Sometimes, it takes me time to finish projects. I work on it and then let it sit for months at a time and then get back to it. It is very much the case of this painting, which I started a year ago already!

In this latest version, I added the bicycles which was the part I was the most nervous about.

I also added little details like writing “Decathlon” on the bike bar. Decathlon is an outdoors and sports store in France very much like REI. I love that store!

And just for fun, here’s the painting framed with the artist’s feet.

I think I need one last cession to finish it.

The whole process:
Act I
Act II
Act III
Act IV
Act V
Act VI

I’ve always wanted to know what it was like to urinate like a boy standing. Just kidding! Well actually, not really. I’ve always been envious of men for having the freedom to just face away from anyone’s sight, take minimal body parts out and relieve themselves. Of course some men do it in more or less tasteful ways.

But think about it, when we, women, are out on a trail and we really have to go, we need to find at the very least a bush or hike out in uncertain terrain to find a hiding spot. Then we look all around, to make sure no one can see us. Then, we unzip and pull our pants down until our little booty is completely out in the open, then squat and pee. While we pee, we need to be careful where the wind comes from, not to accidentally “rain” on our shoes. Oh and what’s that tickling me on my right butt cheek? Could that be poison oak?

Anyways, you get the point. I’ve been in various situations where I so would have paid to just have a penis. Whether it’s in the snow, or in the Grand Canyon where there is no where to hide on these highly trafficked switchbacks, or in Point Reyes where everything green may be poison oak. You do NOT want to have poison oak there.

Finally the other day, during a random run at REI, I got the Freshette. I thought to myself, this could really come in handy in more situations than I think I can imagine. It is brilliant!

Naturally I got home and wanted to try it right away. Reading about other women who got it, most of them gave the gadget its first try in the shower. Actually that’s a good idea! But I went straight to the toilet. Lifted the seat, as one should do, and aimed. It took me probably a whole minute before my brain could accept the fact that it was okay to let go. Once I started, I could not stop laughing and saying “woa” and “oh” and “oh my god that’s awesome”. I shook the tube, rinsed the device and done I was.

I took it to Mount Diablo when we went camping and tried it in the pit toilet. Worked totally great. I’m planning on taking it every time we go outdoors… and perfect my art.

I might have mentioned this before, but Justin and I don’t really give each other gifts for birthdays, Christmas or anniversaries. Instead, we take each other out to dinner, go on trips and give spontaneous presents whenever it makes sense.

Last week, Justin got me a super cute t-shirt with fruits all over it…

… they all have butts! Can you see them?

He knows me well.

When I decide to make a change, normally it’s pretty drastic. There’s no messing around. The outside’s in, the inside’s out, I shake it all about and turn it around. That’s what it’s all about, my friends!

Out with the red, in with the white-green-orange. Out with the crazy flying squares (what was I thinking?), in with the random pictures from my adventures. Out with the unpronounceable blog name (and domain) and in with what it really represents… my life.

Eventhough Soleilisme disappeared from the internets, I don’t want to just throw it away without any commemoration screenshot. After all, it was a little piece of me for almost three years.

Goodbye, big red buddy!

And so, welcome to my new home! I can’t believe the first time I posted about a blog re-design was back in April… I’m sure all of you were sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting for this day to come! I’m happy I could relieve the impatience that was eating your every moment of existence. You’re welcome.

Ah, this feels good. Something new. Something refreshing. Certainly not perfect, but refreshing. Feel free to click around and leave a comment if you see anything broken, want to give me some feedback or just send me some love notes.

I am a dancer
I am a hiker
I am an artist
I am a home cheese maker
I am an explorer
I am an indoor lover
I am French
I am American
I am a hard worker
I am a napper
I am a home cook
I am an outside eater
I am a blogger
I am a spend-time-away-from-the-computer…er
I am a dreamer
I am a realist
I am a team player
I am solitary
I am a camper
I am a hotel suite appreciator
I am a planner
I am spontaneous
I am in love.

I can mix and match many of these parts of me, but I cannot feed them all in a short period of time. Otherwise, I would need to have about six different bodies doing different things but feeding into the same brain. The only exception is the last one listed which is compatible with all of the above.

In life I regularly run into these moments where I feel like a part of me isn’t being fulfilled while another one is. So, I juggle. I’m really into something for a few days, weeks, months or even years and then I switch it up.
Sounds like a pretty good plan, but by having so many strong parts of me, the ones that don’t get attention for a while start complaining.

I can easily appease the craving for many of them, but others are a little bit harder. It creates this sort of “I want to do too many things” cluster in my mind. And this happens mostly when the weekend is around the corner. I have all of two days that are a blank canvas!! What can I do? Oh my goodness… so many things!
I could finish my blog redesign, finish my painting, take a jog, go hiking, take a nap, cook food, make cheese, chill, go shopping, call my family, clean the apartment, watch a movie….
This sounds great!… in my head. But when I read the list, I see that it’s too much. Or I’ll need another weekend after the weekend. So I’ll cross some stuff out, fulfill some some parts of me and give a friendly wave to the others and switch it up next time.

I cannot do it all. I just can’t do it all. Not all at once. I’m working on being ok with that… I think I’m getting there. Maybe.

Check it out, a Citroën Deux-Chevaux! In San Francisco! Une “Deudeuche”! The best part is that the owner called it “Pou Bel” which is just like a “poubelle” which is a garbage dump which is a common name to refer to your car in France. You get me?
Poubelle – “Pou Bel” – ha ha!