Solid, Solid as a Rock!

Before: (with ice)

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The trick?

(Dig into the sheets/layers and bam!)

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After! (without ice)

I go crazy when I hear a cymbal--

And a hi-hat with a souped up tempo

I'm on a roll and it's time to go solo...

(married to the sea)

Yes, when the weather outside is frightful and they are calling for ice upon ice and some snow--the good ol' wintery mix, my brain reverts back to the '90s (as far as music is concerned) and any song I may know the words to, spews forth...

(did you notice my rambly Faulkner-like sentence there?)

It just so happens to be Vanilla killing my brain like a poisonous mushroom today...but I'm trying to get it OUT...

I'm not looking forward to leaving the house and travelling to work--because I know a lot of co-workers won't be able to make it today. One would assume that means less patients (less patience) in the pharmacy, but they always seem to find a way...find a way despite:

"Freezing rain and sleet before noon, then snow, possibly mixed with sleet. The snow could be heavy at times. Some thunder is also possible. High near 31. Blustery, with a east northeast wind between 15 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Total daytime ice accumulation of 0.1 to 0.3 of an inch possible. Total daytime snow and sleet accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible."

I'll take 7.03 inches of this, please.

Here we go, expect massive tweets (and or pictures) from the pharmacy today, good people.

Word to your mother.

~~J

Survival of the Bendy:

Or in my case, not-so-bendy...

Typically I blog about Thursday night Yoga on Friday morning--but I had to work "earlier" than normal on Friday (not complaining) thus the warp-up was delayed.

Big news: I survived.

But let it be known that I nearly fell over toward the end when I was introduced to a Revolved Twisting (fall on your face) Side Angle thing.

I look at it now....(GO HERE) and it seems easy enough. Or maybe it seems doable...or maybe I'm a little bit crazy--but my body said NO!

I was so In the Spirit (Yoga Drunk) after class that I logged onto Yoga Direct only to find they were having a huge sale. Bam! I need two mats, of course (especially if they are practically throwing them at you).

Yoga blankets?

"Whether you are need extra warmth and comfort in reclining or restorative postures, or for extra support in seated or kneeling poses, Yoga Blankets provide the extra cushioning, support, and warmth you need in your regular Yoga practice."

SOLD!

You can barely see mine in this picture, but it's black. Ya know, to pair with the new pink sticky mat...which goes with my "old" pink and black yoga mat bag.

And I have a black strap (what? a strap?) why not grab a couple hot pink ones because they are on sale...RIGHT?

And before you start baulking, the Yoga Strap is the secret tool of the not-so-bendy (me).

It helps the body/limbs get into and hold poses longer.

"They can act as a connection from one hand to another, or a foot to a hand when you are not flexible enough to reach without any help."

See? I didn't know Yoga props existed either. But in addition to the Mat, I highly recommend a strap and a block--which our class know provides, but I prefer to have my own.

(Who really wants to sweat on my sweat?)

See ya next week, Diane....See ya next week!

~~J

KK, PP* K last Stitch:

I don't think this picture really does "it" justice.

I call "it" my "twisted sunset" scarf...I put it on stitch holder so I could wear it around...and get the full effect.

it needs to be longer, of course.


But it's "cute" for something I "created" myself.

Yes? No? (the answer is YES!!)

The yarn is actually called "sunset" (or something similar, I'm not THAT creative)...HA!

Regular knitting isn't keeping my mind happy any more. I need something more complex. This only means I'm going to have to take a class...or get to a yarn store ASAP!

Related Websites I Love: Knitty & Yarn Harlot (I have all of her books! I want to knit socks!)

This alongside "at-home" yoga has kept me busy today. I have an actual class later tonight and since it's been A MONTH since I attended--you may never hear from me again.

*puff puff puff*

I'm not kidding. And don't give me that side look--two classes fell on Christmas Eve & New Year's Eve (therefore they didn't happen)...then it was minus 12 degrees and then I was SICK!

*trying not to psyche myself out of yoga*

I heard from a former classmate today. He asked if I'd be interested in workshopping his upcoming story (he graduates in May). YES! I think I screamed YES! (in text message form) within 5 seconds...really.

So I can't wait to cut my teeth on that--and maybe it will kick me into editing mode. I have two of my own stories to work on from last semester. It may be time to revisit them.

Maybe I should locate my yoga mat now?

~~J

"Off"

Apparently all the stars were in alignment yesterday...

the three Amigas (Js) had the day off and were able to meet for lunch.

We were lunchin' ladies at Panera--

giggling, hooting ladies "with three college degrees between us" figuring out the meaning of life, past adventures, literary heroes, sickness, and eventually coming up with an idea for a new cell phone application.

Brilliant.

I dined on fresh mozzarella, roasted & fresh tomatoes, fresh basil and all-natural sun-dried tomato pesto on Ciabatta bread while they had half-sandwiches, salad, soup...and we all had sweet tea (delicious)...

GO TO PANERA! Try not to inhale the bakery counter before you order--I'm surprised no one has broken in and carbed-out before...or maybe they have?

I've watched three four movies since I last talked about movies too! I shall reveal in my order of "like:"

Up in the Air (George Clooney, does he EVER go out of style? Goodness Gracious! I could watch him all day long, all night long. Where is the All-George channel? YUM!)
The Invention of Lying (Opening date scene had me bent over in laughter...and realizing how many lies I tell a day...simply by omitting my thoughts!)
The Lovely Bones (A bit different from the book, but I really liked it.)
It's Complicated (Meryl Streep can do no wrong--I adore her...Steve Martin was a silver fox, but less half-naked Alec Baldwin, please.)

You can blame it on the movies, I haven't been reading--although I did lend out the two Perrotta books already.

I started a new scarf too!

I'm actually using a "made-up" mistake rib stitch pattern. But it's a "real" pattern, I just randomly decided to use it over 17 stitches instead of the traditional 27....

I'm using a larger needle--size 13 bamboo straight needles (Clover)...and "homespun" aka bulky yarn. I hope to have the patient to do the same pattern (with 27 stitches) on smaller needles soon.

Don't give me THAT look, fair reader (that one). I'm really not talking TOO Knitting jargon, am I?

Realization: I graduated from college one month ago yesterday.

~~J

p.s. is it shameless that I put a photo of George Clooney on my blog?

Super Grover!

Beware friends...
I remembered how to bind off today--

I just grabbed my needles (and the extremely long, fluffy, and sparkly blue scarf attached to them) and just did it.

Bam!

Now I don't know WHERE exactly I'll wear a scarf that appears to be knit from Grover...(with sparkles) but that doesn't matter, does it?

I guess you already know that I survived my mega sickness of 2010...

My chest still hurts a bit, but I've returned to work (and have watched a lot less Food Network lately, sorry Tyler).

Remember my Tom Perrotta reading adventures? They are currently complete. I finished The Abstinence Teacher yesterday during lunch. This means I am going to get back to the F. Scott Fitzgerald project relatively soon.

Oh?! What's that? My friend Tara MAE decided to start a reading project (us nerds have to stick together)...which involves reading an entire catalog of a single author's work and living to blog about it.

It's my own personal way of "staying" a student while I am technically not one.

Which reminds me, to all the college students out there--going to class on a daily basis--I am so extremely jealous right now, I think my insides are turning green (could be all the salad or the Absinthe, JUST KIDDING).

But aside from all the reading, I haven't written a dang thing since I finished my last "teaching statement" for graduate school.

Maybe I am saving up all the words for something important or beautiful or maybe I just need to start pouring out my heart again before I forget how to...

Just a thought.

~~J

p.s. And he's cute too! (Super Grover!) <---This episode reminds me of the time I followed a boy home from school and got so lost I couldn't find my way home. The older and wiser boy (third-grader) had to take me (first grader) back home (thank goodness I was friends with his sister). No, I didn't just make that story up. Really!

This is how I "do" Sick:

Phenylephrine. (check)

Ibuprofen. (check)

Guafenesin. (check)

Chlorpheniramine. (check)

Tyler Florence. (check)


And hot showers. And a box of tissues. And a lot of sleep.

Maybe I should really say, "sleep" because it's with the light on and the TV softly talking in the background.

Today it was the Food Network.

Tyler was busy making me Chicken Noodle Soup (he knew I wasn't feeling well) with Grilled Cheese featuring a homemade pesto sauce...

& brownies (sprinkled with powdered sugar).

Yes. Tyler even made brownies, and maybe it was the medication swirling around my system, or the low-grade fever--but I swear I could taste the food. Or maybe smell the food. Or maybe I was half-asleep with my Tyler Florence fantasy.

I also remember Guy making his Kitchen Sink Salad too...but then it was back to Tyler. Was he on all day? Maybe just in my head.

My drug-induced, fever-ridden head.

Not the worst way to spend the day, except for the sick (not at work, head-pounding, snotty) part.

~~J

Pass the tissues--

"I've dreamt in my life dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they've gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the colour of my mind." -- Catherine
















I watched Jane Eyre last summer and Netfilx suggested that I try Wuthering Heights because apparently I fancy classic literature/British dramas/movies with strong female leads...

I took the bait...

(how could I not? Look at these two, they are worth watching for their chestnut manes alone!)

So I spent a few hours tonight sniffling and swooning (and knitting) just the same. Don't judge me!

I'm ashamed to say I never read the book (like Jane Eyre before)...but I did after watching the 2006 film version, so we will see what the 2009 version of WH will do.

Why were the Brontë sisters never given to me to read? Was it the Gothic element? I guess I'm making up for that now.

Wickedly cruel and wickedly pitiful I have to say--and it's funny to read comments online from "real" fans of the book who either HATE or LOVE the film. That's how it goes, I understand.
-----------------------------------
In other news...

That's all I've got. Although after rereading this post, I realize that it seems I've morphed into one of those girls...I SWEAR I HAVE NOT! I'm going to watch college basketball now, just because...

~~J

"I Have Doubts."

I used to watch movies via Netflix like breathing air. Three to four movies a week, whenever I had a couple hours to spare.

It's been a while since I've had the time to spare...

But now it's time to catch up!

I started this evening with DOUBT (2008)--

Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic!

I felt as if I was watching a parable written by Hawthorne...of course it turns into something he probably wouldn't have written.

Or maybe he would've. He was rather progressive, and seemed to want to expose certain cultural things (mainly the falsehood of the Salem Witch Trials)--

I like a good "thinking" movie. And I've never wanted to smash Meryl Streep in the face so much in my life!

What an amazing actress she is--there are no words to really express it. All the awards, all the accolades are well-deserved.

"You just don't like him! You don't like it that he uses a ballpoint pen. You don't like it that he takes 3 lumps of sugar in his tea. You don't like it that he likes Frosty the Snowman and you are letting that convince you? Of something that's terrible... Just terrible..." Sister James

But can one be wrong if they are strong in their convictions--even if their convictions are wrong?

I feel like a nerdy Carrie Bradshaw asking the question, but I will let it fester here (and probably use it in a story sometime in the near future).

~~J

You! Shook Me, All Night Long:

Yes, YOU!

So a late night at Earnestine & Hazel's coupled with a bit of fiction...

turned into my latest piece over at 6S.

I had never seen this sign before (the one with the shoe) until I started searching around the 'Net.

What makes me really feel proud is when I saw a series of photos in the Oxford American several years ago and KNEW exactly WHERE they were taken.

I wanted to include something about the Soul Burgers in my little flash fiction piece, because let me tell you--the SOUL BURGERS are the best thing you'll ever eat at 1 a.m. after walking the cobblestone streets of Main with a group of friends.

I mean, that's what I've heard anyway.

I finished Little Children and have almost finished The Abstinence Teacher (both by Perrotta)...then I plan on getting back to F. Scott and working on my "other" blog a bit.

In addition to all this reading (can you tell how much I miss class?)...I want to "revisit" knitting. I started a scarf before Christmas, but got stuck when it was time to bind off.

That may sound a bit kinky, but that's what it's called when you take your work OFF the needles...

reading! knitting! yoga!

~~J

Did You Get My *fill in the blank*?

Maybe the most exhaustive thing I have ever done is apply to graduate school....

Ten graduate schools (which may have been part of the problem)…but it is frustrating when you have to depend on others to send/write letters...or institutions to send transcripts and scores.

I just had to have a university B resend transcripts today. Now, I believe the graduate program when they tell me that they received a transcript from university B for a different student who is NOT even showing up in their files.

Did B send the wrong transcripts? I will go ahead and say, “Yes.”

Now it costs money to have B send transcripts—nearly $10 PER transcript. Thanks a lot, B! Now I know how you fund your football program. I am not amused.

ALL I can do is wait.
ALL I can do is hope that every tiny bit of information arrived…

& I haven't even considered the fact that my written/creative pieces will be judged and considered by a panel of unknown professors. That hasn't even crossed my mind (until now).

And I just realized the amazing amount of poise I must have to not be worried about the judging process. Am I nuts? These are my hopes & dreams in written form!

The work stands on its own.

The work can stand on its own!

Just tell me everything else arrived, please.

~~J

Brrrrrrr:

(weather channel graphic)

So they are calling for "the white stuff" and people have already hit panic mode. Leaving the pharmacy last night, you'd think the end of days was upon us--I can't even imagine what it will be like today...

Goodness gracious, people! It will be all done with in three days, you're going to BE OKAY! A friend of mine is jokingly calling it "White Death 2010"...but see, people are really acting that way...

I've enjoyed listening to CNN banter away about the arctic blast though (yes, the COLD part is quite unnerving)...and yes, I really enjoy listening (watching) Rob Marciano talk about anything (but he does do the weather)...

"Someone needs to tell Canada to close the back door!" Banter Banter.

(insert all the inappropriate comments here)

"My friends are in St. TropeSanJuanIslandsblahblah and they keep telling me about the weather...I don't want to hear about the weather!"

I can't find a decent picture of Reynolds Wolf (another CNN Weather cutie) though...he is like me, possessing the type of beauty that moves...

Let's all just snuggle, then we'll be okay.

~~J

I said: brr... it's cold in here
there must be some Clovers in the at-mos-phere
I said: brr... it's cold in here
there must be some Clovers in the at-mos-phere
I said: oh e oh e oh
ice ice ice
Slow it down!(slower)
oh e oh e oh
ice ice ice
Here we go!

Reading for Pleasure:

I've spent the last week or so completely immersed in the world of F. Scott Fitzgerald--and believe me, I don't plan on leaving it anytime soon...

BUT

I got two new books by Tom Perrotta in the mail today and I couldn't be happier.

(Graduation gift cards!)

It's a little "escape" from the world of "not in school"...aka spending way too many hours in the pharmacy doing my "regular job."

Little Children & The Abstinence Teacher will have my full attention for at least a week.

I may have to rewatch the movie (Little Children) and maybe not just for Patrick Wilson aka The Prom King.

I know I'm a little late to the Perrotta party, but at least I showed up!

I can't wait to tell you more!

Other than that, I don't have too much to say, EXCEPT:

BE SURE to bring your new insurance cards to the pharmacy--and wait until next week to get your refills, please. You'll make the life of the technicians and pharmacists SO MUCH BETTER!

~~J

Mot Juste*

So yes, I went to the “second edition” bookstore this afternoon....

WHAT?

I see you looking at me with those eyes—but I was already on my way to pick up my “lost” phone at the movie theater and I had about 30 minutes to kill…

There it was: Tender is the Night NOT The Great Gatsby in the literature section.

I almost made a “YIPPEE” noise (which would’ve scared the volunteers behind the desk, but I digress)…in my almost 8 months of “second edition” book-buying, I have yet to come across an “annotated” edition of Tender. And whoever owned it previously, did a lot of underlining.

I was as giddy (obviously) as a schoolgirl.

I also picked up Save the Last Waltz by Zelda Fitzgerald too! I think they knew I was coming, because those two books alone made my day! Thanks for mentioning it to me Ms. Tara Mae!

Then there was the Poetry Handbook filled with definitions and explanations of devices--the "instructor's edition" of two writing rules handbooks (spiral bound, oh yeah)...and the Disheveled Dictionary for fun!

I know you're still making faces at me or trying to burn my brain with your eyes!

I got my phone back--it was still operational (hadn't run out of juice) and thankfully when I removed the mini SD card, all my pictures (and songs) transferred to my new phone.

~~J

*mot juste: exactly the write word or phrasing (in this case it might be bookworm, word-soaker, word-lover, nerd, smartie college girl...)