Spud Before and After...





Remind me all to tell you about secret signals of senior citizens.

Chris here - fun

Spud - yummy, Greenlake - ducks

feel the burn...

I worked out this morning. I can't remember the last time actually perspired because of physical activity (okay - I'm sure I did when I ran the 10k but I seem to have blocked it out of my memory.) Now I'm scarfing down veggies for breakfast.

My friend Chris arrives today. I have to head off to the airport in about a half an hour to pick him up. We're going to Spud for lunch. Oh how I've missed the fish and chips from heaven... I'm sure there are other places around that make them better but you can't beat the ambiance of Spud.

Last night I went to the opening at the CMA - Kristine Veith's show. She is doing work with inflatables...(inflatable figures) she has a background in fibers (yay fibers).

It's nice to know that things don't change much... the people change, but the place remains the same... good art, good food, beer!

Hey MICHAEL (TCBFC) - send me an email.. I don't have your email address stored on my new hard drive!

send money now!

So... I re-signed up with my gym today. It cost me some dollars, but it will only be $9.90 a month for the rest of my life and that's not too bad.

They have new elliptical machines that have television sets in them so you know where I'll be! I'm going to go in first thing in the morning (that is if I don't have too much fun tonight at the CMA opening).

Today it is 77degrees, it's nice - not humid like Chicago. I've walked around Greenlake, did my pilates abs tape and then I walked to the Gym (sure, but I've eaten two cookies and cheese galore...).

I'll get back on track soon....

Chiropractor take two.

Today I am off to the chiropractor again... it should be nice. I love being able to move.

My wifi signal is good today (I borrow it from the neighbors)... it wasn't working a few days ago so that's why there were sparse postings.

Adjusting to my new life is going alright. I feel the urge to get off my butt and find some work. I emailed the WW territory manager and told her I was ready to work... I know in my head that my family will not let me become destitute but it sure is scary... all my old student loans are going back into repayment and I have that new one to think of.

I know everything will be fine, but I hate being in limbo.

How much food coud a jenerator eat...

My welcome home food fest is coming along swimmingly... I'm not going to step on the scale because I know what I will find and it won't be pretty.

I went to Pilgrim Firs on Saturday and had a splendid time. I wrote a post and I will tack it on the end of this post today.. I think it's kind of sappy and I wrote it when I was really tired. I was only there for 20 hours or so but it did me a world of good.

Yesterday I spent most of the day with my sister, brother in law and nephews in Olympia. We went to the farmers market and then we had birthday cake and watched Mary Poppins (I snoozed a little bit in the middle)... after dinner I came back home.

I'm still trying to process the whole being out of Grad school thing... I need to start working some more (making art that is)... I'm also trying to find ways to make money this summer...

If you're out there and have a job to give I need it.

Maybe I'll run around Greenlake today.

Here's the PF post
8431 steps, 3.85 miles, 2 activity points…
Pilgrim Firs.

It’s nice to be missed. I’m here at Pilgrim Firs (for those of you who don’t know it’s a camp that I went to as a kid and have counseled at summer camp for 17 of the last 19 summers.)

It’s one of those places that everyone should have, a place to be yourself, to experience a connected-ness with your friends and whatever your God might be. Some of the most important people of my life are those that I’ve met here. I have also made some very important decisions here.

Over the years I have received and written letters to people from within these cabin walls that have been the most honest communications possible. It’s where I met my very first boyfriend back in the 80’s and had my first “real” slow dance. It’s where I contemplated weather or not I liked drinking a little too much and it’s where I found my authentic self.

I guess I should go to bed now… I’ll talk more about this place at a later time… my back is killing me and I should try to get some sleep.

Reigning it in.

I need to regain some self control. I have succumbed to some of my favorite foods and now I need to toe the line.... I guess that's normal.

I've been waking up in the middle of the night thinking that I'm not here to stay... (it's a bit unsettling...)...

Yesterday my visit to the chiropractor was wonderful, my neck is much better and my hip doesn't hurt quite as much.

Last night I went to the opening of the University of Washington MFA show at the Henry Art Gallery. There's something to be said about University art as opposed to Art School art.... maybe it's the environment that it's in and the people who are there. The work was good.

I saw some of my friends and some professors... I really need to start working on things again... maybe today I'll do some audio recordings.

On the agenda today is my ww meeting, then I'm going to go to Pilgrim Firs for the afternoon for camp counselor training camp (which I don't really need, but I need to go to camp)... Tomorrow it's off to Olympia to see my nephews and celebrate Victor's birthday.

Things I have missed.

My car (although I didn't miss buying gas), a Dick's cheeseburger, my dog, green things (such as lawns), hills & mountains, Puget Sound.

This morning I slept in until 5am (that's 7 Chicago time)... I have a date with my chiropractor in 50 minutes. I am REALLY looking forward to that.

This morning I washed my car... it was growing thing in its crevices.

I'll post more later.

Back in Seattle

Okay, so you can have too much of a good thing. Last night we had one heck of a time at Friar Tuck’s. I got back to the hotel at 2:30… I think I sent some drunken emails… (I’ll find out later) and then fell asleep. Mom woke me up a bit before 5:00 and then we were off to the airport.

Currently I am on the plane… the hangover is in full force. But I have no regrets. I will talk more about last night later… we did do a killer rendition of These Boots Were made for Walking – I even had my own backup dancers.

The fat lady is singing...

I've gotten everything moved and I'm sitting here in the Hawthorne Terrace Best Western blogging on their high speed internet.

I will never see my apartment again (except in my memories and/or nightmares)). I will never have to find dog poop in the lobby or the stairwells... and I won't have to listen to my neighbor sing along to Roxette.

The picture up above is from graduation the other day... I have figured out how to use my new version of iPhoto (sort of). and I think it will be spiffy.

Tonight it's off to Friar Tuck's and then we get up bright and early to head for the airport (4:30 yikes).

I guess I better go... talk at you all later.

This time, will be the last time....

that we will blog like this. That is sitting on the futon in front of my television set with a cup of coffee.

The movers come today and then it's cleaning, checking out of the old apartment and into the hotel. Tonight we are going to Friar Tuck's down the street for karaoke and beer. Hopefully people will be able to come out. I'd like to say goodbye.

Let me take this moment to reflect on my time in Chicago.... it's been intense but fun. I've met some great people who will be my friends for life (you know who you are) and I've come to appreciate my family even more that I did before I left. I'm feeling exhausted but good. I've also learned that dogs are the best pets ever.

Along the ww / body image front... I think I'm more confident that I was when I left. I'm not too bad looking for a 40 year old broad. I have actually learned to throw away food - I can outwalk anyone and I generally feel good about myself.

Well, I guess that's it from the futon.. I wonder what Ann Curry is wearing today... she has an interview with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie coming up!

The countdown begins.

Only one night left in my apartment. I'm sort of sad, but not really.

It is very crowded with two people living here. I got all of my studio packed up yesterday and got checked out at the gallery. Today we get to clean my apartment and get the rest of my stuff packed up.

It's hard to be a slacker sitting next to your mother...

A new friend on the futon (take two).

Now my Momma is sitting next to me on the futon. We got up at 5:00 and have already begun cleaning up this pit I call an apartment. I am running out of time - but I have faith everything will work out.

I have to go to the studio today to finish cleaning and packing my stuff. I also have to go and finish de-installing my piece at G2.

Well, I guess I better get off my butt and move.

I'm feeling a bit better...

I only woke up a few times last night.

Am I an adult now? I think I am. I think I have been a while.

Now that I am semi coherent I will catch you up on the drama/fun of yesterday. I went to my last Weight Watchers meeting in the morning - I'm just a sap when it comes to saying goodbye. I couldn't say anything because I would have burst into tears and ruined my makeup, so Lisa who is the leader I've been working for (who was leading this meeting), told everyone that I was leaving.

After the meeting we went to Graduation. Man was it hot.... I got my diploma cover (diploma to be mailed later), some flowers from my sister and then we (Mom, Dad, Melissa, Hilary, Grant and Katie) went to the reception at the gallery where my mothers wallet was stolen (WELCOME TO CHICAGO!). She figured out it was gone in the car ride back to the hotel. By the time she called the credit card company there had been over 3,500 in charges made. Good thing she's staying until Thursday - we are trying to figure out how she's going to get on the airplane without id.

Later in the afternoon I purchased the Earth Shoes I've been looking at forever. I saved a whopping $11.00!

Finally, we went to dinner at Pizanno's and I ate cheese sticks, pizza and some yummy cookie ice cream thing.

I've started selling some of my things so I'm raking in the cash...

Today I have to deinstall my work and get some of the boxes from my studio. I'm not really sure how I'm going to fit all the stuff in my apartment plus accomadate my momma.

Although I'm still busy I don't feel quite as stressed out as I was a few days ago. Only four days until I get to live with my dog again. Oh the joy.

Check out the new title!

I am now officially a graduate of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and I am tired. I'll reflect more later but now I just need to veg out.

I've started selling stuff and treated myself to a pair of Earth shoes this afternoon. My eyelids are getting heavy and I think I need to close them.

Graduation Day.

I guess I'll have to officially change the title of my blog this evening.

I will update you all later... I have to meet my momma to go to my last Weight Watchers meeting.

I didn't sleep again last night... oh well I can sleep next week.

I don't think I have ever been this tired....

I mean that.

I guess I should just go to bed. I graduate tomorrow and then it's off into the big world for a nap.

Things have been crazy... I haven't even decided what to wear tomorrow.

My new hard drive was installed so I don't have any of my settings anymore... I guess that's good, but it's a bit annoying.

I'll catch you up on everything tomorrow.

I feel like crap!

I had a nightmare last night (okay, maybe it wasn't a nightmare, maybe just a bad dream). As a final project for Grad school we had to come up with a final assignment (or maybe it was a test) based on extremely vague instructions... it's one of those kind of dreams that you don't quite understand everything. I didn't sleep well as a result of that and other things.

I got to see the rest of my family last night... I sure miss them. I will be glad when this week is over, I don't feel like I am even close to being packed, let alone ready to move - mentally or physically. I feel like I could throw up and my eyelids are really heavy - I only have 20 minutes until I have to get ready for work.

When I become an official runner I'm sure I won't feel this bad because I will be getting regular exercise.

By the way, Katie my baby model niece sure is cute. I'll try to get a picture of her to post soon.

I have a friend on the futon...

Well, actually it's my sister Melissa. We've been hanging out for most of the afternoon. We are currently watching Grey's Anatomy and waiting for the rest of our family to arrive from the Emerald City. There were technical difficulties with their plane so they are really late. You know it's almost my bedtime...

I'm a bit gassy right now (I think it was the turkey burger I ate... or the sprouts... but you all can't smell it because you're on the computer and not really here!).

Okay, I better go now and focus on Grey's Anatomy.

Love you all!

I've got a funny feeling...

Maybe it's because I ate some of those bad Walgreen's cookies last night (I mean bad in a good way), or maybe it's because my family is coming into town today and I feel totally unprepared.

This morning I got a nice surprise when I checked my checking account balance... I got my refund from my state of Illinois taxes. It pays to be poor. I am officially $151.00 richer (I see a pair of Earth Shoes in my future)....

Well, let's get back to Art Star - It was alright. It was sort of like giving a lecture about myself and my work while being filmed. I'm not exactly sure what I said, but I never am. I did make the panel laugh a few times. If you can't impress them with your looks, impress them with your humor. The crew liked my work - I think that's the most important thing... I want regular people to enjoy my work.

I have a bit of a dilemma, the season finales of The Office and Grey's Anatomy are on tonight and I will have to wrangle my family. Maybe I should just break out the VCR tape and record it... It's not the same though.

Today is my last WW meeting at the Law Firm... I also work tomorrow morning and then I'm done.

I'll check back later.

Oh, I'd like to say hello to one of my faithful readers - Marty's Mom (I've forgotten her name)...

I came, I saw, I got out in time....

to watch America's Next Top Model. I'm watching as I type. It's down to Jaslene and Natasha.

It's been a long day... maybe I should go home soon. I still have to buy a bus pass though...

I'm going to say that Natasha is going to win it all!

Waiting to be an Art Star.

I'm sitting here waiting to talk about my stuff. They may run out of time before I get my turn. That would suck.

Oh well, I'll keep you updated.

Black coffee in bed (well, actually on the futon).

I do appreciate the time I had away from my laptop but I sure did miss the ritual of my morning routine.

I got an email from the producers of Art Star and I am going this afternoon to show them my work. It's going to be exciting... I guess I should go over my powerpoint presentation.



This is one of the photos I had on my camera which I couldn't get off my camera because of crusty's problems.

Well, I guess I should do something... only 17 minutes until the Today Show!

How the hell am I goint to talk about my work?

My baby's home... (again).

I got the call today that old crusty was fixed (it was a hard drive cable)... The good news is that it didn't cost me a cent.

I had dinner with PJ and then we walked to the Apple store to pick her up.

I got an email about my casting call time for Art Star. It's scheduled for 9:30 on Thursday which conflicts with work... I sent an email to see if I can change it. I would hate to see my work ethic get in the way of my art stardom.

I feel like I've been out of touch lately. I will post some photos soon.

When I grow up I want to be an Art Star.

I am trying to pull things together for an open call for Art Star.

It's a reality show that is going to follow six graduating MFA students for six months. They are going to provide studio space for the six months in New York and set us up with Gallerist and Critics... there will also be a show in Miami in December.

If I were to be chosen I could spend all my mornings at the Today Show and then go to Grocery Stores in the Afternoons. I would train for marathons on the weekends. (except for the fact that there is the Weekend Today show with Lester Holt and Campbell Brown....).

Maybe I'd work on my google project as well.

Note to self... take 46

Don't drink and text message... it's just a bad idea. I sort of feel like I ate a washcloth...

On Wednesday I am going to a casting call for "Art Star"... can you imaging me on television? I can... when I have more time I will let you know more about it.

I have to go back to packing up my studio... boy I have a lot of stuff. Anyone need some acrylic medium or mirrored tiles?

My poor little computer.

I had to take Old Crusty to the Apple Store yesterday. It's probably going to cost me 300 bucks to get her fixed... but what's another 300 bucks added onto grad school.

Guess what??? the school is charging us a $35.00 graduation fee. Like I have money falling out of my pockets.

I guess I'm going to have to change the title of the Blog after next weekend. If anyone has any thoughts about it let me know. I suppose it could just be called Jenerator's Rant but it sounds a bit sparse. Jenerator's Art World Rant.... Jenerator's find me a job Rant... Jenerator's reproduction challenge Rant... I guess I'll have to think about that one...

This afternoon I started packing up my studio... it's going to be a long process. I have a lot of stuff.

SIMON...if you read this part - I will send you pictures of stuff once my computer is fixed.

I'm feeling a bit of melancholy and nostalgia for my last week or so here... I'm a bit sad.. but happy as well.

Things on my to do list for Seattle.
Find a job.
Take walks.
Teach my dog how to walk on a leash (she doen't like doing that at all... but how am I going to attract single eligible men without her??? - yeah, I know... my sparkling personality!)
Hang out with my family.
Drive my car.
Visit my Chiropractor.
Visit Galleries.
Get a greek herb rotisserie chicken from Fred Meyer.
Learn how to fire a gas kiln.
Eat Spud fish and chips (in moderation).
Make art!

I am done.... nothing left to do...

That is except for packing and moving and cleaning.....

Today is my Hilary's birthday. She's older than me.

I almost forgot to call her... that would have been a big oopsie on my part.

Word to your mother.

It looks as though I am going to have to take my computer up to the apple store to get it fixed.

I'll keep you updated.

good news...

my hard drive isn't dead... it's something else... at least all my data is alive and well.

later

Happy Anniversary Ann!

Today was Ann Curry's 10th anniversary on the Today show. They did a swell retrospective of her time there... Elmo even made an appearance.

Maybe I should do a retrospective of my time in Grad School. That sounds like a good idea. Right?

Still waiting on the laptop. Maybe today.

My new yellow shoes hurt my feet. But don't they say No pain no gain??? I guess I'll just have to suffer in order to have cute feet.

Stick a fork in me... I'm done!

So... I had my last advising session today and now I'm done. To celebrate I bought a new pair of shoes. They're yellow (now if that doesn't say artist I don't know what does???).

My computer is still being fixed. That's alright. I can live without it... the only thing bad is that I can't blog as often as I'd like to.

I'll check back in later.

Updates...

My new hard drive is in and it will be installed today or tomorrow (I'm guessing tomorrow)... tonight is the last class of my graduate career. I'm a bit ambivalent about it.

I'm ready to be done.

This week on the today show they are having segments on having babies... it's official, I'm too old. (I know that's not really true...not that I really want one but you know...). I have my dog.

On a cheery note, it's nice outside so I am going to seize the day and take a walk.

Happy late Birthday Simon!

With the demise of my hard drive I am without my email addresses and calendar. It makes it a bit inconvenient but I'll adjust to it eventually.

Yesterday was Simon's birthday... check out the link to his website on the right.

Today I am giving a special tour for some professors from China.... later I'm going to pick up my new hard drive. Then I think I'll take nap.

More updates later.

Hola.

Have you ever had one of those days where you just wanted to do nothing? I'm having one of those.

I have things to do though so I must get moving.

computer dead.

I think... officially... just the hard drive.

so those of you checking up on me know what's going on...

opening tonight... see you there.

I knew I was going to be in trouble.

I bet you're thinking this will be an interesting post... might be.

Last night I was watching Lost and decided it would be a good idea to get into bed for the last part... I missed the last 20 minutes or so because I couldn't keep my eyes open.

I know Sawyer killed John's father for some reason (I think it's because he was responsible for the death of his true love).

If I had a reliable computer and internet connection I could watch online... but I don't so I can't.

I'm working today and then I have to work on my fellowship application. Tonight we get to document our work at the gallery.
At some point I need to find something to wear tomorrow night ... I need to look cute.

My postcards are in...

They are beautiful.

I went out to dinner with Karolina, her friends Mel and Alea (I'm not sure about the spelling)... Dan, Jefferson and Jeroen. We had pizza (well actually I had spaghetti)... I missed America's Next Top Model in order to go. It's alright... I can check online to see who's out.

I'm feeling a bit more normal now... a little full, but normal.

Stick a fork in me...

I'm done. My critique went well. I came to a few decisions regarding the piece.

Now I have that post critique exhaustion... My tooth is aching a bit. Hopefully I didn't mess it up with all my stress eating. If I cracked it they'll have to pull it out. That's me - the toothless wonder. At least it's in the back.

I got my first rejection letter. It was from Artist's Trust's Edge program... I can always re-apply. When Tim was here last week he had a big stack of rejection letters... so I just figure this is the beginning of my rejection stack.

I've been invited to go out for pizza... could be good, but it could be disaster.

Note to self.

Don't make cake when you are stressed.

I've been trying to get together things for my critique but things keep freezing up. I'm lucky I am able to post.

I'm sure I'm just working things up in my mind and it will be much better than I'm imagining. It usually is.

It's just 45 minutes out of my life.

I think I might throw up.

Dear critique panel..

If you've read any part of my blog you know that I've been having computer problems lately (there must be an artwork in there somewhere...). Well, let's just say that you may not get the nice handouts I've been preparing for my critique.

Maybe I'll get up early and try again.

See you tomorrow!

Words of wisdom...

I think I've said it before but just in case you weren't listening out there.

ALWAYS GO TO THE BATHROOM WHEN YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY!

This morning I was walking to the studio when I stopped at the Jewel on Clark and Division. I'd been drinking a lot of water to flush out my system from the corned beef incident last night... when I got to the back of the store both restrooms were occupied. I'm sure you've all had that experience before when you had to go but you couldn't. I thought I was going to die... luckily he men's room opened up and I found sweet relief.

I'm thinking I'll have that same euphoria when this week is over.

Oh Crap!

My laptop is a piece of it. I had a nice post written up and then it froze.

I was commenting on how I shouldn't buy a corned beef even when it is on sale. The water retention related to the consumption of it is horrible.