CED in PDX

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!

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

thanks, marc!

xoxo

City From Below!

"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

Read more - get excited - submit proposals!

nom nom nom

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."

More Art

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.

Tranqui Yanqui

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!

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

Best Idea Ever!

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

there's only one catch...

hahahahahahah

xoxo
c

Oakland Info from Wikipedia

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)

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

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!

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

Home Sweet Home

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

It's Official

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

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.

Rideshare Wanted

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

Art and Life

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

Hey Baby, Let's Cross Pollinate

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?