So much for bucking up

Buck Up

It's Monday mid-morning...but I still look like it's 7 am or something.  Look and feel like it.  Meh.

The painting is up for The Lorflor Project, my Monday post for Lorien Original is giving me grief, so I am putting it off til the end of the day,  I have bills to pay and checks to write...and I have very important work to get done today so this feeling crappy really can't be happening.  Deadlines are deadlines and when your Client is in town from their Canadian home for a very limited time...you can't take them lightly. 

So I'll just watch this a few more times then buck up.

This past week

Going backwards: today has been a very anti-productive day.  Sometimes my body and brain disintegrate and I become rather useless.  After getting back from a night on the Salt Flats...I pretty much became confined to that mode all day and I don't think I took enough Advil this evening.

But the sunrise was amazing.

Friday I had a successful meeting with some Clients - for which I had stayed up until 2:30 the night before preparing.  And with having to wake at six for the meeting....no wonder I turned comatose today.  Although I have been pretty drained this whole week.  Wednesday evening I was so exhausted from the first half of the weeks work events that I went to bed at 8:30 (yeah, yeah - I know you mothers are saying what a luxury I have at being able to go to bed at 8:30).

I am so worn and exhausted - I wonder what vitamin or mineral I am missing.  What it would be like to regularly have energy and a focused mind.  My elbows and knees hurt.  My head.  Sometimes I am just in pain.  And it's tiring.  I have been wanting to drive out to San Francisco to see some gardens - then up the coast to the Redwoods and back to Utah.  But today I was wondering how successful and viable a trip like that would be going alone...this tired business does not make me a good long distance driver, especially if I am solo.  I would probably come back addicted to caffeine.

Monday I rode my friends Ducati for a little bit and realized the Royal Enfield I have had my eyes on for awhile is not the bike I am looking for.  Up into the streets of the Avenues I went. Riding along 11th was awesomely satisfying as the views out over the valley are really great.  I was smiling big the entire time.  I felt great and the bike felt good.  And that was probably the highlight of this week.

My friend has this bike, but in red.  I would love a white one: Ducati Monster 696.

Before and After

Before and After pics of a past project.

And I'm too tired to think of anything else to say.

August

On August 1st I was wishing it was anything but that.  I needed two months of July, back to back.  I wasn't ready for the end to start.  I needed more warm nights and that feeling that summer is never ending. 

I wanted to suspend summer in a jar.  And hold it close.

But today I am smiling because I accept August for what she is, and will make the absolute most of it!  The lid has been opened and summer is fleeting...but I can run with it.

Yeah So

I am not in bed yet and am still surrounded by potentially harmful fumes.  I just have to post this.  Then I'll go.

This was the kid picture wall at my parents house.  It's in the dining room.  Full of typical senior portraits. 

While my parents were away on a four-day trip we modified it a little.

MUCH better.

Much.

Here's the thing

I just finished pouring 64 ounces of epoxy and polyester resin - and now I have in-fumed my living quarters.  It's 10:35 p.m. and I have a long work day tomorrow.  I need my sleep.  I might just have to park it outside and my bathtub just clogged.  I really needed to take that shower.

Well.

I am a happy person.  Sometimes I get worn down.  Sometimes I cry.  Stressed, yes.  But I am a happy person.  I have a work acquaintance who, whenever I ask how he is doing, is never great - or well.  He's always 'hanging in there.'  I know that feeling...just getting by, barely making it, go go go, etc.  But even when I am short of breath and brains due to life circumstances, I am still happy about life and what causes my shortness of breath and brains.  So to always just be getting by, and not really enjoying it - seems like a sad thing.  Maybe it's not always like that for him, maybe it's just like that whenever I call.  Huh.

Well.

I have been enjoying The Lorflor Project and am endlessly grateful for everyone who is participating.  I can't decide which is more stressful - creating the painting or choosing a title.

Choosing a title.

Most definitely.

Speaking of a good nights rest.  I have had my Japanese bed for over a week now.  Oh yes I need to post pics - I should have taken them while it was still functioning as a true-er Japanese bed though.  But now my American queen mattress is on the awesome frame while the tatami mats are against the wall, hopefully all cool-like.  I love the smell of tatami.  I did sleep on the futon on the tatami for a week - but I woke with slight headaches.  I think I was too close to the floor.  So I substituted out the mats and futon for the good old mattress and woke with no headache at all.  So - I might have to save the romantic idea of sleeping on tatami until I return to Japan.  I love the smell of tatami.  I love the feel of tatami.  See that's the thing - to reach out while you are falling asleep and run your fingers across the woven rush is a magical experience.  Bummer.  Maybe I'll try it again in a week.

Maybe they make little tatami squares that I could just keep next to me while I sleep.  Like a blankey.

Well, this resin odor is really starting to get to me.  So wish me luck in finding a place to dream. 

Crit of the week

Critique of the Week @ Lorien Original

So someday soon - maybe tomorrow or Saturday - or Sunday - I'll get around to writing a personal post here.  I need a break from being all business.  I just want to talk.

It's Architecture Tuesday

Architecture Tuesday: the three-point turn