I really enjoy finding old sketches.
This small notepad is not as old, but I found it this past weekend quietly hiding underneath a very broken transat saddle I somehow refuse to get rid of. I am very minimal and don’t usually keep or hoard stuff at all, but this saddle has been an exception.

Finding a notebook with my notes and sketches is always a good time to pause and peek back into moments and observations.

This had to be a random guy across the bar. Omar and I, along with a few other friends used to go to the Hemlock for happy hour quite frequently as it was a pivotal bike route point for many of us and our jobs during that year. We usually sat by the pool table (now communal long table) or at the bar where we could kinda see the bike rack. When it was earlier and slow, you’d see a bike or two inside.

Some of mi favorite moments at the Hemlock since turning 21 have been hanging out with the guys after I got laid off before the recession, Spectrum playing in that back stage, my mom getting free drinks because, well she is my mom –Not that card– because I can leave that woman alone and she would’ve chatted up with the bartender anyway, she engages people within seconds, has great narrative, has probably read a book about it, and was born in chaotic city urban settings. If you’ve met her, you know there is no need for explanation, but I like expressing admiration.
Anyways.
And also one of Ratta’s birthdays.
And you can still get a baggie of hot peanuts for a dollar.

That little red notebook was given to me by my dear friend Daniel, he is from the East coast and moved back to Nueva York shortly after college. He visits from time to time. We miss him. I miss him. and speaking of birthdays, it was Qeli’s birthday this month and feel grateful she is just a Bart ride away. As well as my girlfriends from school within a bus ride.

[Qeli, yo y Daniel] This was from 2009 as well, Muffin took this foto from across the table. We had dinner at Toyose on Noriega and 45th.
I love you friends.

Slowly more present, and proud of myself for somewhat getting back to the notebooks, writing a bit, y sketchpads almost on a daily basis.
To life, to my friends starting families (♥and babies!) old friends, and new. So lucky to have in my life, even the ones that have parted ways –– and to Qeli’s birthday, we will be celebrating this Friday.

Words propelled by a halt upon a mustache recorded on a random, singular page.
xxomeli

I have made a small effort to not be online that frequently, to not read (every) set of rss visual overload because, boy do I know and love reading a myriad of them. In all honesty I enjoy being overly curious and knowing off the top-of-my-head often useless facts – like say, which year Buddy Holly died, JFK was shot, Fidel went into power and the year Psycho was first released. (1960s recent history affinity, can you tell?…)

I love it.
And to be honest, I have also learnt that it is equally important to learn a habit, a routine – to dim the lights, be computer AND device-free, say after 10PM and really nourish, embrace and quietly dedicate a personal time to the closure of each day. It is not about age, not about genexers or millennials – it is acknowledging once you are purely running on fumes, whatever that means to each of us, and act upon it. Sometimes it takes years, a person, or a change of appearance (hello under-eye bags) to really come face to face with yourself and own the first step in order for you to do something about it.

On Broadway, Oakland.

I’ve found pure enjoyment in hearing friends and even my mom, describe to me what they thought I would love to hear about. Or to see them be surprised that I haven’t heard about a particular something or seen a video which shows a particular mutual interest (typically sports> typography> or local flavor)

How amazing is that?
Not only do you (I) enjoy the company, the conversation – but LOVE that face to face time, describing in each other own words, something that you could have easily scrolled through on whichever size monitor or screen and re-shared as easily as forgetting about it. Without much of an interaction and reaction thread or vocal conversation to it.

You know who you are.
And I know that you know people, friends like that as well.
Athletics, Warriors, pixels, coffee, design, ice cream, babies, weddings, divorces, espanglish, upcoming concerts, finance, code.

Don’t let those opportunities pass by. Make the time for those moments.
Even if our schedule is tight or seems difficult to arrange the time to do so.

In my case and with some of my friends and relatives, it has taken me some years even, after life changing cycles to slowly come out of my shell again. Without a rush, but without forgetting about it either. Some months have also passed to even reply to some messages and phone calls. I’ve missed a lot without feeling that I have missed out, at all.
The attempt and the intention is there to get together, once again, when the time is right.

Lower Haight, San Francisco.

And once you do when it’s meant to be, what a beauty in human social behavior to forget how long it has really been and to pick right up where you left off.

—
Have you recently made small scale or big time changes in your everyday life that have impacted you? I’d like to hear about it and how it has affected you for the better (or worse)…

xxomeli

Raw week. Few yes+no decisions taken, a new design position offered, a work summit w/grade school kids, a goodfriend lost his mom to long cancer battle.

LIFE is fragile.
Somedays are tremendous; often sad, often joyful. Often both. What a mysterious ride.

Taking a short time off from the blog +sharing fotos to embrace changes +some time off social media.
Will be back in about a month, happy mother’s day, and will be watching my Warriors rocking the basketball playoffs.

See you all in late-May.
Much love -xxomeli

San Francisco Art Institute. March, 2013

My eyes completely skipped to acknowledge the two landmarks and zoomed right into him, walking so carelessly on the edge of the cement bleachers; adjacent to a short institutional abyss.
It was an instant playback of memories from my own art school days of wandering, questioning and exploring the whys with your own set of imaginary wings. Wings which were made out of edible glitter during the day, and powered by classic philosophy while listening to NPR at night.

Recording moments and instances is something that we as humans tend to do.
Sorting memories is something that the brain does independently perhaps – whether we chose to revisit them is a different process and we are often quickly triggered by specific sightings. Most of the time by being exposed to a specific scent; the scent of your past.

I have been to the SFAI many times over the years for lectures, exhibits, talks. A school that I fell in love with due to its history, Diego Rivera, and its location. And almost attended, but didn’t. I hold a BFA from an equally outstanding Bay Area art institution.

As I was trying to catch my breath walking up something like 3 or 4 flights of stairs from the institute’s rear entrance, my lungs were burning with a rather distinct fire from the one that once burnt with curiosity and exposure to the unknown.
Then that person was there along with a brief representation. I observed.
And quickly after, that moment was gone.

// Objectivity, Spring 2013.

I find that certain mannerisms, style or looks trigger the need to find and connect similarities in people’s eyes, when they cross your path.
In high school a buddy class clown called me Sandy-Meli because he thought I looked like Sandra Bullock. My high school BFF Ernie called me Alanis for that one video she came out with a crazy braid hairdo. In the last month or so I’ve gotten the 3 below.

Johnny Depp (in “Benny & Joon”) as I do wear a hat rather frequently and my hair is super messy lately. BTW I love that film.
Alicia Keys while watching the Grammy’s, Janet said I remind her of Alicia’s recent looks and her overall appearance and attitude.
Björk from a very cool sidecar driver in the city (Sidecar is a ride-sharing app, based here in SF).2 from people very close to me and 1 from a stranger.

Very flattering, indeed.

The Björk one is rather weird – 20 years ago when this video came out, my half-brother who is 8 years older than me, used to say that she looked cookie crazy just like me dancing. He also teased me with the bumble-bee kid in Blind Melon’s “No Rain” because I used to tap dance. ← True story.
I fell in love with Rock & Roll and a vast variety of music because of him, even before reaching my teens.
Anyways.

Have you been told you look like someone else or a famous personality, or that you have a doppelganger out there?

// Image sources: 1. Johnny Depp / 2. Alicia Keys / 3. Björk 

That is what Eric, a dear friend of wrote to me in an email shared late last year.

Eric is one of our favorite riding buddies in our local circle of riding pals in San Francisco. He’s always got the right snacks and wise words to share. I haven’t gone in any social or long distance rides in the U.S in over 2 years (went to a couple last year in Mexico) but I appreciate his continuing emotional support throughout happy and sad times.

I know when and if the time comes for me to get on a bike again, he, amongst good friends will be more than happy to join me. Eric is always sending me nice emails and notes, so I just wanted to take the time to share this, almost poetic, Dutch video.

I do miss that social and beautiful energy of riding with friends but I am overwhelmed with emotions as I continue to heal and recover from very difficult times, memories and loss.
My priority is to find a peaceful life, a very slow pace and glad to accept my different perspective in this life – which keeps going and developing day by day.
xxom

/Say hello to Eric, he blogs at: Classic lightweight bikes & rides

Rough 22 months.
A tremendous roller coaster of grieving, emotions, post-30isms, new career path. New, old, lost friendships. Moving, hair, past, future and somewhere in there I decided to return to this blog.

I had considered this journey done and over with for about a year. And that’s OK.
I almost didn’t ride my bike and unsure of when or if I ever will. And that’s OK.

Sharing photos, observations. And minute pieces of me.
Slowly.
A different take on life. An indubitably different perspective.
Thank you for reading, thank you stopping by.

To see parts of the city, Velcro, caffeine, to read.
Whatever it is that keeps you coming back.
Sudden explorations with often short and concise observations.

I hope it is inspiring to you, and that it sparks curiosity into creativity in your surroundings, making your day a better moment. A better memory.

Grateful for what a beast and a dove of its own 2012 was, and that it is almost over.
Happy holidays and wish you all a grand new year 2013.

See you sometime in January.
Gracias, Meli.