About Me & This Site
"Full Disclothesure" is Now "Disclosure"
These are my (personal) stories.
(The Rotem Studio business site, if you are looking for that, is over here.)
Why "Disclosure?" It's because in addition to my web & graphic design work, I also have small side line for pop culture graphic tees and artisan apparel, so long ago I ran a blog I called Full Disclothesure. I used it to share my new designs and boutique show schedules along with colleagues' creations, and occasionally made random references to meerkats.
Its rebirth, "Disclosure" (without the punny clothing reference -- did you get that?) sets out with a new direction, but the old posts are snuggled in an archive.
While it's mainly meant as a compendium for me to remember all the things I did or simply enjoyed writing about, anyone is invited to come along for the journey.
Blogness
Stories, Memories, Thoughts, and Other Eccentricities Post 2019
(Older Archive Below)
- All
- Newer Stories
All Mimsy Were the Borogoves. Film at 11.
An old Facebook exchange. It started when I posted, “All mimsy were the borogoves. Film at 11.” A friend commented:“Eh? what do you mean?” “Well,” I replied, “it all started with the slithy toves…” “Multiple calls to 911 indicated that there were gyring and gymbling far beyond what is allowed in ye wabe by-laws.” […]
Read the story My Car Accident with a Boat
I checked the driver's side mirror. I looked out the at the oncoming traffic behind me. I perfectly clocked the speed and location of the car I was going to follow into traffic. I carefully pulled the car from the curb as the car went by and—
Read the story The Dream of Big Ego
Last night’s dream: Some event at someone’s house, where cows walking on hind legs were going in and out of the side door. (The Far Side, anyone?) The house and event became a new neighborhood evening music venue built by someone I apparently knew. It was bigger on the inside 😉 and filled with art […]
Read the story The Dream of the Spiral Parking Lot
The night before last I dreamed my car was stolen from a parking lot near a questionable Italian restaurant. I wanted to see the CCTV but something was in the way of the car so I couldn’t tell when it happened or who took it. It’s an old car but I was still unhappy about […]
Read the story I Gave My Umbrella to a Homeless Guy But Next Time?
(Thinking out loud, digitally.) Yesterday it was cold. It was rainy. It was exhilarating, unless you had to nowhere to take cover indoors in which case it was nasty. I saw a homeless guy on the sidewalk between the Rite Aid and the Staples store trying to wrap himself in a duvet, or maybe it […]
Read the story Winnie’s Chop Shop Tail
“On no,” you’re thinking. A story about a cat. Well, yes, but it’s Winnie, the Winnie of Winnie Wednesdays on Facebook (ok, that never really took off) and the Winnie for whom I wrote a poem. He’s exceptionally exceptional, this Winnie. He was described in PetFinders as a “Lynx Point Siamese,” when I was cat-hunting. […]
Read the story A Story That Bears Telling (Pun Alert)
I know bears. Not the kind one goes to Alaska for to watch catching salmon. The quiet bears. The friendly bears. The stuffed, plush bears. I never set out to collect bears but somehow, over the past twenty-plus years, the bear population in my home has demonstrated a steady upward incline. Many are a popular […]
Read the story How the Non-Career Started Out
How the Non-Career Started Out I moved from New York to Northern California mere six months after I returned from a year in Japan followed by a month or two in Hawaii. My high school friend had gotten a fellowship to UC Berkeley, and wanted to move out of the grad dorm where even in […]
Read the story Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa
Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa is The Best Cough Syrup. It’s herbal and contains minty honey and actually tastes good. I’ve been using this since the 80s, when I was given some from an acquaintance from Hong Kong who heard my relentless bronchitis coughing. But then when I lived in Israel I ran out. My […]
Read the story Cats, Shoelaces & Unpleasantness
Kiki used to love eating shoe laces. Just ask a few friends and family members who have visited only to leave minus a length of shoelace. I’ve learned to put laced shoes where she won’t have easy access. Even though I still do this, I thought she was, for the most part, over this habit. […]
Read the story What Does a Suicide Attack Smell Like?
At approximately 9:00 in the morning of October 19, 1994, a suicide bomber blew himself up on a crowded No. 5 bus during rush hour as it pulled up to a stop just north of Dizengoff Square, less than a block from my apartment. I had been getting ready for work when I heard the […]
Read the story The Magical Place
Once, on a Friday evening walk, I found a magical place. What it actually is I do not know. (Maybe a neighbor can fill me in one day.) But I imagine all sorts of fascinating things and stories inside… Sepia photos of people dressed in outfits that look like they’re from the old J Peterman […]
Read the story The Bee Whisperer
When I was 16 I worked in a summer camp, getting a free summer in the country, spending downtime with my friends, enjoying arts and crafts, or learning to drink Turkish coffee from the Israeli counselors. That's where I met the 9 year old Bee Whisperer.
Read the story Mugi-Cha
As we move through the calendar year, we each have those special things that evoke the season. In the summer, it may be the taste of barbecue or fresh berries, the sound of splashing water, or the scent of citronella candles. My cup of tea is, well, a particular cup of Japanese tea.
Read the story It’s a Wonderful Amazon Delivery
I like to leave an "analog" tip that goes right into the drivers' pockets rather than online. It's not a lot, but it's a grueling job, and I appreciate the people who do it. But I had never thought of it as meaningful.
Read the story Skelly, the Ultimate Urban Mid-Century Game
Our apartment building faced another, and in between were the sad, scratchy lawns we were forbidden to play on (probably because doing so, and we did, made them sad and scratchy), as well as benches, and painted hopscotch and skelly game diagrams.
Read the story Angels in My Corner
I'd look up at the corners of the ceiling above the foot of my bed and see them. But every time I got up to look closer, teetering on the mattress on my toes, the putti would promptly disappear.
Read the story Mick Jagger’s Chinese Cookbooks
The time when I worked in a Japanese bookstore, and sold Chinese cookbooks and a bunch of Japanese tchotchkes to Mick Jagger.
Read the story Borscht Trauma
A hot summer day. Glasses of cold, raspberry-hued creaminess. So very tempting. The results so very... disastrous.
Read the story This is So Not a 1950s TV Show
French communists, scientologists, a guy off his Librium, a gun-toting guest, an alcoholic schoolteacher... Reminiscences of my former life in Berkeley.
Read the story Blogness II
Random Fun and Promotional Stuff from Pre-2014
Custom T-Shirts Were the Hot New Thing, Artisan Craft Shows Were My Must-Do, and Celeb Gifting.
Also Meerkats.
- All
- Pre-2014
- Rotem Gear News
The Trouble with Truffles
We had a long winter and it seems, nearly no spring and now summer is upon us… at least here in L.A. Anyhoo, that means doing something about winter-dry skin. My current weapon has long been coconut oil (I eat it, drink it in smoothies, slather it on and even brush teeth with it sometimes) […]
Read the story The Power of Words
Words matter. My entry into graphic design actually followed a career in marketing and public relations writing, so I can't turn off the "words matter" credo. The two -- graphic design and copy writing -- work together.
Read the story Turtles, Super Heros, and Saving Lives
I recently designed this logo. It looks childish, I know. That’s actually on purpose, and a lot of thought and love went into it. I’ll explain. This is a logo for an eight year old boy. A very special eight year old boy who I have never met in person but whom I feel I’ve gotten […]
Read the story Our Next Show — Montana Ave!
Q. What do Rotem Studio, Hollywood’s hippest stars and their trail of paparazzi have in common? A. Shopping on Montana Ave! This Saturday, come join us at Santa Monica’s best shopping spot for ONE DAY only — at the Roosevelt Elementary School Holiday Boutique. You won’t find this boutique’s treasures at any other time on […]
Read the story Thanksgivikkuh. There, I said It.
Special occasions inspire special "observances" and one of these is a fabulous "21 Days of Thanksgivikkuh" give-away.
Read the story Thank you, Manhattan Beach!
Despite hot temperatures and long days, we had a good time at the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair. This 41 year tradition is a favorite among locals and vendors and many people come both days. I was fortunate to share a tent with Faith Marcus Designs, and we created a lovely and inviting environment together. Check […]
Read the story New Bamboo Tanks, Soft Scarves and Shimmery Glamor
I’ve often said my Rotem Limited Edition line will take you from yoga to shopping to party, and now I have something brand new for all you yoga aficionados! Brand new in the shop and making their IRL debut at this weekend’s Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair (Oct 5-6), are bamboo blend ribbed tanks with my […]
Read the story We’re Headed to Hollywood for an Emmys Celebration
We’re participating in the GBK celebrity gift lounge for the Primetime Emmys this year! Rotem LE will be represented in gift bags given to celebs at the glamorous GBK Gift Lounge along with the über-talented members of The Artisan Group, and we’re couldn’t be prouder! In honor of this occasion, I’m offering 20% off with […]
Read the story On the way to Parenthood TV
Rotem Gear has been invited to send this baby tee to the stylist of Parenthood, for consideration on the show, and we’re so excited! We’re keeping our fingers and toes crossed that they will think it’s just perfect, and that maybe you will see our iconic Kitty X-bones design on this season’s newest Parenthood family […]
Read the story Stephanie Drapeau Looking Fab in Rotem LE Tee
Actress Stephanie Drapeau (Castle, Medium) tweeted this photo of herself wearing a deep green heather Rotem LE agapanthus tee!
Read the story Lights, Camera, Agapanthus!
There’s our Agapanthus Flutter Top on camera! The beautiful and talented Tara Darough Rex of Taradara has been working with Sew It All/Sew News on a DVD sewing series. She also had a tutorial featured in the Sew it All magazine and participated in the PBS hosted Sew It All TV series last year. I’m so honored that for the […]
Read the story Why Not Pop In to Our Pop-Up?
Our first event of the year! Rotem LE will be joining this very special event when the SoCal Etsy Guild hosts a “Mom & Pop-Up” Shop, in conjunction with CRAFTED at the Port, on Saturday, April 27, from 11am -6 pm. CRAFTED at the Port of Los Angeles is a weekly craft show that takes place in renovated WWII […]
Read the story Random Photos
Some Things I Liked in My Wanderings
Lotem Ipsum is my homegirl
