i am way into photo booths--but they are impossible to find. i am now blessed with this locator.

I have meant to post this for a while now. A friend gave me one of
these for my birthday last month. I think it's just the best. You can also find old knitting patterns for sweaters and hats on the website.

Loved to Pieces


I enjoy reading this from time to time. Today I stumbled upon this posting. What's so amazing is that this could've been written about me over 20 years ago. My name is Mia and I had a "pinkie" that I loved. It was made by a family member and I carried it with me everywhere. My grandparents called it my "Cârpa"; Romanian for rag. But I loved it. And when it was falling apart, my mother cut a small square for me to keep. I'm sure she still has it.

THUMB knecklace

THUMB knecklace
Originally uploaded by sfbookgirl.

The winter Knitty is here. I think I have to make this necklace.

Books This Week

Books Received
A Million Little Pieces by James Frey

Books Given to Others
Guns, Germs and Steel by Jared Diamond
The Assistant by Bernard Malamud

Books Bought
Felted Crafts (Japanese)
And Now You Can Go by Vendela Vida

dreams

boston boy

This may be the most frightening thing I have ever seen.

overheard walking to the bus stop after work

"Everyone loves her. Yeah, he stopped liking her after she peed on his bed".

Books Bought This Week
French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano
Please Don't Kill the Fresh-Man by Zoe Trope

Books Lost This Week
Kick Me by Paul Feig
- I'm bummed about this one. He was the creator or writer from fav show "Freaks and Geeks" and I was laughing out loud on every page.

Books Returned This Week
Mad Cowboy by Howard Lyman

Books Started This Week
The Frog King by Adam Davies (So I can reminisce about working in publishing)

Mash it up

The world of mash ups is fascinating. At this site you can see all the movie theaters with their shows and times in San Francisco. At Kayak Buzz, just type in your departing airport and you can see the lowest airfares for cities around the world.

Thinking of getting another pet to keep my cat company.

Making a Burger

Chubby Vegan

Vegan Video

Nice Things That Happened

This is a double dose.

An older gentleman went out of his way to help me open a door (I was carrying a large and heavy box).
Once inside the building, a security guard helped me find my way even though large signs were posted everywhere.

Book of the Month

The Working Poor by David Shipler

It's interesting to hear peoples' reactions when they see me reading this book (on the bus, at the dentist's office, work, etc). "Are you poor? Why are you reading that?"
"Are you trying to get on welfare and work?"
"Don't you want to read something more interesting? I have a copy of In Style?"

Mini-Growth

Finally on day 3 I notice some sprouting from one of the herb trays. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...

Seeds

I bought this mini-garden set over a year ago and it's just been sitting in a closet this whole time. This is day one of the grow-a-thon. The directions say that you should see sprouts in 1-2 days. I will keep a daily log of the progress (maybe this will finally get me to be a regular blogger).

Yarn Stash is growing and growing and growing...

My new yarn is here! I found this great on-linen Japanese store that sells beautiful(ly priced) yarns.

Half

You Are 50% Weird

Normal enough to know that you're weird... But too damn weird to do anything about it!

How Weird Are You?

Google your name and the word "needs." Here's what I found:

1. MIA needs an airport authority, privatization
2. Mia needs a home that would give her a lot of pampering and care
3. MIA needs to work on an international scale since many of the library and information services used are international in scope
4. MIA needs YOUR HELP!
5. Mia needs your children to help
6. using the Mia needs more skills than a professional barista using a La Marzocco Linea in order to make one great shot
7. Mia needs a home!!
8. Mia needs help get more sparklies to save Grandma
9. MIA needs to do a number of things to ensure that the credibility and credentials of you, our members
10. If Mia needs an injection of something, a plain old intravenous shot will work just fine, since her blood is still circulating

I'm an airport, orphan, dog, cat, coffe machine, children's book character, and addict.

I just found this website where they are donating all the proceeds from selling these crafts to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina. crafters united.

I don't think I can fully understand how this is happening. Here. I mean on the news I hear "refugees, refugees" and I don't realize that they are talking about here. My country. Not some far off place I can only find on a map. It's here. Now.

indie on-line shopping

etsy.

farm country

yarn
i'm back from my vacation. i visited yarn stores galore, but must say i was a little disappointed. i really didn't see anything out of the ordinary until i visited a place in minneapolis that had some wonderful handpainted yarn. i even bought some for my secret pal!

food

it seems you can now even find vegetarian restaurants in the heart of america. here are some of the best we encountered:

Chicago: Chicago Diner and Green Zebra
Minneapolis: Ecopolitan (excellent!)

family

i've been going every year to the family reunions on my mother's side. although it's usually a brief visit, these moments are very important for me to connect to this family. this time there seemed to be so many kids running around and our picnic seems to have doubled in size. i'm thinking about my own running around some day too...

memories

i missed my 10-year high school reunion while at the other one. before the trip i was anxious about missing this "momentous" event, wondering who would be there and thinking about who i would (or would not) remember and who i would miss. but while on vacation and visiting with family i didn't think about it once. my grandmother turned 91 that day and i'm happy i was there with her.

those kooky mormons

check this out. date lance.

Crochet Yarn?

While visiting my mom in Sacramento, I stopped in at their only yarn store to see what they had. I picked up two balls of this really plain 100% cotton yarn. I thought I'd make myself a bag for the farmer's market I'm shopping at three times a week. When I went to the counter the sales person asked me if I crochet a lot. I said, "No, not really, just occassionally." I wasn't sure why she asked me until later when I was looking at my yarn. Under the brand it said "crochet yarn". I've never heard of that before. Why is there yarn just for crocheting? I mean, I started knitting my farmer's market sack and it's working out just fine for knitting.

episode where i start to hate nate again

i just love that ruth (from six feet under) goes to a knitting group! and the best part is that it's filmed at an actual lys.

what's on my needles

I started this delicate looking sweater about a month ago and am completely baffled as to why I am only half way finished with one of the sleeves. I am SO slow.

Summer

This was a July day in San Francisco. I'm emphasizing day here, as it may look like night because it is so dark, but I believe this was taken around 5pm. I'm sorry, did someone say "Sunny California"?

Flea Markets

went to the alemany flea market early this morning. i love the idea of flea markets, but it seems that every time i go i get really fidgety. after about 15 minutes i get really antsy and just want to push past people and get away. but i brought the camera and love this picture i took.

Public Eavesdropping

"you know those tattoos girls have on the small of their backs? my boyfriend calls those tramp stamps."

Burmese on a Friday Night

had dinner at a great burmese restaurant in the inner richmond. my fortune cookie said "your home is a pleasant place from which you draw happiness."

Ferry Building

Logo_BuildingHP_final
Originally uploaded by sfbookgirl.

i can't believe i've never been to the ferry building before! this place is amazing. it's kind of like an indoor farmer's market. (of course, an expensive farmer's market). this place had chocolate stores, olive oil stores, herb stores, gelato stores, everything you could imagine. but, did i buy anything? no, of course not. but tomorrow, i've decided to go down there again and splurge! i'm going to buy whatever i fancy! watch out!

Felted Flower

Dry Felted Flower
Originally uploaded by sfbookgirl.

My first try at needle felting. I bought the pattern and supplies from craftyasschick.com. I think I still need a little practice, but not bad for my first try at felting.

I Love this Yarn

snazzy_yarn
Originally uploaded by sfbookgirl.

Mmmmmm.....

Here are the best looking cupcakes. I haven't made them yet, but I can't wait.

Public Eavesdropping

"i'm so excited. I haven't knit yet as a mam."
Former woman overheard at ImagiKnit in SF.

I like Amy better

Last night after a long day at work (boring meeting that lasted way too long) I showed up late to the David Sedaris event at Booksmith. I rounded the corner a block and a half away, only to find a sea of people standing in my way. I know David is right now, but please, he is no rock star. I think I prefer to listen to him on the radio. Which works out best since I do not have super-human hearing to hear someone from two blocks away.

This is Ted.

Tweed stitch belt I've been working on:
Rowan Handknit Cotton, two balls, contrasting colours
3.75mm needles
Cast on 13 sts
Row 1: *K1, slip 1 holding yarn to front (RS) of work, rep from * to last st, K1
Row 2: P2, *slip 1 holding yarn to back (RS) of work, P1, rep from * to last st, K1
Repeat rows. At the same time, change color every four rows. Keep going until belt is as long as you want, or you run out of yarn. Tie nonchalantly.

Secret Pal 5

1. Are you a yarn snob (do you prefer higher quality and/or natural fibers)?
I can definitely be a yarn snob, but my budget does not always allow me to be. In a pinch you'll find me browsing the aisles of Joann's or Pearl Art Store for the cheapie stuff.

2. Do you spin? Crochet?
I once got all excited about spinning after I attended my first Stitches West conference. I bought some wool and a spinning stick (? I have no idea what that thing is called?) and that was the end of it. As far as crocheting goes--I like it but I've only mastered the basics. It's definitely something I'd like to explore more.

3. Do you have any allergies? (smoke, pets, fibers, perfume, etc.)
I'm an ex-smoker. Enough said.
Most perfume bothers me. I guess I'm kind of picky with smells.
I do not mind any types of fibers. I like them all!

4.How long have you been knitting?
I have been knitting for 2 years.

5. Do you have an Amazon or other online wish list?
Yes; I have an amazon wish list. Are there others?

6. What's your favorite scent? (for candles, bath products etc.)


7. Do you have a sweet tooth?
Yes. I love anything chocolate. I even like sugar free chocolate and vegan chocolate. I also love these dutch cookies with caramel on the inside. Mmmm.

8. What other crafts or Do-It-Yourself things do you like to do?
I like to sew, cook, make cards.

9. What kind of music do you like?
I love almost all types of music: Pop/Rock, Bluegrass, Hip-Hop, Irish Traditional, Reggae, Folk, Punk. Last CDs I bought: Old Crow Medicine Show and Matisyahu.
Can your computer/stereo play MP3s? Yes!

10. What's your favorite color? Or--do you have a color family/season/palette you prefer? Any colors you just can't stand?
I like all colors, though I'm not too fond of pastels (although, a pastel paired with a bold color is very nice).

11. What is your family situation? I am living with my fiance.
Do you have any pets?Yes; one cat named Couscous aka "Fatty No-Legs".

The Big Stink

Gah! The Stink hasn't let loose! There's a 43 pound titan arum, kind of like a lily, in the Conservatory in the Golden Gate Park. It's supposed to bloom any day now and emit a smell of rotting flesh. I can't wait.

OCMS

I just came from the BEST concert ever. Old Crow Medicine show played last night at the Great American Music Hall. It was a sold-out show (good for them) right before they head up to the Strawberry Music Festival in Yosemite. They are one hard working band. They played new stuff, old stuff, Bob Dylan, Grateful Dead, Bob Marley (bluegrass does reggae!), and even tested out some songs there are working on. Their rendition of Soul Rebel by Bob Marley was the absolute best. And they seemed to love being in San Francisco; every time the lead spoke between songs it was San Francisco this and San Francisco that. It was a special moment when they took time during their second (!) encore to give a shout out to all the working people in the Bay Area struggling.

Eric Bogosian

I went to Booksmith last night to see Eric Bogosian. He has a new book out, "Wasted Beauty", about a small town girl that gets caught up in all the dangers of the big city. He read from a book of one of his solo shows a couple of years ago. He had the whole room clutching their bellies, laughing out loud. The piece was great and what I loved best was that he didn't plan out his reading. He pulled out the book and took about 2-3 minutes figuring out what he would read. He then moved on to his first novel and then Wasted Beauty. I would have left if I wasn't sitting in the front row right under his nose. It was horrible, yawn inducing! But afterwards I figured out what the problem was. It wasn't that his novels were poorly written or boring. It was that the novel was meant to be read off the page not out loud. The first bit was a performance piece and was meant to be performed, read out loud. I'm not sure I've ever seen that so clearly before. I think I've always thought if something was good it will be good spoken aloud or read on paper. On another note: Eric is short, who knew?

Bay to Breakers

Two days later and I'm still recovering. No; I didn't get drunk and run 7 miles. But I did spend 13 hours working at the event. While the race is quite fun (crazy costumes and no costumes at all!!!) when you are at a first aid station you sometimes just see all the bad stuff. Mostly it's guy drinks too much, but sometimes it's guy with diabetes drinks too much or naked guy drinks too much. That last one isn't as fun as it sounds. But I'm glad I was there. Everything went very smoothly and all the volunteers were amazing. Someone who helped out all day (one of the first to arrive and last to leave) wrote this: "its really interesting how people spend their time on things that matter to them. then i looked at how i managed my own time and if that reflected that which mattered most in my life." Sometimes I think I might take for granted how much people give and it makes me wonder if I even give enough. How I spend my time (oh, what precious little we have of it) and making sure it matches up with what is important to me is something I need to spend more time on. Connecting the two is vital for me having a satisfying life.

Hometown?

>

American Cities That Best Fit You:

65% Miami

60% San Diego

55% Chicago

55% Honolulu

55% Philadelphia

Which American Cities Best Fit You?

I don't know about this...Miami? I'm a California girl all the way. I like mild weather. Florida's not really for me.

Oaxaca

Oaxaca
Originally uploaded by sfbookgirl.

Ah, Oaxaca! I love this picture. I wish I could be there right now.