So...a good chunk of you are likely wondering if I've fallen off the face of the earth.

Never fear! I do exist!

I haven't done traditional art for a while--haven't been really inspired. Got an idea once but it didn't come out on paper like it did in my head. Will have to try again.

Been pretty busy at work--I do application support for proprietary tax and accounting software. My most "omg noob" call so far went something like this. This guy was having a cookie issue, and didn't want to lose his saved passwords, so I had to guide him through manually deleting the specific offenders. I could immediately tell that he wasn't very apt at computers because I had to go very slowly and be very specific about what I wanted him to do. No big deal--most CPAs and attorneys don't really know anything about computers. However, he was unable to find the cookies he needed, so I said:

Me: "Ok, so we need to search again."
Him: "Where's the Again button?"

So far, everyone I've spoken to, even non-techies, believe that to be absolutely hilarious.

~~~
In other news, part of my extended absence was related to multiple trips out of state. My maternal grandmother passed away on July 5 due to complications from a medical procedure. I spent the first weekend of July there to help my mother and to be there while my grandmother was passing, and then the second weekend for the service. Unfortunately I had to fly back up in between for work. (No PTO, not even for bereavement.)

My grandmother was a fantastic person and I didn't truly appreciate all of her different aspects until later on. We lived with her when I was a little girl and back then all I saw was a very strict person. Going back to visit her after I grew up, I saw so many different sides of her that I never knew about. She was full of life and laughter, extremely talented in the arts, and above all she had such a deep compassion for every living thing. She had always seemed so reserved until I spent some time with her in 2007--she saw me suffering and she demanded that I never accept second best. It had seemed so out of character from my understanding of her, so that's why it stuck with me and resonated. Honestly, it proved to be a life-changing statement, so for that I will always be thankful to her. I wish I could tell her how much that moment meant.

Her service was small and attended by people that I know truly loved her. She was cremated and scattered along Sanibel Island--it was her favorite place.

We've discovered hundreds of pieces of her watercolor and original sketches that we never knew about. My family has decided to make a project of scanning all these in and posting them somewhere (probably Flickr, for the fact that you can have a low-res and then a high-res version only for specific people) so that her talent will live on. My aunt and I each have a few books to scan. I'll let you all know when it's up--then once it is, I'll have you note me for the URL.

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What age will you get married?

Put an x in every box that applies to you
then add them up, and thats your age!

[X] You know how to make a pot of coffee
[ ] You keep track of dates using a calendar
[ ] You own more than one credit card
[x] You know how to change the oil in a car
[x] You've done your own laundry
[x] You vote in every election
[x] You can cook for yourself
[ ] You think politics are exciting
TOTAL SO FAR: 5

[X] You show up for work late a lot
[ ] You always carry a pen in your bag/purse/pocket
[ ] I've never gotten detention
[ ] You have forgotten your own birthday at least once
[ ] You like to take walks by yourself
[x] You know what credibility means, without looking it up
[x] You drink caffeine at least once a week
TOTAL SO FAR: 8

[x] You know how to do the dishes
[x] You can count to 10 in another language
[x] When you say you're going to do something you do it
[ ] You can mow the lawn
[ ] You study when you have to
[x] You have hand washed a car before
TOTAL SO FAR: 12

[x] You can spell experience, without looking it up
[ ] The people at starbucks know you by name
[ ] Your favorite kind of food is take out
[x] The first thing you do when you wake up is get caffeine
[x] You can go to the store without getting something you don't need
[x] You understand political jokes the first time they are said
[x] You can type pretty quick
TOTAL SO FAR: 17

[X] Your only friends are from your place of employment
[ ] You have been to a Tupperware party
[X] You have realized that no one will take you seriously unless you are over the age of 25 and have a job
[ ] You have more bills than you can pay
[x] You have been to the beach
[x] You use the internet every day
[x] You have been outside of the state 3 or more times
[ ] You make your own bed every morning
GRAND TOTAL: 22

rofl...apparently I'm right on time? Almost? Maybe? We've still got nearly a year to go before I turn 23, so we'll see. XD

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Hey! I am reporting to you from my newly imaged Windows 7 Beta partition. (I still have XP...just in case.)

...I must admit I'm quite impressed so far! A lot of the features that made Vista a pain in the @$$ have either been toned down or are generally speaking more customizable. It's still visually nice like Vista, but I'm finding it a lot more intuitive, and they've completely redone the Start bar. It's nifty. Also, notifications aren't nearly so annoying, and the default desktop for the beta is...a betta! I found it adorable. XD

Could it be? Can Microsoft actually make a decent product?!?! We'll find out once the official Windows 7 is released, but my vote is that it's at least half-decent!

(May I note that for all my Microsoft-ripping, it is actually Microsoft that pays my bills via its certifications. So there.)


SPEAKING of jobs...I may be getting a beautiful wonderful awesome desktop support position for a small company in Chicago soon! Cross your fingers everyone!

Bai for now!

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This short blurb is to reassure everyone that yes, I'm still alive, and yes, I'm doing fine.

I've just been either 1) busy, 2) distracted, or 3) both! There is another phoenix piece waiting to be scanned, but the scanner is currently in the closet. XD

I'll get around to it one day, promise!

One last thing. My frequent visitor from Rolling Meadows? You know I know who you are. Stop visiting me so often, and stop trying to friend all my friends here and on Facebook. You're creeping me out. We're over for a reason.

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Lately, I've been watching how strangers interact with each other. Since I work in downtown Chicago I get plenty of opportunity to watch social dynamics. You'd be amazed at some of the things people do. Some openly display jealousy and aggression, while others are the epitome of peace and grace. It is this diversity that allows us to function as a whole.

Strangers can be a source of inspiration. Several months ago, a random stranger told me I was beautiful. A few weeks ago, over a half dozen strangers asked me if I was OK when my ankle gave out and I fell. Just last week, someone said "You have beautiful hair--I love the color". It's these little things that really make the difference. These people had no hidden agenda behind doing what they did--they knew full well they'd likely never see me again. Yet they did it anyway. To this day I remember their kindness, and I'll continue to remember it.

So, if you honestly like something, speak up! It could make someone's day. Or week or month. It could be the kindest thing they've heard all year. We have one life--would you rather spend it spreading happiness or misery? I love making people happy, so my answer is easy. What about you?

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Who's visiting me?


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Watashi no tomodachi-tachi! (My friends)


Stamps I like/Clubs I've joined! (I'm sure I will amass a vast collection eventually...)