what it's like for me

Sep 04 2011 ∞

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

Whoa. How is it September? I haven’t posted on here for a couple of months. Summer has been busy, but in a way that I didn’t notice how busy it was.

I quit my job in June after the beginnings of a nervous breakdown started to creep in again. This time I asked for help sooner than later. I saw the same doctor I went to in February, and despite my misgivings, decided to give medication a chance. I’m glad that I did. At first I didn’t notice anything different, and there was no big “Aha!” moment, but I just began noticing that I could leave the house without panic, and that I wanted to talk to people again. Medication may not be for everyone, but I’m glad I got over whatever stigma was around it in my head, because I feel like I’m back to being myself for the first time in a long time.

I started attempting my own business - which is a slow process and not turning a profit at all, but still somehow satisfying. After being unemployed for a month, I started a new job at a bookstore for the millionth time. Okay, maybe not millionth, but at least eighth. But this particular store is awesome and I’m happy there.

My amazing mom was diagnosed with Merkel Cell Carcinoma this summer. It was caught just in time, and she is sailing through chemo treatments with a little fatigue, but also with beauty and strength. If someone ever tells me I’m just like my mother, I’ll be thrilled.

Regular stuff has happened, too. Life doesn’t stop just because you have other things happening. We worked on our backyard so much in the last month or so. It’s now big and open and I love it. I need to work on a party/cookout type event before the weather won’t allow it. I spent a lot of time with my family this summer, which is always great. I can’t believe my little cousins are back to school. And I can’t really call them little anymore. The youngest started kindergarten last week, and her older brother started his second year on the football team. Time flies.

Overall, things are good. Maybe the best part of all of this is that I’ve felt my creativity coming back. I’ve wanted to write, and sing, and make things. I feel so much better when I’ve finished a project of my own. I started making jewelry at the beginning of summer, and when I finish working on a piece, I’m excited about it. I want to share it with people and tell them about it. These are unusual things for me, at least in the last few years, so I’m glad that it’s becoming a regular occurrence.

I’m hoping to post more on here. I’d like to get back to writing. I would love to write a story that is longer than a few paragraphs, and possibly even try Nanowrimo this year. We’ll see what happens. For now, I’m just glad that I’m back (for the most part) to being myself.

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+ ∞

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

Johnny La Rock is the frontman for Cleveland’s Presque Vu. Check out this excellent song and click through for his musings on music. Full disclosure: Mr. La Rock is also my friend. But I would like Presque Vu even if he wasn’t!

johnnylarock:

Presque Vu - 210 And A Moustache

Here’s a track from own group’s latest record. I’d hope we’re just considered a straight up pleasure, and not a guilty one, but I’d be happy either way. I figured since I’m analyzing other people’s art here, I should show that I make tunes too, so I appreciate the hustle. I’m not just another snobby music critic.

(via johnnylarock-deactivated2011102)

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Jul 09 2011 ∞

Over the last few weeks, I’ve been designing and creating wire and bead jewelry. I finally felt like I had an idea of what I was doing and liked what I was making. Earlier this week, I opened my Etsy store! You can visit at: Black Cardigan Designs. So far, I just have a few items for sale. I’ll be slowly building inventory over the next week or two. If you see something you like, or would like something but maybe with different colors, e-mail me at BlackCardiganDesigns@gmail.com. I’ll work on something for you!

I also set up shop on madeitmyself.com as BlackCardigan, which would have been the same name as on Etsy, but they have a limit on characters. Made It Myself is definitely a different site from Etsy, but it’s still handmade goods and maybe a different group of people checking it out. I figured I would give it a shot since it was free to list an item. I’m trying out the the things I would sell at craft shows to see if they get any attention online. It’s generally smaller pieces of jewelry. I’ll update with more of a review once I’ve been up and running for awhile. It was simple enough to get started on both sites.

I chose Black Cardigan Designs as my name because I am pretty much always wearing one. Even on a hot summer day, I’ll have a sweater with me “just in case.” My black cardigans are essentials for me, so I thought that would be a good way to view my jewelry as well.

That’s one of my designs in the photo above. It is actually the one that has had the most views. No buyers yet, but I’m optimistic. This is my big, exciting news for the moment. Hopefully more to come!

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Jun 08 2011 ∞

xoJane

I don’t know how long this has existed, but I’m thrilled that it does. I enjoyed Sassy and Jane magazines, and was particularly sad when Jane was no more. But Jane still exists! Online! Hooray!

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Apr 08 2011 ∞

a bing search was helpful for the first time in the history of ever. i was reading some stupid thing on msn.com when i saw a bing search suggestion for commodore 64. there was no way i could resist clicking on that. lo and behold, commodore is making modern computers that look exactly like their original design. i totally want one. i can’t get one yet, due to money, but also because they are sold out and not shipping until june. but, oh, when i can, i will! nostalgia that is useful. i can’t wait to play “little people” and all the fun stuff i loved as a kid!

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Apr 04 2011 ∞

via FilmDrunk

I love this. I don’t know why, but I do. It was easily the happiest 9 minutes of my day. The boots are awesome and the guy in the white jeans towards the end is an excellent dancer.

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Mar 21 2011 ∞

to do list:

1. create something

okay. it’s not much of a list. there is something i need to get out though. i’m not sure what, or how. i want to sing and write and dance and run. maybe all at the same time. i just know that i’m satisfied with work, and i’m satisfied with my home. but…there is something else. there is something in need of accomplishing. i’m going to set aside some time everyday for the next few weeks to discover what that might be.

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Mar 10 2011 ∞