Better Late Than Never

Another year, another attempt at producing some form of creative expression on a (somewhat) regular basis. And, of course, now that I've opened this lovely new blog post, I am drawing a complete blank. Figures.

So, I'll start with the boring basic stats. A mental tallying of my assets (or deficits), if you will.

I am, at this moment, thirty (and a half) years old. I have a sweet apartment in the middle of nowheresville where I live a peaceful existence with my cat. I work for an awesome safari company where I've recently been promoted to Information Administrator.

I have an AA and a BA under my belt (although what specific good they've done me I'm not entirely sure). And at some indeterminate point in the future I have a tenuous plan to return for my MA. However, as the idea of writing even one more academic paper still makes me queasy, that may happen later rather than sooner.

I have a close circle of friends in town with whom I have ridiculous, drunken adventures. And I have an extended family of friends that practically circumnavigates the globe. Not to mention the fact that my blood relatives and extended family are some of the most supportive and loving people on earth.

It seems I have arrived in that mystical, independent future of which I dreamed so feverishly in high school. I have my own place, I have a great job, I pay my bills (most of the time), no one tells me when to go to bed.

So... now what? Now that I'm a "grown-up," what do I do with the rest of my life?

I guess that's what this blog is going to help me figure out.

Crocheted Android

So you want to crochet your own Android figure? - http://pulsene.ws/Xlyb

Lost & Found

Seek Droid Is the Simplest Way to Find Your Lost Android Phone [Downloads] - http://pulsene.ws/Tr4b

Sundays in the Hammock

Every time I lounge in this thing, I can't help wondering what took me so freaking long to get one.

See the full gallery on posterous

It is, quite possibly, the best purchase I've ever made. This is a Hammock Bliss Ultralight which I found on Amazon for $30. Best part, they come with instructions for use...

I highly recommend you go out and get one in order take advantage of the last beautiful days of the season. I fully intend to spend every non-rainy Sunday rocking on my porch until the temp drops below 45. I'll take my blankie, some spiked coffee, my phone tuned to La Grosse Radio Reggae (which I also highly recommend) and while away the daylight hours contemplating my windchimes.

Which, of course, is what Sundays should be all about.

Happy Fall. Almost.

Just 1 more day.

 

I Resolve

Well, it’s that time again. Time to indulge in that time-honored tradition of making promises to myself that I will eventually break amid much cursing of my lack of will power. Of course, I have the best of intentions; it’s just that my self-disciplinary muscles are weak and flabby (which puts them in good company). All the more reason to flex them on this yearly occasion.

So, in that spirit, I resolve…

…to slow down and pay more attention. To myself, to my environment, to others. In short, to be more present in my life.
…to spend more time on self-examination and introspection. I am just beginning to understand this person that lives inside my head, but it is a delicate, complex and time-consuming process.
…to listen more. This really overlaps with the other two, but it deserves its own mention. I spend a lot of my life attempting not to hear things, and as a result, I miss out on a lot of good stuff.

And now that I’ve gotten the lofty and intellectual-sounding goals out of the way, I also resolve…

…to actually buckle down and write. Anything. Everything. Blogs, diaries, lists, notes, tweets, poems, short stories, and (gasp! dare I suggest it?) even a novel!
…to eat better and exercise.
…to get rid of all the crap that’s cluttering up my apartment (and my life)!
…to finally get my finances in order.
…to learn to play my guitar, damnit!
…to dance more.
…to laugh more.
…to never take myself too seriously.

Good luck with your own resolutions, and may all your dreams for 2010 come true.

Cupcakes

In an attempt to get into the holiday spirit, I made some cupcakes for my company’s holiday party. Luckily, they are a drinking bunch (I know I’m going to fit right in here), so I made spiked eggnog cupcakes. I found the recipe on Baking Bites, and you can access it here.

I substituted cognac for rum, but you could use bourbon or brandy, or whatever you like to put in your eggnog. These turned out incredibly moist and delicious and were a rousing success at the office. I highly recommend them to anyone attempting to make holiday inroads with a boozy neighbor or in-law.

Happy baking! And happy holidays!