As I mentioned in my last post, I’ve had a few art inspirations over the last couple of weeks. So I thought I’d share them here for all those interested. :) Hope you like!

Verte

Ruby Waters

Shhh

Guardian

Gypsy

Intrigue

Moon Rise

Sabrina

Recently I’ve been trying my hand at new forms of art. Or at least, new techniques as far as my paintings go. In the past, my methods involved quite a heavy amount of sketching, resketching, tracing the sketches and transferring the finished sketch to the final paper. Of course, with that amount of work, you would expect the final version to be THE version, right? Unfortunately, my not-so-steady hand caused quite the annoyance when it came to getting the transfer done.

As a result, none of my finished paintings have ever looked like the original (and usually better) sketches.  So what’s a gal to do?

I decided to screw perfectionism and just go with my initial sketch.  Today I completed the second of two paintings which are in NO way anatomically correct, but which I’m still super proud of because they are far more PURE. And even better… I didn’t even use reference photos! Yay me!

I’m actually even experimenting with not using my pens to outline things. It’s a scary way of working, but in the case of my second painting, the result was SO worth it. It’s much more ethereal and spooky than it would have been had I simply outlined the whole thing.

Anyway, I don’t have them scanned yet, but I’m going to do so soon. I’ll post them when I have them up.

In other news, vyktoriah.com got a revamp recently, and I’m now able to offer prints! Huzzah! :) So if you like any of my art (including some new ones that I’ve not even posted yet!), head on over to score a deal. In fact, head on over anyway and let me know what you think! I am pretty happy with it at the moment, but god knows I am easily pleased. ;)

Bridget’s back, and all I can do is cheer. One book just wasn’t enough for me. This time, Bridget is happily in love with the successful and charismatic Mark Darcy. Is it finally true love? Are her singleton days over for good?

Of course not! That would make it the shortest book on record! Instead, Helen Fielding puts Bridget through the wringer one more time.  From finding a naked chinese boy in her boyfriend’s bed to having to deal with evil “jellyfish” Rebecca, who has thighs like a baby giraffe, and who is trying to steal Mark away!

What’s a girl to do?

Add into the equation a depressed builder, an insane mother, an ill-fated trip to Thailand and a stalker who is gunning for her, Bridget Jones must face each obstacle head on in a never ending quest for inner poise.

Lovable Bridget is worthy of every woman’s respect. She’s gone through more than any woman should, and still she comes out swinging.  Are Mark and Bridget meant to be together? Is she doomed to a life of misery and loneliness? And will she EVER lose that last 7 pounds?

A must read for any gal who thinks she’s got it bad.

Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason by Helen Fielding 16/50 in 2008

Who doesn’t love Bridget Jones? She’s the 30-something singleton that all of us dread becoming, but we all respect her and secretly admire her. Helen Fielding created an iconic modern woman who knows what she wants, even if she can’t quite seem to get it.

Poor Bridget is the quintessential London single-girl who measures her men against such literary heroes as Jane Austen’s Mr Darcy - that is, of course, Mr Darcy as played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation… who has time to actually read the book?  Not one to settle for “emotional fuckwittage,” Bridget keeps her men (and yes, there’s more than one!) on their toes by constantly running their behaviour past her three best friends and dissecting every word, action or behavioural trait they possess.

Hindered by her parents’ messy separation, as well as the fact she’s having an affair with her boss, Bridget bounces back and forth between who and what she wants in her life.  In the course of one year, the book tracks the big moments, such as who she’s shagged, her career progression and her weight fluctuations, as well as the smaller issues, such as how many cigarettes she’s smoked and how she can justify her excessive drinks totals.

Fielding has done remarkably well to create a flawed character whom you can’t help but love. I give her an enthusiastic 2 thumbs up!

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding 15/50 in 2008

The Temp is one of those coffee table books you often find in a doctor’s office. It’s got the bright cover and the twee story about a young girl trying to make it in the world. Not much sets this story apart from countless other career romance novels.

That said, as far as it goes, I enjoyed the book for what it was: A time filler with the occasional situation I could clearly relate to.

Sasha (the main character whose name we don’t learn until nearly the end of the book!) is a degree-educated woman who can’t seem to catch a break. She’s been in various temp roles for nearly a year, and she’s tired of it. Her boyfriend is unsupportive and a cheat, her flat-mates are lazy, career-driven and/or way too cool for her, and her ex-boy-band best friend has become someone she can’t live without.

The book follows her as she tries to get her life in order, while dealing with the hassles that life throws her way. What is she destined to be? Will anyone give her a chance? Will she find her true love?

Serena Mackesy shows that modern books don’t have to be overblown romance and cheesy endings. All in all, I wouldn’t go out and buy the book with my own hard earned cash… but I’d probably pick up the next Mackesy novel I see in my local dentist’s chair.

The Temp by Serena Mackesy 14/50 in 2008

*punches the air*

Huzzah!

I’ve got a new job!

After getting back from the Czech Republic earlier this month, I gave myself until the end of June to get a new job. If I haven’t said so earlier, I WAS working for my husband, but he sold his whole company earlier in the month, and I was out of a job. Last week, I accepted a low-paying position in an organisation I was not all that enthusiastic about, simply because they were going to pay for me to go to University and get a degree!

Unfortunately, after a few days had gone by, Ross and I both had a good think about it and realised that while it was a great opportunity for free education, the degree in question was probably one of the most boring degrees it is possible to get. And also, while it works everywhere else in the world, the degree is not acceptable in the US for the career I’d be getting into. So at the last minute, I called them up and said no thank you, which was hard. I hate disappointing people. The manager actually begged me to reconsider, but I had to be firm. And by being firm, I mean that I didn’t take his calls nor answer his texts for fear that I’d back down. I’m such a wuss. :)

Anyway, Ross was a bit worried about me not working, so I told him that I’d get a job this week. I said it with confidence, as I know that when I set my mind to something, very little can stop me. Yesterday, I scoured the job papers and sent out my CV to several prospective employers. One of them was a recruitment agency in Reading, and it looked promising.

Within 20 minutes, the owner of the company had called me up and had a chat with me on the telephone. As he was telling me about the company, he mentioned that he used to work for a much bigger company until he’d set up his own business. The company he used to work for was one that I had interviewed at about 2 years ago. It had gone well, culminating in FOUR interviews, the last of which sent me all the way to London to meet the Director of the company. In the end, though, they turned me down, as there was a conflict of interests since my husband’s company was a competitor of theirs.

Anyway, we arranged a time for me to come in for an interview with him, today at noon. I had had another interview earlier this morning, which again went well, but the call back isn’t until next week, and as I mentioned, I wanted to get a job THIS week. So I dressed in my best suit, straightened my hair, put on makeup, realised my makeup job was abyssmal, washed my face, exfoliated, moisturised and put on NEW makeup, and then off I toddled to Reading.

Ross drove me over, and we ended up getting there early. We decided to drive across to the other side of town to see where the headquarters of the OTHER company I’d interviewed with was. I then realised we were cutting it close, so we turned back around and Ross dropped me off with five minutes to spare.

I waited in the lobby while the receptionist called down my interviewer. As soon as he stepped through the door, I nearly choked. It was one of the guys who had interviewed me at the previously mentioned big company!! He recognised me as well, and I kicked myself. I had intended on not telling any interviewers that I’d worked for my husband since most of them look down on me for that. But this guy knew the whole story, as I’d already met him!

He was very nice to me, and he said he’d remembered me fondly. I’d had to give a presentation at one of my interviews, and I had dressed up as a Flight Attendant and given out mini cans of Coke and mini Pringles during it. I suppose that is hard to forget. :) Anyway, he explained to me that he’d been one of the ones who had been fighting my corner when they were deciding whether to take me on or not. So that made me feel good, though I was still pretty nervous.

The interview itself lasted about 45 minutes, and we laughed a lot, talked about the business and explained what each of us was looking for.  When I was leaving, he told me to have a think and give him a call this afternoon to let him know my thoughts.

I knew right away I wanted the job, and I considered calling him as soon as I walked out the door just to show how keen I was. But good sense prevailed, and I waited about two hours. He wasn’t in when I eventually called, but someone took a message for him, and he called me back about five minutes later. I reiterated that I was REALLY interested, and I told him that I would love the opportunity. He said that his feedback was all positive as well, and that he needed to speak with someone but he’d give me a call back later to let me know.

Unfortunately, I then succumbed to Ross’s charms and wound up taking a nap in another room. And though I had my mobile in my pocket, I somehow missed his call!

When I woke up, I checked the phone, and sure enough there was an answerphone message from him asking me to call him back. It was over two hours previous! Eep!

So I called him immediately, and apologised for leaving it so long. We talked a bit more, and he said he had reservations about me, but that he was willing to give me a chance, and would I like to come on board? I said absolutely!

So, long story short, I start Monday morning, and I’m super excited. :) At this point in my life, all I want is as much money and security as possible. This job pays a decent basic salary, and the commission scheme should see me earning big money quickly.

Squee!!

I’m really excited for the next stage of my life, and I can’t wait to get stuck in. :) Huzzah!

I wanted to send out a big congratulations to my big brother, Josh and his new WIFE, Yvonne. They were married yesterday in our tiny hometown in Pennsylvania. And though I couldn’t be there like I wanted to be, they were in my heart and in my thoughts.

Congratulations, Joshy. I love you loads and am so so happy for you. I hope that you and Yvonne, as well as Isaiah, Lilly and Ashton are a happy family unit for the rest of your days.

A big and warm Happy Father’s Day to my father, as well as all the other fathers out in the world.

May it be a lovely, warm, super happy day to you all!

So I’ve been gone a little while. I travelled to the Czech Republic last week for some much needed surgery, and I’m back and better than ever.

Although maybe “better than ever” is an overstatement since I’m full of stitches, in a fair bit of pain, and have found out that I am suspected to have Addison’s Disease. D’oh!

But, in more exciting news, I’ve made a LOT of progress in my 101 in 1001 goals over the last week or so.  Happy news there!

Now I’m looking for a new job and a new house! Yes, my husband has just left his job, and we are now ready to MOVE!

It’s looking like we’re moving to either Wiltshire or Salisbury areas of England. I’ll update when I know more.

For now, I need a rest more than anything, but I’ll write soon.

Hope all is well with everyone!