Almond Thieves and Sensitive Types

I don't know what my deal is. I just never feel like blogging lately, and don't want to do it simply out of guilt. Things have been busy, to be sure, but it shouldn't be hard to find a few minutes to share a thought or two. I think I have this idea that if I can't be funny at all, I shouldn't post. Like no one will read my blog if I don't make them laugh. But I think less people will read it if there are never any new posts. ha

SO though I am tired and as yet coffeeless, I will attempt to update you all on life over the last couple weeks, in no particular order.

Someone ate my almonds. I had an at least half-way-full can and this morning there were 10 almonds left. Now, I know I ate a good portion of that can, however I also know for a fact that at least one person in this office will help theirself to a handful even if I am not there, and this is becoming a bit taxing on my generosity. Almonds are not cheap, people! I have three left now (I put 7 in my oatmeal this morning) . Bait for the thief! Will they be so audacious as to eat the last three? Bulletins as events warrant...

Yesterday was a very long day. I had to attend a meeting in the afternoon that didn't go very well. I cannot say much about it except that someone's feelings got hurt during the meeting, and it was very hard for me to deal with because they were reacting to what they THOUGHT someone was saying, and not what they were really saying. It was startling how strongly they reacted, and bewildering because the reaction was not at all based on what was really being said. The hurt person ended up leaving the meeting in the middle, and that pretty much stopped the meeting cold. A few of us remained afterward, discussing what happened. We all feel that it is unfortunate that this person so misunderstood, though there was nothing we could have done about it. What can be done when all communication fails? It was interesting to observe how a person's feelings and sensitivites can powerfully affect communication (and actually prevent it). I learned firsthand that it's so important to really listen and try to understand what someone is saying, despite how you feel about it. I am a little anxious to see what the ramifications of this event will be. I don't know what to say to this person when I see them again. I was one of the ones misunderstood (as far as I can tell) and though I don't have anything to apologize for, I feel like I want to do something to heal the relationship. For now, I am just praying that God helps them to see where they misunderstood and brings an opportunity for clarification.

After that I was really drained, and I think I am still feeling it today. I've been a little cranky this morning, and I don't want to be like this. I just feel so tired.

On the happier side of my weekend, I got to see my friend Carrie yesterday. Yea! And even better, she's moving back up here in December. YEA! We had a nice chat over a couple tasty Starbucks Mint Mochas.

Thanksgiving was great. I had a really nice relaxing day with my family, and my sister and I made the little chocolate turkeys I wrote about earlier. (I'll post some pictures tonight). After dinner we all had a little casino night at Grandpa's--he has a slot machine, craps, BlackJack, and roulette as well as a full coffee bar and soda fountain upstairs. So while we all laughed and made ridiculous bets (not of course for any money), Grandpa served us mochas and foamy hot cocoa. He also made some to-die-for candied yams that were the talk of the dinner table.

And on Saturday I did nearly all of my Christmas shopping. I got up nice and early, and was surprised to find that almost no one else did! The mall was empty and even the infamous Empire Center was nearly a ghost town. It was great. I had lunch at Baja Fresh with my aunt (though there was an unfortunate mix up about the times which left her sitting for half an hour waiting for me. oops) They have recently changed their menu and the did away with the heretofore favorite of mine, the mini Tostadita. Boo Baja Fresh! Then we walked to the mall to visit my uncle, a police officer, who was on duty there. The three of us walked around together and chatted though he was of course a little distracted.

Oh yeah and one last thing--went with the family Friday to see the Incredibles. I enjoyed it, and would like to see it again. The characters was great as was the animation (of course). I think I liked some of their other stories a little better--it might just be that I am not a huge super hero fan--but that is not to say that I didn't have a good time. The character who designed the super-suits was especially hilarious.

OK so I'm gonna get to work now. I'll post pics tonight...

Kurt's Show

I took Friday off and drove with Kurt down to Phoenix for his cousin's wedding. It was nice to see the family again, however brief the stay. We came back Sat night so I could teach sunday school the next morning and Kurt could spend the day getting ready for his gallery. The bad news is that half of the photos didn't get back from the developer in time. boo! As a result, he only had 8 pictures to display. But we framed and matted them all, and they looked good. One of the best parts of the show is that our whole Bible study group surprised us and showed up to support Kurt. That was so great! I know it meant a lot to Kurt. Two of our friends are buying prints and the pastor's wife is also buying a couple. Kurt was all smiles. Yea!

The Cost of Printing

Kurt got prints back for his gallery yesterday, and they look pretty good. Sometimes its hard to know how a little slide will look blown up and printed, but we're mostly happy with the results. Another bonus is that they were cheaper than estimated, so if he can sell just a couple then we should recover a lot of the costs to print and mount/frame them. I really hope that this goes well!

One thing that is not going as well as hoped is that it looks like getting my book printed will be very cost prohibitive. I have been so excited and looking forward to having some copies made, but now I see why people try to get their stuff published. I need someone big backing my work or apart from becoming independently wealthy not many people will get to see it.
:(
I heard a little lead yesterday, though, that there is a Christian publisher that is looking to start a children's branch. There's a chance that they'll be eager for books, so maybe I can get my foot in the door. Isn't this nuts? What am I saying? Could I really get published? I guess I'll never know till I try. But I have such a thin skin, and I've heard its remarkably difficult to get published. You have to go through a lot of rejection first. Maybe this experience will be good for me.

"Calvin, go do something miserable you hate. It builds character."

What's that Bit About "Actions"?

I just got back from lunch at Subway, and spent most of the hour reading I Corinthians. It was great--despite all the noise and busyness around, I really had a great study time. Until the end, that is. As I was contemplating getting up to go, an old man who seemed to be homeless walked by the window where I was sitting, and made a kind of thumbs up gesture to me. Mistaking it for a kind of greeting, I smiled and waved to him. Then he walked into the subway, but walked past me to the counter. I thought maybe he was looking for handouts, but wasn't sure. Though the thought made me uncomfortable, I decided to give him the other half of my sandwich if he asked for something. He turned away from the counter and started coming back my way. I was nearly overcome with awkwardness and a kind of nervous anxiety. I couldn't bring myself to even look at him until he got closer, but then he walked passed me. As he was exiting, he looked back and gave me the thumbs up again. Then he stood outside the window expectantly and kept making strange gestures at me. I was so unnerved I looked around to the other tables as if for help. "What does he want?" I asked. But no one knew...one guy jokingly suggested that the thumbs up meant he thought I was cute. Then, right before he gave up and walked on, he made a kind of hand to mouth eating gesture, and I remembered--the other half of my sandwich. How could I have forgotten so quickly? But still overcome with emotion, I did nothing.

After the nervousness died down, I was disappointed. Why couldn't I just see people as Jesus does--consider their needs above my own discomfort? Why should some silly emotion stop me from doing the good I ought and even intend? I want to be able to lay down how I feel and just let God do what He wishes through me--to be Jesus' hands. But that will never be the case unless I "die to myself daily". Lord, help me to let go of what I want in favor of what You want...

A Week in Review

I'm really excited about life right now. Partly due to the fact that the coffee this morning was so strong it ate like a meal and I'll probably be buzzing till the next cup tomorrow, but also because I am doing something I truly love--writing.

I have undertaken to write and illustrate my first children's book, and I am enjoying the work VERY much. I feel like the more I write, the more I want to. I enjoy the challenge of communicating ideas in simple, clear language (it's harder than one might think--as Mark Twain said "If I'd had more time, I'd have written a shorter letter") and I can't wait till I am satisfied with the story and begin to illustrate. Although I am not sure if I'm any good or if it will ever get published, I am invigorated by the process none the less. Could this be what I was born to do? Perhaps it is one of the things, though I am sure there are cosmically more significant "callings". But then, isn't anything done as unto the Lord of eternal worth? I just hope it blesses people--whether published or read only by friends and family. So I guess that is why I have neglected to blog. Every spare moment I've had I've been either catching up on lost sleep or writing. Sorry :(

Work has been a beast up till today. I worked till 11pm Monday night trying to make a deadline (I did succeed). Today the deadline for everyone involved was up and it was a very laid back day. My bosses were gone half the day in meetings with the client, and I had nothing to do, so I worked on my book. It was great. And tomorrow looks to be pretty easy. I'll have work again, but it shouldn't be as insane as the beginning of the week was.

I've also been helping Kurt prepare his first photography exhibition. I'm really excited for him! He has some really fantastic photos, and it will be great to finally show them to people other than our family and close friends (those we can convince to watch a slide show purely out of familial love. Incidentally, why is there such a stigma on slide shows? People shudder at the mention of the word and suddenly have "some place to be" or its suddenly "getting late".) Anyway, its in about a week and we have a lot of slides to get printed and then prints to matte and frame. I can't wait to be there and overhear any good comments I can relay back to Kurt. I really hope that this experience is encouraging to him.

In other news, my allergies have been acting up a great deal, and I might be acquiring a Sharper Image ionic air purifier. I am SO excited. Nearly every morning I wake up with an itchy runny nose that won't quit till I leave home. I know it is partly my cat, but I wont part with her. I'm very hopeful that this purifier will help us to coexist more comfortably. I've heard great things about it, andI think I am beginning to pin my hopes for a happy healthy future on getting one. Its almost ridiculous how excited I am to get this thing. I might have to be committed if it turns out to be a disappointment. Im almost serious.
:)