Making me happy: Rave On Buddy Holly released on Tuesday. It is full of great covers by people like The Black Keys, She & Him, Cee Lo Green, Paul McCartney…probably my musical highlight of the month.
Photo via The Independent
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Making me happy: Visiting my family in Northern California for the weekend. (photo by me of my nephews)
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Making Me Happy: Building a photobooth with Mr. Dukes for his step-brother’s wedding tomorrow. I was mostly just there for moral and structural support (we need to buy clamps at some point). I also made rad wayfinding signs.
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Making Me Happy
Familyness
The last couple weekends have been spent up in LA with my inlaws as we prepare and party for the upcoming nuptials of my brother-in-law and his awesome lady. I married into a great family, and I love that we’re getting bigger.
Here’s most of us, Christmas 2009Getting my business stuff together
My seller’s permit came in the mail this week for my soon-to-launch etsy shop. Next week I’m going to city hall to get my business license. I’ve been wanting to sell my handmade things for so long, and having all this legal stuff in order means it’s actually happening. It’s terrifying, but mostly exciting.
Parks and Recreation
This is probably obvious if you’ve seen my last two posts. I watched the pilot forever ago, but didn’t commit…which is fine because Seasons One and Two are on Netflix Instant! The first few episodes of Season Three aren’t online anymore so other than that, I am all caught up. Seriously, the show is addicting. It has all the humor of early [American] The Office but with generous doses of sweetness. And, of course, Ron Swanson (best TV character ever). This show is so quotable it kills me.
Photo via tvguide.com -
Making Me Happy
I gave Rdio a whirl when it first launched but didn’t end up subscribing. I’m trying it again this week, and Mr. Dukes and are deciding if it’s a good fit for us (I say YES). I’ve been listening to lots of good music this week and have found some new likes.
Our patio now has seating! I picked up a table and chairs from IKEA. I’ve been having morning coffee outside, and it is LOVELY.
I’ve been trying to cut out things that are keeping from me reaching my personal goals. For instance, I’m ignoring Facebook for a few weeks (which is awesome). I’m going back to old school emails and phone calls and actual birthday cards with postage and stuff.
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Making Me Happy
Nose eyeglass holders by Art Akimbo. They would be so perfect in a shop display. (photos by Art Akimbo)
I bought a $4 paint-by-number kit to do just for fun. 
We went to Farmers Market on Monday. It’s one of my favorite places in LA. Shine Gallery is a magical place. (scan from Christian Montone) -
What’s Making Me Happy This Week
Walking to Dinner
When we lived in Laguna, we were smack dab in downtown and could walk to everything. It was amazing and we loved it, but it was a lot of moolah for a small place. Last October, we moved two beach towns south into a bigger, less expensive apartment. It’s not nearly as walkable, but what matters is that we are close to one of the best new restaurants in Orange County! Our new favorite thing is walking to Riders and watching the sunset over excellent microbrews and a burger (cut in half).
Photo credit: Riders Club CafeLearning New Things
I’ve mentioned before that I’ve started listening to a lot of podcasts since taking up knitting. Well, I’ve kind of gotten addicted to The Big Web Show. I’ve been listening to all the back episodes when I’m cleaning, going for walks, drawing, doing laundry, and, of course, knitting my mother huge blanket. It’s gotten me all inspired to learn new things. For instance:- I ordered a book on CSS so I can get better (I’m self-taught, but aren’t we all?)
- I implemented Typekit on my website.
- Speaking of my website, it now exists though in a rough form (and will be getting significantly tweaked).
- I’m learning responsive web design and HTML5.
- I’m trying to learn Ruby since everyone says it’s the balls.
New Business Cards
I changed them from what I posted a couple weeks ago. I think they’re cute.
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What’s Making Me Happy This Week
Taking Care of Business
I’m in the process of redesigning caseydukes.com to be more design-y and professional. (I’ll be moving the tumblr to blog.caseydukes.com, but more on that later). I’m also ordering some new business cards for myself. It needs some tweaking before I send it to the printer today, but I’m happy with how it turned out.
Black Books
I just discovered the most hilarious show ever. I don’t remember the last time a TV show made me laugh so hard. It’s an older (circa 2000) situational comedy about a nutty fellow who runs a bookstore, his long-haired assistant, and the lady who owns a shop next door. Jason described it as “…if High Fidelity was instead about a bookstore and the quirkyness was cranked to 11.” As far as I can tell, it’s only streaming online at HuluPlus+ (which we’re trying for a little while), but you can also rent the DVDs on Netflix.
Structural Engineering
I am thankful for the millions of people who didn’t die in Japan because of buildings that were well constructed. That’s not to say that the earthquake/tsunami wasn’t tragic, but it could have been so…much…worse…in such a densely populated country. -
What’s Making Me Happy This Week
Cate Blanchett’s Dress at the Oscars
I personally was quite taken with it, but I imagined it would get all kinds of snarky remarks. Judith Thurman’s description of it in this New Yorker article was hilarious.The silhouette was space-age retro; the neckline and back were embellished with an excresence of what looked like radioactive heat blisters. Chernobyl meets Middle Earth?
85°C Bakery Cafe
I just “discovered” this place and am completely beholden to its warm soft goodness. Apparently, it’s a super popular cafe in Taiwan, but we have our very own in Irvine!Multi-tasking While Knitting
I’ve been making good progress on my knit blanket. I decided to make it a bedspread which means it’s going to be HUGE and time-consuming. I’ve started listening to audio books and podcasts to keep me entertained and hopefully learn something in the process. I’m currently enjoying Flight Plan by Brian Tracy, School of Visual Arts on iTunes U, and Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin’s new show, Back to Work.
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What’s Making Me Happy This Week
Star Wars Crochet Characters
Specifically, the Ewok. Now, I for sure need to learn to crochet. COULD YOU JUST DIE!?
Late nights at Disneyland with friends
What’s not making me happy is that our friends Eric and Katie and their baby Indiana are moving back to the East Coast. We got to hang out with them one last time on Wednesday night when we met them up at D-Land. We rode a couple rides (NO lines) and wandered around the park for an hour after close, taking pictures of the rare emptiness. It was a lot of fun, but I’m going to miss them dearly.
Getting to spend a long weekend with this guy
He’s my favorite.
