"It's been a long, a long time coming, but I know a change gonna come" Sam Cooke
Some folks from the northeast suffer from “dontlookitis”. Basically, this disorder means you never look at anyone you don’t know in the eye, or engage a stranger into conversation. This is a function of tribal survival- everyone knows you do not engage a potential car-jacker, gang banger, shyster, or religious nut. The best way to avoid said people is to project an invisible force field that does not welcome said people in.
I will cop to suffering this disorder. If I know you, I’m happy to chat with you, smile at you, wave to you when we pass. If you’re a stranger though… well, I become somewhat socially aloof. (This explains my inherent distrust for Walmart greeters, good lord those years in the south were odd- complete strangers with huge toothy grins, wearing blue smiley face vests practically chasing you down as you walk through the door with a “Well hello y’all! How are youuuuuuuuuuu today?” Pure torture!)
Now for my deep confession. All of my adult life I have envied and admired people who “never meet a stranger”. In fact, in some ways I have gone to lengths to surround myself with such people. I have a lot of friends who are the type who can easily strike up a conversation in line with anyone. You go to a bar, and they are cracking jokes with previously unknown patrons as if they were old foxhole buddies. Walk around an amusement park with them, and they somehow know complete random strangers names and life stories by the time you leave. I’ve secretly wished I could be like that…. even while acknowledging such conversations would actually be agony for me.
This whole experiment is about being more of the person I wish I could be, through small achievable baby steps (thank you What About Bob). This morning I did something small… and it felt good. As I walked down the main street sidewalk, on my way to work, I sought out people to smile at, look in the eye, and say “Good morning!” to. People I already knew didn’t count. Strangers who said hello to me first didn’t count. I had to actually instigate a good morning encounter.
What do you know… it felt good. No one turned out to be a car-jacker, gang banger, shyster, or religious nut (or if they were, they kept it well hidden behind a polite smile). People just smiled and either nodded or said hello or good morning back. By the time I walked into my office I was smiling at my boss and said cheerfully, “Good morning!” and wow, I meant it!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
3- Smelly Clean
"Life's about changin', nothing ever stays the same..." Patty Loveless
The hair, it’s been driving me mad. Dry, course, nasty stuff I loathe most days. Earlier this month I’d read up quite a bit on no-poo, not out of environmental concern (note to self: learning to be more concerned about environment might make good future change challenge) but because well… my hair is straw. I can totally buy the theory that it’s being hunkered down with an extra 10 lbs of shampoo residue, I know what my kitchen floor looks like if it’s not properly rinsed after cleaning… it stands to reason my hair might suffer similarly.
After reading quite a few articles on the whole no-poo phenomenon I found a common complaint was that the baking soda scrub could in some cases strip already dry/coarse hair even more, exasperating the original problem. The solution is to rinse with apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner. Just like vinegar can rinse away soap residue from a kitchen floor, it can get rid of the nasties and help soften your hair. I decided I like poo… shampoo that is, and I’m going to keep using it for now. I would however, be open to trying apple cider vinegar as a rinse alternative.
This morning was my first test run. I did my normal shower routine. Scrubbed, shaved, sang a few rounds of “What do you do with a drunken sailor”, double checked the drain a few times to make sure the bathroom pipes monster wasn’t sneaking up on me. All was going well. Finally, I broke out my (Costco cheapie bulk bottle) shampoo, did my thing. Hair was clean, fresh, and still- coarse to the rub, even while wet. Eyed the conditioner bottle longingly but resisted the urge. Opened up the apple cider vinegar and proceeded to pour it (perhaps a bit too generously) on my hair.
This is where a word of caution is required. Vinegar is acidic, right? If you shave…. And are left with sensitive or nicked skin…. Pouring scalding acid on such skin, it might hurt. See where I’m going? Mother f*@^er, that hurt! Hopped around and shrieked a little. The searing pain passed momentarily. Felt my hair suspiciously. It felt smoother than before, but not “just conditioned” smooth. I was having serious doubts by that time. Frankly, I also found I smelled like a pickled egg. Not pickled pickles, or pickled beets, but seriously- pickled eggs. I have no clue why it was so specific to pickled eggs.
After rinsing, drying and dressing, I focused on the hair. I hesitantly ran a brush through it wet, afraid it would hurt- it didn’t. I found that while it didn’t have that conditioner feeling, it also didn’t have a dry shampoo only feeling. I felt more hopeful. I let it air dry most of the way and completed the job with a blow dryer. I have to say the end result was MUCH softer and smoother than it normally is post-condition. Here at the end of the day, it still feels clean- I generally shampoo daily because I hate feeling “dirty” hair, and I suspect the conditioner helps trap those tiny particles of dust and such- without said conditioner, I may find I can reduce shampoo to every other day or even less? As far as the smell, it seems to have dried itself out of the hair… my bathroom however, still smells like pickled eggs.
Apple cider vinegar in lieu of conditioner… day 1, I am giving this method a thumbs up!
The hair, it’s been driving me mad. Dry, course, nasty stuff I loathe most days. Earlier this month I’d read up quite a bit on no-poo, not out of environmental concern (note to self: learning to be more concerned about environment might make good future change challenge) but because well… my hair is straw. I can totally buy the theory that it’s being hunkered down with an extra 10 lbs of shampoo residue, I know what my kitchen floor looks like if it’s not properly rinsed after cleaning… it stands to reason my hair might suffer similarly.
After reading quite a few articles on the whole no-poo phenomenon I found a common complaint was that the baking soda scrub could in some cases strip already dry/coarse hair even more, exasperating the original problem. The solution is to rinse with apple cider vinegar instead of conditioner. Just like vinegar can rinse away soap residue from a kitchen floor, it can get rid of the nasties and help soften your hair. I decided I like poo… shampoo that is, and I’m going to keep using it for now. I would however, be open to trying apple cider vinegar as a rinse alternative.
This morning was my first test run. I did my normal shower routine. Scrubbed, shaved, sang a few rounds of “What do you do with a drunken sailor”, double checked the drain a few times to make sure the bathroom pipes monster wasn’t sneaking up on me. All was going well. Finally, I broke out my (Costco cheapie bulk bottle) shampoo, did my thing. Hair was clean, fresh, and still- coarse to the rub, even while wet. Eyed the conditioner bottle longingly but resisted the urge. Opened up the apple cider vinegar and proceeded to pour it (perhaps a bit too generously) on my hair.
This is where a word of caution is required. Vinegar is acidic, right? If you shave…. And are left with sensitive or nicked skin…. Pouring scalding acid on such skin, it might hurt. See where I’m going? Mother f*@^er, that hurt! Hopped around and shrieked a little. The searing pain passed momentarily. Felt my hair suspiciously. It felt smoother than before, but not “just conditioned” smooth. I was having serious doubts by that time. Frankly, I also found I smelled like a pickled egg. Not pickled pickles, or pickled beets, but seriously- pickled eggs. I have no clue why it was so specific to pickled eggs.
After rinsing, drying and dressing, I focused on the hair. I hesitantly ran a brush through it wet, afraid it would hurt- it didn’t. I found that while it didn’t have that conditioner feeling, it also didn’t have a dry shampoo only feeling. I felt more hopeful. I let it air dry most of the way and completed the job with a blow dryer. I have to say the end result was MUCH softer and smoother than it normally is post-condition. Here at the end of the day, it still feels clean- I generally shampoo daily because I hate feeling “dirty” hair, and I suspect the conditioner helps trap those tiny particles of dust and such- without said conditioner, I may find I can reduce shampoo to every other day or even less? As far as the smell, it seems to have dried itself out of the hair… my bathroom however, still smells like pickled eggs.
Apple cider vinegar in lieu of conditioner… day 1, I am giving this method a thumbs up!
Monday, April 27, 2009
2- Sunshine Pills
Not so much humor.
I recently underwent a series of medical tests and screenings, and during that process my doctor ordered one I hadn’t ever had before. This blood test rated my vitamin D levels. In northern latitudes this is sometimes necessary, as the primary source of vitamin D for most people in sun exposure. I was somewhat surprised to learn I was vitamin D deficient. This didn’t immediately cause any concern, after all- it’s just another vitamin, right? So I’ll drink more milkshakes…. How hard can that be?
I have since learned a virtual plethora of conditions can be associated with vitamin D deficiency syndrome including “osteoporosis, heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, depression, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain.” (Vit.D council) Having suffered vague body pain for the last year that I’d self-diagnosed as some mystery-FMSlike ailment, increased flare ups of the rheumatoid arthritis in my knees and hips, and mild depression, I had nicknamed the whole shebang “Alaska Disease”. Alaska Disease indeed, low levels of sunlight do more than promote SAD, your body actually needs that vitamin D!
As I researched further, I found there were many other suggested connections to vitamin D deficiency, including as some sources claim- PCOS or ovarian cystic conditions. Oh yeah, that niggling problem that drove me to the doctor for all those tests to begin with? To identify pain and swelling, which turned out to be an ovarian cyst and distended fallopian tube.
With all of these rather recent health problems I sound like I am 50 years old! Some days I feel like I am 50 years old. This too I attributed to “Alaska Disease”. I just assumed people felt older in Alaska. It didn’t occur to me it could all be related, and that it might all be answered with something as simple as a vitamin supplement. Thank you vitamin D!
The recommended daily vitamin D intake seems to be around 4,000 units per day, according to most medical and scientific sources.
What to do about it, this is the question. I can “fake and bake” in a tanning bed, but this is expensive, time consuming, dependant on there being an available bed in this small town, and risky as far as skin cancer concerns go. I can drink milk…. 40 glasses a day (at $7 a gallon, you do THAT math!). I can take supplements, specifically vitamin D3. The “3” is important, though I haven’t entirely discovered why yet! The problem is, doctors, scientists, and the governments don’t all agree on how much supplemental vit D one should take. The highest concentrated tablets I could find were 1,000 units. Do I take four tablets a day? The Vitamin D council says yes. On the other hand, the US office of dietary supplements suggests just 200-400 Ius per day in supplemental form. This strikes me as woefully inadequate given everything else I have read.
I’m starting a 2 tablet a day regimen, this will give me 2,000 units- I am also making a more concentrated effort to get direct sun time- not always an easy feat in an Alaskan rain forest (yes, you read that correctly!) , on marathon dark days I will be hitting the tanning bed for a little zap- all in an effort to achieve the missing 2,000 units per day via u/v rays.
Popped my first pill this morning, I’ll take another at dinnertime… and I’ll update my progress in a week or so. Will I notice any changes immediately, or will it be a more long term situation? We’ll see!
I have since learned a virtual plethora of conditions can be associated with vitamin D deficiency syndrome including “osteoporosis, heart disease, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, depression, chronic fatigue, and chronic pain.” (Vit.D council) Having suffered vague body pain for the last year that I’d self-diagnosed as some mystery-FMSlike ailment, increased flare ups of the rheumatoid arthritis in my knees and hips, and mild depression, I had nicknamed the whole shebang “Alaska Disease”. Alaska Disease indeed, low levels of sunlight do more than promote SAD, your body actually needs that vitamin D!
As I researched further, I found there were many other suggested connections to vitamin D deficiency, including as some sources claim- PCOS or ovarian cystic conditions. Oh yeah, that niggling problem that drove me to the doctor for all those tests to begin with? To identify pain and swelling, which turned out to be an ovarian cyst and distended fallopian tube.
With all of these rather recent health problems I sound like I am 50 years old! Some days I feel like I am 50 years old. This too I attributed to “Alaska Disease”. I just assumed people felt older in Alaska. It didn’t occur to me it could all be related, and that it might all be answered with something as simple as a vitamin supplement. Thank you vitamin D!
The recommended daily vitamin D intake seems to be around 4,000 units per day, according to most medical and scientific sources.
What to do about it, this is the question. I can “fake and bake” in a tanning bed, but this is expensive, time consuming, dependant on there being an available bed in this small town, and risky as far as skin cancer concerns go. I can drink milk…. 40 glasses a day (at $7 a gallon, you do THAT math!). I can take supplements, specifically vitamin D3. The “3” is important, though I haven’t entirely discovered why yet! The problem is, doctors, scientists, and the governments don’t all agree on how much supplemental vit D one should take. The highest concentrated tablets I could find were 1,000 units. Do I take four tablets a day? The Vitamin D council says yes. On the other hand, the US office of dietary supplements suggests just 200-400 Ius per day in supplemental form. This strikes me as woefully inadequate given everything else I have read.
I’m starting a 2 tablet a day regimen, this will give me 2,000 units- I am also making a more concentrated effort to get direct sun time- not always an easy feat in an Alaskan rain forest (yes, you read that correctly!) , on marathon dark days I will be hitting the tanning bed for a little zap- all in an effort to achieve the missing 2,000 units per day via u/v rays.
Popped my first pill this morning, I’ll take another at dinnertime… and I’ll update my progress in a week or so. Will I notice any changes immediately, or will it be a more long term situation? We’ll see!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
1 - Spare Change
Time may change me, but I can't trace time. David Bowie
I’m someone who thrives on change. As a military family, we pack up and move every 2-4 years, and we usually move “big”. I change homes, license plates, friends, and jobs all.the.time. It’s all environmental though, and as much of an impact as it has on my life it isn’t the personal, introspective kind of change.
This project is all about smaller, more personal changes. The kind I normally vow to make on Jan 1st, then forget by Jan 5th…. (I confess I actually love making New Yrs resolutions, it’s the KEEPING them part I don’t enjoy so much.) Instead of tracking one resolution or change for 356 days though, I’m proposing 365 changes. Can the human animal sustain that kind of change? Can I even think of 365 things about myself I don’t like enough to want to change? Can I remember to blog for 365 days?
{{Breaking news! Just had to add this juicy tidbit, am watching Celebrity Apprentice and The Don just asked Joan Rivers if stubborn Clint Black had changed at all, then interrupted her and said, “I don’t think anyone really changes, you just come out how you are”. Interesting! Perhaps Mr. Trump should follow this blog to confirm or deny that theory!}}
{{Breaking news report #2! As soon as I typed the above, a Wendy’s commercial began with the tagline, “Life Changes…. But the Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich never does.” Ah, change is indeed in the air!}}
Change. The first one is easy. I blogged! I’m blogging! I’m a blogger now! A changed woman indeed.
I’m someone who thrives on change. As a military family, we pack up and move every 2-4 years, and we usually move “big”. I change homes, license plates, friends, and jobs all.the.time. It’s all environmental though, and as much of an impact as it has on my life it isn’t the personal, introspective kind of change.
This project is all about smaller, more personal changes. The kind I normally vow to make on Jan 1st, then forget by Jan 5th…. (I confess I actually love making New Yrs resolutions, it’s the KEEPING them part I don’t enjoy so much.) Instead of tracking one resolution or change for 356 days though, I’m proposing 365 changes. Can the human animal sustain that kind of change? Can I even think of 365 things about myself I don’t like enough to want to change? Can I remember to blog for 365 days?
{{Breaking news! Just had to add this juicy tidbit, am watching Celebrity Apprentice and The Don just asked Joan Rivers if stubborn Clint Black had changed at all, then interrupted her and said, “I don’t think anyone really changes, you just come out how you are”. Interesting! Perhaps Mr. Trump should follow this blog to confirm or deny that theory!}}
{{Breaking news report #2! As soon as I typed the above, a Wendy’s commercial began with the tagline, “Life Changes…. But the Wendy’s spicy chicken sandwich never does.” Ah, change is indeed in the air!}}
Change. The first one is easy. I blogged! I’m blogging! I’m a blogger now! A changed woman indeed.
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