Three Cent Stamp
Amusing musings and streams of consciousness

How do I jump back in after such a long absence? Oh, how I’ve missed writing blog posts, reading my favorite blogs, Twittering and all my Internet pals!  I wonder — after such a long moratorium I– whether I’ll be able to compose a post at all.  It feels like the only writing I’ve done lately is at work via email. So now that we all know what I haven’t been doing, what HAVE I been doing?  

For starers, I’ve been working A LOT, but I can’t complain because I’m really lovin’ it (most days). I am grateful that I not only have a job, but I have a job that I enjoy. We’re heading toward the finish line with some pretty large projects and our hours are long and sometimes, quite intense. This particular photo was shot with my iPhone. Most weekends you’ll see me online for work, usually bugging somebody for something (at work I’m known as PPITA, Professional Pain in The A$$).   However, I did take a breather yesterday to attend a beer bash (and yes, as a matter of fact, I did have a beer).

Not too long ago I headed up to San Francisco to attend the World Wide Developer’s Conference (WWDC) put on by Apple, Inc. I had a blast, enjoyed a couple graphics and imaging sessions, as well as San Francisco (loved the view of SF bay outside my hotel window). Being a bit of a nerd I have to admit that I got goosebumps seeing so many Macs in one room, albeit a BIG room, but there was a plethora of Macs!

I reconnected with a dear friend after a 10 year absence. Oh how I have missed you, “B”.

I stopped to smell the roses (Hamburglar, you should have a field day with this one)!

I also relaxed … not to mention I got weekly massages from Judy when things got overly tense in the office (like the Friday that I got yelled at … OK, maybe he wasn’t yelling exactly … but I felt a scolding there for a few minutes … which reversed 5 minutes later and I got to hear, “Kat is right on this one.”). Yeah, one for PPITA!

I visited my family in Oregon … they were online, I wasn’t.  But I do think that a family that “Macs together, stays together.” At least for the duration that one requires WiFi access (did I mention that I drool when I see a lot of Macs in the same room - hence, I am not pictured here).

I made new friends and went drinking with them. These evenings were truly pleasurable, as were the drinks.

I sacrificed my left thigh (on quite a few occasions) to the great vitamin shot entity and I must say that I am feeling pretty darned damned good … but more on that later. This is a good thing, trust me.

I had laughed until my cheeks were sore at a journal making workshop and I have enjoyed writing, painting & gluing things into my new journal. Green Girl gave me my very first inspirational message (a quote taken from her journal) which is pasted on the opening page next to my scribbling and chalk work. I’m particularly fond of taking big bites out of anything edible (like birthday cake … I love cake!).

I made cards for friends (birthday cards, friendship cards, get well cards) and framed a photograph for a friend’s birthday.

I managed to find time to get completely hooked on a new TV show, called “Lie to Me”. It’s an excellent crime solving show that focuses on applied psychology and microexpressions to solve cases. I’m completely obsessed with this show, having bought the complete first season on iTunes!  Seriously, check it out. 

Last, but not least, I have been taking photos, here and there in preparation for a class I’ll be taking in August at the Maine Media Workshops. So many photos, so little time and there are times I contemplate retiring on a beach somewhere … she sells pictures of sea shells on the sea shore … yes, this is what I dream at times.

With all this fun and work, and work, and work, and work … well, you can understand where I’ve been and what I’ve been doing, right?  And speaking of photographs, I really must get back to my sorting. My webmaster (AKA: husband) is waiting for new photographs so we can launch an update of my other web site, Pixels2Picture. Hey, if you’re in the mood for some light reading about photographs, feel free to drop by and see my photo blog there.   But I’ll be back here real soon. Promise!

Driving up to Oregon we seemed to be chasing the snow. Once we drove through Redding, California, the rain froze and snowflakes fell.  By the time we drove through Ashland, Oregon, our visibility dropped as did our driving speed. 

Restless and unable to resist taking pictures of beautiful, snow capped mountains, I decided to roll down my window and snap whatever I could.  As I hung out the passenger window and as the icy air filled the cab of the car, Bill failed to fully appreciate my love of snow and enthusiasm for photography.  However, since he is well versed in my antics he should not have been surprised. 

We arrived safely at my parent’s home in Southern Oregon and I’ve  been doing my snow dance ever since. Each morning I hope to wake up to the white of winter. This morning I was rewarded (or mocked, if you prefer) with a light dusting of snow, which, unfortunately melted within the hour. I know, I know … if you live on the east coast or anywhere that there is serious snow, you’re laughing at my wimpy version below.  

Snow … sigh … maybe tomorrow?

Solitude is not something you must hope for in the future. Rather, it is a deepening of the present, and unless you look for it in the present you will never find it.  ~Thomas Merton

With all the books in our book cases, perhaps I should be a bit more creative in actually using my books as art. While my books my not be nearly as colorful as those in the photo below, I’m certain I could spell out a word or two. Book, for example. How would it look if people walked in and saw the word “book” spelled with books on our book shelves?  But maybe I should think bigger, maybe a word such as, supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.  

What would you spell?

Original post: http://pan-dan.blogspot.com/2008/11/b-o-o-k.html

I am stoked to  have completed my first ever NaBloPoMo writing event. Essentially, 30 posts in 30 days. For me, this was a lot! When I started I wasn’t even sure that I’d make it. After all it’s not easy finding topics to post each and every day. Some days, it’s difficult enough to write, period! I wondered if over the 30 day period I’d end up resorting to just one-liners with a photo.  I did not do this other than having posted my standard, “Poetic Photograph” section that I do each week. Overall, I am very happy with the content that I posed throughout the month.

I would like to thank all the readers, fellow bloggers and Twitter pals who stopped by during the month to read a post, leave a comment and provide me an abundance of encouragement.

I would also like to congratulate fellow bloggers who also took on the challenge, whether you made it the entire month or not. Shit happens and we do our best, right?

Thank you!

Yesterday I met a friend, her friends, and her mom, for brunch to celebrate her birthday. It was a beautiful day in Santa Cruz; warm enough to be spring instead of fall, heading towards winter. There we were sitting at the table, six women, of various ages and points in our lives and careers. We laughed and talked about everything ranging from writing to quilting, jewelry, travel, blogging and Buddhism, not necessarily in that order. What struck me as interesting, besides each of them, was that some people knew each other and some didn’t. I knew only my friend, and the other 4 people were first acquaintances. I was new to them. Yet in spite of how long we had known each other and who knew each other first, we all had common passions to talk about, and there was a fun-loving, warm, comfort level that made me feel as if I had known these women for years.

This is so indicative of the friend who brought us all together; she is a creative, fun-loving, high-spirited woman who has a real zest for life. I admire the way she is able to connect with people and her wisdom and spunk. There is a depth to her that you don’t find in people every day.  In the midst of our celebratory laughter, “N”, the woman sitting in the middle of the table, announced that she had brought some glitter. We laughed and then passed the delicate little container from hand to hand, each taking a pinch and letting the glitter drop to our hair and faces. More laughter ensued. The picture of these beautiful, fun loving women, wearing glitter, laughing like kids, forgetting anything but the moments at hand, was inspiring, and was a sight to behold. I was sad when our time together had ended and we each departed for the other plans that we had made for the day.

Last night when my husband and I were sitting on the couch admiring a warm, cozy fire he looked over at me and said, “Hey, you have glitter on your nose.”  I laughed, remembering how much fun we had and how much we laughed, sharing our stories and enjoying each other’s company. I especially felt generosity to my friend for allowing me to share her birthday with her and for bringing a group of strangers together for an afternoon of fun.

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too. 

~Samuel Butler, Notebooks, 1912

Today marks Webster’s third birthday, and to celebrate I’ve gathered some of the tons of photos that I have of him and set them to music. As you will see, Webster has demonstrated a great deal of patience having had a camera shoved in his face most of the days of his life. There is even a chapter about having fun at Webster’s expense, dressing him up in costumes against his will for which, I know at some future point, there will be hell to pay. But don’t feel bad for Webster because right now he’s sacked out on the armchair after a full day of having fun: a car ride, a visit to the Buddhist center, digging in the garbage and having consumed a huge meal of turkey, mashed potatoes and dressing. Trust me, spoiled doesn’t even begin to describe Webster’s “cush” little life. In my next life, I’m coming back as a dog!

For Thanksgiving day leftovers, morning hugs, a warm place to sleep and the love of the family that surrounds him. 

Simple.

There are many who will not be given these simple joys.  I hope those of us who have them will share with those who do not. 

Simple.

Happy thanks and giving to all.

Carrying on the theme of the week: Webster, since this week he turns 3 (or maybe 21 in dog years).

As a picture is worth a thousand words, these few should be worth plenty. So much so that additional commentary really isn’t required. I will set the stage by saying that we started our beautiful Saturday morning walk at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park which is about 5 minutes from where we live.

Some of us walked more than others.

For those of you who haven’t been to this area of Northern California, here’s a cool Virtual Parks site that shows you the meadow we were walking at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park. Enjoy.