May 28, 2014
Designed myself a logo that got printed on stuff! This was from a campaign called "Lions Leading Lions" or "Creating an Army of Lions" - they changed the name a couple times. These jackets went to the "champions" of the program across the US.
It sounds impressive - I think like 10 jackets were made.
Still - nice to see your work on something.
It sounds impressive - I think like 10 jackets were made.
Still - nice to see your work on something.
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| I'm an army! |
May 21, 2014
This is 100% why I can’t trust. . .
Oddly enough, I contacted the Everyday Essentials and didn't hear anything back. I’m not sure what their position is on lying but if I had to guess, I would say they are pro!
This is not the normal, "might contain trace amounts. . ." or "processed in a plant that also. . ." this is clearly stating it is dairy-free and clearly stating there is dairy in it.
I did a little research and found "dairy-free" is not a rational term but one build on legalities and statistics - as plainly explained here from the foodallergygourmet.com:
While everything is surely legally based, not human based, I'd like to think that maybe this company is trying to market and warn at the same time - pointing out a sort of faulty logic that could affect thousands if not millions of people because what "dairy-free" means to me, someone who cannot consume dairy, means something different in the world of food production.
I even came across a letter from April 2004 in which Ms. Anne Mufioz-Furlong reported this issue (in a January letter) and to which it was explained to her there could be some confusion over the term "dairy-free."
I want my backyard farmer to grow his crops and then grow his business into larger businesses - as has happened with most of these businesses - I just want to trust the use of simple terms is not double-speak. Don't protect yourself legally, protect yourself in a practical and straight-forward manner.
Maybe there is a bigger issue when it comes to casein and dairy and milk during production - how can this be solved so it's clearer? I know no one is going to do anything so I got to do something.
Seems to be, a really easy way, Everyday Essentials should remove "Dairy-free" from its product. Not because it's not legally dairy-free but because it's the right thing to do for people like me who can't have dairy.
Oddly enough, I contacted the Everyday Essentials and didn't hear anything back. I’m not sure what their position is on lying but if I had to guess, I would say they are pro!
This is not the normal, "might contain trace amounts. . ." or "processed in a plant that also. . ." this is clearly stating it is dairy-free and clearly stating there is dairy in it.
I did a little research and found "dairy-free" is not a rational term but one build on legalities and statistics - as plainly explained here from the foodallergygourmet.com:
Non-dairy creamers, non-dairy ice cream and other so-called non-dairy products can contain dairy, and still legally be labeled “non-dairy.” According to the FDA’s regulations, only a product containing actual milk in specific forms can be labeled dairy. The FDA does not allow milk derivatives or milk by-products to be called dairy. So if a product has a milk derivative or byproduct, it can be called non-dairy. Lactose is a great example. Many of the so-called non-dairy products contain lactose, which is a derivative from milk.Makes you wonder, doesn't it? You can read more about how the FDA defines terms you think you might know by checking out Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Part 101: Food Labeling.
While everything is surely legally based, not human based, I'd like to think that maybe this company is trying to market and warn at the same time - pointing out a sort of faulty logic that could affect thousands if not millions of people because what "dairy-free" means to me, someone who cannot consume dairy, means something different in the world of food production.
I even came across a letter from April 2004 in which Ms. Anne Mufioz-Furlong reported this issue (in a January letter) and to which it was explained to her there could be some confusion over the term "dairy-free."
Because laws at the State rather than Federal level currently influence the use of a “non-dairy” statement on food labels, FDA would be willing to contact representatives of such States to discuss FAAN’s concern with them. To help facilitate this discussion, we would like to know if we could share a copy of your January 21” letter along with its enclosures with our State partners so FDA can more accurately and fully describe the problem with the current use of this term for milk-allergic consumers. We believe that this Federal-State dialog is an essential first step to pursuing a possible remedy.To me, this isn't simply about avoiding all foods or growing your own or becoming vegan or whatever the common response when any issue is found with a food or product (I think a lot involves panicky parents raising alarms because their sweet children are in danger). To me, it's about logic and clarity.
I want my backyard farmer to grow his crops and then grow his business into larger businesses - as has happened with most of these businesses - I just want to trust the use of simple terms is not double-speak. Don't protect yourself legally, protect yourself in a practical and straight-forward manner.
Maybe there is a bigger issue when it comes to casein and dairy and milk during production - how can this be solved so it's clearer? I know no one is going to do anything so I got to do something.
Seems to be, a really easy way, Everyday Essentials should remove "Dairy-free" from its product. Not because it's not legally dairy-free but because it's the right thing to do for people like me who can't have dairy.
May 14, 2014
An Ode
Oh, Mango Sorbet from Trader Joe's
How much I love thee, nobody knows.
A contain a day is all I needed
My sadness is impeded,
I'm eating it right now . .
 |
| <3 |
May 7, 2014
 |
| Nice nails |
Practicing & Tricks
I am not really good at doing my nails myself but I have been practicing more. I found one good professional manicure a month takes care of all that shaping and stuff I really can't do.
So, by practicing, I mean really collecting data (my favorite thing) and making determinations on what works for me and what doesn't. After having people give me and me buying or squiring nail polishes through gift sets, I have determined I really like Essie nail polish.
I have more experience with OPI, and I really like their web site better, but a couple bottles of Essie and a couple runs with the polish, I found I really don't have to struggle to like too much about it.
My current collection is:
I really need to find something that's like OPIs Samoan Sands. Since I am unskilled, the consistency makes the polish easy to apply.I use to just try to get the thinnest layer of these polish on my nails because it would always run all over, but, now I have a good feeling with the tiny brush and that I can get a good drop on the brush, push the brush down on my nails and get a pretty good looking polish layer.
I have basically been doing my nails once a day or four time a week in an attempt to prefer my technique!
Stickers?
I was at Target and got myself a pack of these nail stickers things. They seem to have been around for a bit although I don't know if I ever knew someone who used them, but, they seemed fun and thought I would give it a try.
I never did nail art, but, I don't mind having an accent finger or something a little different on one nail. Sort of like what I did for the MS City to Shore ride I have done a couple times.
I got a pack of the Essie Sleek Stick Nail Applique, Embrace the Lace 070 at Target and headed home to give it a try. They call them this fancy thing, I'm just going to call them stickers because that's where my vocab is.
Doing the Sticky
To be honest, I wasn't sure I could follow the three steps. Clean nail, apply sticker, file off extra sticker - however, it really worked!
I applied on on my left hand ring finger. The sticker was pretty forgiving when I was applying - I could half apply it and then remove it to re-preposition as needed. After a few tries, I gave it a firm press and then set about the filing part. The pack comes with a little nail file, but, I have my own block. This might have been the most awkward part for me because I thought I would just be damaging my nails or the sticker. Something was going to go wrong. . .but it didn't!
You have to fold the sticker over the end of your nail, and then you just start to grid on that crease with the file. It comes off pretty easily without damaging your nail or ripping the design on your nail.
The Aftermath
The design lasted a long time, actually. Through lotion, hand washing, showers, hand sanitizer and all that. I started to pick at little at the end of it by my cuticle after about a week and the thing pulled off pretty easily leaving not a hint of damage on my nail.
I think I will be using these again - probably not a lot, though. They are nice for some detail on a nail but I don't think I would wear them on every nail because it's not just my style.
Image Credits
I got the image of the pack of stickers from CVS.com
 |
| Orange and blue - wrong blue |
I never did nail art, but, I don't mind having an accent finger or something a little different on one nail. Sort of like what I did for the MS City to Shore ride I have done a couple times.
I got a pack of the Essie Sleek Stick Nail Applique, Embrace the Lace 070 at Target and headed home to give it a try. They call them this fancy thing, I'm just going to call them stickers because that's where my vocab is.
 |
| The Product |
To be honest, I wasn't sure I could follow the three steps. Clean nail, apply sticker, file off extra sticker - however, it really worked!
I applied on on my left hand ring finger. The sticker was pretty forgiving when I was applying - I could half apply it and then remove it to re-preposition as needed. After a few tries, I gave it a firm press and then set about the filing part. The pack comes with a little nail file, but, I have my own block. This might have been the most awkward part for me because I thought I would just be damaging my nails or the sticker. Something was going to go wrong. . .but it didn't!
You have to fold the sticker over the end of your nail, and then you just start to grid on that crease with the file. It comes off pretty easily without damaging your nail or ripping the design on your nail.
 |
| Not bad! |
The design lasted a long time, actually. Through lotion, hand washing, showers, hand sanitizer and all that. I started to pick at little at the end of it by my cuticle after about a week and the thing pulled off pretty easily leaving not a hint of damage on my nail.
I think I will be using these again - probably not a lot, though. They are nice for some detail on a nail but I don't think I would wear them on every nail because it's not just my style.
Image Credits
I got the image of the pack of stickers from CVS.com
Apr 30, 2014
Remember back when I was going to read books? – I was going
to read 20 books (Check out the post - Read 20 Books and the subsequent failure documented here - Read 20 Books: Abandoned) and didn't even get through one.
While it might have taken me about a year, but, I figured
out why the whole thing wasn't working. I was listen to other people – that’s
the WORST.
I was trying to read books people were telling me they liked
– books that were on best seller lists and all that. There is nothing wrong
with being on the best seller list and all of the books were great on their own,
but, they weren't for me. I found them boring.
My fiance likes to comment how my brain is always working.
Sure, I like to have a couple mental projects going at any time for my own amusement
but I wouldn't say I’m always thinking up things. Anyhow, I had been digging
into the 1972 Andes flight disaster which I learned about through the tail end
of I Am Alive: Surviving the Andes Plane Crash directed by Brad Osborne.
I got out my tablet and downloaded the book Miracle in the Andes: 72 Days on the Mountain and My Long Trek Home by Nando Parrado and Vince Rause. I read it in one sitting.
On a whim, I also downloaded Should You Be Laughing at This? By Hugleikur Dagsson which I enjoyed. I did laugh. I did share some of
the images.
Hahah. . .there’s a child in the parent’s butt. . haha.
I had also been watching some interviews and digging around
in Nazi Germany. World War I and World War II were both brutal and fascinating
times for me. I had been looking into the rise of the Gestapo and moreso on the
reflections of German citizens who supported and then watched the rise and fall
of the Third Reich.
A lot of my teaching had focused only on Jewish experiences
but I was curious about the German and non-Jewish experience. What would I have done if I was in Germany at the time? How did people cope and function and what was it like to be caught up in a movement that chose what was believed to be a savior. . .
I am fascinating by the chain of events, the politics and,
indeed, the PR surrounding the Third Reich which offered the humiliated and
desperate German people a solution with legs. There were, of course, many
people offering salvation to the Germans after WW1. The control Hitler was able
to grasp and use was remarkable. The ability to turn citizens against citizens while
giving those citizens something to blame for any hardship and the ruthlessness
in which those who questioned were quietly and swiftly killed was almost unbelievable.
Anyhow, I digress.
I read Hitler's Last Secretary: A Firsthand Account of Life with Hitler by Traudl Junge in one sitting – it was fascinating. I then read Inside the Gas Chambers: Eight Months in the Sonderkommando of Auschwitz by Shlomo Venezia. Then, Saved by the Enemy by Craig Ledbetter.
I just started The Hangman's Daughter series by Oliver
Pötzsch to bring in some fiction. I’m not sure if I will like it or not, but,
it seems to be something up my alley. I actually have a wish list of 12 other
books that caught my eye. I even decided to give The Poisonwood Bible a shot
because someone did recommend it to me.
So, I have been reading a lot. I can normally average half a
book in a day – normally I read them all in one sitting.
This means, I really need to get out biking.
Oh, sweet balance.
Apr 23, 2014
This article is from the Humans of New York which was started by Brandon (I don't know him, I'm just taking this from his "About" page):
One of the stories I really liked was "The Chess Hustler" which is a story about a man named Harry who plays chess to make money for drugs.
Growing up, my Dad and I would play chess and I actually played chess starting in elementary school and up until probably high school. I'm not very good at it - I never got the magic, really. I don't think I ever won many matches.
Harry sets up cheese in three stages:
Harry people hacks on a different level than I ever could. It is a new education for me, not one based on how the pieces move, but on how to read people:
Harry gave me a new understanding and appreication for the game. He also reminded me how - with enough motivation - you can turn anything into some type of profit or hustle. Good to bad, there is a real American feel to him - using whatever he had to get what he most wanted. If only it wasn't drugs, how far could he go?
Read the full article here - The Cheese Hustler.
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
My name is Brandon and I began Humans of New York in the summer of 2010. HONY resulted from an idea that I had to construct a photographic census of New York City. I thought it would be really cool to create an exhaustive catalogue of the city’s inhabitants, so I set out to photograph 10,000 New Yorkers and plot their photos on a map.
One of the stories I really liked was "The Chess Hustler" which is a story about a man named Harry who plays chess to make money for drugs.
Growing up, my Dad and I would play chess and I actually played chess starting in elementary school and up until probably high school. I'm not very good at it - I never got the magic, really. I don't think I ever won many matches.
Harry sets up cheese in three stages:
“The beginning stage is philosophy. You haven’t made any moves yet. All experience is ahead of you. Everything is potential. So you choose a philosophy to guide you. The second stage is mathematics. . .the game is underway now. You've made choices that cannot be unmade. Potential becomes experience, and there are fewer and fewer paths that you can take. So precision and calculation become more important.. [And the third stage] Science. The endgame.”In middle school, I figured out how to beat people based on who they were, not so much on checkmate. I knew, for example, all I had to do was capture the queen when I was playing my friend Russ. I knew I only had to draw out a game as long as possible to win over Adam. I knew I just had to make a couple clever moves and be unemotional when playing Bill. I people hacked, I never played chess.
Harry people hacks on a different level than I ever could. It is a new education for me, not one based on how the pieces move, but on how to read people:
Everything you need to know about a person you can tell by watching them play chess. The rooks represent security. Watch a woman play chess. Most women will trade a lot of pieces to protect their rooks. . .The knight represents how you travel. It’s the most mobile piece on the board. It’s the only piece that can jump over other pieces. Watch how a player protects his knights, and you’ll know how much he values mobility. . .Your pawns represent your material assets.Your bishop represents your heart. It’s your closest friend . . The queen is your power. [And your king] The king is you.
Harry gave me a new understanding and appreication for the game. He also reminded me how - with enough motivation - you can turn anything into some type of profit or hustle. Good to bad, there is a real American feel to him - using whatever he had to get what he most wanted. If only it wasn't drugs, how far could he go?
Read the full article here - The Cheese Hustler.
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Apr 16, 2014
I really hate David's Bridal. My rants about the handful of times I have entered their stores or been forced to buy things from them have been dramatic messes. The important thing to remember, is I am aware of how this company operates so I can better avoid the disasters.
Bridesmaids
I decided to bring my ladies to David's Bridal because they have a huge selection and a lot of their items are reasonable priced. Since I wanted to let my friends pick out what they wanted, it seemed the best option. Plus, it has been a couple years since I had been to one.
I hate everything wedding, by the way. I should mention that is not the fault of David's Bridal.
The Store
When I arrived for my appointment - the best part - it was crammed with brides and whatnots. I had to "check in" by giving the. . .uhh. . .hostess(?) all my personal information. I asked her why I needed to do that. She said for purchases. I said I wasn't purchasing anything. She said it was just easier. I asked if I would get any emails or spam from David's Bridal. She said no. I even opted out (on the iPad that sort of worked ok, I guess) while it required me to fill in my address, phone number, wedding date, name, cat's name, parents name, wedding colors, favorite Disney princess. . .well, you get the idea.
Then we stood around for a good 30 minutes. It wasn't too bad because I could catch up with my friends for a bit while we waiting for our appointment. I assumed one of the 3-4 clerks hanging out at the second podium talking would be responsible for that.
Nope. There was some guy who came over and directly solicited his services by saying, "Excuse me, who is the bride?" He was some type of DJ. He gave me his card - not even thinking that he would never be contacted because he interrupted me in the middle of talking without making it even a bit ok. Next, he insulted both me and my fiance when I said, "I'm not handling the music stuff, my fiance is. So, I can take your card but I'm not doing anything with it."
Of course, in the hell that is David's Bridal, he laughed and said how men are unreliable and I'm taking a big risk leaving it up to him.
If that his is impression of a grown man - he must have gotten it from himself.
That card went into the trash.
Remember Me?
After about 30-45 minutes of standing around, I went to podium one and asked if we could dare look at some dresses. Podium one lady looked at me as if she never saw me before and said, "Oh, yeah. Sure. You can do that whenever." She pulled over a clerk from podium two and they took us to a fitting room.
For the rest of the day, I ran back and forth to get sizes and dresses for my friends since the clerk assigned to us - a younger girl who obviously had the inner child knocked out of her years ago - was too busy.
We did find a dress everyone liked - score! So they I went to pick out colors. Purple, blue and green.
Oh wait - they don't have green anymore.
What? Yeah. In the color swatches you can pick, no one removed the colors they didn't have anymore. I picked wine and got us the HECK OUT OF THERE!
I did take pictures of the dresses, tags and SKU codes - everything - since one of my friend's couldn't be there that day. I knew I couldn't trust David's Bridal with that detail.
The Aftermath
So. .then there is this is the email sitting in my spam box:
Good thing I checked, right? This email was sent to me but it was not me who made the purchase, it was one of my bridesmaids - Cindy (she's pretty cool).
David's Bridal is one of the circles of Hell.
The letter I wrote:
Bridesmaids
I decided to bring my ladies to David's Bridal because they have a huge selection and a lot of their items are reasonable priced. Since I wanted to let my friends pick out what they wanted, it seemed the best option. Plus, it has been a couple years since I had been to one.
I hate everything wedding, by the way. I should mention that is not the fault of David's Bridal.
The Store
When I arrived for my appointment - the best part - it was crammed with brides and whatnots. I had to "check in" by giving the. . .uhh. . .hostess(?) all my personal information. I asked her why I needed to do that. She said for purchases. I said I wasn't purchasing anything. She said it was just easier. I asked if I would get any emails or spam from David's Bridal. She said no. I even opted out (on the iPad that sort of worked ok, I guess) while it required me to fill in my address, phone number, wedding date, name, cat's name, parents name, wedding colors, favorite Disney princess. . .well, you get the idea.
Then we stood around for a good 30 minutes. It wasn't too bad because I could catch up with my friends for a bit while we waiting for our appointment. I assumed one of the 3-4 clerks hanging out at the second podium talking would be responsible for that.
Nope. There was some guy who came over and directly solicited his services by saying, "Excuse me, who is the bride?" He was some type of DJ. He gave me his card - not even thinking that he would never be contacted because he interrupted me in the middle of talking without making it even a bit ok. Next, he insulted both me and my fiance when I said, "I'm not handling the music stuff, my fiance is. So, I can take your card but I'm not doing anything with it."
Of course, in the hell that is David's Bridal, he laughed and said how men are unreliable and I'm taking a big risk leaving it up to him.
If that his is impression of a grown man - he must have gotten it from himself.
That card went into the trash.
Remember Me?
After about 30-45 minutes of standing around, I went to podium one and asked if we could dare look at some dresses. Podium one lady looked at me as if she never saw me before and said, "Oh, yeah. Sure. You can do that whenever." She pulled over a clerk from podium two and they took us to a fitting room.
 |
| The dress is nice! |
For the rest of the day, I ran back and forth to get sizes and dresses for my friends since the clerk assigned to us - a younger girl who obviously had the inner child knocked out of her years ago - was too busy.
We did find a dress everyone liked - score! So they I went to pick out colors. Purple, blue and green.
Oh wait - they don't have green anymore.
What? Yeah. In the color swatches you can pick, no one removed the colors they didn't have anymore. I picked wine and got us the HECK OUT OF THERE!
I did take pictures of the dresses, tags and SKU codes - everything - since one of my friend's couldn't be there that day. I knew I couldn't trust David's Bridal with that detail.
The Aftermath
So. .then there is this is the email sitting in my spam box:
Good thing I checked, right? This email was sent to me but it was not me who made the purchase, it was one of my bridesmaids - Cindy (she's pretty cool).
David's Bridal is one of the circles of Hell.
The letter I wrote:
I can ever express my displeasure in David's Bridal enough to people. I try to temper it by saying you do have a warehouse sized inventory so you have selection working for you.
Three ladies came to your store and made substantial purchases and provided their personal information to you - they told they would be informed when their orders would arrive.
That was a lie - as I expected. I continue to get emails about their orders.
Why did this happen? Because while I have purchased nothing at David’s Bridal I still had to provide my information to your store for some unknown reason - even after the sales lady told me I wouldn't receive anything. Another lie.
And while I have opted out over four times from your emails (including when I had to “sign up” in store), I can’t believe you would treat your paying customers in such a way.
At this point, I will tell everyone it is not worth doing any business with David’s Bridal. After all, I now have to do YOUR job of informing YOUR paying customers that their orders have arrived. Good thing I checked my spam account and saved your store the embarrassment of getting calls from your customers wondering why their orders have not arrived on time.
But, it’s not really embarrassment. Your store staff is never informed or organized – nor have I ever been to a David’s Bridal in two states with one staff member who was remotely helpful. One did tell me she was “busy” and couldn’t help me pull dresses after she made a big deal about being our go-to helper. And another told me “oh sorry, yeah, sure” when I was standing around for an hour waiting for my “appointment” and finally asked if I could just take my ladies to look on dresses. Oh, and I have been openly solicited by your “partners” who rudely barged in on my private conversations to shove business cards at me.
Ok, that was not the letter I sent. That was too ranty. I think if you are going to complain, you need to be specific and address issues clearly that most upset you. I stuck with a much cleaned-up version that stuck to the fact that David's Bridal's customers were not being informed that their purchases had arrived. I did my best to do this.
This was my message:
Sent: Mar 7, 2014 10:59:36 AM
Subject: I want to provide some feedback about David's Bridal
Three ladies (my bridesmaids) came to your store and made substantial purchases and provided their personal information to you they were told they would be informed when their orders arrive.
That was a lie - as I expected. I continue to get emails about their orders.
In fact, I have purchased nothing at your company and opted out of getting any emails from your company three times. I never even wanted to provide my information to you in the first place and your sales lady easily lied and said it was required AND if I opted out I wouldnt get any mailings. I opted out three times and still get messages.
All your emails to me go into my spam. It was a random chance I even opened one of your emails in my spam-box. Good thing I did, else these ladies would never have known their orders arrived. I did the job that your store should have been doing.
I can understand your want to spam me, you think you can get money from me. However, I can believe you treat your paying customers in such a way. I have had to deliver messages on your behalf and now have had to apologize on your behalf
I will never purchase anything at you store. And you just lost three more people who never will, either.
I got this message back:
Hello Amanda,
Thank you for your recent inquiry. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused you. In order process your removal request, can you please provide us with the following information at your earliest convenience?
? Please provide the first and last name (with spelling), you registered with
? Email address and telephone number utilized for the registration
? Please provide all telephone numbers you?ve been receiving calls on. For example, your home phone, cell, work phone numbers, etc.
? What are the telephone numbers of the incoming calls that have been calling you?
? Have you spoken to the contact calling you? If so, what did they offer to you during the call?
? Names of companies calling, and/or names of callers
We thank you in advance for your continued patience and for providing the additional information stated above, as soon as you provide a response we will work on resolving this on your behalf as quickly as possible.
The David?s Bridal online customer service team strives to ensure that each customer is completely satisfied with our assistance. However, if you have any questions or concerns, we are here to help and would love to hear from you! Please feel free to reply to this email or call us at 866-973-0238.
Thank you,
Laura
David's Bridal
E Commerce Customer Service
1-866-973-0238
As you can see - even David's Bridal's customer service or complaint department is pretty off-course. I appreciated the quick reply but not a form letter about me wanting to be removed from their mailing list. The real issue - from a customer service standpoint - really was there are customers not being told their orders are in and I am the only person who can tell them.
I replied with:
Unfortunately - I don't trust Davids Bridal enough to provide this information for two reasons:
1. This is a form letter. I don't see any real understanding of the issue or ability to correct it.
2. If I am actually removed, there is no guarantee anyone will be contacted when my bridesmaids dresses arrive. They have 14 days to pick up their dresses per the email, I can easily see them not being contacted and their dresses being re-sold or returned.
Thank you for processing my email and the quick response.
I guess Laura wasn't really "here to help and would love to hear from [me]" because I never got a reply to this. I suppose, at the end of the day, David's Bridal has the money and there is no point in living up to the jibber-jabber in their form letters.
Anyhow - stay away from David's Bridal if you can. In the wedding industry, it's normally hard to do that.
Apr 9, 2014
What do women want?
I want to stop hearing this question - I want to stop reading it. I want to stop hearing the same stupid, canned answers that feeds into stereotypes.
I don't want the content of my soul and specific nature of my frustration, flaws or feelings reduced to a small box that equally alienates my gender and bleaches my person.
Women don't want.
A woman - well - just ask her and understand she has probably only ever thought of this question in the context of the whole world - the glossy you-must-want-because-you-are-incomplete-without-something-more-than-what-you-are whole world.
Most of the time - I want a nice word, a snack and a laugh.
Apr 2, 2014
I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator test again. This time there was an improvement – I scored two points toward the T. Making me an XXTX.
Whoa - One study found personality disorders as described by the DSM overall to correlate modestly with I, N, T, and P, though the associations varied significantly by disorder. The only two disorders with significant correlations of all four MBTI dimensions were schizotypal (INTP) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (ISTJ). (That's Wikipedia!)
But, let me explain.
Me Explaining Area
Every time I take the Myers-Briggs - which every conference and “personal development” type waste of time event makes you do – I fail it. I come up even-steven in each category or three out of four. I was told once I needed to retake it. I guess some people believe these tests are somehow infallible or they overcompensate by launching into discussions of free-will.
I think it’s better to take these tests as a foundation for learning how the world moves around the way you move around the world. No – that’s not an error. The world does move around us and we, in turn, move around the world. When you take a test like the Myers-Briggs, it’s better to then approach someone you want to know or work with and chat about past perceptions and future issues.
Help From My Friends
Bob, my dashingly handsome fiancee decided I'm an ENTP. I suppose, as long as it's flattering, I'm all for it.
As are most people.
Rant Time
I, however, hate it. I really hate how everything seems to start with taking this personality test.
I also equally hate people using their type as an excuse – the most obvious are the extroverts and introverts. There are really very few true extroverts and introverts in the world. Most of us weigh pros and cons in specific situations and make choices. But, don’t tell that to a MBTI fan.
MBTI fans – the new militant vegan!
Next time, on a Manda rants: I love vegetables and animals – one I love too little, one I love too much.
Whoa - One study found personality disorders as described by the DSM overall to correlate modestly with I, N, T, and P, though the associations varied significantly by disorder. The only two disorders with significant correlations of all four MBTI dimensions were schizotypal (INTP) and obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (ISTJ). (That's Wikipedia!)
But, let me explain.
Me Explaining Area
Every time I take the Myers-Briggs - which every conference and “personal development” type waste of time event makes you do – I fail it. I come up even-steven in each category or three out of four. I was told once I needed to retake it. I guess some people believe these tests are somehow infallible or they overcompensate by launching into discussions of free-will.
I think it’s better to take these tests as a foundation for learning how the world moves around the way you move around the world. No – that’s not an error. The world does move around us and we, in turn, move around the world. When you take a test like the Myers-Briggs, it’s better to then approach someone you want to know or work with and chat about past perceptions and future issues.
Help From My Friends
Bob, my dashingly handsome fiancee decided I'm an ENTP. I suppose, as long as it's flattering, I'm all for it.
As are most people.
Rant Time
I, however, hate it. I really hate how everything seems to start with taking this personality test.
I also equally hate people using their type as an excuse – the most obvious are the extroverts and introverts. There are really very few true extroverts and introverts in the world. Most of us weigh pros and cons in specific situations and make choices. But, don’t tell that to a MBTI fan.
MBTI fans – the new militant vegan!
Next time, on a Manda rants: I love vegetables and animals – one I love too little, one I love too much.
Mar 26, 2014
 |
| I don't understand |
Sure, there is a lot of dumb information out there and the health industry makes money off of offering people addictive foods and making claims about losing weight. This is because as an industry, it makes money keeping people from succeeding and keeping them addicted to unhealthy amounts of things they provide.
Sometimes it's a food product and sometimes it's concept or idea - like workout videos or gym membership or. . .whatever these things are:
Sometimes it's a food product and sometimes it's concept or idea - like workout videos or gym membership or. . .whatever these things are:
You can check out my post, The Food Industry & Being an Adult for more rant.
Rant over.
Since I am basically living the life of a vegan who can eat meat (because saying I can't have dairy or eggs is too confusing to people) I often miss pastries. I love a good cinnamon roll so I went off to find out if something exists that I could eat.
I found this blog, This Rawsome Vegan Life - and had to make this Cinnamon Rolls with Coconut Frosting and Caramel Raisin Filling. I have never really done much "raw" stuff, other than throwing a salad together or what I eat off the floor - so, I guess we all have eating a "raw diet" but, to make a pastry that is raw? Intriguing!
While I looked over the ingredients wondering how complex it was going to be - it dawned on me, raw basically means "easy."
I did a little research, of course.
While I looked over the ingredients wondering how complex it was going to be - it dawned on me, raw basically means "easy."
I did a little research, of course.
Raw Diets
A raw diet or raw foodism is the dietary practice of eating only uncooked, unprocessed foods. You never cook anything. In this way, it's hard to mess up something that is raw. It's like messing up trail mix. If you like all the stuff, you can't really mess it up - you just put in too much oats or chocolate or something. But you don't overcook it or undercook it.You can also eat any part of it at any time.
No more, "don't eat that batter, it has raw egg in it and you might get sick." Just eat it.
The concept behind the raw diet is that food loses nutrients when cooked. And anything processed is bad. It's cool to blend things like smoothies and dehydrate things - you just never saute anything. Most raw diets don't contain meat because a lot of meat you find in stores can be contaminated with junk that would be killed during cooking. However, there are those who do, like Derek Nance.
And like. . .probably our ancestors.
Making the Rolls
Right - down to the business. Here is the recipe as presented by Emily the Rawsome Vegan:
Dough:
- 3/4 cup gluten-free oats
- 3/4 cup buckwheat groats
- 3/4 cup raisins
- 3/4 cup dates
- Pinch of salt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 tablespoon water
- Dash of cinnamon
Caramel raisin filling:
- 1 cup dates
- 1/4-1/2 cup coconut water
- Cinnamon powder, to taste
- 1/4 cup raisins
Blend all the ingredients together - except the raisins - until smooth and thick like a paste. Set aside.
Coconut frosting:
- 1 heaping cup young coconut meat
- 3 tablespoons melted coconut oil
- 4 tablespoons agave syrup (or other preferred sweetener)
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Water, as needed
Blend all the ingredients together until it's smooth and drizzly. Set aside.
Assembly:
Once chilled, the dough is much more manageable. Cut the dough into strips and spread the filling evenly on each one, then sprinkle on the raisins and gently roll the strips up. Cover with the frosting.
What I Did
 |
| Total cost - $17 for 5 batches |
You need to know what goes into a recipe - and it's not just the assembly. You have to squire the stuff, right?
I headed to Whole Foods to get the stuff I needed. Mostly the dates and buckwheat groats. My Whole Foods has a bulk section where I get most of my stuff. A lot of things in Whole Foods is very expensive - but normally the bulk section is a steal. In general, bulk sections are always cheaper.
I headed to Whole Foods to get the stuff I needed. Mostly the dates and buckwheat groats. My Whole Foods has a bulk section where I get most of my stuff. A lot of things in Whole Foods is very expensive - but normally the bulk section is a steal. In general, bulk sections are always cheaper.
For example, I got a pound of buckwheat groats for about $2 when a pound Bob's Red Mill Brand would cost about $5.
I did not make the coconut frosting - and I think I am happy without it. I couldn't actually find a green coconut (green coconuts, not the brown ones, are the young ones with the softer meat inside. Coconuts have meat? Yes, the flesh of any animal, plant or fruit is called its meat.)
I also decided to do all thiscooking rawing at my parents house. Good thing, too. They have more space in their kitchen and if I break things - well . . .
I also decided to do all this
I think I broke my Mom's blender, by the way. It stopped working when the dates from the dough got caught in the base and wouldn't move. The dates and raisins act as the binding agent and really BIND.
Do this in a good food processor. You want something with a wide blade base. Or if you have a really powerful extractor thing, use that. Most conventional blenders require liquid to work. I found the food processor easy to use and clean. The only downside, it's smaller and I had to do things in two batches.
 |
| Filling next to a strip of the dough |
However, it took no time at all to process the dough - it turned lumpy pretty quickly and was easy to handle. I threw it down on our bakery board and began to roll it out and all that.
And by "all that" I meant I started to eat it. It's good, people.
And by "all that" I meant I started to eat it. It's good, people.
Since I was eating as I was going and very impatient, I didn't refrigerate anything. That's for losers and people who passed Kindergarten.
The filling was pretty easy, too. Much easier for the food processor to process. This time, I chopped up the dates more (two got in there with seeds - you want to get those seeds out before you put the stuff together). I actually didn't read the instructions too well because I made my filling by blending the dates AND raisins. If you want to have some raisins in there for texture, do that. If not, no big deal. I liked not having whole raisins in it.
The filling was also delicious. I can't even tell you how sweet it was - a perfect sweet, not a processed, refined sugary sweet, the type of sweet that makes your body happy because it's so good.
Next came me putting the thing together. I think the presentation was really close:
 |
| Mine on the right, Emily's on the left |
Aftermath
I ate them all. Seriously. This might be the best thing I have made in a long time. They are crunchy, dense, sweet and flavorful. And filling! I saved a couple for breakfast and even after I stuffed myself silly on what I had left, my stomach was happy and I didn't feel greasy or disgusting.
Me having a happy tummy and no hives is basically the best thing that can happen to me after eating.
Me having a happy tummy and no hives is basically the best thing that can happen to me after eating.
My Dad ate a little and shrugged and went back to making bullets which is about the best you get from the guy. My Mom confessed she doesn't like dates or raisins or. .food. (True story) and when I tried to give some to my friend, Tee, he found he was allergic to buckwheat. He had a feeling he was since his father is.
That meant - ALL FOR MANDA.
That meant - ALL FOR MANDA.
I do think I will make these as squares going forward with the filling sandwiched in-between to layers of the dough. It's easier for me. But, you really could do anything with them. The second batch I made the next day, I added a little coconut oil and that was a pretty nice flavor addition.
When you are mixing raw stuff together, it's really easy to substitute. You could totally not use the dates but use another dried fruit. You know, anything.
When you are mixing raw stuff together, it's really easy to substitute. You could totally not use the dates but use another dried fruit. You know, anything.
For storing them - like you didn't eat them all - you probably want to refrigerate them because of the dates. Dates normally should be refrigerated. Or you can store them in my belly.
Image Credit
The machine from greatist.com
The machine from greatist.com
Mar 19, 2014
I created this little. . thing for myself - logo, icon. . thingy. I was having some pretty bad neuropathy and feeling crappy in general, so, I decided to distract myself.
I think it would be really cool if I could do something creative like this for a living. Building images and skills. At first I wouldn't pursue it because I wasn't very good at it and the people I would need to think I was good at it didn't think I was. Writing, creating doodles, teaching, communications, making life better - always something to reach for.
I think it would be really cool if I could do something creative like this for a living. Building images and skills. At first I wouldn't pursue it because I wasn't very good at it and the people I would need to think I was good at it didn't think I was. Writing, creating doodles, teaching, communications, making life better - always something to reach for.
Mar 12, 2014
My sweet new Droid Razr Maxx came with a this weird game called Ingress. And, I made it a mission to get addicted to it. It's going ok.
What is Ingress?
Ingress is a global, multiplayer, real-time game you play on any Droid. And soon on any Apple type phone.
You start by picking a faction to join - there are two: Enlightened (green) or Resistance (blue). You don't know much about either when you first load up the game, you have to pick one and you can never switch factions.
The goal of the game is to find portals of Exotic Matter (XM) which can be used to. .well. .do stuff. Portals are generally public places like historic sites, arty-farty things, train stations or houses of worship.
How Do You Play?
By walking around. You actually need to be close to the object. You can't play from a couch or something unless you are lucky enough to be close to a portal.
You will mostly be walking around with the game loaded on your phone watching yourself (represented as a little triangle on a map) toward these bright gray, blue and green sprout like things known as portals.
When you find a portal, you hack it. Hacking it is how you get inventory items to play. The core inventory items are resonators and xmp bursters. You deploy resonators on portals - up to 8 of them - to claim a portal and secure it. Then you use xmps like bombs to destroy the other factions' resonators.
You get some other cool types of weapons and then items you can put on your portals like shields and turrets and whatnots to make it harder for the other faction to destroy your stuff and claim the portal.
You also want to link portals together - you can do this when a portal has all 8 resonators attached and you have a portal key. When you have linked portals making a triangle shape, let's say, you have created a control field - which is super awesome.
You can also use a computer to check out portals that are in your area to figure out what you want to do or how good your faction is doing in a certain area by going to Ingress.com/intel
Is it Complicated?
Not really. The game has a built in tutorial that gives you the basics.
If you need a little more complexity to keep you going, there is a whole community around the game - a mythology and story. You can dive as deep into that world as you want.
What Have Your Learned?
It's really cold out.
I learned there is an intense community around this game. They all hang out on G+, of course. There is an in-game communication system that lets you send messages to anyone playing the game. (So much good banter!) and it's pretty safe because you only have a handle or In Game Name (IGN) which doesn't identify you with anything beyond your faction and agent statistics.
People actually have formed real-life communities and work on how to work together to take over portals and cities.
I actually was surprised about the intense community around this game and the way people mobilize. I think at one point, one faction had covered all of Norway or something with a control field. Impressive. I think it's a cool way to meet people - if you are safe, of course. It's a fun hobby and it does get you out there walking around and discovering gems in your community and others.
Never know where there is a portal.
It's not complicated at all and nor is it winable. If you ever do any reading up on successful games, the ones most likely to have long-range success are the ones that have no way to win. There are two factions going back and forth in an endless trench-warfare type game. Even if you claim all the portals around, they will decay over time and revert to an "unclaimed" status or the other faction will come in and take it over.
Are You Addicted?
I think the social aspect would require an addiction. I enjoy walking around and having something to do - getting items and blowing up stuff and whatnot. I wanted to join some of the groups at the start, then I remembered, I don't like fun or people that much. I just want to get imaginary junk.
I also got agitated when people were trying to be "helpful" by telling me very basic things like, "Have you turned on your phone?"
Then I had more fun talking to the people on the other side - some nice banter - that never happened with those on my faction. I don't want to meet people.
I'm not addicted - but I am curious and I want to become a Level 8 player. I'm currently a Level 6.
Image Credits
Ingress images from news.cnet.com/
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
What is Ingress?
Ingress is a global, multiplayer, real-time game you play on any Droid. And soon on any Apple type phone.
You start by picking a faction to join - there are two: Enlightened (green) or Resistance (blue). You don't know much about either when you first load up the game, you have to pick one and you can never switch factions.
The goal of the game is to find portals of Exotic Matter (XM) which can be used to. .well. .do stuff. Portals are generally public places like historic sites, arty-farty things, train stations or houses of worship.
How Do You Play?
 |
| Phone view |
You will mostly be walking around with the game loaded on your phone watching yourself (represented as a little triangle on a map) toward these bright gray, blue and green sprout like things known as portals.
When you find a portal, you hack it. Hacking it is how you get inventory items to play. The core inventory items are resonators and xmp bursters. You deploy resonators on portals - up to 8 of them - to claim a portal and secure it. Then you use xmps like bombs to destroy the other factions' resonators.
You get some other cool types of weapons and then items you can put on your portals like shields and turrets and whatnots to make it harder for the other faction to destroy your stuff and claim the portal.
You also want to link portals together - you can do this when a portal has all 8 resonators attached and you have a portal key. When you have linked portals making a triangle shape, let's say, you have created a control field - which is super awesome.
You can also use a computer to check out portals that are in your area to figure out what you want to do or how good your faction is doing in a certain area by going to Ingress.com/intel
Is it Complicated?
Not really. The game has a built in tutorial that gives you the basics.
If you need a little more complexity to keep you going, there is a whole community around the game - a mythology and story. You can dive as deep into that world as you want.
What Have Your Learned?
It's really cold out.
 |
| Looking for portals |
People actually have formed real-life communities and work on how to work together to take over portals and cities.
I actually was surprised about the intense community around this game and the way people mobilize. I think at one point, one faction had covered all of Norway or something with a control field. Impressive. I think it's a cool way to meet people - if you are safe, of course. It's a fun hobby and it does get you out there walking around and discovering gems in your community and others.
Never know where there is a portal.
It's not complicated at all and nor is it winable. If you ever do any reading up on successful games, the ones most likely to have long-range success are the ones that have no way to win. There are two factions going back and forth in an endless trench-warfare type game. Even if you claim all the portals around, they will decay over time and revert to an "unclaimed" status or the other faction will come in and take it over.
Are You Addicted?
I think the social aspect would require an addiction. I enjoy walking around and having something to do - getting items and blowing up stuff and whatnot. I wanted to join some of the groups at the start, then I remembered, I don't like fun or people that much. I just want to get imaginary junk.
I also got agitated when people were trying to be "helpful" by telling me very basic things like, "Have you turned on your phone?"
Then I had more fun talking to the people on the other side - some nice banter - that never happened with those on my faction. I don't want to meet people.
I'm not addicted - but I am curious and I want to become a Level 8 player. I'm currently a Level 6.
Image Credits
Ingress images from news.cnet.com/
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Mar 5, 2014
Thanks Ashes to Go for making this Lent pretty easy for me. Sure, as a Catholic a lot of other Catholics say you need to go to a full mass on Ash Wednesday - but it's not actually a sacrament, it's a sign of devotion.
I got my ashes from a nice Episcopalian at the train station. I felt less guilty since last year I was in a bind and unable to leave work early - and when I ran out of there to church, there was actually no mass. I felt bad. I like to kick some things off right.
Personal feelings aside - it's nice to see something like faith in the streets away from stone walls and away from awkwardness. While everyone should make time for whatever faith they believe in, it can be hard to coordinate such things. In this way, I cause no disruption to those who relied on me and still was able to practice a bit of what I believe.
Pretty sweet deal!
How long did it take to get your ashes?
As long as it took me to park my car and walk up to the minister and say, "I'm here for my ashes!" and him to say, "Remember you came from ashes and to ashes you will return." (or close to that).
How long do you keep your ashes on?
I kept them on for about 3 hours. Then I felt self-conscience. Not because I didn't want people to know I am of a Christian faith but I believe (and was raised) you should not use you faith to draw attention to yourself.
What did you give up for lent?
Alcohol, chips and other luxuries. I will do my best to think well, speak well and do good.
--------------------------------------------------------------
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
What to do about Lent. . .that’s right: Lent: March 5th to April 17th.
Here was my brainstorm - my brainstorms, by the way, are normally around food. I think because food is something I seem to have more control over because it is something that is entirely my choice from start to finish - and entirely necessary.
Giving Up Food Things
I was originally going to go vegan – until I mentioned this to my devastatingly handsome fiance, Bob. He brought up a point best show in a list of what I could eat if I went vegan.
Going to have to toss that idea. Sticking to a pescatarian diet involves eating fish – which is doable. Since I will be in training, I’m going to have to up my food intake.
Giving up Spoons and Forks
Using just chopsticks or hands? I’m embarrassed to admit how much I use my hand when eating. I also drink a lot of stuff out of the Nutribullet.
I am also not sure how this will go over at restaurants or with my family – one of the big points of Lent (that I was taught) is your actions during lent should not call unnecessary attention to yourself or make other people uncomfortable.
Then I came across this calender from BustedHalo.com that offers a suggestion of what to fast, give and pray for each day. For example, on one day you would:
Here was my brainstorm - my brainstorms, by the way, are normally around food. I think because food is something I seem to have more control over because it is something that is entirely my choice from start to finish - and entirely necessary.
Giving Up Food Things
I was originally going to go vegan – until I mentioned this to my devastatingly handsome fiance, Bob. He brought up a point best show in a list of what I could eat if I went vegan.
Wheat.Beans.Soy.- Fruits.
- Vegetables.
- Nuts.
Going to have to toss that idea. Sticking to a pescatarian diet involves eating fish – which is doable. Since I will be in training, I’m going to have to up my food intake.
Giving up Spoons and Forks
Using just chopsticks or hands? I’m embarrassed to admit how much I use my hand when eating. I also drink a lot of stuff out of the Nutribullet.
I am also not sure how this will go over at restaurants or with my family – one of the big points of Lent (that I was taught) is your actions during lent should not call unnecessary attention to yourself or make other people uncomfortable.
Then I came across this calender from BustedHalo.com that offers a suggestion of what to fast, give and pray for each day. For example, on one day you would:
- FAST from watching or streaming television shows today.
- PRAY for a sign of God’s presence when you’re being tested today.
- GIVE everyone you encounter today an encouraging word or smile.
Solicitation
If you have any idea of good things to give up or give to for Lent, let me know! I basically have until I wake up this morning to decide!
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Mar 3, 2014
I am currently working on my third journal - believe it or not. I have a solid month or so of not doing it, then I normally have some good stuff to record or tape in there.
 |
| New journal made by this company |
I read that someone got into journaling by buying one of those page-a-day planners and stapling receipts and the like to the pages - corresponding dates, of course.
I don't think I found any deep spiritual connection in journaling, but, I don't seek depth or force it. I think it settles immediate anxiety - if it's a frustration I need to get out or the need to preserve a memory should I forget.
See my past posts on journaling:
See my past posts on journaling:
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestion.
Feb 26, 2014
Yeah, Bob and I were there.
How Was It?
It was great. I don't have a lot of pictures, though. My guy, Bob, is a super-MacGyver fan so we were busting through all the exhibits - in a good way!
Most of the exhibits were tables with actual hands-on things based on MacGyver episodes. MacGyver is rich is science, actually, and while what the show showed seemed like magic, it had a good grounding in real things - real like science.
I read some people saying the science was "dumb" - I would be cautious about using such a word. The science was accessible and hands-on. Sure, there was nothing very advanced about setting some helium on fire, but how often do you see that happen? I don't think it was meant to be intense or that in-depth - it was meant to be fun and interesting.
They had a guy picking locks. Whoa. Not really that advanced, but, you could try it yourself. They had a guy making sugar-glass (and giving out some recipes for peanut brittle) that you could smash and eat. It was interactive and there was free booze - and you could see how MacGyver did what he did. Or rather, the science behind the production of everything.
You can read a more professional view of this fun stuff here in the Philly Magazine
Future Plans
To be honest, in checking out everything the Franklin Institute has going on, I sort of want to go back and check out other things. I can't believe I missed a live heart dissection - but, there is a exhibit about the science behind carnivals coming up in April I really would love to go to.
Woot!
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
 |
| The official ad |
How Was It?
It was great. I don't have a lot of pictures, though. My guy, Bob, is a super-MacGyver fan so we were busting through all the exhibits - in a good way!
Most of the exhibits were tables with actual hands-on things based on MacGyver episodes. MacGyver is rich is science, actually, and while what the show showed seemed like magic, it had a good grounding in real things - real like science.
I read some people saying the science was "dumb" - I would be cautious about using such a word. The science was accessible and hands-on. Sure, there was nothing very advanced about setting some helium on fire, but how often do you see that happen? I don't think it was meant to be intense or that in-depth - it was meant to be fun and interesting.
They had a guy picking locks. Whoa. Not really that advanced, but, you could try it yourself. They had a guy making sugar-glass (and giving out some recipes for peanut brittle) that you could smash and eat. It was interactive and there was free booze - and you could see how MacGyver did what he did. Or rather, the science behind the production of everything.
You can read a more professional view of this fun stuff here in the Philly Magazine
Future Plans
To be honest, in checking out everything the Franklin Institute has going on, I sort of want to go back and check out other things. I can't believe I missed a live heart dissection - but, there is a exhibit about the science behind carnivals coming up in April I really would love to go to.
Woot!
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Feb 19, 2014
Hey, I got a new look to my blog - it was about time.
So, listen, I have totally been slacking and out of it when it comes to working on this blog. Sure, I posted some thoughts, but, with a couple other people saying they need to get back into this sort of stuff, I think I need to give it a try again.
I am using what I learned about what I can and cannot do to make this blog somewhat better than it has been.
I have learned that my life is not that exciting - I am going to reduce the amount of posts to one a week on Wednesdays. That'll help keep the content coming at a consistent rate and help me actually generate some good stuff.
I hope you think about following me or giving me some tips. Keep a look out for me on Wednesdays!
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
So, listen, I have totally been slacking and out of it when it comes to working on this blog. Sure, I posted some thoughts, but, with a couple other people saying they need to get back into this sort of stuff, I think I need to give it a try again.
I am using what I learned about what I can and cannot do to make this blog somewhat better than it has been.
I have learned that my life is not that exciting - I am going to reduce the amount of posts to one a week on Wednesdays. That'll help keep the content coming at a consistent rate and help me actually generate some good stuff.
I hope you think about following me or giving me some tips. Keep a look out for me on Wednesdays!
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Feb 5, 2014
A wealthy king was touring his kingdom alone on his finest horse. Along the way, he was beset by a band of thieves. They robbed him, stripped him of his finery and ran off with his horse. He began the long walk home and found himself lost. Hungry, thirsty and tired he came across a well. He eagerly pulled up the bucket for a drink – and to his dismay, he found only beautiful. gold.
People are obsessed with beauty. Or rather, they hear enough about beauty to become obsessed with it. Everything needs to be beautiful and you can never call anything that could be defined as a noun anything but beautiful.
And here’s the problem.
When everyone uses the term “beauty” or “beautiful” they mean “has value.” Try it. Take anything that has the word “beauty” in it and replace it with “has value” and it will mean the same thing.
Because only beautiful things have value so we need to tell everyone and everything they are beautiful.
I think it’s a problem. And I think it’s very defeating.
When someone asks if something is beautiful, we know what it means. It is a question - Do you think this item is visually appealing – or appealing to your senses? Because we are all human, some things are not appealing.
I’m sorry, I don’t find baby’s beautiful. I don’t find certain art beautiful. I don’t think some people are beautiful.
But I still value them.
We are building campaigns like stairs, one on top of another trying to make the word “beautiful” mean “valuable.”
Maybe we should stop convincing ourselves we find things “beautiful” and start the thought process that beauty doesn't mean value.
Listen, World: I value you for so much more than just your ability to please my senses. I will not be ashamed when my senses are pleased but I will not be callus when something doesn’t please them, either.
Beauty does not equal value.
People are obsessed with beauty. Or rather, they hear enough about beauty to become obsessed with it. Everything needs to be beautiful and you can never call anything that could be defined as a noun anything but beautiful.
And here’s the problem.
When everyone uses the term “beauty” or “beautiful” they mean “has value.” Try it. Take anything that has the word “beauty” in it and replace it with “has value” and it will mean the same thing.
Because only beautiful things have value so we need to tell everyone and everything they are beautiful.
I think it’s a problem. And I think it’s very defeating.
When someone asks if something is beautiful, we know what it means. It is a question - Do you think this item is visually appealing – or appealing to your senses? Because we are all human, some things are not appealing.
I’m sorry, I don’t find baby’s beautiful. I don’t find certain art beautiful. I don’t think some people are beautiful.
But I still value them.
We are building campaigns like stairs, one on top of another trying to make the word “beautiful” mean “valuable.”
Maybe we should stop convincing ourselves we find things “beautiful” and start the thought process that beauty doesn't mean value.
Listen, World: I value you for so much more than just your ability to please my senses. I will not be ashamed when my senses are pleased but I will not be callus when something doesn’t please them, either.
Beauty does not equal value.
The Adventure Continues
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something and write about it? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Jan 29, 2014
We teach others and convince ourselves that if the right thing is done, there will be a reward.
Sometimes you can do everything right and get no reward. Sometimes you can do everything right and get hurt. Sometimes you can do everything right and be punished.
Maybe it's better to do things for the right reasons, regardless of the outcome.
Sometimes you can do everything right and get no reward. Sometimes you can do everything right and get hurt. Sometimes you can do everything right and be punished.
Maybe it's better to do things for the right reasons, regardless of the outcome.
Jan 22, 2014
The food and diet industry has played a trick on everyone. It told us that every food we eat has to taste amazing all the time and if it doesn't, it’s not our fault we don’t eat it. Everything has to be chocolate and bacon and smothered in cheese sauce.
Listen, adults, sometimes we are going to have to eat foods that are good for us for no other reason than they are good for us. Managing choice is part of being an adult – and the bulk of the time we need to be doing things because it's the right thing rather than the easy thing or the thing that seems popular or the thing we think we deserve without consequence.
Let’s all be around for the next generation and start making choices that are good for us.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
Listen, adults, sometimes we are going to have to eat foods that are good for us for no other reason than they are good for us. Managing choice is part of being an adult – and the bulk of the time we need to be doing things because it's the right thing rather than the easy thing or the thing that seems popular or the thing we think we deserve without consequence.
Let’s all be around for the next generation and start making choices that are good for us.
Be Part of the Adventure
Do you have a suggestion or want to see me attempt something? Drop me an email at AdventuringAmanda@gmail.com with your suggestions
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