Evehel

My own personal nuclear power plant

2011-06-08T12:13:00.000-07:00

There is an old Chevy Chase or Liam Neeson movie where he (Chevy or Liam) is driving down the road and everything he sees has a sexual connotation.

Location: Driving* off the I-5.

*don't take pictures while driving. Just borrow mine and claim it as your own.

Dead Bees and A Black Widow

2011-04-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

I was taking a walk when I noticed a bunch of bees on the ground. I looked closer and noticed they were dead. So I looked around and thought a hive had been destroyed. Nothing. Then I looked up and there it was! Right above my head, maybe 10ft away from me! I ran away thinking the bees might attack me.

The black widow was in my front yard. I was so close to it trying to see the hour glass spot on its abdomen but it was busy wrapping up an insect in its web.

Removing Rust

2011-02-17T15:09:00.001-08:00

I love riding my bike. But I have neglected it for several years! Don't ask me why. I used to ride my bike to work, class and the grocery store. But one day, I parked my bike outside and did not touch it again... and the rain and dirt took their toll. Last year I used steel wool to get rid of the rust and it worked but it scratched up the chrome fenders and I could see that some of the chrome had been worn off from scrubbing too hard. After a year, the metal fenders were rusty again.

I decided to attack the rust with a simple solution: aluminum paper and water. I poured some water on the metal and started rubbing with the shiny side of the aluminum paper. No soap. No cleanser. No anti-rust-removing chemical. Just water and basic kitchen aluminum paper.

I still have to clean up the bike chain and wash & wax the bike to shine it up but I am really happy with the results so far.

Making Yogurt

2011-01-14T10:46:00.001-08:00

I got the machine months ago. I looked up tons of recipes online. But I never got on task until last night. Out of the blue on the drive home, I went straight to the grocery store to purchase a quart of milk and start the process.

Boil milk. I used a quart (945 ml). Watch it boil or it might overflow. Let it cool until the pot is touchable.
While the milk is cooling, boil some water in a small pot. Sterilize your containers by putting them in the boiling water for a few seconds. Use tongs so you do not burn your hands. Set them aside to drain and cool.
Once the milk is cool or barely warm, add about half a cup of already-made yogurt (100 ml). Mix yogurt well until it is completely dissolved.
Add the milk/yogurt mixture to each cup or container. Cover them with lids. Set the cups into the yogurt making machine and set the timer. I set it for 12 hrs but will try to set it for less time maybe 10hrs or even less depending on the consistency.
When the yogurt looks solid, put the yogurt cups into the fridge.
You can use one of your newly made yogurts or a store bought yogurt in Step 3 to start the process all over again.

If you have a gas oven that stays warm all the time because of the pilot light, you might be able to just leave the yogurt cups inside the oven overnight and not need this little machine. Set the cups on the bottom of the oven. But please do not turn the oven on. The pilot light keeps it warm enough. The main difference is that it may need a couple more hours to go from a watery-milky consistency to the normal softer-than-jello consistency typical of yogurt.

Some people might like to add fruit or honey to their milk/yogurt mixture in Step 3. I like to add the fruit, nuts and honey when it is time to eat it. It is all up to you. Add any delicious ingredients you like. Enjoy!

A Public Service Announcement - Hands Free Driving

2011-01-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

Driving and talking on the phone, even if on speakerphone when you are still holding the phone, is illegal in CA . I didn't know. Hands-free driving means hands FREE. Ooooooh. Makes perfect sense.

I was thinking of how I could get crafty on my mission to go hands-free but I think a few people have beat me to to it with their no-nonsense ideas: rubber band, packing tape, earbud wires.

2010 Endings & 2011 Beginnings

2011-01-03T13:38:00.000-08:00

I once saw a real life lumberjack. He was everything I ever imagined.

I was hoping to see a real life cowboy in Austin. Maybe they were all out of town for the holidays? But the policemen wear cowboy hats! I did not check to see if they wore cowboy boots too, but I would not doubt it.

The beautiful dome ceiling of the state capital (taken with an inadequate cell phone camera) will have to do.

Late night crocheting

2010-12-20T14:18:00.000-08:00

I am a crocheter not a knitter. And I can only really do 2 stitches, single and double. And only square or rectangular shapes. So the perfect project is a scarf. I made 3 in 2 days. Impressive (I think) for a total novice (like me). Each yarn felt different even though the packaging said they were the same thickness. Combine that with the varying tension in which I make each chain, each scarf had its own unique style. One was very tight and thick. The second was very loose and soft. And the last was somewhere in between. They are longer than normal scarves and the ends are stitched together to make a circle, long enough to go around the neck twice.

I woke up with knitter's elbow the next morning from non stop knitting 2 days in a row. Overall, my crocheting experience was fun. As a beginner, I enjoyed the simplicity and repetitiveness except of course for the last and first stitch in each row which always seemed to have a tension problem. I'll definitely be crocheting again but maybe not with unrealistic deadlines forcing me to stay up until 2am 2 nights in a row.

Domino Magazine, still Resting In Peace

2010-12-10T00:59:00.000-08:00

This was my favorite Domino Magazine cover, September 2007 I think. I loved the skirt color and blouse pattern. Like many smallish publications, it folded a few years ago. I saved a magazine or two but mostly sent them into the recycling bin. I regretted that after I realized they were sought after and being sold online ... doh! What's done is done. I am not currently subscribed to any magazine so I do miss Domino as well as Blueprint and Budget Living. A while ago I found that Domino online was still available for viewing. No new articles though, just archived ones that are still fun to look through.

Stamp making

2010-12-01T13:28:00.000-08:00

I am planning on making a few Christmas gifts for friends this year but I wanted a label to attach to the gifts. I considered placing an order but that required a 500-1000 label minimum. I might need 10, max. I might change my mind about the design later and do not want to end up with 990 useless labels.

I went to the art store and bought a cutting tool and rubber pad to carve out my own stamp. It was fun, super simple and totally practical.

Fill in your drawing with pencil. Place it facing the rubber, hold it firmly, and rub the backside of the paper with your fingernail or anything else that is flat and firm (maybe a spoon). Remove the paper and avoid touching or smearing the pencil markings with your fingers. Then start cutting away at the unmarked rubber with a sharp blade. Use an ink pad to test it out and see if you need to make any fine adjustments.

I did not need the cutting tool at all, just a pointy X-acto knife. I have only tested the stamp on paper and have yet to see how it looks on fabric or plastic but I like the results so far.

This was the first stamp I have ever made. Everyone I ask about this says they made stamps in grade school out of potatoes or lino but I guess I only made stencils and finger paint art. I still have plenty of rubber to work with so I will try making more stamps.

Speechless

2010-11-20T19:32:00.000-08:00

I met a girl today who is 32 years old with an 18 year old daughter.

Disappointed

2010-11-16T19:13:00.000-08:00

I was ready to make yogurt after work today. The cups were sterilized and the incubator machine plugged in. And then I reached for the milk container, only to find that the milk was bad :( Maybe next week after I go grocery shopping, I'll pick up some fresh milk, and ready-to-eat yogurt.

The dress I didn't make

2010-10-26T09:54:00.000-07:00

I wish I could be self sustaining: growing my own food, doing my own home repairs, fixing my own car & cutting my own hair. I have tried each one of these with disastrous results. Plants die when I touch them, curtain rods fall down when I try to put them up, my car still won't start after I lifted the hood and I look like Raggedy Ann when I've taken scissors to my own mop. The one thing that I have been mildly successful at is making my own clothes. To clarify, I am able to use a sewing machine just fine to make clothes that actually fit...however, that doesn't mean that I have any taste in what I actually make.

There are other people that do have taste. And skill. And a good eye for style. Oh Rensz at The Dress I Made how I envy you. I won't be outfitting my entire wardrobe with self-made items, but I am definitely planning on using up the yards-and-yards of fabric I've accumulated. I think my major road block has to do with pattern drafting. I know it's just a matter of putting pencil to paper...and having that eraser ready!

Deep Thoughts by Jack Handey ... or not

2010-10-25T13:05:00.000-07:00

Things that are supposed to be inspirational, sometimes are not when you are in a bad mood. But when you are in the right mood, they really seem to stick. I'm so deep sometimes, it's amazing! :)

Ideas are free; execution is priceless.
Never be stopped by not knowing how. Accept that the planets will never be aligned.
Anonymity is the biggest barrier to success.
Consistency is far better than rare moments of greatness.
Passion without purpose is pointless.
Get comfortable with the risk of failure. Humans aren’t averse to risk – they’re averse to loss.
Make a public and purposeful choice to play big. When you publicize your willingness to commit…enough so you can’t turn back…executing what matters will be an unavoidable result.

http://www.globe-democrat.com/news/2010/oct/22/st-louisian-publishes-new-book-able/

Happy Birthday to Me

2010-10-13T16:22:00.001-07:00

It is summertime in October. It feels great to feel the warm sun and the cool breeze. I feel rested and calm. It might be the first time in years that I do not have a cold on my birthday. There is a lot to look forward to right now. Cheers, to new adventures.

Sleeping In

2010-08-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

It's officially week 4 since my lay off. The first week or so I was on the "sleep in - go to bed late" cycle. But let me tell you a little bit about week 3! Ok, not technically exciting but definitely busy! There are plenty of things to check off my to-do list and I have seriously attacked them. So what if they're completely mundane and stuff people do on a regular basis. I'm slow. For everything all the time. It's not an excuse for anything just the way I roll. It is the reason my to-do list includes things like, shred 5 year of old statements or look through the moving box from a year and a half ago.

I haven't been sleeping well that last few days and I've been having stomach aches regardless of whether I eat or not. This has resulted in waking up pretty early in the mornings. No complaints. I've gotten a whole lot done before 10:30 a.m.! I can't believe how much sunlight there is in the morning. I'm usually asleep or when I had a job, indoors.

Yesterday was special. And if felt great. I did a serious summer clean-out! Not of the entire house because I'm not Super Woman, I just dress like her for Halloween, but my entire closet was emptied out and every clothing item I owned was inspected. When I was done, I had removed a big garbage bag full of clothes. Most of it is good enough to donate, but some of those items serious need to be in a landfill. Then it was off to tackle the storage area. Ugh that dreaded dusty space. It's next to the immaculately kept washer dryer but those shelves with all their dusty boxes, bags full of forgottens and random whatevers is like the junk drawer of shelves...I usually just walk past and ignore all that. After cuts and scrapes from moving heavy boxes and working like an animal, a six shelf storage space transformed into a two shelf miracle.

Oh knicknacks and pounds of old paperwork, how I hate you. When I opened up my closet doors this morning, the sweat and paper cuts from the day before were all worth it.

Nature hates me

2010-07-27T22:08:00.000-07:00

I've had a lot of free time on my hands, being unemployed and all. So I spent 2 hours of my life washing and polishing my vehicle from roof rack to rims, including the interior. I even incurred an injury: the skin under my finger nails pulled off the nail! Ughhh...sounds gross? It feels worse. My car was a true beauty, shining under the summer sun. This morning, the gardeners were out and about...blowing leaves leaves and dirt ALL OVER the car!! And then there's bird sh*t on the windshield. Really?! Do I really deserve that? The answer is: that's not all! Driving with bird sh*t on the window sucks but what's worse is waiting at a red light and hearing a loud *thump* on you windshield because the tree I was under hates me and dropped something like corn-on-the-cob full of juicy sap onto the glass. G-R-E-A-T. Thanks Life. You're really taking care of me.

Decadent Leisure

2010-07-16T17:58:00.000-07:00

Today was my first day as a free woman without a job. The heat woke me and didn't let me sleep in. The temperature just rising and so did the humidity! It's the first day of triple digit temp in my neighborhood and it's vicious.

My big plans for decadent leisure haven't really started. Maybe on Monday. Ugh. My freedom is starting to sound like another fad diet or like when you're trying to quit smoking.

I did manage to make myself a pretty awesome blueberry & strawberry milk shake. And lunch was a huge hit: cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms, and carrots. Actually the only reason I ate any of that was because it was the only food in the fridge that didn't require turning the stove on.

But this laptop is like a space heater and not helping my fever symptoms much.

Laid Off

2010-07-15T23:31:00.000-07:00

I got laid off from work today. Actually I was laid off a while ago but my last day wasn't until today. Was my boss nice about it? Yes. Does it still suck? Yes.

I had a going away diner with 11 of the 20 people I invited. Some people didn't even say goodbye at work. Did it bother me? Yes. Did I miss them at diner? No.

I was actually surprised anybody showed up. So I guess overall it was a huge success.

As for plans, well, I just don't have any. I asked a friend if I should go for a cool job or one that pays the big bucks. He said "more money is better." I've always thought mo'money mo'problems and so I've always settled for lower paying jobs that were flexible and interesting. I haven't made up my mind about which way to go. Personal fulfillment is nice. But so is a padded bank account.

I drive a 12 year old car. I buy my clothes at the same place I buy cookies, face lotion and my apartment's space heater. I've been cool with that and rather like picking up a case of water at the same time as a 6 pack of socks. But it's only when I start wondering what I'd do if I had to buy a new car or date more that I realize that more money might be more of a need than a want. So for now, I'm off to advertise myself. I think I'll follow a new creed about work and dates. Catch and release. If I don't like it I'll let it go but if I catch a good one, I might just stick around awhile.

So yes, I did get laid off. I just haven't gotten laid. Semantics can be cruel.

Hugs & Kisses

2008-12-29T23:43:00.000-08:00

Is it the chilly weather or the holidays that make me crave for some major making out, bear hugs and a bed buddy? There are a bunch of other sweet couple's shots on Le Love blog.

Louise Wilson of Central Saint Martins College of Art has a new groupie (me!)

2008-10-26T15:02:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading this article that I found through The Thoughtful Dresser. Louise Wilson comes across as a true educator, concerned with the development of the graduate students in the program even though "when they first arrive, really, my eyes bleed!" Hahahahhaha.

She says the in the portfolios they receive from applicants, they get "some seriously mentally deranged people sending in a drawing of a twig." Again, hahahahaahaa.

"[The] idea that all the applicants are geniuses when they come couldn't be further from the truth." I guess that anyone can apply right?!

All in all, Louise Wilson sounds like a tough professor to please, but at the same time, someone who would push your skills and talent to their limits resulting in something you would never have been able to achieve on your own. Then again, isn't that the purpose of school?

As a very random observation: check out her desk. Nothing but a phone and a few pens. Does anybody work like this?! She's either insanely organized (which I suspect) or the desk was such a mess they just cleared everything before they took the picture.

L'ecole Des Femmes has a new fan

2008-10-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

When looking at clothing collections, I usually find one or 2 pieces that really interest me. However, this has now changed!!! I could wear all of L'ecole Des Femmes's Spring 2009 collection (as well of much of the Spring 2008). Everything is so beautiful & feminine! But what I most love about it is that I can definitely see myself wearing these items on a daily basis. And even though it is a clothing line, they have paired the outfits with equally gorgeous shoes that really bring the outfit together.

I really love this style of skirt. It looks a little bit like the yellow one I just made but this one looks more playful, perhaps because it's shorter and of lighter fabric. The narrow cut of this dress is so clean. I can comfortably wear a dress like this before dinner but not after :) I'm not sure why I like this skirt. Is it because it looks like something I wore in junior high? Whatever I like it. Oh, and those heels, wow!!!

Happy Birthday to Me & Summer Creations

2008-10-19T13:01:00.001-07:00

This summer has been pretty productive as far as dress making so I decided to finally take pictures of them. I'm using a dressform but it has a smaller waist and broader shoulders than I do so she and I aren't identical. Still it's easier to take pictures of the dressform than of myself. I had a mini photo shoot this morning with all the new finished sewing projects for this summer.

I wore this dress for a bbq a friend was having. It's a super mini dress. Luckily it doesn't ride up. I wore it with tall suede boots. I'm really comfortable in short dresses so it was exactly what I wanted. I had very little fabric so I feel like I didn't do much to make this dress. It already had a shape to it and I didn't even have to cut much off. Granted it's a bit shapeless, sort of like a tapered pillowcase but I like the fit and the pattern.
The dress torso looks longer in this picture. When I wore it I pulled it out of the dress a lot more so it looked slouchier.This next dress I made originally for the bbq I wore the short dress to but I couldn't finish it in time so I wore it go wine tasting in Santa Barbara for my bithday. The picture isn't very clear but you can see the how beautiful the vineyard is. It's the only picture I have of me wearing the dress.
My favorite part is the neck line. I love the "v" and the gathering in the front.

I have to say that this dress looks the same worn as it does on the dressform.
This is what I made for my birthday dinner last night. I made the skirt, not the tank. I was able to finish make the skirt from scratch in about 3 hours. I was stressed out towards the end because it was almost dinner time and I could have easily used another 30 min but I'm still happy with how it looked. My only complaint was that the fabric was really hard to press so it doesn't look as crisp as I would have liked.
This tank top was the inspiration behind the skirt. I loved the yellow and thought that a puffy dressy skirt would look good with a casual tank. This looks exactly how I imagined it would so I'm pretty satisfied with how it turned out.
You can see the pencil marks where I marked the pleats. I really hope this comes off in the wash.

Loving EVERYTHING about your dog

2008-08-18T23:08:00.000-07:00

Stepping into dog shit on your way in from a long day while carrying in groceries is not how I want to end my day. My jaw drops when I see people walking away from a fresh mound their dogs have just laid. Young people, old people, all shameless people walking around empty handed...no baggies in sight, chatting on their cell phone or pretending to jog. Sure, I get it...it sucks to pick up mushy, stinky dog feces fresh off a dogs ass. But you know what? If you can't deal with it, don't bother taking him out of the house. Your home is his home and he should be allowed to mark his territory. Let him do his business at your place and not on the public sidewalk! Let him express himself by shitting in your kitchen, on your carpet, or potty train him. After all, his creations are all natural, biodegradable, and 100% YOURS to enjoy in the comfort of your own doggy love den.

TGIF

2008-08-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

That's totally my favorite saying. Except when you have to work on Saturdays and then you wish death on yourself!

Date with a borrowed baby

2008-07-30T21:32:00.000-07:00

Since I don't have a baby of my own, I borrow one. I have a friend with a baby I've know since birth. The bottom line is she trusts me. I gloat about him as if I had birthed him myself. I took the day off of work today and hung out with the boy. I spent as much time getting ready for the kid as when I go out on a date. I wanted to look like the poshest wanna-be mom in town. We lunched and dined flawlessly. There was the visit to the turtle pond and the fish tank. After a ride down the highest slide in the park and a bouncy motorcycle, it was time for his bath. After 8hrs of engaging the child in games of vroom-vroom and who's-the-silly-boy, I returned him to his natural habitat. I love him. And I love that I can hand him off.

Earthquake terror

2008-07-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

Okay so it wasn't that bad. But I was startled and slightly scared. That "ching-ching" noise made by the glass bottles on the shelves worried me since I was surrounded by them and had no way out.

On a side note, I just trimmed my eyebrows and now they look shaved in some spots. Not the look I was going for. Too much touching up always backfires!!! Grrrrr!

Girls cry alot

2008-07-27T22:26:00.001-07:00

Sitting through a one sided conversation where the other person talks and cries for almost 2 hours is really exhausting. Sure it doesn't take much to nod and "uh huh" here and there but geez... then I realized that in the past, I've been the one crying and going on and on about nonsense that no one else cares about. And so I realize that I am the annoying one. Doh!

Sweet Saturday Morning

2008-07-26T12:48:00.001-07:00

I woke up early for a Saturday morning stretched out diagonally on my queen sized bed. What comfort! I laid in bed for a bit checking out my sun filled room as if I'd never seen it before. Oh it looks so good when it is clean and tidy. I propped myself up on three pillows and finished reading Life of Pi. I feel like I was the one lost at sea, living on a life raft for 6 months. My belly was calling for something, so I made myself a bowl of granola cereal with strawberries and milk.

Now that's how a Saturday morning is supposed to start out. I don't even care that I have to go to work now.

My Saturday

2008-01-12T12:52:00.000-08:00

Today I might get some new bed linens, hang out with my mammy, and maybe pick up my friend's baby and buy him an ice cream cone. I've got a mini project in the works, laundry, bill paying, and some light reading to do. I don't think there are enough hours in the day to get it all done today & it's gorgeous outside so I might just scrap all my plans and sit in the sun.

Work is going to give me wrinkles & gray hair!!

2008-01-03T19:55:00.000-08:00

My job is making me bipolar. I noticed this about 2 years ago but didn't realize how it would affect me. When things don't go well at work, I go crazy and can't think straight. Today, the boss asked me about something I documented 2 years ago. ummm.....?!!! PANIC!!!! Of course I have all sorts of OTHER paperwork but NOT the one picture I needed. After hours of scrambling, my problem was solved and everyone was happy. Just like that. One moment I was sweating and the next I had a smile on my face. If I start seeing a single wrinkle, I will quit. No questions asked, no hesitation.

Still a good 1st minute of 2008!!!

2008-01-01T23:04:00.000-08:00

This is the first day of the rest of my life!!! It really feels like it. Or maybe I just want it to be. Last night (Dec 31 11pm) I decided I didn't want to stay home alone as planned (I'm scared of drunk drivers and over-hyped New Year's parties). So at 11:15pm I got into my car and headed to my mom's house 15min away. Because of all of the Rose Parade overnight campers in Old Town Pasadena, there were tons of freeway detours. I ended up ringing in the New Year in my car all alone!!! The thing that saved me was that I made it to my mom's house less than one minute later so at least SOME of the 12:00am minute got a kiss and hug!

As to why I'm so excited about today being the first day of the rest of my life actually has nothing to do with today being January 1, 2008. It could have been any other random day off. I spent my day doing stuff I've never done before. I suddenly have new inspiration to work on some projects and dust off the cobwebs in my brain in order to be more creative. Fine, so making bibs for my sister's baby doesn't sound grand, but he drools.....and needs them. If I don't have a time deadline as pressure I never get anything started! I just hope I finish them before he realizes all he needs to do is close his mouth in order to stop drooling.

Happy Birthday to Me! 2007

2007-12-28T12:31:00.001-08:00

Brazilian BBQ and double birthday cakes.....good stuff!!I should have worn a mu mu because after eating ridiculous amounts of steak I thought my dress would tear at the seams.

Fuck Yeah Fest 2007

2007-09-03T15:19:00.001-07:00

Fuck Yeah Fest 2007 @ The Echo.
Cheap tickets, great bands!
Only complaint: 2 of the locations are in the same building connected by a staircase THAT'S GREAT....BUT where's the third location? Down the street?? You mean I have to drive there?? I missed all the bands at the Santa Monica Blvd location.

My Labor Day Weekend

2007-09-03T11:43:00.000-07:00

Wine tasting in Santa Barbara as a going away treat for a friend.

day 1

2007-02-13T19:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't decided what direction this is going to take, yet. But it's Day 1.