I have been watching The Biggest Loser all season. This show is my secret passion; I get sad when I miss it. My favorite contestant is Ali Vincent (I liked Brittany Aberle a lot, too). Ali got eliminated (I think at Week Four) but came back in a surprise twist; they allowed one eliminated woman and one eliminated man back on the show, and Ali got it.
And she freakin' won the whole thing last night!!!
She lost 112 pounds, 47.86 percent of her body weight. That's amazing!
She is the first female Biggest Loser.
It was awesome watching the finale -- first to see all the transformations people made in six months. Six months! Most of them looked like completely different people. And second to see Ali win it all. I was rooting for her to win. When she got eliminated, she blurted out, "I'm the Biggest Loser." At the time it seemed wishful thinking. But no! She really is!!
I was so proud of her. It was funny -- I really felt this swelling of pride in my chest, like Ali was my child and had just won this awesome prize. And the really great thing about the show is that even everyone who didn't win got the benefit of training by Bob and Jillian (two kick-ass trainers!) and learning about appropriate nutrition. Even the ones who didn't win look fantastic, which is a prize in and of itself (I'm corny).
Some people on some of the blogs are saying Ali took diet pills. She was off the ranch for a while and lost 33 pounds by herself; they're saying that we don't know what she did or didn't do, and it's unfair that they had her come back. Well, it was unfair that she was eliminated in the first place; she never once fell below the yellow line. It was a freak elimination. And all the contestants had at least six weeks at home by themselves. Anyone could have taken diet pills.
But I don't think she did. I think if you watch the show, and you see how hard she pushed herself and how determined she was to be the first female to win, you know that she didn't need diet pills. She's hot now, and she did it using the tried-and-true method. I think some people want to believe she used supplements because it's tough to lose weight like that the proper way. It's really, really difficult. I admire the hell out of anyone who can do it. And if people believe that Ali went from 234 pounds to 122 by using diet pills, that means they don't have to do all the hard work that Ali did to get to where she is. They can just pop a pill and eat whatever they want and not move their bodies and it will all be okay.
It's not about taking diet pills or even "going on a diet." It's about lifelong dietary changes. Lifestyle changes. I could take some medication to deal with the cholesterol issues I've inherited, or I could get off my butt and do something about it other than filling my body up with chemicals. Guess which way I'm going?
New season starts in October!
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Saturday, April 12, 2008
health nut
In my continuous quest for self-improvement, I've been working on my health. I remember when I was a vegetarian, my dad always used to ask me if I felt better eating no meat. I didn't really understand what he was talking about, but now that I'm older (and my body is maybe less resilient than it used to be), I definitely notice a difference.
That's perhaps the most surprising thing -- living well FEELS good. Exercise releases endorphins, those happy chemicals. Here are the things I've been doing that have resulted in good feelings, and also some tips as to how I've kept it going.
* QUIT SMOKING CIGARETTES! For real. It's been over a year and a half since I sucked down one of those little monsters, and I haven't had even a smidgen of a desire for once since I quit. I know it's hard; I smoked for almost ten years. I used a method of a combination Zyban/Wellbutrin prescription plus reading Allen Carr's The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which I highly recommend. Quitting lowered my cholesterol. Quitting got rid of that awful morning hacking cough to get the residual muck and phlegm out of my lungs, and it made it easier to breathe. Hence easier to work out, and work out effectively. Not to mention the money I've saved not buying cigarettes.
* Drink enough water. I drink right around 100 ounces a day, because I work out and I live at a high elevation. They have water calculators where you can figure out how much you need. I have a 32oz water bottle I carry everywhere with me. It's probably my favorite possession. At first you have to pee a lot, but keeping yourself hydrated is important -- sometimes you reach for food not because you're hungry, but because you're thirsty. Once you become accustomed to how it feels to be fully hydrated all the time, you really notice when you start to become dehydrated. And you can feel the difference between hunger and thirst. And if you want clearer skin and weight loss without a lot of effort, drinking more water is an easy and obvious solution.
* Quit drinking coffee. This one was tough for me; I love coffee, and I drank a lot of it every day. I had to catch the stomach flu to be able to quit; my stomach was far too upset to drink any coffee, and I was so miserable I didn't even notice the effects of caffeine withdrawal, which I know are brutal. But once I started getting better, I decided not to start a daily habit of coffee-drinking again. Instead, I drink tea -- black tea in the morning for breakfast, green or herbal tea in the afternoon and a peppermint/chamomile, caffeine-free tea in the evening. I still drink coffee every once in a while, like less than once a week. But with the lattes I was drinking, that meant a significant number of additional calories, plus I didn't really enjoy the jittery caffeinated feeling. The tea I drink in the morning has just enough to be a pep-up, and my desire for a cup of something hot and comforting a few times a day is satisfied.
* Follow a sensible diet. Don't eat out every day, preferably even every week. And fast food is included in eating out. I use mostly a South Beach Diet-style of nutrition; I eat whole grains instead of refined (pasta, bread, etc.); I try to have a big salad for one of my meals each day; the cheese I eat is exclusively low-fat or fat-free; the meats I eat are lean (mostly fish and poultry). It's not as hard as it sounds. Last night, I had burgers and grilled corn for dinner, except the burgers were turkey burgers, the buns were whole wheat (no enriched flour), the cheese was low-fat, I used mustard instead of mayonnaise and the butter flavoring for the corn came from an olive-oil based spread instead of actual butter or even margarine. And it still was delicious. I eat turkey bacon and turkey sausage for breakfast sometimes, whole-grain waffles ... you get the idea. It's still yummy, and it's much better for me. D and I sit down and make a grocery list together about once a week, talking about and figuring out what we want, and once at the store, we buy only what's on the list. Saves time and money.
* Exercise regularly. I do a combination of dance, yoga and pilates. I have quite a DVD collection that I've accumulated over years; so the difference is, I just use them. I rotate my workouts throughout the week. Every day I exercise, I give myself a sparkly star on my calendar and I note which workout I did; that way, I can look over the past few days and see what areas I need to focus on. After I collect a certain number of stars, I'm allowed a workout-related reward -- like a couple of new DVDs, a new pair of sneakers, some new clothes, whatever.
* Meditate. I meditate for about ten minutes every morning before I leave for work. It keeps me focused throughout my day and it's also easier to control my emotions; I'm calmer.
*Quit biting nails. It's better for my nails and my teeth. And now I have pretty nails. The trick is to get the nails long enough to where you can start taking care of them. Once they start looking truly lovely, it's a lot more difficult to bite. I also carry a file around with me everywhere I go in case I get a snag or rough spot that needs to be smoothed out. Don't use teeth for that.
* Get enough sleep. Seriously, I need about eight hours a night. If I don't get that, I'm cranky. If I get more, I'm cranky. Figure out what you need and then make sure you get it.
* Weigh daily. I use a scale that also calculates body fat percentage, and when I'm done weighing I write my weight and body fat percentage on my calendar. It's really motivating when I'm feeling blah about myself or my body to look at the calendar and see how much I've improved over the past week or month. I write the numbers tiny; probably no one but me would know what they are, but I don't really care if they do. It's for me and improving MYself, not for anybody else. And like the stars, it's a way to track where I've been and where I'm going.
* Clean house. It burns calories; it provides you with a calming, restful, peaceful environment instead of a chaotic one; it gives you the space to work out you didn't think you had. Because I do most of my workouts at home, I've designated the study as my workout room. I have all my DVDs in there, my weights, my yoga mat, my exercise ball. There's a mini DVD player I use to play the workouts. It took some time to get there, but because the desk is pretty neat and the floor is clear, I have the room to do the dancing and everything else in my DVDs without having to stay in one place the entire time. Plus, if your kitchen and dishes are clean, you're more likely and better able to make dinner yourself instead of going outside the house. Cleaning house is an improvement project in and of itself for me; I'm not the most organized person, and it took a long time before I figured out how to get it clean and keep it that way. Flylady.net was an invaluable resource for me.
* Take care! Take bubble baths. Lay clothes out the night before, with jewelry, which gives time to find a super-cute outfit that's coordinated and clean, and keeps mornings calmer. Just the little things that make you feel special and loved. I use my nice china on a daily basis. I burn the special candles. Why save it if you're not going to enjoy it?
And here are some of the wonderful benefits I've been reaping:
* I really enjoy breathing. That sounds weird, but when you do yoga and don't smoke, breath becomes a treat.
* I have more money because I don't eat out nearly as often and I don't smoke cigarettes.
* As stated above, my skin is clearer and softer.
* I've lost weight -- to date, almost 15 pounds.
* I can feel and see my muscles starting to really tone and define under my skin, which is awesome. I think I'm starting to get the body I've really always wanted. And it feels good!
* My posture has gotten much better (the yoga and pilates), which means that at the end of the day, I'm not as sore or tired, or as tight in the shoulders.
* Stretching regularly detoxifies me.
* I feel fuller after fewer calories. Combination of the types of food I'm eating and the water I'm drinking.
* My fingernails are, seriously, beautiful. They look awesome because I take care of them regularly, filing them to the same length, plus they're strong and not all discolored because of my diet. They make my hands look really pretty.
* I'm calmer throughout my day. I don't experience emotions like anger or sadness very intensely. Conversely, I can feel intensely happy just by being alive and breathing deeply.
* I have more gratitude and appreciation for life.
* I can have friends over whenever because my house isn't embarrassingly messy.
* I have time and focus to concentrate on more areas of my life where I want to improve.
* I have the energy to do what needs to be done with my day and not feel tired or sluggish throughout. I feel great.
* I have the satisfaction of having these goals that I've accomplished and seeing how far I've come since I started seriously working on myself.
* Basically, I feel better -- great -- in every aspect of my life: body, mind, spirit.
I have to note that these are all serious lifestyle changes that took a long, long time to implement. Part of my problem up until now getting really serious about living well was my tendency to crash and burn. I had all of these things I wanted to change about myself -- as you can see above. I started drinking an appropriate amount of water about three years ago. I quit smoking nineteen months ago. I've been working on my diet and finding recipes and meals that both D and I can eat for a while now. And the house has taken a long time to come together as well.
The only way I could have gotten this far and enjoyed the process this much is by just taking things one step at a time. There's no way I could have made all these changes at once and been successful. I've picked one aspect or problem to focus on and I've tracked my progress, day by day, on my calendar. I've given myself rewards for keeping the habit going once I got to a certain number of days following the habit. And the nice thing about going slowly is that you really notice the life and body changes that follow your behavior changes.
And now, I can start making broader goals for myself because I feel like I've got the basics under control. I am by no means done. I have problems and issues in my life that need changing, but they need the kind of time and attention I was unable to give them until now, because my body or my brain or my motivation or whatever was not in the right place. Now it's all falling into place, and I can pursue higher goals. Go me!
That's perhaps the most surprising thing -- living well FEELS good. Exercise releases endorphins, those happy chemicals. Here are the things I've been doing that have resulted in good feelings, and also some tips as to how I've kept it going.
* QUIT SMOKING CIGARETTES! For real. It's been over a year and a half since I sucked down one of those little monsters, and I haven't had even a smidgen of a desire for once since I quit. I know it's hard; I smoked for almost ten years. I used a method of a combination Zyban/Wellbutrin prescription plus reading Allen Carr's The Easy Way to Stop Smoking, which I highly recommend. Quitting lowered my cholesterol. Quitting got rid of that awful morning hacking cough to get the residual muck and phlegm out of my lungs, and it made it easier to breathe. Hence easier to work out, and work out effectively. Not to mention the money I've saved not buying cigarettes.
* Drink enough water. I drink right around 100 ounces a day, because I work out and I live at a high elevation. They have water calculators where you can figure out how much you need. I have a 32oz water bottle I carry everywhere with me. It's probably my favorite possession. At first you have to pee a lot, but keeping yourself hydrated is important -- sometimes you reach for food not because you're hungry, but because you're thirsty. Once you become accustomed to how it feels to be fully hydrated all the time, you really notice when you start to become dehydrated. And you can feel the difference between hunger and thirst. And if you want clearer skin and weight loss without a lot of effort, drinking more water is an easy and obvious solution.
* Quit drinking coffee. This one was tough for me; I love coffee, and I drank a lot of it every day. I had to catch the stomach flu to be able to quit; my stomach was far too upset to drink any coffee, and I was so miserable I didn't even notice the effects of caffeine withdrawal, which I know are brutal. But once I started getting better, I decided not to start a daily habit of coffee-drinking again. Instead, I drink tea -- black tea in the morning for breakfast, green or herbal tea in the afternoon and a peppermint/chamomile, caffeine-free tea in the evening. I still drink coffee every once in a while, like less than once a week. But with the lattes I was drinking, that meant a significant number of additional calories, plus I didn't really enjoy the jittery caffeinated feeling. The tea I drink in the morning has just enough to be a pep-up, and my desire for a cup of something hot and comforting a few times a day is satisfied.
* Follow a sensible diet. Don't eat out every day, preferably even every week. And fast food is included in eating out. I use mostly a South Beach Diet-style of nutrition; I eat whole grains instead of refined (pasta, bread, etc.); I try to have a big salad for one of my meals each day; the cheese I eat is exclusively low-fat or fat-free; the meats I eat are lean (mostly fish and poultry). It's not as hard as it sounds. Last night, I had burgers and grilled corn for dinner, except the burgers were turkey burgers, the buns were whole wheat (no enriched flour), the cheese was low-fat, I used mustard instead of mayonnaise and the butter flavoring for the corn came from an olive-oil based spread instead of actual butter or even margarine. And it still was delicious. I eat turkey bacon and turkey sausage for breakfast sometimes, whole-grain waffles ... you get the idea. It's still yummy, and it's much better for me. D and I sit down and make a grocery list together about once a week, talking about and figuring out what we want, and once at the store, we buy only what's on the list. Saves time and money.
* Exercise regularly. I do a combination of dance, yoga and pilates. I have quite a DVD collection that I've accumulated over years; so the difference is, I just use them. I rotate my workouts throughout the week. Every day I exercise, I give myself a sparkly star on my calendar and I note which workout I did; that way, I can look over the past few days and see what areas I need to focus on. After I collect a certain number of stars, I'm allowed a workout-related reward -- like a couple of new DVDs, a new pair of sneakers, some new clothes, whatever.
* Meditate. I meditate for about ten minutes every morning before I leave for work. It keeps me focused throughout my day and it's also easier to control my emotions; I'm calmer.
*Quit biting nails. It's better for my nails and my teeth. And now I have pretty nails. The trick is to get the nails long enough to where you can start taking care of them. Once they start looking truly lovely, it's a lot more difficult to bite. I also carry a file around with me everywhere I go in case I get a snag or rough spot that needs to be smoothed out. Don't use teeth for that.
* Get enough sleep. Seriously, I need about eight hours a night. If I don't get that, I'm cranky. If I get more, I'm cranky. Figure out what you need and then make sure you get it.
* Weigh daily. I use a scale that also calculates body fat percentage, and when I'm done weighing I write my weight and body fat percentage on my calendar. It's really motivating when I'm feeling blah about myself or my body to look at the calendar and see how much I've improved over the past week or month. I write the numbers tiny; probably no one but me would know what they are, but I don't really care if they do. It's for me and improving MYself, not for anybody else. And like the stars, it's a way to track where I've been and where I'm going.
* Clean house. It burns calories; it provides you with a calming, restful, peaceful environment instead of a chaotic one; it gives you the space to work out you didn't think you had. Because I do most of my workouts at home, I've designated the study as my workout room. I have all my DVDs in there, my weights, my yoga mat, my exercise ball. There's a mini DVD player I use to play the workouts. It took some time to get there, but because the desk is pretty neat and the floor is clear, I have the room to do the dancing and everything else in my DVDs without having to stay in one place the entire time. Plus, if your kitchen and dishes are clean, you're more likely and better able to make dinner yourself instead of going outside the house. Cleaning house is an improvement project in and of itself for me; I'm not the most organized person, and it took a long time before I figured out how to get it clean and keep it that way. Flylady.net was an invaluable resource for me.
* Take care! Take bubble baths. Lay clothes out the night before, with jewelry, which gives time to find a super-cute outfit that's coordinated and clean, and keeps mornings calmer. Just the little things that make you feel special and loved. I use my nice china on a daily basis. I burn the special candles. Why save it if you're not going to enjoy it?
And here are some of the wonderful benefits I've been reaping:
* I really enjoy breathing. That sounds weird, but when you do yoga and don't smoke, breath becomes a treat.
* I have more money because I don't eat out nearly as often and I don't smoke cigarettes.
* As stated above, my skin is clearer and softer.
* I've lost weight -- to date, almost 15 pounds.
* I can feel and see my muscles starting to really tone and define under my skin, which is awesome. I think I'm starting to get the body I've really always wanted. And it feels good!
* My posture has gotten much better (the yoga and pilates), which means that at the end of the day, I'm not as sore or tired, or as tight in the shoulders.
* Stretching regularly detoxifies me.
* I feel fuller after fewer calories. Combination of the types of food I'm eating and the water I'm drinking.
* My fingernails are, seriously, beautiful. They look awesome because I take care of them regularly, filing them to the same length, plus they're strong and not all discolored because of my diet. They make my hands look really pretty.
* I'm calmer throughout my day. I don't experience emotions like anger or sadness very intensely. Conversely, I can feel intensely happy just by being alive and breathing deeply.
* I have more gratitude and appreciation for life.
* I can have friends over whenever because my house isn't embarrassingly messy.
* I have time and focus to concentrate on more areas of my life where I want to improve.
* I have the energy to do what needs to be done with my day and not feel tired or sluggish throughout. I feel great.
* I have the satisfaction of having these goals that I've accomplished and seeing how far I've come since I started seriously working on myself.
* Basically, I feel better -- great -- in every aspect of my life: body, mind, spirit.
I have to note that these are all serious lifestyle changes that took a long, long time to implement. Part of my problem up until now getting really serious about living well was my tendency to crash and burn. I had all of these things I wanted to change about myself -- as you can see above. I started drinking an appropriate amount of water about three years ago. I quit smoking nineteen months ago. I've been working on my diet and finding recipes and meals that both D and I can eat for a while now. And the house has taken a long time to come together as well.
The only way I could have gotten this far and enjoyed the process this much is by just taking things one step at a time. There's no way I could have made all these changes at once and been successful. I've picked one aspect or problem to focus on and I've tracked my progress, day by day, on my calendar. I've given myself rewards for keeping the habit going once I got to a certain number of days following the habit. And the nice thing about going slowly is that you really notice the life and body changes that follow your behavior changes.
And now, I can start making broader goals for myself because I feel like I've got the basics under control. I am by no means done. I have problems and issues in my life that need changing, but they need the kind of time and attention I was unable to give them until now, because my body or my brain or my motivation or whatever was not in the right place. Now it's all falling into place, and I can pursue higher goals. Go me!
Friday, April 4, 2008
deep thoughts
Just some random things I've been thinking about lately ...
*That lawsuit that was just overturned on appeal about the light cigarettes. People: Come on. It's not the tobacco companies' fault that you're an idiot. Light cigarettes aren't any better for you than heavy; the only reason you preferred light is because cigarettes taste nasty, and lights don't taste as strong. If only heavies were available, you would have smoked heavies instead. I used to smoke, I know these things. How about this instead: Quit smoking any of them. Then, you won't need to sue anybody because you'll already be richer from not spending money on cigarettes.
*Lately I've been losing some weight via the usual method: eat less (or better) foods, move your body more. The other day one of my cute little friends who's seven years my junior was like, "God, you've gotten skinny!" (That sounds like she was being mean, but really it was a compliment.) And I didn't really know what to say. Is "thanks" appropriate in that situation? I don't know; I guess I just feel that weight is such a personal thing, but obviously it's also a very noticeable thing to the people around you. Of course someone is going to comment if you've lost some weight (but not, funnily enough, if you've gained any weight). It's just always one of those moments that throws me for a loop; I don't know what to say to people.
*There was an interesting article in the New York Times about willpower. Everyone has a set amount of willpower. You can increase your level of willpower throughout your life, of course, by exercising willpower -- like a muscle, kind of -- but on any given day of our lives, we have a set amount of willpower. So if you spend that willpower by not eating any of the chocolate cake that your coworkers had for their birthday, you'll then find it more difficult to exercise it later -- like if you were intending to work out after work, you may not have the tenacity to follow through because you already used up a portion of your willpower on denying yourself the cake. Interesting stuff. It ties in with the weight loss thing, because I've been taking it slow, documenting my progress and when I reach a goal, I'm going to reward myself nicely. I've been doing the same thing with housework lately, and it's been going quite well. So hopefully my willpower muscle is getting stronger.
*That lawsuit that was just overturned on appeal about the light cigarettes. People: Come on. It's not the tobacco companies' fault that you're an idiot. Light cigarettes aren't any better for you than heavy; the only reason you preferred light is because cigarettes taste nasty, and lights don't taste as strong. If only heavies were available, you would have smoked heavies instead. I used to smoke, I know these things. How about this instead: Quit smoking any of them. Then, you won't need to sue anybody because you'll already be richer from not spending money on cigarettes.
*Lately I've been losing some weight via the usual method: eat less (or better) foods, move your body more. The other day one of my cute little friends who's seven years my junior was like, "God, you've gotten skinny!" (That sounds like she was being mean, but really it was a compliment.) And I didn't really know what to say. Is "thanks" appropriate in that situation? I don't know; I guess I just feel that weight is such a personal thing, but obviously it's also a very noticeable thing to the people around you. Of course someone is going to comment if you've lost some weight (but not, funnily enough, if you've gained any weight). It's just always one of those moments that throws me for a loop; I don't know what to say to people.
*There was an interesting article in the New York Times about willpower. Everyone has a set amount of willpower. You can increase your level of willpower throughout your life, of course, by exercising willpower -- like a muscle, kind of -- but on any given day of our lives, we have a set amount of willpower. So if you spend that willpower by not eating any of the chocolate cake that your coworkers had for their birthday, you'll then find it more difficult to exercise it later -- like if you were intending to work out after work, you may not have the tenacity to follow through because you already used up a portion of your willpower on denying yourself the cake. Interesting stuff. It ties in with the weight loss thing, because I've been taking it slow, documenting my progress and when I reach a goal, I'm going to reward myself nicely. I've been doing the same thing with housework lately, and it's been going quite well. So hopefully my willpower muscle is getting stronger.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
things I'm loving to hate
*Colbie Caillat and that stupid "Bubbly" song. The first time I heard it? Kinda cute. The five millionth? I want to puncture my eardrums with a screwdriver.
*Best Of. Enough said.
*Being sick.
*Spyware. I fail to see how spyware is profitable for anyone. I've figured out how to get to the sites I'm trying to reach, despite the fact that my computer (at work) is infected as all get-out. But honestly -- does anyone who's trying to Google something, and then gets rerouted to a random NEW search page while trying to reach some other completely different site, actually think, "Oh. A new search page. Maybe one of THESE results will take me where I need to be." And how long does it take to remove spyware? Sucks.
*People who drive vehicles far, far too large for their needs, then complain about the cost of gas. Oh. I'm sorry. You needed that Escalade because Buffy and Spencer are getting so big now, and you simply must have some behemoth of a vehicle in order to shuttle them around to their after-school activities. Gee. Sucks that it costs $400 to fill up your tank -- maybe next time you'll consider a hybrid, Mrs. Selfish McMeMeMe.
*China. I am in no way a racist. But if China is that schoolyard bully who started growing facial hair in third grade, then Tibet is that most obvious of targets -- the underfed, weedy, pale child with glasses, who's always picked last in gym class and who probably has some "weird" habits, like refraining from eating meat. And, China? Your little theory that the Dalai Lama is masterminding the protests in Tibet and attempting to incite violence? It's not really gonna fly. The Dalai Lama has won the Nobel Peace Prize, you see, and he's a Buddhist. He's the head Buddhist! I -- and the rest of the thinking universe -- am pretty sure that he's not the evil plotter you say he is. If you could provide some evidence of your claims, I would be happy to look at it. You don't have any proof? Listen, guys, just stop. Just quit bullying poor little Tibet -- why do you want it, anyway? I know you say it's yours, yadda yadda, but what resources, exactly (besides the Dalai Lama, who hasn't been able to live there since you took over -- I mean, reclaimed -- Tibet) does Tibet contain that will benefit you in any way? Just give it up, please, because you're only making yourself look bad. And worse. And even worse still. Just stop.
And you know what? Just for that, China, I'm not watching the Olympics this year. At all. So there.
*Best Of. Enough said.
*Being sick.
*Spyware. I fail to see how spyware is profitable for anyone. I've figured out how to get to the sites I'm trying to reach, despite the fact that my computer (at work) is infected as all get-out. But honestly -- does anyone who's trying to Google something, and then gets rerouted to a random NEW search page while trying to reach some other completely different site, actually think, "Oh. A new search page. Maybe one of THESE results will take me where I need to be." And how long does it take to remove spyware? Sucks.
*People who drive vehicles far, far too large for their needs, then complain about the cost of gas. Oh. I'm sorry. You needed that Escalade because Buffy and Spencer are getting so big now, and you simply must have some behemoth of a vehicle in order to shuttle them around to their after-school activities. Gee. Sucks that it costs $400 to fill up your tank -- maybe next time you'll consider a hybrid, Mrs. Selfish McMeMeMe.
*China. I am in no way a racist. But if China is that schoolyard bully who started growing facial hair in third grade, then Tibet is that most obvious of targets -- the underfed, weedy, pale child with glasses, who's always picked last in gym class and who probably has some "weird" habits, like refraining from eating meat. And, China? Your little theory that the Dalai Lama is masterminding the protests in Tibet and attempting to incite violence? It's not really gonna fly. The Dalai Lama has won the Nobel Peace Prize, you see, and he's a Buddhist. He's the head Buddhist! I -- and the rest of the thinking universe -- am pretty sure that he's not the evil plotter you say he is. If you could provide some evidence of your claims, I would be happy to look at it. You don't have any proof? Listen, guys, just stop. Just quit bullying poor little Tibet -- why do you want it, anyway? I know you say it's yours, yadda yadda, but what resources, exactly (besides the Dalai Lama, who hasn't been able to live there since you took over -- I mean, reclaimed -- Tibet) does Tibet contain that will benefit you in any way? Just give it up, please, because you're only making yourself look bad. And worse. And even worse still. Just stop.
And you know what? Just for that, China, I'm not watching the Olympics this year. At all. So there.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Super Tuesday
Tomorrow my bestest friend in the whole world (besides Damon, but she's part of the DAR triumvirate) is coming to stay for an unspecified amount of time!
YAY!
I am so excited I can hardly contain myself.
In other news, something slightly unusual has been going on with our catch-all calendar e-mail address. Either the SPAM filter is letting more stuff through, or there are just more of these e-mails than there used to be. Regardless, there is a marked increase in the number of e-mails seeking men who are unhappy with their penis size.
For some reason, this surprises me. Is penis size really that big of a deal? I always thought it was more about security/insecurity.
Regardless, since the first of the year, the number of "Surprise her with your phenomenal love stick!" e-mails has AT LEAST doubled.
New Year's resolutions? Gearing up for Valentine's Day? I'll keep everyone posted.
YAY!
I am so excited I can hardly contain myself.
In other news, something slightly unusual has been going on with our catch-all calendar e-mail address. Either the SPAM filter is letting more stuff through, or there are just more of these e-mails than there used to be. Regardless, there is a marked increase in the number of e-mails seeking men who are unhappy with their penis size.
For some reason, this surprises me. Is penis size really that big of a deal? I always thought it was more about security/insecurity.
Regardless, since the first of the year, the number of "Surprise her with your phenomenal love stick!" e-mails has AT LEAST doubled.
New Year's resolutions? Gearing up for Valentine's Day? I'll keep everyone posted.
Friday, February 15, 2008
There Will Be Blood
Or rather, there was blood -- taken from my arm -- during my cholesterol test in October. My doctor called me back with the results today.
Good news: My LDL's (good cholesterol) are up, so those are lookin' pretty perfect right now.
Not-so-great news: My HDL's (bad cholesterol) are down, but they're still high for my age. So she suggested the following remedies:
- skim milk
- go easy on the red meat (which I do already)
- eggs ONLY once per week (and Eggbeaters or another substitute is preferable to actual eggs. Since I don't like eggs that much, no big deal.)
- low-fat/no-fat cheese.
- the worst: stay away from yellow cheeses (like cheddar) as they have higher cholesterol levels.
Cheddar cheese is my fave, so that was sad for me to hear.
And in general, I feel weird being 27 years old and making changes in my diet to deal with my cholesterol level. I've touched on this before, but it really sinks in when I'm having conversations with my doctor about what I should and shouldn't be eating.
I've gotten a lot (a LOT) better in my eating habits in the past year and a half, but I still have a ways to go. I need to start implementing a serious exercise program (once a week = not enough, as it turns out, and I'm lucky if I manage to exercise even once a week). I have a stockpile of foods I can make that are healthy; it's just the eating out that kills me. And may actually end up killing me.
It's funny how people seem to have the luxury of eating/doing whatever they want until something happens to make them seriously evaluate how they're living their lives -- I think it's safe to say that most of us want as much time on this planet as we can get, so it makes sense to take steps to prolong your life rather than shorten it. That's common knowledge. But people don't really seem to get it until a major event -- be it a doctor's diagnosis or the death of a loved one or chest pains, whatever -- makes you stop and think about what you're putting into your body and whether it's the best option for you.
It's all about baby steps. I'm better than I was last year. Next year I hope to be truly on the right path. I know how to get there. I just need to suck it up and do it.
Good news: My LDL's (good cholesterol) are up, so those are lookin' pretty perfect right now.
Not-so-great news: My HDL's (bad cholesterol) are down, but they're still high for my age. So she suggested the following remedies:
- skim milk
- go easy on the red meat (which I do already)
- eggs ONLY once per week (and Eggbeaters or another substitute is preferable to actual eggs. Since I don't like eggs that much, no big deal.)
- low-fat/no-fat cheese.
- the worst: stay away from yellow cheeses (like cheddar) as they have higher cholesterol levels.
Cheddar cheese is my fave, so that was sad for me to hear.
And in general, I feel weird being 27 years old and making changes in my diet to deal with my cholesterol level. I've touched on this before, but it really sinks in when I'm having conversations with my doctor about what I should and shouldn't be eating.
I've gotten a lot (a LOT) better in my eating habits in the past year and a half, but I still have a ways to go. I need to start implementing a serious exercise program (once a week = not enough, as it turns out, and I'm lucky if I manage to exercise even once a week). I have a stockpile of foods I can make that are healthy; it's just the eating out that kills me. And may actually end up killing me.
It's funny how people seem to have the luxury of eating/doing whatever they want until something happens to make them seriously evaluate how they're living their lives -- I think it's safe to say that most of us want as much time on this planet as we can get, so it makes sense to take steps to prolong your life rather than shorten it. That's common knowledge. But people don't really seem to get it until a major event -- be it a doctor's diagnosis or the death of a loved one or chest pains, whatever -- makes you stop and think about what you're putting into your body and whether it's the best option for you.
It's all about baby steps. I'm better than I was last year. Next year I hope to be truly on the right path. I know how to get there. I just need to suck it up and do it.
Monday, February 11, 2008
To a Tea
I have become a firm believer in the theory of quitting a bad habit while you are already feeling bad. Last week I was laid up with a sinus infection and the flu; everything that could possibly be wrong with my body, was. I was in some not-inconsiderable pain merely being awake.
Close friends of mine will know how addicted I am to caffeine. Seeing as I don't drink heavily and don't smoke cigarettes, my morning triple latte was one of only a handful of true vices that I have. If I ever forgot to get coffee, I would wind up with a splitting headache around noon that reminded me. So that didn't happen -- coffee was a morning necessity in order for me to function throughout the day.
Well, last weekend that was not possible. Even thinking about coffee first thing in the morning was likely to make me throw up the water or Powerade slush or whatever it was I had managed to drink (and keep down). Coffee isn't kind to stomachs, and even though my head hurt like crazy, it was easier to deal with the head than to try and drink some coffee and see what my stomach did with it. And honestly, I felt so terrible that I didn't even notice the headaches.
When I finally woke up in a condition to go to work, I realized that I was no longer addicted to caffeine. I had battled through the withdrawal during my incapacitation, and so the last thing I wanted to do was to fall back into the habit of drinking an obscene amount of coffee first thing in the morning.
For a week now, I've been drinking tea in the morning -- green tea, with tons of antioxidants. So I've been taking good care of myself and I'm proud of it. I've had two lattes since I quit, and I plan on keeping my espresso machine for treats and late nights when I might actually need it, but I'm happy without my morning dose of Splenda and espresso and milk. And I plan to keep it that way.
I guess the moral of the story is: If you want to give something up, get really sick. You'll be so preoccupied with your ill feeling that you won't miss whatever it is you're trying not to miss.
Close friends of mine will know how addicted I am to caffeine. Seeing as I don't drink heavily and don't smoke cigarettes, my morning triple latte was one of only a handful of true vices that I have. If I ever forgot to get coffee, I would wind up with a splitting headache around noon that reminded me. So that didn't happen -- coffee was a morning necessity in order for me to function throughout the day.
Well, last weekend that was not possible. Even thinking about coffee first thing in the morning was likely to make me throw up the water or Powerade slush or whatever it was I had managed to drink (and keep down). Coffee isn't kind to stomachs, and even though my head hurt like crazy, it was easier to deal with the head than to try and drink some coffee and see what my stomach did with it. And honestly, I felt so terrible that I didn't even notice the headaches.
When I finally woke up in a condition to go to work, I realized that I was no longer addicted to caffeine. I had battled through the withdrawal during my incapacitation, and so the last thing I wanted to do was to fall back into the habit of drinking an obscene amount of coffee first thing in the morning.
For a week now, I've been drinking tea in the morning -- green tea, with tons of antioxidants. So I've been taking good care of myself and I'm proud of it. I've had two lattes since I quit, and I plan on keeping my espresso machine for treats and late nights when I might actually need it, but I'm happy without my morning dose of Splenda and espresso and milk. And I plan to keep it that way.
I guess the moral of the story is: If you want to give something up, get really sick. You'll be so preoccupied with your ill feeling that you won't miss whatever it is you're trying not to miss.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
blame Canada
Here's a rundown of the trip so far:
Arrived late Friday night.
Saturday morning, Graham (my dad's old colleague) picked us up with his girlfriend, Virginia (I had never met a Virginia before then) and drove us up to Whistler. On the way, he picked up a friend of his, Emma, who lives on Vancouver Island. Emma was showing Graham (and Virginia) a house in Pemberton that Graham is thinking about purchasing and fixing up. They dropped my mom and I off in Whistler and we spent the day walking around, shopping, listening to all the different accents. It got really cold and started snowing hard at one point, so we hunkered down in a coffee shop for a few hours, then when the three of them came back, we all went out to dinner.
The drive back to the hotel was nuts; snow everywhere. Graham and Emma talked about film -- apparently, Graham has financed a movie coming out soon with Darryl Hannah (it's called Vice) and Emma is also very into the film industry, so it was fun to hear them talk about it.
When we got back, I was trying to get on the computer and decided to go downstairs to the business center. I'd forgotten my room key, so I came back up and caught my mother crying. I asked if she'd waited till I left to start, and she said yes. She fell asleep while I messed around on MySpace, then I told her I was going downstairs for a glass of wine. She said she'd come with, so we went to the lounge.
As we're sitting there, drinking our wine, these two men sitting across from us ask to buy us a drink. We say no, we're almost done and we don't need another, but my mom said we'd come over and finish our wine with them (this all started because the drunker, older man told me we were beautiful. Aw. how sweet). I know the older man was 67 cause he asked me to guess his age and I guessed correctly. I wasn't altogether comfortable but I thought it might be good for my mom to get some attention of that nature. They end up buying us another drink and we're sitting and chatting (Dirty Old Man telling me he has six kids with three different women, he didn't treat any of the mothers right because he was too busy making money, etc. etc.). I was starting to get tired so I paid our server separately; not too long after that, they started being the typical drunks, not wanting to leave when it's time for them to leave, harassing the server, telling him to go back to China (he was Asian). I was like, "Mom, I paid, let's go," so we did.
I woke up this morning with a hangover, surprise surprise. My hangovers generally take the form of stomach versus head, so I really could have used some alternative medicine at that point. If you catch my drift. We went and grabbed breakfast, then had all day to kill, so we walked down to the Granville Island water bus and went over there. It was super cute, like a whole island full of markets and cute stores and fun galleries, it was just a blast. We made a friend in Crush, he was a flaming gay guy, half Canadian, half American. He was awesome. I had a BC salmon roll which was delicious. I'd been a little worried that I wouldn't be able to handle the water bus, but my super-greasy breakfast took care of that fear (yay, country-fried steak and eggs!).
On our way back from the island, we stopped at Davis Street, which is the gay street in Vancouver (literally). We shopped some more and then left, I got some cute clothes and some new books. I tried to keep my mom from spending money on me ... she talks to me about how she hasn't gotten last year's tax refund yet, she really needs it because she was counting on it and she doesn't know what she's going to do if it doesn't come in. I know I'm not the best with money and I don't have a ton, so I spirited my purchases away from her whenever possible. But it's hard, she's so used to buying me stuff and I've only in recent years learned to put my foot down and not waver if it's something I know I don't need, because if I say "yes, it's cute," she'll buy it for me. So, mean what you say and say what you mean is the lesson there.
So overall, it's been a fun, awesome trip, except for one aspect. I really, really, REALLY wish my mother would get into therapy. She needs it. I don't mean that in a negative, mean way -- I just mean she is having serious trouble letting go, particularly letting go of all the craziness in Australia surrounding my dad's death. I'm not going into the whole story now, suffice to say that the hospital put in one stent when they needed four and there has been crazy hassle with the bills and the Consulate and everything. Some of her Aussie friends have been sending her messages saying things like, "Paul would want you to be moving on and enjoying life," Pollyanna shit like that. And it really bothers her. She says, "Paul also didn't want to leave when he did. How would they know what Paul wants?" I see her point. I think these people are just trying to offer support and empathy the best way they know how. It just happens that they're going about it entirely the wrong way, but the intention is good.
The thing that's been bothering me is, my mother has this serious aversion to all things Aussie now that everything has gone down the way it has. Last night she was saying that if Marcus (the dude bringing the ashes over) says anything about how great Australia is, she's going to correct him. I asked her how her feelings would change if some of the people -- who have been all gung-ho about how great the hospital and the health care system down there is -- would acknowledge that the hospital seriously fucked up and the system wasn't perfect. (Someone at one point already said, "mistakes happen," re: the death, which for those reading, is NOT the right thing to say, remotely, whatsoever.) My point was that I don't think that other people's opinions changing is going to make her feel better. But she thinks it is. When we were on Davis Street, she heard someone in a shop (from Perth) speaking, and someone else saying how much they enjoyed Australia when they were there. And she said she just felt this awful feeling in the pit of her stomach. She says she knows she shouldn't feel that way about all things Australian, but she can't help it. This seemed like the appropriate time for me to bring up post-traumatic stress disorder and the therapies available; she said she'd been to one or two therapy sessions and they made her feel worse. She doesn't want to try again.
I feel like if she could let go of some of these feelings, it would be better for her. It is simply not healthy to be harboring dislike for an entire country based on one experience. I can see why she feels that way, but that doesn't mean it's good for her. I don't think my mother is the most forgiving person on the planet, and I've made peace with that because it has affected my life. I also have realized why I have a tendency to withhold information from people, even when that might not be strictly necessary. I found out that she had breast cancer and they did a surgery on it when she had her nose thingy done last year or in late '06, I can't remember. That's kind of something I think she should have shared with me sooner, I know she didn't want me to worry, but I need to know these things so I can tell my own doctor.
It's just so hard to watch someone I love so much go through what she's going through, while she's refusing to reach out for help or support. She thinks she has to do it all herself and she's trying to protect me and my brothers. I just really, really wish she would bite the bullet and get herself someone to talk to who can really help her work through these feelings and figure out where to go and what to do next. I think she feels lost, and I don't know how to help her any more than I have been, beyond playing therapist and asking her the same kinds of questions that Kathy would ask me. I don't know how much that helps, she might be modifying her answers based on what she thinks I need to hear. I just feel like there's something in her that's broken, and I can sense it, and I want badly to be able to fix it.
But, I can't.
Arrived late Friday night.
Saturday morning, Graham (my dad's old colleague) picked us up with his girlfriend, Virginia (I had never met a Virginia before then) and drove us up to Whistler. On the way, he picked up a friend of his, Emma, who lives on Vancouver Island. Emma was showing Graham (and Virginia) a house in Pemberton that Graham is thinking about purchasing and fixing up. They dropped my mom and I off in Whistler and we spent the day walking around, shopping, listening to all the different accents. It got really cold and started snowing hard at one point, so we hunkered down in a coffee shop for a few hours, then when the three of them came back, we all went out to dinner.
The drive back to the hotel was nuts; snow everywhere. Graham and Emma talked about film -- apparently, Graham has financed a movie coming out soon with Darryl Hannah (it's called Vice) and Emma is also very into the film industry, so it was fun to hear them talk about it.
When we got back, I was trying to get on the computer and decided to go downstairs to the business center. I'd forgotten my room key, so I came back up and caught my mother crying. I asked if she'd waited till I left to start, and she said yes. She fell asleep while I messed around on MySpace, then I told her I was going downstairs for a glass of wine. She said she'd come with, so we went to the lounge.
As we're sitting there, drinking our wine, these two men sitting across from us ask to buy us a drink. We say no, we're almost done and we don't need another, but my mom said we'd come over and finish our wine with them (this all started because the drunker, older man told me we were beautiful. Aw. how sweet). I know the older man was 67 cause he asked me to guess his age and I guessed correctly. I wasn't altogether comfortable but I thought it might be good for my mom to get some attention of that nature. They end up buying us another drink and we're sitting and chatting (Dirty Old Man telling me he has six kids with three different women, he didn't treat any of the mothers right because he was too busy making money, etc. etc.). I was starting to get tired so I paid our server separately; not too long after that, they started being the typical drunks, not wanting to leave when it's time for them to leave, harassing the server, telling him to go back to China (he was Asian). I was like, "Mom, I paid, let's go," so we did.
I woke up this morning with a hangover, surprise surprise. My hangovers generally take the form of stomach versus head, so I really could have used some alternative medicine at that point. If you catch my drift. We went and grabbed breakfast, then had all day to kill, so we walked down to the Granville Island water bus and went over there. It was super cute, like a whole island full of markets and cute stores and fun galleries, it was just a blast. We made a friend in Crush, he was a flaming gay guy, half Canadian, half American. He was awesome. I had a BC salmon roll which was delicious. I'd been a little worried that I wouldn't be able to handle the water bus, but my super-greasy breakfast took care of that fear (yay, country-fried steak and eggs!).
On our way back from the island, we stopped at Davis Street, which is the gay street in Vancouver (literally). We shopped some more and then left, I got some cute clothes and some new books. I tried to keep my mom from spending money on me ... she talks to me about how she hasn't gotten last year's tax refund yet, she really needs it because she was counting on it and she doesn't know what she's going to do if it doesn't come in. I know I'm not the best with money and I don't have a ton, so I spirited my purchases away from her whenever possible. But it's hard, she's so used to buying me stuff and I've only in recent years learned to put my foot down and not waver if it's something I know I don't need, because if I say "yes, it's cute," she'll buy it for me. So, mean what you say and say what you mean is the lesson there.
So overall, it's been a fun, awesome trip, except for one aspect. I really, really, REALLY wish my mother would get into therapy. She needs it. I don't mean that in a negative, mean way -- I just mean she is having serious trouble letting go, particularly letting go of all the craziness in Australia surrounding my dad's death. I'm not going into the whole story now, suffice to say that the hospital put in one stent when they needed four and there has been crazy hassle with the bills and the Consulate and everything. Some of her Aussie friends have been sending her messages saying things like, "Paul would want you to be moving on and enjoying life," Pollyanna shit like that. And it really bothers her. She says, "Paul also didn't want to leave when he did. How would they know what Paul wants?" I see her point. I think these people are just trying to offer support and empathy the best way they know how. It just happens that they're going about it entirely the wrong way, but the intention is good.
The thing that's been bothering me is, my mother has this serious aversion to all things Aussie now that everything has gone down the way it has. Last night she was saying that if Marcus (the dude bringing the ashes over) says anything about how great Australia is, she's going to correct him. I asked her how her feelings would change if some of the people -- who have been all gung-ho about how great the hospital and the health care system down there is -- would acknowledge that the hospital seriously fucked up and the system wasn't perfect. (Someone at one point already said, "mistakes happen," re: the death, which for those reading, is NOT the right thing to say, remotely, whatsoever.) My point was that I don't think that other people's opinions changing is going to make her feel better. But she thinks it is. When we were on Davis Street, she heard someone in a shop (from Perth) speaking, and someone else saying how much they enjoyed Australia when they were there. And she said she just felt this awful feeling in the pit of her stomach. She says she knows she shouldn't feel that way about all things Australian, but she can't help it. This seemed like the appropriate time for me to bring up post-traumatic stress disorder and the therapies available; she said she'd been to one or two therapy sessions and they made her feel worse. She doesn't want to try again.
I feel like if she could let go of some of these feelings, it would be better for her. It is simply not healthy to be harboring dislike for an entire country based on one experience. I can see why she feels that way, but that doesn't mean it's good for her. I don't think my mother is the most forgiving person on the planet, and I've made peace with that because it has affected my life. I also have realized why I have a tendency to withhold information from people, even when that might not be strictly necessary. I found out that she had breast cancer and they did a surgery on it when she had her nose thingy done last year or in late '06, I can't remember. That's kind of something I think she should have shared with me sooner, I know she didn't want me to worry, but I need to know these things so I can tell my own doctor.
It's just so hard to watch someone I love so much go through what she's going through, while she's refusing to reach out for help or support. She thinks she has to do it all herself and she's trying to protect me and my brothers. I just really, really wish she would bite the bullet and get herself someone to talk to who can really help her work through these feelings and figure out where to go and what to do next. I think she feels lost, and I don't know how to help her any more than I have been, beyond playing therapist and asking her the same kinds of questions that Kathy would ask me. I don't know how much that helps, she might be modifying her answers based on what she thinks I need to hear. I just feel like there's something in her that's broken, and I can sense it, and I want badly to be able to fix it.
But, I can't.
Monday, January 21, 2008
good times
I just got to talk to Tommy Chong! (Yes, of Cheech and Chong.)
He is officially the only man who can call me "babe," besides Damon, and not offend me. He's just too cute. And yes, that is my inner feminist speaking.
Also: The insurance company decided that I was right and will only accept 50 percent liability. So BMW lady has to pay for her own damages.
She was really rude to the representative, apparently, so I'm not sure if they ruled in my favor because I was actually right or because I was nice.
I hope it was because I was right; I'd hate to have this warm fuzzy feeling just because someone else doesn't think it's in her best interest to be polite to everybody.
He is officially the only man who can call me "babe," besides Damon, and not offend me. He's just too cute. And yes, that is my inner feminist speaking.
Also: The insurance company decided that I was right and will only accept 50 percent liability. So BMW lady has to pay for her own damages.
She was really rude to the representative, apparently, so I'm not sure if they ruled in my favor because I was actually right or because I was nice.
I hope it was because I was right; I'd hate to have this warm fuzzy feeling just because someone else doesn't think it's in her best interest to be polite to everybody.
Monday, January 14, 2008
smarts
40 Tips for an Exceptional, Superb & Powerful Life
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a TiVo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to__________ today."
5. Live with the 3 Es - Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy, and the 3 Fs - Faith, Family, Friends.
6. Watch more G movies, play more games with friends and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Drink some green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, seafood, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, and your desk and let new energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn and pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past, so it won't mess up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. Do the right thing!
37. Call your family often.
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for __________." "Today I accomplished _________."
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. Make the most of it.
1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
3. Buy a TiVo (DVR), tape your late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to__________ today."
5. Live with the 3 Es - Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy, and the 3 Fs - Faith, Family, Friends.
6. Watch more G movies, play more games with friends and read more books than you did in 2007.
7. Make time to practice meditation and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Drink some green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, seafood, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, and your desk and let new energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn and pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past, so it won't mess up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. Do the right thing!
37. Call your family often.
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for __________." "Today I accomplished _________."
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. Make the most of it.
crash! bang!
I know why I'm sad, by the way. It's because I miss my dad. Duh.
On Saturday, when I was buying groceries, I backed out of my parking spot. Another women (driving a BMW, no less) was also backing out of her spot.
We collided.
We assessed the damage. My tank of a '93 Volvo was fine. Her sedan had a scuff and a dent in her bumper.
I gave her my insurance information because I could tell she was going to be a bitch if I didn't. I did not admit fault. In fact, while leaving the parking lot, I called my insurance company so I could be the first to explain what happened.
I was not paying attention; I fully admit that. But neither was she.
So today my claims representative (who is very nice) called and said they would probably close the claim; if it was fifty-fifty fault, then my insurance would pay for my damages (none) and her insurance would pay for her damages (some).
She did not like that, according to my claims rep. She said she was fully pulled out of her parking spot when I hit her. This is not how I recall events, but who knows?
So tomorrow, the rep has to come assess the damage to my car.
I wonder what will happen? Not in an I'm -scared-my-premiums-will-go-up way (although they might), but in a curious, detached way.
It's a car. It's scratched. It doesn't really matter. I am amazed that people like her have the energy to seethe about something so trivial.
But then again, it's not my BMW.
On Saturday, when I was buying groceries, I backed out of my parking spot. Another women (driving a BMW, no less) was also backing out of her spot.
We collided.
We assessed the damage. My tank of a '93 Volvo was fine. Her sedan had a scuff and a dent in her bumper.
I gave her my insurance information because I could tell she was going to be a bitch if I didn't. I did not admit fault. In fact, while leaving the parking lot, I called my insurance company so I could be the first to explain what happened.
I was not paying attention; I fully admit that. But neither was she.
So today my claims representative (who is very nice) called and said they would probably close the claim; if it was fifty-fifty fault, then my insurance would pay for my damages (none) and her insurance would pay for her damages (some).
She did not like that, according to my claims rep. She said she was fully pulled out of her parking spot when I hit her. This is not how I recall events, but who knows?
So tomorrow, the rep has to come assess the damage to my car.
I wonder what will happen? Not in an I'm -scared-my-premiums-will-go-up way (although they might), but in a curious, detached way.
It's a car. It's scratched. It doesn't really matter. I am amazed that people like her have the energy to seethe about something so trivial.
But then again, it's not my BMW.
Friday, January 11, 2008
riding the wave
Sometimes, for what seems like no reason whatsoever, I get really sad.
Today is one of those times.
I'm sad.
Today is one of those times.
I'm sad.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Friends and neighbors know that I complain a lot about my current state of affairs (which goes into effect when Damon leaves for an opening). It involves bedtime every night at 10 p.m. to prepare myself for a 6 a.m. rising so I can be at the dog park with my dog at 7 a.m., bright and early.
I love to sleep, okay? LOVE IT. More than just about anything. But because of Daylight Savings, I don't get home in time to walk the dog when it's still light outside. And it seems wrong to deprive Marshall of his daily exercise/outside time just because I'm lazy and don't want to get out of bed.
This morning was especially cold. It snowed last night, so there was two or three inches of powder on the ground for Marshall to romp through, which he loves. It was quiet and very cold -- my water bottle quit opening easily toward the end of our hour-long walk, because it was frozen shut, and a skin of ice was forming around the edges. There's hardly anyone at the park at that hour, so it's just me and the dog and his romp and my thoughts.
And my thoughts were basically this: I bitch too much about getting up early to go for our walk. I have coffee, for a start, which makes everything better. And it's gorgeous! Especially with the fresh snow. As the sun started to rise, it hit the mountains first and turned them all these lovely shades of pink and gold. Very, very pretty. The lakes are both frozen over and dusted with snow. Even though the sun doesn't peek over the horizon (when you're at the dog park) until around 7:30 a.m., seeing its return is just amazing every single morning.
I love nature. That's all.
I love to sleep, okay? LOVE IT. More than just about anything. But because of Daylight Savings, I don't get home in time to walk the dog when it's still light outside. And it seems wrong to deprive Marshall of his daily exercise/outside time just because I'm lazy and don't want to get out of bed.
This morning was especially cold. It snowed last night, so there was two or three inches of powder on the ground for Marshall to romp through, which he loves. It was quiet and very cold -- my water bottle quit opening easily toward the end of our hour-long walk, because it was frozen shut, and a skin of ice was forming around the edges. There's hardly anyone at the park at that hour, so it's just me and the dog and his romp and my thoughts.
And my thoughts were basically this: I bitch too much about getting up early to go for our walk. I have coffee, for a start, which makes everything better. And it's gorgeous! Especially with the fresh snow. As the sun started to rise, it hit the mountains first and turned them all these lovely shades of pink and gold. Very, very pretty. The lakes are both frozen over and dusted with snow. Even though the sun doesn't peek over the horizon (when you're at the dog park) until around 7:30 a.m., seeing its return is just amazing every single morning.
I love nature. That's all.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
love it/hate it
Hate:
*Receiving Glamour in the mail instead of Jane. Because Jane folded. Because they fired Jane Pratt. Because she was too subversive. Which is the reason 99% of Jane readers subscribed in the first place. Oops!
*The stupid hair tips in magazines such as Glamour. One of them for the "Best New Year Hair EVER!" suggested that instead of straightening all my hair, I could just straighten the top layer, and no one would know the difference! Wrong! Because my hair happens to be thick, thicker than the sun is hot. So the primary reason I straighten it is to get the de-pouffing action that straightening brings to my head. Straightening just the BOTTOM layer -- now, that might work. But Glamour isn't thinking of girls like me, girls with abnormal hair of any caliber, when they write those stupid tips.
*Collapsed sewer lines.
Love, love, love, love, love:
*That's a lot of loves, and there's only one item that qualifies, but it's worthy. Oh, is it worthy. My Diva Cup. I heart this thing! You know (well, males don't, but everyone else probably does) how when you're surfing the crimson wave, or whatever euphemism for menstruation you would like to use, you're always on Tampon Alert. As in: Do I have enough tampons at my house? Should I go buy some tampons? Do I need the heavy, medium or light flow? Or some combination thereof, which inevitably costs more? I'm leaving the house now; do I have enough tampons to take with me? Do I have enough tampons OF EVERY SIZE to take with me? Now I changed my purse and forgot my tampons. Shit. Does my friend have tampons? Oh, she does, but it's the brand I HATE. Could I wear a pad for a little bit? (No.)
Well, no more of that nonsense for this girl. I invested in the Diva Cup ($35, and worth ten times that amount, since it's lifetime guaranteed and tampons are expensive considering where they go). So as soon as I knew it was around time to start, I threw it in my purse (complete with lovely purple carrying pouch) and made sure I had it with me at all times. That's the hardest part. Then I started, but I had my cup -- no worries. So I have to live with my mom for the time being (result of one of the hates above) and as I'm leaving the house, I'm thinking, "what personal items do I need?" Tampons did not make the list, because I didn't need them. Because I have my cup.
Which, by the way, I can leave in as long (or longer, depending on the day of my cycle and flow level) as a tampon, and it won't absorb anything it's not supposed to, and it won't give me toxic shock syndrome, and it's made of silicone and is easy to use and easy to clean. It is my most favorite thing right now.
*Receiving Glamour in the mail instead of Jane. Because Jane folded. Because they fired Jane Pratt. Because she was too subversive. Which is the reason 99% of Jane readers subscribed in the first place. Oops!
*The stupid hair tips in magazines such as Glamour. One of them for the "Best New Year Hair EVER!" suggested that instead of straightening all my hair, I could just straighten the top layer, and no one would know the difference! Wrong! Because my hair happens to be thick, thicker than the sun is hot. So the primary reason I straighten it is to get the de-pouffing action that straightening brings to my head. Straightening just the BOTTOM layer -- now, that might work. But Glamour isn't thinking of girls like me, girls with abnormal hair of any caliber, when they write those stupid tips.
*Collapsed sewer lines.
Love, love, love, love, love:
*That's a lot of loves, and there's only one item that qualifies, but it's worthy. Oh, is it worthy. My Diva Cup. I heart this thing! You know (well, males don't, but everyone else probably does) how when you're surfing the crimson wave, or whatever euphemism for menstruation you would like to use, you're always on Tampon Alert. As in: Do I have enough tampons at my house? Should I go buy some tampons? Do I need the heavy, medium or light flow? Or some combination thereof, which inevitably costs more? I'm leaving the house now; do I have enough tampons to take with me? Do I have enough tampons OF EVERY SIZE to take with me? Now I changed my purse and forgot my tampons. Shit. Does my friend have tampons? Oh, she does, but it's the brand I HATE. Could I wear a pad for a little bit? (No.)
Well, no more of that nonsense for this girl. I invested in the Diva Cup ($35, and worth ten times that amount, since it's lifetime guaranteed and tampons are expensive considering where they go). So as soon as I knew it was around time to start, I threw it in my purse (complete with lovely purple carrying pouch) and made sure I had it with me at all times. That's the hardest part. Then I started, but I had my cup -- no worries. So I have to live with my mom for the time being (result of one of the hates above) and as I'm leaving the house, I'm thinking, "what personal items do I need?" Tampons did not make the list, because I didn't need them. Because I have my cup.
Which, by the way, I can leave in as long (or longer, depending on the day of my cycle and flow level) as a tampon, and it won't absorb anything it's not supposed to, and it won't give me toxic shock syndrome, and it's made of silicone and is easy to use and easy to clean. It is my most favorite thing right now.
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