You know the drill. Who's here? Who's not? What you been up to? Did you ever finish that one thing you swore you were going to do this past year? How are things...really? Looking forward to hearing from you all! Sorry if this has been posted recently. Did a quick search and nothing came up!
I'm here, checking in every day for as long as I can remember, but I don't often reply. Chat is nice and low-key. I feel like I've found maybe one twentieth the number of good articles the past year, so I don't have as much to share or read or say, which is a bummer. Things are bland. Or heart-breaking. Or both. We still have a long way to go until normal people can get a shot, and the next months are not going to be nice so I'm dreading that. I got myself undeep nasal antigen tests and have rarely felt more conflicted about spending money on my personal health.
I’m so sorry to hear that. We’ve been lucky so far. One of my kids tested positive after two of the others had mild colds, so we just assume three of them had it. We did a lot of weird in-house isolation stuff and managed to keep the rest of us Covid free... which is miraculous. I hope you don’t have any lingering symptoms. My wife and I did end up contracting COVID, and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It wasn't a fun experience, and parts of my body hurt that I didn't know were capable of hurting.
Glad to hear that you and your family have made it through largely unscathed. We are finally all vaxed up in our home. My wife as a physician, myself as a volunteer and our au pair as a childcare provider all managed to get the shot. It feels nice to know that our household is safer now. We will still continue to mask up, used hand sanitizer and socially distance. But, it's a good feeling. I hope you and the kiddos are doing well, Steve-o. Any new songs from your daughter? That last one still blows my mind. So talented!
Hello! I'm here. I check in weekly or so or if I get a good article. I stop by weekly for Pubskis. Chat is fun. I come through when I get call-outs. I actually even got a new computer that's primary use and have Hubski saved on it sooo, yeah, theoretically I could be around here more even. But I enjoy my low key life. Things are going really, really well actually. I signed up for a second half-marathon today! ::crying laughing emoji:: My first will be in September and this next one will be in November. I've never even run 13.1 miles yet! But I will tell you that yesterday I ran 9.32 in a slow 1h50 min. I have a while before I settle onto a training plan for my first half marathon. I think for a while, I might just commit to two hour runs every other week until hopefully I can get closer to 13 miles done in that time. I'd like to do the half in 2:15 or less. I've been speed training on the side too, so really, I should be getting faster. I just definitely wasn't trying to do anything fast for my first time running 9 miles in about a year! Other things are going well. I'm focusing on self care and having fun and balance and running. And fitness. And all the running. But also lots of reading. And podcasts. And cooking 90% of my food at home. And not drinking. I think it's uh....I think it's healthy? I think it's good for me :) Also, getting pumped for future HOT GIRL SUMMER because in addition to all the above did I mention I've also been crosstraining 2-3x weekly with my BFF down the street? we are phenomssss and I just spend a couple hundred dollars on exercise gear Being healthy is my boyfriend
I used Hal Higdon Novice 2, twice, with great success :) https://www.halhigdon.com/training-programs/half-marathon-training/novice-2-half-marathon/#training-schedule Even skipped the cross-training (extra rest day), and shuffled some of the Saturday stuff around and it still worked a treat.
I decided I’m gonna do it. I’m almost two full training cycles out from the first half and I figure, I’ll start on novice 2 week 3, run it through and see how it goes. Depending on how it feels I’ll either run nov2 again or I’ll look at the intermediate program. I feel I’m a bit beyond the first weeks of nov2 (current long run 9 miles) but also I just pushed myself a bit too hard on a 13 day run streak so maybe I need to take it easy on myself, not hard, and avoid injury. If I’m hurt I won’t be running any halfs let alone finishing them!
I'm here, although I don't participate as much as others. Life is good. I know I keep saying that, but it is. My bills are under control, mostly. My wife and I have stable employment. I like my job and the people I work with. My kids are doing well. I've been making progress on house projects. Sure there have been glitches along the way, but nothing earth shattering. The one area of my life that isn't going great is my health. I haven't put in the time or effort to get in shape. I am 40 pounds overweight and my blood pressure is creeping up because of it. I keep promising myself that I will start exercising and eating healthier today, but when push comes to shove, I just don't do it. But yeah, I can't really complain.
Okay, here I am at the yearly checkin. Listening to thenewgreen's beautiful song, "Beneath the Table". What you been up to? Did you ever finish that one thing you swore you were going to do this past year? Buried but not forgotten Happy and peaceful How are things...really? Also, a shoutout to all those who encouraged me to write this: I'm a true sandwicher. 94-year-old mom is struggling: greatly diminished, but even with aphasia and cognitive confusion, she values and appreciates life and love. 36-year-old daughter also struggling. So what I'm up to is caring for each of them in various ways. I've had a few things on my list for a long while and getting to them now because anything can happen to anyone ANYTIME, I've been looking after finances, wills, a trust, POA. My older sister has bought herself a gravesite in her town in the Kootenay Mountains. She even took a picture of herself at her gravesite and wrote a haiku about it. Then sent me the haiku and the picture. Under a pine tree Yes, I find this a little creepy, but I wrote her back saying I'd visit her grave after she's gone and sprinkle haikus. She wrote back saying that she'd like that. She's turning 72 next week. As soon as my sister gets here -- if ever -- (she's pleading asthma and covid fear) -- I'm taking a vacation. But how are things, really? Things are good and happy. BF is amazing. and that makes all the difference. It feels like I'm being my most authentic self in this relationship and life. Though, to play hockey, as we say on hubski, that is to express ourselves creatively in order to avoid panic attacks -- I'm not doing so brilliantly, yet. I'm still hiding beneath the table.
she values and appreciates life and love
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree! BF is amazing. and that makes all the difference. It feels like I'm being my most authentic self in this relationship and life.
This makes me happy. I remember when we first met and the place you were in. You've come a long ways. We all have. Though, to play hockey, as we say on hubski, that is to express ourselves creatively in order to avoid panic attacks -- I'm not doing so brilliantly, yet. I'm still hiding beneath the table.
My friend that told me she hid beneath the table as a child said that if she could go back in time she would have carved words beneath the wood of the table so she could go back as an adult and remember why she was hiding there. If you have to be "under the table," maybe do some writing about why you're down there. Love you, lil. Onward!
I decided to actually answer the prompt to participate in the conversation and somewhat introduce myself What you been up to? Soap, lots of soap- and gardening. I have a small soap making start up and my first arts and craft show is in June so I have been turning out loafs as fast as possible. I have a 16-bar loaf mold, but I am currently using my 8 bar loaf mold instead. This is my first show, but I have been selling online, and I have not been able to sell many of the bars I made with the larger mold so I have a ton of stock just sitting. I've been reading The Start Up Owners Manual, and taking advice from that, I've decided to offer a few bars each of a lot of different varieties (rather than a ton of bars each for just a few options) and see what types of fragrance/ color/ design combinations customers gravitate to. I have floral, herbal, and fruit options with some basic designs. The fair will be around the Summer Solstice so I'm making Litha inspired soaps this week. Next week I'm making soaps with Fragrance dupes of designer perfumes. I started my plants for the season in pots, and I have an aerogarden going in my room. I am living with family atm due to impacts of the pandemic. I've been told I can help with the outdoor garden here which Ibam excited about, but they buy small plants later in the spring instead of germination seeds at this time. I personally prefer seeds, but after 6 years renting apartments, I'm really just happy to have access to a real in-ground garden at all ♡ Did you ever finish that one thing you swore you were going to do this past year? I have no idea. There was so much I planned to do this year and the plans changed so many times. I did accomando lot of the things I planned, but 2020 really threw a monkey wrench in every major plan I had. I've been telling myself all year I will finally get prescription sunglasses though, and I haven't done that yet, so no I guess I haven't done that one thing I swore I would. How are things...really? Usually good, some days are pretty hard tho. I'm getting fat (which itself doesn't bother me too much) so none of my clothes fit, but I'm broke atm so buying clothes that do fit makes me feel guilty for wasting money on worldly possessions instead of using it for bills or saving it. Sometimes MIL makes it really uncomfortable being here. I'm happy to have a place to live with a yard though, and they let my cat live here with us so I try not to complain too much about it.
I'm here, but mostly lurking like once a week. I've found a discord server that I hang out on more regularly; I like the real-time nature, don't like the chat page here (for technical/logistical reasons, not personal), and don't really care about politics these days. I'm also trying to make peace with just plain not being that interesting, something that real-time chat is more compatible with than commenting on specific stories.
I am still here, of course. I have been working from home. Tonight I have a web presentation to 100 doctors. We drove to Florida last week and spent it with my mom, her husband, and my brother's family. My wife and I have our second vaccination this week, the other adults had both. We didn't go out, except masked to grocery shop. Florida is ridiculous. About 70% of the people don't wear masks indoors. I am working on a painting for a cousin who made me a frame. He wants a fantasy landscape. This is where I am at: Things are really pretty good. But, I feel that life is fragile. A friend of mine died last week in an accident. He was young, and left a wife and three children. I like that we have a president that doesn't complain all the time. It feels good to focus less on politics. I want to move to the countryside, but my wife likes the small city life we have. I painted/added a funny driver figure to the rc car I built. Still working on Hubski image hosting.
Where were you? I'm in Miami right now, and I am surprised by how compliant the place is, especially considering the horrorshow that is Miami Beach, according to the news. We went to dinner and went out drinking, and everything was outdoors, spaced out, and well-masked. I was pleasantly surprised. Painting is incredible, by the way. You always do good work, but that has to be one of my favorites you've shared here.
Panama City. That might be the reason. Good to hear that the entire state isn't like that. As a matter of fact, probably 2/3 of the people I saw weren't locals. Thanks. That surprises me. I have been very non-commital in my process with this one. Maybe I should try to preserve that. My brother just bought me a talking Bob Ross bobblehead that I put next to my easel. Last night I listened to a couple of Ross affirmations before getting to it. I think Bob completed the cycle and ascended to Nirvana.Painting is incredible, by the way. You always do good work, but that has to be one of my favorites you've shared here.
The painting looks great! I have been rocked by his death too. There have been moments when I thought to myself, "I'd like to ask him a question," and I forget he is dead. His poor kids. He was a really good father. He genuinely loved spending time with them. Couldn't agree more re the President too. It's nice to not be bombarded by constant bombast and negativity. Funny re the countryside. I too have thought that this would be nice. This quarantine has shown me how much I enjoy being at home. The older I get, the less I need a city. Certainly not to live in. I would love a few acres and a lake.
You know? I'm good. I was going to do a bunch of yardwork while dealing with COVID but I was dealing with COVID. Which means I'm still here, heart&lung damage documented but recovering. I built a business that not only survived the pandemic but thrived to the point where I've retired from my old job. My daughter made it through a year of distance learning with no ill effects and I've learned things about casting that no one else in the world knows. I've done more than picked up many skills of a lost art, I've developed my own tricks. Enamelwork is rewarding, fulfilling and beautiful and some time next week I'll take possession of a was-six-figures precision CNC mill capable of holding a micron or less. There are things I'm really fucking good at that I didn't even know I'd need to do eighteen months ago and this former foodstamp kid made it to the other side of the roaring economic divide that is going to make life hell for maybe 80% of the world. Dug up 500 square feet of yard last week. With a hand tiller. Then chipped 2500lbs of sod through the chipper. Still running in the 11s and that not very far but fuckin' hell there are about three million people who didn't make it to 2021 because of COVID so I'n'I gonna count my blessings.
Casting as in metal casting. Enamel as in "vitreous enamel" or "jewelry enamel." The term "enamel" has been largely debased by general use of any fired ceramic glaze (or in the case of "enamel paint" by anything vaguely hard and shiny) but good'n'proper enamel is ground glass fired to molten temperatures. In archetypal, respectable jewelry, it is always done over pure silver or gold. The artists most responsible for extending the art are all from the Art Nouveau period, notably Henri Vever, Rene Lalique and Peter Carl Faberge. Enameling itself has suffered mightily as the translucent, heavy metal enamels used in its creation are difficult to acquire compared to the garbage generally used. Not only that but wretched mass-production techniques have dissolved much of the market for actual jewelry enamel. But it's fun, it's easy, it's rewarding, it's meditative and it's repeatable. This took three hours.
Oh, I'm sellin' just not yet. I had a watch I liked a bunch, and then the new model sucked. And I have a job that let me surf the Internet a lot, so I got interested in clocks. Then I discovered that building your own clock is something old men do and nobody pays you for, but then i found out that there was a clock repair class nearby, but that they recommended the watch repair class first, at which point i discovered that one of the five watchmaking schools in the world was two exits from my house, and then things snowballed. I made jewelry before I went to college and then I went to college for mechanical engineering. Frankly if all of my jewelry-making stuff hadn't gotten stolen by Averats my junior year I probably would have been a watchmaker 20 years ago.