Yoga Butt

Tonight felt like a bit more of a thinking kind of night.

I did some yoga (breath work only - though I may have gotten a bit too relaxed. I think I fell asleep at the end). I'm checking out Yogaglo.com right now. I like the organization of their classes better than myyogaworks.com (you can browse by teacher, duration, style, and level and they also have some lectures as well). It even allows you to set goals to meet (# of classes or # of hours per week) and tracks them. You can even create a queue and schedule what day you want to take a class.

In addition to what I've already listed, they even have classes modified to accommodate your cycle (you are never supposed to do inversions during your period). I don't know if most ladies take that into consideration or if they are just trying to get yoga butt.

Speaking of yoga butt, I didn't even know that was a thing when I started doing yoga. My yoga experience has always involved old hippies. There were never super skinny Lululemon clad ladies practicing yoga, but here in SF they appear to be the only people who practice yoga.

Justin and I discussed the possibility of me taking antihistamines in addition to strict diet to get things under control (and allow me to eat MOAR DIFFERENT foods).  This conversation was held over a bowl of Pho. I had asked for no jalapenos but alas there were jalapenos in it. So far, so good. No reaction to the Pho or jalapenos. This could be huge because I could totally start eating fermented hot sauce again. It's delicious and I have missed it terribly!

Obviously I don't want to take benedryl every day again (I did that for years and still was a mess), so I started looking into natural antihistamines. I stumbled across the blend of Lavendar, Lemon and Peppermint, which is supposed to be a natural antihistamine/anti-inflammatory blend.

Well, I don't have any gel caps currently, so I whipped up the LLP blend in a base of coconut oil. Topically, it is applied to the soles of the feet 2x a day. Even if this does nothing for my allergies, I will have soft, nice smelling feet!

I may try doing the the LLP blend internally using the gelatin capsules, but for now I am going to do the topical application.

I also started doing some rough sketches for another idea I have to add to my skull series.

Zentangle.......

But I'm really not sure what day to call it. I think it would be #38 based upon the sequence from when I was doing it daily. While I haven't been doing a tangle daily, I have been "making" daily. "Time Goes By" took quite a few days of work and layout to get it all assembled and framed.

We also went to the Elder Gnome's home to do some metal casting. That was pretty rad and a few more crucibles have been obtained. Which means more metal types. Which means brass. I need to figure out some modeling software and make something for my gramps. Every time I see brass, I think of him. Before his hands (and head) started bothering him a lot, he spent a lot of time buffing brass. Every time we include antique brass items in a collection at work, I think of my gramps! He should have been buying up used brass and selling it on Etsy! We sell so much brass (and throw pillows, which I still don't get the point of).

I did tangle today. I went in to work late so I could help Justin with some additional rack installation and got home around 8. I did some yoga (I highly recommend myyogaworks.com for home practice - there's a lot of variety and it costs less than drop in at a single class!).

I had a thought recently about homeless people. Perhaps they are so fried in part due to dehydration (it can make you pretty weird). They are often wearing 5-6 layers of clothes, they drink mostly alcohol (I've never seen a bum drink a bottle of water) and they are exposed to the elements all the time. Something to think about.

Time for bed.

Passing Time

I'm watching you

I distressed the frame

I couldn't find my pop up photo booth for this, so still not the greatest photos. I'm sad to say that the only thing my V3 seems to be good for anymore is Macro photography. It takes amazing macros but the second you try to photograph anything else with it, it's super grainy. 

Justin got me this rad journal today. He saw my sad little notebook from Goodwill that I have been working on recipes in and thought he'd give me some place nice to put the final versions!  

The first recipe to go in there will be avocado zucchini hummus. 

Ah projects

So, I've obviously missed a few days of my zentangles. But I'm okay with that.

After a lengthy discussion with Justin, it feels more important to create in general every day rather than be tied to a specific project.

I was stressing over not getting tangles done. I was going to bed too late because I had to make dinner, walk the dog, go to the store, actually spend time with my husband etc., and lo and behold it's almost midnight and my tangle wasn't done.

Life happens. And it was staring to feel like I was sacrificing other projects I wanted to do so I could get the tangle done.

Like this one:

I have had this project on my radar for ever. Seriously. From the day I got M0rt I wanted to do this. It's not working out exactly as planned (M0rt is choosing to be difficult), but I'm trying a variety of ways to work through this project.

It's really time consuming. I have to make sure the files are appropriately layered for cutting. I've spent countless hours working on the AI file itself over the last how ever many months. But the zentangle project was basically relegating things like this to the weekend. If I am home and not busy with other stuff.

M0rt doesn't seem to take kindly to really intricate scroll work (neither does the Cricut). He chews the paper. He gets his blade stuck and cuts over the same area twice. So that sort of put a damper on my idea intricately cut paper scroll work for this project.

So my next inclination was to cut a template and ink the scroll work using that. I figured if M0rt didn't want to work with cardstock on this, perhaps he'd cooperate with some Bristol. Nope. Not having it. He threw a fit. He didn't want to cut through most of the time (I started at a 6 pressure and went up to 8). When I increased the pressure, he stabbed the paper with his blade and snagged the edges. I wasted a few pieces of bristol in this process.

I got frustrated and was like "fine. be that way M0rt. See if I use you as much for stuff" (maybe he doesn't want to do work and this is all a part of his plan). I decided to hand ink after all. But then Justin reminded me of the Grafix Rub-onz sheets. So I inked the rub onz sheets and am attempting to transfer that way. The only issue I have with that is that there is a slight sheen around the placement because it would be really difficult to remove all of the non inked adhesive.

Ultimately I plan to put this in a 12x12 scrapbook/shadowbox style frame, so the glass will have all sorts of glare that will likely obscure the sheen of the adhesive. I'll let you know how that turns out.

My skipping tangles started on Tuesday with good reason. We went to Sacramento to go to the annual Bristol Hospice Remembrance. I have to say I was really glad I postponed my midterm (first time in all of college I've ever asked to reschedule a test). It was awesome to be somewhere with people who were so highly impacted by my brother. Sometimes it feels like people don't remember he ever existed, but even almost 3 years later the hospice staff tears up when they talk about Jesse. It was also really great to see some of the people who have inspired my desire to provide art as therapy for hospice patients and their families.

365 Days of Zentangles - Day 37

Day 37! I did it. And a bunch of other stuff this weekend too. I swear sleep was what I needed. It was the first weekend I didn't feel stressed about work, which made my weekend that much better.

I battled ants yesterday in the garden. I tried to make muffins (fail). I succeeded in making tiny pumpkin pies. I doubled down on the tangles yesterday. I did something else but am not entirely certain what it was.

Today I got up and did yoga for an hour. I made coffee. I sat on the porch and drank said coffee while reviewing for my Contemporary Art midterm that is tomorrow night. I made a slideshow of all the pieces I may be tested on for that class (not sure why people make flashcards anymore, putting together a slide show is much more efficient). Started this project:

I've had this vision in my head for a couple of weeks now. When it is finished, I am going to mount it in a shadowbox frame.

This is where I got today:

I'm using M0rt for this project. I read a lot of people's complaints on the forums over at Craftwell. "it's not mat free. You have to use something." "It's ripping my paper." "It doesn't work right" "I should have kept my Cricut"

Having used a Cricut for work and having used M0rt, I have to say I like the e-craft (M0rt) more than the Cricut.

First things first, the cutting mats. e-craft is a "matless" cutting system, meaning it doesn't require consumable sticky mats that are a proprietary design and you don't need to buy a new one every couple of projects. Cost aside (they range from $7-$12/ea), they stink. They have an odor I cannot stand. It's repulsive. If I had to smell that every time I wanted to make anything, I'd get rid of the machine. Paper stick to the mats horrendously (I ended up losing a large number of cuts to the mat alone). Hair sticks to the mats. Dust sticks to the mats. It's gross.

The e-craft (M0rt) is matless in the sense it doesn't require a sticky mat. Some materials will need a "carrier" though. Light weight paper, fabric, cellophane, things like that will need a "carrier". What's a "carrier" and how is that different than a mat? The carrier can be anything that is thicker and sturdier than the paper in question. When I need a carrier, I just use the chipboard or lightweight cardboard from the back of a paper stack with a bit of Scotch "blue" tape (removable tape) to keep the edges down. I'm re-purposing materials, which is a big part of LaserGnomes.

I have to say that both M0rt and the Cricut actually aren't that rad for cutting really detailed pieces. Both end up having a bit of blade drag (which I have observed a way around, but can't exactly figure out what the eCraftShop Pro does to calculate a cut path). That being said, as frustrating and wasteful as it sounds, you ultimately need to have a new blade every 5 sheets of paper or so. In one of my art classes, we were told to use a new x-acto blade for EVERY CUT in order to attain the best results and cleanest cuts possible. Mind you, we were masking areas off with frisket for renderings and that takes a ton of cuts. This is the equivalent of that.

Cricut blades are about $10 for a 2 pack, whereas e-Craft blades are $22 for a 20 pack. This makes switching blades out a lot less painful.

There are some other reasons I really love M0rt that I will get into another day. It seems like a lot of the people who complain that it's not a Cricut are people who just want to push a button and choose from predetermined designs. Not how I want to craft, but hey, to each their own, right?

365 Days of Zentangles - Days 35 and 36

Okay, I had to double down today. I intended to do day 35 yesterday (as it should have been), but I came home, made dinner and crashed out. Hard. I even skipped happy hour after work. I was too tired. I made some kick ass pulled pork in the crockpot (nightshade free even. It's becoming a challenge to find recipes that are tasty and nightshade free. Every time I see something that looks delicious, it's got something in it I can't eat). I fell asleep at 9 pm and didn't get up until 10 this morning.

We tried Absolut Apple Ginger vodka, which was delicious, but I think at this point the only vodka that doesn't completely mess my nose/sinuses up is Ciroc (it's made from grapes). Really though, I think it may just be better to avoid alcohol completely for a while again and get my nose straight. I'm currently doing a fungal cleanse using Garden of Life Fungal Defense (some times chronic sinus issues can be fungus related and I have been having problems since I got sick). After 3 days, my sinus headaches have gone away.

I mounted all of my loose tangles to bristol stock the day before yesterday (I was starting to lose them being loose all over my desk).

I also made tiny pies today. They are delicious. I love things that are bite sized or prepared in individual servings, so I made pumpkin pies using muffin tins. Best idea EVER. I'm still working on a pumpkin muffin, but it's not quite there yet. I think the chia egg is making it gummier than it should be, but I'm still not doing well with eggs yet (try being paleo without eggs. it's pretty damn hard).

Justin and I went and had massages as well today. And I battled ants. I have moved to electrocution for the GD mice. I don't even know what do to for that many ants in an area where no one wants poison.

That greenery is a 3 inch tall sprig of mint COMPLETELY covered and swarmed by ants. 

365 Days of Zentangles - Day 34

Day 34. I managed to work 12 hours today, go to dinner, go to the grocery store (dinner/grocery store w/ the husband!), started the beef jerky, did my tangle, did some dishes.

Trying out a new idea for beef jerky. I haven't been making it nearly as often (I think only 1 time) since giving up soy. The only commercially available jerky I can eat as of now is Kirkland Steak Strips (which are delicious, but I'd rather make my own). Tonight's marinade involved coconut aminos, fish sauce, and a secret ingredient. Once I actually taste the jerky I'll reveal the secret ingredient.

One of my co-workers commented on the fact I was eating a homemade breakfast (my "no"tmeal made from chia, sunflower seeds and coconut) and that I always bring my lunch. She wanted to know how I had time to do all that with work and school. Making good food doesn't always take a ton of time. It's a matter of planning. There are some days I can have dinner done in 20 minutes if I've given it forethought and spent a bit of time prepping on Sunday.

Day 33. We tried Pica Pica today. It was AWESOME! Venezuelan food. 100% gluten free. Nothing to worry about on that particular food. I even managed to avoid the corn! We got yucca fries and nachos made with taro chips...... and delicious crispy chicken... So full. Super gut bomb in a way I haven't had in forever!

Got a call today about the Bristol Hospice annual memorial service at the Rudolph Steiner college. I have a midterm that night but I've emailed my professor to see if I can make other arrangements. If that happens I'm taking the day off and going. It will be good to see some of the people who made a huge difference in our lives. It's weird to think Jesse's been gone for almost 3 years now. Some days it feels like just yesterday he was yelling at me about my scarves and trying to be Stevie Nicks (I was not trying to be Stevie Nicks, I just had found some rad scarves). He'd be dying now if he saw my mocs (or the sweet ass boots I'm getting ready to order).

Sometimes it's weird to think of using that phrase. "he'd just die" about someone who's passed. But really, he'd mock me to no end. Sometimes it's weird not having him around to mock my hippie ways (and I'm way more of a hippie now than I was 3 years ago).

365 Days of Zentangles - Day 31

I've had skulls on my mind all day. I have this brilliant project I want to do but I have school on Monday and Tuesday and I need to study for midterms next week. BLAH BLAH BLAH. so mad.

This is my collection of black pens (I think there are about 20 pictured). And this isn't even all of them. I have more. I have a really great set of Rapidographs ($200 for  set of 5 pens? Yes. But they are refillable. And you can buy new nibs). I got them during my drafting class. Microns were recommended but seriously, they didn't get the job done for that class. Construction lines ultimately need to be hairline and even the finest Micron could get it right.

Of course, I go look up that same pen set now on Utrecht and it's on sale for $89. If you draw, get this. If you need a gift idea for me. Get this. I'll be honest, I'm really trying to run out all of my black pens. This project should be perfect for it.

Oh and where was this set when I was 12 and OBSESSED with calligraphy?

Oh, my amazon subscribe and save shipments arrived today. That means pie can happen this weekend. I've got sunflower seeds and arrowroot powder (oh and coconut milk, shredded coconut and coconut flour).

365 Days of Zentangles - Day 27

Day 27 (day 6 of my 7 day tangle).

I don't know if it will be completed by day 7. Here I was thinking it may not take a full week to fill an entire page, but there's still a lot of white left on day 6.

I'm super ready for the weekend. It has been a long 2 weeks. I want to sleep in. I want to bake an apple pie. I want to play with M0rt. I want to bask with my dog. I think a massage is in order.

I cut the crap out of my thumb last night. It doesn't hurt as much now and I managed to put up more privacy film with a jacked up thumb (I thought ahead and brought gloves to keep the windex and film application solution from getting to my thumb).

365 Days of Zentangles - Day 25

I really like the "wormy" bits.

Day 25. I find that I really appreciate the routine of doing this. I also need to appreciate the routine of a regular yoga practice again.

It was a ridiculously long day of applying privacy film to windows at work today. But, in a weird way, it was probably the most relaxed I've felt at work since starting there. The front windows (all new and not crappy) turned out wonderfully. The back windows (all old and chicken wire looking not so great. The glass is pitted in some spots and I couldn't get all of the clear silicone off without ruining the seal on the window. Such is life.

Time for bed. Seriously.

365 Days of Zentangles - Day 24

Day 24. I'm exhausted. The office is moving, which means extra work on top of all the other work I have to do.

I have decided to get back into doing yoga. I have to. I have to manage my stress better. While I keep telling myself it's just furniture, I have a hard time not letting the stress get to me. I used to handle stress better. (or I was just less attuned to my body and it's reaction to stress). Stress makes my pain flare up, so it is imperative that I find a way to manage it before I end up back in the same pain-y boat I was on for most of my life.

I also need to be better about taking my turmeric and ginger. I got a bit lazy. Both help, they really do, with inflammation. I also need to make sure I'm getting a massage twice a month.

Crap. Taking care of your self is a lot of work.