Artemis Boothe

The new people are just rolling in. I hang around Karen as one of her goons. Today there was a setup of people going to the India Fair at Pioneer Place. I met Jalissa from Bremerton, Emily from Spokane, Kelsey who may have actually been the one from Spokane, and a few other girls. We got on the max but then discovered that Emily was not among us so I got off and jogged back to hang out with her while waiting for the next one to show.

The India Day thing was neat. Very crowded and there was a dancing stage. The young girls were quite good while the some of the older ladies were not so good at keeping in sync. Kelsey and I went back together.

Almost done with The Wire.

Cecine, Al and I did a car trip to Safeway. I didn't really get anything that would warrant a car ride, but I wanted to show them how to get there. I know my way around pretty smoothly but I must remember that not everyone does.

I hung out with Karen for a while in the evening. We poured over Esquire magazine and illustration books. Jackie from Virginia flew in and we went down to get her set up in her apartment. She has come a long way. I'm going to try and make more of an effort to get to know people this time around. Maybe I'll make cupcakes and lure everyone in. I got the fixings to do it.

Holly Update:


I bought kitten food for Holly with some of the remaining money that Chelsey gave me. I told her about it and apparently it was the wrong kind of food. It was the baloney of cat food. I'll return it soon.

Holly seems to be enjoying herself at Karen's. There are lots of dangly things to bat at and items to knock over.

shark punching and camel riding

I woke up early, just in case Cecine or Lindsay came over while I was still in my jammies (which I wasn't wearing because of the heat).

I went over to Robin and Diana's to return the plunger. Their place is so stylish. Those two make a good pair when it comes to decorating. They insisted their place was a mess, I said it was fine. Diana has a cat that is currently unnamed. She was thinking of a cheese name and I put forth Gouda. I showed Robin how to do the quick fold for teeshirts. They I remembered that I left my kettle on so I dashed back.

Later I went back to their place and brought my new art book to show off. Karen was beyond excited when she saw it. Actually, she wanted to get it for herself and so the suggestion of going to Powell's was brought up. Much fun was had flipping through it and basking in the manly perfection of those pages. Some people came by to borrow a screwdriver to install an A/C unit and Diana took up the RA duty of telling them that they could not have an A/C unit. Wimps, can't stand the heat for more than a day.

The RA's had to trade off before we could go to Powell's. When we were walking to the streetcar, we took turns saying what type of saucy adventure woman we thought we would be. Karen was the arctic jetskier that was bayoneting a Nazi and punching a shark with a Nazi emblem on it. Robin was armed to the teeth and waiting to ambush some commies. Diana was a pirate fighting off weasels while caressing pearls. I was riding a camel in the forest while wielding a machete against commies. Yeaaah!! These are clearly better female stereotypes.

Karen bought the last shelf copy of the book and a couple other discounted art books. Diana and Robin left empty handed. While in Powell's I got a call from Cecine (or Cece) and I gave her the number to call to get her keys established.

After Powell's there was a quick trip into Anthropologie. They have a heavy knit skirt that I love there but it is beyond even contemplating getting. Really pretty though. I love their cabinet knobs. Some were coral shaped. There was a detour in Storables. I left my wallet at home which was a mistake because Storables had the PERFECT door hanging shoe storage thing that I need (and on sale). I'll get it tomorrow.

On the way back we played the "my name is ____, I come from _____, and I come bringing _____" game.

Cecine was out when I got back to my place. I chilled, well I relaxed out of the suns rays and hydrated. It is another toasty day. Watched more of The Wire. That show has really grabbed me.

Cecine is very nice. She and Al, her friend, seemed to dig my bookcase. It does reflect who I am and what tastes I have. Later on in the night I was pulling things off and showing them to her. Maybe I was a little overenthusiastic about sharing. Haha. I helped bring up some of her boxes. I shared some of my cheese cake. I played with her snake, Ganesh. She has two snakes, Ganesh is the larger male one, and the smaller female one is currently unnamed. I think we are off to a good start. Ibanez was a little bit anxious from the new arrival. Lindsay will be by tomorrow to get him.



Holly Update: Holly bats at things. She isn't panting much. She isn't clawing up Karen's place.

the best TV I never watched

Watched the first five episodes of The Wire today. Damn that is a good show. The characters are developing perfectly, the set ups are great, and it doesn't show bias towards one side. The cops are good and bad, the criminals are good and bad. CSI, Law and Order, DaVinci's Inquest, they just wish they had the freedom to be The Wire.

I couldn't bear to go outside. It was over 100 in Portland. 101 according to my desktop, 107 according to Karen.

Robin stopped by for MORE RA duty. She put little name tags up on my door. The doors in the apartment, not the outside. Just in case Cecine and I mixed up which room we were in.

Lindsay stopped by for Ibanez visitation and Project Runway. So excited for the next episode, Chris is coming back!

Speaking of Chris, my buddy Chris from back home is in Vancouver this weekend and I'm going to see him tomorrow. Coming all the way down to Portland. Probably going to see Tropic Thunder again. Booyah.

Holly Update:


Karen's mum was in town and so she was going to spend the majority of the day out of her sweltering apartment so I took care of Holly. Ibanez wasn't content to see her.

Ibanez gained some weight from eating her kitten food. She loves his food. Apparently the Trader Joe's cat food is the tofu of cat food; bland. Chelsey, you will have to buy her tasty food or else she won't be content with the tasteless junk that is convenient.

just kidding about the shaving part

Robin came a knocking at my door with goodies. Little move-in baggies for Cecine and myself. They are getting the RA's really active this time around.

A little later Karen, Diana, and Robert came by for a RA furniture audit. Basically to make sure I had not broken or thrown out any chairs. Gotta keep tabs on me, I'm wild. Also there are only four people moving in that are over the age of 21 and I think I heard that about 80% of the people are 17-18. Yikes!

I needed a laugh after yesterday so I went to a matinee showing of Tropic Thunder. LOVED IT! I didn't know how much I was missing good comedy until this came around. All the characters were great and had even screen time and development. They were all wonderful parodies but still real enough. It was wonderfully not politically correct. Oh wow, I can't wait to see it AGAIN. The theatre wasn't really packed(or even half full) so I want to see it with a large, high energy crowd. I really enjoyed it but I am sure it isn't for everyone. It is a step in the right direction. Slow down Apatow, stop being in movies Will Ferrell.

I ran into Jen in the bathroom after the film. She works at the theatre. She was there to catch a free film and as I am really lazy and had no plans, I joined her. She got me in, free, to see The Mummy 3:Something about a Dragon Emperor. It was bad. Way too cheesy, even for a Mummy franchise film. Rachel Weisz couldn't have even saved it and having Maria Bello replace her was really ehh. It really made me like Tropic Thunder even more. The effects were horrid, they were even worse than the first Mummy movie and that came out about a decade ago.

So all in all, that double feature took me from 5:00pm to almost 10:00pm. Which was fine by me, it was a hot day and I needed to be around some A/C. As I was ascending the escalator, a guy in a rude shirt tried chatting me up. I was having none of that.

I hung out with Karen and Adam after. I read aloud from ladies magazines and Adam became quite distressed with how truly horrific they are. He gave me a glass brooch! Perfect for one of my many jackets. Need to just figure out which one.

Holly Update:

Holly has moved up a floor and is with Karen now. She was meowing constantly as she scoped out her place. It was very warm and she panted a little. So we shaved her.

I caught her and Ibanez sleeping just a few inches apart. But I could tell he was still generally displeased by her being around. When I came back from dropping her off at Karen's, he clambered into my lap and purred.

Holly will hopefully like being at Karen's for the rest of Chelsey's absence. Hopefully the heat doesn't get to her that much. It might be good to be with a stranger right now so that she will adjust to being with Chelsey better. Not like she got some idea in her tiny little head that I am her new caretaker.

Spike Jonze makes me smile

In my blog, I try to give as many details as I can remember but today was just not fun and I really don't want to talk about it.

Jen slept in so I went to the zoo by myself. The line was long but it went quick. The other group of people I was going to hang out with at the zoo were late so I wandered around the exhibits. It was $2 day at the zoo so it was crowded with some really unpleasant people and their horrible children. I drew some of the depressed animals but it was hard as kids kept crowding me. I was there for almost two hours when I got word that the group I was going to meet up with decided not to go because the line was too long. I hoped to catch up with them but they had already caught the max out of there. I was really hurt that they just ditched me like that when I had gone mostly because of their invitation.

I had lunch with Jen. Walked with her to Utrecht and she bought some scratch board to practice on.

Holly Update:



She doesn't like me. She doesn't like Ibanez. Sure they sometimes sleep near each other but they are not really buddies. I woke up to find that my new and never used shower curtain had some holes in it right at the height of Holly claws. I can take cleaning Ibanez's puke but damnit I just put that curtain up! Ibanez was right next to me when I woke up, Holly couldn't be bothered to cuddle. She just attacks me if I move so it is probably for the best. Holly takes no interest in visitors or laps.

curtains bought to not match

People knocked on my door at 8:30 and 9:30 just to confirm that there was going to be a cleaning at 10:00. The lady did a really great job. My old room smells awesome and she even did the bathroom! I put up my Ikea shower curtains so now it is all bright orange and warm in there, instead of sterile glaring white.

Finished Deadwood. It had an open ending but it wasn't so open that I was mad it was the series finale. It really tugged at my heartstrings those that few episodes. Overall the characters and setting were great but it had way too many deus ex machina character types. Most of the tertiary people came in only to do their part to move the plot ahead and that was annoying.

Didn't put much of a dent on the sorting of my room. I still have the rest of the week though.

Tomorrow I am going to the zoo with Jen, Matt, and some other people. Whee! Fun! It is $2 every second Tuesday.

Had a nice chat with mom. When she said a gallery of bad art reminded her of me, I was almost insulted but she made a nice save when she explained that she meant that she wished someone else was there to appreciate how bad it was.

Lindsay stopped by to cuddle her Ibanez. He was mad and barely cuddled. She managed to get her marriage certificate. The system almost works!

I've been neglecting my painting. I can't get in the habit of leaving work unfinished. Need to develop a portfolio in case I do decide to go to Brussels for a semester.

Holly Update:



Holly and Ibanez sometimes share my bed and appear to be friendly but most of the time they chase each other. All is well. She will go back to Chelsey in a week. And Karen should be able to divide up that time.

dust demons

Those of you that know me would probably believe the dust accumulation that presented itself when I cleaned out my room today. Those of you that don't know me would be shocked. In all fairness it was the dust trapped behind my shelves and desk, none of which have been moved since they were first put there. I got wicked snuffles after emptying my room. Even though it will be cleaned tomorrow, I still wanted to give it a quick once over.

I was surprised that it took pretty much all day (which wasn't that much time, I slept in) to empty everything out and to organize it in this room. I still have piles of things not yet put away. I need to rig up some plank and brick shelves.

Finished Dogville. I liked the ending. It all came around, but it took a long time in doing so. A LONG LONG TIME. Also watched One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Good classic, a long time to get around to seeing it. I finally get some jokes that were in The Simpsons.

All my clothes are neatly piled away. Lets see how long that lasts.

Holly Update:



A few days ago, in a team effort, Ibanez and Holly knocked a cup of water onto Lindsay while she was sleeping.

Right now she is resting on my bed. She is really sweet when she is dozing. Once she wakes up she is all over the place. Zoom zoom zip pounce roll dive swat.

I'm not giving her over to Karen just yet. I find that if she is being a pest, she just needs a time out in the bathroom. Ibanez riles her up. Or she riles Ibanez up. I don't quite know.

where shall I hang my Baticelli?

I got a lovely invite to breakfast from Karen. But really it was Adam's breakfast. Anyway, it was delicious. Cut up apple and sausage and potato. MMmm. We rehashed the craziness of last night.

The workout was minimal, but we still sweated.

I went to Trader Joe's to get provisions. Just Emergen-C, sweets, bread, juice, and a splurge. When the guy rang me up he asked if I found everything alright. I said, "Well I found everything alright and then I found the cheesecake and then things were GREAT!" I got a nice smile out of him for that. He told me to enjoy my cheesecake, which I did.

As I was leaving the Goose for my TJ run, I ran into Lindsay, Keesee and Gavin. When I got back I found the Baticelli in my room. I gave Lindsay a huge huge hug for that. I love that painting of hers. It is brilliant. With the four of us helping, we moved her boxes from her place, to the elevator, out of the lift, and to Gavin's van. I gave her a big hug.

Before the dust had settled, I started to move into her room. I scrubbed the walls and Karen lent me a vacuum. I am redoing how I sort things so maybe for the next year I will have a cleaner lifestyle. HA HA, good one Trillian.

I have a night stand now. Floor space to roll about on. Shelves in a better pattern. Karen helped me decide where to place some things. I still need to bring in all my clothes and most of my knick-knacks. I should be done tomorrow. They will be cleaning on Monday. It was supposed to be Lindsay's room, but mine is the worse off (filth wise, lots of dust and sunflower seeds).

I'll have a week by myself. Well, I'll have Holly and Ibanez, but mostly Ibanez because Holly will be going to Karen soon. Lindsay won't have her apartment till September so I am watching the big kitty till then.

After Karen helped me with some heavy lifting, we enjoyed some of the cheesecake. It was a great splurge.

Holly Update:

I had to put Holly in the bathroom for a while because she was being really mean towards Ibanez. It was overly aggressive playing and he wasn't in the mood for it. They are both behaving better now. The plan is set to give her to Karen tomorrow night.

a night spent in mocking

Started in on a new painting. I was going to do it in full color but as I started painting, it became analogous due to poor reference photos. It is now cross complimentary... or something. I'm just trying to broaden my portfolio.

I got up to exercise with Karen but was a little late and missed her. We met up and did get our work out on a little bit at 12:30. I'm a little out of shape compared to how good I was doing, but I think I will get it back.

In the evening Karen and I hung out again with the intention of collage making and painting. Instead I read aloud from the Cosmos that were left behind in the recycling bin. That magazine is HILARIOUS! Their surveys are poor, their advice is flimsy, their hot and sexy stories and ridiculous... oh blimey. We are so going to draw up some parodies of these crappy magazines.

Holly Update:



She was really bad today! Clawed the couch, bit my feet when I was sleeping, pouncing on Ibanez repeatedly when he clearly didn't want the attention. She was wild and naughty. We didn't know what was up with her. Hopefully she will settle down a bit tomorrow, but who knows.

children these days

Karen and Adam wanted a stall for First Thursday but Karen couldn't find her PNCA ID in time so that she could grab one. I offered my ID and off we went to grab a table. When we were leaving, Karen started to drive away but Adam was still getting in the car and she almost ran him over. Whoops.

Around Everett, the place where the bike lane is ALWAYS used as a turn lane, she slowed to let us hop out. A car came up in the bike lane and we had to close the door to let him past. Instead of going past, the jerk in his big SUV stopped and shouted at us about whatever we were doing. All three of us, in sync, did a motion and he shut up and drove on in the bike lane. The next block, Karen let us out.

We couldn't locate the person right away who appeared to be the manager of the tables. We asked the nice guy at the PNCA desk but he had no clue. A few questions later and we figured it out. All the spots were full up. But Jack let them double up on his ceramics table. Adam was selling earrings and a few buddies of his sold their glassware.

The Pre-College program had their big show, the one I was a part of a few summers back. There was some real talent in that group of youngins. Michael and a ladyfriend of his were there, we said hellos. Andy and I exchanged hi's and he inquired where I got my cupcake from(from the box of cupcakes at the front door, duh). Chatted a little with Matt and Daniel Duford. Yeah.

I now owe Karen $10. We did a loop of all the stalls. It is more of a walking market than a buying one. Saw some great print makers there. I didn't feel like going to any real galleries so I took the streetcar home. Still, saw a lot of people and familiar faces (Jack cut all the dyed bits out of his hair).

Pretty much finished the drawing part on a new painting. Very simple but it has a lot of light play in it. I need some references before I can begin.

On the way back from First Thursday, I replenished my sunflower seed supply at Plaid Pantry. I am so addicted to those things.

Holly Update:



The kitties rubbed their faces together. They eat each other's food (well Ibanez eats her food). They poop in each others litter boxes. They have totally bonded. Soon I will give her over to Karen's care.

Holly has really taken to Lindsay. She sits next to her when she is seated, but never next to me when I am rested. Maybe she hates me because I fed her medicine.

The kitten is doing wonderfully. Getting bigger all the time.

pink and gray

Made myself some scrumptious scrambled eggs and toast for breakfast. I really need to learn to make bacon, I've been missing it.

My new pants arrived in the mail. The pair I used a cool discount from Karen for. They fit amazing. They are a lovely gray color. I am so set on jeans now. I don't need another pair for like...well years maybe. Booyah.

I went to Ole Ole to meet Lindsay for lunch. I just had a quesedilla. She scarfed a taco salad. We chatted about how screwed up Oregon is. She wants a valid ID. She has her birth certificate, her old ID, social security number, and proof of address. They won't give her a new ID unless she can prove how her last names changed (from marriage). But to get the proof of marriage she might need a valid ID. Which she can't get without proof of marriage. What the hell? That's crap.

Karen and I are getting back on work out track. I did two ten minute runs. The machine I normally go on is sort of wonky. Diana joined us for a little bit. She looks great. As tall as ever.

Starting another painting. Just have it loosely sketched out right now. Just need to keep working on my art work. That is what I am here in Portland for. Art. A job, yeah that would be great but the education is pointless unless I apply it.

And I am getting into the third and final season of Deadwood. Did you know it is based in fact? Amazing!

Another cool thing is that Jim has a proof of his comic! It is fit to be printed and sold now.

Holly Update:



Lindsay left for a bit and Ibanez started crying. Holly ran out of my room to see him and he stopped. They are so totally buddies now. Their bad habits are rubbing off on each other. She meows like he does when I pick her up. She harasses Lindsay when she is doing her hair. He is playing with toys he never paid a mind to until she did.

Holly's frolicking is amazing. She has a great recovery for when she falls. It is like it never happened.

Eventually I will trade her off to Karen, but right now she seems content.

poop cone begone

Well, I definitely regained the sleep that I lost. Slept in till almost one. There was a knocking at my door that was Mike. He asked if I was being forced to make my apartment ready for four people, and I said no. Some of the apartments at the Goose are being made to accommodate four people, but mine is on the smaller side so I get my room and my roommate gets a room. So while it was crowded for one year, I'll have plenty of space in comparison for the next. Also it is confirmed that Cecine is my new roommate.

I wasted the day. I had headaches and felt woozy. I took a nap. Jim came over and hung out. The kitty didn't take much notice of him.

I still feel like crap though. Uhhg.

Holly Update:



The cone is pretty much off now. She is all healed. Hurrah! And is very feisty and in good spirits. She and Ibanez pretend they aren't friends, but I can tell they are. No word on when I am giving her over to Karen.

kittyville

Could not sleep. Not one wink. I gave up around seven and finished up Deadwood and started in on Dogville. Just felt chilled and horrible. Kept myself fed.

I did get a slight rest at noon when Ibanez joined me for a two hour nap. Argh.

Traded out the DVDs at school. Matt was there and revealed himself to be the person who requested the Deadwood DVDs in the first place. Well now he can watch them. I was a little delirious. I grabbed the third season and One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. Returned some books and renewed the others.

When I was leaving the Goose, an old couple said, "You know how hot it is?" to me. I didn't really, as I was wearing pants. I think it was 80's but ehh. I didn't get too sweaty. I was just in a haze going and coming.

Dogville is an interesting movie in its concept. It is done with a minimal set. It seems to be little stage sets put into a large stage. All the houses are drawn in like architecture plans, the street names are written on the ground and things like plants are written in as well. It is part landscape and building planning, mixed with real things like desks and beds. It was really interesting to watch. It is also three hours long, so it is going to take me some time. I wonder how many other movies are done like this?

Holly Update:



So one of the kitties staples had sort of popped out. It didn't look bad, I just wanted to get it checked out to see if maybe she only needed one. Turns out she didn't need either! The lovely nurse pulled the first one out with ease but the second took a lot of restraining and holding Holly like a baby, but it did come out. The staples were crusty with scab residue but the scar looks wonderful. Just another day with the cone! Hurrah!

She is very feisty tonight. She is bounding every which way and playing with all of Ibanez's toys. We caught her using Ibanez's litter box.

all in bed now

I slept way too much in. I keep staying up later and later...eventually I will really force myself out of bed to try and reset my clock. I need to get working out again. Karen went on a camping trip and with the kitten disrupting my pattern, it is hard to will myself to wake at certain hours.

Jen was throwing a Naked Party, that is a party where girls get together with the clothes they no longer wear, toss them in a pile, and pick out new clothes that they like. I must say that I scored, and people did take my clothes which was a good feeling. Karen drove us to the shindig and as we were leaving there was an amazing assortment of boots in the free zone. All size 8, but maybe there would be someone with that big of feet at the party. Jen's apartment looks great, she really pulled it together. It is perfect for having people over and working on things. The open space is orchestrated nicely in that it doesn't look like there is unused area.

The night started with two games of Apples to Apples. It was Jen, Karen, Jen's friend Titta, and myself. Titta said that the green cards you get often describe yourself and the first card I got was grungy. What? I'm not...

Grease played in the background as we rummaged. I walked away with TWO pairs of jeans, a sexy skirt, a wonderful hounds tooth coat, pumps, boots I plan to put stuffing in so my feet don't slide forward, some shorts and a pile of tees both simple and patterned. It was great. Not everything I offered was claimed so I have more if another party arises.

Jen set up a video on her laptop and we recorded a game of us playing Apples to Apples. She also recorded my impersonation of Casey Oney dragging himself through paint. We ate guacamole chips and potato wedges and had a good time.

After, Karen and I went to Adam's studio to pick him up. He makes things out of glass for a living(sculpture as well as recreational devices, if you get what I mean) and I got to see where he did it. Lots of fragile looking things laying about. He said he could teach us how to make a marble and he gave me a scrap of glass as a souvenir. He is one hoopy frood/awesome dude. And he and Karen are impossibly cute together (he joined her in camping). I will make sure to take him up on his glass lesson offer.

Holly Update:

So Ibanez climbed into bed with me this morning. Lindsay was gone so he needed some cuddling. Holly joined me as well and for five minutes we all lay together peacefully. Then Holly tried to get closer and disturbed him. It was a nice moment.

I forgot to close him in his room when I left for the party but it all seemed fine when I came back.

Her meds have ran out so I don't have to give them to her anymore. I called the clinic and scheduled a new time to take her staples out. She should be free on the 8th. Hopefully.

Slowly she and Ibanez seem to be becoming more buddy buddy.

suddenly I am doing something

Finished my painting! First painting I have finished in...months? Dearie me, I hope it really isn't months but that sounds true. I'm very pleased with it. I accomplished what I set out to accomplish with that piece. Sure it is simple but it wasn't intended to be some grand masterpiece, just a little character and light study. Go me!

So yeah, spent the day painting mostly. Watched more Deadwood. Two episodes left. The fourth disc had a scuff on it so I had to scrounge around the Internet looking for those three episodes. Took some looking but I found them. The first few episodes took forever to get through but now I blink and I have watched four. I took a break to laugh and watched some IT Crowd (another series I breeze through).

Robin wanted an egg for some pancakes and I didn't have any so I took that as incentive to get out of the house and get some shopping done. I just needed eggs, udon noodles, milk, mayo, and cat litter. The lady who rang me up was really nice but she couldn't bag groceries at all. Had to totally readjust them to fit into my side baskets.

Diana and Robin have moved into 316, Sean's old room. I wasn't invited over (it is apparently a mess but because it is Diana and Robin that probably means it is still cleaner than my place). In exchange for the egg I got a pancake and Robin helped me with the kitten's medicine. The pancake was made with a batter I have not seen before, it was delicious though. Num num num.

Holly Update:



Did not sleep well. Kitten could not lay still anywhere and was bounding about.

Refreshed her litter. She got poo on her cone TWICE today.

I have caught Ibanez eating her food on several occasions but he doesn't do it for long because she normally comes up and scares him off. She has taken to perching on her cat carrier and staring him, much in a mimic to his tabletop position. It is cute how their relationship has grown. I rather wish that by the end, they cuddle together.

Holly's wound seems to be closing up. Nothing has leaked out of it in days and it isn't red or infected looking. I am almost out of the antibiotics, I should call and ask if I need a refill of them.

did what needed to be did

I signed up for an unsubsidized student loan. Just a small one. I think. I followed all the steps till there were no steps left. Now I just have to wait and see. It took some time in doing so, nearly two hours of clicking through and putting in information over and over. In some ways I like doing things on paper because then you know it all went through and you have it all done. I like the confirmation that comes from talking to another person.

Dad woke me up with a call, I think I was a little less grumpy this time. I had to end it when the kitty came out with poo on her cone.

About 3/4 done with my painting. It is so much fun to be productive. I just have to have an idea and the time to sit (and the material to entertain me). Finished season one of Deadwood, and now am about halfway through season two (they are short seasons). They introduce a lot of characters that you know are going to meet a bad end. I love the progression that happened between the two seasons, but I am saddened that I didn't get to see more of Alma and Seth's relationship. Well, I have a season and a half left so maybe it starts up again. Anyway, yeah the painting. Really simple, it is more of a shot of the specifics of two characters so I can return to it later for reference. Some parts are looking a little over worked, I just need to sleep on it and return to it tomorrow. I've very pleased with the skin coloring, it is hard for me to do that type of thing from scratch.

So today has been good. I did some important stuff that needed doing and I worked on art. Hurray!

Holly Update!



We took her collar off so that she could run and play a little easier. With the collar she sort of leaps along and has poor coordination. She was beyond enthusiastic. She ran in circles and around the couch and after Ibanez and after her crab toy and up on the couch and around the mirror. Oohh, a little bundle of energy that kitten. She prances and dances and frolics and hops and twists and twirls. One time we rolled a little ball of paper and she pounced and flipped face forward right over onto her back. Ibanez loomed on the table above her the whole time.



Holly gave herself a good clean and I took my eyes off her and by the door, and slightly behind a corner, was Ibanez peeking at her. He stood perfectly still and mostly out of our eye line. Little peeper!

exchange this!

I went to Buffalo Exchange with two bags of clothes. I have a lot of excess and I know I won't really miss it. There were a couple hipster people with lots of clothes in front of me so I set my stuff down and browsed through the jacket. I saw one that, if I got store credit I was totally going to buy. The people working the sell/trade counter were jabbering over generic "in" clothes. One of the sellers had the most heinous pair of "pants" I have ever seen; they were like an ankle length skirt with the bottom sewn together and two little holes were cut on each side for the feet to poke through. It was some weird piece of leg wear with all the thigh airing out that a skirt provides, but none of the embarrassment from a sudden gust of wind. I kind of wanted to confront her about the pants. Just, uhg.

Anyway, it came my turn and the lady behind the counter rifled through my stuff. She went through one bag really quickly and said there was nothing worth buying in there and went through the other and said the same. She only really looked at the pants and barely batted an overly hipster eye at the shirts. That really annoyed me because the people were combing carefully through all the clothes that "hip" people game them. I guess my boot cut jeans and Hawaiian shirt didn't present enough "cred". The clothes I brought in were pronounced way out of fashion and I could either have them back or they would put them in the "donate to charity" bin. I was going to take what didn't sell to Goodwill anyway, and charity is a better option so I went with that.

Two bags, not a single buck made from the lot of it. But they weren't my real clothes, the stuff I do wear I wouldn't sell because, well 1) I wear it and 2) it is too good for the likes of them.

But that experience irked me for the rest of the day. Those pants! No money! Fashionable people who are just all the same!

Only Deadwood, Strangers with Candy, and Project Runway could cure what ailed me. And an egg salad sandwich. And a kitten. And Lindsay and I painting our knees to look like bumblebees because Lindsay's friend Kurt is having knee surgery and we sent him a picture with the tag line "we think your knees are the bees." Yeah, the bees were fun.

I'm up late drawing. DRAWING! It's a miracle!

Holly Update:



Holly looks sort of like a Holly to me, but she also looks like a Powers Boothe. If she were my kitty, I'd probably have named her that. Holly Golightly is also good, but with her feisty demeanour and urge to rampage Ibanez's room, a heavier nickname is also in order. Little PB, Boothey Poo, the Powers that be.



With help from Lindsay, the medicine is getting into her a lot easier. She and Ibanez and getting to be closer and closer. I think they were within 6 inches of each other with no hissing or swearing.

little sassafras

I met up with Michael at the Portland Art Museum. We were only there about an hour as they closed at 5. We checked out the print show downstairs mostly. They had a Rembrandt, several Baskin's, and a Goya. Pretty snazzy. It is nice seeing all the techniques I learned within the work, and it left me a little envious that I could not do a fraction as well. Afterwards we wandered around downtown and sat at Pioneer place a little. In the shade it was a little chilly, but wandering around it was perfect.

I think that tomorrow I will go down to Buffalo Exchange and try and sell some of my old clothes. Make some pennies.

Really liking Deadwood, now that all the characters are established. I sort of want a kitten, just that I could name it Powers Boothe.

Holly Update:



That little kitten is still chasing Ibanez. He is going to smack her one of these days.

This morning was nice. We shared my pillow. She was as snug and as quiet as could be. Really nice. I think she has adjusted to the new living situation pretty well, if only there wasn't that darn other cat.

Her stitches seem to be healing fine. They look a little scabby but I am sure that is normal. Celia called me the next day after I called her to check in on the kittens health.

I bought Ibanez some tuna to make up for the trespasses of the little cone head.

glare down

Finally got some sleep, all though in parts. Dad woke me up with a call. I was a little disjointed so I hope I didn't come off as rude.

I met up with Jen for lunch(but due to both of us sleeping in, it was more of a breakfast). I had fish & chips, she had breaded chicken. I walked there instead of taking my bike. Along the way I went by an old man with an oxygen tank smoking. I got a little lost but we both arrived at the same time.

Jen actually didn't get the job yet, the interview was today. I think it went well. Jen is very charismatic and nice. She talked about how in California most of the retail and store jobs are youngsters and it is really easy to find a job while in Portland those jobs are people making it their part time career, hogging it from all the college students.

She had to go to Tender Loving Empire to drop off her bowling pin for a show there. She is also good at getting into and being a part of shows. I should try to be more like Jen. The shop was nice, lots of local hand printed things. There were free clothes outside but were all far too big for me.

After we killed time in the coffee shop at Borders. We read zines and magazines and talked under our breath about the weird couple nuzzling and making out nearby. They were a strange pair. They read a huge pile of comics but didn't buy a single one.

I hopped on the max and she went to the interview.

Holly Update:



So Ibanez and Holly are slowly getting closer and closer. They had stare downs in Lindsay's room but no attacks. They even laid on the bed together, but not so peacefully. The second attempt at laying together was whens he jumped on the bed again, but in front of him. He hissed at her and she backed up till she slid back off the bed.



Holly was running in mad circles for a minute. Lindsay gave her a stuffed crab to play with. She picks it up in her mouth and flings it about or tries to pick it up with her paws and bring it to her mouth, forgetting about the collar. She forgets about the collar a lot.

She is taking her medicine a little better, but that is only because I wrap her up in a towel (as per Lindsay's suggestion). Make a little kitty burrito.

pink liquid down the gob

Exchanged out a pile of things at the library, as per my Monday schedule. I now have two seasons of Deadwood (they are short seasons), Dogville, Strangers with Candy(the complete series), an illustration book, a packaging design book, and a nature inspired art book. Big big haul and it filled up one of my baskets. Craig was in the library and we talked a little about kittens and summers.

Jen got a job. So I guess it can be done, I just have to apply myself a lot better.

Lindsay came back from her weekend in the woods. She was profusely dirty but it looked like she had fun. Her hands are rubbed a little raw from doing the light show. Ibanez was glad to see her.

I am so exhausted, far more than any reasonable person should be during summer.

Deadwood is interesting thus far. Nice scenery and gruff characters saying oodles of bad words.

Holly Update:



Yeah so I woke up at around 6 am. Noisy kitten. I couldn't get back to sleep so I took a shower and ate some breakfast and called the clinic about getting an appointment. The first time I was put on hold and then disconnected, the second time I got through and they were very kind and made an appointment for me at 9. The clinic is on 14th Avenue, a staggering 2 blocks from where I live.

They were very quick to see me. They asked if it was about taking out her stitches and I said, "She took them out herself." They whisked the tiny black and white into the other room and I had read barely a page when the Vet came in and told me they cleaned the area, it was just the outer stitches (she has three levels of them), they put staples in that will have to be out in 10-14 days, I had to dab the area with a warm wash cloth, and I have to give her antibiotics twice a day.

The first antibiotics went okay. It is a liquid so I don't have to force a pill into her. She darted off and frolicked quite happily. Lindsay helped with the second dose. It didn't go quite as well.

Holly sort of goes after Ibanez. She sort of lunged at him and he fled into his room. I try to find time to cuddle Ibanez as well.

I hope she has settled down a little and I can get a good nights sleep. My faithful readers know that I certainly am keen on partying till midnight and later, so the thought of me desiring to be in bed at a quarter past ten must be outrageous.