Mental Health: Depression

Off and on, down the path of my life, I've experienced bouts of depression. I've sought help in a variety of methods, everything from seeking to drown my "problems" in beer (cheap beer at that!), to seeing a therapist, to prescribed medication.

Dating - well, having been introverted and shy as a kid (up until a car accident "woke me up"), I didn't really date until my senior year. We won't delve into my world of dating - quite simply, I dated guys with some type of 'problem', of which, I tried to "fix"... and we all know how that turns out!

Marriage #1 had a multitude of issues... from an neurotic ex-wife to vindictive children to an alcoholic spouse - all of which created an endless round of depression. Luckily, we parted ways before we could do any irreparable damage and have gone on to happier marriages.

Marriage #2 has had it's ups and downs - what marriage doesn't? But there will be more on this later...

Chris Gilmour: Cardboard Sculptor

It's amazing with this guy can do with cardboard!

I found this on DIGG - then went to Chris Gilmour's website and added the following comment...

Chris Gilmour
by Guido Bartorelli
The work of Chris Gilmour provokes surprise and amazement beyond what could appear to be a mere process of reproduction. In returning to the value of making and strongly emphasising it, these works reveal a process of understanding that lets us see everyday reality with new awareness and appreciation. This practice avoids a withdrawal into the limbo of craft, and implies an intimate and profound quest towards the reason of things.Gilmour has imposed a strict logic on his works he makes objects using only cardboard and glue. There is no supporting structure, no wooden or metal frame. His interpretations of everyday objects are created in adherence to the use of a pure and single material, but instead of the marble or bronze of classical statues, he has chosen one of the most humble and commonly found of our industrial times.

To see more...

http://www.chrisgilmour.com/en.opere.html

Or go here...

http://reubenmiller.typepad.com/my_weblog/2007/10/chris-gilmour-c.html

Austin Film Festival

What a weekend! A group of us traveled to Texas for the Austin Film Festival. Corey Bond, Vic DiGiovanni, July Fay, Ken and I rented a van and head West! Corey, Julie, Ken and I picked up Vic in Houston first, then continue our trek to the Festival. Corey, Vic, Ken and I stayed at Cesar Remus' house - a friend/school bud of Corey and Vic's for the weekend. What a nice guy and what wonderful hospitality! Julie stayed with Liberty - one of her friends from KPLC that's moved on to a bigger and better job. Between her and Cesar - we all were very well taken care of!

Once we were settled, we went downtown to the Driskoll to pick up our festival badges and goody bags! I, of course, had to have a t-shirt! One more to add to my ever expanding collection! Afterwards, we met up with Cesar and Liberty at a restaurant called Opal Divine's - pretty good chow and excellent beer!

The Ultimate Consumerist Guide To Fighting Back

Very informative article - good one to keep on file for future reference!

http://consumerist.com/consumer/unscrewed/the-ultimate-consumerist-guide-to-fighting-back-308361.php

Prayer for Archimedes

For all you history, science and math-aholics - read this:

http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20071006/mathtrek.asp#

Twenty-five Signs You Have Grown Up

By: Salma Rumman
1. Your houseplants are alive, and you can’t smoke any of them.
2. Having sex in a twin bed is out of the question.
3. You keep more food than beer in the fridge.
4. 6:00 AM is when you get up, not when you go to bed.
5. You hear your favorite song in an elevator.
6. You watch the Weather Channel.
7. Your friends marry and divorce instead of “hook up” and “breakup.”
8. You go from 130 days of vacation time to 14.
9. Jeans and a sweater no longer qualify as “dressed up.”
10. You’re the one calling the police because those %&@# kids next door won’t turn down the stereo.
11. Older relatives feel comfortable telling sex jokes around you.
12. You don’t know what time Taco Bell closes anymore.
13. Your car insurance goes down and your car payments go up.
14. You feed your dog “Science Diet” instead of McDonald’s leftovers.
15. Sleeping on the couch makes your back hurt.
16. You take naps.
17. Dinner and a movie is the whole date instead of the beginning of one.
18. Eating a basket of chicken wings at three in the morning would severely upset, rather than settle, your stomach.
19. You go to the drug store for ibuprofen and antacid, not condoms and pregnancy tests.
20. A four dollar bottle of wine is no longer “pretty good shit.”
21. You actually eat breakfast food at breakfast time.
22. “I just can’t drink the way I used to” replaces “I’m never going to drink that much again.”
23. Ninety percent of the time you spend in front of a computer is for real work.
24. You drink at home to save money before going to a bar.
25. When you find out your friend is pregnant you congratulate them instead of asking “Oh shit what the hell happened?”
Bonus:
26: You read this entire list looking desperately for one sign that it doesn’t apply to you and can’t find one to save your sorry old ass.

Writing On Tips

I am attempting to "learn" how to write... maybe a short novel, of which I have a pretty good idea of what I want to write. I asked my husband, Ken, for advice on how to begin and below is his suggestions:

1) Just Write
2) Good Writers are Good Readers
3) Study - Find Books on Writing

Pretty good suggestions, don't you think?