Australian Itch

I have had this idea of going to Australia to work, adventure, what have you for about a year now.  I have been slowly researching firms and gathering information about it - and here is a list of my favorites.

If you have any Australia ideas/input I would love to hear it.  So far I have just been looking into architecture firms (I know I'm not an architect, but they often have in house interior designers as well), but I need to get started on Interior Design firms as well.

John Wardle Architects

BKK

Wolveridge Architects

Coy & Yiontis Architects

I've also of course thought about New Zealand as well.  I've heard it's a lot more remote feeling, and I like the sound of that.  This is my favorite Architect I have found there.

Andrew Lister Architects

Why Australia?  It's abroad, they speak english, and it seems like a nice laid back place, just like me.  I would also love a chance to live and work in a number of other countries (Switzerland, South Africa, Finland, Holland), but the cost of living and language barrier has got me a little shy of these places for now.

Do I know anyone who lives in Australia? No, not personally, but I moved to NY on my own and I have heard it said - if you can make it there you can make it anywhere.  

Do I wish someone else, anybody else was willing to come along? HELL YES, you know where to find me if you read this blog - and if not, you probably shouldn't be reading it.  Jk it's a public place, it's just a little weird to think of strangers in my public place.

Nuevo York

Back in Nyc last week for Caitlin & Caroline (old roomies and love of life) 's final shows at the COoper Union.  Lucky me they were back to back so I got to see both in one go.  I also got in a snow storm, some par-taying, and two more epic falls in the streets to add to my list; I will indulge you because they are too good to keep to myself and the lucky strangers who witnessed them.

1. Took place while stepping through slush from the street to the side walk - next thing I know I am holding myself in a perfect plank position with my hands in slush.  I had to go into a downward dog to get out of it without stepping in a huge puddle.  Very attractive.

2. I was getting back to Karen & Barbaras appartment at 1:30 a.m. after helping Caroline hang her show.  I slipped in the THE middle of the street in front of a cab skidding down the road.  I scrambled to my feet and onto the side walk before even noticing I had torn open my jeans and my knee - sheesh. ps it was very icey - so I wasn't THAT big of a mental, but still a pretty big one.

Finally - you can prepare yourself for the photo representation of a fantastic trip...

Caitlin's massive mache pieces above and some lovely queer paper bowls below

and the meandering begins - where it will take me I'm not yet sure

Luckily I stumbled into this interesante pequeno shop - full of trinkets and pretty much all sorts of things out of my dreams - check out Partners & Spade next time your in town if like beautifully curated oddness.

There were lot more fun and fantastic things that took place before this, but these are the next photos I have - they're of Caroline a's show.  Her pieces are like her beautiful mind Ca Razy Caronline

I got to see some fantastico people I have missed - but as always I didn't see everyone I would have liked to see

Interest in the halls of Cooper Union.

Next a late night in Brooklyn with Caroline and Jean Marie - just like the old days.  It's always amazing what cool people and friends are out in the neighborhood at all hours of the night.  One of which senior Carlos - yes I was peer pressured to do this

Two beauties in the photo booth

and of course what would one of my trips be with out more random pics of things, but no people . . .

Very red doors surrounded by old stone

eclectic's shop in the west village

colors of interest

Special thanks are indeed in order for so many:

Karen

Barbara

Kelly

Jehee

Midori

Carly

Caroline

Jean Marie

for making my trips to NYC endlessly worth while 

If you haven't seen it yet you should

Car Hunt

I'm afraid that I will have to go back on an offer I made in my previous post.  I will not be able to give anyone a ride in my silvery-blue-gray minivan*.  Sadly it seized up on the freeway last week and may or may not ever run again.  If you know of anyone looking for parts for a 1990 Dodge Caravan please send them my way.

In the mean time I'm on the hunt for a set of wheels - even though I really don't want them, yet can now admit that I need them.  Some criteria I'm interested in:

Decent gas mileage

Decent in snow (unfortunatly this doesn't seem to coordinate with the above criteria)

Decently style'n (Yes I realize (and you will too as you read on) that this is relative)

Under $2,000

Here is where KSL got me tonight:

Ok, this one happens to be way out of our budget, but it IS beautiful

Surprisingly in my budget, but would it be too creepy to be rolling around in this?  I wonder what my clients would think.

Yet another VW beauty.  In my budget, but I'm worried about the up-keep.  What a stellar look though.

I've always wanted a truck.  My concerns: 1. gas mileage 2. is it too butch?

I'm oddly drawn to this one and it's in my budget - I have a feeling it's my goldie locks find

Please send me links to more if you find any others!!!

*ps although I will not be able to give anyone a ride in the silver-blue-gray van Friday night to Park City - mark my words I will still be driving (something) up there, and I hope you're all there with me.

Chelsea at Coda Gallery

So here's the thing - we all know that Chelsea is talented.  We also know she is lovely, sweet, and the raddest girl out soooooo come to this little (major) show in PC next week.  Call me and I'll even give you a ride in the Dodg(i)e Caravan I'm sporting these days.  Congrats CBJ!

what: Two man art show - Chelsea James and Wendy Chidester

when: Friday February 27th 6-9 pm

where: Coda Gallery on main street in Park City

Bike Polo

How did I not know about this when I lived there?  Can't wait to watch a match next time I'm in town.

Mongolia & Pink Eye

For the second time in one year I once again have conjunctivitis (or as my nephew Charlie calls it "the pink eye").  Unlike last time though - I know exactly where I got it from.  Yep, this innocent looking germ carrier - Jackie.

Sooo since I decided to be bed ridden today I went to my latest obsession - Netflix instant watch movies.  That's right, if you get netflix you can stream a whole bunch of movies.  They're not necessarily the new releases, but there are a lot of quality shows on there.  

Recent screenings in my bedroom have been Half Nelson, Pan's Labrynth, Born to Brothels (a MUST see, kind of amazing) and most recently (this afternoon to be exact) Wild Horses of Mongolia with Julia Roberts.  I didn't realize Julia Roberts was in it when I started playing it, but she did an alright job.  It's hard not to just be really jealous of her the whole time.  I WANT TO GO TO MONGOLIA, like way bad - and not just because of the horses.  i think I've always wanted to go there because of how obscure it's always seemed.  I like that the people who live there have such simple nomadic lives.  They kind of remind me of Tibetens for some reason.  They just seem peaceful and cool.
Anyway, enough of that rant.  Back to the film - one of my favorite parts is that the kids are so tough there.  They have these insane horse races and these 4 year olds are right there in the races.  When they first learn to ride at 2 (yes 2) they get tied into the saddle so they don't fall.  And I thought my dad was always a little crazy getting us to ride so young - I'm pretty sure I rode with him on his horse until I was like 12.

These are their portable houses that they pack up every month or so and move to a new spot.  Very cool.  Kind of like the yurts that are in the mountains around here, but definitely more portable.
The horses even look tough right?