"How to brag--but not be a drag--online"

So as I browse the November 2013 issue of Condé Nast, I find myself daydreaming of my next vacation locale.  Granted, most of these beautiful travel spots are currently not within my financial means, I pin (via Pinterest) locations and hotels I would like to visit; which can fall into various categories like "Bucket List" or "Places to go," and yes some pins and locales are rooted in cinematography and magazine articles.  As I continue to dream and flip through the mag (well more like swipe since I have moved forward to "Newsstand" subscriptions....yes on my iPad!), I arrive on an article that begins to "school" on the do and don't on sharing ones travel experiences on social media sites.

#Shutup, is the byline and it begins with a reference from the infamous movie with Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, yes, Fight Club.

"The first rule of. . . .The second rule of..."

I begin to realize that as the author is attempting to school me, they forget what publication they are writing for and why most readers browse the pages of said magazine.  We, like to dream of far off adventures and yes, most of us like to "share" our own wishes and real experiences via social media.  I'm not a  marketing guru but I understand the necessity of advertising and sharing on various social media sites are free advertisements.  "Word of mouth," a phrase that can either close a place down or improve one's business.  I tend to believe the experiences from a layman person like me, then a professional that may be getting paid to promote a place is one of THE BEST ways to market.

So I find it humorous that the author is attempting to school me on how to share my experiences.  To me, the author sounds like someone who follows too many people on various social sites and those "said friends" like to share personal food pictures or beautiful locales or envious experiences. 

I don't think these rules set-forth by the author will be followed, but nice efforts... and what an awesome global-viewed avenue to try and make that change. 

Good luck and shut up!

Two for Tuesday

While my intent was different, it seems my reality is that I have had a very busy week.  (Quick reflection....is over!)

So let me just get started with my 2 for 2day!

1)  While all the great minds constantly suggest that "one must forgive" and "forgiving someone else is that YOU are the one who is set free" ... the fact is that forgiveness can be REALLY HARD TO DO!  #justsayin

It is really easy to go to that place of negativity and darkness, but the reality is that this darkness permeates grittiness and harbors toxic energy.  Seriously!  I welcome these positive affirmations as daily reminders to KEEP ON TRACT and to have POSITIVE ARTICULATION.  If we think love and positivity, we speak it!

On an entire random tangent....

2)  Today is also called Taco Tuesday!  Yup, time for tacos...the good kind.  You'll never catch me in a TacoBell, that place is for the rats!  I'm talking about yummy and FRESH ingredients.  I'll take authentic and I'll also take gourmet style.  It's all good and I am ready for my tacos please! :o)

Again...I'm #justsayin....

Back on my spiritual path...

I have recently experienced some unruly scenarios that had me thinking negatively and I fell into the hole of quasi-darkness.  If it wasn't for some insightful and sound people, I would not be able to say this now:  I am detached from the negative stuff and return to my positive and happy self.  Yup, I am officially detached from the bullshit!

So with that being said, I do admit that I did begin reacting negatively.  I can now say that I have truly learned from this experience.  My insightful oracle has reminded me that I have no control over the behaviors and actions of others; I only can control my own actions and reactions.  A-HA!  Thanks for the reminder...I don't know where I would end up if you didn't come.  Thank you.

In the midst of this "experience," I did encounter some amazing people who have been living a pure and positive life.  As of today, I will do my best to begin living this positive life.  I fell off track at some point, but today, I am back on board.  I am aware, I will detach, I will accept all that is. 

Thank you.

I will try again...(A New Journey - week 2)

A New Journey - Week 2

Week 1 was fracking tough; it kicked my a**!  The lame part is that the first class did it.  In my attempts to continue some sort of exercise, I continued to do some stretches and weights.  Okay, not so bad.  I focused on my arms and it felt better.  Avoiding all lower body worked was imperative.

So what the hell kicked my a**?  After much contemplation, was it the cardio?  Maybe the added lunges on top of the cardio?  The lame part is that the cardio only consisted of 1 lap of jogging.  So sure, I was out of breath, but the following leg worked began the pain.  In the end, I strained my quads.  It was beyond the burn!

Now, I must modify this regime some how.  How?  I am not sure.  With all the splendid ideas, my fear can sometimes over power the actual "do."  Agh!  In the process, I also am watching the food I eat.  Have I indulged, not really.  The nice thing is that I apparently need to take in more calories.  Nice!  Eat more and exercise more!

Today is ab/core work day.  Hmmm?  I am not sure what to do and I have about 6 hours to decide....

WTF Wednesday: Why won't you just leave a message!

What The Frack Wednesday:

The invention of caller-id was not necessary, but very useful when random callers repeatedly call.  It's great to ignore those pesky sales calls that come while you're in the midst of doing something.  If you call me and I don't recognize the phone number, I have the choice to not answer.  LEAVE A MESSAGE.

An hour later, the same number is identified, and yet again, straight to voicemail. 

If it's an emergency, why won't you just leave a message!?

Day 2 and more calls and still NO MESSAGE!   I begin thinking, "who the hell is this?"  My curiosity is beginning to encourage me to actually answer the next time they call.

The call comes while I'm eating lunch.  Ignore.  Voicemail.....and OMG, they leave a message!

I decide to wait and finish my lunch before checking the message.  I *ring*....really!?

Agh!!!!  It's a frickin WRONG NUMBER.  Some kid looking or EXPECTING his girlfriend to answer the phone.   Really?!  OM-FRACKIN-G!!!!!

An hour later, the call again.  Hah, I'll answer you now:

"Listen, I don't know who you are but you got the wrong number."

"Who dis?"

"You got the wrong number.  Whome ever you are looking for, this isn't her number.  Stop calling."

Click.

I think to myself, "good job."

Uh, idiot boy calls two minutes later.  AND I ANSWER:

"STOP CALLING!  YOU HAVE THE WRONG NUMBER!"

Click.

This better be it.........*sigh* I really think it is.

Please bring me comfort.

The yummy goodness that brownies are have recently brought me comfort. After buying a new silicone 1x1 pan, I finally begin to try it out.

Waiting in anticipation, I realize I begin this type of "brownie-jig."  These brownies, nothing super special, just from the box.  No special additives (wink) in this one....

After cooling, I dumped them out.   Oh man...yummy goodness!  Ok, so I actually ate all 24 pieces in a matter of 36 hours.  Yikes!  But wait a minute, they are tiny.  This equates to maybe a few adult-size pieces.

Attempting to justify my bad eating indulgence is simple ridiculous, but oh well,  I felt happy. 

Sake...yummy!

The 10th annual sake tasting arrived in town last night. With 300 different blends from Japan and around the world, my friends and I were fortunate to sample various sake that is not even available outside of Japan.

It seemed like a great idea to attempt to drink every one....IMPOSSIBLE! What the hell was I even thinking about. While each type was judged, I had the overall winners in the differing categories...at the very least. Yummy goodness.

Along with the sake, some of my favorite restaurants offered tapa-like pupus. Hamachi, pork belly, shrimp ceviche....so frackin good! Then...while waiting in the longest line for:



....we thought, it better be awesome! Uh, it wasn't. So disappointing I can't even mention where it came from.


So the after effects: I awoke to a sake headache! Oh well, c`est la vie!

Weekend is here and the cleanse falls short...

Day 6

I was ready to increase my dosage. Did not make time to eat breakfast, so I just had my morning coffee. Lunch came late and hard to do something healthy at the shopping center. First, entered Shirokiya’s food court…HARD & TEMPTING. Fried tempura, tons of sushi and rice dishes, noodles galore, and breads up the wazoo! So I convinced my friend that we try elsewhere for salad options. Since it was the mall and it was a Saturday, the wait would be long, so we ended up at Ruby Tuesday. I figured I can eat from the salad bar. Well, I ended up eating their turkey and avocado burger. It’s great because of their whole wheat bun, but bad with their 2 pieces of bacon and side-of-fries. I decided what the hell, indulge a little! The fries were yummy…and the bacon tasted great. I think I was doing good with my meal choices earlier in the week. Then to top it all off, I indulged more in a chocolate cake! AAAGGHHHH! Gerby goodness!

So I wasn’t feeling bad or anything. Walked around the mall a bit, did some shopping and browsing; hey, we just walked off some of those damn fries. Ended up getting a second coffee. Continued to shop for necessitites and realized that it was already 7:30pm. “Wholey crap!”

Not hungry since lunch was big and late. So I didn’t feel the need to finish the rest of my cleanse regime for the evening. I was partially afraid of what might happen if I took the meds with minimal food. So day 6 was only a partial day.


Day 7

Feeling bad that I strayed off the cleanse yesterday. So today, I’ll get back on track! I actually had some yogurt for breakfast and did not indulge in a big breakfast at the local pancake house.

Well…I strayed again for dinner. Family barbecue’s make it hard to make 100% healthy choices. So, although I had a salad, I also included a bit of potato salad, a piece of sweet potato, chicken, and some alcohol. I thought, since I indulged a bit yesterday, what harm it today too?

But that is where I have a problem! So I’ll get back on track in the week. Since I’ve been keeping a food journal too, I can really see the problems. Taking note of my environment and things I do also reflect on my abilities to stay away from red meat and refined sugars.

This blog and my food journal allows me to identify my weaknesses. After week 1, I recognize my issues. Let me try and make healthier choices in the next 3 weeks.

Cleanse - Day 4 & 5

I'll be getting back to my normal rants after this first week is over. This is a huge accomplishment so bare with me.

Day 4

I awoke to stomach pains, worried that I may have an “accident” I rush to the bathroom. Ok, no surprises or accidents, but the pain was actually gas. Hmmm? I’m thinking I have to track this…..

My intense craving have some-what subsided. I have to stay away from food blogs or anything associated with great food (like the food channel or cooking channel). To help in my preoccupied distractions, I try to finish up some work I've been putting off. Like updating my house-sitting profile :o) and filling on that healthcare information :O/

E-reader...hmmmm...do I indulge or not? Kindle or Nook? I gave up the desire of an IPad, but if given to me, I ain't gonna turn that away.

New mattress...that means a new frame to. Ok, so much disctractions that actually have me spending $$$$, WTF?

Day 5

After awaking even earlier with pain, I took another look at my schedule. I believe I must take my evening meds much later. Waking up early is not cool! I’ll try this tonight and hopefully tomorrow, I won’t have the same problems.

Let the cleaning commence....

DAY 1 with Dr. Natura:



My cleanse begins today and so far, so good. I have also reduced my sugar intake in my coffee; not so good, but it will have to do. If I don’t like it, maybe I should stop? WTF? I’m going a bit crazy…without my morning coffee, I’ll need a nap by 2pm. So, scratch this idea…again!

Feeling bloated by the abundance of water; but it just goes through me.

No special or problematic events today.

Ate a healthy lunch, no unhealthy snacking, and a piece of fish and tomato soup for dinner. Although I was thinking about snacking and consuming some sugary snacks, I pre-occupied myself and overcame that craving….about five times today. Geez, I sound like an addict.

At 10:30pm and I’ve taken the last of my pills and drinking my cleansing tea.

All in all, it was a really good day.

Pre-Cleanse indulgences:

To my surprise, I received my cleanse earlier than anticipated. I am starting on Monday, July 19, 2010 and will endure this for 30 days. Anticipating my diet change, I began to indulge with red meat, refined sugar products, and alcohol. Some of my favorite of all times, I gorged out for the past week. Yes, I was scared that my jeans would not fit, I was pleased when my tight fitting jeans still fit. After the cleanse, I’m gonna have to wear a belt.

My 7 day Pre-cleanse indulgences:

• rib-eye steak with garlic and herbs
• fingerling buttery potatoes
• onion soup with cheese
• foie gras
• kobe burger with pesto sauce, sauteed mushrooms, pepper jack cheese, carmelized onions
• truffle and parmesean cheese french fries
• spicey ahi inari; unagi and avocado donburi
• gnocchi with garganzola sauce
• tiramisu
• pancakes

Starting tomorrow, I attempt to omit all red meat. Can I go raw? Highly unlikely, but I'll do my best to keep my food clean and healthy.

My main goal is to rid my body of toxins.

The silence is welcomed...

It is nice to wake to the sound of birds and nothing else! It is a very blessed day. No air blowers; no fighter jets flying by; no green-harvest helicopters scoping out the mountainside; no sanders or bandsaws; no lawn mowers; just NOTHING. ***sigh***

I do admit that I often fill my days with noise; music, tv, the computer. But rising to this calm and quiet environment is simply heavenly. ***sigh***

Yesterday, I had minimal obligations:
I checked my email and posted some work.
Returned my book at the library on time (no late fees this time!).
Got ready to meet a friend.
Had a pedicure & a mini foot massage.
Had a haircut & a mini head massage.
Ate meat.
Came home and watched last nights True Blood episode.

***sigh***
What a fabulous day! I feel ready for my cleanse (which I'm about to start in a week.)

Today...well, after assessing my workload again, I will have another relaxing and stress-free day! No real agenda, but I would like to get some things done like:
Wash my bedding.
Finish that DVD project for my cousin (I'm so behind on this one!).
Research the best e-reader to purchase.
Finish that healthcare paperwork.
Bake in the sun.

Yup, sounds like another blissful day. Thank you!

Cleansing time...

I never thought I would actually say or even think this: I cannot wait to start my cleanse!

Seriously...it is time!

Will I post? Maybe. I am not exactly jumping at the idea to share such intimate details of my situation. It just may be too gross to even share on something like this. You'll just have to wait and see.

Cleansing is good and everyone should do it at least once a year. I believe it is actually recommended twice a year. It will take discipline and consistancy, two skills I am not the best at. I am hoping to finish the process, but I think that in order for me to succeed with completing this, I should take it one day at a time.

I was never told....

I was never told that maintaining healthy friendships are difficult. While relationships are based upon the exchange with one another, I did not realize that constant communication is required. I had considered the friend as part of my family. I expected them to understand and love me unconditionally. I was wrong. I was wrong to expect anything.

Since then, I have learned to lower any expectations and to love unconditionally. I realize that the relationships we have take maintenance, but it also takes unrelentless acceptance. No one should be judged.

When codependency is the foundation of one person, it makes the relationship difficult and toxic. When one person chooses to address the problem and decides to end all over-bearing relations, they look like the bad person.

Bad person? I don't think so. More like courageous person! Kudos to those who can leave that codependent relationship. Props to those who choose to leave the toxic realtionship. Congrats to those who have finally decided to live their own healthy and happy life.

No one needs (nor deserves) to be treated like a doormat.

Make the choice...take a stand!

Why do I bother sometimes?

I have the urge to make dinner for everyone. This doensn't always happen like this. I get requests to make something in particular, I want to eat something specific, or I'm too tired to make anything so everyone must fend for themselves. I sometimes don't know 'how to' make dinner just for me; the result is leftovers, or food for the masses.

For those who come in to eat, well, eat it and be thankful. I don't want to hear how I should have made it or a completely new recipe that doesn't even resemble my final dish.

Just shut up and eat it! Or don't eat it! So many comments; as my grandma used to say "Too many cooks, get out of the kitchen!"

Why do I bother sometimes? I thought I was being helpful, but the problem is that I was 'expecting' some sort of appreciation for my efforts. I have to remind myself AGAIN, to just do it for the pleasure and whatever happens, happens (or doens't happen).

I think this is an endless battle; and instead of letting this get the best of me...I need to just ACCEPT IT FOR WHAT IT IS!

And to all those who want to 'suggest' to me how it should be done...well.....make it your damn self!

Ritual #2 - Addiction to Facebook

We sometimes become slaves to the computer (as I must now to do this posting). We also have this burning desire to always "be connected" to what is happening; locally, around the world, and all the goings-on of our family and friends. I check my email daily, `cuz if I don't, it fills up really fast.

Why do I need to check my email? Well, I "may" get an order in for my business (a legit reason, I feel). I also check my personal email; so mostly just my 2 email sites.

Now...enter in Facebook! Yup, I actually avoided the MySpace craze. I felt like I just couldn't get involved since I already had a business to operate. At the time, I thought, "I'm already on the computer with my business and website updates, why would I want to stay on much longer?" Well, I joined the FB family last year. I'm now hooked. It is so easy to just start reading up on long lost friends, check in with the ones I see everyday, and peer in on theo photos of everyone.

So now, along with my 2 different emails, I now need to also check my FB status.

Challenging my addiciton:

I decided to challenge my addiction while on my vacation. I decided to enjoy my vacation and connect with the people I were with. When I went on vacation, I decided to leave my laptop at home to try and avoid the need to be connected. Although that decision was made at the very last minute, I still left it behind. I also did not want to deal with worrying about transporting concerns. Besides my cell phone, I was disconnected for 5 whole days! It felt good; even though some of my cohorts were wired with their ipod, android, htc smartphones. AGH internet access! I wavered daily at the opportunity to check my email and FB status. But thank goodness for those phones because while we got lost a few times, the access for GPS was extremely helpful.

After returning home, I avoided the internet until the next day. Unfortunately, I was on the computer for 6 hours. Deleting the junk and catching up with friends.

How can I justify it? If have a bit of time in the morning, I'll get on-line. And when I began to experience less time in my days, I just began to wake up earlier to get the work done. So who does my addiction hurt? No one. My desire to get on-line doesn't interfere with my life nor does it keep me away from anything. I do not stay up late to use the internet nor do I have a desire to search for things.

I do have the ability to turn everything off and get some well deserved rest; because even though I have the urge to use the computer, I have a stronger urge to sleep.

"Lets get ready to fumble!" No wait, I mean "Rumble!"

Names of all individuals will be changed, just in case they have issues with my personal accounts of the event.

The experience that keeps on giving. No, I'm not talking STD or anything, but I am talking about the experiences that occur following an MMA event. For those of you who don't know, MMA stands for Mixed Martial Arts (aka Ultimate fighting, Grappling, Cage fighting; as cited by Wikipidia). Let me explain:

Pre-Fight Night:

I was asked via a txt msg if I would attend the MMA event with a friend (for the sake of not getting confused, let me just call her Grace). Grace's company was anti-substance abuse company was sponsoring the event and she had to go. Apparently, she HAD to go and had no one else to go with her. Me, MMA is not my thing...at all. I didn't want to go and didn't know how my week will end up, so I txtd her back saying, "Sorry, I can't go with you. Get your 'flirt' on cuz there is tons of men and try to have fun."

Afternoon of Fight Night:

I've done all my work and I can now go play. I make plans with Pepper, take one car, and head to town to do some errands. On the way over Pepper attempts to convince me that we should attend this MMA fight with Grace. (To lengthy to really go into the details) But, a trusting friend made her feel guilty and suggested that she really go. Stuck in the car, I figure "Do I really have a choice in the matter? I don't have my own car to bail the frack out if I had to." Pepper offered me an out with her car. I thought, "Ok, call Grace and tell her we're coming." I figured Grace to be happy about this, now, I'm not really sure how she felt.

2 hours before the Fight:

Grace decides to leave her car at work (already, this was a bad move). We pick her up, get stuck in after-work traffic, and get lost on the way finding the venue. Grace had to look up directions on MapQuest. I make it known, that MapQuest is not always accurate, but how lost can we really get?

So far, everything is going a bit ok. I'm a bit apprehensive but open to the possibilities. Pepper's getting nervous and has to smoke a cigi. We get lost and it appears we have to double back from where we came. We're stuck at a red light !CAPOW! we get rear-ended. In the midst of our minor collision, Grace is on the phone with the event marketer and she seems to ignore what just happened. Pepper and I get out to investigate and fortunately, no damage (Good thing we were in a big SUV with a tail hitch. I think this saved us for sure). We get back in the car, I'm beginning to feel anxious and I think I hurt my body in the collision.

Ok...(fast forward a bit)...more angst...tension...smoking...drinking day-old cocktail mix to calm the nerves...more smoking...wishing I had something stronger to calm me down. My spidey senses told me that there was a TON of energy surrounding this venue.

(Fast forward more) We, (3 adult ladies, who have never attended a fight like this before) end up sitting in the front row, four feet away from the frackin cage! AAGGHHH! I'm feeling very nervous, apprenhensive of the matter, anxious, and really in need of some valium.

The Fights Begin:

Really? Yes, really? The guys got his arm broke already. They come rolling up along the fence in front of us. The crowd is yelling "Cut off his air, cut off his air." Really? Oh my frackin gosh. Pepper and I are in complete shock. I feel my heart racing faster. Grace, appears to be unphased by the whole thing. Pepper's eyes are wide open, my hands are clutched over my chest. YIKES! We have to leave...we have to leave. I look at the time, we have to leave. Time to go? Get me the frack outta here!

Post Fight shenanigans:

Pepper and I are in absolute shock. Still not sure how Grace is really feeling about the events of the evening; fender-bender, fight...don't know how she's feeling. The drive home wasn't the best ride home; it was filled with utter shock, tensed feelings, anger, disbelief. It was a LONG drive back home.

Days following the fight:

PTSD. I thought I was on the verge of an anxiety attack. I did some deep breathing. I couldn't get away from the traumatic events. Suddenly MMA stuff was everywhere. On TV, at the check-out counter, EVERYWHERE! EVERYDAY! Pepper says it's like a cancer.

Not only have I experienced emotional trauma, but also physcial trauma (I'll post pix later). And so has Pepper!

Well...after all this, I can only say that it was a learning experience.

The Golden Opulence Sundae....really?

Yes folks, you are actually seeing the cost of a fracking ice cream sundae, being served at the acclaimed eatery Serendipity. How can they even suggest a $1000 priced dessert? According to their website, you must order this in advance and reservations are required. Really? I can't even imagine the calorie intake; probably enough to last you a week. Opulence they call it, I say insane! It's ludicrous to imagine such an extravagence. A dessert that will be done in a matter of minutes can pay for one months rent, two months worth of gas, a bunch of Coach purses, even two pairs of nicely expensive shoes. Get real folks!