kate+speaks

Thrifting at its Best

I am such a proud thrift shopper. I like to think I have extreme polar opposites, on one side I buy pretentious $3 cupcakes because they’re so darn fabulous, and I think $13 pots of MAC eyeshadow are the only way to go. On the other hand I get lucky buying second-hand plaid for $4 and scour thrift stores for anything from clothing to vintage Samsonite cosmetic cases. Thrifting in San Francisco is probably too easy, there is such great stuff here, and its constantly updated. The Mission District is a treasure trove.

While scouring the streets to finish off homemade costumes for me and the fiance I dropped into a store where I usually get lucky, I have been checking around for Polaroid cameras for months (for the wedding guestbook and for my own personal use), and there they were…. at least 5 Polaroid cameras priced around $4 each, with their straps ridiculously tangled into at least 15 other obsolete cameras. So I went to work and I crouched there, hovering above the bin of crap, untangling…. and untangling. An old man tried to strike up a conversation with me, asking me if my effort was worth it. I told him “yes, these sell for at least $20 online.” He asked me again if it was still worth it. Then I stopped talking to him, “Pssh, lazy people don’t get good deals,” I thought to myself. Then it hit me, what if these suckers don’t even work? Sadly I’ve purchased a faulty Polaroid camera in my past. So I opened them up, literally, and checked if any had any film left in them. Jackpot, the camera I was working hardest to untangle had a film cartridge still inside, I pulled it out, which ended up exposing the top Polaroid, I pushed it back in, heard the beautiful sound of the camera functioning, pressed the shutter button, and out spewed the single exposed Polaroid. I took another photo, not expecting the picture to come out, but there I was wide-eyed and upside down… THIS SUCKER WORKS, and only for $3.50. So eventually I freed the camera from the mass of crap and decided to keep checking the others. Another camera had an empty cartridge but no more film, when I stuck it back inside I heard the beautiful sound of the camera function again. So I took that cartridge and tried it in every other Polaroid, to my surprise all of them worked. I found another camera in the same model as the first, $4. SOLD.

I also found a grandma-looking tv console-stand for $27. I couldn’t refuse, Jeff and I have been meaning to buy real furniture for so long. Sigh, I love that store.

I forgot to mention that although I got dope deals on those cameras they are basically obsolete, it makes me sad, Polaroid film will take you back $15 EASY… *Cross fingers that someone else will take the reigns, buy the technology and patents and keep producing instant film. In this economy… technology day and age… I doubt it, but I can still cross fingers*

DINKs

I can’t wait for the day the man and I will become Dual-Income-No-Kids again. My first order of bizness is to put a ring on the man’s finger. He doesn’t get hit on, as far as I know…. but I will have so much more piece of mind knowing his finger flashes: “TAKEN, beezy.” FYI, it was actually the man’s personal request to have the ring on his finger prematurely, a “man-gagement” if you will.

I got me a great one.

The Weekend

_ Cycled the streets with the man on Saturday. Street confidence is growing and stamina & endurance to go uphill on a single speed is increasing nicely.
_ Jogged a mile to trick the muscles, they’re used to routine. I can’t stand running/jogging, its my least favorite form of exercise. My leg muscles are currently pissed.
_ Attended a surprise 30th birthday for a good friend’s husband. The good friend, the hostess, had a bit too much to drink and started campaigning for the republican party and “yes on prop 8.” Haha, I still love her nonetheless.
_ The DJ that night was probably one of the worst I’ve ever had to endure. When someone plays DMX’s “Party Up (in here)” you usually know that is your cue to get off the dance floor.

Good weekend.

I fking told you…

Neighbors are idiots. They left a mess that is usually known as the garbage area. Its sad how people don’t learn how to be considerate adults cause their parents didn’t take enough time to let them fucking know right from wrong. My parents told me that leaving a mess was wrong, especially if I share the space with other people. Jeff’s folks are the same way. I believe Jeff’s dad is probably one of the most considerate men I’ve ever met. Jeff got these qualities from his dad. Its so damn irritating when people can’t seem to reciprocate the sentiments.

I couldn’t take it anymore, I had to make a damn sign so they could get a clue. Note: The typed up sign already existed. As if they read it in the first place to remind them to keep the area clean.

Inconsiderate fucks.

By the way… The boxes you see in the recycling bin were broken down by the man and I. Cause some considerate dick left the boxes as is…

I’m not trying to look all heroic and caring here, I’m just asking for the same treatment. Keep your shit clean.

In all seriousness…

I think this is the dopest cover I’ve heard in a while. No joke. So serious. I give him so much credit.

Credit to the man for finding me such good entertainment.

Fack. Back cottage neighbors are hosting their loud ass annoying friends.

BOO.

I take it back… I just heard a bad rendition of “Happy Birthday,” so I take it back. They can have their cake and eat it. BUT, if they’re still loud at 11pm, I take back taking it back.

For my Groom

After a few shots of grey at our reception, I want to sing this song to him:

I have the craziest thing for power ballads, I’m sure all children of the 80’s have the same sentiments. It just took forever for me to finally realize the bands that created such hits.

Shuz

I have a ridiculous habit of purchasing shoes. I don’t have a job and yet I will not say no to a pair of size 7’s on sale. I have probably bought eight pairs of shoes since my last paycheck which was some time ago. I don’t know, I think its almost a compulsive thing.

Clothes you can let go… I stick to a certain Levi’s cut, its around, and I trust it will stay, so I’m never compelled to go buy jeans. I don’t have the liberty to go to the mall, enter Forever 21, and shop… its hell and I would rather avoid the torture. I thrift when I can, and sometimes I still feel guilty for it.

I never feel guilty for shoes, but then again I almost never buy shoes that are not on sale. THEN AGAIN, its rare that you see anything other than Keds on my feet. SO… its kind of a waste that I have all these beautiful pumps, and peep toes, and boots, and flats, yet you rarely see them utilized. I take that back, boots are my staples. I love them in all shapes, forms, heights, and colors.

I always blame it on the fact that I don’t have the proper occasion or outfit to wear such shoes, but sometimes I’m just lazy, ESPECIALLY for the heels. I have so many pairs of heels that I still have not worn, haven’t touched, gathering dust.

So sad. Someone invite us somewhere so I can wear a pair of heels.

Today I am in domestic goddess mode.

Gym, post office, & grocery shopping before noon. Five loads of laundry. Tidying up the spot because of kid sister’s birthday weekend. Still must make dinner. I had so much more on my list today…

Neighbors SUCK

To reiterate the SF living situation… we have three neighbors upstairs and two neighbors in the back cottage.

They never take out the trash, they never bring the trash back in, the back cottage neighbors speak hella loud sometimes when they pass by the apt it sounds like they’re inside our apartment and this scares the hell out of me. The back cottage neighbors don’t recycle and insist on filling our trash bins with perfectly good recycling material. This irritation is not so much out of love for the Earth, but of common courtesy. We have a huge freaking recycling bin, and two tiny trash bins, they stuff the hell into it with their shit (literally). Jeff moved things like milk jugs and aluminum cans into the recycling bin and found an adult diaper. At the front entrance to the house upstairs there are 4 or 5 empty bottles of Smirnoff Ice. SMIRNOFF ICE!!! I am personally not a beer person, I think its bitter and I don’t like the taste, but I know better than to buy a case of Smirnoff Ice! Who the hell drinks Smirnoff Ice past the age of 19?

Jeff and I are mean, but its cause they’re all chumps. Its easy to make fun of them.