I promise myself that I will not settle with the next job I find. That I will love what I do and feel a sense of satisfaction. I don't know what that job might be in, but I won't let myself be valued at any less than that. Only 5 more months.

Genius

Just when I think I was born in the wrong era...

Pakistan Flood Relief :: Pakistan Floods :: Emergency Relief :: U.S. Fund for UNICEF - UNICEF USA

With millions displaced, any amount will help. Please click on the link below to donate.

Pakistan Flood Relief :: Pakistan Floods :: Emergency Relief :: U.S. Fund for UNICEF - UNICEF USA

Teddy

As a girl who grew up with the love of a teddy, this is an art show I can get into. I still have my teddy, but he's an upgraded version.

The Machine

This is why I am grateful that we are too poor to afford television. I am able to fact check my news and receive a more even keel report. Have Fox News or MSNBC as your only source of information will only leave you more misinformed. There are always two sides to every story and event, try to find the one the no one is talking about.

How far we haven't come

This morning I woke up and checked the blogosphere, it was like any other Saturday morning. Until I was sucked into articles about the Glenn Beck/Palin rally in Washington that occurred this morning. And that's when it hit me, that sinking feeling in your stomach like something has gone terribly wrong. It's like going through all the emotions of rage; shock, disbelief, anger, and ultimately, disappointment.

What has become so frustrating is the length of this "debate" over who is a "real American". Looks at the pictures of that event, who do you see? The angry, disenfranchised white man/woman. I am not naïve enough to think that these people are not truly being given the back seat in this country. We all know they are. But what is happening in Government and in the media (I'm looking at you Fox News) is not an empowering of these people. They are playing to their beliefs and lying to them to the point of frenzy. Throwing a firecracker into a lions den, so to speak. I am afraid of the lexicon being used to stir this movement. Throwing God and a Christian Nation into the poor and uneducated. It has worked for centuries before, and it is working again. But it is dividing us. It's not just the poor white man being shat on; but the poor colored man, and the young people without jobs, and immigrants who have to be afraid of being stabbed in the neck while doing their job because of being asked their religious beliefs. What is happening to us? "We" are being pitted against each other so that the rich and power can continue to be so. What has this Recession come down to? The top 1%. It's never immigrants "taking jobs" and "stealing health care". Or having "anchor babies" to leach themselves into this country. How despicable that we even think so.

I read this article after looking at comments on NPR about the rally. And there was one specific comment on the NYT that really stood out to me.

Robert Henry Eller

Milan, Italy

August 26th, 2010

9:32 am

Al Gore lost his debates with George Bush, because, in essence, Gore refused to debate Bush. What did Gore do instead? Gore rolled his eyes and sighed.

Democrats and Progressives are losing the "debate" with Limbaugh, Beck and Murdoch because they are following Al Gore's example. It's "beneath them" to take on Limbaugh, Beck and Murdoch.

This is the worst manifestation of real elitism. It's also lazy. It's also cowardice. It's also stupid.

It's simple: A significant percentage of any human population will believe what they are told. If they are not told something otherwise, they will continue to believe what they are told. They may be being told what they want to believe (Yes, Fox is in the marketing, not the news, business.). But without a contradicting story, they are left comfortable in their ignorance.

For liberal, Democratic, progressive elites to allow this is the height of suicidal arrogance.

Either we fight fire with fire, or ignorance will win.

If we don't think we have an obligation to hand back to Limbaugh, Beck and Murdoch exactly what they dish out, and then some, we are tragically, cataclysmically, mistaken.

If we don't realize we are at war, we are already defeated.

This was my shinning bit of hope for the day. Education is a force to be reckoned with. So no Glenn Beck, you can't have Martin Luther King Jr. He is a man who fought for everything you rant and rave about. He was for the people, not for those who wear tin hats and believe that Muslims have no place in this country. His vision was for equality and yours is for disruption.

I am American. And I will not let you scare me any longer.

" A lie will travel around the world in the time it takes the truth to put it´s boots on". - Mark Twain

P.S. Today I also learned that Eric was never taught the song where you memorize which months have 30 and which have 31. That's Arizona education for you. You know which rhyme I'm talking about.

All work and no play make Homer go....

It's that time of year when we get the privilege of doing inventory. And I think my brain has melted. Work yesterday until 7pm, today until 5, and going back in tomorrow until who know when. Wine warehouse inventory with 5 teams of 2? Yeah, maybe not the fastest process in the world. But hooray for overtime, right? Right???

Also, I registered to vote in California. Why? Because people are fucking insane and I need to even out the playing field.

Oh

Really?! 14% of Americans Polled think that Mosques should not be permitted anywhere in the US? WTF America. Your grasp of the Constitution is astounding, considering how you are so concerned with Dr. Laura's First Amendment Rights and owning your semi automatic rifle.

http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2010/08/islamic_cultural_centre_sorta_near_ground_zero

Sanity

9/11 Families Group Announces Support for Islamic Cultural Center in Lower Manhattan May 20th, 2010

New York – Today, September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, a nationwide group founded by family members of those killed on 9/11 issued the following statement, which may be attributed to their spokesperson, Donna Marsh O’Connor: September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows strongly supports efforts to bring an Islamic Cultural Center to lower Manhattan, near the Ground Zero site. We believe that welcoming the Center, which is intended to promote interfaith tolerance and respect, is consistent with fundamental American values of freedom and justice for all. We believe, too, that this building will serve as an emblem for the rest of the world that Americans stand against violence, intolerance and overt acts of racism and that we recognize that the evil acts of a few must never damn the innocent. To arrange an interview with a member of September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, please contact David Lerner or Shonna Carter, Riptide Communications, 212-260-5000 ( dlerner@riptideonline.com or shonnac@riptideonline.com ). September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows is an organization founded by family members of those killed on September 11, 2001. Currently comprised of over 200 families, the group advocates nonviolence and adherence to the rule of law in the pursuit of justice and accountability.

Design Porn for the Week

Concrete table by Eric Billig

Rob Ryan

From Salt + Pepper Press

WTF

Immigrant sues over losing custody of child in Pascagoula - Local - SunHerald.com

Google Analytics

Want to block Google from collecting data about you? They made an add-on for that.

http://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Wedding Blog Porn

This article speaks to me. Although I browse wedding blogs for the photographs and graphic design elements. I SWEAR.

Wedding Obsession Turns Normally Rational Woman Into Crazy Stereotype

I've never been the type of girl you would really describe as girly - except for one thing: I'm obsessed with weddings. Please don't tell my boyfriend.

As a kid, I was more into catching frogs than playing with Barbies. I didn't really like pink, I never wanted makeup, and my first period made me cry with anger rather than excitement. I would read Judy Blume and wonder who are these girls? I didn't want breasts or a husband – I wanted to become a drummer in a rock band, or learn how to survive in the wilderness (this was a particular obsession of mine). Even as an adult, I don't really care for romantic comedies, I hate lipstick, and I only very, very recently figured out how to wear a pair of heels. I have also been described as a "pushy feminist" (alternatively: angry feminist, feminazi, lesbian shitass). In short, I am not the type of girl you would expect to be obsessing about weddings.

Except I am. I want to plan my own wedding so badly.

I should make it clear right now that I don't want to get married anytime soon. Actually, I don't know if I want to get married at all, ever. We've all heard the criticism of the Wedding Industrial Complex – how it makes women lose sight of the marriage in the wedding-frenzy, how it turns normal, reasonable women into frenzied bridezillas, how it promotes materialism and sexism and probably cubism as well. This things are all true. And all too familiar.

Here's the thing: I know I sound crazy. This level of obsession would probably place me on an Ask Men list of 5 Girls To Avoid, a title I probably deserve. My wedding obsession isn't something I fully understand about myself. I tend to be independent (sometimes to the point of excess) and even a little bit prickly. As a feminist, I recognize all the things that are wrong with weddings – from the basic premise to the smaller things, like the question of who is walking you down the aisle and what color dress you wear – and yet I remain unswayed in my desire.

I have a close friend (I'll call her Laura) who shares my obsession. Though our relationship is normally pretty amazing and supportive, when it comes to this, we are not good for each other. We sit at the computer and scroll through page after page of dresses and rings and flower arrangements. We even signed up for the Vera Wang Wedding newsletter. Things only became worse when I stumbled on 100 Layer Cake and Project Wedding and discovered the crafty wedding movement.

Now we obsess over creating the perfect invitations – from scratch. And making flower arrangements out of wildflowers. And creating the perfect menu of locally-grown produce. I particularly enjoy organizing paint chips to get the perfect color palate – which, naturally, changes every time I begin thinking about it again. At this point, I've decided on a Maine wedding, with blueberry pie instead of cake, a royal blue vintage dress and forsythia and lily-of-the-valley everywhere. Laura designed her dress first (dove gray with lavender), wants lilacs in her bouquet, and has yet to think about the menu.

If you're beginning to suspect that I'm more interested in having a big party than finding true love, well, you're absolutely right. For me, a wedding doesn't really symbolize the union of two souls, but rather the tasteful, impeccably crafted and ingeniously designed display of one's aesthetic leanings.

As someone given frequently to pouring over the pages of Real Simple magazine, and doing daily checks of websites like Design Sponge and NotCot, the wedding is just another way to obsess over a certain type of self-expression and reflection. It's design porn, only with the added bonus of being able to share my vision with my family and closest friends. Weddings also have another essential, incredibly attractive component: the groom. Not because my future husband is going to be a real knockout, but because just having someone else there means the focus won't be all on me. I always prefer to attend parties rather than host them; center of attention is not my default position (which is probably another reason these fantasy-events will remain just that, a fantasy). In my mind, the Big Day will be quirkily perfect, made charming by the minor mishaps. And I think that's really where the root of my obsession lies - in the ideal blend of public and private, personal style and manicured design. Like all elements of "personal style," we like to pretend weddings represent our individualism, our taste and our experiences. In the end, I don't really want to get married, or even have a wedding - I just want to show the world a polished version of my innermost chaos.

Occasionally my feminist background takes charge and I start thinking, why not just have a wedding for myself? Since love isn't the driving force here, maybe I should just forget about the whole life partner thing and focus on what's important: blueberry pie and lobster. Seeing as I'm a resident of the great state of Massachusetts, I recently asked Laura whether she would be willing to marry me. I was at least 80% joking. "Sure," she replied, "but I want to pick the menu."

SOURCE

21st century technology

Jailbreaking where have you been all my life? Screw you Steve Jobs.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Fonts 4 lyfe

Need a reason to visit Maldives?

Well here is another:



This is the airport being planned. Ugh, amazing.

Read more here

doodoodles

America, I am growing increasingly tired of your shit. I am especially looking at you Arizona.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/29/AR2010072905981.html

http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/2006-03-16/news/death-sentence/

http://www.azcentral.com/members/Blog/LaurieRoberts/80161/sort_A/Offset20

New band for the week

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders "Excuses" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

Thank you friend for introducing them to me. :)

Want

This man makes me weak in my knees. Yes, I have a type. Strong chins, big noses, and smoldering eyes. Yes please.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Sap

Things that make me smile - click me

If I was green I would die

Should all blog posts be about fun, happy things? How unrealistic would that be. Lately I've been blue. I feel like Veruca Salt on the inside, total bitch and all. There are days when I'm happy living out here. It's absolutly beautiful and fun little microbubble of a place. But for the most part I'm bored and pretty lonely. How pathetic, right? It's not that I need to be surrounded by people at all times. It's different than that. Plus, you add on how freaking expensive it is just to live out here, and it's like the stress never goes away. I've had a lot of conversations that go "Tucson really spoiled us". But I don't feel like Tucson is all that unique. Why can't it be found in other places? I'm looking for the right combination. I'm looking to be inspired and comfortable being myself.

Or this could all just be the phase of the moon and pms. Who freaking knows.







- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

And finally

What the hell is this fuckery???



I watched this and I have never felt the need to write a letter to yell at a group so badly in my life.

Meet Me in the Basement

Broken Social Scene - Meet Me In The Basement from Arts & Crafts on Vimeo.

I love this band. IDGAF how "hipster" they are. At least bands still make videos about shit that is going on out there in the world beyond whip cream shooting out of bras.

Mi Querida Frida

Just recently I read a post with Claudia Schiffer in a photo shoot by Karl Lagerfeld. And as much as I love Frida and all things related to her, I just hate these pictures. I think maybe it's Claudia's face. Frida was effortless, in all her pain and facial hair, I think she was beautiful. And Claudia's is so forced and tight. So discuss, what do you think of this interpretation of Frida inspired fashion? Don't get me wrong though, I need these outfits in my life.

Link to more photos from the shoot

I would just like to leave this here for future reference. ;-)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Edited to add the gloriousness that is the gif in motion.

Que viva el rey Paul el Pulpo! Vale Venga Vamos España!
What will I do now that futbol is over???

females

I find the pettiness of some "girls" to be so self-destructive. To act so high and mighty about someone you don't even know, what does that reflect upon your self? Insecurity and paranoia. In a way it is sad to see. And yet, still shocking. I hope that I never become increasingly bitter, because life is too good. No matter how much I dislike facets of my life, I always know that I am in control of them and I have all the power to change them. Making myself feel better by bashing someone else is only temporary, so rip the band-aid off and see what is really festering underneath it. Then maybe you will go from a girl to a Ms. (or the Mrs. you so desire).

Permanence