls/Ladies/Women/People who identify as Women riding bikes, Drag Queens, Queens in Nun drag, I could go on... and Dr Sketchy's.
I posed for the first Cute Girls on Bicycles event at Dr Sketchy's SF and our inspiration was this:
This year, as incentive for fundraising I told the drawer-ers at Dr Sketchy's that if everyone put $1 in the kitty, and we raised at least $50 I would do a 20 minute pose. And of course I HAD to recreate the album cover.
Now all these artists have started posting their goods on the internets and I realize that we not only raised money for the SF AIDS Foundation and LA Gay and Lesbian Center, but that I now have a very personal collection of drawings of me on my bike. SO. MUCH. LOVE. My heart is going to explode.
I am a HUGE fan of Queen. HUGE. In another life, and perhaps sometimes in my apartment, I prance(d) around with the same grace and larger than life exuberance of Freddie Mercury.
From what I gather from Wikipedia and this documentary, he kept his illness a secret because he didn't want to make 'public liars out of friends and family'. They had all denied his illness.
I feel like it's not right that AIDS had/has such a stigma that he kept it a secret. The documentary made me sob like a baby and also made me realize that THIS is why I ride.
Five years ago, I had the idea to merge some interests. Bikes, Queen, Girls/Ladies/Women/People who identify as Women riding bikes, Drag Queens, Queens in Nun drag, I could go on... and Dr Sketchy's.
I posed for the first Cute Girls on Bicycles event at Dr Sketchy's SF and our inspiration was this:
This year, as incentive for fundraising I told the drawer-ers at Dr Sketchy's that if everyone put $1 in the kitty, and we raised at least $50 I would do a 20 minute pose. And of course I HAD to recreate the album cover.
Now all these artists have started posting their goods on the internets and I realize that we not only raised money for the SF AIDS Foundation and LA Gay and Lesbian Center, but that I now have a very personal collection of drawings of me on my bike. SO. MUCH. LOVE. My heart is going to explode.
You can order this one from Madelyn Lee!
Thursday, May 09, 2013
The Big Rock Candy Mountains
I walked out of my door Sunday morning at 6am, with the early morning light casting everything blue. I had the PERFECT shot of a tanker motoring through the bay from Presidio, with a strip of pink at the horizon line, but it was too early to stop and take the photo. Oh well.
About 30 of us left Sports Basement in the Marina, bumped across the bridge along the well worn path through Sausalito, bike path, Camino Alto, Ross, San Anselmo, then out to China Camp. I rolled through China Camp noting that what was once green has now turned to gold. Then we popped over to Lucas Valley Road for a nice little climb up to Big Rock.
Meow Big Rock! Note that the landscape has changed dramatically with one week of hot weather. It's really neat to see the swift changes. I felt truly energized by the cool weather and dynamic skies. It was quite a day to be out in the elements.
Tia, Shelley and I stuck together on this ride and I enjoyed their company, especially after lunch when it got hotter and towards the end of ride when we were all tired and grumpy. Climbing over the easy side of White's Hill and getting the descent into Fairfax made my heart soar. I felt like I was flying. I finished the day feeling strong, my legs felt like a metronome.
Monday in Apparel Arts was a little difficult. I was tired and I got a little confused drafting my last pattern. I hope to have time to cut out the pieces so that I can sew them up in our next class.
I am excited because I found some really great fabric for my two final skirts. It would be super if I could start on these before AIDS/LifeCycle but considering it is less than a month away, I am ok with letting that go. I did get some linen for my Freddie Mercury sash. I don't know if I have mentioned that on the blog at all. I'm embroidering Freddie on the front and MOXIE on the back. It will be a reclaiming of the beauty queen sash, with sparkle, camp and some hi vis mixed in. I hope that it will be truly spectacular.
Tuesday at Dr Sketchy's we had one of my favorite events of the year: Cute Girls on Bicycles! We referenced the original inspiration from 5 years ago, the cover of Queen's Bicycle Race.
Constance and Zoë were spot on with cute poses, in 70s inspired outfits. My AIDS/LifeCycle Team sold baked goods and made delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. We raffled off a zombie pencil/makeup bag from Nooworks, water bottles from Box Dog Bikes, a Woolrich messenger bag from Timbuk2, beautiful posters by Meli Burgueño, a handmade sketchbook from John Hull and a $200 certificate for coffee delivery from Ritual Coffee/Chicken John.
Oh yes, and I auctioned off a pose. I told everyone if they put $1 in the tip jar, and we raised $50 that I would pose for 20 minutes. It was a big success and a lot of fun.
And so in total we raised over $600 from our beloved Dr Sketchy's community. I feel both proud and humbled by all the support.
About 30 of us left Sports Basement in the Marina, bumped across the bridge along the well worn path through Sausalito, bike path, Camino Alto, Ross, San Anselmo, then out to China Camp. I rolled through China Camp noting that what was once green has now turned to gold. Then we popped over to Lucas Valley Road for a nice little climb up to Big Rock.
Meow Big Rock! Note that the landscape has changed dramatically with one week of hot weather. It's really neat to see the swift changes. I felt truly energized by the cool weather and dynamic skies. It was quite a day to be out in the elements.
Tia, Shelley and I stuck together on this ride and I enjoyed their company, especially after lunch when it got hotter and towards the end of ride when we were all tired and grumpy. Climbing over the easy side of White's Hill and getting the descent into Fairfax made my heart soar. I felt like I was flying. I finished the day feeling strong, my legs felt like a metronome.
Monday in Apparel Arts was a little difficult. I was tired and I got a little confused drafting my last pattern. I hope to have time to cut out the pieces so that I can sew them up in our next class.
I am excited because I found some really great fabric for my two final skirts. It would be super if I could start on these before AIDS/LifeCycle but considering it is less than a month away, I am ok with letting that go. I did get some linen for my Freddie Mercury sash. I don't know if I have mentioned that on the blog at all. I'm embroidering Freddie on the front and MOXIE on the back. It will be a reclaiming of the beauty queen sash, with sparkle, camp and some hi vis mixed in. I hope that it will be truly spectacular.
Tuesday at Dr Sketchy's we had one of my favorite events of the year: Cute Girls on Bicycles! We referenced the original inspiration from 5 years ago, the cover of Queen's Bicycle Race.
Constance and Zoë were spot on with cute poses, in 70s inspired outfits. My AIDS/LifeCycle Team sold baked goods and made delicious grilled cheese sandwiches. We raffled off a zombie pencil/makeup bag from Nooworks, water bottles from Box Dog Bikes, a Woolrich messenger bag from Timbuk2, beautiful posters by Meli Burgueño, a handmade sketchbook from John Hull and a $200 certificate for coffee delivery from Ritual Coffee/Chicken John.
Oh yes, and I auctioned off a pose. I told everyone if they put $1 in the tip jar, and we raised $50 that I would pose for 20 minutes. It was a big success and a lot of fun.
And so in total we raised over $600 from our beloved Dr Sketchy's community. I feel both proud and humbled by all the support.
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Complicated Interests Rock
There are lots of interests moving towards end points right now.
First at Dr Sketchy's, we are about to have one of my favorite events of the year: Cute Girls on Bicycles:
Constance and Zoë modeled last year, they recreated some vintage imagery that made me so happy. This year we are revisiting the original inspiration: the album cover art for Queen's Bicycle Race and Fat Bottom Girls.
They will be wearing 70s inspired outfits and I'm hoping we can find a 10speed of that era, with exposed white brake cables. We'll see.
This is a fundraiser for AIDS/LifeCycle and we will have baked goods for sale to raise money.
Edit, we'll also have a bag from Nooworks, some water bottles from Box Dog Bikes and some handmade sketchbooks from John Hull. All available for raffle.
Further edit, Meli Burgueño has donated a poster!
This brings me to the 2nd topic: AIDS/LifeCycle. In one month 3000 other likeminded folks and I will be embarking on a 7 day, 545 mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I want to do this because I want to break past the mental hurdle of what I currently think is possible on my bike. I also want to give back to my vibrant San Francisco community. The AIDS Foundation keeps people alive, prevents future infections and helps eliminate the stigma still surrounding HIV and AIDS. It matters. It feels really awesome to be a part of this amazing community.
Here's my team profile pic, it's freakin hilarious:
Speaking of ALC, our training last week took us up Mt. Tam to the 7 Sisters (or bitches as some call them). The climb up to Alpine Dam and the top of the ridge was fine because it was covered, but once we got up on the ridge, it was exposed and hot and I ran out of water. That's the first time I've ever been nauseous on the bike. Thanks to the Training Ride Leader who had V8, it saved me from tossing my cookies all over the bitches. It's a good thing these ladies are pretty, because they are a little bit brutal.
I can barely contain my excitement about number 3. I will FINALLY have something interesting (at least it feels interesting to me) to show for Apparel Arts!! To me it feels like my process photos all look the same, paper patterns, muslins. All this translates to white, beige, boring??
Anyhoo, I have two more skirt projects to finish before I can move on to the 2 fashion fabric skirts. I have had my inspiration for months, I don't want to reveal anything because I don't want to set any expectations. I also have to go to the fabric store and I *hope* that is successful.
The above is a photo of the 2nd to the last skirt project: a contoured waistband skirt with free hanging lining. Then I draft a straight waistband/with a secured lining.
That's THREE AWESOME complicated interests. My goal book will be thrilled. I am excited.
Also not be missed. Polk Street changes. Please sign this petition to show support for making it a beautiful pedestrian/bikey thoroughfare: http://www.change.org/petitions/forward-on-polk-with-the-complete-streets-project This is what I want San Francisco to be!!
Babycakes and I had a super time at Al's Attire getting some custom things made by a local artisan. Very excited about my custom shoes! Look at the mess we made, there is fabric and wine and cheese littering that table top... It was a good time.
First at Dr Sketchy's, we are about to have one of my favorite events of the year: Cute Girls on Bicycles:
Constance and Zoë modeled last year, they recreated some vintage imagery that made me so happy. This year we are revisiting the original inspiration: the album cover art for Queen's Bicycle Race and Fat Bottom Girls.
They will be wearing 70s inspired outfits and I'm hoping we can find a 10speed of that era, with exposed white brake cables. We'll see.
This is a fundraiser for AIDS/LifeCycle and we will have baked goods for sale to raise money.
Edit, we'll also have a bag from Nooworks, some water bottles from Box Dog Bikes and some handmade sketchbooks from John Hull. All available for raffle.
Further edit, Meli Burgueño has donated a poster!
This brings me to the 2nd topic: AIDS/LifeCycle. In one month 3000 other likeminded folks and I will be embarking on a 7 day, 545 mile ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles. I want to do this because I want to break past the mental hurdle of what I currently think is possible on my bike. I also want to give back to my vibrant San Francisco community. The AIDS Foundation keeps people alive, prevents future infections and helps eliminate the stigma still surrounding HIV and AIDS. It matters. It feels really awesome to be a part of this amazing community.
Here's my team profile pic, it's freakin hilarious:
Speaking of ALC, our training last week took us up Mt. Tam to the 7 Sisters (or bitches as some call them). The climb up to Alpine Dam and the top of the ridge was fine because it was covered, but once we got up on the ridge, it was exposed and hot and I ran out of water. That's the first time I've ever been nauseous on the bike. Thanks to the Training Ride Leader who had V8, it saved me from tossing my cookies all over the bitches. It's a good thing these ladies are pretty, because they are a little bit brutal.
I can barely contain my excitement about number 3. I will FINALLY have something interesting (at least it feels interesting to me) to show for Apparel Arts!! To me it feels like my process photos all look the same, paper patterns, muslins. All this translates to white, beige, boring??
Anyhoo, I have two more skirt projects to finish before I can move on to the 2 fashion fabric skirts. I have had my inspiration for months, I don't want to reveal anything because I don't want to set any expectations. I also have to go to the fabric store and I *hope* that is successful.
The above is a photo of the 2nd to the last skirt project: a contoured waistband skirt with free hanging lining. Then I draft a straight waistband/with a secured lining.
That's THREE AWESOME complicated interests. My goal book will be thrilled. I am excited.
Also not be missed. Polk Street changes. Please sign this petition to show support for making it a beautiful pedestrian/bikey thoroughfare: http://www.change.org/petitions/forward-on-polk-with-the-complete-streets-project This is what I want San Francisco to be!!
Babycakes and I had a super time at Al's Attire getting some custom things made by a local artisan. Very excited about my custom shoes! Look at the mess we made, there is fabric and wine and cheese littering that table top... It was a good time.
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
On
Ugh it's another one of those weeks. It feels like I can't get to the grocery store to get anything healthy to eat, I'm not getting enough sleep and I am cranky-pants and exhausted.
My 'sh'edule has worked its way to being FULL one week, then I'm off a week. This week is on, with something after work Monday-Wednesday. Then Thursday I should ride. Friday night sit, then just spin the wheel all weekend with errands and balancing time with my babay and training. It definitely starts to feel like things are out of control. Also work is picking up for the Summer.
Positives:
• Completed circle skirt and box pleat/accordian pleat skirt this week in Apparel Arts.
• Made a new sloper to reflect the two inches I've lost off my waist and hips since January!
• Started drafting a contoured waistband skirt, only a couple more exercises before I make two skirts out of fashion fabric. I have plenty of ideas!
• The Pelican looks great and on trend with neon accessories for Spring.
• I like the new short reach SOMA HWY1 bars
• Took the Rivet saddle out for a 90 miler Sunday, I think I like it. Still needs more testing.
• Love the way the Swift Industries tool roll looks on the Pelican.
• My legs felt good on the bike this morning.
• I can highly recommend drawrrrring Lucha Libre masked models at least once in your lifetime.
The music at Dr Sketchy's last night was really really great, had some help from Pamela Palma and Jesse Mullan this time around. The Frida soundtrack is fantastic. Still loving the Lumineers. Especially 'Slow it Down'. The new Bowie album is taking a while to grow on me, 'The Stars (Are Out Tonight)' is a goodie. Rodrigo y Gabriela play some mean acoustic guitars, of course their cover of Stairway to Heaven is amazing.
I endeavor to take a deep breath before talking this week. Everything is too close to the surface and unfiltered shit just keeps pouring out of my mouth.
My 'sh'edule has worked its way to being FULL one week, then I'm off a week. This week is on, with something after work Monday-Wednesday. Then Thursday I should ride. Friday night sit, then just spin the wheel all weekend with errands and balancing time with my babay and training. It definitely starts to feel like things are out of control. Also work is picking up for the Summer.
Positives:
• Completed circle skirt and box pleat/accordian pleat skirt this week in Apparel Arts.
• Made a new sloper to reflect the two inches I've lost off my waist and hips since January!
• Started drafting a contoured waistband skirt, only a couple more exercises before I make two skirts out of fashion fabric. I have plenty of ideas!
• The Pelican looks great and on trend with neon accessories for Spring.
• I like the new short reach SOMA HWY1 bars
• Took the Rivet saddle out for a 90 miler Sunday, I think I like it. Still needs more testing.
• Love the way the Swift Industries tool roll looks on the Pelican.
• My legs felt good on the bike this morning.
• I can highly recommend drawrrrring Lucha Libre masked models at least once in your lifetime.
The music at Dr Sketchy's last night was really really great, had some help from Pamela Palma and Jesse Mullan this time around. The Frida soundtrack is fantastic. Still loving the Lumineers. Especially 'Slow it Down'. The new Bowie album is taking a while to grow on me, 'The Stars (Are Out Tonight)' is a goodie. Rodrigo y Gabriela play some mean acoustic guitars, of course their cover of Stairway to Heaven is amazing.
I endeavor to take a deep breath before talking this week. Everything is too close to the surface and unfiltered shit just keeps pouring out of my mouth.
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Have been feeling poorly
Enjoy some photos.
Big Rock on Lucas Valley Road.
Babycakes before Cirque du Soleil.
Some ladies at Viva Las Vegas. The Satorialist happened to be there.
We're drawing April in Paris at Dr Sketchy's on Tuesday. See ya there!
Also, if you care about changing a neighborhood landscape for the better, please consider reading about Polk Street improvements and signing this petition.
Sign here: http://tinyurl.com/cuwyoyj
Big Rock on Lucas Valley Road.
Babycakes before Cirque du Soleil.
Some ladies at Viva Las Vegas. The Satorialist happened to be there.
We're drawing April in Paris at Dr Sketchy's on Tuesday. See ya there!
Also, if you care about changing a neighborhood landscape for the better, please consider reading about Polk Street improvements and signing this petition.
Sign here: http://tinyurl.com/cuwyoyj
Friday, March 22, 2013
It was a good week
I think it was the right amount of 'doing' and 'reflecting' and 'puttering', as Bill says. I guess I didn't really have to make any major compromises, and I got to spend a lot of time by myself Saturday to reset things, do homework and be creative.
Some of my favorite time is spend at home listening to music, while artmaking or sewing. Sometimes there is dancing. I do wish that I had more of this.
We saw a documentary on Johnny Cash a couple of weeks ago. One of the memorable topics was the series of albums that he recorded before he died. There was a lot of time spent on the song 'Hurt', a cover of Trent Reznor's song. Of course I had to go get this album. Two big favorites on the album are of course 'Hurt' and 'Streets of Laredo'. Again songs that reflect on death have been resonating with me.
My uncle passed away this week. This was my father's brother, he has been in full time care for a while and also had dementia. So there's that.
I spent Saturday drafting an 8 section skirt called a gore. The skirt has pleats between every section and I chose to make knife pleats, sort of reminded me of plaid skirts that I had in high school. Of course I wore them with thigh high stockings and mary janes, that was the uniform of the time. The skirt was actually too big, I am shrinking and my body is changing due to all the bike riding.
Sunday was spend with the AIDS/LifeCycle Cat 2 training series hosted by the Positive Pedlers. My teammates (Team Unpopular) and I were up and at the Sports Basement at the crack of dawn's ass.
The ride went out to Fairfax, then to Nicassio, around the reservoir and back around through Samuel P Taylor to Lagunitas. Then home. 70 miles is about what I'm doing every Sunday. We'll increase the mileage and frequency as it gets into April/May.
It was a beautiful day. I felt strong on most of the ride. I followed a fellow affectionately referred to as 'Uncle Larry' up White's Hill and just took my time, this stretch gets easier every time!
I struggle with the rollers out on the Nicassio road, I run out of steam on the uphills and it always takes me a little while to get into the rhythm of them. This is to note and to practice.
Friday, March 15, 2013
Right now, it's like this
It was a little bit of a challenging weekend. Saturday and Sunday were busy and I really just felt like hanging around the house.
I participated in a fun event on Saturday. Pushbike had a sale and swap on the sidewalk of their shop. I sold some tires, pedals and a bag...then turned around and got some Pushbike armwarmers. +$60, -$40. +$20 overall, woo! The sun was out and people had beers in hand.
I volunteered for the first shift of the SF Randonneurs' Russian River 300k. The first riders came in right after I arrived at 5, they finished at 5:03 which is 11 hours and 3 minutes after the start. Holy hot foot Batman, these guys are fast.
From 5-8pm, we probably checked in 30-40 riders. It is really nice to welcome everyone in and give them a chocolate milk, though it was frickin cold. We processed the brevet cards and got everyone signed in. My shift ended at 8pm.
I hit the pillow early so that I could get up with no light, thank you daylight savings time, and get to an 8am meetup with some ALC folks. My friend Tia has been riding with these peeps for a while and she joined their team, which is known as Team Unpopular.
Lots of silliness ensued at the start, these guys have moxie in spades. We followed the same route that other ALC training rides were doing that day, out to China Camp with a mini Tiburon loop at the end.
Jesse, Tommy, Shelly and John had me laughing the whole day. I like the flamboyance and craziness of this group and plan on riding with them every Sunday.
Apparel Arts is slow and steady. I finished and tried on two skirts on Monday, it does feel awesome to have my teacher check off all the finished patterns from my list. Here is a list of all the skirt muslins that I have drafted since I started the class in January. Feels nice to list them out, also feels nice to have them hanging in the closet. One day I'll get to sew them in fashion fabric!
- single dart
- double dart
- yoke slit skirt
- empire pencil kick pleat
- pleated godet
- lowered waist/seamed
- button placket
Next week we draw again at Dr Sketchy's, this time it's curves for days with Miss Alotta Boutté!
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