School is hard work

Apparently sitting at a desk day in and day out is bad for you. I never really liked working in an office mainly because it was boring, but I realize now that all I did was move my fingers for 8-10 hours a day. Now that I am walking to class, carrying fifty pound blobs of clay, mixing several hundred pound batches of clay and operating heavy machinery, I realize just how out of shape I am. Every muscle in my body hurts every day.

My first assignment in ceramics is to make a chess set and 12 objects under 9" tall. Today I made enough chess pieces for two chess sets. Did you know that there are 32 pieces in a chess set, not including the board? I have over 64 pieces laying on the shelf in the studio. I think I got a little carried away with the extruder.

My first assignment in Jewelry is to make 5 rings by February 14th that relate to myself and society. Why oh why do we have to do and think? I can handle doing, but thinking.

I am off to bed so that I can get up early tomorrow and get back to the studio. This is so much fun!

"Ma'am I am calling from citicorp to inform you of informational materials you will be receiving in the mail regarding our new program which will protect your credit if you are laid off or unable to work."

No thank you, I don't want this program even if it is free. I don't want it. Click.


Telemarketers are like Sam from "Green Eggs and Ham". Sam would never take no for an answer and finally got the guy to try the green eggs and ham. I think that tale is about salesmanship and persistance rather than trying something new. If only the guy who didn't want the new food could have just hung up on Sam.

Paper Moths
Silver
2004

This set is an exploration of paper folding and how it is applied to metal. I created this simple moth-like shape and wanted to give the impression of moths fluttering around the wearer. By applying pressure to the individual folded pieces, each "moth" became a unique creature. The fanciful patterns of flight and the light, carefree fluttering of a paper moths attracted to the wearer.

Fractal
Silver
2004

This bracelet was inspired by the work of Francesco Pavan. His work is characterized by geometric lines and forms. I have always been fascinated with equations and the lines and shapes they form. This bracelet is a simple visualization of a fractal, an equation that creates a beautiful winding and intertwining form.

The Beanstalk
Silver and Fiberfill
2004

This work is the visualization of the fairy tale. The beanstalk soars unfettered up to the clouds and a new world above defying convention and physical law. It is my personal exploration of childhood memory and myth intertwined.

I know fear.

Going back to school is terrifying. I have been out of the art program for 1 1/2 years while I worked and paid bills. I went to my first class today and I didn't know anybody. Okay, I am acquainted with some of the people, but I know they don't like me. I don't smoke pot or cigarrettes, I have never even tried an illegal substance and I may have voted Republican once or twice in the past. All hanging offences in the Art Department. I am also an unashamed capitalist. I like money. I like making money. I like having money and spending money.

Oh my God, why did I think this was such a good idea? All of my agressive assertive genes go into hiding around new people and I feel helpless. I have to clean up this huge dirty room (you know how I love to clean). My idea of making art is about being alone. There are 21 people in my class.

I have to go to jewelry in about two hours. I hope I make it.

Celebration

I came home to hear this funny message on my answering machine. Natashia was singing "Celebration".

What is the big news? I am officially going back to school this Spring to work on my art degree. I am no longer a paralegal/bookkeeper. No longer one of the suffering masses who must work to eat. (Well, for a week or two anyway) I am not sure what I will have to blog about if I can't bitch and I haven't the faintest idea what I will talk to my therapist about.

Bill is calling me saying, "The chili is ready."

Goodnight.

Another Angle

 

Bracelet

I made this bracelet using pieces of my grandmother's jewelry. I placed photos of my grandmother inside the bracelet to be a secret comfort to the wearer 

Clerks

What is it about the rest of the world? I guess I am just superior to everyone around me. No one thinks anymore. I asked the new payroll clerk for the printout that she did not include with my year-end paycheck. She printed it out and gave it to me. This year-end printout only shows paycheck and tax distributions for December 27, 2005. Has she ever done payroll before? Does she understand that the paystub/printout usually contains cumulative information? Salary information for the entire year? The old clerk didn't seem that bright, but the new one is worse.

Don't be fooled by a degree, ask to see the MENSA membership card.

New Year's Resolutions

Now that I am no longer in charge of the law office, BM is running things. (You all realize by now that the weak link is BM, not me. He is the bottleneck, the loser of files and papers, the procrastinator, the ADHD/OCD combo.) My fellow staff have informed of Boss Man's list of New Year's Resolutions to make things better at the office.

1. Boss Man's employees are just that, HIS employees, whether at work, home or play we are HIS employees.

2. All staff, including and especially Lisa (I have previously refused to participate), will carry a blue "At A Glance" calendar with them at all times. It will be kept up to date and will go home with them at night. (We all have computers on our desks which are linked to this great calendaring and database managment software called "Time Matters". By the way, Why do we need to take the calendar home at night?)

3. The calendar will be up to date. One person will be responsible for it. No one else will have anything to do with the calendar or double check this one person. The calendar person will be perfect and enter all information, even the information located in BM's car, box of papers, or brain. The calendar will be perfect.

4. Boss Man is going to move cases this year, get rid of the small stuff. To accomplish this, he has lined up 70 client files on his credenza to keep him on track. (Did I mention ADHD?) The file room is just for overflow.

5. There is no reason for anyone to be a clockwatcher when they are BM's employees, therefore the practice is working to legalize slavery in the U.S. so that we will be eagerly available 24/7. This will also eliminate the need for wages.

6. Boss Man will spy on his employees by making copies of all post-its on their desks, periodically taking every paper out of every tray in their office and going through it at home, and engaging in office gossip. This will be done without warning or regard to what the employee is working on or actual communication with the employee in question.

I am back in Nac!

Wow, what a holiday. I spent two and a half weeks driving all over the eastern half of the U.S. Bill and I covered Chicago, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cincinatti, Charleston, Lexington, Charlottesville, Knoxville, Gatlinburg, Chatanooga, Little Rock, Texarkana, Shreveport, Birmingham, Jackson. We drove 3,000 miles and I got one ticket for $111.00 in Virginia. I think I should just throw it away and avoid that state in the future. Ha Ha.

I really didn't want to come back. I have never not cared about coming home before. I am usually eager to get back into the swing of things. This year, I would like to buy an RV and go see the western side of the U.S.

The law office can finally cope without me. I sat at my desk and realized that all of my trays were empty. Every single one of them. Even the filing tray for the bills I have paid. I guess BM has decided to micromanage me even more. It's great, I will just keep shrinking until I disappear. That will show them.

I have a notebook full of ideas for my art and I can hardly wait to get in my studio and get to work. Some are saleable ideas and some are horrid installation pieces designed to make you uncomfortable, curious, or maybe even angry. Art is so much fun.

Happy New Year

A quite evening at home with the family watching K-1 fighting, eating chocolate fondue with bananas, strawberries and tangerines, a glass or two or Regale Rose sparkling wine and a high five with the one you love at midnight.

What should my New Year's resolution be?

I know:

Get married in 2006!