What I woke Up With at 3:00 a.m.

It's frightening what your mind comes up with in the middle of the night! At the risk of perceived insanity, here's a taste:

I SWALLOWED A DADDY LONG LEGS

In my sleep but not so deep
I swallowed a Daddy Long Legs

I've been working day and night
To accomplish a host of projects
The end nowhere in sight...
Completion has been my object

Last night I worked on greeting cards
A multitude required
My glass door open to the yard
Where I spray glued until tired

In my sleep but not so deep
I swallowed a Daddy Long Legs

In and out from yard to room
I carried papers sticky
I was not alone I found out soon
I found out very quickly

Joining me were moths and flies
Mosquitoes close behind
Regretfully, but no surprise
Too busy to pay them mind

In my sleep but not so deep
I swallowed a Daddy Long Legs

It was not until I closed the lights
To the end of an arduous day
That I realized the potential for unwanted bites
By my intrusive guests at play

I hastily retired and tucked myself in
Retrieving all the covers
Protecting the attack of my tasty skin
Unbeknownst to me there were others!

In my sleep but not so deep
I swallowed a Daddy Long Legs

American Idol Catch Word of the Season

With every American Idol season there seems to be a descriptive trend. This season the word used ad nauseum is "Indulgent". It's almost exclusively Simon's and the irony is amazing as there's no one more indulgent than Simon. On one hand they slam the singers for not making a song their own and when they do it's considered indulgent. Last night Simon had scathing comments to offer Adam for his country song ( it was country all right but closer to India than Nashville ). If there is ever a time to be "indulgent" it would be when you are on a stage in front of millions of viewers that have to walk away from your performance knowing a little more of what you have to offer and who you are. At least Simon could come up with a new adjective. BTW, I really loved his song. I could care less if it wasn't perfectly suited for the category of the week. It's a song that I won't be forgetting about anytime soon...and intend on downloading it. So Simon, what do you think of my INDULGENT blog, huh?

Tatiana Is Back!

Oh my God. She's back. Tatiana Nicole Del Toro is back on American Idol. I can't wait until Mark gets home to discuss. She's like a Puerto Rican Bernadette Peters, that girl. I LOVE how she irritates me! She just plaindrives Mark crazy and he truly feared that this day could come to pass. The damn thing is she's got pipes so there is legitimacy in the choice to bring her back. You know it's worth it for sheer entertainment value but then I can't turn away from a car wreck. For the same reason Mark can't watch Amazing Race ( makes him dizzy and nauseous ) he will be mortified that Tatiana will be gracing the Idol stage once again. Can we spell FRENETIC? TSUNAMILIKE? ( can we? ). The girl be crazy. I must tape all episodes.

What's to Become of Poor Sophie and Spencer?

My dogs; Sophie and Spencer. I'm greeted every day upon my arrival from work with such enthusiasm and love. Little do they know that their cherished Dads are planning a major abandonment. I look into their all-trusting eyes and I have to look away. Coward! Tell them. Tell them that something is happening that will be disturbing their routine and perhaps their treat frequency. I can't yet. There's still time! What's the point in premature devastation? Wait until we know our finalized arrangements. Yeah, that's it. Poor Sophie and Spencer. Did we consider them when we decided to cross the ocean and be half a world away? Did we offer them the opportunity to weigh in on this? How flagrantly we determine their destinies. Oh, dear loves. You are cherished and serious consideration was taken. Don't forget...you have no concept of time. Two weeks will go by like that. We're doing it for you, anyway. Don't you want well rounded parents? You'll have bragging rights about having Italian dog toys and maybe French biscuits and maybe even new designer leather collars! You know their fashion trends are two years ahead of us. They wouldn't have even hit the runway here yet. So, don't you feel better about us leaving? I'm so glad! Hey, I'm almost believing this myself!

The Firehouse Project

I was just sitting here thinking how fortunate I've been always having something to do that brings me joy. Of course I would love to have that occupy my prime time slot but thank goodness I can look forward to it daily. The past six months have been especially rewarding as they have consisted of projects for the wallpaper company I now work for on a freelance basis. Each project has been more exciting than the next. My current project is complicated and extensive but all I have to do is look over at my drafting table and I get a rush. See, I'm so easy to entertain! It is a project that will be a dynamic addition to my portfolio. It consists of eight different papers for one room and is breathtaking. It is from a firehouse in Colorado that was built in the 1880's. It's amazing how an embellished design such as this was considered for a functionally intended space . There was such pride in anything built in those days. It didn't matter if it's use was utilitarian. Perhaps they took into consideration the amount of time their firemen spent there and aesthetics were a primary factor. I would think in those days there were men that called it home. I think it's wonderful that the importance of maintaining such jewels is recognized today. I actually feel honored to have a hand in this historical venture. The paper is Anglo Japanese. It has an Arts and Crafts feel and despite the imagery ( birds and flowers ) having a Japanese slant it feels very American. The colors are rich and subtle - gold, oxblood, army green, plum, taupe and putty are the primary colors. What a wonderful experience it would be to visit this firehouse when the restoration is complete!

I'm Going To Blame it on Walgreens

Now that I'm committed to this trip there are some details I must tend to; one of which is updating my passport. I remember when I got that passport 14 years ago. I was so unhappy with my picture but too embarrassed to ask for a reshoot. It's not a document I need to use on a daily basis by any means but just knowing it existed bugged me. I haven't needed my passport in some time but now that it needs to be renewed I pulled it out of my file and filled out the proper forms for updating it by mail. I looked at the photo again and now I wish I could keep that one. Why was I so unhappy with it? It was decent enough. Who knows what my next one will look like. When I was filling out the form all the basic questions regarding my physical self needed updating. Not much has changed; still the same height and weight, eye color still brown, but wait... hair color. There aren't enough choices. No pun intended but there's no gray area here. Where's the distinguished salt and pepper option? Just gray? Just brown? Can't check brown so I have to go with gray. A stunning reality for me. Can't I check the "formerly brown but currently sprinkled" category? Well, I want to expedite all of this, so time for a picture. No time for glamour shots so I'll go to the convenient Walgreens across the street . It should only take a few minutes and I'm back at work. I walk in, request a passport photo and am escorted to the crackers and day old banana aisle where they have a well hidden pull down screen. There's nothing like preparing for a photo when you've got a line of people waiting to make their purchases wondering what the hell you're doing and scrutinizing your facial pose. I could feel my lips quivering in an attempt to smile but it was more like a grimace. Why did I think I'd look decent at 8:00 a.m.? In 10 seconds my pictures were taken. More time is taken capturing the image of dental floss for their weekly ad. I need two pictures to mail and two were taken; no more, no less. Oh boy! I get to choose from the "puffy face - eyes partially closed and skin bleached out by the flash" or "puffy face lip stuck on my tooth and bulbous nose due to the angle" shot. No, wait. I have to mail them both. I'm sure the very thoughtful recipient of those photos at the passport office will take much time deliberating on which to use. "Now, let's see...I know this means a lot to Todd so what's his best side?" I hope all the passport checkers in the countries I visit will be doing a double take once they see my passport in utter disbelief that this handsome creature could be so unphotogenic. Perhaps I'll look the other way when I hand it to them.

Have Some Faith

Wow...that's a big one. Having faith. It's hard for me to trust my judgement sometimes. I have a history of believing in myself and taking a risk and having it bite me in the butt later. I've become risk shy and so conservative when it comes to making a change or taking a chance. Where has that gotten me? Well, no steps back but not many forward, either. Is that really a life worth living? Well, After much deliberation Mark and I have signed on to participate in what I think is a once in a lifetime event. We've been invited to join a group of substantial size that will be embarking on an amazing journey. In the twenties, an opera was performed in Monaco and then went on a brief tour. It has not been performed since. A few members of this group thought it would be wonderful to recreate the opera and have a single performance where it was originally performed. Those involved in bringing it back to life have been working on it for two years and are now in rehearsal. Mark and I have agreed to assist in the making of the headdresses that coordinate with the costumes that are being created. The trip even without the opera element is something I've dreamed about. We start by flying into Rome, spend the night and take a shuttle the next day for a two hour ride to a fortressed village called Gargonza which is near Monte San Savino in Tuscany. We will spend four days there, culminating in a dress rehearsal performed at the local opera house. This location is the only place that has ever been revisited by this group and the hosts will be entertaining us. I believe the mayor of the town is throwing us a party as well. When we leave Gargonza we then board the Windstar, a sailing vessel that this group has taken over and booked an amazing all-inclusive package. We will visit both the Italian and French Rivieras where we end up in Monte Carlo and spend two nights; one of which will be the performance. There will then be a post performance party for us. Mark and I have been to Monaco and we have very special memories so it will be amazing to be back.
When we were first invited we couldn't believe our eyes when we scanned the itinery. It ws quickly tempered with the reality of today's economy and my unsettled position at the store. Many layoffs were brewing and I couldn't commit to a trip of this magnitude without the assurance that I will continue to be employed. So far, so good. I'm leaving it up to the Gods once again, abandoning my fear and my tendency to crave the safe place. I have a substancial list of regrets and I may be adding to that list soon but one thing I won't be doing is vicariously experiencing this trip. Bonvoyage, sideliner!

Swarovski Fever

Not that I choose to deny or ignore it but I rarely discuss my day job in this venue. It is the majority of my day and I suppose it should be proportionately represented. It is my primary income but truth be told does not tantalize my interests as do my artful pursuits. It does, however have the occasional perk. As far as retail goes, holidays are minimally reflected yet this year there was a nice surprise. I entered the elevator one morning and was startled at the most beautiful display of snowflakes on the window made up entirely of Swarovski crystals! It was dazzling and mesmerizing and as I rose from floor to floor it would change as it was effected by shafts of occasional sunlight. It was something I enjoyed the entire holiday season. I should have tempered my enthusiasm. As all things must pass so do the holidays and so the snowflakes lost their usefulness. I never considered what their fate would be, only enjoying their current formations. Life sometimes has a way of harshly introducing you to what is next. There was no warning... like finding out in a note that your lover is moving on when you thought things were great. One morning I entered the elevator to find my glittering friends gone! Well, unfortunately not entirely gone. Remnants tormentingly lay embedded in the carpet of the elevator. It reminded me of when you notice a contented cat near a single feather. It would have been easier to accept if there was no trace. Perhaps they escaped, seeking colder weather. I would have wished them well, as I would have wanted the best for them. I was unprepared for the display person with the vacuum. While distracting herI hastily began to pick up what I could. I expressed my disappointment that I hadn't known in advance of their need to remove them. I would have happily helped. That way I could have saved them. I would have been gentle about it ( how dare they use a putty knife! ). As I saved what I could I realized I'm able to extend their lives; offer a useful transition to a new purpose. My greeting cards! I can use them to embellish my greeting cards! I can now share the joy I experienced with hundreds! I needed to act fast. I spent the next hour on my hands and knees picking up what I could, barely conscious what a spectacle I would be to others as the doors would open on various floors. I didn't care. I had a mission. Art reigns. Screw non creatives! How could they understand my passion? I may not adopt third world children to save the world, but I embellish, damn it! I mentioned to someone else in display that I wish I'd known. She said "oh, that's too bad! I just threw out hundreds of them!" I'm not below rifling through garbage for what I need. I insisted on knowing where they were discarded. She told me that she threw them out in her office. I left her mid sentence to rush downstairs. I calmly peered into a trash receptacle near the entrance to her office...nothing. A perfectly new liner had recently replaced what I believe would have been a treasure chest. My head reeled with the ramifications. Must I try to see if they've been crushed in the compactor? Before I headed there I wisely thought to check one more place. Inside the room stood one more can. I timidly walked over and looked in and there sat an upright bag perfectly preserving my jewels as if it was waiting for me to find it. Barely able to contain myself I retrieved it and made my exit. I took them to my office and painstakingly separated them. They are now home with me where they belong; waiting to share their dazzle once again.