9 Moons Ago

This entry is partly inspired by one I read at dooce a few weeks ago on her dooce gets fired anniversary.
Since my brother is starting up a new jobby-job (at kfsizzle) today, I thought I’d write something about stupid customers so he can get a bit of a laugh. I’ll need your help though.

The reason being, I had to deal with stupid customers plenty of times while working. But I couldn’t really bring myself to being a complete jerk, as they were doing at the time. For example, while taking a phone order from someone demanding and really rude at Little Caesar’s (pizza! pizza!), I got pretty mad. All I did was take her canned mushrooms (ewwww) and completely squeezed all the moisture out of them before putting them on the pizza, mangling them severely in the process. Not being a mushroom eater, I don’t even know if that makes them taste any different? But I hope so..heh heh.
And while working as a cashier, I once rolled my eyes at an argumentative whiney lady (ooooohhh! harsh!) and, for someone else being picky about my bagging, I put one item only in each of her bags. (Not advocating this, as I’ve seen far too many plastic bags in my time. We use cloth ones now..and I recommend them!)

So, you see why I need better stories from people. It doesnt have to just be about revenge (And I’m really not trying to encourage revenge…unless its funny;-) )
I know you all have something to contribute. Maybe something along the lines of:
I once had a new job at Bath & Body works. At an after-hours display set-up session, we were teamed up in pairs. Only, my partner wasnt helping me, and hardly working at all. The boss came up to me later and whispered in my ear, I’m really sorry about this. I think she’s on crack!. Then a pause and nervous laugh.. Oh..I shouldn’t have said that! I hope you don’t quit now. Needless to say, I did, not long after that.

Yeah, that was me too. :-)
Go ahead, lets hear some funny ‘God, this job sucks’ stories! We’ve all been there!

Went to a tool sale with Cameron this morning. He enjoyed catching up with old associates and checking out the kinds of planes, books, and tools that were up for sale. He thought I might be bored, but I wasn’t. We both enjoyed the Scottish customer who was wearing a shirt with a definition of the word Eejit. I cant recall the exact words, but it was something explaining that it was a Scottish term for a numbskull. Then it was used in a sentence similar to You canna do that, you eejit!, but a lot funnier.
Oh Dan, by the way, he looked like Peter Gabriel..(the current Peter Gabriel look)..salt and pepper beard.

It was nice this afternoon.. I did some gardening. Pruned back some overgrown ivy, cleared dead leaves away, watered the roses, lavender, & ferns and brought some flowers in for the kitchen & my studio. So I sketched the kitchen flowers. (Thanks for reminding me to sketch some garden things, Karen) Its not a very clear painting, but if anyone happens to recognize the flower from the detail on the top half, Id appreciate knowing the name of it…it grows on a bush with thin branches.

Ill have to prune the wisteria soon and again in winter so well get some nice blooms. This past spring had some pretty blooms, but the vine was too overgrown to produce many.

This week Ill be focusing on finishing the organization of my studio and doing some more thorough paintings for my portfolio. Ill try and limit my journal sketchbook sessions..just do 10 minute ones for the time-being. I pretty much want to start my portfolio from scratch, except for 3 or 4 of my Irish music session paintings. Ive got a couple of commissioned portraits to work on as well.

Well, have a good week for those of you in this part of the world..and the rest can enjoy their Sunday!!
Take Care! I’ll be saying some prayers for certain people..and if anyone else wants a prayer said for anything (within reason ;-) ), just let me know! Yeah, Dan..I can pray that winter ends in Edinboro..like NOW!!

Note to Self: *Hmm…these direct comments could end up being confusing. Just realised that I know 3 Camerons, 3 Karens, and 4 Dans ..Although..the last are easily distinguishable as I always call them “Danny, Daniel, Dan and Dad”* Oh well.. I’ll personally let ya know if I’m gonna start referring to you as “Moleculo” or something!

For those interested in the materials which helped me on my journey..

Note: None of these books are links. I am sorry if thats an inconvenience, but it took me a while just to assemble this in the first place. Most of these are only what I brought with me from the U.S. or borrowed/bought while here in Melbourne. There are several more that I cant recall at the moment.

BOOKS
On Depression:
I wish Id written down the books I read about depression and treatments. A lot of them were checked out at the library over several years, found while browsing, so I say check out your own library too! Or, if you want to buy one for yourself, just poke around at a bookstore. I found and bought this one at Borders several years ago:
Out of the Blues: Strategies That Work to Get you Through the Down Times Jay Cleve, Ph. D. (This has a section for partners of people with depression, in the back of the book)
Deepak Chopra is a good author as well. I dont remember if anything he writes is specifically about depression, but I have read some things by him that are, at least, related.

On Motivation/Inspiration/Abundance:
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey
Write It Down, Make It Happen: Knowing what You Want- And Getting It! Henriette Anne Klauser
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway Susan Jeffers
You Dont Have to Be Born Brilliant: How to Design a Magnificent Life John McGrath
Simple Abundance:A Daybook of Comfort & Joy Sarah Ban Breathnach
Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self Sarah Ban Breathnach
The Celestine Prophecy: An Experiential Guide James Redfield and Carol Adrienn
The Bodacious Book of Succulence SARK
Inspiration Sandwich SARK
A Creative Companion SARK
(theres a sark link in website list)
Feng Shui A-Z Terah Kathryn Collin
Superlife:The Seven Steps That Spell S.U.C.C.E.S.S.Anne Naylor
The Road to Financial Freedom Bodo Shafer
Dont Worry, Make Money Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
Inner Simplicity:100 Ways to Regain Peace and Nourish your Soul Elaine St. James
currently reading:Living the Simple Life: A Guide to Scaling Down and Enjoying More Elaine St. James

Meditational:
Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom John ODonohue (Beautiful spiritual readings on soul mates and the cycles of life)
Birdsong RUMI Fifty Three Short Poems translated by Coleman Barks
The Boat of Quiet Hours Jane Kenyon (poetry)
Let Evening Come Jane Kenyon (poetry)

Artistic:
The Artists Way Julia Cameron
Vein of Gold Julia Cameron (These 2 are workbooks to help unlock creativity. Ive started them several times and actually completed The Artists Way last year, still working on getting through Vein of Gold, but its really worth it to give these a try)
How to Write and Illustrate Childrens Books and Get Them Published Treld Pelkey Bicknell & Felicity Trotman
The Griffin & Sabine Trilogy: Griffin & Sabine, Sabines Notebook, The Golden Mean Nick Bantock (Gorgeous paintings, inspired way of putting together a story..check them out in a bookstore, youll see what Im talking about!)
Moonlight Chronicles Dan Price ($5 a zine, they will inspire you to look at your everyday surroundings and maybe even pick up pen and pencil! Here is an exception to the link note: www.moonlight-chronicles.com )
Everyday Matters Danny Gregory (Have read excerpts, seen illos, but want to buy this book! I recommend it because what do I know of it is wonderful..his website link is below)

Websites:
From a friend I received a wonderful 3 page excerpt from Love is Letting Go of Fear Gerald G. Jampolsky, I did a search online the other day and found this webpage:
www.spiritwalk.org/jampolsky.htm#quotations

www.flylady.com
(good for when I wanted to get organised. I got some routines into place, but stopped the emails because there are lots.. every day!)

www.campsark.com
(got this addy from reading SARK of course. I had mentioned in my second entry of this journal(2002) that I wasnt much into this message board, but continued to visit and met some cool women and got a lot of great ideas and resources there. I still stop in from time to time)

www.loobylu.com
(awesome artistic inspiration! Her style is charming, her design is great and she has an amazing amount of energy, considering all her productivity while devoting her time to her husband, daughter, and friends!)

www.everydaymatters.com
(another awesome artistic inspiration as well as one for writing and life in general. ..one of the reasons I finally got my blog from off the ground, where it had been for 2 years)

www.dooce.com
(tres funny, but I wouldnt recommend it if youre uptight about language, bitter ravings of ex-mormons, graphic description of child-bearing and raising, etc.)

Music:
HEAPS of musical inspiration..I like a wide range of genres, so I say check out whatever grabs ya! Here are a few of the things I like to tune in if I decide to listen to radio:
triple J: www.abc.net.au/triplej
NPR: www.npr.org
Thistle & Shamrock with Fiona Ritchie (on NPR)
A Prairie Home Companion Garrison Keillor (on NPR)

Sorry for the delay on this, but hope its a help!
I may add a proper links section to my site, but not in the very immediate future..
Take Care..
xo Ames

We’re on our way out! See ya later!! Don’t drink too much green beer! Mum and I are gonna have a pint of Guinness tonight! Mmmmm! And if you’re in Ireland, (*waves to Bernie*) terribly sorry for all this cheese..
Kaffy..we’re wearin’ the t-shirts from you!!

(p.s. “slainte!” is a gaelic form of “cheers!”)