Another poignant chat

And here's one to close out the week.

Things to strive for in 2008

1. Learn to speak Spanish fluently
2. Work on creative projects outside of work
3. Explore my city
4. Learn new skills
5. Eat at new restaurants
6. Take more photos
7. Get cable (maybe)
8. Buy an iPhone
9. More time at the gym
10. Save money

Fist sandwiches

No babies were harmed.

Ceci n'est pas Michael Kors

There's something very conceptual and existential about this picture, like what Duchamp and Nietzsche would sell to Us Weekly if they were BFFs and became paparazzi, or like being stoned out of your mind. Or maybe it totally freaks me out that he's not as orange as he usually is on Project Runway.

Top 10 bands/artists to work out to

Ten of my favorites while on the treadmill, in no particular order:

1) Sally Shapiro
2) The Jesus and Mary Chain
3) Andrew W.K.
4) Sean Paul
5) The KLF
6) The Faint
7) Timbaland/Justin Timberlake/Nelly Furtado (let's count them as one)
8) VHS or Beta
9) Madonna (I had to include her)
10) Old School vs. New School hip hop remix album

Related: I bought an ab roller at the thrift store yesterday. I haven't really got it to work my abs yet, but my triceps seem to get pretty sore using it. I wouldn't mind firm, non-flabby triceps.

Today might be the end of the world

I woke up this morning to a strange, loud whistling noise. It wasn't unlike a kettle that's ready. Once I became oriented, I realized it was the wind. Outside, a huge pool of rainwater collected at the corner of my block, something that's never happened before. See, growing up in California, I've never really experienced weather. Fifty degrees is way too cold, 80 is too hot. A 15 mph gust is too strong for comfort.

In the two blocks it took me to get to BART this morning, I became completely soaked. My umbrella was useless in the 40-60 mph winds so I put it away and secured my faux fur-lined parka hood. By the time I got to work, I had raisin hands.

I pray the huge windows behind me don't implode and impale me with shards of glass.

Christmas time is here...

...and the best thing about it are the songs. Here's a video of Mariah doing possibly one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time. Be warned, the video is equal parts nauseating and cute. There are dancing gingerbread men at one point! Also, I think my neighbors have opened up a dance studio in their apartment. Why are my walls and ceiling rumbling??!

Old school Barcelona and fishes

More walking around and taking pictures today. I ate in the Barri Gotic quarter last night and thought it was worth coming back during the day for some pictures. Not only are the buildings unbelievably beautiful, the alleys are equally awesome. The only thing is that the alleys are hard as hell to navigate. I had to consult my guide book after every turn. I think I heard school children laughing at me (every school in Barcelona decided to take a field trip to the Barri Gotic today).





After a couple hours I got tired of getting lost and decided to head over to the aquarium. I love, love, love geeky science excursions, so it was kind of perfect. I met an octopus that kept staring at me and followed me back and forth. Creepy! I also picked up Raymundo, my only friend in Barcelona. Raymundo, I love you.







Finally, I took the metro to see Gaudí's unfinished La Sagrada Familia. Thought I had enough yesterday? Think again. It was monstrously huge. The outside looked it like was melting stone with blockhead statues attached. The statues all looked extrememly sad, which added creepiness and awe to the whole experience. I only stayed at ground level and went to the museum. The line for the elevator to go up to the upper level was way too long.

It's been a Gaudí kinda day

Today was my first full day in Barcelona and I did a lot of sightseeing. When you travel by yourself, you get things done pretty damned quickly. I ate breakfast, took the Metro to the end of La Rambla and visited the waterfront. I walked La Rambla up towards L'Exiample, where I did the recommended neighborhood walk. After that, I went to Parc Güell where Gaudí's old home is located.

After walking around for what seemed like forever (and taking pictures), I visited the museum, which also used to be Gaudí's home. I really could have done without it and saved myself four euros. I was pretty exhausted, but when I checked the time, it was barely 2:30. After much deliberation, I decided to suck it up and keep sightseeing. The only thing in my book that interested me enough to pull me out of my slump was Casa Batlló...designed by Gaudí. From the outside, the windows look like Tim Burtonesque skulls. It's pretty amazing to see it first hand. I had no intention of going inside, but it was still too early to quit. The hefty seventeen euro entry fee didn't help, but it was worth it. I think it's even more awesome inside than out. (Photos to come!) After that I started to walk around again, but my feet hurt and the Metro station beckoned.


Beautiful mosaics scattered throughout the overhang.


Balconies constructed from stones.


Gaudí home and museum.


The truly awesome Casa Batlló.


There were lots of arches inside the house.


Looks much more impressive in person.


Huge, low hanging chandelier in the drawing room.

Zach Braff rules my world

Using Zach Braff's image as leverage to annoy co-workers is my new favorite pasttime.

UPDATE: Jocelyn has written her own account of the day in The Braff Wars.


Me and Zach on the beach, courtesy of Jocelyn.


Zach on a print ad.


Analog Braff in a digital world.


Jocelyn's husband body snatched by Zach Braff.


Braff v. Braff