Paratransit Survival Kit

It only took me how many years of riding paratransit to think of this?

Too many.

I mean, I always have my phone with me, which has books, music, and games on it.

And sometimes I bring my journal. 

Or a print book.

But today was the first time I brought what I'm calling the "Metro Access Activity Bag."

In a small, easy to carry bag, I put my journal, two pens, earbuds, phone, a word search book, and a box of colored pencils, because the word search book includes pictures to color.

My rides have been so long lately that i want a variety of activities with me to help me pass the time. If I'm too tired to read, or my phone is low on charge, i can journal, color, or do a word search. 

Being engaged is much better than staring at the traffic and the construction, wondering how long the ride will be.

Coloring and writing are a challenge sometimes because the bus can be bumpy. But there's always traffic, red lights, and loading and unloading passengers when the bus isnt moving.

Always trying to look on the bright side.

librarianintx 

The Oscars

I watched a few of the Oscar-nominated movies for this awards season.

But that isn't what I want to talk about. 

I want to vent about the acceptance speeches.

It's a 3 hour show, people.

If there's an important political or societal comment that you want to make - fine.

I'm not opposed to that.

But do it as briefly as possible. 

Be respectful of everyone's time - the viewers, as well as the winners in other categories.

Winners in some of the minor categories were "played off", but Adrian Brody was allowed to keep speaking, taking way more than his alloted time. I understand that winning an Oscar gives you a platform where you can speak out about issues that are important to you.

But other awards were handed out after his category. And the show was already running thirty minutes over.

In fact, Hulu's feed ended before the show was over, so viewers didn't get to see the presentation of the final two awards. 

The person who wins for sound editing or special effects should receive the same time and respect as the people who win the acting awards.

And if you want to speak on a particular topic, realize you might not have time to thank your agent, your parents-in-law, your college roommate, and your fifth grade teacher.

librarianintx

Living a Healthier Lifestyle

It can feel overwhelming sometimes. 

All of the advice and guidelines

Eat the rainbow

Drink 8 glasses of water per day

Get 150 minutes of exercise per week 

Sleep 8 hours

What if you can't achieve all of that?

You might feel defeated. 

Like, why even try

You might procrastinate

Feelings of failure could lead you to make bad choices

I know I can't drink 8 glasses of water per day.

I think my diet is good, but could be improved.

What helps me is to focus on doing the best that I can.

And taking at least small steps to improvement. 

Doing at least ONE extra thing a day can give you a sense of accomplishment. 

And tiny steps are a way that you can build habits.

So I have a goal now.

Do at least one extra thing per day.

Something for my physical health

Something for my mental health 

I started yesterday.

The extra thing was strength training.

Probably spent less than a minute doing it 

But it was something 

And I was proud of myself.

Today I did ten leg lifts on each leg when I was doing my bed exercises.

Took me how long?

Thirty seconds maybe?

But I could feel the stretch.

I am one day into possibly making that part of my routine

Making it a habit

But if not

At least I did it today

Every little bit helps.

librarianintx

In This Political Climate...

My advice if you are in the minority...

And by minority, I mean anyone who is not...

Male 

White

Christian 

Cis

Wealthy

Keep a journal

It doesn't have to be handwritten

There are journaling apps

Some are free

Day One is an example

Some have the ability to upload audio files

If you can't physically type or have a reading or writing disability 

Maybe you don't like writing 

Maybe you think you don't write well

Doesn't matter

Write anyway

Journals are records

Of personal history

And what is happening in the world around us

Journals communicate our:

Thoughts

Emotions

Fears

Failures

Triumphs 

Journals teach future generations:

What we experienced

What we endured

How we survived

They are trying to:

Intimidate us

Silence us

Shame us

Devalue us

In some cases erase us

Your voice

Your accomplishments 

Your humanity

Your essence

Will live on

In your journals

Get to it

librarianintx

Super Bowl Performances - My Thoughts

A LOT of chatter about the Super Bowl - the game and the musical performances 

My thoughts:

The Game:

Whoa

I thought it would be WAY closer.

And I thought KC would win.

The musical performances:

I'll say this:

Just because I don't care for a band or singer / artist doesn't mean they suck or are talentless.

It simply means they aren't my cup of tea.

Lady Gaga:

I adore her.

"Hold My Hand" was an absolutely beautiful, heartfelt ode to anyone who is struggling.

Lauren Daigle:

I don't know her, but I thought her rendition of "America the Beautiful" was lovely. 

Jon Batiste:

I'm a big fan.

I think he's a genius.

I didn't mind the jazz spin on our National Anthem.

I'm not an anthem purist.

He's from New Orleans, performing in New Orleans.

It made sense to me.

His version certainly wasn't disrespectful in any way to me.

Kendrick Lamar:

I don't know his music.

I like some rap, but he's not my cup of tea.

That being said, I don't think he's terrible or talentless.

He's won multiple awards,  including Grammys.

I know his music has messages.

But unfortunately I couldn't understand him most of the time, so I didn't get what he intended to convey.

It's perfectly fine to like what you like, and give props to your favorite artists.

But that doesn't have to mean that what you don't care for is terrible. 

You can be respectful of what others like and value.

One more thing:

I am not a Swifty, but I like Taylor.

I think she is very talented and very generous.

And I think she and Travis are a beautiful couple.

I'm happy for them, and I hope fame doesn't ruin their relationship. 

Now their fashion sense yesterday - that's another story :)

librarianintx 

Elon Musk - Did He or Didn't He?

You be the judge

https://youtu.be/-VfYjPzj1Xw?si=PnVCojiSBwoiqUyh

Was it a Nazi salute?

Was it an homage to Celine Dion singing "My Heart Will Go On"?

Was it an unfortunate gesture made in a moment of unbridled exuberance?

If you are talking strictly mechanics, it is not a Nazi salute. The arm and palm placements are not the same. The Nazi salute does not include a thump on the chest that Elon did.

The problem is, there is mechanics...and then there is intention.

It also matters what you do and what you say in the face of such a controversy.

He has not offered an explanation. 

He has not apologized.

He has done nothing to dampen the firestorm.

If anything, he has poured gasoline on the inferno.

He has posted tweets making puns about the Holocaust. 

He also alleged that Taylor Swift has made gestures that resembled Nazi salutes.

Joking about the Holocaust - never okay

Period

Since he hasn't offered any kind of explanation, we can't know motive or intention.

From what he has tweeted post incident, we're also not seeing any signs of concern or remorse.

How he is handling the fallout speaks to me louder than the gesture itself.

librarianintx

"Just put on an extra sweater"

People who tell me that don't know enough about me. 

So I am here to educate. 

Many people with neuromuscular diseases are cold intolerant. 

But unfortunately, but with limited physical abilities, including arm movements, wearing extra layers of clothing can make moving even more difficult, if not impossible. 

This morning it had snowed a little, so I wanted to go outside. 

I put on a thermal undershirt, long sleeved turtleneck, zip up fleece jacket, and a puffer jacket. Getting the puffer jacket on over the other layers was difficult, but I made it. But even without the jacket, wearing the other layers made it hard for me to raise my arms to reach things, carry things or comb my hair. Not just difficulty moving my arms; my shoulders feel heavy too.

Today I chose warmth over ease of movement. 

But I could make that choice because I didn't have to go anywhere. 

I didn't have to worry about how my hair looked.

I didn't have to get on a bus or reach the elevator buttons or assemble packets of resources at work. 

So just keep that in mind the next time you see that I'm cold, or that I say I'm cold.

Decisions aren't easy.

Solutions sometimes result in problems. 

But we do the best we can. 

librarianintx