I must be busy...

I just realized that I didn't post anything yesterday.

This morning is the third morning in a row that I've been awake at 4:30... I'm just going to go with the flow... I can sleep next Tuesday.

I'm on the lookout for a coffee table for my piece... I may just end up going to Target today to buying one. It will just be easier than trying to get around to thrift store...

Yesterday I was feeling a bit stressed out. I guess it's just end of the semester and everything's coming to a climax... My critique is next Monday at 9am (it's the first one)... it's going to be weird because this is the first time I'll be showing work that isn't all colorful and "pretty"... it's a big change for me. This work is much more ritualistic and personal for me. Hopefully everything will go well... I'm not too worried though.

I think I'll hit the shower and get off to the studio...

Yet another long day.

Well, I'm still in the studio.... I got here this morning at 7am and worked most of the day with the exception of class this afternoon. I'm beginning to feel the effects (affects? - I'm not a good grammer-er-er...) of getting up at 4:30 this morning. I may have to hit the road soon.

I'm currently listening to Flood by They might be Giants. I can't believe this album is over 16 years old. Man, I remember when it came out. Just wait, if it's not happening to you yet it will - people won't know what the hell you're talking about when you say something ... like they'll say "who is Depeche Mode?" okay, maybe that's not a good example... they'll say "who is Mimi Rogers????" with no freaking idea that she was the original Mrs. Tom Cruise.

Okay, I better be off like a prom dress... I'm starting to get heavy eyelid syndrome.

The wonders of the internet....

That uncontrollable urge came over me the other day... you know the one. The one that compels us to search for our first true love. Don't tell me that you've never done it, had the urge to comb through the telephone pages looking for that name.

Well I googled Trevor's name and I found some stories about him. I knew he lived in Alaska and got married a few years back... it turns out that he ties flies (that's a fishing thing for you all...). I think I knew even back in the 80's that whoever ended up with him would be second to the call of the open sea (river?)

There was an article about him having a show (he's an artist just like me!)...

Just having this information was not enough though, I decided to post a message on craigslist under the "strictly platonic" section looking for him. A nice person looked in the phone book for him but didn't find him listed.. she did however look up property tax information and found him.. it had an address listed... she sent it all to me. I'm tempted to send him a Christmas card... but I wouldn't want to cause a rift in the family.

After my post the other day about letting people know how you feel about them I feel the need to let him know that I am glad he was my first...


boyfriend that is. He was a pretty good guy overall... I can even forgive him hooking up with that girl on his class trip to Hawaii... and taking someone else to his prom (I was asking for it when I told him that I guessed I wasn't going because he didn't officially ask me!)... He was alright.

So, do I send the card?

Leather Pants and all...

I have a friend named Andrew (well, actually his name is Michael) and he owns a pair of 28 inch waist leather pants. He is going to give them to me and I am excited. I might make some work out of them. There's a lot more about Andrew but I won't go into that now... it's all good though.

I am watching the Bachelor Rome season finale... I missed a few episodes so I don't know who I'm rooting for.... I like Jen because she has my name... but Sadie is kind of cool too.

I'm ready for a vacation and some cable television.



This is a picture of my piece I'm working on for the show... It's still in process... I'll take photos once it's installed.

icky!

I just heard on the news that they found a headless body on the south side Saturday. I can't even imagine... I wonder where the head is?

Yesterday was a good day at the studio, I am trying to figure out how to display my piece for the show...

I am also happy to report that I have started my exhibition process model... I feel like I can actually finish it... I'd been feeling like a big time slacker there for a while.

I think I may get moving and try to spend some time in the studio before I have to give my tour... more later.

Happiness

I don't want to jinx anything, but I've been in a really good mood for the past week. I think the planets are aligning and I'm getting my crap together.

Sure not everything's perfect, but when will it ever be?

I have many things to be thankful for, amongst them are my friends and family - both here and at home, my work is going well (although I'm slacking in some of my classes)... I'm in the graduate program I wanted to be in and there's light at the end of the tunnel. I get to go to Italy in January.... I ran in a race (my legs are only now recovering)...

The most important thing I think is that I have no regrets, nothing that has been left unsaid to anyone... If I were to get hit by a bus today I think everyone would know how I felt about them and I feel really good about that.

(pardon me while I get on my soapbox...)

If you have anything to say to anyone do it now... don't wait until it's too late. getting it all out is better than keeping it inside...

(okay, I'll jump down now.)

Last night I fell asleep on the futon around 8:30 and slept until 6:30 this morning... I guess I needed to get my zzz's.

Today I'll go into the studio and work some more - I've also got to get rid of the cookies I made the other night before I eat them all!

Who needs sleep?

It's not even 5am and I'm wide awake. I guess I'm turning into my mother. Which is a good thing (I heart my mom).

I'm supposed to come up with a description of the piece I'm doing for WHYNOGETAWAY show which opens on the 8th. It's supposed to cover my process and thoughts about my piece... I find it really hard to verbalize what I do sometimes.

This piece is text based and is transcriptions from notebooks and letters onto coffee filters that have been processed (stained with coffee in this case). I feel that there is a certain honesty (authenticity?) about this piece that hasn't really been in most of my other work. It also is fairly colorless which is a big switch for me. I spent over six hours in the studio yesterday... it felt really good to do.

Today Karolina and I are meeting up after my WW meeting and we're going to Target, the Dollar Tree and JoAnn's. I might fork over some money for another pair of jeans... they're on sale at Target AND my ass looks good in them (my firm bun and thigh campaign is coming along fine.).

I also have to check in on Miucca (Julie's cat).... Then we're going to the studio.

I better just get going and make some coffee and work on my description.

Laundry List

Here are some pictures of my trip to the Laundromat on Wednesday evening.







The last one I find particularly funny. The sign reads "DO NOT put anyone in this washer" you know someone had to have done it in order for there to be a warning about it.


Maybe someday I'll figure out the best way to post photos on this blog... The layout that is.

This morning at work we had 10 people at the meeting - and I balanced all the paperwork - yay!

I better get back to work (I'm in the studio - and I'm on a roll).

P.S.
My body still hurts like a you know what today... I should go pop some more ibuprofin.

Hello Black Friday!

Today is (reportedly) the busiest shopping day of the year. I remember the good old days when I used to be one of those people looking for the bargains. Although I still love the rush of spending my money at the drop of the hat, I do not yearn for the days of jockeying for position in line at Target.

This year my family has decided to do the drawing of names out of the hat. This means that I only have to give something to one adult and three little people. I guess there's no need then to go through all the hassle of getting out early.

Anyways, I am working this morning at WW. It should be pretty slow. I don't imagine too many people want to weigh in after yesterday's feast.

I woke up in the middle of the night and boy was I stiff (I still am).... I'll be pounding ibuprofin again today.

I'm number 3,297!

I got the results from the race this morning. I am happy to report that I placed 209th in my age category (35-39 year olds) and 3,297th overall.

Since I don't have anything to gauge this against I guess I'll just be thankful I finished. Wait until I move up into the next age group - I'll be flying!

This afternoon I went to Jefferson's for dinner. I had a really good time. Nothing high stress, just good friends, good times and good food.

Tomorrow morning I am working at 7:30. It should be pretty slow. Then I think I'll go into the studio and work for a while. Who knows, maybe I'll do some shopping as well.

OUch.

I did it... I ran the 8k Turkey Trot in under an hour.... that's not too bad for a broad that's almost 40.

I'll talk about it more later but right now an epsom salt bath is calling my name.

Clean, washed and stuffed.

No I'm not talking about turkey... I'm talking about my laundry, dishes and my tummy.

I'll post laundromat pictures later... it was kind of fun. I think I probably spent about the same amount of money at Spin Cycle as I would have here at home, but I got to use the wheely cart to transport my clothes to and from the washers and dryers and that made it all worth while.

I still don't know how I'm going to handle the turkey trot... I got a fancy purple shirt to wear though... maybe I'll wear some makeup and make my hair cute.

What's gotten into me???

Yours truly has signed up to run in the Turkey Trot tomorrow morning at 9 am in Lincoln Park. I haven't run a race in about a year and a half.

I figure I could have some extra fondue tomorrow night if I run an 8k race.

Could be interesting. Could be a disaster. Could be cute single men running!

I guess the laundry can wait...

I realized on the way home that I forgot my camera. Because of that fact I am postponing laundry until tomorrow afternoon. I can't do laundry without photo documentation.

While everyone is at the grocery store or airport I will be watching my clothes tumble around the washer and dryer. I may also try to get some of my Exhibition Process stuff done (I've been PROCRASTINATING).

Now I will just sit here on the futon... I will try to write things that need to be written and watch what needs to be watched.

Oh, I hate multi-tasking.

Much to do....

I just met someone from Art Chicago... that's a show that's held in April at the Merchandise Mart. Who knows what the cards hold for my artistic future.

Tonight I'm going to do laundry. For real this time. I am going to go to Spin Cycle and use one of their big-ass washers. I am REALLY excited. I will take photos to post later.

Last night I made cookies for Jerry's birthday... they were tropical oatmeal. They were yummy (I know, I ate about 12 last night for dinner). I brought in the extra today and gave them away.

So, I'm tabling the Google Earth thing (sort of) and focusing on a coffee filter piece again... this time with text. I'll post pictures when I get further along.

I better ske-daddle so I can get the laundry done.

Martha Stewart is stiff.

I'm watching Martha in my studio (I bought an antenna and it works great!)... She's a bit stiff. I wonder what she's like on the dance floor.

I had an advising meeting this morning and it went well (it was with Tom - the one who said I should be aware when I was blowing my studio off...) I actually felt like we had a lot to talk about.

The picture is of something I made last week. It says "I'm not a hussy and he's not a scumbag".

My momma is supposed to send me the recipe for peanut butter cookies today... I'm going to make them for Jerry's birthday tomorrow.

I better get back to work. More later.

The long decent into stupid.

I no longer have the excuse that I am too busy. No, I'm just a spaced out, almost middle aged woman who can't keep things straight.

I've just realized that I said I would work on Wednesday morning but I have to meet with my advisor. I'll be glad when this is all over (Grad School that is). I'm beginning to think I will never recover.

Today I was going to go to the laundromat (for the first time in my life) to do laundry. I ran out of time. Maybe tomorrow.

I should just throw in the towel.

Freaks.

I'm watching something on the local Fox network about people who pretend to be (or are) vampires. I have one word for them and Fox - Freaks.

Tonight I took myself out to a movie. I saw For Your Consideration. It's the latest movie by Christopher Guest... it was alright but I think I might have enjoyed Happy Feet more. I am still planning on going to see a Thanksgiving movie as well... I may see Happy Feet out at Navy Pier in IMAX. I'll have to take a gander at what else is opening next weekend and maybe see something else.

I guess I should go and down some more Advil... I'm a bit crampy still.

I'm happy to report that the underwear fits well.

I heart being a woman!

Cramps suck.

Today we have more embroidery to do in class. I'm going to try to take some time to work on my Exhibition Process stuff... I have been slacking a little bit when it comes to that.

Katie and Tom are supposed to be getting married today. I give the marriage 7 years. I figure he was with Nicole for a while and Penelope for 3 years? What the heck, 7 sounds good.

On the news this morning Dr. Kremer the vet has his two dogs dressed up for Thanksgiving. They sure are cute. I can't wait to see stinky dogbottom when I go home. I haven't seen her since her surgery.

TGIF

Okay, here's the scoop. I bought new underwear today. I'm sure you're wondering why I am choosing to share that information with you all so here it goes.

A while back I mentioned my trip into the Levi's Intellifit Pit at the Taste of Chicago. Well, I finally broke down and bought my first ever pair of size 4 jeans and they fit pretty good with the exception that my underwear is too big now and it hikes up in the back. So instead of going commando I've decided to just get smaller undies. The End.

I got my television for my studio and my computer has wifi... what more could I ask for? I don't ever need to leave.... Okay, so I currently only get channel 7 on the television, but I'm working on acquiring an antenna.

I've started working on some Text pieces again. I'm digging it.

I'm having a hard time multi-tasking so I better go.

Girls just wanna have fun.

Cyndi Lauper, what a gal... I remember when She's so Unusual came out (was it 1984???)... oye I'm getting old. Time After Time was the first so-called slow song I ever danced to with my first boyfriend Trevor Gong (I wonder whatever happened to him?). It was at summer camp and boy, I was head over heels for him.... I had the tingle... I'll explain the tingle at a later time.

Karolina's lecture went well... I'll have to go back and check the documentation later to give you the real review.

Tomorrow I have to work and then pick up a typewriter. I need it for a piece I'm working on for a show I'm going to be in at the end of the semester. I'm feeling a lack of energy right now, maybe it's just because I'm tired.

For Thanksgiving I'm thinking of going to see a movie... if anyone has an suggestions please let me know. I'm thinking maybe I'll see Happy Feet.

Hard Drive.

Let me tell you a little story. Karolina had a very nice computer named Computress. She had a few problems at times but overall she tried her best to keep Karolina happy.

Well, the other day Computress took a little tumble and ended up going to computer heaven, taking all of Karolina's photos and iMovies with her. The end.

This evening I purchased an external hard drive so when my computer decides to go to heaven I can at least have my 8,000 plus photos and days worth of music on my hard drive so I can visit them frequently.

Tomorrow is Karolina's lecture, I am going to be helping her with it. I would help her even if she hadn't offered to buy me lunch afterward. I have to be at her place at 7am so I better get off to bed.

Someday when I get wifi back and or get internet access in my studio I will post more photos.

Oh, Pilates works well in my studio. (my thighs are killing me!)

Tuesday evening and I'm set.

I had class this afternoon and now I am going to do pilates in my studio. I figured since I don't have space to do it in my apartment I should just do it in my studio... After I'm done posting I am going to change into my workout clothes and do them. I've got to work on my core muscles to go along with my white teeth.

I'm starting on a project on my sex life... (okay mom, cover your eyes). It's titled "my sex life according to Google Earth". It's going to be aerial shots taken from Google Earth of places that I've had sex. I think I've mentioned it before.... I think in an earlier version I was going to do drawings... now it's just the "photos". When I've talked about it it's gotten a good response... so those of you out there who are on my list LOOK OUT!

Peroxide

Last week I got my grad plus loan and decided to invest in my teeth ($40.00 approximately). I bought a replacement head for my Sonicare toothbrush and I bought some Target brand teeth whitening strips. Right now I'm sitting here with the strips on my teeth and I think there's a problem.... my tongue is tingling. I guess that's what you get for saving ten bucks.

I Heart Ira Glass.

Last night my friend Julie took me to see Ira Glass and Beau O'Reily in a smackdown (Radio vs. Theater). It's very strange seeing Ira in person. He was doing his thing behind the table - telling his stories with the music and all... It got me thinking, when he's just hanging out with friends does he carry around background music to play while he's talking to them?

Could be funny.

Tonight Magdalena Abakanowicz is giving a lecture at school. I am going to go because I need to. I am also going to find a television for my studio. I don't think I can be truly productive until I have one of the things I love most with me all the time.

Now if I could just find a nice boy.

I'm big in New Jersey...

I can tell that from my stat counter.

Tonight is the first night that I don't have anything to do and I am enjoying it. I am watching CSI New York (not by choice - but the other option was to Catch a Predator) and sitting here on the futon. For dinner I went to Jewel and bought steak! It was filet mignon... I whipped that up with some sauteed mushrooms and garlic - all that and a half a baked potato. It was good. It's the first time I've bought a steak here in Chicago.

This morning at Weight Watchers I weighed in for the month and I was down three pounds. That's a good thing. My weight was creeping up there a bit. I'm thinking of organizing another grocery store fieldtrip the day before Thanksgiving - how about a Thanksgiving pizza??? Could be interesting.

Tonight maybe I'll take a bath before I go to bed. I'm feeling a need to sleep a lot tonight, that is if my body will let me. Last night I woke up a few times with my hip killing me. Maybe when I go back home over the break I'll visit Dr. Nelson (my favorite and only chiropractor).

Last night I had to evict two drunk girls from my studio... they were stepping on my stuff and it was making me cranky. The moral of this story? Don't mess with Jen.

Hello again.

I don't have much time. Yesterday was open studio night.. it went alright. The best part was walking home last night with my friend PJ. It's nice to talk about things other than art sometimes (although art was talked about).

Today we are going to learn how to embroider in class. I was supposed to study up but I forgot... oh well.

I better get going. More later.

The waiting is the hardest part.

I'm sitting here in Argo Tea Cafe waiting until 10:00 when I can register for classes. I really have to pee.... but I can't leave my table or I might miss out on a class.

Waiting can be a hard thing. Waiting to find out if you got into school, waiting to find out if the boy you have a crush on really likes you, waiting for the paycheck to be deposited into your bank account so you can buy groceries. The stuff that goes on during that waiting time can be a powerful thing but usually it's only after the fact that you realize what that powerful thing was.

I'm waiting for a bunch of things. A lot of which I can't verbalize right now, but I'm sure that

okay, sorry to lose my train of thought there but I needed to register and things were going wonky.

What I was saying is that I'm sure the waiting I am experiencing right now is going to be beneficial to me although I don't know how just yet.

It's official, I am registered. I'm signed up for a class called The Constant Evolution of Being an Artist. You know I must want to take it because it's being offered in the evening and I am definitely not an evening person.

I have to go make my bladder gladder... I'll post more later.

Stuff and Things.

Let's see what's going on... Yesterday I decided that I was going to skip my first class ever. I was really excited about the decision, I've never done it before... but then today I decided not to skip. I can't really afford not to go... we went to the Field Museum and saw the Evolution Earth.

Tomorrow is open studio night. That's when all the grads open up their studios and everyone see's what everyone's been up to. Most often people just get drunk and hang out. Some of the newer grads put on a real show, I'm just clearing some walking space and locking up what I don't want stolen.

On Sunday I am going to see Ira Glass and another writer in a so-called Smack down. It should be fun... before I move away from Chicago I would like to go see Wait Wait Don't Tell Me... since I'm here I should do it, right?

Did I mention that Jerry Bleem (the faculty member whom I TA for) is giving a lecture at SOFA this weekend and he is going to show some images of my work. I guess that's pretty cool.

It's a good day....

I heart blue states. Britney Spears filed for divorce.... I thought it would last. Seriously. Can you imagine Britney as a single mom? I'm thinking maybe she and Justin will hook back up ala Don Johnson and Melanie Griffiths. I'm just guessing.

Today I am meeting with Mr. Zanzi to advise and with Anne Wilson to talk about life after school. I've got stuff to do in the studio to get ready for Open Studio Night and I should do some homework for my Exhibition Process class.

Only five more weeks and I get to rest (okay five weeks and a day). I'm looking forward to December 15th.

I better hit the showers - it's going to be a long day. Oooh - Lost is on tonight!

I think a few months ago my priorities were food, television and plastic... I think now they are coffee and studio time.

I won't blow off myself anymore....

This morning I had a really good advising session in that It was suggested that I shouldn't blow off my own studio practice.... Basically I can find time to do many other things but I say that I don't have time in my studio. I CAN find time for my studio, I just haven't been doing it.

This may not make sense to you all, but it does to me. I've spent the better part of the day working on my own stuff which I am feeling good about.


Up above I have included a photo from Graceland I took yesterday.

Hello there.

Today I finally got the chance to do laundry.... it only cost me a three bucks for a single load, wash and dry.

This morning we got a guided tour of Graceland Cemetery... it was nice. I saw the monuments of Laslo Moholy-Nagy, Louis Sullivan and the Getty mausoleum to name a few highlights... I'll post photos someday soon.

Tonight it's off to a gumbo party and then to a birthday party (only six weeks until I get to take a break!).

you are getting very sleepy

I went to a birthday party last night and didn't get home until 2:00 am. this morning I had to get up and go to WW and then work. This evening I went to a get together with some of my advisors advisee's....

tomorrow morning we are going on a tour of Graceland cemetery and then I have a gumbo outing and then another birthday party... maybe sometime I'll be able to work in my studio... Right now I have to go to bed.

Today is your birthday (Melissa).

Today is my oldest sisters birthday, I won't say how old she is because she might not want me to be spreading the good news.

It's cold outside this morning... I don't like being cold. I like the sun.

Yesterday I sent an email to some of my professors at the University of Washington about an information session for SAIC being held this weekend in Seattle. It was nice to hear back from them. I heard from the two that I studied in Rome with back in 2002 - I really had a good time back then, that's when I first realized that I could be an artist. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I've got too much to do and too little time... I'm also feeling a bit like a slug today. I need to get back on track when it comes to exercising as well. Oh the trials and tribulations of a 39 year old graduate student...

Teeth Bleaching....

Today (I shall now refer to my favorite morning show in the first person) talked about teeth whitening this morning... I'm all for it, but it costs too much. Maybe I could sign myself up for some makeover show and get an overhaul that way?

Have I told you lately that I'm tired? I thought I was going to have the week off from WW but it turns out that I am going to fill in for someone tonight... I don't mind, I can use the money. I think I'll suit up today because I did get my hair cut and my brows done yesterday so I'm not looking so frumpy (not that looking frumpy is bad...). You never know, Mr. Right might be out there on the streets today!

Now Today is talking about winter dressing essentials.... I wonder what they have to say - something about a little black dress - accessories etc... all this crap will make you freeze though if you were to go out in sub zero temperatures in them... oh to be in a warm climate and have money and no flabby abs...

This weekend is going to be very busy... I have a total of four parties to go to, a reception, a tour of Graceland Cemetery scheduled and I have to make cookies for class on Saturday (some parents are coming). it seems that when I think things are going to slow down there's just something else that shows up to make me busy again.

I should probably finish up the coffee and get ready to go - I still have some work to do on my elevations before I go to class this afternoon.

Chairy and Pee Wee

This is a picture of us on Saturday night. I'm Chairy, Karolina was Pee Wee and Jen was Carmen San Diego. I'm waiting on getting some better pictures of my costume and will post them once I get them. I was very popular with the ladies at the party I attended. Everyone wanted to dance with Chairy.

Today I am getting pampered and working on my elevations and plans for my Ex. Process class... it's the same thing every week, I plan on getting work done ahead of time but then I've been so busy I don't get to it until the day before class. I guess that means I better get off my butt and move it.

Oh, yesterday on the Today show everyone dressed up for Halloween (I was less than impressed)... Meredith was dressed as Bette Midler but she looked like Ariel from the Little Mermaid... I was confused momentarily yesterday but figured it out after a minute or so.

Happy November.