In Which Stealthstitcher Does a Themed Challenge

[stealthstitcher]

You know what's hard? Besides, like, rocks? Getting to bed two hours later than usual due to working late and then getting up the next morning in time to do a workout. It's hard! I did it, but there was a dangerous moment where I nearly rationalized and justified myself out of it. So that's 5 out of 6 workouts for my goal this week. If I can manage one tomorrow, I will hit that goal.

Goal of having a nice, all-Paleo reset week ... well ... I wouldn't say it's been terrible but I definitely got pizza after the show last night. That makes 3 meals with non-Paleo components this week. The bad cheeseburger earlier was a poor choice I managed to bail out on before going too far ... the yogurt was a nutritionally valid choice that just wasn't Paleo. The pizza, I don't have an excuse other than shows make me hungry. 

Social goal - there are still two shows today to get through, but last night I was a social rockstar. Okay, not quite, but I did learn the names of my three actresses, smiled, and made reasonable preshow conversation regarding mainly the weather. (Not my choice of topic; every single one of the actresses came in saying, "It's sooo cold! I heard it's supposed to get warmer tomorrow." You can't really respond to that with, "Yes, and speaking of literature ...")

 

I have simultaneously reached the point where my current size pants keep slipping down, but the next size down in pants is still uncomfortably tight AND my hair is almost but not quite long enough to pull back. (I went with an ill-advised pixie cut last summer and have been regret regrowing my hair ever since.) I guess it's time for 46 bobby pins and a belt. 

 

 

 

I've been trying to be more social/outspoken too--Periscope has been helping. 

Do tell! I assume you don't mean move to a submarine ... that would be more helpful with getting away from people. 

Now I have Yellow Submarine in my head. 

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Really need to get caught up... didn't subscribe for some darn reason. Found this though...

 

 

 

 

Okay caught up! (sorry if the above gif doesn't go well with your Paleo plans). Just couldn't help but laugh as it popped up on my facebook.

 

I say 3 meals out of 21 (approx). Is pretty good for a week that seems to act like Spring... or "pre-spring".  And congrats for at least getting to know the actresses. (There is a reason why Minnesotans talk about the weather, the every day change is enough to get a group talking xD )

 

Also "peanut butter" workouts, have had similar days. Now forever in my mind PBJ will never be seen the same way again....

 

 

 

Okay was also wondering.. how was that Pizza? Was it good? You didn't say much. Just curious, sadly after I did full on Paleo for 10 days in January I haven't been able to eat Pizza without getting ill.... which I find strange since i can devour a cake without any "bad" side effects. 

[stealthstitcher]

Week the Second: In Which There is a Great Deal of Work

 

Abdullah is another Diana Wynn Jones character with whom I can identify. All he really wants is to be left alone so he can enjoy his elaborate daydreams. All he really wanted, that is. Lately they've been a bit unsatisfying. Then they start coming true, and he finds out that making day dreams a reality is a lot of work. 

And boy, is my week going to be full of work.

 

Goal 1: Do what you can and don't do what you can't.

When Abdullah ends up captured by bandits, does he fret and worry and have hysterics? Okay, maybe a bit, he's been captured by bandits after all. It's upsetting. But for the most part he's a practical guy. He knows he's not going to be able to get himself out of his chains and escape into the desert on foot with bandits after him. So he eats what the bandits give him, gets some rest, and waits for an opportunity to escape.

I have about three weeks of work that have to get done in one this week. Rather than wringing my hands and getting ulcers, I will work steadily and accomplish as much as is reasonably possible. If I find myself getting anxious about what isn't getting done, I will take a breath and remind myself that I can't do the impossible - and that is OKAY. I will follow union rules (I'm not union, but whatever, they're practical rules) and take a short break every two hours and a longer break every four. I will NOT work more than 12 hours a day and I will not cut into sleep time. 

 

Goal 2: Walk the Dogs

This has nothing to do with Castle in the Air. But as I look at my schedule, I can only fit half an hour of exercise in a day without cutting sleep time. (12 hours at work, 1/2 hour of driving time, 2 hours of breaks for lunch and supper during which I will not work out - I don't see how people manage that and also have time to eat and relax a bit, 1/2 hour of showering/getting ready time, that leaves one hour for breakfast and walking dogs.) The dogs need exercise, too, so we will all have a nice walk in the morning and get some fresh air. 

 

Goal 3: Be Practical

As aforementioned, Abdullah is a practical kind of hero. He takes whatever help is offered, eats and sleeps when there's a chance, avoids fights unless he can't help it ... This is a bit difficult to quantify and measure, but I need to accept any help that's offered and be firm about how I use it. If someone who can't sew wants to "help" by working on a difficult sewing project because it seems fun, I need to firmly say, "Thanks, but what I really need is someone to label all these tights." 

 

I will probably not be around much this week. But I'll try to do what my great-aunt calls a "dead check" from time to time. (She's in her nineties and has a friend who is the same, and both live alone. They take turns calling each other to check in. Sometimes they talk, but if they're busy they'll just say, "You dead?" "Nope. You?" "Nope." "Okay, talk to you tomorrow.") 

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Haha, Dead Checks... smart. Give you so much luck for the week!

[weaver]

Those are great goals for a week totally packed with work. I especially like that you're going to stand firm and not work insanely too much. And I'm sure the dogs will be happy to be the focus of your exercise!

 

And the dead check is awesome!

[MichiruSedai]

Very reasonable goals. We'll see you when you can check in!

[jkiley]

Good luck this week!

[stealthstitcher]

Okay, I am not dead.

But.

Maybe I am just having a bad day; maybe it's due to working so many hours the past few weeks. So pardon me as I go on a short rant.

It was a gorgeous day today. I waved at the gorgeous day as I headed in to spend 12 hours working in a windowless basement. And thought, is this really what I'm doing with my life? Let me say first that I don't hate my job. I do creative work with good people, and I adore sewing. And almost all costume shops are in windowless basements (architects are apparently convinced that costumers do not need natural light). I don't really have any desire to change careers, but I want something ... else? More? In addition to? I want an adventure, darn it! I'm tired of going to work, coming home and doing household chores, and going to bed. 

When I've expressed this frustration to friends, I've received suggestions such as, "Maybe you could take an art class?" or "Well, why don't you go to an interesting nearby historic site?" No, no, no, an adventure. Dragons, treasure, questing, a sense of some danger, maybe a little swordfighting thrown in. At the very least a certain amount of mountain climbing, wandering through forests, possibly solving riddles on an ancient map? Does anybody else struggle with this? The desire for the kind of adventure you can't actually get in the real world? Living vicariously through fiction is sometimes unsatisfying. 

Practically speaking, I'd probably be okay with a vacation - you know, the kind where you go to an interesting place, not the kind where you take time off work in order to clean the basement and get the bathroom painted. But even that isn't feasible right now or any time in the near future. 

I don't have a real point here. Just venting. I know I can't be alone in this - there are too many of us who enjoy works of fiction, role playing, gaming and so on, for me to be alone in my desire for something a bit more interesting than normal day-to-day life. And some windows. For the love of mercy, if any architects are out there reading this, GIVE US WINDOWS. 

[Mekong]

Yes. YES.  YEEEESSSSSSS!!!!  I'm there with you.  I want an adventure.  The weekends aren't cutting it.  My husband's friend had a terrible few months in which his whole world blew up- found out wife was cheating, found out she'd spent most of their savings, got a divorce, sold the house underwater.  He moved into the cheapest place he could, saved all his money, and as soon as he'd saved enough ($10k? No more than $20k but I'm not sure how much), he quit his job and has been traveling the world for almost a year now.  I think about him a lot, or another friend of mine that got divorced, had no money, and so they had to move in with their parents up in the area of the country I'd like to live (PNW).  They have a decent job now, but they never would have moved up there without everything falling apart.  I keep thinking, do I have to go full Palahniuk and let myself hit bottom before I'm forced to finally make the decisions I want to make?  Does my comfort in doing alright really keep me so easily from doing great big amazing things?  Of course, as an outsider it's easy for me to tell you to do it!  You have a skill, you can go anywhere with it, or put it down, go on an adventure, and pick it up again when you get back.  I'm just a corporate cog, but you! Save yourself!

My only point of disagreement is that you don't think your adventure lies within this world.  I think you can find it.  It's amazing what's out there.

[MichiruSedai]

Yes. I hear you on that. My job is also the opposite of adventure. But, it's a job I need for the foreseeable future.

 

One of my goals this year is to take small adventures.  I'm going to try and see some concerts, some shows, and maybe travel (small trips, nothing major).

 

I hope you can find ways to put the adventure back into your life.  *hugs*

[Sylvaa]

Yes to adventures! I've already told my husband when we get older, we are backpacking through Europe (he's not all about it). 

 

FWIW, there is never enough time to do all of the things you want to do. Timing is never perfect, life throws obstacles at you, seriously, just jump in and do it! Plan a vacation that is at least a little what you want and then figure out how to get to that point. 

 

Side note: have you ever looked into designing / creating outfits for drag queens? My mother is a very accomplished sewer (? - she's not a costumer, but she could be) and was approached by a friend about this. Apparently, depending on where you live, this is in high demand. I mean, it's not a window, but oh how much fun would that be?

[traaki]

Do tell! I assume you don't mean move to a submarine ... that would be more helpful with getting away from people. 

Now I have Yellow Submarine in my head. 

 

No, I don't mean that--although it would be an adventure! I mean periscope.tv, which is a live broadcast app.  People hop on periscope and, like...talk? To other people? About things? It's all very stressful for me and I tend to just lurk and watch other people.  SO.  I decided to actually use Periscope myself, and to actually participate in any broadcasts I watch.  It's like, a very simplified version of socializing where I don't have to think of a place to go where I could possibly meet people.  Because that's just not something I want to do.  I'm at periscope.tv/sparklingrobots if you want to watch one of mine! No pressure, like, at all. Just sharing what has worked for me. 

 

Regarding adventure, do you ever go camping? That helps scratch that itch for me.  A) I spend more time wandering in forests/deserts/whatever and I find myself trying to figure out how to put our food in a tree with, like, a small rock and some rope, in the pouring rain.  It's not dragons, but it's something!

[stealthstitcher]

Thanks, guys! I think I'm going to focus on figuring out adventures and what exactly I want at the end of this challenge - right now honestly is too busy to do any real planning. I struggle with/am in denial about the fact that most of the time, you have to be your own Gandalf. Rarely is anybody going to come to your door and hand you a ready-made adventure. 

As to this week's challenge - I'm doing pretty well with letting things I can't do go. I'm not sure if this is because I have reached a state of zen tranquility, or I'm just at the point where I stopped caring very much cause I'm so tired. Either way, I'm not freaking out about work except for occasional moments. 

I have infringed on bedtime and worked over 12 hours a bit, but never more than half an hour. 

Accepting help and using it wisely - I have been managing to let imperfect work done by students go, rather than going back later and redoing it myself (very bad habit I have). And when my department head came in yesterday and asked, "Do you need more help? I can find the money to hire someone." I took a deep breath and said, "Yes, that would be great" rather than my usual, "Um, no ... I think I can handle it ..." So I've got a former student coming in part time. I may survive. 

 

 

Side note: have you ever looked into designing / creating outfits for drag queens? My mother is a very accomplished sewer (? - she's not a costumer, but she could be) and was approached by a friend about this. Apparently, depending on where you live, this is in high demand. I mean, it's not a window, but oh how much fun would that be?

No, it's never come up! (I do live in a mediumish midwestern town in Amish country, so that might have something to do with it ...) I mostly get requests for much less interesting bridal gowns. (Gee, you want a strapless A-line with a chiffon overlay? Just like every other bride in the state? Sometimes I think if one more person comes to me with a picture of a strapless A-line dress with a chiffon overlay from David's Bridal, I'll throw something at her. I don't, cause mama raised me proper, but I want to.) 

 

 

 

Regarding adventure, do you ever go camping? That helps scratch that itch for me.  A) I spend more time wandering in forests/deserts/whatever and I find myself trying to figure out how to put our food in a tree with, like, a small rock and some rope, in the pouring rain.  It's not dragons, but it's something!

I loved camping when I was a kid. My family went every summer. I have a combination of excuses and obstacles that have prevented me from doing it in more recent years. 

[weaver]

And when my department head came in yesterday and asked, "Do you need more help? I can find the money to hire someone." I took a deep breath and said, "Yes, that would be great" rather than my usual, "Um, no ... I think I can handle it ..." So I've got a former student coming in part time. I may survive.

 

 

Yessssss!

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Ooh glad your able to work a bit with the job, but can see where the no windows thing drove yo crazy (probably why I hated high school, few windows... desks where pushed away from windows for stupid reasons... I preferred daydreaming probably didn't help).

 

How you feel about adventures, I realize I had a similar itch growing up and always found MMOs (which rarely helped).

 

I guess for me imagining dragons, maybe see if your state has a LARPing group (yeah probably already heard this and probably don't want to do it). But I found at least in Minnesota where the main website was and how open and straight forward they where (main reason I didn't go for it, is I can't stand doing improv... I like talking to real people and their real story).

 

I give you luck on finding something for you itch! (I personally find doing applications terrifying enough to calm my *must go* self)

[MichiruSedai]

"Be your own Gandalf".... I like it!

[stealthstitcher]

That's all for today!

[fiddle-on]

Accepting help and using it wisely - I have been managing to let imperfect work done by students go, rather than going back later and redoing it myself (very bad habit I have). And when my department head came in yesterday and asked, "Do you need more help? I can find the money to hire someone." I took a deep breath and said, "Yes, that would be great" rather than my usual, "Um, no ... I think I can handle it ..." So I've got a former student coming in part time. I may survive. 

 

Nice. This is always astonishingly hard for me too. Somehow, accepting help feels like failure or giving in, even when I know it's really, truly not. So good job on taking a moment to think about it before refusing, and even better on saying yes.

[stealthstitcher]

Week The Third: In Which Long Periods of Boredom are Punctuated by Moments of Sheer Terror

House of Many Ways is probably my favorite Diana Wynne Jones novel and one of my top all-time favorite books. One reason for that is the way it addresses one of the great unanswered questions of fantasy literature - if everybody is out saving the kingdom, who is doing the laundry?

Seriously, aside from being a wonderful story, it really does deal with the fact that everything is much harder when the housework has piled up. It's difficult to go save the kingdom or organize the library when there are no clean dishes and your clothes are stained and the plumbing needs repaired and there's nothing in the house for lunch. Nobody wants to go meet the king in a dirty, wrinkled blouse or defeat the forces of evil on an empty stomach. 

 

This week won't be any less busy than last week, but it will be a different kind of busy. It's show week. That means frantic craziness till we open ... then extreme boredom as I have to be at work but can't actually do anything while the costumes are on stage ... 

 

Goal 1: Keep the House Tidy

Usually by the end of show week, I have a trail of laundry from the front door to my bedroom and have somehow dirtied every dish in the house despite the fact that I'm not cooking and not eating at home. No time for actual cleaning, but I will put laundry in the hamper and wash the few dishes I use. 

 

Goal 2: Eat Out Responsibly

At some point during the week, I will snap and will not be able to eat one more cold meal. (No microwave at work, absolutely no time to cook anything at home.) This should not be an excuse to eat junk. My options are somewhat limited, but I can at least get soup at Panera with some semblance of protein and vegetables instead of a burger and fries.  

 

Goal 3: Go to Bed

Post-rehearsal/show de-stressing will be limited to half an hour and will involve a book, not a screen. I will not turn on my computer when I get home. I will just get ready for bed and then read for a bit before sleeping in order to wind down from the day. 

 

Last week I missed 2 days walking the dogs, but otherwise did pretty well with my goals of not stressing over work and accepting help. 

And I just remembered daylight saving time and realized that it's 10:00, not 9:00 and I need to run out the door. Yay. 

[weaver]

I just really like how your goals are so aware of the current state of your life and are all about doing the best you can for yourself and your mind and body within the given circumstances. Keep it up!

[MichiruSedai]

Great goals for the week!  Panera is a place I don't get to go very often, but I love their soups & sammies!

[Loveable_Bouncer]

Congrats on a good week beforehand, and give you luck for this busy week (and time change on top of it).

[stealthstitcher]

Show has opened! Alive might be an exaggeration - I've had no more than six hours of a sleep a night and am in fact averaging under four due to overnighters pulled to get the costumes done. The scenic artist has been muttering angrily under his breath for days and the production manager is wandering the building moaning, "Never again ... never again ... we're never doing a large musical again." 

But we will of course. We never learn.

Anyway, as to goals -

I have kept the dishes done and the laundry picked up. It's a tech week miracle! 

I definitely grabbed fast food once during the madness, but only once. Aside from that I have been eating my pre-packed meals or occasional Panera soup when I have enough time to get there. 

I turned on the computer for a bit last night before bed. It was the only time this week though. Every other night I just fell into bed. I managed to take my shoes off, though! Another miracle! 

Three more days to survive. Looking forward to eight hours of sleep tonight! 

[stealthstitcher]

I don't know, maybe it's just my resistance to new things. But I'm not too keen on the new look/format. It makes me feel confused and a bit anxious. Also I feel like activity on the forum has dropped off abruptly this week, though that is likely unrelated. I mean, I haven't been here much so maybe it's just that kind of week.

[weaver]

It's not just you - I'm not a big fan, either. A big part of that is that the way I've been accessing threads I've been active in seems to have disappeared entirely. Boo!

 

You're surviving and even doing well at the little things that are good for you!