26 before 26: Progress!


Actual email received from my mother today:

Subject: blog

Just in case you were wondering, your last post was January 19th.

Whoops! Sorry about that. Let’s check in on my 26 before 26 progress, shall we? I’ve done quite a bit, but have much more to do…

1. Launch an online portfolio

DONE!  It has lots of newer work I haven’t shown here (bad blogger!). Take a look, tell me what you think.

2. Take a Spanish class with Steve
3. Write 10 9 8 love letters longhand, snail-mail them

Got delayed with this at the beginning because of course I decided I needed to make my own personalized stationary to write on. Then decided I needed to make personalized stationary for F to go with the love letter that I was writing her. This paragraph pretty much sums up why everything takes me forever.  But I am absolutely loving this. Maybe you’re next!

4. Find an old card catalog, alter it

I think I may have changed this to an old record table, which I found on craigslist for $20 and plan to convert into the world’s most awesome record table/bar. Is there a better combination of functions for a piece of furniture? I think not (blame Mad Men).

5. Conceive/create a ttv photography series

See: Portfolio!

6. Read Infinite Jest

Talked G into doing this with me.  He’s been “setting up a reading schedule” for a month now. Maybe some public shaming will move the whole thing along? AHEM.

7. Set up an Etsy shop
8. Plan a camping trip with friends

Waiting to snag a spot at the Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park. I missed the last opening of the schedule, but I am ready for the next one.

9. Set up automatic charity contributions

DONE! We have monthly, automatic donations set up with  Doctors Without Borders and the Alameda County Community Food Bank.

10. Begin an artistic collaboration

Shoot, I forgot about this one and haven’t made any progress. Anyone want to collaborate with me on something awesome? Seriously?

11. Learn to properly poach an egg

I am doomed to fail at this over and over. Yes, I have tried some vinegar in the water (result: still-a-mess eggs, now with not-so-subtle vinegar flavor!). Yes, I have tried the whirlpool method (result: much hilarity! no poached eggs). Am considering giving up and purchasing these silicon egg poachers. Will that make me a sellout? Please say no! Life is too short for vinegar-y eggs.

12. See an active volcano

DONE! On our honeymoon. Last August. Where we stayed at the base of an active volcano and saw lava flowing. Where we also hiked to the top of a (mercifully non-active) volcano, and spent a whole day at the hot springs COMPLETELY BY OURSELVES. I have no idea why I haven’t written about Costa Rica… I will do so soon, promise.

14. Drinks at the Den, show at the Fox

DONE!

15. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge, alone
16. Visit Vancouver with girlfriends

I think this might actually become Portland this year. Yes? Ladies?

17. Create a mixed-media piece

DONE! Absolutely loved it and am planning more. Maybe I’ll share some here if they ever get non-terrible.

18. Go see the Raiders play
19. Host a monthly Sunday potluck dinner

Our first Sunday potluck will happen this month and will be brunch. It will involve many of my favorite things, including, but not limited to: coffee, bloody marys, stinking bishop cheese, acme bread, the Sunday Times and probably this. If you live near me, your invitation is coming shortly. Please come, I promise not to serve you vinegar-y eggs.

20. Pickle something
21. Go to Nightlife at the California Academy of Science

DONE! It was the perfect date. Martinis + planetarium show + aquarium + rainforest + sharks = nerdtastic genius.

22. Wreck a journal
23. Join the darkroom studio
24. Say marriage vows

DONE!

25. Do 10 real push-ups in a row

Am thinking I should’ve made this a life goal, not a 26 before 26….

26. Submit work to a gallery/show