10 points for those who get it.

My newest stuff is based on paint by numbers paintings. I've been researching and, oddly enough, paint by numbers were originally called "creative meditation". Basically, they made a bunch of sense for the 1950's "Perfection" state of mind - a way to be creative without actually having to be creative.
So, flipping that last idea on it's head, I've taken 10 iconic paint by numbers prints and blown them up, made patterns out of them and then sewed them back together. Here's a dragonfly one I did (not really my style but pretty):

And here's one that I've designed myself. As you can see, we're not talking 1950's icons here. Six degrees kids. Six degrees.

YOYO

Between the fact that we're leaving for Mexico in a week or so, planning on going to LA with Kiki in May, and do stuff all the time that is memory worthy... Josh and I decided to buy a digital camera. He has a big expensive one that was expensive... oh... 6 years ago when he bought it. I have one that isn't compatible with my new computer is now 3 years old itself. So we went to Target yesterday and started researching. Long story short: we walked out with a new diggie camera AND a video camera. Our lives are gonna be on film kids! FILM I SAY!
We also went to the National YoYo Campionships yesterday. It was sort of amazing. Apparently yoyoing is only for
A. Boys
B. Boys who like japanese rap or metal
C. People who also ride skateboards in their spare time
D. Kids who like to do hair flips (there was some serious mop top action happening.)

Our favorite was actually last years National Champ, a kid named Augie. He was kinda pudgy but seriously awesome at the yo yo. And he was humble too. Before he started he told the announcer he was nervous! There was also a guy who had on a turtleneck, big, fluffy, feathered hair and 70's (actually) headphones on. He did his program to the theme from "Tailspin". Needless to say, I completely loved him. I want to blow into his hair and call him Majestic.

The Birthday Story

When I began Feb. 6th, my 28th birthday, I knew that I was going to get a party of some kind. Josh had told me to be ready by 5pm - I had asked him before to warn me about these things. I had a few nightmares of being in the shower and everyone bargining in and yelling SURPRISE!!
In the car I realized that we were going to Tricia and Matthew's house. When Brianna opened the front door I was greeted by 20 or so friends, balloons, presents and a big potluck dinner. A bunch of the girls had dressed up like me, wearing onesies and they all swept their hair to one side! It was wonderful, so great to have so many of my buddies in one place, some of them meeting for the first time. I was perfectly happy. Then Josh gathered everyone in the livingroom to announce that we were moving to our next location?!
"Just go up to the 9th floor" he said.
I must admit I was a little nervous. What if we get in trouble here?
The penthouse was on the 9th floor. The PENTHOUSE!! Even more people were there to meet me (I believe the hotel said that we couldn't have more than 15 in the room but we had many, many more. The entire top floor of the hotel to ourselves though. It's a miracle that we didn't get in trouble!!) There was a kitchen, a fireplace, the most amazing view, a big deck - totally useless because it was raining and really windy- a big bedroom, and bathroom with a jacuzzi tub. Even better, it had been decorated by my friends with a red carpet and a photobooth. Jess even brought wigs, hats, glasses and mustaches for us to dress up in. There was a large frame to stick the photos on (which is now in the back of my car, so big I can't carry it up to my apartment myself!). Jess painted me a beautiful painting. I'm sure I'll have it for the rest of my life. I could never afford one of her peices and I can tell she put a lot of work and time into it. That one really started some tears.
I got a bunch of great presents, including little parachuting men from Shug to throw off of the roof of the penthouse. I kept the lil dudes though. I'll use 'em for an art project.
This was such a great birthday. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who participated. Thank you to Jess and Kiki - I know you helped Josh out and pull things together. Carey, Jon, Tricia, Matthew and espeically Joshua. I felt so 100% LOVED.

Dear Pack Rat Girlfriend;

I will miss you so much. You have really made the view from my window so much more interesting since you moved in last year. I used to think my view of the Space Needle was so riveting. Watching the monorail was so fun! Until you moved in.
Before you moved in with your boyfriend he was all clean. When he was alone, you could see the floor - he was so boring and organized. But you. YOU Pack Rat Girlfriend, you made his life a living hell of mail piles, clothes everywhere, and the explosion of nick knacks you brought with you. You are a like a little human tornado. Did you guys break up? Did you loose him in your mess? Where did you go?

Jess, the Limo and the Heavy

Ok peeps! I'm a goin in a limo tonight! I woke up early this morning - determined to feel better because yesterday was a long line of doctor's appointments - to get some work done, and get ready because today... is gonna be a long one. I work at Retrofit from noon until 7pm. Then I go to the Bottleneck for dinner and free Pabst. Josh and I are taking Kiki and Josh's lil bro Erik with us. The limo comes to pick us up and then the show at the Triple Door. Now I'm thinking I should listen to the radio more because there is definately something to winning stuff. I could totally stand winning more stuff in 2008. I'm included a picture of me winning tickets to the Def Leppard, Stix and Foreigner concert and a photo of me kissing Josh after he won our tickets/limo ride for tonight.
Big congrats to Jess (photo of us as Team Patriotic and Pregnant at the 2nd annual Board Game Championship above) who is officially done with her horrid job at the cancer clinic. Girlfriend, I'm so proud of you for helping so many people and I really hope you stop feeling like you might be dying all the time. No one should be that close to death all the time (or grabby/crabby folks). Jess is now officially a full time artist. I cannot believe how much her art life has taken off and how wildly successful she's become just in the last year. Yay for Jess!
Also, I turn 28 this week. That's just weird. Not sure how I feel about 28. It seems like such a heavy number. An obese number. Not big so much as heavy. 28? I'm gonna go back to school.