Missives of the Differently Sane

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Daily Art -- Pecan Tree and Shed

Pecan Tree and Shed
8 1/2" x 11"
Conte hard pastel on dark blue Canson Mi-Tientes pastel paper, smooth side.

I also got up at 3:30 in the morning last night and painted this from the WDE July 10-12-09 reference posted by SAndypp. WDE is Weekend Drawing Event on WetCanvas.com which is full of great references, good forums, stimulation and challenges with cool references. I am hosting this next weekend's WDE and will post 16 of my latest good photos plus use the reference from my Oil Pastel Society 2009 Member Show entry as the Invitation photo -- which means you're invited to paint from that too, it counts.

Bondi Beach, Australia
5" x 7"
Mont Marte watercolor pencils on Canson "Biggie Junior" 90lb cold press watercolor paper.
The challenge with the WDE was to do something while painting that reminds you of the country the references are from, so naturally I used the Australian watercolor pencils to paint the Australian beach in a storm! Thanks Again, Lauren -- I found your Cat and Wombat paintings in my unpacking and took them out, should be getting back to them soon.

Current Mood: accomplished

backstory: I'm a "customer experience associate" (read: salesbetch) at a popular chain clothing store that's currently using creepy, creepy mannequins as part of its marketing campaign. we're also big on flipflops.

( scene one: ask me about my complexion. )

( scene two: an open letter to customers )

Couture Sewing Samples
x-posted sewhip and advancedsewing

I found some of my samples from when I was training with a couturier and I thought some people here might be interested in seeing them. I'm not giving detailed instructions / tutorials because I just don't have the time but I've written some basic info down to go with the pictures and of course feel free to ask questions!

btw: I can't believe this but you are going to have to put up with me...I have not spoken to an english speaker in a while and I am really tired and I can not for the life of me remember the names of stitches or other sewing terms right now! I promise I know what they are called normally! geez...

( Read more... )
Okay that was suuuuper long. Anyway I hope it helped someone!

p.s. don't forget to watch my journal if you are interested in helping me with your input and valuable opinion as I build that fashion educational website :)

And deeeen...?
Credit union wench, here.

During the summer, we usually have discount coupons for local attractions available for our members sitting out at the teller windows. Answering common questions is to be expected, "Do I need one coupon per person?" "How much is the admission normally?" And so on. No problemo.

What grinds my gears are gems like this lady, who apparently didn't want to read the coupons in her hand.
CL: Coupon lady
Me: :D

CL: *Holding up coupon facing me* "What is this for?"
Me: "It's for $22 off admission to Great America, up to 6 people."
CL: "Gilroy......?" *trailing off into a non- question while pointing to the coupon*
Me: "That one gives $13 off admission to Gilroy Gardens."
CL: "What does it cost for this Disneyland thing?"
Me: "Actually that company does package deals - you get a good discount if you book the hotel and park tickets with them, so it would depend on what you ended up booking."
CL: "What is Marine World?"
Me: "It's called Discovery Kingdom now, we have some coupons for there as well." *gesturing*
CL: *Holds one up facing me, without even looking at it, then gazes at me expectantly*
Me: *Leaning in so I can actually read it* "Ummm...it's buy one admission get one free on weekdays?"
CL: ...
Me: ...
CL: *takes one of each and leaves*
Me: -_-

Take a look! It's on a coupon! Coupon Rainbooooooooow!

Current Music: tori amos - horses

Dear Salem,
You are my dearest darling little love. You know this. When those horrible men broke into our apartment I made sure you got out first even though I was too big to get out the window myself. I love you, my fuzzy son, and no one will ever replace you in my heart. Where I go, you go. We're a pair, you and me.
That being said, dearest, you are going to be a brother to a hairless sibling soon that will look far more like Mummy than you do.
Please do not take this as something to be scared of or intimidated by, even when mummy's stomach gets huge and you lose your lap. Something tells me though, that you will have no issue perching and in the winter I'm sure I will find that a godsend.
You will always be my big boy and my little love.
You and the new baby will be good friends, I just know it.

Love More Than You Will Ever Know,
Mummy

My computer died!
I am typing this on Taesoo's computer, which is a bit like wearing his underwear would be, I think--the familiarity doesn't bother me but it just doesn't fit right.

And now we are going out so he can buy a pillow, and we can go to a massive pillow fight at the park this evening.
Sometimes I am seven.

Pharmacy Woes
First time poster here. :) So, I work as a cashier part-time for my Dad's pharmacy. It's an okay place to work at, the pay's decent for a teenager, and I pretty much get to pick whatever days I want to work. However, there are some days at work that just make me wanna snatch the hair out of my head.

1. To the classy woman quickly shoving cans of soda in her purse and about to make a run for it, yes, the sodas in the bright red cooler are free, however, did you ever take a moment away from your soda-snatching to read the bright pink sign that says, "Sodas are complimentary to customers only"? And don't bother lying, we know you're not a customer. In such a little town, we recognize everyone. And are you aware that the owners, also known as my parents, of this fine pharmacy have to pay out of their wallets for those precious cans of soda you are taking away from thirsty customers? Yeah, we'll recognize you next time you try to pull this again.

2. To the man in the drive-thru with a cowboy hat, please, please, PLEASE don't blow your cigarette's smoke into my face. I'm cool with you smoking and everything, just not in my face. >:(

3. To "Johnny Cash", when I hand you a legal document of sorts, you CANNOT sign it as Johnny Cash, no matter how funny you think it is, or how much you flirt with me. We know it's not your name, since you, unfortunately, try to pull this every weekend.

4. To the 100th person to ask this, no we do not carry straight-jackets. This is a pharmacy, not a fetish/medical supply shop. Thank you.

5. To everyone who comes by the drive-thru on a rainy day, do you not see the bright, green sign that clearly says, in big, bold letters, "Turn Off Your Windshield Wipers"? I do not enjoy have water splashed at my face, especially when I'm having a good hair day.

WTF Is Wrong With You?!?!
Oh the joys of working in telecom service . . .you guys are gonna get sick of my complaining eventually. Just you wait. I get at least half a dozen rude idiots a day.

This guy comes up to the counter and stinking like booze. Fumbling around, really obviously drunk. Normally I don't serve customers when they're intoxicated but he wanted a $50 Pay & Talk top-up and it was easier to just give it to him than spend 5 minutes arguing with him about why I can't serve him.

So after everything is said and done he looks and me and says "Do you really have to work with that cow?"

He was refering to my boss who is a large girl.

"Get out."

"What?"

"Just get out now."

Like, really?! Why would you say something like that? I really really hope my boss didn't hear him say that. That's f'ing hurtful. I just want to punch him right in the face.

[Worldcon/Writing] Workshop Temptation
Many of the writers involved in the Writer's Workshops at this year's WorldCon are passing the word, and I may as well too, as it's not listed on the WorldCon site for some reason:

Lookee here at this post for more information about the workshops!

That said...I'm tempted to do it again this year. The last time I was involved, I'd handed in an earlier version of Love Like Blood and though it needed work, it went over well. At the moment

dancinghorse has a hold of a few of the chapters for another once-over. I could be tempted to send it in again, but I'd like to try something else...

I'm thinking perhaps the first few chapters of A Division of Souls. My only worry about that is that I've had a few people suggest I do something else with the opening...they're not sure why Nehalé's scene is in there (for various reasons--why show him, when he doesn't pop up again for another few chapters? Don't you know editors HATE prologues? And my favorite: We already know he's behind this now...why do we even need to read the rest now?), but I have to answer back: as far as I can see, it kinda has to be there, or else the rest of the story doesn't really make sense. But I digress...

It's something to think about...I've got a few days before the deadline, so I'll think about it and see if I want to join in again.

Current Mood: contemplative

Believability
I have a really hard time getting certain doctors to take me seriously. I remember reading in my social psychology class that people who are afraid that they won't be believed (but are telling the truth) come across as not very believable. And ironically, confident liars are more convincing. Having an invisible illness, and one with strange symptoms to boot (not to mention plenty of stigma), makes me a bit insecure when I am talking to some doctors. I often downplay my suffering because I'm afraid that if I tell the truth, doctors will think that I am exaggerating. It's silly, I know (yes, I'm seeing a therapist). In the end I'm afraid I don't come across very well. Does anyone else have this problem? I did find a neurologist with a great bedside manner who takes me very seriously. This makes me feel more confident when I talk to her--so now I think I am coming across as more believable. Kind of funny, I guess.

Religulous Review
I'm spiritual and agnostic at the same time. I've seen and encountered otherworldly things that can't be explained away easily. I believe that we all have the ability to connect.

But…I become agnostic when I encounter the damage the monotheistic religions have done to the world and the sheer insanity of some evangelicals. And I don't like middlemen in general. They remind me of the RIAA. They take your money and you do all the praying. How's that supposed to be a benefit to you?

A Great example of that sort of evangelical huckstering Robert Tilton, Mr. "make a thousand dollar vow." He was discredited in 1991 when it was exposed that he threw away the prayer cards without reading them. Plus there was that pesky spoon up his nose. You can actually see him sweat on camera!

h

He was mentioned in Religulous, a DVD I rented by comedian turned to investigative reporter Bill Maher, and let me tell you, if you are sitting on the fence about religion, this will push you over to the sceptic's side too.

John Wescott is interviewed, a guy who believes in curing homosexuality, which was a funny bit.
And Maher actually gets inside the Vatican only to be kicked out.
He's not easy on the Scientologists either.

Beware of that evil lord Xenu.

Thanks for the great response on Yendie! She's going to appear as a webcomic on this blog to start. I'm still scripting.

How do you use Sorrel?
Our CSA has grown sorrel in the herb garden for the past two years I keep trying to look it up and have not had much luck with the books on my shelf. The web searches and books all point to adding leaves to salads... has anyone ever use it in another way?

Current Mood: busy

Childhood Dreams
I'm reading and working through Creating Your Best Life by Caroline Adams Miller and Michael B. Frisch. I've been poking through these sorts of books for a while now. I don't think I'm really getting anywhere with the process, but I keep trying, mostly because when I try to think where I might be in ten years, my answers are a)dead b)living in a cardboard box under some some underpass, with a clowder of half-feral cats. Yeah. I'm not exactly loaded down with Hope for the Future. Creating Your Best Life wants you to go watch Randy Pausch's Last Lecture: Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams. That, combined with a visit to the local high school guidance counselor to discuss the Son Unit possibly attending the mosh pit of social issues that they call second level education in my neighborhood, reminded me of one of my childhood dreams.

From the time I was about seven years old, I wanted to be an Astronomer. By middle school I had refined this into Astrophysicist. I thought this sounded like the most fabulous and interesting career ever, and thought that if I became an Astrophysicist I might eventually even get to go to outer space. Surely we would have a permanent research station in orbit or on the moon or maybe even someplace better by the time I grew up, right?

My mother hated this idea with a pure and complete hatred. She thought it was the stupidest thing that she had ever heard of. Most of my relatives agreed with her. Sure, they wanted to consult the horoscopes every morning in the paper, but respectable people didn't become Astrologers. Trying to explain the difference between Astrologer and Astrophysicist got me a big face full of "It's just the same. It's not a respectable job."

I hung on to my Astronomy dreams anyhow and scraped up enough money for my first telescope by the time I was about ten. It was a crappy little spotting scope, a refractor, and almost impossible to use without a tripod, which I couldn't afford for another couple of years. Nonetheless I tried to make moon maps and stare at planets with it. And I kept dreaming about being an Astrophysicist despite my disapproving family and friends, all the way until my first career counseling meeting as a sophomore in high school.

The counselor told me very plainly that I hadn't taken enough Math courses to even consider majoring in any Science, and that I clearly did not have the ability to do advanced math of any kind. He suggested that I might consider studying to be a Kindergarten teacher instead. In my senior year of high school, when I was in the top of my class in both SAT and ACT ratings, including having got a perfect score on the Science section of the ACT, the same counselor had me back in his office, blubbering about how I should be thinking about, perhaps, going to medical school. My junior high grades and early high school grades were good. When he had first talked to me in Sophomore year, I had already started down a course of taking AP courses and a lot of Science, but I was indeed short on Math.

By Senior year, I had listened to his advice and family advice and laid aside my Astronomy dreams for Music school. When I realized that the last thing I wanted to do was teach children, I did think briefly about Astronomy or Engineering as possible degree plan changes. But that would have meant at least two years of doing nothing but Math catch up classes, and I didn't have it in me. By that time I was Math-phobic to the extreme. Eventually I went back to college and graduated with a degree in Anthropology with enough extra hours in Music and Russian to make up minors in both.

Had my high school counselor been less misogynistic, perhaps he would have helped me work out how to strengthen my Math back in high school when it would have been relatively easy to fix. The ritzar, who helped me through College Algebra, insists that I'm not bad at Math at all, I'm just phobic. I've come to my measure of peace with missing what I think was truly my calling, and I've resisted taking up too much amateur Astronomy or splicing into Anthropology through archeo-astronomy or any of that jazz.

Watching Dr. Pausch's lecture did two things for me. It made me fiercely determined not to let shitty guidance counselors or anyone else ambush my children's childhood dreams. It also made me wonder if I should try to find some way to reclaim part of mine. I'm undecided about how I would do that, as I can't see myself sitting for an Astrophysics degree at this point in my life. I was impressed by Dr. Pausch's drive and ability to weasel his way into getting his dreams. Good lessons there. Very Galaxy Quest: Never give up, Never Surrender!.

Paperchase merchandisers
I just stumbled on a job posting for a Paperchase merchandiser in my area. I think the position has already been filled, but after looking at the job post, I'm really scratching my head. They get paid $11-$17 per hour, depending on experience. Paperchase merchers get paid more than booksellers? More than supervisors?

Current Mood: annoyed

Worldcon Writing Workshop

Hi Folks,

Author Gregory Frost asked me to post about this. Since the RoF website is still in a placeholder format for the time being, I told him I'd post about it here. The below is his email to me verbatim. Please feel free to spread the word:

I have a request to make of RoF.

Due to a major SNAFU with the Anticipation Montreal website, they are currently unable to upload the information on the writing workshops to be held at the worldcon, and we who've been working on them for months are trying to get the word out because time is of the essence on this. As no doubt some of the stories that will be workshopped are likely to find their way to Realms, I'm hoping the magazine wouldn't mind posting a blog note that links to the following blog URL in order to provide as many people as we can with the information.

And much obliged in advance for any help you can give us.

http://birdhousefrog.livejournal.com/127850.html

Peggy wanted me to get a heart attack.
My silly cat decided to fall from the balcony two nights ago and I almost had a heart attack. I live on the 3rd floor so that's approximately an 8-metre fall. It was 11pm so I rushed down to the garden with an electric torch worried that she had injured herself AND run away. Thankfully neither happened, I found her under the first floor's balcony (which on that side of the building is basically ground floor and only about one foot from the ground). I had never seen her so scared, but she was otherwise fine. A visit to the vet the next day confirmed this.
She must have been walking on the balcony wall chasing some insect. Unfortunately there is no way I could put a net or something similar to prevent her from falling again, so this means she'll never be allowed on the balcony or the window sill again, unless I can keep an eye on her. *sigh*

And to make this post legal, here are some photos of the culprit.

( more )

Dear Precious Kitties,
Dear Mr. Ain't Whitey, Mr. Pants, Manny, Ben, Edgar, DeeDee, Bonnie, Munchie, Damage, Louie, Ninja, Sampson,

We have been all granted a reprieve! You can all still live here, with us! I just got off the phone with the case manager in charge of getting our Jessica back home and she said that as long as I am able to get rid of the few fleas that have taken residence in the area rug in her room, there's No Reason to get rid of any of you! She has had to recant her position because there have been NO Issues with our home until now with the fleas and they are already gone!

Y'all can expect Extra fishy treats with your suppers tonight, my darlings! (and, unfortunately, more frequent baths).

Love,

Your much-relieved Mommy.

Current Mood: ecstatic

The Way We Eat Now (1)
Okay, 'fess up: who knew that you could fry a slice of turkey-and-pork terrine?

What's that you say, you all knew...?

Well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.

It's my six o'clock nibbles phase. For those still curious from yesterday, salted grapes are - as described, really: grapes dried to raisins and then lightly salted, either by washing in brine (my supposition) or otherwise. I like.

But I was out of saucisson sec, and seeking an alternative; and there is still terrine, but I wanted something warm, and wondered what that might be like fried, and - well, no sooner wondered than achieved, really. On the back of a day where I have made mayonnaise and bottled confit of pigs' cheeks (and am looking forward hugely to a repeat of yesterday's risotto of chicken and sugar-snaps with peashoots, which was gorgeous), frying a slice of terrine is a mere snip.

Warmth brings out the flavours more, of course, which might have been a problem if I had spiced it highly in anticipation of eating it cold, but as it happens, not really. 'Tis yummy. Yay.

Just, I am plagued with furry things. Furry demanding things. It would be an act of weakness to fry them a slice too, wouldn't it? And, of course, ultimately self-defeating. They have no notion of equal shares being fair shares, or anything like that...

(In other news: I am supposed to spend parts of every day lying on the floor on a spine-stretching device. This is ... difficult with a small furry trying to eat your feet.)

Apartments/homes
Hello all,

What would be some money saving must-haves for someone who is moving into his/her first apartment/home by him/herself?

Suggestions could range from pest control (spiders hate walnuts! invest in a big box fan to drown out your annoying roommate!) to home care (brand xyz makes the best toilet bowl cleaner! For soap scum, don't buy that, make your own by __ etc) to space saving ideas, as I am sure some of us have seen the b.s. that is called a "junior bedroom."

I am just looking for general home necessities that may seem "duh" to you, but might have been completely overlooked by others (i.e. me).

Thanks!

Zoooom!
What's worse than a child haphazardly zooming through the candy aisle on a set of those godawful roller-skate-shoe-things?

If you guessed "a child haphazardly zooming through the liquor aisle on a set of those godawful roller-skate-shoe-things", congratulations! You have more common sense than this particular parent, who was so engrossed in trying to find the right shade of lipstick that she temporarily forgot she was responsible for two small human beings and left them to roam the store unattended.

There were casualties, and now my work shoes smell faintly of Irish Cream.

Current Mood: exhausted

I can't understand customers to save my life
I still work at a fab little allnight diner in a (5!) college town.

These are both brief WTFs that happened yesterday, the first from a coworker, the second my own encounter.

E: Emily, coworker extraordinaire
C: Crazy Customer

E: Hi! How are y--
C: Grilled chicken!
E: um, okay would you lik--
C: Grilled chicken!
E: Yes, would you prefer one of our grilled chicken sandwiches, a grilled chicken salad, or a side of grilled chicken?
C: I want a grilled chicken sandwich with NOTHING on it! No bread, no cheese, no lettuce! And I don't want to fries or coleslaw or pickle. I just want grilled chicken and some sliced tomato!
E: Okay, I'll put that in as a side of grilled chicken with tomato to save you a few dollars :)
C: NO! It TASTES better if you put it in as a SANDWICH. I want to see it ON THE CHECK as a sandwich!
E: ...okay.

To clarify, the grilled chicken sandwiches that you get all that extra stuff with is $7.95. A side of grilled chicken with tomato is $2.95+$0.50
...And for the record, it is the EXACT same chicken for the sandwiches/salads/sides. They would've still grabbed the same piece! Also, how can you possibly think it tastes better one way or the other if you don't see the check until after you've finished eating?

And quickly, a woman came in with her grandchildren and ordered a few different kinds of pancakes. One got blueberry, one got chocolate chip, and the last got peanut butter & chocolate chip. (those are AMAZING, by the way.) After she ordered the last, she clarified with me that they were, "peanut butter chips made out of peanut butter, not chocolate, right?"

...right. Because if they were made out of chocolate, that would make them chocolate chips. Also, it couldn't have been that she didn't want chocolate, because she was ordering peanut butter and chocolate chip pancakes! If she wanted just peanut butter chips, we also have those. I am still thoroughly confused.

Current Mood: confused

Wish me luck!
Ok, so i'm embarking on my first underbust. Wish me luck! Fabric is eagerly awaiting my return, pattern is cut out and fit, trim is standing by to decorate. Here goes nothin'! Pictures to follow....

A Notice for Those Attending Anticipation/WorldCon 09!
I am stealing this directly from

rolanni's LJ, as I am a lazy meerkat -- and also: What She Said, better than I could have.
--------------------------------------

"I bet you didn't know that there's going to be a writing workshop at Anticipation, aka The WorldCon, this year. Why am I willing to bet? Because there's a glitch at the WorldCon website and people -- worthy people, and brave new writers! -- have not been able to sign up for any of the sessions.

This is, you may say, too bad.

Since I'm one of the instructors/facilitators/evil-minded pros leading a section of this workshop {LAG: and so am I!], I agree. I mean, look -- I'm going to get up early in the morning, after no doubt having been up with friends into the small hours the night before. I am going to arrive, super-sized coffee in hand, at the Sooper Sekrit Location, ready to critique manuscripts and crush hopeful egos.

What do I not want to find, after making these various sacrifices in service of The Craft?

An empty room, that's what.

So!

If you're interested in attending the writing workshop, you need to act, act decisively, but most of all act now.

You have two options.

You may write to writers-workshop@anticipationsf.ca and ask for information about the writers workshop.

You may go here, read all about it, including a partial list of instructors, and write to Oz directly.

Or, yanno, you could do both.

You may also, please, pass this on to friends (or enemies) who might be interested."

---------------------------

Current Mood: busy

Seriously?!
Dear Fast Food lovers,

If I have my back turned to fill your order and you want my attention, DO NOT WHISTLE AT ME LIKE I'M A DOG. Say "excuse me" or "miss" or something. Hell, even calling me "sweetie" or something equally as annoying is better than a shrill whistle until I turn around to look at you.

Absolutely no love,
Hardees slave