Storms and Doodles

 A few nights ago we had a storm come through town. I got to witness some interesting cloud formations but I missed the whole thunder and lightning show because I’m a grandma and seem to go to bed super early these days. I passed right out as it started booming and slept all the way through. Surprising, seeing as I can wake up to a pin drop because I’m such a light sleeper. Bummer though, because I love watching lightning and hearing the thunder. We don’t get a ton of lightning storms in my area but when we do, my face is usually pressed up against a window. Times like those I wish I had a big skylight to watch it with. 

I’ve been working on art a little more. Trying to squeeze in more doodle time because I really do miss it. Life really sucks the free time out of you and the moment you DO have a moment, you just want to sit because you’ve been running around all day. Sheesh. Below is a bunch of concept for a tattoo for a friend of mine. I’ve drawn about 6 variations and a dozen or more different heads to get it just right for her. Then we bought a huge package of sharpie markers so I just had to make another copy and color it all crazy. Hers will be quite a bit tamer once I finish it.

 Our trash flower has returned once again. Just to the side of our house is where our garbage cans are kept and for the past two years a cool little flower has popped up beside it, all by itself, to make the scene a little prettier (that's the real reason I'm sure of it) We have these little flowers in the front yard in white and purple but this one is all on its lonesome at the barren side of the house, being a hero, trying to make our place a little nicer. I think I'm overly fond of it for some reason.

One Man's Trash...

Last week I went to go put out the trash for our weekly collection and noticed our landlords put the recycling into the garbage bin. I then had the pleasant task of sorting through the cardboard and dirty diapers because the city will refuse to pick up mixed refuse. Much to my surprise as I moved heaps of cardboard over to the correct bin, I see a familiar blue shape. Oh my god. There in the garbage bin was a huge Wacom Intuos3 graphic art tablet. I nearly jumped for joy. But wait, was the tablet tossed for being broken? I felt a little odd scooping it out of the trash (I can’t say dumpster diving is my thing) and rushed it inside. A very thorough sanitization later, I plugged in the tablet with mounting anticipation. The computer connected and the activity light on the Wacom glowed that sweet, sweet blue. Oh sweet Cheesus. 

Look at the size of that beast!

Now I still had a dilemma. I recently lost my graphics pen for my other teeny tiny tablet. Nothing works on these things BUT the damn Wacom styluses. I put off purchasing a new one because they are expensive but I still had not recovered my lost pen. Now was the time I guess.

After much pissing and moaning about the price, I made my $47 purchase. A pen. $47 for a pen. Sheesh. We have a mailbox down across the border so only a few days later it arrived for me to fetch it.  I race home from good ol ‘Merica and rip open the box to test out the tablet I found a week prior. Today’s the day!

The pen touches the surface but no movement. No, no, no, nooooo! I plug in and unplug the tablet and try again. Still nothing. Damnit! I guess this is why they tossed it out. I wasn’t going to give up just yet though. In its heyday I think these things ran for over 400 bucks (don’t quote me on it though, my teeny tiny one was not cheap!) so I was determined to get it working. I scour the web and find a driver that I may not have installed and give that a go. A quick restart and I try again. SUCCESS

HOLY MOTHER OF PHOTOSHOP IT WORKS

I could have cried tears of joy right there. I always have wanted a bigger tablet and now I found one for free (Free if you don’t take into the necessary pen purchase but a tablet for 47 bucks? Deal!) I then set about testing it out in paint shop pro to see if the flow and pressure worked well. It did. Everything about this damn tablet is amazing. Even the marking surface looks barely used. Tears of artful joy.

This is my first test run with it. Enjoy

Pushover

Growing up I always shy and not a very extroverted person. I’ve come out of my shell a little since dating my very loud and social boyfriend. He had certainly helped a ton. It’s kind of hard to be introverted when your SO is so out there and alive and encourages you to be the same. But I wouldn’t say ‘shy’ doesn’t apply to me anymore. One part about me being shy was that I never spoke up for myself. I always let other’s get their way or way the argument because I didn’t have the gall to stick up for myself. When I started working at 15/16ish I really got mowed over and taken advantage of. I never said no to an extra shift even if I had made plans prior or had something important to do. If my phone rang my anxiety would shoot through the roof and I would answer, say yes, then head off to yet another shitty shift because someone bailed out.

I took a shift when my grandfather was really sick and I was supposed to see him. That would have been one of my last chances to see him before he passed. I folded clothes for 5 hours instead of telling him about my day at his bedside or hear one of his fascinating stories. I still kick myself to this day for meekly agreeing to take that shift because I couldn’t be brave for a moment and say no.

That said, I have gotten a bit braver though I’m still one of the most passive people I know. Fighting for myself is hard, fighting for people I care about is another story. Come between me and my friends or my SO, I turn into a mamma bear to the 10^th degree. I don’t know where this inner bravery comes from but boy it embodies the ‘fiery redhead’ kind of stereotype.

Back in high school, all the girls and boys were separated into different classrooms for a block long session. I don’t know what the boys learnt about but we were taught about our ‘inner egos’ , a little self defense and how to say No and mean it. In that class the woman taught us that we all have three ego’s:

The Innocent

The Wise Woman

The Bitch

She said that most common ego shy girls find themselves in is the Innocent. Shy, unsure and passive. Me to a t. The innocent is the ego that enjoys the fun but often gets into trouble because she is too scared to say no.

The Wise Woman I guess would be your conscience. She is the person that makes you step back and evaluate your situation and is supposed to be the one to decide the best choice for you. She is the listener, advisor and evaluator.

She then came to the Bitch. We all stifled giggles being only 15ish at the time. She pressed the fact that the bitch isn’t supposed to be mean, she is supposed to be brave and stomp her foot down and stand up for what you believe in. She is supposed to be that alter ego where you can be brave, you can make the choice you want without bowing to another’s influence. She says that those of us who hide with the Innocent fail to harness our ‘inner bitch’ enough and that can get us hurt or pressured into situations that we don’t want.

This part of the lesson really stuck with me (That and the blue berry pancake story but that’s for another time). While for years more I was still mostly the innocent I tried to remember the inner power I had to say no or to stand up for what I believe in. Still, the bitch often fails to show when I need her for myself but she reins supreme if I’m standing up for someone else. Someone stand up for me? Nah, I can’t ask that. I need to find my own voice and make it certain that I stop being a pushover for the rest of my life. Hell I’m supposed to be a redhead right? I’m supposed to be fiery and have a temper. No. Sorry, I failed in those departments (At least the temper one)

I’m getting there, I really am. It’s just taking longer than I really want but we can’t force that can we? I’ll fight for you but I’m only learning to fight for me.

Pender!

Pender, I miss you already. I survived the trip and boy was it ever a blast. I couldn’t have asked for a better group to go with. It’s so nice to have a collection of people go on holiday and not have to worry about someone being a snob or throwing a fit at every turn. The whole holiday was so relaxing and enjoyable. The lodge was HUGE and boy was it beautiful. Twelve of us went in all though it should have been a lucky 13 but life sucks sometimes. Five couples and two singles. We had to draw cards to see which couples would get the four queen sized beds as the rest of the rooms had two single beds in them. I unfortunately drew the lowest card and Corey and I had to mush into a single bed. Good thing we’re both thin! While it was nice to cuddle in close I tend to flop around like a fish when I sleep and ended up smashing my head on the bedside table a number of times throughout the night. Poor Corey! Hahah That aside, I wouldn’t change much! The house was huge, clean and beautiful. Two glass edged decks opened up onto a beautiful seaside view and we were flanked by two coves on either side.

Wildlife was everywhere but sadly we didn’t spot any orcas. Eagles, deer, sea otters, herons, geese and screaming ravens followed us all over the island. Deer was the most common site around Pender. Wherever we drove there always seemed to be one or two along the side of the road. They always kept a wary eye on us but didn't seem prone to spook easy which lead to a lot of picture being taken.

 There was plenty to do on the island. We toured Thieves Bay and it became our go-to spot for Frisbee and bocce. The locals always waved and seemed friendly despite our loud (but polite) behavior while tossing the Frisbee around the park. Its no secret that I suck at anything athletic but the boys were patient and ended up running after my constant offside throws. Thanks guys.

Another great find was the island’s Frisbee golf course. Normally one would think it would be on an open field. Nope! This Frisbee golf course was a hike! We pretty much climbed mountains to find the goal poles. I loved it! It was simply beautiful. Of course the boys dragged a cooler up and down the course because who can have Frisbee golf without beer? I took up role at photographer while on everyone else played because 1- as mentioned before I can't throw straight to save my life. and 2- The scenery was just too beautiful not to hike around and look at.

I'm not much of a drinker but I found a love for caramel Baileys in hot chocolate right at the end of the night. Mmm so tasty. In all this was a wonderful trip filled with good people and great memories. The second day in we were already talking about planning the trip for next year. I can't wait. By the sounds of it, the plan is to go for the last week of June (to still be able to have bonfires) and stay for a night or two more. I am really looking forward to coming back to this place next year.  I can't wait!

Sundog

TWO! Two more sleeps until I’m headed to the island! We’re getting down to the wire now and I just can’t wait. Corey and I compiled some lists of what we wanted for meals and snacks while on our vacation. Looks like we’re going to eat like royalty. Yum! Spencer and I made the trip to Costco for our bulk foods before heading on a trip to the grocers to get the rest. Mature adults we are not it seems. Spenny posed with some spicy cock soup. Yes. Haha

I forgot to mention on my previous grocery trip, Teresa and I got to see a sundog! We get these more so in the summer but it’s still a rare occurrence to see this natural phenomenon. I was thrilled, Teresa was less so; staring into the sun is not a favorite pastime. 

A few days ago I tried a new recipe Cheesy Broccoli Balls as a different way to eat some veggies. I was going to attempt to get pictures of the whole process but alas it didn't quite work out that way. I used mozzarella cheese and when it was all said and done I felt that they were a bit plain but everyone else scooped them off the plate. Next time maybe I will crumble up some crisped bacon and use a sharp cheddar to spice it up a bit. 

 

Beagle Rescue

I want to say I had an eventful weekend but unfortunately it really didn’t seem that way when you look at it as a whole. I dog sat a basset hound named Reggie so he accompanied me all weekend.

 Nicole and I took advantage of the sparse sunshine and walked with all three of our dogs around town. We took the pups to a hobby farm where they met a pony. As you can tell from the picture Zoey and Shadow had no clue what to think of it.

 Reggie barked at the flock of peacocks on the other side and set them off screaming. Good god what a noise! They sound like they are saying OOOOOW! NOOOO! Over and over. Hilarious. Just as we were getting back we see a young beagle dash across a very busy road. With no more than a knowing look shot to one another, I toss her the leases of the dogs I was holding and took off like a rocket (or as fast as a girl can go in flip flops) This beagle was FAST! After narrowly being missed by a large truck it took off down the busiest road in town. Damn it. I must have looked like a idiot running like a madman down the road while every other pedestrian is meandering around on their Saturday morning.

The dog squished its way through the cemetery gates and ran off to the other side. Feeling a little worn out but not defeated we jogged back to her place and hopped in the car for a (slow speed) chase. We found the beagle in some yard on the other side of the cemetery. I hopped out of the car and managed to coax the dog to me. The tags were a little worn looking so I thought it’s name was Nolan.

We call the number a few times but no one answers. Cue a very awkward voicemail and we take a trip to the local vet. After calling the pup Nolan for the last ten minutes we decipher the name on the back on the tag as Bella. Sorry Bella. The microchip scan yielded nothing and for a while we thought we were stuck with this little pup. Luckily the owner called me back. Turns out he is a local cop and just woke up. A few minutes later the two were happily reunited. Yay! Feeling like hero’s we journey back home.

Now That Reggie is gone, I am DOG FREE until July! Wooo!