35 Gifts: Day 22

I wrote yesterday about how I hadn't accomplished much "gifty" stuff in the past few days because of my health. cathy51 astutely pointed this out to me:

i am sure that no one is growling that you haven't got certain things done...we all know how hard [you have] to 'work' at keeping on top of life.

Cathy, you are 100% right. The only person growling at me about this is me, and honestly the point of this project oi really totally completely not to beat myself up about it! I do feel a bit grumpy at my body not cooperating with my ideas though, which of course is an ongoing problem. Sometimes it bleeds over into self-flagellation which really doesn't help the situation in any way.

I looked at the "22" in the subject line when I started this post and felt a little sad that the project is coming to an end. Not because that means I'm turning 35 - I'm very much looking forward to that now - but because I won't be as focused on gifting after the end. I think I'll still carry part of the project with me but I have other priorities I need to focus on too and that makes me a little sad. After the project ends I might start putting some a "gifting" heading in my journal posts like I've started putting the "Three Good Things" down the bottom again. That would focus me a little on gifting.

Today I gave three songs to my friend mikz. They were ones he'd requested I buy because of silly copyright zoning regulations so I gave them to him instead. He stayed down here with me right at the start of this project and his presence gave me so much enjoyment, a few cheap songs is the least I can do.

I also bought myself (gave myself) a new computer monitor! I've been wanting a newer, larger, monitor and had a lot of trouble finding one which suits my particular specific needs. Today I finally found one which was perfect and although it was a fair bit more than I'd planned to spend for the screen it's an ex-demo model so it's a really good deal. The screen is this 26" widescreen but the price is rather less than that website says. I phoned the company - Imagescience.com.au and they totally deserve the shout-out - and spoke to a very nice guy called Jeremy at significant length about my needs. Even though I must be their most atypical client ever, he was knowledgable and helpful and nice and put up with my fairly ignorant questions with significant class and charm. I have paid the 10% deposit so they can order it, and will pay the rest tomorrow or Monday when the transfer from my savings account becomes available. This is a huge huge gift to myself and I feel nervous and exhilarated and excited all at once - the nervous is "what if it's not worth all that money" so hopefully that'll go soon. I have a good record of my significant purchases turning out to be very much worth the price because I think and research them so very much before buying, so here's hoping this one keeps the trend up!

I worked on more origami hearts for my day 35 Operation Beautiful project today, they're coming together nicely although progress is slower than I'd like. Also worked on some hand-sewing for a cushion I'm making as a new commode seat (the second iteration thereof; the first turned out too small for the commode). In fact, I'm going back to do more origami hearts right now...

Three Good Things

• The 35 Things project has got me writing in my online journal again, which is truly a huge gift to myself


• It's gorgeous weather tonight - balmy and about perfect for laying around with windows and doors open, enjoying the smell of my garden outside


• My room is looking very light and airy and peaceful-feeling after all the recent cleaning out and I'm really enjoying it

Cheers,
Ricky