Images and videos that I’ve taken on-the-go
Day 9: The builders have continued to demolish some things while starting the process of rebuilding others. Cables and pipes are being chased into walls. New wall frames are appearing. So far two unexpected issues: the concrete floor isn’t completely level, and they’ve found some plumbing leaks. Thankfully should be easy to address… 🏠🚧
An update on my “eat all the ham and cheese in Spain” goal… ❤️🇪🇸
Modern art. Craft beer. More pork. 🖼️🍻❤️🇪🇸
A few days ago I wisely prebooked myself on a @barcelonarchitecturewalks tour to learn more about Gaudí and fight jet lag. It was a beautiful day for it! The Barcelona marathon was on too so I got to check out a bit of the race. Thanks to my tour guide Tomas – I learned a lot and had a great time.
I may not be able to eat all the ham and cheese in Spain in just 6 days, but I’m going to give it a proper try. 🇪🇸❤️
Just messaged my colleagues: you’re lucky I like you enough to spend so much time on an airplane. ❤️ ✈️
Day 5: Rubble. This part of the renovation is *fast*! Doors and windows are out; closets gone; cornice coming down; bathroom demolished; walls obliterated. I can’t wait to see it start coming back together! (They’ve set up a weekly meeting so we can see the progress.) 🏠🚧
My friend @mobywhale said yesterday that I had been a bit remiss in not sharing any of the Snook’s cooking lately. So here’s the homemade focaccia (with tomato and feta) that he made on Tuesday, and which I’ve been nomming on for the past couple days. ❤️
Day One: The renovation has begun! The builders made quick work of the old flooring, and they started removing doors and closet fittings too. (Don’t expect photos every day. We’re going to try to bother them as little as possible!) 🏠 🚧
You didn’t think I forgot about the Oscars, did you? With one week to go, I’m happy to announce the fifteenth (semi-)annual Web-Goddess Oscar Contest has officially launched! 🎉
Time to put on Dua Lipa so you can dance the night away with Barbie and Ken…
This year you get two monkeys, each of which have two outfits. Barbie has her iconic pink gingham outfit from the start of the movie, as well as her Venice Beach rollerblading kit. Ken has his rollerblading kit too, as well as his Mojo Dojo outfit complete with custom fanny pack and fringed vest. And if you’re going to do a patriarchy, of course you need a fur.
Contest results: Congrats to Shilpa Anand, who got 12/13 predictions correct and tied with 3 other people for the top spot. It then went to the In Memoriam tiebreaker, where Shilpa managed to guess the EXACT number – 51. CONGRATULATIONS SHILPA!
More monkey construction info: The monkeys each have blue button eyes and (lots of) yarn hair. For the rollerblading outfits, why yes, that is the exact psychedelic neon print from their movie outfits, thank you for noticing! I found it on Spoonflower and had a fat quarter printed, which was more than enough. For the neon pink and yellow fabric, I bought some cheap high-vis shirts at Kmart and cut them up. Ken’s vest is made of fake leather from an old handbag, and his mohair coat is a Kmart cushion that I disassembled.
Twenty-one years ago (😱), I thought it would be fun to run a contest and give away a sock monkey. I then kept that up for 10 years running, and you can see the history of my creations below. These days I only do it when the inspiration strikes…
2022 – Spider-Monkeys
2021 – Schitt’s Creek Sock Monkeys
2019 – Freddie Monkcury
2013 – The Avenger Monkeys
2012 – The Monkey with the Dragon Tattoo
2011 – Black Swan and White Swan ballerina monkeys
2010 – Sparkly Emo Vampire Sockmonkey playset
2009 – Batman and Joker monkeys
2008 – Striking Writer Monkey
2007 – Trio of Dream Monkeys
2006 – Gay Sock Monkey Cowboys
2005 – Soctopus
2004 – Plain sock monkey
2003 – Oscar the Sock Monkey
