Escape from Alcatraz!

Okay, so it really isn't that hard to leave Alcatraz these days, but it was fun to go there. While I lived in the Bay Area, I always planned to go and visit Alcatraz. Somehow I never got around to going... Anyway on a recent trip to Cali I finally got around to going there. It was a beautiful day to go as it was sunny and there wasn't even a hint of fog. While it was gorgeous it was still really windy, so I was still grateful that I had a hoodie, or else I would have frozen! It was enjoyable to walk around and learn more about the history of Alcatraz. Recently it has become more of a wildlife sanctuary, so parts of the island where closed off to all for nesting birds. There is also a lot of plants and gardens, which make the island very beautiful. The prison block also has an interesting self guided tour, which I enjoyed as I could go at my own pace. Being the geek I am, I was surprised that they had a small library on Alcatraz. That is one job that I would never want to have. I know even today there are libraries is many of the prisons across the US and I am grateful to all who are willing to work in them. I am sure they can be a wonderful job, but I don't think I could handle it! Overall I had a great trip and was glad I had such beautiful weather while I was there.

It is finished!

Years and years ago, I started this cross-stitch for my sister. For the most part I enjoyed doing it, but if you look closely all the snowmen are stitched in white. That is the part that took me the longest because it was quite boring to do. I think that if I ever did this pattern again, I would make sure to do it on a darker colored canvas, so that the white would pop a bit more. I am quite pleased with how it turned out. I am even happier that I could find a ready made frame in which it would fit. I am always surprised at the cost of custom framing... While I didn't finish it in time for this past Christmas, I look forward to seeing up this coming Christmas!

A Job!!

In some very exciting news, I am no longer unemployed! I recently got a job working in a small university library. While it isn't ideal, as I never really wanted to be an academic librarian, I am thrilled to have a job. It is great to be able to use my degree, something that doesn't always happen. It is a really nice place to work as all the staff and instructors are great and I already feel very welcome. The downsides are that I have to dress professionally... something that I haven't had to do for years! It did give me the excuse to go on a shopping spree... and I do like to shop. :) Anyway, right now it is still pretty novel to dress nice and wear all my new clothes. Give me about a month and I will be dieing to wear jeans and a t-shirt to work. One thing that I am sure that I won't miss is the job hunt. After months of feeling guilty if I didn't check the job listings at least once a week, I don't have to do it at all! While eventually I would like to get a different job, something more in the field I specialized in, I am quite content to learn my new job and enjoy having benefits again.

A shock to the system.

After months of being unemployed, I finally landed a temp job. While it isn't the most exciting job in the world, it at least is a paycheck. In a truly novel fashion, it also pays me every other Friday. For the last several years I have been working for the state, which pays you once a month. Let me tell you, it sucks having to budget of one paycheck a month, but I did it! Anyway, on another side note I have been doing freelance graphic design work for the several years, but as it is freelance the work comes and goes. Last year it mostly went as the economic problems had affected many of the publishing companies. Well, with the new year, I was contacted and asked about my availability for the upcoming year. At that point I still didn't have a job, so I gave them the green light, but didn't really expect anything to come from it. As fate would have it a week before I started my temp job, they contacted me and had 3 projects that they wanted me to do. I was happy for the work, but felt that the timing really sucked. As it goes, to finish all the projects on time and still work my temp job I have gone from not doing anything to working 10 to 12 hours a day. Let me tell you it has not made for a happy Tawnie... I finish the last of these projects this week and am looking forward to having some time just working one job. It looks like I won't get much of a break as it does look like things are picking up for the freelance work. I just have to remind myself that is money, which I do desperately need...

A brand new me!

While I have complained about my weight gain since I turned about 28, I haven't really done anything about it. I make vague efforts, which I why I bought wii fit a while ago. While I used it for a bit, I got tired of always having to select the next workout. It felt like it took 45 minuets to do a 30 minute workout. It also didn't help that I didn't feel like I was getting a serious workout. It is fun and enjoyable, but it seemed to focus more on balance and coordination, not a good calorie burning exercise. So in the spring when I heard about Active, I decided to give it a try. I bought the game, which sat on my shelf for longer than it should. I did pull it out and play it once, but then got caught up in the bussle of finishing my last semester of graduate school. But even when I finished school, and lost my job, I still didn't work out more. For months I have lazed around with no job and just the occasional freelance projects.

Well, back to the orignal focus of this post, I have decided to turn over a new leaf and exercise more often. As it stands now, I have worked out for the last 3 days. I have been using the Active game I bought all those months ago. Overall, I am enjoying it. I have been using the 30 day challage, and I like how it creates preset workouts for me so I don't have to worry about what I am doing next. Each workout is just under 30 minutes, and I like the variety of strength training and cardio. By the end of the workout I am breathing hard and a bit sweaty. I think these are signs of a great workout! I also like that when you move from on exercise to the next they have a cut screen where it pauses while you get what ever equipment you need or grab a quick drink.

One of the things that I can't stand about it is the cheesy pep talks by the personal trainer. They just get annoying after a while. When I think about how they could be given by a 50 pound overweight voice actor sitting in a recording studio, they are even more annoying. Might least favorite is "what you are my friend, is poetry in motion!" Really, who thought anyone would be encouraged by this? Because of this, I have taken to muting the tv and just playing my own music while I work out. I find it easy to just follow the on screen prompts, and I don't miss the games bad music or cheesy dialog. Now I just have to keep it up!

Temptation...

For a while now, I have wanted a new iPod. I don't really need one, as I have a perfectly good 30 gb iPod... but I really want a 120 gb. I have quite the extensive music collection and with a 120 gb iPod I would be able to fit all of my collection on it. Then I would always have access to whatever song I wanted to listen to, even if my computer was off. So, I gave into temptation the other day and bought one at Costco. I know, as I am jobless I should be more practical with my money, but I wanted it! Anyway, I brought it home and hooked it up to my computer and had it sync my complete collection. Imagine my suprise when it barely fit all of my music. I only have 100 gb of music, but with album art and other silliness, it used the extra space. This made me reaize that my collection has indeed gotten out of control. After this I started to go through my music and removed some of the stuff that I never really listen too. I now have the goal to not let my music collection grow too large that I cannot fit it on my iPod. See, I can have some self control! (maybe...)

Seattle!

In a recent attempt to end my unemployed status, I went to Seattle for a job interview. I drove up there with my fabulous roommate. As the interview process spanned over two days, we decided to do a bit of sightseeing while we where there. I had a great time at Pike Place market and walking around the downtown area. Being the complete library geeks that we are, we did go to the Seattle Public Library while we where there. Overall, I wasn't that impressed by the library, it seemed to be a bit weird. I also didn't like how the escalators wouldn't take you to the next floor up, and would skip floors, which made finding the bathroom a bit adventurous. We also took a hike through Heritage park, which has some fabulous views of Puget Sound. Overall it was a great trip and I would love it if I could live there.