New Years Resolutions, if I can keep them...

Last year I made several resolutions for 2012. I seemed to only keep numbers eight and nine. I really did not get to keep the others very well.  Here is my list of resolutions for 2013:

1. I should always make time for exercise, even if I am not in the mood, I need to make the time. My muscles are starting to ache from the lack of exercise.
2. I need get at least 8 hours of sleep, drink plenty of water, cut down on the carbs, just only drink two carbonated beverages a day, and remember to practice portion control.
3. Always think positive!
4. If I want it to be a good day, it is up to me to make it a good day.
5. Keep in touch more with family and friends 
6. Cut down on computer/internet time.
7. Read more books.
8. Keep on making jewelry and start experimenting with other crafts (cross-stitch) 
9. I should not overload my mind on so many things, and only concentrate on the most important thoughts.
10. Always remember that life is short. 

Wishing Everyone a Happy 2013!!

from http://cheezburger.com

Sinus Headaches...

I have been dealing with sinus headaches for the past month. My left eye has been throbbing horribly. I have popping Advil Liqui-Gels like candy and eating spicy foods to drain my sinuses to no avail. The headaches have been so bad, that I ended up with a boil on my left eyelid earlier this month (the boil has long since popped open with pus and infected hair follicles). The headaches have been more intense after Christmas. Today was the worse, spent most the day in bed with a wet towel over the left eye. It also felt like the left nostril was going to explode. I had to go out and do laundry and run a few errands, so I did that after resting with the wet towel.  I also went and got a vegetarian burrito with jalapenos and hot sauce at Moe's, which alleviated some of the congestion.

Later that evening I ended up getting tired, so tired that my eyes were constantly closing. I ended up sleeping till midnight and I woke up in further pain. I had some leftover Advil Cold and Sinus, but was not sure whether to take it since I am on new meds that might conflict with it. Called the Walgreen's where I get my prescriptions at, and I was put on and off hold for thirty minutes. At one point I heard the pharmacist and pharmacy tech conversing about car insurance, but I was put back on hold. I even called customer service to complain and try to get a hold of the pharmacist, but it was no use. I had to call another Walgreen's to get help, and I got a hold of a pharmacist within five minutes who told me it was okay to take the Advil Cold and Sinus.

It's been an hour since I have taken it, and I am still feeling the same. The lights are dim in my apartment, because it's the type of headache that makes me sensitive to light and sound. I am seriously thinking of seeing a doctor later this week, if this shit keeps up.

This is a picture of supernova-to-be Eta Carinae which is ready to explode tomorrow or in the next million years. This is what I feel like right now, I feel like Eta Carinae:

Picture from http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/

I need to go to bed...

It's almost 2:30 AM and I am still up. Why am I still on the internet looking at lolcats? Being an astronomy enthusiast, this made me quietly laugh.

From icanhascheezburger.com

It's the end of the world...

from Michael Ramirez at GoComics.com

From Mike Luckovich at the Atlanta Journal and Constitution

Show some leg Maru!

I prefer the handsome cat at the right...

(Photo from "Cats that Look Like Pin-Up Girls")

Jewelry making is my prozac...

The pictures here say it all...

Still at a loss for words...

I am still at a loss for words of what happened last Friday. It was totally senseless and tragic. I am still fighting back tears.

Mood: Sad  : (

Happy Thanksgiving!

Things I am Thankful For...

I am thankful for my family, friends,and my cat Spot.
I am thankful that I have a roof over my head.
I am thankful that I still have a job in this economy.
I am thankful that I still have my good health.

Veterans Day

This article from today's Virginian Pilot, is about those who fought in the Korean War, a war which my late father fought in. He was a Marine who fought in the Chosin Reservoir and barely made it out alive. Veteran's Day is a day of remembrance for those who have fought and are still fighting for the freedoms that we often take for granted. In honor of my father and all veterans.


 http://hamptonroads.com/2012/11/unforgotten-war-never-ends

Action figures and Lego Mini Figures

Over thirty years of collecting and still going strong.

On the top of my computer sits a massive array of action figures and Lego Mini Figures. I first started collecting action figures when I was about six or seven. I took an interest in the Star Wars action figures, because everyone at school was so into them. I had figures from both Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back, which I played with constantly. Around the time Return of the Jedi came out, I kind of lost interest in action figures and seemed to care more about Care Bears, Hello Kitty and sticker collecting. Three years later (1986), a Masters of the Universe action figure caught my eye: The Sorceress. I would watch both He-Man and She-Ra after school. She-Ra was okay, but He-Man was cooler. I especially liked The Sorceress and it was rare to see an action figure of her, so I bought her with my allowance money.

For the next eleven years, my action figure collecting was dormant (I had other interests: clothing, alternative music, art, and I was going to college). Around 1997, new Star Wars figures came out and I wanted to collect again. I snatched up Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Yoda, Boba Fett, and other characters. Sadly this collecting was short lived, due to tight funds (I was going to grad school) and other things going on in my life.

Over the past several years, I started to collect action figures again-primarily female action figures. I always liked comic book heroines (i.e. Wonder Woman), they took me to far away places. I ended up with a giant sized Wonder Woman and various D.C. Comic heroines such as Black Canary, Supergirl, Big Barda, Wonder Girl and Hawkgirl. I also have Marvel heroines including Psylocke, Spider Woman, Scarlet Witch, Phoenix, and Storm. I am still on the lookout for female action figures, but they are hard to find in a male action figure dominated world.

Recently I have taken a liking towards Lego Mini Figures. I have been buying them at Walgreen's, Wal-Mart, and Five Below. They come in a mystery/surprise bag, so you don't know what figure you are getting (I have gotten duplicates and triplicates in some instances), but it's the fun part (what figure I am going get? I hope it's Poseidon.) I bought my first one (a computer geek) at Walgreen's two months ago, after I had a stressful day at work. I have not stopped since: I have twelve mini figures.

Why I am I compelled to collect? I think it's because it gives me a sense of solace and comfort, it's something that calms me down and even brightens my day. It reminds of the King of the Hill episode where Hank volunteers to take his mom and her friends to Port Aransas, where they go see the miniature museum there. Hank can't understand why his mom has always been into miniatures, the miniature artist explains to him that "women are often times sad and lonely and that miniatures are sometimes the only thing that prevents them from losing their sanity." I will always collect whether it is comic book heroines or mystery Lego people.

Cat sings the Game of Thrones theme song

Even though I do not watch the Game of Thrones, I thought this video was cute:

Mood: Tired

Background noise: A/C blasting, thundering outside, and snoring cat

Mom...

If my Mom took better care of herself physically and mentally, I think she would have been here to celebrate her 80th birthday today. My relationship with Mom was full of ups and downs, mostly the latter. There were some good moments, but very few. She did do some good things for me, such as assisting me on filling out the financial aid forms for college. She was a very good cook and talented artist. In the final years of her life, we did not get along well, and I had a nasty falling out with her two months before she died. I only got to talk to her on the phone three days before she died, but she was half asleep and I could barely understand what she was saying. This upcoming October will mark twelve years since she passed.

Like I mentioned before, she was a good cook. My favorite dish she prepared was, barbeque chicken and coleslaw. In honor of her, I prepared some barbeque chicken and coleslaw for dinner earlier tonight. Happy Birthday Mom, I miss you.

Mom, 1957.

It's just hair!

In recent news (or what would be called news), Miley Cyrus shorn her long blond locks for a close cropped pixie cut. Comments regarding her new do have been ranging from positive to downright nasty and negative. It seems every time when a woman (famous or not) gets her hair cut very short, she is derided for being too masculine or butch looking.

Two and a half years ago, I decided to cut my hair short in a boyish/pixie style. I did it on a whim one Saturday afternoon after I got sick of hair falling in my face during silver jewelry-making class. Even though I had worn my hair over thirty years in a variety of lengths: long to medium to pageboy bob and back to long-I have always wanted to get a short haircut, but was always afraid to. Reasons ranged from fearing it would not look good on me, that others would hate it, and I was always told by my late mother, that long hair was a "woman's crown and glory." I took the plunge anyway, and it looked good.

I got a lot of positive comments saying that my short haircut made me look younger and that it uplifted my facial features more. And of course, I did get some negative comments saying that my short hair made me look too much like a boy or I looked "butch." I did get called "sir" several times too (both unintentionally and intentionally), but I did not let it bother me. It's just fucking hair, one should wear it any length they want without being criticized for it.

I kept it short for over two years. Last summer I even got a buzz cut-the shortest I have ever worn my hair and it looked and felt good (especially on those 100 degree days).  Recently, I have decided out of my own volition to take a break from hair cuts and grow out my hair. One of the drawbacks of having short hair, were the razor bumps on the back of my neck from the hair clippers, which were really irritating. And having my hair cut every other month was starting to strain my tight budget. Despite all that, I have no regrets in getting my hair cut short.

Right now, my hair length is still considered short, but my hair is growing out in feathery waves and is curling at the back of the neck. Whenever I shake my head, my hair bounces. I don't know if I will grow out it to medium length or even have it long again (I have been thinking of ponytail length though). It's just hair-your hair, not anybody else's: it can be worn any length you want-long or short, it will always grow back.

Urban Outfitters

A couple of days ago Urban Outfitters opened in downtown Norfolk to much fanfare.  From what I heard, UO sells trendy, eyebrow raising clothes at high prices, as well as unique books and novelty items. Even though the stuff there might be overpriced and not my cup of tea, I decided to give the place a look earlier today.

The store was located in the old A.A. Adams building (I used to go to Relative Theory records on the second floor several years ago). The building was done in a very funky industrial way with exposed steel beams and brick, which I kind of liked. Even though I was impressed with the building, I was not impressed with the clothing and shoes: they were way overpriced and were of cheap-flimsy quality. I was not going to pay $42 for a sleeveless Joy Division "Unknown Pleasures" T-shirt or $34 for a t-shirt I can see my hand through-HELL NO! I know that this is not saying much, but Wal-Mart, Target, and Old Navy have better quality clothing than what UO has and for a much affordable price. The jeans and pants at UO only went up to size 10 (I am a size 14) and most of the clothes were aimed at a younger crowd (backless dresses, Daisy Duke shorts, bustiers-not for this near 40 year old).

Even though I was unimpressed with the clothing, UO had a great selection of unique books and items. The books included "100 Years of Fashion," "Dads are Hipsters," "The Stoner Book," and "What the F*@# I Should Cook for Dinner?" (a cookbook with curse words). I got "How 2 Be Awsum: A Lolcat Guide to Life" a book by the creators of  I Can Haz Cheezburger for $12 (my 'big' purchase). There were some really cool items such as vinyl records, a record turntable with USB ports, posters, a iPod dock that looked like a classic boom box, and a digital camera that looked like the old fashioned flash camera with the flash cube.

All three levels of the store were packed-mostly people browsing out of curiosity like me. When I checked out I got a reusable shop bag. Upon leaving, I headed towards MacArthur Mall and went to Eddie Bauer and got a ribbed black tanktop (lot better quality than UO) for $9.95 on sale (regular price $15.95).

The reusable shopping bag.

My big purchase, that book made me laugh out loud.

Shrinky Dinks

As a child growing up thirty-some years ago, I was always working on some arts and crafts project, whether it was drawing the planets on copier paper that my father brought home, or playing with Shrinky Dinks. I remember getting my first kit (Christmas 1978?) which was a Super Friends playset. I had a ball coloring Wonder Woman, Bat Girl, and Superman; then watching them shrink in the oven. I had several Shrinky Dinks kits throughout my childhood, including Snoopy and Garfield. There would be often blank scraps left over in which I would draw various doodles on them and watch them shrink. I still have a couple shrunken Garfields, a shrunken Wonder Woman, and a Charlie Brown which are now homemade refrigerator magnets.

My interest in Shrinky Dinks reignited when I saw a craft article in Bust Magazine talking about how to make jewelry with them. I knew I had to try it. I went to Michael's and got some Shrinky Dink paper (both clear and frosted). I created various geometric shapes with designs or with just plain solid colors, and used a standard hole puncher to create holes. I used both colored pencils and permanent marker with the frosted paper and got good results. I could only use permanent marker with the clear paper, but it proved troublesome because the ink had a hard time spreading out smoothly.  This created a textured effect after shrinking, but nonetheless it gives the effect of stained glass.

It was fun watching the cut-out shapes shrink in the toaster oven, it brought back childhood memories. All I got to do is attach jump rings to shrunken shapes. I might use them for bracelet or necklace charms.

The Shrinky Dink charms of various shapes, sizes, and designs.

Close up of the shrunken charms.

Just like stained glass.

Mulder

I have been feeling a little down today, because three years ago my cat Mulder died of kitty cancer. He and his brother Spot adopted me and my ex-boyfriend twelve summers (years) ago. He was the most charming and playful fellow you would ever meet (he would touch my nose with his cold nose, he would play with my hair and even try to eat it).  Both me and Spot greatly miss him, but life goes on. This picture was taken a month before he passed away.

Mulder Smith

Born: June 1, 2000 -- Died: July 17, 2009

Sidelined

I have not had the chance to really blog. I have been dealing with a skin infection that has been painful off and on. I won't go into too much detail though. The hot weather does not like my skin. I wish today's medical care was more personable and not so rush, rush, though.

My door lock was finally fixed last week (last Monday), in which a new lock was installed. In other news, I rearranged my small apartment for better efficiency and to make it appear less cluttered. I have been paying the bills and trying to save money here and there. I am trying to make more time for artwork and jewelry making. I did make some glass and plastic bead elastic bracelets, two Saturdays ago when I was having minor aches and could not sleep.

I need to start taking better care of myself. Especially watching what I eat-I am starting to gain weight again. I need to relax more: artwork, more sleep time, hot baths, spending time with Spot, reading, and yoga.

Light Show: Part Two

I got to see the Fourth of July fireworks up close last week, for the first time in nine years. The last time I saw them up close was at the Virginia Beach oceanfront in 2003. After that, seeing fireworks was hit or miss: I could barely seem them from my second or third floor apartment windows due to trees and buildings obscuring them or the fireworks were not shot high enough. I finally got a chance to see them up close this year off the Hague (Elizabeth) River. I tried taking pictures first, but couldn't get a good shot. I finally got some awesome video footage shot off from my cell phone.

Best I could get on photo, the Hague lit up bright red when this firework went off.

 

The fireworks on cell phone video. The Hague was a variety of colors.

Screaming Yellow Zonkers

Something caught my eye earlier this evening at Walgreen's. It was a box of  Screaming Yellow Zonkers. I haven't seen a box of Screaming Yellow Zonkers in twenty years. It was one of my favorite childhood snacks. It was also my late mother's favorite snack. I loved the sweet buttery flavor.

I would always see Screaming Yellow Zonkers in the snack aisle of the neighborhood grocery store, then one day they disappeared. I never saw a box of the yellow and buttery popcorn snack again, until this evening. I had to pick up a box.

Brings back childhood memories.

Made me smile after a frustrating day.

Light Show

Last night, lightning was abound. There was some rain and wind, but plenty of lightning. It was like watching  a light show. I tried to take pictures, but it was next to impossible. I decided to use the video camera function of my cell phone. It was very hard to catch the lightning on video, because it was kind of "blink and you miss it." Sorry for the poor sideways quality of the video.

What's for dinner?

This is what's for dinner: veggie nachos made with fresh green onions and jalapeno peppers, mushrooms, sliced grape tomatoes, black olives, cheese, and tortilla chips. It took me about twenty minutes to cut up all the vegetables and fifty-nine seconds in the microwave to heat the nachos. Along with a side of mild salsa, the nachos made a good, tasty, and filling meal.

Yummy!!

Try outrunning this...

I got off work at 4:30, right when the thunderstorm warning was announced. As I walked home, dark clouds were approaching behind me and they seemed to be gaining speed.

I was making good time, I seemed to be a step ahead of the storm, even though the wind was picking up and the temperatures were dropping.

As I was approaching home, I felt little drops of rain and heard the distant rumbling of thunder. I was still hoping to outrun this storm coming up on my heels. I finally made it inside, when it started to downpour with hail and heavy wind. The thunder and lightning  was very intense. Good thing I outran this storm and got to watch it from my apartment window.

Happy Father's Day...

Happy Father's Day, Dad!! I miss you!!

Dad and me: September, 1983

Mood: a little sad
Background noise: birds chirping and singing

Return to sender...

I am still getting mail from the previous tenants (I moved to my new digs in March). Most of the mail consists of  credit card bills, cell phone bills, and medical bills. I am bit annoyed and a little mystified by this. I wonder if the people who lived here before me moved to elude the bill collectors. I have been writing "RETURN TO SENDER" on the envelopes and mailing them back, but their bills keep on coming. Friends and family suggested contacting my property manager to see if they have a forwarding address and contacting the post office to stop their mail from being sent.

A fitting song to this post.

Secret Garden

Last Monday I had a stressful day and a stressful bus ride in which I do not want to get into the details. When I got off the bus, I had to de-stress and calm down. I came upon a flower garden that was well tucked away behind a shopping center. It reminded of a tiny flower garden behind the admissions building in college years ago, that I would go to in order to get away from it all. The sight of flowers has a calming effect on me and I could not resist to take pictures.

Violet lilies covered in raindrops.

Little pink flowers.

Cone-flowers and other wildflowers.

Pearl in an oyster.

Big Ass Cat

I took this picture of Spot the other day. One can notice he is a very large and big boned cat (but not fat) and he loves to ham it up for the camera.  With this picture, I just couldn't help but be reminded of Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres' painting, La Grande Odalisque. You can make the comparison:

Spot showing off his big backside

La grande odalisque

I'm back...

I finally got a new cell phone a couple of weeks ago and I have been taking pictures whenever I see something interesting.

Earlier this week, I found this graffiti cat while walking through a boulevard underpass. A very whimsical looking cat that kind of put a smile on my face.

What's up?

No Cell Phone Photos for Now

Due to dropping my cell numerous times in the past year, my cell phone display has died. I can still make and receive calls, but I cannot text or take pictures which sucks. I have to wait a few months before I am eligible for an upgrade, and because of that-I will be taking photos with a Kodak Fun Saver until then. Here is a colorful sunset photo that I took from my apartment window, using the Fun Saver.

Waiting for your next move

Every now and then I play games on Facebook. One of the games I play is "Words with Friends." It is one of my favorite games. Even though online games can be addicting, I find them to be fun and relaxing-especially after a rough, hectic day. Often my cat Spot loves to sit on my lap while I am on the computer. He happened to be on my lap one day while I was playing "Words with Friends."  Every now and then, he tries to get on the keyboard and hits the space key with his paw-pretending to type. He did this while I was playing-it looks like he's the one playing.

I am waiting for your next move and please hurry up. I need to make a trip to the litter box.

Springtime in bloom

Blooming tree in front of an apartment building.

Blossoming branches, reminds of a Van Gogh painting of branches.

Close-up of blossoms

Tree blossoms along side of a road