May's Days

Olympus Pen.

2009-08-04T10:17:00.000-07:00

Where the Wild Things Are

2009-04-04T16:57:00.000-07:00

Spike Jonze + Arcade Fire on soundtrack + a wonderful children's book = a really good trailer

Where The Wild Things Are from Darian on Vimeo.

Where in the world is my new macbook?

2009-03-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

The past month we've been busy working on a long term technology proposal for work to lay out the roll out of computers. With the 2009 cycle, it means I'm due for a new laptop. Last week the purchase order went in and we received the classroom machines, but not the laptops. My principal looked up the fed ex tracking and saw that they were stopped in Japan. We later learned that the laptops were on the fed ex plane that crashed in Japan a few days ago.

Slow Club

2009-02-22T13:26:00.001-08:00

Thank you Lay's potato chips and my cousin Kelsey Bulkin for introducing me to Slow Club. They aren't best musicians, but their songs are sweet, fun, and rival I'm from Barcelona for the winner of "Best use of friends in a music video."

I love the Blogotheque!!

2009-02-09T15:59:00.001-08:00

David after the dentist

2009-02-09T15:09:00.001-08:00

This video reminds me of when I got my wisdom teeth pulled out and when I woke up I freaked out and started screaming at the dentist to get my teeth out immediately. The dentist then gently explained to me that the procedure was over and put the four wisdom teeth in my hand. I didn't believe her and then said I was leaving and quickly got out of the chair and fell to the floor.

Go Johnny Go

2009-01-20T10:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my childhood.

My Happy Place

2009-01-14T09:36:00.000-08:00

Colby's Christmas Lightshow

2008-12-25T18:51:00.000-08:00

Every year for Christmas Eve and Christmas day we go to my Aunt Leslye and Uncle Walt's house in San Clemente. Among the festivities is the Shelley-Stringfellow ping-pong tournament, eating really good food, and within the last few years a new tradition of checking out their neighbor's light show. One of the neighborhood kids, Colby Nordberg, spends his free time from going to high school in working on a Christmas light show spectacular. It's very impressive and even more impressive when you find out he is in high school.
After this years show, we had some time to track him down and chat it up. He's currently applying to Cal State Long Beach and hopes to get into their theatrical lighting program and one day be hired by Disneyland.

Tom the Turkey

2008-11-19T14:54:00.001-08:00

This morning we had a surprise waiting for us at the front of the school. His name was Tom the Turkey and he was from the local Los Altos farm. When my principal was told that Farmer Bob was going to bring Tom the Turkey to school this morning he was a bit shocked to actually find a real turkey- he was expecting Farmer Bob to be dressed as Tom the Turkey.

Rainn Wilson Warrior Princess

2008-11-12T19:53:00.000-08:00

I can't get over this picture. I was sick today and noticed my processing was a bit slow. Shirin sent me a link to this picture and I couldn't figure out what was so special about it. I thought she was just sending me a picture of Xena the Warrior Princess who "let herself go" after all these years. Once the cold drained out of my head and allowed me to process a bit more quickly I realized that this is Rainn Wilson. Wow.

Wales Street Sign

2008-11-06T18:25:00.001-08:00

I heard this story on npr. Apparently in Wales there was an Englishman who was hired to translate a road sign into Welsh. He emailed a translator and was surprised to get a reply so quickly. The road sign was put up and the townspeople were upset when they read the sign saying: "I am not in the office at the moment. Send any work to be translated"
Classic.

My new hobby

2008-10-27T15:15:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back I decided I needed a new hobby. Being my third year of teaching, I've gotten the hang of balancing my life a bit better, so I went on a hunt for hobbies. My newest hobby is being more "domestic". Cooking, baking, cleaning...so far it's working out for me.

Sushi Stick

2008-10-07T10:02:00.000-07:00

One of my Japanese students picked up this memory stick from Japan. Love it!
More to be found: http://www.himeyashop.com/product_info.php?products_id=7808

Pure Brilliance

2008-08-08T17:38:00.001-07:00

"Me Gustaria tocara la guitara en la futuro (somebody just tooted)"

Bosch Jam Session!!

2008-07-30T12:09:00.000-07:00

This past week I have been teaching at Bosch Baha'i School teaching at Youth week focusing on the Five Year Plan. It was a very memorable week. The youth were amazing, the teachers were awesome and together with the directors the teachers put together a hint of magic.

Next on the Summer of Love Trip is to Yosemite to hike half dome....that's if we don't burn!

Nerd Alert-iPhone Light Saber War

2008-07-12T12:45:00.000-07:00

A few people in my family were a bit too excited about the new upgrade for the iPhone. Enjoy.

Blast from the Near Fashion Past

2008-07-10T08:50:00.000-07:00

My parents finally broke down this year and bought not one, but two Mac's. Yeah for Dawn and Rod! My brother Randall who works for my dad, and happens to be one of the funniest people I know, was playing around with Pages and created this gem and sent it to me. Be sure to read the fine print.

Tony Vs. Paul

2008-07-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

I'm on a stop action kick. This one is by two guys from Massachusetts by the name of Tony and Paul. It took two months to film and edit and they took 4000+ photos. Very impressive.

Stop Action-"Amateur"

2008-07-08T14:35:00.000-07:00

With the continuing stop action theme, Lasse Gjersten has a classic short. He plays neither the piano nor the drums but obviously has an excellent grasp on musical composition.

3rd of July Surprise

2008-07-07T10:07:00.001-07:00

Our self-appointed elective cross-guard at summer school decided to dress up like he was from the American Revolution for the 3rd of July.

Kids Only Party

2008-07-02T09:14:00.001-07:00

Yesterday the big kids (Cor-te-ney, Amy, Amelia, May Allen and myself) celebrated Sophie and Luc's (the little kids) birthday. We hit up all the Palo Alto hot spots, Pasta Question Mark and Fraiche. It was a wonderful evening of party favors, good food, and great company. The kids decided to dress up. Sophie is flared up in a Princess butterfly (?) costume and Luc was Anikan Skywalker. My personal favorite touch to Luc's costume was the Jedi braid that his mom made and clipped to his hair.

Stop Action- "Go Fall in Love"

2008-07-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

In summer school, we've been working on our stop action movies. My friend sent me this video and is a really good example of what you can do with lots of patience, time and a tripod.

A few of my favorite Palo Altans

2008-06-30T15:22:00.001-07:00

Beware of Trustafarians

2008-06-25T15:10:00.000-07:00

UrbanDictionary.com defines trustafarians as the following:

a. a person who, in an act of rebellion has taken to smoking pot, pan-handling, and following grateful dead rip-off bands during the week, and then returning to his or her parent's cozy home in the suburbs during the weekend.

b. one who lives with poorer people in an attempt to gain credibility, or street-cred, while disguising the trust fund they actually live off

Living in the heart of downtown near the private college, Stanford University, there are pockets of these "Trustafarians" of both definitions. Other notable college towns that can find fellow Trustafarians are Boulder, Berkeley, NYU and many other high performing college towns. One of my favorite Stanford stories from my cousin May Allen is when a girl in one of her studio Art classes went missing from class for a few weeks only to be discovered in front of Longs Drugs and dating a bum that lived off of Uni. Ave.

When giving a tour of the local Palo Alto hot spots, I always give a disclaimer before we walk by the P.A. hot spot for the local Trustafarian gang, Pizza My Heart. Most of my visitors don't understand what I'm describing until they turn the corner and see the fire juggling, disheveled group of young hooligans finding their place in the world.

When doing a simple google image search "Pizza My Heart Palo Alto" you can see the notable human sized egg of computer parts. You can see some of these lovable Trustafarians loitering in the background. I find it quite interesting that the symbol of an egg made out of computer parts is a symbol of the beginning of the technology in the bay area (and arguably the world) and paradoxically the children of these inventors and creators have yet to find their place in the world.....maybe I'm not as different than them as I originally thought.

Tooting in the Peaks

2008-06-24T21:29:00.000-07:00

I'm not one to be a follower (unless it's following whatever my twin sister Amy tells me to) and as everyone one of my friend shares with me their new creative blog they have created and post on frequently, I silently think in my head that I had a blog even before people knew the word. Moving beyond the self-righteous bragging and jumping back on the blogging bandwagon, I have decided to resurrect my blog from it's 28- month coma.
For my first entry from my hiatus, I wanted to share with the world an oldie, but definite goody. This is a video from one of my trips to England with my good friends Liam and Omid. We dressed in our Sunday's best, went to the Peak district (think Yosemite National Park, green rolling hills instead of cascading mountains, sheep roaming) and hiked up a mountain to a disheveled castle. Within these fortress walls magic was made.

Content Day?

2006-02-14T20:23:00.000-08:00

vday1
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Today marks the anniversary of my first blog entry. Although a great deal has changed since a year ago; I have my bachelors, started a credential/masters program, working more on living independently…one thing has not changed….the state of my perpetual singleness. Yet this year was very different than my past Single Awareness Days aka St. Valentine’s Day. The difference was that since I have started teaching this year, I was able to partake of the Valentine festivities. I didn’t get just one Valentine gift as most couples get; I had thirty-two Valentines and a pizza party. It was also refreshing and slightly entertaining to watch my sixth graders, who are beginning to stray away from the cooties and venture more towards the pursuing of the opposite sex. Love was in the air in room 7 today and cupid’s arrow may not have stuck me this Valentine’s Day…but overall I’m happy, healthy and loving life. So there is no more sadness in SAD (Singles Awareness Day). I have thirty-two Valentines and two men to spend my night with, Ben and Jerry.

The photographs are from a classroom activity I did with my students today.

V-Day Activity

2006-02-14T20:21:00.000-08:00

vday2
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

San Jacinto

2006-01-09T21:41:00.000-08:00

Blake, May, Tati, Maryam, Neda, Devon, Amy
Originally uploaded by BlakeRead.

Palm Springs 2005

2006-01-09T21:40:00.000-08:00

Tati, May, Neda, Amy, Maryam
Originally uploaded by BlakeRead.

Here some pictures from Blake Read from my trip to Palm Springs before New years.

On the ol' 49er trail

2005-12-21T23:34:00.000-08:00

Waiting for the outhouse
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Continuing on our journey through gold country, we stopped by the old gold mining town of Colombia. While we were there we walked through the town, watched candy canes being made, danced while a man played the fiddle, bought bonnets and went panning for gold. Here are some of the golden treasures I found...

And we're going to party like it's 1849!

2005-12-21T23:29:00.000-08:00

And we're going to party like it's 1849!
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Holiday Time in Twain Harte

2005-12-20T18:00:00.000-08:00

May Neda Amy
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

The next leg on my vacation extravaganza is my Grandparent's house in Twain Harte, CA. Twain Harte is a small town in the mountains, one hour north of Yosemite. Yesterday, we went to an apple farm and then town wearing our Holiday sweaters all day long. I got a few looks, including "what the heck is she wearing" look and the "dang! Where'd she get that awesome sweater look". Stay tuned for more pictures of this trip.

Neda's Holiday Sweater

2005-12-20T17:57:00.000-08:00

Neda Sweater
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

May's Holiday Sweater

2005-12-20T17:56:00.000-08:00

May Sweater
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Amy's Holiday Vest

2005-12-20T17:52:00.000-08:00

Amy Sweater
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Orlando Conference

2005-12-19T18:57:00.000-08:00

may laughing
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

This past weekend, Neda, Maryam and I went to Orlando Florida for a Social and Economic Development Baha’i Conference. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the weekend!

Boys lounging around

2005-12-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

Boys lounging around
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Bubble Blowing Contest

2005-12-19T18:54:00.000-08:00

P1010468
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Georgina

2005-12-19T18:53:00.000-08:00

Georgina
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

This is George aka Jorge from Orlando. He's a sassy red head wearing another sassy red head's hair.

Hooray for the World..I'm Glad to Be on it!

2005-12-19T18:52:00.000-08:00

Red Grammer
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Move over Paula and Simon...here's my American Idol. This is a picture of the one and only Red Grammer. *Sigh*

Little Joey

2005-12-13T22:14:00.001-08:00

joeymay
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

One of my assignments this quarter is to make a visual metaphor for my beliefs of what a teacher’s role is. I’ve been going through trashy magazines for the last two days reading up on Brad and Angelina and looking for pictures of kid’s heads for my poster. While I was cutting out a child’s head, I jokingly put it up the kid’s face over mine and started talking to Melanie. This inevitably led to a photo session. We named the boy Joey.
Rejoice my friends…for the quarter is over.

Written While Listening to “The Professor” by Damien Rice

joeymel

2005-12-13T22:14:00.000-08:00

joeymel
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

'Joy to the World" my X-mas Sweaters have come!

2005-12-07T22:09:00.000-08:00

XmasRod
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

A week ago my sister Amy invited me to a "Christmas Sweater Party" that her co-worker is hosting. A christmas sweater party is an opportunity for people to go into their old box of clothes and pull out their old sweater that Grandma bought them. Since Baha'is don't celebrate Christmas I was left searching EBay on a friday night for the perfect Christmas Sweater. I am proud to say that not only did I find one perfect Christmas sweater, but I found TWO perfect Christmas sweaters that happened to be from the same EBAY seller. An interesting observation that I learned while surfing EBAY was that Chritmas Sweaters typically come in two sizes: Woman's Small and Woman's XXL and can usually be found by a seller with a ridiculously high seller ebay rating and lives in a small town in the midwest. Just an observation.

The package arrived today at my parent's house and since i'm still in Davis my Dad and sister were left to model the sweaters and take pictures. Eat Your Heart out Blog Readers!

2005-12-07T22:02:00.000-08:00

amy and rod xmas
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Please excuse the poor quality of this picture. This photo was taken from my mom's camera phone. On the left is my sister amy showing off the Chritmas "Joy and Wreath" Sweater Vest. You can't see it from this picture, but the word "Joy" and a wreath are fillied with green and red sequences. And my Dad is wearing a gingerbread house christmas sweater. On the back is a little gingerbread man running away from his house.

Visit to the "Rock"

2005-12-06T21:31:00.000-08:00

Danice is in the jail cell
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Today I visited Alcatraz with some school friends (Danice, Jenn, Nina, Nina's boyfriend) and Neda. Here are some pictures from the rock.

City View from Alcatraz

2005-12-06T21:27:00.000-08:00

City View from Alcatraz
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

View from A Room

2005-12-06T21:25:00.000-08:00

View from A Room
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Alacatraz Dining Room

2005-12-06T21:24:00.001-08:00

Alacatraz Dining Room
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Mossy Stairs

2005-12-06T21:24:00.000-08:00

Mossy Stairs
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Rocky Shore

2005-12-06T21:23:00.000-08:00

Rocky Shore
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Mac Daddy Annie

2005-11-28T22:02:00.000-08:00

Mac Annie
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

It's interesting that the first Mac user of the Shelley family is a 13 year old dog who sleeps all day and drags her bum on the carpet.

Happy T-Giving

2005-11-28T21:59:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

This picture was taken during our family photo shoot. It's a classic Shelley shot of what goes on in between the photographs.

Fam-Damily

2005-11-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

Fam-Damily
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

LYDIA went FAR away in MAY.

2005-11-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

lyd,far,may
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

First Wives Club

2005-11-19T12:52:00.000-08:00

Wives
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

My good friend Farbod has been visiting from Chile. We had a mini-photo shoot before he left today.

OluwaPotter

2005-11-18T20:36:00.000-08:00

OluwaPotter
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

One point for Griffindor for having the coolest new addition to Hogwarts. Last night, my friend Oluwaseun and I went to the 11:59 showing of Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire!

Written While Listening to "Words for Waking" by Devon Gundry

Davis Baha'i Club presents...

2005-11-16T13:39:00.000-08:00

Girls from Music Night
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Last night was the Music Night sponsored by the Baha'i Club at UC Davis. Pictured above is: Negin, Sameen, May, Satra, Roya, Nura, Maryam

Death Cab concert

2005-11-16T13:36:00.000-08:00

Death Cab concert
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Berkeley Sunset

2005-11-14T22:31:00.000-08:00

Berkeley Sunset
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Last Night I went to the Death Cab/ Stars concert at the Warfield in San Fran with Neda, Kels and Britt. On the way there I stopped in Berkeley to eat at Juan's Place (shout-out to Blake). These pictures of the sunset were taken in front of Juan's.

Factory Windows

2005-11-14T22:29:00.000-08:00

Factory Windows
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Happy Birthday Baha'u'llah!!

2005-11-12T22:31:00.000-08:00

happy b-day
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

A night on the town

2005-11-12T00:14:00.000-08:00

tower bridge
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Tonight my roommates (minus roy) and I went to Sac to see a movie. After the movie we cruised old Sacramento and we took pictures of pirate ships and the Tower Bridge. While we walked back towards our car we were offered free samples at a candy store. Never passing up free candy we walked into the candy store to find barrels and barrels of free candy. The stores policy is that you are allowed to eat as many Taffy samples as you want while you are in the store. After the ten minutes of cruising the aisles and stuffing my face I went into a sugar coma and suddenly oompa loompas came out of the backroom rolled me out of the store.

candy

2005-11-12T00:07:00.000-08:00

candy
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

My 8th Topping at Pluto's

2005-11-12T00:06:00.000-08:00

turtle
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Mystiquo

2005-11-09T20:45:00.000-08:00

Mystiquo
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Welcome the newest member of the LBGT (Luxury Bike Gang Team). Her Bike Game name is Mystiquo (aka Lisa).

LBGT

2005-11-07T21:56:00.000-08:00

Cuervo
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

It’s a known fact that Davis is a bike town. During the second week of the school year, I witnessed an accident per day, two of them requiring neck braces and an ambulance. As I take my daily bike ride from my house to the education building which is about a mile away, I find myself ringing my bell and grudgingly snarling under my breath at the novice freshman riders. My frustration of out of control bikers has reached its max and I have found myself no longer cruising on my red beach cruiser. The relaxing joy of bicycle riding has turned into unnecessary speeding rage-aholics.
Today marks the day when I am bringing the cruising back into cruiser, the joy back into the joy ride. As co-founder of the Luxury Biking Gang Team (LGBT) we are dedicated to slow, luxurious, pleasure inducing rides guaranteed to satisfy people of all backgrounds and biking orientations. We accept the cruisers, the speedsters, the low-riders, tandem bikers, banana seat or no banana seat….the LGBT is the place for you!

MoBo

2005-11-07T21:55:00.001-08:00

Cojo
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Yote missed the Rabbit

2005-11-07T21:55:00.000-08:00

Yote missed the Rabbit
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Mel Paint top

2005-11-07T21:53:00.000-08:00

Mel Paint top
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Melanie Painting

2005-11-07T21:52:00.000-08:00

Mell Paint
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Halloween Baha'i Club Meeting

2005-10-31T23:08:00.000-08:00

baha'i club
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

At tonights Baha'i Club meeting, it was mandatory for everyone to come in costume.

omid in fat suit

2005-10-31T23:07:00.000-08:00

omid in fat suit
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Omid Sarvian aka Senior won the Costume Contest. He was a Obese tourist...classic omid...classic. I've got a really good video of him and Negin trying to fit in my door. If you are interested in checking it out, please e-mail me.

Frida, Mad scientist, barbs

2005-10-31T23:05:00.000-08:00

Frida, Mad scientist, barbs
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Confession of a Cheater

2005-10-29T17:48:00.000-07:00

keyv on chair
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Every adulterer remembers the day they cheated on their loved one. Today October 29th marks the day I cheated on my beloved Mishka’s and went to another coffee cafe, Common Grounds found in South Davis. Many adulterers are consumed with guilt, shame, and dirtiness. As I sit in the plush swivel chairs that are part of the homey ambience provided by Common Grounds, I am filled with guilt and shame, but definitely not the dirtiness. Any regular of Mishka’s knows that you sacrifice comfort, spaciousness, customer service, and clean bathrooms for free internet, people watching, and a damn good Americano. Although the Americano doesn’t quite match the Mishk’s, the bathroom was tidy (it actually had seat covers) and the chairs provide a comfortable place to sit for hours upon hours.

Common Grounds seems to live up to it’s name of a common standard commercialized coffee shop like it’s fellow Davis competitors Starbucks and Pete’s. It does lack the unique character of Mishka’s. Mishka’s regimented social rules are masked by what appears to be a free-spirited fair trade coffee shop. It’s hard to match a cafe that has strict social rules of ordering before sitting and then limiting where a given individual can sit. And where rules may just be guidelines at other coffee shops, at Mishka’s the owner, a 30th something Eastern European with a tight white shirt and an equally tight pair of blue jeans, is constantly lurking throughout the closely placed tables making sure each customer is sitting in the proper area, has purchased something and doesn’t bring outside food in.

Perhaps I am an abused coffee child who finds comfort in strict social cafe rules. And in some masochistic way, I like the uncomfortable wooden chairs, the stiff non-ergonomic benches, urine filled bathroom floors, and the loud roasting of coffee beans. I am the battered wife that can never leave her abusive husband.

The above picture is of Keyvan sitting in a miniature rocking chair added to homey family like ambience of Common Grounds.

Bosch-Ba

2005-10-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

Bosch 2
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

This past weekend I went to Bosch Baha'i School in Santa Cruz for the College Club Weekend. Here are a few pics that I took this weekend.

Bosch

2005-10-23T20:15:00.000-07:00

Bosch
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

riddle for the week

2005-10-18T21:02:00.000-07:00

Here's a riddle that one of my sixth grade boys shared with me today:
Our President has a short one.
Our Governor has a long one.
Madonna doesn't have one.
And the Pope has one but doesn't use it.
What is it?

Another Busy Weekend

2005-10-18T20:47:00.000-07:00

Youth Gathering Photo
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Last weekend Amy came up and visited. This picture was taken at the Youth Gathering in Davis. Shout out to my peeps...Negs, Me (may), Amy, Mel, Jeff, and Brisn. I think Armie aka Arman's in the background. Thanks to amy for the pic.

Welcome to the School of Ed

2005-10-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

Ice
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

For all three of you who are regular readers of my blog, I apologize for not updating recently. I've been really busy the last six weeks with my graduate program. This is a picture of my partner in crime Danice aka "Ice." She's holding up her final project for our literacy project.

Post-Arcade

2005-09-19T17:52:00.000-07:00

Post-Arcade
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

1 am on a sunday night, hanging out at a donut store with a tootless bum...must be San Fran

Captain Black Spot and his wench aka mom and dad

2005-08-31T22:18:00.000-07:00

wench and pirate
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Most children in college go home a few times a year and sit around their parent's house for a pretty uneventful weekend. My family is far from typical. As one can tell by this picture, going home for me is always an action-filled exciting weekend. This weekend marks the Second Annual Shelley Family Pirate Party. If you like what you see...stay tuned for more pirate pictures from monday's beach party!

Say Goodbye to Wednesday Night's Guilty Pleasure

2005-08-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

For the past four summers, I have been working at an alternative education school. Most of the students are great kids who have fallen behind in credits, but we are also a probation school, so we get some “bad kids.” This summer it was the Shelley family Wednesday night activity to sit down and watch “Brat Camp” and discuss amongst the ladies of the Shelley family the various disciplining methods of these troubled kids. Since I’ve left my lovely home in Orange County and returned to academia in Davis, I did not get to finish watching the rest of the “Brat Camp” series. I stumbled across this very entertaining article from Slate magazine about the writer’s obsession with Brat Camp. If you have some time to kill, I suggest reading it. Feel free to post what your favorite line is in the comment section.

Written While Listening to “Farmer Chords” by Benjamin Gibbard

Only in Davis

2005-08-17T21:50:00.000-07:00

farmers market
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

$6.50 Caesar Salad
$1.50 Large Lemonade
$0.75 Parking Meter

Watching a Kid "discover" the Fountain at Farmer's Market....Priceless

I Rock Peas On My Head

2005-08-16T13:40:00.000-07:00

For those of you Who Didn’t Believe Me, Here's a link to an article proving that Andy Milonakis is not thirteen years old.

Written While Listening to "My Radio" by Stars

Almost more Stressful than Finals Week....Almost

2005-08-15T15:44:00.000-07:00

I’ve returned to the fourth happiest place on Earth….Davis, California. I am currently taking my first class as a graduate student. EDU 120: Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education…it’s pretty much as boring as the title sounds. A milestone of my new academic career was my first official test as a graduate student. The test wasn’t for EDU 120. It was a pre-requisite test that I must pass before beginning my student teaching in three weeks. It’s a very critical test because the State of California has very high standards and if you do not pass this test you are not permitted to be in the classroom. With my teaching credential and Masters riding on this single test, one can imagine my anxiety. I don’t get the results until I return back to the Health center on Wednesday, but I’m feeling pretty darn confident that I don’t have tuberculosis and therefore, passed my TB test. But, I can’t get too confident….it is a test.

Written While Listening to “Let’s be Still” by Yo La Tengo

Only 64 more days until the World Beard and Moustache Championships!!

2005-07-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

randall moustache
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

I stumbled across this website for the World Beard and Moustache Championships. Randall's baseball season ends in late August, which gives him adequate time to grow a sweet beard...best of luck to you brotha!

AAARRRR!!! Matey! It's me a Captain Black Spot

2005-07-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

Black Spot
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

The Shelley’s 2nd Favorite National Holiday is unquestionably “Talk Like A Pirate Day.” Every September 19th (starting last year) we get on me wooden legs and me eye patches and yell out pirate profanity at all who will listen. Luckily, talking like a pirate isn’t limited to only one day a year. Since Randall’s baseball team is the Long Beach Arrrrrmada, we have taken advantage of this opportunity and bought out the whole pirate section at the party store and with hooks in hand and eye patches on head, we have become the Arrrrmada’s most energetic, perhaps only cheering section.

Inspirational Clip for the Week

2005-06-23T17:54:00.000-07:00

Here's a video that shows my love for documentaries and short shorts. Enjoy!

Wow Wee Rickey Henderson!

2005-06-13T22:50:00.000-07:00

rickey
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

If you were a baseball fan in the 80’s and 90’s the name Rickey Henderson may sound very familiar. Henderson played most of his years with the Oakland A’s and is best known for stealing bases. To this day, he still holds the most career stolen bases with 1406 and places second for most stolen bases in a single season with 130. Rickey Henderson currently plays in the same Independent baseball league as my older brother Randall. This past weekend I went down to San Diego to watch Rickey Henderson and Randall Shelley duke it out for second in the league’s stolen bases. It’s still very early in the season, but it will be an exciting summer following the Long Beach Armada. The picture provided is the leagues leader board.

Lesson One on How to be a Hippie

2005-06-06T22:31:00.000-07:00

On my way to my Ruhi Study Circle class, I parked my car near the host’s house I noticed a lone object in the street caught my eye. A four drawer deep mahogany dresser lay on the corner with a single spotlight shining down upon it through the overcast, hazy sky. The hippie gods were casting a light onto this piece of “trash” calling the inner-hippie inside of me to pull my car around and take this dresser. I waited to investigate further into this mysterious dresser on the street, but upon leaving the Ruhi class I noticed it was still there. I mustered up some courage, pulled my car around and threw that dresser in my trunk. Tonight marks my first solo trip of dumpster diving.

My Aunt Juliet owns a book called The Hippie Handbook. I remember glancing over it a few years back and took notes on the proper etiquette of dumpster diving. I have included these rules:

1.Identify your target neighborhood. Concentrate on areas where young people rent. Stay away from wealthy neighborhoods. It is a surprising fact that rich people do not throw good stuff away. They give their trash to charity and deduct it on their tax returns.

2. Determine when trash is in your target neighborhood (by observation or calling the city).

3.The night before trash day (“Trash Eve”) drive your VW bus slowly through your target neighborhood.

4. When you spot a dumpster or trash pile that is teeming with bounty, approach is cautiously. (Do not get in the dumpster. Dumpsters can be very dangerous and also dirty.)Bring a footstool so that you can get a good vantage point for sifting. Stay away from clothing, sealed trash bags, and diapers.

5. When you see something you like, carefully free it from the dumpster and load it in the back of your bus.

6.Continue cruising and repeat.

Written While Listening to “Speed of Sound” by Coldplay

The Real OC?

2005-06-02T21:40:00.000-07:00

Laguna Beach shoreline
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Today I finally got the chance to drive down to the beach since my return home for the summer. This picture is of the Laguna Beach shoreline and cliffs. Every first Thursday of the month, the galleries on Pacific Coast Highway open up their doors to showcase their new pieces they have in their gallery. Tonight we strolled along the strip. Although Laguna Beach is known for its art, I thought that overall the art pieces lacked emotion and creativity and classify most of these pieces under what I like to call “safe-orange-county-art.” But maybe I’m being an art snob…I do have a concentration in Art.

Written While Listening to “Like Eating Glass” by Bloc Party

Being World's Second Best Blog Isn't Too Bad

2005-05-31T16:55:00.000-07:00

If you are the type of person that limits themselves to a given amount of internet procrastination time, then read no further. Today was my first day back from work and during my lunch break I came across an article in the New York Times about blogs. They mentioned a blog called “postsecret” where people write their deepest secrets on the back of a postcard and mail it to a given address. The blogger then posts these postcards on the site. If you are looking to procrastinate or you are just bored, I highly suggest checking out this site (of course after you read the complete archives of this amazing, thought-provoking blog)

Written While Listening to “Subterranean Homesick” by Radiohead

More Mun, More Fun

2005-05-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

SBC park
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

This weekend my cousins, May Allen and Tom, came up to Northern California to watch their hometown San Diego Padres play the Giants at SBC Park. Once again, great weekend!

Written While Listening to "My Mathematical Mind" by Spoon

Life Lesson from A Rod (and i'm not talking about my Dad)

2005-05-25T13:51:00.000-07:00

A few years back when my brother was at Spring Training with the Texas Rangers, Alex Rodriguez gave a talk about how to be a champion. He said that the great champion athletes limit their daily thoughts to only 500 thoughts per day. They exercise blocking out the insignificant thoughts and focus on what they want to be. For example, A-Rod would repeat the mantra ‘I’m going to get a .350 batting average, I’m going to get a .350 batting average” throughout his daily.
I still think that’s near impossible (but, hey I’m not a champion athlete). But, for this week I have developed a modified self-focused plan. I’m going to limit myself to one large activity per day and focus all of my energy and thoughts into making that event the best it could possibly be. On Monday I focused all of my energy and going to see Star Wars and it perhaps was the best Star Wars-movie-watching-experience I could possibly have (the only way it could have been better is if some one in the audience was dressed as Chewbaca or C-3PO). Yesterday, I focused my thoughts on attending my Yoga class and I had the best darn yoga session ever! I’ve decided that tomorrow’s activity will be taking over the world!! (or going to the rec pool, depends on the weather).

Written While Listening to “Old Soul Song” by Bright Eyes

Born Loser?

2005-05-24T16:58:00.000-07:00

For my first week as a college graduate my plans are to hang out in Davis, relax, go to the Rec Pool, catch up on reading and write my thank you letters. Since the electricity is out for the day at my house, I decided to cruise the town. During my solo lunch at Pita Pit I picked up the UC Davis newspaper, the California Aggie. I quickly became excited when I realized that it was Tuesday, which means that the ex-Davis Hometown Celebrity Lamar Haystick’s column “Born Loser” would be on the second page.

Lamar writes a very entertaining weekly column about how pathetic he is and how he has no “game” with the ladies. A few years ago, my friends and I were so entertained by his column that he was often the topic of conversation over Tuesday night dinners and we would intentionally get in his checkout lane at Safeway where he worked just to get a glimpse of him. The mystery of this born loser continued for about a year until my sisters and I randomly met him at a Benefit Dinner after our Yoga class. As if he were actually a celebrity, Amy bombarded him with questions regarding his column like “Did you really live in the Safeway women’s bathroom for a month?” and “So your car actually got towed away with you sleeping in it?” He was obviously very flattered by the attention by the stunning attractiveness that my identical twin sister possesses. From then on the mystery of Lamar began to fade and instead of us semi-stalking him, he began semi-stalking my sister. Amy actually got unkowingly suckered into a hot night on the town with Lamar. She may not admit it, but I think she secretly wanted Lamar to write about how the “born loser” scored a hot date with a hot lassie, but unfortunately next Tuesday there was nothing written. Anyways, here’s a link to his article where he basically verbally gets worked by an aggie reader.

Written While Listening to "Magnolia Mountain" by Ryan Adams

All the Way May!

2005-05-22T16:06:00.000-07:00

fireworks in SF
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

Here's a picture of the firework show held in my honor for graduating from college!! It's difficult to see in this picture but they actually wrote "Congrats May!!" with fireworks in the sky. (ok so it wasn't exactly for me...but we can pretend, right?) Thanks for a great weekend everyone!!

Written While Listening to "Why You'd Want to Live Here" by Benjamin Gibbard

Wait…so when you refer to Eminem you aren’t talking about the Chocolate that melts in your mouth not in your hands?!?!?

2005-05-16T14:20:00.000-07:00

With four days left until graduation, I’ve been taking my spare moments to reflect on the things I’ve learned within the last twenty-two years. Being a Liberal Studies Major, my course work includes two classes in almost every subject. I have taken everything from Chemistry to “how to teach Physical Education.” With such a wide breadth of knowledge I have acquired, the most shocking information is the crushing of a lifelong belief that Jackson Browne wasn’t of African American descent. On the many Shelley family road trips we would have a regular rotation of the Beatles, Bad Company, James Taylor and Jackson Browne blazing on the tape deck. My mom often told stories of her teenage crush on Mr. Browne and on one trip to Sun Valley, Idaho my brother and dad actually met him. It wasn’t until a few weeks ago when I “googled” Jackson Browne that I stumbled upon a picture of a short white man. I sat at my desk in confusion wondering why a picture of a white man came up under Jackson Browne’s name. And then it clicked that my whole life has been deceptions and lies.
I started to recall stories of friends and family members and the crushing stories of their lifelong misconceptions. For example, a dear and loved one to me just realized a few years ago that the sauce you put on top of eggs benedicts is not called “Holiday Sauce” rather “Hollandaise sauce.” My favorite story of another loved one (not to be named) believed that Gary Sinise (best known for his role as Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump) actually didn't have legs in real life.

Written While Listening to "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye" by David Gray

From Plain Jane to Hottie with a Body

2005-05-09T13:42:00.000-07:00

It’s a known fact that “reality tv” has officially taken over television programming. Within this new era of programming, there have been some great reality shows (Show Dog Moms and Dads, the Amazing Race, Wife Swap just to name a few) and some horrible and degrading ones. The last people I would ever expect to fall into the abyss of Reality television are my parents. They are suckers for the Makeover shows and I’m not talking about the Home makeovers and re-design the bedroom shows, I’m talking about the Swan type shows. The shows that take the “ugliest of the ugly ducklings” and remove them from their loved ones as they transform into the beautiful swan they could never have been without plastic surgery and a personal trainer.
When I was home for spring break a few months ago, my parents explained their new pitch for the ultimate reality series: “Surprise Extreme Makeover.” The show will find some not-so-attractive people who need a basic, simple surgery like removal of the tonsils or the removal of wisdom teeth. The twist is that while they are under anesthetic the doctors will perform all of the necessary transformation surgeries: tummy tuck, nose job, liposuction, breast augmentation, etc. It’s a perfect combination of the surprise twist that keep viewers watching shows like “Joe Millionaire” and the makeover element found in shows like “Queer Eye.”

Written While Listening to “You and Me” by Kelsey Bulkin

First Sign that the Whole Earth Festival has come to Davis

2005-05-07T00:47:00.000-07:00

love machine
Originally uploaded by mayshelley.

It's official! The Whole Earth Festival has begun! (Check out the plates on the car '1HIPPIE')