RedLightHive

CED in PDX

2009-03-18T22:26:00.000-07:00

It's official.

I'll be in Portland, OR from April 11- April 14.

Easter in PDX with great friends!

Do you have ideas about what I should do / see while I'm there?

Do you have a bicycle (48cm) for me to use while I'm there?

Holler atcha girl.

xoxo
Carla

Meet Go Go!

2009-03-12T10:49:00.001-07:00

she's my baby and favorite companion
(second only to my '81 ladies schwinn back home)

thanks, marc!

xoxo

I'm comin' over...

2009-03-12T10:38:00.000-07:00

Food Not Lawns

2009-02-25T23:53:00.000-08:00

read this book. I own it. you can borrow it.

I bought vegetable and herb seeds this week. planting next week. thrilling! I would love to have a seed swap this season. free seed sharing = ideal.

also: chickens would be great. fresh eggs every day. and they're kinda like pets. the yard is big enough... it's perfectly legal. and maybe bees? we'll see how far the landlord lets me go.

have you heard this prediction? it better happen. elected officials need to step it up as role models towards sustainable best practices in their daily lives - for the sake of everyone's daily life.

I firmly believe that many of society's problems are caused by our disconnect from food. food not lawns!

xo
'la

City From Below!

2009-02-12T14:00:00.000-08:00

"The city has emerged in recent years as an indispensable concept for many of the struggles for social justice we are all engaged in - it's a place where theory meets practice, where the neighborhood organizes against global capitalism, where unequal divisions based on race and class can be mapped out block by block and contested, where the micropolitics of gender and sexual orientation are subject to metropolitan rearticulation, where every corner is a potential site of resistance and every vacant lot a commons to be reclaimed, and, most importantly, a place where all our diverse struggles and strategies have a chance of coming together into something greater. In cities everywhere, new social movements are coming into being, hidden histories and herstories are being uncovered, and unanticipated futures are being imagined and built - but so much of this knowledge remains, so to speak, at street-level. We need a space to gather and share our stories, our ideas and analysis, a space to come together and rethink the city from below."

THEMES TO BE CONSIDERED

* Gentrification/uneven development
* Policing and incarceration
* Tenants rights/housing as a right
* Public transit
* Urban worker's rights
* Foreclosures/financial crisis
* Public education
* Slots/casinos/regressive taxation
* Cultural gentrification
* Underground economies
* Reclaiming public space
* The right to the city
* Squatting/Contesting Property Rights
* Urban sustainability

Insulting All Umbrellas

2009-02-11T22:01:00.000-08:00

Today:

Slept until 10:45am, got up, and showered for the third time in 30 hours. Realized that my OCD has been getting out of hand lately. Fixed a broken couch while wearing a sleeveless shirt that showed my unshaved armpits. Realized why people think I'm a dyke.

Grabbed a cup of coffee and walked past the super cool bicycle messengers on my way to the BART. Jealous of their career, but not of their attitude. Embarassed of my paper Starbucks cup, but not of the holes in my pants.

Headed to Berkeley and scoped out four more bike shops (I've been to 14 shops in 3 days). Only one shop has a bike suitable (and dope enough) for me. It will be purchased tomorrow, thanks to the loving generosity of my big brother. So thankful.

Rain and sun on and off all day - making great rainbows and very soggy sneakers. With nothing better to do, and my mind on my poverty status, I decided to walk the several miles home instead of pay to take the subway and bus. My ipod was tuned to my Cozy Like Cats // Cats Like Cozy playlist. Fresh to death. Regardless, I got chilled to the bone walking the several miles / hours home. It was a typical windy and rainy Bay Area winter day. The kind with sideways rain, insulting all umbrellas.

Chose the most uphill route to my house (health is wealth). Bedroom. My nest. Cozy clothes on. Cancelled a date I was anxious about all day. Reading $pread, Unlikely, and Craigslist Missed Connections (a wonderful weekly ritual) on my tilted couch. Realized that almost everything I have is old, broken, and frayed. Realized that doesn't bother me. Smiling.

My housemate James is listening to great 70s Turkish rock records. Inspires me to eat Armenian food. Yoghurt (<3), eetch (armenian-style tabouleh), hommus, raw vegetables, ak-mak crackers, beer. Half a beer. Realized that poverty has improved my health and helped curb some bad habits. Still smiling.

Snickerdoodle cookies can be made with lard? I want to try one. Instead, I will watch brain-melting videos and read ridiculous articles provided by my favorite gchat / wrestling friend.

Wondering if my insomnia will persevere tonight since I am sober and without spooning companion. Just remembered last night's strange dream in which I was hoarding Snickers and other candy bars in an old plaid makeup bag my mom gave me when I was a little lady. Maybe I should treat myself to a candy bar tomorrow after I go for a much-anticipated bike ride. Undecided.

Thinking of the Sesame Street records I used to listen to religiously as a kid in my old bedroom. Oscar the Grouch has a song about how much he loves the rain. That bedroom was also the laundry room. The tumbling dryer creating pleasant white noise that I could use tonight...

Drunk Bees

2009-02-11T21:48:00.000-08:00

Sisters in the hive do not tolerate this type of lazy and selfish behavior.

Off with her legs!

xo
red light hive

smoke. choke. disease. death.

2009-02-11T20:32:00.000-08:00

it's been a month since I quit smoking.

hooray for me!!!

it's really not that hard. all you have to do is not smoke.

I recommend my quitting method: overdosing on the nicotine gum, giving myself an aversion to the drug forever.

also, this super lame video has helped and I think it every time I see or smell cigarette smoke.

Active in Oakland

2009-02-11T18:50:00.000-08:00

Tuesday morning I went with my housemate Gabriel, the Campaign Director for Colorofchange.org, to the District Attorney's office in Oakland to hand in about 21,000 signatures demanding an explanation why not all offending officers in the Oscar Grant murder case have been charged (or at least investigated).

There was a great amount of media coverage, and those who participated in the action feel that it was very successful. Scope us these two videos:

ABC 7 KGO-TV

KTVU

I met some great people during this action (CAPE, Ella Baker), and I hope to become more involved with social justice organizations during my time in the Bay Area. I miss being out and about organizing and participating in actions - fighting the good fight. Hopefully some sort of internship could turn into some sort of paid job over time...

xo
Carla

Chicka Boom Chick!

2009-02-10T00:08:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I posted the jazz drum skillz of my great friend Austin (who was my first boyfriend ever in 8th grade - adorable).

Today I post the drumming of my best good friend Mike via TomTomTime.

I have much love for the percussionists in my life <3

xo
la la la

who needs a drummer?

2009-02-09T01:44:00.000-08:00

homeboy is brilliant.

love you.

xo
lady

words that do not come from children's books

2009-02-06T14:45:00.000-08:00

I love Ella, and this week I love this song. Strong and playful. Tough and flirty. So good!

xo
'la

nom nom nom

2009-02-06T14:11:00.000-08:00

I've had a few successful interviews and I'm starting to train and work this month in two restaurants.

One is a 17 year old local-foods daily-changing-menu spot near the Mission in San Francisco. I'm going to be covering manager duties during busy shifts and generally "floating" around helping the service staff. I'm very much looking forward to training with the General Manager (a position I would love to hold in the next few years).

The other spot is a brand new Gastro Pub located on Lake Merritt. I really enjoy opening restaurants - you get to set the tone and culture of the entire space. The sense of ownership makes me feel proud and enthusiastic about going to work. It also helps me visualize what amounts of strength and stress go into opening a restaurant for the owners and chefs.

I've also started reading "Heat" by Bill Buford, which follows his culinary studies under the wings of Mario Batali and then on further to Italy. It is straight-forward and amusing. It is hitting all the nerves in my body that want me to cook for a living, but I think I'll stay in the front of the house where there is considerably less pressure (and sweat).

George Orwell says in The Road to Wigan Pier:

"A human being is primarily a bag for putting food into; the other functions and faculties may be more godlike, but in point of time they come afterwards. A man dies and is buried, and all his words and actions are forgotten, but the food he has eaten lives after him in the sound or rotten bones of his children. I think it could be plausibly argued that changes of diet are more inportant than changes of dynasty or even of religion. The Great War, for instance, could never have happened if tinned food had not been invented. And the history of the past four hundred years in England would have been immensely different if it had not been for the introduction of root-crops and various other vegetables at the end of the middle ages, and a little later the introduction of non-alcoholic drinks (tea, coffee, cocoa) and also of distilled liquors to which the beer drinking English were not accustomed. Yet it is curious how seldom the all-importance of food is recognized. You see statues everywhere to politicians, poets, bishops, but none to cooks or bacon-curers or market gardeners."

Love your local farmer / chef / waitress.

<3
"Hello! How are you? I'm well, thank you for asking. My name is Carla and I will be your server tonight."

Mixed Bizness

2009-02-03T20:22:00.000-08:00

I recently went to the Lusty Lady for the first time. $1 a minute to see real live naked ladies dance around. That's what I like to call a "North Beach Night Cap." Mix business with pleasure.

xo
'la

More Art

2009-02-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

Nick has done it again - made his way into the Argentine press. Read the article and then check out his stuff. I'm a big fan.

Not only because this dude is super talented and amazing, but also because the doll-making project in Providence he talks about was when we worked for English for Action's arts and literacy based child care program, NuestraEscuela! I took the photo above from that day working with kids painting the dolls that Nick had carved. The dolls were later part of a larger exhibition of works. Nick's skinny arms can be seen in the photo.

Word up.

the arts

2009-02-01T22:35:00.000-08:00

xo
carlita do parlita

new-to-me comic!

2009-01-30T04:14:00.000-08:00

I love comics. I'm still very new to this one. it's challenging and the author is at times painfully self-deprecating, but it's well-done. enjoy.

xo
Carla

Click Them.

2009-01-30T03:18:00.000-08:00

Things you should read today that others have found:

obey

there's probably no god...

will it blend?

peace, love, unity, punch in the face.

feel like smiling?

first ever lolcat

we'll conclude with an old hip hop favorite of mine...

Oh.

2009-01-23T00:28:00.001-08:00

Being a New Englander, the natural disasters I'm used to fearing are Hurricanes and Giant Fucking Snowstorms.

Usually, by the time a Hurricane (that's been kicking the Caribbean's ass for a week) gets to us in Li'l Rhody, it's more fun than anything else. Minor damage from wind happens, but we're used to it. No biggie.

Blizzards hit northern NE more than down in The Wee State. We make a mad dash to the grocer and stock up on bread and milk (and scratch tickets) and wait it out. Kids go sledding after they are forced to shovel and drink cocoa. Grownups find other ways to stay warm and entertained...

But now I'm in California - specifically, the San Francisco Bay Area. Quake Country. The earth shakes from two of the biggest tectonic plates dancing around with each other. Tsunamis rage outward from our gnarly epicenter to screw up someone else's day. Gross.

So during tonight's bout of insomnia, I found this government website that has me quaking in my knickers. There is a 62% chance that at least one earthquake of magnitude 6.7 or greater will happen in the Bay Area by 2032. Yikes!

Remember when I said I was going to stay in the Bay for a few years, but not forever? Yeah, I'd rather play in 2 feet of snow with my kids every year than clutch them under the kitchen table while everything falls apart around us. Don't worry. I'm coming home eventually.

Love,
'la

bees!

2009-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

I love them dearly.
so smart and developed.
I wrote about my affinity to bees and ants in a cover letter today.
I am a nerd to the max.
enjoy!

xoxo
la

Live With Meeeeeeee!

2009-01-20T12:57:00.000-08:00

Yo!

Do you live in the Bay Area, or do you have people in the Bay Area?

Please check out and pass along this information.

We need someone to sublet (or stay for a while) in my slammin' apartment!

xoxo
Carla

Best / Worst

2009-01-20T10:49:00.000-08:00

Jesse,

Have I told you lately that I love you, and I love your FUCKING INTENSE blog?!?!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Keep it up, old friend. Miss you bunches every day! When I get rich I will fly to Brooklyn and we will party in style.

xoxo
'La

8 Years in 8 Minutes

2009-01-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

Is it Tuesday yet?

We've got a mess to clean up, people!

Thanks for sharing, Aaron.

xoxo
Mrs. Olbermann

baby baby please come and rock me...

2009-01-19T12:48:00.000-08:00

One of my favorites.

Amen.

The Fierce Urgency of Now!

2009-01-19T09:14:00.000-08:00

"Now is the time to make real the promises of Democracy!"

Let the good Doctor move you...

remember: today is not a day off, it's a day on!

xoxo
carla

Step One: Listen to Blackalicious

2009-01-18T13:14:00.000-08:00

Gotta snap into something good.

Gotta shake this funk that I've been dragging around with me.

I don't like it. I want to love my days and nights as much as possible.

My theme last year was "do what feels right," which proved to make 2008 one of the most fun years I've had. In 2009 I find myself making major life changes:
I quit smoking, I'm drinking less, I spend more time by myself and I'm single, I moved across the country to Oakland...

I am lonely. I am worried about a lot of things. I have a lot of stress - from the microcosm of family issues to the macrocosm of global financial crisis. Sometimes I get so worried I feel sick to my stomach.

How do we deal with stress in meaningful and effective ways?

Yoga and taking time to relax seem to help me. Mindfulness. Cleaning the house compulsively always helps me. Enjoying the little things (I like to stop and smell the flowers and smile at strangers).

So I am going to actively try and shake my funk. Sorry I've been so doggone down. It's part of life, and necessary and valid... But I've had enough.

Step One: Stop listening to Beck, and start listening to Blackalicious.

Step Two: Read Hope For the Flowers by Trina Paulus

Step Three: Take more naps. A rested Carla is a happy Carla.

love love love,
Carla

feel the joy in my chest

2009-01-18T13:09:00.000-08:00

thanks for sharing, nick!

xoxo
carla

Sex and Candy

2009-01-16T17:04:00.000-08:00

new blog added to the blogroll:

Sugar Daddy Blog

very interesting blog from a dating website for you if you are (or want to be):
a sugar daddy, sugar mama, or sugar baby

check it out!

xoxo
carla

Tranqui Yanqui

2009-01-15T14:01:00.001-08:00

Nick is doing some more great work in Argentina.

Support my starving artist friend and send him hot dogs, paper, paint, or purchase his art. It's amazing.

Watch his video.

Send him love and support!

xoxo
Carlita

Portland!

2009-01-15T13:00:00.000-08:00

I am so poor, but what better thing to do than take a trainride with my bicycle to Portland, Oregon for a springtime vacation!?

I'm actually considering touring from Oakland to Portland, or maybe part of the way - but we'll see...

The first or second week of APRIL I am going to Amtrak my way up to your neck of the woods to kick it before I dip back to Providence for Zombie Jesus festivities. Then it's back to Oaksterdam where I've built my nest.

Do you live in Portland?
Will you be around in the beginning of April?
Can I sleep on your couch or in your bed?
Would you like to have a friend-date and show me all the fun things in your city?

Big giant smooches (they're free!),
Carla

I Can Has Dee Jay Nite?!

2008-12-15T14:48:00.000-08:00

Cozy Like Cats // Cats Like Cozy

Extra Special Holiday Season Interstate Travel Edition!

Thursday December 18th
@ Local 121's Tap Room
Free!

The 121 Puma Girls (Lara and Carla)
and Tim O'Keefe
Proudly Present:

Lara and I take requests, but it's best to let us know beforehand... Send me a message and I'll get your tracks on the setlist. Even better - I'll cue it up to play as you enter the glamorous Tap Room. Hottne$$.

xoxo
Puma Girl

P.S. Super special thank you to Storm Davis for yet another dope Cozy Like Cats flyer.

Excellent Blogs

2008-12-11T22:40:00.000-08:00

These two blogs are my new favorites:

Letters from Johns

Letters from Working Girls

It's been a while since I've posted about the sex industry. One of the main reasons I moved to California was to become more involved in sex workers' rights movements that are kicking ass here in the Bay Area.

I've been making contacts that will hopefully prove valuable. I'm just so broke now that I've had to put the social justice issues on the backburner while I try to find work to pay the bills (without working the red light).

love to love to love ya
'la

Strange Dreams

2008-12-11T14:47:00.000-08:00

I've been having very vivid dreams of late, and last night I had two that were especially unsettling.

In the first, I was the worst waitress on earth, completely neglecting my tables and I made no tips. This was probably in response to the fact that I'm totally broke and the serving gig I have now isn't cutting it. I had an interview elsewhere earlier this week. Let's hope for the best.

In the second dream I was sledding and playing in the snow with a close friend and a few other friends and dogs. We were near a library and a school - the area reminded me of the old Marvel Gym on Brown University's campus in my old neighborhood. My close friend was playing with two translucent color wheels, trying to match up the perfect color for me. I started singing Run to the Hills and at that moment he found the right color for me, and realized he cared very deeply for me.

so... that happened.

love,
carla

Updated: Providence Music

2008-12-05T15:00:00.000-08:00

I miss it, and I want to share some of it with you...

CAROLINE COTTER
My best friend since childhood who is a world traveler and folk musician. Her music is raw, unadultered, and honest (trust me). Her voice is gorgeous. And she's super nice. Her CD makes a great holiday gift, if you're into supporting indie arts.

MAHI MAHI
Two foxy dudes who get everyone dancing. I love these men (for many reasons, including Julian's and Ziggy the cat) and I love these heavy electro tunes. Just enough creepy and dark to keep it standing apart from a lot of other electronic music.

VVLTVRE
These two former coworkers of mine lay it on with layers of filth / creep / dark. They would be paid to work on the soundtrack for my film (if I were ever to make one). Listen to it, and if you like it, come do scratch tickets with me and Anna Purna during my visit home.

HOWL
Three dudes and a badass chick who are blowing up step by step... They tour often (CA soon?) and party with the best of us. Catch them around PVD working in your local Grocery or Corporate Chain Eatery, or boozin' at the favorite spots.

SAINT JUDE
Self-described as "metalheads playing hardcore with a punk drummer." They throw a mean show (Vincent has a nice scar to prove it). Brendan just got a The Big Lebowski tattoo. Vegans and Athiests and Cyclists and Babe Magnets. I love these boys so much it hurts! Get in there and throw some loving punches.

WHAT CHEER MARCHING BRIGADE
Do you ever get the feeling that you just wanna jump into the street and start dancing? Thanks to the WCMB, summertime in Providence now means spontaneous parades, tree climbing musical merriment, gorilla costumed percussionists, and huge motherfuckin' dance parties in the city streets past midnight. Support their touring! Support the marching bands! (R.I.P. Decatur Lounge)

POORLY DRAWN PEOPLE
Independent hip hop collective. Tight as that rope on which the industry is walking. They don't perform as much as they used to, but don't miss the tunes which are well-produced and intelligently written. Delivered correctly. Fresh. My BFF Lara and I (and some spiced whiskey) did some of the back up on "Storm Davis Fucks Like a Puma," which has turned into a cult classic (of mine and Lara's). Catch them hanging at Providence's local taprooms and strippys.

Miss you / kiss you.

xoxo
la la la

Providence People

2008-12-03T11:44:00.000-08:00

Go to Local 121 tonight to see a documentary about the local food movement!

6:00 speakeasy doors open
6:30 optional dinner for $12 (made with local foods, silly goose!)
7:00 'Tableland' plays on the dope a/v system, discussion following

Tableland is a culinary expedition in search of the people, place and taste of North American small scale, sustainable food production. Director Chris Noble argues for the re-location of North American food systems and a return to fresher, healthier ways of feeding ourselves. From the orchards of British Columbia, the inner city gardens of Chicago to the Napa Highlands and everywhere in between, Tableland celebrates the successful production of tasty, local, and seasonal food from field to plate.

-PDD

Personally, I feel that a lot of unrest and displeasure in this society is caused by how we consume food instead of nourish ourselves. I lot of life change can happen when one begins to eat with (personal and global) mindfulness. When a lot of lives change, we get a community shift, and then a societal trend, no?

Forget having the status symbol of a pristine green lawn... Grow food in that plot of land and cook with the fruits of your labor!

Eat, drink, think local!

<3
Former Local 121 Employee

Best Idea Ever!

2008-12-02T13:55:00.000-08:00

Lily and I are going to Mexico or Guatemala - for free!

there's only one catch...

hahahahahahah

xoxo
c

Starbucks, GOOD, and Consumption...

2008-12-02T13:02:00.000-08:00

Oh, hi there!

On Sunday afternoon I was walking around downtown San Francisco with two friends. One wanted Starbucks brand coffee (no other coffee would suffice), so we stopped in one of 6 Starbucks within a 5 block radius, and while he was up at the counter I stumbled upon a free publication called GOOD SHEET. It's a small folding leaflet that is created by the consumer zombie machines (I mean editors) at GOOD.

GOOD is a total facade for a group of greenwashed lying corporations that appease both the zombie consumer and the not-so-harsh critics for being edgy, trendy, hip, and eco-friendly (hey - it's published on 45% post-consumer recycled paper, and the offset their emissions!). It is self-described as "a collaboration of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits pushing the world forward. Since 2006 we've been making a magazine, videos, and events for people who give a damn."

The GOOD SHEET No. 011 (Nov 20-26, 2008) was a post-election look at the US holiday economy. It states:

"The winter holidays: a time to join with family and friends, give thanks, celebrate, and get out the plastic and cash. We are a nation of consumers and we consme the most in November and December - in those two months, the retail profits come rolling in."

It has a bunch of great receipt-inspired graphics that give facts about what consumers are consuming in the holiday season (131 million pounds of eggnog, 67 million turkeys...) and the amount of debt it causes the consumer (12.8 billion in new debt in 2007).

But it treats it as normal, and beyond that - as a great way to stimulate the economy in these uneasy times of recession.

How long can we continue to support this failing system of beg, borrow, and steal? I know I'm the paranoid idealist anarcho-feminist conspiracy theorist who is always struggling with living in a world full of contradictions... but I know I'm not alone in feeling like I want to watch it all crash and burn!

Maybe...
...I read too much.
...I'll build my off-the-grid hut in the woods, be a farmer, and make bicycles and babies.
...I should become a barista at Starbucks, or work at Whole Foods (ha!)
...You should help me light some fires to get this crash-and-burn started!

xoxo
'la

through rose-colored lenses

2008-12-02T12:01:00.000-08:00

I was reading Jesse's blog and was simultaneously impressed and horrified by his latest post about Sekai Camera, which is a mind-blowing app for iPhone.

I was on a date the other night (hubba hubba) and the dude's friends kept checking their phones and looking up directions to a place around the corner (literally around the corner). I kept turning their phones over and telling them to enjoy life (real life) because we only get one (in my opinion).

But I guess very soon "real life" will be considered one through rose-colored lenses, brought to us by some techno wizards for a pretty penny.

<3
carla

p.s. now I have 'send me an angel' stuck in my head...

Oakland Info from Wikipedia

2008-11-18T11:40:00.000-08:00

Rand McNally named Oakland as having the best weather in the United States.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, Oakland and Long Beach, California are the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, with over 150 languages spoken in Oakland.

The Black Panther Party was founded by Merritt College students Huey Newton and Bobby Seale as a response to police brutality.

The Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club's Oakland Chapter began to grow into a formidable organization in the 1960s. By the 1980s it was the most feared and respected of all Hells Angels chapters. Its Oakland Clubhouse still sits at 4019 Foothill Boulevard in East Oakland.

The 1970s saw the rise of drug operations topped by drug lord Felix Mitchell, whose activities helped push Oakland's murder rate to twice that of San Francisco or New York City.

In 2008, Carla moves to Oakland's Lake Merritt neighborhood and scores a job waiting tables at Levende East where she hopes to make million selling wine to thirsty people.

(almost all info taken directly from wikipedia)

David Segal...

2008-11-11T19:12:00.000-08:00

...you are my hero right now.

Thank you for sharing this in the PDD.

xoxo
Carla

Art

2008-11-11T17:59:00.000-08:00

Please watch 50 50 by Oliver Laric.

Thanks to Jesse for this.

I owe you big time.

xoxo
Carla

I <3 Yogurt!

2008-11-11T00:21:00.000-08:00

Madzoon (yogurt) is one of my favorite foods on the planet. Being middle eastern means cooking with lots of yogurt - from appetizers, to the main course, to dessert!

I've never made my own yogurt before, but I'm going to start. It's cheaper and more environmentally friendly to make your own than to buy a big plastic tub of it every week at the market (if you eat as much as I do). Wish me luck in my experiment!

Yoghurt was first introduced to the United States by Armenian immigrants Sarkis and Rose Colombosian, who started "Colombo and Sons Creamery" in Andover, Massachusetts in 1929. Colombo Yogurt was originally delivered around New England in a horse-drawn wagon inscribed with the Armenian word "madzoon" which was later changed to "yogurt", the Turkish name of the product, as Turkish was the lingua franca between immigrants of the various Near Eastern ethnicities who were the main consumers at that time. Yoghurt's popularity in the United States was enhanced in the 1950s and 60's when it was presented as a health food. By the late 20th century yoghurt had become a common American food item and Colombo Yogurt was sold to General Mills in 1993.

-wikipedia

Yogurt is tasty and has medicinal uses. Use it to treat infections and an upset tummy. Always use plain yogurt with live and active cultures. Add your own flavors with fresh fruits, nuts, herbs, and spices. For a healthy snack I add uncooked oats or spelt flakes to yogurt with raisins, walnuts, and fruit preserves. So much better than ice cream! Keep the high fructose corn syrup and dyes out of your yogurt!

Love,
Shameless Yogurt Lover

Jesus <3s Fools

2008-11-10T16:44:00.000-08:00

Yet another reason why I don't subscribe to organized religion, despite the importance it holds for my Armenian culture.

Participate by actively not participating in all foolishness.

Example.

Thanks to the PDD for the Armo video.

xoxo
Sarkis Diarbian
(aka Carla)

Maybe I want to love my dream that will never come true...

2008-11-10T09:43:00.000-08:00

I'm here in Oakland living with Lily, Kiernan, and Gabriel. The weather is lovely, the hills are hilly, and the excitement is blossoming.

All I need is a job and I will feel a lot more calm. And for my boxes to get here from home (c'mon, mom!).

My neighborhood is called Lake Merritt and reminds me of Pawtucket, RI. There are a lot of working-class families in this residential neighborhood. Corner stores for lottery tickets and 40oz beers. Beware of Dog signs and frontyard vegetable gardens full of tomatoes and lettuces. Kids playing, palm trees, and the occassional street walker or drunk stumbling man. A nice balance of reality and fantastic California imagery. California isn't home, and I don't want it to be. I just want it to be the place where I live for now. Nothing trumps my real home.

Loneliness is a factor here, but as long as I stay busy and put energy into meeting high-quality lovely people, I'll be ok. My father calls me a Friend Magnet. I love friendship, and I live for friendship. (I miss you, Providence people!) Phone calls are very helpful. I am going to try very hard to make my phone calls on a regular basis. Call me, too. I need that. I feel that there is going to be a lot of sifting through of crappy people in this city. But I'll find the good ones.

:: disclaimer - I'm about to get all emo ::

I have also been missing the feeling of being in love for quite some time. I thought I had it, and it passed, then came back, then passed, then came back all of a sudden in the week before I left. I'm pretty sure it's a one-sided unrequited love. I'm pretty sure I'm being used and led on, but like the song says, "maybe I want to love my dream that will never come true."

Maybe it's easier to be hopeful and curious and obsessive about love than it is to actually put in the effort to be in a healthy relationship. I haven't been single for this long since before 8th grade. I'm freaking out. Somebody marry me, FAST! Then again, I don't think I've had feelings this strong in a loooong time. Well, good thing I just moved 3,000 miles away from the person I love. Perhaps this will give me perspective on why it's best not to love someone who can't commit. Or perhaps I should just accept that I want to elope and be a swinger.

In a nutshell:
I'm lonely and happy,
excited and exhausted,
sober and scared,
poor and imaginative.

Come visit me. It's beautiful here.

Love,
Carla

Ugly Sweater Bike Ride Pub Crawl!

2008-10-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

Yo Yo Yo !

Carla is turning 24 years old on October 24th and she's moving to Oakland, CA on November 6th!

The party is Saturday October 25th!

Ugly Sweater Bike Ride Pub Crawl!

Please wear a very ugly sweater.
Examples:

We will start at my parents house on the East Side for Armenian food and a few beers.
My mom and aunties are the best cooks in Providence.
Brace yo'self!
Here's a map of where they live:
View Larger Map

Then we will ride bikes to our favorite saloons, pubs, dives, and discos!
(Examples: Wild Colonial, Local 121, Wheels, AS220, Trinity, Julian's, Avery, E&O, Scurvy Dog...)

Can you handle it?

No gifts, please.
Well, maybe one of these...
I can't afford to ship a lot out to Cali.
And your presence alone is a gift!

If you choose not to bike, please don't drink and drive.
We can arrange for sober drivers!

I love you all very much!
Please let me know if you're coming so I can tell the Armenian Womenfolk to cook tons of food.

xoxo
<3
Carla

I Am Somebody!

2008-10-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

How to Rap, according to Mr. T

xoxo
c

Benedetti Poems

2008-10-07T13:57:00.000-07:00

From one of my favorite movies, El Lado Oscuro del Corazon:

Rent the movie, please.

Olbermannnnnn

2008-10-07T13:47:00.000-07:00

Too $exy for PA

2008-09-04T15:07:00.000-07:00

Woman teaches dance classes.
People in charge hate on her sexy moves.
Read on...

“This is in every way a dance studio,” Mr. Walczak said. “The only reason they don’t want her here is the township commissioners just don’t like some of the dances she teaches."...even though the dance instruction did not involve nudity and there would be no audience, the dance styles were “provocative” and involved sexual “innuendo.”

I'm really getting pumped about moving to the Bay Area and working with places like BaySwan, SWOP, and St James.

xoxo
'Lita

Cozy Like Cats // Cats Like Cozy Part 3

2008-09-04T08:16:00.001-07:00

Hooray!

Special thanks to Storm Davis for the flyah.

Well, That Happened

2008-09-01T15:13:00.000-07:00

I want things like this to keep happening to the McCain/Palin team...

Their platform is amazing:

kill more brown people!

don't worry, oil will last forever!

Pregnant? No problem! Babies for everyone!

and don't forget... win more Beauty Pageants!

Home Sweet Home

2008-09-01T15:02:00.000-07:00

View Larger Map

November 6th is fast approaching.
I will be living here (second floor) with Lily, Gabe, and Kiernan.

Sooooooooooo excited!

Now all I need to do is secure a job out there.

and pack.

and move everything cross-country.

hmmmmmm

xoxo
Cali Lita

I Have No Words...

2008-08-31T15:43:00.000-07:00

...except FTW!?

?
c

Sex Workers are People, Too.

2008-08-31T14:33:00.000-07:00

Dear New York Post,

Fuck you.

Love,
Carla

Yogurt!

2008-08-31T13:12:00.000-07:00

I love yogurt so very much.

Hot, cold, salty, sweet, with dill, with garlic, with honey, strained, or liquidy - I could eat it at every meal. Sometimes I do.

This video is on point and I want you to watch it.

Did I really just blog about yogurt? Inspired by the PDD.

Love,
Yo Yo Ma

Wake Up, America!

2008-08-31T12:45:00.000-07:00

The video below made me cry not only because it's a powerful speech, but also because it made me really worried about the future.

What if McCain wins? I'll probably need to renounce citizenship and move far far away. Seriously.

What if Obama wins? Will things change? It's all such a game and I'm sick of it.

xoxo
c

Bike Hippies

2008-08-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

I love bike hippies.

I also love the Bay Area.

xoxo
c

thanks, nick!

Olneyville Needs You!

2008-08-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

Every August I send an ask letter for donations to a specific cause. This year I am asking you to donate to English for Action, a 501(c)3 in the neighborhood of Olneyville in Providence, RI. My birthday is coming up, and I'm moving to California in November. If you were thinking of getting me a gift, please donate to EFA instead.

I have worked at EFA for two full years. I was hired as the coordinator of the arts-based child-care mentoring program (Nuestra Escuela / Our School) for the children of adult English learners. My weeknights for the past two years have been spent sharing wisdom, knowledge, and art with amazing youth in my community. I have never worked in a more peace-filled and imagination-inspired child-care program in my 12 years of experience. It's more than work - EFA is family to me now.

It was recently discovered that the organization was in a serious financial crisis. Federal and State budget cuts to education programs have dramatically affected our income, and the income of our major funders.

With the jarring news that EFA might have to lay off the entire staff and possibly close most or all services, the Staff, Board, and Learner community took immediate action. We did some rearranging of positions and roles. We cut our budget by 1/3. We created clearly defined financial goals for the next year. We rallied the support of our grassroots sister organizations in Providence. We have all been volunteering our free time to ensure that the few paid staff members remaining don't burn out. My new position at EFA is the Interim President of the Board of Directors, and my major duty is acting as a pro-bono Development Director to seek grant money.

While we are all busy working nights and weekends for the financial stability of EFA, we are simultaneously planning for another year of high-quality programming, including Participatory-based adult ESOL classes, arts-based child-care, native language literacy, health services, a food bank, free library, the action committee, and other blossoming partnerships with community organizations. The Action Committee (formally recognized by peer organizations as an outstanding group) recently had a very successful grassroots event to raise money, food, and basic supplies for the families of ICE detainees here in Rhode Island.

Our classes operate evenings at a nearby elementary school which has a beautiful saying painted along the entire exterior wall: "It Takes a Village to Raise a Child." We all know that nobody can truly succeed without love and support from a community of friends and family. The same is true for EFA. We cannot continue our necessary and passionate work without your financial support.

I have a personal goal of raising $1,000 through friends and family by September 9th. This money will go directly to the ESOL program expenses, including supplies, books, trainings, and ensuring that it is staffed. Staff members are dedicated lovers of education who come from all walks of life, and strive to apply the holistic mission of EFA to the ESOL program while constantly improving the measurable outcomes of the program.

Our methods are proven to be effective, and our mission is unique. We are a valued and valuable organization and we need your help!

Please donate via this link, or by mailing a check to the address below.

English for Action
PO Box 29405
Providence, RI
02909

It's Official

2008-07-20T21:35:00.000-07:00

I just bought my one-way plane ticket to Oakland, CA.

I'm going to live with my best friend ( and future baby mama ) Lily.

So in between now and then, I'm going to be getting rid of a lot of my stuff and trying to have the most memorable and fun summer / fall in Providence (the city in which I was born and raised).

Your help is needed with all that fun-making!

I'm also planning a giant going away / birthday party for myself with food and drinks and djs and whatnot. It'll be in between my birthday (October 24th) and my departure date (November 6th). You're invited.

I am so full of adrenaline right now!

xoxo
'la

INOPERAbLE in NYC

2008-07-09T13:28:00.000-07:00

My very good friend Nick is hosting this dope event:

I might take a rideshare to NYC after work tomorrow and stay up all night with the Austrians and then catch a train back to PVD to be back at work at 11am.

here's some more info:

„INOPERAbLE in Nü York"
July 10th, 6pm-1am, ONE NIGHT ONLY
Alphabeta, 70 Greenpoint ave. Brooklyn
(Greenpoint Stop on G, or Short walk from Bedford Stop on L)

We are going to welcome our clever foreign friends (can pockets on lederhosen?) with a bang, so we're giving them the good ol' hot dog and beer suckerpunch.

What you can expect:

* An art show and installation of work by street and graffiti artists you've never seen on this side of the pond.

* Live painting in the huge outdoor back area 6pm to 11pm, featuring Nychos, Maggot, Knochen, Holy Sin, DNM, I Love Ally, & Franke

* Ultra cheap hot dogs (til Midnight) and BEER (forever), like we promised.

* GRL (yes, graffiti research lab has an Austrian contingent) killin it live with their 'Drip Sessions' at 11:30pm.

* DJ Stereotyp and Boundless' own Tes Uno on the decks, ALL NIGHT LONG.

* Room to dance if you wanna, because you will.

* A silent auction on the artwork.

* Photos by the infamous Texas from the New Pop.

* The flyer image was made into hand screenprinted, numbered posters by Atzgerei, and you can buy one at the party for cheap if the art is too spensi for you.

* It's walking distance from Bedford, really...

Whats not to love? Come chill with the paint splattered family, discover new art and see Brooklyn's only spot to buy cans.

All you gotta do is RSVP here and show up. There is a $5 suggested donation at the door, but you get a ticket good for a beer or a hot dog FREE if you throw down, and it's an optional show of support.

21 and over get a wristband and can drink. 21 and under get dogs and hugs. We'll be there all night kids.

Spray paint sponsored by Plutonium G. Special thanks to Anonymous gallery.

I CAN HAS DEEJAY NIGHT?!?

2008-07-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

Tonight!

Since They Asked So Nicely...

2008-06-17T19:01:00.000-07:00

Hi Carla,

As you may know, this month we are trying to reach every nonprofit
organization in the country to invite them to post their jobs and
volunteer opportunities on Idealist.org.

The biggest challenge we face in doing this, is that after 12 years of
promoting Idealist solely by word of mouth (we've never had any money
for advertising or marketing) we are suffering from a classic 'network
effect' - in some places we are very well known, while in other places
no one knows us, and therefore no one knows us…

At the bottom of this email you can see the number of nonprofit job
postings we’ve had so far this month, state by state. As you can see,
we could be doing better in Rhode Island :-)

And this is why I am writing you: to really jumpstart Idealist in
Rhode Island we need your help.

Are there any mailing lists in the state where you could post this
message? If you blog, or if you use Facebook or Twitter or any other
networking tool, can you give Idealist a plug and invite your friends
to join us?

Lastly, if you want to do more, let me know and we'll put together a
team of people who want to help share Idealist in Rhode Island.

Thanks in advance for your support, and all the best!

Ami Dar
Executive Director
http://www.idealist.org

Job postings on Idealist.org, June 1-17, 2008

NY - 1816
CA - 901
MA - 855
DC - 719
IL - 334
WA - 323
MD - 260
PA - 254
VA - 201
OR - 157
NJ - 146
TX - 116
FL - 111
MN - 86
OH - 84
CT - 78
CO - 74
NC - 70
AZ - 60
GA - 60
WI - 58
MI - 45
MO - 36
ME - 34
IA - 32
LA - 30
VT - 30
TN - 25
NM - 25
KS - 24
NV - 24
DE - 22
Rhode Island - 21
AK - 18
NH - 18
OK - 18
MS - 15
MT - 15
IN - 13
SC - 8
UT - 7
KY - 6
AL - 6
NE - 6
WV - 4
ID - 4
AR - 4
HI - 3
SD - 2
ND - 2
WY - 1

For more details, here is two-minute video about why Idealist.org is a
great place to post a nonprofit job.

Mark Your Calendar!

2008-06-17T13:12:00.000-07:00

cars are for idiots!

2008-06-17T07:59:00.000-07:00

Nick is in town from Vienna, where he has his art gallery, INOPERAbLE!

He is hosting a show of some Austrian artists in NYC. I'm having trouble finding a flyer for it, but when I do, I'll let you know.

bikelove,
Cyclocross Carla

P.S. That's him bike-skiing in the video.

P.P.S. The revolution will not be motorized.

These Beats Are So Fresh!

2008-06-16T19:25:00.000-07:00

For Father's Day, I'm taking my dad to a concert:

The Silver Beats
Lupo's
Downtown Providence
August 6th
$15

This Japanese Beatles tribute band is guaranteed to kick ass.

Check out the NPR review.

And for the real thing

xoxo
la la la

Coming Soon...

2008-06-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

...a reflection on Lil Wayne's new album, "Tha Carter III"

The most anticipated album has dropped.

Please have a listen.

I need a little more time to gather my thoughts.

"If hip hop is dead I am the embalming fluid"

Weezy is on some other shit.

xoxo
lil c

Milk and Cheese

2008-06-16T14:42:00.000-07:00

Years ago Jesse shared Evan Dorkin comics with me. Milk and Cheese quickly became my favorite.

These "dairy products gone bad" had some of the most thought-provoking and subversive concepts to which I had yet been exposed. I was 14 years old and in 9th grade.

Evan and his wife Sarah Dyer do some other pretty cool stuff, too. Educating kids about pop sub-culture via Nickelodeon? Badass history lessons.

Sarah is also a bomb-diggity artist with the cloth. Through her I found Spoonflower, a DIY craft group that will print your designs on fabric (if you're invited). Check them out, DIYers!

As you might know, I am a nerd. I have a baby comic book collection including some great Archie comics from the 1960's. I recommend going into a comic book store this week and checking it out.

Try new things!

Rideshare Wanted

2008-06-03T08:05:00.000-07:00

I'm going to NYC Saturday to see a bunch of cats, including:

Jesse (he's hosting arts and crafts on Saturday),

Howl (Providence Metal band),

Christiane (college roommate),

Sip Sak (bomb diggity Armenian-Turkish restaurant),

and quite possibly Nick (old friend visiting from Austria).

I was going to take Amtrak (I love trains), but I thought I'd post a rideshare about it.

Is anyone going to NYC this weekend?
Would you like to have company?

I will bake snacks and pay for gas.
I'm also a kick-ass co-pilot.

Holler atcha girl
Lady Rideshare

The Rock-afire Explosion

2008-06-02T13:13:00.000-07:00

I just saw this on Jesse's blog. Amazing. Thanks for sharing, Jefferson!

“The Rock-afire Explosion was an animatronic robot band that played in Showbiz Pizza Place restaurants from 1980 to 1994. The show was created and manufactured exclusively for Showbiz by Creative Engineering, Inc. in Orlando, Florida. In later years, the show was sold to other restaurants and entertainment centers. The characters in The Rock-afire Explosion were various animals ranging from a dog to a gorilla. They would perform medleys of classic rock, pop, and country music, as well as original compositions.”

This dude Chris Thrash (who is he?) has reprogrammed them to perfection.

And don't worry, they do Usher, too.

xoxo
lady animatron

bee. b. e. e. bee.

2008-06-02T07:36:00.000-07:00

Tonight 8pm!

There is a spelling bee at AS220!

$5 to enter the competition, but free to watch.

There will be snacks.

I am a huge nerd and I love spelling. I don't know if I'll have the courage to enter. It's been a while since I've been in a spelling bee (I was in the final round in my school-wide bee in middle school when I was in 6th grade).

So I get out of work in Olneyville around 8:15, and then I will ride my bike straight to AS220. I hope to see you there!

love,
poindextress

Art and Life

2008-05-27T11:06:00.000-07:00

The world's biggest self-portrait, by Erik Nordenankar

Some bloggers claim it to be a hoax. I still think it's dope.

Thanks for the link, Pablo.

Also:

The Tape Art Collaborative here in Li'l Rhody did a similar installation in Manhattan using Google Earth to map out their art works around the island. Peep it.

That's what's up.

xoxo
Carlus

The First Step is Admitting You Have a Problem...

2008-05-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

I'm completely exhausted today.

Perhaps it's from working between 50-70 hours every week (except for my lovely vacations). But I think it's the lack of sleep I've currently come to accept as part of the serious condition I've diagnosed myself with: The FOMS

Fear
Of
Missing
Something

The FOMS started for me in the summer of 2000, when I worked as a counselor at an overnight summercamp. For 8 weeks of the year for three consecutive summers, I and a group of 50 other people my age lived in close quarters on a gorgeous property in northwestern RI. We were all between the ages of 16 and 22. After the campers were tucked into bed, those who didn't have "night duty" went out and caused mild mischief.

It's a church-camp, after all (disclaimer: it is not at all like this garbage).

Being a counselor is an exhausting job. The days were hot and long. Sometimes you just didn't feel like hanging out with kids and going to chapel, or eating the same old iceberg lettuce and chicken wings for dinner.

Those were the days that turned into the most memorable nights of my life. I should have gone right to bed. I should have slept and gained the much-needed rest for the upcoming day's work.

Nope.

The FOMS kick in around 10pm.

Dress in black as to not be seen. Raid the walk-in fridge for Sysco brand canned pineapple. Beat up an old appliance in the woods with a baseball bat. Send each other on scavenger hunts in the pitch dark. Skinny dipping. Pranks. Visit your lover. Light something on fire (there were contests based on pyromania). Write sweet notes for your coworker who didn't give in to the FOMS and is sleeping peacefully. Stargaze. Watch Orgazmo again and again.

Giving in to the FOMS proved to always be worth it in the past.

Now at age 23, with giant busy days filling my week, I find myself getting home from a 10 or 12 hour workday with a serious itching to go out and have big fun every night.
I barely use my Netflix account anymore (and my queue is kick-ass!). Should I give in to the FOMS or should I resist?

Hi. My name is Carla and I have the FOMS.

Am I alone on this?

xoxo
Restless With The FOMS Right Now

I'm Bartending at Finlandia!

2008-05-08T21:16:00.000-07:00

Finlandia is having a fundraiser ('tis the season) and yours truly will be slingin' drinks for the happy hippie folk!

Saturday May 10th
(after EFA Cup, of course!)
8pm - the cops come a few times...
116 Waterman Street

The theme is "A Dark and Stormy Night"

We'll be drinking homebrewed ginger beer with rum (Dark and Stormy) and Sake!

"Prizes for top three costumes as judged by a panel!
Suggested costumes:
1)pirate
2)Wench
3)sexy pirate or wench
4)Dark and Stormy
5)Japanese Rice Wine
6)Adam B"

Quoted from the facebook invite.

Come let me pour you some magic, and remember to tip!

xoxo
Workin' for Tips

EFA Cup Saturday May 10th 9am-5pm @ Donigian Park in Olneyville!

2008-05-08T20:52:00.000-07:00

You're Invited to the 6th Annual EFA Cup!

Saturday, May 10th, 2008 from 9:00am-5:00pm

Location: Donigian Park (on Valley Street in Olneyville) Providence, RI

FREE ADMISSION, DONATIONS ACCEPTED

The EFA Cup is our organization's largest annual fundraising event. This year the EFA Cup will feature a 16-team soccer tournament, trophies for the winning teams, prizes for best uniforms, a health fair, a multicultural food and crafts festival, live music, games, raffles, children's activities, and community-building with wonderful people! The EFA Cup is an amazing opportunity to celebrate and strengthen the Olneyville community, as well as raise funds for the educational programs of EFA.

Bring your family and friends!

Visit me!

xoxo
Carlita

Cibo Matto

2008-05-03T01:29:00.000-07:00

So tonight I arrived home after a 16 hour work day at the restaurant (Local 121).

I love cooking, and I do pay attention to what happens in the kitchen when I'm at work with the professionals. It was a childhood dream of mine to own and be executive chef of my own restaurant (bonus points of you can tell me the name of the restaurant I designed when I was 7). Now it looks like I'm leaning more towards Brothel and / or Fine Dining Restaurant management...

anyways

It's 4:15am and I just made myself some bomb-ass Carla-Style Huevos Rancheros with black beans, avocado, eggy weggs, oatmeal toast, tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella.

If we're ever hanging out and I get the urge to go to the market and then cook for you --- let me!

It will be a pleasurable experience for all of us.

I know I'm a feminist, and I know what that means to me... and it surely includes cooking and cleaning and making you fat and happy.

So next time, when I say "Don't go to Haven Bros. Take me to the 24-hour Stop & Shop and I'll cook for you," believe me, and roll with it. Unless you got a hot date and you ain't got time for Huevos Rancheros (or vegan stir fry, or sauteed seasonal veggie panini on focaccia... et cetera).

Healthy delicious snacks and meals made with love by yours truly.

xoxo
Lady 'La

Thanks, Tatyana.

2008-05-01T18:44:00.000-07:00

Government Health Warning:

Do Not Swallow Your Bubblegum!

Drop Science, Not Babies.

2008-04-30T18:13:00.000-07:00

"The same Xerox lab that brought us Ethernet, the GUI and the mouse has demonstrated paper that can be reused after printed text automatically deletes itself from its surface in a day. Instead of trashing or recycling after one use, a single piece of paper can be reused up to 100 times."
slashdot.org

"The paper contains specially coded molecules that create a print after being exposed to ultraviolet light emitted from a thin bar in a printer. The molecule readjusts itself within 24 hours to its original form to delete the print, or heat can readjust the molecule instantly. Xerox developed the molecule."
computerworld.com

Oh, word?

I wish my job involved "developing molecules." Tonight we wrangled a group of twelve kids aged 1 to 13. My favorite part was asking the whole group of kids running around outside "Quien tiene moco?, porque tengo papel si lo necesitas." and having them all approach me so I could help them blow their noses. Gross and cute.

Sometimes I feel like a mom with way too many kids. Other times I feel like I wanna live on a polygamist commune and be a baby factory. And wear those great paisley frocks.

I guess being a baby factory is kinda like developing molecules at Xerox... except babies don't disappear after 24 hours.

xoxo
Lady Nerd Face

Vaya con MTV

2008-04-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the Daily Dose for posting this one. I didn't have cable growing up, but my aunt did at her beach house. My brother and I would be sneaky and stay up late to watch Ren and Stimpy and Beavis and Butthead.

Time to spend another Sunday afternoon at the EFA office. At least there will be food.

xoxo
Sleepy

She's a Kiwi!

2008-04-22T17:43:00.000-07:00

Carla Doughty <3s Jill Taylor

This woman is incredible.

If you ever have the opportunity to have a drink with her (or take a class or lecture of hers), please do.

xoxo
Carla

p.s. Now interviews with me have appeared in the New York Times, Brown Daily Herald, Birthright Armenia, and Simmons Alumnet. If you would like me to comment on anything, please ask. Then publish it. I'll use you to get famous, thanks.

Bistro!

2008-04-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

What's got me so smiley lately?

the weather?
romance?
relaxing vacations?

I'm pretty sure it's the fact that I'm cat-sitting for a few weeks.

Bistro is old and loves to sing along to Bing Crosby. Feel free to come over and visit her. She's mighty snuggly.

What kind of a landlord won't allow cats? They're a great anti-depressant.

also: go to the library and read millions of cats.

xoxo
cat lady

Say it with a lisp!

2008-03-30T07:24:00.000-07:00

I'm in Barcelona until April 7th!

Hooray!

xoxo
lady

R-E-A-D-A-B-O OK?!?!

2008-03-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

Anyone want to start some sort of a book club?

I have so much I want to read, but with no deadlines, I am not getting it done.

Anyone?

Beuller?

<3
poindextress

Make it Work

2008-03-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

Please stop driving.
Just make it work for you.
What a waste of money it is to have a car!
What a waste of resources it is to have a car!

I'm 23 years old and I've never had a license and never driven a car.

Why?

I grew up in Providence where I either took the RIPTA bus or walked 3 miles to and from high school. Uphill both ways.
My family didn't have money, so I knew not to expect a car on my 16th birthday. Instead I received a blender from my parents.
I never signed up for drivers ed because I was too busy being cool and subversive (smoking pot on the regular while maintaining honor roll).
My mother was in a near-fatal car crash when I was 6 years old. She was hit by a drunk driver and underwent experimental surgery having several of her vertebrae fused together, leaving her bedridden for 6 months and in chronic pain for the rest of her life (don't drink and drive). So perhaps there's also a psychological element to my lack of desire to operate a motor vehicle.
I went to college in Boston where it's totally lame to have a car. I am a subway expert and fanatic.
I had a serious boyfriend who I basically lived with when I wasn't in Boston. We would carpool almost everywhere. He was always Designated Driver, and for that, I owe him a lot (I'll repay you somehow, Harold!).
Back in Providence since 2006 and walking has never been more pleasant. The architecture of this city is brilliant and I love looking pedestrians in the eyes and saying hello when I pass them on my walks cross-town. Community building.
I have two jobs. Since I don't drive, I have to make strategic decisions about where I love and work. Each job is no more than a 20-minute walk from my apartment, and an even faster trip on the bus or bike.

It has become so normal to have a car in the society we have constructed for ourselves, and hopefully we all realize that we cannot maintain this lifestyle without doing harm to our global and personal health. Consider leaving the car at home sometimes. Go for a walk. Bike! Use public transportation. Take time to experience your city or town from the perspective of a pedestrian. Or even from the perspective of the natural world.

If you biked to work instead of drove, you would save money on gas, cut down on your contribution to pollution, and get in shape in no time. Hug that tree, get physically fit, and save money while doing it.

Consider a lifestyle change that feels soooo gooood.

xoxo
carla

How to Solve Illegal Immigration

2008-03-23T07:28:00.000-07:00

Listen to Ween's "Puffy Cloud"

2008-03-18T12:30:00.000-07:00

I got dumb on vacation.

It might be a week or so until my brain cells regroup and realize that happy hour by the pool is over.

So if you interact with me and I'm a total dumdum, please be kind and give me a second chance next week.

xoxo
'la

Hey Baby, Let's Cross Pollinate

2008-03-18T06:42:00.000-07:00

People we know are living and doing some great work around the globe. Let's share information!

Providence
We've got talented and friendly local musicians, cycling, energetic politicians, artists, farmers, and labor organizing, immigration justice work, beer-brewing, and pride... (we also have this great waitress and child care provider with a special interest in sex work and birth control methods)

Boston
Another fine (in looks and quality of mind) crop of Simmons Women are about to graduate (with a speaker much less vagina-rific than mine). I recently had the chance to spend 9 days with a small sampling on Vacation #1. PR, Marketing, Art, Arts Administration, Photography, and a start-up grassroots social and cultural activist hive "Kinetic Artivist Collective" that will be coming together in South Africa in January '09.

NYC
Alicia just worked the WE LEARN Conference (she's a board member and coordinated language access for the entire event!). Excellent work, amazing women, and clip art. Fordham University has an article about WE LEARN, focusing on women and wealth. NYC is also home to a million cool graphic designers and contemporary hipster bohemian types. One of them is a dear friend named Jesse.

Barcelona
My sister from another Mister, Caroline, is tearing it up folk-style. Please check out her tunes and then buy them. You won't regret it. I'll be over there soon to hug her for you.

Argentina
Nick Mahshie is painting up a storm at Residencia Corazon with distinguished title of "El Primer Yankee."

South Africa
See Kinetic Artivist Collective above. Brought to you by Erica Bowman and Jazz. Get in touch with me if you have interest in the KAC.

Armenia
People are doing all sorts of work over there, despite the current events. Tamar's website seems to be having trouble, but you can check out ArtWorks Armenia via her father's coffee shop in Sacramento. Dual-citizenship legislation has been passed in Armenia!

* * * * *

I think my long-term plans include being everywhere.
Care to come with?
Let's plan trips together!
I have free time this summer, and for the rest of my life.

xoxo
carla

p.s. I'm trying to volunteer at an urban apiary this summer... any suggestions?

Kissimmee

2008-03-14T16:57:00.000-07:00

I've been in Kissimmee, FL (south of Orlando) on Vacation #1 since Saturday the 8th. I will climb back in the minivan on Sunday morning, and I will be home Monday the 17th just in time to pretend I'm Irish.

Florida is a strange place. We'll talk about that when I get back to Li'l Rhody. I would hate for the State of Florida to overhear me.

This whole vacation experience has been very relaxing (a little fuzzy at times) and also a bit uncomfortable. I am not good at being idle for very long. To keep busy I've been cleaning around the (amazing) 8-person suite (2 kitchens, jacuzzi bath, 2 bathrooms, 2 porches...). I've also started chainsmoking while idle. I will probably be a bit jittery from nicotine withdrawal when I get back to my set schedule of work and work and work and play.

Highlights of the trip:

trying not to work all week (I failed)
making time for mid-day bikini bubble baths with friends
happy hour:

happy hour at the poolside bar is from noon-3pm

happy hour at the upper level bar is from 5-7pm

happy hour at the bar by the resort entrance is from 10pm-2am

sunbathing with a favorite book
wearing a skirt or dress every day
inspiration to write a Zombie movie screenplay!

I have a lot on my mind, but I'm letting myself get fuzzy and relaxed this week.

We're going to check out the lesbian scene in Orlando tonight. I'm expecting some Disney kink.

Sorry my vocab and general composition skills are lacking. Like I said, I've been fuzzy in the brain all week.

xoxo
carla

p.s. dear wayne coyne: stop selling your songs to range rover please. sincerely, carla

Linking NAFTA and Immigration (Part 1)

2008-03-05T13:43:00.000-08:00

After some immigration debate with my father (the former RISD student and rock musician has matured like most Boomers) over apple pie and ice cream at my regular Doughty Family Dinner last Sunday, I've decided to compile some immigration / migrant worker / remittance / etc information.

As you probably know, I coordinate a child-care program for a non-profit in Olneyville, Providence that (to put it simply) provides English classes for Spanish-speaking immigrants. While my personal politics may differ from many of my coworkers, there are some undeniable truths about our responsibilities to human rights and our responsibilities to recognize our own power and influence as causal factors in this wave of immigration from south to north.

Here's some food for thought.

"During the NAFTA debate in 1993, advocates assured the U.S. and Mexican people that it would greatly alleviate unauthorized immigration by increasing employment opportunities in Mexico and closing the gap between U.S. and Mexican wages. But the promise of prosperity has been a mirage for millions of Mexicans: the value of the Mexican minimum wage dropped 23 percent in NAFTA's first decade; 19 million more Mexicans are living in poverty than 20 years ago, and today, one quarter of Mexico's population cannot afford basic foods."
-Linking NAFTA and Immigration by Ted Lewis for The San Diego Union-Tribune

Today is a conference in DC entitled:
Linking Agriculture, Development, and Migration: A Critical Look at NAFTA, Past, Present, and Future

Global Exchange has done a great job putting this information together, and they have a petition to Congress that you can sign online if you'd like.

Please realize that building a fence is not going to solve our problems.

xoxo
Carlita

Media Democracy in Canada

2008-03-04T23:45:00.000-08:00

PRESS COMMUNIQUE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Adbusters Demands Canwest, the CBC and the CRTC Stop Blocking
Citizen-Produced Advertising

On Monday, February 18, Adbusters lost its court battle against two of Canada's television networks that refused to sell airtime for its commercials. Adbusters claimed the CBC and Canwest Global had violated its right to free speech under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms by refusing to sell air time, but the court decided that the Charter does not apply to private corporations.

"It's outrageous that the fast food, oil and automobile industries can buy as much TV time as they want in order to promote their agendas, but citizens are not allowed to talk back," said Adbusters Editor-in-Chief Kalle Lasn in response to the ruling. "Canadian democracy will not work properly until we the people have the same right to buy airtime as corporations do."

The rejected Adbusters ads pointed out that over 50 percent of the calories in a Big Mac come from fat, called for an end to the age of the automobile, and promoted Buy Nothing Day. While Court Justice William Ehrcke ruled that private broadcasters have the right to run whatever ads they like, Adbusters feels the case raises some troubling questions.

Firstly, why are Canwest and the CBC selling as much time as they possibly can to corporations, while fighting expensive legal actions to keep citizen-produced messages off the air? Why does the CBC call itself "Canada's Public Broadcaster" if they won't sell airtime to citizens?

Secondly, why is the CRTC not standing up for public access? When they grant licences to broadcasters, why is the right of Canadian citizens to access their own "public" airwaves not being guaranteed? Thirdly, why is our freedom of speech being suppressed? Why can corporations buy airtime while citizens cannot? Why doesn't the Canadian Charter apply to the most powerful social communications medium of our age - television?

"This case goes to the very heart of what our democracy is all about," says Lasn. "A healthy society allows its citizens to walk into their local TV stations and buy airtime under the same rules and conditions that corporations do. Adbusters has been given 30 days to challenge the ruling. This legal battle for media democracy will go on."

To talk to Kalle Lasn, or Ryan Dalziel, our lawyer, about the case please contact Lauren Bercovitch (lauren@adbusters.org)

EDITOR'S NOTES

For more information about Adbusters and the global media democracy movement visit www.mediacarta.org and www.adbusters.org

[1] Canadian Media facts:

Three corporations (CanWest, Quebecor and Torstar) control 70 per cent of the country's daily newspaper circulation.

Five major media acquisitions in Canada have been approved by CRTC in the past year: CHUM was purchased by CTVglobemedia for $1.4 billion, which then sold five CityTV stations to Rogers Communications for $375 million; CanWest purchased Alliance Atlantis for $2.3 billion; Astral Media bought Standard Broadcasting for $1.2 billion; and Quebecor bought the Osprey Media newspaper chain for $414 million.

[2] Facts about Media Democracy:

More than 30,000 people have signed the Media Carta www.mediacarta.org, to voice their concerns about the way information is distributed in our society.

In the past year, a growing number of grassroots media activist groups have been formed in Canada to express a dissatisfaction with the continued consolidation of the country's media:

DemocraticMedia.org

MediaReform.ca

MediaDemocracy.ca

Democracy at Home and in the Motherland

2008-03-04T08:17:00.000-08:00

Do you live in Rhode Island?
Are you a registered voter?
Find your polling place and go vote before 9pm!

Then come to Lupo's and watch results come in.

* * * * * *

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

The media blackout within Armenia has Diasporans nervous and unsettled (to say the least). From my friends who live there, I'm getting mixed messages about what has been going on, and why.

How many dead? 8? 40? 100?

"Yerevan residents have resorted to telephoning one another or coming out onto the streets to swap information. Taxi drivers, in particular, have become a good source of 'alternative news.'"
-iwpr.net

"CNN segments about Armenia were clipped from television programming, and many Web sites were closed. Only journalists from foreign news organizations could attend Mr. Ter-Petrossian’s briefing."
-NYTimes

Why do I have to ask my friends via e-mail what is happening there - where is the coverage?!

I am so much to say about this... But I have to go vote!

xoxo
carla

I'm, like, totally famous...

2008-03-03T22:52:00.001-08:00

LOVELIFE Providence is the hip new thing, and it just so happens to be hosted where I work, so I get to be famous via online photos.

I'm not very hip, but I like to observe the hip peoples in their element.

I look a little scary, but this was after a 14-hour workday.

xoxo
'la

Subtle Butt

2008-03-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

I really don't know how I feel about this product.

The video is predictable, but funny nonetheless.

Personally, a good apology after passing gas satisfies me. Or taking it to the other room.

But a carbon filter patch?!

(ok it's time for me to get back to work)

xoxo
'la

International Sex Worker Rights Day! Keep Working, Ladies!

2008-03-03T11:48:00.000-08:00

March 3rd is International Sex Worker Rights Day!

Decriminalize prostitution!
Stop the entrapment of prostitutes and their customers!
Encourage and fund education and programs that keep us all physically and mentally healthy!

There are many events taking place from NYC - Chicago - LA - AZ - SF... Find one in your city!

In other sex work news:
Bush Calls on Congress to Pass PEPFAR Reauthorization Bill
For those of you who don't know, PEPFAR is the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, and it includes some exciting funding bits for abstinence only as well as condom programs... It also makes governments of the world pledge to have zero tolerance for "sex trafficking" if they want to receive this funding. Unfortunately for sex workers, ALL prostitutes are lumped into the this group and labeled "victims of sex trafficking" as opposed to women with free will to enter the trade. I have a lot of info on this at home of you'd like to read more or borrow my copy of "Taking the Pledge." Picked it up at the US Social Forum in Atlanta last summer.

Barcelona Police as Pimps to Immigrant Sex Workers, Women go on Fines Payment Strike!

xoxo
Carla

Lazy Flies!

2008-03-03T00:22:00.000-08:00

Besides the fact that you can vote for my lady Lara as Best Bartender, I am mostly disappointed with the editors' picks of what's "The Best of Providence" in the annual Phoenix survey... Gigantic chain stores (Best Buy, Borders, etc) are listed among our unique and lovely Rhody favorites. I expected more!

Shame on you, Phoenix!

p.s. "Benefit Street" should not be an option in the "best place to live" category when the other options are cities (including Providence!)

p.p.s. Phoenix, you misspelled Narragansett!!! Who the hell wrote this survey, some non-native Brown student? (sorry, friends... but seriously!) WTF?!

Sippin' whiskey in the midnight shade...

2008-03-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

“The Armenian government prides itself on having a democratic image,” said Cartner. “Beating peaceful demonstrators is inconsistent with that image and violates its obligations under human rights law.”
-human rights watch www.hrw.org

Well, I don't think the Armenian gov't has much of a democratic image to begin with, but if they're trying to pride themselves on one, they shouldn't be doing this... or is this how it's done in a democracy?

* * * * * * * * *

I watched Rambo 3 tonight (at the Hot Club) and realized with my brother that everything Dick Cheney knows about Afghanistan, he learned from this movie.

goodnight.

xoxo
carla

Baraka on Barack

2008-02-28T13:26:00.000-08:00

"Poet, playwright and longtime activist Amiri Baraka has a different take on the Obama candidacy, and the responsibility of the politically conscious. In this speech he cautions those who imagine Obama will make a difference without a strong left movement pressuring and pushing him further and faster than he and his corporate backers really want to go." -Z Communications / Z Audio

36 minute-long recording of Baraka on Barack.

Thanks for the link, Camilo!

The Bees Knees and GPI

2008-02-28T12:34:00.000-08:00

Human Tetris - amazing game show

Passive Aggressive Notes - 'nuf said

Spring is coming, and what better way to celebrate the blossoms, blooms, and rain than to keep bees! I'm very excited to settle down and keep bees myself. I'm a bit of an apiphile (?) and recommend Betty's Bee School brought to you by the RI Beekeepers Association (of which I am a member). I took the class last year. Well worth the $45 if you've got the interest and passion for hive insects like I do.

The Armenian Presidential elections were held last week - full of third world dramarama. Levon claims they were rigged, but I've been talking with my Armo bretheren up in Canada who argue that it was the private media companies which pretty much all sided with Serzh's campaign that gave Serzh the win. People have been camping in the streets of Yerevan and in Hanreptutian Hraparak (Republic Square) in support of Levon... Exciting amounts of passion for fair election processes and democracy, or another case of people with post-Soviet unemployment & needing an outlet for frustration (and time consumption)? I think it's a lot of both.

I'm pretty sure most of these numbers are bogus and inflated.

And how do we want to measure Progress? GNP? or GNH? or GPI? How long can our current methods of gaining economic progress continue before we use up all of our natural resources and destroy our squishy (delicious) brains? The third world hasn't caught on to this "green is the new black" trend, and their economic development is rooted in the same economic theories and formulas that have corrupted, polluted, and left so many in poverty here in the "developed" world.

Maybe I've been reading too much Kalle Lasn.

Go out for a long walk today! Look around. Do you love what you see?

xoxo
Carla

Work Hard, Play Harder

2008-02-27T10:42:00.000-08:00

I haven't blogged in years! Welcome to Red Light Hive, and welcome into my mind.

Working 50-60 hours / week has finally paid off:
-I've got money in the bank
-I have two vacations coming up
-I'm moving in October

Vacation #1 - Spring Break Road Trip to Florida!
March 8 - 16
Some amazing Simmons Women who are graduating this year invited me to join their caravan to Kissimmee, FL (outside Orlando) for a good old fashioned Spring Break. 24 hours of driving in a minivan with some of my favorite people, 8 days/nights in an 8-person suite at a 5-star resort, sun, swimming, beers and queers!

Vacation #2 - Caroline in Barcelona, Spain!
March 30 - April 7
The woman who is always on the move exploring, travelling, making music, teaching, learning, and being overall the most lovely and beautiful woman in my life: Caroline! She's settled in Barcelona for a few more months and I'm going to spend some time with her to hear her new music, thpeak with a lithp in Thpain, have some deep conversations about love and life, and hug! Know of any amazing places I should go to in Barcelona? Let me know.

Moving in October!
After a few years of trying to pinpoint my next physical move, I've decided: Oakland, CA. I'm going to live with Lily (aka: Wifey, Lilus, Boo, Muffin-Face, Cuddle-Muffin, Dum-Dum...) who was my roommate at Simmons for two years. The plan is to try to milk my many connections to get some sort of fabulous job (or set of jobs like I have in PVD). Restaurant Manager / Waitress? Writer / Editor / Contributor of SexLib Lit? Sex Industry Visionary? Child Care Provider / Organizer? Madame / BeeKeeper? Any combination of the above would satisfy me wholly.

There is a Westward Movement among many in Providence / Boston / NYC. Join me! We will start something (or join in something) really sexy, smart, and fun (and temperate).

My plan is to be there for 2 or 3 years, and then make another move that will probably upset my mother as much as this one has ("you're gonna fall in love out there, and I'm never going to see my grandchildren!")...

Places I'm Pondering: NYC, Seattle, Chicago, Denver, Arizona, Armenia, or off the grid somewhere in the world...

So... Welcome to Red Light Hive where I'll try to keep you updated not only on my travels and life-excitement, but also about my most favorite issues in politics, science, beekeeping, sex work, education, food, and must-see youtube vids and other quality links.

xoxo
Carla