You may remember the Art Raffle Party I told you all about, yes? Well, I have to admit, I was a little sad to see my painting grow legs and walk out of my life forever. I was also quite unhappy that Clayton Kalman's "Sinking Ship" went home with someone other than myself. SO - I turned these two paintings into something that can be worn and had by everyone! Well, everyone with pierced ears that is.












While I was crafting these bad-boys I cranked out a few other pieces that are new to the shop. Inspired by the writers & drunks (& drunk writers) that you know and love.
















I hope you enjoy them! If you are looking at any of these items and thinking "MINE!" they are available at www.ModelCitizenClothing.com . The bangle is one of a kind- so when it's gone, that's it. You will have missed your chance.

*Please also note that for the months of January, February, & March I will be giving 10% of all sales to The Austin Resource Center for the Homeless. If you feel any guilt in spending any money at all (which most of us do right now) just know that you will helping someone truly in need.*

Playing With My Food

It's been said before that I am only ever interested in my next meal... & there's a lot of truth to that. You may recall from my first ever Want. Need. post that I absolutely had to have a Zojirushi Mr. Bento to pack my lunch in. AND I got one! Well, not the Mr. Bento but the Mini Bento (it's cuter and more my style). My Mom wrapped it up & put it under the x-mas tree for me, Thanks Mom! I have been packing my lunch in it everyday since the new year started & I gotta say - there IS an art to packing your bento. You want to get a variety of things in there with out all of them "contaminating" each other and you want to pack items that are to be eaten at the same temperature together.. it gets complicated! I'm all about becoming a pro though. To reach this goal I've been taking notes from The Food Pornographer, lunchinabox.net & Anna the Red. Anna creates some lunches that are so incredibly cute & creative that it would be almost impossible to eat them. She even customizes her own cookie cutters to make crazy little tasty creatures! AND if that doesn't make you want to get on the bento box wagon how about these awesome bento's made to look like some of the greatest albums ever! I found these on Jacket Lunchbox & my stomach is glad that I did!
So, the inspiration is there, now I need some tools & a little more time to pack my bento each night. I guess I could get up earlier & do it but, a girl needs her beauty sleep. I've really been enjoying putting them together so far. Not only is it a chance to make edible art but, it gives me a chance to think about my meal. It is so very important to think about not only what you are eating but the portions. It's all about portions. As my mother always told me "Moderation in all things". When I was a kid I wanted to jam a fork in my eye when she said it but of course she was right. That's why she kept saying it... and kept saying it and kept saying it. Thanks again Mom. I mean it! As I mentioned before, my camera is broken, so I can't take a photo of my lunch today, which is delicious & nutritious but doesn't smile up at you or make you want to rock the casbah. I will soon be enjoying a cup of 15 bean soup, with *you guessed it* 15 beans, an onion, some celery, carrots, a sunchoke, quinoa & some herbs and spices. Then I have a small salad with greens, sprouts, walnuts, grape tomatoes, with a few crumbles of gorgonzola & topped with a drizzle of olive oil. For dessert? Vanilla yogurt & a dab of apricot jam.

....dang, I wish it were time for lunch!

*big thanks to Red Anna for letting me use the picture of her Katamari Damacy bento*

I don't mean to brag, I don't mean to boast...

But I'm like hot butter on your breakfast toast!

Sorry - had to channel some Rappers Delight this morning...
Because check it out - I am Venus Zine's Reader of the Week!



I am totally * Blushing *

Brooklyn isn't entirely overrated *wink*

Sometimes I feel like I've listened to everything in my music collection so many times that I fear I will puke if I hear it again. So, time to start digging for something new & I often think - it'd be cool if someone would throw me a bone. So if you are sick of your selection I suggest you check out these 3 bands, all from brooklyn (that's the theme today - I bet you didn't think there'd be a theme huh?). I hope you enjoy your bone:

When SxSW rolls around I look in the paper, mark off everything that I KNOW I want to see & then I go through & mark off bands with names that appeal to me. I do no further investigation, I just go & see if they suit my fancy. I've have some very good luck with this method! At SxSW 2007 I ran across a band called Beat the Devil who of course hails from Brooklyn (that's where everyone lives now right?). Shilpa Ray is the front woman for this outfit & it's been said that she is the best front woman who doubles as an air raid siren. I think Shilpa herself actually said that, but it's dead on. Her voice is off putting for the first few seconds, then you are sucked in my it's bluesy underworld growl. I've been listening to their self titled EP for a few years now, waiting patiently for a second release to knock my socks off. Unfortunately they disbanded in August of last year. BUT Shilpa has started a new band! Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers. I am now equally obsessed with her new venture. This woman can sing, write a darkly delicious song, oh & did I mention that she plays a harmonium? Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers are currently on repeat in my world. Check them out, become a believer.
Through Shilpa's music I was introduced to another Brooklyn lady who is getting some play here at the house, Jessica Larrabee of She Keeps Bees. You can hear the heavy influences of Cat Power, Patty Smith, & Scout Niblett, but she owns it & I am totally into it. Give it a spin & I think you will be too.
Now, of course Girls do rule & most boys do drool, but The Wowz are making my heart shimmy & shake these days. Folky rock with some solid vintage guitar licks & sharp lyrics to boot (think early Beatles makes out with Pavement). The first time I heard them sing the chorus from Thee Women Blues: "I wouldn't be a misogynist if my heart didn't hurt as bad as this" I laughed so hard I just about spit my teeth out. Then I wanted to hug them. We should all hug them - or at least give them a listen. You can find their work & many other awesome bands @ Recommended If You Like Records.

Time to get back to work!

Today I am sad...

If you know me, you know that I am not the kind of person who gives up. On anything. Ever. But today I am giving up the almost 2 month search for my camera. It is just gone. I have found all of it's accessories, it's case, everything accept the camera itself.
Very Upsetting. We were a team - me and my camera. Now I will have to find another partner in crime, and I will have to pay for it.

I've been looking online and of course - everything that really wows me is way out of my price range. So who out there has a suggestion for a sturdy point and click that takes pretty good photos and doesn't have a super long pause when using the flash.
Have you got a camera that you love and didn't cost a small fortune?
Tell me all about it!

In other news I've got lots of new things in the pipeline for spring! New dresses, boy beaters, jewelry, & yes, panties or underoos or whatever you want to call them.

*Fingers Crossed* I will have a camera to photograph all these new swanky items by the time all the printing is done.

Ok - let's hear about your camera!

I want you to have the best time ever

Saturday's art raffle was a super success! All that attended had a great time & some starving artists (including yours truly) walked away with a belly full of beer and what my great grandmother called "folding money". It was a party with a purpose. I felt proud, inspired, & grateful to be involved in something so simple and so fun.
Because I love you and want you to have the best time ever I am going to suggest that you, yes you, throw an art raffle of your own! Here's what you will need:

1. A handful of creative friends (10-12)
2. One room with plenty of wall space
3. One empty Kleenex box for each participating artist.
4. Raffle tickets
5. Pens
6. Cash Box
7. Fliers
8. Beverages *of course you could tell people that your event is BYOB* but as you know, if you buy a keg - they will come. If you don't want to buy a keg all on your lonesome you could ask each participating artist for $5-$8, that should cover a keg


Give all the participating artists a due date for their artwork. I would suggest at least a day before the party, that way you have time to play with the presentation. While your friends are busy creating something special for your soiree, it's time to
get the word out! Give a few fliers to each of the participating artists. Put stacks of fliers in coffee shops, print shops, vintage boutiques, dive bars, art galleries, local bulletin boards, your co-op, where ever you can! Make sure to take advantage of Twitter, Flickr, Myspace, Facebook, and all your friends blogs to let people know about your event.
Now it's time to open your doors and Raffle! Make sure you have a door person. If you are your own door person then you get to see everyone who attends, which is rare when hosting a party. Take money at the door ($5-$6 a head) and give everyone their tickets then. You get to decide how many tickets the entry fee will get them and how much more additional tickets will cost. Explain that they need to put their names on the back of the tickets and place them in the kleenex boxes under the piece they'd like to win & let them know what time you will be doing the drawing. Midnight is a good time for the weekends. You'll also need to decide if someone must be present to win if their name is drawn.
Then let the fun begin! At the end of the night you divide up the door between all the artists. Win Win!

So get to it! Raffle your brains out!

*all pictures were provided by Summer Anne Burton. Check out her flickr photo stream for awesome concert photos and her loverly face! She is an all around talented girl, she writes songs that will make your heart warmer and gooey than you ever knew possible.


**Thanks Jen for hosting and inviting me to participate! Best Time Ever!**

pictures, top to bottom: Bitches by Bonnie Rue, Sinking Ship by Clayton Kalman, Under Starry Skies by Summer Burton, Unknown by Amarin Enyart, & a photo of Larissa Swindle taking pictures of everyone's work.

Event Of The Season

Tomorrow night (January 10th, 2009) my dear friend Jen Morris will be hosting an art raffle! She asked all of her crafty, creative friends to do what they do best and make something for the event. Tickets are $5 - and that gets you in the door with a cold beer in one hand & a raffle ticket in the other. I did make something for this event, but Im not going to unvail it now! No way. You have to get your tookus down to 3100 King St and buy a raffle ticket. 14 other artists work will http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifll also be available. And what event in Austin TX would be complete with out live music? So yeah 8pm-2am, Art, bands, & beer. Come support your favorite local (and starving) artists. We will love you more for it (I know - seems impossible right?).
Other participating Artists include, Clayton Kalman, Larissa Swindle, Flip Soloman, & Amarin Enyart, to name a few.
be there or be square...

Austin American Statesman Love

So who's excited? It's me! Sorry if the scan is rough, the paper was a tad wrinkly.
But, yes here it is! For the first quarter of 2009 I will be donating 10% of my net profits to help the homeless. If you have read my blog before you know that I volunteer
once a week at my local homeless shelter & I wish it could be more often. Being a busy girl I figured I needed to find more ways to contribute. 10% of every purchased (from the website or any boutique) will go to help someone in need.
Why? Because everyone is down on their luck sometimes.

xo!
Bonnie Rue

It's totally late, but Happy New Year!

Where the hell have I been right? Well, I was taking a TOTAL break over the holidays. No blogging, twittering, photo taking, none of it! I put myself in time out & hung with the fam & old friends who are usually far far away. I am better for it!
It was the exact definition of relaxation.
So, I'm back at home now & the work has really piled up! I've got some orders to ship out, an illustration due for Shebang Magazine, tons of jewelry to restock, then I must finish unpacking, & oh yeah - I gotta do my taxes! Aaah!
No sweat, right?
Like I said though - it was worth it. Austin (my mister not the city) & I spent a lot of time with my folks making dinners, watching movies, & walking the dog. He had to head back to Austin (the city) long before I did to work on the new Lions record & to prepare for some dates with The Toadies. One of which was on New Years Eve @ The Ridglea Theater in Ft. Worth. It was packed! The show was amazing! What a way to ring in 2009! At Midnight I was standing on stage with Austin & all the other members of Lions, The Toadies, & their wives to do the count down for 2,700 people! It was intense. I'm not usually onstage for anything & I'm never in front of that many people. I was a little wobbly in knee's but Austin held my hand & I got over the stage fright real fast (Thanks Austin). If we'd been up there a few more moments someone would have had to get the hook pull me off stage. Funny how I went from stage fright to feeling totally at home...

After I tackle my "To Do" list I will be posting new jewelry, some new dress designs & maybe even a little video of my progress with the ukulele! Only time will tell.

Happy New Year Everyone!
2009 is going to rule the school!


*the photo above was taken by Mischa Chandler for The Dallas Observer

Crafty Wonderland!

I was struttin' my stuff at Crafty Wonderland in Portland, OR and I didn't even know it! My dear friend Eli snapped this photo of the Tinymeat set up for me, because she rules. Know this. I am so thrilled to see my work sitting right next to Emily Martin's! Woo Hoo!
I do not participate in many craft fairs unfortunately. Between the day job and running Model Citizen I don't have a lot of time. On top of that there are just so many to keep track of! Thank heavens for sites like Indie Craft Shows Dot Com and Taryn Hipp's Indie Craft Fair Guide. If it is crafty and happening on this planet you will find all the info you need on one of these two site. Incredible amounts of information! Color me seriously overwhelmed.
In 2009 I hope to do more shows, be a bit more free, travel more... If you are in Austin and would like to travel out of town for another show but feel that you can't afford the travel expenses and booth fee's then you should hit me up, maybe we could go together, split the booth, gas cost, all that stuff! What better way to make friends?

Dreams do come true

All my wanting and needing paid off. I am now the proud owner of one super cute pink soprano ukulele! My mister got it for my birthday, because he's the greatest human on the planet! He of course is incredibly excited because this means that we can finally start our band. Well, after I learn to play it we can start our band. Which could take a while. I spent most of my evening trying to tune it... only to make it *you guessed it* more out of tune. I will not let this deter me though. I can figure this out.
There are some pretty big plans for this tiny pink thing. So many covers to come! Currently "Making Whoopy" is at the top of my list. Old Blue Eyes is a good place to start right?
As always, I will keep you posted on the progress made.

You look like a monkey and you smell like one too!

Today I am 27 years old. While I was doing a little reflecting on where I've been these past few decades I stumbled upon this picture of me that I estimate to be about 20 years old. I'm climbing the tree in my parents front yard and yes, I am supposed to be dressed as Jem. That's who I wanted to be when I grew up. That didn't really pan out, but it's for the best. She had a lot of drama in her life. I am happy to report that my life is drama free. Looking at this picture I am reminded of how quickly I wanted to grow up and how far away I wanted to get from Dallas and Texas in general. Which I made happen. Long pointless road trips designed to "find myself" & moving thousands of miles away from home at the drop of a hat. All of those escape plans to end right here in Austin, Texas - the exact center of the state. Where I've never been happier. I'm proud to report that I am not so different from the little girl in the tree. Roller skating will always and forever sound like the best idea. Cleaning my room will never be top priority. I'm still boy crazy, just a bit more focused these days. I'm no better at math than I was then. I still give people the benefit of the doubt even when they no longer deserve it... Maybe the big differences are that I had better shoes then and more sleep overs to look forward to. Oh and boobs. I really wanted boobs back then and I now I have them. Go me!

So, I'm about to head off to the office, but in celebration of my birthday all orders placed today will be shipped with a little surprise that you can't buy in the shop. A little handmade surprise from me to you for being part of a world that I am happy to be living in. And remember - shipping is FREE until Christmas day.
www.modelcitizenclothing.com

Here are some pieces of the past 10 years. From dreads to all dolled up, tampax was there. *I just had to throw that in - its my favorite marketing campaign of all time*


*thanks Mom and Dad for putting me together! I love you both so much!*

I've got a lot of dancing in my future

Is it just me or has this been an incredible social holiday season? Every morning I say to myself "self, we are going to stay home tonight & we're going to hunker down in our creative bunker!" but this is a promise I seem incapable of keeping. There is simply too much going on! Too many great invitations to turn down. This past weekend went by in a flash. My friend AD and I went to see the Sound & Style show at La Zona Rosa on Friday, which was unexpected and a lot of fun. The Sounds from Sweden (love them!) played & then they wrapped up the night with a fashion show. Team Fabrication, Goodie Two Shoes, & Boudoir Queen all had new pieces to romp around. I kinda dragged my feet about going, but in the end I was glad I didn't turn down a free night of dancing and inspiration. Then Saturday was pretty full. Awake @ 8am to package up holiday orders and hit the post office line. Then I was off to help out with the Lions photo shoot before their show. Spending my afternoon crawling around Trophy's roof w/ Danielle Thomas, Cory Ryan & 4 half naked boys. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to see the shots that Cory got! She is one of my favorite Austin photographers. A few hours after cleaning up from the shoot I was back at Trophy's for the Lions & Local H show. Those boys are loud, proud, and ready to party! I think I crawled back to the house around 4 am. I know what you are thinking 'fashion shows and rock n roll, where's the pictures?' I'm very unhappy to say that my camera is currently out of commission. Sad but true. Getting it fixed is at the TOP of my to do list. Cross my heart.
Sunday I did manage to hibernate. I worked on some new designs for spring. They will be printed up next month when my social butterfly stops flapping her tired wings. I also worked on an illustration assignment for a story about Portland OR that will appear in Shebang, a music based fanzine out of the UK. It's no where near finished but I did finish some other drawings featuring knit and crocheted hair.
Once upon a time I was obsessed with knitting. I'd spend hours cruising around Hill Country weavers fawning over their impressive Japanese yarn collection, then my evenings purling my brains out... until one day I realized that I just wasn't very good at it. It was a hard thing to come to terms with, but hey - can't be good at everything, right? So I gave away all my yarn, my needles, my pattern books and now I think I'll just draw the things that I couldn't knit into reality. It all works out, my taste in yarn is a little pricey.
Anywho, while my list of things to do takes on monster proportions so does the list of things I want to do. Paleo, one of my favorite singer songwriters is playing on my birthday (Dec. 18th) @ the Parish) while The Dedringers & The Jungle Rockers are playing the Continental Club. That should be a late night. Then Friday Rio Rita is have a xmas dance party with all the Sock Hop Dj's. AND then there is the matter of the Trophy's annual x-mas party. It's a formal affair that I can't say no to.
My feet and liver are already tired. Maybe I'd just be happier if I stayed home...
or not.

Hopefully I'll have some pictures of my holiday escapades. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Hello Saturn

In less than a week I will be turning 27. This will be the beginning of my Saturn Return. Which I had never thought about or even actually been aware of. I know that for many people (celebrities & us regular folk) this has proven to be a time of serious struggle. I have friends who are even fearful of it, worried of what it will bring, & maybe a little resistant to it. I'm not going to give into any of that though. I'm just not. This is going to be the time where all my hard work pays off and by the time my 30's hit I'm going to be living large. I'm not saying I'll be super wealthy or have my name written in lights, but I will be happier, healthier, more successful & better traveled. That's my forecast.
In the future when I feel like I need some sagely advice I'll be reading Goddesses Are People Too which is written by my friend Ash D. She is a wealth of inspiration & has a lot of great life experience under her belt. Not only that but, she tells it like it is. Truly one of the loudest and proudest I know. Go forth and love her as I do.
So what are your 2 cents on this thing they call the Saturn Return? Did you feel it? Did you get your boat rocked? I'm dying to know.
Well, I had better sign off. In efforts to keep the positivity/productivity train moving forward, today I am filling an order for a new store. Hovercraft! on Congress Ave will now be carrying Model Citizen. I also just changed the look of my website. Tell me what you think.

Lions & Tigers make for a messy household

My household/life is taken over with the two mightiest members of the jungle kingdom.
Model Citizen's designs are heavily dominated with Tigers & Tigresses then there's my manfriends band, LIONS. The evidence is everywhere. Stacks of posters, albums, T's, random promo materials, jewelry, etc. Everywhere you look there is a fierce cat staring you in the face. It's empowering but all these things are making a mess at the house these days. I'm in the middle of holiday season & LIONS are re-releasing their second album No Generation and gearing up for some dates with Local H & The Toadies.
I did manage to clean up a bit the other day and take some photos @ the house with my dear and talented friend Knoxy. I normally don't shoot in the house, but she convinced me that we should use my funky interior as the back drop for these new designs. I'm pretty pleased with how the pics turned out. Once all the craziness of this season is over & order returns to our lives I plan on shooting the house to show off our little corner of the world. I mean, why not? It's my favorite place on earth. We've lived in this house for almost 5 years now and it says a lot about who we are.... but like I said right now it just says that we are messy. It's impossible to do it all, i.e. be organized, work a plethora of odd jobs, follow your dreams, do yoga, eat well, relax, create, party, shower, show up on time, grow up, keep the kid inside alive, pay bills (once again, on time), keep the car clean, ship out orders, read books, etc... So, for now I guess I can just be okay with total lack of organization. Either that or I'll have to be put in the looney bin. Padded walls are cool right? I mean even Jane Lane was jealous of Daria's padded room. Speaking of Daria, why oh why have they not released the entire series to the public yet? You can purchase the Beavis & Butthead collectors edition or even complete seasons of The Hills (um, yuck) so why won't MTV give the people (ME) what they want? Which is Daria! I've become re-obsessed since Halloween if you can't tell. Anyway, I digress. I'll be posting more new items soon as I am about to undergo another jewelry making extravaganza!
In other news you can now find Model Citizen goods at BookPeople (the largest independent bookstore in the country), East End Craft Gallery, & Hovercraft on Congress (same owners as Creatures Boutique) . All of these stores are located in Austin, TX. If you know of a store in your home town that you think would like to carry Model Citizen please pass along the info. If it turns out that they carry the line I will send you a "Thank You!" surprise in the mail.
Okay - I'm going to put the coffee down, stop rambling and start marking things off my to do list....

All items pictured here can be found online @ www.modelcitizenclothing.com
I'm offering Free shipping in the US for the holy days!

Limited Edition?

For a many moons now I have been thinking of offering limited edition prints of the Tiger Ladies
featured on many of my T's. Lately I've been fed a some more inspiration to do so, see my "All Things That are Good" post.
They would have "built in" frames. So here's a mock up - what do you think?
Should I go for it? Print them on paper? Wood? Glass? Plexiglass?
So many options! I wanna hear from You!

All Things That Are Good

Like many people I am on a holiday vacay from work. Giving me plenty of time cruise the web, aimlessly... Yay! Best time ever!
If you know me at all, have ever read my blog before or seen my clothing line for that matter then you know I have a thing for female musicians, people with animal heads, & bikes. All things to be thankful for because they are um, great! I recently discovered one of the greatest music videos that, yes indeedy has all of these wonderful things! After watching it a few times and falling further in love with it I felt the need to share it with you. So here it is: What's a Girl to Do by Bat For Lashes

Enjoy!



and if you found the video exciting then I have a feeling that you will enjoy this print by Axeltorte. I'm bat sh*t crazy about it!

a

Living Large

I am making my world wide web return! For the past 5 days my internet connection has been effed! Not sure why really. I had technicians out. It would work while they were at the house and then moments after they drove away "poof" the connection would be gone again. Leaving me to believe that they themselves held the signal. Little internet fairies? Now things are moving along swimmingly.
Some good did come out of my lack of internets though. I got a lot of drawing done along with most of my xmas shopping & crafting - go me! Normally things come down to the last minute around here...
I had been neglecting my sketch book a little bit which is lame, but I returned to it with some new ideas. If you've ever seen my flickr account you know that I normally draw ladies. Ladies dancing, ladies making music or crafting, you know, stuff inspired by all the ladies in my life. But I started a new series! Diva Pets! Better than chia pets or real pets because they require no care at all, just a little adoration. Being an animal lover who hails from Dallas, TX (home of the BIG hair) I suppose this series was bound to come to me at some point. Big hair is my favorite fashion statement! Last New Years I went to my friend Ash D (aka Ashtacular!) @ Frenchy's Beauty Parlor before the party started and asked her to Doo me Up - literally. She curled, teased, sprayed, & sculpted my hair into a mountain that I was able to dance & sleep in for 3 days!!! Yes - I have a little 3 day party monster living inside me. Here is one of the only remaining photos from that NYE 2007. Me and Danielle of Big Green House @ The Sock Hop... at the time this was taken the glue from my fake eyelashes had seriously started to bother my eyes - eek!
So yes - in my humble opinion big hair is always the way to go! It takes time & patience, or maybe just a talented stylist, and it's always worth it.
Speaking of big hair, Jennifer Perkins of Naughty Secretary Club fame asked me to send her a picture of my personal jewelry display for her blog. How could I say no? So, here it is - I keep my most frequently worn earrings on these bouffant rockin' ladies right here >
Check out Jennifer's blog for many other awesomely creative ways to store & display your jewelry stash!
AND if you want to be the girl with the tallest curls in your county you should check out Beauty & the Bouffant. You'll get a little inspiration from the greatest diva's & starlets of all time i.e. Aretha Franklin, Joan Collins, Mamie Van Doren, Jayne Mansfield & of course Brigitte Bardot.

*Let us all be hair hoppers*

Ok Class, If we could all turn to page...

This is my 40th post and I am so freakin excited to report that Model Citizen's Outlaw Yoga Pants have been featured in the Dec/Jan issue of BUST Magazine! My favorite magazine ever!! Oh Happy Day!
Now I'm off to do a little victory dance all over Ausitin, TX!

9 Years of Awesomeness

Today, November 13th, 2008 is a pretty amazing day. It is me & Austin's 9 year anniversary.
In the fall of 1999 I moved from Dallas, TX to Olympia, WA (on a whim) to live with Eli, an old pen pal. I had no plan, no money, just a need to escape Texas. Once I arrived in the lovely northwest Eli's bf was nice enough to help me find a job. So within a few weeks I was gainfully employed at Magical Journeys as a phone psychic. No, I'm not kidding. My first day on the job I met Austin, who had just arrived from in Olympia via Houston, TX. The moment I saw him I knew I was in trouble. We sat in neighboring cubicles, peering into our crystal balls* for weeks before I had the nerve to really talk to him. Of course, we hit it off famously. Eventually we hung up on the psychic hotline & headed back to Texas. After a short & crazy stint @ a communal warehouse in Dallas (that we shared with 15 other people) we moved south to Austin TX. It has been our home for almost 8 of these 9 years. Spending practically a decade with someone isn't always easy or fun, but the good times have always out weighed the bad. He is my best friend & the most supportive partner anyone could dream of. The fact that he is incredibly talented, wonderful to look at & extremely well read doesn't hurt either.
People ask us all the time, "when are you guys going to tie the knot?"
Well... I'm happy to say that Friday, November 13th, 2009 is the big day!
It's going to be big! I'll post details as things get confirmed.
On the right here is a mini zine I made for Austin a few years ago for
Valentines. It's filled with little inside jokes & obviously lots of music references. It was a fun project that now lives on the mantle in our dining room, right by the giant 'bird of prey' kite that he got me (I'm a kite freak).
So, why am I posting a blog about how much I love this guy on the night of our anniversary rather than spending it curled up in a fancy restaurant booth with him?
Well tonight he is playing Emo's with Electric Six (the price of loving a rock star) which I'm about to get all dolled up for. Speaking of, time is slipping away! I've got to dance this mess around if I want to dress to impress!

*there weren't actually crystal balls, we read tarot cards ;)

For Austin: