Little Man Syndrome

It's an epidemic, and one that I have little patience for.

I'm in the process of trying to sell my car, so I decided to give it an overdue wash. After a long day of work, I drive past my house and head up to 82nd, a little piece of hell in it's own right.

About a block before the car wash, a big Pontiac juts out right in front of me forcing me to slam on my breaks. Then, half way out in the road he just sits there as I try to move around him. I glare at him as I pass.

After following me to the exit, and through the carwash, the guy actually has the nerve to pull up next to me at the vacuuming station, get out of the car and confront me while I am minding my business, disposing of nasty melted lipgloss and other strange debris.

The man is a good 4 inches shorter than me, and for those who don't know it, I'm not exactly a tall girl.

littleman: I can't believe you, don't you accept it when people make a mistake?

He proceeds to yell at me for giving him a dirty look, and I begin to tease him for having that bother him so much that he had to follow me into the parking lot and talk to me about it.

I tell him he doesn't know me or what I'm about, or what kind of day I had. He’s lucky that a dirty look is such a great offense. He says he doesn't care what I’m going through, so I chide him about being such a big man, defending his pride at the carwash.

He walks away and I go about my work, but he comes back. He tells me to act my age (not sure what he thought that was) and I tell him, Fine. I'm sorry, so sorry. I apologize. Now walk away littleman, walk away.

My hands were shaking. If I was a guy, there would be no way in hell he would have had the balls to get out of his car. I was so upset once I got home. I just don't understand. And littlemen usually like me. Me and my perfectly placed RACK.

Monterey Bay

Last week Eric joined me on a business trip to Salinas. We stayed in Monterey and while I gave presentations about the future of inbound call strategy for HSBC North America, Eric explored beach culture. We stayed through Saturday and Eric and I visited the Monterey Bay aquarium, something I have been meaning to do for a while now.

This was probably my last trip to Salinas for a very long time. It was wonderful to spend it with the only person who could find it cute when I get weepy during the last few minutes of an episode of Ghost Whisperer, even though I didn't watch the whole episode and had absolutely no connection with the characters.

On our last day, we caught a hideously entertaining musical act. You can watch it here. Notice that I used the word "hideous."

Damn, these went fast.

I've had one of those days that makes you feel like you really need a nice pat on the back. My answer? Shameless self-promotion.

Scandinavian kitch, straight from the source.

I just bought this amazing recycled army bag from a lovely woman in Amsterdam. Her bags are wonderful.

Do yourself a favor and take a moment to pay a visit to Katrina Kaye's shop.

She just had a baby and should be listing new items very soon...

This is everything.

When the other shoe drops...

Is it because I am always quietly waiting for the other shoe to drop that it inevitably does? Am I being punished for being a pessimist in optimistic sheep's clothing? And why do these things always occur in threes? Can anybody answer these questions for me?

Things have been going great for me lately…amazing in fact. My jewelry business has been picking up steam, got a great promotion at work, and I have been really happy lately. Maybe I was getting cocky, a little to fancy for my britches, and so the universe decided to intervene...

This morning was exceptional. Woke up earlier than I have in months, made myself some coffee, and felt like I had a real handle on things. That’s when my iPod slips from the case and falls face flat on the kitchen floor. I picked it up and heard little ipod sprinkles bouncing around inside. I turned it on, it made a crunching noise, and gave me this look asking, “Why did you take me for granted. Why?”

Let's see. What else happened today. Oh ya, Found out my dad has melanoma and re-confirmed that my ex-sissy/boss is a moron.

That about covers it!

If I had more time on my hands...

I would make these little eggies. Bonnie-chan, project time!?

There is an adorable shop on Etsy where a woman creates crochet patterns for items that make my heart flutter, anapaulaoli - check it!

2007 off to a good start

Things are in full swing. In order to keep idle hands busy while I miss my good friends in faraway places, here's some of the pretties that have found good homes this week:

Merry Christmas

I got everything I wanted for Christmas - I made my first overseas sale!

I am shipping some pretty earrings off to a nice lady in Paris tomorrow. I love the idea of some elegant French woman walking delicately over cobblestone as these jewels swing in the sun.

New in the shop...

I am noticing a distinct thread in my work...Springtime-thirst. It seems far off now, but soon. Soon.

The last piece is my ode to winter, it does have it's pretty moments, despite the cold.

Etsy's Down

I have become so dependant on Etsy, it's frequent periods of downtime has really made me borderline. But on the bright side, I have been productive...

More, more, more!

Don't worry. I'll keep it clean.

Let's get down to business

I'm getting started...Now that I will not spend the better part of time in Salinas. Business travel is for the birds.

I have been hunched over wire cutters and chain links for my last few weekends at home, feeding the dormant OCD tendencies that I luckily suppressed in the 11th grade.

My goal is to make enough money to purchase the materials, letting my hobby pay for itself. I want to do something modern, simple, elegant, and most importantly, accessible.

My only marketplace is Etsy, and my work can be found at my online shop, listed under kspell - what else? I hope you like what I have done! I am still moving in, so more is to come, soon, very soon...

28 years, 4 days.

I'm not sure what it is about the particular month of September, but I always seem to find myself in a lot of stress. When I was growing up I switched homes and schools every few years, so September always signified a new beginning. I was born in September, got married in September. Everything significant always happens in this month.

The last few days of this new year are no exception. I have been under a lot of stress. I have a constant ache in my stomach. My professional and family life are uncertain. I missed dancepod.

If I seem out of sorts of late, it will pass. Eric and YOU friends are the most functioning, healthy part of my life. My new year resolution starts now. I am going to go to Loyly once a week and will never miss an event like dancepod again. I will take my vitamins and sleep at least 8 hours a night. I will have you over for dinner more often.

Damn. Kittie's got BLING.

Sunset Rubdown

If you looking for something new to listen to, check this band out. You can hear an amazingly long and blissful song simply by clicking your sweet little mousie right here.

If you already know this song because you love Wolf Parade too, then good for you. You and me are on the same page.

I promise you, this isn't a plug for myspace - that was so June 16th. I'm totally over it. Feel free to push that button, get out of your chair, lay on the floor, close your eyes, and listen.

私自身衣替

雨季（うき) / the rainy season
雨が降りそう（あめがふりそう/ It looks like rain
雨雲（あまぐも) / a rain cloud
衣類（いるい) / clothing, garments
衣替え（ころもがえ) / a seasonal change of clothing

A PLAN is in the works, but I can't tell you what it is. Not yet. Wish me luck.

I'll keep you posted.

fruit of my labor

Haircut

Growing up, I wasn't allowed to have short hair. I know it sounds like an odd thing to "control," but I suppose parents have forced stranger things on their children.

When I was 18, I chopped my hair off for the first time in my life. Ever since then I have gone back and forth, always wanting the opposite end of the spectrum. I cut my hair yesterday, and my family is coming to visit tonight. Coincidence?

Nope.

"I need to look punk. Quick, spit in my hair."

Last night, Eric and I went to meet David at a backyard bicycle-punk-rockabilly music show in North Portland. This is what I told Eric when I noticed my yellow leather sandals coordinated too well with my outfit as we walked towards the noise. He was willing to oblige, but I lost my nerve. Imagine that.