Topsy-Turvy, Crazy-Making Chaos

Well, maybe not that bad.  But, there are just some days when the proverbial best laid plans of mice and men totally fall apart and you wonder what the hell is going on.

Today was that kind of a day.  I had to make a phone call for some medical stuff – no  call returned, but I’ll push it more later on.  A friend is being badly treated at work – trying to help her figure out what to do in the sea of contract breech and lies.  Then there were the plans to paint which produced crap.  And a lack of sleep at night and an interrupted nap mid-afternoon.  And then, I have just discovered that steel-cut oats make for a wonderful savory addition to a meal and are not as weird as I thought they would be – they paired really well with tonight’s salmon, fermented mango sauce, tzatziki, and salad.  I mean, that is just too strange for my “oatmeal for breakfast” mentality.

The whole day felt really unproductive and messy.  Somewhere I read that for the French, their verb “etre” (to be) is how they live – more in the moment.  English speakers, on the other hand, live by the verb “to do.”  Life in the English-speaking world is accomplished by things checked off on a list, written or mental.  I really like the idea of living more immediately – flexible to adapt, able to plan, able to accomplish and not accomplish.  The French are smart in that way, if such is true.  I just felt crazy all day!

It is so funny how a culture is determined by words and verbs and habits.  Americans are descended from Puritans – the Australians from criminals!  What a contrast – rules and fear and conformity versus rebelling against society out of need or perversity.  When everything does NOT go as planned, what can you do?  Just kick back and laugh, think about it, and move on.  In the end, I had a quite enjoyable – if unpredictable – day!

Craziness

Busy crazy and crazy people.  I won’t moan on about the latter – the mere fact I even have to deal with them wears me out.  However, busy crazy can be fun.  This weekend was not really creatively productive in any way that I wanted it to be, but it was really nice because I got out with friends and family, and was able to spend a lovely, sunny day outdoors most of Saturday.  I got sunburned, and now sport some tan lines.  Today it is damp and grim, the “May Grey” is spread over Ventura county, from the coast to 30 or more miles inland.  Ugh!

My turquoise pencil set got thrown to the wayside on Wednesday with a crisis.  This kind of stuff makes me really restless, so outdoors and exercise was a good relief.  The pencils will get packed up again, and on a break or at lunch, I promise to use them.  I have nearly finished my Noro shawl, which I hope to put into a pattern format in the next week or two.  I am also starting a slouch beret with some Noro sock yarn, which is coming along rather nicely.  And, I also played with some pictures in Photoshop, Lightroom, as well as did some analytical studies on DOF and hyperfocus.  Not a satisfying weekend with a peaceful feeling leading into Monday’s workday, but a sense of accomplishment in some areas.

Yucca Flowers with Bleach Bypass Filter in Lightroom 3

I really like the results of this preset. And finally, the last of my tulips – the petals are all falling off. These flowers have been like friends all week – I’ve watched them move from closed buds to wide open flowers, and have been entranced by their simple beauty. It is sad to see them leave.

I hope this next week doesn’t make me crazy . . .