Unringing the Bell

WWTD?

I haven't heard from that job so I am going to go ahead and assume it's not happening. I know that's what I did last time and it turned out otherwise, but I figure I just have to go on with what I know. And that is that I am working a lot at the cafe and making fairly decent money and that while it is sometimes still difficult to wake up so early in the morning I absolutely love getting out no later than 3 (usually before 2). I also love completely being myself and the people I work with are great too, as are many of the regulars. It's nice to have SOME sense of a social life in this virtual social void I have been living in. Work does that for me. There are still some things up in the air with the cafe and I hope they work out for the best, but we'll just take things as they come. I am not going to stress out over it too much. For now, things are being taken care of financially and otherwise and what's to fret over?

We are busy busy busy packing and slowly moving boxes over to the new digs. Slowly, buy surely, I think things will work themselves out. I am feeling inspired (though I say this in a mumble-tone lest I over-estimate my feelings) to write and paint and draw and photograph and Alex and I are carefully planning how we are going to work out things in the new apartment so that our stuff takes up less space and will hopefully be less overwhelming.

I am kind of insisting on a workspace. Right now, my work space consists of a small corner of the floor, but it is mostly my fault being that I can't bring myself to get rid of a book or a knick knack apparently. I would love to have an office/studio, but that day will come. For now, all I am asking for is a corner with a work table. We will be getting rid of a lot of stuff in this move (furniture-wise) so that's hopeful. And Alex has his office at school and will still have the coffee-table and now even a kitchen table for math stuffs...so hopefully it will be a fair trade. We won't have our comfy couches, but we will have plenty of places to sit, a comfy bed and what I am hoping is a house that is a tad more conducive to productivity.

Speaking of which, here is a shirt I made for my lil' sis for her birthday. (I took a pic of her wearing it, but it was too dark to use.)

It's kind of silly, I'll admit, a bit much. And I didn't take a lick of enough time to do it really well, but it was kind of nice to slap dash something together for her to wear at her birthday dinner, which finally happened yesterday.

Also yesterday I found out another good friend of mine will be having a little bebe. I cannot believe the proliferation of my friends (almost all male) who have been falling in love, getting babified and are in the midst of moving out west. Today at work, during a lull, I almost started crying. I am happy for all my friends, but I really started to feel this sense of loss. So many of my friends are leaving. And though now I don't get to see them nearly as much as I would like to (they are all already at least an hour away, and in some cases two), they are at the same time only 1-2 hours away! Across the country though, that's a Christmas visit MAYBE if we are lucky. And with babies and other family obligations. Oy! I hate it. I am happy for them, but I hate that so much of my life has been glumped into this "remember when" transistion instead of a "hey I am making crazy memories!" thing. Does that make any kind of sense?

Don't get me wrong, I look forward to what is to come, I know how important that whole making your own life and family and whatever thing is. I look forward to it myself. The more I think about it, the more I look forward to one day having this big ol' (or small ol') brood of my own. Kids and their friends and ice tea on the porch. Birthday parties and sled rides and family dinners. The whole nine yards. I'll even take the bickering for a boisterous household. But I feel too like I am mourning a bit of something. Mourning my past, my single crazy what the hell are we doing and when will it all make sense, past. And mostly my friends.

I was talking with my boss about that today. She is in her mid 40's and has two grown children. I was asking her if she felt like it ever made sense. Was there ever a day when she didn't feel like she was winging it? The long and the short of it, no. She did say it was pretty amazing to have these two grown kids now. To talk to. Wild. I think it is anyway. But, yeah, even now, she wings it.

Some people seem to have it so together though. Today at the cafe, this girl I went to college with came in. (I should say woman.) Anyway, she comes in fairly regularly, and her husband, the fire chief, does as well. I didn't even recognize her all those times which is funny because her parents and she along with myself and my folks all ate together at this family dinner my freshman year of college. It's not like I totally didn't know her. Anyway. Today she asked if I went to MC and as soon as she did I realized who she was. Her, with her kid (who must have been 2) and her fancy car and her fancy fire chief husband--well, it all seemed very adult. And I felt like such a teenager in comparison. Making her a chai and accepting her tip. It's so silly this thing I put on myself. I really oughtn't compare myself to her. She is a lovely woman who happens to have different interests than me. I don't think the life she leads would appeal to me. It wouldn't fit. So I should just be happy for her and think nothing of it. I don't covet what she has, instead I question myself. What the hell is my M.O.? Am I ok with where  I am? With where  I am eventually (hopefully) going? Ramble ramble ramble.

Moving on.

I hope to work on a painting soon after I move based on this photo of mah' man.
I like the pers-
pective and the color and the subject matter, so I hope I can work it a bit. I think I ought to do several sketches and perhaps several paintings in various styles. I always feel this guilt/aversion to painting from photographs. This teacher I had in a drawing class in collage was SO against it saying that drawings and paintings always seemed so flat. And I can see what she means, but you know what? Fuggit. (leeeeee!) In fact, I took a lot of pcitures of this "scene" knowing that I would choose one to paint.  We'll see what happens.

I am afraid I might be coming down with whatever my boss has. Some kind of cold. But then, it could just be those margaritas followed by waking up at 4 o'clock this morning.

Why doesn't someone stop me?

Rollin', rollin', rollin'

It looks like Alex and I have a new place to live. We're ironing out the details, but basically it's one town over from where we live now. Not a HUGE jump, but it will help out or living arrangements in a number of ways. One, it'll move us about 15-20 minutes closer to just about everywhere we ever go.

The house we live in now is just SO far out there. Once we get to our town it takes this additional ludicrous amount of time to get to our house and it's really been grating on the two of us. (Though probably mostly me.) I get up at 3:45-4:00am many days for work because it takes me 30 minutes to to get there. In this new place I can actually wake up at 4:00-4:15am!!

Also, it's just closer to all the stores and the pub and, just everything (which is not MUCH, but still) around. It's also closer to the road AWAY from here. So maybe our friends and family will actually WANT to come visit us.

We have known about this place for a couple months (it's the one we went to look at in the beginning of January) because my boss at the cafe lives in/owns the house the apartment is in. We were hemming and hawing not knowing if we were going to move even farther away, but our options, truthfully, are limited what with Alex in school. This will even get him back on the bus line (a thing my man is all too excited about!).

Anyway, long story short, it's a nicer place, interesting with all these curvy wood-lined walls. And sunnier and closer to lots of things. It's actually a one bedroom as opposed to our two bedroom now, but it's bigger. Sounds crazy to move from a two-bed to a one, but it's open and spacious in comparison to our very compartmentalized apartment now. It's just got a ton more character, a nice backyard and sidewalks! That's right, I can actually walk (with or without Iggy) around my neighborhood and ride my bike!

Well...I'm sure you will be kept updated. I think we are moving April 1st.

In other news, we rented Woody Allen's Melinda and Melinda which got a Tricia and Alex (T & A) one thumb down, one thumb sideways review for a total of 1/4 of a thumb. It was just...meh.

We also rented Wedding Crashers. I mean, we were looking for a silly light-hearted movie, but this movie was just BAD. We didn't make it 20 minutes in. There's this long montage of Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn going from wedding to wedding and dancing and drinking and seducing and it's not remotely interesting to watch. I just cringe when I think about how much money is spent on movies that are that bad. And Vince with the soliloqueys. Enough already. I haven't gotten an official vote, but my bet is this is a T & A full thumbs down.

And now...we're off to measure the doorframes at the new place and look for boxes. Yee-haw, another move!

No Gnus is Good Gnus

I don't have much to talk about lately. Things are the same humdrum they've become.

Alex and I have done some exploring around the area in an attempt to find home. Somehow it keeps leading us back home. Though I still don't think this is it.

We did find a few fun places to go on those days (most days) when there is nothing else to do. And some places that were just fun to stumble upon like this place in Middletown:

And here, look at the gal's face who's bum Alex is copping a feel, funny, eh?

Anyhow, we've a few more things to iron out. Decisions to make and options to mull over. I have to go meet with the temp agency today which might help with some things, but I am thinking it also might set me up for a daily call-in to ask "Any jobs today?"

Sigh.

I just printed out my resume. It looks pretty good. And truthfully, I am even better OFF paper, so... anyone wanna' hire me?

In the arts & craft world I have been inspired by a dream I had the other night in which I saw as clear as day this illustration that was also presented as an animation. I remember in my dream thinking "Ugh, why couldn't I have thought of this?" It was that cool. And when I woke up I realized I DID think of it! As far as I knew it really was my subconscious mind presenting an art wallop to me. However, though I can still visualize one frame of  the animation and the action of the animation and the general overall gist of it, I can't picture the fine detail and I don't have the technical skill to translate it to paper yet. That will be a frustrating little loop.

So instead, I did this sketch of Iggy. It's nowhere NEAR done, this was only a ten minute (if that) paint study. But, let me tell you, it is a true exercise in foreshortening. I hope to do more work on it soon.

Help Wanted

Alex and I are considering every possible alternative to living here for the next year and a half to who knows how long. We are considering living elsewhere and subletting our apartment for the summer (maybe New Hampshire??), but more permanently we are going to try to work it out so Alex only has to be on campus 1-2 days a week so we can live further away. At a half-way point between my family and here, or maybe somewhere entirely different that is still reasonably commutable for him.

I feel bad asking him to do this, but the truth is, it's what I have been doing (commuting I mean, and altering my life) since September. His life, frankly, is more malleable since he gets paid to go to school and doesn't have a ton of on-campus commitments. I am only worried he will feel out of the loop if we do this; however, the selfish part of me says "I am dying here." Melodramatic, I know. But I am sinking here. I truly am.

I am looking everywhere for work. We are considering getting back within easy traveling vicinity to The Have, and have even slightly discussed NoHo--not that we are convinced finding work will be simple in either of those places, but at least there are a couple key peeps and stuff to do there. 

In my job search, I have found this ad:

Nanny wanted for 3.5 year old girl. Looking for someone who is smart, honest, reliable, sensitive, creative, and fun! Must be a non-smoker, speak English like dogs [sic],and have your own car. Some light housekeeping and errands. Full time. Please email for more details.

Which is at least humorous. Let's face it,there are a lot of things when looking for work that are much less than humorous. I mean, I think I CAN speak English like dogs. Sign me up!

Any input/insight into a move would delight me to no end. See, the way I see it, is though Alex may have to do some driving, if we were somewhere less life-draining we would be happier overall (and really, Alex has a lot of time off during the school year, too) and much happier together (not that there is remotely anything wrong between us, but let's just say, I have been much less than stellar in terms of a life-mate these days). Also, if we are not in a place (we BOTH, by the way) hate, we are more likely to stick around longer, thus buying Alex the time he really needs to finish his PhD as opposed to trying to rush it.

Rationalize much?

I feel really guilty about this. I feel like I am failing him. But, it's that bad here.

In other news. I have been denied admission into that program. I should have known, but I do feel like a loser. Today I stumbled upon old classmates/acquaintances who are doing all these amazing things, PhDs and successful artists. Leads me to ask "Where did I go wrong?"

It's bad. I probably really shouldn't be posting during times like these. It's dreadful going back over my posts and seeing just how miserable I have been over the years and particularly lately. It's probably boring as hell for you all--or, maybe you are all sickos and you enjoy feeding on my misfortune and misery because it makes you feel better about yourselves (wouldn't take much these days)--or, perhaps some of you (at least sometimes) feel the same way and can commiserate. I am hoping it's the latter, but if you are getting a kick out of my misery, at least I have accomplished something.

When I was younger, as a teenager, throughout high school, I was so successful. I was a go-getter, I did things. I was in groups and on teams and I volunteered and I did projects. I was in the top ten percent!

I still do things, but what happened to that successful part? I keep shooting myself in the foot over and over and over again. And I think, suddenly, instead of it looking like a playful little tap dance it is beginning to look like a limp.

Nerd(s)

O.k. I've made a big mistake. I just compulsively ate about a half a box of Nerds*. Yes, the candy. I have to be up in less than 3 hours and I just gorged myself on sugar. My stomach already hurts. This is big. This is bad. This was stupid. It's seriosuly time to re-evaluate.

*This coming from a person who generally never eats candy.

UPDATE: I have been in bed for two hours. I have slept possibly 20 minutes. Have a nice day! I am going to work. Yee-ha! Things can only get better from here.

Angels

I have been having a rough time of it. I can't pretend otherwise. Me, and this town, just don't seem to fit.

The most recent bout of badness has arisen in the fact that there was a fairly major misunderstanding with the graduate program I applied to. Apparently my application was "misfiled" under my maiden name and though I am trying to be the squeaky wheel about this it is looking more and more like I am S.O.L. I have basically been told (yes, in so many words) that because of the mistake on their part, I have missed the deadline and will not be considered for a spot in the program. As I have said in the past, I am not sure I would have gotten in anyway. Last year they had 140 applicants and accepted 16, so I knew that it would be tough. However, to have spent the time and energy (and money) only to be told "Sorry. We screwed up." is upsetting and more than a bit frustrating.

I am trying to look at this as some cosmic intervention. Perhaps I was not meant to go to the program. Or, true, perhaps  I was not meant to go now. However, I don't see it as a possibility to wait and re-apply for the following year (they only do fall admission). Partly because Alex is most-likely finishing his program next year and we were already planning on staying an extra year in these parts if I got in which would put a lot of things in our life on hold already (family, Alex's career, getting out of this area). Putting things on hold two more years is simply not an option.

So what is it I am supposed to do instead? What will make me happy? I don't have to be ecstatic, but happy. A little.

The following is an email from my dear friend Sunny. We have been good friends since taking several poetry classes together when I was in college. She is a bit older than me, but talking with her and being with her has always been so natural. I sort of look to her as a mentor. She has a true and honest heart and she truly is a shining example of how to tackle life and the obstacles that can be thrown in your direction--of which, she has had a few.

Dear Tricia -

Oh what sad news about the HESA program.

But if it doesn't happen now, what about re-submitting your app. to start a year later?  It's not like just cuz they misfiled your app that you can't ever go - surely it's still possible, if not now then later.

It's frustrating and definitely a bummer, but it doesn't mean that it's all over does it?

And if it really doesn't happen...well, frankly, I'm a great and true believer in cosmic re-direction of our lives.  Every time I've run into a disappointment - large or small (some of them down-right overwhelmingly devastating at the time) - it's turned out (eventually, never right off) to be for much the best - I'm much happier and downright relieved to be where I am and not where I thought I wanted to be.  And that doesn't mean you should quit trying to reach your goals - it just means that sometimes we need the extra test to make sure that's the direction we want to go in, OR it may mean that we need to be stalled for a bit so we can (or have to) re-evaluate - OR it may mean that we have to be stalled because something else much better is coming down the pike that we haven't a clue about - something that we have to be ready and available for that we can't know about just yet.    

It's happened to me too many times to ignore it, and I've seen it happen to many others.  It's funny, because I think it's really important to follow and pursue your dreams, but also stay open to the possibility of a cosmic re-direction.

I don't like phones, and I don't like computers.  So who (least of all me) would've thought that I'd LOVE my job?  I took this job because I had to earn a living somehow.  Well, it turns out I like computers a whole lot more than I thought I did or would.  And though I'm still not fond of phones or being on a phone, that's not what this job is about.  This job is perfect for me, and yet, on the face of it, it looks like a bad fit.  I would've missed the perfect job for me if I hadn't been forced by financial necessity to take it.

I offer all this as a sign of hope for you.
Things are never as they appear.  Keep up the faith.

Did you ever read the Narnia books?  There's one, I can't remember if it's the one about Prince Caspian or which it is, but there's one where the main characters are in amongst old ruins trying to find something and there's part of an ancient inscription visible on one of the stones that says "Under me..."  Well, it turns out that though it's only the beginning of an ancient inscription the whole of which has nothing to do with the current situation, that "Under me" is a message for the characters in that time of the story.

I know this is all part of a ficticious story, but I believe that there is real truth to the idea that there are messages for us as individuals that are part of something else that has nothing to do with us.  That there are messages for us, directions for us in what we should do, if we only allow ourselves to trust in the universe and listen for the messages in un-likely places.

If you were an angel (a real angel with wings and special powers) and you had to get some human to get some message that you can't really deliver yourself (because they'd freak out if they actually saw an angel) - how would you deliver that message?  You'd have to do some pretty strange stuff to get the human to not go in the direction they think they should go.

I don't believe in angels as they are defined (wings, etc.), but I do believe that we can find really important messages in really strange places.  So keep trying for the HESA program and be open to any messages that come along your way.

Angels?  I think that we're all capable of being angels and we all ARE angels - momentarily - that we step into the role of angel for another person for a very brief time, as needed.  Sometimes we're on our own agenda when this happens - that what we do that's so important for someone else actually originated and is part of something that we're trying to do for ourselves or for some other unrelated reason.

This has turned into a long thing of "This, I believe" sort of thing.  Sorry about that.

Anyway, again, my main message is to keep after the HESA program, but be open to other possibilites in life.  We never know what we're really in for, after all. 

Now, to change the subject, I'm glad to hear that you and Alex are still hoping/planning to get up this way.  I'm looking forward to it!  (I even have your wedding present now too.)  Nat and I have been incredibly busy - we (mostly Nat) have now finished all the kitchen cabinets.  The kitchen is absolutely wonderful.  I can hardly wait for you to see it.  It looks so much better, works so much better, and because we re-arranged furniture too, it's also much more people friendly.

It'll be great to have you up - whenever works - and then we can hash out the whole life thing for all of us, while taking in as much wine and munchies as needed.   And when you're here for the summer, you'll just HAVE TO come over for a cookout outside on our rocks - life just doesn't get any better than that.

Much love,
and all the best -

Sunny

Dog Nose I've Tried

I just wanted to pop in here to do a little check in.

The last two days have been a bit of a mess. I got stranded with a quirky car problem in the middle of, well, not nowhere, but not much of anywhere either for three hours yesterday. I had to do the dreaded, which was to knock on a complete stranger's door and ask to use their phone. Luckily, it was a nice neighborhood and daytime. I couldn't reach Alex, however, because he was teaching. And stupid me, I left my cell phone (which barely works around here anyway) at home. I will tell you (most-likely tomorrow) what I was doing while I got stuck, but suffice it to say, I was not happy when I finally got home. Especially since I left for work at 4:30 in the morning and didn't get back home until after 6pm. On a high note about that experience, I got to take several nice long walks.

I have also basically been an emotional wreck for the last three days (hello, Aunt Flo) and it didn't help to have an eerie experience involving a letter received by post concerning a girl from college who was killed by a hit & run driver out in San Francisco while riding her bike home from work. All very sad, but my connection (perhaps entirely fabricated in my mind) is this:

Basically, what happened (and I pieced this together afterwards and randomly most-likely while  doing something mundane like frying an egg or making a latte at work. Does that ever happen to you? Revelations during the most mundane.) is that I didn't know this girl well at all. Know, in general, would be a strong word. Rather, given the small nature of my school, she was someone who I regularly nodded to, smiled at, perhaps said something to like "What classes are you taking? What time is the dance performance? Careful, it's really icy up there. Can you please pass the soy milk?" (Like I said, small school, passing the milk was a highly likely conversation. Even with someone you didn't know very well, you'd occasionally share a breakfast table.)

Anyway, the one thing that makes her stand out in my mind is that after my Oral Exam my senior year, she and a couple other people helped me celebrate by drinking champagne and go-go dancing on a picnic table with/for me. And, I am not exaggerating. For about a year now, she has popped into my mind fairly regularly (more than the average hall-passer from college) and as often as I saw people who might know her, I asked "What was that girl's name?" The last time I asked was over Christmas when some friends we went to school with came to New Haven for a visit.

Well, Thursday night, late, for some odd reason, I got very emotional. I was even crying. Granted, I was exhausted and hormonal and should have been asleep, but I couldn't rationalize. I was convinced someone had died. I was convinced that I would get a phone call about it in the morning. Now, I know I didn't know this girl very well and I frankly, I was thinking it would be my mother (a terrible thing, I know), and I can't for the life of me imagine why I would be connected in any real way to this girl other than that she has popped into my head. I didn't even remember her name, for goodness sake, and even when we got the letter Alex had to refresh my memory about who that person was. The name didn't ring bells when typed out plainly before me. But when I realized who it was and when I remembered that I was expecting the news of someone's passing in the morning, I have to admit, I felt, and still do feel, a little odd.

Now, tonight, my stomach is being slowly torn open by some kind of virus. Already feeling a tad better, but anything further described would really change the tone of this blog.

I took down the tip jar and some ads. For one, I don't think I am of the stature to just ask for your money, (yet. har.) and I didn't want to overload things with too many ads. I will keep the Google Ads for now. Some people have a big issue with ads and I can see the point--I suppose, kinda'--but I guess it just doesn't get my panties in too much of a bunch. I am sorry if they bother you, but I am trying (by labeling) to be clear that those will bring you to another site that is not THIS ONE. (Much like when you are reading a newspaper or magazine and you turn the page or glance in the lower or upper corner of the page to find--low and behold--you are no longer in the article anymore!!) (Though I will admit, those clever ads that try to look like articles are a bit annoying.))

Perhaps one day I will see it differently, but for now, I will keep them. In case you are curious, I have made next to nothing off them, but I don't really have some huge scope these days either. But heck, in less than a month $3 is a lot more than the $0 I made in three years off my other blog. (Trust me, I feel mildly foolish, or I don't know, sheepish?? for thinking I deserve anything. I mean, I AM here on my own accord. But then too, there are tons of people doing tons of things that maybe don't deserve much either, but earn millions and I am tired of always saying "Nah, I could never take your money." Can you tell I am having a minor moral/ethical fit over this?)

I am interested to hear other points of view on it (Hear that can of worms opening? Iggy always comes running at the sound of the can opener.), but please, let's keep it at a dull roar, if you are inspired to comment at all. Thanks!

For now, I am going to sit on the couch and watch DVDS of Northern Exposure with my husband and pray my stomach will JUST. STOP. ALREADY. It's raining outside, my husband brought me flowers today, my dog snuggled up to me on the couch for a good long time, and were it not for my stomach (and money fears and missing my friends and worrying about my mother and missing my dad and and and...), things would be all right.

Good night, sleep tight.

So Goes Life: Update #1

I've been traveling between New Haven, Boston and home for the past two weeks for work, and I wanted to apologize that I asked y'all to come here only to find little to read or look at. Suffice it to say, I am grateful for the opportunities to make a little extra income especially now when I am only working part time at best, even if it means traveling away from home. However, it's been a stressful time. Working long hours, waking early, driving long distances (and subsequently paying for the gas) and being away from my husband have left me with little energy for much else. But I shouldn't complain too much. I have been fortunate enough to see a couple good friends and to stay with my sister and her family.

In general, there are several key things I am focused on this month: waiting to hear about my grad school application (have I mentioned I don't have high hopes for this?), trying to work on some grantwriting for a friend of mine who is trying to secure an art studio in NYC, working on a myriad of projects (crocheting myself a scarf, painting, drawing, writing, etc...), taking pictures, doing taxes, paying my bills and working on this website.

You probably noticed I am trying Google AdSense, and that I've put up a tip jar. Perhaps these things are presumptuous or even silly, but honestly, I figured, "why not?". I  took a bit of inspiration from a woman at the cafe where I work who sells greeting cards that she designs. She just put them out there, and inevitably people bought them. I suppose that's how it is with things. You put it out there and either it sells or it doesn't and what is there to lose if you are not sacrificing any artistic integrity?  I have a lot of talented friends, some of whom finally, after much nagging on the part of myself and others, have begun selling their work. And the thing is, it's working! Isn't that wonderful?

So come on people, let's all start believing in ourselves. Even just a little bit.

Tonight, Alex and I had craft night. At the frame shop each employee was asked to paint a 12"x12" canvas for the window display. It's called Works of Heart and it's for Valentine's Day. I began my painting, but so far, I am unimpressed. I will post it when I finish. Alex, on the other hand panted a fun little abstract and also added the final touches to a tiny (2" square) painting I did last year. It's called "River of Bees and Five Orange Trees" and it's based on a vision I had in a dream. Alex added the yellow to the river of bees for me. Here it is (you can click on it to see it larger):

Aside from the general monotony, life is just chugging along. I finally feel at home--in our apartment, in our town--for the time-being, and find myself looking forward to being here when I am away. I have realized that no matter where I am--this happened a little bit even when we were on our honeymoon--I prefer to be at home. I get antsy and feel unsettled elsewhere.

I am still feeling a tad insecure with my directionless-ness, but I am also content in the knowledge that my life does not have to be abstractly "deep" in order for it to be worthwhile. I am trying, as I know I have said a million times before, to keep it simple.

Other than all that, I suppose I will continue these little "updates" when it seems fitting, and rest assured I will be back to writing more regularly as soon as my out-of-town travels settle down a bit (at the end of this coming week).

Stay tuned for posts including "Famous People I Have Met, or, Well, You Know, Saw Once From Across a Crowded Room,"  and soon an album devoted to everything Iggy!

Fresh & Tweaked

Welcome! And thanks for stopping by.

I hope I have not lost any of you in the move. While Blogger has been good to me, I was ready for a change and the only way I could see going about it was to make a total move. Many of my favorite blogs (for example this, and this (look at that! sisters!)) seem to do well with typepad so I thought I would give them a try. And some of my other favorites like Loobylu began with Typepad or Moveable Type as well. I needed a fresher look, have grown tired of the brown, and well, honestly, that archive list was getting long, wasn't it?

While I hope I am not getting ahead of myself, I am thinking that from here on out, I will try my hand at "more serious" blogging (whatever that means), and I hope it doesn't land me with my foot in my mouth. (Though since having my teeth removed a couple days ago, there just might be room!) But really, I guess what I mean by that is that I would like to get away from the "ho-hum, my life is boring" post to something with a little more, I don't know, substance.

I am thinking I would like to focus my posts more, write about thoughts and memories in more depth, and while I can't imagine totally forgetting about my "What I did today" posts, I am going to attempt to qualify them more, provide more insight, thought etc. In addition, I am trying in my life to be a bit more creative and spontaneous. I think I might have some links to drawings and paintings (that I will eventually do and then of course, eventually upload), as well as crafts, fiber art projects, and perhaps a link to my fiction. I don't know. We'll see how it goes.

I do hope that you will all make the transition with me. And in the spirit of National De-Lurking Week, which I believe recently passed, please, let me know if you've made the trip! I would love to know if you've decided to join me. I don't know if I have ever mentioned this, but I get a real dork-a-licious thrill out of hearing from you.

So, with that, let me remind you to read my profile which has been elongated for your reading pleasure, and away we go!