This is a Long One...
Well... where to begin...
This summer has been hugely eventful. In fact, in retrospect (even tho' there's still a month left of it), it has been the most exciting, exhausting, and downright busy summer I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. To avoid confusion, I've broken this entry into categories.
1. Work
Firstly (altho' not necessarily most importantly), I finally got off my ass and found myself a real job. Well, technically working for the Schumachers is a real job (that's the bookkeeping/accounting for all y'all who don't know), but only because they take out taxes. I'm only there 1 day a week, so it barely covers rent. Aside from the bookkeeping, I draw portraits and do promotion for 2 different promotion companies and work a jewellery booth at renaissance faires. It's a little hectic, but apparently it just wasn't enough. So I found another real job: Hot Topic.
Now Hot Topic is awesome. The people are awesome. I work in a basement (which is awesome). I get to stand around all shift organising things and talking with people about music (which is also awesome). The only part that is not so awesome is the scheduling... I only work there 2 days a week, and every week (without fail) they schedule me to work one of the few days that I have other plans... like going to the premier of a movie that Matt and I were extras in or working the jewellery booth at Ren Faire. And it's not that I haven't notified them waaaayyyy in advance (becasue I have); it's just frustrating to have to call up at least one co-worker a week to ask if I can switch my shift.
This has been going on for the past 3 months, so I finally broke down, discussed my school schedule with my manager, and realised that I might have to quit. Which would suck, but it sure as heck beats constantly stressing over scheduling. We're still working it out, and I have hope, but sadness could ensue.
In good news, however, working the jewellery booth at the Scottish Highland Games last weekend kicked ass. Matt and I made twice as much $ as we hoped for, and Matt bought shiney pointy toys... and wore a kilt. ;)
2. Home
So I've been wanting to steal Megan away from Ohio for a while... and I finally did!!! Her friends and family will probably hate me forever (except for her mum who is cool and Bridget who is also cool), but it was soooooo worth it. :)
The dynamic has been interesting ever since Megan moved in, but I wouldn't change it for anything. :) She's an excellent cook, she cleans as much as I do, and she and Matt get along really well. Also, I get to see her pretty much every day, which is a definite improvement from the cross-country friendship thing. It was a little crazy and frustrating at first, kuz she was having a heck of a time finding a job (which is just insane, since she's overqualified for pretty much everything), but she finally found one! Working for a Catholic housing service of all places, and making about $19/hr. :) Yay Megan!
3. School
This coming semestre will be a little crazy, because it's the beginning of my senior year, and I probably won't have much time for socialising or working or much of anything else. I'm majoring in oil painting and photography, and I will need models, so if you're available, please let me know.
As many of you might remember, I had a bit of a problem coming up with tuition for this coming year, but my grandmother (the one who's still alive) came thru beautifully. I will write her a lovely thank you letter and also send her lots of art, because she sent me $2000!!! For those of you who can count, that still leaves me a grand short of tuition, and about $4000 short of supplies, but I figure I can cover the rest with a private loan. I'm just glad first semestre is covered. :)
4. Art
Artistically, I've been slipping this summer. Due in part to extended travel, insane amounts of work, and general laziness when I'm not crazy-busy; I have not had the time to do nearly as much art as I was hoping. The canvases that I built last semsetre remain un-gessoed. I haven't drawn out any composition studies. The only photographs I've taken have been informal or on the road back from Cleveland. In fact, pretty much all I have accomplished artistically has been as a model for a few photo shoots, the photographer for one, and the completion of another ageing series (Miss Mexico). Overall, a little disappointing, but better than nothing, considering the craziness.
5. Love
Matt is my favourite. That's about all there is to it. I have never been happier, more stable, or more excited about the future. He has been nothing but supportive and comfy and fun, and I look forward to waking up to his beautiful face every day (or as many as we can manage) for the rest of my life. And I love sex. :)
6. Leisure
Not that I have much time for it, but when I do, you can find me playing Tetris on my cell phone (I'm only slightly obsessive) or watching Carnivale. Megan got me hooked on the first season, so I've been watching seasons 1 and 2 simultaneously with Megan and Matt respectively.
Fortunately, I get to go to Hawaii with Matt's family! I was afraid that work would interfere, but it didn't. :) It also means I get to buy my first 2-piece bathing suit... or Matt gets to buy it for me... the details are a little fuzzy... hee hee...
7. Life in General
It's been almost a month since my grandmother died, and the emotions are settling a little. It's still strange around my parents' place (they're remodelling, and my grandfather picked up and left), but they seem at peace, and happy with their lives, so that is well and good.
I see my favourite brother around occasionally, and he seems to be doing well, so I'm happy for him.
Overall, I'm a little stressed and really busy. But it's a productive kind of stress, so it's okay. If anyone's been worrying about me, stop it, kuz I'm good. And if I haven't contacted you in a while, please don't take offense, kuz I'm doing the best I can. I send love and hugs to anyone who wants them.*
This summer has been hugely eventful. In fact, in retrospect (even tho' there's still a month left of it), it has been the most exciting, exhausting, and downright busy summer I've ever had the pleasure of encountering. To avoid confusion, I've broken this entry into categories.
1. Work
Firstly (altho' not necessarily most importantly), I finally got off my ass and found myself a real job. Well, technically working for the Schumachers is a real job (that's the bookkeeping/accounting for all y'all who don't know), but only because they take out taxes. I'm only there 1 day a week, so it barely covers rent. Aside from the bookkeeping, I draw portraits and do promotion for 2 different promotion companies and work a jewellery booth at renaissance faires. It's a little hectic, but apparently it just wasn't enough. So I found another real job: Hot Topic.
Now Hot Topic is awesome. The people are awesome. I work in a basement (which is awesome). I get to stand around all shift organising things and talking with people about music (which is also awesome). The only part that is not so awesome is the scheduling... I only work there 2 days a week, and every week (without fail) they schedule me to work one of the few days that I have other plans... like going to the premier of a movie that Matt and I were extras in or working the jewellery booth at Ren Faire. And it's not that I haven't notified them waaaayyyy in advance (becasue I have); it's just frustrating to have to call up at least one co-worker a week to ask if I can switch my shift.
This has been going on for the past 3 months, so I finally broke down, discussed my school schedule with my manager, and realised that I might have to quit. Which would suck, but it sure as heck beats constantly stressing over scheduling. We're still working it out, and I have hope, but sadness could ensue.
In good news, however, working the jewellery booth at the Scottish Highland Games last weekend kicked ass. Matt and I made twice as much $ as we hoped for, and Matt bought shiney pointy toys... and wore a kilt. ;)
2. Home
So I've been wanting to steal Megan away from Ohio for a while... and I finally did!!! Her friends and family will probably hate me forever (except for her mum who is cool and Bridget who is also cool), but it was soooooo worth it. :)
The dynamic has been interesting ever since Megan moved in, but I wouldn't change it for anything. :) She's an excellent cook, she cleans as much as I do, and she and Matt get along really well. Also, I get to see her pretty much every day, which is a definite improvement from the cross-country friendship thing. It was a little crazy and frustrating at first, kuz she was having a heck of a time finding a job (which is just insane, since she's overqualified for pretty much everything), but she finally found one! Working for a Catholic housing service of all places, and making about $19/hr. :) Yay Megan!
3. School
This coming semestre will be a little crazy, because it's the beginning of my senior year, and I probably won't have much time for socialising or working or much of anything else. I'm majoring in oil painting and photography, and I will need models, so if you're available, please let me know.
As many of you might remember, I had a bit of a problem coming up with tuition for this coming year, but my grandmother (the one who's still alive) came thru beautifully. I will write her a lovely thank you letter and also send her lots of art, because she sent me $2000!!! For those of you who can count, that still leaves me a grand short of tuition, and about $4000 short of supplies, but I figure I can cover the rest with a private loan. I'm just glad first semestre is covered. :)
4. Art
Artistically, I've been slipping this summer. Due in part to extended travel, insane amounts of work, and general laziness when I'm not crazy-busy; I have not had the time to do nearly as much art as I was hoping. The canvases that I built last semsetre remain un-gessoed. I haven't drawn out any composition studies. The only photographs I've taken have been informal or on the road back from Cleveland. In fact, pretty much all I have accomplished artistically has been as a model for a few photo shoots, the photographer for one, and the completion of another ageing series (Miss Mexico). Overall, a little disappointing, but better than nothing, considering the craziness.
5. Love
Matt is my favourite. That's about all there is to it. I have never been happier, more stable, or more excited about the future. He has been nothing but supportive and comfy and fun, and I look forward to waking up to his beautiful face every day (or as many as we can manage) for the rest of my life. And I love sex. :)
6. Leisure
Not that I have much time for it, but when I do, you can find me playing Tetris on my cell phone (I'm only slightly obsessive) or watching Carnivale. Megan got me hooked on the first season, so I've been watching seasons 1 and 2 simultaneously with Megan and Matt respectively.
Fortunately, I get to go to Hawaii with Matt's family! I was afraid that work would interfere, but it didn't. :) It also means I get to buy my first 2-piece bathing suit... or Matt gets to buy it for me... the details are a little fuzzy... hee hee...
7. Life in General
It's been almost a month since my grandmother died, and the emotions are settling a little. It's still strange around my parents' place (they're remodelling, and my grandfather picked up and left), but they seem at peace, and happy with their lives, so that is well and good.
I see my favourite brother around occasionally, and he seems to be doing well, so I'm happy for him.
Overall, I'm a little stressed and really busy. But it's a productive kind of stress, so it's okay. If anyone's been worrying about me, stop it, kuz I'm good. And if I haven't contacted you in a while, please don't take offense, kuz I'm doing the best I can. I send love and hugs to anyone who wants them.*