Saturday, February 28, 2015

People Are Weird


People are most definitely weird.  I was explaining to Sarah K that when Rob was alive he used to record The Shopping Channel practically every day, as well as watch it in real time.  Most people I tell this to always burst out laughing, and Sarah K was no different. I used to  laugh at this little idiosyncrasy of Rob's, and he in turn laughed at my use of "insipid" and "inane" when I described my feelings about The Shopping Channel. Nobody actually used those words, he'd say.

During the day at the market, there was a customer (I say customer ironically because he never actually bought anything) who was the absolute definition of weird. He liked my art, sure, but then he started to get all new age hippie on me.  He kept saying that it was wonderful how I did my art with my mind, and that my mind (as well as everybody else's minds) would live on forever.

The customer then told Sarah K and me that he too was an artist - he'd gone to OCAD and everything!  He proceeded to then showed us picture after picture from his phone of all of his artwork.  It was all stained glass windows, and sure it was good but so similar!  So mind-numbingy boring.

When Leon came by for his weekly visit, I practically reached out and grabbed him, knowing full well that his presence would make the customer feel uncomfortable enough to decide to scram.  At  first, Leon didn't understand what I was doing and he kept saying that he had to leave ASAP to go to a meeting.  I told him, "No, no, please stay for five minutes -  and tell me all about the movie you're working on!" (This is particularlally funny because lately the production of his movie is what Leon has been talking about the most.)

In the end, the customer took the hint and left, but not until he said some pretty messed up ableist shit.  In front of me, he told Sarah K and Leon how wonderful he thought they both were for "taking such good care" of me.

Inwardly,  I cringed at his words.  I couldn't understand how he didn't even  realize how offensive he was being. He ,made me feel like he thought that I was some kind of house pet that was incapable of any kind of self-determination or self-awareness.

To their credit,both Sarah K and Leon did their best to stand up for me. Sarah K explained that she worked for me and that I paid her wages. And Leon simply stated that I was his best friend.

Most people have some sort of weirdness inside of them, but. I would far rather deal with Rob's funny weirdness than the self-centred,  judgemental weirdness of thatt one customer I had today.  

Friday, February 27, 2015

Happy and Unstuck

I had an excellent day!


I finished my painting of Princess Eboli, and I really like it!

All morning and afternoon, Dobrila and Gordon helped me do an instructional video for employees who are training to work for me.  This will make my life so much more easier!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Bursting


Today counselling was cancelled, and it's been awhile since I posted anything of substance here. I'm bursting to let everything out!

My cat painting needs to be finished, though ....


Tomorrow, hopefully, I'll spill my guts ...!

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Another Very Productive Sunday



I was so full energy today!  Emails/texts were written; note cards and other merch were designed and ordered; my financial ledger was updated; floors were washed, laundry was cleaned; and, card packages were put together.

Now, I'm about to start a new painting ....

Saturday, February 21, 2015

I'm Back


As the song goes, I'm back, back in the saddle again!  Or, more aptly stated, I'm back at St. Lawrence Market.

The journey here was cold and snowy, but way better than last week. Egad, minus thirty with the wind chill! Mother Nature should take a Lorazepam and chill out ... er, warm up.

Well, I'm hopeful that today will be a good day for sales. Hopefully, I'll get some more commissions for paintings too

Commissions are bread and butter for artists!

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Post Called Because of Rain


Well, actually, pain - muscle and joint pain to be exact!

Write to you all tomorrow, everybody ....

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Looking Forward and Trying to Figure Things Out


After breakfast, and emails/texts/phone calls, and buying groceries, and adding more songs to my YouTube playlist, and finally deciding that my painting of Napoleon really was finished, I began to contemplate on what to do next.

I have to start painting a cat named Princess Eboli for one of my customers; that's number one on my  list.  However, I'm thinking about bigger things. I want to apply to the Riverdale Art Walk; the One of a Kind Show; and, the Artpreneur three month workshop.  God knows if any of my applications will be accepted, but I need to try.

And then, I logged onto Facebook and looked up some old friends from Germany.  When I have a chance I'll ask them for advice on where to stay in Berlin and what to see/do there.  I'm pretty sure I'll go to Berlin in August for my birthday.

I got distracted from messaging my friends, though, because I thought hey, I should look into getting into a new power wheelchair before I go on my trip.  I was kind of disappointed in the selection I saw on the internet. It's been six years since my last new wheelchair, and there haven't been any cool developments.  None of them can go 50 mph, or fly, or do time travel.

Jeez, engineers/manufactures, get on the ball!

Sunday, February 15, 2015

A Very Social Day



I'm too tired and tipsy from socializing with friends and drinking red wine to actually write anything. I will say, though, that it was a very productive and fun day. I feel very happy.

I love you, Jen and Nic!!!!

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Even I Have My Limits

I just checked the weather forecast for today. With the wimd chill, it's going to he around-16 to -23 and snowy. Ick. I'm going back to bed. It's just too cold and blustery, even for me.

Besides, it's Valentine's Day, which is slightly depressing for me.

And, it gives me a chance to clean/tidy up before Jen and Nic come for a visit this evening.  Maybe I'll finish Napoleon too ....

Right now, though, I'm going to nap until 10:00.

Friday, February 13, 2015

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Happy Birthday Dandylion!









Happy birthday, Dandylion!  Twenty-five years ago, you were born.  Two months later, I went to a pet store and chose you (or did you choose me?) and took you home inside of my jacket on a cold April morning.

You were quite a character! Whenever you had a chance you would slip between my back and the seat in my chair and go to sleep. I think I it was because of these kinds of tender shows of affection, Dandylion, I could forgive your tempermental outbursts. You and Rob and I loved each other so much, and we made up this weird and special kind of family.





I love you Dandylion, and I always will. I hope you're chasing a lot of string and bubbles and hanging out with Rob.

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Naughty Napoleon


Naughty Napoleon is misbehaving.  I`m going to fix him up before I go to bed.

I won't let this be his Waterloo ... or mine.

Monday, February 9, 2015

Napoleon is Materializing



Napoleon is materializing ...

                      right before my index finger.

Sunday, February 8, 2015

Memories, Memories Everywhere!

It was another productive day for me.  I got the payroll sorted out and started working on the schedule for the next pay period.  I answered important emails and set dates for meetings.

The fun part of the day was going through old photo albums and choosing pictures to put inn my bedroom and on the fridge.

And now., I'm going to paint  --  which is also fun !




Saturday, February 7, 2015

Snowy Saturday


It's early morning at the market. I've just arrived, and I'm very conscious of how much my wheelchair is forming a pool of melted snow around me. 

Ick!  I abhor and detest winter. It wouldn't be so bad if people shovelled their sidewalks properly, but (on the first day of a snowfall at least) I always feel like I'm taking a risk just deciding to go outside because of the high possibility that I may get stuck in the snow. It's not too bad if someone is with me; they help me get unstuck. But, I feel annoyed that this is almost what's expected of me - and people like me - that I need somebody shadowing me in difficult weather. Like most people, I revel I in my independence and enjoy a solitary journey- or the option of one. 

In closing I'd like to say, the only snow I like is John Snow -  when is Game of Thrones coming back anyway???

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Another Very Productive Day


It's late in the evening, and I'm still working on dozens of things all at once.  I'm updating the employees' schedule and my finances, replying to emails, and trying to find out where the hell the battery I ordered for my laptop is.  (Shipping in 24 hours - my ass!)

I've got so much today.  I made a friend date with Motria for Saturday evening. (Yay!)  I bought herbal medication, picked up parcels from the post office, got the poop samples of my boys to the vet, and had Jeff come over to photograph some of my art.

Now I'm going to assemble some new cards for the market on Saturday.

Good night ....

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Family Outing




I'm beat.  Wrangling two large cats into pet carriers, taking them to the vet, and then waiting around while each is examined is exhausting.

I promise to be more chatty tomorrow ....

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Winter Kills


Winter kills my thumb, wrist, bicep, shoulders (both sides!), and my poor neck! I'm sure my pain comes from struggling through the snow yesterday! Sure, I'm positive it's also hard on the people who try to help by pushing my chair from behind, but I've been doing this same shtick for years and it's playing havoc with my muscles and joints.

Of course, it doesn't help that when I finally get inside where it's warm and somebody will say to the person I'm with, " What is she doing out in this weather? She should be home where it's warm!"
I grit my teeth  and try not to run them over.

Winter may be killing my body slowly over the years, but people who disrespect me like this are killing my very psyche.  And, damn it all, I am going to go out in every type of weather until my body gives up totally because that is the type of person I am and it's my decision to live like this!

Monday, February 2, 2015

Conquering Napoleon


I conquered the snowy, sludgy, icy mess that was out there today.  The snow and bitter wind only stopped me in my tracks a few times, but strangers were kind and pushed until I was freed.

Now, I have another thing I have to conquer:  Napoleon the kitten.



I start on painting sweet little Napoleon tonight.

I'll try to post the progression of the painting as it goes along ....

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Training Day

I was training two new employees all day - and now I'm exhausted and sore!

Write to you tomorrow ....