So, this is just a compilation of my favorite songs for/during summer. Not necessarily meant to all be played together in this order, but w/e.
1. Fucked Up - I Hate Summer. This song basically sums up my feelings about this time of year, but in a fun and ragin' way.
2. Pavement - Summer Babe (Winter Version). Pavement's riffs always kind of give me that summer vibe.
3. The Breeders - Divine Hammer. Dudes, nothing makes me feel like summer more than The Breeders. Perfect female-fronted 90's alt-pop for all to enjoy.
4. Black Flag - Six Pack. No summer of mine would be complete without these guys. This song is un-ironically how I feel every day of summer.
5. 7 Seconds - Young Until I Die. I was never straightedge but this song just reminds me of summers in high school too much to not include it.
6. The Descendents - Silly Girl. One of their cheesiest songs but who doesn't love it?
Instagram bullshit! Bonus pic - I was channeling fall with my outfit today, probably because I woke up to majorly gray clouds! Met up with Kylie for coffee at Dino's, which is actually pretty cute! I think I still prefer Oly Coffee Roasters, but I appreciate that Dino's has more seating/room to actually MOVE.
1. Frac being beautiful. 2. My face super blown out by contrast! But really, I kinda wanna dye my hair red like this picture makes it look. 3. TJ's coconut fruit floes are going to be like crack for me this summer, so refreshing. 4. Elliott werkin for the camera.
1. apple/carrot/ginger juice from Cocoa Banana. 2. Across the street from our office. 3. My view getting off the bus every morning. 4. Cascade mountains from Phinney Ridge. 5. Radish bounty at the Oly farmer's market. 6. Lake Washington from the 520 bridge.
Wellll this last week certainly enjoyed fucking my shit up, for better and for worse. My most recent position with NARAL was conditional on making fundraising quotas, and Friday was my last day. I had a freakout earlier in the week because I couldn't understand why, if I loved the environment, was able to stay positive, and worked my ass off every day, was I still not successful? I've never been "let go" from a job, so I think that the possibility of not making looming over my head the whole time was certainly a part of it. I had a good conversation with my manager and she told me something simple that really did make me feel better, "Whether it's a matter of skill or luck, not making it as a fundraiser DOES NOT make you a bad feminist."
I think I was really tying my self-worth as a feminist and an activist into my ideal of the job, and her statement really did flip it around for me and help me to understand that I just need to make NARAL a part of my life in a different way. So, I decided to go back to my original plan, and finish school (yes finally) by doing an internship with them.
ALSO - in way more exciting news, as we no longer have a reason to migrate north to Tacoma, though I love it, we're staying in Olympia at least until I finish my degree! This makes my heart happy because I was not looking forward to leaving some of my best buds behind! Plus, I still feel like I have shit to do and experience in Olympia. Not only are we staying in Oly, but we have decided to rent a super cute house with Kylie and Jordan so we can be a little family :3
The house we're looking at is two stories, 3br/2bth, hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplace, a fenced in backyard, a greenhouse, and a huge shed with a loft for Jordan's art space and Mike's dude space! We want to clean out the loft area and make it super cozy so we can project movies onto the wall and pretty much never leave. Basically, it's going to be the best summer ever and I can't wait to snug down in front of the fireplace and make big meals for everybody.
So now I have a week off before I go back to my old job, which means plenty of time to get stuff taken care of and organized in the house, hanging out with my mom, and day-drinking in the sun. Not too shabby.
Another crazy week under my belt, realizing that I might be the worst blogger ever but OH WELL WHO CARES! I decided to compile a bunch of stuff I'm really into right now for y'alls enjoyment.
This illustration by my girl Sara is killing me! She's such a talented artist, and her drawings are the perfect combo of cute/weird/awesome. I'm commissioning a portrait from her and I can't wait! If you haven't already jumped on that train- DO IT NOW.You won't regret it.
I'm probably not the best person to "review" this book, as I'm a die-hard Murakami fiend, but really. This book left me in awe. Murakami's talent at combining elements of magical realism, mystery, romance, and the mundane aspects of every day life get me every. single. time. and this may be my favorite work of his, if not runner up to my favorite novel of all time, Kafka On the Shore.
This is his most ambitious work to date, and it got some salty reviews complaining of it's long-windedness and lack of closure for some of the more mystical elements brought up through the story. More than anything though, and at the risk of sounding super corny, it is a beautiful love story. I'm not easily moved by obvious sentiments of love, and Murakami's story of Tengo and Aomame brought me to tears multiple times.
As a feminist, I do disagree with his often one-dimensional female characters. I feel guilty disregarding how he typically employs his female characters as vehicles for exploration or closure for his (male) protagonists, but believe me, it's worth it to experience this world for yourself.
Since I've been working in Seattle, it's been really nice getting to explore the area before and after work. Like any other Western Washingtonian, I've obviously spent time in Seattle, but usually in short bursts. I randomly happened upon Cocoa Banana on my way to grab my coffee and decided to pop in. It doesn't look like much from the exterior, in fact, you can't even really tell that they sell food, but they're actually slinging the most delicious fresh fruit and veg juice and smoothies, along with a fresh, well stocked, and CHEAP salad bar. I've been getting the Tony, which is 1 shot of espresso, organic peanut butter, banana, chocolate, and non-fat frozen yogurt. Definitely a treat but soooooo delicious. My new go-to spot for a (somewhat) healthy breakfast/lunch!
Pretty much any time of year I get in the mood for The Tallest Man on Earth. This is one of my favorite songs of his in general, but he just released an amazing new album entitled There's No Leaving Now, and you should for sure check it out. I put on one of his records, he croons, and I instantly relax.
To avoid over-sharing, I'm gonna quit blithering on, but tell me what you're especially into right now!
This last week was crazy in a great way! My new job doesn't feel like "work," as cheesy and annoying as that may sound. I mean, yes; I love a good lazy day like today where I get to see my friends and drink beers in the sun, but I also don't dread going in to work every day. That's a huge thing for me, and I'm trying to bask in it! We went on a work trip to Spokane from Thursday to Saturday night, and I was nervous going into it, but we had so much fun!
We got back late Saturday night, and thankfully Mike picked me up from the office so I didn't have to bus it all the way back to Oly with my bags. Since then, I've done nothing but snuggle the cats and nap BUT HEY WHO CARES! I'll be back later with a post about shit I've been into lately.
An amazing wall planter outside of this equally great house in Seattle. It was at least 8ft tall and it spanned nearly the entire block! Ah, rich people.
I love me some succulents.
It was super overcast and drizzly yesterday but it was still nice to be outside.
This photo doesn't do them justice, but we came upon the most incredible houseboats! No fucked up sea-shanties here, these were like legit mansions/cottages with some crazy detail. Anyway, it's basically my dream to have a houseboat so I relished hanging out here quite a bit.
And last but not least, my adorable little old man, Cooper. I went up to Woodinville to see my mom for her birthday, and of course harass my little brother and the pups. I wasn't able to get a good shot of Lambeau, their Golden Retriever (probably because we were cuddling too much), but just know- he's beautiful.
In other news, I'll be going to Spokane this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the Spokane Pride fest! I'm stoked because this will be my first time tabling ever, and apparently we're staying with some really cool people. I'm a little nervous to be "stuck" with my boss and my trainer for three days straight, but they're amazing ladies and it should be a good bonding experience.
We still haven't found a new place yet, and it is getting way too expensive to commute. Can someone please just deliver me to a house and pack up all my shit for me? No? Anyone?
Holy shit this last week has been crazy. I promised myself I would still blog at least 2x but obviously that didn't happen. I started a new job on Tuesday, working to defend women's rights, and it has been AWESOME but it means I'm gone from 11am to 12am nearly every day. WHATEVER IT'S WORTH IT, but that's why I haven't been around much. Anyway, here's a handful of pictures from the last week:
This whole week has been insanely overcast, misty, and humid. This means my hair is up everyday and still frizzy as fuck, but oh well. It also means that our crummy old windows get steamy every morning/evening, which makes for a nice, cozy bubble. Is it terrible that it makes me want frosted windows??
I love that my new job requires me to be outside ever day! It's such a welcome change, considering I was stuck in the office/clinic all day with my old job. It doesn't hurt that I get to enjoy some pretty amazing views and neighborhoods. This is one of m favorite spots in North Tacoma, and it makes me excited to move back.
Our beautiful pro-choice van! I'll have to get a picture of the side with the unicorn bit soon :)
I wore stripes every day this week, longhairdon'tcare. Why do I always arch one eyebrow in photos?? Decided to go bold and wear Nars Cruella and I kinda don't wanna go back.
Random, but I pass this awesome block of art/murals on my walk to the office in Seattle, and I've grown attached to this little dude. I'll have to get a shot of the underwater scene next time!
I don't have much going on today, but to tell the truth it's because I slept from 1am to 6:30pm... it was a long week, okay? Mike should be home soon and we're gonna grab burritos from QB and meet up with some buds downtown. My mom's birthday is on Monday, but I'll be heading up to Woodinville to celebrate with the family tomorrow- then it's back to work!
