Well, my time of not taking you seriously is coming to a middle.

#14 My Valentine For You

2012-02-14T13:26:00.001-07:00

This year I decided I wasn’t going to send my holiday cards via Blue Mountain or Hallmark this year. So I signed up for a email marketing service called Mail Chimp so I could send my own custom created email cards. Above is the graphic I created for my Valentine’s Day card. If you want to see the whole email (with the a TAD plug in there too) you can view it here http://us4.campaign-archive2.com/?u=cc127218a9bce97cd54da2f09&id=852b7b22be&e. You could even sign up to get them if you wanted the occasional email from me.

#13 Homemade Hooch

2012-02-13T18:48:00.001-07:00

Okay maybe semi-homemade hooch. I saw this on Pinterest, candy flavored vodka. It’s simple, put your favorite sugar based candy in a mason jar, fill it up with vodka, and let the candy dissolve. These jars have set for 2 days, working left to right: Spring Cherries (not dissolved yet), Wildberry Skittles, Tropical Starbursts, and Cinnamon Jelly Hearts (not dissolved yet). I added some pretty paper to the tops today.

Honestly, this project didn’t turn out well. I am not a vodka drinker in general, but I thought it I could make it taste a little more like candy I might enjoy it. That was not the case. I have tasted all of these. The Skittles and the Spring Cherries tasted a lot like cough syrup, bad cough syrup, the Skittles more than the Cherries surprisingly enough. The Starburst vodka had a hint of coconut but really just had a sugary taste. The Cinnamon was by far the best, but still had a horrible after taste. I wouldn’t do this again.

#12 Cake Plate

2012-02-12T17:24:00.001-07:00

This was a super easy one, and can I just say that E6000 is my new best friend. I found a cute square bowl and nice square plate and glued them together using E6000 to make this cake plate. If I had been smart I would have done some etching on it first. Maybe, I will do some to it later.

#11 Another Necklace Charm

2012-02-11T22:22:00.000-07:00

Another resin necklace charm. This one was made with just paper, a washer, some jewelry cord, and of course resin.

#10 Colorized Black and White Photograph

2012-02-10T22:28:00.000-07:00

I had absolutely no motivation today. I think work must have sucked it right out of me. After staring blankly at my art closet for about an hour I finally decided that I would try to colorize a black and white photograph. I found this image of Princess Grace at the The Impossible Cool. I opened it up in Photoshop and added subtle color. I think it looks alright. In reality I should have made the colors much more vibrant than they are, but it was a good first attempt.

UPDATE - I worked on it a little more to make it a bit brighter.

#09 Rolo Turtles

2012-02-09T20:43:00.000-07:00

Another unmotivated day. I am so tired of being sick. Then to top it off I burned my fingers on the cookie sheet…This is another simple one. Rolo Turtles. Lay down some pretzels, put a Rolo on each one, stick it in the oven for 2-3 minutes, take them out and press a pecan into it while their still warm. Wait for them to cool and they are good to eat, I think. This is the first time I have ever made them and I am still waiting for them to cool. They look good though.

#08 Desktop Background

2012-02-08T21:38:00.000-07:00

I have been struggling today to come up with something to do. So I went to my fall back, Photoshop. So here is a desktop background. If you would like the full 1920×1200 you can get it here

#07 Valentine's Treat Tin

2012-02-07T22:04:00.003-07:00

A little metal treat tin, some cute pink paper, a few raspberry hugs, and a couple of hearts and you have yourself a cute little V-day gift.

#06 Canvas Block Art

2012-02-06T19:36:00.000-07:00

The prep on this one actually took a day or two. I Modge Podge’d a piece of scrapbook paper to a 12×12 canvas block. Then I cut my phrase out of vinyl and applied it to the canvas block. After that I spray painted the whole thing and after it dried I picked out the letters to reveal the paper underneath. I am a little disappointed that the paint bled under the vinyl in places. But overall I think it turned out pretty good.

#05 Timepieces Pendant

2012-02-05T16:35:00.000-07:00

Today I made this necklace pendant. This is a rectangular bezel with a piece of pretty red paper in the bottom. Then I put a thin layer of resin down and set it. Then I laid down some watch internals and set another layer of resin. It turned out pretty nice, better than the pictures show I think. I do have one pretty noticeable air bubble, but I think it’s pretty good for a first attempt.

#04 Peanut Butter Cup Cookies

2012-02-04T22:11:00.000-07:00

This is a pretty simple recipe. Make your favorite sugar cookie and bake them in a mini muffin pan for about 10 min. Pull them out of the oven and straight away press your peanut butter cups into the center of them, and there you have it.

#03 My Red Solo Cup

2012-02-03T22:09:00.000-07:00

This is a Toby Keith twist a pretty cute idea. Have you heard of a redneck wine glass? What you do is glue a mason jar to the top of a candle stick. Well I took a little inspiration from Toby Keith’s new song Red Solo Cup and glued one of those to the top of my candlestick instead. Then further taking my queue from the song I wrote my name on it in black sharpie and added the little reminder, “proceed to party”

#02 Chocolate Covered Crispy Treats

2012-02-02T20:07:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is Potluck Friday at work and opted to bring something sweet. So tonight I made Rice Crispie treats then I drizzled white chocolate, dark chocolate and Wilton red candy melts over the top. It has a Jackson Pollock feel to it…mmm…art you can eat.

#01 Frosted Glass

2012-02-01T20:04:00.000-07:00

My first project for TAD is this frosted glass. It started out as just a plain ole Dollar Tree glass. I put about a dozen or so elastic bands around it and then sprayed it with Rustoleum’s Frosted Glass spray paint. I let it dry overnight and then took the rubber bands off. and Volia! This is what I got.

Idea List for Thing A Day

2012-01-30T22:30:00.001-07:00

Guess what! It's time for Thing A Day again. All February I will be posting my TAD projects. That means 29 posts in 29 days. As I have done in the past I am also doing an idea list so I don't find myself scrambling for things to do. If you have any ideas for please let me know. I am usually up for trying something once.

Button Letter Art
Button Flower Art
Resin Jewelry Pendant
Square Cake Plate
Candle Stick Glass
Canvas Block Art
Frosted Decorative Glass
Silk Screen Poster
Build Battleshots Game
Orange Creamcicle Cookies
Recipe Book Cover
Recipe Book Layout
Scrabble Word Art
Frame Monogram Letters
Vinyl Wall Art
Square Wall Clock
Colorize a Black and White Photo
Drawer Pull Wall Hanger
Create an Art Video
Cookie Bowls
Bleached T-Shirts or Silk Screen Design
Desktop Background
Blog Banner
Candy Cane Vodka
Birthday Card
Valentine's Day Card
Wedding Invitation
Scratch Card
Custom Cover for a Moleskin
Cake Balls
Pie Pops
Cupcakes
Bottle Chandelier
Snowglobe
Art Blocks
Puff Paint Canvas Art
Watercolor Book Design
Rolo Turtles
Weekly Wall Calendar
Something with Cheese

Touched by a red thread

2012-01-29T22:24:00.003-07:00

There are a few things that I need to mention here but after the decadent day I have had I need to pull something slightly substantive out of it.

Last night I came home late from a local production of Noises Off, which was really good, sat down to the computer and started downloading some TV eps from iTunes. While I was on I decided to check and see what was being offered for free. The pilot for FOX's Touch was listed among them. I thought, "For free, I'll give it a go."

All I can say is Oh My God! This is a show brought to you by Tim Kring. This is the same guy that brought us Heroes.

The Touch pilot was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! If it can keep up this level of complexity, intelligence, and suspense it will be one of the best shows ever aired on broadcast television.

This show is built on the premise that everything and everyone is connected and there are some of us, kids, that have evolved enough to be able to see these connections, to make sense of the chaos, and be able to effect these connections in a way to make the world better. This show just has such a good heart, despite all the bad.

I was literally yelling at the TV. I never yell at the TV. I can't remember the last time I got this wound up over a story. It was like, you saw it happening and you couldn't believe it. It was stellar! I think I have found myself another Monday TV show!

Time to hit the reset button

2012-01-09T00:47:00.000-07:00

"Well, my time of not taking you seriously is coming to a middle." - Mal from Firefly

I wish I could offer a happy pleasant close to 2011 and excitement for 2012, but sadly that is not the case. 2011 was, honestly, a bit of a disappointment for me. I failed at quite a few of my goals, and many of my efforts (goal related or not) were ultimately fruitless. I just don't have very much to show for 2011 from any facet so I find myself rather upset.

I have had a 2 or 3 weeks of sulking about it, but now I need to shake it off, stick my head out from underneath the covers, flip the lights on and hit the reset button. I thought a good way to start would be with a new look for the blog. Something a little warmer, cheerier and perhaps with a slightly more humorous undertone.

So despite my reservations of once again not meeting expectations, here are my 2012 goals (well some of them):

1. Drink more water - there is no way I am going to try to cut out the soda/caffeine. I am not going to set myself up for that kind of failure. That being said, I know I don't drink enough water and perhaps if I increase my water intake it will "counteract" my soda intake.

2. Keep Leaky Light alive - so my photo social experiment didn't go well. I really have no one but myself to blame. I should have pushed harder, but I didn't want it to be a burden. That being said, I enjoyed having a place to post some of my better photography. Therefore, even though the intent will be overhauled, Leaky Light needs to stay updated and functioning.

3. Increase my take home income by $6000 this year - I don't care how I do it, as long as it is legal. If I need to get a second job back in retail, pick up some freelance/contract work, start an at home service industry, selling my crafts on the street corner, or finding a new job all together, I need to make more money then I am currently. Money has never been an issue for me, but perhaps if I made it more of an issue I might find myself in a better place.

4. Be the lady that would accompany that gentlemen to that party - I realize that is vague and many, if not all, will not understand what I mean. This kind of has two parts. First I don't want you to think I am aspiring to be a supermodel, actress, celebrity etc. Nor do I want you to think that I looking to "score" me a model, actor celebrity etc. That being said, I was at a movie a week or two ago and the male leads were in these amazing suits looking strong, confident and intelligent. It is amazing that a well tailored suit can exude that. Looking at them I thought to myself, "I want to be with a person like that, worthy and on par to be next to a person like, I want to be equal or of the same caliber of a gentlemen like that." What all this will entail, I am not sure yet. To be honest, I am not sure I could pin down what makes a man like that, it obviously isn't all the suit, but it does help.

5. Read 12 books in a year - That is 1 book a month. I know that this is a highly attainable goal. As a matter of fact I am already head of the game here. It's only the 9th and I have already got 2 books under my belt. This is a recurring yearly goal for me, but I have stepped back on the number for 2 reasons. First, with the "no headphones" policy at work my audiobook consumption has gone down drastically. Second, I think my movie goals might get in the way.

6. Watch 36 movies in a year - This was a goal from last year and I didn't attain it. This year will be better though. I need to see 36 movies in the movie theater, and I already have 2 under my belt. I have see "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and "The Adventures of Tintin."

7. See 100 movies in 100 days - I know what you are thinking, didn't your last goal say 36 movies? This one works in conjunction with the above listed goal. I read a few months ago about a guy who did this challenge. The goal was to see 100 movies, in theaters, in 100 days which in theory would be fantastic. But if you do the math, I can think of a lot of ways to $1000, which is approximately what it would cost to see 100 movies in theaters. The guy I read about worked for a movie related company, and I am sure was paid/reimbursed to see them. So I am altering the challenge just a bit. The goal is to see 100 movies I have never seen before, in 100 days. This means I can rent them or stream them, though the first choice would be to seem them in theaters, as long as they are feature film length and un-edited (that means no TV movies, mini series or films edited for TV). This challenge will probably take place in the Summer, but I might wait do it for the Winter movie push, we'll have to see.

8. Complete a printed family recipe book - I have wanted to do this for a couple of years now. My mom and aunts have some great recipes, but they have been used and altered so much over the years the recipe cards are barely legible. I would like to design a book that compiles them all in one place. I think I might break this one down in pieces and do it as part of thing-a-day this year. Yes, I plan to do thing-a-day again this year.

9. Start a novel - This one really doesn't need any explanation. It is another repeat from last year. I didn't even attempt it though. Hopefully this year I will give it a chance.

10. Start an etsy store - This one works in conjunction with the "increasing my income" goal. Basically, pinterest.com has given me a lot of great ideas I want to try and I think etsy might be a good place to off load some of them after I have had my fun. Plus, the money might be nice, if my stuff sales that is.

11. Renew my passport - Another self explained goal. I don't really plan on leaving the country this year, but it might be nice to have just in case I win the lottery and decide to take an around the world cruise.

12. "Whatever You Think, Think The Opposite" - This is one of the books I have already read. It is a really quick read by Paul Arden. Basically, it is about thinking outside the box, which I need to get back to. I need to start pushing my limits again. But I am going to expand it a little further than that. By changing my perspective, I am going to try to not be so emotional and attached. I am going to learn to lie a little better, say no with a little more confidence, and be a little more nonchalant.

I will admit that there are a few more that I am not listing here and I still need to decide on a "big one". We'll just have to see how it goes.
----------
Addendum
I want to add another goal to this year's list, not the big one though:

13. Learn to meditate - So it isn't a big secret, but it isn't something that I broadcast either, I suffer from panic attacks. They are generally mild, I can keep them under control for the most part. I know a couple of triggers, big crowds for one, so I know the things to stay away from. So add this to a couple of irrational fears, and I think meditation might do me some good.

NO! Not More Trees!

2012-01-05T20:54:00.000-07:00

It literally took me hours to write my "floating tree" post and after I posted it I realized something. I never posted about my Festival tree either. So I have one more Christmas post to put up and then I will move on to the new year. This one wont be as long as the other either.

Every year Primary Children's Medical Center does a fundraiser called the Festival of Trees in which they auction off Christmas Trees, Wreaths, Center Pieces, Gingerbread Houses, and so on. My mom has donated centerpieces for years, but this year I talked her into doing a small tree with me. So we each donated a 3.5 foot tree. It was nerve racking to say the least. Since this was our first year doing this we didn't know what to expect. But I think they turned out pretty well. So well in fact I think I might do one next year.

Anyway here is what my mom and I did for the Festival this year.

Rusty Christmas Wishes by Amber Meier

All Things Santa by Helen Meier

Santa and Company by Helen Meier

Floating Christmas Tree

2012-01-05T20:00:00.000-07:00

I posted a few pics of this tree on Facebook with promise of posting more, but I never did, and now the tree has been taken down and put away. Regardless I wanted to post them here as well and make a few comments so I don't forget the things I want to change for next year.

I would like to say this was an easy project, but it wasn't. There wasn't anything overly difficult to it, but it was very time consuming. Next year I will start it the last week of November instead of the first week of December.

I started with 2 baker's cooling racks. I overlapped them to make a true square (as close as I could) and wired them together. It made a 20"x20" square. Then I spray painted them white, to match the ceiling. On the rack I found the center point and tied a string to it so I could visualize the circumference of my rings. Due to the size of the grid in the racks I used I had to stagger my rings. I am not sure I can explain it properly so let me illustrate.

There are seven rings and center point. The rings stagger at being 1.25 and 1.75 inches apart. At this point I need to give you couple of sets of numbers.
(Rings numbered small to large)
First the ornaments:
Approximately 130 Total.
Center: 1
1st Ring: 7
2nd Ring: 11
3rd Ring: 15
4th Ring: 19
5th Ring: 23
6th Ring: 27
7th Ring: 31

Second the clear lines:
Center: one @ 18"
1st Ring: one @ 20" | one @ 22" | two @ 24" | three @ 26"
2nd Ring: two @ 28" | two @ 30" | three @ 32" | four @ 34"
3rd Ring: three @ 36" | three @ 38" | four @ 40" | five @ 42"
4th Ring: four @ 44" | four @ 46" | five @ 48" | six @ 50"
5th Ring: five @ 52" | five @ 54" | six @ 56" | seven @ 58"
6th Ring: six @ 60" | six @ 62" | seven @ 64" | eight @ 66"
7th Ring: seven @ 68" | seven @ 70" | eight @ 72" | nine @ 74"

From this point on I need to give a little warning. You'll notice as you go through this that my numbers don't quite add up. If you are one of those people who like exact instructions you are talking to the wrong girl. This was a total trial and error experiment, and what came out was not exactly what I planned. My best advice is to just go with it. It'll be okay :)

Your probably wondering where I got those numbers from. The ornament tiering is based off some instructions I found online that I will link to at the end of this post. As for my line lengths that took a little simple math. I needed to decide how tall I wanted my tree to be and how far off the floor I wanted the tree to be. I have 8 foot ceilings, and I wanted the tree to be about 2 feet off the ground. That gave me 6 feet to work with, but I didn't want the top of the tree to touch the ceiling either. So I subtracted another foot making the tree itself roughly 5 feet tall and it will start about a foot below the ceiling.

So my longest lines needed to be roughly 72" long (6 feet), but I needed to add a couple of extra inches for fastening. So I made my longest lines 74" and worked backwards in 2" increments (roughly the average height of my ornaments ). As for how many of each length, I again took my cue from the online instructions I found.

Now I started to attach the lines to rack. I fastened them with jewelry crimper tubes. This was so that the fasteners wouldn't detract from the "floating" feel. So I divided my circles into eight equal parts and attached my lines at those points, then filled in from there. Not Martha described it well. She said, "Think of it like a tiered cake." Here's a map to show you roughly where I attached my lines.

After the lines are attached to the rack I attached the rack to ceiling with screws and cable brackets. Now the fun begins. I started hanging ornaments on the lines. Do this just like you would any other Christmas tree: make sure stagger your variety and colors evenly. I attached these with crimper tubes as well, but if you can get enough of a crease in lines to hold without crimping I would suggest it, that way you can change and move your ornaments as needed. Then once you know they are set, go back and crimp down the tubes.

And Vwola! You have a floating Christmas Tree. This all started after I saw a miniature version of this on a Home Depot commercial (which for the life of me is the only thing I can't find online). This sent me looking for a tutorial online which I found at www.notmartha.org Specifically in the archives. I realize my instructions are really scattered. I would recommend highly going through her instructions if you plan to do this project. As you go through them you will noticed that I made some changes and took some liberties.

There are few things I would differently the next time around.

I wouldn't use the racks. I would spend a little more money and come up with something a little more decorative. I am thinking I would use a picture frame and peg board to attach to the ceiling.
I would straighten my strings before I attached them to the rack or the ornaments. Hang them with clips and weights from a curtain rod or something. It will make it much easier to judge length.
I would use ornament hooks instead of crimp tubes for the ornaments. This will add to the length a little and take away from the "floating" feel slightly, but it will make the so much easier to hang adjust.

You know why...

2012-01-03T23:19:00.001-07:00

I have like 4 or 5 things I want to post about, but I can't. See, I have this one post that I absolutely have to do, my floating tree post, but I can't make myself sit down and write it. And I can't make myself write the other posts until that one is done.

Oh God...this might be the end of my blog...

I think I just broke the code.

2011-11-22T21:35:00.001-07:00

People have been telling me for quite some time now that I need to read the Hunger Games Trilogy. I would say the better part of a year anyway. Every time I am asked I always say, "It's on my list." or "I plan to." And when I said it I genuinely meant it. But I really had no intention of even considering starting the trilogy until after the new year. My plan was to have them done before the movie came out.

Last week though I had five, yes five, people ask me about the series. Two of them even offered to lend me the books when I said I hadn't read them yet. I took this as a sign. I needed to read this series, whether there is something I am suppose to glean from it, or the fates realized I needed a little imagination and inspiration I do not know, but I devoured the first book in two days. And it has taken everything in my power to not stay up extra late this week and power through the other two books. I was going to put it off until the weekend, but I just can't help myself. I am about a third the way through Catching Fire. I haven't been this excited about a book series since I started reading Lord of the Rings.

I find my mind running wild with what the possibilities will hold for these characters and this place. I have to keep reminding myself that the audience for these books are young adults. So I find myself worrying that I am over thinking it, and I worry that I will disappointed if it doesn't pan out the way I am thinking. I can't believe how excited I am to find out though.

This brings me to my over arcing point. I don't know why it has taken me this long to figure out, but I think this series has helped me figure out the code for a successful story. You need two guys that are both beloved, one girl that can be tolerated and a situation that threatens the standard way of life (to some degree). It sounds so simple when I lay it out here, but it has evaded me to this point. So I think I might take this new found info and maybe pick the novel up again. I still have time to get is started before the end of year, which I think means I can put a check in the plus column for my yearly goals.

Shaking off the Dark and Nasty in 3 parts

2011-10-24T00:54:00.002-06:00

Part 1. A lie for the greater good
I had this thought a few weeks ago, but I shut it down due to it's childishness and silliness. But after seeing a news story last night I think I may consider a change of heart. The honest facts as they are: 1) All of my besties now live literally 100s of miles away 2) Though my co-workers are awesome for the most part I really don't socialize with them outside of work, we just aren't into the same things 3) Casual friends and acquaintances are around, but not generally close, nor do I hangout with anyone particularly often. 4) My family knows they aren't going to hear about anyone until it is super serious.
So setting aside the fact that the above mentioned makes my life seem utterly pathetic, it puts me in a position to do something. Make up a pretend boyfriend. I know, right, why? I have been pretty content with my life the way it has been up until this year. For some reason this year a lot of things have started to bother me and one of them is never having been in a serious relationship. I am really not close enough to anyone right now for anyone to know if I am lying or not. So if it will make me feel better about myself and my situation, and having conversations with people why don't I just lie about having a boyfriend. Just make up some okay, but not great, fictional character so I have something to tell someone when they ask.

I guess I can't really do this now 'cause I have talked about doing it. But really who reads this shit anyway? Maybe I will...at least check it out and see if it does make me feel better

Part 2: I am amazing
I know that sounds like a really arrogant statement, and I suppose in someways it is, but I am amazing. What I lack in talent, I make up for with hard work. What I lack in strength, I make up for with caring and honesty. But right now, tonight, it is wearing thin. I am tired and lonely. If the definition of crazy is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result, do I need to try being mediocre for awhile? I need my weekends to be booked, a goodnight phone call every night and some place to go during the day that deserves to have me there.

Part 3. I am your solution
Why can't someone just come across my portfolio and realize they need me. Why can't someone just chat with me for a couple of minutes and realize they would be a fool to not bring me into their fold. You hear all these stories about people posting things online and someone stumbling across them and liking them so much they hire them. Its not that I am tired of the hard work, I am just tired of it not paying off.

This has been a pretty whiny post, but I needed to get it out of head. Hopefully it will help lighten my mood, by lightening the load. I am just so tired of being stuck where I am.

In the mean if anyone out there knows of anyone hiring a GD I'd appreciate a heads up.

24 hour "super" stores

2011-10-22T00:54:00.000-06:00

So at 11:30 at night most all large 24 hour super stores lock all but one set of entrance doors. This I understand; safety, logistics, etc. The unlocked door generally happens to be the grocery side door and will most times be the furthest door in from the street, and again I understand the logic; safety, and what most people are shopping for late at night. What I don't get is why the hell they think in a store the size of an Olympic basketball court they need to have the ONLY register open on the opposite end of where they are funneling people in and out. I mean, I do get the safety thing, but come on really...how inconvenient. Honestly, this is what happened at my local Walmart tonight I just turned around and walked right out. There was nothing I needed badly enough to be that inconvenienced.

Christmas Already?

2011-09-18T21:47:00.002-06:00

This year I am doing a mini tree for the Festival of Trees. I still haven't decided on a theme for the tree. I know, you're probably thinking, as I was, "It's September, I have plenty of time." But that is kind of wrong. I have to register by the end of the month, and they want to know specifics about what I'm planning to do.

I have been rolling a couple of ideas around in my head. One is a Twilight inspired tree. The newest film comes out a week before the Festival opens so the timing is great and it might fetch a slightly higher price. On the other hand I saw these rusty decoupaged stars last year that were adorable, and they are pretty easy to re-create (see pictures). Then there is always my classic stand by, my favorite thing to do for Christmas, a Let it Snow themed tree in the classic blue and white.

I really think the stars are adorable and love that it gives it a slightly more homemade feel. It was actually the stars that made me think this would be the year I do a tree for FOT. But the timing for the Twilight tree couldn't be better and would be great for the cause if the bidding kind of went off the hook.

Anyway I have a poll going on my facebook page or you can comment here on which tree theme you think would be the best to do.

It's a matter of scheduling

2011-09-18T02:12:00.000-06:00

It's getting to be that time again. Fall television is ready to start, and I just learned something I found interesting. I was perusing my Facebook News Feed on Friday and I noticed my local NBC affiliate was advertising a new local show slotted for 9pm on Monday nights. In my head I was thinking, "That's odd. Monday @ 9pm is a high roller prime time slot. Why would NBC leave that open for local affiliates to fill, and why would my local affiliate fill it with all things, a pseudo talk show about the people and places of our state. I mean did Jay's prime time show not teach them anything?"

So I did a little digging and found this gem. KSL, the local NBC affiliate here in SLC, is refusing to air NBC's new Monday night show The Playboy Club. And for those of you who have spent a good portion of your life in Utah, you will know that this isn't the first time KSL has done this. Back when KSL was a CBS affiliate they chose to stop airing Picket Fences in prime time, but found a "late night" slot for the show to air in.

But before I write more about content, lets talk go back to the time slot for a minute. This new local show is competing against Castle (my Monday night choice) and Hawaii Five-0 (a good runner up). So your telling me that of all the content NBC Universal has the rights to, KSL couldn't use any of it. They couldn't even get their hands on re-runs of an older popular show, or something that was canceled but still had un-aired episodes? It was almost like they said, "We know were screwed in this time slot, so lets just give up."

Now back to content. There are a certain set of standards that KSL has, and this particular show flies directly in the face of those standards. But...I had to have a but right...nobody likes being told they can't do something even if it is just watching a show. My thought is this, KSL made a commitment to NBC when they became an affiliate. They should suck it up and air the show. One of two things will happen. Either the dismal ratings will help get the show get canceled, and show NBC this kind of program isn't what their viewership wants, or it will go off the hook and show KSL they are mis-reading their market.

Personally, NBC doesn't really do it for me. I can count one, maybe two shows that I watch on occasion, but they don't really have anything I am in love with or dedicated to. I can say this though, I want to see The Playboy Club now, just to know if it is really as bad as KSL is making it out to be.

A New Yorker that doesn't take the subway is a New Yorker you can't trust.

2011-09-15T23:09:00.000-06:00

I think I have mentioned this before, but my cousin has put a lot of work into this beautiful boat. It is a 1967 Hydroswift and Jessie has got it running like a dream. He invited the whole extended family to lake last weekend so we could all give it a go. I loved it! It is so much fun to go out on the lake.

But I'll be the first to tell you, I'm just along for the ride. Why is that so hard for everyone to understand? Everybody wants to know why I didn't bring a swimsuit, why don't want to try water-skiing or go swim with the kids on the beach. And the answer is I don't want to. I am happy just hanging out, I don't have to "do" every second to make the outing worthwhile. But more than that, I really am there for the ride. Thats what I get a kick out of, not all the over stuff. So please just let me enjoy the ride on the lake, the spray, the waves, let me take from it what I enjoy the most.

On a side note, isn't that kid so gosh darn cute.

A good smile works just as well, plus you never have to worry that your mustache is on straight.

2011-09-11T21:02:00.000-06:00

I thought it would be fun to attempt false eyelashes. They are pretty inexpensive, and I thought it might be an okay weekend look.

I was wrong. It was kind of a disaster. As a matter of fact it failed so miserably you don't even get to see me with them on. You just get to see them after I pulled them off. Maybe I will try again, maybe not...but at least I can say I tried.

I will never unhear that.

2011-09-05T16:50:00.002-06:00

So this weekend I had a total "80s" day. I put a pink streak in my hair, used some heavy black liner a put on some bright teal green shadow on my eyes. And after all that was still willing to go out in public :)

All in all it was actually pretty fun. It isn't very often that I spend an hour, yes an hour, on my makeup. Mostly because I don't go anywhere that would warrant me spending that much time on my makeup (I usually a five minute mascara girl).

So it should be no surprise to anyone that I have found my new addiction. I can now add makeup to my alcohol, pens, pencils, and paper addictions. So if you can't find me anywhere else I am sure you'll find me at the new Ulta store in Farmington.

It has been one of those weeks where I have had a lot I wanted to blog about, but I always seem to put it off so then I am left with the choice a writing a really long post about everything, breaking it up and burying one or more of the posts or just wipe the slate clean a start fresh with what I am writing about right now. I always end up going with the starting fresh option...

I had an amazing photo day yesterday. I love to take photos, though I don't think I am very good at it, but I seldom make time to do it. But Saturday I got the urge. I grabbed my little point and shoot (I kicked myself for not taking the film SLR), my mini tripod and my keys and took off around town. I knew there were a couple of things I wanted to get. I want to start a waiting blog with a heavy train theme (don't ask) so I got some good train oriented shots. Hopefully that will be up and running in the next week or two. I also got some great shots for the Leaky Light Co-op as well. As a matter of fact I have already posted them. You should go check it out.

I want to leave you with something to think about if you are a movie buff. I learned a little something about Blu-Ray discs this last week and it bothered me. And maybe DVDs were the same way, maybe VHS was too...I don't know, but...To be able to produce (commercially, I mean) a Blu-Ray disc you have to apply to Sony for licensing rights before I replicator will even consider producing it for you. So Sony won the HD-DVD / Blu-Ray battle. Sony has essence cornered the market on High Definition entertainment, and they require you to pay them to be able to produce your film in HD. This is part of the reason why the price of Blu-Rays are so much more than regular DVDs. So the next time you grab a Blu-Ray off the shelf to buy keep just keep what your really buying...if your okay with it that's great. But I might think twice before I buy Sony again...I said think about...I didn't say it would stop me.

I'm a criminal, we keep odd hours.

2011-08-27T02:01:00.002-06:00

It has been awhile since I mentioned any of my goals for the year. This is mostly because I pretty much threw them out the window around...oh I'd say March...but I figured I should do a quick assessment to see how I am doing anyway.

The List
See 36 movies this year
This is one of the few I never gave up on. Not because it was a goal, but just because I like movies. I did stop tracking my movie going...so Let Me Spoil it For You is not up to date, but let me see if I can do a quick count...17...not as good as I thought...(17/36).

Read 24 books this year
I finished "A Total Waste of Make Up" it was okay not stellar, I read a whole diet book (The Carb Lovers Diet) and I started American Assassin that's for the reading side. On the listening side - I made through the audio drama "The Leviathan Chronicles" which I am counting even though it is not printed book. Since ear buds have been banned at work this one has been harder for me to do...(2/12, 2.5/12)

Create a new blog in a similar vein to The Impossible Cool
This one may actually materialize in more than one avenue. First off, Leaky Light, this is a social photo experiment I am doing with a couple of friends. The first month seems to have worked out alright. We'll just have to see if it sustains. Secondly there is Highly Typographic, I have finished skinning this one, but don't have any posts yet. I wanted all the pieces on this blog to be my work, but I am starting to think it might be best to post "found" typography as well...we'll see.

Create 5 seasons worth the musical playlists from Supernatural
I think I have one episode done :(

Take 36 "post worthy" photos this year
See above for a Leaky Light mention. If you count individual pics I am at 14, if you count posts I am at 4. Either way it is coming along (14/36)

Self publish my Dad's book
Nada

Start a novel
Nope

Complete 3 websites
I don't think the blogs count...maybe they do. If blogs count this is done, I have re-skinned this blog, created Leaky Light and Highly Typographic, and I finished updating www.amberlynmeier.com (4/3). If the blogs don't count I am screwed (1/3)

Complete an updated printable or hard copy portfolio
Yes! This is done! I actually completed one! It isn't a fancy magazine style like I was hoping. It is just my folio book, but at least it is done and presentable.

Complete 6 freelance jobs or make $500 (which ever comes first)
Nope

Take at least one college course
I am starting to think this one isn't going to happen

Write more letters/emails
Ah..I have been FB chatting with Carla a lot, and I have been emailing James. I call it progress but not great progress.

Be more girly
I love makeup!!! I have found another thing to collect :)

THE BIG ONE: Drop 6 sizes
Lets not talk about this one yet

So this has turned out better than I thought, but not as good as it should be...story of my life...

Did you just lie to the priest?

2011-08-06T01:45:00.001-06:00

I have this problem. Some people may call it a good quality, some might call it a bad quality. I have a really hard time lying. Little white lies, big whale lies, it doesn't really matter, I have a hard time with it. Case in point, tonight I was talking to an "in-law" and she asked me a question. Now, the honest answer to this question is a bit embarrassing for me. And the answer to the follow up question was even more embarrassing for me. Yet, the true and honest answer just fell right out of my mouth. It didn't even occur to me to stop and think about what I was saying. It also didn't occur to me to make a story up that wasn't quite so embarrassing. Now, I am going to spend the rest of the night, week, month worrying about who she is going to tell, and how often she is going to bug me about it. All because I don't have enough sense to tell a little lie every once and a while...

Ugh! Life sucks right now, and this just made it worse...

Coop PhotoBlog Project

2011-07-28T23:33:00.001-06:00

Earlier this week I posted on Facebook and Google + that I wanted to start a blog project inspired by Hellonewyork Hellohamburg. I was a little vague on the details because I wasn't exactly how I wanted to structure it. It was going to depend heavily on who was going to participate with me. Well, Judy stepped up to the plate and that gave me the extra information I needed to flesh out the plan.

The idea is to see how location and life situation causes individuals to interpret and express ideas with photographs. I hope this project will go at least to the end of the year. Every month will have a theme, the idea is post photographs that we've taken that relate to the theme.

If this is something you think you might be interested in participating in contact me (however you can) and we'll set it up. I am hoping to start August 8th.

If the world were perfect this is how it would work:

Commitment to participate through December
2 - 6 posts a month (with at least 1 being about the monthly theme)
Posts should have 1 - 4 photographs and limited to 250 words
The photos don't have to be taken recently or from your currently location, but you do need to be the person who took the picture.
Enhancements, filters and photo correction are acceptable - but no manipulation or design

We're not reading the same book. We're not even in the same library.

2011-07-21T22:48:00.003-06:00

This time last week I was at the midnight showing of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. Actually, I was watching Part 1 at the theater waiting for Part 2 to start. I won tickets on a facebook and had a really good time, and the movie was pretty good too. The tickets were for the new Cinemark in Farmington, it was the most enjoyable midnight event I have ever been to, and come to find out they do reserved seating on all their movies. Yay! Now if we could just get the commuter that stops by the theater to run on Sundays I would be in heaven.

On another note, I was contemplating a new car this week. It's not that I am actually looking for a new car. I drove by a dealership and there it was, the Stang I was looking for when I found the Pony I have now. It was everything I wanted: GT (V8), Coupe, Automatic, Light Blue, and it only had 6800 miles. I should have stopped that day and talked to them, but I wanted to think about it. I went back to the dealership today and they had already sold it :( I guess it just wasn't ment to be...

I felt like there was something else I wanted to talk about but I can't remember what...so I guess I will just go to bed.

Forgetful

2011-07-11T15:55:00.001-06:00

Oh yeah. I forgot to mention if anyone wants to add me to one of their circles on Google+ the email address is elusiveblue@gmail.com.

I have added some new work to my online folio that you can check out at www.amberlynmeier.com

And if anyone is interested in seeing Harry Potter this weekend I am planning on a Saturday night or sunday afternoon show. Hit me up if you wanna go.

They didn't cover the runway walk at Quantico, but I think I can handle it Mr. Stachmo.

2011-07-11T00:01:00.003-06:00

Google+:
The weekend started out great! Steph gave me an invite to Google+, which I am super excited it about. The one draw back it has right now is that I don't know that many people who are using it. So my circles are "lonely" as zefrank calls it, but I have had a good time exploring and updating. I have even put it on my phone. I really want to give huddle and hangouts a try.

Parade of Homes
I was able to hit 10 homes today. None of them were really extremely impressive. That being said there were some awesome elements in each of them. Like the bathroom that was tiled floor to ceiling so it could be 100%. Seriously, I am talking like a 10x10 room with a drain in the center, a toilet, a sink, a tub, and a shower with no door, walls, curtains or anything. It was a 10x10 shower with other stuff in it. This year there was a lot of translucent tile with color in the back so it had a dimensional look to it. All the homes seemed to be small this year too. I was a little disappointed.

Family Gathering and Fireworks
My family was finally able to get together and do June Birthdays/4th of July barbecue. And it is only the 2nd week of July. I don't know if it's me or if it's them but the fam is driving me crazy lately. But the more I think about it, the more I think it has got to be me...because they aren't the only ones making me crazy there are a couple of other people I could add to that list and they can't all have gone nuts at once...but does that mean I'm nuts?

Okay, its late and the later I stay up the more pissed I am getting over shit I haven't even written about here...it is time for bed...

Think of it as a Kardashian. What it lacks in refinement it makes up for in cargo space.

2011-07-05T01:51:00.002-06:00

I realized this weekend it has been 4 months since I wrote a post here. I wish I could say it was because I went out and found a life and just didn't have time for the "blog scene" any more, but that would be lying. Actually, I think the absolute opposite is true. I find it pretty safe to blame the utterly pathetic state of my life for my lack of blogging. It just isn't any fun to do this if you don't have anything exciting to write about, and it is even worse when everything you might want to write about ends up being a complaint, a gripe, an annoyance, a carte blanche bitchfest, or a worry about "this being the week they fire me." Therefore, no writing for me lately.

When it comes right down to it I have let work take over my life in an overly unhealthy way. If I am not working or sleeping, then I am prepping for work, thinking about work, or worrying about work. So even when I am not working, I am still working. And when I find myself with those few precious moments that work doesn't occupy I am so drained from all the other stuff that I waste them away doing nothing. Are you starting to see my sad state of affairs?

This is why I turned my 3 day holiday into a 4 day holiday. I took Friday off, which depending on who you talk to may or may not have been deserved, but it was very much needed. It would have been highly likely that if I had gone into work on Friday someone would have found me at my desk dead of a heart attack, stroke, or aneurysm. Yes, I have been that spun up lately.

So this weekend I spent some quality time with the family, did some major retail therapy, worked on a little pro bono project for my aunt, and never once looked at work, logged into work, checked up on work or thought about work. This has probably been the best 4 days of life. I can't ever remember feeling this relaxed.

So here I am trying to pull myself out of this funk. I have re-skinned my blog. Which is why I am up at 2am writing instead of sleeping. It is pretty graphic intensive at the moment and may need some tweaking. It doesn't load very well on Firefox 3.# browser (don't ask why I haven't upgraded I might scream). I am writing again, hopefully with semi-consistency. Maybe I will pull that goal list out, and give those a stab again - being that they have gone pretty much no where since I made the list, and as you can see I am trying to keep with the "White Collar" titles. It is tough though. That show is more witty banter between characters than it is snappy one-liners.

Oh yeah, and I have updated my print folio, and hope to get a couple of new projects added to www.amberlynmeier.com this week. I think I want to take a swing at some freelance work so if you know anyone in need of a good GD maybe send them my way.

A Day Marked for History...

2011-05-01T21:30:00.001-06:00

Just like millions of others around the world, I am documenting this day, this moment. I always kind of rolled my eyes my dad when he would talk about remembering where he was when the Apollo 11 landed on the moon, when Kennedy was shot, etc. I never really thought I would have moments like that in my life, but I do, and this will be one of them. The day that Osama Bin Laden died.

If we're looking for him, there's a chance they're looking for us.

2011-03-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

February was a tough month for my goals. The OPSGEAR catalog and thing-a-day pretty much dominated all my free time. Hopefully I will find some time to catch up. But anyway...here's the list...

The List
See 36 movies this year
The only movie I saw in February was I am Number Four. I did get Let Me Spoil It For You re-skined and I stripped the old posts out of it. Now I just have to get the new stuff started (4/36).

Read 24 books this year
I listened to I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore and I am still working on "A Total Waste of Makeup". My faith that I will finish that one is waning, but we will see how it goes (1/12, .5/12)

Create a new blog in a similar vein to The Impossible Cool
Still haven't started this one yet. I think I want to make is design oriented. Maybe, "Design Trend" or "Classic Design"

Create 5 seasons worth the musical playlists from Supernatural
This one would be so easy and fun, I don't know why I haven't started it yet.

Take 36 "post worthy" photos this year
I put this on my TAD list, but did do anything with it. I think my camera is acting up though...(0/36)

Self publish my Dad's book
Nada

Start a novel
Nope

Complete 3 websites
Nothing

Complete an updated printable or hard copy portfolio
Does thinking about it count?

Complete 6 freelance jobs or make $500 (which ever comes first)
Nope

Take at least one college course
I am starting to think this one isn't going to happen

Write more letters/emails
I should have included texts and tweets

Be more girly
Yes, but not in a good way :(

THE BIG ONE: Drop 6 sizes
Lets not talk about this one yet

Day 28: Bumper Sticker

2011-02-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

So once again TAD comes to an end. Last year I ended with a "I Survived" t-shirt. This year I decided to do a vinyl bumper sticker. Unfortunately, by the time I got it designed and all cut it was too dark to put it on the car and take pictures. So I put the two designs on a piece of dark plexi. I will have to cut another one to put on my car. It was a good one this year. I had fun. I hope everyone else did too.

Hopefully I see you all next year.

Day 27: Phone Background

2011-02-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

I am kickin' it old school today. I made an animated gif. I wanted to make an animated background for my phone. Sadly, when I finally got it to the wallpaper it didn't animate. That's okay though...it was a lazy attempt.

Day 26: Blog Skin

2011-02-26T21:12:00.002-07:00

I have spent most of my Saturday making one of my old blogs look new ( I know that doesn't say much for may social life).

Day 25: Toffee - 2nd attempt

2011-02-25T22:02:00.002-07:00

I tried toffee again and this time it worked out! Yay!

Day 24: Notebook

2011-02-24T22:16:00.002-07:00

Some chipboard, scrapbook paper, index cards, and the Cinch. With these items I was able to put together this little notebook.

Day 23: English Toffee

2011-02-23T22:08:00.002-07:00

Tonight I made my first attempt at English Toffee. Unfortunately I burned it.

Day 22: Calling Card

2011-02-22T22:34:00.003-07:00

This one is a little late tonight. I decided to do up a business card, probably more apt to call it a calling card. I had it all ready to post then decided it would probably be safer not to post my personal information on the TAD Blog. So I changed the personal details to filler details. The cards here are correct info, and the QR code even works. I know, out on the Net is out on the Net, but I get so little traffic here I am not all that concerned.

Day 21: Wall Art

2011-02-21T20:12:00.002-07:00

I did a project like this one last year. I covered a 12" canvas with fabric. This year cover 4 - 6" canvas blocks with coordinating fabric so they could hang/stand together. This is a really easy project, and it always seems to look good...I spent more time picking fabric than I did putting it together.

Day 20: Modular Star

2011-02-20T17:10:00.002-07:00

Sorry, I feel like absolute crap today so all TAD is getting from me is this. Here's to hoping tomorrow is better.

Day 19: Knight Illustration (Digital)

2011-02-19T17:32:00.002-07:00

I have finally hit my wall. It is not that I have run out of things to do, it is just that my ambition and ingenuity are waning. This is a Photoshop/Illustrator concoction. I mocked it up with the intention of it eventually becoming a silk screened poster, but I don't really love it. It looks good, I am just not sure it what I want...but I am feeling like crap today so nothing is really looking amazing to me right now...

Day 18: 3D Puzzle

2011-02-18T21:28:00.004-07:00

I found this 3D puzzle at the craft store tonight. I thought it looked cute. It snapped together pretty easily. I could paint it blue and have my very own TARDIS.

Day 17: Cocktail

2011-02-17T20:15:00.003-07:00

It was a "little bit of this, little bit of that" kinda night. I have had a really rough few weeks. So tonight I treated myself to a bit of a cocktail. I just mixed some stuff together. I am sure it has a name but I don't know it. It is:

Amaretto

Triple Sec

Peach Liquer

Pineapple/Orange Juice

Ice

and Strawberries

Day 16: Cupcakes in a Jar

2011-02-16T21:40:00.001-07:00

When my mom and I sat down for dinner on last night she said, "I found this cute thing today..." It was Cupcakes in Jars. I thought the idea was so adorable I just had to do it myself. The one I actually tried to bake in the jar didn't turn out (no picture) the ones that I put in the jars after they were baked turned out pretty cute though.

Day 15: Clay Beads

2011-02-15T21:14:00.002-07:00

Today I decided to pull out the polymer clay and make beads. Unfortunately, I don't think they turned out well. I also tried to make rose buds, they turned out alright. All and all the colors are nice, the shapes need work, and I had fun.

Day 14: Pinback Button

2011-02-14T21:10:00.001-07:00

Hopefully this will be my last gushy love inspired "thing" (but who knows). I am giving credit for the phrase to Thompson Square and the base picture is courtesy of Brierley on www.sxc.hu

Day 13: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

2011-02-13T18:48:00.001-07:00

These are an amazingly tasty and amazingly easy Valentine's day treat! Yummy!

Day 12: Gift Box

2011-02-12T19:30:00.003-07:00

Went back to the Modge Podge today and did up this cute little gift box. If you only I had a cute little gift to put in it.

Day 11: Chocolate Chip Cookies

2011-02-11T21:31:00.001-07:00

I made chocolate chip cookies tonight!!!

Day 10: Doodles

2011-02-10T20:03:00.003-07:00

I saw some really amazing sketches on my purusal of the site last night, and it inspired me to do a little doodling. What I have here is not nearly as good as what I have seen but I had a lot of fun using Penultimate on my iPad.

Day 09: Chicken Dinner

2011-02-09T20:55:00.001-07:00

I am not much of a cook, so it is kind of a big deal at my house when I say, "I think I am going to cook dinner." So tonight I made Maple Walnut Chicken, Apple Cheddar Rice and Cheddar Biscuits. All new recipes for me courtesy of Rachel Ray and the Food Network. To be honest, it was not a phenomenal dinner. It was okay, but nothing really to get excited over. I think it is a bigger deal that I actually cooked :)

Day 08: Vinyl Letters

2011-02-08T20:58:00.002-07:00

Hallmark's current tag line is "Life is a special occasion." When I heard that I fell in love with it. So I decided to pull out the vinyl cutter and put that saying over my front door. So I can see it everyday before I leave the house.

Day 07: Necklace Pendant

2011-02-07T21:37:00.002-07:00

7 days down, just 21 to go. Sorry the pictures for this one are a little blurry. Mod Podge has this "dimensional glue." In true Mod Podge fashion it dries clear and it also shrinks (and lays flat after drying). So I took an empty pendant, put a piece of paper in it and filled it with dimensional magic (I should have filled it a little more). It looks goods. I would do a couple things different next time, but it was a good first time.

Day 06: Bead Dangles

2011-02-06T16:24:00.002-07:00

When I was at the bead store I saw a really simple necklace that I absolutely loved, and I thought I had some beads at home that would work great for it. When I got home and started going through my bead box I found a few different options. So I did up roughs of each of them. These are the 4 I have narrowed it down to...now I just have to decide (and find some copper chain).

Day 05: Birthday Card

2011-02-05T21:30:00.002-07:00

My day 05 project is Carla's birthday card. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Day 04: Piece of Flair

2011-02-04T22:43:00.002-07:00

There is this application on facebook called "Pieces of Flair," basically it is a virtual pin board, and tonight I made a pin for it.

Day 03: Origami Rose (and Cube)

2011-02-03T22:29:00.001-07:00

See the full gallery on posterous

Today I folded an origami rose that collapses into a cube. I started working on this thinking it would be easy, but it ended up being more complicated than I thought (and it would have looked better if I had 3 pieces of the same color paper for the petals). It takes six sheets of square paper (and I would recommend something slightly heavier than the typical origami paper). I actually got the instructions from YouTube. Here is a link to the video. I had to watch it a couple of times because there are no spoken instructions, just the visuals.

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2011

Day 02: Papered Frame

2011-02-02T20:06:00.001-07:00

Back in December I was given a frame that had this horrible leopard skin print on it. So today I Mod-Podge'd this cute yellow floral print paper over the top of it. I think is turned out pretty nice. It could maybe use a little more embellishment, but I like it.

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2011

Day 01: Desktop Background

2011-02-01T21:39:00.002-07:00

I am making the first one easy. This desktop background was inspired by this year's thing-a-day ad. It will hopefully act as a reminder of for me that I have something to do everyday this month. If you would like the full size (1920 x 1080) version you can download it here.

I don't handle change well

2011-01-30T23:17:00.003-07:00

I really do wish Johny well. I hope everything turns out the way he wants it to, but I am still sad to see him go. And it is that much more sad because this mean all my best friends have left me. That sounds really bad. I still have my friends, but they have all moved away. :( So I am feeling kind of lonely.

You know the worst thing about art forgery?

2011-01-30T22:33:00.003-07:00

"You can't take credit for your work."
Last year was Supernatural quotes, this year will be White Collar quotes :)
So far, I haven't done anything I said I would regarding the "fleshing out" of my new years goals. So we'll just have to see how it goes. Maybe I will talk more about them as I go through my monthly follow-.ups

The List
See 36 movies this year
So far I have seen: Tangled, TRON Legacy, and Season of the Witch. Maybe I will try to get Let Me Spoil It For You up and running so I can talk about what I have seen, but I make no promises.

Read 24 books this year
First I should say, only half of these are allowed to be audio books (to count) I am off to a slow start, I have listened to the Lost Symbol again, but I am not counting that...and I am about 1/3 the way through a book called "A Total Waste of Makeup"- total chick book, and it hasn't been phenomenal, but I have faith I'll finish it.

Create a new blog in a similar vein to The Impossible Cool
Haven't started it yet. I have to come up with a good concept first.

Create 5 seasons worth the musical playlists from Supernatural
Haven't started it yet.

Take 36 "post worthy" photos this year
Haven't started it yet.

Self publish my Dad's book
Haven't started it yet.

Start a novel
Does it count if I have tried this before, so I already have pieces?

Complete 3 websites
Not one of the ones I intended, but I may be doing a project for someone, we'll have to see.

Complete an updated printable or hard copy portfolio
Haven't started it yet.

Complete 6 freelance jobs or make $500 (which ever comes first)
I might be doing a project or two for a friend of a friend, but it is still too early to tell.

Take at least one college course
Haven't looked into it yet.

Write more letters/emails
Haven't started yet.

Be more girly
I have been looking at make up techniques...its a step in the right direction.

THE BIG ONE: Drop 6 sizes
Ugh...Haven't started yet :(

Like I said...starting off slow...with TAD coming up I doubt February will be any better.

TAD is almost here...

2011-01-30T00:15:00.004-07:00

Thing-A-Day 2011 is almost here. As a matter of were looking at roughly 27 hours and counting. I will admit I am not quite as excited this year as have been in past, that being said, I need some creativity in my life and this has always been a good inspiration generator. As I did last year, I am making a list of things to do for TAD. This is not a checklist of things I need to accomplish as much as it is a go to list in case I find myself wondering what I can create. The rules are simple: create 1 thing everyday the entire month of February, and try your best not to spend more than 30min-1hour creating your item (I always spend more time than I should...but I figure it is how I choose to spend my time and it isn't like this is a competition).
TAD 2011 Project Idea List

January Calendar Page (it is the only one I don't have done)
Christmas Ornaments (I know, right, but I am doing a mini tree for the festival next year)
Polymer Clay Beads
Beaded Watch Band
Silk Screen Poster
Desktop Screen Saver
New Skin for Blog
Valentine's Day Cards
Birthday Cards
Decorative Picture Frame
Vinyl Wall Designs
Crochet an Afghan (one day, no)?
Holder for Christmas Tree
Tree Skirt
Personalized Business Cards
Personalized Stationary
Book Layout for Folio
Origami Project?
Cube Bead Necklace
Photography (I am 3 pictures behind for the year)
Vinyl Adornment for Phone
Typographic Wall Art
Custom Label for Art Work
Logo for a Friend
Create a simple app for Android
English Toffee
Baking Goods
Dinner Entree(s)
Simple Sewing Project (Pillow Case)
Fleece Blanket
T-Shirt

Boy, this list was harder to create this year than last year...I have a feeling I am going to struggle this year...but I am going to be positive. I can do it!!!

That time of year...again...

2011-01-03T00:09:00.003-07:00

I toyed with the idea of not doing this, this year. Last year was something of a failure for me when it came to New Years goals. But I took some advice from a friend and decided it was something that I needed to do. So below is my list of goals...some are silly and fun, some are more serious, and I can guarantee not all of them will get completed, but all of them will be attempted. Every one of these has a little back story, a reason why I am doing it, but you will notice my list is kind of long. If I tried to give every story to every goal I would I have a post of biblical proportion here. And I am sure most of my (3) readers would stop reading half way through. So over the next few weeks I hope to share a little bit about each of the goals I am sharing with you (the answer is yes, if you caught that hint, I do have more goals than this; these are the ones I am willing to share).

The List

See 36 movies this year
Read 24 books this year
Create a new blog in a similar vein to The Impossible Cool
Create 5 seasons worth the musical playlists from Supernatural
Take 36 "post worthy" photos this year
Self publish my Dad's book
Start a novel
Complete 3 websites
Complete an updated printable or hard copy portfolio
Complete 6 freelance jobs or make $500 (which ever comes first)
Take at least one college course
Write more letters/emails
Be more girly
THE BIG ONE: Drop 6 sizes

Hoops

2010-11-09T23:39:00.003-07:00

The only thing keeping from going back to school is the admission process. The folio section is killing me...I am going back to school to learn motion media...I don't want to show you I am already proficient in it. Or maybe I am going back to get that illustrious MFA in graphic design...but do I really need it if I already have a kick ass folio with multi-page projects and multiple piece campaigns that I am required to send to you. What if my undergrad was in marketing and I thought my graduate degree should be more artistic...I am pretty much screwed then. Don't get me wrong, I understand the need to present a portfolio to the committee. I understand that there needs to be some basic knowledge there. I also understand the need for parameters...they help, a lot, but come on...let me just show you my best work, don't make me pad the folio with bogus projects to fulfill your "requirements"

Everyones subject to administrative failings :)

2010-11-03T22:20:00.000-06:00

Let me start by saying I am not making fun of any one person or group of people here, I just find this absurdly funny. I probably find it funnier than it really is, but I still just had to share.

So here is a little bit of background. I am not LDS, but I grew up in an LDS neighborhood, with some great friends and neighbors who would let me go to church with them anytime I wanted, and I have extended family who belong to the Church, so I have access. I probably only went to church a handful of times though and it has easily been 15 years since I have been to a service. That being said as far as the Church is concerned I have "belonged" to the local 7th ward for everyone one of my 3o years of life.

Well, that is until next Sunday...I got this letter in the mail today (I have removed the personal and sensitive information, but you can still get the jist).

The letter in and of itself is not what is funny. What is funny is, if I understand correctly, is that a person can only attend a YSA (young single adult) ward until they are 31.

Dude! I just turned 30! My birthday was like a month ago. Wouldn't it have been better to save the stamp just leave me where I am or just move me to an SA (single adult) ward now instead, so you don't have to send me another letter in 6 months.

I realize there are other elements involved with this. And in the end it doesn't really concern me at all, but I still found it really funny :) Everyone is at the mercy of technical administrative short comings :)

This looks like a zombie pen, Sammy.

2010-11-03T22:06:00.002-06:00

Didn't do this for September (and I don't have the memory to recall what I did), which shouldn't surprise anyone...I am just about over this whole thing. I thought posting monthly might keep me on track, but it hasn't. Just take a look at all things I didn't work on in October...maybe I should just scrap it until next year.

*Teach myself to cook.
-----------

*Keep a Journal.
-----------

*Lose weight.
-----------

*Try one new thing a month.
Went to a new restaurant with Liz it was only so-so, I don't even remember the name...

*Build and maintain a personal website and/or web community.
www.amberlynmeier.com is done (as it is gonna be).

*Maintain my blogs.
------------

*Do something with That's My Favorite or shut it down.
Complete.

*Create an all encompassing self promotion package.
------------

*24 books in 12 months.
Little bit further along. I "read" Beautiul Lies by Lisa Unger, The Lost Heroes by Rick Riordan, and Naked Heat by Richard Castle.

*Produce "fine art" to sell.
------------

*Find a stable, healthy, relationship.
------------

The Big Decision = ~~Buying a Dwelling~~ Go Back To School
------------

I know, I know, this is truly depressing.

I bet you thought I forgot

2010-10-17T11:34:00.002-06:00

I bet you thought I forgot what today was. I assure you I did not. I thought about you fondly, and those thoughts turned to worries...

You were not forgotten..I hope you know that.

Thirty is why God gave man the intelligence to create waterproof mascara

2010-10-03T01:16:00.003-06:00

23 minutes ago I wanted to write about being thirty. I wanted to get it all out there, thinking that would make me feel better about the disappointment. Its not so much the age that bothers me , but the un-met goals and biting realizations. I don't really want to think about it anymore. Lets just say the first 25.5 hours of thirty haven't been the best (the word sucked come to mind, but I am a bit of a drama queen) but I still have 8734.5 more that have perfect potential to be spectacular.

Cute as a Button!

2010-09-05T23:27:00.004-06:00

So I took the better party of the evening tonight and worked on my magnets so I can really call my Calendar project done. They actually turned out pretty cute. I am pleased...

Have I mentioned I am never doing this again?

2010-08-29T23:32:00.005-06:00

So I have had these last four calendar pages done for a while I have been holding off on posting them because I wanted to wait until I had the magnetic numbers done (you will notice on these last 4 I didn't include numbers). Well the magnets aren't done and September is looming. I might just have to use dry erase marker. So here are the last 4 months of the year...and PS...I am never doing this again.

We know a little about a lot of things; just enough to make us dangerous.

2010-08-29T21:58:00.005-06:00

I can't believe I didn't do this for July. Things have been so crazy lately I hardly have time to do anything extracurricular. Unfortunately I don't think I am going to try to catch July...My days are a blur as it is. I just don't think I can parse it out.

*Teach myself to cook.
More baking...mmmm...pumpkin roll...but not really cooking.

*Keep a Journal.
:P

*Lose weight.
I have a horrible jeans buying story that happened this week that proves this isn't happening...and no, I am not going to share it.

*Try one new thing a month.
Mo Bettah's (restaurant) watching the UFC fight (bleh), Lenny's Cafe (restaurant)...I think that is about it.

*Build and maintain a personal website and/or web community.
I have slowly but surely working on my portfolio site, www.amberlynmeier.com, It is sitting at 80% right now. All the pages are active, and the links are @ 90% there are a few stragglers that aren't active...My big problem is the portfolio page. I only have 2 active projects (Grow Strong and You + AIGA). But I am still working on it.

*Maintain my blogs.
:P

*Do something with That's My Favorite or shut it down.
Complete.

*Create an all encompassing self promotion package.
:P

*24 books in 12 months.
July's book was Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and August's book was California Fire and Life. Both good, but Fire and Life was better.

*Produce "fine art" to sell.
:P

*Find a stable, healthy, relationship.
:P

The Big Decision = ~~Buying a Dwelling~~ Go Back To School
I looked into starting this semester, but I just didn't find anything that fit. I am still looking at Spring, so I am chipping away at it.

Clean Graffiti

2010-07-11T15:31:00.003-06:00

Found this via ze frank I thought it very interesting.

That's not school; that's schoolhouse rock!

2010-07-05T22:15:00.005-06:00

*Teach myself to cook.
Hmmm...baby steps...I made root beer cupcakes for the first time. They turned out well, but it was only semi-homemade. The recipe called for box mix. My big triumph was eggs Benedict with smoked salmon. I made Hollandaise sauce from scratch, and poached eggs...this turned out excellent. I would probably make it every week if the calories wouldn't kill me.

*Keep a Journal.
Am I allowed to plead the 5th?

*Lose weight.
I have all sorts of excuses...but mostly I just want to grumble and say, "don't ask."

*Try one new thing a month.
Barbacoa Mexican Grill...it was only so-so. I baked root beer cupcakes. Tried Scoopology...it seems like my life revolves around food.

*Build and maintain a personal website and/or web community.
Nothing since I first announced www.amberlynmeier.com but after this last month, it is back to a high priority position in my schedule.

*Maintain my blogs.
Careless Thoughts has a new skin and a new name...if you hadn't noticed you are now reading Circular Thinking...

*Do something with That's My Favorite or shut it down.
Complete.

*Create an all encompassing self promotion package.
Nothing really new here, but as with the site, it is re-taken a high priority position.

*24 books in 12 months.
I have read Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles, The Red Pyramid and Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. Kane Chronicles was okay...The Olympians series is still better though. As for Sh*t My Dad Says, if you can put up with the profanity it was a good and funny read. I would recommend it. My side bar now has a running list of completed books for the year. I am currently sitting at 13. So I am about par...I am feeling pretty good about it.

*Produce "fine art" to sell.
Nope...

*Find a stable, healthy, relationship.
This is really quite laughable...

The Big Decision = Buying a Dwelling
I went and talked to the bank about what I could afford and what sort of steps I should be taking to prepare for this, and the loan officer pretty much blew my dream out of the water. My debt to income ratio is simply too high...so what do I decide would be a good thing to do...increase my debt even more with another student loan. I haven't actually done it yet. But the Big D was school or a house and if I am not doing a house then the fall back is school...I am taking it slow no solid decision has been made yet, but we will see...

Circular Thinking

2010-06-28T23:54:00.002-06:00

There is always something fun about giving your blog a new skin, even if, in this day and age, anyone who is reading your blog consistently is doing it with a feed reader :)

Things have been so crazy lately that I have been living is a state of "not good." My head always hurts, my knees always ache, it is always too hot, there is never enough time to get done what needs to get done, I am always late, it seems I can't get much further than adequate with anything anymore...I am back to drowning...back to treading water and waiting, hoping, for something to happen. Pull me under, push me up, carry me away. Just please, please, please, don't leave me out in this wide expanse of still water with no rock in sight...treading, treading, treading...waiting, waiting, waiting...not giving up, not giving in, but no end in sight makes for a daunting day and night...

It's time for change...sink or swim as they say...even if neither journey has a destination?

Devil Cards?

2010-06-02T00:32:00.002-06:00

I have decided to pull my tarot cards out again. As a matter of fact I had a pretty eerie encounter with them last night and this morning. I am going to try to keep an online tarot journal @ http://tarotrack.blogspot.com. My first post is kind of vague because it involves people and situations I probably shouldn't discuss on line. I am re-posting it here in case you don't want to click over.

I haven't had my tarot cards out in about three years now. So long in fact, I had forgotten which box I had put them in. But as fate would have it, in doing a bit of cleaning I came across them. So I thought I was start dabbling again.

I was wound so tight last night, over an imaginary argument I thought I would try meditating on a quick 3-card spread in an attempt to calm down. I didn't even pull the cards out of the box to shuffle them. I just pulled 3 cards from the deck. They are as follows (in this order): King of Wands (up-right), Six of Cups (down-ward), Three of Swords (down-ward). Fortunately, my cards have the descriptions right on them so I didn't have to so a lot of searching of the meanings.

The King of Wands: Denotes, handsome charismatic bold man over 40, who has a commanding presence and strong convictions. Strong leadership skills. Attracts attention where ever he goes. Takes action and gets results. An innovative, creative man who is open to new concepts.

The Six of Cups: You lose sight of the future by dwelling on the past. Pain and difficulty do not disappear right away. Emotional upset continues. You are not taking responsibility for your emotions. Self control is necessary now. Inheritance or gift possible. A large sum of money effects your mood.

The Three of Swords: Someone protects your feelings instead of tell you the truth. One person in your relationship will be tempted to betray the other. Flaws in a relationship are overlooked because the positive aspects are worth keeping. Contented and happy with a relationship-you see no need to change anything.

I meditated on these cards for a minute and it did nothing to calm my disposition. As a matter of act it made my anxiety worse because after a minute I knew exactly who the man was, I knew what mistake I made to bring about the emotions and the gift, and lastly I was scared half to death by that fact that this gift might stop me in my tracks...

I tried to put it out of my mind, but this morning what the cards foresaw, materialized right in front of me. This was enough to shake me little...open my eyes back up. So for now I am going to keep an online tarot journal. And try doing a few spreads a week.

What would you rather have, peace or freedom?

2010-05-31T13:11:00.003-06:00

I am trying to stay ahead of the curve this time. So here it is the end of the month and I am posting my monthly update!

*Teach myself to cook.
Got a new cookbook, tried a recipe...its progress, but not a lot.

*Keep a Journal.
...hmm...

*Lose weight.
My goal this month was 12lbs. I didn't make that goal, but I did lose 6lbs. So it is coming along.

*Try one new thing a month.
I had put a new phone jack plate on my wall, which required me having to wire the phone wires to jack plate. I was a little concerned it wouldn't work after I got it put back together, but it worked great. I felt rather accomplished after this one.

*Build and maintain a personal website and/or web community.
I bought another template meant specifically for the personal stuff.

*Maintain my blogs.
I have posted a bit more, but not much...

*Do something with That's My Favorite or shut it down.

*Create an all encompassing self promotion package.
Still working on this...slowly but surely I have made progress.

*24 books in 12 months.
Finished Angelology and have started the Red Pyramid.

*Produce "fine art" to sell.
no...

*Find a stable, healthy, relationship.
:P

The Big Decision
My tenacity is wavering on buying a house...I still want to do it, but it seems the obstacles are mounting...maybe I want too much too fast...I really don't want to rent (or buy a trailer) but maybe I will have to look at that route. Just to check my options. I have had a few people tell me maybe I need to look at going to back to school. This was the flip side of the house buying coin. So maybe if I am looking at renting, I should also re-visit SCAD.

Lets Get a Few Things Straight

2010-05-24T23:46:00.005-06:00

You are not doing me any favors.
You have done nothing to make it impossible for me to leave.
You believe you have made it worth my while to stay where I am. This is an assumption, and it is wrong. Your belief does not make it a fact.
Neither your happiness or your convenience are my primary concern. Nor should they be.
Though I do believe you try to do what is fair and what is right, do not patronize me with what you claim is in my best interest. There is very little I think you would do for my sole benefit, and you have given me no reason to think otherwise.
I may not have known it in the beginning, but I am fully aware now that I have been played. This is not appreciated. It has made me question your every action, past and present, and it colors all of my motives and intentions.
The fact that my common sense can adequately override my anger (an ability you do not seem to have) is the only thing ensuring that you will see me tomorrow.

4 more months

2010-05-04T23:53:00.008-06:00

I will never scrapbook a calendar again... :( 4 months down, 4 more to go...May had some promise...August is my favorite...the others are just kind of blah...

...before I pump you so full of rock salt you crap margaritas

2010-05-02T17:49:00.004-06:00

As promised, my April update complete with a Supernatural quote as a title :)

*Teach myself to cook.
Hmm...this is starting to make me feel lazy, but no, I did nothing in April for this particular goal.

*Keep a Journal.
Ditto from last weeks post.

*Lose weight.
Well...at the request of steph I have joined the Daily Burn, but I haven't done much past joining. I think I have decided to set monthly goals instead of having one big goal. So May's mini benchmark is going to be to lose 12lbs.

*Try one new thing a month.
I should really make a note when I do something new so I can remember if I did or not. I can't remember if I did something new in April...so I am going to have to say no again...This isn't true. I tried 2 new restaurants: Salt City Burgers, and Vertical Diner. There now I don't feel so bad.

*Build and maintain a personal website and/or web community.
www.amberlynmeier.com is my new portfolio site (it was created from one of the templates I bought). It isn't finished yet, but there is enough content I don't have to be ashamed to have it online.

*Maintain my blogs.
I have made 1 2 blog post since TAD ended...this isn't going so well...

*Do something with That's My Favorite or shut it down.
Complete.

*Create an all encompassing self promotion package.
Not really...I have been working on a website (see address above), but it is far from all encompassing...

*24 books in 12 months.
I read a Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future by Michael J. Fox. It was a quickie, and pretty cute. I also started (not completed) Angelology

*Produce "fine art" to sell.
Nope...

*Find a stable, healthy, relationship.
Hard to do when your a hermit...

The Big Decision
Buying a dwelling...that is a good generic term for it...it is still on the books, but things aren't going too well...I haven't been able to put any extra money away. And now it is depressing to even look at the housing market because prices are going up :( Last month I started having serious doubts about continuing this particular path, but I can't make myself put it away yet.

I full on Swayze'd that mother.

2010-04-26T21:56:00.004-06:00

I realized last night as I was updating my goodreads.com account that I never did a March update. Here it is almost the end of April. Tsk tsk...so here is March update...and April's will come next week :)

*Teach myself to cook.
To my best recollection I did absolutely nothing to move forward on this one...I made Rice Krispie Treats...which I feel like I mastered a while ago.

*Keep a Journal.
Nope, nada, not even close to touching this maybe in a few months...

*Lose weight.
UGH! I have actually put on weight...which depressed me...

*Try one new thing a month.
Umm...I won't lie on this one...I might have gone to a new restaurant or something like that, but it wasn't memorable if I did...so I am not sure I did something new or not...

*Build and maintain a personal website and/or web community.
I bought a couple of web templates. So...not very far

*Maintain my blogs.
I have made 1 blog post since TAD ended...this isn't going so well...

*Do something with That's My Favorite or shut it down.
Well...TMF has been officially closed...all taken care of...washed my hands of it...that being said I am reallocating the website. It will be my personal site (eventually)

*Create an all encompassing self promotion package.
Not really...I have been working on a website (see address above), but it is far from all encompassing...

*24 books in 12 months.
I think I only got one in March....Imperial Life in the Emerald City...

*Produce "fine art" to sell.
Nothing...

*Find a stable, healthy, relationship.
I might have started some unhealthy relationships, but I don't think that counts...

The Big Decision
Buying a dwelling...that is a good generic term for it...it is still on the books, but things aren't going too well...I haven't been able to put any extra money away.

Does this irk anyone else

2010-04-14T22:53:00.002-06:00

I understand that all the stories are saying Lopez is happy about Conan joining the TBS family, and maybe he is, but it still irks me.

Conan threw a fit when NBC wanted to bump him back a half hour, and he made a stink that the network never really gave his show a chance to thrive before they wanted to make changes...

Now Conan is signing a contract with TBS that will bump George Lopez back a whole hour, and to add insult to injury (if I am doing my math right) George has barely been on 6 months. Conan had 8 NBC...

Something about this just doesn't seem right...even if George asked him to come on board...

I almost forgot...

2010-03-08T00:22:00.002-07:00

I didn't do my month end recap when I posted my polish bottle post so here it is:

*Teach myself to cook. I did some cooking (very little) for my thing-a-day this year...so I have made an attempt on this, as meager as it was...

*Keep a Journal. Still no attempt here, an no snarky comment to accompany it.

*Lose weight. Hmm...lets not even about this one, okay

*Try one new thing a month. Ahh Sushi-a restaurant/bar downtown.

*Build and maintain a personal website and/or web community. Umm...steph turned me onto a site that has some great templates so I think it is fair to say, I have been "concepting" the idea.

*Maintain my blogs. February my blog got a lot of attention because I posted all my thing-a-day projects...the others are still feeling lonely.

*Do something with That's My Favorite or shut it down. At the end of February I had one letter left to send and two accounts left to close. Then this one is complete.

*Create an all encompassing self promotion package. Hmmm...nope...nada...maybe this month.

*24 books in 12 months. February's books were Angel Time, Percy Jackson and the Olympians books 1-4, and 2 Anne Rice novels that I am not naming because they were just smut and I am slightly ashamed to say I read them.

*Produce "fine art" to sell. Could you call anything I did during TAD "fine art." Even if you did I still haven't sold anything.

*Find a stable, healthy, relationship. Not talking about this one either...

The Big Decision
Moving out or grad school...I have made a decision...I am going to try to move out. By the end of the year I am hoping to buy a house (ish...townhouse/duplex/condo...what ever I can afford).

Polish in the Bottle

2010-03-01T23:56:00.000-07:00

Nail polish always looks so pretty in the bottle, don't you think? But it never seems to look quite right when you put it on your nails.

February has been a pretty busy month for me. Thing-A-Day has kept me on my toes...speaking of Thing-A-Day, here is a slide show of all the projects I did for TAD this year. They run from newest to oldest.

For those who don't know, TAD is online project that takes place every February, and as the name suggests you are suppose to make something everyday. It has the potential to be cumbersome, but I had a lot of fun this year.

I saw a couple of really good shows in February. First was Avenue Q, which was phenomenal. I was a little concerned in the beginning with the puppets, but it turned out great. I also saw The Vagina Monologues, again phenomenal. It was hilariously funny, and yet amazingly serious.

Got the taxes taken care of, almost got the business taken of, tried a couple of new restaurants, and the biggie...I have made a decision...
The beginning of January I was trying to decide whether to go to graduate school or try to buy a house. I have decided to try and buy a house. We'll see how it goes.

Day 28-T-Shirt Design

2010-02-28T18:27:00.001-07:00

Last post of for the year. This has been a great TAD year. I have had so much fun doing all this. I have seen some really amazing stuff, and can't wait to see you all again next year. I couldn't think of a better way to end it. :)

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

Day 27-Wall Art

2010-02-27T21:40:00.001-07:00

This one was so quick to do and it turned out so well. I think it is really cute. I wish I had bought more fabric to do more of them.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

Day 26-Bleached Paper

2010-02-26T21:52:00.001-07:00

This one isn't so much a project as an experiment. I was flipping through a magazine yesterday and came across a "how-to" on bleaching paper. I thought it looked really interesting (but I have to say not interesting enough to buy the mag). So I decided to see if i could replicate the concept tonight. I didn't have the right ink to replicate the coloring process, but the bleaching process seemed to work alright. This could be fun way to make your own textured paper.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

Day 25-Doodles

2010-02-25T21:22:00.001-07:00

This might be like taking pass, but all I got today is doodles.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

Day 24-Chemical Glass Etching

2010-02-24T22:43:00.001-07:00

(This project was hard to photograph, as you can tell.)
I thought I would give the Armour Etch a try. I was pretty pessimistic about it. But it turned out pretty good (even if you can't tell that by the photos). In case you can't read it, the saying is: "I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they go flying by." It is one of my favorites.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

Day 23-Hard Drive Labels

2010-02-23T22:24:00.001-07:00

I sometimes feel like the vinyl cutter is my "easy fall back" when I am having trouble coming up with something to do. But here it is, another vinyl project. I bought a couple of new hard drives tonight, and even though they are different colors I decided to label them.

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

Day 22-Record Bowls

2010-02-22T21:13:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine, Liz, made these melted record bowls for Christmas. I was so impressed I went to the thrift store a bought a couple of records to make some for myself. Those records I bought then sat for a couple of months. But I decided to pull them out today and give it a go...

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010

Tired

2010-02-21T23:48:00.002-07:00

Bad attracts bad. Sending negative out only seems to bring negative back. I am tired. I feel my heart full to the brim with darkness and that saddens me. How does that old prayer go? "Give me grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other." So what am I to do: stop having those conversations with myself, pretend, smile and accept, graciously decline.

I am tired. I am broken. I am defeated. Do I feign happiness until it becomes real? Will it ever become real? Maybe I am just an unhappy person, but I enjoy being happy.

Day 21-Bubbly Bread

2010-02-21T17:10:00.001-07:00

This is a recipe from the Rhodes Fresh Ideas cook book. It is a pretty simple cheese bread recipe. It turned out really good. Bread and cheese...is there anything better in the world.

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Day 20-April Calendar

2010-02-20T22:59:00.001-07:00

April's Calendar. It is a little hard to read, I will admit, but I still think it turned out cute.

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Day 19-Photo Touch Up

2010-02-19T22:04:00.001-07:00

About this time last month my family got together to have a family picture taken. They turned out really nice, but like most people, I don't like having my picture taken 'cause I feel photos dramatize the flaws. Anyway, because of this I decided to do a little touch up/air brushing. We all look a little fuzzy, I think I blurred the under layer too bit too much. I might have to try again at some point. I have included the before picture as well so you can see what I did.

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Posted via email from thing-a-day 2010