So, I didn't keep up with every day of the Best of '09 Challenge. Obviously, as evidenced by the week-long silence here. Sidetracked by too much contemplation, as usual. Thank goodness Gwen said we could write - or not - as we're inclined! I do feel I've let you and myself down a bit though. And I really don't like that icky guilty feeling.
One thing learned from this Challege was how I stretched big-time in a couple areas this year, while stagnating, perhaps even atrophying, in others. Like the "stretch" was at the expense of all other pursuits, maybe. Has anyone else felt that way this year? If anyone's out there reading this now who's participated in the Best of '09 Challenge, has going back over your year in this way brought about any realizations, that you may not have otherwise had?
I'm standing at the door, looking at the life I dream of living. Won't you please join me?
Monday
Overwhelm
I truly believe that some of the things that happen to you in life are a direct result of what you've been ignoring. For example, getting sick when you've been pushing yourself past your limits. A series of clumsiness when you're trying to speed through 40 minutes-worth of activity in just 20. Continually losing things when you're purposely avoiding dealing with an issue. It's life's little way of saying, "Hey! Wake up!"
Therefore I wonder if there's an underlying cause behind my stomachache today, or my disinterest in the upcoming holidays. It's not that I think every illness or bad thing is the result of some superstitious cause & effect. But sometimes, there's this feeling, this intuition, that it's more than an ordinary occurrence. And I do know, that when small things start to feel like yet-another-monumental-obligation in a long string of obligations, it's not a good sign.
I hope to be back here tomorrow, in a better frame of mind. And with some more Best of '09 goodness.
Therefore I wonder if there's an underlying cause behind my stomachache today, or my disinterest in the upcoming holidays. It's not that I think every illness or bad thing is the result of some superstitious cause & effect. But sometimes, there's this feeling, this intuition, that it's more than an ordinary occurrence. And I do know, that when small things start to feel like yet-another-monumental-obligation in a long string of obligations, it's not a good sign.
I hope to be back here tomorrow, in a better frame of mind. And with some more Best of '09 goodness.
Thursday
The Year of Getting Back to Basics
Yesterday when I thought over that day's prompt for the Best of 09 Challenge, I was unimpressed by my own choice, at first. It wasn't until I started thinking about today's prompt that I realized why so many of the things I chose over the course of the past year were decidedly un-glamorous. Old stand-bys have a great deal of appeal for me right now, and I'm thinking it might be the same for some of you out there as well. A really bad economy like the one we're going through now makes people rethink some of their choices. Perhaps you'd rather spend your money on something tried and true, rather than risk it on something you potentially won't like.
December 16. Tea of the year. My favorite tea lately has been Lady Gray from Twinings. A perfectly reasonable tea at a reasonable price. It's similar to the familiar and comforting Earl Gray, yet a more delicate variation. Not too strong, nor boring. A tea that you generally can't go wrong with - the kind of dependability that's comforting.
There's been so much written this year about how everyone is worried about their finances this year and how this is ushering in a new era of frugality. Some people have even claimed that the new frugality will last (I don't agree, but that's an opinion for another time). This year I've had to re-learn how to live within my means. This has nothing to do with the economy or job (in)security, this is purely a coincidence... it would have happened regardless of all that. In January I set a target date for getting my own apartment, and it was the only target I hit all year. Nothing was going to get in the way of this target, but, there were some financial compromises that will affect me for a long while.
A bit of advice to anyone who is planning a similar move: if you can stay in your current situation awhile longer, stay & get your debt paid off first. All the way, not just to within a threshold you're comfortable with. Had I waited 5 months and not taken those two short vacations, I'd have paid off my credit card completely and still have some savings. It's pitiful to have to turn down nearly every invitation for dinner, events, drinks, movies, lunch - you name it, if it ain't free I can't afford it.
So about those old stand-bys and living within your means...
December 17. A word or phrase that encapsulates your year. "2009 was about getting back to basics." Because if the first half of the year wasn't about the basics, the second half sure hammered that point home. Be frugal. Plan. Focus. Cut out the excess. Keep, buy, and do only what you absolutely can't be without. Things will get easier someday, but do what you gotta do now, and that will set you up for an even better future.
P.S. Monday I find out my raise for next year (if I even get one). Wish me the best, and I'll be wishing the same for you. I hope everyone out there gets all the prosperity they need and deserve in the next year. Now that would be something worth toasting on Jan. 1!
December 16. Tea of the year. My favorite tea lately has been Lady Gray from Twinings. A perfectly reasonable tea at a reasonable price. It's similar to the familiar and comforting Earl Gray, yet a more delicate variation. Not too strong, nor boring. A tea that you generally can't go wrong with - the kind of dependability that's comforting.
There's been so much written this year about how everyone is worried about their finances this year and how this is ushering in a new era of frugality. Some people have even claimed that the new frugality will last (I don't agree, but that's an opinion for another time). This year I've had to re-learn how to live within my means. This has nothing to do with the economy or job (in)security, this is purely a coincidence... it would have happened regardless of all that. In January I set a target date for getting my own apartment, and it was the only target I hit all year. Nothing was going to get in the way of this target, but, there were some financial compromises that will affect me for a long while.
A bit of advice to anyone who is planning a similar move: if you can stay in your current situation awhile longer, stay & get your debt paid off first. All the way, not just to within a threshold you're comfortable with. Had I waited 5 months and not taken those two short vacations, I'd have paid off my credit card completely and still have some savings. It's pitiful to have to turn down nearly every invitation for dinner, events, drinks, movies, lunch - you name it, if it ain't free I can't afford it.
So about those old stand-bys and living within your means...
December 17. A word or phrase that encapsulates your year. "2009 was about getting back to basics." Because if the first half of the year wasn't about the basics, the second half sure hammered that point home. Be frugal. Plan. Focus. Cut out the excess. Keep, buy, and do only what you absolutely can't be without. Things will get easier someday, but do what you gotta do now, and that will set you up for an even better future.
P.S. Monday I find out my raise for next year (if I even get one). Wish me the best, and I'll be wishing the same for you. I hope everyone out there gets all the prosperity they need and deserve in the next year. Now that would be something worth toasting on Jan. 1!
Tuesday
December 15. Best packaging.
The funny thing about coming from a family that has a tendency to be packrats is that, when you move a lot as we did, you get used to never fully unpacking. Having stuff in boxes in the garage. The things inside are just not essential to your everyday living, and so you leave them boxed to be dealt with later. I had no intention of keeping stuff in boxes after my latest move - I would live as though I planned to stick around for a while.
One of my boxes had some gorgeous porcelain bowls that had never been used. Heck, they'd only left the box they were delivered in once - to be looked at and wrapped right back up in the box for safekeeping through another move. And another. And after this move, I finally unpacked them for good. I remembered exactly what they looked like - delicate turquoise glazing and all - but I'd forgotten that inside their box they'd been wrapped in paper. Not any old packing paper, I'm talking richly textured, seafoam green and flecked with silver, good quality paper. Definitely not the kind of paper you toss aside! The sheets of paper now reside in my collage scrap collection, I know that they will make their way into a piece of artwork someday. One I'll keep for myself, because it matches my bedroom! Now that's a true "gift with purchase".
The funny thing about coming from a family that has a tendency to be packrats is that, when you move a lot as we did, you get used to never fully unpacking. Having stuff in boxes in the garage. The things inside are just not essential to your everyday living, and so you leave them boxed to be dealt with later. I had no intention of keeping stuff in boxes after my latest move - I would live as though I planned to stick around for a while.
One of my boxes had some gorgeous porcelain bowls that had never been used. Heck, they'd only left the box they were delivered in once - to be looked at and wrapped right back up in the box for safekeeping through another move. And another. And after this move, I finally unpacked them for good. I remembered exactly what they looked like - delicate turquoise glazing and all - but I'd forgotten that inside their box they'd been wrapped in paper. Not any old packing paper, I'm talking richly textured, seafoam green and flecked with silver, good quality paper. Definitely not the kind of paper you toss aside! The sheets of paper now reside in my collage scrap collection, I know that they will make their way into a piece of artwork someday. One I'll keep for myself, because it matches my bedroom! Now that's a true "gift with purchase".
Monday
A rush like flying
December 14. When did you get your best rush of the year?
The best rush - a feeling of total freedom & excitement & a hint of danger - jetskiing! The first time I'd been, and it feels like flying over the water. Ok, maybe we were going really fast :-) We started out by going through the tule grass (tall reeds in the water, there's little channels in the tule that are like mazes out there) and with all the quick twists & turns it was kind of scary for a newbie like me. Then we skied through a bunch of channels, and I had a chance to calm down a bit. By the time we hit the open water of the Delta I was doing just fine!
The best rush - a feeling of total freedom & excitement & a hint of danger - jetskiing! The first time I'd been, and it feels like flying over the water. Ok, maybe we were going really fast :-) We started out by going through the tule grass (tall reeds in the water, there's little channels in the tule that are like mazes out there) and with all the quick twists & turns it was kind of scary for a newbie like me. Then we skied through a bunch of channels, and I had a chance to calm down a bit. By the time we hit the open water of the Delta I was doing just fine!
Sunday
Playing Catch-up
I've had a busy weekend, helping paint an entire bedroom furniture set in that sort of antiquey-whitewashed look where some of the original wood shows through - you know what I mean, right? I'll try to get a picture when it's finished to show you all. It's been back-breaking work, that's for sure. And I've fallen behind on the Best of '09 Challenge, so trying to play a quick bit of catch-up here.
December 11. The best place.
I wish I had something as poetic as this as a best place. Beautifully done, Gwen Bell.... I think hands-down my best place all year was our Thanksgiving dinner table with my family. With tears of sadness & joy both.
December 12. New food.
Three years ago, once I got over my fear of sushi, I discovered I loved it. Two years ago, I found out how much I liked Thai food. I haven't really gone exploring new food stuff lately. Instead, I've been a little preoccupied with a new intolerance to wheat. It took me a long time to realize that the problem was due to something I was eating, and then a little longer to learn what it was. And it's been months of war: my love for cookies, bread, and pasta vs. my now-sensitive stomach. I'm only just now starting to see these foods differently - seeing the discomfort they'll give me instead of the temporary deliciousness. I have no idea why I've developed this intolerance now, I can only handle the equivalent of 2 pieces of bread in a day, any more than that and I'll be paying for it. So, my "new food" is learning how to adjust my meals to really limit wheat servings.
December 13. What's the best change you made to the place you live?
As I've mentioned before, I moved this year. I'd been living with my parents again to pay off some debt. My brother was living there too, for his own reasons. The four of us living in the same house had become a toxic environment. There's plenty of blame on all sides for us not getting along, and it would take a long time to explain our dysfunctional family dynamics. Suffice it to say that getting into my own place, where my environment is as calm as I can make it, has done me a world of good. (Oh, and my moving had a chain reaction effect on the rest of them too, my brother finally moved out two months later, and my parents are downsizing & moving themselves in a week!)
December 11. The best place.
I wish I had something as poetic as this as a best place. Beautifully done, Gwen Bell.... I think hands-down my best place all year was our Thanksgiving dinner table with my family. With tears of sadness & joy both.
December 12. New food.
Three years ago, once I got over my fear of sushi, I discovered I loved it. Two years ago, I found out how much I liked Thai food. I haven't really gone exploring new food stuff lately. Instead, I've been a little preoccupied with a new intolerance to wheat. It took me a long time to realize that the problem was due to something I was eating, and then a little longer to learn what it was. And it's been months of war: my love for cookies, bread, and pasta vs. my now-sensitive stomach. I'm only just now starting to see these foods differently - seeing the discomfort they'll give me instead of the temporary deliciousness. I have no idea why I've developed this intolerance now, I can only handle the equivalent of 2 pieces of bread in a day, any more than that and I'll be paying for it. So, my "new food" is learning how to adjust my meals to really limit wheat servings.
December 13. What's the best change you made to the place you live?
As I've mentioned before, I moved this year. I'd been living with my parents again to pay off some debt. My brother was living there too, for his own reasons. The four of us living in the same house had become a toxic environment. There's plenty of blame on all sides for us not getting along, and it would take a long time to explain our dysfunctional family dynamics. Suffice it to say that getting into my own place, where my environment is as calm as I can make it, has done me a world of good. (Oh, and my moving had a chain reaction effect on the rest of them too, my brother finally moved out two months later, and my parents are downsizing & moving themselves in a week!)
Thursday
Best of '09 Challenge - Day 10!
I haven't bought much music this year, even though I really love it. Having very, very little discretionary income to play around with this year, I've been listening to the radio and Pandora a lot more than usual. And I can count the number of singles I bought on two hands! I'm going to have to fudge this one....
December 10 Album of the year. What's rocking your world?
Well, the last album that I bought was The Fame by Lady Gaga. As a digital download, even though I still think CD's have a richer sound than digital... (digital was cheaper). And I bought it just before New Years Eve last year, so that's pretty close to this year, isn't it? It was my favorite album for a little while, until I got sick to death of how much the radio stations overplay her songs on the rotation. But once in a while I'll put the album back on after I hear her on the radio, I've always liked how listening to an album is like listening to a journey.
December 10 Album of the year. What's rocking your world?
Well, the last album that I bought was The Fame by Lady Gaga. As a digital download, even though I still think CD's have a richer sound than digital... (digital was cheaper). And I bought it just before New Years Eve last year, so that's pretty close to this year, isn't it? It was my favorite album for a little while, until I got sick to death of how much the radio stations overplay her songs on the rotation. But once in a while I'll put the album back on after I hear her on the radio, I've always liked how listening to an album is like listening to a journey.
Wednesday
The year's biggest challenge
Hi there, are any of you feeling as tired as I am right now? Way past time for me to go to bed, even though it's still early - I will never catch up on missed sleep at this rate. Darn you, new neighbors, for slamming doors & being generally noisy every night between midnight & 1 am! To the Challenge, and then I really must retire for the evening.
December 9. Something that really made you grow this year.
Well that of course would be moving out all on my own. Now I have lived with roommates, and my (ex)boyfriend, and a couple of stints of sleeping on my parents living room floor for months at a time when things didn't work out. But I moved just 3 months ago and this is the first time I've lived completely alone. No one else to help out with chores or make sure the fridge is stocked, cook dinner, or get the bills paid. No one to abdicate responsibility to - no, it's a grown-up world and I have to be a grown-up girl now. There is no Prince Charming here, and I have to be strong for myself.
December 9. Something that really made you grow this year.
Well that of course would be moving out all on my own. Now I have lived with roommates, and my (ex)boyfriend, and a couple of stints of sleeping on my parents living room floor for months at a time when things didn't work out. But I moved just 3 months ago and this is the first time I've lived completely alone. No one else to help out with chores or make sure the fridge is stocked, cook dinner, or get the bills paid. No one to abdicate responsibility to - no, it's a grown-up world and I have to be a grown-up girl now. There is no Prince Charming here, and I have to be strong for myself.
Tuesday
Stay-cation
Hmm, my first post in the Best of '09 Challenge was a week ago, and I've managed to post every day so far. Mini-success! I'm glad for such an inspiring Challenge to keep me writing.
December 8 Moment of peace. An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?
I've had brief moments of peace during attempts to meditate, ones where every care seems to melt away and I feel connected to the source of life & all of existence. These moments are few and far between for me. Probably because I don't try hard or often enough, or when I really need to feel that peace. But I did have a week of near-solitude the very first week of this past January - well, I had a week off from work, ie my day job. Not a vacation, rushing from place to place, more of a "stay-cation". I took the week solely to recoup myself mentally and to have time devoted to working on my artwork.
I got up every day when I was ready, not to rush off to someplace I'd rather not be, but to approach my artwork and meet myself really - to say, what is it that I can do, is this what would make me happy? There answered from within a resounding yes, I could do what means something to me, would be free, would lose the tension I carry with me every day, could be myself. This is when I made the mental switch to thinking of my job as a day job, preparing myself for a time when I can do what I love for a living. The time hasn't come yet, but I relished the taste I got of such a time during that week.
December 8 Moment of peace. An hour or a day or a week of solitude. What was the quality of your breath? The state of your mind? How did you get there?
I've had brief moments of peace during attempts to meditate, ones where every care seems to melt away and I feel connected to the source of life & all of existence. These moments are few and far between for me. Probably because I don't try hard or often enough, or when I really need to feel that peace. But I did have a week of near-solitude the very first week of this past January - well, I had a week off from work, ie my day job. Not a vacation, rushing from place to place, more of a "stay-cation". I took the week solely to recoup myself mentally and to have time devoted to working on my artwork.
I got up every day when I was ready, not to rush off to someplace I'd rather not be, but to approach my artwork and meet myself really - to say, what is it that I can do, is this what would make me happy? There answered from within a resounding yes, I could do what means something to me, would be free, would lose the tension I carry with me every day, could be myself. This is when I made the mental switch to thinking of my job as a day job, preparing myself for a time when I can do what I love for a living. The time hasn't come yet, but I relished the taste I got of such a time during that week.
Monday
Showing some "blog love"
Would it be totally cheesy if I said the best blog I discovered this year was that of Gwen Bell, originator of this Best of '09 Challenge? If so, I can't help it, it's true!
December 7. That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.
I only discovered Gwen's blog a few weeks ago, and I can't believe I've been missing out! She has so much wonderful content, and it spans a lot of different subjects. I find each of her posts engaging. She has a feature on the side of her blog, linking to stuff she's read recently online, and if I had more hours in the day I'd follow over to those too, because she has a keen sense of things that are both interesting & informative.
But I really must show a few runners-up. Three to round out the four blogs I now visit on a near-daily basis, time allowing:
The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau (I talked about one of his articles here)
White Hot Truth by Danielle LaPorte
& LifeBlazing by Erika Harris
I don't think it's a coincidence that I discovered all of these within a few days of each other... Would that be considered synchronicity, or convergence?
December 7. That gem of a blog you can't believe you didn't know about until this year.
I only discovered Gwen's blog a few weeks ago, and I can't believe I've been missing out! She has so much wonderful content, and it spans a lot of different subjects. I find each of her posts engaging. She has a feature on the side of her blog, linking to stuff she's read recently online, and if I had more hours in the day I'd follow over to those too, because she has a keen sense of things that are both interesting & informative.
But I really must show a few runners-up. Three to round out the four blogs I now visit on a near-daily basis, time allowing:
The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau (I talked about one of his articles here)
White Hot Truth by Danielle LaPorte
& LifeBlazing by Erika Harris
I don't think it's a coincidence that I discovered all of these within a few days of each other... Would that be considered synchronicity, or convergence?
Best Online Class
I almost forgot to post today's part of the Best of '09 Challenge! Tsk tsk... silly me.
December 6. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial?
I'm not one to attend those kind of things, but I did take a class that I was great. It's called In the Fishbowl: Life As An Artist Online, by Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursday. And yes it was an online course, for artistic types who want to share their creative passion online. Like me! I met a lot of wonderful people and there was a wealth of information shared, and I haven't even had the time to implement a quarter of the knowledge I gained. Which reminds me of how little artwork I've done (let alone shared here) since the class ended. Sigh. I'm looking forward to having the mental energy to do some real work once the craziness known as year-end at my day job is over with.
December 6. Was there a conference or workshop you attended that was especially beneficial?
I'm not one to attend those kind of things, but I did take a class that I was great. It's called In the Fishbowl: Life As An Artist Online, by Marisa Haedike of Creative Thursday. And yes it was an online course, for artistic types who want to share their creative passion online. Like me! I met a lot of wonderful people and there was a wealth of information shared, and I haven't even had the time to implement a quarter of the knowledge I gained. Which reminds me of how little artwork I've done (let alone shared here) since the class ended. Sigh. I'm looking forward to having the mental energy to do some real work once the craziness known as year-end at my day job is over with.
Saturday
Wherein I realize I may be getting too old for nightclubs
One of the guidelines of the Best of '09 Challenge is that you can participate or modify at will... If you can't really speak about a "best", you can go with a "worst" for example. I'm going to do that now:
December 5. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world?
Well, if by "rocked" you mean made me realize that I'm totally over going out, then by all means it was one night out with the girls this summer. The birthday girl wanted to go to a comedy club, and the bar across the street afterwards. Here are some of the highlights of the evening:
- Tequila shots in the parking lot before heading out, easily the best part of the night. It was mostly downhill from there.
- Waiting in line for an hour outside the comedy club because the early show ran over.
- I'm sure you don't want to know this, but the most god-awful stench I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing emanating from the comedy club's restrooms, making the entire upper floor reek. Now think of how long the line can get outside of a ladies' room. I've never seen the line go so quickly.
- The comedian extending the show for us too, a "bad economy special" to thank us all for spending our hard-earned money. The only reason why the night wasn't a total waste.
- Not getting to the bar until an hour before last call, and none of us wanting to get a drink so close to closing time.
- Being sober when surrounded by drunk people totally sucks.
- All the young kids at the bar were weird. I can't believe I consider people in their 20's to be kids now. I only left my 20's behind four years ago!
- Memo to the you, the only cute guy in the place whom I totally ignored after you started to dance with me: Bobbing up & down is not dancing.
I think that about sums it up. I don't remember at which point I realized the bar was lame, but I haven't been back in either a bar or club since then.
P.S. I forgot to mention - you know how girls hate it when someone else wears the same outfit? First time this has happened to me. Picture one of my friends wearing the exact same top as me (in a different color), similar jeans, similar heels, similar jewelry, even similar haircolor because we'd both just dyed it and didn't know the other had too.
December 5. Did you have a night out with friends or a loved one that rocked your world?
Well, if by "rocked" you mean made me realize that I'm totally over going out, then by all means it was one night out with the girls this summer. The birthday girl wanted to go to a comedy club, and the bar across the street afterwards. Here are some of the highlights of the evening:
- Tequila shots in the parking lot before heading out, easily the best part of the night. It was mostly downhill from there.
- Waiting in line for an hour outside the comedy club because the early show ran over.
- I'm sure you don't want to know this, but the most god-awful stench I've ever had the displeasure of experiencing emanating from the comedy club's restrooms, making the entire upper floor reek. Now think of how long the line can get outside of a ladies' room. I've never seen the line go so quickly.
- The comedian extending the show for us too, a "bad economy special" to thank us all for spending our hard-earned money. The only reason why the night wasn't a total waste.
- Not getting to the bar until an hour before last call, and none of us wanting to get a drink so close to closing time.
- Being sober when surrounded by drunk people totally sucks.
- All the young kids at the bar were weird. I can't believe I consider people in their 20's to be kids now. I only left my 20's behind four years ago!
- Memo to the you, the only cute guy in the place whom I totally ignored after you started to dance with me: Bobbing up & down is not dancing.
I think that about sums it up. I don't remember at which point I realized the bar was lame, but I haven't been back in either a bar or club since then.
P.S. I forgot to mention - you know how girls hate it when someone else wears the same outfit? First time this has happened to me. Picture one of my friends wearing the exact same top as me (in a different color), similar jeans, similar heels, similar jewelry, even similar haircolor because we'd both just dyed it and didn't know the other had too.
Friday
I finally got my bookcases!
Which means that I've unpacked a whole lot of books, all that's left to unpack are a few of my crafty items and then I'll be all moved in! (yes, now that I've been here for 3 months). It was nice to see all my old friends that have been boxed up for so long. I love books!
December 4. What book - fiction or non - touched you?
Trying to answer the next Best of '09 question, I got totally stuck. Kept thinking of great books I'd read in the last 2 or 3 years. This year what I've read is either non-fiction books that honestly didn't have much more info than the (much better) ones I'd read the previous year, and my typical sci-fi & vampire paperback fare. Nothing spectacular, I don't even have the Twilight series yet. But then I scanned my bookcase and remembered that I read this one earlier this year:
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. It follows the creation of a religious text with paintings inside (a heresy way back in the day) and it's travels throughout hundreds of years. It's a good view into some of the Jewish/Catholic/Muslim tensions through the ages. Long sections of the story are told from the viewpoint of the book's various caretakers at certain points in time. I liked it a lot because of that, and it also reminded me of the movie The Red Violin, which similarly follows the owners of a distinguished violin at various times. That movie's in my top 20 favorites (I always have such a hard time narrowing favorites down to 1 or 2 - why not 10 or 50?).
December 4. What book - fiction or non - touched you?
Trying to answer the next Best of '09 question, I got totally stuck. Kept thinking of great books I'd read in the last 2 or 3 years. This year what I've read is either non-fiction books that honestly didn't have much more info than the (much better) ones I'd read the previous year, and my typical sci-fi & vampire paperback fare. Nothing spectacular, I don't even have the Twilight series yet. But then I scanned my bookcase and remembered that I read this one earlier this year:
Thursday
Article
3 days blogging in a week is far better than I've done in a while. Let's keep on building the momentum with the Best of '09 Challenge, shall we?
December 3 - What's an article that you read that blew you away?
I'd like to preface this with a side-conversation: Does the traditional article mean anything anymore? I mean, the ones published in magazines or newspapers, or other places of "authority". I can't remember any traditional article I've read in the last couple years that stands out for me. Oh, I know I've read them. They just don't strike a chord with me anymore, the way that things I read on the internet do. And by internet of course I mean blogs not the websites of the "establishment". In this day and age anyone who blogs, facebooks, tweets, etc, can consider themselves a "publisher" can't they? After all they are making content available for others to read.
Ok, moving on.
The *best* article I read this year was How To Conduct Your Own Annual Review by Chris Guillebeau. (You can also find him here. I think I will find him there soon. Twitter, I think you will have another convert coming your way before too long - me!) I've read plenty of stuff about setting goals, so you can get to your dreams, blah blah blah... but when I read his article I suddenly got it. Like, it's not all about looking at the list of stuff you're failing to complete with every second of every day and feeling like utterly miserable. I love how he starts the next year's goal-planning by recognizing what went well this year. Kind of like how I feel like 2009 wasn't so great, but participating in the Best of '09 Challenge here is reminding me that there was lots of good stuff along with the bad. Plus, the spreadsheet he gives for tracking goals & projects is right up my alley (I'm an Excel freak, I admit it).
I think the reason this is the article I consider the best is because it touches on so much of what I'm going through in my life right now. What do I really want out of life and how the heck do I get there, because what I'm doing now sure isn't working for me. This article hit me like a flash. I cannot wait to do my own annual review at the end of this year... Thanks, Chris, for reminding us all that it's ok to want want to live unconventional, remarkable lives!
December 3 - What's an article that you read that blew you away?
I'd like to preface this with a side-conversation: Does the traditional article mean anything anymore? I mean, the ones published in magazines or newspapers, or other places of "authority". I can't remember any traditional article I've read in the last couple years that stands out for me. Oh, I know I've read them. They just don't strike a chord with me anymore, the way that things I read on the internet do. And by internet of course I mean blogs not the websites of the "establishment". In this day and age anyone who blogs, facebooks, tweets, etc, can consider themselves a "publisher" can't they? After all they are making content available for others to read.
Ok, moving on.
The *best* article I read this year was How To Conduct Your Own Annual Review by Chris Guillebeau. (You can also find him here. I think I will find him there soon. Twitter, I think you will have another convert coming your way before too long - me!) I've read plenty of stuff about setting goals, so you can get to your dreams, blah blah blah... but when I read his article I suddenly got it. Like, it's not all about looking at the list of stuff you're failing to complete with every second of every day and feeling like utterly miserable. I love how he starts the next year's goal-planning by recognizing what went well this year. Kind of like how I feel like 2009 wasn't so great, but participating in the Best of '09 Challenge here is reminding me that there was lots of good stuff along with the bad. Plus, the spreadsheet he gives for tracking goals & projects is right up my alley (I'm an Excel freak, I admit it).
I think the reason this is the article I consider the best is because it touches on so much of what I'm going through in my life right now. What do I really want out of life and how the heck do I get there, because what I'm doing now sure isn't working for me. This article hit me like a flash. I cannot wait to do my own annual review at the end of this year... Thanks, Chris, for reminding us all that it's ok to want want to live unconventional, remarkable lives!
Wednesday
Senses: Sight vs. Taste
I'm back for Day 2 of the Best of '09 Challenge! Go here if you're interested in joining in the fun.
December 2 - Best Restaurant Moment
My most memorable restaurant experience this year happened in a small, pub-type restaurant in San Luis Obispo, CA, that I can't even remember the name of or what the food was like. I was on a trip to the area with my cousin and we just happened in there because, well, it was about lunchtime and we were hungry. But the memory has nothing to do with the restaurant really - I have to start with the college kids we saw hanging out down the block before we decided to stop in. They were carrying on and looked a bit odd from the distance. After we were seated inside and had given our orders, the same kids come into the place. With 70's-era work clothes, funky wigs on, a camera following their every move, and a mixture of rehearsed lines and impromptu antics.
Action! They proceeded to sit at the table next to us for the next 20 minutes, pretending to have conversations with each other - yes, they really were lip-syncing the conversations! - and my cousin & I spent the next half an hour pretending not to stare at them & wondering what their film-in-the-making was supposed to be about.
I guess you could say Sight won that round (nothing unusual to me!)
December 2 - Best Restaurant Moment
My most memorable restaurant experience this year happened in a small, pub-type restaurant in San Luis Obispo, CA, that I can't even remember the name of or what the food was like. I was on a trip to the area with my cousin and we just happened in there because, well, it was about lunchtime and we were hungry. But the memory has nothing to do with the restaurant really - I have to start with the college kids we saw hanging out down the block before we decided to stop in. They were carrying on and looked a bit odd from the distance. After we were seated inside and had given our orders, the same kids come into the place. With 70's-era work clothes, funky wigs on, a camera following their every move, and a mixture of rehearsed lines and impromptu antics.
Action! They proceeded to sit at the table next to us for the next 20 minutes, pretending to have conversations with each other - yes, they really were lip-syncing the conversations! - and my cousin & I spent the next half an hour pretending not to stare at them & wondering what their film-in-the-making was supposed to be about.
I guess you could say Sight won that round (nothing unusual to me!)
Tuesday
Best of 2009 Challenge - Day 1
I've recently discovered a few blogs that I absolutely adore for the motivation & positivity they inspire. One of them is by Gwen Bell, and she's got this awesome Best of 2009 Challenge going for the month of December. There's a great prompt for each day, all you've gotta do to join in is post. Whenever you choose, via blog, Twitter, etc. Sounded like lots of fun to play along, so I'll try post each day if I can. (Hey, it's even inspiring me to check out what this whole Twitter thing is about anyways.)
December 1 - What was your best trip of 2009?
Without a doubt, girl's weekend in Arizona in the middle of July. I know, a hot place in the middle of summer? But hey I like the heat, not to mention the excuse to wear very short shorts. And, it was stunningly gorgeous in Sedona where we stayed. Who knew rocks could be so awe-inspiring?
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December 1 - What was your best trip of 2009?
Without a doubt, girl's weekend in Arizona in the middle of July. I know, a hot place in the middle of summer? But hey I like the heat, not to mention the excuse to wear very short shorts. And, it was stunningly gorgeous in Sedona where we stayed. Who knew rocks could be so awe-inspiring?
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We also took a day-trip over to the Grand Canyon. All I can say is, no picture could ever do it justice. Wow. I couldn't stop staring. I have no idea how some people can hike all the way down to the bottom - let along hike back up! - it's so vast. I would have walked all around the rim trails - the ones safely at the top - if it had been up to me (due to some health issues with other ladies in our group, we took the shuttles around.)
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But aside from the beauty of nature, what stood out the most for me was the energy. I'm not known for being an energetic person. For some reason, I felt more alive & energetic there than I can remember feeling in a long time. I just wanted to go, and keep going, and do and see more.
I love that feeling!
Monday
Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving!
Hello all, just wanted to say Happy Thanksgiving to all of you! I know it's a little late, but better late than never, and I hope that anybody reading this right now from someplace other than the US can take a moment to think of what they are grateful for in their lives. Because that is what the true meaning of this holiday is for us here.
I spent the holiday & weekend at my cousin's house, it was so nice to be under the same roof with several visiting family members for a while. A few years ago, when my aunt was diagnosed with cancer, we started a new family tradition. At the end of Thanksgiving dinner, each person at the table takes a turn to speak about one of the things they are grateful for... Usually once we each start talking, we keep on going with many things! This time around was hard for us as it was the second Thanksgiving without my aunt, and the holiday also fell on what would have been my aunt & uncle's wedding anniversary.... I'm so grateful for the family I do have, and everyone I was able to share the holiday with.
Hope you all have a wonderful week ahead of you... Here's looking forward to December!
I spent the holiday & weekend at my cousin's house, it was so nice to be under the same roof with several visiting family members for a while. A few years ago, when my aunt was diagnosed with cancer, we started a new family tradition. At the end of Thanksgiving dinner, each person at the table takes a turn to speak about one of the things they are grateful for... Usually once we each start talking, we keep on going with many things! This time around was hard for us as it was the second Thanksgiving without my aunt, and the holiday also fell on what would have been my aunt & uncle's wedding anniversary.... I'm so grateful for the family I do have, and everyone I was able to share the holiday with.
Hope you all have a wonderful week ahead of you... Here's looking forward to December!
My printer is all set up...
...and waiting for me to use it! I had completely forgot to order some paper when I ordered the printer - duh, Christina, what else would I print on? - so while I'm waiting for that delivery, I've been trying to figure out how to use Photoshop. Not so easy for me. I don't understand layers, etc...yet. But I am determined to learn! Here's a pic of it's new home, that's a standard 8.5x11 page in it, see how it's dwarfed by the beast?
I haven't been working on any collages lately, so this afternoon I pasted a few quick pages together. Nothing special, kind of going through the motions - practice, I suppose.
Not much else to report. It's been a fast week & weekend, and I should be going to bed now to start it all over again. Hope you all had a lovely weekend and talk to you soon!
Not much else to report. It's been a fast week & weekend, and I should be going to bed now to start it all over again. Hope you all had a lovely weekend and talk to you soon!
Tuesday
Good morning...
...it's me checking in after about a week! Sorry to have been gone for so long. I seriously don't know where the time went. Hope you all have been having fun while I was "away". Did you have a nice Halloween? I didn't do anything to celebrate it this year - does that make me totally uncreative? I think I'm in denial about it being November already....
I have a little confession, a full week ago my new printer was delivered, and I haven't done a thing with it yet. Well I actually had it sent to my parent's house - I wish my apartment complex would sign for my deliveries for me, but no - and it's still sitting at their home. I need to hurry up, so I can start using it! In anticipation of being able to print lovely photos at home, I've decided I really need to learn how to use Photoshop. So my good pictures can be great! Why do all those graphics and photo programs make me feel like an idiot? Need to conquer that already.
Here's to what I hope will be an educational week!
I have a little confession, a full week ago my new printer was delivered, and I haven't done a thing with it yet. Well I actually had it sent to my parent's house - I wish my apartment complex would sign for my deliveries for me, but no - and it's still sitting at their home. I need to hurry up, so I can start using it! In anticipation of being able to print lovely photos at home, I've decided I really need to learn how to use Photoshop. So my good pictures can be great! Why do all those graphics and photo programs make me feel like an idiot? Need to conquer that already.
Here's to what I hope will be an educational week!
Wednesday
Absence makes the heart grow fonder?
I feel like I've been so absent, and miss writing & reading all the wonderful blogs I like to frequent. The last week or so I've been dealing with a lot of back and neck pain. I think anyone with health issues could probably tell you about times when their bodies just said "look you've got to deal with this" and it just took over their lives for awhile. Unfortunately this has been one of those times for me, and I've had to stop and look real closely at what I'm doing that is and isn't working to manage my pain. How I wish I could make larger changes in my life right now that would help even more! Oh I dream of not having to sit for 8+ hours a day hunched over paperwork on an uncomfortable chair at my day job....
So, between being busy at work, dealing with pain, renewed activity in yoga for pain management (which is making all my other muscles sore!), setting up my new computer and printer, I've been a very busy tired girl! But I couldn't go another day without checking in here. I hope all of you have been doing well! Take care of yourselves, always...
So, between being busy at work, dealing with pain, renewed activity in yoga for pain management (which is making all my other muscles sore!), setting up my new computer and printer, I've been a very busy tired girl! But I couldn't go another day without checking in here. I hope all of you have been doing well! Take care of yourselves, always...
Thursday
I've been feeling blah the last couple days. This little guy here makes it a little better. Chillin' in his favorite spot near his grass...
And all through listening to my online class tonight he's been trying to get my attention, like he is here. Just look at that well-fed belly!
Hope you all have been having a better week than mine. So glad tomorrow's Friday!
And all through listening to my online class tonight he's been trying to get my attention, like he is here. Just look at that well-fed belly!
(Yes, that is a box you see, left over from my move about 7 weeks ago. Almost all of my books and art supplies are still in boxes right now, waiting for their own home. Still waiting for those bookcases... why did I think painting the old ones would be a good idea, exactly?)
Hope you all have been having a better week than mine. So glad tomorrow's Friday!
Monday
sometimes it's like that
Have you ever sat down to do something creative, and nothing felt right? The mind a whirlwind of scattered thoughts, no inspiration in sight. So you pull out that sketchpad & just start moving the pencil over it, in hopes something will form.
But forcing never works.... And so you figure today is just not the day for it, despite what you'd hoped to accomplish. And lo and behold, a mere 20 minutes later, after turning you attention completely to something else -
Voila!
- a completely new idea springs forth in your mind, a fully imagined compostition. And maybe, this new thing even has the potential to bridge disparate elements of your body of work so far, which you'd thought didn't go together at all, and feared made you look scattered in your efforts.
Sometimes, it's like that.
But forcing never works.... And so you figure today is just not the day for it, despite what you'd hoped to accomplish. And lo and behold, a mere 20 minutes later, after turning you attention completely to something else -
Voila!
- a completely new idea springs forth in your mind, a fully imagined compostition. And maybe, this new thing even has the potential to bridge disparate elements of your body of work so far, which you'd thought didn't go together at all, and feared made you look scattered in your efforts.
Sometimes, it's like that.
Sunday
Weekend Progress
The end of the weekend is here, unfortunately...although it was lovely and relaxing. I hope all of yours were nice as well :-)
I got one more collage laid out, see below... And I ordered a printer! The Epson R1900, one I've been researching for a little while. Finally saw some test prints at the store - actually in a book, comparing Epson's top 3 wide-format printers (well, the top 3 for less than $1,000.00, that is). I'm so excited that I'll be able to print lovely, quality images soon!
While I was at it, I also ordered a new computer from HP. I love my little HP Mini Netbook so much, that little red-with-pink-flowers cuteness that you see peeking out of the corner of the pic above - but, while it's very pretty and very portable, the small screen is difficult to work with to process images, and I decided to splurge on a dedicated machine for my coming-soon Etsy business. I even have a repayment plan all figured out for the financing on the computer - thanks to my good friend S. who taught me budgeting & financial projections. I feel so business-like now!
I have to admit that planning for my online store, getting my artwork ready to introduce to the world, really committing to moving forward with this dream I have of being a successful artist, is really starting to take over my life now. There is not much else that I'd rather be doing right now :-)
I got one more collage laid out, see below... And I ordered a printer! The Epson R1900, one I've been researching for a little while. Finally saw some test prints at the store - actually in a book, comparing Epson's top 3 wide-format printers (well, the top 3 for less than $1,000.00, that is). I'm so excited that I'll be able to print lovely, quality images soon!
While I was at it, I also ordered a new computer from HP. I love my little HP Mini Netbook so much, that little red-with-pink-flowers cuteness that you see peeking out of the corner of the pic above - but, while it's very pretty and very portable, the small screen is difficult to work with to process images, and I decided to splurge on a dedicated machine for my coming-soon Etsy business. I even have a repayment plan all figured out for the financing on the computer - thanks to my good friend S. who taught me budgeting & financial projections. I feel so business-like now!
I have to admit that planning for my online store, getting my artwork ready to introduce to the world, really committing to moving forward with this dream I have of being a successful artist, is really starting to take over my life now. There is not much else that I'd rather be doing right now :-)
Tuesday
Another Collage
This one is another in the series I'm working on, the overall series I plan to call The Chase. It's inspired by the idea of a man seeing a woman across the room, and he just has to meet her, and she sees and makes him chase after her. Not in a stalker-ish way at all, this being a romanticized notion.
I'm still not sure about the composition. I couldn't decide between the two background papers, then thought to combine them this way (yes I still need to trim the right side even with the left). They're actually a dark minky brown and a dark, rich cream color, look a bit better in real life than what I captured here. I'm curious - what do you think of the composition?
Monday
How was your Monday?
Mine was good, for a Monday....It's supposed to rain tomorrow though. Which means I should get up earlier tomorrow for the traffic, since Californians do not know how to drive in the rain. Fall has definitely set in, boo! Hard to believe just 2 or 3 weeks ago it was triple-digits in the Central Valley and I had a little sunburn. Our indian summer here in NorCal seemed shorter this year - but then again, summer never, ever lasts long enough for me.
I have to take a moment to thank everyone who left comments for me! What a nice welcome for my new blog. My classmates from the Fishbowl are fantastically supportive of each other, it is great to be part of such a community :-)
I just put up a pic of myself finally, after taking a mess of pictures of myself and not liking any. This one will do though I guess. I have another Work-In-Progress collage to show off tomorrow, as I hope to have time to post. See you soon!
I have to take a moment to thank everyone who left comments for me! What a nice welcome for my new blog. My classmates from the Fishbowl are fantastically supportive of each other, it is great to be part of such a community :-)
I just put up a pic of myself finally, after taking a mess of pictures of myself and not liking any. This one will do though I guess. I have another Work-In-Progress collage to show off tomorrow, as I hope to have time to post. See you soon!
Thursday
3 semi-finished collages
I need to put a couple coats of varnish, and sit them under a heavy book or something to get the edges to uncurl... But getting 3 glued down in one day is really productive for me.
Tuesday
Check-In
Well it's the end of the day, or close enough that I've thrown in my towel for the day. And I'm happy to report success! I got three collages pasted up, they just need some time for the paper to uncurl and then a few coats of varnish to seal & smooth. These are from the layous that I was trying out for the past week or so, in my earlier worktable picture. I'll try to post a few pics of the finished results when I get a chance, but for now I'm all out of energy.
So I was successful at keeping my promises to myself today, I am sure that a big part of it was that I planned to report back here...don't want to make myself look bad after all, haha. Aside from a quick trip out to buy more acrylic medium to glue the collages, and a longer break for a nap.
Now off to veg out for the evening...
So I was successful at keeping my promises to myself today, I am sure that a big part of it was that I planned to report back here...don't want to make myself look bad after all, haha. Aside from a quick trip out to buy more acrylic medium to glue the collages, and a longer break for a nap.
Now off to veg out for the evening...
Dedication
I've read that if you just show up, every day, the work will get better and the muse will visit. That it's not so much about creating from genius every time, but about being there for the practice. This is extremely difficult for me - I resist any semblance of routine, procrastinate, try to multi-task, drive myself to distraction, and that just ain't cuttin it.
Over the weekend I tried my best to stay off the computer, and focus on what I need to get done instead of surfing blogs and streaming media. It sort of worked, but not all that great. And here I am at home today, fighting off some bug & so I'm not at the j-o-b, and I have the time & opportunity to do some artwork. But I can feel a multitude of distractions calling my name.
So, I need to make myself a few promises today. No, I will not turn on the tv while I'm working. No, I will not run out to the store to "get a couple things" until after I've put in some time working. No, I will not get on the internet until this evening (ok as soon as I put this away). I will do my best to put aside any nagging thoughts of "oh I need to do this", "I should do that",
Let's see how this goes. Will check back in later. Hope everyone has a lovely day!
Over the weekend I tried my best to stay off the computer, and focus on what I need to get done instead of surfing blogs and streaming media. It sort of worked, but not all that great. And here I am at home today, fighting off some bug & so I'm not at the j-o-b, and I have the time & opportunity to do some artwork. But I can feel a multitude of distractions calling my name.
So, I need to make myself a few promises today. No, I will not turn on the tv while I'm working. No, I will not run out to the store to "get a couple things" until after I've put in some time working. No, I will not get on the internet until this evening (ok as soon as I put this away). I will do my best to put aside any nagging thoughts of "oh I need to do this", "I should do that",
Let's see how this goes. Will check back in later. Hope everyone has a lovely day!
Thursday
Pictures - work in progress
I've had this idea for a collage series in my head for a few months now, and been saving magazine clippings for it. Finally had a chance to crop the clippings and lay them all out to play with potential compositions this past Sunday and Monday evenings. They're in that stacked-rectangle style I've been working in this year. Here's a couple shots of my "worktable" aka coffee table (nothing's been touched in 3 days! not even the remotes.) Where does all my free time go? It wasn't the tv, not this time.
Side note - One of the things mentioned today in the e-course I'm taking is the need for a picture of yourself for your online presence. I really have to say I've never been into pictures of myself. So, there's a pic of my hair over to the right. For now, until I can get something better.
Welcome!
Ok, this is my new endeavor.... my attempt to put in one place my journey of becoming a working artist, my struggle with the transition from just surviving with a day job to flourishing with a wonderful creative life, and overcoming all that holds me back from living the life I want to lead.
At the studio door... This is how I often feel... Like I'm looking in at someone I want to be without the ability to cross the threshold and become that person. I yearn to inch my way across that entry hopefully sooner than later.
My other blog with the funny name, ninja haiku, I will keep up for the occasional random bits that float through my mind or catch my attention.
At the studio door... This is how I often feel... Like I'm looking in at someone I want to be without the ability to cross the threshold and become that person. I yearn to inch my way across that entry hopefully sooner than later.
My other blog with the funny name, ninja haiku, I will keep up for the occasional random bits that float through my mind or catch my attention.
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