Day 73 - Tough

I asked a tough question today that could alter the course of a relationship I hold dear. I was afraid to ask it, and I'm afraid to hear the answer, but it's done. As I don't feel the need to share the details publicly, this may be my shortest blog post yet!

Day 72 - #36

This weekend I rode the bus. Bus "36 Broadway" to be exact. I braved the public masses of green wearing, St. Patrick day celebrant drunkards in efforts to save money, gas and the environment by taking public transportation. I set fear aside of getting lost, not having the right amount of fare and being late to my destination in efforts to tackle the busride. I enjoyed people watching and eaves dropping on semi-private conversations. Half way through my ride, I gave up my seat to an elderly gentleman who was thankful for the opportunity to sit. As I stood, I felt like a surfer trying to balance the waves of potholes and remain upright. I wanted to yell "Surf's up dude!" for effect, but thought I might get a weird look or two. As I stood, I overheard a short, petite woman say to her partner that no one ever offered her a seat on the bus the whole 9 months of her pregnancy. As I listened and looked around, I wondered where common courtesy has gone. My momentary thought of starting a blog about the topic was interrupted by observing others and watching people making faces at babies. Eventually I pulled the cord to summon a stop on the corner of Armitage where I exited and proceeded to my destination. I survived, rough waves and all.

Day 71 - Sketch

- White Cheek Gibbon, "Caruso": Hand & Feet Study -

I went to the zoo today to participate in a Wildlife Sketching Seminar that I had previously signed up for. Once I arrived at the zoo, I quickly made my way to the auditorium and met the other participants as well as the instructor. A quick overview of the agenda let me know that we'd be walking through the different monkey and ape houses to sketch, beginning with gestural drawings. Gesture drawings are quick, linear sketches that capture the over all movement and outline of your subjects with little to no details included. Gestural drawings are done, usually in under 60 seconds. Because I am an anal retentive, detail oriented illustrator, I think gesture is my least favorite type of drawing as it doesn't allow for perfection. Despite my immediate reservations and fear of imperfect work, I agreed internally to make the best of my drawing time.

After our introduction and agenda overview, we were led around the zoo by the artist/instructor, as well as a zoo employee. The nice thing about this was that the instructor offered drawing critiques and instruction along the way while the employee, Christina, offered animal details and background information about each group of primates we visited. While most of my drawings look like scribbles, barely capturing the movement of swinging animals, at one point a subject sat still long enough to do a bit more of an in depth drawing. That subject was Caruso.

Caruso as I learned, was a White Cheeked Gibbon that was once abused as a pet. Once acquired by the zoo, he was returned to health and was found to be quite a little attention hog. This was apparent by his need to press himself up against the glass so he could surely be seen by all. Additionally, he would get quite upset and bang on the glass any time someone walked away from him. In between outbursts, Caruso would suck his thumb (which we found to be a Caruso habit, and not one typical of Gibbons) and press his feet against the glass. This gave me a few minutes to draw and sketch some of the details of his wrinkly hands and feet. It was my favorite drawing, and Caruso was the animal I connected with the most.

We eventually moved on to snoozing Chimpanzees, Gorillas who were oddly enough chasing rabbits that had somehow gotten into their outdoor enclosure, and then the big cats. After three hours of being on my feet, I was a bit tuckered out and not motivated to draw many of the felines. Winding down, the group shared our best works and critiqued each other's drawings before walking back to the auditorium for our wrap up and disbanding. As I headed home I reminisced about the animals I had met, and giggled thinking about Caruso sucking his thumb.

Day 70 - I Gotta Feeling

I've found over the years that I am great at making plans, love anticipating them, and then when it comes to maintaining and attending them, I occasionally get cold feet. I never doubt that I will have a great time once I'm at the event, but sometimes self doubt, anxiety and/or laziness attempt to talk me into going home, or staying home, instead of heading out for a night of fun.

Tonight, I almost let fear keep me from hanging out with three great friends whom I haven't hung out with in months, but of course, if I did that I wouldn't be typing this blog post. So, instead of torturing myself and using work as an excuse not to go out, I picked myself up by the boot straps, got into my car and blasted the most hip-hoppy-upbeat song I knew the lyrics to and sang (poorly) in efforts to pump myself up! Of course, no radio sing along pending a night of going out is complete without the Black Eyed Peas, "I Gotta Feeling (Tonight's Gonna Be a Good Night)". And so it was! I had a blast scarfing down way too much Cantonese food, and catching up with my friends. My fortune cookie, now as I look back appropriately stated;

"Don't put off to tomorrow, what you can do today."

My advice, follow my fortune cookie and embrace the time with friends and family now. Set aside anxiety or preconceived notions, enjoy life, and hug more often!

Day 69 - Begging

I continue to beg for money, err, I mean fundraise for my "Save the Cheetah" event. It's really not easy to ask people for money, especially for something that most people don't consider essential. None the less, I continue to set fears aside and ask everyone I know for donations. God save the Queen - and the Cheetah!

Day 68 - Spice II

I was excited to see Spice, the red Doberman, practicing her training tonight. If you recall my recent post about her, her owner is a bit rough with her and quite over bearing. Today I got to see my past conversation, thoughts and advice come to fruition as her owner has definitely improved some of his handling skills. While he still has a long way to go, I was happy to see that my concerns "sunk in" and made a difference!

I gave new advice tonight and demonstrated my own handling of the Dobey and know that this too will be worked into her resume of training. Let me tell you, taking her away from her owner to demonstrate "my way" was a bit intimidating! While I may never convince this pet owner that tugging and jerking on a leash is not the way to train, I will continue to mould him to what I hope is at least a softer version of himself.

Day 67 - Ambushed

At work I have a twice weekly conference call with a team of people. The benefit of this call is, whether it's utilized or not, that certain individuals know I am available for consultation at the same time, twice a week, every week for their needs. Today, the call seemed relatively quiet until I was literally ambushed by part of the team and their leader. It was not a pleasant conversation, or should I say berating, to listen to but I listened. Instead of allowing myself to be overwhelmed by fear or intimidation and shrink into my chair, I calmly suggested my action plan to the leader's concern. Despite my explanation falling upon deaf ears, I remained calm. Irritated, but calm. I let the "blow hard" continue to blow, and agreed he could take his issues up with upper management, and that I'd be more then happy to help!

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference." - Reinhold Niebuhr