Painting

I've been doing a little more of it these days, and it feels nice.  Going to start opening my space on Sundays for artists who want to come and mess around with some brushes and color!

To Love and To Be Loved.

So simple, lets all practice!!

@ Moma

Today (While at the Greenwood Senior Center)

Old woman (wearing clothes covered in portraits of cats.)- "I was a chemical dependancy counseler for thirty years."

Me- What lead you to that field?"

Woman- "Being an alcoholic."

End.

I also made friends with a woman who was a school teacher and principle (for 40 years) we got along fabulously.  She held my hand for a few moments before I left and it felt nice to have a teacher actually like me.  It hasn't happened in a while.

THEN-

On the way home a forgetful old woman loaded the bus exclaiming "I have to get off at 43 and Phinney!" 

To which the driver replied, "Ok, I'll drop you there, ma'am."

I too, was getting off at that stop. 

I helped her off the bus. 
"Ok, see you!" I yelled.

"Ok, bye bye!"

I went into the cafe on the corner and ordered an espresso.
"Just shut down the machine"
"Got any drip left?"
"Yeah, and you don't owe me anything."
"Thanks."

I get my coffee and walk out the door. 

The little old woman is standing in the same spot. Its dark and raining, and I chose the wrong day to not wear socks. 
"Are you ok?
"No, I'm not. I'm totally lost, I have no idea where I am."
"Ok, so we are on 43rd and Phinney. That is north, that is sou..."
"Ok, i know where I am. No wait, no I don't.  Oh, its sooo dark."
"Ok, well, do you know an address?"
"Yes. 465 43rd Street."
"Ok, then we would have to walk this way.  I'll walk you and make sure you get there."
"Oh no...where am I..."
"Its ok, you're on 43rd and Phinney, we're walking through Francis now..."
"Oh, Francis!"
"Yes, Francis."
"Ok, theres the yellow truck.  Is there a fence ahead?"
"Yes, there is a fence."
Ok, I live past the fence and the yellow truck."
"I just lost my job, I was babysitting my 14 year old granddaughter and I was informed no 14 year olds have babysitters."
(It has taken us 10 minutes to complete a block. Inching there...)
"Oh no!  Well maybe we can find you another babysitting job!"
"I'm so slow, I'm so sorry.  It took me 4 hours to get to Sumner today."
"Sumner?!  Why were you going to Sumner?"
"I'm from Sumner, so was my mother."
"I' m from Sumner!"
"You are?"
"Well, I mean, Bonney Lake, but I went to Sumner High!"
"Oh, well, thats not Sumner."
(I can't wait to be old.)

Anyhow, her name is Betty and now we're friends.  (Yay!)

Today was a complete success!

Paris

I stole this image from The Sartorialist.  Parisian style has always mesmorized me.  I remember my mother would come home with bags and bags of old english china, french linens, and school us on the importance of spending a little extra on things that are made well.  Investments. 

I bought a Le Creuset teapot the other day and found I did not stray far from my mother's teachings.  Many Parisians have this sort of "magical" touch. They are seemingly effortless, romantic, and kept.  I strive, I strive.

L Boogie up in hurrrrr.

L Boogie up in hurrrrr.
Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

Took L Max out on the town for burgers. She is a local kid (Olympia) that I am lucky enough to call a friend. Check her out at laurenmaxphotography.com

Love is God,
God is love,
Rev Run

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday
Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

My birthday is coming up. Partyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy(!)

I've been cutting hair all my life.

Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

This is me and my younger brother, Jose when I was probably around 12. Before I knew how men actually achieved the "buzzed" look. My mom wooped my ass that night!

Get down. No matter the consequences.

Here is what getting down looks like.  If Katie Couric can do it, so can the rest of us. 



Hater's will hate, lova's wanna love...I don't even want none of the above.

I want you to get down.

It's all fo' Neck-oration!

I'm loving me some neck-orations. Check out three amazing vintage finds.  Oooooh yes.  Pick 'em up at Hazel on Phinney and 59th.  <3 Yours Truly

This is a link to my best friend's website.  If you are ever in the University District of Seattle.  Visit Curio Confections.  Maria has magic hands.  Most amazing shortbread cookie I've ever had.

Mt Ugas is a fan of

Curio Confections

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Tribeca

I rode the subway from Tribeca to Brooklyn late last night and had the most amazing time at a bar called Henry Public.  I was visiting friends I didn't know I had yet, but probably should have.  The saloon serves a drink called Ether, need I say more?  Ok I will.  Some delicious things you'll see on the menu are Marrow Bones, Grass fed Hamburger Sandwiches, and Egg Cream (not actually containing eggs).  I felt home, despite the obvious distance.  The bartender, Marty, gave me my Coca Cola (bottled and delicious) on the house, which made the bubbles twice (2x!) as delicious. 

The bathrooms were stocked with Bronner's Peppermint Castile Soap and left a minty residue on my cold hands. (Overheard at the bar..."When you get a chance to check out the toilet, you should...Its pretty."

The walls are covered in white gloss with black thin lines detailing in the most eloquent way.  I left feeling ever so satisfied.  I'll be back, Brooklyn.

Phinney Market (60th & Phinney)

This is the greatest market ever.  Great cheeses, great soup, amazing sandwiches.  I have photos coming soon.  You just wait.

Sitting

Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

My grandparents had 13 children together. They slept in seperate bedrooms, picked on each other a lot, and laughed a lot. They would sit all day out on their tennis court turned sitting area. When I think of true love I think of them and their home.

Theres nothing wrong with love.

Theres nothing wrong with love
Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

My little brother Bob dresses dolls (really well ) and I think it may be the cutest thing I've ever seen.

My sister and I

Mothers who Sew;
Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

The dolls in the backround are My Little Ponies. Remember them? I still have a few, luckily. Transparent wings and all.

My old neighbor.

Who is my neighbor?
Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

This was at around 2 in the morning when Gino showed up with a stray cat and a cigar in his mouth. "Is dis yar cat?"

Gabe Spierer

Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

Brooklyn, NY

Hilda Mercedes Home

My mother has amazing style.
Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

Hilda Mercedes is a Peruvian woman living in Bonney Lake, Washington but I think she should live in France.  Just sayin.

Garnett Pedro

15A
Originally uploaded by MT Ugas

Seattle Greyhound station. 2008. This man provides toiletries, clothes, and food for the poor of Seattle. He works at the Greyhound Station. Go and find him. Bring a notebook.

Sofia Loren

The Rolling Stones as inspiration.

My Father

These are photos of my father on Machu Picchu and in front of his VW bug.  He is the one with sunglasses on. He was a looker, no?

Hello Again

Hi. Haven't spoken to you in a while. I am returning to writing daily (by daily i mean weekly). I have much time to make up for but I promise I won't let you down. I have stories. Loads of stories. Some sad, but most of them happy. Im listening to the Veils and thinking about love.

Its been two years since I've written anything.

I was thinking today I would l ike to make a film of my deepest fears. A story about a pretty girl who has an immediate distrust for authority and lives a life like Oliver Wilde, putting all of her needs first. Never taking advice...screwing up horribly and ending up on the street. An old woman dying on the street alone. My worst nightmare. Wretched, isn't it?

It would be amazing to see the spiraling of such a promising young thing. And by amazing I mean heart-wrenching.