Picture of the Moment

Mysteriously my digital camera is working again. No complaints here. I really didn't want to purchase another one at this point.

Today's weather is beautiful. It's 78F and very sunny. I was sitting outside here at Gallery Espresso since it's so nice, but I had to go in to upload this post because I could not get a stable signal. They have the A/C on so it's comfortable unlike yesterday.

I am still waiting to hear about the details of the contract. Tick-tock, tick-tock. Twiddling the thumbs. La dee da.

Finshed and Ready to Start

I finally finished up with a client. It was quite a long project, which stretched almost three months! Anyhow I am finished and ready to start on another project.

The other day I found out I did get the corporate contract with Hidden Pointe Townhomes. Now I await the details. The owners have a lot going on so it may not be until next week sometime until I hear about details. I am excited about this project because it's huge. My name will be listed in their registry which means when people purchase these homes they may ask for my services.

I can't mention too much about details because I do know I will be signing a non-disclosure once the actual contract is signed and sealed. So I need to find out what I can and cannot say first before I start blathering on about it.

The weather has been cool lately, which I enjoyed. It's been in the 50's F, but now it’s warming up again. Today is 68F, but that's nice too though it's overcast today and it rained earlier this morning. That's because I washed my car the other day for the first time in three weeks. It's the umbrella affect. You know, if we are told it's going to rain and I carry my umbrella with me it won't rain, but if I don't have it on me it will rain. Well, it's the same with washing my car.

There's not much else to say. Oh, Melissa is having the Tappan stove finally installed in her kitchen. It's only been sitting in the foyer for over a year. Yes, it's been sitting there with a sheet of some sort thrown over it. It's been a console table stand in.

Meanwhile the original Tappan stove in the kitchen only has one burner that works and only one oven that kind of works. You need to preheat the bloody thing over an hour before you can cook and then you may be lucky for it to get up to 450F.

I must add though she has made some wonderful meals on such a challenged stove/oven. It will be interesting to see if this replacement actually works. You see she purchased it from a person in Canada on eBay. One is supposed to test such items upon arrival. Anyhow we are both rather excited about the cooking prospects!

Keeping Busy

I haven’t had time to post anything this past week because I have been rather busy. Last Tuesday I had an opportunity come knocking at my new business door. I have a construction company interested in me decorating one of their model homes.

They interviewed me on Tuesday and asked for me to come up with a plan and cost estimates. I got to see the development plans and had a walk through the model home. They have incredible marsh views. The home itself is nice, but currently there are only studs and no drywall. So I had to use my imagination when designing.

I thought they would give me about a week to submit, but they only gave me two days! So last Wednesday and Thursday I was running around to every furniture, antique and bric-brac store you could think of. I spent Thursday evening coming up with plan and the final pricing. I submitted the information to them on Friday. Now I wait. I am trying not to think about it and am only focusing on a current client.

However if I were to get this contract it will really push my business forward. There’s the chance some of the homebuyers would call on me to help them with their decorating and organizing needs. I have already met so many industry people and have made contacts at some of the finest shops here in Savannah for future client needs.

This Saturday past I went to the SCAD scholarship gala. It was a black tie event. We had a great time. It’s been awhile since I worn my tuxedo. I must admit I had to get new trousers. Ugh! Anyhow it was good to see some people that I once worked with as well as a few professors’ I had. I believe at the end of the evening the event managed to raise over $30k for scholarships.

The frustrating thing about the whole evening was the fact that my camera died. You know I only purchased it this past summer and I would expect it to last at least a year! Then the batteries died in Melissa’s camera. Then the batteries in Ron’s camera died as we all lined up to be photographed!

We did get a picture taken with Melissa’s Palm, but as you can see it’s blurry and the colour quality is awful. Oh, there are two people in the photograph that I am not sure would like for me to post in my blog so I removed their heads.

Disturbing Information

I only just found out that Iams pet food is evil. Apparently Iams participates in horrid animal testing! This Iams thing past me by and I just purchased another 14 lb. bag the other day.

One of my clients informed me of this fact and has suggested I switch to Science Diet. She even gave me a huge bag of the weight management and hairball remedy to start Nora-Grace and Tabitha on. Since I have a bag of Iams already I guess I'll mix the food together so they may get used to the new food.

You know when I was younger I was involved heavily wit PETA, Save America's Forests and Amnesty. Then some how I got old and stuck my head in the sand!

The fact there are still companies like Procter & Gamble (Iams) and L'Oreal that test on animals is revolting. These tests can be done in Petri dishes with human skin cells with more accurate results.

If you are interested in knowing more about Iams and P&G animal testing, click here.

Good Friends

Yesterday I got to spend time with my good friends Leslie and her daughter Dominique. I haven't seen either of them in a very long time. Leslie now lives in the Netherlands and is visiting her family here in Savannah and Athens.

Leslie wishes for me to visit her in Holland soon, but until this business of mine picks up I'm not going anywhere. Perhaps someday I will be able to. I would love to spend quality time with her. As well I would like to visit my family in Britain, Germany and Norway.

In other news apparently spring has arrived. The azaleas in the back garden are starting to bloom!


Leslie and moi.


Leslie and Dominique


Spring has sprung!

Cooling Down

Now it's cold. It's 50F and going down to 41F tonight. Up, down, up, down, up, down.

Too Warm

It's too warm today. At one point I had to turn my A/C on while out running errands. Also while I was working at a client’s house it became too warm inside, but I wasn't about to turn on the A/C. It wouldn't be proper. They are also the type of individuals who don't open the blinds at all so I was nervous about opening a window.

Can you imagine not opening your blinds during the day? I mean, if you were home sick perhaps then I would understand, but never opening them at all ever. It's too weird for me. I like light and this is coming from someone who wears a lot of black and is gothic in nature, but it's true. I love to have light flood my house.

Anyhow A/C in January (in the northern hemisphere)? That's even weirder.

A New Year and A New Beginning

I have decided this year shall be MY year. Yes, all mine, Ahah hah hah haaaaah!

Seriously last year was just awful. I ended a pointless and fruitless relationship, which I feel, was best for both of us. I lost my job, which I feel was best for me. It’s wonderful not having to work a job that brings no joy to ones life. However, I had to give up my apartment and put all my belongings in storage, which I am not too happy about and I have wiped out my savings, which I am definitely not happy about.

However this past December I started my own business and feel really good about it. Now I just need more business to make this thing work. I believe it’s going to.

I feel very positive about the whole situation and I have not felt positive about anything in a very long time. I tend not to be a positive person. In fact, I am the “glass is half empty” type of individual. For now on I am going to remind myself “the glass is half full”!

Through all this turmoil I have had a supportive family and friends. My friend Melissa has been especially so for inviting me and my two cats to live with her while I reinvent my life. Our fabulous Champagne Sunday is the best! My friend Betsy has been wonderful with providing mental support and our crazy sci-fi nights with dinner and wine.

Steve and Jim are so nice to roll out the Bentley and take me to Open House hoping. It’s nice to let lose and it breaks the monotony. My friend Alina is just so wonderful for giving me ideas and pushing me to start this business. Our lunches are such a pleasure.

My friend Emma who keeps offering her second bedroom to me so that I may escape the Vortex that is Savannah. It's completely appreciated, but here I must stay for now because of my new venture. Then there’s Robert and Kevin, my blogging friends who are generous, kind and say the nicest things. I have met many people blogging and hope to build more friendships this year. I have so many good friends that I may have not mentioned and I am thankful for all of you.

This is the year I turn forty and this is my year of positive change and new beginnings. I hope everyone has a happy new year and new beginnings too!

…. end sappy transmition.

Tabitha, The Finger Nibbler

This is Tabitha. She likes to nibble fingers as a sign of affection. She's an odd one.

Happy Solstice

To lasting peace that starts inside;
To every teacher who has been a good guide;
To every child born in every nation;
To every human congregation
That aspires toward peace and love;
To the glory of the stars above;
To the lasting magic of this time of year
And to everyone, both far and near!
And to darkness that heralds the coming light
Soulful Solstice to all and to all a good night.

~Rick Levine

Blue

I am feeling blue this holiday season. It's a kind of funk I can't explain, but I am afflicted with it sometimes. I am just not in the mood for the holidays. It's unusual because Yule and Christmas is the best time of year, but not this time.

My mother is on her way here tomorrow and she is staying with me for NINE FRACKING DAYS! I know I may sound a bit harsh to say such a thing about my mum being here, but nine days? I think with how I feel it's too much, but I need to step back and realize she is 74 years old and time is precious.

Thank you to those who have sent me holiday cards and such. Y'all are so kind and I appreciate it very much. You are on top of things more then I am and I apologize.

Well, I'm off. I've got a tone of things to get done before tomorrow.

Busy, Busy, Busy!

I am busy, busy, busy! Too much going on and in all different directions, but all is well. I hope all is well with everyone else these days.

Well, I must dash. Did I mention I'M BUSY?

Teal!

The dining room has gone teal.

Autumn

Autumn has finally settled here in Savannah. The majority of our trees don't drop their leaves or change colour, though there are a few varieties that do such as this Japanese maple. There are two wonderful specimens off of Melissa's patio.

The weather is currently pleasantly cool with no humidity.

I'm A Georgia Voter

I voted today at the Rose of Sharon. After voting you always get an "I'm A Georgia Voter" sticker to place on your shirt. I'm wearing it, but it makes me feel like a child that was given a gold star for a job well done. Anyway, it wasn't crowded at the polling station. I am not sure if that's a good thing, but I was in and out in no time. It was nothing like those other places around the country where people are experiencing "glitches".

As far as I am concerned here in Savannah and Georgia as a whole we don't have much to choose from in the way of great candidates, but at least I chose someone. Of course I chose mostly Democrats, but I did choose a Libertarian for Secretary of State and State School Superintendent.

Hopefully we will see change nationally, Goddess knows we need it.

It's Time

Y'all need to get out there!

Happy Halloween

Nora-Grace and Tabitha weave their magic.

Halloween Party

This past Saturday evening I decided to attend a Halloween party my friend Keith and Elvira invited me to. I brought a couple bottles of wine with me and drank most of it. I had no idea as to what I should go as. I eventually decided on Harry Potter.

A bloated Harry, a fabulous Frida and a scary Zorro.


I believe that is Bill Clinton.


Elvira (Violet Baudelaire) and Shelly (a Catholic school girl in a very, very, very short skirt.)


I have no idea.


I believe Shane is flipping me off "politely".


A very inebriated and worn-out Harry.

They Have Returned

When I was child the Cybermen used to give me nightmares. They have returned to menace the world and my dreams once again. I think this is why when the Borg first showed up in Star Trek they unsettled me as well.

Though the Cybermen were the first and always will be one of my favourite "monsters."

Incognito

Fun With iSight

My friend Amanda asked for my help setting up her new MacBook today. OH, IT'S SWEET! Anyhow we had fun with iSight and Photo Booth. Of course the adventure was aided with a bottle of champagne to celebrate.

The results are pictured below.

In a Funk

I haven't posted anything lately because I have been in a funk. There's not much going on these days. I have been working on some HTML to better my skills. I find it all so uninteresting. I rather use Dreamweaver, but I was told I should know the basics.

I am thinking of taking another JavaScript class. It seems all the information has gone in one ear and out the other. I rank JavaScript up there with HTML. I think this is part of the problem as to why I am not remembering the information. I have a ho-hum attitude about it all. Granted I have this attitude about most everything these days.

My friend Betsy is going to take my rather large sofa off my hands shortly. This will be one less item in the storage unit. It's about the heaviest item in there. It has been in storage for almost four years and originally used for only six months at the most. It's like brand new. I will never purchase a sleeper sofa again. They are too heavy!

Once we get the sofa out of the way I'll have some room to maneuver items around. I then will have access to some items I wish to get rid of. I am not going to sell everything off as of yet. I applied for a job in North Carolina if I should happen to get it I can afford to take it all with me. We shall see.

Well, other then that, not much else going on.

The Great Stench II

Well, it's a lovely morning. The temperature is 69F degrees and no humidity. I thought it would be nice to ride in the car with the windows down while running errands. For a brief moment it was rather nice.

There I am, a wonderful breeze, music is on, driving along and then it happened. The Great Stench strikes again!

Time to quickly roll up the windows, but it's too late. The rotten smell and I are trapped in the car.

The Great Stench

It was a rather nice evening last night. The temperature dropped to 57F and so we opened the windows to enjoy the weather and get some fresh air.

Well I forgot how polluted Savannah air could be. Like clockwork The Great Stench creeped in poisoning our lungs and waking me from sleep. With my nostrils burning and eyes watering I stumbled out of bed and closed the windows.

You see Savannah suffers from paper mill production as well as a chemical industry, which also belches out noxious fumes into the air. Now I must add through the years complaints finally made these industries "clean up" a little, but it's still quite bad.

Savannah has some of the highest cancer rates on the East coast as well some of the most acute sinus infections. The sinus infections are blamed on the high pollen count by these industries. It's always blooming here, even during winter. However, if you add the paper mill and chemical companies it makes it so much worse.

Simple Pleasures

Ah the simple pleasure and sheer enjoyment one may have with iChat. This evening I video chatted with my friend, Gloria out in Los Angeles. Here she is tempting me with my favourite beverage, red wine.

The rest is just craziness.




Cleavage!


You did what?

Champagne Sunday

It was another fabulous champagne Sunday. Before we doused ourselves in wonderful champagne Melissa and I did some shopping. Here we are just before entering World Market. After that we moseyed on over to Linen and Things. Then we made a beeline to Pier ‘Pressure’ One.

Afterwards it was nonstop champagne. Then Steve and Jim came over for dinner. Now I am ready for bed. It's 2:00 AM

Champagne Sunday Lives

Champagne Sunday lives, but it was rather subdued as Melissa is in France and I was cleaning house. Then in the afternoon the Bentley arrived with Steve and Jim to swoop me away for the traditional Sunday house hunting.


Here is Steve, Jim and Doris. It was a fun day for all though we were lacking one person. However she is off in the Provence region visiting Lacoste, Isle sur la Sorge, the Fountain de Vauclus, Penres la Fontain and now off to Baux les Provence so I believe she is having real champagne and with us in spirit.

A Message

Today I spent some time at Gallery Espresso composing and reading emails. After about an hour and a half of coffee consumption and receiving my dose of barista attitude I decided to leave.

When walking back to my car I came upon this message written on a window unit. The Universe has interesting ways of communicating.

Don’t you think?

Settling In

I arrived late Sunday evening. Steve and Jim were here with Melissa. They had been indulging in libations and were sweet enough to wait up for me so I could get a few in myself. It was good to see everyone together like old times.

I got up early this morning and mowed the lawn as it was in dire need. Then I went to my storage unit to get a few items so to make my space homier. I must say when I opened the door to the storage unit I got an overwhelming sense of dread and trepidation. There is so much stuff! It made me a little depressed to look at it because I like it all, but I know I need to let go of it too. Oh, this is going to be difficult.

Nora-Grace and Tabitha are settling in, but I think they miss all the space they had to run around in at my mother’s house. They are also aware of Melissa's cats on the other side of the door. We hope at sometime we can introduce them to one another, but I know cats for the most part don't get along with one another unless they were raised together. We shall see.

Melissa leaves for France tomorrow afternoon. I will be taking care of her house and some household chores while she is gone.

Tomorrow I need to run some errands and visit the grocery store. I think I will also pop in at the Gallery and have some over priced coffee with a dash of attitude for old time sake.

Heading Home

I'm heading home today. I should be on the road by noon. I wish I could leave earlier, but UHaul told me I can't have the trailer until 10:00AM. Apparently there is only one 4x8 trailer in all South Florida and it won't be returned until 9:30AM.

Also it's costing me more to head north then it was to come south. This makes no sense to me. It's usualy the other way around since so many people move this way. Whatever.

I need to finish packing and get all my stuff in the garage. Nora-Grace is aware something is going on. Tabitha as usual, is oblivious. I am hoping they will be calm for our eight hour journey. They traveled well the last time. I wonder what they would be like to travel with across the country? Perhaps I shall find out.

Well, it's time to pack the iMac.

Another Morning

It’s another morning on the beach today. It’s still quite windy. I'm not sure if it’s left over from Ernesto or just a windy day. The water is choppy too. The Gulf water is usually rather calm and doesn’t have large waves and one must wade far before you can’t touch bottom.

This will probably be my last day on the beach. I have some projects my mum would like for me to do before I head home. I also need to pack tomorrow.

Ho hum.

Vortex Bound

Well, I have had enough of this right-wing enclave. I have decided to go home. Yes, I am going back to Savannah, and the Vortex of Goo.

Perhaps for the time I will stay it won’t be so gooey. We shall see. All I know is I can’t stay with mother anymore. She has been wonderful. Of course she has. She’s my mum, but SHE IS MY MUM! I can only take so much and this area is just too weird.

Besides when I do eventually settle some place for a job I will be heading north or west so I might as well move a little closer. I miss me friends too.

The plan is to go through my storage unit and have a garage sale. I need to let go, but it’s rather difficult for me to do so. I need to work on that. I figure it’s just too expensive to maintain such a large climate controlled storage unit. It’s also going to be too expensive to move all my stuff either to California, Oregon, Vermont, Massachusetts or New Jersey. These are places I sent my resume to.

I will be leaving Florida on the 3 September and I will be living with my friend Melissa in her fabulous contemporary house located in midtown. It shall be fun. Champagne Sunday shall live again! Actually it never died. It’s just no fun having Champagne Sunday long distance over the telephone.

Beautiful Morning

I went to the beach this morning. The weather was surprisingly beautiful though the wind was picking up due to Ernesto.


The entrance to the beach has many signs posted stating all kinds of regulations and such. This is the one you should really pay attention to because no one wants to do the Stingray Hop.


While walking through the sand out towards the Gulf of Mexico I came upon this ancient ziggurat. Then the new camera I purchased last night died. You can see its death in the quality of the image.

This afternoon I returned the dead camera and got a replacement. I would like to go out and start experimenting with it, but the dark clouds and rain have arrived.

Ernesto should be passing by sometime tomorrow, I guess.

Something Wicked This Way Comes

The outer storms are starting to arrive.


Everything is in a haze of creepy yellow. Ooooo.

What A Mess

Today I got the wild hair to tinker with my iBooks. WHAT A MESS!

Yesterday I replaced the logic board in the Cube. It's now working fine. So I decided to give the Cube to my mum and take back the "snow" iBook I gave her roughly three years ago. I originally gave her my iBook because my previous job provided me with a PowerBook. I wanted her to try and learn to use a computer. At first it was like pulling teeth to get her to go near it, but now she uses it.

Anyway since that time I purchased an older "clamshell" version iBook to have for blogging and Internet whilst traveling. I upgraded to a 20 GB hard drive because these original models only came with 3 GB's. Now that I got the one I gave to my mum back I am going to use that when I travel and sell the clamshell.

The wild hair I got was to swap out the hard drives. With the clamshell variety you have to take the whole bloody thing to pieces to get at the hard drive. I did it before, no problem. The "snow" version you don't have as much to dismantle, but it's a lot of work nonetheless.

So I finally get the hard drives out of both only to discover the "snow" version has a different bracketing system. It has small support nodules built directly on the hard drive. It won't fit on the clamshell version and the larger hard drive from the clamshell has no way of securing into the "snow" version. All that work for not. Grrrrrrr.

Wasn't this post just gripping?

Beach Burn

Today out of sheer boredom I decided to go to the beach and lay upon the sand like a beached whale. Well I got burned. No, it's not that bad. The above picture has been enhanced for dramatic effect. It's how I feel.


Anyhow it was a nice two hours. The best thing about going during a weekday is no one is around. It was just me, the sand, palms, water, and the birds.

This Evenings Sunset

1984

It was 1984 and I was 17 years old. Yes, that is big hair and yes that is a mustache! Scary.

Sweet Apple

I'm having computer issues. My poor old Cube is starting to fade. It has held out for six years, which is good considering the model, didn't last long when it was first introduced.

I think the logic board is going. I searched on the Internet for a replacement board, but their too expensive. I do have an extra logic board, but it's buried in storage back home in Savannah. I can buy a newer Mac which is faster for the same price or a little more then a replacement logic board and that's what I did.

This is a picture of my new, old G4 17" iMac. I've always wanted to own this model iMac. I just purchased it off eBay and I kept well within my budget. I'm so excited!


It's a big improvement on the Cube. Speed, hard drive and best of all a 17" screen. I like my current studio display, but at 15" it's a pain in the arse working in Photoshop.

Ah, sweet Appley goodness (sorry Homer). Have you had your Macintosh today? An Apple a day keeps the PC blues away!

C'mon kids, let's guide you to war!

FORT BELVOIR, Virginia (AP) -- The Army is considering a proposal to allow a private developer to build a military-themed park that would include Cobra Gunship rides and bars including a "1st Division Lounge."

WTF?

Tough Life

As I paint and paint and paint Nora-Grace helps out. Here she has been sleeping in this position for several hours.