loose string

"One-way streets and square one, The answers don't come from any one direction"

 

Now full of creamy, meme-y goodness

I have only done one meme before.  I was tagged for that one.  This one I lifted from Pesky Apostrophe who lifted it from someone else.  I actually did it exactly the way it says to with no cheating and some of the answers made me laugh.  Things that make me laugh these days are to be treasured.

So:    The meme. It asks questions, you put your media player on "shuffle" and let it answer the questions. No cheating. Sure, a lot of it won't make sense, but some of them are funny anyway.

How does the world see you?

Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day - sad, so sad.

Will I have a happy life?

Six Days On The Road – Flying Burrito Bros - good song but does not bode well.

What do my friends really think of me?

My Funny Valentine – Over the Rhine - isn't that sweet?

Do people secretly lust after me?

So Called Friend – Uncle Tupelo - cryptic

How can I make myself happy?

Wish You Were Here – Pink Floyd - it always comes back to Floyd and the bong, doesn't it?

What should I do with my life?

 You Can Leave Your Hat On – Randy Newman - stripping is not an option

Will I ever have children?

So. Central Rain – REM - since I have a child and can have no more childs this seems appropriate enough

What is some good advice for me?

I Walk the Line – Johnny Cash - I get all of my good advice from Johnny Cash songs

How will I be remembered?

Full Force Gale – Van Morrison - could be good, it is uplifting and peppy though

What is my signature song?

Things That Scare Me – Neko Case - hmmm.

What do I think my current theme song is?

 I Wanna Be Sedated – The Ramones - true, so very true

What does everyone else think my current theme song is?

 Second Hand News – Fleetwood Mac - hmmmmm, everyone else kind sucks

What song will play at my funeral?

 The Devil Had A Hold Of My Hand – Gillian Welch - this one made me snort soda out of my nose

What type of men/women do I like?

In This House That I Call Home – The Knitters - the IPod she is an enigma

What is my day going to be like?

Nowhere Man – The Beatles - make of it what you will

posted by: loosestring at 13:39 | link | comments (2) |

I am in a bit of a mood.

On Sunday I went out to the bookstore.  I have books at home.  Plenty of them.  But they are books that require me to think.  I need the mindless entertainment of a paperback mystery.  I need to not think about things like symbolism. 

So, off I went to the local Borders.  Which is, apparently, the social center of the Universe on Sunday.  Packed with people and noisy ones at that.  Plus, without consulting me, they decided to change things around.  To move whole sections to other areas of the store.  So there was some consternation on my part right from the beginning.  It took me a couple of minutes to find the knitting books.  Several minutes of wandering from one corner of the store to the other.  With a few returns to the former location of the knitting books just to make sure that I had not missed them the first time.  Oh sure, I could have asked anyone of the perky and helpful sales people, but that would have required talking to someone.  Making conversation, even such a limited form of conversation, was well outside my comfort zone for the day.

And, eventually, I located the elusive knitting books.  All on my own.  Using the superior sleuthing skills I have gleaned from the reading of countless paperback mysteries.  I even managed to locate a couple of new paperback mysteries.  Despite the group of three chatty women who were having a meeting in the middle of the mystery section.  I managed to crane my neck around the rather large ass of the group leader and retrieve the book I was seeking without ever having to put her through the hassle of moving. 

I proceeded to the checkout.  Relieved at having managed this outing without incident.  There was a short line.  The gentleman ahead of me was having some sort of problem with his gift card.  But this was no problem for me.  I had my books in hand and I was next in line. 

Then someone got into the line behind me.  The not-long line.  And stood approximately three inches behind me.  Close enough that I could feel them breathing on my neck.  So, I shifted forward a couple of inches to give myself the requisite personal space.  And the young man shifted forward a couple of inches right along with me.  And proceeded to "adjust himself" rather thoroughly.  I once again shifted forward a few inches. And he,  once again, shifted right along with me.  I considered my options.  I could say something.  I could deal with it.  I could punch him.  None of these seemed the right solution for me.

Instead I planted my foot where I was standing and moved the rest of my body forward away from him.  So that only my foot was three inches away from him.  He could not move forward and breathe on me  anymore without stepping on my foot.  And I stood there, with my feet about two and a half feet apart until it was my turn with the cashier.

Problem solved.

posted by: loosestring at 13:32 | link | comments (3) |

No Use For a Title - Loose String: the emo years

I have not felt much like posting lately.  Mostly because it would just be variations on a singular theme: "my son is going away and I am very sad, wah, wah, wah!"  Boring enough for me to be inside my head.  I will spare you the tedium.  I have decided to pay someone to listen to this mess.

I have plenty of things to be happy about:

- my son won a scholarship

- there has been sun and the number of blooming green things is increasing

(click on the picture for more)

- I finished knitting another pair of socks.  For those of you keeping score at home, that makes 4 pairs.

- My Secret Pal sent me a lovely package full of thoughtful gifts.  I have been too scattered to remember to point my camera at  the contents.  The Ghiradelli chocolate bar did not make it past the first ten minutes after opening.

- My hairdresser lady person finally understood my feeble attempts at a description of what I want and gave me an awesome haircut.

- I made the best chicken stew with biscuits that has ever been made.  Seriously, let me know if you would like the recipe.

- I finished my self-portrait project and I only felt nauseous about the process a couple of times

(click on the photo for more)

posted by: loosestring at 16:06 | link | comments (3) |

It's really, really close

From my front garden today:

posted by: loosestring at 18:33 | link | comments |

Recap Part Deux

This last weekend we went off to Kent State for a tour of the campus.  My son will be attending there in the Fall.  He fell so much in love with the place that I was concerned he might not want to come home.  I convinced him that he had to return to Illinois to finish high school or they were not even going to let him attend college.

On Saturday, after we finished our tour, we headed up to Cleveland.  I have to confess I did not know a lot about Cleveland.  My family is from Ohio originally but from closer to Columbus.  I looked up some stuff on the Internet.  I got some great advice from OtterX.  In the end we were just too tired to do very much.  And by we I mean I.  We ended up staying in the hotel room and playing cards and watching a movie.

On Sunday we ventured out and drove around downtown Cleveland a bit.  It was very deserted.  I am used to Chicago.  It is pretty though.  There are lots of old churches and old buildings.  It was decided that we would seek out a McDonald's for breakfast.  There was a craving for the Egg McMuffins.  So we started driving and figured we would come across one.  It ended up being a little longer drive than I would have expected but we did eventually find the McMuffins.  I think we may have strayed a bit closer to the not so nice part of town.  The gas station we stopped at had a large sign advertising "prison transport". 

We decided that we would head out to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  Despite warnings that it might be less than exciting.  Given that we are both music geeks, it turned out to be a pretty good time. 

They have had some sort of program similar to the Cows in Chicago.  Basically they have had different organizations decorate over-sized guitars.  I do not know if it was done for charity or what the purpose was.  But there were large decorated guitars celebrating various bands and performers.  You can see pictures of them here.  My sentimental favorite was the Ramones guitar.  I got a little teary over that one.  Mind you, we were approximately 2.5 seconds into the place and I was already getting weepy.  The George Harrison guitar was really striking and the Grateful Dead guitar was really psychedelic.  Then the staff informed us that I would have to check my camera.  There were only a few spots where they allow photography.  I was dissappointed but we decided to make the best of it.

They have a series of displays with memorabilia highlighting eras of music.  This seems to be the permanent collection.  They had things like stage costumes, music, instruments, posters, albums and cds.  I like music from a lot of different eras so I found something interesting in almost every case.  The selection is diverse enough that I think there is something that would be meaningful to almost any music fan. 

Among the items that made me crazy happy:

1. I think the cover of The Clash's London Calling is pretty much an icon of the music of the late 70's and early 80's.  On the cover Paul Simenon is smashing his bass during a live performance.  They have the smashed bass there.  They also have great Siouxsie and the Banshees, Pretenders and Sex Pistols memorabilia.  Mostly Sid Vicious stuff because the guys who are still alive want nothing to do with the place.  But still, some fun things to look at.  They also have the telegram from Malcolm McLaren and the band to Sid's mom asking about what to do with his burial arrangements.

2.  They have a lot of Ramones stuff.  The big thing for me were the hand written lyrics sheets.  And Joey's jacket.  But it was all pretty cool. 

3.  There was a whole big section on the 60's psychedelic era.  The protest music.  Probably the most interesting part of that was the Janis Joplin part with her beads and scarves and great pictures.  They had some cool Jefferson Airplane and Buffalo Springfield stuff as well.

4.  There was a huge separate section for the Jimi Hendrix collection.  They have everything.  All of the outfits and guitars and hand written lyrics and letters. 

5.  They had another large section with all of the really memorable stage costumes.  The one that struck me was the big Talking Heads suit from the Stop Making Sense movie.  There was also a whole section of David Bowie costumes and a huge section of Mick Jagger costumes.  He is, indeed, a tiny, tiny, little man.

I am probably forgetting a million little things.  But those were the memorable ones for me.

Observations:

1. All of the scruffy boys with sparse facial hair and questionable fashion sense headed straight for the display with Kurt Cobain's guitar.

2.  The coat check guy wore sunglasses indoors and had a name tag that read, "My name is Steve and Pantera is the greatest band ever"

3. There are far too many old guys with beer guts and mullets still at loose in the world.

posted by: loosestring at 11:02 | link | comments (6) |

My Spring Break Pictures (story to follow)

On Saturday we went to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  I will write more about it but for now here are some pictures of the parts you could photgraph. 

Click on this picture to see the whole set:

                          

posted by: loosestring at 00:53 | link | comments (1) |

Part of the recap

Flying always makes me think about dying.  Not in a bothersome way.  Not enough to keep me from flying.  Not enough to require medication or hypnosis.  I never think about it before I get on the plane or even once the plane is in flight.  There are just a few moments during every takeoff when I contempleate my mortality.  I try to remember if I have given PIN numbers and other such information to the appropriate parties.  If I have any loose ends that would cause problems for anyone.  Once the plane has ceased that trembling, straining process of liftoff, I forget all about it.  I am not a nervous flyer.  Just a bit bored and ready to be at my destination.

This weekend we made the trip to Kent State to visit and tour the school.  I did not take pictures while we were there.  I did not force my son to stand next to any Kent State signs while I snapped photos.  I did not stop everyone on the tour and make them pose for me in front of buildings.  I wanted to but did not do so.  I did, however, promise my son that this Fall we will be stopping beside the Kent State signs and he will be posing.  Embarrassment delayed.

The good news is that Kent is a really nice place.  Huge and clean and very friendly.  Every person we talked to was nice and helpful.  The university makes up almost the entire town of Kent.  It is safe.  He loves it.  He is more excited than ever to be going away to school.

I only teared up twice.

Cleveland was nice enough.  To be honest, I was exhausted by the time we got there.  We stayed at the hotel on Saturday night and did not go out.  We did watch television and play UNO.  This is the view from our room:







I booked the room through Travelocity.  I have a feeling they set aside a few of the less desirable rooms for the Travelocity crowd.  The room itself was lovely and the hotel is gorgeous.  I would recommend it for anyone visiting Cleveland.  Just don't book the room through Travelocity.

posted by: loosestring at 07:31 | link | comments (1) |

A Fan Letter

Dear Eminem:

This morning on my drive into work I was enjoying your latest hit song.  I have to admit that I did not realize that this was an Eminem song at first listen.  I heard a snappy little tune encouraging me to "Shake That" and I started humming along.

I did not recognize this upbeat danceable song as yours because the last several songs you released were all in the strained-relationship-with-daughter vein.  They have been slower and less danceable in general.

I want to say that I have seen pictures of your daughter and she seems like a lovely young girl.  I am happy for you that you have a loving relationship with her.   I am sure there is a great deal of stress and worry in your life with regard to her welfare and well-being.  As a parent I know the guilt of feeling you have not done enough or well enough with regard to your children.   I am sure that the numerous songs that you have written about this subject are cathartic for you.  I am sure that it must feel good to put all of that anger and frustration and guilt down into words and then rap those words over a moody remix of a saccharine pop song.  .

There is this other fairly famous white guy who co-opted the black man's music to his advantage that I would like to tell you about.  His name is Eric Clapton.  You may have heard some of his hits like "Layla" or maybe even "Cocaine".  These were both big hits for him back in the '70's.  He even wrote some introspective ballads like "Wonderful Tonight".  Lots of people liked his music.  I am not his biggest fan but he was okay.  Then his young son fell out out of a highrise building window right here in Chicago.  Needless to say, he died.  And so Eric Clapton was filled with grief and anger and guilt.  So he wrote another song you may have heard called "Tears In Heaven".  People really liked this song.  They felt bad for Eric Clapton and his poor dead son.  But then it started to seem like every song he wrote was about his dead son.  It got a bit tiresome.  Even for the most devoted fan.

But back to what I was saying about "Shake That".   I would like to encourage you to write more of the slightly misogynistic yet danceable songs you do so well.   I am going to share a little secret with you.  I know I can trust you not to let anyone know I broke my vow of secrecy.  We middle-aged white women like the ass shaking songs.  More importantly we like the songs that remind us exactly what we are supposed to be doing while we are dancing.  Songs that make us think we might be sexy and maybe a little hip.  This is the secret behind the popularity of songs like "Brick House" among our demographic.  We like to have an extra glass of white zinfandel or another amaretto stone sour at the office party or a wedding and kick off our shoes so that we can hit the dance floor in our panty hose and shake our groove things.

With "Shake That" you have hit precisely the right tone.  It is a little bit Commodores and a little bit 50 Cent or Ludacris.  It has a catchy chorus with an easily repeatable exhortation to "shake that ass for me" so we will be able to sing along and shake our asses for you all at the same time.  The interim lyrics referencing girls that sit home in their underpants and wait for you to come home and never say no are just obscured enough so that we do not have to think about their meaning.  I will say though that we like to be given our own choice on the swallow or spit issue.

So, in closing I would just like to ask that you release at least a couple more of the dance songs before you begin detailing your new relationship with your ex-wife or how hard rehab was. It is not that we don't care.    We just want to shake our asses. Maybe you could just start a MySpace page and write all about the angst there. 

Sincerely,

Loose String

posted by: loosestring at 11:28 | link | comments (2) |

My television is my best friend

A report on what has been happening in my life (on television) lately.

The Soprano's - I was resistant to this show when it first came out.  Long(ish) story short - I worked for a coke addled freak who loved this show and talked about it non-stop.  So I was not open to finding anything good in it.  But then I stopped working for the coke addled freak and I slowly came around.  The only thing I don't like about the show is that Steve Buscemi was only on for the one season and they killed him off way too soon.  (I love Steve Buscemi).  The season opener was pretty good.  They sure don't hesistate to get right down to the violence.  I am a bit miffed that our local cable chose to run their "test of the emergency broadcast system" right in the last two minutes of the show.  (I tivo'd the later showing)

Big Love - This was pretty darned good.  I like the tone of it.  The way the family seems so sort of normal on the surface and even just normal day to day juxtaposed with the oddity of polygamy.  Also I like that there is a hierarchy of sorts in that the family out in the sticks living in the compound is considered crazy by the city family.  I like to see that sort of justification and rationalization at play.  I think that this show could turn out to be quite interesting.

Veronica Mars - There is finally a new episode tonight.  This show has been in re-runs for what seems like an eternity.  I love this show far too much.  I love it in that way that I used to scoff at "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" viewers  for.  I am way too invested in the characters and the story lines.  But I cannot recommend it enough.  Go, watch it now.

The Law & Orders - They finally came back after those damned Olympics and they are all in re-runs now.  That is wrong.  Very wrong.  Who do I talk to about this?

BBC America - All I have to say is thank God for this channel.  They have good shows that are just slightly more saucy than American TV.  They have a great rotation of shows on Monday nights.  All Mystery/Police shows and they have not disappointed me yet.  I think that they need to make a whole channel of shows starring Robson Green.  If they could throw in a little Don Gillet in I would be eternally grateful.  Thank you very much.

New seasons of Huff and Dog the Bounty Hunter are on the horizon. 

posted by: loosestring at 10:43 | link | comments (1) |

Add it up

One year, three hundred sixty five days, two hundred sixty seven posts.

One year ago today I began to write this little thing I call my blog.  Decided to over share.  To tell my story.  To join the herd.  It has been an interesting year.  Most years of my life have been interesting.  Many times way too interesting.  Euphemism.  Understatement.

The thing is that I have learned that no matter how interesting my life becomes I am somehow able to handle what comes my way.  Somewhere deep down inside there is a reserve of strength that I did not know I had.  I think sometimes I have decided what my breaking point is in advance.  Chosen what event, what circumstances, what change would be the last straw.  The point at which I would no longer be able to go on.  I find that I have set that bar fairly low.  It has been passed time and time again and I am still here.  Still going.

But back to the blog. 

Thank you to my loyal 3.5 readers.  Thank you for all of the comments and support and kindness and humor.  Thank you for giving me the daily reminder that there are great people with good hearts and wicked sly wit.  Thank you for listening to my drivel.

posted by: loosestring at 10:38 | link | comments (5) |

Are you now or have you ever been?

I have to be completely honest.  This Winter and the dreary weather and the drab days coupled with my insane schedule has kicked my ass.  I cannot decide if it was a wise choice to fill my schedule so very full during that point in the year that I am typically down.  It does give me something real to be exhausted by or about.  It does keep me focused on the task at hand.  One foot in front of the other.  And it leaves me very little time to whine or cry or fuss about how miserable I am.  Because I am busy.  Too busy to slow down and wallow.

That said, this morning I was walking out to my car past my very dormant front garden when I noticed a flash of yellow.  And when I looked I confirmed that it is indeed the first crocus of the season.  I had noticed the green shoots coming up but I thought it would be another week or so until we had actual flowers.  But I was wrong.  And happily so.  Because there are now officially flowers and growing things in my garden.  And that means that very soon there will be more growing things.  And before long I will be cutting fresh herbs and dining on the patio.  And all will be right with my world

This weekend I cooked.  I took requests.  Because I have not been doing a whole hell of a lot of cooking due to my crazy ass schedule.  But this Saturday I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes.  My son's favorite.  And we ate it sitting at the table with plates and serving bowls just like civilized people.  On Sunday I made a very hearty nine bean soup with italian sausage.  It is a crowd pleaser so I invited a small crowd.  Ex husband #2 and my stepson joined us.  I know it seems odd but we are a crazy mixed up mish mash of a family like that.

I woke up this morning in the middle of the strangest dream.  Little back story: T is a statistician/mathematician.  I don't fully understand what he does but it has to do with numbers and surveys and all kinds of figuring out things.  So, in my dream he was working on some sort of test that would allow scientists or behaviourists or some nosy people figure out the probability that a child will be gay.  It was to be a standard test administered at birth.  Sort of like that Apgar test.  I don't know why it was necessary.  I will have to ask if this is what he is working on.  Maybe I do understand what he does.

posted by: loosestring at 11:03 | link | comments (1) |

Cult-cher

I have to admit that my world has seemed a bit too small for reporting lately.  I don't do anything.  Ever.  Except go to work and school.  I am bored enough with this stuff and it is my life.

Yesterday was one of those days when tears are right below the surface just waiting to burst out.  Everything made me weepy or sad.  Everything.  Everything I read was about cancer or dying or puppies dying from cancer, or children being abused or neglected.  Too damned much.

I am feeling better today.  I think a little sleep and looking forward to whatever miniscule excuse of a weekend I will be having is helping.   Some sunshine could not hurt.  Would it kill the weather to work with me a little?

My head is all filled up with PhotoShop commands and the art of Ancient Greece and the reading, reading, reading.  I got no time for light happy conversation.

I would like to share with you an image that made my entire week.  I cannot explain how happy this made me or why except to say that I love a giant octopus.  If I ever get extravagantly wealthy I want to fill my house with every octopus artwork I can find.  Apparently I do have something in common with Ancient Greeks.

posted by: loosestring at 11:11 | link | comments (3) |

All over the place

I don't watch the Oscars.  Correction: I don't plan to watch the Oscars.  Because I am just not that interested in awards shows.  Usually if I end up watching them it is because there is nothing else on.  So, about 9:00 or so, I ended up turning on the Oscars.  I got to see the Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Movie awards.  These are pretty much the only ones I think about anyway.

I like Reese Witherspoon.  I know.  She seems nice.  I like nice.  I liked her in this movie.  My skepticism ran pretty high.  I did not think I would like this movie because I have opinions about the people portrayed.  I love me some Johnny and June.  But she was good.  I don't know if she was the best actress of 2005 but I liked her in this movie.  I like Philip Seymour Hoffman.  I like when not-traditionally-attractive people win these sorts of things.  Also, I liked Crash.  Quite a bit.  I know, I know, I know.  It was not the most original topic.  But I liked the way it was presented.  I liked that it made me uncomfortable.  I like that it was so grey.

The only regret I have about watching the Oscars is that I will now be walking around with that "It's Hard Out Here For A Pimp" song in my head for the next week.  I will find myself humming it or singing it while walking through the store.  It is a bit unseemly for a middle class woman from the suburbs.

I have finally finished my socks.  My very first ever socks:

These are very warm woolen socks knit by my own two hands.  I could not be prouder.  Please disregard the rather pasty white glimpse of calf.  I wish I could say that this is my Winter color but, alas, I am this same shade of ivory all year round.

Remember Friday?  Remember my list of happy things?  I said that it was sunny with a hint of Spring.  This was making me happy.  On Saturday I spent a few wistful moments looking over the garden and thinking about clearing out the dead stuff to make way for the growing stuff.  So, on Sunday it began to snow.  All day.  It is currently snowing and grey.  Once again I have been fooled by a little bit of sunshine.

My son and his girlfriend are going to the prom.  His girlfriend was over yesterday and we spent a bit of time looking at some dresses.  I have a couple of things to say:

1. Thank God I have a boy and we just have to rent a tux.

2.  Who the hell buys these whore-ish dresses for their teenaged daughter?

3.  They have whole magazines devoted to prom. Like the bride magazines.  What?

My latest guilty pleasure song is "Grillz" by Nelly.  My  favorite part is when they rhyme blurry and jewelry.

And, just because I love you all, here is a picture of Maggie trying to hide on our bed:

posted by: loosestring at 11:44 | link | comments (3) |

I forget what eight was for

You know that scene from Fast Times at Ridgemont High?  The one where Spicoli takes off his shoe and bonks himself in the head to demonstrate just how very baked he is?  That's me.  Minus the enjoyable illegal substances.  I am just like a hamster on a somewhat large wheel.  Or maybe two wheels.  One between work and home and one between school and home.  Sometimes I forget where I am headed when I get in my car.  But then I remember if it is light out and seems early it is work and if it getting dark and seems like I should be on the couch watching tv and knitting then it is school.

Really, really, really burnt out.

But the big news is Spring Break.  That's right, this coed is going to be going crazy wild in beautiful and tropically sunny Cleveland for Spring Break.  Three fun-filled, action-packed days of non-stop thrills.  Oh, and we might be visiting my son's college and we might be registering him for classes and acquainting him with the big town of Kent, OH.  On the other hand we will probably be going to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  It is, apparently, a must for the visitor to Cleveland.  I am adopting something of a Johnny Rotten attitude about the whole thing.  He is an twat but telling them to kiss his ass and keep their award is a thing of genius and madness and it makes me happy to know that the likes of The Sex Pistols won't end up in a little room with Bruce Springsteen or some such sacrilege.

Ah yes, I am a weird music snob sometimes.  It is okay for me.  I will try not to judge too harshly.  But here's the thing, I do judge. 

A couple of years ago, when I was a little more single, I started dating a guy.  He seemed like a nice enough guy if maybe a bit square.  He was a little older than me and he was an accountant.  I was trying hard not to hold that last bit against him.  We had gone out on a couple of dates and things were pleasant enough.  Then one day he needed a favor.  He needed me to drive his car home for him when he picked up his motorcycle from the dealer.  It was kind of an excuse to take me out to dinner.  But, when I was driving his car back to his place, I started flipping through the cd changer.  And there was some pretty mild stuff there.  Nothing offensive.  Appropriate for his age I guess.  But there was one thing that I could not overlook: Phil Collins Greatest Hits.  That is just unforgiveable.  It is one thing to hum along with a song on the radio or to have owned a Phil Collins album in the 80's because you were young and maybe under the influence of drugs but to have gone out and bought the Greatest Hits cd and put it in the changer and .....  I don't know.  It was just too much for me.  Because I was never going to be able to sit quietly in the car on a road trip and listen to Phil Collins and not want to kill myself.  So, we went out for dinner and I never went out with him again.  If that makes me shallow or harsh or judgemental then that is what I am.

Making me very happy right now - a list, in no particular order:

1. It is Friday and the afternoon and I have no where to be until 8:30 tomorrow morning.

2. The sun is shining and although it is still quite nippy there is a bit of the promise of Spring in the air.

3. The Arctic Monkeys.

4. Pretty, pretty yarn and visions of socks dancing in my head.

5. Watching Akira Kurosawa movies in my Thursday night class.

posted by: loosestring at 14:47 | link | comments (5) |

Crawling out from under my rock to update

Last week was a lovely week of having my boss on vacation.  Somewhat peaceful.  This week I have been surrounded by accountants.  My little office has been filled with nerdy guys punching numbers into calculators and asking for invoices, tax payments, payroll records and any number of other pieces of paper.  This is the last day.  My nerves cannot take much more of this.  They are all sitting behind me and I have a very jumpy nature when it comes to having strangers looking over my shoulder.

Then I got the headache from hell.  I only get about one migraine a year and this one has been a doozy.  The only thing I can think of that triggered it is stress.  Not a shadow of  chance of my being able to avoid stress over the next couple of months.  I am doomed.

My photo project was well-received.  I was all ready to go for Monday night.  Then when the instructor showed up I found out the due date had been pushed back to Wednesday.  I took advantage of the extra time to re-shoot some stuff and I think that the final shots that I chose were better than the first ones.  Of course, there was this awkward moment on Monday when I announced that I would be going home to work on my project.  The instructor got a bit pissy with me even though the lab time is optional.  I puzzled over this for most of Tuesday.  You see, I am a bit of a people pleaser.  And he did not seem pleased.  I'll admit that some of the reason I do not go to his class regularly is because he is kind of boring.  But mostly I don't go when it is optional or something that I could do at home.  And because my schedule is hectic as hell.  And suddenly I realized that he had no clue about my schedule or why I was not coming to class.  It could seem disrespectful or snotty.  So, I had a little talk with him on Wednesday and gave him the breakdown of my workload and assured him that my non-attendance was not meant to be disrespectful.  And he was pleased.  Mission accomplished.  Also, he said that he misses my "thoughtful input" when I am not in class.  Almost back on track for teacher's pet.

In other news, papers have been written, tests taken and socks knit. 

My first pair of socks - which I have not been writing about because I wanted to post a picture - are finished except for the seam at the toe.  They are beautiful.  I have already begun the next pair.  A more complicated design/pattern.  Because.

posted by: loosestring at 13:00 | link | comments (2) |