Like a Slap in the Behind

Woooooweeeeee. My butt has been majorly kicked this month. Sore just thinkin' about it.

For a whirlwind update of some random things I have done in the past 4 weeks: I attended a wedding in Lake Tahoe, parasailed way up on a 1200 ft rope under a skull n' bones parachute, toured around the old west town Virginia City(where our dear friend in the picture up above was spotted, around the corner from a place where I bought some petrified dinosaur poop the color of a rasberry creamsicle), had my car's AC, headlight, and convertible top all go defunct while stuck out in Big Basin Redwood forest (which I macgyvered the shit out of to get the top working again using some duct tape, a piece of string, and a bungee cord - no joke), planted an apricot tree, went on a safari, moved out of one house and into another, made 10 bowls in ceramics class, memorized 60 scientific names for an assortment of animals from their Phylum down to their species, and sang copious amounts of Disney songs(on repeat) on the way to school while simultaneously trying to ignore the check engine light displayed so politely on my dashboard.

Hoot.

Fish Bowls and Dusty Pants

      As I type this, my nails are rimmed with Red Ceramic Stain and chipped in all sorts of unevenness that would lead you to believe I have been clawing my way up a cliffside. This is my current excuse for being a very negligent blogger. 20 hours of ceramic class a week. 

Bodie Ghost Town, Beautiful Decay Pt. 2

There is something special about Bodie. "Enchanting" and "Haunting" don't really do it justice.

Peeps on Pumpkins, Beautiful Decay Pt.1

     One of my biggest inspirations has always been a beautifully decaying object. Paint peeling on doors, vines overtaking an abandoned house... all extremely satisfying to me. There is a bit of rebellion in it, like mother nature is saying "yeah, you tried to beat time, but that just isn't how things work, and you are gonna like it... move on."  

Fish is Fish

     Anyone remember that lovely Leo Lionni book/animation from back in the day? I love fish. I think they are beautiful and alien and magical. You may think I am excluding those ugly carp found in Lake Michigan and other, similarly bleak, species... But don't underestimate how full of awesome a fish can be to make up for a lack of visual charm. 

Corsets with Sneakers - Adventures at the Renaissance Faire

Yes, it is that time of year again... I can't resist a Renaissance Faire.

Semester Over, I love Port and Cheese

I have had a busy week with finals and my brother's 21st birthday(which led to copious amounts of delicious food and a trip to Los Olivos Wine Country).

Kitty paw prints on dirty car windows

Hi, my name is Vanessa, and I love kitties. Even when they look demonic.

Little Worlds Encased In Globes of Glass

     I have always had a love affair with plants. Actually, love affair implies that the plants loved me back... and that would be, sadly, untrue. Not a single plant that I have ever cared for has lasted longer than a few months(and those were ivy and ferns... only gross abuse can kill those.. I still swear it was the space heater that did them in).