Living my life

I have been so busy living life I have not had time to write about it! I will go down the list in my brain (that I remember) and catch you up. I can’t rely on the internet to remind me where I left off here so bear with me. I am at my parents watching the place while they are at a funeral. Working on my laptop but no internet. Worker guys are ripping up and replacing flooring in their kitchen/pantry/family room.

About three weeks ago my dad changed the 5 gallon water bottle on the way to bed. The next morning the panty floor was squishy. . . . The bottle was faulty and caused a lot of damage. It also set in motion a decorating nightmare for me. Why? Cause I am the grunt labor minion for my parents. I do enjoy the decorating part but can only do so much manual labor! (I seem to be the decorating minion for a few.) So you have to change the floor, now the paint needs freshened and the cabinet knobs are old and the counter and cabinet doors need updated . . . . . *sigh* Like I said. I don’t mind helping (and by helping I mean doing) but where is the fire people! Can I have some time now and again to work on my stuff and my place? I started painting my bedroom around the time of this disaster but have not had time to work on my room! I cant start it and leave it for a day or two as there is no where to leave things!

In other remodel fun I have been bartering Jewelry for interior painting with t. I feel I am getting the better end of the deal but she feels the same so win-win. Last week when they were out of town I finished the woodwork in the bathroom. I don’t think the former owners of the house stripped the varnished wood work before painting. I spent about 4 hours sanding down everything in a smaller bathroom before I could even paint. I did the best I could but am still not convinced it was the best job I could have done. Some of the old paint came off in full sheets like it was never stuck to anything! I was limited on time to do the job and communication with the vacationing folks so I continued. t had said in the near future the bathroom vanity would be replaced and that was where the iffy paint was so I made it look pretty for now. I still need to paint their master bedroom and touch up on the ceiling where others did not have a steady hand. (I am so anal when it comes to painting! t says I am detail oriented. Same thing, right?) The painting is on hold at her house until the replacement windows get installed. I will be painting the windows inside and out. They will come primed from the factory. I will be quite pimped out with t jewels by the end of the summer.

Dating and Robert. Notice that I said them separately. Last I checked we decided to be music buddies. We did go to one concert . . . with his grabby friend. It took too long to get my CD’s back from him. Here is the rest of that story. I had e-mailed and texted him a couple of times to get my CD's back from him I lent him the night of the concert. This was after waiting for a week and a half after he got back from his long weekend camping trip. His excuse for forgetting me was his life changing news. He got a promotion and transfer to Washington DC. He was leaving on the 26^th to drive there to start his new job on the 5^th of July. He asked if I wanted to meet for a beer in my neighborhood. I picked Deschutes Brewery because I like the beers and the walk from my place. I had a busy day leading up to meeting (which will be another installment in this catch up saga novel I am writing.) so I did not have time to make dinner. We ended up eating there at the bar since it was so packed (with hipsters that Robert dislikes) even after 7pm. I was surprised that two hours went by! My plan was to browse/people watch at Powells on my way home but Robert insisted on driving me home. Last time he drove me home he dropped me around the corner from my door and gave me a hug with his seat belt still on. That is what I expected this time but nooooo. He practically killed the transmission slamming it in park. *huh?* He ran around the truck and opened my door . . . okay. . . *very puzzled* He waited while I thanked him for dinner then swooped in for the usual hug. As I was pulling out of said hug he planted a kiss on my lips along with pulling back into the hug – WHAT? Is this how music buddies say good bye because that is not how he acted last time – just his friend. I was stunned to say the least. Anyway this was on Wednesday and he asked to see me that weekend. I told him it was Pride (no, I had not told him about being Bi since we were not dating. We had not really had any big conversations about ourselves.) and I was going to different venues during the weekend. Did he want to go to a dance party? He seemed interested. By Friday morning he sent me a text that he was having a garage sale that weekend (Fathers Day weekend is a bad weekend for a garage sale but whatever) but we would talk soon. I did not expect to hear back after that and I have not. He was so passive/aggressive! Bottom line is he was a nice enough guy but no spark. He was unreliable in our short time and I felt like I scolded him for his lack a manners more than anything. I honestly don’t expect to hear from him again but anything can happen. Stay tuned.

Wil had asked me if his friend from high school could stay with us a few days. He moved to Louisiana last year with his parents. They moved there because of the college their kids could go to as residents. Anyway, Wil forgot about the dates until he got a call from said friend while he was at work the night before. I did not find out until after noon. I made Wil clean his room and I vacuumed. The “Boy’s” bathroom needed some attention too and the kitchen. That was why I did not have time to make myself dinner before meeting Robert. Wil and his friend went out to have pizza and meet some friends after the friend arrived early. I finished cleaning up. The next day I had to get up early to work at t’s so when I came home that afternoon I took a nap. During my nap Wil’s friend found out that his only friend in his new home town and his apartment sitter shot himself in the head on the couch. His parents were also out of town on vacation. That is hard news to receive but when you are back in the area where all of your friends are and where you would rather be I imagine it to be even worse. They went out with some friends that night who could not go out the next night for his birthday. At least it did not happen on his birthday? I was dead asleep when they came home that night. Wil had to work the next morning so he went to bed. The friend came into my room “to see if I was awake”. He said he wanted to talk to me. It went from talking to him to his being next to me on my bed. He asked if he could stay with me that night. Are you kidding me? First off, no! Secondly, you are my son’s friend and turning 23! I thought there was a guy code that deals with this. Not cool. Then he asked if he could kiss me. *What the fuck is wrong with you?!?* Anyway, I talked to him a bit about the friend and then sent him on his way. *shakes head* Why do these things always seem to happen to me? I acted like nothing happened the next day and he left that night as planned. I did not tell Wil what happened. Weird thing to have to deal with.Welcome to my world.

Pride started off with a block party in the sunshine! Friday was the first sunny day we had. I got a couple gals to go to the opening block party with me. There was a nice mix of folks there. The bands were good and the well drinks cheap and strong. After playing a couple rounds of pool we went outside (where the bands where sit up and playing) to the lounge area in the sun. I was walking in to use the bathroom when a cute, young gal looks at me and tells me how hot I am. She follows that with another statement or rather confession. She had recently broken up with her boyfriend and she is straight. I said thank you and kept walking. When I came back she told me again how hot I was then grabbed my face and appeared to be looking for my tonsils with her tongue. I don’t think she was a doctor so it was a confusing moment. My friends witnessed the exchange and thought I found a love connection. She did not examine anyone else but got me a couple more times. No digits, no name and still confused. Who goes to Pride to make out with a straight girl? Okay, I guess that is how things happen in my world. The only other connections I made at Pride were guys but not bi.

When I was going to the Pride Parade Sunday morning I walked by some floats queued up to go and heard a voice I knew. I said hi to a gay guy that used to help out at Derby. He told me to get on the float since others never showed up. It was a Salem group with the “Queen” of drag from the Salem pageant. “She” was dressed up but only one other out of 3 guys were "Dragged out". I am not sure why the two committed lesbians were there since they would not do drag. The guy I knew in this group had been drinking since 8am and it was 11:45. Aaron soon lay down on the “float” (long trailer towed behind an extended cab truck) then started throwing up. Good times. There was a Starbucks a block away and I had to go to the bathroom anyway so I went to get water and something to feed Aaron. The float was gone when I got back but only a few blocks away. When I caught up Queen Loni demanded I stay and wave to the crowd. Seeing as “she” was about 7 feet tall with heels and hair not to mention the 5 foot tall metal, blinged out septer I agreed. Instead of watching the parade I was in it. It was actually kind of fun. I got to be silly, flirt, jump off for hugs and see people I knew. It was also interesting to be part of the drag entourage once we got to the water front and Pride. Very interesting experience and I enjoyed living in the moment.

So yes, I have been busy living and doing stuff. I have more to say but out of time for now. I am still looking for "Lobster Todd". If you see him send him my way.

Queen Loni

OMFG!!! I am sooo in love!

This is my lovely bulletin board up and ready for holding memories. I cant find my push pins and forgot to get them when I was out. I love the way it came out.


This is my lucky thrift store find today. Just last night I was asking my mom if she would consider doing some pop art for me. She paints with oil and paints impressionist style. I asked if she would do 3-5 4x4 Dala horses in various styles I have in mind. She was stunned. This lucky Dala is going to the way of the black and white cow stylings! So thrilled!

This is a photo of my jewels. It is to show that of 90 percent of my lovely jewels is made by t! The latest trade is a barter of painting for jewels. I feel I am the winner of this barter but in my own proudness I am a damn fine painter with mad skills on the details. My body just cant deal with the physical demand of the job. Otherwise I would gladly do it for a living.
So much going on but no more time now. Screen almost done, Pride was crazy and amazing, Robert is crazy and so is Ken. Life would be normal in my world except for the unemployed thing.

I have made a "sound track" of u-Tube videos to listen to when I work on the comp. Maroon 5 makes me smile.

Life is the messy bits

Today is not the day I planned but it was a good day to be a Diva in my world. Originally it was to be day two of Rose Festival Dragon Boat Races for my friend (racing) and me. (watching) He is the Captain of his company's team. Last year they were so close to winning! They barely got beat and ended in 4th place. They were missing three of their team this year to the international racing in Vancouver. (it has to turning into a very competitive sport) They got third place both races Saturday by seconds but got eliminated in their first race on Sunday - done. Sorry Mt. t.

I was looking forward to people watching, boat glancing and just hanging out on the water front. I bike up there and have a few things in my back pack just to chill. Don't feel too sad for me. I ended up having a wonky but great day.

Since the weather was over cast I thought it would be a good day to spray the Asian screen I got for free. The chair and screen are so worked out design-wise! I love when it falls into place. The screen is a deeper red with avocado colored crinkle fabric behind. There is flecks of copper in the fabric - sooo cool and so me. We got some great fabric for the chair that is a Asian style print. (and on crazy sale!) We are going to use pictures (sections) from the print to do each part of the chair. One scene is the seat, two smaller sections for each arm and one for the back. It is going to be pretty cool. My mom and I will tackle the chair soon but I need to get the screen out their garage I am getting to it.

So I got three cans of spray paint thinking it will be more than enough. It is a trickier spray job than I have done before. The design of the screen and all the changing straight lines calls for "mad skills" spraying. The first can went pretty fast but I was not too worried. Second went by too fast as well. I was not even half way down on both sides! I had to keep working my way around. I don't like to lay it down and only paint one side. Circling works best for me. The upside of the newest spray paint is it dries in 30 minutes to the touch, one hour you can move the project and 24 hour completely dry. Three cans down and no more so off to Home D I go. I bought four so I would not run out. You can return spray with a receipt. By the time I got back from a crowded Home D on a Sunday it was starting to drizzle. Thankfully not much before I got back and the screen was dry enough to move. Whew!

The other chore I decided to do while the screen was drying was washing my car. I have not washed it for months (August). I used a rag, a hose, Bio-Green and a car scrub brush. Armed with all that it still took me three go-a rounds and two hours of non-stop work. My arms are a little tight and my ribs are achy but I am sure they will be sore tomorrow. Did I mention I did this in the drizzle that turned into a steady rain? It was not warm but not chilly. I really wanted to get it done. I need to wash it again soon on a dry warm day and wax. Ethyl MeRM is worn but an oxidizing wax should revive her. She wont be new but deserves to try to be pretty. A task for another day. Last week I spent an hour vacuuming her out. I am trying to treat her better. She is not my dream Volvo but that is not her fault. Long live Ethyl MeRM the Diva mobile.

project phone photos

Chair
Not a good photo but it is a sliver of the screen fabric on top of the chair fabric
Here is the chair fabric and one for the scenes. This is the seat. The next is the back of the chair. The sliver of screen fabric is on top. The green of the screen fabric and color in fabric is the color I am painting the chair.
This is a photo of the screen today before I started painting. I sanded and cleaned last week. It was too iffy and cold to paint last week. Yes, the first week of June was too cold to safely.

Why are we all so scared to be ourselves?

I have been thinking a lot the last several days about the way people communicate with each other. Why don't we just say what we want, need or feel? We are scared to be out of place, getting hurt or worse to hurt someone. Sometimes we keep the truth to ourselves thinking it would be better or easier unsaid. Wouldn't it be so much easier to be able to say "I really like you and hope you to feel the same for me." Instead we feel anxiety waiting for that phone call, text, e-mail or next meeting. We wait for the other person to say the things we want to hear or are too afraid to say. I am thinking about dating specifically in this rant but really in all of our relationships we don't say what we mean. Trying to date and put yourself out there is scary! I really have had some strange conversations via the e-mail. One guy says we are getting to know each other but in the last 3 weeks it has been a sentence or two of nonsense but no real information. I guess I scared him off anyway. We would answer each other every couple of days but he is MIA. God, I hate the looking for a normal person to hang with! I was fortunate in the past as far as a DB. We had a wonderful relationship except for the long distance thing.

I have run out of steam for this (continual) rant so I will leave it for now. "I don't want it all" just a person to share time with.

This is all I am asking for

All I am asking for is someone to see me for who I am and love me. I don't think it can be that hard, right? Lobster Todd where are you?!?!?!

It is about Me sometimes

This weekend I finally found the creative for the Diva again. I have spent so much time making other peoples spaces pretty I forgot myself and my projects. I painted an accent wall in my bedroom behind my headboard. It really gives the space new life and accents some of my things that blended in to the off white wall. I am very pleased with how it turned out. It also makes the room feel more intimate.

The other thing I did besides clean up after myself is worked on the new screen (sanded and cleaned) and sprayed the bulletin board frame. I annexed over the color to paint the frame! I wanted it to look like patina-ed silver. Some routes were extremely expensive especially for a bulletin board. I picked right. I am soooo excited to have it completed and up on my wall! I love it when a project goes from my brain to my fingers and completed even better than my concept. That is why I do this! I just need to finish spraying the protecting coat, nail in the bulletin board and the hanger. Hopefully Monday or Tuesday. It really does not take much to make me happy.