| OoMFF |
better than a puppyI met Anna, Seth and a few of his friends/family for dinner at Limon in the Mission tonight. Great red snapper basket and Spanish wine picked by Anna. Seth wore the following accessory and was LITerally grabbed all night by both Obama and Clinton supporters eager to engage him in conversation. Apparently undecided is not cool these days. So I couldn't help doing what I often do. I comparison shopped. Below is Hillary's sticker. Not much difference, huh?  These stickers tell a little more about their wearer.  vs  There's the young gay supporter wear versus the scrapbooking mom's sticker (Quick tangent: Wanna study for possible pop culture questions related to the above? a. What's an older scrapbooking mom who donates money to Clinton called? A HillRaiser. b. And if the Clinton supporter prefers crafting and etsy and Facebook to church groups? A HillBlazer. I'm not kidding. Funny, huh?) And finally, just to keep it real, I found a sticker that would appeal to my Mom (the recovering lesbian Mormon)  versus one that apparently appeals to Seth . . . and Jai. . . and everyone in the Mission last night . . .and everyone in Oakland and. . . .me?  2:23 AM - 2/2/2008 - comments {1} - post commentMeow!Thank god YOU, my handful of awesome real friends, hardly ever read this. And that I'm not on Facebook. And that www.michellecortez.com is already taken.  For the record, I am not simply trolling content to post on my log. Besides working 11-13 hours a day inspiring young minds, I am reading Chris Adrian's Children's Hospital (a McSweeney's title) and I checked it out at the library. See? no cause for concern. . . 8:19 PM - 1/30/2008 - comments {1} - post commentThis lifeI had to go to a work retreat Friday night. This is the third one I've been to since I started in June and they never cease to amuse me. Every time I go I think of Christoper Guest's mockumentaries. Next film subject: charter school leadership retreats.First of all. there are always a large number of elementary school lead teachers who are almost all female and remarkably passionate, earnest and . . . .hot. Seriously! There are so many very pretty women at these things but they are more the girl-next-door, mom-material kind than me in my all black uniform. Many are married with children and when they go to these retreats they CUT LOOSE. Did I mention that we always have an open bar. . . . and evening games that culminate in a team "Name the next lyric" - kind of sing-a-long thing?  (this was one of the fun games. I'd play this one again) Do you know the lyrics to Escape? Whether you know it or not, you DO know the lyrics as long as the music is playing. See for yourself. Anyway, the elementary teacher contingency gets really into it. I belong to the secondary lead teacher team and we are a little more male, jaded and wry about the whole thing. We still sing but we don't get up and dance to the songs nor do a group cheer with coordinated arm choreography (think macarana) the way they do. I guess they do a better job team building than we do. (Drink the koolaid, drink the koolaid!) The funny thing is we are also expected to accomplish formative assessments and action plans, tasks that require concentrated thinking and collaboration, early the next morning. With the smell of ketchup and syrup from the buffet lingering in the air. Not pretty. Far more entertaining than charter leadership game night is last weeks episode of This American Life on Matchmakers. Act 3 had me laughing hysterically but its also a disturbing anecdote on race. Seriously. If you haven't already heard it, do yourself a favor and listen. Balance sheet for the above game playing and mild amusement: $0 4:53 PM - 1/27/2008 - comments {0} - post commentProject This link brings you to Project RunGay, a blog commentary on . . . . .well, I'm sure you can figure it out. All the voice of GoFugYourself dedicated to one of Bravo's finest. Its almost like watching a recorded episode with fabulous roomate. I miss you, Angelo! 6:13 AM - 1/25/2008 - comments {1} - post commentPlayer or pathetic?Ewww. We need to categorize the following FIND as a frustrating fault - not mine, but someone else's. In the political campaign, I've been undecided and lately leaning O (as in Oprah and Obama and oratorical skills) but I do not like the following campaign ploy. The Salon article I found this on compares Obama's religious appeal to efforts made by Huckabee. Honestly, I agree. Maybe that political survey I took that matches your beliefs to 2008 candidates was more accurate than I realized at first. 1. Kucinich 86% 3. Clinton 84% and way down at number 6, Barack Obama 76% What do you think about Barack on the Power of Prayer? Take the survey and see how he fares with you. I'm curious to hear . . . 8:58 PM - 1/23/2008 - comments {0} - post commentThinking of y'allParis masculine street fashion for my boy Angelo. (I bet he has tattoos somewhere on his body. . .) for Chrissy to kick some eye candy ass this weekend (and to study go here)  for Anna - a poem and a picture in memory of the killer ab workout . . . There once was a man named Huckabee Who was a Presidential wannabe Through the back door he went After our cab ride vent He'll be gone cuz my booty Hucka mee  (he looks happier after a booty shaking, don't you think?) Finally, someone needs to put a little buzz in Joe's ear so he can get this for Angela (even better, its from the Onion)  Hehehe xox, spazzy girl 8:05 PM - 1/23/2008 - comments {0} - post commentOn the cheapI picked up a pair of chairs on the side of the road the other day. These are not how they look now but they represent how I want them to look except with a green or yellowish pattern instead of the red. Do you like them? 8:16 PM - 1/14/2008 - comments {2} - post commentMuseo de desireJess gave Anna and I a tour of the new San Diego Children's Museum building when we were there over the break. Impressive! All of it! I could go on and on but the space doesn't open for non VIPs like Anna and I until May so I won't go into detail.In the administrative offices, I loved the collaborative spaces and the furniture - recycled street signs turned into work stations. Was the artist Boris Bally? I want Boris. . . I found these chairs that I would love to use in my kitchen if they weren't so fancy (ie $1100 each.) Functional contemporary folk art - I think they would go with my embroidered Otomi embroidered animal wall hanging we picked out together in Mexico.  10:24 AM - 1/11/2008 - comments {0} - post commentA beautiful new world to exploreMaybe you are much cooler than me and you have seen these things online. Not me and today I just can't stop browsing gorgeous blogs on the internet (most of which I found through decor8 - love it!)When/If you have time. . . 1. Jen and Angela - check this amazing kids new kids magazine called Anorak which I found on this blog 2. Angelo and Steffan - Jonathon Adler is on sale. I love the giant horse bowl and this  3. Jess - this belt would work so well with your little waist and refined style  4. Chrissy - this embroidered Opera pillow reminds me of your lady panels  5. everyone - how cute are these plates? (found here and teacups on sale here for the ridiculously low price of $27 for a set of 4)  6. and then there's the satisfaction of finding someone who is probably doing the same exact thing I'm doing right now only doing it much better than me and for far longer. Leah Hennan lives in Oakland, CA, my fair city, and her blog is called More Ways to Waste Time. Sound familiar? She's a Sagitarius and she links to things I've already found and loved (remember those felt rock pillows we saw on College Ave?) and places I now have on my must see list. We're destined to be friends. Should I email her and get this party started? All of this browsing at other blogs is making me feel small, insignificant, naive and "cute." Those gorgeous layouts, spot on finds and seemingly endless time to flip through catalogues and search online - I'll never catch up. Thats one of thinking of it. Here's another take - it is satisfying to know that there are so many resources and e-mentors out there. Maybe we should be more hopeful and embrace higher expectations. Wit and beauty can rule our world; perhaps we should not settle on simply getting the job done in the most efficient, familiar manner. I'm leaning Obama all of the sudden. . . . 12:35 PM - 1/10/2008 - comments {1} - post commentEnvyLast night Craig and I went to Shaun Bond's new home in Novato and then out to Fairfax to see his band play. (When I say Shaun Bond's new home, I mean the home he and Stacy bought - in other words, they don't rent it, they own it - like grown ups.)Walking through their 60's style 3 bedroom corner lot, my mind began spinning with oomfy ideas for them. They have only been there for three weeks and the whole place is ripe for design ideas and projects. How about one of these handcrafted in San Miguel de Allende antiqued stars over your dining room table ($150) or pierced tin obelisks ($118) in your matador living room? These woven roller shades ($30-$50) are cheap and nice to replace those special curtains you inherited with the house. Or look at all these affordable and pretty curtains at Urban Outfitters. Stacy and I talked about adding architecture to some of the walls. Here's an easy looking project for molding in the office($200 range)? And then Shaun might dig on putting up these kick-ass vintage looking book prints ($78 each and they come framed!)   See what happens when I get started? I love shopping for other people. . . . But you know what happens, right? You start shopping for other people and then you find stuff for yourself. I love those book prints. And how totally me is this metal Prague chair ($150) and table ($84)? Can't you see two of these tables serving as night tables on either side of my bed? Hmmm. . . .   I'm on a shopping high. I was also going to talk about the juan boulder show in cute little Fairfax - it was so great to see Shaun jam - but I'm stuck on fabulous finds right now. Here's one to share: I'm adding decor8 to my bloglist. I want to be the blog's author, Holly Becker. She links to gorgeous stuff and has my dream job. Check out this San Francisco apartment I found featured on her site. Now I'm jealous - I hate Victoria from San Francisco - unless she wants to be my new friend. One of Michelle's Fabulous Faults? Envy 9:11 AM - 1/10/2008 - comments {0} - post commentTornTorn between two lovers, feelin' like a foolLovin' both of you is breakin' all the rules (Karaoke must still be coursing through my veins. Thank god looking up lyrics is free. . .and writing entires on your blog and checking out library books. Thank god for yoga too, though thats really $75 month in YMCA fees. I diverge.) Today I've been torn between two lovers in two different situations. First I was torn between the dinner date I graciously rescheduled with the allusive magazine guy and the juan boulder concert featuring my college friend Shaun Bond I eagerly planned with Craig. I have no plans all week and then my two social engagements fall on the same night? Christina and Anna were right - life long college friend wins. (Jon e-laughed and tentatively rescheduled for lunch this weekend.) Then I found myself surprisingly torn again - this time listening to the New Hampshire results in the Democratic race. I've been ridiculously neutral and undecided throughout this race but I admit to being a little sad about the Iowa Clinton loss and excited when I heard she was ahead tonight. Then tonight, sitting in my car after yoga listening to NPR, I heard Obama's concession. I know, I know. . . just moments before I was all about Hilary but Barack is so inspiring and positive. It may have been schmaltzy but when the crowd started chanting, "We want change, we want change," I couldn't help but tear up. I want change. But I also want some semblance of stability and I want to win. Can I have all three in a candidate? In a new hometown? In a lover? Urg. . . .I sound like Carrie Bradshaw. 8:30 PM - 1/8/2008 - comments {2} - post commentJust another Manic Monday"I'm shy when it comes to karaoke." Anyone who knows me knows there's nothing shy about me yet I've used this excuse for years to avoid going to karaoke bars and any semblance of singing in a microphone in front of others (though talking is another story.)I repeated these words at my co-worker Stacy and his girlfriend Krista's house Saturday night. They kinda ignored me which worked well because I found I couldn't help myself; as they programmed in one 80s song after another, I couldn't help singing along. All claims of shyness vanished when Krista thrust the microphone in front of me for the Ramones' song "I Wanna Be Sedated." That song is in my key (ish - as much as I can kinda sing in key) and, apparently, I know most of the words. Same thing goes for the Bangles "Manic Monday," my performance of which ended in applause and accolades from my back-up singers Stacy and Krista. Who knew? Karoke rocks. . . . and its free. Fueled by rock star euphoria, we walked to a dirty dive bar down the street from their Temescal house called Silver Lion Buffet - no sign of actual food but very strong drinks and enough young indie boys and girls to make me feel like Hilary Clinton, "As tired as I am, and I am," I still fight the good fight and try to get out of the house. (I shouldn't tease. . . ) Speaking of being tired, sweet Craig and Ana fed me roasted chicken Sunday night after a free girls afternoon at DeYoung (the Louise Nevelson exhibit was amazing!) and then had to make a bed for me because I was too sleepy to drive home. Real party animal, eh? Weekend receipts: $20 round of drinks and tip + $4 bay bridge toll = $24 - not bad for an aging rock star. . . 7:41 PM - 1/7/2008 - comments {0} - post commentBrowsingI'm the kind of person who prefers non-essential shopping. Thrift stores, antique malls, Anthropology. . . and now, Salon Personals. I don't NEED a man in my life and I'm not even sure if I am ready for one but browsing is kind of fun. I don't throw a net out wide. I only browse those who have browsed me.Its like limiting yourself to the stores you can afford in the mall - why bother with the others? The mall is a good analogy because sometimes there are stores that you can afford but you'd never set foot into. 50 year old San Jose man whose byline is "Looking for your own pirate?" might not work for me. I don't care how many coupons you thrust in my hand, I keep strolling on by. Then there are some stores you keep going back to but you never buy anything from. You pick up some interesting pieces, appreciate the texture, think you have a fair price and a good fit but you look around and no one is there to help you. Whats with this kind of store? Do they want to sell their wares or what? Jon is just like that. We've been emailing back and forth for two months. Great qualities: funny, smart, equally interested in high and low culture (ie: watches the same tv shows I do,) sweet in his own way but what kind of interactions is he looking for? We had a date scheduled for Sunday but when I got home from yoga today I listened to his message. Essentially it said he would still go out tomorrow if I preferred but that he's coming to my area Wednesday night so that could also work. And he threw up this morning. Just FYI. I'll gladly sell you this shirt Wednesday but you can't have it today. Thank you. Please come again soon . . . 2:52 PM - 1/5/2008 - comments {1} - post commentCreative alternativesSpending report for January 4th -$0 - I am prone to diving into a new routine. For me, there is no other way to make something work than to stick to it loyally, tenaciously, maybe even obsessively. I do it with relationships, why not spending habits, food restrictions and yoga practice?Spending habits - I'm determined to curb the slow bleed on the bank account - hence the zero output. So far, so good. Food restrictions - Forget dairy. We are broken up. It was nice while it lasted but its time to move on. Yoga practice - Daily without fail. Yesterday I went to two 6oclock classes. One in the am, one in the pm. Feels awesome (and its both money free and dairy free - the perfect activity.) The first two restrictions led me to experiment a little with dinner. I was craving comfort food which is usually satisfied with something wonderfully horrible - an $8 mole burrito from Los Cantaros or, if I was in San Diego, just a little bit of fancy mac n'cheese from Cafe Chloe. Obviously neither were options for me tonight. What did I have in my cupboards I could make? Cans of artichoke hearts, corn, tuna, hearts of palm, clam chowder. . . hmmmm. Christina's sister Emily used to make this yummy tuna and peas mac n' cheese - could I make some alternative version of that? I did my research. Online I discovered that most folks recommend using cream of mushroom soup and cheddar or american cheese on top. American cheese? Ewww. Some say you can do it without the cheese but everyone says you need a creamy soup. . . would condensed clam chowder work? I searched and searched for validation online and finally found it on this link from the Chicago Tribune. I found a half package of organic greens with edamame, broccoli, and grean beans in the freezer and pasta and just mixed the whole thing up. 4 ingredients: pasta, condensed Trader Joes clam chowder, a can of tuna and the frozen organic greens. I admit it smelled a little funky while I mixed it up but I felt better after I realized that I had this AMAZING green rustic casserole dish I bought from the DAV in Chula Vista last year for $7 and I could put the smelly concoction in there. Wala! 40 minutes later and out popped a gorgous casserole dish with a steamy, somewhat satisfying meal within. Add a little Michelle sauce which makes everything taste better and I am one happy, cheap, dairy-less yogi. Morale of the story? It pays to stock up on pretty dishes. No need to pack up my knifes and go home . . . 8:05 PM - 1/4/2008 - comments {0} - post commentBacktrackJanuary 3rd - $0 spent today. Since today was a lay-in-bed-and-read-a book-then-go-to-yoga kind of day, lets recall a recent oomffy episode. Jess asked me to go shopping with her last week. She wanted a major wardrobe overall: "I need pants and skirts and dresses and shirts and sweaters and pajamas and a jacket" she lamented to a few of us. Ok, no problem.We started at Loehmans and quickly amassed piles of clothes in each of our hands. "I'll try anything," she promised me and I took her up on that promise. In the dressing room we tore through pants first then all the tops. I really loved this black crepe-like shift dress with wrap detail kind of Japanese style (orginally $285 marked down to $39.95) but the one we picked up didn't fit and Jess was leaning towards more casual, versatile pieces. There's a spread in this month's Vogue showing dresses with this kind of fit and detail. Unfortunately she passed but did take another, less dressy blue jersey dress with wrap. She can switch the belt and wear a brown layering shirt in winter with boots and a little tank and flip flops for summer. Totally cute and just enough outside of what Jess would normally wear. ($25ish) There were other totally perfect purchases. You'll have to wait a day or two to hear about more. 8:13 PM - 1/3/2008 - comments {2} - post commentSpending Report for Jan 1st-2ndSpending report for January 1st and 2nd.I didn't spend a dime on January 1st. It's crazy but true. I went to my last free hot flow yoga with Ana then hightailed it out of San Diego heading back to Oakland. I decided to bee line it to my dad's house when he invited me for dinner. Yum. . . pork and cabbage Hawaiian style. . .and free. Yeah! January 2nd - $135. I left my dad's house in Yorba Linda at 4 in the morning. I had to fuel up in Castaic ($35.00) then again in Santa Nella ($36.00). There was a guy in a Honda who stayed behind me the entire length of the 5 and into the 580 until it split at the 880 towards San Jose. He even fueled up at the same gas station I did which spooked me at first but then comforted me as I realized we were in it for the long haul - or at least most of the long haul together (as much of a boyfriend as the last one, eh?) The other $65 was spent at Trader Joes. A girl needs her wine while she's on vacation, right? 11:29 PM - 1/2/2008 - comments {0} - post commentWho doesn't want a little OoMFF in her life?Fabulous FindsYou know this thrill? You found something, ooooo, JUST RIGHT at a store ONLY YOU KNOW ABOUT (or truly appreciate) with a price that "originally was ONE MILLION DOLLARS then marked down to 98 CENTS" and you just can't keep the story of the acquisition to yourself? I love being thrilling in exactly this way. Fabulous Faults Happy New Year, 2008, and welcome to my blog. I used to be the expert, know-it-all shopper and finder when I lived in San Diego but I recently moved to Oakland, CA and I don't know much about where to go to buy what and I don't have much expendable income or a second job slinging hash the way I used to. So here is my attempt to stay connected to friends, savor my less frequent shopping expeditions and try to sort out the big raise but much less moola in pocket. Warning: this blog may be boring sometimes but I expect my friends to give honest feedback. Hear that all 3 of you in San Diego, 1 in New York, 1 in LA and 1 or 2 in the bay area? Be gentle. xox, shopping girl 11:06 PM - 1/2/2008 - comments {0} - post comment |
Description One of Michelle's Fabulous Finds (and/or Faults.) Michelle shops which costs money. This blog details the push/pull, love/hate, spend/save, frugal/extravagant lifestyle she tries to manage. Home User Profile Archives Friends Dooce Go Fug Yourself Culture Lust East Girls West Coudal Partners decor8 More Ways to Waste Time Recent Entries - better than a puppy - Meow! - This life - Project - Player or pathetic? |
