It begins

Summer fun has started, which usually means I spend less time on the computer. Last Sunday we spent the afternoon at the Island Chef's Food Fest, which was held at Fort Rodd Hill. I've wanted to go to this event (and Fort Rodd Hill, for that matter) for a long time, but it never worked out until this year. It was delicious, especially the desserts: apple & beet crisp, chocolate baklava, quince ice cream.

This weekend we'll be spending every minute with twin nieces who have been walking since Christmas and a nephew who just turned four years old. It will be loud and awesome.

Outside

Today I got to eat outside...

...lounge on my new chair...

...walk with my buddy...

...and it felt good.

On Miranda July

There's a lot of love for Miranda July these days, and I'm bursting with my share. Her second movie, The Future, will be released this summer (though I suspect I will have to wait a little longer since I doubt it will come to Victoria movie theaters).
Did you see her first movie, Me and you and everyone we know? A few times? Maybe you read Nobody Belongs Here More Than You, her collection of short stories? Or maybe you have a copy of Learning to Love You More in your bathroom (I gave my copy to my parents, but I have tentative plans)? Did you post her short film, Are you the favorite person of anybody? on your blog? Or -- last one -- do you revisit her treatise on why you should vote before every election? Did you share it on your work's social networking site? And were you thrilled when a few people you've never met "liked" it?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you're probably a fan of Miranda July too. Or maybe you answered no to all of the questions because you've never heard of Miranda July before, but now you're intrigued. If that's the case, you can take this diagnostic test to see if you should watch her latest movie. And while you're at that website, you should probably sign up to get your future divined every week.
P.S. I would like a copy of this poster.

Music

I bought the new Fleet Foxes album, as planned, and I love it, as expected. And when I want to listen to something a little different, I've been listening to Ellie Goulding, who I recently heard on Saturday Night Live:



I hear some influence from the Cranberries, no?

Rhododendron

It doesn't feel like spring, but it sure looks like spring, part 2:


I used to dislike rhododendrons. They look so spindly when they aren't blooming, you know? But they're very popular in these parts, and I was sold when I saw the giant rhodos at Government House. When they bloom, the park looks like a circus. I have tentative plans to take some photos of them this week so I can frame some colourful prints.

The rhodo pictured here is outside our house, and it's really happy right now (unlike last year). So that's one good thing I can say about all this rain.

Again with City Museum

Remember when I wrote about City Museum way back when? I described the museum as a crazy dream world fantasy. I still want to go, especially after I read this description on Design*Sponge:

Part museum, part playground, part funhouse where repurposed architectural and industrial objects mix with cranes, planes, buses, a vintage photobooth, an aquarium, underground tunnels, a 10-story spiral slide, a working Ferris wheel on top of the building and so much more. Housed in a former shoe company, City Museum was named one of the “World’s 10 Best Public Spaces” by the New York-based Project for Public Spaces.

Now I need to find a reason to go to St. Louis.

I also need to find a way to work for the Project for Public Spaces.