| Memories, lost and found. |
[Dec. 21st, 2009|03:43 pm] |
Memory sparks can come from the oddest sources. Take this pencil, for example. It only has a couple inches of life left and then it will no longer fit into the pencil sharpener but, until then, it serves its purpose. Today its purpose expanded by unlocking an ancient memory.
You see, the eraser barely works too. So, using a trick I learned as a kid, I rubbed the eraser on my pants to remove the top layer so it will erase instead of smear.
As I was doing this, I remembered being yelled at by a teacher when I was a kid. I have no memory of how old I was when this happened, only that I didn't wear jeans that day and I couldn't get my eraser to work without smearing everything.
My desk neighbor, a boy, offered to let me use his jeans to fix my eraser. So I did! I honestly had no idea why that teacher yelled at me but I was embarrassed by the attention her squawking brought in my direction. I'm sure a few minutes later the moment was long forgotten because I hadn't thought of that incident since. Until now.
As I was erasing my pants today, I remembered her yell and my rubbing an eraser on that boy's pant-leg under the table and I finally "got" why I was in trouble.
I can only imagine how that looked to her now (especially from her vantage point) and laugh. Gown-ups and their dirty minds... lol
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| Obscene Xmas Deco |
[Dec. 19th, 2009|09:32 pm] |
There is a house in a neighborhood close to ours... I got a photo of it during the day but I had to go back and get the night action and man, was it GOLD. Not only was it obscenely decorated, but it had A SOUNDTRACK. A LOUD ONE. So, I got this video to share with y'all.
Obscene Christmas House Decor from ivonne Carley on Vimeo. |
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| reza's school xmas party |
[Dec. 19th, 2009|08:04 am] |
Wish You A Merry Xmas from ivonne Carley on Vimeo.
Last night we went to Reza's school xmas party. We were very excited for her cause last year she ended up missing it cause of the whole nursemaid elbow/ER debacle. I was armed with camera and flip in hand... these videos are going to be priceless to her one day.
She didn't really sing much but she sure loved being on stage, kinda like someone else we know ;)
There are more videos here if you want a morning laugh: http://vimeo.com/user236415/videos |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 17th, 2009|12:01 pm] |
| [ | music |
| | Gridlock - Chrometaphor | ] |
i don't go 'super fanboy' over many things. living in southern california does that to you when, if you frequent hollywood and the LA area, seeing celebrities becomes almost nonchalant. when i first moved here, i saw harvey keitel on his harley riding down to oceanside with a bunch of other people; it just becomes par for the course.
unless it comes to music.
a few years ago, Tom took me into his music room and sat me down and said, "ok, you need to listen to this." through him, i'd discovered a host of phenomenal acts like Hybrid, Boards of Canada, Adam Johnson, and was just dipping my toes into the waters of IDM when he played me Fix by Gridlock.
you probably don't know that track and frankly won't care, but you can, i'm sure, empathize with having your nuts blown directly out of your ass by one song at the perfect moment.
i remember hearing Pictures of You in a car smashed up against a girl i had a huge crush on. i remember my soon-to-be wife walking down the aisle to A. R. Rahman's Mumbai Theme. I remember listening to Richard Burmer's Waking the Icons while desperately trying to maneuver the antenna on the radio so my tape recording would have as little static as possible...
You have those moments, i'm sure, and while the tracks may not mean as much to you now as they did then, it opened doors of new musical opportunities that, now that you can look back on them, really shaped the way you hear music and how it created a foundation for where you are today.
Fix did that for me, but with a whole new genre of music that, i didn't realize until now, was everything i could have possibly needed and more.
I'm not going to adequately describe my perception of IDM and why I find it phenomenal in every way - that's a conversation for another day. I gotta get to the point.
Point is this: Ivonne knows how much music means to me and how all-encompasing IDM has become for me and that Gridlock will most likely be my favorite IDM group ever. She knows because if she were to look at my iPod, I can't go without having a Gridlock playlist, and if I do, the other artists I have there are directly influenced by what Gridlock did.
So, being the awesome chick she is, she sits me down the other day and says, "hey, it's not going to happen, so I wanted to tell you that I got a hold of one of the guys from Gridlock to see if they had any old promo material they might be able to part with."
me: O_O
this was truly one of those moments where it was the thought that counted. Now, not two days later, i'm hanging with Tom and he goes, "hey man, i just gotta tell you 'cause there's no way that it's going to happen, but I tried to contact the guys from Gridlock to see if I could roll up on some old promo material, but I never got an answer back."
me: O_O
now, they hadn't conferred with each other, so to have them really think about what would be supremely awesome for me and come up with this, on their own, says a lot about the people i hang out with. i was completely overwhelmed and thankful.
that is, of course, until Ivonne ended up getting in contact with Mike Wells (one half of Gridlock) through Mike Cadoo (the other half of Gridlock) and spent almost 40 minutes on the phone with him. I'm standing there in the kitchen listening to Ivonne have a conversation with one of my IDM idols and i'm completely at a loss for word.
I'm not supposed to know about any of this because it was to be a surprise for christmas/my birthday, but there she is, phone on speaker, me standing next to her, listening to Mike Wells talk about how my favorite track on Formless was, and i quote, "a big 'fuck you'" to certain people and how much he liked that track himself. He went on and on about doing that album, how relationships change in groups like that, how he feels that it was an emotional outlet because they really had something to say and that's just what came out. He talked about the IDM scene, and how people who make that kind of music aren't into it for fame or success, but for the art. I just stood there agreeing with everything, nodding my head, knowing i couldn't have said it better myself.
Here's what happened: I listened to this conversation between them, heard everything he had to say, how down to earth he was, how humble he was, how genuinely interested in ivonne and i he was, how open to discussion he was, and how much the art mattered over anything - it just made me feel like my vision and path are true, and that i'm doing it for the right reasons.
I know Mike and Ivonne worked something out. I don't know what it is, and that'll be the true surprise on Christmas or Birthday Day, but just to have experienced that conversation from the outside looking in was such a treat, an amazing gift, that she could wipe the slate clean right now and I'd feel like I had one of the best holiday seasons ever.
So so so so awesome - all thanks to Ivonne and Tom. |
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| I am Jack's epic meltdown |
[Dec. 15th, 2009|05:31 pm] |
To say I have had the day from hell is a complete and total understatement. I decided it would be fun to take Reza to see Princess and The Frog. It was a great idea in my head. What was supposed to be a fun outing to the movies with Cass and my daughter turned into a kid who didn't sit for more than 5 minute stretches, was up and down the stairs, had an EPIC fucking meltdown in the hallway because I dragged her out, throwing ones self on the ground, THREE trips to the bathroom, do I need to go on?
Then I get her home and she proceeds to cry and howl for 15 minutes cause she wants me to sit there next to her while she decides if she wants to nap or not. I refused to do it, hence the crying.
I know it is the PMS from hell hormones talking and I am trying my best to simmer the F down. It has been one of those days where I just question why I thought I would be good at this parenting business. She. Just. Doesn't. Listen. To. Me. And no matter how I handle it, I feel like I am not good enough.
PMS and stress has made me totally indulge in some sugar. I feel like I have eaten my weight in cookie dough. Real helpful Ivonne. Just, great.
Gah. At least I have Pilates class to look forward to.
Anyway, I really enjoyed the movie, what I got to see anyway. It made me want to go to the south and partake in some awesome southern eats. Disney always manages to get me in the right spot and even squeeze out a little tear. Plus it's just cool to see something that isn't full on CG animation.
And while we're at it.... I dunno why but this is all I saw in Dr. Facilier. I am on to you Disney! Ozone called and he wants his likeness back. Coincidence? I think not.
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 13th, 2009|12:54 pm] |
last call for those of you who want a happy ornament print
email me @ beansandink@gmail.com
they will be going out this week and I want to get them done and out.
LAST CALL |
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| yesterday... |
[Dec. 12th, 2009|08:04 am] |
| [ | music |
| | baltimora - tarzan boy | ] |
woke up and listened to Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi. Nutcracker suite and the Four Seasons
drove around while it sprinkled, with the heater on and the windows down
walked out of the house with eyes heavily lined in black before 9 a.m. It is never too early for smoky eye and if paired with 80's metal music, even better.
got a much needed hair cut and color. I have a color Jason calls "Welch's"
watched a guy drop $75 on A kosher, organic turkey at Whole Foods. ($75!!!!)
surprised the husband with one of his favorite welcome home holiday brews
ate crispy frogs legs and decadent desert in the company of one of my best and hottest friends. |
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| Reposting. Panda clan needs help. |
[Dec. 11th, 2009|08:04 pm] |
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On Thursday December 10th in the early hours of the morning a fire ravaged the home of Tyler residents Bryan and Tammy Miller and their six children. We are thankful that all eight family members were able to escape unharmed, and deeply saddened at the loss of one of their dogs. When the blaze finally ceased the house was completely destroyed and the family was left with nothing but the bed clothes they were wearing. News article Please check back soon for clothing sizes, specific needs and Christmas Wishes as we update the site. Bryan, Tammy, Khylie, Drew, Noah, Aspyn, Zayne and Olyvia are all ok, but have nothing after the blaze. Please join with us to help this family re-build, and save their Christmas, just head over to any Southside Bank, or online using Paypal. |
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| The Kindness Of Strangers... |
[Dec. 11th, 2009|02:57 pm] |
There is never a good time for these kinds of things but for it to happen during the holidays, it is an even bigger blow. My friend Paige's cousin and husband, lost their home and one of their dogs to a fire earlier this week. They have six children and he was recently laid off. It is going to be a very long process to start rebuilding their lives but with the help of others, we can help soften that blow.
I for one know what it is like to lose and to have an amazing out pour of assistance from friends, family and complete and total strangers. It makes me humbled and appreciative to know that there are people out there willing to extend a hand to help you get up when you need it.
Paige and her family have set up this website for them and if you have a couple bucks to spare, can donate clothing, or even have the time to send a letter or card of encouragement, please pass this on.
http://www.millerfamilyfire.com/
please repost and tweet, they can use all the help they can get. |
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| reza documentation |
[Dec. 10th, 2009|10:06 pm] |
reza just stood in front of the tree and tells Josh:
"this is not your Christmas, these are not your presents, this is not your Christmas tree. Get your own Christmas tree"
sassy girl is sassy.
He just explained to her that it's OUR tree and we share it. She's balling. |
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| the beans + ink xmas edition |
[Dec. 10th, 2009|01:29 pm] |
On top of xmas shopping, maintaining a household, sick kid, etsy order fulfillment and trying to have a semblance of a life, I decided to take on a little project. (what was I thinking!)
I will be hand making a batch of these babies to mail out. I am not sure how many but lets just say I will have some leftovers once I get my immediate sphere of influence is completed.
So, this is where you come in... If you would like to receive happy ornament postcard print in the mail, drop me your 411 to beansandink@gmail.com. All of them will be signed and numbered and due to the nature of the medium, inconsistent. heh.
Please note: There are no guarantees if you will get one since they have not been produced yet but I would love to try and get one to everyone who requests one... or until the stencil craps out and the spray cans have given me the finger. |
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| (no subject) |
[Dec. 10th, 2009|09:53 am] |
THE APOCALYPSE IS UPON US! HERE'S PROOF!
and i quote:
"He's right (for once, HA! love you baby!)."
I AM THE CHAMPION!
MY FRIENDS!
AND I'll KEEP ON FIGHTING... TIL THE END!
I AM THE CHAMPION!
I AM THE CHAMPION!
NO TIME FOR LOSERS!
CAUSE I AM THE CHAMPION!
.... OF THE WORLD!
CHAMPIONS!
champions.
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| And so it begins... |
[Dec. 10th, 2009|08:06 am] |
Yesterday I had to have "a chat" with Reza's school. A few days ago Reza started singing this song and it sounded like she was saying "we are the church, you are the church, we are the church together". I taped it and asked her teacher what she was singing cause the "church" part wasn't very clear and I wanted to know if that is what it was.
I took my phone recording in and asked. They proceed to tell me that the pastor from the church next door comes by to do songs with them and that was one of them. Her school is located in a space that is rented out by a Methodist church. At the time of enrollment I was told that there was not going to be any religious education. Well now it appears that said Pastor comes in there 1-2 times a month to sing with the kids and usually it's regular whatnot, twinkle twinkle, etc. But he does throw in a "church" song or 2 in there. We are not ok with this.
I didn't say anything at the time cause I wanted to talk to Josh about it first. It seems harmless, a couple songs a month but at the same time, I was wondering if I was making a big deal out of nothing or do I have a right to get pissed, which I clearly was. I hashed it out with Josh and we decided to say something about it. Josh, being Mr. Logical Happy Stick In The Butt, pointed out that this is going to be the first of MANY times we are going to have to deal with these things and we might as well get used to how we handle it. He's right (for once, HA! love you baby!).
This is the thing, Josh and I were both raised with very different religious backgrounds. I was Catholic, he? Jehovas Witness, the very strict kind. We both have our issues with religion and spirituality and thankfully we both see eye to eye with most of it. Personally, I didn't like a faith that was based on guilt trips, unanswered questions and those that were answered were answered with "the bible says so. I left it. Josh? He isn't JW anymore and both of us are non practicing.
Faith and spirituality is a choice to us. We want Reza to make that choice for herself. We don't believe in pushing a child into an environment that could form a lot of her morals and character when she isn't cognitive enough to make those decisions, to know why/where/how. What seems like harmless little songs about church will eventually lead to questions about why we don't go, who is Jesus, God, etc. I am not ready to have that conversation with a three year old. I know the day will come where she will ask these things despite her lack of religious education but maybe then she will be older enough to understand. When that day comes she will learn about a lot of religions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Catholicism, the church of the flying spaghetti monster.
Anyway.....
When I went to pick her up, the school director approached me and asked me about our conversation that morning and if it bothered me. Was it that obvious? I nicely told her that I wasn't ok with the whole pastor thing and it wasn't so much the songs, but the fact that I wasn't informed this was even going on when I was told there was to be no God squad. Then she tells me part of the reason he comes by is to get kids to come to service, AKA recruiting. NO THANK YOU. She apologized up and down and we basically agreed that when he comes in again, I would prefer Reza not be a part of it. She will be taken aside with another teacher to help do lunches, projects, read, etc. I know that makes me sound like some Satan worshiping dick but that's our kid and if we don't want her exposed to these things, we have a say. |
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