the voice inside my head

Text conversation with my mom the other week.

me: mom!  i hate my name.  it's not a catchy design name, i can't come up with any cool logos.

mom: oh, i'm sorry jen, we thought you were going to be a doctor.

me: oh... 

me: maybe i should be apologizing to you!  :p

By the way, for those that don't know, my full name is Jennifer Linn Benson... the whole thing rhymes!  Ugh, way too victorian to sound like a super cool trendy designer.  I mean, don't get me wrong, my nickname stuck- jenben... buuuut it does kinda sound like a 13 year girl... also not cool.

Anyway, I love design but I have never been good at making things for myself.  I like making things to give to other people.  It's been what... over a year of trying to create some little visual queue that screams JEN and I can't come up with anything?!  I'm chronically indecisive.

So onto the point of the picture... this is the cleanest my desktop has ever been since its arrival and I am hoping Shel's wise words will sink in and help me just PICK SOMETHING.  The voice inside my head is clearly not very loud.

I'm waiting for my piff and it's just not coming!  It'll come though, right?  It always does.

cutest pic of the day goes to...

Mister Moostoffelees!

I promise I won't be the "Hey, come look at pictures of my cat!" type of person all the time.  ...He's just so cute  :]

By the way, it was name at first sight when we saw him at the pet store.  I wanted his sister, the black kitty.  Brandon wanted this little guy.  So I asked if we got him, could we name him Moo?  For those that know me understand my love for milk & cows.  My aunt tried so hard to get me to say "moo" as my first word.  Anyway... done deal.  We were hooked as soon as we held him.  So Moo came first and then we dubbed his long name Mister Moostoffelees... you know how at pet shows all the fancy pets have those really long names?

And yes, name inspired by the Magic Cat, Mister Mistoffelees.  Brandon has never seen Cats by the way?!  For shame.

Anyway, this post was not planned whatsoever and I feel like I'm just rambling.  So I'll leave you with the adorable Moo and this...

Surprise, click me!

sniffle sniffle cough cough

Im sick, it's late, & I can't sleep.

But these things make it better  :]

Vick's super strong scented Puff's from Mom.

Oatmeal + brown sugar.  More tissues + my puff.

Being entertained by my Moo.

And can't forget the things that keep me busy.  :]

new york city pt. 3

Sunday & Monday Morning

Mike's family was also visiting so we met for delicious brunch & mimosas.

And then came the rain... which did not stop, all day.

So it was the perfect time to check out the MoMA.

Then we checked out Rockefeller Center, NBC Studios, and ate really hard unfortunate pretzels.

Completely exhausted, we stopped for an authentic Italian dinner, then delicious cupcakes at Magnolia Bakery.

We ventured into Times Square one last time so my Grama could watch us on the Google Sky Cams.  :]

Our last morning we met up with my uncle and he took us to this sweet lomography store!

We found out that Pentagram & AIGA Headquarters are his office's neighbors!

Triborough Bridge, taxi ride on our way to LaGuardia.

Dear New York City,

You are definitely you're own person and your hospitality was unique.  Needless to say though, I quite enjoyed my time with you.  Despite the rain, and the blisters, and prices, I most certainly am looking forward to my next visit.  Thanks for the memories.

Love, Jen

new york city pt. 2

Saturday

South Street Seaport, felt like Michigan :]

We took the Staten Island Ferry across to look at the Statue of Liberty.

She was amazing, even from the overcrowded ferry.

Holga split image

World Trade Center Memorial

I loved Soho, wish we got more pictures.

Oh man, I will never forget this night.  Such good memories.

At Anderson Cooper's boyfriend's club... apparently.  NBD.

Ohh, Elyse & I were getting quite a laugh out of this.  It was an epic journey back to the apartment I must say.

Once we finally got back to the apartment as the sun was coming up, we we're definitely ready to get a couple hours of sleep before the whatever adventures Sunday would bring.

new york city

Oh hey, remember when I said I went to New York City for the first time?  Yeah... lets get on with it.  Too many memories, too little time.  So I'm just posting photos and tidbits, no long stories today.

Thursday Night & Friday

Goodbye Michigan, hello 3 hour layover in Milwaukee.

Waiting for Mike to pick us up in Times Square.  It was so bright... at 11:30 at night!

Mike took us through the Glamour & Wired Magazine floors at Conde Nast!  Sooo Devil Wears Prada.

Playing with the Holga

Adding our wishes for 2012 to the Wishing Wall.  We'll have to go back for New Year's to find our pieces!

Central Park

Strawberry Fields Memorial

Alice in Wonderland Sculpture

The Plaza Hotel

This Indian restuarant was crazy, but awesome.  "Where Christmas Lights Meet Chili Peppers."

Death & Company. Delicious punch + fancy teacups + trendy, eclectic atmosphere, we were hooked.

Well, it was not too long after we left Death & Company that we made the trek back to Mike's apartment in Brooklyn, where our nice blow up mattress was awaiting.

I'll finish up the rest of the days soon, got more things I want to talk about!

warholizer

So... my friend Alaina just started a blog over here and she's already got lots of fun posts on there.  She made me realize I am clearly stressing out way to much over this sometimes and it's okay just to post fun little tidbits.  phew.  Glad I've come to this realization.  Oh and to break away from the last pity party of a post (I hate days like those) I leave you with this...

Me & my Moo

You should probably go Warholize yourself just for shits & giggles.  Thanks to StumbleUpon & boyfriend for showing me the link.  :]