Child's Own Studio

Imagine being a kid and having one of your drawings turned into a stuffed animal. Wouldn't that have been amazing? I just found Child's Own Studio, a place that does just that, unfortunately for me about 25 years too late.

I like this one in particular. 

Before:

After:

That's a pretty solid interpretation!

Best news correction ever

The sads

Allie over at Hyperbole and a Half is funny. Really funny. She draws pictures like this:

And tells stories that include lines like this:

The fisherman set his bucket on the dock and let me pick out my fish.  I chose the cutest fish I could find and lovingly transferred it to my own bucket.   "Hi," I whispered; "My name is Allie.  I'm your new best friend."

After being AWOL for a bit she came back to her blog with a new post about depression. I think we've all felt sad like this from time to time, maybe not for months at a time, but every once in a while. I feel like a total fangirl writing this, but her post made me feel sad and thoughtful, and made me laugh out loud. Worth the read for sure.

Halloween

I don't like Halloween. Never have. I think it may have something to do with the fact that I don't like dressing up, chocolate or being scared. I don't know. That being said, I had a pretty nice Halloween. I was able to recycle an old costume, go to some fun house parties and drink some interesting punch. My only regret is that my apathy stopped me from discovering this costume earlier:

SRIRACHA! Brilliant! And I totally could have worn my new red fanny pack with it too! Damn it. 


Oh, also, I saw like 13 Waldos from Where's Waldo. Is he making a comeback?
 

Muttville: Molly

Molly is so cute! Something that always tugs at my heart is when the dog's tongue hangs out of their mouth. And with Molly it's always there.

Happy Molly:

Look-at-my-accessories Molly:

Please-stop-taking-my-picture Molly:

Lorax trailer

Aww, this looks kind of cute. I so want to hate it though.

Wall art

I moved into a new room in my apartment and there's this perfect little cubby that's screaming for a poster. I just can't choose:

1. Reading glasses...get it?!  SQUEE!

2. Flamingo watercolor. I think this is so pretty, but no matter how many times people tell me I'm a Charlotte I just don't think pink is me.

3. Since I get up at 6:00 everyday, it'd be nice to have something smiling at me that early.

4. I live in both awe and terror of whales. I can't even explain it. Wait, yes I can: I love them from AFAR.

5. My absolute favorite Beatles song and a message that I need to keep telling myself when I get the grumps.

6. This one's not really a contender, but it does express a really specific human experience that I identify with. Speaking of, I really would love to punch someone in the face someday.

A view for fish

This man in Germany built his fish a tower that they can swim up. At first, I thought maybe they were getting stuck up there, but I give the fish too little credit. Other videos show them swimming up and down as they want. It's not important how many of his other videos I watched or how much time I spent pondering this. I think they just stay up there because they like the view.

Public nudity in restaurants is legal

Did you know this? In SF, you can be nude in a restaurant as long as you're not in a state of arousal. But hurry - because some prude in city hall is trying to make it illegal.

Korean food in the city

When people ask me where I can find great Korean food in the city, I'm always stumped. I know of Korean restaurants but nothing that I'd strongly recommend. For the legit stuff, you'd need to go to Oakland or South Bay. Apparently, the Korean Consul General agrees:

Are there any good Korean restaurants in San Francisco?
Not really. Seoul Garden [in Japantown] is not so bad, but it's too expensive.

And no, I have no idea what a Consul General is or does. But if he lives in Sea Cliff, he must be doing something pretty rockstar. Also, this is such a Korean thing to say:

Do you think this is reflected in Korean food?
Korean food has such strong flavors unlike Japanese food. Also, we love drinking—to the point of the extreme. Koreans love what we call poktan ju, or bombs, which are a beer and a shot of soju dropped into it. Actually, that's always not such a good thing. Also, Koreans are the only ones who use steel chopsticks. Only clever, smart people can handle that!

Affirming the Korean love of drinking and congratulating themselves for being smart; wait, did they interview my dad?

Penguin sweaters

There is an awful oil spill happening right now off the coast of New Zealand. As you would suspect, local wildlife is effed again. I was there a couple years ago and it's so sad to imagine the long term repercussions. NZ is GORGEOUS and really has some of the most unique wilderness and wildlife in the world like my spirit animal, penguins:

OK, but before I spiral, the point of this post is this: penguin sweaters.

A local yarn store asked for penguin jumpers (ha, jumpers) to help protect the penguins from being cold while their feathers are covered in oil. It also stops them from preening and ingesting the oil. How can something so adorable come from something so sad? 

I love cheese, apparently you do too

Did you know cheese is the most highly stolen food in the world? Yeah, it is. I mean, it's amazing so I guess that makes sense. Still it's surprising.

This is a short post.

Muttville: Snickers

Snickers reminds me of a mellow sidekick, like Watson from Sherlock Holmes. Kind of stands back and watches the world. Like in this picture, he's watching another dog try to eat a fly. Also, it took like 2 seconds to get him into a poncho because he lets you do whatever you want - even when that includes picking up both his feet and velcro-ing a cape around his neck.

The final countdown

I unexpectedly worked 70 hours last week and a night shift over the weekend...crazy times should be over now. So I'm back!

Tired, but back. Btw, I really want a pug. In case you couldn't tell.

Night shift

Without giving you the details (because legally I can't), let me just tell you I'm doing a night shift Sunday and Monday. But wait! After that, I'm getting gum surgery - again. So I'll be MIA for a bit. 

Happy thoughts appreciated. But if you find yourself up between 10 pm and 6 am those nights, holla!

Adorable

When was the last time I was this happy? Love when she says: It's a monster! I mean, minnie mouse.

Arrested. Effing. Development.

If you haven't heard the best news in the last 5 years, Arrested Development is coming back - tv series revival AND movie! Taste the happy!

They announced it last week at the New Yorker Festival, but my friend Mike was the one who actually gave me the good news. It's good to have people keyed into news like this. Jezebel put together a collection of short clips from the panel. Fun to hear some insider stories :)

Tangent: Have you heard my story of an old job where I was asked not to use so many happy faces in my emails? It's been 5 years, but even now I feel uncomfortable with happy faces.

Signing off

Whenever I email someone new or not a friend, I always get stuck on how to sign off. Cheers isn't really me. And best regards seems so cold. But now I can use this handy chart:

More closing lines are suggested at Bobulate.

It's FALL

In case you didn't know, fall is my absolute favorite season. The weather is perfect, I get to wear sweaters all the time and my favorite holiday is just around the corner.

Muttville: Apple

Apple is kinda funny looking - in a good way! She has big, brown eyes and a sort of "ohai" expression on her face all the time. The ears though remind me of Sally Field's hat from the Flying Nun.

No-hands bike moves

I only ever got as far as 'the beginner.'

Muttville: Butters

Butters! Her name is Butters. You're already on board, aren't you? Well, she does not disappoint. A lot of times, when you walk in as a volunteer you're meeting new dogs. Sometimes, they don't have a nametag and that makes it a little harder to match up the dog to the description on the big whiteboard. But when I saw this dog, I thought: IT MUST BE BUTTERS. Soft, fluffy and the cutest shade of white/yellow.

She's super duper sweet. She came up to me on the couch and soft of nudged into me until I rubbed her belly. She was on her way to an adoption event on a rainy day, so we put her in a vest:

SQUEE!

Leadership lessons from dancing guy

A little food for thought:

Obama emails

I stopped receiving emails from President Obama because 1) they were non-stop and 2) they gave me a heart attack every time. I hated getting emails with subject lines like 'I thought you should know' or 'This is worth reading.' Who are you?

I guess I'm not the only person who feels that way, as evident by this fun quiz: Obama Campaign Email Subject or Message from my Aunt? I got 74% correct :)

New room

I moved rooms in my apartment and it's changed my life. I had a whole plan to take pictures and compare/contrast, but all you really need to know is that the room is bigger, has direct sunlight and a killer street view. I sort of feel like Carrie Bradshaw writing at her desk and people watching. So much better than the air shaft.

In the last five minutes, I've seen an adorable gay couple (seriously, I wanted to call after them to take me shopping), a man tourist running away from a woman tourist (hmm) and a guy drop a surfboard on his foot. A new room with entertainment!

The only downside was the day I left my plant Oprah (that's right) in the window and half her leaves got burned. My housemates wondered about the noise level - the street's definitely loud, but it's sort of a white noise. Plus, I actually love hearing the cable car roll by.

The F word poster

I found this at goodfuckingdesignadvice.com, which is a great site for designers, but it's really good life advice as well. If this poster didn't say fuck every other word I'd buy it:

A Bluth Family Reunion

Oct. 2 in New York!  Ooh, wonder what they'll say about a movie.

POP UP VIDEO

Do you remember that show Pop up video from VH1?! Holy moly, they're bringing it back! I had no idea, but this just made my week. I spent hours watching this show (don't judge) and learning random facts. Even when MTV had Making the Video, I always preferred the randomness of Pop up video.

I couldn't find any good examples on youtube, but here's a link to a classic. Never let an opportunity to mention Mariah Carey pass you by, I always say.

Bonkers

fourfour.typepad.com

And cows like brass

I just want you to know, I don't go out of my way to find these music for animals videos. I really don't.

The world is where we live

Beautiful video by the WWF:

Had to watch a couple times to catch all the action on the left and right.

Fridgeezoos remind you: close the friggin door!

Want:

Speaking of whales

http://i.imgur.com/Y0pTu.png

Sad Etsy Dogs

I love etsy. And I love dogs. Sadetsydogs really taps into a part of that venn diagram.

Target: A Bullseye View

YES! Target (mecca, heaven, paradise) has launched a website "Meant to give Target loyalists a behind-the-scenes look at the company’s partnerships and events." How did they know I was yearning for such a thing? The site just launched, so it's a little light on content at the moment. I did get to learn a little more about Bullseye though:

His fourth favorite thing is to work.

In other news, only 12 months until Target comes to SF!

Mariachi

True story, once in grad school I had to call the cops on my neighbors. Keep in mind this is Davis at 3:00 in the morning:

Me: Hi, I'd like to make a noise complaint. I live at...etc, etc.

Davis Police: OK, what does the noise sound like?

Me: Mariachi music.

DP: ... excuse me?

Me: Mariachi music. They're playing the happy birthday song right now.

DP: Mariachi?

Me: Mariachi.

My neighbors had invited the local mariachi band to play in their apartment after the bar closed. Crazy. Mariachi doesn't do it for me. But you know who likes mariachi? Belugas:

So that's good. Remind me to tell you about my whale phobia someday.

Queen

The other day, Google celebrated Freddie Mercury's birthday with a google doodle. It was SO GREAT. Little known Christine fact: I love Queen. And here's my favorite:

The color of...

Pretty cool! This website aggregates photos that match your search to show you a composite, color identity of that search. Here are a few I did:

MOVE

This makes me want to take another trip, and soon!

"3 guys, 44 days, 11 countries, 18 flights, 38 thousand miles, an exploding volcano, 2 cameras and almost a terabyte of footage..."

Muttville: Quincy

New month, new attitude. That's all I'm going to say about that.

Some of you have been wondering whether I still go to Muttville, and I'm happy to say yes! Kelly and Al are still around, but with summer haircuts. This is Quincy:

Quincy reminds me of Peg from Lady and the Tramp. He's sort of frowny here, but super sweet and a great walker. After I took this picture, I brushed him and he looked like a blond afro wig.

More Muttville pics to come, I promise.

Oh dear

I have been incredibly remiss in updating this. But you see, I'm in a dark place now. So it's hard to look up and out of my hole, although hipsterpuppies help.

Here's mini update. One that, I believe, serves both a real life example and metaphor for my life. See this train?




That's the train that was going to take me home for a dinner date with an old friend. It died. It. Died. While I was inside it no less! So instead, I am waiting on the opposite track with these other commuters for rescue. No more dinner date for me.

And here's a kiwi that was dropped in front of me.



Poor kiwi. Anyways, I'll be back when I'm a little more bouncy and shiny. Right now I'm...well, I'm empathizing with a kiwi. Eff.

Should evolution be taught in schools?

The contestants from the Miss USA competition were asked: should evolution be taught in schools? Too good not to share:

I didn't know evolution was considered an option...so, ok. Interesting. I feel like Ross in that one Friends episode.

I would present awards as follows, though really, all answers were special in their own way:

Best hand talker: Indiana/Illinois

Most succinct answer: Rhode Island

Best accessories: Hawaii

Most contradictory answer: Kentucky/Washington

For seeming to actually know what she's talking about and have an opinion about it: Minnesota

Most Diplomatic: West Virginia

Biggest evolution hater: Wisconsin

eHarmony ad

Yes, it's probably fake. Doesn't make it any less special.

Did I mention I like to dance?

I didn't mean to have this longish streak of videos, but this is too good not to share:

Clap Clap Clap!

First fish!

omg...too, too cute.

I love when he asks if the fish likes him.

My eyeball ghost

Two weeks ago, I was in the office from 8:30 am - 11:30 pm+. I wasn't expecting to work that much, so I ended up staying at my mom's house for a few nights. I stored my contacts in water.

About a week ago, my co-worker asked if I had pink eye. Long story short, no, but it did look funky so I started to wear my glasses. When I finally got up the nerve to google my eye condition, it freaked me out so badly that I went to the eye doctor who told me I have a tiny hole/divet in my eyeball.

I'm now on my last day of eyeball antiobiotics and hope to get clearance to wear contacts again on Monday. My eye will heal, but I'll always have a milky white scar to remind me of this time in my life. So that's what I've been up to.

pastriesandbacon.wordpress.com

How dare you sir.

"There is a soft bigotry of low expectations that's automatically associated with Sesame Street."

I was raised by Sesame Street and School House Rock...how dare you bring Elmo into this.

wtf?

Architectural and design firm kawamura-ganjavian realized something:

Working patterns are constantly evolving. We gradually spend more time in our working environments, and this in turn means that we often need to make work and rest fully compatible within the same space.

So they came up with this:

LOL!

Do you like photography and cats?

If you do, meet Cooper:

"My name is Cooper and my humans thought it would be fun to send me out once a week with a small digital camera on my collar to find out what I'm up to. So now I'm not only the neighborhood patrol, it seems I'm a documentary photographer, too."

I cannot WAIT for this movie!

Judgment Day

In case you hadn't heard, tomorrow is the end of the world. Yup. So, if you're reading this on Friday, enjoy these 32 pictures you need to see before the world ends. 

1990s children's tv

Wow. 



I never realized how much tv I was allowed to watch. ZOMG I watched too, too much tv. I even remembered almost all the commercials! But I also ate wheat bread so I guess it all evens out.

Lovely dress

I found this dress on a blog and thought it was just SO pretty! I didn't realize until I clicked on the link that it was for pregnant women.

 

So honestly. How crazy, from 1 - 10, would it be to buy this dress and have it altered for my non-pregnant body? An 11?

In-n-Out IS actually that good

The other day, In-n-Out opened in Dallas. It was a big deal...seriously, skip to the 0:57 mark:

Retro handheld games

Some lovely nerd somewhere has taken all these retro hand held electronic games and made them playable online - behold, Pica Pic:

I don't know why, but this one was the biggest time suck for me.

Slow-mo jello

Muttville Senior Rescue Day!

"In recognition of Muttville's dedication to saving senior dogs and in honor of Maxwell, our 1,000th rescue, San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee has proclaimed May 10, 2011 as "Muttville Senior Dog Rescue Day"!"

So lame, so MIA.

I know, I know! I don't have any excuses, really. I kept thinking nothing was good enough, but I think I set the bar too high out of laziness. However -

1. I'm recommitted to blog randomness!

2. I'm 27 now! You know who else was born on May 7? Eva Peron. Yeah, it's otherwise not a very notable date.

3. Work is good. Commute is good. I was going to write a blog post about things I learned on the train, but then I realized it was stuff I should have known already. You know? like...don't sit near the public toilet.

4. I only have one more season of Dexter before I'm all caught up - can't wait!

5. It's only May 9 and I've already been to 2 baseball games!

So that's me. I'll try to be better.

Sulf sufficient dog

omfg, gravity!

AwkwardStockPhotos.com

Best. Drunk. Dial. Ever.

Giants are home!

thirdandking.tumblr.com

Ooooh, I get it.

For inquiring minds everywhere, there is a great podcast called Stuff you should know. I like it, but it can be a little long. Today I discovered a site called I always wondered that offers similar fun facts in easier to digest pieces. The best part to me though are the illustrations that accompany the Q&As. 

What makes glass transparent?

 Why do goat eyes look so weird?

 Thanks Jarrett Green!

SF love advice

Someone (or many someones) have started a love advice column that you can follow via twitter. You can even write in with questions. Kind of funny!