~ the drinking of martinis ~
I awoke this morning feeling great - - well rested, having slept for seven whole entire hours! Recently, I made a list for myself of things that I need to make a point of accomplishing everyday...sleeping is on that list. While I recognize that insomnia happens, and seems to happen to me frequently, it is crucial for me to make sleep (and the getting to sleep) a priority. I apparently need at least one good solid hour before going to bed in which I completely wind down, drink warm milk, read a completely mindless book (currently reading a selection in Anne Rice's vampire chronicles), and relax. The problem is that I have filled my apartment with things that I love - - books that stimulate my intellectual curiosity, music and a musical instrument, crafty activities such as knitting and sewing projects, etc., etc., and I tend to lose track of time while engrossing myself in them. Anyway, so I feel good today.
I've begun work on a new sewing project. And by "new" I refer to my attempt to remake and improve upon the skirt that I completed a few weeks ago from a Vogue Sewing pattern. Thusfar, unlike for the first try, my seam ripper has been feeling all lonely and unloved. Sad seam ripper. Additionally, there are various things about the pattern that don't fly for me, and during my previous go at the pattern, I tried to ameliorate said "things" and, in the process, created other flaws. I feel that I now have a better sense of the skirt that I want to make, regardless of the pattern. Yesterday I had the time to make the pleats on each panel and they came out beautiful - - much better than the first time. For reasons unknown to myself, the pattern called for cutting off the extra fabric from the pleats - - and perhaps an experienced sewer could make this look quality, but my end result simply looked amature and tacky. Screw the pattern! I sewed the extra fabric to either side to make it neat and tidy, and what an improvement!
In other news, over the weekend I helped Josh to win $100 at his work's Christmas party. Yea, I rock. The party was at not-my-favorite sushi place and they were playing various biking movies, including the 1986 bmx movie Rad which is now on my list of movies that I need to see the entirety of, and with the volumne turned on. Watching it in minute-length increments at a sushi party with the volumne turned off was awesome, and all, but I'm intrigued. At one point, I did watch it for about five minutes at once when there was a dance contest and the bmx-guy and the bmx-girl decided to compete in the dance competition while performing bmx tricks. Naturally, they put the preppy kids to shame!
Also, there's finally snow on the mountain and snowboarding this weekend was fantastic. Josh and I got up there fifteen minutes before they opened and the lifts were already operating. We had one of the best snowboarding experiences - - perfect conditions, not too many people, good skills & confidence in our riding. The mountain is going to open up for night skiing this week and I'm looking forward to that.
And I am not at all prepared for the holidays. As usual, I am totally stumped about what to get for people and am way way behind on my holiday knitting. I can't say that I'm really feeling the holiday spirit, or whatever. I really need to get my hinie in gear, knit and bake cookies.
You are a busy busy body! Thanks for making time for me & boggle tonight. I think you'll find some christmas cheer at Bogus and under the tree in the next several days-I'm looking forward to it. night!
Posted by: Josh | December 19, 2006 11:18 PM
Hmm. Please share with us what the competition was about. The few corporate christmas parties I have attended did not not include any competitions so I have no clue. My experience from these events tells me that the focal point usually is some kind of dinner, although this year we did have a sauna and swam in the baltic sea.
Posted by: martin | December 20, 2006 2:29 PM
The competition in which I helped Josh to win $100? One of the managers had taken many many envelopes and placed a money bill into each. The bills varied in amounts, from one dollar, five dollars, ten, twenty, and one envelope with a one-hundred dollar bill. Each employee selected a sealed envelope and had the chance to either keep it or select a different one (without looking inside). After he or she had decided, the envelope was opened and the employee got to keep whatever was inside. On Josh's first try, he pulled out a one-dollar bill, which he promptly gave to the bartender as a tip. When his second try was up, he was not at his seat, and his boss had me select an envelope for him. Upon Josh's return, I told him that he had to keep the envelope that I had chosen, because I had chosen it!, and he consented - - wisely, as it contained the one and only $100 bill. Actually, it was a stupid game, except for that people were getting free money. I cannot explain to you why they did this, and it was not reflective of normal work holiday parties.
Posted by: Jennifer | December 20, 2006 4:24 PM