bathroom :: before

This was our bathroom as of 8 AM this morning:



The grey bathtub, sink, and toilet with non-matching wooden toilet seat and panelling



The broken electric shower that served as the catalyst for our remodel



The tiles I have always hated, with grout that can't be cleaned for love or money



Homer Soap-on-a-Rope. I have started to think of him as The Bathroom Sentinel; he has lived in this flat longer than I have. He nearly lost a foot a while ago when someone - gasp! - used him to wash their hands. D'OH. I have threatened to throw him out so many times that I don't think I could do it now, even if I wanted to. Somehow, he belongs here. At least for one more day...



Our washing machine and drying rack. Every now and then I miss having a tumble dryer, but this is perfectly sufficient most of the time.



Hideous floor: half carpet, half lino, all of it ugly. This, if nothing else, I won't miss.



Who needs storage when you can pile things on top of the toilet?


And so it begins. The builder is coming tomorrow morning to begin the so-called 'removal' before putting in our new bathroom. Coming soon: the bulgy bath ... pretty new floor ... modern toilet, sink, and taps ... a working shower ... tiles ... storage space ... Stay tuned!

Pic of the Week: 22-28 March

This week's photo is from our trip to Paris in June 2006. This is one of a series of sculptures that make up the Stravinsky Fountain next to the Centre Georges Pompidou.


Click on the picture to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 15-21 March

Top pic of lilsis in 3D glasses at Pixar's UP last June. Her hair is great for ColorSplashing.


Bottom pic of lilsis and bro in Monterey, taken in Feb 2007.


Click on the photos to see larger versions on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 8-14 March

Cupcake in Central Park, New York


This cupcake was photographed - and eaten - in Central Park shortly after our wedding.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 1-7 March

Accordion Player in Karlsplatz, Vienna




Moulin Rouge, Paris


I put these photos together because I thought they fit thematically as well as color-wise. We walked past the famous Moulin Rouge on our trip to Paris in June 2006, and we saw the accordion player in Vienna last November.


Click on the photos to see larger versions on flickr.


Last but not least, happy birthday to my sister-in-law!

happy birthday, lil sis!

It's my sister's birthday. I messed up with this week's Photo of the Week - she hates birds and isn't a big fan of ducks or geese either. Oops.


So this is a special blog entry just for her, with no birds attached.


Speaking of special blogs, remember this?


happy birthday, big al!


A few of the links are broken but the sentiment is still there (although I am slightly less broke than I was when I wrote it.) Happy birthday!

Pic of the Week: 22-28 Feb

We saw these ducks in a park in Vienna last November. The funniest thing is that there were two duck couples, quacking and swimming around in circles. It looked like the ducks were entreating the mallards to pull over and ask for directions. "Fred, I don't think this is the right pond." The mallards were holding their ground, sounding appropriately annoyed to be second guessed. "It's this way, Ethel, I'm sure. Stop back-seat paddling, would ya?"


"Quack quack quack quack new handbag quack quack so excited for the shopping quack"


"Lu-----cy!"


Or maybe I'm just anthropomorphizing them...


Unfortunately I have no video evidence.


Click on the photo for a larger version on flickr.

Year of the Tiger

London decided to celebrate Chinese New Year one week late but neither the tardiness nor the weather put a damper on the spirit.



































Happy Year of the Tiger!

birthday dinner

margaritas and mint leaves with limes in sparkling water



chicken enchiladas with pipian pumpkin seed mole



vegetarian tostada salad














What does a California girl crave on her birthday in London? Mexican food and good friends... Thanks for coming to celebrate with me at Wahaca, everyone!

Pic of the Week: 15-21 Feb

Valentine's Balloons, York




Roses


I am posting these a day early because they fit the Valentine's Day theme. The top photo is from our trip to York a few years ago, when S took me for my birthday. The ColorSplash version adds a layer of wintery melancholy that was not evident in the original - these two balloons appear to be embracing each other in the inhospitable naked tree against a grey sky. In reality, it was a beautiful (if cold) day.


Happy Valentine's Day wherever you are...

old and new

the lost necklace




the replacement


I still hope the old one turns up someday, but I'll be happy to wear the new one in the meantime.

Pic of the Week: 8-14 Feb

...brains...


I'm still reading Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, so it is hard to think of this as a sign for Welsh beer instead of the battle cry (moan?) of the zombie.


Nevertheless, this picture was taken in July 2006 when my parents came to visit and we spent a weekend with them in Wales.


It also amuses me to have this photo sit on my desk at work: look at me, with my shiny red brains. I've been feeling smarter all day.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

flower therapy

The flowers start blooming in the Bay Area during February, just in time for our birthday month. In London, the flowers don't appear until April. I bought these gerberas today to add a bit of color and cheer to an otherwise grey, rainy day.

license to drive

Very pleased to report that I passed my UK driving test today, nearly 21 years to the day when I got my California license. Hooray!


Things I intend to unlearn as soon as possible now:

• The parking brake as 'hand brake' for stopping at red lights. WTF?

• Signaling only when necessary. Isn't signaling all the time better? (The theory on this one follows the principle of, 'if a tree falls in the woods and no one hears it, does it make a sound?' In other words, if you are pulling out into the street, for example, and there is no one around, why bother signaling? I still don't see why you shouldn't.)

• Not giving pedestrians or cyclists the right of way. I really, really hate this, especially since I'm usually the target pedestrian or cyclist.

• Using mirrors excessively. Mirrors are a great asset to any driver, but the way they teach you to drive over here has you looking behind more than in front.

• Reversing around corners. OMG this is the stupidest maneuver and I have no intention of ever using it again.

• Driving with both hands on the wheel all the time, to the extent that shifting is nearly impossible. Also, I know it isn't recommended practice, but turning the wheel with hands at 10 and 2 pushing and pulling is really more trouble than it's worth. And it makes you not only look like a granny, but drive like one, too. Not gonna do it anymore.

Of course, all this is somewhat academic. We don't have a car so I have very little use for a license. I'm happy on my feet/bicycle/the Tube, but it is nice to have some options.


So now I am a fully fledged adult in 2 countries. Sweet relief! Watch out, UK roads...

Thanks, S, for the card!

Pic of the Week: 1-7 Feb

Rabbit, rabbit! It's a new month, and a special one for our family, starting with Mamasita's birthday. The top photo was taken outside Corte Madera theater last June when we went to see Pixar's UP. The bottom photo is from Mamasita & Pop's (early) 40th anniversary dinner at my friend's amazing restaurant in San Francisco: 1300 Fillmore.


Happy birthday to my lovely, funny, quirky, arty, design-y, creative, talented Mamasita...!

Pic of the Week: 25-31 Jan

Sushi Breakfast at Tsukiji Fish Market, Tokyo


This photo is from my business trip to Tokyo last October. I accompanied a customer who had a special interest in learning about authentic Japanese sushi, so we arranged for one of our suppliers to take us to the tuna auction at Tsukiji on a Friday morning. We went to Daiwa Sushi for breakfast at 6:45. While it was decidedly some of the most delicious sushi I have ever eaten and most likely will ever eat, seeing all those massive fish put a damper on the morning for me. After gulping down a few bites of toro, I ordered a piece of tamago (egg), pictured.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 18-24 Jan

Tiles in Lisbon


This week's photo is from our trip to Lisbon in November 2008. It almost seemed a shame to desaturate it using ColorSplash; one of my favorite features of Lisbon was how colorful and vibrant it was.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Pic of the Week: 11-17 Jan

Shop sign in Stockholm for a store selling traditional handicrafts, from our anniversary trip in April 2009.


Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

Say Cheese!

More iPhone photo fun...


LEGO Photo tile mosaics







Bob is in there, somewhere


Polarize Polaroid filters with captions

Pic of the Week: 4-10 Jan

2010 :: ColorSplash Calendar Cover


This week's photo is a Vienna city bike.





Click on the photo to see a larger version on flickr.

happy new year!