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This song by Little Dragon.

Brussels Sprouts (roasted, not steamed).

People just being nice instead of trying.

Branches.

change we can now see

It has been a long time since I've posted (ap even posted under my name recently to try and fool you), but it's time for a change. As the country welcomes a new president and we welcome a new home, I am welcoming a new commitment to posting on the blog I was once so intense about.

My first post back is this picture of a plant in Golden Gate park that has graffiti on it. This was a first for me, and it seemed fitting that I captured it on my first full day living in the city.

It's good to be back.

We Moved

Not there, but closer by.

Just Do It (yourself)

Arts and crafts are so much fun (obviously) but making things that you can actually use is really more than just fun. Etsy, a website that connects people who make cool things with people who want to buy them is the perfect example of how something your grandma used to do is now cool. The site also has a lot of recycled items for the frugalistas. I like how you can find items that are not only great, but inexpensive and pretty much totally unique.

Overheard in Berkeley (Oakland, technically)

Mommy, can I have a vegan doughnut?

- small child to his hip mom, who promptly replied, "of course, sweety!" I'm pretty sure that just because it's vegan doesn't mean it's not still fried dough with lots of sugar.

Our Resolutions

- Eat less sugar. Scary. I really don't want to end up being a crazy catlady.

- Be nicer and friendlier. I started this a few months ago, but it's an ongoing goal of mine.

- Start being thrifty. This is really hard.

- Stop driving so much. Oh wait, I don't drive at all because I hate cars and don't even own one.

- Go to yoga. This is where we do it.

- Go running. I know that's everyone's, but we used to do it a lot and now we don't.

- Find a boyfriend. One that's cool and normal. That site probably won't help.

- Finish crossowords in one sitting.

- Painting stuff gold. I love painting stuff gold.

Britney and Circus Animals - Who's Kingdom is more Tragic?

I know, a lot of pop music news, but it's oh so good. Apparently PETA has called Spears out on her use of circus animals in her new video called, suprisingly, "Circus." They say in the previously linked article that,

“Animals are ripped away from their mothers at a young age, kept in chains and prodded with electric shock devices to make them perform.”

All I have to say is, so was Britney. Give the lady a break and let her enjoy a comeback.

Rihanna and Kanye?!

I know, right?

Dish

When I was in 3rd grade my elementary school Gallinas (now called Venetia Valley, which was a a horrible name-change) put out a school newspaper with a "What's hot and what's not" column. Since kids are mean, the "what's not" part soon got out of hand and suddenly the girls who wore hot pink leggings were going home crying after finding out that it had been social suicide to go to school in them that day. Because I'm not in elementary school anymore, I can write about what's hot and will definitely let you know what's not and not be sent to detention. This is the first of a series of posts on coolness, dished up fresh from the bay to your screen via the interweb.

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Donating to charity as a gift to someone for Christmas. Instead of buying crap for all the usual recipients, find an organization that will be helping people (or the earth) during the bad economy and donate the same amount you would have spent to it. Sure, the economy needs us to spend this year, so my idea is to go for something small for your closest family members and friends and then using the rest to give to something you think could use the money more than someone who gets something they didn't want anyway.

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Blue tooth(s). I was walking down College Avenue in Oakland recently and saw a rather young, attractive man sitting at a cafe who appeared to be having a complete conversation with himself. I thought it was weird that someone who looked so put-together was so crazy, so I knew there must be an electronic piece attached to him on the other side of his head. As I walked past, I peered past to see his right side blinking blue with the stupid ear piece. I don't particularly like them even while driving (nor do I like cars and driving), but while sitting at a cafe?! So lame. If you must talk on the phone while in the car, pull over. If you must talk on the phone outside, use the freaking phone so we all know you're not crazy.

You know you watch too much Golden Girls When...

Your female roommate asks if it looks like she's wearing shoulder pads.