“The Good Outnumber You, We Always Will” -PO

Today was a bad day to say the least. My heart goes out to Boston right now. I’m not good at being sentimental (and I’m not eloquent in such moments), so I need to share Patton Oswalt’s words with you:

Boston. Fucking horrible.

I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, “Well, I’ve had it with humanity.”

But I was wrong. I don’t know what’s going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths.

But here’s what I DO know. If it’s one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out. (Thanks FAKE Gallery founder and owner Paul Kozlowski for pointing this out to me). This is a giant planet and we’re lucky to live on it but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they’re pointed towards darkness.

But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We’d have eaten ourselves alive long ago.

So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, “The good outnumber you, and we always will.”
- Patton Oswalt

…Spring Forward

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How did you spend your extra hour of sunlight? As much as I hate losing an hour from a weekend (can’t we lose it while working?), I like to think I spent my time very valuably: working on a future blog shop! It’s still a long way from being finished, but I’m happy about it’s progress. I also got to take a few breaks and visit my favorite LA “beach”, the Silver Lake Meadow. Such a great place to layout reading magazines and getting some vitamin d. It’s a great people watching spot and you can do a loop around the lake for some exercise.

Two Out Of Twelve: February

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Can you believe it’s already February?! It’s no longer a “new year”, but now officially “the year” 2013. It’s around now that statistically people start forgetting about their new year resolutions, so I’m going to take this time to re-dedicate myself. As you know I have pretty lofty goals for 2013, and to make sure I complete most of them I just need a little reminder.

In the past 4 weeks I hiked almost every weekend, did many secret stair walks, spent a weekend in NYC, created some thrifty DIY artwork, saved up funds and payed off more student loans, and saw several comedy shows. I’m in the middle of reading and new book and even finished level 1 of my Rosetta Stone French program. I’m not saying these things to brag, but sometimes you need to make a list of accomplishments to feel like you’re not just treading water. How did you spend your January?

I expect February to be about more French and reading as well as exercise. I renewed my gym membership and want to spend February running and working towards a 10k. I also want February to be about cleaning up loose ends, finishing projects, and finalizing some artwork. Hopefully I’ll get in some cross country skiing and read up on typography as well as learn how to use my sewing machine. And of course, I hope to save, save, save!

Thrift Store Find!

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You know how I’m a thrifty-DYI-er and you can guess I frequent local Salvation Armies and Goodwills. I found this guy yesterday at one of my favorite thrift shops. It was $40 and too rich for my blood, but I had to snap a picture of this incredible find. It’s Melissa Gilbert’s 2003 Media Access Award. Only in LA!

2013 Resolutions

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(Photo from Design Love Fest- my fav design blog)

This is another just-for-me post, but posting my resolution list for everyone to see makes them that much more real. And it means I’ve gotta work hard to do them. I won’t let you down!

Resolutions for 2013:
“SAVE SAVE SAVE!” - This is my mantra for the year. I really want to knock away a lot of student loans this year in the hopes of saving and one day being able to afford a house (we’re talking 10 year plan). It’s gonna be lots of adventure on a dime in 2013!
Go Cross Country skiing for the first time! – There should be snow this year!
White water rafting. - If there’s snow now, there will be rapids later!
Go kayaking
Dig out the bizarro la book and see what else is worth doing
Walk 5 times a week at least (mornings + nights!)
Do a Monster Walk!
Do more hikes from my hike book
More camping! - This past year I had 3 camping trips, lets beat that in 2013.
Run a race! 5k and work up to 10k? - It’s about time I trained again.
Whiten Teeth
Finish Secret Stair Walks
Do a secret stair walk with the facebook group and meet other stair walkers.
Do taxes in January (to get money back sooner!)
Take an art class - I’m going to sign up for one this next week.
Do more artwork. I have the supplies, so no excuses!
Learn French I- Rosetta Stone - I got it for X-mass, no excuses!
Learn how to sew - I have a sewing machine now and I’m gonna use it!
Learn how to knit - I can save money making my own scarves? 
Take vitamin b – I’m bad about doing this every day, but I’ll work on it.
Keep up water intake!
Clean bathroom drawer + cabinet - That’s been on my todo list for a while.
Do projects from the Young, House Love book - I’m so inspired already!
See a dermatologist - I’ve put this off for 3 years now. It’s time.
Read typography book I got for Christmas
Clean out closet again this year. Maximize space and make it pretty!
Clean garage and organize with plastic bins
Clean out wallet - I carry around so many unnecessary things. 
Clean out all emails - I have 1650 unread emails. I gotta fix that. 
Clean out computer and back up files - I need to make space for 2013 fun!
Get a new cell phone – This will greatly improve blogging cell photos!
Keep going out during the week
Be more consistent with my night walks
Do more running outside – Train for that 5k/10k above!
Living on my own?? – Can I afford it? We shall see if this happens in 2013.
Improve my blog! Change is a good thing!
Keep saying yes.. to everything! Yes to life!
GROW A PAIR!

Trip Ideas:
O Visit 2 presidential libraries
O Take the train somewhere for a day trip outside LA
O Chicago again?
O Beach camping up the coast?
O San Fran? more north? Portland?