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October 31, 2010
Too Tired
I have been exhausted since Wednesday. So I am trying to take it easy this weekend and recharge my batteries.
I am fed up with being so tired all the time. I miss having energy. I hate that it's such a struggle to get through the day most days.
So, I am resolved to do something about it.
I started by getting the book "The Exhaustion Cure" back off the bookshelf and reading through it again. Of course, it's clear that a big part of my problem is that I eat too much and too badly, and that I'm overweight. So, I am back on a diet and I'm going to stick to it this time. (Of course, Halloween is probably a bad time to start a diet, but that can't be helped.)
Posted by Selena at 09:51 AM | Comments (0)
Margaret Atwood's "The Year of the Flood"
The Year of the Flood by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I just finished Margaret Atwood's "The Year of the Flood." I think it's very well done. I enjoyed it, but then I love dystopian fiction. And Atwood does it better than anyone.
It's a disturbing book though, definitely not for the faint of heart.
The book got me thinking about things I should change in my life—about waste, and the emptiness of materialism, about self-sufficiency, and how maybe I need to learn about gardening, just in case.
Posted by Selena at 09:21 AM | Comments (0)
October 30, 2010
"Homecoming" by Lyn C. A. Gardner
A special poetry treat for Halloween...
"Homecoming"
by Lyn C. A. Gardner
When the dead visit, don't remind them of their state—just enjoy the blessing while it lasts.
Posted by Selena at 03:01 PM | Comments (0)
October 26, 2010
The Problem of Making Action Follow Intention
I always start out with the best of intentions.
Like today. I exercised before work. I ate a healthy breakfast. I brought a healthy lunch and healthy snacks to work with me.
So how did I end up in front of the vending machine at 2:30 p.m. buying a Coke and a bag of BBQ potato chips? (Even now as I write this, I am craving the Snickers bar that traditionally goes with the chips and soda. Arrrrgh!)
Somewhere I got de-railed and I’m not even sure when, where, or how.
So much for being more mindful—something else I intended to work on this week.
Guess I just need to try again. Breathe. Then try again. And fail better this time.
Posted by Selena at 07:56 PM | Comments (0)
October 24, 2010
Interesting Article on Mindfulness
I enjoyed reading this interesting article on mindfulness:
The Art of Now: Six Steps to Living in the Moment
I heard about it via Alyssa Milano's Twitter feed. She often has interesting links.
Posted by Selena at 01:58 PM | Comments (0)
October 23, 2010
The Dream about the Little Yellow Cosmetics Bag
Last night I dreamed that I was cleaning out my closet and came across a little yellow cosmetics bag that someone had given me. I had never used it or even opened it. But this time I decided to take a look inside.
I discovered that the bag came fully loaded with various cosmetic and toiletry items—makeup remover wipes, mascara, shampoo, etc. One cylindrical compartment even contained a handful of twenty-dollar bills rolled up into a neat wad of emergency cash. I was stunned and immediately thought of all the times I could have used that money.
Waking up this morning, I think the dream means that I already have everything I need. That I should stop feeling so deficient, and stop using my perceived deficiency as an excuse. For example, I need to stop saying to myself "Oh, if only I had more willpower, then I could lose some weight and be more healthy." Or, "If only I had more time, then I could finish revising that novel and send it out again." I need to stop looking outside myself for things to make it okay—stop looking to food, clothes, and other people's approval to make myself feel better.
The main message of the dream: I already have everything I need.
Gotta remember that.
Posted by Selena at 07:07 AM | Comments (0)
October 20, 2010
YouTube Sells Music
I'm listening to "Miracle Drug" by U2. It's worth noting that I got hooked on the song by watching this video on YouTube.
That's not even the first time it's happened. These songs also got purchased due to YouTube videos:
"Mordred's Lullaby" by Heather Dale
"When I'm Gone" by 3 Doors Down
"SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake
"The Reason" by Hoobastank
Unfortunately all but one of those videos have since been pulled from YouTube, presumably at the request of the musical artists or their reps. But that seems short-sighted to me since I never would have known about or bought those songs if I didn't find them on YouTube.
The "Mordred's Lullaby" video was recommended by a friend. It had clips from some HellBoy movie I've never seen and was edited together to parallel the King Arthur stories alluded to in the song.
The "When I'm Gone" video featured clips from Buffy. So naturally I found it that way.
The other two were found via a "Casine Royale Daniel Craig" search.
You can still find the "Reason" video here:
Consider this my plea for artists and recording companies to be more lenient about fan use of their songs for things such as these.
Posted by Selena at 07:12 AM | Comments (0)
October 17, 2010
"Daughter of the Seven Seas" by Michael Bonett, Jr.
New fiction...
"Daughter of the Seven Seas"
by Michael Bonett, Jr.
Would you risk your life to befriend someone who hates you?
Enjoy!
Posted by Selena at 11:29 AM | Comments (0)
October 10, 2010
"Stepmothers" by Alexandra Seidel
New poetry at MindFlights:
"Stepmothers"
by Alexandra Seidel
Take this apple
it is like a promise in your hand.
Posted by Selena at 11:13 AM | Comments (0)
Morning Music
I like peppy music early in the morning. It helps get me going.
Here are two of my favorites:
The new Hawaii 5-O theme
Candy Dulfer's "Pick Up the Pieces"
Posted by Selena at 07:24 AM | Comments (0)
October 09, 2010
"Moon Ransom" Published in The Lorelei Signal
I'm so happy because my story "Moon Ransom" was just published in The Lorelei Signal. The story has been published before. But it's one of my favorites so I'm glad to see it back "in print." Here's the link: Moon Ransom
Posted by Selena at 12:29 PM | Comments (0)
Back to Blogging
My new job, much as I love it, hasn't left much time for blogging. And so my blog and my website have fallen by the wayside.
But I want to start blogging again. Not because the world is anxiously awaiting whatever I have to say. But because it's good writing practice and it's enjoyable. And because writing helps me make sense of things, and remember things, and sometimes even celebrate things.
So, here it goes.
Posted by Selena at 12:26 PM | Comments (0)