I Did Anyway

Just so you all know, I opted to enter tomorrow's office costume contest anyway. Against my better judgement, having no consideration for past experiences. We'll see what happens this time around.

More Things Getting Done

I am nearly finished with a project I've wanted to work on for two months. Yay!

I need to stop staying up late like this though. I think it's time to revisit my to-do lists, now that I don't have the faire to worry about. I've got to get better organized. I keep wanting to wait for a day, but that day just isn't coming.

I'm Done

After slaving over the sewing machine, I've finished this years costume.

Now, the real question: do I enter the office costume contest (kicking and screaming), or stick with my principals?

I'm not sure that the victory of two years ago is convincing enough....

All Hail the Crash Blossom

Here is a lovely article about the phenomenon of newspaper headlines making no sense and meaning something entirely different than the intended meaning.

As a linguist myself, I'm so glad that we finally have a term for this occurrence!

Closing Day

Since I didn't finish my costume, I resurrected my steampunk costume from last year. Fox has a picture, I'll make him send it to me, because I know I still haven't posted it up for you. So sorry, dear blog readers!

On the bright side of things, this was the last day of faire. I'm happy to be getting my weekends back. This was the first year I had three jobs during this run. It was almost more than I could take, but I did it. Go me!

I've got a ton to do before I get to bed tonight. I'd better get to!

Not More Rain

It wasn't as cold as last Saturday, but it rained. A lot. And my skirts were silk. And wet silk against your skin is gross.

Thankfully, my dad wanted to buy a pair of pants, so I made him buy them and I wore them.

At least tomorrow's weather is supposed to be nice. It's good to have nice weather on the last day.

Seriously Running Late

I totally wanted to be in the car and heading home by now. I was hoping to finish my costume so I could wear it on the Day of Wrong, but I still have an hour of work to do, and I have a few other things to do before I get on my way for the weekend.

So much to do!

Smile Breathe Smile Some More

The sunrise this morning was breathtaking. It lit the dark sky with a rosy aura in the East. Remember to breathe.

Maybe a Litte Distraction

Now that all my outstanding orders are complete, I can focus on other things. I can finish my Halloween costume that I started on Monday. Or, I can try to give my back a rest from hunching over the sewing machine and instead hunch over my lap desk making Art Cards for no reason other than I want to.

Yeah, logic went on without me today!

However, my Art Cards are cute cute!

Back to the Job

Ah, my job! My provider of food and shelter! The location of that rectangle where I spend most of my time! The keyboard with its letters rubbed off! The distant sound of the coffee machine signaling that the wake-me-up brew is fresh! Ah, my job!

After a long vacation, the only thing I can really do is be thankful that I have a job that makes vacations so wonderful. It wouldn't be a vacation without a job.

The Day For Me

I managed to get one more day off to rest up from my vacation. I haven't really been resting, though. I've been using this day to work on this year's Halloween costume. I won't quite finish it today. Maybe tomorrow.

A day of sewing. Fun!

Cold But Not Wet

While this day was cold, it stopped raining in the early morning.

I finally bought a Half Moon. It wasn't a breaking of the bank. It turned out to be the same style as the one my mother got a couple years ago. I bet she'll be happy that I can give hers back to her. Since this one is a Spring/Fall jacket, I may have to get a heavier poncho or cloak later on (probably next year).

New coat and no rain made it a much better day than yesterday!

So Very Wrong

So, who remembers yesterday when I said faire would be fun even in the rain?

IT WAS THE MOST MISERABLE DAY I HAVE EVER SPENT AT FAIRE!

Seriously. It was raining. It was cold. It was muddy. It was being absorbed by the fabric of my skirts. It was gross. It was just plain miserable. Half of the people who were going to come did not bother. Around 1400, I went out to the car and removed those mud-soaked skirts and put on a nice pair of baggy pants.

I stayed the day by sheer stubbornness.

It was miserable. But, I've had my nice warm shower and my really yummy dinner, so now I'm going to curl up in my soft warm bed. Good night!

Still Awake

I suppose it's not so late, but I'm tired!

Yesterday, my guy took me to Medieval Times. I had been before, but it was new to him. It was a good show, as always. He also showed up at my door with flowers (that Miss Luna wanted to eat) and a little cake. It was a good day.

I overslept a little today. I wanted to head to my parents' around 1000, but didn't actually hit the road until 1100. As soon as I got here, mom and I went out to lunch, then we came home and each took a nap. Isn't that a funny saying? To take a nap. Where do we take this nap, and why?

Dad managed to get off of work a little early, so we picked up some pizza and went to my grandmother's. My aunt was visiting from Utah, my aunt and uncle who live somewhat nearby were there. It was a nice little party.

Then, we came home and watched some TV while I finished the very last piece of all my outstanding orders. Outstanding! I think I shall give my hands a rest for a few days.

And, on that note, I'll give my self a rest and get to bed. Tomorrow is the annual Faire day! It'll be fun even in the rain. I say so.

Learned

Breathing RennFaire dust makes me sick and steals my voice.

Coffee in the morning is great, especially when my roommates make it and it's waiting for me when I wake up.

Birthday cupcakes make good breakfast.

It's ok to do some laundry, put away clean dishes, pay some bills, and vacuum a little on your birthday. Sometimes these things need to be done.

A text message at 00:00 will wake me up even through the sleep-inducing power of Target brand Nyquil.

I can make a burnoose-style cloak in a couple hours without a pattern.

Rain today will help keep the dust down on Saturday.

I think there will be more to follow....

Not So Good

I managed to get this day to sit around and catch up on orders. And nurse this little fever.

Sit around = good. Fever = not so good.

Driving Downtown

I hate driving anywhere in town. I can take it if it's just on the freeway or parkway, but when I get into the little streets where there's a light at every block and some roads only go in one direction, I get nervous. I decided that it would be easier to drive than to take Metro, though.

Fox came with me to help navigate. It was such a comfort to have someone there. I'm not sure I looked as nervous as I was. It made the drive not so bad. Thanks, Fox!

It's All About the Busy

I decided to use some PTO for the week of my birthday. The last few days, when I wasn't working at faire, were filled with planning those days off. Everyone wants to spend time with me for my birthday. Sometimes, I just want to stay home and sit around.

Today, Fox and I are going to take a two hour trail ride. It will be the longest ride we've gone on since we started riding. Should be great fun.

Tomorrow, I will visit Monty, if I can.

Wednesday, Fox and I are going to kayak (0o\ - Dan the Kitten says hello) Mattaponi Creek. While the two of us have been out before, we haven't been out there before.

Thursday, my birthday, the guy I'm dating is taking me somewhere.

Friday, I'll spend the day with mom and have dinner with her and my grandmother and aunt.

Saturday and Sunday will be spent at faire with dad and friends in our traditional manner.

Thankfully, I managed to get the following Monday off too. That's my vacation from my vacation!

Funny of the Day

6x6x6 = Lumber of the Beast

I Can't Believe I Just Thought of This

Someone posted a thread on the Etsy forums this morning asking for witty replies to the people who say we (as professional artisans) don't have a real job. Some people came up with some pretty funny things. I was thinking about this question, and thinking that, as a ventriloquist, I should be able to come up with a funny retort to everything.

I know my skills as a ventriloquist have nothing to do with my ability as a comedian (really, I know this!), but that's not the point.

The point is, I NEED A GNOME PUPPET!

Don't get me wrong. I love Gloria and we work well together. But I need a Gnome! Noam, the puppet version! Maybe I need to find Noam's voice before I find or make him in puppet form, but seriously! Why didn't I think of this before?!

What is Happening to My Memory

I had something I wanted to write about today, but I've forgotten it.

It wasn't about the order I'm currently working on.

It wasn't about the pattern for my costume that arrived today.

I just don't remember.

I think it's a sign that I'm getting old.

Legs Hurt

Pat and I had a great day at King's Dominion. We had great weather and people didn't really start showing up until later in the day, meaning lines for the things we wanted to ride were rather short. We did do a whole lot of walking. I expect my legs will be telling me about it for some time.

We only went to three of the nine Halloween things they had going on (most of them were haunted house-type mazes) and they were pretty scary. I'd be happy to go again next year. It was really great. Just as long as I'm not in the front, or the back of the group.

The back was the worst. "It's behind me, it's behind me! MOVE!! It's still behind me!!"

Very well done.

Heading Out for the Day

I'm off for a day of thrills and fun! I hope you all have a fun day ahead like me!

A Break From Faire

Pat and I are off to Kings Dominion tomorrow. Neither of us have ever gone for their Halloween event, so this should be very fun.

I'm off to get a good night's sleep!

Selling Out

I know what I want to make for my Halloween costume this year. It will be one of my more involved costumes, as I'm planning on actually making the clothing, not just altering something that's easily purchased. This character is going to be great.

However, I learned today that some major Halloween costume company makes this costume. It's not quite the right color (near as I can tell on the website) but it would save me money and time if I just purchase the thing.

Now, here I am, with a mind to spend quite a lot of money and time to make my costume, as I often do, faced with the simple solution to buy something comparable that I won't have to alter.

The truth is that I take great pride in making my costumes (yes, I know I still don't have a picture of the steam punk from last year). However, year after year, I see that effort unrecognized, with the exception of one. So, do I stick with what I know, and put forth the effort and watch that go unappreciated again? Or, do I take the cheap way out, buy the thing ready-made and save myself the time and a few bucks? Buy a pattern, fabric, thread, and embellishments that I have to assemble, or buy a shirt? What difference does it make if I put forth the effort or not?

Yeah, I know. It's a significant money difference, but will I really be ok with it if I sell out just because I'm tired of my costuming work being unappreciated?

Nope. I plan to sew.