from here on out

Busy...

2010-03-30T00:05:00.005-04:00

So things have been busy lately, with work, the studio, and everything piling up at once it seems.
I have been able to get some good quality time with my hands in the clay, but I always can be there more it seems! So many ideas to be working on.

Here are a few photos of my newest work out of the kiln... or you could head over to Zibbet.com (see the banner to the right) and see my work for sale there! I finally took the plunge and after a long debate decided to set up shop at Zibbet. We'll see if I get any sales out of it, but hey, it's good experience!

So enjoy the new work... :)

Tomorrow...

2010-03-12T01:44:00.002-05:00

So tomorrow I have an interview with two store managers and our district manager to continue the process of getting promoted. Hopefully it will go well, and I'll get a permanent manager position soon... I'm kinda tired of the waiting.

But seeing as my mind is full of numbers and situation/behavior/outcome scenarios for questions tomorrow, I'm not too tired right now.
Well, rephrase, my mind isn't shutting down... lots of spinning numbers.

As for the studio, lots of stuff going on... I have lots of stuff to glaze and need to spend some time doing that. Maybe this weekend!

Long time...

2010-03-05T16:38:00.003-05:00

Ok, so again, things and priorities get in the way of the best intentions.
I have lots of pictures of new stuff to share, and new projects in the works.

Of course it just takes time to get them up...

But, that being said, hopefully I'll get more pics up soon. I had some good results the last couple of firings, and I'm gearing up for out Spring Guild sale.

Also, doing other things like knitting and drawing more. Maybe I can post some of those too...

I received quite a bit of great handspun alpaca yarn from a friend for Christmas.

One of the Skeins...

Close up of the great slubby yarn!

I made a Single Cable Knit Scarf. The yarn was a challenge to work with, but in a really good way. The scarf is super soft and the perfect length!

Washing and blocking was fun... but it took forever to dry... holds water very well!

Perfect Length!

Close up of the Cable...

On to the next project!

Lazy Sunday

2009-10-25T17:34:00.005-04:00

It's snowing again. Just a few flakes, and not even sticking yet.
But after mowing the lawn yesterday so that hopefully our lawn will be better off next spring, I'm just glad it got done.
And seeing as it's all wintery outside, I figured it a perfect afternoon for folding laundry and watching movies.
That and I have a scratchy throat. I'm just pretending it's dry and that it's not a cold or anything more serious. And it's always a good excuse for tea drinking.

I do have some pictures somewhere of ceramics I've been working on, and seeing as the Fall sale is quickly approaching, I have been working hard, I just can't find the pics. They might be on my camera yet... hmm...

I shall have to find them.
As for now, it's folding time...

UPDATE: OK, now it's snowing buckets. still not sticking, but I expect it to soon...

Book recommendation

2009-10-19T02:06:00.002-04:00

quick note.
Just finished reading "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" tonight.
Got it from my boss at the art center. Started it on Wednesday. Couldn't put it down.
Only reason I didn't finish it sooner was because of work. (thanks for getting in the way...)
So far, it may be the best of my reading year.
If you haven't yet, read it.
and then pass it along... so very good.

the day after... lol

2009-09-17T01:31:00.004-04:00

ok, so here are some rough photos of the pieces that came out of the kiln today after cooling off all night and day...
just some pictures of the different surfaces we got... still need some cleanup and finishing, but I'm liking the flashing.

September studio time!

2009-09-16T01:09:00.005-04:00

Lots of fun things happening in the studio...
Here's a few.

Getting ready for Fall sale... tumblers with designs. Not sure how I feel about them, but we'll see when they get glazed. Each is a set of four with the same design...

circles/bubbles/cells not sure...
i'm thinking green stain on the outside to fill in the incised lines,
with choy green glase on the inside and rim... maybe 1/4 inch down the outside.

Bees and flowers...
each tumbler has a different kind of flower.

Fish.
that's it.
just fish...

Altitude/terrain map.
I'm thinking red iron oxide on the outside
maybe black on the inside and rim...

As for tonight at guild, we had some fun doing a small low fire salt firing... here are some pictures of our set up and firing!!

stuff preped and ready to go
those bundles of newspapers are wrapped pieces that have salt and chemicals already burrito-ed together and I tried to isolate them for specific results... whatever those are!

all the pieces in the kiln, layered with paper, salt, and other stuff...

all covered up ready to fire!

just starting... you can see the flames all on the inside

our 'burritos' of salt, sawdust and other special things
that got thrown into the burning hot kiln
at various times during the firing...
yes those are tongs to assist in not burning ourselves.

the glowing arm of one of my guys in the kiln...
i promise that's what this is...
really.
i promise.

really hot... ready to shut down!

So that's it... that was my fun tonight. Tomorrow, after this baby has cooled, I'll unload it and see what surprises are in store. It might be scary surprises, because after all, a lot about this firing technique is chance and randomness! But it sure is fun!!

long time...

2009-07-25T00:15:00.002-04:00

and things just continue to progress.

- the quilt is growing at a rate which is slower than I'd like, but it grows.
- pots at the studio continue to be made and I'm taking some new directions in handbuilding... we'll see if I put up some photos once something gets finished.
- work continues, and pays the bills.

that's all for tonight. I promise, more in depth update and pictures soon...

Updates

2009-05-11T12:17:00.005-04:00

- Grad school is a go: including 2 10hour a week GA positions, one in ceramics, one in fibers. Meaning lots of time spent in the studio, lots of work, less tuition, a bigger stipend, and amazing providence providing for me!

- the Spring Guild sale is over and done, and I did well. Better than in November in fact. Yeah, I'm just as surprised as you! Here are some photos of me sanding, pricing, and packing my mugs.

Those big bins and box are what I used to transport back and forth
All 3 were full there and only 1 1/2 were full on the way back, which is pretty good all things considered!

- New work in the studio: large planters. Thrown from two pieces, a large 'bowl' on the bottom and a bottomless ring on the top. needless to say they're super fun to make (big things usually are) and even more fun to carve into. There is a 3rd one in the works, but I'm still working on it. the first and second one here you can see 'finished': they still need glazing and final firing. some of the in progress shots.

1st one bisque fired on it's shelf with all sorts of other pots (not mine however)

1st one on the table, gives you an idea of its rim...
I kinda like the larger flat rim for a planter and more shadow on the carved design
(took about 4 hours total carving)

2nd one about 1/3 done
design drawn on & started
added clay to the surface to bulge out, as well as carved away parts of the design

2nd one all done carved and added to
green, but ready to fire.
(carving/additions took about 5 hours)
I think they kinda look like pebbles... but not necessarily what I was going for.
I was thinking seeds/bacteria... who knows

3rd one, freshly thrown.
it's the largest and has a much longer neck to carve/draw upon
the design I've started looks kinda like grape hyacinth
the stems are carved out, and the 'flowers' are added on clay
I haven't added leaves yet, but I think they'll be a combo of added clay and carved

- work and teaching going well. but ready for a vacation and to see the whole family in a few weeks.

- that's about it for now, I'll try to update more often... and get more photos up soon... I have things I still need to photograph.

I GOT IN!!

2009-03-20T14:29:00.002-04:00

just a quick note, I'll tell you more as I know it.

I just got my acceptance letter from EMU's art Department.

I still have to have the actual graduate school review my transcripts/whatever but the art dept is recommending full admission.

So needless to say, that hurdle where the art professors look at and judge my work has been crossed.

I am way to excited now to write more, I'll let you know more as I find out!

mix of work

2009-03-09T22:41:00.007-04:00

Ok so I got off work early today and spent the majority of my afternoon/evening in the basement working on some things I've wanted to get done for a while.

First of all, here are three of the pears I made a couple weeks ago... yes, one's blue.

Anyway, so I've been thinking that these might be fun to try and sell at the spring sale. They're not a lot of work, as they're one of those that you need to work in stages to allow the clay to stiffen. So today I made 5 more; some a bit bigger than the littlest one that's fired already.

Stage one, roughly put together, with stems attached, but in need of lots of tweaking.

Stage 2, the pears shape has been refined, and the surface has been gone over once with a loop tool, carving away and smoothing. Next step, using a sure-form tool (think cheese grater) to get rid of some of the weight and thickness of the clay wall, and also smoothing at the same time. Then I'll use a 'green scrubby thing' (like the back of a scotch-brite sponge) to really smooth and finish before firing.

My other project I'm working on is more hand built forms, that will hopefully together make a cool sculpture. Because I'm in the idea of dealing with creatures that make up larger conglomerations/communities I thought that this would be fun. But of course I'm abstracting the forms, because it makes it more fun. Really. Fun.

Stage 1: pinched forms, joined and shaped; stiffening.

Stage 2: forms have been carved, and smoothed with damp sponge and a rubber rib.

When they are leather hard, I will see if I need to reshape any or get rid of some of the weight with the sure-form. Right now I really like the forms.

And for Mom, my progress on the quilt.

I'm very happy with the colors so far and am having fun.

So that's it for now. Hopefully I'll be able to update more frequently with pictures, I just keep forgetting my camera!

le Cat

2009-03-09T22:31:00.005-04:00

I've discovered Annie's new sleeping place.

It's up on the ledge in the living room on the stack of quilts.

Comfy no?

Ok, a little high for my taste, but then again, she's a cat.

Friday work

2009-02-02T22:00:00.003-05:00

Friday I was off the retail job, and spent a good half day in the studio finishing up some pieces that I threw last week.

Included in the mix were:

6 white stoneware mugs, with incised designs

6 red stoneware mugs, with impressed designs

4 serving bowls, turned feet

3 pears, hand-built from pinch and coil

Not a lot I know, but enough to keep me busy for a while... I just need to find more time to get to the studio more often.

The pears are my latest attempt to create something exciting and fun to make, while at the same time thinking about what might sell at the spring sale. Who knows, they're kinda just fun to do.

I'm also trying to rebuild my stock of smaller pieces that will be for gifts and sale. Needless to say I love mugs and I'm a sucker for making and decorating them.... yeah, but it's fun.

I'll bring the camera to the studio tomorrow, and I'll try to get some photos of the green work... but who knows.

I'm also attempting a new (for me) technique, filling incised design on the white SW with red SW slip in an attempt to create a contrasting inlay... needless to say, at this point it's still experimentation. I'll let you know how it goes.

Setting Goals

2009-01-12T23:27:00.002-05:00

One of the most difficult things I've found for me is knowing what to do in the studio.

I know that sounds oxymoronic, since I love being in the studio making things, and could spend all my time there doing just that if I could. But to tell the truth, because of the fact that I'm at an odd place in life it's often difficult to know what to focus on in my studio work. So for now I've decided to make a list. Hopefully this will allow me to develop my work while not wasting $$ on firing work that isn't up to par. One of the nicest things about clay is its recyclability. If I focus on these things, maybe I'll improve and keep on making better artwork, be it functional or sculptural. So here it goes!

1. Better Forms - taking inspiration from potters I like and constantly looking for forms that are both more aesthetically pleasing, and at the same time better functionally.

2. Cleaner - not less clay mess but finished, clean, fingerprint free work that looks more professional and clean.

3. Repetition - working on getting better at creating sets of things... size and form.

4. Finishing - working on design elements, additions, and other ways of making forms more interesting. Include painted/drawn additions, handles and lugs, sprigged decorations, and better turned feet.

Just a few things to start but, I think that they are a good place to start to develop my artwork further and keep my vision going forward.

We will see how things progress...

Classes again!

2009-01-05T21:16:00.001-05:00

My classes start again tomorrow, and I couldn't be more excited!

Should be fun!

DAM fine afternoon!

2009-01-03T21:51:00.002-05:00

This afternoon some friends from work and I took the light rail into a snowy Denver and braved the cold for the free Saturday at the Denver Art Museum.

It was the first time I had been there and the collection was spectacular! The new building was constructed a couple years ago and is a great building filled with modern and contemporary artworks, and one of the great things was seeing so many great artists I know and love...

And then there was the old building. Floor after floor of art that was curated in the most fantastic way; the art was arranged by culture, and time period, but they also stuck in contemporary works of the same cultures in the exhibits as well...

For instance, traditional native american pottery was placed right next to contemporary native american potters that I've studied.

A contemporary Chinese painting of a goldfish was hung above a 10 foot Ming dynasty table.

Needless to say it was amazing and a blast to experience.

It also got me super excited to get back into the studio and start making new work of my own!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-01T02:07:00.002-05:00

Beth and I spent the day watching movies and catching the ball about 10 minutes before it dropped. All in all a good day.

Hope everyone has a blessed new year!

Also, hopefully, I'll post a little more frequently. That's on my list of things to do this year. It's not a long list, but it has a few things on it. :)

Night for now, and hope everyone's tomorrow is good as well.

almost

2008-12-13T16:50:00.002-05:00

My grad applications are almost complete. My portfolio is ready to go and I think I'm good with it. No all I have to do is send it out and hope and pray!

This is one of my final works that came out of the kiln... it need to get bigger (more parts to it) but you get the idea... ideally I want it to be around 9 'rocks'. We'll see.

Fall Sale

2008-11-15T16:58:00.002-05:00

So, my first pottery sale is almost over. Let me say it is an experience. Different expectations, different pricing and different work than anything I've done before. The last couple of weeks have been a little frantic, attempting to get work finished, glazed, sanded and (the worst) priced has left me with little time for anything else. I don't know how people who do numerous sales over a year do it.... I mean I also have 2 jobs, so that may add to the craziness, but still.

I'll let you know later how I do, hopefully I will at least recoup my entry fee!

time to reflect

2008-10-23T21:32:00.002-04:00

The funny thing about this time of year is how reflective one can become. Maybe it's because of my recent trip and how I'm looking at where I want to go in the next year. Maybe it's because of the fact that it's fall and things are winding down outside. Maybe it's because of the fact that I'm getting ready to apply to grad schools and I'm looking back at my work, but this past few days have been very reflective for me and I've had lots to think about.

Needless to say, I'm fairly sure that there are some big decisions I have to make in the near future. And at the same time, it's kind of fun to see how my reflection will influence my artwork and what direction I will be going in.

I do have a few pictures from my trip, but they will have to wait for another day, as my camera batteries need to recharge!

Ok, enough sappy self reflection. I'm going to have a cup of tea and do some research for a new art piece I'm working on...

more work...

2008-10-06T17:33:00.004-04:00

Since the 'baby poo plate' or 'snot plate' or whatever went over SOOOO well, I thought I'd show some more better work... or not, you decide opinionated people that you are!!

Barnacles and Sea Snail

Barnacle Bowl with Choy Rim

Tea Set for Beth: Teapot, 4 cups, creamer, sugar bowl, 2 squared plates

Black and Rutile Round Mug

Hope this is better received than the last post!

just a bit...

2008-10-03T01:20:00.001-04:00

New work... not much else to say, but enjoy!

Frustration overwhelming

2008-09-27T01:02:00.002-04:00

I'm sorry, I had to.
Just a little bit overwhelmed with disgust right now.
And I know politics should stay out of most discussions since we don't all agree, but this is so tragically accurate.

Lord help us all...
Don't even get me started on the debate.

Snippets

2008-09-14T00:23:00.011-04:00

* My latest attempt at the barnacles theme... I'm thinking of calling it 'Barnacles and Sea Snail'. I like that the snail is just a little surprise and not too overstated, but still gives it some sense of reality that is different than the previous ones. I'm actually kinda geeked about it.

Can you see it??

There!

And close up...

* I was watching 'Stranger than Fiction' while I worked on the new piece Saturday night, and again I was struck by the genius and humanity of that movie. Seriously, how great.

And my favorite line of all: "Harold Crick lived his life."

* Spent time with Jess, Justin, Benjamin, and Philip Saturday afternoon... Philip slept on my shoulder for a while and he was too cute. All warm and snuggly... and after his bath smelled like wonderful baby.

* Sunday went to a friends in the afternoon to watch the Bronco's pull one out (somehow!) over the Chargers. Seriously, super game.

*For some reason, I've been having some bad headaches over the last few days. Methinks the weather has been a changing quite a bit.

* I'm debating setting up a website (or having someone do it for me) so that I can have a place where people can look to buy my work... I've had about 10 questions about that in the last week. My only issue is business issues about which I have no idea. Hmmm, things to consider.

* Favorite CD of the moment: Coldplay's 'Viva la Vida' some people can't stand it (overplayed) but I think the title song is amazing. And as a whole it's a great collection of new songs...

Sunday 'relaxing'

2008-09-07T23:15:00.007-04:00

So part of my Sunday afternoon consisted of working in my makeshift studio at the kitchen table. Why the kitchen you ask? Well there's no tv in the basement, and while there is radio, when I'm planning on working for many hours at home, it's nice to pop in a movie and have some background noise going on. Yes, that's an upside down crate being used to elevate the pot so I can work on it at almost eye level. I find that if I work above the pot, it always ends up being top heavy (in other words, lots of additions at the top, and none near the bottom!)

This is it about halfway finished... the largest and middle size barnacles have been added, the smaller and tiny ones need to be attached.

These are my water cup, my pretzel bowl, and my tea mug... essentials in studio work. Though the pretzels may be interchanged for other snacky treats... but cheese puffs or doritoes tend to leave cheesy residue on the clay... yes, it has happened.

Well, here it is 'finished'. And by that I mean I'm done with more green additions... I think. And while it may not look all that different from the halfway, it is... trust me, there are dozens more barnacles on here than there were.

And all wrapped up, ready to dry slowly and head back to the studio for firing.

Most likely, this will be another red iron oxide exterior, with some dark glaze on the interior. But I'm debating doing something different. Oh, and the rim is something new I've been doing. It's a rolled rim, though I alter it once I do the roll...

And that's my Sunday accomplishment... which took a nice 7 hours of additions to the already thrown and turned/trimmed vessel . Oh the difference between a 5 minute bowl, and an 8 hour barnacle pot.

Quartz inversion and other technicalities

2008-09-07T01:28:00.002-04:00

I had the day off and after making breakfast for Beth, I spent most of my day reading, and really trying to retain a lot if fascinating information on glazing. I've had the book I'm re-reading for a while, but the fun thing is to really absorb the information that is presented. A lot of it can be fairly technical in that the chemistry and physics of glazes is pretty intense, and yet it is so fun to learn.

In the studio, I've been trying to find a difficult balance between the creation of functional ware, for sale and for demonstration purposes, and my own more sculptural work. Right now I have to really plan my time for adding the hand built additions that I really like onto my pots. As of today, I have two large pots in the works that I'm planning on adding barnacles to. I've gone back to the barnacles for two reasons: one, I really like them! and two, I don't think I've really explored the potential of the barnacle form.

So much to do, and time flies! Speaking of which, I'm hoping to make a trip later in October to visit a couple grad schools. Hopefully it will end with acceptance later in the year (or early next!) but for now I need to focus and apply myself to my work... and it helps that it is such a nice distraction from retail!

More new work, finally

2008-08-27T21:22:00.005-04:00

New work from June, July and August... I finally had time to photograph!

President Jimmy Carter!

2008-08-25T22:05:00.003-04:00

So, you are all aware that the DNC is happening in Denver this week. And if you aren't, open a newspaper, please.

Anyway, so one of the dignitaries that is making an appearance is President Jimmy Carter. I'm bringing this up, not just because I like peanuts, but because on Wednesday, Carter, his wife and a few other delegates are taking time out of their busy schedules to plant some trees in Aurora. Specifically at Bicentennial Park, home of the Bicentennial Art Center where I teach!
No, I won't be able to go as the Secret Service is closing the center for safety, but if you watch your local or national news, I'm sure you will see some footage of Carter et al. planting trees and if you look carefully you may see the BAC, a small brown building with perhaps a mural on the side, which is where I work!

So stay tuned and keep your ears open! Its day one of the DNC and things are already crazy!

Abject loathing: a story of my feelings

2008-08-23T21:22:00.003-04:00

So again, no posts for a month and then this.

Today was the worst day of retail I've worked. It was our 'Denim Event' with low low prices and even lower customer IQ's.

My question is this: What is so hard to understand about '3 pairs of jeans per customer'?

No, you may not get in each line and buy 18 pairs of jeans. No, you may not have 3 boys, 3 girls, 3 mens, and 3 womens jeans. No you may not give the lady behind you 20 bucks to buy your 4th, 5th and 6th pairs of jeans.

And finally, when I call you on cheating (ie breaking the rules and in essence stealing) don't call me stupid, interrupt me and talk down to me; don't glare at me and keep insulting me because I didn't let you get your way; and you better not lie to me and tell me 'I'm just holding these for a friend' when I saw you buy them 20 minutes ago in another line.

I'm not stupid, and telling you the rules is not a sign of stupidity. Your refusing to listen to them and interrupting me and shushing me and treating me like crap is unacceptable.

Hi there! I work retail, but I'm still human and have feelings. Calling me names and treating me poorly is not right. Part of me wants you to come back to the store, just so I can so everything in my power to give you as hard a time as you gave me today... oh yes, karma's a killer, and you will get yours!

Can you tell 9 hours at The Shirt Folding Store took it's toll today?
Maybe I'll get some photos taken of my recent-ish work and get those posted later this week. That will at least be happy!

Month off

2008-07-29T00:12:00.001-04:00

ok, so I've been slacking, but at least I've come back with some fun stuff!
More to come, as soon as I search the internet in all my free time...
:)

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

2008-07-29T00:08:00.002-04:00

I liked Feist before, but this...
Genius, simply genius.

Vacation

2008-06-24T23:33:00.001-04:00

finally a week off
i'm very glad, and ready for a change of pace
can't wait to see the kiddos in Chicago
hooray!

one year!

2008-06-03T15:56:00.003-04:00

I've been in Denver for one year now.
Kinda hard to imagine, but it's true.
It's been good. I've learned a lot about myself. Got a decent job. Found out that the mountains look pretty in the snow. Found out that I love clay more than I thought. And made some good friends while I was at it.
Now, at one year, I realize that I also have some goals that I need to set, like a timeline for getting back to grad school. But that too, will come.

more new work...

2008-05-28T11:58:00.003-04:00

more new stuff that I've made in the last two months....

Shino Tumbler: 1 of a set of 8

Set of 8 Shino glazed Tumblers... really happy with how the set came out.

Silhouettes: a raku piece, incised design with white crackle glaze on the background
heavy reduction with shredded newspaper (gives the best blacks I've found)

Alexander: another raku piece... not sure though about this one. the text at the bottom reads 'When Alexander saw the breadth of his domain, he wept... for there were no more worlds to conquor'

Bracket Fungi II: stoneware with glazes... like this one, but I think the fungi are too glossy... not natural enough.

Bracket Fungi III: porcelain with iron oxide rub exterior and mason stains, and glazed interior
I kind just wanted to see if porcelain would be able to make it... and I do like it.

Bracket Fungi III: stoneware with oxide and stains, glazed interior
like this one a lot... I'm happy with the amount and flow of the lines of the fungi...

Bracket Fungi IV: stoneware with oxide and stain exterior, glazed interior
This is the tallest of them so far, and I did barely oxide on the exterior, but I did add the mason stain to the fungi... I like the look of it, but the only down side is that there is almost no differentiation between the vessel and the fungi... I think that it has the cleanest lines of all so far, and looks closest to what I was going for.

Bracket Fungi IV: detail

saddness in my heart

2008-05-14T12:31:00.003-04:00

I just heard about this. It makes me sad. I know his work was kinda out there, but it was very influential and new and interesting. And I got to install the Rauschenberg show that came to Calvin's gallery. So I guess there's a little extra connection there.

procedural stuff

2008-05-14T12:19:00.002-04:00

So today I have an appointment with the city nurse.
This is one of a few steps in being hired by the City to teach ceramics classes.
I'm not worried about it; apparently its a hearing test, a check to see if I can lift 50 pounds, and I get to pee in a cup.... woo.
But at least I'm on my way!

hmm

2008-05-06T23:48:00.002-04:00

I have a giant puffy lip.
the upper one to be exact.
it is swollen from some unknown cause.
Bee thinks it may be an allergic reaction from something I ate.
but that's my only symptom, nothing else.
Just a giant, puffy, upper lip.
I took Benadryl in the hope that it would deflate.
I look like a doofus.

Enough said.

Woo!

2008-05-01T00:13:00.002-04:00

Well, I got good news today!
The promotion I knew was kind of in the works, finally went through and was approved by the district manager and her boss (welcome to a month of bureaucratic figuring out!)!

So while I'm not sure what the entire job will entail, I know that next week I'll be opening the store by myself and trying to keep things in order while I'm in charge!

So while things will be a challenge for a while, it should be good and kind of fun.

back in Denver

2008-04-27T23:36:00.002-04:00

Well, aside from a little bit, ok a lot, of turbulence, my flight got back to Denver ok. It is nice to be back in Denver, where I have a bed and bathroom of my own (but thanks Alisha and Chris, and Scott for use of yours!!) and there is a nice comfortable familiarity to ones own bed.

My trip was in a word, wonderful. I got to see friends that I didn't realized I had missed as much as I had. I got to see family, including Kim's new house! and hear Mike's proposal story. And I had WAY too many dinners out. :) Not that they weren't appreciated!!!

The art show was amazing, and I am so proud of all the work that the BFA grads had done. It was amazing to see all the work in the gallery and get a little glimpse into the art I've missed being made.

I also got a shot in the arm and a great pep talk and critique from Anna, and there is no doubt in my mind as to the direction I need to keep going in... back to gradschool. Hopefully it will be sooner than later, but one day at a time is all I can do.

all my bags are packed

2008-04-23T15:56:00.003-04:00

I'm ready to go!

I'll be spending the remainder of this week in Grand Rapids.
I have lots of plans to visit friends, visit family, see some art, trade some art, and a lot more.
This is my first break from working since I started last June and I am ready!!!

I plan on taking lots of pictures, and will post the fun-ness when I return.

I am so excited!!

more work

2008-04-16T23:52:00.004-04:00

Just a few more pieces that have come out of the kiln in the last month.

Two mugs... made 5 total, but 2 photograph better

'Roots'

Shino and Black glazed tumbler

Not sure what to call this one... and not sure what I feel about it.
I think I like it, but I'm not sure.

Faceted vase

Small Bowl with very colorful glaze... not sure I care for the glaze...
it's pretty, but not me I think

'Cells'

'Flagella'

Bowl with carved circles
looks like a chocolate chip cookie to me in this photo...

Some functional, some sculptural, some in between.... let me know what you think.

haiku

2008-03-15T21:01:00.003-04:00

on my feet all day
now very tired and sore
glad to be back home

new work

2008-03-05T20:40:00.002-05:00

here they are... let me know what you think... I need feedback. They are in the order that I made them...

'Barnacles' H:10 in

'Bracket Fungi' H:10 in

'Limpets' H:5.5 in

'Divide' H:10 in

'Barnacles II' H:5 in

an odd day

2008-02-25T15:43:00.005-05:00

Talk about an odd day. Driving to work early this morning, it was raining; not a lot, but a definite drizzle. By my lunch break it was snowing just a little between the sunbeams. When I left for the day, it was sunny and warm. When I pulled into the gas station to fill up, it was snowing again, this time hard... I mean lots of big flakes, and blowing all over the place.

When I got home, this was the view from the front porch.

And taken two seconds later, the view from the back stoop.

Can you guess which way I'm hoping the weather system moves?!

[LATER] And tonight, driving home from the pet store (I was running low on fish food) there was fog. Heavy fog. And lots of it... reminded me of MI days...

Some days

2008-02-24T01:44:00.002-05:00

Some days, I'm just really tired.

And next week, with two 4am's and a couple of 6am's will probably be just as tiring.

But that's the way it is, and I better just get used to it for a while!

Oh, and good news, in a week, after our crazy shipments are over, I'm meeting with my manager to discuss 'the next step' in his words, which means possible promotion and/or pay increase! Woo!

Enjoy what's left of your weekend... I know I will, because 4am Monday morning will come around too soon!

a list

2008-02-15T12:52:00.003-05:00

things that made me laugh in the past few days:
- the 'ladies' at Potter's Guild on Tuesday night telling me not many men last working with them in the evenings. this after a 30 minute discussion of menopause and the temperature of the room.
- the dog last night, upon receiving new toys and a new kennel pillow. hopefully she will not destroy the pillow in a day or two.
- finding Mighty Morphing Power Ranger valentines to give to my coworkers for only $1.99. at least they were better than 'Bratz' valentines.
- the way in which the weather can be sunny and 60 degrees in the afternoon, and cool down and snow later that evening.
- Hal the cat chasing shadows.
- emailing my friends and catching up on how things are.
- attempting to explain what I'm doing with my ceramics to other people at the art center. 'But that's a lot of work for a vase' or 'How many hours did you spend on that?'

images from a walk

2008-02-11T21:42:00.001-05:00

took the dog for a walk, but the wind was so bitter it didn't last long. It was sunny and kind of warm, but I think a front went through... it was not pleasant.

Snow melt on the dirt road

Pigeons trying to fly against the wind. They were hovering because it was so windy

Pretty cool looking decaying hay bales

Studio in progress

2008-02-09T13:25:00.000-05:00

So I've been spending a decent amount of time at the ceramics studio, and have been having some fun.

Since my works from my BFA show were mainly large scale sculptures, I needed a new direction to go in, mainly because of the feasibility of producing these large things (or rather numerous small things) but also because of the use and functionality of these works. Instead, I've chosen to focus on the component aspect of the works in a different way, going to the organic natural world for inspiration, and using the vessel forms I can throw on the wheel as a surface upon which I can play. I sill am fascinated by the multiplicity aspect that can turn a single, slightly boring and innocuous object, into a part of a whole that really only makes sense with in the context of the group.

So I've looked at all sorts of natural things, like mushrooms, limpets, barnacles, nests, hive structures, prairie dog mounds, rocky beaches, fields of grain, roots... all things that are most often seen in concert with others of its kind. And when they are seen together, the impact is much more interesting and exciting.

So here are a couple first experiments, which are not necessarily finished ideas yet, but definitely going somewhere.

Barnacles... or something

And Bracket fungi... like the kind that grow on trees

Needless to say, still works in progress, and I have a lot more work to do with them, but they are a lot of fun to work on. Hours of tiny handbuilding can be not only calming for me but very relaxing... I know, sounds odd, but its true. And attempting to duplicate nature is also challenging...

experiments

2008-02-07T01:22:00.000-05:00

some fun with Graphite, watercolor, and ink... not necessarily great, but...

Super Tuesday

2008-02-05T16:40:00.000-05:00

Today will be a first for me. Later I will participate in a caucus. I have no idea what to expect, and really am more interested in the process... though I do care about who gets nominated. Should be interesting at least!

Hal is in a very cuddly mood today. Beth said he was like that when she got home this morning, and indeed he's been on my lap, attempting to interfere with my typing and surfing for the last 20 minutes. But it's an alright interference; the purring is relaxing and like a mini-massage. And it's better than the playful biting that sometimes comes out (not often, but man he has sharp nippers!)

Work was just that, busy (not with customers, but with shipment) and difficult. The downer was dropping a heavy (read VERY HEAVY) MDF shelf on my left foot. The corner hit my second toe right at the cuticle, and it's still hurting. I guess the nail bed is uber sensitive or something, but man it smarts....
I'm in for a later shift tomorrow, so I'll be able to sleep in, but that means I need to do my laundry and empty the dishwasher this afternoon. Perhaps I'll even sneak in a nap.

It snowed again today, or maybe it was just leftovers from yesterday, but needless to say, it was pretty. And pretty horrendous driving again at 3:45 this morning before the plows got going. But the sun's out now, and it's starting to melt away even as I speak.I love the blue sky, and open space behind our house... hard to believe on the other side of the house is a metropolis of over 3 million people...

And this angle is just to show the crazy trails the dog makes running around playing. She likes to eat the snow in addition to just going insane in it.

studio time

2008-02-05T00:38:00.000-05:00

I have to say that I love being back in the studio. And a flexible schedule (of course by that I mean a schedule where my managers schedule me whenever they want) that allows me some hours in the day to go to the studio is wonderful. Things are in process, and maybe soon I'll take a photo or two of works in progress...

but now, bed- for tomorrow is another very early morning.

Oh, it snowed again today, and while I hate other drivers in the snow, I do like it when it's coming down. Makes me feel like a little kid again for some reason.

and just because i miss firing the kiln...

No excuses

2008-02-03T12:09:00.000-05:00

Ok, so no excuses for not posting. We're all busy, we all work, and I'm just not great with the whole communication thing. Apologies...

So driving home on Friday night after closing at work was THE WORST driving I have ever done.
Normally my commute takes me about 20 minutes. On Friday night, at 10 pm it usually takes about 15-18 minutes. This past Friday, with blowing snow, intense blizzard conditions, and lightning an thunder, it took me 45 minutes to get home safely. I don't think I went above 25 the whole way home... Needless to say it started snowing at around 8:30 or 9:00pm, and when I got home at 10:45 there were 3 inches on the ground. Thankfully it didn't last all night, but it was an experience.

In other news, I joined the Aurora Potter's Guild! While they hold two sale shows a year, one in November and one in May, the biggest draw for me is that they have a city run studio that if you pay dues (only $28 a month, which is paltry for the great facilities they have!) you get to use the studio during any open studio hours. They also give classes, all levels and types from throwing to handbuilding to glazing, so there are a lot of options for more learning too. And they have a dedicated night of open studio for the Guild members! You do have to buy clay from them, as they've had ruined shelves in the past because people don't know that low fire clay doesn't go in the high fire kiln, but they sell it at cost, and clay is pretty inexpensive anyway. They also have firings of the big kiln fairly often, and all you do is pay for your work by the square inch, and again it's relatively cheap, at least cheaper than me buying my own kiln! So I've already spent a couple chucks of time there and I'm looking forward to going in during any of my free time!

Lets see, I've also decided to make a trip to Grand Rapids during the end of April, as I have a bunch of PTO saved up already, and that is the weekend of the BFA show. I know all the juniors who are in it, and feel like that would be a great time to go back for a couple days and see all my friends. It should be a nice trip and a good time off with friends.

Ok, so a couple quick pictures. Hal, sleeping on my bed, where he usually is, whether it's day or night. I have to say, he is an exceptionally good foot warmer!

And the giant flocks of Canadian Geese that graced the fields behind our house with their presence seemed to have finally made it past Colorado. They were pretty impressive while they were here though...

Again, sorry I'm not good about posting... I'll try to keep up. Maybe new pictures of new work will help me keep in touch.

Long Overdue...

2007-11-18T18:44:00.000-05:00

Well, the title says enough. I have no real excuse for the fact that I haven't posted lately.
But, in my defense, somedays the only things that change are the clothing I wear. And that's a good thing.

At times, retail can become very routine. You get new clothes in boxes, you unpack the boxes, you hang the clothes on fixtures, customers come and mess up those fixtures sometimes even choosing to purchase the clothing, and you ring the customer up, and wish them a good day, and then clean up the mess that the customers made. All in all, that's the retail routine.

However, due to the impending holiday season (i.e. Black Friday) things have been a little more exciting at work. I've learned to 'cash handle' and that lets me count in and out drawers in addition to being able to do more with the registers. It's more responsibility, and actually a lot of fun. I was trained for this because I'm full time, and next Friday, my job will be to stay up at the front by the registers and help the sales associates who are ringing on the registers. I will get quarters for them if they run out, I will get them more register tape when they run out, and I will be able to take over for them when they need breaks. I will also be auditing their cash drawers after they clock out, so another person can come in and take over at the same register. (we audit so that at the end of the day, the last person to ring doesn't get stuck with a mistake someone else made... usually its only a penny or two, but sometimes it can be more...)

And aside from the crowds and inevitable insanity that should be accompanying retail work this next weekend, it should actually be kinda exciting. At least there will be lots to do!

Aside from that not too much else happening. I did spend my last day off sitting at the DMV to get my Colorado plates, and now have to figure out how to attach the green and whites to the front of my car where no plate had gone before!

Oh, and here are a couple of pictures from the first snow of the season a couple weeks ago... and hopefully we'll soon have more... this endless summer/fall is kinda confusing on what to wear, compounded with the fact that I get up in the frigid early morning hours and sometimes by the time I 'm home in the afternoon it's very warm... so needless to say, layers are a good thing, but not always easy.

Updates...

2007-09-22T22:59:00.000-04:00

So things here have been busy.
The past few weeks I have been working 40 hour weeks, and keeping on my toes with all the fun things that that entails.
Today I found out that I'm officially full time starting tomorrow!
- While I was working 'full time' before, the difference includes benefits, assured hours (they can't hire someone and drop me to 20 hrs a week) and an increase in pay! I also get more responsibilities and tasks to do including some supervision of others and such...

Announcements aside, I'll catch you up to date on the few eventful things of the past weeks.

Last Sunday evening, I drove up to Silverthorn, CO to assist with the transition of the Old Navy Outlet there into a regular Old Navy store.
Aside from a meeting with the Arapahoe County Police mere minutes after leaving the house and getting pulled over, the ride was uneventful. (needless to say, the ticket was minimal, and I think he pulled me over because of th FL plates that are still on my car. The SUV ahead of me was pulling away from me, and the car behind me was catching up, yet I got the ticket... hmm) In my defense, it was the first ticket I have ever received, and I was mortified. Come to think of it, that was the first time I had ever even been pulled over. So is that a 1/1 a good thing? :)

Anyway, my little car made it over the mountains well, and I'm glad I had gotten an oil change and tire rotation on my day off the week before. The aspens in the mountains were just starting to turn gold, and as the sun was setting, I made it safely to the hotel that I was staying in for the next two nights. I had a room to myself both nights as they had extra rooms, and my manager Justin, who I was to share with got one of those! So I had a whole extra bed to lay my things out on and spread out.

Monday morning I was up early, 4:30am to grab some coffee on the way to the store. We had our first truck arriving at 6:00am and so we needed to be there a little earlier to set up and such. Silverton and Dillion, are really not much more than ski lodges and the rather large outlet mall that Old Navy was in. Supposedly the cities become more busy during ski season, but to me it looked absolutely dead while I was there. I met some nice people from other Old Navy's as far away as Grand Junction and Pueblo, along with the majority of workers coming from the Denver area stores. The nice thing was that the people who were there were all extremely hard workers and we got the mountain of boxes unpacked relatively quickly. The second semi truck of the day was only half full (the first was jam packed) and so I was out and back to the hotel by 4:30pm. I was sore, tired and ready for dinner. I went out to Ruby Tuesday's with a couple of the managers from other stores and two others from an Old Navy to the North of mine. It was a nice dinner and relaxing, which was needed after running (literally) for 9.5 hours of work.

Tuesday was basically a repeat of Monday, with the main difference being that I had to scrape my windshield before being able to drive to the store. After the single (full) semi truck was emptied, signs were put up, manikins clothed, and extra clothing backstocked, I was on the road home, enjoying the rather relaxing drive home through the mountains.

All in all, it was a really fun, but extremely busy trip. One of the side benefits to the trip was that I got to spend time with my store's DM (or District Manager) who is an extremely nice woman who I got to know and who even had me doing a few tasks for her, like moving things and setting displays. It's always good when an upper level person sees your Calvinist Dutch work ethic and realizes that you don't things by halves and then asks you do some more complicated tasks. Never hurts to show one's best to Management!

So now things are settling back to normal at my own store, and I'm getting back to the routine of the weekly schedule. It was fun to be away but coming back makes you grateful for the things that go better in your store. And it's always nice to have people say they are glad you are back. Even if I was only gone for a few days!

Notes From Retail...

2007-08-15T17:00:00.000-04:00

I've learned a few things the past few weeks working retail. Here they are in no particular order.

1. Bad customer service, usually is caused by bad customers. (Seriously! though not necessarily the one being served at the moment, it could have been the crazy lady ahead of you.)
I know, people say no one is polite in stores anymore, but did you ever stop to think that maybe it's because the customers themselves are so rude that helping them is off putting? I am an intelligent person. I have a college degree. I'm a human being with feelings and emotions. There is no reason to get so upset and call me names when the computer has a problem, or the policies of a corporation which has to look out for itself (especially from people who want something for nothing) go against what you want, or when your card doesn't swipe or even enter manually and you blame me. I'm sorry, but if you are rude, mean, or grumpy and you lash out at me, you can bet I'm gonna ask you for 4 forms of ID and a blood sample, just to make you more ticked off.
Bottom line: Be nice and friendly to me and understand that while most things can be gotten instantly, it still takes a few minutes to ring up your purchases, and if there's a problem with your credit card, maybe it's because you didn't pay your bill (and don't get all mad at me telling me it's my fault you can't purchase your skanky tank top).

2. Read the signs!
Big one here. Just because the sign says 50% off or Two for $20, doesn't mean that it applies to everything in the store. Often, you have to buy two of the same style, and even if there is another promotion going on with a similar shirt, it doesn't mean you can mix and match. All the signs are (or should be) clearly labeled and reference the style numbers to which the sale applies, but do people read? No! In addition, sometimes people put things away in the wrong place, or even more common, other shoppers leave things in different areas of the store than where they are really from. Don't assume something is a certain price... because when you do, and then argue with me at the register and you're wrong because you can't read a sign, you make an ass out of u in front of me (and other customers... and then we roll our eyes at you when you leave).
Bottom Line: READ PEOPLE!! Admittedly sometimes things are mismarked, and you do need additional money off, but before you act all defensive and accuse me of cheating you and not giving you your money off, READ THE SIGNS!! It makes all our days a little better.

3. Screaming children, throwing temper tantrums, make me laugh.
I know, mean to the parents, but it just makes me giggle watching the parent struggle with the child and attempt all sorts of ways to stop the embarrassing display!
Oh, and if you want to spend hours in the fitting room, maybe leave the kids home and come another time when someone else can watch them. This mostly applies to the parents who are only buying things for themselves, which the kids see and being bored, usually start whining (leading often to the obligatory tantrum). Lady, if you don't plan on buying Johnny a shirt too, do your shopping when he doesn't see all the things you're not buying him, and definitely don't blame him for getting cranky when he has to spend an hour in the fitting room watching you try on everything, while he gets nothing... I mean $0.25 will get him a bouncy ball from the machine... at least let him be entertained while waiting for you to try on your mountain of clothing that you don't end up buying anyway. You see, to a kid, that was all just a waste of time! They just don't understand!

4. Just because you think you deserve the world handed to you, doesn't mean it will be.
I can't give you a discount just because you tell me too.
I don't need you to tell me that this shirt was on the wrong hanger. (It wasn't)
Don't tell me the girl in the fitting room told you these new shorts were on sale (she would have told you to bring them up front and have the price checked. And do you think I won't ask her what she said to you later anyway?) And when I won't give you the new shorts at clearance price, don't act like a brat and complain to the manager; they're gonna tell you the same thing as I did.
I don't need you to tell me how to do my job. I've had register training and you haven't.
Even though I don't like it, sometimes I have to stop and answer the phone. It's as much part of my job as helping you. Give me a second, and I'll put them on hold. Don't bark at me that I"m supposed to be helping you. (That person is important too!)
Returns are easiest when you keep your receipt, and don't try to exchange things over 90 days later for full price when you know full well that it's now on sale. I just can't do that.
If you tell me you know you're right in a snotty voice, I'll do everything I can to prove you wrong. Ask me nicely, I'll probably give you the benefit of the doubt.

Ok, so there it is. A smattering of things I've learned working retail, a few rants, and some interesting hints. Maybe people will be nicer in the future. Because believe you me, no one wants to help a mean jerk. And smile at your cashier! It just might make their day that much better!

hmm

2007-08-07T00:33:00.000-04:00

Tonight during a pause in the ton of rain we have been having lately, I stepped outside to let the dog out, when to my surprise out back I saw not one complete rainbow, but two.
That's right, a full- more than half circle- double back to back rainbow. It was really intense and bright and lasted for about half an hour and then was obscured by more rain.
Cool while it lasted, for sure!

Work

2007-07-14T23:36:00.001-04:00

So far work has been really good. I enjoy the people I work with (those I've met so far) and my managers are quite good to work for. No one takes themselves too seriously, and everyone tries to make things fun.

I work with a wide variety of people, from 15 year olds on their first job to some older gentlemen and women who just do this part time. And a whole range of people in between. Oddly enough, I am actually on the older edge of the age spectrum, at least in numbers of people who are younger than me... lots of college kids and high schoolers. But it's lots of fun.

So, I'm learning the store fairly well now, and while I occasionally have things I can't do on the floor, I am not able to direct people where they want to go, look up on the computer if we have merchandise, and price what things are. I also can markdown clearance items, stock shelves and racks correctly and I know the color order that the clothing is supposed to go in.

So lot of fun so far, and it has yet to be boring... which is a great sign, since I've only been working 2 weeks!

Some Nature

2007-07-02T13:14:00.000-04:00

Here are some recent photos I took while on walks with the puppy. Hope you like them as much as I do!

All in all, a nice collection of wildflowers. And despite its painful appearance, the thistle bud is beautiful!

On a side note, I found out I will be receiving a job offer from The Shirt Folding Store this afternoon. Most likely, I'll be part time now, and then more full time in the fall when the college and high schoolers return to their studies. Should be fun!! I'll update as I know more.

Walk the dog

2007-06-21T00:46:00.001-04:00

Tonight it is absolutely beautiful. Warm, with a slight breeze, and a clear sky with tons of stars overhead.

I decided to take the dog for a quick walk around the neighborhood to get her used to going out like that. Mostly we've been playing with her in the backyard because she isn't too used to the leash yet, but she's getting better so I thought, why not!

She did really well. She was a little frightened by some of the sounds and unfamiliar territory, but she didn't pull at the leash too much.

After we went around the block (well about 1/4 of the way around, and then back) I thought I'd grab my camera and catch a picture of the beautiful crescent moon.

Yes that's a house across the street, no you can't see it clearly because it's dark.

Now, I know you probably can't see it, but there are two streaks of light above the moon in this picture. They are two satellites of some sort, that were following each other in the sky.

No they were not planes, there are enough of them in the sky that I know what they look like. They were unblinking, and after about 3 minutes, where I shot about 5 pictures, they went beyond the curve of the earth, and winked out, as they no longer reflected the sun! It was super cool... trust me it was.

(If you click on the picture, it may get bigger and you might be able to see the streaks of light that are the satellites!)

Anyway, that was my fun for the night, now it's off to bed before my interview tomorrow!

UPDATE: Indeed if you click on the photo, you can see the streaks at about 10:30 if the moon is at the center of the clock face... pretty cool if I can say myself!

What to wear?

2007-06-20T12:45:00.000-04:00

So for my interview tomorrow, I'm not quite sure what I should wear. Do I go with tie or no tie, black, khaki, or charcoal grey pinstripe pants, plain shirt with a tie or colorful shirt with none?

So I thought, why not give you examples to help me out with. So here they are:

Charcoal grey pinstripe with blue and green button up

Charcoal grey pinstripe with light blue and white strpied button up

Charcoal grey pinstripe with solid light blue button up with pink and blue tie

Charcoal grey pinstripe with solid light blue button up with yellow tie

Khaki pants with solid light blue button up with yellow tie
(could use pink and blue tie here as well)

Khaki pants with yellow and blue button up
(this shirt didn't look good with the charcoal grey pinstripe)

And to make matters worse, I also have plain black pants which would go with any of the shirts that I wore with the charcoal grey ones...

So my questions are as follows, and please answer:
1. Tie or no tie? if no tie, my shirt options open up more, but is it not as professional?
2. Which pants? the Charcoal grey ones are dressier, but are they good for an interview?
3. shirts galore! which one?

As of right now I'm leaning to the first one, the charcoal grey pinstripe with the blue and green stripe button up. But I'm nor sure if I need a tie.

So there's your mission, help me figure out what I need to wear.

Oh and one more thing, I'm interviewing at a national clothing store, not too dressy style, but still nice, so I do need to look like I have some sense of style!

Updates...

2007-06-19T02:04:00.000-04:00

NEWS: Bob has an interview on Thursday!

I got a call from Old Navy today asking me to come in for an interview! I'm really excited and think that I have a good shot at getting a job there. Hopefully they will like me and hire me.

WEATHER: Nice day today, was cooler than yesterday which was a blessing, as it has be up to the 90's lately, and even just a little cooler is very welcome.

And finally: HEALTH: so while taking the puppy out this evening, I slipped off the concrete slab/step and landed very badly on my ankle. and then I fell on the grass, and the puppy came running up, thinking this was a new fun game, while I rolled on the ground gasping for air and holding my foot.

Thankfully, I didn't cry, that would just be embarassing. But, after the puppy was done, I hobbled inside and immediatly got some ice out and started chilling it. Now, I've taken the IB proufin, iced it for a few hours, and am trying to stay off it. But, we'll see how it is tomorrow.

Right now it't trhobbing, I think I need to elevate.

Sweat...

2007-06-15T18:18:00.000-04:00

Mowing the lawn +
weedwacking +
emptying heavy catch bags of grass clippings +
almost 90 degree heat +
a man propeled push mower

=

a very good looking lawn +
a very sweaty me

The backyard...

The front yard!

Thank you Bee!!

2007-06-15T13:15:00.000-04:00

So after some editing help, and some serious applying with assistance from Beth, I've added three more applications to my list of applied for Jobs.

These jobs are all in the secretarial line of work and are at hospitals in the area. With needing only a GED, I'm fairly confident that I have at least a shot at getting an interview.

I'll let you know what happens.

Resume and Cover Letter

2007-06-15T03:08:00.000-04:00

Well, I just spent another two hours putting finishing touches on my resume and cover letter. It's a funny thing because the resume and cover letter that I worked so hard on in my senior seminar class is mostly useless in applying for real jobs.

Who wants to hear about the art shows I've been in when what they really want to know is if I can type and have people skills.

Thankfully I've had enough varied jobs over the years that I feel I am qualified for most of the jobs for which I am applying to.

Now let's just hope the employers think that!

I am also, in addition to the seeming legion of retail establishments, applying to Parker Adventist Hospital. Yes the same one Bee works at part time. But I'm applying for a Unit Nursing Secretary position which actually sounds like a lot of fun. They are the ones answering the phones on the floor, and no, I would not be on the same floor as Bee. :)

We'll see how things pan out...

it continues

2007-06-14T13:43:00.000-04:00

Well, the adjustments and search for employment continues. Not too much to do besides keep filling out applications and keep waiting for calls regarding employment.

On the plus side, I have read a number of books that I have either been meaning to read or have recently got through generous gift certificates to the B&N.

Oh, and the weather here has been pretty amazing. Wind storms causing dust storms out our back door. Rain causing rushing rivers in the street. Bright sunny days, cool summer nights. And this all with in the first week.

Here are a couple sunset pictures I took... I like the sky here.

And just for fun, a shot of one of the flowers on the kitchen table, because it's pretty.

So, that's about it for now. I'm off to help cousin Michelle do some packing as she readies for her move.

Trip to Denver

2007-06-07T23:44:00.000-04:00

Well, the trip out to Denver went well. No problems with the truck or the car, though I had a few anxious moments when I was looking at all of my worldly possessions in a single space, and though things are not the point of life, they make things easier and hold memories that I was worried about losing. Nothing happened though, no boxes flying off the back of the truck at 70 mph, no stolen truck or any thing like that.

And now I'm here, and have been doing the things that one needs to when one changes residences, such as waiting for 3.5 hours at the DMV for a transferred driver's license, sitting at the bank while they add me as a new member of the Members Federal Credit Union, and all things like that...

I've already filled out about 6 applications, and am well into the process of unpacking my things, and I've even made friends with Hal, who is on my lap at this moment, begging for head scratches. And of course I'm willing to oblige him. When he's not meowing at 3:00 in the morning, he really is quite sweet.

And now, some pictures- some of the trip out, and some of my studio setup which i worked on today for a while, setting up the fish tanks and moving the table and chair to where I want it...

Loaded and ready to roll.

What I watched for the entire trip....

Ok, so the plains states are pretty pretty.

One of many windmills we saw while driving... even cooler was seeing 5 semi's with the huge blades for new ones going up. A single blade was the length of the semi flatbed... maybe longer.

My studio/own space in the basement, yes for those of you who know that is Dad's old Lay-z-boy

My shelves, with art books and art supplies.

A cool plant in one of my tanks... yeah, its cool, trust me.

And finally, two pictures of my buddy, Hal.

-Halbert, Halidol, Haliburton, Hallelujah-
whatever his name is, he's the funniest cat.

Moving

2007-05-27T00:08:00.000-04:00

All my bags are packed,
I'm ready to go...

No seriously, I'm ready already.
While exccedingly wonderful and great it has been to hang out with my friends, and how amazing it has been to sleep in late and stay up even later. I'm ready to go.

I'm looking forward to the challenges that are coming up, and while it kinda stinks to say goodbye for now to so many friends, it's time for me to go.

I can't wait to live with Bee and explore a new city and look for a job and all kinds of things.

I'm ready to go.

Graduation

2007-05-21T14:03:00.001-04:00

So there it went. My graduation day.
It was a lot of fun, and I got to see a lot of good friends walk across the front of Van Andel Arena and get their diplomas...
The party/open house afterward was fun and I was surprised as to how many prople came! It was lots of fun.

Not too many words today to describe how it feels, so instead I'll just show some pictures.

Me and my friend Christy before the ceremony.

We three BFA...

With the BFA to prove it!

Organized chaos

From the floor... surrounded by friends and family.

Heather and Brad

Exiting after the whoo-hoo.

People people everywhere, and where's my family?

There they are!! Mom, Dad & me.

My life in Disarray

2007-05-16T00:41:00.000-04:00

So now that I'm officially done with classes, I have been focusing on attempting to really begin packing and getting ready for my westward move. Needless to say as the images will show, I have a lot of stuff and it's spread all over the basement/my room/which is the basement.

Three things I'm looking forward to the most about moving to Denver:
1) My walls won't be cracked foundation letting in the rain/melt water to soak my carpet and create ideal mold living conditions.
2) I will be above ground.
and a big ol' 3) living with Bee!!!

Really though, the house has been really good. I've loved living here this past year and will miss my roommates terribly.

On to the photos showing the disaster area that is packing central...

My once orderly shelves, a mess and half emptied...

My bed, covered in random stuff to be boxed/sorted/who knows what... unmade, with boxes ready to be filled.

The rest of the basement. No not all that is mine, but that is a lot of my art supplies... not all, but a lot. Hmm...

So, I think I have a good start on things. I should be able to get everything packed and done by May 30. But for now, I need to head to bed; tomorrow is another day.

But first I have to clean off my bed...

Irony...

2007-05-14T20:42:00.000-04:00

So while perusing CNN's headlines while at work this evening, I found an ironic and somewhat frustrating story.
This compounded not only by the fact that I disagree with what originally happened, but by the reasoning for his resignation...

From CNN:
"The No. 2 official at the Justice Department, Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, submitted his resignation to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, the Justice Department announced Monday.

McNulty cited personal reasons for his resignation.

"The financial realities of college-age children and two decades of public service lead me to a long overdue transition in my career," he wrote in his resignation letter.

A source close to McNulty told CNN that the deputy attorney general had planned to resign from the $165,000-a-year job about a month ago, but decided to announce the move at a conference of U.S. attorneys in Texas."

Ok, so the politics aside, he's getting $165,000 a year, and he claims hardship for putting his children through college?! What has he been spending his money on?! I do believe that all 4 of the Bosschers went through CALVIN on two Christian school teacher's salaries, and unless I'm mistaken that's no where near $165,000. Talk about money-mismanagement.

This the same week I sign my loan repayment plan does not make me happy.

Done done.

2007-05-14T16:23:00.000-04:00

Well, after taking my final art history exam, I am officially finished with my undergraduate work at Calvin.

In less than a week, I will be though commencement and I will be getting a diploma.

Finally.

Sunday Studying

2007-05-14T00:35:00.000-04:00

So, after a very nice Sunday dinner with the family, I went home to continue my studying for my final exam which I will take tomorrow at 1:30pm.

It's art history of Baroque and Rococo, and it was a very interesting and good class to take. But I'm kinda glad it will be over tomorrow. All my undergrad stuff will be over tomorrow!

Anyway, so after studying for about 5 minutes inside, I decided it was too nice outside not to study there. After a short while, my roommate Jose decided to join me, but since he's not taking exams anymore (he graduated last year) he read a book. I got some nice sun and my skin is no longer scary white winter pale. And boy was it a georgeous day!

To prove I actually was studying- that top card is 'Versailles' designed by leVau and Mansart, 1670's-

Mmmmm, green.... I love the springtime.

Beautiful blue sky...

After studying for a few hours, and taking a short nap as well, I went inside and studied some more, only to discover I was getting a migrane.
So, off to bed for a few hours with some Excedrine, and then I was up and back to work this evening.

Now, however, I'm uber-awake, thanks to that nap and the caffeine in the Excedrine.
But on the plus side, my migrane didn't wipe out any of the dates or names of the paintings and buildings I need to know!

With one exam left, I'm very anxious in both a good and nervous way. But, it's time for bed, and later today will bring a close to my undergrad course work. Hooray!

Unseen Interim work

2007-05-12T11:51:00.001-04:00

So, I realized that I never posted my Interim art stuff... here are a few works.
It was a fibers class, if you didn't remember, and I actually did a lot, but only photographed a couple. We used a lot of different techniques and media, so it was always something different.

This basket was made by wrapping raffia around a paper core, and then wrapping the layers together... its called coiling... and its super fun but painstakingly slow... but very cool. I then covered the outside with a handmade paper and looped waxed linen around the rim for a lace-like look.... This took about 30 hours in total to make (if not more).

This was an experiment with the looping technique. I took three pieces of bark and drilled holes in them with a dremel and then looped them together. It was interesting, but difficult since the bark was extremely fragile and dry.

This was one of two baskets I made with the plaiting method, familiar to Bosscher children as the method most often used by Mom in her reed basket construction. This one is made of the inner bark of the apple tree that my landlord cut down and left in our yard. I went out, snagged a couple logs and stripped the bark and spent hours prepping the strips for use. For a long time, it smelled really nice, like apples, as it dried. This one is about 4 inches high and has outer bark strips as a decorative rim lashed on with waxed linen. Again super fun and very intense to try this with uneven strips of the bark.

So I hope you enjoy this delayed proof that yes, basket weaving can be a college course and very worthwhile!!
Seriously, I learned more in the month of January in that course than in some other classes I've taken for a semester... then again, Prof. Van Reewyk is amazing and a blast to work with. The class as a whole was really good and I had a lot of fun. A great last Interim.

Hello college debt...

2007-05-12T01:24:00.000-04:00

So, I just finished my online exit loan counseling, and I have to say, it's not as bad as I once feared... Oh, don't get me wrong, it's terrifying. But knowing that I'll be paying off my lovely Calvin education for the next 25 years is actually comforting! Something called regularity... I can rest assured that it will be there for years to come, giving me stability in my time of uncertainty.

Indeed, I look on it as a good thing, this constant presence of debt. It's reassuring. It's like a warm blanket... or maybe smothering blanket, I can't tell...

Anyway, first of the last exams is tomorrow afternoon, so I need some sleep. Japanese should go fairly well, and it will be nice to have one more finished!

Advanced painting

2007-05-07T18:54:00.000-04:00

So, here are some paintings I've been working on this semester...
They are inspired by cells and cell cultures, along with other biological images...

Oh, and my thumb is better. No more numb thumb!

Numb Thumb

2007-05-01T00:59:00.000-04:00

So... today at work, I discovered that there is an area on my right thumb that is numb. I believe that this happened recently, but as of yet have not diagnosed a cause.
The numb spot is about the size of a dime and it is right on the pad of the thumb, almost centered on the whorl of my finger print...

here's a photo for clarification...

No, the skin is not actually discolored. I colored it with a highlighter to see how big it actually was because I couldn't feel it... and then I outlined it with a pen... to make it visible for photos... yes that's what I do when I'm not doing homework in the last week of class... I color my numb thumb and take photos of it...

By the way, do you know how awkard it is to take a photo of your dominant thumb with your non-dominant hand... very.

So, anyway, it's not really problematic right now, just kinda annoying. Oh, and for more info, only the center is completely numb. Around the edges of the spot it's that tingly feeling like when you've had novacaine at the dentist and your lips are all puffy and tingly feeling... not the pins and needles of a sleeping foot... but just tinglely. Yes, I said tinglely...

So... if anyone has suggestions, causes, remedies for restoring feeling to my Numb Thumb, I'm very interested in hearing them...
Oh, and let me know if you think it's serious...
I doubt it, but you never know.

BFA II

2007-04-30T20:08:00.000-04:00

OK, so it's been a while.
I've just stopped caring about most things... yeah, senioritis has hit... bad

But although LONG overdue, here are some images from my second BFA show, as none of you were able to see it!

the Porcelain Curtain aka : Grace [for Felix]

a close up

another view

Sister [Beth]

very happy with how this turned out!

another view... a cool one I might add

my Pilgrim's Box - it had a lot of 'stuff' in it including a handmade scroll, a ceramic torso, some cool stones, a penny, a rosary from The Vatican, a jar of sand, a basket of strings and straw.... yeah lots of stuff... but they all had meaning of some sort to me...

a different view of the whole box with lid that I made!

So, there it is, the three works from my second show.... and these pictures were taken by my roommate's sister Kristin Jonker, because my images didn't come out as good as her's... something to do with time of day the photos were taken...

Anyway, so there it is.
Now I have to get a little bit of homework done for tomorrow... yes I do still care about some things... just not the boring things... :)

the end in sight

2007-04-08T23:17:00.000-04:00

Only 5 weeks of class left. Then a week of exams.
Then graduation.
Then Denver.
I can't wait.

1 week

2007-03-02T22:51:00.000-05:00

A week from tonight I'll have my opening.
I have most done what I need to, now it's just installation and waiting.
Next week will be busy, but I'm looking forward to it like nothing else.
I can't wait!
Oh, and I'll try to post images of the installation as well as the final look of the show... should be fun!

and counting!

2007-02-22T23:03:00.000-05:00

2 weeks and counting!

as of right now, I have to load and fire the big kiln tomorrow. After that it is just doing some finishing things on my works next week and then I think I'm ready to go!

I cannot even fathom that it's coming so fast! my BFA show is really happening!

Ok, now I have to finish editing my artist statement which is due tomorrow (it's already written, just have to tweak).

Then, a busy day tomorrow, and then the weekend!!

hooray!

and then perspective hits

2007-02-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

yesterday was a rough one.
I spent hours in prayer, gathered with friends at my house, not knowing what to do for a while, and ended up at the hospital to try and comfort and support one of my best friends.
you always think things like this happen to other people, not your friends, not your lives.
It's going to be a rough week for the Snyder family and I know they would covet your prayers.
Losing a parent is unfathomable to me, and to see the other so helpless and in pain in the hospital, can't be easy.
So, everyone drive safely on those icy roads, and I love you all.

Some Days are Diamonds...

2007-02-08T23:51:00.001-05:00

some days just suck.

with in the last 24 hours:

Minnesota rejected my application for their graduate school.
I got a whopper of a migraine, complete with horrible nausea.
It's still cold.
I've not gotten to sleep before 2am yet this week due to homework.
I'm out of coffee filters.

I'm scared no one will want me for gradschool. and I need sleep. and I'm getting sick.

and I want my mommy...

some things

2007-01-16T18:37:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, while I was walking home in the early evening, it was snowing PERFECT snowflakes. I almost walked into a tree because I was watching them all fall on my black gloves. Some were tiny and perfect, but some were almost 1/4 of an inch across! They were huge and still fully intact and perfect... needless to say, it was cool.

Interim is going well and is a lot of fun... hopefully I'll get some pictures of what I've done soon, nad then you can all ooh and ahh... or insult, whatever you want.

I talked to grandma for almost a half hour yesterday... it was good to talk to her!

After multiple meetings, my fellow BFA'ers and I have decided upon a show title... but you will just have to wait to hear it.

My slides came in the mail today and they look awesome! My final 2 grad applications will be going out in the mail tomorrow!

Interim

2007-01-03T17:48:00.000-05:00

Today is the first day of Interim and so far it's fun.
I like the pace of interim so much and am ready for it this year.

Christmas was good, but so is sleeping in my own bed.

Home

2006-12-16T15:44:00.001-05:00

Well, I made it home.
Glad to be here.

Just a few more

2006-12-15T00:04:00.000-05:00

Since I've now finished with most stuff for the semester,
here are a few more images of what I've been up to...

Let me know if you like!

Rose colored teabowl

White bowl

Yellow teabowl
(I had a lot of fun making
teabowls this semester)

Tenmoku Tea Set
(there are two more
bowls for this set,
but the picture was
better with just two)

working hard

2006-12-14T18:03:00.000-05:00

so I'm alomost finished with everything I need to be.
I'm finishing editing my last images of the semester, then I have to figure out which ones I want made into slides!
I'm lighting the last kiln firing of the semester tonight.
And I'm going to clean my room and finish my laundry so I can pack and go home!

Here's a taste of my images I've taken today...

A tea set

A tea bowl

So lots of fun all around, and I'm almost there!

Finished

2006-12-13T13:37:00.000-05:00

things I'm done with:
Japanese exam
Packet for senior seminar
Large paper for material Culture independent study
my secret santa gift for work (yes I made something)
my second to last semester at Calvin

Things to do yet:
pack
clean my room
clean my fish tanks
read some good books over Christmas
sleep
laundry
Christmas shopping... :)

I leave on Saturday and can't wait to get to Orlando!

Snow Snow Snow!

2006-12-04T20:13:00.000-05:00

Well, it is finally winter... very good for studying and getting work accomplished indoors.

Although we (my roommate Jose and I that is) spent some time out side this evening to shovel our driveway. Second time this week already. We also did both sides of our corner house sidewalks. For those of you who live in the north and have to shovel your walk, please do. As a commuter who walks to classes each day, a shoveled sidewalk is a very nice thing to walk on. Also, its your responsibility, and if I fall on your icy sidewalk, there will be serious consequences. So far no falls, but a couple nasty almosts!

Speaking of which, this is the last week of classes, and although I'm a little nervous about finishing in time, things are looking up. I started the big kiln with my last work in it for the semester and am ready for my other classes to finish up as well.

And now, for some more winter photos...

The firestation across the street

And another car going by...

OK so the pictures aren't great, but at least they kinda show the snow...

Wednesday

2006-11-15T13:24:00.000-05:00

Hump day, it seems comes far too quickly.
Even though the week is speeding by, I have managed to get a bit of work done already.
My long research paper for my independent study is over 16 pages, and now ready for review.
My Application materials are coming together and just need a few more revisions.
My Food sculpture project is complete and I'm already working on the next project.
And, while I haven't been sleeping much, I'm still making it to class on time.

Now, for the rest of the week:
Japanese exam tomorrow morning.
Throwing this evening.
More work on ceramics tomorrow.
Photograph work really soon and editing the images for portfolio.

All in all, hanging in there...

Oh, and P.S. happy birthday Mom!

New week

2006-11-12T23:10:00.000-05:00

Well, this weekend was fun... lots of work accomplished, and yet still managed to get a decent amount of homework done. Let's just see if this week keeps up the trend!

A few things:
-I wish it would snow already... snow makes it easier to focus on staying inside doing homework
-I wish I could sleep more, I seem to be tired all the time...
-I wish there were more hours in the day... or night... just more time in general to do all I need to
-I wish life came with directions:
- allow 5 years to percolate... knowledge should be good and concentrated
- by November 15 all applications should be done, though only apply to ______
- _____ will accept you
- allow 6 to 8 weeks for confirmation, then turn and brown the other side

-I wish I knew what those directions were to, because they were one weird recipe...

I'm scared about the future.
I'm not sure I know what to do.
I'm second guessing what I think about everything now.

Oh boy... I need some chocolate....

On the plus side my paper (my big one for this semester) is already 12 pages!
On the down side, I'm not sure how long it's supposed to be... and I 've about a 1/3 to go!
Woo hoo for editing things down!

OK, back to work!

Grad Schools and other stuff

2006-11-01T17:32:00.000-05:00

Well, today I called three different grad schools as a preliminary measure to applying. It was kinda nerve wracking and I'm not sure why.

Tonight I'm sending out emails to faculty members at the schools to which I'm applying. I want ot see what kind of respose i get and if they are willing to help out a nervous senior. I wrote up a basic letter that my boss (who went through this a few years ago) read over and he said it was a good start to getting my name out to the departments.

I just don't want to come across as needy or clingy.

Anyway, the kiln was fairly successful... I'm planning on photographing my work on Friday so maybe I'll have some images to share this weekend.

Stuff

2006-10-18T18:09:00.000-04:00

Its family weekend this weekend.
yeah, just thought I'd mention that.

I sent away for my absentee ballot today.
I take my civic duty seriously.

My friend, the ganglion cyst on my left ring knuckle, seems to have dissapeared.
I hope he's ok wherever he is.
And that he dosen't come back.
He cramped my style.

I'm knitting scarves for sculpture class.
Its very tempting to forget all other class work and just do that.
I can be like 'No I'm doing my homework!'
The other profs wouldn't like that so much.
And clicking needles interrupt lectures.

I quit

2006-10-18T18:03:00.000-04:00

everything.
I'm going to move to Orlando, live in my parent's basement and work at Barnes and Noble's.
Oh wait, they don't have a basement, nor do I have a room in their home anymore.

And I don't want to work retail for the rest of my life.

Let's just say that if it could go wrong this week it did.
And the stress piled up and I'm way over living with it.
And I have to do a glaze firing, and I'm gonna just get worse till those pots come out of the kiln...

But first, I have to go sit in a corner and get over my stress related migrane.
And get some homework done.
and eat something at some point.
and... oh you get the picture.

A Response

2006-10-09T00:39:00.000-04:00

This is a response to Dad's post about how he's had enough.

A Caveat: I'm liberal in my views, I'm trying to live by my faith in Christ, and I try to err on the side of love and compassion.

I heard a speaker at Calvin this last week and he discussed how very few verses in the Bible are on the 'morality' issues that this administration wants to address, issues such as gay marriage. These 'morality' issues, this speaker said, are meant to divide and divert our attention from the larger ones that face us. Issues like this draw attention away from the War in Iraq, the oil crisis, global warming occurring at an alarming rate, the issue of Darfur... (shall I go on?)

There are hundreds of verses calling Christians to help the needy, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, be good stewards of God's earth, and yet the current leaders focus on going to war and issues that will maintain their own gains instead of what we are called to be taking care of.

Now, regardless of what you personally believe, and this post is not intended to really go into that, God loves everyone, and I have to too. For me, I have to balance the things I am called to do, help those who need it, take care of God's world, love those who need it. As a Christian I cannot be a one issue voter, be it gay marriage, abortion, education, foreign policy... So often Christians are lumped into a single right leaning voting block, but what about caring for the environment? What about issues of stewardship? What about compassion on those around the world with so much less than us dying every day?

And it's not just the politicians!

A short anecdote since I'm in Michigan and familiar with its issues right now: Michigan is a rust belt state. Full of manufacturing jobs leftover from the heyday of the auto industry. About ten years ago, the big auto companies (Ford... GM... and who am I missing?) decided that instead of developing this new technology on the horizon of hybrid cars, they would make bigger and bigger SUV's looking at the short term profits that they saw. They made big bucks and made a lot of gas guzzling cars. Meanwhile, Toyota and Honda and some other car companies, saw the long term effects of massive oil use and made hybrid cars. Now, that their moronic greed based business decisions are biting them in the butt, the MI companies are going bankrupt. So in trying to play catch up, they finally begin to do stuff with hybrid vehicles. But what do they do? Instead of hybrid car they put out a hybrid SUV. MORONS THAT DOSEN'T HELP ANYTHING!! So now, they get gov't help and tax breaks to try and stay afloat. Meanwhile, Toyota can now legitimately say they are made in the USA! Their business is going so well, they opened plants in the US.

It comes down to greed, whether in politics or in business. Politicians want to keep their jobs and business men want more money.

We have been told we live in a world where evil people are around every corner, where other countries want our jobs, where the world is dying. This culture of fear has been created in Washington for the purpose of diving us from the rest of the world and even ourselves. It is our own politicians who use war to solve problems, creating more enemies. It is our own politicians who give tax breaks for companies that send their jobs overseas and don't control the massive corporations that do so much harm. It is our own government that refuses to enact pollution controls that actually mean anything because they don't want to lose the funding from the big business' who bankroll them.

When will there be people who finally stand up and do the right thing? When will there actually be people who say 'Forget party lines, I'm doing what's right'. When will the government stop using fear as a divisive way of manipulating people?

I was told once that "As a Christian, you can never vote for a Democrat, because they support abortion. All Christians have to vote Republican." (no joke, an actual quote)
Hmm... blind one issue voting like that leads to horrible misrepresentation of what I believe and a heinous system of government where other issues are relegated to unimportance.

Makes one weep and cry out in frustration at times.

I believe it was Screwtape writing to Woormwood who said "The goal is to have them all running around with fire extinguishers when there is a flood".

God help us all.

I'm told I tend to be antisocial...

2006-10-02T12:44:00.000-04:00

I'm not sure if I'm really antisocial, or that I just don't like some people.

Is it bad that I'd rather spend time in the art basement, by myself, doing my work?

And when I'm working, its not that I don't like you, but don't talk to me, I'm concentrating.

Ok, maybe I am antisocial... but I have work to do.

Deal.

Monday

2006-09-26T01:13:00.000-04:00

First of all, lists are easy; I don't have to be all witty and creative in my prose.

Things I accomplished:
- aced another Japanese quiz, this time on 46 hiragana (one of the 4 written languages used by the Japanese)
- pugged around 100lbs of clay (that's basically reconstituting it so it can be worked with again)
- participated in a critique and had my work critiqued (both were pretty good)
- ate lunch
- worked for two hours in the gallery
- attended Japanese drills (pratice sessions with a native speaker, lots of fun!)
- threw from 3:30pm to 10:30pm, with only a half hour break for dinner at Johnny's
- threw 6 teapot bodies (we'll see which ones really work out though), 4 large bowls, 3 tall vases, a rounded jar that was too small to be considered a teapot body, and a plate... it was supposed to be a platter, but there were issues... my issues... with throwing.
- talked to my roommates for a while, and went to bed

Things to accomplish tomorrow:
- throw at least 6 spouts for the teapots
- pull 6 handles for the teapots
- trim the feet of all the things I threw today
- attend sculpture and Senior Seminar classes
- hopefully glaze some works I bisque fired last Thursday

But it's only the beginning of the week and already super busy!
But also really fun.

Cough, Cough, Sneeze, Sneeze...

2006-09-23T12:14:00.000-04:00

A List of things I've learned this week:

The cold season has hit.

Earl Grey Tea is great for sore throats.

Days spent in pajamas, while seen by some as unproductive, can do wonders for your attitude and mental health.

The afghan I knit is really warm and keeps me comfy on the couch.

Original Chap-Stick three packs are a good buy.

Coughing is a great ab workout... although it isn't my choice of workout.

Despite being ill, my work in the studio went really well this week, including experimenting with underglazes, and firing some work already.

Saturdays are great for sleeping in.

Why Tuesday evenings are my favorite... or what I did tonight.

2006-09-19T22:46:00.000-04:00

On Tuesdays I have a 9-10:00am class, a 1-4:00pm class and a 4-5:00pm class. It makes for a long day, and when fixing the pugmill is thrown in, along with some unsuccessful researching, it makes one heck of a day. Furthermore, my throat is starting to do that thing it does right before you get a cold, and I'm hoping and praying (and drinking my fluids to) the possibility that it might not be a doozy... but there's been one doozy spreading around campus.

So, this evening, because I have no classes on Wednesday, and because I spent a couple hours in the library between classes doing homework, I got home at 6:00pm, changed into my pajamas, and ordered pizza with my roommate, after which I proceeded to fall asleep to CSI, and woke up to another CSI (you have to love the 3 hours of CSI on channel 59 in the evenings!). After I woke from my comatose state, I flicked through the channels, and decided it was time for an 'early' bedtime. Early for me anyway.

So, goodnight, and tomorrow's another day to do stuff... and maybe get a little more accomplished in the evening!

Some things I've learned this week...

2006-09-17T00:09:00.000-04:00

1. The painful thing on my left ring finger knuckle is a ganglion cyst.
2. Ganglion cysts are painful, especially when I have to bend my finger.
3. I have to bend my finger a lot, like when I'm typing, or when I'm throwing on the wheel.
4. The sports medicine doctor at Health Services must want me to get a bleeding ulcer.
5. The sports medicine doctor told me to 'ice the knucle, take 3 motrin at each meal, and rest your knuckle when you can'.
6. Staring blankly in disbelief at the sports medicine doctor is apparently a common reaction from his patients.
7. Dr. Do-nothing, as I like to call him, dosen't understand that I have a BFA show that I'm working towards right now and cannot 'rest my knuckle'.
8. From what I've read, a ganglion cyst is not related to swollen joints and therefore won't be helped by lots of Motrin.
9. I've also read that immobilizing the joint does nothing for the cyst.
10. The nurse the day before said it could be drained, or hit with a Bible to get rid of it.
11. My knuckle still hurts.