Can I get a side of Billy Ray Cyrus with that?

J: Wow. Your hair is at the bottom of your neck.
Me: Way to rub in the fact that I'm slowly sprouting the sweetest mullet this side of the Mississipp.
J: I didn't mean it that way, but now that you mention it...
Me: Shaddup. I've heard enough out of you.

Miscellany

For those people who want to know what has and hasn't actually been going on in my life recently, here's an update on life buildup:

-- Last Monday (Happy Friggin' St. Patrick's Day!) I had my second oral surgery and root canal of the year. Completed after yet another jaw infection and abscessed tooth. Bone loss included. We are hopeful this one will take and a new porcelain crown will join the dregs of my slowly recovering eating disordered mouth in the next couple weeks. My mouth is a moneypit.

-- Travel to Argentina is scheduled for April 14. This is a 4-5 week trip. I'm hoping for five.

-- Since the travel to Argentina is occurring much later than anticipated, the Cleveland Half-Marathon is going to be a no-go this year. I will achieve my goal of running a half this year, just not in Cleveland. Right now we are looking to travel somewhere to run in July or August. My vote is for the Rock and Roll Marathon and Half in Virginia Beach over Labor Day weekend, but we shall see. But there is also the Roadrunner and USAF right here in Ohio, so who knows?

-- Also along the lines of switching up my 2008 goals, I think I am going to join CrossFit instead of starting a beginner Pilates class...at least for now. Since moving back up here, I've been itching to get myself into a hardcore fitness program to burnBURNburn as well as to meet likeminded people, but have been lacking in the "go get'em" attitude to do so. I'm tired of not getting the desired results from the solo workouts I do and after much research, I've officially decided CrossFit is the type of thing I'm looking for in regards to exercise regimens and muscle building. Check it: Cleveland CrossFit Now the question is, "Do I start ASAP or after I get back from Argentina?" Not sure yet.

-- I'm still seriously contemplating hair extensions.

-- I am scheduled to get more work done on my left forearm next Wednesday, April 2. I will be driving down to Pittsburgh to have Joe Bruce ink me up at Stay Gold Tattoo. He's awesome. A fantastic artist. I will post pictures after the session.

-- I've recently been in contact with one of my really great friends from my undergrad days at the U of A. He found me on LinkedIn and is actually featured in my x365 posts which have stalled yet again; But will have back up and running as soon as things settle down in my life. I should call it my x365 in x730 days. I think it is going to take that long for me to get it done. But you know what? Slow and steady wins the mystery race, right? Ha! Anyways, my buddy is a fellow writer and the correspondence has been nothing short of great. I'm stoked that he found me and that I can once again call him my friend.

-- I've been diligent in my learning the ins and outs of CSS for my personal website which will be: The Stubborn Swede, but I'm almost tempted to just plug my blogger into the site versus actuallly building. Temptation is hard to resist. For now, I am resisting. Largely because me having knowledge equals power over what I am doing in regards to current career change. But that's the future domain. FYIJSYK.

-- Speaking of tecchie things, I need to relearn PhotoShop. Last time I used it was like seven years ago maybe? Six? A long time ago. I also need to find the Sony DSC-H2 as it is boxed up from my last move. I would also like to learn the Nikon D80 that has been gathering dust in the hall closet...maybe I'll get a chance down in Bargentina. And spring is coming which means I can use the awesome list of places in ClevelandOH to go shoot photos Kill Basa sent me a few months ago. I'm looking forward to that.

-- Going on a ghosthunt to the West Virginia State Penitentiary with a paranormal group during July. Confirmation came via email yesterday, so it's a go. Supercool, eh? Moundsville is spoooooky.

Overall, life for me has been a series of far ups and far downs since coming back north. What I can say is that I am sticking to my plans and am asking for help when I need it. I have a wonderful support system and I am truly blessed to be able to lean on those people in my life.

Recovery is difficult. But worth it.

Mantra

I will successfully grow my hair out past this helmethead 'do, I will successfully grow my hair out past this helmethead 'do, I will successfully grow my hair out past this helmethead 'do.

Shampoo.
Rinse.
Rewash.
Rinse.
Rewash.
Rinse.
Condition.
Rinse.
Repeat.

Another Go

I am en route to growing a shagtastic pseudo-mullet.

Why do I do this to myself? You see, I am trying really hard to grow my hair out again. My patience with my hair ranges from little to none, but being the stubborn gal that I am, I am compelled to give it one more try. What I want to know is HOW ON EARTH DID I GROW IT BACK OUT AFTER HAVING SHAVED IT ALL OFF YEARS AGO? What kind of patience did I invest in at that point? I need some of it now.

Sidenote - I should do a post showcasing my varied looks over the years. Yes. I will do that as soon as I get a sweet new scanner.

I've done it again...

Waited until the last minute to do my holiday shopping. I promised myself I wouldn't do that this year, but I guess I just had to break that promise to my self. Way to go, Karoline! It's not that I am stingy or whathaveyou, I just hate shopping at the malls. Especially at this time of year.

Not your typical hate either. The hate of thousands of haters kind of hate. Millions of haters, even. I break out in hives and cold sweats when I think about even having to run an errand at the mall, or a store that could be construed as a mall-esque store (read: Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.).

I don't know what is wrong with me when it comes to this time of year, but something intrinsically rebels and I can't motivate myself to venture out into the public shopping arena...so I put the shopping off...and continue to put it off until the last possible minute. And then I end up going at the WORST POSSIBLE TIME. The last days before Christmas. AWESOME. Not so much.

On another note, I lopped a bunch of my hair off today. I feel good about this haircut. Just say no to helmethead.