Jessica Messica

Mac and Cheese Hockey

2010-03-01T16:03:00.000-08:00

Wow.

Talk about time lapse! Welcome to the new and improved Jessica's Adventure Time Blog. No more crafts (because I'm not going to knit on the beach) but! It will hopefully be a travellogue of my adventures and mis-adventures. Sorry there won't be many pictures I'm lazy when I travel.

I left about 12 days ago from Moncton, NB, went by train to Toronto. Not to be negative about the initial part of my trip, but seriously can train food be more expensive and disgusting? Tiny cannolli for a huge price. Thank god they threw in two pieces of garlic bread croutons. I also got the lovely experience of sitting behind two love birds after switching trains in Montreal. I started counting their kisses to eachother about an hour into the ride but had to stop about 20 minutes and 100kisses later. A goth kid and I made many witty remarks about them.

Toronto was awesome. I had a Net Meet with a number of internet friends. Does that make me nerdy? Hopefully not, because they were all so awesome. Sneaky Dees (for anyone visiting toronto) is great for seeing skeletor hipsters drink cheap beer and wear sunglasses inside. I fit in!

My hosts in tdot were so gracious. I had a hard time spending money. They showed me some sights, let me snuggle with their kitties, and made me feel honoured to be their friend. I got to eat deep fried mac-and-cheese too, which is just as awesome as it sounds. They lived in what is called 'Jamaica Town'in Toronto. I got yelled at in a grocery store by a Jamaican lady about her missing her appointment. It didn't really seem to have anything to do with me, but she wasn't using her indoor voice and I was a little scared.

I flew on a shitshow flight from Tdot to Vancouver. First the flight crew didn't show up for an hour, then after going to the last possible runway at Pearson they found out their lights wouldn't dim for takeoff, which is illegal, so we had to taxi all the way back to fix it. Meanwhile the Canada Russia hockey game was going on and people on the airplane were checking their blackberries frantically and yelling out the scores. Eventually though a man in front of me hooked his iphone up to his laptop and we streamed it live. Talk about an exciting time with 20 of my closest seat neighbours.

After arriving I found my cousins house all by myself. I negociated not only transit but also part of Hastings street and found a key under a rock to let myself in. It was like I was in a mystery novel. Vancouver was freaking me out with the olympics and everything so I quickly made my departure to see my grandparents in Victoria. I had an excellent time even if they were not feeling their best. I got to drive my granny around though, crack jokes with my grandfather and relax. I love Vancouver Island - I cannot wait to move out here this summer.

Everyone kept wondering why I wasn't lapping up the olympic spirit though. I don't feel bad for missing most of it though. Its just not something I'm really into. I do love the competition, the sense of excitment and what the olympics came from, but in recent years the Olympics have gotten a bit out of control, like a crazy monopolizing monster. Although I won't pretend my morals kept me out of the city, more like my interest.

Anyway. I came in yesterday. Canada/US gold game. The city was absolutely glued to television sets. After trying for a long long time, my friend and I finally found a bar with space and a tv. Man. People were losing their shit! And I can't even begin to explain what happened when we won! Now I don't like sports, and I don't like patriotism so much - but winning a gold medal in hockey is what being Canadian is. The entire city had been waiting for this moment for years. Everyone went insane. Traffic was honking excitedly for hours, people were playing tin can hockey in the middle of traffic (we re talking like city highways).
I loved it!

Now I am just gathering myself to make the huge leap to Asia.

I am nearly through my Cana

Crochet ville!

2010-02-10T07:34:00.000-08:00

I know! I know! I can hear everyone saying, "Where have you been? You are unemployed and have nothing better to do than post a million blog posts!"

True! But I've been busy! Busy with nothing. It really adds up. You know coffee, napping, Taebo, episode upon episode of The Wire.... Speaking of which, if you haven't watched that show - I highly recommend it.

Anyway, I leave in a week so I've been trying to wrap up a few craft projects. I've finally put my quilt together, but I don't want to talk about the borders yet so I'll leave you guys waiting.

Its valentines day this weekend and while I don't condone the purely commercial value of this holiday, I do enjoy gifts from the heart. So I made my love this little valentine:

Its my internet debut of water colour! I had a slight accident and had to redo it about halfway through, so please forgive how George Costanza isn't quite up to par. The original was a better likeness.

Also on my list, my friend is having a baby. I made her these little abominable slippers:

And finally, because I cannot get away from doilies, I have found an incredible japanese yarn. Its hand spun and hand painted and glory of glory comes in Thread crochet weight! Well actually its technically called 'cobweb' weight, but that just makes me love it more. They wrap it up so that you can see all the colours. It really updates this entire doily thing. Imagine the possibilities!

After seeing this picture I'm even shocked. It really is beautiful.

Cold Weather and Doilies for Friends

2010-01-31T13:58:00.000-08:00

The weather has been pretty good these past few weeks, I've got to go out and test my new snow shoes a few times. I highly recommend any kind of snow shoe that has a metal pivot for your foot, and a huge claw attached to the bottom. Climbing any sort of incline in traditional snowshoes is pretty much impossible, but these claws sort of make me realize that humans are really missing out. The things I could do if I had bear claws!

Here are some pictures from one of our days out.

Also, doilies! I tend to really get into doilies, but upon their completion hold them up and think,"Huh.... Now what." Because really, what do you do with them? I have recently discovered though, that through Google Picasa you can browse public albums which just happen to be entire crochet books scanned helpfully by someone across the world. If you know the name of a specific book, I'm nearly positive that it will be there. Professional patterns have never been so awesome, or so free.

Dream Jobs and Heros

2010-01-28T07:39:00.000-08:00

Somehow over the course of 8 months I've watched more MMA fights than I even dreamed possible. Watching meatheads pound the living shit out of eachother has really grown on me. Hopefully its not making me more violent or agressive.

After learning the ins and outs of what different fight organizations are like, I've really come to appreciate the Japanese ones. The new defunct Pride organization being my all-time favorite. Pride didn't have any rules! It was great! But unfortunatly UFC bought them out, and now you aren't allowed to soccer kick people in the head when they are on the ground. Sigh... the good old days.

Anyway. This entry is about my dream job - being a great MMA announcer. I usually get way more excited about a good announcer than the idiots trying to kill eachother in the ring. Mike Buffer (who works UFC events) is probably the voice you think of when you think of fight announcers. A la:

He's pretty damn good I'd say.
But he is a guy, and this kind of job is pretty hard for girls. Mainly because women nearly always get stuck being scantily clad ring girls who probably have two brain cells but just happen to have a nice bikini body. Also, and not to be sexist here, but women generally just don't have that kind of voice.

But Lenne Hardt. She is one hell of an announcer. She works primarily with Japanese organizations, so I assumed that she was some super sweet Japanese woman. But last week, for the first time in 8 months, we watched a fight that showed her announcing! Just look at her!

Listen to her in all her glory!

I want more than anything in life to email her and ask her to take me under her wing. A dream!

And just for the record, check out this glamour shot of her!

Crazy Heart

2010-01-18T18:17:00.000-08:00

I'm a sucker for a sad western.

Neither Here... Nor There.

2010-01-12T10:15:00.000-08:00

I'm going to take a huge assumption, and decide that many of you have either seen or heard about the documentary Jesus Camp (2006). Ironically, one of the least assuming but also most powerful documentaries on the evangelical, fundamentalist Christian right in America. It lets the pastors, children and bible camp activities speak for themselves, which portrays more powerful ideas than overlaying the film with a voice over, or leftist interviews.

In any case, I watched it (and was shocked by it) again with my roommate recently. He has never seen it, and growing up in a Baha'i family, really didn't know this section of society existed. He was stunned. So stunned that he began investigating his own faith, and subsequently so did I. We spent hours on wikipedia examining the Baha'i religion and not being in anyway religious myself, I was blown away.

I found many aspects of it different and appealing.

"Bahá'í notions of progressive religious revelation result in their accepting the validity of most of the world's religions, whose founders and central figures are seen as Manifestations of God. Religious history is interpreted as a series of dispensations, where each manifestation brings a somewhat broader and more advanced revelation, suited for the time and place in which it was expressed
Meaning, it sees the nine world religions stemming from Prophets (ie: Jesus, Mohammad, Krishna, Buddha etc) as steps towards a better understanding of God."

Also, I found the 12 Social Principles pretty interesting....

Unity of God
Unity of religion
Unity of humankind
Equality between men and women
Elimination of all forms of prejudice
World peace
Harmony of religion and science
Independent investigation of truth
Universal compulsory education
Universal auxiliary language
Obedience to government and non-involvement in partisan politics
Elimination of extremes of wealth and poverty

I'm also in love with their temples....

Most of Bahia's progressive and interesting bits are largely due to the fact it hasn't pushed 200 years old. Hasn't really had time to branch out, evolve, diverge etc.. to aquire any of the weird bits other religions tend to have. There are a few unfortunate parts though, like the focus on marriage being between a man and woman and a few other bits about homosexuality. Not saying that this mentality is necessarily followed by any Baha'i's I know, its just unfortunate they are there in scripture. In any case my roommate is going to take me to a Baha'i community event so I can get the full effect and see just how awesome it is.

I'm rollin'

2010-01-08T05:48:00.001-08:00

I have nearly my entire trip booked now, a big relief. There were some highs and lows during this process. The lows mainly being that I am no longer taking an epic train journey accross Canada. I just cannot afford well over $1000 for four days of my life. The highs? I got a sweet flight instead! At a fraction of a fraction of the cost.

I'm going to have to get my travel agent a mighty fine gift while I'm away.

Other ways I'm saving money?

For starters everyone who travels and is at all social should sign up for Couchsurfers. If you haven't heard of it is one of the most amazing ways to really be immersed into the place you're visiting. The premise is pretty simple: sign up and state whether or not you have a couch availible for strangers (not a requirement mind you). The next time you travel you simply have to search for your destination (even Iraq, if you're adventurous) and Ta Da you have a free place to stay!

Its actually pretty safe as well (considering). Couchsurfers always leave references for their visitors and hosts, and obviously creeps get banned, and you never stay with someone who has a bad reference. Women can easily stay with other women too. If you are uncomfortable staying on someones couch - many people have a full bedroom!

(One of my favorite surfers, I took him along to a music festival...and we found a couch!)

I've never surfed, but I've hosted many, many lovely people. Having said that I've only ever hosted someone who I wished I hadn't. He wasn't at all dangerous, he just really was lacking in the social skill department, told me many details of his life I never needed to know.

I've been using it to line up places to stay at strategic times and locations all over Southeast Asia. I've also joined a Travel Buddy Indonesia group, which is helping me meet Indonesians with the same travel goals as me.

And just for the record: I'm excited to swim with these guys again.
Ko Jum - Here I come!

Snake Scarf Revealed!

2010-01-07T15:10:00.000-08:00

I finally tried to take some pictures of myself in this snake scarf. But its sadly dark when I get up for work in the morning, and nearly so by the time I get home. Pretty depressing if you ask me.

So here are some pretty lame pictures of myself, taken by myself - please excuse the rather... vacant look on my face. I don't quite have the camera skills (and camera!), nor the poise of one of my favorite self-portrait artists over at the clothes horse. She always looks so beautiful.

I digress.

Look at this mug!

I'm killing myself here.

If you want to make yourself one after looking at these appealing pictures, its quite simple - if not painstakingly repeatative. Get yourself one ball of yarn and one Knitting Spool. Etsy has some good ones available here and here. I might use a thicker yarn in my next attempts - it would make my neck a little warmer rather then simply just pretty.

Step one: start yarn on knitting spool.
Step two: continue to knit on spool until entire ball of yarn is used up.
Step three: wrap around your neck multiple times in a pleasing manner, until you've achieved the 'look', saving enough knitted snake to tie it together in a bow or something more simple.

Ta-da!

Anyway, here are some rather belated pictures of my Christmas presents.

Looking back on these snowflakes, I've decided two things. One, compared to my most recent doily, my thread crochet skills have improved dramatically. Two, I really need to invest in quality patterns, rather then internet patterns which have multiple errors.

Lets get ready to DOOOIIIILLY

2010-01-03T17:07:00.000-08:00

Happy Holidays everyone!

Merry Ayyam-i-ha!

(I just like saying it, although I do know that it isn't for a few months - its like a Christmas though...right?)

I've been recovering from our epic 24 hour marathon New Years Eve Party - which nearly everyone failed to reach - including me, I was one of the first fatalities. In any case, I have been very busy here with my crafts as all we have been doing is watching hours apon hours of UFC and other MMA-athons (don't ask why I love to watch meat heads beat each other senseless...).

Its been helped a little by a new craft club, a bitch and stitch if you will. Its really nice to have friends that force me to craft every week, because every once in awhile I slack off.

Anyway, so far I've finished my crochet snake scarf, I'll post pictures when its nice out and I have someone to take pictures for me. I've also finished this beauty. World, let me introduce you to the MEGADOILY. The ultimate in doily extravaganzas!

Isn't it beautiful? I've spent the 'recovery' days of this new year crocheting until my fingers have stiffened. I've very impressed with how it irons out, very professional.

I'm forcing myself to finish all my crafts before I leave for my epic trip. That also includes something I'll be taking with me:

A few cloth bags to divide my stuff up (you know, between dirty/clean panties etc) and a few secret pockets in my shorts and bras for money. I'm also debating a monk bag ahla this guy - mainly because they don't take up any space and mine got destroyed by fire.

Okay!

Until tomorrow, or whenever I happen to take that picture of the snake scarf - what a mystery!

Oh No Voodoo

2009-12-29T06:24:00.000-08:00

Look what happened!?

Something went wrong in the mysterious world of codes and html and my previously very nice and fancy blog template get royally messed up.

Originally I was going to cancel everything - forget about blogging, and sink into vast recesses of the Internet - but some people have told me they actually read this thing.

Now, while I figure out codes and voodoo, I'll leave it pretty plain.

I'll be back later with a real post. Now that I've got more initiative.

While you wait, please enjoy some lovely Christmas photos that my friends and I took. We waited until Santa was off-duty at the mall and then raided his little house.

The baby is the piece de resistance.

Here I am being the ghost of Christmas past...

Tales from a family vacation...

2009-12-08T16:44:00.001-08:00

So I went to Victoria, like I said, and I did eat at The Noodle Box. It was very delicious I promise.
I also got to spend some quality time with an entire side of my family that I never see. This included a family reunion with 18 participants.

Some highlights:

- going on a short hike to the top of Mount Erskine with a few cousins, my parents and some aunts and uncles, getting lost on the way back, hilarity, stumbling home four hours later.
- my uncle getting a rainbow pottery rock cod fish from his brother on the west coast and my mother on the east coast. Hilarity. My grandfather looking around the table and proclaiming, "This is why the call me the cod father."
- A wonderful dinner with my granny at a pub called the Canoe, getting 'the Fleet' which consisted of 6 different beers and splitting them all with her.
- Spending a lovely evening with my cousin, drinking homemade apple cider with his friends, enjoying the Fantastic Mr. Fox (which all of you should go see! Its a Cluster Cuss!)

A family tale through photos:

My Dad, on the way to Salt Spring,

Cod Father!

Mount Erskine,

Family,

I'm Alive!

2009-12-08T07:28:00.001-08:00

I promise! I was away in beautiful Brittish Columbia for a week, and collecting myself over these past few days. I have pictures coming of course - of my trip and of my doilies. Christmas would not be the same without snowflake doilies.

So stay tuned - until about 5:00 Atlantic time when I get my act together.

Until then, please enjoy my my not so strict tradition of Tuesday's with Indonesia and I will share with you my new discoveries.

First of all: Indonesia is a go! I have finally booked my tickets through my grandmother's 'magic' travel agent, who definitly had some kind of sorcery going on to get me these prices. Flying out of Vancouver March 2 (after I train accross Canada) to Bangkok. I have no idea what I'll be doing and where I'll end up in Thailand but my goal is to be in Jakarta two weeks later. I fly out of Jakarta and back to the love of my life April 18th.

I have had to narrow down where I want to be in Indonesia, and I think Sulawesi will be my main destination.
This area includes the Togean Islands. Which among other things include a couple dozen tiny islands to explore, and apparently beautifully deserted beaches.

They also are home to this beast: the coconut crab.

I am attracted to these islands (more than the multiple other islands that have pristine beaches and barely there tourist industry) mostly because they have 'deserted resorts' and volcano islands that I could easily wander around and have some misadventures in.

Finally, I am looking into volunteering somewhere. As I am not too keen on Englishteaching (which tends to be the primary focus of many 'community development' programs...) I have been trying to find environmental organizations to help out. I originally wanted to wwoof but that seems nearly impossible given there is no national wwoofing organization.

But I found the Indonesian Wildlife Rescue (which happily operates out of northern Sulawesi). For a international volunteer program, its actually pretty inexpensive, and they clearly state how they use your donation. It seems like a pretty excellent option - I'll get to look after (aka shoveling shit)some beautiful animals...

Bentu and Is

Spotty the leopard

Things I did, at some points in time....

2009-11-19T13:10:00.000-08:00

So I really have been crafting.
I swear.

I made this hat. It was supposed to be slouchy, but I never really listen to yarn size and thus, it turned into a beanie. In the end I re-did it, trying to alter the pattern in an attempt to make it more slouchy - but it was even uglier.
So I gave it away.

I also found a bunch of really old dried up red peppers in the back of my fridge. I decided I'd try to plant them and see what happened. This is what happened! Now mind you we haven't gotten any peppers yet, but nearly all the seeds sprouted into nice, spicy, little plants.

Also, Jean Poutine, my kitty, is going to be little forever! Thank you crack house upstairs! The vet told me that because he had what you might call a deprived childhood he is stunted!

A dream come true - really. Although the vet did give me a funny look when I said that.

I'm (kinda) a model! But who isn't...

2009-11-17T09:58:00.000-08:00

So this may be a little different than what I've been posting on here (Indonesia. Indonesia. Indonesia.) And I would be posting about the Indonesian Togean Islands right now but I couldn't find the pictures I wanted (to steal) and got fed up with the whole idea.

I haven't been posting many crafting things either - I'll get to that I promise.

In anycase, my friend Maria came over last night to take pictures of me. Since she is a 3rd year photography student, and I am nearly always around, I tend to be called on to be a 'model' a lot. In fact people who work at the Craft College stop me and say "Are you that girl from the City Hall exhibition?" or "Do you know Maria?"

I'm not saying I'm any good at it, I'm just saying I'm in a lot of photos. Maria is really whats awesome about these photographs, and I thought I'd share some of her talent on here.

I'd give you here website or something, but she doesn't have one.

(Now I'd like to point out I was wearing a top here - I can't explain where it went in this picture. But I was wearing it for sure)

I did a nude-y photoshoot with her too. Not really scandalous at all. But I don't want those pictures out there so much on the internet at large. Not that I'm showing anything other than my back and bit of crack (not even my face!). My mother always said, "Never take photographic images of you naked or doing drugs" and considering all the scandals out there lately I think thats really good advice. Thanks mom! I'll appreciate it when I'm president!

....Wednesdays with Indonesia?

2009-11-04T10:49:00.000-08:00

So I recently found out that Lonely Planet will come out in January with the first book on indonesia since 2007 - my copy. Good think I bought it....

In anycase, I'll probably by this new one so I'll actually know how giant babies, terrorism, and earthquakes have affected prices. I need to know if I can still get by in beach huts for 5$ a night.

This weeks little snippet is filled with my dream islands. The Alor Archipelago. These islands are remote - even farther East than those islands I talked about last week. They are right beside East Timor if you need a better geological reference. They were still headhunting up until the 1950s. Pretty exciting.

In anycase I have a really big interest in Lamalera - the people that surprizingly still hunt whales and even more surprizingly are allowed by all the environmentalists and anti-whaling organizations.

But if everyone hunted whales like this than I imagine a lot more people would be allowed to:

Now I don't really plan to go there and have a go at stabbing a whale. But I just thought this little tid-bit was pretty interesting - and I think I've already fallen in love with the Alor's - even without seeing it.

Although I do understand the problems with Lonely Planet guides - and believe me they are many - I can see that parts of this Indonesian one are very humble. Many times sections actually refer you to 'Mr. Jim' or 'Dive-Master Dave' or any number of famous local personalities that are aparently the best source for information. When hotel/guest house listings mention how 'Baba Yosef' is a really excelelnt chef - it sort of makes a difference. I automatically are more drawn to these places - they seem far more personable than the resorts and 'Hotel Florida's' that seem to be everywhere. I suppose it's all probably different now - but I can dream.

Boxes of noodles

2009-11-02T06:15:00.000-08:00

I'm going on a little trip with my family in late November, to my favorite city on the West Coast - Victoria, BC!

All I have been thinking of (I mean besides seeing all my relatives...) is The Noodle Box. I just want a stomach filled with multi-culturally influenced Asian food as soon as possible. The end of November is too far away. I have a ridiculous plan to stuff my face at least once, and to bring at least 3 take out boxes home with me as carry on. Is that even allowed? I've seen people bring live lobster... so I assume I'll be able to bring dead (but delicious) noodle boxes.

I blame this obsession on watching an unhealthy amount of Top Chef.

These are the three menu items I've already started drooling over:

SPICY PEANUT BOX (available with rice)
Indonesian style peanut sauce, wok fried with peppers, Asian
greens, crushed peanuts, herbs, sprouts, coconut milk and
lime on ribbon noodles.
NOODLE BOX CHILI PLUM (available with rice)
Hokkein noodles, wok fried with peppers, Asian greens,
sprouts, and green onion, tossed in our own sweet chilli plum
sauce.
CAMBODIAN JUNGLE CURRY (available with rice)
Spicy curry broth with rice noodles, simmered with ginger,
mushrooms, peppers, asian greens, sprouts and finished with
mango, herbs and lime.

As a side note, my grandmother house is beside this beautiful ravine. Last time my family went for a little visit it was in the spring... so here is a little picture I found of my dad in the BC jungle.

Textophobia and Tuesday's With Indonesia!

2009-10-28T05:00:00.000-07:00

Okay okay, Late again!

Tuesday's with Indonesia is brought to you by Komodo Dragons, found on Rinca, Western Flores and of course, Komodo Island.

(landscapes from Komodo)

Nowadays Komodo National Park is considered one of Indonesia's main attractions - I mean who could really pass up the opportunity to visit a dragon. But from the available information the government and park have taken amazing precautions about dragon oriented tourism. Yeah!

I love David Attenborough quite a bit, you know the old grandfather voice-over on every BBC nature documentary that's been made in the past 60 years. That's the man. Way Way Way back when, around the time that Indonesia was still probably thought of as native backwaters, the BBC and Attenborough actually went to Komodo Island. Traveling wasn't quite as easy back then and the "Zoo Quest" series they were filming led Attenborough into a few harrowing situations.

Attenborough tells of danger on the crew's hazardous boat trip with a gun-smuggling captain and the terror of erupting volcanoes. He also depicts for the listener some of the incredible sights he and his team witnessed - breathtaking butterflies, taking tea with Charlie the orang-utan and the the voyage to the little-known island of Komodo to capture the elusive Komodo Dragon. David Attenborough's early adventures are sometimes life-threatening, often hilarious and always totally absorbing.

Excellent. If I end up in these islands - expect to see me galloping around with a herd of Dragons.

On another strange note:

I'm pretty sure I have a very mild form of Textophobia - the persistent, abnormal, and unwarranted fear of certain fabrics. I really really really cannot stand touching felt, the fabric on the ceilings of cars, fleece and increasingly cotton.

Lately I've been folding laundry or making my bed and constantly want to clench my teeth, moisturize my hands, and resist the urge to shiver. Although I am not afraid of these fabrics - I definitely don't want to touch them. Strange for someone who is making a quilt, likes to felt, and is currently crocheting with wool.

If you can image nails on a chalkboard, scraping your fork against a plate.... this is what I experience with felt. My mother has told me I didn't even like doing crafts with felt when I was little.

I hope it stops freaking me out, and starts to lessen. What if I can only surround my self with silks in the future!?

Tuesday's With Indonesia

2009-10-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

Oops - I'm late!

But I was doing Indonesian related things yesterday, I went to the travel clinic and got an injection for Typhoid. Luckily I've had about a million vaccinations in my life, so thats basically the only one I need (unless you count the shot that costs 165$ x 3 - which is both ridiculous and impossible).

So other than getting shot up, I've been reading about the Nusa Tenggara region in Indonesia. On my never ending quest for finding the perfect deserted island - I've been looking up the tiny Gili islands, and Flores.

The Gili Islands are just west of Lombok (one of the islands east of Bali) and are advertised under things like "No Cars, No Motorbikes, No Problems" - exactly what I thought. They also aparently have a large Irish bar and an authentic sushi restaurant. Excellent things to add to a deserted atoll right?

If I was a diver/surfer these islands would be even better - maybe I'll learn to surf! Mostly I'll be looking forward to eating, relaxing and biking around this island... I can picture myself here:

Next on this list is Flores - one of the larger but less visited islands. The tourist focus is mainly wandering around the traditional villages, sunsets and a volcano named Kelimutu. Although I still have really mixed feelings about traditional villages as 'tourist destinations' I do believe that these villages may be better off then what has happened (and what I avoided) in thailand. I don't plan on actually making this the reason I visit Flores though.

The volcano(s) on Flores tend to have strange colour changing pools that remain a mystery to science. Some older pictures show Kelimutu with a black, a white and a red lake but now they are white, green and blue.

The best part for me about this island is the need to hire a guide to basically see anything. I'd like this. One on one tourism. I'm assuming the guy in the photo above is a guide. I hired a moto and driver in Cambodia and it was great because your guide knows a million interesting places, has crazy stories and there is no set agenda. You get to wander around with someone who speaks the language, is usually super funny and actually wants to get to know you.

There also isn't an agency/corportation taking money - just the guide so hopefully the tourism actually benefits the people more then it does in exploited areas.

I want to go here!

T-Shirt Quilt Step One, two, and three

2009-10-19T17:33:00.000-07:00

I have been a bit crafty lately. I decided to take all of my old t-shirts that I'm really attached to and make them into a t-shirt quilt. You really only need so many t-shirts in your life anyway, but they always have such strange memories attached to them... so I almost always find it really difficult to throw them out or give them away.

A quilt means I can save them forever! And my kids (or probably my nieces and nephews) will see how awesome I was when I was a teenager!

Materials:
T-shirts! - I have 12 in mine: 3 by 4 makes a double I think
Batting!- You can get really cheap bags that come in a pre-set size (twin, double, queen etc)
Backing! - Enough to cover the back of your quilt. The sales lady helped me find something that was triple wide so I wouldn't have to have seams down my back
Piecing material - I am using the same material as my backing, because I am lazy about trying to match something to 12 different t-shirts and also because my budget wouldn't let me go crazy. This is going to be used to fill in the actual blocks cut from the t-shirts so they are all the same size - good luck figuring out how much you'll need. I just bought a shit-ton.
Fusible/non-woven/medium weight interfacing! - to make the t-shirts usable.

You'll also need:
A sewing machine!
A rotary cutter!
An iron! (I just bought my first one ever!)
A cutting mat!
Clear block ruler.
and thread!

Step one:

I sat down and actually figured out which t-shirts I was going to use. I ended up needing three, so I stole a few from our most recent clothing swap and also one from my mom.

(Some of my treasured old rags)

Step two:

Maybe a professional would tell you to do this in a different order but this is what worked for me. I cut out the print from each t-shirt, and tried to do it in a way that I got the largest sized block I could. I didn't try to make them all the same size at this point - I just wanted to see what I would/could be working with. You can always regulate their sizing later.

Knits (t-shirt material) is literally horrible to make a quilt out of. It stretches like no ones business, and is pretty heavy. So even if you did some how succeed in cutting a perfect square or rectangle block out of it, your quilt would eventually turn into a pulled-out, ugly old rag if you used it more than once.

The solution is to buy fusible, non woven, medium weight interfacing. You get to iron it on the back of each shirt (glue side down!) and then suddenly the fabric makes a lot more sense.

(A shirt with interfacing on it)

Step three:

(my non measured pieces)

Spread your pieces out on a floor or huge table. Move them around and put them into the order you want for the finished product.

I measured each block and figured out what size I wanted the finished block to be. I usually tried to do it so I had roughly an inch on all sides of the image. Write down the measurements for each block or else you will cry later!

(I drew it out a poorly to scale version showing which shirt was where, and how large the finished piece would be because I am a visual person)

So from here you can figure out the widest and tallest pieces (one was 12" wide and another one was 11" tall). I want a border all around each shirt for consistency's sake so I figured out that a completely finished block would be 14" x 14". This means I'll have to cut borders for each shirt and all the border pieces will have to be customized for all my different sized shirts. Annoying, but at least my finished blocks will all be the same size in the end.

So before you cut: WAIT!
Make sure you add 1/4" to all sides of every piece you cut for sewing allowance. This will mean that a shirt piece that is 10" x 10" finished will actually be cut 10.5" x 10.5"

Man this probably makes no sense what so ever.
I'll post more steps later, but I'm tired already.

In any case here is my first 14"x14" block... just so you can see a finished one.

Swapin'

2009-10-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

I joined swap-bot awhile ago, because I am pretty cheesy and really like to get snail mail. If you haven't heard about it, its a place for people to join/create swaps which can be either electronic (and boring!) or postal. Its got a strange rating system to make sure all packages are sent and on time - but I guess thats a good thing even if its way more nerdy.

So far I've joined two swaps and gotten 2 awesome packages in the mail. I was supposed to get three - but I'll cross my fingers and hope my partner isn't being a lame dropout.
I think I'm going to find another one, because I got some really awesome stuff. And I also understand what other people will expect from me and what equals an awesome package.

Anyway - one of the swaps was based around colours: ie - send your partners something yellow, something black, something green, something red etc.

I sent a tiny heart I had hand felted to a lady in Lithuania and she jazzed it up a little bit. I thought I'd share our handiwork - although the creative bits are definitely hers <3

I wonder what she will use it for...

Tuesdays with Indonesia (and Cambodia)

2009-10-13T11:20:00.000-07:00

Since I'm really bad at blogging, I'm going to start something: Tuesdays with Indonesia. Hopefully brought to you on every Tuesday, although surely it will be late on more than on occasion.

I hope to talk about the things I am reading about and interested in - which is mainly trying to find some non-polluted, untouristy beach to lay on and also try to find an alternative village to live in. They exist! Apparently the brother of a friend is working in one - and although they haven't heard from him since the earthquake, he is coming home soon - once Sumatra turns the power on.

Anyway today's post is brought to you by

Borobudur Temple, Sumatra

Borobudur is a Buddhist temple, laid out like a complex tantric mandala and comprises something like 60 000 cubic meters of stone which were carved, transported and erected around 800 AD. No easy feat. Its survived the earthquakes, even disappeared for centuries under volcanic ash, and more recently was restored after a group of extremists explored an anti-Soeharto bomb in the middle. It is one of the finest temples in Java according to my guide book and I think I want to see it at sunrise.
Interesting choice considering I really hate trying to wade through people selling me things, and I hate being in the same location as a bunch of old Europeans wearing Tilley Hats. I really really hate Tilley Hats. But this spot is supposed to be very similar and awe inspiring as Ankor Wat in Cambodia - which I really loved.

Here are some pictures from that little trip (Now mind you these aren't the best pictures I have, but those are lost on some archived photo CD somewhere and these just happened to be online):

All around and within the temple complex are entrepreneurial/poverty stricken Cambodians trying to make a living off their small plots and herds of tourists. Most children we met begged us to buy things from them - anything. But these guys were pretty awesome. We played strange made up games with them for a little bit.

Tuk Tuking around the expansive temple complex was cheaper if you squished everyone into one tuk tuk.

This picture is infamous. I sent it into the Study-Abroad program that sent me to Thailand and they put this picture into all of their Thailand brochures. IDIOTS. Although idiots that paid me! Advertising for Thailand with something that is so obviously Cambodia is a little bit sad.

(Speaking of people trying to sell me things: I ended up leaving the temple complex with a million shitty postcards, that really nice scarf around my arms and that straw hat ha!)

Birthday Buoys.

2009-10-06T12:53:00.000-07:00

This weekend was lovely. My friend Kristen celebrated her 23rd birthday with a mini road trip to New River Beach, which isn't exactly a warm beach in the summer let alone at this time of year - but it is always beautiful.

We spent the day chucking rocks at other rocks, picking up rocks and looking underneath, and climbing rocks. Really it was fantastic. The best game ever was chucking rocks and seeing them break open against bigger rocks. They bounced like little 25 cent bouncy balls. Nothing is better then a picnic on a lonely beach with friends, fire, and beers.

I found a really good buoy (man if fucking smells) under a huge beach rock. It was at a weird angle where you probably couldn't see it from 99% of the surrounding rocks so good thing I was exploring. Its now (smell or no smell) living in my kitchen. What the hell do you do with a yellow and green buoy (and a boy with an 80's rude cool fleece)?

I also figured out my timer and took some excellent group shots

Sally Mann

2009-10-01T06:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday while trying (in vain) to brainstorm some more activities for my students I stumbled across the photos of Sally Mann. The book was dealing with them as sexually controversial images - this author needs to get over himself.

Her images for the series "Immediate Family" are chilling, especially beautiful and almost always nudes. I'd be hard pressed to call them sexually exploitive. Even my minimal research so far has already made it quite clear that her children (the main subjects in this first series) always knew they were posing for thecamera, and had a choice about whether they wanted that image used. She also stopped shooting them in the nude when they hit puberty.
Hay Hook
She looks like so much like a glowing goddess, a contradiction hung up like a piece of meat.

Night blooming cereus

Last Light

....liberating in so many ways

From the settings you can only imagine how amazing their homestead is in colour. But with her use of warm, high contrast, black and white it seems like something out of a horror film. Suddenly a muddy child can also be seen as a child with cuts and bruises.

I think I've fallen in love.

Its falling apart!

2009-09-30T10:08:00.000-07:00

Indonesia stop shaking around like this!
Soon you'll fall apart and I'll never be able to visit your beautiful country.

My heart goes out to those on Sumatra,

I hope my new friend is doing okay. Aditya!? tell me your okay and your family is too.

South Pacific is getting pretty shaken up lately - a morbid part of me wonders about any connections. There is obviously some very alrge shift happening under the pacific. I can't imagine an earth quake, or a tsunami. I am worried about all the familes and people at their epicentres something tells me that it'll far more difficult for them to recover than if it happened here. I'm coming Sumatra! I'll be there to help!

Limericks! And Art!

2009-09-29T06:44:00.000-07:00

Oh no, I'm on the Limerick train too! I have decided that this week I'm going to get the students I work with to write poetry about their selected paintings.

I don't really have a lot of experience teaching highschool kids, so I usually work on an exercise and then practice it myself... to see it if makes any sense at all.

I think I'm going to get them to brainstorm a list of words inspired by their painting, write a few metaphors about it, and then transform those words and metaphors into an extended metaphor poem.

Also, as a bonus, I'm going to get them to write some limericks! HA!

Here is my version of the exercise:

H.M. King Edward VIII by Walter Sickert

Brainstorm:
afraid, nervous, awkward, royal, young, avoidance, fading into the background, slim, hiding, etc

Extended metaphor poem:

Avoiding his duties,
Red Prince
More likely to melt
Back into the crowd
Nervous and Vacant
The people await
To hear from their prince
Their Charming son

A mouse to rule a country.
None to committed to his duties.
Would prefer a hole in a wall
To this.
A quiet crumb
To the elephant to come.
Hiding behind his crown
Mom, I don’t want to.
But you must -
You must.

Limericks:

The young Prince was running away
With this crowd he did not want to play
They were throwing bad fruit
Glitter and disco to boot,
All because they thought he was gay.

Dear sir with the big black bear hat
I was talking with your young sister pat
She had seen you up town
Smearing it all over with brown
Which is gross, you dirty bottomed prat.

Competing for food in Indonesia with this!

2009-09-28T07:56:00.000-07:00

Maybe there isn't any room for me in Indonesia anymore?

This little bundle of joy was born on Friday in Sumatra. He was 19.2 pounds! Are you kidding me? I am afraid to give birth to a normal size baby - what if this creature came out of me?!

His name is Akbar Risuddin, which translates to 'big' I think. His father aparently was speaking to reporters and said, "I'm very happy that my baby and his mother are in good health. I hope I can afford to feed the baby enough, because he needs more milk than other babies."
I bet he does.

Feeling Important

2009-09-24T07:23:00.000-07:00

I work at the local art gallery. Sometimes (like today) I get to play dress up, feel important, and get paid to attend our press conferences.

Now, for those of you who don't know the gallery I'll direct you here. We are kind of a big deal. We have a two storey high Salvidor Dali (plus some other little ones), a Tissot, a Frued, a turner, Gainsborough, Botticellies, a Reynolds... the list just goes on. Which is so amazing for a city with less then 60 000 people.

Recently we were in a dispute with the grandsons of Lord Beaverbrook, our patron saint and founder. But that's recently been settled and all the famous faces turned out to celebrate our 50th Anniversay Bash last week.

All in all, I just like to say that I am really happy to have this job. I feel important without actually having to do much. HA!

Max Streicher's Four Horses

Jessica's (but Peters) pickled peppers

2009-09-23T16:51:00.000-07:00

The funny part about me making a post about Jessica's Pickled Peppers, is that my father's name is Peter. What make this story even funnier is that the peppers in question, are actually his.

And Peter picked these peppers.

Every fall I make pickled peppers from my parents excess peppers and I use them throughout the winter on my sandwiches, on my nachos and in my sauces. A grilled cheese sandwich is beyond words with some pickled peppers.
Also, this recipe is really easy because it doesn't really involve traditional canning. Easy peasy.

Jessica's Pickled Peppers which were picked by Peter

(I just realized writing this down in recipe format is going to be really hard because it all depends on the size of your jars and the kind of peppers. Its now going to turn into a step by step process)....

Ingredients (in unknown quantities) (Ha!)

Hot peppers (any kind!) - enough to fill at least one jar.
Garlic - 1-2 cloves per jar.
Sugar - 2 tsps per normal mason jar
Vinegar - enough to fill half a jar
Boiling water - enough to fill the other half of the jar

1. Grab your hot peppers. Maybe wear gloves before you grab them, because nothing is as painful as hot pepper juice in a paper cut. It doesn't really matter what kind of peppers - what ever you like. I used Banana peppers, jalapeno peppers, and some skinny long green ones that I have no idea the name of.

Try to leave them in the biggest chunks possible, scoop out all the seeds and inside bits. Sometimes if they are really small chillis you can leave them whole.

2. After you have cut up all the peppers you have access too, find a jar. I recycle my pasta sauce jars, but any ol' mason jar will do. Maybe sure it has a really tight lid though because we aren't canning in the traditional sense.

Crush up 1-2 cloves of garlic and place in the bottom of each jar you are planning on filling. Put in about 2 tsp of sugar too(this really depends on the size of your jar - adjust for abnormally sized mason jars).

3. Fill your jar with peppers! I usually make mine stand up because I can fit more in. Then fill your pepper jar half way up with vinegar. Fill the other half up with boiling water. Quickly screw on the cover and flip upside down.

4. Leave on your counter upside down for 2 days.

5. Place in your fridge for at least a week before eating, and make sure they live there for the rest of their life.

6. Enjoy!

Tofurky Kitten

2009-09-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

Its my birthday and I would just like to announce this:

My roommate Maria made my kitten into a tofurky!

Another excellent giveaway!

2009-09-21T05:57:00.000-07:00

I am a sucker for free things, even a chance at free things.

The Red Deer is having a little giveaway over on her blog. She has teamed up with Cute.n.boot to help everyone out with their penpal needs. Both my time traveling and working with Children's International Summer Villages, I have aquired a pocket full of penpals and I think having cards would actually make me sit down and write them all for once.
Usually I sit around and feel guilty about it.

I really enjoy her artistic style, Cute.n.boot you could definitely sell some prints! This polaroid one would look excellent on so many hipsters walls. Think of it!

In anycase go over to see and enter the giveaway!
(Come on little zoe! Pick my name!)

I think I might buy this one (even if I don't win) - because its too cute to be vulgar.

Yucky Art

2009-09-18T05:50:00.000-07:00

Oh man, look at me go with blogging lately.

A long time ago on a social networking site I'm on (not facebook!)I found this:
(Three Girls)

How amazing is that! But unfortunately it was just in a stranger's album with no title or artist. Usually I don't care, but for some reason I really fell in love with this work.

Lucky for me, while on Fecal Face, I stumbled upon an interview with Allison Schulnik.Can I say WOW?

There has never been a time when I can remember specifically being so floored by an artist. I mean, I like art, I like paintings, but all of her work - especially her heavily textured oils are awesome.

(Detail of hobo clown #2)

There is so much beautiful despair in her work. They are so heavy - but so colourful. Every painting seems to be literally screaming with emotion. I mean look at this guy:

(Monkey Head #2)

In the Interview, Ryan Christian says:

"The way you handle your materials is really interesting. To me there is always this perfect balance of yuck and beauty."

Perfect.

This one reminds me of Jean Poutine - a terrible, lonely creature that lures you in with his cuteness.
(Boochie [New Years Eve Painting])

Dinner with Jessica

2009-09-17T18:32:00.000-07:00

[EDIT I did this late at night and the pictures are tiny... I'll upload them again but bigger!]

Finally something I made! I made an excellent squash soup last year, but I am pretty sure this soup beats it hands down. Which makes me really excited considering I made this up. I also got most of the veggies from the Mennonite booth at the farmers market. I've never seen garlic so large and juicy.

This soup is exactly how I like things in life - sweet and spicy.

Sweet Roasted Squash Soup with a little spice

2 acorn squash
1 cup butter
1 medium onion diced
2 (or more) cloves garlic diced
2 apples diced (I used Gala)
Salt and pepper to taste (I used 1/2 tablespoon salt and 2 tsps pepper.
3 cups apple cider
3 tsp cayenne pepper (I used more but I like spicy things)
1 tsp allspice
1 tsp cinnamon (I accidentally put a lot more in and it was delicious).
Roughly 600-700ml vegetable broth.

Also, a dab of cream cheese or a drizzle of heavy cream when served.

1. Preheat oven to 350 C. Cut your squash into four and lather with olive oil. Place on a cookie sheet and back for 45 minutes. Turn about halfway through. When they are soft and cooked through, you can take them out to cool.

2. In a very very large pot, melt the butter at medium heat. Saute onions until they are softened (5 min). Add diced apples, salt and pepper, and garlic. Saute until tender.

3. Add apple cider, and the rest of the spices. Simmer.

4. When it cools and you can hold the squash, scoop out the goodness into your soup pot. Add vegetable broth. Bring it to a boil and the reduce heat.

(I'll let everyone know now that I'm unsure how long I reduced it for, and how I knew when it was the perfect timing to take it to the blender. I probably simmered it for about 40-50 minutes though, until I got tired of waiting....)

5. Blend! If you find its too thick - add some vegetable broth and if its too thin put it back on the stove top.

6. When its all smooth, add the creamy goodness to the top.

7. Eat!

Also, This is Jean Poutine - my kitten :)
(Look at his little ears! I didn't even realize until I looked at this nicely illuminated picture... Poor kitty needs to visit the vet!)

Speaking of Boys and Fighting...

2009-09-16T17:09:00.001-07:00

I know I know I shouldn't promote fighting, wrestling and violence. But this is just too good. Everyone is probably going to think that all my friends who are boys do is wrestle. I promise you they only do this 50% of the time and are normal for the rest.

Long story short, after some practice rounds with Bob (which he lost) Neil was humiliated, and decided that he was going to have a round two to prove his manliness. Its been three or four months now, Neil has been training the whole time (He even broke a rib in the beginning), and as planned I am releasing the training video I filmed as a lead up to the real thing.

Get the hype going, you know.

If you haven't noticed yet, its styled in the oh so classy UFC-esque angry music lead in.

So LAAAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDDDIIIIIIIIIEEESSSS AND GENTLEMEN, let me introduce to you, the man, the myth the legend..... NEEEIIIILLL SIEEK!

[I just want to emphasize this is NOT SERIOUS. We are in no way shape or form actually hosting a real fight. Do not worry. Neil and Bob are bff's in the real world]

Birthday's and Blogging

2009-09-16T05:02:00.001-07:00

Well I feel a bit sad about my blog lately, as I'm not really in it as much as I should be. Mind you, I did only get my flooded router replaced, so I've really only had the interweb at home for less than 24 hours. But I figure if I am going to have a blog I should probably be featuring things that are mine, or I experienced, or I made. Instead of just talking about things that I like.

So under this umbrella, and also because it's my birthday on Monday, I'm going to take a look back at my birthday last year.

Here is a photographical ode to JessFest '08 - Photography mainly not taken by me.

Enjoy and don't be scared!

It was an overall-party ;)

Notice me, the spotted shirt and overall combo (funny enough I originally wrote spotted shit and overall combo).

This is probably when I started to love the mustard.

And even though I'll never understand boys and wrestling - there were some friendly matches in the morning.

... don't worry though - the big fella won.

Finally, I obviously survived til morning - but others.... did not.

Ode to Moustaches

2009-09-14T09:44:00.000-07:00

I love moustaches a lot. I just remembered I loved them so much after visiting Inkling Paper's shop on etsy. I went to go have a peak after reading about The Red Deer's Give Away Contest featuring Inklings work.

Go have a little on peak yourself!

I've decided to make a montage to all things that are beautiful and full of the stache'Starting of course with the Inkling:

Moustache Greetings by Inkling Paper

Salt and Pepper Moustache by paperdollwoodshop

Another stache for your kitchen: Pintglasses by Breadandbadger

My Father, who has arguably the best moustache of all

My friends, who frequently get rowdy and taken over by moustaches.

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-09-11T05:08:00.000-07:00

I have one in me.

I have never, ever, in my entire life been as excited and scared for a movie. The trailer makes me well up with tears, I've watched it over and over and over and still I cry.

This movie is going to move me.

Thank you Spike jones. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you Maurice Sendak.

Light Readings

2009-09-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

I haven't really been reading as much as I want too, especially considering I've been out of school and done with my thesis for over 4 months now. Thats a really depressing fact.

Probably my main hurtle reading is that I keep picking up really dense/academic related reads. One of which I'm reading (and only half-way through) is about Chief Plenty Coups and the fall of the Crow Indians, called Radical Hope. Ethics in the Face of Cultural Devastation. It is one powerful look into the total devastation of a culture. To see how a people were destroyed because their entire cultural being (buffalo and war) was taken away from them is tough to get through if you know what I'm saying.

(Plenty Coups)
For example, here is a little quote from Plenty Coup right before he died, "...when the buffalo went away the hearts of my people fell to the ground... After this nothing happened."

Needless to say, this read is getting me a little down. And I think its lost somewhere in my chaotic shambles of a flooded house right now.

But Dane thankfully gave me something to lift my spirits: The Sex Lives of Cannibals by J. Maarten Troost is amazing. I love a book that can make me laugh out loud on every page and even manage to tune out a television.
I didn't even know the Rebublic of Kiribati (kiri-bse)was a place, and now I am (almost) questioning whether I should go there and not Indonesia.

Anyway, basically Maarten is documenting is (mis)adventures living on this tiny, dot in the pacific ocean for two years. He survives off raw and boiled fish, and beer. But sometimes the beer runs out. And the water. And the electricity. He spends his days trying to write, and trying to find something edible. He also collects some of the islands toughest street dogs (White dog and Mama dog). His biggest problem though is literally avoiding the shit on the beach.

It just leads me to daydream about living on an atoll where there is one flight, if you are lucky, once a month. And a supply ship even more infrequently. Maybe I just need to find something a little like this in Indonesia?

Slight blogger updates!

2009-09-09T11:19:00.000-07:00

Well thanks to Yvonne, over at Emy Augustus I seemed to have updated my comment system.

Does this work better?

Indonesian reading

2009-09-04T04:46:00.000-07:00

First step towards any traveling experience - a guidebook.

So yesterday I picked up my copy (40$ OUCH) of Lonely Planet's Indonesia and began skimming through it. Really there is nothing so exhilarating for me as looking at all the places I can visit, the jungles I can get lost in and beaches I can roll around on.

I've already come to the conclusion that I have to figure out the Visa situation because apparently it is complicated and shifty. I've also decided that I need a nice/light/sweet rain jacket.

I randomly flipped to a page and found a little box talking about sea gypsies, otherwise known as Orang Bajau. They are generally regarded by other Indonesians in much the same way that the Roma in eastern Europe are, which is badly. I on the other hand fell in love after reading about 2 paragraphs.

There are many groups of sea gypsies all over Southeast Asia, all with a blurry history. Basically, in Indonesia, they live off the coast of Sulawesi surviving (barely) off of fishing by traditional means.

According to Lonely Planet, in the old days there were whole familes living out of their boat roaming the shallow seas. Fathers would take their three day old children diving in order to introduce them to the sea. What a romantic tale.
On the other hand, nowadays commercial fishing, and other fisherman with access to better technology are making survival much harder.

I did read that the Bajau's Thai neighbours who lived offshore on houses made of stilts, that an entire village was saved from the Tsunami . Aparently the chief saw the receeding sea and immediatly knew from recalling a folk tale that:

those same waters will soon reappear in the form of a huge man-eating wave, destroying everything in its path.

Obviously I recognize these tales of Sea Gypsies are overly romanticised, but my imagination has still be sparked. I'm going!

Birthday Jellies

2009-08-27T04:26:00.000-07:00

I've finally decided what I want for my birthday.
So pay attention everyone reading the blog, especially those who are rich.

I would appreciate one Jellyfishart Desktop Tank.

They aren't really that expensive, only 249$ plus the cost of adding jelly fish (39$) each. I'd want three so they wouldn't be lonely and could be a happy little blue jelly jellyfish family.

Also, I'd need a lot of food to keep these guys happy. Their food is 18$ for a month.

Easy.

Speaking of Which

2009-08-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm not home yet - but I am at the really swank Crown Plaza for a few days. right next door (literally) to my job, hot tubs and pools. Its like a home away from home really.

I decided since I'm not crafting - I'll dedicate a new section of my blog to my Indonesian inspiration. Its mostly to get inspired, and figure out places that I want to see when I am there.

First a little background:

Indonesia:

17,508 Islands with 237 Million people.
Indonesia's national motto, "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" ("Unity in Diversity" literally, "many, yet one")

I was going to spot something funny about the security warnings issued, but then I started reading. Here is what may happen to me when I go:

1) Terrorist attacks in Jakarta And on Bali
2) Drinking a locally brewed beer made with methanol
3) Violent protests seemingly about everything
4) Volcanic eruptions
5) Since I am going in the rainy season, I'll be experiencing possible mudsides and flooding.
6) The various penalities that are associated with Shari’a law
7) Rabies
8) Drowning with rough seas
etc....
Now most of these warnings seem to be based on instances that have happened in the past and many are just plan common sense. But apparently I have to be very caution with this:

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the following regions:

a) Central Sulawesi: Religious tensions and conflict around Poso remain. The situation remains tense in Palu, Poso and Tentena.

b) Maluku and in particular Ambon: Tensions between Christian and Muslim groups in Ambon have resulted in violent incidents in 2005. The situation is now mostly calm, however the potential for violence remains.

So those are off my list. I was not planning on really spending a lot of time around Bali and Jakarta because I figured that if I was going to get caught up in the countless security problems it would be there but the Canadian consulor offices are snuggled nicely into both these areas.

This paints a picture of Indonesia that looks kinda like this

Sucka Pants

So in my next entry (and any future entry) I'll talk about all the good stuff - hopefully

Ps. Don't worry Mom!

Attack of the Crazy Neighbours

2009-08-17T06:23:00.000-07:00

Crafting will be on hiatus until my life makes sense again.

For the past month I have been dealing with my upstairs neighbours - two kids with two toddlers and animals. First they flooded my apartment when I was home. Then they caused a huge domestic disturbance with us and now, this past weekend, they have done the ultimate damage - Destruction! Another flood, but nobody was around to catch it, and it was far more torrential then before.

The best part of the story is the 'parents' were passed out while their toddlers (two and under) were turning on taps and making a water park out of their apartment. We are talking two inches of water in their unit when my landlord broke in. Meanwhile my bedroom is just janked, as well as the hallway and part of the kitchen. I thankfully only lost my bed, but I have no where to live until my room is ripped open and reconstructed.

Good news is their kids got taken away from them by child services, and They got evicted (again). We rescued their starving drowning kitten. He was trying to eat rocks he was so hungry. I named him Jean Poutine.

When ever I can find my camera I'll try posting some pictures, but my life is in upheaval right now so it may be awhile.

Also it is far to hot to think about crafting. Yuck.

Here are so quotes by Thich Nhat Hanh whick make me feel less crazy:

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis
on which the world earth revolves - slowly, evenly, without
rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment.
Only this moment is life.”

"People deal too much with the negative, with what is wrong...Why not try and see positive things, to just touch those things and make them bloom?”

“Reconciliation is to understand both sides; to go to one side and describe the suffering being endured by the other side, and then go to the other side and describe the suffering being endured by the first side.”

Kanzashi love

2009-08-13T06:16:00.000-07:00

New love affair with Kanzashi flowers, the traditional head pieces of japanese geisha and anyone really who wore a kimono. Actually to be more precise:

The word “Tsumami” means to pinch – specifically, pinching a square piece of fabric to form a shape. The word “Kanzashi” means hairpin. Tsumami Kanzashi is a traditional Japanese art form that dates back over 200 years. Tsumami kanzashi is most often seen worn by maiko (apprentice geisha) and young girls for shichi-go-san celebrations however, with the revival of traditional arts, and a younger generation appreciating them – tsumami kanzashi have become quite a fashionable accessory to be worn both with contemporary clothing and kimono.

I just ordered 70 pieces of 4 by 4 quilting samplers on Etsy so I can start making them. They seem to be really easy to grasp, but extremely difficult to perfect.

Puchi Maiko has mastered it.

I on the other hand am struggling. I tried some last night, and although its pretty easy to fold the basic folds... its very difficult to get it together in a perfect shape.

Mustache Cookies

2009-08-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

Well Well, Katyhead is getting married.

She is having a reception-esque dessert potluck, including the infamous chocolate fountain. I've seen chocolate fountains at their worst, but I assume putting one in a bar for a wedding reception will be is best.

She has been frantically making all the decorations from scratch, including hundreds of paper flowers which she has painted cut and wrapped herself. needless to say she hasn't had much time to bake - so I borrowed her mustache cookie cutter and made mustache cookies.

I used this recipe from The King Arthur Flour Cookie Companion: The Essential Cookie Cookbook because mustaches should be spicy.

I also made the best icing I've ever made, which wasn't hard because I make horrible icing and use no recipe. I also was inspired by these:

@ Sweetopia

Mind you my spicy mustaches didn't turn out as fabulous as Sweetopia, I did get some good ones.

Here are the recipes I used:

Servings: 48
Author Notes: Halfway between sugar cookies and gingerbread, these golden cookies are perfect for decorating.
Ingredients: 1/2 cup (1 stick, 4 ounces) butter
1/2 cup (3 1/4 ounces) vegetable shortening
3/4 cup (6 ounces) light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup (3 1/2 ounces) granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons ginger
1/2 teaspoon allspice or cloves
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
2 tablespoons (1 1/2 ounces) molasses
3 cups (12 3/4 ounces) unbleached all-purpose flour
3 tablespoons (3/4 ounce) cornstarch
Instructions: Yield: 3 to 4 dozen 2 1/2- to 3-inch cookies
Baking temperature: 350°F
Baking time: 10 to 12 minutes

In a medium-sized bowl, beat together the butter, shortening, sugars, baking powder, spices, and salt until light and fluffy. Add the egg and molasses, and beat well. Mix about half of the flour into the butter mixture. When well combined, add the cornstarch and the remaining flour. Divide the dough in half, flattening each half slightly, and wrap well. Refrigerate for 1 hour (or longer), for easiest rolling.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (375°F for Gingerbread Cookies -- see links below). Lightly grease (or line with parchment) several baking sheets. Take one piece of dough out of the refrigerator, and flour a clean work surface, and the dough. Roll it out as thin or thick as you like; for slightly less crisp cookies, roll it out more thickly. We roll Decorator's Dream Cookies 1/16- to 1/8-inch thick; Light Spice Cookies, 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick; and Gingerbread Cookies, (SEE RELATED LINKS BELOW FOR RECIPES) which we prefer a bit less crisp and more chewy, 1/4-inch thick. Use flour under and on top of the dough to keep it from sticking to the table or rolling pin.

Alternatively, place the dough on parchment, and put a sheet of plastic wrap over it as you roll, pulling the plastic to eliminate wrinkles as necessary when rolling; this will keep dough from sticking without the need for additional flour.

For soft dough, or dough to be rolled extra-thin, you may choose to roll right onto the ungreased back of a baking sheet.

Cut out shapes with a cookie cutter, spacing them as close to one another as possible. After cutting cookies, carefully peel up the scrap dough between them. Set this dough aside in a bag in the refrigerator, to be rolled again later.

Transfer cookies to greased cookie sheets (or, if you've rolled right onto the pan, remove the dough scraps between the cookies). Bake the cookies just until they're slightly brown around the edges, or until they feel firm, about 10 to 12 minutes. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for several minutes, or until they're set. Transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

@ Fabulous Foods

Makes about 6 tablespoons

INGREDIENTS:

1 large egg white
1 1/3 cup sifted powdered sugar, divided

DIRECTIONS:

In a microwave-safe bowl, stir egg white and 2/3 cup sifted powdered sugar until thoroughly combined. Microwave on high until the mixture reaches 160°F on an instant-read thermometer (it should not exceed 175°F), 30 to 60 seconds. If you need to take more than one temperature reading, wash the thermometer thoroughly or dip it into a mug of boiling water before taking additional readings.

Add the remaining 2/3 cup of sifted powdered sugar and beat on high speed until the icing is cool and holds stiff peaks. If the icing is not stiff enough, add more powdered sugar.

Color, if desired, with liquid or powdered food coloring (the color will intensify as the icing stands). The icing can be stored in a covered container for up to 3 days; press a piece of wax or parchment paper directly against the surface to prevent drying. The icing can be rebeaten if necessary. To pipe, use a small pastry bag fitted with a fine tip, or cut off the corner of a sealable plastic bag or the tip of a parchment paper cone.

@ Cooking on the Side

Back from an Eclipse

2009-08-03T06:17:00.000-07:00

Eclipse!
Eclipse!
Eclipse!

What a wonderful experience. Dancing for four days in the woods with French hippies is exactly what I wanted. You know you are at a kind hearted festival when you can leave your blankets and shoes in the same location for 3 days and come back fully assure that nobody has stolen them.
I spent most of my time at the chill stage aka the Lunar Stage where the music was slightly less scary at 6:30 in the morning and the hippies where out in their strongest force.
Tight rope walkers? Check

Hoola Hoopers? Check

Me in my headdress? Check

Grandma Nan

2009-07-20T18:49:00.000-07:00

Maybe I should also do a little post about my first summer vacation before I get into my second. Tristan, Dylan, Neil and I went to Grand Manan for a few days this summer. Its a tiny fishing island off the coast of New Brunswick. Summer time its full of whale watching tourists and fog and in the winter time is full of fish and meth.

We camped at a little spot on the northern end of the island called "Hole in the wall Campground." Dylan happens to have a connection to the couple that runs it and we nearly always get a sweet cliff side camping site. We all kept imagining how easy it would be for us to roll off the edge.

We went hiking a bit and cooked some excellent food. My favorite tea house was closed, but that didn't stop us from making our own excellent tea. We also brought along our friend Pablo Poutine the tequila filled water melon. He went through many transformations over the weekend, but was forever useful.

We went on a hike down a hundred meter Bay of Fundy cliff and wandered around the beaches; finding beach glass garbage and buoys. Tristan and I also woke up to one of the most intense sunrises I've ever witnessed.... even in Thailand I never experienced a sunrise like this:

In any case, Grand Manan is so beautiful. Full of fish and vinegar, camping and relaxing. It was a wonderful vacation.

Okay Mom

2009-07-20T12:35:00.000-07:00

Its pretty bad when your own mother lets you know that you are behind on your blog. I've been busy mom! But she is right - I have neglected it.

I still don't have pictures of my headdress on me - I have pictures of it complete though....

Basically I added those nice sequin medallions on the side, on top of a tiny tea stained doily. I also added a bunch of dangly side bits. Most of the bits are collected from family and friends. A lady that visits the coffee shop a lot gave me some eagle feathers she has been collecting from the base of a tree with an eagle nest at the top.

I had some left over feathers so I sewed them to some strips of fabric, added some trim and finished it up with some ribbon ties. Now I have two shin-lets and either a really revealing feather skirt or a huge feather belt.

I am off to the Eclipse Music Festival this weekend - so hopefully there will be lots of pictures surfacing with me all done up. Other wise no one will ever see me as I'm afraid most of the feathers will not survive me raving for 4 days straight.

Speaking of which here are some really really awesome videos from last year....
Eclipse during the day
Eclipse during the night (I can already tell me and the cat lady will get along)

Project War Bonnet - (nearly) done.

2009-07-07T19:01:00.000-07:00

Its Done! It's Done! It's Nearly Done!

I can't even believe it - how long did I bead that god forsaken headband? At least 8 or probably 16. I did it at work though (sneaky!) so technically I did get paid to do it :) I didn't even think I could bead like this - and I'll be the first to admit I impressed myself with my beading skill. Check out this sucker:

I used a ragged old piece of leather for the headband base (thanks Nan!), and also a piece of upholstery sample for the bead work because I quickly realized there was no way in hell I was going to try and bead on leather. I used some old quilting fabric for the ties too (Thanks Aunt Debbie!). Most of the materials were scavenged or given too me, even the center piece of the beadwork was an old/broken broach I got from a relative. I'm even going to use some pottery beads I scavenged from my other grandmothers house (she said she had made them a very long time ago) for the dangly bits I plan to staple to the side of my head.
I didn't think I would be so attached to it, but now that I see how proud I am of it and how much of my family went into it.... I might hold on to this more dearly then I thought.

(love)

So I will post a picture of me wearing the finished product soon.... Also.... does anyone think its a good idea to post this as a kind of available custom piece on Etsy? It would more then likely be about 120$ if I did.. maybe more.

Lemon Spagetti!

2009-07-07T18:41:00.000-07:00

This is the pasta dish i have been waiting for, thanks goes out to the Cooking Photographer for putting this into my stomach.

I did have a lot of asparagus on hand (Partially because I know it is healthy for your heart, helps treat depression, has a shit ton of folate, Vitamin K [this vitamin still remains a mystery - what do you do?] and its really good for me because it has a lot of things things like iron and magnesium which this [bad] vegetarian is missing). I also was kind of upset because I tried to made balsamic browned butter for asparagus earlier this week and did something horribly wrong so I had sad greens covered in brown melted butter - instead of something good. I wanted to make it up to both myself and the asparagus.

Here is the recipe in case you are wondering:

Ingredients
1 bunch asparagus
½ cup olive oil, plus more for grilling
½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
½ cup freshly shredded asiago cheese
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
1 Tablespoon dried parsley
3 to 4 Roma tomatoes, cut in half then cut into half moon shaped slices
Garlic powder
Salt & lots of freshly cracked pepper to taste
About 1 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions
1. Turn the grill to medium high. Break the rough ends off the asparagus. Rub the asparagus in olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt, pepper & garlic powder. Grill the asparagus until grill marks for or until tender. Remove from the grill and cut into 1 inch pieces.

2. Cook the spaghetti according to the package directions in salted water. Set aside 1 cup of the pasta water near the end of cooking time.

3. Meanwhile place ½ cup olive oil, the lemon juice, asiago cheese, salt, fresh basil, parsley, tomato slices, chopped asparagus, and lots of fresh pepper to taste into a large bowl and stir together.

4. Drain the pasta after setting aside the pasta water. Toss the hot spaghetti into the bowl to coat. Add additional pasta water if needed. Serve immediately.

I did do a few things differently, considering the local sobeys doesn't understand the meaning of variety. I had to use Parmesan cheese instead of asiago, and I forgot about the extra pasta water completely until it was too late. In any case even with my (ahem) creative differences it was still delicious.... so I can only imagine what it would taste like properly made.

War Bonnet of love

2009-07-06T06:36:00.000-07:00

Well my war bonnet is coming along very very nicely. I've just figured out how to attach my feather trim and my 14 inch pheasant feathers. I still have some tweaking but it should be almost done soon.

Bad news is that I lost my camera so I can't document it very well. WHERE DID THAT THING GO?!

Here is what I did manage to take a picture of though, its the beginning of the bead work I did on the headband:

Doily Bra!

2009-06-25T07:12:00.000-07:00

Doilies!

Yes I am going to admit it I really love making these things. But I've only just started and I have so many ideas. First: Doily Bra!

But not really.

This is what my first-ish attempt looks like. Not to shabby if I do say so myself. I tried another first but didn't get too far because it looked like doily throw up and the directions were equally as bad.
Although for real how did one 'flower' petal get so fat and the other so skinny?

I really want to make a doily something for my friends wedding(s) this summer. Because basically thats the only times doilys really make sense. If you don't get handmade doilies from someone at your wedding then its really not a good one.

If anyone has ideas about what else I can do with doilies I'd love to try them out. I really might make a doily bra this summer, I'll just try not to make a doily with a weird nipple hole in the middle.

Moving On

2009-06-19T06:28:00.000-07:00

Well I'm moving soon. To a bright now apartment in a bright new neighbourhood with some beautiful roommates. I'll never have to listen to babies screaming outside my window or mothers screaming about "It's not your baby" and fathers beating ever again!

And really I'm not joking about that last part.

I've been working 48 hour weeks for the past few months without even realising it, but I've figured out why I have so little time to craft or paint or be with myself.

I have ordered 72" of black feathers for my headress and I've been talking with Baubletjes about buying a pair of these:

I'm going to put them on the sides and dangle bits and bobs from the sides like this great fellow has:

Mustard Hoops Finished!

2009-06-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

So here is the finished project of my gift hoola hoop and my mustard products combined. I'm pretty impressed with myself with the results considering I've never made a hoola hoop before. The only thing that really made me angry was how the dark brown ribbon was 3 inches too short! THREE JESUS INCHES. Come on!
Anyway - besides that mishap it looks like this:

I used a hot glue gun to secure each piece in the begining(sometimes I wrapped it all the way around to test the length and style before I glued it). I also sewed the ends together when they came together at the end (my nemesis brown!). I am a little worried about it coming apart so I used hot glue in dabs under all the layers.

Lets hope it works!

Unofficial yet still exciting commission

2009-06-09T09:33:00.001-07:00

Well my friend Micah who writes Anonymous has let me know I should paint this fellow here:

It'll be for his semi-annual publication which highlights unknown and known poets/writers/authors.

So far I've not been artisiticly on the ball and missed all the publications but soon I just might be on the cover.

I don't even know who that guy is but I'm sure he's got something hidden in that beard.

ALSO! I hated that old blog design - it didn't like big pictures and I do. So I traded it in for this one.

Fashion Mashion

2009-06-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

Oh man.

Look what I just found on etsy!
"Technicolor Technique:" A romper to clean your teeth"

It features "FUCK YEAH POCKETS" and ruffeoheartslilsnoty uses salvaged or surplus fabric. I'm gonna put that in my FUCK YEAH pocket.

I want everything! I want electric technicolour spandex wet dreams.

Their clothing reminds me of that fateful night we went to eighties night at boom and were the only ones who rocked it:

Although obviously they do it much better then we did.

Mustard Hoola Hoops

2009-06-02T10:39:00.001-07:00

Okay I did it! I went on a crafting supplies shopping spree and spent far to much money but really... I don't need food that much. I've always thought food was silly when I could be crafting.

I bought a mini jewelry plier set with a selection fo wire and beads. I fully plan on using it to work on my feathered warbonnet. It was inspired by Nobody from the movie Dead Man

Here is what I already have done (which is basically nothing):

I ordered pheasant feathers in green and natural, and using coloured hemp I created a wrapped bottom with a little loop at the end. I first glued it with a glue gun to the base of the feather and then wound it around and finally tied a knot over a dot of glue - making sure to work in a little loop at the bottom so I can easily add it to my headdress. I adapted instructions found in The Readers Digest, Young Peoples Annual, 1963

I also got a very very nice hula hoop (sans decoration) from Katyhead and her friend Emily.

Although its got an industrial appeal right now I'm sure these ribbons will spice it up a bit. My friends and I have a saying for this colour/style scheme: mustard.

Gifts!

2009-06-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

I love internet friends.

I am on a website called purerave and although I originally signed up because I went to aprties every so often, now it has become a community with real life and internet friends alike. Two people I met through the site (one from Pittsburgh and one from Toronto) have come to visit little old me in the past 3 years!

The other day I got a lovely garbage cat the other day in the mail from chemicaldoll, another girl I met through the site.

This is Garland my roomies kitty and the garbage kitty as best friends:

I have a mini owl stuffy that I will probably send to her soon. I made it out of recycled fabric that Nan gave me and beads. Its pretty evil

Etsy Shop

2009-05-28T09:05:00.000-07:00

I did it! And it only took me 4.5 hours! I have an Etsy.com shop now. Its called Fiesta Saurus and currently I've only got one tiny little item in there as a tester.

But its pretty cute isn't it?

A little bitsy hair clip made with love.

It only took enough time to waste the few hours I had between jobs.
:)

For the Record

2009-05-26T18:28:00.000-07:00

These are amazing -

Butter - sugar and walnut filled squares posted by this lovely pair Tina and Bob. Its a three layer square that was super easy to make. The hardest part was makings sure I didn't burn the nuts when they were toasting, which I usually end up doing.

Make them like this. I think they'd be a really good winter, possibly festive square. They remind me of really good grandma food.

Maybe I'll make them for my grandkids in a few decades.

Islands of Summer

2009-05-25T14:58:00.001-07:00

This past weekend I didn't get too much (actually any) time to craft or cook. I was busy being on our island in the river. Two nights of partying and dirt caked on to every part of my body resulted in a very very content girl. I love being outside in a lucious green environment and being able to go completly insane with no repercussions.

Wait! We did craft. Found item crafting! We collected amazing drift wood walking sticks and sculptures. We found a tiny animal scull (fox? muskrat?) and I fashioned a medicine man-esk necklace out of it.

Also, we made a bag of veins complete with a R2D2 voice box buried deep inside. Trust me -you had to be there.

I went thrifting today and got some really mustard orang-y fabric with dangly white pom pom edging. I cannot wait to figure out what to do with it.

Okay Here we go, Something to inspire me

2009-05-22T11:46:00.001-07:00

I knew it would take o.2 seconds for me to find something I wanted to save and try out later. Thanks internet!

I some how found journal pages illustrated and doodled and glued on by Geninne D. Zlatkis. She has a set of them here not to mention an esty shop of her illustrations. She has more then a handful of daily journals, sketch books, diaries and schedules - all of which seem very well attended. It makes me sort of guilty about my pitiful diary I hide under my bed.

Ahh I was going to upload pictures but this computer is dicks! I'll try later.

Well Hello

2009-05-22T11:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my little blog. I need an outlet to talk about all the amazing things I find online. I also need somewhere to talk about the weird crafty bits I've been making. As the first post, this is obviously going to be the lamest post because their is nothing worth talking about right now - unless of course the weather.

Sunny as fuck.
Thank god.