The Unbearable Boredness of Being

Well, I was going to write a new blog entry, but darned if I can think of a single thing to say. I’m not often at a loss for words, but there is literally NOTHING happening in my life right now. Everything has ground to a halt due to rampant illness – it’s tough to create exciting blog topics when stomach flu hits.

So, let the random babbling commence:

1. I have a new rating system for guys. It’s based on shoes. In other words, which shoes should I wear on the date. Does the guy rate the cute, but casual flats? Could he appreciate the black leather stiletto boots? Is he worthy of the red satin polka-dot heels? Or should I not waste anything other than my old gym shoes on him? So far, on-line dating has provided a lot of “gym shoe guys” and not much else. Of course, I expect hardly anyone to be worthy of the red satin heels – those practically deserve an instant marriage proposal along with a rock the size of Texas!

2. There has been nothing decent to read for MONTHS now. I am going through major withdrawal. The DT’s are going to kick in any minute. Thank goodness that Linnea Sinclair’s “Games of Command” is due out soon. I just have to make it a LEETLE longer.

3. Being poor sucks. I need…er…okay…I want new clothes. I saw the CUTEST denim skirt at the mall last week. I’ve been trying to find one like it for a year now. Finally find one and have no money. Let me reiterate that being poor sucks.

4. Why is Hugh Laurie so damn hot? Did you see his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes? I thought he was hot on “House”, but I’d forgotten that he actually has a British accent, too. And is funny. A devastating combination. And I can’t for the life of me figure out how he can play this character that is so obnoxious and even downright mean and yet still be H-O-T. He would DEFINITELY rate the red satin shoes! From now on, I’m rejecting everyone who isn’t a Hugh Laurie look-alike, with a British accent. Oh, and loads of money (see #3 above about the suckage of poorness).

5. I made it all the way to the top of the gigantic, steep hill by my house this weekend without dying! This has always been my litmus test for fitness. Back before all the weight loss, I couldn’t even make it a quarter of the way. I’d have to stop and turn around and go home. But Saturday I went for a walk and at the last minute, I decided I would see how far up the hill I could get. To my utter amazement and delight, I made it to the top with no problem. Okay, I was panting and my heart was pounding, but not at the “I’m gonna die if I take one more step” level. And besides, that’s what cardio is all about, right? So, after a couple of months of being stymied on the weight loss plan due to the holidays and all the illness, I’m proud to announce that I’ve lost the first 3.5 lbs. of the additional 20 I decided to lose as part of my New Year’s Resolutions. Go, me! On a side note, I’m also pretty proud of the fact that I made it through all the holidays and illness without gaining back any weight. I managed to stay right at my initial goal weight the whole time even though I had several weeks where I couldn’t get to the gym because of “life” stuff. And now that the illness has passed, I’m right back on the program. In fact, the forced “break” may even help me out by tricking my metabolism a bit. I’m also trying some interval training with my cardio – I do 3 minutes at my regular pace and then 1 minute at a much higher intensity and then repeat for the entire workout. It seems to be quite effective so far.

6. I was going to insert something funny that Ryan said here, but being as it involves bathrooms and poop (why doesn’t anyone warn you that from the moment you decided to become a parent, your entire life will revolve around poop for at LEAST the next 5 years…and probably longer if you have a boy?) I decided to spare you. Trust me, it WAS funny, though.

7. Okay, poorness or no poorness, if I make it to the halfway point on this additional 20 lbs. weight loss thing, I’m sooo buying that denim skirt. In a smaller size.

8. Ndebele (herringbone) stitch does not suck as much as I once thought it did. I think I still prefer peyote stitch, but I’m rapidly learning to really enjoy Ndebele, too.

Which brings me to….ta da! New jewelry pics! These are all from my recent magazine article organization project.

Tubular Ndebele (herringbone) - my very first attempt at this stitch. I think it came out pretty well despite some early struggles. I'll tell you what, a free pair of earrings (my choice) to anyone who can spot the mistake in this bracelet:



Flat Ndebele (herringbone) - this project is from the Oct/Nov, 2004 issue of "Beadwork" magazine and has a lovely, ribbon-like drape to it:



Two crystal bracelets - this pattern makes up really easily and is so pretty with all the sparkling crystals. The new violet opal color from Swarovski is to die for and does not show to nearly its best advantage in the photo:





I learned a lot with all of these new projects. Ndebele (herringbone) is more of a pain than peyote, but as I mentioned, does not suck as much as I once thought it did. Fireline is great for crystal work, but geez! does it tangle, tangle, and tangle some more. Drove me crazy.

I can't wait to dig out some more projects to try from the magazine pile. Sure wish I had more time for beading!

Hope everyone had a nice weekend. I will try to have more excitement in my life in the future so I have something to write about.

KJ