Quince Party Planning Part One: Panic

So, I was studying for my exam and didn't exactly get as far as I would have liked...but I got started.

First I went to the Dollar Tree on Jefferson and got party supplies. Unbelievably they have plastic cups for shots, metal decorative trays to put said shots on, and other assorted goodies including a bead necklace with an attached shot glass. But, enough about shots.

I also got awesome fiesta themed streamers and eyeglasses and table cloths and napkins and plastic-ware. They also have some sweet neon party cups, which I bought in abundance. Amoung other assorted goodies for $40, it wasn't half bad! Thanks Dollar store!

Then, I went to "La Colmena" Honey Bee market on Bagley St. in Mexican Town. I bought these two sweet pinatas, snacks, tortillas and all the fresh food delights for the taco bar!!! I hesitated to buy ice cream or cookies, and too much food before the day because I foresaw that I would eat it all...and I have chowed into the chips and salsa already. Another trip is forthcoming! The pinatas are pretty big and nice, so $15 each I though was reasonable. Their produce is always affordable and a bag of tortillas was like $3!!

So far the party is going to be on the cheap! Or so I thought. I went to Marcus Market on Second Ave. to ask about a keg and for PBR it was going to be $70 plus $100 for the deposite! What?!? That seemed really expensive. I think that I can get a keg in town for better than that--or at least better beer. We'll See!!

The time has come for my dog Peppi to become a woman. Let's put on a Quinceanera!!!

The plan of action:

Food:

Taco salad dip

Taco bar

Guacamole

Flan

Fruta

Tres Leches postre

Agua de Horchata

Cerveza Corona

Tekila, duh!

Fanta?

Decorations:

Pinatas

Coronas

Balloons

plates and forks

napkins

Twinkle lights

Streamers

glow in the dark crosses

and a bow tie for leopold, the date.

Events:

Photos of couples and ladies and gents

snacking

dancing

more snacking

and hitting a pinata until it falls apart

maybe a sand art table?

How am I going to do all of this without leaving Detroit? WATCH ME!

it is so god-awful hot here right now.
But, the city has provided some nice opportunities to cool down in case you are dying-literally-from the heat.
Working 9 to 5 in an office has never been so attractive to me in my whole life! Poor Peppi, I hope she doesn't get heat sick.

Speaking of Peppi, I'm having a quinceanera for her this July 24. I think it is going to be harder than I thought to put this party on with only supplies from Detroit. I am going to try my hardest though.

Love you!

My friend and I got caught in a rainstorm going to a dance party at Temple Bar a while ago. We ended up talking to a male model from somewhere in Europe, who was here for DEMF and also just to be generally beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn't get any photos of him. But, we did hang out in the bathroom putting on lipstick and taking pictures in this awesome mirror ahahahah!!! I put my new lipstick on the girl with the red hair, who remains unknown, but was really fun! Anyway, there was a monsoon outside and we made it through--looking quite great I think. <3

So, some crazy things have been going on in town as of late...

• The head of the Detroit School Board has quit after some inappropriate fondling.
• The city is closing a ton of parks to cut costs.
• Corruption chargers are abouding.
• Our former hip-hop mayor received 19 counts in his indictment. He can now join T.I. and LIl' Wayne with federal charges and prison time. Although I sure like them better.
• There are a bunch of people here for the United States Social Forum, who are sleeping in tents, and other friends who are sleeping in my house.
• There was an earthquake the other day!
• The Michael Jackson exhibit is opening, for those of you who have not had enough information about him in the last year. (but it looks pretty cool)
• Jazzin' on Jefferson is happening this weekend and should be sweet.
• The DIA has a fab exhibit "Through African Eyes" that has received a lot attention and should not be missed.
• And of course, knowing that I love Mexican Films, they are having a series of great ones at the Detroit Film Theater and that I will def be at--if you want to join me.
• My friends over at City Bird are having an art opening that should be totally sweet tomorrow.
• The Cass Collective 31 is happening on Sunday.
• And Belle Isle is just gorgeous right now.

Did I mention that I am working at wonderful non-profit and learning how to be a real lawyer?! Well, I am!!! Riding my bicycle to work has been extremely liberating.

There a ton of shows, forever, and I still feel like I need vacation. . .

Yay for Swimsuit tonight at CAID!

The bus mis-adventure

The other day, I left my non-profit internship downtown and decided to take the bus home.

I knew what bus to take, I had looked on google maps. Instead of doing what it said, I walked towards where I saw a bunch of buses. I was supposed to take the 48 Northbound Van Dyke/Lafayette. I did get onto a bus on Larned St. that said Van Dyke--but it was the Smart bus 510. The first red flag was that I noticed the bus looked different than the regular white one.

After riding it for about ten minutes, I realized we were not avoiding all the traffic on Lafayette and were going east. Stopping infrequently, we got to Gratiot and Van Dyke and I tried to get off but the driver didn't stop. Shit. My ears are starting to burn and I start to panic. Sweating in my suit and wedge heel sandals, I could not walk nor run very far if I had to get home that way.

Eventually, at NINE MILE and VAN DYKE--literally city limits--I decide to talk to the bus driver. She laughs at me, stops in the middle of the road, and tells me to take the 48 across the street. There is literally traffic whizzing by on both sides. So I run out and run across the street, with people yelling and everything and walk towards the bus stop.

Oh but wait, I don't have any more money. Looking around there are insurance companies, cash advance shops and a family dollar. And then I see ATM in a liquor store. Did I mention it was like 90 degrees out and I am wearing all black. I sweatily waddle in my uncomfortable shoes to the liquor store where some guy doesn't want to give me any money because the company charges $2.50. What do I care, I have to get out of here!

After calling everyone I can think of, some friends talk me down and I sit in the sun and wait. For 45 minutes. Finally, my lovely bus came and I got to Lafeyette. After taking my shoes off, a nice young man in the street asked if he could "rub your feet, or something."

aaaaah, thanks Detroit.

In case you were wondering and don't live here, here is the Dateline special about Detroit, "City of Heartbreak and Hope."

Apparently, Kid Rock can't seem to think of anyway he has helped this city to give back for his phenomenal "success."

Anyway, watch it and gather what you will from it. <3

Love letter #2

yay!

Dear Detroit,

How time flies! Thank you for being there for me all these years. Even though I only started to really get to know you recently, I want you to understand how important you are to me. You’ve had such a huge impact on the person I’ve become, and I am thankful for it. I appreciate your grungy style and laissez-faire approach to life; you embody raw beauty. I adore you, Detroit, and I wish more people could see you for who you really are. You are amazing and I am so glad that I’ve gotten to know you better. When I needed you most, you were there - my steadfast friend. It’s hard for me, living away from you, but I’m hoping that soon we can be together again. I miss you so much, think about you every day, and look forward to the next time I can see you again.

With love and admiration,
Molly

Dear Detroit, this is how i feel about you today:

Helping Hampy get Un-Lost: Part 1 of 4

My dear friend from college sent me a letter asking me to help him find four things in Detroit. Well, I am on a mission for the other two, but have accomplished the first.

Where to get seedlings for tomatoes (and of course other veggies too).

The first thing I thought of when asked this question was Eastern Market. During the summer, not only do they have a great selection of produce but they also have plants--flowers and food. Usually seedlings for plants can be found in the back sheds, between Wilkins and Division St.

As far as seeds go there are many more options, and creating your own seedlings is not so difficult. I will put directions on how to do that later on. For seeds you can go to Busy Bee hardware, which is also in Eastern Market. There is an Ace hardware on 2200 Trumbull, and Detroit Hardware Co at 6432 Woodward-which all more than likely have seeds as well.

But back to seedlings because that was my mission! Finally, you may be able to get FREE seedlings and farming help from the Garden Resources Program Collaborative. I am not sure how this works but I am going to find out for my own garden this summer. Here is their website so that you can get more info yourself, for your own specific needs. This organization is great and an example of what is possible for this City's future! They also sell great lettuces and produce at Eastern Market on Saturdays. Get your gardening on!

Love Letter #1

So, I have commissioned some native Detroiter's and recent transplants to write a love letter to our beautiful city. A little positivity can go a long way!! Also, we need all the love we can get...

Dear Detroit,

I dream about you, and in my dreams there are mad girls running through empty abandoned shops. They're beautiful, like you, and I run after them. I hope you visit me out here, on the West coast, because the sun and the trees and the beaches go on and on and there's no room to run around and pretend that you're crazy. Do you miss me? Did you get that thing I sent you? I don't remember what it was, but I hope you liked it. Tell the suburbs I say hi. Do you still sing to them every night?
I love you.
Jacob

P.S. Please keep the emails about missions to be accomplished coming!!! I love the input and they will be posted soon! <3

Dear Detroit,

I love you so much and yet sometimes i feel like you don't meet my needs. People tell me you are bad, they do not understand why I stay with your smelly, dirty, dangerous self. But, I just cannot and will not leave you--there is just something about the way you smell and how you always surprise me with nice little things. Like wonderful friendly people and delicious foods and pheasants in the backyard. So, even though it may be hard right now, I am going to do my best to stand by you. I am going to shop for my necessities and frivolities within the city limits. So, here, I dedicate my blog to you. I hope other people who live here will use it as a resource to find out how to get their stuff done and help me find things, too.

Most of all I just want you to know how special you are, Detroit.

Love,
Lost on Lafayette

p.s. here is a really nice ode to you: