Saturday, September 16, 2006

Stabbing pain in my brain again today, but it was CURED by Jaffrey! Lobster roll (still the best thing ever) + good coffee + coffee ice cream. Dean made me finish all my coffee since it was a remedy, even though it got cold because I left the lid off. I didn't finish all my coffee ice cream though (even though it was excellent), because even kiddie size at Jaffrey is too huge. We decided half kiddie size would be a good size. Drinking coffee and eating ice cream at Jaffrey today made me think of the Kope place in Hawi.

By the time we were back on the plane, my head felt fine (before we started eating, I was actually wincing in pain), and on the way home Dean showed me some steep turns and stalls near MMK. I loved it!! First he did some steep turns (60° bank), which felt like the plane was a top and the tip of the wing was that pointy thing the top spins on. It was so cool. I could see the tip of the wing below me out the window and it looked like it was just staying in one spot while we turned around and around it. It felt really weird inside the plane! The first time we did a really steep and fast one I started to feel dizzy (that was super cool--I liked it!)--not nauseated, but more like I'd pass out. I told Dean and he stopped; then I said, "Do it again!!" I didn't feel dizzy the second time. (Dean said he felt dizzy at first when he did it while training, but doesn't any more.)

Then he showed me a power-on stall and a power-off stall. The power-on stall was exciting! All the sudden it felt like we weren't being supported by the air anymore, like when something is yanked out from under you. Like the drop in a carnival ride. It's a really weird and exciting feeling, and I actually sort of squealed/gasped when I felt it. eXciting! Then he drove the plane up really really steep with the nose pointed up until it wouldn't go any farther. FUN! Tango's such a great plane, he's hard to stall! I love it when I actually feel stuff.

When we got home, I implemented the idea I thought of to calm my fretful mind about my Mini-to-Nano transfer. (When I told Dean my idea yesterday, he thought it was the best idea ever. I was much more skeptical. But he was right!) I was losing my mind because the Nano is too narrow, too thin, too hard, too cold, too slippery and basically all around unsnuggly and unergonomic. It's fine when it's clipped to my waistband in its little holder, but bare in my hand, it feels awful and makes me miserable missing my Mini. So I made a little felt suit for the Nano to make it feel more like my Mini when I hold it in my hand. My first draft is really awful looking, but it works! (I started cracking up hard after I did the stitches around the clickwheel and saw how un-circular they are... I could have taken them out and redone it, but I left them like that because it's so hideously endearing.) It makes the Nano wider (more ergonomic for controlling the clickwheel) and softer and grabbier and nice to hold in my hand. And it's cute and friendly instead of sleek and cold looking. Now I have to make another one that actually looks good. I'm thinking an echinoderm-themed Nano suit would be nice...

Posted at 10:53:00 PM by Laura W. Petix.

Aaagh. I've had a debilitating headache every day since Tuesday, haven't I? What the heck. My brain feels bruised and numb.

Speaking of Tuesday, I forgot to mention that I went to a weird Starbucks on Tuesday (Farmington) and heard the end of "Spirit On the Water" and the beginning of "Rollin' and Tumblin'" over the soundsystem. I knew they'd make a horrible cappuccino, so I ordered a hot green tea latte (except I told them to make it more like a cappuccino than a latte). It was green. I liked it, although it was a little sweet.

I hope I can sleep tonight.

Posted at 12:39:00 AM by Laura W. Petix.

Friday, September 15, 2006

I am 1) a mental wreck, 2) physically twitching, 3) aching all over (very small muscles), 4) dueling with a headache in my brain that intensifies everytime I think about my iPod. But my at least my eyes are a lot less wonky today. And I have to admit, I feel much better than I did this morning. Thursday-ing whilst listening to a friendly podcast helped a lot. And so does my new idea that at least eases my mind somewhat. Also I made a new skirt this afternoon and I really like it. It may be my favorite skirt I've ever made--for now at least. It's fleece, so I don't know how long it will stay soft and warm and fuzzy like this. It's sort of an experiment. But it looks really good, and the zipper truly is perfect. It's sort of long, and very comfortable. It's for wearing in Tango in cold weather. I'll try to get a picture, if I can.

My brain is killing me. I guess every once in a while I need to be reminded how insane I really am.

Posted at 8:34:00 PM by Laura W. Petix.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

I have a perpetual headache and a perpetual set of wonky eyes. Having a new iPod is kind of stressful/anxiety-inducing. But that doesn't necessarily have anything to do with my brain and eyes, since they've been messed up for days.

I'm horribly behind (three reviews) on TFF again.

Bob sure is a diner fan.

I really really like "The Hog of the Forsaken," especially the chop water hyacinth part.

I had my Trainer Part Two session at NEAC today (signed up for it last week), and she said something about working large muscles like the back and chest first, and I cracked up. Large muscles?? Yeah, right. More like nonexistent muscles. But then she said in amazement, "You do have strong legs!" That's true--I do. Even if the rest of me resembles a bunch of twigs, my legs don't. I'm supposed to do more chest exercises now. Ha.

Posted at 9:40:00 PM by Laura W. Petix.

Good things about my new iPod: