it's been one of those weeks...

I've been feeling decidedly discouraged. No single event brought this on, just all the circumstances of life combined I guess. I'm looking forward to some good news one of these days... and to feeling like our life is in a forward motion and not so much a standstill.

Last week I finished listening to "I, Robot" (Isaac Asimov). It was very good, although much different than the movie. I really don't even see why they share a title. They are both good, but just very different. The book is composed of short stories, some of which involve same characters and all of which have to do with the struggle between robots and humanity to co-exist. It's a very good book. Now I'm listening to "the Colorado Kid" by Steven King; I haven't decided what I think yet.

The "Lost" season finale was last night (complete with a 15 minute power outage during it due to the storm). That show never ceases to amaze me... and irritate me.:) I think every episode creates more questions than it answers. I don't know how they'll possibly ever get everything to make sense. It's pretty crazy and very good. It has to be the most intricate tv show ever created.

At work yesterday a customer sarcastically said to me: "well aren't you friendly and smiley today." Not quite sure how to respond I said: "what do you mean by that?" At which point she gave me this annoyed look and said: "you're just very cold." This was after a very brief buy interchange in which I had just been my normal self and was just doing my job. I found it incredible that she felt she could pass that kind of judgment on me after we had only spoken a few words to each other (not to mention the fact that she didn't seem like much of a peach herself and knows nothing of my personality or my life). I'm not sure what she expected me to be like. I realize I'm not the smiliest or bubbliest person you'll meet, but I always strive to meet customers needs and to be friendly in my own way. I was glad that the other employees standing in the vicinity of the incident had no idea what triggered the woman's statement and thought she was out of line. Customer service is always interesting. People never cease to amaze me.:)

Sorry this is a bit of an eclectic post. I was having a hard time formulating my thoughts so I figured I'd just include it all.:) I'm looking forward to hitting up Chicago and the Green Festival this weekend. I feel ready to get away for a couple days and do something different. Chicago is always a good time and we've planned in some "chilling out" time, so that will be nice.:) 3 days off from work!

here's what's been happening...

Today I went to my chirpractor for the 5th time in two weeks. I've been having some issues with my right shoulder, which had dramatically increased in the past couple of months. So a couple weeks ago I finally decided I'd better get it dealt with. After explaining the issues I was having, Dr. Fuller determined the problem. Some sort of miscommunication between my brain and the nerves in my shoulder... I don't fully understand it, but my right shoulder was incredibly weak and He said if I didn't get it dealt with, it could lead to rotator cuff issues. Anyway, long story short, 4 cold laser sessions and several adjustments later, my shoulder feels better than it has in many months. I still have some sore muscles, but the improvement is so drastic, and with a little massaging my muscles will feel better too. I stand squarely behind chiropractics!:)

Friday evening we had the first Friday open studio night at the Harrison Center. I always enjoy these evenings. It's a bit hectic (going straight after work and everything else) but it's worth the effort. I don't often sell much, but the opportunity to talk to the general public and get feedback on my art is something I've really come to appreciate. Ashley (my sister-in-law) also displayed some jewelry and book arts in my studio on Friday, which was fun. My new studio is working out pretty well, and I enjoy my new studio-mate Allison. I have several new painting ideas mulling around in my head (a few Edgar Allen Poe inspired ones) and I'm getting excited to get back in my studio and produce some new work. Time has been a bit scarce with our move and everything else that has been going on.

In other news, I finished listenting to "Rosemary's Baby" (Ira Levin). I was riveted. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The writing style was very effective for the kind of book it is. Levin builds suspense well. I knew aspects of the story, but not the whole thing. It was interesting the way he would give clues of what was to come and you just wanted Rosemary to know what you were slowly figuring out.:) I checked the movie out from work to watch (incidentally Mia Farrow read the book on cd and is also Rosemary in the movie); I'm pretty excited about watching it.:) Next up, I will be listening to "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov. Luke recently read this book, and really enjoyed it. From what I hear, the movie took a great deal of liberties so I'm interested listen to it and see the differences.

Hope anyone reading this is doing well!:)

the commute...

Now that we're living on the southside, I'm spending alot more time in the car driving to and from work. This is probably the primary downside of our move, but it's a small price to pay to be able to use this house for the time being. In order to make the drive more bearable, I've been listening to books on cd. I've always enjoyed passing time in the car this way and Luke and I often listen to books on cd whenever we are driving any sort of distance.

A couple weeks ago I listened to, "I like you: Hospitality under the Infuence" by Amy Sedaris. It was very humorous and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Amy Sedaris is extremely witty (although somewhat crass at times) and while the book is hilarious, it also offers some helpful tips and interesting party ideas.:) Last week I listened to, "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Arthur C. Clark. It was a great listen. I really like the movie and was interested to to hear the book that it was based off of. The forward offered an interesting aspect to the book and movie combo; apparently Stanley Kubrick (who directed the movie) decided that he wanted to make a sci-fi movie about man's place in the universe and so he came to Clark and requested that he write a book for him to make movie out of. Kubrick was pretty involved in the writing of the book. From what I understand they were writing the screenplay at the same time as the book. I just found it interesting that the book was written in order to make a movie. Anyway, the book is great and it makes a great companion to the movie. Where the movie is somewhat vague and mysterious, the book goes into detail about the thought processes of David Bowman & Hal etc. Both are excellent by themselves, but together they make a great pair.:)

This week I'm listening to "Rosemary's Baby" by Ira Levin. I'll let you kow how it is.:) I love that my work let's us check things; we usually have a decent selection of books on cd, so I should have plenty to report on in the coming months.:)