I'm not homeless

Night of Joy

2011-04-24T23:37:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Happy Easter!

So much news, SO many good things! I have been M.I.A. cause the end of last year sucked so badly I was in a funk and the beginning of this year has rocked so hard I haven't had time to stop and write it all down. I am on a roll and don't wanna jinx it!

Take a look at this:

YES! Last night I was blessed enough to watch Robert Plant perform at The Greek Theater!

EEEEEEEEP!

It was divine! It was surreal! It was...breathtaking.

(Photo by Julian Hernandez)

I was in complete awe. I was so unprepared to be in the presence of The Golden God himself. And I wasn't even sitting that close!

At 9:15pm they opened with Led Zeppelin's Black Dog, although it sounded very little like it, and ended an extremely short hour and a half later with And We Bid You Goodnight, which had been immediately preceded by *GASP* my favorite: Gallows Pole!!! ACK! ♥Swoon!♥ I was in heaven!

(Photo by Julian Hernandez)

In between those were 4 other Zeppelin songs (Black Country Woman, That's the Way, Houses of the Holy, and Ramble On) Please Read the Letter which is a Page/Plant song that he brought back with Allison Krauss in 2007. There were 4 or 5 songs off the new Self titled Band of Joy album as well, Angel Dance being my favorite and the one I am most familiar with. All of it was amazing though. Not a rock concert, he's not doing that these days, but just a magical night. Good reviews HERE and HERE. I'll leave it up to them as I am not a music journalist, just a huge Robert Plant fan that spaced out and drooled on the terrace for an hour and a half.

Let's add to the magic by saying I went for free cause I WON TICKETS!! Yes, WON. Last Saturday night, from KLOS radio. I was the 25th caller. I cried. Well, I also cried last night when I got home. Realizing that it had all really happened, I had just lived it and it was over. I still can't believe I won tickets. It wasn't a completely free night as I had to pay for parking and get a shirt of course, hehe. I don't get a kickback or anything for mentioning KLOS, I am just a really lucky fan that called almost every time they gave away tickets, for 3 months. I was stunned when I won. Still am.

I woke up panicked this morning cause it was over. I was devastated. I didn't have it to look forward to anymore. It's over now. I have been waiting, as you know, for years to see him. And for over a year now that this tour has started, to see my dear Robert in my hometown. I nearly chased him to Arizona, was given a glimmer of hope he would be out this way by Neal Preston at last years Festival of Books, and then lost hope and felt disappointed and cheated when he left for the U.K. during the fall.

In January they announced more tour dates, including Santa Barbara Bowl and, The Greek Theater, LOS ANGELES! Eeeek! I was so excited, but couldn't really afford it. I knew they would give away tickets and something told me to wait. In the interest in going with my gut, which I had resolved to do recently, henceforth, I listened. It was a week to go, and I was getting nervous about my decision not to buy tickets. It was the third or forth time that day The Man and I had tried to call, and one of the countless times the phone was ringing, not just beeping. I had just heard it ring, and they told me I was caller 12. I was halfway there! No way was I gonna make it in another time, they probably had their winner. Kept redialing anyway. It rang. And rang, and rang. Then, an answer. Had I won anything from KLOS in the last 60 days? No...I gulped. The man looked at me with big eyes. Would I like to go see Robert Plant at The Greek?

EEEEEEEEEK! I screamed into the phone! I cried. "Oh my god! Thank you so much! I am the biggest Robert Plant fan! Oh thank you so much!"

I won tickets to see my beautiful Robert Plant people. Sometimes the planets do align and amazing things do happen. Life is so blessed!

P.S. I will probably gush about this a few more times, brace yourself, it was pretty intense and I am gonna be a full on dorky girl about it. The Man likened me to an Elvis fan last night, crying and swooning over a singer. Haha! *blush*.

~Sydney

The B.W.O. Yo!

2010-10-20T02:04:00.000-07:00

I would like to take advantage of the fact that I am sitting in front of my computer not for work, and inspired all at the same time to tell you a great idea brought about by one of my favorite artists.

Look to your right. You see that cute little badge? It makes me feel all the better about writing when I feel the inclination to do so.

The Amazing Tiffany Electra X, the brains and beauty behind Tartx. I have a few of her gorgeous necklaces, love them! (I am not being paid for this shamelss plug, I really do love this gal's stuff). While rummaging through her blog I came across this great POST and that great badge about Blogging without Obligation.

Ms. X talks about how much she hates to see (read) people stressing out about not posting often enough, or how bad the feel about not producing enough content or at the prescribed pace you have set for yourself. The thing is, you have set it for yourself. In a forum you have created, originally, for yourself, no? If this is your creative outlet, you should enjoy it! Blog without the stress baby!

Creative Outlets

2010-10-20T01:40:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Wow, October has just flown by! So much going on, still disoriented, disorganized and a bit depressed. This is usually my favorite month, I haven't paid much attention this year. I am working two jobs (as well as possible) and Mr. is working weekends, so I have mostly stayed in, worked on being creative.

Here is a card I made for my friend Cristina's birthday at the beginning of the month:

I really like how it turned out. I am working on getting some more college stuff together, by organizing the things I have. I want a nice set or drawers to sort stuff into, but I want nice ones...this will do, but it's still out of my price range.

I have also spent time sorting through photos, scanning them and posting them on Facebook for family far away to see as well. I had no idea that a couple of them had never been seen before.

That baby sitting between her brothers is my grandmother, in Chicago, 1917.
This has inspired my photoshop work, I am taking my time trying to make it look good.

Before leaving you this evening (morning?) I have to add that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Check your breasts! Here's a handy guide! HERE.

Rest In Peace Mr. Bonham

2010-09-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

2010-09-19T19:02:00.000-07:00

"The rhythm of the weekend, with its birth, its planned gaieties, and its announced end, followed the rhythm of life and was a substitute for it."

~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Robert Plant Interview Pt 1 Fallon 9/13 (TheAudioPer.com)

2010-09-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

Did you see Robert Plant on Jimmy Fallon on Minday?
Eeeep! It was so good!
I was so surprised that Band of Joy didn't play, they did the night before in New York to promote the new album.

2010-08-23T11:23:00.000-07:00

"In the hopes of reaching the moon men fail to see the flowers that blossom at their feet."

~Albert Schweitzer

Saturday Happy Song - Li'l Red Riding Hood - Sam the Sham and the Pharoahs (1966)

2010-08-21T14:25:00.000-07:00

I came across this on Sur La Lune Fairy Tales Blog today and just had to share.
I love that this person edited it together with a Betty Boop video, I frickin love Betty Boop (I just can't stand all the crappy souvenirs that she get's stuck on in Hollywood.)

Rundown of the month gone by

2010-08-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

So, in the interest of continuing to keep my sanity AND not allow this blog to be entirely consumed by Robert Plant (although that could be totally worth it, but I have other interests) I'm gonna ramble off another post. July flew by, the entire month was a win; I had SO much fun! We had fireworks, bonfires, drunken escapades in Long Beach and Hollywood, Hot Tubs, Bike rides on Venice Beach, and 100 year old Balsamic.

August has been more, trying...We did a great photo shoot in the beginning of the month, and it left me quite inspired.

The Man and Ms. Jillian modeled in an engagement style shoot cause Richie is gonna be shooting a wedding in November and I always look for excuses to work on my photographs cause...well if I don't force it a little right now it doesn't happen. I hate to say it, but it's true.I hope to have the whole set finished on Monday night now, there are so many other projects....

Last Friday we went to The Getty Villa which also left me itching to work on the post production of my photography. I am also trying to make a dent in my dept however, and that has taken up a lot of my thought space lately. Working from home has presented a whole new set of challenges and the art has suffered, again. I am working out the bumps, stay tuned.

(Richard Castaeñda)
In other news, last Sunday we went up to Santa Barbara and saw Primus. It was one of the best shows I have been to in a while, Les Claypool is always a good time. I have never seen Primus. Les Claypool yes, 5 or 6 times now, but not Primus. It was a good show. Mr. Claypool was not very talkative, and they ended abruptly after a spirited encore of Southbound Pachyderm and Too Many Puppies; but still totally worth the drive AND the sweaty shirtless hippies! Richie had the great forethought to bring the perfect camera and got some amazing pictures. Do make sure you read the accompanying review.

Got lots of belly dance practice in last week! I am can almost completely roll my belly now!
That's about all the good news I have...I am gonna go read, have lots of that to catch up on too. I'll be back with some other random stuff later, and lots of pictures as they get edited. Have a great Saturday!

~Hell

Happy Birthday Robert!

2010-08-20T23:39:00.000-07:00

WOW.

Just one really big wow. I am in awe in so many ways. So, so many ways. I can't believe it's been over a month since I said anything here, I can't believe how fast this month has flown by, I can't believe how fast this WEEK has flown by! It's already Friday again! I really can't believe it's Robert Plant's birthday and I totally forgot! What the hell?I needed the radio to tell me, and that didn't happen till an hour ago when I went out to take my father home and buy ice cream. What the hell man, I have been so...out of touch.

I got this job, and I am working form home, and it rocks. But, I am having a hard time getting enough hours in to live comfortably because, some weeks are just freaking hell. This was one of those weeks...But I digress. The point is I am totally obsessed for some completely unexplainable reason to Robert Plant, and on this day 62 years ago he was brought into this world from some amazing portion of heaven to forever change music by singing in one of the most powerful rock bands in history.
Yes, I realize that he is only 2 years younger than my own father, it's creepy for some of you, blah blah blah. Well get over it, Mr. Plant is still an amazing singer and that makes him sexy. Very Sexy. In fact, look how great he looks in his very recently updated home page photo:

He just finished a one moth tour of the mostly southern portion of America and will be touring Europe and the U.K. starting Sept. 2nd.

No other dates in America are planned. Neal Preston was misinformed! Drat! Well, that's ok. We still have youtube!
Here's Robert singing one of my favorites Tall Cool One in Austin Texas last month:

The audio doesn't rock, but Robert's still got it. The Man found this great one of Robert having to excuse the bands horrible confusion of songs on the flu, I ove the way he smiles in this one, I love that he calls NyQuil and Dayquil the "Night Nurse and Day Nurse", EEEEK! So fricken cute!

♥ Happy Birthday Robert! ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

I ♥ you SO much! Rock on!

Band of Joy

2010-07-13T15:07:00.000-07:00

(photo)

Mr. Plant was honored with a star on the Orpheum Theater's sidewalk in Memphis Tn. this morning! Such a great picture of him too! Tonight he will play there, kicking off 12 show tour, only lasting for the month of July, only in the south. Boo! The closest he gets to me on this tour is Phoenix Az. I wanted to go, but have been so broke it's not funny. Also, when I met Neal Preston in April and got my copy of Led Zeppelin singed he told me not to worry, Robert wouldn't completely avoid Los Angeles.

(Cynthia Fox from KLOS, Neal Preston, and I @ UCLA Festival of books)

Well, it looks like this tour, I'll be missing out. I can't wait to read the reviews and see the bad cell phone video on youtube, and really, I'm not that worried. The album is out in September, I'm pretty sure this is just the warm up part of the tour, and who wanted to drive two states away?..I did.

Please, please Robert announce more tour dates!

I don't think I posted this, I wanted to scan some of the pages to give you a look at what an amazing book of photography this is. Neal Preston is freaking gifted, and the nicest guy! It reads: "To Sydney, give my regards to Culver City" right over Robert's beautiful silhouette.

The Dark Master, in his youth

2010-07-09T13:24:00.000-07:00

Image via Wikipedia

Those that know me well could probably ramble off the short list of my all time favorite bands because I am so very, very obsessed with them. I like music from all over the world, however, if I were to narrow it down to music I couldn't live with out; music that I would require to keep me sane on my proverbial desert island it would come down to about 5 bands. Sadly or not most are rock, I realize Led Zeppelin is a given here seeing as I have sung loudly the praises of one Robert Plant. I also realize, startlingly in fact, that you wouldn't be able to claim to know me so well without one vital piece of information I have neglected to mention in this space: I love, LOVE, LOVE...Oingo Boingo.

In the earlier days of seeing each other, The Man and I realized we were having one of those I'm really gonna like this person moments when I asked if he liked Oingo Boingo and it happened to be the CD he had grabbed to put on.

The music of Oingo Boingo shaped my youth and may be a very good indicator as to why I am so...unique.

Anyhow, you can imagine how surprised and delighted I was to find this as I was going through my fathers slides:

That is an approximately 20 year old Danny Elfman, in approximately 1974, on the beach in Venice California. EEEEEEK! What a fricking find!

The Mystic Knights of the Oingo Boingo formed in 1972 by Danny's older brother Richard Elfman as a performance art group that toured large parts of the world. In 1976 Richard retired the group to Danny who turned it into the Punk/New Wave wonder that took over the 1980's and toured for 17 more years.

Incidentally I also happen to have a photo of Richard taken on the same day!!

Double Eeeeeeek!

Both Elfman brothers in one day! I nearly fell over when we found these. There are a few more, of the band in costume, with instruments. I haven't photoshopped those yet, so I'll post them later. Till then you can just bask in this rare and amazing Boingo find.

Love

2010-07-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

"The hardest-learned lesson: that people have only their kind of love to give, not our kind."

~Mignon McLaughlin, The Neurotic's Notebook, 1960

The Apple's full of speed

2010-07-04T00:53:00.000-07:00

Oh my freaking GAWD! Came across this on channel 5.2 here in L.A. or "This."

The Movie is Called The Apple, 1980, directed by Menahem Golan, chorographed by, get this: Nigel Lythgoe! (from So You Think You Can Dance. I dance, so I watch.) Set in the distant future year of 1994! 1994 people! No one actually dressed like Jem in 1994! That was all over by like, 1986....

So for the now really late Saturday Happy Song, just in time for 4th of July, America is on Speed! Yippeee, we're all gonna die!

Happy 4th of July, Friday faves

2010-07-02T19:37:00.000-07:00

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★★ ★ ★★ ★★

(PHOTO)

Hello, Happy Friday!

How was everyone's week? Ready for the long weekend? I sure am! I have no real plans other than helping a friend move, trying to find someplace to watch the race (if we're finished moving), and figuring out what to do for the 4th on sunday. We will be with friends of course, just not sure what else yet. What are you gonna go do? I love 4th of July, I love summer. Barbecue and beer and fireworks, how can you beat that? I suppose I should add how wonderful it's been to be an independent country, how amazing America is and how proud I am to be American. All those things are true, I have never lived anywhere else, have very little travel experience and truly love living here. Without much to compare it too, how could I say anything bad right?

Well...our great country has had a few...struggles over the last, 40 or so years and right now it's in an awful slump. I am not going to explain all the details of how I feel, this is not about the politics side of America this weekend. It's celebrating the best part, of the U.S.A. in all American style, with large portions of grilled meat, copious amounts of alcohol and setting stuff on fire and releasing it into the heavens!

So what has kept me entertained, enlightened, and inspired this week?

★The Consumerist. I know, where the hell have I been eh? Well, I didn't really spend any time at the consumerist till I was stuck in an edit bay in Burbank yesterday waiting for The Man to finish up a session with a client. I googled "cutting sugar out of your life" cause I'm fat and need to do that and this great story about a woman suing over Fruit Roll Ups not being healthy came up. I was hooked, this whole site has some of the best weird news stories!

★Historic Lolz are amazing!

★ Also on the amazing just because it has funny funny things and anything that makes me laugh belongs here because laughter is the best thing in the world to make me feel better category is: Hyperbole and a Half!

Go, read, now. Then, laugh till it hurts. Also a blog that has been around for a bit, so maybe you have already seen it. I'm alway out of the loop but that's what makes my links so crazy fun!

★ Great Tee shirts designed by real people.

★ Do you need ANYTHING belly dance related? L.A. Raqs (pronounced Rocks, get it?) is THE place. Love this site!

★ Also, in case your not sure what Raqs means, I found THIS handy glossary of belly dance terms!

★Small Swords Magazine's Salute to the Greatest Crotches in Rock History smade me laugh out loud, litterly. Who's #1 on this list? That's right, my secret agent lover man, Robert Plant. YES!

"The crotch of Robert Plant should be considered the fifth instrument of Zeppelin."

♥ AMEN! ♥

★Artist and Sexologist Annie Sprinkle's site is informative, inspiring, hilarious, thought provoking and BRIGHT PINK! I can't wait for her Love Art Lab's purple wedding to the moon in October! (NSFW)

★This Photo (also NSFW)

★ Gypsy Lady Hats Etsy shop RULES! I want a tiny top hat! Eeeep!

★ Last but definitely not least, last weekend Jillian took me to The Annenberg Space for Photography for the opening of Pictures of the Year International. Breath taking. Absolutely amazing photographs. If you are in Los Angeles you must go, closes on October 10th, but I wouldn't wait that long!

Ok, have a great 4th of July everyone, be safe, don't drink and drive, don't burn your hands off.

Peace!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Happy 100!

2010-06-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

It's my 100th post!
Yay! I can't believe I have stuck with this silly little blog for 100 posts. It's turning out to be a pretty great little outlet actually. It's still a little all over the place, but, it's turning into a tiny shrine of all the things I love.

To those that read this, thanks for sticking with me. It's one long commentary on my life, all the things that make it so great. I started here, a year and a half ago, and I gotta tell you looking back on this I have a much brighter outlook on life! I remember this day, but, I don't remember many like it lately. Starting during that same time back in November I also started reading How to Win Friends and Influence People, Happiness Project, Think Simple Now, and The Positive Life. I actively started looking for the best part of every day and focusing on that. Counting the blessings each day holds is a very powerful mood enhancer. I have of course followed amazing people like: Gala Darling, Nubby Twiglet, Richard Castaneda, Hunter S. Thompson, and Violet Blue for awhile. People doing what they want with their lives and loving it can teach you a lot.

A year and a half, and 100 posts in I am having a great time and loving my life a lot more than when I started. I still have off days, but we all do. I have resolved to learn from it and do better in the future, creating a stronger, wiser person each day.

Here's to the next 100 posts!

Zucchini Bread @ Midnight!

2010-06-27T03:38:00.000-07:00

I figured since I was on a posting roll I'd get one more in before I hit the ol' hay. Almost 2 weeks ago Jillian brought over a bunch of food that she wasn't going to be eating while she couch surfed. This plethora for the senses included 6 squash, 3 zucchini and 3 yellow patty pan. We don't really eat squash. It's good and all, but I prefer the big butternut squash, or pumpkin to summer squash. So, I had to use it up, can't let food go to waste right? So of course that means...Zucchini Bread!!

Yay!

It's actually summer squash bread since I used all the squash in it. I used this recipe from 101 Cookbooks. I reduced the curry to 1 teaspoon instead of the tablespoon, got sick of chopping crystalized ginger and added a teaspoon of ground to make up for the last bit I didn't chop and added a teaspoon of cardamom cause I didn't have any lemon to zest.

It's Soooo Goood!

The depth and complexity of flavor is amazing. I wish I had more nuts than just the little sprinkle on the top, and really I can't wait to try it with actual lemon zest cause I really love lemon. But it's gonna rock my breakfast world in about 5 hours.
Goodnight!

Rush, Rush!

2010-06-27T03:07:00.000-07:00

Friday we went and stood in the hot sun to watch one of The Man's favorite bands, Rush receive their star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! I have never been to a star dedication before, now I know why...so many people!

I never did find Jason Segal, so either he wasn't there or...I don't know I couldn't see anything!!

Thank the goddess for a 300mm lens 'eh?

ESPN, Must Bar, Father's Day

2010-06-27T02:58:00.000-07:00

I love the weekend. I know I am either out of work or working from home lately, but, magical things happen on the weekends. This past weekend rocked just as much as any have this last month, but this time my dad was in tow and that always makes things more interesting.

Saturday night I belly danced at The Key Club in Hollywood! I had a great time, even though the crowd was expecting a different night...I danced for Rebelle Jacobs, a punk witch thrown into a rap showcase at the Key Club. She and her band made the best of it though, I closed the set with a dance and we all had a great time!

I have one crappy picture because I parked several blocks away and wasn't sure if I could bring in a camera. Apparently I want to be the queen of horrible cell phone pictures on my blog. Or maybe, deep down I want to confuse the fuck out of all of you because either I pay no attention to if the pictures are good, or I put so much damn work into creating a magnificent photograph that it's all I post. Either way, it keeps you on your toes, no? Also, Viza played on the main stage that night and even though I only got to hear 2 songs they both rocked!

Sunday we got up way late cause we're lazy, and went to ESPN Zone in the Nokia Center downtown. It's...loud. They were all really nice people, but the NASCAR race we wanted to see was on one of the super small screens across the room. We did drop a hefty dime on beer (because I didn't know they were quarts, he just said "large") so during the last 10 laps the bar tender switched it to a screen closer to us, but we still didn't get any audio. Jimmy Johnson won in case ya missed it.

We then walked like, 14 blocks to The Must Bar. We passed through The Biltmore Hotel, and if you have never walked through you totally have to! It was breathtaking! No photos, cause I knew I would just frustrate myself and I was gonna do that anyway at dinner.

I won a Citysearch raffle at The Grilled Cheese Innovational for a free dinner at The Must Bar and went to see if it was still good. After a call to the owner they said they would honor it and we were off! Our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we ordered a ton of food. And several Raging Bitch Ale's (we didn't know till I just looked it up that it was special 20th anniversary issue...no wonder it was so pricy....), everything amazed and delighted. We chose Connect Four out of the large stack of board games by the door and had a seat.

We started with a lovely wine and cheese plate, Fiscalini Bandaged Wrapped Cheddar and Roaring '40's blue accompanied prosciutto, bread, grapes, walnuts and dried fruit. IT all went really well with our beer choice, and really I would come back just for this portion of the meal. That cheddar was amazing! We then had the tater-tots ( I neglected to photograph these), they come with a creamy melted cheese sauce and a smoky ranch. Really good, not...heavy or greasy, these were light and tatery. I also ordered the happy hour portion of grilled cheese, (which was delicious but unnecessary after the cheese plate and tot sauce) and the Green Goddess Salad. The salad was very good also, my only lament being there is some sort of mustard in the dressing I was not aware of from the description and I don't really care for it. It was not offensive, but I would have chosen something else. Have I mentioned I am a weirdly picky eater? Yeah, there's that too.

The Man had the Steak Frits and loved every bite, I can't comment as i didn't taste it (in addition to being all picky about what I eat I am also vegetarian due to some deep guilt laid on me in my youth). Dad had the Mac & Cheese and the Portobello Sliders. His only complaint being the portions were too small, but he doesn't understand gourmet dining, which is exactly what it was but at a much more reasonable price. Had we not ordered the fancy beer we would have had money left over!

We finished our meal based solely on the Yelp recommendations and got the Fluffernutter, a grilled peanut butter, marshmallow cream, and banana sandwich with melted chocolate dipping sauce. Oh! Eeep! Soooo good! Over the top, totally unnecessary, I was SO full! But, I had to try it....

And now, here's a really bad picture!

Then, cause we were all busy being drunk gluttons (except for dad, he doesn't drink) we completely lost track of time and came back to our car to find this:

They had locked the gate! This is my father trying to pick the lock. After about a half hour and all kinds of crazy ideas about how we could get the car out that didn't work we...took the bus home!

Happy Father's Day Dad! Aren't you so glad you hang out with your crazy daughter and her crazy boyfriend?

(I am working hard to get post about my weekend up before the following weekend! Wish me luck on that and all those other things that pile up all over my life!)

Gus G.

2010-06-23T23:57:00.000-07:00

Ozzy has a new guitar player on the tour he kicked off tonight at House of Blues Hollywood tonight.

He's CUTE!

Swoon!
Guitar World Feature

Ozzy Official Site

I'm Back!

2010-06-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

I have internet again! Hurrah! Things have been a bit...flustered this last week or two and we forgot to pay the internet bill...oops!

I will go on and on about the amazing weekend I had later, I have errands to run in a minute. I am waiting for The Man to finish shaving and thought I would post my Happy Father's Day now. Two days late.

Happy Father's Day!
We grabbed my dad and had an adventure downtown! It was so much fun! Again, details later, gotta run. Here's a picture of my dad at the nitorous Hyatt House (Riot House) in Hollywood waiting for the elevator. This one is also stamped 1974.

2010-06-17T10:58:00.000-07:00

All that you touch
and all that you see
All that you taste
All you feel.
and all that you love
and all that you hate
All you distrust
All you save.
and all that you give
and all that you deal
and all that you buy,
beg, borrow or steal.
and all you create
and all you destroy
and all that you do
and all that you say.
and all that you eat
And everyone you meet
and all that you slight
And everyone you fight.
and all that is now
and all that is gone
and all that's to come
and everything under the sun is in tune
but the sun is eclipsed by the moon.

"There is no dark side of the moon, really. Matter of fact it's all dark." -Roger Waters

That doll

2010-06-14T00:03:00.000-07:00

This is New York Dolls frontman David Johansen. I'm not really sure where or when this was...the slide is stamped March 1974, but it could have been earlier cause dad sometimes couldn't develop his film in a timely manner due to financial restraints. I'll ask him what show this was and get back to you.

The great catch up

2010-06-13T23:40:00.000-07:00

(Yes those are my funky shoes)

Welcome to Sunday night, the last trickle of weekend before the dreaded Monday.
Guess what?

I have a job to go to tomorrow! I am so excited! It's something totally different too, which makes it even more exciting. I can't wait! I need work so, so bad and I haven't really applied myself as much as I should to looking for a job in billing cause...it's boring. I'll do it if I have to but, it's way more fun to work on dance or photography, or work out. So, cross your fingers this thing goes really well tomorrow and they ask for me back! I need this!

So, in the interest of getting some posts done that I have been slacking on this one is gonna be a mixed bag.

♥ First off, you have to check out my darling Jillian's new blog Getting Illegal with Segal
It's all about her quest to smoke a joint with actor Jason Segal, and it's fricken hilarious! It's mostly a joke, but it's a serious joke and if you have any degree of separation from Mr. Segal help a sister out and point Jill in the right direction!

♥ I want to fly KLM airlines just for the food! This post from Baking Bites made me drool. maybe if Jillian and Jason Segal fall in love we'll all fly to Amsterdam on KLM and roll around in all the marijuana.

♥ Thursday night I happened upon Things That Aren't Here Anymore on PBS (It was totally destiny, we almost never watch PBS anymore and nothing was on and The Man had mentioned this show earlier), after I retreated to my google reader and there was a post telling me to watch it on Punk Turns 30!! I love this blog, Theresa is so inspiring, and she was interviewed for the show!

♥ The woman behind all that amazing Barbie Jewelry I want so bad, Margaux Lang, shared an amazing post/link to art made from everyday things like staples, packing tape and push pins. It will blow you're mind.

♥ My friend Mia introduced me to the amazingness of Amanda Palmer last June and I have been an addict ever since. HERE is some of her wonderful poetry. Read. Laugh. Cry. Love.

♥ My childhood idol, Cyndi Lauper has been immortalized in Barbie form! (I have been on a Barbie kick this week, blame Margaux Lang who is blogging all about her new jewelry line for Mattel). In fact I spent quite a bit of time at the Barbie Collector website the other night. They have SO MANY cool new dolls! I always loved Barbie and now I guess I have grown out of the phase where I out grew Barbie and now I am moving into the old lady that collects dolls phase...anyway LOOK at all the great new dolls! Eeeep!
I also love the Debbie Harry doll, the Joan Jett doll, the Lucy and Ethel dolls from one of my favorite episodes of I Love Lucy ever, The Rockabilly upright bass player doll they are saying was inspired by The Hardrock Cafe, and THIS great new retro inspired Wicked Witch of the West!

I guess that's it on this post, the links took a bit longer than I thought...and I am gonna post some of my dad's photos in separate posts in the interest of keeping things sorted, cause I'm anal retentive like that. Have a great night and a beautiful, blessed week!

-Syd

The Great Art Revival, with wonderful friends mixed in for good measure

2010-06-13T21:45:00.000-07:00

(Photo stolen off the Artisan Venice website HERE)

Last Friday night rocked! Actually, all my weekends have been pretty great the last month. I love the warm, beautiful sunshine! I have spent a lot more time in my hometown too (I've only moved 5 miles away, but it's still a whole different world sometimes) and had a great time soaking up the art, sand and general insanity that is Venice California.

Friend's of friends had opened a great little art spot right on the fricking corner of Windward and Pacific (major foot traffic, huge have to pass through artery of Venice beach). It used to be a Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. Before that it was a pizza place, and WAYYYYYY before that it was a smoothie place and health food store. I had never heard of the magical properties of wheatgrass juice before that little health food store...anyway!

Artisan Venice is a wonderful little spot that I must return to when I have spendable money (sometime in about the year 2020). The owners/designers/runners/bosses of this gem are Darren Hall and Steve Avila. Boy have they got a great little shop on their hands! The featured artist of the night was Jules Muck, a graffiti artist who works in large canvases for gallery exhibits. Great work, some rather haunting, but, I still like the stuff she does on actual walls. Exceptionally well done wall art in this constantly over tagged world is a breath of fresh air. This was my favorite piece:

Other delicious tidbits on display and up for sale included this case of silver rings I kept coming back to and drooling over:

(the photos don't do it justice, and also the crappy cell phone pictures suck in general but it was the same day the truck took a crap all over the streets of Burbank and I forgot to get my camera). I really want the one with the peridot gem (second from the right on the bottom) , it's so...I don't know, words fail me, I just need it.

The ring would go so well with this blouse I also feel I need.

It's hard to tell in the picture, but it has heads of woman all over it. They all have these great hats on and are dressed in a 1940's style...it's lovely. And really, I need it cause I had one (a hand me down from my older sister? Or something my mother bought from a thrift store? I'm not sure...) almost like it when I was very young. It was blue, and the ladies were wearing red hats, but this reminds me of it.

There was an open space for bands to play.

After the band was finish people that play grabbed instruments just picked them up and played! Here is Artisan owner Darren playing guitar and singing:

Our friend Colin and The Man tried to play Led Zeppelin:

And of course if your in Venice and partying there is the obligatory group of homeless that drop by, some of them sing too!

Then we all hung out and drank wine!

My poor cell phone photos just don't leave the right impression. I had a crappy afternoon, and was swept up and taken to a place with art, music and friends in the place of my rearing. Life is blessed!

In short words, GO THERE! NOW! Well, no...they are probably closed...it's 9:30 at night now...GO TOMORROW!

Blessed over

2010-06-11T15:16:00.000-07:00

Hello!
Happy Friday!

I have had quite a trying week, I can't wait to relax. Today is my little sister's 27th birthday, I am broke and have waited till the last minute to do everything (it's like me...I think I like pressure). But we are going to have a great night anyway, I promise. The cake is in the oven now, I gotta make the card, and figure out a gift....Yikes.

I gotta back up (Well first I should warn and apologize for the fact that I didn't have my camera, and was too upset to remember to stop and get it. So, all the pictures in this post are cell phone ones that suck. I know, I'm lame. Get over it.) I gotta back up to this time last week when The Man and I journeyed out to Burbank on the bus, for what we thought would be the last time. We picked up our truck, dropped the pretty penny we couldn't afford and drove off into the sunset! Yee Haw! When we stopped 6 blocks away for gas, The Man took the coolant bottles out of the back and threw them out. No need to waste the space anymore, we had whole new heads! We had new head gaskets! We had new push rods!
The truck was never gonna overheat again!

Well, this is what happened about 3 miles later:

And this:

That is green coolant spilling all over the street. I was pissed. I was broke, tired, hungry and couldn't believe I had just dropped all the money I had for weeks into this damn thing. Sucks. I cried. True story. Ask the man, he felt like crap. Or my friends, cause I did it again in Richie's car on the way to an amazing gallery opening in Venice we all went to (I have to tell you about this tomorrow, it really deserves a better post than I can currently provide).

Venice. Ah Venice, how I love thee, how I loath thee. I had been there last Saturday for a bike ride with Mia, it rocked. The truck was in the shop and we couldn't get a bus down Venice Blvd. that had 2 open bike racks. So we rode. Then we met up with Mia and rode to the Santa Monica Pier.

We rode past Tom Kirschbaum's failed boat. It was eerie. It's always weird to be in a place where someone has died but this was, weirder. They just sort of threw the boat up on the sand, and all the things inside were all over the place. But it was as if it had crashed right there. Tom was coming from Catalina Island to the Marina Del Rey and was lost at sea. It doesn't appear that his body has been recovered.
Rest in Peace Mr. Kirschbaum.

Then we rode all the way south to the Baja Cantina and had a drink (or two, or three) and went back to the boardwalk to hang out with Lesley, lay in the grass, take in the parade of freaks. My right shoulder burned bad, and right along the line of my tank top, so it looks like someone else's arm was snapped on instead!
Here's another really horrible cell phone picture! You can kinda tell it's Mia!

So anyhow, I gotta run now and prepare for dear Les' birthday. I know I sound rushed. I am behind on talking about a lot of stuff I have been meaning to get to. The truck took over this week and I have been exhausted by it. Wow being a grown up takes practice. Blah.
Seacrest out!

Links later! (You might even get lucky and get a rambling drunk post! Yay!)

Iggy

2010-06-07T01:30:00.000-07:00

Taken in the living room of the apartment I grew up in Venice Ca. (long before I got there) in about 1974. Iggy Pop lived in my parents garage during the early 1970s.

2010-05-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

"I have no money, no resources, no hopes. I am the happiest man alive."
- Henry Miller

Saturday Happy Song: Robert Plant- Heaven knows

2010-05-29T00:25:00.000-07:00

I haven't posted a video in so long, and this one makes me happy. It's Robert Plant and as we all know, I love him. I am actually bordering on obsessed...but we won't talk about that right now. Let's just enjoy that it's Saturday, and Robert is singing, just for you.

Friday Favorites

2010-05-29T00:18:00.000-07:00

Yay! It's Friday! How's it been? It's also after 5pm here on the west coast, so I'm sure many people are out enjoying happy hour and the start of a three day weekend, AND the unofficial start to SUMMER! Hooorrray!

So, what have I been looking, laughing and wondering at this week?

♥ I am not really a follower of Oprah, but once in a while her site provides insight. 5 Things Happy People Do is a very inspiring read, give your life a little thought.

♥ This Shirt!

♥ 25 Horribly Sexist Vintage Ads left me, laughing, speechless, and blown away all at the same time. Some of these are just...amazingly bad. How do you douche with Lysol and not die?! Well, this woman did it for years and lived to at least 89 to tell the tale! Wow!

♥ Sunday is the 10th Annual Masturbate-A-Thon, don't forget to love yourself a little, it's...therapeutic. ;)

♥ Have you ever thought about the random people you come in contact with every day? This amazing perspective, articulated by Sarah Wilson will give you pause if you haven't. I hadn't, in fact it amazed me how much I completely ignore all the people I come in contact with everyday. This really made me think!

♥ Stephan shared these amazing, creepy, beautiful dolls with me, now I shre with you. I love, love dolls. I used to makeover dolls myself but none so amazing as these!

♥ Think about your routines, all the things that make up your days, week, months. (I've been thinking a lot about my life lately, can you tell? Haha!)

♥ I'm a little late on this one, since we are at the end of May already. But, May was National Photography month. Punk Turns 30 had a great write up on it. She also has some wonderful photos of punk musicians during the 1970's and 1980's. I am working on my own photography more seriously these days, as well as going back and organizing my fathers photographs. It was going to be a book. That has become a bit too overwhelming for me...I have a lot of projects on my plate currently. So instead I am gonna blog it. So here for the first time ever I present to you...my father's Edgar Winter! :

There will be more as I get them cleaned and organized. It's been kinda...daunting. Lots of people have asked about them, and I gotta get some of it out there. So, Now I've started. Enjoy!
Till next time, have a great weekend!
-Syd

Maple Walnut Chocolate Cake and Marshmallow Creatures

2010-05-28T17:22:00.000-07:00

This cake is gone, long, long gone. I meant to post the pictures and recipe that long, long ago...but, there are a lot of things that I mean to do, and some days life gets in the way. Anyhow, this cake rocked my world. Seriously.

This was a great chocolate cake for two recipe from eHow. It made a really moist, chocolaty 8X8" cake that lasted...2 days. To be honest, it wasn't as good the next day, I mean, it wasn't BAD. It had dried out a little, but I still thought it was better fresh. I topped it with a quick maple frosting and sprinkled it with toasted walnuts. YUM! It was sooooo good! (Recipe below)
I have baked a lot lately, aaaaaannnd it looks like none of it gets posted. Mostly because I bake late at night, due to munchies, and it all gets eaten up or given away too quick. I have followed food blogs and drooled over food photography for quite some time now, in fact all I have made sure to do since we moved into a bigger apartment back in September is make sure that I cook a lot. We have had two parties in which we made sure that all the food was homemade and delicious (although I have to make a lot more food a head of time or not drink so much cause I feel like food runs out mid-party) yet, none of it gets posted here! I am too busy eating all of this amazing food! So, once a week or so I'll force myself to stop inhaling whatever weird creation came out of my kitchen and take a damn picture. I have to warn you though, it may lead to strange stuff like this:

My dad brought me Peeps and non-Peep pink marshmallow bunnies two weeks ago! In crazy bright colors! And I made them do all kinds of odd crap in my kitchen, then I ate them. Yes, I know, sorry to The Man who pointed out that it was a month after easter and my dad gets all manner of odd stuff from some...strange individuals. So, don't eat them ok? Because you don't know where they came from. Oops. I only ate the Peeps. The bunnies are still in the kitchen cause they were not all hard dried out marshmellow like the peeps. Like what you would expect from month old easter candy. No then bunnies were still really soft pillow like. I was amazed. So mushy. AND they smelled very strongly of artificial vanilla flavoring. Overpoweringly strong.
I just went into the kitchen to feel the bunnies and they are just now approaching Peep firmness. Of a fresh peep, not a stale one. Yes, these were mushier than Peeps when I opened them, weird. They still smell like the artificial Vanilla, but not as much.
More crazy pictures, cause making marshmallow creatures do dirty stuff is fun!

Bunny Buttsex!

Bunny Daisy Chain!

Bunny 69! (this one was a little dark huh?...working on my food photography skills along with everything else...)

♥ Chocolate Maple Walnut Cake for Two ♥ :
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1 cup hot water
1/2 cup Hershey's cocoa
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 egg
1/4 cup butter, melted

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Assemble ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup hot water, 1/2 cup Hershey's cocoa, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tsp baking soda, 1 beaten egg, 1/4 cup melted butter. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
Combine all ingredients, mixing well after each addition. Do not beat, just stir until thoroughly mixed.
Pour into a greased square 8" baking pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until cake tests done with a toothpick inserted in the middle.
Cool completely on a wire rack. Put 1/2 cup or so of confectioner's sugar into a small wire strainer, and dust over the top of the cake,cut into squares and serve.
Frosting:

1/2 Stick salted sweet cream butter
1/2 Box Powdered Sugar
1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Pure Maple Sirup
1 Cup Toasted Walnuts

Beat all together till fluffy. Spread on cake, sprinkle with Toasted Walnuts.

Cake: eHow Frosting: My own concoction.

Chocolate sticks

2010-05-21T01:29:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago The Man and I were coming back from Hollywood on a rather frustrating night and stopped to get gas. I decided I needed chocolate and headed inside. To my surprise I discovered this gas station (somewhere near Santa Monica and La Cienega) carried Fling! I love Fling! I had meant to write about it months ago when I first had one (all completely unsolicited by the way. Fling, or it creator Mars has never sent me anything or asked my opinion on their product. I just have to tell you about random crap like the different types of sugar I consume in ever growing quantities.) , but then I ate it before I could take pictures, then that happened again the next time I bought one, then I gave up figuring I was a gluttonous slave to chocolate and forgot all about the whole thing.

Enter gas station with Fling bar.

Looking over the shelves I noticed the 3 Musketeers Truffle Crisp Bar, it looked like the same thing. I had to get both, damnit and compare them. Since I was feeling lazy and there was no way I was gonna work on taking decent photos I also had to buy chocolate that I could eat then, it was a peanut butter Twix, had them before, love them, highly recommended (told you I was a glutton).

Fling is really good, and really...girly. That was what I first noticed, it looks, girly. It's got cute bright pink packaging, it's slender and shiny, and at 85 calories a stick it's supposed to let you indulge in chocolate while keeping you...slender and shiny. Flings has a creamy chocolate truffle layer on top of a "subtle crisp layer" (no one explains what this crisp layer is, but it tastes like chalky Violet Crumble. It's sweet and has a great snap to it but it's not real clear what it's made of), then the whole thing is covered in chocolate and the best part? It's covered in rose colored Luster Dust! It's so, cute!

(^^^Fling ^^^ can you see the shimmer? it was kinda hard to capture on film)
The 3 Musketeers Truffle Crisp Bar is almost EXACTLY the same, same calories, same truffle layer on top of mysterious "crisp layer", covered in chocolate, made by the SAME COMPANY! But, not cute shimmery luster dust. Oh well. So, how does it taste?

Side by side, the 3 Musketeers is WAY better!
The Fling had a better snap to it, firmer truffle layer, was a little wider and flatter, and had that great shimmer. But, it was...Fake. It tasted, stale. And in it's defense maybe it was...but...3 Musketeers was creamier, a little more slender of a bar but thicker, softer truffle that melted in your mouth. I missed the crisper snap of the Fling but, 3 Musketeers tasted so much fresher. I like the cute packaging of Fling, but I don't really require a gender specific candy bar. I will definitely buy the 3 Musketeers again. Have you tried either? What did you think?

A Great Adventure

2010-05-07T02:00:00.000-07:00

One way to get the most out of life is

to look upon it as an adventure.

~William Feather

Short life update, Grilled Cheese love, That One Guy

2010-05-05T12:41:00.000-07:00

Hello!

Happy...Wednesday. If I had a 9 to 5 job anymore this would be monumental 'cause it would mean it was Hump Day, or that the week was half through. As far as work goes it's Monday for me, I just got another reel of transcribing from Laurel Canyon Productions. Yay! This one may end up paying less, it's shorter. But whatever, it's money.

The Man is doing his part on it now, I work on the second half so it'll be a couple of hours before I can start. Which is fine, it's been a pretty blah day for me. I don't like this day. This fifth of May, this Cinco de Mayo, this Battle of Pueblo celebration day. Blah on that. Blah on you. But, it's better than it has been, best attitude in years actually. I thought about going downtown to Olivera Street and watching the parade, the aztec dancers, drink the margaritas. But, I don't have the energy, and I should go see my father. This is my mother's Death Day and my father should not be all alone. In six years he has only gotten crazier and, shouldn't be all alone. So we'll go to dinner later or something, I have to go find my younger sister and that's a whole other matter which may require hours of tracking I don't feel like doing right now.

SO!

Let's talk about happier stuff that happened earlier this week and of course last week cause I didn't recap about The Grilled Cheese Invitational and all it's rad-ness.

First I am gonna wind back to January, when I didn't have a computer and was doing all my blog posting (and blog reading, and other goofing off cause I had nothing better to do) from that amazingly boring temp job in Hollywood. So, I couldn't upload photos and I wanted to show you a few pretty cool ones of That One Guy. Mostly cause I need the ego boost today, but also cause I had a mild freak out last week (2 weeks ago? Fuck the old brain is starting to go...damn weed.) about my photography...and had a fit. I have since regretted said fit and am trying to convince myself again that I am capable of making a living as a photographer.

I have been pretty lazy about my own photographs since the computer died in Jan. and haven't water marked or edited at all really, these are straight out of camera...but I like them. So, there.

Also, our apartment building almost burned down when one of the microwaves upstairs caught fire, and I went to the beach with Jillian and we took pictures. Fun!

I have lots to upload, but I wanna talk grilled cheese before I forget all the damn details since I am such a procrastinator.

We had such a blast! I competed in the Karma Sutra category, but completely forgot to take a picture of my sandwich! Duh!

This year was Jim's Garden Dream, a name I made up at the last minute. I entered at the last minute cause I never got an email telling me registration was open...So without ample time to consider my endless choices I went with a sandwich my father used to make in my youth. Rye bread, sharp cheddar, tomato, onion, and DILL pickle relish and butter. YUM! It's SO freaking good. It's this weird tangy, sour, creamy taste. The rye, sharp cheddar and dill all play off each other so well, it's tangy from each one, then smooth from the cheese and sweet from the tomato. My dad's original had mustard (EW! GROSS!) and margarine, but I try not to use margarine very often cause...well, it's plastic.

There are 3 categories, Missionary (bread cheese and butter), Karma Sutra(bread, 60% cheese any other ingredients [meat, veggies, fruit, whatever] and butter) and Honey Pot (bread, cheese, any other ingredients and butter, but sweet, for desert.

I was in the middle of people with serious edge, and I had no gimmick. So I didn't win anything, and I didn't really try. I liked my sandwich, I was going to have fun, and all of that came together so beautifully.

The guy behind me was a professional chef at the Allston Yacht Club, which is on Echo Park Ave and no where near anyplace you should park a Yacht.

His sandwich was Guinness braised short ribs with horseradish mousse, grilled onions and melted feta cheese. The Man was floored.

The girls beside me were not pros I don't think, but they did make their whole grain raisin breadthemselves. With peppers that they grew at home too. Annnnnd...that's all I know about that one since they weren't very friendly with other competitors before grilling, which is fine, I just didn't get a picture or a taste.

Porkgasem had bacon, onion and cheese, these girls rocked! They were so happy to be there!

Some of the Honey Pot competitors:

Go Lakers had peanut butter, banana, mascarpone cheese, butter; and then they rolled it in cinnamon sugar. OH MY GOD! YUMMY!

Fudge You was also amazing:

Chocolate Bread (yes, I said CHOCOLATE BREAD!), a slab of homemade fudge and guerre cheese. This was surprising, the cheese was creamy, the fudge was very creamy (almost fluffy too, like thick frosting), then the salty was brought out of the cheese with all this sweet.

It was really, interesting. I was only disappointed by the chocolate bread, which was overpowered and had little flavor.

This one won best in show and best Honey Pot category:

I took this picture of a sample the lady next to us got though, she held it up for me. So, I didn't actually sample the sandwich, but I heard it was lovely. The winners look happy right?

Yay for Grilled Cheese!

I could have sworn this was Gala Darling:

I thought I knew this girl, but was so tired I didn't feel like trying to explain if it turned out I didn't know her (I know, I'm lame) so I didn't go say hi. Instead like the weirdo I am I took her picture to ask a mutual friend later...it was her!

Opera singer Rachel Staples! Hi Rachel!

More grilled cheese loving rock-tacular people:

Me, with beer:

Mmmmmmm.....Beeer.

We also ran into The Man's friend/cousin in law Scott and his lovely wife Julia. Yay for pictures taken by others drinking in beer gardens! Beer gardens rock! (Actually, on a side note I was disappointed the first time I entered one cause there was little actual garden part. Silly me, I thought we were going to drink beer in a grass and plant filled place.)

I then dragged myself to the car and dragged myself home where I fell asleep by 7:30pm.

Cheese, Led Zep and plants

2010-04-20T22:32:00.000-07:00

♥ Happy Friday! ♥

How was your week? What's new? Are you excited for the weekend? I am! Oh oh! OH! I am so excited! I have an action packed weekend with the people I love! Yay!

Tomorrow I am competing in The Grilled Cheese Invitational at Los Angeles Center Studios! I am so stoked! I have been really broke this month, really broke. But, Life has rocked. Rocked hard.

2 weeks ago The Man and I had a blast walking up and down our ally and around our block collecting rocks for our budding little garden. We have planted Basil, Orange mint, Sage, Jalapenos, Habinaroeos, annnd...I still have my beloved Aloe, all twisted and ugly, I love my aloe. It's a story for another time however due to how epic it is. So I have scraped by and sold some crap on eBay and was able to afford my registration fee into The Grilled Cheese Invitational this year, Pictures from last year:

Sammich was Sourdough with sharp chedder, fried in butter and then covered in Kraft Parm and fried again till golden. Drool.....And hey I got to cook next to the coolest nuns ever!

I have some amazing friends who have helped me out looking for work, bought me lunch, and Richie kicked in $2 so The Man and I could go see Instinct of Aggression's last show on Wednesday. It rocked. Pictures will follow if I feel like it.

Sunday I am heading over UCLA to listen to an interview (on KLOS at 12pm Pacific time) of one of Led Zeppelin's road photographers, so excited! This will also rock. The obsession with Robert Plant continues. Hehe!

Other than that, I am slowing going over dad's pictures with photoshop...I need to up res them and am being a huge lazy ass about it. Also, the organization of my crap is getting further along...selling stuff on eBay helps. I have realized I have a lot of crap I find value in but other don't and it has been hard to just let go of some stuff...I am such a pack rat!

Now onto Friday favorites, haven't done it in a while and so if anyone cares here is what I found most amusing on the bloggy world this week (I am still catching up on reading stuff since getting the computer back up and running, so some of this stuff is a little older and you may have seen it link elsewhere, whatever, I still think it rocks.)

EDIT:

For some weird reason blogger is not letting me cut and paste links anymore...so until I figure this out no links for you! Sorry darlings...I suck. Now to go grill come practice cheese!

Have a great weekend!

-Sydney ♥

Back at it

2010-04-15T12:18:00.000-07:00

Hi again.

Been awhile huh?

I lost that office job I had in February, actually on the Monday following that last post. I came back from spending a bunch of money on a Valentines day that didn't really require so much fuss and was fired. Nice.

It's not like I was really upset, I was uncomfortable there and the politics between the ladies that worked in the office were really bad. They all just judged each other. That coupled with the fact that it really freaked them out that 2 temps were brought in 'cause it might mean that their jobs were at stake and...the tension was thick.

After that I was doing some more transcribing for Warner Bros. again and saving toward getting this computer fixed, I hadn't had one since January when the motherboard died.

I got the new one a week before the transcribing ended. I was asked to do another season of The Closer 'cause Warner Bros. loves all those mad transcribing skills I have, and now, I am outta work again.

BUT!

I have been so happy! I had no idea how much I missed the Internet! I have just taken in as much as possible, reading, reading, reading. I am working on getting a few projects together that will make some cash and selling crap I don't want on ebay and craigslist. 2 weeks till rent is due and I am halfway there. So, although I am still not homeless it's gonna be a close call this month.

Friday Faves

2010-02-12T16:41:00.000-08:00

Hello!
Happy Friday!

Happy Lunar New Year, Valentines Day, President's Day weekend starting Friday!

Got any cool plans? Me? I am gonna hang out, fix my home computer, and go to the movies. I am really excited for this weekend cause it's a 3 day long one. I know that doesn't mean anything for the creative self employed types, or the unfortunately unemployed types, but if you have a desk job that is less than exciting it's fantastic news! It's less than fantastic due to the fact I am a temp and will not be paid for the day I miss...but I'm still excited OK?

I am also excited that I can provide you with a list of things I have been reading, obsessing over, or drooling about.

This post from Doe Deere linked to the Wikipedia about The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, and the effects Heath Ledgers death had on production, post production, and everyone involved. In short, this film was cursed, or blessed, or both. If you haven't already (it didn't do as well in the US as it did overseas) GO SEE IT NOW! It was so much better on a full size screen, your T.V. is not gonna cut it.

Former Los Angeles punk queen Alice Bag give insight and her opinion on why we should stop using the hyphenated American label.

A look at American culture, based on Facebook.

This Picture of BLONDIE! (and nerdboyfriend rocks)

Warrior Development was inspiring, I can completely relate to The Paralysis of Doing the Right Thing.

And the best one all week? The one that made me think and then re-think my life was this post by 43Folders. I have realized this is my biggest hindrance in moving forward with anything in my life. ANYTHING. All of my project are half baked and probably always will be because I care WAY too much about WAY too many things. I have to widdle that list down. It's gonna suck, I'm gonna hate it, and it's not gonna feel natural to a person with Wonder Woman I can do everything tendencies. But, it's gotta happen.

Thanks to those that continue to read this thing, I know you are out there only due to my counter at the bottom of the page, but at least your out there.

~Syd

Joann of the bus

2010-02-10T11:09:00.000-08:00

I take great interest in the way life unfolds; the little moments in life are endlessly intriguing. I could create a whole other blog about the bus rides to and from work, and the amazing people that accompany me on said rides. I probably won't just because I am trying to work on the thousand projects that I already am so overwhelmed by I avoid.

Yesterday I got on a very late La Brea bus to find my friend Julian sleeping near the front. I giggled as I took a picture, and then nudged him to say hi. It made my morning, getting to see a friendly face on a bus in the city of Los Angeles is not all that common. But, then it happened again this morning! I was startled. I am a friendly person. If I catch you looking, I smile. I say good morning, and thank you, and hello to people. Lots of other people just don't. I can't take it personally, I ride on 2 buses that run through major arteries of this great city, and many of those people lead less than glamorous lives.

Which is why I was also intrigued to see the well put together blond walk up to my second bus stop this morning, dragging designer luggage behind her. She had a huge suitcase, train case, and purse. Her skin was perfect. She looked older than I, but you couldn't tell how old. My imitate thought was "She's traveling here (versus going someplace), cause she isn't from Los Angeles". I was right. She approached me, and asked if I had change for a five dollar bill, she just got into town last night from Chicago and was still getting used to the bus system, oh, and she also had $.35. I said I didn't think I had it, but the bus is $1.25 so I'll just give you this dollar and you'll be set. I asked where she was going from here to figure out if there was a place to get change for the bus after this one (if there was one). She thanked me, introduced herself as Joann and shook my hand, she then told me she had flown here last night, and was on her way to Palmdale to take care of her sister, niece and nephew while her sister was battling breast cancer.

Wow. This is some story. Wow, this is some woman.

The children are still young (about 8 and 9 or so...I don't remember) and it's her baby sister (in her early forties) and they are close. She wants to take the kids off her hands completely, be the wonderful funky aunt that spoils them while her sister is at ceder-sani working on getting better. She uploaded tons of kids movies to her laptop, she's gonna take them on adventures, feed them sugar, and let them be kids while their mom recovers.

I almost cried.

I was impressed she was taking public transportation to Palmdale, and hadn't rented a car. It was a long way. She said she didn't mind, it was an adventure. She had taken 6 months off work, packed up just the essentials, and since her children were in their twenties (cause this woman I found out is just over 50. 50!! She looked amazing, I wouldn't have guessed 40) and it's freezing cold and everyone is up to their eyeballs in snow in Chicago, she left. I had told her she was in for a switch, she was on her way to the desert. It was gonna be nice and warm. I told her briefly about my mom, and that what she was doing was amazing (And all of it a surprise I might add. Her sister doesn't know she is just gonna show up on her doorstep!) and that it was a very important, heartfelt way to support her sister. When I went to get off the bus, I wished her a safe and happy journey into the desert, and told her her sister would be in my thoughts. She smiled and wished me a good day.

One more story of the city that makes me grateful for the little things in life. The short, human connections are important.

Sold Soul

2010-02-09T18:06:00.001-08:00

Well, I am off to dance again. For a woman that drives me crazy. From an office that drives me crazy.

I did it again. Sold out for the almighty dollar. It's hard when the person you live with works very little due to his choice of career and you like to eat. It sucks when you have chosen to wing it as an artist and haven't the time or inclination to work on your art due to the bullshit of the day.

And that's why I have no other words right now. Except a big old apologie to myself, cause I suck.

I sold out. Again. Sorry.

But in the spirit of the blog, I am not homeless, still haven't been homeless in a long time. Last time I couch surfed was a long time ago, so...at least I got that going for me.

Whirlwhind Rain

2010-01-21T09:03:00.000-08:00

So how bout this storm huh? Yowza, the city of Los Angeles has been drenched!
I like it though. I think rain is fun! It was more fun on Monday though, cause I got to spend the time with The Man. THAT is so much fun. I love my man plus rain, and Monday it poured! We went out to Target, the new one in the revamped Fox Hills Mall that they are calling Whitfield Culver City now. After pulling out 9 pairs of pants and trying them on for...wheat seemed like forever, I found one pair that fit and are flattering. One. And the bright green top I am currently wearing. I would post pictures...but I am at my new temp job and don't want to. So there. Neah.

In other news, I have a new temp job. Just as boring (actually, more so) than the last one, I am trying to keep it and save some damn money...
So I guess I better get off the Internet, as everyone just walked in....

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T01:32:00.001-08:00

How was your 2009? Are you sad to see it go? Happy it's finally over? Whichever it is, I bet you'll never forget it, changed lives this year did. Lol, how very Yoda...

This was a huge year for me, my only wish being that I worked harder to record some of it. But, i am doing this whole fly by the seat of my pants thing...and it hasn't been all bad. I am absorbing, and experiencing life as it happens. I have nothing to prove, and only myself to please in this little spot, so...I guess it's just another punch I will choose to roll with.

That is part of a whole list of things I have learned this year, that you need to roll with the punches. Life is gonna throw all kinds of stuff your way, and staying positive and letting most of it roll off your back helps tons. The Man called this a rebuilding year, and I have to agree. I rebuilt, I looked inside myself, and changed the way I look at the world. I grew up a lot.

I have lost two jobs this year, and for the five years before that I was not without gainful employment for a second. For five years I had a job to go to every day of my life, I had someplace I reported, and turned off my own head to sell dog sweaters, ship digibeats or file paper work. Not having to do that was, scary, fun, a...relief. I have been blessed with a chance to look at myself, and the person I want to be. I have found myself at the precipice, and am going with the less safe, but more personally rewarding path. I have big plans for 2010, that all revolve not going back to a room lit with fluorescent bulbs. I want to make up my own day.

I have thought about this a lot, and slowly set wheels in motion. All in my own good time. And well, I am ready to go out on some bigger limbs now. I have talked, talked, talked about all the things I am gonna do, and none of it comes to fruition. So this year, I am just diving in.

Eeeep!

2009 was hard. America changed forever as it sunk into deeper depression, and people re-thought the way they look at money, jobs, and lifestyles. And in the circle of friends I have, I have not heard many complaints. Most of the people I know were worse of financially, but came together as friends, allies, and support teams. I have not once felt alone, and I think that says a lot about the way things will go in the future.

We have all been humbled this year, and I think it has been great. I am so thankful for the people in my life, no matter what their outlook on 2009 is, because it taught me something.

I look forward to going out tonight and watching Travis Pastrana jump into Long Beach Harbor, drinking in a room we rented for the occasion (in true recession style, splitting the bill with good friends, and bringing our own booze!), watching the fireworks and kissing The Man at midnight. I look forward to 2010, and welcome all the new ways I will grow.

So, what are you doing tonight? What do you look forward to in the fresh, new year ahead of you?

And furthermore my self-control I can't rely on anymore...

2009-12-09T15:03:00.000-08:00

So the discovery of, followed by the obsession with Led Zeppelin birthed an obsession with Robert Plant, that went so deep I began to dream about him. It reached a fevered pitch so high, I dreamt he made me peanut butter fudge...*sigh*...Robert take me away!

I was listening to his album Now And Zen, and realized I really love Crazy Ship of Fools. So, I went in search of a video to share with you. This is the official one credited as being "from the Nine Lives box set". Wow, did I come across a gem! This video is so the epitome of what cheesy 1980's love songs should look like! I love it so much! He dances with silk scarves! He practically makes out with the camera! Look at his stacked hair! Eeeeeek! I sat in front of the computer and creamed my jeans. God I love Robert Plant.

Link

The page-a-day

2009-12-02T14:56:00.000-08:00

"Set your own priorities; live life the way you want to, with your own set of values. Stop running around simply because you have to "keep up". "

Yesterdays page from the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff calendar.

Daze for your Holly

2009-12-01T19:52:00.000-08:00

(<---The inside of one of the lovely cinnamon rolls The Man baked on Thanksgiving morning)

So, I guess I am getting to this thing about once a month. Except I missed November completely....and that makes me sad, cause I like November. It has Thanksgiving and I decided this year that I really like Thanksgiving.

In comparison it's a really fricken easy holiday. There is little pressure if you tune out your family and drink enough. I had a damn fine Thanksgiving this year. The food is always good too, so the only trouble is making it. Which is not really a problem for me, I just was thrown off by how to time it all. We smoked, and drank, and watched Bubble Boy. I was thoroughly spoiled by having a full kitchen (albeit apartment sized, but still so much bigger than the last one) and getting to cook dinner, it was so...RAD!

I also started this here blog last November, so I missed my blog birthday too. Oops. I guess I was pre-occupied with trying to keep a job that I didn't fit into. I was in a really hard spot this time last year, and this little writing spot has helped heaps.

So we are coming to the end of the year, and as always I am freaking out about all the stuff I didn't get done and how I feel panicked that my life is going nowhere, and I am gonna turn into a fat old cat lady. With just one more month till my birthday, and it being another birthday that takes me closer to 30, I am a little...anxious.

Giddy up chocolate chip!

2009-10-29T00:03:00.000-07:00

Wow I have lived decadently as of late, it has been bliss. I am really bored and uninspired in the world of the written word too, and, am beginning to wonder if Tallulah was right...leave the journal keeping to the good girls.
Gosh life has been good though. I mean, I still have a boring desk job, and need a little more time to be creative. But, I have learned you kinda have to force those things. You really have to do those things. Just with the little bit I have been making myself dance every day has done wonders for my self-esteem.

I love dance. Dance makes me so happy. I did a different belly dance video last week, and it was very inspiring. I don't work them every day, I take some of the things they taught and then drill them throughout the day. I am really weak right now, and very lazy/tired/gluttonous. SO....I am working at my own pace ok! Get off my back man, geeze.

The Man and I are loving the new place, I will post pics soon. But to be perfectly honest, I am not super happy with blogger's picture posting options...and that frustrates me. So, no picture till I figure that out.

And now I need sleep, since I have smoked myself retarded again.

Peace out.

There it goes again

2009-09-23T00:42:00.000-07:00

Wow, so, so much.

I moved!

I have a job!

I have inspiration!

I also got very sick, bought my first major appliance with The Man (eeeep!), made new friends, questioned friendships with others, grew up, digressed, lost my mind and found it.

Party time!

It's late, and I have to be up early to go to this job...which is so boring I know, but it has paid for the rent on a new and much larger place, and a fridge for said place (I have had ice cream from my own freezer in my own fridge for 3 nights in a row now, I am gonna get so fat! It's gonna rock!)

I hope all is well in the worlds of those that read my ramblings, there is so much to share...and now I really have to clip my nails so they will stop dragging on the bass strings and driving me to distraction while I pluck my way through TV commercials.

~Sydney

Happy Birthday Robert Plant!

2009-08-20T22:26:00.001-07:00

I love, love, LOVE Led Zeppelin!
There was a whole block of their songs on KLOS on the way home in honor of Robert Plant's 61st birthday, it was awesome.
So now, all the best of a Robert Plant search, Happy Birthday Robert! Keep rockin'!

Time Suck

2009-08-20T15:49:00.000-07:00

Photo by Stephan.Com

Wow, time has flown by!

This makes me nervous, they say it gets faster and faster the older you get...and lately it has warped by! They also say: "if you want to make God laugh, make a plan". Well, I am here to tell you it's true, she will laugh, and then fuck it all up for you. True story, it has happened my whole life. I think I just started to understand this though, and now am a little better prepared to use it to my advantage. Over the last few months I can very clearly see where this has happened, and...may be able to see it coming. Or at least have the back up plan more ready.

In Feb. I started to look for a new job, I had been with my former company for almost 2 years and it was not going well. I was bored, really bored. I was very closely watched (my work anyway) by the other girls in my department, so I didn't really ever have to think. If it wasn't right someone else was just gonna check it anyway, and half the time they just redid it themselves anyway...so what was the point of paying attention. Then I got really upset and panicked that I was wasting my life away in a dull office, and wasn't being creative, all because I have to pay rent. So labored on the quarter-life crisis. Then there was a pay cut in may '08, then another one in Nov. '08...and I wasn't making enough money to do anything nice, was just barely eating between paychecks. I wasn't going to move up because no one was very excited for me to train with them, even though I didn't want to be in billing and had only applied due to the 30% raise it offered over my last job. Well, nothing panned out. I decided it was better to stay where I was, even if the pay was crap, and work on my many projects (dance, guitar, bass, reading, handmade cards, boxes, and clothes) to try and do something I love for a living.

Then I was laid off. I mean within weeks of me giving up the job search. I was lost. I knew it was coming, but I didn't really believe it...cause I was told I was safe....or so they thought. The thing is the company is struggling, and had to cut people. The Man and I were freaked, but hopeful. He was out of work too, so although we were gonna spend a lot of time together (yay!), it was gonna be really tight on the money front (boo!).

So we went to Texas to visit a friend that was about to have a baby! And I blew all my savings on plane tickets, food, and things for the baby(I didn't have very much money saved...as I was broke the whole time I was there anyhow). I thought "they'll be unemployment money when I get home! Who cares if I'm broke, I'm having FUN!" And while that's all well and good, and my focus is usually to have fun...it sucks not to be able to eat. And the next few months were all about the hustle, even if it was for a few extra bucks. I had all kinds of time to do things, and it still didn't happen, as I was so distracted with my man, and my money situation. But boy have I had fun!

Then, as I restart my plans, with a fresh outlook, all newly inspired, with a new list of tasks...one of the temp agencies called, they had a job for me! Haha! Another plan out the window! God laughs again! So, I am writing to you from my desk, at a big corporate machine...bored. I took it, and will keep it because...I need the money. It's doesn't mean I will give up on my projects, dreams, or motivation...but I will be able to pay off my credit card this way, and that thing has so much interest it has to go! I am flushing money out the window every month on a card I didn't think I would have more than a year! EEEeeps!

The last 3 months have flown by! I have so many pictures that still have to be edited to post...and for some weird reason computer at home has been super slow (probably because I have so many photos to back up!), so progress is slow going. But, I will not give up. Have to up the ante now, and take on more than I am used to. I realize more of my planning faults now, and will update more often the way I do things. And, ajust to whatever hits me...as long as I keep going, I may one day out smart the Goddess in her constant laughing at me...but I doubt it.

~Sydney

Edited at 10:30pm to add: This is post #69, Holla!

New Hair

2009-07-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

I know, I haven't been around. But there are big life changes taking place, I'll be back to tell you all about them! That and my internet is all wonky...so it doesn't always work.

Until all this is processed, please enjoy pictures of my new hair.

Mondays

2009-07-13T11:32:00.000-07:00

Wow, the start of another week. It is amazing how fast it all goes by huh? I can't believe how fast it all goes, the days just flow into one another lately. It's not bad or good really, just is...startling.

The Man has a project coming up in about a week, and will have steady work for the rest of the year. I can't tell you how thrilled I am that he will have work, that the bills won't be such a worry. It has been really hard these last 2 months, both of us out of work. We have just barely scraped by each day, some days cause we didn't eat. And as much as that sucks, as hard as it has been, I have enjoyed every second. I spent each day, all day almost, with the man I love. A man I am so crazy about, that when it hit me he won't be here next week while I washed my hands in the bathroom I teared up! Tears! I came out of the bathroom and hugged him so tight, I'm gonna miss him being around. He was so flattered, he said "oh you really do love me!" of course I do silly. So very, very much.

So, now that I am done gushing, on to the wonderful, inspiring things taking up my mind space. I have a whole list of links that were supposed to be up on Friday, and photos, lots of stuff to talk about. I only have 45 minutes to do it in this post, so let's see how far I get!

Being so broke does amazing things to you, it has been a test of strength. I have learned so much! I am so thankful for food, I thank the goddess for each morsel that passes my lips. As a result I have become more creative in the kitchen (pictures soon), and am looking at a LOT of food porn. I have been craving everything on the planet it seems!

♥ Bakerella's pancakes make me drool...Want! Blueberries were on sale this week, so I may make these. They look SO worth it.

♥ Pioneer Women also made me drool this week. I am vegetarian, but there is a bunch of stuff on her 4th of July goodies list that made me salivate.

♥ As did Ezra Pound Cake, twice! I was gonna make these Cherry Fried Pies, but I had to save the cherries cause they were so pretty, I had to take pictures! Well, I have been very self-conscious about my photography for the last month...and a half...and the cherries sat, and sat, and then rotted and died and had to be thrown out. I think I am over the photography snag, I think I just have to make sure I don't care what other people think of me, cause I get hurt too easily that way...but the cherries still died, and so no pictures, no pie...for now.

♥ 4th of July weekend I was obsessed with Oreos, and Solstice weekend I was obsessed with Smores, it was total kismet that the folks at CakeSpy put the two together! Drool!
Yum!

And now I am all fooded out.

Here is a picture of a squashed bird on my street to change the subject:

I thought that dead birds were haunting me for awhile, I found them everywhere. I try to make sure to take a picture each time now, cause I'm gonna turn it into some freaky art exhibit.

♥ Awake at the Wheel is starting a great series on the health zapping side effects of blogging.

♥ Doe Deere is always a rainbow of amazing clothing choices, her bright way of dressing has inspired me lately to add more fantastic pieces to the way I dress. I used to dress in all kinds of fantastic things, I always loved to look as weird as possible. That changed in my early twenties, and I haven't thought about it till recently. Clothing really effects the way we feel, and the way we feel effects the way we act. So, you should dress in a manner that makes you feel good right? Well, what if the rest of the world doesn't like the way you dress? That can make it hard to want to look that way, and this creates all kinds of inner conflict. Here Ms. Deere talks about some of the things you can do to dress in your outlandish best and not let the masses get you down.

And that's all we have time for this post, I gotta go run around this great city of Angeles. Have a great day!

~Sydney

Cheap Eats

2009-07-02T13:32:00.000-07:00

This was dinner one night last week, and it rocked.

It rocked hard.

The best part of course being I think it only cost about $1.25 for the meal! Score!

What you see pictured is Kraft Mac&Cheese (the 3 cheese flavor, which rocks), with fresh chopped garlic and pepper mixed into the sauce. Then chop some brocolli and throw that in, make some iced tea (tea bags, water, lemon) and your all set!

I did 2 cloves of garlic, and it was way overpowering. So, go with one.

Yum!

Goodbye Farrah!

2009-07-01T14:37:00.000-07:00

Farrah Fawcett was laid to rest here in Los Angeles yesterday, after a service at Our Lady of Angeles church. The above photo currently has the highest rating of the week on my Flickr photo stream. I'm not sure why, the one next to it doesn't have the blurry blob on the left side...but whatever.

The Man and I went down there for a different project we're working on, and I snapped some quick pictures of the chaos on the street.

I am wasn't a big fan of Ms. Fawcett, she was a little before my time. But, she was an icon. Had a tough bout with cancer, and I hope the afterlife is kind to her. She was lovely, and will be missed by those that loved her. We left before the service was over, but saw it on the news last night. I thought it was touching that Ryan O'Neal went back for one last look at the casket before it drove away.

Love never dies.

~Sydney

Ca-razy

2009-06-30T20:35:00.000-07:00

I worked last week, for the first time in 2 months...wow, it was weird. It was weird to be working again (although it's over now). It was weird to work my old hours (7am-3:30pm...Ick). And it was very weird to be there when the upstairs desk called into the basement I was working in at the old UCLA hospital, to tell us that Michael Jackson just died across the street and the police were blocking all traffic on that section of Westwood Blvd.

So weird in fact, I would call it surreal.

Michael Jackson is dead people!

I really didn't believe this when they said it in the stuffy little room I had spent the whole day counting stuff in. I still didn't believe it when they announced it on the radio as we drove past the hospital where the crowed was quickly forming, it was just not REAL.

Not because I was a huge fan mind you, I don't own a single Jackson album. But, because he was so ingrained into our culture...I didn't believe he would die. He was otherworldly, like some kind of elf. This was supported of course by the plastic surgeries, the privet Neverland Ranch, and the secret parties with boys more than half his age. He became some kind of enigma, you only saw him in little peeks and glimpses, so it was like he wasn't really there. He was there less lately, in the last few years, so it was even weirder that he popped up with a new tour and album only to keel over and die.

It seems sad, he seemed sad. Last night I caught the last part of "Living with Michael Jackson" and he seemed uncomfortable. Frustrated that the media didn't understand him, he kept trying to defend the parties and sleepovers. It must have really sucked to have been all warped by an abusive father and then have to be responsible for life in a world you never knew. I know most people think this was just the cover story, so he had an explanation for abusing children himself. But I'm not so sure he did, he seemed to be a big kid that didn't understand.

No matter what you thought of him, he changed the face of music, popular culture, and the way we dance. Life would not be the same without his influence.

Tari Pendet dari Bali Indonesia

2009-06-20T13:22:00.000-07:00

Really large post, update, recap & faves.

2009-06-19T22:40:00.000-07:00

(Photo, design by my boyfriend!)

So I have kinda ignored some of the things I said I was going to post about, and just kinda put up whatever was shiny. Oops! So the good thing about that is I have a big post with all kinds of things to talk about! Yey! More exclamation points!!!

Jeeze, where do i start?

I have to apologise for never writing about Austin, I don't know how it slipped my mind. I Yelped about it...but then never got the time to say anything here. I know, I suck.
I have a damn blog for Christs sakes, what else does one blog about if not a vacation? Well, to tell the truth, I have had a bit of a time getting myself to sit at the computer and do many creative things...I have been a little down. So it really helps to post about super positive things, that are really brief. Then I don't have to sit here as often, I sit here and look for a job...then I don't get any calls for the ones I applied for...Then I get sad and want to get stoned and watch Dexter....It's a damn vicious cycle I tell ya.

But I have worked on a lot of little things lately, and have cleaned and organized further, and am really feeling better about the way things are going. I have a weeks worth of work next week at UCLA, so that'll help. It's just the lack of operating funds that gets me down.

Let's talk about the fun stuff! I have pictures of lots of the stuff we have been up to, so let's start there:

Austin was beautiful!
this was taken at "Redbud" park, a stop on the way to our friends house from the airport. I hadn't seen such nature in a long time.

All the food was amazing, this a epic Veggie burger I had at Freddies our first night there. I still dream about it....

The next day we did a quick walk around the French Legation.

And then later went swimming at this natural swimming hole, Hamilton Pool. It was amazing, there is definitely nothing like this in L.A.!

We had to hike this awesome trail down to get there, this is on the way back up. It was breathtaking.

More wonderful food! Fried Avocado Tacos at Torchy's. I still dream about these too...

AND THESE!
I loved these deep friend cookie balls, rolled in like, cookie crumbs...with chopped almonds and coconut stuff, it was so so good!

We hung out in the yard a lot, our friend was really pregnant. So, we left the house mostly to eat and get quick looks at the city. It wasn't really a trip for tourism, we went to see our friends. I still have photos I could upload to the Flickr...wow I have been a slacker!

We mostly drank, smoked(except for the mom-to-be, I hope you got that Lone Star Amber! It was all worth it, you have a beautiful baby.) and shot the shit in the backyard. It was wonderful, I was so relaxed!

It was my sister Lesley's birthday on the 11th, I made her a card.

And a pair of earrings.

That all went into a box with a lotion, some chocolate lambs (from Easter...I forgot), some hand salve, and a book of happiness quotes. She, our dad and I went to lunch. It was nice, we have all been anti everything, so no pictures from lunch.

My amazing boyfriend has started making shirts with his own brilliant spin on the Obama, Hope design:

I love it, post a comment or email me if you are interested. Rates vary depending on style, I will have more info in the coming days.

♣ I have re listed 2 pairs of the vintage Levi's I am selling and also added a vintage 1960's blue "wiggle"dress with a very smart matching bolero jacket. All of that: Here.

I made CAKE! From a mix, I know. But who cares? It was good, made better by the apples that came from my Indo dance teachers tree.

It turned out damn good, I was so pleased. I know these photos suck, I was so tired by then...I gave up and ate cake.

Today was the best day! I have that job next week, and will be working from 7am till 3:30pm and will be waking at 5:30am to get there in time. This is quite a shock to the system cause, well, I've been a slacker lately. I have completely gone back to the nocturnal ways I was years ago and now normally stay up till 3am. So today (and all weekend) I am getting up at 5:30 and doing stuff!

Today we went to the beach and meditated, and wrote, and filmed stock footage, and had a really nice morning. It was so quiet, and peaceful, I did some yoga, I felt at ease and focused when I got home!

Although this has left me very tired since about 3 this afternoon, so I am going to bid you goodnight. I can't stand to sit at the desk any longer. Have a happy weekend!

~Sydney

Happy birthday Igor Stravinsky

2009-06-17T22:09:00.000-07:00

I just had to share the wonderful image that greeted the world via google today. You know, in
case you didn't see it!

I know, this makes me sound like a huge dork. And normally I just enjoy the varied designs that google comes up with for special occasions, but this time I had to say something. This is beautiful! What a fantastic design! I love it!

I am a bit biased, being a dancer I of course had a love affair with ballet; it's a pretty common fascination for girls....

(Photo)

Even if you are 20 and dancing in community college....*Ahem*, glad THAT's over.

Orginal design for Firebird costume (Photo)

So a lovely night was had by The Man and I as we enjoyed apple cake and Stravinsky music found in an awesome blog post here.

Grilled Cheese!

2009-06-16T19:46:00.000-07:00

Because you have to make dinner fun.

:)

How strange

2009-06-16T12:15:00.001-07:00

"How strange is the lot of us mortals! Each of us is here for a brief sojourn; for what purpose he knows not, though he senses it. But without deeper reflection one knows from daily life that one exists for other people."

-Albert Einstein

Jaipong Daun Pulus Keser Bojong

2009-06-15T00:53:00.000-07:00

The Shower

2009-06-14T03:54:00.000-07:00

(Photo)

Hot water shoots through the calcium covered shower spout, hitting the ice-cold tile. Over time staining it the same orange-rust color as the water when it first bursts it’s way through the pipes. Hot, steamy water that washes over my skin trying to cleanse away the grime of I don’t know how many days.

Steam collects on the mirror, the frosted over cobblestone glass doors of the shower. At first a light cool frost that assembles as warm steam meets chilled glass, then a heavier condensation as the warm mist of the shower tumbles and curly-cues over the top of the sliding glass like clouds of dry ice.

The moisture builds and stacks till it is a layer of cool water on the mirrored finish. It pools and slides long, crystal clear tears down the glass. Like the salty, sweet suffocating kind that pool up and spill over my eyelids. Forming trails of wet, disrupted peach fuzz facial hair and grayish, black mascara that has taken this opportunity to release itself from it’s dried bondage of my eyelashes. Gathering together again at the corners of my lips. Pausing momentarily before rolling into my mouth and sliding down my throat. Swirling like the then ice cold shower water rolling round, and round, and round the drain after I shut off the spout.

Watching, as I tower above this miniature hurricane-black hole before it guzzles the last drops of water from the shower floor. Standing and taking in the remaining steam and warmth before sliding back the glass. The fog encapsulated in my little tile and glass box rushing forth, propelled by the crisp air in the room outside.

Reaching for the fuzzy comfort of the plush towel and catching my blurred reflection in the mirror opposite the open door. Refreshed and clean, soaking wet stringy clumps of hair hang from my head and sticks to my shoulders. H2o rivers running their way down my body before being stopped, sopped up and absorbed by a sea cotton loops.

~Sydney

Friday Favorites

2009-06-12T16:20:00.000-07:00

(Photo by Cut it out you guys. I think she is so cute!)

So what has occupied me this week (or these few weeks as I am still trying to get my apartment into a nice workable order....) other than looking for work. Which is boring, and frustrating, and I hate it....I am on the brink of a panic attack I hate this work/money situation so much, it sucks to try and make a decent living in Los Angeles. I find that walks help though, and meditation. I just had a little walk and 10 minute meditation in the car, it did wonders. Although my chest is still tight...I feel better. I took The Man's last beer too (haha!) and am hoping that helps. So let's see, beer, walk, meditate, naked girls. and!:

♥ This photo shoot from Libby Bulloff she is an amazing photographer whom I have a small girl crush on. It looks like she is quite a spot too, so if you are in Washington and want delicious looking photos done, do call her.

♥ Ball and chain for work! I so need this, I am the most distracted person ever! I live in a tiny, congested box with the man I love, and it is so hard to think let alone get work done. This would be a cure all! Or not, I still like the concept.

♥ Anybody out there? Bueller? Let's all go live in THE house. Imagine all the things you could do with that room of glass?...

♥ Pretty Skulls!

♥ I want everything this guy makes, swoon!

♥ Do you have a Powerful Head? This set is intense, love it!

Ok, I am gonna go finish my beer. Have a magic weekend my dears! Don't do anything I wouldn't do! Which is....

not a lot! ;-P

~Sydney

2009-06-10T22:35:00.000-07:00

"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."

-Allan K. Chalmers

Jean Jeanie

2009-06-10T00:46:00.000-07:00

3 pairs of my dad's old Levi Jeans up on ebay, please have a look.

We are all totally broke right now, so why not buy these awesome thrashed, punk jeans for only $15?

It's a steal!

;)

The ego blow....

2009-06-09T22:59:00.000-07:00

I need to pick myself up damit!

I also need a good birthday present for my sister for under $20....Wow, I have to work magic then huh?

Ha!

I'm out.

Eeeww

2009-06-08T20:28:00.000-07:00

rhode island craigslist > household services > create posting

from novimnet at livejournal
"Banish blemishes the old-fashioned way! Safe, sanitary, and satisfying; I wear gloves and apply antibiotic cream afterwards for faster healing. zits: $2 eachblackheads: $3 eachsummer combo special: any 5 blemishes for $10Conveniently located near downtown Providence. Housecalls available for a small fee.You know you want to."

In the eye

2009-05-25T18:29:00.000-07:00

I have totally forgotten to mention, the header photos on the blog without credits; those are mine! I have worked on only using my photos, but that doesn't always work out. I don't have enough of a library to pull from yet, but I am working on it all the time. I will soon enough, I have dove in head first. And you know, I couldn't be happier! I only wish there were more hours in the day, it goes by so fast!

It is truly amazing to put what you like to do out in the world, and have people respond in a positive and encouraging way. It has restored my faith in networking with people you like.

So I have just returned from a short jaunt in Austin, Texas. I will have highlights soon as I get done editing photos from a show just prior to that. I am so excited!

Below, some of the things I've been up to lately. More in the next few days my lovelies!

~Syd

Chronic Stew at the Venice Bistro.

Chronic Stew at the Venice Bistro.

Fuel Girls at The Gumball 3000 start. Santa Monica Pier.

Flower Fields, Carlsbad.

Flower Fields, Carlsbad.

Chronic Stew, Good Hurt; West L.A.

Chronic Stew, Good Hurt; West L.A.

Thankful

2009-05-24T21:59:00.000-07:00

Currently very very thankful for The Man, as he is sitting right by my side while my neck has mysteriously swelled up. I'm scared. It sucks that I have no health insurance right now due to the lack of job. It sucks that I haven't been able to get the damn COBRA because the EDD has fucked up my unemployment insurance. It sucks that I am not sure if this is a food allergy from the McDonald's fruit and walnut salad (which makes no sense, I have eaten it before).

But.

All that is ok, because I have Mr. Man, and he will protect me. I am so thankful for the people that love me.

Friday Favorites

2009-05-15T22:27:00.000-07:00

A really late edition of the Friday Favorites, because I had an off day. There are a lot of those when your unemployed....I slept late, then had to go down to the unemployment office to see what the fuck they have done with my checks cause I haven't gotten a single one and I am starting to worry about how I'll be paying my half of the rent....So they tell me they are gonna send out all the unsent claim forms at once tomorrow morning, and I should get them Tuesday. Which doesn't help me secure any money for my trip to Austin Texas next week, but poverty makes you creative. So there's that to be grateful for. I have fought the funk for the past week, but it's getting the better of me tonight and I may just scrounge up money for beer and call it a day. Here is what has made me smile this week on the web, hope it adds glitter and rainbows to your world! *cheesy smile that twinkles in the corner of my mouth*.

♥ I know everyone in creation has heard about it and it's 15 minutes are probably up and now I sound old, but Texts from Last Night still makes me happy!

♥ Coco de Mer. Drool. The photography is to die for, the toys themselves are to die for, uber expensive price tag...just go drool over it now! (sex toy site. Not safe for work, or... if you are shy)

♥ Desert Sin Dance Company, also a big drool here. All the beautiful ladies, the dancing, I love it. Just love it!

♥ This awesome Strawberry Shortcake on a STICK! Who wants to have a bonfire so we can make these?

♥ Cupcakes on a STICK! (it's warm and sunny out, time for food on a stick!)

♥ Goth bathing suits, just in time for summer (can you tell I am so happy the weather is warmer?).

♥ Also from Haute Macabre. I LOVE this photo spread (it's from Agent Provocateur's Season of the witch collection! So amazing [not safe for work]).

♥ Luxe & Less, how to have a fab time on little money. It's a time of being broke, and I am glad this reminds me to be thankful for the little things.

♥ I am totally making one of these.

♥ What is your Definite Major Purpose?

♥ Ron Mexico talks about one of the new books on Hunter.

AND!

♥ There is a new issue of Steampunk Magazine!!

Ok, that's all for now my lovelies! Have a great weekend!

~Hell

oh the slump

2009-05-11T12:33:00.001-07:00

I have been lazy. Very lazy. The last 3 days I have sat about and recouped, from nothing.

Well, I guess that's not entirely true. Friday was huge, and by the end I was tired...So I totally deserved my weekend of nothing right? And the weekend wasn't all nothing....

OK!

I feel better, I just talked myself out of feeling bad about how lazy I was this weekend, cause I wasn't really all that lazy! Yey me!

Friday I drove my younger sister to the doctor, 2 doctors actually. One in Torrance, and the other in Santa Monica. It took all day to go back and forth, but I like driving so it was OK. We had a break in between to have lunch at my place, and watch South Park. That night The Man and I were trying to figure out what we wanted to do, when a friend called to ask if we were going to The Dickies show at Knitting Factory in Hollywood that night. We weren't, we are currently broke. and you know what he said?

HE WOULD BUY OUR TICKETS!

Eeeep!

I was so stoked! I love The Dickies. Love. Love. Love. The Dickies. It was an amazing show. I danced on the edge of the pit all night long. I was so exhausted the next day I just spaced out in front of the TV. My whole Saturday was spent that way. It was bliss.

Yesterday I went and danced again, this time in class. I have photos cause we went out to dinner after. I'll post them later.

So my weekend rocked! Yey! I'm glad I came to tell you all about it or I may have hated myself for it all day. I am thankful for good friends, good music, and dance. So so thankful I can dance.

~Syd

Gone exploring

2009-05-07T17:57:00.000-07:00

"Every man has in himself a continent of undiscovered character. Happy is he who acts as the Columbus to his own soul."

~Sir J. Stephen

WOW

2009-05-07T17:28:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile, and has the time flown right out the window! The last 2 weeks have been especially bad, and are getting worse in the time warp department. You see, I was laid off my job 2 weeks ago, and it has gone into the realm of weird as far as the hours I have been keeping. On the up side I am at least very creative and have stayed motivated. I started taking the apartment apart 2 nights ago and have since gotten rid of a third of my possessions! Yay for liberation of clutter! If I wasn't running out of money fast this would be fun! Sadly, I am really broke, and the job search isn't panning out...and I'm not sure what to do about it. The Man isn't working right now either, so we have gotten creative on how to come up with money. None of that has worked either.

Although I should probably be more worried, I'm not. It's all gonna work out, somehow. I was dyeing in that office, no matter how nice the people were, I needed something more challenging. And you know, I'm not sure I'll find it in an office. I want to be so much more than I am, and that was hard to do with the excuse that I was too tired from work to do anything I wanted to do. I was reporting to a company I didn't really care about to file their paperwork, that I really didn't care about, while I daydreamed about what else I could be doing. Wow, really long run on sentences when you have a beer and a bowl with lunch. Haha!

So the last two weeks I have worked on photoshop tutorials, pulled apart all my stuff, applied for post production jobs I am wildly under-qualified for, gone out on a casting audition for extra work, defrosted my freezer, fed a friends cat for 4 days, melted in his hot tub, and gotten really baked. Yay! Let's here it for forced vacation!

The Thing

2009-04-07T16:53:00.000-07:00

"The thing always happens that you really believe in; and the belief in a thing makes it happen."

~Frank Loyd Wright

Avoidance

2009-04-07T13:01:00.000-07:00

SO!

Hello!

Wow, I am horribly lame aren't I?
I haven't updated anything in a long while now, I have been in a funk. A deep funk, a funk that has touched and funkafide everything else it has touched. Bluh. But you know what? It's over. I have decided it's over. I feel relieved, and sometimes a bit silly. I was always in control of how I felt, but the last month and a half (eee gads man, how long?) has just slipped by in a blur. I have felt a mess of emotions that I didn't know what to do with, and it just all sucked. I get this way sometimes, and it can get to be a hard spot to get out of. I work on it daily, and have been a little overwhelmed.

The thing is, I don't know why I avoid all the aspects of my life that I like while I am down. That is exactly what I have done, and it made it so much worse. Why did I avoid blogging? I like blogging, I might actually get better at it if I practiced and stuff huh? But I don't, I feed the depression monster. Think all the worst things, eating all the worst things, moping about. I have continued to go to classes ( I take Indonesian dance, and kundalini yoga), and have reminded myself to keep my head up...but I haven't done anything about my life....

I had a great yoga class last night, it was all about breaking through whats holding you back. We did an exercise where we formed a little cup with our hands, in front of our chests. Then we looked down into the cup, and thought about all the mean things we think everyday. The point was to really make a connection to those feelings, to really feel them. So I churned up all the things I hate about myself, how stupid I feel, how I have no motivation, how I hate my life. Then, we we vibrated our lips, in order to "spit" our bad thoughts out into our hands. And you know what?

It worked.

I don't know how, but it did. I am amazed!

The power of the mind is very great, I feel truly blessed to connect to it. I need to meditate a lot more often, and write. I resolve to do this everyday, if only for 5 minutes.

I will be back with an update soon.

OH! And get outside, it's SPRING!

~Syd

Work that into the ground

2009-03-18T10:38:00.000-07:00

"You cannot be peaceful and at the same time blame others." -From the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Calander

Still trying to keep my chin up. Is it in the air? Can you see it there? Is it covered in hair?...Hair? What? No!

The above is so true, but that is not what disrupts my peace. It is the opposite actually, I blame myself for everything. I feel like everything is my fault, like I have messed up so much. Of course it doesn't help that there are a few people that confirm this for me...and then there is guilt that they are right, and then I get depressed, then I mope around. Nothing gets done and then I feel guilty, the cycle repeats itself over and over.

I have to figure out how to end this. I need a fucking whole life makeover. To do that, I feel like I need 24 more hours in every day. I only get so much reading done on the subject, and not all of it is then put to use. So forgive me dear readers, as I embark on a whole other side project to the side projects in my life. I am gonna be here to update you on my progress, hopefully as soon as tomorrow.

~Sydney

Friday Favorites

2009-03-13T16:05:00.000-07:00

Hello again my lovelies!

Well, I have been gone for a bit; did you miss me?
There was a really big project I needed to focus on, and I did that. I needed to work on a bunch of other stuff too, and the time got away from me. Then the project got put on hold by it most important player (my father) and then The Man and I had a big, nasty, draining fight...and it has taken me this long to get my chin back up. I have been feeling really down for the last couple of weeks, and really tired. I am really tired now too, I want a nap. Instead I am gonna grab a drink with my friend Richie, and enjoy the start of my weekend. Then I'll nap.

So here is what I found interesting this week on that crazy, wonderful, inspiring place we call the Internet:

♥ Super Kawaii Mama has a great new feature she is doing called Dear Weekend. I really like this idea, I am not real good at the making lists thing yet (must channel inner Virgo), but this makes it so much more fun!

♥ The Steampunk community is always coming up with new and crazier idea for how to look cool. Take this Guitar for example, or this awesome chicken mask deal, or these awesome goggles! Awesome...!

♥ I love tutorials! I just decided that this week, because of these tutorials. I finished the blue glow one, I can't wait to do the rest!

Gotta run!

Have a great weekend!

~Sydney

You

2009-02-24T17:57:00.000-08:00

"There is only one person who could ever make you happy, and that person is you."

-David Burns, Intimate Connections

Picture by Warwick Goble

Saturday Happy Song

2009-02-21T15:41:00.000-08:00

Hello!

How is every one's weekend going? I am cleaning up my apartment, it is such a mess. I am working on my desk, and the living room in general. But, I think it is going to take longer than I originally planned.

I had a magical night with The Man, and he inspired this video post. It's one of our love songs, by Hanoi Rocks. I know, it's an 80's hair band from Finland, but we like all kind of weird stuff. And this song will forever make me swoon! Eeeep!

So get out those legwarmers guys, and enjoy!

And Mr. Man, don't you ever leave me babe!

"I have a theory...

2009-02-20T16:54:00.000-08:00

picture

...that the truth is never told during the nine-to-five hours.

I will have the Friday links up a little later today, I think, I am gonna go home and have a drink.

I have enjoyed a drink after work every night this week... I am a little stressed. So that is why I am doing this post now, lest I forget. Because if I do I will be all pissed at myself, and that is really counter productive to this whole loving myself thing I am working on.

4 years ago today, Hunter S. Thompson decided he was done with this plane of existence and ended his life. He died the way he lived, on his terms.

Hunter was a little bit crazy, a little bit gifted, and a huge lover of life. He did it all, just to see how it felt. He made no apologizes for the way he was. And although you may not agree with the way he lived, or the way he died (although I respect the man, I think suicide is a cop-out), it would be very worth while to take a look at the things he believed in. I can't begin to tell you how Hunter has shaped my way of thinking, the way I look at life, and the way I enjoy my time on this earth.

So I am going to go home and reflect for a few moments, on the greatness of Hunter. I am gonna light a candle, and raise my glass.
And so you can do the same, few links to look into:

Owl Farm Blog
Hunter's lovely wife Anita posted a beautiful poem by Mary Elizabeth Frye. My heart goes out to Anita today, I hope she is doing ok.

Totally Gonzo
Ron Mexico is a great guy, I have emailed back and forth with him a few times. I was had the honor of being picked winner of his photography contest for Hunter's birthday back in July.

And bonus a rockin article on the great life of this great man!

"No man is so foolish but he may sometimes give another good counsel, and no man so wise that he may not easily err if he takes no other counsel than his own. He that is taught only by himself has a fool for a master."

Rut. Stop. Step.

2009-02-18T17:40:00.000-08:00

Picture by Jules

I have hit a snag in my Transformation, and if I have to be honest (and I have to be, because it almost makes me ill to lie.) I haven't made much progress in the last few days. I tried to help a friend sew up a homemade gift last night, and I am unsure of how my machine works so it took way longer than I thought. Then I had some errands, and before I knew it it was 11pm! I was beat, didn't give The Man the attention he craved, and didn't get anything productive done....

LAME!

It's lame, I feel lame, and that makes me lamer. I also haven't had a super great diet, or slept well, or been in a good mood. So it has all snowballed, way downhill.

I think I need a better work space.
Correction, I know I need a better work space.

My desk is cluttered, my apartment is cluttered, I can't get to anything. I am working on two very important projects that anywhere near organized enough, those are starting to go in good directions, and I feel out of control. The problem here is that I hate to clean. I very much hate to clean during the week, because I don't see the point in just cleaning the little things. If I did, my place would probably be cleaner! But I like to wait till the weekend, and do a big cleaning job. And if I don't feel like the big cleaning job, or it is a very busy weekend, then it doesn't get done. Then it piles up, then I get sad, then I am in the state I am writing to you from now!

Wow! Huge run on sentence there folks! Whew!

So how do I tackle this? I think the best plan (other than going back to, and sticking by my lists) is to decide on one thing to clean, then set aside one or two hours to clean it. So this is my new goal: to create a clean, organized, inspiring work space.

I would like to say by the end of the transformation challenge, but I'm not sure that is going to happen as the end is only like 11 days away. Yikes! And really I need to permanently change the way I do things so it sticks, I can't just do it this month. Also, it may take longer than 11 days (even though I have a big clean up planned for Saturday) because I am trying to downsize the number of possessions I have, and it is getting into sentimental territory. It may take a bit, but I am determined to get it done!

TAWANDA!!!!!

~Sydney

Friday Favorites...on Monday

2009-02-16T10:08:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys, I am a few days behind....
The weekend was amazing, my Valentines Day was both fun and enlightening. And I will get to all that. Soon. My head has been spinning trying to get all my projects together. I am a Goddess in Progress you know!

Till then here are the Friday links I am 3 days behind on giving you!

♥ Dirty Comics for Valentines Day! ( Or Presidents Day as it were. Link not safe for work!)

♥ I have one of these at home I inherited from my older sister! I love spool knitters, even though I hardly made anything with mine...

♥ 15 bizarre statues! It makes me want to go see them all in person.

♥ Weird, crazy photos from the LIFE magazine photo data base. All on Cake Wrecks, one of the funnest blogs out there!

How is your transformation going? Still sticking with those New Years Resolutions?
I have slipped a little these past few days (although I danced yesterday). Then I saw this post from Gala, and it inspired me...and made me cry.

OK, guys I'll be back. More content coming as soon as I screw my head on, Hahaha.
Keep that head up and stay sparkly!

~Sydney

The safest principle

2009-02-12T09:06:00.000-08:00

"The safest principle through life, instead of reforming others, is to set about perfecting yourself."

-B. R. Haydon

Happy Friday!

2009-02-06T09:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to Happy Fridays!
I have decided I don't wanna be like everybody else and do a links page on Thursdays, I want mine on Friday! WhooHoo for being different! (I bet there are a lot of other people that do theirs on Fridays, whatever, just let be do my happy dance. *Happy Dance*)
So it has been a pretty good week, the last two days have kinda sucked. I was in a funk that I think has finally broken, I am feeling a little brighter. I am feeling brighter as the sky has gotten darker. It is pouring rain here in lovely Hollywood California today, and I just want to cuddle on the couch and eat too many carbs. And drink spiked hot cocoa. And get back to reading Zen and the Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance. Mmmmm....

Well, while I dream away at my desk, and prepare my lists of things to do this weekend enjoy some of the stuff that has made me smile this week!

♦ Homemade Girl Scout Cookies

It's Girl Scout Cookie time again! Which one is your favorite? Mine? Samoas!
Oh my god, how can you possibly resist carmel and coconut and chocolate?
Well, here Nicole of Baking Bites shows you how she made them herself. I bet they are out of this world! I have drooled all over the picture all week!

♦ Memories of El Monte
Where were you the first time you heard Frank Zappa's music?
I don't remember, my father listened to all kinds of different music for years. So I was probably like, 3.

♦ Huge Dita von Teese interview
Is this girl glam or what?

♦ What's your secret?
I am so addicted to this place!

♦ Isn't Anjelica Huston freaky beautiful?

♦ Creative Bras!
My favorite one, the silver hands...I think...but they all make me smile!

♦ Chocolate!
This box of Valentine chocolate is entirely made of cake! Wow I have drooled over a lot of virtual food this week! Haha!

Have a great weekend my dears!

~Sydney

Cramped

2009-02-05T16:37:00.000-08:00

The punk/goth/alternative/rockabilly/add label here community mourns the loss of The Cramps front man Lux Interior today.
There are differing reports of his age, and birth year but it is agreed upon the he was in his 60's and was claimed by a pre-existing heart condition. He leaves behind wife and Cramps guitar player Poison Ivy.
The internet is rife with stories, memories, and tributes to this amazing and eccentric man.
I don't have one to add, my sadness being that although I grew up in the Kustom Kulture community, went to car shows, and punk concerts my whole life, I never got to see The Cramps play...and now I never will.
Please check the links below, awesome things being said there. My heart and thoughts go out to Poison Ivy, it must be very painful to lose someone you have loved for over 30 years. Stay strong girl, Lux is with you always now!

Rest in Peace Lux, you will be missed.

~Sydney

♥ L.A. Times

♥ Daily Burlesque

♥ Punk Turns 30

♥ The Daily Swarm

♥ Boing Boing

♥ Rolling Stone

Photo from thecramps.com

Feel

2009-02-05T14:44:00.000-08:00

I Found this in my cell phone today, I took it more than a year ago on La Brea Blvd in Hollywood during one of my lunchtime walks. It really applies today, I really feel. There a lot of people in my life that this message would be appropriate for. I hope they all see it.

I am a little down today, not as much now as I was say, an hour ago. But I am still not quite myself. Despite this, I am thankful for the fact that I feel it. I am thankful for my feelings, even though some are inconvenient, uncomfortable, or confusing. And I am forever thankful to those people that help me feel, make me feel, or want me to feel. Without feelings we would be cold and unreachable.

Thank you all, for helping me feel.

~Sydney

Shake it baby!

2009-02-04T12:40:00.000-08:00

Picture

So it is the dawn of day 4 (not really dawn I realize, but I don't really get to work on my own projects till I get home at night) of the challenge and I have still made progress! This is amazing, my New Years resolutions didn’t stick this long! I think I mentioned what I intend to do, (working on my photography and dance a little every day) and am pleased to report that a little of both got done last night. AND I still had time to lie in bed, watch TV and love my man! SCORE!

For the dance portion of the evening I mixed it up with The Bollywood Dance Workout,

and loved it. I love, love, LOVE eastern dance, and took my first Bollywood dance class back in July (or was it August?) in a workshop with the amazing girls from Blue 13 Dance Company. It was SO much fun; I knew I would be doing more of it. But then I have tried to concentrate on my belly dance, because that is part of a project I am working on with The Man. I do all of this in my living room by the way. I haven’t always, I was a dance major in college, I used to go to studios to dance; right now though I just can’t afford it, so I do it at home with videos. It’s really funny because I have recently gotten back in touch with quite a few people I used to dance with, they all ask “where do you dance now?” and laugh when I say “my living room”. Then, they smile big and say “no, really though, where are you dancing?” Really people, right there in my living room. And you know what? I love it.

The Bollywood Dance Workout video is really geared toward the novice, living room dancer. I had never heard of Hemalaya Behl, and she seemed to be new to the concept of teaching dance as the instruction moved pretty quickly. She wasn’t always in sync with the music, and the other two dancers weren’t always in sync with her. (Although upon googleing her I have found that she has many videos, so maybe this was just her first one.) Despite all this, it was the best workout video I have ever used, and I had SO much fun!

Part of this is due to the fast pace, which although not good for the first part of learning the movements, does keep your energy way up. Hemalaya is always telling you to smile, and not to worry too much if you don’t get the steps right, just do what feels right. She was having fun the whole time, smiling and laughing. Her voice over instructions are always in an upbeat voice, and a few times she realized what her mistakes were and said not to forget to laugh at yourself and have fun! Wow! This girl rocked! She has such good energy! More exclamation points for her! !!!!!!!!!

I was sweating by the end, and felt like I got a good workout. Then she cools you down and gets a little stretching in. It was a pretty complete package. I am gonna do it again tonight, and would highly recommend this video to my fellow living room dancers!

Progress

2009-02-03T15:08:00.000-08:00

"Let us strive to improve ourselves, for we cannot remain stationary; one either progresses or retrogrades."

-Mme. Du Deffand

Changing Form

2009-02-02T11:29:00.000-08:00

So this month I am taking on Gala Darlings Icing Transformation Challenge in an attempt to focus my energy in a more fruitful direction. I was kinda already doing this, (since January 1st actually) but this way I have less wiggle room for copping out. My goal for this challenge is to work on my photography and dance in some form, every day. Without even remembering the challenge I got a good head start on Sunday by tagging and posting a temporary portfolio to Flickr. Then last night got away from me as I reconnected with a few family members on Facebook, and The Man was sick. I had to take care of him, his throat hurt! :-(

I am really excited to see how much progress I make, I didn't set an end goal because I thought it might be too much pressure. I respond to pressure pretty well actually, but I put a lot of it on myself already. If it gets out of hand I run and hide, then the project is abandoned. Add to this I am working on a couple other things right now too, and the whole thing could go caput! I really don't like that Idea, getting further with my art is really important to me.

So the bonus for you guys is I now have a large selection of photos on Flickr, and a large pool of other peoples pictures to link to! So the blog can only get prettier! YAY! And y'all are thinking, "where have you been? Flickr has been around since, like, forever!" I know, I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do with mine yet. But now it there, YAY AGAIN!

I would definitely recommend you think of taking on the challenge yourself, you might find you like the results. It doesn't have to be a big change, (it could be as small as drinking more water) but it is always good to mix up life and try to improve oneself.

If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.
-Thomas Edison

Lame

2009-01-29T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hello,
So sorry for the lack of updates; I have been rather sick. It's so lame, I hate being sick. This one sucks more because it's the longest I have been sick in like, forever. I pride myself on my immune system, I'm normally only ill for 3 days tops. This has been 6 days so far, and I'm not sure it's done.
(Image: Elizabeth Huston)

I feel a little better today, but my body is so tired. I haven't gotten as much sleep as I need to get rid of this I know, but I have 3 projects I am trying to finish and I still have to go to my day job. I only get about 4 hours of sleep right now and my body is begging for a break, the thing is I don't see one on the horizon. I will let you know all the details on those exciting projects that keep me up all night soon. Till then, enjoy the links that have made me happy this week. And take your vitamins, this cold is going around!

♥
Elizabeth Huston
This Los Angeles based photographer blows my mind. Everything she photographs looks so amazing. Her self portraits were shot using expired film, and make it look like she is standing in some kind of otherworldly atmosphere! Beauty! To boot she is an awesome chick, with a fierce tattoo collection! :)

♦
Erowid
This place is beautiful, and tell you all you ever wanted to know about the mind altering effects of psychoactive plants, and man made drugs! This place is wonderful, in a non-biased way they present the facts on drugs themselves. You click on a drug, it brings up a beautifully photographed example, and then underneath are links to more photos, the basic information, the law concerning it, the effects it has on your mind, the chemistry involved; and lots more. I am not advocating drug use here, and I don't believe you should go use any substance just because this site provides pretty pictures. I do believe this site is informative, and presents the information in the most interesting way possible. As with all things in life, education is power.

♦
ClassifiedSent
This is an awesome little place like craiglist, but with more focus on community. It is all about people coming together to buy and sell stuff in their own neighborhoods. Always use your best judgement when meeting people off the internet, meet in public places or have a friend with you.

♦
Free Rice
Great game!
You guess at the meaning of the word provided and for each one you get right, the UN World Food Program donates 10 grains of rice to people in improvised countries. I play till I have 4 or 5 bowls of rice donated, how can you not feel good about that?!

♦
Audrey Kawasaki
In a word, breathtaking. Oh wait, is that actually two words? It doesn't matter, this girl rocks my socks off! She creates the most beautiful shiny, creamy, vacant-eyed love children you have ever seen. Many are painted onto beautifully stained wood, the effect making the ethereal creatures transparent. What bliss for the eyes!

Well, I am going to get back to the insane pace my life has taken on this week and continue to drink copious amounts of green tea. I will be back soon with updates, what has you in love with life this week my darlings?

~Sydney

Forget your troubles

2009-01-21T16:07:00.000-08:00

Sorry for the lack of content, new things coming soon. Till then...
GET HAPPY!

this makes me happy

2009-01-15T15:53:00.000-08:00

more animals

Beat the slump

2009-01-13T11:33:00.000-08:00

"Appreciate what you have now and you'll probably discover that the grass isn't always greener." -From the Don't Sweat the Small Stuff box calender

I am in a funk today, a real slump. Some of it is because I'm tired, some because I am the PMS monster, some because I am a little overwhelmed by all of life. I wouldn't usually write on these type of days, (I don't want the pity that is inevitable in complaining, and I don't like the sound of me complaining) but I had to to tell you what happened. I haven't posted in a week and was googling tips on how to feel happy, and just in reading them and deciding that I wanted to feel better...it worked! Now I am not like, jumping up and down singing on the mountain top happy; but my mood has shifted. I feel like it is not so unmanageable now, where 10 minutes ago I just wanted to go crawl back into bed and wait for tomorrow.

The quote from my new calender at the top of the page helped a lot, I googled "how to feel happy" and read a few of the things I found (links at the bottom) and went for a walk to the building next door (same company) for a coffee drink. I am only gonna drink part of it probably, because I had a fruit and yogurt parfait from McDonald's for breakfast. I am trying to avoid as much sugar as possible right now in the attempt to eat healthier. But that little jolt of caffeine helps, the walk help elevate my blood pressure a little, and the quote and links help me realize (once again...because it always takes longer than you think it will to change your frame of mind) that my life ain't so freaking bad!

Be-Confident -This is a Wiki-how, and I know some people have a problem with Wikipedia because it is written by regular people and not professionals. But I like it, so there.

Cultivating a positive attitude - I just found this blog while searching for this post, and I love it! I love his example about the fighting monkeys, it makes so much sense!

~Sydney

Get a hobby!

2009-01-06T21:40:00.000-08:00

Do you ever feel like doing nothing?

Getting off of work, out of school, or away from the corner you beg for change at, and want to just curl up in a ball in front of the T.V.?

Do you have a hobby?

Something you enjoy doing at your leisure, like dance, cooking, or reading?

If you only said yes to the first question, I would highly recommend doing something about the second.

My hobbies are what I am thankful for today, because they get me outside of my head. The thoughts in our heads are not always rational, or are sometimes caused by emotions. This is where they can snowball into depression, panic attacks, and all kinds of other icky-ness. We use our rational thinking to decide whether these thoughts are valid, then act accordingly. But there are times when the rational thinking doesn't work right, or there is no time for it, or you are overwhelmed with the situation at hand. Things you have to do are accomplished on complete auto-pilot while our brains work away at what's really bothering us. Many people then wildly exaggerate how bad or imposable a situation is when they try to get a hold of it by preparing for the worst.

"I'll just tell the boss that I missed Fed-Ex cut off time, and uber-huge, mega-important

client's tapes are still sitting on the counter. He'll get mad and yell, I'll get written up

and it'll be fine. Worst case scenario. I can totally handle this, what's a little yelling?"

Gets added onto and added onto until you're thinking:

"But then what if uber-huge, mega-important client convinces the boss to fire me? What if I go home and tell the domestic partner and he-she leaves me? What if I don't get another job and can't pay the rent? Then I become all homeless and smelly and I never have sex again!"

EEEEKKK!

Before you know it you have a head ache, your all grumpy, and you've spent up all your concentration on things that are unlikely to occur.

Don't panic! This is where your hobby comes in!

Pick up your guitar, open that book, or bust out that dance move and watch as the frustration melts. Because now you have something else to be frustrated about!

Seriously, that is why it works; you re-direct your thinking. You direct it to something you enjoy, even if you don't enjoy it right then. And the first problem goes away. Get lost in it and really try to concentrate on what you are doing now. Focus. Give your self about a half hour if you're crunched for time, if you have an hour though-all the better!

Then, go back to that crisis. Keep your head in the hobby place for a moment and get a grip. What you really don't want to do right now is recall that anxious feeling that went with the problem you were trying to work out. Keep calm, breath, work it out. It will be much easier now I bet to find an answer that really works.

~Sydney

Change your mind, change your life

2009-01-05T10:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!
Welcome 2009, you couldn't have gotten here sooner!

I don't have a lot of time right now, it's my first day back at work and I need to file...(oh for joy! blah) but in an effort to surround myself with good advice and sound ways of thinking for the new year, I bought Don't Sweat the Small Stuff Box Calendar. Based off the book by the same name that has become so popular. Today I am gonna give you a little peak, the first 5 pages have a theme, and it so totally clicks with the way I am re-working my thinking!

Jan. 1
"Just like a garden that flourishes best under certain conditions, your home operates more smoothly when the emotional climate is well thought out"

Jan. 2
"The creation of an emotional climate has more to do with your inner preferences than your external environment. Try to keep unnecessary rushing around to a minimum."

Jan. 3
"Give yourself an extra ten minutes to get yourself and your family to your appointments"

Jan. 4
"When your done with one activity, leave a little earlier for the next one. Try to schedule your activities, work, play, and everything else a little further apart"

Jan. 5
"You may indeed be a very busy person, but remember that filling your head with thoughts of how overwhelmed you are only exacerbates the problem by making you feel even more stressed than you already do."

Some of it is just common sense, and it all seems so simple. But how many of us overlook the simplest things because we are living in our own head?

~Sydney

Hollydaze

2008-12-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

photo:here

Hello all my lovelies!

How was your Solstice/Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa/Ramadan/Santa Lucia/Yule?

I can't believe how fast the time flew by, but isn't that always the complaint? Time always flies by when your having a good time. I had a 4 day break for Christmas, and am now off work for my 5 day break for New Years! I have had a ball, for the first time in a long time. So much of it is due to the simple shift change this blog inspired. I am kinda blown away by the fact that just looking for the good part of everyday, has helped relax enjoy so much more. I'm sure the back to back mini vacations don't hurt either though!

I had a wonderful Solstice on Dockweiler beach with The Man*, had a nice bonfire, some food & drink, and watched the sunset. He took a little nap and I meditated the whole time, about and hour and a half! It was such an awesome break, if you have the chance to do a little focused breathing by the sea I would say go do it.

Christmas was wonderful, for the first time in years. This blew my mind, Xmas has always had some sort of stress monster chasing it around and this year was so much more pleasant.

And now, I am about to run out to San Francisco to see Les Claypool and Dweezil Zappa (heading up Zappa Plays Zappa) for New Years! Swoon!

I also got off my butt and did something of a photo shoot, even though the lighting kinda sucked. I am saving for a good piece of lightning equipment, till then I have flood bulbs and tin foil. It really turned out way better than I thought. So then I submitted a sample portfolio to the Hearst 8x10 Photography Biennial! Yes I really did, no more slacker-ness for me you hear!

I am doing this with list making. I am a write-absolutely-everything- down convert. Lists rule!

I will be back to send in all the details of NYE and the trip up north later, till then fill me in on your holidays. What did you get into?

~ Syd

*(forgot to mention that The Man is called this because he prefers to remain a wing man on my adventures through cyber spacey land, there will never be any reference to his real name or any photographs posted. It would be rockin if those of you that know him in "real" life respect this.)

Flood

2008-12-23T12:58:00.000-08:00

Second song that makes me feel better. This is labeled on YouTube as the "original version", I don't know if that's true because the guy that seems to be singing is out of sink. There is another on there that has had the embed disabled, and I think that one is the official video.
Anyway! I remember this song from way back when on KROQ, then The Man played it in the car!

I am not really a religious person, and this band is christian...but I like it anyway...and this was supposed to be a quick post, so I'm done explaining myself already!