Allison Stein's Live Journal

And how exactly were they expecting to enforce that?...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 04:26:01 GMT

For a city in which setting off fireworks is illegal, there sure are a lot of fireworks being set off here tonight. When I returned home this evening about 10:30pm, the smoke of spent explosives already hung thick as a heavy fog. Some of the neighbors are setting of the usual assortment of firecracker-ish things. Others went straight for the heavy artillery. And they're still at it. It's gonna be a long night....

On the bright side...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 14:33:23 GMT

I may have mentioned once or twice that I've been having digestive issues for the past several months. For that reason I've been living on an extremely low-calorie, low-fat, low-acid, non-dairy, non-carbonated, non-processed, soft, bland diet. We're talking about the grilled chicken, applesauce, oatmeal, pretzels, and iced tea kind of low-fat bland here. While it can be incredibly boring and somewhat problematic while traveling or dining with friends, it has one beneficial side effect: I'm losing weight.

As of this morning, I'm officially 10 pounds lighter than my all-time heaviest weight ever, which I hit in early March.

My new meds seem to helping with some aspects of this affliction, but I really, really, really miss my coffee, tomatoes with balsamic vinegar, and chicken tikka masala....

The meme...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 19:41:28 GMT

* Post 3 things you've done in your lifetime that you don't think anybody else on your friends list has done.
* See if anybody else responds with "I've done that."
* Have your friends cut & paste this into their journal to see what unique things they've done in their life.

Made my television debut as a child on the "Mr. Knozit" show as the Rabbit Lady's daughter and assistant "wabbit wrangler". (Local S.C. children's program, similar to Romper Room etc.)

Sang with a 150-voice choir in cathedrals in England, France, Austria, Germany, and Switzerland -- and in a parking lot in Leichtenstein.

"Witnessed" an AMTRAK accident by telephone while getting obituary data from a county corner. (The train hit a car at an intersection near the funeral home, and the sound was deafening even over the phone.)

Where does the time go?

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 17:28:03 GMT

Here it is late June already. How did that happen?

The Etsy event last week was a learning experience. (Translation: Slow. Really slow.) Yep. Hobby. Definitely a hobby. I did enjoy getting out there and setting stuff up, as well as the good company and assistance of dragonet2 during the evening. I'm not sure the craft fair thing is my cup of tea. I'm more the hang-it-and-run-away sort of person.

In other news, my sweetie is home after visiting his kids for a couple of weeks. The Trouble Twins are beside themselves with joy. Now there are two laps in the house again -- no waiting.

As for me, it's been a week of medical stuff, seeing doctors, getting new meds, dealing with side effects, and doing research. On the plus side, I got my Remicade infusion yesterday, so I'm feeling pretty good. Now, if I could just get my digestive system to behave...

I feel much better now...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 02:09:17 GMT

I had a nice chat with "my" accountant, and I feel much better now. My artistic endeavors still qualify as a hobby. Should that change (and now I know where the threshold is), I know who to call and what to do. Yay!

One of many reasons why Kansas City MO is a pain in the ...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 22:25:53 GMT

I've been chasing down the details to get a business license, so that I can legally sell my art.

The state of Missouri has been pretty laid back about the whole thing. Helpful call center folks who tell me to what I need to do, what is required, what is optional, and how much it's gonna cost me. As an artist/crafter, I don't need any special license, just a sales tax number. The tax division even said that for a one-time craft show, I don't even need the sales tax number. Easy peasy if I want to get one. They even have an online registration form.

The city of Kansas City MO... well, that's another story entirely.

Over that past three weeks, I've made over a dozen calls to various departments, trying to tease out the information... one... painful... piece... at... a... time.

The people I've talked with range from call center phone jockeys to "specialists" to "supervisors". The phone jockies are, for the most part, pleasant and attempt to be helpful, but the information they've provided ranges from completely erroneous to incomplete to thank you so much -- you've been very helpful. The higher level supervisors, well... let's just say they have an attitude. And not a good one.

Here's the process so far:

1. I need a zoning clearance simply to use my little upstairs room to create paintings for sale. (Got it. Online form, quick turnaround. I assume I have everything I need from this dept. At least that department thinks so.)

2. I need to fill out two different city business license application forms, one of which requires a MO sales tax number, the other of which is so cryptic I don't know where to begin. (Okay. See above. I guess I need to get a sales tax number after all.)

3. I need to walk into City Hall with the zoning clearance documentation, the two forms, and a check to pay the license fee (So far, they indicate a personal check is fine. We'll see.) And that means taking a half-day off work and paying exorbitant parking fees downtown. (I'll probably take the bus. It may take longer, but it will cost less and be less stressful.)

Supposedly, this can be completed in "just a few minutes" depending on "how many people are in line" when I arrive. And that's assuming they agree that I have indeed jumped through all the necessary hoops and signed the documents in blood by the light of a full moon.

I'm told that if I were to do this by mail, I'd send in form #1, wait six weeks, call them for an ID#, then send in form #2 with the payment, then wait six weeks for them to mail me a license.

Is it possible to have more bureaucracy and inefficiency?

And oh, yeah. At some point, the county is going to want a piece of me. But they don't give that kind of information out over the phone.

Artsy Craftsy Etsy Trunk Show, this Friday in KC

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:47:54 GMT

I plan to have art at the following event on Friday evening:

WHAT:   KCEtsy Artist Trunk Show
WHO:    KCEtsy, a group of local artists and crafters
WHEN: Friday, June 20, 2008, 7 p.m. – 10:30 pm
WHERE: Eljay's River Market Coffeehouse,
                 412 B Delaware, Kansas City, MO. 64105

KCEtsy, a group of Kansas City area artists and crafters, will host a trunk show of unique and handmade art and craft items at Eljay's River Market Coffeehouse, June 20, 2008, from 7 to 10:30 p.m.

The trunk show will feature a creative array of art, treasures, and gifts, including handmade cards, whimsical watercolor paintings, glass, jewelry, fiber, photography, collage art, plush collectable animals, and accessories for toddlers and babies.

All items are handmade by local artists and crafters who participate in KCEtsy, the Kansas City Street Team for Etsy.com, which is an artist-oriented online marketplace for buying and selling handmade goods.

Music for the event will be provided by Kinetic Trio, a local jazz group.

For more information, visit www.kcetsy.com.

Frolilcking...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:41:07 GMT

The yard bunnies were frockling merrily on the lawn this evening, and the cats were frustratingly entranced by their dance... until Mr. PowerTool cranked up his #$%^&* lawnmower. Sigh.... I'm so glad his house is on the market...

Amusing malaprop ...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:55:56 GMT

Screen grab from Google News:

Math is hard... not.

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:49:32 GMT

HobLob... the store for crafters who aren't good with math... My options: a 4-pack for 99 cents, or an 8-pack for $2.49. You do the math. (And yes, I bought two 4-packs.)

About last weekend...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:36:27 GMT

SoonerCon as a blast! I had fun, met several YardDogs I didn't already know, and sold some art. I'm still a little fatigued, but I had a great time!

I drove down and back with only Tylenol and a heated seat for comfort, but conbarbiekept me alert and entertained. With a skull and crossbones magnet affixed to the trunk lid and caffeinated frosty beverages in the cupholders, we sailed down 71 Hwy at top speed, stopping only for food, gas, and potty breaks. (The return trip was much the same, but with darkness, high winds, and heavy rain to complicate the matter.)

conbarbieand i have discovered that we were separated at birth, but we can't decide which one of us is the evil twin.

We arrived with only 15 minutes to spare before our first panel assignments. Whew! The rest of the weekend was a flurry of panels, parties, and people.

The hotel assigned us a room on the second floor at the far end of the most distant building. Although the distance and the creepiness factor was a bit high for my tastes, it was an uninvited guest that finally secured us a move into the main building. It was only a lizard, but I figured if he was going to stay, then he had to pay his share of the rent, and the little bugger wasn't carrying a credit card.

I also managed to scare a bevy of small, noisy, early-rising children -- twice. (I've got a reputation to uphold, ya know.)

The Yard Dog Road Show as an exercise in speed reading, but we had fun with as always. I read my story from "Houston, We've Got Bubbas", which features Elvis and a monkey-like alien. (Haven't read it? Then BUY MY BOOK!) Other Doggies included reudaly, shadowhelm, ravenchilde_art, bevhale, selina_rosen, and about 30 others... please forgive me if I didn't list you by name.

The past few days have been a flurry of activity, doctor's appointments, and catching up at work, thus delaying this post. Current theory is that my "inflamed rib" is related to my digestive system... in other words, I've been referred to a specialist. (Definitely not as much fun as a con. )

That was ... special....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 03:22:08 GMT

Detour ... spent the evening in the St. Luke's ER... that hot flaming poker I feel drilling into my back is apparently an inflamed rib. Joy. At least it's not the kidney, as I feared. I've got a little bottle of vicodin, and an Rx for percoset standing by if the first narcotic doesn't do the job. The docs kept wanting to Rx a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory to go with it, but those are already part of my daily meds. Fun. Fun. Fun. Not. And of course, I'm not supposed to DRIVE while taking the pain meds, so tomorrow's 5-hour drive to OKC is gonna be a b*tch...

Now that I'm home and a little loopy, I've got to pack for the weekend, decide what art I'm taking to Soonercon, and fill out the bidsheets and control sheets. (Carbon forms. I HATE carbon forms...)

OKC...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 22:07:32 GMT

Heading down to Oklahoma City for SoonerCon this weekend. Buy my art in the show. Buy my books at the Yard Dog Press table.

Another reason to hate the Bush Administration...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 22:13:26 GMT

Last night, the elderly gentleman ahead of me at the grocery checkout was trying to buy $6 worth of groceries with $3 and change.

The first item he nixed was the loaf of white bread. The second item he nixed was the dozen eggs. As he was considering whether or not to nix the package of American cheese, I told the cashier to put it all back in his bag and I would pay for it. The man was embarrased, but grateful. The cashier was relieved. I am sad that the situation presented itself this way.

I suspect that little bag of groceries is all that little old man will get to eat this week. The question is: How will he buy groceries next week?

The Saga Of Mr. PowerTool, cont....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Sat, 31 May 2008 16:38:12 GMT

I've mentioned Mr. PowerTool a few times -- the neighbor who spends hours and hours grooming his lawn, usually somewhat early on a weekend morning, with the aid of at least 5 different whiny, motorized devices....

Well, there's a new baby in the PowerTool house, and we had hoped that the child would distract Mr. PowerTool from his lawn obsession. However, the only change in Mr. PowerTool's behavior was the time of day at which he manicured his lawn. On Monday, it was after 9 p.m. and in the dark. On Thursday, it was around 8 a.m. in the morning.

Today, something new bloomed in Mr. PowerTool's yard: a For Sale sign.

I am surprised, and somewhat encouraged. However, this probably means his lawn obsession will escalate until he finds a buyer.

The things you learn....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 30 May 2008 19:56:34 GMT

What I learned today doing research into the proper care and feeding of trademarks, from http://www.taser.com/legal/pages/trademarks.aspx: " "TASER" is one of several trademarks of TASER International, Inc. ... TASER is also an acronym for "Thomas A. Swift’s Electric Rifle." " Gee whiz!

Wow. Time Flies.

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 29 May 2008 19:58:58 GMT

Time really flies, doesn't it? I'm still catching my breath after ConQuesT, and to be honest, I haven't fully unpacked yet.

The suitcase full of art is still sitting on the dining room table, too, but I'm just going to re-tag them for SoonerCon anyway. No sense in hauling it upstairs just to turn around and drag it down again.

As for my own suitcase, well, the Trouble Twins will sleep on top of it no matter where I leave it. (They insist that it's not really a suitcase, but a supremely desirable cat bed with wheels and a handle, and how dare I remove it from the house, ever.)

I think the con went well. There has been good word of mouth about it, and I've received several thank yous from the participants. I was afraid I had overbooked folks for panels, but we had enough cancellations and last-minute additions that it mostly worked out okay.

As for the panel topics, they were a little tired and road-weary, even though I tried to snazz them up by merging some of the "writer" panels and "art" panels into more broad-themed "creative" panels. Most of the panels I was on or peeked in on were sparsely attended. The only time I really saw critical mass was at opening and closing ceremonies, the masquerade, the free food event, and the late night parties.

But everyone seemed to be having a good time. The art demos went well -- sort of a sideshow in the hallway in front of the art show. If only there had been more foot traffic through that hallway, it would have been spectacular!

It would be fabulous if ConQuesT were in a hotel were all programming is clustered around the same general area, rather than flung about in opposite corners of the building.

Meanwhile, I spent most of the con somewhat under the weather with a non-con-crud ailment, and while it remains a lingering concern, I'm feeling much better. And so far, no con crud! I'm almost caught up on my supreme lack of sleep, made all the more annoying by the mundanes who threw a wild party on the "quiet floor" until the wee hours of Friday night.

A great start to a skiffy weekend...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 23 May 2008 04:19:30 GMT

I'm starting my weekend off right: finishing up details and paperwork for my art display at ConQuesT and watching Close Encounters Of The Third Kind on TCM... in widescreen.

Despite getting off to an incredibly slow start, I actually have a few new pieces of art to show. In fact, most of the art on my display will be small, affordable originals. So.... bid early, bid often!

(And got to panels, darn it. I worked hard on that schedule!)

Going Up...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:47:18 GMT

At the QT, 103rd & Wornall, KCMO:
6 PM MON - $3.57
9 PM MON - $3.67
8 AM TUE - $3.67
8 AM WED - $3.65
5 PM WED - $3.65
8 PM WED - $3.73
8 AM THU - $3.73

So... close...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:21:39 GMT

So... close...
Originally uploaded by AllisonStein

This bunny knows that it is just out of reach and perfectly safe, and so it lounges on the lawn, taunting the Trouble Twins with its rabbity goodness. Oh, the torment! Michief was incredibly twitchy. Mayhem, not so much.

Pattern watching....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:19:35 GMT

At the QT, 103rd & Wornall, KCMO:
6 PM MON - $3.57
9 PM MON - price rises to $3.67
8 AM TUE - $3.67
8 AM WED - $3.65

The gas pattern continues...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 20 May 2008 14:22:29 GMT

At the QT, 103rd & Wornall, KCMO:
6 PM MON - $3.57
8 AM TUE - $3.67
Can someone please explain this atrocity?

Going up...

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 13 May 2008 13:52:35 GMT

The price of gas jumped 10 cents overnight here in KC on the Missouri side. WTF?

FYI: I've noticed a trend in gas prices at the QT at 103rd and Wornall: Up on Thursday night or Friday, down a few pennies on Monday evening, then a big jump on Tuesday morning.

Stimulating the economy....

darkart42@yahoo.com — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:22:37 GMT

What did you do with your big whopping stimulus check? I paid my doctor and bought a pair of shoes. There's a few dollars left, so I might get my car cleaned. Woo.

I tawt I taw a... coyote?

darkart42@yahoo.com — Tue, 06 May 2008 18:08:56 GMT

This week during my lunch break, I've started walking in and around the park near the office. Today, I saw a critter that looked an awful lot like a coyote -- at least it looked like the coyote pictured in the wikipedia entry. I know there have been reports of coyote sightings here in the 'burbs, but further south around 151st Street. I'm at roughly 112th. If it wasn't a coyote, then it was a really ugly, squinty-eyed dog with an exceptionally long muzzle and long pointy ears, hiding in the brush by the creek, no more than 20 or 30 feet from the sidewalk. It watched me suspiciously as I passed, made eye contact with me when I stopped briefly to take a good look at it, and seemed relieved when I continued on my way. Dang, I wish I had taken my camera with me.