Too antsy for housekeeping!

[gurdymonkey]

I got a phone call this morning from my nephew. Not much of a conversationalist on the phone, I suspect the concept feels like the person he's talking to is not really there. Anyway, it turns out he read a book in school on the Civil War and that's how all this got started. He did sound excited and rather disappointed that he can't have his "soldier coat" Right Now!  And of course, after I've bought the fabric and the buttons he wants a "general" coat.  I can rationalize some junior officer insignia for a shell jacket, I suppose.


The apartment looks like a blast zone, but I just did not feel like staying inside today. I had a bowl of oatmeal and went up to Moe's in Berkeley, where I acquired copies of The Book of Incense and The Kimono Inspirations. I also found a copy of The Art of Japanese Paper for only $9 across the street at Shakespeare & Co.

I grabbed a chai latte at Peet's and virtuously did NOT have a spicy ginger cookie with it. Hit the Michael's in Emeryville and found more of the metal monkey-with-the-peach charms to add to my token stash. I also picked up some wooden plaques to replace the "guests welcome" sign that was in the stolen sugoroku box.

The sky was doing interesting, stormy wintry things without actual precipitation, so I went the back way down Mandela Parkway to Jack London Square, parked on the Embarcadero next to the lot across from BevMo and pulled out my camera. You can see what I got here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/70104978@N00/sets/72157623475504552/



I do think I need to create an icon with this saying on it though: 

I think I'm going to give trystbat 's party a miss though. I just started some laundry when I got back, not realizing the time so I'm kind of in it for the duration right now.  And I just realized I haven't eaten since that oatmeal....

Comments

[ladycelia.livejournal.com]

I really like the first image a lot.

[moonflake1978.livejournal.com]

I love the first picture! Very cool! That chai sounds yummy. That Japanese paper book sounds cool.

[gurdymonkey.livejournal.com]

Peets is a local chain that started in Berkeley. They make Starbucks taste like the over-roasted sludge it truly is and I also prefer their chai to Starbucks'.

The paper book IS amazing. It has great, detailed photos of kites, fans, paper textiles, lanterns, masks, origami, parasols, packaging, you name it. It was a terrific find.

[moonflake1978.livejournal.com]

I will have to keep my eyes peeled for that book. I avoid starbucks at all costs. The smaller, local coffee shops make good stuff. I haven't had a chai latte in so long.