The Other Half

Thankfully there are two parts to July's challenge and I'm kicking butt on the second half.  Exercise every day.  That's it.  Simple, to the point, none of this "try to stop doing something you do multiple times a day every single day" business.  Just get your butt off the couch and move. 

(I like to move it, move it... I like to MOVE IT.)

So I've been doing that.  I don't necessarily have to do a full-blown workout every day, but I have to do something for at least 20 minutes.  That is the arbitrary rule I made up.  My angry hips and knees are the impetus for this challenge.  I've been going to physical therapy twice a week for the past two months for said angry hips and knees.  My knees feel stellar now, but my hips are still a bit sullen. 

"How are you feeling today?"
"Oh, I don't know.  I'm a little melancholy."

In order to keep them in their current state (and possibly a happier, more well-adjusted one), I have to continue with the exercises and stretches I suffered through during therapy.  I thought doing this challenge would be a good way to establish a habit, a routine, whatever.

I like it when things feel good so...  well, that's it, really.  Doing things to feel good.

I also like thistles, so here's one.

Tattoo meets real life.  Ish.

In other news, I have kept the swearing to a minimum the past two days -- only one "ffffuuuuuu..." (but with consonants) per day.  Progress!

In other-other news, I saw these faces this past weekend and now I miss these faces and wish I could smooch them.

They were less blurry a couple days ago.

Ex Vestis

My creative juices were flowing on Saturday (why does "juices" sound like such a dirty word?  ...Or is that just me?  Also, moist.  Heh.).  I started working on tattoo number ten.  Ten!  Eep!  I'm designing my own book plate, getting them printed, then tattooed on my person.

Here's an example of a book plate,
 if you don't feel like clicking the link up there.

Mine will be much more detailed and awesomer (and will not have my name on it.  Why do people tattoo their names on themselves?  I've never understood that trend.  I'm not saying all mine a winners, but I feel pretty confident that I'll remember my name without having it permanently etched somewhere.) and will have very specific elements that are either symbolic to me or simply make me happy.  (I'm all about the happy.)  I started sketching the design and shit, looking at it now, my tattoo artist, Andrew Conner, won't have to do much work to do; I've basically done it all for him.

This will be my most beautiful tattoo yet.

In addition to that masterpiece up there, Katie and I dressed Colleen for her night out.  She was pretty before we got started, but we helped bump her up a notch or two.

Those boots...

She returned the favor by giving me new hair.  Spectacular new, blue hair.

Crap cell phone picture.
(I miss you, hair)