The anniversary of Two(s)

We visit the SFMOMA. Amazing.
Originally uploaded by trippykel

We just got back from a week in San Francisco and area. It was a lovely get-away vacation, a great time to revert to 'dating us' instead of 'married with a kid us'. We really enjoyed spending the week together, checking out some of the sights of San Fran.

The trip started out with a visit to Maker Faire. We spent both days there, and J said it was even better than he thought it would be. He got to meet the makers with the online robotics equivalent to rockstar status, and felt encouraged to keep on truckin' with his making. There were some amazing exhibits, from steampunk (I loved it, Jer didn't at all) to a life-sized Mousetrap game, lots of electronics things, a few bands (we missed OK Go, who I would have liked to catch), some awesome cartoons, and a great local crafty-type market. I loved the market, and splurged on an original silkscreen print, a hat, a vintage-look feather headpiece, and some really well-designed cards that I'll keep in my trunk for inspring me on a gloomy day. I got to design and crafted a mini-treehouse, which reminded me strongly and pleasantly of making dioramas as a kid. I also sat out and learned how to knit (of all things) while Jer hit up an electronics session.

We checked out the SF MOMA. I was awed and dazzled and inspired by the architecture of that building. You can just feel the loving craftedness of the whole building, and everything feels like a seamless, planned whole from the benches and elevator buttons to the stairwells. It's an amazing building. That doesn't even get me started on the art, which I really enjoyed checking out & learning about. There were a lot of cool pieces, but my favorite was a photographic one of 101 photos, each of 101 gumboots in different locations, doing different things. It resonates with me because it felt like a grander-scale of the spoon photos I took one evening a few years back.

We checked out some of Golden Gate Park, and went into the Conservatory there. I must say that I think the Muttart had a better exhibition, but the SF building had a lot of lovely character. Plus, it's always fun to take pictures of pretty flowers. It rained while we were in the park, so we didn't check out any more of the exhibits there.

We caught two movies in theatres: How to Train your Dragon (which was really good, even for those not totally enthralled with animation, like me), and Date Night (really funny, and a bit inappropriate)

We went surfing twice. The first time Tommy was our instructor in a private lesson, and showed us the ropes. I found it really hard to do, and was exhausted after an hour of battling incessant waves. J caught on faster, like I thought he would. The next day we went out again for about 45 minutes or so, which I found a lot more fun. I had a general idea of what to do, and was rested enough to show that ocean who was boss. I'd definitely like to try surfing again if I get a chance.

We checked out the redwoods at Muir Woods. They were smaller than I thought, being the 'merely tall' type, rather than the 'drive your car through this' type. That being said, the trees were often too large for me to reach around (read: big compared to what I'm used to) and were quite lovely.

And with that abrupt end, I'll leave you to dream away about your perfect surfing trip, flowers, redwoods, and modern art.

Which reminds me. I had this dream last night where I could fly. It's the first time I've ever had a flying dream, and it was pretty cool. I had this rune of light etched into my hand one day, and I had to open my hand to lift off, or close it to go down. I turned my hand to steer. It's a crazy way to fly, but it worked for me!

My pears!

My pears!
Originally uploaded by trippykel

It's been a bit too long since my last post. A lot has happened! I've been wanting to creative it up the past while, and have done two paintings and sewn a new duvet cover for our bed which I'm absolutely in love with.

The painting shown here is the first one, of pears. It's the first painting from my Intermediate Oil Painting class. The next is a rooster, which is currently drying downstairs. I'll want to do a few touch-ups, and then can share it with you as well. I'm really happy with how my paintings have been turning out.

Yard Sale day was great, as expected. I didn't really buy that much - just several different toys for Cade, since he grew out of his old ones, and some face wash and such from a BeautiControl host who was selling out all her product for really cheap. I just love going around and looking at possibilities in everyone's stuff, regardless of how much or little you actually take home.

Jer went to the Western Canadian Robot Games last weekend, and won 1st in the innovation category for his metal-detecting robot, built out of an Xbox case. You can check out his youtube if you want to see more.

I got my hair cut recently, it's now short and platinum blonde, with bubblegum pink parts. It's cute and girly, and I'm really loving it.

Today is the 'get everything done before we leave' day. I'm doing laundry and dishes, vacuumed, am working on a 'baby manual' for Cade, who's staying here with Jer's mom while we take off for a week. It's fun to go on a trip, but sometimes it's a lot of work before and after to get ready!

We also went to check out Spring Lake the other day. It's pretty enough, but had some really bumpy gravel roads to get there and not too much in the way of amenities. I don't think we'll head back there, but it was still fun to go check out somewhere local that we hadn't been to before.

Anyway, I'm off to pack my suitcase and get ready to go!

Totally bummed.

I'm totally bummed. The hosting company I use had a big mail server blowup. And their backups were corrupted. Since I was using IMAP, I lost all of my stored emails. Most of them I don't mind SO so much, but I had saved all the emails Jer and I sent back and forth while we were dating. And those are no more. They were my favorites. :(