Les Grotesques

Living in San Francisco, especially in this day and age, has made me more prone to, without any hesitation, snap pictures of interesting people. Not stalker-type, but just when the person makes me think: "Wow- they seem like they must have really had an interesting life." It really reminds me of the mentality Leonardo da Vinci's The Grotesques series... not so much because the people I'm randomly snapping are literally grotesque-- but because they're some of the most interesting people to look at and to draw.

It's such a fine line to draw and a fine distinction because someone might find it insulting- which is not the case whatsoever. If anything, I think it's an amazing thing-- getting me to stare and double take, be inspired and interested in. I think it's boring if someone looks so plain and vanilla... I'm happy that such a great master could appreciate the people who are different because they're different; someone has to. Exploitive? Not in the least. If I were to draw or to paint images of anyone, I want them to be off the wall and unique, wouldn't you? It's more fun and it's more... real. 

Not everyone is "beautiful", not everyone is pristine and like beautiful porcelain. The ones with rugged edges- the ones with cracks- they're the ones who will make the most interesting art. 

2-0-1-3 Just Looks Like a Weird Number

As 2012 draws to a close, I'm optimistic for 2013. I'm actually really happy I've had this blog for as long as I have--- I actually pulled up my posts for 2011 and 2012 and I can see my goals haven't been too off the mark. I know people say it's silly to come up with resolutions, but I think if the intentions are right, putting it out to the universe will make those intentions relevant to your life.

Reviewing 2012 goals---

• Wear More Heels. Well, sort of. I didn't wear them as often as I would have liked, but there was a definite upswing in me finding "heel occasions" and I'm upgrading my shoe collection, so that's a plus! (I was just gifted my first pair of legit designer shoes, so that's exciting!)
• Do More Yoga. That could have also been done a little bit better... but I'm getting to know my resources more. I'm not shy to pull out a yoga mat in front of the boyfriend anymore. Also not self conscious if I ever can't sleep at night and need to do a few sun salutations to stretch my body to try.
• Get Back into Drawing. Didn't do a lot of random drawing-- but I actually have more legit reasons to use my drawing skills now than I have ever before. I know that sounds weird, but I find that now whenever I draw, it's for some end purpose. Legit reasons to carry a notebook and a good pencil (need to upgrade to a pen- or at the very least a mechanical pencil!). For example, to draw out a look for a new outfit I'm planning to make (in a Fashion Illustration way)-- or to come up with a cute and cuddly animal to embroider onto my next project. Legit reasons to draw, unfrivolously. It behoves me to be at the ready, always.

As for my goals for 2013, I've put some thought into them and they are as follows:

• Eat Better. I don't just mean "eat three meals a day, nothing but healthy stuff"--- well, that, too. But I mean "better" in a real deep way: I want to savor better foods and better meals. Maybe something of a ritual eater. It'd be nice to try at least a couple new restaurants a month that are maybe off the beaten track of what I'd normally go to. I loved my tried-and-true.... but I would love to try new places, too. Plus, I think it'd also make me appreciate the food better when I go to Paris in 2014 (my goal!!).
• Become an SF Culture Addict. I've lived in San Francisco for 2+ years now and I still feel like such a noobie in this city! There is still so much I haven't done or experienced here! While bouncing this off an acquaintance, he pointed out that there aren't nearly enough events here as there used to be... and he might be right. But if I can hit up at least one new cultural experience a month, I think it'd be a win. I just want to know I do more "San Franciscan things". Maybe I'll lay out at Dolores Park more often. I feel like I'm just missing out.
• Make 50,000k in 2013. Lofty goal? Not even! I don't even make half of that right now in earnings, but I have high goals for myself and aspirations of using my creativity more openly. I don't know... I just have a feeling that financially, 2013 will be a great year for me. 

Also for the New Year I went ahead and spruced up my layout page-- and I'm absolutely loving it! The background image is from Shabby Blogs which is great for pre-designed layout backgrounds~ They have a lot of images I adore and would love to use later. All the other stuff was put together in Photoshop. 

Weekend Running Around.

I had a really amazing weekend- I had to post pictures of it! So many good friends to see, so much to do-- I absolutely adored it. It was wonderful spending time with so many of my good friends; I needed it.

A lot of running around was done and I got to enjoy the Jpop Summit Festival in Japantown! The popular Japanese brand Liz Lisa set up a pop up shop, as well as presented a fashion show.

I really love all their designs-- but most of them are way too small and short for me to rock! Still, though, the aesthetic is lovely and I think if they branched out to the US, they would actually do quite well. 

Not making crap excuses (image dump).

I decided to scan some random things I've worked on in the last couple months... I really need to get myself a more portable drawing book so I can do more! And pens. Fountain pens, specifically. Love them!

'Nothing here to see- no looking back---'

Yesterday was an amazing day. After almost two weeks of nonstop rain up here in the Bay, we were showered with wonderful sunlight and warm weather. Kind of made me miss So-Cal--- it was exactly like back home.

Kyle and I went out to Baker Beach to enjoy the sun.

 

We didn't realize Baker Beach was actually the nudist beach in the area, though I'm not surprised to be honest. And ahhh-- sunlight! My legs aren't yet a golden brown but I'm happy to say that they're definitely not pale anymore! 

And oh, I'm definitely interested in seeing this film!

Its like a purple straw. I thought it was unique.

The past couple weeks have been a whirlwind because of the numerous images, ideas, situations, and focus points have flashed before my eyes. Sitting on the BART a week or so ago and realizing that I'm nowhere near the person I used to be this time 2010 made me feel amazing. The above-mentioned streams of thought seem to compound this belief and the fact that I have multiple unpublished posts regarding the same topic reinforces it. Browsing Style.com and memorizing the season's trends never used to be me, but I suppose that's how it is now- I'm not fighting it.

I recently took a trip down to Los Angeles and San Diego where the entire time away was filled with friends, family, (real) Mexican food, and my new iPhone. In the time I spent down there, I couldn't help but feel that nothing had really changed in the seven months I had been gone-- that it was as if I never left. Needlessly said, it was unsettling and disenchanting seeing many people I care about still in the same rut as before and a vivid nightmare last night regarding my leaving makes the separation still an issue. Regardless of all that, I can't help but compare and feel as if I've slowly gotten somewhere. Maybe it's the simple pair of cute wedges I wear now that made me feel more accomplished--- but in the long run, that last sentence is ridiculous. Shoes don't change a person- I don't think.

Even though so many months had gone by, I felt sick to my stomach when I said good bye to my family and thought of all the friends I'd leave behind. The idea that parting of ways becoming easier and easier with time is the only real consolation I can draw from my predicament. That's another whole stretch of "growing up" I've yet to accomplish. So yes, the departure from San Diego was bittersweet. The only thing that really shook me into reality was spoting the San Francisco skyline from the airplane on my return.

OFF LIMITS parks and recreation

Today is my Monday-- after which I'll be working 6 days in a row. It all generally sucks because my job completely drains me and I'm growing to resent it for many different reasons. Its also very painful having a couple great days off and having to return to making lattes for insensitive and rude customers (and occasionally) management. Fuck my job :(

Either way, went out into the wild up here in The City and trekked through mud and trees. I actually really loved it. Two days ago Kyle and went out in search of a BBQ pit to make some steak, corn, and fried onions. We wrapped oatmeal cookies in foil and warmed them up over the fire.

 

Yesterday Kyle continued our adventures and went out to Haight-Ashbury, where I want to move after our lease is up at our current room. Beautiful area, interesting people, and close to the Presidio where an awesome high-end golf course is nestled in the woods. It didn't seem to have any OFF LIMITS signs which gave us enough reason to walk right in.

 

Today I tagged on a tunnel wall.

Today Kyle and I went out into The City to enjoy an artistic adventure: trekking the hills in quest of Bansky. After pondering some of his work in length for the past few days, Kyle and I wanted to make it an adventure and were able to spot a decent amount for having walked it.

Me and Bansky's Peaceful Heart Doctor

Bansky - If At First You Don't Succeed-- Call an Airstrike 

Kyle and Bansky's Glitter Rat

We thought it was kind of cool that on Glitter Rat, loose glitter has fallen onto the ledge and Kyle was able to check it out. Makes it more real.

Former site of Bansky's This'll Look Nice When its Framed

Not cool is that This'll Look Nice When It's Framed was painted over. Kind of surprising for the area since there is plleeeenty of graffiti in that area of The City. I was more surprised over there being protective plastic in some pieces and not this one. Damn- what a loss.

Hopefully Kyle and I can visit the rest of the pieces next week.

To celebrate, my boyfriend stole a Wet Floor sign

2011 New Year celebrations were definitely a stark contrast from last year. While 2010's "party" involved pounding down faderade at the local Motel 6, this year was spent atop an apartment building in downtown San Francisco, shouting at the pedestrians below. There was of course plenty of smooching Kyle passionately at the stroke of midnight.

But it is of course that time of year when everyone promises things for themselves that they may or may not accomplish but I'm being optimistic here and going with it. It's healthy and fun and fuck it, why not?

It's been something of a shock to hear the snarky remarks at a couple of my goals for the year. The negative critisism (or "jokes") do get to me a little bit... not because of the words themselves but because of the automatic rush to put someone down. Yes, there's a lot of negative stigma at New Years Resolutions but it gets a little bit out of control when it turns around and ridicules a person. I don't know. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth hearing some of what people have to say. I don't like it.