journaling like it's 2005

I haven't written for a few days but I don't know that I have that much to talk about.
I got a new tattoo on Saturday. Well, we got it started, at least.
This is my first tattoo that's more complex than linework and maybe some simple shading so I was kind of unaware of just how long it would take. When I got there the artist asked what the longest I had sat for a tattoo was (about an hour and a half) and warned me that because of the color and shading, this one would take quite a bit longer, probably about 5-6 hours. Which I really should have guessed but hadn't really thought about.
So anyway, I got through about 2 and a half hours before feeling like I should go home because it was getting dark and I hate being out late in a city I don't know very well.
Here's a picture in its raw, unfinished state (sorry it looks like it was taken with a potato - it's hard to get a picture of the back of your calf and my mirror is filthy) -



I'm very excited about it! I always love getting new tattoos and I've been wanting to do something a little bigger and more complex for a while.
I'm already entertaining thoughts of what I'll get next...

Sunday we got our Christmas tree! Unfortunately I do not have photos for you, maybe tomorrow, it is quite cute.
I'm kind of sad we ended up getting an artificial tree this year; usually we go and cut down our tree but I feel like time just got away from us, plus so many tree farms are getting so expensive lately, we just couldn't do it. But the artificial tree is pretty cute and I will admit, it's really convenient not having to water it or worry about all the needles and the branches are able to hold more weight and we seem to own only the heaviest ornaments for some reason.

On an unrelated note, I have to show off some of my fantastic artwork!
At the library, we've been trying to incorporate more passive programming - so things that people can do that don't require our direct and constant involvement. It's been fairly successful which has been a lot of fun. One of our most recent activities is designing a gingerbread friend and they have all been so exciting to see. Usually it's kids that are participating so those are always interesting and funny but we do get some adults that join in, as well. The staff usually starts it off and then that sometimes helps the patrons kind of get some ideas and inspiration. So here's my lil gingerbread friend -


I know it seems very simple but I have virtually no artistic skill so I was (and still am) quite impressed with myself.

I really didn't feel like going to work today; I really had to remind myself that I don't hate my job. That I actually really enjoy it! But sometimes you're just not feeling it. I woke up early (probably because I fell asleep at 6pm last night) but I just didn't want to get out of bed.
Now that I'm actually up and moving I feel alright, though.
I had a bit of a rough weekend (I'm off work on Sundays and Mondays) but not for any real reason. I think the seasonal depression is just starting to sink in because I just felt off all weekend. I call it emotionally precarious. I wake up feeling okay but the smallest thing can easily throw me off and ruin my whole day.
I hate feeling like that, but I'm trying to get better at just letting go of my emotions. I always let them steamroll me and I'm trying to learn how to simply feel my emotions and let them pass.

I actually have a lot to look forward to. We're trying to adopt a dog and I absolutely love her! I really hope we get her!
My dog that I've had since I was 17 had to be put down in January of last year and that was really hard. We had a family dog before that, but she was the first dog that felt like mine. Like, she was truly my companion.
But I've really been wanting to get another dog for a while and I finally feel like I'm ready so I'm keeping my fingers crossed. She's so cute and she actually reminds me a lot of the first family dog we had. Here, I'll post some pictures.





And I'm getting a tattoo next Saturday! From an artist I've been eager to work with for a while.
They posted on their story a few pieces they wanted to do and one was a duck. Ducks have kind of become an icon for Linus so I knew I had to get it! I'm really looking forward to it.