Category hobbies

No boats? OK. A clever California homeowner paints a mural to hide a boat in his driveway

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

I am sharing an article written by Claire Thornton of USA TODAY which details a fun story about a man who was instructed to hide his boat. Read on for the article, or click HERE to see the original post.

A California boat owner’s ingenuity is gaining attention after he commissioned a mural of his vessel to sidestep demands from officials while complying with city codes in his own “tongue-in-cheek” way.

Officials in Seaside, California, told Etienne Constable the boat parked in his driveway needed to be hidden from view or Constable could face a $100 fine. So, the homeowner erected a fence in the middle of his driveway, hiding the boat.

Sort of.

Because the fence showcases a hyper-realistic mural depicting the 19-foot Arima Sea Ranger, the view from the street hasn’t changed much. The “illusion,” as the mural’s artist describes it, lines up perfectly with elements of the real world, like shrubs, as well as the side of Constable’s home, which is just northeast of Monterrey.

“This struck me as the right way to go, and something that makes my house unique,” Constable told USA TODAY.

© Hanif Yanni

Next-door neighbor and longtime artist Hanif Yanni painted the mural − and Constable paid him far more than $100 to do so, the artist said.

City Hall officials, rather than feel defeated by Constable’s roundabout compliance, celebrated his idea.

“I applaud the constituent’s creative approach, which not only addresses compliance but also showcases a community-driven solution,” City Council member Alexis García-Arrazola told USA TODAY.

Artist relied on photos for hyper-realistic look

Yanni said he was motivated to paint the mural because he wanted to help Constable jump through a “bureaucratic hoop” while complying with the rules in a creative way. Now, he said, passersby will be able to view art that didn’t exist before, he said.

Yanni, 42, and Constable, 61, took photos of the boat sitting in the driveway and the artist sketched out an outline on the fence before he began painting.

“It’s kind of this illusion where you can see the boat, and what’s behind it is mixed with the mural,” he said, describing the final product, completed May 3.

The opposite half of Etienne Constable’s boat is visible from behind a hyper-realistic mural, painted by next-door neighbor Hanif Panni. The two men decided to make the mural to comply with a city rule in a creative way.© Etienne Constable

Code violation for parking boat ‘in public view’

In 2023, a Seaside code compliance specialist sent Constable a notice telling him he was in violation of a rule prohibiting residents from parking boats, RVs and trailers in public view − including vehicles parked on private property.

To avoid a fine, Constable needed to erect a screen or other covering shielding his boat from the street.

Such ordinances ensure large vehicles, which can be difficult to maintain, are hidden from sight to keep overall property values high, City Manager Nick Borges told USA TODAY. Sometimes, Borges said, vehicle owners don’t do a job good of cleaning up leaking oil and other sanitary problems tied to vehicles.

“There’s an importance to some of these codes, so that doesn’t occur,” Borges said.

A mural in Etienne Constable’s Seaside, California, driveway perfectly blends into its surrounding, creating an optical illusion, said artist Hanif Yanni.© Hanif Yanni

At the time Constable received his notice about the boat, Borges said, the city was ramping up its code enforcement efforts after years of letting violations fall by the wayside. As a result, Constable was notified of his violation for the first time in July 2023 after having parked the boat in the same spot for around four years, Constable said.

It makes sense that Constable was frustrated, Borges said, because his boat has always appeared to be well-maintained. In the end, the mural was a fun solution, the city manager said.

“The only action to take at this point is a high-five to the owner,” Borges said.

Artists paint a hyper-realistic mural on a fence in the home driveway of Etienne Constable in Seaside, California.© Hanif Yanni

‘I hit a sweet spot’

Constable said he wanted to make a point about “ridiculous” city codes without getting into a legal battle with the mayor’s office.

“I did it to stick my thumb in your eye, but I did it in a way that’s nonoffensive, doesn’t hurt anybody, doesn’t take anything from anyone,” Constable said. “I feel like I hit the sweet spot, and got my point across.”

Constable got the boat four years ago, and often takes it out into Monterrey Bay and toward Santa Cruz and Big Sur, he said. He’s a fan of fishing, often hunting for halibut and rockfish, and when he can, salmon and tuna, he said.

Now, having the mural be a public, artistic part of the neighborhood “is something I’m very proud of,” he said.

Crazy For Candles

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

I have to admit that I have become a huge fan of scented candles in the past few years, preferably from Voluspa. There is something incredibly enjoyable about lighting a favorite candle each afternoon or evening and allowing the fragrance to permeate the room, evoking a certain mood. Since I don’t always want to smell the same aroma, I have numerous different scented candles nestled in various parts of the house, and will even ask guests to select a fragrance which resonates with them.

The reason why I prefer Voluspa candles is because they are of excellent quality, the vessels are beautiful, and many of the fragrances are absolutely divine. Whether I decide to experience a scrumptious fruit melange, an exotic woody bamboo, or a magical spice, I absolutely love the nightly ritual I have developed of lighting a candle and enjoying the illumination, the beauty of the candle jar, and the bouquet which these candles impart. Voluspa candle jars are so incredibly gorgeous and versatile that I have cleaned many of them and repurposed them to store things like cotton balls, makeup brushes, etc. There is even a suggestion from Voluspa to repurpose their 5-wick hearth candles into champagne buckets, which actually makes perfect sense.

If you want to fill your home with delicious fragrance, I would highly recommend checking out Voluspa, and no, this is not a sponsored post. That’s how much I appreciate candles from this master candle making house.

Why Take Pictures At Burning Man?

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

I find it ironic that one of my friends from junior high (that’s middle school for you younger folks) has been in the habit of attending Burning Man every year and creating a photo album for each event, since Burning Man is known for its emphasis on impermanence and the transient nature of art and experiences. It’s a place where participants celebrate the idea that everything is temporary, just like the “burning” of the iconic effigy. A man is burned in effigy (The Man) at every Burning Man to symbolize destruction and rebirth. Photography, on the other hand, freezes moments in time, preserving them indefinitely. Isn’t the whole point that time doesn’t matter, that everything is ephemeral? Photos cement things down. By taking photos, you may inadvertently go against the core philosophy of Burning Man, which encourages living in the moment and embracing the ephemeral nature of life.

I also think that by having a means by which you can capture images and videos at Burning Man, you are allowing yourself to be distracted from the Burning Man experience, and cannot fully immerse yourself in the unique environment of Burning Man. Instead of being present and engaging with the art installations, interactive experiences, and the vibrant community, individuals behind the camera may become preoccupied with capturing the perfect shot. This detachment from the experience may dilute the intended impact of the event.

I also have an issue with photography serving as an invasion of the privacy of attendees. Since Burning Man emphasizes a culture of consent and respect for one another, and also since many attendees express themselves through radical self-expression, some may be reluctant to be photographed without their consent. Taking photos without asking for permission can infringe on the principles of consent and respect that are fundamental to the Burning Man community.

Then there are the people who are always striving to create perfect shots so that they can be shared on social media. At Burning Man, this pressure may lead to a competitive atmosphere where participants strive to document the most visually stunning aspects of the event. This can detract from the authenticity of the experience, as people may prioritize getting the “perfect” shot over genuine connection and self-expression. I think it’s also important to remember that photographs can only capture a limited perspective of what is happening at an event as multifaceted as Burning Man. They can’t fully convey the sights, sounds, and emotions that are part of the experience. Relying on photos to remember the event may leave you with an incomplete representation of what you truly encountered and felt, though my friend has always insisted that her albums have enabled her to encapsulate her memories of each event thoroughly.

In conclusion, while some individuals find value in documenting their Burning Man experiences through photography, there is a valid argument that taking photos at such events may be counter to the event’s core principles of impermanence, full engagement, consent, and respect. By prioritizing the experience over capturing it, one can better align with the spirit of Burning Man and fully immerse oneself in the magic of the event.

Cool Glasses Project

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Back in early July, I attended a music festival with a few friends. We noticed that there were numerous vendors with booths set up along the entry corridor, so we decided to take a look at what was being sold. At one point, we found a booth which sold accessories like body chains and sunglasses, and zoomed in on one particular pair of shades. My friend tried them on and absolutely loved them, so she asked the vendor how much they cost. They were $100, and though my friend hesitated over the lofty price, I could tell she was thinking about purchasing them, despite the fact that she couldn’t afford them.

I have to admit that I also liked the glasses, so much so that I took a picture of them for reference (see image above). I then told my friend that we should keep walking, and once we were out of earshot of the salesperson, I informed her that all of the styles of sunglasses at the booth, sans embellishment, were available through Amazon. I also stated that we could probably duplicate the look for a fraction of the price, and that it would be foolish for my friend to purchase the cool spectacles from the booth we had just visited.

A couple of days after the event, I decided to look on Amazon to see if I could find the glasses, and also figured that I could look for the aqua fabric, the rhinestones, and cool eyeglass chains. By some stretch of luck and a willingness to search for appropriate accessories, I quickly found everything I needed, and ordered them. Once the materials arrived, I printed out the image of the shades we both loved, and set up my workstation so that I could make two pairs of duplicates. Despite the fact that I did a fair amount of cursing while figuring out the sizing of the fabric segments and also while gluing the rhinestones, I was able to complete the project.

The reference photo with the two finished pairs of sunglasses

The best part of the project was that I made each pair for $32.77 ($38.76 after I added cases), and had a nice creative challenge. The next time I saw my friend, I asked her if she remembered those glasses from the event we had attended, then handed her one of the pairs. She was speechless. I then told her that I hadn’t purchased the glasses from the vendor, but that I had made them, along with a second pair which I kept for myself. She was truly blown away, especially after I told her how much I had spent on materials.

One Thousand Cranes

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Copyright: olegdudko

Last year right around Christmas, I taught my dear friend Karla how to make origami cranes, and though she struggled at first, she began to get the hang of making them. She thought they were pretty neat, and asked if they were ever made for a specific purpose, so I told her about the tradition of making one thousand cranes and stringing them up to hang for a number of different occasions, including making a wish for an ill person’s recovery, the birth of a child, wedding blessings, or to grant good luck within a home. Senbazuru (a thousand cranes) is the Japanese way to make a wish and bless it so that it might come true.

Emma Taggert offers an explanation of how the origami crane emerged in Japanese culture:

“The tradition of the Japanese orizuru (ori– “folded,” tsuru “crane”), or paper crane, began in feudal Japan (1185–1603 CE), when people gifted each other the paper figures as symbols of honor and loyalty. However, it wasn’t until the 16th century that the art of the origami crane was officially recorded. Hiden Senbazuru Orikata (“Secret to Folding One-thousand Cranes”), published in Japan in 1797, is the first known book on origami. It features the earliest known instructions on how to make origami cranes, along with countless examples of different kinds.”

Since I grew up making origami cranes, I can quite literally make them with my eyes closed, but I understand that for someone who is unfamiliar with origami, making that first crane can be a challenge. Here is a video tutorial for those of you who want to learn how to make one:

For those of you who already know how to make origami cranes, you might want to challenge yourself with renzuru, a form of origami in which multiple forms are made from a single piece of paper:

Getting back to my friend Karla, she amazed me in July when she gifted me with a thousand cranes for my birthday. I wasted no time in gettting a dowel and hooks for the cranes so that I could display them in my living room. Once they were hung, I realize I had chosen a great spot because during the day, the cranes catch the sunlight, and in the evening, the uplights which I have behind my sofa impart a lovely glow on them.

Why Raves Are So Appealing

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Copyright: cunaplus

Back in March of this year, I attended my very first rave, a smaller event which was held indoors at a theater in downtown Los Angeles. What surprised me was how loving, accepting, and cool just about everyone was at the event and how consistent they were with PLUR, an acronym which stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. It was as if all judgement, criticism, pretense and posturing had been left at the entrance to the event, and I have to admit that it was refreshing and lovely. I was so enraptured by the energy at the event and so into the music that I was left wanting more when it was time to leave.

I have to admit that I am a bit hesitant to attend the larger, outdoor festivals, for a number of reasons which are well detailed here. It just doesn’t seem like it would be very fun to sit in a Porta-Potty with a full length bodysuit gathered around my ankles, nor does it seem like fun to have a bunch of strangers sweating on me while I dance to electronic music. It was already quite stuffy and hot while I was at the indoor venue, and that was during a part of the year when the outside temperature was in the upper 40’s Fahrenheit. Bear in mind that it is customary and almost required that attendees dress scantily, primarily to offset the increased ambient temperature which develops as a result of all the human bodies gyrating and dancing together in a small space, and also as a proclamation of body awareness and acceptance.

Despite the fact that the venue was pretty packed, and the ambient temperature was pretty toasty, I had an incredible time, and can’t wait to attend another rave. There is something so liberating about dancing without a care in the world, moving with the beat of the music, and feeling absolutely no judgement from other people at the event. It was also fun to dress up, especially because it has been years since I have dressed up for Halloween or masquerade balls. Raves are a fantastic way for adults to align with their childlike energy, and let go.

Still Addicted To K-Dramas

drstaceynaito Leave a comment

Copyright: ryanking999

There are many aspects of Korean dramas, also known as K-dramas, which keep me captive as a loyal watcher. I never thought I would become hooked on one K-drama after another, but it is something I continue to experience since watching the first two back in August of 2022 (Business Proposal and Extraordinary Attorney Woo). What was interesting about Business Proposal and Extraordinary Attorney Woo was that they were so different from each other with respect to plot lines and characters, but I began to notice that both shows featured charming dialogue, good looking and interesting people, and innocent love. I think another reason why K-dramas resonate so well with me has to do with my Japanese ancestry. Though Korean and Japanese cultures are different from each other, there are similar themes, such as the use of language honorifics, the love of food, societal structure, and work ethic.

Despite the fact that I was already addicted to K-drama formats after Proposal and Woo, I had yet to experience the dazzling cinematography, set designs, and costume designs of period pieces depicting the Joseon era. When I would watch an episode of a Joseon era or Joseon era-inspired series, I found myself staring at the details of the buildings and the clothing. The hanbok , or traditional Korean clothing, which is featured in shows like The King’s Affection, is elaborate and absolutely stunning, thus providing yet another visual feast for viewers’ eyes. Even if a K-drama is set in modern times, the characters are frequently clad in expensive and beautiful designer clothing.

K-dramas characteristically have some type of love story embedded in the plot, and the development of that love story is almost agonizingly slow because it harkens back to the days when people believed more in true love. By then end of a few episodes, viewers start cheering for the male and female protagonists to realize their adoration for each other and get that first kiss over already. The kissing scenes are so refreshing, because they serve as a stark departure from the often vulgar and graphic love scenes which characterize many Western shows and movies. A lot is left to the imagination in a K-drama, yet the outcome is much more satisfying because of the fairytale romance ending which usually wraps up a show.

View at Medium.com
View at Medium.com