Yesterday I set aside the whole day to attack a pile of papers that needed to be “dealt with” as well as catching up on other tasks that were looming. It was not fun, but afterwards I felt like I’d really accomplished something (and the pile is gone–hooray!). Today I have been doing more of the same and it feels fantastic.
The weight of unfinished tasks is too heavy a load to carry for very long…
Back in 1990 or so I wore this dress when I was a bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding. I liked the dress and thought the fit was flattering. I’ve also always been a sucker for plaid taffeta (my fav dress as a young girl was red plaid taffeta).
Well this pic was taken in 2000, when I was still wearing this dress at least once/yr. Recently I put together some FaceBook pics of numerous formal dates on which I wore this same dress. I was pretty surprised–I hadn’t realized just how much I’d liked it until I thumbed through all those old pictures!
With Ryan
With Todd
With Aaron
At Steph’s wedding
So now I wonder how weird it is that I’ve worn this same dress for so many events? I tend to have a fairly small wardrobe of clothes that I really love. I’m not the kind of gal that gets a new dress for every occasion.
How about you? Do you have some favorite clothes that you’ve worn repeatedly through the years?
I mentioned to my sibs that I was using arnica oil to help fade some bruises, and had an email exchange worth sharing:
From esteemed scientist Bro:
Since I work in a chemical biology department, let me me chime in for a second and remind everyone that just because something is “natural” doesn’t mean that it’s safe or without side-effects. A quick google search brought up these precautions for arnica:
—–
Precautions
Arnica is generally safe when used topically (externally). However, prolonged use may irritate the skin, causing eczema, peeling, blisters, or other skin conditions. Arnica should not be used on broken skin, such as leg ulcers. Also, people who are hypersensitive or allergic to the herb should avoid it.Arnica is rarely used as an internal herbal remedy because it can cause dizziness, tremors, and heart irregularities. It may also irritate mucous membranes and cause vomiting. Large doses can even be fatal. Do not take arnica internally except under close supervision of your doctor. Homeopathic remedies, which use very small amounts of arnica, can usually be taken safely.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before taking any medication, including herbs.
Then, later, from same Bro:
i saw that it has another name: mountain tobacco
so, by the WoW, tobacco can be used as “an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgement and skill.” (italics added).
[Note: WoW=Word of Wisdom, is the Mormon health code. Not to be confused with World of Warcraft tobacco, which is not good for bruises]
From librarian Sis:
I just happen to be cataloging of handbook of natural herbs and supplements today, and I can tell you that Arnica also affectionately known as Leopard’s bane, sneezewort, mountain snuff, and wolf’s bane. I think Jana should tell people she rubs sneezewort on her leg. Sounds more Harry Potterish.
Also, be sure not to use any of the following to apply it, no matter how tempting it may be: celery, ginger, onion, licorice, wild carrots, or wild lettuce, as they may react with Arnica. Also, you shouldn’t use Arnica if you are allergic the chrysanthemums (or if you have trouble spelling chrysanthemum).
I’m a fan of Creative Commons. I share my photos, my web content and my podcasts with CC licensing, which means that you’re free to use my stuff, but you’ve got to give me credit if you do so. Sure I know that people ‘steal’ my pics sometimes–it happens most often with pics of me that are reposted by these folks (which, btw, I find fairly disturbing but I try not to think about it too often).
Recently I discovered that a picture of me was lifted from John’s flickr feed and was used to illustrate a misogynistic blog article. I learned this because a friend had seen the article and recognized me in the photo. This made me feel incredibly uncomfortable–primarily because I felt that my picture being affiliated with the post implied that I had endorsed the writing or was somehow involved with it (FWIW, because the article detailed the sexual exploits of the author, I felt it was possible some people might assume that I’d had a relationship with him). Now in this case the blog author didn’t use appropriate CC attribution, so I dropped a comment on his post suggesting that he review the rules for the Commons and also made it clear that I had no connection to the author’s words despite my image being on display. Within 48 hours my pic was gone, replaced by that of another nameless woman.
I tend to assume when I license something for Creative Commons, that my generosity will be mirrored with responsibility on the part of those who use my work. Surely I am naive. And there’s little that I can do when my images are connected with content that’s antithetical to my values, especially if the user has followed the rules of the Commons by giving appropriate attribution (which, in some cases might be even more discomfiting than if the image was used anonymously because my flickr identity links directly to my various websites).
I’m not going to stop sharing via Creative Commons and if anything I think I’ve got a bit thicker skin now–so when this happens again (and I’m just assuming it will) I won’t take it so personally. However, I’d like to know if any of you are wary of the Commons or have been burned by the unattributed use of your work? Many of my friends add a copyright watermark to their photos to discourage theft, and while I’ve considered this, I figured it not worth the time investment on my part. Perhaps I should reconsider?
This pic of TobyJoy from John always makes me laugh. He says:
“Toby told us that she had given up drinking, but it was an open secret that she had fallen off the toilet wagon.”
John’s birthday is today, number 38. If you have a sec, drop by his blog and wish him a good one!
Given that my new bionic leg is a blank canvas that needs some attention, I’ve decided to offer the opportunity for my artist friends to decorate my prosthesis. I’m planning temporary “installations” that will be changed 3 or 4 times per year. While I’m wearing your art I’ll feature you on my blog and if you’d like I’ll carry your business cards and be a walking advertisement for your work.
If you’re interested, drop me a line and we can discuss the details–the medium and the type of art that would work best for the dimensions of the project. Do note that you’d have foot, leg, and thigh to decorate. (no need to be physically present in SoCal, either–I can apply the art myself if you send it to me).
I’m open to all types and forms of art–for example, I could imagine that poetry would work as well as visual art. So many of you, my readers, are incredibly creative and talented–I’d be thrilled to wear your work!
Looking forward to hearing from all of you artistic folks: phddillyATyahoodotCOM. Feel free to forward this link to anyone outside the PilgrimSteps circle that might be interested.
Pic by Gus Greeper from flickr
I find new best friends all the time on teh internets. Of course they usually don’t know that they are my best friends, but I start reading their blogs and then follow their twitter and all of a sudden I feel like I know them, and what they’re doing is important to me. Isn’t that a wee bit creepy?
Maybe…
I’ve met so many amazing folks through teh cyber-magic, usually getting acquainted with your words and your lives long before I see a photo of your face (and when I do finally *see* you, what fun that is!). I love that the ‘net brings us all together.
So please don’t be freaked out when I drop a comment on your site, k? And now can we can all hold hands and sing a round of Kumbaya together?…anyone play the guitar?
The Edwardian Ball was held in a old LA theater that’s mostly closed-down these days, but is used sometimes for movie filming (Mulholland Drive was filmed there). All was in a state of decrepitude and disrepair–loose railings, peeling paint, soiled carpeting (where the carpet was extant), bathroom doors askew, etc. A perfect venue for a cabaret-punk style event.
I enjoyed watching the parade of costumes, marveling at the creativity and ingenuity of each attendee. Of course the music and the goth/vaudeville-style show were great, too.
Most of all, it was fun to share it with John & friends.
Picked these roses from my garden just moments before we left. They were my favorite part of my costume. 🙂
