Because it’s Friday AGAIN. And because traditions are important. In which I cover the good stuff and the hard stuff in my week, trying for the non-preachy, non-annoying side of self-reflection.
And you get to join in if you feel like it.
This week zooooooomed by for me.
As we said at the Rally (Rally!), “time flies when your arms are flailing around and you have no idea what you’re doing!”
Actually we were referring to the hot Shivanauttery that was happening but really it describes the whole week.
Anyway. What an OUTRAGEOUSLY FUN WEEK!
With its share of hard too. And we’ll start with the hard. Because that’s where we start.
The hard stuff
So much tired!
Projectizing is a lot of work.
And actively processing the process is a lot of work.
Anyway, I’m beat.
No time to myself!
First because we had three days of visitors and house guests and dinners out, and then because of Rallying it up for four days.
I want to lock myself in a library or something.
Not walking enough.
My daily walks (which do a lot for general clarity and mood) didn’t happen either.
This time it was first because of how ridiculously hot it was and then because of Rally prep.
Yesterday morning was the first long walk I got and it was brilliant.
The heat wave. It makes me stupid.
You’d think having lived a third of my life in the middle east would have given me some kind of immunity but no.
Come on, Portland. Let’s get back to cool and drizzling. You’re kind of freaking me out.
Context. Don’t leave home without it!
First we had actual trollishness on the blog, which never happens. Maybe the first time in over a year (and kindly deleted by the First Mate).
Then there was a total shitstorm on Twitter over something I said.
Anyway. Context, people. It’s so obvious to me that everything I say is said with a wink that I do forget not everyone knows this.
But when I am feeling upset because I think someone else has thrown a shoe, I usually just assume good intentions and ask them for context.
Apparently this is not a widely practiced thing. Because you would not believe the barrage of shoes flying in my direction. Ludicrous and annoying. Well, annoying because ludicrous.
Missing things that used to be.
And knowing that this is not from now and not useful … while still in the hard and the hurting over it.
The good stuff
Rally!
The fun! The hilarity! The spontaneous wild rumpus-ing!
What an outstanding group of lovely, sweet, smart, goofball people. Adore.
And the extreme getting-done-ness. I don’t even know how to talk about it. This is one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
Also, the Rally being even more amazing than I thought it was going to be.
I am in awe of how much I got done.
And how great it all is.
This is an actual tweet from Jesse:
Q: You see a Queen, Flowers, Ziggy Stardust & Shiva’s Horns sitting in a circle & the Pirate Queen walks in…where are you? A: The Rally.
Yes. Moments of genius. Drag names. Superpowers. Spectacular and hilarious costumes. Hysterical giggling. And many a Victory Dance. I mean: WIKTORY!
Someone else described it as “ten thousand times more awesome than I’d imagined it would be, when I was already convinced that it was going to be incredible” — yeah, it was kind of like that.
My mind. It is reeling.
I learned how to draw labyrinths!
Which is great, because I am obsessed with labyrinthing. And also because it is a way to walk patterns when I am not doing Shiva Nata.
It was both harder and easier than I imagined it would be.
And I am determined to paint one on the wall of my Pirate Queen Quarters at the Playground.
Possibly I will also make one out of socks on the floor of my office at home.
Friends!
Seeing Amna and my dear friend Jon Berman and his ladyfriend and also my gentleman friend’s sister.
Having people at Hoppy House. Good food and joyfulness. I approve.
You guys.
The beautiful, kind, insightful comments on Monday’s post were so fascinating and reassuring to read.
Man. We are such a great group of total oddballs! I love it. I just love it.
So good to know that we are not alone in our oddnesses.
Returning people’s projections.
This is something Hiro taught me a long time ago that I always forget to do. This week I returned people’s projections.
Here. Your projections! It was a good thing.
Blanket fort! Blanket fort! Blanket fort!
Building a blanket fort at the Rally just made everything that much more fabulous.
Blanket fort!
The hot weekend of Roller Derby.
Even though sitting in a non-ventilated metal hangar for five hours in ninety-six+ degree heat is extremely uncomfortable …
And even though disastrous unspeakable things happened and even though Gotham only beat Seattle’s thugs by 95 points and not the much more thorough humiliation that totally should have taken place …
It was awesome.
Also, I know the list of people who want to marry Bonnie Thunders is a very long one, but I’m pushing myself to the front. Unbelievable.
Wow. I saw her skate three years ago and have been dreaming of seeing that again. It was just as incredible as I remembered. So beautiful I can hardly stand it.
And … playing live at the meme beach house: it’s the Fake Band of the Week!
Yes, that’s a Stuism too.
My brother and I have this thing where we come up with ridiculous band names and then say in this really pretentious, knowing tone, “Oh, well, you know, it’s just one guy.”
This week?
Taxidermied Mermaid.
They’re fast and loud and put on one hell of a show. Of course, it’s just one guy.
Thanks to the delightful Emannuelle for this one!
And … various things online and otherwise.
I did not really read anything this week.
Oh, except this great bit from Rupa on fabulous proverbs (The jackfruit is in the tree, and you are already oiling your mustache! Love!)
But I did make an avatar that looks exactly like me. Except for my hair which is black (at the moment) and my eyes which are green (always) and that I don’t really wear enough plaid (ever). This was way more fun than it should be.
I also made one for my Gentleman Friend (Rhubarb Scruff, 44 years old, The Vegetarian) that thoroughly captured the essence of his not-vegetarian rocker self but he did not approve. Alas.
That’s it for me …
And yes yes yes, of course you can join in my Friday ritual right here in the comments bit if you feel like it.
Yeah? Anything hard and/or good happen in your week?
And, as always, have a glorrrrrrrrrrrrious day and a restful weekend-ing.
And a happy week to come. Shabbat shalom.
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Love the avatar! Of course, I couldn’t resist; I made one too.
Hard:
-Right now, actually, for some reason. I can’t sleep; I have the sad.
-My daughter starts middle school on Monday. I didn’t realize how anxious I am about all of this until today, when we stopped by the school and I learned that we won’t get her schedule until her first day of classes. I was a bit blind-sided by how much this upset me, how it made me feel unsupported and unprepared and out of control. What if they signed her up for all the wrong stuff, and then when we try to fix it they say No? What if, what if, what if…
-A very specific, looming money worry.
-Ever since my last conversation with my adviser, I have been struggling to get my dissertation proposal unstuck. Scared, sad, mad, frustrated. Just…bleah.
Good:
+My choral group’s season started this week. It’s good to have this outlet again.
+I have been handling conflict beautifully this week. I’ve been kind, strong, honest, and compassionate.
+I’ve been blogging more steadily. It feels good to do that, and it also feels good to be keeping the promise I made to myself about this.
+I can feel myself, working on (and playing with) my Stuff. There’s a sense of commitment to myself that, come to think of it, I take for granted all too often. Not this week. This week, I am really noticing, and I am very grateful to myself.
+This past Monday’s Fluent Self post was one of my good things this week, too. It was such a thrill to see so many people proudly waving and saying, “This is me.” I am so lucky to have found my way here!
Okay, I think maybe I’ll try again to get some sleep. Happy Chickening and weekending, one and all!
.-= Kathleen Avins´s last post … Breathing- and claiming my space- at the end of a long day =-.
Is it Friday yet? Close enough. I’m SO ready for this week to be over!
Hard:
-Food poisoning. Sweetie got it, then I got it, then the dog got it. Oy!
-I thought I was better, and then I got worse. Much worse.
-Anger and frustration. I don’t have time to be sick!
Good:
-Went to a conference for people who grow fruit. Yay, fruit geeks! My people.
-The househunting might be over. I would be SUPER excited if I had any energy.
.-= Barbara J Carter´s last post … New dot painting- “Mandala” =-.
Friday???? If you guys say so.
The hard:
– Time flies and I have to get used to the fact that soon I will start a job away from home and that this will involve travelling back on weekends, living in a place that is not mine etc.
– Issues about organizing the holiday that is coming up next week.
– My Mum’s reaction to my brother’s overall disorganisation and the laying bare of so many patterns.
– 10 days no internet and no e-mail as off Tuesday.
The good:
– Tingles of exitement about the job that is coming up and that luckily I have done before and so I will step into known territory which makes starting a job so much easier.
– Possibly sorted out accommodation and if it turns out what it sounds like it would be pretty ideal.
– Havi’s post from Monday and the record-breaking number of comments, all so brilliant and so much fun to read.
– Meeting friends.
– The 1 1/2 year old daughter of my friend who I really bond with. While I chatted to her Mum in the kitchen, the little one came, took my hand and stood next to me for 5 minutes, not speaking, not doing anything, just holding my hand. Awesome.
– 10 days no internet and e-mail as off Tuesday.
Thanks, Havi. You made my day. xo
Friday. Hi Friday! Hi Chickeneers! Yay.
This week’s hard:
1. Feeling like I do not have enough to show for how busy I’ve been. Bummer.
2. Hot. HOT. I know I just moved to the south, but HOT!!!! With ridiculous humidity. Blerg. It makes my hair frizz and makes me very, very groggy.
3. I have so many bruises right now I don’t even want to count them. And two Band-Aids on one hand, just to add insult to injury. This always happens when I move to a new place, in one way or another, but it is still sort of frustrating.
4. Money. Oh so much money. Guilt. Fear that this will turn out not to be worth it. Etc.
5. Meeting a whole new set of people tomorrow and starting the program I’m doing this year. So. Scared. Desperately hoping I will make friends, because not knowing anyone in a city gets depressing. Not sleeping especially well over this one.
This week’s good:
1. I have furniture. I even managed to haul an armchair home by myself in my little four-door car. No idea how that happened but now that the agony is over (see above bruises) I’m rather proud of myself.
2. Finally putting color in my living room made my week. Turquoise. I love you, turquoise.
3. Being loved. I’m much happier now that it’s love from a distance, because I can do things like have a life, but I’m glad my family does love me.
4. Yoga class last night! It was a little odd, and I think I’ll probably settle into doing my own practice at home, but it was fun to do after not doing it for a while.
5. Hot yes, but sunshine. I love sunshine. And my windows face east, so waking up is quite lovely.
Hugs for everyone and happy Friday!
Returning projections — sounds like an incredibly *useful* thing to be able to do, especially this week. And Taxidermied Mermaid? There are just no words for the fabulousness of that.
This week’s hard:
– Size 15EEE steel-toe combat boot thrown at me this week, along with a bunch of names and insults and threats.
– Last-minute schedule changes that threw a big wrench into my carefully planned-out week.
– Yesterday it hit me that summer is just about over. And I did it again, letting it go by without doing even half of what was on my wish list to do this summer.
This week’s good:
– I was able to recognize the shoe for what it was, that particular person’s own stuff coming out in the guise of making me look bad in order to make him feel better about being an ass and not holding up his end of the bargain.
– Said experience has given me incredible clarity about what kinds of clients I will and will not accept going forward, and a determination to heed more carefully those little warning bells. More entries for the Dammit List.
– The big project I expected to come in this week has been delayed, so I was able to spend three whole days having adventures with my 10-year-old niece.
– Beautiful, gorgeous, perfect weather this week. Renewed determination to not take it for granted.
Happy Friday and happy chickening, everyone!
.-= Lori Paximadis´s last post … Friday Really =-.
Havi, your avatar makes me excited for fall, because fall means that it will once again be cool enough to wear brightly colored/patterned tights.
The hard: Feeling quite depressed on Monday and had to work from home. Speaking of work, it was like pulling teeth to get through the deadlines this week. They were almost physically painful. Was a little creeped out by the doctor’s office I went to on Monday. And my insurance is inconvenient, so I won’t even get the medication I need for another week. Being pretty nervous about how to tell my job I’m leaving (but this is related to the good!)
The good: Eee! I was offered a job that I didn’t think I would get! As far as I can tell, it seems like a major improvement in every way from where I am now. I just can’t believe it. In other news, the doctor was actually better than I thought he would be, and as a result of going to see him, my mood stuff will hopefully be improving steadily over the next month. I can actually see hope on the horizon! Also, my amazing girlfriend who worked from home with me on Monday and took me to the doctor and helped me order my prescription. She helped me to get through these mundane tasks that I might not have been able to do alone, and that’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve ever received. Also, fall is around the corner. It’s still hot out, but I can just feel that school season is coming.
A happy weekend to everyone.
.-= Kylie´s last post … seven seconds =-.
Havi, I’m so sorry about the shoe-throwing on Twitter. Ugh. I missed the whole thing, or would have done some shoe-deflecting.
Your Rally sounds brilliant! 🙂
My chicken this week…
Hard:
– Tired, achy, and more tired.
– My younger son and daughter-in-law are moving away next week.
Good:
+ Amna is here, visiting for a few days.
+ Sovereignty Kindergarten, and the brilliant, insightful people who are bringing their hearts and creative spirits to class each week.
+ Water Pilates at the pool each morning.
+ Reading a gorgeous new book.
Happy weekend, everyone. Hugs for the hard, and celebrating the good with you.
Love, Hiro
.-= Hiro Boga´s last post … Pattern Makers and Playpens =-.
Ah, Taxidermied Mermaids, I used to follow them like the Dead. (waves to my fellow Mermaidheads out there). 🙂
Hard:
Even though it cooled down a lot relative to last week I was still hot. And nauseated. Because of being hot. Since it was “too nice out” to have the AC on anywhere but in the bedroom.
The pumpkin is gone until ? so I am making apple pie muffins instead. Which are more work and more stress (are they too wet?)
Doctor’s visits = being measured = me feeling really bad about myself even though I haven’t felt this good or light in several years. I want to stop hating my body. (Maybe a VPA on Sunday?)
Having to wait six weeks to see the doctor to find out which procedure we’re going to do for the problem I’m having. (part of my body apparently thinks it’s about 2 months pregnant, which explains some things, grr)
Good:
*I got my artist statement written and the grant app is submitted* (This would be all in caps because HEY EARLY! and WOO HOO! and this is the best statement I’ve *ever* written but I want to spare y’alls eyeballs)
I get to keep my parts! (this was a very scary thing).
I have great blood counts, no anemia here. (yay whole food)
Wonderful veggies from the free food handout last weekend.
Cooler weather in the mornings meant my walks didn’t leave me exhausted the rest of the day.
Rabbi Danielle emailed me on Sunday about hanging another show at Hillel. We finish hanging it today. 😀
Izzy’s opening went great and he sold another piece and got a commission for a painting. Yay!
.-= Andi´s last post … The Sketchbook Project- Week Two =-.
Blanket forts. When I was little I had a canopy bed, and we would drape blankets over the top and pretend it was our pirate ship…yay!
Hard:
-Buttons pushed daily. Hourly. Culminating in shameful temper loss on my part. I threw something. Not a metaphorical shoe. A real-life something. At a person. I feel like an a$$. (Note: If your wife starts crying, and you laugh at her? Duck.)
-A bit fearful of this new state of being in which I actually let myself feel my emotions. It’s a little overwhelming…
-No sleep. Well, some sleep, but never never enough.
-Mosquitoes. Still.
-Neighbor couple’s shouting match at 3 am. Again. The obscenities. The “I hate yous.” The not-sleeping because of the yelling. I keep wishing for a pack of rabid flying squirrels to descend upon them…
Good:
-Forgiveness
-Shiva nata. Back to it after several months of avoidance. It’s good to be flailing again.
-It finally cooled off for a few days. Not today…but the past few days.
Hey everyone,
I second the thoughts about Monday’s awesome post. I’ve done those sorts of things before, but given that I’ve read the commenter mice responses for over a year now, I feel like I “know” people on here. Learning even more about everyone made me feel closer…much needed b/c I’ve been feeling isolated lately.
Here’s my week:
The Hard:
-Lots of anxiety that I can’t seem to shake.
-Major travel snafus when visiting homeland that resulted in getting REAMED by a car rental company. I mean REAMED.
-Gentleman friend working his tail off, and I worry for him (but he’s fine).
-Stress at work is getting to me. Conflict with coworker, etc.
-Didn’t do enough meal/snack planning, so the eating wasn’t as healthy this week.
-Anxious about crappy business trip next week with stressed-out coworkers. Worried about not getting sufficient self-care.
The Good:
+Gentleman friend gave me an incredibly thoughtful surprise.
+Got a piece published on a website. I used a pen name, which makes me giggle whenever I think about it.
+Some interest from a prospective employer. Maybe I’ll have more options soon!
+New England whoopie pies.
+The weekend is coming, and I get to recharge and spent time with myself and my gentleman friend. Yay!
.-= Dawn´s last post … Taking the Learning Out of the Classroom =-.
I know this isn’t what you said but for the last 3 hours, nope make that 4 hours, all I could think about was “The Prep” Rally.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXggapC5ll8
He actually starts doing “The Prep” at 1:07.
So that’s what I did to The Hard this week – only I did it in my head. Thus the hard became funny and I felt really good, even though there was hard. Plus, now when I think about the hard, my neck is rolling and I laugh.
The Good – remembering that I control how much power I give The Hard and how fun, funny or soft I can make the hard.
Another good, accepting some things I didn’t or rather haven’t been wanting to accept.
Plus, the bounty of mother nature. Wild clemetis and it’s vanilla-nutmeg smell just outside my window. More ripe muscadines. Watermelon. Peaches. Fresh Turnip Greens. Fresh shelled peas. I love you summer. I really do.
@Emily – ohmygod. I am reeling. How is it not Generally Known By All of Humanity that laughing at someone who is crying is completely and utterly unacceptable? That is so completely upsetting. I would have thrown things too. And then felt bad. And then probably thrown more things.
Sounds really uncomfortable and frustrating for you — all of it. Wishing you ease and things-getting-better.
@Andi – you get to keep your parts! You get to keep your parts! What a relief. I’m so glad. Also yay on the ALL CAPS excitements and for Mermaidheads.
@Lori – yuck to the shoe. I’m so sorry. Ugh. Hard! And so impressed by your measured beautiful KNOWING in the good. That is awesome and radiant.
@everyone … just sending you guys so much love. I adore you all. And chickening with everyone each week really truly is one of my favorite rituals. Friday!
It’s Friday yeah!
OK, what happened this week, let’s see…
Sucky stuff:
I didn’t manage to do that thing that I didn’t manage to do last week either, and it’s kind of nasty because I said I’d do it and I do like this person I’m doing it for.
The boyfriend’s leaving for a week. He’s taking the laptop.
The non-laptop PC had a scary spell yesterday. It’s brand new, but that doesn’t mean it won’t break down and leave me in the lurch.
Good stuff:
MONSTER PARTY! Woo! Started new website/blog about monsters. Way fun. Drawing monsters is my favourite thing.
I have a plan. Well, I have the seed of a plan. For a sleepover. With pillowfights. And science. At my blog. I know, right?
Yogaaaaah. Shiva Nataaaaaah. Aaaaaah. Life is beautiful.
Hugs for the weekend everyone!
.-= Willie Hewes´s last post … What Monsters Want =-.
Happy Friday, chickeneers!
The Hard:
Not a lot of sleep.
Finally accepted that we can’t live in this rental house I love because we can’t afford it, and $$ is not coming in. After move from CA to WA last October, this is stressful. Also, moving to “the hood” fears, complete with “bad mom” fears because of school districts… voice of my Mom there, nagging in my head. Yuck, yuck, ugh.
Money stuff in general problematic.
The fantastic:
I am teaching again! I’m beta-testing an online course for fiction writers,helping them destuckify their process and their stories. 🙂 It’s been amazingly wonderful.
Being incredibly productive. I’m over halfway done with contracted book and discovered new resource that will help with new book proposal.
Being incredibly creative. I’ve got the name & domain for new writing blog, ideas for at least 3 info products, and thanks to Rachel at Caffeinated Elf, some structure and ideas for all of them. LOVE Rachel. Best creative coach evah!
Thanks guys, and have a great weekend!
What a week.
And… hello! 🙂
*The hard*
-going home after a day of so much support, productivity, insight and fun (rally!)… to a messy house and a huge fight with my boyfriend. Mostly me overreacting and then, ohmygod, the guilt and shame monsters descended.
-my boyfriend picking up my keys, setting them down (somewhere). Me unable to find them, him gone, the key hidden on my car missing and the rally about to begin without me. Panic!
-something I wrote (for myself) wanting to be read by others. Total terror.
*The fantastic*
+3 mornings in a row flailing with others at the Rally (rally!). Love, love, love it!
+Remembering a broken key in the bottom of a change bowl in a dark corner of my closet and making it to the Rally in the nick of time.
+new friends, tons of projectizing, and bubbles!
Overall, a pretty amazing week. Until next time…
.-= Larisa´s last post … The Art of Magical Listening – a DIY Guide! =-.
Friday! Chickens! Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!
The hard
– Weird, scary health stuff with Mom.
– Trigger-ey bits associated with the aforementioned health stuff.
– Big tireds after finishing a big project.
– Summer. Heat. Humidity. (Is it over yet?)
The good
– A great big gorgeous aha! around a thing I’m working on. Which caused a delicious and wild scribbling of ideas for hours.
– Studio time! Lots of it!
– Asking for help three times in one day. And getting it.
– Feeling really clear about what’s next.
– A great resolution to a hard situation that a sweet friend was experiencing.
– Pressing “publish” on a post I was worried would be taken wrong and seeing it a strike a huge chord for people.
Long live the power of the chicken!
.-= Fabeku Fatunmise´s last post … Go Big Or Not =-.
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, this part of your post…
“Then there was a total shitstorm on Twitter over something I said.
Anyway. Context, people. It’s so obvious to me that everything I say is said with a wink that I do forget not everyone knows this.”
I’m somewhat new to the whole microblogging (facebook/twitter)phenomena and while jumping in and only having limited space to use and being in the heat of a conversation in my mind typed out something without giving full consideration to how this could be misinterpreted.
I’ve gotten a lot better at A) not caring if I do make a mistake, as I am not perfect yet… and B)Making more use of emoticons and LOL for the people who don’t get my sense of humor.
One thing I’d love to start following closer are how comedians respond to some of the off the wall shit they post on these sites like this gem from Natahsha Leggero…
“I’ll have a lesbian experience when women start owning yachts.”
I guess what really minimizes the troll feedback for a woman like her is that she’s pegged as a comedian and of course comedians get to say all the shocking shit and get away with it.
But I believe you can strike a balance like the marketing wizard Frank Kern has, mixing humor and marketing and teaching.
I also believe that a segment of society opens up their eyes every morning looking for ways to be offended. They’ve wired themselves for disappointment. Their being butt hurt has nothing to do with you; it has everything to do with the meaning they give to what you say.
Thanks for making me think today and for showing off your fun and witty personality here!!!
Friday! Hello, fellow chickeneers!
The hard:
– Odd bouts of not feeling well.
– Generally nervous and emotional about launching my little shop, which I did not realize would happen until I was actually doing it.
– The pup is enjoying 1-2 outings in the middle of the night for bathroom breaks. Until I figure out how to sleep-walk him out, this is not so good for my sleeping.
– Apparently a week has gone by and my list of things to do by a certain time doesn’t feel like it’s gotten much shorter.
– General annoyance about something that will not leave even though my sisters let me whine about it to them so I could get it out of me.
The good:
– Time in my favorite places (the coast! the Wildwood!) with my most favorite companion, best.puppy.
– I opened my little photo shop, and it was lovely, and people celebrated with me, and I have some packages to send out today. And I remembered to take the time to celebrate.
– Veggie sandwiches + chips.
– Good books .. and being lost in good books .. and not feeling guilty about it because the hot weather felt like an excuse to hide out and do nothing but read.
– Cooler weather. I have a sweatshirt on and am happy.
.-= Elizabeth´s last post … happy sigh =-.
Hey, whew…that week seems to have been fast forwarded.
The hard:
– My internet connection cutting out for hours at a time. No internet cafes in my town. I’m doing an online master’s degree. I’m interested in starting an online business. I don’t control the internet subscription and the person that does doesn’t think that there’s anything we can do.
– The people I live with changing their routines without telling me meaning that I’m late for work because my toothbrush is locked in the bathroom or I can’t have a shower when I always do – annoying.
– Some odd emotional stuff coming up including some patterns of behaviour that I don’t like at all
– Feeling annoyed that nothing seems to be happening in certain areas of my life
– pmt
– finding a perfect job and then it being closed by the time I got home to apply for it, not going to the writer’s group as a result AGAIN.
The good:
– lots of writing getting done
– looking forward to my MA starting up again
– having an awesome night out at a comedy club for a friends birthday, and all the fun of getting glammed up
– realising that spending money (!!) on my appearance does not actually make me a bad person
– looking forward to making a few carefully chosen purchases as a result
– going out for a delicious lunch yesterday
– being reminded that I have wonderful friends
Have a lovely weekend everyone!
Love the avatar! I love mine too: she’s here. It’s actually damn close to how I look. My hair isn’t that long in the back, and I have blue/green eyes that are a little smaller. And now I want to go buy a bustier and thigh-high boots because it has been way too long since I let my Goth Grrl out to play! Of course it’s hard to go Goth when the temps are in the high 80s and 90s with humidity. But don’t worry baby, fall is coming, then you’ll get to have all the fun you want. That’s our time of the year anyway.
The Hard
Have a theory on why I’ve been having so many migraines. It’s tied to my wine consumption. I don’t drink that much. I have 2, may be 3 glasses a week. I have went this week without wine and I’ve been fine. I’m going to have a glass tonight. If I have extreme trouble getting up tomorrow morning, and I’m headachey for the rest of the day then I will know. I am not happy about this. I have a beautiful bottle of Riesling and a sinful bottle of Moscato sitting in the fridge, and I just bought a bottle of amaretto for my beloved amaretto sours. I’ll let you know how my experiment goes.
My tubal ligation was canceled and rescheduled 8/26 at 7:30 a.m., which means I have to be there at 6:30 a.m. Ugh.
The Good
My Muse was with me Wednesday, and I got a boat load of writing done. The rewrite on the 2nd sample chapter of my book proposal is almost done, and it’s good! I am telling these women’s stories and not just writing research papers! Woot! At this point the book proposal is a little over half done! I am so happy to be making process on this. Yeah for Cairene and Project Front Burner! Cairene is making this a regular class in September, and if you have a project you’ve been putting off, I highly recommend you sign up. It’s done amazing things for me.
I love my new morning routine: morning pages, prayer, yoga, and meditation. It really grounds me for my day.
I’m loving all the cool people I’m meeting on the intertubes. There are a whole bunch of very cool, wonderful, generous people out there.
Monday’s post. Oh. my. Godde. The wonderfulness of that post and comment thread still make me smile. This blog has attracted some of the weirdest, dorkiest, geekiest people I have ever met! And I don’t give out compliments like that too often. 🙂
I hope all my chickening buddies have a great weekend!
.-= Shawna R. B. Atteberry´s last post … Career Women of the Bible Sneak Peak- Mary Magdalene =-.
Holy wow, is Friday throwing me for a loop. Head all a-tizzy.
I did some quick chickening over on the blog, but here is some more chickening I couldn’t even put into words until coming over here to read and share and smile and think a little more:
Bad:
– Grumpy grumpens at this office I’m sitting in, with its suspicious lack of comfortable amazing funtimes. Life, why can’t you be more like Rally? Feel like I need to have a conversation with the inner self who is threatening a tantrum if I don’t make some more comfortable spaces available very, very soon.
Weird:
– Don’t think I’m ready to admit how much mind-bending took place. I mean I know, but I don’t KNOW know. Feels like I have my back to a tidal wave. Surges of buoyancy and power that I can only sense but not see. Or not yet.
Good:
+ Remembering that I will get to go back to the Playground one day. Playground, I sure do miss you. I know we’ll hug again someday.
+ A tiny leftover piece of the special incense came to work with me and I gave it to my buddha and s/he likes it very very much. Every so often I sniff it and smile.
.-= Jesse´s last post … Checking in- the post-Rally hello =-.
When I was a kid I had an old torn parachute (no idea where it came from) that made an awesome fort!
The hard.
– One of my bunnies (Joey (named after Joey Ramone)) was sick this week. Poor little guy didn’t want to eat, which can be fatal for rabbits, so off to the vet we went. I’ve got medicine I have to give him 3 times a day, and I had to syringe feed him for a couple of days. He was not wild about it. Poor guy.
The good.
+ Joey is eating again, and he has his energy back. Yay! I still have to give him his meds till they’re all gone, but he’s actually letting me pick him up (usually he acts like I’m trying to kill him), and I’ve actually been snuggling him a bit while I’m holding him. Bunny snuggles!
+ My gentleman friend has been gathering stuff from curbs and dumpsters for the Zen Buddhist Temple’s annual yard sale. He brought me a cashmere shawl that someone had thrown in a dumpster. I know! Cashmere! How could anyone throw that in a dumpster? That’s like throwing gold in a dumpster. People are crazy. But I washed it, and I’ll take it to my day job where it’s always freezing.
+ I’ve been working on an inventory/labeling system for my yarn and fiber. It’s a lot of work to set up, but it will save me so much time in the long run. It will be a lot more automated. Nested if statements, baby! What’s funny is what I hate about my day job is I’m staring at spreadsheets all day, and now I’m spending hours at home working on spreadsheets for my business. There’s a huge difference though. Now I’m creating spreadsheets that will be useful to me and do what I want them to and allow me more time to dye and spin. At the day job, I’m just copying and pasting usage stats into spreadsheets, and when I’m done, I’m just copying and pasting more usage stats into more spreadsheets. It never ends. And I don’t really care at all about usage stats. So this has been illuminating — it’s not the spreadsheets per se that drive me batty, it’s the monotony, and the feeling that a trained monkey could do just as well, and information being stuff I just don’t care about at all. When I’m doing cool, useful, creative stuff with spreadsheets, they rock, and I rock!
.-= Riin´s last post … More woolly goodness- and I suck at blogging =-.
How in the world is it Friday already? It didn’t so much creep up as sprint up.
The Hard:
-Very angry email from someone I really respect that came out of the blue. It wasn’t so much of a shoe as a misunderstanding, and once I had all the information it all made more sense (and really wasn’t anything I had caused). I still felt bad about both the email and the misunderstanding even though it wasn’t my thing, and it’s been bothering me all week.
-The more clients I get, the more I realize that I am truly crap at admin stuff and anything that involves technology. I come with an anti-technology aura. I feel like it’s handicapping both my business and my income.
-Next week is going to be both fun and profitable, but also crazy stressful. I need to find a way to prepare for it that helps me survive.
-Desperately wanting to make more money with my business, but feeling stuck as to how to do so. It’s not that it isn’t profitable, but damnit I started this to get my dream life, and I still want that. I’m ready to biggify big time, but the how seems elusive.
The Good:
-The universe sent me the most insanely amazing lovely assistant ever, and I hired her! So so excited for her to start Monday.
-So many fun plans with people I love next week and I’m so grateful to have the job freedom to spend time with them.
-Really good food all week, which is always nice.
-A wonderful small business experience involving my dog’s new groomer.
-Tons of clients next week, and all wonderful and interesting projects.
Have a great week everyone!
.-= Holly´s last post … Freelance Writing Online Made Easy- A Review =-.
Friday? Already? What’s with this disappearing time thing? Good grief…
Ok. Chicken. 🙂
The hard –
@Havi – I liked your avatar so much I made one for me, too. 😛 and then promptly lost the link. Waaaa!
Emotional roller coaster.
Schleepy all week. Very schleepy.
Uncomfortable, itchy EO. Yucky.
Heart sister out of town for a funeral. Missed her.
The good –
Meds for EO itching helping immensely. Now he’s just jittery, and even if he’s irritable, I can deal with jittery.
Heart sister home safe. YAY!!
We had a visiting kitty yesterday.
Shivanata epiphanies even from imagined rather than physical flailing. Very strange, but very good. One of those: “Oh. that IS a pattern, isn’t it no wonder I’m a mess. Good thing it’s no longer necessary.” times.
Bellydance show tomorrow! I just have to hand out programs and watch pretty dancers. Don’t even have to worry about makeup and remembering choreo or anything! I can handle that.
.-= Romilly´s last post … Precious =-.
None of you guys know me because I’ve been lurking here and getting very inspired and helped out by Havi’s posts. But it looks like Friday is chiming in time, so I will chime in. I want to be in on this stuff!
I’m scratching my head over the Playground and the Rally. I can’t quite figure out what they are but the sound pretty fun (too bad I’m not in Portland).
Hard:
– Dealing with panic about running out of money and all the horrible possibilities that ensue from that
– Feeling like if no one is hiring me, I must not be very good at what I do. Even though I know that’s not a rational conclusion
– Dealing with a landlady who is not always reasonable or rational
– Feeling lonely because I spend too much time at home with my computer
Good:
– Got support from Havi’s calming techniques for my panic. Also reached out to friends, and to myself, for support
– Getting very excited about going to Burning Man next weekend! I was panicked about this before, but now that it’s almost here, I’m feeling open to whatever happens (still a little scary, but cool)
– Played a great show with my taiko group. One audience member said we were “spellbinding.” I often feel spellbound when I’m playing, so that totally rocks
– Feeling inspired to write some completely different, more personal posts on my blog. Not quite ready to post them though…
Howdy Chickeneers! Hugs for the hard and happy dances for the good!
The Hard: The Waiting and associated family in (emotional) pain. So sad.
The Upcoming Schedule (Robot! Travel! Thing 2! Travel! And Another Travel! Oh. Dear. What was I thinking?)
The hot (so tired of The Hot.)
I feel like I’m missing connecting with people.
The Good:
Inspired!!!! (and also !!!!) (It’s some kind of law: the busier I am the more ideas I have.)
@Hiro – although I never made it to class, I’m listening all the time.
@Havi – love the posts and your people
@Rupa – love the proverbs
Found the Phone (dead but sim card still has contacts (whew!).
Found the camera card (yay! Pix!)
Discovered something about commitment – ‘you know you’re ready when declaring it publicly is just recognition of all ready doing it.’ (Working on this.)
Still find that I am o.k. (Can’t quite figure this part out but I’m going with it.)
Happy Weekends!
I made an avatar as well – just call me Sparkles McGeek! http://bit.ly/9soMWh
Chicken:
The hard –
* More headaches. Had stopped tracking them, but I’m starting again and I’ve officially put it on my Quest list to find a doctor & make an appointment.
* Haven’t heard back yet from a job I applied for last week for which I would be a fantastic fit, and where I’d get to develop my electronics knowledge. Still hopeful, though.
* Reading about all the prep work my burner friends are in the midst of, feeling a bit sad about not going with them.
* Lots of just generally feeling down. And getting down on myself for my own productivity level. Which leads to more feeling down (and also more not getting things done).
The good –
* Major kudos at work, and getting to pass them on to those who helped
* EpicWin! New iPhone app that makes your task list into a roleplaying game style quest list, with loot and leveling up and all. Just got released this week and it actually makes me want to check in to my to-do list!
* Farmer’s market goodness, twice a week. Blueberries have been out of this world, and this weekend we’ll be setting up this year’s first batch of pickles.
* Found a space where I can take my projects and get work done when I’m not getting it done at home
* Channeling the no-burning-man blues into starting to gather infrastructure and costume goodies for next year. Not always the best thing for my pocketbook, but it’s been helping me feel better about it anyway.
* Travel plans! I get to take my skirt to NYC to show off next month, and I’m also planning two other big trips for the fall.
Off to start the weekend!
.-= Shannon´s last post … Urban Craft Uprising is coming! =-.
Chick’m!
Sorry to hear there was a troll here. Boooo. This is really the safest place to hang out on the internet, though. Especially on Fridays – it’s the only place online where I can feel reassured about the never-ending good and the hard.
The Hard:
-more worrisome health issues with my girlfriend.
-a difficult gig with some friends. one of those gigs where one thing goes wrong for the singer (i.e. forgetting the words to the song) and then it just snowballs.
-tried to perform a solo show…felt like I was under examination! I don’t think I’m built to perform all by my lonesome.
The Good:
-celebrated 4th anniversary with my girlfriend
-approved all the mixes for my new album!
-went out to see our friends do stand-up. Laughed my head off.
Have a great weekend everyone
~C
.-= Christine Bougie´s last post … 4 Year Anniversary =-.
the hard:
summer vacation is over, and i head back to work for reals on monday.
missed a day of staff prep week for an amazing wedding (no regrets there a’tall) but do kind of miss that extra day. am dealing with a flood of Small and Annoying Things now.
they made the computer systems at work all fancy, which means that about 80% of my required programs aren’t available to me…and school starts monday.
i broke the school copier TOTALLY ACCIDENTALLY but still, it’s the friday before school starts, and now we all have to go to different copy shops and get reimbursed.
i have to break my feet into standing all day again.
my house is not guest ready and yet, guest, they are a-coming. amazing guests, but still–the house is messy and i want to hermit tonight, not clean.
the good:
am doing EFT and morning pages and shiva nata, and feel pretty damn relaxed and happy, all things considered!
my sister! i will see her tomorrow!
i bought the prettiest, prettiest new dress for the first day of school! not that 9th graders appreciate that kind of stuff, but i sure as hell do.
and shabbat shalom to all!
Two Chickens in a row – w00t – reestablishing routines feels good. This week:
The hard:
– Client still waffling wildly on a project and keeping me hanging as to when I will have work; and giving me *just* enough hours so I don’t get unemployment. ::le sigh::
– Damn foot still broken, dammit. I don’t know what it’s doing in that cast, but it doesn’t feel like healing – OW.
– Stuck on my ass because of my foot and not getting paid for it. The way my timing has been lately, my foot will probably heal just as my project restarts. Bleh.
The good:
+ Went to live shivanata class with the cast on (Playground provided a stool!). Ha! Take that mean, mean body that keeps slowing me down.
+ Friend in town from Seattle – got to have lunch and talk and the usual fun stuffs.
+ Happy hippie husband puttering around the house. Our house! Still So Cool.
Happy weekend everyone!
The Hard:
– The apartment below me is being remodeled, starting before my usual wake-up time. Insomnia means I don’t go to sleep any earlier, and the sleep dep is starting to seriously get to me.
– Total lack of paying work getting done due to aforementioned sleep dep.
– Had a problem with someone I had been holding onto the hope of friendship with, but have had it confirmed finally that I need to just give up on it, once this last bit of obligation is out of the way.
– Am worried that another friendship will fall as a result.
– Art sales continue to underperform my hopes, but perhaps perform about the way my efforts deserve. Hoping September will help with that all around.
The Good:
+ Wonderful times with good friends this week, all of whom were understanding of my sleep dep.
+ Got paid for art & used it to buy more supplies.
+ Prepping for my awesome Birthday Month Surprises at the art site. Giveaway, sale, new product, woot.
+ Working on a new focus for my design site, and already starting to get more work in that direction.
+ Fabeku’s awesome post about optional biggifying really resonated with me — I need to find my Right Size as well as my Right People!+ Get to sleep in tomorrow with no loud workmen below and spend the weekend catching up on work, which is fair since I essentially took the last 3 days off.
+ Have found a mastermind group and am feeling finally like I’m connecting with them, despite being the only person not in the KTT.
+ Cleaned most of the things! Was too tired to clean ALL the things, but most worked out well in the long run.
+ Cuddly cats continue to love me and be happy and healthy. They’re even slowly learning that when I get out of bed for the bathroom at night, there’s no reason for them to move since I’ll be right back.
.-= Amy Crook´s last post … Sea =-.
Better late than never.
Hurrah for Rallying! And your avatar’s wearign your red boots! Love it!
The hard stuff
Drama
Far too much dramam being a teenager at University. Especially when I’m not in my University town at the moment. How does it reach me here?
Wondering at my gentleman’s health and safety as he returned home from Cambodia.
Got my new laptop [old one died in May] but it’s having serious issues already – got no files on it but it’s not liking the partition and stuff. Gah.
Gentleman’s mother being a bit.. well, she accidentally triggered some of my stuff. Heavy going.
The good stuff
Seeing my gentleman friend after 99 days apart. 14 weeks of exams and exams and a week with my parents and 4 weeks with him out of the country and minimal communication and a health scare where we thought he might be in hospital and GAH. SOrry, this is meant to be GOOD stuff. We spent 4 days together. We played scrabble and monopoly and guitar hero. We danced and played the Jews harp and sung.
Got a birthday card from my University friend – it’s got a lump in it and i’ve been guessing [not allowed to open it, she said] what it could be all week.
Gentleman friend brought me back a tshirt with a gecko on it. I think it’s now officially the most awesome thing I own. 😀
Chai Tea!!! I love my herbal teas. And I have chai again.
Gentleman’s mothers food!
At my house, we have basically a set menu throughout the week. I got to eat three different kinds of meat this week! and three types of potato [roast, wedges, mashed]!!! And green beans with sweetcorn! Just something different <3
My cats like me at the moment.
Wilma sat on my bed while I stroked her, and when she started to fall off, she did a barrel roll until I caught her. It was wonderfully funny [and she got straight back up and almost did it again :P]
Happy weekend and week to all commenter mice!
.-= Rose´s last post … Inspired Ideas =-.
Woohoo, avatar! That was just what I needed today. I made one, too, and put it on my desktop to remind myself of my awesome powers to help save the world and look cute while doing it. Thanks, Havi.
Also, making a labyrinth out of socks = indescribably yay.
.-= Tracy´s last post … I feel more human when I play =-.
I can’t believe I missed Friday again. Saturday chicken just doesn’t have the same ring to it…
The hard:
-being on crutches with a sprained calf muscle
-returning to work mode – trainings
-my sister in law calling (for the 1st time in 23 years) to say my mom had a stroke and was undergoing surgery.
-pain pills make me sick.
-not being able to do anything for myself and spending my last days before returning to work sidelined.
-having every person that sees me on crutches ask if it is a yoga injury. {duh, peeps it’s hard to pull a muscle with my kind of yoga}
– not being able to correctly format my first interview thus delaying the publishing.
The good:
-sprained, not torn muscle
-reconnecting with co-workers that i love and refreshing my teacher brain without having kids in the room.
-learning my mom didn’t really have a stroke, just mild stroke-like symptoms.
-pain pills take away the pain
-other people taking care of me and laying low resting in order to heal properly.
-pushing daisies being on netflix watch instantly
-meeting my new pricipal and connecting right away.
-having a whole weekend to rest and the good sense to use it to rest instead of working.
-realizing sometimes you have to start over instead of pulling your hair out.
.-= Tami´s last post … Saturday Senses =-.
Groan… missed Friday by a long shot….
The Hard
– Blizzard of grading
– Having to inform 4 students that they didn’t meet expectations on their exit exams and thus won’t have a 8/31 degree conferral.
– Not getting much exercise due to work demands
– Not getting much sleep due to work demands
The Good
+ Grading is done!
+ Anniversary dinner with hubby – 19 years!
+ 1 full night of sleep – wow, did that improve my attitude the next day
+ Great workshop with our adjuncts – lots of discussion on how to teach better
Here’s hoping the next week is better all around for everyone!
I’m a late chicken. Late, late.
Ooh, love the avatar. I made one too http://humanbeingblog.com/2010/08/epic-of-epic-epicness/
The Good
+ Reconnecting with Steve a bit
+ A good counseling session
+ Writing the hardest of hard letters “from” my mother to me
+ Getting a nice email from my birthmother, saying some of the nice things I wish my adoptive mom would say to me
+ Hanging out with my daughter
+ OMG the sweet corn from the farmer’s market. And the Palisade Peaches. And the tomatoes.
+ Paid sick leave
+ Health insurance
+ Sleeping lots
+ My chiropractor, who has un-wonked my wonky hips
The Hard
– Pain from last week’s dental work, still
– Being out of work most of the week with a double ear infection and sinus infection. I felt like crap, and now I’m a week behind.
– Grumbling monsters telling me I should WORK and stop faking sick
– Realizing that in my new boss’s 4 week tenure, I’ve been out sick on 3 different occasions and worry and monster appearances
– Writing that letter “from” my mom, then reading it out loud to my therapist and feeling the hurt
– A dirty, messy, smelly house and still no energy to clean it.
.-= lynn @ human, being´s last post … 20 minutes a day =-.