Born in the Tundra of Minnesota, I have since become a bit of a Gypsy. Currently calling home base the hot sands of Arizona, I do still travel often. Whether the journey is a physical one, or one taken by reading a fantastic book it doesn't matter, the fun is always in the adventure. As always I am an eclectic person that likes a wide array of things and has many passions. Creating, advocating for animals and Mothering just to name a few.
I long ago decided I was an introvert. I prefer small parties to large, I prefer my group of people to a room full of strangers and I would much rather curl up at home with a good book then go out and party down like many seem to enjoy doing. The problem is I want to be more social and meet new people, so I am constantly battling my own instinct to just curl up and keep to myself. It is not an easy battle and it has some footfalls and downsides that come along with it.
A case in point with my journey into trying to be more extroverted (my goal is for Ambivert ) is joining a local Knit Night. Once a week a group of gals (men allowed to I think..if they wish to come). I really enjoy Knit Night and I Have gone twice so far. Alas my natural introverted nature can sometimes bubble out in nervous energy when I get excited about a topic I will talk a bit louder then normal. That bit me in the but on my second outing for Knit Night, and I was asked if I could lower my voice by another group member. Now mind you it was done VERY politely and I take no offense whatever about being asked. I comment only because of my embarrassment on the issue. I apologized profusely and kept a very mindful watch on my tone and volume after that. It made things a little less enjoyable for me but that was not anyone’s fault. It is all part of me learning and trying to be more extroverted and make more friends. This seems like a pretty tight knit group and I do like the ladies in it. So I hope I can overcome my issues and make more friends.
While working on research on how I can help myself with this process I found an interesting article and blog of another introvert.
Myth #1 – Introverts don’t like to talk.
This is not true. Introverts just don’t talk unless they have something to say. They hate small talk. Get an introvert talking about something they are interested in, and they won’t shut up for days.
Myth #2 – Introverts are shy.
Shyness has nothing to do with being an Introvert. Introverts are not necessarily afraid of people. What they need is a reason to interact. They don’t interact for the sake of interacting. If you want to talk to an Introvert, just start talking. Don’t worry about being polite.
Myth #3 – Introverts are rude.
Introverts often don’t see a reason for beating around the bush with social pleasantries. They want everyone to just be real and honest. Unfortunately, this is not acceptable in most settings, so Introverts can feel a lot of pressure to fit in, which they find exhausting.
Myth #4 – Introverts don’t like people.
On the contrary, Introverts intensely value the few friends they have. They can count their close friends on one hand. If you are lucky enough for an introvert to consider you a friend, you probably have a loyal ally for life. Once you have earned their respect as being a person of substance, you’re in.
Myth #5 – Introverts don’t like to go out in public.
Nonsense. Introverts just don’t like to go out in public FOR AS LONG. They also like to avoid the complications that are involved in public activities. They take in data and experiences very quickly, and as a result, don’t need to be there for long to “get it.” They’re ready to go home, recharge, and process it all. In fact, recharging is absolutely crucial for Introverts.
Myth #6 – Introverts always want to be alone.
Introverts are perfectly comfortable with their own thoughts. They think a lot. They daydream. They like to have problems to work on, puzzles to solve. But they can also get incredibly lonely if they don’t have anyone to share their discoveries with. They crave an authentic and sincere connection with ONE PERSON at a time.
Myth #7 – Introverts are weird.
Introverts are often individualists. They don’t follow the crowd. They’d prefer to be valued for their novel ways of living. They think for themselves and because of that, they often challenge the norm. They don’t make most decisions based on what is popular or trendy.
Myth #8 – Introverts are aloof nerds.
Introverts are people who primarily look inward, paying close attention to their thoughts and emotions. It’s not that they are incapable of paying attention to what is going on around them, it’s just that their inner world is much more stimulating and rewarding to them.
Myth #9 – Introverts don’t know how to relax and have fun.
Introverts typically relax at home or in nature, not in busy public places. Introverts are not thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies. If there is too much talking and noise going on, they shut down. Their brains are too sensitive to the neurotransmitter called Dopamine. Introverts and Extroverts have different dominant neuro-pathways. Just look it up.
Myth #10 – Introverts can fix themselves and become Extroverts.
A world without Introverts would be a world with few scientists, musicians, artists, poets, filmmakers, doctors, mathematicians, writers, and philosophers. That being said, there are still plenty of techniques an Extrovert can learn in order to interact with Introverts. (Yes, I reversed these two terms on purpose to show you how biased our society is.) Introverts cannot “fix themselves” and deserve respect for their natural temperament and contributions to the human race. In fact, one study (Silverman, 1986) showed that the percentage of Introverts increases with IQ.
I found this very interesting and I had to ask myself due to the last one, Am I trying to fix myself? The simple answer is no, I am not. I am simply trying to get myself some more friends that I can hang out with. I have friends all over the world via online and pen pals. Some are close, some are not but all of them are in the “friends” category, which is Great! I love it! However, I would like to make more friends in my local area. I would like to be able to sometimes go out and hang out with them. I have found it is easier for me to do this in ways like I have started doing now, a common interest group. At least going in you know you have one thing in common already!
So fingers crossed that my Knit Night continues to work. I really do enjoy it even if I have only been twice so far. I may take the step to see about finding a second one or a book club that reads books I enjoy. So far the two book clubs I have casually looked into have picked a bunch of dud books, lol. That is a whole different blog post though.
(just that secondary note on number 2. I know it wasn’t meant on purpose with my last get together)
Where has the month gone?! I see how little I have blogged on this blog over the month and I go, well whoops. Bad blogger. Just happens sometimes though right? I will not beat myself up about it. I will however ask my readers something and you can leave a comment or contact me in one of my other lovely ways. I know how you all are busy as well 🙂
Do you want to see Saturday Sanctuary come back on this blog? I plan to do some of my other fun posts and of course just whatever else crosses my mind and the like. But was Saturday Sanc one that was enjoyed? Or was it just me who enjoyed writing the posts?
Feedback is appreciated and I think March will be a good month to start keeping fully on top of things again. Feb has been a little stressful and I have been battling the vile flu going around. So no extra stress!
2014 was a year of up’s and downs and many things. Divorce, new starts, trips, dreams coming true and well starting over. Starting over is not an easy thing but it should be embraced and enjoyed and well once you have done the mourning and healing just become the best version of yourself.
My letters slacked in 2014 because of the ups and downs so my goal of 500 pieces of mail sent was missed 2014 I did 287 pieces. Not a total fail but not the greatest. It is okay though I am allowing myself the fact that it was a hard year and moving past that. 2015 is a new year. One where I plan to be focusing mostly on my crochet work and growing my business so I am setting a modest mail goal of 150 pieces of mail. I also plan to post more about craft stuff. Crocheting mostly but other items too. So keep an eye out for that.
I decided that 2015 would be the year I kicked my Creations of Bastet business into high gear. Not only have I bought a personalized domain but I have outlined a plan for new products and am busy hooking (the crochet kind you dirty birds) my way through as much yarn as I possibly can. Learning new stitches..new designs ect. Well one thing I did not have that I knew I would need for this high gear kick off was business cards. Like many others I have tried vistaprint (not overly impressed) and while I love moo they can be a bit cost preventive sometimes. So a google search brought me to Printastic business cards , they had a free deal 250 cards for free and $7.99 for basic shipping (you can choose faster ones) so I thought I would give them a try. 5 orders later I have to say I am clearly impressed with what they have to offer.
Here is a picture of 4 of my designs, the 5th is for a friend and alas I shipped it off to her for Christmas before taking a picture. It looks like my Creations of Bastet card though because she is the Head Jewelery designer.
All of the designs I chose were ones they offered and I just added my clip art and personalization. There is a lot of great choices and you can also clearly see they do front and back offerings. The paper is nice and thick and sturdy, you can choose to upgrade your paper, or coating for an added fee which is reasonable as well.
The bottom line.Two thumbs up for me for these cards. The service is great, the cards are great and I have to say I found my new business card company for good.
I do not usually make Sunday posts here but it is my blog so HA I can. Plus I did not make one on Friday it even’s out 😛
First Happy Birthday to my fantastic cousin J. He doesn’t like big displays so I won’t make a huge one but there is one 😀
Second..congrats to Benedict Cumberbatch on his movie making a SPLASH at a film festival. WELL DESERVED this movie is going to be FANTASTIC.
The British actor didn’t make it to Colorado, but his film “The Imitation Game” is the hit of the festival’s opening day
The man who might have gotten the biggest boost from Friday’s opening of the Telluride Film Festival, Benedict Cumberbatch of “The Imitation Game,” wasn’t even there to enjoy his acclaim. But his ears were surely burning, because his film opened to the kind of near-universal kudos that nearly eclipsed the somewhat mixed reaction to the day’s other bows.
On an opening night that found Telluride hosting three Toronto-defying world premieres, Jon Stewart enjoyed newfound star power as an off-camera writer-director with the debut of “Rosewater,” while Reese Witherspoon had some festivalgoers supposing that “Wild” could have her walking a red-carpet line to another Oscar nomination.
But the absent Cumberbatch was the toast of Telluride, and “The Imitation Game” director Morten Tyldum and distributor Harvey Weinstein did turn up to usher in the film’s first public screening. As Oscar bait, this “Game” has nearly everything going for it, combining a critical historical moment — the cracking of the German Enigma code, which some say made the difference in the Allies winning WWII — with a contemporary hot-button topic, as found in the eventual persecution of Cumberbatch’s war hero character for the mere fact of being illegally homosexual.
Gritty and glossy at the same time, in the tradition of some of Weinstein’s biggest successes, “Imitation” also has the virtue of being quite good. Weinstein may actually have an easier job than usual, at least when it comes to collecting nominations. Predicting whether Cumberbatch will earn one kind of counts as a “no s–t, Sherlock” no-brainer.
I have to say this week has been up and down and all around and just one of those weeks that I would like to forget about honestly. I am getting a fresh look on some things and a stab in the heart on others. So today’s Friday post is not crafty and it is not ranty and anything like that it is purely…Cute. Things to make you smile.
Stressed, burdened with life’s difficult problems and fear that your health is declining? Then sex is the answer to happiness, longevity and a healthy body. You don’t agree?
1. De-stress
Sex helps you reduce stress. When deep breathing exercises fail to de-stress you, sex will do the needful.
During sex your body produces dopamine, a substance that fights stress hormones, endorphins, aka “happiness hormones” and oxytocin, a desire-enhancing hormone secreted by the pituitary gland.
In a study, published in the Public Library of Science journal, three neuroscience researchers conducted a test on male rats and found that the sexually active rats were less anxious than rats with no sexual activity.
2. Great Form of Exercise
Making love is a form of physical activity. During intercourse, the physiological changes in your body are consistent with a workout. You must have noticed that the respiratory rate rises, which means you get tired. Hence, you burn calories. If you have sex three times a week for 15 minutes (but we know you can do better than that) you’ll burn about 7.500 calories in a year. That’s the equivalent of jogging 75 miles! Heavy breathing raises the amount of oxygen in your cells, and the testosterone produced during sex keeps your bones and muscles strong.
3. Lowers high blood pressure
Hugs and sex can improve your blood pressure. Sex reduces diastolic blood pressure, that is, the bottom number while reading blood pressure.
Researchers with the University of Paisley conducted an experiment on the same. They concluded that sex improves blood pressure.
4. Builds your immunity
Trying to fight the sniffles? Sex is the answer to fight cold and other health problems; sex can boost your immunity.
Immunoglobulin A, an antigen that fights the flu increases when the frequency of sex increases.
5. Makes You Look Younger
Making love three times a week can make you look 10 years younger, claims a Scottish researcher. “It’s good for you to have good sex,” says David Weeks, a clinical neuropsychologist at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital, whose study on the effects of sex on aging appears in his book, Secrets of the Superyoung.
6. Healthy heart
Sex helps you burn calories but it can also improve your heart. Sex will take care of stroke and heart attacks, you just have to enjoy the moment.
Scientists with New England Research Institute examined the effect of sex on the heart. The study concluded that men are 45 percent less likely to experience cardiovascular diseases. But the study fails to study the effect of sex on a woman’s heart.
7. Pain relief
Pleasure is the measure to beat out the pain. Do you experience migraines and body pain? Well sex is the answer. But if you experience back pain, it is best to consult a doctor.
Dr. George E. Erlich, an arthritis specialist from Philadelphia conducted a study on the link between arthritis and sex. He narrows down that patients who engaged in sex experienced less pain.
8. Builds trust and intimacy
The act of sex spikes the hormone oxytocin; this hormone is responsible for your happiness and love. If your feel your relationship is falling out, there is trust or you’re worried that your partner will stray away, then sex will dispel these doubts. The hormone oxytocin builds trust and brings couples closer, and cupid too.
9. Less chances of cancer
Regular ejaculation reduces your chances of developing prostate cancer. In an Australian study men who ejaculated 21 times a month were least likely to develop cancer. It is further supported by other researches that sexual intercourse reduces the risk of prostrate cancer.
10. Stronger pelvic muscles
Sex involves the use of several muscles; hence regular sexual intercourse can help you develop stronger pelvic muscles. Further, since the act of sex involves a range of muscles, it also helps strengthen these muscles – for ex: quads, your core, and the upper back. Through regular sex, you can also maintain a strong bladder and bowel function.
Strong muscles, calorie burner, improves heart health – sex seems to take care of you.
11. Prostate Protection
Most of the fluid you ejaculate is secreted by the prostate gland. If you stop ejaculating, the fluid stays in the gland, which tends to swell, causing lots of problems. Regular ejaculation will wash those fluids out and ensure the well being of your prostate until old age. Problems may also occur when you suddenly change the frequency of ejaculations.
12. Induces sleep
After that great, lovely workout you are bound to get good sleep. But guess what? Sex works the same way as exercise. The increased heart rate leads to increased post-coital relaxation. Sex could be the next thing for insomniacs! So what really happens:
– Sex can relax you, hence if you are already tired, the act of sex will induce sleep.
– When men ejaculate they become lethargic, this can make them sleepy.
13. Regular periods
Apparently sex can improve your menstrual cycle. Sex regulates hormones, which in turn regulate the menstrual cycle. Sex reduces stress, which is one of the reasons women miss their periods. Sex seems like a better option than pills.
14. Prevents Erectile Dysfunctions
Fifty per cent of men older than 40 suffer from erectile dysfunctions and all young men fear the moment when they won’t be able to get it up any more. The best medicine against impotence is…sex. An erection keeps the blood flowing through your penile arteries, so the tissue stays healthy. Plus, doctors compare an erection to an athletic reflex: the more you train the more capable you are to perform.
15. Live longer
A healthy heart, stronger muscles, increased circulation of oxygen and happiness are some of the factors that add life to the years and as a result – years to your life.
A study published in the British Medical Journal reveals that men who engaged in sex often live twice as those who rarely had any action.
16. Healthier semen
If you’re trying to conceive, you increase the volume of semen if you have sex regularly. Regular sex replaces old sperms from the testicles. If there is a natural build of sperms it can lead to DNA damage.
Is it good that the first thing I said when looking at the pictures was OMG THATS INTRO DARKNESS ON THE MOVIE SCREEN!!!? *laughs* seriously though wicked cool house.
This Internet mogul wants to sell his house, and he’s asked his real estate agents to make it so.
Former CEO of the networking site FriendFinder Marc Bell is selling his gorgeous Florida home to the tune of $35 million. His incredible Mediterranean mansion includes eight bedrooms, 16 bathrooms and a couple of Star Trek-themed entertainment rooms — including a detailed recreation of the Starship Enterprise that serves as a home theater.
“We built this house to have fun. We wanted the home to be hands on and all about enjoying life,” Bell states in a listing from Douglas Elliman Real Estate. “My philosophy is that you only live once, so why not make the most of where you live?”
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
If your spouse is forcing you to move here, don’t worry. There are plenty of rooms for non-Trekkies to seek refuge, including some that pay homage to some other nerdy fandoms.
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Image: Senada Adzem, Oren and Tal Alexander Andy Frame
Well my friends and readers this blog is going to be taking a vacation for a little bit. Not to long I promise I will be back around April 9th to post things.
So in the mean time I hope everyone has lots of fun! I will miss the blogging. I always do..but I have to do some stuff and well vacation. Time to unplug and relax and have some of those umbrella drinks.
I was checking out some things on my feed and I found this post I thought I should cross post it because it is so True. Every woman I know has done at least one thing on this list, and I am one of them heck I have done several of them.
1. Putting themselves first. When Barbara Walters asked Michelle Obama if it were selfish that she openly makes herself her first priority she responded: “No, no, it’s practical…. a lot of times we just slip pretty low on our own priority list because we’re so busy caring for everyone else. And one of the things that I want to model for my girls is investing in themselves as much as they invest in others.”
2. How little or much they’re eating, especially if it’s “unhealthy.” You can eat a big lunch without having to say “I haven’t eaten anything all day” or have some delicious ass nachos without saying “I totally deserve this, I was so good this week, I’ll start the diet again tomorrow.” More importantly, you shouldn’t have to always be interrogated with “that’s all you’re having?” or “you’re going to eat all that?!”
3. Healthy eating as a means of actual health, not weight loss, because for some reason, people tend to be skeptical that a woman could actually just want to treat her body right and not be perpetually concerned with her size.
4. Not having baby fever. You aren’t more or less of a woman– or person– if having a child isn’t for you now or ever. You shouldn’t have to back it up with the reasons you’re not maternally inclined but will maybe consider it down the road because “who really knows– maybe someday!” when you do really know that you don’t want kids but don’t want to be glared at like a heartless monster.
5. Having baby fever. Nobody should have to face a flurry of interrogative questions when they proclaim that they do indeed want to have children young, because it’s just as acceptable to feel that way as it is the alternative. If you want to travel, you’ll travel. If you want to pursue a career in addition to motherhood, pursue you shall. As long as you are aware of the implications, no further justification to other people who don’t feel the same way is needed.
6. Whether or not they’re having sex, and to what degree. There doesn’t have to be a reason that you slept with so-and-so, and you don’t have to feel obligated to give an excuse for why you’ve been celibate.
7. Enjoying what would otherwise be called guilty pleasures because they’re “girly” things. They don’t have to be “guilty” pleasures, they can just be pleasures. You can enjoy getting your nails painted and wearing a skirt and re-watching 13 Going On 30 a thousand times without floundering in stereotypes.
8. “Looking like shit today.” Whenever a woman leaves the house looking anything less than airbrushed and runs into someone they know, they tend to feel the need to apologize for it. You don’t have to apologize to someone else for not being a certain way, you have to apologize to yourself for feeling like you had to in the first place.
9. Experimenting with sexuality. It doesn’t have to be because you were “lost and confused” or just “a wild crazy girl in college.” If you made out with a girl at a party because it was the cool thing to do, fine, if it was more than that, just call it for what it was.
10. Weight, because size actually does not determine what “a real woman” is or not.
11. Amount of makeup worn on any given day. If you want to rock it au naturale, you do that, you beautiful little thing, and if you want to work it like you’re in a drag show, you can do that too. Your face. Your rules.
12. Sometimes conventionally frowned upon clothing choices. You don’t have to say you wear leggings “because they’re so comfortable” or a really short dress because you’re just “being crazy tonight.” These things require no explanation, and you shouldn’t let other people pressure you into feeling as though they do.
13. Being upset about something that warrants an emotional response. You don’t have to apologize for feeling something or acting out on it if it’s real to you. The people who judge you for being a human being, and not being ultimately demure and emotionless and in your place, are the ones who need to apologize.
14. Moving for a relationship if one is invested and ready… or just putting a relationship first if it’s a healthy and happy thing or something you want/need to work on. There’s a big difference between being dismissive and walked on and stepping up and taking part as an equal in a relationship, a role that usually requires compromising and effort.
15. Wanting to get married young.
16. Not wanting to get married young.
17. Attractiveness despite something. You don’t have to justify your so-called-imperfections with that which you like about yourself– you aren’t attractive because you have great hair despite being a little overweight. You can be attractive without fitting into social conventions of it. The beauty continuum scale was constructed to make us all feel like shit and buy a lot of products to fix that. But beautiful is as beautiful does.
18. Passing social deadlines for things. Who cares if you’re 35 and as single as you were 15 years ago? Life doesn’t start when someone or something comes along and then society says it can. You don’t have to make excuses as to why you aren’t married or with child or working a traditional 9-5. Our lives weren’t meant to be scripted the same way. When you adopt someone else’s narrative, it’s because you aren’t hearing your own clearly enough.
