#WANT: More Etsy Finds
August 9, 2009
Totally in love with the Etsy store FancifulForm. It’s so smart that she is offering custom colors on most of her pieces. Two of my favs:
White Chrysanthemum Ring
Blue Rose Pendant
A lot to chew on.
August 8, 2009
Recovery is taking far longer than I would have ever expected. I’m not complaining, just surprised. The past three & 1/2 weeks have been very trying. Ontop of trying to focus on recuperating, my Mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. I’m determined to keep my chin up and be strong for the whole family. As a cancer survivor myself, I hope to be a great resource for her.
I’ve officially moved to Hampden, hon! The apartment is on a quiet one way street, 2 blocks from The Avenue. So far I’m a fan. The apartment itself, while smaller, has tons of natural light which is already proving to be a good anti-depressant! Yay VITAMIN D! It’s going to take a while getting used to living in close proximity with other people. The apartment is part of this small building complex, 7 other apartments. Walls are thin and so is my patience. I need to work on that.
In other news, in addition to this blog & my “samtaters” twitter account, I’m also blogging and tweeting with my “healness” (health & wellness) accounts. Hopefully those blogs and tweets will pick up as recovery does!
Life, Derailed
July 23, 2009
If you’re not friends/followers of me on Facebook or Twitter, you may not know of the absolute craziness the past 8 days have been. For those who are local to the Baltimore area, you probably unknowingly heard about my accident. I was struck by the SB light rail train last Wednesday (July 15th) evening on my way home from work. Because Artscape had taken over MICA’s campus (where I work), I opted to take the light rail all of last week. Prior to this, I was only the occassional light rail patron, mainly only taking it to the occasional O’s game.
The details are fuzzy – or more truthfully, none existent, to me. I don’t remember any of the accident. The first memory I have is “waking up” in the ambulance just prior to arriving at the hospital. I’m sure this is for the best. I’m uncertain whether I’m subconsciously blocking the incident out, or if the concussion/head trauma is truly at fault. Regardless, I do not remember being struck by the train. We’re relying on witnesses and the police to piece together events. Unfortunately, the police have told us nothing to this point. We’ve been told we have to wait up to 2 more weeks, at which point we can request and pay for a copy of the police report. It’s hard for me to understand why I have to wait AND pay to find out what happened to me, but I will not go into that here.
Our best informed guess is that I exited the North bound train at the Mt. Washington station and waited for my train to depart the platform. At this time, I looked to see if a train was coming South bound. The train I had just gotten off of was blocking my view (there is a sharp right turn in both sets of tracks just north of the Mt. Washington station platform) and upon thinking there was no train coming, I began to walk across the tracks (via the designated cross walk). At this point the SB train was approaching the platform and I was unable to get out of the way of the train before it struck me. We believe that the bumper on the front of the train hit me, causing me to go airborne. I was literally knocked out of my shoes and suffered severe head trauma, lacerations to my right hip, lower back, hands, arms, legs, and ankles. As my guardian angel(s) would have it, a nurse was on the train that struck me. She exited the train once it had stopped and immediately was by my side. I’ve spoken with the nurse and she said for the injuries she observed, she was surprised to hear I did not have any severe brain damage, and two days following the accident was able to have a phone conversation with her. I’m so thankful that she was there to keep me alert. I knew who I was, what day it was, where I was, I was even able to pass along my Mom’s cell phone number. Several witnesses at the scene were able to contact my parents immediately, even prior to the arrival of the EMTs. I cannot imagine how hard those phone calls were for my parents, seeing as the witnesses had no real knowledge of my condition and my parents blindly began to make their way to the hospital, expected the worst but hoping for the best. My time in the ER was by far the scariest experience of my life.
I am, above all things, happy to be alive. Believe me, I’ve run over and over in my head the myriad of possible injuries that could have resulted…and the fact I could have easily been killed. I did not escape the incident unharmed, but the fact that I can sit here and type this entry and communicate coherently is an absolute blessing. I’m overwhelmed with the support and kind words I’ve received from friends, family, coworkers, acquaintances and absolute strangers. I’m slowly trying to get back to everyone who has reached out to me.
It has been and will continue to be a trying recovery process. I’ve seen a gaggle of doctors, specialists, and technicians over the past 8 days. The most stressful/scary of all current “worries” are those relating to my brain. I had my head staples removed today and have been told that my scalp is healing nicely. As I should be, I’m being watched like a hawk because of the head trauma. I’ve seen a Neurologist and will be having an EEG and brain MRI next week. The scary part is that a myriad symptoms and conditions can result days, weeks, months, even years after severe head trauma, so even if these tests come back “normal”, I am not out of the woods yet. I did suffer a concussion and am exhibiting just about every symptom of post-concussion syndrome. I will not go into details, but it’s definitely not pretty – or comfortable.
As a cancer survivor, I’ve already gone through that “new lease on life” phase. This time it feels different. I feel like this is a message from a higher power telling me I have something important to accomplish, that it wasn’t my time. I suppose it’s up to me to hone in on what this greater purpose of mine truly is.
I must also point out that my lovely friend, Tracy (@tapps), designed this T-shirt in my honor. This is a prime example of why I love my friends and how keeping a positive and humorous outlook on all this is so fucking important.
Apartment Hunting :(
May 27, 2009
Apartment hunting is becoming increasingly frustrating. It’s exciting but at the same time frightening. I tend to move every year because I get bored easily – but I’m looking for a place I can stay in for a while. I’m tired of moving. I have the tendancy to start early – finding some decent places, but realize that I’d have to pay two rents for a month or two…which immediately puts a sour taste in my mouth. Everyone tells me to wait to look – so I do – and then I have less than 3 weeks to find a place to live. THIS IS WHEN PANIC SETS IN! I have appointments to see 3 places this week, we’ll see how that goes.
I’ve been told I want too many things. What can I say? I’m picky about where I call home.
Things I want (in order of importance):
- 1 bedroom for $800 or less/mo. or 2 bedroom for $950 or less/mo. (If I find something that has everything I want – I’m willing to pay for it, these are just guidelines)
- Natural light! (this is big – one of the main reasons I’m not staying in my current apt is that I feel like I’m in a damn dungeon all the time – depressing!)
- Some sort of outdoor space – I want to at least have room for a few planters, window boxes, etc. A deck or patio would be ideal. An actual back yard would be even better.
- Preferably a townhouse or an apartment in a townhouse. Shying away from complexes if I can. Also, not too excited about going through a property management co. I’ve heard some horrible things.
- Decent sized kitchen. I’ve been living with this tiny closet of a kitchen for too long – Something with some counter space and decent appliances.
- Washer and dryer in unit (I can LIVE with one in the building, but I’d rather have my own).
- Dishwasher (again, could live without, but to prevent any future incidents with wine glasses, I’d prefer one).
- Hardwood floors in the living room (carpet is fine in the bedroom)
- In the neighborhoods of Hampden, Mount Washington, Roland Park, Waverly, Ellicott City, or Hamilton. I know I’m pushing finding a decent place in Fells Point or Canton for this price, but I’d consider those areas too. If a great apartment jumped out at me in upper Charles Village, I’d take it. Parking in CV has gotten increasingly more terrible & my car is pretty banged up as a consequence. I know, that’s typical city parking- but I have this weird thing with parking that I won’t go into. So – an off street parking space would inevitably ease my woes, but I know those are hard to come by.
With the housing market the way it is, my Dad keeps pushing me to buy – but I honestly don’t think I’m ready for something like that. I told him if he bought, I’d rent from him and eventually he could sell it to me – but I don’t think he’ll bite on that one. The only thing I could realistically afford right now is a condo and I’m not sure about the resale potential. I have it engrained in my head that if it doesn’t have 3 bedrooms – you won’t get shit for it when you go to sell. Any real estate agents reading this want to weigh in?!
ModKat
May 22, 2009
I’m going to tap into my crazy cat lady for a minute. I’m in love with ModKat. I’ve been looking for something like this for ages, and I’m glad that I’ve finally found it. A top entrance litter box – to reduce the amount of liter being tracked through the house; A reusable, washable, eco-friendly liner (this is BIG); A design that doesn’t scream “I’m a litterbox!” (or like my current box, “I’m this oddly shaped mini alien spacecraft you just can’t help but notice and are mildly disturbed by!”)
Yes, I just got excited about a litterbox – don’t judge! Ok, fine, judge. Now to just wait impatiently for late Summer ‘ 09 for it to be released into the world.
(via SwissMiss)
Current musical obsessions…
May 19, 2009
I’ve been listening to Mr. Dallas Green for about the last 6 months, non-stop. He has quickly gone from non-existant to #1 on my last.fm top artists list. His music is great car, chill out, or my favorite, bedtime music.
One of several Myspace Transmission videos you can find up on Youtube. See more on MurderNouveau’s Youtube channel.
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I’ve been a fan of St. Vincent for a little over a year, but with the release of the new album, Actor, I’ve noticed a resurgence of listening on my part. I like the new album, particularly the track “Laughing With A Mouth Of Blood”, but my heart still belongs to Marry Me (espeically on vinyl). The video for her first single off the new album, “Actor Out of Work” can be found over at my favorite music blog, Pasta Primavera. Annie Clark is one of the musicians that guys swoon over and girls would go gay for (yes, I’m one of those girls).
There is an excellent video on Vimeo of St. Vincent performing live at Other Music in Oct 2008.
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Is it possible NOT to be obsessed with The Weakerthans? Reunion Tour and Left & Leaving are my two favorite albums, and just so happen to be on my daily work playlist. In addition to the videos on their official website, I reccommend checking out the live videos over at twoschedule.com.
Art Mart
May 8, 2009
SquidFire is having their Spring Art Mart tomorrow, May 9th, from 11am-6pm in Mt. Vernon (between Charles and Cathedral Streets). This event is rain or shine, so bring your umbrella because there are chances of morning showers! Over 50 artists, crafters (including The Broken Plate Pendant Co. & most if not all of the Baltimore Etsy Street Team)and other vendors will be there. Puffs & Pastries will be there vending, so stop by and enjoy a sweet treat while you browse what should be a great collection of handmade items. For a list of vendors and more details, click here.
3-D
May 1, 2009
Good News/Bad News
April 3, 2009
Good news: Got my first round of test results back. The initial blood test and ultrasound came back normal, no indication that my cancer has come back! OMGHAPPYDANCEpeealittleOMGYESTHISISAWESOME peealittlemoreWHATAFUCKINGRELIEF!!
I’m not out of the woods yet, I have two thyrogen shots to get, which will provide a much more accurate result with yet another blood test. The thyrogen mimics me being off my thyroid medicine. Oh, and I get one in each ass cheek, which is 329 times more fun that getting them in the arm! You didn’t need to know that? Well, now you do! Deal with it!
Ok, bad news: I cut the back of my right hand open on a wine glass Wednesday night (teaches me to do dishes)! No, I was not drunk – and I didn’t even initially use the glass for wine. I headed to Patient First (urgent care) where they were worried 1. I still had glass in my hand and 2. I cut a tendon since I couldn’t initially move my pinkie. An x-ray and tetanus shot later…and when I regained some feeling in my hand after the amount of blood I lost – they determined 1. there was no glass 2. I didn’t cut any tendons. HOORAY! I was given a tetanus shot in my left arm, two minutes later I passed out (which I believe was due to a combination of blood loss & that I hadn’t eaten in 9 hrs/ the fact that I am anemic, not the tetanus shot). NOT KA-BLAMO. I got 5 stitches and antibiotics and soon I was living it up stuffing my face (with the use of only my left hand) with Arby’s (which was conveniently located right next to the urgent care center). This morning I awoke to a swollen left arm, soreness/pain, and flu-like symptoms. The doc says they are all side effects of the shot and I just have to wait them out. FUNFUNFUN. So, it’s pretty hilarious watching me try to do ANYTHING that involves my upper limbs. I have a free pass to curse like a sailor at work today…because I said so DAMN IT!
FUNBLOODYPICTURETIME:
Before
After
Good news definitely outweighs the bad. Hope you enjoyed bloody show & tell!
