Feminist dudes, I salute you! – The Beastie Boys

Tracy — Sat, 19 May 2012 19:00:20 +0000

Like a lot of people I was so sad to hear Adam Yauch passed away. Not only was he a great musician and writer, but he seemed like a hell of a nice guy too. He was also a socially conscious person who cared about others and in the face of blistering fame and wealth stayed true to his family and friends. There should be more famous dudes we could say such things about.
The Beastie Boys started out as a fun and yes, misogynist-y band but as they grew as artists and people they shared their evolution with the world; openly embracing feminist and humanitarian ideals and guess what – everyone just loved them more (okay, maybe not all the time).
Take note, closeted feminist dudes.

“I want to say a little something that’s long overdue / The disrespect to women has to got to be through / To all the mothers and sisters and the wives and friends / I want to offer my love and respect till the end” – MCA – “Sure Shot”

“Sexism is deeply rooted in our history and society that waking up and stepping outside of it is like I’m watching ‘Night of the Living Dead Part Two’ all day every day. Listening to the lyrics of this song, one might say that the Beastie Boy ‘Fight for Your Right to Party’ guy is a hypocrite. Well, maybe; but in this fucked up world all you can hope for is change, and I’d rather be a hypocrite to you than a zombie forever.” – Adam H.

I want to keep them in a locket in my heart forever and always. Tracy + Adam, Adam + Mike D 4-eva.

The Legend of Needles (a mix tape)

Tracy — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:26:10 +0000

Vintage Lateshoes – November 25, 2004

Tracy — Fri, 18 May 2012 16:47:30 +0000

It’s kind of hard to believe I’ve been doing this since 2004. Lateshoes started out as a knitting blog, something that lasted all of 2 months and used to be called, The Ka-nitting Factory. This is one of my very first non-knitting related posts.

I wanna say, stank you smelly much

If I have learned anything from Sex & the City…and I haven’t, it’s that I love the thought of Sarah Jessica Parker narrating my blog entries. I love imagining myself, typing this at my thousand dollar, maple desk, wearing nine-hundred dollar, Manolo Blahnik spiky heeled shoes, some fabulously vintage dress over calvin klein jeans, my ever fabulous hair brushing my shoulders. In this fantasy, I’m sipping wine and listening to smooth jazz and marveling at the glowy-ness of my shiny, flawless skin.

*Reality* I’m sitting on the couch (which reeks of cat pee *thanks Klaus*), bra-less (again), pant-less (again), barefoot, wrapped in a pilling flannel blanket, sporting the floppy chignon because I haven’t washed my hair in three days, listening to the sounds of Lars flipping channels. (Right now Little Feet on VH1 classic *shiver*) The insane part is, I really wouldn’t have it any other way.

Which brings me to the heart of this entry. I read Miriam’s blog yesterday and it inspired me to make my very own “Things I’m thankful for” list.

* I’m thankful for Lars. It will make me feel like an asshole to go into too much detail here, but I will say that there is nothing more amazing than sharing my life with someone as brilliant, kind, considerate, loving, hilarious as he is. He is the best person I’ve ever known and I looooooooooove him.

* I’m thankful that I get to share my life and space with some of the most awesome cats in the universe. I’m a crazy cat lady and I’m proud.

* I’m thankful for my wonderful friends. You know who you are, bitches.

* I’m thankful for those who make me laugh my ass off.

* I’m thankful for the right to vote, even though sometimes it seems like a total crock of shit. (ok, RIGHT NOW, it seems like a total crock of shit).

* I’m thankful for kick ass music.

* I’m thankful for kick ass movies.

* I’m thankful for kick ass books.

* I’m thankful for kick ass magazines, blogs, zines and comix.

* I’m thankful for kick ass television shows. (sorry t.v. haters, but I’m a junkie thru and thru)

* I’m thankful for the feminist/ homoselualist axis. (Sorry, this is sort of a random “F-word” to Dave Sim, the creator of the Comic, Cerebus and his anti-woman, anti-homo rant of bullshit called “Tangents.”

* I’m thankful for my family. I miss them.

* I’m thankful for my schnuggy, even though I don’t have him yet.

* I’m thankful for my computer and the internet therein.

* I’m thankful for the drums.

* I’m thankful for the bass guitar.

* I’m thankful for inspirational older women.

* I’m thankful for my boring job, because I met some of my best friends there and I also get to make a lousy, lame, sad amount of money.

* I’m thankful for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel dvds.

* I’m thankful for knitting. (no shit).

* I’m thankful for making it to 30.

* I’m thankful that I’m finally, at long last, just a little ok with myself.

* I’m thankful for Morrissey’s voice. ( I shit you not, I could listen to his latest record over and over again for days on end. I NEVER TIRE OF THIS MAN’s pipes).

* I’m thankful for harmony (both musical and like the kind where people get along and stuff).

* I’m thankful for my smart ass and the smart asses of my friends and family.

* I’m thankful for my awesome shoes that do me right in any weather situation…and look snazzy doing so.

* I’m thankful for foooood. Oh how my fat ass loves the food.

* I’m thankful for pictures.

* I’m thankful for memory…and color and sound and light and love and peace and joy.

ok, so I ended on a cheese note, but I really do mean it.

The End. (or is it? …is it? …..is it?…..)

Drawing Challenge – Day 26: Something I don’t like

Tracy — Fri, 18 May 2012 06:08:56 +0000

Sketchbook Pro was being a non-saving witch, so I had to draw this twice. I’m about 9 million percent sure the first/ lost drawing was better because I wasn’t filled with rage while drawing it. Sigh.

Outfit of the day – Asos Curve

Tracy — Thu, 17 May 2012 06:35:56 +0000

Dress – Asos Curve Red Skater Dress with bow

Hat – Asos

Drawing Challenge – Day 25: Scenery

Tracy — Wed, 16 May 2012 01:49:35 +0000

In case you’re wondering why I haven’t yet talked about the HBO show Girls…

Tracy — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:46:14 +0000

In the coming days I will be posting my feelings/ thoughts about Lena Dunham’s new show Girls. Not only will I be talking about the show, but I’ll also be talking about the backlash both within and without the feminist/ lady community.
Part of the reason I haven’t talked about it yet is that it’s too close and I’m too… ragey. HULK SMASH!-y at the backlash and straw man criticisms lobbed at a show that I happen to feel deeply connected to and amused by.

To illustrate my point – I just posted this comment on Gawker. I literally took the time to write this.

I don’t want to satisfy Gawker’s SEO (Search Engine Optimization) bating by giving them a trackback link, but basically this guy has been writing these snide, insidious “recaps” of the show filled with unfunny jibes at a show he decided he hated before ever watching it. He always refers to the women on the show as “the daughter of (insert barely famous parent here)” to illustrate the show’s inherent nepotism, blah blah blah. I’ve been trying not to read it, but reading it anyway for 5 weeks now and I just snapped.

This is not the kind of thing that would EVER happen to a show written and directed by a man. It just wouldn’t. The characters in Girls are pretty awful, but they’re supposed to be. Like Louie CK, or Curb Your Enthusiasm or and Ricky Gervais project. It’s like women aren’t allowed to write stories without it being a 100 percent authentic representation of themselves. They/ we aren’t allowed irony or complexity. If we write someone awful – we must be awful ourselves. It’s gross and it’s pissing me off to the point that I can’t even articulate myself intelligently about it.

I’m going to try though. HULK SMASH!!! Oh and just as a sidebar – stomping on testicles and jerking off is something that came up in the latest episode, so I didn’t just make that part up. I wish I did.

What do I not want to do even more than work?

Tracy — Tue, 15 May 2012 06:15:33 +0000

Get my blood drawn and go to the OB/GYN, but guess what – I get to do all three tomorrow.

Yay. I have to apologize for being a slack-ass on the drawing challenge, I promise I will get back to it very, very soon – but the weekend was so packed with gardening and web development (on this very blog) that there was very little time left over to draw . Especially draw something well – or at least to the best of my ability.

Tomorrow is another day after all and I’m sure I’ll have lots of fodder after taking some care of my reproductive health. Right? Heh. Ugh.

Simplified Misogyny Template (a Mix Tape)

Tracy — Sun, 13 May 2012 07:55:16 +0000

My old design was bugging me batty – so, I’ve simplified things, probably to the point of being boring, but for right now the clean, new layout is pleasing me. We’ll see how long it lasts.
I’ve still got a few bits to style, but I seepy and would rather spend my last few waking moments making a funny mix tape of the insanely sexist songs that came up on shuffle – on my own iPhone while pulling weeds today. –continued after the jump–

And just for scuz, some others that didn’t happen to come up on shuffle today, but deserve to be in this mix.

pals (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 12 May 2012 09:23:46 +0000

pals (Taken with instagram)

Drawing Challenge – Day 24: A Couple

Tracy — Sat, 12 May 2012 05:49:44 +0000

Tired Challenge – Day 5: Is it over yet?

Tracy — Fri, 11 May 2012 07:33:39 +0000

Tomorrow is the last day of that conference I mentioned and man – am I ready for it to end. Being at a conference in your own town is truly the worst of both worlds.
Tonight – I had to have some chill time with my ladies for sanity purposes and as a result, I’ve totally bum-fucked my drawing challenge for the day.
So pretend that tomorrow is today or yesterday. Whatever makes you happy.
In lieu of a drawing, I give you a quick mix of songs I can’t stop listening to.

Robyn – I know – it seems like an unlikely choice if you don’t know me well enough to drive around in my car and experience my deep love and obsession with good pop music. This song has been on mega repeat since it was used to close out an episode of Girls last week. I realized that it was the song I’d tried to force myself to remember from the Leslie Hall dance party a few months ago.
At the end of the episode, Hannah and Marnie dance away their respective shitty days to this song and that’s exactly what Angie and I did together at the dance party. That episode resonated hard core with me and so for right now, this is my Angie/BFF song.

Given all that she’s gone through of late, I have to admit I was terrified to listen to this Sinead record. Happily I can report that it is AMAZING. Lars put in on a few Saturdays ago and I can’t stop listening to it, absorbing it into my pores. I love it so much. These three songs in particular just do it for me. Majorly.

This one isn’t a song -it’s s preview of a documentary about Kathleen Hanna that I’ve watched about 900 times so far.

This Rupaul video is how Ian and I ended our last presentation. We actually embed it in our Powerpoint. It was lost on the masses, but we had a good time.

cat in a hat (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Thu, 10 May 2012 04:43:42 +0000

cat in a hat (Taken with instagram)

Vintage SLC (avoiding conference lunch) (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Wed, 09 May 2012 22:31:44 +0000

Vintage SLC (avoiding conference lunch) (Taken with instagram)

Drawing Challenge – Day 23: something I need

Tracy — Thu, 10 May 2012 03:26:07 +0000

Drawing Challenge – Day 22: Something I miss

Tracy — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:42:20 +0000

I’m attending an overwhelming conference this week- I’m presenting tomorrow and Thursday actually and its been pretty aggressive in its time suckage -so I threw this together kind of last minute, both in concept and execution. The show must go on.

Drawing Challenge – Day 21: Something I Want

Tracy — Tue, 08 May 2012 05:00:59 +0000

Drawing Challenge – Day 20: Something New

Tracy — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:05:42 +0000

A prize from Angie.

Drawing Challenge – Day 19: Something Orange

Tracy — Sun, 06 May 2012 08:16:48 +0000

In honor of The Avengers, I give you the perfect orange nail varnish.

I’m old (Taken with Instagram at Casa de Medley)

Tracy — Sat, 05 May 2012 02:58:38 +0000

I’m old (Taken with Instagram at Casa de Medley)

Drawing Challenge – Day 18: Just a doodle

Tracy — Fri, 04 May 2012 23:41:35 +0000

Based on a true story.

Hope and Tavi Gevinson

Tracy — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:29:35 +0000

I posted this video on Facebook, but I thought I’d go into a little more depth here – I’m not sure if I’ll ever have a kid, if I’m even able. I’ve been dealing for a long time with the concept of living a childless life and while it’s certainly a painful thing and not something I’m willing to go into too much depth about here – I have been “coming to terms” with the possibility of never being a parent.

My pain is mostly abstract. I love being able to do whatever I want. I love being selfish and self-involved and I don’t think I need to become a parent to evolve or be all I can be or any of the million cliches surrounding motherhood. I’m a full person, with a busy, challenging, wonderful life filled with people I love.

As the wonderful Latrice Royale once said, “I looked across at Miss O’hara, and i realized that she was ugly. and i am at peace with that.”

When I imagine what a kid of mine would be like, this is it.

Smart, fierce, funny, adorable. It’s what I hope for anyway.
If you don’t know about Tavi Gevinson, you can read her blog, Style Rookie or her Teen online magazine, Rookie.

Drawing Challenge – Day 17: Favorite Plant

Tracy — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:54:00 +0000

Drawing Challenge – Day 16: Inspiration

Tracy — Thu, 03 May 2012 06:36:28 +0000

Today’s challenge wasn’t hard because I’m currently obsessed with the idea of rocking a “fatkini” this summer. For the uninitiated, that’s just a bikini, hugging the body of someone not who is not considered skinny enough to expose their flesh to the sun or the unwilling eyes of strangers.

Now – let’s be clear – I’m not talking about jamming a giant body into a teeny-tiny, string bikini (though that’s cool too if you’ve got the confidence to do that look) – I’m talking about wearing a well made, well structured, well fitted suit. Structure is key and it’s actually one of the main reasons that chubbier girls should consider trying a two-piece.

Let’s talk about knockers for a second, we can even talk about mine. They’re huge. And with a one-piece I’m typically stuck with two choices; freeballin’ or smashed. Both choices blow. Many bikini tops are made by the same companies who make the bras I wear and they come in my very specific, hard-to-find size. 38G European, if you must know. That means support without smashing – I could cry. Also, in recent years more of these companies have caught on that larger ladies want stylish and flattering options when it comes to clothes and swimwear (okay – European companies have caught on) and we just have so many more options than we used to.

I love swimming, but have always felt somewhat limited in cute, vintage inspired swimsuit options – but, no more.

I started seriously considering this whole thing after one of my favorite fashion bloggers, GABIFRESH recently posted pictures of her gorgeous self on vacation in an adorable “fatkini” and it almost made me weep with joy. She looks beautiful and she’s my size.

My eyes pulse a multitude of cartoon hearts in her direction.

Drawing Challenge – Day 15: Family Portrait

Tracy — Wed, 02 May 2012 07:00:25 +0000

Drawing Challenge – Day 14: Favorite Fairytale

Tracy — Tue, 01 May 2012 05:09:11 +0000

My favorite fairytales all involve drag queens ruling the planet.
Sharon Needles wins the world. Go back to Party City, bitch. 4-Eva.

and just what do they think they’re going to do with that…

Tracy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:42:14 +0000

and just what do they think they’re going to do with that thing? #help (Taken with Instagram at Lady Doctor)

What terror looks like… (Taken with Instagram at Lady…

Tracy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:39:46 +0000

What terror looks like… (Taken with Instagram at Lady Doctor)

Celebrating 25 years of alien V babies #terrifying (Taken with…

Tracy — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 20:07:41 +0000

Celebrating 25 years of alien V babies #terrifying (Taken with instagram)

Drawing Challenge – Day 13: Comic

Tracy — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 06:58:30 +0000

5 minute Rupaul.
There’s no way I could do Ru justice in just five minutes or even in 5 hours, because she is the prettiest person on the planet, but it’s midnight and I’m tired and don’t want to be a challenge quitter- so here you go!

And just cos why not? Have a peek at my process – this is around my halfway point.

Drawing Challenge – Day 12: Most Recent Accomplishment

Tracy — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 03:52:16 +0000

When I found earth and was the harbinger of death and led them all to their end.

Drawing Challenge – Day 11: Turning point in your life

Tracy — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 05:07:55 +0000

When I found out that Lars was a Cylon.

Drawing Challenge – Day 10: Favorite Candy

Tracy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 06:56:51 +0000

Making plans

Tracy — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:50:01 +0000

You guys I want to revamp the front of our house. Here’s what I’m thinking -

Here’s what she looks like now –

Here’s what it will take. Other than the door, hardware and installation it’s not too expensive at all. We probably could install the door ourselves, but knowing our house, if we really want it to work be even and air tight, we should leave it to the pros.

Now I just need tons of time and patience. Don’t got.

Drawing Challenge – Day 9: Favorite TV show

Tracy — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 06:54:20 +0000

I got so overwhelmed with cleaning, grocery shopping and the actual watching of my favorite tv shows that I didn’t have time to fully realize this dream and so you’re stuck with my “ideas” sketch.
You always get the biggest slice of cake.

Drawing Challenge – Day 8: Favorite Animated Character

Tracy — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 06:36:01 +0000

Call upon the Seaponies!
This is Starfish, I made her up because I always wanted there to be a pink seapony with orange hair – kind of a cross between Water Lily and Sun Shower.
Shooby do! shoo shoo be-do!

Willie Mays in bloom in April. (Taken with Instagram at Edith…

Tracy — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:26:09 +0000

Willie Mays in bloom in April. (Taken with Instagram at Edith Ave)

Pretty in Pink Vinyl (Taken with Instagram at Edith Ave)

Tracy — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:13:32 +0000

Pretty in Pink Vinyl (Taken with Instagram at Edith Ave)

Purty n’ pink (Taken with Instagram at Edith Ave)

Tracy — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 23:11:32 +0000

Purty n’ pink (Taken with Instagram at Edith Ave)

Drawing Challenge – Day 7: Favorite word

Tracy — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 04:22:41 +0000

Drawing Challenge – Day 6: Favorite Character ( from a book, but whatever)

Tracy — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 06:38:02 +0000

Okay, today I just wasn’t inspired to draw a haggy book character – snooooore. I think I mentioned that I’ve been rewatching Battlestar Galactica and honestly, I’m girl-crushing something awful on Starbuck.
I think she is without a doubt the most compelling female character ever on television and I love her like an actual person.
Also- lets talk about my nerdiness for a second. I started sketching this earlier and thought I would draw her like a locket portrait, but once I got to the coloring process, I couldn’t quite figure out how to make that happen so I just started filling in colors and then I noticed something…. I’d just drawn her inside the “Eye of Jupiter.”
For those of you who haven’t watched the show, first of all – watch it – secondly, the Eye of Jupiter is a central image that follows the character throughout the show and eventually leads her to her destiny and all of the remaining survivors of the 12 colonies to Earth.
I’m getting a nerd tears-boner just thinking about it.
Anyway – here she is in a locket in my heart.

Created with SketchBook Pro for iPad.

Drawing Challenge – Day 5: Best Friend

Tracy — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 05:05:16 +0000

Created with SketchBook Pro for iPad

Spaghetti-Os on the sidewalk (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:46:14 +0000

Spaghetti-Os on the sidewalk (Taken with instagram)

Found- bloody tampon outside of the library. #animals (Taken…

Tracy — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:44:20 +0000

Found- bloody tampon outside of the library. #animals (Taken with Instagram at Marriott Library)

Grace Jones did it first – a new feature.

Tracy — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 06:45:00 +0000

Not only did she do it first – she did it best.
I seriously wish it was my job to slink around stages filled with chaise lounges, wear kaftans and eye-frak cameras like there’s not tomorrow.

Drawing Challenge – Day 4: Favorite Place

Tracy — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:12:34 +0000

By far my favorite place in the world.

Created with SketchBook Pro for iPad.

Drawing Challenge – Day 3: Favorite Food

Tracy — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:55:29 +0000

It’s definitely not my favorite food overall, but ever since I left Los Angeles, I’ve been craving a Santa Fe “chicken” sandwich. Vegan chicken that tastes better than the real thing. I miss it so.

Created with SketchBook Pro for iPad

First venture outside in 4 days. Are people creepier than they…

Tracy — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 00:01:45 +0000

First venture outside in 4 days. Are people creepier than they were on Wednesday? (Taken with Instagram at Target)

Drawing Challenge – Day 2: Favorite Animal

Tracy — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 15:53:40 +0000

Are sharks my favorite favorite animal? Nah. But they are awesome.

created with PAPER. By 53 for iPad

“The Baby” – 1973

Tracy — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 07:55:31 +0000

Look – I can’t help what happens when I just randomly start playing movies on Netflix streaming – but this….

I’m going to have nightmares for the rest of my life and this trailer doesn’t even come close to depicting the horror.

I feel like I need 10 Silkwood showers and 10 months of hypnotherapy to forget.

Drawing Challenge – Day 1: Yourself

Tracy — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 04:07:15 +0000

Created with PAPER. By 53 for iPad.

When I get through with you, there won’t be anything left

Tracy — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 07:37:25 +0000

This was going to be a productive week, but then…..

I got sick. Pish. Posh.

Wednesday morning I felt fine. By 1:30/ 1:40, while in the middle of leading a hands-on training session for a new library system, I started to feel unbearably hot. By 2 o’clock my throat felt funny, so I ran back to my office for some water. I drank 2 liters in 2 minutes and still felt thirsty. Oh, it’s allergies I thought, my mind growing ever foggier. 3 o’clock – I said the words out loud, “I think I’m getting sick.”

I spent the entirety of Thursday on the couch in a semi-delirious haze. I sort of watched Night of the Comet. I slept through The Gate. Then I remembered that I’d recently re-watched the 2004 Battlestar Galactica mini-series/pilot, so I dove snotty head first into the first season episode, 33 and didn’t look back. I barely noticed when Lars got home from work because shit was seriously going down on the Galactica and the Tylenol Cold & Flu had taken over the right side of my brain.

By this morning the plague had moved from my sinuses to my throat. This always happens to me. No matter what type of crud I’ve got, I get one day of agonizing sinus pain that feels like someone’s punching me in the neck with a flamethrower every time I swallow and then another full day of sore throat. I’m so lucky.

I made it through half of season 2 Battlestar and I managed to shower and put on bra, so I’m obviously feeling better.

Two things: Battlestar is awesome. Tylenol Cold tastes like shit.

Look ma! (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 20:44:11 +0000

Look ma! (Taken with instagram)

Look what’s happening in our backyard! Lars, Kelly and Cam…

Tracy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:13:49 +0000

Look what’s happening in our backyard! Lars, Kelly and Cam are my Easter miracles! (Taken with instagram)

Look what’s happening in our backyard! Lars, Kelly and Cam…

Tracy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 19:13:49 +0000

Look what’s happening in our backyard! Lars, Kelly and Cam are my Easter miracles! (Taken with instagram)

Supervisors (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 03:10:22 +0000

Supervisors (Taken with instagram)

Pulled out the wrong baggie @ the counter. Just showed Home…

Tracy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 00:39:31 +0000

Pulled out the wrong baggie @ the counter. Just showed Home Depot guy my Diva Cup. No big. (Taken with instagram)

Winter is Coming: Game of Thrones Nerd Mix tape for Nerds

Tracy — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 06:57:33 +0000

Something’s going to happen in the winter | Ian Drury & the Blockheads

Kingdom of Doom | The Good, The Bad & the Queen

My Lady’s House | Iron & Wine

Queen Bitch | David Bowie

Needle in the Hay | Elliott Smith

Wolf Among Wolves | Bonnie “Prince” Billy

Falling in love with the Wolfboy | Magnetic Fields

Wall of Death | Richard & Linda Thompson

Can’t make a Ho a Housewife | Dr. Dre

Winter Kills | Yaz

My Death | Scott Walker

Army of Me | Bjork

Lady of the Fire | Helium

Ironclad | Sleater Kinney

Sister | Prince

Storms | Fleetwood Mac

Heads will Roll | Echo & the Bunnymen

Ghost | Neutral Milk Hotel

Black Sheep Boy | Tim Hardin

Dig for Fire | Pixies

On the Wall | Jesus and Mary Chain

Thrones | The Dears

A Place Called Home | PJ Harvey

Territorial Pissings | Nivana

I Fought in a War | Belle & Sebastian

Shake yer Dix | Peaches

Walking on the Thin Ice | Yoko Ono

Crown | The Need

Dragon Queen | Yeah Yeah Yeahs

Listen a y’all……

Mega jerk roots (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:12:10 +0000

Mega jerk roots (Taken with instagram)

Supervisors (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 10:10:22 +0000

Supervisors (Taken with instagram)

Pulled out the wrong baggie @ the counter. Just showed Home…

Tracy — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 07:39:31 +0000

Pulled out the wrong baggie @ the counter. Just showed Home Depot guy my Diva Cup. No big. (Taken with instagram)

Right now…

Tracy — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 04:03:32 +0000

I am filling out Martha Stewart sticker labels for my mid-way organized laundry room. This is what I’ve been reduced to.

Spring has me wanting to go through everything I own and toss most of it out.

Oh and move into a bigger, nicer, cleaner house with a cleaning lady.

There’s something that happens to my brain when I’m throwing old, dirty things away. It’s like pulling off a bandaid or relieving a headache. It’s wonderful. It’s like getting high and I miss it when it inevitably turns to shit because we get lazy and busy and nuts and start putting pennies here, a few receipts there and voila – a bloody mess of shit.

It’s how it always goes.

But, for now – me, Martha, fancy baskets and some art pens, we’re rocking this shit out.

Medley bingo skillz on the Fun Bus (old news) (Taken with…

Tracy — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:14:54 +0000

Medley bingo skillz on the Fun Bus (old news) (Taken with Instagram at Fun Bus)

Medley bingo skillz on the Fun Bus (old news) (Taken with…

Tracy — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 23:14:54 +0000

Medley bingo skillz on the Fun Bus (old news) (Taken with Instagram at Fun Bus)

Taking a break from our yard workin (Taken with Instagram at…

Tracy — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:46:52 +0000

Taking a break from our yard workin (Taken with Instagram at Casa de Medley)

Taking a break from our yard workin (Taken with Instagram at…

Tracy — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:46:52 +0000

Taking a break from our yard workin (Taken with Instagram at Casa de Medley)

Taking a break from our yard workin (Taken with Instagram at…

Tracy — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 22:46:52 +0000

Taking a break from our yard workin (Taken with Instagram at Casa de Medley)

Stanley really isn’t feeling this whole clean shaven thing…

Tracy — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Stanley really isn’t feeling this whole clean shaven thing (Taken with instagram)

Stanley really isn’t feeling this whole clean shaven thing…

Tracy — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 19:52:00 +0000

Stanley really isn’t feeling this whole clean shaven thing (Taken with instagram)

Ugh

Tracy — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 05:45:21 +0000

I meant to blog over the weekend, I even had a really good idea about a post while I was grocery shopping at the new, downtown Harmons. I should have just found a desolate corner and plugged it out on my iPhone, but – alas I was practical and thought, oh, you – finish shopping and write later.
That was stupid.
Later, I would attempt to pull our gluten free pizza out of the oven, it would start to slip and I would grab the pan with my bare hand and burn the ever-living-fuck-shit out of my thumb.
No writing for me.
I spent the rest of the night gripping a back of frozen chopped onions and whimpering. It sucked. It was dumb.
Now I can’t even remember the good idea I had on Sunday and you’re stuck with this stupid post about my burny thumb.

Ta Ta Ta!! (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 04:56:48 +0000

Ta Ta Ta!! (Taken with instagram)

look at his cute butt!!! Lovey pictures of my fuel efficient…

Tracy — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:36:15 +0000

look at his cute butt!!! Lovey pictures of my fuel efficient economy car tbc tomorrow (Taken with instagram)

look at his cute butt!!! Lovey pictures of my fuel efficient…

Tracy — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:36:15 +0000

look at his cute butt!!! Lovey pictures of my fuel efficient economy car tbc tomorrow (Taken with instagram)

I’m a little bit in love with Bruce. He is not brining me…

Tracy — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 01:33:49 +0000

I’m a little bit in love with Bruce. He is not brining me down (Taken with Instagram at Whole Foods Trolley)

The Dark Knight rises y’all (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:01:13 +0000

The Dark Knight rises y’all (Taken with instagram)

RIP Bruiser 1995-2012

Tracy — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 05:10:05 +0000

Sadness. The Bruiser has a nearly blown head gasket and would cost $1750 to fix. We’ve decided to say goodbye to the old girl and go the way of real grow ups and get a new car. Weird. I feel like a sell out even typing that.
But, truly – I can no longer endure the annual $1500 cumulative repairs and constant sense of anxiety and dread every time I start up my car and it makes a new, weird noise. I just can’t.
We’ve been talking about getting a new car for a while, but I was hoping it would be as a second car (the relationship of a one car couple must endure many a trial), but for now it will be nice enough to know that the one we will have, will just work.
So, sometime this week you’ll get to meet our new transportation. You’re so lucky,
And so are we…. really.

Here she is in better days.

Feeling kind of ill and waiting for the chudd bus. (Taken…

Tracy — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:19:12 +0000

Feeling kind of I’ll and waiting for the chudd bus. (Taken with Instagram at Marriott Library)

Game of Boners

Tracy — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 04:48:32 +0000

Game of Thrones begins again in a few weeks and I’m almost embarrassed to say how many times I’ve rewatched season 1 in preparation.
The first time it ’twas on purpose, tonight – not even meaning to, I’ve nearly watched the last 5 episodes again.
Worse- I’m nerding out, positing new theories, changing my opinion about characters, making new predictions about what’s to come.
The stupid part is that I would know exactly what’s to come, if I took the time to read the books…at least to a point.
When we first started watching, it was hard to take seriously, with all of the boobies and random, nasty, HBO sex, but then the unrelenting violence (and puppies) won me over. Really.

Rattle & Humming with some Crest White Strips – Recommended…

Tracy — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 05:42:18 +0000

Rattle & Humming with some Crest White Strips – Recommended (Taken with instagram)

Sorcerer’s Apprentice down….Drive Angry is just…

Tracy — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 02:37:12 +0000

Sorcerer’s Apprentice down….Drive Angry is just beginning (Taken with instagram)

Caputos, new iPads and a Nic Cage marathon…Medleys know…

Tracy — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:14:32 +0000

Caputos, new iPads and a Nic Cage marathon…Medleys know how to party (Taken with instagram)

Nadine is as excited about this box as her dad is with what came…

Tracy — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:44:50 +0000

Nadine is as excited about this box as her dad is with what came inside (Taken with instagram)

Lars getting his iPad baby from the scariest place on earth…

Tracy — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 06:22:50 +0000

Lars getting his iPad baby from the scariest place on earth (Taken with instagram)

We don’t have children, we have pets and gadgets

Tracy — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 07:08:50 +0000

Lars has a new baby and I live in abject envy while I toil away on my work-owned iPad 2….black…like my jealousy.

Sup, Sluts?

Tracy — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 00:48:47 +0000

As a terrible Robert De Niro character once said, “Hello, you lucky people!”

Lately – I’m just not good at anything outside of work. Housework, cooking, crafting and yes, blogging have all suffered. I honestly can’t even remember if I’ve mentioned here that over the summer I was promoted to the “Head” of my department (like a real fancy business lady). It’s been challenging, draining, stress-inducing to say the least – but also rewarding and interesting and I’ve learned a lot. Weirdly, I’ve learned the most about myself.

For instance, this may or may not surprise some of you, but I’m kind of a bad ass. I mean, I know I’ve never been a demure flower, but I could always pass the buck when people flipped out in my grill. Left alone to face the wall of crazy, I’ve definitely been forced to man-up in ways I never thought I could…. and yes, I have verbally cut-a-bitch, when cutting a bitch was required.

I’ve also realized that I’m not a bad boss. My gen-x stylings are definitely more hands-off than most, but I’ve managed to juggle a buzzillion projects without losing my shit on anyone or freaking out – which is more than I can say for any of the bosses I’ve ever had.

Balancing so much means that I’ve become a complete mental slob when I get home. I immediately get in my pajamas, put on fuzzy socks and zone out in front of Netflix…and drool probably.

I did manage to read The Hunger Games, which I really enjoyed. It was my first effort to re-enter the world of the not-lame and I’m glad I did it. I’m reading the second one now and I’m still liking the series a lot. After attempting the Twilight series, it was a relief to read some YA fiction that actually seems to be about something. More importantly, the main female character has a personality and talents and actually displays intelligence and strength.

So, here I am. Re-entering the universe and hopefully being a better over-sharer/ blogger.

Looky, here’s me blogging, RIGHT NOW. No drool in sight, but yes, I am wearing my pajamas.

dog pile (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:41:20 +0000

dog pile (Taken with instagram)

Treat Williams on your flight is a good omen, right? (Taken with…

Tracy — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 01:52:26 +0000

Treat Williams on your flight is a good omen, right? (Taken with Instagram at I am on a plane!)

cheating on Lunaberry again (Taken with Instagram at Pinkberry)

Tracy — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 05:15:47 +0000

cheating on Lunaberry again (Taken with Instagram at Pinkberry)

Conferencing (Taken with Instagram at Hilton, Universal City)

Tracy — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 19:07:14 +0000

Conferencing (Taken with Instagram at Hilton, Universal City)

I want to be a pretty girl (Taken with Instagram at 1200…

Tracy — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:25:30 +0000

I want to be a pretty girl (Taken with Instagram at 1200 Westchester)

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 19:34:09 +0000

Taken with instagram

bluesberry (Taken with Instagram at The Griddle Cafe)

Tracy — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 20:50:15 +0000

bluesberry (Taken with Instagram at The Griddle Cafe)

I 💜 Bluto (Taken with Instagram at The Griddle Cafe)

Tracy — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 19:36:11 +0000

I 💜 Bluto (Taken with Instagram at The Griddle Cafe)

walkin home in an apocalypse. no big deal. (Taken with…

Tracy — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:58:50 +0000

walkin home in an apocalypse. no big deal. (Taken with instagram)

what it’s like in my heart (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:52:45 +0000

what it’s like in my heart (Taken with instagram)

My Emergen-C matches my kaftan (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 05:13:01 +0000

My Emergen-C matches my kaftan (Taken with instagram)

from my sweetie. 💗💚🌈💏💚💗 (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:38:19 +0000

from my sweetie. 💗💚🌈💏💚💗 (Taken with instagram)

Burn it Down – A Youtube mix for Tracey F.

Tracy — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:51:09 +0000

*View on Youtube to be able to skip around, but like duh – you’ll wanna watch every video and take notes.

Granny is ready for the party (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 23:06:20 +0000

Granny is ready for the party (Taken with instagram)

Server Surgery (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 03:58:35 +0000

Server Surgery (Taken with instagram)

Happy 2012! (the year of my 20th High School reunion)

Tracy — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:20:23 +0000

….and no, I have no interest in attending.
Enjoy this 3 1/2 hour playlist of some of my major 91/92 jams.

You can just let the whole mother play out or skip forward or watch in YouTube and skip around at your leisure.

Happy New Year, everybody!

Ru Ru’s Christmas Ball (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 07:11:43 +0000

Ru Ru’s Christmas Ball (Taken with instagram)

Nadine is stealing Lars’ soul (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:38:02 +0000

Nadine is stealing Lars’ soul (Taken with instagram)

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Tracy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 17:17:50 +0000

and for the original….my beloved Judy!

come and play with us, Danny…. forever and ever (Taken…

Tracy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:13:03 +0000

come and play with us, Danny…. forever and ever (Taken with instagram)

fluffy blankets (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 05:04:58 +0000

fluffy blankets (Taken with instagram)

I think Bailey loves me. (Taken with Instagram at University of…

Tracy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 22:52:21 +0000

I think Bailey loves me. (Taken with Instagram at University of Utah Hospital)

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:47:08 +0000

Taken with instagram

I wouldn’t call it a problem (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:44:33 +0000

I wouldn’t call it a problem (Taken with instagram)

Good news: the tree is up Bad news: my throat feels scratchy…

Tracy — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:55:34 +0000

Good news: the tree is up Bad news: my throat feels scratchy (Taken with instagram)

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 01:49:39 +0000

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:43:57 +0000

Taken with instagram

caught by the fuzz (Taken with Instagram at Beaver, Utah)

Tracy — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 23:29:35 +0000

caught by the fuzz (Taken with Instagram at Beaver, Utah)

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:06:58 +0000

Taken with instagram

fire in de hole (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:46:13 +0000

fire in de hole (Taken with instagram)

Nadine missed me, even if she won’t admit it (Taken with…

Tracy — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 05:27:15 +0000

Nadine missed me, even if she won’t admit it (Taken with instagram)

come on hookers, let’s get this donkey moving (Taken with…

Tracy — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 01:04:59 +0000

come on hookers, let’s get this donkey moving (Taken with Instagram at Denver International Airport (DEN))

On the Sea Fox (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:19:42 +0000

On the Sea Fox (Taken with instagram)

Will let me drive the Sea Fox!! Cap’n Ronnin’ it….

Tracy — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 23:19:40 +0000

Will let me drive the Sea Fox!! Cap’n Ronnin’ it. (Taken with instagram)

Taken with Instagram at Rustic Inn Seafood Crabhouse

Tracy — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:09:06 +0000

Taken with Instagram at Rustic Inn Seafood Crabhouse

Tracy — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:07:53 +0000

Taken with Instagram at Rustic Inn Seafood Crabhouse

Pretty sure these ladies are talking shit about me right now….

Tracy — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:45:43 +0000

Pretty sure these ladies are talking shit about me right now. (Taken with instagram)

Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon Bar

Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:26:08 +0000

Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon Bar

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:24:18 +0000

Taken with instagram

Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon Bar

Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:23:20 +0000

Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon Bar

Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbin Street Dark Room

Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:22:02 +0000

Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbin Street Dark Room

My mom tipping Elle (Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon Bar)

Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:10:32 +0000

My mom tipping Elle (Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon Bar)

finally… my people! (Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon…

Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 07:08:59 +0000

finally… my people! (Taken with Instagram at 801 Bourbon Bar)

sloppy joe’s indeed (Taken with Instagram at Sloppy…

Tracy — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 05:00:15 +0000

sloppy joe’s indeed (Taken with Instagram at Sloppy Joe’s Bar)

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:25:11 +0000

Taken with instagram

? hghhufs

Tracy — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:30:53 +0000

? hghhufs

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:29:50 +0000

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 21:28:32 +0000

Taken with instagram

Taken with Instagram at Cheeseburger Key West

Tracy — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 17:48:41 +0000

Taken with Instagram at Cheeseburger Key West

cuteness (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:37:42 +0000

cuteness (Taken with instagram)

lovebirds (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:35:17 +0000

lovebirds (Taken with instagram)

Sistahs (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:34:05 +0000

Sistahs (Taken with instagram)

lovey dovey (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:29:12 +0000

lovey dovey (Taken with instagram)

racist font attack (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 06:27:57 +0000

racist font attack (Taken with instagram)

what I look like when not even my headphones will drown out the…

Tracy — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:57:58 +0000

what I look like when not even my headphones will drown out the stank conversation on this plane (Taken with instagram)

where are these three when I need them? (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 05:48:02 +0000

where are these three when I need them? (Taken with instagram)

Quick pics of a new dress!

Tracy — Sat, 29 Oct 2011 07:23:07 +0000

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 01:01:32 +0000

Taken with instagram

Nadine haaates homework (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 06:12:04 +0000

Nadine haaates homework (Taken with instagram)

butcha’ ahhhhr in that chair, Blanche… ya ahhhrrr…

Tracy — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:52:40 +0000

butcha’ ahhhhr in that chair, Blanche… ya ahhhrrr (Taken with instagram)

Holy Guacamole this iPhone’s like magic (Upgrading from 3GS to 4S: The camera)

Tracy — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 08:01:35 +0000

So, it’s pretty well established that I couldn’t live without my iPhone, but the old girl was getting tired and slow and clunky – and while she’s lasted a full year and 5 months longer than any other cell phone…her time has finally come. I’m not going to lie, as much as I love new gadgets, the thought of parting with Peggy has been a little tough. That is…. until (gulp) Peggy 2 arrived this afternoon.

I’ve been impressed with Peggy 2 on a myriad of levels – she’s beyond fast on both 3G and Wi-fi, her creepy built in voice command/ “personal assistant” is both sufficiently terrifying and helpful and most of all, her camera knocked me out.

Check out these comparison shots, I mean really. (Pictures have not been altered in any way…other than being spliced together, which – ew, now I have to think about that movie, Splice, which is going to give me nightmares about incest-y, bird sex and gender-bending tail rape. {{{{shivers}}}}}

A macro-ish shot. You can't even see the kitty bite marks on the first picture!

This one is probably the most shocking. I could actually tell the picture was going to turn out on my 4S because more light was coming through on the LCD than I'd ever seen on my 3GS. In fact, I would have never even attempted picture like this with Peggy 1 for obvious reasons. P.S. Lars is hotness.

For reals, y'all.

Awww, you can see just how dirty Stanley is in the second picture.

And just in case you forgot about it……SPLICE….. uck……. (Note: This picture was not taken with an iPhone of any generation, as far as I know).

Makeups (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 22:39:53 +0000

Makeups (Taken with instagram)

Taken with instagram

Tracy — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:24:45 +0000

Taken with instagram

You really can’t stop the music (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:23:48 +0000

You really can’t stop the music (Taken with instagram)

Stoned (a video mix tape)

Tracy — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 07:25:06 +0000

This is a full mix, so be sure to keep listening after the first track. If you want to skip, the “Next” button looks a bit like this: >| In the bottom, left of the youtube window.

Beatlemania (a video mix tape)

Tracy — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 06:48:16 +0000

This is a full mix, so be sure to keep listening after the first track. If you want to skip, the “Next” button looks a bit like this: >| In the bottom, left of the youtube window.

Damn, girl! (for Tawnya because she wanted to know how to remove false lashes)

Tracy — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 06:32:27 +0000

river of blood (Taken with Instagram at University of Utah…

Tracy — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:13:57 +0000

river of blood (Taken with Instagram at University of Utah Union)

river of blood (Taken with Instagram at University of Utah…

Tracy — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 21:12:38 +0000

river of blood (Taken with Instagram at University of Utah Union)

The Tampon Room (for reals) (Taken with Instagram at University…

Tracy — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:28:10 +0000

The Tampon Room (for reals) (Taken with Instagram at University of Utah Union)

The Tampon Room (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:22:49 +0000

The Tampon Room (Taken with instagram)

My “Hillbilly Handfishin’” Birthday Card from Angie

Tracy — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 09:37:26 +0000

It’s still making me laugh.

It’s time for a refresher….

Tracy — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 04:57:17 +0000

In 2007, the Medleys undertook a huge redesign/ remodel project in the front of our house and for year si was the part of the house that made us proud…. but 4 years is a long time and I’m getting itchy to spruce up my favorite space in the house.

Our poor Ikea Karlstad couch is looking shabby. The back cushions are a smooshed mess (and when you see the photos below, you’ll totally understand how they got that way. I definitely wanted a new a new cover – so, I scoured Ikea’s catalog and website first, but all of the colors/ fabrics were just blah. I wanted something versatile, durable and most of all washable, but, Ikea just wasn’t delivering.

For a minute, I gave up and started checking Craigslist, but that was a similar bust.

Then I stumbled upon something wonderful… an Etsy shop called Fresh Knesting, which led me to the seller’s website, Knesting.com. Susan, the owner makes lovely custom covers for Ikea furniture. She’s got a very lovely selection of fabrics and I instantly went bananas over the Taupe Twill. Susan has been amazing to work. She’s sent me swatches and has been super nice, even offering to send me some extra scrap fabric for the next couch refreshment I have in mind…. tufting the back cushions.

These horrid people who make me feel guilty about everything in my life took the same couch we have and made it unbearably gorgeous by having the cushions very cheaply tufted ($40) and adding new, mid-century looking legs.

And

Seriously…could this be prettier? And doesn’t it seem like the answer to our couch’s prayers?

Bwa bwa…..

Inspiration wise, I’m hoping it will look something like this when I’m done being crazy.

I’m also going to repaint our entryway and try to find a cute piece to fill the space, since the round, metal table sitting there now makes me want to curl up and die.

Look forward to pictures galore.

Birthday #37

Tracy — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 06:42:37 +0000

What my dreams are like

Tracy — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 06:30:57 +0000

Nearly too adorable for words “getting ready” videos with the exact hair color I want to steal

Tracy — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 04:49:05 +0000

makeup! from elsabillgren on Vimeo.

hairdo from elsabillgren on Vimeo.

please, fly away! (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 17:22:00 +0000

pleas, fly away! (Taken with instagram)

I’m Challenged

Tracy — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 22:38:48 +0000

Given that I’m a busy business Tiger Lady these days, it’s really hard for me to think (ugh, just the word…) of ways to be creative.
I’ve been forcing myself to blog, even if by blog I mean…here’s a picture…. here’s a link, but – it’s not enough.
I know when it gets colder I’ll start to knit again, but in the meantime, silly little things like this are a place to start. So, get ready for the doodles and pictures.

Source: goldrush021.tumblr.com via Tracy on Pinterest

Source: kidnappedbysuburbia.com via Tracy on Pinterest

Someone’s smiley today (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 17:03:28 +0000

Someone’s smiley today (Taken with instagram)

Wally Bird Johnson Medley (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:58:46 +0000

Wally Bird Johnson Medley (Taken with instagram)

Cranky, Sassy and Out of Control (a mix tape)

Tracy — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 07:34:47 +0000

Connie Marble summing up my entire world view (P.S. I kind of need to dye my hair this color)

Tracy — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 07:27:25 +0000

Dear BPPV, I hate you

Tracy — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:17:31 +0000

About 6 years ago I was in a pretty gnarly car accident with Angie. An old geezer slammed into the back of Angie’s van, going about 60mph. We were on our way to play a show in Provo and we didn’t want to be late, so we didn’t go to the hospital and we learned soon enough that we were stupid not too. Ever since Angie’s been left with chronic neck and back pain and I, thanks to the concussion I didn’t know I had have been plagued with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

Basically there are these “rocks” in the inner ear that randomly dislodge and make me feel exactly like when Harry Potter gets swept into Voldemort-vision or when Frodo puts on the ring in Lord of the Rings. The world spins and if I don’t lie down, I fall down. The “spells” happen about once a year if I’m lucky, 3 or 4 times if I’m not.

It came back today and completely knocked me on my ass. After spending the first hour of work on the floor of my office, I came home and have been on the couch ever sine.

Ugh. I’m feeling better tonight, but I hate the feeling that there is something…maybe many somethings wrong with my body that I can’t control.

Bloody terrifying.

I seriously think I broke my butt doing this dance today

Tracy — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 06:48:39 +0000

It started innocently enough – I was cleaning and then before I knew it Beyonce’s Check on it popped up on my iPod. What was I supposed to do? I had to dance…and I had to dance just like the video. The power of Bouncy compelled me.
Alas. It’s 9 hours later and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to move my ass at all tomorrow. I definitely threw something out.
Being old is fucking lame. It makes me want to impeach Obama and shit.

Mittens (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 17:24:36 +0000

Mittens (Taken with instagram)

Sorority Boys is filling me with rage (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 19:51:09 +0000

Sorority Boys is filling me with rage (Taken with instagram)

I told you I was freaky

Tracy — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 06:03:29 +0000

I love you, Dorothy Elaine!

Tracy — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 06:10:01 +0000

I’m a terrible granddaughter who forgot – despite the 3 reminders I set, to call my grammy on her birthday.

I want to punch myself.

In fairness, work was insane today and it carried over well into my evening. Like, I literally just stopped working 10 minutes ago. I keep saying this, but I really can’t keep up this schedule of non-stop meetings and continue to get any work done. It’s just silly.

Now – back to my grammy. I love her and miss her very much and I will call her tomorrow and she’ll be sweet and talk to me for a minute and then probably beg off the phone as quickly as possible, because none of the ladies in my family are big on gabbing over the phone. I mean, really, what’s to like?

Happy Birthday, Dotty!

Do I have to, mommy?

Tracy — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 05:53:13 +0000

I really, really, really don’t want to go back to work tomorrow. It’s causing me pain in my guts.
4 days off is always so wonderful, but it’s kind of too short and too long all at once. It’s just long enough to remember you’re alive and then…Bam! it’s over.

I feel pretty cultured though, I managed to go to Home Depot 3 times, attend Oktoberfest, score a wicked Labor Day deal on a desperately needed new mattress set, watch both Paradise Lost documentaries and make some delicious jalepeno, cheese grits from scratch.

All in all – fairly successful, but now as I type this, sprawled uncomfortably on my stupid, old mattress (the new one is getting delivered tomorrow), I’m filled with overwhelming blah, thinking about sitting through my early morning meeting. You’d think we work at the Pentagon with the level of self-important, paranoid drama that takes place at these things. Like, really – Dick Cheney may have to write a book about it. You know, because in-fighting over life or death things like podcasting will make everyone’s head explode. Or something.

Yeah. See?

You Gotta’ Get Country Stong in case you get a Hillbilly Handfish after that Banana Split

Tracy — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 04:07:34 +0000

Flipping channels after watching Country Strong, Angie and I saw something called, Hillbilly Handfishin’ in the listings. Surely THAT can’t be real, we thought. We decided that it sounded like hideous and depraved sex act involving the birthing of fish and the splashing of man-made lake jizz all over the camera.

and well….

Someone tell me what the fuck I’m seeing and hearing in these clips??!?!
I can only explain, Country Strong … which means you’ve shaved your bush. Because I say so.

Putting together the new baby (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 03:56:24 +0000

Putting together the new baby (Taken with instagram)

The Office (some new decorations)

Tracy — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:47:25 +0000

Fashion Inspiration and Body-Positive Blogging

Tracy — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:13:23 +0000

It’s annoying to be 36 and only now beginning to buck traditional “fat-girl” fashion convention. Lately – in large part to finding beautiful and fashionable young women blogging about their fashion finds and body positivity – I’ve been doing unthinkable – I’ve been baring my fat arms in public, in scorching, 99 degree heat.

While I’ve gotten some crummy looks, it’s no more than I would get if I was wearing a burka. Some people just hate larger bodies and that’s okay, because someday they’ll die alone and cats will eat their skinny corpses.

Fuck em’ where they breath, I’m hot. Figuratively and literally.

Fat Aus

Cupcake Clothes

Bonjour Gazel

Garters & Stockings

Curious Fancy

Too Many Sequins

The Office

Tracy — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 03:03:27 +0000

So, I kinda-sorta got a promotion at work a few months ago. The financial incentive was weak, but I do have a fancy new office. For the past two months I’ve kept it as spartan as possible – I don’t know why… It’s weird being a boss and I just haven’t felt comfortable making myself comfortable. I’m crazy – you know this.

Anyway – I’m finally starting to settle in, so I’ve got a few little touches here and there and my giant 9 to 5 poster finally arrived today and I’m itchy to get it on my wall tomorrow.

Check out some snaps of the place where I spend most of my time.

Photo

Tracy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 07:32:34 +0000

What happens when dogs pee in the house ( part 2 ) (Taken with…

Tracy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 05:04:04 +0000

What happens when dogs pee in the house ( part 2 ) (Taken with instagram)

What happens when dogs pee in the house (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 05:03:13 +0000

What happens when dogs pee in the house (Taken with instagram)

Tracy paint’ns (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 04:40:50 +0000

Tracy paint’ns (Taken with instagram)

The heat killed our little dudes (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 04:39:04 +0000

The heat killed our little dudes (Taken with instagram)

I love my precious oils

Tracy — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 06:04:25 +0000

Original artwork by Angie Eralie Midgley

Aging is weird. 10 years ago, I would have upchucked on about how cool older ladies look and blah, blah blah, wrinkles are neat, blah blah blah… – but, as I approach 37 and begin to notice the signs of aging on my own face, I’d like to quote the classic film, Don’t Tell Mom, The Babysitter’s Dead and say, “Whoa – slow down, you’re moving too fast for me.”

It all started with what I call my WTF? wrinkles between my eyes. I know you’ve seen this face, because I’ve most certainly directed it toward you at one time or another.

Here’s a blurry visual aid.

Anyway – lately – I’ve noticed those little WTF? lines even when I’m not making the face. Horror.

Then, I got this completely heinous eczema spot on my eyelid. It crusted and peeled and was generally nasty for close to a month.

Nothing would clear it up and most products I tried even made it worse. It was gnarly.

That’s when I started looking into natural remedies and I tumbled down a slippery, oily well of wonderful – healing elixirs of awesomeness.

Here are some of my favorites.

Argan Oil

Where do I use it? face, body, hair

What’s it do? clears acne, heals scars, smooths out and prevents wrinkles, softens dry skin, conditions hair

What’s the routine? In the a.m., I use this on any dry patches on my face. In the evening I use 2 drops to moisturize my entire face

What’s it cost? There are lots of fancy brands who will try to sell you Argan oil for like $80 an ounce, but you can get it at Whole Foods for $30 and online for $8. The $8 stuff is just as good as the $80, so…. don’t be too picky. (All argan sold is produced by a women’s cooperative that shares the profits among the local women of the Berber tribe in Morocco).

Shoes’ verdict? Amazing. I can’t say enough about this stuff. It’s dramatically reduced any signs of aging on my face including the WTF? lines and the fine lines beginning to form under my eyes. It’s also quickly healed old acne scarring and helps prevent and clear up any new spots.

Jojoba Oil

Where do I use it? face, body, hair

What’s it do? moisturizes skin, softens cuticles, strengthens nails, makeup remover, removes scalp buildup, tames frizzy hair, preps skin for shaving and more…

What’s the routine? I use jojoba daily to moisturize my face at night, as a shave oil in the shower daily. I do a jojoba hot-oil treatment once every two weeks – I highly recommend this – it feels amazing and makes your scalp clean as a whistle and your hair as shiny as a hooker’s spandex pants.

What’s it cost? About $8 at Whole Foods, Smiths or Sunflower Market.

Shoes’ Verdict? Pretty great. I do use this on my face every night and I feel like it helps balance my skin, but I’m mostly in love with jojoba for what it’s done for my hair and scalp.

Coconut Oil (MUST BE RAW & ORGANIC)

Where do I use it? everywhere – seriously

What’s it do? everything. Definitely click the link above to learn more, but here’s a start: full body and face moisturizer, cures eczema, dandruff and athlete’s foot, heals acne, conditions lips, conditions and shines hair, heals ulcers and acid reflux, polishes furniture, healthy alternative to butter and cooking oil and can even be used as a sexy-time lubricant (sans latex).

What’s the routine? I use coconut oil daily to moisturize my skin after the shower. Yes, I do smell like a macaroon, but I’ve come to love it. It makes my skin glow and not in a greasy way. It almost shimmers. Now, I’ll also tell you that coconut oil is what healed the eczema on my eyelid – I mean… it’s a wonder.

It’s also a delicious and healthy cooking oil that I use a lot.

What’s it cost? About $9 at Whole Foods, Smiths or Sunflower Market. Remember that you have to get the raw, organic stuff.

Shoes’ Verdict? Amazeballs. Coconut oil is magical, I want to start buying it by the tub.

Sweet Almond Oil

Where do I use it? face, body

What’s it do? super moisturizes the skin and helps eliminate dryness, scarring and wrinkles on the body, heals eczema, soothes psoriasis and reduces dark circles under the eyes.

What’s the routine? I use this everyday to treat the dark circles under my eyes and also to soften my elbows and heals. It’s a wonder. Along with coconut oil, sweet almond oil helped to cure the eczema on my eyelid, so I’m pretty much indebted.

What’s it cost? About $6 at Whole Foods, Smiths or Sunflower Market.

Shoes’ Verdict? Love. It’s definitely doing something for my dark undereye circles and it’s a wonderful moisturizer as well. One word of warning – don’t use SAO if you have a nut allergy. La doy.

ilikeprettyclothes: With my friend, the lovely Cyn Furneaux,…

Tracy — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:47:44 +0000

ilikeprettyclothes:

With my friend, the lovely Cyn Furneaux, after her burlesque debut last night.

I must admit, my first reaction to this photo was, “Holy crap! I am three times the size of her!” in a shocked and upset sort of way, and I wanted to delete it. But I stopped that line of thinking as soon as I could, because so what? So I’m larger than her, big deal. It’s just stature, and a pretty stupid thing to be upset about. Especially when I have a great job, great friends, a fabulous husband, and a wardrobe full of pretty clothes that look fantastic on me; I had to get my priorities straight. Being upset about something like my size is petty and ridiculous when compared with all the good things I have in my life.

Plus, if I concentrate only on the perceived negative in this photo, then I really miss the point. This was a great night; my friend bared all – literally – in a fantastic performance, and that really took guts. I was – am – so proud of her! And the lovely thing about this particular evening of burlesque was the range of size of the dancers – from smaller than Cyn to larger than me, and it didn’t matter. Every single one of them was absolutely gorgeous and the crowd cheered all of them on to ear-splitting volumes - size was NOT an issue. So, me making it an issue in this photo, well, you get the idea.

Anyway, I will quit rambling. I just wanted to share what I went through with this photo, as although I am light-years away from the self-abuse that I used to afflict on myself, sometimes it still rears its ugly head. Thankfully, I am getting better and better at stopping it in its tracks, and maybe someday it will stop popping up altogether. I can only hope.

ilikeprettyclothes: With my friend, the lovely Cyn Furneaux,…

Tracy — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 04:47:44 +0000

ilikeprettyclothes:

With my friend, the lovely Cyn Furneaux, after her burlesque debut last night.

I must admit, my first reaction to this photo was, “Holy crap! I am three times the size of her!” in a shocked and upset sort of way, and I wanted to delete it. But I stopped that line of thinking as soon as I could, because so what? So I’m larger than her, big deal. It’s just stature, and a pretty stupid thing to be upset about. Especially when I have a great job, great friends, a fabulous husband, and a wardrobe full of pretty clothes that look fantastic on me; I had to get my priorities straight. Being upset about something like my size is petty and ridiculous when compared with all the good things I have in my life.

Plus, if I concentrate only on the perceived negative in this photo, then I really miss the point. This was a great night; my friend bared all – literally – in a fantastic performance, and that really took guts. I was – am – so proud of her! And the lovely thing about this particular evening of burlesque was the range of size of the dancers – from smaller than Cyn to larger than me, and it didn’t matter. Every single one of them was absolutely gorgeous and the crowd cheered all of them on to ear-splitting volumes - size was NOT an issue. So, me making it an issue in this photo, well, you get the idea.

Anyway, I will quit rambling. I just wanted to share what I went through with this photo, as although I am light-years away from the self-abuse that I used to afflict on myself, sometimes it still rears its ugly head. Thankfully, I am getting better and better at stopping it in its tracks, and maybe someday it will stop popping up altogether. I can only hope.

I promise I have feet… on Flickr.Dress – Asos Cardigan -…

Tracy — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:39:24 +0000

I promise I have feet… on Flickr.

Dress – Asos
Cardigan – Ross
“jeggings” (barf) – Target (altered quite a bit by yours truly)
Flower pin – Shopko
Hat – a local recreation outlet
Umbrella – Target
(not pictured because the only picture that didn’t turn out beastly, cut off my feets) Shoes – Glittery and Pink – Gap

I promise I have feet… OOTD

Tracy — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 07:39:24 +0000

Dress – Asos

Cardigan – Ross

“jeggings” (barf) – Target (altered quite a bit by yours truly)

Flower pin – Shopko

Hat – a local recreation outlet

Umbrella – Target

(not pictured because the only picture that didn’t turn out beastly, cut off my feets) Shoes – Glittery and Pink – Gap

I need to recreate this beanie and must find knock-offs of those…

Tracy — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 17:40:27 +0000

I need to recreate this beanie and must find knock-offs of those divine Dior shades (Taken with instagram)

I promise I have do hands on Flickr.OOTD (Outfit of the Day)…

Tracy — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 08:17:13 +0000

I promise I have do hands on Flickr.

OOTD (Outfit of the Day) 8/6/11

I promise I do have hands (OOTD) …

Tracy — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 08:17:13 +0000

OOTD (Outfit of the Day) 8/6/11

Dress: Asos
Belt: Asos
Shoes: Miz Moos
Cardigan: Thrifted

I’ll just die if I don’t get this recipe (a mixtape)

Tracy — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 09:31:37 +0000

how the morning started (Taken with instagram)

Tracy — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 15:04:50 +0000

how the morning started (Taken with instagram)

This panel from the Buffy Season 8 comic is really saying it all….

Tracy — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 22:29:19 +0000

OOTD 8/2/11

Tracy — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:24:02 +0000

Outfit of the day!

untitled on Flickr.

OOTD 8/2/11

Dress: Dorothy Perkins
Belt: Asos
Sweater: Target
Shoes: Gap
Underdress: Ross
Leggings: Just my Size

I like this dress, but the sizing was really big on the top and the material was incredibly thin. It’s sort of like very thin jersey/ t-shirt material. It definitely needs a slip or underdress. The colors are amazing though.

Pulsing hearts of love for Cindy Sherman and MAC (Give it)

Tracy — Sun, 31 Jul 2011 08:08:46 +0000

Cindy Sherman is amazeballs and I want almost every piece of this makeup collection.

Tanner Park Canyon

Tracy — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:54:41 +0000

Taken with instagram

Urban Swimming Hole

Tracy — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:41:25 +0000

Taken with instagram

Tuckering out the little dudes

Tracy — Sat, 30 Jul 2011 23:32:35 +0000

Taken with instagram