So I guess I'll do one of these 40 before 40 things because why not. I always like to do an adventure on my birthday, and I haven't done quizzes in a while, so creating the list will allow me to take a lot of these as quizzes plus then I'll have a good list of mini-adventures to do before 40.
Not that anyone's counting, but I have 105 days, so I should have time to get a list and then complete all the tasks. WHAT AM I, BUSY OR SOMETHING? Why not add more stress?
I mean - fun!
This list is originally from PureWow.
1. Fall in love.
Done and done and done and done and done...
2. Get her heart broken.
Done and done and done and done and done...
3. Find a gyno that doesn’t make her feel like a seventh-grader in sex ed.
Done - but I haven't found one yet in Durham, so I do need to do that. Not that it's an adventure I think worthy of adding to this list. Although it would be a very responsible addition.
4. Take a solo vacation.
I stayed at our timeshare for an extra week by myself once and that was really nice. Lots of reading and listening to the waves. It's really nice to set your own schedule when on vacation.
5. Skinny-dip.
Done, but not since college.
6. Try a short haircut (it’s OK if “short” means shoulder-length).
Done. And thanks for clarifying that "it's OK" if I don't go all the way. [eye roll] In fact, I don't think I could get it much shorter than it was at my wedding. I mean technically she called it a "long pixie" so I guess there's always the option of a "short pixie." Either way, it was awesome and I often consider getting it cut really short again. Then I remember how long it took to grow out and I reconsider.
7. Cook Thanksgiving dinner.
Done. Except, hmm. I would have appreciated an "it's OK if you're mostly vegetarian and the thought of massaging oil and spices into a dead featherless bird that looks eerily like a human baby totally grosses you out. Feel free to let someone else do that part or skip cooking a turkey - that still counts as Thanksgiving dinner."
8. Perform karaoke.
Done and bought the machine. Well, received it as a gift from my parents who are the best.
9. Read Jane Austen.
Done several times over. Actually lost my virginity after watching Sense and Sensibility (1995 film). Don't think about that too hard.
10. Own a dress she feels stunning in.
The problem with this is that lots of people who struggle with self-esteem never actually feel "stunning" so can we change that to a different word? Maybe "sexy"? Or "like she's not embarrassing herself too terribly"? I really like my red dress and before I gained a bunch of weight I felt that it looked really good on me. I bought it for myself for my 36th birthday at the Bettie Page store in San Francisco, too, so additional points for that.
11. Own a handbag she’s proud to bring to a job interview.
Sure I like bringing my wooden purse around. It gets lots of complements (takes attention off terrible-fitting dresses). Mom bought it for me in the Dominican Republic.
12. Own a toiletries bag that’s more than a Ziploc sack streaked with sunscreen.
LOL THIS LIST IS FOR WOMEN OF A CERTAIN AGE NOT TEENAGE BOYS RIGHT?!
Done since high school. Please.
13. Understand her color palette.
In the late eighties I got my color palette done and they said I should wear 1) gold jewelry and 2) turquoise and pink makeup and clothes. I decided color palettes were not for me at that time, which I feel was a very grown-up decision. Now I know 1) I wear mostly silver jewelry, 2) I look good in green, 3) I wear lots of navy and indigo because they are my favorites, and 4) I wear lots of black because it matches so many things and is forgiving of a few extra pounds. So I guess yes, I understand my color palette.
14. Have a stance on organized religion.
Done.
15. Have an orgasm.
Done.
16. Operate a power drill.
Done.
17. Ride a roller-coaster.
Done but THERE ARE NEVER ENOUGH ROLLER COASTERS.
18. Ride a motorcycle (yes, on the back, going six miles an hour counts).
No, thank you.
19. Sleep outside, in a tent.
Done. You should actually clarify "under a tarp" because that's a totally different experience. Or "under the stars" because wow.
20. Make a presentation in front of 20 people or more.
Done.
21. Tell off a stranger.
Working in the service industry for so many years, I've been told off by enough strangers to know that this is an extremely shitty thing to do and makes you look like a raging asshole and an idiot and people remember it and it can make them feel bad even years later. Also, you never know when someone's cat just died. I don't do this and you shouldn't either. Shame on you, quiz. [Wait does that count as telling off a stranger?]
22. Apologize to a stranger.
I'm sorry, quiz.
23. Accidentally send an email to the wrong person and then realize that life goes on.
Done. Like I did the SHIT out of this one.
24. Learn how to knit.
Uh, done? Kind-of?
25. Forget how to knit.
Ok, then yes.
26. Decide she’s comfortable with her crafting skills, whatever they may be.
Definitely.
27. Host a dinner party.
Done! I love it! I want to do it again and I think about it all the time but Collin doesn't really like my cooking so it's a little awkward...
28. Know how to order a bottle of wine.
Indeed. It's all about pseudo-confidence baby.
29. Do something big and selfless for the planet or the people living on it.
Hmm, I guess working for nonprofits doesn't really count? I'll have to think about this one.
30. Vote for a winning president.
OBAMA COME BACK PLEASE!!
31. Play the lottery.
Done! I've even won the lottery, although not much. :-)
32. Negotiate a raise.
Done. So tough. I'm still really proud.
33. Start a 401(k).
Well, 403(b).
34. Tell her mother/grandmother/favorite lady mentor just how influential she’s been.
Done lots of times.
35. Help a friend through a difficult time.
Done.
36. Accept a friend’s help during a difficult time.
Done. It's easy to accept but hard to ask for.
37. Figure out how to make a house a home.
Done - plants and books and cats and framed diplomas.
38. Grow something green.
Done!
39. Salvage something broken.
Well - lots of my furniture used to come from weird places and much of it was broken or worked in special ways so yes. I also glue stuff together a lot so yes. This one is a definite.
40. Dance like no one’s watching (bonus points if it’s the moonwalk).
At least once a week, but not the moonwalk.
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label crafts. Show all posts
Thursday, June 01, 2017
Monday, July 12, 2010
Balls?
The Spain - Netherlands game was (hopefully) the worst soccer game ever. It was TERRIBLE. Embarrassing for the Germans for not passing them by, honestly. And for Uruguay, honestly. That game was GOOD.
So anyway, I'm going to improv tonight. We'll see. There was definitely some drama on the improv front this weekend, so I'm feeling a little hesitant. It's hard to be serious about something at the same time I'm insecure about my position and talent, and also have fun at the end of a long day of work. So, yeah. I've decided that I'm no longer putting all my eggs in that basket. Instead, I'm going to work on those goals I listed.
I am feeling good about the embroidery one, and Sanks has already agreed to let me cut his hair. I think if I bought some scissors he might change his mind--that's how he is.
I watched the Wire this weekend - season four. Dang, that is sad sad SAD. I sure do wish I could solve all the problems in the world. No child deserves that. No Child Left Behind is such a joke. As if passing a standardized test would even solve all the problems for children today. I want to be a foster mother. I've told Sanks, but I think he thinks I'm joking. Silly Sanks.
Well, I better go look up glass-blowing classes.
There seems to be a cricket in my office. Heaven help me.
So anyway, I'm going to improv tonight. We'll see. There was definitely some drama on the improv front this weekend, so I'm feeling a little hesitant. It's hard to be serious about something at the same time I'm insecure about my position and talent, and also have fun at the end of a long day of work. So, yeah. I've decided that I'm no longer putting all my eggs in that basket. Instead, I'm going to work on those goals I listed.
I am feeling good about the embroidery one, and Sanks has already agreed to let me cut his hair. I think if I bought some scissors he might change his mind--that's how he is.
I watched the Wire this weekend - season four. Dang, that is sad sad SAD. I sure do wish I could solve all the problems in the world. No child deserves that. No Child Left Behind is such a joke. As if passing a standardized test would even solve all the problems for children today. I want to be a foster mother. I've told Sanks, but I think he thinks I'm joking. Silly Sanks.
Well, I better go look up glass-blowing classes.
There seems to be a cricket in my office. Heaven help me.
Friday, July 09, 2010
Question:
What would you do if you had all the time in the world and money was only slightly an issue (i.e. you only made twice as much as me)?
Because I don't know what I would do, since I NEVER HAVE TIME TO DO ANYTHING ANYMORE.
Let me start with a list:
~ Learn how to sew, at least until I: make a skirt with my new sewing machine
[look at this fun skirt!]
~ Embroider my new skirt using my mad embroidery skillz
[No visual aid needed. Boo-yah!]
~ Take private swimming lessons, at least until I: can do that flippy thing at the end of the lane while I'm swimming laps
~ Take a yoga class, at least until I: can do scorpion pose (yeah, ok, that will take a loooooooong time, but I really want to do that pose)
~ Re-learn glass-blowing and lampwork, at least until I: make a cat-masterpiece.
~ Learn acupressure, at least until I: can stop panic attacks with a single finger.
~ Learn massage, at least until I: can do BABY MASSAGE!!!
[TOO FREAKING CUTE.]
~ Write, write write! at least until I: get a literary agent.
~ Take a class in stand-up, at least until I: perform once.
~ Learn how to cut hair, at least until: Sanks lets me cut his hair!!
Lots to think about...
The point is, I'm having some mental health days lately. I need to get my life in order because this life is all I've got. I'm tired of spending time, wasting energy, losing sleep, and gaining weight because of shit that doesn't matter in the long run. Nothing is worth that.
It's hard to remember that I'm an adult, and that no one is looking out for me except me. I have to be the one who makes decisions about my future, and about how I spend my free time, and about the kinds of things and people I surround myself with. And I'M TIRED OF SETTLING.
The longest journey begins with a single step... And my journey is apparently only ten steps long.
Goals:
1) sew a skirt
2) embroider it
3) learn flip turn
4) take yoga (let's say, until headstand and extended leg wheel pose)
5) take a glass blowing class/workshop
6) take an acupressure class
7) learn baby massage? hmm, wonder if they have cat massage...
8) send something out to a literary agent
9) take a stand-up class
10)cut Sanks' hair
Sweet. This is awesome.
Because I don't know what I would do, since I NEVER HAVE TIME TO DO ANYTHING ANYMORE.
Let me start with a list:
~ Learn how to sew, at least until I: make a skirt with my new sewing machine
~ Embroider my new skirt using my mad embroidery skillz
[No visual aid needed. Boo-yah!]
~ Take private swimming lessons, at least until I: can do that flippy thing at the end of the lane while I'm swimming laps
~ Take a yoga class, at least until I: can do scorpion pose (yeah, ok, that will take a loooooooong time, but I really want to do that pose)
~ Re-learn glass-blowing and lampwork, at least until I: make a cat-masterpiece.
~ Learn acupressure, at least until I: can stop panic attacks with a single finger.
~ Learn massage, at least until I: can do BABY MASSAGE!!!
[TOO FREAKING CUTE.]
~ Write, write write! at least until I: get a literary agent.
~ Take a class in stand-up, at least until I: perform once.
~ Learn how to cut hair, at least until: Sanks lets me cut his hair!!
Lots to think about...
The point is, I'm having some mental health days lately. I need to get my life in order because this life is all I've got. I'm tired of spending time, wasting energy, losing sleep, and gaining weight because of shit that doesn't matter in the long run. Nothing is worth that.
It's hard to remember that I'm an adult, and that no one is looking out for me except me. I have to be the one who makes decisions about my future, and about how I spend my free time, and about the kinds of things and people I surround myself with. And I'M TIRED OF SETTLING.
The longest journey begins with a single step... And my journey is apparently only ten steps long.
Goals:
1) sew a skirt
2) embroider it
3) learn flip turn
4) take yoga (let's say, until headstand and extended leg wheel pose)
5) take a glass blowing class/workshop
6) take an acupressure class
7) learn baby massage? hmm, wonder if they have cat massage...
8) send something out to a literary agent
9) take a stand-up class
10)cut Sanks' hair
Sweet. This is awesome.
Thursday, July 08, 2010
My revolutionary uterus.
Seriously. Ouch. I believe there might be a Little Big Horn type last stand going on in my reproductive system:
"I just want you to know, Charity, that WE ARE STILL NOT PREGNANT IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED. What, do you think we're a youngster?!! Do you think we have all the time in the bloody world?!? BECAUSE WE DON'T. We're running out of time and you better RECOGNIZE IT. Come this time next month, if there is not a baby/parasite up in here, I'm done. No more. This will be our LAST EGG. Do you hear me now?!?! GOOD."
Lighten up already!
I came home from work yesterday, fed the cats, drank a beer and ate some pineapple pizza, took a bath, did 30 minutes of Yin Yoga (it was too much to try to do "real" yoga), and was in bed by 9. I swallowed two Tylenol PMs on my way down, and although I woke up when my alarm rang at 6:30 this morning, I went back to sleep until 8:30. Yes, that is almost 12 hours of sleep. But until you have to deal with the riot in my belly, you are not allowed to judge.
Tonight is the first night of my embroidery class though! I'm very excited. I hope there are nice people there. It's at my favorite Atlanta fabric store, Whipstitch, and I'm hopeful about spending more time there in the future. I already made a coaster, dangit! And it is AWESOME.
OK, peace to you and also unto my uterus,
Charity :-)
PS-I'm re-reading Grendel, which was one of my favorite books from high school. It's even better than I remembered! I think my uterus has a new name.
"I just want you to know, Charity, that WE ARE STILL NOT PREGNANT IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED. What, do you think we're a youngster?!! Do you think we have all the time in the bloody world?!? BECAUSE WE DON'T. We're running out of time and you better RECOGNIZE IT. Come this time next month, if there is not a baby/parasite up in here, I'm done. No more. This will be our LAST EGG. Do you hear me now?!?! GOOD."
Lighten up already!
I came home from work yesterday, fed the cats, drank a beer and ate some pineapple pizza, took a bath, did 30 minutes of Yin Yoga (it was too much to try to do "real" yoga), and was in bed by 9. I swallowed two Tylenol PMs on my way down, and although I woke up when my alarm rang at 6:30 this morning, I went back to sleep until 8:30. Yes, that is almost 12 hours of sleep. But until you have to deal with the riot in my belly, you are not allowed to judge.
Tonight is the first night of my embroidery class though! I'm very excited. I hope there are nice people there. It's at my favorite Atlanta fabric store, Whipstitch, and I'm hopeful about spending more time there in the future. I already made a coaster, dangit! And it is AWESOME.
OK, peace to you and also unto my uterus,
Charity :-)
PS-I'm re-reading Grendel, which was one of my favorite books from high school. It's even better than I remembered! I think my uterus has a new name.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Eye of the needle/hurricane
Wow. Remember how I said getting my sewing machine threaded was a reasonable goal for yesterday afternoon? I stick by that, but realize now that despite thinking it was a joke and a goal that I couldn't help but meet, it was DIFFICULT. That thread is tiny, and even having two separate diagrams and two different colors of thread (upper and lower threads), the act of getting them both to do what they are supposed to do, where they are supposed to do it and how, was surprisingly complicated!
After several hours of cursing and finagling, I am super proud to announce that: I MADE A COASTER!! And yes, that IS just two pieces of fabric sewn together, one of top of the other, but nonetheless, I'm impressed with myself. And deservedly so/sew.
My printer has not yet come at work, but I am pleased to announce that my orders from bluefly and anthropologie have! I also got a pair of shoes that is surprisingly ugly, but were also only $20. They're ugly, but they are comfortable, and they are practical, and they are professional (up to my standards, that is), and they are sandals, so they will be kept despite not being keepers. :-)
So anyway, after a marathon day of meeting (I count a two-hour meeting as a day-long marathon), and before I head to a post-work meeting about non-profit development (awesome - also two hours, by the way), I'm going to sign off. I'm sorry Mom has gone, but I look forward to alone time with Sam and Max tonight, too.
Perhaps I'll get crazy and make ANOTHER COASTER! WOAH! Somebody stop this sewing fanatic!! I'm sew crazy.
xox
PS. I'm setting a goal of doing yoga tonight. Just FYI. I need some centering. I got a new book about yoga and lifestyle. This week I'm supposed to eat 3 meals a day as much as possible (although I'm snacking on raisins right now since I have that meeting right after work), and drink warm water throughout the days. Like tea without tea leaves. I know, exciting! But I tell you what, getting up and getting my warm water DID provide a nice change of pace several times during that marathon meeting. So, thank you warm water diet. :-)
After several hours of cursing and finagling, I am super proud to announce that: I MADE A COASTER!! And yes, that IS just two pieces of fabric sewn together, one of top of the other, but nonetheless, I'm impressed with myself. And deservedly so/sew.
My printer has not yet come at work, but I am pleased to announce that my orders from bluefly and anthropologie have! I also got a pair of shoes that is surprisingly ugly, but were also only $20. They're ugly, but they are comfortable, and they are practical, and they are professional (up to my standards, that is), and they are sandals, so they will be kept despite not being keepers. :-)
So anyway, after a marathon day of meeting (I count a two-hour meeting as a day-long marathon), and before I head to a post-work meeting about non-profit development (awesome - also two hours, by the way), I'm going to sign off. I'm sorry Mom has gone, but I look forward to alone time with Sam and Max tonight, too.
Perhaps I'll get crazy and make ANOTHER COASTER! WOAH! Somebody stop this sewing fanatic!! I'm sew crazy.
xox
PS. I'm setting a goal of doing yoga tonight. Just FYI. I need some centering. I got a new book about yoga and lifestyle. This week I'm supposed to eat 3 meals a day as much as possible (although I'm snacking on raisins right now since I have that meeting right after work), and drink warm water throughout the days. Like tea without tea leaves. I know, exciting! But I tell you what, getting up and getting my warm water DID provide a nice change of pace several times during that marathon meeting. So, thank you warm water diet. :-)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Wah, wah, wah...
See, is that a baby crying or a slide guitar? Who knows? It's all a matter of perception. Just saying.
Rehearsal last night was... ok. I'll probably write more about it in my improv blog, but maybe not! Maybe I'll just stuff it down, deep inside, where all my other non-memorable, disappointing and deflating experiences go. Yay! Feels better that way. ;-)
I finished the embroidery last night while I finished watching the last episode of Firefly. I love that series. I got it on sale at Borders recently and I'm really glad I got it. It's a subtly good show -- just consistently good quality, not using flashy stupid things to get your adrenaline going, but with enough exciting scrapes to keep the show fast-paced. It's really good. My favorite episode is definitely "Out of Gas" but "Heart of Gold" is a close second. The latter was never even aired! I hate when networks give up on brilliant shows just because they hate me and are out to get me. Another one I want is Jericho, but that ended tragically (i.e. with a huge unanswered cliffhanger). Firefly ended reasonably well, although the movie Serenity did a good job on some story lines and on others SUCKED. Anyway, moving on...
So the little embroidery thingy-do is done, but now I have to make it into a pillow or something. I don't know about that. I want to start a sewing project, actually, but 1) I'm nervous, and 2) I can't decide on any fabrics! This is totally a good thing for me. I need practice making safe (relatively inconsequential) decisions. It will build up my confidence for when I have to make big (real) decisions.
So I'm going back to work. Today I get to design things (newsletter, brochure) so I'm excited about that! This is the part of my job that I really love.
Charity :-)
Rehearsal last night was... ok. I'll probably write more about it in my improv blog, but maybe not! Maybe I'll just stuff it down, deep inside, where all my other non-memorable, disappointing and deflating experiences go. Yay! Feels better that way. ;-)
I finished the embroidery last night while I finished watching the last episode of Firefly. I love that series. I got it on sale at Borders recently and I'm really glad I got it. It's a subtly good show -- just consistently good quality, not using flashy stupid things to get your adrenaline going, but with enough exciting scrapes to keep the show fast-paced. It's really good. My favorite episode is definitely "Out of Gas" but "Heart of Gold" is a close second. The latter was never even aired! I hate when networks give up on brilliant shows just because they hate me and are out to get me. Another one I want is Jericho, but that ended tragically (i.e. with a huge unanswered cliffhanger). Firefly ended reasonably well, although the movie Serenity did a good job on some story lines and on others SUCKED. Anyway, moving on...
So the little embroidery thingy-do is done, but now I have to make it into a pillow or something. I don't know about that. I want to start a sewing project, actually, but 1) I'm nervous, and 2) I can't decide on any fabrics! This is totally a good thing for me. I need practice making safe (relatively inconsequential) decisions. It will build up my confidence for when I have to make big (real) decisions.
So I'm going back to work. Today I get to design things (newsletter, brochure) so I'm excited about that! This is the part of my job that I really love.
Charity :-)
Monday, June 21, 2010
New developments!
Can there be old developments? Just curious.
I am excited to announce that I have ordered internets at my house! Yay! They will be here Friday. This will be great because I will finally be able to do all my internets stuff at home, and not have to sneak around work to do it. I will be able to focus on one thing at a time, which will be nice.
In the interest of focusing, then, I'm focused on going home right now. I'm sorry that this entry is so lame, but that's how it has to be.
I started another embroidery project last night. Still having the same commitment issues with it, though. I don't want to start something because I might start hating it halfway through. This is a good exercise for me, I think.
Rehearsal at nine tonight. I'm already sleepy. That's a bad sign.
I am excited to announce that I have ordered internets at my house! Yay! They will be here Friday. This will be great because I will finally be able to do all my internets stuff at home, and not have to sneak around work to do it. I will be able to focus on one thing at a time, which will be nice.
In the interest of focusing, then, I'm focused on going home right now. I'm sorry that this entry is so lame, but that's how it has to be.
I started another embroidery project last night. Still having the same commitment issues with it, though. I don't want to start something because I might start hating it halfway through. This is a good exercise for me, I think.
Rehearsal at nine tonight. I'm already sleepy. That's a bad sign.
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