At the beginning of this year, I had started working on a novel. I figured, I should give writing a shot. I do not feel I am much of a writer, but I do write on this blog. I had started doing journals during my junior/senior year of high school. I continued through college, then I got pretty sparse with it.
When I moved into my first apartment in 2001, somewhere along the way, I was introduced by a friend to LiveJournal. I started "blogging" there. When I met with Random Cathy, I moved from LiveJournal to here. I wanted to make a break and look at rediscovering what I could change about myself.
Anyway, I started working on the outline and had some ideas. Some days, I would be able to write quite a bit and other days, not so much. Work required more attention, so the novel would get pushed to aside quite a bit. I even signed up for an on-line writing course, which I was doing quite well in the beginning, but due to work, I ended up putting aside and never finishing.
I was scanning posts on Facebook the other day and one friend made the comment about having read a free book from Amazon.com and was fairly critical of the book. What she discovered was that she could write her own novel and have it published as an e-book on Amazon.com. So, she asked her friend-list what to write. My response was "Try anything." Heck - you were so critical of what you read, why not write something similar and see if you can do better. What is it going to hurt? You have to accept the critics and their remarks - good or bad.
That got me to thinking, then I remembered back in my LiveJournal days, there was a competition that took place where the challenge was to write a 50,000 word novel during a month. Ironically, another FaceBook friend posted the organization's name, NaNoWriMo.org. I reflected upon one friend taking the challenge and she had loads of fun doing it, even if she did not win.
So, today, I have signed up and decided to take that challenge as well. I have to wonder - what is wrong with me accepting all of these challenges? I may not win, but at least, I will have something out of it. That is my philosophy. It is not a challenge for me; it will be an adventure. Do something I really have not seriously done - be out of my comfort zone. Who knows what happens after that?
Time to get started - definitely using the MacBook Pro for doing the writing, then uploading to the web site.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
The Fall Clean Out...
When the cold front came through on Friday evening, it made my whole week. Now, the "Texas heat" has left for the season and the cool, crisp air is flowing through the environment. I could not be happier.
Unfortunately, very early yesterday morning, the smoke alarms started going off in various rooms. It makes no real sense to me why that happens. It is not the "chirping" that indicates a low battery. This is the full blown alarm sound.
Needless to say, I ended up not getting a whole lot of sleep yesterday morning. It finally stopped around 7 AM. When I took the dogs out for their walk, I had to battle with Bo on coming back home. He simply was not having any part of going back home. I ended up winning the "tug of war", which is seriously embarrassing. To add insult to injury, there is a tenant with a set of chimes that sound very similar to the smoke alarms going off on the very path I take to get the dogs home. That is truly annoying and makes the situation with Bo worse.
As I pondered what I really needed to do, I decided it was time for the "Fall Clean Out". Take this month and really work on the apartment and start throwing out stuff I have not used/need. Get the place clear of the dust and such. I took Bo for a ride over to Lowes as his official start for fall. (The dogs love going for rides and when it is cool like it is now, they really like to people watch as I am in the grocery store). The main purpose of the Lowes' visit was to get cleaning materials as well as a supply of batteries for these blasted smoke alarms. As I walked past several smoke alarms in the store, I had the temptation to buy them and ask a former co-worker to come into the apartment and disable the ones I have in favor of using these. It is pretty apparent that the system is faulty and heaven knows, I have gone to management several times about it and all that gets done is battery change out.
Anyway, I really could not do much cleaning yesterday as I had to get ready for meeting some friends for dinner. However, my plan is to sit with my planner and mark each week for a specific room for attention. Sure, spending a week on one room seems like overkill, but my point is to really clear everything out and clean it. By the end of the month, I should be able to just spend a day cleaning the apartment by doing smaller clean ups.
Basically, I am tired of not being able to find anything. Also, I have let this situation go since my mother had been very ill in 2008. It has just gotten progressively worse. Furthermore, I have so many multiples of things that I cannot keep my head straight. Most of that was due to spending time at my parents house while caring for my mom and I only got to come back to the apartment on Saturdays to get mail and pay rent.
So, putting my best foot forward, I am going to get this place cleaned out.
Unfortunately, very early yesterday morning, the smoke alarms started going off in various rooms. It makes no real sense to me why that happens. It is not the "chirping" that indicates a low battery. This is the full blown alarm sound.
Needless to say, I ended up not getting a whole lot of sleep yesterday morning. It finally stopped around 7 AM. When I took the dogs out for their walk, I had to battle with Bo on coming back home. He simply was not having any part of going back home. I ended up winning the "tug of war", which is seriously embarrassing. To add insult to injury, there is a tenant with a set of chimes that sound very similar to the smoke alarms going off on the very path I take to get the dogs home. That is truly annoying and makes the situation with Bo worse.
As I pondered what I really needed to do, I decided it was time for the "Fall Clean Out". Take this month and really work on the apartment and start throwing out stuff I have not used/need. Get the place clear of the dust and such. I took Bo for a ride over to Lowes as his official start for fall. (The dogs love going for rides and when it is cool like it is now, they really like to people watch as I am in the grocery store). The main purpose of the Lowes' visit was to get cleaning materials as well as a supply of batteries for these blasted smoke alarms. As I walked past several smoke alarms in the store, I had the temptation to buy them and ask a former co-worker to come into the apartment and disable the ones I have in favor of using these. It is pretty apparent that the system is faulty and heaven knows, I have gone to management several times about it and all that gets done is battery change out.
Anyway, I really could not do much cleaning yesterday as I had to get ready for meeting some friends for dinner. However, my plan is to sit with my planner and mark each week for a specific room for attention. Sure, spending a week on one room seems like overkill, but my point is to really clear everything out and clean it. By the end of the month, I should be able to just spend a day cleaning the apartment by doing smaller clean ups.
Basically, I am tired of not being able to find anything. Also, I have let this situation go since my mother had been very ill in 2008. It has just gotten progressively worse. Furthermore, I have so many multiples of things that I cannot keep my head straight. Most of that was due to spending time at my parents house while caring for my mom and I only got to come back to the apartment on Saturdays to get mail and pay rent.
So, putting my best foot forward, I am going to get this place cleaned out.
Being Technology Dependent...
I have noticed that the more and more I have become dependent upon technology, there are those times where I am completely beside myself when it fails. Being that dependent on technology is a bit scary, to be honest.
There are so many points of failure and believe me, if you have a single point of failure, you can bet your life's savings that it will happen and all will be lost. Small wonder people are in fits when their hard drives crash and there is no back up. I have been through that episode a few times. Believe me, I was not very happy. I have even cried because of what I lost.
As many know, I use the FitBit Flex to get 10,000 steps in a day. Believe me, there is no way I could possibly keep count of the number of steps I take in a day, so I need a pedometer. The FitBit Flex has been a great help, but I have come to my technology dependency stage.
You have to recharge the FitBit Flex to make sure it properly measures your steps. Not a problem, but lately, my FitBit program is not sending me a notification that my battery is low. Usually, when I get that, I will plug in the device and let it recharge.
A couple of months ago, I went to recharge the FitBit Flex one night and when I woke up, it had not been charged. Talk about frustration. I had bought an extra Flex for a gift and decided that was not a good idea, so I kept it. I got that one out and used that device for measuring my steps. I thought I had a great back up plan - if one ran out, I would have a charged back up. I just need to change the device on the website.
This week, I experience the situation where both devices were drained. I tried charging both and neither were working. I used the iPhone for getting steps in, but the numbers were off because I am not used to carrying my iPhone all over the place. It was frustrating. Next, to realize that maybe I had a situation where one device was probably fried as well as one of the chargers. I got one charger to show up to be working, so it charged the current FitBit device I am wearing. I tried the other charger and it did not work. So, I connected the charger that worked and it charged the other FitBit device.
Overall, it was frustrating because I was on a roll and this really threw me off my game. I was getting my 10,000+ steps in each day and feeling pretty good about it. (You know how it feels when you make a goal and you achieve it). Well, now, I am back to being on my way to do my steps.
There are so many points of failure and believe me, if you have a single point of failure, you can bet your life's savings that it will happen and all will be lost. Small wonder people are in fits when their hard drives crash and there is no back up. I have been through that episode a few times. Believe me, I was not very happy. I have even cried because of what I lost.
As many know, I use the FitBit Flex to get 10,000 steps in a day. Believe me, there is no way I could possibly keep count of the number of steps I take in a day, so I need a pedometer. The FitBit Flex has been a great help, but I have come to my technology dependency stage.
You have to recharge the FitBit Flex to make sure it properly measures your steps. Not a problem, but lately, my FitBit program is not sending me a notification that my battery is low. Usually, when I get that, I will plug in the device and let it recharge.
A couple of months ago, I went to recharge the FitBit Flex one night and when I woke up, it had not been charged. Talk about frustration. I had bought an extra Flex for a gift and decided that was not a good idea, so I kept it. I got that one out and used that device for measuring my steps. I thought I had a great back up plan - if one ran out, I would have a charged back up. I just need to change the device on the website.
This week, I experience the situation where both devices were drained. I tried charging both and neither were working. I used the iPhone for getting steps in, but the numbers were off because I am not used to carrying my iPhone all over the place. It was frustrating. Next, to realize that maybe I had a situation where one device was probably fried as well as one of the chargers. I got one charger to show up to be working, so it charged the current FitBit device I am wearing. I tried the other charger and it did not work. So, I connected the charger that worked and it charged the other FitBit device.
Overall, it was frustrating because I was on a roll and this really threw me off my game. I was getting my 10,000+ steps in each day and feeling pretty good about it. (You know how it feels when you make a goal and you achieve it). Well, now, I am back to being on my way to do my steps.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Little Changes Make a Difference...
I actually believe that this is true and am working on making as many small changes as I can. As of late, I strive to "level up" to the next 1000 steps each hour in my 10,000 step program. That actually works out pretty well. Still, at the end of the day, I may have to work harder to get the rest of the steps done.
When I attend hockey games, I try to get to the arena early enough to make a few laps around the concourse. As I explained to my trainer, the hardest part on doing this is getting past the people. It is incredible how people have a huge tendency to just stand in the middle of the walk ways. Just standing there talking or what have you. My trainer laughed about it being an obstacle course and in many ways, it really is. You have to scan ahead and make last minute decisions if you slow down or move around people. Overall, it has proven to help me tremendously.
The whole point of the "level up" is not just getting my number of steps done, but I am forcing myself to get up more often. I am so used to just sitting at my desk for hours at a time. When I get up, my muscles and such ache. Not a pleasant feeling at all. However, when I am more active, my stiffness is not so bad. I just get annoyed at waiting on people to respond to questions or someone requiring immediate responses. They prevent me from getting up and moving around in a timely manner and I pay for it the moment I stand up.
My endo had suggested that I work out with the machines, rather than free weights. I get my trainer's philosophy on free weights helping burn more calories. The problem is that if my back starts hurting, our session ends a lot earlier. Last night was the first time for us to use the machines. The trainer had me do some free weight exercises, but for the most part, my back never started up with the pain. That was good. Also, I am sure the trainer would be happy to know - yes, I am sore from the work out. That is the goal! My bonus is that my back is not hurting and that is the last thing I want to injure. Otherwise, I will never get the weight off of this frame.
So, if something is not working out the right way, it is okay to do something different. As they say, there are a many ways to solve a problem. You just need to find the one that works for you.
When I attend hockey games, I try to get to the arena early enough to make a few laps around the concourse. As I explained to my trainer, the hardest part on doing this is getting past the people. It is incredible how people have a huge tendency to just stand in the middle of the walk ways. Just standing there talking or what have you. My trainer laughed about it being an obstacle course and in many ways, it really is. You have to scan ahead and make last minute decisions if you slow down or move around people. Overall, it has proven to help me tremendously.
The whole point of the "level up" is not just getting my number of steps done, but I am forcing myself to get up more often. I am so used to just sitting at my desk for hours at a time. When I get up, my muscles and such ache. Not a pleasant feeling at all. However, when I am more active, my stiffness is not so bad. I just get annoyed at waiting on people to respond to questions or someone requiring immediate responses. They prevent me from getting up and moving around in a timely manner and I pay for it the moment I stand up.
My endo had suggested that I work out with the machines, rather than free weights. I get my trainer's philosophy on free weights helping burn more calories. The problem is that if my back starts hurting, our session ends a lot earlier. Last night was the first time for us to use the machines. The trainer had me do some free weight exercises, but for the most part, my back never started up with the pain. That was good. Also, I am sure the trainer would be happy to know - yes, I am sore from the work out. That is the goal! My bonus is that my back is not hurting and that is the last thing I want to injure. Otherwise, I will never get the weight off of this frame.
So, if something is not working out the right way, it is okay to do something different. As they say, there are a many ways to solve a problem. You just need to find the one that works for you.
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Getting Back on the Tracks...
Is it possible to suffer from both OCD and ADD? I tend to believe it and have both. For instance, this entry must use "Georgia" typeface, then...Oooo...something new and sparkly...
I do know for a fact that I have OCD to a certain degrees. When I clean, it takes forever, when I should be using the old adage - It is good enough for government work. However, that statement is offensive to those of my friends who work for the government.
Last night, I got to thinking - when I went wheels off with my life in March/April, I was working on writing a book and losing weight. Earlier this year, I bought a MacBook Pro and I do not use it very much. So, as I was thinking of what I was doing with my life, the bit about writing hit me again. The whole novel thing has been eating at me for weeks. I figure I really need to listen to whatever it is that my head is telling me. There must be something to it - maybe the thought of trying and see how well I do. Who knows, but it is just eating at me all of the time.
So, while I decided to check out the MacBook Pro, I downloaded a couple of writing software programs to help me. I still have the beginnings of what I started on my new iPad 3. Not sure if I want to continue there or transfer the thoughts/ideas/outline over to my MacBook Pro.
Upon reflection, I realize why I stalled and gained weight. I got nervous and upset over realizing that if I did lose a good bit of this excess weight, I would have excess skin hanging. I just need to face the facts - it is going to happen. If Mr. Right does come along, he will understand or God will help me sort it out on this path. I just need to have faith.
I think the same is true with the novel. I started taking the on-line course regarding writing and felt so overwhelmed. There was no reason for feeling like that. Mainly, the instructor was giving me some really positive feedback to my writing lessons. I should have felt empowered and not scared. I wonder if I am just scared of success.
When I worked for IBM, I would get awards and such, but I would feel embarrassed. I did not want it to go to my head. When I started working for my current company, I felt left out when my promotions were never announced. It made me feel like the red-headed step child who got the promotion, but was never to be heard or seen. It would very well be that the director really never wanted to promote me or was incredibly lazy. I think there is some truth in both.
Well, this time around, I just need to burrow my head down and get on with it. I need to unlock the mystery to find out where I stand. Was my mother right - no man would have me as their wife because I was a overweight and a bitch? (I know - that seems harsh, but my mother was about cold, hard honesty. Who else should tell you that other than your own mother?)
Just last night, I was looking at pictures of various people who recently got married and how happy they are. I am very happy for them, but I always wonder, will I ever know that happiness or do people see that with me, even though I am alone?
It was just a thought...
I do know for a fact that I have OCD to a certain degrees. When I clean, it takes forever, when I should be using the old adage - It is good enough for government work. However, that statement is offensive to those of my friends who work for the government.
Last night, I got to thinking - when I went wheels off with my life in March/April, I was working on writing a book and losing weight. Earlier this year, I bought a MacBook Pro and I do not use it very much. So, as I was thinking of what I was doing with my life, the bit about writing hit me again. The whole novel thing has been eating at me for weeks. I figure I really need to listen to whatever it is that my head is telling me. There must be something to it - maybe the thought of trying and see how well I do. Who knows, but it is just eating at me all of the time.
So, while I decided to check out the MacBook Pro, I downloaded a couple of writing software programs to help me. I still have the beginnings of what I started on my new iPad 3. Not sure if I want to continue there or transfer the thoughts/ideas/outline over to my MacBook Pro.
Upon reflection, I realize why I stalled and gained weight. I got nervous and upset over realizing that if I did lose a good bit of this excess weight, I would have excess skin hanging. I just need to face the facts - it is going to happen. If Mr. Right does come along, he will understand or God will help me sort it out on this path. I just need to have faith.
I think the same is true with the novel. I started taking the on-line course regarding writing and felt so overwhelmed. There was no reason for feeling like that. Mainly, the instructor was giving me some really positive feedback to my writing lessons. I should have felt empowered and not scared. I wonder if I am just scared of success.
When I worked for IBM, I would get awards and such, but I would feel embarrassed. I did not want it to go to my head. When I started working for my current company, I felt left out when my promotions were never announced. It made me feel like the red-headed step child who got the promotion, but was never to be heard or seen. It would very well be that the director really never wanted to promote me or was incredibly lazy. I think there is some truth in both.
Well, this time around, I just need to burrow my head down and get on with it. I need to unlock the mystery to find out where I stand. Was my mother right - no man would have me as their wife because I was a overweight and a bitch? (I know - that seems harsh, but my mother was about cold, hard honesty. Who else should tell you that other than your own mother?)
Just last night, I was looking at pictures of various people who recently got married and how happy they are. I am very happy for them, but I always wonder, will I ever know that happiness or do people see that with me, even though I am alone?
It was just a thought...
creativity is good for the soul.
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Health Update...
This week, I visited the endocrinologist's office for my 3 month check-up. As I suspected, my A1C and weight were up from my last check up. I went in there knowing that my system was not in the right mode and had already accepted the responsibilities for my actions.
What now? Well, I am in week 2 of drinking hunger shakes for breakfast and lunch, then having healthy snacks and dinner. This week was a bit easier when I baked chicken. The left overs helped with the calorie counts and such.
I have been working on trying to fit in more exercise as I can. Last night, I got to the arena early for the hockey game and walked the concourse about 3 times. Whew! I was actually sweating when I got to my seat. I really should get there earlier and walk it about 4 to 6 times without so many people around there. Today, there will be no game, so I may start binge watching TV shows where I can walk in place in front of the TV. I have to get the weight off.
What I find fascinating is everyone with all of their tips on losing weight. What I should and should not eat. Unfortunately, if you state a particular food is forbidden, I start to crave it. I wish people would stop with forbidden foods. If you are allergic, I understand. However, I want to feel that moderation is the key. It is okay to have a "regular" sandwich as long as I accept the calorie and carb counts for that meal. Heck - I had a small hamburger for a snack on Saturday because I was experiencing a low blood sugar drop. It was not terribly horrible for me to have and I got the craving for a burger out of my system.
I told the endo of my back problems. I will start to work out and my back will start this sharp, pinching pain. I can sit down and that relieves the pain. It is horribly annoying because I want to get the weight off. My endo suggested that rather than doing free weights, I need to start using the machines for back support. His belief was that if I continue to workout with back pain, I will end up injuring my back and not be able to work out. I do that, I will gain weight. I had already proven - with diet and exercise, I lost weight and my health improved.
At this point, time to work on my game plan and keep looking towards the light. Maybe this ugly ducking can be a beautiful swan some day.
What now? Well, I am in week 2 of drinking hunger shakes for breakfast and lunch, then having healthy snacks and dinner. This week was a bit easier when I baked chicken. The left overs helped with the calorie counts and such.
I have been working on trying to fit in more exercise as I can. Last night, I got to the arena early for the hockey game and walked the concourse about 3 times. Whew! I was actually sweating when I got to my seat. I really should get there earlier and walk it about 4 to 6 times without so many people around there. Today, there will be no game, so I may start binge watching TV shows where I can walk in place in front of the TV. I have to get the weight off.
What I find fascinating is everyone with all of their tips on losing weight. What I should and should not eat. Unfortunately, if you state a particular food is forbidden, I start to crave it. I wish people would stop with forbidden foods. If you are allergic, I understand. However, I want to feel that moderation is the key. It is okay to have a "regular" sandwich as long as I accept the calorie and carb counts for that meal. Heck - I had a small hamburger for a snack on Saturday because I was experiencing a low blood sugar drop. It was not terribly horrible for me to have and I got the craving for a burger out of my system.
I told the endo of my back problems. I will start to work out and my back will start this sharp, pinching pain. I can sit down and that relieves the pain. It is horribly annoying because I want to get the weight off. My endo suggested that rather than doing free weights, I need to start using the machines for back support. His belief was that if I continue to workout with back pain, I will end up injuring my back and not be able to work out. I do that, I will gain weight. I had already proven - with diet and exercise, I lost weight and my health improved.
At this point, time to work on my game plan and keep looking towards the light. Maybe this ugly ducking can be a beautiful swan some day.
you will blossom.
Monday, October 20, 2014
Communication Breakdown...
Earlier this year, I bought three tickets to see the band, Erasure. A week before the show, my friend who was to attend the concert let me know he and his partner would not be able to attend. Granted, I could have gone by myself, but after so much activity, I needed a break. So, I decided to resell the tickets via TicketMaster.
Reselling was pretty easy, but I feel that the information was very misleading. According to the information on the web site, if I sold the tickets, then I would get my money within about 7 days. That has not happened.
Last Sunday, I got an email stating that all three tickets had sold. Yay! The email stated that if I needed to verify my accounts, then I would be getting an email shortly. Two days later, I noticed that TicketMaster deposited two small amounts to my banking account, but nothing on what this was. However, I figured I would keep waiting for the money to appear in my checking account.
By yesterday, it was seven days and nothing. I called TicketMaster and they told me that I should have received an email stating to verify my bank account based upon the amounts that were deposited. I never got that email and stated that such a breakdown in communication was misleading. The person on the phone apologized, but stated that until I verify the account, I would not be able to get the money. Therefore, I went into my account and verified the amount.
This morning, I get an email from TicketMaster to verify the account based upon the two amounts deposited in my account. I have to wonder - Does this happen to everyone who attempts to re-sell their tickets through them? I just checked my account and there is no "Verify" button available at this time. How annoying!
Over the years, I have told people that email alerts are not very reliable. First, you have to make sure you have the right email address - definitely not the problem with my particular scenario. Second, email servers have to be able reliable. I cannot tell you how many times I was asked to set up a system to email out data and one manager would be on top of me when the email server failed to forward out the email. Worst part, getting someone to correct the issue. Third, if you have a huge influx of data and such, your email dispatches can be delayed by hours.
While I know that e-mail alerts are so cool to have, depending on them can be a real issue. There are so many open holes. For this scenario, all of the instructions should have been upfront - not piece by piece via email. This misleads the users. Will this post cause a change - probably not, but for anyone reading this, you might want to think about a back up plan before relying totally on emails.
Reselling was pretty easy, but I feel that the information was very misleading. According to the information on the web site, if I sold the tickets, then I would get my money within about 7 days. That has not happened.
Last Sunday, I got an email stating that all three tickets had sold. Yay! The email stated that if I needed to verify my accounts, then I would be getting an email shortly. Two days later, I noticed that TicketMaster deposited two small amounts to my banking account, but nothing on what this was. However, I figured I would keep waiting for the money to appear in my checking account.
By yesterday, it was seven days and nothing. I called TicketMaster and they told me that I should have received an email stating to verify my bank account based upon the amounts that were deposited. I never got that email and stated that such a breakdown in communication was misleading. The person on the phone apologized, but stated that until I verify the account, I would not be able to get the money. Therefore, I went into my account and verified the amount.
This morning, I get an email from TicketMaster to verify the account based upon the two amounts deposited in my account. I have to wonder - Does this happen to everyone who attempts to re-sell their tickets through them? I just checked my account and there is no "Verify" button available at this time. How annoying!
Over the years, I have told people that email alerts are not very reliable. First, you have to make sure you have the right email address - definitely not the problem with my particular scenario. Second, email servers have to be able reliable. I cannot tell you how many times I was asked to set up a system to email out data and one manager would be on top of me when the email server failed to forward out the email. Worst part, getting someone to correct the issue. Third, if you have a huge influx of data and such, your email dispatches can be delayed by hours.
While I know that e-mail alerts are so cool to have, depending on them can be a real issue. There are so many open holes. For this scenario, all of the instructions should have been upfront - not piece by piece via email. This misleads the users. Will this post cause a change - probably not, but for anyone reading this, you might want to think about a back up plan before relying totally on emails.
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