The Zen of Running

This book is amazing.

If you kinda wanna run, but need

a little motivation, this

is it.

I run all the time, but the ones I go on

right after reading this are always the best.

by Fred Rohe 1974.

It's all about Taking it Easy

He calls Running a

Dance of Joy.

His friend Reps says,

"unless it's fun

better left undone."

(My favorite)

remember: we create our worlds

with our minds

so let your mind say

"look, I'm running

and all runners do this beautiful dance, each

stride a leap thru space--ho! what fun!"

"If there's a beach or a park without a lot of broken glass, do your run barefoot,

this gives you a foot message which stimulates all the nerve reflex points in the soles of

your feet, which in turn stimulate all the organs of your body, by being barefoot

you also get grounded, this direct contact with

Great Mother Earth

meaning that electrical equilibrium is established between you and the planet."

"don't overdo it.

underdo it.

you aren't running because

you're in a hurry to get somewhere"

"it's your choice of whether

to run to punish your self

or to experience your self.

if you choose, with me, the latter,

then every run can be joyful

they key words are,

Take it easy!!

create your self as a runner

gradually, patiently, relaxedly."

Happy Hmong New Year!!

The Hmong are a fascinating people. They have such a complex and varied history that I am not even going to attempt to define it here. We have a very large Hmong community all throughout the central valley and over this weekend there is a huge Hmong New Year celebration at Cal Expo. It is only $4 to get in, but $10 to park, so I would recommend parking down the way and hoofing it in, just like we don for The State Fair. Rad food, music, beauty pageants, boba tea, and flea market style booths selling all manner of things Hmong.

This is a really great chubby horsie balloon in the foreground, and a beauty pageant in the background.

There were a ton of people in traditional dress. It is all tinkling silver, Neon colors, and intricate embroidery.

I went with Becki and she reminded me that part of why people are unfamiliar with the Hmong community is because they don't open restaurants like their other Asian cousins. I wish they would. We ate whole chickens, amazing sausage with chunks of ginger and herbs, purple sticky rice and fried plantains.

These girls are involved in a ball tossing/courting situation. The footwear was kind of funny. There were a lot of traditional garb with stripper platforms.

Lots of cool jewels.

Virginity soap?

There were lots of pills for sale. In unmarked bags. Weird.

Also lots of bundles of sticks. I've got some research to do.

This is an It's-It cooler filled with sausage.

The movies and music for sale were pretty intense. There was a pathway through the booths that was seriously psychedelic. Each booth was BLASTING music. It was so deafening and the noises were so complicated that I stopped walking and closed my eyes. It was transportive. Becki said she screamed and no one could hear her. So loud.

Some pretty incredible movies.

I picked up these jems for myself. A hot chick getting eaten by a snake for Rafter, and hopefully some incredible music.

All Mine

I moved into a new place. It's all mine.

Big windows, light and open.

Filling up with all things Trisha.

Sunshine Pouring In.

Maybe I can get a winter tan drawing

in front of the windows.

I am trying to Avoid getting INTERNET

in hopes

that I will create more art.

I was tired and over moving yesterday afternoon,

so I sat down at a nice big clean table

that was generously given to me

by Kristine. (Thank you!!!)

I drew about my Place-City-Home obsession.

These pieces are from an inspiration session

for the next PT collaboration.

Not having tons of furniture right now and open

space allowed for rolling around and laying

on the floor.

Almost all movers make a trip or five

to Ikea.

I ate meatballs for Thanksgiving.

This is an amazing painting not by me.

You can come see it anytime at 17th and P.

Little Bitty Kitchen.

Prolly ganna fill it with art and sewing supplies.

Maybe a few beer glasses.

No microwave.

BYO FORK.

Look at those Pretty Leaves.

Ahhh. yea.

At some point, my place was a

Penthouse!?!

Come visit!!!

(No TV, No Internet, No forks)

Art projects and interior decorators welcome.

Love, TJ.

Hold My Gold: Class Act

You know I love a jumpsuit. This one is super classy. The structured shoulders and the deep v make such a sexy silhouette.

Black on Black. Love it. The bow is beaded and adds a fancy element to the slouchy knit. I love a garment like this in the winter. Comfy and still a bit dressy.

Can't get enough of these pants. Worn here with a simple tee and a substantial chunky necklace. So simple and so classy.

I adore my ethnic knits. Erica paired it with tights and ankle boots and made it look totally modern. I think it rocks as a dress. These knits from the 70's are so unique, the colors intense and the patterns brilliant. I've never seen one like this before. So rad!!

Click to buy any of these items!! Only on Hold My Gold for the next three days!!

Hold My Gold & Nasty Gal & Bows and Arrows

Wow! That's our girl Jessica Kelly on Nasty Gal. She is all over it! We are so excited for our girl, she's blowing up! Nasty Gal saw Jess on Hold My Gold, our Ebay store that Bows & Arrows and Erica run, and understandably had to have her.

She's got lots of great vintage stuff, but honestly if you like Nasty Gal you will LOVE Hold My Gold. It is lots of great stuff for way way less.