Red

My saturday morning ramblings uncovered these gems...

2009-09-05T05:25:00.006-10:00

2006: Japanese researchers debuted a robot able to identify dozens of different wines, cheeses and hors d'oeuvres using an infrared spectrometer. Neato, right? Then at the end of the article...

"Some of the mistakes it makes would get a human sommelier fired — or worse.
When a reporter's hand was placed against the robot's taste sensor, it was identified as prosciutto. A cameraman was mistaken for bacon."

A weird article redeemed by implied canibalism.
Read the full story here.

Ok... I keep finding fun articles, so I'm gonna post some more:
No need for sugar and cream today

Curious Expeditions, so glad I found this one

Blood Falls

The Great Molasses Flood of Boston

Banana Apocolypse

for fun

2009-08-28T13:39:00.002-10:00

1 minute, 13 seconds

I'm Baack

2009-08-24T14:44:00.000-10:00

He he... and you all probally thought I'd never be back

No Internet = No Bloggin

2008-09-04T08:31:00.002-10:00

Sorry folks, the internet has been shut off here, until today! I'll try to make a better effort to blog more often, it's just some shit has hit the fan and I've got to move again! This time it's just across town, and it isn't for a couple more weeks. By Halloween I should be all happy and settled in to my new apartment. Ahh... the life of the wicked...

7 days, 6 states

2008-06-18T08:54:00.005-10:00

I made it to Illinois. During the car ride, I figured out that I occupied space in 6 different states in 7 days, weird what one will think of with some 19 hours of driving. So, I left Hawaii last Tuesday, flew to Oregon (Wensday), then Colorado, left Colorado on Sunday, and drove through Kansas, Misouri, and got to Illinois on Monday night.

It was fairly uneventful travel, my plane to Denver was canceled due to a lighting strike, so I ended up spending 6 hours in the Portland airport. All the packing went well, pretty much everything I wanted fit into the car. I did run into a hitch crossing the Mississippi River on Monday night, the bridge I wanted to cross was closed due to flooding, so I had to drive 30 miles north to one that was open.

So, I've been settling in a bit, looking in the paper for jobs and rooms for rent... ahhh... soo much fun... I am glad to be back, mainly because everything is so reasonable here... food... housing... etc, today I found a pretty decent sewing table for $10, it even fit in my car.

Well, enough babble... time for wine!

1

2008-06-09T23:05:00.002-10:00

today was my last full day in Hawaii. I wrapped some boxes and labeled them but didn't get all of them finished (I've accumulated so much crap!). I had errands to run and then Supermadchen came over in the afternoon. We bought a plate lunch and ate at White Plains beach, I took some photos (will post them later, cord is packed) and gathered a bit of sand for A. Altogether, it was a lovely day. I will miss this place.

2

2008-06-08T18:52:00.003-10:00

Holy Carp! Two days left! I finally finished my packing today, a shame because it was a beautiful day and I was stuck inside shoving things into my bags : ( Now to finish wrapping all my boxes : ( No rest for the wicked!

Last night's dinner was nice, got some good pics of me and the crew, so I'm happy. Other than that, the day was uneventful, no strange monsters grabbed me, so I can't complain. I have to say that I'm glad that the day is almost here, it's tough waiting and waiting and waiting. I am sad to leave Hawaii, but I'm glad to be going to a place where things are more affordable. This way, I won't have to work until the second I drop dead, I will be able to have free time with friends and family, I might actually own a house. I will miss my bro, my friends here, the ocean, all the crazy plants, all the beautiful half-naked guys, the mountains...

3

2008-06-07T11:12:00.002-10:00

days left in Hawaii, and my last day at work. Tonight everyone at the shop is going to have dinner together, I hope to get some pics of everybody because I have a surprise for them, but I need a good picture and some time to make them. I wanted to make them all a thank you for putting up with me gift.

My tattoos are great! I'm so happy with them! I'll try to get some pics of my back soon, but it might be after the healing process, 'cuz I can't take good pics of my own back, it just too ackward. I love how it turned out, exactly the way I pictured it would, all strange and platey looking.... you'll see...

Well, off to go get ready for the last day!

4

2008-06-06T23:52:00.005-10:00

days and counting...

Today was a busy one, so no time to pack or prepare for my journey. I jumped out of bed to drive my boss to the NEX and to work, what should have taken an hour took two instead. Traffic combined with construction doesn't mix well. We grabbed some paper towels for the shop and went into town, hitting some congestion, but it wasn't bad. Ate some lunch, which settled my upset stomache. Then I was tattooed for the next 2 1/2 hours, I read a little bit of HP #5 while being tattooed. M and I rushed off to her passion party, complete with an erect penis cake (I couldn't stop giggling about it... it was too funny!). Played some silly games, got a silly name, and saw some toys. Now, I'm showered and ready for bed and hoping the ink from my tattoo doesn't get all over my sheets.

More tomorrow... Good night!

5

2008-06-05T10:37:00.002-10:00

Not too different from yesterday, I hope to get something productive done tonight, there's a mounting to-do list! I did get something awesome yesterday... my sea horse! Vin and I dubbed him Sheldon.

6

2008-06-04T10:45:00.003-10:00

more days until my plane leaves. Last time I was waiting for a plane to take me somewhere, I was thrilled, a new adventure for lil ole me. This time, I'm not expirencing a new adventure. I'm going to a very familiar place that I tried to escape for years. I had that, I'm moving and never coming back mentality that all teenagers seem to have, and here I am returning to the place I strived to get out of forever. Why? because it's home to me. I've come to the realization that I just never really gave Illinois a chance, call it teenage angst or whatever you wish but that's what it is to me. Of course, I say that now, trying to play Pollyanna and think positive about this move, but I really l hope to find some happiness there and find some place to put some roots down. Ugh... now to finish packing! I have a stack of boxes that need to be taped and addressed and my checked bags need to be packed as well. At least I still have 6 more days...

7

2008-06-03T10:08:00.002-10:00

One week left here on the island, and what do I get to do? Work. I had wensday and thursday off, days I was going to use to finish packing and hang out with Supermadchen, but my boss' mum called in, and so I get to work them. So now, the days that I was going to use for play, can't be, oh well... I've been trying to get some stuff done after work, as I'm useless in the mornings, but I still feel the need to keep the house somewhat clean, ugh... neverending task lists...

On a brighter note, I'm hoping to get my seahorse tattoo any day now!

8

2008-06-02T11:37:00.003-10:00

more days 'til I'm leaving Hawaii. I'm sad to be leaving, but hopefully this will all work out in the end. I've been packing my boxes to ship and now I'll have to start packing my bags. I've got two tattoo appointments this week, so I should have a super happy fun time sitting on the plane with crusty, flaking tattoos. Crap, the suckiness that is moving.

Pics

2008-05-27T15:52:00.004-10:00

Gecko

1/2 of my new stripey socks

My crocheted granny square blanket

New Camera

2008-05-24T20:52:00.004-10:00

Thank that lovely little plastic card in my wallet, 'cuz I've finally joined the digital age! I bought a new camera today, the one I had in Colorado was crap and the one here crapped out. Once I get the software uploaded (need bro to provide the admin codes), I'll delight you all with some lovely new pics.

3 Migranes and 4 Sleeplessness Nights later

2008-05-14T01:51:00.003-10:00

I never used to have these problems with stress when I was younger, things pretty much rolled off my back. I don't know if getting older changes your body and hormones so that stress effects you differently, but that seems to be the case with me.

I've been planning my return to Illinois. I know it may seem weird to some, but that's where I'm going next. Some may say that I'm stupid, leaving paradise for corn, but that's what is happening. I love the ocean, I love the mountains here, I love living in Hawaii, but I can't stand the freaking traffic and all the people. At the least, I'm going to be living in a smaller town, where people are unfriendly and are constantly 'keeping up with the Joneses'. At the best, I'm going back to some of my school chums, who miss me dearly, and the place I grew up in and know like the back of my hand. It is cheaper to live there as well, so one day, I might actually own a home and yadda yadda yadda. I am not able to bring my cat, as of yet, but I hope that he will join me soon. I feel irresponsible not being able to take him with me, but I am hoping that my bro can ship him to me later or that bro will come and visit and bring the cat. Only time will tell...

Ultimately, I'm hoping that all will work out for the best, and that Fate and Karma will show me that they aren't complete bitches.

Decisions

2008-05-04T11:13:00.002-10:00

I have to decide: mango or corn, mountains or hills, ocean or that stinky-ass lake, large or small city... and the list goes on. The largest decision that I need to make is: do I really enjoy living in such a large city? how long do I really want to have to plan my whole day around traffic?

I kinda have the country girl thing going on, not live-in-the-middle-of-the-woods country (yet). And quite honestly, I've never lived in such a large city before I moved here. Which suprises most people who've met me here. I've always wanted to live on some land with a couple of food animals, some sheep, and a large garden. I wonder how feasible that is here in Hawaii (somewhere like kauai, a bit less populated)? Mainly because I'm not a people person. I don't like a large amount of people around me all the time... hmmm...

I also have been feeling rock fever. If there was no traffic, I could drive around the whole island in 5 or 6 hours... and end in the same spot I started. That is such a weird feeling. I'm stuck here in the middle of the ocean on a big huge rock, what the hell was I thinking?

So Sad

2008-05-02T14:42:00.002-10:00

I've got to move, I was really upset the night I was told (hence the last post), and I'm trying to work out if I can still stay here in Hawaii. There is a slim chance I can, but if I can't I'll be headed off to Illinois again and trying to make my life work out there. I'm planning on taking my cat, even though it will make the trip way more challenging and expensive, and yes I'm weird and stupid for wanting to take him, I realize that. One reason why I'm so upset is the fact that I was planning on attending courses at the University of Hawaii next spring or training to become a doula, or doing both. And working 60 hours a week isn't feasible for either of those options, for varying reasons (can we say 'zombie brain' due to lack of sleep!).

I'm also really sad about this move, especially if I leave the island, I convinced Supermadchen to come out here and will leave her behind, and I am loosing a close relationship with my friend and boss, M. I haven't made too many friends, but I was really starting to see Hawaii as a home and was digging all the beautiful hiking options out here. I'll definately miss all the beautiful half-naked beach boys!

So, once again, Fate kicks me in the arse to wake me up. And once again, I must re-start myself with the help of a trusty plastic friend I was trying to pay off. Well, at least I'll be able to recycle a hell of a lot easier! (Has anyone else noticed how hard it is to recycle things other than the deposit bottles in Hawaii? The recycling infrastructure out here is very sad...)

I feel...

2008-05-01T01:09:00.002-10:00

unloved, unwanted, betrayed, unappreciated, slightly drunk, and a bit depressed.

Dear Uterus,

2008-04-30T22:01:00.002-10:00

I know we have had many ups and downs togther and I realize that I don't appreciate you enough. I do not, however, appreciate you being late with certain appointments and freaking me the fuck out because you were so late. You could have called! What if you were dead laying in a ditch somewhere? What am I supposed to do then? Anyways, I love you regardless. Please don't let it happen again.

Sincerely,
Red

Oh How I Wish...

2008-04-23T20:35:00.007-10:00

life was simple and I could do whatever I wanted. But, alas, it isn't. Life always seems to have it's ups and downs, right now, I'm trying to claw my way back up that mountain to the peak. Hopefully, I can have a little peace and quiet once I'm there. Blahhh....

Anyway, I'm currently working on two crochet baby blankets, one is using the Chromium Star pattern. The other is a basic granny square, five row squares all in the same color, to be sewn up later. Still working on the hexagon granny for my bro and a granny square for myself. There is some knitting going on, a sweater that I haven't touched in months, I hope to work on that pretty soon. I haven't been posting pics of my projects because the camera farted out on me, so I have to wait (and remember) and ask Supermadchen to borrow hers.

Here's a kitty and puppy pic (taken the first week we got the dog)...

She's (the dog) much bigger now, about 20 lbs. The cat has grown too but he gained all his weight around the middle (he's on new food now, so hopefully some of that excess weight will go). They still really love to lay on our slippers or our feet, weirdos.

Yea!!!

2008-04-22T21:28:00.002-10:00

I hate to say it, but woohoo! my parental units are finally gone! I love them to death, but they could have left a lot sooner. The stress levels in the house were sky high with them here. Even with all the stress, we did have a couple of good days. We went to Queen Emma's Summer Palace, then we walked down the old Pali highway and finished up with a dinner at Bob's friends house, that was a nice time. They did have some fun at the beach when we went camping. Most of the time, they nit-picked and were indesisive (Bob gave me shit for trying to wear my 'Everybody loves a Menstruating Girl' t shirt), they had no preference as to what we did and then they never really enjoyed themselves because they actually wanted to do something else. That's why we humans have language and tongues, if you want to do something in particular, then say something and don't make your daughter choose when you are the ones visiting. Especially when she gives you three or four options for the day.

I had a great time camping, once the parents left. There were only three women, we talked about life, cooked on the fire, walked on the beach and swam in the ocean. On Sunday, Supermadchen and I saw four honu (sea turtles), part of a dead eel, a couple of jellys washed up on the beach, and a dead humuhumunukunukuapua'a (the state fish) during a long walk on the beach. It was a beautiful walk but there was tons of trash on some of the beaches we walked through, it's a shame that people don't put trash or recycleables in their proper spots. It amazes me how just how much trash there is all over this beautiful island, of course, most of the stuff on the beach washes up there but that's still no excuse!

I also found out last week that one of my friends had a baby boy. So I've got some cute baby stuff to make for her. I wish she would have told me before he popped out... oh well... he's a cutie with tons of hair. And I mean tons! Now I'm off to work on his blankie. Later!

So Little Time

2008-04-17T23:27:00.004-10:00

and almost no mischief making for me. I've been giving my parents a tour of the island, between shifts at the shop, cleaning the house and trying to keep from totally PMS-ing out on everyone. It gets kinda rough to be nice when all you want to do is scream and rip people's heads off. At least it's a temporary thing... the PMS... I hope... sometimes it just won't go away for a couple of months, that heads-are-gonna-roll feeling. Maybe it's just stress. Sometimes, I just love being a woman ; )

On Monday, I finally went to the Polynesian Cultural Center. I was dissapointed. I thought it was going to actually tell me about the cultures in the area but I was mistaken. It wasn't really as educational as I hoped, mainly just presentational. There were a couple of houses that one could walk through with artifacts (most being recreations) but nothing was really explained. No this was ___ and it was used in this manner for this reason. Just a bunch of people saying aloooooha (which is super annoying) and explaining how taro was processed, or showing a dance or playing the drums. It may have been more fun when I was in grade school or if I wasn't an anthro buff.

Also, this weekend, I learned that G was involved in a motorcycle accident. He was squished in between a concrete barrier and a SUV. He's ok but his right hand has several compound fractures. I called him and let him know that if he needed help, I would try to accomodate him, 'cuz that's what friends are for. He has taken this act of friendship and run away with it. He's hoping to be my boyfriend again (which won't be happening any time soon) and has told me this several times already. He's calling and sending texts at least 4 times a day. Now, I have to have another talk with him and tell him, I'm a friend and will never be anything more than a friend. Once again, I'm a mean spiteful scorpion woman (whichs is odd because I'ma Leo)... boys...*sigh*

Thank the gods I'm going camping this weekend. That isn't going as planned either but I'm adapting, albeit slowly. My bro isn't going, so I'll have to be the firebug and keep the fire lit and ready for cooking, and try and figure out how to shove 3 people and most of the camping gear into a Honda Accord.

No, Eyeballs Don't Really Pop Out...

2008-04-08T21:44:00.004-10:00

its more of a fall out thing. Yesterday, I thought that my eye was going to pop out of its socket. It probally would have felt better too, if it had. I had a wonderful migrane yesterday, complete with some lungs being hacked out (a lovely reminder of the cold I've been dealing with as of late). At least if my eye would have come out, it wouldn't have gone too far. The optic nerve isn't too long and it would have just sat on my cheeck until it was placed back into the socket, yeah for optic nerves! And speaking of eyes popping out, did you know that John Astin had his eye pop out on him. I'm thinking it might have been a trick that he did, but I don't remember where I heard that, so I could just be blowing some smoke here.

Anyway, I'm feeling better. My mum and step-dad are coming to visit on Thursday, so that should be interesting. I hope that they don't wake me up too often, as I'm kinda a night owl and they'll still be on Colorado time (a 5 hour difference for those who care) and they tend to be up around 7 or 8 there. Ugh... I can't imagine getting up that early if I don't have to, screw the butt-crack of dawn, I'd rather stay up and sleep in 'til 9 or 10. Ahh... living the kid-free life ; )

Oh that's right... I have animals. Which means that I get to clean up all kinds of gross stuff and they bother me when I'm trying to sleep off a migrane. They look so cute and innocent, until their barfing up the squeaky toy or yarn they just ate.

Anyone want Brains?

2008-04-05T11:21:00.001-10:00

Like mine for example. I'm tired of feeling the feelings I've been feeling lately. I don't know how to fix myself and it frustrates me. I haven't been wanting to do anything, even the stuff I used to enjoy and I don't enjoy the things I used to as much. I just want to sit in my box and do nothing in particular. It's boring, sad and lonely and I really don't want to be here anymore (this state of feeling). Maybe I just need to go out and paint the town red but I just don't have the money to do so. Agghhh....

All this and my mum and step-dad are coming out for a visit next week (a ten day visit!). I love them dearly but they sure do get on my nerves quickly.

Ahhh... Brains...

2008-03-29T22:00:00.002-10:00

zombie need brains... agghhh....cough cough cough

yup, sick again! I'm not too happy about it. It started up on Thursday before my tattoo. So I had PMS (all aches and pains in my back and hips) and sickness, not to mention the fact that I was getting a cover up and it ends up right above the crack of my arse. Yup, that's right, go figure, the crack of your arse isn't a very comfortable spot to get tattooed in (and weirdly enough it's not because it's the crack of your arse, it's because the machine vibrates your pelvis and then pain shoots down into your legs - or maybe that's just the arthitis, I'm not sure). So, during my appointment, I'm all coughs and funny faces with a couple of 'stop right now's thrown in for good flavor. So now, I'm trying to keep my tattoo from rubbing on anything while it's smeared with smutz and I'm trying to keep warm, I've finally figured it all out except all my house mates have to see a quarter moon every time I walk away. I'll post a pic later when I feel better than a walking zombie.

I've tryed to lay down for a nap several times today and I couldn't sleep. I'm even having a hard time working on my knitting and crochet projects (I'm not even typing well, but that's what the delete key is for ; ) I'm started to get bored and I can't do anything about it because I get wicked headrushes and eye pain when I do anything too quick. I think I'm just going to medicate myself and try to go to sleep, again.

Pictures!

2008-03-23T14:25:00.004-10:00

A couple of reasons why I've been so busy...

I made some felt easter eggs for my work mates, they were well received. The pattern (of sorts, I have a hard time following a pattern exactly) can be found in The Anticraft book and is by Future Girl (aka Alice Merlino).

And a couple of pics from a hike with Supermadchen and Harlot

And here's my silly kitty cat

Rockabilly + Beer = Fun

2008-03-16T12:36:00.004-10:00

I raised a little hell with Supermadchen last night. After work we went to a show and saw the Hell Caminoes, a local rockabilly band. It was a good time and we cut a couple of rugs. I was happy just having a good friend to let my hair down with, and of course, down a couple of beers with awesome company.

On the guy front... not too good. Guy friend and I had a talk, in which he called me some hurtful names, which then re-inforced the fact that I really didn't want to date him. The next day he acted like we were still together, which re-confirmed the fact that he never really listened to anything I said. So, Friday I had a second talk and I broke it off, again. Men! Why do they have to act like little boys? Now I'm thinking about putting up an ad on craigslist or something, I'm just not sure if I want to go that route or not. Quite a few of my co-workers have had luck with posting ads and that's what they recommend for shy gals like me... hrm...

Ahhhh...

2008-03-11T15:37:00.003-10:00

I just noticed that I was tagged for a book meme by Stephanie at Stop the Ride, Thanks! I'm horrible, I haven't been good at keeping up on the blog thing lately (reading or writing). Sooooo... without further delay... Take the book nearest to you turn to page 123, go to the fifth sentence, and type the next three. I'm currently re-reading "Dracula" by Bram Stoker, and it's illustrated by Edward Gorey; one of my favorite books, illustrated by one of my favorite artists.
"Hold! a moment. I may take it, sir, that you are anxious of results. Then bring it with you that in all ways the operation is successful."
Thanks again for the tag Stephanie, I'm sorry I didn't get to it sooner! I'll tag people next blog 'cuz I feel a little weird today.

I'm Not Mean, I Swear

2008-03-11T15:04:00.002-10:00

I've been in a bad mood lately, with a mix of blues and sickness. I'm not sure why but I think it may have something to do with guy friend. I decided to disentangle myself from him. He's trying to be more serious than I wish him to be and he doesn't see eye to eye with me on some really important topics (mainly things like religion, marriage and abortion, you know the light-hearted topics we all enjoy). He really wants a serious commitment out of me, and I've been leaning towards the 'lets just be friends' thing. I don't think I'm being unreasonable, but he seems to think that I'm being a super-bitch. Oh well... you can't always get what you want...

Bad Me...

2008-03-08T21:43:00.002-10:00

Once again I've been really really bad about blogging.

I've had quite a bit on my plate as of late. Mainly getting a knitting pattern and sample knitted for The Sanguine Gryphon (I'll let you know when it's out and ready for purchase). I've also been working weird hours and trying to spend some time with Supermadchen (who's visiting for an undetermined amount of time). All the while keeping the house neat and tidy, the animals happy and clean, and trying to spend time with an increasingly needy (and annoying) guy friend. Too much to do and so little time...

OK, Number Nine Doesn't Apply Anymore

2008-02-21T23:33:00.003-10:00

On Friday I decide to have the piercer choose how he wanted to pierce my ear. He went with one barbell going vertically through the cartilage, rook and conch (the balls are on the back of my ear). It looks great, but my blood sugar was so low that I passed out after he went through my conch. I pretty much knew what was happening but everything was okey dokey, Ro's an experienced piercer and I trusted him to take care of me. Supermadchen told me afterwards 'I won't be doing THAT anytime soon'. Yeah...

I've Been a Bad Red...

2008-02-09T22:22:00.000-10:00

and neglected my blog. Supermadchen tagged me with a meme, so maybe this useless information will settle any bad thoughts.

10 weird, random things, facts, habits or goals about me. I'll keep this non-crafty because, most of the time, that's all I ever think and talk about.
1. I love to talk about bodily functions, secretions, and noises. If my body (or someone elses) does I'll talk about it, usually at a loud volume and in a public place. I embarass people around me but, weirdly enough, I will often have a random stranger that will join in the conversation too. And let's face it our bodies do some weird things.
2. I use a menstrual cup (and love it!) and love to educate anyone who will listen about alterntive menstrual products. See, I'm not kidding about #1.
3. I'm a pesco-ovo-lacto vegetarian, not because I think it's wrong to eat meat but because the hormones in non-organic meat give me roid rage. I do make exceptions for organic meats, my favorite animals to eat are elk and lamb.
4. I don't cook. Cooking for me is turning the oven on for my cheese pizza or boiling water for pasta.
5. I love baking, ususally anything sweet but I also enjoy making the occasional loaf of bread.
6. I love tattoos and piercings, in fact, I love them so much, I work in a tattoo shop. I'm currently planning out a cover-up with my boss and should be getting tattooed in the next couple of weeks. I also have tattoos planned out for both my arms and my legs. I'm also hoping to get 5 subdermal anchors on my chest.
7. I want to go back to school soon and get a degree in biology. That way, I can sit around looking in a microscope at slides of human tissues.
8. I love driving a manual transmission, I've driven one since my first car, 12 years ago.
9. I will pass out every time I donate blood or have had blood drawn, but I've never passed out because of a tattoo or piercing.
10. I was a art model for a 1 1/2 when I lived in Colorado. I loved it and was probally one of my favorite jobs. One day, I'll check into modeling here as well... when I get some time... and feel like it (get off my lazy ass and actually do it, is more like it!).
And a bonus, because I'm a bad blogger
11. I love reading. New books, books I've read hundreds of times, it doesn't matter. I will stay up to 2 or 3 because I'm reading a good book and just can't put it down. I would rather die than face a life with no books to read.

I'm supposed to tag 10 people with this meme, but I'm feeling kinda lazy, soooo.... if you're reading this and want to share, consider yourself tagged!

The Sickness has Released my Brain

2008-02-03T10:17:00.000-10:00

One reason for the lack of posts lately has been a pretty nasty cold/flu thing. It sucked the brain tissue out of my head and spit it across the street, where I was unable to find the strength to go and retrieve it. I'm not exactly sure how my brain got back into my skull but one day I woke up and could actually think, my fever had broken and the phelgm had drained just enough for cognitive thought. So, basically, I feel just about normal now, or as normal as I'm gonna get.

Another reason why I've been so absent is I'm working on another design for the Sanguine Gryphon. It's coming along well, I just wish that I hadn't left my fairy wand in Colorado because I wish I could make more free time for myself. Eh, I'll figure everything out in time, I always do.

Now, I gotta dash off to work and meet the new artist, I hope he's not a pud.

Amazing What a Little Fresh Air Can Do

2008-01-23T11:41:00.000-10:00

It's been a sad week around the island. Not only has there been a baby murdered, two women lost their lives to abusive men. I've been feeling depressed because of all the violence in the air.

But... After camping this weekend, I feel much better. I was able to let the ocean breeze and rain take away some of my frustrations, some of my sadness over the state of humans these days. I sat on the beach and watched the ocean waves in the moonlight... for hours. It was a good healing weekend, the salt air, the smoke, the ocean singing me to sleep. I even had my own menstruation 'hut' (read: tent).

Now that I'm in a better mood, the world and all of her people need to co-operate and not do anything vile like last week.

My Thursday Sucked...

2008-01-17T21:19:00.000-10:00

thanks to one sick fucker. Actually sick doesn't even begin to describe it, I hope he rots for what he did to that baby.

Beautful Day of Biking

2008-01-06T20:17:00.000-10:00

Today, new guy (G), bro, M and I went for a motorcycle ride around the island. We were complete goof-balls most of the time, but mainly, we enjoyed a gorgoeus day in Hawaii. We were on the bikes for about six hours today! So, my arse is completely sore but it was worth it, I got to cuddle up close all day to one of the most amazing guys I've met in years. It didn't rain on us at all, just drove through some bug swarms (which was a little gross), ate some good food, had some shave ice, and saw some beautiful scenery. I shot some footage, but it really didn't turn out all that well 'cuz it's hard to hold a camera steady on a moving bike. We'll see if it's post-worthy later. Now to clean up bug guts and rub me arse until I get the feeling back.

Ugghhh...

2008-01-04T00:08:00.000-10:00

thank the gods that it's a new day. Yesterday (read: ten minutes ago) was pretty bad. Just one thing after another, good thing for new guy friend and great hugs ; )

I Met Someone

2007-12-27T12:49:00.000-10:00

Finally! He seems to be very honest and forth-right, he's goofy and can make me smile, and he's got a brain! We went for a ride on his bike yesterday, it was great to have such nice company, the rain couldn't even dampen my spirits. We're supposed to go out next week and hike in the mountains, yea someone that wants to show me the Island and not all the bars ; )

While You're Shopping for Your Loved Ones...

2007-12-18T15:08:00.000-10:00

think about the people who are starving all across the world and do something about it. I stumbled across the Free Rice website via Tiny Choices . You can donate grains of rice by playing a simple vocabulary game. Its fun, you may just learn something, make your brain work for a bit, and you help people in the process! How could you not play?? The game is funded by the ads at the bottom, so when you give a right answer, 20 grains of rice are donated to the United Nations World Food Program to help end world hunger. So go and help feed some starving people!!

Holiday Scarf

2007-12-15T22:47:00.003-10:00

Heres' a pattern for a scarf that I'm making for a holiday gift exchange. It's reversible, simple and a quick knit. I'm using Knitpicks color your own, I've dyed it with acid dyes in tones of red and brown. If you want to enlarge/reduce the pattern it's a multiple of 4 plus 2. Please note that this pattern hasn't been tested, so if there are any mistakes, drop me a line and let me know.

Approximately 7 x 60 (or desired length)
US 8
CO 38
k 2 rows even
1: k3, yo, k2 *p4, k2, yo, k2* k1
2: k1 *p5, k4* p5, k1
3: k6 *p4, k5* k1
4, 5, 6, 7, 8: repeat last 2 rows
9: k3, drop st, k2 *p2, yo, p2, k2, drop st, k2* k1
10: k1 *p4, k5* p4, k1
11: k5 *p5, k4* k1
12, 13, 14, 15, 16: repeat last 2 rows
17: k3, yo, k2 *p2, drop st, p2, k2, yo, k2* k1
repeat rows 2-17 until desired length (*edited to add* on the very last row, drop the stitches but do not yo, there should be 38 sts)
k 2 rows even
BO

*edited to add*
On rows 9 & 17, after a stitch is dropped, unravel it to the yo.
Thanks to Jeanius for spotting the mistake on row 10.

Holy Crap...

2007-12-12T10:37:00.000-10:00

my boss is moving to Guam. She informed me yesterday that she may be moving, and after a call from her boyfriend last night, it's offical. It's gonna be weird not to have her to answer questions, and that means people are going to be asking me... crap.

Thai Silk and Tractors

2007-12-06T11:58:00.000-10:00

Bro came back from a mission about a week ago and brought me back some Thai silk brocade! I haven't gotten a chance to take pics until today, albeit horrible ones. It's beautiful stuff, the ones with flowers on it are brocade and hand loomed, the dragon panel is light and machine made (it isn't brocade). I don't have a clue what I'm gonna make with them, but as I only get one chance to sew it, I wanna make sure I don't fuck it up.

Yesterday, I saw a pretty weird sight. It was an octopus driving a tractor! I hailed him down and took a pic and then he chased the dog in the tractor. Let me tell you, he was a really bad driver even with all those arms!

Then I found this funny song. It may not be about a tractor, but it's still funny.

And here's an awesome photo of a native Hawaiian plant that's in bloom. I don't remember the name of it right now.

New Books!

2007-12-05T11:08:00.000-10:00

I recently purchased some new crafting books, The Anticraft and the Readers Digest Guide to Sewing, and I'm super happy with them. I could have had some books shipped from my vast library in Colorado, but I wanted a book dedicated just to sewing and I didn't have anything like that before. The Anticraft book was just for fun, and the fact that FutureGirl had a couple of cool patterns inside. The sewing guide will definately come in handy, as it covers a ton of information and will help when I have to do complicated patterns or techniques that I;ve only done a couple of times, it has good illustrations as well. Anticraft was a fun purchase for me and will be great for inspiration and fun projects (I must do the headless bunny egg!). All-in-all I'm glad I bought them, I'm always so nervous about buying craft books off the internet because you can't look through them first.

Pictures (Finally!)

2007-11-27T12:59:00.000-10:00

I found the camera cord in the linen closet while I was looking for tape. Yup. And now the last couple of months pics...

My octopus tattoo finished... it's hard to see because of the way it wraps around my wrist. Here is the first part, I will eventually get some better pics, it's hard to hold your arm in funny positions and take pictures.

A hemp sweater I'm working on... kinda.

The kitty, Striefen.

The bro's granny hexagon blanket, it's much larger now.

The puppy, Harlot.

Harlot & Striefen

A Sphinx Moth

That's it for now, I think I've caught you all up. Although, I wish I would have thought to take a pic of the centipede I killed last night. It crawled up onto the back of my ankle while I was pinning the hem of some shorts. I looked down and dropped everything, shaking my foot around to make sure it wasn't still on me as I danced over to the sink to grap the bug spray. The whole while yelling at the animals to stay away from it, as the sting can kill animals and children. Icky expirience, especially because it was seven or eight inches long, ewww, and it-was-on-my-foot.

The Tale of the Sewing Machine

2007-11-25T11:01:00.000-10:00

Recently, I asked my mum to ship my sewing machine out to me. It is perfect for me: it's ugly, it's quirky, and it's outdated, but most importantly, it's easy to fix when problems occur. No computer chips to go sour, to plastic to chip and crack, it's made of metal and built to last. So what am I bitching about? Well...my mum packed the box well, but didn't pack the inside of the sewing machine case well. So... the machine (all fifty-four lbs of it) was free to bounce around inside a dryed-out pine box covered in old fabric-tape.

I can deal with the box being fricked up, I don't have to have my machine inside it to sew, and bro may be able to fix some of the damage. What I saw was a bent bolt. The machine had been shipped sideways (grrr...) and it must have laid on that side on the way over bouncing and jiggling, slowly bending the bolt that controls my stitch width. I almost cried when I saw it.

Bro stepped over, he looked at it and started to take my machine apart. After a bit, the bent bolt was out and he was trying to figure out where we could go get a new one. I found a couple of potential stores, but bro couldn't leave... he was on standby and had to be ready to leave at any minute. I had to go to work and wasn't sure if I could find the store and get to work on time. So he bent it back. it worked, it's a bit harder to turn (because the threads were damaged) but it still turns and that's what counts.

So... don't ever let someone else ship your sewing machine because if want something done right, do it yourself.

I am Thankful for...

2007-11-22T10:23:00.000-10:00

my family, living in paridise with my bro, my animals (bro got a puppy on Friday), my work environment, all the wonderful people I've shared my life with, all the horrible people I've shared my life with, my sewing machine, my talents, books, beer, wine, sniffing baby's heads, all the beautiful and happy people here in Hawaii, people who drive aloha, my health, the health of friends and family... and many more things I can't recall.

As mentioned above, bro got a puppy on Friday. Her name is Harlotte, I call her Worm Butt. She had tapeworms when we got her, that's been fixed but I still like Worm Butt (mainly because he calls my cat Shark Bait). She hasn't been feeling well after the de-worming and shots but that's been solved too, and now bro's off on another mission, so I get to pick up puppy poo (yeah... can you hear the excitement?) Anywho, she's supposedly German Shepard and Pug, she looks like a tiny little German Shepard with a curly tail and shorter snout. No ugly pugness about her (sorry pug fans, I think that they're ugly and freaky... those buggy eyes and snotting and snorting, ick!). She and I are going to a Thankgiving day celebration in town this afternoon, that should be interesting.

Sewing Machines

2007-11-15T10:50:00.000-10:00

When I moved to Hawaii, I was fairly certain that I would find a nice, older model sewing machine. Wrong. I looked and looked and asked and asked and found nothing (although I may have looked and asked the wrong people, but hey, I'm new here!). So, my mum was stuck shipping my monster, 1950-something, mint green Fleetwood. By monster, I mean 54 pounds of it, fifty-fricking-four-pounds, and people wonder how I can bring a case of paper from the parking lot... 'cuz I'm crafty, that's why ; ) I can't wait until it gets here, and I already have a ton of projects in queue.

Camping - Hawaiian Style

2007-11-13T15:30:00.000-10:00

So, this weekend was my first camping experience in Hawaii. Loved it... we went to Malaekahana and spent our time eating, drinking, bodysurfing, eating, swimming, chasing chickens, drinking and eating. I even caught some good waves, although the ocean did bitch-slap me... I wish I could have seen myself... judging by the reaction of bro and L, it was hilarous. The first night we were there the girls and I took a walk on the beach and found a tiny, blue glowing thingy, it was dubbed 'Sparky'. K thought that it was an egg from a Man O' War jelly but we only found a couple of them and he never actually saw one. Now, I'm just cleaning up the house and trying to get the sand out of everything. By the way, getting fine sand out of dreadlocks is not all that much fun.

Also, I went out and (finally) got my driver's license. They made me take a test, 30 questions, it wasn't hard but it's been over ten years since I've taken the written test (Colorado didn't require it), so I was a tiny bit nervous. Bro told me that several guys he knew took it and failed the first time... what a good way to give confidence to your little sister! But no problems, the picture wasn't too horrible, just $20 and 30 minutes, and I walked out with permission from the state of Hawaii to drive on their streets.

Camping

2007-11-09T12:01:00.000-10:00

Yea! I finally get to see the north shore! My boss invited my bro and I to go camping this weekend, so I get to go and play this weekend instead of working. We don't really get to do much together because he works during the week and I during the weekends, and we're both the kind of people who hate to go sightseeing alone ('cuz you get there and spend an hour going 'I wish that I had someone here to share this with' and then leave). I'm taking the camera and, maybe I'll actually find the cord to it so you can see the pics too! Anywho, have fun and enjoy your weekend, I know I will.

Sea Creatures and T-Shirts

2007-11-06T11:21:00.000-10:00

Like all Americans, I enjoy retail therapy. I've been in PMSy bitch mode and trying not to inflict that onto others this week, sooooooo, I bought stuff. Not from the mall or anything like that!

First off, I got this seahorse pattern from Futuregirl. I've already made one and I'm half-way through the second. They are super cute and will go great with my Octo Army (still currently being built, there's 5 completed octopi and one that needs to be sewn). Like my octos, I changed them up a bit but it wasn't in the construction this time. I used running stitches for the back instead of beads and tiny doll buttons for the eyes instead of sequins (I really don't like sequins, it's just those dresses from the 70's and 80's that turned me off).

Later, I went to Etsy. Dangerous ground for little Miss Red, seriously, bad news for my wallet. Yeah, I ended up with three shirts... uh hem... I had to narrow it down to three shirts, you know, to be reasonable and all. So, in no particular order... Zombies, Octo, and Birdy

Sorry, once again, for the lack of photos, same old story. That's why I used all the hyperlinks, which takes forever on a Mac because I have to type them in, I can't just use the little button. I was going to post some pics from Anarchist Prom, it took place a couple years back but a friend just sent them to me, but I'm not. It was a lot of fun, but there's just too much nudity. Plus, I sprained my ankle (damn those 5 inch heels!) and walked on it for 25 or 30 blocks (thank the gods for vino!) and, to this day, it still pops and twinges. Oh well...

Zombies!!! Weresheep!!!

2007-10-31T10:44:00.000-10:00

Since there isn't a caculator for surviving weresheep, I figured that zombies would suffice.

64%

Free Wisconsin Personals

Happy Halloween!!!

Killer Sheep

2007-10-30T10:50:00.000-10:00

One of my friends from Colorado sent me an email about this movie called 'Black Sheep'. It isn't the one with Chris Farly, it has actual sheep in it, weresheep. Um... that frickin rocks! I watched the trailer and I reeeeally want to see it!

Violence of the lambs... the bit with the mint sauce... I just can't contain myself! I must go and rent it!

Hexing

2007-10-26T11:44:00.000-10:00

I started a granny hexagon blanket on Tuesday and it's coming along swimmingly. It will be for a full bed, so I'm using the Red Heart because I can't afford cotton or wool yarn, and it's completely machine washable and dryable. For the last couple of days, I've been trying to teach Striefen how not to eat my yarn as I crochet. He has learned how to play fetch and will even drop the ball at your feet (or in your lap if you're not paying attention), this helps with the not to eating my yarn and it's funny to watch him slide around on the tile floor. Bro should be back this weekend, so we'll try to find the cable for the camera, then you all can see his adorable cuteness. Maybe I'll even post up a video of him playing fetch.

That's about it for today, now I get to start my work week.

Kitty + Happiness = Kittiness

2007-10-21T09:59:00.000-10:00

On Friday, I adopted a kitty from the Humane Society. I was supposed to work, but my boss called me and gave me the option not to come in. So, instead of working, I drove into Honolulu and picked out a cat five blocks away from work... hehe... I guess I could have worked but I don't think Streifen would have appreciated the ride on the Harley (he would have had to ride home with the brother unit). So, as the name implies (if you understand German) he's striped, a tiger tabby to be exact and absolutely frickin' adorable. He almost looks like an ocicat, except he has one large swirl on his sides rather than the spots. He is a bit of a whiner but I'm thinking that will stop once he gets used to the house. I'll post pics... I-just-need-to-find-the-cord (that'll be a while 'cuz bro is on a mission).

I Always Knew I Was Right...

2007-10-17T12:35:00.000-10:00

brained, that is. Find out for yourself

Today is henna day. This means that I get to sit around for three hours with something that looks like baby poo on my head, yea! (pics will be posted shortly - 'cuz they are funny - I just need to find the cable) The similarity to poo is so great that Lush actually calls their henna 'caca', or in my case, 'caca rouge'... mmmm... red poo, me thinks that someone's been eating too much red velvet cake, either that or there is a serious problem with their colon. Gross names aside, this henna is awesome! I've used a couple of different brands and none of them give me the color that Lush does. I stopped using chemical dyes a couple of years ago, after I found out that fire-engine red and tangerine orange were hard colors to keep and super expensive to do so. Even though henna is a time-consuming process, about four hours from start to finish, it's still less time then going to the salon and getting bleached out and dyed (not to mention less stinky and cheaper). I buy a brick of henna for $20 and it will dye my hair three times! That's cheaper than store-bought kits. The henna smells nice and earthy, kinda like wet hay, wereas chemical dyes smell... well, chemically, all full of amonia and other weird crap. Yea, I'm glad I switched.

Work has been going well, we have a new piercer. He's nice, smart, funny and cute - a great mix, if you ask me - but alas, he is taken. Not too big of a deal, he's still a fun work-mate. My boss bought us a shop moped, which means that now I have to learn how to drive it. It's a great thing for us because parking is somewhat hard to find, and running an errand will often result in a lost spot. Also, I'm trying to find a second job, something in town so that I can go from that one in the mornings to the tat shop in the evenings. That way, I'll have three or four long days, two or three short days, and one day completely free. I know it doesn't sound fun, and it won't be, but I've got to pay some shit off, otherwise I'll never get it payed. At least this way, I still want to work at the shop, as one of my benefits is free ink and piercings.

I Really Don't Have Anything Interesting to Say...

2007-10-09T11:29:00.000-10:00

so I'll just put this up.

You are The Star

Hope, expectation, Bright promises.

The Star is one of the great cards of faith, dreams realised

The Star is a card that looks to the future. It does not predict any immediate or powerful change, but it does predict hope and healing. This card suggests clarity of vision, spiritual insight. And, most importantly, that unexpected help will be coming, with water to quench your thirst, with a guiding light to the future. They might say you're a dreamer, but you're not the only one.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

No Pics Yet and Other Random Shit

2007-09-26T12:26:00.000-10:00

Yeah, I'm actually kinda sorry about that, I just haven't had the time to ask the bro where the camera is and how to use it. Although, last night we watched fish jumping out of the lagoon, and marveled at the moonlight reflecting off the lagoon and the inlet. It was gorgous despite me putting my arms all over dried fishy guts.

I'm really enjoying work, it's not taxing but being an assistant I do all the shit work. It's a good thing that I love being in tattoo shops, cleaning, and all the wonderful eyecandy walking by the place. I still need to call the art department at the university for modeling work, as the shop's right by it. I should be able to work at the university in the mornings and then hop on over to the shop in the evening. It'll make for a long day, but I'll only be working three or four days a week. I really need to get some bills paid off and get some money in the bank for emergencies, crap, I sound like my mum...

Anyway, I should be getting a bed today, yea! It'll be nice to have my own room and be able to UNPACK, dun dun dun! I'm glad to be at my new home!

I also found out that I can watch The Simpsons on the internet. Woo Hoo! We had a TV here but no bunny ears, and my bro and I don't believe in cable or anything, but I-can't-live-without-my-Simpsons. It is a need that is now fufilled by fanpop.com (sorry, you'll have to type it). I may now do my Happy Dance!

Well, I gotta go eat and get some sunning in, bro and I are supposed to go to the beach and swim on Saturday (that's when the no-swim ban is officially lifted). I don't want to burn my arse off!

Massacre...

2007-09-21T09:51:00.000-10:00

of ants. That was yesterday, I must have killed billions of them, in the kitchen and in my (soon to be) bedroom. At least they weren't cockroaches like the other night. Those guys decided to come out of the drain in the shower that isn't really used, eck... Yesterday, a man was telling me that while taking a shower a centipede came up the drain... um... he did what I would have... ran down the hall naked. I wish that we had more geckos, 'course I don't know if they'll eat cockaroaches or centipedes.

It's been busy for me lately, with the massacres and all, but I've managed to get a bit of employment at a tattoo shop. It's just gopher work and it may not pay well, but it's a job with free ink potential. I'm happy 'bout that. As those who know me know I love my tattoos and getting tattooed... I just can't decide where I want to start, I'm thinking I should work my way up from my feet. Or maybe I should work out my back situation, hrm... decisions decisions...

Bro and I went to the commisary last night for some food, it was expensive but he's been gone for 2 1/2 months and the fride and cupboards were bare and we stocked up on a lot of things. Thank the gods for the commisary too, because when we stopped at the store on Tuesday night there was a bit of a sticker shock for me... $4 bread! Not even the good whole wheat sprouted hippie bread, the standard wonder loaf kinda shit. I knew food was expensive but crap! I'm glad I don't drink milk.

Speaking of food, I tried poke last night and really loved it. It's a marinated ahi tuna, raw tuna, yup Little Miss Red ate raw fish and liked it. I've finally overcome being landbound, so I feel ok about eating raw fish. I also tried manapua (the spelling is probally wrong), it's a steamed filled bread and was a super tasty treat. It was a purple mound of soft, potatoey goodness, mmmmm... I see late night runs to the store in the future.

Well, I must be off and clean a bit, I've got some sunning on the beach to do later. I can't swim yet because of my tattoo, so I'm working on getting some bits and pieces of me tanned up so I don't burn too badly when I actually do start swimming. I promise some pictures soon, bro and I are so busy that I haven't thought to ask him for the camera.

I Made It!!!

2007-09-19T07:26:00.001-10:00

Finally, after all the worrying and packing and fretting, I've made it to Hawaii! I got in late last night after two uneventful flights. All I wanted to do last night was sleep, but I ended up following my bro home on his motorcycle. Driving in an unfamiliar car, at night, on unfamiliar roads, ugh... the only trouble was my brain function was a bit low, go figure. I didn't get to see too much last night, but this morning I peeked around the yard a bit. I'm gonna go for a walk around the lagoon and beach later today while bro is at work, and we're going for a drive around town once he gets back. Now, all I have to do is work on cleaning out my room and the house. After two months of sitting vacant, the house accumulates some gecko poo.

3 Days and Counting...

2007-09-15T07:59:00.000-10:00

I finally heard from my bro today, thank the gods! I was beginning to worry that I was going to have to take a taxi and sleep on the porch on Tuesday night. I can finally breathe and try to relax in these final days in Colorado.

Thursday was a fun and busy day. I went for a four mile hike up near Cimmaron with my parents, we would have gone further but my hip started to ache (the one that thinks it lives in a 80 year old body). Nonetheless, it was a nice hike into some pretty meadows. Afterwards, I rushed up to GJ and hung out with my friend, C. (She's the one that took my bunny, Pax.) It was great to get to see her again before I left, and her animal menagerie.

Yesterday, Ryan finished up my octopus tattoo. It finally has tentacles! It looks great, but I won't be able to put up a pic of it until I get to Hawaii. I'm glad that he was able to work me in before I left, Ryan's super talented and a sweetie!

11 Days and Counting

2007-09-07T07:26:00.000-10:00

Yes, ticking off the days before I go really helps the days fly by... yeah right! But it's hard not to do, especially when everything is packed.

I saw two shooting stars last night while I watched a satellite crossing the sky. It was pretty neato, especially because the I saw the stars within seconds of each other. Beautiful! The night sky at my parents' house is wonderful, much less light pollution than Grand Junction. Now I remember why I like to smoke, even though they are killing me slowly, they give me great excuses to go outside and see the night sky.

13 Days and Counting

2007-09-05T09:27:00.000-10:00

In less than two weeks I'll be in Hawaii, crazy! I hope that my plane doesn't crash into the ocean, that would suck monkey butt. I'm nervous and scared and excited, which makes my stomach upset and my sleep habits really weird (try going to bed at 6:30 am, or not at all!).

Here's something that makes me happy, my sweetie Alex. (He's the one that died not too long ago.) I miss him dearly, but he made the bad times good, and I have nothing but love and thanks for my little fur baby.

Time to Relax???

2007-09-01T11:11:00.000-10:00

I've been busy.

I've gotten a couple of things knitted up for one of my friends who is expecting. I wish I could have done more, but my budget and time are restricted right now. I made some nice booties, a washcloth, and found a baby beanie that never had a baby to go with it. I hope that they're useful at the very least.

Thursday was a sewing day for me, I finished three pairs of shorts. It may not sound like a lot but I had trouble matching the pattern on two of the three. I needed to get them done before I left because, silly me, I only had two pairs of shorts (one of which I usually wear for yoga). I haven't been able to find out if bro has a sewing machine or not, so I wanted to make a couple of pairs to be on the safe side. I used two different free patterns (yup, cute patterns for shorts and they're free!) from Fitz Patterns. The Missy pattern I was able to print out in the tiled format and tape together. The Maggie pattern was different, I couldn't get it to print out tiled like the other, so I ended up going to Staples and paying $5 to get the pattern printed to size. So, if you know your way around PDF documents and can tile it yourself, the Maggie pattern would be free too. Both are pretty cute, a little on the short side for my tastes (I even added an extra inch to the bottom hem), they are quick to sew up, and very comfortable. I did change the shape of the pockets on the Maggie shorts, as they were way to large and met up at the front center seam, which is a bit weird, but easily fixed.

Last night I finished packing for Hawaii, except for some things to get me through the next couple of weeks. I have three boxes to mail to myself and my bags are packed to the hilt (weighting in at about 45 lbs each... thank the gods for big brothers!). If I actually had real luggage, I could manage them myself but I'm using some old military bags and they're just weird to hold and carry. Now I need to return all the things that I couldn't pack up to my storage unit... oh yeah, and reorganize the damn thing to make room for my loom (te he, that rhymes).

Butter Cow Pictures

2007-08-28T07:37:00.000-10:00

Yup, it's the Butter Cow!
The line went out the building to see these guys.

Things I'll Miss

2007-08-26T10:03:00.000-10:00

I've been meaning to do this post but I keep getting sidetracked. Anyway, I seem to have some time now.

From Illinois I'll miss: my family and friends, deciduous trees, fall, cicadas that sing for me, the State Fair, thunderstorms that lull me to sleep, the greenness and closeness of the vegetation.

From Colorado I'll miss: my family and friends, the winds whistling through the aspen and ponderosa (the juniper can kiss my ass... achoo!), mountains, dry heat, snowboarding, hikes, the beautiful desert, the wildlife, finding skulls and bones for my mum.

I'm sure there is more that could be added to both lists, but that's a good start. I lived in Illinois until I was almost 22 and then moved to Colorado. I love both places so much, but for very different reasons. Soon, I'll be leaving for new adventures in Hawaii. I'm glad to have a new place to have my adventures in, especially one so radically different from the places I've already lived. I don't know how I'll like it there on the islands, or how long I'll stay, all I know is that I better make the best of it while I can!

Ahh It's Good to be Back Home

2007-08-21T19:03:00.000-10:00

Well, I've been back in Colorado since Sunday afternoon and I'm glad to be back home. I had a wonderful drive full of sunflowers and good weather, it kinda made me wish I took some pictures, but I didn't. I've just been relaxing and starting to prepare my mind for the trip to Hawaii.

Since I haven't posted any pictures lately, I decided to catch up with some pics from my visit to the Illinois State Fair. I went on my birthday with one of my best friends - A - and made her take pics of me petting sheep and goats... mainly because no one else would humor me. The first thing my mum said to me was "It must have been hot, you're glowing". Ha! Glowing, I was sweating my ass off. So, without further ado...

Piglets Asleep at the Teet

Sheep Wearing a Hoodie

Frog Goats

Red Pets Sheep (look at that sheepish grin)

Bunny Goat

Red Pets Goat (crazy style)

Horsy Stare

Lucky Bob

And, I just want to mention that Wednesday night, after a little trip to a free community concert, there were four horses in our yard... um, they weren't ours. I was reminded of them occasionally because as I was trying to sleep that night, I could hear them munching grass and snorting outside the window. It was just a little weird.

Down with the Negative Vibes, Man!

2007-08-12T12:24:00.000-10:00

Sorry. If you can't tell, I've been in a complaining, whiny mood. So enough of that!

This weekend has been pretty fun. Yesterday, I went to the Illinois State Fair with my dad and N, and saw the butter cow (pictures to be posted shortly), pet some sheep and goats, and sweated my ass off. I plan to go back tomorrow or Wednesday (or both) and get some pictures of me petting some sheep and goats, and me thinks that I should put some money on the ponies (I've been feeling lucky lately). Today, we went to the Korean, WWII and Vietnam memorials in the Oak Ridge cemetery. After a quick run-through of Lincoln's Tomb, we visited the Museum of Funeral Customs nearby and saw tons of embalming equipment, coffins, and hearses. My dad bought me a book (about cemeteries, embalming practices and haunted places) and a little coffin shaped chocolate... complete with lift off lid and little body inside! We also stepped into the capitol building, none of us had been there in years. So, yea, we were a bit touristy today, but sometimes it's fun to see your old city through the eyes of someone who's never been there at all.

So, for next week... I've got to put some money on some horses, then begin to pack up and go back to Colorado for three-ish weeks. Fun, fun, fun!

Ack! Heat Wave!

2007-08-09T07:58:00.000-10:00

Uck! This year I decided that I was going to go back to my home state, Illinois, for the summer and visit with family and friends. Now I remember why I hated this place more than anything. It isn't the people, the land, or even the weird lake smell... it's the fricking humidity! And here I am, in the middle of a heat wave... O the humidity! Needless to say, it sucks.

The really crappy thing is that I'm supposed to visit my middle bro at the end of my trip, the bro that lives in Arkansas. Ahh fucklenut! If I think I'm melting into the pavement here... it's gonna be twenty times worse there. Not to mention the fact that I will then have to drive through three southern states in the triple digits... no thank you! I think I'm gonna have to crap out on him. It may sound mean, but I'm really thick-blooded and I don't do well in the heat, I get sick from the heat (literally) and sometimes I pass out. Maybe I'm mean, mean, evil person. Damn, a girl can only do so much.

Anticipation

2007-07-29T11:20:00.000-10:00

That's the main feeling that I have had lately. An-ti-ci-pa-tion. I hate this feeling. It's happening because after the 18th of September, I will be living in Hawaii. Now, most people are wishing that they were in my place and tell me how beautiful and wonderful Hawaii is, but I'm not most people. I prefer the rainy days over the sunny (although, I do enjoy an occasional sunny day in Spring or Autumn) and I love bundling up against the snow and heading into the mountains, I'm thinking that these things aren't part of the Hawaii experience.

Will I actually like the sun and the beaches and all the fucking tourists? Will I find people that enjoy talking about books, biology, sciences, sex, knitting, spinning, sewing and the like? Will I end up, once again, being stared at like I'm a science experiment gone wrong? Will I actually make real friends?

All this is compounded by the fact that, except for supermadchen and one other gal friend, pretty much everyone I know from Colorado hasn't replied to an email that I've sent. It seems that I've messed up and thought that I had more friends in Colorado than I actually had. This makes me sad and I feel like I wasted my time trying to make friends there. Or maybe my self-pity and self-doubt has overshadowed my common sense.

See I Told You

2007-07-21T14:36:00.000-10:00

Yup, I said that people are amazed at the load I can cram into my Saturn, well I got another one today. One of the tenants asked me because they have been watching me for several days cram box after box into Bobert 007 (um, my car's name - I love naming objects). Why they didn't just offer to help, I dunno. Crazy things happen when you put them into the universe. Tomorrow, I want a million dollars. Divine providence, work your magic!

Ahhh... Life Never Really Stops, Eh?

2007-07-19T11:08:00.000-10:00

Well, sorry for the lack of blogging lately, I've been busy. As I've stated before the wicked never truely rest, and as I am wicked to the core, I never really get a moment of down time.

I've been helping my Auntie move... yuck! I never move during the summer, if I can avoid it. Yesterday, it was so hot and humid that it looked like I forgot to take off my clothes before I got into the shower. It isn't helped by the fact that my Auntie currently lives on the 3rd floor and the stairs are outside (and super creepy!). But, I am always amazed at my car's ability to fit just one more box than I ever thought possible, Saturn should have a commercial where someone is moving. People laugh at me whenever I pull up and start packing things in, saying things like 'you'll never get that all in there', I just smile and when I'm done I ask for more to pack... they don't laugh anymore after that. It probably doesn't hurt that I have two brothers that work as load masters for the Air Force, and did I mention I'm really good at tetris?

Next weekend, I get to work the Farmer's Market again, yeah! Maybe I'll try the flirting thing with the cute hippy boy.

And check out my pattern, I'm hoping to get some more sketches to Gryphon soon.

Hmm... I guess I should write something!

2007-07-04T10:30:00.000-10:00

Since I've been in Illinois, I've worked a couple of days selling lettuce and basil at the farmer's market for my friend's dad and it's been great! I don't really make a lot of money or anything but I spin in between customers and enjoy the morning. I really enjoy working the farmer's market here, it's held twice a week and there is a ton of reasonabally priced produce. Plus, there's a cutie that works a stall on another block, some good eye candy always seems to help out a bit (and, since I'm a shy person I was very proud that I worked up a tiny bit of courage and talked to him... yup, just talked to him, not even flirty-like!)

In GJ, the market was huge (about four or five blocks) but there was very little produce, only about 1/3 of the stalls, 1/3 food or drink to eat, and 1/3 product. It was more about a nice walk to and from the market and the music for me, the produce that was there was good but a bit overpriced. All in all, I was never really impressed with the effort (or maybe it's because I often saw my jackass of an ex there and he would constantly give me weird looks). Who knows?

I've also decided to stay in Illinois until the end of August. I was planning on taking off for Hawaii early to mid August but my brother is overseas and won't be back until September. Since I don't know when I'll be back in the Continental states again, I want to make my visit as long as possible.

Sad News

2007-06-23T11:52:00.000-10:00

While reading my email this afternoon, I learned that my cat - Alex - was going into kidney failure and wasn't expected to live long. I promptly called my mum and talked to her, only to learn that Alex was euthanized this morning, and was buried under the aspens this afternoon. I wish that I could have cuddled him one more time, and given him some good scratches before he left this earth. He was a good kitty and a great companion for ten years, I loved that little bastard (even though he tried to eat my roving and yarn, and pulled his hair out when he was pissed off at me) and I will miss him dearly.

The Pattern is Completed!!!

2007-06-20T07:00:00.000-10:00

So, a while back I submitted a pattern to the Sanguine Gryphon for her line of handpainted yarns. It's now done and about ready to be put on the internet for sale! Check it out at her etsy store. Yippie! I'm so excited to see my name in print for a design!

I Can't Think of a Title, So You're Not Getting One!

2007-06-19T11:26:00.000-10:00

Life has been good.

Not too much to worry about, just trying to make it to tomorrow and not think too much about the hectic changes going on in my life. Playing with the baby (K) and kiddo (C), sewing, knitting, spinning, and catching up of some reading. And let us not forget painting and working a bit at the farmers market (which is a ton of fun - stomach and eye candy all around). Plus, my skin is looking better and happier with all the humidity (I still hate it but my skin isn't itching like crazy anymore - Yeah!). I just wish that I didn't have the urge to clean B's house from top to bottom (I'm a bit of a clean freak and, well, she isn't) because it never stays clean anyhow.

Oh well, such is life.

The Wicked Never Rest...

2007-06-12T15:38:00.000-10:00

I have brand spanking new tires! So beautiful and pretty... and expensive! I'm so tired of spending money, I hate the fact that we live in a society that requires money and that people judge you on what you have or what you don't have. I really wish that we could all trash the stupid paper and plastic and just live to live. Sure, we wouldn't have cool toys like ipods or computers all over the place, but I think that we would be more caring and social creatures because of the lack of crap filling our houses.

Right now, I'm squatting at my friend B's house. Everyone comes into my room (it used to be the back porch) and says how nice it looks. I really didn't do anything to the room, just put my shit in it and cleaned it up a bit. There isn't much, just what I could fit into the car: my camping gear, a couple of towels, clothes, some spinning and knitting and sewing, books, my little Buddha statues, a twin air mattress, and my CD's. I think I brought too much, but it was easier for me to take a little of everything so that I wouldn't get bored, and then I didn't have to pack and shove more shit into the storage unit.

In a month or so, I'll be going back home to Colorado. I'm not looking forward to going back because I'll have to go through everything (again) and figure out what I can take onto the plane to Hawaii. I'm also planning on packing a couple of boxes so that my mum can send them to me once I get there. I hate packing, especially because my moods change so quickly and I never know what I should pack and how much. I don't mean clothes either, I mean books and crafty goods, I really couldn't give a rats ass about clothing most of the time because I can always make something or find something in a second-hand store.

I guess I'll go now, B should be getting off work soon, and I think I need another beer and some play-time with the kid or the baby before they go to bed. Love and kisses to all that care!

Domestic Life

2007-06-08T05:59:00.000-10:00

It's really different here in Illinois. I'm really not used to having people and kids around me, it isn't bad, I'm just tired and pissy.

Also, the tread on one of my tires is peeling off, so I get to put the spare on and then go and get a new set. Grrr... I really can't afford this right now, but I'm glad that it didn't blow out on the interstate or with the kids in the car. Everyone says that I must have a curse or jinx or something, but I think it was a good thing. I did have to call my dad and tell him that I couldn't visit this weekend. So that visit will have to be put on hold until he gets back from his fishing trip at the end of the month.

I've been wanting to cry, and for some reason, I can't. It sucks, I've been feeling so weird for so long and I just can't release it. It's hurting me (and not in the good way) and I just can't fix it right now.

I Made It!

2007-06-06T16:52:00.000-10:00

Yea! I made it in one piece to Springfield. Now I just need to find a job... ew.

Leaving Colorado

2007-06-03T13:15:00.000-10:00

Ahh, such a bittersweet moment.

I really don't want to leave this place that has been my home for five years, and yet I feel the need for a major change in my life. I will miss so many people and the land that once comforted me with its pristine beauty. I've learned a lot in this place, some things about myself and others that has really opened my eyes. I have lost some of my naivete and still managed to hold on to the hope of meeting 'real' people in the world.

Thank you to all of those who comforted me, watched me cry and laugh, and shared their friendship and love. I will always keep a special place in my heart and brain for you all. I love you and I will miss you all!

I will leave my parents home tomorrow morning, off to Illinois for a while and then I will leave for Hawaii for more adventures. I can't wait to start a new chapter, and yet I don't want to leave the comfort of what I now call home.

Tattoo!!!

2007-06-01T07:23:00.000-10:00

My Octo is here!!! Well, on my arm, and only part of it 'cus Ryan didn't have enough time to do the tentacles before I left.He finished it well, so that it doesn't look incomplete without the tentacles. It was hard to photograph because I just put some aquaphor on it. I'll take another picture once it has peeled and healed.

Computer Go Bye-Bye

2007-05-25T13:07:00.000-10:00

Yup, my computer is leaving. It decided that it has had enough and it wants to reside elsewhere.

Nah, it's just going for a wee bit of a holiday. So, blogging will be sparse until I get to Illinois. I will be back...

Furniture Day

2007-05-24T05:20:00.000-10:00

Sorry about the other day, I didn't mean to offend or make anyone seem mean. It's just the way I felt (and still kinda feel). I think goodbyes are important. You never know what is going to happen, who knows if I'll ever see either one of them again. Basically, never forget to say goodbye to your loved ones.

So, today is the day that all my furniture is leaving (except what's being given away or going on the trip with me). I've been dreading this, not because I'm moving heavy stuff, because this means that I'm really leaving... and really soon! I've been up for an hour or so, tidying up and drinking coffee... generally getting things prepared to leave. It should go rather smoothly today, but I seem to be rather crampy... which gets me grumpy... and most aren't brave enough to move furniture with a bleeding, grumpy girl.

Soon, the computer will be gone too, and no more emails or blogging for a little while. No worries, I'll be back because I don't have a permanent place to stay, so this will become one way to tell my friends what's going on where-ever I'm at and whatever I may do. Who knows if anyone really checks this page anyway (supermadchen does, I know that much!).

Why don't people say goodbye?

2007-05-22T17:31:00.000-10:00

Two of my friends left town today to go to Europe for five weeks, I'm leaving for at least a couple of months and going to Illinois and then to Hawaii. They were both aware that I was leaving and when they were leaving, neither of them said goodbye to me before they left. No call, no email, no visit, nada. I even stopped by the house today so that I could say goodbye. I thought that I meant more to them than that. I really don't know what to feel right now.

Something that makes me smile... a baby tapir

Arg... moving sucks...

2007-05-21T08:34:00.000-10:00

I like to move every couple of years, it helps to keep the clutter down but I hate the actual moving process. It isn't the heavy lifting, or really the packing that gets me, what bothers me the most is the interim period where you are neither here nor there. I'm just about to that point. The carpet cleaners are coming on Friday, so my goal is to have almost everything out of here, except for what I'm bringing to IL and what I'm currently using. I'm also a bit sad to be leaving one of the best places I've ever lived (ok, it was really cold and drafty - I won't miss that). I'm excited to go on some adventures this summer, but I will miss this house.

I was out to dinner a couple of nights ago, and I mentioned that I was going to Hawaii. A gal suggested that I should get a good botany book and a book so that I can do some pressing. I'm so glad that she said that because I would never have thought of it on my own (which is weird, because I really like botany, I just don't think of that kind of stuff sometimes). So, I just need to find out about the rules about bring that kind of thing through customs in Hawaii. I assume that there wouldn't be a huge deal because I would be bringing the plants specimens out of the state, and they wouldn't be viable because they would be pressed. So, I hope that there won't be any problems, because it's something that I really want to do and it's a great way to learn (and remember) the various plants in one's area. If you are familiar with the rules of customs in Hawaii, please enlighten me...

Possibilities

2007-05-16T18:53:00.000-10:00

I think that the world works in funny ways. I've been trying to play Pollyanna more often and think positively, trying to see the good in all things. And I'm being rewarded.

My big bro is in town (well, right now he's yucking it up at lake Powell in Utah, so he's not reealy in town) and he offered to let me stay at his house... in Hawaii. My skin has been craving higher humidity, so I was going to head back to Illinois to live (I grew up there). The place I had hope to stay in fell through, I have other people to stay with but I won't have as much freedom. Now, this has popped up. One of the professors that I've worked for even mentioned Hawaii at one point (this was before he knew that my bro lived there) and that's the first time I really thought about that option. I just hadn't asked yet, and then J told me that I could live with him and that he could possibly line me up with a job at a tattoo shop. Neat. Choices...

In other news, EC is now required to be at all military health care offices. A special THANK YOU to Michal Michaud, Tim Ryan, Susan Davis, Jane Harman, Loretta Sanchez, and Christopher Shays for introducing the Compassionate Care for Servicewomen Act! Also, Gov. Bill Ritter of Colorado signed in comprehensive sex education into law! This teaches medically accurate, age appropriate, complete sex education. So, a special THANK YOU to Gov. Bill Ritter. I think that it's a shame that teens are so clueless about sex, they go out and explore and learn themselves. Sex is how we all got here, we learn about animals having sex but human sex is dirty and shameful?!? Is it because we enjoy it? Is it because it reminds us we truly are animals? Is it just because I live in America, and Americans tend to be prudish when compared to the world? I could go on and on for days....

Misc... boozing around and knitting

2007-05-14T11:05:00.000-10:00

Supermadchen, I think I fixed the comment thing, please let me know when you comment again!

Crazy craziness... nah, not really. I've just been too busy to blog... I actually went out, several times this weekend! Being poor, it's hard to drop twenty or thirty bucks in a bar... on booze... that I pee out... but I got to kidnap one of my friends (she usually has to drag me out, so it was a good change of pace). Plus, the big bro is in town, so mischief was emminate. It was a great weekend!

And now for something completely different...
Some may recognize this, the Spiderweb Shawl from Victorian Lace Today... ug... glad I'm done, it only took me seven or eight months to finish. Unfortunately, I did make a mistake (due to lost stitch markers) that I didn't notice until it was bound off (some 2400 stitches) and I refuse to fix it at this point. I've shown it to several people, and the mistake is noticable in this particular state, but when I wear it no one notices. I need to figure out what color I want to dye it... white and I don't agree. Help me out a bit and suggest a color!

Isn't it Funny

2007-05-09T06:24:00.000-10:00

(the image above is Queen Nefertiti, a legendary beauty)

I got one of the sweetest complements yesterday at work. A man told me that I was 'one of the most naturally beautiful women' that he has ever seen (I would scan the drawing that he gave me, but alas, my scanner is waaaaaay too small). I find this funny because I haven't worn makeup in over two years! Ok, I do where mascara, but nothing else. I also find it strange that I have never received so many complements, until I stopped wearing makeup. Seriously! I have strangers come up and complement me... for no reason, just because they wanted to and felt the need to tell me so.

Now, I'm not writing this because I think that I am a gorgeous goddess and everyone thinks of me in this way. I'm only writing about this because I feel that people aren't necessarily seeing any physical beauty, but that I have finally been able to show people what is inside me instead. That I am a beautiful person, not my shell, I am loving and caring and that is why I am beautiful. I emanate love and good feelings and fun. This is what I want for everyone: a beautiful, loving environment that makes you feel good about yourself, even if you are sweaty and stinky and dirty.

I see all these beautiful girls at college, and they hide that behind gobs and gobs of makeup. They look, dress, and behave in a manner that isn't them... it's who they were told to be by the media and society. They cannot be true to themselves or to others, and that is why they aren't pretty. They cannot break the shackles of our society and be comfortable with themselves. This is who I was... I was sad and lonely... empty inside... and that's what people saw when they looked at me. A human-shaped shell...

So it really doesn't matter what you look like, you are you and not someone else. People will see what you are on the inside, and if they don't... well they can go to hell... if there is one.

Another Day...

2007-05-06T13:08:00.000-10:00

And yet, nothing really has been going on.

I've finished knitting the sample wrap for The Sanguine Gryphon and photos are sitting in her email box for her review. This is the nerve-racking part... to hear feedback from the person that you just submitted a design. Hopefully, the wrap will be making its way back to her on Monday, if not... well I don't know... I guess I'll have fun frogging ; )

My packing is going, um... not too well. My move is just far enough out that I can only pack things that I know that I'm not going to be using for the next 3-4 months. I need to get some of this furniture out of here... I need room to put things that are going with me on my trip this summer. I need... hmm... a well-muscled young man to lift heavy things for me ; ) Too bad that won't be happening too soon...

Oy vey!

Yea! My cup is here... and my period!

2007-04-28T06:29:00.000-10:00

Wow, Devine Providence, you are great! I got my menstruation shirt on Thursday, I started my period yesterday morning, and then my DivaCup arrived in the mail in the afternoon! And the girls and I thought that no one would be able to try a cup before our menstrual class on Monday...
I have to say that I do like it. It is tricky to get inserted properly, but that is just a practice thing. I think that I will end up trimming the stem a bit so the thing may be more comfy whenever I sit or for riding a bike. Overall I think this thing is AWESOME! I was a little afraid when I first saw it in person, it seemed a bit big and stiff. What I found was that the silicone is soft and pretty darn flexy, and that it doesn't sit in your vagina with the top of the cup round. Your vagina molds it into an elipitical shape when the cup pops open (and the popping open isn't as dramatic as it sounds). This is definately NOT for people who can't stick their fingers inside themselves, or for people who don't want to touch their own blood. I don't mind and actually like the fact that the blood is in a cup and I can see the color, texture and viscosity of my menstrual blood (and the DivaCup has little tickmarks for 1/4 and 1/2 ozs, cool).

Way too cool of a product... I can't believe that it took so long for me to hear about this cup thing!

Neo-Luddite or Primitivism Anyone?

2007-04-27T05:34:00.000-10:00

For the most part, I don't like technology. Funny, eh? Especially because this is written using the technology I hate the most... computers (let's not open that floodgate yet, I said 'for the most part'). There is one major obstacle in my full progression to primitivism: the fact that I really, really like music and can't seem to go anywhere without my handy-dandy little mp3 player. You'll often see me screaming out my songs (out of tune by the way) and doing a little dance down the sidewalk. People who know me have told me that they were screaming my name and I just walked on by, singing this song or that... basically, I love walking with my mp3 player. Until Tuesday.

I was walking home from work and my song stops. Eekk!! I look down and reset the damn thing (something that I'm terrible tired of doing), and reset the damn thing... and RESET THE DAMN THING!!! WORK!!! FOR THE LOVE OF THE GODS ABOVE WORK!!!! And it doesn't reset. So I get home, turn on the computer and plug it in... nothing... my computer doesn't recognize this gadget. Hrm.... not too good... usually I can manage to restore the thing with my computer. I go to the manufacturer's website and try restoring it with their instructions. Nothing. All the damn thing wants to do is make little whirry noises and display an error icon. Grrr... anger and blood pressure skyrocket, that little vein on my forehead pops up and starts to throb. I put it away and try not to think about it... or the $350 I spent on this thing.

Today, I look into sending it into the manufacturer to be fixed, as it seems to have a software issue. I was hoping it wouldn't be too much, because my tight budget won't allow me to much fun anyway, let alone pay for repairs to funny little white gadgets. Their estimate, get this *holds in hysterical laughter* almost $275! Yup, that was the estimate, so it could be more (or less if I wanna be all Pollyanna). I could buy a new one for that amount, a better one that doesn't have to be reset all the god damned time!! One that has a FM receiver on it, one that doesn't have the brand name associated with fruit.

Honestly, I just want mine fixed, it used to work ok. I didn't have too many problems with it, and I spent a lot of money on the damned thing. It was overpriced but I had to have one. Now I must walk in silence, no more grooving to my music, and having an excuse to look a bit crazy(ier). It's one of the few pieces of technology that rocks, when it works, and now I am gonna have a hard time getting over not having an mp3 player anymore.

Beware: Budgetary Lapses & Retail Therapy

2007-04-23T05:48:00.000-10:00

First off, this pattern from Future Girl. When I first saw her octo on her blog, I prayed to the Divine Creatures above for her to make a pattern for all to enjoy... then she did! Without further ado, I present Dr. Gus Octo... there will be others... I feel the need for an army of octo minions! *evil tenting of fingers* Bwahha ahaha aha ha! Then, I found this from Etsy seller serineery and I HAD to buy it... budget be damned!
I also bit the bullet and finally purchased some lunapanties and a divacup. Grr... I had to do it, my sponges need to be replaced soon, and I've wanted to try a menstrual cup since the moment I heard about them. I could have made some washable pads, I made a couple of samples for the class I'm helping with, but I've never really liked disposable pads all that much (yucky, sticky plastic!) so they'll probably end up being used overnight or for whenever I can't wear my cup. I think I'll like the washable pads better than disposable ones, mainly because I think that they will be more comfortable (hmm... flannel vs plastic... sitting on a plastic mattress for a couple of hours... no thank you Mr. Corporate Man!).

And, speaking of menstruation and alternitive products! For anyone in my area, here's the flyer for the class that I mentioned above...
It's at Mesa State College (MSC) in the Krey-Ziegel room (in the same building as the bookstore and cafe) and should be filled with tons of good info so that you can make your own choice about your own body and vagina. A great way to inform yourself and break free from the corporations that think more about money than OUR bodies and health!

The Winds of Crankiness are Blowing

2007-04-20T06:51:00.000-10:00

To those of you who do not know the effects of giant winds, lucky you! They make one grumpy and tense for days afterwards. Your head hurts with the unequal pressure and your nose starts to bleed from the dryness. I hope that I miss most of the major winds this year, I don't like what they do to me. All I want is a massive thunderstorm, with an awesome light show... that's what I really miss about the Mid-West, they just don't happen out here : (

I spent most of yesterday preparing for the talk about menstruation, gathering and adjusting patterns to make your own pads, cutting out little starter kits, and sewing up some examples. It went rather smoothly, even writing out the instructions, now the bookette is with a friend for a little editing. I wanted to make sure that I made everything nice and clear and that it isn't too technical for newbie sewers, I don't want to scare them away from sewing. I was told to keep everything very simple and hold out on the jargon... it was hard for me... how do I explain how and why you clip the corners and curves of a pattern without having to use a ton of pictures? I really had to step back a bit and think about how much I knew about sewing when I first started, and try to explain things... through words no less!

I'm slowly getting all my unfinished projects done, the shawl from Victorian Lace Today is almost finished but I will have to order more yarn to finish it (I keep having brain farts and doing funny little things like this), luckily I planned on dying it after I finished there should be no dye lot issues.

I'm trying to get things organized and half-finished projects done and out of the way because I'm moving soon and will have to start packing everything up (ugh!). I have no where to go at the moment, so this could get very interesting, all the places that I might have had lined up are falling through. My only real concern is what do I do with Pax (my bunny). I had planned on taking her with me when I went to IL, but I also had a place that could accommodate the both of us; now, that option isn't open anymore. I'm bringing my tent and some camping gear, but I can't very well have a long-haired bunny in a tent... at the start of summer... in the Mid-West... I could give her away, I guess, but she's just a great little pet and is housebroken and everything. I would hate to give her away and then get another (potentially badly behaved) bunny in a year or two. I guess that's just one more thing to work out later.

Sigh.... I think I'm gonna take a nap... that'll solve things ; )

WTF!!!

2007-04-18T10:37:00.000-10:00

Seriously! WTF!!! A bunch of old, decrepit men (and a woman) are gonna tell ME what to do with MY uterus!!! Um.. hello... the last time I checked my uterus was firmly seated in MY body and NOT a decrepit old man's. I don't believe that ANYONE has the right to tell ANYONE ELSE what to do with THEIR OWN BODY! Period. So let's make a person decide between their life or the baby and their life. I'm so mad I feel like crying!

Check out the links for more information (because I'm mad, really mad about this!). I would go on about how I feel, but it's just the same as the above. Donate to help the cause if you can, because this is important for everyone, not just women! (cut and paste the linkies)
http://www.plannedparenthood.org/news-articles-press/politics-policy-issues/supreme-court-14047.htm
http://www.federalabortionban.org/research_facts.asp
http://www.reproductiverights.org/

Here's a good blog centered around an abortion clinic, it has personal stories about the women who choose an abortion over adoption and why, very informative and touching.
http://abortionclinicdays.blogs.com/abortionclinicdays/

Stinking Busy!

2007-04-18T05:39:00.000-10:00

I really have to stop eating meat. I've already made the decision to become a vegetarian again (not that hard because I only ate meat once or twice a week anyhow), but I didn't want to waste the meat in my freezer. So I've been trying to use it up, only I smell now. Really badly. Now, others don't seem to notice - I have super-sonic smelling - but my smell has changed drastically, and not in a good way. This red meat is oozing out of my pores and it's driving me crazy, I feel like running around the block and trying to speed up the process. Should I go and find a sauna and stink up the place? Grr.... This really sucks, if I could walk away from myself for a week, I would.

On another note, some of my gal pals and I are having a talk about menstruation and alternative feminine products. It's gonna be a fun time, and I'm in charge of putting together some make-your-own-pad kits and sewing together a sample. Even though I have a ton of things that I need to do and that need to get done, I think its extremely important for women and girls to know and hear about alternatives to corporate products. At our pre-meeting meeting, we all lamented that none of use had much experience with the Keeper or the DivaCup and that none of us were gonna bleed in time to try it out. Here's a flyer for those who are close enough to attend.
I wanna try the Divacup but I also want to get a pair of LunaPanties at the same time, and I really cannot afford both at the moment. I currently use a sea sponge tampon and I love them! Really comfy and I love the fact that I just need the one all day long, just wash it out and re-insert. Just be careful when you sneeze on those super-heavy days! But the Divacup lasts about ten years, for a one-time $35 investment, the sponges are $8 for two and last about 4 - 6 months. That's a huge saving on something that half the population needs (or will need) to use! Some people think that this is disgusting, all I have to say is that this is your body and menstruation is not the most disgusting thing your body can and will do. 'They' have been telling us that menstruation is shameful and should be hidden at all costs. This is something that you will have to deal with for forty years or so; get used to it, understand your body a bit better and embrace that blood - that's what makes us women. Embrace your womanhood and don't be afraid of it! In my mind, it's better than a hysterectomy.

Please note: I'm not a doctor, I'm just a person who doesn't like corporations in the most private of my crannies. Obviously, these products may not be for everybody, but they are a great alternative to sticking chemical-filled bleached wads of cotton up my vagina.

He he ehe he he ehe eh

2007-04-14T12:43:00.000-10:00

I think I might go crazy. Ok, maybe it is just my blood sugar that's making me crazy... but I'm really excited... and I'm gonna be really, really busy here soon, yeah! It's really weird that when you put things out into the universe, it answers back. Usually it smacks me in the face, and I have to say to myself 'I'd be an idiot not to try it'; of course, that's how I almost broke my back while snowboarding. We'll soon see if I got smacked or not ; )

Friday the 13th

2007-04-13T15:16:00.000-10:00

It's always been a good day for me.

I've been wanting an octopus on my wrist for a while now, and hopefully, it will happen soon. I think I have a deal worked out with the artist, I just have to wait for some feedback on some body butter that I made. So this is the little guy I'm thinking of adding to my arm, a blue ringed octopus. I wonder what life is like for an octopus...

The Call...

2007-04-11T10:47:00.001-10:00

and I answered it...

The Sanguine Gryphon is asking for submissions for patterns for her yarns. I sent in two pics, some socks and a wrap. I have a ton that I could send to her, some are patterns and some are just in my head, but I didn't want to overwhelm her, nor did I want her to waste her time if she wasn't interested. Wait and see if Your Humble Narrator is chosen.

I've always wanted to design and construct clothing and accessories and home stuff and whatnots, so this could be a good rock to jump off of, who knows...

Anyway, Your Humble Narrator has been so very busy with all her modeling jobs (and now dog watching)... ahhh to sit down and relax... Except my taxes are only halfway done. I've gotten all the calculations done for my internet sales... now for the forms... grrr... and the free turbo tax thingy wouldn't do my taxes for free because I have self-employment income and I have to purchase an upgrade... Free my ass... at least I don't mind the forms and math... I just can't understand any of their damn language! They need to cut the jargon and simplify all the double-speak.

Imagine a world with no tax forms... or corrupt politicians... or mega-companies that lie and steal our labor credits... how beautiful that would be!

archy and mehitabel

2007-04-05T06:31:00.000-10:00

So I've been reading this book, archy and mehitabel by don marquis. I read this one last night and felt I had to share:

a spider and a fly

i heard a spider
and a fly arguing
wait said the fly
do not eat me
i serve a great purpose
in the world

you will have to
show me said the spider

i scurry around
gutters and sewers
and garbage cans
said the fly and gather
up the germs of
typhoid influenza
and pneumonia on my feet
and wings
then i carry these germs
into the households of men
and give them diseases
all the people who
have lived the right
sort of life recover
from the diseases
and the old soaks who
have weakened their systems
with liquor and iniquity
succumb it is my mission
to help rid the world
of these wicked persons
i am a vessel of righteousness
scattering seeds of justice
and serving the noblest uses

it is true said the spider
that you are more
useful in a plodding
material sort of way
than i am but i do not
serve the ultilitarian deities
i serve the gods of beauty
look at the gossamer webs
i weave they float in the sun
like filaments of song
if you get what i mean
i do not work at anything
i play all the time
i am busy with the stuff
of enchantment and the materials
of fairyland my works
transcend utility
i am the artist
a creator and a demi god
it is ridiculous to suppose
that i should be denied
the food i need in order
to continue to create
beauty i tell you
plainly mister fly it is all
damned nonsense for that food
to rear up on its hind legs
and say it should not be eaten
you have convinced me
said the fly say no more
and shutting all his eyes
he prepared himself for dinner
and yet he said i could
have made out a case
for myself too if i had
had a better line of talk

of course you could said the spider
clutching a sirloin from him
but the end would have been
just the same if neither of
us had spoken at all

boss i am afraid that what
the spider said is true
and it gives me to think
furiously upon the futility
of literature
archy

PMS or is it PTS

2007-04-03T04:59:00.000-10:00

Ok, I've been crazy PMSy lately. It sucks, all I wanna do it cry, beat someone up, cry, eat, and repeat. It could be that taxes are due soon (PreTaxSyndrome), and last year the IRS decided to stick it to me... grrrrrrrrrr....