New Strategy

So I was reading a blog post today in which the writer had talked about having gastric bypass surgery and how worried she was about effectively communicating messages of positive body image to her daughter when she'd had a major medical procedure done herself. As I was trolling through the comments (I don't know if you've noticed, but the smartest, most interesting blogs usually have the smartest, most interesting commenters) one of them struck a chord with me: basically, the commenter said that it's pretty pointless to tell ourselves that we want to 'lose weight' or 'get thin' or 'have more energy' or whatever, as these things for the most part don't work. The thing that works, she says, is when we create a determination to GET HEALTHY, rather than skinny.

I like it. This makes sense to me.

I like having positive thoughts and ideas pulling me forward, rather than other things cutting me off. So, as is my wont, I made at list - these are the 'positive response' things that I'm thinking I can start doing to 'get healthy', instead of trying to 'lose weight':

-In bed by 11:00 (I CAN actually do this one)
- First response: drink water
- Try to do something active every hour or two (get a timer?)
- Veggies first (fruit second) ((anything else after))
- Daily scriptures (half an hour a day, first thing, works better than I thought it would)
- Sign up for a dance class
- Find someone to walk with daily/several times a week
- Schedule an 'exercise activity' once or twice a week
   : hike
   : swimming
   : biking
   : skating
   : a new class (free trials?)
   : (other suggestions?)
- Stretching morning and night
- Learn new meals and recipes, try them out
- Eat three regular meals, or 5 small every-two-hours meals

What else should I try? Anybody want in on this with me this summer? I think I need some water. And maybe some sugar snap peas.

This is a 'happy' apple, not a 'Once Upon A Time'
pass-out-and-DIE apple.  That's not healthy.

I Paid My Two Bits

If you know me, you know that I love checking things off lists. Pretty much any list, really. Yesterday, I checked something off of a list that's been around for a while.

This is a picture of me from three days ago:

Three days ago I had 3/4 inch of apparently colorless root growth, a daily handful of hairs I'd dug out of the shower drain and bedroom carpet, up to an hour lost a day on washing/drying/doctoring/straightening my hair, and a mortifyingly large product budget. (And in spite of all that - or perhaps because of the last two - I still managed to get a cute picture!)

This is a picture of me from yesterday:

Yes, that's me. Yes, that's my hair on the floor. No, it's not Photoshopped. Yes, it's a pretty great T-shirt.

Some time ago I started making a list of '100 Things To Do Before I Die' (technically, I think I got up to 80, and they're on this blog somewhere - if I can ever find the right posts I'll link them) and one of those things is "shave my head". I didn't want to go for the full 'skinhead' look (at that point I'd feel obligated to get a tattoo, and that is NOT on the list), but I did want to:

- definitely deal with damaged hair
- find out what color it actually is, even if that color was 'dishwater gray'
- free up time from 'doing' my hair for, well, anything else
- wear lots of wigs
- save some money
- Just. Y'know. Start over.

So, I did it. I'd asked my hairdresser about two months ago if she'd do the cut, and after running through my reasons and explaining how long I've been wanting to do it (5, 6 years?), she agreed. I have video, and once I edit it down I'll find a place to post it. I'm moving to a new town to start a new school year at the end of the week + I still live in the UK + I'm studying theatre and people are used to theatre folk being a little 'quirky' + it's hugely difficult to get the shade of haircolor I like over here + plus the 'shedding hair EVERYWHERE' thing was getting intensely annoying = #4 clippers and Away We Go! I've gotten lots of great responses from friends on Facebook, and a few startled glances from people on the street - I emailed my family, and have yet to hear back from my parents. (I hope nobody's clutching at a heart attack somewhere, because of that email!)

Today's been great - no shampoo in the shower, just the body wash and loofah. It was practically dry by the time I got up the stairs to my room. I was even caught in a short rainstorm that soaked me, but when I got to the Tube station I just rubbed my head with a paper towel and it was dry by the next stop. I've never been out in a storm and NOT panicked about my hair before! Every time I look in the mirror I get a little jolt of surprise, again - and then I laugh. Do you have any idea how awesome it is to laugh and grin every time you look in the mirror?!? It's amazing. I can't stop running my hands over my head - it's all bristly. (How can guys ever get used to it? It's just so cool!)

I also think I lucked out - I was pretty sure it was going to look terrible, but that was worth it for the chance to start over. Instead I find out that while I do have quite a bit of gray (I think it's going the white-gray, wooo!) I also have a lot more color than I had thought - and it really is still red. SUCH a relief! My head seems to be a fairly nice shape (which is important when there's no hair), and the first thing my hairdresser said when she finished was (and she was also a little surprised) "It suits you." (It's even more fun if you can imagine the surprise coming with a Scottish accent, which she has.) It's strange to feel the breeze so close to your scalp!

I'm determined not to color it at least until December, and I have packed up my hairdryer and straightener and all the various chemicals previously employed to wrangle my hair into submission. (Funny story: earlier today I went on a tour at the Globe Theatre and the guide started listing off modern conveniences we just couldn't live without: "...phone, camera, hairdryer..." There was a guy across the group from me who had the same haircut I do, and on 'hairdryer' we caught each other's eyes and both smirked and shook our heads.)

Shocking, I know - I am, in fact, eating sushi. 

At the Globe Theatre - not only did I have the lowest-maintenance
'do' in the place, I was also the only one to recognize the tour guide's
quote as the opening lines from Hamlet. Oh, yeah. Big deal, right here.

There will be more pictures to come, as the wigs I have are black, black with red streaks, brown (flippy), white, and blue. Should be fun!

Watch out for falling turtles (even the ones you plan for)!

Cyd

Dear Jane

I haven't done many lists lately, and while on a somewhat pointless ride through the countryside this afternoon I was feeling a little inspired. I present:

Ten Things Pride & Prejudice Won't Tell You (But I Will)

1 - A single man in possession of a good fortune may be in want of a wife, but it will take a house, two cars, jet skis, a yearly Caribbean getaway, several "long-term" relationships, even more "short-term flings", and a stock market crash to make him realize it. Even then, he'll buy a Mexican vacation timeshare first.

2 - You probably think you're most like Elizabeth Bennett. Almost all females who read Pride & Prejudice do. The "Jane"s you know are out on dates, the "Kitty"s and "Lydia"s are at the mall or a bar, and the "Mary"s are working on a science project or reading manga comics. You think at least one of your best friends is a Charlotte, but she thinks she's a Lizzie too.

3 - Mr. Darcy's not coming, and you probably wouldn't like him much if he did stop by. Who really wants to be with a guy who's almost pathologically incapable of expressing his true feelings?

4 - When Mr. Right does arrive, not only will he not be Mr. Darcy, he probably won't be rich (you're on your own for those student loans) AND he is not likely to look like Colin Firth or even Matthew MacFayden. He'll actually look more like Mr. Collins, and you'll like him anyway.

5 - When it comes to a crisis, you are far more likely to be rescued by a parent, a sibling, or a good friend than by a guy.

6 - You will probably be called upon to rescue a sibling or a good friend yourself at some point. Start building a network of useful contacts now.

7 - That empty house or flat in your neighborhood is far more likely to be rented by a couple of decrepit retirees or a family with three noisy children and two dogs than by Mr. Bingley.

8 - If Mr. Bingley does show up, he'll be gay.

9 - In all honesty, your mother will never be as bad as Mrs. Bennett. (And if you do know a Lady Catherine de Bourgh, she's either your grandmother or one of the decrepit retirees renting the place down the street.)

10 - Sisters and female friends can be dramatic and headache-inducing, but they will also provide some of the best, most stable and reliable relationships you'll ever have. Treat them well.  (Oh, wait - that one IS in the book!)

* * * * *

Feel free to add your own in the comments!  ;-)

Travelling: Bullet-Points

Charisse is:

- so, so tired of airports.
- determined to never travel anywhere, ever, with more than a carry-on (OK, and a purse).
- surprised by how very pleased she is to be back in the USA.
- sad that the Red Mango frozen yogurt was not good (even though "pomegranate" is an awesome flavor).
- grateful that Americans understand the concept of personal space, even in massive airport lines.
- happy not to be seated next to anyone single/attractive/flirtable, as she has a non-hideable cold sore.
- wondering if her chances of being seated next to someone single and attractive and flirtable will increase if she manages to travel with only a carry-on (sans cold sore).
- sitting directly behind the plane's token cranky toddler, for the leg of the trip that does not include an in-flight movie (i.e., headphones).
- glad she has a couple of movies on her laptop, and headphones.

Since When...

... did we start considering Pride and Prejudice a "young adult" novel? Was there a memo? I'm a fan of both, but never would have thought of putting Twilight and P & P in any kind of comparative category.

Check out Persnickety Snark's Top 100 YA Novels of 2010.

On one hand, I'm a little surprised by how many of the books on this list I've already read; on the other, it's always nice to have a hefty selection of new book choices that lots of other people like! (Ease up on the vampire stories, YA genre, and you'll have me for good!)

Modern Methods of Communication

1. Facebook chat.
2. Facebook Wall post.
3. Facebook message (i.e., Facebook email)
4. Actual email
5. My blog (both email and blog addresses are on my Facebook profile)
6. Text
7. Phone call
8. Online phone book (for street address in order to visit)
9. Actual phone book (how many people with my last name do you REALLY think live in your zip code, anyway?)
10. Mutual friend number one - to pass message, give address, etc...
11. Mutual friends 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7... up to 15 or so that actually have my phone number and would be happy to emulate #10
12. Billboard (farfetched, I know, but do-able)
13. Random encounter
14. (Insert additonal methods here...)

Effective options: 1 - 11
Options "tried": 1, 7
Option that "succeeded": 13

Your response: "I couldn't get a hold of you" "I really tried" "You didn't respond on Facebook that one time when we were chatting, or something" "I'm sure I called and left messages"

"I missed you" "I really wanted to spend time with you, I did"

...

My response: "BITE ME."




P.S. If you say you're going to call, call. Don't be an ass. Also, listen to me - if I say I'm going to do something (like call you) and you agree, I'm going to do it. Don't jerk me around once I do. Of course, this is all rhetorical "save a little trouble for the next girl" (thank you, Carrie) advice... See above, RE: "My response".

"Got" List

Today I got:

- up late
- an email from one of my grad school programs requesting I set up a phone interview (WOOO!!!)
- blackberry pomegranate yogurt for breakfast
- called out for being a little too passive-aggressive (which is occasionally true)
- to "decorate" the "hideout" for "Scarlet Pimpernel" (talk about your shabby chic)
- a place in my boss's "Circle of Trust"
- some interesting insights into the nature of happiness
- a couple of doses of gossip
- into a phone tag marathon with a friend
- a paycheck
- some very important details re: a couple of different friendships
- an easy drive home, as I apparently stayed at work just long enough to miss the rush hour traffic
- chocolate. (This one hasn't happened yet, but I'm very optimistic, and inclined to be pro-active.)


P.S. Right at the end of the work day I drew a Super-Sekrit Scarlet Pimpernel Escape Plan to put up in the hideout, and my boss thinks it's awesome. He hasn't even seen it yet. I have a great job.

Drastic Measures

Move back home: check
Cut hair (twice): check
Facebook de-friending: under consideration
Phone contacts purge: ditto
Cut out all sugar (again): pending
Increase run (not just walk) to a solid 5+ miles a day: planning stages, build from 4.68 mi.
Find second job: eyeing possibilities uneasily
Give full boxes away, rather than unpack: yes, please
Refuse to speak to any non-familially-related males: tempting - potentially impractical. Reconsider options
Leave the country: October can't come soon enough

I Like Lists.

If you have a minute to chill this holiday weekend, try making your own list. Just for fun.

- Spend hours at the library
- Use accents in public places
- Catch a matinee movie
- Sing loudly while driving (and watch other drivers watch you sing)
- Make cinnamon-sugar toast
- Take a short hike
- Go take pictures at the mall
- Paint each fingernail a different color
- Leave work early
- Clean out a closet, down to the very back corner
- Hang strings of lights around the room
- Build a fort out of blankets and string
- Deliver someone a plate of cookies for no reason
- Practice making faces at yourself in the mirror
- Crochet
- Watch a Bollywood film, without the subtitles; make up own dialogue
- Create a new card game
- Hold the door open for a stranger
- Compliment a stranger
- Call a family member you haven't talked to in a while
- Send out Un-Birthday cards
- For an hour (or day) start every sentence with the same word, like "honestly" or "whatever"
- Make a "To Do" list for the day; week; month; year; life
- Write a list of random things you like to do

A List (i.e. An Engrossing - Yet Specific - Title)

Just when I thought I STILL didn't have anything to write about, I ran across this post... (If anyone can't see it, let me know and I'll re-post the content here)

I now want to make a list.

Out on my mission I was serving in a Singles' Ward, and I once heard the 30-yr.-old Relief Society President say, "My requirements have fallen so far, all I really want now is to find someone male and breathing." This saddened (and frightened) me. A couple of years later I was staying with a friend who had recently divorced. After telling me that sometimes, "you just want a boyfriend", she went on to explain that after having one relationship fail, her standards had gotten higher. Her reasoning was that if she was going to have to wait even longer for the right guy, and she was doing all she could to live obediently (and she totally was), then the Lord would make sure that guy was worth the wait.

I agree with Friend B.

So, the list – it seems that sometimes the largest part of getting what you want is figuring out what it actually IS that you want. (Think Christmas, people.) As I read Tam’s list I saw that I wouldn’t necessarily include all the same things on my list… which got me wondering just what I would include. (You would have thought I’d have started on lists like this a LONG time ago, eh?)

Anyway, I’ll get to pondering, and listing… and I’ll start out with the I-Absolutely-Agree-Is-Number-One slot:

1. Must be Temple Worthy

It’s a Celestial position someone will (someday, maybe) be applying for, after all.

I’ll keep working on it – and I’d love to see your lists, too!