pulido's tailor

This is one of my childhood hang out spots. For the past (at least) 17 years, my mom has worked as a part time seamstress at my Uncle* Oscar's alteration shop. I used to come with her on weekends and sit at the front desk doing anything and everything to entertain myself: ring up customers, play with the "PAID" and "RUSH" stamps, practice my stitching on fabric scraps.

Once I started high school and then left for college, I didn't stop by as much. But other than the newly painted yellow walls, that gap hasn't changed much. The clothes are still hung with the same hangers in the same system, my uncle will unfailing always offer me something to eat upon arrival and the hum of sewing machines can always be heard among the Enrique Iglesias playing in the background.

It was a weird place to grow up but it's still a home.

*We're not actually blood relatives in any way but he's been a part of my life for as long as I can remember so he'll always be my uncle.

home life

First, I just wanted to say thank you for all of your kind notes on my last post. The general consensus was that this is just a weird time most people have to get through-- not a reflection of your character or who you are. It was a much-needed reminder. Thank you, thank you.

After all of those kind words, I really tried to focus on the simple, everyday things that bring joy. I mean, I try to have that perspective on a daily basis, but this weekend it was a priority.

I went to bed when I wanted. I woke up when my body was ready. And then I had breakfast on my nightstand, alternating between Dreadfully Ever After and Gilmore Girls reruns. I hung out at my uncle's tailor shop without ever checking the time. I ran errands, took a quick trip to the pier and then had a coffee-less coffee date.

I embraced the life of the unemployed.

PS - Did you see my guest post about Lake Como and the Alps over at Alex's? Talk about embracing life.

lately

Lately, I've been waiting for the call. The email. The anything.

I scroll through website after website wondering if maybe this job is the one. If future me will look back on this moment and say, "If only you knew then what clicking on this link would lead to." But it's not the one. "It" isn't anything, actually. And it hasn't happened.

You guys, this job search is eating away at my soul.

I've never seen myself as someone who likes to boast about their accomplishments. I like to let my work speak for itself. But these dozens of cover letters, these resume revisions, these interviews are wearing me down. I know that it's a tough market and those dozens of interviews-past "just weren't meant to be," but each unanswered application and each interview I hear nothing from is like another blow to the ego.

So I wanted to reach out to blogland and ask if anyone could share... well, anything. How you transitioned to this awful thing called "adulthood." How you found your job.(If you know of any editorial positions in the Bay Area anywhere).

Or just a little story to remind me that one day I will look back on this time and laugh because it'll all have been worth it.

diana, diana, diana, i would die for you

I'm in love with you completely

I'm afraid that's all I can do.*

My first photos with my Diana lens! I've been hesitant to get the film camera because I can't be bothered with 120 film, but I'm happy with the way these turned out. It was hard to keep myself from taking a photo with this lens and one with my "normal" lens, but I like that I only have photos in this format. It makes them more special.

PS - See those little boys in the last two photos? Well, I was smitten with their silhouettes so I snapped away like a madwoman and suddenly heard, "ARE YOU TAKING PICTURES OF US?!" Probably one of my more embarrassing moments but they were really cute about it and didn't mind one bit.

*from "A Man/Me/Then Jim" by Rilo Kiley

new year's on the pier

We rang in the New Year in Lake County, just at the edge of Nice and right before Lucerne. This Nice didn't much resemble its better-known namesake, but it was gorgeous.





We went out to take photos of my New Year's resolution for The Violet and all of a sudden our photos got really mushy. Sorry, guys. These kinds of photos are pretty rare for us but there was just something about the day and the light... and the boy, of course.

I couldn't help but get a little carried away here.

And here and here and here.

It was a nice way to begin 2012.