It's that time of year again and all I can say is, thank Goddess for layaway. I got my shopping done early. Well, most of it anyway. Only have a couple of things to still buy, but they're easy gifts. And I didn't spend more than I should've. Keeping the holiday in perspective is something I'm trying to work on. There are those who like to brag how much they've spent on their kids. All kinds of expensive gifts. High dollar junk.

I have to bite my tongue to stop from asking them if it's guilt making them spend so much. How can you put a price tag on your love for your kids? Whatever happened to just spending TIME with them and doing stuff with them? My own mother used to do it to me and my sister. I guess she felt guilty about how she treated us and tried to make up for it with material stuff. It didn't work though.

Memories are made when we actually did things together. And that's what I want for my own kids. I want them to be able to look back on their childhoods and remember all the crazy, fun, cool stuff that we did together. Even the boring stuff.

We put up our tree last weekend. And to keep the cats from knocking it over during their Tarzan delusions, we drilled a couple of holes through the stand and screwed it to the floor! (We're in the middle of replacing the flooring anyway, not like we're messing up the floor as it is!)

So far, the tree still stands tall. Lights and ornaments and all. I have to admit, it's the first time we've ever had one in our living room. Usually we put it up in a bedroom behind closed doors. My cats. They're rather bratty.

*sighs*

The REAL test will be the presents. We'll just have to see how that goes.......
 

My daughter and I went to see New Moon the night before Thanksgiving. I thought it was better than Twilight but it still had unintentional funny bits. There was a scene where Alice (who's clairvoyant) sees a vision of Bella and Edward frollicking through the forest. Bella has this really goofy expression and she's in a dress and I could just picture her with sunshine and rainbows and cupcakes and unicorns all floating around her.

Very un-Bella, that scene.

What actually made me shudder in revulsion was Edward's shirtless scene in Italy. I usually go for the thin, wiry types of guys. Especially English lads. But for Robert Pattinson, I'll gladly make an exception. I don't know what was worse: his nearly zombie-like skin or that freaky bite mark (yes, BITE MARK!) over his left nipple. Couldn't the special effects crew at least had the decency to Photoshop the guy a good-looking physique?!

I have to admit Jacob was the saving grace of the entire movie. I am definitely NOT a Twi-mom, but I do enjoy looking at nice things. Like Jacob's chest, for instance. I think it was the best part of the whole film. In fact, I think it was a better actor than Kristen Stewart (whose acting method completely consists of biting her lip and not finishing her sentences).

All in all, I did enjoy the movie. I know my daughter loved it. And we are both cheerfully Team Jacob.

In other news, I went and bought a violin last Friday. After seeing Emilie Autumn in concert the weekend before last, I was inspired to pick up the instrument again. I hadn't played since I was fourteen, but it all came back to me. And I remember how to read music too, so that really helps. Got a book of music of Evanescence's album "Fallen" and I'm going to try to adapt it to violin, just for the hell of it.

For those of you who don't know, Emilie Autumn plays not only the electric violin but the harpsichord as well. Her music has a lovely neo-Victorian sound to it. And she put on a VERY entertaining live show.

And now I'm off to play catch-up on my computerly duties......
 

The average man thinks he isn't. This was a quote I came across and it made me think. Most folks like to believe they're not average. I'd even venture to guess the majority of the world's population would even think themselves to be above average (which begs the question: what IS average?).

Myself? I don't know about average, but I do know I like things that most of my real-life peers do not. Online, I can find lots of people like me though . My steampunk adoration? Check. Musical groups I enjoy? You got it. Styles of artwork that appeal to me? Yeah, it's all on the internet.

In the living world, not as much. So would that make me a bit lonely, since I can only find kindred spirits on the aetherweb? Maybe, but I'll manage. Just another reason I need to get back online at home, instead of waiting for weekly library visits to use the free wireless connection.

Feh.

In other somewhat random news, I've been compiling playlists for my ideas of vampires, werewolves, mermaids, and steampunks (each with their own respective playlist, of course). Just another of one of my hobbies.....
 

I spent the most of the evening looking at videos on Youtube. Mainly the guys I consider to be Guitar Gods. It was great, brought back memories of how much I used to listen to Yngwie Malmsteen, Joe Satriani, Nuno Bettencourt, Jimmy Page, and Steve Vai. Time has been a fickle mistress. Some of them, like Nuno and Steve are still VERY good-looking. The others.....not so much.

Used to spend a lot of my nights reading or drawing and listening to cassettes on headphones. I'd even fall asleep listening to them! Made for some weird dreams.


For a while I wanted to play guitar too. I even got a really cool-looking Fender for Christmas one year. But, as luck would have it, I wasn't the least bit talented. So I wound up giving it away to my then-husband. Now my son plays guitar and bass. He's actually got some promise.

Passing on the love of guitar to the next generation..... And his idols are a bit different than mine. He likes Jimi Hendrix and Slash.

 

You know you've had an interesting weekend when Monday rolls around and you've still got a muddy car. Oh wait. It's Tuesday already, isn't it?

We went to the state fair last Friday night. The pasture we parked in was the consistency of chocolate pudding. I'm fortunate we didn't get mired down in it. Had a good time at the fair. The kids and I rode a lot of rides, ate food that wasn't good for us but tasted good (fried Twinkies are quite tasty!), and walked around a lot.

Saturday I took Charlie to the Pinnacle Mountain Rendezvous and we parked in yet another muddy pasture. This year I actually dressed up in period costume, which included a long skirt with a petticoat (and another petticoat would've been even better, mental note for next year!), stockings, a cotton print shirtwaist, and a floppy felt hat with a grey wool shawl. I didn't get stared at as much as I thought I would (that's why I chickened out in the past). Had a lot of fun too. The weather was perfect. Cloudy but not rainy and just a bit chilly.

I've been dealing with a dead clothes dryer these past two weeks. Doing laundry made me think of when I was a kid and we had no dryer. Couldn't afford one back then. My mom used to hang clothes outside when the weather was agreeable. When it was too cold or raining, she'd hang them in the house on a line of rope strung across our living room.

Luckily, I didn't have to resort to that in my living room. I used a drying rack instead. Then I turned the fans on to speed the drying process along. It worked, too. But now I've got my dryer back and life has returned to normal.

There's a Ren Faire next month up in Fayettville and I'm still contemplating whether to go or not. I'm tempted because there's a really good used bookstore up there too and I could make a whole weekend of it. Hmmm..... Just hope the weather holds. I don't want to park in any more mud!




 

You ever have a lot of great ideas for your blog and then, when you sit down to write, they disappate like so much smoke?

Yeah, me too.

I'm still without a co-worker at my clinic. Perhaps with the turning of the fiscal year, they'll see fit to hire a bunch of new clerks. But as lovely as that would be, I'm not going to hold my breath. I do work for the federal government, and it's not known for its logic.


Been reading P.G. Wodehouse and am really enjoying it. Bertie Wooster is a complete nutter, but an amusing one. When I finish the book, I may check out the series that was on BBC a few years ago. The one with Hugh Laurie as Bertie (imagine him as that character while watching the show "House"!).

The weather is finally starting to feel autumnal around here. Which is a welcome relief for me, I've never been very fond of summer. Next month there's going to be a few festivals and I'm hoping the weather holds for them. Slightly chilly but not freezing.


And, alas, that is all I can wring out of my little exhausted mind for one entry.




 

I made myself a gun holster last Sunday. First time I've ever used rivets with leather and it came out pretty good. Only messed up a couple of rivets in the making of. The reason I made it was for one of the guns I've modified. Steampunk stuff. Looks like a Victorian raygun, if the Victorians HAD rayguns.

I also made a utility belt to wear the holster on. It's kind of plain at the moment but I plan on adding a pouch or two and some tool holders. For inspiration, I've found a lot online. There's a community on Livejournal and there's also Flickr groups full of steampunk pictures.

Came across lots of great costume ideas too. If I could just get my sewing machine working, I could whip up some really great stuff. My mind is full of all these wonderful ideas for dresses, skirts, blouses, bustles, coats, etc. I've seen many ways of altering clothing I've already got. Like adding trims, changing buttons, cutting sleeves off, adding collars, and lots more. I'll probably break down and just start sewing things by hand until I can either get my machine fixed or invest in a new one (actually, I'd want to buy a vintage one...those things were workhorses and made to last!).

Over in my deviantARt stock photography account, I've been adding new stuff. Mainly pics of Charlie. She's a great little model and we have fun doing our "photoshoots". In fact, I'll be uploading some new pics this evening.....

There's a new fanfic I posted last week. It's a parody on "Twilight", so if you like that book (or hate it), go and give a read. Tell me what you think. Let me know if you find it funny or if it needs work. I'd like to know that my comedy skills are still up to snuff.
 

We got a new TV from the Voluntary Service in our clinic almost three weeks ago. It's a nice one. Has a LCD screen, mounted to the wall, 42 inch screen. The picture is great. And guess who is in control of the remote?

Me!!

It started out great. Didn't have to watch those wretched soap operas anymore. But then we all quickly realized that something was wrong with the signals from the local TV stations. Whenever the screen had a nearly solid white background, the sound would dissolve into a loud buzz. Very annoying. And also limiting on what I could watch. The satellite stations were not affected.

We get a VERY limited amount of satellite channels. CNN, WGN, the Weather Channel, and a buttload of freakin' ESPN. Bleh.

*sighs*

Not that I just sit at my desk and watch TV all day.

It's all just background noise to me.

I'll be glad when the media gets over Ted Kennedy's death. You'd think he was going to be made a saint sometime soon, the way they're all carrying on. Sheesh! I was never fond of him. Media types get all misty-eyed and nostalgic about that rubbish.

And I'll leave it at that.

*switches topic gears*

The Pinnacle Mountain Rendezvous is coming up in October again. I didn't go last year due to monetary insufficiency. Dashed thing to be broke.

So I'm going to TRY to go this year. And I'm seriously considering wearing a steampunk outfit. Go as a time traveler. Even if I'm the only one there dressed that way, I still think it'd be fun. Maybe even dream up a persona to adopt for the day.

*sighs*

I just wish there were some kindred spirits in the central Arkansas area. Folks who adore steampunk and are like-minded. I know there's some in northwest Arkansas, but that's nearly a 3-hour drive from here! Oy.

Anyway......

I have really been getting more and more into steampunk. Turns out I've loved it for years and didn't even know it had a name. My love of costume and gadgets and making stuff is something I've truly enjoyed doing for a very long time.

For those who don't really know what the heck steampunk is, try to re-imagine the Victorian/Edwardian times as if they had somewhat modern technology. Think along the lines of the movie "Wild Wild West" and you'll get the idea.

And now I'm off to post some new stories.....
 

So here I am, thinking how great it would be to post some new stories for y'all. And I even get to the library with enough time to spare, only to realize....that I left my bloody notebook at home!

*face palms*

*sighs*

I'll just have to save it for next time, I reckon. Just like me to forget. I can only imagine how much more....interesting... it'll be once I get to be geriatric.

Anyway, it's been quite a busy week for me. Since they decided that I no longer need a co-worker in my clinic, my job has been insanely busy. Like being in the area that I used to work in before I transferred to the Geriatric Clinic. The powers that be in my hospital have some serious reality issues. As in, they don't live in the same one that I do. I think they spend the better part of their days clapping each other on the back and congratulating themselves on jobs well done.

Isn't that what most of the higher-ups do?

But aside from work, life has been nice. The kids are back in school, the weather has been almost pleasant, I have XM to listen to in my car.....

Wanna know something odd?

My son, who is fourteen, adores music from the sixties and the seventies. He'll even tolerate stuff from the eighties. And that's cool with me.

But what drives me batty is that whenever I'm in my car, listening to my music (i.e., alternative music that is new or from the nineties), he'll bogart my radio and/or CD player. He positively loathes my music tastes.

Says there's no guitar solos in them.

*sighs again*

I suppose it's a normal passage of life, for kids to abhore their parent's music. But I guess I'm kinda weird, though. I remember actually liking the stuff my parents listened to.

 

I've been away from blogging since June. And I've rather missed it. Life keeps me busy but I still try to find something everyday to celebrate.

Like today, I'm grateful the weather was so pleasant and not scorching hot or humid. All the plants and trees are a lovely green, in the throes of a healthy summer growth. I saw a hawk on the way to work this morning and it reminded me to have courage to face my day, however stressful it may be.

And when I get home from this excursion tonight, I'll be surrounded by four cats who REALLY adore me. Especially once I feed them again. *laughs* At least two (Marmalade and Gemma) will fight for possession of my lap. Junior will climb over both of them to butt his head against my face and try to climb up inside my nose. *grins*

I am loved.

Charlie and I get to watch whatever we want tonight. Eric is over at his friend's house, staying the night.

Life is good. Life is sweet.