Posts from the ‘Art’ category

CHANGING A TIRE WITH STUART CAMERON

This FWB could not be more useful.  This is the skill of all skills that everyone references as the skill to know yet a large portion of us don’t know how to do it.  And now, I have Stuart to thank for making me and all the viewers of FWB no longer feel inferior about this lack of knowledge.  I now know exactly what to do with a flat tire but let’s be honest, I’ll probably still call AAA for assistance.

Stuart and I met in July 2014 at Northern Nights.  If you couldn’t tell, Stuart is originally from Scotland (Shetland Islands) and moved back home shortly after we met but not before falling in love with Ashley.  He just moved back to San Francisco to make a long distance relationship no longer long distance.  He’s such a talented mechanic and fixer of all things and I feel so lucky to have learned from the best.  Stuart is the nicest guy you’ll meet and is never without an interesting story.

Thank you so much Stuart for helping me feel like a more capable human and making one of my bests so happy!

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AcroYoga with Claudia and Daniel @ Burning Man

I impulsively decided to go to Burning Man this year.  I had all of these reasons of why I wasn’t going: Money, Work, Timing, Money and then I surprised myself by saying yes to a ticket offered the Friday before it started.

I met Claudia and Daniel naked in a steam bath with 20 other people and we began talking about AcroYoga.  I was so excited when they offered to teach me for FWB.  It’s always a goal for me to do lessons but actually getting them done is always a challenge and I feel so grateful and excited when it actually happens.  As for the steam bath, it was my everything.  I hurt my back the day before I left and the constant bending over to get in and out of the tent and move things around as well as biking all day put my back into serious spasms.  You can see from my attempt to do “The Bird” pose that my back was in dire straits and “The Falling Leaf” felt amazing for releasing pressure. The steam bath helped so much not only for my back pain but also to become more comfortable with my body and “baring it all.”   And I guess that’s what Burning Man is about for me.  Feeling a little more connected…to myself, to others, to our world.

Make sure you stay tuned until the end to watch a montage of my experience this year. It was great to reflect on my first year at Burning Man to this year (two years later) and how far I’ve come.  This year for me was a lot about letting go, loving myself more, realizing that I’m guided and to trust more.  All things I continue to struggle with but felt a little more connected to out there at That Thing In The Desert.

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HOLDING YOUR DOG LIKE A BABY WITH ALISSA

My roommate and good friend, Alissa, has the magic touch when it comes to holding our roommate and favorite dog of all time, Ginger.  She really knows how to put G in a relaxed state to the likes of a newborn baby.  This lesson has been a long time in the making; learning the technique and practicing on Ginger daily.  Since May 12 is “Hold Your Dog Like A Baby” Day, make sure to post a picture of you on FB and Instagram holding your fur baby just like a human baby!!

Everyone should do themselves a favor and delight your Instagram feed by adding thelifeofgg (G’s insta) to the mix.  She is seriously the best and I feel so lucky to live with her and of course to have Alissa show me how to be even more cuddly with our furry friend.  We’re such creeps but it’s hard to care when those eyes full of wisdom and love are looking back at you.  Thanks A and G. xo

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BABY FREEZE WITH ERICA SPERBERG

I was so happy when my friend from home,  Erica, better known as Sperberg in my world (or Sperm, Spermy, Sperminator) decided to make a trip to SF to visit the Canton girls.  We’ve been talking about her FWB for a while and I was so pumped when we made it happen while hanging out at Dolores Park.  Erica is a very talented dancer, choreographer, and teacher.  She is the director of The Dance Academy in Newton and they are so lucky to have her.  She’s the best.  Hang out with her for five minutes and you’ll soon realize that.  You can always count on her giggling, smiling and having fun.  We’ve been friends for so long and I appreciate our friendship so much!

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Yo-Yo Skills with Rob Martinez

I was so excited to have Rob teach me an FWB.  Rob and I worked at our first corporate america job out of college together in SF.  It was quite possibly the worst job ever especially when seated near the water cooler during the month of March when all it did was rain and everyone felt the need to discuss the rain at the water cooler, everyday.  But I digress.

Rob has since moved to many places and is now living in Nebraska. I, of course, harassed Rob to teach me something for FWB when he was visiting SF for the weekend.  He was hesitant but came out on top highlighting one of his many skills that I definitely did not know he had.  He’s really good with a Yo-Yo.  As most of you know, my hand eye coordination and fine motor skills are not my strengths so I was excited/hesitant to take on the old school Yo-Yo.   I grew up with Yo-Yos but never really mastered it and soon switched over to the ever popular Yo Yo Ball in ’92.  As someone on youtube once put it,  it’s the yo-yo for kids who suck at real yo-yos.  And how I remember the pain of losing control of the Yo-Yo Ball and having it slam into my front teeth……Hey Man It’s a Yo-Yo Ball!

 

Thanks Rob for playing along.  Great reunion and I hope it’s not another 4 years until our next one!

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Clothing Swap with Amie Wong

This FWB really had its benefits.  I am not only a huge fan of Amie but I am now a huge fan of the clothing swap.  I came home with two bags of clothes without spending a dime, cleared out my closet of clothes that I’ve had for way too long and got to hang out with some of my favorite people as well as meet new ones.  Amie did such a great job of creating a very fun and casual atmosphere (champagne included).  This world needs more clothing swaps!   Thank you Amie for being such a genuine gem.  You are the best!

 

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FADAZZLE WITH CASSANDRA LOVE LAMBERT (C-LOVE)

I loved everything about this FWB. The topic, the way it came together and, of course, the people involved.  C-Love is so talented and you need to follow her on Facebook and Instagram to see her amazing art and also to find the best parties in SF.

Chelsea and I met Cassandra in September at Mighty where she FaDazzled our face for the first time.  We continued to see Cassandra around town and on FB FaDazzling the beautiful people of San Francisco.  On New Years Day, we ran into each other at Breakfast of Champions, where C-Love once again FaDazzled our faces and discussed that an FWB needed to happen.

I love this FWB so much because C-Love’s talent brought our friendship together and I love supporting her because she is following her purpose on her own path and making it happen one amazing FaDazzle and party at a time.

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KENTUCKY MULES WITH MATT ADAMS

For the final post of 2014, I was so happy to learn how to make a delicious cocktail called The Kentucky Mule from one of my favorite guys in SF and fellow Masshole, Matty Adams.  You can now impress all your guests at your NYE party with this libation that is way stronger than it tastes.  Matty and I met years ago through Ashley.  He always brings me back to my roots with his dry, hilarious sense of humor.  I was so pumped that he was up for an FWB and chose to teach me how to make this tasty beverage because I predict it will be seriously trending in 2015.

Wow.  2014 is coming to a close.  It’s been such a wonderful and fun filled year with amazing memories of SF living, travel, friends, family, music, sunshine, life lessons, and growth.  It was my year of gaining stability in my new life in San Francisco while always pursuing new ideas and projects.  I’m so grateful that all my nearest and dearest were happy and healthy in 2014 and I hope to see everyone continue to thrive in the coming year.  I can’t wait to see what’s in store for 2015!  Wishing you a year filled of love, fun, happiness, laughter, light, and success!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thank you for supporting Friendships With Benefits.  I couldn’t do it without all my wonderful friends:)

PS-This is my 68th post and I’m hoping to make it to 100 by 2016:)

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#vscocam with Erik Gomez

This past weekend, my friend Erik showed me how to use the VSCO Cam App.  I’m a big fan of his Instagram photos and always wondered why his pictures were always hash tagged with #vscocam.  I know can appreciate his photos even more that he puts a lot of effort into getting the right look.  I met Erik in Tahoe right when I moved back to SF through our mutual friend, Tolu.  He told me all about his experiences at Burning Man and basically sold me on the idea that I needed to make it happen.  Since Burning Man, we have become great friends. Thanks Erik for teaching me a lesson and being one of the coolest! #DUSTYPHOENIX #TEAMGHOSTPROOF

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Photographing Your Friends with Danny Hillman

This weekend I was home for my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving.  Julia, one of my best friends from summer camp and the main reason I moved to SF back in 2005, now lives in Boston and hosted a brunch for everyone who was in town for the holiday.  It was so awesome to get some quality time in with my nearest and dearest and obviously, to do an FWB.

I met Danny almost exactly two years ago at a holiday party when Rachel decided it was time he meet the friends.  Danny is such a great guy and you can always count on him to get awesome snapshots at any event.  Check out his Instagram to see what I’m talking about.  Thanks Danny for showing me how to take pictures of my friends and for making one of my best so happy!

PS-When Danny says manual settings….he really means automatic. 🙂

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