Thrihyrne

There's so much going on in my inner and outer worlds right now, but I do want to note some major shifts that have happened of late. One is the idea of rather than closing myself off as I commence down this road of quite conscious transition, I'll use my languishing WordPress blog that I created when "Surprised at Nothing" was being published as my more public-facing blog. That, rather than Facebook, which I've been moving away from anyway. Sure, WP will be monitoring my content just as much as EvilCorp FB, but it's still not FB. This is particularly relevant as I'm returning to a chapter in I Promise Myself, a book I checked out from the library a couple of months ago. Chapter 5 focuses on composing a vow to support conscious transitions, and this dovetails perfectly with the other book that had come across my radar just at the right time (2 weekends ago I was detoxing, which meant no sleep, so it was perfect for reading the book in one night), The Way of Transition. At least right now, the idea of having a celebration with people here in Portland who love and support me as I mark the transition into being someone who is post-alcohol is a very compelling one. Why not let people celebrate that decision and other holistic healing decisions and triumphs (and console me during setbacks) with me, in real time, in person??! There's really no need to put up barriers to that.

Another element to this that has come to me is an informal post-work schedule for the next few weeks. This will keep me on track in regards to a daily mindfulness practice I share with Evan, exercise, project work (this vow process or creative writing or any creative practice, really), and still allow plenty of downtime.

The third and final new-ish life quality aspect that has become manifest in my consciousness is that perhaps in addition to treating myself to jewelry at different milestones on my journey, I've decided that I'll gift myself once a month or so to a 1:1 training/exercise/lesson of some kind. The first thought is roller skating, so I can be taught how to skate backwards and to do crossovers with grace and confidence. But maybe some aerial work (especially after missing that aerial yoga class, wah stupid train), maybe another 1:1 with Jessa at Mod Physique, perhaps some contortonist training... there are so many options all over the city. And a 1:1 would be focused and not involve any kind of package of classes. For those here in PDX with any recommendations, they are welcome!!

Lastly, referencing one of my recent posts, I also think that taking the Wyld cannabis has helped my sleep. Some of that may have to do with the utter lack of stress in my life since last Monday, but I've also noticed that evenings when I have one of the gummies, I sleep like a rock. More yay for finding those!!

'Vomiting rainbows', while descriptive, is disturbing to a couple of people on my flist. I'm open to suggestions, because that does appear to be a theme here in my life. And I don't want that to change, I might add.

The weekend was truly lovely. evannichols had Dude Night Friday, which meant that we had a later start to our weekend, but there was still cake to be enjoyed that night— a delicious Carrot Zucchini/Hummingbird gluten- and dairy-free cake from Petunia's Pies and Pastries. Long story short on this: I'd special ordered a unique cake for Evan's 50th birthday and by human error (not on my part), the icing was incorrect. The cake was scrumptious, but Lisa (the founder and pastry chef) felt really badly when she found out and offered up cupcakes or another cake in the future to make things right. So I took her up on it as part of my own recent celebration. Saturday we went out to sushi with grrlpup and sanguinity, which was also delicious. Sunday featured our usual rituals: coffee and online Boggle and an online Tuesday NYTimes crossword in bed; breakfast and internet, domestic chores, a couple of phone calls, some work on personal projects, and as an added bonus, doing Pilates. We didn't so much follow along as use the DVD as a jumping-off point to do our own Pilates with our own music and the DVD on mute. It worked. The weekend was particularly quiet (his sister, BIL and niece were at the coast) and restful; Saturday I even took a nap! This is highly irregular, but apparently much-needed. Yesterday I also had an hour-plus long phone call with emansil_12, which was absolutely wonderful. I'm thrilled to say that she's coming out this way next month and I'll get an entire day to spend with her. :D

This week is my big transition week: I'm still on assignment at the company in Beaverton, but I'm moving up my last day to Wednesday so that I can have a bit of downtime and prep time before jumping headfirst back into full-time work in a new job, in a new work environment for me, and a new field in many ways. I'm terrifically excited!! And also want to make sure I don't start out sleep-deprived and anxious.

And as an aside, I'm so glad that I had a couple of my Etsy sweaters-in-progress to show and tell with grrlpup and sanguinity. sanguinity pointed out something that I knew in my heart to be true with the beginnings of my first sweater with my hand-dyed yarn, which was that with the short variegations and the pattern I'd chosen, it was super busy. She articulated what I knew was the case, so I undid it and am now starting on it as a cuff-to-cuff pullover, which will be different simply because it's cuff-to-cuff, but it will be subtle and showcase the yarn. I'm much more at peace with it now. So, thank you, Sang!! ♥

... well, here it doesn't pour all the time, but there's a good chance you're living in Portland. But I'm writing about the amazing and grateful fact that I have yet another interview for another 1/2 time position! It's for a development assistant position with a downtown church. I had a preliminary chat while walking to my bus yesterday morning, which made for a very non-conducive pre-interview conversational environment (but it was the only time we could talk) as the bus I catch is on a very loud and busy street at a loud and busy intersection. I'll meet with them on July 6th. I'd be thrilled to be able to have two half-time positions, if I could make it work. I don't honestly know how long I'll be on assignment out in Beaverton, though it sounded like at least a two-month gig. Guess I'll see over time. But, yay!

I'm still a bit weirded out about enjoying my early mornings so much. Some of it has to do with the fact that it's pretty much the only time the house here is quiet, but I also realize that I'm able to get a fair amount of things accomplished in the early hours. I've been sleeping quite soundly, and am definitely still in a very vivid dream cycle. Quality sleep goes a long way toward making my general anxiety levels much lower. Having a paycheck in any amount is also helping. ;) I also did some affirmations and visualizations while jogging yesterday. The author of the book I'm reading recommends that one be relaxed and restful while doing those, but I figure that the more often I do affirmations and consciously have positive thoughts about myself and my situation, the more I'll believe them. Which is a very good thing.