finishing day

today was a long day finishing up last weekend's mugs...i wrote a poem about it.  it's called 'november20.'  wanna hear it?  here it go....

coffee.

unload the kiln.

load the kiln.

stain.

turkey sandwich.

glaze.

load the kiln.

on the kiln.

bears win.

coffee.

reduction.

spaghetti.

neutral.

reduction.

hot chocolate.

bears lose cutler.

neutral.

blog.

cone7.

november21.

soft reduction.

blog.

neutral.

cone9.

soft reduction.

neutral.

off.

shower.

sleep.

most of the end of this poem is assumed.  kiln gods or chaos could cause alternate conclusions.  but we'll go with that which is expected and most probable.  these kinds of long days that sometimes last for two seem necessary for most of us around the holiday season.  whether we work for a living or make work for a living, we're all putting in stupid hours right now and i bet we're all just a bit on edge.  i snapped at mindy over menial bullshit today.  it seems stress turns mouths into assholes.  at least it does for mine.  the other day my neighbors were screaming at each other in the backyard.  some straight up jerry springer action.  

fire!

this long day is nearing the end though as i finish up firing the kiln.  it's 1AM and it has about 2 hours left.  it's reached cone 7 and is holding steady, about ready to go back into neutral on it's way to cone 10.  i love firing the kiln like it is breathing. oxidize to breathe in, reduce to breathe out.  take slow and deep breaths and fill all chambers of the lungs.  firing this kiln has become like a relationship.  sometimes it doesn't work.  sometimes you have to work it.  sometimes it makes magic.  sometimes it comes out just dull.  but every time is different.   i hope this time is magic.  stay tuned for results...