Today at the dentists office, everyone knew about my weekend in Mammoth thanks to Linda, the hygenist. My dentist asked if I downhilled or snowboarded - I didn’t want to go into the whole explanation of skiboards, so I said “downhill”. The assistant said something about how snowboarding seems like a younger generation thing. The dentist then said “yes, everyone over the age of 30 downhills”.
Hrmph. I might have a few extra wrinkles, but I ain’t over 30 yet!
This past weekend to Mammoth was exactly what I needed. After our breakfast Friday morning, we were off, through the 405 and 5 traffic, and right into the Butterfly migration. There were so many of them, it almost looked like it was snowing butterflies. They were hitting us on the windshield, side mirrors, you name it, they were there. By the time we stopped, our windshield looked like it had been splattered with mustard. We got to Mammoth right after sunset, and although the roads were clear, it was obvious they had gotten lots of fresh snow very recently. T’s work paid for room and board on the trip - and we stayed at the fabulous Bridges condos, a real ski-in-ski-out place, where I can see the Eagle Express chair lift right from my bedroom window. The conditions couldn’t be better, and Saturday was pure heaven. Powder, powder, powder. I never hit an icy patch the entire day. We decided to skiboard this time, since we’re pretty new to snowboarding. It was so much fun, in fact, that at one point I would be literally tumbling down the mountain in powder, laughing my ass off. I felt like a kid again, during my carefree winters in Minnesota. Everyone from LA must have been up there, since I ran into some coworkers AND my dental hygenist (she butted in on our conversation at lunch without realizing I was there).
As if that wasn’t fun enough, the next day we went up to June Lake where T’s mom and brother were staying at the Double Eagle Resort and Spa. We immediately left for some snowmobiling out in the middle of nowhere. They had tracks that led you up the mountain side to the top, where we stopped for some photos. It was quite a bumpy ride with all the powder (yes, did I mention powder?) but it was totally exhilarating flying through the cold, winter mountains with no roof over your head.
The Double Eagle resort was fantastic. They were small cabins in the woods, literally. After snowmobiling, we returned and checked out the spa treatments, where T’s mom and I indulged in a nice pampering hot rock massage and parafin soak for my hands and feet. Aaaaahhhhh~~~! By the time we left the spa, it had already started snowing - by the next morning we had a foot and a half of fresh snow. We had to dig (yes, that is a kitchen spatula, we are Californians, after all) our cars out of the snow before we could get on our way.
Any trip to Mammoth cannot be complete without some fruit tarts from Schat’s bakery. Its a bakery with the most amazing goods - a carboholic’s delight. If you’re ever in the Bishop, California area, you must give it a try.
We also made a stop at Manzanar, a war relocation center for people of Japanese ancestery during WWII. The National Park Service recently finished a very comprehensive museum and auto tour on its very location. Just two years ago, it was nothing but a stone memorializing the location, but now, it really is a tourist spot not to miss. I was surprised at how many of my friends have never heard of Manzanar - and it reinforced how important these historical and educational sites are. Although my family was not here in the US during the 40’s, many people we now know were - and are still alive to tell the stories. I remember growing up in Sanger on an elderly Japanese man’s farm, and he had an original copy of the posters used to announce FDR’s Executive Order 9066 which stated where in Fresno they had to be at, and by when. This man has since passed, but the haunting memory of the yellowed poster will stay with me for many years to come.
I began this trip with some hesitation - I have lots to do, and much on my mind - but my realization that I’ve forgotten my watch (I always like to know what time it is) was foretelling of my wonderful weekend. I was able to completely lose myself in all the laughter and fun.
Now, if only I can find my cel phone…..
Good morning. Today is Friday, and a holiday day-off from work for me. Funny how I never seem to be able to get up before the 5th snooze alarm goes off on any other day, but if its a day I don’t have to work, I’m up hours before the first buzzer goes off. It is 6:30 AM and most people can’t think of anything but their first cup of coffee. I have those mornings as well, but today, right now, I am craving some tacos. We’re picking up the rental for our weekend getaway to Mammoth (which means, no Titos this weekend) and I’m currently trying to think of when, and how I will get my hands on some this morning before we officially leave.
On another subject, I frequently get asked what exactly *is* handmade jewelry. I found this one jeweler’s site which talks about their personalized, handmade, commission pieces and at the bottom with some great photos. His description is exactly what is done in class - we take a piece of silver, hand saw and mill it into shape (2nd photo from left on their site) then we shape it into and size the ring where we again hand saw (3rd from left), hand file (4th from left) to round edges if necessary, and polish (2nd from right). Their finished product (very right) is similar to the band I just completed for my tzaborite booger. I’ll do a punch to set this ring next week.
The center photo is my long-term project I’ve been working on. I’m still unsure how it will turn out, but the idea is for something similar to the Vatche X prong setting. The background is, of course the Honeymoon Cami I’ve been working on for the last few weeks. This is a relatively easy and fun pattern for something so darn cute! The author also just put up FAQ’s and has a gallery of those who have completed it. Hopefully mine will be up soon too!
An assortment in one single entry:
Like my new ExplodingDog Shirt?
Living in LA, I’ve seen and ran into (literally) my share of celebrities. Now, seeing Bono at work would just take me over the edge (no pun intended).
We visited Color Me Mine over the weekend, my first time. I can see how this gets addicting! Nancy painted a bone shaped dish for her new puppy, and T painted a “tea for one” pot and mug set. I painted a mug, god knows how it all turns out.
Taco. Perhaps it was the “day of opening” or being sick the last time I visited, but damn, it was ALL GOOD today. After Jenn’s taunting post and email a few afternoons ago on one of those By-3PM-I’m-Ready-To-Commit-Harakiri-At-Work, I’ve been thinking about Titos non-stop.
I’m impatient. I hate traffic, and I hate waiting in lines, and I despise the Holiday season at the mall. Some of you may wonder “why the hell do you knit, you can go buy your own crap” - well, I suppose everyone needs a yin to their yang (and besides, shopping for yarn is just… too much fun). Although I live less than a 10 minute drive from Titos, any traffic or the thought of waiting in the line drives me crazy. I know many will say that the waiting is part of the experience. Screw that, and just give me some freakin’ tacos.
I am strategic on when and how I go to Titos. I have a specific route that gets me there in no more than 10 minutes. I only go on specific times - Weekends, before 11 AM. They open at 9 AM - if you get there exactly at this time, there is a wait of people who are just as eager and hungry as you are. Besides, sometimes you end up getting the top of the salsa batch, so its a little more watery than preferred. 9:30 AM is better, and still lots of seating. 10 - 10:30 seems to be better, as they open their outside lines to supplement, but the later it gets, the less tables are available. Its best to go in pairs (minimum) to have one wait in line, and another to scour for a table. We always have a “usual” (3-4 Tacos no cheese, 1 Tostada, extra Medium Salsa, 2 Diet Pepsis and jalapenos) so there’s no need to look over the menu. Save time wherever possible. Weekdays (esp Fridays for some reason), if you can get there after work before 6 PM, you’re pretty good to go. Whatever you do, avoid Wednesday late nights. Hiroko has mentioned that historically, a lot of the kids sports teams go there after their games. I used to go there after a late shift at work on Wednesdays, and it was hell - all the way til their 11PM closing time.
These strategies are ever-important, especially as my friend mentioned that they began to air commercials on cable TV channels - and new Titos customers only mean longer lines. So if you ever see an ever-determined Asian girl pulling into the Titos lot, don’t get in her way, she might just run your ass over.
I’ve been in Weight Watchers now for almost two and a half years. I’ve been in the same 7 lb weight range for the last almost two years. I’ve seen women lose 165 lbs in the amount of time I’ve sat and watched my weight go up a little, down a little. Although it seems like I’ve failed in continuing to lose weight, its taught me a few things about myself, and about life in general. Judy, my wonderful leader (old enough to be my mother, but dresses like a Nordstrom Ad) brought in a quote she saw on the gym wall in the movie, Million Dollar Baby -
“Winners do, what losers don’t do”.
Kinda harsh, lotsa reality.
I’ve heard many people my age put things off “oh, I’ll travel when I get married” (and they’re single with no prospects), “I’ll wear my new outfit when I lose 10 lbs” (and they aren’t even dieting), “it’s okay, I’ll make the appointment next week” (and they’ve said this for the 6 months) - we’ve all heard the excuses. In fact, I’ve made a few myself. But the quote still holds reality. The difference between me and the 165 lb losing woman is that she simply does what I don’t. The difference between me now and me what I want to be? Just simply doing. So shut up, and just do it.
My jewelry instructor, Ralph Goldstein, can’t seem to say my name. Every week, its something new - chashu, shoshu, shishu, and most recently at a Sushi restaurant, my reservation was made for sciszu. Speaking of chashu, I’m getting hungry.
That’s the number of times I’ll be seeing U2 this year. To the dismay of T, I purchased 2 GA tickets for their concert November 1st. We can get plastered, and get crazy with the best of them (well, I will anyway).
BTW, has anyone seen the most recent issue of US Weekly? They have a two-page spread of Orlando Bloom.
When T and I started dating, he used to hide cute cards all around my apartment. In my textbooks, in a key holder box, under my keyboard, in the rice cooker. It was during a time of great turmoil in every aspect of my life - personally, professionally and spiritually to an extent. I look back at some of the darkest hours to realize that this is what life is all about; the highs and the lows and the learning experience that goes along with both. The cards T gave me during that time were of quotes, famous and not so famous, with his own inspirational words and wisdoms written on the inside. Here is one in particular he surprised me with that was representative of that time, but with such humor I remember endlessly giggling -
I frequently come across quotes which inspire, humor and ponder, and I’ve created this new category to be able to share them with you.
I stopped by Sarah Leonard’s Jewelry after work to look at loose stones. I found a perfect Sapphire for my rose ring that I was finishing, as well as a Tsaborite the size of a booger I will be using later for a quickie ring. I luckily had some extra settings from a previous project which I rounded and soldered into the middle of the rose. I then set the stone, polished, and voila! Next up is my Alexanderite (shown with the first two photos), which I am feverishly working on making a Vatche X prong setting for.
Update: I was doing some Vatche X Prong googling, and came across the cutest page (I especially like the Our Story, he said, she said)!
I purchased the goods for the French Market Bag almost a month ago. I fell in love with it immediately and had to embark upon my first bag, and first felt project. My LYS didn’t carry Cold Harbour Mill so I used Cascade Peruvian Highland Wool in two complimentary colors. It took me a few tries to get the bag bottom started, but it was easier than expected! Little did I know this was just the beginning…..
Felting
I read a lot about felting in all of my knitting books and lots of helpful websites online. I live in an apartment and none of my friends have a top-loading washing machine. I was hesitant to use the top-loader we have here, since I don’t have much control over the wash cycle other than “hot, warm, cold” water, insert $1 here. Once I finished the bag, there was no stopping me today. After knitting in all the ends, I realized that I had mistaken the M1 (make one) stitch on the bottom which has left holes underneath each stitch (about 100 holes, incl all diagonals) so I went back and stitched them up with diagonal patterns. I figured the felting would take care of the rest. So I grabbed some change, detergent, an old pair of jeans, threw the bag into a garment bag and ran downstairs. Check every 10 minutes… was my mantra as I sat there pulling the bag out to check how it was coming along - whoa, they weren’t kidding when they said HOT water.. and then after 12 minutes it stopped and… wait, is that the rinse cycle starting? I threw open the lid, grabbed my bag and jeans and threw it into the next washing machine and started that one up for round 2. After 12 more minutes, it was obvious I was going to have to take things into my own hands.
Hand Felting
Earlier in the day I had read about someone who hand-felted, if they could put up with the heat. I don’t have asbestos fingers, but I do have high pain and heat tolerance so I figured I could do some felting upstairs in the sink. I filled it up with the HOTTEST water, put on some gloves, more detergent and grabbed a loofah type sponge and started agitating. 5 minutes… 10 minutes… 25 min… I’m drenched in sweat.. literally… add more hot water… maybe it needs to sit in it..
I break to clean my pores, I was getting a free facial out of this!
There were still some stitches I could see… hrmm… so I decided to rinse it with COLD water, then refill the sink with HOT water and detergent again, and this time instead of the loofah, I agitated it by rubbing one area of it against another area that wasn’t quite felted and VOILA! It was amazing… you could feel it just shrinking (and my hands BURNING)! I rinsed, towel dried (roll up in a towel and step on it dry) and then placed it on a USPS Priority Mail box (it fit perfectly!) for the square shape to dry. I’m so ecstatic, I can’t wait for it to dry!
With no food left in the fridge, we decided to go to Titos Tacos (thanks to Jenn’s post) for dinner tonight with a backup (cause you never know how busy they are) of El Rincon (the best Cuban food in the area - yes, better than Versailles!)… so we drive down Washington Blvd and HOLY CRAP! The line at Titos (or should I say MOB) was so insane we kept right on driving… then I mentioned “what about the cute little green place on Washington called Leaf?” and thus we abandoned our Cuban backup for this new ultra-deco place called Leaf.
Leaf, the name and bright green deco should have been a dead giveaway. I knew it was probably vegetarian, but I didn’t know that it was also organic, kosher, vegan and raw. Upon entering, there was a nice tang smell of dressing and the customers all seemed to be eating salads - great, I love salad and don’t care for meats on my salad anyway. I ordered the Flying Falafel salad and T ordered the Holy Moly Guacamole as a wrap, with the Hummus w/Flax Seed Crackers for an appetizer. The menu sign had little pics that indicated - no meat, eggs, milk, flour or fire - so I knew we were in for a treat. Water to drink of course, there’s no splenda or diet soda here although there was a selection of smoothies and other fresh drinks. The atmosphere was cute, with people discussing yoga and Michael Moore and other “free” topics and it was pretty full considering it was closing time. Our meals came - my salad was HUGE! Lots of greens (of course) 3 falafels (which were good, considering they weren’t baked or fried) and sprouts. The dressing was tangy and good. T’s wrap (he was wondering how they made no-heat wraps) was wrapped in what else - greens! It was a huge guac-wrapped-in-leaf type thing. Haram (as my arabic friend Jane says), I felt bad for him. I gave him one of my falafels in an attempt to make him feel fuller. The flax seed chips were good as well, with a huge helping of hummus (green hummus, that is).
On the way home, T says to me “honey, next time you can go back with one of your friends”… and I said “I feel like chocolate lava cake and ice cream” so we went to Starbucks for some dessert. I felt bad when he started scrounging through their sandwich selections for something else to eat. He settled on a mocha drink with whip cream and some of their baked goodies, me with my non-fat latte (damn, those things taste even better when you haven’t had one in over a week!)… ahh… I’ve got to hand it to strict raw vegan/vegetarians - its not easy eating green!
Knit your own edible lingerie!
PS 4 Points as in Weight Watcher points! 
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