The Bear Den

SIN, you rock my world.

2009-12-19T02:53:50Z

So I got this package in the mail today....well, two packages, with the same address. Naturally, I tore into them. And then spent several minutes cackling in glee. :D I thought Eric was looking for CrossGen comics for me.... It turns out he's just as sneakyawesome as his lady, and was sending these cool 3-D promo posters of four CrossGen titles, including two of my favorites. Muahahaha! These, I think, will line the hallway of the new condo.... And THEN there's amazing assortment of beads and leather thongs and thread and oh wondrous crafty bits! AND a gorgeous blue necklace (*happy sigh* finally, with all my jewelry packed away, I have something pretty to wear!). And a custom cosplay badge for my Cleobatra ("School Bites") outfit! YAY! *does the happy joy dance of doom* I cannot thank you enough, sinicallytwsted for spoiling me rotten, and surprising me greatly, and giving me happy multi-holiday cheer. :D

I'm Ba-ack!

2009-12-15T21:21:52Z

Setting aside my inner Seamstress apparently only works for so long. Same with my inner Planner. And it takes emergency holiday overload to bring them out, roaring like a hog engine down a highway, again.

SCA 12th Night masked ball and court et al is Jan 8-10. As I helped create (mostly iron) Their Majesties garb for stepping up last summer, I am also helping create (and iron) their garb for stepping down at this event. Thus, I need to attend, in a good outfit (as there may be a call in front of the populace, and looking like a matchstick girl simply would not do). That's how this started. Now, I do love me the camping events. They're more of a pain, but they entail a certain peasant-like freedom and remind me of my halcyon ren faire days. This will be my first fancy event, and as a Venetian courtesan, I ought to make a showing of it. Thus, it has been decided that a new purple side-closure Venetian gown will be made (by me, with help from Gabriela y Lorenza). That's all well and good, but it's a 3 day event.

So after much panic and meepage and doubt of my sewing-under-pressure skills, I was bribed with silver dupioni *le sigh*. So for the masked ball, Isabella di Lucca will be attending as Winter (or Rainy Season), in silver and greys and black, with lots of sparkly things to emulate raindrops.

So here's the to-do list:
+ ~~Draft new pattern from existing red Venetian (shorter waist on sides, revised shoulder/side bust area for better fit) with lining material and fit until perfect.~~
+ ~~Use lining pieces to cut out purple and silver fabric, and second lining.~~
+ Bone lining of both dresses.
+ ~~Re-draft full skirt (closed front) pieces, cut out of silver and purple fabrics~~
+ ~~Redo courtesan horns (clip-in frame to wrap hair around?)~~
+ Buy durable slipper-like shoes for dancing, preferably in black, line with inserts for padding
+ Sew partlet
+ Put white mask on a stick, embellish with white feather bits

Purple Venetian
+ Sew bodice front to front sides (each section), sew lining front to front sides (each section).
+ Attach lining to bodice front right and front left pieces on purple dress. .
+ Sew bodice back to back sides, sew lining back to back sides.
+ Attach lining to bodice back and back sides.
+ Handstitch eyelets for side closure on dress.
+ Sew skirt panels for full, closed skirt.
+ Attach skirt to bodice via knife pleating (or whatever is fastest at this point)
+ Hem bottom of skirt
+ Trim bodice seams and bottom of skirt (black velvet ribbon?)
+ Draft new sleeves (on Lynn McMaster's spiral sleeve pattern?)
+ Cut sleeve parts
+ Sew sleeves, leaving spaces to pouf/slash
+ Attach false camicia to underside of sleeves, drawn through for poufs, and wrist bit under sleeve
+ Sew button closure on shoulder (and front and back) for looping sleeves attached
+ Need shoulder roll or other shoulder embellishment? (reference painting)
+ ~~Make new veil in non-white color~~
+ Make new purple/grey/black/white girdle with hanging cross, whip stitch to dress bodice +
+ Wear with Victorian corset (check), corded petticoat (can't find), gold underskirt (peek through bottom? check), bloomers (check), drop pearl earrings and necklace (check)

Silver "Winter" Venetian
+ Sew bodice front to front sides to back sides to back
+ Sew lining front to front sides to back sides to back
+ Attach lining to bodice, leaving front open
+ Sew skirt panels for full, closed skirt
+ Attach skirt to bodice via knife pleating (or whatever is fastest at this point)
+ Hem bottom of skirt
+ Draft new sleeves, with top slash design (see Gabriela's pink dress)
+ Cut sleeve parts
+ Sew sleeves
+ Sew button/crystal closure on shoulder (and front and back) for looping sleeves attached
+ Embellish dress with "rain" crystals or "snow" pearls
+ ~~Make new veil in white with white thread~~
+ Make new grey/black/crystal girdle with hanging something-rainish, whip stitch to dress bodice
+ Wear with camicia (check), Victorian corset (check), corded petticoat (can't find), gold underskirt (for fullness, check), bloomers (check), crystal "rain" earrings and necklace (have?)

Phew! It looks like a lot, but I'm hoping I can zip through it, once I have the pieces drafted and cut. The mask, of course, will be the most fun thing to make. IF I have time, I'd love to make a pair of chopines as well (or alter a lightweight mule platform shoe), and/or a flag fan.

Random Holiday Meme

2009-12-14T18:44:27Z

Random Happy Holiday Meme

fieryredhead started it, but it's such a sweet idea that I wanted to keep it going. Plus, there's tons of great things I can say about my friends here on LJ, seeing as they are all amazing people (even the ones who haven't posted since 2008....I'm looking at you, sealsrose ). You can read the directions on the post, but essentially it's about posting anonymously all the good things you love about someone, as a reply to their post. Yay! :D

Beth must be smitten- bad poetry alert

2009-12-11T00:18:05Z

You
and the possibility of you
give me sweaty palms
sweaty dreams
and a dry mouth.

Meme!

2009-12-09T02:42:15Z

I yanked this from FieryRedHead, for no reason at all (except, perhaps, that I enjoy oversharing). Not that I'm not honest to a fault to begin with, but....

I WILL BE COMPLETELY HONEST FOR 24 HOURS starting now...you can ask me questions. Any question, no matter how crazy, it is. I WILL answer no matter what the question is. You have my FULL honesty, but I DARE you to put this as your status and see what you get.

I'm cross-posting this on Facebook, where people are more bored. ;)

While my muse abides

2009-12-08T03:40:36Z

I had an awesome weekend.
However, driving 11 hours on less than 3 hours of light sleep, with no caffeine and only an iPod to keep you sane is not recommended.
I sincerely would not have survived today's escapade of driving (Claremont, CA to Medford, OR) if it were not for the thorough and kind attentions of Mah Man (can I call him Mah Man? We have left things at "it's complicated" and "i want", but that's hardly conducive to titles). I do think I can run on Lust alone, for several hours/days at a time. Who knows how long that will last?

So here I am, in a very inexpensive hotel with very little amenities and a persistent feeling of being freezing cold. What I definitely need right now is:
A glass or five of cold filtered water
Cuddle time with Mah Man
My own darn bed and pillows.

What I have is:
Internet (thank the gods)
A cheesy Bruce Willis action movie on tv, in which a man just did parkour but then managed to defy gravity AND common sense. Wow.
Scratchy blankets
A sore everything (from the drive)
Acid stomach (from dinner of cold and possibly spoiled shrimp, and leftover waffles of two days ago)
Serious exhaustion
Further frustration with Geico and the asshat who rear-ended me and is now blaming it entirely on me (and also, the cop who decided it wasn't important enough to file a report despite the amount of damage done to my car and apparently, back)
And my crowning glory- the replacement car!

Silver lining:
Family meals
Friend reconnects
Random Malibu beach and accompanying dolphin pod
Excuse to visit Claremont
Box o' childhood loves/books to take home
Poetry books, courtesy of Mah Man, as further evidence of his awesomeness (seriously, best random wooing gift ever)

Will Wonders Never Cease?

2009-12-05T05:22:25Z

I explained my idea for Temptress to my parents over dinner tonight.
I should preface this with: I love my parents dearly, and had a fantastic childhood, and they have always supported me. But they are very practical. Make that Practical. And Level-Headed, Realistic, Experienced, and Wise. This means that a lot of my ideas have been politely and lovingly shot down by them. So imagine my surprise when, explaining this pipe dream/goal to them, both were in total agreement that there is a need, and this might actually work. They were very supportive of my approach (taking a business class in February, continuing research and networking before putting any money down on anything, etc).
Wow. Yay, but also a lot of wow.

Just the facts, ma'am

2009-11-29T09:34:25Z

Turkey Day went well, and we have food for days.

I am so deeply in smit over Adam, I am melting like chocolate on a regular basis. I'd be embarassed about it, but damnitall, I'm enjoying it too much.

I have abandoned NaNoWriMo this year, though not my noir. The noir needs to be written, but too much has distracted me from this endeavor in November. After I move into the condo, hopefully in 2 weeks or so, I can turn back to it.

The latest comic script continues slower than molasses in the Arctic.

Evan's started a foodie blog, and I am enjoying time as a photographer for him, and guest contributor. This is really just an excuse to buy cute things at Cost Plus and make a lot of food.

Despite being rear-ended on Veteran's Day, which damaged my car in ways I am still dealing with, I have had fairly good car luck. I will be purchasing a replacement and driving it from San Diego to Seattle in a week. So if you don't see any more posts here, it's likely because I drove the new car off the Siskiews in a snowstorm.

Christmas is now 26 days away. I am occupying myself by fulfilling wishes on the livejournal Holiday Wishes community. This is really an excuse for me to get rid of jewelry and clothing, so that I may buy more.

I heard back from the GRE, though it will be months yet before I hear abut grad school. I have decided to pursue all three of my career path dreams, and let the gods sort it out. I hope to be attending a business class in January to cement the Temptress plan, and grad school in the Fall for studying Marine Affairs, all while continuing to write novels and submit them for publication. Happiness will abound.

I am not planning on attending SDCC this year, for a variety of (very good) reasons. I am, however, currently working out a plan to attend D*C instead.

My costume list is shrinking, because I have discovered the joy of beadword jewelry making. Yes, another magpie is born.

Holiday Wishlist 2009

2009-11-17T19:58:54Z

My friend SINicallyTwisted reminded me by her post that it's time for the Holiday Wishlist meme again. Yay! Have you posted yours yet?

I enjoyed it last year- an excuse to shop and sew things as gifts is always welcome. ;)
I hadn't actually put conscious thought into doing it again this year, because I've been so overwhelmed. But on the other hand, I could really use an excuse to have fun, and there are several things on Sin's list that make me plot mischief and cackle with glee. So why not?

Step One: Make a post containing your list of 10 holiday wishes. The wishes can be anything at all, from simple ("I'd love a Potter fanfic icon that's just for me") to really big ("All I want for Christmas is a new car/computer/house/TV.") The important thing is, make sure these wishes are things you really, truly want. If you wish for real life things (not fics or icons), make sure you include some sort of contact info in your post, whether it's your address or just your email address where Santa (or one of his elves) could get in touch with you.

Step Two: Surf around your friends list (or friends friends, or just random journals) to see who has posted their list. And now here's the important part: If you see a wish you can grant, and it's in your heart to do so, make someone's wish come true. Sometimes someone's trash is another's treasure, and if you have a leather jacket you don't want or a gift certificate you won't use--or even know where you could get someone's dream purebred Basset Hound for free--do it.

You needn't spend money on these wishes unless you want to. The point isn't to put people out; it's to provide everyone a chance to be someone else's holiday elf--to spread the joy. Gifts can be made anonymously or not--it's your call. There are no rules with this project, no guarantees, and no strings attached. Just...wish, and it might come true. Give, and you might receive. And you'll have the joy of knowing you made someone's holiday special.

1. Retro/Pinup clothing- I love love love this style of clothing, and a lot of it looks great on my form (empire waists, princess seams, etc). I've had a hard time finding good pieces (and affording them), but I eventually hope to have a wardrobe that is mostly in the 1940s/50s fashion.

2. Mucha and other Art Nouveau prints- I adore this style of art, and have a vision for decorating my new condo with these prints, as well as artwork done by friends. I want to create more feminine, soft, sensual things in my life, and art nouveau just makes me feel pretty. :)

3. Fabric- Thanks to some good friends, I have a lot of velvet and silks, which is great for reproduction garb. However, I also have my eye on sewing some sundresses and work clothes, and for that I'd need cotton blends, suitweights, etc. Any decent pieces larger than a yard would be fantastic.

4. Comfortable heels- Is there such a thing? I've been searching for size 9 wide heels that won't kill my feet (and knees) but I could wear to work and with a retro wardrobe, but not found anything yet. Anybody have a decent pair to give away, or know where I can get some?

5. Things with orca whales on them- Anybody surprised? ;) I'm going back to grad school, hopefully next Fall, for the eventual goal of working with these amazing animals. Orcas are my totem, and have been my focus since I was a little girl. I love anything with them on it, whether a photo or tribal art or impressionist, etc.

6. Tea- Especially Numi brand. I've been going through tea like some people go through Kleenex, and am always hunting for more. Herbal, black, green, red, white- as long as it doesn't taste like socks, I'll drink it. ;)

7. Historic costume pieces- Got a top hat? Victorian shoes? Fan? Gloves? Fob watch? Goggles? Corset? Wig? Costume jewelry? Reticule? I'm always glad of accent pieces to round of the multiple costumes I'm sewing. Especially hats. I desperately need Victorian/Edwardian style hats.

8. Pilates Class- I've wanted to try pilates for a couple of years now, but I'm a bit shy of it from having thrown out my back doing yoga (multiple times, whenever I try to follow a video or book).

9. Massage- This is both a want and a need. Might be too specific, but then, someone might have a gift certificate good for Seattle area that they're dying to give away. ;)

10. Fandom things- Dr. Who, Battlestar Galactica, Shadow Unit, Shakespeare, Farscape, and Pirates of the Carribean stuff always makes me squee. :)

The nitty gritties:
Size 16ish (if you need specific measurements, please message me)
My email is bethwade1@gmail.com

My physical address is
9020 236th St SW #1
Edmonds, WA 98026

Thanks, and happy wishing!

...

2009-11-16T02:37:23Z

Please, gods, make me a stone.

I reject your reality and replace it with my own.

2009-11-12T00:05:42Z

I know I am not the only woman in America whose breasts are this size and shape, whose feet are this size and shape, and who has fat on her tummy and abdominal area. So why, O Great Clothing Manufacturers and Retailers, do you not carry any bras, corsets, bustiers, dresses, blouses, clubwear, skirts, heels, or boots that fit me and look good? Why must I scour the racks, even at shi-shi places, only to find that the one or two items in my size hand like gunny sacks and are black or dark brown. I promise you, we curvy women like color, too. Also, princess seams and true Empire waists are a Good Thing. As a bonus, some of us want to show off some of our curves, so how about making clothing that does that, eh? Stop with the baggy designs or, even worse, the designs made for petite women to look girlish, only made wider. It's a waste of material.

And also, all women should get their true bra sized measured. Wearing a comfortable bra that doesn't dig into your tissue, or your back, that truly supports your girls, will make you both look and feel better. However, that being said, be prepared: your band size will likely be smaller than you think, and your cup size larger. This is because cup size is about width of breast tissue, not depth. Now armed with your true bra size, you can go scour the racks. Only to find that bra manufacturers make a variety of colors for a startlingly small amount of breast shapes. Low balcony? Sorry, your cups will gap at the top. Narrow breasts? Sorry, there will be excess cloth on the sides. Do they hang low? Hrm, might have to work a few moments every morning to fit 'em in there. BUT if you're pert, perky, full cupped, and an exact A, B, C, or D, we have you covered. Because all breasts are exactly the same fullness and size. Uh huh. Think I'm exagerrating? Walk into your nearest Macy's, Sears, Target, Walmart, Lane Bryant, Ann Taylor, Torrid, etc and ask for a 38 G. Then watch your sales lady covertly check out your rack with full disbelief in her eyes, and tell you "Sorry, we don't carry that size". Nordstrom does, though! Of the 15 styles of G cup they carry, I found a single one that fit correctly and comfortably. It was $100. Is the extra material really that expensive? Or the engineers who design a full figured bra really that genius? Hrm.

So this is what I want to do. I want to open my own shop, called Temptress. I want to carry in it various retro/pinup/rockabilly styles, for that classic Hollywood glamour look. I want to carry sizes 8-24, and only items that are well made and figure-flattering. The walls will be decorated with oversized images of Bettie Page, Bridget Bardot, Marylin Monroe, Marlene Deitrich, etc. There will be slips, bras, panties, corsetry (of the vintage undies type), stockings and shapewear on the back wall (the "Bombshell" section). The store will carry primarily dresses and skirts, with a few tailored pants, and some cute tops. The dressing rooms will be decorated lavishly, with reds and purples, chandelier softened lighting, and ego-positive messages by the mirror. We will carry mineral makeup and accessories, including costume jewelry, heels (in all sizes thankyouverymuch), handbags of the useful-and-vintagey variety, and hair decorations. My employees will all be friendly, chic, service-oriented, and smart. They will be trained to help size women for bras and shoes, and give supportive but honest opinions of the clothes. If a customer looks bad in an outfit, the sales ladies will tell her (gently), and work to fix the issue. Even if it costs a sale or two, I'd rather have my customers feeling positive about themselves and their fashion than looking bad (whether they're aware of it or not). I may even print up some style guides for customers, encouraging them to dress in a way that flatters their body type, depending on what flaws and highlights they have. It will be more of a boutique store, with customer service and quality being high priority, but it will not feel stuffy or unwelcoming. Once a month, there will be 'after hours events' for regular customers (some sort of frequent buyers' incentive), with fresh coffee and chocolates, mini fashion shows with our newest items, educational blurbs on retro chic and feeling good about the way you look, and a showing of a select black and white classic movie on one side of the store during mingling times, for the husbands/partners who are accompanying their ladies.

All this, because I think I should be able to look chic and glamorous, despite having large breasts, tummy fat, height, and large feet. And I think other women, regardless of size and shape, should have that option, too.

Mythos

2009-11-10T07:15:19Z

She rises like the Dawn Goddess and casts wide her warm, inviting arms. The furrows and curves of her flesh tempt sweet promises and desires, and she whispers to him "Thou art mine."
He pulls her to his torso with arms as mighty as waterfalls, a force of joy and honor in his clear jasper gaze. His flesh, taut and solid, a weight which bears her hope. As his lips part to bless her, she breathes into him "I am yours."
And thus was Love created.

For the record:

2009-11-09T18:05:12Z

I know what I'm doing and hoping and dreaming and planning is unrealistic. I'm choosing to entertain the notion of it because it makes me happy. And ultimately, my life is about making me happy, as long as it doesn't harm anyone. So please refrain from bringing me off my cloud out of some sense of obligation. I'm a smart cookie- I get it. And then I set it aside.

One if by land, two if by...wait, what?

2009-11-08T02:30:08Z

I took the GRE today, in further attempts to get into the Masters of Marine Affairs program at UW.
I did....okay. Disappointed myself on the verbal, and did close (but not quite) the score I was hoping for on math. It did bring on a massive headache, though no telling if it's from stress, lack of coffee, eye strain, or what.
Then I cheered myself up by spend $38 on two adorable spring-type peasant tops and one fabulous rose-pink strapless clubbing top. I will need other things to make that into an outfit, but the uniqueness of it makes me happy.
Now it's off to Thai food and drinks and later, blessed blessed unconsciousness.
Tomorrow we plan to organize Noel's pantry despite him. Wish us luck. ;)

Shinies!

2009-11-06T17:14:19Z

Feast your eyes, and lighten your pocketbooks (but not by much, as she's having a faboo sale) here: http://elisem.livejournal.com/1528096.html

How the hell did that happen?

2009-11-03T07:19:34Z

So I changed my LJ layout, and in doing so I came across older entries. I saw this entry for Sept 4th in which I detailed my frustrations with Garrett. It was a lightbulb moment. Which I apparently abandoned the moment he said he actually did like me. WTF, Beth? I really need to clone myself, so there is someone I intrinsically love and trust to smack me upside the head when I do that. Anyway, after a two month detour into stupidity, I am back where I started there. I'm dumping the baggage and moving on to the far more successful life of being single.

And also still crushing on Scrivvler. Ah, well. Time for sonnets! ;)

Happy Writing!

2009-11-01T17:18:15Z

Best of luck to all you frantic novelers in nanowrimoland.

Happy birthday, Chaz!

2009-11-01T06:57:57Z

and Merry Samhain/Happy Halloween to everyone else. It's now one minute past midnight, so I'm late. My excuse is 13 hours spent packing, hauling, driving, moving, unloading, then cleaning. I'm finally settled in at Noel's, and glad to be out of that hellhole apartment. Yay! On this day of remembrance, I honor Aunt Jean and her incredibly strength, kindness, and faith. I love you, Aunt Jean, and I know you're at peace.
Also....the new year is timed so very well with the multitude of changes in my life now. Woohoo! Next up: NaNoWriMo. See you in novelland!

Need a New Addiction?

2009-10-30T04:51:22Z

www.shadowunit.org

But be forewarned...the season just ended, no new stories until February. *doompout!*

Also, in addition to violins, being sick is good for my muse. She is one twisted otherworldly being, I tell ya. But I worship at her altar when she brings me gems like earlier today. The novel is Back On!

This is it in a nutshell

2009-10-29T03:20:23Z

I take the GRE in 2 Saturdays. I haven't been this nervous about a test since I don't know when. I keep seeing this Masters in Marine Affairs program as my ticket to the career I've dreamed of having since I was 11. Gods know, I need hope in the career department. I'm fairly certain I'm going to get laid off around February of 2010, so having a career path solidly lined up after that would be very helpful. Of course, I won't hear one way or another until March.

Meanwhile, I'm trying to write and become published. I'm focusing on my noir, finally, this NaNoWriMo. Everyone thinks I'm crazy for sticking with NaNo despite everything else that's going on, but it really is like praying for me. So I'm doing it, hell or high water. And then I'm biting the bullet and sending out stuff for publication. No more hesitations. 2010 will be a good year for me.

I'm sick, again. I have been for a full week, and getting worse every time I venture outside the apartment. This is especially worrisome because I have to move on Saturday (which will likely set me back a few days, health-wise). I was not a sickly child, though at HSU and with David I tended to get sick often. What does it mean? I wish I knew. Doc says it's viral and bacterial, but I just have to wait it out.

I'm moving on Saturday, as my lease ends that day. However, the condo has still not closed, because FHA changed their requirements at the beginning of October. And they keep changing them. Bastards. So I'll be living, with all my stuff in boxes, at my brother's house for two weeks. And then moving again into the condo. If it's delayed past two weeks, I'll be...I dunno, living somewhere else? I hope that I don't have to consider that possibility. It's frustrating, and frightening. And I'm more than a little upset at having to impose on my brother, just when he's finally gotten some space of his own. At least I can cook awesomely for him to make up for it.

I'm signed up to volunteer for the Coho Salmon Pre-Spawn Mortality survey, as I did briefly last year, in November. I like it, though it's cold and a little freaky to wade in waist-deep black water, looking for dead fish. I hope I'm healthy enough to do it.

Work continues to suck. I'm almost out of sick days, so I'm a bit at the end of my rope. I don't have enough work to justify a full-time position, when it comes down to it. At least, not until the sites need to be transferred to the new content management system. And my bosses keep trying to force me to become an IT person, and learn programming and database management. I don't do things that would get me fired, or undermine the organization, but I was hired to be a technical writer, not an IT person. They have known this all along. To try and force me to take on job duties NOT in my description and without any sort of pay raise or even a shift in title is total bullshit. Still, I have to daily justify my position by playing political games, and it frustrates me. I want to have a job that means something, that contributes to the world, that makes a positive difference. I'm pretty damn impatient for that, too.

Thanksgiving also fast approaches, and with it, more cooking. This is a good thing.

All sewing projects have been temporarily suspended, as have all costume outings. In the roster of my life, that stuff is currently at the bottom of the list. I'm trying to shift my mentality so that sewing is a zen retreat, not a deadline-oriented stressor. Once December sets in, I will try to both write and sew daily. I suspect this will make me happier and more creative, as a whole.

I have to find a roommate for the new condo, by December 1st. Or my savings will be tapped dry. Tell me how that's fair? My parents, who will own 2/3rd of the condo), don't have another way to view this. I think they're worried I'll just sit back and procrastinate (as if I ever do that). I have been posting ads for a roommate for three weeks now, and no responses thus far. None. I don't see my odds improving by December. And also in this I have no backup plan. Anyone know of a reasonable person with an income who needs a place to live just north of Seattle?

And lastly, but not leastly, I am in a relationship quandry. I have had a repeat of what I experienced both with dating Alex, and with dating (well, on night standing) Tomas: I woke up one morning and thought "I can do much better than this". I take it as a sign of maturing that I am figuring this stuff out on my own, and within 2 or 3 months of the relationship starting. I'm not THERE yet, as I'd ideally like to be able to figure it out BEFORE the relationships starts, and save everyone a lot of grief. I haven't yet informed my boyfriend that we'd make better friends than serious romantic interests. I think I am having a hard time forming words he'd understand. I am a Virgo, therefore I have analyzed the hell out of it, therefore anything I say that's pure truth will sting and seem like a critique. I don't want to hurt him or make him get distant. He is fun to hang out with, in small doses. And, I must admit, I dote on his group of friends and don't want to alienate myself from them. But when it comes to it...we're just not well-matched.

And I am, in fact, flying to New York in late January. Because there, there is someone I *am* well-matched with. It is doomed, but I'm indulging anyway.

Weekly weigh-in, Sun Oct 25th

2009-10-25T18:38:24Z

170 pounds
I'd take inches measurements, but I always manage to bungle those when I'm doing them myself.

I'm feeling too sick to do my exercise routine, as any motion of my head sets off the congestion bells. I'm hoping to walk 2 miles (in 2 one mile segments) down to the coffee shop and back, this afternoon. I know it may wipe me out, so I'm doing it after the chores and shopping I need to do today. Hopefully, it doesn't make me more sick (but if it does, I'll go to the doc tomorrow and beg for drugs. Yay drugs!)

The Great Coast-to-Coast Weight Loss Challenge

2009-10-25T06:31:11Z

So Guerin and I have decided to tackle this whole getting-healthier thing head on. And synchronically. With him in PA battling dropping temperatures and snow, and me in WA battling rain and irate bicyclists, we're taking the challenge: lose five pounds by Thanksgiving.
That's right, amid NaNoWriMo, moving, and all, I'm going to lose five pounds. Hopefully, off my waist. How, you may ask? Aside from force of will, I'll be walking 1-3 miles per day at a brisk pace, and doing a core-focused strength training program 3 times per week. I will be decreasing portion sizes, increasing water intake, increasing percentage of fresh veggies I consume regularly, and joining a CSA. I will be more diligent about cutting all dairy and soy completely out of my diet. And attempting more positive thinking and less stress.
The clock starts tomorrow morning, with my first weigh-in. Wish me luck!

artemishi @ 2009-10-24T01:51:00

2009-10-24T08:50:03Z

What's ironic?
Having intellectual chemistry with an elligible man, for the first time in your life, whom you are 100% attracted to. Who is attending school in New York, and soon to be attending Grad School anywhere but in your region.
While also dating a man who is, by large gaps, not emotionally or intellectually compatible with you, but soft and snuggle and present.

I'm not sure which demon to follow.

artemishi @ 2009-10-21T08:31:00

2009-10-21T15:45:40Z

I learned a technical skill for you. I went to a week-long training, I did in-depth research, I read and educated myself, as per your direction, on Plone (the content management system). We signed a contract to build it. I readied the content to move. I scheduled time to train others on it.
Now you tell me that "due to politics", which are apparently beyond my ken and so let's not inform me about what they are, we are using an entirely different content management system. This is what I know about Sharepoint: it's huge, and goes way beyond the little web content management needs we have. You can't tell me exactly when we'll implement it. You can't tell me exactly why. You can't tell me anything, except that I better start learning Sharepoint now, and forget what I knew regarding Plone.
And of course now I wonder- once I learn Sharepoint, won't you just invalidate my hard work and switch to something else?
And in the meantime, what is my job? Apparently nothing. Which means a damned good reason to lay me off. Which is what you've been wanting to do for months, to free up money. Hmm.

I don't resent having to learn something. I don't even resent having my work invalidated (this is hardly the first time that's happened here). But I do resent this stick-and-carrot approach to directing my job. Stop playing head games and using fear as a motivator, and do your freaking jobs.

Really? I mean.....really?

2009-10-13T21:33:21Z

Let me get this straight:
You forced me to transfer from the Administration & Finance technical writing path my job/career was positioned on, down to IT, despite the fact that you knew (and I insisted) that I have no IT skills nor desire to work any IT path.
And now you want to lay me off because I don't have any IT skills and therefore can't cover other open positions for a programmer or database administrator.
And in order to save my job, I must learn two different software bits, asap, and pretend to you that I want to work an IT path. Even though we both know that's a lie.
Plus, apparently, stop talking anything to do with work with my work-friends, as having done so means I have failed your 'test' for confidence.

Really? Truly? I need to get this career in writing off the ground ASAP. Pick one of my novels, I don't even care if I think it isn't good enough, and market it around in November.
Plus write my next bestseller during NaNoWriMo.
I hope to the gods I get into grad school, and I won't stop applying until I do.