nothing makes me happier than a full house,
wonderful friends and a good cause.
i am such a lucky girl.

today i visited the dentist, now i can't feel half of my face. funny how that isn't a good feeling either.

wahoo...vanessa jean is part of a new project...check out www.BikeTheVote.org for more info.

say hello to lanna...


this adorable little tote is the newest addition to the vanessa jean family of duct tape handbags...so adorable...she will definately join the website soon enough, just had to get her out there for some sort of debut!

(this is an old scribble from a wired-less airport, but i think it still holds true)...
it amazes me that there aren't more love stories that began at the airport.
all these people, waiting here for so long...and no matches made?
all different sorts of people, from spots all over the world, serendipitously in one place at the same time,
usually stuck, bored, and looking for something to do. how about meet someone? i think i am going to start
an airport dating service. instead of one of those online dating service where you tell about yourself and where you live,
you can tell about yourself, your final destination and your layovers along the way. that seems a whole lot more practical
than a lot of other ways of meeting people. better than a bar, and least the folks here will be pre-screened as weapon free.
and you know these people are going places...not to mention pilots and flight attendants (who by career are always going
places). and just think of the vibrant community of people who work at the airport. really, i think this is an untapped
market and venue for meeting people. and is there no place more sentimental than an airport? just think, you can meet
your special someone, fall in love, and be greeted with hugs and kisses (by that same person) when you get off the plane.
does this not seem so logical to anyone else? and didn't you see love actually where that slimy british dude tells us that "love actually is all around" while we are bombaded with images of people greeting each other at the airport. indeed the airport is full of love, so why don't we tap into it as a meeting ground for those of us who are traveling alone and single. and is there anything that makes for a better story to tell you kids and cats about how you met? no, i didn't think so. off to conquer the online airport dating scene. what should i call it? the nerve, lavalife and match.com all have cutesy names, what should i call my airport dating service? loveflight.com, lovefly, airmatch, waitnmeet, going my way dot com? the options are endless, and i think i might have something here. and on that note, i am boarding...off to chicago!

big news coming soon...
(drumroll please...)

the internet is a wonderful place...
in looking for this adorable zen beach i found this really great american zen website. both worth reading, fer shure.

...and as promised...an adorable cat picture (cause what would the vanessa jean blog be without some cat pictures?)
(update, sorry kat-zilla took over the page for the weekend)



"meow, charlotte here i come!"

i'm back, and better than ever. the blogging vacation has ended, and i think the vanessa jean blog has definately retuned in full force...what could be better?

i know, i know... you are all anxiously awaiting the return of the silly cat pictures, (the only non-professional aspect to this very duct tape blog)...and they are coming as soon as i can re-size them.

for all of you who miss us...here's a little update action:

we've moved in to a few new states...
monograms plus
256.586.2098
582 n. brindlee mountain pkwy
arab, al 35016

anokha
773.477.7208
3053 n. sheffield ave
chicago, il 60657

coming soon to...
silver impressions
843.664.0804
470 second loop rd
florence, sc 29505

a re-order to...
henrietta fahrenheit (yay! we love them!)

and check out even more clutches going to...
uncommon goods!

vanessa jean & co are on hiatus...

we'll miss hurling boring nothings in your general direction, but chances are we'll be back
no, really, dry those crying eyes...we'll be back

...and if you really miss us, read the archives

check out the online store at www.vanessajean.com

yo...i know, i know, the vj blog has been away. we like being away. we like our fans and all, but it's nice to be away. however, today i have received a plethora of blog-worthy link through e-mail. dear goodness gracious, thanks green pants, darce and bri (no, he doesn't have a link, but if he did it would be this one since he takes care of the whole entire site!). so if you are bored, need to be grossed out, want a crazy trip or a new addiction, or a new perspective on the absurdities of reality tv, go for it. peace out, i'm on the veekend now.

vanessa jean & co are on hiatus...

we'll miss hurling boring nothings in your general direction, but chances are we'll be back
no, really, dry those crying eyes...we'll be back

...and if you really miss us, read the archives

check out the online store at www.vanessajean.com

so, i happen to come in contact with a lot of raw materials that turn into art projects, usually on a rather large scale, and usually in mass volume. yea, yea, you have absolutely no idea what i am talking about, but i am used to that by now. but a few of us thought it was time to start to compile a list of things that have been a bit overused by me lately...

-yarn (all sorts) especially red
-paper, large rolls, small rolls, the kind that has to be cut into squares
-hot glue (i'm frequently quoted as saying 'hot glue is HOT')
-'sale' yes, the actual word. you can only write it so many times before going crazy.
-strips of white and green fabric
-did i mention yarn?
-glitter
-spray paint (especially white)
-the color red
-white, twinkly christmas lights

...i can hardly think of them all now, but i think that's a good start. and i am sure it will grow. look for tissue paper and cardstock soon.

things that are fun...
running in the dark
cold houses and warm comforters
indian food with friends
and gawking at the awfulness of 'extreme makeover'

viola, and on that note i'm off.

joy of joys life is good...
ok, barring a really high gas bill and very little sleep, but i actually thinl those things make everything else feel even better than the best they are. and i found a free ride into the city...could luck shine on me anymore?

ok, so run to your computers (ok, so you are already there) and take a peek at the site explodingdog.com. it's funny, and it's a fun thing to spend a lot of time looking at. i think i might just be striving for this type of eccentricity in my life. anyhow this is my favorite of the moment. much to investigate in the future.

i know these guys, trophy dad sketch comedy, and they are hilarious (ok, well the ones i know are, and i asume that together they are hilarious). i'll be there for the show, will you?

i know these guys, trophy dad sketch comedy, and they are hilarious (ok, well the ones i know are, and i asume that together they are hilarious). i'll be there for the show, will you?

i know these guys, trophy dad sketch comedy, and they are hilarious (ok, well the ones i know are, and i asume that together they are hilarious). i'll be there for the show, will you?

after looking at this practical joke...don't get ANY ideas involving duct tape.

some sentiments are just too strongly felt to be ignored...this is the story of my life lately...

when the sunlight has gone
and the green hills turn gray
and the day turns to evening
somehow,
then i'm thinking of you,
though you're so far away,
and i'm wanting you
close to me now.

oh, chocolate chip cookies
so high on the shelf,
hiding inside the jar -
i'm not tall enough
to reach you myself.
so near, and yet so very far.

i can never forget you.
you're all i adore.
through many long moments
i've tried.
i call out your name,
but i'll have to do no more
to bring you back here
to my side.

oh, chocolate chip cookies
so high on the shelf,
hiding inside the jar -
i'm not tall enough
to reach you myself.
so near, and yet so very far.

if i had three wishes,
they'd all be for you.
if i had my way,
you'd be mine.
oh, the rach wouldn't matter
if i had a ladder.
if i weren't so short,
we'd be fine.

-faraway cookie by caitlin mc ewan in philidelphia chickens (a too-logical zooligical musical revue).

this song thoroughly sums up my mood pre-christmas and for the last 2 days. mmm, especially chocolate cookies with while chocolate chips...the best part about the above mentioned book is that it comes with a cd of totally famous people singing these great children's songs about animals, or with animal characters. where else can you get a book and cd with the bacon brothers, laura linney, the seldom herd (ha!),meryl streep and eric stoltz. you can't, so get it here.

roomies.
roomies are great. we just had a new roomie move in, and the traveling roomie just came back last night. it was nice to have 4 generations of the clan in one place for a nice meal tonight. yay for us.

skateboard babysitting is quite hard. in the last week i have had 13 near fatal experiences. but it's all good because it reminds me of two friends from high school who went through a brief, but intense, skateboarding phase. it was all this skateboarding lingo all over the place, and i think someone even bought special shoes. the best part was that one of these little dearies did quite a number on his ankle trying to do some sort of little flip turn kick thingy, and it swelled to the size of a whole tennis ball. oh, back in the days of the photo lab!

papers from the britany spears annulment at the smoking gun.

florida
i have this thing about trying to get to all 50 states really soon. i also have this teeny tiny thing against florida. it's a long story, really really long. florida happens to be one of the few states i haven't touched ground in, or so i thought until this last weekend. my feelings about florida are so strong that i was willing to boycott a trip to florida on prinicipal, and that i would be ok saying 'i've been to all the states, except florida!' however, i just remembered that i have in fact spend a balmy three days in florida en route to argentina (for a wonderful summer of house arrest, sense my sarcasm). so, i have been there, and it's sort of nice to be able to check it off the list. coming soon, a full list of unvisited states.

heyoooh britany, married? for some reason this 'news piece' made me giggle, giggle, giggle. a joke that went to far, hah! can anyone verify this?

about a boy is good. cute. liked it. however, since i do judge movies on the crying-basis...it wasn't that high...but it was still good. i sort of like the feeling of it, all those friends together, people who met under interesting circumstances and have become pretty close...i like it...it was cute, and it is another step in the hugh grant redemption process. so brian, yes, i did like it (i didn't hate it) but it wasn't as good as love actually but i also didn't see it on the big screen.

dear loyal readers (all two of you...or as i learned today, three of you)...
i may be two-timing you. well, as loyal readers, you know that, but i might as well out myself to everyone else.

really, my life doesn't revolve around duct tape...i have another job as well. i do display work for a national chain that sells high end womens apparel and home goods...that's just the entree to this little ditty about my cute parents.

today i received a phone message from my mommykins. you see, recently one of the stores i work for opened in my hometown, really close to my house...so my cute parents have been about a bazillion times to check it out. i was excited to receive a message from the mommykins today. she was explaining that the store has a new window display, and she was explaining to me all the details. i think this is cute and heartwarming and adorable for a few reasons.

1. i like the fact that they notice, and then tell me. it makes me feel loved.
2. it's cute that they give me all the details of what it looks like, since, i know what it looks like because a)i did the same thing and b) i got the exact same directions so i know what it looks like (or as much as they can describe over the phone.
3. i like the fact that it's like leaving a little piece of me at home, so the can sort of check in on me (by checking the store displays) and get a general sense of what i am up to. i think that's nice. and i think it's equally serendipitous that my mom is returning the favor by opening bank of america spots in new haven.

cheers!
my cutie parents are great!

it's fun to be in that middle-of-the-road not quite adult not quite a kid place anymore. it means i can revel in the excitements of both worlds.
adult joys of the day: making an extremely good computer accessory decision.
kid joy of the day: flip turns in the pool. yay. finally.

my intense sausage cravings continue. thank goodness for the kielbasa on christmas and my newest, favoritest sausage pasta dish. it's all i've been able to think about all day. irony lives on.

dearest brian, you will be happy to know that tonight i am snuggling in to watch about a boy. there is a lot of pressure riding on your shoulders for this one. i'll let you know how i feel in a few hours.

and i thought this ad was for arthritis meds. yup, i guess that's justnot my game.

yea!pasadena.

i'm doing a bit of research for a tech gift i might be purchasing for one of my kind family members (christmas is not in decemeber anymore folks!) and i found this terrific gift giving guide from scientific american. it came up under a google search for 'tech gifts' or something like that...and so i laughed out loud when i found the james watson bobble head doll, an ambient orb stock market monitor for $150.00, and the hypocondriacs teddy bear. nerds unite!

i love this article from the ny times about smoking in bars in nyc" nine months after the smoking ban was set in place. the article sets such a romantic and underground atmosphere, it's so seductive.

big fish, big fish!
friday i went to see big fish, which was a wonderful movie. i really liked it alot, and it hit just the right spot. (and i'm a poet and don't know it). i would recommend it if you want a feel good movie with some great effects and good emotion, but i can also see how people wouldn't like it. but i thought it was good, and it had a really nice cast. and the book hero with a thousand faces by joseph campbell was onthe father's night stand in the movie...which is also noted in the following article from the new york times, and has been sitting in my to read pile for the past two years. oh well. the moral of this story is... big fish good, campbell not as good.

(from brian) the new york times' list of most overrated and underrated ideas of 2003. they polled a bunch of important people, but if you have any thoughts you can e-mail them to ideas@nytimes.com. yea, yea the overrated ones are all expected (beauty, monotheism), but i quite like the list of underrated ideas...like the link between money and happiness and leisure...

Leisure

We are tethered to our e-mail, day and night. We are rarely out of cell phone range. Long working hours extend into evenings and weekends. Most of us feel lucky to love our work, but we put few limits on it. Less fortunate Americans labor long days to compensate for laid-off co-workers or simply to pay the bills. Studies reveal that Americans do an average of 350 hours (the equivalent of almost nine 40-hour weeks) more work each year than Europeans, and two-thirds fail to sleep eight hours a night. Stress-induced illnesses are rampant. Even when we're not working, we "work out" or watch reality TV. We have turned our homework- and activity-burdened older children and ourselves into workaholics, multitasking 24/7. What are we trying to prove?

- Lizabeth Cohen, professor of history at Harvard University and author of "A Consumers' Republic: The Politics of Mass Consumption in Postwar America."

i'm back!
[ok, more appropriately, my internet access is back!]

don't tell anyone, but i think i am going to steal my brother's copy of super troopers because it is one of the best films ever made. really, after an extended hiatus, i have now seen it 5 times in the last week, and nothing could make me happier. meow. whey they get that syrup in them, they get all antsy in the pantsy. anyhow, i just forgot how good it was, and how it just gets better and better all the time, and that i need to have it....and it looks like broken lizard has a new movie coming out in 2004, club dread. ok, so i doubt that anything could be as good as super troopers, but i am quite excited.

i trul, truly believe in some crazy sort of thought energy thing. in my quick escapes from the party, i sat to write some e-mails. i wrote to my favorite climing, crazy, amazing mechanic friend ant who sort of lives outside boston or new hampsire or could very well be riding his bike to guatemala and is sometimes hard to get in touch with. after sending this e-mail i went back to the party and had a conversation about a friend's son who is trying to convert a schoolbus to a camper in order to drive to the tip of south america and back...and i told her my friend ant would be perfect to help with the mechanics of the change. weird? maybe. maybe i just had ant of the brain, but ant is also the only person i know who would be valuable in a school bus to camper switch. anyhow, i was so excited to see that ant actually wrote back to me in the last hour. what are the chances? slim to none, but i caught him on the slim side and that made me so happy. so, here's to serendipity and ant! cheers.

party is almost over. i think i have told the duct tape story and the mad december rush story (not to mention the anthropologie story) 4 million, one hundred thousand fifty six times today. luckily, there are left overs of the dessert, and b-dog is coming over for a left-over-eating/say-goodbye visit. oh that brian, what would i do without him? ok, so these parties aren't all bad, cause i actually did have a good conversation with a friend of mine from high school who is working at being a pro-golfer. we can keep track of him at golden state tour dot com. but that was one nice catch up conversation to have, mostly because it was the longest conversation we had ever had, despite going through high school together and having all the same friends. oh well. his mom is also one of the most rad artisits i know, and i have loved her work for years. when i find a link i will post it.

tonight my parents are throwing a party.
whippeeee.
i think i might escape to the safety of my room everyone once in a while for some respite.
if only i could run away, cause i'm not quite sure why i am in such a crabby mood.

ahhh, gossip.
there just ain't nothing like it.
last night was a long and late night of all the juicy goods from the home town
and i couldn't be a happier camper!

ah yes, it's christmas time here. something about christmas and gift giving really brings out the funny, funny moments in the family. well, i'll do my best to recount a few of them here...

1. my brother was gifted a ronald reagan 2004 calendar. i didn't know such things existed, maybe my dad ordered it off the fox news website. anyhow, i was about to open a calendar shaped gift, and sarcatically said "geez, i hope it's my very own reagan calendar." to which my mom replied, "it's your own john dean calendar" to which my brother replied "howard mom, it's howard." and my mom admitted that the democratic candidates were all over her head. (although commenting later that lieberman is her favorite if she had to have one. when pressed she said it's because he is the one who has changed his policy the least over his campaign, then admitting that he is the most conservative.) more to come...

2. i was excitedly gifted a 'learn to knit kit' from my grandma, which i have been really looking forward to. of course, i sat down immediately to figure out what this whole knitting this is about. so far, this is what i have learned...
a. i have learned that i will not be able to learn how to knit based on a few drawings.
b. knitting seems like fun, but there is no way i am going to figure it out on my own.
c. knitting near a kitten is a challenge. i like yarn, and so does said kitten. the kitten also really, really like the shiny knitting needles.

3. we have already had our first christmas gift casualty. someone was given an m & m mug, and the mug is already broken. i was in the other room when it happened, but it had something to do with a dog and one of my silly family members.

4. i know own 4 complete sets of drinking glasses. all completely bizarre and sentimental in their own way. this is the set i got today from my very happy father. he thought i might like them because i liked the craziness of the 'slanted glass set' i inhereted from my nana (ie one set of glasses that i own). not to mention that i took the entire set of glasses from my house upon departure back to new haven. well, just like they always say, a girl can never have too many glasses. but if you look at these glasses (the roly poly glasses) they look really, really easy to knock over, and so knowing me (and my infinite grace) it's probably not such a good idea!.

peek peek is one of my favorite cats of all times. more like a dog-lion-cat, but fantastic (with a fantastic owner to boot) and a cat with some real personality. but i strongly suggest you check out peek peek (previously egg nog) right here at this link and then pass it along to all your friends.

merry christmas eve dearies!
enjoy your crazy families and being surrounded by love,
and i hope you all get good presents tomorrow.
much christmas love,
v

it's time to settle in to the family christmas eve. it's like our traditional christmas eve, except not at all. we usually have a nice polish dinner at the grandparents' house with the extended family. and we are all allowed to open only one gift, which grandma forces into 4 or 5 (not that i complain)...and we all have a bit to drink and all...so this year is a bit different, as my little fam sits in the red room, watching pirates of the carribean on the new big tv, eating take home thai food and delivery pizza with lots of wine and beer and shoo-ing the dog. we're calling it the international christmas eve...thai, italian, mexican beer, and french pastries...and pirates. who doesn't love pirates.

yes, so off to celebrate christmas. probably with pictures to follow tomorrow.

is this not the cutest dog you have ever seen? and he is even tamer than before...i guess that happens when you go away for 6 months. but really, such a good dog, and so tolerant of steve the monkey hanging on like that. and lucky for sport he has been hired as the newest intern at vanessa jean, so he will get to be on the about us page in no time!