Maybe it's too early to pass judgement, but...

I really really think I love my job. For the first time, well, ever really. I'm both good at it and I truly enjoy it. And the people I work with are genuine, even if they don't know what to make of me and my single status.

F**K

A#1: Why are the holidays here already?
B#2: Why are they so much harder than I thought they would be?

Need some inspiration...

So I was looking at my (tiny) bare new cubicle today and it obviously needs some help. I need decorating ideas!

Love it!

I am completely hooked on Smashbox's O-Glow. If you don't know about it, it's basically a gel blush that comes out of the tube clear, but ends up giving you your natural blush color. I don't know the science behind it, although the description on Smashbox's website seems to be pretty technical. I just don't care. What matters is that you will never again have to shop for blush since it will always be the perfect color for you! I'm sort of a make-up clutz, when it comes to both buying and applying so this really is perfect for me. It's $26 at Sephora. It is a pretty small tube, but you barely use a dab each time. I'm still on my first tube so I can't say for sure, but it seems like it will last for quite a while.

Ahhhhh!

I am sooo impatient! Not that this will come as to a shock to anyone. But seriously, I am about to jump out of my skin waiting on something to happen. I'm so frustrated I can't even put it into words right now.

So I'll just (type) scream. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hey Boston-Metro, please share the wealth!

So here I am suffering in Pensacola for the past two months missing some of my favorite stores, Sephora, H&M, etc. (hell I'll even happily take a Forever 21 at this point) when I learn that the greater Boston area has not one, not two, not three, but (at least) FOUR H&M stores (Downtown Crossing, Newbury, Cambridgeside, some Route 1 mall). And two of them are within about a 5-minute T ride of one another. Can I steal one to bring town here to the land-of-no-good-shopping? Seriously. The biggest news is that Cordova Mall will have a Chico's before Christmas time. I'm supposed to be excited about this?

Pet Peeve #534

I get that it is basically winter and winter = various cold/flu-type sicknesses that are simply unavoidable. I get that traveling while sick is torturous. But for the love of Nyquil can you people stop with the intense, disgusting, snot-filled (not to mention unsuccessful) attempts at clearing your nasal passages by constantly "sniffling" (this word seems not to be strong enough to accurately describe the array of horrifying sounds I had to endure)? Ever heard of BLOWING your nose? Seriously, people, don't subject the rest of us to your near-vomit-inducing sounds. Remind me to bring those little packs of tissues next time I travel so that i can pelt the snifflers with the packages until they get the point and finally use a few.

Hoo-ray for income!

Yes, that's right! I am once again an employed member of society! As of Monday, I will be working for the major local staffing agency/HR placement firm as a staffing coordinator. Is is sad that I am so excited to be starting work again? Trust me, staying home all the time is not all that much fun.

Possibly more exciting than the fact that I will be guaranteed human interaction (sorry Mic and Trot, I can only be entertained by your kitty-fun-playtime for so long) on a daily basis, I will have some income again! Regularly hitting up your dad for money when you are 25 is not what one might call a self esteem booster.

Plus, if I want, my daily commute can look like this for 3/4 of the drive:

2007 Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival

In a city that loves its festivals, The Arts Festival is, hands down, the best event Pensacola has all year. I have been looking forward to this past weekend since I knew I was coming back to town for awhile. I volunteered quite a bit throughout the weekend so I didn't get to spend as much time walking around as I would have liked, but I definitely stumbled on several pieces and artists I am excited about. Too bad I have to wait awhile to be able to spend money on art. As soon as I am able, I have some great stuff picked out for when the time comes.

Some of my favorites from the weekend:
Mike Behr - Photography: I revisited his booth more than any other over the weekend because I just couldn't get enough of some of his pieces. I especially loved his "Fall Color" and "Alto de Chavon Collection" pieces.

Larry and Sherry Paulsen - Digital Art: I actually ordered some of their Pensacola prints to display in my apartment in LA when I moved out there, but when I visited their booth this weekend I was pleased to learn that they are starting a Boston series and I (of course) had to purchase the first print in that new line, a print of the Union Oyster House. I made Larry promise to do a Fenway print and he hopes to have the Boston series out in January.

James Gary Richmond - Photography: We almost bought a few of this guy's prints for my dad's house. He does some strange color work and cliche beach scenes that I don't really care for, but he also has done a good bit of things that I do like including vibrant blue and red focal points, stairways/doors, and some beautiful work in the Mediterranean (I am sucker for that amazing blue water peeking through in photos).

Jim Morris - Photography: Sadly, he does not appear to have a website, which is really quite a shame because I didn't find him until Sunday afternoon and only got to spend a few moments looking at his work, and some of those pieces I could have stared at for hours.

The one realization I had this weekend is that I find art without people in it infinitely more interesting and appealing than art that features people, whether or not they are the focus of the piece.