In case you were wondering...

yes, I got Sammy down this morning. I climbed up on the roof with a board (did I leave it up there??? - probably) and tried to get him to walk across it but he wouldn't. After a few minutes of coaxing I opened up a can of food and he started walking towards me on the teeniest branch... I leaned in enough to grab his collar and it snapped off. I kept thinking either the cat or I was going to fall to our death... I grabbed for the scruff of his neck once more and I'm not exactly sure If I grabbed it, or just his neck but I managed to get him out of the tree. I had brought up a pillow case to put him in for the ride down the ladder... I don't think my knees have ever shook as much as they did on the way down.

He doesn't seem to be in too bad of shape, just some pitch on his fur and some cat diarrhea. I know, you wanted to know that part... I think I'll keep an eye on him and possibly call the vet if he seems to be feeling poorly. He seems to be in good spirits though for spending two nights outside... all I know is that I'm looking forward to sleeping like a log tonight.

No sleep, no cat.

Sammy kept crying and crying... I told him when I finally woke up this morning (for the 15th time) that I would be back out as soon as it was light. If it wasn't so stinking high up in the tree and on a slope I might have had more luck yesterday. I'm going to be late for work, but the cat is more important. If I don't manage to get him down I'm going to call a professional arboreal cat rescuer to come and get him down.

The only positive outcome of this situation is that I haven't really wanted to eat.

I feel like throwing up.

my Heart is breaking...

I found the cat. He's up a tree on the side of the house... I couldn't get him down before it got dark. He's sitting up there now, outside the window crying. He's not even my cat but I feel like crying myself. The tree is on a steep incline so I can't even really get a good position with the ladder - I risk falling to my death.

I fashioned a bridge out of a ladder that goes from the roof to his branch but he wouldn't walk across it. I left it up on the roof so I will try again first thing tomorrow.

My day has sucked the big wean.

Keep me away from your cats.

I just don't have any luck with cats. One of the cats I'm watching has gone AWOL. He was in a cat confrontation yesterday afternoon and now I can't find him. I saw him go across the deck and into the yard and that's been it. I left food out last night and it hasn't been touched... I sent an email to the people I'm house sitting for to see if they know of any hiding places he could be.

I know it's not my fault that he's gone, but I feel bad. That's what I get for letting them outside... they do get to go outside so I wasn't breaking the cat rules. Crap.

I hope he comes back soon. I'm getting a bad cat sitting track record.

I did it.

I just donated money to the Obama campaign. I have never donated money to a campaign before... (okay ten bucks to the DNC - but that's not a big deal).

If I could get away with wearing an Obama t-shirt to work I would, but I don't think that would sit well with co-workers.

I'm going to head to the gym pretty soon and then it's off to breakfast with my lovely assistant Kristen.

My face is better and Mr. Arms is back. What more could I ask for?

A nice boyfriend - that's what I could ask for.... I'm thinking I should act like George Costanza did on that episode of Seinfeld and do the opposite of what I would normally do when it comes to men.... it's worth a thought.

Okay - better get a move on.

It's all about the arms.

My prayers were answered this morning when I was sitting there in cycle class and who should I spy across the crowded gym??? IT WAS MR. ARMS!!!

I had one of the best classes ever.... my face didn't hurt, I only gained .2 pounds, and Mr. Arms was back. He left before I could say hi but I promise to you all that I will say hi the next time I have the opportunity.

Now I'm off to sit at the gallery for a few hours... then I don't know what I'll do. Possibly go visit my dog.

Things are looking up! Now if I could just figure out how to eliminate PMS....

I can feel it again...

I can feel my mouth again this morning... it's not as bad but it hurts (just a little)...

This morning I have to step on the scale... it's not going to be pretty - I have fallen off the wagon completely.

It's going to be like a car crash you know is going to happen, but you can't avert your eyes...

I don't want to jinx it...

but I think my face may not hurt. if it does, it doesn't hurt as much as the past few days.... We'll just play it by ear...

I listened to a little bit of the debate tonight. The only thing I know for sure is that I can't handle listening to John McCain's voice for four years. Please people - make the right choice. I need my sanity.

Okay, things I don't think are a good idea...

women over 50 with shockingly pink bangs...

going out without showering...

I think that's it for now.

day 7

It still bugs me (the teeth/jaw)... we're at day 7. No wonder I've been cranky and eating up a storm... I probably shouldn't eat because it probably aggravates the problem - but I'm just trying to make myself feel better.

It's Friday and I'm ready for the weekend. It's too bad I don't have too much free time for it. I sit part of the day tomorrow (good reviews of the show in the Stranger and PI) and then Sunday morning I'm going to have breakfast and walk around Greenlake with my lovely assistant Kristen.

Last night I wandered around the grocery store forever... I was very indecisive. I was looking for "comfort" food... well first I was going to go to Fred Meyer and get a rotisserie chicken - but they were all out - IT WAS BEFORE 7 PM!!! It's on sale, but still... when you want rotisserie chicken you want it now. So, I left Fred Meyer and went to QFC where they had Lean Cuisine on sale. I thought it was going to be cheaper than it actually was. After I wandered around for a while - (I looked at their undersized and overpriced chicken) I left with just the Lean Cuisine... Then I was on the way back to the house I'm housesitting - I managed to talk myself out of pulling into Wallgreens and buying pistachios and chocolate - but I did stop into another QFC. I have a complaint about QFC - too expensive and they don't carry "white trash" style chip dip. I just wanted some cheap-o generic style ranch dip for my reduced fat potato chip dinner but did they have it? No. I ended up buying some Hidden Valley mix and fat free sour cream so it wasn't as unhealthy as it could have been... but still. The good news is that I didn't eat all of it. I guess that's good news.

My life is hell. (or something that resembles it...)

I'm not going to complain.

I am going to try to not complain about my face anymore. I'm not even sure if it's my jaw or a tooth... maybe I should call the dentist...

The good news today is that the season premiere of the office is on tonight. I'm pretty excited about that. Also Survivor premiers (which poses a conflict)...

I guess an email was sent out about me yesterday at work. It was asking for feedback on how I'm doing in the new position. A few people have told me that they wrote back saying that I was doing a good job. I like being swarmed with accolades. It helps reaffirm my positive self-work-image. If only the other self image would fall in line.

I think Mr. Arms has joined the witness relocation program and left forever... I'm sad. I got the news last night that my cycle instructor is giving up her Wednesday night classes because she's going to school. That's good for her, bad for me. I can still take the class (although it will be with someone else...).

Goals today.

Limit my fun-size candy bar intake.

work without messing anything up.

take a shower.

Find future soul-mate.

jaw/tooth transplant.

Where did it go?

I was driving home the other day and noticed that the leaves are starting to change. Damn... not that I don't like the leaves changing it just means that it's going to be winter soon and I'll be cold all the time. Maybe I should move to Arizona or Florida.

The jaw is still aching... it was better yesterday but it's still not significantly better to quit taking drugs...

This morning I am going to drive to the gym and catch the bus from there so I can get to class in time tonight. I have to get back into the groove of working out regularly...

I've got nothing else to say.

Waiting for the end.

I am still waiting for the pain to go away. I think it might be a little better this morning but I still can't be sure.

No Mr. Arms last night. Knowing my luck, he has probably moved away. Just as I was going to wrangle up my courage and say hi to him. Alas, woe is me.

Today I am having lunch with all my old friends from the old law firm I worked at. None of us work there anymore.

I just got an email from the girl who is having the next show at the gallery in Chicago. She's almost as confused as I was as to what was needed in order to get things ready...

Okay, I have to get ready to go.

I can't take much more...

My jaw has gotten to the point where I don't think I can stand much more. I have taken so many advil today I think I might pee ibuprofen. My eye is even twitching... I don't know if that's related but it doesn't help.

I have a fairly high pain threshold but when it comes to my teeth and/or mouth area I am a wimp. Maybe when I evolve into a superior human being I will be able to handle all types of pain - but until then I'll just have to suffer. wahhhh.

Welcome Fall!

It's pouring today... my face hurts... I don't really want to move. Today is the first day of Fall. yay (I'm being facetious right now...). I ended up going to bed at 9:30 - I didn't take any muscle relaxants because I didn't want that goofy - 1/2 second behind feeling. Yesterday I was standing in line at Starbucks and I was trying to get out of the way of someone and I stepped on persons feet who was standing behind me. I had no idea that he was standing there. I was zoning out.

Okay - to prove that I'm still a bit zoned out - I accidentally typed "spring" instead of "fall" in the paragraph above.... when I tried to change it I typed winter before I finally figured it out...

I'm contemplating weather or not to drive in today. Where I'm housesitting there is not a lot of bus service... if I want to get to the gym after work I'd need to drive closer to where I live and catch the bus from there. There's too much to think about.



Mr. Arms was not at the gym this weekend... maybe he's found a new place to go... the arms above belong to someone else... Mr. Arms arms are better. Maybe he'll be there this week...

I'm thinking I may try to take a core class before cycling... it's taught by the instructor who kicked my behind last week in class.

I guess I better get a move on.

Drunk people need love too.

Last night I washed dishes at a wedding reception. It was the longest, most excruciating experience I've had in a while. It didn't help that my jaw had been aching non-stop.

They served far too much alcohol there and people kept hanging onto their plates - they wouldn't give them up. It just went on and on and on... We kept waiting for them to cut the cake so we could get the dishes going... it just made me cranky... if in fact I ever get married I know what not to do at the reception.

I am a bit groggy this morning. I took a half of a muscle relaxant before I went to bed - the jaw still hurts but hopefully it will get better soon. I forgot how much it hurts to have it out of whack.

Matt Browning's show at Crawl Space is really good. There was a lot of conversation about it on SLOG Friday (SLOG is the Stranger's Blog). Regina Hackett stopped by to see it yesterday and she liked it. Some of those yay-hoo's out there don't know what they're talking about when they let these rash judgments fly out of their fingertips. I suppose it's better to have conversation (even bad conversation) about your artwork than to have none at all.

PJ sent me an email last night asking me when and why I decided I wanted to be an artist. It's a hard question to answer... maybe I'll try to do it later.

Oh, no Mr. Arms yesterday... If I can drag myself out of this chair I may go to cycle and see if he's there.

Yowza.

My jaw started hurting yesterday. You may recall that I went to a TMJ doctor earlier in the year for this thing... so I guess it's back to taking teeny tiny bites of food, massaging the pressure points in my mouth and taking a muscle relaxant before I go to bed. You may recall the muscle relaxants made me a bit loopy so I think I may not take a whole one.

Today is going to be busy. I have ww - we'll see if I managed to lose anything this week (I doubt it)., then off to cycle - maybe Mr. Arms will finally be there, then I have to wash dishes and then finally, I am starting to house sit. Hopefully I will be too busy to think about my aching jaw.

The show up at the gallery right now got a lot of commentary on SLOG yesterday. Personally I can't wait to see it. I've not seen a show of current members work yet (former members yes...). I'll report back on it later.

I suppose I should run a brush through my hair and put on some workout clothes. I want to look presentable if I'm going to say hi to Mr. Arms.

Things to do on Friday.

Things to do on Friday...

Sit on the sofa with the dog and watch the news.

Blog.

Get ready for work.

Work.

Eat cookies.

Watch What Not to Wear.

Go to bed.

My friend PJ is watching the gallery in Chicago for me today. Hopefully it will be an easy task. Tomorrow my friend Chris is sitting there. I suppose it is all out of my hands... and everything will go fine.

Did I mention that I took a body sculpting and core class from a different instructor on Wednesday? I am sore... and it was two days ago.

I better get a move on now. I think it might be a long day...

Please learn how to spell...

I don't understand why some people purposefully spell words wrong. Like kool or kewl instead of cool. I can't think of any others right at this moment - but it is just a big turn off. If I misspell words it's because I don't know how to spell them - I don't intentionally do it. I think it's dumb.

Yesterday I was supposed to have lunch with my lovely assistant Kristen but there was a problem with technology and it didn't work. That's too bad. I haven't seen her in a long time... I feel like I've been out of the loop for a while because of the show in Chicago.

I just saw a promo for the season premier of the Office. It always makes me laugh and I'm looking forward to seeing it... Ummmmm I'm feeling as though the blog has lost its edge... not that it really ever had an edge but you know....

In the old days I would have commented on the incident last week that put a damper on an already stressful weekend in Chicago - but I'm not into confrontation - this isn't even worth mentioning.

What else - I had a bit of a miscommunication with another friend of mine... it will be worked out - soon I hope.

Work is going well - I realized yesterday that it's been a while since I walked out to leave at the end of the day and made the gesture of blowing my brains out. I think that's a good sign.

Times a wasting... I have to get ready to greet the new day with open arms and a wide smile.

Okay, that's better now.

I'm done catching up on Big Brother and now I am getting ready to start work.

On the horizon today is work, cycling (maybe Mr. Arms will be there and I will speak to him finally) and then Project Runway...

Oh what an exciting life I lead. Maybe I should write a memoir about it. Sure, write a book about myself and then when I become famous for my Today Show appearances it will sell like hotcakes.

You can't probably tell I don't have much to say this morning. Off to work I go.

Short post this morning...

I'm watching Big Brother online... more later.
xoxo

my aching feet...

I think I took the wrong shoes to Chicago with me.. sure they were cute and all but NO ARCH SUPPORT. Now when I get up my feet are aching. Oh the price of fashion.

Hmmm... I am wondering about my Washington Mutual Bank account... poor WAMU. They are rated as junk by Standard and Poor...

My dilemma today is that I have a meeting at 7 but then there is also the finale to Big Brother and the season premier of Biggest Loser. Oh how I love the new television season but it's hard to have a regular life with all those shows to watch. Maybe I should get a DVR someday...

I think I'm still in a semi-vegetative state this morning. Maybe I should just get ready now.

I'm still waiting to see Mr. Arms at the gym. It's been a long time (over two weeks...).

I survived.

My flight left about three hours late and there was a bit of turbulence on the way home... but I made it. When I arrived I had to wait a little over an hour for a ride from momma.

I think it's a good thing that the flight was delayed... the blue line was having work done on the tracks so we had to be shuttled around two stops. That added about another half hour to the trip. I did manage to have time to have breakfast at the airport... I had french toast. It was alright... not something I like to have everyday.

Stinky sure is glad I'm home. Currently she's sitting on my lap with her nose tucked in my robe.

I did go to the gym yesterday and walked on the treadmill for an hour... my legs are killing me - but I think that's from walking on the flat ground in Chicago.

What else? I had a dream about Mr. Arms. I can't really tell you too much about it as in that the details are sketchy and I'm a PG rated blog.

Today it's off to work and then to cycle. I need to find a replacement strap for my heartrate monitor. A little plastic dohickey broke off and now it won't stay around my chest.

My dog is whining at me.. I should probably give her some quality time before I hit the shower.

Things to do in an airport for three hours.

I just checked and my flight has been delayed. If Only I had known that before I woke up at 4:30. Now I'm sitting here in the hotel room (I've checked out but I'm still here...).

This may mean I need to take the bus home instead of going to Leo's party. I don't want mom to miss it just because of a late flight.

I'm still feeling bad that I didn't make it to Hannis Pannis's performance last night. I'd have them play at my parties if they lived in Seattle but they don't.



I took a video of them playing at my reception. I will try to post it later.

Right now I just have to wait. Maybe I should see if my friend Nancy could come get me at the airport. I bought her a present for taking me to the airport back in April but I ate it before I could see her... I re-bought what I got her last time. Hopefully it will last.

I suppose I could sit at the airport and wait... but I don't have wifi there do I?

I am a bad friend.

I was invited to go see my friends Hannis Pannis perform tonight and I had every intention of going but I am wiped out. I went to Trader Joe's to get a diet root beer and my friend Chris called me to see if I was coming. It turns out that no one showed up for the show. Now I feel like a schmuck for not going. If I didn't have to get up at 4:30 tomorrow morning I might just try to do it - but I'm not as young as I used to be.

I sat at the gallery today and a few people came in... still pretty slow but that's alright. Tomorrow I have to leave the hotel by 5:30 in order to get airport for my 8:10 flight. When I arrive back in Seattle I get to go to my nephew's 3rd birthday party.

Once again I suppose I should get ready for bed. This sure is a great way to spend ones time... going to bed early on a saturday night.

Soooo...

If I could just lay here in my bed I would. I am not really in the mood get up and move at all. I have managed to take a shower and make some coffee. I have to get up soon and trudge off to my ww meeting. I don't think I will be pleasantly surprised like last week. I have not stayed on track and I am probably up again. I'm prepared for it though.

I'm not sure what's on the agenda today except sitting at the gallery and going to see Hannis Pannis live on the rooftop.

The clock's a tickin so I better get a move on.

the second longest day of my life.

Okay, maybe it's not the second most longest day but it seems like it.

The reception went alright. I got rave reviews for the Tim's Cascade Johnny's Seasoning Salt flavored potato chips. and people liked the artwork as well.

I'm glad it's over though... I sent most of my leftovers home with my friend Benjamin (who I went to the UW with) and Helen (who I TA'd for a few summers ago...). If I got any punctuation or spelling wrong in that last sentence I am sorry. I'm an artist, not a "real" writer.

My friends Hannis Pannis signed a CD for me and started writing songs based off my writings. It's kind of nice. Who knows - maybe I'll get a grammy someday... or not.

I'm thinking I should go to bed so I can get up early tomorrow morning and go to ww.

I guess that's a good idea. see ya!

ouch.

I am starting to feel the results of working out on Wednesday... my abs,obliques and shoulders hurt. I think I might go swimming this morning to help stretch out my body.

I am meeting my friend Chris for lunch today. He is sitting at the gallery the next two Saturdays (after tomorrow...). He and I went to Spud when he was in Seattle last year. He was talking about fish and chips last weekend... I think we'll go to Elephant and Castle.

Once again I'm back in Chicago and it's murky and muggy and thunderstormy. That's not such a good thing - but I guess I'll be inside for the most part.

I think I should probably get a move on. I have a lot to do today.

here it is...

I am here... and everything has gone smoothly. with the exception of a few ruffled feathers in Seattle. No need to go into that though. Things are the same as they will always be... you can't change the way some people react to things.

packing...

packing is not something I want to do at this minute... I suppose I have to do it soon if I want to go.

I just have to say I love Joyce Taylor on the news... she just did a story about how some school district had to take away the hot lunches from children who haven't paid their lunch bills - they're given a cold cheese sandwich instead. The last line she read was that the district was evaluating their policy and they would at least give the kids some milk to go with their cheese sandwich. The look on her face was priceless - it said "what in the hell are you people doing???"

If they had a window and plaza down at King 5 I might take signs down about Joyce (although Joyce is a hard name to come up with signs for...).

Okay - I suppose I should get off my behind and pack and finish up things I need to do.

Talk to you all when I'm in Chicago.

Hello Chicago (tomorrow...).

So, I'm headed back to Chicago tomorrow. I think I might pack soon...

my momma has been so fabulous as to help me pay for a hotel room this weekend... I would love to stay with kg but I think this will be better for everyone involved.

Tonight after cycle class I confessed to my friends that I had a thing for Mr. Arms ... I guess they'll probably manage to get the word out to him. there are things that could be worse... like having your skirt tucked up in your underwear.

oh yes! my haircut was a hit. I received many compliments on it - I am a beautiful human being.

maybe I should think about going to bed sometime soon...

It's an early day...

I am up this early because I am going into work early to help with some filing. I couldn't leave without first keeping you updated on everything.

My hair is now asymmetrical. It sort of reminds me of my hair in the 80's but not as much so Flock of seagulls.... I think I should go - sorry this is so short but I have to go make money to support my extravagant lifstyle.

word to your mother.

Am I still here???

So... I don't think that I have quite recovered from my adventures this weekend. I don't think I will anytime soon.

So, I have some news on the job front - I have moved from my position of file manager to that of document clerk. I have a fancy new title and a new desk with a window. This position is helping the paralegals prepare documents etc for the attorneys. Yesterday I coded documents all day long.

Last night I went to cycle class and I can tell I haven't done it in a week... my stamina is down. Tonight I get my hair done (woo hoo)...

I am looking forward to going back to Chicago on Thursday but I wish I could stay in a hotel again... I wish hotels were free!!! that would be ideal... I am going to stay with kaorlina which is fun but there's something about being close to the gallery and being able to eat and hang out in the bed in your underwear with the computer in your lap. I suppose that I could do that at KG's but Dan might not enjoy that...

I have a few things I have to do before I go back... print out more press releases, print out the mission of the gallery and write down instructions for turning on and off the show... Maybe I should just get ready now and go into work and do it there. I think that sounds good.

More photos of Chicago.

Phinaly Photos...

Here is pre-inastallation...



This is the view from outside...



From the other side...



Here is my stalker wall/sign memorial...



As you can tell there's not a lot of space in the gallery and if I could do it all again I would have more of the larger prints covering the entire wall. But considering the fact that I didn't have a ladder or any more of them I guess this will just have to do.

The signs on the windows were chosen specifically for the information on the back of them... such as Ann Curry's lipstick...



or Trace Atkins signature



and these are my shoes...



More tomorrow....

Here we go again.

I think I'll have to wait until I get home before I can post pictures. The connection here from the hotel bed is not strong enough to upload the photos.

I am a bit tired and looking forward to sleeping in my own bed tonight. I managed to get a blister on my big toe yesterday. It's on the part where my toe meets my foot (that little crevice)... ouch. I walked over 11 miles yesterday - I think that might be why I've got it.

Yesterday I managed to work out in the fitness room here at the hotel. I only did the elliptical for 20 minutes but it did the trick of relieving some stress. I remembered to call the gym and signed up for cycle tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it. I miss Mr. Arms... maybe he'll be there tomorrow night.

This morning I think I'll try to pack... maybe I should check out the rooftop pool... I don't often get the chance to swim. Maybe I should take it...

My shuttle picks me up at 12:25... my flights at 3:30... okay - I guess that's it for now.

What was I thinking?

I can't believe I haven't posted yet today... (okay it's tomorrow in Chicago).

I tried to post photos but it wasn't working. I think I should just go to bed.

Here's what happened today in a nutshell. I ONLY gained .4 pounds, I have a blister on my toe and I did a teensy bit of retail therapy.

More tomorrow.

Hello again.

One person came into the gallery today. People looked through the windows though when they were walking by... Tonight I went to some of the openings and caught up with some of my friends. It was nice - but I'm not used to it anymore... not that I ever was, but I don't have the stamina that I once did.

I went to Jewell and bought some groceries. I ate salad out of the bag with my fingers for dinner. It was yummy.

I should go to bed. I have to get up early and go to my ww meeting. Fortunately I can catch the bus right by my hotel to get up there. I should probably check the schedule...

I don't really want to weigh in because of all the crap I've eaten... but I will anyway just to face the music...

Oh, people thought my show postcard was the most excellent postcard ever.

I think I'll go to bed now...

The storm is over...

I can't decide how I'm feeling this morning. I have a few things left to do before I go down to sit this afternoon. I have to burn my dvd and reprint the press release. I am also supposed to stop by school.

The worst of the rain is over but I didn't bring the right attire to deal with the aftermath. I think I've dried out - last night I took a bath before bed... I do like my baths. It did the trick to warm me up. I ended up going to Elephant and Castle for dinner, it's in my hotel. I had a nice bowl of French Onion soup and salad... If it hadn't been raining out I would have gone to Jewell of Dominick's and bought dinner there.

I think the best news today is that I managed to brew a full cup of coffee and it doesn't taste too bad.

I have to remember to call the gym today and sign up for cycling class on Monday night. It will be the only one of the two times I get to go in the next two weeks.

I suppose I should make another cup of coffee and think about getting ready.

More to come later.

Stick a fork in me.

I'm done. I will have photos to post later, right now I'm back in the hotel drying out. I guess it was 90 degrees the day before yesterday. it's not now... it's been pouring down all day. Did I bring a raincoat? No. Well actually I couldn't bring a raincoat even if I wanted to because Fedex lost my cute red one.

The only upside to the rain is that it's not a cold rain. It's still fairly humid.

I managed to forget my nightgown so I've bought a Chicago Cubs "W" t-shirt to sleep in. I think it stands for Win (but I can't be sure).

Okay, I'm zoning out now... I should take a nap and then get dinner (some sort of vegetable I think...).

More later tonight or in the morning...

dilemma...

So... my coffee maker isn't working this morning (uh-oh). It's one of those pod type machines that makes one cup at a time. It has a leak and it will only spit three ounces of water at a time. So I am going to sit down with about four ounces of really strong coffee.

On the installation day front... I only woke up a few times first with a bad case of cramps (why does god align things this way? I don't know)... I downed some advil at 3:30 a.m. and then went back to sleep until 7 am. That's 5 in the morning for you Seattleites.

It's raining outside and I need to get a move on soon and face down my demons. Hopefully I can get everything done today. My friend Marty is coming to help me.

I guess I should go. This just in though.. according to the Today Show there are some granite countertops that emit radiation... who knew?

Things I should have done but haven't...

Made a price sheet for my work.

Had children.

Gotten a suntan.


Am I forgetting anything? I'm sure I am... I guess I shouldn't sit on my butt much longer - I should probably take a shower and get ready to go. I suppose I've done about as much as I can.

The only things that worry me now are that I hope the TSA doesn't try to open my suitcase with the artwork in it because I don't think they'll be able to get it closed again... and I hope that my carryon will fit in the overhead compartment. I just need to get the artwork to Chicago in one piece and then it's sort of smooth sailing.

Okay, I better go. I don't want to miss my flight.

Time Out.

I thought I would take a moment to sit down and relax in the midst of packing. I have a feeling that once again I have too much stuff. Luckily half of it I will be leaving in Chicago.

For a continuation of my human garbage can syndrome I ate most of another candy bar today and I bought some oreos... once I get to Chicago I think I will stop.

Big Brother isn't on until 10. That sucks... I don't think I can stay up that late - my eyes are getting droopy.

I guess I should get up and move around so I don't fall asleep.

stiffness...

I think I slept funny. My shoulder is funky.

I'm beginning to feel a bit queezy... I know everything will be fine when it comes to the show but it's still anxiety provoking. I haven't heard from my friend who is supposed to help me install and I'm a bit worried. I could do it myself if need be, but I'd rather have help.

On a less queezy note my dad is doing well. I went to visit him yesterday afternoon. He looked tired but in pretty good shape. He should be going home today if everything works out as planned.

Back to me! I still have to pack everything tonight... It will get done because it always does... I just can't wait for it to be over. Maybe I'll lose some weight because of all the nerves...

I am the human garbage can.

Can you say stress eating? Good! I knew you could.

Bad things I have eaten today.
Microwave popcorn (two bags)
Cadbury chocolate bars (Roast Almond and Fruit and Nut)
Cocktail Pep
dinner

I suppose it could be worse, but not much.

My heart skips a beat...

Well, actually my dad's heart skips a beat so that's why he's getting a pacemaker put in today. In reality his heart is just slowing down so they need to give him a jump start every once in a while.

I am going to head over after the surgery - I still have to buy a box to pack some of my work in - my hard sided suitcase will only hold one set of them... I am going to have to carry on the other.

I've been printing out photos for my stalker wall and there are a lot to choose from. I suppose I better get back to it.

More updates later.

It's been a bumpy ride.

I was supposed to have brunch with my dad this morning but I got a phone call from him yesterday saying he had to cancel. Evidently he passed out and fell Friday night and took a header. Now he's in the hospital with the ugliest black eye I've ever seen and a bandaged wrist.

I went to see him yesterday and he sounds pretty good, he just looks like he's been in a bar fight.

I managed to find a hard sided suitcase yesterday but only one set of the prints will fit in them. No matter how I try to maneuver them they won't work. I guess I'll just have to wrap the other set up well and see if I can carry it on with me.

On a note of good news, yesterday I was down two pounds at ww and Mr. Arms was at the gym. He was on a stair climber for the duration of my class so I had a good view. I did take myself to Red Robin for lunch and hopefully I haven't ruined my good eating progress... considering I didn't eat dinner and I fell asleep at 8:15 p.m. I'm probably alright.

Karolina called me yesterday and she has picked up the key to the gallery so everything is set. I just have to pull everything together today and tomorrow and get packed. I guess I better get off my butt and do something.

If they only knew.

If people only knew what an exciting life I led - what? who am I kidding?

The countdown is beginning until I go to Chicago. I am almost ready. I should have done more - I still haven't found anyone to de-install my show for me. Maybe I'll con, er I mean ask one of my friends to do it for me.

Today I have to find a hard sided suitcase and print out more photos for my stalker wall. I also need to figure out how I am going to adhere them to the wall... oh the things I should have done earlier.

I think I better get ready for Mr. Arms...

It's been found!

I called the gym this morning and someone turned in my watch. It is now sitting comfortably on my wrist.

All is right in the world. You can relax now.

dang.

I lost my watch last night at the gym. I hate not having a watch. I don't think I can find my old one either. I guess I'll just have to go without today - or call the gym and see if they have it.

So... last night I sort of watched Barak Obama's acceptance speech. It was good. I must admit that I was sort of a Hillary fan but I think I might be able to get behind Mr. Obama.

On the agenda this weekend is my weekly weigh in, buying a hard sided suitcase so I can take my artwork on the plane with me, packing, printing out stalker photos and making a video. I should actually make a list and try to figure out all that I need to take with me (besides my swimsuit for the rooftop pool at my hotel).

There are not going to be a lot of people at work today. It should be interesting. I heard a rumor that we will be having pizza for lunch. I guess that means that I'll go to the gym tonight for a last chance workout.

Okay - I got sidetracked there for a minute (you couldn't tell because it's not like I'm on video here... you can't tell when I go away from the page for a few minutes...).

I decided to make a reservation for an airport shuttle when I'm in Chicago. It will be easier than taking the train I think. The second weekend I'm there I'll take the train because I won't have as much stuff to bring with me and I'm going to be staying with Karolina and Dan. (I'm using the same service I used when I moved to Chicago three years ago today...) Maybe that guy John still works for them... he was nice to me when I started crying at the airport... I'll tell him thank you for being nice to me if he's still there.

I suppose I should get a move on now. Get ready for the longest work day of the year... okay, maybe the day before Thanksgiving is the longest work day of the year because nobody likes to work that day either...

argh!

I am feeling a bit immobile today. I went to the chiropractor yesterday and he gave me some exercises to loosen up my backside - since I've been cycling so much I don't necessarily move side to side that well anymore - therefore I'm a tight-you know what.

Okay, it's been a while since I ranted here... I am going to complain about Bravo TV's website. Last night I went to bed before Shear Genius was over. I wanted to see who won so I just went on to the site... they have the worst site! I can't find any good pictures of the hairstyles and it's almost impossible to find a good recap. They can just bite me.

Maybe I'm just cranky because time is winding down until I go to Chicago.

Work news: For the next two days there are going to only be two of us working who know the phones. Guess what that means? It should be fairly slow - I think people are taking time off because of the long weekend. I can do it all though... I am a superhuman employee.

I suppose I should get up and start moving.

Oh yes, I walked past Mr. Arms last night twice - I could have touched him if I wanted to... but then I might have been arrested.

I think I'm ready.

I am not sure weather or not I'm ready to face the day just yet. I was out late last night and this morning I have a date with the Chiropractor.

My coworker is out for the rest of the week so I get to man the phones when I get in.

The high points of my day will be having lunch with my friend Bryan and of course torturing myself with cycle this evening...

Yesterday I went to the website of gallery where I'm having my show and saw my face! yikes - The words "oh my god" actually came from my lips when I saw it. I guess I have to follow through now. Here is the link.

I have a pit in my stomach... I'm not sure I'm ready (yes I am...) (no I'm not)... oh, I can't decide.

I did manage to send some postcards to the executive producer of the Today Show. Maybe they'll do a piece on me. I think they should.

Okay, I guess I better go and get ready to face the day.

Foreign territory...

Last night at the gym I did something I don't normally do. I took off my top while I was cycling (no I wasn't naked). I was sweating so much I couldn't take it... I bared my arms and just wore a long sports bra. I did get some cat calls by the other women in my class. I was also accused of cheating on my instructor by working out with someone else. I have fairly well developed biceps (it's hereditary - I get them from my dad's side of of family).

I haven't been so diligent the past few days when it comes to eating... not that I've gone too out of control but you know... If only I didn't like food.

Tonight looks to be a late night. Crawl Space is looking for a new director - we have a few interviews tonight... it should be a late night - and I'm going to miss Big Brother. Oh, well - at least it's available On Demand.

A week from tomorrow I leave for Chicago. I've decided to pack my work in a suitcase and pay the extra $25.00 to check an additional bag. It will be handled less and it has a smaller chance of being lost in the shuffle.

I should try to enjoy it while it's happening... the hotel I'm staying at has a rooftop pool. I should use it... Enjoy room service (okay, maybe I won't go that far..) There's also a fitness center in the hotel so I have no excuse not to work out.

Maybe I should start packing now...

It's starting...

The mind has started working overtime regarding the show. I woke up at 4-something this morning... I figured I might as well get up.

Realistically I don't think I have to worry too much about the show... my biggest problem is installing and getting all the sitting arranged. I am also waiting to hear about getting someone to deinstall. It's been a while since I've been in a show... I guess I should get used to it. I'm going to be in a few more in the next few months...

I think maybe I should start making a list of things that need to be done and then maybe I can start crossing some things off.

Hmmm... Mr. Arms was at the gym yesterday morning. He sure is a good looking fella... a lot of girls go over and talk to him so I think he probably is either a) really friendly or b) a ladies man... I'm just going to imagine that he's really friendly.

This week we are starting interviews for directors of Crawl Space. I have some reading to do before we meet people tomorrow night. I'm sure you all know how much I love to read... but I guess I just have to do it. Maybe I'll head into work early and work on the reading...

Yesterday afternoon my entire family (minus my dad) came over for dinner... it was a bit stressful... we survived though. I did make the mistake of going to Wallgreen's and picked up some candy and nuts... the people at work are going to be in for a treat when they get all my leftovers. I know I have no self control when it comes to that sort of thing but every time I go to the candy aisle I think "this time will be different" - it's not. Oh well, I guess it's just something I have to get used to.

Here I am, look at me!

I have survived my overnighter with Jackson the dog. He's a little guy with a lot of pep. We spent some quality time on the sofa this morning watching CBS Sunday Morning. I am back home now and Tucker (Stinky) is very happy I'm here. Well, she was happy but now she's just licking herself (I think she's licking her feet)...

I managed to send images for my show to the curator so she can in turn send them to her webmaster. I have to get a move on my "stalker" video... I think I want to include that in the show... what sort of music would a friendly stalker use in their music video... I guess I should just call myself a fan.

Yesterday I was going through a notebook and I found a note I wrote on the second day Ann hugged me (think it said that I didn't want her to think I was a freak even though I was...)... Oh I remember those days fondly. I think that was when my sister told me I should smell her...

Okay, I guess I better head off to the gym. The good looking man (Mr. Arms) wasn't there yesterday... maybe today!

So...

Is this all there is? Me not being able to sleep (not even on weekends?)... I woke up before 5 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep.

What do I have to look forward to this morning? That good looking guy at the gym! I think I need to think of a good nickname for him - how about Mr. Arms? Leg man? Crash man? (because I'd crash if I was on a real bike)... let me know your thoughts.

Tonight I have been invited to an 80's party. Since I grew up in the 80's you'd think I'd have no problem coming up with an outfit... now I just have to summon the courage to actually go. I also get to dog sit tonight...

What can I rant about this morning? Nothing too much... I am kind of excited about this new thing I found through an article in Smart Money Magazine. It's called Money Center by Yodlee:It's an online website that can track all of your accounts in one place so you can get an overall view of your financial picture. I'm still trying to figure it out but it seems pretty cool.

I tried to get you a link but It's not working for me...

Oh well... blog at you all later (oh yeah... Hi Regina!).

Houston, we have a problem.

Okay - there really aren't any problems... with the exception that I am a bit asocial sometimes. I ended up not going to the barbecue last night (sorry Tia). I have a few excuses but they aren't good. When it comes down to it I don't like hanging around people too much sometimes.

What else is happening? Let me see... Still looking for Mr. Right (okay, I'm not looking too hard)... Still working for a living... Still working on those thin thighs... over the past few weeks people in my cycling class have told me that I look like I'm losing weight. I'm actually gaining but I guess that's muscle... I am in better shape than I was a few months ago. Now if I could only get rid of the excess underarm skin or the upper belly flab... maybe I should just name it and accept it. Maybe I'll call it Mabel.

Today is casual Friday... I might actually wear jeans today - but of course I'll make sure I look professional in them. Don't want to look like a schlub.



This picture above is of my favorite beer in the entire world (Alaskan Amber)... this was taken at the picnic last weekend. I didn't have any beer though (can you believe it?)...

Okay, I guess that's it. Have a good Friday.

It's Thursday.

I have a date with my chiropractor next week. My neck has been a bit kinky the past few days. The joys of aging.

I am ready for the weekend. There has got to be more than this... I suppose I do have a lot going on - my job just gets in the way. I guess I have to pay the bills somehow.

The witty words are not coming this morning - Oh yeah, the good looking guy was at the gym last night. I managed to walk past him a few times. Of course - I took the long way to get some water (there was no direct path to the water fountain from the aerobics room so I improvised). I made sure he saw me. I am a dork. By the time I got out of my core challenge he was gone. I didn't have him to stare at during cycling - oh well, you can't have it all.

I guess I should entertain the idea of getting off my backside and getting into the shower. I like to smell and look good.

Tonight I am invited to a barbecue at Tia's house... hopefully everything will work out so I can make it.

Nerves with a capital N.

I wish I didn't get so wound up about things. It's always the same - I worry about the small details to a big degree. I know things always work out - you'd think that I would realize this by now... I am trying to get the press release fixed for the show.

I suppose if I weren't nervous that would be bad right?

Okay - let's talk about something that I find very interesting - ME! Last night I decided to take the other cycling class that I sign up for every once in a while but never seem to take. Let me just say that it kicked my you-know-what. It was completely different than the other class I usually take. It was long, grinding routines with a lot of intensity and a lot of standing. I sweat a lot when I work out and I sometimes gauge how hard I've worked by how soaked my sports bra is. There were only two dry spots just below my shoulders in the back. Now that's what I call a workout.

It's raining this morning and I am not looking forward to working... Stinky is sitting beside me all nice and warm... let's all go back to bed!

Stuff and things again...

So this morning I got a copy of the first draft of the press release for my show. I really do sound like a stalker and I'm not sure that's a good thing. I'm just a fan... I have a pit in my stomach.

Last night I had dinner with my friends from High School. I had a good time but I am totally not in that realm of "entertaining". I don't have a family or kids, I don't ever invite anyone over for dinner, I'm not too good at small talk... They were all going over what recipes to prepare for dinner and I just brought bagged salad and spray dressing.

It was nice to see everyone but it was strange.

These are some turtles that were hanging out on a log in Greenlake last month. It took me this long to get the photos off my camera.



Okay, I guess I better look at that press release again and see how to not make myself look so bad.

short post this morning...

This morning I have been trying to arrange for people to sit at my show while it's up. It's not an easy task...

I'm bummed because it's raining a little bit. I won't be able to wear my cute new dress. booooo!

Well, back to my show preparations - I think maybe I should send postcards to the Today show as well... what do you think?

What's new pussycat?

It has been a long weekend but I don't have a lot to show for it.

I'm a bit out of sorts... I'm having my normal feelings of inadequacy and self doubt. It would be nice to be drinking a nice refreshing milkshake right now... too bad it would be about 16 points if I drank one... I'm fresh out of points today.

I did manage to pick up a few items at Target last night so at least I will be styling a bit... in a very thrifty sort of way...

So, the guy at the gym... he has the nicest legs I've seen in a very long time. His arms aren't that bad either.

Stinky is here by my side... she sure missed me (I think).

Tomorrow night I am skipping my cycling class to have dinner with some of my friends from High School. I realize that I don't know much about socializing on an adult level... I never did it much and now I don't know if I'm any good at it. I don't think I'm normal...

The man with the legs...

was at the gym this morning... I think he was staring at me. Yikes! more later.

Back to Normal?

All is quiet on the housesitting front. Tooter let me pet her last night and she tried to bite me a few times. I think they were love bites but I'm not sure.

Today I'm off to ww, the gym, and then sitting at Crawl Space. It's supposed to be about 96 degrees today... maybe I'll set up a kiddie pool in the courtyard and try to get some work done. I think I need to put a new video together for my show in Chicago. I got my prints back yesterday and they look good, but they're smaller than I was expecting... I guess since I had the borders cut off them it makes a lot of difference... I'll manage. They look good, but they're heavy. It's going to take a chunk of money to get them shipped.

I guess it takes money to make money...

I should get a move on. I have to make it from Bellevue to Seattle before sunrise (oops I think I'm too late...).

Tomorrow I have the firm picnic at the zoo. I have to decide what I want to wear so I can make a good impression. Oh the decisions I have to make.

Tooter went awol!

So... I get to my sister's house last night and settle in. Usually Tooter is hiding under the bed... (she likes to be alone like her auntie). Finally it's time to go to bed (9:00p.m. because I lead a wild life) and I let Bailey outside to relax in the grass and who should I see??? Tooter! She saw me and as I tried to go near her she ran away. She was all covered in dirt so it appears that she got out earlier in the day when the neighbors let Bailey out for her afternoon constitutional. Let's just say that Auntie Bean (that's my nickname) did not sleep well last night thinking that she had sealed the nails on the coffin of her niece-cat. I left the back door open last night so she could come in (she didn't) and don't tell my sister I did that or she'll ream me (oh, I suppose she could read the blog and find this all out....).

Anyways... this morning I caught a glimpse of Tooter in the back yard and just decided to put her food out and act all nonchalant (like when I see that cute guy working out at the gym)... I started checking my email here on the computer by the back door (please don't use this information to rob my sister's house - she'd ream me again...) and Tooter's stomach appears to be bigger than her desire for adventure. She came slinking all cat-like through the door... I guess because she is a cat that she would slink cat-like...

Okay - that's my story.


Here is a review of the show at Crawl Space right now.... Maybe we'll get a lot of visitors there tomorrow while I'm sitting in 90 degree weather... maybe I'll have a barbecue while I'm there.

Now that Tooter is home safe and I don't have to be concerned about losing a limb to my sister's hand (she's really not as bad as I'm making her out to be - I love her)... I guess I should get ready for work. It's Friday and Payday! Woot woot!

Cultivate Contacts.

That is exactly what my horoscope said this morning. Hmmm. I wonder what sort of contacts I'm supposed to cultivate?

Tonight I head over to my sister's house to watch the dog and cat for the weekend. Bailey and Tooter... Tooter's name is actually Cleopatra but she is usually never called by her given name... maybe I should pick a new name... how about Ginger or Phoebe?? or Rowena.... you don't find too many Rowena's now-a-days do ya? Maybe we should start a campaign to get people to start naming their children underused names... like Rowena, Maude and Gertrude (I'm sure there are more out there....) oh yeah, Lucy and Ethel (of course I'm going through old television shows in my mind to think of these names...).

Look here's a link to a site about Ann Curry!

I started sending out my postcards yesterday and I decided to send some to the anchors and reporters for channel 5 News in Chicago. They are the NBC affiliate there... it would be the perfect opportunity for one of their young reporters to do a story that gets picked up by the Today Show. I've got it all planned out. Maybe that's what it means by cultivating contacts.... I sent postcards to Elle Pai Hong, Dick Johnson, Anna Davlantes and Marion Brooks to name a few.. I'll become famous one way or another.

Okay - I guess it's time to get a move on.... No rest for the wicked... I need to cultivate contacts!

Okay, I've fixed things....

Everyone should go to Tia Kramer's Jewelerywebsite. It's updated and I have the link right there or on the right if you're looking for it...

I had to relinquish my laptop today to try to get a virus out of it. I know, you probably thought that Mac's didn't get viruses... they usually don't. It was my Word application that got the virus.

The postcards were a hit...

More tomorrow morning.

Problems and Postcards...

I got my postcards yesterday and they are beautiful! I must say that even though I designed it online it turned out alright.

I've been trying to send my bio and statement to the curator who owns the gallery. I'm having a heck of a time doing it. I get a bit nervous talking to people about my work. I know it's good... or I wouldn't have gotten the 4culture show. But it's crazy - combing fun with work???

I'm a bit paranoid I guess. I suppose I better get ready to go. sorry it's a short post....

What's it all about?

I think I need an overhaul for my body. My shoulder is aching again this morning... I feel like I'm a broken record here. My hip area has a hitch as well... oye.

I've been wondering why some people aren't happy unless they're complaining about something. I can't go into specifics but there's a person at work who just can't be happy unless they're causing a fuss about something... unless it's being done the way they expect it to be it's just not right.

Micro-managing is not a habit you ever want to aspire to.



Life would be so much better if people just played nice.

Let me see... what do I have to look forward to today? I've got my job - my postcards are on the way... I've signed up for another cycling class tonight. Different instructor - should be interesting. Tonight we've got gymnastics team finals for the women.. I'll see if I can stay up for it.

Have I told you all that my pityriasis rosea is fading? You can still see it but it'd gone for the most part. That's a relief.

Well - I got up a bit early so I might as well surf the web for a few minutes... catch you all later.

Happy Monday.

Okay, I'm not really happy it's Monday but I'm trying to put on a brave face. I had weird dreams involving running in races, being at some sort of morning show and being snubbed by Lindsay Lohan, trying to buy something from Anne Murray and Wayne Gretsky but finding out that all I have is counterfeit money.

I'd go into details but that's about all I have.

My neck is a bit stiff this morning... that's another thing that sucks about getting on in years. Maybe I overexerted myself yesterday during cycle class. There's a good looking fella who works out about the same time as my class is and I can't help but to stare at his legs while he's working out... I think I ended up working harder yesterday than I normally do because I thought he may be looking at me. I think he's caught me staring at him a few times... It's a good thing I'm not on a real bike or I'd crash into something.

Oh! This just in! There is soon going to be wifi use on airplanes! Now if I can just get a new laptop battery that will keep a charge.

I think I'm ready to go back to bed now.

Things are better.

I went to the Art-b-cue today and saw a bunch of my friends and my momma's home.

My friend James sent me an email pep talk. That helped. I also found out that my postcards have shipped.

I guess maybe I just had too much time on my hands (or not enough?).

Oh well, I guess that's if for now. At least I'll get some sleep tonight because stinky won't be sleeping with me.

Lonely

It's not quite the same when I'm at home all by myself. I think I've said it before - I'm a loner but I don't necessarily like to be alone.

I think I'm in a funk because I'm unsure about the whole art thing... I guess I still feel like a fraud when it comes to it all.

Maybe I should try to snap out of it...

Uhh.

It's raining and tired. I shouldn't be tired... I went to bed at 9pm last night.

We have an opening tonight at Crawl Space and a barbecue. Hopefully it will quit raining by then.

The words aren't floating from my fingers right now so I quess I'll stop typing.

Olympics = Tears?

Whenever I watch the Olympic games I get a bit emotional... maybe because I realize that I will never accomplish the sort of feat that would land me in the games. Does that sound weird? Maybe it does... Maybe I'm just sad. I've been feeling as if I could cry the last few days.

I think I'm just metntally exhausted in trying to get the whole show put together. I also worry that I'm not working enough on other things. I need to make things and I need to find a place to make them. I need to get a life outside my job and the gym.

Maybe if I start training for something I'll feel better...

I feel like a loser right now.

Friday - are ready?

I'm in the mood to take a nap. I let Stinky sleep with me and as I've told you before she's a bed hog and she's a little heater. I didn't get the most restful nights sleep.

It's 08/08/08... a lucky day... maybe I'll meet my soul mate today... maybe I'll find money in the street... maybe I'll manage to get through the work week without killing anyone (not that I would - because that would be bad).

Last night I watched the sytycd finale. Joshua won. I'm alright with that - but I really wanted Kaytee to win. I should have voted for a half an hour instead of just 15 minutes... oh well. We did get to see Mary Murphy and Nigel dance which was kind of fun. I want to have legs like Mary.

Crap. I don't want to move.

What else do I know... I'm trying to arrange the sit schedule for my show... it's not an easy task to do long distance. I have to arrange for the exchange of keys etc... yikes. If I could just get one person to do it that would be ideal... hmmm.

Too bad I can't just move to Chicago for the month. I'd just be easier.

The back of my postcard.

I realize you can't read this postcard back - but it's done... finally. I am feeling a bit antsy again. I just have a big fear of failure - although I know I won't fail....

My schedule is pretty busy - work (argh) First Thursday (my friend Chad is showing at 4culture) and I have to take care of Stinky... oh yeah, and I need to watch the season finale of sytycd. I voted for Kaytee.

I'm trying to decide if I should drive to work today so I can get everything done in time... my tummy hurts.

schizophrenic post today I know....

Too many updates, too little time.

My mamma is going to Oregon today for a long weekend... I have to prove that I'm a good mother to Stinky while she's gone. I guess I can't stay out until all hours then.

I decided to just reserve a hotel room for the first weekend I'm in Chicago. I found someplace that's just over $500.00 - it used to be a Raddison Hotel but it's been remodeled. I know exactly where it is so that's good. I seem to think there's a whole foods just a few blocks away too. (yippy)

Last night I spent about four hours trying to design my postcards with an online tool at PS Print. I finally managed to get it designed but now I can't attach it to my job request. It's hard to explain - you order your postcards and then you upload the artwork. I did some stress eating last night because of it all.

If I can figure out all the postcard stuff then all I have to do is get my artist bio done and find people to sit at the gallery when I'm not there. (my friend PJ said he could do it one day). Oh, then there's shipping things to Chicago etc...

Okay, I better go. Too much to do...

Postcard dilemma...

I am trying to design a postcard for my show and I am not having much luck.

There is an online design tool and I've gotten the front of my postcard done but I can't manage to get the back with all the text figured out. I get it to a certain point but then it won't let me save it. It's going to make me cranky.

I'm still trying to find a place to stay while in Chicago. I'm thinking I might have to make a hotel reservation - I can always cancel it later.

Do I want to spend 700 dollars for a place to stay??? I don't know.

Oh the decisions....

Today it's supposed to be in the 80's. I guess I could wear some cute warm weather clothes and try to attract the male species at lunch... or I could work on my postcard.

arghhhhh... it just makes me cranky.

I have to get this logo on my postcard and it won't let me save it.



I wish I had magic photoshop powers....

I have a friend...

I got a comment from someone named Tricia re: her case of pityriasis rosea... it seems that her case is a lot more itchy than mine is... I think mine may be fading... It's still unsightly but it's not as scaly and red as it was.

Did I tell you that I went to a boot camp demo yesterday afternoon? Let me just say that my legs aren't feeling so refreshed this morning.

ooh ooh ooh! The Olympics start on Friday! I love the Olympics! not as much as I used to but I do enjoy watching gymnastics and swimming... I used to dream of becoming an Olympic athlete but that dream died along time ago when I realized that I wasn't that coordinated and I wasn't that talented.

Oh well, I guess I will just have to settle with being an artist.

On the subject of me not having a place to stay in Chicago, I did get a message from my ex-ww leader and she said I could stay with her in Oak Park (they have a Whole Foods in Oak Park... and the Frank Lloyd Wright house and studio). It's nice to know I won't be an orphan... I am still a bit worried about getting things installed and scheduling someone to sit on the weekends I'm not there.

I guess I should quit worrying... things will work out. Right?

It sucks getting old...

I have an assortment of pains this morning... first off I have a crick in my neck/shoulder area, yesterday I smacked my kneecap into the desk at the gallery and then we did courtesy squats at the gym yesterday and my calves hurt.

what else could go wrong?

I managed to survive the birthday party - and I was so tired I didn't end up going to the pirate party (yes I know, how am I ever going to meet people if I don't get out there)... I also took my prints to get them mounted yesterday. It was much more cost effective than flat out framing so I am pleased. I might be able to take some of the money I'm saving and spring for a place to stay while I'm in Chicago.

I have put out feelers trying to find a place to stay... I have an offer to sleep in a bathtub. Something will come through.

Today I am going to possibly go to church (okay, pick yourself up off the floor)... we have a new minister starting today and I should go.
This afternoon I am going to go to a boot camp to help out my cycle instructor - she's doing a demo tomorrow and she needs to practice. I am then going to go to the sale of my my first ceramics instructor (Sam Scott). I may have to buy something now that I can afford to.

Maybe I should think about getting up soon and starting to move my achy body.

My dilemma...

I need to find a place to stay while I"m in Chicago.

Karolina and Dan are looking for an apartment and they don't have one yet, hence I can't crash with them... I have sent out an email request to my friends to see if anyone knows of a place.

Things will work out - but you know how I don't like loose ends.

It's just one more thing to stress about.

It's not going to be pretty.

I am not looking forward to work... well, let's revise that. I'm not looking forward to the commute. There's a big mess down south so there will be people coming in late... It's raining and grey and I would rather curl up with my dog on the sofa and computer (much to my mother's dismay).

Tomorrow I am going to be very busy, sitting at Crawl Space (don't you see a pattern here), Katie's birthday party, a pirate party... not to mention the usual ww meeting and cycling class.

I think I'm ready for a vacation. I know, you're saying you don't have enough vacation time accrued do you? No, I don't. I would just like to go somewhere warm and sunny.

I better be off... I've got things to do.

Parents just don't understand...

my momma just asked me what I do on the computer all the time... I said, blog, check my facebook page, look for dates... etc...

For the most part I like the warm little thing on my lap... old crusty has done me right...

Irritation...

These unsightly blemishes on my body are bringing me down. I suppose they will all be gone in a few weeks so I can wait it out. It's not like anyone ever sees me up close. (By this I mean staring at my belly)...

I think I could use a massage - yesterday I got a pretty good headache at work, not incapacitating but still bad enough that I needed to take three advil. I think it's all the stress I have at work(yeah, right).

Here is a list of things that are bringing me down this morning;

My bruised toenails.
Pasty white thighs.
Sore shoulders.
Lack of sleep.
Global Warming.

Oh yeah,

and my rash.

Today I have a ww meeting to look forward to and the elimination show of So You Think You Can Dance.

Bob my neighbor...

Early this morning at 3:11 I started hearing a pounding coming from outside. At first I thought it was Stinky choking on something but I was wrong. It turns out it's my neighbor Bob working on something in his garage.

My neighbor Bob is bipolar and he sometimes has problems sleeping... Once he forgot to take his medicine and pulled a rifle on a guy working in a neighbors yard... everyone was evacuated and the swat team was brought in.... my mom made it on the news and I had a souvenir tear gas canister shell that was in the backyard but my mom threw out.

Bob thinks my name is Debbie.

I don't think I look like a Debbie.

Okay - so I'm having lunch with Bryan and Matt today and I am going to attempt to take my body sculpt class for the first time since the run on Saturday. I hope I don't pull anything.

I have a fancy new hairdo.

It's not ultra fancy but it's kind of chic. Let's just see if I can replicate it in the morning...

I stubbed my second toe this evening... oh to have second toes that are longer than average... cute but long. I think my toenail will probably turn black... that's the usual course of that type of injury. Then of course it will fall off.

Saturday I have been invited to a Pirate themed party. I was told that I shouldn't dress like a parrot if I want to meet men. I thought it sort of sounded like a good idea. Oh well... I'm trying to convince my lovely assistant Kristen to go with me.

If I was a parrot I could ask to sit on peoples shoulders...

aye aye aye...

My legs still feel wobbly.

Life must not be that exciting if all I can talk about is my legs.

Let me see.... let me see....

Matt, Bryan and I are having lunch on Wednesday, we're going to discuss the film and finding me a husband.

I suppose I don't need a husband - just someone to hold my hand would be nice. Is that too much to ask for? I suppose if I really wanted to find someone I could, but it would require too much effort.

Okay, next thing... I have to come up with a post card for my show in Chicago... I'm thinking I should have a tag line like... one woman's journey to become famous without trying too hard. or something like that.

what do you all think? Let me know...

Hello Monday! How are you?

I can move a little bit better, but not by much. If you go over to Jenerator Running you can see my results from the Torchlight run. I took two minutes off my time this year. I even walked a few times during this years run - so I've probably improved even more than that.

I wish I hadn't forgotten my voice recorder though... maybe I would have gone slower though if I had been using it.

This week is not going to be as busy as last week... the only thing I have going is a haircut tomorrow and my niece's 2nd birthday on Saturday (I bought her an excellent present on Saturday night at Uwajimaya - but I can't tell you what it is yet... let's just say that it has a very cute feline on it).

So, it's not going to be as warm today and tomorrow as it has been... good, maybe some of those hoochie mammas will cover up a bit...

Things don't always go as planned.

I managed to run last night, but I forgot my digital voice recorder so I couldn't record it. I did wear my big ass GPS locator and might have sucessfully tracked my course, we'll have to wait to see if I tracked my route correctly.

My legs aren't working so well this morning so I might not go to cycling.

I am trying to get everything in order to get my prints done... I'm sitting at Crawl Space this afternoon so I can get things in order... I may stop by half price books and pick up some more dvd's to watch while I'm there.

It's raining so there might actually be people stopping by...

So let's see... that's about all I've got this morning...

What am I doing?

I decided to cycle this morning, take a body sculpting class and now I think I'm going to run an 8k race?

I'm going to run with a rash...

I have a lack of motivation...

Heartrate Monitor/GPS here I come!

I am expecting my new heart rate monitor to arrive today. I sure hope I can figure out how to use it by tomorrow night's torchlight run.

Speaking of the run I need to find a nice outfit that covers up my rash. It's sort of spreading to my legs now. I love viruses...

Speaking of viruses, I have one in my version of Microsoft Work. I downloaded a virus scan, and I know how to check for viruses, I just don't know how to get rid of it....

I love technology, I just wish I knew more about it.


Okay, next subject. I have found someone to print my images for the show in Chicago and things are falling into place... I've bought my plane tickets and now I just have to find a few people to sit at the gallery when I can't be there. Now if I could just find a boyfriend.....

Oh, last night Will was voted off SYTYCD. I will miss looking at his abs....

MIA

I missed posting this morning. I decided to sleep in a few extra minutes and it was worth it.

Today was fairly uneventful - well, compared to yesterday that is... I almost died on the bus ride home.

I was on an articulated bus when it hit a little rough patch on the road. The back of the bus started oscillating back and forth... it was out of control... people screaming - it was just like a movie. Luckily It didn't tip over because I was wearing a dress and I didn't want to be found in the wreckage with my dress up over my head.

It was very exciting. I was in the front of the bus so it wasn't too bad for me... It was sort of like severe turbulence on an airplane.

Anyway... Now I'm home, safe on the sofa...

more tomorrow.

That crazy Mary Murphy.

I am watching So You Think You Can Dance and Mary Murphy (a judge) is just wacky! I'd post her photo but that would take too much energy.

My rash is getting worse. I'd take pictures and post them but then you'd have to have your corneas removed.

Maybe I'll go to bed soon...I'm exhausted.

Let me see...

I fixed the clock so it didn't chime the past two nights.

I went to the Mariner's game and scored twice. First I was only charged for the price of the chili cheese fries when I ordered a chili cheese dog and then I got on the diamondvision right before the ninth inning rally.

Now I'm back at home with stinky on my lap...

I'll get back to a more regular schedule of blogging later...

I've been gone...

I'll post tomorrow.

How do you get...

How do you get a grandfather clock to quit chiming??? This I want to know before I try to go to bed this evening.

I am going to the Mariner's game tomorrow night. I want to be well rested so that I can troll for men!

I'm sorry I'm not more interesting - but It's because of a lack of sleep.

More interesting post tomorrow. I promise.

I'm here...

I am watching my friend Bill's cat Rex. He's a bit loud... but not as loud as the chiming clock in his living room. Every half hour....

Tonight I'm wearing earplugs!

Hello Pityriasis Rosea!

I have a virus called that (pityriasis rosea) which is common in people ages 6 - 35 (okay I'm a little out of the age range)... it will go away on its own within 6 - 10 weeks. Good thing no one is going to be looking at naked (at least that I know of...).

I got a phone call from my lovely assistant Kristen inquiring about my health. It's nice to know that someone cares about me.

The photo up above is what it looks like (sort of)... my "herald" or "mother" patch is much more impressive than the one in the photo and I don't have as many smaller patches just yet. It's like the mother alien of all the patches and its spawn spread over the torso....

Now you all have learned something new. I'm off to expose myself to the sun to help elieviate the itching (although I don't really itch that much).

Crampy, itchy and gassy.

The rash on my body is getting worse... I am going to go to the walk in clinic today and see if I can get a diagnosis. Hopefully it's not life threatening and they can give me some drugs and ointment. I should have gotten it checked out sooner... I'm turning into one of those people who is too busy to take care of themselves...

Yesterday I ordered a watch slash heart rate monitor slash gps locator to help me with my running/artwork. It supposedly interfaces with Google Earth and Google Maps and I can download the data into my computer (I think) to keep track of it all. Hopefully I will get it by Saturday's Torchlight run.

Okay, back to the rash... I'm trying to decide if I should go to cycling and then go to the clinic or just go to the clinic.... I should probably work out so in case I'm admitted to the emergency room I will have gotten at least one thing done.