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Friday, December 21, 2012

Woodworking - It's Official And I Still Have Ten Fingers


"I wish I was a slave to an age old trade.  Lord have mercy on my rough and rowdy ways."  - Down in the Valley, The Head and The Heart

If I were to be a slave to an age-old trade, I think I've found it.  

One fate-filled weekend at the end of summer, I headed north to N&Os for a last trip before they turned into snowbirds.  While there we went on a thrifting excursion and came home with a couple finds:  a cutting board and a spice rack. 




Thus begins my venture into woodworking.  My uncle has a fully set up woodshop that I began to refurbish my spice rack with O cut the cutting board into tow and polished them off.  While in there I thought, I really need to know how to do this.  Having another skill set that did't involve sitting at desk really seemed appealing to me.  See, I almost look legit. 



That Monday I returned to work and signed up for a quarter long woodworking class at the local community college.  A ten week course that was going to at least draw me away from my desk job for a few hours every Monday night. 

I must say it was particularly difficult to pull myself away from my desk at 5:00 every Monday for 10 weeks during our busiest time of the year but it was totally worth it when I got there. I was engaged, I was interested, I wasn't thinking about work.  

Woodworking is a fascinating skill, one in which I still want to continue to develop.  There is something very mechanical and precise about it but also very creative.  It also allows one to focus and be present in time and in body because 10 fingers are nice to have and if you're not present  you may find yourself with fewer fingers, among other potential consequences. 

All is that to say  I had a super time learning to create, build, measure and assemble my project.







Ta Da! I present to you a very tall entry way table:



I'm kind of totally proud of it.  It only wobbles a little but will serve that purpose of being the first piece of furniture to greet me and will eventually be the resting place of keys and mails.  Once I learn how to weave a basket for those things...

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Surprise! I'm in PHX

A few weeks ago I was itching to see the sister and nephew, I kicked up my sleuthing skills and made arrangements to surprise my sister for a long weekend.

And I totes surprised her.  And it's been the best.

Surprise!! I'm here!
 
Just out for a stroll...

 
 
 
We went to the park and swang on swings.
 
We got Santa pictures....lol.

 
We did Starbucks Happy Hour after our run. We sat on the patio in the sun. It was the essence of happy.

  
 These dreamboats were also in town so we rendevoused and caught up over breakfast, maybe a couple of times. Bonus!
 
I leave tomorrow night back to Seattle where I hear the rain is still falling...lots. Ugh, dont make me go.

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Christmas Spirit

They past 2 weeks I've worked 145 hours which has left little time or energy to get into the holiday spirit.  So after work yesterday, when all was said and done, I promptly came home, took a hot soaking bath, crawled into warm clean sheets and immediately slept for 12 hours.  It was perfect.

Today I made my way home to see the fam and get into the holiday spirit.  We decorated, ate chinese food and napped. (you know, because I was so tired from sleeping 12 hours.) Oh and there was pie. Winning all over the place.

Got to skype with the neph. He called me auntie for the first time! Warm fuzzies!






I feel that Christmas spirit seeping in slowly but surely.  


Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Day 1

Day 1 of our annual meeting is done. I'm having a hard time walking (and not to sound like I'm 76 or anything) but I've loaded up on advil so I should be set for the swelling in my knees and ankles to go down.  Totes hot.

I've spent the day with almost 300 of my closest scientist friends talking about antibodies, antigens, replicating vectors, viruses, proteins, DNA and other such fancy things. I smile and nod mostly and laugh when social queues deem appropriate.

Our evening event was the show-stealer (for me).  And I'd like to redact any of previous statements along the lines of "I bet that new Chihuly exhibit is totally overated."  Mark this day in history: I was wrong.

For our evening event we rented out the new Chihuly Garden and Glass space. It was nothing short of amazing. You've gotta see it, especially at night.  Wow, just wow.





No really, go see it. Don't be wrong like me.

Tomorrow night we are hosting a private concert at The Triple Door....like you do.  Stay tuned.