Shopping, Writing, And The Reason Cutting Ties Is So Goddamn Freeing

Today was such a pleasant day. One of those days I remembered there is more to life than finishing the pot roast by six pee-em sharp and making sure the silverware is shiny. I went for a ride today in a really crappy Ford and found pieces of myself scattered along HWY 19: I got my bedroom set from that store, I got lost at the next exit once, I used to take that bus, there's that crappy mexican place and the dumpster I once threw up in...Ah, so that's where I've been.

I went to Borders. Who knew salvation could be found in an overpriced chain bookstore? I found it in the glossy map section; laminated oversized illustrated maps that were cleary thought up to overstimulate the mind and cause children to have seizures right in the middle of social studies class. No matter, I picked the NYC one up anyway and found myself staring. The setting of the story of my life captured in a tacky 2D placemat complete with outdated drawings of the World trade Center towering over the streets. Underneath a caption, "As of September 10th 2001. See editor's note."

"Well, that should be fixed." I didn't turn around to greet the stranger, just nodded and pointed next to Yankee Stadium. "I used to live there," I said. He made a clicking sound with his tongue. "The Bronx. huh. Well, what are you doing?"
This time I turned around and raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here, I meant." "Oh," I said, putting the map back on it's rack. "I don't know." He nodded and walked away. I went to the writing section and grabbed a dictionary and a book on common grammar mistakes. I almost grabbed a book on fleshing on characters but I'll save that for the library.

All in all I bought more books than I care to mention, more books than I honestly can afford but that's okay. What could be better than losing yourself in fiction after finding yourself in a bookstore?

Dinner was taken in at a good Mexican restaurant. Mmm jalapenos and some serious hot sauce. Three cheers for the inevitable 2am tummy cramps!

As for cutting ties...well, I did. It wasn't to be bitchy or make some kind of point, I just needed to get away from a constant source of negativity and whining. It hasn't been very long but the effects on my psyche are beginning to show themselves and I'm pleased. Sometimes when people act like children you have to pick your battles; this time I chose to just walk away. It was not worth it in any shape or form. Maybe I just need a breather but I'm not going to focus on it other than to write this blip. I do intend to keep in touch with people, though. Somehow...*strokes chin*

Anyhoo, I'm off to spend more plastic money and buy some supplies for SAL's enclosure. I'll be posting about that again soon. I'm also considering turning half of my bedroom into a mural. Yes? No? Maybe so? While searching for artistic inspiration maybe I'll get a story idea for the newest Edit Red challenge. I hope so.

Until next time <3

Building an Enclosure for SAL, Part I

Sal, love of my life, is my Eastern Box Turtle. She was found by my father in the streets of NYC apparently abandoned by some dipshit and possibly attacked by a dog. She was injured, hungry, and sick. Tons of reading, veterinarian visits, and money (aye) later, my little girl is walking fine, eating like a hog, and a beloved member of the family.

SAL used to be kept in a large enclosure inside the house. That didn't work for my little escape artist. After months of fighting her about it, we finally decided to just let the little brat be free and roam the house like she owns it. Hence why in the picture above she is chillin' on the kitchen floor.

However, I think it's time to try the whole enclosure thing again. Now, I don't want to necessarily keep her confined; I think she enjoys the exercise and stimulation she receives from wondering around But I also think she needs some hidey-holes, something to burrow in and a much wider dish of shallow water than she has now. So this is where my craftiness (and insanity) come in. Using highly advanced graphic tools (MS paint) I've sketched out how to turn a large Rubbermaid tote into a nice get away spot for SAL.



So the picture itself is not that great but here's my quick explanation: On the floor of the habitat will be reptile carpet cut and fitted to size. Attached on the left hand side of the container will be a UV light with a sunning rock placed several inches underneath. Right near the middle I want a large shallow pool so SAL can bathe herself; she's not a swimmer whatsoever so it only needs to be deep enough that she can waddle in and out of. Because stagnant water is home to all sorts of insects and bacteria I'm looking into something to keep the water moving. A small fountain, bubbler or something here would work. If not, I guess I'll change the water twice daily (I do that already). Directly opposite of that will be a food plate. This needs to be large enough to accommodate the fresh fruits and veggies as well as the canned food and supplements she receives.

On the other side of the habitat I'll lay down a shallow pan filled with substrate. I think I wrote "mulch" in the picture; don't worry, I'm not going to run to home depot and buy bark that's been spray painted red. This is more of what I had in mind. The pan underneath will be to ease changing the moss often. Over part of the moss will be a cover SAL can hide under when she doesn't wish to address her adoring fans.

I think that's pretty much it. Of course I'll regulate the humidity and temperature and drill a few holes in the container to promote some airflow. Hopefully SAL will give her new a home a thumbs up and not sniff in disappointment.

Once I get all this stuff, I'll make another post showing the process and finished product.

I'm excited. :)

Photographing Jewelry

Tomorrow I'm going to give photographing my jewelry another shot. Last time things didn't turn out as planned. I got an enormous amount of glare and some parts of the chain even looked rusty.This is not a selling picture. Sigh. Hopefully I'll get in some good shots that will make my jewelry appealing. Someone told me using white as a background and getting natural light will be of help so *crosses fingers* Wish me luck.

<3 Jess

Old Finished Works

My "Finished Objects" list was getting too long. I'm going to keep it to things I made in a month or 10-ish items; whichever is less.

Here is the rest of the list as of August 30th 2007; I'll be updating this same post over time.

Finished Objects

Finger Scarf
Winged Shawl
Piggy Tail Hat
Meredith Necklace
Vibe Cozy II
Cigar Box Purse
"MMM MMM Pie" Bag (Post)
Rose And Lilith Bracelets (Post)
Teeny Tiny Purse (Post)
No-Cut Bag (Post)

"Villa", "Pook", "Lovers" "Flower #6"

A few pieces of art I did last year. All are completed with the exception of "Pook" which is a work in progress.

"Villa"
Watercolour on 140 cold pressed paper
(I really wish I could remember the image/artist who inspired this. I'll look through my notes)

"Pook"
Pencil and Charcoal, July 2006



"Lovers"
Acrylic, watercolour on 140 cold-pressed, June 2006

(My 5-year old cousin got to it minutes after I finished and got grease and two stains on it. Sigh.)



"Flower #6"
Charcoal pencil, August 2006

Update. That's Right. An Update.

*wipes dust off of blog* Testing, testing, is this thing still on?

Insert reasons for me being away here [___________]. Okay, now that you're done reading that, let's get on with it. I'm giving this blog a kick mostly because I've started crafting/producing art a lot more than I used to. That and I missed blogging. So here I am.

Now, my old pictures used to be kept on my old domain and I lost it so old pictures are lost. I've sold a lot of things I've made so that means no pictures of the past. :( Thankfully I have plenty of new things to show for my absence. I'll be posting things sporadically but will try to get in at least a post a week.

Now where did I put my scissors?

<3

UnNamed Scarf (WIP)

This is a very bad scan of this new WIP but it looks really beautiful in person. It doesn't look even in the scan but it is.
My mom has already sworn to steal this one from me hehehe.
Someone sent me this chenille yarn (THANK YOU!) and I got it last night. I couldn't wait to start something with it and so I did. I'm about 20 rows in now. Yes, I'm addicted to yarn.

Pictures of my almost completed shawl coming soon as well.

Pictures!

The Mabel Scarf
Made from that nifty yarn I dyed a few months ago and sz 15 needles. This is my first knitting project in a while.

More pics coming later on today.

I'm alive, I'm a mess

Weeeeeeee! Hello!

I know I never got a chance to email you guys individually but to all the bloggers and C-Villers that worried about me and tried to help in any way possible, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I really appreciate it!!!

The ER/hospital was grand. Anemia sucks, people. Don't ever get it. I have to take 7 pills a day and if that doesn't work, hello blood transfusion. :(

The move is moving along quite nicely. The house has been appraised to value much more than we're paying for it so I dare say we got ourselves quite a deal.

My mother is also getting much better...well she was. Her worry over me and the stress of the house has gotten to her, methinks. But she's okay and so is my little brother.

And now for fibre related news:

I have FINALLY crocheted something. It's been about a month or two since I picked up my hooks and let me tell you, that first half hour hurt. It's almost as if a part of my body was exercising for the first time in years. Of course, once the ol' wrist got used to it, I was good to go and made a scarf...and another...and a bag...and I'm knitting a scarf...

And guess who finally caught on to the scrapbooking craze? :p

It's odd, I cannot craft while I'm depressed, but I can write. Just go look at my writing blog if you don't believe me. Weird.

In any case I will post up pictures in about an hour, swing by Crochetville, and prolly blast off a few comments on some blogs I've missed.

<3 Jess

Explanation for my Absence

• Three people I know were affected by deaths last week. I've been depressed
• My little brother, light of my life, is moving to Florida next week and we'll be apart for two months
• My friend (A) went through a tough time medically.
  
• My best friend went through a coming of age situation, something every woman goes through usually, and the guy turned out to be an ass afterwards which devastated me. (This story has a happy ending though :) )
• My other friend (B) is going through a tough time with her boyfriend...I am sooo close to going over there and kicking his arse. No woman should be treated that way. No human, really.
• I sprained my ankle
• My abusive ex stepfather is begging to be let into the family again. If he comes back I swear on a stack of bibles I will leave and never look back. 12 years of his shit was enough
• The move to Florida is getting more worse with each passing day and I'm so frustrated

And there's more but some of it concerns other people that I know would not want me to mention their stuff on here. So that's it in a nutshell. No crocheting going on whatsoever in the past week or so. August has to be better. It HAS to be.

Since when is being 19 so hard? I should be out dancing with drag queens or something. Sheesh. Sooooooooooo I shall be back @ Cville in due time. And the SP package was sent out today, thank god! Sorry I am horribly late, dear.

I'm off to do some yoga. It's the only thing saving my mind lately.