There are a Few Ups

"Wow, you sound bad."
-Mom

Being sick is by and large something I like to do as little as possible. Because, seriously, feeling crummy and having a hard time breathing through my nose is not the high point of my week. However, all obvious negatives aside, there are some good things about being sick.

For starters it gets you out of everything, like work, and it means you get to stay home all day and do superfun things like take a three hour nap and watch oodles of TV without feeling the least bit guilty. There's also soup, though thanks to my fun congestion I can't actually taste much right now. It's so weird to eat and drink when the only kind of taste information you're getting is vague notions of salty or sweet and nill in between. A great time to take in those foods that are good for you, but that you don't really like. Now, if only I had some fresh tomatoes and onions. Whoo-boy, we'd be in business.

Ah well, time to go back to reading the http://www.questionablecontent.net/ archives while feeling absolutely no remorse about putting off the gobs of homework I've already got from my classes. Right now is time for self-indulgence, not essays. Besides, given my level of mental functioning right now, it's really for the best if I wait until I'm less muzzy-headed (Ha ha! Like that Deb? That's right, I said "muzzy")

See what I mean about the mental state?

I Guess I Have to Go Now

"Have you been to the fair yet?"
-Rod

One of my favorite regulars, Rod, works at the convention center in town. Last night he was talking about the fair, and when I said I hadn't gone, nor particularly planned to change that, he gave me two admission passes. This would've been handier last week, before classes started and when I wasn't all busy. I think Saturday's the only time I can go, since I'm going to Springs with mom tomorrow. Maybe I can shanghai my brother into going with me. Since I've got free admission, the least I can do is see the pig race. :)

Walk Like an Egyptian Gag

Bad Timing

"Uh oh."
-Me

I woke up this morning with that feeling in my sinuses that usually means I'm getting sick. Ugh. I thought maybe it'd go away, but no such luck, which means I really am getting sick. I feel kinda ripped off. I've been eating better, getting a bit of exercise, and I've even been eating yogurt. Dang it! I shouldn't be getting sick. Now the only question is, how bad will it be? As an added bonus, I love the fact that it's starting exactly the same time the semester is. Not only will I have to wrestle with getting into a new semester groove, I also get to fight a cold. Awesome.

A Whirl

"I don't have any time."
-The jist of what Katherine said

Fall semester got going yesterday, and the previously deserted campus is now packed again. I get all settled into the summer, into being able to park in the lot nearest the Psych. building, then yesterday I came to campus to get online and almost couldn't find a spot in any of the lots. Yeesh.

Everything's all a-bustle, and Katherine's dashing about from meetings, to class, to yet another meeting. It's all very hello-goodbye. I feel kinda sorry for her, being so booked. She had me dig out some markers from the supplies today, "They're for your class Thursday" she said. What use Crayola markers will find in a graduate English class, I'm not sure. I'll be fining out soon enough, though.

Tonight, not yesterday, begins the semester for me. I get to meet a new professor, start a new class, and see lots of people I've not really seen for a few months. I think most everyone's in tonight's class, after all it's one of the specifically required classes for the M.A. It'll be fun to see everybody again. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the new professor is a good one.

Walkin' With the Birds

"Screech"
-Red Tailed Hawk

This morning I went to the park and walked from there to the Nature Center, a little ways further, and back again. All-in-all just over an hour's walk and maybe a little over four miles' distance. It was very nice, though I probably should have put on a bit of suncreen before I left the house. The thing is, too, that it's starting to feel like fall. Friday we had a cool front, thanks in part to the monster storm the night before, and it I couldn't help but think that it was the beginning of the end. Today the thought came back to me. It's starting to smell like fall down by the river, among the trees.

Fall is my favorite time of year. Forget spring, fall is the time of year I associate with new beginnings. The seasons are changing, it's the beginning of the new school year, and a time for seeing old friends again.

This morning I was lucky enough to spot an osprey, with a small fish in its talons, no less, during my walk. It flew over the river then almost right above me, before flying back and disappearing. Then, on my way back I heard a red tailed hawk and spotted it in a nearby tree. Among the Raptor Center folk, I was never the best at spotting birds of prey, but I do alright sometimes.

Seeing the birds this morning made me think of the Mikis (Mississippi Kites) I've been hearing all around my neighborhood. They've got a pretty distinctive call, a kind of high pitched Ki-kee, and every now and again I'll even get a look at one. I like that they're around, and that I know it.

It's Like Goulash

Jenny: Did you get a haircut?
Me: Yeah, about two months ago.

I like goulash necklaces because they're a handy way to clear out oddball beads. You only need a few of whatever because you add them to whatever else you've got and string it all up and do a multi-strand necklace. As long as you're operating within a certain color scheme, you can't go wrong, even though the beads you use are all different sizes and shapes. It's all about texture, and it works out beautifully. So, this necklace is all manner of glass seed beads and crystals, with a few brass bugles thrown in for flavor.

The reason I mention the haircut is because I struck a deal with Lita on my last one. Instead of paying her cash, we made a trade. I got a haircut, and she got two necklaces. One of which was this one.

Variations on Chain Earrings

You can easily modify the look if you skip "folding" the chain.


Or if you use a longer section of chain.

Easy Earrings Using Chain

Here is one of my favorite earring designs. The technique is pretty easy, you can have a lot of drama, and it's a great way to use up those beads you only have a few left of. Here's what you need:

Step one: Cut the chain to length. Cut it at least about 3/4 of an inch long because you'll be folding the chain over later to make two drops.
Step two: Cut another length of chain to match the first.

Step three: Put each bead on a wire loop and connect to each end of the chain.

Step four: Attach to earring hooks. Open the loop on the earring and thread it through one of the links of the chain. Make sure you don't "fold" the chain exactly in half, because the variation in length is what makes it interesting. Then, Viola! Earrings.

Timing?

So, it's been two months since the split, and it's feeling more final than ever. After a brief spurt of Keith and I talking, we haven't. During our last conversation he asked about the possibility of us getting together again, and I told him I didn't see that happening. Seriously, after three and a half years of working on the relationship only to have it implode, what's the point of beating the proverbial dead horse? Especially after a few weeks when I came to the realization that I could really find someone else who I'd be more compatible with. A point kind of emphasized at my party when I was thinking about how much I enjoy those who came and how he was usually either indifferent, or outright negative, about my friends. Like his friends were all that great. Besides, I'm fine on my own. Singlehood has its advantages.

But, I digress. Today I gave the news to two people I've been putting off telling. Both are friends who've moved away, and I kept wrestling how to fit it in to a casual "hello" message. One's already replied, saying lovely supportive things. Then, the other day I told my friend Dorothy and she said, I kid you not, "I'm so excited for you." No malice, I promise, but simply putting a positive spin on it. The thing is, when she said it, I couldn't help but feel excited for me too.

I've reached a point where I feel like I've moved on. This bothers me a bit. It feels like it was too easy. Or is that just an indication that, despite my wanting it to be otherwise, we hadn't been working so well for a while? Feels like that second one.

Now comes the million dollar question, what next? If I'm over and done with him, am I ready to be interested in someone new?

The Weekend of Much Eventfulness

"Thank God."
-Me, internal thought (but really, what's an external thought?) upon seeing the box full of copies of the nightmare anthology

Yup, the books came in. I went to an SCWP leadership meeting on Friday to help take notes, and I spotted the box almost as soon as I walked in. What a relief. There are no more problems to fix, no more edits to do. The book is completely done. As an added bonus: it looks really good. I'm so happy at how they turned out (not to mention relieved). Katherine's also happy with the result, which makes me happy 'cause she's my boss. It's always good to make the boss happy :)

Saturday was also eventful as that was the day of my just-for-the-hell-of-it-party. I woke up much too early in the morning, especially after working at the bar until 2:00 a.m., because of the feeling that I had a lot to do. I'd already done most of my cooking in advance, so I had pasta salad, bread, and spinach and artichoke dip all ready to go. I still had plenty of veggies and a pineapple to butcher, and a bit more cleaning. So, I got to work.

Fast forward and people start arriving, including my brother who made it after all. Fast forward again, and it's 2:30 a.m. and the last two people are leaving. Despite the sleep deprivation, I'm very, very glad I did it. It was very good to have a handful of my favorite people filling up the house, even if I did get more than my share of ribbing. I guess that's part of being the host - getting ganged up on. Oh well, I tried to pass it around as much as I could and Mishell even stuck up for me, much to the disappointment of those picking on me. So now I have a fridge full of leftovers, including a dozen ears of corn that got grilled and no particular idea what to do with them, and the thought that maybe I shouldn't wait another year to do it again.

Birthday Beads

When Camii asked me what I wanted for my birthday, I requested beads and told her to just pick some that she liked and not worry so much about thinking whether I'd like them. For one, people who buy me beads buy things I wouldn't necessarily get myself. It makes life more interesting because it pulls me out of any ruts I might be in. For another, Camii has good taste and I knew she'd find something nifty. She didn't let me down. I love the white mother of pearl beads, and the green shell goes beautifully with them. I filled in with some apatatite chips and silver spacers I already had, and Viola! It's a necklace.

Very Interesting

"I'm finishing up a post to my own blog right now which ends up talking about how I handled the plot threads in The New Moon's Arms. That's what gave me the impulse to respond to this post of yours which I'd read a few weeks(?) ago."
-Nalo Hopkinson

This morning when I opened my inbox, I little expected to find a new comment to a post I wrote a while back, http://ev-boulevard.blogspot.com/2007/06/new-moons-arms.html. Even less, did I expect the post to come from the author. Small world, eh? More about it on my other blog.

Farmer's Market/Havin' a Party

"It's like eating candy, when it's that fresh."
-Dave, talking about local veggies

A few weeks ago, while I was sitting at home thinkig I need to get out more, I started thinking about the housewarming party I had last October and how maybe I didn't need to get out, but rather get people in. Besides, my house needed cleaning and guests would be a good incentive to get to work. For lack of an occassion, I've decided to call it my End of the Summer party.

Fast foward a bit, and the party's tomorrow and I've made a few loaves of bread to go with some spinach and artichoke dip and my folks are bringing over their grill so we can roast ears of corn. Mmm... This morning, I went down to the farmers market and did some impulse purchasing of organic matter. So, two dozen ears of corn (by God, I hope there are enough people to eat it all), assorted peppers and some cucumbers later, and I think I've got enough veggies for snacking. I also came across some tart cherries and had to get a basket (which was almost the last one, too). Technically, they're for pie making. I'm not planning on any pies, but had to get them anyway. When I was a little kid we lived in a house where the neighbors whose backyard was up against ours had a monstrous cherry tree. They told us to help ourselves, and I remember standing on the picnic table in our backyard and pulling tart cherries off the tree. Good memories, so a bit of nostalgia definitely factored in. Of course, they're still tart enough that it's hard to eat more than just a couple at a time. I'm thinking maybe sprinkling some sugar on them, or getting some whipped cream for dipping.

I'm quite looking forward to everyone coming over tomorrow. It'll be nice to have some of my favorite people all together at the same time, and it gives me an excuse to have lots of tasty food around. Sadly, it doesn't look like my brother will be able to make it since he'll be on base. Oh well, there'll be more food for everyone at least 'cause he's one of those ravenous beasts that descends like the proverbial locust. Now if only the floors would all sweep themselves, and the laundry get itself off the floor, everything would be perfect.

Stardust in Hardcover

Book Review: Stardust by Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess. I'm not a big purchaser of books, unlike most of the big readers I know (for some, walking into a bookshop is like me walking into a beadshop). However, I decided that I ought to own Stardust. So, I bought it Monday and finished it this morning. Very fun. Now the hard part is comparing the movie and book. In many ways, they're very different.

By way of for-instance: The movie has a lot more action and a totally different climax and ending. The tones of the two are also different as the book has more classical fairy tale and the movie has more adventure. The strange thing is, even though they're the same story, I have a hard time thinking of them as such, though I like both quite a bit. Well, since I've already talked about the movie, here's the scoop on the book:

Stardust has a strong Victorian feel and a wide cast of human or not human characters, like the odd hairy "man." The journey Tristran takes is months, rather than days, long and I like the book's timeline better. Unfortunately, the interlude with the sky-sailors is much briefer and the captain is a much less colorful character. Magic is much more pronounced and the ending is a lot more fun (no cheese here). Though I'm not a huge fan of the illustration style, it grew on me as I went along.

If I could have the best of both worlds, I'd add the movie and book together. However, since I cannot, I can enjoy the best parts of each on their own. Well worth a read (or a purchase).

And the Light's Not an Incoming Train

"Your books are shipping 8/15. It's 3 days ground to CO."
-Publisher sales rep.

I can hardly believe it. By the first part of next week, we'll have the anthologies in our grubby little hands. They'll be here in physical form. Egad, is it real? The nightmare anthology is officially done.

Fortunately, creating the next two anthologies will be much easier since I've already gone through the whole process and found out all the places where I should've done something different. Now that the pain is over, I'm kind of excited about the next one. The next anthology will be the writing marathon anthology and we're already in stage two of editing on that one. It's even conceivable that, if there aren't too many delays, the WM anthology could be done by the end of this semester. That would be exciting.

Stop Whining: Interesting Article

So, all these times when I haven't been the most sypathetic ear, like in my post http://ev-boulevard.blogspot.com/2007/05/not-bit-with-sympathy.html maybe it's really because I want to help people. I'm not being mean, I'm being helpful. Got it? If you don't believe me, just read this article: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20185446/wid/11915773?GT1=10316

Stardust

Tristan: Excuse me, have you seen a falling star anywhere? We're in a crater, this must be where it fell.
Yvaine: Yeah, this is where I fell.

Movie Review: Stardust. I've been looking forward to this movie for such a long time that I was a bit worried I was going to be disappointed given that my expectations were so high and that Claire Danes was a lead. Little did I know, I needn't have worried.

On Friday I went to the first showing and plopped myself down to watch. Wow. Neil compares the movie to The Princess Bride, which is a good place to start. After all, there are pirates, a blonde chic and magic. However, there's also a fallen star, evil witches and a bit of cross-dressing thrown in for flavor. There's tons of humor, plenty of action, a decent love story, and a wonderful leading man, Charlie Cox. Add in Michelle Pfeiffer as a witch and Robert DeNiro as a sky pirate and viola! Great story telling, excellent script, fun costumes and settings, and one of the most creative sword fights I've ever seen at the end. This is one of the few movies I may have to see twice in the theater. I know that when it's on DVD, it'll be added to my sparse collection. Go see it. Now. Seriously.

Spiral: One Mom Likes

My mom and I have different tastes in a lot of things, and she isn't always a fan of the jewelry I create, so it's always makes me a little cheesed when she points out one she likes.

This mom-approved necklace is made up of polymer clay pendant and beads, (all of which are made of translucent clay which has been colored solely by pearlescent powders), metallic seed beads, small glass crystals, and matching glass seed beads.

Sold My Soul to the Air Force

Last night, there was a big dinner for every junior at the Air Force Academy to celebrate a special occasion. For me that occasion will occur in one hour. The first class I go to today will kick off my junior academic year. By going to that class, I will be legally agreeing with the Air Force that I will spend two more years at the academy, graduate, and serve at least five years as an officer afterward. I expected to be a bit nervous about the fact that I am making such a hefty commitment, but that has not been the case. Instead I feel a calm sort of happy confidence that I made the right choice.

Coming in, I wasn't sure that I would mesh with the military lifestyle and the fact that one day I might be personally responsible for killing somebody, or many sombodies for that matter. In the past few years, I've been trying to figure out where I stand spiritually and religiously and part of that was wondering whether I could agree with killing somebody who --just like me-- will believe that they are doing the right thing. I've thought about it long and hard and I know it won't be easy if/when I'm ever in that situation. I know it sounds too simple, but in the words of General T. Michael Moseley (Chief of Staff USAF) "Some folks just need killin'."

I'm excited about the next two years I have here at the academy, and I'm looking forward to working in "the real Air Force" after that.

Are You Ready?

In case you can't read the bottom bit, it says August 10th. That's this Friday, people. We're talking the day after tomorrow.

Maybe It's Almost Done

"I will get this job moving forward."
-Publisher rep.

Can it be? Is it possible? Is the nightmare anthology about to be printed? Gimme some water, I'm feeling faint. After about a year of pulling my hair out over this thing and a few weeks of, "Okay, I fixed that problem, now can we print it?" I think it may be ready.

The latest hitch: ISBN. The publisher said, "Hey we're getting ready to print it, but where's your ISBN?" To which Katherine and I said, "Huh? I though you guys supplied one." Today we decided to skip the ISBN entirely (which is okay since we're distributing the copies ourselves rather than retailing them). Thus, I may be done with the editing end of this thing. Maybe. We'll see. Let's just hope I get no new e-mails or phone calls from the publisher - unless they say, "The books are done and shipped, you'll get them Friday."

Tutorials: Economical Beading

"Yes, Ali, I'll work on those earrings this weekend, too."
-D.B.

All this talking with D.B. about her venturing into the beading world has gotten my brain wheels turning. I keep trying to think about whatever tricks, shortcuts & techniques I've learned and how they might be helpful for other folks. So, I've decided to work on some tutorial-type posts for anyone who's interested in beading or simply curious about putting stuff together.

One of the things that D.B. has mentioned is how quickly beading can become expensive. Tell me about it. There are plenty of times when I'll walk into a bead shop thinking, "okay, I'm only getting X" and then walk out with fifty or more dollars of merchandise. There are, however, a few things I like to do to make my beading dollars stretch.

Tools
Having the right tools will make life a ton easier. However, you don't need too many. My essentials are a good pair of round nose pliers, crimping pliers (for finishing necklaces) and beading needles. I also have a pair of side cutting pliers, but I'd say these aren't essential. Instead, try a pair of toe nail clippers. They cut just as well, and their shape actually makes it possible to trim your wire a little closer.

Beads: Cannibalism
One of the nicest things about beading is the recycling potential. I've undone a ton of necklaces and other jewelry to reuse the components. Thrift shops, garage sales, and friends who are getting rid of old jewelry are great and cheap sources for beads. As an added bonus - recycled beads are usually those you'd never find anywhere else, so there's an added level of uniqueness. The necklace below was made from a few brass bugles I had, a couple of seed beads, and parts of a broken rosary someone gave me. It was especially handy because I was also able to salvage some of the chain - premade dangles.

Beads: Getting Better Mileage

Seed beads are your best friend. Any time you can only afford a few gorgeous beads, seed beads can step in and make those dozen beauties into a whole necklace. Also, I always make sure to have metallic seed beads on hand because they make a great substitution for more-expensive metal spacers. Unless you're looking really close, it can be hard to tell the difference.

Beads: Semi-Precious

Two things to keep in mind here: cut and substitutions. A lot of the time even less expensive stones can cost a lot because of the size and/or cut of the bead - faceted = more $. Sometimes it's more than worth it, but ask yourself whether you're in love with the beads because of the cut, or if it's really the stone itself. Buying a less expensive cut can get the same effect for less wallet pain. My favorite example of this is using stone chips - you still get the beautiful color of apatite, but with less cost.

At the bead shop near my house there are these lovely red and green pendants made out of ruby embedded in zoisite. They're about fifteen dollars. Not far away are fancy jasper pendants which have similar colors, but only cost three dollars. While there's definitely a difference, I'm not quite ready to pay the extra money when I can get an almost same look for much less. When you find a pricey stone you love, look around a bit more, there's a good chance there's something similar nearby.

An example of ruby in zoisite (over $70 for a 7 inch strand -firemountaingems)

One of the fancy jasper pendants I bought. $3.00

Bonus tip:

To start off, D.B. is going to do earrings as her first projects. Keep these in mind if you really want those pricey beads because you only need two to get a finished product.

Speaking of the BBBO

Here's what my part of the order looked like.

Kyanite from the BBB Order

As you can see, I'm experimenting with some new photography backgrounds. I'm not sure how much I like this in comparison to the flat black background. Any thoughts?

This necklace is fun because of the big chunky faceted kyanite beads which gives this necklace a pretty unusual look. Along with the kyanite are blue faceted pearls and silver spacers.