SELF PORTRAIT THURSDAY!
11.12.09
Yes, finally back.
But all I do is work now, so I don't really have time to make myself look presentable.
This explains why I look so furry and frumpy. I probably haven't shaved in a month.
(My facial hair grows slowly.)
I don't mean to be a hater, but hand knitting is for schmucks.
No, that's not true. I was just hand knitting last night. And I often hand knit.
(But when I'm away from my machine, I long for it.)
Seriously, though...
The satisfaction and ideas come pouring out on a machine.
Good news:
Yesterday Ben and I were asked by our old roommate Talena if we could watch Osa the chihuahua this weekend while there is construction done in her new apartment! =)
To celebrate, I'm including some videos of Ben and I spending time with Osa.
This is Ben making Osa sing:
It's fun to make her howl because she purses her lips.
AND she starts to hack/cough like she's a smoker.
But my NUMBER ONE FAVORITE THING to do is this:
I'm still waiting for the day she leaps up and bites me in the face.
But I think she's too sweet for that.
I think I'm more of a dog person now.
I had a bad cat experience at my last apartment with Gordo. He was too needy. Shed too much. Ate too much, ate when nervous, ate until he vomited. It all made me not want to leave my room.
Dogs are so much better, I think.
In other good news, Ben J. was featured on Daily Candy yesterday!
It is an AMAZING write-up.
I am v. proud.
P.S.
I might do a self portrait later...
This week my sister shop, TAKE OFF YOUR CLOTHES, is listing some new fall-winter items while working on the TOYC spring-summer collection.
First, the double t-shirt dress is now offered in navy:
Also, appropriate for fall/winter, the v. popular dress is now available in a long-sleeve version:
And finally there is the GHOST JACKET:
I have one in dark grey, and it has been very good to me during these chilly fall days.
There are some other reasons I love this jacket:
-It's got a 2-way zipper in the front.
-To quote Ben J.: "2 crew neck sweatshirts reconfigured : neckline = armhole, one sleeve = collar/hood, one sleeve divided = deep cowl pocket + sleeve extension"
Also, it is very roomy like a poncho, but it rises up in the front and back. That way, your legs still get seen and have some length.
Ben will be listing some other items, so keep an eye out!
Back to work for us!
xo
c
Please make sure you get plenty of sleep every evening.
Ben and I have been watching that show "Thea" this week.
It's part of this thing we like to do where we search our memories for these random shows and movies (particularly comedies).
And then we watch them.
But last night was the first time we'd seen any of Thea Vidale's stand-up comedy.
And I must say it's pretty rude and raunchy and vulgar and great.
It's WAY different from her character on "Thea".
Here's an example:
Ever since Osa (the little dog) left, my life hasn't been as cheerful.
Not that I've been sobbing uncontrollably or anything.
There just hasn't been a little ray of sassy sunshine greeting me at the door when I get home, shaking her little butt and covering me in kisses.
I need that.
Especially since all I've been doing these days is working.
Work, sleep, work, sleep.
Not that fun.
I need a dog to come home to.
So, we might buy one in the next couple of months.
If are unable to clone Osa, then we'll probably get a Boston Terrier.
This film short, starring Famke Janssen (Jean Gray from "X-Men") and her real life Boston Terrier, is pretty good and cute. And I think it perfectly depicts the close bond between owner and pet.
Have you ever seen a photo of me at age 10?
Neither have a lot of people.
I'll try to get back into a regular blog swing.
I have severe blog/Twitter guilt right now. Haven't been in the same routine since I returned from Texas.
Not sure if I told you, but I'm currently designing a small spring-summer 2010 knitwear collection that we hope to pitch to some stores in December and January. So, in addition to the t-shirts and Etsy shop, I've been working on figuring out my knitting machine, calculations, test tubes, and equations.
It's all more time consuming than it seems now that I write it out like that.
Anyway, let's hope to expect fun and exciting things!
I haven't updated in awhile and I'm sorry for that.
It's all been whirlwind, heat, and flash.
I'll write back with something more substantial.
I've got a lot of photos to show you. Even some videos.
This morning I went up to Sarah J. in the kitchen to hug her good morning.
I said, "Good morning, Baby Bop."
And she said, "Good morning, Big Popper."
It was sweet.
Got into Texas yesterday morning.
And last night I saw the new Diablo Cody movie "Jennifer's Body" that I really enjoyed.
It's a total change in direction compared to "Juno" since it's a horror film about a teenage girl who becomes a demon and starts eating her male classmates.
Watch the trailer:
1. People will take the movie too literally.
2. People will be expecting "Juno".
3. People tend to prefer movies where men have the control.
While I love them, slasher movies always have helpless females chased around by psychotic men. And action movies always have a lead hero with a helpless woman by his side. This is a formula that sells because it's what people want to see. (And yes, I know there are exceptions, but get real. You'll only be able to name a few movies. And those will pale in comparison to the amount of all the rest.)
4. Oh, and people will take the movie too literally.
Sure, on the surface, this movie is about a boy-eating teenager and her best friend that has to stop her.
But, really, this movie is about women claiming some control and about toxic friendships.
It's a metaphor.
Women claiming some control: Jennifer is lashing out at being abused/exploited by men. By seducing/eating them, she is taking something from them the way that many men have/will take something from women.
Toxic friendships:
Do you know those friendships you can find yourself in where you find that you don't really even like your (best) friend? Friendships where it seems like the two of you seem to be working against each other instead of with each other? Friendships that have passive-aggressive tendencies and that are full of backhanded compliments...
But maybe many people watching the movie won't recognize it because they don't recognize these things in their own life. Many women will continue to let men take advantage of them because they're not strong enough to stand up for themselves.
And many people will continue to stay in these friendships that just aren't any good for them because maybe they don't know any better. Or maybe people cling to any sort of contact because they're afraid of being alone. Or maybe people are just fucked up---pardon the language---and are just sadomasochists. (I personally believe it's a mix of all three of those.)
I'll end my rant here.
The movie just stirred up a lot of feelings in me that I haven't felt in a long time, and that's a good thing.
It's not as good as "Juno", but it's definitely worth seeing. And it's kinda funny sometimes.
Maybe you'll relate to it, too.
P.S.
And in case you didn't know, "Jennifer's Body" is the name of a good Hole song.
Why am I torturing myself by watching videos of models falling on the runway?
But I just can't look away.
Anyway, my flight to Texas leaves at 7:59AM. Very excited because the first stop after being picked up at the airport is Mexican food (real Mexican food, not like these poor excuses for Mexican food that you find in NYC) and a margarita or two. =)
Janet, I think I'm going to leave your sweater here in NYC while I'm away. It's getting pretty bulky and difficult to work on anywhere other than my room. I'm sure that's fine with you, though. Just running it by you.
It's looking very nice. And it's been fun to knit!
I'll probably photograph it before sending it to you.
