Rain, idolatry and other things.

April 30, 2003 | 2 Comments

It?s been a weird day. Iowa is experiencing its first big storm front of the spring season, which means I didn?t sleep worth a damn last night. Every time I?d drift off a huge flash of lightning and a boom of thunder would roll through the river valley. By daybreak I was jumpy and trembling like a scared-shitless Chihuahua.

Oh, but I slept like a baby this afternoon. In fact, I?m so refreshed I?d say I?m up for the night. Again. *eyeroll*

I watched American Idol tonight. I?m not faithful follower of the show, but I have caught it more often this season than last. (Gotta keep up with pop culture insanity, you know.) Anyway, I?ve thought all along that the contest would come down to a choice between Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken — which in itself is amazing because neither one of them are stereotypical ?idol? material ? but those two have natural, powerful singing voices. People would have to be crazy not to recognize their superior talent.

Apparently there are lots of crazy people out there.

I was stunned when Ruben was almost voted out tonight. Ok, I was more than stunned. I was pissed off. His voice is like silk! He has the rare ability to vocalize his soul. Ruben?s got a brilliant career ahead of him regardless of the outcome of this contest, but to see him almost booted off was insulting to him and everyone with common sense and the ability to hear his voice.

Furthermore, what especially pissed me off was when one of the judges expressed his dismay at the situation and then stated: ?This is a contest about finding the best singer in America!?

Bullshit. If that were the case this never would have happened tonight. Because the show is titled ?American Idol? people apparently feel free to stupidly cast their votes for contestants based on characteristics and qualities other than TALENT.

If it is true that the show is about finding the best singer, maybe they should change the title to “American Talent” — just to give ~~ignorant rednecks~~ some people a clue as to what they are looking for.

Enough about that. It gets my pressure up.

The studio is becoming pink pink piiiiink. The painting should be done by the end of the week; then J will start to install all of the light fixtures, outlet and switch plates, and the ceiling fan. I feel like a home improvement widow these days, but if that’s what it takes to get it all finished, I’ll grin and bear it.

A short weekend get-away is definitely called for, though. Even if it means I have to hogtie Agent J and throw him in the trunk of the car just to get him out of town. Just look the other way folks, and pay no attention to his muffled cries for help. I’ll bring him back smiling and in one piece. Promise. :)~

It’s still storming, but I’m going to read for awhile and see if that brings on the sleepies. Hope springs eternal!

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized

Tuesday This-Or-That and some chit chat…

April 29, 2003 | 1 Comment

This week’s questions are about comfort. Go here to read more and to play This-Or-That!

1. Lying down on the couch or stretching out on a recliner?
I feel more comfortable in my recliner. I consider the couch to be public domain, but my chair is reserved just for me, The Queen… and perhaps Princess Tashie.

2. Going barefoot or wearing soft slippers?
I go barefoot during the summers and when I work in my studio. At other times I wear my bootchie-baa-baas. Translation: sheepskin slippers. :)~

3. Eating ice cream, or pizza?
I think eating ice cream is more soothing. Smooth, creamy, and it goes down nice and easy.

4. Watching on TV…a classic movie or a reality show?
Classic movies ? even horror flicks?are much easier on the brain than reality shows. I honestly don?t see the attraction to those at all. Well, except for the fact that you can watch them and take comfort in the fact that your own life isn?t as fucked up as the people on the show.
5. Wearing: blue jeans or sweat pants?
Blue jeans, baby! Sweat pants carry the connotation of ?work? for me: working out, or working around the house and yard.

6. A long, soothing bubble bath or a quick, invigorating shower?
Ten minutes in a hot, steamy shower = perfection!

7. Furniture: leather, or something more on the fuzzy side?
I love sinking down into a nice piece of leather furniture. Everything about it is relaxing and sensual ? even the scent of the leather.

8. Soft, classical music, or upbeat rock & roll?
If I want to do some soul work, I?ll put on some classic rock or folk music that I can sing along with. For me, it is very grounding and the act of singing connects me with something beyond myself. Soft, classical music tends to hypnotize me sometimes.

9. Darkness or light?
Darkness is more soothing to my physical body, but light soothes my spirit.

I?m sure you have heard people who have had a near death experience say they were drawn to a bright light. That light is not God, but rather it is what happens when God breathes. In fact, all light is. When you are standing in light you are standing within the breath of God. Remember that and you will never feel alone again.

10. Thought-provoking question of the week: You get married, or otherwise begin cohabitating with a significant other. S/he moves into your place, but brings with them the UGLIEST chair you have ever seen! You really don’t want this thing in your home, but SO says it is the most comfy chair s/he has ever sat in, and no way will they part with it. Do you: grin and bear it, or scheme to get rid of the monstrosity somehow?
Hahaha! Guess what? When you agree to live under the roof with someone out of love, it?s no longer YOUR home, cha-cha. It?s just as much their space as it is yours. I?d give The Ugly Chair a place of honor, then I would just smile sweetly and sit in it as much possible so it wears out faster.

I?m doing better today.

I think part of the solution to this fear of losing my identity over the summer will be to go to campus a few days each week, and possibly assist with the summer school painting class as well. Also, I remembered last night that I?ll be getting private office space on campus before the fall semester begins, so making that room feel like home will help me keep connected, too.

I still need to make an appointment with Dr. K, though. I hate it when stuff bombards me like this from out of the blue.

Speaking of appointments, I had my first allergy immunotherapy shot today. I have to go every week for the first 4 ? 6 months, then the injections will taper off to monthly over the next 5 years. The doctor said my allergy severity is a 9 on a scale of 1-10, so this treatment is worth a shot. (Haha… No pun intended.) Hopefully after that I?ll be able to stop taking the daily allergy meds and nasal sprays, and that would definitely be worth it, both financially and for the sake of convenience.

Well, I?ve got some paperwork to do, so I?d better hop to it. I hope your day went well and that you are looking forward to an even better one tomorrow. See you then!

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized

twitch

April 29, 2003 | 1 Comment

I think I need to call and set up a therapy session with Dr. K. I haven?t had one in a couple of months, because I?ve been doing ok; in fact, better than ever. The past few days have had their moments of rockiness, though.

As much as I look forward to having a break from school over the summer, there is also something about it that is frightening to me. I?ve become very used to the role of teacher and the thought of stepping out of that for a few months makes me feel shaky.

(Yes, you are reading the journal of the same woman who was scared to death to begin teaching at the start of this semester. I realize how goofy this sounds.)

I can?t figure out what?s wrong with me; why I can?t handle these simple transitions of identity. I feel like the part of me who is a teacher will disappear if I take a break from it — even for just a couple of months.

Ugh. I just gave myself a headache.

I?ll be back again later today, kids? see you then.

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized

A Public Service Announcement…

April 28, 2003 | 2 Comments

What did you think it was about? Ya perv.

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized

Check it out!

April 26, 2003 | 4 Comments

Here?s a pic of the remodeling progress. It?s looking fantastic! I?m so proud of J and all of the hard work he?s put into this.

The ?pinking? of some of the walls in The Big Pink Studio is the next step. After that, the wooden floor (which is basically a patchwork of old planks) is going to get a few coats of a moss green color to freshen it up. Then all of the light fixtures, switchplates, etc. will go in place. Hopefully I?ll be able to move up there by June or so, then the rest of our house can get back to normal.

Ah, normalcy. You are so elusive in so many areas of my life.
I keep teasing J that he?s going to have to invite his buddy Christopher Lowell over to help finish the decorating. Here?s a recent shot of them together at a book signing held here in town. Don?t they look chummy?

(J?s going to kill me if he ever finds out that I posted this photo of his little brush with fame. He’s so shy. HAHahaha!)

Anyway, that?s what?s going on this Saturday afternoon. Not much else happening except a grocery store run, a long nap, and then an evening of devising The Final Exam from Hell for my Outsider Art class.

More later if I actually do something worth reporting. :P~

Posted by Christine | Filed Under Uncategorized