My life is the art of busy-ness. Being sick sucks. It started with exhaustion on Friday. My night consisted of less than 4 hours of sleep because of a gassy baby and continued into a head cold and nasal congestion that took me out on Sunday and Monday. I'm still getting over it.
This past week probably wouldn't have been so stressful if I wasn't sick. That didn't stop the spiders from coming out. I've killed five this week. And one beetle. I hate spiders. I was traumatized by them when I had a hobo crawling around in my hair when I was a child. It's enough to freak a person out. The response now when a spider appears is grab tissue, beat repeatedly until it's dead, squash it another few times, and then toss it in the trash, think twice and then flush it down the toilet, just so that it can't crawl back out if it miraculously recovered. My sister-in-law likes spiders and protests when I kill them. They aren't paying rent so they better stay out of my house, dag nabbit! Enter at your own risk.
Not only are the spiders stressing me out, but then there's work. SharePoint on panic mode. Everything has been crammed into the final two weeks. It's not that I can't handle it, but it's a lot to handle. I wouldn't call myself the best SharePoint developer. In fact, by industry standards, I wouldn't call myself a SharePoint developer at all. I can read C# code. I've never written in the language. Like many others, I think first in the methods that I know and progress to learning something new. I can build something in my mind and make it functional, but there was probably a better way to do it for SharePoint. I never took the time to learn how to properly create web parts because self-learning is tough and the turn around time for such a venture would have been too long. It's my hope that they find a developer that is better qualified than I was to build their tools for them the right way.
Being sick throws a wrench in my productivity. I haven't written at all this week and I've only worked out once. I did, however, watch the full series of The Guild. That was entertaining, having a background in World of Warcraft. Though the show focuses on extreme case scenarios, I couldn't help but fear Clara, the mother of 3 who ignores her children because the game ranks of higher importance. It's a comedic representation, but terribly true that a child really inconveniences one's game life and priorities really come to light. I don't play WoW anymore.
On top of all my daily activities, I've got planning for a bachelorette party always on the mind. My best friend is getting married on Monday and I'm the matron of honor. Busy weekend. Party on Saturday, rehearsal on Sunday, wedding on Monday, new job Tuesday. I've got the limo, dinner, hunt, and games planned for a confirmed party of 3 so far. *sigh*
All in all, I'll be happy when things calm down and I can focus on one thing, learning to be fantastic in Java Programming. That and health. And fitness. And writing. And all my other goals. Time to play with Kimi now.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Lifestyles
You can probably adhere to a fad diet and shed pounds fast. Some destroy your metabolism in the process. Some are quick fixes that don't last, and you gain the weight right back. If you want lasting results, it's going to take more than just going extreme for a while. I believe that I'm starting to sound like an infomercial now.
I've looked at my fair share of fad diets and even attempted a few. It doesn't work. I tried the X-treme Fat Loss diet. I lasted 1.5 days. I tried a self modified version. I lasted a day. I've tried something called the Deadline Diet. I didn't last the day. The truth is, I like to eat and I like to eat solid food. Shakes don't do it for me. Perhaps I'm weird, but chocolate, vanilla, malted, and creamy are all just yuck to me. Give me lemon. Give me tangy. Why would you ruin it by adding creme? Ick. Ah well.
Diets don't work mostly because they aren't sustainable. Develop eating habits that you could live by and still lose weight. I like fish, so I'll bake myself a tilapia filet. With a bit of lemon and dill, it tastes so much better than a powdery vanilla shake and almost has the same amount of protein. Or maybe some chicken. I can take half a chicken breast with me, eat it with some sweet potato and steamed carrots, and that'll last me for a couple hours. Who says you need to live on soup and salad to keep a trim figure? I certainly don't, and couldn't, so why would I set up a temporary solution to a long term goal?
I work out at 4:30 in the morning. I get in light cardio with a walk at 9:30, and then another walk at 11:30. If I'm ambitious, I might work out after work. My mom looked at me in shock and said "you're going to take it easy after Beverlie's wedding, right? Right?!" To say my daily routine aloud might make it sound extreme, but I actually live a very sedentary life. I work a desk job. Then I come home, I'm on my feet for 2 or 3 hours with housework and cooking, and then I'm back on my butt, sitting in my worn out computer chair. Not a lot of activity there. Since I don't have the luxury of a job that keeps me moving, I need to work out. There is no "taking it easy". This is my life.
Though I'm a self-proclaimed fitness nut, I'm anything but extreme. I sound down right normal compared to the "no processed food, no cooked food" diet, or the "organic only" hippies. I laugh at my husband's rants about how catch phrases are driving our market and the absurdity of it all. You should have seen the look he gave me when I brought home organic yogurt one day. It was cheaper. I didn't buy it because it was organic. There's no scientific or clinical proof that organic or unprocessed foods are better for you. They've gained popularity by playing on the "natural" appeal and slandering all other food as being full of toxins. What constitutes a processed food? Well, let's think. Frozen vegetables are processed. Frozen fish is processed. Milk. Yogurt. The list goes on. The fact is, shop with some sense and you'll probably do fine.
To lose weight and keep it off, it has to be a lifestyle. Make time to get active. Eat less than you burn.
I've looked at my fair share of fad diets and even attempted a few. It doesn't work. I tried the X-treme Fat Loss diet. I lasted 1.5 days. I tried a self modified version. I lasted a day. I've tried something called the Deadline Diet. I didn't last the day. The truth is, I like to eat and I like to eat solid food. Shakes don't do it for me. Perhaps I'm weird, but chocolate, vanilla, malted, and creamy are all just yuck to me. Give me lemon. Give me tangy. Why would you ruin it by adding creme? Ick. Ah well.
Diets don't work mostly because they aren't sustainable. Develop eating habits that you could live by and still lose weight. I like fish, so I'll bake myself a tilapia filet. With a bit of lemon and dill, it tastes so much better than a powdery vanilla shake and almost has the same amount of protein. Or maybe some chicken. I can take half a chicken breast with me, eat it with some sweet potato and steamed carrots, and that'll last me for a couple hours. Who says you need to live on soup and salad to keep a trim figure? I certainly don't, and couldn't, so why would I set up a temporary solution to a long term goal?
I work out at 4:30 in the morning. I get in light cardio with a walk at 9:30, and then another walk at 11:30. If I'm ambitious, I might work out after work. My mom looked at me in shock and said "you're going to take it easy after Beverlie's wedding, right? Right?!" To say my daily routine aloud might make it sound extreme, but I actually live a very sedentary life. I work a desk job. Then I come home, I'm on my feet for 2 or 3 hours with housework and cooking, and then I'm back on my butt, sitting in my worn out computer chair. Not a lot of activity there. Since I don't have the luxury of a job that keeps me moving, I need to work out. There is no "taking it easy". This is my life.
Though I'm a self-proclaimed fitness nut, I'm anything but extreme. I sound down right normal compared to the "no processed food, no cooked food" diet, or the "organic only" hippies. I laugh at my husband's rants about how catch phrases are driving our market and the absurdity of it all. You should have seen the look he gave me when I brought home organic yogurt one day. It was cheaper. I didn't buy it because it was organic. There's no scientific or clinical proof that organic or unprocessed foods are better for you. They've gained popularity by playing on the "natural" appeal and slandering all other food as being full of toxins. What constitutes a processed food? Well, let's think. Frozen vegetables are processed. Frozen fish is processed. Milk. Yogurt. The list goes on. The fact is, shop with some sense and you'll probably do fine.
To lose weight and keep it off, it has to be a lifestyle. Make time to get active. Eat less than you burn.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Potty Training
Kimi is almost 11 months old now. When she was first born, I was gung-ho about potty training her. Some people thought that I was crazy. Others protested that she was far too young and acted as if considering such a task like toilet training was detrimental to Kimi's development. I wonder what they went through to get that concept.
Infant potty training made sense to me. By the time my husband was 12 months old, he was out of diapers. Of course, I've found the task to be more difficult for me. It takes a lot of attention and if you aren't watching, you miss the signs. That means multitasking for me is out of the question. I can't keep my eyes on my computer screen and still see the indications that babies make when they need to go. Not to mention I'm not with her at all hours of the day. Connie at day care has stated that I'm out of my mind if I expect her to practice infant potty training. That does limit the amount of time dedicated to the training venture.
Though I don't take the time every day to practice potty training, Kimi does know that it's good to tinkle in the potty. This morning, just after she woke up, I placed her on the toilet, made a "tsst" sound, and she went. By the time she reaches 2, the accepted age for potty training in western cultures, she will already know what it means and I'm hoping that the transitions from diapers to underwear will be easy.
Infant potty training made sense to me. By the time my husband was 12 months old, he was out of diapers. Of course, I've found the task to be more difficult for me. It takes a lot of attention and if you aren't watching, you miss the signs. That means multitasking for me is out of the question. I can't keep my eyes on my computer screen and still see the indications that babies make when they need to go. Not to mention I'm not with her at all hours of the day. Connie at day care has stated that I'm out of my mind if I expect her to practice infant potty training. That does limit the amount of time dedicated to the training venture.
Though I don't take the time every day to practice potty training, Kimi does know that it's good to tinkle in the potty. This morning, just after she woke up, I placed her on the toilet, made a "tsst" sound, and she went. By the time she reaches 2, the accepted age for potty training in western cultures, she will already know what it means and I'm hoping that the transitions from diapers to underwear will be easy.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Deities and gods
After an evening of discussing my book with my husband and running off on rabbit trails, he left me with some very good thoughts. In my created world, there are two sets of powers, both stemming from beings of godlike nature. We have the Drethamir, who created the elements, elementals, and beasts that reside on Chikara, the continent where my books take place. Then we also have the Miasho deities, five siblings who enjoy screwing with the humans and aiding their self-destruction. Chris asks, where did they come from? I don't know. He points out that if we have two sets of gods, then they must have come from somewhere. Now I must come up with some story of creation.
On a positive note, I have reached my 2,000 weekly word goal. In fact, I quadrupled it. As I write, I discover more and more about my characters that I didn't know before. Such as, the Commander likes berries. I didn't know that before, but as his story made it onto paper, that little detail emerged. I also added a couple of supporting characters, and found that the Commander didn't have much of a childhood and friends were never a consideration for him. Interesting. This man who plays an important role in my books is finally taking on shape and substance. Writing his view of the story has gone from being a task to being quite entertaining.
There are still decisions to make before I finish my story. Adding the supporting characters brings a dilemma. Which one do I kill off? Or do I kill off both? I could see use for either and both in future books, but they weren't part of the big plan. And this book is about a war. If there are no casualties, then it's just not believable. I think the medic has to die. Does the nomad have to as well or does he just go home with a broken heart? Or does he stay to help the Commander? Might make an interesting addition to the second book when all the Miasho deities come out to play. I haven't written to that point yet, so I guess we'll see when we get there.
On a positive note, I have reached my 2,000 weekly word goal. In fact, I quadrupled it. As I write, I discover more and more about my characters that I didn't know before. Such as, the Commander likes berries. I didn't know that before, but as his story made it onto paper, that little detail emerged. I also added a couple of supporting characters, and found that the Commander didn't have much of a childhood and friends were never a consideration for him. Interesting. This man who plays an important role in my books is finally taking on shape and substance. Writing his view of the story has gone from being a task to being quite entertaining.
There are still decisions to make before I finish my story. Adding the supporting characters brings a dilemma. Which one do I kill off? Or do I kill off both? I could see use for either and both in future books, but they weren't part of the big plan. And this book is about a war. If there are no casualties, then it's just not believable. I think the medic has to die. Does the nomad have to as well or does he just go home with a broken heart? Or does he stay to help the Commander? Might make an interesting addition to the second book when all the Miasho deities come out to play. I haven't written to that point yet, so I guess we'll see when we get there.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
I cannot tell a lie.
Polygraph tests are stressful!
There I sit in a chair, staring at a blank white wall, holding perfectly still atop a computerized pad. A blood-pressure cuff cuts off circulation to my left arm. Two metal sensors are strapped to the fingers of my right hand. Coils stretch across my abdomen and chest.
I've always considered myself a person of honesty and integrity. Wow. A life of rationalizing situations comes to rear it's ugly face in the light of a emotionless computer. First off, it's not fun to spill your guts in front of a stranger. And then there are those things that you don't think about, but your body knows. Self-doubt it the mortal enemy. Question: Do you remember a time when you lied to someone who loved and trusted you? Answer: No. No, I don't remember a time. But the body says "well, I don't remember a time, but I probably did." Verbally, I answered the question with complete truth. Self-doubt makes it come across as a lie.
Stealing, now that's a topic of interest. I don't take other people's property and I don't shoplift. Do you steal from your employers? The worst thing I could come up with was that I was planning to take a steno notebook and a selection of pens home with me, but haven't yet. They're still sitting on my desk at work, but I still felt bad about considering doing such a deed. Have you ever lied to your employer? No, what would I have to lie about? I answered no to both questions and he addressed them after the test was done, saying that my body told a different story. For example, have you ever called into work sick when you weren't really sick? Doh! I guess that classifies as stealing and lying. My brain never registered such events when the question was asked, but my body did.
Drugs were the easy part. Never done them. Never sold them. Never been around them.
I had no issue talking about the topic of sex since I've only ever been with one man, my husband. But I found it interesting when he was discussing what sexual activity was illegal in Idaho, even when people don't think of it as a crime. Having homosexual sex is illegal. Having sex with animals is illegal (and just plain gross, in my opinion). Having sex before you're married is illegal. That's right people. It's Idaho's law.
The examiner said that he saw no large red flags that would instantly reject my suitability for the job, but I'll still wait and wonder whether or not I'm good enough to work for the Idaho State Police Department.
There I sit in a chair, staring at a blank white wall, holding perfectly still atop a computerized pad. A blood-pressure cuff cuts off circulation to my left arm. Two metal sensors are strapped to the fingers of my right hand. Coils stretch across my abdomen and chest.
I've always considered myself a person of honesty and integrity. Wow. A life of rationalizing situations comes to rear it's ugly face in the light of a emotionless computer. First off, it's not fun to spill your guts in front of a stranger. And then there are those things that you don't think about, but your body knows. Self-doubt it the mortal enemy. Question: Do you remember a time when you lied to someone who loved and trusted you? Answer: No. No, I don't remember a time. But the body says "well, I don't remember a time, but I probably did." Verbally, I answered the question with complete truth. Self-doubt makes it come across as a lie.
Stealing, now that's a topic of interest. I don't take other people's property and I don't shoplift. Do you steal from your employers? The worst thing I could come up with was that I was planning to take a steno notebook and a selection of pens home with me, but haven't yet. They're still sitting on my desk at work, but I still felt bad about considering doing such a deed. Have you ever lied to your employer? No, what would I have to lie about? I answered no to both questions and he addressed them after the test was done, saying that my body told a different story. For example, have you ever called into work sick when you weren't really sick? Doh! I guess that classifies as stealing and lying. My brain never registered such events when the question was asked, but my body did.
Drugs were the easy part. Never done them. Never sold them. Never been around them.
I had no issue talking about the topic of sex since I've only ever been with one man, my husband. But I found it interesting when he was discussing what sexual activity was illegal in Idaho, even when people don't think of it as a crime. Having homosexual sex is illegal. Having sex with animals is illegal (and just plain gross, in my opinion). Having sex before you're married is illegal. That's right people. It's Idaho's law.
The examiner said that he saw no large red flags that would instantly reject my suitability for the job, but I'll still wait and wonder whether or not I'm good enough to work for the Idaho State Police Department.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
War! Hu! What is it good for?
This week, I've decided to focus on my character Kieser Hartford, Commander of the Air Province Armed Forces. My first book is told from the point of view of four people following three primary progressions. Derek and MaTisha dominate, but there's the other two people, Kaio Geotellus and Kieser Hartford. Kieser is young, but he's prepared his entire life to serve his Thanmir and lead people into battle. He's not a glory hound. He is a man honor.
The major dilemma that I've faced with writing Kieser's portion of the story is that I have no experience with war. A man that leads others to their potential death doesn't do so lightly. He is serious and doesn't tolerate foolish behavior. His concern about image and reputation is important because he's supposed to be the man people look to, the man people trust. How does a man like him handle war? He's never seen it. There's never been war before, only slaughter, and that was before his time. When he kills for the first time, it's not easy, but he doesn't have the luxury of letting that show. His love for a woman is pushed aside for the need to guide the men that rely on him.
I've had to think a great deal when it comes to this character. He's plain old human, no special powers, no art to help sway events in his favor. He must rely on his instinct and act on his decisions.
I'll be watching Civil war movies for the next little while to find out what it was like to go up against people that you may have known, neighbors across a border. I hope what you read is believable and realistic.
The major dilemma that I've faced with writing Kieser's portion of the story is that I have no experience with war. A man that leads others to their potential death doesn't do so lightly. He is serious and doesn't tolerate foolish behavior. His concern about image and reputation is important because he's supposed to be the man people look to, the man people trust. How does a man like him handle war? He's never seen it. There's never been war before, only slaughter, and that was before his time. When he kills for the first time, it's not easy, but he doesn't have the luxury of letting that show. His love for a woman is pushed aside for the need to guide the men that rely on him.
I've had to think a great deal when it comes to this character. He's plain old human, no special powers, no art to help sway events in his favor. He must rely on his instinct and act on his decisions.
I'll be watching Civil war movies for the next little while to find out what it was like to go up against people that you may have known, neighbors across a border. I hope what you read is believable and realistic.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
2,000 words
One of my favorite authors, Diana Gabaldon, wrote on her website that she's keeping a pace of writing 2,000 words a day. For those that don't know what that translates into, it's about 7 pages, size 12 Time New Romans font, double-spaced. I find that mighty impressive. The last time I sat down and wrote a new scene in my book, I got to about 875 words and it took me about 3 hours to do so. I've written 140k + words towards my first book and the story has only been half told. I've still got a war to get down on paper.
While I should be focused on getting my unwritten content written, I've found myself reviewing and editing the work I've already played with several times over. Reading other books really helps. It gives good perspective as to what is entertaining, and what is just too much. While rewriting, I've discovered I've told more than I've showed, and I've given details that really don't add to the story. The reader doesn't need a full description about all the freak accidents. It's better to let the imagination build up the chaos inside the person's mind.
So far, I've gotten through my prologue and 5 chapters. They're posted in the X-cerpts portion of my book site if you'd like to read them. I have my husband's assurance that the post-editing versions are better. He reviewed chapter 1 for me. I saw him smile in a couple parts. That pleases me. I like it when I can entertain.
Inspired by Diana Gabaldon, I've decided I'm going to set my goal at 2,000 words a week. I figure that's a reasonable goal as a full-time working mother. Feel free to hold me accountable, but know hat my first draft is usually not the best one.
While I should be focused on getting my unwritten content written, I've found myself reviewing and editing the work I've already played with several times over. Reading other books really helps. It gives good perspective as to what is entertaining, and what is just too much. While rewriting, I've discovered I've told more than I've showed, and I've given details that really don't add to the story. The reader doesn't need a full description about all the freak accidents. It's better to let the imagination build up the chaos inside the person's mind.
So far, I've gotten through my prologue and 5 chapters. They're posted in the X-cerpts portion of my book site if you'd like to read them. I have my husband's assurance that the post-editing versions are better. He reviewed chapter 1 for me. I saw him smile in a couple parts. That pleases me. I like it when I can entertain.
Inspired by Diana Gabaldon, I've decided I'm going to set my goal at 2,000 words a week. I figure that's a reasonable goal as a full-time working mother. Feel free to hold me accountable, but know hat my first draft is usually not the best one.
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