Engaging conversation.

Without being aware that we are doing it, J and I switch back and forth between English and Spanish when talking to each other.

Last night, while watching a movie, someone on screen was proposing.

The following conversation ensued:

Me:   In what language did you propose to me?

J:   Mmmm...

Long silence.

Me:   *awkward stare*

J:   In the language of looooove, of course!

Another uncomfortable moment that resolved with both of us laughing hysterically.

PS. I should also mention that I actually don't remember in what language he proposed (but don't tell him, he he).

Pre-dawn conversation.

Me:   I am cold.
Him:  Me too.
Me:   Can I close the window?
Him:  I prefer to have fresh air.
Me:   Don't mind if my chattering teeth wake you up.
Him:  No problem. As soon as you get seizures you will
      warm up and they will stop.

All Over Coffee (Paul Madonna).

Image from the this week's SF Chronicle

One of my favorite artists, Paul Madonna, is presenting next week his second collection of All Over Coffee illustrations. You might know him, as his exquisite drawings appear every week in the San Francisco Chronicle. Paul's drawings used to depict mainly the beautiful city of San Francisco but have moved on to take us around the country and the world looking for the quotidian.

My favorite part about his art is that his drawings include text, sometimes hidden, that make the scenes deeply humane and somehow familiar. They are a window to someone's soul and individual perspective and remind me of Robert Swartwood's Hint Fiction (I referred to it here).

Image from this edition of the SF Chronicle

Image from here.

The release party for Paul's new All Over Coffee book: Everything is its own reward will be on Friday, April 29th, at 7 pm at Electric Works Gallery in San Francisco.

Hope to see you there!

Party!

Last weekend J and I held our annual birthday party. We think this might have been the 5th version of it, but are not quite sure.

We celebrate both of our birthdays at our little home with some of our favorite people. We buy a keg of local beer and drive up the coast to buy fresh oysters.


This is how things looked like last year:

Sunny bar.

Most of the party happened outside, in the sun.

This year J made mole from scratch, something my mom cannot believe since in Mexico people still make it by grinding everything by hand over a metate and it takes days to make. His version is a modern one that uses a blender instead (à la gringa, as I like to say), and is super tasty! His mole was a big success. We will see what my skeptical mom thinks about it, since she has asked for the recipe.

Another highlight was the weather, that just did not want to clear in spite of us delaying the date in hopes for sunshine. It was drizzly and cold, so we lit a fire and stayed mostly indoors. We even had a Horizontal rain moment! Our friends seemed to enjoy the weather, as it was a radically different ambience than usual.

Hosting the party is a good excuse to see our friends and clean our home.

It looked so nice I just had to show you!

Overcast bar. The weather got way worse, with heavy horizontal rain later on.

You can get a glimpse of the results of the campaign in this photo.

State of Mind II (with alternatives).

Okay, so the weather is improving and tomorrow might actually be sunny (crossing my fingers!).
But today is still a bit dark and rainy, so here are a couple of options for you to deal with that.

a. Wake up slow, stay in bed and pretend there is no world outside (and eat banana pancakes if you like them, but I don't, so there's an alternative inside this alternative and mine was cinnamon toast).

Jack Johnson- Banana Pancakes (Kokua Festival 2010)

b. Get up and dance!

Hollerado - Americanarama (via Mighty Girl)

Creatures.

These two monsters keep me warm and make me happy on a crummy rainy day like today.

Something tells me they have no intentions of going elsewhere anytime soon.

State of Mind.

Today I am unhappy about:

War in Libya (and anywhere).
Natural disasters.
Possible nuclear catastrophe.
Non stop rain.
Canceling plans because I was sick on my Birthday.
Making J sick.

Photograph of Edwin Roscoe Mullins' sculpture
 at the Glasgow Botanical Gardens by Sonia Rebelo  via deviantART
Buy a print of this picture here.

Today I am happy about:

Human solidarity.
Japanese culture.
A warm home.
My Birthday.
Fresh fruit & custard tarts.
Feeling better.
Being able to take care of J in return.
Impending Spring.
Magnolias.

Photo by Bjørnar Egede-Nissen (Meikon) via  deviantART.
Buy a print of this photo here.

Farmer's Market (rainbow).

Stitched.

Last weekend J cut his finger with a knife while preparing scones.
We had to spend all morning at the ER, and he came out with 7 stitches. The doctor was surprised he did not damage his tendon, as the cut goes all the way through his finger, and looks almost like he had no bone. Like one of those magic tricks where people get sawed in half.
While I am sorry he cut himself, and was worried sick about him, now that he feels better I am enjoying seeing him heal.
The body is the most amazing thing! It just knows what to do, and does it so efficiently.

The Campaign.

R R

Since I am tired of the gloom and dark clouds (inner and outer), this week I have been on an intense campaign to make myself happy. There is nothing I can do about the weather, but there is a lot that I have achieved on the inner front!

First and foremost I had a change of gears and decided to force my engine to speed up and go. That was the most important step.
Then I visited Etsy and bought myself a couple of photographs I have loved forever. I particularly like their dream like qualities. Aren't they amazing?

Light My Way by Elle Moss

The Butterfly Releaser by Elle Moss 

Once they arrived, I took myself off to the frame shop and bought them frames and some extra for prints and other photos I have had lying around our home for ages gathering dust. Our walls will look so much livelier and I will be able to look at all of those pretty images whenever I am feeling blue.

I also bought myself a couple of orchids. I adore orchids, and they do pretty well on our kitchen windows. They are easier to take care of than I used to think, as all they need is bright indirect light and bark/soil that is always moist.

R R

R R

One of them has barely opened, and I look forwards towards its transformation. It is green and white and it belongs into a plant category I call "Martian Plants". They are plants I would choose if I ever direct art for a futuristic movie that takes place in outer space.

Happy home, happy me! (so what if my wallet is not).

R

Storm.

The ocean has been feisty and unsettled lately (... or was that me?).

Here are a couple of short videos for you to enjoy, but be forewarned, as the only action taking place is that of the angry ocean and its monologue.

Feisty ocean before a storm

...and one day later, here it comes!

Videos by RR

New faces.

The dark winter nights at the farm when the only sounds around are the ocean and the hooting owls are over. I am not sure if I am ready for this, but there is no point on resisting it.

This week the ranch is filling up once again. Winter is behind us and a new season begins, seven new people have moved in and the place feels boisterous and full of excitement.

But not only are there new human faces. 

Baby lambs were born!

R R

R R

Sunshine!

photo by R R

photo by R R

photo by R R

J and I have had a great weekend so far. Last night we went to the city for dinner and a fun underground burlesque show. I got dressed up and it was so uplifting! There were lots of people out and about, enjoying the warm weather and meeting with friends. Everywhere we went was busy and a bit crazy. It was exhaustingly fun and made me miss living in a big city.

Today we had a slow morning. Drove up the coast, grabbed brunch and went to the beach afterwards. The sun was shining, the breeze was blowing and the beach was almost empty. We had not had such a peaceful day in a long time. I love us being together, quiet and daydreaming side by side. We are so comfortable with each other.

It is incredible what sunshine and nature can do for my mood!

Happy times, once again.

R