In the Artists Way's weekly tasks this week, we're supposed to add 5 more "perfect" lives to our list of 5 from last week.  I also decided to give ya some details about mine.  So here we go.

1.  World Traveler - I'd love a career where I traveled and got paid for it.  Taking photos of exotic destinations, or writing stories about families I stay with.

2. Author - This one and the one above it are probably the careers closest to my reality.  I've tried to write books, but never really gotten to deep into it.  I love the idea of writing things for kids - teens.  Devotions, non-fiction, even the idea of fiction for that age sounds fun. 

3. Photographer - Preferably nature photographer, or maybe a photographer for a gardening magazine?

4. Lab person - our junior year of high school we got to "shadow" a professional for a day, and I choose to shadow a lab tech at a local hospital.  It was SOOOO awesome.  I got to see them test urine, blood, and best of all I got to see what they do when a tumor is removed.  (In the form of an amputated breast actually).  At least at THAT time (like 8 years ago?) they removed the tumor, and injected it with some sort of dye.  The die went through the tissue, allowing them to see it more clearly.  Then they could examine the tissue and be able to give more information about the type of tumor it was, so that the person could receive the best possible treatment.    Anyway, I would love to work in some type of a lab, whether in a forensic lab, a hospital lab, or some type of research & developement lab... but I would last, because I thrive on human contact.  *sigh*

5. Professional Computer Geek - I'd charge money to strangers to fix their puters, set up databases, network them, design games or graphics, and other misc. geeky things.  My friends would pay me with junk food! Hahahaha

6. Social Worker - Jocelyn reminded me of this one.  I used to dream about being a social worker, resucing kids from abusive situations and being a stable person in their life that they could trust.

7. Volunteer/Orphanage Worker - I'd love to work with women or children who are disadvantaged, whether because of a lack of education, lack of freedom in their country, or whatever...

8. Guru - I'd love to make a career out of studying religions and spouting off wisdom.

9. Wife & Mommy - I'd love to be the kind of mommy that plays with her kids, who's eyes sparkle with life, who adopts half the neighborhood children as her own to support with her love & attention, who has a husband who she loves to see smile, a home that probably wouldn't be a palace and I'm sure would never be spotless, but where even strangers could feel welcomed and safe. I always wanted a big family too, and so far I still do. 

10.  CSI/FBI Investigator - I'm too adicted to CSI and Without A Trace not to add that to the list.  It WOULD be neat to work in a job where you put clues together, or made a profile, that got a bad guy off the streets.

The Case of the Dismembered Pie

*using best detective story voice*

The day began with a simple mission: Show up at the appointed destination at 6 o'clock sharp, bearing a desert. 

By 2, I had formulated a plan.  At 4:30 I would leave my office, head to Kroger, and be back at the house with ingredients by 5.  I'd chosen several possible deserts, given to me by friends, but the most likely was this:

I plan to go and do some SERIOUS budget analysis as soon as I get the chance... I'd like to be heading to join my friends who are staying in the Middle East by August.

So I need to figure up:

My current debts

My current weekly income (both jobs combined)

A new weekly budget

And then I need to see how much money I can save up each week for my goal.  After I get that calculated, I need to e-mail my friends in the Middle East, and get some kind of budget going.  Since they are already there, they can tell me more of what the expenses will be like. 

Once I get a better picture of my financial situation, I can make some better life decisions about the job thing... Not just about whether to leave this job or not, but also about what kind of income I'll need in order to make a new job worth quitting the old one for.  (aka, is $40 less a week worth having undisturbed self-esteem? $80? Is working an extra month before getting to the Middle East worth it?)

So, that's the plan for now. 

Tomorrow I'll be posting reason #1 of my new "101 Reasons Why I Don't Bake".  Be sure to tune in! :)

From: Wednesday Mind Hump

This week's theme is, oddly enough, Crank Up The Stereo Day. 

1.  What artist and/or band (or a few) makes you want to crank your stereo so the whole neighborhood can hear?  Supertones, Kurt Carr

2.  What are a few of your favorite songs to crank on your stereo?
Thankful - Mary, Mary
Brave - Nicole Nordeman
Awesome Wonder - Kurt Carr (gotta love the excessive bass!)
Shackles - Mary Mary

3.  What artist or style of music do you NOT want to hear cranked up on a stereo? Classical, Opera... those have GOT to be abominations!

4.  What "stereo" do you use most often: regular stereo, DVD player, clock radio, computer, Ipod, or car stereo?  Computer, Car occasionally

Boss was on the warpath again this morning.  Today I missplaced a report.  I asked him if he had it, in the NICEST, POLITEST, NON-ACCUSATORY way  (cause his ego is REALLY fragile, and every time you ask him a question he says you're accusing him) I could muster.  He looked, said no, and sent me to ask two of the guys.  They didn't have it, no one did... I searched, searched, and finally found it in a folder on my desk.  I told my boss that I found it...

And he decided that the normal "pull-me-in-the-office-and-scream-at-me" tactic wasn't enough, so he launched into a series of PUBLIC humilitations.  As loud as he possibly could, so everyone in the building could hear (literally, it's a small building).  Unfounded, unreasonable, downright rude accusations were hurled my way, with no possibility of defending myself.

I went to the back room, had a good cry, and now I'm back to work. 

And actually calm, which is kinda wierd.  I'm seeing exactly how long I can stay at this job... the money is good, and being out of debt is a priceless thing. :)  Not worth the price of good self-esteem though, so another outburst or two from the boss, and this job will be HISTORY!

This has got to be the worst quality picture of me on earth!  But I love it anyway.  I love the awe and energy in baby Jana's eyes. 

Someone on AW posted about reconnecting with the child inside you... and in many ways that's what I'm attempting.  To reach that innocent little Jana, who still dreams, hopes... who loves without reserve, who chatters happily to anyone who will listen... who tugs on the sleeves of the adult Jana, quietly reminding her of the simple pleasures in life that make living truly worthwhile.  

I am kinda in a quiet, introspective mood today (most likely the product of some nasty dreary weather outside my office window).  So, I decided to open my mind and give you all a glimpse inside.  I'm thinking today that:

I have nothing interesting to blog about.  I work, I sleep, I work, I sleep... woo hoo, how interesting is THAT?! LOL 

I'm proud of myself.  My creation is proudly displayed on my blog.  It started out with me sitting on the floor for hours, with a design in my mind that had the look of Melba's creations, and wording like something from Mrs. D's blog... and I got SO down and discouraged about it! Finally i took all the pieces, threw them in a drawers, and started again.  To make MY creation!  The result is 100% authentic Jana.  It doesn't look like anyone else's, it isn't worded like anyone elses... but it's MINE, and it's ME, and that's OKAY.  Being me isn't a BAD thing.  (I think that's one of my new affirmations.) As Tinker would say, it's "wicked cool"! Especially the glitter.  *cheesy grin*

I'm nervous... tonight I work with my "hillbilly ghetto kids".  Will they like me? Will they hate me?

I am very scared.  Anyone heard of ummm.... desk butt?  (that's not what they call it here... LOL but ya know what I mean!) Anyway, it's what office workers get, makes their butt get big and flat.   Just learned about it today, had to feel and make sure mine was still it's original shape! Hahaha

My scarf I'm knitting has SOOOOO many mistakes.  LOL It's not going to be anyways NEAR the shape it should be.  That's okay though, it's MY wierd-shaped scarf, and I'll hide it in my bottom dresser drawer with ummm... pride? 

Well, it is official.  I've been published. 

When I read the comment from Melba saying that she'd posted my first creation for MMM on the website, I panicked.

My stomach fliped!

My eyes were round as saucers!

Everything within me GASPED dramatically!

My inner ADHD artist child kicked me in the shins, screaming "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!"

I promptly burst into tears.

I threw myself on my bed... laid there a minute... and then realized "hey, I debued! I DID IT!!!!!!!"

I now am feeling warm and fuzzy inside. *contented sigh* 

When the AW author talked about mood swings and other emotional unbalances being a part of the "Journey", she was NOT kidding!  Goodness, I haven't had this many mood swings in a week since I was in high school!

Right now you can find my debut project on the NEW Mixed Media Memoirs website! Mine is the one that ummm... says Jana on it!  Hahaha    Tomorrow when I get to work, I'll get the photo on photobucket where you all can see it on here. 

Hey, do you all remember the poem Anne & Diana acted out in Anne of Green Gables?  The Lady of Shalott?  I read the poem once in high school, just to see what it was about, and today as I was listening to the celtic radio station (got bored after the third or fourth time I heard "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" on the Motown one hahaha) I heard it in SONG form!!!!  It was recorded by Loreena McKennitt... and I am DEFINATELY going to download it when I get home!