A Post For No Reason

I am overflowing with feeling today. This morning was beautiful and I drove to work with my windows down. I had an amazing weekend filled with physical triumphs and many wonderful people. It feels like my heart might burst with how happy I am. And that’s really it. I just wanted to write out how lucky, special, and joyful I feel today. I hope everyone is having a fantastic day!

July In A Nutshell

I keep meaning to make a big, colorful post full of pictures, but alas - at this point it would need to be a five page essay to cover all the ground I want. Instead, have a bullet-style list of all of July's shenanigans.

•  Dropped out of pole dancing after finally accepting that my back just isn't healed enough to handle pole lifts or climbing - bye bye, sexy pole shoes. Maybe next year.
• Had a wonderful birthday party with all of my nearest and dearests - water fights, sparkly mustache stickers, and copious amounts of food made it a great day to officially age.
• Visited the Freer Gallery of Asian Art with Tyler and my parents for my Mom's birthday.
• Went on a fantabulous beach vacation, and also got to experience an outdoor silks practice and my very first lyra (aerial hoop) session. Now my desire for my own rig and silk has become an obsession.
• Still working on the same two drawing commissions since May - and have become determined to finish them up in the next couple of weeks. They're daunting.
• Had a couple intense sessions of massage therapy to work out all the nonsense my muscles have been up to.
• Unfortunately made negative progress on my Pay Off My Debt mission.
• Had a couple of intense baking sessions as well, since I tend to bake when I'm stressed out. My coworkers were well-fed during July.

 And now it's August, which is a much less busy month, so I'm hoping to catch up on the more mundane aspects of life, and also to finally pull my bike out of its garage hibernation. I've had this thing since mid-July and have still not ridden it yet because I can't figure out the tire pump to inflate its flat, flat tires. Maybe I'll make that my project for tonight.

Another project I'm starting this month: keep a journal of each spending temptation that I successfully resist. I've tried so many different strategies over the years to curb my urge to overspend myself into oblivion, and none have really taken thus far. Hopefully keeping a record of all of the positive attempts I make to learn how to spend responsibly will be more encouraging than my current and repetitive pattern of punishment and self-hate when I break down and make an irresponsible purchase.

Happy Independence Day!

I hope everyone here in the ole USA had a great 4th of July! I didn't celebrate in the traditional manner - no fireworks, no boozin', no neighborhood or family gatherings - but I did exercise my freedom as an American to do what makes me happy! And what makes me happy is friends and aerial class. Tini and I made our way down to Urban Evolution (the best gym on the planet, hands down) for our weekly silks class and, quite frankly, we kicked its butt. Our goals this time were tons of conditioning, and to climb up and string three tricks together before descending. It took a few tries for each of us, but we both ended up with a cool mini-routine on video. I also finally mastered single- and double-ankle-hangs, did another hammock drop just for funsies, and left with that great euphoric feeling that only comes after a spectacularly fun workout.

Pose transition: Bow & Arrow, to Bow of the Boat, to Lotus Hang

My knee doesn't seem to be bothering me much as long as I'm careful not to pivot without also moving my foot. I'm just happy it doesn't inhibit my aerial practice or walking!

How did you spend your 4th of July?

Everything In Moderation

My life for the past few days has been shark movies, smoothies, cookies, and cats - after a series of small victories, I supposed it's only fitting that life came along and kicked me in the butt. Quick rundown -

• I've been unable to work since June 30th because my company is having trouble getting government approval to continue employing its subcontractors (this is temporary, but I could be out of work for another two or three days, unpaid).
• Got slammed with a series of unexpected bills totaling about $700.
• Wrenched the PCL in my left knee during silks practice on Saturday.

I got out of the house on Saturday to go to a birthday party for a couple very dear friends, but other than that I'm a little ashamed to say that I've been wallowing in the doldrums. I do plan on being productive today, but so far I've been infinitely lazy while I baby my knee. Things could be worse!

Small Victories

Ignore the giant sweat marks, this victory was hard-won.

 Small Victory #1: After my back injury kept me from silks class last week, I was able to go back yesterday. That triumphant picture is from last night. I FINALLY got into a silks move called the cross-back straddle on my own for the very first time! Prior to this I've always needed a boost to get my legs over my head. It was possibly one of the most exciting moments in my life this week. Anyone else have any small-but-super victories lately??

Fresh-from-the-plant basil is an amazing smell.

Small Victory #2: The sweet basil bouquet I harvested from my basil plant for dinner tonight. I love my baby deck garden. <3

Small Victory #3: Lately I've been feeling run ragged and just plain overworked and was desperately wanting a day off to recuperate and catch up on work around the house. I'm hosting my birthday party in about a week and I'd love a chance to actually get my house in order. Then, out of nowhere, my boss called me last night to let me know that my company hasn't gotten government approval for sub-contractors to charge to the new project #'s that came into play yesterday, so none of the sub-contractors can work today. I feel like the Universe heard my plea and decided that I deserved a break, so thank you, Universe. I appreciate it more than I can say!

Small Victory #4: I finally got around to staking up my listing tomato plants & blackberry bramble, and they all seem to be doing better for it.

As for now, I'm going to go back to watching Hook and working on my very first color commission drawing. I bid you all adieu!

Piranhaconda - Live Blog Style!

I decided to do a live blog of Piranhaconda because a. I'm way too excited about this movie and b. this movie deserves a rating on my personal awesome scale. Here goes!

***FINAL RATING***
6.4/10
Death rating: 10/10. Final death count is at least 25/the entire cast.
Indredulity rating: 10/10.
Acting rating: 1/10 (which might translate into a 10/10).
Stupidity rating: 6/10.
Commercial rating: 5/10. About 43 minutes of commercials, but they were good for potty & smoothie breaks.

Overall - hilarious, would watch again.
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Live-blog recap:

9:01 PM: Not even 1 minute in and already - one of the actor's names is Chris DeChristopher. This bodes well.

9:04 PM: First and second deaths occurred while two hapless expendables were raiding eggs from what I presume was a Piranhaconda nest.

9:05 PM: First "snake-view camera" action sequence. AND FIRST HELICOPTER BITTEN OUT OF THE SKY BY PIRANHACONDA. YES. THIS IS ALL I HOPED FOR AND MORE AND WE'RE STILL IN OPENING CREDITS.

9:06 PM: First sexy co-ed in a bikini shot, how long til she bites the dust? I'm giving her about 15 minutes. Oh no! Sexy co-ed gets attacked by a deranged machete-wielding masked man! Oh, but it was all just part of a movie scene. A movie within a movie. How original.

9:09 PM: We're ntroduced to the manly movie savior. Threatening to maul women is apparently a valid pick-up line in this movie.

9:10 PM: Piranhaconda just sneezed some really intense mucous onto a hot blond girl's tits. Now he bit her leg off. Now she's crawling and shrieking through a bamboo forest. Now he's eating her in a magnificent, explosive mist of blood. Aaaaand commercial break.

9:16 PM: We come back to manly mauling lead having drinks with one of the hot movie producers. Witty banter abounds. And a healthy dose of manly ridicule to spice the conversation up!

9:19 PM: More sexy bikini-clad exploding bloody death by Piranhaconda.

9:23 PM: First sighting of hot-but-badass blonde chick toting a giant gun. She's probably doing something illegal. Bud from Kill Bill appears, playing Intelligent Professor dude who tries to warn everyone of the imminent danger of Piranhaconda. No one listens and he's taken hostage.

9:25 PM: Uh-oh, badass blonde chick has some kind of giant egg suspended in green Jell-o in her bag!

9:27 PM: More co-eds. This time one of them is smart because she's wearing glasses and talking about science labs. They're searching for an incredibly rare flower with miraculous healing abilities. Hey they found one already after only hiking for three miles! They're intrepid adventurers!

9:29 PM: One of the co-eds goes missing with a shriek, other co-eds more concerned about leaving with their flowers. Remaining co-eds now eaten by Piranhaconda. And - commercial break.

9:38 PM: Another sexy co-ed death by Piranhaconda! BUT WAIT! Now there are TWO Piranhacondas! DUN DUN DUN. Also, Sexy Co-Ed #1 is still alive. My prediction skills are terrible.

9:40 PM: Have learned this movie takes place in Hawaii. And that the movie-within-a-movie has been shut down by the producers. And now the movie people are being taken hostage by some shady looking folks in black shirts. Director is shot in the foot. Lead Black Shirt informs them they are now hostages until their ransom is paid.

9:42 PM: Heroic group of hostage movie people make a break for it! Here's a gem: "After them! But don't kill them, shoot them in the ass!" compliments of Lead Black Shirt dude.

Commercial break. Time for a smoothie.

9:50 PM: Random hostage-taker gets pwn'd by one of the Piranhacondas.

9:51 PM: Not all movie people made the great escape. They are now being taken to see The Man by Lead Black Shirt dude. Lead Black Shirt dude is handed a video camera with shocking footage of the first Piranhaconda deaths. Dios Mio!

9:53 PM: Lead Black Shirt dude just got pistol whipped by The Man for trying to warn about Piranhaconda. Love interest, annoying movie-within-a-movie actress, and bloody-foot director are now tossed in a warehouse with the Professor.

9: 55 PM: A Useless Couple on a deserted beach get frisky, but suddenly the dude has to pee. Of course he gets eaten by Piranhaconda while Useless Girlfriend wonders where he's gone. Cut to another commercial!

10:01 PM: The Man refuses to leave even when confronted with footage of Piranhaconda and despite the fact he's already lost one man. And the movie's best line just happened courtesy of Lead Black Shirt dude - "Some kind of unholy union between Anaconda, and Piranha."

10:03 PM: Manly lead and his Sidekick meet up after successfully shaking their hostage-taking pursuers.

10:05 PM: Professor gives some back-story on why he became a professor. More scenes with hostage group.

10:08 PM: Lead Black Shirt dude propositions Love Interest chick. She runs away after "playing kickball with [his] cahones." This dude has the best lines ever. Love Interest sobs and is chased by a clumsy man wearing a skull mask while Lead Black Shirt cradles his testicles. She falls into a nest of eggs! Commercial break!

10:16 PM: The Man and Badass Blonde have an unhealthy relationship. Love Interest is confronted by Clumsy Chaser, but Clumsy is eaten up! Love Interest makes her escape, so far the first one to make it out of a Piranhaconda encounter alive. She runs straight back to her kidnappers in a fit of horror.

10:18 PM: Manly Savior and Sidekick do some recon on the hostage group. They don't have a plan outside of "blow stuff up".

10:22 PM: Manly Lead leads the hostages to safety while Sidekick plants explosives. They head for some SUVs. Movie Director heroically volunteers himself as sacrifice so the others can make their escape. All these gunshots attract Piranhaconda before Sidekick can hotwire the car. Badass Blonde eats it! The Man makes it! Sidekick eats it! The building blows up! MOVIE DIRECTOR MAKES IT AGAINST ALL ODDS! EPIC CHASE SCENE BETWEEN PIRANHACONDA AND SUV!

10:26 PM: Piranhaconda cuts them off at the pass! The man pulls up and UNLOADS A BAZOOKA STRAIGHT AT THE SUV! He misses and blows off half of Piranhaconda's jaw instead. The SUV is miraculously unharmed AND NOW PIRANHACONDA #2 EATS INJURED PIRANHACONDA #1!

....commercial.

10:33 PM: Manly Lead, Love Interest, Annoying Girl, and Professor hoof it through the jungle looking for a marina because their car is all shot up. The Man & Lead Black Shirt dude have an altercation, but of course The Man wins. They go hunting for their hostages. Movie Director is hobbling through the jungle on his shot-up foot. He meets a friendly crab! And Useless Girlfriend from before, who is calling her dead boyfriend and his phone rings from inside Piranhaconda's stomach.

10:36 PM: Useless Girlfriend runs through the jungle looking for her boyfriend. Movie Director follows for unknown reasons. Manly Lead gives Love Interest the shirt off his back. Literally. Useless Girlfriend and Movie Director end up in Piranhaconda's nest. And Useless Girlfriend starts destroying eggs! Movie Director gets pwn'd by Piranhaconda! Useless Girlfriend gets headbutted and then bitten in half by Piranhaconda!

10:41 PM: Heroic hostage group arrives at a well-kept marina and get into a boat. They discover that the Professor is harboring a Piranhaconda egg while Manly Lead volunteers to kill the Piranhaconda. They all leave their escape boat to stalk Piranhaconda.

10:44 PM: Piranhaconda kills three men in one go! Professor cares more about his egg than his companions! Annoying Girl tries to help! Lead Black Shirt dude is snatched up! The Man is snatched RIGHT OUT OF HIS SHOES!

10:45 PM: Manly Lead & Love Interest raid a half-digested corpse for guns. Manly Lead forces Love Interest to leave. He goes back for Annoying Girl and to kill Piranhaconda.

Commercial.

10:52 PM: Professor makes it back to the boat and attempts to escape. Manly Lead's bullet wound seems to have disappeared as he runs through the jungle. Love Interest also makes it to the boat.

10:53 PM: Manly lead finds detonators and a motocross. Love Interest finds Professor's egg. They struggle, he drops it, he goes diving with a little help from Love Interest. He gets eaten and she clears out.

10:58 PM: Piranhaconda gets her egg back, along with a stick of dynamite! Piranhaconda is seemingly no more. Manly Lead  & Love interest share a passionate kiss and are snatched up by another Piranhaconda! End Credits.

Gardens and Adventure Kats and Back Injuries, Oh My!

This weekend was originally supposed to be full of outdoor adventures and a theatre performance, but unfortunately my body had different plans. About a month ago, I had an accident during tumbling practice and ended up with some badly strained back muscles. Up until last Sunday I was feeling almost back to normal, but then I decided to do some weight lifting and ended up aggravating the injury all over again. This also means I'll have to take a break from silks & pole next week, so hopefully I can keep up my productivity around the house so I don't get too depressed. :) Being house-ridden today kind of forced me to relax and take a much-needed breather, even though it wasn't the plan. I've cleaned pretty much the entire house, and am now taking a break with a SyFy Original Movie called "Mega Piranha". I have an irrational love for bad science fiction - laughing at the bad acting and ridiculous plot (a 20-foot piranha just leaped 50 feet into the air and literally chewed a helicopter out of the sky) never fails to put me in a good mood. What are your favorite ways to unwind?

My kats also had some outdoor adventure time! My timid little lady, Calla (also known as Moo), ventured out onto the deck for the first time in her life, and Sasha (aka Fatty) sauntered around like a true deck-exploring pro. Unfortunately for them, the combination of morning sun on a dark-stained deck created hot-foot syndrome and drove them back inside after only a few minutes.

Calla being very brave and inspecting the grill.

Sasha wants me to know that seriously, killer haircuts do not protect against hot feet.

 I am also super excited about the progress of my deck garden! I've got tomatoes, blackberries, strawberries, rosemary, basil, marigolds, catnip, daisies, roses, and begonias. I also have about 7 spiderwebs, but I'm okay with them as long as I don't find them with my face.

Deck garden in all its glory.

Some of the early tomatoes on Tomato Plant #1!

Considering a month ago it looked like this -

Yes, those two tiny green containers are the same tomato plants as up above.

I think everything is going really well! It also gets full morning sun, making it an extremely peaceful place to enjoy a morning smoothie.

All right, I just saw a commercial for "Piranhaconda" - an unholy union between piranha and anaconda! - an all-new SyFy original movie that premieres tonight. I guess I know what I'm doing with my evening! Maybe I'll even order some chinese food to complete the picture.