Hear/Say

Bless you

choo

Dear Seattle, you have my flannel heart…

Has gone. I was sitting out in the balcony, when a storm of flying rats began ha-rass-ing each other in the airspace above my head. Unforgivable.

So I’m in Roma, still. The land of muscular jaws, Armani-Exchange stubble, and proud tans. Of surprisingly short men, who are all talk…but really, this city isn’t all about the male specimen. I’m not obsessing. Or complaining…I might be complaining, I miss Seattle boys. They might not smell as nice, but I’ve never complained about that…

TWO WEEKS ’til I come back! I know I shouldn’t already be reminiscing about Seattle, or Roma, and I should just rejoice in the moment (arms of joy! flail those arms of joy!) but what’s life without the spice of angst? It’s nothing; no, it’s an episode of Friends. It’s fettuccine from Maggiano’s– bland butter in a swamp of noodles.Yeeeck.

So here’s to the cusp of spring; of the beautiful happy, the gorgeous sad, the silent contentedness of cool evenings. I can’t wait to see you, Sir Tomorrow. Because you’ll probably have a nice coni of gelato waiting for me…

If I don’t puke from my own cheesiness.

Gracious

is the Campo Di Fiori.

We live in a tourist trap.

I’m not complaining, per se– it’s a beautiful part of the city. We are so lucky to live near the Tiber; I walk across it every day and it’s always breathtaking. In a different way than Seattle; Seattle is strangely sobering as you walk through rivers of rain water and gutters (ok, maybe not so strangely sobering), but the Tiber, wet or dry, has a way of haunting you with thousands of histories…

I have found a cute boy named Francesco who works at an overpriced restaurant down in the campo. We will be married within the week, and he will spoon feed me gelato with lactaid in the mornings. Our ten children will be jumping joyously around us before self-administrating time-outs to write delicate haikus about our undying love. Ok, so I’ve only talked to him once. He’s a cutie.

but seriously, although Rome has its share of arrogant, self-righteous and narrow-minded men, the cliche romance of the city never ceases to haunt you. The histories are violent, sensual, gory; you can’t stop thinking about history when the cobblestones stubbing and wrestling with your toes are a constant reminder, when the fountains and saintly statues loom, gorgeous and mystical, where things are truly carved in a stone for all to remember… there are shocks of culture where you don’t expect it. The tiniest things expand to engulf your understanding of the norms, and it feels like nothing is the same… standing in line awkwardly juggling your valuables and dropping your dignity as the coins seriously don’t make sense or easily add up… you can feel the flush of ignorance seep into the confidence you used to have, and the comfort of your own country’s culture…

I’m so lucky to have had this opportunity; with the people I am with, in the place that I am. And it’s also made me more aware of what I miss about American and dear Seattle. Spongebob being one of them.

I should post more pictures. And I’m sorry I don’t update as often as I should. But my apartment doesn’t have internet, and it’s actually quite liberating… !

To my dear loved ones, who know who they are– I miss you!
And the following post is for class.

Gracious

I’m totally going to Rome in like, 9 hours.

Filthy sik.

I will try very hard not to look like this

To my dear family and roommates: do not fear, for I have tattooed my face into the insides of your eyelids. You will never forget the asymmetry of my face.

To my dear friends and/or co-workers: I will return 100 fold stronger and greater than ever before; but also 100 times as merciful. Be excited. Be wary. But be excited.

To my facebook friends: I will be deleting some of you soon. 2010 calls for a purge.

To Elliott Smith, Michael Cera, endearingly awkward darlings, and Seattle:  I love you–! Marry me!

Love,

Gracious

PS: keep u posted

This frozen December morning, all I can contribute is word vomit.

Hedancesnottoosmoothly

butcloudsarelighterthanhishair

itsheavywiththoughtsandthestaticofstress!

Abristleofredgaveway

toaskinnyboywithhonestconfidenceinhiseyes

andconvictioninhistouch!

Butlookatthatturtle

howitsexistencehassunkenintothecanvas

brownedattheedges

withfondageandpossiblememories!

Hecoughssolightlysolightlysoslightly

andhisteethrattleandcringe!

And I must say: it’s been SUPER/VERY hard to not slip into layers of glorious, comfortui-tous sweats. I almost can’t make it. It’s still cold in this cafe; I still can’t feel my feet. My fingernails are chattering.

That man outside running after the bus can probably feel his feet.

Okay, let me refocus and pretend that listing my thoughts matters:

1. Life is mediocre. Actually, it’s great, but there’s always that BUTT

2. Living with animals is not preferred.

3. “Passive-aggressive” is dependent on subjective experiences

4. You choose what you want to do with your time and not anyone else.

5. Those who are ruled with emotions are more fun to hang out with, but may become victims of too much self-awareness, to the point of myopic, self-destructive behavior

6. “I can’t go there.I can’t go there. I can’t go there” <<< that’s not neurotic, that’s just hxrdcxre self-restraint

7. When appropriate, confidence is super sexy…

8. When appropriate, awkwardness is even sexier…

9. And genuine-osity is sexiest: so if you’re going to be a hot asshole or a sensitive sucker, stick to it.

10. Boys at bars need to chill out. Actually, no; the more you use those pick-up lines and pre-scripted conversation-starters, the more time it saves us from pretending to give you a chance. Why do you care about my major, when you can’t even carry a good conversation about yours??

10. OH MY GOD I HAVE TO START STUDYING

G

…and times it by two. And then divide it by i, the non-existent number/factor determined by how many flakes of skin on a square inch of your belly.

That’s what morning feels like. Shrouded in fog, lost, the colors are fighting to boast but fail.

AND: dunno if you noticed, but it’s cold. To the point of icicles forming on nose hairs.

Last night, I went to free Thursday artwalk in DT Seattle. On the wrong way to the Seattle Art Museum, Tara and I discovered a gallery packed with talented local artists– illustrators who meet at Cafe Racer at 6:00 pm on Wednesdays. It was a wonderfully inspiring gallery, with  a diverse set of styles and genres…

Inspiration-be-damned, though, as soon as I build up enough creative juice and gumption to put it to use, work converges on all sides of me and I get swamped with all these small insignificant errands (haha: like finals). Whatever.

In the meantime, check out the new addition:

Happy Happy Joi Joi

http://gracie.imagekind.com

for more drawings, collages, etc.

Gracieee

For one of my communication courses: we had to film a 5 shot sequence, each shot lasting 10 seconds. The film had to tell a short story. Mine– what it’s like to be the troll under the bridge.

TROLL AVE.

When I was thinking of people to profile in our video assignment, no one specifically appealed to me: I was thinking about service/hospitality jobs (i.e. barista, waitress, bartender), because of how the shots would require a natural action that illustrated an action-centered story line (because of our 5 shot, no-edit constraint) and also because that felt like the general idea in our class.

I started thinking about unusual things I could make a story out of, instead of following that common thread of convenience. I decided on the Fremont Troll because of how artistically iconic it is for Seattle, not to mention Fremont’s own eclectic identity. I was actually surprised at the coherence of the story line created.

I didn’t realize how many people passed the troll every day, and started realizing how the Troll might be personified—patient; a rock of creative expression that has become the watchdog under the bridge, rather than a mythically menacing troll. Busses full of tourists were constantly pulling up to the troll, pausing, and driving away; cars full of families stopped by to take pictures. People were posing with the Troll in different ways—climbing him, walking around him, sticking their heads under his nose, etc. Perhaps it’s a little presumptuous stretch to say this rock sculpture displayed a magnanimously patient aura as it became a spectacle—maybe I’m giving inanimate objects too much credit. But the history of the Troll resurfaces and implicates itself in the admiration of its many visitors.

I do think this has to do with Identity; especially being an iconic Seattle piece of art (… it was in 10 things I Hate About You), it seems like Seattleites are of course aware that the Troll is there, but doesn’t receive any overt “public relations” or community appreciation. Perhaps if people realized how personable and endearing the Troll has become through its historical presence, they’d take better care of it in order to preserve him (as well as keep the area safe).

Troll Ave. N from grace yang on Vimeo.

I fully surrender myself to obsession with Simon and Garfunkel. Yes, everyone likes them. Well: I *LOVE* them.

….So, I don’t get out much. I get it, I’m what they call a loser. I have a 9-5 type of job, and other than class and homework, my extracurricular activities tend to be classified as introverted (i.e. blogging… ). But guys: I have an event to promote. This is big. This means I’m getting out of the apartment/office/bed. We should celebrate together. Rejoice. It might be freakish to see me out of my natural setting. Sort of like, I don’t know, Michael Moore shaking hands with Bush. Maybe not as interesting as that.

Sunset Tavern, 11/22

MOSTLY DIMES will be playing with WILDCAT CHOIR and SCRIPTURES at the Sunset Tavern over in Ballard– the other B-town– on November 22nd. I generally don’t like introducing/reviewing bands (Oh, I wouldn’t want to *impose* my opinions on others, which is totally a lie because I have a blog. Eh, internal conflict ensues) and I might be slightly biased because my friend’s in it, but c’mon. I’m not that much of a fake. I do like them, my elitist music friend/roommate likes them (see tarazak.blogspot.com), so I’m pretty sure they’re an awesome band. Roots in folksy tunes, and melodic harmonies. Check their album “Double Nickels” out at their website, http://www.mostlydimes.com. They’ve made it available to the general public and the general public’s moms.

The other bands can be found at their respective Myspace Music sites:

Wildcat Choir and Scriptures

Hope to see y’all there!!!

Graceee

I love old people

OMG, getting old. I’ve been thinking about this lately. I’ve noticed my cheeks gradually sinking, my laugh lines deepening with threat of imminent mortality… tender 21 my ass.

A beautiful autumn morning today in Seattle– crisp, sunny, UNwet… for once. I’m sure tomorrow will disappoint.

Today I received several pleasant e-mails, one of which notified me that I am being featured on Imagekind’s “Featured Artist” site. Which is super exciting! I’m the one on top, too! You don’t even have to scroll down!!!! ;asldkfja!!!

As a boi

Rainn Wilson is coming to UW/Seattle and I’m attending his event on November 6th. He’s promoting his website, soulpancake.com. Followed by Q/A, and a $30 “hang out sess” with the Dwight Schrute IRL.He’s donating all proceeds to a charity of choice…it will be an entertaining evening, at the very least.

Fall quarter is always a punch in the gut. You either take the punch well because you’ve flexed, or it makes you vomit summer laziness all over your homework. I think I’ve flexed. I think.

Some incredibly interesting pieces mixing shapes and linear graphics with human forms:

via butdoesitfloat.com

via butdoesitfloat.com

via butdoesitfloat.com

By Erik Nitsche. See more of his pieces HERE.

Aiiii!!!! Blogg-ed-about it lates!

Gracie

via rushofblood.tumblr

Hello my dear readers. My dear, darling readers.

I awoke to Seattle enshrouded by gentle mist. The breath of Zeus is upon us.

But seriously, I’m so proud of how productive I am today.

What I have completed:
Health screening for Rome. Researched $$$ for vaccinations. Got an official Washington State Issued ID Card. Got a library card at the Seattle Public Library, where I am visiting for the first time.

All before 12:00.

I’ve also scheduled an interview for a story I’m reporting on for my class– COM 495, “SUPRAPRINT” by Professor Florangela Davila.

I would blog on my story, but I sorta don’t– because I’m weary of how many people are actually in Mars Hill Church, and I don’t want to have them “reading me” before I interview them. That’s incredibly self-indulgent of me, to think that I am quite that important for them to be concerned about, but no matter, no matter, self-indulgence comes and goes like the wind.

This is a ridiculous post. Does anyone else create things and destroy them precisely because they don’t have conviction in their coolness??

I have more conviction in others than I do in myself. Why does this sound terrible?

In NEWS: Yes-men front man Andy Bichlbaum pulled a stunt press junket when he impersonated a member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and announced that the chamber would reverse their previous stance on global warming policies and instead support taxation of carbon emmissions. He was interrupted by an actual member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce– see their live hoax here. Hilarity only increases when the “real man” arrives on the scene– and an actual statement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was released denouncing the hoax as an obstacle in “seriously discussing the improvement of global climate change in the world” (not a direct quote– just something like that). Losers.

Some things are for sure: these incredible pieces made my jaw drop:

 

via butdoesitfloat.com

 

via butdoesitfloat.com

via butdoesitfloat.com

 Epic pieces for epic day(ze).

Love,

Graceee