Uncreated Conscience

I have resisted getting on the scale since I returned from Los Angeles, but now it is no longer avoidable: I have gained 3lbs in TWO WEEKS, showing you exactly how being home at my parents’ might have been good for the psyche but terrible on the waistline. This negates the 10lbs I lost last year so now my resolution is to lose 15lbs, not 5. I did it last year. I can do it again. (If you read that last paragraph and tell me my math is screwy, don’t worry, I already know it is. I haven’t gained back all the weight, but I would like to lose more than I lost last year. So nyah.)

Last night the diet went to shit because I had a drink with Sofa. ONE DRINK. I am now hungover. This always seems to happen when I’m out with my darling Sofa; I know I’ve drunk more than this before and have felt fine the morning after, but whenever my blonde friend suggests we go to a bar, I wake up feeling like death. I even made it home before midnight like a good Cinderella, but no. I have a manuscript to write an editorial letter for and my own novel to revise today, as well as my mother to see tonight and I just want to return to bed and curl up with a White-Harp.

Well, the handmade/being crafty resolution is still going strong. Because Bear and I didn’t see each other over Christmas, we decided to exchange gifts this weekend when we get to see each other. The gift I’m giving him isn’t handmade, but how I wrapped it is certainly crafty.

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So I’ve decided to include an addendum to my 2009 resolutions. In the year 2009, I am going to make as many handmade gifts as possible. Or at least handmade paper goods.

Mostly I’ve been inspired by Little Brown Pen, which is essentially a print-on-demand shop. It’s amazing what some brilliant design and heavy cardstock paper can do!

Calendars by Little Brown Pen

1. 2009 Printable Calendar
2. 2009 Keep Calm & Carry On Spoof Calendar for Women
3. 2009 Printable Calendar featured in Decor8
4. 2009 Mini Calendar

Since two of my best friends have January birthdays, I figure it would be a good time to make good on that additional resolution. I went to Staples today and bought some 110lb heavy cardstock in addition to some envelopes to hopefully get started.

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How lovely it is to be home and smelling like oneself again! After two weeks of showering at my parents’ place, indulging in my favourite products from The Body Shop is a joy. My skin is an utter wreck from travel and the dry, polluted air around southern California but hopefully a few days of my skincare regimen and all will be well again.

I think in the past month I’ve cycled from Writing Muse to Webdesign Muse to Drawing Muse to Arts & Crafts Muse. Why can’t I call upon the ones I need at will? Right now I need to be revising (working on that 2009 resolution to send out Elijah’s Chariot) but instead I am contemplating more crafty things. Like knitting.

Katranna once said to me of skydiving, “My other friends have hobbies like knitting. You jump out of planes.” Well, as it’s too cold to be jumping out into the open right now and the season doesn’t start up again until May, I’ve decided knitting was a good alternative. You know…stabby…pointy…needles. And fluffy yarn. Nice combination, right? I have the idea to recreate this scarf from ModCloth, except with a felt White-Harp appliqué. Should be fairly simple (I hope); I know how to knit a scarf anyhow. I ordered a set of knitting and crochet needles of different gauges as well as Stitch ‘n’ Bitch: A Knitter’s Handbook to get me started. I haven’t decided on what yarn and what colours I want to use for the scarf though.

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Have made a few new resolutions for the new year.

01. Quit smoking.
I’ve thrown away my pack (with three cigarettes still left, oh dear and believe me it was hard as cigarettes are fucking expensive in New York) and I will not, absolutely WILL NOT buy another.

02. Start the South Beach diet.
As of this morning, I have cut out all carbs, fruit, alcohol, and dairy for the next two weeks. I am apparently allowed to have low-fat cheese, thank god. I can deal with no carbs (when I was young I decided to cut out all meat on a whim and then over this past summer I drastically reduced my carbohydrate intake successfully) and I can deal with no alcohol (aside from holidays and peer pressure, I am not much of a drinker) but CHEESE. I CANNAE GIVE UP CHEESE! (The fruit is also kind of tough.) I must start losing weight as my knee has giving me a lot of trouble this past month and I need to lighten up as much as possible stat.

03. Exercise more.
I’m at a bit of a loss as to how I’m going to accomplish this. I walk from 60th and Lexington to work and back everyday but it’s not enough. I wouldn’t mind joining a gym, but I’m terrible at going to the gym without a workout buddy (not to mention it’s heinously expensive if I join through work). Yoga would be nice as well, if I can find a decent studio. I may take the gym plunge because I am completely and utterly out of shape.

04. Make more art and play more music.
I have a piano now, I ought to take advantage of him. And poor Sabina, neglected since her return from London. So sad, so sad.

05. Finish the novel.
This is imperative, actually. Should probably have been first.

Oh, I should have probably added “Stop spacing out at work and get your shit done,” but I know that will be broken in the next two seconds.