Thrifting Weekend With My Ma

Took a trip to Wisconsin this past weekend to spend some time with my mother. It seems we never get to hang out anymore-- every time I'm there it's because I have things to go to, and I'm busy the entire weekend. Well Mom and I were definitely busy, but this time with fun together stuff! Rummage sales, thrift shops, lots of photography, and cooking together.

Saturday was a dreary day. Very chilly for August, and the morning drizzle increased to rain by afternoon. But we were determined to go to lots of sales and find lots of cool vintage stuff!! I got a handful of records that I'm going to make into notebooks; a stack of vintage Life, Collier's, and McCall's sewing magazines-- they're heavy and they take up space, but I love them! A crazy orange plastic bathroom set that must have come out of the Brady girls' bathroom. Oh wait, the Brady girls shared with their brothers, so they probably didn't have final say over the decor... Laurie Partridge, then, maybe? Anyway, it's so gaudy it's adorable. Orange plastic in a pattern like cut crystal. It's hard to explain, I'll have to post pictures. Also, a worn deep-red hardcover book from1939 entitled "Tale Of The Witch Doll," some Fire King Azurite saucers and a creamer for my collection, some other miscellaneous fifties-looking saucers, and an aluminum cake-carrier for my best friend.

Also on Saturday, while driving all over town for rummage sales, I happened to spot an adorable old sign, through the rain. I really, really hoped to come back and photograph it. It's all alone in an area that has all either been redeveloped, or is just about to. I don't quite understand how this sign is still standing alone in the middle of all that, but I doubt it will be much longer. Well, on Sunday, the weather was just gorgeous-- blue sky, fluffy clouds, sun galore. My mom, sister and I were out doing various errands and they humored me by taking the drive back to the sign so I could take pictures of it. I think they were also curious to see what the hell the fuss was about! They agreed that it was a really cool find.



How cute is that?! It says Weddin on one side of the sign. Must have lost it's G sometime after the plexiglass got broken. Frickin' adorable. We were thinking there must have been a print shop there at some point... Maybe?

Newest Playlist - August 2009

This most recent playlist was a long time in the making! I was well on my way in the beginning of July, when my computer crashed. I left it in Wisconsin with a trusted fix-it guy, and he lent me a laptop to use in the meantime. But I was reluctant to put too many new programs onto the laptop, which left my girlfriend's computer as the only way I could get my new playlist done. But... *whining* her computer's kind of slow and it's all the way down the hall! ;) What a baby I am. Anyway, tonight I finally got it done.

1) Empire Of The Sun - Walking On A Dream
2) Metric - Gimme Sympathy
3) Dragonette - Take It Like A Man
4) Handsome Furs - Dead + Rural
5) The Noisettes - Never Forget You
6) Ladyhawke - Back Of The Van
7) Imogen Heap - Tidal
8) The Temper Trap - Sweet Disposition
9) Dragonette - Get Lucky
10) Mika - Love Today
11) Phoenix - 1901
12) The Cliks - Dirty King
13) Ladyhawke - Dusk Til Dawn
14) MGMT - Time To Pretend
15) Camera Obscura - Honey In The Sun
16) Olivia Broadfield - Don't Cry
17) Imogen Heap - Wait It Out
18) Adele - Right As Rain
19) Regina Spektor - Eet
20) Amazing Baby - Headdress
21) Handsome Furs - All We Want, Baby, Is Everything

The theme for this playlist was going to be sun/summer. But that was at the beginning of the summer when I just wanted to get something put together quickly. Once more time had passed, there were too many new songs I wanted to hear to just stick to the gimmick.

Sometimes Facebook Is Awesome.

I spend way too much time on my computer. That's very obvious to me. And to my girlfriend, who had to get used to how much time I spend in front of this thing. When my computer broke last month, I jumped at the chance to borrow a loaner from the guy who was fixing it, so I didn't have to change my routine at all. So, yes, I spend way to much time on Facebook, checking my email, updating my etsy, browsing etsy, reading blogs, etc.

But one week ago, a few minutes of my time on Facebook really paid off. Earlier in the evening, an old friend of mine popped into my head. We had been extremely close when I was in college, worked together, had a ton of classes together... but had eventually lost touch, sadly. I missed her greatly in the years that followed, but life goes on...

Believing I may have just been presented with a synchronistic opportunity, I did a search for her on Facebook as soon as I was able, when I got home that night. I found it hard to believe I had never done that before... She popped right up, my girl Genna. I could see from her hyphenated last name that she was now married. I sent her a "friend request" ASAP, and was able to browse her pictures and a few things because she didn't have them privacy-protected.

I was searching for the hubby, wanted to see who she had found, since I remembered that Genna had always had such bad luck with boyfriends. Searching... searching... Boy, that blonde woman sure is in her pictures a lot. Must be a new friend or maybe related to her hubby. Then, in a miscellaneous picture album, I find Genna's wedding pictures. The blonde woman is who she married!!! I'm shocked, truly (and happily!) shocked. Genna and I talked about everything back in the day, and she knew my preference for women, and surely she would have mentioned something if she had leaned that way at all!

I was shocked, elated, and hopeful. I might get my friend back, and now we had more in common than ever. I believe I ran downstairs, chattering to my girlfriend about all this, obviously conveying how excited I was!

Well, she answered my friend request pretty quickly, within the hour, and what followed for the next hour or so was a flurry of Wall posts, messages, and picture comments between Genna, her wife, and me. Total excitement coming from all sides. She had been updating on her page about her next participation in the Breast Cancer 3-Day walk, coming up the next Thursday. I asked her right away how I could donate, and we also made plans for gf and I to come to the ending ceremony in St. Paul, to reunite with her and to meet each other's partners.

And so, the day of the end of the 3-Day was today. Gf and I were running a little late, per usual, but we raced down to the capital grounds, me texting with Genna's wife to try and pinpoint their location within the massive sea of pink. I had a vague idea of where to look, and that was enough. Genna and I are both tall girls, so I found her right away. Hugs, crying all around, more hugs, and happy introductions, followed by dinner and a lot of catching up. So many stories to tell, most importantly, how we came to be in our current happy situations!! As in most times when getting to know a fellow GLBT, we had to tell the "when did you know" and "how was coming out for you" stories. And of course, just catching up on where our lives have taken us. Funny that after years of not being in contact, we have more in common than ever before. We are both thankful to have the other in our lives again.

Yes, all this social technology is a time-suck for sure. But it can also be a blessing when it helps you find a truly wonderful friend.

Etsy Store Progress and Pauses...

So, I've been trying to work very hard on my etsy store lately. Last week I went out with a friend and photographed her in all those tiny vintage clothes that I've been hanging on to for years, with the hopes of someday selling them. The pictures turned out fabulous, if I do say so myself!!

I got just about enough pictures to showcase the clothes themselves, but I do admit I got a little wrapped up in the arty aspects, as I tend to do, and got a few more artistic shots that I really love. Nothin' wrong with that, I suppose!

I've also been working on figuring out how to market my etsy store better. It's tricky!! There are thousands and thousands of fabulous stores on etsy, and that's a lot to compete with. Like, I just recently discovered the "Treasury" application, which is how those beautiful galleries end up on the front page of etsy. People take a lot of time and compile these gorgeous collections with the hopes that they'll be seen and promoted. But they're promoting other people's work, is the key! It's very collaborative.

Well, I've seen some of these Treasury collections that I feel my items/products could very well be a part of. Lists of cool "back to school" items -- my notebooks would be perfect in there. Lists of vintage items of particular colors -- I've got something that color! But how do I get my things seen?? I'm reading up on the forums more and more, and have also been renewing my items in my store in order to get them further in the front of search result lists.

Also, promoting on facebook, myspace, twitter... I keep hoping something will catch on! And I'll need to keep working on making more and better items, taking better pictures, maybe changing up my store banner and avatar... We'll see. Keep plugging away!!

Fun Flashback with Samantha Fox!

Anyone remember this song?

Samantha Fox - I Wanna Have Some Fun
Uploaded by alexandru2006. - Watch more music videos, in HD!

This song totally reminds me of being at the roller rink when I was growing up!

The outfits crack me up-- especially the chains on her jeans at the beginning, and ruffly top near the end.

But I DO love the suit!! Guess that could've been an early indication that Ms. Samantha plays for our team. :)

On a happier note....

My two friends, Brooke and Cathy, got hitched on Saturday. They and their hired photographer allowed me to tag along and be a secondary photog for them (and for me!) They had a gorgeous ceremony and I had tears streaming almost the entire time. The ladies had a ceremony based on Quaker tradition, in which the partners sit in the middle of a circle made of their friends and family. There is no officiant, but rather the partners are joined by God and the community that they have gathered. What a wonderful idea! I was more touched by their ceremony than any other that I've been to. There was so much meaning and love conveyed in the readings and song from the family.

My girlfriend joined me for the dinner and reception, and we had a wonderful night. Both families were friendly and fun, and everyone was having the time of their lives!

What a beautiful couple, aren't they? :)

HRC Survey Regarding DOMA

Take 2 minutes to fill out a super-easy survey that the Human Rights Committee has posted on their website:

The survey asks about your feelings regarding DOMA and just a couple categorical questions about yourself and your current relationship. They'll be sending the results to lawmakers and the Obama administration. Why not add your voice and help make an impact!

http://www.hrcactioncenter.org/site/Survey?ACTION_REQUIRED=URI_ACTION_USER_REQUESTS&SURVEY_ID=2521&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=share_email&utm_campaign=2721_DOMA_Survey


Question 3 and my answer: If DOMA has impacted your life or those near to you, please tell your story here and we'll share it with your lawmakers.

"I feel left out of a basic human right, the right to marry legally. Leaving religion out of the equation, completely... I feel bitter that I pay the same taxes as everyone else, contribute actively to the well-being of my state and my country, and yet there are so many advantages of legal marriage that I will not be able to have if the laws continue to discriminate as they are. I am not asking for special rights or accommodations. I am asking for the same rights that everyone else has."