Shady Business

Today I had a fun adventure after work. I was going to meet a "client" in a McDonald's parking lot to exchange goods for money. When you put it that way it sounds sketch, but that's the truth. In other words I was delivering a special order bracelet to someone who was running errands and happened to be near a McDonald's that we were both familiar with (I knew it because they have the best McFlurries in town...that's not exactly true. I'm sure their frozen treats are delicious but I know it because I get my gas from the BP across from it). Doesn't sound so shady now.

'Tis the Season

In the spirit of advent (and One-a-Day vitamins) I'm going to try posting something everyday until Christmas. It'll be like those paper chains I made as a kid where you tore one off every day leading up to Christmas, or like an advent calendar where you open one compartment a day to reveal something fun! preferably a chocolate. So hopefully I will have something interesting to say everyday for the next 4 weeks. Is it possible? Can it be done? Stay tuned.

Better Than Football

This year was the first Thanksgiving that we had cable (which after about two and a half months of having I am still super excited about) and because we have the cable we get all sorts of bonuses, especially holiday programming. Take today for example...on Bravo they had a Top Chef marathon/special holiday themed challenges. I was so excited, but I barely got to watch any of it because there was so much other stuff to do today like cook, participate in family outings, and hang out with siblings...which I am all about, by the way, but I just wish the networks planned these things better on less busy days so that we can take time to enjoy them.

Times Are Hard

There's no more need to spend all of your money on fancy grapefruit flavored juices. Apparently when you brush your teeth and then drink blue gatorade it tastes just like grapefruit juice...I just discovered this like five minutes ago.

Oh My Stars!!

It's the week of Thanksgiving...that little nugget just sort of snuck up on us. I'm pretty excited about this week for multiple reasons. Probably I'm most excited about my brothers coming home. I no longer have to feel like an only child. The house will be full again...almost. I'm also pretty excited about the pies my mom will be making at the Culinary Institute of America on Tuesday. I do enjoy a good pie.

Someone's Rediscovered the Paint Program...It's Me!

I've been meaning to do a drawing based on the song "Jezebel" by Iron & Wine...two years later it finally happened.

who's seen jezebel?

she was born to be the woman i would know

and hold like the breeze half as tight as both our eyes closed

who's seen jezebel?

she went walking where the cedars line the road

her blouse on the ground where the dogs were hungry, roaming

saying, "wait, we swear we'll love you more and holy

jezebel, it's we, we that you are for only"

who's seen jezebel?

she was born to be the woman we could blame

make me a beast half as brave

i'd be the same

who's seen jezebel?

she was gone before i ever got to say

"lay here my love you're the only shape i'll pray to, jezebel"

who's seen jezebel?

will the mountain last as long as i can wait

wait like the dawn how it aches to meet the day

who's seen jezebel?

she was certainly the spark for all i've done

the window was wide

she could see the dogs come running

saying, "wait, we swear we'll love you more and wholly

jezebel, it's we, we that you are for only"

Can't Get Enough of This Cat

Here's a paint program rendition of Phineas for you all to enjoy

Mythical Beasts

These guys are a reality...Think about that. Blows your mind don't it.

ZebdonkNarwhal

Albino Buffalo

Jackalope

Another Kind of Mission

In life there are certain things that people are constantly searching for...love, happiness, the perfectly shaped rock, and all sorts of other nonsense. To add to this list of things, I am interested in finding the best ginger ale ever and also the best spicy dark chocolate ever. These two tasty treats come in varying degrees of gingerness and spiceyocity. So far the best ginger ale I've had I think was in Namibia with a brand called Stoney, and the best spicy dark chocolate I've had came from a Wal-Mart in Pigeon Forge, TN (true story)...but there are still other varieties to try.

On a Mission

So, I'm still reading this book I started back in September , "The Wind-Up Bird Chronicles", which is very good, but I can't seem to finish it. I'm just a really slow reader when I'm not travelling. There are too many distractions at home like the internets and the cables. So, except for this blog entry and maybe a few others, I need to keep my eyes on the prize and finish this fine piece of Japanese literature. Also, Caitlin is setting a deadline for me that I need to have it done before she gets home. I don't think I win anything for finishing it though, dang.

F

The first thing I tried to do in the "studio" today was put the rocks I found at Sugar Creek in wire settings, but when I went to fasten the wire with my pliers the rocks broke. Apparently the rocks around here are too delicate to handle the awesome power of jewelry fabrication. I am not going to give up on this idea though. I would just pick up and road trip down to the Smokies and get more rocks from there (and I totally would) but I feel there must be a more practical way...Maybe I'll check out Caesar's Creek.

ps
Speaking of the awesome power of things, Ellen is going to be on Oprah today. What will happen when two Super-Lady Television Talk Show Hostesses share the same stage? Tune in to find out.

What Are You Huntin'?

...or as they say in the north "What are you looking for?" Well, since you asked, I'm looking for rocks. I had this idea to use rocks in my jewelry, it looks better than it sounds. I had some river rocks that I may or may not have illegally taken from the Great Smokey National Park, I don't know. However, I threw them all away 'cause I didn't know what to do with them, but apparently I had one that was saved, and I figured out what to do with it, and I want to do more stuff like it, but I have no more rocks. I was hoping to find more river rocks that are thin, round, and black, but looking around Sugar Creek I found grey/brown, square, fossil filled specimens. Not too bad, but not what I was huntin'. Just another regional difference between the north and south.

ps
They have classy rocks up on the beaches of Maine with recognizable names like Jasper.

November

Time to get out the sweater vests and mittens, it's getting cold.

I Meant to Do This 6 Hours Ago But Fell Asleep Instead

Sorry Caitlin. Today is 2 November, the sign of Scorpio is upon us, it's Day of the Dead in Mexico, and in Namibia Caitlin is celebrating her 27th birthday. This week's shout out is a Happy Birthday shout out...heyo!!!

I know I only sent you a card for your birthday, but trust me, there is a bountiful gift basket waiting for you at home...something to look forward to.

I wish I had a few more pictures chronicling the life and times of Caitlin, haircuts and all, but all I have are recent photos. Here are a few when she came home right before heading off to Africa.

Happy Birthday Grrrrl!!!