So I spent this past weekend in the hospital. Thankfully I was discharged Monday night and have been slowly recovering. I don't talk about my shaky health much, but I know that some people have been wondering what has happened to me.
The short answer is "a lot." But I don't like to dwell on such things. I am doing fine despite all the random difficulties I have encountered. Life gets like that sometimes. :)
Anyway, I have been getting my thoughts organized for a productive year of crafting. I am still hammering out my projects.
For instance, I have several scarves that need embellishment of some kind before they make it into my etsy store. I need to pick up some lace-weight wool and experiment with borders. I also have some vague ideas regarding embroidering or beading them. I guess I need to assemble some materials and have a "finishing party" of sorts.
I am also picking up beading a bit more. I have a couple beginner's projects lined up. I am saving money up for the supplies since I am a bit short on cash at the moment (aren't we all?). I plan on making some rings and bracelets.
I also need to get off my lazy butt and make some stitch holders/earrings for the store. :)
Also saving up for Adobe Suite CS4 so that I can get the new version of Flash. I want to do more Flash development for my chumby (and just more illustration/animation work for my portfolio as well).
Other than that, I just have to get my cello lessons arranged so that I can get back into music. Poor Saika has been sitting in her case too much!
So Santa was quite the amazing fellow this year; he gave me a chumby despite the fact I am nearly 25 years old! I guess that he understands why such an amazing gadget was on my wishlist! So what is a chumby? It's a nifty friend for my computer!
So this is my "virtual" chumby. My real chumby is black... this one is white and beige. It is displaying my default channel. I am still refining it; its mainly a bunch of clocks that I like and a flickr feed. Right now I am trying to figure out how to start developing my own applications. I may have to save up for a CS4 upgrade. :(
I also need to upgrade my flickr account, but most likely not for another couple of months due to finances (I am thinking March). Seems like nearly everything needs an upgrade at this point! :P
In no particular order...
- Practice Saika for 14+ hours a week.
- Take cello lessons twice a month.
- Paint and complete at least three dolls.
- Learn to make jewelry.
- Knit or crochet more.
- Program at least one cool widget for my chumby.
- Play Wii Fit every day (start off with 10 minutes, work up to 20).
- Loose inches on my waist (weight is less important to me... BMI is 24 atm).
- Improve my diet.
- Save up for a condo in Massachusetts.
Somebody has been sharing too much with me. I've had 2 sinus infections in a row!
And I've discovered that my domain didn't get auto-renewed 2 years ago even though I've had it set up that way for nearly 10 years. SIGH. Looks like I shall need to find a new domain. Oh well.
Bad luck!
Today I got hired to make a website. Its been awhile since I've been directly approached with a contract. I accepted it of course. I want to get back into the business pretty badly.
So I just set up my server and reclaimed my old domain, idrial.com. It should be pointing at the new server shortly. However, I am going to be beta testing the new website extensively before it launches. Its going to be a content driven, portal-based experience. I know that is pretty vague. ^___^
There is currently no ETA seeing how I am putting Holiday tasks as my top priority.
I hand-make my gifts so you can imagine how little free time I have after Thanksgiving. Its worth it though! :)
And since I have been building servers all day long I think its a good time to take a break...
I recently have had the privilege of trialing a KB cello. Right now I am still collecting my thoughts for a formal review, but I thought I would at least comment briefly and include some photographs. An appetizer of sorts. :-)
I should start off with a disclaimer: I name my instruments like they are pets or family members. I also name my cars. Its a quirk I have.
I have named the KB 'Saika' - means 'a flower full of color' in Japanese. I feel this name suits her well since her voice is exceptional despite her age. Her primary attraction is how comfortable and responsive she is to play. I don't find finger exercises tedious anymore... in fact I have been playing several over and over to appreciate the differences between her and my student cello (who I named Clara in grade school). Her voice is much stronger, clearer, and richer than Clara.
I am unsure how old Clara is. I know it is most likely about 20 or so years old. The KB sounds several levels above my other cello and I couldn't be happier. The KB has certainly inspired me to be serious about cello again. I am very excited and pleased with my purchase.
Below is the facebook album I have dedicated to her. I will continue to add to this album. I have also created a Vox collection of course. I am too broke to upgrade my flickr account. :P
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2201818&l=14cdb&id=11500493
I managed to give her a photo shoot when I was visiting my in-laws in Portland. Feedback on the photographs would be lovely. I am a amateur photographer of sorts. I had about 10 minutes of sunlight left so I was clicking as fast as I could ;)
I will certainly write a more lengthy review later; I have to admit writing this post simply gave me the urge to go play Saika some more!
My latest good find at my local super market. No, these aren't for any kids of mine. These are the perfect dessert for my bento lunch. And of course these are a much healthier variation on the brand I consumed back in the '90s.
I struggle a bit with chronic nausea. I pretty much have had to cut coffee out of my diet because my stomach cannot handle it. I found this variety of Yogi Green Tea today and I am already hooked. It is the best green tea blend I have ever tasted. It has a minty berry flavor that has appealed to me even when I felt my worst. So a perfect score for keeping my grumpy tummy happy all day.
INGREDIENTS:
Organic Green Tea Leaf, Organic Hibiscus Flower, Organic Peppermint Leaf, Organic Orange Flavor, Pomegranate Juice Powder, Stevia Leaf, Organic Raspberry Flavor, Organic Blueberry Flavor, Organic Pomegranate Flavor, Organic Burdock Root, Organic Dandelion Root.
I have been drinking Yogi Teas for years, but for some reason I hadn't noticed how many new flavors they have. I love the green tea blends, especially the mint one. I have been blending mint and green tea for years. And they have COCO BEAN TEA! I will certainly have to pick that one up the moment I am back at the grocery store.
Hello all,
Thanks for your patience during my small break. I took some time off due to a death in the family but now I am working in high gear towards the launch of my new and improved website. It will include: a blog, wiki, forums, an etsy/ebay shop, and more surprise features!
So please continue enjoying my vox in the meanwhile.
-Iris
