Professional Friend Requests

To accept or deny? I'm having a new etiquette issue of the 21st century. Recently I've gotten a few friend requests on facebook from people I know in the professional world. More specifically, a client of mine and his son. Now, my profession is such that we consult for our client related to development improvements (subdivisions, lot line adjustments, commercial/mixed use developments, local, state and federal agency interface etc) and we deal with things seemingly very important to our client: time, money and property. So, to have my clients on facebook puts me in a strange position. What if I did or said something on facebook that made me look unprofessional? Not that I make it a habit to express embarrassing or immoral behavior, but what if my actions in my personal electronic world had a detrimental affect on my professional world because of this weird online friendship? On the flip side of this, we live in Humboldt County, and I see these people in the real world outside of my work capacity all the time. Grocery store, musical events, even the bar. So, I think my conclusion is that I will accept them as friends, because what would it look like if I denied them? I think it could be more detrimental to our relationship than accepting them. I do have a current goal to watch what I say more often, so maybe this will be a test to my tactless blunt antics that have gotten me in trouble in the past. And maybe I'll stay off facebook a little more.

I'm obsessed

I'm completely consumed with looking at quilty-type blogs and tutorials and all sorts of fabric online and around town am starting to plan my upcoming quilting projects. I'm such a novice at quilting, but I have this overwhelming will to create things that is keeping me motivated. So, I really want to do a zig zag quilt, and have practiced with triangles now on two different compilation quilts (first attempt) but I find that I should probably practice on something a bit smaller before I attempt a large quilt. I have seen experienced quilters recommend making a doll quilt, but alas, I have no children, nor any dolls. And practicing triangles on a quilt that will be a gift seems like too much pressure. I think I'll practice on pillow covers. I have 3 blank pillow forms that have been waiting to be pretty for at least four years now. I've decided my first quilt will be the disappearing 9 patch. It just looks so COOL! I love this one.. I actually keep the link open and stare at it from time to time while I'm at work. Ahhh fabric porn. I get paid in three days and I am planning online fabric shopping craziness! My stash is pretty much non-existant, save for a few stacks of fat quarters and huge piles of muslin I purchased years ago. Next step: set up an actual stash area in my teeny house.

Being crafty again

When I lived at home as a teenager and after I moved out, I made all kinds of things - weird purses, corduroy pants (that I wore constantly), skirts, shorts, blankets, pillows.. then I just stopped. Well, I am pleased to announce that I am ultimately and fully obsessed with sewing again! It's been about a decade. I don't quite know why I stopped, but I won't allow myself to do that again. I am currently making a quilt with a group of awesome crafty friends, and this is only the beginning! I have so many ideas floating around in my brain. So now I need to start saving money for fabric as well as saving for my far-off dream of traveling out of this country. I think my first attempt will be to cover those blank pillows that I purchased years ago that have been stuck in their plastic jo-ann's fabrics bag ever since. Also, I have a pair of pants that are a tad too short that need a bottom cuff so I don't look like I'm waiting for a flood.

I don't think I'll create another blog for my crafts, just because I'm really not sure how much I'll be making and because I hardly blog on this as it is.

These are the four quilt blocks I pumped out last night in an hour. Who knew I could do it so quickly?! It definitely brought my confidence back (even though the pattern is super duper beginner). The fabric is Kathryn's and these blocks will go to her so she can incorporate them into our first compilation quilt. I'm excited to start being crafty again!! Maybe I'll also pick up my poetry that has also been left by the wayside..

The Story: Sleepless In Arcata

The Players:
Mo, the teenage kitten who will stop at nothing
Mason, the eight year old border collie who has lost his cool
Deirdre, the human who wants everything to just work out

The Plot:
Deirdre decides to dog sit for her beloved Mason who is only in her life when his owner goes out of town. This decision has created an 'invasion' into Mo's domain for a weekend, and maybe a week depending on their compatibility...

The Dilemma:
Mo is extremely curious about Mason to the point where he follows him everywhere, and gets so close to the him that he freaks himself out and hisses at Mason. Mason was a good sport about this odd creature at first, and just laid back thinking to himself 'Cat, just go away, OK?' Three days go by, and Mason is having trouble brushing off the cat-turned-devil. Mo watches Mason eat, and tries to drink from his water dish. Mo bats at Mason's unassuming wagging tail, much to Mason's dismay. Mo slowly skirts around Mason's sleeping form to get around him. Mo tries to eat houseplants and when disciplined by Deirdre, also gets an earful from Mason. Mo even wants to play with Mason sometimes, but doesn't quite know how that works with a 'tween cat and a mature dog. Deirdre watches the two interact; however numerous hissing-barking-rash movement bouts later, and Deirdre is fed up.

The Conclusion:
Against Deirdre's desire and to Mo's contentment, Mason will be going to another caretaker until Friday to prevent the likelihood of blood shed - or at least a puncture wound or two. Deirdre is upset - these are the only times she is able to be with Mason, yet her new kitten will not accept this temporary addition to the household.

Officially Boring.

I know hearing about other people's dreams is one of the most boring things, but I've been having some strange and vivid dreams the past couple days. I tend to dream most in the mornings right before I wake up, which I think is pretty common. Oh god I think this blog is going to be boring. Anyways, recently I dreamed I was in Mumbai, India, at night, and I was wearing a sweater because in my dream it gets chilly at night. Mind you, I dreamed about Mumbai (of all places) before I even tuned into NPR to hear all the horrorific news coming from Mumbai. I woke up wondering, Mumbai really is a place, right? And, what is the weather really like in Mumbai at night? I did some research and it does get a wee bit chilly (high 60s at night), especially if you're acclimated to 90 to 100 degree temperatures during the day. Oh yes, this blog is getting more and more boring. What is possessing me to write this? Ok. The last dream I had was this morning and I dreamed I was giving birth. Two big pushes and out comes this sweet baby boy with a full head of dark hair. Nursing came right away with no difficulty. I was just walking around this strange place with outside decks and stairs with my new baby in my arms. Hmm. I do have this maternal clock thing ticking away, that is a given. Officially boring, eh? Here's a funny picture of my current little one, Mr. Mo (short for Mohammed. Just kidding). He just hangs out like this. For real.

My new munchkin!

He loves to look at himself in the mirror, he makes a lot of noise, I think he misses his cage-mates, and he needs a name (and a nap)!

I'm not quite sure where to start, and most of you who read my blog already know, but my sweet kitty boy Spaz was hit by a car last week and is gone from my life now. I am facing, for the first time, truly living alone. Spaz was my buddy for 6 years and was the bestest, most spoiled sweet smart cat ever. He enjoyed his fields too much, and searched far and wide for one after our move to Arcata. He died doing what he loved, and he had a wonderful life with me. It's heartbreaking. We buried Angus our family dog only in February, so this felt all too soon to be doing it again. His grave is among all our other pets up on Humboldt Hill, overlooking the bay and the coastal mountains.

This house feels so lonely and quiet without his presence. Luckily Colin had to go out of town, so I watched Mason the Dog all weekend. It was the greatest solace I could have asked for. His energy was just what I needed in this quiet house. The support and compassion from all of my family and friends was so very appreciated as well. I am truly blessed to have so many loving people in my life and truly blessed to have shared those years with Spaz.

I know it's too soon, but I think after the new year I am going to get two new kitties :) I am a pet person, and just feel normal and whole when I am surrounded by animal energies.

Violated Continued

I just checked my car in more detail. There are actually two dents. One a square-shaped dent about 1.5 inches and another longer dent on the door about 4 inches long. This is not right.

I called and complained, but I am afraid I'll piss the dude off even more, and create more problems. The supervisor said he would talk to the driver. I doubt he will get reprimanded, let alone fired.

Two fucking dents!

Guess I learned my lesson.

Can I make them pay to fix the dents?

Violated

I have been violated because of the ' no less than 3 feet' rule. I wake in the 3am hour this morning to hear the usual recycling and garbage truck lumbering and beeping down my street. Their route is odd, and they cruise the street about 3 or 4 times within the hour, so this morning seemed no different. About the second or third go-round, the truck stopped longer than normal outside my house. I didn't think much of it, but now that I think about it, I felt a malicious feeling coming from my driveway as I heard extra crashing and banging but I didn't think much of it in my sleepy haze. Then Spaz and I fell back asleep, seemingly cozy and safe.

----Four hours later----

Cheery me is walking to my car to go to work for the day (well not so cheery - I am definitely NOT a morning person). I see that my paper recycling container is thrown into the front lawn and my trash can is on it's side on the sidewalk between my car and the hedge. The paper recycling container hit the grass with so much force it actually ripped up some grass in the newly formed plastic crack. I diligently take all my containers to the back porch and get into my car. The righthand side mirror is bent inwards and that's when it hits me. I get out, flip the mirror back to it's rightful place, and that's when I see it. A half-dollar sized dent in my car! The garbage man went postal (pardon the mixed up phrase) and threw my garbage can into my car! My heart starts racing as I realize that I most definitely put my containers too far into the '3-feet zone' and completely pissed off my garbage man. I signed an agreement when I started City of Arcata garbage service, stating clearly that I would not put my containers closer than 3 feet from any person place or thing. It is my fault for not following their rules. But, does that warrant them denting my car? I guess if they don't have the courtesy to leave a note, or maybe do something non-violent to get their 3 feet rule across, perhaps I'll just put something really stinky in the trashcan. Garbage wars. And it's extra scary because they know where I live.

Moved In and Mostly Moved Out

This past month has been very hectic for me - maybe one of the most hectic months in years. I have lived in the same house for 6 years on Humboldt Hill, and I just moved out to a fabulous little house in Arcata just below the park. Six years is a lot to leave, it felt like. I'm pretty much over it now, but I got quite sentimental about abandoning the HH house. A lot of memories took place there, a lot of accomplishments and a few setbacks but all learning experiences, and I essentially grew to maturity while living there (well, my maturity as it is now, I guess). However, this sentimentality has been tainted by the necessity to do a deep clean on the place for the new tenant. Who knew how much ickyness builds up over 6 years! I do now. I've used a lot of bleach (shh, don't tell the enviro-police). And it's not entirely clean yet, either, and there are various errant yard things I need to move still. And not to mention the trash run for old old crap. I can't wait to not be tied to that house anymore.

I am mostly all moved in in Arcata, but the kitchen needs help. Boxes full of cans and boxes of food, pots and pans, and weird kitchen odds and ends litter the floor and table. The rest of the house is settled, as well as Spaz. It was hard for the first few days. He had to get re-acquainted with the litter box that he hadn't used since he was probably 6 months old. But, no accidents and he is (mostly) happily using it. It doesn't seem like much now that we have a routine, but it was a huge deal moving my six-year old outdoor cat to a new place and keeping him strictly indoors. In the beginning I just couldn't stand his meows and looks of longing out each window and under the door, that I bought a harness and tied him to a rope and 'walked' him around the yard. He acted like the harness weighted a TON and he would scoot/crawl on his belly veerrry sllowwwly across the grass. It was funny to watch, but I felt bad too. I figured out that letting him out on the harness was just making his inside time that much more undesirable for him, so I ended the outdoor adventures. In a couple weeks I'll let him out, but I really want him to know where home and safety is before he is on his own. One thing I continue to feel bad about is that he is moved away from all of his kitty friends. He was quite the popular neighborhood cat. He had this one blind friend who he loved to sneak up and pounce on. The blind kitty had a weird meow, it was more of a squeak or a beep sound. So every time Spaz would play with him, he'd squeak beep squeak! I'm sure he'll make more friends, being the social good looking cat that he is.

I really wish I had a few days to just chill and get everything settled, completely. Oh wait, I did just have a 3-day weekend. Where the heck did it go?

I'll have photos up of the new place soon. First I need working internet at my house. Suddenlink SUCKS! I think I may ditch them and go local.