Sunday, January 6, 2013

Happy 2013

Time to catch up on everything that's been happening here, it's been a very crazy couple of years.

The Job:  I finally found work in November of 2010 as a biomedical technician at the University of Washington, the only problem is I wasn't technically a biomedical technician.  Back to school, this time at night while working full-time.  I just finished and am waiting on the diploma to make it official.  That's right, two degrees in just a couple of years. 

I love my job though.  And the group of guys I work with feels a lot like family.  Mostly brothers, cousins and the odd uncle.  Between them they can manufacture or repair just about anything.  I'm learning so much.  The commute sucks though, I spend over 3 hours a day getting between hither and yon.

The Man:  Ah life, sometimes you make things so hard.  Back in 2011 Rod was given the choice of a layoff or transferring to Andover, Massachusetts.  He's in his lat 50's and fairly close to retirement.  Software is a field that is notoriously age-centric so we made the decission to go for the transfer. We are making the best of it, and talking just about daily and seeing each other every couple of months.  The last trip was to Boston for seveal days of sight-seeing.  Very romantic.  

The House:  The house was a little neglected this summer, I was in a fairly serious car-wreck back in May and am finally getting my life back.  Jim, the handyman across the street, just did some repair work on the living room and will do some more next month before painting commences.  I did not, however, get the yard in any kind of shape for the winter.  Thankfully I have some neighbors that helped keep it mowed over the summer, so it's not a total disaster, but it's pretty close. 

The Roommate:  Annika moved in when Rod got transferred, the house is a little small for two-creative types, but we are making it work.  I'm trying to find a creative space for her, the basement/man-cave is just too chilly and dark.  The cat population is a little higher since she brought Jinx back and a neighborhood tom cat has decided to move in too. 

Art, etc: So in my less-than-copious spare time I'm learning French and teaching myself water colors.  I've decided my next degree with be a Bachelor's of Fine Arts.  Watercolor is a medium that is more impressionistic than realistic, it seems like a logical next step.  It has given me a new way of looking at things with light and shadow.  And much of the technique is the exact opposite of what I intuitively do with color.  It's fun though.  I'm learning to take my time, letting the work dry inbetween steps.  Most of my stuff is just a tiny bit better than what a proud parent would hang on the fridge.  I'm hoping to find a class in spring quarter, once I no longer spend most evenings at the chiropractor.