Inertia?

I have a sad story again. Can't stop thinking about it and apologies, I can't tell it straight.

I was on the bus from NYC to Boston. There are the usual suspects: another college student, several Chinese and Indian tourists, a nun, a twenty-some couple with their eight-month-old daughter, and a very fat fool of a man. Look, I couldn't help but detest him. His breathing caught thick and short and he was all pink and emitted even more heat than I do. He was traveling alone, laughing a big whooping "HAH!" to himself every so often when he wasn't trying to engage the driver in conversation. Did you know he killed Lee Harvey Oswald? In 1971 (Oswald was shot in 1963).

He notices the baby. "Oh you are beautiful. You are gorgeous! I wish I had a little baby like you. I'll make all the funny faces for you. You must be such proud parents."

And he starts singing, "You are beautiful, you are beautiful, that is for very sure."
The baby gapes -- probably only sure that she's being adored -- until he cuts short for a big belly breath. This is when her expression twists into a grimace. Parents and caretakers certainly know the jolt of fear which accompanies that face. I braced myself. The impeding cry!

Across the aisle, the man's face fell and he crumpled into his seat. He was so soft, shy and boyish now as he faced the front windshield again.

Without looking at the happy couple, his eyes bore into one of the vacant seats surrounding him. "I'm very happy for you. I wish I had a babe to love."

I felt guilty all the way to Boston and was very glad when the Lucky Star pulled in to South Station.

What upsets me is my reaction to this. My thoughts and conclusions consist of worries that I should end up as fat, delusional, and alone as this poor fellow. And while I call him a poor fellow and say I felt guilty for finding him disgusting, it's difficult for me to garner much empathy for him. Horrible and horribly, annoyingly self-aware.

Going to the circus tonight

Dressed as a pirate!

So bored this minute. Wish I had my Edward Gorey coloring book.

Just got back from the post office. Sent my dad THE BEST gift idea I've ever had. I'm so thoughtful sometimes BAHAHAA!! Waiting for a call on Monday...

a good food day

I've been cheap. Good cheap though. Really delicious so far and I've only been spending about two to three dollars a day on lunch foods. Today was especially satisfying after realizing that the corner grocery place has stacks of pistachio baklava in the perfect serving size!

So today at work, I had milk and baklava after a breakfast of yogurt and granola. Lunch of arugula, beets, goat cheese, and pear. Savory zongzi at home for dinner. Mmm so happy!

Beets in Union Square, NYC a bajillion (two) years ago:

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Forgot that the reason I am saying this: I pulled a Melissa and freaked out over a bit of a magenta aura in the toilet water. Too bad I left my Poo Log at school because this would have been the perfect entry.

for Lillian

When life hands you lemons... by dearcolleen

One of those things I see, love, and always forget to send you! Don't you think the Mocks need a motto?

Early summer Fridays at work

2pm if I don't go off for lunch, 3pm if I do. So I stuck it out until 2, had a really delicious lunch (is it annoying/pretentious to drink coffee out of bowls if it's a bowl?) and spent a few hours at The Met waiting for dinner with a friend. I eavesdropped on other visitors' conversations when I could understand the language. Why do we visit museums? I don't understand. If it's what we're saying - "Cool." "That's really powerful." "I feel it." - then I know much better eavesdropping/people watching spots.

John Paul II is soon to be a saint. 

So excited about Ikea AND Costco!

lucky me

There's an Ikea in Brooklyn and we've been itching for a trip.
THE WISHLIST (who knows what a cheapo like me will actually follow through with):

Björkefall candlestick, $5.99

Dekad alarm clock, $5.99

Solig net, $19.99 in white

Solig solar-powered table lamp, $19.99 in black

V ågen double wall hardware, $2.99 / 2 pack

What should I do for a rug? Valby? Or maintain the hardwood? Where can I get heavy velvet curtains on the cheap? I should just make them?

Must remember: keep purchases small for the haul back to school blargh..

When you think you're on to something

And someone moneyed does it too, only way better and much, much bigger.

Exposed: Voyeurism, Surveillance & the Camera at the Tate Modern/SFMOMA versus my "Stolen Moments: Photographic Voyeurism and the Law."

Exposed! That is much snappier than anything involving "moments." I guess I should be happy about concurrent thoughts? Or we are on some sort of collective kick/social trend with voyeurism? At least I am in good company!
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Uncomfortable commute home. Two guys got into a ridiculous argument on the subway. I changed lines. An eerily emotionless mother-to-daughter interrogation about being gay (on the freaking subway during rush hour!) Transferred again. My trip made all better by seeing a guy in a seriously tailored pinstripe suit and patent black ANKLE BOOTS. How cool is that! Does he own a bowler hat, too?!

Woolly Pocket Living Walls

A while ago, I posted about Woolly Pocket Living Walls as living art. We saw them at Flora Grubb recently and even my parents were really impressed with how the pockets work, particularly with entirely recycled materials.

Woolly Pocket is competing in Pepsi's Refresh Everything contest to win a $250,000 grant to provide school gardens to 250 schools across the States and has asked that you spare them some browser time (I mean, you're here - you can't be that busy at work/with finals/with UE).

Learn more about Woolly's school gardens here, then vote daily for them here!

new schtamps

I got my stamp-collecting inclinations (can't call myself an actual collector) from my mom and my appreciation for correspondence from Joe. USPS's 2010 Stamp Program includes a series of ten works central to the abstract expressionism of the 40s and 50s. Got mine today! I'm so happy that they haven't been cropped out of their original proportions. Can't wait to use these (instead of the stupid stamps of intertwined marriage bands that the Smith Post Office lady uses on all my letters, gah!)

There's a Motherwell at the Smith College Museum of Art. I can't remember the title, but it never fails to make me crave kidney beans.

Image: USPS

gold envelopes

I have all these letters written and no envelopes at hand. Think I'm going to go to Kate's Paperie and Jam Paper after work tomorrow to stock up on envelope-making paper and GOLD ENVELOPES!

Gold Stardream Envelopes & Paper

Antique Gold Recycled Parchment Envelopes & Paper

Gold Stardream Paper Button & String Envelopes

Holy moly!
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Never mind, all the gold envelopes were ridiculously gaudy. God I'm really trashy sometimes. 

Images: Jam Paper