Running (wo)man.

This afternoon after class I went to Momentum to buy some new running shoes. Did I happen to mention that when I got into the studio yesterday and put on my working pants I realized that they were getting tight again??? That's when I decided that I needed to get back on the wagon, hence the new shoes.

The gentleman who owns the store (Momentum) is very nice. I mentioned that I was a graduate student and he gave me a discount on my shoes. I didn't even ask for one. I would recommend Momentum (On North Clybourn) to anyone looking for running gear. I ran on the treadmill while I was trying on shoes... now my hip hurts again. Or still.

Azi my neighbor is moving out today... hopefully my new neighbor will be quiet. Not that I'm home that much, but I do like to get my beauty sleep.

Tomorrow I'm giving a tour for the Graduate Open House, then later I'm going to Grizzly's for dinner with the gang... I'm also going to watch the Seahawks play the Bears. Go Seahawks!

Running (wo)man.

This afternoon after class I went to Momentum to buy some new running shoes. Did I happen to mention that when I got into the studio yesterday and put on my working pants I realized that they were getting tight again??? That's when I decided that I needed to get back on the wagon, hence the new shoes.

The gentleman who owns the store (Momentum) is very nice. I mentioned that I was a graduate student and he gave me a discount on my shoes. I didn't even ask for one. I would recommend Momentum (On North Clybourn) to anyone looking for running gear. I ran on the treadmill while I was trying on shoes... now my hip hurts again. Or still.

Azi my neighbor is moving out today... hopefully my new neighbor will be quiet. Not that I'm home that much, but I do like to get my beauty sleep.

Tomorrow I'm giving a tour for the Graduate Open House, then later I'm going to Grizzly's for dinner with the gang... I'm also going to watch the Seahawks play the Bears. Go Seahawks!

Running (wo)man.

This afternoon after class I went to Momentum to buy some new running shoes. Did I happen to mention that when I got into the studio yesterday and put on my working pants I realized that they were getting tight again??? That's when I decided that I needed to get back on the wagon, hence the new shoes.

The gentleman who owns the store (Momentum) is very nice. I mentioned that I was a graduate student and he gave me a discount on my shoes. I didn't even ask for one. I would recommend Momentum (On North Clybourn) to anyone looking for running gear. I ran on the treadmill while I was trying on shoes... now my hip hurts again. Or still.

Azi my neighbor is moving out today... hopefully my new neighbor will be quiet. Not that I'm home that much, but I do like to get my beauty sleep.

Tomorrow I'm giving a tour for the Graduate Open House, then later I'm going to Grizzly's for dinner with the gang... I'm also going to watch the Seahawks play the Bears. Go Seahawks!

Death warmed over.

That's how I'm feeling this morning... headache, cramps, sore hip and leg. Maybe if I'm lucky I'll be hit by a car on the way to my WW meeting and it will put me out of my misery.

On a bright note, the Seahawks are coming to town this weekend to play the Bears. I think I'm going to wear my Seahawks tshirt today (and tomorrow too!).

Man, I feel nasty and my ipod is dying.... I just thought I'd throw that in there a well.

Ouch (again).

I am finding it very difficult to move this morning - the regular stiffness associated with aging and all around decrepit-ness.

This morning I'm working at a WW meeting and then I'm going to go work in the studio. I think this evening I'm going to hang out by myself in my apartment. I really need to clean it - I've said it before, but this time I mean it.

I better be off - I have coffee to drink and toast to eat.

Cake!

On Today Throws a Wedding today they are going over the cake choices for Molly and Jason (the couple who are getting married).

It makes me really want to eat a big piece of cake...

I decided to sleep in a little bit this morning - I am working the WW meeting tonight and then I'm working one at 7:30 tomorrow morning so I figured I should get some rest. I also have to finish up my "big idea" for my Exhibition Process class. I've got it typed up, but I need to do some refining.

Mother knows best.

After my post about spinsterhood my momma sent me an email telling me that things could be worse. She's good about giving pep talks.... I don't really believe all that crap I spout off about - it's just my schtick I guess.

My sister also sent me an article in the Seattle Times about a woman who went on 30 dates before she turned 30... I bet you she's been talking to my mother.

The long walk towards spinsterhood.

I am taking that long walk. I sometimes think that I must have missed the lesson on "how to meet nice boys"... maybe it's because I used to be large and I didn't want people to see me so I just stayed out of sight. It seems that I spent most of my "dating years" hiding out and now it's too late. Okay, I know that's not true - but how does someone go about meeting people without spending a butt-load of money on dating services and matchmakers?

I'm a Tap Dancing Rebel!

Or maybe a tap dancing bandit. I can't decide what I should be called.

This is how the story goes. This afternoon I invited Michael (first year grad) to my studio to visit. At one point I got out my tap shoes and being that I am an entertaining individual I put them on and tapped my little heart out. I then decided to go out into the hall and tap for the people in the common/critique space. Unbeknownst to me there was a painting critique going on around the corner from my studio. OOPS!

Oh well, what can you do? Like Kevin Bacon in Footloose sometimes you've got to dance even if it's considered a sin.

Ahhhh... to be a rebel (or bandit).

Synapse slowdown

I'm not moving too fast this morning. I guess that's alright. I feel as though I should be doing something besides sitting on the futon.

Okay, I just went to the bathroom so I guess I've done something.

Today I have my Text off the Page class. We are going to be discussing public art projects.... I've got a slew of ideas but I can't divulge yet. We are going to be partnered with another person and then we'll have a few weeks to put our stuff together to present for the class. I guess you could call the Grocery Store Fieldtrips as public art (or public something..).

Since I haven't ranted for a while I guess I will.... Yesterday we (the MFA's who will be participating in the show next year) got an email re: mandatory meetings that are a requirement for participation in the show. My problem is that both the meetings are scheduled on Mondays at the same time that I give my Graduate tours... I want to go to the meetings but I would also like a paycheck. Additionally, the second meeting is scheduled the same day as one of the Fibers and Material Studies Grad lectures. Can't they have more than one session? Is that too much to ask?

Okay, stick a fork in me, I'm done.

Is it Friday yet?

I realize that it is only Monday - but why does it feel like Friday? Could it be that I my hip is aching again? Could it be that I haven't had any coffee yet (yes, I think that's it!)?

Today is going to be busy - I have advising, I'm giving a tour and I have readings and a short paragraph to write for my classes. Then of course tonight there's "How I Met Your Mother" etc...

I'm working on writing a new artists statement.. I met with the career Development Office last week and I was given the assignment to look at other artists who work in the same vein as I do (Sarah Sze, Jessica Stockholder etc..) and see how they talk about their work. I need to work on my vocabulary...

Yesterday at Stanley's I bought a pineapple, they had a big box of them outside and they were standing there coring them.. It was really yummy. I also bought shallots - I've never bought them before... what to do with them???

Seahawks, Shopping and Desperate Housewives....

Today I have a lot to do... I have my first Grocery Store Fieldtrip to Stanley's, then I have to come home and watch the Seahawks beat the Giants (also the Mariner's are playing the White Sox...) and then tonight there is the season premiere of Desperate Housewives.

At some point I should probably clean up my apartment... it's looking a bit grungy...

Last night I stayed home and went to bed at 10:00... I'm glad I did that... I've been feeling a bit rundown and I don't want to get sick again. There was a party last night that I wanted to go to but it started at 10:30 and I just can't stay out that late sometimes... Maybe when I turn 40 I'll get my second wind.

Candy

I took this photo before I moved my studio back in August. I had left this piece of candy on my floor and the humidity had its way with it and this is what I go. I think it's kind of beautiful.

Rotisere Chicken, How do I love thee? Let me count the ways!

1. The way your flesh falls off the bone...
2. The way your skin gets all crispy and brown but surrenders under the weight of my teeth to reveal...
3. The juicy juice that dribbles down my chin.

Oh, I could go on, but I know you all just have to jump in the car and run down to the store to get your own!

I'm Famous!

Fumbling Towards Geekdom: The Second Carnival of GRADual Progress has mentioned me on her blog. It references the post I made about my registration error and my worries about money.

On another note I've been busy - I'm supposed to go to a party tonight, but I think I may have to stay in. It's been such a long time since I've done nothing (and I miss it...).

Today in my class we are going to be crocheting and knitting (two things I actually sort of know how to do)!

If you're in the Chicago area go to The Westtown Gallery Networks gallery hop today. You could enter a raffle to win a piece of work by the lovely Deb Sokolow.

Grief!

Some of my friends back in Seattle sent me emails asking why I didn't have TiVo or a DVD recorder. The answer is MONEY!
The key point to remember here is that I'm a Grad Student at the best Private Art School in the country (okay it's tied for the top spot, but you know what I mean..).

For that reason I have given up some of the things I used to find necessary (some I still do) for instance cable tv - boy I really miss it, but I've gone a year without it and I'm still here. My car - I have found that I am very capable of walking and taking the bus... although when it starts snowing here I may not be so happy putting on my boots and fleece jacket every morning.

It's still early so I think I could come up with more once I'm more coherent but who knows...

So, the moral of this story is I CAN live without things and if people WANT to pay for cable or TiVo for me they can... remember I take paypal.

Priorities!

Today I determined what my priorities are, would you like to hear?

1. I will do almost anything to see my shows.

2. I love food.

Okay, so I'm not sure if those are priorities (are they just statements?), but they are things that are really important to me.

I'm now going to check and see if my new VCR/DVD player worked. Cross your fingers.

The Plan.

This morning in my never ending desire to keep up to date with all my television shows I am going to go down to Sears and buy myself a VCR, then bring it back up to my apartment and program it to record The Office and ER (hopefully it will let me watch something different while I'm recording... (Grey's Anatomy).

Then I'll go back down to school for my class (Exhibition Process) and then off to WW to work.

This morning Al Roker is taking Meredith to make Barbecue... hmm. barbecue.

Hair good.

Brows good, me tired (what else is new?).

Tomorrow is a long day, I guess I should go to bed.

Hey, my friend Simon want's to know who in Dundee is reading my blog... he thinks it's because of him, I say it's just because I'm interesting and cute.

If you are from Dundee go to grocerystorefieldtrips and click on the contact us link. I'll mention you in my blog.

Word up (Cameo!).

I need a VCR!

Tomorrow night I have to work but I also need to watch The Office. I don't have a VCR - what's a girl to do? WAAAH!

It's Snot Funny.

I have been feeling much better the past few days, but I still find myself coughing and blowing my nose once in a while. I wish it would go away permanently.

Today I am having some beautification processes done on my body (haircut and brow wax), you all know how I love to have my brows waxed!

I've added a few links to the right. Check them out.

I'm sore... too bad I couldn't throw in a massage today.

Things I did today...

My pirate name is:

Calico Jenny Kidd

Often indecisive, you can't even choose a favorite color. You're apt to follow wherever the wind blows you, just like Calico Jack Rackham, your namesake. Even though you're not always the traditional swaggering gallant, your steadiness and planning make you a fine, reliable pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

I found out my pirate name.

I was given a big green straw by a cute boy named Scott at Argo Tea this morning and I went to a lecture and I went to class. I also learned how to compose run on sentences!

Planning is coming along well for the first Grocery Store fieldtrip, I got two new members.

Brrr!

It is cold this morning... I think its in the low 50's... on the bright side I get to wear my cute purple wool coat today.

I woke up around 5:15 and got some reading done and did the dishes! How about that?

I'd blog more but I need to excuse myself (if you know what I mean...).

Things are looking up!

Not that they were looking down or anything...

I am happy to report that the payroll issue has been resolved and I will be getting paid for my TA job.

The Registrars office fixed my schedule so the school will be receiving my extra $3,000.00.

I took the initiative to introduce myself to Jerry Saltz. He's a (the?) art critic for the Village Voice. He was in town for Graduate studio visits... I was unaware of this until after the lottery so I didn't get in on it. Well, anyway - I introduced myself and told him who I was and who I knew (Deb). He said that if for some reason I didn't get a chance to meet with him that I should email him before the MFA show so we could talk.

I also got to work in the studio.

I would give today a solid B - there's always room for improvement (and I'm saving the A+++ for the day I meet my future husband!).

If you live in Chicago and would like to go on a Grocery Store Fieldtrip on Sunday check out the link on the right.

Hives

I have some nice looking hives on my right hand... They're not too bad today but they've been there for a while. In the other photo there is a picture of a pair of earrings that I bought from Tia today. They match my eyes. I not feeling as tired as I was, but I think I'll still go to bed early to try and catch up on some sleep.

Tomorrow I hope to spend some time in the studio and get some work done, it feels like a long time since I've been able to do anything.

Almost normal...

Today I slept in until 10:30. I still feel like I've been hit by a truck.

Yesterday I TA'd then I went to a few openings; Shane Campbell's new Gallery in Westown and Andrea Meyers and John Neff's shows at Lisa Boyle and Western Exhibitions new space on Hubbard. After the shows I went to a little get together at my friend Julie's house. I got home around 1:30.

Grant sent me this picture of my mom and all her grandkids from the left is Max, Tucker (Stinky to some of you), Leo (who turned one yesterday) and Katie.



Grant also said that Stinky's hair is growing out and she isn't walking funny anymore.

If I can get my act together soon, I'm going to go to the renegade craft fair to see my friend Tia's wares. I was going to go last year, but I didn't get my crap together, I also recall that it was raining.

over and out.

ArRGHHH!

Still too busy, too much to do, I want to sleep.

I can't sleep...

I was at the Financial Aid office today trying to figure out why I didn't get paid for my TA job. While I was waiting I looked at my anticipated financial aid and it said that I was going to get a 3,000 refund. I couldn't figure out how this could be... then it hit me here while I was in bed (I'm actually sitting on the futon right now - not sleeping).

It appears that when I was updating my classes and credits for the semester I dropped my one class and when I was trying to add three credits to my graduate advising it didn't work. I am only registered for 12 credits. I hope it's just an easy fix... I can't handle much more stress or I might have a breakdown. Okay, not really - but it would really suck if I can't fix it - I would like to think that school would like to have that extra 3,000 dollars.

God I need a fill in the blank!

Still feeling like crap.

I got a good nights sleep but am still feeling crappy. It's a combination of sinus pressure and headache mixed with a bit of phlem. Today should be fairly low key.

I'm officially at the point of having no clean knives or coffee cups (strange combination I know.). I rinsed out the least offensive coffee cup for my coffee this morning. Do you all know how much I love coffee?

I have two very important appointments next week. The first is an appointment to get a haircut and a brow wax and the other is to get help working on my resume so that I can be well equipped for that big world out there.

Melissa (my sister) is hooking me up with the art teacher at her school in Seattle (it's a private catholic high school) I think I'll be going in to talk to them about my work and or being an artist. I guess you need to start somewhere.



This is an image from Google Earth of the Jewel-Osco near my apartment.

errrr

Tired, must sleep, blog more later!

In the thick of it.

Okay, so the lecture went well and now my cold has hit me full on.

My colds run a usual course, first there's the sore throat, then the heaviness in the chest, next the sneezing fits which turn into hacking up stuff and then finally the stuffy head and the runny nose. Right now I'm at the stuffy head and runny nose stage.

So... tonight I am skipping Project Runway night. I figure I should try to get my health in check. Tomorrow I am advising and I have my exhibition process class, then it's off to work at WW.

Marty took Chris and I out for a beer after my lecture... hmm... beer. I'll post pictures later. I don't have a lot of energy to spare..

If you get a chance check out my new blog (yes there's four now)... it's called Grocery Store Fieldtrips . I'm going to organize fieldtrips to grocery stores for those people new to Chicago. I suppose people who just want to go grocery shopping can go as well. I'll be sending out a email for all the people that signed up at the lecture today and we'll figure out where to go!

Welcome to Wednesday!

For those of you who are looking at my blog because of the lecture I will give today - WELCOME!

I think today will go down in history for the following reasons;

1. The first day Meredith Vieira is on the Today Show.
2. My lecture.
3. I will meet my future husband.
4. The lead singer of Supernova will be chosen.

Okay, maybe number 3 won't happen, but you never know.

On Martha today there is going to be a dancing wiener dog.

If you all are reading this blog before my lecture, make sure you remember to bring something for the potluck!

I'm thinking someone should bring drinks... I like lemonade.

Later I will post pictures from the lecture/potluck... if I remember to take them. I might flake out.

I'm a bit under the weather...

I'm getting a sore throat.

I have to give my lecture on Wednesday and I hope I'm done with it soon. I'm one of those people who goes over things until it's sort of how I want it. Then I just go with it.

Today I had advising, it went really well. I can't wait for this week to be over and then I can get back to my studio practice in earnest. I think I'm going to go to bed early - maybe I'll get up early and work on everything.

I realized today that most of my work falls into two categories; food and love... I hope to expand on that more later.

Two days until Meredith Viera premieres on the Today show. I've put out a request for a VCR on the Freecycle group list... hopefully I'll find one soon. I'd like to get one before the fall TV season starts.

It's not even 9 am...

I've been sooooo productive this morning. I've done dishes, laundry, colored my hair (and you thought it was natural!), prepared dinner for the next few days, made and ate a healthy breakfast and given birth!

Okay, so I didn't give birth, but if I WAS with child I'm sure I could have fit that in as well.

I must admit that did get up at 5 am. I was so tired last night that I was in bed at 8:30 and asleep by 9:00.

Today I have to install my display case... I'm not exactly sure what it's going to be.. but I have some idea. I'll take a photo and post it here later in the week. I have to also work on my presentation sometime today.

This morning I've been watching stories about remembering 9/11.... It makes me sad... Tomorrow night there's going to be a special on Frontline called "Faith and Doubt at Ground Zero". I hope I can stay up for it. I haven't read much about it, but the promo I saw last night seems interesting.

I've been away...

But now I'm back. At least temporarily... Lunch break TA job. I'm pooped... post more later.

errrr

Friday morning. I was going to say it's been a long week but then I realized that I'm beginning to become repetitive.

Start over.

I'm so excited this morning! I get to go to school and pull slides, work on my lecture and have an all around fantastic day!

I have to remember to buy hair color today as well. I am beginning to have serious roots!

I survived the ordeal...

I made it through my first WW receptionist gig. I only subtracted wrong once (that I know of), well actually I didn't subtract wrong, I just started from a wrong weight so the end result was wrong.

I'm beginning to feel a bit on the exhausted side... only five more days and then I can rest.



Those feet you see are Hilary and Katie's. I'm working on a piece about my family's feet and requested that all my sisters and my mother send me photos of theirs. It's a long story.

I better go to bed now.

Yikes!

I suppose I should say something... Hi.

I've been busy, but you all know that. Yesterday I got a call from one of the WW leaders asking me if I could work a meeting tonight. I said yes. I'm a little nervous - I hope I don't subtract wrong or do my Tally stamps wrong. I hate not knowing what I'm doing.

This morning I actually slept in until 6:30 and I've also started working on my Powerpoint presentation for my lecture.

Did you hear that Paris Hilton was arrested on suspicion of DUI? What is this world coming to?

I guess I should move. I'm feeling a bit lethargic... maybe I just need my vitamins.

As I was typing that last sentence I realized that I left an ear of corn in my microwave last night. I was going to eat it for dinner but I guess I'm a little late. Oh well, I better go throw it out.

Lecture

This is the flyer for my lecture... I'm sorry that it's sideways, but I don't have the energy to fix it.

Okay I fixed it so you can either look at it normally or while laying on you side.

At some point this week I have to work on my lecture. I have too much to do and too little time. I guess I can sleep in next Thursday. I guess it could be worse... I could be a medical student and have to be awake for over 36 hours at a time and deal with blood and guts.

Since the title of this blog is Jenerator's Grad School Rant I guess I should rant a bit. I'm drawing a blank... I'll think of something good and let er rip later.

It's going to be a long semester.

I haven't even been in class for an entire week and already I'm exhausted. I'm looking forward to Friday because I don't have anything on the schedule... at least I don't think I do.

I woke up this morning at 5 am and was pretty much busy the entire day. I got home in time to catch up with Big Brother All Stars... Will was evicted! ha ha ha.

My Text off the Page class looks really good, we will have a show at the end of the class... it will be nice to have my work shown at least once before the MFA show.

I would write more but my eyes are blurring... I better go to bed. Tomorrow I have Graduate Advising with Mr. Jim Zanzi and a Frank Lloyd Wright Art History class (which I will probably end up dropping...I just have too much to do).

Shout out to Dundee!

I have a stat counter on my blog which enables me to see where people are visiting my blog from. Lately I've had people from Istanbul and Chicago, Missouri and Seattle and especially Dundee Scotland. You may recall (or not) that my friend Simon is from Dundee. If you need to refresh your memory about Simon you can link to his website from this very page!

This morning a different part of my body hurts - it's the back of my left leg (which is attached to my left hip)... well actually it feels like the hamstring... I'm guessing it's just a part of the whole hip thing... maybe I'll slum down by the massage school today and try to get a free rub down (okay that sounds bad!).

It's supposed to get cold tonight. I may actually have to sleep under the covers tonight... that would be a concept.

Well, I know it's early, but I should probably get moving... my life isn't getting any longer just sitting here.

Overindulgence.

I did really well today... until now... I went to the studio and worked on making molds of my feet and I bought my books for my Exhibition Process Class ($103.88!). I also went to the Museum and did my assignment for the class. On the way home I stopped by the new Lush store at Marshall Fields and bought some shower gel; it's called the Olive Branch and it smells really good. If you happen to see me tomorrow I'll let you sniff me... but you'll have to ask first.

Well, after all that I stopped by Jewel and got the two piece fried chicken meal (with Tater Babies) and some cookies.. I should have been like Nancy Reagan and just said no but I am weak... most of the cookies are gone now and I am uncomfortable.

I was thinking to myself - "self... why do you like food so much?" That's a good question, I like the way food tastes, the smell, the satisfaction I get shoving it in my face... hmm... would it be better if I was addicted to something like sex or liquor? I don't think so.... (well maybe sex... ha! just kidding). I wish I could just turn my brain off when it comes to food.

Tomorrow I have my Text off the Page class, That's the one I'm really looking forward to.. I'll let you all know how it goes tomorrow.

Well, I better sit here and digest a bit. I've been watching the unauthorized Different Strokes story... Poor Gary Coleman, and Todd and Dana...

The Croc Hunter Falls Silent...

So I wake up this morning to find out that Steve Irwin, Crocodile Hunter is dead. You'd think he'd be eaten by a croc but no, he gets stung in the chest by a stingray. That sucks.

Now this is someone I think is really swell looking... Aaron Eckhart. I like the chin. Hmmm.... maybe my future husband will look like him. I can only hope so.



Today I'm headed off to the museum to do an assignment and then to the studio. I haven't had much time to organize the new space, let alone work in it. I still have to come up with a flyer for my talk and put it together. I guess I'll just plow through it all.

Grocery shopping!

Today Simon, Karolina and I went shopping at Sunflower Grocery (too expensive!) and then Trader Joe's. Simon stocked up on all the necessities. You will notice on his bag strap are buttons (pins) of his friend Miranda's paintings and Karolina's friend Ann's comedy group BOXCO... Ann is my friend too, but I don't know her too well yet.

Oh yeah, Simon got stickers from the check out girl at Trader Joe's as well.

Golly Gee Wiz!

I have been so stinking busy the past few days... Grant sent me this picture of Tucker yesterday. My poor little baby! I guess she keeps getting better day by day.

So, today I TA'd for Introduction to Fiber and Material Studies. We learned how to make rope and wind warp threads on a warping board (this is for weaving). The students seemed to be interested in what was going on... that's good! Then this evening we had a going away thing for Maria, I ate far to much yet again.

Hilary just sent me this picture of Katie, she sort of looks like a cute little frog doesn't she?



Tomorrow Simon and I are going to Sunflower Markets to buy groceries. I'll post more tomorrow since I don't have such a busy schedule. I"m going to bed now.

And another thing..

Here's another mirror with a Brendan accent.