Friday, November 16, 2012
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Your opinion matters
This week I've placed three handcrafted Public Suggestion Boxes into little pockets within my surrounding neighborhood: City Heights, Kensington, and University Heights.
I am anonymously asking, and in turn, anonymously receiving answers to a few basic questions:
What are you good at doing?
What do you love about your community?
What would you like to learn?
What would you improve in your neighborhood?
I am hoping to find a name for the common threads that connect us, and represent no organization other than my own curious self. People have a hard time with that.
I placed the first box at a location I visit often, My Little 99 Cents Store on University and 43rd. Besides being in close proximity to where I live, I have found that this little gem carries a wide array of items I usually pay much more for at Albertson's across the way. The owner is always helpful and friendly and the store is well kept and organized in a way that makes sense. He was happy to participate in hosting a box, but asked if I would accept answers in Spanish. This was one thing I considered when making them, if I should write the questions in both Spanish and English, but I didn't want to inadvertently exclude those who speak other languages. So I asked if he could translate to his customers and he laughed, agreeably. He also told me I spent too much making it, although he did not ask how much, then warned me that it will probably be stolen.
The second box was placed at the Kensington Library across El Cajon Blvd on Adams ave. Kensington feels like miles away from City Height but it is actually bordering the district line. I wanted to open the questions up to mothers and children, both of which are always saturating this location, primarily at the park connected to the Library.
The Manager there at first seemed skeptical. I was asked who I represent and explained I am a resident in City Heights but work nearby and also know the owner of the art gallery across the street.
The third box was embraced by the barista's at one of my favorite coffee destinations, Mystic Mocha. I passed this spot many times before finally going inside when a co-worker of mine who lives on the same street suggested we meet there one day. I've been hooked ever since. Even though they close earlier than most coffee shops, (which is disappointing when you want a late afternoon pick me up), I like this spot because everyone there always seems like they're having fun at work, even when the line is out the door which it often is. The owner here made room for it right away and asked about what I do. When I mentioned the population I work with he said "we all have a little bit of that, don't we?" which I thought was true. Again I explained it's an idea for fun, since it was already called a school project. They generously offered me to pick it up in a month, and I laughed, knowing I will see that thing at least twice in the next week.
In the future I would like to craft several more boxes. I'd like to put one in my office, at Black Cat Bar, Kensington Video and some other preferred destinations. But I'd also like to offer one to places I've never been to before. Perhaps my own feelings of isolation in my community would mirror those in another? Or better yet, encourage me to seek a new network.
If you are interested in hosting a box, or have decorative tissue box holders that you would like to donate to help me create more, then I'd love to hear from you! Leave me a message. I promise your opinion does matter.
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
This week in Feminist WTF's
Don't let my delayed reaction dilute the importance of what I can promise is one of few, if not the only political post I will share here. I missed the RNC showcase deliberately and only recently chose to watch (tolerable parts of it) after hearing the Obama's inspiring words. Now, I'm not even going to be catty and dissect the entire ramble, I did that in the privacy of my own home thankyouverymuch, but I will say this about Ann's, since I got that far.First off, if you have been in a marriage for forty-something years, you should probably be referring to your mate as a Man, not a boy. I couldn't help but cringe in acknowledgement that indeed, The Rommitator is definitely in no way.shape.form a Man, but even my boyfriend noticed how often she encouraged us all to see him as little beyond a bratty rich kid.
Her attempt at humanizing their history by mentioning the decor of their first apartment and eating tuna and pasta, which in a strange moment of synchronicity I was eating while watching it (swear to god) only felt like I was being publicly patronized along with the majority of us listeners who didn't marry into a multi-million dollar deal.
Besides her gross justification of sexism, this mention of "poverty" was especially unnerving for me and ended my attempt at being a fair voter by listening to her speech in its entirely.
I can't respect someone who has top notch medical care and access to unlimited everything, someone who actually sends horses to the Olympics for fun (?!) Someone who wears a thousand dollar tee shirt to an interview; I can't trust that this kind of person knows anything about the soul of our nation, in the midst of a deep financial deficit and impending oil crisis (which has already peaked, by the way.)
What I can respect is calling it for what it is: a Class election where the boy with the biggest bribes (in my elementary experience, lollipops) gets the most votes. So, pick a side Romney's. Poor isn't something you chose to be when it convenient, any working class middle of the road citizen knows its no privilege. But for many of us, it's a starting point that is filled with our unique stories of failure and triumph. You may be able to buy what you want, but that shit, our shit, is not for sale.
Monday, August 20, 2012
Earth Intruders
I'm happiest in layers of clothing, outside, when there is a cool breeze and lots of trees. San Diego has been especially hot this year, so I thought I'd share some of my summer essentials for the fellow woodsy-type's, to get you through to autumn.
1. They eat. They speak. They move...
Bury yourself in some of my favorite classic summer reading selections.
2. Lightweight scarves are a summer staple. Besides obvious reasons they're great for using as hair ties and impromptu picnic blankets. I like to keep a wide variety handy, and most of my favorites are thrift store scores.
3. Bjork's Earth Intruder (Lexx Remix). Ecoute et répète.
4. The new Glade Rosemary & Sage collection... the room spray smells amazing when it's just too hot for candles!
5. My new favorite table decoration, Pistia, also known as Water Lettuce. Sweet little succulent-looking rosettes that float. Their roots look like feathers, making for a lovely display in a glass vase. You can get them locally at Pigment.
6. Microcosmos! (Now on Netflix instant streaming) French magic & whimsy.
7. All terrain Herbal armor for when the bugs are buggin'. Doesn't leave you smelling like Citronella either, a major plus.
8. I have an unhealthy fascination with carnivorous plants. This summer I supplemented my Venus fly trap with a Pitcher plant, which is supposed to help keep the flies away, but also looks pretty neat.
9. Spiked sweet tea drinks (with Lipton's blackberry pomegranate tea brewed in the sun) and/or the ever favored Whisky sours.
Just mix together and pour over ice, garnish. - 4 cups orange juice (from 8 oranges)
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from 8 lemons)
- 1 cup triple sec
- 2 1/2 cups whiskey
- Ice (for serving)
- Orange slices (for serving)
- Maraschino cherry (for serving)
10. If I had a million dollars, this very well be my first purchase.
"One of the strange things about living in the world is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live forever and ever and ever. One knows it sometimes when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time and goes out and stands out and throws one's head far back and looks up and up and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing and marvelous unknown things happening until the East almost makes one cry out and one's heart stands still at the strange unchanging majesty of the rising of the sun--which has been happening every morning for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. One knows it then for a moment or so. And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear, however much one tries. Then sometimes the immense quiet of the dark blue at night with the millions of stars waiting and watching makes one sure; and sometimes a sound of far-off music makes it true; and sometimes a look in someone's eyes.”
Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
feral life
Photographs from my recent trip to Toronto, inspired by James D. Griffioen's feral houses and my very favorite book The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton.
Saturday, June 9, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
North Park Thrift Store Bike Tour
Please join me in a leisurely community bike ride as part of the 2nd annual There Goes the Neighborhood event in North Park, Saturday June 2nd from 2-4pm.
Set as a pub crawl type/ open participation invitation, the ride will take place over a couple hours and span roughly 3 miles within a few blocks of University ave, stopping at a variety of local thrift stores where we can scrounge for some used goods!
Meet at Stuff N Thangs Thrift store (3771 30th street, next to Saguaros) at 2pm with your
bike/ scooter/ moped/ unicycle or wheeled object of your choice. The tour will end at Art Produce on University between 4 and 4:30p.
If you would like to participate in a shared collaboration of documentation for the weekend, including a zine making workshop on Sunday, bring along a camera.
This event is open to people of all ages, and is free. The more the merrier so bring a buddy.
For more information visit:
www.There Goes.org
San Diego Union Tribune Article (with full schedule of events)
Also, if you don't have a bike and would still like to participate, here is the route of stores we will visit. Just meet and walk along! The last 3 stops are literally just across the street from each other.
Hope to see you there!
*Thanks to all who came out and joined in the event. Here is a great spread of photos and a recap from the day from my talented friend Chris.
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Terrarium Tutorial
April is the month we celebrate the Earth and this year I decided to host a small gathering at my place to bring together my crafty ladies and do something green at the same time.The casual D.I.Y. tutorial on how to make your own terrarium only cost $20 (a special "friend rate"), which included the glass bowl, 3 succulents with fixings and the lesson, plus they got to take home the result!
Terrariums are great for those born without a green thumb, for a easy decor addition to any home or as a gift that everyone loves (especially if it is handmade).
Here are some images from the day !
The set up
A wide variety of Bowls to chose from allows everyone to create something unique
Decisions, decisions...
Materials
Arranging can be tricky, but once you get the hang of it, it's fun
A few near completed
And the final results!
And, everyone get's a spray bottle to take home to ensure the succulents stay alive! (Over watering is just as disastrous as under-watering plants)
Thank you to everyone who participated! If you or anyone you know would like to attend the next tutorial, please email me at: joyboe@hotmail.com. I can do special events for bridesmaids, birthdays, or co-ed housewarming parties.
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