Sufari Series Part Deux

All week I've been well on my way to creating new business cards. Surprisingly, I actually like them, a lot. Each creature gets better and better.... until the dreaded zebra. Yes, they are a load of big fat continuous stripes that never seem to end. I was going to draw two, but after completely one, which I might add took hours, I'm not sure if I'm up to it just yet. Plus, looking at the design on the card, one actually works quite well. Why? Because it has a shit load of detail. I admit, I think the zebra turned out best of all, and I might have a new favorite animal out of it. But in honesty, the amount of detail needed almost throws off the entire collection. I'm not sure what do to. Do I go in and detail the shit out of the rest. Up until the zebra, I liked all, now I feel the rest might be lacking. Boo hoo to that! I might just end up having one card after all.... maybe. If anything, the bus. cards are not going to be the only part of the collection.... Do I hear rad tshirts? MmmmHmmm, yes ma'm I do. I see a whole multi area collection to come out of this.

On a completely different note, I have been attracting nothing but crazies, creepers and weirdos of the male kind. So not cool. For instance, last week after a lovely afternoon with GS, I decided to walk back along Burnside back to NJ's place. I typically avoid walking long distances on Burnside for obvious reasons. Anyways, while on the walk, close to the Crystal Ballroom, two dudes passed me. While they passed, one said "My friend says you don't need a dollar, you can just take him home". Not sure where the dollar part came from, but weird nonetheless. To top things off, Thursday night I had by far the creepiest of the creepiest thing happen. I was on my way home driving on SE Alder. I saw some dude walking and talking on his cell phone. A little weird as it was almost 1am. Anyways, when I stop at the stop sign on 6th, I look to the side and see that very dude running towards my car with a freakish grin on his face. I almost had a heart attack! Luckily, my first instinct was to put the petal to the metal. This dude kept running. Thank god I was in a vehicle that could 'out run' him. After turning onto SE Grand, I couldn't help but to continuously look in all mirrors to make sure he wasn't still running after me. BTW, I must add that my doors were unlocked, a rare occurrence. Needless to say I was more than a little shaken. I don't what that dudes intentions were, or why he even thought it was a good idea to freak me the hell out. All I know is that I will always make sure my doors are locked, and will probably not be driving by myself on SE Alder ever again. One can only imagine what could have happened if I had not looked up and over to see him racing for my car. Fuck, that could have turned into a very bad night.

Oh yes, and can I also add that I absolutely HATE migraines. No matter how mild or severe. I've had a mild one since yesterday morning. Thankfully today is much better and I was able to get some work done. I hate being laid up in the dark with no sounds around. Fucking blows. And the worst part is the only drug that works effectively and quickly is the UK's Nurophen plus Codeine. God they're glorious. I'm almost out though, and will need to ask friends to ship me a box or two.

Safari Series

The other day I came up with the idea that my new business cards should have a theme. Inspired by the luggage tags I made for NJ, I decided that I liked an animal theme. So, I have started my research for the soon to be 'Sufari Seriers' business cards. There will be a few versions, obviously, all in black and white. I also think that making little match box style holders for them, where you can rip them out one at a time, would be a handy thing, especially when people ask if they can have some of your bus. cards to hand out. This way they will be in a designed package that easily fits in your purse or pocket. I think the idea is brillant, and lets hope that the images in my head for the final project turns out even better.

Included are some images I found online to help get the ideas and shapes of the animals down. One interesting thing while google image researching is people seem to like to take photos of animals doing it. I find the amount a little disturbing and the fact that a good amount are on some kind of stock photo site. I also learned that there are other options to cage diving with sharks.... ALLIGATORS! Who thought either was a great idea? Could be fun though....

Stress Hit Me Like A Bus Flying Down The Road Not Paying Attention

I have gotten a comment made to me multiple times before stating that "I do not stress ever". When I reply, "ha! more than you know", people just tend to respond with, "ok ok I am wrong". Well, I had one of those days where stress hit me like a bus flying down the road not paying attention. It was uber lame. Internal crisis... oh lordy. When driving... god help me. Hahaha... But really, when you are not prepared to have a stress meltdown, it perpetuates the situation. Normally I just try to take life in strides and not worry about the small stuff. Money, essentially is a small thing that man created, and we put so much emphasis on its importance that sometimes we have misguided judgment about what life should be about. Yes, unfortunately, my stress today was caused by looking at my checking account and getting an estimate on what it would cost to ship a package to Santa Monica over night. I almost shit my pants, figuratively speaking. I am calmer now, but not complete. Money comes. It always does. Now I just have to wait. Even a small amount (a few hundred) would help take the stress away. I know, how pathetic am I? Where a few hundred bucks can make or break you. But, it is the world we live in. And heavens forbid I actually go out and try to find a jobby job sans designing.... the thought has crossed my mind. But it is just a thought. Hmmm.... What is a girl supposed to do to get a head in this world? Sleep with everyone and anyone? Maybe. You tell me....

Seattle, Oh How I've Missed Thee

As I have aged, I have realized that I love love love major metropolis cities. I yearn to be a part of them, to call myself one of the many people who occupy it, to succeed financially and career wise, and to just be. Yes, I want to move again. Need to move again. If something phenomenally amazing does not happen in Portland soon, it has got to happen some place else. For Christ sake already, I am certainly not getting any younger.

Luckily on Monday, my dear friend NJ phone stalked me about a quick road trip up to Seattle before her departure to head north into the wilderness of Alaska. We rented a car, and our 24 hour journey began and it was fabulous.

With my proceeding urge to move, possibly heading east, I have been going stir crazy with the idea that I do not quite have the funds to do it just yet. So I thought a quick trip out of the current city would do me good and tie me over a little while. Nope, I was wrong. It left me with the idea that packing up, today if possible, is exactly what I need and want. Yes, my quick trip only increased the urge burning inside of me by leaps and bounds. I am so ready. Who wants to hit the road and start a new? Seriously, GB??? Design goodness awaits us....

The drive up. I dare not post our true antics. You could not handle it.

Yay, yay, yay! Metropolis loving on a beautiful day.

My designer nerd side came out. An original typographic fire house? Really? Love it.
Our rental car. Vroom vroom.

Who knew there was a side of Seattle on the other side of the water from downtown that felt like a coastal California town.

This dog was the coolest!!!!! Sans the matching outfit with its owner. Why?
Full moon and the crazies were definitely out.

Metropolis loving. *sigh*

Oh eem gee! Pumping my own gas for the first. Only took 25 years.

I got a little video happy. Enjoy!

Productive Monday

For the first time in a while I can say I was productive. HA! I know what you are thinking. "How can that be? I thought you have been working on your own projects all this time, you unemployed fiend." Truth be told, I have. But today was different. I feel accomplished, even though I only touched upon the making of what could be a huge turn in design for me - apparel. Today consisted of printing up some luggage tags I designed (based on the quote: "Love is a snowmobile racing across the tundra and then suddenly it flips over, pinning you underneath. At night, the ice weasels come". -John Harrigan) for my dear friend NJ, who is venturing up north (aka Alaska) on Wednesday, took photos of the finished luggage tags and alphabet sign language flash cards I designed for a friends 2 year old son, made my first pattern from scratch, started cutting out the fabric pieces, signed up for a quick road trip up to Seattle with NJ tomorrow (Tuesday) - Wednesday, emailed a client who has been more than difficult (apparently we can not connect on the phone), did some laundry, showered (that is always a given with me), listened to tons of good music, watched it hail and snow multiple times (good ol' winter in March) and made some yummy food (including one of my current favorite snacks - Fuji Apple with Organic Almond Butter). And once I watch this weeks new episode of No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain (Yes, as old as he may be, I am totally crushing on him) in Vietnam, I should be good to go and ready to get out of Portland for less then 24 hours.