What I Did: My work commute
A brisk morning at the bart station watching the sunrise and seeing the sparkling lights of SF waking up.
Huggles,
Lauren
1 com
A brisk morning at the bart station watching the sunrise and seeing the sparkling lights of SF waking up.
Huggles,
Lauren
What I Did: Another Ocean Sunset.
Are you guys tired of beach sunsets yet? Cause I'm not! In the beginning of November when S and J were still visiting, I played tour guide and we all went to the beach for the sunset. This time it was frigid when we were there but still beautiful.
Afterwards we stopped for beers and indian food in the Mission. It was yummy. Oh and yeah I cut my bangs again, after a year of growing them out I gave in to my almost 10 year look of bangs.
Till next time I have a moment to blog.
Huggles,
Lauren
What I Did: Day of Birth and Thanksgiving
So I started a new job at the beginning of the month.... I LOVE it. But unfortunately it's a temp job and don't want to talk about it too much just cause I don't want to get my hopes up. I worked on my birthday (wearing a crown of corgis) but the Friday before me and a few friends got together and went to the bar for birthday drinks. Of course the party went back to my house and the guys got into a wrestling match... oh boys...
For thanksgiving I got to spend it with some wonderful friends and we each made food. The spread was incredible and we were left totally full and happy. It was one of my first Thanksgiving away from my family, but this thanksgiving I was surrounded by another family. And they're awesome.
The front door showing all the work and cooking going on in the kitchen
The last photo is brought to you by Zoe and my face, that face brings happiness to millions.... or fear, not sure.
Hope you all had a good turkey day
Huggles,
Lauren
Where I've Been: Point Reyes
Last week my buddy Mike's sister and friend were in town which gave me the opportunity to be annoying and beg to tag along on "touristy" travel. I haven't really gotten to be a tourist yet since I live with busy gals and I have not that much money. Of course it helped that I have a car and that allowed me to barter my way into their vacation... yep I'm that girl. So Tripp and I picked them up and headed towards Point Reyes National Seashore. The drive was a bit longer than we assumed and was filled with driving through small towns and winding around redwoods and cows. Finally we got to the shore and decided we had made it to Ireland. The hills were rolling and green, and the air was crisp and salty.
The weather wasn't the best but we got there before the rain. It was windy, but the light was diffused and everything looked so beautiful. You could even see the Farallon Islands. We stopped at the lighthouse, since Mike said it was the best view and looked over the edge at the waves crashing against the rocks. There was this weird gunky stuff in the water which I of course decided it was whale vomit. Of course, why would it be anything else? The light house was down on the point and has hundreds of stairs... the warning sign said it was the same amount of stairs as a 30 story building. Did that deter us? No! We are young, we can get back up in no time...
The lighthouse itself was so cute. And was loud. Well they had the fog horn going cause you know, fog. The Lighthouse was built in 1870 and it is the windiest place on the Pacific coast and the second foggiest in the North American continent. Which I guess we were really lucky since the fog wasn't around nor did we fly off the cliff... whew! The lighthouse mechanics, housing and glass prisms were built in France, and they were so beautiful. The lens in the lighthouse is a "first order" Fresnel lens, the largest size of Fresnel lens. Augustin Jean Fresnel of France revolutionized optics theories with his new lens design in 1823. I've never really seen a lighthouse like this, it was much different then the Great Lake lighthouses. Everything was cast iron, and I can't imagine how they built it... took a lot of ox I recon. It took years to complete but was situated at a great location on the California coast.
Reading on the NPS website the light in the 1906 earthquake the point actually moved 18ft north in less than a minute, yet there was little damage to the building... talk about well made. They don't make light houses like they used to!... well they just don't make lighthouses anymore. wah wah :(
Then we had to walk up that 30 story flight of stairs.... so much for being young and in shape. Luckily they have little walk outs with benches along the way. So we stopped with the little old ladies to catch our breath.
So that was the lighthouse. I think I need a sponsorship from the National Park Service... I sure visit them a lot. I've always wanted to be a Park Ranger.
Huggles,
Lauren
What I Wore: How to Dress
Of course living in a new place not knowing the weather patterns and people, or have a reason to dress or the fact I have a small wardrobe can make you feel like not dressing up. But this is how a dress on an average day and the steps I take to not wear my birthday suit and look at least presentable in case a charming fellow walks my way... me tripping in front of said man or having any conversation ruins it though.First start with a pattern and solid. Works everytime. Cover your nude body accordingly, today the weather was mild so I exposed my pastey legs, not everyone does.
Second, pick out how you will carry your necessities. Purses and bags work well for me, but we are all different. Shoes are good if you plan on walking anywhere other that your house, just in case there is any broken glass or bum pee lurking on the street. Then if you are feeling fancy you try out something called a necklace and bracelet. Can't really explain them but they should be in the dictionary... look them up.
If the day is warm you can carry you jacket in case the weather turns. That's was this looks like.
Then when it gets chilly you can put on that jacket mentioned previously and you'll feel toasty. Genius I know.
And that's how I determine what to wear daily. I know I know, you had to take notes it can be tough. Hope you enjoyed this lesson, a wall in my room, and my crookedly hung paintings.
Huggles,
Lauren
To Occupy Oakland
On November 2nd, Occupy Oakland held a general strike which shut down the Port of Oakland. The world was watching and I walked among the masses.Since I moved to Oakland there has been a lot of happenings with our Occupy movement. Already there was an intense relationship between the police here and the people of Oakland and rightfully so. But to watch the events unfold and the reaction of police to the protest is appalling. My roommates were there the night on october 25th when the police tear gassed Occupy Oakland. I watched from my window as the news helicopters were pushed from the sky before they unleashed on the crowd, so there was no news footage. I counted the cop cars rushing downtown and heard the city had the LRAD ready for use on the crowd. That night sent some to the hospital, including a vet, Scott Olsen, who suffered head trauma. Here I came from a city of no police, which needed help. Now I'm in a city were there are police and they don't care about their people.
On November 2nd in the evening I headed down to the port of Oakland to participate in the marches and show my support. I met so many amazing people and everyone was happy and wishful and downright nice. We marched from the plaza (where Occupy Oakland is located) and headed towards the port. On the way I passed police readying in riot gear with their trucks ready to arrest. At one point there was a crowd of people surrounding a car and parting the way for ambulances to come through and paramedics. A Mercedes had plowed into a group of people walking back from port, the driver had become agitated and pulled into the crowd hitting a man, and as it backed up hit a woman. But the part that made me proud to witness how the crowd surrounded the injured man, called for medics, and blocked the car and driver from getting away until police arrived. And they did not harm the car. So much worse could've happened but I stood there in the crowd and people were calm and they were not seeking revenge against the person who used their vehicle as a weapon.
At the port I met a barricade. I wasn't able to make it to the main port so with my new friends we headed back to the plaza. There was music, people were grilling hamburgers and veggie burgers and all sorts of stuff. There was a memorial with get well wishes to Scott Olsen, and all around pleasantries. And there was a ton of people, old, young, every type of man and woman stood around having a nice time. I hung around but knowing I had a walk home and had already walked for hours that night I left the plaza around 11pm walking past police gathering in riot gear down the street. Falling asleep at home I didn't have any idea what was happening. Later that evening it broke. Police and protesters clashed. The police filled their arrest quota and used more tear gas on the protesters then last time.
The next morning I was driving a friend downtown for an appointment and we saw the result of the last night in the light of the day. There was a window smashed and graffiti on some buildings. Although I don't agree with vandalism I don't think that those events should overshadow the point of Occupy. Yes shit happened and it got out of control, but not one side is to blame. And hell, it could've been worse. I remember worrying about my sister as Cincinnati rose up in riots, only to be controlled when the national government declared martial law. And I've lived seeing the results of the Detroit riots, which the city still hurts from it. This was not like those events, and I felt that the police presence was as though it was. They didn't allow or want it to be peaceful.
What is happening in our country now is the result of people being tired of over looked. My family and Dayton, OH has been greatly affected by the depression (that's right, I think it's worse than a recession although of course not as overwhelming as the Great Depression). And I witnessed the car industry falling in the motor city, Detroit. I've watch friends, and family members struggle to make ends meet, and throughout my last three years after graduation I have sent out over 1000 resumes/coverletters, and interviewed for jobs countless times, yet I have never had a full time job that offered any benefits or 401k and whatnot. I have been turned away from part time retail and fast food jobs. I have lived in the most economically depressed city in the country, watching the foreclosure signs go up daily and the street population rise.
There is something wrong. And something has to change. And I support Occupy.
You don't have to support it, I'm not asking for that. I just wanted to talk about a single day that I had participated in which was a positive great day/evening.
What I Wore: All that Jazz
I'm not a writer. I don't feel like my wit and goofiness comes through these like black and white squiggles that makes wurds. But I do love sharing the experiences that I have with people and also use them to remember the fun I had. Last weekend I helped my boss put on a private concert featuring her partner Audrey's crazy talent. The gift of song. Man I wish when I sang I sounded like a purdy bird but all that comes out are squawks. Too bad. But this gave me the opportunity to wear a fancy dress, hang out in a beautiful mansion, and sway to jazzy music. Score.
I recently let Victoria of Justice Pirate borrow a bunch of dresses and I got them back in the snail mail the day before, best thing was is this beer tire sitting around my waist squeezed back into these tight numbers. Hurrah! Honestly I need get my waist under control. I love this dress, I got it last year for christmas from Sally Jane Vintage's etsy shop and I love it! It's from the 80's but cut like a 40's dress... I wuv it... Yep I said it again. Anyway I was running late and tried something with my hair. It turned out decent I guess, Oh well, but I call this hair style Hot Cross Buns... Yeah! I've been having too much fun with hair spray.
So in the beginning of the night I was the great and almighty gate keeper. It was fun to say who wasn't allowed and who was. I got to bounce party crashers left and right. Well not really, everyone was welcome! The concert was to raise money so that Audrey can record a cd, and the turn out was great. It was wonderful seeing people supporting someone they care about and the crowd was so pleasant. The day before my boss and I set up the entire house for the concert, it was great to see the musicians come in and watching the guest fill this beautiful house.
The music was soothing and wonderful, I swayed and swished to the music behind the crowd, ate fancy cheese and crackers, and sneaked around taking pictures. Audrey has a wonderful voice and her presence was perfect. She hit all the notes, made us giggle with anecdotes, and bobbed our heads to the jams by her bands. It was a great was to spend a Saturday night.
After the concert a few of us sped around rearranging the house to it's normal state. By the end of the night the house was back to it's original state, all the wine was drunk and cheese eaten, feet were tired, and ears were pleased. All in all awesome night, and I was happy to help with it.
Huggles,
Lauren
{ dress - vintage, sally jane vintage }{ boots - urban outfitters }{ earrings - vintage }
Happy Halloweiner!
Well this halloween weekend was a lot of fun even though it wasn't filled with much ghoulish activities. Friday I went to a Halloween party but the night before had no clue what to wear. Luckily I with the help of a roommate I was able to throw this costume together, Alice in Wonderland!
concept art for Disney's Alice in Wonderland by Mary Blair
Of course being bored I decided to curl my hair, unfortunately the curls fell out after a couple hours, why do my hairs not like curling?! I hemmed this dress that I got before moving, I think the length is much better. And I also ended up looking 12. I'm such a baby.
The party was pretty fun, lot's of great costumes! There was sexy male Princess Leia who was very good at dancing, Weekend at Bernie's complete with dragging Bernie around and getting him to dance to the treasure, Scooby-Doo, sexy green eggs and ham, Enzo/Matrix from Reboot, and lots and lots of pirates!
The rest of the weekend was filled with puppy walking, private concert going, and playing Settlers of Catan with the boys... More on that later.
Huggles,
Lauren
{ dress - vintage }{ blouse - urban outfitters }{ apron - roommate's }{ necklace - target }{ flats - target }
What I Did: Sunset on a Beach
I've noticed it's a funny thing, the less I work the less I blog.It's been great living here in the east bay, but it has also been a bit depressing. I miss the ease that I had back home. I knew where to hang out, who with, and what to do. Here it's all so big here, I'm meeting people (like awesome Grace!!!), and yet am not confident in going out much alone. But I have moved and lived in new places before and this is much how my learning/comfort cycle is, the first few months I'm a bit of a hermit, and slowly I break out of my shell, turning from a turtle to a lizard... yeah that analogy doesn't work, but is funny to think about!.
I have met a ton of great people and many of my friends here and roomies think I'm doing great, I've met so many people! But that's who I am, I super social and love being involved, I mean I was hanging out with a former classmate and he was telling one of my new friends that I was "Captain Art School", I was involved with everything and knew everyone who went to our small art college. I miss that. So in my job hunting here I have really strived to look for a more community environment. But you can't always find it. I do though have a great job currently as the "Girl Friday" (personal assistant) to a holistic doctor here in town, and she is great to work with. I've learned so much and am busy doing everything from office management, to yard work, to event photography and booking. I like it, I've always been a jack of all trades and am proud of that. So yeah, I haven't blogged much (my dad misses my posts), and I miss a lot of things, and am quite mopey, but I've come so far this year. I do miss the comforts and excitement that I had last year at this time, but looking back my life was soooo different. I was settled, I was engaged, I was safe... Now I don't have anything holding me back which is really scary, but I'm excited to live a new life! Not many people can say they've lived multiple lives, but I have and I loved every one of them.
So onto sunset on the beach. Last week was pretty hectic, I had drawings to do, work, getting myself used to being on the go, and two earthquakes shook the bay area last thursday. Yup I'm a real Californian now, I got all shook up! So Friday night the boys and I went to The View lounge ontop of the Marriott in SF for Jim's bday. It was beautiful, but sadly no photos turned out. And after wine at Jim's place, me and the other boys went back to Oakland and ended the night with many specials (red stripe and a shot o' whiskey)... well let me be clear, they ended the night with specials, I just sat back, sipped some beer and watched them make fools of themselves while they got in a tickle/poke/beer/popcorn fight.... yeah.
So saturday came around and the weather was gorgeous so after nursing a hangover Mike and I drove to the city, got stuck on the bay bridge, bought some burritos, had Tripp crawl all over us, and headed towards Ocean Beach to watch the sunset and meetup with a former classmate of mine Ray (who is moving here too!). I have only watched the sunset on the ocean a couple times, last time was in Malibu last summer... but the vibe this time was so chill. Everyone just hanging out with campfires and doggies. It was so nice. and sandy.
Oh and another note, early this thursday morning I was woken up by another earthquake, but it was cool I yelled at it to stop cause I was sleeping, and I told that quake who's boss. Don't be shakin me while I sleep!
Huggles,
Lauren
What I Wore: Date Night
One main reason I moved out to Oakland was because of this girl... Miss Marlee. She's been my friend since 7th grade and is one of the purdiest, smartest girls I know. So smart she makes my brain melt. Anyway we went on a movie date night (a month ago, sorry I'm slow.) beginning with indian food and ending with the movie "My Idiot Brother". That movie was amazing.... It made me cringe and laugh because he is such an idiot. haha
Huggles,
Lauren
{ cardigan - Marlee's }{ shirt - thrifted }{ shorts - american apparel }{ tights - kohls I think }{ shoes - uo }
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