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Monday, July 6th, 2009
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7:43 pm - The Days March On...
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First day back at BHFT after what seemed like a long, long break. Probably because the holiday weekend was four days of varied things, some much more fun than others. Things I liked: Hanging out with family, watching the nieces & nephew, long phone call with my mother, naps, and a bunch of nights where I went to bed knowing that I didn't have to go to work in the morning.
Things I didn't like: Well... I'm just not going to think about all that.
Today was Day #4 of my latest round of Quitting Caffeine. Rather sleepy for a while at BHFT, but got better. Having a bout of insomnia now would be a setback (although if I wasn't expected to be awake all day, I could manage it). My body misses the stimulant, but I also miss the enjoyment of drinking coffee (which can be quite tasty when it's sweet and light). Herbal Tea is an imperfect substitute.
Since I have nothing better to blather about, I'll stop. I hope you're all doing well. Oh, and I'm VERY glad that temperatures are back below 80°! w00t!
current mood:  contemplative
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| Saturday, July 4th, 2009
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8:25 am - July 3 On The 3rd!
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| Sunday, June 21st, 2009
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10:07 am - Mucked Up: My Weekend So Far
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| Wednesday, June 17th, 2009
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7:10 pm - Baby Hz
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You may know that I am merely a simple Writer/Analyst from Arizona, and not prone to Profound Thoughts. Last night, however, I was hunkered down in ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) drarwenchicken and BILJ's kitchen while Baby Hz held my hand so she could climb in and out of her new Squishy Pink Foam Chair because it was being the Best. Toy. EVAR. And I thought "Someday, Little Girl, I will dance with you at your wedding, and I will think of this moment when you were tiny and you held my hand."
I don't know what the Future will bring, but I do hope so very, very much that she will grow into a healthy, vibrant adult, and live a long, happy life. And that I'll get to dance at her wedding.
current mood: future-nostalgic
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6:41 am - Thoughts
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Naturally, when I uploaded my webcomic last night (instead of this morning), it transferred in thirty seconds, not the hour+ that it had taken for the prior two uploads. I'll try uploading on Friday morning, to see whether it's a continuing condition that happens during the morning hours, or if it's resolved itself. I don't have the tools to tell where in the data stream the chokepoint is; it could be anywhere from my computer to the wireless router to my ISP to the Internet routing to the webhost's servers. But it's good to know that normal speeds are possible, and the problems I had may be all in the past.
Not only does the TV show "Heroes" use comic book imagery and design choices, but it has the same quality that turns me off to so many superhero/mutant comics: Everybody Is So Serious. I admit that the events depicted aren't frivolous, and that people actually experiencing them would indeed take them quite seriously. But the tone is so Heavy and Filled With Ominous Portent that it's feeling a bit much. So far, it is interesting and despite splitting time and attention across such a large cast, it's moving along well enough. I'll probably keep watching for a while.
Anyway, now it's time to zip off to Big Happy Fun Time, and battle the forces of... whatever it is that I battle. Have a good one!
current mood: insightful
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| Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
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8:12 pm - Tuesday
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I've been watching a lot of Season 1 of "Heroes" and not sleeping well, although I don't think they're related. I blame stress from Big Happy Fun Time, mostly. Today we did bring on another Business Systems Analyst to pick up some design work (which was slipping in the schedule), so that should help. I know if I sleep better, I'll be more productive.
Had a great, highly-social weekend, which I meant to post about, and just never managed to do so. Then on Sunday, I sorted through the Boxes Of Things To Go Away, removing things which really aren't suitable for donation (like pads of paper with only about a dozen sheets left), and stuff that should just be thrown away. That processed kicked up a lot of dust, so I spent a while after sneezing and sniffling. But the day was otherwise good, and I picked up DVDs at the library, which I have been watching. But I mentioned that.
current mood:  sleepy
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| Wednesday, June 10th, 2009
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7:45 pm - Treats!
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One of the Alphageeks at BHFT brought in homemade cheesecake with strawberries. He is known for his cheesecakes; when word gets out that one is in the building, people gather like buzzards after ripe carrion. Now, there's not much in cheesecake-with-strawberries that isn't unfriendly to my digestive system to some degree, but I still ate some. Life should not be a constant parade of Restraint and Deprivation.
Sometimes the thing to do is eat cheesecake, and enjoy the hell out of it.
current mood:  swimmy
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| Tuesday, June 9th, 2009
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6:52 am - Since Friday....
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Just a quick update, so I don't get too far behind.
Saturday was devoted to social engagements, mostly Baby Hz's First Birthday Party! The plan was to hold it in Sellwood Park, but the clouds and drop in temperature prompted a last-minute decision to hold it here. While drarwenchicken took Hz into the bedroom to feed her, the rest of us (me, Stonecarrier, BILJ and his parents) swarmed on the house like swarming things, and by the time drarwenchicken returned, the living room and kitchen had been tidied up. Then the guests started arriving, and the party happened. There were a dozen or so grown-ups, but it was the six kids between the ages of one and seven that boosted the activity level the most. I took a couple Quiet Time breaks during the festivities, but was there for the Blowing Out of the Candle and Hz eating her cake (messy, but adorable).
 After that, I drove to NE for jaylake's Jay Con, a combination Book Release and Birthday celebration at Flying Pie Pizza. My timing was good; I arrived as Jay was between groups of people, so I had a few minutes of his time to congratulate him, wish him a happy birthday, and then be introduce to his sister (who is the person responsible for getting him to read my webcomic). After a brief chat with her, I eyed the food table (lots of pizza, which I shouldn't be eating), poured myself a glass of water which I drank while looking to see if I knew anybody else there. The answer was no, so I left.
On Sunday, I took Stonecarrier to the airport mid-morning, then assembled Monday's comic. And that was about what I had energy for that day. I'd hoped to finish up with the Boxes of Stuff to Go Away, and setting up my Gift Shop to sell the comic book, and laundry, and fighting back the Rising Tide of Clutter, but those would have to wait until Monday.
Of course, on Monday I was at BHFT for an extra half hour (to make up for the time I'll take this Thursday for a dental appointment), then had to go grocery shopping, so by the time I got home, made dinner and worked on the comic for an hour, it was the end of my Productive Time. So I went to bed with all those things still undone.
I know it's a recurring theme with me, but that's where I'm at right now. I'd like to spend time each day exercising, keeping up on the chores, assembling the comic, AND advancing all of the projects that I've got started. At least today I managed to post something to LJ, so I've got that going for me. Now, off to a day at BHFT!
current mood:  restless
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| Saturday, June 6th, 2009
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8:36 am - Hiking In Oregon
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Friday was devoted to hiking with Stonecarrier. We left early (well, after I assembled and posted Friday's Comic), and after quick stops at the gas station and the grocery, we were heading south toward Silver Falls State Park. Google Maps said that it was about the same time to drive on I-5 or take the rural highways, so we took 213 toward Silverton. The day was gray, as expected, and we hoped that the forecasts of "Showers" was accurate.
We were the first car in the parking lot by South Falls. The plan was to hike the near-mythical Trail of Ten Falls, which made a 6.9-mile loop along two forks of Silver Creek.
click here to see more photos!
Everything pretty much went to plan. We put on rain gear about twenty minutes in, as the faint drizzle started becoming a more serious drizzle, and we didn't want to get soaked early on. We saw many salamanders on the trail, slowly fleeing as we'd go past. We stopped for lots of pictures (click the photo to see my Flickr set), especially to show that we saw all ten waterfalls. I don't think we saw anyone else for the first hour, which made it easy to imagine we were the first humans ever to discover the stairs, well-maintained trails and trail-side benches along the creek.
The forecast was accurate if we counted it as one long rainshower that lasted with varying intensity until the afternoon. But that's what happens when one hikes in Oregon this early in the season.
By the time we were back to the car, we were tuckered out. Stonecarrier napped much of the drive home. I was groggy for the rest of the day, despite a nap, and then beset by a headache. So our hike was pretty much the major accomplishment of the day. I'm glad we went, though. It gave us the chance to hang out together, and we don't get to do that much. And it was a beautiful hike, if you like the foggy, drizzly and incredibly lush scenery of Oregon forests.
current mood:  cheerful
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| Thursday, June 4th, 2009
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7:44 pm - June 3 On The 3rd!
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| Wednesday, June 3rd, 2009
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8:06 pm - Wednesday
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Well, I assembled my 3 on the 3rd comics, but I just don't have the energy to upload them, set up the LJ post, and update the 3on3rd wiki. I'll do it later. And just to make sure that this posting about that doesn't take as much time as it would have for me to have just done it, I'm going to wrap this up now. Good night, everyone!
current mood:  artistic
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5:22 am - 3OnThe3rd!
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| Monday, June 1st, 2009
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7:58 pm - Good Hair Day
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Today was a Good Hair Day. Life is always improved when one can look in the mirror and think "Hey, my hair's all right. Even, perhaps, good!" There's nothing like having one's hair appear comfortable and confident. One probably only gets a few hundred Good Hair Days in a lifetime. It seems a shame not to enjoy it when it happens.
The Big News of the Day was that my comic books came in the mail! (Finally!) The look good, just like the proof, with a brighter cover. Now I can set up to sell them to my Adoring Fans. I'm thinking of making a Value Pack of a signed comic book and last year's Stumptown booklet in an archival comic sleeve, with the birthday post card, some business-sized cards, and a couple Bonus Gifts. Do you think I could sell those for $10,000? I wouldn't have to sell very many at that price to make it worth my while...
current mood: Good Hair
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| Sunday, May 31st, 2009
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8:53 pm - Sunday Night, Again?
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| Saturday, May 30th, 2009
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8:19 pm - What a Day!
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Well, I'd planned on assembling Monday's comic early this morning, but I decided to deal with moving the Stuff first, and I'm glad I did. Some boxes came from the shed to the garage, some from my room to the shed, then several loads driven from the storage unit to the garage/driveway. I'd hoped to be done by noon, and finished the last load at 12:20, so I'd say I did pretty well at estimating that. It was warm enough that I didn’t want to be hauling boxes around outside any more.
I then washed dishes, ran laundry, cleaned the bathroom and tidied up (which ended up involving more boxes to the shed in the mid-afternoon heat, but so be it). Then thrihyrne arrived and started claiming treasures from the Stack of Things To Go Away, followed soon after by BA and snottygrrl. We powered our way through almost three dozen boxes and bins, with them extracting things that they wanted as we went. A fair bit of stuff went away, which was the whole point, so that seemed pretty successful (and the most embarrassing thing they found was my high-school graduation photo, so I got off pretty easy there).
We then went to the Iron Horse for dinner, and sat outside to enjoy the weather. What had seemed uncomfortably hot (87°!) standing in the driveway was tempered by shade, tasty food and good company. One of the things we discussed was what Rose Festival events should we go to with thrihyrne, so she can get the full Portland Experience. After my Fur Rondy Parade experience, I won't force anyone to go to a parade, so that eliminates two of the big events. We'll figure out something; perhaps a trip to the Rose Gardens or a tour of Pittock Mansion.
I hope your Saturday was good, too!
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| Wednesday, May 27th, 2009
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8:22 pm - Walks
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| Monday, May 25th, 2009
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7:42 pm - Philosophical Insight
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| Sunday, May 24th, 2009
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7:26 pm - We Rejoin the Action, Four Days Later...
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I've been thinking lately about bliss. I don't know if it's necessarily tied to my impending birthday, but I can certainly see how we Men Of A Certain Age start reflecting on how Our Lives Have Not Turned Out As We Had Planned, and then seek out the comforts of exceedingly expensive cars or significantly younger girlfriends.
I don't know that my age has increased my wisdom on this matter, particularly. Those of you who have been reading this blog for a while are familiar with the loop where I grumble about having less freetime/popularity/published works than I'd like, and then acknowledge that my life, as it is, does not actually suck. In fact, it's pretty good.
There are days when I can be at BHFT and feel really happy (such as the day before I got slammed with this latest cold). I do know that happiness is not tied to material wealth or income (although health is certainly a key factor; I rarely feel really happy went I'm sick, exhausted or otherwise afflicted). So I don't know if I need to quit my job and pursue a creative career, as is the trope, but I'd like to have more days of bliss in my life. As I become more and more conscious of the seconds slipping by, I foresee less and less satisfaction in merely doing okay.
I don't know what the next year will bring. I could be on the verge of some big shifts (but I am quite satisfied with the car I currently have). I don't know. We'll just see.
current mood: thoughtful
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| Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
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7:28 pm - Wherein Things Get Better
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I don't want to just go on about my health*, but today showed a marked improvement. I was a bit concerned, after waking up at 3:00 am and struggling to get back to sleep, but I wasn't exhausted like I was yesterday. I felt okay. Good, even. Which was such a pleasant change, that I called sanguinity and we went for a walk to enjoy the sunshine and get caught up.** And we had a spirited conversation about "Things We Don't Like About 'Dollhouse.'"
As you can imagine, even if I'm not quite back to 100%, it was really, really good to feel well.
Don't stop believin'!
*Hahahahaha! Who am I kidding?
** Of course, when my activities for the last week are 1) feeling sick, and 2) posting on LJ about how I feel sick, "Catching Up" doesn't take very long.
current mood: chipper (almost)
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| Tuesday, May 19th, 2009
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7:18 pm - The Best I Could Come Up With
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I have dreams where I'm running, and motion gets harder and harder, until I'm crawling with all my force, and barely moving...
Went to work for three hours. The cold symptoms are diminishing, but it felt as if I hadn't slept at all last night. I took care of some things, but attempts at serious analysis work were too hard for my brain. Came home and slept for a couple hours. Since then, I've washed dishes, written tomorrow's comic and assembled it.
I'm considering clearing out my storage unit this weekend, clearing out the shed, making a huge trip to Goodwill. (Yes, I suspect for as much as I've spent on the storage unit, I could have thrown away everything instead of storing it, and later, repurchased everything. Twice.) It seems a good time to rid myself of Things I Don't Need. So maybe if you want to hang out with me this weekend, you can get a lot of free stuff.
current mood: tired
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