Archive for the 'Random Thoughts' Category

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Under The Sea

Published on June 7, 2010 in Personal and Random Thoughts. 0 Comments

We had the fortunate opportunity to tour the USS Bowfin submarine over the weekend. It was a dear friend’s parents’ 40th anniversary and what a great celebration it was! The evening started with champagne and appetizers at sunset, then a walk through the gallery, followed by a tour on the submarine itself and finally dinner in the warm summer air.

A little background on the USS Bowfin: As a fleet attack submarine, she was launched on December 7th 1942, exactly one year after the famous attack on Pearl Harbor.  I always feel a little unsettled when the topic of Pearl Harbor comes into play. As a Japanese – American, I am unequivocally American. However, I have difficultly with some events in the aftermath of the attack on Pearl Harbor. My grandfather, for example, spent much of his childhood in a internment camp with his parents losing most of their investments and belongings.

While I don’t know how I feel about such boastful messaging , I can appreciate our strong nation’s media and advertising prowess. On a lighter note, I love the vintage design of the posters and the antique typewriter in the sub’s living quarters.

pleated dress – Macy’s
sweater – AE
sandals – Steve Madden
necklace – handmade by me
purse – vintage Dooney and Bourke

The Dragon Upstairs

Published on May 21, 2010 in Personal and Random Thoughts. 0 Comments

My weekend started early  - Thursday at lunch to be exact.  No, I didn’t get out of work, but I did seem to cram in as many activities as I could on this one day. I went on a little thrift store shopping spree during lunch and found the most incredible vintage shoes that I will be taking photos of over the weekend.

Later, after work I met up with my hubby and a friend to bike around and stopped at a nearby beach park for some pau-hana paddle boarding with my coworkers. It felt great to be in the ocean if only for a little while. Following that, we headed downtown to a bar that I’ve been meaning to check out for some time. The bar is called The Dragon Upstairs and it was divine. I was recently complaining to my husband that all I want is a comfortable bar with tables (so I don’t have to stand) and live jazz. This one had all of that. I aspire to become a regular at this fine establishment soon enough.

In true bar style, The Dragon Upstairs didn’t have any food.  But because of our active afternoon, we were starving. Off we went to Murphy’s for some corned beef with cabbage and a side of Guinness. Despite amply satiated bellies, our night did not end there. We went back to The Dragon Upstairs to watch the band finish their set. All in all, it was a terrific night!

Happy Friday!

button up top – thrifted

Birthdays are the Best!

Published on May 16, 2010 in Personal and Random Thoughts. 1 Comment
photo: bestbirthdays.co.uk

I hope today is fun!

iWant: A Picnic and Quidditch

Published on May 14, 2010 in Personal and Random Thoughts. 1 Comment

My last segment of birthday wishes is to have a lovely little picnic at the park with my favorite foods: artisan bread, cheese, prosciutto, olives and wine.  Maybe some fruit and veggies for good measure.  Something simple and fun.

To make things more complicated, however, I would love to throw in some kind of ridiculous fantasy game.  It was first brought up jokingly that we could play L.A.I.R. (the Live Action Imaginary Role-Play game from the movie Role Models) because I love medieval history and fantasy stories.  However, last night over some drinks, it changed into Quidditch – to honor my love of all things Harry Potter.

www.zimbio.com

I did some research and it turns out there is actually an Intercollegiate Quidditch Tournament.  It is hosted by Middlebury College and started in 2005.  I was rolling with laughter looking at these photos.  I wish I was still in college sometimes just to take part in ridiculous things like this.  And the schools that participate make up a pretty impressive list.

This comes from a quote on zimbio.com, “Middlebury College hosted the first large Intercollegiate Quidditch Tournament. Twelve teams from around the country traveled to Middlebury College: Princeton University, Vassar College, Louisiana State University, University of Washington, McGill University, University of Massachusetts, Boston University, Chestnut Hill, Emerson College, Green Mountain College, and Ives Pond, a club team from Buffalo, New York. Quidditch, the sport from JK Rowling’s Harry Potter books, was adapted into a real-life game which began at Middlebury College in 2005. The sport is a cross between soccer, dodgeball, and rugby.”

www.zimbio.com

Notice that the players are using brooms…

www.zimbio.com

So, we’ll see if this birthday-picnic-quidditch-party thing actually happens.  But, it’s fun to just wish!

Happy Birthday to Me!

iWant: A Vintage Car

Published on May 13, 2010 in Personal and Random Thoughts. 2 Comments
photo: autoblog.com

For the second installment of my birthday week wishes, I would like to request a vintage car.  Actually, I’m not looking to have one of my own, but I’d like to rent one.  Anyone know of a vintage car owner that offers their lovely for rent? Preferably a convertible from the 1940′s – 1960′s.  It goes without saying that this should be in Hawaii.

The car will be featured in a little photo shoot, hopefully some time in June. Contact me if you have any leads!

photo: rosemeadherald.vox.com
photo: sportscardigest.com

A vintage Mercedes like this one would be a dream…