Feeling uncreative

I'm in sort of a creativity rut. This whole jewelry venture was so exciting when I started. I was so happy and excited and nervous about the possibilities. And when I sold a couple of pieces, so soon after I had placed them in the store, I was even more excited. But now, it's been so long since that one sale. And nothing else has been sold since then.

I brought new pieces for the store at the beginning of March. Things that I thought were really beautiful and fun (I have to post the photos when I remember). Better and possibly more creative than the first pieces I brought in. Nothing. Not. One. Peep.

And I'm all frustrated. I've been saying that I would go to a couple of other places to sell some things, but now I'm scared. Maybe it's not such a good idea. I'm not doing so well where I am. But then again, maybe I should expand, so that more people see my stuff. The store my jewelry is in right now is relatively new, and their business is only starting to grow. They don't sell that much jewelry to begin with. So maybe I should go somewhere else... but I'm still afraid.

And all of this has put me in a creative rut. I'm uninspired and afraid. I look at my beautiful gemstones and don't know what to do with them. *sigh*

I was requested to post something, since I haven't in a long time. But not about work. Sorry, I need to talk about work for a moment, so bear with me.

So this week was my first week on the job of my temporary promotion. What the hell does this mean. Well, for the next 2 months, I am officially a manager. Not like those times (for those of you who have Google Chat) where I state "I'm in charge." Those times were unofficially - taking on some duties on top of my own job. I was really no more than a conduit for documents in and documents out. Now, I am managing in a Division that is not my home Division, a group of people who I don't yet know, and am being officially recognized for it. I'm even on the revised Organizational Chart (Woohoo... whatever).

Anyways, I had a moment my very first day in my new job, where I was all: WHAT THE HELL DID I GET MYSELF INTO!?!?!?!?!?!!? I think I'm okay. Apparently my decision was received well, and I impressed people. *WHEW* Overall, it's been okay so far. But then again, I'm still trying to get names and faces matched. So we'll see.

The hard drive for my work laptop failed yesterday. Failed. As in, I cannot access anything. I cannot even boot up.

It happened at 5:30pm. On a Friday. Which means I cannot even report it until first thing Monday morning. All I keep thinking is "I haven't backed up in a really long time. All my work is essentially gone."

I want to throw up.

Nerdiness of the day

For anyone who doesn't know, I love quantum and particle physics. I don't pretend to completely understand what everyone is talking about, but I find the subject absolutely facinating. I was more than a little excited when Ang's Dad took me on a tour of the Rhic particle accelerator at Brookhaven National Labs a few years back.

The thing about these particle accelerators is that there is always some fear that a black hole will be formed from one of the experiments. So, the new particle accelerator/collider at Cern is about to go online, and these fears have again resurfaced. Will scientists, in their quest for knowledge, destroy the earch because they will form a black hole or release some dangerous relativistic particles? You gotta love the New York Times Science Times. Every once in a while, there is just a quote than pretty much encompasses it all:

"Besides, the random nature of quantum physics means that there is always a minuscule, but nonzero, chance of anything occurring, including that the new collider could spit out man-eating dragons."


I know. It's nerdy. But I find this absolutely hysterical.

Yeah, so what if I don't remember high school French

I admit it. I suck. I can't remember a lick of French right now. But we're in New Orleans. And I think that makes up for it.

PS: There is WAY too much food.

Caption this picture.

Turg and I were walking through the Smithsonian Natural History Museum after seeing U23D on Saturday when we came upon this display called "Taming a Goat." I think many more interesting caption opportunities for this picture:


Have fun.

this. is. awesome.

It's rare that a computer game gets my attention. This one certainly has:


I. Want.

Three Generations

Probably the best birthday gift my Dad could have gotten...

Happy Birthday, Magenta!

While you may believe you are Older than Crypt Keeper... remember, the Crypt Keeper will never be as hot.


Happy Birthday!

Baby pictures. Lots of baby pictures. And he's not even my baby.

But he is a totally awsome and terribly cute little human being. And thus far, relatively laid back. While Turg and I were visiting, he barely cried (except when his diaper was being changed and when he was hungry, and let's face it, I would cry in those situations, too). He was comfortably held by everyone. Didn't wake up when the phone rang. And what amazed me most was that he didn't even bat an eye whenever Hauser (his four-legged older brother) would howl or bark. Nothing. No crying. Not even waking up from his nap. Barking. Next to his head. I hope he stays this way. I'm sure Jay and Ang hope he stays this way too.

And here he is:

Getting doggie kisses...

Happy Family...

Mmmm... yummy...

With his Auntie...

And uncle...

Thinking while he's sleeping...

Tender moments... neh, who are we kidding. Think of who's kid this is.

My new baby nephew is terribly cute and he is definitely Jay and Ang's little one. How do we know, other than the amazing resemblance? Turg is setting up a beautiful, tender shot of little Andrew grasping Jay's finger. One of those lovely, icky, sweet Hallmark type of photos. Then, all of a sudden, everyone is hysterical laughing because...


Andrew gave Turg the finger just as the shot was being taken. Ah, perfect.

It's a boy, part II

Mom and baby went home yesterday, and I cannot wait to meet my nephew this weekend. I mean, how can you resist?


Semi-related question: What's the deal with babies sleeping in this particular position? I see so many pictures of babies sleeping in this position. Must be one of those things.

It's a Boy!

I am officially an Aunt again. Everyone's good. More info later. Apparently there were some issues, and I will provide updates when everything is calmed down and I get more info.

I will announce the name once Jay tells me when all the phone calls have been made.

(I will say. Dad just called. And he's super excited - he was hoping for a boy.)


UPDATE: My new nephew's name is Andrew Chaning Kiang. He is 8lbs 1oz. Chaning is a merge of my mom's name Chan and Ying.

UPDATED UPDATE: Pictures!!


He apparently came out kicking and screaming (always a good sign). And look at that full head of hair!

MORE UPDATES: Picture from Grandpa Lambiase of new Dad and Son! Jay looks soooo happy!

Mommeeee?

It doesn't happen often, but when it does, I almost always fall out of my chair laughing. This time, I call and the teeeniest little girl voice answers the phone. And when I ask to speak to the consultant, all I hear is the the teeeny little girl voice fading away saying, "Mommmeeeeee? The phone is for you."

Things like this make my day brighter.

I got nothin'

I am so incredibly busy this week, that the blog is going to be pretty boring. Who am I kidding, the blog's been pretty boring of late because I've been so busy. This week is just the culmination of the busy - everything is due on Friday. Hopefully, by next week, it'll be better. At least I'll have time to try harder, I promise.

Time? What time?

One part of my job which I find annoying is that once every quarter we do this time-reporting thing, where we have to account for how much time we spend on particular aspects of our job. We have to do it everyday for the allotted 2 weeks or get on the naughty list sent to our supervisors. It literally is like this:


I hate doing this. I feel like it's a waste of time. I'm one of those people who believes, if you're getting your work done, and doing it well, what's the point of accounting all the minutes? But, we have Congressionally mandated timelines, and "the people" need to know where all the money is being spent. Funny enough, WE never see the results of these quarterly surveys. And we always wonder why there isn't a code to categorize the time that it takes to fill out the stupid reporting.


But, of course, there isn't a code for blogging, either.

Happy Day-after Valentine's Day.

Every once in a while, I read something I find utterly charming, amusing, and sad all that the same time. I found this in the "Overheard In DC" section of DCist.com:

Valentine's Day in the flower section at the Tenleytown Whole Foods:

About 20 confused looking guys are doing last minute flower shopping. Father in his mid/late 30s on the phone: "Hey Billy, it's Daddy. What is Mommy's favorite color?"

Snow day!!

I took the day off yesterday. Yesterday was primary election day down here, and schools were out as a result. So Crazy and I played hookie from work to take the kids snow tubing at Liberty Mountain.

If you've never been tubing, I very highly recommend it. Totally fun. Remember those huge slides at amusement parks that you'd fly down in a burlap sack? It's kind of a cross between that and sledding. In a giant inner tube. Hee! And you can link your tube up with someone else's and go down in groups - loved that... you get a lot more speed that way.


Nothing like throwing yourself down a mountain just for kicks.

SOLD!!

Heeeeee! I'm so excited, I cannot even put into words. I got a message Friday evening from the owner of the store where my jewelry is being sold. Two pieces of jewelry have been sold!!! A man came in and bought these pieces for his wife for Valentine's Day:



God, I don't even know what to say. Someone bought MY STUFF!!! I've made the identical pieces again and am bringing them to the store tomorrow - we have to make sure they have inventory!! Heeeeeeeee!!! *giddily jumping up and down*

Gung Hay Fat Choi!

It's the Year of the Rat. I know. Technically Remy here is French. But whatever.

Happy Chinese New Year!! Eat lots of dumplings and noodles for wealth and longevity!