“Ah, no in a world Jack!”
“What do you mean, no in a world?”
“It’s…not that kind of movie.”
“Oh? OK.”

Boy…I just gotta say, what a day. What a very very long day. All in all it was a good day, fairly productive, but looooong.

It started with me oversleeping (never a good sign) getting to the bus stop just in time to realize that I’ve forgotten my uPass at home and I have nothing smaller than a ten on me as the bus pulls up. Crud.

Then I end up getting to work (on time thanks to a taxi) and realize I’ve forgotten my phone on my bed…at home. Man!

Work was busy (as are all Mondays at the hospital) and today was no different except that I was feeling so tired I could have (and almost did) fallen asleep at my desk. True story.

I cleaned Tangerine’s bowl and set out to do my work. And boy did I do some…but it was just steady today.

I broke up the monotony with a much needed trip for an extra shot of espresso latte and went about my business. I sent a few emails, freaked out about deadlines I had misunderstood and real ones that are sneaking up on me. Not a real freak out…just, you know, shit, this has to get done…NOW.

I ended up leaving work a little late, and then went straight to school. I got to school a touch before 6 pm. I didn’t leave school until after 11 pm this evening. Humph.

What was I doing? Pulling paper…large sheets of paper, for my installation. I think I pulled a few sheets…hopefully they will be “usable”. I used up all my pulp and some of Amanda’s generously donated and very very stinky pulp. While working with the mold and deckle, I realized I was killing my finger…it’s a swollen mess. OH FINGER! WHY DID YOU HAVE TO BREAK?!?! Sigh. The water mixed with my pulp was really freaking cold too. Boo.

Robert (a third year) came by at one point…he offered some helpful hints before heading out for the night. Amy and I pulled paper till we had no more time left. Then we pressed…and my pages got f’ed in the press (a little, oh well). Then we went to put stuff away.

While doing so, I tried to kill myself. The floors in the paper making studio are covered in somewhat standing water, and despite being in grippy rubber bottomed boots, I went flying through the air, bucket of water flying up and outwards, eyeglasses flying off my face and arms out wide as I came crashing down to the very wet floor. My mouth was open too…and some nasty bucket water found it’s way into said open mouth (major ew).

Yeah…I’m probably gonna say this only once…I’ve never been so thankful for my flabby butt or thunder thighs, cause REALLY, that’s what saved my hip and helped me not really hurt myself by breaking (and padding) my fall. Amy was terrified and hysterically laughing at the same time. I sprung back up quickly and started laughing myself…half out of nervousness and fear, half out of the shear hilariousness of me falling like that. I mean, people, I wiped out!

Remember a little over a year ago me writing about falling (as in sumersaulting) down the stair well of the Old Prentice? Yeah, well this was nearly as scary but hurt me far far less. I feel totally fine…just slightly embarrased for wiping out like I did…in FRONT of people. ha ha…I’m kind of laughing again, just thinking about how silly I KNOW I had to have looked. If you know Amy Jacobs, you can ask her about it…she probably won’t be able to tell the story without either laughing or seeming concerned for how hard and CRAZY it looked like I fell…

*sigh*

We continued cleaning, hung our paper to dry and went on our merry ways…

I finally found my way to the train…I smelled REALLY bad from stinky pulp, the sweat inducing dungeon (basements) where they keep the B&P students studio’s and the nasty paper making water I soaked myself with when I fell. Ew. And, I was tired.

The one thing I was looking forward to on the train was some solid down time…time for my brain to shut off and unwind.

I’m really glad that I had brought my latest book with me (a guilty pleasure from some best sellers list) Dewey by Vicki Myron. Dewey is about a kitten that was stuffed into the library drop box in a small town in Iowa back in the 80′s on the coldest night of the year. Dewey brought the whole town together, or so the jacket of the book cover promises.

I’m currently on page 40 of Dewey…and loving every single second of it. It’s a quick read, but one that brings tears to my eyes every single page. Not sad tears, but tears of understanding and tears of joy. I’m such an animal lover, that hearing about Dewey’s story makes me think of my own little special kitten, Sasha.

Anyway, I’ve got much to do, but my down time with Dewey and Vicki and the lovely people of Spencer Iowa made my night ride home a little lighter and a tad bit faster.

Now, I’ve got to shower (because I still stink) and set two alarms for tomorrow (so I don’t oversleep) and head to beeeeed (so I can dream of sweet things).

Lately I’m averaging less than 5 hours a night for sleep. It’s official, we’ve hit that point in the semester where I’m actually brain dead most of the time and functioning at about half my usual capability.

*blehhhhh* Sorry gang.

I can say this much though, besides Dewey and my real life kitties to keep me smiling and grateful for everything I have and the companionship and loyal love they give me, I’ve got someone else to be thankful for brightening my days…and I hope she knows who she is. I find her stunning and engaging and inspiring and supportive…Consequently, I find myself very very lucky.

So as you can see, despite having no brain, and feeling not too much like my fully put together self, I am still managing everything with a relatively LOW level (if any actually) of stress, and keeping a very optimistic, positive and excited outlook on my future going strong in my heart and in my smile.

I may not be totally with it lately, or as sharp as I usually like to think I am, but I know that this will pass, and I’m lucky for these unexpected little extras I have (like my saddle bags) because clearly I see that they will help me get back up without being hurt, should I fall.

Does any of this make sense?

Bottom line: Yep, I’m tired, yeah, I’m a little behind, true, I’m a bit sleep deprived, but dammit – I’m happy.

good night (or for some…good morning!)
Devin

And just for the fun of it…because it always makes me smile…I give you the trailer for the movie Comedian.

Please, to enjoy…