Plastic crap and other stuff

Wouldn’t it be nice to blog at least twice this month? I think so….

I’m going to be a bit talkie, as I have some stuff I want to get out. I need to unburden my mind.

First: I hate my fucking job. I think you know that by now. But it’s getting worse and all I can do is endure. Because, medical bills and credit card bills, right? Here’s the deal: you all know where I work. I am not going to say the name. And you know what I sell/do. Well, probably starting in a week (they never tell us anything) I will start wearing a fucking uniform to work.

Yes, I’m pissed. If I wanted to wear a men’s polo with a logo on it, I would have applied for a job at Target or Best Buy. I did not. Add to that the fact that I have put on 30 lbs. since I started this job (I shit you not!) and I don’t need something highlighting every bump on my body. I have never looked good in this style, anyway. Am I thinking of creative ways to hide the thing with jackets, sweaters and scarves? Hell yeah. And they can suck it if they think I won’t. Please, shithole national bookstore chain, fire me. I’m begging you. Besides, I would rather wear this:

Psych! Like I'm going to wear Prada to work. Or ever. But I've wanted to put this picture up for some time now, as I freaking love this whole outfit in my have colors of grey and pink.

As for what I mean by plastic crap….well, if you’ve been in the place of my employ recently, you might have noticed a distinct lack of books. I think we all know why, but replacing them with plastic crap made in China isn’t exactly “winning.” Games and educational toys I get, but did you really need a plastic statue of Sonic the Hedgehog? Or, as the weird French lady said to me, “Sonique.” I thought she meant the Eurodisco singer.

So, enough about THAT. I vacillate between tears and frustration and thankfulness that I have a shit job that barely pays me $X per week. I can’t live on my salary. My husband is also lucky to have a job, since the fourth round of layoffs at HIS business (which used to be mine) just went down. People I worked with for years were let go, and more will go by next April when they have finished their “restructuring.” Damn, I’m sick of typing air quotes!

I am actively seeking new employment, but it’s so discouraging I can’t even explain. I think in many ways technology has grown too fast, and now we’re left sending resumes into the wild Net yonder with no hope of ever hearing back. I’ve felt for a long time that I would be be better off finding ways to make money on my OWN. When I was unemployed, which, sadly, I look upon as my happier days now, I made a shit ton selling my possessions on Half.com. But books and CDs and DVDs won’t go for much these days. I also sold a lot of my clothing to consignment stores. With the advent of the uniform days, I might just do that again – sell off my work clothes.

I’ve been making good money doing custom knit and crochet orders, but not on Etsy. I can’t remember the last time I sold something there. Either I’m doing something wrong or I don’t know how to play the Etsy game.

So I’m left with some big questions, and not a lot of answers. The more my husband and I cut in our budget, the more bills we seem to incur anyway. As of today, we cut the cable. This is something I’ve been hungry to do for a while now. I feel so overwhelmed with everything, I don’t need to have the TV be my numbing agent. There are better ways to use my time, and I’m discovering them. Just today I read two papers, fixed something in my closet that has been broken for months (a shoe rack), cleaned the kitchen and bathroom. All while listening to my old vinyl.

It’s funny, but so many blogs or even Etsy stores that I used to admire have shut down or changed. I understand that people are focusing on new things or that Etsy is not as successful for them as it once was, but for whatever reason, I seem to plod on.

I hope my new strategy has me blogging more, b/c I honestly do it for ME. I have to get my feelings and frustrations out some way, so thanks for listening.

PS: I still have Netflix and Hulu streaming, so I can watch what I want. Which has recently included documentaries on Vidal Sassoon and Czech boy porn actors.

Yes, I’m THAT person!

Pictures, as promised

It was a whirlwind weekend, and I’m winding down my “stay cation.” Man, I hate that word. Almost as much as I hate going nowhere!
The Bryan Ferry show was awesome, although mayhap not as energetic as the one I saw over 15 years ago. But look, that man is 65 and qualifies for AARP. What do you expect? My photos of the show were only okay, even though we were about 16 rows back. But these were taken by my husband’s photographer for the Web site.

To make up for the lack of energy, he had some smoking dancers who I nicknamed “Skinny Ponytail” and “Curly Redhead.” I’m sure you’ll see why.


So there you go. I will say also that it was one of the nicest crowds I’ve seen a show with in a long time. Maybe because we were all the same age? Oh well, there WERE some old farts.

Okay, onto the show. We did great and I was real happy about that. Of course, now I am missing it. No photos of me, as I am blown up like a tick.

The outdoor area, under the tent.

Our booth, not quite done with setup.

Jon took this on the Instagram - this is what it looks like when everyone is setting up.

And this is the PS561 hot dog truck - we have been doing a lot of food truck rallies lately, and this is quite frankly, the best hot dog I ever had. Fresh grilled, I got the Ban Mih dog.

And that’s it until next year!

12 Days of Freedom

Start now. AHHHHHH! No stupid bookstore and all its attendant bs!

I’m waiting for hubby to come home so we can drive to Miami and see Mr. Bryan Ferry.

SERIOUSLY YA'LL. I DIE!

I am wearing my Target Missoni in honor of the evening. Yes, I scored some, I’m a little scoundrel.

I have a lot to write in the coming days, Stitch Rock is Saturday, and I’m super psyched for that. Photos, I swear!

Although probably not of me. I have gained an alarming amount of weight (no joke) and my next phase is to somehow work this off.

I got a ticket this week to add to my alarming medical bills. So, life is meh. But I will soldier on. Thanks for the messages Gina (I owe you an e-mail, girl!) and Mimi as well- it was nice to know someone else went through what I did, and your message meant a lot to me.

Okay, honey better hurry home, I need some Eurotrash music and NOW!

Why we hate you!

This is taken from THIS, complete with my asides….in screaming CAPS.

*We hate when a book becomes popular simply because it was turned into a movie. THE HELP!!!

*It confused us when we were asked where the non-fiction section is. BECAUSE THE ENTIRE STORE THAT ISN’T FICTION IS NONFICTION, TWATROCKET.

*Nicholas Sparks is not a good writer … if you like him, fine, but facts are facts. JAMES PATTERSON!!

*We greatly dislike the phrase “Quick question.” It’s never true. And everyone seems to have one. IF I HAD A DIME FOR EVERY ONE….

*Your summer reading list was our summer reading NIGHTMARE. Also, it’s called summer reading, not three days before school starts reading. PARENTS, TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL.

*It’s true that we lean to the left and think Glenn Beck is an idiot. I’M MOR, BUT HATE HIM AND O’REILLY, WHO IS APPARENTLY A DOUCHE ACCORDING TO MY CO-WORKERS.

*We always knew when you were intently reading Better Homes and Gardens, it was really a hidden Playboy. OR THE NUDIE TATTOO MAGS.

*If you don’t know the author, title, or genre, but you do know the color of the cover, we don’t either. How it was our fault that we couldn’t find it we’ll never understand. DO YOU HAVE THIS BOOK I HEARD ABOUT? THE COVER IS RED….

*We were never a daycare. Letting your children run free and destroy our section destroyed a piece of our souls. WE WILL KICK CRYING BABIES OUT. AND THAT’S JUST THE MOMMAS!

*Oprah was not the “final say” on what is awesome. We really didn’t care what was on her show or what her latest book club book was. Really. JONATHAN FRANZEN, ANYONE? DON’T BLAME ME WHEN YOU CAN’T READ IT!

*When you returned your SAT books, we knew you used them. We thought it wasn’t fair — seeing that we are not a library. I HOPE YOU DON’T BREAK 1000.

Ya’ll, I’m tired and hurting and maybe I have arthritis? Vacation is coming REAL SOON, even though the most exciting thing I will do is go to a flea market.

Enjoy some 1979. I know I did.

In a Nagel mood

No, I haven’t been listening to Duran Duran, I just wanted to look at some art.

I love this picture. It's called "Montana." Could have been an alternate world romance novel cover....

For more of a blast from the past, go here. There is artistic nudity, but nothing that strikes me as nasty or salacious. In fact, I love the poster quality, a definite nod to Mucha and Japanese wood prints. I think I will put this on Pinterest, you can follow me there if you aren’t already.

Off to work, it’s raining. But I’m alive, so yo, that’s good news.

Pink stuff!

I have been wanting to finish this series for a while now – it’s a group of pink and brown pieces I did. All are original designs with the exception of the brown pussy bow. Yes, I just said pussy bow.

Do you like the Dreads and Curls button on the hat on the top left???

You guys, I SO don’t want to return to work tomorrow. But I have to. There could be some big changes coming our way, and I can’t say what they are. Mainly, b/c they may not be coming. Or they may. Does that make sense? Of course it doesn’t. It involves work, and not mine. I think that says it all.

Jon got me an iTunes gift card for my birthday (you know, the sucky one) and I still haven’t used it all yet. But I did get this song – my favorite song of the summer. Love the video, too.

I die! (don’t worry, not literally)

I can’t believe the two of my favorite skaters, Shen and Zhao, have this routine in their arsenal now…

Especially since it’s a direct callback to this So You Think You Can Dance number…

Was anyone else as disappointed in this season of SYTYCD as I was?? The winner bothered me and the dances were pretty unmemorable. But I do hope Cat Deeley wins the Emmy!

Worst. Birthday. Ever!

Those of you who follow me on Facebook probably know what happened to me this past week, but even if you do, I thought I’d give you an update.

After feeling poorly all weekend last (almost blacking out a few times) I finally said, “Honey, take me to the ER or MedNow Clinic. Doesn’t matter which.”

So we ended up at the clinic, and after an EKG, they called the ambulance toute de suite. I went to JFK Medical Center from there — it’s a little far away, but it’s actually for the best we followed our own particular trajectory, since the Gardens Medical Center had been on diversion all day due to a power outage. Who knows when they would have seen me?

Apparantely, I was having a V-Tach – that’s ventricular tachycardia. Does anyone remember the Loyola Marymount basketball player Hank Gathers, who died on the court from this? Here’s a link, so you can learn a little more about it.

I spent Tuesday night through yesterday aftenoon in the hospital. Including my birthday on Wed. UGH! On Wed., I had a carido cath, which means they inserted a tube into my right arm and when into my heart to check for blockage. I was clear.

Thursday was sitting around watching horrible TV – I never need to see King of Queens again in this lifetime, people!!

Friday was my second procedure. A electrochardial study and then an ablation. They put a tube/wires up through my groin and then studied the “electrical system” of my heart. Next, they burned a hole there to “reset” me. And here I am!

I am fine. The “holes” in me are teeny tiny. However, I look like I have junkie arms now. Someone call Intervention! I have small veins, and this proved to be a challenge for the hopsital staff — with the exception of Bernard, the Jamaican male nurse who waltzed into my room at 2 in the morning singing some old Soul II Soul and ended with a little Bob Marley. This guy should do ALL the Ivs.

I am fine and so thankful for the friends and family who wished me well on Facebook and through phone calls. Gina and Bonnie (who is all the way in Costa Rica!) I am thinking of you in particular. Even though my readership is small, it amazes me how we can forge friendships online that really last. Thank you so much.

I thank my husband, Jon, too. The light of my life, my other half. Jon himself went through a scare about 4 years ago when he developed a disease called ITP. It ended with a spleen removal and lots of worry, but it’s funny how we’ve both surrvived near life-ending health scares. I feel we’ve both been given second chances, and should not waste them.

Whenever I find myself in the hospital I always get an “earmworm;” a song that goes round and round in my head. This time, it was “Spit on a Stranger,” by Pavement….

“honey i’m a prize and your a catch and we’re a perfect match…”

How funny that on Thursday night, I was watching a rerun of How I Met Your Mother (good lord, we got nothing but CBS reruns!) and they played it.

It’s an all-time favorite. Nickel Creek do a great version, too. Oh well, it was just sayin’ what I had been thinkin’.

More blogging later this week — I plan to recoup for a few days and then hope to return to work. I actually do. Last night I was organizing the apt. like a crazy person. Being out of control is such a scary thing.

Celebrity bios and other BS

There is so much I WANT to do but seldom do. I want to rework this blog. I need some changes in my life!
I am planning to get another tattoo. But I must lose weight first. That’s my rule. But I can’t seem to do it, no matter how little I eat.

I am stymied. I am stuck in a job I absolutely LOATHE, if I am being honest. Somedays I lie to myself and tell myself it’s not so bad. But it is. My health and sanity have gone done the drain in the last year.

But I will tell you — to get through the day, there is no celebrity bio I won’t read on the sly. Seriously, I don’t care who you are/were, I will read about you.

Case in point? Dick. I needed some Dick in my life.

Because I really needed to read about all 10 seasons of Diagnosis: Murder.

Then, I read this chica’s book, because – well, I always wanted my home decor to look like the inside of Jeannie’s bottle.

I actually succeeded in college and in my old condo, when my walls were painted Pepto pink. Sigh. The memories!

And this week, b/c I like to change it up and go hardcore, what about Bob?

By the way, Bob is a proud member of the Bear Community now, and he will tell you all about it. Keep on rocking in the free world, my friend.

I call these my “brain drain” books, and it’s pretty clear why. I tend to go off the beaten path a touch; in other words, I won’t be reading Denise Richards’ “book” anytime soon.

What have YOU been reading lately? War and Peace? Fast Food Nation? Or something by James Patterson?

If the answer is regarding choice No. 3, please don’t answer.

It’s that time!

Haven’t posted in a month, must be time!

Good news — we are in for a fourth year at Stitch Rock. I think getting the confirmation has finally got me knitting again, since I want to make new stuff for the show. I’m making something with the organzizer, Amanda, in mind. These are her colors – both her hair and her tattoos.

I think it looks like Good n Plenty and I love it. Got it from an Etsy indie dyer.

Other than that, it’s just work/home. Too poor to do anything else. They’ve cut my hours again, and though it’s not by much, I swear to you I am making one less paycheck a month numbers-wise since I started this shitty retail job a year ago. Yes, a year. Jesus, take the wheel. And this fucking job.

In breaking news, I hate old people.

I have developed a cookbook addiction that rivals my past knitting book addiction. This is one pretty good.

I've already made the barbecue sauce and had it with baked sweet potato chips. So good.

And there is no rock star biography that I can pass up, unless it’s Steven Tyler’s. Instead, I read this little gem on the sly at work.

Hey now, somebody did a lot of cocaine! And screwed Michael Hutchence. Like you wouldn't? Rest in peace bro.

Wow, I think that about wraps it up. Now that wasn’t so hard, was it? And for old times sake, let’s relive the days when girls might have screwed around a lot, worn thrift store couture, and did a LOT of drugs. But at least they played their own damned instruments and wrote their own songs. Now those were the good old days! (I actually went around a lot of these places when I was in L.A….so seedy, so wonderful).