Windy City and Weird Noises

This morning I observed that my bike's motor was rather sluggish, so I decided to ramp up my horsepower for my commute home. I was exhausted by the half way point of my route. Part of this way I was because I was attempting to keep up with a much faster biker. This, along with a decent wind coming at me made for a rather good workout. Then I approached the one daunting part of my commute - the bridge. It's really not that substantial, but being a biker in the Midwest I have adapted well to the flat roads. My goal is to be able to bike this without slowing my pace. Today as I was trailing the faster biker, gearing up to give myself a good speedy start before hitting the incline when the wind hit me. Towards the top of the bridge the wind was coming at me with so much force that I found that it took me all of my might to just keep the bike moving forward without even considering my lack of speed. I am taking the bus tomorrow to give my legs a day off. They deserve it.

This morning was also a continuation of an interesting phenomenon. My roommate has now joined me in marveling at our upstairs neighbors unique habits. Originally I thought I was having very odd dreams. Then I thought I was having strange morning illusions. Today was the first time I was fulling awake when hearing the noises. It seems that our upstairs friend enjoys a very early morning routine consisting of dropping heavy objects over our bedrooms. His usual time frame is roughly between 4 and 5 in the morning. Nothing our friends have suggested seems to match up with what could be causing the noise. It is likely that my roommate and I will leave a polite, yet questioning note on his door, as being awaken that early, 3 or more days a week (weekends included), is not something we consider normal for apartment living. It surely does make for an interesting conversation starter. My roommate has also observed this neighbor's rather loud exit and entry each day before and after work. Combined with the "mystery" incense in the hallway, our speculations are all over the map. At least life is interesting.

Painting again

I am delighted with my currently painting set up. Granted it is still in disarray from my move, but my easel is up, paint brushes ready and paint easy to access. I have begun to work again on paintings that I had set aside last fall. It is tremendously fun. I walk into my bedroom and the first thing I see is my painting on my easel. Sometimes I walk in and am not even sure what it was that I was intending to do, but feel the intense need to touch up the painting. Some days I may not paint for very long, but I have always been a burst of energy type painter. I'll paint intensely for an hour and then quit. I also went to the paint store today. It will be nice to have black paint again.

Here is a very bad quality photo of my latest in progress painting. It is far from finished. I love how, aside from the original eye shape, it resembles nothing of my original idea for the painting. I have allowed the painting to move me instead of the other way around. I don't want to force an idea on an image.

Biting - One of the occupational hazards of being a nanny.

He bit me! I was helping him, rubbing on the part of his gums where his newest teeth are coming in (he was smiling even) when he moved his head and chomped down on my finger. Sadly, this isn't the first time he has bitten the hand that feeds him, but this is the first time he broke through my skin and actually caused pain. When I sternly told him “no” he laughed. This is the same child who moments before was plastering me with loving kisses. Seriously.