Movin' and Groovin'

Jen, from Hammerpress, and her boyfriend are moving in together and I thought I'd spread the moving help karma and volunteered my services.

Jen's old apartment is on the third floor of a stair entrance only building. I was wondering how I was going to work off eating at the pizza buffet the night earlier, but that problem was solved for me.

I arrived at noon and a half hour later another pair of Jen's friends joined the work force, followed by another couple an hour or so later. With the seven of us, it took maybe three hours to load everything up in the U-Haul and four cars. Car was brimming with art she'd collected from working at a frame shop, gallery, and of course Hammerpress.

It took maybe an hour to unload everything into her beautiful and expansive new place. Jen is living on the second floor of an old home on the corner of a lovely tree lined street. The kitchen is very large and has built in cabinets. There is a dining room with a rounded wall almost over take by windows, hardwood floors, and a Kansas City must - a porch.

After everything was finished we porched it - eating Papa Murphy's, drinking PBR and talking about Kansas City.

I said my goodbyes a little after 5 and came home to take a nap before preparing for a soiree.

After a nap, some non productive watching of Golden Girls, and going in circles with my redneck comps, I finally got ready for Madeline's (the woman who runs the zine around here) 30th birthday party.

The invite said black tie, so I dressed up in my black pencil skirt, gold tank top (with sequin trim), red shimmery cardigan, and my new fabulous black sequin barrett. Even before I arrived at the party I received many compliments from some wedding guests next door. (Speaking of wedding, it was all vintage themed and they had ribbon dancers, the type that hang from the ceiling, as entertainment)

When we arrived, many people had not followed the invite's orders and were dressed very casually. However, a few people, like Halliday, did dress up and looked great.

We partied late and I ended up staying over and cooking a breakfast of my go-to spicy potatoes. They went over well.

Anyways, it was a great birthday party, and a wonderful Saturday.

Week in Review - Greaserama 2.0

Sunday, September 6th

Originally, I had intended to go to Greaserama for only one day, but Saturday night, one of the Ship patron's gave me their two day pass.

So after a long walk exploring the West Bottoms with Joe, we went for day two.

The second day wasn't as exciting as the first. There were less people, fewer cars (originally there had been 800) and the bands weren't as good. I missed seeing Halliday by an hour and so Joe and I wandered around until dusk.

I was asked to model with more cars, this time I was wearing a black pencil skirt, black three-quarter length shirt, stockings with a seam up the back, my red cardigan, and my hair looked brilliant - without hairspray at that. I was even asked to do more model work and given a photographer's number for later.

Post Greaserama; Joe and I grabbed mexican and then crashed a wedding happening next door since we were already dresses up. I didn't have any wedding cake (personally that is rude) but I did snake some pineapple and these amazing meatballs that I am kind of wishing I had right now...

The Golden State

August 6th - I arrived in San Francisco at 9:30am. I was flying there to meet Adam so we could go to his older sister's wedding on the 8th. We planned a day for ourselves on the 6th.

Adam was already in California being a glass star with Loren Stump and Emilio Santini. His class had finished on Sunday and he'd since been hanging out at Loren's studio waiting for me to arrive.

Our goal was to see as much of San Fran as physically possible in one day, and I think we did a good job. We started at the Fisherman's Wharf (I got to drive down Lombard Street on the way there), shared a bread bowl for lunch, then walked the financial district and ended in China Town for dinner. After potstickers, we were both too tired and poor to continue, so we went to our hotel and fell fast asleep.

The next day, August 7th, we drove to Monterey and took part in pre-wedding parties. There was the wedding rehearsal, rehearsal barbeque, and after barbeque drinks. I met Adam's dad's large side of the family and ate more Mexican food.

Speaking of food, I haven't eaten yet. I'll finish this up after I do.

Okay, August 8th - Andrea's wedding was lovely. It was held at this beach side resort in a spot overlooking the water. The resort catered and provided almost everything. The wedding was picturesque to say the least. Adam made glass flowers for Andrea's bridal bouquet and they were ooh'ed and ahh'ed over by everyone. The photographer said he'd been doing wedding's along time and had never seen anything like it. He also mentioned that Adam should go into business making glass bridal bouquets, Adam though this would be a good idea.

There was much dancing at the reception and everyone left feeling the wedding went very well.

The 9th and 10th were spent with Adam's family exploring Monterey. We went swimming at Lover's Point, explored tide pools, watched beautiful sunsets and traversed the aquarium. Adam felt at home in Monterey, one of the place he grew up, and was obviously excited to see the aquarium and tide pools.

The evening of the 10th, the two of us said goodbye to Adam's family and drove up the coast to Humboldt State Park. (When crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, there was so much fog, we couldn't even see it.) We arrived too late to find a real camping spot, so we pitched our tent on the side of the road.

The next day we signed up for environmental camping at the ranger station and spent our one day in the woods tromping through redwood trails and streams. I think we are going to attempt to go every year. My heart hurt leaving so early.

Yesterday, we drove home. Last night I had to say goodbye....