A Walk in the Dark

I love to travel. While I'm at home I'll go out for long walks or rollerblades or runs. But recently, I've been finding myself a homebody. Not wanting to go out at all when I'm home because most nights I'm out doing stuff. Today though, I picked myself up and returned to a shorter version of my 3 hour walk. I went for a walk through the neighboring 5 miles. It felt good and reminded me what a good, brisk walk in the dark can do for your soul.

Ever since childhood I've loved walking and running in the dark. It's funny, when my mood is the darkest or heavy, walking or running at night lightens it in a way that a daylight walk or run cannot. In the dark, I don't see how far I have yet to go and I can focus on the now and my thoughts. Growing up in Wisconsin, my family would always go for a walk around the neighborhood after supper. Usually around dusk and we would talk about life and bond and exercise.

In high school, I found running in winter in the dark helped me go farther and got my blood going.

Now, in Los Angeles, it's a wonderful time to enjoy exercise with a break from the sun which is so much more intense than it was in Wisconsin.

I'm careful. I travel in the safest of areas. And I have my Road ID on my shoe.

I realize that movement can move not just my body but my mood. Dancing to a good song makes me feel better too. And yet, it's the absence of movement, the stopping of the world that draws attention in that world of movement. Hmmmm....

Movement and the joy it can give people reminds me of this viral video that's been going around. It blends four things I love about life: A good surprise, good clean fun, dancing without judgement, and taking a calculated risk. It's a short video but it will put a smile on your face.

The Musical Road in Lancaster, CA

Today my sister and I went to Lancaster to see the Poppy Fields and to take a ride along the Musical Road. We went to one location and the road had been paved over. I guess the residents nearby complained and couldn't stand the noise. So they moved it. Luckily, one call to my brother solved the location issue.
(3001-3187 W Avenue G Lancaster, CA 93536)

You and listen to the road in the video below. Yeah, we had to go over it more than once. The first time it came as a surprise and the video started late. And the third time the camera ran out of memory before the end. So you'll see the 2nd take. And after take 3 we figured the flatness and sharpness had to do more with how far apart the divots were.

Happy Easter to those of you who celebrate.

TED - My Stroke of Insight

This talk from the TED website is amazing. It's about 18 minutes long and worth every second.

Geeky Techie Girl

I have recently been introduced to the world of video podcasts and I must say I'm hooked. I've always enjoyed the audio podcasts of NPR shows like "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me," or "This American Life" to name a few.

The video podcasts have introduced me to a whole new culture. Video podcasters, if I may stereotype a bit, tend to be techies and gamers. They know their technology and all the tech talk. It's fascinating. Can you believe that I actually now know what an AoE is and I don't WOW? (World of Warcraft.)

The Diggnation video podcast is fascinating despite all the cursing. It is definitely a culture I'm not used to taking part in and it gives me a peek into the thought processes of people who aren't a part of my world. It's curious and it's fun and it challenges me to get a little more techy and learn more about this up and coming world.

Friends and Co-workers have always said that I'm a bit Geeky. Now I can be the Geeky Techie Girl. That's not so bad, it is?

Okay, I saw this on Vimeo and it is just the most fun thing because it's entitled "Too Much Candy" and the language was a surprise. But still, super cute. There's another one the site with her and the tooth fairy. Although it's longer, it's funny to watch. This is my warm fuzzy of the day. Enjoy.
Too much candy from Capucha on Vimeo.

There is life beyond Twitter. Isn't there? And no, I don't have an account.

The Secrets of a Full Night Sleep

I've spent a large majority of my thinking time (driving, waiting for my computer to boot up or print) pondering what the secret is to a full night of sleep.

Last night, for the first time in a long time, I slept for 8 hours.

I'm trying to figure out the difference so that I can keep on getting a full night's sleep. Here are a few differences between my 2.5 to 3 hr nights and last night:

1. Read a short story instead of watching a YouTube video or tv shows online.
2. Closed my curtains.
3. Put a privacy sign on my door handle.
4. Put my phone on silent.
5. Shut my bathroom window and shut my bathroom door.

And it's not that I have less stress or less things going on. I actually have quite a lot right now. My water heater is broken so I don't have hot water. There are some Talent and Talent Business events that are scheduled where I have one or more in a day throughout the week. This, along with my full time support job. And I've been keeping up with friendships and meeting up for hikes or coffee or movies and various things.

We're also planning on having out of town guests this weekend. It all depends on whether my nephew has chicken pox or if it's something else. (I've never had chicken pox. Don't ask me how, but I never have.)

So with all of that, what is it? What's the secret? I think I'll have to ponder a little more. But it feels good to be moving in the right direction. One of my goals for the year (as of September 20th) is to get at least 6 hours of sleep a night regularly. Wouldn't it be wonderful if zzzzzzzzzzz.z.z..z..z...z....z.....