Year 4: The Bird Year

Every year we have entertained ourselves with caring for something new. This endeavor is becoming more complicated as we are running out of animals you can "care for" without breaking the apartment rules.  Year 4 is year of the wild bird.  One bird-feeder & sack of seed later, my little friends come for a visit throughout the day. It is nice that we moved next door to our first apartment because we gained a tree outside the window which can house this feeder!

This type of caring is a little more difficult to control (might this be a good lesson for future parenting?) because the squirrels like to eat seeds too! It will be fun scheming how to keep them away so the birds can hang out.

So far, I have only seen 3 type of birds: sparrow, red breasted finch & a light brown pigeon...nothing too colorful around these parts, but still fun to watch! Most of all, I love sitting on my couch & watching them in the tree. A wonderful background to reading a good book.

And Away I sew...

Last summer, I voiced my frustrations-intimidations-fears of sewing with my old Kenmore machine, inherited from my late grandma Pat. This summer break I laid those feelings aside for the greater good: fixing things.

First thing I did was have Jeff help me figure out the basic functions of my sewing machine: threading the needle, threading the bobbin, as well as tension & stitch settings.

I started with cloth napkins, considering them the most practical items. My how we have saved paper! The material came from rawly cut napkins from a friend's wedding. They are fun colors & Jeff loves using them...especially with greasy meals like chicken or ribs. I even taught him how to sew in the process! As my mother once said "If you can learn how to sew a straight line, you can make just about anything".

Since then, I have ventured on to tailor scrubs, mend jeans & shirts, shorten a maxi dress & to transform a camisole with a built in bra into sportswear. I love the possibilities now that I have learned how to use my machine! Not only can I see how this is saving us money, but it gives well-loved clothing a second chance. Mission accomplished!

Versace Dress by Herb Ritts

Versace Dress, Back View, El Mirage, 1990, Herb Ritts, gelatin silver print. Gift of the Herb Ritts Foundation. © Herb Ritts Foundation.

My family saw Herb Ritts' photography exhibit at the Getty & this is a work that I find very captivating. He often used the contrast of black & white against fit athletic bodies or famous individuals from Hollywood. This shot in particular is so full of lines & geometric symmetry my eyes could trace each part forever. The way this woman's back & leg are framed in an arid desert makes me think of a Picasso painting. To me, it speaks of time, independence & hope. What do you think?

The Holmquists & Their Fish

Well, I wouldn't say Jeff & I "graduated" from taking care of a life form as simple as plants (yes, some died in the process...3 to be exact), but it is yet another year of marriage & another chance to try our hand at a second form of parenting--maintaining a fresh water fish tank. What is involved? 45 gallons of water, 18 tropical fish, soil, live plants, rocks, waterlogged wood, snails, miniature lily pads, moss, a wooden cabinet stand, a filtering system & lights.

The special thing about this water-world is that it maintains itself! The soil under the rocks & lighting system allow the plants to grow which then puts oxygen into the water for the fish. The fish poop & it  fertilizes the plants.  The snail population cleans the glass of any green algae. They reproduce rather quickly, but are now controlled by our hungry catfish Mr. Ming. It is quite the little ecosystem & has become Jeff's new hobby. He loves taking care of everything. The good thing is, it only requires a water change a few times a year.

We are fascinated by our fish & have given them all names:

1. Cupid (top L red platy...we were told she was pregnant)
2. Nieve (the white Molly in the bottom R photo)
3. Paulo (the bright orange & yellow sunset platy top R, reminds us of Brazil)
4. Orleans (the yellow & black bumblebee platy top R photo, L corner)
5. Tweedelee-Dee & Tweedelee-Dum ( black & grey fish R photo, R corner )
6. The Bopsy twins (the other two fish which are exactly the same as #5)
7. Huey, Duey, Luey & Ed ( striped fish in R photo underneath Paulo)
8. Mr. Ming (catfish)
9. Trinidad, Tobago & Haiti (black, clear & neon orange fish)
10. Tigerlily (clear & white with a red face, very thin)
11. Neon lights ( baby fish with neon orange, yellow, silver & black)

R.I.P Lenny, our sucker fish, geisha, our panda platy & Francis.

We love having the tank in our study...nice company while I study & a resting spot after a long day of hard work...not to mention a good entertainment piece for guests. Long Live the year of Fish!

Attention All Moviegoers!

 

So, I get it...you know Red Box is a cheap way to see a film on a date at home, but you want to get out of the house!

Your solution? Don't spend 11+ dollars on a new release in the theaters. Visit a discount theater to save your money & your sanity.

Two great options:
 Simi Valley 10 Cinemas (off the 118 freeway) &  
Regency theater in North Hollywood.         

At Simi Valley 10 Cinemas you pay: matinee $3.50, evening $4.25
At Regency Theater you pay: Tuesday & Sunday $1.50, rest of the week $3.00, 3D Films $2.00 (surcharge fee).

For directions click on these links: Simi 10, Regency 

Note: Depending on the movie, it takes about 2 months for new releases to reach these discount theaters. Do it, it's worth the wait!

Drive, another original movie soundtrack obession

Do you like electronica? This album was designed to sound like "a kind of retro, 80ish, synthesizer europop". I found it familiar to a genre of music I very much enjoy, but was taken by its coarse sound & story-telling quality. The combination is addicting. Hear for yourself:
Drive OST

Favorite Tracks: Nightcall, Under Your Spell

One to Skip: Oh My Love

Sherman Oaks Castle Park Mini-Golf

 

If you are a penny-pinching couple living in the San Fernando Valley try this venue out for a morning date. Their special is:

$3.00 per person for Weekend Early Birds 9 am - 10:30 am.

Jeff & I have now been here twice. They have 3 or four courses you can try out. We would recommend the one on the far left because you don't get any noise from the freeway. Mini-golf is an activity that reminds me of my childhood & that is one that still remains a fun challenge. The grounds have all kinds of interesting structures to look at, not to mention that they are a little retro which contributes to the experience. Try it! for more information go to: http://www.laparks.org/shermanoaks_castlepk/index.htm