An Ode to Sona

Your house always smelled of buttery rice The yogurt was full fat The chai was caffeinated The only thing that led us away from the sparkling pool was your riza masta You were our Sona

Hats off to Cooper Artist Housing Open Studios

I had a blast at the open studios event at Cooper Artist Housing in West Seattle this past weekend. Painters, sculptors, jewelry makers, writers, actors, musicians galore opened their homes and talents to the public for a fun-filled Saturday. Here’s a peak inside: These beauts are on sale! I Heart You http://www.etsy.com/listing/96607400/i-heart-you-postcard Mon Amour Mon… Continue reading Hats off to Cooper Artist Housing Open Studios

Why my dislike of new Caltrain cars makes me so American

“It’s because you’re American,” he tells me when I explain why I prefer riding the old Caltrain cars over the fancy, bright newer ones. I should add that I’m insulted by this statement. I have never thought of myself as living by American ideals and tend to deplore how individualistic, capitalistic, consumer-driven, car-centric, puritanical, conservative,… Continue reading Why my dislike of new Caltrain cars makes me so American

Did you find everything okay? and other Capitalistic Nay-sayery

I have not written in a while so I decided I will do what I do best- complain! My subject today is supermarkets. Why is it when you reach the cash register, saying without words that you are done with your shopping, does the cashier say, “Did you find everything okay?” Why do they ask… Continue reading Did you find everything okay? and other Capitalistic Nay-sayery

Making Culture Through Experiments – Notes on Culturematic

I just read Grant McCracken’s new book Culturematic. (Finally, an anthropologist who writes like a human!) Here are some notes, not a review, just notes to help me keep track of ideas. – A culturematic is a little machine for making culture. It is designed to test the world, discover meaning, and unleash value (p.3)… Continue reading Making Culture Through Experiments – Notes on Culturematic

Over-personalized. Google, I need some space.

Google’s constantly being praised and criticized for its products and policies. This means it’s right where it should be, on the edge, always pushing the boundaries of technology and users’ comfort levels.  In general, I love Google products. “Googling” is probably my main go-to internet activity. What’s the population of Argentina? Google it. How many… Continue reading Over-personalized. Google, I need some space.

The Hairiest Ballerina (A Fictional Tale)

There once was a hairy little girl, named Harriet, who wanted more than anything to be a ballerina. She pranced and twirled all day long, swan-diving off furniture pretending to be in a professional production. Her parents could see her enthusiasm and agreed to buy her pink ballet slippers, a little tutu, and lessons.  Hairy… Continue reading The Hairiest Ballerina (A Fictional Tale)

Kiss Me, I’m Irish-ish

Perhaps the best part about being American is that we care about lineage, however fuzzy and distant it may be. Since we’re all mutty and come from all over, we take pride in saying I’m a quarter this or that, my great great great grandmother was Russian and so on. My dad’s side is Irish.… Continue reading Kiss Me, I’m Irish-ish

Calorie Bazaar: Quantifying Bites and Negotiating Trades at the Dinner Table

There’s an Assyrian saying about eating in front of someone who’s not eating, “sapee khjboonelah” or “you’re counting my bites.” It’s bad manners to be at the table and be the only one eating, so I guess this is supposed to encourage others to eat too. My mom came over for dinner yesterday and pointed… Continue reading Calorie Bazaar: Quantifying Bites and Negotiating Trades at the Dinner Table