That's Random: The Joy of Shopping With Your Parents

Wicker World from MWTWT on Vimeo.

Yep, I'd have to say that this video, by my awesome brother-in-law, pretty much hits the nail on the head as far as my kids are concerned. (Oh well, at least they're bonding over their shared loathing of this particular brand of vacation fun.)

We're having a great time in Portland, though. The house where we're staying is incredible. We're eating often and too well ("breakfast" at VooDoo Doughnut, lunch at Kenny & Zuke's, and dinners so far at Cava and Paley's Place, plus an afternoon chocolate tasting at Cacao -- yum!). We stopped in at Powell's Books today to stock up on reading material, goofed off a bit in the photo booth at the Ace, and are having fun just hanging out together and exploring the city. We even ran into a long-lost friend at the grocery store last night. Nick and I knew him years ago in San Francisco, but he lives here now and runs his own indie record label -- which is just so quintessentially Portland.

Anyway, P-Town freakin' rocks! (And yes, I am totally cheating on Oakland with Portland right now, and I don't care who knows it.)

Thanks everyone for the Portland tips -- and for bearing with my lack of posting here this week. See you soon ...

That's Random: For the Love of Cats (and Dogs)

If you're into cat- or dog rescue -- or simply are an animal lover -- check out this video my brother-in-law made about an amazing, no-kill animal sanctuary called Cat House on the Kings. So inspiring.

That's Random: The Cat Castle

Now, before you go and accuse me of being coldhearted or immune to the charms of our fine furry companions, know this: I adore my two cats, I honestly do.

But if you're even a little bit tempted to put this $445, 6.5-foot-squared monstrosity in your home, I think maybe you have a small cat problem.

It's a slippery slope, my friend. Today, you kindheartedly purchase the Cat Castle for the enjoyment of your beloved furkids -- maybe getting rid of some piece of extraneous furniture like the couch or your bed to make room for it. Next year, the neighbors are twittering about you while rolling their eyes and whispering "crazy cat lady" to each other. And in a decade or so, an anonymous call to the Humane Society leads to a citation for keeping 156 felines in a urine-soaked hovel and a plea-bargain agreement involving mandatory psychological counseling.

So just don't, OK?

P.S. Here's a photo illustration from my brother- and sister-in-law, to whom this post was not so subtly aimed (and yes, they're the same ones who recently shared on this very blog the Photoshopped silhouette portraits featuring their four rescued felines). It shows how the Cat Castle might look in their little Silver Lake bungalow, and was accompanied by this note:

"Thanks ever so for steering us to the Cat Castle. Don't know how we ever got along without it! Besides, who needs access to the front door? It's fun climbing in and out through the window."

Very funny guys -- but I wouldn't put it past you.

How to: Make Silhouette Portraits

My sister-in-law, Valerie, and her husband, Jack, are two of the most creative people I know: Jack makes movies (and awesome birthday videos for his nieces and nephews), and Valerie builds bookshelves from scratch, makes her own upholstered headboards, sews the most amazing quilts, and creates the lushest container gardens you've ever seen.

Seriously, these two inspire me to live more creatively, adventurously, and thoughtfully every single day. I'm so lucky to have them in my family.

Here, they share step-by-step instructions for their latest DIY project: Making Photoshop silhouette portraits of their four furkids ... uh, I mean cats. But you can follow these steps to create silhouettes of just about anything you choose -- your pet, your kid, even an inanimate object (I might try my mouse at a few botanical silhouettes, for instance):

"* Using a digital camera, photograph your subject from the side. It's best to shoot against a white wall or a white posterboard to make it easier to digitally remove the background during the next step.

* Open the picture in Photoshop. Use the Magic Wand tool to select the background for removal. Once clicked, the background will be outlined and highlighted. Go to 'edit' and click 'cut.' The background will disappear.

* Now go to 'image' and click 'adjustments.' Select 'desaturate' to remove all color.

* In 'adjustments,' select 'brightness/contrast.' Lower the brightness and increase the contrast until your image takes the form of a silhouette.

* If the image isn't completely silhouetted, use the Paintbucket tool (with black as the color selection) to fill in as needed, placing the cursor dead center and clicking until your desired effect is achieved.

* Using the Image tool, select 'image size' to set your desired dimensions.

* Save your silhouette as a JPEG file.

* Burn the file to a CD and take it to your favorite photo-printing or copy shop (or simply use on online printing service like Shutterfly or Kodak Gallery), printing it on whatever paper or card stock you choose.

* If you want greater depth or thickness or a different background color, augment the printed image with paint.

* Trim the edges of the finished silhouette as needed and place it in the frame of your choosing. We used the black oval Ung Drill frame from IKEA that we then painted gold."

Thanks so much, guys -- I love how digital cameras and photo-editing tools can help even us non-artistic types unleash our inner creative spirit. (Next, I want a how-to for making that beautiful headboard ... )

Readers: If you have a simple DIY project to share, send me photos and instructions and I'll be happy to feature it here!

That's Random: Friday Fun

Apropos of nothing: "Life Lessons with Uncle Al," web comedy from my brother-in-law, director Jack Perez, and his buddy, comedian Allan Havey.

Part 1 (warning -- not safe for work):

Parts 2, 3, and 4.