Bullets
There’s a new Tunng album out! I have been particularly enamored with the song “Bullets” mostly because it’s just an awesome song but also because I love these lyrics:
We’re catching bullets in our teeth
It’s hard to do but they’re so sweet
And if they take a couple out
We try to work things out
Take a listen/gander:
you can’t go sideways on segways
Recap
This weekend was: a very tasty Italian lunch in Ballard, a very tasty home cooked dinner, playing Hoopla, watching Wedding Crashers, sleeping in, stuffing my face with Greek food, hanging out at Gasworks, and salsa dancing with live music at the Triple Door’s lounge.
Salsa
I think I am pretty much in love with Salsa dancing right now. It is so much fun and high energy and the music is good. I need to go shopping for some more appropriately scandalous dancing outfits. Last night at the Triple Door I noticed that the length of skirt seemed to have a reverse correlation with the girls level of awesomeness (shorter skirts=better dancers). Although I wonder, are they better at dancing because the short skirts attract better leads? Or are the skirts shorter just because they know they’re awesome? Maybe it’s more of a barometer of confidence.
Anyways, it’s crazy how much opportunity there is for dancing there is up here if you know where to look. I found this calendar of Latin dance events around town, and really you could go dancing every night. And it’s so cheap! (Generally either free or only about $5). Also, I think I want to go to this Salsa Congress in November. 3 days of Salsa workshops and social dancing and shows! It’s the same weekend as the Pictoplasma confrence but I don’t think I can realistically get to Berlin in November, and this is just in Bellevue so it seems much more reasonable.
3/4 of the way
In other news, my internship is up at the end of October (hence all the planning for activities in November) which is really not that far from now. As of now, I have no real life plans beyond October, other than the 2 conferences. I suppose I am sort of planning on taking November as a much needed break. But I probably need to get my butt in gear and figure out work stuff too. I don’t really know if DK is interested in keeping me on (or letting me come back) after my time is up. I’m not really sure what the proper way to ask about it is. Or rather timing wise, when would be a good time to bring it up? I think I’m waiting until October, but is that too late? I don’t know, part of me would really like some time to just work on personal projects and stuff too though. I guess we’ll see what happens.
circusing etc
I’m finding that my evenings are increasingly packed lately. Not that it’s bad to be busy but tonight is the first night in a long time where I can just chill out on my couch and I’m totally enjoying it.
Earlier tonight I checked out the motel at the end of the street for it’s one night of installation art extravaganza. It’s this really old motel that a bunch of artists have been transforming over the past week, it’s pretty sweet. Plenty of pics of it on flickr.
Had some people over for dinner a few times this week and realizing I really like having company over, even if I don’t really know what to do with them once they’re here other than feed them. I made some halibut with mango salsa one night, and spinach & mushroom quiche another night. Cooking is more fun when there are people to feed.
Monday evenings are now for African Dance, Wednesday evening are for Circus Class, and Friday evening is for Salsa class. They’re all fantastic and tons of fun. It’s nice having things to do and people to do them with. Angelo is taking the Circus and Salsa with me, which is cool. Soon we’ll have our very own salsa circus act!
Also, lately I’ve been feeling like i should start rethinking my priorities and stuff. What’s really important to me right now? What do I want to be spending my life doing? Even though I have some direction part of me doesn’t really want to take that direction, but I’m not sure what the alternatives would be. I sort of feel like this whole summer has just been one giant period of flux (and debauchery). Part of me wants to get my life stable and figured out and part of me dreads the idea of that kind of dullness. But I guess no one really ever figures it all out.
Let’s get Offf together
I would really like to get in at least one trip out of the state this year. Looking at my options for conference type things it looks like Offf would be the most interesting+affordable. It’s November 2-4 in New York and until September 16th, only $60 for 3 days* of what looks like pretty good times. And since I just got a ticket it looks like I’m going. (Still need to get plane tickets though)
You know you want to come with me.
Info
“The three-day festival showcases top digital artists, web, print and interactive designers, motion graphics studios, and new music adventurous. OFFF festival provides insight into all culture media platforms.
But OFFF is more than an event about any of these disciplines. More than a design conference, a multimedia trade fair, or a digital animation festival. OFFF is an enthusiastic celebration of a new visual culture.
OFFF is spreading the work of a generation of creators that are breaking all kind of limits. Those separating the commercial arena from the worlds of art and design; music from illustration, or ink and chalk from pixels. Artists that have grown with the web and receive inspiration from digital tools, even when their canvas is not the screen.
Some of the confirmed speakers this year include Gmunk, Troika, Hillman Curtis, Hi-Res! & Nanika, Paula Scher, Motion Theory, Rob Chiu & Dstrukt, Tronic Studio, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Neville Brody and Kyle Cooper.”
*That’s looks especially good considering dux, which is the interaction design conference Nov 5-7 is like $825 for AIGA members.
The long weekend and then some
So, the past week:
Tuesday
I was at work until about 11:30pm helping out on some boards. I guess it’s not really that late considering other people were there till 3, but still the latest I’ve stayed so far.
Wednesday
The Atomic Bombshells at The Triple Door. We got there early and got seats right in the front. I am always so amazed by burlesque girls. I wish I could move like they do and look so fabulous in costumes that are so ridiculous. Miss Indigo Blue does teach classes… but maybe that will have to wait until after the circus classes.
Thursday
Saw Kyle Cooper talk at the Northwest Film Forum. He’s very non linear and sort of unfocused but it was still interesting. I also think it’s kind of amusing our CD asked if I was fawning over Kyle. I wasn’t, but I think the idea of being a mograph groupie is kinda funny. Although come to think of it, I guess I kind of already am. What can I say, the industry has a lot of fine young fellows that make awesome stuff.
Friday
Checked out the new Indian place down the street called Quasi, I’m pretty sure it’s the same owners as Cedars in the U-district, if only because the menu is typeset in exactly the same way. It’s also just as tasty. Hung out with Zach for a while and came to terms with a few things.
Saturday
Picnic at Golden Gardens and Badminton at Greenlake and a delicious dinner at El Camino. The ceviche was amazing, but I’ll save my review for yelp. I really need to start writing there. Anyways, golden gardens is always really nice, and I really like Badminton. The other day Rachel and I were talking about starting a VCD Badminton team. I think it’d be fun!
Sunday
Headed off to the Olympic Peninsula for some mellow camping by Sequim Bay. Cooking by the fire is fun. The Bay is very pretty, but also damn creepy at night. I also think there was a lake monster in it, although the other camper thinks it was a harbor seal.
Monday
We went for a swim in super clear Lake Crescent. Cold but really refreshing.
Overall, I’d say it was a pretty good week. Sorry for this long pile of stuff, I just needed to get it down so i can remember later. Time for sleep!
