ARDIRI

"Whole-Paycheck" Yoga Gear and Resolutions

In order to ensure that I fulfill my resolution to do Bikram yoga on a regular basis, I decided to get a workout/work-crap multitasking bag.  Essentially it came down to two choices, and although I would've loved to have bought this 'Whole Paycheck'-type of bag from Lululemon:

the rational part of my brain couldn't rationalize $128+tax for a workout bag.  Insead, I found this little jewel from Zappos for $60:

And, I must say that I am quite pleased with this bag so far!  I'll let you know if I change my mind!

P.S. I fulfilled my resolution of 3 Bikram workouts for the first week of January!  According to a New York Times article by  John Tierney, I am more likely to hold fast to my goals because I've made a "formal resolution" and if I continue sticking to that resolution through January, I shall "last a lot longer"!  Let's go, Holly!   

Finally, do you have any New Year Resolutions you'd like to share with the blogosphere?

2012--Finally!

At long last, the year 2011 has finally ended!  Watch as I bow down, prostrate my self upon the ground, and thank all the gods! 

Last year was a doozie: the end of a long relationship that truly should have ended at least a couple of years earlier, my re-entry into the dating scene for real, a quick lesson in salary negotiations, my first Bikram Challenge completed*,  a quick weekend jaunt to Hawaii, and a re-realization that the world is damn awesome! (*OK, so I didn't fully complete the challenge, but I did do 27 classes in 30 days while working full-time; I think that is more than pretty good!) 

Now for the resolutions:

1) Complete my Master's thesis. I have no more excuses left and I have no one but myself holding me back.  I must see this as a series of papers and not some big monster lurking under the proverbial bed.  

2) Continue my Bikram practice.  It makes me happy and healthy.  Ideally, I would like to do 4 days a week, but 3 will suffice.  However, I need to be conscious of how my angry little right knee is feeling and back off when necessary.

3) Keep up with the blog. I know that there is a novel,  a non-fiction book, or a series of restaurant reviews hidden somewhere in me and writers only get better by actually writing.  Of course, writing the thesis will help, but I've got to have some fun writing to do as well.

4) Spend more time with my girlfriends. Friends rock and should be prioritized. We all have busy lives, but I know I can make room for them.

5) Start being crafty again.  I used to do a lot of creative things--sewing, knitting, glueing shit from magazines to anything that stood still for more than 5 seconds (decoupaging).  What happened that stopped me?  A lot and really very little.  This year I'd like to return to being a crafty chica and also dip my big toe into "urban art" (but legally, of course).

Alright, I think that is enough for today.  There may be more resolutions to come...

Happy New Year to All!  Hello 2012, you are looking fantastic already!

Human, All Too Human...

 

Human, all too human*.  This has been my constant refrain for the past 6 or so months.  Wish it weren't the case and that I could just be a pre-evolution Cylon; but a Toaster I am not.  As Starbuck would say, "Frak it!"  (I totally geeked out there--all apologies.)

Really though, why does it all have to be such an uphill struggle sometimes?  Why can't we (or--truthfully--I) just tuck away the B.S. from the past and approach new things with soft hearts, willing souls, and ready minds? I know, I know...without the past we learn nothing.  And, thus, I suppose this time of my life is simply an opportunity for me to learn way too much (it certainly feels like that).

Again--Human, all too human.

*Credit to Friedrich Nietzsche for the quote.

PSA

As we enter into the runup to the 2012 presidential election craziness, a public service announcement:

 

Don't Worry...

Somedays I have to remind myself of this, other days it simply just feels that way.

Yesterday,when I woke up my brain was just *Kabam!*-- happy head left and right!!   Going and doing my Bikram practice simply expanded it.

Now, I just have to figure out the components for daily happy head = )

(Image found at Alive in the Fire)

Cleaving

We were once upon a time two disparate individuals inhabiting  the same intellectual space and time.  Then somehow, somewhere, sometime, you noticed me and were inclined to transfer into my orbital path.  We then slowly began the process of colliding, melding, and growing together until the atmosphere (the outside conditions, the expectations, especially those imposed by others) and our inner realities created too much friction.  We cleft apart in every single sense of the dictionary definition.  And now I am learning  that, just like a diamond must be sharply and decisively cleft to expose its most beautiful facets, I too must be broken  apart, split along my true seam to reveal that hidden self of beauty and wisdom.

Ardiri

Ardiri--Sicilian for taking a risk or being consumed by fire.

The Apple of My Eye

Pink Pearl Apple!  Yes, it is real and it truly was that bright fuschia color (no camera tricks)!  Very tangy and delicious.  Pairs well with Malbec wine. 

Old Hag: Fine! Fine! Now, take a bite!...Don't let the wish grow cold!

Snow White (after biting into the apple): Oh, I feel strange, oh, oh...

Old Hag (expectantly rubbing her hands together): Her breath will still. Her blood congeal. 

I Still Knit!

My "Bert and Ernie" fingerless glove made with Madeleine Tosh Sock in Baltic (the dark blue yarn) and some mystery sock yarn.

And my overdyed Koigu yarn in another pair of fingerless gloves:

Each glove is 5o stitches cast on with a smaller-than-size-one needle, k1,p1 for 8 rounds, and then switch to a size 1 or 2 (not sure as I don't currently know where my needle gauge is...will ETA later when I find it) for knitting in the round. 

Surreal Small Things

It's the small things that matter, like finding a headless dinosaur in the gutter...