Putting the "Fun" in "Funemployment"...

Today is my first real day of unemployment. After returning beauty products I could not afford to Nordstrom and Macy's I had lunch with a friend. Over lunch he asked what I was filling my day of leisure with. I told him that after we ate I was planning on taking my laptop (my new laptop!!!!) to Starbucks to file for unemployment benefits, pretend to look busy, and make eyes at the newest barista (baristo?) in hopes of winning his affection. This friend told me that whenever he goes to Starbucks he ends up making to-do lists and that I should do the same. As I have nothing better to do I decided to give it a shot.

Here's what I have so far...

1) File for unemployment benefits. Status: Complete.
2) Pretend to be busy. Status: Complete. (note: If looking busy could be an occupation I'm pretty sure I would have no trouble finding a job)
3) Make eyes at barista in hopes of winning his affection. Status: Utter failure. (note: first and foremost, pretending to be busy is incredibly time consuming. Between furrowing my brow, staring intently at my computer screen, and occassionally checking my iPhone for very important fake messages there is seldom a moment for "eye making". Second and secondmost, he seems of the "all business at work" mindset. Clearly we might have some compatibility issues.)
4) Add tasks to my "to-do" list. Status: Outlook does not look good.

So that's day 1 of what I had hoped would be "funemployment". My readers will be updated daily as this adventure continues.

Just Another Statistic...

I am joining an elite group comprised of 8.6% of the Washington State labor force on November 19, 2010. Yes, that's right, I am living the new "American Dream" -- I've been laid off.

With this new found free time expect postings galore!

In Training To Be This...

I watched the delightful and inspiring Run Granny Run today. It follows Doris Haddock who at age 90 walked across America to raise awareness of campaign finance corruption and at age 94 ran for New Hampshire's US Senate position. I laughed and of course I cried - but please don't let my tears discrourage you. It was by no means a tear jerker. I'm what they call an "easy cry". Anyways, after watching the movie I wanted to learn a little more about Doris "Granny D" Haddock and I came across this quote of hers...


"You have to keep the young adventurer inside your heart alive long enough for it to someday re-emerge. It may take some coaxing and some courage, but that person is in you always - never growing old."

This is a sentiment I want to keep in mind as I immerse myself further and further into "real life" as a young adult. I don't want to get bogged down by the rules, pragmatism, and propriety that I am asked to comply with daily.

Anyways that's my little poorly written soap box speech for the day.

Happy Friday!

Hello, It's Me...

Before I begin this real, honest-to-goodness post I shall apologize for my laziness. It's been weeks since I put anything up, I know. I could tell you that my computer broke (which it did) and I could tell you that I've been frightfully busy (which is almost true) but I'd rather skip it and just say "I'm sorry". Onward, ho!

Admittedly my world is a little small and so when I make this announcement I know that it's gravity will not be quite as monumental for the reader as it is for this author but the announcement will be made nonetheless.
I have my very first interior styling gig!!!!!!!!!
By gig, of course I mean a completely volunteer based assignment with an incredibly limited budget. The Senior Center I volunteer at is starting a new day program for people in the early stages of memory loss. As is the case with any normal 25-year-old, memory loss is a pet interest of mine and so I am helping organize the open house and hopefully facilitating the artistic expression portions of the semimonthly group (cross your fingers that my "glitter-as-therapy" activities are approved!). Anyways, before any of this can happen the cinderblock and forest green basement space that we will be utilizing must be transformed into a coccoon of calm, comfort, and coziness. *Cue my eager squeals of "I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT! I CAN DO IT". Shockingly, no one else at the center has any desire to scour Goodwill, estate sales, and craigslist in an effort to achieve this makeover and so do it I shall!!

This being a low budget (albeit glamorous) volunteer project there are limitations and they are as follows:
1) This arrangement will need to be easily set up and put away. The center uses each of its rooms for every activity you can imagine and so the space is not a dedciated one.
2) I have $100 to make magic happen.

Let's be honest, #2 is a piece of cake. #1 on the other hand is a little tricky but I'm up for the challenge of turning something that looks like this...


Into something that looks like this...

or this...

or this...

So those might be a reach. The point is inspiration is flowing and I'm ready to get shopping!!!!

Updates shall be forthcoming!

Oh Happiest Day!

Back in June upon reading this decor8 entry which featured this picture...


I was haunted. I showed everyone I knew this exquisite portrait. I had to have one of my very own to hang here...


So I spent hours googling "painted" + "dog" + "portrait" + "cone" + "wearing" and while this search blessed me with him I was still no where near finding a coned canine to call my own.

Today the search has ended and sometime between August 6th and August 12th my very own Kranker Hund by Michael Sowa will be waiting for me at home. Thank you design*sponge for this morning's living in:amelie which featured the picture that ended my multi-month long search...

I feel decidely unhip as the print I have been lusting after for months was from a well known movie and I failed to recognize it. C'est la vie... it will soon be mine!!!

Plotting My Return...

Update on the horizon.

Cube Fever...

I am a little distracted today. Seattle is in full fledged "disaster relief" mode. Which, for those not familiar with the Pacific Northwest mindset, means that it has finally reached temperatures worthy of summer status and the pastey Seattle-ites are already praying for a swift return of gray clouds and rain. Being a newcomer to the Emerald City I am finding this change of climate incredibly encouraging and exciting. So, seeing this current weather report...
I am asking myself what on earth I am doing sitting in one of these...

Instead of packing a picnic, throwing on a summer a dress, heading to the beach, and reliving a little piece of this....

{Thanks Katie for pictures!}

I have 45 minutes left and I am really trying to be productive. Reviewing my notes from this morning's staff meeting I found a handout on the Theory of Gerotranscendence which its creator hails as a "path toward widsom in old age". When we discussed it this morning I thought, "I may only be 25 but I'm sure I could start working on my gerotranscendence now... in no time the Dalai Lama will be g-chatting me for advice!" I started off by reading the list entitled "Signs of gerotranscendence". I think I have made impressive strides already as many item are checked off, however there is one that is making me question my decision to remain seated at my desk (no matter how comfortable my new office chair is). This one in particular is serving as great inspiration to free myself from the shackles of employment:

"More spontaneity. You gladly ignore unnecessary social rules and etiquette... Old habits, routines, and principles no longer seem as important."

After reading this my inner old lady is yelling with wisdom "Get up and get ye' to a beach". I am so incredibly tempted if only my retirement fund had more than $50 to its name. It seems that waiting until I reach the "gero" portion of my "gerotranscendence" to dip into it might be prudent.

Oh prudence! You get me everytime. It looks like my beach time remains relegated to evenings and weekends.