Well, besides the skin flute

Between last September (when my bloodwork revealed my cholesterol/triglyceride numbers were literally off the chart) and January, I'd lowered those numbers by ~40%.

This week - survey says down another ~40%.

Someone hand me a burger.

:snap:

Make it a 4x4 at In-n-Out, That'll take care of that pesky 40% reduction for ya ! :D

Western Bacon Cheeseburger at Carl's (that'd be a cheeseburger with bacon and onion rings). Ought to do the trick.

But I have a cold, so it was justifiably medicinal.

My monkey is home!

Had a rather interesting email exchange regarding the sewing vintage fashion class I wanted to take at Saddleback:

[QUOTE'"Me"]Hi (Professor B),

I fully appreciate your position regarding late adds. I apologize for the inconvenience of requesting it from you. I offer you the following explanation:

It was a late decision on my part to take the class (a late realization that it was being offered), compounded by an issue with registration where the school rather insanely opted to classify me as a non-resident for tuition purposes (I moved back to California in 2003, so such classification is patently ridiculous). I had to be sure I could resolve that issue, because at non-resident rates the class would be a no-go for me.

I have been fully occupied the last three days at an (employer required) all-day seminar up at the Anaheim convention center, leaving me no luxury of time to resolve the issue. Had I not been classified as a non-resident, I still would have arrived disruptively late that first night because of the seminar, which I imagine would have been equally displeasing.

Okay, so enough with the excuses, how about some positives?

I sew purely for the joy of it. For my own amusement I research and drool over just about any period from 1820 through 1910, with occasional forays into the early 20th century. I have spent untold hours learning about those eras on my own, on sites such as fashion-era.com. My favorite areas of study are early bustle, natural form, and late bustle. I admittedly spend more time researching historical fashion than I do sewing. However, I have been sewing since junior high (early 90's), after becoming fascinated with the costumes in Phantom of the Opera. (My unfulfilled dream project would be a recreation of Christine's "Wishing" dress.) I am currently in the middle of attempting my first *genuine* vintage bustle skirt pattern (as opposed to the more costumey ones you get from the 3 major pattern manufacturers), the Truly Victorian 1875 Parisian Trained skirt (TV216). I am now at a point where I feel I could really benefit from the expertise of someone who understands the unique concerns of constructing period garments. I can read about things like using wadding to prevent wrinkles in a bodice, but that sort of thing really requires hands-on assistance. In addition, I believe I need guidance in the construction of period undergarments, something I have not yet attempted. I am just beginning to explore specialized presser feet (such as my new favorite toy, the ruffler foot), and I feel like I'm at a point where I'm ready to take my construction to the next level.

Since I have missed your baseline quiz, I have attached examples of 4 past projects, in hopes that that will assist you with understanding where my skill level is at present.

I hope this explanation is sufficient for you to grant me an APC code. If not, I may be forced to resort to groveling...

Sincerely,
[/quote]

And the reason that this whole exchange is in this particular thread, would be her response:

My cheese is happy (and apparently also round) :D

I have an interview this Friday for a really awesome gig! :)