No Sleep Till...

There's really something about Brooklyn. No matter how long I'm away, when I come back here, it's like I never left. It revives me. It's like the opposite of Kryptonite. It's like the Yellow Sun to Superman.

I walk around this place, no matter what neighborhood, it's all Brooklyn. The attitude. The pride. I can ask for an everything bagel with coffee (milk, one sugar - and they know what I'm talking about when I say that) and it comes out perfect. Pizza and garlic knots for lunch (carb-a-licious)? Uh, yeah!

I mean, seriously. How awesome is this?

I need to come here from time to time, just to recharge my batteries. To see my family. To see my friends. To see where I grew up (even though my house isn't there anymore). To eat the pizza of my youth. And real bagels. And have a "regular" coffee.
I love it here.

And then I'm ready to go home to my love and my puppy.

Snowpocalypse 2010, Part Deux - The Blizzard Edition

Well, another foot of snow fell yesterday since the weekend. We did not lose power this time, and were definitely more prepared in case we did.

We did a good job. Piles are much bigger.

A foot more on the deck.

This snow storm was much different than the previous two we've had this season... not as much snow but an incredible amount of wind, making it much more dangerous all around because of the lack of visibility and white-outs. There were moments yesterday, while looking out the front window, where I could not see the end of the driveway - it was THAT bad.

Our neighbor (with the end house) allowed us to start throwing snow on his yard because our piles were getting too high!

But the sun is out. The driveway is shoveled. The street outside is plowed (what it looks like outside the neighborhood is a mystery).

Look ma! The pile is taller than me!

The front of our house is the icicle house of horrors!

I've been home as the gub-ment has been closed for the past 4 days. I think we'll be open tomorrow, just in time for a 3 day weekend.

As of 2pm yesterday, the 2009 - 2010 winter is the snowiest winter on record. The numbers were revised upward a bit this morning, since it continued to snow until 10pm last night. Apparently, the official total at BWI airport for the season thus far was very nearly 80 inches! Holy crap!

That's 27 inches currently in our back yard... it was over 30; there's been a little settling down.

You think Thor will jump into that waist-high drift to my right? I think he may get permanently lost...

Snowpacalypse 2010 - Some Thoughts and Lessons Learned

The snowfall this weekend was a doozy. We got 25 inches measured in our front driveway. I know more fell in the area (Dulles Airport apparently measured over 30 inches). But I woke up this morning feeling pensive... there are certainly things that sucked about this weekend. But there are many more things now that I am truly grateful for. And some things I learned.

I am grateful that:
- I have a wonderful husband and dog, who kept me warm when we lost power and heat.
- While we lost power and heat, we did not lose hot water, and were able to take a hot shower.
- Our homeowners association was on top of the plowing and the roads were clear enough such that when it got too cold that...
- We were able to get to a hotel, that looked the other way when we told them we were bringing the dog.
- We lost power for only 40 hours. I have too many friends who are still without electricity and whose streets are not plowed. I'm thinking of you.
- The Federal Government was wise enough to close for the day to allow the roads to be cleared more properly... so that it's safer for everyone.
- For the little things - like heat, or a warm drink after shoveling in the cold, or a hot shower, or a hot meal.


Things I learned for next time:
- Always do laundry before the snow comes. It would suck to run out of socks and underwear with no way to replenish (I came dangerously close).
- Make sure the firewood is stocked. We really rationed our wood, using it only to dry clothes, etc. But it would have been nice to use it to simply keep warm.
- The garage is a great fridge in the winter when there's no power.
- All cell phones and Blackberrys should be fully charged at all times - they are the lifeline to civilization right now. Turg and I rationed the power on those too - always having at least one off, so that we had a backup for when another died.
- Lighting a bunch of candles can actually warm up a room pretty significantly - not like a roaring fire, but noticeably enough that we were grateful for it.

Icicles of Death

And because some shit is just too perfect:

Yesterday, after being home for a couple of hours without power, we decided to call-in our outage again to the power company (as suggested on the radio). I went through all the menu options, typed in our account number and got the following message: Pepco crews are currently working in your area to restore power. The estimated time for restoration is approximately 4pm. (it was 3:15pm when I called). I had the phone on speaker, looked at Turg and said, "Hey, 4pm!" and hung up. Literally one second after I hung up the phone, everything in the house powered back on. Stunned, I look at Turg and he says, "You should have called them sooner!"

They are forecasting another 6-12 inches of snow for tomorrow night to Wednesday. We know what we need to do to hunker down. I love the snow generally. But this is exhausting.

**UPDATE** Now they're saying 10-20 inches. I'm already tired thinking about the shoveling we'll need to do...

I'm still alive

But I am buried in work. I'm essentially doing 2 jobs at the moment, until I can get the rest of the old documents off my desk. Then I can concentrate on being boss lady (well, middle management, but who's counting).

Everything has been both wonderful and hectic at the same time. The holidays and New Year's passed in a blink, and I'm shocked that February is next week. At some point, it'll slow dow, right?

Snow Day!!

There are plenty of benefits to working for government... who knew that one of them was snow days? That's right. I have a snow day* today. It's like being a kid again!

This was the deck near the end of the storm on Saturday night.

I do have to say... after 3 hours of digging out the car. It's nice to not have to go anywhere.

*I won't mention that I actually took this week off anyway to get last minute Christmas stuff done, because the snow day essentially means I don't have to take a vacation day. Which is always a bonus.

I'm with CawfeeGuy...

and am extremely upset and disappointed with the outcome of the Gay Marriage vote in New York.

I only hope, that people will listen to Sen. Savino from Staten Island... truly listen to her words. I listened. And I cried. Because she is right.

Who's having a birthday? I thought is was Thanksgiving...

Yeah, yeah. I know. These are the wedding cupcakes. I just want a cupcake, okay?

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just feeling a bit overwhelmed. Okay. I'm done.

Undermined by underwriters... or, Dammit, we didn't close today

So today was supposed to be closing day. I say 'supposed' since, after all sorts of crap, running around, doing the walk-thru, and frantic calls to/from my loan officer, the underwriters decided that the very generous gift that Turg's mom gave us for our respective birthdays to buy furniture was suspicious. It's been (hopefully) cleared up. But that means that closing will happen tomorrow (Tuesday), instead.

Turg and I went to the attorney's office and signed as much as we could. But since the final bank papers are won't be ready till tomorrow, Turg transferred power of attorney over to me (MWAHAHAHA) for the final paperwork. If all goes well, we will be home owners just in time for when Magenta, DugDug and Mini Chewbacca show up.

I'll post on the rest of the appraisal drama later. Too much for my brain now...

This day is no different than any day of the year

Well, for me it sorta is, because it's my birthday. Growing up, I never really had any big birthday parties or anything like that. Actually, I only ever had one where I had friends over and stuff, when I was in 7th or 8th grade. I wasn't very popular back then (read: big nerd), so it wasn't really all that fun, nor memorable.

Mostly, my memories of my birthday growing up are mooshed in with Thanksgiving, since it's always so close. Turkey, chinese food, and Carvel ice cream cake. The idea of celebrating my birthday independent of that only came about in adulthood. But I have such wonderful friends and family who care, and remember, and are generous, more than I think I deserve, and I am forever grateful for that.

I reflect on this year, and I am excited about the possibilities. I'm engaged to a wonderful man, had some good stuff go on at work, sold some jewelry, and am (hopefully) in the final stages of buying a house. I'm happier than I can remember. Tired, but happy.

I'm hoping next year will be as great.

State of affairs

Yes we can. I am so excited and relieved about the outcome of the election. I am hopeful that President-elect Obama, his cabinet, and the Congress will begin to move this country in the right direction again.

At the same time, I am disappointed about the outcomes of some ballot measures across the country. I am particularly disappointed that measures in Arizona and Florida banning gay marriage passed. The vote in California is still too close to call. I don't think I will ever understand the fear people have of two loving adults declaring legally and publicly that they want to spend the rest of their lives together.

For all the history that was made in this election, we obviously still have a long way to go.

UPDATE: Looks like the Proposition 8 in California has passed. I am saddened. However, the San Francisco City Attorney's office plans to challenge the validity of the ballot measure.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - The Declaration of Independence

I voted so I could get the freebies

I think you all know how I voted. I've never seen so many people in line to vote before. It was really exciting. Now, we all wait.


In the mean time, to get the rest of my freebies.

Really, I don't want our President to be someone I would like to have a beer with. I want our President to be too busy, you know, governing.

I don't usually talk about politics here, simply because most everyone who would read this already know where I stand. I am a social liberal. I have great respect for intellectuals. I am, in my heart, a scientist. I believe (huge shock here, I know) in the theory of evolution. But I also believe there is a God, and that She has given us this great gift to make our own choices, you know, free will and all that. So when I hear shit like "Palin praying that God will do the right thing on election day", it makes my head hurt.

What's also been making my head hurt is all the anti-intellectualism being espoused by the Republicans during this campaign. Science is the enemy. Being really well educated makes one an "elitist." As if the work put into prusuing higher education is somehow less worthy or lazy compared to good old fashioned "hard work." Intellectualism, learning, free-thinking - they are all somehow ruining the American society. They are somehow counter to American values. You know, the values of Joe the Plumber, Joe Six-pack, Peggy the Soccer Mom, Bob the Builder and Dora the Explorer.

There is also this idea that is being thrown around that there are those of us who don't live in "Real America," are not "Real Americans." Those of us who live in big cities, like New York City or Washington, DC. Who have somehow "avoided" all the crises that this country has faced. *rolls eyes* We don't live in "Real America" because, apparently we don't have real American values. Do you live in "Real America?" Are you a "Real American?" By their standards, I am not.

I am extraordinarily disappointed with John McCain. I respected the John McCain from the 2000 election. I lost some respect for him over the last 8 years. I have no respect for him now. The choices he has made only go to show that winning is more important than standing up for what one actually believes in. Pandering to the most conservative of the Republican base. Or maybe this is actually who he is. Who knows. I know that I'll never believe anything from him ever again.

I've never understood the idea of wanting to have a "folksy" President. A President you want to sit down and have a beer with. Someone "just like me." I don't want the President to be just like me, because I know for sure that I don't have the skills to run this country. The majority of people don't. I want our President to be highly intelligent, in touch with the country and what is going on in the rest of the world. I want the Vice President to be as learned, ready to take on the role of Commander and Chief at a moment's notice. To know much more about foreign policy besides "Russia is in spitting distance from my state."

I am hopeful, and afraid, for this election.

Okay, okay! Here are jewelry photos... Geez, people...

The photo shoot itself was not easy. We wanted to do all the shots in natural light... but our apartment really only gets morning sun. So we had to go to Crazy and Sweet-Pea's house, since they get really great afternoon sun... only problem was, it was on-and-off cloudy all day long. It was literally: Set up shot. Get ready to take. F$#@ cloud! Wait (dodidodo). SUN'S OUT!! Take it!! Dammit! Cloud!



Considering the difficulty of it all, I think the photos came out nice. I wish we could have done more different set-ups with each of the pieces, but we literally could only get one, maybe two set-ups (in terms of the props) before we had to move on to the next piece, just to make sure we photographed everything. I designed all the shots and Turg took them all. We made a pretty good team.


We could not figure out a set-up that did this peridot necklace justice. Nothing we had brought out the color of the stones as well as they looked in real life:




This necklace is the same as the one on the red bowl above - but you can see the whole thing here. And my ghetto laser printed tag to boot.


They were excited about everything. So I hope other people will be too...

The jewelry has been delivered...

Now I hope someone will actually buy it.

Finding a craft

Apparently, today is "Talk about Crafts Day." I didn't realize this when I started writing this post.

I've always been a believer that everyone has a "craft" - you know, that "thing" (or things) that a person does to show off their creative or artistic side. (And for everyone out there who says they aren't creative or artistic, it's in there, trust me.) That thing could be anything - cooking, writing, baking, quilting, knitting, music, photography, etc. etc. etc...

For a long time, I thought my craft was singing. But in the end I didn't really make anything from that - well, except noise. But it was never my own, not the way real musicians or performers make it their own. I wrote poetry for while - and when I look at the stuff I wrote now, I feel like cringing and throwing up. Then I was just a scientist. For some it's a craft. It can be VERY creative for the brilliant. For me... well, I loved it for a while, and then it just became a job. It just wasn't satisfying after a while. And, well, it's just too nerdy. So, for a while, I was without a craft.

I was originally inspired to start the jewelry making because of some beautiful jewelry gifts, handmade by Magenta, and the availability of places nearby to buy supplies. It seemed like a good fit - working with my hands, precision, details, symmetry, balance, etc. I just never thought it would be such an outlet or that I would love it so much. I love designing pieces and having them come together. I love the gemstones. I love designing pieces for other people, for their personalities. I loved giving gifts that I made with my own two hands. And it was creative. I was outside of my Kingdom of Nerds and Geeks and being creative and making beautiful things. The first day that I sat down and started making stuff, I didn't move from my spot for hours and hours. I had found my craft. And it suited me.

And as excited as I am about my new venture, I am nervous. There's always that fear that people are not going to like what I make. Or not understand. And whether or not someone buys one of my pieces is an indictment of sorts of whether or not I'm any good or talented. But these are my own insecurities about "putting it out there," so to speak. And I have to remember that everything is a matter of taste - and that not everyone will have the same taste as I.

Okay, enough of this runimating. I'm crewing at the bit to leave here and make more jewelry. I'm hoping to bring the first pieces to the store this weekend. Wish me luck.

The Kiang Baby Bumps

My neice and sister-in-law and soon to be baby Kiangs

When I think about it, and the idea of becoming an aunt again in about a month, particularly to Jay and Ang's first child, is absolutely exciting. So many people are convinced that the baby is going to be a boy (I'm personally hoping for a girl, but something tells me that it'll be a boy). Dad is excited about being a Grandpa again. And he's obviously hoping for a boy (conversation after picking up a card for the baby shower):

Me: What do you want the card to say?
Dad: Happy Baby Shower. Congratulations and lots of love for our new grandson.
Me: DAD! They don't know if it's a boy yet. You can't say that!
Dad: GrandCHILD. Write GrandCHILD.

About 6 weeks after I become an aunt again, I will become a GREAT-aunt for the first time to JP and Cin's little girl. That just seems absurd. I mean, in my head, JP is still twelve. Twelve. I mean he's really almost 27, but I think he's twelve. Seriously, though. I'm going to be a great-aunt. That's just nuts.

How beautiful are the two hot mamas?

Wishing Upon Stardust

I don't make New Year's resolutions. I just don't. But this New Year's, Magenta made one for me. That I would put myself out there and attempt to sell my jewelry, in some fashion.

In the past 2 years that I've been making jewelry, I've been wanting, but been too scared to sell anything. I've given a bazillion gifts, but not sold. Why? Because when you give stuff away, people generally accept graciously. When you're selling, people must choose to buy. There have been many people in my life who have been saying, what the hell are you waiting for?? Hence, the New Year's Resolution by MS above.

Well, yesterday, I showed my jewelry to a new upscale boutique in the area, and both the owner and designer agreed that they would sell my jewelry!! It will be on a consignment basis to begin with. But I'm out there. I'm so terribly excited, that I can't even put into words.

The only thing I did not have was a name for my jewelry line. Until now. So, beginning today, my jewelry line will be known as Stardust River Jewelry. Why? Stardust to give the feeling of sparkling and glimmering (and it also happens to be the name of a book and movie from Neil Gaiman, who I love). River because the literal translation of the Chinese character for my last name is "large river," a fact that I had never taken advantage of previously.

I'm soooo excited! You'll hear much more about this soon.

Auld lang syne and some such crap

Happy New Year. I'm exhausted already. But for good reason. MS and Master Chew were here for the past few days. And except for a couple of moments, Chewie-love and Thor, Dog of Thunder got along very well. I particularly loved the moments where Chew was running circles around (and under) Thor while Thor stood looking at him with the face of, "I can't possibly go THAT fast."

TTW and Fibji came over Sunday and brought their Wii. Much hilarity ensued (MS will post said hilarity later). But I also woke up with "Wii arm" and "Wii back" the next morning, and realized how old and out of shape I actually am. We also had a wrist injury that night (Turg). I so can't wait for my Wii to arrive.

But now that all of the fun and drinking are done, it's time to get down to business. I took the rest of this week off to deal with my crap. My office is a total sty. I've dealt with some of my papers this morning, and have already filled a trash back full of stuff. And I'm not even close to done. I really need to stop making "filing piles" on the floor, because eventually (as had already happened), there will be no floor left.

I will be cleaning and tidying for the rest of this week. And I'll hopefully be able to find some organization by then.

I may even be able to find some time to relax. One can only hope.

There's a reason why I work at home on Wednesdays

Because things like this happen when I don't. Except today, the suicide tea-mug jumped before I even got into the car. In the garage. While I was putting my bag in the back seat.

I have to be in the office because I am temporarily in charge for another week. This week in general has been particularly bad because of the whole time-change crap. My body's all sorts of confused. God, I want to go home.