Progress Report: Week 9

This past week and a half has been nothing but a crazy, disorganized stressfest.  If I made progress on more that 2 things I will be impressed.

1.  Get a new job and move. **PROGRESS**
I did two applications!  I got one offer for an interview which is being scheduled.

STEP 1 more job searching
STEP 2 is to crank out those applications
STEP 3 develop some more skills

2.  Make my own postcards. No progress.

STEP 1: do some MORE research on the cost of ordering some cards.
STEP 2: identify 5 photos I would like to use on the cards
STEP 3: look into how to design my card (using Photoshop, using a online template from a print service etc.)

Thoughts on Selfie (the TV show) and fashion

I have been getting a big kick out of the new fall ABC show (unfortunately) named Selfie.  The show is loosely based on the story of Pygmalion.  Although initially, there was a lot of concern that this was going to be a show about a man telling a woman how to behave according to societal rules and policing her sexuality.  But as the episodes progressed, the show quickly moves away from that and to a more well-rounded idea of what this mentorship/friendship/relationship(?) can be.

As much as Henry is striving to smooth Eliza's rough edges, improve her image, and shape her into a less shallow, self-obsessed woman, Eliza challenges him when she thinks he's being truly narrow-minded and shows him that there are many ways in which he can improve.  One of my favorite parts of the show (besides John Cho being funny, Karen Gillian being carefree, Henry's monologue outbursts, and the joke about Henry misunderstanding the meaning of the song Working For the Weekend) comes at the close of a show, after both leads have learned their lesson for the episode: Henry chides Eliza telling her not to be so sexual . . . to which Eliza immediately responds by telling Henry to stop being so uptight and anxious.  This is not the same Eliza naively doing whatever Henry Higgins tells her to do in My Fair Lady--- and saving any disgruntled feelings for a private song about homicide.  This Eliza is not afraid to speak up for herself, and often times it is Henry who changes his ways.

Another fun part of the show is of course Eliza's crazy outfits.  She wears a unique blend of sexy, glamorous, and ostentatious business wear.  Fashion blog CollegeFashion did a great post about the fashion of Selfie and captures Eliza and Henry well  (plus offers some great tips for using their style as inspiration for your own #OOTD).

Come On Get Crafty: Blow Winds Blow Waves

I did this during the summer with colored pencils on watercolor paper.  I'm not sure drawing in pencil on watercolor paper works so great.  It was fun to play around with all the hues of blue though.

Now that the weather is turning cold and wintery and stormy, it seems fitting to post this one now!

Progress Report: Week 8

I spend a lot of time this past week sort of recharging.  I've been feeling a bit run-down and disorganized, constantly bouncing between one thing or another. This week I guess I slowed down.  I did some serious cleaning (my bedroom was getting out of control), I posted a bunch more items to my online clothing store (trying to de-clutter and get rid of a lot of it before the end of the year),  I caught up on some tv shows and movies, I packaged and mailed a bunch of birthday gifts to friends, I got some new music and finally organized my downloads the way I wanted them, and spent most of Saturday catching up with my sister on Skype.  Although I didn't make progress on as many goals this week, I think I needed a bit of a reprieve.

1.  Get a new job and move. No progress.
I didn't do the applications I was planning on doing over the weekend AGAIN.  I did find another application I want to do.  THIS WEEK.  NO EXCUSES

STEP 1 spend some time job searching (by email updates have not be turning up too many good suggestions
STEP 2 is to crank out those applications.

2.  Make my own postcards. No progress from last week.

STEP 1: do some MORE research on the cost of ordering some cards.
STEP 2: identify 5 photos I would like to use on the cards
STEP 3: look into how to design my card (using Photoshop, using a online template from a print service etc.)

Music this Week: Bastille, Ben Howard, Stevie Nicks

Music this week is a short list because I've pretty much been listening to the same three artists over and over and over again!  I watched Stevie Nicks' documentary about the creation of her In Your Dreams album, so I was listening to her album a lot.  But Bastille and Ben Howard both have new music out so I've been alternating between them and getting sick of them NEVER.

(1) The Driver - Bastille
BBC Radio 1 recently launched a project to create another soundtrack for Drive with different bands and artists contributing.  Bastille contributed this song, and it's on their new mixtape VS. (out Dec 10).  The more I listen to this song, the more it is everything.  It's the perfect example of the type of full music that I love that I think of "unapologetically loud, but not noisy."



(2) I Forget Where We Were - Ben Howard.
This song is heaven.  After my first listen, it instantly went on repeat about twenty times.  I haven't even had time to analyze the lyrics but this song stirs up so much emotion.  Sometimes joy.  Sometimes rapture.  Sometimes calm.  Sometimes weeping.

Progress Report: Week 7

1.  Get a new job and move. No progress.
I didn't do the applications I was planning on doing over the weekend.  BAD.

STEP 1 spend some time job searching (by email updates have not be turning up too many good suggestions
STEP 2 is to crank out those applications.

2.  Make my own postcards. **TINY PROGRESS**
I spent some time on a couple sites looking at their templates and seeing if that was something I wanted to try.  That would certainly make it easier.  I discovered that while the picture side is relatively straight-forward, I am picky about how I want the back to look, so I'll probably have to design the back myself or work with someone to make a custom design.  I really DO need to pick a couple photos I want to start with.

STEP 1: do some research on the cost of ordering some cards.
STEP 2: identify 5 photos I would like to use on the cards
STEP 3: look into how to design my card (using Photoshop, using a online template from a print service)