It's been some time.

I'm working on designing some t-shirts for extra cash, so while I'm doing that, I'm designing a header. We'll see what comes of that. I've also been doing a bunch of crafting, including some t-shirt recycling and sarubobo style plushies. Unfortunately, all that stuff is on hold for the time being, since I'm incapacitated to a degree. Typing is doable with an arm in a sling, but I need free arm movement for sewing and mouse-using for art. Dislocating a shoulder isn't fun. Anyway, I'm really thinking of a split in my blogging--using this space for personal expression, venting, and rambling, and then creating a second blog for crafting and tutorials/recipes. And then actually updating both places more often.

For the past month or so, I've been working alongside my chemist-in-training to transform our backyard into something less overgrown and more kick ass. We now have a picnic area that would be the envy of any campground (complete with homemade picnic table, which is a lot more professional looking than it sounds. It's sturdier, has fewer rough edges, and is more attractive than most store-bought ones), outlined in rocks that I hauled myself (!) and very tidily mulched in. There's also a fire pit in a really neat circle of pebbles. It's surrounded by small trees, brush, and berry bushes (which I now harvest daily. I am going to make a pie). Off from that, there's a path leading into the woods. It splits in two--one way leads to a pair of adirondack chairs with a small table, and a simple (but simply wonderful) swing. I love it. I like to wander out and just hang out on it (again--arm in a sling. Can't safely swing like that) and enjoy being sheltered by a canopy of leafy green. The other side of the path leads off to an area Chris cleaned out for himself. It currently has two platforms set up, and is waiting for the connecting plywood to create a skate ramp. In the woods. It's epic.

When we first started dating, he had a skate ramp up by his house. We used to lay out on it under the stars and talk, occassionally sending his sister's kitten down the ramp on a skateboard. The kitten was my dream cat--all black, all cuddly, and even named the way I'd always planned on naming the cat. His name? Max. Also known to many of my friends as asshole cat. He's currently curled up behind me on the couch, snoring into my ear. It's pretty much his favorite thing to do some days.

Speaking of my friends; I miss them. I want to talk to them again. Unfortunately, Skype locks up my computer every time I try to use it (tried reinstalling and installing older versions, etc.--nothing helps). I'd use another chat client, but don't know what would be best. SO GUYS. ANYONE STILL CHECK THIS THING? If so--what chat client do you use the most other than Skype? I will totally download whatever I need to to pester you people again. I miss you. And I missed Chaos' call the other night. Dammitall.

My new job starts soon. Earlier than planned, actually, which has caused some scrambling insofar as making sure I have things ready in time is concerned. It's a whole different set of concerns preparing a home office than preparing to commute. Hopefully it'll work okay. I just need to stop freaking out about human contact other than Chris and our respective families. I've developed some social anxieties in two years of nearly exclusive confinement to home. Oops. Chris is helping me work on it. It doesn't help that I've still got some health issues to deal with, including increasingly common migraines. Not a fan of migraines.

Not. A. Fan.

Speaking of, I've still got the edge of one gnawing on my head. I should lay back down. Then I can take off the sunglasses I need to be able to look at the computer screen right now. And turn off Horton Hear's A Who, because I just nearly typed "Horton Hears A Goddammit Stop Showcasing The Woodpecker Who." I'm not even really watching it--I just had the TV on low for background noise. Chris isn't currently here (which is odder than ever since he is happily here almost full-time now), so I need it to not feel quite so alone. Snoring cat notwithstanding.

Expect things to liven up a little. Hopefully I won't dissappoint.