Negi-Toro Twitter

So how many people have tried to explain to someone the phenomenon that is called "Twitter?"

Well if you're me, you find that it is absolutely impossible to explain the appeal of it.
Inevitably the question will be: "so it's like constantly updating your facebook status?"
Well, yes, but at the same time, a resounding no.

And I? Cannot explain why that's incorrect. For all the beauty of facebook - and the connectedness, and the variety of ways to learn about your nearest and dearests (or your dentist, whatev) it just doesn't have the immediacy of twitter. You don't feel like you're in the moment with a person like you do on twitter.

A couple of weeks ago I tweeted about what I was doing that night. My person saw it, and was interested. A few tweets later and I had my weekend plans established. Nice. But big deal. I talk to her on the dreaded phone all the time. I simply did it online instead right? OK yes.

Last week, I tweeted about how I thought I might just go on a sushi diet since it's so healthy.
I got a comment back from Nenette asking me where I go. Then ywgdana piped in with his favourite Winnipeg spot. He suggested we all try it out. Kyla of course wanted to be invited. I immediately thought of how Ali always pitifully tweets asking for someone to pick her up California rolls for lunch so I invited her. Harmzie overheard this and asked Nenette if she could come too.

So last night? I went for dinner with my darling Ali, and 4 other people. Kyla I met once from her blog. Apparently Dana and I went to high school together but never spoke. Nenette and Harmzie? No history of knowledge of them whatsoever.

And it? Was awesome. They fully support my dream to plan a Winnipeg Blog/Tweet-Up (last night may even be considered a mini dry-run) and we even contemplated some group post ideas. (Mostly in the form of "who would you do?" in carious categories of humanity).

They of course were overjoyed to experience me bringing out yet another little slip of paper outlining exactly what I could order off the menu. And were tolerant of me apparently talking non-stop. (Why do I consider myself shy exactly? Cause apparently in reality you can't shut me up).

It turns out Harmzie and I once shared the same boss. Nenette and I read a lot of the same blogs. Ali and Kyla still have eyelashes that go on for days (sitting in between such glory was quite intimidating). And Dana and I decided that it was best that neither of us brought yearbooks to share. (Grade 10 wasn't a good year for me photo-wise).

All brought on by Twitter. And yes, maybe facebook could have done the same thing. But I don't think so. Facebook doesn't invite making friends with complete strangers the way twitter does. And yes, maybe some would consider meeting complete strangers to be a bit risqué, but I don't think so. I considered it an awesome adventure and can't wait to do it again.

So Winnipeg Blog/Tweet Up? It's on. I will work out the details and post them here. And if you're interested in coming, email me at: violetidell@shaw.ca

xo

Bullety...

You're getting bullets today - I feel too sleepy to write an actual post.

• Today so far: (as of 12:40 PM CST) I got barely any sleep last night, have a wicked headache, was having chest pains earlier, am kinda cold.
  
  
• Am kind of wondering: if I die (possibly from these chest pains) who picks up my debt? I am unmarried and have no kids.
  
  
• I noticed this past weekend that my clothes look a bit different, but I lost no weight from last week. Interesting.
  
  
• I saw "Public Enemies" last week. Was just meh about it. Too long. Even Johnny couldn't keep me riveted.
  
  
• I am taking an extended long weekend - we all have Monday off, and I'm also taking Friday off. Who wants to amuse me?
  
  
• I discovered Animal Crossing this weekend with my person- I gave it to her for her bday. How long does it take to earn a shovel? And seriously, KK Slider is now my favourite singer.
  
  
• Am meeting twitterers for sushi tomorrow. Very excited!
  
  
• Am considering planning a Winnipeg blog/tweet-up. Who's interested? Is it worth my time?
  
  
• Found a book club- first meeting: The Secret Life of Bees. So excited.
  
  
• A friend is having a Stella and Dot party tonight. I am such an idiot for jewellery so I ordered some.
  
  
• Of course that order was made before I discovered that my taxes were re-assessed. Apparently quitting one job, being on EI and getting a new job last year kinda effected my world in a sucky way.
  
  
• My year has really sucked financially- I had really hoped to go to England with My Dear Anon next year. Any bloggers over there wanna put me and her up for free? Maybe then I could afford it!
  

And I'm out...

Rock the Chakra II

Yesterday I had my chakras balanced.

Oh yeah, and a hot stone massage. Honestly people, I have no idea why anyone would ever get a massage that wasn't hot stone. As far as I'm concerned, heaven will contain a hot stone massage room on every corner. It is the very definition of bliss.

But back to the chakras...

I've has this done before about two years ago and from what I remember it was a rather interesting experience. I remember laying there and not hearing/feeling anything from the girl and wondering just what it was that I was wasting my money on. The suddenly I found myself overcome with memories and thoughts of all my friends and the people who genuinely loved me in my life. It's like a rush of positivity just washed over me. It was like a very intense and glorious "life flashing in front of my eyes" moment. But in a good way. Completely unexpected, but lovely.

Of course then the girl told me that as she was balancing said chakras she felt like she was being punched in the stomach. Wow. Thanks for taking it for the team there honey, cause I feel great!

So I decided to try it again, cause even if I had the exact same experience - why not feel the love, right? And any negative stuff is apparently taken on by the "balancer" so why not?

And as I lay there (essentially naked, with hot stones still surrounding my spine and across my eyelids) I again wondered just what I was wasting my money on. Nothing was happening, and I had to struggle to clear my mind. You know how hard it is to clear your mind when you really want to? Thoughts of what I was going to eat when I got home, and whether I should stop for sushi instead keep infiltrating my brain.

But eventually, I managed to relax a bit. She did the odd pushing on my hips which I didn't really get. But I thought it was part of the ritual - like the little bells that she rang at the beginning. Kinda pretty.

I had chosen 2 areas for her to focus on. Now I must confess, having done this before I did a bit of homework earlier in the afternoon. I read up on the chakra colours and thought that I would have her focus on the romance and sex areas. I mean I can use the help right?

But when I arrived she specifically asked me to choose the stones that I was "drawn to." Damn. I was drawn to the quartz crystal and the amethyst. Head and throat. I decided to be honest and have her work on that. I suppose the Powers that Be know what they're doing right?

What was weird was that the whole time she was on my right hand side was when I was trying to relax and clear my head. Then she moved to the left side and for some reason the passing thought flitted through my head that she was now working on the "dark side." Odd. I didn't know what that meant, and when I tried to pursue it, the thought floated away.

But suddenly I felt the mojo working. I felt myself not focusing on the positive this time, but instead felt myself letting go of the negative. A little voice kept going through my head telling me that "I am enough." I don't need to hold on to guilt, anger, resentment and anything else weighing me down. I don't need to worry about other people's burdens. I can only do and be for them as much as I am able and willing. And it's enough.

I felt my anger and worry about my brother slipping away. I felt the vestiges of my last job lossening it's grip. I felt the resentment I have towards D2 and his neglect washing away.

I am enough. For me. For them.

OK, what a weird little internal therapy session. But if that's what happens, I would say that the balancing is in fact worth the money.

When it was over she explained that I seem to hold a lot in my hips (hence the pushing) and that I should work on "grounding" myself. How's that now? Apparently working out, or even just stomping my feet will assist. Cool.

And then, the thing that freaked me out was that she felt a lot of "dark energy" on my left side. Wtf? That flitting thought seems to have meant something. I still get kind of creeped out at the potentially not coincidence of that.

Anyhow. I still have absolutely no idea what she did, and how one balances one's chakras. But I still think it's cool, and I enjoy the head trippiness of it all.

I would love to hear if any of you have ever done it and what it was like...

xo

I Promise This Isn't Going to Turn Into a Weight Loss Blog

So now that I’m on Weight Watchers I’m super fun to hang out with.

Some friends were in from out of town this weekend and I was meeting them, along with my person for dinner. So at lunch I scoured the internet for all the restaurants in the area…

It impresses me how many of them do post their nutritional info – although those who don’t get torn apart in the calorie counter forums…It also impresses me that I found a restaurant that had ABSOLUTELY nothing that I could eat. How is that even possible? I can find something to eat at McDonald’s but in a real live restaurant? Nothing?! *cough*Kelsy’s*cough*

So when we all arrived at my person’s place I proudly sheepishly announced what the restaurant options were and then showed them my little piece of paper that explained the choices that I had to eat at each place.

We then joked about how they were all going to order dessert and eat it in front of me. We found it all very amusing. Until they did JUST THAT. My person was kind enough to give me a bite of hers, which left me more than satisfied. Sorta.

I tried to explain to them that if I was going to order dessert it’s going to be because I’m traumatized, or there’s just no polite way to get out of it. (Yes! Situations like that DO exist! Like uh…it’s my birthday and you baked me a cake! You’d want me to eat it right? It’s like SO rude not to, right?!)

Oddly I’m not having too much trouble with the food thing, or even the dessert thing. I’m uber happy that I’m doing this now, in 2009 rather than 20 years ago. There are so many 100 calorie chocolate bars/cake etc out there that I don’t even feel deprived. I find the point conversion thing to be a pain in the ass, but even that’s not so bad. There are entire sections in the grocery store devoted to low cal/low fat foods, so I’m buying things I never have before, and they’re kind of awesome.

The only thing I’m really dreading is the first time I have to go to a dinner at someone’s house. Then I have no idea how something is made and I won’t quite know how to calculate it. But even that’s not insurmountable – I mean I’ll just deal with it.

I’m finding this whole process kind of fascinating. It kind of changes your attitude towards food. Makes you really think about what you’re putting in your body, and what it means. I don’t feel deprived – because it’s my choice to ignore my weekly bonus points. The plan gives you a lot of flexibility and that makes it so much easier to have self-control. Because I know that I have the option to indulge, I don’t really need to.

Gawd I’m zen. No doubt I’m truly an inspiration to you all.

Oh: and in case you're curious? We went to Boston Pizza and I got the chicken stromboli & salad. 13 points.

xo

20 Things You Should Hear...

OK so I totally stole this from Miss Britt. But since so did half the bloggiverse, I don't feel like such a slackass.

The point of it is to make this meme that's been going around a bit more about the luuurrrvvve.
So - I'm gonna say 20 absolutely lovely, charming and delightful things. Maybe about YOU. Britt added kind of a blogg-ish slant to it, which seemed like a fab idea. So yeah, this will be about YOU my lovelies.

Oh and in the comments? A la Hilly- feel free to mention anything you love about your darling little Princess (me). And like Hilly- I promise to respond back with what I love about you too! (even lurkers - I'll come up with something totally random, I promise ;P)
It's all about spreading the good feelings darlings...

1. You are truly inspirational with how you've turned a potentially devastating situation into a testament to your character and strength. Don't ever forget how awesome you are.

2. I totally had a crush on you. And thank goodness I'm over it, cause crushing on a virtual stranger is kind of crazy. But were you ever to ask? Or even just glance my way? Yeah, I'd totally be UN over it pretty darn quickly.

3. I wish you would pick up your blog again, cause it was something that we could totally have in common. But since you're around IRL, I totally forgive you, cause we can like, still go shopping and stuff.

4. You are just the sweetest, most endearing person I've met on the internet. I love how unassuming and adorable you are. I want to carry you around in my pocket with me all the time. You're the kind of person that I just KNOW I would be bff's with if we ever actually had a chance to meet just once.

5. Dude. When are you coming to Canada? You promised! And I'm DYING to meet you!

6. Honey I worry about you so much. You're a phenomenal and dynamic woman. Be strong, I know that things will get better soon.

7. The fact that someone like you exists in the world, makes it a much better place. I am so glad that I found your blog. You are truly the most extraordinary person I've ever encountered.

8. Your thoughtful emails have made my day (or made me cry in a good way) more than once. It's so nice to know that there is someone out there in the world who takes the time to let people know that they are not alone.

9. You are so fun and unaffected. Your attitude is awesome, even when you're unhappy, and I truly hope that some day I get the chance to experience it in person.

10. Please come off hiatus! Your writing is phenomenal and I miss you.

11. I am so glad that blogging gave me the opportunity to meet you - you were truly such a surprise and I look forward to more brilliant days ahead.

12. Honey, I love you to bits. I would have met you, blog or not - but I think it was the blogging that actually made us friends. You're never getting rid of me.

13. Darling, I'm so happy that life has become so luminous for you. You've become more scarce lately- but please know that my heart glows a bit brighter because of the way you've touched it.

14. You are truly one of the quirkiest, most hilarious people I've ever seen. I would pay money just to be able to bask in your radiance for an hour or so. Never ever change.

15. You're in Canada, and I have friends in your city. I WILL meet you. There is no escape from this.

16. You are glorious. I came thisclose to basking in it once. You're the kind of person that people aspire to be like- intelligent, kind and lovely. Thank you for being you.

17. You're one of the few people in the blogging world I have actually chatted with. Your being shines through in your blog, even though it's on a specific topic. I think we really should schedule that slumber party one day, because I already know it will be fantastic. What's one little province? We can meet somewhere in the middle right?

18. You are dramatic. And smart. And sad. Sometimes I just want to give you a hug and tell you that life is better than you think. You can make it better. You have so much potential - just grab it and own it!

19. You have totally touched me, and are definitely one of my incentives to save money to hop over the ocean. I know we would have hours of girly laughing and dessert and dancing. Someday...

20. You, your work, your spirit so totally shine through in your blog. I just want to grab you and hug you for being so positive and awesome. Oh yeah, and if you gave me some free product - that would be OK too.

xo