Hello All. I've neglected this again. But as it's a New Year, it's time for a New entry. I made some changes in my life already. for one I quit selling Avon. It's a great company and i love the products but i don't have the time or the interest in continuing to sell the products. i have other things pressing my right now including my upcoming wedding in six months. I have only made three real resolutions this year, since there's a better chance of me remembering to keep three. They are as follows;

1) Stop biting my nails. I always almost stop and then something happens and i start up again. I'm really doing it this time, by hook or by crook.
2) Exercise 2-3 times a week. I already do yoga once a week, i just need to add 1-2 times a week to my routine.
3) Change my sleep schedule so I will go to bed and wake up earlier. This is, by far, going to be the most difficult for me. I have never in my life been a morning person, but I really need to be.

I also had this nutty idea to write about what I'm reading throughout the year. So I'm going to begin by mentioning that I am in an online book club. I don't always read what they do, either because of lack of interest in their choice or because I don't have time, but this month's book, I was definitely interested in. Here it is!

The title is what it says. I recently went to an audition for Dollywood and I thought my insights might be meaningful for someone, so here it goes.

First
Learn the rules of auditioning. These Include:

1. Dress professionally- Wear a nice dress or dress pants for a girl, a suit for a guy and nice closed toes shoes. This is a job interview. Also, don't wear black or white as you will fade into the background, and do wear bright vibrant colors. Make sure your clothes flatter you.
2. Some things are over done, Like Anything from Les Miserables or The Phantom of the Opera- Don't do those.
3. Never Perform anything my Sondheim if you're under 35 unless you have the life experience to make it believable.
4. Play to your type. If you are the whitest white girl from Whiteville, Wyoming, don't do the internal monologue of Rosa Parks as she refused to give up her seat.
5. Don't do monologues from Movies or TV
6. Don't do songs or monologues from shows you were in.
7. Wear your hair as you normally wear it.
8. Ladies, wear makeup, but keep it natural- no smokey eyes.

Second
Break the rules. Yes, now that you know them, there are some you can break. I was cast on the spot at an audition for a major theme park where I wore blue jeans and a tank top with a Union Jack printed on it. My last audition, I got a callback performing a song from a play that I was in. The song rocked my voice, and that's what matters. Also, black and white can be ok in some cases, just makes sure there is color added to it. somewhere.
Another example I have is this- at one audition I went to, I met a girl who performed a monologue from the film Practical Magic. Not only that, but the monologue she performed was so integral to the film that I recognized it the minute I heard it- and I had only seen the film once 10 years earlier. She got a callback.
Given you should not break all the rules all the time. Some rules (like the hair rule and makeup rules) should never be broken, but use your best judgment and common sense on when it's appropriate.

Third
Things you should always bring with you:

1. Dance clothes- It doesn't matter if you are not a dancer, bring them anyway. Many places will have a movement portion of an audition and you do not want to do it in your audition clothes/shoes. Trust me.
2. a comfortable pair of shoes. Ladies, I don't care how comfortable you say you are in those 3 inch heels, imagine standing outside in the rain in February for 3 hours straight in those heels. Not so comfortable anymore, are you? Bring comfortable flats. Your feet will thank you.
3. Food. I'm not saying you should bring a sack lunch (though in some cases it wouldn't be a bad plan) but a few energy bars wouldn't be half bad. I've been to multiple auditions that lasted the better part of a day with no time to get a meal.
4. At least 1 liter of water. 20 oz won't cut it, you will need the hydration. And, yes, it has to be water. Soda and anything with sugar in it will dehydrate you.
5. Paper money and change. Sometime there will be a place to get a little bit of food or an extra 20 oz of water at the audition, but it will likely be from a vending machine or a cash only vendor. You debit card won't cut it.
6. Head shots, a resume, sheet music, extra monologues that you have memorized. Even if the advertisement doesn't say anything about these, bring them anyway. You never know what you'll be asked to have/do.
7. A change of clothes for the ride home. This is mainly for you if you're driving an hour+ right after the audition. You really don't want to ride back in your dress clothes or your dance clothes, so bring a pair of jeans and a t-shirt you can slip into. And those comfy shoes.

So, that's my insight. Others may have different experiences, and opinions, but I calls 'em as I sees em. As Always,

Dona Nobis Pacem,
~Wispy

It's time for me to decide to do things better in the New Year again. So, Here are my resolutions.

1) Fix my sleep schedule so I can get up earlier- I've not been sleeping well lately and so I don't want to get up in the mornings. This cuts my productivity.

2) Work harder on Avon- I've been slacking off lately, I need to do better.

3) Make time for crafting- It's difficult for me to do right now because i really don't have a designated space of my own for it, but I want to do more of it.

4) Start exercising more- I need to at least stretch daily.

5) Start seriously looking into a job change/further education- I'm not entirely happy where I am and that obvious to me because of my lack of enthusiasm.

6) learn to let things be- I need to let annoyances roll off my back and learn to just trust that others will be ok.

I think that's enough for me this year.

As Always,

Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace),
~Wispy

Yesterday, I was sent to the grocery store to pick up a few things we needed at home. I have absolutely no problem doing such a thing. I actually wish I was sent to do the grocery shopping more often. The thing that bothers me is this- the self check out line.
Now, I live in a small town where the whole "green" phenomenon hasn't quite taken hold, but all the chain stores sell canvas bags and i try to use them myself when i go shopping. This being the case, one would think the store clerks would know what the bags are for. They don't.
I have had baggers look at my bags like they were from the black lagoon. One even put my milk in a plastic bag BEFORE putting it down in the canvas bag, thus defeating the purpose of bring the bags in the first place.
So, to avoid the deer in headlights look from the baggers at the store, I decided to use the self check out line. In theory, this line is to be used to expedite the process and free up clerks to do other things, like run registers for people that don't use self checkout lines.
When I got to the self check out, one one of 2 lanes was open. The open lane was in use, but the couple using it was almost finished so i waited. When they finished, I maneuvered my cart up to the screen, and set out my first bag and began the process of scanning my value card, then my first item. The problem began when I placed my item (2 liter of soda) in the bag. the machine told me to wait for an attendant. I waited for a few minutes before an attendant showed up. Once they cleared me, I continued. 2 liter number 2 also caused the machine to freak out, but it was fine after that- until I needed to start a new bag.
I moved bag number one over so I could set up my new bag, which again caused the machine to freak out. At this point the clerk discovered he had to stay put because the machine was going to freak out at every item I scanned, simply because I was not using it's plastic bags. This was also a touch embarrassing because most of my items were extremely heavy. Like, kitty litter and an economy size bottle of laundry detergent. To top it off, I have no upper body strength.
So, in short, Self checkout doesn't make things, any easier or faster and it doesn't help a person avoid getting odd looks from clerks. If anything, it just puts one under more scrutiny. I suppose from now on, I'll just tell them I don't want my milk bagged.

Dona Nobis Pacem,
~Wispy

My mom's cousin Libby died yesterday. We found out about it this morning after someone who works with my Aunt Patti approached her and said, "I'm sorry to hear about your cousin."
Libby was 64 and died of natural causes, but she had apparently been sick for a while. In a way, a lot of the surrounding circumstances-that i won't go into here- remind me of a black comedy. The situation is so odd. None of us were close to Libby. She had no children. She had been married a couple times, but currently had no husband. She sort of kept herself cut off from the rest of the family, even though we did invite her to gatherings. She was always more the eccentric. The thing is, as odd and as much like a movie script the situation seems, it really reinforces my idea to make sure the people I care about know how much I love them. I get closed off every now and then and keep to myself, but I don't want to wind up like Libby, alone with no one to take care of things when I'm gone. She couldn't even take care of her pets in her last days. I would at least want someone to take my pets if I was to the point of dying. I would want someone to care enough to check in on me. It seems to me that her life was pretty dismal. What could any of us say at her eulogy?
The moral is to not be like Libby. Don't close everyone out. Let others know you love them, or you could die alone and forgotten.

Dona Nobis Pacem,
~Wispy

It's New years Eve again! Time to start popping out all those resolutions. I know a lot of people vow to get into shape etc on New Years and by the end of January, they're on the couch watching tv, eating potato chips and cake. My challenge to everyone this year is to stick to your resolutions. In spirit of that, Here are mine. I'm going to make 10, since it's 2010. We'll mark my progress this year and see how I do.

1) To devote 30 minutes to 1 hour a day AT LEAST to my Avon business. If I want to go anywhere with it, I need to work at it. This will include taking online classes, calling customers, finding new customers, and recruiting representatives.

2) To be more organized. I am not an organized person, I'm the first to admit that, but some kind of method is necessary to keep up with everything I do. Therefore, I will actually keep a planner in my purse this year and keep my work bags organized. (I have separate bags for Avon, teaching, performance ministry, etc.)

3) I will not be afraid to express myself or my opinions. Online, it's easier to express myself than in person, especially when my opinion is attacked by my family and those who are close to me. I figure, they don't fear offending me, why should I fear offending them.

4) I will also find a balance for my emotions and keep myself under better control. I have a tendency to go to extremes sometimes, especially with anger. I will learn to control that and keep in in check.

5) I will stop biting my nails, once and for all. it's a bad habit I have tried to break again and again and I have always failed. This year, I will stop.

6)I will become more financially secure. I want to try to save up some money so I can pay off some loans and possibly get an apartment soon. I think it's time.

7) I will exercise more often. I do yoga once a week, and i was taking dance lessons. i want to continue those and maybe pick up a couple other thing on my own. The trick is to stay self motivated.

8) I will try to study more to get better at my various artworks. I wanted to study drawing techniques some time ago, I think it's time i actually did.

9) I make enough jewelry to justify opening an etsy store. I want to try to sell what I make and not just give things as gifts. I want to try it and see how I do. this goal ties into to goals number 6 and 8.

10) I will let everyone I'm close to know how much they mean to me more often. I know people who only let people know how they feel when it's too late, or when they think it will be their last chance. I don't want that to happen to me, because any day at any time could be my last chance.


So that's the goals for this year. I hope everyone is safe, whatever you do to celebrate tonight. Good Luck and Peace be with you in the coming New Year.

Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace),
~Wispy

Ok, this is a little bit of a rant. I can't help but notice people's election stickers on the backs of their cars every now and then. It's great that you all have an opinion and everything but... the election ended over a ago year now. I think it's time for the stickers to come off the bumpers. This applies to people on both sides of the line.

The winning side- fine, you want to celebrate for a bit. That's fine, but the stickers should have come off in December, maybe early January, though that's pushing it. To have it up after the inauguration, is rubbing people's faces in it. At this point, it's just plain silly. Yes, your side won. We get it.

The losing side- You look pathetic. Your team lost this time and now you look like you're in denial. Some of you may be in this election. Your sticker should have come off on November 8, 2008. Save yourselves embarrassment.

Even worse, I still see Bush-Cheney stickers, and Kerry-Edwards stickers.

To the Bush-Cheney People; Just stop. Really. They had 8 years, it's over now, LET. IT. GO.

To the Kerry-Edwards people; Nothing says denial like a 5 year old political sticker. They DIDN'T win. They aren't GOING to win, and it's about time that sticker came off.

Even Worse than that, one day, I saw someone with a political sticker from a PRIMARIES candidate, who never made it to the presidential running from Two elections ago. That one is truly sad.

I know this is random, but it had to be said. I think too many people are holding on to tearing the country apart instead of standing together. Remember, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."

Dona Nobis Pacem,
~Wispy

So, I've been thinking of trying some new art mediums. First, Since my drawing style is better when I go toward comic book style rather than realistic, I'm thinking about seeing how I do with markers. I also want to try to start making my own beads and charms for my jewelry. So, to this end, I need stuff. I decided to keep copy of my list of stuff I want/need online, so I can remember and direct family/friends to it when they ask what I want for Christmas/Birthday. So here it goes.

Things I'm buying for myself hands down no questions:

1) Poly-clay- I found a 30 color sampler set and Hobby Lobby for $25 and I can get it for less if I use a 40% off coupon. That way I can play around with stuff to see what I like best and restock colors as I need them.

2) metal beads, charms, wire, findings- I want to get that stuff myself since I usually buy with and idea of what is going to happen with the beads. I also know what size wire I want and don't want to risk getting the wrong kind.

3) Acrylic paints- this is so i can paint some of my clay jewelry after I've made it. I want to get this myself so I'll know what I'm getting.


Things that are up for grabs as presents:

1) Toaster Oven- This is to fire my beads in. they have to be baked to harden, and I don't want to use the food oven. I know Target has some for $20-25. ^^

2) Pasta Machine- this is not a pasta machine like you use to make spaghetti, it's a tool used to flatten out clay. They sell them at Hobby Lobby and Micheal's. they're about $25.

3) Manikin- this is a little wooden person with no distinguishing features. It's really awkward for me to pose in the position i want to draw, take a picture of it, then try to draw it. This would be easier if I had a manikin to put in position and draw.

4) Poly-clay Design books- Just to get me started, give me ideas and teach me technique.


Things I'm not sure about:

1) Markers- In a way I want to get these myself so I'll know what I'm getting when i get it and I'll know what colors I'm getting, but, good ones are expensive. On the same note, I really don't expect people to buy things for me that I can't afford myself.

2) Clay tools- they're cheap, for the most part, I could get them myself, but I wouldn't argue with some one getting some for me either.


The thing is, i really don't expect anyone to get me any of this stuff, but I know some people have been asking me what I want. Well, here you go. this is what I want. This is stuff I'll use.

That's all for now.

Dona Nobis Pacem,

~Wispy

Note: the title is because when I started this, Material Girl was on and I thought, "Well, hey, it's about stuff I want, why not?"

I put this up on deviantArt and decided to pot it here too, because I thought it was funny. And, Wow! 2 posts in a day for me! Record!

So... I was thinking about a project I wanted to do earlier today. I want to do a sort of "Twisted Snow White" photo shoot, though I will be the model for this. I have the costume all designed and an awesome red glass bottle that's sort of apple shaped. I wanted to do a shoot posing with the bottle, and eventually dead on the ground. I wanted to use a little fake blood as an effect in this as well (it will make sense later), and I was thinking about where would be good locations to shoot. Originally I was thinking of indoor locations, but i was afraid of ruining the floors with the blood and it not showing up well outside, then it hit me- Take the pictures In the Snow!

The only trouble is that there hasn't been a really good snow here for a few years and I can't really depend on there being one now. I did briefly consider taking my stuff with me to Germany, since I'd be pretty much guaranteed snow in December in Bavaria, but then I thought about explaining to customs exactly why I was carrying fake blood overseas. I also thought about the awkwardness of This conversation with Stuart (my boyfriend):

Me: Hey love?
Him: Yeah?
Me: I know it's happy cuddle time and stuff, but would you mind going out in the snow and taking pictures of me being dead?

So, yeah. Not so much happening... I guess I'll just hope for snow and come up with a back up plan...
That's all for now!

Dona Nobis Pacem,
~Wispy

Hello all! Guess what? Today is not a rant day! Yay! Today will be a life update day. I don't write much on here about my actual life, I noticed, so I figured I would for once. About a week ago I walked in the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure, which is a walk/race to raise money/awareness for breast cancer. Our team raised over $2000 and we had about 20 people register to walk with us. Breast cancer is kind of a close thing to me, because my maternal grandmother had it. She had a mastectomy to have the cancer removed, but it had already spread to her liver. No one really knew about it spreading until a couple years later though, and so she died because of the liver cancer.

On the other hand, I know four breast cancer survivors who say that early detection saved their lives. For one of them, the lump was no bigger than a pin prick and would not have been detected by a self-exam. What saved her was a new, super-powered mammogram machine.

Aside from that, I've been teaching a class at my church in Performance Ministry. It's a class for the children ages 6 and up where they learn songs, dances and skits that will be performed for the congregation. Lately they've been working on a dance with ribbon dancers set to "Candle On The Water." I know this is not a religious song per se, but the message can be interpreted that way.
for example;

"A cold and friendless tide has found you.
Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down.
I'll paint a ray of hope around you
Circling in the air, lighted by a prayer."

So I explained to the kids that I picked this song because God is like a lighthouse that guides lost souls home and protects them from the jagged rocks. They were originally supposed to perform last week, but I had difficulty getting their costumes made. They will be performing this coming Sunday, however. :) On Wednesday, they're also going to begin work on their Christmas play, which I am writing. I decided to write it to avoid any "I want to be Mary" arguments. Of course then I got "I want to be the angel named after x virtue" arguments... Kids...

This Friday, I went to see "This Is It" the Michael Jackson concert documentary. It was really good. it's really a shame the concert won't happen, because there was some really amazing choreography, set design, and filmed media done. It really would have been a beautiful concert. It would have been a really great film if (rant time!) Some idiots hadn't sat there talking at regular volume through the entire thing. I mean, those movie tickets were expensive and paid for in advance. So, I really didn't appriciate their extreme rudeness to everyone in the theater who actually wanted to see the film. I kind of wanted to beat them with my shoe. (end rant)

Anyway, Halloween was fun. I was a viking this year. I did Trunk or Treat at my church, and handed out "Mummy," "Deady," "Wolfgirl," and "Frankenteen" bags with some candy and perfume samples in them. :) hopefully I'll get some responses for my Avon through that. I also went downtown to a pub crawl, but I really didn't have more than 2 drinks.

Well I guess that's all for this entry.

Dona Nobis Pacem,
~Wispy