End of an Era (or Error)
I ended my life of gluttony last night with a Shake Shack burger, fries and chocolate milk shake and woke up this morning weighing more than I've weighed in more than a year. I skimmed through Eat to Live over the weekend in between watching Weeds and True Blood on the web. It doesn't say anything that I don't already know.. but I'm hoping this book actually resonates with me and gets me to change my habits. My biggest issue is that when I see something I like to eat- be it ice cream, pasta, cheese, burgers, fries, etc. the voice in my head says "You only live once." This is a stupid way of thinking. I'm better off thinking, "you only live once, so you might as well be as healthy as you can be." In any case, here it goes. As of today, I will follow the book's rules as closely last I can. I will be a vegetarian for the next 6 weeks with the occasional fish indulgence. I will keep in mind that there's more protein in a serving of broccoli than in steak. And that by eating a majority of vegetables and fruit, I will not only lose weight, but will reduce my carbon footprint. White flower has the same diminished nutrition as sweets and I will kick my food addiction.
In addition to shedding some pounds, I hope to shed some of my possessions. My recent success finally selling an Arbonne set on eBay has prompted me to list a plethora of magazines I've been holding on to for the last 15 years. Goodbye back issues of Seventeen, YM and various other goodies. See what I'm selling here.. bid or at least give me some love. Next goal is to sell my jewelry on Etsy and perhaps get back into making more.. once I make progress on my novel.
I'm kicking off my weight loss journey with a massage. Tootles.
American Express Call Center
Just applied for an American Express credit card that gives me miles. I probably should have done more research in terms of what the best cards are for miles, but figured you can't go wrong with American Express. I was disappointed to discover my credit limit isn't terribly high at all, defeating the whole purpose of applying for the card and transferring a large balance.. But I'm sure they'll have other offers soon and at least I get 0% APR on new purchases. Anyway, at my job we're always talking about authenticity and customer service. Okay.. the entire advertising / marketing world is talking about those areas. I'm not sure if it was just the woman I spoke to or the general culture at AmX but this lovely woman asked me about the weather in New York, which led me to asking her where she lived, discussing the ancestry library in Salt Lake (where she works), and then discussing what I did. She had a genuine interest in her job and clearly found pleasure in speaking with people from around the country, learning about people. I was properly welcomed into the American Express family and I'm sure that is exactly the feeling they want me to take away.
Happy Thursday
Some dancing inspiration. Holy crap, this dancing kid on Ellen is amazing. Hope this puts a little spring in your step and brightens your day.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKWujd-5nog&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&w=425&h=344]
Crunch Video
OMG this guy is amazing. It makes me proud to be a member of Crunch. What if he's in my spinning class? Nah, he definitely goes to a Brooklyn Crunch.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49ZyhTmNZZQ&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&w=425&h=344]
Garbage Island (Pacific Floating Garbage)
About a year ago, I posted a story and pictures of the Pacific Floating Garbage patch. It's amazing how little attention this atrocity has received by the media. I think either Yahoo.com or CNN picked it up in a tiny story a few months ago and everyone I spoke to about it was shocked - like they heard it for the first time. Qquestion no more. Here's an informative video via VBS.tv (thanks Julia) where a TV crew spends 3 weeks on the open sea observing and documenting the tiny particles of plastic that are prevalent throughout the ocean. It's extremely disheartening to see how our wasteful ways cause so much lasting pain to the eco-system. How many plastic bags or containers does one need? If your corner deli didn't put your sandwich in a plastic bag, would you really miss it or even care? NO! Plastic is incredibly convenient but whatever our circumstances, humans can adjust. If you don't have time to see all 3 videos, at least see the last one. The next time your friend mentions hearing about some mysterious floating garbage patch the size of Texas, you can explain to them that yes it does in fact, exist. And no one seems to be doing anything about it.
Java Girl
I spent the last hour sitting in Java Girl attempting to read The Law of Attraction but was distracted by the conversations around me. Two women sat next to me, one Brazilian, but living in the city. The other, a 29 year old from San Diego. Their conversation about men, the troubles with meeting them in the city, how they've dealt with friends who liked them, etc. mimicked some of my experiences to a T. I almost wanted to join in and become their friend. Instead, I moved outside where it was quieter. Two minutes later, a couple sat down. The guy started talking about his experiences with wheat and how he discovered he had a wheat allergy but couldn't understand why dairy gave him problems as well. I had to stop myself from chiming in that he should look into Celiac's and that people with Celiac's often can't handle dairy either. Finally, I gave up trying to concentrate and am now back in my apartment, waiting for my sis to come in from New Jersey.
Dream
I dreamed that I was interviewing Scott Schuman for work. Except I don't work as a journalist. It was a pretty cool, vivid dream. Garance Doré was there and I asked some good questions, like what inspired him to take pictures and start a blog? We were in some sort of large conference room and then a whole bunch of kids (students) showed up and were so loud that our conversation was drowned out. Then I woke up. I don't regularly dream about bloggers. I'm guessing it's because I flipped through his book at B&N yesterday which I'll probably end up buying. I can imagine it will be extra cool to flip through that book 10 years from now.
The Three Universal Laws
Through a series of events (not coincidences but a path that was meant to be...) I decided to visit B&N today and purchase three books, The Law of Attraction, by Esther and Jerry Hicks, The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason, and Think & Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill.
The Three Universal Laws:
1. The Law of Attraction - That which is like unto itself, is drawn. (Most powerful law in the universe)
Simplified: Put on a smile or an outfit that makes you feel good about yourself. Get into your happy place and happy people will find you.
2. Science of Deliberate Creation - That which I give thought to and that which I believe or expect - is.
Simplified: You get what you are thinking about whether you want it or not. (DAD!) So think positive thoughts people and everything will work out in the end.
3. The Art of Allowing says "I am that which I am, and am willing to allow all otherse to be that which they are."
Simplified: Someone can only be part of your thoughts and experiences if you allow them so don't let that coworker, or ex-friend get to you. Just walk away.
That's all I've got so far. Stay tuned or get a copy of "The Law of Attraction," by Esther and Jerry Hicks. And think about how simple these laws are but how their ideas are routed in religion (faith), the golden rule, and what our mothers told us growing up.
My Day Off
Perfect end to a fairly good week. I took today off from work and started myself off with a healthy brunch; scrambled eggs (cage free) with pepper, and cheese. A side of sauteed spinach with garlic, onions, red pepper and some salt. And toast with butter. My mother would be so proud.
Moving away from the subject of food. Last night I went to a law school party in Brooklyn. It was one of the few times I've partied in Brooklyn then taken the subway home late night. I know. I'm a sheltered girl. Fortunately, I made a new friend and didn't have to take it alone. And we made some more friends - three drunk guys from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. They were all 21. One was like a caricature of a person. He was exactly what you'd think a 21 year old Brooklynite, venturing into the city on a Thursday, summer night would be like, heavy accent and Italian background included. Through our journey underground, he bravely asked my new friend and I all sorts of questions. Like how could my new friend be Jewish when she clearly looked Irish? How could I not be entirely Jewish when my mother is? What do we do? Where do we live? And his odd conclusion - are we together, as a couple? It was quite the fantastical journey, until we hit the Brooklyn Bridge, and his quieter friend motioned that he was going to puke. And thus, we had to say good bye. So I got home safe.
Prior to my Brooklyn trip, I sat outside, drinking iced tea with an interesting fellow at the coffee shop across my street. During the course of our conversation, a bird crapped on my head. Of course. Not wanting to disrupt the flow of conversation, I secretly flicked it off, said a little anti-bird flu prayer (in my head), and continued our convo, coincidentally about daily signs, listening to what the universe tells you, etc. That's good luck right? Yes, I think it is. According to a Facebook friend, it could also mean it helped me avoid a near disaster. Hence - me getting home safe. Off to some more chillaxing..
Happy Almost Friday!
Life is beautiful people! Remember that and everything will fall into place. At least that's what I tell myself every day.
Meh
I'm not appreciating modern medicine right now even though it was my own damn fault.. I take glucophage - a drug for people with diabetes or insulin resistance. I can't entirely explain properly what insulin resistance so I'll let WebMd describe it (wikipedia was full of complicated medical jargon)
"Normally, food is absorbed into the bloodstream in the form of sugars such as glucose and other basic substances. The increase in sugar in the bloodstream signals the pancreas (an organ located behind the stomach) to increase the secretion of a hormone called insulin. This hormone attaches to cells, removing sugar from the bloodstream so that it can be used for energy. In insulin resistance, the body's cells have a diminished ability to respond to the action of the insulin hormone. To compensate for the insulin resistance, the pancreas secretes more insulin. People with this syndrome have insulin resistance and high levels of insulin in the blood as a marker of the disease rather than a cause. Over time people with insulin resistance can develop high sugars or diabetes as the high insulin levels can no longer compensate for elevated sugars.
Anyway, last night after actually having accomplished my first Central Park run since the temperature hit 90, I took my glocophage pill (I take it 3 times a day after meals). And then what I think happened was that I had a momentary lapse, couldn't remember if I took it, and took it again. This morning I woke up feeling okay but after breakfast, my stomach was slightly on edge, enough to skip coffee. By around 10:30, I was feeling slightly nauseous, listless and having stomach issues. Finally, by around 11:30, I was minutes away from throwing up, turning all shades of pink, going into a cold sweat and letting my boss know I needed to go home even though I had an important day ahead of me. After a cab ride home, I spent the entire day alternating between sleeping, waking up thinking I was better, then feeling nauseous again and going back to sleep. On the other hand, if it wasn't the double dose of medication.. it was sushi food poisoning. Yikes.
Lesson learned. I can't speak for everyone but I think that having all those commercials which state the side effects, actually minimize the importance of those warnings. You think that every drug has a side effect of nausea, dizziness, etc. and doubt the effects will be that severe. Or that they just need to say that because of regulations even if there's only a tiny likelihood of that happening. Modern medicine (or at least our current system) is deeply flawed. Not just in terms of health insurance, but in terms of doctors knowing more about conditions that have drugs to treat them. Okay.. will get into this more some other time. Too much thinking for my delicate state. Off to watch the rest of Weeds, 4th Season!
What Motivates Us
http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf
Just watched this informative and interesting TEDTalk from TED Global 2009 by Daniel Pink, a career analyst. He discusses psychological experiments that show how participant's creativity is stifled when presented with a task that holds a high reward for achievement. Participants have tunnel vision- focusing on the reward itself versus tapping the lateral thinking needed to complete the task. On the flip side, Google or companies like Best Buy, have learned how to break away from older organizational structures and have made gains in productivity. Employees at Google can spend 20% of their "work" time doing anything they want, a time that has resulted in such blockbuster products as gmail. Best Buy doesn't have official 9-5 hours, recognizing that people have a life beyond work but are also dedicated to their jobs. And a better example, good ole Wikipedia, continues to get updated without a single paycheck to its writers.
How can we harness this information to health care reform? Reducing energy and saving the environment? Am I more likely to lose weight and maintain my health if I know doing so will have a direct, positive effect on my fellow health care pool? More so than a decrease in my insurance premium? Am I more likely to motivate others? Am I more likely to turn off the lights because it will save me a whole $3 on my next electricity bill? Or because I know that in the long run, I am contributing to the greater, environmental good.
TED itself (specifically the TED Prize) exemplifies that idea of motivation for the greater good. Thousands of people pay thousands of dollars to not only learn and network, but figure out how they can harness what they've learned for the greater good. These are people that have, for the most part, already found extreme success and wealth but want to give back.
Maybe I'm making too many connections to the study, but it's something to think about. Or maybe, it's those steep bonuses that got us into this financial mess in the first place. Would we be in this place if they thought about the bigger picture, rather than blinded by the greens?
My Unusual NJ Sighting
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kekvy7gCQw&hl=en&fs=1&&w=425&h=344]
I had coffee at my usual spot this morning (Java Girl). Then headed to my parent's. During my two block walk home, I spotted two bunnies frolicking in a neighbor's front yard, barely afraid of me. Afterward, at Nordstrom Rack and Century 21, I had possibly the most successful shopping experience in record - two cute and heavily discounted dresses, an elegant shirt, and super high pair of Calvin Klein heels that have cushioned soles. On my way home, I made the quick decision to get off the highway before my usual exit and that's when I noticed the deer... let me explain folks. Wow! very cool. My home town is very suburban and in all the years I lived there and have visited, have never seen more than a squirrel.. and maybe the ocassional bunny. But today! Three bunnies, two deers and one very poor attempt to video tape the experience with my new iPhone 3Gs. Enjoy!
Web Wondering Wednesdays
Alright, this post is a little late. But if you're looking for another inspirational, girly blog full of pretty pictures and pretty dresses, check out {frolic!} She blogs out of Portland and has a knack for picking up interesting posts and pictures.
Cuddling with the Kitties. I Mean Lions
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kjWBgA81LM&hl=en&fs=1&&w=425&h=344]
My friend posted this video on Facebook and thought it was super awesome enough to share. It's a guy in South Africa, Kevin Richardson, who works as an animal behaviorist and has found his way into the lives and hearts of the lions on his nature reserve.
UBS to Reveal Names of Off Shore Account Holders
Wow! According to this New York Times article, UBS has agreed to give the names and details of over 4,450 off shore account holders to the IRS. Seems like another example where the world is shifting slightly towards more fairness and taking a smidgen of power from the rich. The battle continues.
Smile! You're on the Apple Store Camera
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOz9s07HPtM&hl=en&fs=1&&w=425&h=344]
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5anVB-PqtuE&rel=0&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&feature=player_embedded&fs=1&w=425&h=344]
via David Karp.