I like alone time

Although I definitely see the appeal of performing in front of large groups of applauding people (in a perfect world, I would be a Broadway musical actress), most of the activities I do that I would call "hobbies" involve sitting quietly by myself, possibly in front of the TV after dinner.

I've found that after working eight hours plus commuting, my brain is tired. It wants to relax and detox a little after the day. But I can't usually sit still in front of the TV, vegging out. I have to keep busy with something.

Just recently I finished my 4-year project of putting all my (pre-digital) photos, maps, ticket stubs, etc., from the 4 months I lived in London and traveled through Europe in scrapbooks. These weren't those fancy-schmancy scrapbooks with the cropping shears and gingham paper and crazy stickers... and yet, it still took me 4 years to make about 6 books total. I felt super-accomplished after this.

But then I needed other things to do in the evenings. I designed and printed a couple t-shirts for myself, one of Glenn's poetry (did I ever send you a picture of that, Glenn?) and one of my friend Evan's poetry, both of which I've gotten a lot of compliments on. I plan to do more of this next week when I move to Columbus because I've had too much going on to develop more (and now I have PhotoShop, so that should be easier). I've designed a couple other shirts for myself by cutting out images on some of my favorite old shirts that had gotten way too small (I'm sure it wasn't that I got too big) and sewing them in different ways to new shirts.

I also try to keep myself doing and learning something physical, although I haven't had the opportunity lately. I recently was a regular practicer of yoga, kick boxing, and flamenco dancing. Every one of those was really fun, but I'm especially hoping to get back into yoga and possibly some meditation in Columbus.

Now that I'm moving and won't have a basic nine-to-six-plus-metro-time job, I'll be able to set my own schedule more to keep myself from getting so burnt out during the day. Who knows what will develop from there!