Roethke's Profile

I second the suggestion to have something to do already planned. And have preferences! If you're visiting and have a budget, be clear about it. If the host wants to go to places you can't afford, it's ok to speak up and suggest an affordable option.

I had a houseguest, someone whom I am very fond of, who stayed for a week and never had any plans of his own and never seemed to have any preferences. Planning a whole vacation for someone is a lot of work, and not all hosts have the time off from work when you're visiting to do it. I should add, that other than that he was great.

To be honest, I think I can be a difficult guest because I'm vegan, but I always research restaurants in advance to have suggestions ready and I'm willing to eat the ubiquitous hummus platter at a restaurant the host prefers.

These kind of prints are collagraphs, and there are a myriad of applications. Just google "collagraphs" and see what amazing results people get! I'm teaching a workshop on collagraph this weekend, and making the box of materials for the students has been so much fun.

I collect postcards from art shows and artists I like, and since those are always being released and for free, you can have a constantly changing display.

It's a giant water BUG (from the order Hemiptera, the true bugs), not a crustacean or a beetle but still an insect. It's predatory, and has a terrible bite.

It doesn't bother me, but I think the presentation is a little silly.

I used to like working on holidays when I was a barista and waitress. Tips were better, it was slower, and people were all chummy and nice for the most part. Time and a half isn't universal, and I never recieved it for holiday work. I am an exception in not minding the work, though.

I stay home for Thanksgiving and only visit the family for Xmas. It's just too much hassle to do twice in a year, especially when travel is so awful around that time of year.

I never considered setting end times until a few inconsiderate friends showed up to a party at 3:30 in the morning and wouldn't leave.

I solved the problem by not really being friends with people like that anymore. Unless there's rented equipment or children, hopefully adults are savvy enough to know when the host wants to go to bed or has other obligations. But if I recieved an invitation with a specified end time, I don't think I would be offended.

Jam sounds delightful. I'll give it a try!

I became vegetarian at 7, and vegan at 21. I'm now 28.

I rarely talk about my veganism and reasons for it, mostly because I find it exhausting to be asked about it only to be met with defensiveness and attacks. I'm a vegan for ethical reasons, but have also found that my health improved when I cut out milk from my diet.

Huh, I just saw a chest and part of the neck and shoulders.

I'm a big fan of small sculptures place on bookshelves, alone on a shelf..

I've never lived in a co-op, but I grew up in a very large family (think Utah family, and add a couple more kids), and now there's nothing more horrifying that the idea of living with a lot of people again. I live with my boyfriend, and I still have my own room.