Stuff Stuff Stuff - Take It or Leave It?

Oh the decisions one must make about their “stuff”. What stuff to take. When, where to put the stuff away upon return. I have been home since Sunday from a five day trip and still have things to put away. Last week I was stressed out about what stuff to take. This week it’s about where the hell to put it. Geez, so much stuff and so many decisions.

First of all there is the stuff in your home, including your clothes. There is the extra stuff that is located somewhere out of your immediate reach yet it still resides within the closets and cupboards. Then there is the stuff that you are done using but have not emotionally detached from, this stuff is generally located in the garage, attic or shed, or in my case what does not fit in my shed, is then relocated to my Mother’s garage. Then there is the vacation, seasonal or recreational stuff such as decorations, camping gear, snow skis, fishing or other sports items. This kind of stuff can be located anywhere. Just stop and think about all of your stuff……

As I was getting ready to leave last week, I remember being so challenged about what to take and what to leave at home. I like to call it SSA = Stuff Separation Anxiety. Let’s start with the entertainment section of my packing. The giant stack of magazine went with. In addition to four library books. Now the logic behind that was, I did not want to be stuck in the woods and NOT have something good to read. So the forty seven magazines were not sufficient and apparently I really can’t judge a book by its cover. So I hauled all of them with me and then I hauled all of them back home. Never peeked into a magazine and never opened a book. Now I still have to put them away. Games included Mad Gab, Kismet, Yahtzee, three packs of cards, Boggle and Trivial Pursuit. First of all the only difference between Kismet and Yahtzee is the color of the dots on the dice. Other than that it is the same damn game. Maybe I thought I would be bored in the wilderness? I had twelve other people with me. We were having a blast visiting and enjoying the environment. Never played one game, I still have to put them all away.

Since there were so many of us traveling we had several conversations about who was bringing what. We were all staying in the same campsite. I knew what everyone was bringing, yet I can’t stand to be without so I took my camp stove, dishes, flatware and pans, of which not one was used. Now I still have to put them away. Food, oh Lord, that could be another entire post. The one thing I do not have left over is wine, but I am proud to report I still had some cheese left over!

Then there were all of the clothing decisions. This brought on stress because I had never been there before. On the other hand I have camped several hundred times, so I am not sure why I thought this would be different. I was gone for five days. I took three jeans, several T-shirts (long, short and mid length sleeves), sweatshirt. At least five pairs of shorts. Two, not one, two swimsuits (just in case I was having a skinny day). That’s right, a “skinny day”! Would that have been from all the cheese, the beer and or the wine? Like I said I have been camping before. Never put either suit on. I put them away, immediately! Nobody that is trying to lose weight wants their swimsuits laying around. I took five baseball hats (red, green, white, tan and black), I cannot even explain the thought behind that.

I packed cots, tent, sleeping bags, you name it and I had it. I am quite confident I could have stayed in the forest for several weeks with the food and supplies I took. However after I touted all my crap to the mountains I still forgot or packed too light on some items. Socks! Yep, I specifically remember putting socks back into my drawer because I was running out of room in my bag. Yes indeed I had two total pairs of socks. They were white when I left and very, very stinky and dirty when I came back. I forgot extra blankets – it was very chilly at night and I was oh so cold the first few nights. I usually take a knit cap to sleep in, however, I also specifically remember putting it back because I had too many hats already! The list goes on and on and on.

I am sure there is a pill for SSA, right? Although, if I would really just get back to the basics and simplify I am confident the symptoms would diminish. I would not have wasted hours of packing and unpacking. Focus on what the trip was about, prepare to enjoy the destination, take only the necessities and literally leave all the crap behind. This can apply to many various kinds of journeys and adventures. We all can get a bit overwhelmed with the stuff around us and then we simply lose our focus amongst the clutter.

NOTE TO SELF: It’s just stuff!

Back From the Great Outdoors

I have returned from our camping trip in the Sierra Mountains. It was a fabulous trip! Thanks to Dalio and Riki for posting while I was out.

So on my last post dated July 6th, I was down another 1.4 pounds and my goal was to have a breakeven number on my next weigh in. Ha. Ha. Ha! Yeah, I must have been suffering from some pre vacation loss of all reality. Did I really think I was going to adventure into the great outdoors and not imbibe and partake like someone that was lost in the desert for a week or so? I was not only thirsty and starving, I was delusional.

Everything, I mean everything tastes better outdoors! Here is just a sample of some of the food I was enjoying. Beer, wine, wine, beer, cheese, cheese with crackers, cheese with tomatoes and basil, cheese with more cheese, cheese with salami, crackers with cream cheese topped with sweet heat habanero jams, steak, pasta with bolognaise sauce, pancakes. But thank god I did not eat any white bread or smores because I was taking it easy on the empty carbs. It was a food feast and I loved every moment of it!

In my defense, I did do some wonderful hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail. I attempted to do a run, however the altitude combined with the heat kicked my butt. Not the alcohol or food, just the altitude and heat! (More delusions).

I would get brave and just hop on my scale. However during my last ‘self make-over’; the one that I decided I would simply accept my ever so present muffin top that resides in quantity over every pair of pants I own. You know, that roll of squishy fat that hangs over the top of your pants. It is similar in appearance to a muffin top hanging over the container it was baked in, but not nearly as appetizing and yummy. So I simply tossed the damn scale out. Yes indeed, I was just going to learn to accept my body and improve self image by not being focused on the number on the scale. How’d that work out for me? I was up two sizes, my muffin top/waist line expanded by more than just a few inches AND I am in need of a new scale!

Although, after serious consideration I think I’ll pass on the new scale purchase. This will help keep me aware of what I eat and how much I exercise this week. Who knows maybe it will take a miracle to reach the goal of breaking even this week. Or maybe, just maybe the exercise helped and I can pull this one off. Friday will tell……

NOTE TO SELF: Believe in miracles!

Only in Canada, eh?

As I write this I am on my way to visit my family in Cape Breton, a three hour drive from my home in Halifax. If you are reading this it means I was successful in my attempts to get on my parents "dial-up".

I left work early today. I had to. We have been inundated with clouds, rain, cold, wet, damp, overcast weather for the last - say three weeks. The sun finally graced us with it's presence yesterday, and I decided it was high time for me to get myself a little bit of Vitamin D lovin's.
So, I packed up my bags, hopped on a bus & headed downtown to wait for my drive to CB. I sat on the bus reflecting on how much fun my weekend home will be in the country. How excited my niece and nephew will be to see their "Antie Dale".

I was jolted out of my daydream when we happened upon a most spectacular sight to behold. I must tell you, not living or working downtown, I'm not affected much by the hype and excitement of events and happenings that go on in the summertime in downtown Halifax. As the bus went by the "commons", as it is so affectionately known - our large green-space intended for games of baseball, soccer, frisbee or just simply to hang out in, I couldn't help by feel the energy as I looked at the throngs of people mulling about. Sir Paul arrived in town today to perform at an outdoor concert tomorrow night. Worker bees were busily transforming the commons, setting up the stage (which I must say is quite impressive), cordoning off the perimeter, setting up beer tents and getting things in place for the 60+thousand fans.

As we continued downtown you could tell there had been a recent influx of people. Cars waiting at intersections for the masses to cross, people wandering around with various styles of cameras hanging around their necks, looking up and down the streets taking in the sights. It is sure to be a fantastic weekend. Sir Paul even admitted to coming to Halifax to coincide with our "Tall Ships 2009" festival, which starts next Thursday. He undoubtedly will partake in these festivities too. It all seems so overwhelmingly exciting - the buzz in the air is intoxicating, and I feel a little nostalgic for some live Beatle tunes that I grew up on, ones he will no doubt be performing tomorrow night. I wonder momentarily if I made the right decision to 'book out of town' in the hope for a more quiet and peaceful weekend of sun, sand & sea.

This is not Sir Paul's first visit. He and his then wife, Heather Mills-McCartney, were her a couple of years ago, though not on musician business. They came in protest - to speak out against something that has been in the culture of our aboriginal peoples for centuries - the annual seal hunt. Now I'm a firm believer that people should be entitled to their own opinion, but for some certain activists to use their fame status to make a point and for those that climb on the backs of those using the same - just seems a little 'fishy' to me. Oh yes, seals are very cute, but so are pigs and chickens. Why is he not up in arms against KFC, or Maple Lodge Farms. Is it because these animals are bred for a purpose - to be slaughtered? They've been given a death sentence before they've even been born? Well, I'm sorry Sir Paul, but murder is murder is murder. And for that matter, what about the poor innocent soy plants that never had a chance? Your diet of tofu & lentils is sure to offend someone. (Especially about 1/2 hour after you've finished eating...pfft!)

I guess you can say I feel strongly about culture. However, I also believe to each his own; as long as you are respectful and not 'forcing your will' or ideology on someone, fine. But to force his opinions on matters where, in my opinion he had no business, is just not cool. Is this why I choose not to go to his concert? Perhaps sub-consciously. Perhaps it was the couple of hundred of bucks I'd have to dish out to go. I'm really not sure.

When my bus finally made it downtown I decided to spend my afternoon in the Public Gardens...a lovely little garden spot with tonnes of greenery, a pond and a royal swan in the heart of the city. I noticed a lot of security and policemen around. Then I recognized a photographer from our local newspaper and realized - hey, Sir Paul must be staying at The Lord Nelson Hotel, right across from the Gardens. My heart began to pound when I thought I might just catch a glimpse of him - or better yet, have an opportunity to take his picture.

With camera in hand I sat in the park across from the hotel, waiting, and wondering. If I had the opportunity to take his picture, what would I say to him? "Thank you for letting me take your photograph, Sir Paul, I shall frame it and place it above my dining room table so you can look down on me while I feast on my freshly slaughtered sealmeat."

NOTE: This post is not intended to offend anyone, if it has, I apologize.

NOTE TO SELF: Try being a little easier on people.

People watching? Don't mind if I do...

One of my favorite things to do is watch people. Sitting in thoughtful observation provides tons of entertainment, and even some valuable life lessons. Right? I mean, how can it not?!? We are an interesting species, and can be damn funny. For me, people watching speaks to our connectedness. We're all in this together. Plus it's a hobby you can take pretty much anywhere. A bar is one of the most fertile fields for people watching...even better, a bar with live music. Nothing screams "hey y'all, watch this" like the combination of alcohol and live music. It's the perfect storm. Most of the time, you see people going through the motions in shades of pale...all normal and mundane. Every now and then, you may be lucky enough to catch someone in a flash of vivid color - even if it's just a small glimpse. When I come across someone like that, I can't help but wonder...what's their story? I'm not here to judge or criticize. It's curiosity...what makes them tick? I'm fascinated.

Fittingly enough, this flash of color took place at the House of Blues in Chicago. For me, it was the last night of a girls' weekend, and we were all going our separate ways the next morning. We went in for a low key, "can't-go-to-bed-at-10pm-on-our-last-night-here" drink. The band had just ended their first set, and the last of the dinner crowd were finishing their meals. There was an ordinary couple sitting at a table just across from our booth. The guy - let's call him Beige - sat with his back to us, facing the (very tiny) dance floor. From the back, Beige looked to be in his 50's with thinning hair, and average build. At first glance, the woman - we'll call her Magenta - seemed bored. She was probably in her 40's, pleasant looking. She wore her shoulder length,dirty blond hair in bangs and layers. They were both dressed casually in jeans. They had finished dinner, and Magenta also sat facing the danced floor. She would turn toward the table once in a while and poke at the lemon in her glass with the straw. Finally she pulled the wedge of lemon out of the glass and set it on the coaster. It was a big glass. At that point, I though it was a glass of water with lemon. Later, I imagined it to be a giant gin and tonic.

As soon as the band came back from break, the place became a people watcher's smorgasbord...a veritable rainbow. It was hard to focus on just one spot. When I became distracted by all of the other options, Magenta showed up on the dance floor. She was doing a kind of pole dance with one of the columns that flanked the band. One of my friends had to point her out because all you could see were her arms hugging and caressing the column from the other side. Pretty soon, she wrapped a leg around the column. Beige, still in his chair, didn't flinch. I drifted off into distraction, again, when Magenta appeared on the wheelchair ramp across the room. She rode the railing like a wild ballet barre. No reaction from Beige.

Magenta wore herself out and came back to the table just before the band went on break - or maybe Beige shot a look that prompted her to sit down. She didn't stop dancing, though. I admired her uninhibited, drunken joy, and it was some of the best chair dancing I've seen. Beige sat motionless, still facing the band. I guess Magenta had worked up a sweat, because she pulled her sweater off over her head and tied it around her neck - preppy style. She wore a modest tank top under the sweater - or maybe it was an undershirt. Magenta sat for a moment, taking stock of her new look. Then, as if something still wasn't quite right, she lifted an elbow over her head, sniffed one armpit, then the other. She grabbed the lemon wedge from the table and rubbed it vigorously under each arm. She put the lemon back on the coaster and swiped her palms together in a gesture of satisfactory completion, as if to say, "There now, that's better."
I don't think Beige even noticed her lemony freshness. Maybe it was just something she did on occasion....

The waitress brought a piece of cake with a candle to the table and set it down in front of Magenta. She clapped her hands and tapped her feet with excitement. We didn't hear the waitress or Beige sing Happy Birthday, but Magenta didn't even seem to notice. She and Beige shared the piece of cake without speaking. The waitress brought the check. Beige put cash into the folder, and left the table for a few minutes. Magenta went through the money that Beige had left for the bill. She took some out and put it in her purse. Beige returned, and off they went...leaving us to wonder, but laughing too hard to really care.

Note to self: When life hands you lemons, freshen up.

Thanks for reading my post...and thank you Kathleen for pushing me in.

On Arachnophobia and Looking for a girl I once knew.

I was thrilled (and a little nervous) when Kathleen asked me to be a guest writer for her blog in her absence. I had to ask myself - what is it, right now, that’s important in my life. What can I convey in a few short paragraphs that will have the potential to mean something to someone who doesn’t even know me, and more importantly, to myself. Well, I came to a roadblock. And why? Because it’s been so long since I actually stopped, I mean really stopped, and listened to myself, that I didn’t know how to respond.

Fear, if used for its most core purpose - to keep us from imminent danger - is a very useful tool, but taken out of that context, fear holds us back from our goals. Fear of success. Fear of failure. Fear if we achieve our goals then ‘what happens next?’ And then there are the more common fears; spiders, snakes, heights. There has been much written on fear over the ages, and much more in the arguments of reasons to be fearful; conditioned, learned behavior, acquired responses to external stimulus. My viewpoint is that for the most part, even though they can be rationalized, fear and the reasons for fear are irrational, and really need to be treated as such.

I’ve been on this path of self-discovery for many years now, although more often than not, I have left my self behind, for fear of one thing or another. I’ve let stumbling blocks (fears) literally block my journey. I used to test myself to do better, to be better. Where did that girl go?

A parable: I had arachnophobia. It wasn’t rational, or logical; it was definitely a learned behavior from my mother’s extreme fear of spiders. It was at times debilitating and embarrassing; yet all along in the back of my mind I knew it did not make sense to me. Ten years ago I was working at a summer sea cadet camp in a very warm, very beautiful part of Nova Scotia where our ‘smoking room’ was out back of a building in a ‘fancy’ green army tent. On the first day, a very kindly (and very cute) young officer showed me the way to the tent, beside which an orb-weaver spider was happily sunning himself in the huge web he probably just finished building the night before. He was gigantic, as large as a golf ball. I froze. Perhaps I screamed. The cute officer giggled! I walked all the way around that tent to the other side for weeks to avoid that massive fear generator, all the while the very cute officer offering me kind words of wisdom, that I, over the years, have unfortunately let fall to the back of my mind. There really is nothing to fear. The spider is not going to harm you. Well, although I walked around to the other entrance of the tent for most of the summer, I pushed myself every day to get closer. I started at about a yard away and stared at him, each day spending a little more time with him and getting a little closer (and talking to him when no one else was around.) Eventually I did it! It was an unbelievably empowering, and magnificently freeing sensation, when at the end of our 6 week camp I actually let go of my fear of him. By the time I arrived back home, (possibly with the help of a beer or two) I actually let a spider (though much smaller) walk in my hand. Positively exhilarating!

That spider and I had a relationship that represented a heck of a lot more that just one little bug against a girl - it was a journey in liberating one-self, in trusting one-self and in knowing ones limits.

When I think back to that time of my life, and how free and at peace with myself I was, I can’t help but wonder what has happened between then and now; where did that girl go?

Well, I know she’s here somewhere, maybe I need another cute officer to come along and giggle at me – or maybe I just need to remember to giggle at myself!

Note to self: Recognize irrational fears & laugh at them! Fear only stagnation!

Working Out in the Great Outdoors

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July weekend. Hang on because it will be Thanksgiving before you know it.

I had my weigh in on Friday and kudos to me! Down another 1.4 pounds making a total of 7.6 at the end of week three. Did you check out the cute sliding scale on the right --------------->

Now the real challenge will be this week. I am leaving to go camping for the next several days. My goal is to NOT gain any weight. It’s going to be a real task to be active enough to burn the calories taken in. My next weigh in is July 17th. I swear here and now, I will do this trip and make it a break even week on the scale. My workouts may consist of lifting ice cold beers and jogging around the small eleven site campground in the sweltering heat with beer in hand, but if that’s what it takes, I sure as hell will do it….. NIKE….. DO IT!

I am open to any suggestions to help keep the moderation without deprivation during this trip. Please feel free to email me at NorCaliK@yahoo.com or post a comment. Funny or serious, I’d love to hear from you.

I have some guest writers that will be filling in, so please stay tuned. I promise they will bring a fun and new twist to the blog. In the meantime I will be writing away so I promise to have some good stories upon my return on July 13th.

NOTE TO SELF: Pack beer koozie to keep it cold on daily jogs

Have You Ever Suffered From Gymalleritis?

So I made it to the gym two days in a row. Big pat on my back, thank you very much. Since there are only two days left before my next weigh-in I have to make sure I am doing all possible to see a lower number on the scale. Although, I have to tell you that the strangest thing happened to me just before going to the gym . You know that sleepy crash feeling you get after you eat candy or a bunch of carbs and then you feel like you are so heavy and you barely can keep your eyes open? It’s like you can feel the blood sugar just drop off the charts and you would give anything for just a little nap? You fight to keep your eyes open and your head from bobbing forward. Your limbs are heavy and they are difficult to move. Well I think I have some type of condition in which this happens to me. It takes over at the mere thought of exercise. The closer to the exercise time, the more tired I become. Today I swear I was damn near comatose just minutes before heading out to the gym. It is awful this condition. I think it’s like an allergic reaction to fitness. It should be called something like; gymalleritis, because it is real and it happens to me, a lot…… Some days it takes over so much that I must lie down and rest instead of going to the gym.

Thank goodness there is an antidote which immediately reverses all symptoms and increases energy level……. Yep, it’s called exercise. I strongly encourage you to give it a try. It is amazing. It is invigorating and it is uplifting. It will instantly give you a whole new attitude. It’s only thinking about doing exercise that I do not like, because once I get going, I love it.

My Sister got me started on aqua aerobics. Let me tell you, it is a blast and a fantastic workout. I really don’t understand why the class is not in more of a demand. It is not for the old gals with the fancy swim caps. It is a real cardio workout. The Ab workouts yesterday were killer and I sure am feeling them today. Today I did another great cardio workout that I learned from one of the fitness TV shows. It is a pseudo indoor triathlon workout. You can mix it up with many variations. You can find several versions on the Internet or make your own up to meet your fitness needs. I often do; Exercise bike = burn 150 calories as fast as possible (trust me not as easy as it sounds), immediately get on the rowing machine and row for 2500 meters, next onto the treadmill for two miles. Another version is to do; bike 20 minutes – rowing 10 minutes – treadmill 20 minutes. You can then be in and out of the gym in an hour and get a fantastic workout. Google: indoor triathlon training for these type of workouts.

I thought it may be nice if I share some of my other sources for inspiration and motivation.

Another great source for information on fitness and nutrition with delicious recipes is the Realage by Dr. Oz and Dr. Roizen. I encourage you to check it out. There is the great article about how to undo a “Pig-Out Weekend” and since the 4th of July is this weekend I thought you might find it interesting. http://realage.typepad.com/food_bites/2007/07/pig-out-weekend.html

If you get the Discovery Health channel, they have two shows I never miss:
I Lost It and X-Weighted. Both are fabulous shows and here is the link to their website: http://health.discovery.com/


So there’s a little information for your back pocket. For me, I am keeping the focus going forward. You are welcome to jump on the bandwagon. We are taking a trip down a new lifestyle road.


NOTE TO SELF: Acknowledge your efforts. Today you took the best path possible towards your goal. Be proud!