Thursday, October 26, 2006
Interesting Diagnosis
My hands and feet have had a tendency to get cold for pretty much as long as I can remember. Similarly, I've also had hand tremors for as long as I can remember. I know it's been almost my entire life because I remember my parents joking when I was little that I definitely wasn't going to be a surgeon for fear of slicing up my patients. Phil suggested that I talk to a traditional Chinese medicine professional and make sure all my chi was happy.
Yesterday I had an appointment with a guy that works down the street who happens to be a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. After walking through the basic questions and taking a full medical history I was diagnosed with "internal heat due to stagnant liver chi." Fifteen or so needles and a Si Ni Tang bag of herbs later I was well on my way to getting my liver chi moving again. I have to admit that the whole thing was actually a lot of fun. There's something about traditional Chinese medicine that is just really exciting.
About 30 minutes ago I tried my herbal tea. That stuff is every bit as bitter as he suggested it would be... I suspect I'm going to look for a more pleasant tea pill alternative.
Yesterday I had an appointment with a guy that works down the street who happens to be a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist. After walking through the basic questions and taking a full medical history I was diagnosed with "internal heat due to stagnant liver chi." Fifteen or so needles and a Si Ni Tang bag of herbs later I was well on my way to getting my liver chi moving again. I have to admit that the whole thing was actually a lot of fun. There's something about traditional Chinese medicine that is just really exciting.
About 30 minutes ago I tried my herbal tea. That stuff is every bit as bitter as he suggested it would be... I suspect I'm going to look for a more pleasant tea pill alternative.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Stupid Pills
I seriously think that very nearly everyone I had to deal with today, in and out of work, decided that it would be a phenomenal idea to overdose on their stupid pills. Usually if it's just one or two incidents I shrug them off as aberrations, but when it is this many people I really have to wonder if there's a newsletter circulating that I'm just not aware of. I'm definitely going to yoga tonight in an attempt to turn this energy into something productive.
In other bizarre news, I think my body has finally reached the point where it rejects virtually all fast food. Over the last two years or so the only drive through place I've visited with any regularity is Wendy's, and I think I could count the number of occurrences on one hand. Most days of the week that I go to lunch with coworkers we go to places that either prepare something right then and there or at the very least try and use something other than cuboidal vacuum-packed roast beef. Last week I made an evening trip to the mall to look at some stuff and made a break by the food court and opted for Panda Express. I think I got my usual white rice, orange chicken, and I think the eggplant. Wow, did that disagree with my system... as in my stomach was far from pleased the next day. I was just NOT digesting that stuff. It is kind of weird that after eliminating so much fast food from my diet, increasing exercise (I'm doing something physical probably at least 4 days a week), and decreasing my minor drinking to virtually no drinking that my body has almost completely rejected what many people subsist on. Crazy!
--- Written after physical exertion and in a much better mood ---
Lastly, I'm really starting to think that one of the principle reasons I enjoy yoga so much is because it makes me feel pretty damn sexy. I didn't have negative body image before, but it wasn't particularly positive either. I suppose the best possible term would be "body indifference". Now it's decidedly positive, because I sit in class in a meditative state like "yeah, I would totally do me." Also, I have to admit that I really, really like the positive energy that my yoga teacher brings to the class. I also particularly enjoy the sense that she's checking me out. She's made several comments since I've started about my changing body composition and how certain things are looking much more toned. After class I go to the Sunflower grocery store and walk around in board shorts and a tank top and get checked out there too. Maybe this is just the first time that I've really been keyed into the attention... who knows. One way or another, I'm really enjoying it. I'm totally signing up for a check-up with a traditional Chinese medicine doctor to investigate a possible blood deficiency. If Phil is right I might finally have found the barrier that prevents me from gaining any weight at all.
Toned body, more muscle, maybe a tan. Yeah, I'd totally do me.
In other bizarre news, I think my body has finally reached the point where it rejects virtually all fast food. Over the last two years or so the only drive through place I've visited with any regularity is Wendy's, and I think I could count the number of occurrences on one hand. Most days of the week that I go to lunch with coworkers we go to places that either prepare something right then and there or at the very least try and use something other than cuboidal vacuum-packed roast beef. Last week I made an evening trip to the mall to look at some stuff and made a break by the food court and opted for Panda Express. I think I got my usual white rice, orange chicken, and I think the eggplant. Wow, did that disagree with my system... as in my stomach was far from pleased the next day. I was just NOT digesting that stuff. It is kind of weird that after eliminating so much fast food from my diet, increasing exercise (I'm doing something physical probably at least 4 days a week), and decreasing my minor drinking to virtually no drinking that my body has almost completely rejected what many people subsist on. Crazy!
--- Written after physical exertion and in a much better mood ---
Lastly, I'm really starting to think that one of the principle reasons I enjoy yoga so much is because it makes me feel pretty damn sexy. I didn't have negative body image before, but it wasn't particularly positive either. I suppose the best possible term would be "body indifference". Now it's decidedly positive, because I sit in class in a meditative state like "yeah, I would totally do me." Also, I have to admit that I really, really like the positive energy that my yoga teacher brings to the class. I also particularly enjoy the sense that she's checking me out. She's made several comments since I've started about my changing body composition and how certain things are looking much more toned. After class I go to the Sunflower grocery store and walk around in board shorts and a tank top and get checked out there too. Maybe this is just the first time that I've really been keyed into the attention... who knows. One way or another, I'm really enjoying it. I'm totally signing up for a check-up with a traditional Chinese medicine doctor to investigate a possible blood deficiency. If Phil is right I might finally have found the barrier that prevents me from gaining any weight at all.
Toned body, more muscle, maybe a tan. Yeah, I'd totally do me.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Soundtrack of my Life
I thought this was an interesting enough meme to post. The general idea is that you set iTunes to random and play through your music writing down the songs the program selects in order. Personally, I'm not entirely sure what to think of my movie. Thematically speaking, it's definitely about drug usage as noted by the frequent oscillations between rock and psychedelic electronica.
Production Commentary:
I particularly enjoy the progression of my love scenes. Any first date that could be set to Pink Floyd's Sheep is probably not going to see a second one. I especially like the line from the lyrics "He leadeth me the silent waters by \ with bright knives \ he releaseth my soul." If that's the first date, then I guess it would be appropriate to follow it up with the Gin Blossoms - 29, 'cause they are just SO uplifting. Featured lyrics from the song: "through good and bad and straight through indifference" , "there's no intentions worthy of mention" , and "Some rides don't have much of a finish." Not sure what kind of sex comes after that, but I'm betting it's angry from me being robbed of an evening in my life hence Bloodhound Gang's No Hard Feelings. At the fight scene I either realize that my date has psyionic powers, or I take a shit ton of drugs and attempt to attack his soul. Shpongle isn't really fight music, so I'm curious how that would end up. What's truly amazing is that the flute Divine Moments of Truth ends on is the same flute that Exhalation starts with despite the fact they are from different CDs. I'm also apparently ridiculously pissed off about getting cheated on- like dizzy with rage pissed. Ironically, the breakup song is actually a really heartfelt song (ZZ Top - Goin' so good)despite the fact everything has been exceptionally lackluster, not to mention super hypocritical on my part, up to this point. I really feel the getting-back-together song just says "Hey, can we still be fuck buddies?"
My party scene is simply nuts. The song makes me think of a party filled with people, loud music, and I'm strangely by myself- wandering in and out of the crowds looking for a clique to hang with and ultimately rejecting them all. One of those nights where you want to be near people, but not interacting with them.
The mean breakdown is absolutely perfect. Does anyone else get the impression that it's a song about surrealistic fisting? 'Cause that's totally how I envision my mind collapsing.
Shpongle's Falling Awake? Yup, if by "Deep Thought" they meant "more drugs." Same thing can be said for the flash back. I'm not sure what Underworld would be flashing back to, but I'm betting it was "more drugs." I mean the lyrics are literally gibberish.
My death is awesome. Not only does my death occur in a rave scene, but the words: "I was lost \ And I'm still lost \ But I feel so much better \ 'Cause now I know \ It's not so far \ To where I go \ The hardest part \ Is inside me \ I need \ To just be." Then I die. In the business we call that "irony."
The closing credits just make me think of all my friends standing over my lifeless body going "huh, that's a real shame."
Opening Credits: Shpongle - Shnitzled In The Negev
Waking Up: ZZ Top - What Is It, Kid
Average Day: ZZ Top - Alley Gator
First Date: Pink Floyd - Sheep
Make Out Session: Gin Blossoms - 29
Sex Song: Bloodhound Gang - No Hard Feelings
Falling In Love: Tracy Chapman - If Not Now...
Fight Scene: Shpongle - Divine Moments of Truth
Long Drive: Shpongle - Exhalation
Getting Cheated On: Papa Roach - Last Resort
Breaking Up: ZZ Top - Goin' So Good
Getting Back Together: Gorillaz - 19-2000
Lifes Okay: Gipsy Kings - Duende
Party Scene: Gorillaz - All Alone
Mental Breakdown: Tool - Stinkfist
Deep Thought: Shpongle - Falling Awake
Flash Back: Underworld - Something Like a Mama
Death Scene: DJ Tiesto - Just Be
Closing Credits: M83 - Slight Night Shiver
Production Commentary:
I particularly enjoy the progression of my love scenes. Any first date that could be set to Pink Floyd's Sheep is probably not going to see a second one. I especially like the line from the lyrics "He leadeth me the silent waters by \ with bright knives \ he releaseth my soul." If that's the first date, then I guess it would be appropriate to follow it up with the Gin Blossoms - 29, 'cause they are just SO uplifting. Featured lyrics from the song: "through good and bad and straight through indifference" , "there's no intentions worthy of mention" , and "Some rides don't have much of a finish." Not sure what kind of sex comes after that, but I'm betting it's angry from me being robbed of an evening in my life hence Bloodhound Gang's No Hard Feelings. At the fight scene I either realize that my date has psyionic powers, or I take a shit ton of drugs and attempt to attack his soul. Shpongle isn't really fight music, so I'm curious how that would end up. What's truly amazing is that the flute Divine Moments of Truth ends on is the same flute that Exhalation starts with despite the fact they are from different CDs. I'm also apparently ridiculously pissed off about getting cheated on- like dizzy with rage pissed. Ironically, the breakup song is actually a really heartfelt song (ZZ Top - Goin' so good)despite the fact everything has been exceptionally lackluster, not to mention super hypocritical on my part, up to this point. I really feel the getting-back-together song just says "Hey, can we still be fuck buddies?"
My party scene is simply nuts. The song makes me think of a party filled with people, loud music, and I'm strangely by myself- wandering in and out of the crowds looking for a clique to hang with and ultimately rejecting them all. One of those nights where you want to be near people, but not interacting with them.
The mean breakdown is absolutely perfect. Does anyone else get the impression that it's a song about surrealistic fisting? 'Cause that's totally how I envision my mind collapsing.
Shpongle's Falling Awake? Yup, if by "Deep Thought" they meant "more drugs." Same thing can be said for the flash back. I'm not sure what Underworld would be flashing back to, but I'm betting it was "more drugs." I mean the lyrics are literally gibberish.
My death is awesome. Not only does my death occur in a rave scene, but the words: "I was lost \ And I'm still lost \ But I feel so much better \ 'Cause now I know \ It's not so far \ To where I go \ The hardest part \ Is inside me \ I need \ To just be." Then I die. In the business we call that "irony."
The closing credits just make me think of all my friends standing over my lifeless body going "huh, that's a real shame."
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Another Year
Hooray, another birthday has come and gone and I've managed to stave off death for another year. All in all this year's celebratory activities were pretty good.
The actual celebration started on Wednesday night. Why Wednesday night? 'Cause Phil's birthday was on Wednesday and mine was today. So we started then, and basically just carried it on through for a couple days. The first night was a low key dinner at the Plaid in Tempe followed up by going to a friend's apartment for some hookah action and watching Kung Fu Hustle (great movie if you haven't seen it). Then, on Saturday evening we had dinner with a couple friends at Bucca di Beppo down in Mesa and reconvened later that evening back at Phil's house for a small get-together. I have to admit that it ended up being a pretty great celebration. My particular favorite was the group of people sitting around playing a card game that emulates little catholic school girls beating the shit out of one another.
I'd also like to say that Phil's present was pretty awesome. Not only did I get a really sweet Mahjong set, but I got an awesome new outfit for yoga.
Got to spend a few minutes tonight (on my actual birthday) with Phil and that was good too. I'm pretty exhausted at this point and pretty much just want some sleep.
The actual celebration started on Wednesday night. Why Wednesday night? 'Cause Phil's birthday was on Wednesday and mine was today. So we started then, and basically just carried it on through for a couple days. The first night was a low key dinner at the Plaid in Tempe followed up by going to a friend's apartment for some hookah action and watching Kung Fu Hustle (great movie if you haven't seen it). Then, on Saturday evening we had dinner with a couple friends at Bucca di Beppo down in Mesa and reconvened later that evening back at Phil's house for a small get-together. I have to admit that it ended up being a pretty great celebration. My particular favorite was the group of people sitting around playing a card game that emulates little catholic school girls beating the shit out of one another.
I'd also like to say that Phil's present was pretty awesome. Not only did I get a really sweet Mahjong set, but I got an awesome new outfit for yoga.
Got to spend a few minutes tonight (on my actual birthday) with Phil and that was good too. I'm pretty exhausted at this point and pretty much just want some sleep.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Intermediate Updates
This past weekend Tamara and I helped Phil to dreadlock his hair. I must admit that I am rather pleased with the results. Granted, those results were the culmination of eight hours of effort. A lot of memories of my own came back during the process, but that's probably to be expected. The pictures have been made available at my Flickr gallery (Phil's Dreadlock Holiday).
Tomorrow is Phil's birthday, then 5 days later (on the 9th) it's my birthday.
Phil has purchased amazingly cute underwear. You should ask him about them.
I created backup copies tonight of my photoshop images as well as the CR2 raw files from my camera. The full resolution copies of essentially what's available on my Flickr account take up nearly 20 gigabytes. Sometimes it's amazing how much storage is required to keep high-resolution multimedia data.
At work they are trying to start an internal users group on PHP development. I have to admit that I really want to go to some of these meetings and see what they cover. Is it really that dorky to want to hear about programming languages in terms of application development? Is it even dorkier that I think it would be suh-weet if we were somehow able to put together an equivalent group for J2EE development? I would totally run my own lecture series on the Java Enterprise Environment.
The only thing more awesome than owning this shirt, is owning this shirt.
I have been listening to a lot of Pink Floyd lately. At this moment I have the Live at Pompeii DVD playing in the background. Earlier today was listening to the Echoes CD. Dreading Phil's hair I was playing Wish You Were Here. At work someone has an iTunes share with Dream Theater's version of Dark Side of the Moon to go along with my original copy. Just remember to set the controls for the heart of the sun...
Random link of the evening: Do you wish you there was a portal specifically addressing the needs of all things sexual and pornographic? Luckily there is, however this link is neither work nor heterosexual friendly. Because the world has more breeders than non-breeders, this link is not work friendly but IS heterosexual friendly.
Tomorrow is Phil's birthday, then 5 days later (on the 9th) it's my birthday.
Phil has purchased amazingly cute underwear. You should ask him about them.
I created backup copies tonight of my photoshop images as well as the CR2 raw files from my camera. The full resolution copies of essentially what's available on my Flickr account take up nearly 20 gigabytes. Sometimes it's amazing how much storage is required to keep high-resolution multimedia data.
At work they are trying to start an internal users group on PHP development. I have to admit that I really want to go to some of these meetings and see what they cover. Is it really that dorky to want to hear about programming languages in terms of application development? Is it even dorkier that I think it would be suh-weet if we were somehow able to put together an equivalent group for J2EE development? I would totally run my own lecture series on the Java Enterprise Environment.
The only thing more awesome than owning this shirt, is owning this shirt.
I have been listening to a lot of Pink Floyd lately. At this moment I have the Live at Pompeii DVD playing in the background. Earlier today was listening to the Echoes CD. Dreading Phil's hair I was playing Wish You Were Here. At work someone has an iTunes share with Dream Theater's version of Dark Side of the Moon to go along with my original copy. Just remember to set the controls for the heart of the sun...
Random link of the evening: Do you wish you there was a portal specifically addressing the needs of all things sexual and pornographic? Luckily there is, however this link is neither work nor heterosexual friendly. Because the world has more breeders than non-breeders, this link is not work friendly but IS heterosexual friendly.
