What Is Fun?

Monumental, soul-crushing, epic amounts of tiredness in my body.

Blargh. Headaches, nausea...I think I might need to start pumping the sleeping pills in my veins.

Anyways, that's my level of thought for that issue.

I always wonder what it is that people find fun. Everyone has a different perspective on what is enjoyable, and {surprise, surprise!} I'm no different.

THINGS I FIND FUN:

1. Collecting books. I'm developing quite a line-up, and now we have a great bookcase to display them! I don't know why, but there is nothing I find more calming than walking into a bookstore and running my fingers along the pages of various books.

2. Blogging/reading other blogs. I'm a compulsive list-maker (and I'm sure this comes as a surprise...) - and find that there is more interesting content on the Internet than in most publications. The Internet provides the highest levels of entertainment/inspiration in my daily life. Without it...I would probably cry a lot, and spend an unreasonable amount of time on idea numero uno.

3. Going out for dinner! Especially if it is a restaurant I have never been to before. It's an adventure with food. What could be better than that?

4. Playing Bejeweled 2 while listening to dance music. I just zone out, match colors, and bop my head around. Easily the best way to get rid of stress (which doesn't involve exercising haha).

5. Driving around in my car with CDs cranked, the subwoofer going, and singing at the top of my lungs.

6. ANY silly banter with the significant other. I don't think there is anyone in the world I find even remotely as funny.

7. Making crafts. I LOVE seeing things come together. The thrill of being able to see something that you accomplished all on your own makes life vastly more tolerable (even borderline enjoyable :P).

8. Thrifting. I love wandering into Value Village (or one of the several other thrift stores), and perusing all their stock until I find things that are farrrrr more valuable than the prices stamped on them. Something about discovering a great deal just gets the adrenaline going.

That is all my underwhelming brain is coming up with at the moment. Hope everyone has a fantastically fun Monday!!

xoxo,

Annie

Coming Round The Mountain...To Monday

I have started a cross stitch. So far it has like 7 stitches in it and for some reason this makes me feel more accomplished than anything has in a LONG, LONG time. Although I do get some sense of satisfaction out of my inspiration binders.

Still working away at retail life for far less than what my lovely time is worth. I have some new furniture to show off once I get on some picture taking.

Things currently amusing me:

1. PEOPLE magazine's crossword puzzle book. This is about my general level of intellect, despite the fact that I read constantly.

2. Jon playing Brutal Legend on the Xbox. Jack Black rarely fails to amuse.

3. Getting WallE iron-on transfers! I have no idea what to stick them on yet, and my mother thinks I'm 5, but I'm still excited.

4. Making plans. Oh how I'm always making plans. I'm going to make this a good week. Go optimism!!

And now, purely because it amuses me and I have very little in terms of a filter for inappropriate...this picture makes me giggle:

Case of the Sads

Time for a random life update! As I'm sure everyone in the cyber-verse cares.

I've been feeling a little under the emotional-weather lately. I've had a long hard battle with trying to edge out depression, and it seems no matter what I do to keep myself cheery, optimistic, and productive, I always fall back down. Argh. Anyways, I made a 9th grade quality doodle to entertain myself at work and try to pick my spirits back up.

I made some paper snowflakes and covered my windows in them. I like how they turned out :)

And also, my snazzy Christmas tree and glimpse of my new hardwood floor. Oh it's so dreamy compared to that 70s shag carpet.

I'm going to search the Internet for random cheer me up ideas. Or maybe I'll just put on music and clean. One more day of work til a sleep in day!!

xoxo,

Annie

I WANT MORE COFFEEEEEEEEEEEE

I am in love with coffee.

Like if it wasn't an inanimate beverage...I would probably propose marriage to it. We could have such a wonderful life together. I WOULD END UP TYPING IN ALL CAPS ALL THE TIME. And having crazy ideas and plans. The apartment would probably be clean 24/7 and all my tasks would get done.

I DON'T CARE THAT IT STAINS MY TEETH AND DRAINS MY ENERGY LATER IN THE DAY.

It is still my best friend.

I seem to have a lot of best friends...most of which don't talk back. I wonder what that says about me. Probably nothing good haha.

Sleep Dep Nuttiness

I'm back to winning life with the whole not sleeping. To honor that, I have devised a list of multiple things to do when your loved one is getting restful z's and you frustrated as all miserable hell (assuming you live in an apartment with more than one room...):

* Bake some (gluten-free in my case!) chocolate chip muffins!

* Get out the iPod and crank some club tunes in the headphones and have your own private dance party! (I went with the new-ish Black Eyed Peas album, and I must say there is a song that strongly resembles techno chipmunks).

*Prowl the blogging world for amusement (as there is ALWAYS a new blog to read).

*Do PEOPLE crossword puzzles. Yes, I am a loser and paid like 15 bucks for a book of these, but sadly, my knowledge of relating clues to words just isn't strong enough to handle those New York Times ones. I'll leave those to the smart kids.

*Think up ridiculous lists to post to your blog! hahahahaha...sad.

*Clean something. I mean what better time is there to tackle that soap scum covered bathroom??

*Try to learn something new. Seriously, if trying to pick up a skill that you only have half an interest in (especially if related to schoolbooks), can't put you to sleep - NOTHING CAN.

*Think about your stumbling, drunken (at all hours) upstairs neighbors. They are seemingly getting even less sleep. That might be an bitter suggestion on my part...

xoxo,

Annie

The Artist Formerly Known As...

Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Ideas are a-rolling in my brain today. I can't wait for the day I can fully consider myself an artist as my primary form of money-making; as opposed to ~ I sell dildos ~. The former has a much better ring.

Sometimes, when I think back to all that I've done...I regret that I wasted so much time not knowing who I was. I'm betting that a lot of people face that problem as they are growing up, but I took it to heart that the people I loved thought that doodling and writing stories weren't an actual way of making money and being an adult. In some ways they were right, as back up plans are always good. I don't technically regret the time I've spent becoming a 'Communications Major' [whatever the hell that means...], or an 'Executive Office Assistant' [aka glorified Secretary].

Ick.

ANYWAY,

I'm going to go about doing what all semi-employed housewives should do with their days off:

*Continue prancing around in my silk robe

*Take a bubble bath...and

*Make a whole bunch of paper snowflakes and plaster them all over every surface in my apartment!

xoxo,

Annie

Retract That Statement

I am in massive amounts of pain now as a result of apparently being right about the not taking my meds.

Ignore prior statement about seeming to feel similar in both circumstances. I often get too excited that I'm becoming remotely like a normal human.

Alas.

So it goes (as my beloved Kurt Vonnegut would say...).

Routine Failure...hahahaha

I think I keep forgetting to take my pills.

I'm not entirely sure, as the pain seems to be similar on any given day, but my brain doesn't seem to be remembering to get around to it. I need a new routine. Or checklist. Or something equally brilliant. I'll make one on the fly right now.

Things I Do in the Morning:

1. Jon hits the snooze button. Therefore, I continue to sleep.

2. And again.

3. And again.

4. I finally get up when he goes to work for 9, unless it's a morning where I work (in which case, this schedule gets backed up substantially and I get up at 730 a.m).

5. I drink some kind of juice from the fridge and daydream about the day I'll be able to brew a perfect pot of coffee. When I remember, I put ribose in it. Hence, my first issue that needs to be changed.

6. Either take pills or forget to take pills.

7. Get in the shower...and proceed to try and get clean before the hot water runs out.

8. Curse angrily at the water/building/world.

9. Get dressed and put on 1400 pounds of makeup to cover my joyful cystic acne problem.

10. Do whatever I was supposed to do for the day --> if nothing, waste my life on the Internet.

As one can tell, this schedule needs a LOT of help. This should go into my immediate goals, along with get a new job! Woooooo planning for things that may or may not happen.

Also, I bought a purse on a whim off of the Internet last night. Marc by Marc Jacobs. The Doodle Purse. It's childish sure, but in the happiest 13-year old way possible. I LIKE.

Requiring Sunshine and Butterflies

Argh.

I am not getting any further along in my quest to find new ink inspiration. I'm really in the mood for something new, and yet can't find anything fully commit-worthy. Tear.

I'm not sure how much longer I can take the ol' working away at the sex shop business. It's so quiet and lonely and cold there. Maybe I just need to get my hands on an iPod Touch or Kindle or something. Get some endless entertainment material to carry around.

I'm currently being a less than stellar blogger but hopefully I'll be more inspired come tomorrow. I'm just feeling rather blah and soul-deprived lately.

Need to work on cheering up.

xoxo,

Annie

NEED SLEEP...TURNING INTO ZOMBIE CREATURE

I'm back to having an illness flare.

Sadly, I often wonder if I am, in fact, insane. I seem to cycle through a variety of symptoms for a month at a time, before switching to another set which seems entirely unrelated. Frustrating. The last two weeks I've been having some severe insomnia...going through five nights running on less than three hours of sleep. This as a result, brings the pain in my body to a maximum, and makes me an angry, babbling loon. Not my finest hours, but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I often wonder if anything can help.

I've tried:

a) taking a bath and reading before bed

b) a wide variety of sleep drugs

c) a similar schedule

d) avoiding napping

e) no caffeine after 2 p.m.

f) no alcohol

g) a dark room

I can't even blame it on having a permanent bed partner, as I used to have this problem longggggggggggggg before he ever even came into my life.

It is certainly doing nothing good for keeping my immune system up.

Some insomnia webcomics for amusement value:

Anyway, wish me luck! My heart goes out to everyone with this all too common problem!

xoxo,

Annie

Holidays???? I Think Yes!!

I made a paper garland today :).

That's right I am 5 years old! WEEEEEEEEE.

We bought our Christmas tree and it is up and looking beautiful.

Reasons I LOVE Christmas

1. Decorations

2. Songs!

3. Presents (both giving and getting!)

4. Starbucks Holiday Cups and Drinks!

5. The infectious energy! (not so much the infectious colds and flus...)

6. The FOOOOOODZ

7. The Movies (Elf...The Holiday...Love Actually...anyone in with me??)

8. Gift packs - I don't know why, but I love getting random necessities in pretty box sets!

9. Having my sister/friends come home!

10. The fact that it's the beloved's first one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Makes it extra-celebratory this year.

Now for images of paper garlands much snazzier than the one I came up with ...

Remodel!

We're remodeling!

If I was a good little blogger, like I someday aspire to be...I would be documenting the process in a more detailed manner. However, I am not the one ripping up the carpet and laying down the rich mahogany floors, as that is courtesy of some complaints to the landlord.

Moving from orange 70s shag carpets to hardwood floors is a big jump though, and I cannot wait to make this place more beautiful. Our options for wall colors will be vastly improved from this (rather inconvenient process of) change.

This is a look at our rather lackluster setup:

I'm excited for the changes. I'll just keep saving money and plugging away at DIY projects from all my beloved bloggers that I admire on this beautiful thing called the Internet.

On a final note, the amount of wood and carpet dust that is up in the air right now is not doing my asthma/cold ANY favors. Oh well. Can't win them all :).

xoxo,

Annie

The Start of Something Beautiful

I am crossing things off my 101 in 1001 rapidly, which excites me beyond all reasonable levels.

I bought more presents for my beloved today, and I love all of them and cannot wait for Christmas to get here. Favorite time of year ever. I mean fancy Starbucks cups, special lighting, decorations, songs, presents...what's not to love??? I'm in the spirit and absolutely intoxicated by it.

My cold is 60% gone which is a relief. I've turned to absolute insomnia which is doing hard things to me mentally, but I'm going with the positive...I'll get through it attitude.

I HIGHLY recommend that anyone who stumbles upon this blog goes to this website to Elf Themselves - my sister did it of my family and it was the funniest thing I have ever laid eyes on.

http://sendables.jibjab.com/

Happy happy holidays are starting!!!

xoxo,

Annie

Silly Stuffy Head :(

Still sick sadly :(.

Making my sorrows even worse by watching A Walk To Remember...what a sad, but oddly inspiring story. I have a mega girl crush on Mandy Moore, I'm not gonna lie. She is such a cutie - stylish, smart, funny.

Curled up with my quilt and some Neocitran I bring to you pictures of pretty blankets to snuggle:

Sick Day :(

A virus has gotten me.

I tried so hard to escape, but alas, I have a bug doing miserable things to my body. I'm in about my 4th day of trying to fight it sadly.

I'm excited about my list of things to do. I haven't slept in a few days, but I tried to plan what my three most important goals of the day were. I have yet to do any of them - it's the thought that counts right!? I can't be expected to change overnight.

I will leave you with what I spent all night doing:

Catching up on one of my favorite webcomics - www.asofterworld.com

Highly recommended.

xoxo,

Annie

101 in 1001

Woooo!

I wrote my 101 in 1001 last night~ Took me 6 hours to come up with 101 things. Now to get started on them! :)

1

Send a secret to PostSecret

2

Buy a new computer

3

Ride a horse

4

Create a budget and stick to it

5

Get a passport

6

Build a Website For Myself as a Portfolio

7

Make a Work Songs CD

8

Make a New Recipe Every Week

9

Have a Dinner Party

10

Write Story Ideas In Little Journal

11

Do Creative Writing Prompts

12

Obtain a New Job

13

Write Out My Dream Life

14

Learn How To Knit

15

Complete My Cross-Stitch

16

Comment on More Blogs

17

Take a Trip to Montreal

18

Pick Up Spanish/French/German Again

19

Use Coupons and Follow Sales

20

Dye My Hair Red Again

21

Compliment Strangers

22

Lose 10 Pounds

23

Try to Blog Daily!

24

Go Bowling

25

Find A New Tattoo Design

26

Have More Date Nights With Jon

27

Random Road Trips

28

Organize My Personal Files/Passwords

29

Say Yes to New Opportunities

30

Plant an Herb Garden

31

Drink 8 Glasses of Water a Day

32

Start New Traditions With Jon!

33

Give Myself A Treat Once a Month

34

Eliminate Personal Negative Talk

35

Reread and Rewatch My Books and Movies

36

Make or Buy Presents For People For No Reason

37

Take Jon To DisneyWorld!

38

Learn More Ways To Do My Hair

39

Keep My Car Clean

40

Adopt a Pet

41

Learn How To Do Good Eye Makeup

42

Enter More Online Contests

43

Do All The Tasks in My Organize Now Book

44

Start Freelancing

45

Write Most Important 3 Tasks of the Day Every Day

46

Gather All My Favorite Quotes In A Scrapbook

47

Write Down A Moment of Happiness For Every Day

48

Wear Makeup Every Day In Order To Feel Better When Looking In The Mirror

49

Have A Genuine Picnic

50

Get an External Hard Drive and Back Up Everything

51

Make a List of 50 Things I Like About Myself

52

Finish My List of 100 Things That Make Me Happy

53

Have a Board Game Night

54

Get a Cell Phone

55

Take A Train Ride

56

Complete DDR on Intermediate

57

Learn To Program in Python

58

Sign up for an Exercise Class

59

Learn To Make a Good Cup of Coffee

60

Decorate the Apartment/Future Job Spot

61

Get An Awesome Mattress

62

Figure Out Where I Want To Make Home

63

Bake Gluten-Free Things

64

Spend An Entire Day Doing Something That Will Cheer Someone Else Up

65

Spend An Entire Day Spoiling Myself Rotten

66

Create A New List When This One Is Finished

67

Dress Up When Going Out In Public

68

Get A Shower Radio and Sing In The Shower

69

Create a Signature Style

70

Take My Medications on a More Regular Basis

71

Learn Photoshop/Publisher/Dreamweaver

72

Be Financially Independent

73

Get Something Published

74

Develop a Bullshit Detector

75

Listen To New Types of Music

76

Buy Things From Independent Sellers

77

Keep Doing Updates of Inspiration Journals

78

Take Up Yoga

79

Work Through Kama Sutra

80

Take a Trip to Tokyo

81

Do 5 Push-Ups Every Day

82

Go Mini-Golfing

83

Write a Computer Program That Fills a Personal Need

84

Make Holidays and Birthdays for Friends Memorable

85

Learn To Shoot a Gun

86

Start Up DeviantArt

87

Create A List of 50 Random Facts About Myself

88

Learn More About Burlesque

89

Get A Wii and Wii Fit

90

Go to Concerts at the Confederation Centre

91

Read 1 New Book A Week (Or Magazine...Or Ton of Wikipedia Articles)

92

Spend As Many Rainy Days As Possible Reading in PJs in Bed

93

Send Ashley Snail Mail Packages

94

Make A List of Things I Love About Jon and What He Has Done For Me

95

Make A Gratitude Jar For My Parents

96

Make A Scrapbook of the Things That Make Me Happy

97

Do Something on Instructables

98

Clean At Least One Thing A Day

99

Take A Photo A Day

100

Help Other People Get More Stuff Done (Organizing!)

101

Answer 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind