Getting Back to the Basics

In October 2013, I started a new job and everything was awesome and shiny and I let many of the things I love slip away as I devoted all my energy to work that I really care about.  Over the intervening months, I've more or less let work become the end all, be all of life.

This has not been a healthy decision.  My new project is to take Baby Steps (see what I did there?) toward re-balancing my life. I need to find my Joy again.

There are three areas that I intend to concentrate on bringing back into focus:

1) Physical Health
     -Eating a healthy, portion-controlled diet
     -Regular Exercise

2) Creative Outlets
     -Writing
     -Guitar

3) Play
     -Swing Dancing
     -Gaming (Board and Computer Games)
     -Hiking and Camping

Here's to the Resurrection of both my Life and this blog!

Whole 30 Results and Reflection

The Whole 30 was an experiment in eating super cleanly: no grains, no dairy and no sugar.  I ate lots of meat, eggs, vegetables and fruits.  I didn't feel particularly deprived except for missing my afternoon latte.  I missed dairy but I ate well without it.  This made social eating really difficult but I found some amazing recipes.  My goal going into this was to learn to eat better and replace junk food with more vegetables.  I think that I accomplished that pretty well.

I think that going forward I'll probably eat mostly by the Whole 30 principles but I'll definitely be having lattes and chocolate! 

Whole 30 Day 1

Weight: 211.4

 Neck: 13.25

Upper Arm: 14.5

Chest: 34.5

Waist: 32.5

Belly: 36

Hips: 46.5

Thighs: 27

Calves: 16.5 

 Whole 30 Results:

Weight: 205.8 (-5.6)

Neck: 13 (-.25)

Upper Arms: 13.5 (-1)

Chest: 33.5 (-1)

Waist: 32 (-.5)

Belly: 34.5 (-1.5)

Hips: 45 (-1.5)

Thighs: 26 (-1)

Calves: 16 (-.5)

 Total Inches Lost:  7.25!

2013 Goals

Looking back at my goals from 2012, I didn't do so hot at achieving those goals.  What I did accomplish this year was pretty awesome even if it wasn't part of my goals.

This year, I'll be trying to create fewer and more manageable goals.

Writing:

• I'm participating in the WIP500 challenge again this year.  Hopefully, I'll do better at keeping my progress through the entire year.
• Finish all the drafts that I started in 2012.

Knitting:

• Finish the last few baby knitting projects for my new nephew
• Finish the monster afghan
• Finish designing and knit the Steampunk Gears Scarf

Personal:

• Lose 50 pounds
• Count calories consistently
• Walk or run every day
• Lift weights at least every other day
• Swim once a month
• Complete a Whole 30 Chellenge
• Start Dating
• Create a Bucket List
• Keep track of all the books read in 2013
• Learn how to talk about myself
• Practice solo jazz for 10-15 minutes a day
• Re-learn to play the violin

Social Media/Blogging

• Learn to talk about myself
• Post a bucket list item each day
• Post a daily self picture and a daily dog picture (Hashtags: #dailyselfy and #dailydog)
• Post a Question of the Day
• Blog at least twice a week

Building a Bucket List Summary Jan 1-7

One of my goals for 2013 is to create a Bucket List.  My intent is to add a new item each day. You can follow along on Google Plus with the hashtag #buildingabucketlist.

Here's the additions to the list from the past week:

1. Finish editing and re-writing a novel
2. Run a full 5K race (no walking!)
3. Ride a Motorcycle
4. Go on a backpacking trip
5. Hire a band to play at my swing dance
6. Complete a Tough Mudder
7. Find employment in the Biology/Medical Field

NaNoWriMo Day 2

NaNoWriMo Day 2

General Stats:

Words Written Today: 337

Total Words Written: 356

Cups of Coffee This Month: 2

Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 0

Random Ideas Generated: 0

I got more words written than the first day but my writing was complicated by the fact that I have no internet at my house right now and I couldn't sync what I had written at work.  I've also done quite well at procrastinating.  Two loads of dishes and all the boxes in my room are unpacked.  I'm looking forward to some hard core Saturday writing.

NaNoWriMo 2012 Day 1

It's NaNoWriMo Time Again!

General Stats:

Words Written Today: 19

Total Words Written: 19

Cups of Coffee This Month: 1

Plans Changed to Accommodate More Writing: 0

Random Ideas Generated: 0

So, I didn't get much writing done yesterday.  However, I successfully moved to a new house.  I still have plenty to unpack, most notably the Kitchen but I should have plenty of writing time tonight. 

Portland Lindy Hop Events Oct 10-17

Lindy Events for the Week of October 10-

Wednesday October 10

7:30-10:30 pm Swing Night at Vie de Boheme

Drinking Age Only, 21+
Vie de Boheme Wine Bar (1530 SE 7th Ave, Portland)
Live Music by Everything's Jake

Thursday October 11

7:30-11:00pm Thursday Swing
PPAA (618 SE Alder, Portland)
7:30 Beginning Swing Drop-in Lesson
8:30 DJ'd Music

Friday October 12
 

8:00-11:00 Trashcan Joe at Brasserie Montmartre
Drinking Age Only, 21+
Brasserie Montmartre (626 SW Park Ave, Portland)

Saturday October 13

11am-4pm Portland Apple Tasting Festival 
Portland Nursery (5050 SE Stark, Portland)
11am-1pm Pete Krebs and the Portland Playboys
2-4pm The Stolen Sweets
http://www.portlandnursery.com/events/appletasting.shtml


7:30-11:00 Saturday Swing with S Cubed Productions
Tabor Heights UMC (6161 SE Stark St, Portland)
7:30 Beginning Swing Drop-in Lesson
8:30 DJ'd Music by Allisyn, Kassiane and Orin
http://scubedp.wordpress.com/


Sunday October 14

7-11:00pm Sunday Swing 
Scottish Rite (1507 SW Morrison, Portland)
7:00 Intermediate Swing Drop-in Lesson
7:30 Beginning Swing Drop-in Lesson
8:00-11:00pm DJ'd Music
http://www.stumptowndance.com/

Monday October 15

6:30-8:30pm Learn to Swing Dance with Josh and Emily
Wimbledon Square (2837 SE Colt Drive, Portland)

6:30-7:30 Beginning Balboa

7:30-8:30 Beyond Beginning Lindy Hop

http://www.facebook.com/events/257273261046069/

7:00-9:00pm Guided Swing Practica
Lower Melody Ballroom (615 SE Alder, Portland)
http://www.stumptowndance.com/

9-11pm Kung Pao Chickens
Drinking Age Only, 21+
Laurelthirst Public House (2958 NE Glisan, Portland)

Tuesday October 16

7:30-12:30 Tuesday Blues
Lenora's Room (615 SE Alder, Portland)
7:30 Intermediate Blues Lesson
8:30 Beginning Blues Lesson
9:00-12:30 DJ'd Music

8:00-12:00 The Rigamarole
Village Ballroom (700 Northeast Dekum Street, Portland)
8:00-9:00 Intermediate Workshop
8:30-9:00 Beginning Swing Lesson
9:00-12:00 DJ'd Music
http://therigamaroledance.com/


Wednesday October 17

7:30-10:30 pm Swing Night at Vie de Boheme

Vie de Boheme Wine Bar (1530 SE 7th Ave, Portland)

Upcoming Events!

October 17-21 Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree (Sun Valley, ID)
October 26-29 Victoria Lindy Exchange (Victoria, BC, Canada)
November 9-11 Vancouver Jazz Dance Festival (Vancouver, BC, Canada)
March 1-3 Portland Lindy Exchange