:: minor thread ::

A Minor Thread, a big move..

2011-12-14T19:19:00.000-08:00

So the Minor Thread blog has packed up and moved-- and gotten a facelift! You can find me, Charlie, blogging more regularly at himynameis.ch, now. Of course the one and only Minor Thread is still open for business, and you can follow me on Twitter. See you at the new blog!

Lofty {Sweet} Dreams

2011-10-14T17:09:00.000-07:00

So, David and I recently made a huge upgrade in our loft-- we finally, after nearly six years together- purchased a new bed frame. Really the timing is just right. We made do with what we had for so long-- the bed we had at loft, he had longer than he knew me. It was time. After a fun afternoon wandering through L.A.'s HD Buttercup-- a treasure trove of things for the home-- we found something that we knew would be just the right mix of industrial and classic- a solid wood and steel bed frame, almost exactly like the one below. (Pictured is the ''platform" version of the bed, so ours is slightly different.)

(Pardon the terrible Photoshopping!)Now, to make a few more improvements in this area of the loft. We already have a great set of three mid-century pieces- a long, low dresser with mirrors, a tall dresser and a night stand. Lots of art hand out in this area, too, but I think it'll need to come down in favor of a fresh coat of paint, taking the walls from white to a nice dove grey. I simply cannot get this Zig Zag Duvet Cover out of my mind, and I think the pale turquoise will complement both the bed frame and the grey walls. A little subtle subtle animation with the Zig Zag Rug in grey continues the theme. Since space is at a premium in such a small space, I dream of installing a floating wall shelf on the left side of the bed, for use as a night stand. Of course we'll need a little light to read by, so this Far & Wide wall sconce is the perfect style (however, not the perfect price.)

My vision for this corner of our loft feels calmer and less cluttered, already. Can't wait to get started painting!

This - or - that?

2011-10-07T14:55:00.000-07:00

Now, how am I supposed to choose between these two amazing bike bells? Classic brass styling, or modern and whimsical fruit theme?

Brass Bike Bell - $20

Orange Slice Bike Bell - $29

If only all of life's decisions were so hard...

In memory.

2011-10-05T17:15:00.000-07:00

My 2000th Instagram photograph.

A fond farewell to Steve Jobs. Listening to 'Helplessly Hoping' by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young and wishing you well on your journey. Stay hungry, stay foolish.

Wishlist :: CicLaVia!

2011-10-03T13:54:00.000-07:00

In Los Angeles-- arguably the home of some of the world's worst traffic-- the thought of miles and miles of city streets being off-limits to cars is unthinkable. Yet, thanks to the efforts of the organizers of CicLaVia that thought is a reality. On Sunday, October 9th, the people of Southern California can enjoy the colorful city streets on their bikes, skateboards, skates, strollers or any other human-powered mode of transport. This coming Sunday, 10 miles of Los Angeles streets, stretching from Boyle Heights to the Melrose District will be closed to car traffic and open to pedestrian traffic only! I'll be there, taking in the sights and sounds with a group of friends with various levels of city-biking experience. My own bike leaves a little to be desired, so I've built a little wishlist of all of my favorite things bike-related. If only, if only...

The Public C7 women's bike is at the top of my list. Love the styling, the details (oh hello, little rainbow!) and the specs. It's a sturdy, well-priced workhorse of a bike, and it's cute to boot!

This Orange Slice Bike Bell by Dring Dring for Poketo is the perfect compliment for the white frame on the Public C7. In addition to being adorable, this hand-painted (!) bell has a crystal-clear ring, as well.

While the Leather Wine Rack from Oopsmark in Montreal won't suit the frame of my dream C7 bike, it'll work perfectly on David's more traditional frame. Plus, a bottle of wine for the bike picnic is a must-have!

Now if you're biking in the city, a good helmet is a must have. But when I see these bike caps, handmade in Oakland by Ivy & Otis, I can't help but dream of lazy bike rides in the countryside. C'est la vie!

Of course you'll find some goodies along the way that you need to carry, and what better way to stow them than in this wooden crate from A Basket Full? So when you see me tooling about on the CicLaVia route, my ride won't look anything like this. But, a girl can dream!

Fixation :: Curator by She-Bible

2011-09-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

I have a secret. I'm in love.Well, take a look in my closet, and it's not much of a secret. After growing up as a tomboy, there is one label out there that can get me into a dress, and make me feel pretty good about it. It's She-Bible, the San Francisco clothing label that is making its transition into a new name: Curator. Headed by two amazingly hardworking women, Deirdre and Stacy, this little brand has grown from a local San Francisco sensation sold in small boutiques to a fashion force that demands attention.

In the past few years, Deirdre & Stacy opened up their own boutique in San Francisco's Noe Valley-- in a location near & dear to my heart, 1767 Church Street, between Day & 30th. After the small shop that I managed at that location closed its doors and the She-Bible gals took over, I knew that the 300 square foot storefront was in perfect hands. Now, online and in store, you can find a great mix of apparel, apothecary items, jewelry and sundry items for men & women.

But my one true love with always be the dresses. Oh, the dresses!

The Classic Dress. Seen here in the one color I don't own, this is the definition of "The Perfect Dress." Flattering on every figure, easy to wear and easy to care for.

The Beatrice Dress. Sleeves and pockets, oh yes! Loving this teal color, as well.

The Baca Cardigan. I don't know if I'm the girl that can rock this cardigan, but I'd like to think I am. Cozy, oversized, comfy and perfect for SF weather. (Sadly, not so much for Los Angeles weather!)

The Izzy Top. One left? In my size? You don't say....

The Alex Pullover. Another perfectly cozy fall/SF summer piece.

The Gardener Dress. I picked up a jersey version of this dress a while back at a sample sale, and it was the best notverymany dollars I've ever spent! There are only a few of these left in the chambray version, so snap 'em up quick!

And speaking of sample sales, Curator is hosting another one this weekend! See the blog for more details, if you're in the Bay Area, do not miss it!

Fixation :: Wolfum's Folk Patterns

2011-09-26T18:01:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for a good pattern. I fall in love with housewares all too easily. The cute stuff, it kills me. Lucky for me (unlucky for my pocketbook) I found a brand that hits all three of these targets, in just the right way. Meet Wolfum. Handmade in Los Angeles by Annabel Inganni, who is crafting sustainable products with natural materials.

Love the styles, patterns, colors and material choices. Two thumbs up from this gal!

Fixation :: Izola's Apothecary Style

2011-09-21T15:04:00.000-07:00

I'm a sucker for the ephemera from other times. My favorite local watering hole is a subtle tribute to the saloons of the Barbary Coast-- full of old apothecary and seltzer bottles, big and burly wooden counters and cabinets, bartenders with just the right mix of handlebar mustache and punk rock. So it's no surprise that I fell immediately in love with the goods from Izola. Decidedly masculine, but with a unisex appeal. A great way to sneak a little style into your home, without overpowering it.

I love the monochrome subtlety of this soap dish. Use it in the entryway or bedside to catch keys or coins.

Amusing, straight forward and sturdy. What more do you need from your laundry bag?

I have a tendency to keep on hand an extra toothbrush or two. at $12.50, this set of three spare 'Guest' toothbrushes is an affordable way to greet your guests with something out of the ordinary.

Love the graphic punch of this canvas shower curtain-- I only wish it fit the width of our extra-large tub!

I don't normally go for bar soaps, but maybe that's because all of the good stuff is too cute to use! These Sport Soaps are no exception. They'd be right at home in the vintage setting of the Los Angeles Athletic Club-- squash, anyone?

And probably my favorite part of the collection- the curvy, chrome flasks. The shape evokes the look and feel of a Victorian pocket watch.. but obviously, way more useful!

Snippets of the past.

2011-09-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

I take a lot of photos. A lot of photos.

I've done so for most of my life- I think it's my way for balancing my bad memory with my desire to remember everything. Of course most everything is digital now, but once, there was film. So, so much film. Which often leads to mountains of photo paper.

Someday, maybe, these 16" x 20" portraits will find their way to a wall. But for now.. back into the box they go.

A little teal.

2011-09-01T10:49:00.000-07:00

Not sure that turquoise is the 'color' of the fall- in fact I'm quite sure it's not. But that doesn't keep me from being completely enamored (enameled? hah.) with this nail color from Essie. I especially like how it matches things in my house.

Recently added to the vintage shop, this amazing Edwardian-style ledger is just the perfect color. Can't you imagine a whole room based off of this color scheme? Pale aqua, black, white and tiny hints of red scattered throughout. Yes please.

Orange.

2011-08-20T19:35:00.001-07:00

Orange., a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

This little BMW 2002 has been parked outside of our building for more than a week.. and every time I see it, I'm glad it's still there. Bright, shiny and most of all: orange!

Love it, and I love the way it coordinates with the tiles on the building.

Snippet

2011-08-19T11:05:00.001-07:00

NYC., a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

Another snippet from NYC on this most recent trip. I keep thinking about the buildings, there. Just out of frame in this photo, to the right, is a huge construction site. More buildings going up every day- buildings being erected where other buildings once stood, up against buildings that have been there longer than any of the people.

I see buildings like this, with their ornate stone details and those huge glass windows, and wonder what they looked like when they were new. What it was like to live or work inside of these buildings. Now they have the charm and patina of time and history-- but then?

Jet set.

2011-08-18T12:06:00.001-07:00

JFK, a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

In the month of August, I've logged more than my usual (or fair share, for that matter) of miles in the sky. Back and forth between LAX and JFK- twice! The second time for work, the first for pleasure- and family.

The first trip: Two nights in Brooklyn (thanks, Meghan & Chris!), one night in Manhattan (see you again soon, Ace Hotel!) and then five nights in Boston. Whew!

It was my first time in Mass., and my first time taking a real train. I grew up around light rail systems, and have always lived somewhere where I could hear the freight trains in the distance, but have never had the occasion to travel by train. It all seemed very East Coast, and a very nice alternative to flying.

The second trip was a quick, four-day jaunt to NYC again, for the New York International Gift Fair. Now, if you've ever seen me in a room full of cool stuff (or follow my Pinterest boards then you know how excited I get about seeing new products! The show did not disappoint.

Our company's booth was in the Studio section of the show, which showcased the best and most well-designed products out there. So much fun, so much to see... and so little time. Definitely made me miss the days of working as a buyer for independent shops.

But for now.. I'm back on the West Coast, and back to normal life. For now. :)

Stop whispering, start shouting.

2011-07-22T22:00:00.000-07:00

Strange things happen when you stop thinking, and just start creating. After staring at screen all day, it was nice to bust out the Gocco printer and actually, well, screen. A few dozen small screenprinted cards later, I have these gems.

In a perfect world, every one of these prints will find a new home tomorrow, at Bloomfest-- the Arts District's annual celebration of Joel Bloom, the man that made this neighborhood a neighborhood. I never had the chance to meet him, or step foot in his general store. But his energy and spirit are present on these streets, and I'm happy to be a part of it.

Chillin' out...

2011-07-06T21:42:00.001-07:00

Iced Blue Bottle coffee and fresh peaches from @poketo's backyard!!, a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

It must be summer time in Los Angeles-- we've had the AC going full blast, the past week or so.. Evening my morning coffee is over ice, these days.
One great thing about the summer heat? Fresh, delicious, homegrown peaches from a friend's backyard. Now that's summer.

Firehouse.

2011-06-26T08:47:00.001-07:00

Firehouse., a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

Wouldn't you love to turn this old firehouse into an amazing, open live-work loft at the edge of Downtown LA?
My fantasy renovation would be one big, fluid space with a maker's studio, huge lounge area with tons of cushions and a giant kitchen. I imagine our six-foot-long teak dining table would feel just at home, here.

Prefab..

2011-06-26T01:02:00.001-07:00

Santa Fe, a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

Things are 'a changin' in my neighborhood... A few pre-fab concrete slab walls going up along the edge of the L.A. River, soon to be home to a large company's headquarters. It changes the view in a way that I don't love, but I'm just trying to roll with it. Onwards and upwards.

A little mid-week treat...

2011-06-01T14:45:00.001-07:00

An unexpected treat today at the office-- we baked up some yummy biscuits, and I brought up some homemade jams to share with the crew. What a nice, yummy way to break up the week!

Homemade by my father, we had a plum jam, a ginger-peach jam and some awesome marmalade. A little butter from my favorite Pyrex dish (Butterprint in turquoise, natch) and we have ourselves a party! And then, well.. back to work!

Friday deliciousness

2011-05-27T15:58:00.001-07:00

One of the perks of having a home espresso set up: no need to compromise when it comes to milk choices. I far prefer almond milk to anything else (I'm not allergic, it just tastes better) and most cafes don't serve it. And even if they did, "grabbing a coffee" is realistically a 20-minute ordeal.

So it's quicker, cheaper and tastier to make it myself (isn't that almost always the case?) And after almost two weeks sans-coffee, this was a really nice way to perk up a Friday.

New York, here we come..

2011-05-19T21:50:00.001-07:00

Grand Central Station at sunset, a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

David and I just booked our flights for a New York City/Boston trip in late July/early August.. I can't wait!!

Invisible memories.

2011-05-19T09:23:00.001-07:00

Lomo., a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

The Lomo LC-A.. one of my oldest and best friends in the world of image-making. I think I bought my first one in 1999, after saving up many a penny-- a price that is literally nothing compared to the price you'll pay now. This tiny 35mm gem has gotten me through many a journey, when carrying something larger wasn't an option. So, naturally, I wanted to take it in my first-ever trip to New York City last summer.

Now, I'm generally slow to get things done so it's no surprised that I've only now started to get that film developed. I'm going to savor a few particular images from those rolls because, well..they're all I have. A shutter malfunction has left me with a total of three film images from the entire trip. Lesson learned? Check your shutter, often.

Fruits of Summer, Tastes of Fall

2011-05-18T14:03:00.000-07:00

Every time the weather turns a bit warmer, I start to think of all of the ways I could be using the amazing produce that starts to hit the farmer's market and starts to sprout in my tiny garden (which, now, is nothing but a few planters on a concrete ledge in downtown Los Angeles.) I've experimented with ways of enjoying these flavors-- making herbed syrups, a perfect plum upside down cake, freezing perfect 1 oz cubes of Meyer lemon juice for later use...And I've been lucky enough to grow up with father and grandmother who defined "seasonal, locally produced" jams, jellies and preserves for me.

When my seemly endless supply of family-made jam runs low, I look to other sources. One of the best purchases I've made in the past year was from Lemon Bird Jams, a jar of their onion confit made a great holiday gift for Boyfriend David. We've savored it on pork, with amazing rustic bread and more. A jar of their tangerine and vanilla bean syrup is hiding in my cupboard, and I'm afraid once I open it, it will vanish immediately!

There a couple more goodies from their shop that I'm craving right now..

Pear and Anise with Balsamic Vinegar and Raw Honey

How amazing would this be on some roast pork? Or with grilled veggies? A great fall crop of pears lived to see another season with this combination.

Lime and Hibiscus Syrup

Even a virgin cocktail can't go wrong with this syrup.. A little ice, a splash of sparkling water and a fresh slice of lemon? Perfect!

Merlot Grape Jelly

Even if you're not enjoying this spread on a picnic in the Sonoma wine country, you can dream, right? I imagine it paired with local honey, rosemary Marcona almonds and a firm goat cheese..

Enough flavor daydreaming for now, I suppose. What are you growing, this season?

Protest. Obey.

2011-05-17T10:36:00.001-07:00

Protest. Obey., a photo by type.wright // charlie wright on Flickr.

A little snippet from my neighborhood in Downtown L.A... This Shepard Fairey wheatpaste piece has gone up on an otherwise blank wall and remained more or less untouched-- unheard of for this neighborhood. The brick walls of the Arts District are an ever-changing canvas, which is part of the great appeal, for me.

But for now.. This image of a woman in protest will have a little time in the spotlight.

Exploring the locale..

2011-01-06T10:46:00.000-08:00

In our Downtown Los Angeles neighborhood, the local watering hole is Villains Tavern-- a Barbary Coast-styled bar with excellent house-made cocktails and a nice selection of beers on tap. In these surprisingly chilly winter months, I've been warming my hands with The Day of The Dead, a cocktail served hot and made with fresh pressed apple juice (yes, they press the apples at the bar), bourbon, Apple Jack and bitters. But mostly, I love Villains for the decor and the amazing staff. Across the board, it's all very photogenic.

Cup of the Day: Tea & Tulips

2010-12-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Tulips in December? Yeah, I wasn't so sure either. But they're holding up nicely, and they sure are pretty.

Etsy Wishlist :: Laser-cut wood jewelry

2010-07-15T09:33:00.000-07:00

As the daughter of a woodworker, I've always appreciated interesting uses for this natural material. I've consistently amazed with what can be done with laser cutting and delicate veneers. Here, I've gathered a few of my favorite laser cut pieces from Etsy.com.

Vintage Camera Necklace by VectorCloud

Ampersand Chandelier by Indie Laser

Laser Cut Bunny by AthinaLarios

Keyhole Pendant by SuperVery

Birds and Branches Bamboo Clock by DecoyLabs

Flossy the Unicorn by SugarCookie

Tree Friends Mobile by PetitCollage

Teacup Brooch by WhiteSquare

I <3 Iowa Necklace by truche

Minor Thread Around the World

2010-07-07T11:24:00.000-07:00

Sometimes, little bits of info filter in from around the world, that just make my day. A couple of days ago, I got notice that a German arts and design blog had featured one of my Etsy.com items! Totally in German, but thanks to Google Translator, I more or less understood what was being said. As an old-school fan of badges made from recycled paper ephemera, I was flattered to have my badges grouped with other amazing examples!

Even if you don't read German, do check out the post, here: lieblings.weerke.

Mythical Places : New York

2010-06-22T12:09:00.000-07:00

David and I recently took our first-ever trip to New York City. It was even more amazing than I had expected, and while we saw and did a million amazing things, there were so many things that we didn't get around to, didn't have time for or simply forgot to do.

My list of 5 things, for the next time we're in town:

1. Take photobooth pictures in the lobby of the Ace Hotel in Manhattan
2. Pizza at Lombardi's
3. Have a hot dog from a hot dog cart
4. Have soft serve from a soft serve truck
5. Visit the High Line park

Till next time, New York!

Photo shoot outtake :: vint.etsy.com

2010-06-02T13:59:00.000-07:00

Product photography is always fun, and I love styling with simple, organic elements. Here's a sweet photo that I snapped for my vintage Etsy shop, vint.etsy.com. The lovely little airplant came from Pigeon Toe Ceramics out of Portland, Ore.

Sweet things.

2010-05-27T12:13:00.000-07:00

I've been making a lot of lavender sachets, lately.. using this amazing organic lavender from Mountain Rose Herbs. Vintage fabrics, new fabrics, recycled fabric.. and a few with these sweet little puffy hearts -- filled with organic bamboo fiber. Fun!

Available in the Minor Thread shop..

Window shopping: Vintage Goods on Etsy

2010-04-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

Pretty much daily, I'm scouring Etsy.com for delightful vintage goodies. Not just because I'm checking out the competition but because, well, there's so much good stuff!

Here's a quick selection of what I like, this week...

Retro Aluminum Kitchen Storage Set from polkadotHOME

Mid Century Storefront Deco Letter from MonkiVintage

Orange Teardrop Shakers from Hindsvik

Industrial Magazine Rack, Mid-Century Modern from RollingHillsVintage

Yellow Poppy Mikasa Salad Plates -- Set of 4 from RushofWing

eureka - CA wood block letterpress letters from cottagefarm

Now, excuse me while I go about my day, and try really hard not to buy everything on this list!

While you wait.

2010-03-23T12:00:00.000-07:00

South Central, Los Angeles, California.

Event :: Heath Wedding Lounge

2010-03-16T10:02:00.000-07:00

On a recent Sunday afternoon, the boy and I wandered down to Heath Ceramics' Los Angeles outpost to check out some great food, drink and other goodies at the Heath Wedding Lounge. No one over here is making wedding plans, but that didn't mean we couldn't check out samples of all the elements to a great party. With wine from Domaine LA, food from Heirloom LA, desserts from Cake Moneky and lots of other goodies. I fell totally in love with Cake Monkey's roasted apple tarts, and the lovely, lacey table setting on the patio by Gilly, using all-white flowers, Weck glass jars and carafes and, of course, amazing Heath Ceramics tableware.

See the full set of photos from the event over at my Flickr photostream.

Kitchen theme: yellow.

2010-03-01T10:42:00.000-08:00

I've always been notorious for my love of color in the kitchen-- I think I am influenced by my father's obsessive purchasing of second-hand Pyrex bowls in bright solid colors. I know I am certainly influenced by what we'll call his "collecting spirit" -- otherwise known as the pack-rat gene that flows from the Wright side of the family.

Over the years I've added an array of Fiestaware to the four-color starter set I was given at the age of 18. I've had red tea kettles, turquoise tea kettles, and a line up of bright vintage mugs and tea cups. But more and more, I find myself falling into one, main accent color: yellow.

Why yellow? I wish I could say. I would have never called it a 'favorite' color, but I seem to be drawn to it more and more. The yellow vintage 3-tier kitchen cart and yellow vintage Cosco stool? I saw them on the side of the street and make an extremely quick U-turn. Vintage yellow Mikasa dishes designed by Ben Seilbel? Totally irresistible. Yellow vintage Bauer Pottery flower pots found in a friend's grandmother's garage? Mine. And it's all just fallen into place from there.

Maybe yellow is the ugly duckling of colors. Maybe it's the golden glory of a bygone era-- my childhood was also full of that classic 70's color-scheme: brown, orange, yellow and avocado green. But I've come to appreciate it for what it is: a welcome splash of brightness.

That said, here's out latest addition... The Livestrong tea kettle from Chantal. It was an investment, but I expect it to last for years.

Here are some other lovely yellow goodies I've scouted from Etsy... enjoy!

Yellow and White Cathrineholm Lotus Pot

Vintage Letter C is for Canvas {and also 'Charlie'}

hand built porcelain jug

50s YELLOW Kitchen CANISTERS

vintage flour sifters

Vintage American Family Scale - yellow - 25lbs

Cast Iron Skillet - Lemon Yellow Enamelware

Let The Sun Shine In - screenprinted poster

On the fence...

2009-10-30T15:20:00.001-07:00

Snapped while wandering around Silverlake in Los Angeles, a couple weeks back. Simple, rustic and charming.

Good design.

2009-09-23T08:12:00.000-07:00

Just a little pause to appreciate some good design.
What makes it good? It's simple, too the point and clean. No frills, no excess text. But at the same time, it's not as plain as you think: It's just a little offset. The center, after all, can be so boring. Well done.

Blueberry pie for breakfast?

2009-09-01T13:43:00.000-07:00

A simple joy in summer: tasty pies made from amazing fruit. Even better? Not having to stress over the perfect pie dough (my father is much better at it, anyhow...) As a special treat this week, David picked up a blueberry pie for us from Urth Cafe, and man was it delicious! Who says you can't have pie for breakfast?

secret muffins

2009-07-01T10:20:00.000-07:00

I did an awful lot of baking this weekend-- cupcakes, muffins and two types of cookies. Add that to a fresh batch of lemonade with basil-infused simple syrup and a little Saturday-night get-together, I'm chalking this past weekend up as a pretty productive one.

A highlight of my three-day weekend was a trip with David to Culver City's Surfas, part restaurant-supply store and part gourmet grocer. I could easily fill up cart after cart here with goodies to outfit my dream semi-commercial gourmet kitchen! Half-sheet roll pans, baking cups, gel food colorings, bar supplies, perfect iced-tea pitchers and delightful baking supplies: you shall be mine! Someday..

Until that day, we're making do with what we have, using what's currently available in the kitchen, and keeping myself entertained with little things- like sneaking leftover chocolate Easter eggs into batches of banana muffins.. Can you say 'yum?'

up in smoke...

2009-06-04T00:14:00.000-07:00

there was a devastating fire in a warehouse building across the street from our loft in downtown los angeles, last night.

this is what greeted us as we made our way home just after midnight. blogdowntown.com has some amazing shots of the aftermath (we saw this sight leaving for work this morning, but i wasn't able to grab any shots. the building is now boarded up.)

see more of my rooftop-view photos.

iDaft

2009-03-11T23:54:00.000-07:00

Now, this is the most fun I've had all day, but I've had a pretty boring day. Nonetheless, if what you really need right now is a good excuse to have a midnight dance party, then please make your way to the Daft Punk Console. You can be your own Kanye West (or Daft Punk, for that matter) and remix the classic sound drops from Daft Punk's "Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger."

Now that is a good use of your time on the internet!

what i'll miss :: peet's coffee

2009-03-08T21:05:00.000-07:00

I know, I know: Peet's Coffee & Tea is no longer a Bay Area exclusive. You can find little outposts of this local legend all over the West Coast now, and thank goodness for that. The decades-old company has always had a great emphasis on quality over quantity, and their growth has been slow. But within the Berkeley/Oakland area, you're always within a mile or two of a Peet's, which makes easy work of satisfying that craving for an iced latte and a tasty, chewy vegan ginger cookie.

what i'll miss...

2009-03-08T20:51:00.000-07:00

Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area my entire life, the thought of living somewhere so different from the little chunk of Northern California that I know and love seems really intimidating. How will I find my way around? Where will my favorite meals come from? What charming local secrets will I discover before anyone else? What will I miss?

There are many, many answers to that last question. As I prepare to embrace a new chapter in my life, I want to chronicle those things... I hope you enjoy a little peek into what makes the Bay Area 'home' to me.

raspberry-yogurt cake

2009-03-03T23:04:00.000-08:00

I had the urge to bake last week, and I finally found the time to follow through. I baked up this delicious raspberry-yogurt cake from a 2008 issue of Bon Appetit magazine (recipe available here.) There are a couple of culinary curveballs in this recipe, so be sure to follow it to the letter. Just as suggested, I have found that a fair-sized slice of cake is great compliment to my evening tea, or as a morning, er, snack. (They keep telling me that cake isn't breakfast. However, I'm not too inclined to believe that!)

Yes We Cab!!

2009-01-12T20:34:00.000-08:00

You know, it's not every day we make history with our votes. And it's not every day we make history with our wines. And well, I don't make wine, but luckily I know someone who does!

David and I had a brilliant idea over brunch back in December- a wine to toast Barack Obama's inauguration, called 'Yes We Cab!' Goofy, yes, but we thought it would be charming all the same. A quick call to our winemaker friend, Brendan Eliason at Periscope Cellars in Emeryville, CA and another to local artist friend J.B. Lowe and the idea is a reality!

If you're in the SF Bay Area, you can pick up your own bottle of Yes We Cab at the Periscope tasting room, at Solano Cellars in Albany and at both Vintage Berkeley locations (on College Avenue and Vine Street.) Special thanks to James Cardinell with Vinos Unico.

The fine folks at Periscope are hosting a screening of the inauguration, and will be showcasing Yes We Cab that night. Bottles will be available for purchase, so get one while you can! Get all the info on the event, here.

clearly up to no good.

2008-12-15T18:54:00.000-08:00

I've been trying to spend some quality time with friends, lately. One person I seem to manage to meet up with at least once a week with is my buddy Jason, who can always be counted on for some random adventure, often involving delicious food. I snapped this photo after we had finished a day of devouring cupcakes at Cupcake Camp, coffee in South Park, dinner at my favorite Mission eatery, Maverick and then some ice cream at Bi-Rite.. what a perfectly delicious San Francisco afternoon!

tea time.

2008-12-13T09:32:00.000-08:00

Just a quick break from the making, the baking and everything else to share a spot of tea, with you. I hope you are all keeping warm this winter.

harvest.

2008-11-28T08:47:00.000-08:00

a quick photos of some of yesterday's prime supplies: granny smith apples and valencia oranges. they are the secret ingredients in the cranberry sauce that my family begs for every thanksgiving. they always ask for a recipe, but i don't really have one. in the words of boyfriend david, you simple "put these things in a pot. cook until tasty."

the best kind of cooking.

what you've got til it's gone

2008-11-24T16:34:00.000-08:00

Things have gotten a little quicker around the studio. Why? Despite my hesitation about opening the box, I finally set up my new PC. It's new, shiny and runs Windows Vista (hence my hesitation.) But after I've gotten all the kinks worked out, Photoshop installed and the scanner working, I'm feeling pretty good about. Vista be damned! I'm determined to enjoy the faster processing time and extra RAM.

Also, can I tell you how happy I am that my scanner is working, again? Very happy.

a quiet moment.

2008-11-20T09:00:00.000-08:00

Just another quiet night at home.

new toy.

2008-11-19T22:56:00.000-08:00

I finally, finally got around to purchasing a remote release for my digital SLR. Finally! So far, it's not quite as sensitive as I'd like it to be, but maybe I just need to get used to it.

This is my favorite photo, from the few test shots that I did, today. Say hello to Andy, or rather, Andy's elbows.

good morning.

2008-11-14T09:48:00.000-08:00

Just a little frame from breakfast this morning. David and I called this "breakfast polenta" -- it's just polenta cooked up with a little sugar and cinnamon, and I've added dried sour cherries during the cooking process. Top it off with a little almond milk, and hey, delish.

Important Events and Important Ideas

2008-11-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

I've spent a week mulling this post over.. And by now, nothing I have to say will be new or novel or really stunning. But I still feel the need to comment. The past two weeks- the week leading up to the election and the week after- have been an incredible roller coaster.

Last Tuesday night, for the first time in my life I felt pride in my country. Surrounded by old and new friends, watching the results filter in as polls closed across the nation, cheering with each small victory.. It was unlike anything else I've experienced, and it was a far, far cry from a cold November night in 2004, where I nearly got in a bar fight (yep, I admit it) involving a Bush supporter and the still-fresh wound of my cousin's death in Afghanistan.

Last Tuesday was hopeful, epic, stunning and truly something of a unique experience. Watching Obama's landslide victory, in a room full of people who can finally stand up and say that they have president that they can believe in was uplifting. After a week of working extra-hard to spread the word about California's Proposition 8, watching it's narrow victory in the polls was nothing short of heartbreaking. In the week since the election, my dear California has been awash in vigils, rallies and protest marches against the legalization of discrimination, and the hate that has been written into our constitution. The Prop 8 campaign was full of nothing but lies and hypocrisy, but I can take a little comfort in the fact that it will surely be overturned, in time.

But in the end, I am nothing short of hopeful for what is to come.

I'll leave you now with some choice words from Keith Olbermann, about Proposition 8.

One more day. One more chance.

2008-11-03T08:29:00.000-08:00

By tomorrow evening, America will have entered a new era. I have nothing but hope for the future.

One more day, folks. We can't give up now.

departure gate

2008-10-29T09:26:00.000-07:00

This is what my October has looked like. On and off of flights, back and forth to Los Angeles. Lots of work, and lots of play, too. Spent some time in Pacific Palisades, discovered a great little cafe that serves My New Favorite Thing, Ever (tm): a green lemonade. That's lemonade with mint and a shot of spinach juice. I know it sounds weird, but it was amazing.

Also spent some time in the Coachella Valley with David, visiting Joshua Tree and touring the Salton Sea (as much as one can 'tour' a mostly-abandoned, completely desolate mid-desert lake that is barely able to sustain life.) It's been a tough few months since he moved away, so it was wonderful to be able to spend some quality time together.

Now I'm thrust back into life back in Oakland... Off to work, and the real world.

A time for honesty

2008-10-22T14:47:00.000-07:00

I'm afraid I have a confession to make.

I'm not a good cook.

I mean, I thought I was. I really did. but now, now... I'm starting to doubt myself. I was raised with excellent cooking role models- I could name every PBS culinary personality, long before the advent of the Food Network. My father was the chef of the family, a titled passed on to him by his younger brother (a Diabetic pastry chef, who refused to abandon the trade.) My grandmother, well... she's inspired me to compile a cookbook, someday. My brother and I were always busy making a myriad of fresh baked cookies. Food was everywhere. And good food, too.

But looking back on some recent eating exploits, it seems that all of the successes have been collaborations. Amazing Monday night dinners with my former housemate and our respective fellows were totally a group effort. That trick of frying up slices of polenta in butter, topping with slices of fresh mozzarella, basil chiffonade and fresh tomatoes? Yet another housemate's recipe. Last week's kick-ass herbs de provence-rubbed roasted pork tenderloin served with wilted arugula and rice pilaf? I was sitting on the couch the whole time.

So it should have come as no surprise last night when my attempt at making something delicious failed. I grabbed pots and pans, wilted some onions, added garlic, toasted the rice, deglazed with white wine and prepared to make an awesome rice pilaf. Chicken stock, lots of salt (but still not enough?) some basil and other herbs. More garlic? No dice. Nothing seemed to do the 'flavor' trick.

So here I am, eating my self-described "rice with yellow" for lunch. It's fine. It has a flavor. But it could be so much more.

On my way to work this morning I caught a bit of and interview with Jacques Pépin, talking about his new book, More Fast Food My Way. I'll have to podcast the entire interview later, but in the snippet I heard he made some interesting points about food. It's not about The Golden Arches or the Slow Food Movement. 'Fast Food' doesn't have to be a bad thing, it is just food, fast. It can still be from scratch, it can still be delicious, but you don't have to spend your entire weekend preparing one meal.

Of course you still could, and he does. And I might. And I promise to strive for flavor. However, for the rest of this week I think I will stick to baking. That seems to be my true calling, anyhow.

Now, if only I could get my dad to hand over Uncle John's carrot cake recipe, I'd be in business.

oh, october..

2008-10-21T22:37:00.000-07:00

another month, fading quickly. i'm doing quite a bit of traveling this month, so my usual non-blogging tendencies are compounded by just not being around my computer. i am, of course, around my camera still quite a bit.

so, even if i'm not writing about it, rest assured that i am photographing it.

cheers.

hello, autumn.

2008-09-19T15:40:00.001-07:00

I can say, without a doubt, that it is now fall. Nevermind that fall doesn't come until this weekend, but stepping out for chai just now, it became very clear that the passage of time is, yet again, totally unavoidable.

Hello, Autumn.

what to make when you don't know what to make?

2008-09-11T21:14:00.000-07:00

i have food. i have plenty of food. but does any of it necessarily "go" together? not really. also, i have a terrible habit of buying things that "sound good at the time" and then not cooking them before they go past their prime.

so what's a hungry girl to do?

step one: chop and sautee red onion. add ground turkey, salt, and whatever seasonings you have on hand.

step two: boil water, trim and halve brussel sprouts. blanch brussel sprouts for 2 mins, then remove to a baking sheet. garnish with salt, pepper, olive oil and hell, toss a couple scallions on the top, just to see what happens. roast in a 350-degree oven for 15 minutes.

step three: don't throw out that water! heat it back up to a boil, toss in a package of gnocchi. sure, why not? remove from water when those tasty little pillows float to the top.

step four: toss ground turkey and gnocchi with some pesto sauce. add salt to taste, and serve brussel sprouts on the side.

step five: nom nom nom.

hey, it works for me.

Below the Blue and Briny Sea

2008-09-05T12:18:00.001-07:00

If you're around in the Bay Area tonight, definitely make a point of stopping by Periscope Cellars in Emeryville for the opening of Dana Robson's new solo show, 'Below the Blue and Briny Sea.'

This new work combines vintage maps and nautical charts with hand-stitched sea creatures and vegetation. The effect is really striking in person, and if you can't make the show tonight, do try to stop by the tasting room at Periscope sometime in September to see the show!

You can find more information about Periscope and the gallery at their website. Periscope is Emeryville's only winery, located in a former World War II submarine repair warehouse. This rustic and historic setting is the perfect compliment and contrast to Dana's charming artwork.

45 Years Ago; Today...

2008-08-28T08:22:00.000-07:00

Is it any mistake that Barack will be giving his acceptance speech on the same date as King Jr's famous "I Have a Dream" speech? I think not.

November is approaching rapidly, and I am glad to see that our country is still dreaming, still hoping. I'm very excited about the changes that we will see this January, and frankly I can't wait for this dark time to be over.

It's about time, America.

Thanks, I think I will...

2008-08-21T09:23:00.001-07:00

Saw this flier a few nights ago, after work. Sometimes it takes something so small to make you smile.

Walking Anesthetic.

2008-08-21T08:19:00.000-07:00

A little snippet from listing to the radio, last night...

"It didn't hurt 'cause she's so pretty."

-Margaret Cho, on being tattooed by Kat Von D.

Love it. :)

This ain't just California Cuisine.

2008-08-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, here comes your cliche statement of the week: Good food doesn't have to be fancy, complicated or pretentious. It just has to be good.

But you know what? It's true. This past weekend I had the pleasure of putting together an impromptu backyard barbecue with Boyfriend David and some of his friends. We fired up the grill and prepared a small spread of tasty things (pork four ways, anybody?) and enjoyed the simple pleasures in life: good food, good friends, beer and a well-landscaped backyard.

My personal favorite dish of the barbecue was Chef Scott's grilled veggie salad. It started off with some purple and yellow cauliflower heads, grilled dry over an open flame. Next on the fire was the escarole, which was tossed and chopped with the cauliflower and toasted walnut halves, then dressed with lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.

The end result? A simple, delicious, unique dish that showcases the fresh vegetables perfectly and looks and tastes amazing. How can you go wrong?

small rewards

2008-08-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

A friend recently stated that he deserved an "Award of Excellence." I agreed, so I stayed up late to make him just such an award. Now I want to make a whole bunch of them, just to have on hand to give to friends as they continue to show how awesome they are. They all deserve one!

welcome to blogust!

2008-08-01T23:25:00.000-07:00

*blink blink* ... Is it possible that my last blog post was from May? Clearly I've been a bad host! But I promise that I have been busy doing all sorts of good things, and having a quite enjoyable summer. I'm working plenty, sure, but I've also made time for a couple of trips down to Los Angeles- which happens to be the boy's new adopted home. as much as I've always said that I don't care much for L.A., I have been enjoying my time there spent with him. It's also been nice to catch up with old friends who I never get chance to see!

So far it's been a summer full of crafting, photo-taking, museum-hoping, Virgin America-flying, dress-wearing good times. How can you go wrong?

But now it's time to get down to business. Today begins a new month, a month which I hope will be full of fun, colorful and exciting tidbits of daily life. The month of Blogust, if you will. It's a personal challenge, but I'd be happy to have you join me! What will you blog about this August?

For now, here's a snippet of some of the new goodies I've been creating to share with ya'll...

A new tote made from vintage, recycled and new materials, featuring one of my very favorite fabrics from my collection of vintage yardage. Find this, and other vintage-y goodies, over at minorthread.etsy.com.

hot chocolate party

2008-05-28T12:09:00.000-07:00

One of my coworkers mentioned yesterday that she likes to make flavored hot chocolates by infusing herbs into them- lavender and sage were two that she mentioned. Now I'm lusting over the idea flavored sipping chocolates, and of opening a 'Cafe Spa'- giving chocolate and coffee infused facial and body treatments and serving delicious and unique coffee, chocolate and tea concoctions.

Maybe it's just me, but it feels like the most delicious idea I've had in a long time!

I'm not actually so chocolate-obsessed as this post might suggest, but just the idea of infusing milk with fresh sage and pairing it with a not-too-sweet cocoa, then pouring a round of deliciousness for my friends just sounds... amazing.

The first meeting of my business class is tonight, so I'd better start jotting all of these ideas down!

spring flowers

2008-05-20T22:00:00.000-07:00

Ranunculus- one of my favorite flowers, no matter what time of year. I picked these up from my local grocery last week- even though the Bay Area was in the middle of a blistering heat wave. I knew they wouldn't last long (and they knew it to) but I felt the need to rescue them from the dumpster, where they were surely headed. It was a win-win situation: they brightened up my studio for a few days, and they got to enjoy a little shade, a fresh cut and some cool water in the process.

Gardening has been tough this year, with water rationing and the lack of spring rain (April showers there were not.) I've planted a few things, but there are no showy blooms to display here. I can, however, live vicariously through the gardens of others. To name just one, there is the lovely Amy Shutt, whose blogs I have been following for years.

Her catch-all weblog, day-lab, chronicles her adventures as a mother, business owner and lover of all things vintage. She's also lovingly restored rooms in her rented Baton Rogue home, and carefully cleared overgrown gardens and is bringing them back to life. Read through her past entries and see some amazing 'before & after' photos of the spaces she's renovated. I hope you'll be as inspired as I am.

recycled charm

2008-05-01T09:35:00.001-07:00

Despite my humble, pre-teen DIY beginnings selling beaded bracelets on the playground, I'm not really one for jewelry. I have a few choice pieces- Maya Brenner's silver California necklace, Monique Leon's Magic Wish Bean necklace- but in general, I just don't wear it.

But when the eco-friendly shop 2ReVert was featured on Etsy.com's front page a couple weeks back, I was smitten. The goods? Fresh pendants, earrings, bracelets and other goods made from recycled skateboards. The jewelry did more than just appeal to my inner 15-year-old tomboy: the 7-ply maple is a throwback to my teenage years, when my father was making a living producing skateboards. The 'board business has since died down, but the sentiment remains. The piece I chose combines some of my favorite elements- woodgrain, the color orange, clean lines, recycled materials- with a nice reminder of the Good Old Days.

How can you beat that? See more at 2ReVert.etsy.com.

a little help from my friends.

2008-03-18T22:25:00.000-07:00

clearly i'm not a very diligent blogger, these days. but there are a few folks out there who are keeping rather interesting and refreshing accounts of daily life and the joys held within. while i don't think i'll be able to live up to the goodness of these weblogs, i'm happy to call these folks friends..

first off is a new-ish blog dedicated to featuring independent artists and designers. san labels looks promising so far, and i can't wait to see what new things she discovers.

you can't bring up indie artists and designers without giving props to the ever-awesome taryn hipp. her blog, aptly titled one girl, lots to say is a collection of awesome indie links, personal anecdotes, and witty observations.

one of these days, i'm going to actually make it up to portland to visit my dear friend summer. but until then, i can follow her lovely world by stopping by design is mine, her oft-updated, always amazing collection of favorite things. design is mine is chock-full of things you swear you didn't know you needed- until now!

if you're anything like me, when you're not drooling over handmade goodies and tasty art pieces, you're probably thinking about food! sure, lots of people like food. some people even love it. david takes things to a whole new level with his blog, horny for food. don't let the title scare you; this blog is totally work-safe. while you won't find questionable images of your favorite dishes, you will find smart, irreverent commentary on the state of consumption. david touches on all sorts of topics- from primers on choosing wine and a "how-to" for amateur diners to restaurant reviews and an exploration of the link between california cuisine and gangsta rap. go, read. really, i promise you'll love it.

recycled goodness

2008-01-24T18:34:00.000-08:00

i've found that the best cure for a chilly, grey afternoon is to be productive. today, i dug into a huge bag of fabric scraps from the the blissen studios and put together some patchwork pot holders using my favorite patterns.

these little gems are made from 100% recycled materials- the scraps, some old towels for the padding inside, and even the little loop of rick-rack trim.

i've made a bunch of these for myself, friends and family. today's efforts can be seen in my etsy shop, along with some other handmade goodies.

i have many more ideas for ways to use these fabrics scraps, so stay tuned.

knit works.

2008-01-22T08:41:00.000-08:00

i've been doing my fair share of making, lately: knitting, sewing, cooking, photographing. it's been a very productive year, so far. most of my crafting efforts can be seen (and purchased!) from my etsy shop.

the red and pink scarf shown here is knit up from my current very favorite yarn, Malabrigo Kettle-Dyed Merino Wool. the yarn is incredibly soft and cozy, a real treat compared to many other pure wool yarns out there. i can't help but snap it up in every color, and rest assured that i will be knitting with it for a good while.

speaking of knitting, i'm slowly putting together a profile on ravelry.com. i'm hoping to use the site to keep track of my yarn stash, track my projects and maybe learn a few new tricks!

among my goals for the next month are to get a minor thread's main shop up and running again, and to update typewright.org with many, many photos. keep an eye out!

tea fortunes.

2008-01-18T08:39:00.000-08:00

i've been drinking a lot of tea, lately. and i've noticed that my normally-silent beverage has had some choice pieces of advice for me.

you can see more tea fortunes and other lovely cups-- and add your own-- at the cup of the day group on flickr.com.

the passage of time.

2007-12-19T08:43:00.000-08:00

it's hard to believe that a year has come and gone, so fast. it's winter again, and almost time to ring in a new year.

it has been a year of many, many changes and i am looking forward to a great 2008.

just a word of thanks to everyone who has lent a moment to be a friend, and given a word of support. i couldn't have made it, without you.

one of my resolutions for the new year will be to take more photographs. be they polaroids, lomo shots, pinhole, digital- there will be more to share.

be well, everyone.

out on the weekend

2007-12-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

*blink blink*

oh, right, a weblog. i almost forgot!

fear not, i've been keeping myself plenty busy. i've been taking a ton of photos, as always, and spending plenty of time with my sewing machine. the holidays are ramping up and it'll be 2008 before we know it!

i've had a lot of good things happening lately- a great new job, a great sales season in my shop and tomorrow i'm celebrating two years with a wonderful guy. and folks have had some rather nice things to say about A Minor Thread lately, including Michelle from the blog Scribbit. check it out:

back in the saddle

2007-08-25T12:21:00.000-07:00

well, hello! many apologies for the long absence. i have been remiss in my duties as a recordist, but i have a good excuse: i was on vacation.

but now it's back to the daily grind, as it were, and catching up on what's been going on.

the opening of my solo art show went quite well, and i was really charmed to see some familiar faces. i wrote an guest entry in the doe-sf.com blog about the event, and the remaining unsold work is available to browse and buy at the doe website.

shortly after the opening of the show, i was whisked off to north carolina to spend some time on the Outer Banks. the trip was full of new sights and new people, and was interesting to say the least.

see a collection of photos from my vacation, here.

the home stretch

2007-07-30T23:18:00.000-07:00

well, my solo show opens up on friday evening, so i guess this is the home stretch!

i still have a decent amount of work to do, but i'm armed with glue, some great pieces of salvaged plywood, and the biggest stack of polaroids i have ever seen in one plce!

i spent some downtime today with my copy of Walker Evans' 'Polaroids' book- a posthumous collection of works that he created in the very last year of his creative career. i hadn't picked up the book in a long time, and it was really fascinating to see the similarities between his work and my own. all of these images- 2,650 of them- we taken when the SX-70 camera was just a couple of years old. his subject matter wasn't "new" or "daring" - but he found ways to highlight the mundane and really make it exciting. if you've never had the chance to see Walker Evans' work, do try to find it.

here's a digital version of the flier for the show. i picked up a stack of postcards, today, and they look great. had i had more time to think, lately, i would have made up some postcards with more of my images, on them. no time for that, now, but it's definitely something that will happen as part of a larger project for postmarks, my long-distance Polaroid exchange project that i've been a part of since 2002.

well, back to my Polaroids and glue. for now, i'll leave you with a little joy.

new things + news

2007-07-11T12:43:00.000-07:00

today marks the official launch of my new photography website, typewright.org. i've been sitting on this domain for a while, and i haven't had much time to do anything with it. the gallery is still a little sparse, but i will be adding more images over the next few weeks- some new work, in addition to old favorites.

click here to visit typewright.org.

also, a date has been set for my solo show at *doe*, in san francisco. please join us on august 3rd, from 7 - 10 pm, for an opening reception. i was the guest blogger today on the *doe* blog, giving everyone a sneak peek into the show:

click here to read the doe blog.

upcoming art exhibition

2007-07-04T11:26:00.000-07:00

at the end of this month, i'll be showing my photographs - mostly polaroids - at *doe* boutique in san francisco. there isn't a date set for the opening reception, yet, so stay tuned for more information about that.

in preparation for the show, i've been going out and taking a ton of polaroids. it's really nice to step away from work for a while and remember that i live in a really wonderful and amazingly photogenic part of the world.

i snapped this shot while hiking through the woods in Mill Valley, a few weeks back.

this photo was taken in yountville, also a few weeks ago.

through the rest of the month, i'll be sharing some more of the images that will be on display at *doe*. but first, i need to spend some quality time with my scanner!

it's raining lens(es)

2007-06-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

so, this past week was a good week, for cameras.

i recently had the opportunity to 'foster' a nikon d70 digital slr, for a few months. it was a wonderful machine, with a great lens, and a great opportunity to get to know a wonderful camera. i worked hard, saved my pennies and finally picked up a digital slr of my own- the d70's big brother, the nikon d80. it's got a fantastic lens on it- an 18-135 zoom- with lots of creative room to move. and it's really, really fun to shoot with.

(i snapped these poppies up in the berkeley hills, on grizzly peak. being a california native poppies are, of course, my favorite.)

my only complaint about the d80, thus far, is that it just isn't heavy enough, which gives me trouble in the image stabilization department. i guess that's one of the great things about the old bricks that we shoot film with!

speaking of film, i also picked up a second canon a1- it was a great deal on ebay and, well, i simply can't find my other one! it came with two lenses- a 50 mm and a 20-85 zoom. i haven't shot a test roll yet, but so far the camera looks to be in perfect shape. i'll report back once i've developed some film!

in the meantime, here's a snap i took with my (original) canon a1 this past september, on my trip to chicago:

(click to view large)

on fruit and film cameras

2007-06-02T18:14:00.000-07:00

so last night, despite my stay-home tendencies, i dragged my better half's roommate out to T-Rex to meet up with said better half, and another friend. we don't go to T-Rex much, even though the boys all qualify for a 25% discount there. but, you know, sometimes you just need a good order of mac n' cheese with house smoked pork.
i wasn't really in a drinking mood, so the bartender whipped up her current favorite non-alcoholic beverage. i'm not sure if it had a name, but it was basically fresh grapefruit juice, fresh grated ginger, sugar and tonic water. it was simple, unassuming, refreshing and really freakin' tasty.

ginger and grapefruit was not a combination that i had really thought of before, but it certainly sits well with me. i've been eager to do some baking- or at least eager to think about doing some baking- so i started looking up some recipes to work with. a search for "ginger" turned up this recipe for ginger + grapefruit cheesecake.. um, yes please? i'll have to give it a go, and report back.

of course, i'd be doing this baking in my new kitchen, since i moved recently. another great thing about moving? losing stuff! well, maybe not so great. i cannot, for the life of me, seem to find my beloved Canon A1, a gift from the college photo lab, years ago. i mean, it has to be somewhere, right? but i have no idea where. a quick peek at eBay turned up a great deal on an A1 in excellent condition, from an estate. two lenses, original manual, strap, et al. so, i went for it.

another camera may the last thing that i needed, but i do love the A1, and it's a good piece of equipment. i'll be sure to put it to good use.

new adventures in film

2007-05-23T21:28:00.000-07:00

so with the idea of a solo art show looming in the distance, i knew that i had to hunt down some film for my baby- my Polaroid Sonar One Step camera. silver with black leather details, folds, looks good on my arm- you know the drill. the catch being, Polaroid stopped making the film, last year. i had heard about this elusive "SX-70 Blend" film, but had not yet tried to track it down (still had a pack of Time Zero in the breadbox, but i used that up around the time of my last move.)

well, after sitting on the idea of ordering $200+ worth of film from unsaleable, i finally discovered that there is a gem of a vendor, based in new york, who is the exclusive US distributor for the film. bingo!

i placed my order, got my film a few days later and started shooting. and i'm more than pleased with the results.

the film has great color tones and good contrast. no overwhelming blue tones- unless, of course, you wanted them. in which case, just snap your pic, and toss it in the freezer:

(click image for details on the process, and a non-freezer comparison shot.)

all-in-all, i am thrilled that Polaroid caved into the needs of us art geeks, and gave us something to play with. i'm almost done with my second pack, and i can't wait to scan 'em all, to share.

caught me in the spotlight.

2007-02-24T20:46:00.000-08:00

so, i'm still working on the initial design for typewright.org, but i realized that i needed to find my footing on the blog front, once again. so here we are. ever-embarking on web adventures.

typewright.org will, indeed, be a mix of traditional, digital and toy camera photography. reminiscent of the late grassfire.nu and maybe not quite as interactive as uglygeek.com. but it will (hopefully) be a beautiful gallery of images. and hell, if nothing else, i'm eager to get back to the "shoot, shoot, shoot" attitude of my early 20's.

well, on with the images!