New Glasses

I’m getting old. There’s no denying it. When I came back to work at my current office I noticed that the new “normal” was to print the text itty, bitty, really, really small on the half-scale drawings. What ever happened to 1/10th of an inch? What ever happened to keeping it legible? Gaaaahhhhh!

Anyway. I couldn’t read the littlest text and it’s maddening. I found myself bringing the paper close to my face and looking under my glasses – a charming look I’m sure. Looking from under my glasses and then up to the computer screen has been an exercise in frustration for months and I finally did something about it.

Because my prescription is so high (-8 +) they had to send out for special lenses and it’s been two weeks of waiting. The sunglasses arrived last week and they’ve been great, but they’re too dark to wear in the office and I haven’t had a real feel for what these new progressive lenses are going to do for me.

I had bi-focals as a kid and I understand how they work. They aren’t as expensive as progressives and were my original plan. I’ve talked to a lot of people who have progressives and they all hated them, so I thought I’d go the bi-focal route. Until I sat down with the frame guy and he explained what progressives are and that it takes 30 days for your eyes to train themselves. Awana* piped up and said that she loves her progressives and I was sold. I’ve since talked to three other people who wear progressive lenses and they all love them, too, so I guess my opinion was outdated.

At this point everything is a little wonky, but I can see the itty bitty print AND the computer, without moving my head, so I think it will be a Good Thing.

* I’ve never had a Fashion Consultant help me pick frames before and this was a great experience! Awana knows what looks good and she has no trouble saying, “You can’t wear those!” likely saving me from a year’s worth of sighing every morning at my reflection in the mirror, wondering what the heck I was thinking. Many thanks, Awana!

 

A most fitting Parody

Some time ago I thought I might start a regular Friday thing where I post videos of music I like, but I got busy and it never happened. Until now.

Remember when that thick dude made that disgusting blurry song and it was all over the place for awhile? I watched most of the video before shutting it off, my skin crawling. Take away the video and the words and it had a catchy tune, though, so there were some feelings of guilt in my black, cynical heart.

My joy knew no bounds when Weird Al’s new album and eight videos came out recently. One of my favorites is “Word Crimes.” Imagine! A catchy tune all about one of my pet peeves! If he’d also addressed typing in ALL CAPS it would have been perfect, but, alas, he didn’t consult me.

Have a listen –

Is that fantastic, or what? Check out Weird Al’s other videos for some very clever parodies and word games.

 

Share Your World – Week 31

Must be Wednesday! Here’s the next installment of Cee’s Share Your World!

If you had your own talk show, who would your first three guests be? (guest can be dead, alive, famous or someone you just know)

 JA Konrath, Hugh Howey and Jason Gurley, all self-published authors who are turning the traditional publishing industry on its head. If there was room on the couch I’d also include Michael Bunker. Check out their books – they’re fantastic!

What can you always be found with?

A poop bag in my back pocket. Sabu goes pretty much everywhere with me and I like to be prepared.

What is the most fun thing you did in school?

Fun? I was a nerd, so every test I aced was fun, especially if it was difficult and others failed. The rest of the time spent imprisoned in the school system sucked so much that I’m still not quite over it.

What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

Most people don’t do many of the things I do – when I talk about spinning wool they look at me like I just sprouted another head – so I’d have to say, “pretty much everything.”

Yes, I’m weird. But, hey! We made it to Wednesday!

 

 

I Really Need Your Help

Help a sister out! Less than $4000 stands between Barbara and her Dream Job. Please contribute if you can.

The View from a Drawbridge

Believe me, I hate to ask. I’d much rather help others than be helped myself. The fact is, I’m desperate.

I’ve been through a lot in the past 5 years. I’ve been swindled out of 3,500.00 (read more about that here), my car has been totaled, I lost my life savings (read more about that here), I incurred another useless degree and a student loan to go along with it (read more about that here), the love of my life died unexpectedly (read more about that here), and I was therefore kicked out of my apartment.

But I have this one chance to turn my life around. I got this phenomenal job offer, one that would change my life dramatically, but it’s on the other side of the continent. Relocating will cost me $10,000. I’m about $5,000 short, so a friend suggested I try crowdfunding. The…

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This is why I shouldn’t go outside…

I almost never post pictures of myself here. I’m usually behind the camera and there aren’t many photo taking opportunities, but Saturday found Awana and I at an outdoor Fiber Event. I thought the natural light would be great for taking pictures and Awana was willing to take some shots.

I wore my favorite yellow linen tunic – the one that makes me look thinner than I really am. I was very careful with breakfast so as not to slobber all over myself.

We arrived at the venue unsoiled. And then IT happened. We were putting up the pop-up for the first time and I managed to whack myself square in the mouth with the top of the upright while trying to make it “snap easily into place.”

Awana says I cried a little, but I have no memory of that part. I do remember feeling carefully with my tongue and being grateful I hadn’t broken a tooth. Fuck! My lips started swelling on the spot and I hoped that I wouldn’t end up looking like a loser in a boxing match.

Favorite shirt? Check. New prescription shades? Check. Big ol’ fat lip? Also check.

Sigh. The shades are cool, though, right?

Where did all those gray hairs come from? What about the “anti-glare coating” these glasses are supposed to have?

Gaaaahhhhhhh!!!

I did get hit on by a lesbian, so it must not have looked that bad…