Mission Accomplished

This may be the last blog. 

I can't think of a better ending.

punched

i can't believe i'm still alive after visiting Hannah in Philly again. I'll probably move there if the economy takes my job.

wine, beer, rum, jägermeister, brandy. one punch to the face but I probably deserved it.

Photo: the morning after in Hannah's superman bed watching TV.

let's go

ready. set. yes.

Strange Magic

Kevin and Anna. Anna and Kevin. Kevin loves Anna loves Kevin!

We are trying to find a domain that we can buy to commemorate our friendship. This girl and I are meant to be together forever.

Anna and I met when I was a sophomore, she a freshmen, and we were models in a local fashion show because we were small enough to fit the clothes. a year later we were living together. We only lived together for a semester because I went to France, but it was the best time of my life. Everything was so good! We had biscuits and tea all the time. We always had good sessions in the kitchen and even had a couple of little dance parties. The apartment was amazing but not as amazing as our powers combined.

If she moves to Costa Rica to help underprivileged people, I'd go with her just to we could be coconut-hut-mates. 

*Photo is from September 2006. We've looked this cool since that long.

Something in the water

So, I made these paintings last night. I never really painted before but I have been trying to recently. I saw these spreads in HE magazine and kind of went from there but had to change some thing to make it easier for me.

Well, then today Tim was asked by WWD to submit sketches. So we did. The replied and said they need to be in color. Tim is going out of town and interns can't be trusted...

...so I am going to watercolor his sketches and cross my fingers that they get published. I don't know how this all happened, but things like this have been happening recently. It must be the daily chocolate I get from the advent calendar.

kites.

I knew living with Rizzo would be fun. Every night. 

Tickets, please.

Plane tickets to be precise. I really want to go somewhere!

So, with American Express I have $200 of any plane ticket I buy. At Northwest Airlines, I have almost 30,000 points. That's about $300. So, if I can get at least a discounted plane ticket from Northwest and use American Express to pay for part/all of the rest, where should I go?

Well, I'll tell you right now I really want to go to Aruba. I'm just waiting for a good travel buddy to come along...or to double my rewards points (spend a lot more money) so I can bring a friend.

"Kevin," I say to myself, "you're going to Paris in January and March. Just cool it." But then I tell that little voice to bite me because I want to go somewhere warm...

Loser

I wish keys were still this big because they would be a lot harder to lose.

Last night, I left work only to realize it was raining. So I went back to my office and used my key to get through the gate onto our floor. Then I got my umbrella and went home.

This morning, I can't find my keys. I look high, low, left and right without luck. "Maybe I left them on my desk and walked out." But I arrived at work and didn't see them.

What is really important are the details between coming home from work and then waking up this morning. I had friends over for chili dogs and we got stoned and had wine. I don't remember anything much except moving things around to make room.

So, here I am on a Friday night restless until I find those keys. I won't go out (tonight) until I find them. I will go out tomorrow if I can't, though, because at least I can say I tried. Also, how awful do I look in this picture! I look like I have a belly...(The picture is from Summer 2006 when i studied in London. We're in some medieval hospital that had a church. The lock went to the cloisters.) 

Project

When I was last home, my mother and I found tons of old pictures from my childhood. I can wait to scan them in, probably this weekend if I have a chunk of time to use the scanner at work.

There will be horses, school functions, indiana amazingness, apple orchards and a general smattering of the 1990s.

We all have something to look forward to, now. x 

Ask me anything...

About this painting, and I can tell you anything. This is Jean Fautrier's "Tête d'otage" or head of Hostage no. 21 from 1944 or 1945...the date has been changed a few times. This was my big project for Modern Art History in France. My partner and I studied everything. I even went to the Pompidou in Paris to look at the dossier and files of it. Hey, how do you do that thing in a post where you say "click here for more pictures"? I wish I could do that. I'll look into it...

Anyway, I was just thinking about this because I really want to do a group exhibition, but I know so few artists and many of them are outside of New York. Plus I want it to be a group show by non-artists who just do what they think. I have mine all thought out, but I can't put it here, legal reasons. Theft, you understand. But where to show? The other down side is that I only know 11 people, so I need to know people who know people...

If I sold paintings, too, I don't think I would charge that much. I would add up the cost of everything and divide so that I don't lose money and would only make a little bit. I think I am going to start making a mood-board about my collection...

High Roller

Karen's grandpa sent her lottery tickets last year (for some reason...) and we (well, "she" technically) won $3. I suggested we trade them towards more lottery tickets. Then, we won $10! We took half our winnings to a sub shop next to the gas station in this picture and split a delicious footlong submarine (thank god she was no longer a vegetarian). With the remaining $5, I pressured Karen to keep going, keep getting tickets. So we got $5 in tickets and that only turned up a $1. So we got one more $1 ticket and it was a dud. Within 3 weeks I was living on the streets and attending meetings for gambling and sex addictions. 

I like to take little risks: crossing the road when there's oncoming traffic, going on dates with people I meet on the street or getting high in Egypt (you can get hanged for that, you know...) but I think I'm ready for something big: skydiving. In Aruba.

Goofy

I miss hanging out with these two ladies...well, one is a lady and one is just kind of a being who takes up space. (I'll let you decide which is which.) Almost every time we would hang out we'd cry because we'd laugh so hard. Audrey, the bottom-most of us, would slap the wall and yell when she'd laugh. And Ashleigh would laugh all the time a little "hehehe" but you'd know something was really funny when she slapped her knee, and that just made her laugh harder.

And when I would laugh I would just drool. 

They are both "sorority girls" at the University of Michigan. Out of all the people who studied abroad these people were my best friends, and everyone would agree that it seems like an unlikely pairing, obviously, because I am a racist who hates blondes. They were great dance partners and good card-playing buddies, too. I wonder where we will meet up next...

Just like a jellyfish

That stings. I had a really awful day. I am exhausted from hosting a sample sale, and now I am just all over the board with emotions. It wasn't all bad, but parts of it were. 

Bad:

people threw tons of shit on my desk over the weekend

had to train a new intern and she took my blackberry on errands (?)

tried a really bad appetizer at lunch

snapped at/with/by my boss's sister

not thrilled with my outfit or general style (today and recently)

onions.

Good:

My Mom told me, over the phone, our family's carrot recipe

Tim and I did get some work done from 5-6.

So, the scale was definitely tipped to bad today. I want a do-over. A make-over, too.

xx

Photo: I got stung by a jelly fish this past summer whilst on Frioul Island off the coast of France. This one was already dead, but it's cousin stung me...and then I killed it. Survival of the fittest, bitch.

Sweet Potato

Amanda, my roommate, and I video-conferenced our Bloomington Friends last night. It was 45 minutes of the above picture. 

I signed this lease, and I feel trapped. Luckily I am trapped in a great apartment in a great city. But I miss the ability to just get up and go. I want the ability to just get up and go. 

But I'm too vested in mes affaires to do anything about it. Damn it.

That picture is of Karen's new pet: a sweet potato whale. Yes!

Park. Reverse. Neutral. Drive.

I haven't had a car for over a year. That's really odd to me because I used to be obsessed with cars. And I loved driving by myself and would make mixed CDs all the time with the intention of driving by myself and listening to them. 

But I don't know why I like driving so much. Gas and insurance cost money. They're pretty bad for the environment. I've gotten two huge speeding tickets. I hit a car, paid to get it fixed, then someone totaled that car a few weeks later. It's kind of a hassle.

Still, I hope to one day have an old convertible and a house where it's always summer.

Dreamers

I will be flying in the clouds again, soon. We have to go to Paris for work in January! Hooray! My flight and hotel will be paid by Tim, so I am very excited about that. I am saving my pennies now so I can buy buckets of macarons and eat Ladurée club sandwiches every day. Since I work where I do, i won't need to go shopping. I will visit the few friends that I have there and fall in love and never come back. All in less than a week.

And the cool thing about this picture is the sneaky camera in the reflection of the plane's window.

'Sup?

Hannah, left, came to town this weekend. I just love when something is so good nothing can make it change. We became friends back when I was a little freshman (she a sophomore) working at Urban Outfitters. Now she works at Urban Corporate and I have my gig in New York. This picture was taken when I was probably 19. Now, at 22,  I feel very little has changed between us. We have a hell of a time whenever, wherever we are together. We always make the other laugh, always have the best adventures and are 100% made to be the others' friends. 

It's one of those situations where if I were to lose everything I owned, fall completely apart and want to start over, she would just say, "you want to stay here?"

And then I would move to Philadelphia and we'd ring the Liberty Bell.

What's cool, and I just noticed this, is that she took the scarf I'm wearing in that picture back to Philly with her yesterday (I wore it while we were out) ; it's a long-term loan and I will get it back one day. She also has my innocence and some of my dignity.

Pray Tell...

t.g.i.f.

I thought I was going to come home and crash, but I am reenergized sheerly by the thought of a new weekend.

Tonight: Magazine Party

Tomorrow: Hannah Myers--get excited.

When Hannie and I go out, we "rage." She just texted me "R.A.G.E. - Reunited Again, Get Excited.

Shit that girl is awesome.

Picture: me at a polo lesson in London, Summer 2006. I miss horses and polo!

Best Corner. Ever.

This is literally my corner of the world. This may be one of the smallest rooms I will ever have, but damn it I am rocking it. I hung up all my paintings the other day and put on my new sheets. I am sleeping so well because I finally feel at home in my. . . home.  I also think it's pretty clever to make my bed all corner-y like that. 

You should come see it. 

Typical

Despite being so busy with work and apartment stuff (have to buy a few more screws, paint to cover the damage I've already done, etc...) I am really happy. What a difference bringing all of my stuff out here made!

Today, I worked just over 11 hours. Yikes! However, it was all progressive, fun work. I did some photoshop, got some things coordinated and met some of our "business associates." When will the "newness" of everything wear off? Do I want it to?

This picture is from when I went to Germany for Spring Break 08 (Paris, Cologne, Cairo). I noticed this contraption from walking around. Turns out it's part of an outdoor activity store. So I went in and climbed around. It was really hard. I think it's somewhat representative or symbolic of what I do at my job.  

I wish...

November 11 is one of my favorite days of the year, save, of course, my birthday. It turns out I am kind of number crazy and "eleven" just gets to me. So does "seven" and I imagine it's because they rhyme with my name. I made tiny wishes throughout the day and made a significant one at 11:11 pm  ( because at 11:11 am I was at work and just wishing for a chocolate break).

Right now, I will tell you that I wish I could be on Frioul Island off the coast of Marseille in the middle of summer just soaking it in. Lying on the ground. Thinking about things. Eating an orange. Reading a book. And that's just the beginning...

x 

The downgrade

I flew home this weekend to Indiana. What an adventure. I was supposed to leave NY at 6am, change in Detroit and arrive in South Bend at 10am. All was going well and I was on the tiny plane to SB when the captain came on and said we had to turn around because the propellor was funked (but we were more than half way there!) 

But I did arrive South Bend at 1pm. Mom and I ran errands for my new apartment then packed everything into my Dad's trailer. Then on Sunday, Dad and I drove over 13 hours to New York and brought my stuff here. Turns out I packed way too much and will have to be getting rid of clothes and such soon. My room is stuffed to the max and it got me thinking to one thing...

...my bedroom in France was huge. Just look at that picture. I could have had a piano, dining table and a swing set. France has spoiled me.

A happy little place on Earth

So some friends and I decided to have a long weekend and go to Scotland and Ireland in May 2008. In each place, one day was spent in the city and the other in the country. On the Ireland leg of our trip, we had no idea where to go. Tours were outrageously expensive because of the £, so we said, "we'll do it ourselves." So we spent like £6 and got a round trip bus ticket to a place called Wicklow--it had the best pictures in all of the tourism fliers. 

When we get off the bus, we see water in the distance and start walking towards it. We made it to the grass--thick and soft like a grass blanket. And I found this little patch of amazing and decided to spend most of the day there. We had a little picnic, had a little nap and eventually had to go back to Dublin. If I go back to Ireland, it will be my goal to find this place again. Are you coming?

Remember that time...

...when I wanted to see you all and row a boat? It just kind of happened. We had a broken paddle or were just plain weak. But we made it out to sea and met some friends on a real boat. A pontoon. We hooked our boats together and joined theirs. I was tan, unemployed and more relaxed. I was happy all around.

And now it's getting colder. It rained today and I had lots of stressful moments. But I'll keep doing it if someone will just promise me I can have more pictures like these. Someone just tell me it's going to calm down. Soon.

Just Listen...

I could really use my piano right now. Work has been so hectic! I realized today that it would be hard for me to always live in the city. I love horses and my piano. I need space for both. 

I fly home to Indiana this weekend, so I will play my piano for a bit. Then I have to drive everything out here with my father. Very busy weekend!

When you're weary...

If all else fails, I can always go back to Egypt. 

Pas de One

I went on a vacation by myself in May 2008. I was studying in Aix and found a free airline ticket from London back to Marseille. All I had to buy was the ticket there! (With taxes, though, it was a wash.) So I was walking around this city all by myself. Two years before I had studied there. It was fun to go back to my old places, but even more fun to go to new places. I spent a shit ton of money, but it was worth it.

One night, I decided to go see the Royal Ballet. I kept going back and forth and couldn't decide what to do. I was super poor and found it difficult to justify £17 or however much the ticket was. But I did, telling myself I could make the money back later. I walked into the theater and this is what I saw. The ballet was lovely, of course, but I almost preferred the pre-show view. Looking at London society in Her Majesty's Royal Opera House. I thought I would feel weird going by myself, but I really didn't. How's that for security!

And it feels good!

Holy Shit. This picture is everything good: best friend, beautiful day, beach, books and vanilla wafers. I think I want to quit working every summer, then find a job when it starts to get cold again. Hey, I could be a teacher. I could teach...kevin-ology.

Thé sur les Tuesdays

When I was living in France, I had tea every Tuesday with Madame Marineau, my "host-mom" of sorts. I just miss those little dates so much; every Tuesday since I left has paled in comparison. So today, when I was having an especially rainy, sad Tuesday, I just thought about what Tuesdays used to be, and I got happier. I had my own tea this afternoon with a brownie, and I spoke French in my head.

If you want to know more, I can tell you all about my living situation in France--it was simply amazing. But until then, I just want to say that it was completely life-changing. Mme and I got along so well. She had had students before me, but, she says, no one ever knocked on her door and asked to spend time with her. I ended up meeting most of her family and we all became close. They are more than welcome anytime in New York to visit me, although I know that idea is far fetched. I, however, will definitely visit Aix again and see Mme Martineau. Within a year. I will probably cry and rip up my return ticket. Serious.

Guacamole Green

(In college...)

Shortly after moving into my apartment in Bloomington, I went to buy paint. The tenants before must have been disgusting and had bad taste. Their existence needed to be erased, painted over. Easier said than done. Do you know how many colors are out there? Thousands! So I took home tons of samples and considered each one carefully: examining, picturing, reflecting. I had a system going until I realized they named their colors. Within one minute my mind had been made up: guacamole green. 

Purchased. Painted. Dried. Adored.

It was the most perfect room. This picture is of Karen sleeping in my bed. She tends to sleep all over the place, but every time she came over, she had at least a one minute siesta there. The room was huge, had a little roof patio outside the window, and was like a sanctuary. I miss it now more than ever.

(As a grown-up...)

When I picked up the keys to our new apartment today, I kind of lost my breath because I forgot how small my new room would be. I am so happy with the location and the building though, so I am concentrating on that. New York landlords are more strict, and I don't think I'll be painting this place because I don't want to paint it back. I will, however, be filling the walls with my art collection. I can concentrate on that for now. Maybe I'll try to lose a couple of pounds, too, so the room will seem bigger?

Pet your pet

Amanda and I signed the lease on our new apartment today. We now live on 13th between 2nd and 3rd Aves. That's a pretty amazing location, especially considering this is our first apartment in the city. At the lease, I asked about pets. If you want a little friend, you have to ask, send a picture and pay a $200 fee. So I would have to plan on living there a while and really want a baby. 

But then it got me to thinking about my pets. Scorsby, left, and Maxwell. We also have another dog, Clifton. He's a great, big Newfoundland; however my mom got him while I was in France, and now I am in New York. I've only hung out with him for July and most of August, so the deep bond I share with these two doesn't yet exist. Scorsby and Maxwell have such personality. I far prefer the little dog. Every time you come home, he gets so excited: cries at the window when you pull up to the drive way, runs to the car door to greet you. Sometimes he even pees a little. It's not every day someone will just urinate because they are so happy to see you. 

However, I love this dog most on sunny days in sun patches: he just lays there and pretends to be deaf. I'll take him outside with me to get the mail. But when I'm opening the post, I realize he decided the grass by the house was better company. So he'll lay there flat on his back in the hot, summer sun. You have to pick him up and take him inside otherwise he would just stay put. I miss Scorsby.

Working 9 to 5

I actually work 9:30 to at least 6h30. But I do like my job. Here is my little office. I sit on the left, and Tim usually sits on the right. Starting 1 November we will have a bigger, more awesome office. I met with our new Design Assistant today because he is actually an interior designer at heart. Before he really starts working for Tim, I'm asking him to help design our new office, giving us (me) tons of storage and endless limits for organization. I am excited, but I will miss this little office. It's amazing!

This is such a random, unofficial first job. My parents are flipping out though. (I'm not going to lie, it's an added bonus.)

A Piece of Cake

I hope no one else ever thought to put Piet Mondrian paintings on a cake. This has been one of my best ideas to date. I graduated from college, moved back to America from France and had a party to celebrate. I can't think of a better marriage for the two occasions. 

People were hesitant to eat them, so I had to cut the tableau and encourage people to eat art. Picking out the cake was amazing. We went to the best bakery and they asked what flavor I would like. My choices were vanilla, chocolate, yellow, white . . . wait. When did colors become flavors? I asked. Her answer came as little tiny cakes on a plate. I tried about 7 combinations and fell in love with them all. I couldn't pick just one, so my mom compromised and said we could do 3 smaller cakes as opposed to one huge one. 

I think I will get married one day so I can have another cake tasting. Heck, you only have to be engaged to do that! My new plan is to get engaged several times.

Something Pretty

Because I think my heart may be hurt (but not broken) tonight, I want to put this up now. I bought a bottle of red wine and have some Lindt chocolate close by.

I took this picture in 2006 in Paris. It was my first trip outside of the country. I wanted to go with a friend to Paris for Spring Break--but she cancelled and I still wanted to go. So I went by myself and just explored. I was just 19. While digital cameras were readily available, I still didn't have one; I bought a couple of disposables. If memory serves me correct, this was the last picture I took on the entire roll. It's nice to end on a high note. In life, and photography.

Little Door

This is my house. To be clear, the little door on the tree stump is not where I live, but this is in the garden at my family's home in Indiana. Shortly after I moved to New York, my mom sent me this picture. She explained how she had a $10 credit to catalogue she often buys garden things from and they had this little door. So she got it, chiseled out space for the door and cut flag stones to act as steps to the imaginary home. It took all afternoon during a hot, summer Sunday. I think she got sunburnt.

This is the reason I love my mom. It also may explain why I am the way I am.