a year of magical thinking . . .

the beatles are pretty lovely aren't they?

2011-03-03T15:06:00.001-08:00

via the english muse

and now for something slightly more vain

2011-02-22T20:50:00.000-08:00

these little palates from simply bloom photography are very sweet, and succinct.

Dear Single Women of NYC

2011-02-22T12:55:00.000-08:00

"But I'd argue that it's not about being picky. It's about having all of these options, and not knowing how to choose from among them, or whether we even want to. It's about the years of being told we can have it all, and suddenly being deeply afraid to admit that that house of cards has been a sham all along because no one really gets to have it all."

very interesting article.

ma mére. elle es belle.

2011-02-20T11:06:00.000-08:00

back to the future = cool

2011-02-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

This guy reenacted photos of people from yester year. He did a pretty incredible job.

(as a side note, these made me think of cindy sherman's untitled film stills series. so interesting.)

lovely picture . . . aaaaaaand i'm going through nyc withdrawal

2011-02-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

i do TOO love bob dylan, and my ol' friend heathcliff. love love love.

2011-02-01T19:36:00.000-08:00

ay corumba!

2011-01-28T15:43:00.001-08:00

The Alphabet from n9ve on Vimeo.

All I have to say is that there are some incredibly talented individuals out there. Let's give a hoorah for innovation shall we?

I am lovin' this: cyborg anthropology

2011-01-25T11:14:00.001-08:00

Sometimes I forget how much I love them, and it's time like these I remember. Oh boy.

2011-01-25T10:15:00.000-08:00

boeuf - this is nice.

2011-01-17T13:14:00.001-08:00

"a digital park bench"

2011-01-09T10:42:00.000-08:00

ol' scott the sartorialist had this special video highlight, and that phrase was my favorite. THAT is why i love the internet friends: all the people-watching i want, and i don't have to go ANYplace.

rachel is going to nueva york.

2011-01-04T15:36:00.000-08:00

A little bit of things such as these:

wahoo.

20 things I did while I was 20!

2011-01-02T13:29:00.002-08:00

1. joined students for international development

2. i declared a major

3. i declared a minor

4. mission call

5. received my endowment

6. went on a whopping number of dates with 5 different individuals

7. saw paul mccartney, beirut, sufjan, she&him

8. was a supervisor at work

9. started the "handwriting project"

10. learned to drive stick - fantastic student

11. went to mona and jumped off the rope swing

12. lived in three different aparments + cottams (8 different roommates)

13. went tubing down provo river

14. was a model for an HFAC poster

15. performed twice with jeff and my band

16. ran a 5k / did pilates

17. rode my first "road bike" and went to vivian park, and got my bike stolen

18. watched the beatles anthology . . . fell in love with john, then george

19. fell in love with farmer's markets (expanded cooking skills much)

20. held a boy's hand, etc.

Women are Heroes

2010-12-28T17:59:00.000-08:00

How true that is. I love this - not only does it justifiably highlight how fantastic females are, but they do it in a way that is cool and effiectively gets the word out.

They've got a website, and it explains that the guy in charge -JR- is attempting to make art galleries in out-of-the-way, non-touristy places which therefore benefits solely the people that live there, particularly "les rues, les immeubles, les bidonvilles, les favelas, et des villages." The art is portraits of women, and each of these portraits is placed in unique places for people to see. He does this work "incognito," confronting the spectator to an unedited artistic expression. Very interesting. And beautiful.

an interesting piece

2010-12-27T21:51:00.000-08:00

Museums 2.0: What Happens When Great Art Meets New Media?

This was an incredibly interesting article regarding how new media is affecting museums. I've thought a lot about this topic. First when I was in Paris and was overwhelmingly bothered by the mona-lisa-cell-phone-photo-takers, and such. Now, I work at the Museum of Art, and I help out with the new iPad app that helps out patrons. I don't know, we shall see, but here are some great quotes regardless:

" 'The artwork, document or fossil is a tourist site; the photograph is our souvenir," he wrote. "And the looking -- for which museums were created -- becomes a memory before it has even begun.' ...

Nicholas Carr writes that "there needs to be time for efficient data collection and time for inefficient contemplation, time to operate the machine and time to sit idly in the garden."

There's not a lot of garden left in the world. And this is what makes museums so important."

a quick word

2010-12-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

Luke 1: 37

"For with God nothing shall be impossible."

I believe this wholeheartedly. Truly, my conviction in this matter is the surest it could be. There are so many things that need to iron out . . . and I don't really allow myself to think about them because if I start thinking about one, I'll have to start thinking about others . . . and that is so frightening. But you know, there's a plan my friends. There is a reason for our existence, and even if it feels like your near-future is hovering above you - avoiding getting worked out and threatening to remain in shambles - ahem, know that it's not impossible. Oh, this IS a time of joy and peace. I'm so glad.

live and let die!!!! the motto for finals . . . and other things!

2010-12-14T12:40:00.001-08:00

this kid has it ALL right

2010-12-14T10:29:00.001-08:00

the hyperness, potential ditches . . . being clean! (he's a very clean old man.) and - he is eight years old. classic. EVERY boy should watch this, and take note.

why i love finals:

2010-12-11T14:59:00.000-08:00

i love finals week for many, many reasons. one aspect that i particularly adore is the sheer amalgamation of subjects everyone's stressing over. for instance, right now, at this very moment, there is a dashing young woman right next to me in the computer lab who is -undoubtedly- studying for a final in conducting music. you may wonder how i know this . . . because she's listening to an mp3, and waving her arms around . . . yes, i know.

but it gets better. i am presently listening to the killers (it's just one of those moments) and hence, with my headphones and peripheral vision, it would very much appear that this young lady was directing a rock n' roll band. full out.

chaos vs. order

2010-12-09T22:17:00.000-08:00

i love this. especially given its prevalence to my anatomy class . . . (even though it's really your limbic system that controls your emotions, and hormones that drive feelings and chaos . . . both of which are actually found in your brain . . . your heart just pumps blood and oxygen and nutrients around, and doesn't control wild emotions in the least . . . but whatever.)

john john john

2010-12-08T07:59:00.000-08:00

sweet article to remember this day.

interesting.

2010-12-07T22:35:00.000-08:00

So little ol' Condoleezza Rice is coming to the BYU next semester. Hoorah - she's bound to have something interesting to say. Anyhow, this is just a side note to some cool links I'd like to hold onto:

1. Foreign Policy
2. The World is Changing
3. and some KC links

A couple of side notes:
a. some people don't like condoleezza very much, given the images that come up when one google searches her name. or they reeeeeaaaally like her. hmm.
b. funny story: so i was looking up some images of somalia for a class project; in case you don't know, somalia is in the top three most corrupt countries in the world, so nearly every image involves guns. one particular image that would make the point was one of several young men holding guns. i wanted to copy the link to said photo, but upon right clicking, something went awry, and suddenly i gasped as i saw the desktop background - on a campus computer! - fill with the image of these rebels . . . literally, rebels. i quickly changed it back to plain blue, though i think the girl next to me thought i was a little crazy. woops. (this joke would probably go over better told in person . . . whatever. blogs are closer to real-life anyway right?)

"why i adore the night time" by Jeanette Winterson

2010-11-19T22:27:00.000-08:00

I read this over the summer, and enjoyed it then, but this article makes so much sense to me. It talks about loving the dark, loving the earth, taking the time to live. Gah, can't we do this more? There is so much goodness in slowness, and deep thought, and extracting ourselves from busyness and distractions.

From the article:
"It is a mistake to fight the cold and the dark. We're not freezing or starving in a cave, so we can enjoy what autumn and winter bring, instead of trying to live in a perpetual climate-controlled fluorescent world with the same day-in, day-out processed, packaged, flown-in food.

"Life is too short to be all daylight. Night is not less; it's more."

this article's from the brits, found here.

this was as close as i got to productivity today:

2010-11-19T21:46:00.000-08:00

I simply couldn't bring myself to take notes and pay attention and reel my mind in from its wanderings today, it just seemed cruel. So I sunk into the nuances of these paintings in the new Americas museum in Boston.

Mostly I like the way ballpoint pen feels on newspaper, a thing like none other.

Or maybe this all occurred because I got to bed at four due to HP7.1. And it was worth it. At least until I realized I won't be able to see HP7.2 for another 20 months.

oh eleanor

2010-11-17T22:21:00.001-08:00

"I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity."

-in very deed.

gah!

2010-11-17T18:54:00.001-08:00

So IKEA's got a cookbook . . . and it looks amazing.

2010-11-15T20:08:00.000-08:00

IKEA – Homemade is Best. from Forsman & Bodenfors on Vimeo.

Not only are the recipes most probably amazing and delectable, but the presentation - as ever - is pristine.

você soube?

2010-11-15T20:02:00.000-08:00

President Faust ALSO went to Brazil on a mission? He also was made an honorary citizen of São Paulo, AND he received a national Brazilian citizenship award. Yup.

I'll be in good company I suppose.

i just can't see our generation holding up the test of time as well . . .

2010-11-11T23:34:00.000-08:00

If this doesn't make you smile -even a little bit- well, I don't know what will.

2010-11-11T13:54:00.001-08:00

(via the film Black Orpheus)

Elis Regina

2010-11-07T09:46:00.000-08:00

I've watched this nearly one hundred times. Ever since it was sent to me I've listened to it over and over and over. It's beautiful, and intoxicating . . . and in Portuguese.

My recently acquired obsession with the language has been powerful; books from the library, music of Elis Regina, Joao Gilberto, Seu George, "Bom Dia" power drink at Smith's, Hollow City film etc etc. I feel I can officially say that it is indeed the most beautiful language on the planet. And 'tis ranked number seven as far as most speakers in the world (mandarin is number one, english at three after spanish.) Just listen to this, I feel so overflowing with gratitude for this, that I am going to Brazil - not only to hear more music like this, and see the Brazilian coast, but to tell people about Jesus Christ, and the church that he restored to the earth for each of them.

I've tried singing along and . . . fortunately I've got time before I actually need to speak to native Brazilians.

"nuttin' worse than a creased shirt."

2010-11-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

Hurts: How I Get Dressed from Chris Floyd on Vimeo.

I love this. I love the manliness innately associated with the careful attention to intricate details. I feel that's what it's all about. These men are amazing. The male wardrobe is certainly simple: white shirt, tie, shoes, jacket etc, yet there can be so much subtle expression and beauty. Oh I love it.

There are several others in the series, and they are equally as exquisite.

(oh yes, and aren't the accents worth melting for?)

no no no babies for a while,

2010-11-02T20:55:00.001-07:00

but isn't this quote inspiring just . . . for life?

"If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger-paint more, and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging."

— Diane Loomans

hey you, be-atle

2010-10-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

This is grandeur. I love them so. Each and every phase/face, every hairy nuance, and all the magic that happened while that hair was growing . . .

i think she's got it.

2010-10-27T23:55:00.000-07:00

also, addicted:

I have been thinking a lot about Inspring Women

2010-10-26T20:58:00.000-07:00

- - - and how to dress like them. Yes yes, Halloween. Sheesh, this has become more of a mental ordeal than I would have liked. BUT - among all this I found these:

I love 'em.

via this little site right here.

aw man, i really miss summer

2010-10-26T17:50:00.000-07:00

Sure, I've professed that I love the biting winds and looming clouds; I've said that it's all so refreshing, and the trees are beautiful, and now I can put on beautiful knitted things and wear boots and make hot cocoa . . . but I miss summer.

It feels like a good friend left the room while I was being introduced to the new kid, and now I know that I won't be seeing that friend for a few months, and I just wished we'd had even more good times together. Blast. I didn't lounge in the sun enough, or wear sandals enough, or enjoy bare arms enough.

Well that's all, the times - they are a'changin. hmmm.

HOller and SQuall antiques

2010-10-26T15:59:00.000-07:00

This store in Brooklyn wraps up all that I love about antiques. Even though each of these pieces has its own histoire, they come together and remain relevant to all of us today . . . also, they're just so itchingly beautiful.

via the ever-dependable scoutmag.

Tom Waits

2010-10-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

So when I started listening to The National, the lead singer's voice was low and unusual, and uncannily addicting.

Next comes Tom Waits Green Grass on Pandora; there was a long introduction and then - his voice seeps out, like scraping the very bottom of a river (forgive me, geology 101 readings.) It's kind of incredible.

The Velvet Underground

2010-10-19T16:12:00.000-07:00

Man, why is it that there are bands out there as good as this one - that I don't know about?!!

For goodness' sake they've got the number 13 album on the list of 500 put out by The Rolling Stone. Anyhow, I'm addicted to them. Such a nice sound, so cool, and fresh music from a totally different era. Great.

Yes! Missing!!!

2010-10-19T15:53:00.000-07:00

So my bike may or may not be missing. Actually, who am I kidding, it's been stolen my friends.

My hope in humanity has dropped . . . significantly.

For months and months my bicycle remained free and unleashed; I not only gloried in the fact that I was able to avoid the excessive hassle, but also that humanity and I had established a trust system: I don't lock up my bike and you don't steal it.

Wrong.

I even bought a bike lock, and used it; except when I'm at home I ~~drop her off~~ used to drop her off in a secluded area around my complex. Then on friday as I blazed out the door I looked and beheld an overwhelming emptiness where my dear bike used to stand. For a couple of days I glanced out the kitchen window every once and a while to see if she'd been returned . . . to no avail.

Frankly, I've been trying to enjoy the chance to walk more often . . . but it's getting old, especially as I can't walk anywhere without wandering alond bike racks craning my neck to see if my white-washed tires and custom paint job are anywhere to be found. The more I think on it, the more endearing the flaws of that bike are (the front brakes that don't work, the seat that gets soaked, the custom paint job that i've scratched up etc.) and now I just wonder why some person took it all away from me. I always felt that if my bike got stolen, it would be the result of someone's extraordinary need, and I would understand - but now I'm just utterly baffled . . . and bike-less . . . and bitter to be honest. My heart is now showing negative tendencies toward any bicyclist, people with cars, random strangers who could-possibly-be the culprit. This is no good. There is someone in this world riding on a bicycle that belongs to me - don't they feel guilty?!

Oh well, it'll work out I'm sure of it, but I can't help but feel that this threadless tee sums things up admirably well.

many a fantastic film this weekend

2010-10-17T21:16:00.000-07:00

1} Chronique D'un Eté : Imagine Paris in 1960, asking people if they're happy, and if not - why not? Very interesting remarks were made regarding the workforce (en particulier les ouvriers) how children are raised, the differences between French Africa and France, and living a satisfying life. Lots of great french sixties styles and delicious language (oh how i miss that language!)

2} Il y a Longtemps Que Je T'aime : Again in french, but this time in modern times; Kristin Scott Thomas is rather brilliant - wearing grief visibly upon her face. The sister was rather good as well; the ever-revealing storyline, and the intense emotional draw made this quite a masterpiece. I attended a lecture on it earlier this week which helped give me some direction in looking for reoccurring motifts and messages. It was frankly harrowing, yet cathartic.

3} Fantastic Mr. Fox : So fantastic! Fine, I'll admit it - Wes Anderon & company is a genius. This film was so well-written, the acting was admirable, and the animation was a little mind-blowing. Really, I'd heard so many good things leading up to finally seeing this film, and I was not disappointed . . . not in the least! (and the trademark - don't be surprised if i start using it.)

4} Typeface : I know I'm not the only person in the world who gets weak in the knees in the world of typography, and I'm so glad. Who knew that woodblock letters could inspire such a tale? I loved everything about it, shots of the factory, the old posters, the new posters, the letterpress revivalists - such an interesting piece of cinema capturing pure history!

I also watched an ethnographic film about the people of the Yucatan, but it couldn't quite hold up with these gems. And gems they are.

oh what an ethnic-looking mask can do:

2010-10-13T16:48:00.000-07:00

On the left hand, there is the cover for a book on understanding the cultural background of Liberaians in order to ameliorate the difficult situations facing liberian refugees.

On the other hand, we've got Sufjan's new album cover. Apparently the story behind the man this represents is a wild one, but regardless, there it is.

I was so intrigued by these similarities; these "faces" represent such different cultural and demographic backgrounds and serve such divergent purposes. Nevertheless, I'm glad that both have found a place into my little life, a minute intersection in the insignificant life of a student trying to grasp some scope of the world and its music.

(speaking of which, i still stand by cat power as the best.)

well if this doesn't encourage you to want to make friends,

2010-10-11T22:19:00.000-07:00

"Form extensive networks of people who know of your search for a job as well as your qualifications. Jobs come more often through networking and good timing than through direct applications. The deeper and wider your personal network, the more likely a job will evenutally emerge to match your qualifications and experiences."

-via my applied anthropology book.

Hoorah for the state library of Wales!

2010-10-01T20:40:00.000-07:00

Aren't these images fantasic? I'm feeling inspired by the big bows and soft white linen dresses of the little girls. If only (if only!) I could someday find a position that allowed me to be incessantly surrounded by images such as these. dreams dreams

from mr. marxy marx

2010-09-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

"from each according to his ability, to each according to his need."

interesting.

"The Sweet Life"

2010-09-28T17:02:00.000-07:00

So this man, he lives in the Catskills of New York, bakes pastries in his cottage with produce that he's plucked from the mountainside, and then goes into a market downtown to sell them.

. . . I think I want his life.

Scout Magazine online has some really nice features of very worthwhile individuals (like those chocaltiers the Mast brothers) and it's a delight to hear about people who have honed their craft and live at such a higher standard than most people; they have determined their passions, and now they're in the world sharing that passion, diligence and skill with the rest of the world. What a beautiful thing.

what a musical treasure

2010-09-27T20:09:00.001-07:00

#50 - The Take Away Shows @ MusicNOW Festival
Uploaded by lablogotheque. - Arts and animation videos.
This video is really rather inspiring. It puts me in a place where I can see a world of music that exists -which I'm not actually a part of- but seeing these individuals truly immerse themselves in sound helps me see that such a world in fact exists.

Sufjan Stevens, and Bryce Dessner (guitarist of the national) and Amiina (one of sigur ros's collective comrades) and other incredible music artists, truly artists.

Plus all of these musical happenings happen in an old building in Cincinnati - if there's a combination that I like (among others), it's good music in a worthwhile location.

Yes yes, this video IS a thirty minutes long, but it's worth your time.

{the worst of it is, this happened in 2007! i was a junior in high school - eek! if only i'd paid attention sooner.}

des rêves

2010-09-27T07:45:00.000-07:00

last night i had a dream that i was running away from a man - one of those intimidating creatures who will stop at nothing to get what he wants for his portly body - and we were fleeing away, trying to hide. the worst of it was i had little babies with me. we ran into a church and laid down in the pews trying to get away. but then we switched to trying to be nuns, fortunately i was wearing black, and put a black head scarf on. but then the man came in, and knew, and i got sent back to where i came from, a small rundown house, and i was so incredibly depressed.

the strangest thing is that i'd been to that place before, been in that situation before in a dream.
and i don't know what happened to the toddlers. they were so precious, and just thinking about it makes me want to squeeze my nieces and nephews so so close.

a new investment

2010-09-25T22:37:00.000-07:00

In Paris I was desperate for a moisturizer, and at the local supermarché, I grabbed two tubs of neutrogena's creme norvegienne. Most unfortunately it is not manufactured or sold in the US, so I had to settle for another. Nivea had two options, and I (most logically) selected the one with the better design.

And I have not been disappointed. My skin is feeling so soft and supple - and not only that, but I feel just fine leaving the little tub sitting out with its minimal cheap graphics and classic design.

quelles images de George et femme

2010-09-21T15:31:00.002-07:00

More and more I'm convinced that George Harrison was the true, and highly understated hero of the Beatles. He seemed reasonable but incredibly talented and perhaps kept some of the drama glued together.

Plus, a KILLER sense of style for this man. These images of him and his honey just kill me.

"moleskine sketches"

2010-09-19T21:21:00.001-07:00

i have some slender tan moleskines that i want to fill with smashing sketches of people, and things and pretty words. when i was in paris i went around sketching (as one could very reasonably imagine) but even though these two cities are very different, i still feel the desire - even the need - to capture the goings- on here. i got out my water colors recently and i remembered how much i miss just playing around with them. i like these two little shots into how someone has filled her/his pages.

so many incredible images coming out of fashion week in NY!!!!!!

2010-09-11T21:18:00.001-07:00

if only i had control for maintaining composure up against photos like these

2010-09-10T15:35:00.001-07:00

yikes jcrew, my love for you is a wee overwhelming.

2010-09-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

and yet part of me is utterly relieved to see this masculinity/tomboy nature streaming through. lately i've felt (though chatting fashion so oft makes me feel awkward) so keen on the contrast of masculinity and femininity (though for me that usually means tee-shirts and tennies, not blazers and oxford shoes.)

regardless, i like the moody subdued kickback to glamour era these images show. i will NOT be buying out jcrew's shops, but i will look on their images trying not to look too long.

i suppose i'll take this as well

2010-09-10T14:56:00.000-07:00

another incredibly classy and inspirational image. the simple striped bedspread with lots of exotic pillows, the shock of teal wall, all those framed images (that keep me staring) and the light streaming in. someday, someday.

(although happily, i've recently upgraded from a cinderblock palace, so, there's hope.)

good golly

2010-09-10T14:38:00.000-07:00

this was just a photo shoot, but when i saw i felt like i'd been lopped over the head; of course! THIS is what i want. just look, the figs, and the cheese, and the bread, and the flowers. my my my.

if i could ever be this classy, i may feel like a justified human being.

via snippet&ink.

i have a weakness for images such as this:

2010-09-08T18:26:00.000-07:00

my mouth dropped open and stayed open for, I'd say, ten whole seconds

2010-09-02T12:09:00.000-07:00

The National . . . AND She & Him . . . AND Goldfrapp!?!?!?!?

I did actually see Zooey + M.Ward, but the other two . . . in one place?! Sheesh!

via so verbose.

Knowing that we Know

2010-08-22T17:04:00.000-07:00

A great talk. Ta-da.

here's the thing about this photo

2010-08-09T16:15:00.000-07:00

it was taken on bus while the senior class of '08 travelled to disneyland the night after graduation. i'd just given a grand ol' speech and lent out my favorite pair of jeans to this lady.

it's the first one in my iphoto, and so, as it happens, i see it nearly everyday. i love it.

so many things have happened since this snapshot. i like to think we're grinning at the prospect of our lives galloping away after this night. lots of countries and other individuals and long phone conversations and disappointments about college and such. gee whiz.

also, these guys seem to be floating around the very outer reaches of musical tastes, and properly so. i'm pretty smitten. mumford and sons are incredible.

curious about sunscreen?

2010-07-12T18:07:00.000-07:00

I've been thinking a lot about chemicals and providers and all that jazz, and sometimes it makes me downright anxious when anticipating purchasing something . . . like sunscreen. Which company is the best, what are they really putting in there, do i even have access to worthwhile products?! Sometimes it's a little overwhelming - BUT, fortunately there are people out there with more information than myself. This article sat in my email inbox for weeks . . . maybe months. But I finally whipped it out (or clicked on the link) and it was very interesting and useful. Anyhow, I figured I would put it up here so that if ever I need to find it again, I'll know where to look.

my my my, may i look like this lovely lady please?

2010-07-12T01:59:00.000-07:00

not only are their wares just lovely, but the model is truly exquisite n'est-ce pas?

nadinoo

Have you ever, EVER seen a child like this?

2010-07-10T18:08:00.000-07:00

Isn't he just amazing? Oh this child brings joy to all those around him, and well he should. I just adore how studly and aware of things he is. My heart is so happy and all this reaffirms to me how important and lasting the family is. And frankly, I'm pretty glad this kid has joined the mix.

2010-07-09T21:59:00.003-07:00

listening to bon iver in summer rain and lightning. near perfection.

i'm sorry, but i can't help meself

2010-07-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

i suppose babies are simply on my mind (awaiting official details of a new nephew!) but look at these girls from paris. i can't help myself.

via a new place: streetfsn

2010-07-01T20:22:00.001-07:00

i sprayed perfume on a scarf and tied it to the back of the chair . . . now my whole room is wafting with breezes from 800 north and the sweet smells.

l'image via ici.

2010-06-30T18:15:00.000-07:00

"Be present. I would encourage you - just to be present. Be present and open to the moment that is unfolding before you. Because, ultimately, your life is made up of moments. So don't miss them by being lost in the past or anticipating the future. Don't be absent from your own life."
J. Lange

Quotes like this always make me think of Paris; while I was there, my sole goal was to relish the moment I was in. I did, and it was marvelous. Now that I am -unfortunately- no longer there, I find I need to focus on this concept more. Right now, right here, even though sometimes I feel like I'd rather be elsewhere.

i know it's summer, NOT winter, but regardless, i liked this article a bunch

2010-06-26T19:05:00.000-07:00

trouvez-le ici mes amis.

i've been wanting to watch a video like this for so long, i love it.

2010-06-21T12:59:00.001-07:00

this ends it all . . .

2010-06-14T14:45:00.000-07:00

i have been a wee pathetic lately . . . in the kitchen (and perhaps in other areas, but that's another post entirely.)

i feel like i lost the ambition that winter semester held for me. this always seems to happen, summer comes along and everyone's thrilled, and i get to pull out my new sunglasses, and then i remember . . . i'm not great with summer.

i like dressing in layers and donning a hat when i should've just showered and watching everyone hustle along in the cold. i like to let stews simmer and crowd around the stovetop and such.

simple dresses + sandals, thrown together salads, lounging in the sun - far far too simple and thoughtless for me.

anyhow, i've had trouble pulling together legitimate and summery meals, and when i don't go to the store, it's just trouble. as appetizing as pulling dry lentils down from the top shelf and waiting around for them to boil while the sun is shining sounds . . . it just doesn't feel right.

this weekend was particularly sad. i felt too non-chalant to be really ambitious (which ends up feeling contradictory anyhow in the summer lethargy,) and had an empty refrigerator. so yes, i ate pretty poorly. but today was the summit of sadness: no breakfast, studying with just water, and then

. . . i came home and ate the snickers protein bar that i got for free at the run this weekend, with every intention of it counting as a meal.

but there's hope. with only three and half days left til going home (eek - both in excitement and terror, classes are over, but that means tests and reconciliation for the aforementioned non-chalance that has permeated into my school work as well) i'm planning on being very diligent and slightly indulgent as i go grocery shopping . . . for the next three and a half days.

stellar

2010-06-11T22:08:00.001-07:00

“The well dressed man is he whose clothes you never notice”William Somerset Maugham

Isn't this photo great?

2010-05-31T15:17:00.001-07:00

A little sussy did a "wasted shoot" - and they were pretty funny, but this one seemed the most worht posting.

this song has been in my head all evening.

2010-05-27T01:21:00.001-07:00

Unfortunately I only know the words "it's been a long hot summer." Regardless, Goldfrapp is such an amazing treasure of music. I love it all.

if i weren't such an idiot, i probably wouldn't have ended up running 6 miles today . . . but i am, and i did.

2010-05-25T19:46:00.001-07:00

ha, take that 5k . . .

probably one of my favorite images of marilyn monroe . . . ever

2010-05-24T12:55:00.000-07:00

and it happens to go with this "impossibly cool" quote:

“A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care, and then forgotten all about them.”

hello there crazy-long hair . . . please come back to me.

2010-05-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

just keep growing . . . just keep growing . . .

does anyone else have a little trouble with this? . . . fbook?

2010-05-18T12:46:00.001-07:00

Mormon Belt Buckles

CTR buckles in pink, green, black and silver. "Righteous" buckle in silver.

yeah . . . i've been either listening to, or singing this song for days

2010-05-18T12:17:00.000-07:00

I'm kind of obsessed. It's just so so great, and quirky. aw gee. And really, that drummer (who oddly enough looks very much like a kid who was in my film class) is having the greatest time. (Reminds me of Ringo.)

(discovery credit goes to taza+husband)

For my future perusal:

2010-05-18T12:09:00.001-07:00

In case you were wondering what the heck anthropologists can do and where.
(Courtesy of Northern Kentucky University)

Museums

Archaeology companies

Historic preservation offices

Libraries

"The Daily Grind"

2010-05-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

I have a slight quibble about this phrase. Actually, I simply don't like it. Is everyday life really so bad that it is . . . grinding? I mean, the "grind" setting on a blender is THE most brutal and destructive. I confess that I'm a little anxious for "older life" if I have to get chucked into "the daily grind."

Is this okay?
Am I strange (and i'm wondering this only in regards to the issue at hand)?
Should I find things more unpleasant in my life so I can relate to the rest of the world?

I kind of do have a beautiful life, I admit it. But frankly, I'd been planning on my life staying beautiful, even when I'm older. Maybe since I don't have kids, or a real job, or very many bills to pay - I'm allowed to have a "non-grinding" life.

But in my pre-maturity, "un-ground" stage, I'm going to take a stand and state that if my life ever feels "grinding," I will make a change.

For goodness sake I just made a coconut cream pie . . . and flowers are blooming . . . and the weather I daresay, is very near perfection.

i just shouldn't buy such delicious cereal:

2010-05-14T02:15:00.001-07:00

since i'm not doing my reading for class . . .

2010-05-12T14:41:00.000-07:00

. . . i'll just keep posting. look at these GREAT runner's resources. yes yes, you may be thinking "but rachel, you're merely running a measly ol' 5k . . . "

indeed, but in the back of my head i would love to believe that this measly ol' 5k is the start of a little running era in my life. who knows?

well, the first is "halhigdon.com" - his running training resource . . . to promote his books. but whatever, the training schedules are right there! (although i was kind of reminded of the act/ap tests when reading his websites; you know how they put up the preparation schedule and suggest that you allow yourself _____ weeks to prepare for this important exam and you're thinking to yourself "oh shoot, i don't have quiiiite that much time." anyone? oh well, i'm just going to figure that i'm between novice and intermediate . . . right?)

next, we have MapMyRun.com. i could very well be the last person on the planet to know about this, or to have actually used it, but oh well, i - am - lovin' - it!

happy trails . . . ba ha ha.

Aussi :

2010-05-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

I have been feeling inclined to buy coconut milk every time I start filling up my grocery basket. After a few weeks, I gave in. I got so excited that I opened up the can and poured it into an old yogurt container, just elated.

Only it said "use within two days of opening" . . . and it's been about a week. Regardless, I did use it for: french toast!!!

I used some of my homemade bread (still wrestling with the recipe) and poured a little into the egg mixture. Then I poured some more of the coconut milk in with some goat milk yogurt with a little agave nectar and drizzled/drenched the bread, and added a slice of papaya. It was different, no cinnamon nor maple, but it was still very very worthwhile. My my my, what a tropical twist on this little pain perdu.

so i bought some belgian endives . . .

2010-05-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

I've gotten into this funny little habit of purchasing a vegetable (sometimes other things, but most often vegetables) at the market that I have never had before/heard of/cooked with etc. I just grab it and scour the net for a worthy recipe. Among the list : jicama, collard greens, eggplant, artichokes, radishes, leeks, spaghetti/acorn squash. And frankly I've enjoyed every single one. Now I'm tickled at the prospect of what I'll come home with and figure out (this week it was rutabagas, i'm still in research phase.)

Well last week . . . it was endives. Belgian endives. They're bitter, and tricky, but the belges love them, and I figured it was worth a go. Okay, these pictures don't really do justice to how good these actually tasted.

The first two were a pear + balsamic viniagarette + chickpeas + les endives. It was delicious

I decided to run with the sweet/bitter, so I made the second batch with grapefruit, and straight balsamic vinegar (apparently my creativity was running low) and you know, it turned out great.

And believe me, there will be plenty more experimental dishes to come.

i want to make this:

2010-05-12T11:30:00.000-07:00

and then travel merely for the sake of the pins! . . . and for international experience and exposure - of course.

look at my saucy senior quote

2010-05-11T15:01:00.000-07:00

"Life was meant to be lived, curiosity must be kept alive, one must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life."
-Eleanor Roosevelt

i had actually been wondering about this, and lo and behold, thar' she blows . . .

all i want . . .

2010-05-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

i've been a little preoccupied as of late - sure (ahem) with classes and work. no, not really {though philosophy is sure stimulating/mind-boggling, but really, isn't that THE perfect combination for education . . . it should be. regardless.}

nope nope, i want to - go big - sort of. i want to buy a gorgeous camera and take photos of people/things and do some incredible styling; i want to fully stock my kitchen so i can make macarons, and complicated pastry dishes, and throw elaborate dinner parties; i want to live near a fresh market or a fromagerie or a boulangerie (or a patisserie, sure); i want to take big trips and see big cities and inevitably take shmancy photos of me in front of essential national monuments; i want to scour ebay and flea markets and thrift stores for stellar finds to outfit my big loft in the middle of - someplace; i want to create beautiful music and be the lead singer in a jazz group; i want to own some sweet vintage car that is clean with functioning windows and moderately good soundsystem with an engine that roars a bit; i want to grow a grand garden and deck out a wrap around back porch in the summertime; i want to waltz around wearing lovely clothes in sunny weather with a really really nice haircut.

is that enough? i don't know from whence this is all coming {maybe from my recent awkward placement of prepositions; i've gotten obsessed with not ending my sentences with them, and it's churned out some rather awkward sentences, oh well} but i've been letting my eyes wander and settle on the nicest niceties of other people's lives . . . i know i ought not, but there's so much great stuff out there, and i like it, so sue me eh?

i think that to an extent i want to "be a grown-up." this is a very illogical argument for several reasons, let me expound upon them:
1* i am kind of a grown up; i live by myself, work, go grocery shopping, cook my own meals, do my own laundry etc. doesn't this mean you're a grown up? so i should be able to take more control and just spruce up my life a bit eh?
2* i should enjoy not fully being a grown because a- my parents are still helpin' me out {though sometimes i think they always will be} and b- i'm thinkin' that i ought to enjoy the more limited responsibilites that i have at this point in my life.
3* what would peter pan think of me? i mean really.

also, i would like to be a runner. not even a "runner" really, i just want to make it through the 5k i'm signed up for. aw gee. i'm saying thi mostly because i'm maybe still in my pj's and maybe have only eaten graham crackers, soy milk, peanut butter and almonds so far today. {on a side note, did you know that graham crackers "melt" MUCH more slowly in soy milk than in regular milk? weird}

well, i think that's enough rambling from a slouched position on my bed for today. i'm off.

and now a message from conan:
*also, i'd like to bring petticoats back, just sayin'.

"i get by with a little help from my friends."

2010-05-10T20:18:00.000-07:00

so, i was fortunate enough to have had an incredible photography program at my high school. i don't know that i'll ever really realize the extent to which this will have an impact on me, but regardless, in addition to a good program . . . we also had a wet dark room, a rare blessing amidst raging budget cuts and a declining appreciation for film. i miss that little room. the smells and rush of water, and the serenity of a friday afternoon with the dark room to myself. oh, such joy.

before i went to paris, i had every intention of purchasing a lovely dslr to accompany me and capture my adventures (a canon rebel xt was in my sights) but it didn't happen. so i took my powershot (a trustworthy and compact companion) and my dad's nikon (a rather stiff acquaintance to be honest.) i had worked with film before, but frankly i hadn't paid enough attention to the mechanics and i was incredibly rusty without a convenient screen and easy-to-modify aperture and shutter speed. but i took plenty of rolls of film and two lenses planning on honing my skills in film photography while in gay-ol'-paree.

i came back with plenty of rolls of film. blast. apparently paris distracted me or something because - and i'm hesitant to admit this - i came back with the same roll inside the camera that i left with. (and actually i have yet to develop that roll . . . blast.)

anyway, so apparently that was neither the time nor the place to develop a re-appreciation of film. now, back in provo, my dear brother has the lovely dslr + shmancy lense, and i have now re-committed to become a film extraordinaire (with a little coaching from those more experienced than myself.)

a couple weeks ago, my brother and i took a little trip to salt lake, armed with cameras . . . i got a few catch-up lessons on loading and light meter-ing (forgive battle-cat for not remembering) and set off. and i developed the film over the weekend . . . well i had it developed because i no longer have a dark room at my disposal. it's such a thrill to pull out the prints and remember "oh yeah, i totally forgot i took a picture with that . . . " some of this thrill has been lost with digital, and until i am able to fork up the dollars to replace/accompany my powershot, this thrill will not be lost.

(look familiar . . . i just like having lots of cameras + images at my leisure.)

some of my favorite shots . . .

my current favorite image*

2010-05-08T11:44:00.000-07:00

not only was this food just delicious (grapes + Auvergne + whole foods flax bread/olive oil) but the photo turned out incredibly well too. the lighting from that apartment wasn't always the best, but it turned out great for the mood in this shot. sure rachel, it's just food - but i still think that food can have a particular disposition, and that it deserves to be justifiably captured.

i hadn't realized that clearly i haven't been in this new place too long because i still have shots on my camera (up until about an hour ago) that were shot in completely different set of living quarters. strange.

*other than the one posted just below this one . . . still swooning.

friends, i think i'm in love . . .

2010-05-08T11:27:00.000-07:00

with john lennon from 1965.

so we've been watching THE beatles anthology. and the more we watch, the harder i fall. he's ridiculous in the footage sometimes, crazy and wild and maybe a little irreverent, but . . . that only makes things worse.

you know how when you're at some gathering, and so is your li'l crush, and every time you catch sight of them, you become twitterpated and a little giddy; it's kind of like that. only he's dead, and the sights i'm catching come from footage that is 45 years old. aw gee.

but still, 1965 was a good year for john lennon, he was looking very swell. oh my, i can't even look at this photo without getting a little thrill. i realize some things are coming that will alter the way this man looks (the hair/beard, the owl glasses, the increasingly frightening growing resemblance to yoko etc.) but for now - frozen in the year 1965 (don't worry he looked great before, but i believe he's peaking) all is well.

{feel free to add in some univerally applicable line from any beatles song here . . . at your leisure.}

on my kitchen to do list

2010-05-01T17:24:00.000-07:00

zucchini fries (baked i think)
a salad with endives
hummus
crêpes with asparagus
pear sorbet
ginger snaps (with some of the fresh ginger from goodearth.)

some great words (slash phrases)

2010-05-01T14:06:00.000-07:00

spelunker \spih-LUNK-er\ noun
: one who makes a hobby of exploring and studying caves

soi-disant \swah-dee-ZAHNG (the NG is not pronounced, but the vowel is nasalized)\ adjective
: self-proclaimed, so-called
repartee \rep-er-TEE\ noun
1 a : a quick and witty reply *b : a succession or interchange of clever retorts : amusing and usually light sparring with words
2 : adroitness and cleverness in reply
alacrity \uh-LAK-ruh-tee\ noun
: promptness in response : cheerful readiness
petard \puh-TAHRD\ noun
1 : a case containing an explosive to break down a door or gate or breach a wall
*2 : a firework that explodes with a loud report

this sums up last week fairly well.

2010-04-30T12:11:00.001-07:00

from the impossible cool

2010-04-23T23:08:00.000-07:00

“Stare, pry, listen, eavesdrop. Die knowing something. You are not here long.”Walker Evans

a wee end-of-the-year poem

2010-04-23T01:36:00.001-07:00

classes are through
aren't you glad?
time for summer/sunshine/sunglasses etc.
it's going to be . . . rad.

hoorah.

howdy snickerdoodle

2010-04-20T01:35:00.000-07:00

(i was going to say "holy snickerdoodle" but that seemed a little sacreligious, though these cookies are very nearly sacred.)

recipe + image via smittenkitchen!

Makes three dozen 3 to 4-inch cookies. Your mileage will vary by the size scoop you use.

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 tablespoons (2 stick or 8 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar, plus more if needed
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, plus more if needed
2 large eggs
Preheat the oven to 400°, with one rack in top third and one rack in bottom third of oven. Line baking sheets with silicone baking mats or parchment paper; set aside.
Sift together flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine butter and 1 1/2 cups sugar. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides of bowl. Add eggs, and beat to combine. Add dry ingredients, and beat to combine. At this point, I chilled the dough for an hour (or you can overnight) before scooping it, because I otherwise found it too difficult to scoop into balls and roll but the original recipe doesn’t find this step neccessary.
Once dough has chilled, in a small bowl, combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the ground cinnamon. Use a small ice-cream scoop* to form balls of the dough, and roll in cinnamon sugar. Place about two inches apart on the prepared baking sheets. Bake until the cookies are set in center and begin to crack (they will not brown), about 10 minutes, rotating the baking sheets after five minutes. Transfer the sheets to a wire rack to cool about five minutes before transferring the cookies to the rack. In theory, they can be stored in an airtight container up to one week, but I say good luck wtih that.
* Martha recommends a size 30 (1 1/4 ounce) ice cream scoop but I used a size 40 (3/4 ounce) and they came out 3 to 4 inches across, or plenty huge.

checking up on goldie

2010-04-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

sometimes i get a little overzealous to check up on other people's lives. i just like to know what's going on and make some kind of connection from my little macbook. but that may not be terrible healthy, so i decided that any time i feel an inexplicable hankering to scope out other blogs, i'll just come right here and make a swell post of my own.

'tis spring . . . i daresay

2010-04-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

All of a sudden, spring sprang, and I know she'll flee as quickly as she invaded, so I keep whipping out my camera to shoot some photos.

{Though I must confess that quite often today I imagined how splendid Paris inevitable looks right now . . . with blossoms. aw gee.}

But everyone is outdoors, frolicking and studying {the ratios of which i am unaware} and I confess that I made sure that I too took in plenty of fresh air and vitamin D. It's pretty perfect weather - it's going to get incredible hot, so I'm enjoying the lingering - however slight - chill in the air.