tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64260199219059643142024-03-07T16:33:06.592-08:00Gibberish from the 02905Baseball, Politics, Art and Meaningless DrivelKimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-61442843283669940892011-11-11T05:53:00.000-08:002011-11-11T06:17:34.292-08:00Why I Adore AtheistsIra Glass is a staunch atheist. So is my boyfriend and many of my friends and even some family members. What do they all have in common? They are the most moral, selfless people I know. Atheists believe in living for today, because when we are dead and buried, we'll just become worm food (Though, I doubt that's true. We've decided that destroying the Earth while we are alive isn't good enough. We must preserve ourselves to the point where even our bodies are not decomposable. Why do something half way?).<br /><br />I am not a fan of religion. I actually think, personally, that religion can be a dangerous thing. It can also be what an immoral person clings to as a saving grace should they be hit by a bus. In my view, religion is an invention of man, providing some explanation for our existence. It's helpful to many people, so I would never actually preach that it be banished. I am a very "live and let live" kind of person. My mantra is, basically: Be a shitty person if you want. But please try not to if you can help it.<br /><br />On the other hand, I am quite spiritual. I do believe that we step into a different plane of existance when our physical bodies die. I don't claim to know much about said afterlife or parallel life or whatever, but I do feel strongly about its existence. I believe that there are only 2 things we are responsible for in our physical lives: to love unconditionally and to help others when we are in a position of being able to do so. And guess who are models for this way of life?<br /><br />Atheists!<br /><br />Take Ira Glass for example. He is not a perfect person, true. No one is, really. But he has done an enormous service to the world by creating and continuing to broadcast <span style="font-style: italic;">This American Life</span>. It has become an important tool for learning about other people's lives, their triumphs and tragedies, their inner most struggles and how their moral compasses direct them. The program evokes many responses from the listener: empathy, sympathy, judgment, self-reflection, self-judgment, happiness, pity, sorrow, helplessness. It is, in essence, a multifaceted portrait of the human experience. When Ira interviews his subjects, he is gentle, kind and humorous and there is something about him, his voice, his persona, that you trust. You are comfortable revealing things to him, even though you know that it may be broadcast nationally. I think it's beautiful.<br /><br />Lots of atheists walk the walk. And isn't that the whole point? To live in the now? Not to think about how many past lives we've had or what heaven is going to be like or if there is a hell? If we really want to advance ourselves and humanity, I think we could all learn a thing or two from the people who don't believe in God. As crazy as that sounds.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-6533544605246533002011-08-31T09:17:00.000-07:002011-08-31T12:42:41.642-07:00Eyes on Your Own PaperIn this journey of life, I believe we are meant to overcome certain human tendencies that may be inherent in our nature, but detrimental to our growth. Each of us, in all probability, is our own worst enemy.
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<br />Since I have been a full-time self employed person, I have adapted to a new way of managing finances. And I depend on many things for my survival: nice weather on weekends, happy shoppers with money to spend and a desire to use handcrafted soap, certain technologies, etc. In my former life, I never thought about how my employer was able to pay me. Do you think about it? Do you ever consider all of the factors involved, how all the various components of your employer's business must come together in order to ensure that you receive your regular paycheck? Probably not. But, I am intimate with all of these things because all of my efforts are geared toward keeping my business alive and paying my bills.
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<br />This kind of necessary obsession can lead down some less-than-desirable ways of thinking. I don't care to know what my fellow self-employed crafty friends are raking in. Some of them are delighted to share this information. It's never done in an evil, "rub your face in it" sort of way, but it can certainly take the joy out of a day you <span style="font-style: italic;">thought</span> was fabulous, sales-wise. The only person I should be comparing myself with is me. How I did at a particular venue one year vs. another, how my internet sales stack up against themselves from month to month. It can be hard to keep yourself from wondering how much your neighbor is making at a show, but I am determined to keep my head down and not let my mind wander in this direction. It's futile, anyway. Ones sales do not determine how rich or poor one may be. If your sales are huge, but your bills are bigger, well, that isn't success. And no amount of money can stand in for happiness and job satisfaction. Both of which I happen to have lots of.
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<br />Right now, I'm in my busy season and I'm doing well. And I'm keeping my eyes on my own paper.
<br />Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-236874614310162062011-01-12T10:09:00.000-08:002011-01-12T10:17:53.264-08:00For 2011 and BeyondBe kind.<br /><br />Love Unconditionally.<br /><br />Laugh more.<br /><br />Breathe.<br /><br />Let go of my fears.<br /><br />Stand up for myself.<br /><br />Be fierce.<br /><br />Resist harm.<br /><br />Be grateful.<br /><br />Appreciate beauty.<br /><br />Wash, rinse, repeat.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-89476013067308744512010-10-27T10:14:00.000-07:002010-10-28T06:29:09.077-07:00A List of Unapologetic Female Musicians Who Don't Need to Use Their T & A to Be Amazing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKdcpiT7QcM_ms0Ufvl4SRzq6SoBKtahHQ2sAlCusoPjyv39h633LEMHbHbiHZ8uk6_cGgczEbKhnxcJmqDq-TmYJuN3W50I8Kp3zLDboev_0fkTbqq7zo2bqdD_BfDhKhpDgOA15JTs/s1600/2863606270_6f5bc9abf6.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 262px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXKdcpiT7QcM_ms0Ufvl4SRzq6SoBKtahHQ2sAlCusoPjyv39h633LEMHbHbiHZ8uk6_cGgczEbKhnxcJmqDq-TmYJuN3W50I8Kp3zLDboev_0fkTbqq7zo2bqdD_BfDhKhpDgOA15JTs/s400/2863606270_6f5bc9abf6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532779567936306722" border="0" /></a><br />I was put this together while I was unloading the dishwasher today. I have always been so turned off by the women in the music world who sing all girly and lullaby-like, all while wearing next-to-nothing. It feels like their pockets were lined by executives who warned them: Go out there and degrade yourself <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">or else</span>! Dignity, anyone? Thank the universe that these women went out and did just the opposite.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds-kCP1MXNN3_NlptBr8RqL6dKzj0QrG7ov2jCGpN_p-yLBKDzxsNv9GVhslJulJTMigypArSS0XT1rtC17ljM00GsBLefuX4rBv1pVvWz5dcEn2mTbRWPsLh81MfBRfD3IkolA4Q-ts/s1600/k38zenoimea5ioez.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 114px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjds-kCP1MXNN3_NlptBr8RqL6dKzj0QrG7ov2jCGpN_p-yLBKDzxsNv9GVhslJulJTMigypArSS0XT1rtC17ljM00GsBLefuX4rBv1pVvWz5dcEn2mTbRWPsLh81MfBRfD3IkolA4Q-ts/s400/k38zenoimea5ioez.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533062063907953106" border="0" /></a>Wendy O. Williams<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSZ6feEWvDVv_uTBIPdpaIdNut47EFNdh5Z0iW9go7Dcz1alg_GH7Xp5HWgOKiI-K9Ty5GiTlonnugA8PA9Md_zraVvEdQlQI8fzV4Uj0uyUYlQU3aLjS9SJrIq-NjF-frj6M75ScQWU/s1600/PATTI_SMITH-LIVE.gif"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 131px; height: 177px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSZ6feEWvDVv_uTBIPdpaIdNut47EFNdh5Z0iW9go7Dcz1alg_GH7Xp5HWgOKiI-K9Ty5GiTlonnugA8PA9Md_zraVvEdQlQI8fzV4Uj0uyUYlQU3aLjS9SJrIq-NjF-frj6M75ScQWU/s400/PATTI_SMITH-LIVE.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533062194730654658" border="0" /></a>Patti Smith<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMmkMhWJqBmT72CtF8_4qIKkHhTWiLoXqBc0L1J_eTXRPrAYryz693E5w0JEHrX2RT8o7o8XzcMd6t5urQE6oOjLnsYTcrL_zRk_jsk_ht31c_e2wy8klwaixb_pBAnuH7d7d-FmfbZk/s1600/51kimdeal.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 191px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWMmkMhWJqBmT72CtF8_4qIKkHhTWiLoXqBc0L1J_eTXRPrAYryz693E5w0JEHrX2RT8o7o8XzcMd6t5urQE6oOjLnsYTcrL_zRk_jsk_ht31c_e2wy8klwaixb_pBAnuH7d7d-FmfbZk/s400/51kimdeal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533062907451811666" border="0" /></a>Kim Deal<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UklXtazJeyol5As6QLXIW9Ucpqq668s4L0jaYST9wH5zwcIa5_paZafR5NNua6sDGx7Xh64Hj3tKVgY2-ySie_oZe29u9MmKMAKklcv_nisPYPcsZsdB81o990EQu3P1MxBkpYAqwJ8/s1600/debbie-harry-sized.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UklXtazJeyol5As6QLXIW9Ucpqq668s4L0jaYST9wH5zwcIa5_paZafR5NNua6sDGx7Xh64Hj3tKVgY2-ySie_oZe29u9MmKMAKklcv_nisPYPcsZsdB81o990EQu3P1MxBkpYAqwJ8/s200/debbie-harry-sized.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533063881280236498" border="0" /></a>Debbie Harry<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2cGPxT0xKyfyrODUvOTzryj0SHWT-qhtNJnaL6ca599Gf8_3sBejnVZX8atOSjsNMqEli_JnbIiVqVNp64v2cKSgb7cquYw7IVQq-c_5gj7k27Ck1-Q-DilTZhF4fNAUpvBvaybc5Nk/s1600/15qzy53.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 134px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip2cGPxT0xKyfyrODUvOTzryj0SHWT-qhtNJnaL6ca599Gf8_3sBejnVZX8atOSjsNMqEli_JnbIiVqVNp64v2cKSgb7cquYw7IVQq-c_5gj7k27Ck1-Q-DilTZhF4fNAUpvBvaybc5Nk/s200/15qzy53.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533064365524028770" border="0" /></a>Melissa Auf der Maur<br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pBjsBsfPxX6RclbRf6vwF8ntjSKGnxQutFl_n6UCLFzfdJr9MzM-U7FRMy8pfuquXPXULYYafJwKggVXJVI3NpafWj6Wn6j_PNNCYjfWS-bKytON_HynY4KgStoXuWmgnrXuQ2T5Huw/s1600/darcy.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 165px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2pBjsBsfPxX6RclbRf6vwF8ntjSKGnxQutFl_n6UCLFzfdJr9MzM-U7FRMy8pfuquXPXULYYafJwKggVXJVI3NpafWj6Wn6j_PNNCYjfWS-bKytON_HynY4KgStoXuWmgnrXuQ2T5Huw/s200/darcy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533064810007158610" border="0" /></a>D'arcy Elizabeth Wretzky<br /></div>PLUS:<br /><br />Joan Jett<br />Kathleen Hanna<br />Kristin Hersh<br />Aimee Mann<br />Erykah Badu<br />Donita Sparks<br />Bianca Holstead<br />Carrie Brownstein<br />Courtney Love<br />Sinead O'Conner<br />Tracy Bonham<br />Janis Joplin<br />Queen Latifah<br />Chrissie Hynde<br />Pat Benatar<br />Poison Ivy<br />Lydia Lunch<br />Marissa Paternoster<br /><br />I could go on. Moms and Dads, please be sure that your little girls know about these women and understand that it's okay to be fierce.<br /><br />* I should add that there is a difference between removing one's clothing as a means of exuding power and doing it to please men. Burlesque dancing, for example, is an expression of female sexuality in a way in which the female is in control. Wendy O. Williams and other women on this list did wear sexually provocative clothes, but in the end, it wasn't really about them acquiescing to some expected soft, feminine ideal. It was about their fearlessness of belting it out.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-70720566771995697342010-10-24T15:39:00.000-07:002010-10-26T16:05:59.743-07:00Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life, etc.A couple of weeks ago, Jere and I went to the Boston Book Festival to see our heroine, Kristin Hersh. I believe that she has mentions on this blog <a href="http://gibberishfromthe02145.blogspot.com/search?q=50">here</a> and <a href="http://gibberishfromthe02145.blogspot.com/search?q=hersh">here</a>. I was very excited to learn that she had released a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rat-Girl-Memoir-Kristin-Hersh/dp/0143117394">memoir</a>. Even better, there was a whole evening devoted to rock star writer types scheduled this month. The icing on the cake? Said event was being hosted by Steve Almond, author of (among others)<span style="font-style: italic;"> Candy Freak</span> (one of Jere's favorite reads), <span style="font-style: italic;">My Life in Heavy Metal</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">Rock and Roll Will Save Your Life </span>(The words in the title are organized in the shape of a crucifix on the jacket, despite Almond's Jewish roots.) This summer, for one week, he hosted <span style="font-style: italic;">The Emily Rooney Show </span>on WGBH (the NPR station I prefer over WBUR, however, I do miss burly, little Bob Oakes in the morning). Monday through Thursday, I think he pretty much stuck to the outline of the show's topics, but on the Friday of that week, he took the reigns and delivered a refreshingly different and lighter alternative to the political blah-dee-blah. It was a churchy-like show in which we, the listeners, called in and confessed our guiltiest musical indulgences. Almond played the part of the Catholic priest, administering penance for such pleasures as oh, I don't know, Emily Rooney's <span style="font-style: italic;">Everybody Hurts</span> by REM (Does this even qualify?). I wanted to muster the courage to confess that E.L.O.'s <span style="font-style: italic;">Do Ya</span> has always been my own personal <span style="font-style: italic;">Desperado</span>, but, alas, it was a particularly busy day in my workshop and I couldn't break away from all the soapy necessities.<br /><br />While at the event, I purchased a hardcover copy of RARWSYL and had Almond sign it for me. While in line for this, Jere waited for an autograph from Hersh. He also asked her to do the intro to his web show, <span style="font-style: italic;">Randomonium</span>. For his debut episode, he was fortunate enough to get Andrew W. K. to do an intro. I think Hersh tops this, but it's debatable. He's done several episodes since then, scoring intros by Danbury Connecticut's impressive hardcore get-up, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Pist</span> and Red Sox legend, Bill "The Spaceman (but please don't call me that)" Lee.<br /><br />Anyhoo, I've since read Almond's book and I found it to be quite energizing. While I don't consider myself to be a Drooling Fanatic, by any stretch, I do get giddy over some more or less obscure seeming artists (I absolutely love <span style="font-style: italic;">The Fall</span>, for instance, but it is rare to be able to talk "Mark E. Smith" with someone). I am still in geeky love with all three members of Rush and I am pretty sure I can still recite all of their albums in alphabetical order.<br /><br />After reading the book, I have decided that I would like him to release a testimonial about my soaps. I have wanted to have a good, reputable celebrity type to publicly endorse my soaps, and who better for the job? Most of my soaps are tributes to my favorite rock stars and/or feminists. My <span style="font-style: italic;">Bad Brains</span> ode, <span style="font-style: italic;">Soap Craft</span>, is scented in African Rain, which I find rather amusing, as Almond devotes a passage to analyzing Toto's "Africa," where it apparently rains a lot.<br /><br />The question is: Does Steve Almond bathe? I would guess that yes, he does. Would Steve Almond like a bunch of free soaps in exchange for a brief, but positive testimonial (if he appreciates them, that is)? Perhaps. However, I think his wife could dig them, too, as she (from what he descibes) seems like a super rad lady who would might understand why <a href="http://stellamariesoap.com/dinosoap-jr.html">my Dinosaur Jr. soap</a> is purple and green.<br /><br />Of course, I am chicken. What kind of asshole would I look like if I approached Mr. Almond with this request? The kind of weirdo who makes soap for a living (but, lest we forget that we do live in a post Fight Club world and some people actually understand that the danger level in mixing lye and water with oil can be perceived as kind of cool).<br /><br />So, Steve, if you are reading this and you are interested in indulging me, please comment! Would it make you feel better if I said that you would be bumping Kathleen Hanna, my idol, out of first place?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-14236050445021526772010-07-11T11:13:00.000-07:002010-10-24T15:39:49.000-07:00A New Post! At Long Last!I guess it's been a few months, but here I am. Writing a post on the ole bloggereeno.<br /><br />To say I've been busy is an understatement. Today, I've taken an actual day off. I wasn't going to, but yesterday's weather report had predicted a total poop-fest for today and I just wasn't up for working in the rain. Again. It's difficult for a number of reasons. (1) People don't shop in the rain. (2) Soap doesn't like rain. (3) My feet don't enjoy standing in puddles of water. Seriously, you work twice as hard and make half as much during rainy days. Lo and behold, though, it was a GLORIOUS day. Still, it was nice to have a leisurely brunch with the "weekend off" people, particularly my boyfriend, who I never seem to run out of fun conversation with.<br /><br />Earlier in the year, for nearly 2 months, I took a contract with my old company. It was my slow time, so I needed a little gig before my outdoor season started back up. I asked not to do anything too involved. I just wanted some busy-type work, since I was still running my business, too, and didn't want to burn out. I went back to my old company with a fresh set of eyes. When you fund your entire operation, you are responsible for all of your expenses. From business cards to paper clips to product materials and everything in between. I used to walk around my old office not really thinking about how the copy paper got there or who paid for it. Suddenly, it came into my consciousness that someone was pounding the pavement to earn the business that was paying for all that stuff. Let alone salaries and benefits and utility bills. I just gained this whole new appreciation for everything.<br /><br />Being a solopreneur is hard work, but I feel reeeeeeeeeaaaaaallly proud of the money in my bank account. Because I know where every single cent came from. Even though it isn't as much as my old salary, it gives me a lot of satisfaction.<br /><br />My mother is hanging in. Her cancer is spreading, particularly in her lungs. I still take her for her treatments every week. She is on a new chemo now and taking low dosages of a steroid to help her breathing. She is relatively stable and the steroid keeps her appetite up which is good. But really, I just don't know. I am still holding onto my "one day at a time" philosophy, which seems to work. I hate that we've all just gotten so used to living with this horrible sadness. If I knew that she was somehow going to make a recovery, I don't think my body could handle the joy. My head would just explode. For now, I try keep the disease separate from the person and keep our conversations as normal as possible. Humor is a good weapon and we use it often to help defeat a lot of the tragedy of the situation.<br /><br />Spending hours every week in a cancer clinic has been an interesting experience for me. I no longer fear death. When you are surrounded by people who live with cancer, killing them slowly, taking their dignity away, eroding them, you realize just how strong the human spirit is. Cancer can break you physically, but it can't take away your heart. Ever. Still, if I found out that I had terminal cancer, I doubt I would put myself through the agony of chemotherapy. A nice fall off the Brooklyn Bridge would be faster, cost less and be less taxing on everyone. I know, I say that now, <span style="font-style: italic;">but</span>. But nothing. I don't have what it takes to go through what my mother deals with on a daily basis. Everyone is different.<br /><br />I listen to NPR all day in my workshop. I process a lot of shitty national and world news. And I find myself getting all worked up and pissed off while I am soaping. There are several main issues that have gotten stuck in my craw and I am just mystified as to why our nation hasn't responded with rioting in the streets.<br /><br />1. The bailing out of "no fail" banks and corporations that, through deregulation, have tanked our economy, put thousands and thousands of Americans out of work, created one of the worst real estate catastrophes in our nation's history - all while betting against the American people.<br /><br />2. Healthcare providers forcing employers and individual policy owners to pay 40% more on their premiums, but continuing to pay their brass millions in annual salaries plus thousands in cash bonuses.<br /><br />3. The military calling severe headaches and other cerebral symptoms of veterans of the Iraq war "pre-existing conditions," thus denying them healthcare benefits.<br /><br />4. The devastation of the BP oil spill in the Gulf. How fucking long does it take to build a fucking cap and stop that shit from gushing?<br /><br />5. Arizona. I agree that we desperately need immigration reform, but discrimination is not the way to go.<br /><br />6. Afghanistan. I hate that we think everyone needs a democracy. It's a terrible use of our resources. Why must we impose our beliefs and politics everywhere? And what kind of example are we when we've got two parties that couldn't be more divided right now?<br /><br />7. Gay Marriage. I still don't understand why this topic is even being debated! We have a Constitution. Let's use it. Marriage is good for the economy, for crying out loud. And so is divorce, for that matter.<br /><br />I feel like each of these points should be followed by, "There Should Be Rioting in the Streets!"Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-3631402845556791952010-01-29T12:23:00.000-08:002010-01-29T14:47:32.647-08:00Tough StuffI hate these kinds of situations. The ones that force me to choose between complacency and taking action.<br /><br />There is a dog (diagonally) across the street in a garage. It's been there for - I don't know - days, I guess. It yelps and howls and cries and it makes my stomach turn. This is not the sort of thing I can just ignore. If an animal sounds like it is suffering, it's way worse than a crying child to me (Sorry Moms and Dads, I know I am supposed to value human life more than animal life, but my heart aches way more when I know a helpless animal is in distress. I have compassion for people, too, but just not in the same "tear my insides to shreds when I hear it cry" sort of way as with dogs. I am not sure if this makes me a bad person. It probably does.) So, last night I just couldn't take it anymore. I walked toward the house to check things out. I approached the garage door where they have the mail slot. I peered in and called out to the dog. It was silent. Maybe it was wagging its tail. Maybe it thought, "For crying out loud, someone is FINALLY here to help me!" But, of course, there are laws. You can't just pull up your neighbor's garage door without expecting to be sent to prison on B & E charges. I looked into the home. There appeared to be a television on. My first thought was that these people left it on to make thieves think that they were home. But then I thought, "Wait. What if the person who lives there had a stroke or heart attack. Shit." So, I wandered back to my house not knowing what to, but knowing that I had to do something. I immediately went to my next door neighbor, Jen's house. She is extremely sympathetic to animal causes. She was like, "Let's call the police. I'm not afraid." And so she did. But the animal patrol person was off for the night, so they said they would send an officer to check things out.<br /><br />We don't live in a posh neighborhood, so I was already skeptical as to whether or not they would send anyone. Then, I started thinking - what if they do send someone and the people get in trouble and decide to target me and Jen (this is where the dilemma comes in). She has 2 cats and dog of her own and of course, we have 2 cats. What if we find a big brick through our windows?<br /><br />The garage is attached to the home, it isn't separate. This is good, as it means it is likely more warm this way. And who knows? Maybe the animal is well fed, but left alone all day by someone who, because of this crappy economy, has to work 2 jobs to make ends meet? Maybe the dog isn't even theirs? Maybe the dog is ok, but has terrible separation anxiety. All these scenarios run through my head, and yet the dog is still yelping. Like, right now as I type this.<br /><br />I contacted my uncle, who is an officer for the Animal Rescue League in Mass. He knows the staff in RI pretty well and basically said that we did the right thing by calling the cops. They keep things anonymous. He told me to let him know if it persists and that he would make a call to the RI ARL. I think we might have to do that. What else can we do?<br /><br />*UPDATE*<br />A car finally appeared in their driveway and we haven't heard any yelping since. The car has left, but who knows? Maybe the dumbasses finally took care of the dog. We will keep our ears peeled.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-63151352568246333102010-01-29T08:14:00.000-08:002010-01-29T08:20:32.046-08:00Happy Birthday, Dad!My dad would've been 59 today. Ten years went by really quickly. It's hard to believe that we lost him in a pre-911 world.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOa3yHQBO4JBYj8i2qR_DLdKMlwFs-9LrgyPMcO_3h5zqVTvZu1A9mQqqfctBLCYbDdApqslSCevLZPLQmvUoxyqZUoef0OugzIB-UzPvWqXtGe4WAyYXtH_yJsDAh-lBid7dA77bvI4/s1600-h/Kim-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoOa3yHQBO4JBYj8i2qR_DLdKMlwFs-9LrgyPMcO_3h5zqVTvZu1A9mQqqfctBLCYbDdApqslSCevLZPLQmvUoxyqZUoef0OugzIB-UzPvWqXtGe4WAyYXtH_yJsDAh-lBid7dA77bvI4/s320/Kim-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432197358888321586" border="0" /></a>I won't post anything sappy. Just that I'm thinking of him, as I do most days. Happy Birthday, Jim!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-52317846402006877142010-01-27T10:46:00.000-08:002010-01-27T10:58:20.552-08:00In Hot WaterI must first start by apologizing to the beauty editor at Bust Magazine. She very professionally emailed me this morning, letting me know that she did, in fact respond to my Joan Jett soap query. She even forwarded the email to me. She suggested that it might have gotten sent to my spam box. I checked the folder and lo and behold, THERE WAS HER EMAIL! Along with MANY OTHER important emails that I had been waiting for. Of course, I now feel like a total ass. She didn't get pissed, although I am sure she was (I know I would be). Instead, she was kind and even offered to get in touch with me through Etsy, if her response got bounced again.<br /><br />Emily A. has since taken me off of the advertising email list. I am guessing that she has a few choice words about me.<br /><br />You gotta realize, though, that between the Craftacular snubs and solicitations for ads with seemingly no response to my query, I was a little miffed.<br /><br />Huge props to Bust for finding this blog and responding to my post so quickly. I have no idea how they found it (I always think I am complaining to a handful of friends who read this blog).Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-34667047473559935522010-01-26T14:24:00.000-08:002010-01-27T05:19:32.062-08:00What a BustSo, I have sort of a bone to pick with Bust Magazine.<br /><br />I always thought of them as being a hip magazine for the modern feminist/liberal thinker. And I still think their content is great (though I must confess, I haven't picked up an issue in a while). When they held their Spring Craftacular earlier last year, I happily applied. And they happily took my application fee and I was happily denied entrance into the show. No biggie, I thought, I applied a little on the late side. I'll try again next time. So, when they started accepting applications for their holiday show, I applied straight away. While applications started flying in, they sent out emails to the applicants to advertise in their brochure. They (I still can't believe this) had the gaul to say something like, "even if you don't make it in the show, think of all of the EXPOSURE you'll get." It was a little more than $400 to advertise in the brochure. Do you even know your fucking audience, Bust magazine? Crafters make fucking crafts for a living. They don't have $400 in fucking pocket change just sitting around looking for something to do. They ended up extending the application deadline (no doubt to throw more money into their pockets). This is a really crummy thing to do to vendors because the holiday schedule is nuts and you want to cement it as quickly as possible. I, along with countless numbers of people, did not get in. Oh, well. The table fee was more than the advertising fee for the brochure.<br /><br />Still, I thought I would try to give Bust another chance. I offer a Joan Jett tribute soap in my line and I thought they might have some interest. I kindly and professionally emailed the beauty editor about it and it seems the query has dissipated into the ether. But here's the kicker. I get emails from a person who goes by "Emily A," who obviously works in the advertising department. This is an actual email. No fucking shit.<br /><br /><div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong>Reserve your spot now before they're all gone!!!!!!</strong></span></div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong></strong></span> </div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong>The Men We Love Issue only comes around every 2 years so it's a keeper! A huge hit with subscribers and a great newsstand draw! </strong></span></div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong></strong></span> </div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong>The funniest actor from the hottest show on TV is our cover boy - <span style="color: rgb(128, 0, 128);"><span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1264544655_0">Tracy Morgan</span></span>! And the rest of the NBC <span style="border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); cursor: pointer;" class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1264544655_1">Thursday night</span> comedy line-up will be right there with him! </strong></span></div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong></strong></span> </div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong>It's a can't miss! So, don't! </strong></span></div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong></strong></span> </div> <div align="center"><span style=";font-family:Lucida Sans Unicode;font-size:85%;" ><strong>xoxo Emily</strong></span></div> <div><br />The subject line is: Space close next week!!!!!! 2/4/10<br /><br />Let's forget for a second that the email is a little heavy with exclamation points. The type is small and CENTERED! XOXO? It's like this was the last thing that Emily A had on her "to-do" list today.<br /><br />I am just really fed up with Bust Magazine. I feel like many of my customers are readers of this magazine, but, for some reason, I can't connect with them without dropping a ridicuous amount of advertising money. And I am subjected to Emily A's grammar school emails asking for me to advertise in their next issue. Maybe I am just not what they are looking for.<br /></div>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-13936122163559357152010-01-25T17:15:00.000-08:002010-01-25T17:47:41.918-08:00Andy WarholSo, there was a program on today about <span style="font-style: italic;">The Factory</span> and Andy Warhol. I've been to the Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh. I've watched the millionth-part series on Andy Warhol on PBS. I've seen several of his films and many of his works. And I still think he's a mother fucker.<br /><br />His artwork is great. <span style="font-style: italic;">I KNOW</span>.<br /><br />He had a way of getting people to converge. <span style="font-style: italic;">I KNOW</span>.<br /><br />He was a little geeky kid who blossomed into an American icon. <span style="font-style: italic;">I KNOW</span>.<br /><br />But none of these things made him a good person. In fact, I think, deep down inside, Andy Warhol was soulless. I don't get how he can spend every waking moment of the day with Edie Sedgwick (ironically, she died the very day I was born) only to appear emotionless and disinterested in her death. I don't understand why a person with great influence in the contemporary art scene might tell a newcomer that they are the next best thing only to forget who the fuck they are the next day. Andy Warhol hurt people. He used people. And they used him. It was a fucked up time. There was nothing magical about the Factory days as far as I can tell. Some great talent was born then, but it had to work its way through drug overdoses and shallowness and pretentiousness and people who silenced their humanity for the sake of being close to the great Andy Warhol. People who forgot about compassion and love, people who were motivated only by looks, status, jealousy and a selfish desire to be famous. It was a toxic place.<br /><br />So, yeah, that's how I feel about Andy Warhol. He's not unlike most brilliant artists. Picasso was a dick, too. But I get so pissed when people talk about Warhol like he was some kind of god. He wasn't.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-16399441620767462192010-01-24T07:35:00.000-08:002010-01-24T07:37:39.906-08:00Started a New Blog TodayIt's called, <a href="http://funnyreviewsonyelp.blogspot.com/">I Would Rather Eat Out of the Garbage</a>. It's a collection of funny review snippets from Yelp.com. If you find any good ones, send them my way and I'll post them.<br /><br />Just another way to procrastinate.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-64303100917171096912010-01-22T14:25:00.000-08:002010-01-22T14:35:49.148-08:00Like a group of college freshmen who were rejected by Harvard and forced to go to Brown...I think moving to Providence was one of the best decisions that we could have made. I have a pretty good relationship with my gut and have developed a keen sense of knowing when something is terribly wrong or perfectly right. Life in Providence has been kismet on so many levels. I'd probably bore you with the details, so suffice it just to say that despite the scariness of being self-employed and living with my mother's cancer nightmare, I am really quite happy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vNlWmTnooE4_suSPpEkpjjZ8Po5UYR_qyPJE1yKU0Cn6KQea-LZmbitPGgXTX1TFzUJQJEiNEY7zmdM-_d1phxZ5cD4ADOvbBXq7KIiXfOorW18aPCWSUhFaCiUcocTBEqKYmTHTWxM/s1600-h/Providence_sunset_0262_fix5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vNlWmTnooE4_suSPpEkpjjZ8Po5UYR_qyPJE1yKU0Cn6KQea-LZmbitPGgXTX1TFzUJQJEiNEY7zmdM-_d1phxZ5cD4ADOvbBXq7KIiXfOorW18aPCWSUhFaCiUcocTBEqKYmTHTWxM/s320/Providence_sunset_0262_fix5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5429696318983427714" border="0" /></a>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-5641608661762574062010-01-17T08:43:00.000-08:002010-01-17T09:07:47.075-08:00Crosswords, Soap and HaitiI am a huge fan of crossword puzzles. Every week day, I must complete The USA Today Crossword (and the Word Round Up), as well as the LA Times Crossword and the one on Boston.com (I don't particularly care for the technology they use for that one, which is always why I do it last). My favorite part of the morning is digging into the crosswords. Jere has suggested that I move on to Will Shortz's crossword on the NY Times site. You have to pay to play, but apparently, it is more challenging and the design of each puzzle is very clever. I am considering it.<br /><br />So, some good news on the business front. I am getting a full page in <a href="http://www.providenceonline.com/providencemonthly/">The Providence Monthly</a>. Next month! I met with the editor a week ago to drop off some soap for the photo shoot. She is a very hip gal and I immediately felt comfortable talking to her. The Providence Monthly (they also publish <span style="font-style: italic;">East Side Monthly</span>, <span style="font-style: italic;">SO Rhode Island</span> and <span style="font-style: italic;">The Bay</span>) is in a funky location in Olneyville near this yummy Cuban restaurant we just tried called <a href="http://www.thecubanrevolution.com/">The Cuban Revolution</a>. We went to see <a href="http://www.gcpvd.org/2009/10/14/the-steel-yard-iron-pour-1030/">The Halloween Iron Pour</a> at the Steel Yard in this area of the city last fall.<br /><br />On a philanthropic note, since I am not exactly swimming in cash these days, I am going to be donating some soap to Haiti. It goes through a wonderful organization called <a href="http://www.cleantheworld.org/">Clean the World</a>. I plan on shipping it off this week. As I previously stated, I will be organizing the Rosie's Place Soap Drive this year, too. Official announcement goes out tomorrow.<br /><br />The Haiti tragedy is so mind-blowingly horrific. On a spiritual level, it makes me question all kinds of stuff. I am fairly agnostic, but I am also what I would consider "open to the possibilities" of whatever. I would like to think (most likely because my dad died so young and my mother is in such poor health) that there is another place we transition to after our bodies die. That there is some sort of greater purpose to life beyond what we see. Every time I start getting sucked into this state of mind, something like this happens. Thousands of people get taken out in a few minutes. How can you possible reconcile that? How does that fit into this lovely notion that we are all here for some huge, logical reason? Because there is nothing logical about an 8-year-old girl who finds herself suddenly without a family, a home or much of a chance. Not that I think that there is a lot of logic behind recreational dog fighting, the Holocaust, 911 or Jonestown. I don't know, I just can't make any sense out of it and like most everyone else, I feel really helpless. Maybe the soap I donate will help a little.<br /><em></em>Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-40209740605297300232010-01-08T12:40:00.000-08:002010-01-08T12:41:23.639-08:00Kathleen Hanna's BlogI am a big fan of Kathleen Hanna. Her body of work is impressive, but I enjoy her personality and perspective on life more. I really admire her dedication to feminist causes and I am truly envious that she had an opportunity not only to meet, but to work with living legend, Joan Jett.<br /><br /><a href="http://kathleenhanna.wordpress.com/">Kathleen has a blog</a> and she posts pretty regularly. Mainly photos and videos of amusing things she finds and sees. The blog doesn't accept comments, but I think this is pretty smart. She would probably get a million and might not always have the time to post thoughtful responses. Blog maintenance is very time consuming for a famous person, I would imagine.<br /><br /><a href="http://stellamariesoap.blogspot.com/2009/01/2nd-annual-valentines-day-soap-drive.html">My annual soap donation for Rosie's Place</a> is just about upon us (on my 3rd year now!) and one of the future goals I have for the drive is to ask a person like Kathleen to give it some visibility. Kathleen ... if you are out there, hit me up!<br /><br />By the way, I read that Le Tigre is working on a new album!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-29223232627207134312010-01-05T18:00:00.001-08:002010-01-05T18:25:13.769-08:00Getting Back into ItSo, after my last event, I basically hit the wall. I thought my feet might fall off and I found myself unable to complete simple sentences. I needed a break. But before I had one, I had to jam all of my holiday shopping + card making + decorating + baking into four days. Then, I took one glorious week off. Jere had the week off between Christmas and New Year's off, too, so our days were full of cozying up on the couch and marathon Boggle playing. It was heaven. Seriously.<br /><br />Yesterday was my first day getting back into the groove and I've been dipping one toe in at a time. It wasn't until about mid-afternoon today that I felt a huge whoosh of inspiration. Ideas and excitement started washing over me. Valentine's Day gift sets, a limited edition chocolate and champagne soap, a new unisex design for the permanent collection and my 3rd annual Valentine's Day Soap Drive for Rosie's Place. Couple this cluster of ideas with office and studio organization and I've got a full month of conceptualizing and cementing plans for the year.<br /><br />Did I mention taxes? A touchy subject for me, actually. I started getting excited about the 7500 dollar 1st time buyer's tax credit until I realized,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> again</span>, that I am one year shy of qualifying. Only 2 years had elapsed in between the time I bought our current house and the selling of the condo I had with my ex. I sort of forgot this, as I attempted the same this last year. Argh! I read, though, that unmarried couples who jointly own a home (which was purchased within the qualifying period) could have an advantage. If one of the two owners is a true 1st time home buyer, then that person is eligible for the credit. So, one of my big "to-do" items is getting Jere on the mortgage and deed pronto (or possibly refinancing with him) so that we can split the credit. That's more than 3000 buckaroos each, so we are taking this pretty seriously.<br /><br />We are thinking about getting married this year. We've been together for four years now, so I think we might be ready. I heard that my ex remarried, like, right away! Wowzers. I've been in a stable relationship for some time now and I am JUST starting to feel ready. Details to follow on this as we, um, plan them, I guess. We have one thing finalized for the wedding, which is a surprise. We've had this little piece in the works for a while now and we can't wait to realize it. So, this could be the year that we do.<br /><br />I've decided that this is going to be a real "take the bull by the horns" sort of year for me and my business. Last March, I was full of energy and passion, but I felt that I had no direction. How could I? It was the year of the playing the the proverbial sand box. Now, I feel as though I have a base, so I am more confident and eager to start spreading my seed all over the fucking place. And I am predicting lots of risk-taking in my future. I'm going to be kicking out the jams, people.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-42867417274309721692009-12-24T12:35:00.001-08:002009-12-24T12:36:58.756-08:00Reflections on 2009It's been almost a full year since I took the full-time plunge with my business and I'm actually still alive. I was terrified that I would fail miserably and wind up begging my old employer for a contract in a matter of a couple of months. Of course, that is never outside the realm of possibility, but so far, I have managed to pay my bills without the help of the government for (going on) 5 consecutive months.<br /><br />Being self-employed is a big adjustment, but I've gained a few nuggets of wisdom in the past year.<br /><br />A. There are a lot of naysayers out there. People like my grandmother, who, after learning that I was going to focus on my business rather than find gainful employment in the corporate world, asked my mother when I was planning on getting a "real job." I am not upset by this mentality. Even I think I am still crazy for making this choice sometimes, but <b style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">I have learned not to let other people project their fears and insecurities on me.</b><br /><br />B. Entrepreneurship is a huge risk. Especially for a person like me. My boyfriend makes a modest income as a proofreader, but I am still responsible for exactly one half of our household bills, along with personal bills (like my stupidly huge car payment). I see this as a HUGE positive. If my partner made enough to cover all of our bills, I might be tempted to lighten up on my work load and not be as aggressive or serious about growing my business. <b style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">I believe that complacency can work against you.</b><br /><br />C. <b style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">I have become quite educated regarding taxes.</b> Both from a self-employment stand-point, as well as tax collection and payment. God, I wish there was a nice, Cliff Notes version of this out there for people just starting out. Unfortunately, the IRS has made it difficult (as well as individual state governments) to outline your responsibilities. I personally think this is done on purpose, so that you are naively non-compliant with some-such thing and forced to be fined later on. The IRS isn't stupid.<br /><br />D. Ok, this is really cliche and corny, but <b style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">I believe that there are no limits to what you are capable of.</b> The only obstacle is you. If you let the Negative Nellys occupy the real estate in your brain, you will never realize your own potential. Life is short and, despite what other people might suggest, you are in control of it. Of course, I say this as a person who has no children. But I am also able to balance my budding business while helping to care for my mom, who battles stage-four cancer. I believe that I have found something that I am terrifically passionate about. I don't know if I will ever find anything else that gives me such satisfaction, so you bet your boots that I will do whatever is necessary to keep my business afloat, even during this crap economy.<br /><br />I am really excited about the new year and what it brings my little soap business. I hope I can continue to pay the mortgage with suds!<br /><br />I should also add that I believe that a certain amount of luck and positive connections have brought about wonderful things this year. <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(51, 204, 255);">A great deal of strength can be gained when you join forces with other small business people. </span>From actual, profitable ventures to encouragement and Chicken Soup for the Soul type conversations. It's been a great and rewarding journey so far. And this is really just the beginning.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-54156453192440757722009-10-18T05:01:00.000-07:002009-10-18T06:33:54.382-07:00He uses the word "fart" too much, but I still love the book.Don't get me wrong. I still crack up when I hear the word "fart." But it can be overdone. Maybe that's my only real criticism of David Cross' first book, "I Drink for a Reason." Am I wrong to think he's sexy? I have never had traditional taste when it comes to what draws me to the opposite sex. Which is why I still don't understand why I married my Banana Republic lovin' ex-husband. Oh, right, he's a wacko! Anyway, in most instances, I prefer skinny, nerdy, Jewish, funny dudes to the "People Magazine's Sexiest Man of the Year" types. Unfortunately, I must emit something all together too Catholic (maybe they can bottle my pheromones, call them "Schicksa" and sell them) because only one Jewish boy ever found me date-worthy. And he was half Sicilian.<br /><br />So, about the book. I remember reading David Sedarias', "Naked" on the subway and laughing out loud. Well, "I Drink for a Reason" caused the same thing to play out. Except I was minding my booth at the Providence Open Market (bundled up in many layers of clothes, drinking coffee that had become crazy cold). There is one chapter that really put me over the edge called, "Things to Do When You're Bored." One of his suggestions involved an iPod and a shoe store. I read it, like, four times. In fact, I am fending off an urge to go downstairs and get the book to read that piece again. I also really enjoy the way some things stay in his craw indefinitely. Like his hatred for Jim Belushi. Some people might find that to be annoying. Just get over it, David Cross. Not me. Don't get over it! It's funny! He sounds like a total prick. And I hated that he got a television show several years ago. What segment of this country is sitting there waiting for Jim and the person they cast as his wife to entertain them? As I recall, the woman was waaaaaaaaay too attractive to give a guy like him a second glance, let alone marry him. I really hate that, by the way. How they pair the fat/old guy with some young, shapely lady. And he's always a really obnoxious a-hole and she's always all, "Oh, you!" or maybe she's really the smart one and at the end of the episode he has to thank her for setting him straight. It started with the Honeymooners and for some reason, it gets played out over and over and over. Either people like that shit or people think that people like that shit and they get tricked into watching it and maybe developing a sick liking of it. Whatever.<br /><br />I also found all the Mormon bashing to be wildly hilarious. If you ever read "Under the Banner of Heaven," you, too, will enjoy a little Mormon bashing.<br /><br />Random thought: Why do people say, "Well, me, PERSONALLY, I don't much care for (such-and-such)." Forget for a second that it is grammatically incorrect, but isn't it obvious that it's you? Do you need to add the "personally" part?Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-84505660464348544532009-10-16T10:28:00.000-07:002009-10-16T11:02:04.065-07:00My New Co-WorkersWhen I first went full time with my soap business, one of the things that I worried about was lack of social interaction on a regular basis. At first, this fear proved itself out. I was getting a little stir crazy, but since I have been working the local markets every week, I have found that I have new co-workers. You don't become friendly with other business people overnight, but when it does happen, you start to feel like you belong to a new family. And the cool thing is that everyone has a deep passion for what they do and has taken the same financial risk. As a bonus, you get to trade your goods for other goods and wares - all handcrafted and local. So, I usually leave the farmer's market with rice and fried plantains, fresh bread and scrumptious pie or pecan rolls. At the open market, I can zip across the park and say hello to my friend, Mary, who runs a local, organic herb farm in the middle of the city. I buy my lavender and calendula from her and her local products gets put right into my local products. It's a beautiful thing to help support each other.<br /><br />I have joined forces with a group of local crafters to form a small coop called, Rhody Craft 100. We are 100% local, 100% handmade and all within 100 miles of Pawtucket Artiste Village where we will be setting up a small retail shop from November to January. It's going to rule.<br /><br />Finding these new folks has been such a comfort, but also very exciting. My friend, Jenn, makes these really cool, sarcastic greeting cards. She and I have lunch at a local coffee house on a now regular basis. We talk about our businesses, the things that scare us and the stuff we love.<br /><br />Some weeks, I make my numbers. Some weeks, I don't. But I am now on my 2nd month free of unemployment benefits and though I am not living big, I can proudly say that I am able to pay my share of our bills with money I have made from my little soap business. I know that my business will grow and that soon I will have a little extra cash, but in the meantime, I am trying to focus on the positive and remain excited about the future. I would rather do what I love and eke by than continue to work in a job that I've lost interest in.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-9860292820934071142009-07-27T05:23:00.000-07:002009-07-27T06:05:23.593-07:00Catch UpI have been neglectful here. Pretty bad gap in writing on ole Gibberish, I must say. Things have been hopping in soap land and most of my postings have been on my business blog and short, random updates on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/kim.gonzaga?ref=name">Facebook</a>.<br /><br />WORK<br /><br />Though I am still getting used to the new routine, after four months things seem a lot more regular. I am a list person, now more than ever. With great freedom comes great scheduling responsibility. Jere just got a full time gig as a proofreader/copyeditor for a computer company, so this will lighten my financial burden a smidge. I have been working a number of markets, getting wedding favor business, and doing wholesale in addition to accepting orders on my website. I am trying to create a number of revenue streams so that I don't have to rely on just one or two. My dream is still to have that storefront, but most of the people I speak to who have stores tell me not to do it. That it isn't worth the additional overhead, etc. I think eventually, I will tire of transporting my store to various locations every week, but for now, it's fun.<br /><br />RED SOX<br /><br />We caught Jim Rice's induction on television yesterday afternoon. What a great ceremony! And in typical Jim fashion (no pun intended), he wore a spectacular tie. Congratulations, Jim! No more white knuckle rides - you are in!<br /><br />Saturday night's victory was much needed. Lester was his usual, dominant self. Even from the bleachers, we could see flames shooting off the ball after he released it. Amazing guy, that Lester. Too bad about yesterday's loss, though. I thought we were on our way to regaining our place at the top of the division. I guess we are back to our usual post-All Star Break struggle. Unfortunately, this is about when the Yankees start heating up.<br /><br />PROVIDENCE<br /><br />Speaking of heat, we had the pleasure of attending the city's first water fire event! It happened conveniently after an event I worked on Westminster street at the beginning of the season. They are pretty amazing. If you like fire, by all means go to one of these things.<br /><br />I feel like I am really bonding with the city. We've been here almost a year now and since going full time with Stella Marie, I have had a lot of opportunities to meet new people. It's a very unique, down-to-earth place. Perfect mix of urban/suburban. We live in the ity, but we have a yard and a garage and a driveway. It's also centrally-located to all the places we visit regularly. The ocean is always near, which is key for us. It is culturally diverse. It has a huge, kickass pulic park where they actually rent kayacks.<br /><br />SHOUTS OUTS<br /><br />Congratulations to ...<br /><br />... my friend Ilene on her wicked pissa <a href="http://www.leenyandtamara.com/">new release of children's music</a>. This time, she has teamed up with her friend Tamara (<a href="http://www.leenyandsteve.com/">her first release was with our friend, Steve</a>) to create a bunch of fun kids' songs.<br /><br />... our friends Anthony and Caitlin who are tying the knot this coming month!<br /><br />... my friends Lyn and Pete who will be weloming their first child later this year!<br /><br />... my mom - she is doing brilliantly! No chemo in 3 months and her cancer remains stable. She is looking and feeling great! She had a strontium injection a couple of weeks ago and this is supposed to target her bone metastisis. She has a lot of them in her pelvis and lower back. It takes 4 weeks to feel the results, so fingers crossed.<br /><br />(wow, I just realized that this post is very "church newsletter"-like. Weird.)Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-76378355895114861842009-05-24T06:16:00.001-07:002009-05-24T06:34:20.348-07:00I Don't Get ThisYou have probably heard about Etsy.com, the online indie market. It's huge and wonderful, filled with amazing, handmade items - stuff you could never find at your local Target, CVS or Newbury Comics.<br /><br />When you join the zillions of people selling their goods on Etsy, you really have to work hard to get noticed. You have to join forums and have showcases and who knows what else. It is a very competitive place. I'd rather direct people to my own web site, but I do get an occassional, unexpected sale on Etsy which is always nice. What I find to be a real shame when I peruse the other soap stores on Etsy is how an AMAZING soap maker like <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5468594">Ladybug Soapworks</a> can have less than 100 sales while a hack "soap maker" can enjoy hundreds of sales. I am not going to mention any names, but I am speaking, generally, about people who have crummy photography and who use the melt & pour technique without any real creative element (I have seen <a href="http://www.soapylove.com/">some people</a> make stunning soaps using melt & pour, but it is not the norm and the average person can't appreciate the difference between melt & pour and a lovely, handmade soap from scratch).<br /><br />Etsy. It's a jungle out there.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-90041610793624824742009-05-19T15:54:00.000-07:002009-05-19T15:58:34.412-07:00Big Sister ProgramI may not be "mommy" material, but I would still like to make a difference in a child's life. I just signed up to be a Big Sister and this is looooong overdue. I am really looking forward to meeting my Little Sister!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-52674576812755761402009-05-15T14:28:00.001-07:002009-05-15T14:28:31.573-07:00Whole Foods UpdateCan be found <a href="http://stellamariesoap.blogspot.com/2009/05/lab-notes.html">here</a>.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-17961200842442008702009-05-15T09:48:00.000-07:002009-05-15T09:56:48.415-07:00Bruins StinkerI am not really a hockey fan, per say. As I've stated in the past, I am addicted to baseball and in the last three seasons or so, I've folded basketball into the mix. It's really all I can find the time to follow when I'm not knee deep in the soap.<br /><br />Having said this, I must express my empathy to all of the Bruins fans who had such faith in this team. It really did seem as though they had the momentum to go all the way. I know the "punch in the gut" feeling that the B's fans will have to ride out over the next couple of days. It's a total pooper.<br /><br />I hope the Celtics can win game 7 at home tomorrow. I've realized that Dwight Howard is a real "me, me, me" kind of guy. I can't believe the way he bad-mouthed Van Gundy so publicly. It's very selfish and disrespectful of your teammates, not to mention Van Gundy himself. Right or wrong, you work that stuff out privately. And Alston is a total jerk. No one slaps Eddie House in the back of the head and advances in the playoffs. No one!Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6426019921905964314.post-43305130434665439752009-05-13T21:34:00.000-07:002009-05-13T21:52:54.963-07:00The TruthGonzaga.<br /><br />That is my surname. Some of you know this, but some of you do not. The name is Brazilian and I've not a drop of Brazilian blood. I am part Polish (very proud!) and part French-Canadian (also very proud, but somehow the Polish part takes over the French-Canadian).<br /><br />How did I come to have this name?<br /><br />My grandmother (after her divorce from said Brazilian man) fell in-love with a married man, had an affair and became pregnant. This is how my father was born.<br /><br />I did not know about this until after she passed away in 1986. I was upstairs in my room, bawling my eyes out (I loved my Grandma Stella so much and was very close to her) after her funeral. My parents came upstairs and told me the "truth" about my biological history. I was then told that we would never speak of it again.<br /><br />Nice.<br /><br />My father lived with his illegitimacy his entire life. He never sought after my grandfather. He wouldn't give him the satisfaction. I still admire the courage it took my dad to avoid seeking his natural father. This is something I don't think I could file away as neatly as my dad did ("He didn't give a shit about me, so I don't give a shit about him."). Still, I wonder about my grandfather. I wonder if he knew I even existed. I don't feel as though I missed out on anything, as I come from a very loving family who cherished me and made me feel safe and appreciated. But I think about him sometimes. And his wife, who didn't know what was going on. And his children, my aunts and uncles, who did not know about me or my dad.<br /><br />It took a long time to be able to be public with all of this. After my parents told me about the whole thing, I felt that telling anyone would breach the trust I had with my mom and dad. But after a period of time, I realized that I wasn't going to be ashamed of who I was. I love my Grandmother, and that includes every decision she's ever made. Had it not been for her "bad" decision, I wouldn't be here.<br /><br />There is so much I can say about this woman - I could write a book. Her bravery inspires me everyday. I could never feel ashamed by anything she did. I just wish I had had the opportunity to let her know, face-to-face.Kimhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09129518784113451739noreply@blogger.com2