Been riding the pre-Burningman Rollercoaster of unpreparedness, exhuastion, panic, and excitement. Every year no matter how far in advance I plan, I am always panicked at the last minute, making sure I have all my costumes and camping equipment. This year, in the spirit of trying to go completely unplanned, it's been even more stressful. The playa gods are testing our will power and our commitment to burning the man. The siren of the playa is too strong, nothing will stand in our way... but here's at least 10 things that try:
1. Received a last minute call that the puppies did not have babysitters for the weekend - Anuja saved me last minute by accepting to stay at my place for the weekend.
2. AG's ticket did not make it to us in time (still have no idea where the guy sent it - and still have no ticket - we leave tonight - shrug).
3. Haven't found AG's hydration pack, mine was found last night after midnight.
4. Not sure if the contraption for the scooter will work - but feel reasonable it might - we'll put it together on the playa.
5. Fridge stopped working last night - needed to call for service - coming on Saturday, thank god Anuja will be there.
6. Have had 3 hours of sleep last two nights b/c of puppies and packing - running on caffeine and sheer will to make it to the playa.
7. AG had to repaint his loft yesterday again, after we stayed late on Sunday to complete.
8. AG compiling separation papers with ex... mediation appointment today.
9. Work is piled high, hoping to complete as much as possible before this evening (with even less than 2% of brain capacity remaining)- pick up car at airport, head home, pack last minute toiletries... oh god, don't forget the ambian - pack food, clean out fridge, clean house, leave instructions for Anuja.....don't forget to drop puppies off at Rachel's.
10. I know I will forget something big - just waiting for the realization when we're in Reno...
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Girlfriends
Rachel and I took XT out for HER birthday yesterday at a Peruvian restaurant in the heart of the Mission "Limon." Great Mojito's and an amazing menu of ceviches. The food was fantastic, the ambience was swanky and hip, but the conversation and the company was even more memorable.
Two weeks ago, they + KT and Mie took me out for brunch - and it meant so much to have them there. To talk about what's going on in our lives, to hear what's going on in theirs. I've become more and more open and aware of how much I need these women and how much I also contribute to their lives. As an "8", I've always thought I could do everything on my own... be my own woman, needing no one - not even a man. But hey, my 33rd and 34th year proved me wrong. I'm glad it's not too late to appreciate what I have.
Two weeks ago, they + KT and Mie took me out for brunch - and it meant so much to have them there. To talk about what's going on in our lives, to hear what's going on in theirs. I've become more and more open and aware of how much I need these women and how much I also contribute to their lives. As an "8", I've always thought I could do everything on my own... be my own woman, needing no one - not even a man. But hey, my 33rd and 34th year proved me wrong. I'm glad it's not too late to appreciate what I have.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Megjool Restaurant
A small group of very good friends took me out on my 34th birthday Friday evening at Medjool... It's a busy restaurant, good food and great bar/decorations. Tapas is very in, and the food was a good blend of Mediterranian, Middle Eastern, and even Asian. Better than the food was the company. Shelaine, AG, Sapna, Saradan, and XT.
The restaurant is 8 months old and is located on Mission at 22nd.
The restaurant is 8 months old and is located on Mission at 22nd.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Aliyah Helsley
The new woman in Helsley's life. Oh my, my best friend's little girl born July 17th(?). She's so precious and beautiful. She looks just like him, well, sort of. Can't tell that she's 1/4 African American, 1/4 Irish and half Philipino - but she is and born a whopping 8.6lbs, Halleluja.
I guess I'm getting to that age finally where buying houses and baby cribs are more normal. It's not that being 34 (tomorrow) should be a big surprise. In most other cities and countries, people are going through their second marriages by now and their kids are about 10 years old. But here in good old San Francisco, time has a way of slowing the spirit ... and allowing us to live out and enjoy our mid years beyond most other places. But the time capsule has begun to catch up with my friends and I, and I can more easily see a new regime taking over. The party days are slowly tapering off, replacing it with intimate dinners and a refocus on careers - preparing for that new addition into the family. How pre-destined our lives seem to be, and yet - the twists and turns of how we get there and when we get there - is what really differentiates us - our choices in life - does it shape us or does our reaction to our choices shape us?
I guess I'm getting to that age finally where buying houses and baby cribs are more normal. It's not that being 34 (tomorrow) should be a big surprise. In most other cities and countries, people are going through their second marriages by now and their kids are about 10 years old. But here in good old San Francisco, time has a way of slowing the spirit ... and allowing us to live out and enjoy our mid years beyond most other places. But the time capsule has begun to catch up with my friends and I, and I can more easily see a new regime taking over. The party days are slowly tapering off, replacing it with intimate dinners and a refocus on careers - preparing for that new addition into the family. How pre-destined our lives seem to be, and yet - the twists and turns of how we get there and when we get there - is what really differentiates us - our choices in life - does it shape us or does our reaction to our choices shape us?
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Wicked by Stephen Schwartz
From Stephen Schwartz, a musical about the early life of the Wicked Witch of the West aka Elphaba played by Indi Menzel (nominated for a Tony for Rent). An entertaining musical with fantastic sets, costumes and great themes (friendship, love, filial duties, family, belonging, being different, and of course determining right from wrong). The story integrated all future characters from the Wizard of Oz, and connected how they came to be.
The songs were well done, and Indi's voice is fantastic, as is her acting ability. I enjoyed it more than Mamma Mia - but my all time favorite musical is the Phantom.
But I did enjoy seeing Carla/Sandy and little baby Nathan, who was born last Monday, August 8th at noon, weighing at 6lbs and 4 oz? He had his little Briss ceremony this previous Monday.
The songs were well done, and Indi's voice is fantastic, as is her acting ability. I enjoyed it more than Mamma Mia - but my all time favorite musical is the Phantom.
But I did enjoy seeing Carla/Sandy and little baby Nathan, who was born last Monday, August 8th at noon, weighing at 6lbs and 4 oz? He had his little Briss ceremony this previous Monday.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Day 3 - Lunch
After my uncomfortable ordeal this morning, I did a little more research on the cleanse. It appears that possibly my body is not eliminating the toxins. I should have drank a salt bath in the mornings and/or drank some herbal laxative tea in the evenings and mornings to help eliminate the toxins since I'm not eating any fiber to do that.
With that in mind, I believe I will cut this cleanse short, down to 3 days and revisit this next month when I'm more prepared.
So now to move back into eating regularly... drink freshly sqeezed OJ first two days, and also eat/drink vegetable broth (with some veggies)... for the first or 2nd day before going back into eating normal food. Also would hellp to include raw foods, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts...
I will definitely revisit this cleanse again. I was surprised that I really wasn't as hungry as I thought I would be. The organic maple syrup is important.
With that in mind, I believe I will cut this cleanse short, down to 3 days and revisit this next month when I'm more prepared.
So now to move back into eating regularly... drink freshly sqeezed OJ first two days, and also eat/drink vegetable broth (with some veggies)... for the first or 2nd day before going back into eating normal food. Also would hellp to include raw foods, such as fruits, vegetables and nuts...
I will definitely revisit this cleanse again. I was surprised that I really wasn't as hungry as I thought I would be. The organic maple syrup is important.
Day 3 Master Cleanse
Last evening wasn't too bad. Even hung out with friends at a restaurant last night... they drank, smoked and ate - but not I.
This morning, I woke up tired - perhaps not as tired as usual, but maybe I'm more aware of that already. When I finished getting ready, and preparing my lemonade drink, my body was shaking and I felt close to passing out, a low grade fever (I was very hot), and my stomache was in knots and ready to boil over. It was an extremely uncomfortable feeling. After drinking some of my lemonade and realizing that the feeling wasn't going away, I made an executive decision to eat 3 crackers so I could start my morning and be effective. After 10 minutes, I stopped shaking and my stomache settled a bit, but I'm still very hot - something is definitely going on with my body.
The cravings have decreased, and there is some hunger pangs...
This morning, I woke up tired - perhaps not as tired as usual, but maybe I'm more aware of that already. When I finished getting ready, and preparing my lemonade drink, my body was shaking and I felt close to passing out, a low grade fever (I was very hot), and my stomache was in knots and ready to boil over. It was an extremely uncomfortable feeling. After drinking some of my lemonade and realizing that the feeling wasn't going away, I made an executive decision to eat 3 crackers so I could start my morning and be effective. After 10 minutes, I stopped shaking and my stomache settled a bit, but I'm still very hot - something is definitely going on with my body.
The cravings have decreased, and there is some hunger pangs...
Wednesday, August 10, 2005
Day 2 - Master Cleanse
The theory of going shopping to avoid the temptation of food doesn't really work in practice only because the shopping mall is filled with tons of food... duh, completely forgot about that since I haven't been shopping in a long time. Also, I rarely purchase food at malls... they are filled with sugar and junk...yum, sugar, yum junk.
Cinnabon caramel cinnamon rolls, pizza, spaghetti, ice-cream, pretzels, mrs. fields chocolate chip cookies... damn. I only allowed myself 5 minutes at each stall to look and smell... it was pure torture, so I ran back into the office.
The rest of day was just as torturous. Office mates left tons of yummy, greasy chinese and thai food from a lunch conference in the break room... I could smell it from my office. Funny how sharp my sense of smell became within a day.
Made it through all the temptations at work... got home, and had nothing much else to do during dinner time. Watched TV, played with the puppies, then talked on the phone for a good hour. Then went to bed, phew, made it through day 1....
This morning - not hungry really... until I got to the hotel for my seminar. Of course there is free continental breakfast with lots of wonderfully smelling bagels, fruits, coffee and donuts. Huh! of all the items listed, I'm craving the bagel the most. What's going on with the carb craze?
Fortunately, I'm really not that hungry yet really.... just craving a lot of things. Am feeling alert, no coffee needed.
Cinnabon caramel cinnamon rolls, pizza, spaghetti, ice-cream, pretzels, mrs. fields chocolate chip cookies... damn. I only allowed myself 5 minutes at each stall to look and smell... it was pure torture, so I ran back into the office.
The rest of day was just as torturous. Office mates left tons of yummy, greasy chinese and thai food from a lunch conference in the break room... I could smell it from my office. Funny how sharp my sense of smell became within a day.
Made it through all the temptations at work... got home, and had nothing much else to do during dinner time. Watched TV, played with the puppies, then talked on the phone for a good hour. Then went to bed, phew, made it through day 1....
This morning - not hungry really... until I got to the hotel for my seminar. Of course there is free continental breakfast with lots of wonderfully smelling bagels, fruits, coffee and donuts. Huh! of all the items listed, I'm craving the bagel the most. What's going on with the carb craze?
Fortunately, I'm really not that hungry yet really.... just craving a lot of things. Am feeling alert, no coffee needed.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Day 1 - Lunchtime
The first hunger pains have started rattling. Am already fantasizing about food... this is not a good sign. Going to make more lemonade juice...sigh... and go shopping to keep my mind off of FOOD.
Master Cleanse - Day 1
Ok,
Woke up this morning, feeling a bit hungry. Went to the grocery store to purchase organic lemons and cayenne pepper. There is definitely truth to the knowledge that if you CAN'T have something, that something you can't have is a lot more tantalizing than before. I like bread, I don't love bread - and since I've reduced my carbohydrate intake 2 years prior, bread has been a once in a while pleasure... but this morning, as I passed some freshly baked ones... it smelled so sweet - sigh.
I accidentally dropped in more than a pinch of the cayenne pepper to my lemonade drink... otherwise, the juice isn't bad tasting at all. The maple syrup is a nice touch. I hope succeed in completing a 5 day cleanse. It'll be a little tougher tomorrow when I'm in my 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Seminar. I'm just waiting for the 5th day high....
Woke up this morning, feeling a bit hungry. Went to the grocery store to purchase organic lemons and cayenne pepper. There is definitely truth to the knowledge that if you CAN'T have something, that something you can't have is a lot more tantalizing than before. I like bread, I don't love bread - and since I've reduced my carbohydrate intake 2 years prior, bread has been a once in a while pleasure... but this morning, as I passed some freshly baked ones... it smelled so sweet - sigh.
I accidentally dropped in more than a pinch of the cayenne pepper to my lemonade drink... otherwise, the juice isn't bad tasting at all. The maple syrup is a nice touch. I hope succeed in completing a 5 day cleanse. It'll be a little tougher tomorrow when I'm in my 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Seminar. I'm just waiting for the 5th day high....
Monday, August 08, 2005
Master Cleanse
I've decided to cleanse my body of the toxins that's been keeping my ernergy low and created dark bags under my eyes. I've read up and believe that eating less, keeping active and watching what you eat are all required preventative steps towards a healthy and disease-free life. Although I haven't exercised regularly lately, I do watch what I put in the tummy: reducing carbs, eliminating over-processed, fried, or rich foods. Now I shop at Trader Joe's mostly, and purchaes products that are non-hydrogenated, no hormones or additives and free range anything if possible. Still, that is not enough.
Tomorrow I begin my first juice cleanse. AG is heading to NY, Frenchie is in Boston for a month, and Sapna is too busy to notice that I won't be eating. This will be a bit of a challenge for me since I've never fasted before, for any reason - whether religious or healthwise. But I promise to keep a close account of my first experience. It will also help that I'll be in a seminar from Wednesday through Friday. Everyone says that I should be quite high by the 5th day... I hope they aren't exaggerating.
Master Cleanse: Lemon Drink
2 tblsp Fresh squeezed lemon/lime juice (1/2 lemon)
2 tblsp organic maple syrup (grade b)
1/10 tspn cayenne pepper
10-14 oz pure water
sounds yummy huh?
Tomorrow I begin my first juice cleanse. AG is heading to NY, Frenchie is in Boston for a month, and Sapna is too busy to notice that I won't be eating. This will be a bit of a challenge for me since I've never fasted before, for any reason - whether religious or healthwise. But I promise to keep a close account of my first experience. It will also help that I'll be in a seminar from Wednesday through Friday. Everyone says that I should be quite high by the 5th day... I hope they aren't exaggerating.
Master Cleanse: Lemon Drink
2 tblsp Fresh squeezed lemon/lime juice (1/2 lemon)
2 tblsp organic maple syrup (grade b)
1/10 tspn cayenne pepper
10-14 oz pure water
sounds yummy huh?
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