Needle Nap

I started getting acupuncture in the first half of 2013, to help with my fertility issues.  I was somewhat skeptical about the whole thing, but studies have shown that it helps with conception, so I figured I'd at least give it a shot.  Better than drugs, I figured.

When I got there, Tracy told me to tell me every little thing that was wrong with me: she'd find something that my insurance covered, and do the rest of it while we were at it.  So I rattled a bunch of stuff off, and... she started fixing it.

For real.

And then I was pregnant within the first six weeks, and I became A Believer.

For menstruation and fertility issues, anyway.  I didn't really think much beyond that until about six or seven months ago, when I was complaining to her (in a casual way) about a pain I had beneath my right scapula, and how I had gone to a masseuse but it hadn't worked, so I was going to try a chiropractor.  She sort of snorted and said, "I'll fix that.  Chiropractor indeed."

Sure you will, I thought, inner eyes rolling because this truly felt like a mechanical problem to me, and what can needles do for mechanics?  But hell, I was paying for a session, anyway- might as well let her throw a few more of the little buggers in.

The next day I realized that the pain was just... gone.  I could still feel that there was something not-right about my shoulder, but there just wasn't any pain.  And because it didn't hurt, I was finally able to start relaxing and then... well, yeah, you guessed it- it got fixed.

I think that's when I started to become A True Believer, but I didn't fully commit to that status until today, when I was laying on the table, and I stretched out and felt the old pain in my left shoulder (super old surfing injury, plagued me for years).  I thought about that injury, and how nothing has ever helped it, and I'd sort of accepted that it was just part of my body now, and then I found myself saying, "Hey Tracy..."

We'll see

Oh Is It This Day Already?

I'd thought I'd make a bigger deal out of this, the final entry in this year's 365 Project, but the truth of the matter is, I've got too much to get done to spend more than a few minutes updating the blog this evening (I'm already running late for tonight's engagement).

So here you go, two more masks:

Snake and Dog

And perhaps I'll take the time to wax eloquent tomorrow...

The Sheen's the Thing

Here is more of the Rat:

Shiny shiny shiny pants!

And I've had more thoughts on the overall costume for the Rooster, as well, so you may see an updated doodle of that in the near future.

In other news, I got back on the wall with both hands today, and I've only got a little soreness.  I'll be staying off it for the next few days, then back on again.  Healing is the most obnoxiously slow thing in the world.

'Twas the Day After Christmas...

...and all through the house
A Creature was stirring
(She wasn't a Mouse)

She is a thief.  A rat-burglar, if you will.

So here is the beginnings of round two of the Masks- I don't have time to get as detailed as I did on the last one (things called "work" and "social engagements" are getting in the way) but maybe I'll remedy that tomorrow.  Her stones are not the expensive rubies, emeralds, and sapphires of the dancer's mask, they are are smoky and clear quartz, and varying shades of amethyst, unlikely to draw attention in the crowd.

Attention Grabber

Today's image brought to you by the Chinese Zodiac!  Specifically, by the sign of the Cock, which is (as you may have surmised) my sign!  Here is what some sources have to say about the typical Cock personality:

Roosters are extremely sociable and prefer being the center of attention, always bragging about themselves and their accomplishments. 

Although let's be fair, here- is it really bragging if I'm just Stating Awesome Facts About Myself??

::cough::

Aaaanyway, between thinking of the Chinese Zodiac and masks (and masques, for that matter) I came up with this little drawing- which I brought home and colored, because I didn't have to work a full day which meant I had time for such shenanigans.  (Also I baked a pie.  Because awesome.)

In my little mental narrative, she is a dancer hired to perform at a masque.  I may do a series...