Creatively Restless

I crafted 8, yes eight, pairs of earrings today. I sliced the tip of one finger on beading wire, and stabbed another to the point of blood. I also put a paint brush to a canvas for the very first time in my life. Now, my brain is moving so swiftly that I have to write or my cranium may find itself in a dire situation from an outward explosion. Never in my life have I experienced the kind of day that I had.

To anyone that knows me, its no secret that I am a naturally restless person. I can't sit still, and God forbid I have to focus on a mundane task for too long. I fidget, I shift, my right foot sways back and forth at the joint more often than I'd like to admit. Restless. Its probably one of the defining characteristics that makes up the core of my being. But typically my restlessness is a result of my overactive brain, too much sitting, or boredom. Today, my restless resulted from an intense need to create. There was near a feeling of if-I-don't-create-something-I-may-just-explode.

It was odd, really. I consider myself to be a creative person, though not a terribly effective one. Jack of all trades, master of none effectively sums up my opinion of my artistic side. Yes, I am decent at a few things and most definitely have varied interest creatively. But nothing I do has that "wow" factor. Perhaps I am too hard on myself (most creative types are), but there is a mediocrity in my art that makes me look at it and say "eh.

However, this side of me took over with a ferocity that was near frightening. It was gripping, all consuming. Like a drug that seeped through my skin and found its way into my bloodstream and coursed through my body.

After driving around for an hour this afternoon (I still don't know where alot of things are around here), I finally came upon my desired destination of Michael's Craft Store. A danger zone with the kind of day I was having. Aaaaaahhhh!!!!! With a joviality that can only be compared to that of a small child on Christmas Eve, I raced through the aisles finding all kind of goodies, including several small canvases, some acrylic paint, a few brushes, and an easel. I have never, and I mean never, painted anything in my life. Well, besides those paint by numbers things, but they hardly count.

My first work of art is hardly anything to brag about, but I am still somewhat proud of my efforts. It was exciting to try something new and not have it look completely awful. I can hardly wait until tomorrow to go back to the craft store (now that I can actually find it) and purchase a few more items so that I can get this idea in my head out on a canvas. Oh joy!

I don't know what's wrong with me lately. I can probably chalk some of it up to the adjustment of being away from nearly everything and everyone I know. I am probably bottling up some emotions that are coming out through this need to create, rather than being soothed by the comfort of familiarity. Who knows. But, while it continues, I can only hope to be able to produce something decent out of it.

One can never tell. I might become an artist yet...

Why the HECK isn't this key working?!

As I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before, I tend to be a very restless person. This is one trait that I personally cannot stand. It causes problems. Like, taking away much needed sleep because if I go to bed, I'll just toss and turn and toss and turn. So, instead, I stay up and do things to exhaust myself. Like read the Bible in Spanish. Or I should say "attempt" to read the Bible in Spanish. Because me reading the Bible in Spanish always includes my new BFF freetranslation.com. Whoever thought of online translation engines should get a sticker. Or maybe even a cookie. Seriously. They are that cool. What is not cool, however, is that the control key on the keyboard is in different places on a PC keyboard and a Mac keyboard. Considering that I switch between PC and Mac every single frickin day... This causes a problem. I'll go to hit "control" and then whatever key.... and I can't figure out why the heck it isn't working. And then I realize that I'm not actually hitting control. I'm actually hitting the apple key. Or alt. Depending on what platform I'm working on. It really causes problems.

Other things that cause problems are screwed up shoulders. I taught a ballet class last night for the first time since before Christmas and my shoulder has been reminding me of that all day. Its just this nice little dull pain that says "Hi. I'm your shoulder. And I hate you right now." Its really not displaying the love of Christ at all, and I have to keep reminding it that Jesus simply would not like its behavior right now. Maybe I should send it to confession or something. Yeesh.

One trait that I do possess that I do find particularly winsome is my ability to be completely and totally random. Exhibit A: this posting. Its completely pointless and full of information that is of absolutely no value. Except, some of you may have learned that the control key is on different places on PC and Mac keyboards. Which is knowledge that may come in handy in case you are ever on Jeopardy. If you're not, then hey, you got a new wrinkle on your brain today. Aren't you lucky?

On that note, I think I'll go jog around the block or do some pilates or maybe start learning how to juggle knives. I really need to get to bed sometime soon....