Check out Jenerator In Residence for what I'm up to now!

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The lowdown...

My flights are a go - the flooding isn't as bad where I'm going...

A friend of mine from grad school lives where I'm going.

I got to check up to three bags for free on my flight...  (I chose to check two...)

Today I am going to go to the gym, then do laundry, and then finish up my packing and check on things at my apartment one last time...

Yay - I'm actually going to get there!

Late start.

Hi - here I am...

I spent the night at mamma's house and am here now... good news that Irene didn't cause more havoc than necessary...

I didn't say anything until now but I think that there is a connection between me flying places to make art and Hurricanes.   I remember sitting in Seatac Airport in August of 2005 as Hurricane Katrina was making it's way to Louisiana...  I was on my way to Chicago to Start grad school...

I remember arriving in Chicago and having no real idea of what was going on because I didn't own a television (gasp) and I didn't spend a lot of time listening to the radio.  I guess I was sort of buffered by it all.  Which is good I guess.

Now, I'm making my way to Vermont to make art and Irene is having has had her way with the East Coast....  I think I'm a hurricane jinx.

So.... what else do I know?  I found out this morning that one of my friends from Grad School lives in the town where I'm going!  How exciting is that?

Yesterday I canceled all the flights I don't need to take and I heard from the Vermont Studio Center saying that they would arrange for a shuttle to pick all of us up who were messed up by the storm.

I have a feeling everything will work out...  I even taught class this morning to help defray the cost of my new airplane ticket.

Today on the agenda I have a shower, laundry, and maybe the refinement of my packing...

then again I may just lay out and work on my tan...

Vermont will have to wait...

I have sorted everything out...

I got all my flights canceled (the ones that I needed to)...

I got a refund for my Delta flights that were canceled - so now I only have to pay $500.00 to get to Burlington  when it was just supposed to be 138.00.... ah.  

That's why God invented credit cards...

I skipped weight watchers this morning...

I taught my class...

I'm teaching my class tomorrow because I need the cash...

I am going to dinner with my momma and I'm going to spend the night with my doggies...

I am ready to get this all over with.

I have to admit that I suppose this could have been a lot worse than it was.

It's a little aggravating, but at least I got to sleep in my own bed last night.


The only thing I hope for is that I get some of my frequent flier back and get a refund on the fee I paid to check my bag onto a flight that I didn't take...  Dear Alaska Airlines - please come through... even if you don't I still love you!

I got an email from the Vermont Studio Center saying that other residents were arriving the same day as I was (Tuesday morning)... so I will have a ride from the airport...

yeehaw - this is going to make for some very good art.

A change in plans...

So.  My flights from Boston to New York and New York to Burlington were canceled...

Tried to rebook my Alaska Flight from Seattle to Boston but couldn't get anything out until Friday (it was an award ticket)..  so....

I am leaving Monday night - on Delta - First Class to Detroit and then Burlington... bypassing the hurricane zone. 

Who needs money anyway right?

I am exhausted and I think I am going to hit the hay pretty soon...  I'll give you a better update tomorrow...  on a bright note I am going to teach tomorrow so I will get more money.  woot woot.

I would rather be home where it's going to be 80 degrees instead of hanging out in some airport. So I will wait until Tuesday to get to Vermont.

I have to give credit to the service agents though... the woman at Delta was very nice...

My only complaint with Alaska Airlines is that since my ticket was an award flight it was a lot harder to reschedule.... Alaska I love you but you cost me an extra $600 bucks!

One last time.

I am coming to you from my bedroom this morning.

I have a house guest and I have already bothered her once by getting up and making coffee...  It's just not the same coming to you from my bed...  Although it's a bit comfy it's a little awkward.

I've been checking on the status of hurricane Irene... I should get into Vermont before the storm..  I'm just a little bit worried... not too much.  I'm more worried about weather or not I need to check in for my Burlington flight online, and if so do I tell them I have a bag?  I think I'll wait until tonight and talk to the agent at Alaska...  I'm sure it will all work out.  What's another 20 bucks right?

Yesterday I walked to work and I survived - I walked half way home and then hopped a bus.  I had to get back to do laundry.

I am ready I think... at least sort of ready...

I found out yesterday that one of the attorney's I work with is leaving... his last day will be while I'm gone.  I'm a bit sad about it but I will survive... 

What else....  I'm watching King 5 morning news live (streaming) while I hang out in my bedroom...

This is what I look like this morning...

 

 

Stunning I know...  That glow on my face is the glow from Crusty II...  It highlights the bags under my eyes...

I probably won't check in with you all until I get to Burlington tomorrow night...  Unless I don't get to Burlington - then I'll check in with you from somewhere else...  Don't worry I'll be back.

Bon Voyage!

Um.

I forgot to get someone to sub my class on Saturday... I hope I (we) can find someone to cover...  I figured things were too good to be true...

I think everything may come together.  Tonight a friend of mine is coming over - she's staying at my place until Monday while she attends a workshop at Pratt.  I told her I would be packing and doing laundry tonight but she seemed alright with that. 

The apartment is pretty clean so I'm not too worried about her thinking I'm a slob.

Let me see....  the knee is feeling better.  I've been intentional about getting it stretched out and trying to straighten it a bit more...  I will get there.  My heel is still sore, but I think it's getting better. 

I am mentally ready to leave...  I've packed my assortment of medication (ibuprofen, tylenol PM, glucosamine, gas pills, and Vitamin D)....  I've got tissue too...   I am trying not to over pack clothes wise.  I want to be comfortable and maybe a bit cute...  I just don't know.

Here is a random smattering of photos from my old cell phone...

Maybe I'll go work on my packing...  I wish I could do laundry now but the laundry room is closed... boo...

what

I woke up a few times last night thinking that I should just get up and pack some more.

I went to the knee doctor yesterday - he said I should torture myself a little bit more and try to get my leg a little straighter...  he said overall it's looking pretty good though.

My chiropractor said I looked a heck of a lot better than I had for a long time.  That's good.

Today I am going to ship off a box of supplies for myself... I'm trying to decide if I should take my Hello Kitty robe and bear with me... there's also the big decision as to whether I should send my buckwheat pillow...   I do like to have my pillow with me... oh the decisions.  I also have no idea what I need to take clothing wise... argh...

I'm going to be a nut case before too long.

Glarg...  I am not ready... okay, I'm ready, but I'm not...

No coffee and Heel Pain

Is there a worse combination?  I don't think so... luckily I've got Dr. Appointments this morning and money on my Starbucks card - so I guess I'll be stopping by there first to get my fix.

I am feeling the pinch of no money... it kind of sucks.

Today I've got appointments with the chiropractor and the knee doctor... I'm thinking maybe if my foot doesn't feel better I'll go into the walk in clinic tonight... maybe - but that would just cost me money which I don't have... grrr...

Maybe I'm just cranky because of the lack of caffeine.

Wake up

I'm a bit loopy this morning...  I took a tylenol pm last night because I overdid it a bit yesterday with my knee.  It feels alright this morning though...  Maybe I'll take some of those drugs when I fly out on Friday night...  may help me sleep.

We are down to the final push... my horoscope says something about focusing on finances today.  Maybe I will win the lottery.... maybe I'll sell some artwork....   maybe I'll get a raise??  okay, I doubt that will happen but you never know.

Yesterday I got a few things done...  packed a little bit and cleaned a little bit.  I'm pretty sure I'll be scrambling to get everything done on Thursday night...  I washed my car too...  It's just going to get dirty again.

I keep seeing Mr. Clunky now that I know what he looks like...  yesterday he was in the courtyard outside my living room window... he was with the girl who sounds like she doesn't have that great of a time...  poor clunky.

I think that's all I have to tell you this morning...  one week from now I'll be in Vermont!  okay less than a week, but you know what I mean...

Got to get some work done today!

This is my last full free day before I leave.  I have got to get a move on. 

I did laundry at my momma's house yesterday (sheets and such...) but I totally forgot to take my pillowcases.  I must have a case of the busy mind.

This morning I got up bright and early and did a bit of packing... I am trying to get away with only taking one bag with a carry on full of electronic gear...  It's not going to be easy.

What does one wear to an artist residency?  I am thinking I may just wear pajamas the entire time...  do I take my Hello Kitty bathrobe?  Do I take my french press to make coffee in my studio?  Do I take my workout wear?? (I think the answer to that one is yes - because there is a yoga studio and a gym nearby)...


People keep asking me if I'm excited.  I haven't really thought about it much.  I am a bit excited.  I think once I get there it will sink in.

I think I'm more worried about getting there and not breaking the bank while I am there.  I am bound to be destitute when I'm back...

Did I happen to mention that I saw Mr. Clunky up close and personal... then I saw him again on my way home from work on Friday...  This is what he looks like...

Mr. Clunky walking down the street... he may be little but he's loud!

Do you like my stalker shadow?  I find it rather charming...

Okay - I think that's all I have for you this morning...  I think I've done rather well.  I am thinking that maybe I may be getting back to my old entertaining self.  Just maybe.....

Dear Plantar Fascitis

Thank you for rearing your ugly head again just before I leave for a month.  If it's not one thing it's another.

You suck.

Yesterday in Review

Work

Wedge Salad

Laundry

Oh, I saw Mr. Clunky up close and personal yesterday.... he's has a bit of a babyface and big curly hair.  Until yesterday I had only seen his hair from the back.  Not what I imagined...  however, he does look like a guy that would sing to his girlfriend at 3am... sort of emo.

My external hard drive comes today... 

There's a report on the news this morning that says that single people don't live as long as married people.  I guess I'm screwed!

I am so tired.

I'm ready for this to be over... this year has been long and challenging...  Too many injuries, too many worries about money...   I am hoping from here on out things run smoothly...

I am making lists of things I need to do before I leave for Vermont but I'm not really doing any of them... I did manage to call the airline and determine that they will check my bags through to Vermont (hopefully) when I go.  Well, at least they will get them onto my next plane from Boston to JFK, as to whether they get from the plane at JFK  to the plane headed to Burlington that remains to be seen...  all I can do it cross my fingers. 

I also ordered an external hard drive yesterday.  Something to keep video and photo's on while I'm in Vermont.


I had some Amazon.com credit so I bought this one...


Hmmmm......  blech.

A milestone reached

Last night I managed to walk home from work.

It only took me and hour and a half including three stops.  I didn't have to stop because my knee hurt - I had to stop because I got dizzy and sweaty.  I think it's because I had a lack of protein.  I've been doing that lately... not eating enough so that I get shaky and dizzy...  it happened on Monday too...  I also think it's because I'm addicted to Dots.

These sorts of Dots

I've been eating them too much and not eating anything else in addition to them...  it does not help create a balanced meal.

I am going to give them up cold turkey when I go to Vermont.

A whole month without Dots.  I can do it.  I'm sure of it.

Amen.

This day will go down in infamy...

Yesterday my heel actually hurt more than my knee.

It's a miracle I know it... I actually have hope that I might be able to move around again in the future.

I don't have much to report except for the fact that I saw a Delorean yesterday in the parking garage of my building.  Pretty exciting.

I think tonight I am going to do laundry... woot woot - the life I lead is so thrilling.

Last night I had a full class which is sort of an anomaly on a Monday night...

I would stick around a little bit longer but I need to find out who was kicked off Bachelor Pad.  I watched the first hour but I had to switch over to Millionaire Matchmaker at the halfway point.

It's going to be nice today - not too hot, not too cold. 

Here it goes again.

Another Monday.

I had a busy busy weekend - I met a guy for coffee yesterday, definitely not a match but it's practice I guess....  I am pretty sure dating would be better if everyone just watched Millionaire Matchmaker on Bravo.  It may be a bit whacky at times but Patti does know what she's doing.

I'm serious - guys could get tips on how to not be d-bags and gal can get tips on how not to dress and what not to talk about on a first date (don't talk about your eating disorder or your mother's death - they are real downers)...

Yesterday I got to see my nephews and my sister - they came up to Seattle for the afternoon.

 I also did rehab on my knee in earnest yesterday...  I actually did exercises and got my foot around the pedals on the bike and it didn't hurt so much.  That is good news.  I might actually make it after all.

We're coming down to the final push before Vermont.  I keep thinking maybe I should have some sort of projects planned - but there's the bigger part of me that thinks I should just go with the flow...  I think that's best.  I'm looking forward to meeting new people and seeing what other people are doing out there...   ah, creativity.

This week it's more of the same.  I have to work on cleaning up some projects at work (fun fun) and I get to do the usual at the gym.  No hot dates, no appointments with destiny.. nothing...

Oh, Hilary Duff is pregnant.  That makes me feel really old.

Tired

I had a busy busy day yesterday...  not a lot of down time, but that's okay. 

Today I am going to consider cleaning my apartment a bit and maybe getting out my suitcase to start packing...  It's time for me to get things in order before I run out of time.

I am meeting a fella for coffee this afternoon...  I will let you know how it goes. 

I know nothing else (except that I have cramps.... I know, tmi).

Almost ready to go.

Words fail me this morning...

News on this morning - Republicans....  I just don't get them.  Are they crazy?  Some of them possibly are...

Today I have the normal stuff this morning... then I have lunch with my Dad and then I'm going to go to Costco with momma and then! - I have a Birthday Barbecue to go to...  It's going to be a busy day... 

I think I shall leave now.  I have to get moving in the next five minutes.

The year in review so far.

a week without facebook
New York
Sprained Ankle
New Car
Hot Yoga
Torn Meniscus
Date
Camp
Surgery

yep - that's about it.

I'm currently thinking about things that I can work on while I'm an artist in residence...  it's hard.  I don't know what exactly I'm going to be doing...  I suppose I never really know what is going on...  that's okay.

I slept really well last night - I don't think I woke up at all... now that's progress.  Maybe things are looking up for the next part of the year.  I do know that I have another date coming up so that's good news... AND we're having mini quiche and sticky buns this morning at work...  yee haw.

Here are some older photos from the locks last year...

Yesterday was rough...

If you hadn't gathered from my post yesterday I didn't have a good start to the day.  I woke up at 2:30 with Mr. Clunky singing a song to a girl and a pain in my hip and back...  My muscles  are really really tight...  they still are but not as bad as they were... I woke up yesterday morning at 4:30 and used my foam roller in the dark on my IT band, lower back and butt.... ow ow ow...
Sleep did not come easy.... I didn't want a repeat so I took hard core drugs last night.  I slept much better.

Class last night was small!  Half the people who signed up didn't come... it sucks.  Oh well.... only two more weeks and then I get a whole month off to rest my body and mind and get some other things done in my life.

I just got an email regarding that survey I participated in regarding blogging and loneliness...  They are doing another followup survey so if YOU ARE a BLOGGER and want to take the survey let me know and I will forward you all the link.

My name was picked as one of the random winners of an Amazon.com voucher so that's cool.   I like it when things like that work out.

Did I mention that I have a date on Sunday?  I think I mentioned that I'm going to break my date record from last year so that would THREE DATES this year...  woot woot.

This means by the time I'm 60 I might actually be in a committed relationship. ha ha ha.

Okay, I better get a move on.  Here is a few photos I took of the puppies the other day when I was visiting momma...

Zoe Sleeping

Tucker looking demure

I think this is all I have to share today...

I started a new blog for my Residency a few days ago..... stay tuned for a link and exciting project ideas!

Dear Lower Back,

I don't like it when you seize up on me in the middle of the night.  Nor do I like it when you make it so I can't walk.

Please shape up or ship out.

Yours Truly,

Jen

What do I know?

I don't know much this morning... 

I do know that I did manage to bend my knee enough to get it around when I was teaching last night.  It's not really comfortable just yet but it's a start.

I do know that I'm going to break my date record from last year.... it's a long story and I'll update you after it happens on Sunday.

My train tickets came in the mail yesterday so that's good...

I have a knot in my back that has been causing me more pain than my knee...  that's no good.

My coworker that's been gone since May is going to be in the office today so that's going to be nice.

I think I hear my coffee cup calling me... woot woot.

What?

Back to the grindstone today - I managed to survive yesterday without wearing the stocking on my leg...  it wasn't too bad.  I also took the tape off my incisions... it doesn't look too bad.

Still a little puffy but not as bad...  I wore my stocking to sleep in but I think I'm going to take it off during the day.  I am experiencing a bit of muscle tightness in my butt and leg - feels like sciatica... that is not pleasant... for the first time something else hurts more than my knee.

Agenda this week?  Work, work, start thinking about packing for Vermont,  Find the man of my dreams...  buy coffee.

Kate Gosselin is going to be on the Today Show - too bad I can't stay around to watch it...

I have a feeling I'm forgetting to do something major in  my life...  I'm sure it will come to me - hopefully before it's too late.

A day without an anti-embolism stocking...

Yesterday I took off my stocking after class and have been without since then...  I woke up a few times in the middle of the night just because it hurts a bit without it... I figure I need to give it some room to breathe once in a while...  I will probably wear it again tonight and tomorrow just for the extra support - but I'm going to try and wean myself of it.

I didn't do anything after class yesterday...  I did manage to do some cleaning around the place which was nice...  I sure had a bunch of dust bunnies... 

Today's agenda is class, laundry, and a trip to my former ceramics instructors sale...  I have no money so I can't buy anything... but that's not new...  I just like to go and check in... 

maybe I'll see if I can get some of the dead skin off my leg...  FUN TIMES!

Ow.

I woke up at 3am aching... 

Last night I took my very first shower without my leg covered up and it turned out pretty well...  I took some of the tape off the incisions last night and it doesn't look too bad.  I didn't remove it from the major incisions site because it hurt a little bit...  I'll just wait.

today?  WW, "teaching" cycle (look out upturned garbage can), and then maybe going to one of my friends big brother clothing party...  I'm not having one this season because I have no money...

then I shall ice and elevate the knee...  it's always the same...  maybe someday I'll be able to bend my leg past 90 degrees...

Same crap different day...

It's finally Friday....

I am not going to talk about the normal things.

I am really tired

I don't really want to get off the sofa this morning... 

last night I was woken up by a drunken man yelling in the alley out back of my apartment... not fun.

It's going to nice out today... maybe I'll break out my tube top!

Overdid it.

I overdid it yesterday and ended up waking up at 4am with a very sore knee... part of it was I walked too much, part of it was I forgot to take my ibuprofen, part of it was the warmth of the apartment (it was like upper 70 degrees...)....

I had to hit the snooze button twice this morning...

Last night I met a friend of mine from school for dinner... it was nice to catch up.  I miss my Chicago friends a lot sometime... they gave me a sense of community that I just haven't found in Seattle... oh well.

Three and  half weeks until Vermont...  Maybe  I should start planning now...  I am so unprepared.

Now that my knee if on the road to recovery I think I'll have to rant about something else...  fun fun fun.

I survived

I made it through the work day yesterday...  I'm not quite used to walking so much...  I pretty much doubled my steps from the previous day.

The knee feels pretty good... it's starting to get a bit bruised now... maybe I'll post some pictures soon...

Teaching last night was alright... it's hard to just sit there and not be able to do anything...  I just propped my foot on the upturned garbage can...  oh - and they've started selling supplements at the gym (and making announcements about it every 10 minutes...)  My momma said if you can't say anything nice don't say anything at all!...

Today today today.. it's my Niece's birthday... she's five.  It's also another community crochet party... I was supposed to have dinner with one of my friends from Chicago, but I haven't heard back from her so I'm just going to play it by ear... 

I think I need more coffee...  and a date.

Back to work.

I had a bit of a rough time sleeping last night... my knee was a bit achy and it woke me up a few times...  Hopefully as I get moving it will start to feel better.

I am trying to figure out how long I should wear my anti-embolism stockings...  maybe I'll continue to wear it through this week and then then see how it goes... It helps with the swelling so I think I shall continue to wear it until that goes down a bit...  I'm ready to be healed though.

It's back to work today - I need to make sure that I have a big supply of ice ready to go...  I haven't been consistently vertical in a while...

We shall see how it goes.