Bling Bling...

So I finally started on my casted ring, which is the only piece my teacher let me cast, LAME! Anyway, it's so cool, and makes me more and more excited about next semester, since I'm taking that class. But I'm also happy with how my Belt Buckle is coming out, though it's quite big, and my pendent...Just wished I had more silver to do things with.

I'm trying to figure out how I'm getting home in two weeks. I'm kinda ifie on driving my truck, and I've been given two offers, one of which has fallen through. I don't know what to do...as of right now.

All I do know is that I miss my family. More than I ever have before, so what does that say about when I go off somewhere else for Grad school?

What's up with my dreams!?! I keep having ones that involve people, people that I've kinda put a hold on. They wouldn't bug me so much, except that they make me miss this person so much, or at least the things we did together. I loved their company, humor, and laugh...among other things. But dream is a dream, rarely are they acted upon...

Make it STOP!

I woke up with a migraine once again. It's been awhile since that has happened, but boy does it hurt. I can't focus really well, and the only thing I think would make it stop is if I cut my head off. I know that is a bit drastic, but rarely do I complain of injuries.

Speaking of injuries...Many of you know of my chronic knee issues. I have a lateral pataller tracking disorder in both knees. What does that mean? It means that the muscles that are suppose to help my knee cap glide across the indentation of my femur when in motion are weak and allow it to get off track. It actually causes me to dislocate in a sense. I've never had a complete dislocation, which I am in risk of doing and would need surgery to correct it. But there is also a surgery to actually keep my petalla in place...but is it worth it.

Well yesterday, as I was using the restroom, it happened. I leaned down to flush, and POP! I slammed into both sides of the stall, in an attempt to catch myself, and was somewhat successful. I've haven't had a mishap in awhile, probably not since July. I've had close calls, but caught myself before anything could happen. But this time was different. I think since I tried to catch myself, my quads went into flexion which may have pulled my petalla tight against the femur as it was in transition. Cause it has never hurt this bad before. Usually I can walk just fine after a few seconds of the insident, but not this time. Even today I'm having a hard time with even putting weight on it to walk up the stairs or to end push a door open.

I'm suppose to be doing exercises, but I hate being on the floor for hours trying to work up a burn. My last doctor told me that the best exercise is to ride a bike, plan and simple...but I don't have one anymore...I just need to exercise period. Or just get the surgery to get it fixed...

So the weekend is almost over, which also means that school is almost over as well.

I should be getting my prints done this week, at least by Sunday. Then it's just sit back and wait the world go by...

I've been cleaning the house once again, which I allowed our hand held vacuum over heat while doing the stairs...So I'm playing the waiting game. Still have have the stairs to do. I wish some times that I had a digital camera to show how dirty they are, and how much I'm in need of upgraded products. At least I'm getting a new vacuum, thanks to Jason. I found an awesome deal on the new Bissell pet hair eraser, which he can match the price at Sears and then put his employee 10% to make it even cheaper than I found. It's not a lot, but it's better than paying the original price for it. Now I just need a steamer for cleaning the carpet...that's just another 200 bucks...but an investment.

With school coming to an end, I'm excited and nervous for next semester. Dave will be on sabbatical, so Bruce Horn, the old Print Shop teacher before Dave, will be teaching two of my classes, including one of my concept classes. The thing about that class is that it's suppose to be where I'm preparing for my show, which is next Fall...I know I'm ready, but am I ready for Bruce's by the book crits? I have to figure out what I plan on getting done next semester, and make a little contract...wow!

Jason brought up a good point today. He used to go to church every Sunday, and a hike afterwards, but hasn't since he and I started hanging out more. Minus that one day in PHX. So tonight we are going to try to go to evening service somewhere, which I think I shouldn't be the one to choose, since I get discouraged and change course when on approach.

Baby it's cold outside...

It's cold, but I get cold when it's less than 70 degrees, even in Long Beach. But tomorrow it's suppose to be FREEZING!

I went to Phoenix with Jason for Thanksgiving yesterday, which it was ok. I missed being home and getting to ride Bo's pocket bike, but I guess there will be other times. But I did make pumpkin pie.

I can't wait to go home. I need the break, but will it be the break I need? I should get home on the 14th, possibly going to a graduation that mid morning, and then enjoying the rest of the break with family and friends. I do have some plans, but they certainly won't be enjoyable. Jury Duty on the 17th, hopefully for one day. Then back up to Flag for traffic school on the 29th, maybe stay for the Pine cone drop, then don't have nothing to do until the 12th of January...Why does school start the week of my birthday?

So does that answer any questions you have?

Now I have a twist...After doing my budget, I've come to a realization that I can't afford to go home for Thanksgiving...SUCKS! With the cost of Utilities, mainly because I'm not repaid until almost two weeks after the due dates, my upcoming semester costs, and the fact that I still have a lot to do by the 6th of December, it's better that I stay and save my money. I also have to make arrangements for me to travel on the 13th, just in time for Greg Ebel's graduation, and then back to Flag at the end of the month. This hasn't been a great semester, but it's almost over, and I'm almost done with school completely!

At least next semester I have classes only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Longer weekends and more time chances to go home. Yes, there are less holidays in the Spring Semester, but I have a lot going on personally.

Well I have to go to class...I miss you all! I'll update maybe tonight.

Already Booked...

As the semester winds down, my stress level seems to elevate. I have two weeks, just two weeks of printing left, and only three for Jewelry. My online class I have completely neglected and will have to retake it at some point, unless I get a D. But that's not what's stressing me out now.

I had court today, for my traffic accident in which I was put at fault. Jason made it seem like I was going to go before a Judge, so I put on my slacks, nice button up blouse, and heels, just to get told to call a number and register for traffic school. It took all of 20 minutes, mostly because when we got there all the windows were closed. So either I paid the $108 citation or I went to driving school for $128. I picked to school cause it will keep the accident off my record, but I have to come back up to Flagstaff on the 29th of December for a five hour class. I guess isn't too bad, cause I have a place to stay, and I could stay until after New Years and see the Pine cone drop downtown...but it's gonna be a hassle, especially if my truck still isn't fixed.

Last weekend I spent my time in Tucson, avoiding a situation, and missing on excitement and fun with those I hold close. I was suppose to go home, but with the lack of suitable wheels I stayed. But I had a great time down south. Met a man passing off ink jets as fine art prints, and trying to call himself a printmaker. He made me mad at the lack of knowledge the world has on Printmaking. I'm very proud of my field of choice, but ignorance is causing it to become extincted. He does these kinda cool images, but to me he could expand and use different techniques. He strictly uses photo emulsion or paints directly on the screen to produce his "Serigraphs." I asked him as to why he choose screen printing over other types, ie relief, which he can get the same exact FLATNESS he's getting now, and produce something more exciting. "Well I like the crisp lines that you can get with a serigraph." A Serigraph is the image you get, Serigraphy is the correct word to use. Also, if he was a true printmaker, he would have editions, not multiple images with the same title...He made me so mad after I left, and I continue to allow it to bug me. Now Jason is incorporating him into his Film for his major, though he's not a "printmaker." Which reminds me, I have to write questions for Jason to ask him...hm...

But I got to network a bit, and actually might get to show my stuff down there...But first I have to get my slides done for UND.

Keith Anderson said it best

He sang a song dear to my heart, mostly because of the words. Every Time I Hear Your Name, is currently playing in my head and heart. I'm doing my best to do what's best for me, and I hope they are doing the same, mostly because my priorities have changed. My pursuit of a Master's has led me to the reasoning that, though I care deeply for this person, I honestly don't know where I'll be once I graduate. I might end up on the East Coast in Pennsylvania, or even up in the mountains of North Dakota. I'm gonna be were ever I get a paid internship, at least pay for school.

But I'm at lunch, enjoying the laughter of my friends and co-workers, and I hear one name and immediately going into "oh really" mood. So I'm at a stand still, kinda.

My little brother called me today, so I guess he's not completely MIA. "You said you were coming home the 8th, I'm guessing you didn't make it." I really wished I was home right now, but I have so much going on, it's better that I'm here...hopefully.

So it's been a long time since I last blogged...ok not even a week, but it still seems like forever and a day.

I'm pretty stressed out with school. Only four weeks left, after this week of course, but it means even less time for Printmaking. Reading week is when we do clean up, so the Thursday before finals equals no more printing...So where does that put me. Well for Litho, I'm suppose to have a minimum of 8 editions for the whole semester, I have three finished, two I'm printing up today, and one still in the sketching stages. In Intaglio, I have three finished, one plate ready to print, one in the etching process, yet need one more and have no ideas on what to do with it.

Along with that I have my jewelry. I barely started my buckle on Monday, and still have rings to do by Wednesday, and another piece using rivets. I plan on going in on Saturday to get my buckle completed, and another stone etched.

I'm entering a juried show at North Dakota University on the 23rd. I've never done one of these before, so wish me luck...only 15 people get chosen off of the five prints they submit.

Wow be patient. I didn't get back into Flagstaff until after midnight last night...attempted to go to the state fair yesterday, but ended up just going to church.

Have you ever seen a sticker or symbol on a vehicle and wondered it's meaning? I have, actually recently. Driving around in Flagstaff, you often find yourself staring at the back of numerous gas guzzling machines, finding some type of emotion when reading those stickers. There was one this week at puzzled me quite a bit. I was three representational figures, two being identical...one of this things is not like the other...So I decide that it's probably for yoga or some hippie thing, and ignored it...until yesterday.

I went down to Phoenix with Jason, which last week we both said that if we go down we'll have to go to church, no excuses. Mostly cause we were gonna hang out with his buddy, Jeremy, and go to his church. So I rush to get ready for church Sunday, cause the clocks in the houses are all wrong, and I had my cell phone off. We finally leave, and as we go, Jason is explaining that half of Phoenix goes to this church...Great it's a Mega Church. No intimacy and highly impersonal. But as we are about to turn in to the parking lot, I notice those three little figures on the sign...Christ's Church of the Valley. "That's what they mean, those stupid little people."

We walk on to the campus, it's huge! Almost didn't find the worship building, and didn't find his buddy Jeremy. So we go find a seat, and as we walk into the worship hall we are handed bulletins, just like at any other church I've been to, but this one struck me as odd...Yes this is the so called bulletin for there regular service, which, not only stated inside this document, but above every door as you enter...All services are rated PG-13. So we go sit down, and notice that the stage is set up as if some big name performer was coming out to sing praise songs. We sit there, trying our best to give it a chance, and find out that his buddy is in a different service, the Alternative Service.

It starts, and the first thing that pops into my head is, State Youth Conference, and watching the Supertones preform. So we stand there, both not singing, and trying hard to understand what's going on. So, the Pastor starts making the announcements: Operation Christmas Child, Missionaries coming to talk about their experiences, the Alternative Service going over Revelation, and the of course their study on Perfect Sex. As he's talking, the offertory is being done, which I get an offering bag thing shoved in my face by one of the members. But Jeremy comes and saves the day. We go to the other service, which they are discussing Samson, since their study is on Heroes of the Bible.
He actually showed a clip from the TV series, which at that moment, I forgot I was at Church. It was odd, some of the things he said I disagreed on, but it's wasn't too bad. Would I got back? No, and Jason said the same. "It's too big," as we try to escape the congested parking lot. "we need to find a place in Flag that's not crazy like this."

So I went, got scared, but survived...

UPDATE!

So I just have a stiff neck, and will for awhile, but I'm not too worried about it. My sternocleidomastoid is just stressed, and yes, I love medical terminology, a bit too much sometime, or at least I've been told.

But the lack of wheels and the need of monies to repair my truck has lead me to think that my plans for paintball and time with those special to me to be cancelled. Yes, one of the few things I've been planning for enjoyment looks as if I'm going to be enjoying the time somewhere in Arizona rather than California. I hate cancelling things, especially things like this. It feels like Portland all over again, but a bit worse.

If anyone has some suggestions, I'm listening. Cause I would really like to go home, see family, play with Monkeys, get a few bruises, and laugh with those dear to me. But I have to be able to bring Windex....

I'm ok, for the most part

I haven't posted the last few days, cause things have been really weird and sorrowful for me. I thought things were getting better, but then this hit me, and hit me hard.

The other night, Jason and I were driving back to his apartment from getting food over off of Cedar(for those of you that know Flagstaff). Thus, I wasn't too close to home, or too far, but after what happened I wished I was somewhere else. I stopped at a stop sign at the intersection of Dortha and West, checked the intersection, proceeded to make my left turn..."He's not stopping" is all Jason remembers before this Honda Accord hit my driver's side door. He kept saying it was his birthday, which made me think he had been drinking. There is WAY more damage to my truck than his little plastic car. I will most likely be at fault, since he didn't have a stop sign, but he obviously was going too fast, if there is that much damage.

I have a doctor's appointment this morning, but all that is currently hurting is my neck, and it's only on the right hand side. My left shoulder did hurt up until today, and my right side of my lower back, so I'm still gonna have them checked out.

I'm still waiting on information about who's at fault, cause I really want to get my truck fixed no matter what. Even if it means leaving it in Phoenix for a week, cause it's not something I should drive 8 hours in to California. It does drive, at least that's good...