Arty farty thready nonsense

My art class is going well! It's continued to be very basic, but we've only done drawing so far, and we're starting painting next week, which I know much less about. Plus, painting is our teacher's focus (he's a grad student in his final year) so I expect he'll have more to say, just as I'll have a lot more to learn. I'm going to invest in some oil paints -- I've only worked with acrylics before, but I like the finished product that comes with using oils better -- there's a certain luster you simply cannot achieve with acrylics no matter how much gloss medium you add. Plus, there's a romance and a sense of continuity with the past that I like about using the same kind of paint (basically) that Michelangelo, DaVinci, Picasso, and hundreds of other artists have been using down through the centuries. Also, I like the smell.

At the end of class yesterday, one of my classmates, a particularly chatty and effusive retired school teacher, was babbling to our teacher about something or other, and I'm not quite sure how it came up, but she mentioned she weaves. Immediately, my head snapped up, because I, and I don't know if I've ever mentioned this, really want to learn how to weave. It's always seemed kinda neat -- it's beautiful and old fashioned and looks peaceful to do; Anna's mom had that huge loom in the basement (which always looked like a giant contraption for creating magic to me), and it was hinted that the dorans in Wise Child used looms to weave tapestries for some undefined mystical purpose. Also, the concept of actually creating cloth by hand (and not just by knitting) is pretty amazing. (Like, seriously, it's a flat surface. Made of individual strands. One dimensions adding up to create two dimensions. TRIPPY.) Then at the Fallsburg festival last fall, I watched a woman demonstrating how to weave and was thoroughly captivated. I probably stood there for ten minutes while my poor mother waited for me, bored (but inside where it was warm, and with cider, so she couldn't complain). It was at that point that I actually started to think about learning how to do it myself, and not even a week ago I spent some time googling our city's name plus "weaving lessons," trying to come up with some options that didn't require you take four days in a row off work and pay them $250.

Anyway, I mentioned to my classmate that I'd been wanting to learn how to weave, and she got very excited and next week will be bringing me the phone number of a friend of hers who gives private lessons for $15 an hour, and Y'all, ...I'm going to learn to weave. And it is going to be sweet.

The only problem with the Holly Learns to Weave plan is that if I really get into it, at some point I'd conceivably have to buy a loom. And that is ...not cheap. And would make moving considerably more difficult. So, in the meantime, I'll have to go visit Anna's mom a lot or something, which I'm sure she'd actually be pretty thrilled about.

You know, those tangible things with the pages?

I've started another Robin McKinley novel, called Deerskin, and aside from her short story collections and one novel about dragons that I'm not real excited about, I believe it's the last of her books I haven't read yet. I put it off until almost-last because it has some disturbing thematic content (as Monica puts it, "Evil father rapists what?"), but so far it's really, really good, and it might end up being one of my favorites. We'll see, though -- I'm still on page 52, and she hasn't been attacked by her father yet.

While I'm on the topic, another McKinley book I never got around to mentioning when I read it a couple months ago is Sunshine (fabulous summary and review here), which, although I'm not into the whole vampire shtick, I really enjoyed. (This book predates the recent national obsession with vampires, and contains no sparkles.) I'd totally recommend it. She rambles a bit (which seems to be McKinley's style when she's not being careful), but she does a great job of creating a sense of place, and of creating palpable tension between Sunshine's (the main character) growing friendship with the vampire Constantine, and her intense fear and disgust. Also, Sunshine works as a baker in a coffee shop, and those descriptions me want to eat molten chocolate raspberry cinnamonny baked goodness like whoa.

Weekend Update: non-sequential edition

-I started an art class this week! I've been angsting up a storm trying to figure out whether I should just take a night class here and there or whether I should go back for another bachelors (full time students can get financial aid!), but while I'm trying to figure it out, I'm taking a continuing ed course. It's very basic so far, but it's also about a tenth of the price of a normal studio art course, so, yeah. Yay!

-I love that it's been warmer, but warmer does mean more ice. My weekend walks have gotten significantly more perilous. I haven't broken anything yet, but it's only a matter of time.

-I've been really getting into Battlestar! Yayfun! :) However [dramatic pause, tragic sigh], I was hunting around on Youtube the other night for interviews and clips, and I came across one labeled "last scene of [thus'n'such episode]" and thought, hey, sure, I'll check that out. It wasn't until too late that I realized it was the last scene... of the last episode... of the last season. [Facepalm] I screamed a scream of despairing agony and swore a blue streak. I ...I now know what happens to a couple of very key characters. I've been enjoying the show a lot though, and despite this tragic, torturous slip, I'll probably see it through to the end. The last episode on the first disk (you know, where I actually am) is a cliffhanger, so I've been extremely twitchy all day, seeing as the branch that has the next disk available isn't open on Sundays. Will Starbuck be rescued from her post-Cylon-ass-kicking-session viper crash? Will Adama forgive her for her role in his son's untimely death?? WILL MY POOR SHATTERED TV SCREEN EVER RECOVER FROM THE SEARING GAZE OF ANGRY!EDWARDJAMESOLMOS?????????????? I can't stand the suspense. *EDIT*: Spoilers in the comments

-I can't believe how short weekends are. I have to go to work tomorrow? Seriously? Big!Christian-publisher-in-town gets MLK day off, so, um, why don't we again? Boooo.

Situation Normal All Brian'd Up

Dear Gmail,

No matter how many times I change the "Appear in Chat List" setting from "Auto" to "Never," my ex-boyfriend continues to appear in my chat list. Please fix. This most undesirable occurrance has been an issue ever since he was turned down by another girl last week and emailed me on the pretense of clearing his Itunes authorization off my laptop, only to spring old pictures of the two of us together on me in a morose attempt to make me feel guilty. I do not feel guilty, Gmail-- I feel like I stepped in something smelly and cannot get it off my shoe.

Whatever he is paying you to do this to me, I will double it.

Much thanks,

Holly

P.S. New themes soon pls?

As they say ..."Frak."

I just finished the first half of the Battlestar Galactica miniseries.

Yes, it is pretty awesome.

And yes, Laura Roslin is the shit.

And yes... I can tell I'm going to get all squeeshippy about Roslin & Adama.

...Damn.

I don't have time for this, guys.

Signed, Stupid

From our website:

If you wish to submit a manuscript to us, we ask that you send the following:
-A query letter telling us what the book is about.
-A prospectus, table of contents, and perhaps an introduction and sample chapters. Or you may elect to send the entire manuscript. All manuscript material should be typed or printed out, double-spaced, on one side of the paper.
We will not accept or respond to manuscripts, proposals, or queries sent by e-mail or fax.


Received in the mail today (hard copy):

Dear Editor-in-Chief:

I retrieved your "Book Proposal Guidelines" from your website and I have a couple of questions:
1) Is it correct for me to say that you will respond to no email, even a letter such as this?
2) I have a formal book proposal of 78 pages and 17,994 words. It contains the information you list in paragraph two of the "Guidelines," including four double-spaced samples, fifty-seven pages, of the manuscript chapters/sections. The first seventeen pages of the book proposal are single-spaced. Will a printed copy of the book proposal accompanied by a cover letter meet your "Guidelines" for submitting a book proposal to PublishingCompany?

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Sincerely,
Author, PhD.


How I wish:

Dear Author,

We don't actually give a shit about spacing.

Sincerely,
Me

P.S. PhD.? Really?

I am a slug. A happy, happy slug.

Ahhhhh. :) Of the days I took off for Christmas and New Years, today is the only day that I have no. plans. at all. I have firmly planted my buttocks on the couch and plan to move them only when I really, really want to. I've got a mug of tea, a comforter over my lap, and a cat snuggled up next to my knee. I just took a walk, and after I finish blogging I plan to read and maybe watch some TNG. Blissful, blissful, blissful slothery.

I literally can't remember the last time I had a day like this. It's a friday, so I'd usually be at work right now. It's cold and snowy, so I don't feel guilty that I'm not spending the day outside being active. I cleaned like a fiend for the NY party, so I don't have the dirty bathroom or un-vacuumed floor whispering that I should be cleaning them, and I can't think of any projects I ought to be doing other than art school research, and that can wait until tomorrow. Today is a rare, special sort of day, and I'm going to savor it -- seriously, I'm so happy to sit and do nothing. I just wish I'd gotten up earlier so I'd have more of it, but I don't have any plans for tomorrow or Sunday, either, so maybe I can get to some more slothing then, too. Yay. :)


And now, as inspired by Catherine:

End of Year Survey!

-- What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
I broke up with someone, stayed at a Disney resort, took the GRE subject exam, saw my first episode of Star Trek (beginning of the end?), went to several new restaurants, and finally settled the decision I've been agonizing over since high school between English and Art.

-- Did you keep your New Year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
I don't think I made any last year and I haven't thought about them yet for this year. If I'm feeling ambitious I might decide to always get up on time on work days or something... we'll see. Maybe just be more patient (and less of a spoiled only child brat) with my roommate.

-- Did anyone close to you give birth?
My friend Theresa! And several people from high school who I haven't actually seen in a long time.

-- Did anyone close to you die?
My grandpa (not super close, but very well loved).

-- What countries did you visit?
None, unless you count Disney World as a separate country (I might buy that argument).

-- What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
A firmer plan for the next few years.

-- What dates from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
January 2: first breakup.

-- What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Breaking up with Brian and discovering I had the balls to do so, gearing up for & taking the English subject GRE, deciding to go to art school.

-- What was your biggest failure?
Not conquering my inability to get to work on time.

-- Did you suffer illness or injury?
A few colds.

-- What was the best thing you bought?
Season 5 of TNG, I think. Several good books, a set of shelves, some nice clothes for work, presents for people, and loose-leaf tea are some close seconds.

-- Whose behavior merited celebration?
Anna for making it to grad school like she always wanted, Monica for taking on her huge work load with much more courage and stamina than I could muster, and my roommate for being much more patient and graceful with me than I ever am with her.

-- Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Me for continuing to get up and into work late all the time, and for a variety of similar little failings. I'd say "disappointed" rather than "appalled and depressed," actually, but close enough. The usual variety of politicians, public figures, and terrorists.

-- Where did most of your money go?
Rent, food, utilities, my hair, clothes, entertainment.

-- What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Obama, TNG, art school.

-- What song will always remind you of 2009?
Poker Face and Bad Romance by Lady Gaga, Single Ladies by Beyonce, I Gotta Feeling by Black Eyed Peas, Whenever, Wherever by Shakira, Take it On the Run by REO Speedwagon, Calabria 2008 by Enur, Oh Sherrie by Steve Perry, All My Days and Orange Sky by Alexi Murdoch, Why Do You Let Me Stay Here by She & Him, New Soul by Yael Naim, Floating the Flambeau by Gaelic Storm, Praan by Garry Schyman, anything by Jem, anything from the Slumdog soundtrack, and a ton of other stuff. (I live in my own little world of music.)

-- Compared to this time last year, are you:
a) happier or sadder?
Happier.
b) thinner or fatter?
Thinner.
c) richer or poorer?
Richer.
...Hot damn, go me.

-- What do you wish you'd done more of?
Maybe exercising, but only in that general I should always be exercising more than I am sort of way.

-- What do you wish you'd done less of?
Complaining.

-- How will you be spending Christmas?
Spent it at home with the fam - eating, opening presents, eating, watching movies, eating.

-- Did you fall in love in 2009?
Other than with Jean-Luc Picard, no.

-- How many one-night stands?
Blaaaaaaahahahahahahaha.

-- What was your favorite TV program?
Don't tell me you haven't figured that out by now.

-- Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
No.

-- What was the best book you read?
I can't honestly remember everything I read before early summer (can't have been super-memorable... I think I did a lot of rereading...), but probably Beauty, by Robin McKinley. Best new reads, Spindle's End and Sunshine by Robin McKinley.

-- What was your greatest musical discovery?
I technically discovered Pandora in fall of 2008, but I used the heck out of it this year. Also, a lot of single songs and some artists... see above list of songs. It was a very active year for me, musically.

-- What did you want and get?
Freedom from an oppressive relationship, a tentative plan for the future.

-- What did you want and not get?
A tan.

-- What was your favorite film of this year?
Away We Go.

-- What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I took off work and my mom and I drove to Saugatuck to window shop and have lunch. I also renewed my licence. 25.

-- What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
I dunno -- I could list all the wish-I'd's from above again, but really, it was a good year. It got significantly better as it went, too -- the first 6 months were very much in the shadow of the Brian Breakup, plus I felt like I was in a rut, but time heals and I started working on plans for the future, which helped a lot. TNG gave me something fun to focus on, I developed a couple new friendships, and I love my cozy little apartment and my cats.

-- How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
At work: alternating between looking nice and sharp, and barely making myself pull on khakis and an acceptable sweater. Not at work: Comfy and casual, but somewhat cute. I'm still sweatshirt-queen, but I'm trying to move toward cuter sweatshirts that fit better and don't scream "THIS IS WHERE I WENT TO COLLEGE."

-- What kept you sane?
Working on a plan for the future.

-- Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Patrick Stewart. Purrrrr.

-- What political issue stirred you the most?
I spent most of the year coming down from the emotional fallout from the election, so I deliberately tried to focus away from politics. I guess all the bipartisan fighting.

-- Who did you miss?
I miss my two grandparents who died most recently. Not very actively, since I never saw them very often, but they were unusually sweet, good people and I feel their absence.

-- Who was the best new person you met?
Shannon! :) Not that I've technically met her.

Questions I just added:
- Unexpectedly memorable moment: Standing on the balcony of my friend Katie's and my suite at Disney's Animal Kingdom resort in February and doing nothing but staring at the African animals and actively feeling the warm breeze on my bare arms and legs.
- Stopped: Checking facebook routinely.
- Started: My blog back up.
- Also: '09 was the year of Twitter.

-- Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009:
It really is true that life stuck with someone who's not right for you is worse than life alone.

-- Quote a song that sums up your year:

Helping the kids out of their coats
But wait, the babies haven't been born oh
Unpacking the bags and setting up
And planting lilacs and buttercups oh

But in the meantime I've got it hard,
Second floor living without a yard.
It may be years until the day
My dreams will match up with my pay

-Mushaboom, Feist