I'm officially abandoning this blog because I've turned alturego into a blog that chronicles mine, Phillip's and the baby's artistic pursuits. I'm going to leave this up for a while in case the three people that read this find their way back!

Much to my (and everyone else's) surprise, I did finish my NaSoAlMo album this year. (And thank you to Tami for nagging me throughout the month - I was really not staying focused at all!) I set the bar low, and accomplished nothing beyond that musically, but I'm still proud of most of the lyrics. I did most of the recording on Friday the 30th, so my voice is pretty rough considering I get winded walking to the mailbox these days. I also have to apologize for 90% of the piano - I basically played through the songs once or twice and then did one recording and didn't listen to it when it was through. I'm sitting down this morning and actually hearing them for the first time! So, here it is, and if you don't already love me and have low expectations, don't listen to it.

Jill's NaSoAlMo Album, 2007

I tried to write several different kinds of songs. I wanted some lullabies, but then I also wanted some fun songs that were more interactive. One book I'm reading suggested having a song dedicated to diaper-changing time so that baby has something to look forward to. That's what I was thinking of when I wrote "Mine". Of course, I'm either going to have to write a few more stanza's or become the world's fastest diaper changer, I'm not sure. I did get sentimental and write a few songs for myself like "Cry Baby" and "The Man You Will Become". Its strange having a child later in life. I've had more than a decade to think about children and priorities and I hope that some of the songs continue to remind me of how I feel now. Things will change dramatically, of course, but one secret of life is to not let it get completely ahead of you. Stop, reflect, and do things with intention. At least, that's always been my goal. Of course, I will have to do some things that my son can complain to his therapist about when he grows up. I'm sure that won't be a problem!

Well, this is pitiful. I like having a blog, but I'm terrible at keeping up with anything. I'm going to give a short update for now, and try to do better through the next few months.

First, and most importantly, I will be five months pregnant next week. He's giving me no trouble so far, and according to the latest ultrasound images, he's obviously the most beautiful baby ever conceived.

In discovering I was pregnant, however, I also found out that I have some massive fibroid tumors on the outside of my uterus. The doctor believed they could be removed without serious danger because I was in terrible pain, but after opening me up and looking, she found that the large one (16x10cm) is more attached to my uterus than expected, and also to my abdominal wall - where its drawing a new blood supply. So, now I'm recovering from that.

The only other real news is that it is time again to start the NaSoAlMo challenge, and despite everything going on, I've signed up. My plan is to do an entire baby album. In some ways, I'll have more time to work on it this year than last, but I'm setting the bar low in terms of recording because I'm not sure how well I will feel for the rest of the month.

So, that's all that's new with me! I'm going to try to rework my website, move my blog and keep up with it all a little better in the next few months. Wish me luck!

Okay. For those of you who have had trouble figuring out who my neighbors actually are, I'm going to give you a little help. I'm sorry, my photography isn't very good and I had to stretch my arm up and shoot blindly to get that photo. Here you go:

I just wanted to say that I have been artistically productive lately...I've just been spreading it out over quite a few different projects, so I have very little to report. I'm going to be putting a new oil pastel on the website this weekend, but I've waited for a few weeks because I'm not sure I like it. I'm also working on an actual oil painting (the first in about 15 years), a short story, a play, a book idea, as well as my usual scattered poems and songs. I do have the intention of putting these things online...but I have to finish them first. No promises!

I've also been enjoying the spring weather by doing some gardening.



Unfortunately, I have to garden in my window sill. I've planted six different herbs. Basil, Italian Parsley, Chives, Rosemary, Oregano & Thyme (not pictured). Its been a challenge to remember to water them (I've never had much success with houseplants) but I love getting to add fresh herbs to my culinary creations.

Another reason to celebrate this spring is the return of our neighbors. I'm not sure where they spend the winter months, but I'm happy that they've returned to their apartment.

I realized recently that this year will make 20 years that Tamara and I have been friends. I have a few friends that I've known a little longer, but none that I have kept in touch with or needed to have involved in my life to such an extent. It makes me feel old, of course, but good to know that some things can last.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Break-Time Is Over!

I don't have much to say, but I wanted to post for the few people that read this blog. For Stella, who told me the other day that she's keeping up with me here, and for my mom who says things like "You need a new post. I'm tired of looking at that picture of your socks!"

Strangely, I haven't had much reason to write because things have been going so well. I've hit a new creative stride and I have so many different projects and ideas in my head that I'm not sure what to do first. I'm trying to overcome my inability to finish things, and I'm very optimistic at the moment. I did a new oil pastel, but I'm not going to show it, even though its finished, because I'm going to do it over completely. I like it, but its not exactly right. Its so strange to get these artistic things out of my head when they've been there for years! I feel like someone waking up out of a coma. I've been on a break for the last three years. No friends. No responsibilities. No projects of my own or people pulling at me from all directions to work on their projects. Its been nice. Nice, but unlike me, so I'm ready to get back to work.

I've started making an effort to update the artwork on my website. Two main reasons: First, I've rediscovered my love of oil pastels in the last few months. Second, I'm inspired by looking at Bill Count's Picture of the Week. ("The Hall" was just pure inspiration. I was moved). I have had some personal success with Kilz, but otherwise, the art of painting has always seemed just beyond my grasp. Oil pastels, on the other hand, offer immediate gratification for minimal effort.

Less and Less Weird

A few years back I took an online test (http://www.innergeek.us/geek-test.html). I scored less than 14% which put me in the category of "Geekish Tendencies". I only took the test because I seemed to have an increasing number of geeky friends, and was curious if maybe I had an "inner geek" waiting to get out. I was happy with the results and thought myself safe.

So, then...I married Phillip and he's slowly been rubbing off on me. I bring this up, because last night we went out together on a little date. Were did we go? To the midnight event at EB Games where we picked up our pre-ordered copies of the World of Warcraft Expansion "The Burning Crusade". Yes, not only did we pre-order our copies to be sure to get them, but we also picked them up the moment they became officially available - at 12:01 on January 16th. What has he done to me?!

The store was crowded with people standing in line and staff members trying to upsell WoW t-shirts and patches. (where would you put one?) There were 150 orders at this little store, and they were talking about another store down in Murfreesboro that had 500. Almost everyone there fit the "gamer" stereotype, talking intently about the impending changes to WoW. Will the servers all crash? What's going to happen to the big raiding guilds? And the ever-present question: "Horde or Alliance?" We tried to avoid making eye contact, but Phillip still ended up in some oddly serious conversations. The strange thing was, it all made perfect sense to me. I mean, I did have the irresistible desire to giggle at the absurdities of grown men (and a few women) waiting so anxiously in the middle of the night for a game where cow-like characters slay dragons, but honestly I could relate to almost everything they said.

So, anyway, here's a picture of my WoW avatar, Elemi, the undead priestess. I still don't see myself as a geek, really, but I'm trying to be more comfortable admitting I have "tendencies". I think coming out of a traumatic junior and high school experience, I worked so hard for so many years to be someone that you couldn't laugh at, that sometimes I have a hard time being real about who I am. I have a hard time laughing at myself and my own absurdities. So, here it is. The full truth. Phillip and I are taking a 3-day weekend just to play this game. Am I proud? Not exactly. Did I buy a t-shirt to wear around town? No way! But I am looking forward to spending time with my husband doing something we both enjoy.