All The World's A Stage Part 2

It's been almost a year since I began this blog, and I've decided to do an update of the cast each year in recognition of the yearly milestones. People may change, or they may stay the same. But either way, I'm sure that I can think of more wonderful things to say about the people who make my life worth while.

Hallie Jo

Of course, topping the list would be my Hallie. She's my sunshine on a cloudy day. I recently moved back into my parents basement and have had a lot of fun bonding with her, and watching her grow. Most of the time I don't even mind waking up and seeing Hallie's jumble of hair peeking out from the sheets next to me.

Heather

One of the best friends that I could ever ask for. She understands my work stressors because she once worked the exact same position that I do. She understands my personal trials because we've experienced similar things. She recently moved to Salt Lake and I am so happy that she finally made the move! I see her more now than I did when she lived only ten minutes away. And we recently booked a cruise to the Bahamas! I can't wait!

The BCC

A few months ago, half of the BCC got married. It was a beautiful ceremony and I was thrilled to be able to share that special day with them. If not for the BCC, they likely would not have discovered their love for each other. And I am glad that I was able to take part in finding one couples Happily Ever After. Jenna and I continue to grow closer together as friends. We are both making some changes in our lives and it's great to be able to support each other in our journey.

Norte & Catherine

There have been a lot of marriages in my friend pool over the last year. I'm happy to say that I played a small part in the getting together of this couple. Thank you big mouth of mine. They are absolutely perfect for each other and such an adorable couple. Sometimes disgustingly adorable. I am grateful that he was able to find such a great woman to love. And I'm grateful that she has accepted me into her friend group.

Sarah

Oh Sarah. How much you mean to me. She has been an inspiration to me this last year, and has played a large part in the changes I have made. She is incredibly compassionate and underestimates the impression that she makes on other people. She is my hetero-soul-mate, and I will love her forever and always.

Jay-Cup

There aren't even words to describe our relationship. Probably because it's kind of strange. You make me laugh, and are willing to put up with my psychosis. It's amazing how much you have changed since the McDonald's days. And no, Jay-Cup, I will NOT marry you. Thanks for not asking.

Mi Familia

Through thick and thin my family remains an important part of my life. No matter what happens, somehow we have been able to get through it together and come out on top. I am truly blessed to have such a supportive family. And it's comforting to know that no matter what happens, they will be there.

A New Adventure

For those of you who don't know much about me, I was a dancer for over 12 years. I have always kept myself busy, and until about 5 years ago a big part of my life was exercise. And then came what I like to call "the dark ages" of my life. It was a difficult time for me both physically and mentally. I injured myself multiple times starting with a car accident in which I broke a windshield with the back of my head. Long story short, I hurt myself a lot over the span of about four years and now I am left with a body that can predict the weather. Due to these injuries I was no longer able to exercise as much (or even at all for a while) and when you change your level of activity but not your diet, then your body doesn't react well. I am finally starting to feel healthy again and I really miss being able to work out, so I'm going to start!

First of all, for motivation I booked a cruise to the Bahamas next May with one of my best friends EVER. And I made a goal to lose at least 60 pounds by that time. Next, I got my parents involved. My mom is on a restricted diet anyway due to a surgery she had, and my dad agreed to go on the no flour no sugar diet with me. We take turns preparing healthy lunches to take to work and my mom has supported us by preparing dinner at least 3 times per week so that we aren't tempted to just grab whatever is easy. I always feel so much better when I'm this diet anyway, it's easy and straight forward. And I can adapt all of my favorite meals to fit this diet, so I'm not really missing out on anything. For example, tonight I am making grilled chicken Malibu, Caesar salad, grilled corn on the cob, and red mashed potatoes. No flour, no sugar, and a treat for my taste buds! I really want to succeed on this diet, so I have given myself a few little cheats. Each week I allow myself one candy bar and if I am REALLY craving bread then I can eat whole wheat. So far I have already lost a pant size. It's pretty exciting. I eat a lot of fruit, salads, and corn chips with salsa. Those are my staples. I am trying to make sure that my diet is balanced, and I get plenty of fiber. So far so good!

The main reason that I am blogging about this is for added motivation. If I announce to the world what I'm doing, then there's that added pressure. I know that people aren't totally preoccupied with me, but in my psychotic brain, you kind of are.

Oh, and one of my friends is also doing this diet. Woohoo! I have an eating out buddy who will understand my choices.

As for the exercise, I am starting Pilates this week. I hear it's killer, and I'm pretty sure that I am going to die the first couple of weeks. But the instructor at A Lotta Pilates was on the high school drill team with me, and she said that she will adjust the workouts for me so that I don't aggravate my arthritis. Pilates is supposed to be really good at rehabilitating injuries. Let's hope so! My brother's girlfriend is going to go with me. She was also on the high school drill team with me.

I am so grateful that I have such wonderful family and friends that support whatever I decide to do, and do all they can to help. I honestly don't think that I would be the person that I am today without them, and I hope that they know how much I love and appreciate them!

Wish me luck!

Can I Go Home Now?

I figured that it's about time that I blog again. And since I am currently working a grave shift, I thought it would be the perfect time. The only problem is I have NO idea what to blog about. I could blog about work and about how stupid my clients are and how they make my brain hurt with their questions and bitching and stuff... Or I could blog about how my "relationships" with men are incredibly confusing and full of drama that I don't like to take part in and how I don't have a clue how to start a serious or even potentially serious relationship... Or I could blog about how I am going on a cruise with one of the best friends ever next May... Or I could blog about how I have recently had a strange obsession with Twix candy bars... Or I could blog about how I had cortisone injected into my arthritic foot the other day and how good it feels now and the fact that you can still see the needle mark on the top of my foot and how I can go up on my tip toes without it hurting for the first time in three years... Or I could blog about how I can't wait until Lost, Grey's Anatomy, and Private Practice begin again so that I can see the resolution of the CRAZY cliff hangers from last season's finales... Or I could blog about randomness and how much I want to eat one of the pretzels that is currently sitting on the desk... staring at me with those salty eyes... But... which one to do? Shall I go in a list? Shall I just blog away about nothing as I seem to be doing right now? I feel like my blog should have a purpose other than just random nothings... But I DID label my blog "Ramblings of an Insomniac"... So I suppose the random rambling nothings that I post are quite appropriate for the name of the blog. I just hope that you all don't get too bored listening to my nothings. And I hope that they make sense at least sometimes. And if they don't, just stay up seven hours past your bedtime, and they will. Trust me.

So... although I am no longer working the grave shift or generally staying up past 11pm, I still struggle from insomnia. It sucks. By definition, insomnia is "difficulty initiating or maintaining sleep, or both" and it may be due to inadequate quality or quantity of sleep. If you wanna read more about it you can check it out here. I have struggled with insomnia for years, it's a common side affect of ADHD, which I was diagnosed with in the fifth grade. I was on Adderall for years to control this condition, but the medication did not help with the sleep disorder. I have been offered sleeping pills many times, but have declined due to the addictive nature of sleeping pills. I have an addictive personality already, and I don't need any help getting hooked on things.

My sister and I frequently have sleep overs... or rather, she wakes up at 3am due to the fact that she also suffers from insomnia (poor kid is only 8) and she sneaks down to my room and climbs in bed with me. She always makes fun of me in the morning because apparently I talk in my sleep. I never say intelligible things, it's always just noises. She says I giggle every night. Sometimes I groan. I'm pretty sure that I've never done this before or choice people would have told me about it. Interesting... I wonder why I would start now. The technical term for sleep talking is Somniloquy. This link also contains links to another sleep disorder that I experience 1-2 times per year, night terrors. I'm glad that Hallie has not been present during any of these times. I frequently wake up with bruises all over my body and blood on my pillow from an unknown source. I would hate to find out that I flail when I have night terrors by hitting my sister while I sleep. That would be heartbreaking.

Anyway... I think that I am done blogging for now.

Until next time, I must big you adieu...

There Is No Charge For Awesomeness.

Norte being the good friend that he is, introduced me to some awesomeness. Through him I have found some of the greatest web comics ever. Such as Questionable Content I love this comic. I can relate a lot to Faye, who is a total commitment-phobic-mental-case-yet-lovable-caring person. I can also relate to Hanners... Who is a little bit psychotic/OCD. Yup. Pretty much me. And through this web comic I stumbled upon Girls With Slingshots which is another awesome comic featuring a talking cactus with an accent. I need to get me one of those.

But the REAL awesomeness is one that he just recently introduced me to. HOLY CRAP IT'S HILARIOUS! I am sitting here in my room trying not to laugh so loud that I wake my brother who is sleeping in the next room. So here it is... OMG! If you are not a nerd, then you may not get some of the jokes. But no matter what, it's a jolly good time. There is another comic on the same site they call "Sillies" it's also worth reading.

I know that there was something else that I was going to include in this post. But by golly I'm tired. And I'm tired of typing. Bye.

Security Breach

There was a security breach in my bedroom the other day. I was sitting at my computer working on the slideshow of my Hallie for her baptism and I hear a buzzing over at my window. I look over... and I see a bumble bee wrestle it's way through my blinds and into my room. This experience among other recent happenings has brought me to realize that I have developed a fear of insects and spiders and other various bugs. Never used to be afraid of them. But now the sight of one incites panic in my heart. I still try to pretend that it doesn't. But holy hell I wanted to run screaming out of my apartment! I was too scared to even kill the thing. I immediately stopped what I was doing and left. Silly me. But the bee was gone when I got home!

BTW: This is what it looked like... It was HUGE! About as long as an Oreo, and FAT. Blech...