people doing stuff

goodness gracious, what to say...

an afternoon of surfing here and there I find even more goodies to explore. god bless people who have time to create and to consume.

if you're bored, or need a smile, dig deep into these two gems:

• normalbobsmith.com
• improveverywhere.com

4:35 p.m. 2005-03-30

wakey-wakey

for the past few mornings, I keep telling myself, "Self, you gotta remember to post that."

I've been sleeping really well lately. and for those that don't know me, sleeping is one of my favorite pastimes. better than sex. almost as good as eating.

getting a new bed for xmas was one of the best purchases I have ever made. however, the enjoyment has been frequently interrupted my the empassioned cacophony of snoring and desparate gasps for air emanating from the body lying next to me.

yes, he's been to a doctor. no, it's not sleep apnea. there's very specific criteria for that and he doesn't warrant that diagnosis. despite nose strips and throat spray (they don't work), I've grabbed my pillows and marched down the hallway to the futon on more than one occasion.

the first medicine was just a nose spary decongestant he was to try for three days. no go. the second medication takes 10 days to become effective. well, something must have worked because I'm not noticing a lack of sleep nor restless nights.

it could just be the weather. my mind transitions to awake coated in the residue of past joys of summer vacation—not your typical foggy, San Francisco, rush-off-to-work morning. the air smells great, thick with possible adventures and a freedom from responsibility and stress.

I relish those pure morning sensations before I realize my cup typically seems half-empty. so long as I don't forget those glimpses of hope, I can weather any storm.

To life, I say, "Bring it."

10:31 a.m. 2005-03-17

typing break

a mid-day entry, as I'm avoiding writing about blogs for one website and editing copy for another website.

it's interesting watching yourself work. as I age, I notice when I'm on and when I'm off; what motivates me and what distracts me. I have been on the less productive end of the scale today.

yesterday, it was all about real estate and my dreams of homownership. today, it's just frustration and rage at the innane site architecture that the brand people with approval sign-off want to build. why can't I just hit that grindstone face-first?

back to it. thanks for the opportunity stretch my fingers and practice word generation.

3:32 p.m. 2005-03-15

quitter

phew... in after 5:15pm and DL is letting me type. PTL.

I'm in a foul, foul mood. stress and the sense that I'm a failure bring out the worst in me. I hate feeling inadequate and that's what's going on.

I just sent my Russian professor an email telling her I'm dropping out of the class. granted it's just City College, and I wasn't taking it with hopes to transfer to some slavic language graduate program. however, I can't help but feel sucky that I'm not following through.

specifically because I quit to avoid taking tonights Unit 1 exam. I haven't touched my books all week. last week, I didn't do the homework. I'm a shadow of my formal student self. Grades become a means to measure myself and come out inferior. so I bailed.

even though I've had A's on the two previous quizzes. I assume I got a B on last week's vocab thingy. I don't like putting myself into situations for which I am ill-prepared.

the only reason we (yes, the SO is in it, too, starting the exam a scan few minutes ago) took the class was to be prepared for a trip to the former Soviet Union this summer—inspired by a friend of his that's living in Moscow and we'd have a free place to stay.

I don't even want to go. No, it's not because of the class. I've learned a lot and I have some books if I really wanted to brush up. Sure, I'm sure I'd love it (and, yes, we'd go to St. Petersburg, too), but it's not a priority right now.

A recent opportunity, which is worth of its own posting, has made me want to horde my duckets so I can go into debt over a piece of real estate. we're about to dip our toes into that swampy bog of mortgages and bidding wars.

I've travelled enough (for now). Trust me, I'd do it more if I had unlimited resources. Nowm I want my own homo. Mr. Man wants to go, period. We'll see how that one plays out.

6:32 p.m. 2005-03-10

whoa, Nellie

damn you, eBay, and your wiley, economically-priced yarns! I must stop bidding on you. (not to mention other things like selvage jeans, stupid premium denim.) so, I didn't get the Noro Kureyon... but I keep going back to the "Buy It Now" chunky Rowanspun.

I have more than enough yarn as is. plenty of stuff given to me by the aforementioned dear friend. lots of leftovers from past projects. a whole sweater's-worth once I'm finished the current cardigan, not to mention the first sweater that I've resigned myself to rip out. then, there's that fleece to be spun for a yet unnamed project. and, this weekend's outlet mall purchase of a XXL handknit sweater to rip for many balls-worth.

there will never be enough time or money to knit everything that my little heart desires. eventually, I'll have to prioritize my newfound interests with the classics I want to knit up on. just because a coworker/friend gushes about a certain Japanese beautifully-dyed yarn, doesn't mean I need to seek it out immediately. I have yet to earn the right to knit cashmere.

I need to go on a yarn diet. no more purchasing, online or off. no requesting freebies. then, I'll create a schedule for future projects and the stash I have. once that's done, there's reading to do (how many knitting books do I own and have never cracked???) and judicious selection of more projects.

how do people maintain jobs, or social lives with knitting? when is it appropriate for an intervention? can one tackle big projects like home-buying, starting a business or writing a book and balance those lovely little sticks and fiber?

maybe I should just start up a second project to feel more productive...

5:11 p.m. 2005-03-08

ONJ would be proud

So, I made a bet with a friend to be consistent in working out. I had really fallen off the activity horse. She's a good gym go'er and I wanted to be like her.

She told me I need accountability and asked me for $100 that she'd give back after I succeeded at my task. I said, "no." Then, she asked what would be a reward for myself, and I decided sushi.

So, I have to workout 3 times/week for 3 months. If I succeed, I take the two of us out for $100 worth of Ebisu sushi. If I fail, I take her out for $100 of Ebisu sushi and don't eat any myself. Which would suck. But it kind of rocks for her since she gets sushi no matter what.

So far so good. We're into month 3, and I've only had two weeks where I worked out only 2 times. But all is not lost.

She's allowed me to "bank" workouts, since life surprises you. So, as long as I have an average of 3 workouts each week, I'm good. But it can't be abused and do under 3/week two weeks in a row. Does that all make sense?

All I know is it's working. I'm running maybe twice a week. I do a little yoga, at least once each week. And there's my weekly synchro practice.

When we formed our pact, I was eager to make it 4 times/week, but was counselled to start small and doable at 3. Maybe Q2 will see 4x/week. The only competition on my schedule is synchro in July. In Atlanta. Woo woo.

Otherwise, I spend my time knitting. Knitting a lot.

5:22 p.m. 2005-03-04

past - future