so i got back into the mtv watching mood last saturday while i was working. i was watching the show made and the episode was about this girl, andi, (with lots of checks, mind you) who really likes boys and duct tape and wants to be homecoming queen. she's actually known around her school as the duct tape girl. well, it was such a good show because she makes a kick-butt dress with the help of a new york artist, she gets the boy (who's a cutie and likes her too) and she wins homecoming queen and makes a great statement. i might have even tear-ed a bit. the best part is that three people called me to tell me this was on tv because of my duct tape interest. good friends and good tv! that's all.

let's play a little question and answer game...

Q: in the past 6 months, how many times has vanessa been blocked into her parking spot or driveway?



A: 4!
yes, it's true. only in new haven can you be blocked in by a firetruck that needs 1 hour to reel in its hose, a double parked 2-tier car hauling truck missing it's driver (i hunted him down and crawled around in his truck a bit), the power department fixing lines infront of my house, and (today, the kicker) some idiot who parked right infront of my driveway. luckily, there's an easy way to fix that last one.

sad news...mr. bun buns just lost his second eye. this is a sad, sad day for my childhood and for mr. bun buns.

yes, it's 4.34 and it's almost dark. wahoo for winter.

some of these cute halloween costumes for pets take a while to download, but they are very, very cute and i suggest checking them out.

some funny pictures care of mr. squirrel.

raised by a pack of french poodles? if you've seen mtv's newlyweds, i suggest you read this hilarious article.

all i can say is that life is good. after 2 weeks of stress and tons of work the cloud has finally lifted and i can say that it has some sort of correlation with my 23rd year of life. there's nothing like a birthday to re-affirm the love and caring other people have for you, and it's like lots of warm fuzzies ( that's a mrs. hermandson 4th grade term). anyhow, i'm just checking in with those loyal followers of vj.com to let you know that work is going well and finally back to that non-overwhelmed happily creative phase (i made an adorable pink mini erika with flowers today) and everything is under control and i am finally happy to work again...so keep those duct tape orders coming. joy to the world, and thanks to those fantastic support systems and kind friends i have been in touch with lately, from la to philly to portland to boston to new haven to new york to pasadena!

life is good!
and the 6 rule is in for the night.

oh dearest dears who read this...i can't even begin to explain this past week (er, 10 days)...but luckily and quite fatefully i have found myself safely back at home and in the studio and everything has worked out pretty darn well (minus the load of cash precision auto in sturbridge, mass now has from me). here's the run down...

dewey the cat wanted to take a trip to ct from md. sad i couldn't steal him. his brother mango was equally cute.


the first hundred pieces to uncommon goods gets out in time...just by the hair on our chin-y chin chins
yes, one hundred pieces takes a long time...but it's all made up by the cool new kitchen furniture set in the studio...funky 50's tableset flanked by a cool matching lantern. my favorite piece of furniture to date.


...and when it rains, it pours...
[note: it was actually raining]


i think i made it to boston (was it a dream? i think there was a prison break at the cracker barrel, and i was saved by 3 lovely souls) and we made sushi and had ice cream delivered at 11pm watched the first season of alias on dvd and i fell asleep on the floor. yes, a two day vacation from duct tape... was it forced? yes! enjoyed? yes! to the extreme, and amazing everything in life seems to work out just the way it should...and i even got to see some beautiful leaves falling in massachussetts.

and yes, a special thanks going out to brian, the gold star winner of the day. without him i would never have made it back to ct in one piece. i know he'll never read this, but i think it's just good karma to have it out there.

what a week ahead of us...the holiday season is in full swing all around, and i don't think i'll sleep until christmas eve...but then santa can come and visit. ciao!

this journal book, list yourself, came up as a topic of discussion between me and a friend this weekend. it really is the best and longest lasting journal i have ever had, and it's great for anyone who is a bit too compulsive in the list making department...a five star suggestion from vanessa jean!

can i tell you how glad i am that the new season of alias has started. i finally have something to live for again on tv. and the season looks so good!

i'm playing with crayons...these are the colors...in decending order of silliness...
midnight blue
shamrock
magenta
plum
bittersweet
and [the kicker]...
macaroni & cheese (which, oddly enough looks exactly like the manufactured cheesy color of a bowl of kraft mac & cheese, yet it doesn't make me hungry at all...

oh yes, it is winter...and time for all those comfort foods, like the entire pot of mac & cheese i just polished off by myself...and the candy corns...i love fall!

duck brand duct tape has re-done it's duct tape fan club site and vanessa jean is on it...wahooo....now i just have to get my act together and write them a little how too. dear goodness, the studio is so hectic i have no idea how the duct tape team is going to get everything done...and it's not even the holiday rush yet.

oh dear.

yeah, i think summer is over. we have a front warning tonight.

another great article about duct tape and it's uses...bears...atvs...duct tape...alaska. great!