You know that feeling when you come back to work after a vacation or long weekend and you realize you need more time off? I hate that feeling. Yesterday morning I felt so refreshed and energized, only to come in to work and have that sucked away almost immediately as I was reminded of my impending deadlines and other tasks. I think I'm just bored right now. I'd like to do something more creative in relation to my job instead of just the same old thing. Part of the biggest thrill of creating the help system for the new web software was changing colors and making it look nice. I may not be able to draw worth crap, but I have a creative streak that I'm just not using enough in my job. And I think that's unfortunate because given the opportunity, I think I come up with some really good creative ideas.
No wonder I've been knitting like crazy lately. It's my one creative outlet other than baking. And honestly, if my birthday month cake repertoire consists of 3 different cakes, that's not being too creative either. But people request one of two cakes. They're good, but I like making different things.
I think I've decided I'm in a rut. I'm hoping that moving back home will help with some of that. At least there will be a readjustment period. Both readjusting to living with my parents and leaving much earlier for work. That'll be a fun one.
I think that once I'm done Kelley's socks and finish the laceweight Clapotis (I like it so far) I'll do something that I've never done. Maybe even work on that manatee pattern I'm trying to create. Something that's different enough that I feel like I'm doing something creative even if I'm not able to at work. I think I'll talk to the boss and figure out what I can do to liven things up around here. I'd hate to start disliking my job simply because I'm bored.
4.25.2007
4.21.2007
Back from Vegas
The conference is over and I'm back. I got to meet lots of clients and have fun with coworkers outside of work. It was a nice change from the norm.
We stayed at the Red Rock hotel/casino/spa, which is pretty new. It's a gorgeous hotel. Really very nice. I think a lot of people were impressed with the accomodations and conference facilities. I only wish more of our clients were able to go.
I got to see the Strip from a car. And honestly, that's about as close as I really wanted to get. I'm not sure why I thought it'd be more glamorous than it was, but I wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be. I mean, it's nice and all, but meh. Maybe because I'm not a gambler (I can honestly say I was in Vegas for 5 days and didn't gamble once) it just doesn't have that appeal for me. I don't think I'll be rushing back there anytime soon. It was a good experience, and it's nice to say I've finally been somewhere west of the Mississippi, but I don't think it's for me. I missed the green.
Next year the conference will be back here in MD, so I won't have to fly anywhere. I think more people will attend as well. I'm sure some managers were hesitant about sending someone to a conference in Las Vegas. Although I'm sure that instead of shipping everything I'll be responsible for driving everything to the conference. That's what mileage reimbursement is for.
I'm working on two projects right now. I finally decided on a pattern for Kelley's socks (Jaywalker from Magknits) and those are going well. I'm also doing a Clapotis in laceweight alpaca/silk. I hope it turns out nice. It's such soft yarn. The only problem now is making myself focus more on the socks and only work on the clapotis when my fingers are tired from dealing with tiny sock needles. I have a nice long weekend to work on stuff. I took yesterday and monday off for a break from everything. leading up to and including the conference I was doing work or work related things for 18 days straight (including weekends) so I think I needed a break. Not to mention that since January it's been non-stop stress and craziness for documentation. I plan on sleeping and knitting. And maybe listing more stuff on eBay, now that I've finally legitimately sold my laptop. the first two attempts were scams, so it's good that it's finally sold to a real person who doesn't want me to send it to Nigeria.
We stayed at the Red Rock hotel/casino/spa, which is pretty new. It's a gorgeous hotel. Really very nice. I think a lot of people were impressed with the accomodations and conference facilities. I only wish more of our clients were able to go.
I got to see the Strip from a car. And honestly, that's about as close as I really wanted to get. I'm not sure why I thought it'd be more glamorous than it was, but I wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be. I mean, it's nice and all, but meh. Maybe because I'm not a gambler (I can honestly say I was in Vegas for 5 days and didn't gamble once) it just doesn't have that appeal for me. I don't think I'll be rushing back there anytime soon. It was a good experience, and it's nice to say I've finally been somewhere west of the Mississippi, but I don't think it's for me. I missed the green.
Next year the conference will be back here in MD, so I won't have to fly anywhere. I think more people will attend as well. I'm sure some managers were hesitant about sending someone to a conference in Las Vegas. Although I'm sure that instead of shipping everything I'll be responsible for driving everything to the conference. That's what mileage reimbursement is for.
I'm working on two projects right now. I finally decided on a pattern for Kelley's socks (Jaywalker from Magknits) and those are going well. I'm also doing a Clapotis in laceweight alpaca/silk. I hope it turns out nice. It's such soft yarn. The only problem now is making myself focus more on the socks and only work on the clapotis when my fingers are tired from dealing with tiny sock needles. I have a nice long weekend to work on stuff. I took yesterday and monday off for a break from everything. leading up to and including the conference I was doing work or work related things for 18 days straight (including weekends) so I think I needed a break. Not to mention that since January it's been non-stop stress and craziness for documentation. I plan on sleeping and knitting. And maybe listing more stuff on eBay, now that I've finally legitimately sold my laptop. the first two attempts were scams, so it's good that it's finally sold to a real person who doesn't want me to send it to Nigeria.
4.04.2007
The end of insomnia
Is it weird that I always seem to update here while I'm supposed to be doing something else, usually work-related?
No word on M's baby yet. I think if he/she doesn't arrive by Monday they'll induce. I just hope she doesn't have to go through what C went through with surgery and everything. That would suck.
Still busy at work. Not that you'd be able to tell because I apparently have time to blog, but I digress. The work is getting done and that's what matters. But I'll still be glad when I'm done and the conference is done and I get a couple days off. That will be nice.
Last night I slept better than I have in a long time. For the past 5 or so weeks I've been waking up somewhere between 2:45 and 5:30, wide awake. Well, awake and unable to get back to sleep for a significant amount of time. I think "wide awake" would be pushing it, considering how tired I'd be when it happened. I'm not sure what was causing it, although it's probably stress. However, I decided to sleep a little differently last night. So I put my pillow at the foot of the bed and slept reversed. And I don't know if it was a coincidence or what, but something worked. I still woke up at 3, but I was able to get back to sleep almost right away. The only other time I remember waking up was at 5 during the thunderstorm. I don't remember a lot of thunder, but there was a lot of lightning and my window was open, so I had to get up and close that so the rain didn't get in.
Part of it may have been that it was nice and cold last night and I was snuggled under my blankets in a little cocoon. I seem to sleep better when I'm able to bundle up like that. I'll have to remember to open my window back up so it's cold again tonight. The temperatures here will get chilly before it warms up again, so I'm looking forward to some cool nights. Because the whole not sleeping thing was getting old. I'd be so exhausted by mid-afternoon and so burnt out from lack of sleep and extra stress. Today feels good. I didn't want to get out of bed (and stayed in far too long as it was) because I was so comfortable and content. It's amazing how wonderful normal sleep feels when you haven't had it in a long time.
On the knitting front, I've almost finished a cushy-soft garter stitch blanket for a coworker's baby. I'm making it in Knit Picks Shine sport in Cream and Orchid (or Crocus, I can't remember off the top of my head). Something pretty and easy and nice for the summer months. It's refreshing to have mindless knitting, where the most thinking I'd have to do is twisting the yarns when I'd switch colors (the Cream is a border around the other). It's been a nice meditative project for the last couple weeks during the busiest of the busy time. I think I'll take Kelley's socks with me to Vegas to knit in my free time (I say that like I'll actually have any). Or I'll take something lacy to play with. Not quite sure yet.
I'm de-stashing quite a bit. Initially I'm trying to sell stuff on ebay, and if that doesn't work then I'll find somewhere to donate it. Seems to be working ok so far. My yarn has interest, it's the seed beads that aren't selling yet. I may have to do something else with those. Oh yeah, the reasons I'm de-stashing are because I'm moving back home for a money-saving-up year before buying a house, and because I've become a fiber snob. Knit Picks makes getting natural fibers so easy and cheap that I don't want to make acrylic baby blankets or garments anymore. Plus I just bought my first ever skein of Malabrigo in Velvet Grapes and I have to say it's the softest wool I've ever felt. I'm spoiled now. I think I'll be making My So-Called Scarf from it for myself. yummy yarn goodness. Can't wait until I have extra money again so I can get more.
No word on M's baby yet. I think if he/she doesn't arrive by Monday they'll induce. I just hope she doesn't have to go through what C went through with surgery and everything. That would suck.
Still busy at work. Not that you'd be able to tell because I apparently have time to blog, but I digress. The work is getting done and that's what matters. But I'll still be glad when I'm done and the conference is done and I get a couple days off. That will be nice.
Last night I slept better than I have in a long time. For the past 5 or so weeks I've been waking up somewhere between 2:45 and 5:30, wide awake. Well, awake and unable to get back to sleep for a significant amount of time. I think "wide awake" would be pushing it, considering how tired I'd be when it happened. I'm not sure what was causing it, although it's probably stress. However, I decided to sleep a little differently last night. So I put my pillow at the foot of the bed and slept reversed. And I don't know if it was a coincidence or what, but something worked. I still woke up at 3, but I was able to get back to sleep almost right away. The only other time I remember waking up was at 5 during the thunderstorm. I don't remember a lot of thunder, but there was a lot of lightning and my window was open, so I had to get up and close that so the rain didn't get in.
Part of it may have been that it was nice and cold last night and I was snuggled under my blankets in a little cocoon. I seem to sleep better when I'm able to bundle up like that. I'll have to remember to open my window back up so it's cold again tonight. The temperatures here will get chilly before it warms up again, so I'm looking forward to some cool nights. Because the whole not sleeping thing was getting old. I'd be so exhausted by mid-afternoon and so burnt out from lack of sleep and extra stress. Today feels good. I didn't want to get out of bed (and stayed in far too long as it was) because I was so comfortable and content. It's amazing how wonderful normal sleep feels when you haven't had it in a long time.
On the knitting front, I've almost finished a cushy-soft garter stitch blanket for a coworker's baby. I'm making it in Knit Picks Shine sport in Cream and Orchid (or Crocus, I can't remember off the top of my head). Something pretty and easy and nice for the summer months. It's refreshing to have mindless knitting, where the most thinking I'd have to do is twisting the yarns when I'd switch colors (the Cream is a border around the other). It's been a nice meditative project for the last couple weeks during the busiest of the busy time. I think I'll take Kelley's socks with me to Vegas to knit in my free time (I say that like I'll actually have any). Or I'll take something lacy to play with. Not quite sure yet.
I'm de-stashing quite a bit. Initially I'm trying to sell stuff on ebay, and if that doesn't work then I'll find somewhere to donate it. Seems to be working ok so far. My yarn has interest, it's the seed beads that aren't selling yet. I may have to do something else with those. Oh yeah, the reasons I'm de-stashing are because I'm moving back home for a money-saving-up year before buying a house, and because I've become a fiber snob. Knit Picks makes getting natural fibers so easy and cheap that I don't want to make acrylic baby blankets or garments anymore. Plus I just bought my first ever skein of Malabrigo in Velvet Grapes and I have to say it's the softest wool I've ever felt. I'm spoiled now. I think I'll be making My So-Called Scarf from it for myself. yummy yarn goodness. Can't wait until I have extra money again so I can get more.
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