Finished

Friday, January 20, 2012
Location: Jess' Apartment
Task #25 - Finish Blog

Well I did it! I accomplished all 30 tasks just in time - even though I had to switch a couple of them out and some tasks were, let's say, took some artistic license.

I have some photos I want to post, but I will add them once I have some celebration photos to add - if the weather doesn't stop the party!

I hope you all enjoyed following me on the ride, and a big thank you to everyone who helped me accomplish it all and took part in the fun!

A Fresh Look

Friday, January 20, 2012
Location: Jess' Apartment
Task # 24 Get a Facial

My face is as smooth as a baby's ass. Man, my sister is good! I love the little exfoliating machine, and all the scrubbing, and the massage. Best start to a birthday ever! I feel relaxed and brand new. All the while I got to be, safe and warm and out of the snow. All ready to party!

Let's hope I get a little lucky with the weather though, so the party doesn't get cancelled!

A New Dawn

Friday, January 20, 2012
Location: River Grove - Erie Street
Task # 11 Take a Hike at Dawn

Again with the procrastinating! I saved the hike at dawn for the morning of the 20th. Before 6a.m. I was up to witness the dawn of my 30th year. And it was cloudy. I hope that's not some kind of omen...
It was freezing outside. I think it was 7 degrees. And well I couldn't see to much, what with all the clouds again. So I snapped a pic of the gray sky, walked to the corner and shuffled back to the house. Hey I never said how long my hike should be...
I will say this though. The world sure does seem peaceful at 6a.m. Maybe one day, I'll spend more than 5 minutes hiking at dawn...

Inked

Thursday, January 19, 2012
Location: George Papas Tattoo
Task #13 Tattoo #2


So maybe 2nd time's the charm. Before we headed down I called ahead to make sure my appointment was still on. George assured me he would be ready and waiting, so we started the night the same way: met in edison park at 6:30 left a couple cars behind and headed down Devon to Clark Street.  The waiting period between Tuesday and Thursday was much easier on me. I didn't spend it frantically debating what I was going to have done. I think my resolve came from stumbling upon Terese's facebook page somehow. I thought to myself that she would tell me to suck it up and go for it! So I was prepared, I was ready, and I had no reservations.

When I paid the meter this time, I told Nelly and Abbie not to go in ahead of me. I was afraid they'd go in and I'd stumble in on more bad news. So they waited, and we are shivered our way in together.
We had the shop to ourselves. Which calmed my worry about too many strangers seeing it all hang out.
We nearly had a glitch, George didn,t think he had the font I wanted. But luckily for me he found it. I told him how I'd had a dream that such a thing would happen. That I had so much anxiety about things not working out! He laughed, saying that the dream almost came true.

George is a pretty interesting guy, he has a lot of stories about his 21 plus years tattooing, and he makes you feel really comfortable before you get started and all along the way.

Before I knew it, it was time to get in the chair. I warned all the girls to avoid taking unpleasant pictures-  no love handles please! George was like, "Please! I had a guy in here once who took down the chair. I thought we were having an earhquake!"  I felt better after that.

Of course it hurt. I felt like I was holding my breath the whole time. And we had a few laughing issues but avoided disaster. Over all, if I do say so myself, I think I took it like a man. Ha. And it was over, in much less time than I anticipated.

Then the cameras went into over drive as I squealed at the delight of my accomplishment. Of course almost instantly the pic was on fb and the comments started.

Afterward Nelly took the keys to my car and drove Jess, Abbie, and me to Jets for a celebratory drink.
I am very happy with the outcome and thankful that the girls were able to give it a second go with me!