October 2007

Cubed

We're in our new office space today. Boxes and cords and cables and shit everywhere. I've spent all morning tracking down missing laptops, unpacking boxes and trying to find my way around this place. My cubicle is a bit secluded (which I love) and I have more desk space than I did before. I have a feeling all day will be spent shuffling around papers as I try to get settled in. But don't worry, if I do get to the point of some productivity today I'll be sure to fill it with personal projects.

Wild Times in Cincinnati

George has had the nerve to be sick since I got here. So I've been hanging out with his partner Dennis, seeing a bit of Cincinnati, catching up on my chat addiction, soaking in the hot tub and all out relaxing. Last night Dennis, myself and two of his friends went to a private halloween party in Dayton an hour away. The house was loaded with with more decorations, fake smoke and animatronic ghouls than a Disney attraction on crack. I guess these guys have been decorating for the last month just to be ready for the occasion. The costumes ranged from redneck (meaning they came as they were) to superhero to victorian queen. It was a fun event and I'm glad I twisted Dennis' arm into taking me even though George was down for the count. I have a few more hours in Cincinnati before heading home. I'm making the guys take me down town so I can photograph some broken down shit before I leave.

Ghiz

Fondue Emergency

I made it to Cincinnati. The first thing once I get off the plane? A message from my boss wanting to know who ordered the chocolate fondue fountain at work because they want to make sure it gets moved to the new location.

...

Are you serious? You called me on vacation to ask about a frickin' fondue fountain?

Ripe

Work's been kicking my ass for the last week. I had a huge project dumped in my lap last Thursday. So big, in fact, that they brought in a temp to do my regular duties while I work on the special project. So I'm working on this gawdawful project, supervising & training a temp, closing 3rd quarter financials, packing my office for our big move at the end of this week, and preparing to leave on Thursday morning for my trip to Cincinnati. Add to that dealing with extra doses of grieving/anxiety/craziness this week and I'm well on my way to becoming a grumpy old man at the ripe age of 35. I tell you what, getting on that plane and flying away from this place for a few days is going to feel damned fine.

Retail Therapy

Yesterday's coping mechanism: shopping. I have three new pairs of pants, two shirts and a belt to show for my "therapy" time. None of which was on sale. I blame Stacy and Clinton for my determination to invest in fabulous clothing.

Things Happen

Ok. Things happen. Events and interactions and meetings and stuff. You know: things. Not anything in specific mind you, but general things. Sometimes I will blog about things. Other times I feel it's best to spare my blogging community from the drama of things. Blogging about these general things might include words like "appalling," "ridiculous," "scape-goat" and "don't let the door hit you on the way out." But since I'm not inclined to blog about things today I'll just leave it at "wtf?"

You know. Generally speaking.

Fit for a Queen

Dude. My workplace pays for all sorts of crazy shit. Not only do they provide a fully stocked kitchen for our wanton perusal, but they pay for new keyboards, fans and what not without consideration to whether those things are really necessary. They have fully catered staff meetings and parties all the time. Today I got a flu shot and found that the company is going to reimburse me for it. It's such a different world coming from non-profit companies who can't even pay the electricity to the for-profit biotech world which seems to have a hard time deciding how to spend all it's money. Not that me or my many benefits are complaining or nothing. Afterall, I'm worth it.

New Painting

Here's the new painting I got this weekend. I was deeply moved by the piece when I saw it and within a few minutes decided to fork out the money to get it. The artist describes the work as a meditation piece. I strongly connected with that vibe and decided to get the piece as an act of self-nurturing and healing. After I got it home I was surprised by the fact that one could easily find some pretty blatant symbolism that relates to my current life changes whiched helped me understand even more why it spoke to me so strongly.

– untitled by Andrea Speer Hibbard

Creative Coping Crusades

This weekend's coping, er, adventures...

Two nights in Santa Rosa hanging out with Lou, taking a walk in a gorgeous forest, helping an unknown french man celebrate his US citizenship, exploring art galleries, buying a painting of my very own (how adult of me), posing for a sculptor, dressing like an s&m satyr for bingo with the sisters, nearly winning the best costume contest (those damned "cereal killers" robbed me of my victory), going to an awesome dance party, winning the cutest ass contest (that'll teach those cereal killers), doing a photoshoot once I returned home, then hanging out with a new friend while I weeped and moaned about having no idea how to move on from my ended relationship.

With the awesome weekend I had I'm still all depressed and shit. I can't imagine what I'd be like if I'd just stayed at home eating truffles all weekend. Well, I imagine I'd be crying into newly developed fat folds and we can't be having that. So... let the adventures of the dynamically depressed superhero continue!

Keeping It Real

So as of a week and a half ago I am single once again. And while the "future is bright" this present moment lacks in adequate illumination. I've been coping by keeping myself busy and diving back into all the things that I enjoy so much: hanging out with friends, making new friends, working on my art and exploring the area.

This weekend I'm heading to Santa Rosa to hang out with Lou, go to a citizenship party for a friend of his, go hiking and have a pre-halloween bingo party with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. The following weekend I'm attending a minimalist halloween party (how does one costume oneself without the use of clothing?). The last weekend of the month I'm flying to Cincinnati for a few days to visit my friend George and his partner Dennis. At the end of the month I'm taking an Intermediate Digital Photography Class. Beyond that I've submitted work to a gallery to be considered for their 2008 show schedule, have completed a new photo layering piece, have three photo shoots scheduled, am checking out a few groups I've been wanting to know more about (some with scary results) and have started to catch up on the movies/tv shows I've wanted to see.

All in all, I'd say I'm doing damned well considering the circumstances. Maybe the present ain't so dim after all.

Travel Gods

So I'm trying to continue this grand adventure of exploration I've been on for the last few years (loving it, by the way). Part of that is a desire to travel and see more of the country/world. I have this lofty fantasy to fly to some random place for a weekend just to have experienced it. I have 3 day weekends so this would be fairly feasible for me to accomplish. For this relative newby to travel, the only problem with my grand plan is my comfort-zone induced need to have a set agenda and/or a companion for such ventures. You know, some sort of training wheels before I start wandering the country like Forest Gump. A broadway ticket would do the trick. Or maybe traveling somewhere just to go sky diving. Honestly, I'd much prefer to simply attend the bestest event in the whole wide universe, but you'd be surprised how hard that is to pin down. I even have a few friends who might join me on my travels. Still I sit here a bit too nervous to actually make it happen, waiting for the cosmos to send a travel itinerary my way.

Becoming

Palacio Nacional Archways

–Palacio Nacional, Mexico City

PB&S

I just had a muy delicioso Peanut Butter and Stuff sandwich at Specialty's. It's a sheer genius concoction of chunky peanut butter, green apples, bananas and a whole cranberry sauce all on a fresh whole wheat bread. PB&S never tasted so good.

Parasailing

While in Puerto Vallarta I went parasailing for the first time. The experience was extremely serene and peaceful as I sailed above the ocean overlooking the city. It so was awesome that I immediately wanted to do it again, but ultimately decided to save it for another time and another setting. Below are two photos and two movies of the experience (I couldn't figure out how to rotate *and* compress the 2nd video so you get to look at it sideways).