Friday, November 11, 2005
How I keep myself entertained...
.. or, how being off work this much is really bad for my budget!
It has now been a month and a half since nasty work incident, and as of this past Friday, my boss has stated that he will not reconsider keeping my abusers away from my shift, so I am still off on doctor-and-psychologist-supported stress leave. Still not relaxing into it, still trying to fight the good fight and keep my self-respect up, and that's going okay.. but to have this much free time is messing with my head!
Too much time to visit Starbucks, Pacific Centre mall, Circle Craft's Christmas Market of upscale craft, and my friendly co-workers at Urban Yarns... so, VISA is racing back up (I'm blaming some of that on covering my psychologist's fees, until I get reimbursed from my benifit provider) AND I have a lovely silk/wool sweater almost finished (started yesterday).
Lots of time, though, to ponder how well I'll survive as a self-employed person, with my fingers in a whole bunch of buckets (don't think I have that idiom quite right..), no benefits, holidays or sick pay, and paycheques coming in from five or six sources... could be interesting.
Neat thing about wandering the Circle Craft market was seeing how many new vendors are there this year, who are young, hip, and SUCCEEDING! Very heartening to see... along with the number of folk who are sharing space with equally talented friends working in different media.. gives me hope for co-boothing with Phil and others!
In hoop life, I'm doing very little actual hooping, but have managed to set up some play dates. I also just received an email from the organizers of the Odd Ball.. I managed to make a decent "Super Hooper" costume, went to the event and was directed to go hoop up on the stage... and the crowd and the organizers loved me so much that they are booking me NOW to perform at their Pride Odd Ball next July... woo! Twas the highlight of the month, having a super-supportive crowd actually back away from the stage so they could see better (or was that the fear?).. and still cheering for me even after I managed to tear down some of the crepe streamers that were overhead... and going CRAZY for me when I put the streamers back up out of the way while still keeping the hoop going at my waist! So much fun...
What else? Polo? Polo is good, polo is fun.. gets kinda scary when I have nightmares about some of my teammates and then wind up being checked by them in the pool.. but otherwise its all lovely. Wish I was better, and wish I had more access to a pool for training (getting a bit of grief for coming into the pool to swim, while still on leave...)
Anyway, time to get on with the day.
Weather: wet, gray, traditional Rememberance Day weather.
Chai's so far: one. Actually took a carton of chai mix home a couple days ago, but haven't cracked it open yet, still hitting Starbucks.
Water: polo last night, in for a hot tub today while the pool was closed to the public.. was supposed to go swimming, but couldn't make myself get in...
Wardrobe: comfy-yet-I-feel-chic men's low-ride boot cut jeans in a solid dark wash, no sandblasting anymore... and a scoopneck 3/4 sleeve black Tshirt I picked up a couple weeks ago. Simple, chic... oh, and a little purple bead with a crystal, hanging off a silver chain. Weird being so understated!
Craft in progress: silk/wool sweater, Fleece Artist handdyed in misty blues/greens/purples... loose stitches, sleek fitting.. did the body-to-armpits yesterday while walking around Circle Craft, am on the sleeves now, and will hopefully get to the point of the raglan yoke by tomorrow.
It has now been a month and a half since nasty work incident, and as of this past Friday, my boss has stated that he will not reconsider keeping my abusers away from my shift, so I am still off on doctor-and-psychologist-supported stress leave. Still not relaxing into it, still trying to fight the good fight and keep my self-respect up, and that's going okay.. but to have this much free time is messing with my head!
Too much time to visit Starbucks, Pacific Centre mall, Circle Craft's Christmas Market of upscale craft, and my friendly co-workers at Urban Yarns... so, VISA is racing back up (I'm blaming some of that on covering my psychologist's fees, until I get reimbursed from my benifit provider) AND I have a lovely silk/wool sweater almost finished (started yesterday)
Lots of time, though, to ponder how well I'll survive as a self-employed person, with my fingers in a whole bunch of buckets (don't think I have that idiom quite right..), no benefits, holidays or sick pay, and paycheques coming in from five or six sources... could be interesting.
Neat thing about wandering the Circle Craft market was seeing how many new vendors are there this year, who are young, hip, and SUCCEEDING! Very heartening to see... along with the number of folk who are sharing space with equally talented friends working in different media.. gives me hope for co-boothing with Phil and others!
In hoop life, I'm doing very little actual hooping, but have managed to set up some play dates. I also just received an email from the organizers of the Odd Ball.. I managed to make a decent "Super Hooper" costume, went to the event and was directed to go hoop up on the stage... and the crowd and the organizers loved me so much that they are booking me NOW to perform at their Pride Odd Ball next July... woo! Twas the highlight of the month, having a super-supportive crowd actually back away from the stage so they could see better (or was that the fear?).. and still cheering for me even after I managed to tear down some of the crepe streamers that were overhead... and going CRAZY for me when I put the streamers back up out of the way while still keeping the hoop going at my waist! So much fun...
What else? Polo? Polo is good, polo is fun.. gets kinda scary when I have nightmares about some of my teammates and then wind up being checked by them in the pool.. but otherwise its all lovely. Wish I was better, and wish I had more access to a pool for training (getting a bit of grief for coming into the pool to swim, while still on leave...)
Anyway, time to get on with the day.
Weather: wet, gray, traditional Rememberance Day weather.
Chai's so far: one. Actually took a carton of chai mix home a couple days ago, but haven't cracked it open yet, still hitting Starbucks.
Water: polo last night, in for a hot tub today while the pool was closed to the public.. was supposed to go swimming, but couldn't make myself get in...
Wardrobe: comfy-yet-I-feel-chic men's low-ride boot cut jeans in a solid dark wash, no sandblasting anymore... and a scoopneck 3/4 sleeve black Tshirt I picked up a couple weeks ago. Simple, chic... oh, and a little purple bead with a crystal, hanging off a silver chain. Weird being so understated!
Craft in progress: silk/wool sweater, Fleece Artist handdyed in misty blues/greens/purples... loose stitches, sleek fitting.. did the body-to-armpits yesterday while walking around Circle Craft, am on the sleeves now, and will hopefully get to the point of the raglan yoke by tomorrow.
# posted by Christa Giles @ 12:40 PM 
