With the cold weather, our cat has been asking to come in more and more. And resisting being put to bed in her basement room.
The other night when it was time for bed, I couldn't find her. I started stalking her room to room through the house, upstairs and downstairs. Under beds, around corners. Finally, I looked in the hall closet. Not on the side with the coats. I slid the door over slowly ... bent down ...
AUGH!!!
... a pair of gleaming eyes in a furry face, nestled in a box of rags at the back of the closet. It was a bit scary. But once I realized that she didn't have any weapons, it was fine. She came out of her hiding place and was willing to be led away.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Is this wrong?
I've been a lot hungry lately. A LOT. Eating ... I want to ... I'm actually going home soon so I can eat.
And as I was walking down the hallway a bit earlier, I noticed something outside the bathroom door. It looked like a baked Ruffles cheddar flavoured potato chip. And I almost ... almost ... reached down and grabbed it. And, well ...
I was hungry. It was just an impulse, and I wouldn't, at least from a public space. But man, that sounds really yummy to me right now.
And as I was walking down the hallway a bit earlier, I noticed something outside the bathroom door. It looked like a baked Ruffles cheddar flavoured potato chip. And I almost ... almost ... reached down and grabbed it. And, well ...
I was hungry. It was just an impulse, and I wouldn't, at least from a public space. But man, that sounds really yummy to me right now.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Technopoly
I've only read 1/3 of Neil Postman's book on the ways in which the role of technology in society has changed over hundreds of years. But I've read enough to pick up the spirit.
Someone came to my office today to get my speakers to work. Very helpful for previewing video clips for class. And, um, occasionally fun things. I've waited 5 months to do something about the lack of sound from my computer. And he fixed it all right. But in the process, something changed in my screen view. And now the font is too small. Too too small. I strain my eyes looking at the screen. Since this is where I spend all day at work, this is not good! I called tech support. Their advice? Play with the display options. Um, I've been doing that. I''ve played around with ALL the options. And it still sucks.
Then I've been trying to scan this one chapter from a book for class readings. I'm trying to save paper by making PDFs to put up online. The photocopy I made wasn't a great quality, so it's hard for the students to read. I tried yesterday for quite a while. The result: maybe 30 emails to sort through, only 5 or so of which produced legible images. Went back today, and got some help. Scanned the whole chapter!
Maybe got an additional 5 or so pages I can use.
One of my old profs saw this in action and while leaving, asked if I was having a technopoly moment.
Yes. The answer is yes. Yes, yes yes. I am ready for the revolution: people against computers.
Someone came to my office today to get my speakers to work. Very helpful for previewing video clips for class. And, um, occasionally fun things. I've waited 5 months to do something about the lack of sound from my computer. And he fixed it all right. But in the process, something changed in my screen view. And now the font is too small. Too too small. I strain my eyes looking at the screen. Since this is where I spend all day at work, this is not good! I called tech support. Their advice? Play with the display options. Um, I've been doing that. I''ve played around with ALL the options. And it still sucks.
Then I've been trying to scan this one chapter from a book for class readings. I'm trying to save paper by making PDFs to put up online. The photocopy I made wasn't a great quality, so it's hard for the students to read. I tried yesterday for quite a while. The result: maybe 30 emails to sort through, only 5 or so of which produced legible images. Went back today, and got some help. Scanned the whole chapter!
Maybe got an additional 5 or so pages I can use.
One of my old profs saw this in action and while leaving, asked if I was having a technopoly moment.
Yes. The answer is yes. Yes, yes yes. I am ready for the revolution: people against computers.
Southern Nostalgia
I think it's the weather. And also feeling a bit busy (there's a lot going on here). And maybe also hearing from old friends. But I am definitely missing Mississippi.
It's kind of strange that I would, because those two years were probably 2 of the hardest of my life. I was far far away from family. I had a job that was really not a good match with me, which I was so stressed about I couldn't do the work to succeed at it (and ultimately did not succeed, quite dramatically), was quite depressed and anxious for a lot of the time, felt isolated and foreign and not understood, and left feeling like my life was not working in most important ways.
But well ... Mississippi was WARM. Warm for months and months and months. Warm all evening; all night. So warm you couldn't camp out in a tent in summer or you'd suffocate. Wearing tank tops most of the year warm. Blissfully warm!
And lush. You might not realize it, but forestry was one of the major industries on which Mississippi was built. And they still have lots of trees. And rivers, which I was fortunate enough to have a guide for. And riverbeds you could walk in. Warm.
And cool accents and a kind of diversity you don't experience here in Kelowna (one of the least diverse cities in Canada). Cool music and local groups I went to hear (okay, in smoky venues. Something I don't miss). But um ... it was warm enough, and close enough, that I did go out, a lot, to experience the cultural events in Jackson.
And I did neat things there. I took a sculpture class for 6 months and worked in clay, hand modeling (fun fun fun!!!). I helped friends organize and de-clutter their homes (awesome, amazing!). I got to visit some small and old and cool towns around the state (oh, and the history! Wonderful). I wandered on walks around my neighbourhood, which I miss a lot. I shopped regularly at second hand stores. I lived through a major hurricane.
And I had a car, highways, a cell phone and cheap gas. I could travel and see places, and though I could have done more, I did. I was mobile, active, connected and free.
And it was warm. I don't think I can underestimate this. Life in a semi-tropical region felt exotic and full of life in a way that life in the cold though lovely north can't reproduce for all its charms.
Missing Mississippi, though I'm very glad to be here too.
It's kind of strange that I would, because those two years were probably 2 of the hardest of my life. I was far far away from family. I had a job that was really not a good match with me, which I was so stressed about I couldn't do the work to succeed at it (and ultimately did not succeed, quite dramatically), was quite depressed and anxious for a lot of the time, felt isolated and foreign and not understood, and left feeling like my life was not working in most important ways.
But well ... Mississippi was WARM. Warm for months and months and months. Warm all evening; all night. So warm you couldn't camp out in a tent in summer or you'd suffocate. Wearing tank tops most of the year warm. Blissfully warm!
And lush. You might not realize it, but forestry was one of the major industries on which Mississippi was built. And they still have lots of trees. And rivers, which I was fortunate enough to have a guide for. And riverbeds you could walk in. Warm.
And cool accents and a kind of diversity you don't experience here in Kelowna (one of the least diverse cities in Canada). Cool music and local groups I went to hear (okay, in smoky venues. Something I don't miss). But um ... it was warm enough, and close enough, that I did go out, a lot, to experience the cultural events in Jackson.
And I did neat things there. I took a sculpture class for 6 months and worked in clay, hand modeling (fun fun fun!!!). I helped friends organize and de-clutter their homes (awesome, amazing!). I got to visit some small and old and cool towns around the state (oh, and the history! Wonderful). I wandered on walks around my neighbourhood, which I miss a lot. I shopped regularly at second hand stores. I lived through a major hurricane.
And I had a car, highways, a cell phone and cheap gas. I could travel and see places, and though I could have done more, I did. I was mobile, active, connected and free.
And it was warm. I don't think I can underestimate this. Life in a semi-tropical region felt exotic and full of life in a way that life in the cold though lovely north can't reproduce for all its charms.
Missing Mississippi, though I'm very glad to be here too.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Strong Women
I saw some amazingly strong women this weekend. Women who have a firm, unshakeable connection with the spiritual realm and the source of guidance. Women who know what their mission is and are pursuing it. Women who have made and continue to make sacrifices to achieve these goals - and do it with pleasure, not regret. Women who are there for other people, giving support and encouragement and not letting them wimp out of contributing their share. Gentle, loving, compassionate, but fierce and firm and strong. It was really inspiring.
Of course, these are also women who don't seem to cry. I'm sure they do - I just couldn't imagine it. Whereas I was welling up every two minutes with something else inspirational. I think this can be a good thing. I don't think it's weak at all. But I am curious about these different ways of approaching the challenging and inspiring and touching experiences of life.
Of course, these are also women who don't seem to cry. I'm sure they do - I just couldn't imagine it. Whereas I was welling up every two minutes with something else inspirational. I think this can be a good thing. I don't think it's weak at all. But I am curious about these different ways of approaching the challenging and inspiring and touching experiences of life.
GTD
I'm trying to learn how to Get Things Done.
That inspirational conference in Vancouver last weekend (http://news.bahai.org/community-news/regional-conferences/) really motivated me to use my time effectively. With so much service to do, not to mention life to enjoy, why waste time fooling around on the computer? Procrastinating? It's a waste of ability, resources, and TIME. However, getting myself to do what needs doing is still hard.
Some things I'm working on.
1. Lists. I need DETAILED lists of what I need to do - in order - to get me to do them. Each item needs to be discrete enough that max. an hour of work (sometimes 2) will get it done. That way I can make progress. I need these lists at the START of my day - so, make them up the night before - so that as soon as I sit down to work, I know what to do.
2. Organized work spaces. When there is clutter, I can't think. I also can't seem to get my lists together, which you will see is important point #1. Putting things back, filing, and acting on all the little to-dos that fill my desk are important in this process.
3. Do the big things first. I am working on this :) It challenges me - when I hit something hard, I want to stop. But getting the work done first is SO rewarding. Relatedly, though I love starting my day slowly, I find it can set me up to get nothing done that day. At least, nothing of the substantive work I have to do, which is what then weighs on me and stresses me out.
4. Related to the above - no email before noon. Or later. Once I open email (personal, that is) it's all downhill. I start checking other websites, wonder which message to reply to ... time vanishes.
So, my renewed goals:
1. Make a fresh list each night of what I need to do.
2. End each day by clearing up my workspace - I will pic away at that and at my home office situation over the next month.
3. Take time at the end of the day to get some of those little things done, so they get done but I don't take time in the morning to do low-priority items.
4. NO EMAIL BEFORE NOON. PERIOD.
That inspirational conference in Vancouver last weekend (http://news.bahai.org/community-news/regional-conferences/) really motivated me to use my time effectively. With so much service to do, not to mention life to enjoy, why waste time fooling around on the computer? Procrastinating? It's a waste of ability, resources, and TIME. However, getting myself to do what needs doing is still hard.
Some things I'm working on.
1. Lists. I need DETAILED lists of what I need to do - in order - to get me to do them. Each item needs to be discrete enough that max. an hour of work (sometimes 2) will get it done. That way I can make progress. I need these lists at the START of my day - so, make them up the night before - so that as soon as I sit down to work, I know what to do.
2. Organized work spaces. When there is clutter, I can't think. I also can't seem to get my lists together, which you will see is important point #1. Putting things back, filing, and acting on all the little to-dos that fill my desk are important in this process.
3. Do the big things first. I am working on this :) It challenges me - when I hit something hard, I want to stop. But getting the work done first is SO rewarding. Relatedly, though I love starting my day slowly, I find it can set me up to get nothing done that day. At least, nothing of the substantive work I have to do, which is what then weighs on me and stresses me out.
4. Related to the above - no email before noon. Or later. Once I open email (personal, that is) it's all downhill. I start checking other websites, wonder which message to reply to ... time vanishes.
So, my renewed goals:
1. Make a fresh list each night of what I need to do.
2. End each day by clearing up my workspace - I will pic away at that and at my home office situation over the next month.
3. Take time at the end of the day to get some of those little things done, so they get done but I don't take time in the morning to do low-priority items.
4. NO EMAIL BEFORE NOON. PERIOD.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Best food ever
M & I spent Boxing Day in Victoria - wandering, shopping, sightseeing. What a cool city! M lived there for a year, so it was neat to be back somewhere he knew from years before. We went around the Parliament buildings, saw a cool futuristic old-school car in the museum, and checked out too many shoe stores in addition to the bookstores.
It was almost time to catch the ferry to Port Angeles so we decided to grab something to eat. We were right by this vegan restaurant and it was crowded but we ended up at the counter. I had a beet salad and M had an almond burger. And it was the best food I've ever eaten. That salad: yummy, crunchy, fresh, amazing! Beets, nuts, cilantro and so much other goodness! Then the almond burger: rich, creamy, nutty and amazing. OH for an amazing vegetarian restaurant!
It was almost time to catch the ferry to Port Angeles so we decided to grab something to eat. We were right by this vegan restaurant and it was crowded but we ended up at the counter. I had a beet salad and M had an almond burger. And it was the best food I've ever eaten. That salad: yummy, crunchy, fresh, amazing! Beets, nuts, cilantro and so much other goodness! Then the almond burger: rich, creamy, nutty and amazing. OH for an amazing vegetarian restaurant!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Bookstores
One of the best things on our honeymoon was book shopping. M & I both love books and bookstores. I started the trip with a record 17 books brought from home - yes, crazy - and just added to it.
We started in a small second hand store in Ucluelet - I picked up 3 books to read, M found one.
In Victoria we found an amazing, huge store that stocked mainly second-hand books. They had a great kids section - lots of older authors, not just the usual kids' series most stores sell. We got a few books as gifts, a few more for me :) Then we went into Munro Books, which is exquisitely beautiful (that ceiling! So worth shopping in).
In Tacoma we found the brilliantly stocked King's Books - cavernous, not so beautiful, but with rows and rows of BOOKS! I found one on technology in the middle ages, which I think will satisfy my "old things" craving for a while. M pulled down a book that's oen of my long-term favourites (Guns, Germs & Steel) - I'm glad to have it in the family now. We also checked out the University of Washington bookstore and I found a book on Latitude - how it was discovered/calculated. Relevant for my job!
Finally, in Seattle we made our way to the Elliot Bay Book Company - the ultra-cool, ultra-big store, with stairs and places to sit and lots and lots of fun. I'd had an impression of what it would look like - more modern somehow, like a monster-Chapters, but cool - and unfortunately, this affected my reaction to the store, which under normal circumstances I would have been drooling over (oh, their racks showing employee picks! Truly fabulous!). I think I was suffering from book and spending burn-out, though, and just couldn't browse like I wanted to. I had enough books! It would take months to read them! And I didn't have a lot of money!
I bought one book (a cheezy Christmas one, on sale - which was actually a good read for the genre) and that concluded the book shopping. I'm reading the 2nd book now, on the history of women healers, and really enjoying it.
Books. Always a good way to spend time.
We started in a small second hand store in Ucluelet - I picked up 3 books to read, M found one.
In Victoria we found an amazing, huge store that stocked mainly second-hand books. They had a great kids section - lots of older authors, not just the usual kids' series most stores sell. We got a few books as gifts, a few more for me :) Then we went into Munro Books, which is exquisitely beautiful (that ceiling! So worth shopping in).
In Tacoma we found the brilliantly stocked King's Books - cavernous, not so beautiful, but with rows and rows of BOOKS! I found one on technology in the middle ages, which I think will satisfy my "old things" craving for a while. M pulled down a book that's oen of my long-term favourites (Guns, Germs & Steel) - I'm glad to have it in the family now. We also checked out the University of Washington bookstore and I found a book on Latitude - how it was discovered/calculated. Relevant for my job!
Finally, in Seattle we made our way to the Elliot Bay Book Company - the ultra-cool, ultra-big store, with stairs and places to sit and lots and lots of fun. I'd had an impression of what it would look like - more modern somehow, like a monster-Chapters, but cool - and unfortunately, this affected my reaction to the store, which under normal circumstances I would have been drooling over (oh, their racks showing employee picks! Truly fabulous!). I think I was suffering from book and spending burn-out, though, and just couldn't browse like I wanted to. I had enough books! It would take months to read them! And I didn't have a lot of money!
I bought one book (a cheezy Christmas one, on sale - which was actually a good read for the genre) and that concluded the book shopping. I'm reading the 2nd book now, on the history of women healers, and really enjoying it.
Books. Always a good way to spend time.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Major advance in skin care
I think I'm finally figuring out what to do for my skin! It can be both oily and dry, sensitive and flushed and flaky. These new treatments - which are incredibly simple and cheap! - seem to be working.
I've started dry brushing my body with a boar-hair brush before showering. This loosens the dead skin, which comes off easily in the shower. Here's one article on it - different ones recommend slightly different methods, where to brush, etc.:
http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/adrybrush.htm
Though I used to exfoliate while showering, I'd still have dead skin rubbing off after the shower. Now, no dead skin! And my skin feels silkier and smoother. And it's good for my health with minimal effort on my part (BONUS!).
I've also discovered grapeseed oil as an amazing moisturizer for my body. It goes on easily and quickly (more quickly than shea butter, which I still love but which takes longer to warm with my hands and rub in). It isn't greasy, either. I bought a big jar and refill a small pump jar in the bathroom.
My face was also sometimes dry and flaky. I've started drinking more tea, which has amazingly made a difference (herbal tea; basically, hydrating more fully!). I've switched to the face products I've heard dermatologists actually use: washing with Dove soap, moisturizing with Oil of Olay (with SPF 15). And I now put on enough moisturizer, on face AND neck, to really create a barrier against the cold. I would like to find a more natural moisturizer, but like the SPF and my skin responds to it well. We'll see what I come up with.
The only remaining problem is my hands, which are dry and utterly disgusting-feeling in winter. I've tried all kinds of moisturizers, exfoliation, and am not sure what else might work. I get creeped out by how my hands feel, so finding a solution is next on my priority list. Suggestions?
I've started dry brushing my body with a boar-hair brush before showering. This loosens the dead skin, which comes off easily in the shower. Here's one article on it - different ones recommend slightly different methods, where to brush, etc.:
http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/adrybrush.htm
Though I used to exfoliate while showering, I'd still have dead skin rubbing off after the shower. Now, no dead skin! And my skin feels silkier and smoother. And it's good for my health with minimal effort on my part (BONUS!).
I've also discovered grapeseed oil as an amazing moisturizer for my body. It goes on easily and quickly (more quickly than shea butter, which I still love but which takes longer to warm with my hands and rub in). It isn't greasy, either. I bought a big jar and refill a small pump jar in the bathroom.
My face was also sometimes dry and flaky. I've started drinking more tea, which has amazingly made a difference (herbal tea; basically, hydrating more fully!). I've switched to the face products I've heard dermatologists actually use: washing with Dove soap, moisturizing with Oil of Olay (with SPF 15). And I now put on enough moisturizer, on face AND neck, to really create a barrier against the cold. I would like to find a more natural moisturizer, but like the SPF and my skin responds to it well. We'll see what I come up with.
The only remaining problem is my hands, which are dry and utterly disgusting-feeling in winter. I've tried all kinds of moisturizers, exfoliation, and am not sure what else might work. I get creeped out by how my hands feel, so finding a solution is next on my priority list. Suggestions?
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Yummy
I baked a squash the other night. As I was scraping the seeds out, I remembered the last time I'd eaten yummy squash seeds. So I put them in a bowl and after the squash was baked (incidentally - not very yummy and kind of bitter), I put them in the toaster oven for about 20 minutes. No rinsing or cleaning off, just baked them as is.
YUM! The lingering squash gave them a buttery flavour, the toasting made them crispy, and their smaller size ensured I could crunch the whole thing - shells and seeds - without having too much roughage.
YUM! The lingering squash gave them a buttery flavour, the toasting made them crispy, and their smaller size ensured I could crunch the whole thing - shells and seeds - without having too much roughage.
Freestyle: embracing the fantasy
As I continue dreaming about having a week-long "Freestyle" TV marathon, I came across a hilarious article in the Washington Post about a woman whose apartment was chosen for Freestyle:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/21/AR2006062100519.html
So apparently it's not fully free, and not always as stylish as the home-dwellers would like. So shattering! :)
But still, strangely, it doesn't change my love of the show. The fantasy of living in the lovely homes and apartments they have - beautiful wood floors, big windows and lovely floorboards and moldings; of owning great furniture and basics they can use to decorate with what you have; and the pleasure of a beautifully coordinated room where I feel at peace.
Still a fan!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/21/AR2006062100519.html
So apparently it's not fully free, and not always as stylish as the home-dwellers would like. So shattering! :)
But still, strangely, it doesn't change my love of the show. The fantasy of living in the lovely homes and apartments they have - beautiful wood floors, big windows and lovely floorboards and moldings; of owning great furniture and basics they can use to decorate with what you have; and the pleasure of a beautifully coordinated room where I feel at peace.
Still a fan!
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