But what did you do?

I took last week off. I know I mentioned that already. But I not only took the week off, I disconnected from work.

Kind of.

Because I am always connected, my idea of disconnecting is probably different than others. I checked my work email. I read some, but not most. I deleted the emails that were junk or that would hold no relevance this week.

And I did nothing. I half-assed cleaned one day. I knit. I napped. I watched TV. I cooked. I did nothing of any great importance. I thought I told people at work I was going to be gone all week, but I guess I only told some of them. Most people assumed I went out of town since it was the holidays.

Nope.

I told people what I did and they seemed confused. Why not leave town? Why not see your family? Because I didn't want to. What did you do?  Whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I needed the time to rejuvenate and hibernate. It's been a stressful quarter for many reasons. I don't feel my job has been all that stressful this quarter, but there has been an underlying feeling of stress in the building, and it has been exhausting. I needed a chunk of time away. A chunk where I didn't have to get on a plane or a train or meet any schedule not under my control.

And you know what? It was great. I went back to work this week with a more energy and a new enthusiasm. I was ready to meet every new challenge. Because I unplugged, I have some catching up to do--and it doesn't bother me one bit.

I need to do this more often.

Read (and watch) this RIGHT NOW!

From Mary at Stronger Than Dirt: The Second Coming Sale.

Life After Russ

Life After Russ: Defenders of Civil Liberties Look for a New Champion to Replace Russ Feingold. From Slate.com.

*sigh*

I'm going to miss Russ.

Total Train Wreck.... Please make it happen. Please.

Seriously, someone should give Courtney Love a reality show.

I would totally watch it. Because she is good at mentoring young girls. Yeah, she said that.

Please, please, please... give her a reality show. I'm begging.

via The Onion's AV Club and Best Week Ever.

Thanks and All That

I don't have much to add to what I have said before: I'm thanking for the same things I was in past years: (2006 and 2007). I guess I wasn't all that thankful in 2008 or 2009. Well, in 2008 I spent four hours in a dental chair three days before Thanksgiving. Some friends in Seattle invited me down but I knew I would be terrible company as I was irritated for many reasons and my face hurt. I was thankful for the invite, but I decided to spend the day sleeping and eating pumpkin pie with some local friends. In 2009, well, the Fall 2009 wasn't a good time for me, and Thanksgiving was a time for me to hide away from some of the craziness in my life. I was thankful for that.

And this year I am thankful for everything I have been in the past: friends, family, cats, health, job. 

My friends, near and far, are of course, amazing. I'm finally beginning to get settled here. I miss my friends in Mississippi--they were (and still are) a good group. The friends here have taken me out for drinks when I needed it, provided advice when trying to sort out my personal life, and indulged in spa days (such a sacrifice, I know) for birthdays. But the last two years I have reconnected with so many dear, dear friends from my past. It has been amazing and has meant so much to me. These were the people I never knew I missed until I found them again. And now I am so very thankful that they are again part of my life. 

My family is awesome, as always. Last fall I was able to see my oldest stepbrother while he was out here for some training at Ft. Lewis. We disagree on almost everything, but he's a stand-up kind of guy. He's in Afghanistan right now and will be for the next year. I think of him often and try not to cringe whenever I hear of soldiers being killed. My mom, brother, sister-in-law, niece and nephews... All awesome. My brother, as always, is a rock and someone I continue to look up to more than he probably realizes. I spent close to two hours on the phone with my sister-in-law last weekend. I'm really glad my brother's wife is also my friend. 

It was a weird summer, health wise. Nothing major, but lots of small issues with allergies, walking pneumonia, etc., but I'm still amazingly healthy. Considering how much I abused my body when I was younger, I consider myself lucky. 

I'm thankful to have a job. I still love what I do, but sometimes I find the setting completely exhausting. Yet, I like most of my colleagues, I love working with the students, and I get to do it in one of the most beautiful places on the face of the earth. 

The cats? Yeah, I'm thankful for my cats. 

And then the other stuff: good food, mid-afternoon naps, the Farmer's Market, football, shoes, Boundary Bay IPA, New Glarus Spotted Cow, coffee, cupcakes, and so much more. 

Four Loko Stories

Anyone who works on a college campus has probably heard of Four Loko. It's the caffeine/alcohol drink that has been banned by many states. At Thanksgiving we were talking about our students (as you do) and the topic of Four Loko came up... and a friend mentioned the site Four Loko Stories.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

What I Learned Today

1. I can still drive in the snow.
2. People are idiots. 

We got a few more inches of snow today. Luckily, the ice from the weekend had melted (at least on the main roads). The temperature was in the teens when it started snowing but was in the upper 30s by the time it stopped, so the snow was that wet, sloppy stuff that melts fairly quickly. And because the temps were rising to more seasonal levels, the snow was going to melt and not refreeze. 

This kind of snow creates a sloppy mess. It isn't ice, and that is good, but it does become like driving in sand. But the thing is, I haven't driven in real snow in seven years. So I was a little nervous. Nervous because I haven't driven in it and when I did drive in it, it was in an area that did a good job of keeping roads cleared. 

And... As I have mentioned before, I live on a hill. I spent Thanksgiving with some friends on the other side of the hill. I could either drive up and over the hill, or down, around and back up. I opted for the latter. I prefer the up-and-over route because it is more fun to drive but not in the snow. 

Anyway, my road is usually pretty crappy--as is my driveway--but both were almost half clear. I only had to stop once because two people decided the snow meant they should stand in the road and take pictures of the snowy trees. But they didn't seem to understand with sloppy roads and two cars trying to pass them going opposite directions, you can't stand on the road. Both the oncoming car and I had to stop to wait for these morons to move. Not stopping would mean driving out of the tire ruts in the snow and both me and the other driver knew doing that could be bad for all parties involved. Eventually, they moved enough for us to get by, but I still don't think they got it. 

Past my hill, the main roads were nothing more than wet. My friends live at the end of a side road, which meant it as more snowpacked. But, I knew I could get to the top as long as I didn't have to stop. Unfortunately, I got stuck because I had to stop. Again

Some yahoos were standing in the middle of the road with their car doors open. I slowed down but kept moving until I realized I couldn't get around them since their car doors were open. And they just stood there, staring at me. And then I got stuck. I did the reverse-drive-reverse thing several times, but no luck. Since I only had to go a few more blocks I tried parking there and then walking up, but that was worse. 

The jagoffs who had been in the middle of the street were still staring at me. Two of them were nice enough to push me to the end of the block so I could get going (and so I didn't slide into their cars). And that was very nice of them. But then one of them said, "You just need to get some speed." No shit, Sherlock. I had speed until I had to stop for your dumb ass standing in the middle of the road. 

They way back down the hill was easier. There were fewer cars on the road and there were two clear ruts in the snow so I was driving on pavement and not snow. (I will admit I slid sideways at first because I forgot I had set my parking break.) I was doing fine until I got to the final block. I was picking up a bit too much speed and the slushiness of the street was getting worse. As I tried to slow myself down without making any sudden moves, I saw some dude standing in the street, next to his car with the the car door open. As I rolled to a stop (with a car behind me), I waved the guy away from his car (it's a narrow street); however, I had to come to a complete stop because he left his car door wide open. What the fuck? I tried to get past him, but I knew I would clear his door by inches and I wasn't comfortable with that. I waved at the guy some more. So he stepped farther off the road. I waved again. Finally, finally, he realized I wanted him to close his fucking door. 

It's stupid to leave your car door open when a car is passing you, but it is really stupid to leave your car door open when a car is trying to pass you in adverse weather. 

From there on, the roads were perfectly fine. I have to say, the Midwesterner in me was very happy to find that seven years after leaving, I can still handle driving in sloppy winter weather. 

And Thanksgiving was good. Lots of good food and good conversation. And I plan on spending the nest three days eating leftovers, drinking, beer, and watching football.

Clouds in the Pacifical Northwest vs Clouds in the Middle West

This time a year it is cloudy in the Pacifical Northwest. In the winter it is cloudy in the Middle West. It gets dark early here and it gets dark early in the Upper Midwest. But there is still a difference.

I grew up in Iowa. Winter and the dreariness that comes with winter was all I knew. Then I moved farther north and the dreariness got worse as did the winter. Actually, until I moved to the South, I had never experienced living without winter. (What they have in Mississippi is not winter; it's autumn that slides into spring  that jumps into the hell of summer.) But it wasn't until I moved to central Wisconsin that I experienced any sort of mood swing due to the weather (cabin fever, yes, but nothing more). My first winter up north I went to work when it was dark, I left work when it was dark, and I worked in the part of the building without windows. They first time I saw the sun I almost did a dance.

And then I moved to where I had a big, huge window. So now I could see it get dark by 4:30 and that when there was a storm moving in it was dark by 3:30. My coworkers and I would sit there, stare out the window and simply sigh. Or maybe say something like, "How long until spring?" And the cabin fever? It was terrible. By March we pretty much wanted to beat the crap out of each other. We were all stuck together for 40+ hours a week. Trapped inside because the high temperature was -13 degrees Fahrenheit. The company I worked for hosted an annual Cabin Fever party. They'd rent out a local bowling alley, provide a lot of potato-and-gravy-based food, free beer, free bowling, and a wedding DJ. And free transportation. So, basically, the people that wanted to beat each other up were let loose to drink, eat, bowl, and dance themselves into a frenzy--and it was awesome. By that time of the year, we needed to just let loose and throw down. Of course, usually, at some point, someone did punch someone else. Unfortunately, I missed it ever year.

Despite all that, I don't remember falling into a true seasonal funk.

But here in the Pacifical Northwest, I don't feel a mild annoyance that the sun goes away, I feel a major mood shift. I drink a lot of coffee normally, but during the winter? I drink at least double. It seems to be the only way to get through dusk at 3:00 in the afternoon and cloud cover that is so low I feel like I could touch it. The temps normally don't get that cold. We aren't blanketed with snow. It drizzles non-stop. It's foggy. In some ways, it doesn't seem like it should be that different than the Midwest where it is freezing cold, you are stuck inside due to the freezing cold. It is sometimes foggy. And some days there just seems to be a haze of steam and flurries that hangs in the air.

So why do I get depressed in the Pacific Northwest and not the Midwest? In the Midwest the clouds are so far up in the sky they don't even register as clouds. The sky is a constant light gray. And when the sun is out, the reflection off the snow is blinding--so blinding you need sunglasses. There is a sense of lightness. In the Pacific Northwest, the cloud cover feels like it is three feet above my head. I live close enough to the water that when the fog rolls in I can't see across the street. I used to think it was romantic, but now I find it oppressive and almost suffocating.

I'm not saying one is better than the other. But there are some days I would gladly trade feeling like I am about to be asphyxiated by the cloud cover for wind chills of -30. And then I look out the window, and through a break in the clouds see the snow-covered Canadian Mountains and fall in love with this place all over again. And then that night a fog rolls in that makes the rest of the world disappear for two days.

At this point, I don't know which one I prefer.

My Day

**Warning, lame post ahead.**

I decided to venture out today.

Two things: I'm off all week because I found out I haven't been using my vacation; if I don't use it, I'll lose it. We got four inches of snow Friday. It was pretty and fun and lovely. And then we got a teeny bit of sleet and 45 mph Canadian winds and the snow turned into ice. In an area not used to snow and ice, this sucks. The roads above me are solid ice. The road below me was icy, but by today it is almost 100% clear.

After work on Friday, before it began to snow, I picked up some food and grabbed some beer, but what I forgot was coffee. I had to work on Saturday and the walk up the hill was interesting. I strapped on my YakTrax and had no problems, but I saw plenty of cars slipping and sliding down the hills. So... I was stuck home on Sunday due to the ice-covered roads. Luckily, I had enough coffee for one more pot. Normally, I probably would've stayed home today.... But I needed coffee. Words of a true addict, I know.

So, after almost eating it on the icy parking lot while taking out the garbage (I need to take out the recycling, but decided I'll wait until the ice melts), I scrapped off my car and headed down the hill. Despite the snow and ice at the bottom of my driveway (a steep hill with a curve), there were no problems. Through the central business district? No problems. The roads were dry and snow and ice free. Then I got to the other side of the central district and it was like passing into another town. There was about an inch of solid ice only broken up by the tire ruts from various vehicles. Ugh. It was a main road so I figured it would be pretty clear. I guessed wrong. Luckily, people weren't driving like maniacs who forget that four-wheel drive slides on ice just like front-wheel drive does.

The nice thing? The Monday before Thanksgiving and the Trader Joe's parking lot was only half full.For those of you not familiar with Trader Joe's, they are known for their ridiculously small parking lots.

After loading up on food for Thanksgiving, I hit the Co-op for coffee (because I hate the Trader Joe's brand coffee), lunch, and beer. While there I saw a guy decked out in Packer gear.

This is how I react when I see someone wearing Packer gear: At first glance, I do nothing and move on. And then I remember I'm not in Wisconsin and not everyone is decked out in Packer gear. So I turned around and said, "Hey did you see the game* yesterday?" And he said, "No, it wasn't on TV." And without missing a beat: "They fired Childress." And I actually squealed and clapped my hands and said, "I've been checking ESPN to see if they were going to do it now or at the end of the season.". Because as Packer fans, what we like almost more than our own team winning, is watching the implosion of the Vikings. And only would one Packer fan open a conversation with another by simply saying, "They fired Childress." (For those who don't know, Childress is the now-former coach of the Vikings.) But we went on to talk Packers and Wisconsin. This guy is the third person I have seen in the last month wearing Packer gear. Two of the three were from there, the other had family from Wisconsin. I'm not the most outgoing person when it comes to meeting people, but I will walk up to anyone wearing Packer clothing and start a conversation. I can't help myself.

The drive back up my hill was uneventful and despite a little slipping and sliding up my driveway... there were no problems. I really, really want to go to the gym, but since it is on the other side of the central business district and the Canadian winds are keeping the temps at about 15 degrees, the ice on the roads won't be melting anytime soon.

I'm going to hunker down with some crappy movies, maybe rewatch the two seasons of Twin Peaks, or maybe read a book, and thoroughly enjoy my week off.


*I didn't get to see the game yesterday. Originally, some friends were going to be in town and we had plans for brunch, but due to the forecast of freezing rain between here and Seattle (and snow on the pass), they decided not to make the drive. I would love to've seen them, but I was happy that I would be able to see the game. I've been able to find the games streamed online, so I got up at 9:30, used the last of my coffee and settled in for the game to start at 10:00 am. And then after the first quarter the stream switched to the Cleveland game. What the fuck? And the icy roads meant not being able to venture out to find a sports bar showing the game. I'm a little sad, okay a lot sad, that I didn't get to see the humiliation of not only the Vikings, but of Brett Favre.

Oh, Come On!

I feel like I should post somethings since it's been a week since I posted something...

So here you go: Shake Weight.



First time I thought this I was stunned. As in I couldn't move because I couldn't believe this was for real.

Something I thought I would never hear at the reference desk

"Those are knitted boobies."





That's all. For now.

The things movies are made of

My office is in the old part of the library. When I leave I go out one of the side entrances which means I go through a narrow staircase down into what feels like the bowels of the building--also known as the first floor. I was walking down the little staircase today when I heard this muffled mechanical voice, heard an alarm and saw a bright flashing light. In what felt like a nano-second, I heard the slamming of all the heavy doors around me: the one at the tops of the stairs that goes to the main floor of the building; the one to the right of the staircase that goes into the central part of the first floor; the one around the corner from the stairs that goes into the stacks area of the first floor; and the door I needed to go out to actually leave the building. And then I started hearing second and third alarms (muffled since they were going off on the floor above me) as people opened the emergency exits to leave the building.

Crap. The fire alarm was going off.

When the alarm goes off the magnets holding the doors, which I am pretty sure are fire doors, release and the doors slam shut. When four of them slam shut at the same time it makes a sickening "ker-thunk" sound. And when I heard that sound my first thought: "This is how horror movies start."

I have no clue if the doors lock when they close (but I will find out). After my initial "Oh shit, I'm going to die down here" thought to wore off, I got to the bottom of the stairs, saw the main exit door had closed but not latched... And breathed a sigh of relief.

Outside I found a colleague who had been in the building and asked, professionally, "Dude, what the fuck?"

As far we knew, there wasn't a drill planned so it was a real, albeit probably false, alarm. A couple of students standing next to us were speculating what had happened. The best theory? That the alarm goes off when they find someone looking at porn on the library computers. I really wanted to turn to them and say, "If that caused the alarms to go off, we would spend all day, every day out here." Instead I wandered off before I lost what little professionalism I had left.

It was a false alarm, by the way.

The "he" is always lower case

...Atheists have rock and roll...

Awesome.

I have to dress like what?

So I went to this charity even last night. I was half dreading it, half looking forward to it. I was going to support a friend who is involved with the organization. It was one of those silent/live auction things where there is dinner and drinks, you buy a table, etc. So, my friend bought a table and invited a bunch of people. If she had to go, she was going to spend the night with people she liked.

In an email she sent to all of us, she mentioned semi-formal dress. My heart stopped. Sure, I like to dress up. I have fancy shoes, etc., but I haven't had to dress up for anything in a long time and most of my dressier clothes are more professional. And after so many years in the south, my vision of dressed up is $900 shoes and prom dresses. I don't want to dress like that and I don't feel comfortable dressing like that. But then I remembered where I lived and realized if I put a little effort into looking presentable, I would be good.

I considered wearing jeans and some fancy heels and calling it dressed up, but I decided to make an actual attempt. While in Seattle over the summer I was looking at dresses at Nordstrom. I began to think it was time for me to buy a grown-up dress for things like this, but nothing really fit right. The skirts were either too long or too full. The waist was usually too long, and the chest too small. They told me they had an alterations department that could fix all of those things. I didn't feel like going through all of that for a dress I had nowhere to wear, but it was good to know I had some options for when I needed a fancy dress. For me, a person with an oddly proportional yet out-of-proportion body type, alterations are really my only option.

However, we don't have a Nordstrom in town, and I didn't have time for alterations. So... I dragged my ass out of bed yesterday morning to go to the mall to find a dress. Let me say this: I hate the mall. But, like I said, I wanted to at least make an effort. I hit all the department stores and couldn't find anything off the rack that fit. I found an adorable dress at, of all places, Target. It fit great everywhere except the chest. I found another that was so-so but it wasn't right. I found another that was a mix between 1980s color-blocking and Joan Holloway... And I fell in love with it. And it was on sale. And it was about a half-size too small. So, after two hours in the damn mall (which, believe me, is fucking torture), I wandered into JC Penny's. I have no clue why. I figured I was there, why not. What did I find? A cute, shimmery blue top with a low, yet tasteful scoop neckline and cap sleeves. For $15. That would go perfectly with a skirt I already owned. Score.

And you know what? I looked pretty good. And I had an excuse to wear my bitch shoes (aka, my pointy-toed, spikey heels).

On a side note: These things can get tedious and boring, but it can be entertaining to watch the drunk people. And, wow, was there one drunk person to watch. She was at the table in front of us. She wore a short, short dress and everyone within view of her chair was grateful for the cloth napkin she had in her lap--because we really didn't want to know whether she was wearing underwear or not. Mystery is always better. (I really wanted to take a picture but couldn't figure out how not to be obvious about it.) She was someone important and got up to talk at the end of the night, and it was painfully uncomfortable. I started giggling because it was so ridiculously embarrassing. But to give you a better visual, let leave you with this: She was the perfect combination of Snookie from Jersey Shore and Amy Winehouse and just as much of a trainwreck in spiked heels.

Do you mean the WCFC?

I was at the gym this morning when I saw someone wearing a t-shirt with "WCFC" on the front. And I thought, wait, is that the Will Cooley Fan Club? When he passed by me I saw the back: The West Coast Fight Club.

I was actually disappointed.

It Just Doesn't Matter

• Due to road construction outside my office, I had to listen to the person holding the stop/slow sign talk on her stupid bluetooth ear piece all day. She yelled at someone for not stopping at her sign (I did appreciate that). She bitched about some sort of yardwork not done at her home. Somehow it not getting done was due to every minority that ever existed (expressed in every racial epithet possible). 
• Decided that They Might Be Giant's album Flood is the best album ever for the gym. 
• Declared that I would be happy to dress like I did in the 80s for Halloween in the Library next year, but that I draw the line at shaving my head. Again. 
• Scoured my closet for something fancy/formal for a charity auction I have to go to tomorrow night, and then realize that I live in the Pacific Northwest where formal means not wearing hemp, tie-dye, and flip-flops.
• Saw a group of guys snowboarding in the park between campus and my place. They did it last year, too. They fill the back of a truck with snow from the mountains and build a makeshift ramp on a small hill. The ski/snowboard area isn't quite open yet....
• I am ashamed to admit I bought Christmas lights yesterday.
• Attempted to change the lightbulbs in my kitchen and failed. I got the bulb out but I can't figure out how to take the shade off so I can't see the sockets. 
• Watched Meatballs during my day off. I saw it at the drive-in when I was nine years old (it was a double feature with Foul Play). I have seen parts of it since then, but never the whole thing. Enjoy it much more now than I did when I was nine. Remind myself that is just doesn't matter. 

NaBloPoMo

I considered doing the whole NaBloPoMo thing but then realized I didn't want to because then it becomes homework.

I wasn't going to think or read about the election results because I would end up getting angry and then probably crying. Well, I couldn't stay away. It's like a fucking car accident.

There was this article over at Madison.com: Feingold's Future Unlikely to Include a 2012 Run. But the part of the article that made me want to scream? The part about the asshat who those asshat independents in Wisconsin elected:

As for Johnson, his campaign said he planned to prepare to take public office out of the public eye.

The media-shy plastics company owner Wednesday in Oshkosh gave what might have been his last press conference before becoming Wisconsin’s newest senator. Johnson, 55, reiterated plans to fight the new health care law and to block further stimulus funding.

Johnson spokeswoman Sara Sendek said late Tuesday that Johnson would spend the next several weeks "assembling a team" and would be "unavailable for media interviews."

Yes, Wisconsin, this man is a complete moron. Thanks.

And then I watched Feingold's concession speech. I completely lost it. (I tried to embed it but it wasn't working.)

Fuck.

What I Did Today

• Took my car in to the shop to have the taillight bulb replaced and to have the annoying squeal checked out--again. They called me to tell me they couldn't hear the squeal but they would keep it the rest of the and tinker with it. When I go pick it up they tell me two things: I need new tires and the noise? An oil leak in the AC compressor. The oil is leaking onto the belt and the belt is squealing. The leak can only be fixed by replacing the compressor. But the leak probably means the compressor is on its way out. Not having car AC in these parts is not a big deal. Not having a functioning defrost, however, is a big deal. It is functioning, but at some point, it won't be. This noise started just as my warranty ran out--of course. Now it is far too late. The guy in service is going to see if there is anything else they can do to come up with a cheaper fix. Granted, my car will still run with a busted compressor, but I won't be able to see through the fogged up windows. 
• Witnessed the unbelievable defeat of the one man in politics with any integrity. Witnessed the people of the state that always felt more like home than any other place I have ever lived vote out a man who has never, ever, ever bowed to outside pressure. Watched the state that I was so proud of because of its deep progressive roots vote out Russ Feingold for a man who had never been to DC until he decided to run for office. They voted for a man who tells his employees to sign up for state-funded BadgerCare while he rode the anti-big-government wave (Thanks for that tidbit, Mary). Yes, Feingold lost. Feingold fucking lost. How did I react? I cried. Hey, Wisconsin: What the FUCK were you thinking? Feingold's loss is a blow to the entire country. In 2006, when asked who my ideal presidential ticket was I said, "Feingold/Obama." I love Russ Feingold with every fiber of my being. So, listen to me Ron Johnson: Go fuck yourself. I wish this piece from The Onion weren't so true..... but it is. 
• Decided I am going to spend the next two years drunk. 

I love watching the Vikings implode.

Vikings Waive Randy Moss

Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

See, Moss has an attitude. A big ole attitude. Back when he was with the Vikings the first time, Moss said he played when he wanted to play. I don't remember what had happened to make him say that. It may have been related to a half-assed effort on the field. Or maybe it was after the game where he walked off the field and went to the locker room before the game was over. Who knows. But that attitude is what has defined Moss' career.

There is no denying that Moss is a good receiver, but he's a primadonna who does only play when he wants to. This was still evident in the last play of the Vikings-Packers game a week ago. Favre threw a pass to Moss that Moss could've and should've caught. It was totally within his reach but Moss just didn't bother. I'm surprised that the Vikings Coach Childress didn't cut him then and there. It took a loss to the Patriots and Moss' bizarre press conference for Childress to cut him.

I used to say that I wouldn't hate the Vikings as much as I did if they cut Moss. Turns out I was wrong. I still hated them. When they signed Moss a few weeks ago, I said that the combination of Moss and Favre made the Vikings the vortex of evil. Technically, I suppose this means they are no longer the vortex of evil..... But, nah.... They still are.

Veganniversary

Today is World Vegan Day. Two years and one week ago I decided to take part in World Go Vegan Week--and I never looked back.

It's hard to believe it has been two years. By that I mean it feels like it has been longer--and I mean that in a good way. Being vegan feels completely normal and natural to me. It is hard for me to imagine living any other way.

That's not to say it has all been all puppy dogs and rainbows. I've struggled. I've been in situations where I know I ate non-vegan items. But as I tell others, I'm a realistic vegan. As long as I eat at non-vegan restaurants or eat thing that other people have made... there is a very good chance I will eat something that is non-vegan. Does this bother me? Yes and no. Sometimes I feel like I need to try harder. Other times I know I am doing the best I can to live the type of life I want live. We're all fallible and I live in the real world. For now, I'm okay with that.

My goal when I went vegan was to feel better and hopefully lose some more weight. I had lost 21 pounds when I went vegan. I lost another nine pounds after that for a total of 30 and my end goal was 50. I was on my way, but then I discovered vegan junk food. And vegan muffins. And vegan donuts. So..... instead of losing another 20 pounds, I gained back 15. I'm still down from where I started, and I still feel better than I did before. .

Do I still struggle with my weight? Yup. I go to the gym five days a week. I walk to work every day and walk a couple of miles every Saturday. But, well, simply put, I like food. Good food. And despite what many people think. good food and veganism are in fact two things that can and do go together.

So, here's to me on my veganniversay! I'm proud of myself.