Rough stuff

If only things were easy, you know?

The health and wellness issues have taken the forefront for many months now, and the general outcome of all that focus is kind of lack luster.

I need discipline.
I need to concentrate on "practice"... in all senses of the word. Art, Meditation, Diet, etc... I need to overcome my obstacles and reroute around the physical and mental "boundaries" that are in my way.

There comes a time when you just have to switch gears and force yourself into the "ON" position. I don't have a choice anymore. I need to flip that switch, and it needs to STAY "on" for the next 10 months.

Making plans

So many plans. So little time.
I have to get in gear and start thinking about planning my days down to the minute. Or at the very least, down to the hour. And then I have to stick to the plan. I also have to be realistic with my assumptions regarding time commitments to given projects. I have an unfortunate tendency to overbook myself or not allow enough time for given tasks.

This semester includes:

• 13 credit hours (3 weekly classes, 1 class that meets for 3 full weekends, 1 all-weekend workshop)
• 4 TA hours/week (TBA)
  
• 6 Lillstreet open-studio monitor hours in the print and textiles studio
  
• 1 weekend of teaching a (Sat) Papermaking and (Sun) Bookbinding (each a 6 hour class + prep time)
• 3-5 possible photography bookbinding workshops (3 hours each)
• 4 hours at my part time job (once every 2-3 weeks only)
• Countless hours of out-of-class homework, reading, writing, and working on art projects
  
• Possible 5 week class at Lillstreet (up for debate)

I'm swamped, and I haven't even started yet.
My first classes are on Jan. 28th.

I have some time to figure things out and devise a proper schedule for all of the above.
I'm making it happen.

Dreary

This little "problem" with the economy is having a devastating effect on people very dear to me. The only thing keeping me afloat is my husband and my graduate school loans, so I count myself lucky. I'm not sure how I would fair, otherwise.

I want to help.
I want to reach out. But we're just barely getting by, ourselves.
I feel despondent and helpless.

I'm not sure where the next few months will take us, but I hope that we can all hold it together. My heart is with everyone. I just wish there was more that I could do.

It's all too close for comfort.

Countdown

Counting the days until a new President takes office.
Counting the hours until the pot roast is done in the Crock-Pot.
Counting the minutes until it's time time to remove the clothes from the dryer.

The Tivo is paused.
The sun is shining brilliantly.
The leaves are falling with the occasional breeze.

The word "historic" is being tossed around a lot today.
As much as I wish I could say "I was there", instead, I will be "here". Which compared to someone in say... Florida, is still considered "there". But you can't pay me to sit/stand/stay sane in that kind of a crowd. I don't care how "historic" the event may be. I will live it out via the media. Via the virtual realm. I won't really be "there". But I am "here", existing in the moment. I voted. I took part. And I will stay up late tonight waiting for the results.

The Normal Spectacular

Ever get the feeling that you are too normal (plain, ordinary, so-so)? I do. And at the same time, I know that I'm off-the-charts unique, bizarre and just plain (?) weird. All this simultaneously.

Art theory makes my brain hurt. And as soon as I feel I have a grip on what I'm reading, I can no longer verbalize my translation. My own words elude me. I am blank. Sitting watching the ripple effect of all that I have just impressed upon my brain float away, just out of reach. And then, I am rewarded with migraine. Deadlines cause me physical pain. I could stand for some mental yoga, rather than these high-impact aerobics.

Sugar Cookies and Cricket Cola

I've been longing for more interesting food stuffs on my lunch breaks while at school in the South Loop area. My breaks are short, and so must be the distance. And while there is a relatively amazing Jewel nearby with a wide assortment of ready-made nosh, sometimes I just don't want to get my insta-grub at the grocery store. I am thus relegated to Potbelly Sandwich Works on most days. And while I'm avoiding "meat", I am still partaking of the tuna, and their tuna is not so bad. But best of all are the cookies... The sugar cookies and the oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are both quite amazing at 99 cents a pop for a good sized snack. Yum. And more importantly, Potbelly's is an excellent source for alternative cola. Not being much of a "soda" drinker of any sort, I still find the craving for a nice sugary fizz, and there I can find not only a nice IBC rootbeer (second only to Sioux City Sarsparilla), but they also have Cricket Cola. Cricket Cola is a combo of green tea, kola nut and cane sugar with FIZZ. It's a yummy Coke alternative. And since I drink soda a grand total of about 10 times a year. I like this alternative.