2007 Indulgences

The amazing Jennifer Crusie said "I've got the serious resolutions coming up next weekend, the ones where I promise to cook more and take a yoga class and do all that stuff, but it's Christmas and I want to be good to myself, so what if tonight I made kind resolutions, the things I really, really want to do but never get to, the stuff that I'd kill to do but never get to because it's too ridiculous and I have to be Serious About My Life and Career, what if I made my Five Indulgences of 2007?" (And if you haven't read any Jennifer Crusie, run to the bookstore and get you some! She is extraordinary, as are her fans, the Cherries!)
What a neat idea! So naturally, I'm going to give it a try...
Renee's Five Indulgences of 2007
Indulgence #1: A week's vacation in Seattle or California, where I will visit my friends in each place and do touristy things if they appeal. Preferably during a season where the weather there is better than the weather here.
Indulgence #2: a 90 minute, full body massage by Carla's former masseuse. He is part of the reason she went to massage therapy school, and she has nothing but good things to say about him. The last time I visited a masseuse, I found one who spent more time working on my vibrational harmonies than on my aching body. Nice guy, but I was disappointed because what I really needed was a massage.
Indulgence #3: A teacher for digital imaging. Whether it is a college credit class, or just some one-on-one time with someone who really knows the program inside and out, I am tired of trying to teach myself in my spare time.
Indulgence #4: I will take time to paint this year. It horrifies me that I haven't made a painting in more than FIVE years. I will spend the money to update my supplies, and use the canvases my mom got me for Christmas last year. And perhaps I will find a group of artists to work with... I am in envy of the Drawing Club, where every week they hire a model to wear a character costume and draw or paint. Or figure drawing would be good, too.
Indulgence #5: I will adopt two cats this year. Living without cats is a horrible and unnatural existence for me, and when I get my new apartment I will fix this!

You know, this does not seem all that extravagant. It's rather encouraging that overall, I can see myself actually accomplishing these things :)

Happy Holidays

Well, clearly it was time for another picture... I'd offered Doug a holiday greeting (20 days ago! Better late than never, I guess. At least there are boobs...) Erin got naked again, glorious and gorgeous as ever (by the way, it's never a "self absorbed narcissistic existence" when dozens of people are begging for the pictures. Take off all the clothes you want, and post pictures. I promise to enjoy all of them!)

My apologies to George, who inspired the original idea... After seeing my mutant marshmallow snowmen, he was reminded of Krugy, and I tried to get a good picture of a snowman on my cleavage. It just didn't work out; if it was a good picture of me, it was a bad snowman picture and vice versa. (*Note to me - Buy a remote for the digital camera*)

So, here's a pic of just the snowman :)

My Virtues

Heeheehee. I cannot type that without feeling smug and self centered. Still, I'm going to give this a try...

From SxKitten (who added to it from Dean) (also at Doug's)
"The Holiday Challenge: Post your 4 virtues - 4 things you like about yourself.

The Hard Part: No qualifiers, no but’s, no apologies, no back-handed put-downs. You have to give yourself 4 solid, undiluted compliments."

1. I'm Bright. Dean's list scholar in college, top ten percent of graduating class, learn new concepts quickly, read very fast with good retention...

2. I'm Enthusiastic and Enjoy Many Things. Also known as easily amused. Really, I love Broadway musicals and camping, fine art and comics, "great literature" and Stephen King. I'm not a snob, and I try to never be close-minded.

3. I'm Creative. I love to paint, draw, take photos, make ceramics, make jewelry, play with Photoshop, journal, write poetry, and try to write fiction. I'm even good at most of them :)

4. I'm a Great Boss and Friend. And I don't believe that the two are mutually exclusive. My people are very sad that I'm leaving the job (although they understand my reasons.) I'm loyal, sincere, honest, and I always have your back. (I'm even honest if it's not what you want to hear...)

Many thanks to Dean, for originating this; SxKitten, for continuing it; and Doug, for just being wonderful. Also, love to Paul, who helped me replace "I've got great hair" with something relevant ;)

Winter Solstice, Global Orgasm & A Contest!

Today, December 22nd, is the Winter Solstice. According to Wikipedia, "In pre-Christian Europe, the winter solstice festival was a time for feasting, Yule-Joy, and dancing, and has been resurrected in our time in parts of the world often where Europeans or people of European ancestry now reside. Contemporary Winter solstice gatherings are non-commercial, humble, mirthful and reverent affairs."

It is also Global Orgasm day. "Peace Through Collective Ecstasy" is the tagline, and "WHY? To effect positive change in the energy field of the Earth through input of the largest possible surge of human energy a Synchronized Global Orgasm. There are two more US fleets heading for the Persian Gulf with anti-submarine equipment that can only be for use against Iran, so the time to change EarthÂ’s energy is NOW!" I think every day is a good day for an orgasm, but I really like the idea of as many people as possible having an orgasm on the same day. The skeptics say it won't change anything, but I think that at least the participants will be more relaxed and less likely to add to anyone's load of angst and I'm an advocate of the Hippocratic philosophy "If you can do no good, at least do no harm." They have T-Shirts and a Bumper Sticker for sale over here (and may I say I'm very sorry they don't have Global Orgasm panties? Maybe next year).

This gorgeous image is from Baring Witness, an affiliate of Global Orgasm. Would you like to see a video? There is one on YouTube and another link to Argon's Awareness, where you can indeed get GlobalO panties (Yay!) While you are on Argon's page, be sure to watch the Beautiful Agony video.

Matter of fact, it's about time I had a competition here, so whoever posts the best orgasm story either in my comments or on their own blog with a link in my comments will win your choice of these (in the size your request):

Since it's nearly Christmas and I'm sure everyone is busy, I'll give you a week (until midnight on December 29th) to submit your story. Have fun!

MIA

So, I've been missing from my blog, and mostly from the whole internet, for a little while. Thanks to everyone who checked in, I appreciate your concern!
Let's see... news of the last couple weeks.
I went on the Metabolic Research Center Diet with my mom for about two weeks. The protein drinks had artificial sweeteners in them, which make me grumpy, achy, and all around bad company. The guys at work threatened to stage an intervention, saying I had gotten downright mean. This was an eye opener for me, since we have been through some really bad times together and they have all been supportive and wonderful. After trying to come up with a workable compromise with the diet, having some negative experiences with one of the employees, and Carla threatening to kick my ass, I quit. There are other ways for me to get healthier, without becoming the bitch-from-no-carb-land.
I am still in pre-process on the bankruptcy, although I am very close now to filing. I took a week off without pay and spent most of the time cleaning, inventorying, and packing. The last four days of my vacation, I holed up in a hotel room in Indianapolis without an internet connection to work on the blue million pictures I need to correct.
The last day of my vacation, this past Monday, my uncle's girlfriend died. My poor uncle! I did not know her well, just saw her two to three times a year for family gatherings. Nearly the entire daddy-side of the family showed up for the funeral.
Also, my brother and his wife (whose basement I live in) have asked me to move out as soon as possible for various reasons. I have lived with them for three years, and they have helped me out a lot. Sadly, this means I'm going to use my savings to get an apartment, and so my move to Austin is postponed for a while. I have to stay in state until the bankruptcy hearing, and a friend of a friend wants to sublease her apartment in Indianapolis. So the plan for the moment is to move to Indy and commute to work until I find another job. Which means updating my resume and cover letter. There is a bookstore hiring two full time people, and I would love to give that a try as my next job.
All of which has added up to less time on the internet. I'm hoping to have things more settled by January, and will try to post a bit between now and then...