Wednesday, August 31, 2005

I heart paper projects!

This afternoon I took one of my mom's china dishes, my dad's bottle of shaving cream, and my family's food coloring....

And I produced these with some of Garth's resume paper. I'd like to think of it as a group project. I also like to think that they came out rather well!! I'm happy anyways (except that the paper smells violently of shaving cream now).



Paper#1 Posted by Picasa



Paper#2 Posted by Picasa

Paper #3 Posted by Picasa

the masonic temple from Duke Street. I love the clouds before a stormy day (look out for the afermath of Katrina tomorrow, folks ^_^) Posted by Picasa

Monday, August 29, 2005

My day in the Sun.


The finished drawing. I love the one on the right, The left side cicada's wings are too crooked. Hmph. Posted by Picasa
As said in an earlier phone conversation:

"I have spent the past 2 hours being 5 years old."

The story:
I got locked out of the house for 2 hours this afternoon. It was at once odd, fun, annoying, boring, productive, and frustrating.

I sketched a dead cicada.
I weeded a section of plants we have in our front yard.
I discovered that the guinea pig I buried under our cherry tree last winter did, indeed, get dug up and eaten by some ravenous creature.
I played with my bunny rabbit.
I watched ants be busy.
I got bitten by a myriad of tiny, buzzing mosquitoes.
I cleaned out my car. Sort of.
I talked to a friend I haven't heard from in a year on my cell.
I watched OTHER ants carry off a fat, green, dead caterpillar.
I sat on my front stairs, with my head in my hands, waiting.

The bus goes whizzing by. Posted by Picasa

Sunday, August 28, 2005

Minsunderstandings

Don't you just hate how the smallest misunderstanding can completely ruin a whole day? A few weeks ago one of my bset friends in the world and I had a misunderstanding that totally got blown out of proportion and left me (and probably her) with a day's worth of sour-taste-in-my-mouth. It all got cleared up after a talk, but still...

And last night there was a stupid misunderstanding too, which almost ruined my whole evening. Very thankfully it all got cleared up before disaster struck, but man... I was so upset...

The worst part, I think, is that these misunderstandings seem to be focused around me, and something I've done wrong, taken how it shouldn't be taken, or said very badly.

I need to start being more careful and deliberate when it comes to talking about anything and everything. AHHH!



On a more cheerful note, I am about to go organize all of my things and move my desk to a new position in my room, because I start back at grad school on Tuesday!

Also, I bought an Elfa drawer unit last night with the last of my Container Store discount - something I've been wanting to do since I begand working there - for $38!!! They're usually closer to $100, but the frame was a return or display or something, so it was marked waaaaaay down, and employees get 50% off of Elfa anyways, so... man, I was stoked. It's going next to my desk!

Also, Garth gave me the greatest fabric in the world. Go look at my Flickr account to see it. It's covered in Kiwis (the bird, not the fruit)!!

Friday, August 26, 2005




This is a double post from Flickr, but I wanted the people who aren't looking at my Flickr stuff to be able to see it!
...
I made it at work today, during my ample free time, with 2 magazines, rubber cement, white out, a sharpie, a blue highlighter, and my used tea bag. Yessirree! Posted by Picasa

Tuesday, August 23, 2005


The sunset tonight, as viewed from Garth's balcony-window... And people say there isn't a God! It's too lovely for that line of thought, if you ask me. Amazing! ^_^ Posted by Picasa
This weekend was wonderful!

1. Most memorably: Garth and I went to the zoo on Sunday. I had a fantastic time, and he had to put up with waiting for me while I tested my camera out on all of the animals. Go look at my Flicker account if you want to see a few of them (link @ left)^_^

2. Also: I worked most of the day on Saturday. I saw the movie "Madagascar" this afternoon (woohoo for matinees).

3. I HAVE TO MAKE A COLLAGE!!!! I haven't made one (or at least a decent one) since the Zoloft collage of 2 weeks ago, and I'm feeling very artistically frustrated because of it.

4. My brother comes into town tomorrow with his new lady-friend, Valeria. I. Am. EXCITED. !!!! I haven't seen him for about a year. And now I'm sitting here, in front of the computer at 2:40 am, waiting in nervous anticipation until I get tired so I can go to sleep, for his arrival tomorrow afternoon while I'm at work!

Thursday, August 18, 2005

!!!

They offerend me the internship on the spot today! This is so cool. Core Group is one of DC's premier commercial firms, and to have been hired on as an intern that quickly feels like divine intervention or something. Excellent...

  • Core Group (DC)


  • They serve clients such as:

    Apple Computers, Hudson Trail Outfitters, the Smithsonian Shop (downtown) BBC America, Greenpeace, Office Depot, the Newseum, Cafe Asia, Mie N Yu, Black Salt, Dean & Deluca, Marriot, American Eagle, National Airport, Pentagon Row, Discovery Channel, Sprint, National Zoo, National Portrait Gallery, Radio Shack, and more!

    suh-weet.

    And the beat goes on.


    These are in our front yard right now. *soooo* pretty! Posted by Picasa
    I'm watching a Jason Mraz video on Launch - his cover of Blitzkrieg Bop. IT IS TERRIBLE, and I am quickly changing the video. I'm simply telling you this to warn you: do not watch it. DO NOT!!! He plays it all folky and slow, like a Nickle Creek song or something. Nothing against Nickle Creek, but... Eek... Anyways. I guess if you hate punk rock or something you might like this version better, but if you have any respect for The Ramones you won't waste your time.

    And now! Lots has happened in the last 2 days that I suppose I should let everyone know about.

    First - did I talk to everyone about how I was all set to quit school because I was tired of working odd hours at the Container Store and unsure where I could ever find a good design job, versus pursuing my art, etc, etc? Well that's not going to happen anymore.

    In a nutshell: I was talking to my mom about how, although I love working there, I hated the early mornings, late nights, and weekends that I had to work at The Container Store (without hardly ANY normal hours!!), and how I just couldn't do that anymore. I'm too tired all of the time, and only have any sort of social life because I haven't started back at school yet. I was telling her how, if I could have a *normal* job, preferably in the Interior Design industry, I would probably stay in school because I'd get experience in the field I ultimately would want to work in while getting to work normal hours.

    We ended the conversation, and I walked into the next room just as the phone rang. I let my mom get it since the home line is never for me, and I was perplexed to hear "It's for you, Marianne." I picked up the phone - "hello?"

    "Hello, Marianne? This is Leanne, from Piaggio's Loft, in Alexandria (a design place). We got your resume and would like to have you in for an interview in the next week."

    ...

    And a day later this company called Core Group (they designed Cafe Asia, the Georgetown Dean&Deluca, and more) e-mailed me in regards to a resume I sent them a while back, and I have an interview with them this afternoon.

    I was oddly and immediately filled with excitement at the prospect of having a 9-5 job a few days a week, my 4 classes, and FREE NIGHTS AND WEEKENDS for all of the art and friends that I want (ok... And studying too...).

    And so, yesterday, I gave the Container Store my 2 weeks notice. August 31 is my last day there.

    ...

    ALSO oddly, Garth and I were talking on the phone about 45 minutes after I talked to Leanne, and said "Hey, Leanne (wife of one of his best friends) just e-mailed me and said "We're interviewing a girl named Marianne for the job. Is that YOUR Marianne?"

    YES! It IS! So I might be working with one of Garth's really good friends, which would be super fun and cool, because I keep hearing about how much I would like her! Small world. ^_^

    Monday, August 15, 2005


    This is a photo I stole from Ginny's blog. I'm so envious of her stumbling across this old cemetary in Wales. It's a superb photo. Posted by Picasa

    Friday, August 12, 2005

    Well, I've caved to the pressures in my head and upgraded my Flickr account so I get unlimited photo uploadage.

    Also, I've decided that I need to cut my long, long bangs to a slighty shorter legnthbecause my face looks odd with no fringe.

    AND: List of unsusual Bertie Bott's Every Flavored Beans I have consumed to this moment:
    - Soap
    - Grass
    - Dirt (SPOT ON!!!)
    - Booger
    - Sardine

    Luckily Ryan has rid me of the vomit and rotten egg flavors...

    A la Common Grounds (ie - Murky Coffee)


    Timoni - looking as lovely and thoughtful as ever.  Posted by Picasa

    Me and Garth. At Common Grounds. Goodness only knows what we're doing here...

    Apparently Garth is always in motion. This is one of two photos that came out where his face wasn't a total blur of movement. It's crazy! He won't sit still!!!  Posted by Picasa

    Thursday, August 11, 2005

    Wednesday, August 10, 2005

    Willoughby of the tri-corners

    Man, I don't think I've actually written much about me/my goings-ons on this thing in forever. It's mostly just pictures...

    My birthday weekend was a rave sucess, and full of excitement. On Friday Garth and I went on the Alexandria Ghost Walk, which was totally great. We got caught in a rainstorm in this old church's graveyard, and stood under an awning listening to thunder and watching the lightning, and then walked back to the car. It was nice.

    Plus, we asked our guide (who was wearing a tri-corner hat) about different guides, and if it'd be different if we came a second time, and the guy who's real name was something perfectly old-fashioned like "Willoughby" (it wasn't willoughby, but it DID begin with a W) gave us a "preferred customer" card, so next time we go we can have 1/2 off!

    Saturday morning I went to the Arlington Civitans' Yard Sale/Flea Market. It was fun. I got some good stuff for pretty cheap... And I had ALLLLL DAY off of work, because I'd found someone to cover for me, so I just frittered away my time, and it was wonderful.

    The party Saturday night was great!! It was this incredibly eclectic mix of my friends from different places (school, church, Bible Study... Garth (I don't know where you fit, so you get your own category), but despite my anxiety over it, everyone got on like water and fish, and we had lots of fun!

    Sunday was good... and Monday... and yesterday... today is off to a good start too... Yep!

    Tuesday, August 09, 2005


    In Starbucks. I really like this photo. I seem to have some sort of obsession in conjunction with the old Dutch painters of dark playing against light, because my favorite paintings and photos ALWAYS end up containing sharp contrasts (or else precise detail). Posted by Picasa

    Common Grounds was closed. This photo really tells you how I feel about having to go to to Starbucks instead... it is monotone in its character. Posted by Picasa

    My kingdom for some hair, my kingdom for some hair....! Posted by Picasa

    Sunday, August 07, 2005


    Today we celebrated my birthday in the dining room. Posted by Picasa

    all a-quiver with excitement




    The Size, in comparison with a standard CD Posted by Picasa
    I GOT A DIGICAM FOR MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    It is the bestest camera in the world - 10x zoom, 5.0 mp, 18 scene modes... I give it a hearty thumbs up from my first afternoon of uses thus far. Very soon, in addition to all of the collages and sketches I post on here it's going to be photos as well.

    :::AND EVERYBODY GAVE A WILD CHEER!:::


    ps - it's the kodak z740. It looks big in photos, but it's not really. It's wide - because it HAS to be to get 10x zoom, but it's still small especially for the functions it offers. Ahhh, my heart is overwhelmed with content...

    Garth, this is the bee I drew, and was telling you about. It's really stylized; not sure if that's what you're going for or anything so I don't know if it'll help. For the purpose of fitting it in with the honeycomb, I made it longer and thinner than a real bee would, plus those two back legs would be on the middle if it was real.... Oh. And also the wings are much less ornate in real life - they should be like fat little ovals. ^_^ Posted by Picasa

    Thursday, August 04, 2005

    break it down

    Cut and Paste, and then go HERE:

    http://msn-cnet.com.com/4520-11136_1-6268155-1.html?part=msn-cnet&subj=re_6268155-1&tag=tg_home

    It's a review of web-fads, like Hamsterdance and the dancing baby. A little funny, a little creepy, and QUITE nostalgic.

    ~ M

    ps: my favorite by far: MAHIR - http://www.istanbul.tc/mahir/mahir/

    This guy is a riot. You've gotta read it too though; he's just great.