Astronaut Ice Cream

Resolute

2012-01-05T03:40:00.000-05:00

This year I resolve to:

1. Cook more & eat less.
2. Take more pictures.
3. Blog more.
4. Run.
5. Make some music videos.

In regard to number three, I have been doing a bit of blogging. We'll call it "life blogging" for lack of a better term. Azuree and I have started a blog where we each post a photo each week from our unique personal and geographic perspectives.

I've also been taking a picture of this one every day since last March and posting it on Instagram. I started a hashtag called "#dailypug." For a while it was solely pictures from my mini project, but now other people have decided to share the pug love- the more the merrier- especially when it comes to pugs.

I've been keeping up with twitter and facebook and pinterest and google reader and google+ and path and foursquare and tumblr and about.me and linked in and flickr and the rest of the internet as well.

I also worked on a really fun local project that's just wrapping up and I'll have lots more details soon.

I'm really bad at ending blog posts.

Mushrooms, Leeks and Ethan Hawke

2011-11-09T02:06:00.001-05:00

I don't cook much, but I'm trying to start making things little by little. Lately I've been getting vegetables (local & organic) delivered*. This is forcing me to try new things and work with vegetables that are in season.

I usually look at cooking as an extra chore to add to the long list of things I already have to do. Well, I'm currently waiting for my soup to simmer, sipping a glass of Riesling and watching Reality Bites. I think I like this cooking business.

In case you are venturing into cooking territory or got some leeks and fresh mushrooms in your Farm Fresh delivery this week, here's the how I made my soup:

1 cup (4 large) fresh mushrooms, chopped
4 medium leeks, chopped
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil
2/3 cup white wine (whatever kind you may have in your fridge from Saturday night)
or 1/2 cup dry cooking sherry
1 can broth (original recipe called for beef, I had chicken broth, veggie would be great too)
1tsp course ground black pepper
2 cups water
Sea salt to taste

(If you want a bit heartier/filling soup feel free to up the water to 3 3/4 cups and throw in some rice or orzo.)

1. Saute mushrooms and leeks in butter & olive oil until tender, add wine and reduce liquid by half.
2. Add can of broth and water. Bring to a boil. Add black pepper and rice or orzo. Simmer for 10 minutes or until rice is cooked. Salt to taste.
3. Try not to eat the whole pot in one sitting.

It turned out phenomenal and I had two bowls. I ate the first one so quickly I had to go back and have a second so I could properly taste it.

And in case you can't get Reality Bites in full while cooking, this will do.

*I know that having things delivered isn't as 'green' as getting it yourself, but I have no car- carbon offsetting!

[img credits: leeks]

Falling in Love with an Indian Summer

2011-10-19T01:10:00.000-05:00

One of my Grandmothers and one of her sisters circa 1935

My Grandfather in Miami Beach circa 1929

People that I am probably related to in Miami Beach circa 1928.

An Indian Summer in California is quite different from one on the East Coast. I'm learning to embrace the lingering heat, but also pining for the cool evenings and crisp Fall days. I keep trying to remember how cold it will be in a few short weeks and all the rain and fog and lack of sunshine and violent winds that come along with late Fall and Winter (and Spring and most of Summer) here in San Francisco. I feel like this magical little peninsula has one of the rarest and most bizarre climates.

In spite of the lingering Summer with it's beckoning of naps under shade trees and sipping lemonade (or sweet tea) for hours on end, I'm looking forward to the excitement that comes from a crisp chill in the air and new season. I feel like the Fall brings a business and an urgency to get things done before the Winter sets in and the year comes to a close.

I hope to shoot a lot more photos, on FILM! I got a new scanner today and I can't wait to put it to use. I also have an unending list of projects to do around this tiny apartment. Including an photo tour of this lil place where our bed and computers live.

If you have any exciting projects on the horizon, please share!

Living Life

2011-10-05T01:27:00.000-05:00

In the last month I've had the opportunity to see some of my favorite musicians and people live. Please enjoy my still (all photos by me) and video (not at all by me) high lights.

Beirut at the Fox Theatre in Oakland

The Felice Brothers at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival (in Golden Gate Park).

Cara.

Berkeley's Greek Theatre where Bon Iver performed.

I also bumped into my favorite author while he was buying Diet Mountain Dew & Red Vines. Now I know the secret to super intellectual writing powers.

Weekend Roundup

2011-05-03T00:26:00.003-05:00

P1050966.jpg, originally uploaded by shortformelissa.

Most of our weekends are pretty exceptional and this one was no, well, no exception.

It started with a little trip to Mission Workshop where we browsed around and Juls picked up a new bag. I quite like the bag he chose. It meets all of his utilitarian needs and also looks quite fetching. The best part about Mission Workshop is that they are located just a few blocks from our apartment- we like to keep local, real local. We also like to keep it cheap, real cheap and they were having a sample sale.

Next stop was the Benny Gold Anniversary and new shop opening party! Benny Gold is as nice as he is talented and if you've seen his work or met him at his shop, you know that neither of those claims is an exaggeration in the least. The shop is also just a few blocks from our apartment- still keeping it on the super local. And seeing the guys that work in the shop is always a treat too but, most of all Levi is my favorite part of the shop.

The good times continued to roll on over to The Embarcadero. We rode our bikes a few miles to the water's edge where to stopped for a just a minute to snap some pictures in front of the Bay Bridge. Sometimes I'm still in awe of where I live!

Lots of exciting things happened including a Japanese guy doing a bike flip off a ramp on a bike. I know that sounds like too many prepositions but it really happened.

We ended the day with a relaxing bike ride back to the Mission and our favorite chinese food with a friend who just moved up from LA!

Here are a few more photos just because. How was your weekend?!

Gino, you genius.

2011-03-07T16:35:00.000-05:00

An acquaintance here in SF made this. He is clearly one of the brightest minds of our time.

Daily Ukulele: Day 6

2011-02-21T03:01:00.000-05:00

Here's the sixth installment of the Daily Ukulele. I'm learning chords and while my transitions are painfully slow, I'm making some progress, some.

Oh and as far as the really special look I get at the end, Juls & Leica were standing in the doorway watching so once I finished playing I smiled at them.

ACK! I LOVE YOU BAN.DO

2011-02-20T02:37:00.000-05:00

http://www.shopbando.com/

who wants to buy me one of these?

For real. I want to see some raised hands.

Please ignore that this model is about 1/3 my age, but I am on a quest to find glasses as close to this as possible!

I bought these lil' ladies for myself. I can't wait until it's warm enough (and dry enough) to wear them.

Thanks to Azuree for telling me about this store. My favorite part was that she said EVERYTHING they have reminds her of me.

I hope this weekend finds you warm, dry and full of love- and delicious treats.

Daily Ukulele: Day 5

2011-02-19T16:59:00.007-05:00

It's short and sweet. I'm still wearing my coat and scarf from outside because it was SO COLD inside! I'm ready for this rain to end.

DO YOU HEAR THAT SAN FRANCISCO?

I'm starting to venture beyond my ukulele book and search for other songs to play as well as practicing chords off camera too. Does anyone know of a great source for Ukulele tabs? I'm having a hard time finding them by simply googling "ukulele tabs."

Daily Ukulele 4.mov

2011-01-25T17:27:00.002-05:00

Here's the fourth installment of the Daily Ukulele!

In other news, we are slowly getting settled into our new tiny apartment in San Francisco. Stay tuned for a before and after pictures after some new storage purchases

Daily Ukulele: Day 3

2011-01-19T04:14:00.003-05:00

Love Me Tender

I'm super into this one. It sounds so amazing on the little ole ukulele! I can't wait to be able to play it (a lot) better and maybe sing a bit too. I'm hoping to graduate to chords soon, but no one hold your breath.

Daily Ukulele: Day 2

2011-01-17T22:48:00.004-05:00

So this has become more like the weekly ukulele, but that doesn't have quite the same ring as the daily ukulele. So I think my only option is to make more videos. Now that we have that settled, please enjoy Mary Had a Little Lamb. Please tune in tomorrow for a rousing rendition of Elvis's Love Me Tender.

Love Me Tender

2011-01-14T03:05:00.001-05:00

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Daily Ukulele: Day 1

2011-01-13T02:37:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the Daily Ukulele!

While traveling to Florida for Christmas I had to leave my ukulele in San Francisco. This is the first song I learned to play this year. I'll try to post a new song every day- which is a very ambitious goal.

Ukulele Part 2!

2010-12-22T03:20:00.002-05:00

Well, here it is, my second ukulele performance.

Oh, and the noise in the background is the pug wandering around. Her nails make a cute clicking noise on the wood floor of our apartment. I also think there is a cat meow in the first second or two.

jam-jam jam

2010-12-20T03:48:00.003-05:00

Among many amazing birthday gifts, I was given a ukulele by the mister. I promised a few people that I would make videos of my learning to play. Here's my first song. And yes, I'm in my pajamas.

hi. remember me?

2010-12-18T04:23:00.002-05:00

For my two dedicated followers out there, who probably already know most details of not only my public life but my inner workings as well, I've decided to do one of my quarterly blog posts.

Quick recap:

1. I spent all summer/fall taking fancy photos of fancy cars at night in Compton. Yeah, Compton.

2. Juls and I moved from Los Angeles to San Francisco!

I have many more exciting things to chronicle and I promise (okay, have the best intentions of) chronicling those things soon.

Until then, Cheers!

freckle juice

2010-10-15T17:08:00.005-05:00

I'm embracing things lately. Like my freckles and my middle name. I guess as I get older I'm starting to accept me- for what I am and always have been and what I'll be one day.

What things are part of you that you've recently decided to embrace?

a post card from the edge (of the country)

2010-10-09T14:40:00.003-05:00

Hello dear friends,

I am feeling whelmingly inspired, energetic, and invigorated. Maybe it's experiencing my fourth season in Southern California, or maybe it's just a renewed energy for life! Either way, I'll take it!

I know that my contributions to the expanding of our world wide global community known as, the Internet, have been sporadic at best, but with in this season I have been busy living life to the fullest.

New discoveries are hiding in LA just waiting for me to seek them! And every single weekend brings a set of wholly new experiences.

I am thoroughly enjoying all the nouns in my life (people, places and things).

What excites you about your life?

a little of this.

2010-10-01T16:02:00.005-05:00

some of this.

lots of this.

let the good times roll.

2010-09-20T11:52:00.000-05:00

cartwheelin from shortformelissa on Vimeo.

music: hardcore days & softcore nights by aquaduct

brilliance.

2010-09-07T04:25:00.001-05:00

MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON from Dean Fleischer-Camp on Vimeo.

Directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp
Marcel is voiced (untreated & unenhanced) by a genius named Jenny Slate
Written by Jenny Slate + Dean Fleischer-Camp
www.deanfleischercamp.com

a colorful collection.

2010-06-13T20:07:00.003-05:00

[imgs via collection a day]

do. be. make.

2010-05-28T02:33:00.004-05:00

it's time to do more, be more and make more.

i've had some very eventful weeks and haven't made myself sit down and record them.

that stops here.

so a quick recap of today: a trip to the post office, some mailing of presents to father-type people (and a lovely dear that purchased a photo from my new etsy shop!), an audition (!!!), some packaging of some very pretty things on their way to some very lucky people and last but not least, some cuddling and a late-night trip for froyo with my two favorites. ♥

tomorrow holds a trip to downtown LA with a couple darlings. i promise to give you a recap complete with illustrations from my camera lens.

top and bottom.

2010-05-27T01:54:00.004-05:00

i want my hair to look like this. all the time.and my feet to look like this all the time.

thanks to the sartorialist for the pug image and the internet.

the good old days.

2010-05-05T00:04:00.004-05:00

how amazing was fashion the first half of the twentieth century? I just started a new little project working with adore vintage. constantly touching and looking at twirling around with fabulous fifties dresses reminded me of just how much fantastic fashion runs in my family.

hopefully one day someone will say that about me. maybe. maybe not.

technicolor dream shoes.

2010-05-02T02:37:00.003-05:00

i wanted these shoes when i was eleven. i still want them now. i think it's time.

Leica the Easter Pug.

2010-04-04T00:26:00.003-05:00

happy easter from leica the easter pug!

home.

2010-02-14T20:44:00.002-05:00

Bye Orlando from bulius.com on Vimeo.

Our last day in Orlando, and a bit of our drive to California.

the mister made this miniature movie of our transcontinental journey from orlando, florida to los angeles, california. along for the ride were two cats and a dog.

coast to coast.

2010-02-05T01:44:00.008-05:00

postings are going to be a bit out of order. after a move from orlando to los angeles, things have been a bit hectic and disheveled. so quick recap: juls got a job offer in LA, he and i decided to get married, we packed everything up and drove to los angeles via the i-40 route with leica and the two kitties.

we made it here and after one apartment fail, are finally getting settled into our 450 square feet of home. please enjoy the visual tour. there's still more unpacking, settling and furniture buying that needs to take place, but every day it looks a little bit better.

apology and confession.

2010-01-08T09:45:00.002-05:00

photo from weheartit

due to illness in my family, i have been a bit distracted from my 365 project. i thought about using images from the last month or so as filler, but decided to stay true to the idea of creating something new. this weekend should prove to be full of transport to and fro and a good chance of snow- in FLORIDA. stay tuned for the continuation of the three-six-five business. days 364- 360 will be up soon.

three. six. five.

2010-01-04T22:16:00.011-05:00

calendar shown above from dirty bandits' etsy shop.

here we go.

i'm going to do a 365 project. juls has one going on over at kingpanpan and i like it so much i want my own. since i have a new camera i think i'll make it sing for its supper. i've been posting work regularly on flickr.

i'm not sure where this 365 project will live.

stay tuned.

until then, here is day 365.

i decided to count backwards.

how to make an apple pie.

2010-01-03T23:05:00.007-05:00

alexa and i created a list of '29 things to do before we turn 30.' our second task on the list was 'bake a pie from scratch.' cross that one off the list ladies and gents. here's how it all went down.

me: hi miami. miami: hi mel.

2009-12-22T10:14:00.001-05:00

Art Basel Miami 2009 from bulius.com on Vimeo.

Mel: "Hi, Miami."
Miami: "Hi, Mel."

♫ Matt & Kim - "Cinders"

this is a brief look at our time at art basel twoaughtnine.

Little Rollei Pollei

2009-11-23T22:39:00.001-05:00

Little Rollei, originally uploaded by Photo David.

and now begins my christmas/birthday wishlist extravaganza.

if only

2009-11-16T21:27:00.002-05:00

now i just wish for a phil collins cover of ryan adams and hall & oates performing elliott smith.

truest of truths.

2009-10-20T12:19:00.002-05:00

in light of some recent insight into the true character of some acquaintances, i feel that more people should adopt this philosophy. some lovely words to live by.

here's your future.

2009-10-11T20:09:00.003-05:00

my favorite thing at epcot.

sixteen tons.

2009-10-07T21:14:00.001-05:00

for the rabbit.

2009-10-05T20:51:00.001-05:00

oh my. my heart was so full joy that it almost forgot to beat.

gentlemen, start your engines

2009-09-30T21:58:00.005-05:00

and roll up those trousers. this fall it seems that skinny legged trousers, hems turned up, paired with classic oxfords is the way to go for guys. i hope to spot a few gentleman ankles this season. florida is the ideal place for this fashion since fall in florida still offers a moderate amount of warmth, very little rain and never ever a bit of snow.

so boys, go get those boot cuts tailored to a skinny leg by katie and make sure your argyles match.

this machine.

2009-09-30T14:14:00.002-05:00

this machine kills fascists.

daisy, daisy, give me your answer, do.

2009-09-11T15:22:00.005-05:00

daisy, daisy, give me your answer, do,
i'm half crazy all for the love of you.
it won't be a stylish marriage -
i can't afford a carriage,
but you'd look sweet upon the seat

of a bicycle built for two.

want. need.

2009-09-11T14:19:00.002-05:00

when in rome...

2009-08-26T12:53:00.002-05:00

we celebrated lea's birthday with a trip to EPCOT.

child safe and airport friendly.

2009-08-26T12:41:00.004-05:00

michelle showed me her thread cutter yesterday and i had to have my own immediately. if you have never seen one of these in action, you are missing out. i found this one on etsy for two dollars.

miniature catch ups and miniature horses.

2009-08-25T22:55:00.002-05:00

While talking to Azuree today I recalled a few things:

:: I know why Azuree is one of my favorite people in the universe.
:: I have a strange thing with horses.

Please see below.

Melissa: I know! You know my passion for the Internet, Social Networking and old people!

Freecycle was a let down. The only things I ever wanted on Freecycle were a set of 17 horse pillows and 2 baby turtles. I'm still upset about the horse pillows. I mean imagine the weirdo that would have 17 horse-shaped or horse-themed pillows! I wanted to meet that crazy-ass person.

And get those horse pillows.

Azuree: I don't think I knew about this horse pillow person. That sounds horrifying.

I'm on the longest bus ride I've been on since I've lived here. And there are a bunch of crazy Polish broads hollering up and down the bus.

Speaking of my horse thing, here the world's most second adorable horse. Please meet Koda the dwarf miniature horse.

fantastic and folksy

2009-08-19T22:28:00.004-05:00

i stumbled upon this website today and i am quite impressed. i plan to make many items from the 'make' section once i get my creative room up and running in the new house.

also, we will be taking up residence in a lovely 1950's home in a real neighborhood. it has real hardwood floors, a real car port and a real really big back yard. the house has 3 bedrooms and since we only have furniture for one we have chosen to set up one bedroom to share and then we each get a room to transform into whatever our hearts desire.

in my room this means a sewing machine and sewing table, a chair of some sort for reading and pug cuddling, lots of open storage, many balls of yarn, a wall filled with ideas, flowers, and pretty curtains. if all goes as planned we will get the keys on friday, august 21, 2009.

old friend.

2009-08-03T08:37:00.002-05:00

decided to wipe off the dust and take this old friend for a spin.

snuggy puggy.

2009-07-31T16:13:00.002-05:00

i finally figured out a solution for lieca on rainy days, walks that are too long for her short legs, sneaking her into places, bike rides and many other scenarios. let the good times roll.

like a movie of a movie but in real life.

2009-07-28T22:39:00.000-05:00

SUMMER from AdamNee on Vimeo.

playing with food.

2009-07-28T22:31:00.000-05:00

nature needs no glue

2009-07-21T10:36:00.000-05:00

at the lake.

2009-07-20T19:54:00.001-05:00

greek godesses: lexi & lea

2009-07-01T21:41:00.001-05:00

volcano.

2009-07-01T09:09:00.001-05:00

simple volcano from shortformelissa on Vimeo.

a night at kobe japanese steakhouse- the uber american japanese caricature. the evening started with flaming bowls of cocktail ordered by metha.

Il était une fois... [once upon a time]

2009-06-24T02:31:00.000-05:00

transforming yarn.

2009-06-24T02:30:00.000-05:00

brook pifer: rockstar photographer, pug mom, genuis.

2009-06-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

Lip Dub - Don't Stop Believing by Journey from Brook Pifer on Vimeo.

creepy but incredibly clever.

2009-05-19T21:38:00.003-05:00

brought to you by some brilliantly minded folks over at the foliage etsy store.

a little update

2009-05-19T19:52:00.003-05:00

a few things i'm really into lately:

1. longboard skateboarding

2. learning to crochet

3. embroidery

4. reading lots of books

florida puppies.

2009-05-08T09:29:00.000-05:00

SATURDAY from Northern Lights on Vimeo.

What do you do when your bored on a saturday afternoon? Shoot your dogs shaking there brains out thats what.

a short movie by andrew curry, genius.

2009-05-02T12:42:00.002-05:00

Basic Info:

Two beers were consumed during the making of this.

Beer and Sriracha go quite well together, I've discovered.

I learned to kick myself in the head in 9th grade.

The music is 'My Shadow' by Jay Reatard

2009-04-28T20:24:00.000-05:00

i don't do too much talking.

2009-04-22T13:10:00.001-05:00

pug dental health.

2009-04-01T08:09:00.001-05:00

2009-03-04T23:50:00.000-05:00

yep.

rave reviews.

2009-03-03T21:08:00.004-05:00

even babies love Pedals Plus People. know a baby? make them happy.

gay not gay.

2009-02-26T08:31:00.004-05:00

dear deer. oh dear.

2009-02-11T21:17:00.000-05:00

pug porn.

2009-02-10T18:35:00.001-05:00

heart shaped thoughts.

2009-02-10T13:22:00.000-05:00

why is love never what you want or expect it to be?

the blog is back in town.

2009-01-16T00:15:00.002-05:00

since shortformelissa.com has (is slowly turning) turned into a portfolio site, blogs will now be posted here.

this is mainly for azuree and daniela, as i think they are the only ones who read my blogs.

to the rest of the internet:
you can see photos, and funny sayings on twitter, tumblr, and flickr.

wishing for no more double bird strikes-

Leica meets the kitties.

2008-06-02T21:12:00.001-05:00

20080529_AHD_0075
Originally uploaded by juliusbulius

video footage provided by bulius.com.

capitol catch up

2007-12-09T17:42:00.001-05:00

gtown1, originally uploaded by shortformelissa.

see more on http://www.flickr.com/photos/shortformelissa/

panda dog blog

2007-06-15T15:16:00.000-05:00

maybe they can make a miniature giraffe dog next...

aristotlean justice, or just plain rad?

2007-06-15T15:04:00.001-05:00

justice

1.the virtue which regulates all proper conduct within society, in the relations of individuals
2. an incredibly rad video

MINIATURE Adventures of epic proportions

2007-06-08T16:56:00.000-05:00

currently preparing for a miniature adventure of epic proportions.

Transport, motorways and tramlines
Starting and then stopping
Taking off and landing
The emptiest of feelings ...

longing for adventure, peace, friendship, contentment and resolution.

moving picture [art]

2007-05-03T23:34:00.001-05:00

this is one of my favorite things from this week.

apples

2007-04-02T23:48:00.000-05:00

this exists.

17 inches of horse.
1.5 feet of horse.
approximately 4 hot dogs high of horse.

original sin

2007-01-09T23:43:00.000-05:00

Genesis 3:6
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it.

in retrospect

2007-01-06T17:44:00.000-05:00

we were dead before the ship even sank.

uncertainty

2006-12-22T16:46:00.000-05:00

i'm not quite sure what this will become.

i guess i can say that about life in general.