It's getting warm and I couldn't be happier. It's amazing how productive I am on a nice sunny day... imagine what a rockstar I would be if I lived in California. Anyway, after a weekend full of fun events I'm in a great mood. I attended a pub crawl, a dinner party and took two trips to the movie theatre. Go see Burn After Reading if you haven't done so, it was great. Vicky Christina Barcelona did not impress near as much.
So far this week I've applied for six jobs and had a skills test with a local temp agency. Turns out my typing is great but my spelling not so much. Yesterday I had a weigh-in and lost another 1.5 lbs so I should hit the 20lb mark in the next week if I play my cards right. Afterwards I had a nice lunch at New Seasons with V and got some of the hot office gossip. I've managed to avoid turning on the TV at all during the days, which is good considering the insane addict-ability of HGTV. Thankfully I have free internet (yeah neighbors!) and a full iTunes library. I really don't need much else to live on.
Since I'm home all the time I've realized that I need to start setting weekly goals to keep on track. So, here is my plan for the week:
• Apply for a minimum of one job per day
• Download & print class syllabi, order books
• Attend lap swim or upgrade to jogging. I'm not built for speed so I'm leaning towards the pool although it requires putting a swimsuit. Tough call.
• P/U library books on writing business plans and .commerce
• Complete 20 e-cards & upload for my awesome web guy to play with
• Catch up on my design blogs
• Research uterus removal procedures - I'm tired of the damn cramps... there has to be something that can be done about this nonsense.
• Take Sabine to the dog park, it makes her so happy
• Turn 30!! I guess I'm officially an adult now. Yeah!
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label summer. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Upside to SAD
Despite the fact that I have the energy of a slug from October to June, I have found that there is an upside to Seasonal Affective Disorder. And that upside, in a word, is Summer. She was a little late getting to the northwest this year, but slowly she crept in and, suddenly, I'm like a little kid who has had too much sugar. For example, this is what I did today:
I slept in until 9, had breakfast with coffee and checked my email. At 10, the little Russian contractors came and began banging on the pipes and hollering at each other. I'd tell you what they said but the only thing I understood was "Mischa" and "Papa," which was quite charming in fact. While they worked I began my semiannual decluttering ritual.
First, I went through my closet and pulled out all the crap I hate and/or doesn't fit and went through the boxes of "storage." I use that term lightly because it's mostly stuff that I don't need that gets shoved in next to the Trivial Pursuit games and is never seen again - like the World Book CD that came with my iMac in 2001.
Next, I went through all my books, DVD's, paperwork and art supplies. I didn't go through my pen box (because I just don't have the heart to throw away PrismaColor markers, no matter how faded or sad they are) but I did go through the 3 tubes of posters that have been hiding in the corner and my sad little college portfolio.
Finally, I emptied each and every drawer in my "sideboard," cleaned under my bed, paid my bills, paired down the chotchkes and then reorganized the stuff I need to get rid of. All in all, I have 2 boxes of books to take to Powells, 1 giant box & 2 bags to take to Goodwill, a bunch of Apple posters to post on Craigslist, a recycling bin full of paper & magazines and a huge box of items to shred (in hindsight, 1 cup of coffee might have done it).
And yet, my house still looks like a little old kleptomaniac lives here. I mean, why do I keep this stuff? Why do I have 7 years of bank statements? Why do I have receipts from 2005? Why do I have 3 calculators, in 3 different drawers, 2 of which are broken? And don't get me started on the push-pins. I don't even have a corkboard in the house anymore - what the hell am I supposed to do with 300 multi-colored pushpins??
So, I did what any right minded woman does when faced with such questions. I went to IKEA. Actually, I went to Lowe's first, to return that stupid ceiling fan, and then went to Swedish Heaven with my newly acquired cash. I managed to find what I needed, plus a few things I didn't, and still made it home under budget. Included in the purchase were magazine holders, a lamp that is so cool & modern that I'm not sure a square like me is legally allowed to possess it and CD storage. I also got some great ideas on how to spruce up my kitchen (on the cheap) once the contractors have finished.
Then, to top off my fabulous summer day, I went to a BBQ where I ate pork byproducts and guacamole. I'm home now and ready to crash - I need my sleep because tomorrow I have a big task. Tomorrow : I alphabetize my CD collection. I'm sooooo excited!
I slept in until 9, had breakfast with coffee and checked my email. At 10, the little Russian contractors came and began banging on the pipes and hollering at each other. I'd tell you what they said but the only thing I understood was "Mischa" and "Papa," which was quite charming in fact. While they worked I began my semiannual decluttering ritual.
First, I went through my closet and pulled out all the crap I hate and/or doesn't fit and went through the boxes of "storage." I use that term lightly because it's mostly stuff that I don't need that gets shoved in next to the Trivial Pursuit games and is never seen again - like the World Book CD that came with my iMac in 2001.
Next, I went through all my books, DVD's, paperwork and art supplies. I didn't go through my pen box (because I just don't have the heart to throw away PrismaColor markers, no matter how faded or sad they are) but I did go through the 3 tubes of posters that have been hiding in the corner and my sad little college portfolio.
Finally, I emptied each and every drawer in my "sideboard," cleaned under my bed, paid my bills, paired down the chotchkes and then reorganized the stuff I need to get rid of. All in all, I have 2 boxes of books to take to Powells, 1 giant box & 2 bags to take to Goodwill, a bunch of Apple posters to post on Craigslist, a recycling bin full of paper & magazines and a huge box of items to shred (in hindsight, 1 cup of coffee might have done it).
And yet, my house still looks like a little old kleptomaniac lives here. I mean, why do I keep this stuff? Why do I have 7 years of bank statements? Why do I have receipts from 2005? Why do I have 3 calculators, in 3 different drawers, 2 of which are broken? And don't get me started on the push-pins. I don't even have a corkboard in the house anymore - what the hell am I supposed to do with 300 multi-colored pushpins??
So, I did what any right minded woman does when faced with such questions. I went to IKEA. Actually, I went to Lowe's first, to return that stupid ceiling fan, and then went to Swedish Heaven with my newly acquired cash. I managed to find what I needed, plus a few things I didn't, and still made it home under budget. Included in the purchase were magazine holders, a lamp that is so cool & modern that I'm not sure a square like me is legally allowed to possess it and CD storage. I also got some great ideas on how to spruce up my kitchen (on the cheap) once the contractors have finished.
Then, to top off my fabulous summer day, I went to a BBQ where I ate pork byproducts and guacamole. I'm home now and ready to crash - I need my sleep because tomorrow I have a big task. Tomorrow : I alphabetize my CD collection. I'm sooooo excited!
Friday, June 20, 2008
Summatime... And The Living Is Easy.
Today was a fantastic day and I'm in an excellent mood. Summer has finally arrived in Portland! For the first time in like, a year, the forecast is all cute little suns for 6 days in a row. I'm thrilled, but I kinda wish I could put an A/C unit in my bedroom since it's 80 degrees up in here... oh, well.
First, I had two contractors come to the house today to give bids on fixing the things I've F'ed up. Note to self: Do not get a wild hair up your ass and tear down sheetrock. Or let your brother and nephews take out the front walk with a "breaker bar." Or rip up flooring to see what's underneath. Or decoupage your kitchen counters. Or paint the backsplash tile... should I go on?
In addition to marking "Call Contractor" off my list, for the first time in awhile, I'm seeing a lot of interest in my resume and portfolio. It's nice to hear something other than "your work is good, but...(insert letdown here)." Anyway, now I have some hope. And, hope is a good thing.
So, that's my Friday in a nutshell. As mentioned before, taking Fridays off = best idea ever. You should try it.
First, I had two contractors come to the house today to give bids on fixing the things I've F'ed up. Note to self: Do not get a wild hair up your ass and tear down sheetrock. Or let your brother and nephews take out the front walk with a "breaker bar." Or rip up flooring to see what's underneath. Or decoupage your kitchen counters. Or paint the backsplash tile... should I go on?
In addition to marking "Call Contractor" off my list, for the first time in awhile, I'm seeing a lot of interest in my resume and portfolio. It's nice to hear something other than "your work is good, but...(insert letdown here)." Anyway, now I have some hope. And, hope is a good thing.
So, that's my Friday in a nutshell. As mentioned before, taking Fridays off = best idea ever. You should try it.
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