I had lunch with a friend over the weekend and he said something that really stuck. Since he understands my struggle with bipolar he asked how I was doing and I gave the typical meh answer because I'm still not at perfect. Stable-ish, my boats only have small holes but my head is over water.
But then he something to the effect of, "...but look at you since 5 years ago..." and I back stored that for something to write on because there is so much that has happened since then. It took 5 years to get me basically where I dreamed of being all throughout college and in high school.
Memory doesn't serve me well but I will try to recount the changes. Looking back I wish I had stuck to my journaling so I could tell when exact;y pivot points happened but from what I can compile from the internet and memory is the following.
2011
I was going to Oakland University full time. Back at home.
In June for 2011 I went on an archaeological expedition in Israel. Probably one my life pivoting points. It was physically taxing but I showed myself I could climb the side of an ancient excavation site to the top rocks and throw my arms out to the wind on the edge.
In December I graduated with my Bachelor's in Anthropology with a concentration in Archaeology.
2012
I went back to school to get an associate's in Software Engineering. Back at home.
Loved hard.
2013
And lost hard. Dark times.
I started treatment right away. Therapy and pdoc appointments every other week. It was rough but having gone untreated for so long was worse. I finally had a voice and people were listening. I started meds and we played around until I started to feel human again.
Mid year I met my current boyfriend. We hit it off right away.
<3 at="" between.="" don="" even="" felt="" had="" happen="" have="" how="" i="" in="" it="" life="" like="" line="" looking="" love="" much="" my="" p="" possible="" quickly="" so="" t="" the="" time="" to="" understand="" was="" what="" with="" years="">
<3 at="" between.="" don="" even="" felt="" had="" happen="" have="" how="" i="" in="" it="" life="" like="" line="" looking="" love="" much="" my="" p="" possible="" quickly="" so="" t="" the="" time="" to="" understand="" was="" what="" with="" years="">I started working at my big girl job. I was so unsure in the beginning but I really had nothing to fear. I am a quick learner and I proved it.
2014
Beginning of the year I have no idea, my phone calendar doesn't go back much further.
<3 at="" between.="" don="" even="" felt="" had="" happen="" have="" how="" i="" in="" it="" life="" like="" line="" looking="" love="" much="" my="" p="" possible="" quickly="" so="" t="" the="" time="" to="" understand="" was="" what="" with="" years="">
<3 at="" between.="" don="" even="" felt="" had="" happen="" have="" how="" i="" in="" it="" life="" like="" line="" looking="" love="" much="" my="" p="" possible="" quickly="" so="" t="" the="" time="" to="" understand="" was="" what="" with="" years="">Fought Boyfriend tooth and nail to get away but he managed to convince me for the first year it was going to work.
November I got my tattoo covered up and refreshed to mean more to my current life state.
December I FINISH MY ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE in Software Engineering (I don't know how to code, how did that happen?)
2015
February Boyfriend and I moved in together into a small modest house. It look a long time to find and we were up against others but got chosen for the lease.
I switched my pdoc and dropped therapy for maintenance but I guess I wasn't at the right cocktail yet because I'm still with my pdoc, adjusting my meds to current time.
June 10th 2015 we got our 6 week old kittens. Zelda and Booties. I'd like to think I'm a good mama but they were just so darned little and adorable and I loved them so much. I also had some pretty back medical issues around this time but the babies were a comfort.
I remember throwing up at Ren Fest for the very first time. Not one of my best moments.
Big events were going to GenCon in August and Texas to visit my best friend in October. Also my first work conference out of state.
2016....
January: Happy new year! Scrapped my knees like the dickens and laughed about it. It was a good month. Houses.
February: Happy 3rd V-day Boyfriend! We went to see Kizumonogatari part 1 in theaters. Houses?
March: Work work work. Best friend gets older. Houses.
April: Cool adult stuff happens with work but not much to remember. House hunting still.
May: Not much happening to my memory, just looking for houses.
June: Boyfriend becomes an old man batting up to 29. Ready for your mid life crisis? Well that doesn't happened until you're 40 now. Many others I love get a year older. House hunting ensues.
July: The long road of looking for houses and just never finding one that had the needs with some wants anywhere near our price range. SGDQ 2016 happens.
August: A lot of good things happened in August. Some things I can't talk about but GenCon happened! And it was great and I loved every minute of it. But mainly we found the "one" house! Somewhat in our price range. I can't believe I am going to be a human being that "owns" a house/ The biggest investment of my life and all I can think about is what furniture we will need and where to hang all the art. Oh and I finally got my silver hair. Oh oh, and Boyfriend and I are together for 3 years.
September: Seemingly taking forever to come. We are going to be closing on our very first house. I'm so scared and excited at the same time.
Monday, August 29, 2016
Sunday, August 28, 2016
Chapter of My Life: #GenCon 2016
Gen Con 2016
Wednesday: Are we sleeping in the car?!
I thought we were more prepared this year. We made it cheaper by bringing our own snacks and Ramen cup lunches. We basically ate off food trucks the whole time for dinner so that also saved us a few bucks. This year was not spectacular though. I made the mistake of over loading my Thursday with classes/events leaving little time for food or generally getting orientated. We got lucky on Wednesday. We were supposed to stay at a friend of a friend's place so we could register early (my first class was Thursday 9 am). Also you know, make new friends. But that plan fell through. We were SO lucky a friendly couple let us stay with them since their room mate wasn't going to be in their room (she got sick). And so we got to make some new friends!
Thursday: Class overload
As I mentioned I over loaded on classes. I ended up taking a book binding class which we ran out of time to finish our books (boo) it was fairly expensive too. I cancelled my second book binding class (a different technique) in lieu for a break and dinner. We did a little dealer's room but mostly wandered around until my next class which was geeky painting. There was no real direction to the class and nothing particularly geeky about it so I was a bit miffed I paid for the class. Technique was not taught, nothing to go off of. Just, I guess, a little time to relax and paint. The teacher had scrapbooking supplies up the wazoo that I should have taken more advantage of but whatever. We got 3 canvases of different sizes so I themed mine around dragons. I didn't get to finish 2 of the painting and haven't gotten around to them since I've been home.
Per usual we met with the "good" werewolf group that meets in the same place every year under the stairs and played a game. It was too big of a game to play more than one and Matt didn't feel like it so that was about it. We went to bed late that night.
Friday: Cosplay! Cards Against Humanity concert!
Since our Thur-Sat hotel was connected to the con; I got to cosplay this year! Although I didn't finish my Hilda/Ravio couples costumes I did finish my Beemo costume and had a stand Lolita one. Since costumes are so uncomfortable I thought it was great I could go back to the room whenever and swap out to normal clothes. I only ended up feeling good enough to do my Beemo cosplay on Friday (even though the cosplay parade was Saturday). The reason why I choose Friday was because it was the free-est day. We didn't have any classes or commitments. Pure dealer's room free reign. A lot of people did comment on my costume and I did get a few pictures which felt great. It's definitely a motivator to get more cosplays done for next year and/or any other cons we might be able to afford in the future.
Prior to the con I had found out that Cards Against Humanity was having a concert (what that meant exactly I'm not sure in terms of "concert"). I decided it was worth the price to go so I bought the tickets. Boyfriend was so reluctant to go mostly because we had no idea what it was going to be like. Earlier in the day I had did a little research and found out it sells out every year and is a big thing GenCons go to. Reviews saying it was worth the price.
We got there and got some silly pictures (I won't be sharing) representing the cards we like the most. But we're so awkward we just ended up doing dirty poses. We got a swag bag (pictured below) full of rando stuff and some (what i thought was) exclusive CAH card packs. Our seats were pretty good, it was easy to see the whole stage. It started late with a funny scrolling "what upset you the most about GenCn so far" text entry presentation screen. Some funny jokes were made.
The show consisted of the CAH panel talking about their favorite rejected cards followed by stand up comedy and song comedy by some well known people. I couldn't get over H. Jon Benjamin's voice thinking about Archer and Bob's Burgers.
Now I thought it was going from 8-10 pm. But I was very, very wrong. it went 8-past midnight. But in hindsight it was still very worth it. A fun side quest I wouldn't mind doing again next year with better seats. CAH Haul:
Saturday: True Dungeon!
Saturday was devoted to True Dungeon. We had time in the morning to wonder around but I think we got up late so we didn't have too much time because it started around 1 pm. I was a little sad I had to cancel the book binding class I actually wanted to attend but it saved us money and time. We had never done TD before but always heard it was worth the price tag and we were able to score the first and second (back-to-back) dungeon tickets.
We started on easy mode (no one dies) because we were first timers but the rest of the people with us (including kids, yuck) agreed it was fine. I played a Wizard my first Dungeon, boyfriend played a Cleric. The "things" we had to learn to use our powers were simple but seemed scary. I felt like a dork most of the time because I just kept pointing out irrelevant things in the rooms that our guide just had to be in character and be like "ignore that." I won't go into too much more detail but it was a lot of fun and the tokens you get you keep. So the second dungeon we were playing with generous well organized people. I was a Rouge this time, much more stressful and boyfriend played a Barbarian. We played normal mode which was a little harder but did it fine. Both times since we didn't die we got prize tokens but no ledgendaries. We can play with the same tokens next year which we plan to do.
Sunday
Sunday we were going to do our shopping and play some games in the dealer room but I just couldn't wake up. We had put all the stuff in the car when we checked out but I just kept stumbling around with my eyes half closed. I've been having a hard time waking up recently so I attribute it to that but I'm sad it cut our time short. Boyfriend basically understood and we headed out early (I wanna say noon). On the ride home I totally clunked out (which I can usually never sleep while traveling) for like an hour. Then the rest of the way home I was awake and able to keep him company.
Overall
Worth. So worth. Our haul this year is much smaller (I didn't do any tournaments and we didn't buy any games because of the whole house situation) but it has some quality stuff. Listed under picture:
1 baseball gen con tee
1 pikachu plush
1 seal in a shark costume plush
1 lamb plush
2 CAH expansion packs
Buttons galore
3 painting canvases
1 partly finished leather bound book
2 capsule dice for some game I have no idea (thought they were d6's)
1 set blue matching free gen con d6 of dice
Buttload of TD tokens
1 set rainbow dice
1 set synthetic large size opal dice
More buttons
Our TD character cards
1 misshapened thermo-plastic rupee
2 adorable fox posters from independent artist
Wednesday: Are we sleeping in the car?!
I thought we were more prepared this year. We made it cheaper by bringing our own snacks and Ramen cup lunches. We basically ate off food trucks the whole time for dinner so that also saved us a few bucks. This year was not spectacular though. I made the mistake of over loading my Thursday with classes/events leaving little time for food or generally getting orientated. We got lucky on Wednesday. We were supposed to stay at a friend of a friend's place so we could register early (my first class was Thursday 9 am). Also you know, make new friends. But that plan fell through. We were SO lucky a friendly couple let us stay with them since their room mate wasn't going to be in their room (she got sick). And so we got to make some new friends!
Thursday: Class overload
As I mentioned I over loaded on classes. I ended up taking a book binding class which we ran out of time to finish our books (boo) it was fairly expensive too. I cancelled my second book binding class (a different technique) in lieu for a break and dinner. We did a little dealer's room but mostly wandered around until my next class which was geeky painting. There was no real direction to the class and nothing particularly geeky about it so I was a bit miffed I paid for the class. Technique was not taught, nothing to go off of. Just, I guess, a little time to relax and paint. The teacher had scrapbooking supplies up the wazoo that I should have taken more advantage of but whatever. We got 3 canvases of different sizes so I themed mine around dragons. I didn't get to finish 2 of the painting and haven't gotten around to them since I've been home.
Per usual we met with the "good" werewolf group that meets in the same place every year under the stairs and played a game. It was too big of a game to play more than one and Matt didn't feel like it so that was about it. We went to bed late that night.
Friday: Cosplay! Cards Against Humanity concert!
Since our Thur-Sat hotel was connected to the con; I got to cosplay this year! Although I didn't finish my Hilda/Ravio couples costumes I did finish my Beemo costume and had a stand Lolita one. Since costumes are so uncomfortable I thought it was great I could go back to the room whenever and swap out to normal clothes. I only ended up feeling good enough to do my Beemo cosplay on Friday (even though the cosplay parade was Saturday). The reason why I choose Friday was because it was the free-est day. We didn't have any classes or commitments. Pure dealer's room free reign. A lot of people did comment on my costume and I did get a few pictures which felt great. It's definitely a motivator to get more cosplays done for next year and/or any other cons we might be able to afford in the future.
Prior to the con I had found out that Cards Against Humanity was having a concert (what that meant exactly I'm not sure in terms of "concert"). I decided it was worth the price to go so I bought the tickets. Boyfriend was so reluctant to go mostly because we had no idea what it was going to be like. Earlier in the day I had did a little research and found out it sells out every year and is a big thing GenCons go to. Reviews saying it was worth the price.
We got there and got some silly pictures (I won't be sharing) representing the cards we like the most. But we're so awkward we just ended up doing dirty poses. We got a swag bag (pictured below) full of rando stuff and some (what i thought was) exclusive CAH card packs. Our seats were pretty good, it was easy to see the whole stage. It started late with a funny scrolling "what upset you the most about GenCn so far" text entry presentation screen. Some funny jokes were made.
The show consisted of the CAH panel talking about their favorite rejected cards followed by stand up comedy and song comedy by some well known people. I couldn't get over H. Jon Benjamin's voice thinking about Archer and Bob's Burgers.
Now I thought it was going from 8-10 pm. But I was very, very wrong. it went 8-past midnight. But in hindsight it was still very worth it. A fun side quest I wouldn't mind doing again next year with better seats. CAH Haul:
Saturday: True Dungeon!
Saturday was devoted to True Dungeon. We had time in the morning to wonder around but I think we got up late so we didn't have too much time because it started around 1 pm. I was a little sad I had to cancel the book binding class I actually wanted to attend but it saved us money and time. We had never done TD before but always heard it was worth the price tag and we were able to score the first and second (back-to-back) dungeon tickets.
We started on easy mode (no one dies) because we were first timers but the rest of the people with us (including kids, yuck) agreed it was fine. I played a Wizard my first Dungeon, boyfriend played a Cleric. The "things" we had to learn to use our powers were simple but seemed scary. I felt like a dork most of the time because I just kept pointing out irrelevant things in the rooms that our guide just had to be in character and be like "ignore that." I won't go into too much more detail but it was a lot of fun and the tokens you get you keep. So the second dungeon we were playing with generous well organized people. I was a Rouge this time, much more stressful and boyfriend played a Barbarian. We played normal mode which was a little harder but did it fine. Both times since we didn't die we got prize tokens but no ledgendaries. We can play with the same tokens next year which we plan to do.
Sunday
Sunday we were going to do our shopping and play some games in the dealer room but I just couldn't wake up. We had put all the stuff in the car when we checked out but I just kept stumbling around with my eyes half closed. I've been having a hard time waking up recently so I attribute it to that but I'm sad it cut our time short. Boyfriend basically understood and we headed out early (I wanna say noon). On the ride home I totally clunked out (which I can usually never sleep while traveling) for like an hour. Then the rest of the way home I was awake and able to keep him company.
Overall
Worth. So worth. Our haul this year is much smaller (I didn't do any tournaments and we didn't buy any games because of the whole house situation) but it has some quality stuff. Listed under picture:
1 baseball gen con tee
1 pikachu plush
1 seal in a shark costume plush
1 lamb plush
2 CAH expansion packs
Buttons galore
3 painting canvases
1 partly finished leather bound book
2 capsule dice for some game I have no idea (thought they were d6's)
1 set blue matching free gen con d6 of dice
Buttload of TD tokens
1 set rainbow dice
1 set synthetic large size opal dice
More buttons
Our TD character cards
1 misshapened thermo-plastic rupee
2 adorable fox posters from independent artist
Sunday, August 21, 2016
Art: Making a Ploymer Clay Dragon
Recently I picked up a new hobby. There is this certain artists whose work I REALLY would love to get my hands on but her pieces sell for well over $400 a pop. Not the kind of money I have (or had due to house). So I figured, why not try to make my own and learn a new skill?
I only used the artist as a reference. I don't copy her art, I adapt some aspects to my own. Previous to finding a how by the artist I was just winging it so my dragons are clumsily made, not high quality. I want to get better so I keep practicing.
Here are the current ones I've made (earilest to latest):
Whisper was made after seeing the how to tutorial video. She didn't turn out right, her tail cracked. But I was able to gain the ability to make wings finally. Whisper is also considerably smaller than all the others. She only took about 1 block of base color for her whole body. limbs and such. A money saver. But she was considerably harder to keep smooth, add horns and keep limbs attached.
I started sketching out my dragons first then using that as a base and then using other artist's embellishment techniques to create my dragons. Here is the phase of a first gen dragon:
First I named the pose "Scared/Frightened." Then I sketched it out. And pick the colors.
Then I made the base entirely of clay (now I use tin foil as an base). This is a picture with the tail also added which was my second step. I have become considerably better at adding tails after viewing a tutorial that said so make an indent in the tail top and THEN attached it. Makes smoothing much easier.
Thirdly, after the base and tail I did my best to add the feet and contour the back with an arch. I'm not great at anatomy (I'd like to take some classes) I just used my cats as reference. The tail kept drooping so I had to add wire to get it to stay up. I was afraid to use it at first because I didn't know if it would crack but I did know the temperature you bake them at is low enough that nothing would happen to the actual metal.
Fourth step was to start deciding and adding embellishments. At first I tried to add them all except any jewels. This proved a bad idea on earlier dragons because the part became brittle and easily fell off with the brush of a cat's tail. So from the second dragon on I pretty much only added some parts that would be the most secure to the actual base and then baked horns etc separate and super glued them on after all cooled.
Here is the final picture. I do have 2-3 unique techniques I use with every dragon, The swirl horn at the tip of the nose, the leaf or diamond shaped tail end and most of the time the "scale" at the base of the biggest horn.
So far this has proven to be a very relaxing and accomplished feeling I have gotten out of anything in a while. It gets harder and harder as I try to mimic and incorporate more techniques but I think if I keep working at it, maybe when I've got my style down packed I can start selling these little dudes.
Which reminds me, I don't have a name for these yet! I might branch out into things other than dragons so I'm trying to think of a name that will encompass that expansion. Lil buds and Mini dragons were stupid names I was thinking of but I need to seriously consider the brand and com eup with something my own. If you have suggestions please leave them below!
Just made this week:
Joy
I only used the artist as a reference. I don't copy her art, I adapt some aspects to my own. Previous to finding a how by the artist I was just winging it so my dragons are clumsily made, not high quality. I want to get better so I keep practicing.
Here are the current ones I've made (earilest to latest):
Toots
Robert (keeps falling apart)
Annabelle
Ben
Whisper (has cracks on the back side of her tail)
Devilon
Shiba
Clover
Whisper was made after seeing the how to tutorial video. She didn't turn out right, her tail cracked. But I was able to gain the ability to make wings finally. Whisper is also considerably smaller than all the others. She only took about 1 block of base color for her whole body. limbs and such. A money saver. But she was considerably harder to keep smooth, add horns and keep limbs attached.
I started sketching out my dragons first then using that as a base and then using other artist's embellishment techniques to create my dragons. Here is the phase of a first gen dragon:
First I named the pose "Scared/Frightened." Then I sketched it out. And pick the colors.
Then I made the base entirely of clay (now I use tin foil as an base). This is a picture with the tail also added which was my second step. I have become considerably better at adding tails after viewing a tutorial that said so make an indent in the tail top and THEN attached it. Makes smoothing much easier.
Thirdly, after the base and tail I did my best to add the feet and contour the back with an arch. I'm not great at anatomy (I'd like to take some classes) I just used my cats as reference. The tail kept drooping so I had to add wire to get it to stay up. I was afraid to use it at first because I didn't know if it would crack but I did know the temperature you bake them at is low enough that nothing would happen to the actual metal.
Fourth step was to start deciding and adding embellishments. At first I tried to add them all except any jewels. This proved a bad idea on earlier dragons because the part became brittle and easily fell off with the brush of a cat's tail. So from the second dragon on I pretty much only added some parts that would be the most secure to the actual base and then baked horns etc separate and super glued them on after all cooled.
Here is the final picture. I do have 2-3 unique techniques I use with every dragon, The swirl horn at the tip of the nose, the leaf or diamond shaped tail end and most of the time the "scale" at the base of the biggest horn.
So far this has proven to be a very relaxing and accomplished feeling I have gotten out of anything in a while. It gets harder and harder as I try to mimic and incorporate more techniques but I think if I keep working at it, maybe when I've got my style down packed I can start selling these little dudes.
Which reminds me, I don't have a name for these yet! I might branch out into things other than dragons so I'm trying to think of a name that will encompass that expansion. Lil buds and Mini dragons were stupid names I was thinking of but I need to seriously consider the brand and com eup with something my own. If you have suggestions please leave them below!
Just made this week:
Joy
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Chapter of My Life: My First #SGDQ 2016
THE PLAN
This year my SO got a speed run spot on SGDQ! I am so proud of him. All the nights we spent pretty much no time together while he streamed and practiced paid off. Also probably makes him happy because I've become accustomed to spending more time by myself.
So the story goes, my SO wanted to go the whole week. I dropped him off at the airport on Saturday all mopey because I knew he would be gone for a week. He's good at dropping off the face of the planet, and I was already having a rough time (medication swaps). But while I wiped away my single tear while I drove home I came up with this plan. If I could get Friday off, I could leave at 8 or 9 am and make it to Minneapolis by 7 or 8 ish pm if i drove. And I could surprise him and support him!
So then the plan spiraled. I found out I couldn't get a badge because badge purchase was closed weeks before and you couldn't buy any on site. I thought to myself, 'it doesn't matter, I don't need a badge; I just need to be there for support.' So at work I polled my team mates: Should I go or shouldn't I? I got 50/50 answers really so I decided to go forward. As soon as I found out I got Friday off I started planning my surprise. I had said I was going to drive but the problem with that was: I arrive Friday PM, stay up until 6 something AM Minneapolis time to watch, donate and support him. THEN have to drive home Saturday afternoon (he had volunteering to do Saturday night anyway) or at the very least be back in Michigan by 2 pm Sunday so I could pick him up from the airport. That being said, driving was thrown out and I turned to flights.
Random time, random date, random weekend. I only paid a little more than he did to fly out (I dropped my car in the airport lot) in the AM and would arrive to the hotel by 4 pm. Best part? My return flight was the SAME as his so we could just go from the airport home together. I had to do some recon and get the blessing of one of his roommates to stay in the hotel room on Friday and Saturday night. Constantly figuring out what he was doing, his volunteer schedule, his rooming situation and everything else I had to be sneaky about but it was hard. I eventually got all I needed.
I committed and bought my ticket with fear and excitement. Fear I would upset him, excitement to going to a new place and seeing him and supporting him and possibly getting a mini vacation.
THE SURPRISE
Well it was a let down mostly. When I finally arrived at the hotel, I hid myself off to the side. I was going to scheme with our friend from online, who I thought was back at her B&B sick. But since she was sick I was thinking of ways to surprise him while on the plane. I settled on the following course of texts:
"Man I could really use a hug and a kiss after that stressful meeting."
Expected response: "You'll see me on Sunday"
Actual response: "Sorry hun."
"Wouldn't it be funny if I was in the lobby right now ready for one?"
Expected response: *wanders into lobby, finds me, big hug*
Actual response: "Uh, sure. I guess that would be funny."
At this point I couldn't be sneaky anymore...
"Maybe you should check."
Expected response: *wanders into lobby, finds me, big hug*
Actual response: "No troll pls"
I was getting deflated at this point.
"Are you going to check?"
I expected nothing after this but this is what happened.
I got up from where I was sitting, walked a few steps toward the lobby door and instinctively turned around and looked up. Then I saw him and our friend standing there on the balcony. Big surprise ruined. They both eventually came down to meet me and I got a weak hearted hug. I was really bummed. He later told me he was stressed because he thought he needed to take care of me while I was there which just added to his other stress about the run.
THE EXPERIENCE
Friday night I did not sleep, there were 2 beds and 4 guys and none of them chivalrous enough to offer me a bed spot save my SO but I didn't want to be in bed with a stranger or anyone else for that matter. So I squished myself into a nook with a blanket and some pillows and hunkered down to stay up all night so I would be awake for my SO's speed run. His run went fine and I donated and watched on my laptop from the room since they would not make an exception to let me sit in on his run.
Saturday morning we had breakfast together and proceeded to wander around for a while. Then my SO and our friend really needed a nap, her being sick and him having tossed and turned all of the 5 hours he slept. So we went back to the room. They crawled into bed together and I did stuff on my laptop. I got tired of waiting for them to wake up so I went swimming (which turned out to be the worse idea I had. I ended up leaving my swim suit there which cost around $60 and I had JUST bought the top). They continued to sleep and I continued to do laptop stuff. Eventually they woke up and we got lunch. Rest of the day was a blur but since I couldn't do anything I left them to go have fun and headed back to the room.
Terrible mistake. I was running off no sleep and one of the roommates was still in the room. He took over the TV so I was forced to watch sports. But whatever right? That was just the beginning. I went out and got dinner, as did he and I came back to an empty room. I needed to go to bed early Saturday night to make up for lost time so I wanted to take my pills and be asleep by 8 or 9. It was around 6 ish after I finished eating that this dude showed back up with one of his friends. They had beers and started chatting but I had a bed all to myself so I sat there and put my headphones in and caught up on some Rick & Morty. Then another guy showed up. Then they started blasting Korean r & b. Then ANOTHER guy showed up. So I'm in this room of strangers, with no where to hide or go so I continued to try to watch my TV show on my laptop but I couldn't drown them out with the headphones I had at hand.
This lasted until only around 8 pm thankfully, they left somewhere, likely a bar. I was afraid to go to sleep with all the electronics just laying about so I had to wait until 9 when my SO got off volunteering so he could pick it all up and have it with him in the backpack. Eventually that happened, I closed the curtains and went to sleep. What transpired after that I have no idea because I was out cold. We got up the next morning and headed out for our plane.
WAS IT WORTH IT?
I'm still not sure. It was certainly NOT a vacation for me. It DID cost a pretty penny. But I did get to see SGDQ up close and personal. I got to personally and physically be in the vicinity to support my SO. Also I got to meet our friend in person. My SO never admitted to being happy I came, more than likely due to the money it cost over the stress he felt. So I'm not sure if it was worth it. But I did do it. And we can mark another city off the map of places WE have been to together.
This year my SO got a speed run spot on SGDQ! I am so proud of him. All the nights we spent pretty much no time together while he streamed and practiced paid off. Also probably makes him happy because I've become accustomed to spending more time by myself.
So the story goes, my SO wanted to go the whole week. I dropped him off at the airport on Saturday all mopey because I knew he would be gone for a week. He's good at dropping off the face of the planet, and I was already having a rough time (medication swaps). But while I wiped away my single tear while I drove home I came up with this plan. If I could get Friday off, I could leave at 8 or 9 am and make it to Minneapolis by 7 or 8 ish pm if i drove. And I could surprise him and support him!
So then the plan spiraled. I found out I couldn't get a badge because badge purchase was closed weeks before and you couldn't buy any on site. I thought to myself, 'it doesn't matter, I don't need a badge; I just need to be there for support.' So at work I polled my team mates: Should I go or shouldn't I? I got 50/50 answers really so I decided to go forward. As soon as I found out I got Friday off I started planning my surprise. I had said I was going to drive but the problem with that was: I arrive Friday PM, stay up until 6 something AM Minneapolis time to watch, donate and support him. THEN have to drive home Saturday afternoon (he had volunteering to do Saturday night anyway) or at the very least be back in Michigan by 2 pm Sunday so I could pick him up from the airport. That being said, driving was thrown out and I turned to flights.
Random time, random date, random weekend. I only paid a little more than he did to fly out (I dropped my car in the airport lot) in the AM and would arrive to the hotel by 4 pm. Best part? My return flight was the SAME as his so we could just go from the airport home together. I had to do some recon and get the blessing of one of his roommates to stay in the hotel room on Friday and Saturday night. Constantly figuring out what he was doing, his volunteer schedule, his rooming situation and everything else I had to be sneaky about but it was hard. I eventually got all I needed.
I committed and bought my ticket with fear and excitement. Fear I would upset him, excitement to going to a new place and seeing him and supporting him and possibly getting a mini vacation.
THE SURPRISE
Well it was a let down mostly. When I finally arrived at the hotel, I hid myself off to the side. I was going to scheme with our friend from online, who I thought was back at her B&B sick. But since she was sick I was thinking of ways to surprise him while on the plane. I settled on the following course of texts:
"Man I could really use a hug and a kiss after that stressful meeting."
Expected response: "You'll see me on Sunday"
Actual response: "Sorry hun."
"Wouldn't it be funny if I was in the lobby right now ready for one?"
Expected response: *wanders into lobby, finds me, big hug*
Actual response: "Uh, sure. I guess that would be funny."
At this point I couldn't be sneaky anymore...
"Maybe you should check."
Expected response: *wanders into lobby, finds me, big hug*
Actual response: "No troll pls"
I was getting deflated at this point.
"Are you going to check?"
I expected nothing after this but this is what happened.
I got up from where I was sitting, walked a few steps toward the lobby door and instinctively turned around and looked up. Then I saw him and our friend standing there on the balcony. Big surprise ruined. They both eventually came down to meet me and I got a weak hearted hug. I was really bummed. He later told me he was stressed because he thought he needed to take care of me while I was there which just added to his other stress about the run.
THE EXPERIENCE
Friday night I did not sleep, there were 2 beds and 4 guys and none of them chivalrous enough to offer me a bed spot save my SO but I didn't want to be in bed with a stranger or anyone else for that matter. So I squished myself into a nook with a blanket and some pillows and hunkered down to stay up all night so I would be awake for my SO's speed run. His run went fine and I donated and watched on my laptop from the room since they would not make an exception to let me sit in on his run.
Saturday morning we had breakfast together and proceeded to wander around for a while. Then my SO and our friend really needed a nap, her being sick and him having tossed and turned all of the 5 hours he slept. So we went back to the room. They crawled into bed together and I did stuff on my laptop. I got tired of waiting for them to wake up so I went swimming (which turned out to be the worse idea I had. I ended up leaving my swim suit there which cost around $60 and I had JUST bought the top). They continued to sleep and I continued to do laptop stuff. Eventually they woke up and we got lunch. Rest of the day was a blur but since I couldn't do anything I left them to go have fun and headed back to the room.
Terrible mistake. I was running off no sleep and one of the roommates was still in the room. He took over the TV so I was forced to watch sports. But whatever right? That was just the beginning. I went out and got dinner, as did he and I came back to an empty room. I needed to go to bed early Saturday night to make up for lost time so I wanted to take my pills and be asleep by 8 or 9. It was around 6 ish after I finished eating that this dude showed back up with one of his friends. They had beers and started chatting but I had a bed all to myself so I sat there and put my headphones in and caught up on some Rick & Morty. Then another guy showed up. Then they started blasting Korean r & b. Then ANOTHER guy showed up. So I'm in this room of strangers, with no where to hide or go so I continued to try to watch my TV show on my laptop but I couldn't drown them out with the headphones I had at hand.
This lasted until only around 8 pm thankfully, they left somewhere, likely a bar. I was afraid to go to sleep with all the electronics just laying about so I had to wait until 9 when my SO got off volunteering so he could pick it all up and have it with him in the backpack. Eventually that happened, I closed the curtains and went to sleep. What transpired after that I have no idea because I was out cold. We got up the next morning and headed out for our plane.
WAS IT WORTH IT?
I'm still not sure. It was certainly NOT a vacation for me. It DID cost a pretty penny. But I did get to see SGDQ up close and personal. I got to personally and physically be in the vicinity to support my SO. Also I got to meet our friend in person. My SO never admitted to being happy I came, more than likely due to the money it cost over the stress he felt. So I'm not sure if it was worth it. But I did do it. And we can mark another city off the map of places WE have been to together.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
2016 July/August Pusheen unboxing
Disclaimer: These are not my pictures. I can't find mine.
Pusheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen. Finally another box! So so excited.
My Pusheen Mermaid has some paint smudges. I was trying to contacting the Pusheen peeps but all they sent me was a "we will get back to you in two weeks" email. It's still cute and exclusive. Just holding them up to a high standard to the amount of money I'm paying for each box.
Sunglasssssssessss. They are the shape I like with the cool 80s cat vibe. Flat lenses don't make me feel car sick so I will definitely be using and eventually losing these somewhere.
So this ice cube tray. I'm wondering if I can also use it as a mold and make some personal items (not for sale) with all this polymer clay I have. I don't know how well these do in the oven at the low temp. Will have to look into it. But if nothing else I don't want to ruin the tray. Little Pusheens made of coffee in my coffee would make me mighty happy!
THE FLIP FLOPS FIT! I was so scared they were going to be too small since I always wear a size XL 11/12 in flip flops. They have the same 80s feel and are actually comfortable. Taking these babies with me to my trip to Jamaica in October.
The Iron On Patch is something I wish I had gotten sooner. There is this lightweight hoodie I'm so so in love with and not ready to let go so I tried to patch the holes with patches but they just keep coming back. This would have been a nice addition to the patches already on the shirt but I'll keep it for some other thing.
The Pusheen beach ball, although the cutest ever not something I can really use. We don't have a pool (we won't have a pool at the new house). I really don't know what I will do with this. Maybe try to trade it? Maybe just put it on a shelf in the new place? I really am not sure.
Pusheen travel tote has ALREADY been used! We used it for our GenCon trip to hold all our snacks. The cute 80s theme bag is a nice sized tote. Something I could use at the beach on my trip. :P
Well, well, well. The Pusheen mermaid cup with straw. I use these things ALL THE TIME. Now I can have a Pusheen themed one at work and show off my Pusheen pride. Yay!
Lastly the beach towel, I have left in tiny size intact so I can compact take it on my trip with me. I don't know how big it will be but hopefully enough for me to wrap around myself.
It's a cute overall theme. Nothing I really WANT to get rid of but just not sure about that beach ball. Who knows, we have more space at the house so it might fit somewhere.
8/8 KEEPERS
For things I want to get rid of I trade on some make up trading sites! Check them out below:
Sunday, August 7, 2016
2016 YumeTwins July Unboxing
I know, I know. This is not July. I've got backed up unboxing posts and no chapter of my life posts finished at the moment. I will be switching back to unboxing Wednesdays and chapter Sundays soon.
YumeTwins this month is cute but most of the stuff is meh.
Let's get started.
The Hello Kitty Randoseru charm is just a little box to hold things with. I got the purple/pink one. I might post this one to trade because I don't think I can make use of it.
The Harajuku Kawaii Bracelet is too small for my wrist so I will probably be trading that too. I got the pink/yellow heart shaped one. It's kind of a shame because it is really cute.
Shinada Poodle Plushie as you can see I got the white one but I would have preferred the black one. I'm not sure if I was supposed to get a big AND small on or just random chance of getting a small or large in any of the colors. Either way it's been added to the plushie way of cute.
Hello Kitty or My Melody Memo Pad, unfortunately I got the My Melody pad which I'm far less interested in than the Hello Kitty one. But it's a tiny note pad. I'll find some use for it.
The Hello Kitty or My Melody Plush I lucked out on and got the Hello Kitty one. Although I'm a little disappointed, it's so small. My unique name is "Okane chan" which I'm pretty sure translates to Money chan.
Sanrio Socks! I would have preferred the Hello Kitty ones as you can see the theme here but I did get one of the better Little Twin Stars pair. Still I'm going to trade them out because They probably won't fit my huge feet.
The My Melody or Hello Kitty pouch...got My Melody. Just going to toss that one my swap sites, if nothing happens or interest over time I'm going to use it for make up whilst traveling I guess....
Lastly the Harajuku Princess Tiara. I have no clue what I'm going to use this for but I intent on keeping it. Might be good for a kawaii cosplay of some sort.
Rating: 3/8 keepers
For things I want to get rid of I trade on some make up trading sites! Check them out below:
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