Saturday, August 2, 2008

Ever seen the movie Pure Luck?



Sorry guys, my blog has been pretty lame lately. I've been insanely busy. I've been hit by a car, drive by egged, had the hood of my car flip up on the freeway and pretty much every other outrageous thing that you can think of. I got a new phone and I just barely learned how to use it. The offices of Dukepoo and Associates can now return your calls and text again.
The other day I left work at lunch because I thought I was going to die or pass out or have a seizure. So instead of doing something dramatic, like projectile vomiting on my computer, I decided to go home early. All I wanted was to be home in bed. But the universe had other plans for me.

Malibu Sue decided to over-heat on the freeway. She has been in critical condition after a nasty car wreck last month and her internal organs couldn't take it any longer. After a tow truck ride, waiting around at mechanic shop, and trying to stretch $3 at the Asian supermarket I received the news. Malibu Sue is dead. Her ashes will be scattered across the Pacific in a ceremony celebrating her life and bravery. Farewell sweet princess!

So sometime soon I am going to be sporting around a new ride, well an old ride. A blast from the past. No, not the Ferrari. I'm gonna be driving the Insurance Bug. So come one come all, step up to the line. I am no longer a homeless gypsy. Hotel California is almost set up for visitors. If you're lucky, I'll even take you on a ride down the coast in the Bug.


(I don't know why it is purple. It is actually still a red car.)

Saturday, May 31, 2008

I'm changing my name to Awesome


Dear readers,

I suggest you sit down if you are not already doing so... I HAVE A JOB! Yes, the kind where you get up in the morning and go to a building and you do this thing called work with these people called co-workers. Weird. I know, the concept is kind of new to me and I am super pumped up about it. (Can I hear a "Pump, pump, pump it up!")?

I got a job in La Jolla at the University of California San Diego as a graphic designer. Woot! Woot! I am not a failure.

I was beginning to think that I would forever remain a gypsy. I thought that maybe I was one of those people that smell bad and doesn't know it. One of those people that should be named Valerie Schmeltz. One of those people that is mentally retarded and doesn't know it. Well, turns out I'm not. Or if I am, I was finally able to trick enough people into thinking otherwise and now I can be a responsible citizen with something to offer the world.

My sister, Amanda, told me that now I don't have to decide between eating or buying deodorant. I am thrilled to be able to do both, and to be designing again (because I'm pretty damn good). It will be fun to explore the University because there are tons of cool buildings, and I'd like to get started on my Masters in Architecture before I turn 50. Check out the photo of the library below, meanwhile I will concentrate on being awesome.

Yours truly,

Dr. Awesome

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Xanadu




It looks like I have plans on the grassy knoll this Sunday.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Mrs. Buckner



When I was in elementary school we lived near a reclusive staunch Jewish woman who was an artist. Mrs. Buckner was very private, lived in a dark home and always answered the door the same way by saying, "What do you want?" with her hand on her hip. Every Friday was cookie day. She made chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin, and peanut butter. My friends and I looked forward to this event on the way home from our after-school "Young Astronauts" program. You had to go to the back door by her kitchen which made it feel even more exclusive. Over the years the abrasive "What do you want?" started to sound friendly and she made cookies for as long as she was able. One day I heard she was sick, so I dug up flowers from my mom's flower garden, put them in mason jars and brought them to her front door. I was greeted with the same "what do you want?" then she started to cry. I didn't know what to do so I left the flowers on her doorstep and ran. When she became too old and ill to make cookies, she still answered the back door. If there were no cookies, she would make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Mrs. Bucker was one cool bitch and I want to be her someday. The crazy artist. Hopefully not reclusive. Hopefully my significant other does not leave me through an unexpected death that devastates. Hopefully I will not live in a dark dingy house. It were once operating and less sad home. And one day, hopefully, I will make cookies for people and greet them however I damn feel because Mrs. Buckner made us all feel just a little more special.

Monday, March 31, 2008

Please be safe...


This post is likely not "work safe" or "BYU safe", however I find the message relevant and captured beautifully. In my experience, I also find it important to note that prejudice is the largest side effect of a preventable disease. Please. BE SAFE. If you don't respect yourself today, you may have a harder time respecting yourself tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

California dreamin'


In case you are not in on the loop, I'm living in San Diego now. I have communication problems. The day before I left my sister called and said that she had heard from one of my dad's employees that I was moving to San Diego. This was the first she had heard the news. Then as I was packing my car my brother asked, "Where are you going?" as if he expected a response along the lines of "The local market." So now I am informing all of you. I moved.
I went to the DMV the other day. Quite the experience. Plebeians a plenty. I have a driver's license but I still don't have a Von's card. I don't think they need to track every grocery I purchase, so I enter the phone number 8675 three oh nine. I go there daily to get my tub of ice cream and be a fat girl that watches American Idol. The checker lady is starting to think we are friends. She calls me by name and even tells me how much I saved each time. Last night she said, "Thank you Mr. Dandy. You saved $1.14." I smile, nod, and wish her a pleasant evening. My receipt has the name Jim Dandy circled on it. Today she said, "Hi Jim, you're back." I have a new alias.

Monday, March 3, 2008

I've been tagged.

1. 10 years ago:
I was 15. Wishing that I could drive myself everywhere already. I don't know how many hours (days, months) of my life were spent waiting at the Rec Center until someone remembered to pick me up from swim team.

2. 5 things on my “to-do” list today:
Check perezhilton.com
Eat some jelly beans.
Return my missed phone calls.
Vacuum my room.
Read The Money Book for the Young, Broke & Fabulous by Suze Orman.
I will probably only get around to the first two.

3. Things I would do if I became a billionaire:
Build a house.
Buy some cool wheels.
Philanthropy, not sure what, just a cause that is larger than myself.
Have my cake and eat it too.

4. 3 of my bad habits:
Not returning phone calls.
Neglecting my laundry to the point where I just start buying new underwear.
Driving my car as far as possible with the gas light on.

5. 5 Places I have lived:
Pleasant Grove
American Fork
Alpine
Provo
Alpine

6. 5 Jobs I have had:
Lifeguard & swim instructor
Rick Albrecht's gopher
ah-ha.com
Graphic Designer
I think that is all of them.

7. Something most people don’t know about me:
There are a lot of people. I am sure most of them don't know anything about me. Consider yourselves lucky.

Friday, February 29, 2008

Escuchen a la musica, por favor.



Ashley told me that there was a dance to Soulja Boy's Superman. I was unaware because I live in Utah and it is 99% caucasian... well that and I don't watch BET or listen to the radio. I shuffle updated my ipod and it currently has the greatest strangest mix ever. One minute it is Telepopmusik (MUST WATCH) the next it is Metallica playing with the San Francisco Symphony. Now I need to learn how to crump AND do the Superman!

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Tasty Tuesday

One of my favorite sites is TasteSpotting. Everyday it has trillions* of new pictures of food that look muy delicioso. Usually the pictures link to the recipe or a site where you can buy the tasty treats. Some of them look too good to eat, while others a bit too exotic for my taste buds. Foodies rejoice and enjoy!

*denotes exaggeration

Monday, February 11, 2008

Crystal Island

Because I am interested in all things architecture/design and my BFF, Ashley, is interested in all things Russia, I thought I would share. The world's largest building is about to be built in Moscow by Foster+Partners. Many other firms make drawings and announcements to build the biggest, the baddest, the something-est in the entire universe and they never come to pass, but Foster+Partners have a wonderful history of designing out of this world projects and actually building them to completion. It is not going to be the tallest building in the world, but it is going to be the world's fattest building and possibly even its phattest building. Naturally I question projects with plans to be the biggest. In a world where we should be aware of the possibility (and reality) of climate change, the biggest-ugliest-most badass of things often seem excessive. Excessive, like my barely over 5 foot tall mother's Diesel powered Excursion with a lift kit. But the plans for Crystal Island are filled with green, Earth friendly, people friendly design elements like solar panels and wind turbines to generate power and atriums that act as natural ventilation and insulation for the building. The building's size has a purpose too, it is a barrier that is meant to protect people from extreme weather and the pollution has made living conditions in the area undesirable and unhealthy. It is a city within a building. So cool, rad, right? When it is built maybe I will want to go to Russia with Ashley. Something to see besides the sword shaped bottles of vodka that she tells me about, but I must admit they do sounds pretty cool.

Thursday, February 7, 2008

Wait...You're allowed to do that?


On one hand I can't believe that some people are allowed to have children. On the other hand I can see myself being the parent that would help his child make one of these skateboards. I always wanted a floating skateboard like Marty McFly's, but this is the next best thing. I think the kid says, "I'm proud to be an American" which is equal parts disturbing and awesome. Thoughts?

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Update


Dear readers and adoring fans, I've been neglecting my blog for a while because I didn't think I had really been up to anything very blog worthy. I thought I could give you all a post about my New Year's resolution, but I procrastinate and haven't really come up with one for two-thousand-great. On the 1st I decided to quit smoking. Cold turkey. It was a pretty easy fix, considering I didn't smoke in the first place. So, until I come up with a better resolution I'm going with my success story: I quit smoking. Cold turkey.

Sundance was killer this year. I'll tell you all about it another time because it deserves it's very own post, but don't feel like it right now.

Inspired by Amanda's blog, I thought I'd share with you my pick for best TV program. I just discovered Head Case on the Starz! network. It is a program about a celebrity therapist named Dr. Goode played by Alexandra Wentworth, who happens to be the real life wife of George Stephanopoulos. Stephanopoulos, Stephanopoulos, Stephanopoulos (say it ten times fast) also writes for the show. Dr. Goode's life is a wreck and she gives ill-advice to her mostly washed-up, non-A-lister celebrity patients without ever actually listening to what they are saying then she makes them believe that they have problems which don't really exist. You can watch the first episode here. Everything from the stereotypical wardrobes to the decorating of the office is genius. If you have ever been to therapy you will definitely relate, and if you haven't I urge you to for the added laughs.

Also, who is excited for the premiere of LOST tomorow? I can't wait.

Thursday, December 20, 2007

Daft Punk

Why didn't I think of THIS? And why aren't they my friends?

No words necessary

Saturday, December 15, 2007

Wait. You're allowed to do that?

Yesterday I went to my grandparents house, but my Grandpa Newell was the only one home when I got there. We had a nice chat for a couple hours and it was probably the first where I didn't want to rip my arm off and throw it at something as a distraction.

He DID NOT talk about his usual topics...
  • How he remembers everything about the day I was born.
  • Feeding me tuna sandwiches and pickles when I was younger.
  • How he is really good friends with _________ (insert politician or local celebrity).

He DID talk about...
  • His kidney stones that he now collects, and I wasn't grossed out.
  • Charleton Heston.
  • Guns, and I wasn't totally offended.
  • The new 12 ft Christmas tree.
  • How big he is. An Indian couple that he met weigh the same combined as he does. He also has the same arm span as a gorilla. (Yes, this is like people who brag because they are tall.)
  • Showed me pictures of his cars. I could have just as easily seen them in real life by looking outside or walking down to the garage.

Then he showed me this...







He went bungee jumping on his recent trip to New Zealand. Over a river. He showed me pictures and the DVD. It cost $350 Australian, but because he is over 65 they let him go for free. I almost exploded like a baby in the microwave out of excitement.

Thursday, December 6, 2007

When I grow up I want to be a...



Salt Lake has some of the greatest finds. The downtown library is the best for this. Look at the ground. If you see a piece of paper that resembles trash then pick it up. You will find treasure more often than you think. These are two of my latest finds and I can't wait until I have a business card of my own to hand out or drop on the ground. What should it say? How much information should I put on it? Where do I get it printed on slick black paper with gold embossing? It looks very expensive. Very elegant. Very fancy. Very very. How do I get an exclamation point behind my job title? Do I need a Ph.D. or can anyone have an exclamation point on their business card?
P.S. For an added giggle or to find the love of your life please visit http://www.chooseromance.com/ and please do not forget to click on the about Gayle tab. I definitely want her sitting around the corner on a awkward lunch date jotting notes and pretending like she isn't listening in.

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

100 Things About Zach

1. I'm currently bored out of my mind, and I'm not sure where this exercise will take me.
2. I have terrible insomnia.
3. I get so bored that I just eat a lot after midnight, or 1, 0r 3am.
4. Sometimes I wake up in a pile of pretzels and edamame and I wonder where it came from.
5. I have an incredibly fast metabolism. Eating a lot puts it into high gear and sort of tricks me into being sleepy.
6. I never exercise. I use to like it and I have a gym pass for probably the next three years, but every time I go I feel like I'm going to be eaten alive from the stares and I run out after 10 minutes.
7. I should tell the gym I went on a mission and see if they will give me two years worth of credit.
8. I doubt I'll actually do this. I am lazy.
9. I am also a procrastinator. I procrastinate everything. EVERYTHING.
10. I even hold it as long as I possibly can to go to the restroom. Squeeze tighter, don't breath so hard. Okay I can make it another 30 minutes.
11. I wrecked Malibu Sue last month. She needs extensive cosmetic and medical surgery. Feel free to donate funds to the cause.
12. When Malibu Sue dies, God Bless her soul, I want to take her to a demolition derby. Then I will bury her in a plot adorning her name.
13. I never really liked my BYU experience. I never related with the people. They thought I came from a different planet and I the same of them.
14. I am sure I would have done far better and tried more in a different environment.
15. I miss my house in Provo. Sometimes I drive by it and miss it.
16. My house was dubbed the Crystal Palace because it was mostly white.
17. I don't call it that much because I'm worried someone will think that means it was a Crystal Meth Palace.
18. It wasn't. I've never touched Meth, but their commercials paint a good picture of me.
19. Meth users have erratic sleep patterns and mood swings. So do I but I have practically perfect skin, don't work at a gas station, and don't know how a crack pipe works.
20. When I was younger I announced that I was running away from home.
21. My dad told me they adopted me from cell block C-3 (a letter and number that have forever been burned into my memory).
22. I drove off on my big wheel in search of the purple walled room that I pictured I had come from, realized I had no idea where it was, and was back home within the hour.
23. I love sparkling water. I wish I had one in my hand at all times.
24. I also love clothes and spend re-damn-diculous amounts of money on them.
25. I need to move somewhere. I don't think there is anymore for Salt Lake to offer me. Suggestions are more than welcome.
26. I also need an incredible graphic design job.
27. I really think that I want to be an architect when I grow up.
28. Blue is my favorite color.
29. I just read the Toa Te Ching.
30. Now I am reading Bhagavad Gita.
31. Most people reading this post probably don't believe that I read.
32. Throughout most of High School and College I rented movies instead of reading the books. Voluntarily reading is a big step for me.
33. Once, in 10th grade I saw one of (rhymes with) Rammie Mocutt's quiz answers so I changed my answer to match hers and I got it wrong. I have never cheated since.
34. I have always been intimidated by her and her smarts.
35. I was voted to be Captain at the Christa Mcauliffe Space Center twice. Once on the class field trip and again for Space Camp. It was a very big deal.
36. I want to rent out the CMSpace Center and have my next birthday there. I would be Captain.
37. One of the aliens accidentally spit directly in my mouth because he was yelling so hard and I almost threw up.
38. Ernie is very messy. Bert is very clean. I've always identified more with Ernie.
39. Celebrities make regular appearances in my dreams at night.
40. I try to watch equal parts Entertainment television and CNN.
41. To date a politician has never made an appearance in my bed.
42. I hate the sound of vacuums.
43. I was voted most fashionable in High School.
44. I match my sock and underwear to my clothes.
45. I lose everything. Keys. Phones. Ipods. Clothes. My ID. My sanity. On a regular basis.
46. I visit perezhilton.com everyday.

47. I hate microwaves. They confuse me and the food that comes out of them is always third rate... at best.
48. Technology often frustrates me. Buttons and cords and more buttons and more cords give me headaches.
49. On the other hand I can't wait for the future to finally get here.
50. I will be the first in line to purchase a "Beam Me Up Scotty" machine.
51. I also can't wait to purchase my George Jetson style getting-ready-for-the-day-and-getting-ready-for-bed-machine.
52. I am a skier.
53. I have never been snowboarding and every winter I tell myself that this will be the winter that I try.
54. I only make one New Year's resolution a year.
55. Resolution 2007: Stop shopping at Walmart. The lines are long, I can't find anything, and everyone is ugly. I quit cold turkey.
56. I do not know what I am going to resolve to do differently in 2008.
57. I have self diagnosed long torso syndrome and I have a hard time finding shirts that are long enough.
58. I also have big feet. My shoe choices are limited as to not look like Ronald McDonald.
59. It is true what they say about big feet.
60. I like my fingernails. I don't like when people have little stubby ones.
61. I like vegetables more than I like fruit.
62. I know the difference between to, two, and too.
63. I also know the difference between there, their, and they're.
64. I specifically remember Mrs. Heinzig teaching me the difference in 1st grade and have a hard time understanding why this is such a difficult concept for so many people to grasp.
65. My middle name is Dukepoo. No, really.
66. To many I am known by the name Sharky.
67. If someone is a bitch to me I Shark Attack them.
68. When I was in elementary school a man in an eggplant colored Camaro tried to kidnap me.
69. I ran all the way home as fast as I could and never looked back.
70. I was walking home from an after-school program called "Young Astronauts".
71. Sometimes I really like my alone time.
72. I heart New York.
73. I figure I would need a spare $30M to get the apartment that I want there.
74. I adore mid-century modern furniture.
75. I have a lot of wants and not too many needs.
76. I wonder if anyone will actually read all of these things and if it will inspire someone to write a best selling biography about me.
77. Tunes are rad. I like listening to them.
78. I remember when I started driving and gas was 84 cents/gallon. Oh how I long for those days.
79. I also remember using the card catalogue system. I do not long for those days.
80. I once put a library call number on a Krispy Kreme box and put it on a shelf at the BYU library.
81. One semester I told my professor about a tragic fire that consumed my house and most of my portfolio was inside. I got an A.
82. I use to be a tow head with perfectly straight hair.
83. Now it is dark and wavy and unruly and I hate it.
84. I need a haircut. It is going through an awkward/I-wear-a-hat-all-the-time phase.
85. Sometimes I swear like a sailor because it makes people laugh.
86. I hate team sports.
87. I use the word hate a lot. Does that make me filled with rage? Or do I just need to hit the dictionary and thesaurus.
88. If they built Jurassic Park I would totally go to it.
89. I am a founding member of the Institute of Fun.
90. In high school my friends and I would play dress up and go out in public and "conduct surveys for Chris...Cannon" or dance on tables at JCWs.
91. I am glad that we were not drinking because we would have annoyed far more people and done even more embarrassing things.
92. I am allergic to cats.
93. I don't really care for animals that are pets.
94. I've always wanted to get a new car with a big red bow on it.
95. I want to be more green.
96. I've always wanted to be in the "I Saw You" section of City Weekly.
97. I collect random business cards, but only if they make me laugh.
98. Eleven is my favorite number.
99. I wonder if aliens have ever been to the planet Earth.
100. Italian is my favorite cuisine.

A taste of Halloween




I neglected to post a few Halloween pictures from last month. I always love Halloween and this year was no different. I dressed up four different times. It required A LOT OF WORK because I was Beth Chapman, wife of the famed Duane "Dog the Bounty Hunter" Chapman, as played by Whitney. Dog the Bounty Hunter was taken off the air indefinitely for using the N word. Now I, don't agree with the radical racial statements that were made but I have some important information that may exonerate the Chapman family. On the week of Halloween the Chapmans spent a considerable amount of time with their long time African American friend, Oprah. She handed out money, gave away cars, and seemed to be of good cheer in their presence. Hopefully Dog didn't mean the things that he said and is learning to be more tolerant, but we must also note that the Chapmans spent a very important holiday with a very important Black woman. Mahalo!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Sweet Jeezis!





Marcy is going wild and transforming her house into the North Pole. This year a new nativity scene is making it's debut and there is someone very special I would like all of you to meet. Big Baby Jesus. I didn't know that he slept in the manger until he was 23. Other things you may not have known: the manger scene guest list included an armadillo, giant grasshopper, and a killer rooster.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Traffic School





I got a speeding ticket a few weeks ago and the very cutting edge city of Lehi has an online program for traffic school. I'm taking it right now and it is driving me nuts.

Highlights:

  • The pictures above are ones that I have been copying and pasting as I go. I have never seen ANY of these signs, but I hope to and apparently they are ones that we as drivers should be looking out for.

  • There is a maximum and minimum time for each page of reading. I read a tad faster than the average Lehi speedster and find myself staring at the screen and waiting for the "Continue" button to appear.

  • I had to take one of the quizzes four times because I kept getting the answer wrong.

Select the correct answer.

Tailgating:
Adds to the happy, friendly feeling other motorists will have for you.
Exponentially increases your chances of causing an accident.
Is stupid.
Will take several minutes off your travel time.
None of the above

Correct answer, no joke: Tailgating is stupid. I should really pay more attention the reading if I want to come out a more cautious driver.