I didn't see this in the theaters, and now I'm really regretting it.
'300' is based on a Frank Miller graphic novel -- that right there should put everyone that wants to see a 'historical' perspective on notice. You aren't watching a documentary, you're watching a live-action comic book.
And they pull it off beautifully. Literally. The cinematics are absolutely gorgeous, the visuals rich and disturbing. It's absolutely beautiful. Look for the dance of the Oracle near the beginning, and ... just wow. Almost hypnotic. Gorgeous.
I can't say much for the story, because I sort of zoned a bit on paying attention there -- I was that caught up in WATCHING all the pretty. Sometimes being a CGI nerd works against me, but I think drowning in all the pretty was a decent trade-out in losing some of the other things. I could have watched it with the sound off and still enjoyed seeing it, that's how pretty this movie is.
With that said ... I'm not going to call this a spectacular movie. It's a beautiful FILM, but as a movie, not quite as compelling. There's cheese-factor in the script (but again, graphic novel, hello), and Gerard Butler's lovely Scottish accent, while mostly controlled for this, still gives you a few twinge moments because it just doesn't fit. The eye-candy is amazing, both in cinematics, and the cast -- I swear there wasn't a single homely soldier among the 300 (a walking ad for Body Sculpting), which contrasted sharply with the freak-show horrors of Xerxes' army. The plot? Well, it's not like they really had to reach for depth there. 300 men face an endless legion of the enemy for the sake of freedom. End plot.
It's worth watching at least once.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Snarky Ink
/begin snark
Miami Ink is missing from the air ....
....
....
.... so that we can watch a show where 50% of the episode is dedicated to Kat talking about her BOOBS?
Where's the great stories about the tattoos, and what is behind them, and seeing the artistry?
"Dancing With Myself". I wonder if Kat even realizes that the song is way too appropriate for a self-centered twit like her? She comes off as so bloody shallow, despite her fluffy "Oh, I love the world!" persona that seriously seems forced. Or how potentially insulting that song can be for her "partners" and employees, all the artists that are REQUIRED to make a tattoo studio work ... to have the owner going on and on about ... herself?
Don't get me wrong -- the artists she has brought into the shop are AMAZING. I'd love to have work done by all of them -- even Kat, if her ego could stay out of the way -- and if I had the money, my butt would be in LA getting Hannah to do the mermaid that I want. After seeing the work from the other three artists they show, I even know the specific pieces I want from each of them -- although Corey would be handed a marker and told to have fun finishing my back. Yep yep yep
... but watching Kat is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.
/end snark
Miami Ink is missing from the air ....
....
....
.... so that we can watch a show where 50% of the episode is dedicated to Kat talking about her BOOBS?
Where's the great stories about the tattoos, and what is behind them, and seeing the artistry?
"Dancing With Myself". I wonder if Kat even realizes that the song is way too appropriate for a self-centered twit like her? She comes off as so bloody shallow, despite her fluffy "Oh, I love the world!" persona that seriously seems forced. Or how potentially insulting that song can be for her "partners" and employees, all the artists that are REQUIRED to make a tattoo studio work ... to have the owner going on and on about ... herself?
Don't get me wrong -- the artists she has brought into the shop are AMAZING. I'd love to have work done by all of them -- even Kat, if her ego could stay out of the way -- and if I had the money, my butt would be in LA getting Hannah to do the mermaid that I want. After seeing the work from the other three artists they show, I even know the specific pieces I want from each of them -- although Corey would be handed a marker and told to have fun finishing my back. Yep yep yep
... but watching Kat is like fingernails on a chalkboard for me.
/end snark
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Memory Wire in Crafting
It's not just for jewelry!
Several different companies make memory wire, in varying levels of cost and components. There's even some that's silver-plated, and you can find it in gold and silver tones.
Three different sizes are available: necklace, bracelet, and ring. Unless you have really big fingers, I can't see the ring wire fitting. HOWEVER, it has so many other uses, it's worth picking up a pack.
IMPORTANT: Never cut memory wire with your regular wire cutters for jewelry. Memory wire is tough stuff, and will notch and destroy your wire cutters. Purchase either cutters specific to memory wire, or pick up a heavy duty set at a home improvement center. You can also bend it back and forth to break it, but that can take a while and is a little tough on the hands.
-- Snip ring-sized memory wire about half an inch past a full loop. Bend one end into a tiny loop with round-nosed pliers. Now you can add on beads and charms for scrapbook or card embellishments, even use alphabet beads for mini-journaling.
-- They also make great wine-glass charms, so everyone at a party knows which glass is theirs.
-- You can cut multiple loops, and link them together into a chain to add dimension to scrapbook pages, with each loop capable of holding other embellishments.
-- For pet pages, choose beads and a 'dog tag' charm to mimic your pet's collar. You can even fold a matching ribbon in half, glue it shut, and thread it onto the wire.
-- Using the bracelet or necklace wire, do the ribbon fold and seal, and you have an instant dimensional circular frame for a photo or journaling section.
-- Engagement, wedding, or graduation? Sparkly sparkly beads, and a Swarovski crystal, and you can re-create school and engagement rings to put into your scrapbook.
Be creative!
Several different companies make memory wire, in varying levels of cost and components. There's even some that's silver-plated, and you can find it in gold and silver tones.
Three different sizes are available: necklace, bracelet, and ring. Unless you have really big fingers, I can't see the ring wire fitting. HOWEVER, it has so many other uses, it's worth picking up a pack.
IMPORTANT: Never cut memory wire with your regular wire cutters for jewelry. Memory wire is tough stuff, and will notch and destroy your wire cutters. Purchase either cutters specific to memory wire, or pick up a heavy duty set at a home improvement center. You can also bend it back and forth to break it, but that can take a while and is a little tough on the hands.
-- Snip ring-sized memory wire about half an inch past a full loop. Bend one end into a tiny loop with round-nosed pliers. Now you can add on beads and charms for scrapbook or card embellishments, even use alphabet beads for mini-journaling.
-- They also make great wine-glass charms, so everyone at a party knows which glass is theirs.
-- You can cut multiple loops, and link them together into a chain to add dimension to scrapbook pages, with each loop capable of holding other embellishments.
-- For pet pages, choose beads and a 'dog tag' charm to mimic your pet's collar. You can even fold a matching ribbon in half, glue it shut, and thread it onto the wire.
-- Using the bracelet or necklace wire, do the ribbon fold and seal, and you have an instant dimensional circular frame for a photo or journaling section.
-- Engagement, wedding, or graduation? Sparkly sparkly beads, and a Swarovski crystal, and you can re-create school and engagement rings to put into your scrapbook.
Be creative!
Thursday, August 02, 2007
Dog:1 Humans: 0
Had to go to the store to get more stuff for the party this afternoon (teenagers, eeesh, bottomless pits). As I start getting out of the car, my cellphone rings from home.
"Mom, can I give the dog a bath? She's GROUNDED!"
Oh lord. "What did she do this time?"
"Well, there's this hole that she and Nugget (the dog next door) have been digging in, and now she's all muddy after going through the hole into their yard and JUMPING INTO THEIR SWIMMING POOL!"
Yes, my Houdini Corgi got into the yard next door to go swimming.
It took both kids to give her a bath, and EVERYTHING in the house is currently damp and smelling of wet dog.
She's exceptionally proud of herself.
Oy.
I HAD to call the DH after I got off the phone with the kids to giggle the story to him.
Went to the neighbors once they got home to let them know about the swimming, and the hole in the fence. THEY thought it was funny, and couldn't believe Zoe managed to get through that hole. Stubborn little Houdini girl.
She was less thrilled with me putting her in the car afterward and taking her to the Mobile Vet at the feed store for shots and tags. -I- was thrilled that everything they did only cost me 70 bucks, where it's 100 just to walk in the door of my regular vet, without shots, tests, and meds.
"Mom, can I give the dog a bath? She's GROUNDED!"
Oh lord. "What did she do this time?"
"Well, there's this hole that she and Nugget (the dog next door) have been digging in, and now she's all muddy after going through the hole into their yard and JUMPING INTO THEIR SWIMMING POOL!"
Yes, my Houdini Corgi got into the yard next door to go swimming.
It took both kids to give her a bath, and EVERYTHING in the house is currently damp and smelling of wet dog.
She's exceptionally proud of herself.
Oy.
I HAD to call the DH after I got off the phone with the kids to giggle the story to him.
Went to the neighbors once they got home to let them know about the swimming, and the hole in the fence. THEY thought it was funny, and couldn't believe Zoe managed to get through that hole. Stubborn little Houdini girl.
She was less thrilled with me putting her in the car afterward and taking her to the Mobile Vet at the feed store for shots and tags. -I- was thrilled that everything they did only cost me 70 bucks, where it's 100 just to walk in the door of my regular vet, without shots, tests, and meds.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
New Addition
Gratuitous Pet Pic --
Our latest addition to the [s]zoo[/s] family:
ZOE
Our latest addition to the [s]zoo[/s] family:
ZOE
Zoe is a Corgi/Blue Heeler mix. You can't tell in this shot, but she's got a lovely pure black saddle over her back, and she's got quite a curled fluffy fail.
She's an angel. A loving sweetheart. A few loyal and loving and DETERMINED sweetheart. The cats aren't so sure about all this. Now, they're reacting better to her than they did to us bringing our last cat into the house for the first time. They all went hostile on Largo, and stayed that way for some time. With Zoe, they only seem to hiss and get defensive and make warning noises if she gets into their faces. Doesn't stop Zoe from trying to give the kitties baths anyway. She really seems to love the kitties, hell, she loves anyone that will pay attention to her, and when the cats give her the "hiss off" routine, her ears droop and she gets puppy eyes and WHINES, looking to me like I can explain to her why kitty doesn't want to snuggle.
She's always following one of us. Usually, it's Thing 2, who has decided Zoe is HER dog. But really, anyone wanders off, and Zoe goes to find them. Anyone on the constant move, Zoe is right there at their side.
Once the cats adjust, I'm going to have to sleep in my chair -- there won't be enough room for me on the bed with everyone snuggled around the dog playing protector. Sigh. At least my chair is comfortable.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Eureka!
Okay, I'm a Sci-Fi geek. I admit it freely.
Eureka was a TV show that was just to be used as filler last summer, when all the other shows were in reruns. It rapidly became a runaway hit with a large fan base. And I can see why -- Eureka was fantastic. Intelligent, snarky, great characters (even the bad guys), and a sharp writing team, the dialogue was Real and quite funny.
It survived, unlike a lot of other filler shows.
The new season of Eureka started this week, on the Sci-Fi channel, Tuesday nights. Like last year, the DVR is set to record every episode. I haven't watched this one yet (the DH is a fan too, and since he's in OKC until the weekends, I'm saving the watching for him being home), but from what I've seen and read, this season is going to be just as good as the last one.
It helped fill an empty little hole in my heart, the one where Firefly used to live. Sure, it's not in the future, or in space, but it's just as smart and funny, and the characters just as Real. Nothing will ever replace my beloved Firefly, but Eureka definitely helps.
If you haven't given it a watch, I highly recommend it. That, and Sheriff Carter and 'bad guy' Stark are both fabulous eye-candy.
Eureka was a TV show that was just to be used as filler last summer, when all the other shows were in reruns. It rapidly became a runaway hit with a large fan base. And I can see why -- Eureka was fantastic. Intelligent, snarky, great characters (even the bad guys), and a sharp writing team, the dialogue was Real and quite funny.
It survived, unlike a lot of other filler shows.
The new season of Eureka started this week, on the Sci-Fi channel, Tuesday nights. Like last year, the DVR is set to record every episode. I haven't watched this one yet (the DH is a fan too, and since he's in OKC until the weekends, I'm saving the watching for him being home), but from what I've seen and read, this season is going to be just as good as the last one.
It helped fill an empty little hole in my heart, the one where Firefly used to live. Sure, it's not in the future, or in space, but it's just as smart and funny, and the characters just as Real. Nothing will ever replace my beloved Firefly, but Eureka definitely helps.
If you haven't given it a watch, I highly recommend it. That, and Sheriff Carter and 'bad guy' Stark are both fabulous eye-candy.
Mourning SG-1
SO, the final episode of Stargate SG-1 has come and gone. The end of a wonderful 10 years, and I'm not particularly happy about it.
This kills my Friday night TV viewing. Sure, Atlantis is still on, and some of the cast will be moving to that show, and they ARE doing SG-1 movies to finish out storylines that weren't tied up by the final episode, but darnit, this is killing me.
And poor Ben Browder and Claudia Black -- they seem doomed to be on cancelled TV shows. First Farscape, now SG-1.
So, does anyone have any recommendations on what the heck there is to watch on Friday nights now
This kills my Friday night TV viewing. Sure, Atlantis is still on, and some of the cast will be moving to that show, and they ARE doing SG-1 movies to finish out storylines that weren't tied up by the final episode, but darnit, this is killing me.
And poor Ben Browder and Claudia Black -- they seem doomed to be on cancelled TV shows. First Farscape, now SG-1.
So, does anyone have any recommendations on what the heck there is to watch on Friday nights now
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Why I am Not Currently a Useful Pooka
I've been feeling awful lately. Constantly exhausted and fatigued, everything aches, I'm shaky, my head hurts ...
Turns out my blood pressure meds aren't working. When I went in today to the doctor, I got the OMFGBBQ stare. My BP, ON meds, was 154/114. They did a blood draw to check kidney and liver function, and surprisingly, everything was Perfectly Normal. At least I'm not killing myself with all the pain meds. It's just everything else that's trying to kill me.
I get back from the doctor today, to find out that a dear friend has finally lost her battle with cancer.
There's other really unpleasant stresses going on that aren't helping with my miserable health.
Darnit, I need a hug. *SIGH*.
So, I finally DO get a new diagnosis -- not a surprise, considering that every time I see a doc, they tell me something else is wrong with me. This one, though, was a relief.
Vasovagal syncope. A new diagnosis for my lengthy list, but at least it means I'm not having regular mild heart attacks -- I'm just screwed up in another totally new way, yay me.
(Note: "Syncope is usually preceded by at least a few seconds of symptoms that may consist of visual disturbances, buzzing in the ears, lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, or other symptoms. Individuals who have had syncopal episodes usually have an excellent idea of what prodromal symptoms to expect. It is important to recognize these symptoms, because if you do, syncope can be averted virtually 100% of the time by lying down and elevating your legs. If instead, you choose to fight the episode, you're likely to pass out in the frozen foods section, and the store manager will insist (for well-founded legal reasons) on shipping you to the E.R. in an ambulance – where you'll be subjected to a battery of unnecessary tests and probably an overnight stay in the hospital." -- amen. At least I'm used to this happening, and know how to keep me from passing out in the middle of a place, like I almost did Sunday night when I had another attack. Sheesh.)
My BP meds were upped again, just to be sure as well. I go back in two weeks to check my BP with the new meds, and go through a whole fasting physical and some massive amounts of bloodwork to narrow down the list of why I'm constantly run into the ground.
I'm tired of this shit. Can I go home yet?
Turns out my blood pressure meds aren't working. When I went in today to the doctor, I got the OMFGBBQ stare. My BP, ON meds, was 154/114. They did a blood draw to check kidney and liver function, and surprisingly, everything was Perfectly Normal. At least I'm not killing myself with all the pain meds. It's just everything else that's trying to kill me.
I get back from the doctor today, to find out that a dear friend has finally lost her battle with cancer.
There's other really unpleasant stresses going on that aren't helping with my miserable health.
Darnit, I need a hug. *SIGH*.
So, I finally DO get a new diagnosis -- not a surprise, considering that every time I see a doc, they tell me something else is wrong with me. This one, though, was a relief.
Vasovagal syncope. A new diagnosis for my lengthy list, but at least it means I'm not having regular mild heart attacks -- I'm just screwed up in another totally new way, yay me.
(Note: "Syncope is usually preceded by at least a few seconds of symptoms that may consist of visual disturbances, buzzing in the ears, lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, or other symptoms. Individuals who have had syncopal episodes usually have an excellent idea of what prodromal symptoms to expect. It is important to recognize these symptoms, because if you do, syncope can be averted virtually 100% of the time by lying down and elevating your legs. If instead, you choose to fight the episode, you're likely to pass out in the frozen foods section, and the store manager will insist (for well-founded legal reasons) on shipping you to the E.R. in an ambulance – where you'll be subjected to a battery of unnecessary tests and probably an overnight stay in the hospital." -- amen. At least I'm used to this happening, and know how to keep me from passing out in the middle of a place, like I almost did Sunday night when I had another attack. Sheesh.)
My BP meds were upped again, just to be sure as well. I go back in two weeks to check my BP with the new meds, and go through a whole fasting physical and some massive amounts of bloodwork to narrow down the list of why I'm constantly run into the ground.
I'm tired of this shit. Can I go home yet?
Friday, April 13, 2007
Ah, Spring in Tornado Alley
I can't believe how fast I got both kids and all four cats into the safety of the laundry room when the sirens started going off.
Weather is NASTY tonight in N TX.
No idea yet just how many tornadoes touched down, but it's several. Haltom City got totally hammered. Lots of damn good funnel cloud and tornado images from storm spotters, now they just have to figure out how many there really were.
Luckily, other than some heavy wind, heavier rain, and golf-ball hail, things weren't TOO bad here (they think the hail set off the sirens). Reports of up to baseball hail at the airport, about 5 miles from us. Fox 4 News went totally off the air for about an hour -- apparently their broadcast tower got hit by lightning.
However, there's another cell forming behind the first wave, and heading our way, so we're not entirely out of the woods yet tonight. Maybe 10-15 before it hits us. Whee.
Spring, in North Texas. Are we having fun yet?
Weather is NASTY tonight in N TX.
No idea yet just how many tornadoes touched down, but it's several. Haltom City got totally hammered. Lots of damn good funnel cloud and tornado images from storm spotters, now they just have to figure out how many there really were.
Luckily, other than some heavy wind, heavier rain, and golf-ball hail, things weren't TOO bad here (they think the hail set off the sirens). Reports of up to baseball hail at the airport, about 5 miles from us. Fox 4 News went totally off the air for about an hour -- apparently their broadcast tower got hit by lightning.
However, there's another cell forming behind the first wave, and heading our way, so we're not entirely out of the woods yet tonight. Maybe 10-15 before it hits us. Whee.
Spring, in North Texas. Are we having fun yet?
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Card Making
I love playing with watercolours!
The scanner didn't pick up some details, like the shimmer of the embossing powder used on the outlines, or the shimmers of the PearlEx used in some of the detailing, like on the dragonfly wings on the first card, and the coins on the second. Ah well.
The scanner didn't pick up some details, like the shimmer of the embossing powder used on the outlines, or the shimmers of the PearlEx used in some of the detailing, like on the dragonfly wings on the first card, and the coins on the second. Ah well.
Sunday, April 01, 2007
The Pain in My Brain is Mainly...
... down the drain. Goneish. Yay.
I called my regular pain clinic last Monday because I just couldn't handle the pain and the puking anymore. Surprisingly, they said "Is Friday good?" FUCK yeah! The doc even wrote me another pain med scrip to hold me out till then.
Friday: HUGE storm rolls in. Tornado watch, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Flash Flood Warning. Panic wonders what will happen if I'm on the table and they're shoving the needles into my skull and the power goes out. Like any normal person, I'm terminally afraid of hearing a doctor say "Oooops."
But the storm cell passed, leaving a few hour period between it and the next one, and things went off without a hitch.
Feeling pretty good, considering. I can actually open my eyes without light causing stabbing pain, and the uber headaches are absent. The back of my head aches a bit, but when you think about how many needles got poked around in there, that makes sense. Next 48 hours will be touch and go with pain as my body reacts to the intrusion there, but I've got ice packs and pain drugs, so I should be all right.
It's nice, to not feel like my brain is going to ooze out through my eye sockets.
Got another scrip for pain meds that I haven't even bothered to fill. Awesome!
Saturday: Watched some J-Horror, and slept a lot. YAWNING a lot. Now that was cool. Tired. Tired because my body is recovering and trying to heal and make up for lost sleep, instead of just being overall exhausted. Took it easy most of the day, did a little shopping with a kidlet to get some entertainment, got food -- and was actually HUNGRY -- then snoozed. A lot.
Sunday: Tired. So tired. But it's tired in a good way, it's the healing kind of tired, instead of overall exhaustion. The kind of tired where I actually YAWN. My body is trying to heal itself, and make up for the lack of quality sleep. Another day or two, and hopefully I'll be caught up and back on track.
Running a low-grade fever, which is nothing to be concerned about with me. It's just how my body reacts to 'abuse' like having multiple needles shoved into my skull. Nothing serious, nothing high-grade or over 100, just enough to feel a bit under the weather.
But I'm down to just one prescription pain med, instead of several drugs in combination, and my stomach is already much happier. Reflux is behaving to the point that I've only had to take Prilosec once since Friday, and that was because I got a little carried away with the "OMFG I'm HUNGRY!!!" and ate things that irritated my stomach. Yes, I'm actually hungry again, and keeping food down without massive nausea.
Haven't had to use the icepack for tenderness on the back of my skull since Friday, which is great. I'm sleeping in any position I want without owies there. And other than the fact that the sun was out yesterday for the first time in days withou any cloudcover, light isn't bothering me. THAT kind of bright bothers me even when I don't hurt, since my eyes are over-photosensitive and always have been.
I should even be able to endure the noise and light of a movie theater next weekend if DG comes home.
Still haven't filled the pain meds. I don't really need them, and I had some left over from earlier in the week. I <3 my nerve blocks.
Right now, I just want to snuggle up in bed with someone that appreciates J-Horror and watch a few movies so I don't feel as bad about dozing off in the middle of the day for a well-earned nap.
Yawn. Night night.
I called my regular pain clinic last Monday because I just couldn't handle the pain and the puking anymore. Surprisingly, they said "Is Friday good?" FUCK yeah! The doc even wrote me another pain med scrip to hold me out till then.
Friday: HUGE storm rolls in. Tornado watch, Severe Thunderstorm Warning, Flash Flood Warning. Panic wonders what will happen if I'm on the table and they're shoving the needles into my skull and the power goes out. Like any normal person, I'm terminally afraid of hearing a doctor say "Oooops."
But the storm cell passed, leaving a few hour period between it and the next one, and things went off without a hitch.
Feeling pretty good, considering. I can actually open my eyes without light causing stabbing pain, and the uber headaches are absent. The back of my head aches a bit, but when you think about how many needles got poked around in there, that makes sense. Next 48 hours will be touch and go with pain as my body reacts to the intrusion there, but I've got ice packs and pain drugs, so I should be all right.
It's nice, to not feel like my brain is going to ooze out through my eye sockets.
Got another scrip for pain meds that I haven't even bothered to fill. Awesome!
Saturday: Watched some J-Horror, and slept a lot. YAWNING a lot. Now that was cool. Tired. Tired because my body is recovering and trying to heal and make up for lost sleep, instead of just being overall exhausted. Took it easy most of the day, did a little shopping with a kidlet to get some entertainment, got food -- and was actually HUNGRY -- then snoozed. A lot.
Sunday: Tired. So tired. But it's tired in a good way, it's the healing kind of tired, instead of overall exhaustion. The kind of tired where I actually YAWN. My body is trying to heal itself, and make up for the lack of quality sleep. Another day or two, and hopefully I'll be caught up and back on track.
Running a low-grade fever, which is nothing to be concerned about with me. It's just how my body reacts to 'abuse' like having multiple needles shoved into my skull. Nothing serious, nothing high-grade or over 100, just enough to feel a bit under the weather.
But I'm down to just one prescription pain med, instead of several drugs in combination, and my stomach is already much happier. Reflux is behaving to the point that I've only had to take Prilosec once since Friday, and that was because I got a little carried away with the "OMFG I'm HUNGRY!!!" and ate things that irritated my stomach. Yes, I'm actually hungry again, and keeping food down without massive nausea.
Haven't had to use the icepack for tenderness on the back of my skull since Friday, which is great. I'm sleeping in any position I want without owies there. And other than the fact that the sun was out yesterday for the first time in days withou any cloudcover, light isn't bothering me. THAT kind of bright bothers me even when I don't hurt, since my eyes are over-photosensitive and always have been.
I should even be able to endure the noise and light of a movie theater next weekend if DG comes home.
Still haven't filled the pain meds. I don't really need them, and I had some left over from earlier in the week. I <3 my nerve blocks.
Right now, I just want to snuggle up in bed with someone that appreciates J-Horror and watch a few movies so I don't feel as bad about dozing off in the middle of the day for a well-earned nap.
Yawn. Night night.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Is it April Yet?
And make a wish.
Oh god, what a week.
First off, the brain spikes are back in full force, leaving me clumsy, disoriented, and in constant pain. The new neurologist that I was recommended to won't be back in the office till Monday so I can't even get an appointment yet -- grr. I need another occipital nerve block BAD.
So of course, that can't POSSIBLY be enough stress. Noooooo, never.
Yesterday, I get a call from Thing 2's school. She's in the vice-principal's office, and in trouble. Big trouble. Great. It's a long story, and I'm not even going to get into it because my blood pressure is already through the roof from TODAY, much less going back and reminding myself about yesterday. Let's just say that she's seriously grounded, and leave it at that.
TODAY, I walk outside to get the mail, to find an ambulance and fire truck across the street. Fuck.
See, the neighbors there are literally adoptive grandparents for the Things. Their own grandkids are far away, and they know that the Things grandparents are a distance away, so it was a mutual adoption all the way around. These are the people that saved my ass on Halloween when I fucked up my ankle. The wife is the one that drove me to the ER, and stayed with me the entire time, holding my hand and generally being wonderful, while the husband watched the Things for me till we got home. They go to almost all of Thing 1's band concerts. The husband is the cop that helps watch out for us when DG is out in the field. In short, they're fantastic people.
And I walk out to see her being loaded into an ambulance. Right. Cue panic attack. I race over there, to realize that she's so out of it she doesn't even notice I'm there. ACK! I ask if the husband is there, to make sure she has someone to go up with her, despite the fact that I needed to pick Thing 2 up soon. Luckily, he is -- along with the other neighbor that takes Thing 2 to school. Yes, this neighborhood is that tight. We take care of each other.
They THINK she just got really dehydrated, and I'm all too familiar with how bad that can mess you up.
So I go pick up Thing 2, and then Thing 1 and her Rukia-clone buddy (and I swear I want to adopt both her and her older sister, those kids are great), get Pooka's Taxi Service all sorted out and the kids where they all need to be, and go up to the ER.
She was doing much better when I got there, not as pale, and actually made a joke that the tables had turned and it was her turn, and wasn't I supposed to be the one flat on my back on a gurney? Good sign. They expect her to go home later, after the blood work comes back and she gets another bag or two in her IV, but they too think it's just dehydration.
It then becomes my job to make the update phone calls, to take some of the burden off him. Neighbor is updated, Thing 1 is updated (and starts sobbing with relief, she REALLY adores these people), and Thing 2 is now busy working on a Get Well card.
All this, on top of the brain spikes and the resulting clumsies and crankies, and me being too damn exhausted from constant pain to really be functional and do anything, plus DG of course being off in OKC, and the whole 'single mom' thing, and, oh yes, my MOMSTER deciding at 8:30 on Sunday night to SHOW UP AT MY HOUSE because they were in town for a train show.
I had to figure out how to get the energy to a softball game, since half of Thing 1's friends were in the game, and ALL have adopted me as the Coolest Mom Evah and want me to be there to help cheer em on. They lost both games. I doubt I qualify as a good luck charm. And of course, I got sunburned, first scorch of the year.
There ain't enough anti-anxiety meds in the world to deal with this week. I think I may drive out to the Temple later and inhale some zen.
Oh god, what a week.
First off, the brain spikes are back in full force, leaving me clumsy, disoriented, and in constant pain. The new neurologist that I was recommended to won't be back in the office till Monday so I can't even get an appointment yet -- grr. I need another occipital nerve block BAD.
So of course, that can't POSSIBLY be enough stress. Noooooo, never.
Yesterday, I get a call from Thing 2's school. She's in the vice-principal's office, and in trouble. Big trouble. Great. It's a long story, and I'm not even going to get into it because my blood pressure is already through the roof from TODAY, much less going back and reminding myself about yesterday. Let's just say that she's seriously grounded, and leave it at that.
TODAY, I walk outside to get the mail, to find an ambulance and fire truck across the street. Fuck.
See, the neighbors there are literally adoptive grandparents for the Things. Their own grandkids are far away, and they know that the Things grandparents are a distance away, so it was a mutual adoption all the way around. These are the people that saved my ass on Halloween when I fucked up my ankle. The wife is the one that drove me to the ER, and stayed with me the entire time, holding my hand and generally being wonderful, while the husband watched the Things for me till we got home. They go to almost all of Thing 1's band concerts. The husband is the cop that helps watch out for us when DG is out in the field. In short, they're fantastic people.
And I walk out to see her being loaded into an ambulance. Right. Cue panic attack. I race over there, to realize that she's so out of it she doesn't even notice I'm there. ACK! I ask if the husband is there, to make sure she has someone to go up with her, despite the fact that I needed to pick Thing 2 up soon. Luckily, he is -- along with the other neighbor that takes Thing 2 to school. Yes, this neighborhood is that tight. We take care of each other.
They THINK she just got really dehydrated, and I'm all too familiar with how bad that can mess you up.
So I go pick up Thing 2, and then Thing 1 and her Rukia-clone buddy (and I swear I want to adopt both her and her older sister, those kids are great), get Pooka's Taxi Service all sorted out and the kids where they all need to be, and go up to the ER.
She was doing much better when I got there, not as pale, and actually made a joke that the tables had turned and it was her turn, and wasn't I supposed to be the one flat on my back on a gurney? Good sign. They expect her to go home later, after the blood work comes back and she gets another bag or two in her IV, but they too think it's just dehydration.
It then becomes my job to make the update phone calls, to take some of the burden off him. Neighbor is updated, Thing 1 is updated (and starts sobbing with relief, she REALLY adores these people), and Thing 2 is now busy working on a Get Well card.
All this, on top of the brain spikes and the resulting clumsies and crankies, and me being too damn exhausted from constant pain to really be functional and do anything, plus DG of course being off in OKC, and the whole 'single mom' thing, and, oh yes, my MOMSTER deciding at 8:30 on Sunday night to SHOW UP AT MY HOUSE because they were in town for a train show.
I had to figure out how to get the energy to a softball game, since half of Thing 1's friends were in the game, and ALL have adopted me as the Coolest Mom Evah and want me to be there to help cheer em on. They lost both games. I doubt I qualify as a good luck charm. And of course, I got sunburned, first scorch of the year.
There ain't enough anti-anxiety meds in the world to deal with this week. I think I may drive out to the Temple later and inhale some zen.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Pan's Labyrinth and Felted Grapevine Cuff
First off, if you haven't seen Pan's Labyrinth yet, what in the HELL are you people waiting for? It's definitely an 'adult' faerie tale, and although my 10 year-old really enjoyed it, it certainly isn't for all kids, so parents beware. While it isn't particularly scary, it is a bit graphic on the violence in places, and some of the themes (all right, MOST of them) are pretty dark, but it is utterly amazing. The 3 Oscars it earned were much deserved.
Faerie fans, it's a Must See, preferably in a theater to get the full visuals. It's a beautiful film.
Two Pooka Thumbs Up.
Next, the obligatory Quality Control Inspector visual:
Don't ask about the camo yoga pants. Shut up, they're comfortable.
The newest felted bracelet:
This is about the second stage or so, after the base has been wet felted. The grapes are needle felted onto the base.
Then, I wet felted up a sheet for the leaves, cut them out, needle felted them on, and added in some wool yarn for the twining vines.
Last step was the velcro closure.
Faerie fans, it's a Must See, preferably in a theater to get the full visuals. It's a beautiful film.
Two Pooka Thumbs Up.
Next, the obligatory Quality Control Inspector visual:
Don't ask about the camo yoga pants. Shut up, they're comfortable.
The newest felted bracelet:
This is about the second stage or so, after the base has been wet felted. The grapes are needle felted onto the base.
Then, I wet felted up a sheet for the leaves, cut them out, needle felted them on, and added in some wool yarn for the twining vines.
Last step was the velcro closure.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Bracelets, Faeries, and Quality Control
My quality control inspector has been quite busy. I'm not entirely sure if he approves of the felting process (mostly because it keeps him out of my lap).
The following three bracelets were for an order, and have been shipped and received.
"I believe in faeries..." This is the 'simple' version of this bracelet. I've yet to do the complicated version -- just not capable yet.
And the felting ....
The colours are off here, I was experimenting with my camera settings. The next two pictures show about the correct colouring for the felt. This will be a wrist cuff when completed.
Only the dry felting has been done so far -- wet felting being beyond me at the moment.
I want my life and energy level back. Now.
Monday, February 12, 2007
Pierced "Freaks" only ... heh
Just out of curiosity -- anyone else out there with a nose piercing interested in custom surgical steel nostril screws with a pure silver design?
I am, of course, going to do a dragonfly for myself, and probably something else I haven't quite figured out yet. (Hell, maybe a crayon!)
I think I've found a pretty good site for ordering the surgical steel posts, but I was wondering, since shipping wouldn't increase if I added a few more (but would if I ordered more a second time), if anyone else was interested.
I DO have sterling silver flat ear posts that are about as long as the 'curve it yourself' nose screws I currently have, though one pair is already dedicated to Thing 1's silver strawberry studs, and I'm going to attempt a first one with these and see how it works out.
I -will- admit now that they won't be particularly cheap, just due to the silver costs for the PMC to do the design, but they won't be ridiculous, either. I'm guesstimating around 20-25 each.
Anyone interested?
I am, of course, going to do a dragonfly for myself, and probably something else I haven't quite figured out yet. (Hell, maybe a crayon!)
I think I've found a pretty good site for ordering the surgical steel posts, but I was wondering, since shipping wouldn't increase if I added a few more (but would if I ordered more a second time), if anyone else was interested.
I DO have sterling silver flat ear posts that are about as long as the 'curve it yourself' nose screws I currently have, though one pair is already dedicated to Thing 1's silver strawberry studs, and I'm going to attempt a first one with these and see how it works out.
I -will- admit now that they won't be particularly cheap, just due to the silver costs for the PMC to do the design, but they won't be ridiculous, either. I'm guesstimating around 20-25 each.
Anyone interested?
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Felting Classes
Or, "thank God it's over."
Actually, teaching the class wasn't that bad. I only ended up with 11 or so students (surprisingly, three guys in the class, whoa! That was a reality check.), which Thing 1 said was actually the most they've had in a LONG time. Cool.
I had a few kids that were really sharp and seemed to love the idea of felting, and what all could be done with it. A few were slow, and never really caught on. One of the kids had a really good eye for design, and a decent amount of talent when HE applied himself and didn't just laze through it. Yes, He.
Sammi, the kids had FITS over the colours -- you done GOOOOOD. They also had a blast when I walked through the beginning, showing them the absolutely raw just shorn and funky wool (they got a big kick out of sniffing it, lol), the different rovings (the girls got the giggles over the angora and all glared at Thing 1, who has an angora sweater), and how each stage affected the fibers. Even went through the "why we never use scissors" routine.
The regular teacher thanked me profusely. See, a month or two ago, she took a weekend class on felting, and apparently it was a Very Professional Class, and the methods they taught were so complicated, she lost some interest. Well, she's got her interest back in a big way, and thanked me for making it easy enough to follow. Hell, folks, I taught Thing 2 how to do it a few days ago, teens are no big deal.
And she wants me back. So do the kids.
Actually, teaching the class wasn't that bad. I only ended up with 11 or so students (surprisingly, three guys in the class, whoa! That was a reality check.), which Thing 1 said was actually the most they've had in a LONG time. Cool.
I had a few kids that were really sharp and seemed to love the idea of felting, and what all could be done with it. A few were slow, and never really caught on. One of the kids had a really good eye for design, and a decent amount of talent when HE applied himself and didn't just laze through it. Yes, He.
Sammi, the kids had FITS over the colours -- you done GOOOOOD. They also had a blast when I walked through the beginning, showing them the absolutely raw just shorn and funky wool (they got a big kick out of sniffing it, lol), the different rovings (the girls got the giggles over the angora and all glared at Thing 1, who has an angora sweater), and how each stage affected the fibers. Even went through the "why we never use scissors" routine.
The regular teacher thanked me profusely. See, a month or two ago, she took a weekend class on felting, and apparently it was a Very Professional Class, and the methods they taught were so complicated, she lost some interest. Well, she's got her interest back in a big way, and thanked me for making it easy enough to follow. Hell, folks, I taught Thing 2 how to do it a few days ago, teens are no big deal.
And she wants me back. So do the kids.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Vengeance is MINE, sayeth the Things
White as far as the eyes can see out my front door. It's not just snow, it's sleet, too. And lots of it. And it's freakin COLD out there. 27*.
School is, of course, closed. The Things were positively SMUG about the whole thing.
I guess it explains why I was in so much pain that I still haven't been to bed yet. Though at least I've been productive. I've got a canvas prepped, the rim spackled for texture and the first coat of colour on it, and some of the collage elements figured out.
Edit: Got the collage piece done, if only I could figure out how to get pics from my cell phone to my email ... oy. Decoupage is my friend. I'd forgotten the smell of Mod Podge, brings back a whole lot of memories.
School is, of course, closed. The Things were positively SMUG about the whole thing.
I guess it explains why I was in so much pain that I still haven't been to bed yet. Though at least I've been productive. I've got a canvas prepped, the rim spackled for texture and the first coat of colour on it, and some of the collage elements figured out.
Edit: Got the collage piece done, if only I could figure out how to get pics from my cell phone to my email ... oy. Decoupage is my friend. I'd forgotten the smell of Mod Podge, brings back a whole lot of memories.
Monday, January 08, 2007
Lighter cover -- tubular peyote
This was a fun project. I picked up a great coffee table book called "Gold of the Pharaohs", and it had some wonderful examples of Egyptian beadwork in it.I picked out a few colours that were close, and just started beading.
Tubular peyote, no pattern, Delica beads. I just winged it as I went, loosely basing it off the bracelets of Queen Ahhotep. The middle section has the hieroglyph "Nefer", meaning beauty.
The colours are off in the photo, the gold is very antiqued-looking, and the red and turquoise aren't quite so bright.
Dragonfly (in progress)
When completed (I've already got the ultrasuede cut for the backing), this will be the centerpiece on a collar.
Ignore the cat hair visible in the work. My boys "help" me when I work, including trying to eat the thread. They feel a piece isn't complete until they shed on it.
The antennae will be twisted wire and beads.
Combination of 15/0, Delicas, 11/0 hex, #1 and #2 bugles.
I've got some lovely AB matte Magatamas to go around the outside.
Closeup of a wing:
Yes, I know some of the beads aren't flat, the piece puckered a bit as I worked, but it's not finished and I'll go back and ensure that everything is down right and secure before adding it to the suede backing.
Ignore the cat hair visible in the work. My boys "help" me when I work, including trying to eat the thread. They feel a piece isn't complete until they shed on it.
The antennae will be twisted wire and beads.
Combination of 15/0, Delicas, 11/0 hex, #1 and #2 bugles.
I've got some lovely AB matte Magatamas to go around the outside.
Closeup of a wing:
Yes, I know some of the beads aren't flat, the piece puckered a bit as I worked, but it's not finished and I'll go back and ensure that everything is down right and secure before adding it to the suede backing.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Gravity Works
Oh yes, gravity works. Unfortunately.
Halloween started out pretty good. I had my nifty witch costume on and got a lot of compliments (especially on the fuzzy tarantula I was wearing on my shoulder), but there weren't a lot of trick or treaters out. After it got slow, I put the Things in the car, and we went over to a neighborhood where a bunch of Thing 1's friends were. I was herding around quite a group of kids, when I had to break and take one of them home.
On the way to the car, me and my screwed up neurological system decided that it was going to forget how to walk. Next thing I knew, I was coming down on my left leg, and my ankle snapped sideways underneath me. I hit the ground, but at least I know how to fall, so I just have a skinned right knee .... and the ankle.
It immediately started swelling up and totally filled the combat boot. I managed to drive everybody home, with a whole lot of whimpering and groaning. Then I made the big mistake. I took the boot off.
At that point, the Things bolted for the neighbors. One took me to the ER, while the other took the kids.
It's not broken. That's the BAD news.
The ER doc told me I'd have been better off I HAD broken it. Every Single Tendon and ligament in my ankle is fucked up. Those that aren't torn are pulled. I'm in a hideously annoying splint for at least 3 weeks, and on crutches for that long as well. I also was ORDERED to see an orthopedist to work on trying to handle the damage. Hopefully I can see the same one that rebuilt my arm and worked on DG's ankle.
Unfortunately, they gave me the exact same pain meds I regularly take, so for this intense new pain, they ain't doin squat. I HURT.
And of course, DG is off and working, so it's just the wounded and crippled me here with the kids. Fun fun fun.
SO .... how was YOUR Halloween?
Halloween started out pretty good. I had my nifty witch costume on and got a lot of compliments (especially on the fuzzy tarantula I was wearing on my shoulder), but there weren't a lot of trick or treaters out. After it got slow, I put the Things in the car, and we went over to a neighborhood where a bunch of Thing 1's friends were. I was herding around quite a group of kids, when I had to break and take one of them home.
On the way to the car, me and my screwed up neurological system decided that it was going to forget how to walk. Next thing I knew, I was coming down on my left leg, and my ankle snapped sideways underneath me. I hit the ground, but at least I know how to fall, so I just have a skinned right knee .... and the ankle.
It immediately started swelling up and totally filled the combat boot. I managed to drive everybody home, with a whole lot of whimpering and groaning. Then I made the big mistake. I took the boot off.
At that point, the Things bolted for the neighbors. One took me to the ER, while the other took the kids.
It's not broken. That's the BAD news.
The ER doc told me I'd have been better off I HAD broken it. Every Single Tendon and ligament in my ankle is fucked up. Those that aren't torn are pulled. I'm in a hideously annoying splint for at least 3 weeks, and on crutches for that long as well. I also was ORDERED to see an orthopedist to work on trying to handle the damage. Hopefully I can see the same one that rebuilt my arm and worked on DG's ankle.
Unfortunately, they gave me the exact same pain meds I regularly take, so for this intense new pain, they ain't doin squat. I HURT.
And of course, DG is off and working, so it's just the wounded and crippled me here with the kids. Fun fun fun.
SO .... how was YOUR Halloween?
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