Monday, December 5, 2005 11:06 am  <|>
<235> Haven't The Time: I still intend to try to write more often, but between computer troubles and things, even my more recent attempts at keeping updated have been pushed back a bit. So, for those of you who actually read this on a regular basis, you will want to go back and read the post before this which was also just posted today even though I wrote it on Friday. Hopefully from this point on I will be able to upload entries in real time again. It's getting too confusing and annoying to do it this way.

It's the time of year for nonstop events I suppose. Holiday shopping, year-end money issues, and new year's resolutions... they all get tied up in a bow together for December. For me it's no exception, but I throw all these things on top of the million and one things that I'm already doing. I've been trying to decide on a approach lately for all this. Again, I'm not being overwhelmed per say, but I do feel like I need to structure my time better. I am honestly working on these things plenty of the time, but it feels like nothing gets done because I can't focus on everything at once, so there is always going to be something seemingly being ignored. I'm not quite set on the best way to do this yet. Perhaps picking a certain day each week for a certain item or set of items could work out. Monday for Sticky Art, Tuesday for Metatative, Wednesday for HiNgE and misc items, Thursday to relax, and Friday to go out or relax depending on the week. That structure works for the time after this week (when the rest of my art project for grad will be completed) and before February 15th when the next semester starts. Well, that schedule actually could work, at least as a guideline to get me started. I've purposely left out the weekend, as there are always random amounts of things going on and if there isn't, I'm more than willing to put time into my endeavors where needed. I'm pretty good about that. I love the weekends and not having to be going someplace everyday. I actually get things done around the house, the place stays more organized and clean, and I get my work done. Too often I was always dashing around on the weekends to the point that it was more useful for me to do things during the week and that just never did make any sense. I'm still doing a lot of things, I've just always been on to be pretty much fully entertained whether alone with 'nothing' to do (there is always something to do) or in a group of people. I've just never been one to be bored is all. I've never seen that there should be a problem with that.

I've been having these great bursts of inspiration lately... the will to really do work and for the first time in a long time, the energy to actually do it. What even those closest to me sometimes have trouble knowing (not to their fault at all) is just how run down I am most of the time in terms of my physical energy level. I mean, some of them know of the issue, but in general it's not something I broadcast and I try my best not to mention it. Sometimes though, it does really get in the way, and in a lot of ways I don't realize until much later. On one level, my general ability to do things: walk long distances, go up a lot of steps, put things away or do things around the house are limited but I rarely think about the fact that they are which usually leaves me just wondering why I am tired so quickly. Then on another level, though quite related, I think it effects my mental abilities to to a point in the sense that when I am physically feeling tired out my mind is a bit too. If I only have enough energy to either wash the dishes or draw, well one or the other will win out, but then when it comes to actually feeling the stamina to approach something like updating a section of Sticky Art, well the mental energy just isn't always there after a long day of work or something, so those kind of things sometimes get pushed back. But now, for the last couple of weeks, I've been taking a medicine that I was on for a little bit earlier in the year which helps to build my system back up (for those who don't know by the way this lack of energy is all from the anemia I've had since the problem with the internal bleeding after my transplant almost 2 years ago now). Even from the first week I started taking it again last month I started feeling better. The thing with stuff like this is you often don't realize just how rundown you are feeling until you feel better. I guess that's true with a lot of things though. All in all though, I've noticed how nice it's been lately to actually be able to clean my house, organize my studio, and still have time and, more importantly, the desire to do artwork and get things online done as well. I really felt productive over the weekend and it was definitely thanks to the extra bit of energy I've been having. I think that in turn helps to feed back in and give me more inspiration for things too. Whatever it is, I'll take it, haha!

I came across this great article on Generation Y from USA Today last month while looking at some arts marketing stuff online last night. It made me (probably much too) excited because with every word I was saying "that's me!" - scary huh? But it's true... it talks about the struggle between traditional corporate employers and this generations' brand new workforce who isn't afraid to say what they want and feel they deserve to be treated fairly and respectfully. It also goes on to talk about issues such as casual dress (and how corporate dress codes are outdated) as well as GenY's high productively levels. It mentions the tendency for individuals to focus early on financial, the desire for a work-life balance that actually allows you to have a life, and the acceptance of the need to move between jobs often in today's world. It really got me going because of how relevant it was to my own feelings. I don't know. Hopefully it'll keep my spirits up regardless of the outcome of my raise request this week.

I really wanted to listen to my iPod today. I plugged it in last night to charge and update, but as I suspected, when I went to check it this morning it had not updated yet at all. The problem was that iTunes was asking me to update the iPod software first and until I clicked ok or cancel it wasn't going to do a thing, so it didn't and just sat there all night instead. When I plug my iPod in it usually takes iTunes a few minutes to recognize it and start updating, so I couldn't wait last night to see what was happening since it was already very late and I wanted to go to sleep. I woke up late for work anyway, so I didn't have much time to fool with it this morning either, but even after clicking past the software update it took a minute or two for it to start updating songs. There was no way it was going to be finished (apparently I have added or altered 218 songs since I last updated), so I just left it and went to work. I noticed it didn't finish updating until well after I got here, so I'm glad I didn't try to stick around and wait for it or anything. It's just annoying because it could have been taking care of that all night long. Oh well, no big deal, it's just that I've been getting more into podcasts lately and wanted to catch up a bit. I got behind after going over a week without having my desktop computer which is the only computer I can update my iPod on anyway. I also added a bunch of new podcasts last night that I at least want to check out and see if they are worth my time and attention. I like the concept even though I'm what the early adopters would consider to be a late starter even though to my friends and normal human population podcasts are still foreign for the mostpart. Ahh, gotta love being an all around nerd!

As I mentioned earlier I have been getting more into my artwork lately. I've been actually drawing and making new pieces, which is always nice, and makes me feel like I'm actually creating something good. I'll be ready to update my personal portfolio too, which works out since I'm planning on changing it so the portfolio here is more my artwork and personal work, which will link to my company site that will then show my corporate and design work more. I think that is how to balance it best hopefully. Yea, so, you know, when I find the time, I'll get right on that...

Finally, I spent a good hour or so of my life last night looking at old TV show openings from the 1980s. Those that know me well probably already know of my slight obsession with the shows from my childhood. It is actually one of the sections of my old site that still gets a fair amount of traffic and one of the reasons I even keep that old (very old) site up. Maybe someday I'll have the time to do more with that too. Err... what was this whole post just about??? I don't listen to myself sometimes. No more new projects. Not for now anyway. Too bad I don't even believe myself as I type it, hehe. Until later!