since Mike asked...

Over the last few years i've felt myself becoming stagnant.
I loved my job, but it didn't challenge me anymore and there was resistance to change from higher up, not to mention no funds to change anyway. I loved my friends, but so many of them were so far away that i felt isolated. I loved my art, but needed to be stretched. I wasn't completely discontented, but bored and stuck and floundering.
We know now that part of it was medical, but other parts weren't. I've been wanting change, growth, challenges to break me out of my comfortable box. My post about this week's quote is really about how all of that change seems to be happening at once and only some of it is in my control - be careful what you wish for, right?
So, in order to be less cryptic (i'm looking at you, Michael :->) here is a list of opportunities, goals, obstacles, deadlines that are swirling in my brain right now, in no particular order:
-2 members of my team were laid off
-we have to keep taking triple bookings
 -my team is writing the new summer theater program
-my team is writing a new assembly program
 -my team has been researching new classroom programs
 -summer bookings are closed, but higher than i wanted them to be
 -my entire department is being reorganized and reimagined
 -i am on a committee to do a summer extravaganza of science
 -the owner of Objects Found asked me for a new line of Spring cards, three weeks ago
 -there is going to be a 2nd annual Catonsville art exhibition; due date for entries is April 10 and i don't have any new pieces finished
 -i am in the middle of a painting
 -i am in the middle of an assemblage
 -i have the inspiration and the materials to do a sculpture/mobile/thingee, but it needs about a thousand solder joints
 -i need to learn how to solder
 -and get a soldering iron
-i was asked to do the publicity and marketing for that art exhibition
-which just got moved up by a week [MAY 15TH; YOU'RE ALL COMING, RIGHT?]
-i've been reminded that my handmade cards were the highest selling object at the last art exhibition so be sure to have plenty done
 -i have 15-20 necklaces in the works
-i have 6 other necklaces designed and faux beaded that need finished
-there is a new thrift store in Catonsville that i've started courting to possibly carry a line of handmade or reimagined jewelry of mine
 -i have the okay from the organizer of a local scrapbooking crop to be a vendor at her next crop, selling found objects, interesting notions and handmade embellishments, date April 16ish
 -sort and package notions
 -make displays and prices
 -finish embellishments
-make pages/samples using my wares
 -paint 12 chipboard books
 -start April birthday cards
-Debbie's play is this weekend
-spend time with Colleen
-i am working on cultivating/growing about 10 new friendships within 2 totally different communities and need to devote time to each
 -somehow i need to fit in at least 5 hours of sleep a night
-i can finally, finally go back to the gym
 -i don't think i have clean underware for tomorrow
-there are 26 books checked out from the library in my living room, mocking me
-my taxes need done; where did i put my W-2?
 -there are still 22 CDs checked out from the library that i am reviewing
-i owe Carlotta dinner
 -this is day 3 of not buying any restaurant food; if i make it to 31 i get 20 stars, but i really want KFC for dinner so that i don't have to cook
 -there is currently condiments, half an onion and Scotch in my fridge; i need to go shopping
 -i am resolved not to go to the grocery store without a menu, shopping list and coupons
-like everyone else in this economy, i will soon be spending more each month than i make and banks don't believe in negative numbers; where do i get more income?
-i need to secure funds to ensure my mother's continued independence
-my museum is hosting the national conference in October; i am planning a traditional all-day outreach session, due date for changes and prices was a week ago and i have neither finished
-over the last year i've gained 20 pounds that needs attending to before my annual physical next month
 -wait... did i schedule that physical? yes, i did.
 -wait... did i just book a show for that day? hmmmm...
-i need a better recycling process at work cause currently i just take it home, but after rearranging our little corner there are about 5 loads of paper recycling
 -the community clean-up day is April 9 and i want to volunteer
-i want to invite my new neighbors to dinner
-girls' craft night???
-we lost 5 limbs off of the dogwood tree; how am i going to get them to the mulcher on clean-up day?
-the basement seriously needs cleaned
-New Year's resolution #1 (volunteering) hasn't even been started yet; do i want to apply for CASA and/or mentor at St Vincent's?
-i got a baby shower invite for my high school best friend; wait... she's pregnant?!?
-the trivia season ended and we won our location; special game on Saturday, finals next weekend, Trivia Bowl (if we make it) on April 2nd
-i have 10 days of dirty dishes to wash
 -i got a letter from my sponsored boy in Africa and i need to get a return letter in the mail by Saturday
-the are currently 15 blog posts started in the queue and i took picture today for 2 more
-need to fit in a phone debrief date with Matt and Sara this week
 -i owe Grandpa a letter
-the only disorder left from the office shuffling is sitting in my space
-the 35L dewar is in pieces and i need to get it fixed
 -did i take my mid-day pill?... yep; okay
...phew And that's just what came off of the top of my head. Most of these things are awesome opportunities that make me tingle with possibilities. Some of them are deadlines that i'm not sure i'm gonna make. Any money things really stress me out cause i don't really care about money, but that doesn't mean that i don't need it. I need more time, but have to get the sleep necessary to keep me healthy (dang it!). I am excited about the new things at work, but need to take time off to finish my outside endeavors, but can't take time off cause i'm understaffed and don't want to take time off cause i'm excited about the new things.
So Mike... does that clarify things a bit?

hot sauce, cool cause

Last week coworker Stacey asked if i wanted to go to Annapolis for dinner. It seemed like a bit of a hike just to go to a California Tortilla, but a friend of her family had organized a Pennies for Peace (kid-based affiliate of CAI) fundraiser for an 8th grade project.
Since 25% of sales that night were going to be donated to charity i felt compelled to not only get dinner and dessert, but purchase some hot sauce as well. There are 75 different hot sauces to choose from and you know i had fun looking at them all. With my dinner i finally decided on one that was based on passion fruit. Of course, they were out of it.
sigh...
After more searching, sampling, sniffing, etc i settled on another fruity one called Dave's Gourmet Ginger Peach.
I tried it over the weekend on grilled turkey burgers.
Success!!
Shown here with spanish rice, corn and carrots.
Delicious.

the glacial pace of justice

I was summoned to jury duty today.
sigh... jury duty... again...
Honestly, i have been summoned more times to jury duty than anyone else i've ever met. I know that it is a random system, but something about my name or address or soundex number is very attractive because the moment i am eligible, i am called.
Of course, i can never serve on a criminal trial having been the victim of a violent crime (mugged at gunpoint in college) and i can't serve on a civil trial that lasts more than one day because of my job. Basically, i keep getting summoned, but never picked.
sigh...
I don't really mind going because i truly believe that it is my civic duty to participate in the legal process, but DANG is it boring. No one tells you that being called to jury duty means waiting and waiting and waiting, all day long.
 I saw people in the assembly room that hadn't even brought a book with them.
How ever would you survive without a book?
 I don't want that to happen to any of you, so let me share this Public Service Announcement as i walk you through the sheer tedium that is A Day at Jury Duty.
In Baltimore County you need to report to the assembly room by 8:30am for petit jurors.
Don't forget to leave plenty of time to drive rush-hour traffic into the county seat, park in one of the 3 county owned garages, walk to the courthouse and go through security.
 BTW, you can't bring scissors or cameras with you; sheriffs will take them away.
Once in the assembly room, find a seat and wait to check in.
And wait.
 And wait.
Now would be an excellent time to read the pamphlets you've been given about the legal process and your job as a juror.
Once your group is called, stand in line and wait to check in.
And wait.
At the first station you get your work pass and have your parking ticket validated (you did remember to bring it with you, right?).
Then go wait in another line to sign your name and get your jury allowance.
Then go back to your seat and wait.
And wait.
And wait. After all they have to check in hundreds people.
A nice jury office assistant will eventually come over the PA to welcome you all and give you a basic layout of the assembly space and an overview of the day's proceeding (how many trials there are, etc).
Then you wait.
An informative DVD from the 80s then plays explaining everything you already read about in the pamphlet.
Then you wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Eventually, they will start calling numbers.
If your number is called -and it isn't necessarily in numeric order that they are called, so listen close- you line up to go to the court.
Once in the court you wait and wait and wait.
 The nature of the trial is explained to you. Then the selection process starts. The judge asks a bunch of questions like Do you know the defendant? or Have you ever been the victim of a violent crime? or Are you related to a police officer? and if the answer is yes to any question you have to stand up, state your name and selection number. After all of the questions are answered, the judge then goes back through and asks specific jurors specific questions about their answers. The attorneys go back and forth tossing jurors until they have the 12 or 13 that they can agree upon. Often a prospective juror is dismissed without any reason being given; they tell you not to take it personally, but really, who wouldn't take it personally?
I guess that the trial would then start; i've never made it that far.
But let's say that your number is not called in the first round. In the 6 times i've been summoned and the 3 times i've actually had to go to the assembly room, i've only made it upstairs once.
Back in the assembly room, you continue to wait.
And wait.
And wait.
By this time it is too close to lunch to start another selection process, so you break for lunch.
Today, i was smart enough to bring my lunch with me so i moved to the cantine and ate. Then back out to the quiet room and my book to wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Last time, we were dismissed after lunch cause they had all the jurors they needed. Today, they did a second round of number calling, lining up and filing up to the courtrooms. Still, Niki's number -332- was not requested.
sigh...
You know what time it is: time to wait.
And wait.
And wait.
Finally, they announce that all of the jury positions have been filled for the day and you can go.
HAZZAH!
I would never try to get out of jury duty because of the responsibility and civic duty, etc, but man, i wish there was a way to speed this process up a bit. I don't want the Queen of Hearts just chopping off people's head, but come on people, let's get a move on already.

Smiles for Sam

My nephew's best friend has osteosarcoma. That sucks. It is not only heartbreaking that Sam and his family are suffering through this life-threatening illness, but it is hard to know that Zachary is trying to understand what is happening. It seems like the life lesson of watching your best friend fight for his life is a bit harsh for a 9 year old. But he is a strong kid with a good heart and he wants to help his friend by raising money. In these lean times, one idea was to have a $1 chip-in button on his blog. I figure that even i can afford $1. If you want to know more about Sam and Zachary or give your own dollar, please go to Smiles for Sam. Thanks. ps- less cancer and more rum in the Nikiverse tomorrow

hope

It is a well known fact that the Nikiverse is made of love. Anyone can identify that it is inhabited by sparkle ponies. Most people know that it is built on faith. But do you know what fuels the Nikiverse? Hope. The belief that there is beauty and goodness to be found, if you are willing to look hard enough. The knowledge that no matter how bad it might seem, that this too shall pass (even February is only 28(9) days long). With the lurking doom bubble i have been thinking of hope lately; there have been moments when it has been tougher to locate even in my own life. Some of my favorite people have been dealing with issues that make them feel unsettled or alone and they have been searching valiantly for hope. I've had several conversations with various people on the subject of late and this is what i've decided: My hope is often gilded and framed, prominently placed and easy to identify- but sometimes i have to cobble it together from things i find laying on the floor. Sometimes it is abundant, . but sometimes it is faint. At times it is tattered and worn, nearly unrecognizable under life's graffiti. But in the end all you really need is a tiny little piece- a mere sliver of hope, in any condition, is enough to hold on to. The sun will rise tomorrow -whether we want it to or not- bringing the possibility and promise of a new day. It will be okay. It will. If you can't find any hope, take some of mine.

Elf Night, year 4

Once again a merry band of elves bundled themselves over to the Salvation Army to help sort and distribute gifts for families in need. I super-d-duper love to do this each year. This year we were bit early in the process so we finished all of the carts you see above in only 2 hours. WHAT?!? I came prepared to stay until like 10pm, but we were out the door at 7:30. I didn't even get a chance to take pictures. It was fun, but i think i might need to go back on a Saturday morning to feel like i've really contributed this year. to read about earlier elf nights, here is year two and year three

Back in the aphoresis saddle

I was so happy over the weekend to be allowed to go back to the Red Cross. I had intended to do whole blood just to see how it went with my still-a-little-low-but-it-is-fine blood pressure, but ended up doing platelets anyhow.

Not only is it great to be healthy enough to donate again, but in October the Red Cross is donating to breast cancer research based on how many donors they have.

...smile...

Thank you for calling; My name is Niki

This is the last week of working the weekend/ having Monday and Tuesday off for me. I spent most of the day volunteering at WTMD answering phones for the Fund Drive. You might recall that i've done this on several occasions before, but it has been at least a year and half because of work. It was nice to see some people i recognized, but there were also a few changes. The coolest one is that they rig up a DJ station outside of the booth, right next to the volunteer phone bank so that we are right next to them as they broadcast. Having spent 3 years in college radio it was fascinating to watch. Today they also had three local Baltimore acts in to play live and you know how much i loves me some free, live music. First up was Cameron Blake who came with a cello, violin and keyboard. sigh... cello; it really is my favorite stringed instrument. Then there was a singer/songwriter named Paul Masson who had a beautiful voice; he wrote a love song about being away from Baltimore and how much he missed that city that is fabulous. (and he gave all the volunteers free CDS - thanks Paul) Finally, 2 members of June Star (who i saw open for Sarah Borges) played, showcasing some nice double guitar work. I am thinking about going back tomorrow after sleeping in and going to the Red Cross. It is Ticket Tuesday and i saw the list of show opportunities they have available for contributions. If you love music consider contributing and maybe even get some "free" tickets in the deal. Plus if you listen tomorrow you might hear me laughing away in the background or maybe you might even talk to me on the phone when you call.

Jacket Drive

If you live in or around Baltimore there is a Jacket Drive for the homeless going on at the Inner Harbor, partnered by the Maryland Science Center, the Aquarium, CBS Radio and St Vincent dePaul. From noon to four on Saturday January 24th there will be a van and promotional tent on the Aquarium side of the harbor and 2 collection vans at the back door of the Science Center. People donating gently used jackets and coats will receive coupons for buy one, get one free admission tickets. Come enjoy the cultural institutions downtown and help those in need.

Elf Night, year 3

Once again a merry band of rogues from work (and related friends) went to the Salvation Army warehouse to help prepare all of the presents for the Christmas angels. This year our night was earlier than the last 2 years so we were doing a different task. All of the presents and clothes that had been bought for specific children had to be logged in via scanner and then distributed to the proper box. It was fun to try a different part of the process though it was not nearly as chaotic and frenzied. I think i might volunteer some time this week to get my fix of controlled chaos. They are using volunteers all the way till December 22nd. BLAST! Conscripted into volunteer service - you'll be hearing from my lawyers!

almost altruistic

If you've been hanging in the Nikiverse for a while you know that i donate at the Red Cross on a semi-regular basis. They love my O-positive, fast-flowing blood. Generally i am happy to take the t-shirt or whatever they are handing out, but the giveaways don't really influence my decision to give blood. Until last week. I regularly receive mail from the Red Cross about upcoming initiatives. I dutifully open them, read them and recycle them in one motion. But a mailing about 10 days ago caught my eye because of this: It's a lapel pin of a snowman holding a baby snowman and it is the CUTEST THING EVER. It was the giveaway for a special Thanksgiving CMVneg blood drive. Most of the population at some point contracts the cytomeglavirus (CMV) which is one of the herpes-simplex viruses. You may never have any symptoms or illness from it, but it stays in your blood forever. Since most of the population already has CMV in their blood the Red Cross gladly accepts donors who test positive for it. But if you don't have the virus they can use your blood for newborns, hence the "Baby Brigade" on the pin. Guess who's CMV negative? I can't explain it, but i really wanted that pin (when am i even gonna wear it? strange how some things just hit you) so i made a 9am donor appointment for Thanksgiving morning. Here it is with my Thanksgiving pin on the sweater i wore to the various holiday festivities : It was noticed and commented upon at both of the houses i visited that day. If you do the right thing for somewhat selfish reasons it is still the right thing, right? Well, that's the story i'm going with. While i was waiting for my appointment i noticed that the December giveaway is a reusable shopping bag. I do like bags... hmmmm... i won't be able to give blood again until late January... hmmm... guess i'll have to call the platelet people in 2 weeks.

earning your altruism

For years i have clicked on the Hunger Site to donate rice, but last week Stacey introduced me to another site called FreeRice. There are vocabulary words with multiple choice answers for the definition; if you answer correctly, 20 grains of rice are donated to the organization. Plus there are 60 difficulty levels of words and your level goes up and down with your answers. OH! and you get to watch your bowl fill up with rice! So you can learn new words, feed your competitive nature and give to the poor all at the same time. It's BRILLIANT (and a bit addictive, watch out). Thanks for sharing, Stacey.

Fall Back

Did you remember to turn back your clocks this morning? Even the ones in your car? Happy Daylight Savings Time, people.

My good deed for the week

The Red Cross called last week and asked me to be a platelet donor. My whole blood had tested well for platelets and they were running really low. Platelets are the jaggedy cells in your blood that help with clotting. They can be harvested from healthy blood and given to cancer patients, but they have a terrible shelf-life out of the body : only 5 days. On Saturday I went and had my first session of platelet apheresis where whole blood is taken from one arm and run through this machine, which can separate the blood into it's component parts: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. The red and white blood cells and most of the plasma is then combined with an anti-coagulant and put back into your other arm. A donor can be on the machine for up to an hour and a half which will yield up to five units of platelets. Since it was my first time they only left me on the machine for 35 minutes to see how well i could tolerate the anti-coagulant and to get enough to calculate my platelet count. Next time they will know exactly how many units they can harvest from me. The process was far less gruesome than it sounds. They have you suck on some fruity Tums to offset calcium loss (that's what platelets are made of), cover you up with thick warm blankets in case you get cold (the blood going back into your body isn't 98 degrees anymore) and set you up with a personal DVD player (Russell and I spent some quality time in Ancient Rome). Holding both arms completely still was a bit tough, but it was harder not to nod off cause they make sure you are so comfortable. The worst part was the squeezing on my donating arm. Imagine this: grab a squishy stress ball (planet, heart, zebra, whatever you have at your desk), hold it in your left hand and squeeze, count to 2 and squeeze again, repeat for 35 minutes. My fingers fell asleep at one point and i had to figure out how to wiggle them enough to wake them up without moving my arm or dropping the ball and while still squeezing. Yikes. My receiving arm was a little sore and was rocking a small, hard hematoma (blood pool) which has turned into a lovely bruise, but overall it wasn't too bad. In fact, I am a bit proud that a girl who used to be hysterically afraid of needles laid quietly for 40 minutes with not one, but two needles in her. In the last few days i have related the story to several people who asked me if i got paid for my platelets. Apparently there are places that will buy your platelets! Who knew? The Red Cross Donation Center is definitely not one of those places; though i did get some cookies. I will go back, though probably not every two weeks, which is how often you can donate platelets. And for those of you who are wondering what they look like, here are my platelets (lower right corner)and some of my plasma (center) they kept to mix with them:

World Hoop Day

Here on 8-8-8 it isn't just the start of the Olympics, it is World Hoop Day! As one of the over 80 event locations world-wide, we had some hoopers come to the museum to do demonstrations and teach people how to hula hoop. It was random and funny, but kinda cool cause they brought custom-made hoops of various sizes and weights and where else are you gonna see groups of adults standing around hula-hooping? Visitors were not just doing traditional hula hooping, they were trying all sorts of things, like double hoops chasing hoops and trying to just figure out what the heck the bright blue circle thingee IS [blurry, but too adorable not to post] Here's our promotions manager, Carly, getting into the action: Hula hoop master, Noelle Powers of Hooping Powers was in charge of this "joyful revolution" and showed off some fun skills: New team member Alex shows us regular hooping, neck hooping and shares his opinion on just how effortless this whole hooping thing is: Meanwhile team member Lindsey casts a cool hooping shadow ( i love how it looks like her shadow is holding its hula hoop) and team member Miriam twirls an arm hoop that matches her outfit: Since we try to capture every event as a teachable moment, Public Programs brought out an explainer about centrifugal force and had kids swing around a bucket full of water to see how the force keeps the water inside the bucket, even when it is upside-down. Where am I in all of this, you say? As the girl behind the camera i caught myself where i normally do, in shadow:

Utilities included

Why? Why would anyone want to live in an abandoned supermarket? The ample free parking? The payphone installed by your front door (which has a convenient motion sensor on it)? This is not a place to live, people, it is a place to shoot an episode of Scooby-Doo.