over the past year, as i've been looking for a job and trying to figure out what to do with my very expensive yet useless degree, i've also been trying to find something that would be enjoyable and take into account the knowledge and skills i've accumulated from school and work and life.

i don't think i will find a new career in this search, but i am trying to recapture something of the enjoyment that creation used to bring me. my loving wife has been very supportive in this. we have talked about getting back to painting, or perhaps drawing, i've tried to set aside time on my potting-wheel and i scribble ideas for furniture when they come to me.

this last fall, i found a book that excited me. the content was neither here nor there, but the book itself got me thinking. they unusual manner in which it was bound got me thinking about how books are bound. in school i had made a couple small sketch pads. they are laying around still if i were to look for them.

when i started talking about book binding, L was immediately on board. and then i got a job for a while. working kind of put a damper on doing anything. i sketched a bit, but there wasn't the ability to keep my supplies for anything else with me.

for christmas, as a kick-in-the-ass my wife very lovingly gifted a paper-folder and starter silk-screening kit to me. i'm taking the hint and as i'm looking for work, i've started looking at pottery and book-binding again. both are very tactile endeavors. just touching paper, with the intent of creating something from it, has me a little excited.

today L and i went on an adventure looking for paper. trying to find the type of paper that would make an exquisite journal or sketchpad. nothing has jumped out at me, but then there aren't many paper stores in the immediate vicinity.

i bought some watercolor paper to make into something. we'll have to see what comes out of this.