Jonesin' for Jonsi

Sorry for the cheesy title, folks! I'm anxiously awaiting the debut solo album from Jónsi of sigur rós, which comes out April 5. And I'm also excited to see him perform later this month!  I was happy to find that you can listen to the entire album from the ever wonderful NPR music. They are right when they call the music 'ethereal, sprawling and mysterious.'  This is definitely worth a listen!  Here's a music video for one of the songs too.

 

That's Just Animal

I've had a fabulous week away from work coupled with a visit from my mom.  It was great to spend time with her and show her some of the great stuff in the area.  We spent a good bit of time outside--at the coast, walking Berkeley neighborhoods, driving up Highway 1 in Big Sur--and as I reviewed my photos I found a common theme.  During the week we saw lots of fun animals AND I managed to get some good shots of them looking right at us!  Here are few...

Elephant Seal in Morro Bay, sparring away with his buddy.  

A beautiful mystery bird hanging out at Nepenthe, and amazing restaurant in Big Sur that you must visit! Anyone know what kind of bird this is?

Naughty Berkeley squirrel caught eating the flowers on this gorgeous tree!

...and There Were Legs

Well, its been awhile since I make the pledge to wear skirts more, and I finally have a report!  It has been fun getting motivated to dress up a little more often, and the warmer weather doesn't hurt!  Thanks must go to my mom, who helped me make two of these skirts!

No More Teachers, No More Books

As you may know, I've been taking a graphic design course in publication design.  I have learned so much!  I'm ready for a break, though, which is good because my class ends tonight!  I thought I would showcase a few of my projects.  More to come soon!

This is a newsletter project; the assignment was to design a newsletter for a Acme Insurance, a fictional company that provides insurance for people who like extreme sports.  I wanted to make it kind of "edgy" and appealing to people who like a thrill, while still also evoking a sense of trust and security with this insurance company.

This is a magazine article--the first full page spread.  This project was a re-design of this real article that appeared in Mother Jones magazine.  The article is about the dangers of pet monkeys spreading disease to humans, and the irresponsible exotic animal trade.  Here, I wanted the page to jump out to a reader who might be flipping through the magazine, to draw someone in, and to convey the sense of FEAR that the author of the article is trying to create. Sorry about the blacks not matching--it doesn't look like that in real life when printed on nice paper!

Good, FREE music!!

To continue on with my praise of NPR MUSIC, I have to post about their sampler that you can download for free!   Its an 11-song sampler of the artists featured by NPR Music and public radio stations at this March's South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas.  Go here to download, and Enjoy!! 

TRACK LIST

"Written in Reverse" by Spoon from Transference

"The High Road" by Broken Bells from Broken Bells

"I Learned the Hard Way" by Sharon Jones And The Dap-Kings from I Learned the Hard Way

"Canadian Girl" by The Walkmen from You & Me

"Girl In Love" by Smith Westerns from Smith Westerns

"Airplanes" by Local Natives from Gorilla Manor

"Everywhere I Go" by G-Side from Starshipz And Rocketz

"Cleo's Song" by JBM from Not Even In July

"Achille's Heel: IV. Shur Landing" by Brooklyn Rider from Dominant Curve

"Hannah" by Freelance Whales from Weathervanes

"Swim" by Surfer Blood from Astro Coast

Tunes for Your Weekend

I love NPR's All Songs Considered!  They have a Song of the Day email that I highly recommend.  Last week my friend informed me of NPR's post on Broken Bells, an album that Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) and James Mercer from the Shins have just released.   Check it out here--a free listen on the NPR site.  I don't know about you, but I plan on  doin' some relaxin' this weekend.  Have fun, and check out these tunes!

Here's a good one.


This is good too!

Grow Happy

Guess what we did this weekend?!? Planted a beautiful vegetable garden!  It was gloriously warm outside, we had just watched Food, Inc., and we stumbled upon a bunch of supplies for cheap.  No need to say more, because my dear friend Amber has already posted the details on her blog!  Please check out Amber's post on our garden for more!

7th grade science, but cooler

I love this video by OK Go.  Have you seen it?!?


I still think this older one is my fave, but overall I think we can agree that these guys are pretty cool.

Sewing Project!

First, let me say that I resisted many "punny" titles for this post, such as "Sew Fun," "Sew I Don't Get Burnt," and others to lame to mention!   Now, to business.  I have a great group of lady friends and I love it when we do fun activities.  Check out Amber's wonderful post on our potholder sewing party earlier this week!

Out and About

I go across the bay to San Francisco every week for design class, but in the past few months I haven't been taking advantage of the City!  Here are some shots from a recent adventure.  I need to get over there more :)

Here I am in front of the Palace of Fine Arts, being a nerd. 

 

The view from the top of Lombard Street--do you see Alcatraz? 

Great street signs in North Beach.

City Lights Bookstore on the right, the Transamerica pyramid in the back. 

I'm not sure the name of this one, but its one of my faves, especially at night!