The two things I've been most concerned in this time of transition in my life have been 1) lack of purpose - what do I do with my time now? What is the new direction I'm supposed to head in? Not to mention income :-D ; and 2) will I get so depressed from my change of situation that I'll begin to pack on the pounds again, and regain all the weight I've lost? (sleep is a whole 'nother matter...)
Purpose is getting there. I'm taking 4 more jewelry classes in April, I have two weddings to be involved in in May, there's a gig on the horizon for August, and some cousins in Ohio might be having me come down to play at their daughter's wedding in September. Then there's Toonz, since the new programs start in April, and we'll see if people like them, or if stations drop the show en masse. So between magic and storytelling, music, and jewelry making, I seem to be seeing some purpose.
Weight is an issue... I was at 366, and have slowly crept up back to near 400. I was afraid with the quantity I've been eating lately, not to mention my lack of dicipline on vacation, that I would be well over 400 and back on my way to 486. BUT, the scale tells me today that I'm at 397... haven't broken 400 yet, and there's still time to turn it around. It's not easy - but it's possible.
I haven't been back to MMPC in almost a year - at first, I just put it off. Now, I've gained so much and lost so much control, that I'm ashamed to go back, and see the folks who cheered me on when I was losing. It's strange - I know that going back to class, getting back in the groove is the only thing that will allow me to get back in control, but I'm just too embarrassed to do it. I see that the pride my mom struggled with all her life is also an issue I'll have to deal with. :-)
But, for now, I haven't hit 400. It's not too late. I hope...
Random Fluffy Foto!
Writing in bed, and Beka editing by ear. Really. The ear typed some letters. Really.
Friday, March 31, 2006
Tuesday, March 28, 2006
I'VE GOT MONO!!!
... as in, monovision. :-D
When I first heard the idea of monovision, it was from Jack Haveman. His lovely wife, Bonnie, has (or, at least had at that time...) monovision - adjusting your contacts so that one eye is focused for distance, and the other is focused for reading. Then, your brain learns to sort it out from there and voi-lah, you can see far AND close, and not have to reach for the dratted reading glasses just to see what kind of beads you're actually picking out at Hobby Lobby, because your well-over-40 eyes can't read without help anymore...
Do I sound a little bitter about the whole reading glasses thing?
Anyway, at the time I thought, "one eye sees one thing, and the other sees something else? That sounds a little nutzzz to me."
The next time I heard of monovision was at Red Robin with Vicki and her other little playmates that dabble in the arcane arts of computer sorcery. There I saw Jen Westrate reading the menu, sans reading glasses. I asked her how she escaped the over-40 curse, and she mentioned monovision. Now, the kicker here was that Jen and I both wear Toric lenses for astigmatism, and in her experience, the monovision thing was way cool and groovy. Hmmm...
Just goes to show you that when you first hear something, it may sound nutzzz, but if you're desperate enough, and if it bugs you enough, what sounds nutzzz sometimes becomes interesting.
Mentioned it to the ever-fabulous Dr. Tom Snoeyink, our optometrist, although I called it by the wrong name, and found out there is actually something called a bifocal contact lens. And, it doesn't work, according to him. Monovision does, however, for around 3 out of 4 people. And, since my right eye is nearsighted, I've been relying on it at night to read in bed, without really realizing what was happening. I've already been doing monovision, sort of. So, he said we could give it a go, and we have 30 days to exchange the lenses if it doesn't work.
Thus, I picked up my new lenses today. My left eye sees distance. My right eye sees closeup. I'm way early in the adjustment phase, but I gotta say - this has serious potential. :-D Although, it would be interesting to see a 3-D movie in the Imax - what happens in 3-D when you have two different prescriptions in your lenses? No idea...
Anyway, we'll see how it goes from here. Yeehaw. Now off to try and sleep. Happy trails, friends...
When I first heard the idea of monovision, it was from Jack Haveman. His lovely wife, Bonnie, has (or, at least had at that time...) monovision - adjusting your contacts so that one eye is focused for distance, and the other is focused for reading. Then, your brain learns to sort it out from there and voi-lah, you can see far AND close, and not have to reach for the dratted reading glasses just to see what kind of beads you're actually picking out at Hobby Lobby, because your well-over-40 eyes can't read without help anymore...
Do I sound a little bitter about the whole reading glasses thing?
Anyway, at the time I thought, "one eye sees one thing, and the other sees something else? That sounds a little nutzzz to me."
The next time I heard of monovision was at Red Robin with Vicki and her other little playmates that dabble in the arcane arts of computer sorcery. There I saw Jen Westrate reading the menu, sans reading glasses. I asked her how she escaped the over-40 curse, and she mentioned monovision. Now, the kicker here was that Jen and I both wear Toric lenses for astigmatism, and in her experience, the monovision thing was way cool and groovy. Hmmm...
Just goes to show you that when you first hear something, it may sound nutzzz, but if you're desperate enough, and if it bugs you enough, what sounds nutzzz sometimes becomes interesting.
Mentioned it to the ever-fabulous Dr. Tom Snoeyink, our optometrist, although I called it by the wrong name, and found out there is actually something called a bifocal contact lens. And, it doesn't work, according to him. Monovision does, however, for around 3 out of 4 people. And, since my right eye is nearsighted, I've been relying on it at night to read in bed, without really realizing what was happening. I've already been doing monovision, sort of. So, he said we could give it a go, and we have 30 days to exchange the lenses if it doesn't work.
Thus, I picked up my new lenses today. My left eye sees distance. My right eye sees closeup. I'm way early in the adjustment phase, but I gotta say - this has serious potential. :-D Although, it would be interesting to see a 3-D movie in the Imax - what happens in 3-D when you have two different prescriptions in your lenses? No idea...
Anyway, we'll see how it goes from here. Yeehaw. Now off to try and sleep. Happy trails, friends...
Monday, March 27, 2006
Alright, since Hannah asked...
A while back, Hannah "tagged" me. Now, with my world being in higgly-piggly mode as of late, I not only had no idea what being "tagged" means, but also had no idea what to do about it. (She also put up a bad link to get to my blog... not that I'm bitter or anything... :-D ) But, since we've got a couple of minutes to breathe between all the hubub of the past weekend, and the magic show I've got to pack for tomorrow, well, let's deal with this...
Four Jobs I've Had:
1) Photographer's Assistant, back in my senior year of high school.
2) Professional clown, balloon sculptor, magician and storyteller - I still am a storyteller and magician, but my clown character got stuffed into a trunk a few years ago. Every once in a GREAT while, Eye-Bee the Clown makes an appearance... but not very often. And, although I haven't worked with balloons in a very long time, that's one skill that I try and at least keep some basic knowledge of.
3) Sales clerk at Theatricks in Grand Rapids - I sold makeup and other theatrical supplies, rented costumes, and specialized in magic demonstrations. Oh - and sold balloons for other balloon sculptors.
4) Radio DJ - worked at WCSG, then at a tiny little station in Vicki's hometown (WNBY in Newberry), then back to Grand Rapids, to do the afternoon drive at WCSG, then on to Saturday mornings on His Kids Radio. *sigh*
Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
The Incredibles
Any Cirque Du Soleil show (I know - technically not a movie. Hey - my blog, my rules...)
Nanny McPhee - at least, I'll watch it over and over when it comes out on DVD. I did see it 5 times in the theatre, so I guess that counts. :-D
Four TV Shows I Like To Watch:
Truth be told, we don't have TV except for watching DVDs - I'm the type of person that plops down in front of the thing and NEVER gets up. But, these are the shows I do like when I get a chance.
Mythbusters (on the Discovery Channel)
The Deadliest Catch (also on the Discovery Channel)
What Not To Wear (on TLC)
-and, in a tie for 4th place...-
30 Minute Meals and Good Eats (both on the Food Network)
(I'm also a BIG fan of Iron Chef!)
Four Places I've Been On Vacation:
Colorado and Nebraska
Jonesborough TN (to the National Storytelling Festival)
the Upper Peninsula (especially The Lake Of The Clouds)
The Shack, in Jugville USA!
Four Favorite Dishes:
Moo Goo Gai Pan
Broccoli Bread (Vicki just made some last week - Yum-O!!!)
Broasted Chicken
Pork Roast
Four Websites I Visit Daily:
Gmail
Chiff and Fipple - message board for whistle players
Userfriendly.org
Hannah's blog
Four Places I'd Rather Be:
Employed. :-D
The Shack
In the west end of the U.P.
Chicago - just to visit...
Four Bloggers I'm Tagging:
See - here's the problem... most of the people whose blogs I read have either already been tagged, or wouldn't appreciate having to do this poopy. So, let's stop the insanity right here, shall we?
Alright... if AMANDA hasn't been tagged yet, at least her. Just a little love passed on to ya, sistah! (I'd do something tricky and post a link to her blog, but being the Village Idiot of the internet, I'll just mention her name, and move on...)
Four Jobs I've Had:
1) Photographer's Assistant, back in my senior year of high school.
2) Professional clown, balloon sculptor, magician and storyteller - I still am a storyteller and magician, but my clown character got stuffed into a trunk a few years ago. Every once in a GREAT while, Eye-Bee the Clown makes an appearance... but not very often. And, although I haven't worked with balloons in a very long time, that's one skill that I try and at least keep some basic knowledge of.
3) Sales clerk at Theatricks in Grand Rapids - I sold makeup and other theatrical supplies, rented costumes, and specialized in magic demonstrations. Oh - and sold balloons for other balloon sculptors.
4) Radio DJ - worked at WCSG, then at a tiny little station in Vicki's hometown (WNBY in Newberry), then back to Grand Rapids, to do the afternoon drive at WCSG, then on to Saturday mornings on His Kids Radio. *sigh*
Four Movies I Can Watch Over and Over:
Charlie And The Chocolate Factory
The Incredibles
Any Cirque Du Soleil show (I know - technically not a movie. Hey - my blog, my rules...)
Nanny McPhee - at least, I'll watch it over and over when it comes out on DVD. I did see it 5 times in the theatre, so I guess that counts. :-D
Four TV Shows I Like To Watch:
Truth be told, we don't have TV except for watching DVDs - I'm the type of person that plops down in front of the thing and NEVER gets up. But, these are the shows I do like when I get a chance.
Mythbusters (on the Discovery Channel)
The Deadliest Catch (also on the Discovery Channel)
What Not To Wear (on TLC)
-and, in a tie for 4th place...-
30 Minute Meals and Good Eats (both on the Food Network)
(I'm also a BIG fan of Iron Chef!)
Four Places I've Been On Vacation:
Colorado and Nebraska
Jonesborough TN (to the National Storytelling Festival)
the Upper Peninsula (especially The Lake Of The Clouds)
The Shack, in Jugville USA!
Four Favorite Dishes:
Moo Goo Gai Pan
Broccoli Bread (Vicki just made some last week - Yum-O!!!)
Broasted Chicken
Pork Roast
Four Websites I Visit Daily:
Gmail
Chiff and Fipple - message board for whistle players
Userfriendly.org
Hannah's blog
Four Places I'd Rather Be:
Employed. :-D
The Shack
In the west end of the U.P.
Chicago - just to visit...
Four Bloggers I'm Tagging:
See - here's the problem... most of the people whose blogs I read have either already been tagged, or wouldn't appreciate having to do this poopy. So, let's stop the insanity right here, shall we?
Alright... if AMANDA hasn't been tagged yet, at least her. Just a little love passed on to ya, sistah! (I'd do something tricky and post a link to her blog, but being the Village Idiot of the internet, I'll just mention her name, and move on...)
Sunday, March 19, 2006
Happy Birthday, Dear Grandpa!
Since we will be busy this next week getting ready, I decided to post this a week early. On March 26th, Herschel Osborn, Vicki's Grandfather (and mine too!) will turn 100. Grandpa has been the only Grandfather I've ever known, since I didn't know any from my family, and he holds a special place in our hearts. Happy 100th Birthday, Grandpa!!!
Saturday, March 18, 2006
It has ended...
Father Daughter 2006 is history... Had a great time playing both nights, and was totally honored to meet Scott Krippayne - he's one righteous dude! Lots of nice comments from folks about the music - and even some interest in my CD.
So, what's next? Well, we're going to celebrate Christmas with the nieces (they've been waiting since December...), as well as have an open house to celebrate Vicki's Grandfather's 100th birthday. :-D I'm also taking along my beads and tools, and will get some time to just sit and play with jewelry designs.
After that, I switch to magician mode, and have a show to do at Immanuel Reformed (here in Grand Rapids). Then a busy few weeks will slow down... NOT! April's Toonz programs are due, so I'll be cranking those puppies out very soon.
I am wondering if I'm filling up my days with too many "things" - too much busy work in the wrong areas, when I should be focusing on something else. The Lord has a reason for putting me in this place, and I wouldn't want to miss the lesson by being "busy." There are many possibilities for what is next, and I feel like it's time to start narrowing down the field. We'll see...
So, what's next? Well, we're going to celebrate Christmas with the nieces (they've been waiting since December...), as well as have an open house to celebrate Vicki's Grandfather's 100th birthday. :-D I'm also taking along my beads and tools, and will get some time to just sit and play with jewelry designs.
After that, I switch to magician mode, and have a show to do at Immanuel Reformed (here in Grand Rapids). Then a busy few weeks will slow down... NOT! April's Toonz programs are due, so I'll be cranking those puppies out very soon.
I am wondering if I'm filling up my days with too many "things" - too much busy work in the wrong areas, when I should be focusing on something else. The Lord has a reason for putting me in this place, and I wouldn't want to miss the lesson by being "busy." There are many possibilities for what is next, and I feel like it's time to start narrowing down the field. We'll see...
Thursday, March 16, 2006
It has begun...
In a little while, I'll begin toting my toys out to Husdonville for the Father-Daughter banquet. I always get a kick out of watching the dads and daughters on their big night out, which is why I decided to still play at this event, even tho I don't belong to CU Radio anymore. (although, just for fun, I'm tempted to wear my nametag. I got this spiffy new name tag, and before I ever had a chance to wear it at an event, it all went down the biffy... Moral of the story - don't let them give you a nametag. Or you'll be next...)
I'm excited to play, including some of the tracks that will be on the CD. And, since there are always people who stop by and ask if my CD is out yet, I can finally say, it'll be out this summer. (hopefully... if not, Vicki's gonna fire me) Wonder if it's apropriate to have a list where they can put down an email address so I can let them know when it's done... I'll have to ask Hannah. Don't want to overstep my bounds...
Anyway, time to head 'em up and move 'em out. See some of you out there over the next two days. :-D
And, just to make it clear, CU Radio folks, I know you'll see me, not know what to say, and may think of avoiding me, since I haven't seen some of you since I was "dismissed,." But please feel free to say HI and even give a hug or two. I may not work with you anymore, but I've known a lot of you for a very long time, and I think that should take precedence over something like a layoff. :-D
WooHoo! ROCK AND ROLL!!! Or not... :-D
I'm excited to play, including some of the tracks that will be on the CD. And, since there are always people who stop by and ask if my CD is out yet, I can finally say, it'll be out this summer. (hopefully... if not, Vicki's gonna fire me) Wonder if it's apropriate to have a list where they can put down an email address so I can let them know when it's done... I'll have to ask Hannah. Don't want to overstep my bounds...
Anyway, time to head 'em up and move 'em out. See some of you out there over the next two days. :-D
And, just to make it clear, CU Radio folks, I know you'll see me, not know what to say, and may think of avoiding me, since I haven't seen some of you since I was "dismissed,." But please feel free to say HI and even give a hug or two. I may not work with you anymore, but I've known a lot of you for a very long time, and I think that should take precedence over something like a layoff. :-D
WooHoo! ROCK AND ROLL!!! Or not... :-D
Thursday, March 09, 2006
That's a WRAP!
Well, the wire wrapping class was a hoot! I learned an interesting technique for working with beads and wire, and had a couple of fun hours!
Isn't it great how something like that - going to a class, learning something new - will brighten your perspective? The Lord's been impressing on me that I need to learn to wait for Him... and in that waiting, He's giving me opportunities to learn, to explore, and to grow.
Miriam put it into a good picture for me yesterday at my appointment - instead of wandering around, saying "what should I do now?", a better thought is, "what do I want to do now?" My calling hasn't changed - to glorify God by everything I do, even though the structure of how I do that has changed. Instead of focusing on one thing - His Kids Radio, I can now focus on many things - Toonz, doing storytelling and magic, working on music, and even creating jewelry, and still follow my calling - to follow Christ, to learn more of Him, and to glorify God with my life.
I said in an earlier post that I felt like I was in my calling, and God hung up on me. No - He just has transfered me to another extension. Now I have to settle in to my new place, and get a feel for it.
Now, as part of my "calling," I hear the dishes calling. The faster I get my chores done, the faster I can sit down at the jewelry desk and play with some of the stuff I learned today. (And the closer I get to making Hannah's birthday present... :-D )
Isn't it great how something like that - going to a class, learning something new - will brighten your perspective? The Lord's been impressing on me that I need to learn to wait for Him... and in that waiting, He's giving me opportunities to learn, to explore, and to grow.
Miriam put it into a good picture for me yesterday at my appointment - instead of wandering around, saying "what should I do now?", a better thought is, "what do I want to do now?" My calling hasn't changed - to glorify God by everything I do, even though the structure of how I do that has changed. Instead of focusing on one thing - His Kids Radio, I can now focus on many things - Toonz, doing storytelling and magic, working on music, and even creating jewelry, and still follow my calling - to follow Christ, to learn more of Him, and to glorify God with my life.
I said in an earlier post that I felt like I was in my calling, and God hung up on me. No - He just has transfered me to another extension. Now I have to settle in to my new place, and get a feel for it.
Now, as part of my "calling," I hear the dishes calling. The faster I get my chores done, the faster I can sit down at the jewelry desk and play with some of the stuff I learned today. (And the closer I get to making Hannah's birthday present... :-D )
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Nature abhors a vacuum
So, there are errands to run, appointments to keep, classes to take... none of which provide employment. But, as Vicki keeps reminding me, right now it's not about employment - it's about direction. As I try and learn, and think, and listen, patience and wisdom are what I'm looking for and longing for.
Small lights on the horizon - the Lord has been pretty clear to this point that it looks like, for now, I'll be the designated House Hubby, runner of the errands, loader of the dishwasher, and keeper of the house. It's not a bad gig, and it helps us with some routine things that we haven't had time for. Some of our friends will understand this: there's actually a clean part of a counter in our kitchen, with no dishes in sight. That's a good thing.
I'm getting ready for the Father Daughter banquet, and I have a magic program at the end of March. I'm going to a wire wrapping class on Thursday, and will hopefully learn some cool new techniques to make Hannah's birthday present - albeit a bit late. Progress on the CD is slow, since there's a number of other things taking my time. And, we're taking a week off to go to the UP for Christmas in March, and to celebrate Vicki's Grandpa's birthday, as he turns 100. :-D
The only niggle on my horizon? Sleep. I still can't sleep without using the medicine, and am concerned about addiction. I see my counselor tomorrow - maybe we'll figure out what's going on. In the meantime, I keep asking my self, "why don't I have any time? I'm unemployed..." But hey - a busy Cal is a good thing.
Small lights on the horizon - the Lord has been pretty clear to this point that it looks like, for now, I'll be the designated House Hubby, runner of the errands, loader of the dishwasher, and keeper of the house. It's not a bad gig, and it helps us with some routine things that we haven't had time for. Some of our friends will understand this: there's actually a clean part of a counter in our kitchen, with no dishes in sight. That's a good thing.
I'm getting ready for the Father Daughter banquet, and I have a magic program at the end of March. I'm going to a wire wrapping class on Thursday, and will hopefully learn some cool new techniques to make Hannah's birthday present - albeit a bit late. Progress on the CD is slow, since there's a number of other things taking my time. And, we're taking a week off to go to the UP for Christmas in March, and to celebrate Vicki's Grandpa's birthday, as he turns 100. :-D
The only niggle on my horizon? Sleep. I still can't sleep without using the medicine, and am concerned about addiction. I see my counselor tomorrow - maybe we'll figure out what's going on. In the meantime, I keep asking my self, "why don't I have any time? I'm unemployed..." But hey - a busy Cal is a good thing.
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