the tickle trunk

I have a little thing for crafts. I have a little thing for craft supplies. I enjoy having a myriad of half started or never started projects. Just knowing at any moment I can throw open the doors of the craft cabinet and explore my creativity pleases me to no end. While it's a bit jumbled, if you looked closely you might see:

A sewing machine (the one on top is a bit of a decoration), cloth, embroidery thread, pillow cases stamped for embroidery, patterns, iron on transfers, glue, tape and other adhesive materials, multiple spools of ribbon (some very large and particularly antique), paper, scissors, cutting mat and cutting wheel, cotton stuffing, lavender, yarn, crotchet hooks, knitting needles, pens, felt markers, pins, craft books, craft magazines, beads, beading wire, some funny little wooden cording tool my mother gave my for Christmas, pliers, nails, hammers, brushes, stencils, paint, plain paper, craft paper and tissue paper, string, thread, gift wrap, rubber stamps, ink pads, glitter, and a bag of small glass sample jars.

As you can imagine craft stores are a mesmerizing wonderland to explore. I can spend hours pouring over different hole punchers, colors of ribbon, tools, pens, solvents for paints, craft kits, scrapbook kits- you name it. My eyes turn into spirals. Today they spun wildly as I hit the mother lode of craft stores, Loomis. Just like the web page says.. "give your creativity free rein". Honestly, if I did that, I would quit my job, move to a commune and start making my own clothes and hand embroidering my underwear. Not good.

Today I reined in my urge to buy mini spools of cloth ribbon in a dizzying array of colors. It's like a drug. I knew if I loaded up on those tiny wheels of fabric crack I would come home, unroll them all and roll around in it until we were a sweating, tangled heap. Instead I ran my hands over the rainbow of felt markers the way a kid would run a stick over a picket fence. I picked up the solvent and paint bottles and watched the air bubbles rise to the surface. I shook the little jars of powdered pigment and made pleasant with the staff query of "doing alright?".

I almost gave in to a package of Super Sculpey while I envisioned all the things I could make and bake in my oven. Then I realized the auxiliary purchases of paint and glaze and talked myself out of it. The other massive temptation were these little kits of stencil letters that "rub on to virtually any surface". But then I realized that every open wall surface in my apartment would be emblazoned with an uplifting quote of inspiring word by the weekend. I was feeling that kind of creative fire today.

No, I held back. I bought one spool of fabric ribbon and a "Chinese take out" like container for a gift I bought the sister and slowly backed myself out of the store. I have a load of groovy crafting links but I'm too exhausted now to share them. I feel like have been sniffing the glue stick when I haven't. Howver, "Not Martha" is a good one, you can find it in the side bar of links called 'fuck you Martha Stewart'. Click on "get your craft on". It's a favorite too. Hell, take a moment a click through all my favorite links.

Before I forget.. Chocolate Bubble Wrap. I think it's pretty self explanatory. It's definitly a site I have to save for another day. Thanks to Dooce for the link.

come inside for a cuppa

come inside for a cuppa, originally uploaded by smoooch.

39 is only 3 years older than me

It can't be easy. The world is silently chanting in your ear.."fourty fourty you're almost fourty. what have you done with your time. are you all you thought you would be?". Listen, the first thing you have to do is kill that voice. It's not yours. It belongs to a 69 year old block of cement in a suit in a commercial you watched when you were five.

It was representing a term deposit in a bank. Ignore it.

The second thing you have to do is to convince yourself that it is OK that you have decided to halt your emotional growth at a healthy, say, 26 year old mind. Then tell your skin to park it where it is. Stay put. Boobs are you listening? You can just stop what you're doing right now. You might want to have a chat with a few other parts just to make sure the whole kit is on track with the 26 year old thing and then you're good to go.

The last thing you should do is list all the incredibly wonderful things YOU think you've done. You can define these yourself, Oprah says so. So, you've made a list everyday for the last 5 years. Celebrate that. Plus all the other things you've done, like that time that you hitch hiked through Egypt..pretty amazing. It really is a crying shame the world doesn't reward that kind of bravery and tenacity in monetary gain. Wouldn't it be great if you could get a RRSP contribution for developing hepatitis while on the Atlas mountains and have to be carried down by sherpas and a donkey? I mean, that would kill me. Be happy for all the things you've done, finsihed, accomplished or were "successful" at. Be estatic that you decided to go get that wacky masters degree and you might get out and decide what you really want to do is shuck oysters in a bar in Yugaslovia. Hurrah!! Whatever it is, whatever you've done, you've made it thus far without killing me and that, I'd say, that's alot.

Happy Birthday Catherine.

(when I freak out about turning 39, I'll have to come back and read this post.)

Love,

your sister.

By the way.. I posted 2 of my favorite photgraphs from our Sunday afternoon in Chinatown. You can see the rest of them here.

an afternoon in the local market

I can wish right?

• 1-2 warm sweaters, grey or black, preferably high quality fibers of wool/cashemere blend- One down one to go, supplementing with 2 new merino wool longsleeve shirts. Yum
• 3-4 good quality Tshirts in black or grey
• good quality lightweight gloves for chilly photographic mornings in the Czech Republik
• small travel bag in grey for toiletries. I saw one at MEC for less than $10- check
  
• travel tea press. Michael has one and I'm jealous.- no longer jealous with my sparkly red one- check
  
• A Matt&Nat handbag and wallet- the buddah bag in yellow, the sabre tooth wallet in large and any color, they're just yummy yum.
  
• lots and lots of bergamont rooiboos and a pretty bombilla.
  

the next big thing

Mark my words, Amy Winehouse is about to blast onto the North American scent through Austin's SXSW festival.

chicken before the egg?

Check out these clever photographs that are based on children's drawings. Either that or the children's drawings are based on the photographs.

Thanks Todd, for the link.

my god given right is to be happy

There are a number of perks to sharing a vehicle with a co-op rather than being the out right owner of one.

1. Access to a wide variety of vehicles. Jeeps, trucks, hybrids, Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Bug. No Smart cars, or motorcycles though.

2. Discount on most car rentals at three different car rental agencies.

3. 15% discount monthly Translink bus pass that I will continue to buy every month.

4. 10% off my monthly bill for being a good Co-Op member: returning vehicles on time, keeping the gas tank of vehicles I borrow at 1/2 tank, not leaving light on or doors and windows open, and paying my bill on time.

5. The Co-Op pays for all gas, maintenence and insurance. If you put gas in a vehicle or put it through a car wash, just attatch receipts and it will be taken off your monthly bill.

Today, I booked a 2003 Gray Toyota RAV4 to do a large grocery run and pick up a few things. It's parked 4 blocks away, for use between 1-5pm. The charge is $8.00 plus approx $0.18/per kilometre. This makes me happy.

The downsides? You don't get to indulge that part of being a human that says:

"I deserve to have access to a vehicle at all hours of the day. I deserve to be the only person in the vehicle if I want that and I deserve to use the trunk as a storage unit for my stuff. I also deserve to have this vehicle parked less than 20 steps from my front door and not have to share it if I don't want to. Lastly, I derserve to feel that having a vehicle is a god given right to my human functioning on the planet, not a luxury."

I think I can live with that.

baby, you can drive my car

I used to own a 1969 Valiant. I named it Rose. It was the first car I ever owned and I bought it for $500.00. All because of the fabled Slant 6 engine. From the very beginning that car was a lesson in car maintenance. The first thing I had to do was have the head gasket on the radiator resealed. When I decided I was going to drive it from Calgary to Vancouver, I had to have both upper and lower ball joints redone. That job cost $970.00. That was a month after I bought it.

Further lessons in car anatomy followed when I drove in to the United States. The radiator started leaking at the border but I persevered. In Everett, Wa, I had to have the head gasket soldered again and then in Portland it was clear, the whole thing would have to be replaced. Luckily, I found a radiator shop run by a woman.

Fran: Look, I like Canadians and you seem very nice. I'll sell you this thing at cost to help you. I also won't charge you labor if you want to do this yourself.
Me: Ok (sheepish, uncertain look on my face)
Fran: You have tools don't you?
Me: Um no.

Fran handed me a few wrenches and gave me a quick lesson in hoses, bolts and removal of the cooling system in a 69 Valiant and left me alone to finish the task. I did.

Further unexpected instructions and assignments covered:

-cracked manifold and head gasket repair
-spark plugs
-changing the oil
-boosting the car up on a jack
-drum brakes adjustment and ultimate replacement.
-starter motor
-ignition switch
-stalls and getting a jump
-timing
-carburetor and what it means to run rich
-electrical wiring and fuses
-radio maintenance
-steering column
-tires
-the horn
-exhaust pipe and muffler

I know I'm forgetting something, but I did save ever single receipt for every single repair or part I paid for. And then I handed them all over when I sold Rose 5 years later after she literally became a monkey on my back. In the end, I had a cool car, learned alot of words and found the ability to talk shop bullshit to not get ripped off by a mechanic that thought I was a stupid, gullible girl.

I have vowed to never ever be the sole owner of a vehicle ever again. But that doesn't stop me from occasionally needing a car. So, after looking into the matter and having experience with Michael being a involved, today I became a member of the very first car co-operative in Canada.

What does that mean?

It means I have access to a variety of vehicles parked around the lower mainland. It means I can book a car for as little as a 1/2 hr. Most importantly, it means I can drive to Ikea or relieve my arms of carrying 7 bags of groceries home.

thanks for the reminders, Mom

1. There are at least two people in this world that you would die for.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. The only reason anyone would ever hate you is because they want to be just like you.

4. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like you.

5. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

6. You mean the world to someone.

7. You are special and unique.

8. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good comes from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you take another look.

he asked for only locally grown flowers.

A lesser eco-footprint was my valentine this year.

Michael never says the 3 little words but he does bring me flowers for Valentine's Day., originally uploaded by smoooch.

Does Ruby wear a watch?

Last year, Ruby brought me a bird the day AFTER Valentine's Day. This year, it was the day BEFORE.

Is there something in the air that says, "bring your human a dead bird"?

Happy Valentine's Day

holding, originally uploaded by smoooch.

Remember- when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together. And don't forget to show each other a little love and compassion.

More Kisses Please!!

love me do

The beast, otherwise known as my cat Ruby, found herself on the roof of the house last night. I'm baffled at how she manages to get up there as previous known routes have been blocked off with chicken wire. Have you ever seen a cat climb a trellice like a ladder, hand over hand? I have and it's not right. This cat is like a small white monkey with cat like features. Well, mysteries aside, she got up there again and her plaintive mews let me know.

Past attempts to rescue this screature have not been well received. I have coaxed her down to beam off a 2nd floor balcony just at my reach when I stand on a stack of chairs on the back porch. Grabbing her leg and forcfully pulling her down is not enjoyed by either of us. And she remembered it and would not have anything to do with that vantage point.

So I got the ladder.

At 7am today in my slept in sweats and tshirt and pair of cheap sandals, I stood on this ricketty ladder until my head was above the beam. I called for the beast to come forth and she gingerly made her way across the beam to where I was. I patted my shoulder and gently encourgaed her. Remember this was the monster that took out an innocent bird yesterday. She mewed and took one tentative step onto my shoulder, then another and then mewed a more distinctive and assertive, "Ok, fine now, take me down servant girl".

stretch

new, originally uploaded by smoooch.

the day as it unfolded

I had a nice day at work. Daily work activites went smoothly and alot was accomplished. I rode the public transit home and stayed on to go a bit further to the local grocery store. The one that sells killer spicy fennel sausages. Perfect for red lentil soup with a nice Italian loaf of bread. Standing at the deli counter I was greeted with this warning of exceptional customer service.Great. Thanks for the head's up. I'll have to remember that the next time I try and double up with a stranger. The hand of the deli god will swoop down and shake it's cheese finger at me.

Afterwards, I stopped into my favorite cafe to have one of the best lattes on the drive, Joe's- a veritable landmark. Here's a picture of Tony and my lovely layered coffee. It's always a treat to go. A little sketchy is the decor, but what can you expect from an ex-bullfighter from Portugal.All in all it was a very relaxed evening. I didn't even mind the throngs of fellow passangers as I made my way home. I walked the last few blocks thinking of dinner, a nice quiet evening to catch up on laundry, some reading and maybe a favorite TV show. That was until I dropped my coat, flicked on the light, turned.

Ruby (the cat) had out run any warning the small bell on the collar around her neck might call out out and captured a bird in her carnivorastic little jaws. The first one this year. From the puddle of little feathers, I can see that a small scuffle ensued while she either played with the poor creature or it tried to escape. I'm sure it was the latter.And here I was thinking her mad racing around recently was the forebearing of some seismic shifting or other earthly activity that only animals can sense. No, instead it was her blood thirsty hunger for capture and carnage.

I live with a small white beast.

triptych

They each sold for $60 each.

Somedays I feel like a little tiny toy soldier.

tiny soldier army, originally uploaded by smoooch.

You can imagine how hard it is to walk when your feet are glued to a little green platform.

validating the valuable

Two photographs were sold. The first photographs I have ever sold.

A friend who's feet are pictured in the lower photo decided she wanted the print. And then when she saw this little collage, a little inspration hit and another print was chosen.

And there you have it. My little photos are all grown up and have been launched into the big bad world to be seen by potentially millions of people.

Because that's just how popular my friend is.

simplicity

Michael, Todd and I were sitting around yesterday and Todd brought up an excellent point. We, as a society are quickly reaching the saturation point of shock value. Things that were once considered taboo are no longer shocking. People say condom and penis on the radio. I remember when that was freaky. Now 'Girls Gone Wild' videos are advertised on prime time and swearing is laughingly bleeped out. It will get harder and harder to shock the general public. Harder and harder to get our attention.

We wondered what would happen. Will we have death row inmates making customer satisfaction endorsments?

This video is a classic example of where we might go. Go bare and basic, almost back to childhood sensibilities and simplicities. Hand shadow puppets shows like the ones your father entertained you with when you were a child. A bed time story displayed magically on the wall with a flashlight. Black and white. No longer will we be captivated by the garish, overblown, excessive, and revealing displays so common in today's media. I predict a return to old fonts, old classic magazine ads, displaying simple ideas and highlighting the 'handmade' or 'homemade' quality.

What do you think?

These feet were made for walking.