I suck to the Nth degree

The level to which I suck on a regular basis astounds me.  I make dumb mistakes over and over like it's specialty.  My boss clearly defines projects and tasks for me to complete, but I manage to mangle them like that leg going through the wood chipper in Fargo. 

I'd totally live here: Ortega-Vigare Adobe in San Gabriel

When Willie Nelson twangs, "You were always on my mind," he may as well be singing about me and the Ortega-Vigare adobe tucked away in the city of San Gabriel.  Otherwise known as California Historic Landmark 451, the adobe (consisting of two houses on connected lots) was built near San Gabriel's mission between 1792 and 1806 by a mission guard for his family. Ortega-Vigare is the second oldest adobe in Southern California and is almost an acre in size.  A wall 18 inches thick surrounds property. 

The main home is

3,653 square feet of living space

3 bedrooms

3.5 bathrooms

3 car garage

1st portion estimated built 1792-1805
2nd portion estimated as built in early 1900s

Swimming pool
2 car garage
18th century fountain

Ortega-Vigare adobe has been for sale a few times over the past decade.  According to the L.A. Times, back in 2001 owners asked $998,000.  More recently, in July 2013, the sellers accepted an offer of $1,580,000. 

Main House Kitchen

Living Room

Dining Room

Master Bedroom & Bath

Bathrooms

Outside

 

 

Property from above

Read more about the Ortega-Vigare adobe (and see pics of the guest home) on Estately.

Previously: I'd Totally Live Here: Hong Kong

Hooker's SeaSalted Caramel out of SFO

Have I told you about the time I received hookers in the mail?  My girlfriend in Northern California surprised me by shipping Hooker's Sweet Treats SeaSalted Caramels coated in dark chocolate to rural Minnesota.  I ate the whole box.  I don't even think they lasted long enough for my husband to set his eyeballs on them. 

If you need to buy for someone who has everything or even nothing, I recommend sending hookers to them.  For smaller batches you can order caramels via Rare Device.

* Lupita *

What a beautiful photo in New York Magazine!  More pics of Lupita Nyong'o in the Spring Fashion edition at Clutch Magazine.

Fierce wig = fierce attitude

I cut five inches off my hair last weekend.  I was overdue for a chop.  My hair stopped looking pretty and started looking witchy two months ago.  This ajumma does not believe in long hair for long hair's sake.  If my hair's going to be long, I want it to be healthy, shiny, and manageable.   

My stylist, an edgy Filipino motorcyclist with blue hair, meticulously clipped my ends for almost two hours. He then dried it in layers resulting in easy, breezy locks that felt 5 pounds lighter.  I love it.  I don't feel like a bootleg high schooler or college kid anymore.

Coincidentally, Glamour magazine (April 2014) recently featured a wig makeover that vividly documents a writer's attitude change (and responses of those around her) with short hair. 

Joseph Vincent is like kettlecorn

Musician Joseph Vincent (guitarist, honey voice, Clara C collaborator, cute Filipino) has a ton of videos on YouTube and it's hard to watch just one.  He's very addictive, like kettlecorn.

Do more of what makes you happy

One awesome thing about the Web is coming across cool stuff by illustrators.  Regina Silva urges us to do more of what makes ushappy (which for her include her cats, drawing, and eating Flaming Hot Cheetos)!  See her portfolio.

I am a Ghost by H.P. Mendoza

Many moons have passed since a ghost movie lingered in my consciousness like H.P. Mendoza's I am a Ghost.  His 2012 indie film centers around a ghost named Emily.  The new owners of her Victorian house want her gone, and through the help of a clairvoyant, she's contemplating moving on.

With I am a Ghost, you have to be patient and open minded as you watch Emily go about her day over and over.  My girlfriend who likes horror movies on blockbuster scales didn't last through this film.  That is too bad because Emily's monotony is explainable and make the final minutes of this movie even more RIDICULOUSLY FRIGHTENING and disturbing.

If you live alone, I'd be hesitant to watch I am a Ghost.  If scary movies keep you up at night, you might want to watch I am a Ghost on a sunny day and do something fun afterwards.

I am a Ghost is available for rent on Amazon.

Goats yelling like humans

I watched this video one morning and laughed so hard I cried.

Frida + chihuahua

Tascha Parkinson is an artist from Toronto, Canada. She is known for, among many lovely paintings, whimsical portraits of Frida Kahlo.  Visit Tascha's store on Etsy and her blog.