PandaBaby

2010-04-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Somewhere

Somewhere the sun is shining.
Is that hope enough for me
when dark clouds limn my vision
'til I can hardly see?

Somewhere the Milky Way shines bright
In night skies rich with dark.
Is it enough to know that
when my night's obscured with mirke?

If clouds won't move, and mirke won't fade,
I'll do the only thing I can.
I'll move myself and travel far
to find the sun and stars again.

Lived & Loved Completely

2010-02-17T15:37:00.000-08:00

Jason Scott Siegal
December 19th, 1972 - January 17th, 2010

A more loving or generous son-in-law you will not find anywhere.

Jason, we miss you.

The leather bustier I always wanted

2010-01-15T14:03:00.000-08:00

Earphones arrived for the wii today, and I tried them out with my new Guitar Hero World Tour Band Kit. Check out the durable virtual drum set, with real drum sticks, two cymbal pads, a foot pedal for bass drum, and three color coded drum pads. I'm happy because I can turn the volume up as high as I want, and Goldibear is happy because he doesn't have to listen.

The wireless Ear Force W3 'phones have an on/off switch and volume control on the earphones, and fits tightly enough to stay on with vigorous movement but comfortable enough for extended play sessions. The 'phones use one AAA battery for transmitting the signal to the base unit which plugs into DC power and into the wii. Very cool for keeping peace in a rockin' panda cave.

Now, about that black leather vest... My virtual life includes a new avatar in Guitar Hero. I gave her white hair and dressed her in a $285 leather vest, which I bought with the virtual money I earned playing my virtual gigs with my virtual band.

Practicing songs with Kurt Cobain or The Beatles on the wii may not earn me a place in a live band, but there are some musical elements that are reinforced with these programs, such as developing a sense of rhythm and timing, gaining an ear for the individual parts in a band and how they go together in a song, and getting immediate feedback on coordination and focus.

Plus it is great fun, and the drum set skills are said to transfer to real drums. A nice quiet way for kids of all ages to learn the drums, as long as the earphones are plugged in too. Getting these two wii games for my birthday and Christmas last month was like opening a box expecting maybe a puppy, and finding you got the whole zoo! Thank you my wonderful son and daughter, a million thanks!

Sisters Rock

2010-01-14T21:38:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, my sister had the the day off from nursing, and she drove from Astoria for a visit. We spent some time at Barnes & Noble where I bought Mennonite in a Little Black Dress - a laugh-out-loud funny book in a darkly humorous sort of way.

For the rest of the afternoon, we played duets on the wii with Rock Band The Beatles. I played the guitar and she sang, and then she played the drums with my guitar. We surprised ourselves with how well we did and it was great fun.

My life is nearly all virtual. The real food I eat gets logged into FitDay.com; I exercise with My Fitness Coach, a wii program; my books are digital in a variety of modes - Adobe and Kindle and other; I listen to digital music on my iPod or on iTunes on my desktop; I'm learning to play chess with ChessMaster - Grandmaster edition on my computer; my ancestors are collected in Legacy, a computer genealogy program.

And to think, when I born, computers were more or less the stuff of fantasy and science fiction.

Happy 2010

2010-01-01T17:57:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and may it be filled with all your dreams come true.

I have made only one New Year's Resolution for 2010:

To Be Fully Present in the Now.

I have spent the first day of the New Year just doing what is most important to me at each moment - a day filled with little and mundane things but very satisfying - no coulds, shoulds, oughts, in short - no worries mate!

My son and daughter gave me Guitar Hero the complete band set plus Rock Band the Beatles last month. The very best presents ever that I have received. That is what is up for the next moment: I'm going to go rock with the Beatles. (Decisions, decisions: should I choose the guitar, the drum set, or sing along with the mic? Right, all three then - guitar first.)

Yes, my son said it was the biggest shock of his life to come home for lunch the other day and find his mother singing About a Girl with Kurt Cobain. I'm not very tuneful so I like singing Cobain songs as his style is less demanding.

But the Beatles were my generation, and I could sing most of their songs in my sleep, plus the presentation is easy on the eyes and ears. Both Wii programs rate the difficulty of the songs and instruments but I find Rock Band the Beatles interface to be friendlier. Of course. They're the Beatles, after all.

What a wonderful New Year.

fizzle

2009-11-29T19:27:00.000-08:00

Another Nano, another no-go.

Nothing I pictured beforehand took fire, and I had only one day of a story whispering in my mind. I'm not ready to hang up my writer's cap quite yet, but if health issues don't clear up this coming year, I probably will give it up.

So apologies to my erstwhile Nano buddies, and congrats to those who soldiered through.

Three New Year's Resolutions for 2009

2009-11-17T15:22:00.000-08:00

There remains forty brand-new as yet unused days in this year of 2009. Forty days to carry out some new year's resolutions before the New Year. Forty days to work a few tattered resolutions off my to-do list before they contaminate the list for 2010.

1. Do something with R-Ranch.
We own fee simple title (among 2,199 other people) to 5,119 acres (see link for amenities) on the Klamath River in northern California, and to drive there from here has been too much for us for several years. Sell? Quit claim title back to the ranch? Give it to someone who loves to hunt and fish?

2. Do something with vinyl record collection.
We own twenty linear inches of old records. Sell to used records shop? Toss? record on CDs and toss? Sell for $1,000,000 on eBay?

3. Do something with cityonahill.com.
We've owned an internet domain since 1996, but I haven't done any development on it in several years. What to do? Let it lapse? Sell to interested party? Remodel and develop new strategy?

Why do we keep things beyond their usefulness? Sentiment? Not wanting to admit that it didn't work or is no longer a true priority? Attached to things because they're associated with good memories?

There is only so much time in each day, only so many days in each lifetime - and what we cling to may get in the way of better possibilities. Time to do something!

A Sensual Orgy of mind and ear

2009-10-31T17:04:00.000-07:00

I went to the Friends of the Library semi-annual book sale today, hoping to pick up some good hard cover editions of Gabaldon's Outlander series, but came home instead with a book on bird song. Call it inspiration for Nano.

Listening to Maire Brennan sing Ilathair De (In God's Presence) while reading Why Birds Sing by David Rothenberg created a nearly mystical apex of delight in my brain today. (A mini-rant: disregard the low Amazon star rating for his book. Never trust a rating that is composed of many five and four star ratings and a few one-star spoilers with nothing in between - clearly the amalgam is not representative of most opinions.)

Visit his website to hear recordings of birds, and of duets between birds and people.

Who I'm going to Be for Halloween?

2009-10-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

For Halloween tonight, I'm going to put on a long black wig, some turqoise jewelery and gold rings, and go as Diana Gabaldon.

For the next thirty days after that, I'd like to write like Diana Gabaldon, too. And if I were living in Canberra on November 18th, I'd most certainly want to be at her book signing.

I read all of her Lord John books this month, but her magnum opus, the Outlander series, will have to wait until December, until after Nano. Because I have no self-control, and if I start to read one of her books during November, I will be reading, not writing, the rest of the month.

No news but old news

2009-10-30T12:46:00.000-07:00

Still losing weight on the world's slowest diet. Still working on health/fitness. Still fighting the S.A.D. effect -- cloudy days become the norm in mid-October here. Still trying to find a creative braincell as NanoWrimo looms - the day after tomorrow!

Wishing all my friends - virtual and otherwise, the very best of experiences with writing, Nano and otherwise.

And congrats to Jaye Patrick, who doesn't just talk the talk, she walks the walk, and has posted another free story story on Scribd. As one who has enjoyed her stories for several years I recommend taking a look.

Happy Birthday Bo, and Congrats Mr. President

2009-10-10T10:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to President Obama's brief speech on receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.

Malia walked into her parent's room and announced, "Daddy you won the Nobel Peace Prize and it's Bo's birthday!" (Bo is their dog.) Obama went on to observe it is good to have children to help you keep the world in perspective.

Here is a link to pictures of Bo, a black and white Portuguese water dog that was a gift from Teddy Kennedy, whose dog had puppies. I suspect that Bo is an example of the president's sense of humor, as Obama is also black and white.

Here is an excerpt from his speech:
"I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century.

These challenges can't be met by any one leader or any one nation. And that's why my administration has worked to establish a new era of engagement in which all nations must take responsibility for the world we seek. We cannot tolerate a world in which nuclear weapons spread to more nations and in which the terror of a nuclear holocaust endangers more people. "

Obama has done more for nuclear disarmament than I was aware. It was his top priority in the Senate where two anti-proliferation bills that passed bear his name. In July he signed a landmark nuclear reduction pact treaty that he negotiated with Russia. I for one cannot object to a man who is working to prevent the earth being turned into nuclear toast.

I like Obama, I voted for him, and I think he is doing a good job - not perfect, but good. He is an idealist; he is not wealthy as many of our past presidents have been, and he is donating the one and half million dollar prize that goes with the Nobel award to various charities. That is really putting your money where your mouth is - I would surely be tempted to keep it!

There are many powerful forces arrayed against Barak Obama, from those whose racism and bigotry cannot see the man for the color of his skin, to those more sinister cabals who are viscerally opposed to his political agenda of a more democratic country and a more peaceful world. Power and profit are ancient motivations, and those who stand to lose either oppose Obama with all their cunning strength, using media ju-jitsu in their attempts to block him. If he is popular with ordinary people, they accuse him of behaving like a pop star, if he fails in some of his attempts to bring peace, they mock him as weak and powerless. But Obama is their worst nightmare, a man who can unite people across many divides of class, color and religion in the cause of a better world for our children.

The constant drizzle of mud from the media has had its effect, and some who should know better are skewing to adopt their message. I only ask - keep your eye on the ball and not on the announcer calling the plays! The man is what he does, and not what the carefully edited announcers say he does.

Just for Laughs (turn sound on)

2009-09-29T16:27:00.001-07:00

Reboot

2009-09-29T13:36:00.000-07:00

Reboot - that is what we do when our computers are hopelessly confused and coming up with the wrong answers - or no answers, and churning the same old same old.

So I needed a reboot this morning. Tried the weight machine yesterday - not for me, too awkward, configured for Goldibear, hard to reconfigure on the fly, etc.

And that was a good thing. This morning I did a reboot and picked up The RealAge Workout by Dr. Michael F. Roizen. We have several books on exercise, and I looked at the others, but this one is written for me and my needs. The first thing I discovered is that people in my shape (which is to say - no good shape at all), need to do basic stretches and lots of walking to rebuild "energy supply chain and contractile proteins" before beginning any kind of strength training. Well. I always was an impatient panda bear -impulsive, even.

It turns out strength training must wait until after 30 days of walking and even then, only core muscle groups for the first month. So if I had continued to pursue the weight machine and the areas I targeted, I would have either fallen short of my goal for lack of preparation, or possibly caused myself an injury as well. Patience has its rewards.

Today then is Day One of 30 doing 30 minutes of walking a day, broken down into no less than ten minute intervals. I don't even know if I can hit that target today, but if not, I can work up to it.

Revving Up and Falling Down

2009-09-28T16:57:00.000-07:00

Revving up for NanoWriMo, I have decided on the genre (fantasy), and some of the characteristics for world building.

On the diet wars front, I replaced the dead battery in my Omron pedometer today, and started reading The Step Diet by Hill and Peters. And I selected the eleven weight routines that target my problem areas (waist, belly, upper arms and buns).

And then I fell down. After ten aggravating days on a weight loss plateau, I ate four ounces of pistachio gelato - and enjoyed every single teeny, tiny bite.

The weather, which has been warm and sunny nearly every day so far, turned cold and rainy today and for the near future. I can use a treadmill in the gym downstairs for walking. It is the lack of sunshine, the dark days, that affect me. Not a coincidence that falling off my diet is congruent with the beginning of our cloudy, rainy weather. Every winter I fantasize about running away to a warm, sunny island beach.

Probably won't happen this year, but someday... someday.

Writer's Cave furnished and waiting

2009-09-25T18:52:00.000-07:00

Today Goldibear moved his weight work-out machine, and a large roll-top desk, so that I will have a nice quiet writer's cave, just in time for Nanowrimo'09. My laptop doesn't quite fit on the desk, so a little creative adjustment of the wood with a saw will be happening this weekend.

Not so long ago I mentioned yWriter2 on my list of essential tools for a writer. When I went to update it today, I was shocked to discover that Hal Spacejock is on version 5.1.1.5, and bless his heart, it is still a free download (donations optional).

Today a new/used copy of Roget's Super Thesaurus arrived - a bit dented but still a good deal for only $1.

At lunchtime, our son announced he is doing Nano this year.

Paperback Writer is handing out encouragement and answering questions for writers gearing up for Nano over on blog, and she gave some very good and welcome advice in answer to my question.

Altogether, the indicators are pointing to a super Nano season.

Get Ready! Get Set! NANO!

2009-09-24T19:32:00.000-07:00

Or NANOWRIMO if you prefer the long version. I's almost that time of year again - National Novel Writing Month begins on November 1st.

Do you have a novel in you, just waiting to get written? The majority of people do - so why don't they all write a book? Thinking about writing often amounts to just a plot idea, figuring out the perfect title, and picturing the royalty checks rolling in ever after. And it is all those other hidden steps in between that keep most people from achieving their dream. People who actually write novels do what serious writers do: consider the all the parts to a novel that come after 'title' and 'plot bunny'. They write thousands of words, revise those words, edit those words -- and then start all over again. Because writing, like nearly everything else in life, takes practice to do well. And that is the stopper. How many people that want to write a novel are willing to practice?

That is where NaNoWriMo comes in. Here is chance to practice, and to finish with at least 50,000 words, all with the greatest bunch of cheerleaders and motivators I've ever seen collected in one place. It is easy to get discouraged, reading your own writing and seeing the difference between what you pictured doing and what you actually wrote. Fortunately, writing is a skill that improves with practice and with feedback and direction from people who are further along the road.

Internet sites such as Forward Motion provide online classes (free) and a community of writers who encourage each other and share information on everything from the best latest book on writing to lists of publishers and agents - who to go to and who to stay away from.

Only 37 days left to do plot outlines, character sketches, world building - or whatever you want that isn't actually writing your novel. Or you can do what I did my first NaNo, and just write like crazy and hope it will all come together by "The End". That worked out well until I was about two thirds of the way through, and then my historical novel took a science fiction turn that I hadn't really intended. This year, I want to have a plot outline, one made up of more than three sentences!

Goldibear is moving furniture so that I have a quiet, private nook for writing, and I just updated my personal page for NaNo'09. If you decide to do NaNo this year, please stop and say 'hi' to me there.

Learning to love Rutabagas

2009-09-20T18:58:00.000-07:00

I never thought I would learn to love a diet consisting of baked rutabaga with apple, grated raw beets soaked in orange juice, baked fish on a bed of spinach, snacks of almonds and oranges, and other healthy dishes, but that is what I've been eating for the past six weeks.

And I have lost twelve pounds.

But my doctor and friends all tell me I'm looking healthier and younger, so it is a good thing. Dr. Randolph, in his book From Belly Fat to Belly Flat, postulates a theory that many fat people are simply estrogen dominant, and need to balance their hormones with the appropriate diet and supplements. After six weeks, I can't answer for other chubbies, but the results speak for themselves as to the cause of my fat belly, which is shrinking away nicely.

I have followed the recipes and food lists and supplements recommended in the book diligently. There is only one supplement I have used differently: Chitosan. Instead of starting with the 3,000 mg per day advised in the book, I started with one 500 mg capsule at dinner. After the first week, I added one 500 mg capsule at breakfast, and increasing by 500 mg steps until reaching 2,000 mg per day this week. The reason is that Chitosan has been known to have adverse affects on some people, and I wanted to give myself the best opportunity to adjust to it.

I dislike some of the recipes in the book, and have made my own choices using the food group lists and other guidelines. I have been careful to include MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) in most menus. They are used in Dr. Randolph's book, and I found a detailed explanation and guide for using them in the Flat Belly Diet Pocket Guide by Liz Vaccariello (of Prevention magazine). It is no sacrifice - who wouldn't love to add dark chocolate, avocados, pecans, etc. to their daily diet? The secrets of what to pair them with, how much to use per serving, etc. are laid out in the Pocket Guide.

Although Vaccareillo's book, and also Ultra-Metabolism by Dr. Mark Hyman, recommend soy in various guises (edamame and other versions) I have to ignore that portion of their books because soy can aggravate low thyroid, (which Dr. Hyman acknowledges on pages 183-184). There are so many other good foods that is not a problem. Even McDonalds has menu items that agree with my diet plan these days.

The three things I have loved best about this diet is that I am never hungry, and I never have to gain back the weight, because this is a food plan I can follow the rest of my life. Also I don't have food cravings the way I used to, which makes it easier to stick to the menus.

A bonus is that my favorite clothes are still waiting for me in my closet and I'll be able to wear them by Christmas.

This is not an easy diet plan to follow. I made a computerized chart just to sort out the various recommended supplements and when and how much to take. The foods and recipes are not from your average gourmet restaurant.

With sufficient motivation, it is workable, and success is its own reward.

Writers are like the Postman

2009-09-12T02:34:00.000-07:00

This has been the longest week, stretching out until there is no more snap left in it. There is a saying, "Through rain and snow, the mail must go through." I think writers are like the postman, and must keep writing through thick and thin, or through the virtual storms of life.

The Muse must not be so delicate that only summer days and warm breezes will inspire her to let go of her talent. Else how would the great - if sometimes rather dark - literature of the world be done? But writers must slog on through the buffets and breaks of living, and embrace more fervently their talent however small, as the chill of grief and winds of worry blow through.

The destination is greater than the trials of the journey. To have created something out of self, to have shaped and pummeled words and thoughts into story and prose, is to live generously. The more circumstances might flatten hope or comfort, the more urgent is the need to open wider the funnel of spark and flame, and pour with gleeful abandon thoughts into the cauldron, to boil down into plot and characters, purposefully releasing the Muse rather than clutching her tight.

Life may occasionally cause us to hold our breath, but sooner than later we must let go, and just breathe.

Led Astray by the Mother of Ducks

2009-09-05T15:47:00.000-07:00

So I was cruising Marina's blog the other day, and she blames Glenda Larke. Granted, she did give fair warning - small print, up all night, burning eyes, but it sounded so enticing to read a whole new fantasy online I just ignored her cautions. Instead of staying far away from what might cause such discomfort, I rushed to see what would make Marina stay up all night!

The Last Stormlord, by Glenda Larke is indeed worth a little suffering. Not that I intend to suffer for the upcoming sequels, because I've seen that Larke is a writer I want in my permanent collection.

And I'm still waiting for Robin Hobbs Dragon Keeper: Volume One of the Rainwilds Chronicles to be released in the USA January 2010.

Aye, There Be Dragons

2009-08-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

and they are circling and roaring around our house these two days past. Hear the dragons roaring! What be those dragon riders thinking, anyway?

I can hardly get anything done, what with them roaring loud enough to shake the crockery when they fly over the house so low and so fast. Oh, they are beautiful enough that I must drop everything and go stand on my balcony to watch them as they swoop and dive, flying their dragon maneuvers singly and in groups. Surely the old stories about dragons and their riders and the way they bespell mortal folk who look upon them are true. For didn't I marry a dragon rider myself so long ago?

Weeping, We Resolve

2009-08-29T10:03:00.000-07:00

Weeping as I join through live-streaming in Ted Kennedy's funeral Mass, I resolve to follow his example and never quit. The forces of hate and bigotry are not as strong as the forces of love and forgiveness. His death renews my determination to support with all my strength the unfinished battles of his life, beginning with health care for all, not just the privileged few.

To know the man, and not the caricature painted by his political opposition, see these eulogies from his funeral Mass:
his son Ted Kennedy, Jr.
his son Patrick Kennedy

We will honor him not with flowers but with contributions to carry on the fight.

SHADOWLIGHT by Lynn Viehl - Early Review

2009-08-24T16:13:00.000-07:00

Deeper into the world of the Darkyn. Wider views of their various talents and relationships. Fuller development of their beginnings and the threats to their survival. That is where Lynn is taking her loyal fans in Shadowlight - A Novel of the Kyndred, to be released October 6, 2009.

Although preceded by seven best-selling novels of the Darkyn, Lynn's latest supernatural romance/thriller is plenty strong enough to stand alone, with new characters and plot twists marking the existence of a more complex world of Darkyn than the one I already knew. The fast-paced plot picks up speed and heat as Min and Matthias battle first each other and then the most deadly enemy the Darkyn have ever yet known.

Rowan, their friend, sparkles so brightly in her scenes that she nearly steals their show. It is a good thing that Lynn has already written a book just for her, and I got to read the ten page preview today. Pre-order, here I go again - Dreamveil is scheduled for publication in June, 2010.

Meanwhile, I have Shadowlight to ponder, and to read at least once more, before then. Another five star from Lynn Viehl.

The Disappearing Panda

2009-08-17T11:11:00.000-07:00

Silver Transitions e-mailed me a lovely bunch of bamboo fresh from Australia this morning, along with a charming picture of pandas (to remind me of what I'm supposed to eat and to look like, I suppose). She'd heard I've been feeling crummy lately, but I think the spelling was altered over the water because truth is, I'm feeling more cranky than crummy. But then, pandas do get cranky when they don't get their bamboo (or so I've heard).

I have lost six panda pounds in the past nine days. Pandas are supposed to have nice, big, round bellies and mine is shrinking away practically as I watch. Perhaps it has something to do with a hormone - balancing diet I'm on (see From Belly Fat to Belly Flat by Dr. C. W. Randolph).

Every few years I stiffen my will to the breaking point and Do Something to lose the fat - successfully. I enjoy my un-panda-like body for a while, then Something Happens, stress like a ton of bricks falls on me, and the pounds rapidly reappear: magical transmogrification - I look like a panda again.

Dr. R claims that estrogen overload is common among women like me who have been on The Pill for decades, followed by hormone replacement therapy to get through the bumps of menopause. He calls for applying a special Mexican yam-derived hormone cream and eating foods proven to encourage hormone balance. Often the meals make me slightly nauseous - I miss my comforting bamboo - but there's nothing wrong with lots of cruciferous and root vegetables, spinach salads and baked fish, except that my body hardly recognizes it as food any more.

But it is hard to argue with success, and any plan that has me losing weight (while still eating normal amount of calories and not getting hungry) is a plan that I want to keep following.

Lovely Old Word of the Day

2009-08-15T05:44:00.000-07:00

When I was in school, I loved sports of all kinds, was captain of our girls softball team, played tennis year round, and when I wasn't running, biking or swimming I was surfing. So I never thought of myself as a "geek", but geekdom lurked just under my skin, for I was a closet dictionary reader. Yes, I thought reading the unabridged dictionary was a form of entertainment.

Sometimes when I run across an especially lovely word, I bookmark it, and while I was cleaning up my bookmarked links today I ran across this lovely word from the year 1623:

ineluctable: not to be avoided, changed or resisted (see also inevitable)

As in: Visual evidence of the ineluctable physical progression of aging may be delayed or ameliorated, but it is ultimately inevitable.

Ready - Set - RELAX!

2009-08-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

That's right, relax. Saturday August 15 is National Relaxation Day. So when is the last time you relaxed? I mean really just relaxed, let go, stopped worrying - planning - doing, and r e l a x e d?

eHow, which will explain how to do almost anything (or in this case, almost nothing) has seven suggestions on how to celebrate National Relaxation Day. My favorite is #3: Spend the day in a place that is tranquil and relaxing. Suggested places: a lake, the beach, the mountains, or a quiet cafe. (Of course it is my favorite, I'm a panda.)

eHow rates the difficulty level of its instructions and good news! This one is rated easy. So no excuses - get ready - get set- relax!