"mantrap"

Recently I've been doing some teaching at a couple of schools down in Watts. Each week as I leave one, I see on the corner "MANTRAP NAILS". I couldn't believe my eyes the first time I saw it - brilliant name. And what I imagined must be inside was a very 70s chic interior plastered with mirrors and laminate with lots of up-do'ed women getting very gawdy nails done.

Today was my second to last class at that school....and as a treat and for a laugh, I decided to venture into Mantrap Nails myself. I was under-whelmed by the empty-ness and bleak interior, I must admit. But for all of my under-whelmedness...I have to say it was partially overcome with an amusing and very nice fellow who did my nails as well as getting told from both he and a customer that I looked like a 50s model :) Hehe...it's amazing what a complement can do!

Since I was at Mantrap I decided that I had to diverge from my strict rule of only painting my nails red. I mostly let my nail-man pick the color and design. I was thinking even a more striking design...on all of my fingers...like many of my students do...but what came to be was this. A very hot metallic pink with a tasteful stripping on my ring-fingers. It's quite nice. But I think it would be a brilliant project to overhaul the Mantrap Nail Salon into what could be its full glory!

"Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a car."

I've been spending alot of time in garage's lately...and I'm not a car yet. But I am getting to know them better! About a month ago I had stopped by my Studebaker shop and the guys and I were shooting the breeze when Bill pipes up and says why don't I come work at the shop. I wasn't sure if he was kidding or not - but I told him I'd be really excited to do that 1 day a week. He was serious - and thought they'd have lots there for me to help with.

I don't think I could do it 5 days a week, but 1 is fantastic! It's the perfect mix of physical, artistic, and problem-solving! The way my 4-5 different jobs have pieced themselves together in my life blows me away. It's pretty amazing that a number of months back I was thinking of switching jobs. I'm really happy in ALL of my jobs right now - and never could have imagined piecing this together on my own. It's pretty rad how things work out sometimes!

So far I've done a number of little odd jobs. Some re-wiring. And today I learned how to take off/take apart drum brakes (and then wire-brushed them nice and clean). I'm learning much and having fun. Most people who come through the shop I've already met, because they drop in on a regular basis. However there has been a couple people who were really surprised by a girl working there. Like the two young ladies who came in and exclaimed "A girl works here!...cooool!" or the weird guy missing his front tooth who just sort of oogled at me. It makes me chuckle. Just like I can't help but chuckle when I roll down my block and the rumble of my Stude's engine sets off a car alarm - I loooove that. Ahhh...simple pleasures.

Which reminds me of Thanksgiving (simple pleasures that is!) I was quite worried to drive the Stude to Bakersfield where I was meeting my parents on our way to Sacramento. (Stude is having some transmission issues). But she made it. The drive was very nice - being in an old car just slows down the pace a bit. Arriving in the country felt really good - the slight fogginess, the cold, the fields....I kinda just wanted to keep driving around as it makes for good reflection time. But...as it ends up, I met up with a friend, and then with my parents and Blaise, and from there we safely got to Sacramento and enjoyed the weekend with family. The kids are at crazy ages (2,3,4) so you can imagine it wasn't exactly a relaxing weekend. But was wonderful to be with family. Enjoy the pictures...which for the most part were taken by Trey(also included are a few Christmas tree ones :) )

sundays are nice

I recognize it's been a long time since my last post...the 30s are busy! While I can't sit down and catch you all up on the last month - I thought I'd start with today.

Waking up late to an empty house (a treat when one lives with 6 others) I decided to make delicously bread-like non-gluten blueberry pancakes. Although I was worried that I'd used a bad egg in the batter, everything turned out fine and I even had hot maple syrup - yum. I stuffed myself while enjoying the Christmas tree and a really good book. (The Razor's Edge by Someset Maugham...a regular at the cafe recommended this writer based on my other likings...and as I've found it hard recently to find good fiction its been great finding some.)
Skipping some things in between...I met a friend for a drink before heading off together to an Over The Rhine concert. My friend had seen them about a dozen times, and I never have although I have multiple CDs. It was such a good show. Really fabulous music and really fabulous lyrics. Leaving the show my friend and I were both really reflective and split. I enjoyed a short walk and the park while writing the following poem...

The lights are low
music and beauty around the room
I sit comfortable in my chair
my arms hugging my bent leg.
One quick moment I'm struck
by my ease and routine
of providing my own needs
this both pleases and distresses me
full, I don't look for food
but who wants to be hungry?

I know, nothing like OTR's songwriting. Lyrics sticking out to me from tonight are from Drunkard's Prayer..."you're my water, you're my wine, you're my whiskey from time to time."

I must end my weekend - for tomorrow morning I must be at the Studebaker Shop bright and early...perhaps I can write about that tomorrow...