05/26/2012 Question of the Day

Posted on May 26, 2012 by

If you could have one superpower like a superhero, which would you want?

But, I already have a superpower!  My superpower is to turn everything you say into something dirty.  That counts, right?  No?  Oh….

I’m going to go with flying.  I could visit anywhere I wanted in the world and not have to sit in tiny, uncomfortable airplane seat.  During my flights, if I needed to stop for refreshments – all I need to do is land somewhere.   Flying myself would be environmentally friendly!  I’m low-emissions!

(unless I’ve been eating beans…)

Now I put it to you, Dear Readers, what would you pick as a superpower?

Posted in Random Thoughts, Musings, Personal, Question of the Day | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

I’ve been POISONED!

Posted on May 25, 2012 by

Okay, not really.  This is a very short post today – drama in the modeling world yesterday and today and I’m a “grunt”, in the trenches making sure people get out alive with all their pieces-parts.

I attempt to eat healthy most of the time.  My breakfasts this week (and many previous days) consists of Low-Fat Maple Granola, non-fat Greek Yogurt, fruit and almonds.  This morning, I grabbed my alloted six almonds and tossed one into my mouth.  All systems go. Almond number two was tossed into my maw as I was grabbing my gear to head out the door for the day and my brain said, “Well that doesn’t taste right…”

Then as I began to chew, it said, “Why is my tongue going numb?”

“This is really awful!  WHY does this almond taste like… I don’t know what it tastes like other than awful!”

Dear Readers, I don’t often spit out food… but my stomach was clenched in preparation to reject this almond if I was going to swallow it.  I spit it out, rinsed my mouth out for about 5 minutes and still had a nasty chemical taste in my mouth.  I met DH in the driveway, as he was waiting for me (we commute together), and I told him “Your assassin failed… I spit out that almond; but my tongue is still numb.  And I have a nasty taste in my mouth.”

Honestly, I don’t know WHAT was on that almond.  I gingerly tasted and then ate the remaining 4 – they were fine.  Oh, I feel fine now and the nasty taste is gone.

And for DH’s plans to off me (kidding!!!  REALLY!  we joke about it all the time), he responded, “Well, then the assassin doesn’t get paid…”  ;)

I’m guessing that the almond was rancid (though I squirrel away my nuts in the freezer) or  was soaking at the plant in something it shouldn’t have been soaking in.  Or… perhaps the squirrels are after me?

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To those who speak to our Souls

Posted on May 24, 2012 by

I’m an incredibly lucky person; for real and for true.

I’ve been very fortunate to have some particularly special people enter my life over the years and some of them are the people who speak to my soul.  These wonderful people are few and far between and I was inspired to write about the luck of having them in my life after reading Elena’s post about her trip to Cairo, Egypt, and meeting fellow blogger and new friend, Zully.  You see, just yesterday I had a lovely conversation with one of my friends who speaks to my soul, Chuck.  Chuck speaks Celtic from time to time and yesterday he got “mushy” on me, letting me know what an important part of his life I was and how he appreciated me; I echoed his thoughts.  His word for what we are is Anam cara.  Soul Friends.

Chuck is one of my internet friends whom I’ve had the luck of actually meeting in person.  He’s one of those people who even if we don’t speak for months, when we do, conversation picks right up where it left off.  Chuck always “got” me.  I could say something and even if I mangled it up, he knew what I meant.  I love Chuck with all my heart and he’s one of my “if something happens, please contact” people.

If you’re just joining this blog, I am a lover, which I’ve mentioned before, but I’m actually a really guarded person.  Some will call me aloof, some taciturn; both apply in the right circumstances.  I’m not unfriendly to strangers – quite the opposite, but conversation, while genuine, is inconsequential; it’s my way of feeling people out.  I like to see what they’re about.  What their angle is; what role they play in the dance of life.

I have these friends who have wiggled their way through the mazes and traps I set and withstood the pushing away and punches I threw in an effort to protect myself; those aloof and taciturn mannerisms I employ to keep myself safe.  These people are my closest friends.  They number in the few and I cherish them dearly because they see and accept me for who I am, the proverbial “warts and all”.  I love them because they love me back.  These are the people whom I don’t just greet with a big hug – these are the people who are greeted with a big hug, a kiss and you don’t let go for a good long time because it feels so good to hold them again.

Do you have these same friends?  The ones who don’t judge you for things you say or do.  The ones who hear what you have to say and then make you think of things a different way.  They remind you to keep your mind open.  They remind you that even though they or anyone else might do something different from you, it isn’t necessarily wrong – just different.  They roll with your punches.  You don’t even have to speak when you’re with them, the silence is equally as comfortable as speech.

Soul Friends are a beautiful gifts to have in your life.  When they have come around, it has always surprised me.  It’s like when the Tooth Fairy left money under my pillow.  It’s like the Christmas I ran to the tree, right past the new mountain bike, and it was pointed out to me that I “missed something”.  I did?  I DID!!!  The thing is… Soul Friends are so much better than Tooth Fairy money or a mountain bike.  Soul Friends are the gifts that keep on giving.  They are the people with whom you want to spend time whenever you can.  The people with whom you honestly enjoy talking… even on the phone!  They are the people that you are continually are reminded how lucky you are that they present in your life.  I’ve been fortuitous enough to have married one of these Soul Friends in addition to the others in my life.

I’ve never believed, nor have I been comfortable with, the idea that people have only one “soul mate”.  I believe we have many; but after my conversation with Chuck, “Soul Friends” is a much better way of putting it.  Anam Cara.  Home.

“Love isn’t a feeling, it’s an ability.” Marty from Dan in Real Life

Do you have the ability?  If you do – are you using it?  If you don’t or you aren’t – why not?

Here’s hoping I’ve done this tribute justice to DH, Chuck and my other Soul Friends.  Thank you for letting me grow into who I am, teaching me about myself and life in general. I’m privileged and humbled that I’ve recognized you when you have come along.

Posted in Friendship, Life, Love, Musings, Personal, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My soapbox: What to eat

Posted on May 23, 2012 by

photo courtesy of: http://shruti914.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/soapbox/

This past weekend I was at my parents, both of whom are diabetic.  A long diet of white bread, baked goods and soda (typical Midwestern Farmhouse fare) led to the diagnosis for both of them.  I found it a shock when my mom was diagnosed because she was always so active, and while not a tiny person, she was always doing something physical, be it gardening to cleaning the barn.  The shock was nonexistent when dad was diagnosed as I had always figured he’d be the one who developed the disease.

Dad came home with some groceries which included white rice.  Mom commented that he shouldn’t be eating white rice, he asked why not, I said it was because it converted to sugar too quickly. His response to all of that was “Then why are Chinese people so skinny?  They eat rice all the time.”  I pointed out that the traditional Chinese diet was vegetable-based, not meat and starch-centric.

But that brings me to the whole point of being up here on my soapbox; if you want to prevent disease (hopefully), feel better and lose weight, you need to watch what you eat.  I have a rare soda nowadays.  I love to bake but seldom eat the “fruits of my labor” as it were.  I don’t really crave sugar except for that monthly craving of really good chocolate (and Mochas… I really, really love mochas).  I drink my hot coffee black most of the time.  I don’t care for white bread unless it’s homemade.  I don’t often drink fruit juices or eat candy.  My biggest downfall with sugar is:  alcohol.  While I don’t indulge daily, admittedly I do enjoy my adult beverages.  Everyone is allowed to have their kryptonite.

Since I saw the affect that sugar had on those in my family (diabetes is very common in my family), I made a more concerted effort to stave it off; working out, eating better, etc.  White bread be gone and in it’s place, is what DH likes to call “sticks and twigs” bread.  Whole vegetables and fruits.  Store-bought cookies are a rare indulgence and usually are Oreos.  I began to really listen to what my body told me it wanted.  I fell into the habit of drinking water when I felt hungry just to make sure I was actually hungry.  I have cut out my stops at McDonald’s for their Cafe Mochas, hot or iced, and save them for when I’m REALLY craving one – otherwise straight up black coffee waits for me at work.

I also research.  I thought about Nutrisystem, but the reviews out there of explosive diarrhea and stomach cramps were side effects I didn’t want to deal with.  I thought about Jenny Craig, but seeing a coworker use that program and lose, then gain it all back the moment she stopped because she reached her goal weight was disheartening.  I found Reader’s Digests “Change One” program one day, years ago.  Sounded simple.  Change one aspect of your diet and make that change a habit.  I read the book and honestly it really did help.  The book really got me focused on portion sizes and then the weekly changes per the plan.

A couple years ago, I started to see this person named Lisa aka Hungry Girl on various shows.  She was overhauling favored recipes to make them lower in fat and calories.  I was fascinated.  Lisa!  I’m a Hungry Girl, too!  But, after watching her make recipes, and seeing that she used egg substitute and fake sugar (Splenda) and margarine… I had to step back and analyze how a body is affected by these ingredients.

Egg substitute, while made mostly of eggs, is missing a lot of nutrients so they have to be added back into the product.  Yes, that’s right, added back into the product.  Splenda is just scary and I don’t buy products that have it as an ingredient, and margarine I’ve just never been a fan.  So where does that leave me?  Eating foods whole or as close to whole as I can.  Whole fillets of fish instead of fish sticks.  Peeling potatoes and making them into french fries instead of buying bags of them frozen.  You get the idea.

Essentially in our effort to curb our molecular predisposition to eat food when it’s available because our brain is still wired to survive as primitive man, we create products that trick and starve our bodies.  Why can’t we eat whole eggs, real sugar and butter?  That’s what I stick with most of the time- real food.

I cannot condemn those who choose to eat every meal at McDonald’s (sorry McDonald’s… you’re just an easy target example, because you’re EVERYWHERE).  Why?  Because as bad for consumption as the food is… it’s tasty.  There, I said it – McDonald’s peddles tasty, bad-for-me food.  I can’t condemn those who smoke either because I indulge on occasion.  I CAN hold disdain for those who give in to what appears to be an utter lack of self-control and let their cravings control them.  Everything in moderation, not gorging oneself on it.

Where does that leave you and the rest of the world?  I’ve given up telling people what they should or shouldn’t eat in person (obviously I’m expressing my opinion on what to eat here in writing).  That’s like giving a look of disdain to the person at McDonald’s ordering the three Big Mac’s, two large fries and a Diet Coke – they don’t get it and it’s possible that they never will.  So for my Dad who eats way more than he should and a lot of what he shouldn’t – I can’t help.  If he wants to stay on the same path, that’s his choice.

Nobody will live forever and we should enjoy ourselves while we’re here.  I happen to want to enjoy a long, active and happy life, so I make choices that reflect that decision.  Eat, drink and be merry.  Wise words and open to interpretation.  How do you interpret them?

Posted in Food, Life, Personal, Random Thoughts, Rants | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Sexy is as sexy does

Posted on May 22, 2012 by

“Sexy”.  What does that word make you think of?  I read an article today in In Style Magazine where the top twelve (by the magazines choosing) sexiest celebrities were asked how they defined “sexy”.

So, of course, this got me pondering about what I think “sexy” means to me.  Sexy is a word I hear bandied about frequently in the modeling world.  ”OHhh!  That’s Sexy!” is tossed out in appreciation of a pose or a look; in my world though, for myself, sexy is much more than that.

I’m admittedly a shallow person when it comes to other people.   Now, before people get all “Ohh, Sarah!  You’re not shallow!”, let me explain.  I believe most, if not all people, at first glance, are shallow.  They base their  level of desire of getting to know you based upon looks – at first.  If I were out at a bar and someone I thought was very unattractive approached me (and I was lookin for love), I’d be much less inclined to talk to them.  If I was just there to talk, a person’s physical appearance plays a much lesser part, but is still integral in how I, or anyone, treats the people we meet for the first time.

When we find someone attractive, we’re much more inclined to speak to them and generally, if they are interesting, we want to spend more time with them.  When we’re younger, we’re driven by physical attractiveness of the other person.  We find someone attractive, we want to spend time with them, lack of ability to carry on a conversation be damned!

As we, well, in this case I’ll just use myself, get older, we find people who engage our brain much more attractive than those who are merely attractive physically.  I was engaged in conversation with a female friend recently who is a few years my junior.  She’s in the dating pool, and finds that a lot of the men she attracts and is attracted to, are younger than she is, some more than 5 years younger.  I’ve had younger men hit on me at bars, and I just want to smile and pat their cheek saying, “Awww, you’re so cute.  How old are you?”

I’ve always felt older than I was growing up and was much more inclined to have a conversation with adults than people my own age.  So, what does that mean?  I find people older than myself, who have life experience and an ability to carry on a conversation much more attractive than young bucks with something to prove.  People who have confidence in their abilities and skills are attractive.  A person who is capable is sexy.

That’s “sexy” to me; it’s not all tied up with attractiveness, which can come about, and often does, when my mind has been engaged.  Sexy is confidence, that “I got this” confidence than comes with experience.  Sexy is a sense of humor about life and oneself.  Sexy is being able to have a conversation with someone, both being able to talk about oneself or to ask about another.  Sexy is being able to sit in silence and not be uncomfortable.  Sexy is strength of mind and character; charisma.

Incidentally, I dislike the comment “sexy” on photos for modeling.  I find it akin to pandering and completely unhelpful.  Since I have my own personal definition of “sexy”, someone saying an image is just that doesn’t  equate for me.  What’s sexy about it?  Please define.  As I have heard put to so many young children, “Use your words.”

So what is sexy to you?

and just for grins…

Posted in Musings, Personal, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Awards time

Posted on May 21, 2012 by

The rules for the Sunshine Award are as follows:

  1. Include the award Logo(s) in a post or in your blog.
  2. Answer 10 question about yourself.
  3. Nominate 10 to 12 other fabulous bloggers.
  4. Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blog, letting them know about the award.
  5. Share the love and link the person who nominated you.

The Questions:
. What is your Favorite color? Black, followed by pink and green
. What is your favorite animal?  I’m equal opportunity for critters.
. What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink? Water, then coffee.
. Do you prefer Facebook or Twitter? Facebook – I don’t have a Twitter account.
. What’s your passion? Living a life well lived.
. What’s your Favourite pattern? Argyle!
. Do you prefer giving or getting presents? Both, but I prefer to give.
. What’s your favourite number? I don’t really have one.  Numerology tells me I should like the number 11.
Favourite day of the week? All days are good days.  No real favorite.
. Favorite flower? Iris.

And now, to pass along the award to those who spread their own sunshine:

Anyone who reads this.  I know – it’s a cop-out, but here is the deal – so few of those I’ve nominated in the past actually follow through that I feel it’s an exercise in futility.

And for aware numero dos:

We have the Beautiful Blogger Award…

and the rules for this one are:

1. Thank the one who nominated you by linking back.
2. Nominate five blogs.
3. Let your nominees know by leaving a comment on their sites.
4. Copy and paste the award image on your site.

My nominations for this aware are the same as the for the Sunshine Award.  You read this?  You blog?  You’re nominated.

Thank you to Jean, aka The Phoenixplains for the nominations!

Posted in Musings, Personal, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

05/20/2012 Sunday Search Terms and Project 365: Facts 135-141

Posted on May 20, 2012 by

Happy Sunday Dear Readers!

What a week I’ve had!  Lots of working, lots of shoots and upon my arrival back home yesterday, I took a brief nap (was out like a light) and then off and running to Eno Vino to eat, drink and be merry with friends.  The food there was MAH-veh-lous as were all of the drinks from cocktails to wine to port (no beer this go around).  I’ll write a review for Trip Advisor (and Yelp) soon!

I’ve been nominated/awarded (I’m not sure which) for the Sunshine Award – I’ll get on that soon, Kate!  Thank you for the nomination (and from her post, it appears I’ve been nominated for the Beautiful Blogger Award as well)!

Other things in the news from the homestead…

The irises are blooming!  I have a large yard and a collection of irises, bearded to Siberian dwarves.  I add to my collection every year and that includes a variety of what I call “Ditch Irises” – these are the irises that I find growing in a ditch along a road, usually in front of abandoned houses or sites where there used to be houses or farms.  I find “Ditch Lilies” like this, too.  My collection of Ditch Irises  gets labeled with their color and where I found them, rather than the varietal name.

The eggs in the incubator should be hatching this week, in fact, they should be hatching Wednesday, but they might pop early.  I haven’t heard any peeps from the eggs yet, but they are starting to “rock ‘n roll” a bit on their own, so we know that the chicks are moving about.  I ran into town today to get the chick starter, grit and shavings and the baby pool will be set up tonight out in the barn for the babies as their brooder.

My greens are growing, at least the kale and arugula are.  The mache seed seems to have expired and the spinach isn’t showing much life.  I have a fairly small garden compared to many and I plant thinly so I often have seeds leftover.  This year I should be using up a majority of the old seeds so that’ll make room for new next year.

Now – to the search terms.  The favorite this week is: amusing muse model.  How could I not enjoy someone looking me up directly?  Okay, I wouldn’t like it if it was a stalker.  I’ve had three of them online (at least I only know of three), and thankfully none that I had to get a restraining order against.  So, if you’re a stalker – please go away.  If you’re just someone who finds me amusing – stick around for the show!

And, as always, the much-anticipated FACTS!

Project 365:  Random Facts 135 – 141

Random Fact # 135 - When I type the ;) symbol – I really wink.

I’ve been chatting online long enough that I don’t find it at all unusual for people to type out what their actions are or winks, etc.  I find it funny, however, that I think my actual wink looks pretty awkward.

Random Fact # 136 - I only laugh out loud some of the time when I type “LOL” – the rest of the time I laugh on the inside or “LOTI”

The famous (it’s my most popular post) LOL conundrum.  LOL is an automatic response with today’s merging of “The Queen’s English”, American (yes, I consider American and English two separate things) and chat-speak.  When something is slightly funny to even greatly amusing, LOL is the go-to-response.  I’ve been trying to get in the habit of typing LOTI when I’ve not actually LOL’d, but that is such a HARD habit to break!

Random Fact # 137 - I have a collection of books about the Civil War.

I have dozens as I find the whole socioeconomic situation that was the Civil War fascinating, not to mention the interpersonal relationships.  Whole families had a wedge driven between them due to their personal beliefs on states rights, slavery and expansionism.  The personal hardship of those who fought and those who stayed behind is equally fascinating.  The Civil War was also the reason I was going for a double-major in college – History being one of those majors.

Random Fact # 138 - I have a playlist of songs on my iPod that are all about sex.

This factoid shouldn’t surprise anyone.  Foghat’s “Slow Ride” to Buckcherry’s “Porno Star” and lots in between.  I was also just told about a couple more that should be added, thanks to my music-loving friend, Joe.

Random Fact # 139 - ”Loud breathers” make me want to scream in frustration… or just smother them with a pillow.

Loud breathers – you know the ones.  They sit next to you and that’s ALL you can hear and all your mind is determined to focus on, the inscessant heave ho of air moving in and out of them.  The sound grates on your nerves until you’re ready to explode in a manic flailing of fists while screaming, “SHUT UP!!!!  Stop BREATHING so loudly!”  Hmm?  Just me?  Okay then…

Random Fact # 140 - I really like Gin & Tonics.

Music-Loving Friend Joe is responsible for me trying Gin & Tonics.  I have had a bottle of Bombay Sapphire Gin for 8 years or so and every drink I tried with it was horrible.  Joe suggested the G & T.  I balked, knowing how poor a turnout I’ve had with gin drinks, and one hot day last summer I gave it a try.  WOW!  Tasty.  And quite refreshing on a hot day (like today… I hear the gin calling me after I get in my treadmill time).  Another bonus on the Cool-o-meter – tonic glows when subjected to a black light.  It’s the quinine.  Look it up.

Random Fact # 141 - I talk to myself often.  Ask a question.  Give an answer.

I think this falls more into the whole pondering thing.  Sometimes it’s just easier to ponder out loud.  Then, I started to answer those questions I asked “to no one particular”, also out loud.  I can have some good conversations with myself some days.  Usually, at some point during this conversation with myself, I realize that someone walking into the room and overhearing me ask and answer would probably assume that I was nuts.  That makes me laugh… and they might be right.

Posted in Modeling, Musings, Personal, Project 365, Random Thoughts | Tagged , , , , , , , | 7 Comments