Oh dear.
A week ago, as you read this, Canadians awoke to a brand new scene. Things had gotten shaken, not stirred, in the federal election. I'm not going to bore you with how Canadian politics work - we don't have the same system as the lower North American one or quite the same as the United Kingdom either. The main thing to understand is that we are a VAAAAAAST nearly empty country. So the popular vote doesn't work - well honestly - nothing quite does.
Despite that you won't hear me complaining that the prime one got a majority of seats without a majority of votes - that's how it all shakes down. And I won't complain that he is the devil incarnate (a phrase that perplexes me in that if the devil isn't embodied (the meaning of incarnate - in flesh) then what kind of devil could he possibly be... but I digress), or that Canada has been sold to the highest bidder. Neither will you hear me say smugly that it is so damn wonderful that the NDP have formed the official opposition. Because, dear readers, it isn't. I am not so secretly pleased that the oh so elite liberals got a good comeuppance but even that statement curls and dies on my lips. I'm not happy about anything to do with this election except one thing. I'm allowed to vote.
I'm allowed to haul my fat socialist ass down to the polling station and without anyone giving me any grief other than to look a little longer than I'd like at my driver's license photo, place my X beside my faint hope. I love voting. Every single time - even when I'm so annoyed that the goons in Ottawa make it happen so often - I dance my vote, I sing my vote, I trance my vote. I suck in the particular old export A smell that still lingers in the long smoke free legion. I rest my eyes on the old dolls that are hired to make sure the lists get crossed off and the new lads with shiny eyes who are helping. I like seeing my neighbours shyly making comments about this and that - careful not to ask about your vote or hint about theirs - and I like folding up the origami sheets after I've shakily made my lost cause X and giving it to the guy or gal who has to tear off the bit of paper that says I did it. Then I push my precious golden vote past the corrugated lip down into the box with all the others. All the other flags of this freedom, this sweet place that lets me whinge and whine and crap on the leaders - who lets me dis them or love them but asks me please to make it real. To exercise my prerogative - to be counted.
No matter how jaded or sad or f***ked up I get about what is happening with our government, please don't let me lose my love affair with voting. And if you live in a democracy, I hope you feel the same, and dance the dance. For it is a precious, precious dance.
10 May 2011
09 May 2011
Sample Reading
Ever since I got my Kindle, I've been developing a new reading habit. Or actually, it's a new book buying habit. The free samples you can download has become the single most important factor determining whether I'll end up buying books or not. I've previously argued that this means writers now have to be even more aware of the importance of "the hook", and the "research" I've been doing the last few months supports this view. I've bought only 6 books (though some of these were collected works, so I guess those should count as more than one book each) on my Kindle, but I've downloaded around 50 samples. Thus, today I thought I'd review a random selection of those samples to try to see if there is a common denominator to what makes a Kindle sample appeal to me as a reader. Note - unless otherwise indicated, I've only read the sample for these. In the cases where I've also read the book, this review is still of the sample alone, and not of the book as such.
The Tiger's Wife - Tea Obreht
This sample pulled me in from page one. It starts with a memory - the vivid description of a little girl who has an extraordinary grandfather, a man you - the reader - learn to respect from the very start of the sample, and you can feel the awe of the little girl run through your own veins. The first few pages also makes it evident how important tigers are to the story, but it is the grandfather, and the relationship between him and his granddaughter that brings the story forward.
The sample triggered my interest not only by the promise of an emotional journey with the main character, but also the setting (a post-war Balkan), the voice (through shifting narrators Obreht still managed to shine through her own tone), and the language (hard to believe this is a debutant).
The verdict: You will already have guessed, but this book quickly found it's way into my "Buy" pile. I really liked the rest of the book too, and you can find my review of it here.
Three Stages of Amazement - Carol Edgarian
It's the economy, stupid. Set in today's US (or even more specifically, it starts on New Year's Eve 2008/2009, in California), this is the story of a marriage in deep trouble, trouble that is deeply linked with the burst of the bubble economy that has caused husband Charlie to forget about his wife, Lena. Charlie harbors secrets that might complicate things further, while Lena feels (and is) neglected, being the main caretaker for their children, including preemie and cerebral palsy infant Willa.
The setting intrigued me, and the character descriptions - elaborate, but never forced - made me want to know more. Yet, the sample provides no indication that the plot of this book will be particularly interesting. Charlie's secrets seem to be the only hint - and it is more or less revealed that these secrets are not of the juicy kind. Now, this isn't really a problem - I love a good character-driven book - but often they are of the "slow read" variety, and I find that the Kindle format doesn't do these justice.
Verdict: Since I loved the characters and the writing, I put it on my "Wishlist". But for now I have a feeling it will stay there until I can get my hands on a paper copy.
One Day - David Nicholls
This book had help. I have had it recommended to me by someone I respect, and I've read several favourable reviews. Thus the sample came with expectations. To a certain extent, they were fulfilled.
Again, I like the characters. The two main characters come from different backgrounds, social strata and they have very little in common, other than one night together in celebration of graduation. This night, however, a bond is apparently formed, because they stay in touch for what is apparently the rest of the book.
The rest of the sample illustrated what I've been told is the great strength of the novel - the dialog between these two. The sample didn't really go far enough to make me understand quite what it is they see in each other, but if they continue speaking to one another in this fashion, I believe it might still be worth a try.
Verdict: I put it on my wishlist, but a friend offered to lend it to me (paper copy). I suspect that I'd otherwise wouldn't have gotten back to it in the end.
The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan
I've read the Percy Jackson series, and I loved it. When I learned Riordan was writing another series, then, I naturally wanted to check it out.
As far as samples goes, this is a class act. Riordan is an expert of many things - hooks and cliffhangers being one of them. The sample ends with one of the latter, and by the time you reach it you've already had plenty of hooks to pull you in, tightly. It's all good fun like the Percy Jackson books were, though the feel is perhaps slightly younger.
Verdict: I only put it on my wishlist, but this is one of the books there I know I will eventually buy.
Room - Emma Donoghue
At first the narration in this sample bothered me. It's a very young boy, Jack, and there seems to be certain abnormalities with him and his living situation (such as breastfeeding at the age of five). Jack is all alone with his Ma in their Room, and he apparently thinks Room equals the real world. Everything outside of Room is Television, or not real. It took me a while to realize why they were inside Room, and what was going on. The sample ends without properly explaining this, and that was one of the major reasons I wanted to read more. Not a cliffhanger per se, but it had a similar effect.
Verdict: I'm not sure I'm comfortable praising this sample, but it did make me buy the book. And so far (about 30% in) I do like it. But it feels like I bought it for reasons entirely different than what normally makes a good Kindle sample.
As you can see, I didn't include any samples that put me completely off reading the entire book. Why? Well, partly because I've taken to deleting samples I don't like, and thus they are not available on my Kindle anymore. Secondly, though, I guess I am unwilling to unfavourably review a book based on a sample alone. I do think it is important to capture the reader from the start if you are to use the Kindle sample function to successfully promote your book. BUT, not all books are best from the begining. Some books take longer than other to get into. Some require a different pacing than what the Kindle makes me feel is appropriate (though I might be the only one who feels a Kindle is reserved mainly for fast-paced reading?). Some books are best read in the bathtub (which is NOT recommendable with en electronic device...). I think it's a shame if the world of books were limited to books that make for good free samples on the Kindle.
The Tiger's Wife - Tea ObrehtThis sample pulled me in from page one. It starts with a memory - the vivid description of a little girl who has an extraordinary grandfather, a man you - the reader - learn to respect from the very start of the sample, and you can feel the awe of the little girl run through your own veins. The first few pages also makes it evident how important tigers are to the story, but it is the grandfather, and the relationship between him and his granddaughter that brings the story forward.
The sample triggered my interest not only by the promise of an emotional journey with the main character, but also the setting (a post-war Balkan), the voice (through shifting narrators Obreht still managed to shine through her own tone), and the language (hard to believe this is a debutant).
The verdict: You will already have guessed, but this book quickly found it's way into my "Buy" pile. I really liked the rest of the book too, and you can find my review of it here.
Three Stages of Amazement - Carol Edgarian
It's the economy, stupid. Set in today's US (or even more specifically, it starts on New Year's Eve 2008/2009, in California), this is the story of a marriage in deep trouble, trouble that is deeply linked with the burst of the bubble economy that has caused husband Charlie to forget about his wife, Lena. Charlie harbors secrets that might complicate things further, while Lena feels (and is) neglected, being the main caretaker for their children, including preemie and cerebral palsy infant Willa.
The setting intrigued me, and the character descriptions - elaborate, but never forced - made me want to know more. Yet, the sample provides no indication that the plot of this book will be particularly interesting. Charlie's secrets seem to be the only hint - and it is more or less revealed that these secrets are not of the juicy kind. Now, this isn't really a problem - I love a good character-driven book - but often they are of the "slow read" variety, and I find that the Kindle format doesn't do these justice.
Verdict: Since I loved the characters and the writing, I put it on my "Wishlist". But for now I have a feeling it will stay there until I can get my hands on a paper copy.
One Day - David Nicholls
This book had help. I have had it recommended to me by someone I respect, and I've read several favourable reviews. Thus the sample came with expectations. To a certain extent, they were fulfilled.
Again, I like the characters. The two main characters come from different backgrounds, social strata and they have very little in common, other than one night together in celebration of graduation. This night, however, a bond is apparently formed, because they stay in touch for what is apparently the rest of the book.
The rest of the sample illustrated what I've been told is the great strength of the novel - the dialog between these two. The sample didn't really go far enough to make me understand quite what it is they see in each other, but if they continue speaking to one another in this fashion, I believe it might still be worth a try.
Verdict: I put it on my wishlist, but a friend offered to lend it to me (paper copy). I suspect that I'd otherwise wouldn't have gotten back to it in the end.
The Kane Chronicles: The Red Pyramid - Rick Riordan
I've read the Percy Jackson series, and I loved it. When I learned Riordan was writing another series, then, I naturally wanted to check it out.
As far as samples goes, this is a class act. Riordan is an expert of many things - hooks and cliffhangers being one of them. The sample ends with one of the latter, and by the time you reach it you've already had plenty of hooks to pull you in, tightly. It's all good fun like the Percy Jackson books were, though the feel is perhaps slightly younger.
Verdict: I only put it on my wishlist, but this is one of the books there I know I will eventually buy.
Room - Emma Donoghue
At first the narration in this sample bothered me. It's a very young boy, Jack, and there seems to be certain abnormalities with him and his living situation (such as breastfeeding at the age of five). Jack is all alone with his Ma in their Room, and he apparently thinks Room equals the real world. Everything outside of Room is Television, or not real. It took me a while to realize why they were inside Room, and what was going on. The sample ends without properly explaining this, and that was one of the major reasons I wanted to read more. Not a cliffhanger per se, but it had a similar effect.
Verdict: I'm not sure I'm comfortable praising this sample, but it did make me buy the book. And so far (about 30% in) I do like it. But it feels like I bought it for reasons entirely different than what normally makes a good Kindle sample.
As you can see, I didn't include any samples that put me completely off reading the entire book. Why? Well, partly because I've taken to deleting samples I don't like, and thus they are not available on my Kindle anymore. Secondly, though, I guess I am unwilling to unfavourably review a book based on a sample alone. I do think it is important to capture the reader from the start if you are to use the Kindle sample function to successfully promote your book. BUT, not all books are best from the begining. Some books take longer than other to get into. Some require a different pacing than what the Kindle makes me feel is appropriate (though I might be the only one who feels a Kindle is reserved mainly for fast-paced reading?). Some books are best read in the bathtub (which is NOT recommendable with en electronic device...). I think it's a shame if the world of books were limited to books that make for good free samples on the Kindle.
06 May 2011
Diagnosis: FOMS
So if I have a defining quality, it is that I don't quit... ANYTHING... (except the diet, but never mind)... I just keep ADDING stuff. In college I started out a psych major... but I knew a bachelor's degree in psychology is mostly nothing more than management training... so there was a girl across the hall who was pre-journalism and I though... well I love to WRITE—that's cool... so I added a journalism major... then my junior year I was looking at requirements and noticed to get a business minor, I only needed about 4 extra classes... so I added THAT...
See... that's sort of just how I roll. I am too stubborn to QUIT, but unable to resist some NEW thing...
I could go back further. In high school I was on a varsity sports team for 4 years (gymnastics), part of student council, I got good grades (a 3.7 in the end)... but I never missed a party... All the stuff I WAS supposed to do... and all the stuff I WASN'T.
I heard a radio interview on Diane Rehm many years ago (before I was writing) and the woman interviewed (I wish I could remember who) defined the term... she had it herself... FOMS: Fear of Missing Something. And you know... I never missed school... never missed a dance... never missed a sporting event... that is TOTALLY me—if something happened and I wasn't THERE, I would have MISSED it!
So What Does this Mean for Writing?
Uber-participation of course... Blog event, Writing event... promoting event... Just to give you an idea of the things I seem to always do:
NaBloWriMo
National Blog Writing Month: This was my first group blog event (in 2009)... in October, the month BEFORE NaNoWriMo, there is an event to blog EVERY day for a month... Yeah... did it once... which means I will do it ever after... that's how I roll...
NaNoWriMo
National Novel Writing Month: This happens every November. 2009 was my first year for THIS, too. And I will do it forever... And I have won, every time I've done it... I am not just a signer-upper... I'm a doer...
ABNA
The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest: This occurs at the end of January. Amazon accepts 10,000 novels, which a monthly elimination. In 2010, I got cut at the pitch stage (with Confluence, which admittedly needs a rewrite and is very hard to pitch). This year, I am in the semi-finals with Kahlotus Disposal Site because... here's the thing... if you do the same event a second time, there is a chance to LEARN from the first time.
I TOTALLY endorse the Amazon process. Not only have I met fabulous writers who rock, I've learned some tricks to the pitch, the importance of the first few chapters, and the HUGE value to having a unique CONCEPT. This is great prep for the actual process of trying to get an agent and publishing.
Blogging A to Z
This is an April event where we blog every day but Sunday and make our way through the alphabet. I currently blog all weekdays, so it was only an addition of Saturday, but GETTING AROUND (who EVER would have suspected I'd have trouble getting around?)--but there were almost 1300 participants... NUTS!
And FINALLY BuNoWriMo
You heard me... The BURROW has a writing month nearly exactly like NaNoWriMo, but OURS! We had great luck last year and are doing it again. Last year, THIS was the time I wrote Kahlotus Disposal Site (my ABNA book)--it is perfect timing to write a book that ends up CLEAN by January. (unless you have competing deadlines... which I do...
Because additionally, I have a book contract for Cozy Mystery, which is challenging my ability to juggle all these events I can't give up... But I WILL!!!
So if I can juggle all that, SURELY you trust me to rule the world? The Naked World Domination movement is alive and well and NEEDS YOU!!!
So there you have it...
If you'd like to be manic, insane, and overcommitted like me, your next opportunity is in June. You can find out the details Here or Here, and or you can just dive in without knowing what's going on Here. (no formal invite necessary--just join the group)
See... that's sort of just how I roll. I am too stubborn to QUIT, but unable to resist some NEW thing...
I could go back further. In high school I was on a varsity sports team for 4 years (gymnastics), part of student council, I got good grades (a 3.7 in the end)... but I never missed a party... All the stuff I WAS supposed to do... and all the stuff I WASN'T.
I heard a radio interview on Diane Rehm many years ago (before I was writing) and the woman interviewed (I wish I could remember who) defined the term... she had it herself... FOMS: Fear of Missing Something. And you know... I never missed school... never missed a dance... never missed a sporting event... that is TOTALLY me—if something happened and I wasn't THERE, I would have MISSED it!
So What Does this Mean for Writing?
Uber-participation of course... Blog event, Writing event... promoting event... Just to give you an idea of the things I seem to always do:
National Blog Writing Month: This was my first group blog event (in 2009)... in October, the month BEFORE NaNoWriMo, there is an event to blog EVERY day for a month... Yeah... did it once... which means I will do it ever after... that's how I roll...
National Novel Writing Month: This happens every November. 2009 was my first year for THIS, too. And I will do it forever... And I have won, every time I've done it... I am not just a signer-upper... I'm a doer...
The Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest: This occurs at the end of January. Amazon accepts 10,000 novels, which a monthly elimination. In 2010, I got cut at the pitch stage (with Confluence, which admittedly needs a rewrite and is very hard to pitch). This year, I am in the semi-finals with Kahlotus Disposal Site because... here's the thing... if you do the same event a second time, there is a chance to LEARN from the first time.
I TOTALLY endorse the Amazon process. Not only have I met fabulous writers who rock, I've learned some tricks to the pitch, the importance of the first few chapters, and the HUGE value to having a unique CONCEPT. This is great prep for the actual process of trying to get an agent and publishing.
This is an April event where we blog every day but Sunday and make our way through the alphabet. I currently blog all weekdays, so it was only an addition of Saturday, but GETTING AROUND (who EVER would have suspected I'd have trouble getting around?)--but there were almost 1300 participants... NUTS!
You heard me... The BURROW has a writing month nearly exactly like NaNoWriMo, but OURS! We had great luck last year and are doing it again. Last year, THIS was the time I wrote Kahlotus Disposal Site (my ABNA book)--it is perfect timing to write a book that ends up CLEAN by January. (unless you have competing deadlines... which I do...
Because additionally, I have a book contract for Cozy Mystery, which is challenging my ability to juggle all these events I can't give up... But I WILL!!!
So if I can juggle all that, SURELY you trust me to rule the world? The Naked World Domination movement is alive and well and NEEDS YOU!!!
So there you have it...
If you'd like to be manic, insane, and overcommitted like me, your next opportunity is in June. You can find out the details Here or Here, and or you can just dive in without knowing what's going on Here. (no formal invite necessary--just join the group)
05 May 2011
Delusional Thursday: Monkeys with Typewriters
It's a well-known adage than an infinite number of monkeys working on an infinite number of typewriters will eventually produce the collective works of William Shakespeare. This is mostly true, and immediately poses several interesting questions.
First question: Is any experiment along these lines plausible?
Yes, indeed! Accessing the production of such monkeys is a simple matter of inducing a readable quantum probability variance. You can easily find instructions on the web.
Second question: Then it's been done?
Well... getting the monkeys and typewriters is the easy part. But they also produce infinite gibberish, which means the real challenge is coming up with a selection algorithm to pick out their more interesting writings. My own algorithm will remain proprietary, but I'm not the only one who's attempted this, as you will see later.
Third question: Is 'infinity' a number?
It is not. The adage should read "infinite monkeys". Furthermore, they should have exactly one typewriter each to spare us from requiring the axiom of choice, which, though useful, has its share of problems.
Fourth question: Is this blog going to turn into a bunch of esoteric rambling about the nature of infinity?
No, just one more little tidbit.
Fifth question: Then can we please get that over with?
Infinity comes in several sizes (more properly described as 'cardinality'). For example, there are infinite whole numbers (...-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3...), but mathematicians can prove that there are even more real numbers. To do the experiment properly, you want the "big" infinity. This is obtained by specifying the ratio of langurs, mangabeys, and macaques as π to e to √2. Also, note that I use only monkeys (chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans are great apes).
This worked. Sort of. I've been sifting through monkey-work for several months, and here are some results:
Typist uxw28cs0923kld:
Nice work, uxw28cs0923kld. But your monkey-ness is obviously showing through.
Typist 7sdflk2398szcv:
Yeah, yeah, I ignored it. What was I supposed to think? Another monkey wrote that I'd left my keys in my car, when, in fact, they were in my pocket the whole time.
Typist mpx82vkls20cvx:
Alas, this should come as no surprise. Given infinite monkeys, some will spontaneously evolve enough intelligence to type out their own thoughts. My apologies, mpx82vkls20cvx. But I didn't create the you, I merely accessed an existing quantum probability variance.
Typist uxw28cs0923kle:
Observe the typist's designation, uxw28cs0923kle. He was obviously sitting right next to uxw28cs0923kld and copying her work.
Typist p23cd89aoixc78:
I've included the surrounding gibberish because I want you to realize my position, here. Is this supposed to be a divine message? If so, then frankly, the instructions stink. Repent how? Which God/religion/code am I supposed to embrace? Stupid monkey.
Typist 99cxn176chui7s:
As I said earlier, I'm not the only one who's been accessing this particular probability variance. 99cxn176chui7s writes good copy-- for a monkey, anyway.
Cheers,
Jason
First question: Is any experiment along these lines plausible?
Yes, indeed! Accessing the production of such monkeys is a simple matter of inducing a readable quantum probability variance. You can easily find instructions on the web.
Second question: Then it's been done?
Well... getting the monkeys and typewriters is the easy part. But they also produce infinite gibberish, which means the real challenge is coming up with a selection algorithm to pick out their more interesting writings. My own algorithm will remain proprietary, but I'm not the only one who's attempted this, as you will see later.
Third question: Is 'infinity' a number?
It is not. The adage should read "infinite monkeys". Furthermore, they should have exactly one typewriter each to spare us from requiring the axiom of choice, which, though useful, has its share of problems.
Fourth question: Is this blog going to turn into a bunch of esoteric rambling about the nature of infinity?
No, just one more little tidbit.
Fifth question: Then can we please get that over with?
Infinity comes in several sizes (more properly described as 'cardinality'). For example, there are infinite whole numbers (...-3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3...), but mathematicians can prove that there are even more real numbers. To do the experiment properly, you want the "big" infinity. This is obtained by specifying the ratio of langurs, mangabeys, and macaques as π to e to √2. Also, note that I use only monkeys (chimpanzees, bonobos, and orangutans are great apes).
This worked. Sort of. I've been sifting through monkey-work for several months, and here are some results:
Typist uxw28cs0923kld:
Two trees, or not two trees? That is the question. Whether is nobler in the limb to suffer the competition in the fig, or to clench jaws against a tree of troubles, and by leaping, avoid them. To leap: to grasp; and by a grasp, we say to grab the next tree and escape the fig; 'tis a good move, devoutly to be wished. To grasp, perchance to slip. Aye, there's the rub that makes calamity such a long day. For in that slip of grip, what tumble may come when we have shuffled off this weaken'd branch must give us pause...
Nice work, uxw28cs0923kld. But your monkey-ness is obviously showing through.
Typist 7sdflk2398szcv:
Bin Laden is hiding in Pakistan, in an isolated, secure compound, but with minimal guard. He can be taken by...
Yeah, yeah, I ignored it. What was I supposed to think? Another monkey wrote that I'd left my keys in my car, when, in fact, they were in my pocket the whole time.
Typist mpx82vkls20cvx:
I'm not your typewriter-[obscenity]. Why don't you suck my big monkey [obscenity] you [obscenity] aero-[obscenity]? I ought to take this typewriter, [obscenity] it with a banana, and [obscenity] both into your soft, wet [obscenity] [obscenity].
Alas, this should come as no surprise. Given infinite monkeys, some will spontaneously evolve enough intelligence to type out their own thoughts. My apologies, mpx82vkls20cvx. But I didn't create the you, I merely accessed an existing quantum probability variance.
Typist uxw28cs0923kle:
Two tress, or not twotrees? That is the queisotnj. Whether is nobler int he limg tot suufefr competitnhign in the fig, or tos clchenh jaws. agianst a tree of troubnles, and by leaping ovoid them...
Observe the typist's designation, uxw28cs0923kle. He was obviously sitting right next to uxw28cs0923kld and copying her work.
Typist p23cd89aoixc78:
jklcxnm8923'][.ads God is watching, Jason! Repent, repent! as][;df97c.xvnbweJKC]P 27FDJKL>>>>DS8aDKSF6`
I've included the surrounding gibberish because I want you to realize my position, here. Is this supposed to be a divine message? If so, then frankly, the instructions stink. Repent how? Which God/religion/code am I supposed to embrace? Stupid monkey.
Typist 99cxn176chui7s:
A local department store introduces a new line of lingerie. Shocking pictures at eleven!
Some ordinary household cleaning products are actually poisonous! Find out which ones at eleven!
Dozens of registered sex offenders live right here in Klaxon County. Is there one in your neighborhood? We show you a map at eleven!
Does the IRS owe you an even bigger refund? Is there an oil well in your backyard? Or maybe a lump of gold in your basement? Find out at eleven!
As I said earlier, I'm not the only one who's been accessing this particular probability variance. 99cxn176chui7s writes good copy-- for a monkey, anyway.
Cheers,
Jason
04 May 2011
Lessons from the A to Z blogging Challenge
 |
| On Arithmetic |
Which was what I did during my first (and only) full marathon. Less than six months before the race, my hypothyroidism had been diagnosed, and I had subsequently gone through a hysterectomy. A couple of weeks before the race, I had fallen ill again, and was struggling to even climb stairs. And yet, come race day, I pinned up my bib, laced up my running shoes, and lined up with three thousand others at the start line. Less than mid-way into the race, I realised I could either keep running, or finish the race - I couldn't do both. I chose to start walking. Two-thirds into the race, the road was thrown open to traffic, and I got off the road and onto the pavement. People all around me dropped out, but my feet took on a life of their own and refused to stop till I crossed the finish line.
 |
| On Bucket lists |
The rest of the month was no different. On most days, till lunch-time I would not have any idea what I was going to write about, but by evening, an idea would germinate, and the drabble would get written. Twenty-six non-Sunday days, twenty-six drabbles. None pre-scheduled. All posted before dinnertime. Almost all of them exactly 100 words on first attempt.
 |
| On Zero |
Which only goes to show that writing is a skill like any other, and practice does make you get better and better at it. If I could do it for the A to Z Challenge, I wonder why I can't do it otherwise. Maybe I just have to force myself into a chair for half an hour a day, Everyday!
03 May 2011
Topical Tuesday: Obesity
So, today I am going to talk about something that has been dear to my heart. This what my students call "real talk." I've struggled with obesity since my teen years. After having two children and going through a really emotional and messy divorce in my mid 20's, I had gained approximately 40 pounds. Consequently, having a third child did nothing but make the weight gain more profound and I gained another 40 pounds. This compounded with a family history of high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and diabetes was just a recipe for disaster.
For some time in October I was experiencing headaches, sluggishness, heart palpitations and dizziness. The urgi-care doctor recommended I have a complete physical since I was also receiving care for kidney stones. I was a HOT mess! I waited until January to see my doctor.
Once my vitals were taken by the nurse, my doctor entered the exam room and looked over my chart (which is now online, I have some issues about confidentiality and security but will save that for another post). Dr. K. looked me in the eye and said, "You are going to kill yourself. You're only 37 and morbidly obese. You have borderline high blood pressure. This is just the beginning. You will have heart disease, diabetes and who knows what else by the time you're 50."
My first thought was, "What the flagnog? Who the hell does she think she is?" But despite my immediate anger, a lightbulb went off and I realized she was right. I had to do something differently because I was on a path to destruction. So, I stopped eating the bad stuff. I had withdrawals like you wouldn't believe. I keep a food log everyday on my iPhone using the Lose It! app. I exercise by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, walking on the treadmill three times per week and lifting small cans (not strong enough for regular weights yet). I also don't eat late night snacks anymore; 7 pm is the cutoff. All in all, I began at 258 lbs and am now down to 235. I lost 23 pounds in eight months. I probably could have lost more but am proud that I got even this far.
I will not lie. There are times when I crave a cookie or want to have a bagel with cream cheese but so far I have been able to keep these cravings to a minimum. I would love to hear your struggles, successes and strategies on living a healthy lifestyle. It's nice to know that perhaps, I'm not so alone in this never ending battle against obesity.
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons:
Obesity 001
Fast Food
Weightloss
02 May 2011
Read Any Good Blogs Lately?
It's 'Reading Monday', so this post is supposed to be all about what I've been reading recently, and what I would recommend. The problem is, I haven't actually been reading any books lately. I haven't read anything other than blogs for the last month, in fact.
When I took part in this year's April A-Z Challenge, I never dreamed it would eat up so much time. The writing of the posts themselves was nothing compared to the vast amount of blogs that all the challengers were honour-bound to read. Not that I'm complaining, because I have discovered so many new brilliant people in Blogland that my Blogroll is threatening to take over my blog page. My readership doubled during the month, and I have met more than a few people who I hope to continue interacting with for as long as I inhabit Blogland.
The lovely thing with blogs is that you really get a sense of the personality of the person who is blogging. No-one can blog regularly without their personality sneaking their way into the posts. Having met a few of my fellow Burrowers in real life, I can honestly say that their blogs reflect them perfectly, so I have proof of this. *nods firmly*
So my recommendation this week is to spend a few minutes when you can spare them, and read some blogs that you have never visited before. I'm not saying you will enjoy all of them - there were some that I found myself that I knew would not be my cup of tea - but I guarantee that you will be entertained, and I bet that there will be a few more blogs added to your regular reading list too.
Sometimes reading is not only about the story, but about what you will discover. Or who you will discover.
When I took part in this year's April A-Z Challenge, I never dreamed it would eat up so much time. The writing of the posts themselves was nothing compared to the vast amount of blogs that all the challengers were honour-bound to read. Not that I'm complaining, because I have discovered so many new brilliant people in Blogland that my Blogroll is threatening to take over my blog page. My readership doubled during the month, and I have met more than a few people who I hope to continue interacting with for as long as I inhabit Blogland.
The lovely thing with blogs is that you really get a sense of the personality of the person who is blogging. No-one can blog regularly without their personality sneaking their way into the posts. Having met a few of my fellow Burrowers in real life, I can honestly say that their blogs reflect them perfectly, so I have proof of this. *nods firmly*
So my recommendation this week is to spend a few minutes when you can spare them, and read some blogs that you have never visited before. I'm not saying you will enjoy all of them - there were some that I found myself that I knew would not be my cup of tea - but I guarantee that you will be entertained, and I bet that there will be a few more blogs added to your regular reading list too.
Sometimes reading is not only about the story, but about what you will discover. Or who you will discover.
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