Leave me a comment saying “There’s a time and a place for that.” and

• I’ll respond by asking you five questions so I can satisfy my curiosity
• Update your journal with the answers to the questions
• Include this explanation in the post and offer to ask other people questions

Roxie asked :

1. What would you do if you found out you were pregnant only when you went into labor suddenly? (Been watching “I Didn’t Know I was Pregnant” all day… Heh.

• Well, i want kids eventually so at least it wouldn’t totally devistate me.  I’d have to take responsibility and raise my kid reguardless. Hopefully i’d be smart enough to figure out i was prego before labor though! lol

2. What is the weirdest thing you like on your sandwich?

• I’m not really a weird sandwich person, Pickels are prob. the most random thing i put on them.. and sometimes chips. but neither one of those it toooo unusual.

3. Tell me your best dream of all time.

• My recurring marriage dream is STELLAR! Its a small thing and this beautiful church that DEF. isn’t the one i go to now, I always marry the same guy and he’s a pretty close friend of mine currently, so its a little strange to think about but he’s an amazing guy none the less. white dress, simple and elegent, pink and brown bridesmaids stuff. just over all a perfect picture of what my ideal wedding would be like. although, i think the likelyhood of me actually marrying the guy in the dream is very very low. lol

4. If you could travel anywhere in the world with me for a week where would we go and why?

• France! because it’s a BEAUTIFUL city and i hear it has pretty good food and there are tonsss of things to look at/do!

5. Have you ever had a crush on a girl? I mean a real crush. Enough of one to consider having a relationship with her.

• First of all, i think when you fall in love, its with the person as whole not necessarily their gender. I think women are absolutly beautiful but i couldn’t ever have a relationship with a girl. Girls are drama and i’m about as anti-drama as they come! lol

R is for ... Modesty

Modesty *scoffs* Who needs it.

~Dina

R is for ... Problem Solved?

Because  unicycles are sexy.

~Dina

I’ll admit it.  I would never, in a month of Sundays, put Sadie on my daughter’s birth certificate.  It would be Sarah, thanks very much, just in case she grows up to run for office or take up brain surgery or otherwise wants to sound like a mature, serious adult.

I’m not necessarily in the majority.  And I’m not necessarily right, either.  Plenty of women named Julie and Jodie have turned out just fine.  And plenty of Sarah/Sadies are irritated at having to constantly explain that yes, Sadie is a nickname for Sarah.

So for your consideration, I’ve pulled together a list of ends-in-ie-names just might stand on their own.

I’m excluding choices like Katie and Maggie -  names easily connected to formal versions, as well as feminizations like Billie and Charlie.  And if it more commonly ends in -y, you won’t find it here – so no Mollie, Lillie or Lucie.

That still leaves bunches of names:

• Arlie – Arline started out as a well-born child kidnapped by gypsies in a nineteenth century opera, but today she’s the outdated Arlene.  Arlie might be a short form, or she may related to a surname.  Either way, she sounds fresher than the -een ending original.
• Birdie – Lady Bird was worn in the White House.  Actress Busy Phillips bestowed this avian appellation on her daughter.  While there are more subtle ways to evoke the finely feathered, Birdie isn’t quite unthinkable.
• Bonnie – Worn by the ill-fated daughter of Rhett and Scarlett in Gone With the Wind – who was actually named Eugenie Victoria.  She means pretty – and she is just that.
• Callie – If Kelly and Kaylee are independent given names for girls, why not Callie?  She’s also a possible nickname for classics like Caroline and Charlotte, as well as the less-expected Calla, Calista or Calliope.
• Dessie – In Ireland, Dessie is a nickname for Desmond – and thus, exclusively masculine.  In the US, it sounds more like a riff on Bessie.
• Dulcie – She’s sweet – literally, from the Latin dulcis.  Longer form Dulcinea conjures up the Judybats, Toad the Wet Sprocket and Don Quixote – though the literary Dulcinea was actually named Aldonza.
• Erie – Eir was a Norse goddess; Éire, a Celtic one – she lent her name to Ireland.  Eiry is a Welsh girl’s name – related names abound, all meaning snow.  Erie may be linked to any or none of the above, and could rhyme with fairy, or have a totally other pronunciation.
• Hattie – You might put Harriet or Henrietta on the birth certificate, but millinery references aside, Hattie has some style.
• Hettie – Another possibility for Henrietta,  as well as Hester or Hestia.
• Lettie – Formal name options include the salad-esque Lettice, or the lacy Letitia.  If Victorian valentine isn’t your style, Lettie might appeal.
• Lindie – Lucky Lindy was aviator Charles Lindbergh’s nickname.  The Lindy Hop was a swing-era dance craze named in his honor.  Linda is a Baby Boomer – as are elaborations like Melinda and Belinda.  But today, Lindie might work as a nickname for hippie chic tree name Linden – or on her own.
• Lottie – Charlotte is in the US Top 100 and rising, but it seems as very few Charlottes are answering to this nickname – so far.
• Maisie – Like Maggie, she could be a diminutive form of Margaret, via the Scottish Mairead.  But if Daisy stands on her own, maybe Maisie does, too.
• Millie – Mildred might be too dowdy to ever make a comeback, but Millie is Thoroughly Modern.  She’s also a spunky nickname for the super-sweet Millicent.
• Minnie – Yes, there’s the mouse.  But there’s also the actress – who was actually born Amelia Fiona Driver.
• Tillie – Matilda is ever so fashion forward.  Short form Tilda brings to mind the actress.  Then there’s Tillie – perhaps a bit too cute, but possibly wearable on her own.
• Trudie – It’s hard to imagine naming a daughter Gertrude.  But Trudie seems like a logical sister for Sadie – spunky, retro and not too flimsy to stand on her own.
• Zadie – If Sadie stands along, why not her zippy cousin?  The z-to-s switch has worked out just fine for novelist Zadie Smith.
• Zelie – There have definitely been women named Zelie, but her exact origins are unclear, though some link her to the French Zéline and she brings to mind the Yiddish Zelig.

I could go on – there’s Winnie and Elsie, Flossie and Roxie.  But I’ll stop here and just ask: would you consider a short, ends-in-ie name for a daughter?  And if so, would you put it on her birth certificate or opt for a more formal version?

R is for ... Problem Solved?

Because unicycles are sexy …

~Dina

This morning, MM had the distinct pleasure of receiving a note from Oren Jacob, Pixar CTO and Executive Producer of a documentary called “Ready, Set, Bag!“  Oren was hoping to get the word out about Thursday night’s SF premiere of  “Ready, Set, Bag!” at the Roxie, and offered to hook our crappy blog up with an advanced viewing.   Mere hours later, a DVD screener was hand-delivered to my front door.

Hand-delivered!  Who am I, Gene Siskel (may he rest in peace!)?

I just finished watching the film and let me tell you, it is a DELIGHT.  “Ready, Set, Bag!” is a documentary that follows eight state grocery bagging champions from across the United States as they prepare to compete in the National Grocers Association’s Best Bagger competition in Las Vegas.  Contestants are judged by speed, weight distribution, packing prowess, etc.

“It’s similar to the American Idol,” says Frank DiPasquale, SVP of the National Grocers Association, in the film.  “You just never know where the stars are.”

Now readers, I would be lying to you if I didn’t wipe the single tear running down my cheek and say that this is a film about America.  Not shitty America, where people are fat jerks,  but awesome America, where people are huge sweethearts who work at grocery stores to overcome shyness, or to pursue the American Dream, and happen to get really good at a thing.  And in case earnestness makes you nervous (it does me!), rest assured that “Ready, Set, Bag!” doesn’t condescend to our protagonists, but puts their sizeable talents and quirks on display.  Basically, a bunch of sweethearts got together to make a movie about a bunch of sweethearts.

OOPS! Accidentally turned this blog into my livejournal!

This movie melted my cold, dead heart.  Here are your details for Thursday night:

Ready, Set, Bag!
Roxie Theater
Thursday, November 19th
7:00 p.m.
Tickets available online

The screening will benefit the San Francisco Food Bank, Mechanics Banks will donate $1 for every ticket sold, and if you bring two or more items of non-perishable food to donate, you get $1 off your ticket and 50 cents off popcorn.  Director Q&A with the audience to follow, and don’t forgot dem Twitta @readysetbag.  Phewf!

SPOILER ALERT: My favorite bagger wins the competition!

R is for ... Alternate Solutions

Driving is overrated anyway …

At least now she doesn’t have to deal with traffic … and slow old people … and crazy drivers … just … people in general.

o.o;

~Dina

R is for ... Boyfriend

That’s one way to end a relationship …

~Dina

Man, this lack of daylight is really messing with my blogging schedule.  I can no longer dash home at night, grab the camera and run outside for a few quick photos of whatever before the light is gone, because the light is gone before I even leave work.

This happens every year, yet still surprises me every year.  Why?

~Last night we went to Jeff’s parents’ house for Linda’s birthday dinner.  Jeff’s sister and aunt were there, and it was a really good time.  Sherrill (aunt) is an all around awesome person, and I always love catching up with her.  And Laura (sister) saw me knitting and – for a reason that I’m sure is COMPLETELY unrelated – voiced her affection for thick cozy socks.  No idea why.  At one point earlier in the evening, my MIL and aunt-by-marriage and I were sitting at the dining table, talking about playing with hot candle wax and drying Elmer’s glue on our palms, and it was AWESOME.  No comment on the Charlie-head-on-a-stick, though.  That was pretty weird, Linda.

~The craft show in Kansas City last weekend went REALLYSUPERWELL, or REALLYSUPERCRAPPY, depending on how you look at it.  I’ve got photos, just need to stick ‘em onto Flickr.  It was a good time, though, that much is for sure.

~One of the benefits of having a bonafide jewelry designer so readily accessible is that on Sunday morning I plunked myself down at the dining room table (aka Mom’s Jewelry Workstation) and said “I want a copper necklace and I want it to have orange and brown beads and be really fall-y.”  And just a couple hours later, I had it!  (I also tried to take a photo of it just now, with my crappy point-and-shoot, under the fluorescent lights at work but DUDE.  No.  Not sharin’ that.)

~Rumor has it that Anthropologie has clearance marked down, so I may try and check that out this weekend.  Like hell I’m gonna pay $168 for a skirt.   But $29.99 for the same item? Yes, please!

~As you all saw yesterday, I’ve written my Knit List for winter 2009 (I refuse to assign a 12/25 deadline, ’cause that’s just a recipe for failure).  It’s quite long, but in a motivating and inspiring way, not in a stressful way – YET.  Watch me eat my words come 12/22 or so.  Oh and best of all, I can go stash diving for most of the yarn!

~I made a chocolate cheesecake for last night’s family dinner, and it was AWEEEEESOME.  Usually I’m pretty modest about my baking – really, I’m not doing anything unique or spectacular.  But when it comes to chocolate cheesecake, that all flies out the window.  I ROCK the chocolate cheesecake.

~I find as I get older, my Christmas wish list gets shorter and cheaper.  No longer do I whine and beg for a CD/cassette player or a Rollerblade Baby (Want to know how many times I played with that damn thing?  ONCE.  For like five minutes.  But it didn’t go NEARLY as quickly as in the commercials.  Then my brother tried to trip it with a piece of string and it got caught in the wheels and we got bored and went off to play with Legos and what do you think that says about kids’ play, huh?  Huh?), my list to Mom and Dad this year consisted of “I’d love it if you’d make me more jewelry, and there’s a great hoodie from LLBean, and I could use some institutional-quality cookie sheets too please.  I also like yarn.”  8-year-old Katie would consider 24-year-old Kate to be BOOOO-RINNNNG but I don’t care, it’s awesome.  Nothin’ wrong with practicality, that’s all I’m saying.  And all that stupid Rollerblade Baby did was fall over, anyway.

~Have you ever noticed that, as a grown-up, you’re ALWAYS tired to some degree or in some fashion?  I’d almost swear it’s like the mono I had this summer…right now I’m exhausted and my head hurts, but as soon as I get home tonight I’ll feel right as rain again.  So I know it’s just situational (IE, not wanting to be at work ).

Happy Wednesday, everyone.   Spay and neuter your pets. The world has enough Roxies as it is.

I’ve always wanted to d8 a sk8r, so I’m gonna pretend I know shit about shit and promote this event:

Devin writes:

On Wednesday, Creature Skateboards is premiering their new video in SF at Roxie theater.  It’s called, “Hesh Law” and it’s going to rip.

Rip!  Swoon!  So cute!

You can view the trailer for Hesh Law here.  Time 2 ollie.

Kaeleer’s Heart by Anne Bishop (Dreams Made Flesh)

Just beautiful. This is a short story about the Jaenelle and Daemon faces after the end of Queen of Darkness. Just as gripping as the trilogy. Loved the party scene. Very clever. I actually laughed at some of the parts in this story. So it must have been good.

Daemon fears Jaenelle will never recover from sacrificing her Black Jewels to purge the realm of the corrupt Queens.

He desires nothing more than to heal her, body and soul – and to help her unravel the secret of Twilight’s Dawn, the Jewel Jaenelle now possesses…

R is for ... Color Issues

Captain: You!  With the red shirt!  Yes!  You!  Come with me to this planet infested with violent, raging, bull-like creatures so we can collect feces samples!

Crew member: Uh … um … can I sit this mission out, sir? I have … a … uh … a urinary track infection … yeah … real bad … *points to other crew member in a red shirt* What about bob?  He’s cool, right?

Captain: *grumbles* Fine … Come with me, Bob.

Bob: *whimper*

~Dina

R is for ... Swine Flu

So everyone knows when to stay the hell away from you~!

~Dina

R is for ... College Meals

Mmmm …

Nummy …

Not so healthy though but who cares, right?

~Dina

R is for ... Baby

So that’s where babies come from …

~Dina

Heir to the Shadows by Anne Bishop (The Black Jewels Trilogy, Book 2)

Loved it as much as the first one. But it still would have been nice to see more of Daemon. There is just something about him that makes every woman wish she could meet a man like that, even for just a little while. If only are world was really like that; where the females had the upper hand in society.

In this violently passionate, “darkly fascinating world,”** the Blood rule: a race of witches and warlocks whose power is channeled through magical jewels. Ambitions unfurl in this second novel of The Black Jewels Trilogy, as the realm’s dreams of a liberator have finally been made flesh…

Jaenelle, singled out by prophecy as the living embodiment of magic, is haunted by the cruel battles the Blood have fought over her-for not all of them await her as their Savior. Nothing, however, can deflect her from her destiny-and the day of reckoning looms near. When her memories return. When her magic matures. When she is forced to accept her fate. On that day, the dark Realms will know what it means to be ruled by Witch.

R is for ... Fetch

Gotta love dogs!

~Dina

I enjoyed my bike ride home tonight. Some nights, I love the feeling of being alone as I coast down the road, surrounded by lights from windows and porches, serenaded by crickets and other night insects. It’s friggin cold out there, but I was warmly bundled in layers, coat and gloves. Slicing through the cold air when I hit a comfortable stride seems like one of the charms of the ride, in those perfect moments.

Not so much for the getting home and discovering that the heat still doesn’t work. I hate shivering. I hate goosebumps. I’m particularly susceptible to cold, always have been. Last night I laid down to go to sleep covered in several heavy blankets and discovered that my hands weren’t just cold, they had become stiff and numb, and thawed to become painful claws that I had to warm against my thighs as I sniffled in pathetic misery. Fortunately, I am not the little match girl and I can go to le tar-jay and buy myself a space heater. It’s the comforting thought that I’m clinging to as my feet keep yelling at me about how two pairs of socks is just not enough to keep my toes from succumbing to frostbite.

SF Doc Fest is in full effect!

I read through some of the film descriptions and Waiting for Hockney, in particular, caught my eye.  Here’s a synopsis from the site:

Back in the ’90s, illustrator Billy Pappas had a portrait idea to wow the world. The only problem was that it would require a 20x magnifying glass to draw, for seven hours a day, for the next eight and a half years. After four years, he creates a sling system to overcome arm fatigue. After five years, his family and friends fear for his sanity. On top of this near-impossible endeavor, he’s determined to show his masterpiece to the famous and reclusive modern artist David Hockney, the one person that Billy believes can justify a decade of work. A film of both nail-biting suspense and pure old-fashioned grit.

Tonight at 9:15 at the Roxie!  $11, dudes.

Did you ever see that Daniel Johnston documentary?  DJ’s obsession with Laurie reminds me of the Hockney fixation described above.

Hockney is this guy, btw:

Go see it!

R is for ... Lemon

Epic fail on Roxie’s part, if you ask me.

But you didn’t …

~Dina

R is for ... Sea-Monkey

Yay!

A new picture!!  I told ya I’d update fast!

Not that it matters since no one visits … *watches tumbleweed roll by* … *Listens to the lovely sound of crickets chirping*

XP

~Dina

R is for ... Failure

The first installment of R is for …!!

Yay!!

Expect more to come within the next few days~!!

Feel free to make any comments and suggestions!  I love constructive criticism!!

~Dina

The 8th annual San Francisco Documentary Festival takes place October 16- 29 at the Roxie Cinema. The festival presents 60 documentaries from around the world with a “truth is often stranger than fiction” theme. Documentaries visit rabbit competitions, crazy West Virginians, the early days of Burning Man, Lucha Libre and much more.

The festival kicks off tonight with a film about onetime millionaire businessman, Malcolm Bricklin, chronicling his notorious negotiation skills. The Entrepreneur is produced by Morgan Spurlock of Super-Size Me and directed by son Jonathan Bricklin.

Although showings start this Friday, a roller disco in association with the DocFest will take place at Cellspace, 2050 Bryant at 18th on October 23. The disco on wheels has a $10 admission, $5 dollars with costume but is FREE with any DocFest ticket stub.

IndieFest claims no responsibility for “alcohol influenced roller skating wipeouts”.

Hey Everyone!!

Welcome to the blog dedicated to my new mini-series R is for …!!

“What is R is for …?” you ask.

R is for … is a project I’m working on for my Senior Thesis (4150) art class this semester.  The goal is to take everything I’ve learned from past classes and use that knowledge to create a constant, on-going character in the form of an editorial cartoon strip that will be produced weekly.  I will also explore and create unique ways of communication through Roxie (my main character) who will think and talk in the form of imagery.

As of now, I actually have six completed strips that have been posted on my class web page:  http://apsu.digication.com/DinaMayse/R_is_for

However,  I will be posting pages every day or every other day to catch up with my class site.  Yay~!

Now … Let us get down to business~!  First I would like to introduce the two main characters of my comic … *drum roll* Roxie and Randa~!!!  Yay!!

And (just in case this comic gets a little too confusing) here is the “How to Read” guide … so that you know your reading it right even though it still doesn’t make any sense!! XP

How to read

~Dina