As predicted, my aerial ballet class royally kicked my rear. I'm finally able to sneeze without wishing for death. Of course, me being me (read: retarded), I scheduled a second aerial ballet class.
It's tonight. I'm totally pumped to learn more climbs and more flips and rolls and such, but this is not a post about aerial ballet. This is a post about rock climbing.
Specifically, how hard it is when I'm no longer 18.
I'm almost ten years past 18 at this point, and while I would like to think I'm pretty well adjusted and much happier now than I was then, there is a point of contention to that statement. When I was 18, I swam 7.5 hours a day, lifted and ran every day. (Thank you, D-1 college athletics!) So, when I was 18, I was in significantly better shape than I am now. Im not in bad shape, I just can't bench press more than my body weight anymore. I'd be happy if I could bench press half my body weight right now, but that's a story for a different day.
I used to climb with some friends from the dorm I lived in temporarily when I was in college. One of them taught me to boulder, and the other taught me to climb on belay. We used to go maybe two or three times a month after freshman year, so it wasn't ever like I did it on a really regular basis. Both friends have sinced moved to remote and exotic locations like the Moab Desert, and Milwaukee. (Seriously.) I have remained in the area, and stopped climbing for a number of years.
I picked up bouldering again two years ago. Again, not a lot of consistency in my practice, but I would go and have fun, and enjoy myself.
Apparently, gravity is stronger now than it was when I was 18. I can't climb for the life of me anymore; its really disappointing and disheartening. I like going so much, but its really hard to struggle with something that used to be so easy (due to all the swimming and freak upperbody strength).
Two recently acquired friends are really into it. Like, reallyinto it, and I accompanied them last week after my top rope refresher course (there was a method to it, I swear) to a rock gym I don't usually frequent. After some seriously disorienting news, I tried climbing. I was unsuccessful. I tried again. More failure. Blerg. I watched them scamper up the walls with a good deal of ease. I kept reminding myself that they'd been climbing a lot more often and a lot more consistently than I had. Still hard. Argh.
So I kept at it, gritted my teeth and kept trying. I discovered that I really loathethe automatic belayer that gym has. Doesn't catch quite quick enough for me to not feel like I'm plunging to impending death. I'm sure that gripping the holds will get easier, as it always does with practice, but until then, I am less than thrilled with the idea of returning. It's very intimidating to go into a place with a bunch of really well-skilled climbers; it's really obvious that you're new. Painfully, if you will. Also useful? Some climbing flats would be nice. Maybe for my birthday. Until then, sneakers or rentals will have to do.
Anyway, I had a good deal of fun with the aerial ballet of last week even if it did make me wish for immediate death when I sneezed, and not so much fun with the climbing. Oh well. I'll keep going because I know that I will make progress. Slow, painful, skin-ripping progres...
Monday, December 20, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Friday
Last night was a great night.
I went to visit JD, who had a long and disappointing week. After interviewing for a job three times over the course of two months, she was informed with a form letter that she was not offered a job. Her mood was quite south of jolly. Me? I was all disoriented from a couple of out-of-nowhere revelations about family and friends, so I wasn't entirely myself, either. So, I brought over a big bottle of wine and we ordered a white pizza from the place around the corner from her apartment. We watched a bunch of wierd movies and had some good laughs and deep conversations-- one of which was waaay too intellectual for a drunken midnight.
Sleeping in was nice, too-- I hadn't done that in quite some time. We grabbed some brunch at a local place, and then took a nice stroll through the neighborhood. I found a jar of local honey, and it was delicious! We even gave directions to some lost person; I hope they were right...
Anyway, by the time I left at noon, I was feeling happier, and I think JD was too. Sometimes you just need a good night with some friends to lift your spirits. Having been friends since we were 14, I think that just the company can be comforting. It's nice, almost like having another sister. You don't need to say anything, but you just know you're with someone who gets it, whatever it might be.
I went to visit JD, who had a long and disappointing week. After interviewing for a job three times over the course of two months, she was informed with a form letter that she was not offered a job. Her mood was quite south of jolly. Me? I was all disoriented from a couple of out-of-nowhere revelations about family and friends, so I wasn't entirely myself, either. So, I brought over a big bottle of wine and we ordered a white pizza from the place around the corner from her apartment. We watched a bunch of wierd movies and had some good laughs and deep conversations-- one of which was waaay too intellectual for a drunken midnight.
Sleeping in was nice, too-- I hadn't done that in quite some time. We grabbed some brunch at a local place, and then took a nice stroll through the neighborhood. I found a jar of local honey, and it was delicious! We even gave directions to some lost person; I hope they were right...
Anyway, by the time I left at noon, I was feeling happier, and I think JD was too. Sometimes you just need a good night with some friends to lift your spirits. Having been friends since we were 14, I think that just the company can be comforting. It's nice, almost like having another sister. You don't need to say anything, but you just know you're with someone who gets it, whatever it might be.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Aerial Ballet/Trapeze School
On Monday, I was able to take an aerial ballet class. It was my very first, and right away, let me say, I was hooked.
Class was held in a very large, airplane-hangar-like building. There was a setup for trapeze beside the beams from which a very long swath of peacock-green cloth was suspended by carabineer. It was me, the instructor, and another person in the class while a bunch of people were on the trapeze platform.
The instructor had us begin with a basic climb, which I was nervous about mostly because I haven’t climbed a rope since, oh, fifth grade. Climbs involved wrapping the silk around your leg, making one foot flexed, and then stepping on the fabric on top of the opposite foot and using it like a stair. Slide your arms up, wrap, step, repeat. Sliding down, things got a little warm—cloth burn on my palms and feet and legs.
I tried a bunch of different things: wrist locks, ankle locks, a twisty-spinning thing, a couple of flips, some poses. It was really, really cool. Most of all, it was way less scary than I had anticipated. I was really intimidated to walk into the studio and try –I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to climb the fabric—but I managed to not only climb, but try all those various moves. I was really impressed by the instructor, who was able to break steps down and assist when needed (like when I swung a little too far out and came too close to a wall for comfort); randomly, she graduated from the same school I graduated from, and we have some mutual friends. The world is a small, small place.
I have another class next week, and I have to say, I am really looking forward to it. This is a hobby that combines three of my favorite things: spinning, flipping, and being airborne. Also: fighting gravity. The only thing about this that doesn’t make my heart race is the price—it is a little on the expensive side. But, because it is so much fun, and it is two people per class, I think its worth it right now.
So today is the dreaded delayed onset muscle soreness day. And boy oh boy am I sore. My wrists and ankles still look like I have ligature marks; my forearms are screaming; I haven’t been this aware of my ribs since I broke one in college. Oh, did I mention that my chest hurts when I breathe or sneeze? I got one heck of a workout at aerial ballet, and I am pumped.
I won’t be so pumped tonight when I go to my top rope refresher course and cant climb worth a hill of beans, but, whatever.
Class was held in a very large, airplane-hangar-like building. There was a setup for trapeze beside the beams from which a very long swath of peacock-green cloth was suspended by carabineer. It was me, the instructor, and another person in the class while a bunch of people were on the trapeze platform.
The instructor had us begin with a basic climb, which I was nervous about mostly because I haven’t climbed a rope since, oh, fifth grade. Climbs involved wrapping the silk around your leg, making one foot flexed, and then stepping on the fabric on top of the opposite foot and using it like a stair. Slide your arms up, wrap, step, repeat. Sliding down, things got a little warm—cloth burn on my palms and feet and legs.
I tried a bunch of different things: wrist locks, ankle locks, a twisty-spinning thing, a couple of flips, some poses. It was really, really cool. Most of all, it was way less scary than I had anticipated. I was really intimidated to walk into the studio and try –I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to climb the fabric—but I managed to not only climb, but try all those various moves. I was really impressed by the instructor, who was able to break steps down and assist when needed (like when I swung a little too far out and came too close to a wall for comfort); randomly, she graduated from the same school I graduated from, and we have some mutual friends. The world is a small, small place.
I have another class next week, and I have to say, I am really looking forward to it. This is a hobby that combines three of my favorite things: spinning, flipping, and being airborne. Also: fighting gravity. The only thing about this that doesn’t make my heart race is the price—it is a little on the expensive side. But, because it is so much fun, and it is two people per class, I think its worth it right now.
So today is the dreaded delayed onset muscle soreness day. And boy oh boy am I sore. My wrists and ankles still look like I have ligature marks; my forearms are screaming; I haven’t been this aware of my ribs since I broke one in college. Oh, did I mention that my chest hurts when I breathe or sneeze? I got one heck of a workout at aerial ballet, and I am pumped.
I won’t be so pumped tonight when I go to my top rope refresher course and cant climb worth a hill of beans, but, whatever.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Honolulu, November
My last trip to Hawaii ended close to a month ago, and I have since returned to the snowy arctic that is Massachusetts. It has been downright brutal. No snow, but when the temperatures are being called “unseasonably cold,” you know that it’s bad.
Let me start from the beginning.
I arrived in Honolulu for the second time this year in the early afternoon. It was sunny and beautiful and it made me forget all about the screaming children and broken entertainment systems on both of my flights. (What a coincidence! TWO flights with nonfunctioning systems.) I hopped on the shuttle and napped until I got dropped off at my hotel, where I checked in, got settled, and hopped across the street to snooze on the beach.
I got some dinner just as the sun was setting at a take-away place my sister and I had eaten when we were there in March, and had a happy little picnic on the beach. Got to do exactly what I wanted to, which was watch jets land and take off over the ocean. I think I like watching that as much as I like being on a beach.
GC made it to the hotel a few hours later, and we got caught-up, made a list of stuff we wanted to do, and crashed.
The next morning, our phone went off at 530. I couldn’t understand the person on the other end of the line. I figured that she had the wrong number and was about to hang up when I recognized the words “dolphin tour.” And then she said, “No worry. Everyone speak English.” The rest was in Japanese. She was calling to wake us up to make sure we’d be at the shuttle pickup on time. She called 45 minutes early. We had a two minute walk. Gah.
GC and I got onto the shuttle and something felt… off. The tour guide looked a little panicky. She leaned over and repeated, “No worry. Everyone speak English.” And now GC and I were really concerned. We looked around. We were the only non-Asian people on the bus. Our tour guide handed us a release form, and the bus took off for a part of the North Shore, while she played a video (in Japanese).
The deckhands turned out to be the only people on the boat who spoke English. They laughed at us a bunch and wanted to know how we’d managed to pick them; they specifically cater to Japanese tourists. As that information wasn’t included on their website, there was no way for us to know that.
We eventually got to see a couple pods of dolphins. And while it was really very beautiful and extremely cool, I was a little disappointed that we didn’t spend more time in the water. I guess most of them had a hard time swimming; the deckhands were visibly relieved when we told them we could both swim well. The dolphins chased the boat for a while, and they jumped and spun, and it was really, really beautiful.
One of the deckhands hooked us up with a great discount at the luau he danced at. He told us he was a world champion firedancer, and had danced at a private recital for Oprah the week before. So, that evening, that’s where we went. The dancing was astounding. The dancers were awesome, and the music was really very interesting. I was a little skeeved out by the narrator and many of his comments. There was just this undertone of fetishizing the exotic brown sexy dancers that made me feel uncomfortable. I don’t know if anyone else noticed.
The other high light of the trip was going to the North Shore. That was really very different from our time in Waikiki. GC and I rented a car, and went to Waimea Falls and Waimea Bay. Her parents had been married at the falls, and so went to see it, oddly the day before their anniversary. As expected, it was gorgeous, green, lush, and extremely beautiful.
I ended up spending a bunch of time at the North Shore after GC went to the airport. She left a whole day before I did. I got to watch a surf competition from Haleiwa. Spent the whole day in the sun on the beach, and kept seeing these four turtles around. They were always really close to each other, and mostly up at the same time. They reminded me of my fam.
Anyway, loved it. The trip was too short, but a lot of fun.
Let me start from the beginning.
I arrived in Honolulu for the second time this year in the early afternoon. It was sunny and beautiful and it made me forget all about the screaming children and broken entertainment systems on both of my flights. (What a coincidence! TWO flights with nonfunctioning systems.) I hopped on the shuttle and napped until I got dropped off at my hotel, where I checked in, got settled, and hopped across the street to snooze on the beach.
I got some dinner just as the sun was setting at a take-away place my sister and I had eaten when we were there in March, and had a happy little picnic on the beach. Got to do exactly what I wanted to, which was watch jets land and take off over the ocean. I think I like watching that as much as I like being on a beach.
GC made it to the hotel a few hours later, and we got caught-up, made a list of stuff we wanted to do, and crashed.
The next morning, our phone went off at 530. I couldn’t understand the person on the other end of the line. I figured that she had the wrong number and was about to hang up when I recognized the words “dolphin tour.” And then she said, “No worry. Everyone speak English.” The rest was in Japanese. She was calling to wake us up to make sure we’d be at the shuttle pickup on time. She called 45 minutes early. We had a two minute walk. Gah.
GC and I got onto the shuttle and something felt… off. The tour guide looked a little panicky. She leaned over and repeated, “No worry. Everyone speak English.” And now GC and I were really concerned. We looked around. We were the only non-Asian people on the bus. Our tour guide handed us a release form, and the bus took off for a part of the North Shore, while she played a video (in Japanese).
The deckhands turned out to be the only people on the boat who spoke English. They laughed at us a bunch and wanted to know how we’d managed to pick them; they specifically cater to Japanese tourists. As that information wasn’t included on their website, there was no way for us to know that.
We eventually got to see a couple pods of dolphins. And while it was really very beautiful and extremely cool, I was a little disappointed that we didn’t spend more time in the water. I guess most of them had a hard time swimming; the deckhands were visibly relieved when we told them we could both swim well. The dolphins chased the boat for a while, and they jumped and spun, and it was really, really beautiful.
One of the deckhands hooked us up with a great discount at the luau he danced at. He told us he was a world champion firedancer, and had danced at a private recital for Oprah the week before. So, that evening, that’s where we went. The dancing was astounding. The dancers were awesome, and the music was really very interesting. I was a little skeeved out by the narrator and many of his comments. There was just this undertone of fetishizing the exotic brown sexy dancers that made me feel uncomfortable. I don’t know if anyone else noticed.
The other high light of the trip was going to the North Shore. That was really very different from our time in Waikiki. GC and I rented a car, and went to Waimea Falls and Waimea Bay. Her parents had been married at the falls, and so went to see it, oddly the day before their anniversary. As expected, it was gorgeous, green, lush, and extremely beautiful.
I ended up spending a bunch of time at the North Shore after GC went to the airport. She left a whole day before I did. I got to watch a surf competition from Haleiwa. Spent the whole day in the sun on the beach, and kept seeing these four turtles around. They were always really close to each other, and mostly up at the same time. They reminded me of my fam.
Anyway, loved it. The trip was too short, but a lot of fun.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Island Time
I'm back from my 5 day stint in Honolulu. (Stint, like its a prison sentence...?) Anyway, it was a gorgeous, hilarious time. There was much hilarity involved, especially on the first day GC and I were there.
As in:
1) We booked a swim with dolphins tour that catered specifically to Japanese tourists. Hi, we don't speak Japanese. That was....awkward. Especially when the boat crew asked us if we could swim and both replied, "Well, yeah, duh. Who'd go on a swimming tour without being able to swim?!" and he pointedly looked at the rest of the boat.
2) One of the deckhands is a world-champion firedancer. He offered us half-priced tickets to the luau he worked at after the tour ended. We got what amounted to "VIP" treatment--- a table abutting the stage, autographed posters, and an entouraged escourt back to our transportation.
3) We spent a couple nights with GCs friend from back home. Her three boys are under the age of 7. The 15 month old loved me. This is hilarious to me for reasons unknown. GCs friend is listed as totally awesome (and should be given the opportunity to be sainted).
4) I didn't actually adjust to island time until Monday. I left Tuesday. Hence, I am still on island time, and feel like roadkill when my alarm goes off at 5 to get to work. My body rebels and says "...NO! It's midnight!" I am afraid I will give in to that tomorrow morning.
5) I spent a couple hours at the airport in tears, trying to figure out a way to "miss my plane" so I could stay. Because I suck at math, I couldn't make the numbers work so I got on my flight and came home. On that flight? Six annoyingly amped-up Valley girls, and a smattering of small children. Two of those small children sat behind me and wailed the whole six hours to San Fransisco; one of them kicked my seat for the vast majority of the flight until I turned around and asked his mother to please contain him.
There will be a better summation later. When my thoughts extend beyond, Please let this day be over so I can go home and sleep.
As in:
1) We booked a swim with dolphins tour that catered specifically to Japanese tourists. Hi, we don't speak Japanese. That was....awkward. Especially when the boat crew asked us if we could swim and both replied, "Well, yeah, duh. Who'd go on a swimming tour without being able to swim?!" and he pointedly looked at the rest of the boat.
2) One of the deckhands is a world-champion firedancer. He offered us half-priced tickets to the luau he worked at after the tour ended. We got what amounted to "VIP" treatment--- a table abutting the stage, autographed posters, and an entouraged escourt back to our transportation.
3) We spent a couple nights with GCs friend from back home. Her three boys are under the age of 7. The 15 month old loved me. This is hilarious to me for reasons unknown. GCs friend is listed as totally awesome (and should be given the opportunity to be sainted).
4) I didn't actually adjust to island time until Monday. I left Tuesday. Hence, I am still on island time, and feel like roadkill when my alarm goes off at 5 to get to work. My body rebels and says "...NO! It's midnight!" I am afraid I will give in to that tomorrow morning.
5) I spent a couple hours at the airport in tears, trying to figure out a way to "miss my plane" so I could stay. Because I suck at math, I couldn't make the numbers work so I got on my flight and came home. On that flight? Six annoyingly amped-up Valley girls, and a smattering of small children. Two of those small children sat behind me and wailed the whole six hours to San Fransisco; one of them kicked my seat for the vast majority of the flight until I turned around and asked his mother to please contain him.
There will be a better summation later. When my thoughts extend beyond, Please let this day be over so I can go home and sleep.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Halloween
I am no longer allowed to watch scary sh*t. My overactive imagination ran away from me last night after watching several of my favorite scary movies (“The Descent,” “The Exorcism of Emily Rose,” and “Paranormal Activity”) before watching all of Season One of “Paranormal State.”
Yes, I am well aware of the fact that the show Paranormal State is a lame docudrama/mockumentary, but I can’t help myself. I love to be scared. I love wondering what is going on, and if there’s something I am not clued into because I lack capacities to tap into it. Hell, I love wondering what my dogs are staring at when they stare into the distance of a blank wall.
Well, last night I might have overdone it.
Because Dog had knee surgery, she is unable to go up and down stairs. The basement in our house does not have stairs so I can take her directly out to the yard so she can relieve herself. I have been sleeping in the basement with her because I hate the idea of her being sad and lonely in the dark and the crate with the cone of shame. So, I slept in the basement. Last night was Halloween. Every single noise I heard became an encroaching malevolent spirit.
I quivered in the dark, awaiting the blankets to get ripped off of me. I heard the baseboards creak to life and imagined the moaning voice of a trapped ghost imprinting itself onto an EVP. When the room cooled (because the heat is electric, natch), I pictured a violent poltergeist swirling in black smog above me. Blonde Dog whimpering in her sleep from the foot of the bed became a warning sign that some spirit was ready to pounce. I heard footsteps above my head. I heard gusts of wind. I heard a cat meowing in the distance. All of this set my teeth on edge. All of it is explainable. (My dad got up to go to the bathroom. The trees outside were dropping leaves in the blustery October night. Oh, and we have a cat in another room.)
All in all, I think I slept a total of twenty minutes. I kept dreading 3am. I couldn’t bring myself to get up and go to the bathroom (all of ten feet away), convinced that something was going to get me. I kept telling myself, "Its OK. Dog and Blonde Dog are both sleeping. They wouldnt let something get you; theyd totally let you know something was there- especially since its bigger than a squirrel." It kept running through my head, but it didnt pacify me- especially since both dogs are really giant chickens, and one of them is injured and PO'ed about being back in the Cone.
So, as much as I love to be scared, I think I overdid it this time. I have put in place a moratorium on scary forms of entertainment. The bags under my eyes are tired.
Yes, I am well aware of the fact that the show Paranormal State is a lame docudrama/mockumentary, but I can’t help myself. I love to be scared. I love wondering what is going on, and if there’s something I am not clued into because I lack capacities to tap into it. Hell, I love wondering what my dogs are staring at when they stare into the distance of a blank wall.
Well, last night I might have overdone it.
Because Dog had knee surgery, she is unable to go up and down stairs. The basement in our house does not have stairs so I can take her directly out to the yard so she can relieve herself. I have been sleeping in the basement with her because I hate the idea of her being sad and lonely in the dark and the crate with the cone of shame. So, I slept in the basement. Last night was Halloween. Every single noise I heard became an encroaching malevolent spirit.
I quivered in the dark, awaiting the blankets to get ripped off of me. I heard the baseboards creak to life and imagined the moaning voice of a trapped ghost imprinting itself onto an EVP. When the room cooled (because the heat is electric, natch), I pictured a violent poltergeist swirling in black smog above me. Blonde Dog whimpering in her sleep from the foot of the bed became a warning sign that some spirit was ready to pounce. I heard footsteps above my head. I heard gusts of wind. I heard a cat meowing in the distance. All of this set my teeth on edge. All of it is explainable. (My dad got up to go to the bathroom. The trees outside were dropping leaves in the blustery October night. Oh, and we have a cat in another room.)
All in all, I think I slept a total of twenty minutes. I kept dreading 3am. I couldn’t bring myself to get up and go to the bathroom (all of ten feet away), convinced that something was going to get me. I kept telling myself, "Its OK. Dog and Blonde Dog are both sleeping. They wouldnt let something get you; theyd totally let you know something was there- especially since its bigger than a squirrel." It kept running through my head, but it didnt pacify me- especially since both dogs are really giant chickens, and one of them is injured and PO'ed about being back in the Cone.
So, as much as I love to be scared, I think I overdid it this time. I have put in place a moratorium on scary forms of entertainment. The bags under my eyes are tired.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Nap Time
October is almost over. How did that happen?! It went by so fast! I guess time flies when your dog has surgery, and then your dad has an “atypical cardiac event,” and then more people get laid off, and then you’re taking care of your dog that has had surgery again.
I often find myself wondering why time passes as it does, flying by in fun times, and dragging on forever at others. This usually happens when I am given uninteresting assignments to do, or not enough work to occupy my spastic little brain. It’s this spastic quality of mine that leads me to long, dramatic nap times wherein I dream about awesome things like being a mermaid who lives in a sunken pirate ship somewhere near Tahiti. (Mermaid Me also wears a coconut shell top and miles of pearls. Mermaid Me has a friend in Mermaid JD, who wears lots of emeralds so we don’t get our accessories confused.)
That might have been the best dream ever. The pirate ship I lived in was in this very pretty lagoon where there were lots of exotic fish. My pirate-ship/apartment was also home to Mermaid JD, and a talking shark that resembled the white in Finding Nemo. He cooked for us, though, and we didn’t mind that he liked to eat fish and had no friends (“Fish are food, not friends!”) outside of us. Apparently, Mermaid Me could play the ukulele, which is pretty awesome because real life me can’t carry a tune in a bucket. There was a big rock that jutted out of the water that I liked to sit on and play, half in the water and half out. Not much really happened in the dream, but it was pretty sweet.
Vivid dreams are some times disappointing. I have them, and then I wake up to my reality. It’s like expecting to get that one seriously amazing Christmas present you really, really, really, really wanted when you were a kid, but instead you open your last gift and it’s a sweater.
I often find myself wondering why time passes as it does, flying by in fun times, and dragging on forever at others. This usually happens when I am given uninteresting assignments to do, or not enough work to occupy my spastic little brain. It’s this spastic quality of mine that leads me to long, dramatic nap times wherein I dream about awesome things like being a mermaid who lives in a sunken pirate ship somewhere near Tahiti. (Mermaid Me also wears a coconut shell top and miles of pearls. Mermaid Me has a friend in Mermaid JD, who wears lots of emeralds so we don’t get our accessories confused.)
That might have been the best dream ever. The pirate ship I lived in was in this very pretty lagoon where there were lots of exotic fish. My pirate-ship/apartment was also home to Mermaid JD, and a talking shark that resembled the white in Finding Nemo. He cooked for us, though, and we didn’t mind that he liked to eat fish and had no friends (“Fish are food, not friends!”) outside of us. Apparently, Mermaid Me could play the ukulele, which is pretty awesome because real life me can’t carry a tune in a bucket. There was a big rock that jutted out of the water that I liked to sit on and play, half in the water and half out. Not much really happened in the dream, but it was pretty sweet.
Vivid dreams are some times disappointing. I have them, and then I wake up to my reality. It’s like expecting to get that one seriously amazing Christmas present you really, really, really, really wanted when you were a kid, but instead you open your last gift and it’s a sweater.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Autumn
The following are from a hiking trip I made about two weeks ago with some new friends to Mt. Pisgah. The only good part about living in New England are as follows...
From one of the crests. That is Mt. Monadnoc in the distance.
Same shot, different vantage point. (I think I was standing...?)
This is the lake in the bottom corner of the preceding photos.
I love how my $200 phone takes better pictures than my $600 camera... oof.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Dog, Part 5
Dog had a successful surgery!
One of her knees has been fixed with a lateral cruciate ligament tie, and she is convalescing in her crate. She had been really good on Saturday about not licking her incision, so I let her sleep without the cone... until 2 am Sunday when I awoke to slurpy noises and a guilty furry face. She had licked out a staple, so the cone went back on and will remain until the staples are out.
Aside from her very undignified cone and awkward hobbling on three legs, everything is good for Dog. She gets scrambled eggs for breakfast, and boiled hamburger with rice for dinner; she lounges on her bed while watching TV with my mom; she even gets plain yogurt as a treat (her favorite!) Her pills come inside a little piece of hotdog or cheese, and she takes them without complaint. Such a good little patient.
Here's Dog, in her crate this morning, looking crabby because I turned the light on.
PS: Yes, they shaved half of her backside. And yes, that is a bald spot on her side where they applied a fentanyl patch. I cranked up the heat in the house so that her poor nekkid hind leg wouldn't get cold.
One of her knees has been fixed with a lateral cruciate ligament tie, and she is convalescing in her crate. She had been really good on Saturday about not licking her incision, so I let her sleep without the cone... until 2 am Sunday when I awoke to slurpy noises and a guilty furry face. She had licked out a staple, so the cone went back on and will remain until the staples are out.
Aside from her very undignified cone and awkward hobbling on three legs, everything is good for Dog. She gets scrambled eggs for breakfast, and boiled hamburger with rice for dinner; she lounges on her bed while watching TV with my mom; she even gets plain yogurt as a treat (her favorite!) Her pills come inside a little piece of hotdog or cheese, and she takes them without complaint. Such a good little patient.
Here's Dog, in her crate this morning, looking crabby because I turned the light on.
PS: Yes, they shaved half of her backside. And yes, that is a bald spot on her side where they applied a fentanyl patch. I cranked up the heat in the house so that her poor nekkid hind leg wouldn't get cold.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Dog, Part 4: Return to the Cone of Shame
Dog goes in for the first of two knee surgeries tomorrow morning. Though I had originally planned to wait until March to schedule it, several factors made me push the time frame up. The worst was watching Dog fall down the stairs because her hindquarters have zero strength/stability because both her ACLs and an MCL are shot. At first it was hilarious, and then the realization of what was happening set in, and I quickly went from giggling to feeling horrible. So, I called Dr. Vet, and made a plan. I asked Boss-Man if I could be in late, which is gratefully he said is not an issue ("I would have to be seriously evil to tell you no; like, Dr. Mengele level of evil to say no to you being an hour late so you can bring your crippled dog in for surgery"). Poor Dog doesn't know she's in for a second round of two-weeks-time in the Cone of Shame. I'm going to try to rebrand it the Cone of Destiny, to make it sound better for her.
Her ACL and MCL in her left hind leg are thoroughly shot, so they're replacing them altogether. It will be a long recovery time, probably, considering how old she is. But, she's in good shape, so she won't take forever. And she's a Lab/mutt mix, so she has what Dr. Vet refers to as "hybrid vigor." I like the sound of that.
Honolulu, Part 2 is upcoming. In just under four weeks, I will be scoping out paradise with my girl GC for a house I will never rent, and a job I will never apply for; Dog won't be able to travel after surgery. And I wont be able to afford to, either. However, there's nothing in the world that would make me choose otherwise; Dog deserves all the love and care she needs and thensome. Id rather have Dog than live in paradise, and considering where I live currently... that's saying something.
Her ACL and MCL in her left hind leg are thoroughly shot, so they're replacing them altogether. It will be a long recovery time, probably, considering how old she is. But, she's in good shape, so she won't take forever. And she's a Lab/mutt mix, so she has what Dr. Vet refers to as "hybrid vigor." I like the sound of that.
Honolulu, Part 2 is upcoming. In just under four weeks, I will be scoping out paradise with my girl GC for a house I will never rent, and a job I will never apply for; Dog won't be able to travel after surgery. And I wont be able to afford to, either. However, there's nothing in the world that would make me choose otherwise; Dog deserves all the love and care she needs and thensome. Id rather have Dog than live in paradise, and considering where I live currently... that's saying something.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Dog, part 3
Dog's stitches came out yesterday, and thankfully, her biopsy results were negative, so there were lots of reasons to celebrate. Her vet said that knee surgery is a viable option, and that she recommends it happen in March. This will give me some time to get some money together and pay for it, and maybe by then I'll have figured out if I'm going to stay in the area, or if I'm going to move.
As contingency, I've been looking for a place to live. I started looking at condos, and thus far, am overwhelmed and disappointed. As a single person, my income is not very high. Which means that I can afford a hovel in the ghetto in the asscheek of West Nowhere. I went to see one and ended up laughing so hard after the fact because there was NO WAY I could live there, even though it was affordable. I'd be the only person in a neighborhood full of meth zombies. Yeah. So, that's been unintentionally hilarious.
But! The bright side of all of this is that Dog is OK. She won't care if we stay where we are currently, or if we move--- even if we're surrounded by dealers, pimps, whores, and addicts. She'll be happy wherever, so long as someone is there to rub her belly.
Oh, Dog...
As contingency, I've been looking for a place to live. I started looking at condos, and thus far, am overwhelmed and disappointed. As a single person, my income is not very high. Which means that I can afford a hovel in the ghetto in the asscheek of West Nowhere. I went to see one and ended up laughing so hard after the fact because there was NO WAY I could live there, even though it was affordable. I'd be the only person in a neighborhood full of meth zombies. Yeah. So, that's been unintentionally hilarious.
But! The bright side of all of this is that Dog is OK. She won't care if we stay where we are currently, or if we move--- even if we're surrounded by dealers, pimps, whores, and addicts. She'll be happy wherever, so long as someone is there to rub her belly.
Oh, Dog...
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Dog, part two
My little Conehead's biopsy results came back this morning.
I am happy to report that her tumor came back as being a benign adenoma, and we will be replacing her knees in the coming months.
But first, heres how this went down:
Me: (Seeing the vet's number flash on my cell phone display) Oh God... [hyperventillates; runs from lab]
Vet: Hi, it's Dr. Vet, Im calling with Dog's biopsy results...
Me: Oh God, please dont tell me anything if she has cancer; just hang up on me.
Vet: Oh, no no.... her results came back fine. The tumor was just a large adenoma. The lab reports that its entirely benign. She's going to be just fine. How are her stitches?
Me: Her what?
Needless to say, I managed to devolve into a blubbery mess within a manner of seconds. I was overwhelmed by relief that Dog is going to be just fine once her knees are fixed. I have this tendency to jump immediately to the worst possible outcome, just as a defense method, so that when something NOT the worst possible outcome happens, Im always relieved. It takes a lot out of me. I feel like I might pass out right now, but that would not be appreciated by the audit team thats walking through the lab right now... :)
I am happy to report that her tumor came back as being a benign adenoma, and we will be replacing her knees in the coming months.
But first, heres how this went down:
Me: (Seeing the vet's number flash on my cell phone display) Oh God... [hyperventillates; runs from lab]
Vet: Hi, it's Dr. Vet, Im calling with Dog's biopsy results...
Me: Oh God, please dont tell me anything if she has cancer; just hang up on me.
Vet: Oh, no no.... her results came back fine. The tumor was just a large adenoma. The lab reports that its entirely benign. She's going to be just fine. How are her stitches?
Me: Her what?
Needless to say, I managed to devolve into a blubbery mess within a manner of seconds. I was overwhelmed by relief that Dog is going to be just fine once her knees are fixed. I have this tendency to jump immediately to the worst possible outcome, just as a defense method, so that when something NOT the worst possible outcome happens, Im always relieved. It takes a lot out of me. I feel like I might pass out right now, but that would not be appreciated by the audit team thats walking through the lab right now... :)
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Dog
My dog has had surgery on her rear end in order to remove a tumor. Poor thing is wearing a cone of shame around her neck that prevents her sniffing or licking her incision. However, this annoying piece of plastic also prevents her from:
*Going up stairs
*Going down stairs
*Eating or drinking
*Sleeping
*Sniffing my other dog for doggie socializing
She's thankfully heavily sedated. And on pain killers. The way she keeps bumping into stuff (chairs, walls, the back of my knees...) she's going to have a killer headache when the cone comes off. Stitches are out at the end of next week; I'll hear about the tumor biopsy results by the end of this week. Keep fingers crossed that she will be okay.
If she is okay, her knees will be replaced. So long, Hawaii; it was a nice dream while it lasted.
*Going up stairs
*Going down stairs
*Eating or drinking
*Sleeping
*Sniffing my other dog for doggie socializing
She's thankfully heavily sedated. And on pain killers. The way she keeps bumping into stuff (chairs, walls, the back of my knees...) she's going to have a killer headache when the cone comes off. Stitches are out at the end of next week; I'll hear about the tumor biopsy results by the end of this week. Keep fingers crossed that she will be okay.
If she is okay, her knees will be replaced. So long, Hawaii; it was a nice dream while it lasted.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Rant-o-riffic
Im gonna go off a little bit right here, because I am at the end of my rope.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned in a post about a former friend who sent me a ridiculous number of emails and texts and phonecalls and blah blah blah without getting any sort of response from me. I did this because I very clearly told her I DO NOT WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND ANYMORE. I do not know how much more clear I could be.
And for a while, all things were good. She seemed to get the point.
...and then the emails started again.
This is when I start to lose my sh*t because I have in no way encouraged this. Insane people just seem to magically find me. It happens to me with boyfriends, with lab partners, and now people I used to work with at a job I no longer have. I wonder, Am I a crazy people magnet? Or is there a reason insanity really likes me?
I knew once this woman sent me one email -about a fricken road race of all things- I knew others would follow. I had that familiar sense of sick dread. You know the one-- the one where you stomach gets all gnarly and it feels like your bellybutton is gonna collapse into your butt. There was the random recipe. Then there was the unsolicited training update. And finally, there was an animated .gif of some small child being runover by a dog. These, being sent to my work email, cannot be blocked because I am an Outlook Explorer retard who can't figure out how to make "rules" and have certain email addresses blocked or designated immediately as trash.
I have ducked and hidden and sneaked around work to avoid having to interact with her. I know this is immature. I simply do not care. I see her in the cafe, and I whip around and go back from whence I came in order to avoid her. Shes not a bad person, she's just a psycho who doesn't understand boundaries. This sucks when it happens, but it sucks worse at the workplace because unless I change companies (which, HA! in this economy), I have to continue risking an encounter.
I would rather risk an encounter with a bear.
Or an alien.
Or a really big spider. (And I hate those!)
I could go on. But I won't. I just wish there was some sort of spray, like Psycho Repellant, that would keep Crazy People away.
A few weeks ago, I mentioned in a post about a former friend who sent me a ridiculous number of emails and texts and phonecalls and blah blah blah without getting any sort of response from me. I did this because I very clearly told her I DO NOT WANT TO BE YOUR FRIEND ANYMORE. I do not know how much more clear I could be.
And for a while, all things were good. She seemed to get the point.
...and then the emails started again.
This is when I start to lose my sh*t because I have in no way encouraged this. Insane people just seem to magically find me. It happens to me with boyfriends, with lab partners, and now people I used to work with at a job I no longer have. I wonder, Am I a crazy people magnet? Or is there a reason insanity really likes me?
I knew once this woman sent me one email -about a fricken road race of all things- I knew others would follow. I had that familiar sense of sick dread. You know the one-- the one where you stomach gets all gnarly and it feels like your bellybutton is gonna collapse into your butt. There was the random recipe. Then there was the unsolicited training update. And finally, there was an animated .gif of some small child being runover by a dog. These, being sent to my work email, cannot be blocked because I am an Outlook Explorer retard who can't figure out how to make "rules" and have certain email addresses blocked or designated immediately as trash.
I have ducked and hidden and sneaked around work to avoid having to interact with her. I know this is immature. I simply do not care. I see her in the cafe, and I whip around and go back from whence I came in order to avoid her. Shes not a bad person, she's just a psycho who doesn't understand boundaries. This sucks when it happens, but it sucks worse at the workplace because unless I change companies (which, HA! in this economy), I have to continue risking an encounter.
I would rather risk an encounter with a bear.
Or an alien.
Or a really big spider. (And I hate those!)
I could go on. But I won't. I just wish there was some sort of spray, like Psycho Repellant, that would keep Crazy People away.
Friday, September 10, 2010
September
Now that the dust has settled, the pieces are starting to fall back into place after the most recent round of layoffs here at work. Its been quite a change, and definitely not one Im entirely thrilled by. JL and JN were let go, and my boss is leaving voluntarily. So, two of my favorite coworkers ever and the best boss Ive yet to have are gone. The lab is now shorthanded, and theres been an influx of work to conduct; plus they're looking to ramp up manufacturing downstairs for some product or another.
Having had some time to look at the choices that were made by HR, I have to question: why were these two let go? The only reason I can come up with is the price of their salaries. However, they were two of the best people we had--- and I mean, the company got its moneys worth from them. No resting on their laurels for them.
The point being, the transition phase has been hard on those of us remaining. I spoke with JL and JN a few days ago, and theyre both really, truly happy to be free of this place. Their attitudes are remarkable, and I am jealous of their freedom. I feel fortunate to have a job, but I am envious of their 6 months free from work related stress.
Having had some time to look at the choices that were made by HR, I have to question: why were these two let go? The only reason I can come up with is the price of their salaries. However, they were two of the best people we had--- and I mean, the company got its moneys worth from them. No resting on their laurels for them.
The point being, the transition phase has been hard on those of us remaining. I spoke with JL and JN a few days ago, and theyre both really, truly happy to be free of this place. Their attitudes are remarkable, and I am jealous of their freedom. I feel fortunate to have a job, but I am envious of their 6 months free from work related stress.
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Hello, August
Thank goodness August is here. This summer has been lost to me due to class, and with the advent of August, I have only two weeks more to go. Then, I can enjoy the delicious last gasp that is the last few weeks of summer free of class and free of homework. I might actually make it to the beach before midnight.
As I mentioned, this summer has been lost to me. The EMT-B class Ive been taking has been seriously draining. All spare moments not at work, have been devoted to this class. The worst part is that we're almost double the amount of time required by the state for certification. It has been extended for only-God knows what reason--- maybe the instructor's bored or lonely. I really dont care to speculate because all I know is that its killed my summer.
Some difficulties at work have sent me searching for another employer. Im sick of dealing with the wierd BS reasons Ive been reprimanded (putting down my honest results). I might be fired, but at least I know that I did what was right and honest. While Im not thrilled with this prospect, I will manage and it wont be the end of the world. All it does is cement my desire to leave and move to Hawaii.
As I mentioned, this summer has been lost to me. The EMT-B class Ive been taking has been seriously draining. All spare moments not at work, have been devoted to this class. The worst part is that we're almost double the amount of time required by the state for certification. It has been extended for only-God knows what reason--- maybe the instructor's bored or lonely. I really dont care to speculate because all I know is that its killed my summer.
Some difficulties at work have sent me searching for another employer. Im sick of dealing with the wierd BS reasons Ive been reprimanded (putting down my honest results). I might be fired, but at least I know that I did what was right and honest. While Im not thrilled with this prospect, I will manage and it wont be the end of the world. All it does is cement my desire to leave and move to Hawaii.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Starting From Zero
I had surgery in the very early part of 2010 on my left knee. I had been ordered by my surgeon to stay off of it in August of '09, and a week after the incisions were made, she told me to stay off of it until July except for walking around associated with working. Emphatically: NO RUNNING until July.
Well, July is here. I started "running" again on the first day I was allowed to, and it felt heinous. Mentally, I know I am capable of faster, longer, easier runs than what I have been doing, so it has been grueling to stick to slow paces and short distances as I work back to where I was. Not entirely sure that I'll ever get back there, but I am trying.
Unfortunately, the going is slow, as is necessitated by the nature of my original injury and consequential surgery. I am thrilled to be up to 2 miles. I wish it were 22, but, its not. In the process of returning to my higher mileage/faster paced runs, Ill be learning how to lift again.
Lots of work in front of me. Im not too thrilled, but not too intimidated. I really enjoy a challenge, but this seems a little daunting.
Well, July is here. I started "running" again on the first day I was allowed to, and it felt heinous. Mentally, I know I am capable of faster, longer, easier runs than what I have been doing, so it has been grueling to stick to slow paces and short distances as I work back to where I was. Not entirely sure that I'll ever get back there, but I am trying.
Unfortunately, the going is slow, as is necessitated by the nature of my original injury and consequential surgery. I am thrilled to be up to 2 miles. I wish it were 22, but, its not. In the process of returning to my higher mileage/faster paced runs, Ill be learning how to lift again.
Lots of work in front of me. Im not too thrilled, but not too intimidated. I really enjoy a challenge, but this seems a little daunting.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Bummin'
After graduating with a B.S. in microbiology in 2006, I dreamt of attending the University of Hawaii at Manoa. I applied and was ready to go when they notified me that I had been declined admissions because my institution had sent the wrong person's transcripts to them not once, but twice. It took me a long time to move on, but I had to; I got a job, I got an apartment, I started a life.
The way things are right now, I am not guaranteed a job. (Not that I ever was.) It looks more and more certain that I will be laid off shortly, which is why the EMT-Basic program is a good thing. It allows me a chance to learn a new skill that I can use in the event that I lose my job.
The master plan since, oh, 2008, was to get to Hawaii. I am currently still on the east coast, and am exploring the possibility and realities of living there when I return in the fall. A big part of that plan was to work as an EMT until I find something that pays better, and go back to school.
Well, today whilst I was perusing the UH website, I stumbled across the tuition rate. I probably should have checked that out earlier and all, but I didnt. Now it feels as if I have been kicked in the kidneys. I can literally feel my dreams slipping out of my fingers. I am really, truly bummed out. The cost is out of my range, unless I marry someone with deep pockets who wants to send me to school. It would be easier to just give up, and I am feeling like that might be the option I go with. I am already living with a lot of regret--- what's one more?
My finances are a shambles already, though theyre not nearly as bad as some people's. Im grateful for everything and everyone I have in my life; I just wonder if its enough for me to be happy with?
The way things are right now, I am not guaranteed a job. (Not that I ever was.) It looks more and more certain that I will be laid off shortly, which is why the EMT-Basic program is a good thing. It allows me a chance to learn a new skill that I can use in the event that I lose my job.
The master plan since, oh, 2008, was to get to Hawaii. I am currently still on the east coast, and am exploring the possibility and realities of living there when I return in the fall. A big part of that plan was to work as an EMT until I find something that pays better, and go back to school.
Well, today whilst I was perusing the UH website, I stumbled across the tuition rate. I probably should have checked that out earlier and all, but I didnt. Now it feels as if I have been kicked in the kidneys. I can literally feel my dreams slipping out of my fingers. I am really, truly bummed out. The cost is out of my range, unless I marry someone with deep pockets who wants to send me to school. It would be easier to just give up, and I am feeling like that might be the option I go with. I am already living with a lot of regret--- what's one more?
My finances are a shambles already, though theyre not nearly as bad as some people's. Im grateful for everything and everyone I have in my life; I just wonder if its enough for me to be happy with?
Monday, July 19, 2010
EMT Stuff
I get that when youre learning to be an EMT, and when youre a working EMT too, that youre gonna have to actually touch people. Really, I get that. I am not opposed to that.
HOWEVER
I AM opposed to people touching ME.
Class on Saturday was horrendous. If I never have to be splinted again ever it will be too soon. It really wasnt necessary to have someone prod me in the bum to try to find the bone in my ass. It was really less than pleasant and a hell of a lot more than just "awkward."
Saturday was a less than enjoyable day, and thus I am extremely grateful to be back to my real job in the chemistry lab. No one manhandles me here. Sheesh...
HOWEVER
I AM opposed to people touching ME.
Class on Saturday was horrendous. If I never have to be splinted again ever it will be too soon. It really wasnt necessary to have someone prod me in the bum to try to find the bone in my ass. It was really less than pleasant and a hell of a lot more than just "awkward."
Saturday was a less than enjoyable day, and thus I am extremely grateful to be back to my real job in the chemistry lab. No one manhandles me here. Sheesh...
Friday, July 16, 2010
Friday, July 9, 2010
Further Proof...
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Honolulu, Take II
Well, I had a seriously lovely surprise yesterday morning. Fortuitous. Serendipitous.
For the last couple of months, under the gun of possibly being laid off, I have been researching options. I am currently enrolled in an EMT-B program. Since I'm fairly certain that I'm going to be laid off, I needed a way to get a job in a crappy market; since Massachusetts is in the midst of a hugescandal involving paramedics/emts falsifying re-certifications, chances are good that I will be able to land one pretty fast.
I've been kicking around the idea of moving to Hawaii for some time, now. I'm quite serious about it, actually, which is a change for me. Arranging a cross-country move is hard enough, and the move is trans-Pacific. So I figured that returning would be a good idea to get a feel for the place outside of the scope of vacation.
That brings us to yesterday.
One of the few friends (seriously, like, 3) who lives in Honolulu sent me a message asking when I was coming back. I responded that I'd return when I knew what my vacation allotment would be. Out of boredom while standardizing the Karl Fischer autotitrator, I checked out flights at Orbitz.
I found a roundtrip flight from Logan to Honolulu for $587.
So, hot damn! I bought it, and am returning to check out apartments, employment, and education situations when I go there. (I almost typed 'home.' I should have left it that way!)
It's destiny!
For the last couple of months, under the gun of possibly being laid off, I have been researching options. I am currently enrolled in an EMT-B program. Since I'm fairly certain that I'm going to be laid off, I needed a way to get a job in a crappy market; since Massachusetts is in the midst of a hugescandal involving paramedics/emts falsifying re-certifications, chances are good that I will be able to land one pretty fast.
I've been kicking around the idea of moving to Hawaii for some time, now. I'm quite serious about it, actually, which is a change for me. Arranging a cross-country move is hard enough, and the move is trans-Pacific. So I figured that returning would be a good idea to get a feel for the place outside of the scope of vacation.
That brings us to yesterday.
One of the few friends (seriously, like, 3) who lives in Honolulu sent me a message asking when I was coming back. I responded that I'd return when I knew what my vacation allotment would be. Out of boredom while standardizing the Karl Fischer autotitrator, I checked out flights at Orbitz.
I found a roundtrip flight from Logan to Honolulu for $587.
So, hot damn! I bought it, and am returning to check out apartments, employment, and education situations when I go there. (I almost typed 'home.' I should have left it that way!)
It's destiny!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Rawing
So, for the last two weeks, I've been attempting to live the raw food lifestyle. It's been quite the adjustment, but so far so good.
I didn't go to Raw on a whim. It started with a rash. I have Celiac-Sprue Disorder, which is an autoimmune disease where the vili in my gut are damaged when I eat anything containing gluten (ie, anything delicious and worthwhile eating in the Standard American Diet). It is very, very painful thing for me to have to deal with, so I have avoided gluten since my diagnosis in 2004. Because of this, I am prone to other food issues-- allergies, sensitivites, etc-- and have to keep track of everything I put in my mouth in the event that I have an adverse reaction to something.
Which brings me to the rash. I was camping at Lake Champlain several weeks ago, and during my drive home, chewed half a pack of gum that contained sucralose. Sucralose is the generic name for Splenda. Sucralose was discovered during development of a new insecticide. (Who thought that would be a good idea to use as a food additive?!) I broke out in the most obscenely itchy rash from my ankles to my thighs, and from my wrists to my elbows. I had very small, bright red, raised welts everywhere I had a hair follicle.
This was the last straw for me. I had been toying with the idea of going raw, mostly because I was sick of the additives in regular food. Plus, its summer and heating up my house while cooking is awful anyway. So I bought a bunch of un-cookbooks, and a dehydrator and have been going to town.
The upside of Raw is that everything is natural. Cucumbers come out of the ground as cukes. Science doesnt add something to them to make them what they are, or how they taste. No additives? A much reduced risk of me having a reaction. So, while being Raw is very time intensive (the planning involved is much akin to a military operation) but it's been worthwhile. My rash is gone. I feel amazing. My skin looks good.
The Standard American Diet (SAD, how appropriate) is heavy on meat, processed food, and refined carbohydrates. The Raw diet is pretty much processed-food-free, meat free, and refined anything free. There is no "better living through science." At least as far as I am concerned.
Anyway, Rawing has been going well so far. Ill continue to experiment and check it out further before I fully commit to it 100%, but its helping with the skin issues.
I didn't go to Raw on a whim. It started with a rash. I have Celiac-Sprue Disorder, which is an autoimmune disease where the vili in my gut are damaged when I eat anything containing gluten (ie, anything delicious and worthwhile eating in the Standard American Diet). It is very, very painful thing for me to have to deal with, so I have avoided gluten since my diagnosis in 2004. Because of this, I am prone to other food issues-- allergies, sensitivites, etc-- and have to keep track of everything I put in my mouth in the event that I have an adverse reaction to something.
Which brings me to the rash. I was camping at Lake Champlain several weeks ago, and during my drive home, chewed half a pack of gum that contained sucralose. Sucralose is the generic name for Splenda. Sucralose was discovered during development of a new insecticide. (Who thought that would be a good idea to use as a food additive?!) I broke out in the most obscenely itchy rash from my ankles to my thighs, and from my wrists to my elbows. I had very small, bright red, raised welts everywhere I had a hair follicle.
This was the last straw for me. I had been toying with the idea of going raw, mostly because I was sick of the additives in regular food. Plus, its summer and heating up my house while cooking is awful anyway. So I bought a bunch of un-cookbooks, and a dehydrator and have been going to town.
The upside of Raw is that everything is natural. Cucumbers come out of the ground as cukes. Science doesnt add something to them to make them what they are, or how they taste. No additives? A much reduced risk of me having a reaction. So, while being Raw is very time intensive (the planning involved is much akin to a military operation) but it's been worthwhile. My rash is gone. I feel amazing. My skin looks good.
The Standard American Diet (SAD, how appropriate) is heavy on meat, processed food, and refined carbohydrates. The Raw diet is pretty much processed-food-free, meat free, and refined anything free. There is no "better living through science." At least as far as I am concerned.
Anyway, Rawing has been going well so far. Ill continue to experiment and check it out further before I fully commit to it 100%, but its helping with the skin issues.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Oof
Have a lot to update on, and not a lot of time.
Shorthand:
1. Am taking an EMT-B course in case I get laid off. Which is 80-90% likely.
2. Have been cleared to start running again by the end of June. WOOHOO!!
3. Am going whitewater rafting in July. CANNOT. WAIT.
4. Moved. Again.
5. Am movING to the West coast, hopefully by this time next year. (Decisions, decisions!)
6. Ended a very harrassing friendship. 47 emails, 12 texts, 6 phone calls, 2 facebook messages. All in ONE DAY from ONE PERSON WITHOUT RECEIVING A SINGLE RESPONSE. (Normal people dont do stuff like that. I have had my fill of crazy--- byebye, ex-friend.)
Shorthand:
1. Am taking an EMT-B course in case I get laid off. Which is 80-90% likely.
2. Have been cleared to start running again by the end of June. WOOHOO!!
3. Am going whitewater rafting in July. CANNOT. WAIT.
4. Moved. Again.
5. Am movING to the West coast, hopefully by this time next year. (Decisions, decisions!)
6. Ended a very harrassing friendship. 47 emails, 12 texts, 6 phone calls, 2 facebook messages. All in ONE DAY from ONE PERSON WITHOUT RECEIVING A SINGLE RESPONSE. (Normal people dont do stuff like that. I have had my fill of crazy--- byebye, ex-friend.)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Relocation
So for a while I've been pondering picking up and moving. I'm leaning heavily towards Honolulu, HI, for a multitude of reasons, mostly stemming from it's lack of snow, ice, and nine months of winter.
I spent a week in Honolulu in March, and it was AMAZING. I have dreams that I am still there; that I never left, and that I'm working in a bakery (which is hilarious to me, because I can't eat anything in a bakery) and sharing an apartment with six other people.
While this pipedream is seriously not gonna happen, I am making moves to make the move itself actually happen. I'm downsizing my living expenses in a big way, and am looking actively for a position and apartment there. I have never really made a cross-country move like this, and am more interested in knowing if it's actually possible.
I'm not looking to stay permanently, but I am looking to stay for up to 5 years. Heres hoping for good times and success in my endeavour.
I spent a week in Honolulu in March, and it was AMAZING. I have dreams that I am still there; that I never left, and that I'm working in a bakery (which is hilarious to me, because I can't eat anything in a bakery) and sharing an apartment with six other people.
While this pipedream is seriously not gonna happen, I am making moves to make the move itself actually happen. I'm downsizing my living expenses in a big way, and am looking actively for a position and apartment there. I have never really made a cross-country move like this, and am more interested in knowing if it's actually possible.
I'm not looking to stay permanently, but I am looking to stay for up to 5 years. Heres hoping for good times and success in my endeavour.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Post surgery
Well, my knee surgery finally happened. Two weeks ago, I had the corrections made that were necessary so that I can walk around again. Kinda nice to be able to be vertical now, and know that I can start (SLOWLY) running again in June.
No more clicking, swelling, pain, redness, etc. I am looking forward to it. I did get told NO MORE MARATHONS, but I dunno... We'll see. I'll have to discuss at a later time with my doctors. That might just be for a while, not permanently. Here's hoping...
Go back to work on Monday; Im glad to return to the real world. Being stuck horizontal on the couch for the last two weeks SUCKED. Too much daytime tv. Ugh, I felt myself getting dumber by the minute.
No more clicking, swelling, pain, redness, etc. I am looking forward to it. I did get told NO MORE MARATHONS, but I dunno... We'll see. I'll have to discuss at a later time with my doctors. That might just be for a while, not permanently. Here's hoping...
Go back to work on Monday; Im glad to return to the real world. Being stuck horizontal on the couch for the last two weeks SUCKED. Too much daytime tv. Ugh, I felt myself getting dumber by the minute.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Next Adventure
The next adventure has been scheduled, booked, and paid for.
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu Hawaii.
Yeah, I am going with my sister. Should be a good time. I am really stoked to take a gander at Queen Lolokelaini's palace, learn about the history, snorkle, check out the nightlife, check out the delicious local cuisine, maybe look for a job... I can dream, right? There will be lots of gorgeous photos to be taken, and Im totally excited to get myself into a parasailing harness. Me and heights? Love!
Waikiki Beach, Honolulu Hawaii.
Yeah, I am going with my sister. Should be a good time. I am really stoked to take a gander at Queen Lolokelaini's palace, learn about the history, snorkle, check out the nightlife, check out the delicious local cuisine, maybe look for a job... I can dream, right? There will be lots of gorgeous photos to be taken, and Im totally excited to get myself into a parasailing harness. Me and heights? Love!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Key West
I'm back from Key West. I had an amazing time. It was insanely fun, beautiful, warm, sunny, hilarious, and exhausting. Perfect end to 2009.
It started when I picked up GC from her parents house in Conneticutt at 5 on Christmas Day. We hopped onto 95 South, and drove. Drove, drove, drove, DROVE until 2 am when I started to hallucinate that I was gonna drive into a bridge in Richmond VA that didnt actually exist. We grabbed a place in an Econolodge and crashed for about 6 hours before we roared awake and and into a Dunkins. We drove the rest of the way, eating leftovers and snacks we'd packed back home.
We stopped in St. Augustine to visit with GC's ex-boyfriend and his mother, with whom she is very friendly. We stayed for about an hour, and they fed the hell out of us. Delicious green beans! We left about 8 pm, and drove the rest of the way to the Keys from there. It was an unreal drive. Took 11 hours from St Augustine to get to Key West.
Driving to Key West, we had to pass through a nature preserve that housed Key Deer. Key Deer are endangered. If you hit one, its an automatic $10,000 fine. Holy crap! So, I was GLUED AWAKE at 3 am. We actually saw 5 of them. It was really cool--- and it helped me to stay aware of my place on the road. GC did a GREAT job of talking to keep me awake.
We got to her place at 4 am, and I took 4 benadryls and crashed until 2 pm. We ate lunch at a place called Thai Island, where while we were paying the tab, I spotted a 7 foot long tarpin. I thought it was a shark. It was huge!! Just hanging out, hoping for someone to throw it some food. We hit up Virgillio's for Martini Mondays, where I met several of her friends, all of whom were extremely friendly. The Macchiato martini was delicious and very strong...
We went out every night, except Tuesday when we went to the movie theatre to see Up In The Air with two of her friends. They were very very cool. There was a total toolbag there, in a suit and Converse sneakers, and a bowtie, who made a rude comment to GC's friend. The friend responded, "Get food poisoning and die." It was funny at the time.
Wednesday we went snorkeling, which was AWESOME. We also went to Cowboy Bill's for Naked Bullriding competetion. That was pretty hilarious. A whole lot of nekkid people on a bull. Drunk, obviously. And hilarious.
Thursday was New Years Eve. We wandered around Duval Street. There was a whole lot of very awesome drag queens wandering around; one of whom was suspended in a giant shoe from the roof of a bar with a bubble machine. Beads were getting tossed left and right. It was unreal. I got elbowed in the head. I lost GC and her group of friends. Boo... I ended up walking back to GC's apartment and crashing.
Friday I started my drive back around 12, after I had my oil changed and I cleaned up GC's place. She was a no-show and I was pretty worried as we'd been separated on NYE. Turned out that she lost the battery in her phone. I drove from Key West to Savannah; it took 13 hours. I slept at an Econolodge again, took a shower, etc. Then, I got in my car at 7 am, and drove all the way home, stopping only for gas and ONCE to pee --literally, once-- all 19.5 hours from Savannah to my mother's house. It would have only taken 16 hours, but Massachusetts didn't plow any of its roads that storm. So I drove 10 mph the WHOLE WAY NORTH through MA. That was most seriously annoying. I got home at 2am, and went to sleep immediately. Woke up at 8 because my dogs needed to go out.
It was an amazing trip; I really don't have the right words to describe it. Everything was gorgeous. Every day I went for a run, a walk, and a bike ride. I saw Mallory Square, Duval Street, and all over the place. Theres a TON of wildlife to look at-- they even had a nature preserve on the island, for stuff like birds and lizards and stuff not related to the key deer.
Thursday was New Years Eve. We wandered around Duval Street. There was a whole lot of very awesome drag queens wandering around; one of whom was suspended in a giant shoe from the roof of a bar with a bubble machine. Beads were getting tossed left and right. It was unreal. I got elbowed in the head. I lost GC and her group of friends. Boo... I ended up walking back to GC's apartment and crashing.
Friday I started my drive back around 12, after I had my oil changed and I cleaned up GC's place. She was a no-show and I was pretty worried as we'd been separated on NYE. Turned out that she lost the battery in her phone. I drove from Key West to Savannah; it took 13 hours. I slept at an Econolodge again, took a shower, etc. Then, I got in my car at 7 am, and drove all the way home, stopping only for gas and ONCE to pee --literally, once-- all 19.5 hours from Savannah to my mother's house. It would have only taken 16 hours, but Massachusetts didn't plow any of its roads that storm. So I drove 10 mph the WHOLE WAY NORTH through MA. That was most seriously annoying. I got home at 2am, and went to sleep immediately. Woke up at 8 because my dogs needed to go out.
It was an amazing trip; I really don't have the right words to describe it. Everything was gorgeous. Every day I went for a run, a walk, and a bike ride. I saw Mallory Square, Duval Street, and all over the place. Theres a TON of wildlife to look at-- they even had a nature preserve on the island, for stuff like birds and lizards and stuff not related to the key deer.
I had so much fun. It was GORGEOUS. I want to go back....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)