The Value of Passion

I will never forget a lesson I learned when I was young.

"Doing what is popular is not always right, and doing what is right is not always popular."

and reminded:


But, what is "RIGHT" when there is endless debate in politics and social media about everything from:

*The right for LGBT marriage,

*A woman's right for full health care coverage (or denial of such coverage until a government mandated invasive procedure is done) ,

*The #Occupy movement or the

*#Kony2012 awareness campaign.

Everyone has their own opinions, judgements, ideas and passionate displays. Each are controversial, each with passion supporters and detractors.

Is there a 'right' way?

We, as a society, need to stop criticizing each other for our passions, and start doing something productive. Something WE (as individuals) are passionate about. Something more than just sitting down and watching TV at the end of the night. There is so much going on the world, it is a shame to NOT get involved.

I believe:

*Deep down, each person wants to make their world a better place to be.

*Change starts small. It could be one small voice on a school yard that stands up to a bully.

*Everyone has the ability to be great catalyst for change and part of a solution.

My point:
Never stop learning.
Never stop being part of a solution.
Never stop pursuing your passion, dreams or desires.
Never stop doing what you love.
No matter what.

Coffee is my Whipping Boy

I am going to start this post by saying
I LOVE COFFEE!


I love it in all of its shapes and sizes. I love that it never judges me, doesn't care about those extra couple of pounds, or even if my socks match my shirt. I love that it is ALWAYS THERE when I need a warm hug.
Coffee will stay up with me all night watching movies, it will go out dancing with me, it won't care what I look like 'the morning after', and is Always happy to see me.
Coffee is... in fact, the best boyfriend ever.
However....
I've been thinking of cutting back.
So, what do I do? I go around and search on the internet of all the harmful effects.... Here is what I found (full disclosure - I have no idea if any of this is true... I found it on the internet after all):

On Cholesterol
*Coffee consumption is a major contributor to the variation in levels of total cholesterol, of sedentary middle-aged men.
*Increases blood pressure
*Increases Heart rate
*Aggravates coronary heart disease, related to heart attacks by interfering with fatty acid and glucose balances in the blood. 1-5 cups of coffee daily increases the risk of heart attack by 60%. 6 or more cups a day risk is increased to 120%

On the Stomach
*Two small cups stimulates acid secretion and irritate the stomach lining for more than an hour and longer in people with ulcers, therefore will interfere with the healing of ulcers or assist int he development of ulcers. There is a five times higher incidence of stomach cancer in peopel who consume more than 5 cups daily.

On The Adrenal Gland
*This is important for those of you who follow my 'stress-reducing' tactics*
The adrenal gland is the controller of our nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is our rest and repair mode and the sympathetic nervous system is our fight flight response mode. Caffeine stimulates the epinephrine and norepinephrine hormones to bring about the "caffeine high" turning on the sympathetic nervous system. If this happens too often, the gland becomes exhausted and will eventually be unable to react appropriately to stress. The "caffeine high" briefly increases mental speed for the type of thinking required in mathematics but impairs motor coordination. This effect may last up to 3 hours.

Mutagenic Effect
Caffeine breaks (splits) chromosomes of cells and interferes with the repair of DNA. This inhibits the body's ability to heal itself. (Think Wolverine in X-Men, but backwards)


Other Random Coffee Info:
*Caffeine belong to the same alkaloid group as morphine, nicotine, cocaine and strychnine.
*Been called the 'bad habit glue', increasing urges in users for the consumption of alcohol and nicotine.
*Caffeine is one of 273 poisonous alkaloids in coffee

My conclusion:
According to the internet, coffee is bad for you.
But, that doesn't make me want to quit drinking it.
Besides, everything on the internet is a lie anyway, right?

A Gift from the Sea

I sit, anxiously awaiting to hear back on a new abode. A new home. A place where I can see the ocean, a place where writing and coffee and eating and living will happen with a 180 degree view of waves and water and salt and infiniteness. It is the year of the Water Dragon, and with my newfound observation of productivity in writing in proximity to the ocean, I am excited about the possibilities. Stressed about the move and yet calm in the assurance of knowing that this just FEELS right.

So, I sit, patient.

In honor of this feeling, in honor of this next year's worth of gifts from the sea, in honor of 2012, the water dragon, the gratitude and everything about life which is enjoyed at a slower speed.... (It is Stress-Free Friday after all)

An excerpt:

A Gift From The Sea

"The beach is not the place to work, to read, write or think. I should have remembered that from other years. Too warm, too damp, too soft for any real mental discipline or sharp flights of spirit. One never learns. Hopefully, one carries down the faded straw bags, lumpy with books, clean paper, long over-due unanswered letters, freshly sharpened pencils, lists, and good intentions. The books remain unread, the pencils break their points, and the pads rest smooth and unblemished as the cloudless sky. No reading, no writing, no thoughts even - at least, not at first.

At first, the tired body takes over completely. As on shipboard, one descends into a deck-chair apathy. One is forced against one's mind, against all tidy resolutions, back into the primeval rhythms of the sea-shore, Rollers on the beach, wind in the pines, the slow flapping of herons across sand dunes, drown out the hectic rhythms of city and suburb, time tables and schedules. One falls under their spell, relaxes, stretches out prone. One becomes, in fact, like the element on which one lies, flattened by the sea, bare, open, empty as the beach, erased by today's tides of all yesterday's scribblings.

And then, some morning in the second week, the mind wakes, comes to life again. Not in a city sense - no - but beach-wise. it begins to drift, to play, to turn over in gentle careless rolls like those lazy waves on the beach. One never knows what change treasures these easy unconscious rollers may toss up, on the smooth white sand of the conscious mind, what perfectly rounded stone, what rare shell from the ocean floor. Perhaps a channelled whelk, a moon shell, or even an argonaut.

But it must not be sought for or - heaven forbid! - dug for. No, no dredging of the sea bottom here. That would defeat one's purpose. The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shows not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choiceless as a beach - waiting for a gift from the sea."

~Anne Morrow Lindbergh

People are Amazing.

People are amazing.
Amazing in the beautiful artistic way,



Amazing in the creative, imaginative way,



Amazing in the 'crazy new-age Woodstock Festival, Dr Seuss in the Desert' kind of way.



And resilient.

People are very very amazing in the resilient kind of way.
Like these people...

and you.

You are resilient.

You are amazingly, creatively, deliciously resilient.
...and if you aren't.... it's just because you haven't had an opportunity to stretch your resilient muscles. It's because, maybe, you forgot. Don't worry, I'm here to remind you.

Consider this your reminder.

Aliens, Einstein and Care Bears. Boo-ya!

*This post really doesn't make any sense, and I probably shouldn't have posted it, but my poor little brain is in a funny place. So let's pretend it's Topless Tuesday, Random Wednesday or No-Pants Thursday and you can click all the links then it will all make sense.*

I missed a post for you on Monday.
It was Money Monday and I know you were just waiting with baited breath to hear what sort of earth shattering revelations I had for you.
Sorry to disappoint.... but it's 2012, get used to it. I'm sure there will be many more disappointments to come this year.

I think people have much too high of an expectation for themselves at the new year. Manifesting as some odd weight-loss/budget-friendly/stress-free/perfect little New Years alien.

But guess what....
You aren't perfect, and you never will be, so stop trying. And. Just. Live.

Many of the most powerful people in the world came from poverty, and yet, sometimes I wonder...
Are they really happy? Are they still doing the things they love?
I hope so.
Then, I read a story about this lady, who hasn't spent a single dime in over 16 years... and I think... is it possible?
She looks really happy.
And my rational mind swims furiously like a turtle in a hurricane about this question of money and value and people and love and E=MC2 ....
Enter Einstein (at stage right):

So let me break it down.... here are my resolutions (you can use them in case you didn't get around to making any) in 2012:

*Less water, more drinks with umbrella's
*More massages and hot tubs and sunshine.
*Toe Socks in every color and pattern
*A first big success
*A first big failure
*More hot dogs and mac & cheese (what? they are good and make me furiously happy.)
*More Uncertainty
*More Change (the jingly stuff, and the life stuff)
*More ball-gowns in cemetery's just because it makes me happy.
*oh, and money.
*More Money.
*MONEY.
*Money that feels good to make.
*Money that feels good to make because you are doing something which makes you furiously happy.
*Money that feels so good to make, you don’t even feel slightly guilty about impulsive purchasing that (________________) because it’s the hottest thing you’ve ever seen and you pretty much want to make love on top of it every single moment of every single day. Followed by heavy cigar smoking. Obviously.

Oh... and.... Caring.
Caring about the goodness and beauty and amazingness that makes up each person. Caring about the strength of the human condition in a way like only the Care Bears could.

Now you can return to your regularly scheduled life.

p.s.
*My sister was a huge fan of the Care Bears when she was little. Now with an antenna on her head, she could almost double as a Tele-Tubby. Anyway, she is in Afghanistan with the National Guard playing GI Joe. I think I might get her a stuffed Care Bear and send it to her, or maybe a GI Joe, or maybe a Tele-Tubby. Shit... I'll just send her all three... This is her...*

p.p.s. I think Rick Perry is a Douche-Canoe. He has obviously never had to live through the stress of sending a brother/son/cousin/loved-one halfway around the world, into war, for a ridiculous reason.
(putting soap-box away and going back to my happy place)

2012 = The end of the world, Zombies and Never Giving Up.

Soooooo...... Happy 2012 to everyone.

Is it the end of the world yet?
(Click here if video doesn't load)



According to the video, it doesn't look like it (although I question what kind of Kool-Aid the guy was drinking when he made the video).

But.... either way, you should be prepared for a Zombie Apocolpse.... just in case.
(I want this... **click** for uhm, disaster preparedness (I wear size medium).... consider it a birthday present.)

Zombies are rascally little critters. Kind of like depression.
Depression is rascally...
...and will eat your brain.
Like a zombie.
Depression = Zombie

Recently, Jenny Lawson, a woman who I admire (not just for her writing, but also for her humor) 'came out' so to speak, about her secret battle with depression and self-harm.

Read it here: The Fight Goes on.

Since she has posted, she has received thousands of comments and messages in support of her, her battle and her bravery. She had letters come in from family members of people who suffer from depression and even a woman who was going to commit suicide and decided against it because of her bravery in her post. *Read Here* Not just bravery, but also her strength in NEVER GIVING UP.

Since then, she has started the Silver Ribbon Project.
Twitter has exploded with the hashtag #silverribbon
You can support all those who fight in silence by wearing, *painting*, pinning or gluing a silver ribbon to yourself.... and we will know.
(You can also go *here* or *here* to buy one and support the Traveling Red Dress Project).

Until then:
Be kind, everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle....
...... especially against Zombies.

Stress-Free Stimulation

I have found one of the things in my life which stress me out is overstimulation. It could be clutter in a room or cubicule I am trying to work in, it could be a messy house, it could be a tv which is up to loud in the background, and don't even get me started on the christmas jingles and mall noise which seems to be overtaking the season like a pack of Christmas-infected rabid santa-zombies.

But then... then I read this article on Huffington Post (Here), and started to question... was my stress really stress, or was it anxiety? Was it a physical response, or was it my OCD/PTSD getting a bit out of control? Then I thought.... if I was a Zebra, would I have an ulcer??

The answer...
No.

No, my life is not in danger if the room is a mess and there is obnoxious music playing. No my life is not in danger when the dishes aren't done and everything isn't 'in it's place'. It is a psychological fear reaction which is happening deep in the neurocortex's of my brain.

But, I sure as hell am a lot happier when things are clean and calm and tidy. And, when I am happy, I am less likely to stab someone. So, as a Christmas present to you, I will be staying out of the malls for the next three weeks. Consider yourself safe.
Happy Holidays/Yule/Kwanza/Ramadan/PickYourPoison.

p.s. For more tips on how to stay Stress-Free this season, check out my new books which are now available in paperback. Available now in my shop, or on Amazon.com.

Barbie, Darwin and Paintballs - it's all here.

I was having this conversation the other day, about how, in America in particular, we are becoming more and more sterilized from the dirty, rough, messy, amazing thing that is called life.

Helmets are required to ride a bike or skateboard, seatbelts are required in cars, there is OSHA at work, TSA in airports, Gun Safety, and even instructions on how to WALK SAFELY!.

...And dont' get me started on the sterilization of the body. Shaving/waxing/boob jobs/vaginal rejuvenation. Don't touch each other, don't spread germs, don't.. don't... don't. Soon we are going to start looking like the Ken and Barbie dolls all wrapped up in plastic bubbles.

(Sometimes I really miss Darwin's theory of Natural Selection.)

I have this theory that we (in America) have (or are quickly becoming) sterilized: from our food crops, the internet, and television programming. We sterilize the education we give our children (have you read "Lies my Teacher Told Me" by Sociologist James Loewen? It is amazing and everyone should read it.), with the tragic result of becoming distant and isolated from each other.

Well, sorry to disappoint you with the truth, but Life is Messy.
Our bodies are hairy, we bleed and poop and barf. We need to be touched and snuggled and pet and loved. It's natural. It's called LIFE.

I say:
Enjoy the Messy and Celebrate the disasters!

In India, they celebrate the festival of colors Holi once a year, and throw paint at each other.
Watch it here. It is AMAZING!

(Note: The reporter talks about inclusion, about how he wishes there was something like this in the West. This is something that families can do together, bringing them together in a very hands-on, interactive way.)

Now I want to show up at Christmas dinner with Paintballs.....

p.s. This year Holi is the 8th and 9th of March. Who wants to go with me?!

So, I should probably post something useful.

Since it is Stress-Free Friday and all, I should probably post something up that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy. Considering the sky continues to get a little bit more grey and the air is so cold it's snapping at you saying 'nuh uh sista-friend, you get your butt back inside and put on a coat!'.

It's been a busy week and it doesn't seem to be letting up now since Holiday season is in full swing. Hustle, bustle, go here, go there, eat this, drink this, meet this person (be nice and shake hands), and don't forget to buy that gift. It is no wonder that people are starting to catch the cold/flu that is going around. Here are some tips to hopefully keep you healthy during all this hustle and bustle.

WASH YOUR FRICKIN HANDS!
Use hot hot water, soap and then dry your hands with a disposable paper towel (cloth dish towels are just little germ houses, multiplying like gremlins sprinkled in water after midnight). By the way, it might not be a bad idea to pocket a little travel sized bottle of hand sanitizer. I love that stuff. and one more thing... QUIT TOUCHING YOUR FACE!

GET SOME R&R!
Fact: Emotional stress weakens the immune system.If you are overly stressed for a long period of time, you are at a much greater risk of getting sick. So, sleep a little bit longer today, go to bed a little bit earlier. Put some lavender oil on your shoulders and neck and just chill out!

DRINK LIKE A FISH AND SWEAT LIKE A PIG
Have you ever seen a fish sneeze? Yeah, my point exactly. Drink plenty of water (or non-caffinated, healthy-for-you type of drink-stuffs). The liquids help flush toxins out of your body. The other thing that helps flush bad germs out.... sweating. So, figure out how you are going to do that. Exercise, sauna, sexy-times, whatever it is - and get sweating!
I know that 24-Hour Fitness is offering a great deal right now. Get in before the New Year when prices go up!

For more tips on how to keep well this winter, click HERE.

For more info on reducing stress, clickity clack HERE.

For something Random and Awesome which has nothing to do with stress or colds but will make you feel good when you see it, click here.

Courage comes in many forms.

Courage.
One word can evoke a thousand images in the mind.
One word. Whose connotation evokes the ideals and ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty or intimidation. To act rightly in the face of popular opposition, shame, scandal or discouragement.
Courage.

When I was in grade-school, we put on a performance of the Wizard of Oz and I had a starring role as the Cowardly Lion. Perhaps it was that moment of being cast, or the lines, or perhaps the dozens of shows we did over the school year. But there was something I took away from that experience that has shaped me.

I have never thought of myself as particularly courageous. Adventurous? Yes. Brave? No. Yet, as I get older I find that just taking a small step outside of one's comfort zone takes courage. Courage whispers in your ear when you are busy paying attention to other things in 'life'.

It takes courage to live. It takes courage to stand up for what is right. It takes courage.
Every day is an opportunity to start a new adventure, to live with courage.

Thus the reason for my blog name: Begin an Adventure.

Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature,
nor do the children of men
as a whole experience it.
Avoiding danger is no safer
in the long run than outright exposure.
Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
--Helen Keller

What is your adventure?
Muster the courage to take one small baby step outside your comfort zone and begin it today.

(Here is a very long winded but good article on the Courage to Live Consciously)

I've been triggered with ..... Get a JOB!

So, apparently one of the latest trends is to tell 'people' to 'Get a job'. The'People' I refer to are people such as: Occupy Protestors, People on unemployment/welfare/food stamps, recent college grads and .... ME!

You see, I have this friend. A friend I have had for the last 20+ years. This particular friend and I have been through a lot. Our lives, friendship and love for each other has ebbed and flowed. I have known this person since I was 8 years old. Over the years we have stayed in touch and I have watched this friend accumulate the 'perfect' life. Which includes the perfect career, the perfect house, the perfect spouse, the perfect car, with the perfect 2.5 kids.

And we had lunch not too long ago, to catch up. I will skip the boring part of the 'catching up' and head straight to the meat.

As we were chatting about life, and I stated that money had been tight, they said:
"You should just get a job"
I responded with, "you could hire me" to which they backpedaled.... quickly. I quickly followed up with:
'You know I have been writing and currently have 6 books published, right?' and
'Money is tight, self-publishing is expensive and book sales have been slow, I am undeterred. I love what I do and I'm going to just keep working as hard as I have been and things will turn around.'

Their response:
"You could be so awesome if...."
My. Jaw. Dropped. I didn't hear anything after that.
I was silently raging.
I had nothing else to say.
I kindly finished my meal and said my good-byes.
Still shocked.
After 20 years of knowing this person, of being friends for so long.... I was stunned. It took me a while and a very long walk home to come to the following conclusion.
My value, and the value of my brothers and sisters with college degrees and no 'job' isn't based on some arbitrary idea of:
'what I can do for someone else' or 'what someone will pay for me.'
My value is ME.
Just living, breathing and existing has value.
Not to mention my ideas, passions, educated opinions and connections. I am not going to just go out on the job market to pimp myself out to the highest bidder. I am worth more than that and refuse to de-value myself.

Take note: You are worth more than that, do not devalue yourself. EVER.

I say NEVER get a JOB!

p.s. For those of you that love numbers as much as I do, HERE is a great report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and US Department of Labor about the status of the 'job' market in the USA today.

A Tasty Nugglet

An excerpt from my SOON-TO-BE-IN-PAPERBACK-PRE-ORDER-YOURS-TODAY book:
How to Overcome Stress.

"There is a billion-dollar industry flourishing on this ‘Stress-Monster’. Our friendly night-stalking-ninja-boogyman is the number one industry in the civilized world. It is the cause of 70-90% of all doctor’s visits, and costs Great Britain alone over $600 million dollars last year, in the USA, over $300 BILLION! From anti-anxiety medication, accidents to just plain ol’ lethargy, Stress SUCKS!

How many times have you woke up with a migraine and called in sick to work? Do you have early symptoms of diabetes, ulcers or high blood pressure? Acne, weight gain or loss? Inability to concentrate, memory loss? How many weekends have you spent watching movies, reading books, surfing the net or playing video games just to escape? Everyone at one time or another has had a sign or symptom of being stressed. No wonder the word ‘stress’ is overused enough to make me barf.

Remember that ‘self-help’ buffet at Barnes & Noble? Amazon alone lists over 5,000 books for you to choose from just to ‘manage’ your stress. I have probably read half of those books and I find them uuuuber dry, boring and absolutely chock full of great information that I never used. Assuming you have figured out that the physical ailments you are suffering from are actually from stress, are you actually going to go to that 5am yoga class and chant ‘OOOHHHHMMMMMM’ for an hour?

Maybe.

But, I doubt it.

What other crazy non-practical stress reduction therapies have you tried?

Just take a minute and think about it.

Now, add it up.

Wouldn’t you like to save money, feel better, be more productive, and *GASP* actually be happy? Oh yes, it’s true, it can happen, and for the one time investment of just $99.99 in ten easy installments sent directly to my paypal account... I will send you the magic pill..... oh wait...wrong infomercial.

Seriously though. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but there is no magic pill, no running, and no hiding. Stress is a multi-headed monster even Jason and the Argonauts couldn’t slay. It is just the natural result of being alive and coming into contact with other living beings. Congratulations! You are alive.

But now what?"

***************

and now... for an excellent review:
"Ms. Jones tackles these topics with a light touch using her smart and witty sense of humor, making it a very friendly and easy to understand book. She writes like she is a good friend giving you a piece of advice over coffee. This is an easy to digest book that is chock-full of excellent tactics, ideas, and strategies to live a life with less stress."

Get your copy today!

... and I thought that I was done posting....

I thought I was done posting about the Occupy movement. I thought that somehow the conversations would start and the police brutality would end. By some magical wave of the 'Scott Olson' wand, I mistakenly thought that unprovoked beatings would end.
They haven't.

An abridged version:



Raw Footage:



This sickens me.

Will it have to come to a 'Kent State moment' before the world wakes up to the heavy hand that is unfairly being placed upon our country's citizens? I thought we already had this moment? Didn't the events in Oakland teach us anything?

The police in this video are repeatedly beating students, students who are standing there. Students who are not throwing anything, punching anyone, defacing property or putting anyone else at risk. It is during daylight, they are unmasked and unarmed. These students are ... wait for it....
STANDING.
They are expressing their First Amendment right of Freedom of Speech and Assembly. And yet, it is students who are trapped between the solid wood baton of police and an immovable bush.

What happened to protecting the citizens of this great land who pay taxes which pay the police salaries?

Call the fucking Marines, at least they have taken an oath to protect this country from all enemies, foreign AND domestic.

P.S. A very Happy Birthday to the Marine Corp today!

Life is messy (continued), kind of like Childbirth.

Seems as though the messyness of my life is a regular occurrence.
I like to think of bad days as messy rather than 'being depressed' or 'in a hole' or what-have-you (which, all are applicable to today). 'Messy' in my spinning little mind seems have less of the negative connotation to me. Because, life, in general, is messy. And, there are times (like now) in which I EMBRACE the complete mess.

But, take a second, think about this idea of messy existence. The universe was just one big mess of chaos before the 'big bang'.

And the mere existence and creation of a human is messy from the beginning. Sex is the best when it is disasterously messy, not to mention the nine months in utero then.... childbirth. Seriously, have you seen/experienced childbirth.... not exactly a clean adventure. So, if your entire existence on this planet starts in one great natural mess, then for the rest of your life... a mess is easy. It's natural.
********
By the way, on a side-note, DO NOT look up videos of childbirth on YouTube. If you have never seen childbirth or experienced it... there is a reason why. Seriously. Don't do it.
(and if you do, don't tell me I didn't warn you - there are some things that should be left unseen).
********
So, today I'm going to embrace my inner messiness.
Watch out world.

PS. -> Also, on the note of childbirth - congratulations to my cousin who just gave birth to the first Great Grandbaby of the family. Meet Dominic.

He's cute.
If you are into the whole messy baby thing.

Happy Sunday

That is all.
Please continue with regularly scheduled Sunday events.

"Kids need Jobs" - No, actually we don't.

In the past few months, I have been asked, "What are you doing?" and have been told, "You need to get a job."
Really?
A Job?
Ok.
Sure.
Let's see.... with an MBA, I'm sure there are plenty of 'jobs' out there for me that I am qualified for that will pay a living wage ....
Here are (in no particular order) the most popular Help Wanted ads currently listed AND as a bonus... what they pay (with the caveat that all listings and pay depend on experience):

Caregiver (In home healthcare) - $15/hr
Mechanical Engineer - (not listed)
Software Engineer - (not listed)
Childcare Assistant - ($8-$10/hr)
Sales Associate - ($8-$10/hr)
Service Industry (Waitress/Bartender/Hostess) - ($8-$10/hr)
Administrative/Office Assistant - ($10-15/hr)
Massage Therapist - This one is tricky, but appx 20-30% of total of massage, plus commission on sales of products.

Anything look appealing to you?

What happened to the ideal of doing a job you are passionate about? What happened to the encouragement we got as kids to 'be anything you want to be'? Instead, now, we are pressured to 'get a job', 'get a house', 'get married', 'have kids', work work work work.

Yeah, thanks, but no thanks. Most of the people my age (including myself) are done believing the lies. We are done being Zombies. If that means we have regressed back into our own personal 6 year olds, to dream and do what we love, then so be it.

Frankly, not 'getting a job' is much more satisfying. It encourages personal empowerment, choice, cooperation and community building. It puts human interaction and connection above a bottom line. It supports an idea that everyone is responsible for not only themselves, but also for their brothers, neighbors and friends. It encourages sustainable thinking, problem solving, inclusivity, and eliminates unnecessary waste.

Bottom line: I would rather write than do any of the 'jobs' listed above to increase the bottom line for someone else. I would rather go without the luxuries in life (a car, a home, healthcare, retirement) so I can live passionately doing what I love.
For me, every day is an Adventure.
Every day is a choice.
And that.... the ability to choose, is POWER.

Have you ever stopped for two minutes and really thought about what you are doing and why?
Did you consciously make the decisions that have brought you to this point in your life?
Or did you make them in a 'zombie state' because that is what you were 'supposed to do'?

You know, it's not too late.
Begin your Adventure.

Then Science kicked me right in the ass. - UPDATE

This is why I shouldn't be left alone with my computer in the middle of the night sans sleep.

There is a part of my brain that apparently did not develop.

I have come to this conclusion in a variety of scientific methods. But the basic process or steps to the Scientific Method are as follows:

1. Ask a question
2. Do scientific research
3. Construct a Hypothesis
4. Test your Hypothesis by doing an experiment
5. Analyze your data and draw a conclusion
6. Communicate your results.

Let's pose those more as questions to which I will provide the answers down below.

Although this 'brain development' conclusion seems to not be an earth shattering conclusion with me, I'm sure there are some of you out there reading this post who might be surprised. Therefore, I will walk you step by step of how I came to this conclusion.

1. To date the biggest 'question' I have been asked over the course of my life is: "What (the fuck) is wrong with you?!" 'the fuck' was put in parenthesis because obviously when I was very very young, there is no way any reasonable adult would say such harsh things. So, taking this question, I have asked:
"What is wrong with me?"
Great. That is simple. There is an easy answer..... 'Nothing, I am perfect the way I am.'


2. Do scientific research. Okay, before I got ahead of myself in this question, I promptly headed to the internet, I took every personality test, self-diagnosis test, 'how healthy are you' test,IQ testes, Personality Tests,'are you suffering from' tests, 'mode of operation' tests and even psychological strength/operations test I could find. To date, there is a very very (VERY) long list of my 'failed' test results. Including, and my personal favorite: Hypochondriac.

But, I hardly (if ever) get sick (except when I was really little), and I used to be an athlete in college. But, I think the kicker is, I've never been to a shrink/counselor/therapist/psychiatrist for anything, never had an 'intervention' or anything outside what is perceived/considered/box-breaking/whatever 'normal'.

I scoured the internet for articles on 'brain damage', lobes and locations of brain damage and what part of your personality/motor function it would effect. I studied concussions, short term and long term effects. I looked into what affect Religion (or spiritual practice), DNA and family lineage had and on what part of the brain.
It is true, there are a couple instances which could qualify me for 'brain damage'.

I looked at the argument of Nature vs. Nurture. Tabula Rasa. Natural progression. Darwn. blah blah blah-di-de-blah blah.
(I do come from pretty good stock)

Needless to say, we are only scratching the surface with my extensive research (which quite honestly, combining everything, has taken at least 10 years....) Just on this basic question. And questions about yourself... those are the most fun.

3. Construct an Hypothosis. Ok, easy enough... My hypothosis (based upon my extensive research), is: "I am okay the way I am... but there are a few areas I could improve on."
I've sort of taken the middle of the road on this one.... but, *shrug* what do you expect?

4. Test your hypothesis by doing an experiment. Oh... ok. This could be fun.

Me (as I am mashing Oreos into the bottom of a milk glass): MMMM I love chocolate milk.
Other person which shall not be named: "No you don't. You love Oreo's smashed into bottom of the milk so you can crunch on little bits while you 'drink your white milk full of fat and be healthy'". If you loved chocolate milk, you would just pour the chocolate stuff (the brown stuff in the cupboard) into the glass of white milk whereby making in a dark tan colored with no grit."
Me: What's the difference?
OPWHNBN: The difference is, I have to clean your grit covered glasses when I do the dishes, rather than just rinse a glass.
Me: You know if you didn't insist I 'be healthy' and there is something very wrong with dark tan milk, then I wouldn't be having this conversation with you.
OPWHNBN: What is wrong with you?
Me. I'm okay the way I am, but there are a few areas I could improve on.
OPWHNBN: Yeah... that's for sure.

Hmmmm.... well, that didn't turn out too well.

Ok, what about 'brain damage' caused by an accident or injury? Yes, that is possible. A few car accidents (one without a seatbelt), a motorcycle wreck, a couple fights, you know....

Then... the only thing left is 'brain development issues'. I thought about putting Autism in this classification, but decided against it. There isn't definitive evidence (that I have seen recently, anyway) that could make this claim. And since we are sticking with Science, Autism does not go in this category. Seems like a surpising category to end up in especially since from the time I can remember I've been 'learning in special and gifted ways'. Like the game 'Memory' when I was a kid, puzzles with the states and capitols, 'Talented and Gifted' programs, Advanced classes and multiple college degrees. Yet, I have been known to struggle socially... sometimes. But it is pretty rare, so ...


5. Analyze your data and draw a conclusion. Well....
The 'scientific research' says I am pretty fucked up.

I'm in my 30's = -1
I don't have a husband (just a was-band) = -2
I don't have 2.5 kids - -2.5
I don't have a house - -10
I don't have a car, a permanent address or a retirement plan = -15
I suffer from a multitude of sicknesses (in the head and in the body) = -25

Add those bad-boy numbers up.

Yet, I think I feel just fine. I mean, I'm walking.... I have use of all my limbs, I have the capability to feed/clothe/wash myself. and you know what.... I get depressed too. Deeply deeply crazy depressed. But, On those days that the sun lines up with the earth. I feel pretty damn perfect, and those are the days that I put up with all the clouds and the rain for. And yeah my joints hurt ... a lot, and yeah, I think (and sometimes do) some pretty fucked up things. But, you know... if my brain didn't develop in one particular area, then .... well... that would sort of explain things, I mean... right? One tiny tiny little area. Like the size of a tick. No, smaller.... like a grain of sand, no, smaller.... like an atom....

And it wouldn't make someone mad if you told them that - they would probably, actually, maybe feel sympathetic and actually be nice and have a little compassion. *shrug* Who knows these days what is P.C. anymore.

Anyway, in essence, there you go... my conclusion.
When I am asked:
What is wrong with you?
I'll just say, "There is a part of my brain that apparently did not develop".

I can't wait to try that out.... and will definitely keep you posted.

UPDATE: To quote a very good friend.... "Would you like to donate $$ towards a cure?"

Donate

In 2 days, I'll have 30 days. Sounds like a bad math problem to me.

Excuse me while I have a mild heart attack.

Excuse me while I say... 'oh yeah, that tree branch waaaaaay out there, yeah, I'll go and stand on it."

Excuse me.
For just a moment.

I did something ..... scary.
I signed up for NANWRIMO.

Check it here:

UPDATE:
In addition to.... I have also signed up for the Richard Hugo House's New Works Competition....

(slight panic)

Breathe....
Breathe....
No pressure.

Pea Soup is just an excuse to make more bacon

One day, when the house was clean (RARE with 3 other roommates). I got a crazy little idea of making pea soup. Now, first of all, if you know me... you know I don't cook.

So one would ask.... where would you get this idea?
Well, I got it because the night before I saw 'The Boy' eating pea soup out of a Campbell soup can (not raw, that would be gross, but he cooked it in a pan with milk).
I
Was
Shocked.

The Boy is amazing.
But, I don't know if I've ever seen him eat something green soft and squishy EVER.
Not at Thanksgiving (spinach).
Not in any SE Asia country.
Not EVER.

So.... ok. I can get over that...
But then I asked...
Me: "What are you eating?"
Him: "Pea Soup"
Not stopping the rhythm of shoveling pea soup into his mouth. Not to breathe, not to talk and to barely respond.
My curious mind was totally intrigued.... this man likes pea soup? So I ask....
Me: "You like Pea Soup?"
Him: "Oh YEAH"
Thinking to myself... wow? really?
Slurp
swallow
Him: "Love it"
another spoonful.
thinking... hmmm....
Slurp, swallow, spoon, slurp swallow spoon, slurpswallowspoon,slurpswallowspoon over and over and over again until the bowl was empty.
Almost licked clean kind of empty.

Whereby... he looked at his bowl, then headed back to the stove to get a second helping, then a third to eat every single drop.

I just sat there dumbfounded.

So... I thought to myself, I love pea soup but refuse to eat it out of a can... my mom made it once (then she said she would never make it again .... and would just buy the cans, which I refused to eat) Anyway, she made it with onions and carrots and ham and all sorts of stuff... I could do that! I could make pea soup!
It can't be that hard AND it's gotta taste better than a sodium laden can'o'fat I payed $3 for with no flavor! can of soup.
So, the next day, I packed up my backpack and headed to the market. Determined to buy the best ingredients needed to make the most amazing pea soup EVER!
(But really.... secretly.... I was just looking for another excuse to buy thick sliced bacon.)
I set out on a mission, I was gonna kick Campbell's Pea Soup right in the ASS!

So I did.
Here's how I made it.

In a saucepan with olive oil, clarify
1 Onion
1 Clove (the whole thing... not just one sliver) of Garlic (use the squishy thing to make it all mushy and into pieces.

While that is clarifying....
FRY BACON! I added one whole pound.... you could probably do 1 1/2.

Then chop the bacon up into bits.
Then,
In a huge pot
put the onions, garlic, and bacon in.
Add
2 cups of water
1 cup of whole milk (you could use cream - but nothing less in fat that whole milk)
1 package of diced baby carrots (no finger pieces this time)
4 stalks of celery

Rinse and add entire package of split green peas (not the 'soak overnight' kind).

Add a whole bunch of stuff that was in our herb cabinet, (not to mention a few ingredients that I'm sure I missed) salt and pepper to make it taste good while you stir, simmer and taste for about 2 hours.
I just cooked that shit and it is
delicous.
And that is....
A HUGE FUCKING DEAL.
and...
Now.
It is served. In 2 bowls. One for me, one for him.
I take a bite... and ask:
"How do you like it"
"It's good"
Slurp, swallow, spoon, slurp, swallow, spoon.

He went back for seconds.
And thirds.

And the pot was still full on the stove.

and the next day.
seconds.
Thirds.
and we have been eating pea soup every. single. day.
For over a week....
So sick of soup.
So sick of peas.
So sick of green slime in my mouth.... but I just choked down the very very very last bowl of FUCKING PEA SOUP!
Blech.
I hate it and will never eat it again.
And if "The Boy" wants it... he can buy himself a can of it.

This is your brother.

Look at this man.

Here he is again, in uniform (with an helmet on).
In Iraq.

Look at him.
Look at his eyes, his face, his body. Look at his courage to not only join the military but go to war in Iraq TWICE in defense of this country.

This is your brother, my brother. He is my uncle, cousin, son, father and beloved.
Look at him again.

I have never met him. My introduction to this man, was this picture.

This man, my brother/father/lover, was shot in the head with a tear gas canister by the Oakland Police Department while marching PEACEFULLY with the #Occupy protests.

He is now laying in a hospital in critical condition with a fractured skull and brain swelling.

Cards, flowers and well wishes can be sent to:
USMC Scott Olsen
Highland Hospital
1411 East 31st Street
Oakland, CA 94602

UPDATE!
Scott Olsen has Brain Damage.
See Here:

First seen as reported on my Twitter feed from @UncleRush