Ashley Condensed

Mass Love.

2011-12-23T09:11:00.000-08:00

Works in progress

2011-09-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple of new things I've been making.

Pen

Paper

Prismacolor

Some studies in paint.

2011-08-08T19:50:00.000-07:00

Gouache and water on paper.

Doodle town

2011-07-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

And that's that.
I don't smoke crack.

Back from the dead.

2011-07-11T10:53:00.000-07:00

The last day and a half have been rough. I haven't gotten out of bed, nor have I been able to keep anything down. Finally at 11 pm last night I was able to drink a bottle of Gatorade without bringing it back up. I feel really bizarre nonetheless. I haven't had any caffeine either which I am certain, added to the pounding headache plaguing me yesterday. We're going to fix this now:

1 or 3 mugs kona coffee. (thanks Lara)

1 bowl various stone fruits.

4 strips bacon. extra crispy.

That should do.

A truly great room and a truly great lady.

2011-06-23T20:27:00.000-07:00

When I first stepped into my friend Lindsay's room, I'll admit I was a little jealous. It's like walking into an old apothecary that's been crossed with an antique store and a little bit of mortuary thrown in there for good measure. It's warm, inviting, and there is always something to look at. This bedroom has so much character and every little item has its place. I knew I had to share it.

She don't mess around.

I want this bat...

There are tons of corks that were painstakingly collected over the years. It's difficult work, but someone's got to drink that wine. I helped out a little that day.

This one's not in her room, I know, but I enjoy the porch decor as well...

Got a worthy room? Maybe I'll blog yours next.

Killing spree

2011-06-20T15:48:00.000-07:00

I have had it. I came home and the maintenance crew had obviously been there and done some plumbing if you want to call it that. My shower drain is still slow, and there were more drain flies than ever. They seem to like the area in our bedroom around the radiator, so I took it upon myself to duct tape the gap between the floor and the pipes. I then proceeded to pour boiling water down the drains and stick a cup over the shower drain to see if any flies collect. I will also enjoy watching them suffer on my new fly tape. These make wonderful additions to any room. So retro, so stylish.

Dehydrated, hungover and hot.

2011-06-18T18:18:00.000-07:00

I tried everything. Coffee, water, food, a walk, hair-of-the-dog, but nothing works like this stuff. My energy is returning, and the dull headache is finally fading. Fun fact: Coconut water can be used instead of blood when an emergency blood transfusion is required and all you have is a coconut! Just don't go for the type with the coconut chunks in it like I did. This is my favorite brand, actually the only brand of coconut water that I can tolerate. I can more than tolerate it actually, I love it. Rather than tasting of dirty water, this stuff tastes as close to the real thing as you can get without a machete and a young coconut. Amy & Brian got it right. Magic.

I'm getting very sick of you...

2011-06-17T13:25:00.000-07:00

Meet the drain fly. He and all of his super cool friends seem to want to party all day in my bedroom. They're a pretty boring bunch because they just hang out on the walls while I smash them in wadded up toilet paper. They can't fly very well, they're slow and they don't make any noise. Why do I have a sudden infestation of the most pointless creature ever? Apparently they like to have sex in water and we either need to fix a leaky pipe, or they're coming from the shower. I'm hoping this is an easy fix because I'm sick of making little black smudges on my nice white walls.

Fleshy peach

2011-06-15T21:16:00.000-07:00

I'm fully aware that it's kind of a bizarre color, but I like it. I don't really care that it looks like a continuation of my cuticles, or that my skin tone is not quite right for peach. Ever since we got this color in at work, I wanted to buy it. It was kind of a "this is gross in a cool way" obsession. I always seem to paint my nails red anyways.

Goodnight

2011-06-15T00:26:00.000-07:00

You know when you're really looking forward to being completely unconscious, and the best thing in the entire world would be a death-like sleep? That's me right now. I've had a good long day of work, friends, beer and music, but I have just been exhausted all week. I'm not sure whether it the sunless days we've had lately, but myself and everyone around me seems a bit drained. I don't have to go to work tomorrow and I think I'll sleep late. Yeah, that's a good plan.....

She bruise like a grape.

2011-06-12T12:07:00.000-07:00

I wish I had a cooler story than, "I hit myself with my bike pedals while walking it uphill." I think I need to take an iron supplement.

I truly appreciate a good spelling error.

2011-06-09T19:13:00.000-07:00

I apologize for the poor photo, but I don't have an iphone. On top of that I was in a hurry, and it was night time, but you get the idea. Thanks Bamboo Thai Restaurant.

I'm sorry, I had to.

2011-06-09T19:05:00.000-07:00

Sat down on the bed after a shower. My butt had this message for me.

Red at night....

2011-06-09T18:55:00.000-07:00

Earlier today.

After the storm.

It's officially summer in my book.

2011-06-08T17:58:00.000-07:00

I know it's summer when this is all I want to eat for dinner.

Fetch me one nectarine, one apricot, some watermelon, strawberries and cherries, slice them up, put them in a bowl and give me a fork! Cooking in the summertime is a bummer unless it involves a grill and cold beer. For the next 4 months, I will fully take advantage of the amazing selection of fruit that has recently become available. Who wants an apple or a banana when the peaches, blueberries, CHERRIES and watermelon are so delicious right now? Keep them away from me until I have to survive the winter.

My corner.

2011-06-08T12:29:00.000-07:00

Since moving in I hadn't gotten around to putting anything on my walls. I've begun a collection on the wall in my reading/crossword puzzle corner. I'll make this place a home someday soon.

Work convention!

2011-05-26T20:43:00.000-07:00

Whole Foods sends the team members to this natural foods convention every year, and today was the big event. It's usually in some convention center, but this year it was outdoors. There was a fashion show starring team members sporting new eco clothing lines. It ended up being a beautiful day, no humidity and the right amount of heat. Every year it's more and more overwhelming, and you're bound to leave with 50 pounds of free swag. No joke. 50. I'm really tired from carrying it all, and I have no use for all of the tiny soaps and lotion packets. Gift bags!

And monkfish are scary.

The seafood department displayed an array of enormous fish. Thanks to Patrick's hand, you can see how big this tuna really was!

Yeah tiny mustard jars! Score!

Some likes and obsessions in no particular order.

2011-05-24T18:17:00.000-07:00

#1 Seafoam green:

If I had to be surrounded by one color for the rest of my life, I wouldn't have trouble deciding which one.

#2 Lychee nuts, or lychee flavored ANYTHING.

Slice open it's bumpy red skin, pull out that weird translucent fruit resembling an eyeball, and hand it over. I don't know why I love these things so much, but why does an obsession have to make sense? I ate a whole pint of these once and got the worst stomach ache ever. So, don't do that.

#3 This guy

No explanation necessary.

#4 Tongue sandwiches

Now, if you grew up the way I did you'd love it. Both of my grandmothers would have this unpopular sandwich meat waiting for me when I got to their houses. Stack it high between rye or bulkie rolls, no condiments, no lettuce and devour. I bet if you didn't know what you were eating you'd think it was corned beef. I swear to you that it's delicious.

#5 "Revelation" by Flannery O'Connor

This is a great collection of short stories, but one of my favorites has to be "Revelation." Pick it up and read it, or....

Read it here.

#6 This song

Jacques Dutronc. This is get-stuck-in-your-head music.

#7 Oxfords

I like them in all shapes, all sizes and all colors. Plus, women in menswear is hot.

#8 Dungen

I suggest you start listening.

#9 This guy

Rambo, my first born.

#10 The Adventures of Pete and Pete

There are countless things that make this show so amazing. For one thing, the writers truly understood childhood, and were able to capture it perfectly. It's also perpetually Autumn on this show, the best season to be a kid in my opinion. I still feel fuzzy watching it.

Seriously, WTF.

2011-05-24T12:34:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I'm still attempting to watch the Criterion Collection in full and it's getting weird. Last night, Elliott and I watched "Hausu" or, "House."

This is a completely bizarre, tripped-out, campy Japanese "horror" film from 1977. As usual, it centers around a group of school girls who go to stay in a creepy old house for summer vacation. There is a murderous persian cat, a disturbing aunt and obviously a killer lampshade. Basically that is where they lost me, and to be honest I haven't bothered to finish it yet. See for yourself...

The Criterion Collection isn't perfect, and I realize that. I'm glad they've included some camp along with stuffy french films, and silents. But really, I am speechless with this one.

Quick sketchbook dump.

2011-05-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

So you finally decided to grace us with your presence.

2011-05-24T11:35:00.000-07:00

The sun came out today and I finally got to wear a dress without a sweater, tights, scarf and boots. It's hot for the first time in recent history, and I am actually sweating which is a welcome feeling at this point. I've all but forgotten what a perfect sunny day in Boston is like. But not quite.

It's cold and I want chili!

2011-05-19T18:02:00.000-07:00

It's May, but it really doesn't feel like it. I'm freezing cold, and it's raining...STILL. Let's make chili!

Gather these things:

1 medium onion
2 celery ribs
2 large carrots
1 small green bell pepper
1/2 red bell pepper
1 jalapeno
1 can kidney beans rinsed
1/2 cup frozen corn
2-3 cans of beer
1 lb ground beef
3 strips bacon!

...and these spices/flavor devices

Warning! I don't really measure my spices, and I am constantly adjusting. I'll try my best for you.

3 palmfuls chili powder

1 palmful cumin

1/2 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

cayenne pepper to taste

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

2 Tbsp worcestershire sauce

1 cube beef bouillon

2 tsp mustard

3 Tbsp ketchup

Salt and pepper to taste

Chop the onion, celery, carrots and peppers. Set aside in a big bowl.

Cube your bacon and brown it in a big dutch oven. Set it aside in a bowl.

Brown the beef.

Push the beef over to one side of the pot, and add the chopped vegetables to the other half. Salt everything well to get the vegetables to sweat. Add the bacon back into the pot. Cook things down a bit, and combine the two halves.

Add the dry spices.

Pour in one beer, and begin to scrape up the brown bits that have accumulated at the bottom of the pot. Make sure the liquid covers the ingredients completely. It will seem thin, but it will reduce. You will probably need to add more beer as it cooks down. I used about 2 1/2. If it's not enough just add more! Add your other wet ingredients and stir well.

Now.... leave it alone! Let the chili simmer covered on low for about an hour. Remember to stir periodically. Keep tasting. If you think it needs something, ADD IT! Halfway through cooking, add the corn and beans.

Sure, it's good tonight, but its much better the next day. I guess if you're hungry tonight, grab a bowl and melt some cheese on it!

Enjoy!

Ugh.

2011-05-19T17:16:00.000-07:00

It has been raining for a week straight now. There hasn't been a single break in the clouds, and I am beginning to forget what color the sky is. I haven't had the motivation to blog at all, so I'm forcing myself. HERE!

Simple pasta dinner

2011-05-07T19:17:00.000-07:00

At the moment thanks to rent, I am pretty low on funds. Not an unusual circumstance for most of you I'm sure. Despite my lack of cash, I can still eat well for cheap. Here is a simple recipe that uses some items that most of us already have in our pantries. I only had to spend about $6 on the ingredients I didn't have. This is a recipe I like to make because it's cheap, healthy, and it makes enough food to feed me and Elliott for two days. These are important things when you're a poor bum like me!

What you need:

1 pint grape tomatoes
5-6 oz log of plain goat cheese
1 bunch basil
A handful of arugula
1 box penne, or rigatoni

Prep:

Put a big pot of water on to boil, and salt it well. While the water is boiling, slice up the grape tomatoes like this:

Put your sliced tomatoes in a bowl, and reserve. Rinse the basil well, and pull off 8-10 nice-sized leaves. Stack leaves 3 at a time, and roll into a cigar shape. Slice the rolled basil the short way to create nice little strips. Toss your prepared basil in the bowl with the tomatoes. Roughly chop your arugula and, you guessed it, put it in the bowl as well.

Cook the pasta to desired tenderness, and drain very well. Return the pasta to the pot.

It's time for cheese. Cut the goat cheese log into smaller pieces, and carefully fold it into the hot pasta. Make sure to coat it well. Sometimes I add a little olive oil to thin the cheese. You can also turn the heat on VERY low to help melt the cheese. Shut off the heat when everything melts down, and there are no large lumps left. Dump in your bowl of vegetables, and carefully fold them into the pasta. There should be enough heat left to wilt the greens just a bit.

That's it! You're done, and it wasn't difficult. It's also fresh and delicious.

Enjoy!