A Poem

I wrote the following poem a few years ago to accompany a photo journal I had taken abd bound for my mom for mother's day. The subject was her garden, where I grew up. You can see the photo journal here on Flickr.


In the garden buddhas bring luck and beneath lengthy leaves the chinaman ducks.
In the garden where gnomes hide behind bushes, where the snakes like to curl, and where the bunnies escape.
In the garden where toads cling to toad stools and japanese maple leaves crunch beneath your feet.
In the garden the gnomes love to mingle, and their noses delight in the smell of the earth.
In the garden spiders have their homes, too.
In the garden toads play hide and seek by the hose.
In the garden roses bloom.
In the garden doves coo while they bathe.
In the garden Jug Boy splashes at the fountain.
In the garden birds sit atop their cage, never inside.
In the garden piggy banks come alive.
In the garden for peace Pink Joseph prays.
In the garden our goose squats, plastic flamingos preen, and one buddha sits serene.
In the garden hens scratch outside their coop and in the highest branches they stoop.
In the garden fish float above their fountains and Dahlia buds wait to bloom.
In the garden flowers grow on bicycles, too.
In the garden where birds nest in slumbering Wisteria vines and through spiderwebs christmas lights shine.
In the garden not only the bunnies escape...

Consumer Report #1

So I've spent some money on a few things, so far this month, that weren't exactly necessary but were good buys nonetheless. I thought I'd share with you.

I've been really into crochet lately again, and actually taught myself Tunisian crochet a couple weeks ago. (It's really neat, like a combo of crochet and knitting.) To reward myself for my crafty habits lately and to motivate me to finish a few UFOs I purchased two books. Firstly 101 Easy Tunisian Stitches, which is fabulous. So many great ideas, my favorites are the cabling and bobble patterns. More importantly I also bought myself a copy of Crochet Inspiration. I knew I had to have this book after a friend of my mum's bought one for her. It is an incredible book and it totally delivers. Looking at the beautiful motifs and patterns makes me want to dive into my yarn stash and just roll around in it for days. In short, it is a must have for any passionate crocheter.

I also bought a pair of active Sketchers. Now I've been pondering this for a while just because I so often pass the Sketchers Outlet by my house. I know Sketchers are kinda goofy, they lived and died in the late nineties, but you can't help by notice they're efforts to stay up with the times, however futile. The other evening I finally went in and tried on a couple things. Now there weren't that many items that many items that fit my style, but I did find out that their casual/sport shoes were quite comfy and there were a couple styles simple enough to work as basic work shoes. I ended up with a pair of black (really, what else?) athletic mary-janes. I put them on immediately after purchase and they were so incredibly cloud like to walk in I almost didn't want to take them off when I got home and put my pajamas on. Alas, I realized I could always wear them tomorrow.

I also treated myself to a few skeins of Brown Sheep's Lamb's Pride and Cascade 220. I've been working on these little felted envelope thingies to satisfy my Tunisian crochet craving. They started off as a felt iPod cozy, and then I just couldn't stop. They are so easy and satisfying to make. And their kinda cute when you put a vintage button on them. Anyway, I've tried making them with Paton's Classic, Cascade 220, and Brown Sheep Co.'s Lamb's Pride. I have to say, out of them all the I like the way the Paton's felts best, in a Tunisian stitch. Cascade works well, too, but the Lamb's Pride is too bulky to felt properly in the gauge I've been stitching in. But, as always, the Lamb's Pride feels nicest during the actual crocheting. It's like stitching with butter. Yum. And the colors are always so gorgeous.

Anyway, just thought I'd share a couple musings...

Inspiring...

kalafghan 003
Originally uploaded by slichly.

Oh goodness, this is beautiful. I can't believe it is from a pattern, it looks so whimsical and spontaneous. It motivates me to keep working on my plushy, granny-square afghan. Good job, Slichly!

Mood Creams, Shmood Creams

Okay folks… I hope I don’t offend anyone but I have to vent about my biggest pet peeve in this job:

When customers ask for gimmicky “aphrodisiacs” (not the right word, I know, but can’t think of a better one)…

We’re talking mood creams, orgasm pills, anti-ejaculation spray, anal desensitizers, etc. It drives me berserk when people ask me for this stuff and let me tell you why. Sex takes time folks, you’ve got to work to get the reward. And why wouldn’t you want sex to take time, it’s so much fun. I wish I had more time to spend whole days doin’ it: lingering, quick, rough, tender, vanilla, kinky, one, two, three people at a time. (more...)

An Evening with the Doctors

The other night we had the lovely pleasure of a visit from Doctors Carol Queen and Robert Lawrence. The event was the latest in a series of in-store classes called Ask The Doctors. These classes are free events and happen on a regular basis at all our Bay Area locations. Tonight’s class focused on Erotic Role Play and the last presentation I got to listen in on was a lesson in Fellatio.

These classes are a hidden gem in this city. Carol and Robert are phenomenal teachers and have a wealth of knowledge between the two of them that is unmatched. I learn something new and great from them every time we have the chance to talk. I wanted to share with you the last few things I learned that left the greatest impression (more)...