Journalling For a Clear Mind

I made an impulse purchase. I'm not proud of it. My Amazon Store card debt is becoming a problem... for another day. I got a new laptop. My MacBook that I've had for at least seven years was making obscene noises, overheating, and working at a snails pace.

Point. Click. Within three days I had a new HP Chromebook. Amazon you're creepy with your insanely fast delivery. Never change.

Who's ready to publish me? 

My shiny new gadget is supposed to make it easier for me to keep this baby updated. I don't have to rely on posting while I'm at work. I can tell you on a whim exactly what I'm feeling. Are you ready for this?! We're going to get to know each other on a deeper level. So get ready with your commenting.

I kid.

Tonight laying leisurely on my couch I do want to tell you about my journalling. For the last month it's become part of my nightly routine. I'm having a-ha moments. A-ha moments are crucial to personal growth. My penmanship is also looking a little more fanciful gliding on the page. 

so.much.thinking.

Having sweaty hands makes writing a bitch. Did you see one of my tips on that? Despite the aggravation that comes with smeared ink and soggy pages writing can be a very therapeutic processing tool. If writing gets you down maybe try typing? What are some methods you use?

Dating, career exploration, and general life motions have my thoughts swirling out of control making me anxious. My writing allows me to catch them as I can. Like butterflies in a net I can't get them all. Even if I'm only able to wrangle a few in I can still come to those a-ha moments. As I'm writing the clutter becomes organized and I can make sense of what is taking up space in my brain.

This next week presents a challenge for me. One that I have seen before. Out of paranoia I'm not going to tell you all the details. I'm putting a concerted amount of effort into this challenge. Something I would have never done before. My motto has been "what will be will be." That's great for protecting myself against failure. But what opportunities have I missed out because I was too afraid to try? No longer can I just let things happen. When energy is put in then of course what is meant to be will be. I can say I tried if it doesn't work out. If it does work out I will have the great satisfaction of knowing I didn't miss an opportunity just because I didn't work for it. The moment did not pass me by. 

It's easy to get over failure. With failure comes an end point. You can move on. Sometimes failure will present a starting point to learn something new. When you don't put in the effort you're left with "what could have been?" That is called regret. Regret can last a lifetime. For.ev.er. 

On this a-ha-I-gotta-put-effort-into-things realization kick I wrote a mock letter to Michael that I hope to rewrite and send later this month. The idea of sending a letter and the thoughts I want to convey have been buzzing in my head. I finally penned it down. My mind feels a bit more clear. Writing this letter is me getting over the fear of feeling like a fool. If Michael doesn't vibe with this letter I will be upset. I will feel like a fool for trying. I will get over that upset. I will not feel like a fool forever.  Not sending the letter will mean a lifetime of what could of been between us? Why chance that?

Taking matters into my own hands. I'll let you know how it works out.

What do you want to go after? What do you need clarity on?

bkr Water Bottle Review

My morning ritual at work involves tossing my bag on the floor, firing up my computer, and going to the break room to fill up my water bottle. 

Water is bland. Not very exciting. Just kind of there. Serving a vital function I still trudge through drinking water. I started sipping from straws which adds a dash of fun to my water imbibing experience.

Hey there old girl. I won't forget you.

Nalgene's 500 mL bottle in bright green has been my trusty water bottle for years. Anyone who has attended the Sundance Film Festival will have this exact bottle. I've been three times. I've got quite the collection. I give a nod when I see someone with the same bottle around town as if we're rooting for the same ball team. It's a great size and has served me well. Zero complaints.

Then I met the bkr water bottle. It makes drinking water a touch more delightful. It's stylish. It has a wonderful silicon shell that covers the well crafted glass bottle. I'm amazed by the spout. The water pours out and slinks down my throat. Even the bottle cap is crafted in a way that makes it fun to hold.

That spout.

That fun cap.

I'm really crushing hard on this water bottle.

It's ridiculous. I know.

At $30+ a pop it's a bit of a splurge. A girlfriend gave it to me as a gift. I just bought one on Amazon as a gift spreading the bkr love. 

I wanted to share it with you because of that silicon grip. After having ETS surgery holding a grip is very difficult. Things slip out of my hands often. My hands shake a bit more in fear of dropping things. 
For sweaty hands that also have a hard time keeping a grip or opening things the design serves you too. The silicon won't slide through your slipper finger tips. The texture against a wet hand is soothing. 

Check it out.

A Breezy Renaissance Faire

Huzzah! Cool weather and turkey legs make for a happy HH lady at The Renaissance Pleasure Faire. 

Each spring Irwindale hosts a renaissance faire that is an absolute blast. Assuming you know how to let loose and get into the spirit. I do not don any faire garb. The renaissance costume has very loose interpretations by faire goers. You'll see a mix of the Avengers mixing with Star Wars, Doctor Who inspired get ups, I spotted a woman in bright sixties polyester florals, steam punk interpretations, and so on. Essentially, anything goes. Let your inner personality that challenges social norms fly.

Just because I didn't dress up per say doesn't mean I didn't think about my outfit carefully. 

This is the face of excitement.

Picking my outfit

1. Checked the weather. A simple act that I am learning to make part of my daily routine. I scored big time with partly sunny day with a high of 75. Last year was a scorcher in the high 80s.
2. Shorts were a must. I knew I didn't want to wear pants. My legs needed to see some sun even if just partially. Loose jean shorts wouldn't show any unexpected sweat and could get dirty. Renn Faire is a dusty dirty place. Which leads me to...
3. Tennis shoes also a must. I rocked a pair of vans I've had since college that are saved for occasions such as these. Closed toed shoes are the life of a sweaty foot sufferer. Even if you have dry toes I don't recommend flopping about in sandals. Your toes are going to get real nasty in the dirt. The previous year I wore a cute pair of flats that I ruined with the oh so comfortable mix of sweat and dirt. 
4. Lastly, I was exceptionally pleased with my choice of a long tank top and loose airy sweater. The sweater is a very light material that breaths. Oh how it breathes beautifully. Yet when it got a little too breezy in the late afternoon I felt it's warmth. Straight up black magic sweater. My tank underneath wicked away the body sweat.

I'm stoked this is becoming an annual tradition with my friends. A joyous event chugging cider, throwing ninja stars, shouting for joy to see "The Queen", having a chat with a witch, pretending to like turkey legs, falling in love with a knight during a jousting show and eating breaded sausage. 

Support your local renaissance faire.