gotta let it go

Coming off a string of dud movies here. I'm not even going to mention any titles, but we've watched four bad movies in a row, and I don't like to think about the ~8 hours of my life gone to them. Actually, I got in some good napping for a couple, so not all went to waste.

I did manage a couple of decent-to-me books this month, however. "Every Last Word" pretty sure is categorized YA, but it's a good story about a teenaged girl, tiring of the pressure to be popular, who links up with some "misfit" kids and their secret poetry sessions. The story featured a surprising twist I did NOT see coming. 

I also read "Stolen", a novel which shed some light and gave an interesting take on Stockholm syndrome. I can now totally see how that's a thing.

I'll also mention that I'm blogging from my shiny new laptop. My old desktop was crashing often, requiring much TLC. Like an old person, it would lose its train of thought and just freeze, staring off into space for long moments. 

Plus, I think I mentioned how I didn't like all the space the granny computer took up on my desk, so I chucked it all into storage a couple of weeks ago and had been managing with a chromebook. Best Buy had an "early black friday" sale this weekend, so I went in and got me a deal, according to the salesperson. So far, I like!

Another busy workweek as I definitely notice an increase in in-person enrollment over last year when we were still masked and requiring COVID vaccinations. Speaking of which, I have several ineffective cloth masks from the early days of the pandemic, and I'm sure I'm not alone. What to do with 'em?

And now, inktober 2022 is coming to an end. I managed to keep my head just above water this week with four more participatory inktobers. It's been fun. Maybe I'll pick up the prompts I didn't get to in upcoming weeks (pfffft, I say that every year...)

looney tunes and boogers

A week or so ago, I disassembled my desktop computer for more surface area at my desk. I've been using an old chromebook for most things and a laptop we usually keep upstairs. I like all the extra space, but I can't "move around" as efficiently with this old chromebook. First world problems.

Anyhoo, another busy week in the books. Midterms time at the college, so high anxiety and busyness there.  I'm very much enjoying tutoring for the college and glad I decided to throw myself into that ring. 

Fall continues to burst with color since we haven't had any real precipitation in a while. Here's young George doing his thing.

I can't tell if he's grown much since we brought him home from the nursery, but he seems to be doing okay, getting ready for bed.

Checked getting a flu shot of my to-do list this week, so we'll see what happens. Another October activity

And speaking of October activity, inktober continues, and I managed a few more prompts. Part of the motivation to clear off my desk was to have more space for doing this nerdy inktober challenge.

We're in the homestretch now. I've had fun seeing what others come up with for the prompts. Then we will likely all, like George, go quiet for several months

exactly as I fantasized

As I sit here, I'm calmed by the gentle tumbling noises made by my laundry. Or, more accurately, the gentle tumbling noises of the laundry made by our new washing machine.

Magnum and I went appliance shopping last weekend and picked out a sweet new addition. She was delivered and installed on Wednesday, and life is gooder. Our old washer came with the (previously a rental) house and was a typical Landlord Special. It made a lot of noise, but I'm not sure how much cleaning actually happened in there.

The new washer has a steam cleaning option, so we've named her "Steamy" - short for Steamy McSteamface.

In related excitement, we've ordered a new dishwasher (similar Landlord Special, currently). It's scheduled to be here by Halloween. Party time.

Fall coloring is in full bloom (anti bloom?) here. Young George is still green, but I snapped this pic while out for a lovely run near duck town on this crisp morning.

And speaking of Fall, inktober continues with no let up. I managed a few more submissions this week, but needed to skip a couple.

              

I think Wood Ducks are called Wood Ducks because they live in the woods? Or are they boarders?

Okay, nevermind. 

So that was the week that was. This week, I look forward to more inktobering, possible improvement to my work schedule, and a flu shot. Compelling plot, I know.

starting to finish

Greetings on this fine fall day! I'm very much enjoying the cooler temperatures. Leaves are just starting to change around here, and George, - remember George? - looks to be starting to join his colorful older neighborhood cousins. I'll update when he's ready.

This morning, I ran in the run club's first Tortoise and Hare race of the season. It was a short and sweet 4K (about 2.5 miles). Large turnout for the run, so much so, they broke us up into two separate routes. I expected to head east from the start, but was directed west instead. Welp, just point me in the right direction. I followed along and survived it.

While on the course, I noticed a couple of blind runners. They have volunteers who run with them and give gentle guidance. Seems like admirable work. I'd hate to mess up somehow in that job, though.

Speaking of changing routes, I decided to try a different bicycle commute to work this week. Omigosh, SO much better than my old route. I think I've whined here before about the congestion along my commute as it went through an elementary school zone followed by a middle school zone and all the drop-off line/ crossing guard guarding they involve. This along with the high schoolers going by in the opposite direction.

One morning this week, the voices in my head said, "go that other way, doofus!", so I did. Lovely lovely ride to be had away from all the school traffic, and it only adds a little under a mile to the commute. Not to mention, it avoids a couple of left turns off and on to busy roads, riding a busy road east into the morning sun... What was I thinking before?

This was an otherwise pretty busy week with, again, training new hires at work and pulling some extra hours for such, hence my lack of blog presence. Plus, I've been doing inktobers, and surprisingly have yet to miss a day. Here are this week's submissions:

I can feel my streak about to end, however. But I'll keep inking along in my instagram until the end and see how many I get done by Halloween. No pressure!

crack me open so I feel the air inside me

Happy October, typically one of my favorite  months - not too hot, not too cold, not too dark, not too bright. It's the Goldilocks of months for me.

Yesterday, we went downtown to witness  our first Tour de Corgi. So many Corgis! 

We watched the cute,  slow, waddling parade, then checked out a few of the booths in attendance. 

It was a lovely day for the nice wholesome event that included a costume contest as well as the parade.

October also is the month of the inktober challenge, remember? Thirty-one days, thirty-one drawings? We're two days in, and my head is still above water.

This is good for me, I haven't touched my art toys in a long time. I literally had to dust everything off. 

Speaking of misfit endeavors, we watched the movie Dinner in America. What a hoot!

It started out feeling like a goofy, quirky, misfit movie, which it is. And it could've totally bombed. It's aggressive and edgy and there are lots and lots of f-bombs. But it has a rather deep - dare I say "sweet and meaningful"? - core to it. It's not for everyone, but I loved it.