Monday, December 15, 2008
wait, what?
okay, so its December 15th. Like, really close to Christmas. And it doesn't feel like Christmas...at all. I think this mainly has to do with the fact for the first time in years I am not 1. working with kids or 2. helping to organize Christmas themed activities for a non-profit organization (aka making elf costumes with Bell House in the 'Mosa). I still have my elf costume. In an effort to evoke Christmas I declare that I am going to wear it. Everyday. Until Christmas. I have also decided to, in this moment, make gingerbread houses for Eric and I's joint birthday/ graduate student "yay-the-the-semester-is-over" extravaganza. Really the time to accomplish these tasks does not exist (Christa's work schedule: Tuesday 8am-8pm, Wednesday 8am-8pm, Thursday 8am-3pm Party=7pm) but, you know, some things just need to happen.
Friday was supposed to be my "celebrating the life of Christa" day but it looks like I may have agreed to do work related activities that day. I have no resistance to any request. Crap.
My life has been really uninteresting except I work a lot. And have been feeling pretty overwhelmed for the past three weeks. Its getting better, however. 2009 is the year of the ox or bull. This, apparently, means it will be a year dedicated to hard work and working hard. This, apparently, is a good thing if you know what you are working for but difficult if you don't. So I am going to figure out what I am working for or toward, so as to not be caught unawares. I will keep you posted.
I love fiction and stories. I happen to work with a lot of people who say they have a hard time reading fiction and I have to just look at them baffled and bemused. I cannot comprehend choosing non-fiction over fiction. I mean I have enjoyed my fair share of non-fiction but in no way does that trump a good work of fiction. 9 out of 10 times I will choose something completely made up over something that may possibly improve my mind.
yep. I will be home from Christmas Eve and fly back to Colorado on January 3rd, with a visit to Josh, Katrina, and Amelia (yay!) from the 30th to the 2nd.
Friday was supposed to be my "celebrating the life of Christa" day but it looks like I may have agreed to do work related activities that day. I have no resistance to any request. Crap.
My life has been really uninteresting except I work a lot. And have been feeling pretty overwhelmed for the past three weeks. Its getting better, however. 2009 is the year of the ox or bull. This, apparently, means it will be a year dedicated to hard work and working hard. This, apparently, is a good thing if you know what you are working for but difficult if you don't. So I am going to figure out what I am working for or toward, so as to not be caught unawares. I will keep you posted.
I love fiction and stories. I happen to work with a lot of people who say they have a hard time reading fiction and I have to just look at them baffled and bemused. I cannot comprehend choosing non-fiction over fiction. I mean I have enjoyed my fair share of non-fiction but in no way does that trump a good work of fiction. 9 out of 10 times I will choose something completely made up over something that may possibly improve my mind.
yep. I will be home from Christmas Eve and fly back to Colorado on January 3rd, with a visit to Josh, Katrina, and Amelia (yay!) from the 30th to the 2nd.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
Once I Had An Open Heart
http://www.slvdweller.com/index.php?/archives/2008/10/04/The-Government-Seems-To-Have-A-Hard-Time-Passing-Bills-About-Things-That-Are-Free.xhtml
Full-length video for Katey Sleeveless' song "The Government Seems To Have A Hard Time Passing Bills About Things That Are Free." Song written and performed by Katey Sleeveless. Directed by Katey Sleeveless and Eric Shiveley. Filmed and edited by Eric Shiveley. Edited on a TRS-80 Katey found in an abandoned rail car.
Full-length video for Katey Sleeveless' song "The Government Seems To Have A Hard Time Passing Bills About Things That Are Free." Song written and performed by Katey Sleeveless. Directed by Katey Sleeveless and Eric Shiveley. Filmed and edited by Eric Shiveley. Edited on a TRS-80 Katey found in an abandoned rail car.
something to say
I sustained my most dramatic sewing injury this saturday. It is not uncommon (at least for me) to sew through my finger every now and then. Usually it is through a small bit of flesh, the needle pops in and out, no harm done but yet another piece of evidence collected for the case against a graceful Christa. However, this time the injury was a bit more dramatic (and, I think, humorous). I allowed my left middle finger (darn it for being longer than my other digits) to get a wee bit close the the sewing needle and the needle did indeed puncture my finger but it punctured enough flesh to cause the end of the needle to break once it exited the other end of my finger. Ow. Thankfully I was quick to pull my foot off the pedal but closer examination of the situation revealed that my finger was essentially trapped against the sewing machine, the broken end of the needle acting like the barb of a fishing hook. The nearest pair of scissors were in the middle of the floor and I couldn't move my finger due to the jammed bobbin (thus preventing me from using the thread cutter on the back of the machine to cut myself free). Yeah. I was home alone and finally figured out a way to stretch across the to the scissor without moving my poor little finger and scootching the scissors closer with my foot(10 points for a graceful Christa. A slight tangent: I have come to the conclusion that I am very capable of grace and coordination but only in uncommon circumstances, like scrambling boulders or precarious sewing situations. Please note that I managed to rescue myself AND not get any blood on my project). Once free I ran downstairs, doused my finger in peroxide and proceeded to remove the strands of thread from my finger. I almost wish I had taken a photo because it was so bizarre looking. The finger is healing well, though it may be suffering from PTSD and looks as if it had a violent run in with a mini vampire.
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Sunday, November 02, 2008
Happy Living Gathering Place
There is a group of people that when I return to them I feel like I can see myself better and better recall who I want to become. These are my fellow americorp-ites. Last night I went up to Boulder to hang out with Rachel and to see Rhonda, from the valley, play some music. Annie, Rachel, Rhonda, and I sat on Rachel's front porch, listening to Rhonda's music and chatting about the Valley. When we got to the place where Rhonda was playing - lo and behold- Muck and Kelsea appeared! Glorious Surprise! Rhonda was an amazing performer, her songs humorous and authentic. After she was done we returned to Rachel's to yet a again chat about the good old times and dream about future endeavors.
Rhonda
Rhonda is one of the most amazing and lovely people I know. I am by no means a close friend of hers but I love any time I spend with her. She seems to know herself so well and is not afraid to be herself. She lives on a mountain, working only enough to get what she needs (dog food and beer), and being content. She is real and honest.
Katie Bird
Our conversation, in the discussion of all things Alamosa and unique to the valley, we arrived upon Katie Bird (now known as Katie Sleeveless), an enigma. She is a musician, a squatter, an independent soul, a female bob dylan, a revolutionary, in all ways a mystery. She lives out in the country side, with but a few belongings, making her way with her music. I don't think this brief paragraph will describe her at all adequately but I think an introduction in person is the only thing that would clearly give one a picture of who she is. In this house she is squatting at (with permission of the owner- the house is literally falling in on itself) she got the water turned on but there was no outside picket for her to water her garden. So she went to a nearby church and asked if she could tap into the church's puquios (an ancient method of irrigation via trench). The church said yes and so Katie, with the help of many, dug a very very long trench from the church to her house. Here is a music video filmed of a party on the day she opened the puquio to her house- classic San Luis Valley. ( Ack!I cannot find the video. I will try again later to find it and load it, cause its amazing)
Rhonda
Rhonda is one of the most amazing and lovely people I know. I am by no means a close friend of hers but I love any time I spend with her. She seems to know herself so well and is not afraid to be herself. She lives on a mountain, working only enough to get what she needs (dog food and beer), and being content. She is real and honest.
Katie Bird
Our conversation, in the discussion of all things Alamosa and unique to the valley, we arrived upon Katie Bird (now known as Katie Sleeveless), an enigma. She is a musician, a squatter, an independent soul, a female bob dylan, a revolutionary, in all ways a mystery. She lives out in the country side, with but a few belongings, making her way with her music. I don't think this brief paragraph will describe her at all adequately but I think an introduction in person is the only thing that would clearly give one a picture of who she is. In this house she is squatting at (with permission of the owner- the house is literally falling in on itself) she got the water turned on but there was no outside picket for her to water her garden. So she went to a nearby church and asked if she could tap into the church's puquios (an ancient method of irrigation via trench). The church said yes and so Katie, with the help of many, dug a very very long trench from the church to her house. Here is a music video filmed of a party on the day she opened the puquio to her house- classic San Luis Valley. ( Ack!I cannot find the video. I will try again later to find it and load it, cause its amazing)
Monday, October 27, 2008
What is my reality?
The new receptionist that we hired (number 6 in two months)is a really, really nice girl. who is a colorpuncturist. and reads auras. I love the people I work with. They talk about stuff that I have no idea about. Apparently my aura is blue (sweeeeet) and I need more violet in my life, which will make me more in touch with my intuition. I should wear more purple and carry around amethysts (conveniently, which she is selling).
I did some research online to figure out what she was talking about. Here is one interpretation of my aura -->
Blue: Balanced existence, sustaining life, eased nerve system, transmitting forces and energy. People with blue strong point in their Aura are relaxed, balanced and feel ready to live in a cave and survive. They are born survivors. Blue thought is a thought about relaxing the nerve system to achieve the balance of the mind or a thought about surviving.
I am totally ready to live in a cave!! Bring it on! If I could just forsake all of civilization and go be a hermit in the woods I would totally do it. The only thing holding me back is that I really like people. and don't like the cold. So I will become a recluse in some tropical locale.
I have recently been oozing creativity and sewing productivity. I ventured into the scary land of knits...with only slight success. I mean, I made the dress but I don't know if it is actual wearable in public without drawing mocking comments. I will probably wear it anyway.
I did some research online to figure out what she was talking about. Here is one interpretation of my aura -->
Blue: Balanced existence, sustaining life, eased nerve system, transmitting forces and energy. People with blue strong point in their Aura are relaxed, balanced and feel ready to live in a cave and survive. They are born survivors. Blue thought is a thought about relaxing the nerve system to achieve the balance of the mind or a thought about surviving.
I am totally ready to live in a cave!! Bring it on! If I could just forsake all of civilization and go be a hermit in the woods I would totally do it. The only thing holding me back is that I really like people. and don't like the cold. So I will become a recluse in some tropical locale.
I have recently been oozing creativity and sewing productivity. I ventured into the scary land of knits...with only slight success. I mean, I made the dress but I don't know if it is actual wearable in public without drawing mocking comments. I will probably wear it anyway.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Since my diet revolution (which, I think, is best typified by my coffee grinder being used only to grind up flax seeds rather than coffee beans) my baking skills have been abandoned. Recently I have been determined to create tasty, healthy baked goods but have had little success (mostly these baked goods turn out tasting like very very heavy nothingness) But I have stumbled upon a new blog that has provided the perfect inspiration for new recipes - www.elanaspantry.com. This lady has some fantastic recipes and lives nearby in Boulder.
So I adapted her honey cake into a lovely carrot cake- I was kind of making it up as I go along, so keep in mind these measurements are an approximation.
Santa Clara Carrot Cake
1 1/2 cups Almond Flour
1 1/2 cups Oat Flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon (I just dump it in until I am satisfied it is fragrant enough)
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp all spice
1 tsp grated lemon rind (you can never add enough lemon, in my opinion)
1 1/2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup oil (grapeseed or even olive oil)
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
Combine all dry ingredients, mix well and then stir in the carrots. In a separate bowl combine the agave nectar, oil, eggs, and buttermilk- mix well and combine with dry ingredients. Pour batter into a 9 in round cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees fro 35-40 minutes. You could also through some walnuts in there too.
Before the cake hit the oven.
The First Slice -YUM!!
My most recent knitting projects- hats with tassels! Eli rocks it out.
So I adapted her honey cake into a lovely carrot cake- I was kind of making it up as I go along, so keep in mind these measurements are an approximation.
Santa Clara Carrot Cake
1 1/2 cups Almond Flour
1 1/2 cups Oat Flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon (I just dump it in until I am satisfied it is fragrant enough)
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp all spice
1 tsp grated lemon rind (you can never add enough lemon, in my opinion)
1 1/2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup agave nectar
1/4 cup oil (grapeseed or even olive oil)
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
Combine all dry ingredients, mix well and then stir in the carrots. In a separate bowl combine the agave nectar, oil, eggs, and buttermilk- mix well and combine with dry ingredients. Pour batter into a 9 in round cake pan. Bake at 350 degrees fro 35-40 minutes. You could also through some walnuts in there too.
Before the cake hit the oven.
The First Slice -YUM!!
My most recent knitting projects- hats with tassels! Eli rocks it out.
Friday, October 10, 2008
I find myself all too amusing
This is a fake bio I wrote for myself for work's website. Marcy liked it so much she used it as my real one.
Christa has recently escaped from the muggy southern region to the lush, vivacious state of Colorado. Her journey to the west began with a year-long search for purpose in Alamosa, Colorado, where she was a dedicated and driven Americorp volunteer, and has concluded with her delightful discovery of the Whole Health Center in Denver. At the Whole Health Center not only has Christa discovered gainful employment and solvency but a revival of her spirit from the peaceful work environment and excellent co-workers. Christa received a degree in Sociology from the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also is cello prodigy and has performed, to standing ovation, in Carnegie Hall. In her free time Christa constructs stories of fiction and fancy, tames wild animals with her cheerful singing voice, works at the loom, and is an ambassador to Turkistan. You will be able to recognize her from her luxurious wheat colored hair, dazzling smile, and effervescent charm.
Christa has recently escaped from the muggy southern region to the lush, vivacious state of Colorado. Her journey to the west began with a year-long search for purpose in Alamosa, Colorado, where she was a dedicated and driven Americorp volunteer, and has concluded with her delightful discovery of the Whole Health Center in Denver. At the Whole Health Center not only has Christa discovered gainful employment and solvency but a revival of her spirit from the peaceful work environment and excellent co-workers. Christa received a degree in Sociology from the prestigious University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She also is cello prodigy and has performed, to standing ovation, in Carnegie Hall. In her free time Christa constructs stories of fiction and fancy, tames wild animals with her cheerful singing voice, works at the loom, and is an ambassador to Turkistan. You will be able to recognize her from her luxurious wheat colored hair, dazzling smile, and effervescent charm.
Saturday, October 04, 2008
So as many of you know I like to instantly commit to some idea, career, or random inspiration. I dive into the idea, try it on, swim around in it, and, generally, ultimately, reject it. But a girl has got to try a few things on before she settles on it. That being said, I have rejected my nursing ambitions (I think we would encounter the same issue of a super-drained-and-exhausted-Christa very quickly)and am still contemplating some sort of nutritional consultant/ food guru-ness. But tonight I want to be a teacher, elementary school please. I could teach children to read, be creative, be nice, and how to paint. And during the summers (holler) I could work on farms, be an outward bound instructor, go to other countries, build my dream house on my dream farm, have general adventures. What a delicious idea. (And I would really like teaching kids and be good at it, so it wouldn't be quite the selfish "I-am-becoming-a-teacher-in-order-to-have-the-summers-off" scenario- almost but not quite). All I need is a fairy godmother-ish poof to grant me an insta-masters in education.
Today the destiny-magic-8-ball-gods-of-the-ipod gave me a great theme song for the day: We've got a groovy thing goin'- its so true, I do have a groovy thing goin'.
I had this really bizarre dream last night,one that I woke up from and thought to myself, I should write this down, it is so bizarre and brilliant. And I did write it down. And my general impression was, wow, this is bizarre, sick, and kind of twisted. Thus I won't pass it on here except to say I think my brain is a little cracked.
I am putting forward a motion that all people I love and like need to move into the same neighborhood. This is inspired by how delightful my currant communal situation is and while I don't want to live with everyone I like in one house, I want everyone I like to be nearby. So please take note and everyone move to Denver post haste. Thanks.
Today the destiny-magic-8-ball-gods-of-the-ipod gave me a great theme song for the day: We've got a groovy thing goin'- its so true, I do have a groovy thing goin'.
I had this really bizarre dream last night,one that I woke up from and thought to myself, I should write this down, it is so bizarre and brilliant. And I did write it down. And my general impression was, wow, this is bizarre, sick, and kind of twisted. Thus I won't pass it on here except to say I think my brain is a little cracked.
I am putting forward a motion that all people I love and like need to move into the same neighborhood. This is inspired by how delightful my currant communal situation is and while I don't want to live with everyone I like in one house, I want everyone I like to be nearby. So please take note and everyone move to Denver post haste. Thanks.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Tonight I was driving home on my mountain road and took a minute to debate whether or not I should turn on my brights. I hesitate to do so because once they are on I often forget to turn them off when I see another car. I decided to flip them on and low and behold, there was a buck, a giant buck in front of me. I slowed and he went on his way, but I think if I hadn't turned on my brights I would have hit him. I am calling this a moment of divine intervention.
I am a word person but not a speller. I know lots of good words and if something happens to you and you are at a loss to find the proper linguistic structural elements to paint an accurate picture-I am your girl. You want to move beyond the realm of creative spelling-I am definitely not your girl. I like to say my creativity rebels against the constraints of traditional spelling. Really, I just don't pay attention. Marcy, my boss, is a stickler for proper spelling and grammar and thankfully she finds my constant spelling transgressions charming (I won't even get into my counting issues). Today (the names have been changed for privacy purposes) I brought up a ticket for a customer and wrote the name as Taya (supposed to be Tanya). Marcy points it out to me, we laugh, I correct the mistake and go back to work. Later she calls me up again, gives me a look, and hands me back the ticket I corrected. Yeah, I wrote Tayna. I mean, you would think that I would get something that simple correct. Yeah, no. Dyslexic much?
I am going to bed early and WILL NOT BE LATE TO WORK TOMORROW! (I wasn't late today but really don't want to be late tomorrow)
I am a word person but not a speller. I know lots of good words and if something happens to you and you are at a loss to find the proper linguistic structural elements to paint an accurate picture-I am your girl. You want to move beyond the realm of creative spelling-I am definitely not your girl. I like to say my creativity rebels against the constraints of traditional spelling. Really, I just don't pay attention. Marcy, my boss, is a stickler for proper spelling and grammar and thankfully she finds my constant spelling transgressions charming (I won't even get into my counting issues). Today (the names have been changed for privacy purposes) I brought up a ticket for a customer and wrote the name as Taya (supposed to be Tanya). Marcy points it out to me, we laugh, I correct the mistake and go back to work. Later she calls me up again, gives me a look, and hands me back the ticket I corrected. Yeah, I wrote Tayna. I mean, you would think that I would get something that simple correct. Yeah, no. Dyslexic much?
I am going to bed early and WILL NOT BE LATE TO WORK TOMORROW! (I wasn't late today but really don't want to be late tomorrow)
Friday, September 19, 2008
I drove up the mountain late this morning swigging kefir straight out of the bottle like a lush on a park bench. today is my day off. I have completed my two essential sanity returning activities, acupuncture and the library. I love the library. I am going to make myself a shirt. I am actively not planning on doing anything else all day. maybe sit in the sun, i like doing that.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
I went camping with the Vineyards this weekend and it was lots of fun. There was lots of off roading, sitting around the fire, and freezing. It was a beautiful spot. We tracked down old mines, said hi to donkeys, and climbed hills. Jessica, Chelsea, and I left a little bit early today and did some exploring and it was amazing! Here are some pictures and video.
Chelsea is an amazing driver.
yeah that's me squealing at the beginning.
Chelsea is an amazing driver.
yeah that's me squealing at the beginning.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Sometimes when I am at work I feel like I am in a zen episode of the office. I mean, I think it is inevitable in any office, any small group of people working together, that this will occur. But today I was in the middle of a conversation that went from essential oils, to mold in your stomach, to crystals, to goji berries. And I looked into the camera with Jim's look of disbelief. These folks revert to their secret language that my suburban upbringing did not prepare me for. As I sit and think about it I think I am most like Dwight in this scenario. I really think they should make a reality show about us. It would be amazing. I would watch.
Jessa and I have discovered something amazing and instantly chic. Rub-ons. Its like insta-graphic design on any object that you desire to enhance. Except yourself, I tried that, that didn't work.
My mind was full on the way home but there is nothing left for me to share here with you.
Jessa and I have discovered something amazing and instantly chic. Rub-ons. Its like insta-graphic design on any object that you desire to enhance. Except yourself, I tried that, that didn't work.
My mind was full on the way home but there is nothing left for me to share here with you.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
what do you do with a four day weekend?
Read, sleep, sit...and make costumes. And the lady at the fabric store didn't think I could make it in one day- fool! I am the original costume maverick (well, that is a bit of an overstatement, but I've got skills)
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Friday, September 05, 2008
Today on NPR I heard a story that made me laugh so hard I almost had to pull off the road. As duck hunting season approaches duck hunters have to get permits that are in form of a stamp. The government printed up lots of mailings advertising the number to call for these permits, 1-800-22STAMP. Except they accidentally printed 1-800-22TRAMP. They say its too expensive to send new ones, so the duck hunters will simply be surprised by very, very friendly ladies answering their requests for stamps.
Today the mountain is cold and cloaked in fog, I ran errands this morning, and am sitting on the couch, eating soup and cornbread and reading. Delightful.
I also have been brainstorming ideas for this years batch of Christmas presents and came up with some excellent craftiness. Its going to be amazing. I am so excited I oozing with enthusiasm.
I wonder what will happen tomorrow...
Today the mountain is cold and cloaked in fog, I ran errands this morning, and am sitting on the couch, eating soup and cornbread and reading. Delightful.
I also have been brainstorming ideas for this years batch of Christmas presents and came up with some excellent craftiness. Its going to be amazing. I am so excited I oozing with enthusiasm.
I wonder what will happen tomorrow...
Thursday, September 04, 2008
okay,I am still on the couch, watching "How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying" and am suddenly and overwhelmingly longing to be in a musical. Sigh. I even looked up auditions (none that look small town enough for me to actually get up the gumption to go). Alas, I was meant to sing and dance my way through life. Maybe I will write a musical, base it on Whole Health Center.
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