Put the Lotion in the Basket...

I've been off having adventures, sleeping, and acclimating to my new job, which is located in San Francisco's most prominent open-air shopping center and office park. It's a weird environment; everywhere I go, there's something to buy! Shoes, coffee, lotion, chocolates, clothes, spatulas...it's all there, and it's all in my face. I'm considering not bringing any money to work so I don't have to deal with the temptation any more. I realized, though, that I'll never need to buy hand lotion again if I rotate using samples at the five beauty stores within a one-block radius. Sweet Jesus!

The best thing about working in a mall is the music piped in from the sky. Usually it's some pleasant piano, but this week they started playing "spooky music" for Halloween. It's a pretty creative mix; instead of just "Monster Mash" over and over again, they're really stretching it. On my break, I heard ELO's "Evil Woman," and as I left work, I heard one of my super-favorite jams, "Season of the Witch" by Donovan. It's a weirdly sexy song that's been rightly covered by tons of bands, and I present it to you now accompanied by a witchy scene from George Romero's film of the same name.

Mrs. Muir: Fashion Icon?

I'm kind of obsessed with The Ghost and Mrs. Muir right now. It is the perfect mid-October movie! I'm a firm believer that certain movies should be watched during certain months.



Seasonal viewing--it's like seasonal eating; natural and good for you. Withnail and I is a January for sure, Amelie in March, and of course, I pack December with the zillions of holiday-themed movies that just feel weird any other time of the year.


I also like wearing seasonal clothes and colors, but you knew that already. Here's an incredible autumny haircomb from Etsy seller The Honeycomb--I love all these new hair fashions that totally work on short-haired peoples.

Apparently my new office is directly across from the Easy Spirit flagship store, which looks just like all the other Easy Spirit stores. Easy Spirits have a bad rep for being hideous comfort shoes (remember that commercial with all the businesswomen playing basketball in their high heels?), but they seem to be improving.

I've been coveting a pair of fall oxfords for a while, and after searching high and low for the perfect ones, I discovered they were right in front of me the whole time at Easy Spirit.
I think these are just the shoes Mrs. Muir might have worn while walking the beach, don't you? More Mrs. Muir fashions coming tomorrow!

I've been wanting to make this hat for a while, and this wintry weather finally pushed me over the edge! I got the yarn at Piedmont Yarn near my house, and the pattern here. It's a wee bit small, but my big head should stretch it out.

The Greatest Shower Song of All Time

I used to be a big shower-music-listener; in a bunch of my former homes we had a stereo in the bathroom for morning perk-up jams. However, because I can hear people silently farting from three apartments away in this building, I've refrained from setting up a boom box in the john. Common courtesy, you know.

Along with shower-music-listening comes shower-music-singing. Here's a power ballad I've been thinking of lately as I drag myself to places I don't really want to go. Don't be afraid just 'cause it's Barbra.

I love making jewelry. It's really soothing to play with all the tiny pieces. And you don't have to deal with an unreliable sewing machine.

I start a new job tomorrow that should last the rest of the year. I hope it suits me as much as the job I worked last week, where I got paid to gorge on free food in the nicest office I've ever seen--my very own big white desk with world-class views of the bay. Here's hoping!

Everything is Amazing, Nobody's Happy

Hey guys! If you're online as much as I am, you've probably seen the video clip of Louis CK on Conan O'Brien, "Everything is Amazing, Nobody's Happy." I have to thank my awesome friend Clare for sending it my way. If you haven't, watch it now.

Louis CK is one of the funniest people on earth, and he totally rips us all a new one with this bit. It's also kind of a hilarious way to talk about mindfulness, really being conscious of what's going on around you and in your own mind. Along with my morning handful of SSRI's, mindfulness is something I use to fight depression; it helps.

This next video is an interview with Louis, talking about how he developed the bit and how things have changed even more since he first performed it. I'm way into stand-up comedy and how jokes get created and tinkered with, so I was riveted, but he also says a lot more about expectations vs. reality, and how we could all take a step back for just a second. Spot on!

Hardly Strictly Something

We're not so good at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, SF's yearly free festival of various musics. Oh, we go every year with big plans to stay all weekend and see all the best bands, but between bad timing, huge crowds, public transportation drama, and general social discomfort, we usually end seeing half a band and hitting the road.

Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Today we watched Aimee Mann's set, which was pleasant enough from hundreds of feet away, ate some salami sandwiches, split a beer, and got hit repeatedly by a Frisbee-throwing toddler. Instead of sticking around to see Neko Case, we walked through Golden Gate Park to the beach.

It was windy. There were jellyfish. It was beautiful. Then we walked back up to catch the N-Judah. On the way there, we found this.

That's right, an abandoned dollhouse. I'm sorry, but I would rather encounter a filthy ramshackle doll mansion than see a rock show. And that's what makes me special. Very special.

Narcissism

I like to sit in my backyard and do a little self-portraiture sometimes.

Usually I already have the camera out for taking pictures of something else (like my doll, you know?)

I think overexposure is the greatest thing ever. Photography-wise, that is.

City Livin'

I've been blessed with some great free stuff lately. At my temp job yesterday, where a lucky group of world-renowned "continence specialists" (read: pee doctors!) enjoyed a grand party at the Carnelian Room, there were tons of gorgeous and super-expensive flower arrangements left over. The event team basically forced an arrangement on each temp; they would have gone straight to the trash otherwise.

Mine was beautiful, a mix of purple dahlias and white orchids, but it weighed about 8000 pounds. I could barely lift it. But I had to take it, I just had to! As I tottered down Montgomery Street back to the BART station, it quickly became clear that my weeny little arms would not be able to carry it all the way home,. I looked around for a person to give it to, but the streets were mostly empty. I thought about leaving it on the ground or on top of a trash can, but that seemed depressing. I staggered on, hoping that I'd run into someone who looked like they might accept a huge flower arrangement from a stranger.

Turns out, the second I saw the BART workers in their little ticket booth, I knew they were the meant-to-be recipients of my floral burden. I went up to the window, said my piece, "This sounds weird, but..." and moments later, having handed the vase over to a totally stoked lady, ran down the steps empty-handed. It was awesome.

I also procured a free dining table and chairs recently, which made me excited about home decor again! Here are some pics of my little city cottage.

My brother and I.

Tin friends.

China collection.

Sewing station.

The table! I am a lucky lady.

Neighborhoody Times

Some days, I love Oakland so much! Yesterday (when I was supposed to be at the DMV) I found this vintage Barbie outfit and matching velvet purse at the East Bay Depot for Creative Reuse.

That place is magical; you'd think it would be both overpriced and picked over by the thousands of hipsters here, but there is always something great to be found for practically nothing.

I also introduced the owner of Issues (the greatest magazine shop in California) to the wonderful world of Blythe. Can you believe not everyone in the world knows the storied history of Blythe? Me neither. She then showed me some insane doll collector magazines.

I bought a magazine for the first time in forever; most of the time I can't bring myself to buy them because it breaks my heart to throw them away. I have a problem.

The Dirty Post--NSFW, NSFMM (not safe for work or my mom)

More from last month's trip to the Northwest: I came across this enchanting display of vintage dirty books at Portland's best "alternative" bookstore, Counter Media. The owner let me take some pictures of my favorites.

These books are merely an intro to the most hilarious internet offering in a while. This video combines two of my favorite things: the Muppets and filthy music. Here's Miss Piggy singing a Peaches classic. You will be amazed.