Month: January 2021

Yikes

When did I turn into such an old person? When the schedule was Finally released for the week ending with February 13, I was utterly annoyed and frustrated that, not only was I scheduled to work until 9pm one night and 9:45pm another night, but I was schedule to work those two back-to-back.

And I’m still annoyed about it, but that was almost half an hour ago, now. Who gets so upset about having to be out of the house so late? And on a Friday and Saturday, nonetheless?

In case there was doubt before, I believe this shows with significant support that I am like an old person with my sleep schedule and evening habits. Getting home after 7pm bothers me already. I wake up around 4:30am every day, and that’s without an alarm. When I get home after 7pm, I don’t manage to get everything done to get to bed until at least 9:00. And that’s if I hurry. So, working until 9pm means that I won’t be getting to bed until close to midnight. My mom wanted to do a fun run that next morning on Bolivar peninsula, by Galveston Island. Harms an hour and a half away from me. Do you think I want to do that run now?

What’s most frustrating, though, is that I was available to work the whole rest of the week, all day, any day. Yet, I was scheduled for the one time that truly mattered – late the night before the run.

So, now I can’t do the run. It just would be far too stressful for me. We already were considering strongly staying the night down there, simply because all public bathrooms are still closed up. If we did that, I wouldn’t get to bed until probably close to 1:30am, only to be up to run at 8:00am (meaning out of bed around 6:30, most likely).

Ugh.

Let me sit with this and see how I feel.

Ugh!

(Obviously, I know how I feel right now. I mean to see how I feel after the initial anger and surprise have subsided.)

Post-a-day 2021

^Well, I did get that right tonight, so that’s fun

The full moon is my sister

Anyone else have a night filled with interrupted, unrestful sleep every time there is a full moon?

I often don’t even know that there is a full moon. I just find out the next day, when someone tells me, often in response to my comments on how surprisingly terribly I had slept that night. Last night was no exception.

Basically, in some way, I feel like the full moon is my sister – it makes its presence known just by being nearby, we are so connected.

Perhaps that doesn’t make enough sense for you, but I don’t have the words for it right now. We just are family, it feels.

…

In a separate note, in the middle of writing that all, my actual physical sister called me. She wanted me to meet the husband of her coworker, and to talk to him briefly. Why, you ask? So that I could speak to him in French. He is from Belgium, you see.

And so, basically, I was my sister’s party trick for the night. 😛 Never you worry, though, because it was all in genuinely good humor, and it was quite a delightful chat and brief FaceTime with all three of them.

At one point, the coworker told me that they will try to hook me up with Belgian men here in Houston. They are great, she said, because they have great beer, chocolate, and waffles. I pointed out to her that I do not drink, really, in the first place, but I also don’t do gluten and usually don’t do grains at all, so I don’t drink beer. I don’t actually like chocolate. And, again, I don’t eat wheat and grains, so no waffles either… Her pause of intense contemplation was quite comical.

“I don’t think we would get along, then,” she declared, certainly tipsy. My sister and I both pointed out that, with me along, she never would have to share the beer, chocolate, or waffles. She was baffled yet again, and then conceded that we probably would get along very well, in that case, however, why would I want a Belgian, then? 😛

So, all-in-all, it was hilarious and delightful and great experience. Thanks, sister, for this ridiculous anecdote. 😉

Post-a-day 2021

^Actually got it wrong at first, this time…

Legal versus face-to-face

I feel like rules on paper can make anyone feel inadequate for something. I have been working off and on somewhere for years – years – and I read some updated guidelines for my “position” today. There are other, newer people who needed the guidelines, so they were hastily written, and we all had to sign off on having read them. Now, remember that I have done work there for years. I have been comfortable doing the work there, and in a very at-home kind of way.

Yet, after reading the guidelines/handbook today, I was slightly terrified. No, none of it was technically new information. However, having the legal-esque writing about rules and regulations and possible results and responses to breaking any of those rules made it kind of sound like a place I wouldn’t want to be. They kind of scared me. Like I really would have to watch my back and watch myself, so as not to make any errors, even by accident.

And listen, none of these rules are rules that I would have been breaking in the first place – not in the least. And yet, I was somewhat terrified. Now that it all was laid out in front of me, in black and white, so solid and unforgiving, it was scary.

That’s one reason I believe humans always will be necessary for certain things. A handbook doesn’t communicate the culture of a place – hardly at all. Based on this handbook today, the place is rigid, and bit frigid, narrow-minded, and super strict. And yet, I know the place to be none of those things. It is a wonderful place, full of genuine people who care about making the world a better place, now and in the future. That’s why I love it so much.

And I do not love that handbook.

I believe that handbook exists merely due to our absurd development in culture for people to sue one another for unreasonable claims. And that – every level of that idea – is saddening to me. That is usually an interaction of the lowest forms of ourselves, not the highest. When we are at our best, love is our central, driving force. And here is no love in suing like that.

Anyway, that’s all on that for now. Goodnight, folks.

Post-a-day 2021

^Barely got it

Exercising and Sharing

I really slept in today, but I woke up the second (or fourth) time around 7:30, and then got up and dressed and went downstairs and did the workout from yesterday. Yay!

I had to make modifications, of course, because I do not have all the tools the gym has, and the workout was supposed to be used at the gym this week (but it has to close for the week for COVID-related safety). But it was still a great and a tough workout, and I felt very pushed, and in a positive way.

And I was grateful that I did the workout first thing today. That probably felt better than the workout itself.

I then taught an outdoor workshop for kakizome 書き初め, as part of an Art & Yoga class, and it was awesome to do! Sure, the people involved had their varied life issues that arose, but it still was a great experience, and I am glad and grateful that I was able to share kakizome with more people. And that is despite the fact that they do not see it as I see it. It also gave me an odd sense of reaffirmation for myself, that I am looking at things and approaching things in my life in a very good-for-me-and-the-world way, and that I am perfect being right here, right now, all the uncertainties and unknowns included. I am grateful for this life and for this particular piece of it – thank you, Universe. My ball of energy is rolling beautifully, and I am loving being at its center.

So, how is your ball of energy, your life, doing today? I hope it is helping you to roll onward powerfully, whatever that May mean for you and your life. 🙂

P.S. Just before bed last night, I saw an e-mail that my flight in a couple months – fingers crossed on that trip – was changed dramatically in terms of timing. I was very annoyed, as it was the second such e-mail of the day, and this was a huge change. I checked the website to see if there were a different flight I preferred. The prices were almost half what they had been when I initially booked a few weeks ago! So, what did I do? I promptly canceled my original booking, and I rebooked with the new prices. It had been with points, but I gladly will make the effort in order to spend 5,000 points instead of 8,500! Cha-ching!! And thank you, airline, for allowing such a possibility. Much gratitude from here.

Post-a-day 2021

^That one was oddly easy for me

Back in the day, just now

Anyone else out there ever find yourself contemplating men like you’re back in the 1800s, preparing for marriage?

I haven’t even gone on a date with any guys, yet my brain has been evaluating the pros and cons of each as though we are considering not only a date but a brief courtship followed by marriage and likely many children.

Yes, the first is very handsome, but it really would be a true delight to have someone who so dearly values, appreciates, and wants you, as does the second. He would dote on you so, and that would be lovely.

Or would it become annoying, since you do not share his same affections?

Would he be hurt that you do not and cannot see him as he sees you? Or would he be all too honored to offer his high pay and devotion to you for the rest of your days without a doubt? Likely the latter.

But would you be willing to accept such a relationship, and give up the possibility of marrying for mutual love and devotion? Give up your freedom for such security without intense love? Perhaps love can develop over time – it is difficult to resist someone who longs for you so. But you would not know until you are much further down the line. At which point, it may be too late to turn away…, especially after all he has given you, and all you have encouraged his efforts…

But, as Miss Charlotte Lucas said, it is better for a husband and wife to know nothing of each other at all at the time of their marriage, and to spend the rest of their lives getting to know one another and falling in love at our leisure…

And then, on another hand, something more like this gentleman would be wonderful for genes to pass on to your offspring – you would make a fine pair in that sense. And you would look lovely standing together. That other gentleman ought not to be considered, when it comes to genes one wants to pass on to one’s children…

These are real thoughts that I notice passing through my mind on any given day. And I don’t even necessarily use them for any actual decisions in anything. But I can’t deny their accuracy. It would be nice to be with someone who practically fawns over me, and wants nothing more than to take care of me as best as possible. But could I ever marry for logic over love? I think not. It would have to be logic and love.

And, of course, this all seems utterly ridiculous, because, well, I haven’t even been on a single date with anyone, yet these are the thoughts going through my mind. It really is as though I am in the 1800s and a date is a very likely forward step toward marriage.

Perhaps I really do view it that way, thus my aversion(?) to dating in general. I don’t want to date someone if I am unwilling, even in the slightest way, to consider a significant partnership together in the future (e.g. marriage). Or, rather, if I just can’t see it (not that I am unwilling to consider it, but that I consider it and come up with nothing of value). So, I’m not averse to dating, but I won’t go on a date without valid reason. And ‘to have fun’ or ‘to see what I like and dislike’ are not valid reasons for me. I do those all the time, and I don’t need a date for them to happen.

Nonetheless, this all reminds me of what Mr. Darcy had to say in chapter six, once he admitted to enjoying such fine eyes on a certain woman’s face, and Miss Bingley asked him when she was to wish him joy.

“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask. A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.”

I am certainly that woman, in a way…

Anyway… just my thoughts of the week. ;P

Post-a-day 2021

^I’m almost going in reverse here – I nearly missed it again!

Roller coaster?

Man, has today been a lot, emotionally.

A lot.

No reply for an even longer while from that guy. But I’m okay about it.

I waited to go to the gym later today, and it ended up closing for the week (because of risk of COVID exposure). I actually cried in intense frustration and floundering at that news.

The store I drove almost half an hour to visit didn’t have all the supplies I was there to get. I stressed briefly, and then figured out how to make do for now, before rushing out the door to make that workout class that ended up being canceled by the time I got to it.

The class was canceled, and I hadn’t known it, so I’d made a point to rush away from potential other, better solutions to the missing items dilemma at the store beforehand. I determined to go home and do the workout.

I went home and did the workout. It was awesome, in such an I am struggling to breathe and stay upright right now kind of way, it was quite comparable to workouts at the actual gym. So, that felt really good on my mind.

The protein powder that is super good for me turned out to be almost overwhelmingly gross. Determined that I might just need to hold off on getting a big bag of that for now. And I’m okay about that, but bummed a bit.

Some clothes I had ordered came in. I was delighted.

I reached out to two different people who were on my mind, just to check in, and their responses were awesome.

Discovered that the person who had been working really hard to secure a more permanent part-time position at my part-time job was 90% likely denied that. This was the last time I will work with (and potentially see) that person, and the person seemed very down (this my belief that the aim failed). I was down about it for the person.

One of those people to whom I had reached out actually walked right up to me without even realizing it until we were face-to-face. Neither of us had expected we would see the other where we were, especially since we hadn’t seen one another since last March. The person said, “Things don’t happen on accident.” I agreed. I was super excited; overjoyed, even, at the timing of it all!

Found out later on that a different person who had been working with us as a temporary part-time worker was not only offered the opportunity to stay with us, but was offered to work full-time – that means insurance and benefits, plus other perquisites, mind you. I never felt like this person was one of our best workers. I felt very weird about it all.

And then I felt super jealous that that person had been offered to work full-time, but that I hadn’t been.

And then I was utterly annoyed, because I didn’t even want to work full-time there in the first place, and I had communicated that from the start. Yet, here I was, being jealous all the same.

By the time I finished my grocery shopping at Costco and had picked up a dry foods delivery from an Amazon locker, I was ready to cry with all the craziness today carried for me emotionally.

I mentioned it to my mom, and she reminded me that 1) a lot is going on in the world right now, especially energetically, and that 2) I can let other people have their emotions without taking them on for myself.

So, now I’m preparing for bed. I am very, very drained. So much up and down in one day – and high amplitudes at that – really seems to take it out of me. I guess I could use some more meditation throughout my days… :/

I think I will sleep very well tonight. I still am uncertain about the gym, but I will focus on where I am now, and not on next week and next month and all of their uncertainty, or on today or last week or last year and all of their emotions. I have a plan to guide me once I get up tomorrow, based on my goals and intentions in life right now, and I can trust that my tomorrow self will manage all of that. For now, I just am being with me, here and now, preparing for bed and rest.

Therefore, I bid you a lovely and restful night. 😉

Post-a-day 2021

^I totally almost missed it…

Talk

“The pleasure was All mine.”

What kind of comment is that? I know, I know: it is typical in the US. But how did we get there, and why have we stayed there? It was a pleasure for me, too. I even said so. So, why is someone degrading my experience and my statement, declaring them to be false?

Or had no one considered that that was what was happening when claiming the pleasure all his own, instead of having been shared by us both or all?

Post-a-day 2021

^Still had to think about it, but I got it the first time 😉

Ouch?

So… it turns out that I very, very likely am not ill. The inside of my throat doesn’t hurt in the least. But it is difficult to talk and to swallow. Both have improved throughout the day, though… after applying a heating pad to my neck for a long while.

So, what is going on with my throat/neck?

Well, I 98% believe that it is muscle soreness due to my workout Friday morning. There were lots of heavy hang cleans involved, along with over a hundred calories on the ski machine and many pull-ups (with a band) and push-ups and up-downs (think burpees without the push-up or jump). So, the cleans and the ski kind of got me good, and the cleans especially. My trapezius on the right side has been quite sore all day, along with some general soreness in my shoulders, the back of my neck, and my left trapezius. Shocking that it has been the right side of my neck/throat that have been sore since last night, hmm??

So, yeah… it’s not as bad as my dad going to the doctor with chest pains, only to recall that he had done weightlifting using his chest muscles the day before, but still… At least I accomplished a lot staying home today and not talking (no phone calls almost at all, because it was hard to talk). That was actually a really cool part of it all, everything I got done today. So, really, I am grateful for this odd day off work (from my recent part-time job), because I accomplished loads more of my home tasks than the measly pay offered me for my efforts at the official job would have been worth. Therefore, thank you very much for such an opportunity, Life. I am grateful.

Post-a-day 2021

^Almost missed it

Oops

Uh-oh… There’s a tickle in my throat that turned into a small ache on the side.

I hope that lots of water and rest will heal this overnight – I have much to do and good, solid health is needed to do it!

God, help me heal this ache, that it be released as I care for my body and my mind tonight, such that I might be love in the world as my full and best self tomorrow and each day afterward.

It got surprisingly cold this evening, and I was not in the least prepared or dressed for it. May my body be appropriately warm and healed tonight.

Amen

Post-a-day 2021

^Almost missed it, but I remembered!

Music and love

I shared tonight the song I wrote this week. I had in my head that it needed to be touched up somehow, but it turned out to be perfect for me as it was already. I just had to play it all together at once, when my un-callused fingers had rested and could handle playing again. 😛

But I really like the song. And it is in a different way from most of the others. This song is about heartbreak on a human level, and a heartbreak that we all share at some point in life: the heartbreak others don’t see in our lives, the hidden heartbreak.

My heart is aching like it’s breaking

And not only just for me.

How many hearts are the same today

For the things we just don’t see?

Thus goes the chorus. And how utterly true it is.

However, I believe that, though life can be terribly difficult and painful at times, when we operate on a foundation of love, and we make love our aim, our every breath, our life, life is beyond worth it all. I am grateful for this life and for all the love I find and am able to produce and experience within it.

Gratitude, Universe ❤

P.S. Tonight at 21:21:21,

It was the 21st second

Of the 21st minute

Of the 21st hour

Of the 21st day

Of the 21st year

Of the 21st century

Rather baller, huh? 😉

Post-a-day 2021