The Oscars 2022

Oh what a night at The Academy Awards!

Jubilation

Celebration 

Fashion

And the slap witnessed on live television. 

Let's get to the shallow stuff first. What we always discuss at the Oscar's - the fashion! The women in red dominated my favorites list - Ariana DuBose, Kirsten Dunst, and Rosie Perez. Megan Thee Stallion was stunning both on the red carpet and in her musical number from Encanto, first in blue and then in yellow. Jada Pinket Smith wore a very dramatic emerald green gown, and even though orange is my least favorite color,  Aunjanue Ellis' dress was stunning. On the flip side, Kristen Stewart, H.E.R, and Billie Ellish were easily my least favorite looks this year.

Usually I don't discuss what the men were wearing, but there were some bold fashion choices among the males this year, including Simu Liu, David Oyelowo, and Wesley Snipes. Encanto singer Sabastian Yatra was a man after my own heart, rocking a light pink suit on the red carpet, and a dark suit embellished with butterflies during his performance. Was I on the Timothee Chalamet train, applauding his lack of shirt on the red carpet and at the ceremony? No, but he can wear that when he's hanging out with me.

Now let's get to the awards:

Hooray for CODA!!

The little streaming movie that could won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Motion Picture. And Troy Kotsur became the first Deaf male to win an Oscar - in this case, Best Supporting Actor. 

Dune was the big winner of the night, taking home awards in six technical categories.

Jessica Chastain won Best Actress for portraying Tammy Faye Bakker Messner. I loved her acceptance speech and grew to like her brown and lavender dress.

I was also very pleased to see Kenneth Branagh win Best Original Screenplay for his autobiographical film Belfast.

The surprise of the night was that Power of the Dog, which was nominated in twelve categories, only took home one award, Best Director for Jane Campion.

And now on to what everyone is talking about - Will Smith, Chris Rock, and the slap seen around the world. Here's my hopefully brief take, for what it's worth: There was wrong on both sides. Chris Rock should not have made a joke about Jada's medical condition. Will absolutely should not have hit him. It was a terrible thing to witness. I don't know Will Smith, but I read his book recently, and he came across as a good, honest, hardworking person. Perfect? No. But a decent human being. And not prone to violence. In the heat of the moment, he made a really bad decision. I would hate to see his reputation tarnished over one very public outburst. 

He apologized to the Academy and to his fellow nominees when he accepted the Best Actor Award. Tonight he released a statement where he apologized to Chris Rock, and the rest of the world. Maybe his lawyers made him do it. But it came across as sincere and heartfelt to me. He understands that he is a role model to many. He also acknowledged that violence is never the answer. But I believe him when he said, "Love can make you do crazy things." 

So, back to the good of the Oscars: CODA! As Troy said in his acceptance speech, "This is dedicated to the Deaf community,  to the CODA community,  to the disability community. THIS IS OUR MOMENT." CODA winning doesn't erase the sting of Crip Camp losing to an octopus last year for the best documentary award. But at least we had reason to celebrate this year.

librarianintx 

Everything Happens for a Reason

Yesterday I knocked over a glass of milk that was on my bedside table.

Didn't make me happy of course.

But I didn't have a meltdown. 

I didn't cry over spilled milk.

Not this time anyway.

I took it as a sign.

A sign that I needed to clean my bedside table.

So as I mopped up the spilled milk, I also put away (and wiped off) the jewelry and pens that were cluttering the table. I threw away the half-used tissues and the empty pill bottles (after I called to refill the prescriptions). 

I made sure the milk remnants were gone and the table wasn't sticky. I wiped under the base of the cordless telephone (yes, I still have a landline) and my travel alarm clock that is a back-up to my cell phone alarm.

I wish I had not spilled the milk. In addition to wasting food, it was irritating to have to clean it up. But when would I have taken the time to clean up the table if I had not knocked over the glass?

Everything happens for a reason. 

librarianintx 

inside Jokes

I LOVE inside jokes!!

It's not about shutting other people out. 

Not at all.

It's just about stories I can laugh about with friends. 

Recently I was two friends.

We were talking about a famous musician, who shall remain unnamed.

As we were talking, I walked into another room, and said. "What an asshole."

I was referring to said musician. 

But one of my friends thought I was talking about him!

"OMG, what did I say or do? I'm so sorry," he called out, concern in his voice.

When we figured out what happened, we all fell out laughing.

For the rest of the evening, we would call each other assholes and laugh ourselves silly.

That is how an inside joke begins.

librarianintx 

Shoes

I was a small kid, and now I'm a small adult.

I'm about 4' 10", and very underweight.

I can wear women's shirts, jackets, and dresses if they come in extra small and/or petite sizes. But mostly I'm relegated to the children's sections. I wear boys jeans and pants. I don't even do well with junior clothes. That's how small I am.

The upside to wearing kids clothes: the price.

The downside: I'm a middle aged woman shopping in sections where the clothes have Disney or cartoon characters on them, the colors are often unnaturally bright, and the dresses have sparkles or ruffles.

And don't get me started on underwear or nightshirts. Lingerie? Please. There's a reason sexy bed wear doesn't come in my size.

Shoes are also a big problem. I wear a size 2 - 2 and 1/2 in a children's shoe, which translates to a size 4 in an adult shoe. Do you know how many shoes are available in a size 4? Not. Very. Many. I also have a very narrow foot, and I can't wear high heels. But you say, "Well, girls shoes don't have heels anyway. They are shoes for young girls." Think again, my friend.

I know, it's a conundrum. 

Lingerie in my size? Nope

High heels? Yup.

About 30 years ago Petite Sophisticate closed their stores. I was devastated. That was a store that carried clothes for tiny females like me. I was in school at the time, but I spent several hundred dollars to stock up on dress shirts, dress pants, sweater sets, jackets, and even two dress suits. I still have some of those clothes.

About 20 years ago I discovered SAS shoes. Their orthotic shoes are not trendy or sexy, but they fit me very well, they are comfortable, and they last forever, which is good,  because they can be Hella expensive. I've also had good luck at Payless finding dressy girls shoes that look like women's shoes, minus the high heels.

But back to SAS. I had been seeing posts on Facebook that the SAS store in San Antonio was closing. They were offering shoes at sensational prices - $180 shoes for $17! Yes please! I was stressed that they were (apparently) closing and worried about the possibility of future naked feet. So even though my three pair of SAS shoes were in good condition, I followed the link and purchased three more pair. THREE pairs of SAS shoes for $77?!?!? Unbelievable!

You know where I'm going.

I checked my email after completing the purchase, and saw that the seller had a Chinese name.

I've been scammed.

Good news: The SAS store is not closing.

Bad news: My feet are still small. So is the rest of me.

But good news: I've managed over the years to cultivate a wardrobe and shoe collection that I'm happy with.

Having an expert shopper for a mother has helped.

librarianintx 

My Grandmother's House

Riding through a neighborhood in Central Austin, I saw houses that reminded me of my grandmother's house, and a cascade of memories washed over me.

Nanny died almost twenty years ago, four days after my birthday. 

I remember so much about her house.

The big tree in the front yard.

The steps where my sister and I posed in matching  spring dresses.

The car wash next door.

The rear steps with no railing that led to her backyard, where she hung her laundry on a line and we picked figs from a neighbor's tree.

Nanny's small green rocking chair that graced her living room now sits in my old room at my mother's house, and the chaise lounge from her bedroom now resides in my sister's old room.

I remember the little green stepstool I used to reach the sink in the kitchen and bathroom, and the Dr Seuss books she kept in the cabinet for me. When she died, I looked for them, but they were gone. I hope she gave them to a little soul who enjoyed them as much as I did.

I remember Friday night dinners with the aunts, uncles, and cousins - chicken soup, roasted chicken, gribenes (fried chicken fat with chopped egg and green onion, yes, we actually ate it and loved it!) and sand tart cookies. She was even invited on a local news program to make her famous sand tarts.

One of the most memorable things about Nanny's house was her porch swing. We all loved that swing. We knew Nanny was in decline because when we told her the swing had been stolen, she just shrugged and didn't say anything.

Houses are things.

Books, steps tools, rocking chairs and porch swings are things.

But they all hold memories.

Reminders that live within us, and become part of the stories we impart to future generations, long after the loved ones, and these objects, have moved on.

librarianintx 

Update: Mom let me know that Nanny was on TV making her mondel bread cookies, not her sand tarts. She called them her "pregnant cookies".

Award Shows

For a long time I didn't watch movies.

I was more into television and books.

I didn't enjoy going to the movie theater.

The moving images on the big screen would make me dizzy.

But I would still watch the award shows.

The Golden Globes

The Screen Actors Guild

The Oscar's

Even though I had not seen the movies, I wanted to know who won.

And I enjoyed seeing what everyone was wearing. 

I still had favorite actors and actresses, but if I had not seen the movies, I didn't know who to root for.

I have learned that watching award shows is more fun when you have seen the nominated movies.

Last weekend I watched the SAG's. I had seen a few of the movies: Power of the Dog, Nightmare Alley, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, and King Richard. I had not seen CODA or House of Gucci yet, but I knew enough about them to want them to win.

So I was thrilled when CODA won best movie, and Will Smith took home the prize for best male actor. Although I had not seen her performance, I was hoping Lady Gaga would win best actress for House of Gucci, but I was happy for Jessica Chastain, and I think she was definitely worthy of the win.

For the most part I loved the fashion. There were many beautiful dresses. My top five, in no particular order, were Jennifer Hudson and Helen Mirror in pale pink, Kerry Washington in yellow, Saniyya Sydney in blue, and Ariana DuBose in hot pink. Although Lady Gaga did not make my top five, she looked stunning, and I loved the old Hollywood glamour she brought to the SAG's, dripping in jewels with her platinum blond hair in long waves and her form-fitting white and gold floor-length gown. 

On the flip side, my least favorite looks were Hailee Steinfield, in a black bra dress with a strand of hair plastered to her forehead, and Emilia Jones, wearing a gray chain-mail type dress over a black bra and a pair of high-waisted briefs. No shade. Just keeping it real.

librarianintx 

Notes from Webinar About Brain Health

 I just watched a highly informative webinar about brain health. 

Here are my notes:

  Brain Health

February 15, 2022

 

BEDDSSS

           Brain training

           Exercise

           Diet

           Dental hygiene

           Stress management

           Sleep

           Supplements

 Brain training

           If you don’t lose it you will lose it

           You can learn new things

           Brain is like a muscle

           Brain needs to be challenged and stimulated

                      Brain games – Brain HQ or Luminosity

                      Dance

                      Learn a new language

                      Learn an instrument

                      Politics

                      Use your opposite hand for tasks

 Exercise

           Second most important thing we can do for our brains

                      Cardio

                      Weight training

                      HIIT

                      Skills based (brain training)

           Do what you enjoy and what you will stick with

           Do it consistently every day

           Exercise snacking – little bits throughout the day

                      Take exercise breaks throughout the day

                      Get up and move

 Diet – number one for brain health

           Sugar is #1 contributor to cognitive decline

           Alzheimer’s disease = diabetes type III

           Sugar is hidden in many foods

           Start to read labels and know different names for sugar

           Low fat = high sugar

           What is one way you can start to reduce the sugar you consume?

                      Baby steps

                      Sugar can be very addictive

  Dental hygiene

           Direct link from mouth to brain

                      Inflammation

                      Mercury fillings

           Gingivalis can lead to

                      Alzheimer’s

                      Parkinson’s

                      Pancreatic cancer

                      Kidney disease

                      Heart disease

                      Stroke

           What can you do

                      Floss

                      Brush at least twice a day – wait at least 30 mintues

                      Get regular cleanings

                      Reduce sugar intake

 Stress management

           Increased cortisol can lead to decreased memory

           Stress promotes inflammation

           Important to find every day to relax

           If you don’t make time for wellness, you must make time for illness

           What can you do

                      Meditate

                      Go for a walk

                      Get creative (crafts, scrapbook, paint, draw, dance)

                      Get a good night’s sleep

                      Ask for help

                      Breathing exercises to reduce stress

Sleep

           Where the magic happens

           How do you feel when you are sleep deprived, and how does it affect your actions

           Sleep affects your hormones and your brain

           Many factors affect sleep

           How to get a good night’s sleep

                      Get into a routine

                      Reduce screen time before bed

                      Meditate, exercise or read before bed

                      Get exposure to outdoor light during the day

                      Don’t eat three hours before bed

                      Get a sleep study done if strategies aren’t working

           Try and adjust one thing at a time

 Supplements

           Numerous ones on the market

           How to know what to choose?

           Get your levels checked

           Supplement based on your personalized levels

           Make sure you are purchasing from quality vendors

           Do your own research – look for peer reviewed, quality studies

Steps to take now

           Find a new activity to challenge your brain

           Perform exercise snacking during the day

           Look at one way to reduce your sugar consumption

           Pick one way to improve your dental health

           Find at least five minutes per day to de-stress

           Implement one tactic to improve your sleep

           Get your blood work done

 Q&A

Examples of skills-based training

           Tai chi

           Martial arts

           Coordination of body and brain

 How to find the time

           Wake up five minutes earlier

           Take just a few minutes to meditate or exercise

 Look for healthier recipes

What about prevagen?

           No good studies that it’s beneficial for cognitive function

What about turmeric?

           It’s excellent

           Best way to use the spice in food but you can also take a supplement

Can the symptoms of Alzheimer’s be reversed?

           Best thing is to prevent it

           But could be reversed in early stages

 What about Omega 3?

           Need to balance omega 3 and omega 6

           We don’t get enough omega 3 and we get too much omega 6

           Omega 3 are good for brain health

Concern with hereditary Alzheimer’s

           Having a family history doesn’t mean you will develop it

           Implementing these strategies can help even if you have a family history

Contact:      

lindsey@mdbrainhealth.com

www.MDBrainHealth.com

https://knowledgeableaging.com

librarianintx

 

 

          

 

 

Definition of Risk

I am realizing that everyone must have their own definition of risk. It doesn't do any good to tell someone what they should or should not do. If you tell someone what they should or should not do, you are expending useless energy, and often the end result is unnecessary conflict.

Everyone has to make their own decisions in life. And a big part of that is defining what risks they are willing to take. I am definitely not a risk-taker. However, I know that I engage in some behaviors that due to my health conditions could be somewhat dangerous for me. As I get older, I  become more susceptible to falls. However, because of my osteoporosis, I need to be as mobile as possible to keep my bones strong. So it is a bit of a double-edged sword. I have to stay mobile, but being mobile could cause me to fall. So I have to make my own decisions and define my own risk. I do not want anyone to do that for me.

The problem with covid is that personal definition of risk could affect more than just yourself. If you decide not to get vaccinated, or if you get vaccinated and then contract covid, how you maneuver in society could affect other people. If you have covid, or if you had been exposed to covid, and you choose to be out in society, you are putting others at risk. That is a choice you are making that others could be affected by, and they have no choice.

Very young children and people with health conditions are most at risk of serious illness if they contract covid. People with disabilities and health conditions are already marginalized in society, and now with covid our place in the world is devalued even more. It is a common belief that only people with health conditions are susceptible to severe illness with covid. That is not true, but it is what many people believe. So their thought process is to just have people with health conditions withdraw from society and stay home. Historically, that is what many people wanted anyway, for us to stay out of sight.

This situation has made people with health conditions incredibly sad, frustrated, and angry. We want people to care about us and treat us well. During covid, we have been considered expendable. The first thing someone asks when they hear that someone has died of covid, their first and only question is, did they have an underlying health condition? If the answer is yes, then everything makes sense and they don't have any other questions. If they are healthy, they say to themselves, well, that person was already sick with something else. I am healthy. I will be fine. I don't have to worry. I can go and live my life. They do not understand and do not try to understand that their behavior could have consequences for others in society. 

My wish, and the wish of so many others like me, is that society as a whole would value us and care about protecting us. Think about others as you make decisions about your behavior. Define your own risk when that risk affects you and only you. Consider that risk when it could affect others.

librarianintx 

librarianintx 

Eating Healthier

I read an article today that said eating healthier can help you live as much as 13 years longer.

People have different ideas of what healthy eating is. For some, a vegan diet is how they roll. Others swear by a low carb or keto lifestyle. Some people think intermittent fasting is healthy. When it comes to diets, there is no consensus. However, many medical professionals think the Mediterranean and DASH diets are the two healthiest diets out there.

I'm not writing this post to debate which diet is the best. I just want to mention six food types that I am trying to eat because I think they are healthy:

Fish, especially  salmon

Cruciferous vegetables: broccoli and cauliflower 

Legumes: black and pinto beans

Whole grains: quinoa and bulgur wheat 

Berries: blueberries and strawberries 

Nuts: walnuts and almonds

I don't eat all of these foods every day. But I am endeavoring to eat each group a few times a week at least.

The nice thing is that it's easy and tasty to pair these foods together. When I eat fish, I usually eat it with broccoli. Sometimes my meal is pinto beans with bulgur wheat or quinoa. I have trouble eating nuts because they are dry and difficult to chew and swallow. Then I discovered walnut powder - finely ground walnuts. Today I ate Greek vanilla yogurt with a few spoonfuls of walnut powder mixed in, combined with fresh blueberries. Delicious, nutritious, and filling.

Sometimes I eat canned beans, but I also learned how easy it is to make dried beans in the Instant Pot. You don't have to soak the beans, but I choose to. I then combine beans, water or broth, and spices. Twenty minutes in the IP, ten minutes natural release - done!

It feels good to be eating healthier.

But I still need to do more - more fruits and vegetables, and definitely less sugar.

librarianintx 

Using Rewards to Create Habits

I watched an interesting webinar from our work insurance company. Health Select, Employee Retirement System, and Alliance Work Partners have all provided very helpful and useful resources for physical and mental health during the pandemic. 

Today's topic from the Health Select Fitness Community webinar was "Excuses Debunked". We discussed what excuses we make, why make them, and strategies for overcoming them. 

One strategy was to have a reward system. If you are spending time doing activities that don't align with your goals and purpose, consider using those activities as rewards for completing the physical and mental activities that do align with your goals. 

I think this is a great idea, and wish I had heard about it sooner. For whatever reasons (fear of success, fear of failure, fatigue, anxiety, etc), I often procrastinate on what I need or want to do, and do other activities that I like but usually take less physical or mental energy, or don't align with my goals and aspirations. There are many examples in my life. I want to read more. I want to write more. I want to exercise more. I want to learn sign language. I want to learn how to play the piano. All of these endeavors are good for my mental and physical well-being, and doing them gives me a feeling of accomplishment. Well, I haven't tried the piano yet, but you get the idea. 

So often instead of working on these activities, I "waste" time on playing phone games or scrolling through Facebook. I put "waste" in quotation marks because there are some benefits to both endeavors. The games can be challenging and good for my brain. And I do find helpful information on Facebook sometimes. Maybe hard to believe, but it happens. 

I enjoy the games and looking at Facebook. But I do understand that they are more empty activities. And they keep me from other activities that I want to accomplish. So I think I need use Facebook and games as rewards for putting the other endeavors first in my life. Make daily goals - small, achievable goals - and then reward myself for meeting those goals. 

This also includes activities that I don't want to do but need to do, such as chores or working on my finances.

So here are a few examples I am considering:

learn five new words in sign language, or practice the signs I know for a few minutes, then reward myself 

write at least one blog post or journal for at least ten minutes, then reward myself

get my clothes and food ready for work the next day, then reward myself

A big problem I have is procrastinating on exercising. I exercise every day, but I often wait until close to bedtime, which means I am getting to bed late, and I don't think exercising late at night is healthy. I am also in a rut with my exercise routine. 

I think this reward system will make me more productive and happier with my life. I will be less frustrated and more successful in balancing goals, chores, hobbies, and physical activity. 

librarianintx

Kamila Valieva

History will remember her name.

Kamila,  fifteen years old, from Russia, became the first ladies figure skater to land a quad jump at the Olympics. In fact, she completed two quads during her free skate in the finals of the team competition. 

Kamila has it all - incredible athleticism combined with lovely artistry. Many in the skating world are saying she is the best the sport has ever witnessed. She completes every jump with her arms over her head, which results in a higher grade of execution and garners her more points.

Unfortunately,  the performance was bittersweet. While everyone watching applauded her triumph and celebrated her extraordinary achievement, Kamila exited the ice with a pained expression and commiserated with her coaches - because she fell on one jump. 

I felt so bad for her, and I have to admit I was frustrated too. Girl, you just landed TWO quads! You made history! Be happy! Be proud of yourself. Revel in your success. Don't dwell on the one moment that went wrong. The skating world will remember your incredible success, not that one stumble. In fact, that fall shows that you are human, not a jumping, spinning robot. 

Kamila won the ladies free skate by about thirty points. Seeing her score lifted her spirits. She waved, and her eyes smiled above her mask.

I was grinning and applauding. 

And congratulations to Team USA, who won the silver medal in the skating team competition. 

librarianintx 

My New Love

 I have a confession to make. 

I am head over heels in love...

.........

With my new Instant Pot!

It's fantastic!

Cooking is not easy for me. 

I can't make casseroles without help because I can't lift containers out of the oven. 

It is tiring to use multiple pots and pans on the stove, dish everything up, and clean up the kitchen. 

With the Instant Pot, everything goes into one pot. You saute meat, then add vegetables, pasta, liquid, put the lid on, and the Instant Pot does all the work. 

I've only made a few recipes so far - American goulash, taco pasta, and tuna casserole. 

But I'm excited to find new recipes and try them. 

It's not a perfect system. I burned the tuna casserole. But I know what I did wrong. I didn't use enough liquid. I was able to salvage some of the casserole. In everything you try there will be successes and failures. Just keep going. 

I needed some technical support in the beginning. And it took me a few tries to be able to secure the lid before cooking and get it open after cooking without assistance. 

The independence that the Instant Pot is giving me is invaluable. To be able to cook an entire meal by myself is super exciting. 

While I'm not making the most nutritious recipes yet, I am eating healthier than the convenience / more processed foods that I was eating. No more Hormel meals. No instant mashed potatoes. No cups of instant mac and cheese. 

I've also made dried beans in the Instant Pot a few times. So easy! You don't even have to soak the beans, but I do because they are easier to digest. Soak the beans for at least eight hours. Then put them in the Instant Pot with a ratio of 1 cup of beans to 3 cups water or broth. Add seasonings / spices. Cook at high pressure for 20 minutes. Do a natural release of 10 minutes. Done!

I really like comfort food - soups, stews, casseroles, chili, spaghetti, etc. The Instant Pot was made to cook comfort food. I also like to make big batches and freeze leftovers.  

I love you Instant Pot! Thank you so much to the dear friends who gave it to me. 

librarianintx

Update to Winter Weather

No one is saying this is being caused by the winter storm - but last night at around 8 pm a boil water notice was issued for the entire city of Austin. Boiled or bottled water must be used for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. 

Officials are saying the boil water notice could last a few days. So this morning I called both 211 and Metro Access to find out if there are plans to deliver water to people with disabilities or older persons. There are four water distribution sites set up in the city - but obviously you need transportation, and for two of the sites you have to bring your own containers. 

As of now, there are no plans to deliver water to vulnerable populations. If there is still bottled water left in the stores, people can pay to have water delivered. That is their option if they can't boil water. Or ask a family member, caregiver, friend or neighbor to help them. City government is doing nothing to assist. 

Obviously nothing was learned from the winter storm of 2021. 

Emergency preparedness? What is that? 

librarianintx

 

Wordle

You may not have played it, but you've probably heard about it. 

Wordle is the uber popular word game that everyone is talking about. You can only play it once a day, and you get six tries to guess the five letter word. With each attempt, you will find out if the letters are in the correct position (in green), in the wrong position (in yellow), or not in the word at all (in gray or white). 

Sound easy? 

It's not. 

But it's fun. 

Most of the time. 

It's more fun when you ultimately guess the word. 

It's less fun when you lose. 

Especially when you see "everyone else" guessing the word correctly, sometimes in only two or three tries. 

I have always enjoyed word games. And I like a challenge. I am getting the hang of Wordle. I have been playing for a few weeks now, and I can usually guess the word. But it often takes me five or six attempts to get it. I try not to get down on myself when I see everyone else getting it after only two or three tries. Comparing myself to others is a pit I often fall into. 

To practice, I downloaded a knock-off Wordle app that allows me to play all the time. Usually I get the word but occasionally I don't. Interestingly, I have guessed the word in only two or three times using the app. So maybe I will eventually get better at real Wordle. Although the creator of Wordle recently sold the game to the New York Times, so at some point in time it will no longer be free. I will probably stop playing Wordle when that happens. 

librarianintx

Great Quote

 "In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me, there lay an invincible summer." Albert Camus

This quote appears at the end of the movie, "Ashes in the Snow," based on my new favorite book, Between Shades of Gray. The book is about a Lithuanian teenage girl who is taken by the Soviet police, the NKVD, along with her mother and younger brother, and transported to a Siberian work camp during World War II.

I have always been drawn to books about hardships, stories that depict triumph of the human spirit, or show how characters ultimately adapt to living in other countries or some challenging circumstance. The people I read about, both fiction and nonfiction, struggle, suffer, and usually not only survive, but ultimately thrive. Many readers don't gravitate to sad stories about pain and anguish. But I draw strength from these types of books. They show me how strong individuals can be, that one can go through hell and live to tell the tale. 

I believe in the concept that you learn more in bad times versus good times. The past two years have not been easy for me. I know I have not suffered as much as others, and I am grateful for that. Obviously I am not trying to survive a Siberian work camp. But as difficult as this time has been, I have learned and have grown stronger because of what I have been through. I have not found my "invisible summer" yet, but I'm getting there - hopefully.

librarianintx

Project Runway Season Finale - My Predictions

Who should win?

Who will win?

Who do I want to win?

I have seen many seasons of Project Runway.

But I don't know anything about fashion.

So my opinion really doesn't matter.

But when has that stopped me?

Who should win?

An all women finale! Wonderful! I think they are all talented, and any of them could win. It all comes down to the best collection at New York fashion week.

I think Coral should win. Shantall has won more challenges, but I think Coral's designs are unique and beautiful. You know when an outfit comes down the runway that Coral designed it. She knows who she is and what her aesthetic is. 

Who will win?

Again, any of these ladies could win.

But I think Shantall will win. She had a very successful season, and I don't think she is going to fall apart at the finale.

Who do I want to win?

Kristina's designs are my least favorite. But that doesn't mean that I don't recognize her talent. 

My personal favorite is Chastity. She's my Houston girl! I love her personality - from singing in the work room to her catty, stressed out interactions with Christian. I like her designs, but her rollercoaster season makes her chance at winning a longshot I think.

No matter who wins, I have thoroughly enjoyed this season. The personalities were entertaining, the designs were often amazing, and the models rocked the runway on every episode!

librarianintx 

Winter Weather 2022

I am as prepared as I can be this time.

Food and drinking water - but no panic buying

Filled the bathtub

Have flashlights, batteries, and a lantern that can also charge my phone.

Winter Storm 2021 PTSD is real.

Some people in the state suffered greatly.

Some died.

Some were only inconvenienced.

But nearly everyone has a story to tell.

No electricity

No heat

No water

Grocery stores closed, or open with bare shelves

Restaurants and fast food places closed

Driving hazardous

Government assistance non-existent.

Today I am feeling very grateful.

I have a roof over my head.

I have food and water.

I have heat.

I took a hot shower this morning. 

I can flush my toilet.

I can wash my hands

I can clean my dishes.

I can work from home.

I am safe.

Life is good. 

librarianintx 

Survivor Finale - My Thoughts

Well, who saw that coming?

I didn't.

Congratulations Erika - The Little Player that Could! (I'm little too, just saying...)

I'm not surprised that Ricard didn't make it to final three. I knew if he lost a challenge he would be out. He still fascinates me, but his comments before he was voted out...mmmm. Arrogance or self-confidence? You be the judge.

The fire making challenge was epic! Heather, you had it! I don't know why your rope didn't break. Even though there was no path to victory for her, I was inspired by her story of overcoming her fear of water. I love witnessing transformations on this show.

I was very surprised by the jury's lack of love for Xander. I don't think the viewers felt the same way. I think he's a fine young man with a good heart (plus great abs and dreamy man curls) :)

At the same time, I am pleased that Erika was voted Sole Survivor. She won two individual immunity challenges, found an advantage at the penultimate challenge, and she flipped the game when given the opportunity. She is a worthy winner.

librarianintx 

Week of Gratitude Day 5

Today's gratitude is simple. I am grateful to have gratitude back in my life. I lost my way for awhile. I couldn't feel grateful. I was depressed and isolated and feeling sorry for myself. Gratitude is beneficial for your brain, your body, your soul. I'm so pleased to re-discover my gratitude. 

Thank you to ERS for this week of Gratitude. 

"It is not joy that makes us grateful; it is gratitude that makes us joyful"

Brother David Steindl-Rast

librarianintx 

Week of Gratitude Day 4

Today, and every day, I am grateful for family and friends. The pandemic was a horrible time of physical separation and isolation, but I am grateful that we all endured, and I am beginning to spend time with people again. It is so meaningful to have conversations, laugh, and make memories with people I care about in person again.. For a year and three months I was only able to interact with most people by a phone or computer screen. At least we had technology to maintain connections. During the Spanish flu pandemic, people didn't have such luxury. I am very grateful that my friendships are ongoing, and my family is intact. Well, almost  I lost a very close friend who was family to me during the pandemic and that has been very difficult. As I go through the grief process, I try to focus on gratitude for the time we had together and the memories we made. No one ever leaves us. We carry them in our hearts and minds always.

librarianintx 

Week of Gratitude Day 3

Today I am grateful for medication. Some of the medicines I'm on are somewhat controversial. I am grateful that I have a team of doctors that work with me to make medical decisions that are right for me. They know I have health anxiety and struggle to make decisions, and they are patient with me. I am a member of a few health-related groups on Facebook, and every day I read about how much some people are suffering with certain conditions.  My health is not where I want it to be, but for my age and given my various conditions, I understand that I am actually doing pretty well. I am committed to exercising and doing as much as I can for myself in hopes that I can remain independent. Every day I strive to eat well, take all my medicine, exercise, reduce my stress, get enough sleep, and find balance in my life. Some days I'm more successful than others.. The medications are working towards giving me a quality of life that hopefully outweigh the small risks they are associated with.

librarianintx 

Tonight's Surivor Finale

Many people have expressed displeasure about this season of Survivor, but I have enjoyed it. I thought the twists were cool. And for the most part, I like the players. Evie was my favorite this season.

Of the remaining contestants, I don't dislike any of them. The only one who doesn't deserve to win in my opinion is Heather. I think most viewers would agree with me. I don't envision any path to victory for her.

I am rooting for Ricard. I know, a lot of people don't like him. I get that. But he is a very good player. And he fascinates me. I love his hair too, both the curls and the man bun. :)

Having said that, I am also a fan of Xander and Erika. I would be very happy to see either one of them named Sole Survivor. I think both of them have played hard enough and done enough in the game to earn the title. To a lesser extent, I think DeShawn has as well.

We'll see what happens. I think Ricard or Xander have the best chance at winning. But Ricard has to win the challenges in order to win the show. The others are definitely gunning for him. One loss, and he's out.

Looking forward to it!

librarianintx 

Week of Gratitude Day 2

Now that I participated in the morning zoom gratitude session with our Employee Retirement System, I will share two reasons to be grateful today. 

First of all, I am grateful to Joe, the speaker, for sharing his powerful story of addiction and recovery. Joe's vulnerability, strength, and truth affected all of us. We are glad you are still here, Joe. 

What I was going to talk about was my gratitude for phone games. Weird thing to be grateful for? Maybe. But during this time of increased anxiety, I can concentrate on phone games more than reading or other hobbies that I enjoy. Certain phone games can get me into a flow state, which makes the anxiety disappear. My favorite games during this time has been Triple Tile (a matching game), Minesweeper, and a new one my roommate told me about: Block Puzzle. I also enjoy Boggle, Yahtzee, Mind Games, Lexathon, Brain Lab, and several word games. Oh, and I am FINALLY learning how to play Sudoku. The phone version of Sudoku is much better than the workbook I bought, because it lets you know right away when you have messed up, and you have the opportunity to correct your mistake. I have solved an easy phone Sudoku puzzle in as little as five minutes with no errors. I haven't been brave enough to try an intermediate level puzzle yet. I also enjoy Words with Friends.

librarianintx

Week of Gratitude Day One

I am participating in a week long gratitude challenge.

This is day one.

I am grateful for my appetite. Most people have no trouble eating. But I lost my appetite a few months ago, and it was a very difficult time. I have lost my appetite before,  but this time was worse than ever. Not only did I have no desire to eat, no hunger most of the time, but the act of eating was such a chore. I didn't even want my favorite foods. It would take me literally hours to eat a meal. A bite of food would expand and spread in my mouth, and I'd have to drink something to get it to go down. Dry foods were the worst. The easiest foods for me to eat were ones that I didn't have to chew: yogurt,  mashed potatoes,  applesauce,  and hot cereal.

I am underweight, so worrying about my nonexistent appetite only made it more difficult for me to eat. It was a vicious cycle, and a dark time in my life.

So I am very grateful that my appetite is mostly back. I have physical hunger, food tastes good again, and I look forward to eating. Dear friends gave me an Instant Pot, and I am excited to try recipes. The first thing I cooked was American goulash, one of my favorite comfort foods. I am a big fan of leftovers, and making enough food to freeze some of it. I have been savoring my goulash leftovers for nearly a week. So delicious!

Weight can be a struggle. Some people need to lose. Some people need to gain. I'm trying not to focus on my weight. I'm simply grateful to have my appetite back.

librarianintx 

A Good Day

Today was a good day.

I had two opportunities to be social.

I talked to people - in person, not through a computer screen.

I laughed with co-workers, and talked about painful times too.

I enjoyed a holiday lights drive thru with friends.

I petted precious dogs.

I hugged sweet friends. 

I got back a piece of what the pandemic has stripped from me.

It was a very good day.

librarianintx 

My Thoughts on the Top 4 of DWTS

I wish I had had more time to write recaps.

This has been one of the best seasons of Dancing With the Stars. It has been so competitive with so many good dancers.

So the question is, have the voters been correct this season? Does this final four comprise the best dancers of this season?

Not in my opinion.

My Top 4 would be Olivia, Jojo, Amanda, and Melora. But having said that, I am interested to see what Daniella and Iman will do.

I am very upset that Olivia and Melora are out of the competition. I think America got it wrong. But I still love the show.

Who do I want to win?

Either Jojo or Amanda.

Who will win?

Hopefully Jojo.

But I fear it could be Cody.

He has a very dedicated fan base.

I think he's a great guy.

But he's not the best dancer this season. 

librarianintx 

What I've Learned from Watching Baseball

I've learned about teamwork

I've learned about working toward a common goal. 

But mostly I've learning about perseverance, about never giving up. 

It can be two outs, bottom of the ninth, the other team is leading - and you can still come back and win the game. 

Never give up. 

Always believe...

In your team

And in yourself

librarianintx

Turning the Day Around

Recently, I learned about the concept of turning the day around. 

It's simple. When you're having a bad day, don't automatically assume that the entire day will not go well. Believe that the day can improve, and do what you can to make it happen. 

Believing in this concept, and putting it into practice, can be a game changer. 

Many times I wake up not feeling well - physically, emotionally, or both. I dread the day, thinking that I will always feel the way I did when I woke up, and what a struggle I will have to endure. But then I keep telling myself, "You can always turn the day around." And often the day does improve. Or maybe it gets better for awhile and then takes another downturn. But at least there were some good moments. 

Turning the day around ties into gratitude as well. No matter how bad you perceive your day to be, you can always find at least one thing to be grateful for. Sometimes it takes some looking, but there is always something. 

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Halloween Nite 10/25/21

I'm trying to get back on track with recaps. 

So I'm starting with tonight's Halloween episode. 

I'm not a Halloween fan. It's probably my least favorite holiday. 

But I can say I was a big fan of this episode of Dancing with the Stars. 

Tonight for me there were two transformative performances. Both of them were contemporary dances. 

Dance #1: Iman & Daniella

This was me watching this dance:

OMG!

No way!

Holy crap!

Ahhhh!

WOW!

Unbelievable!

OMG!

No way!

Shut up!

What. Just. Happened.

Me standing and applauding.

I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT ON DANCING WITH THE STARS. 

Sorry for my shouting. But it was truly groundbreaking. 

I agree with Bruno. Daniella choreographed a masterpiece. We will remember that dance for a long time.

I did not see that coming. The originality. The musicality. The unbelievable lifts and tricks. It was truly a thrilling routine.

I'm shouting again: THAT NUMBER DEMANDED SO MUCH TRUST AND PARTNERING. And Iman rose to the challenge!! I am SO impressed!!

Derek knows me so well. I've already watched this dance five times. 

Thank you for the moment, Daniella and Iman. 

This is why I watch this show. 

Dance #2: Jimmie & Emma

When I saw this dance, it was the routine of the night for me. Then came Iman and Daniella. But Jimmie and Emma were amazing in their own right. Their dance was also a moment that will live on in Dancing with the Stars history. It was so emotional, so powerful. Was it perfect? No. But almost. I gave the dance a 10 because it was so special.  I loved the use of sign language. I loved the musicality even with the quiet music. The lifts were beautiful. It was a gorgeous  performance. I am so happy for Jimmie and Emma. Their connection is so strong. 

When it comes to the other dances, I would say that the ladies better watch out, because the guys are upping their game. Cody had a fire tonight that I was very happy to see. The Miz was fierce and had good attack. I'm not saying at all that the women did a bad job. Jojo and Amanda are still strong contenders. And don't count out my girl Olivia - she has fallen in love with dancing, and she is going to fight for every score and every vote. But Melora played it too safe tonight. And Suni's expressiveness was much better, but she still has work to do. I am very glad the judges saved her.

Overall, I absolutely loved this episode. Thank you for a great nite of dancing. 

librarianintx

Madonna

Yesterday I watched Madonna's new concert film "Madame X." 

I am not familiar with her newer music. 

What really impresses me about Madonna is how she is constantly evolving. 

Some artists make the same genre of music for decades. 

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that. 

Some people prefer to stay in their own lane. 

And they still make good music that people enjoy.  

But I like that Madonna is always changing and growing. She has learned how to play the guitar, and recently, the piano. She collaborates with many different singers and musicians. She has her finger on the pulse of what's hot at the moment, or she invents the newest craze. Remember when her "country glam" style shocked us? She rocked a cowboy hat before Lady Gaga (no shade at Gaga, she is one of my favorite humans).

My favorite parts of the concert were her Malawi and Portuguese-inspired numbers. Four of her children are from Malawi. She was living in Lisbon at the time the concert was filmed to support her son David's passion for soccer. She sang a Fado song during the show. Fado is a genre of music that originated in Lisbon in the early 19th century. As Madonna learns about various cultures and incorporates them into her music and her stage performances, she in turn educates as well as entertains her fans. I learned about Fado because I watched the Madonna concert. 

 librarianintx

 

 

Helen Keller

I am SO excited about the Helen Keller news recently.

Tomorrow night there is an episode of American Masters on PBS about Helen. I have heard the show will at least in part focus on her suffrage activities.

Then last week news broke about an upcoming biopic called "Helen & Teacher". This movie will NOT be a remake of "The Miracle Worker." It will cover the time when Helen was a student at Radcliff College, and Anne Sullivan was dating John Macy. The actress playing Helen, Millicent Simmonds, is deaf - hooray for representation!

Can you believe that a conspiracy theory is circulating on Tik Tok that Helen was not a real person, or if she was, she did not accomplish all that she did as a person who was deaf-blind. Get educated, young people. Watch American Masters. Google Helen Keller. Go to the library. Fix your ignorance. And while you're at it, learn about Haben Girma, the first deaf-blind woman to graduate from Harvard. And Rebecca Alexander - author, fitness instructor, psychotherapist, and extreme athlete who is losing her sight and hearing due to Usher Syndrome. They are two of many accomplished individuals who happen to be deaf-blind.

librarianintx

Week 3 - Britney Nite!

It's Britney Nite, bitch!

Even though the show didn't use Britney's actual music (sucks, but I understand the money involved), I still thoroughly enjoyed the episode. LOL for Tyra rocking the Britney looks (and Witney!).

Two transformative dances:

1) Olivia Jade & Val: She's been very good so far this season, but this dance was NEXT LEVEL! How did she only get 8's for this Tango? Tragic! This dance had everything - excitement, musicality, passion, chemistry, did I mention that she and Val were all kinds of HOT?!?! I loved every second of this routine and have watched it repeatedly. 

2) Melora & Artem - Okay, I understand that Melora's breakdown in the video before the dance made the routine look even better, but c'mon, she was great in this Cha Cha! She was on point, radiant, and had great hip action and leg extension. Artem's choreography was perfectly in sync with the music. 

Two continued standouts:

1) Amanda & Alan - Yes, Amanda CAN do Latin! Her musicality is off the chart, and I love how happy and seemingly carefree she is when she dances. 

2) JoJo & Jenna - A groundbreaking Argentine Tango, and these two ladies did not disappoint. I think it is fascinating that JoJo, the celebrity, takes the lead in these dances, and she succeeds! The lifts were great, and I was pleased to see nice body contact. 

Two dances that were not the best but I enjoyed the hell out of them:

1) Jimmie & Emma - Okay, it was a little too hip hop for a Salsa, but it worked for me. Very entertaining, and I thought the lifts were good (raspberry to Carrie Ann and Len). I loved his hot pink outfit too. Yay Bruno for giving this dance an 8!

2) The Miz & Witney - The Miz's hips could have been better in this Salsa, but likely only Len was looking at his hips - the rest of us were oggling his chest (close your mouth and find your chair, Bruno). The lifts were very exciting, his partnering skills were strong, and yeah...his chest again. 

When it comes to the bottom two, I agree with Len - I would have saved Christine & Pasha. But it's a tough season; everyone is good now that Martin has left (sorry Martin).

librarianintx

Capital Metro's Pickup Service

Yesterday I had an opportunity to try Pickup - Capital Metro's same day, on demand ride service. 

The Pickup service includes 12 zones I think in Austin and surrounding cities such as Leander, Manor and Pflugerville. You can only travel within a zone, not from one zone to another. It is app based, but they have a phone number too. The cost is $1.25 per ride, but this month all Capital Metro services are free. 

On Friday after work I scheduled my COVID booster appointment.  The Walgreens by my apartment didn't have any times available, so I went to the CVS at Parmer and Dessau.

I arrived at the CVS before 3:00; my appointment was at 4:15. I was so relieved that they were able to take me early. I had already filled out the paperwork online,  so getting the shot was a breeze. I waited less than five minutes.

So I was finished before 3:15 and my ride window to go home didn't start until 4:45. I did not want to have to hang around CVS for 90 minutes. I considered getting an Uber. But then I thought to myself,  I should try Pickup. It's free this month. But I didn't know if the CVS and my apartment were in the same zone.

I put the two addresses into the app, and score! They are in the same zone! I set up the ride, and 8 minutes later a converted Metro Access bus pulls up. It's a shared ride service, so we picked up one person, but then it was my turn.

Using Pickup was a very good experience. Now I know I could use it to go to HEB, or back to CVS. Having a same day transportation option is awesome. And it's cheaper than Uber. I just wish I could travel farther, like going to and from work, or a doctor appointment. The other downside is that for now Pickup is not available on the weekend. 

librarianintx 

Big Brother Finale - My Thoughts

Late as usual. 

But congratulations Xavier!!

Thank goodness you are the winner of Big Brother!

I definitely think Xavier is a worthy winner. I especially liked how humble he was, thanking the Cookout and the other houseguests, and saying that they all made history.

And then you have the opposite of humble, Big D, who for me was the biggest disappointment of the season. I laughed out loud when he tried to tell the jury that he carried X to the finale. Oh please. I was relieved that he didn't get a single vote, and he didn't win favorite houseguest either. 

As for Tiffany winning favorite houseguest - not a fan of that. I agree that she deserves recognition for coming up with the duos concept of the Cookout, which was a big reason for the ultimate success of the alliance. But she also nearly ruined the plan by getting greedy. I don't think she should be rewarded for that. I would have liked to see Azah or Hannah win favorite houseguest. 

I find it very interesting that everyone professed so much love for each other at the finale, yet five of them had such significant secrets about who they really are - X, Big D, Claire, Hannah, and Brittini. Such a fascinating game this is. Crazy, but I enjoy it.

librarianintx

Big Brother - My Thoughts on the Top Three

Wow! What a difference a few days makes. And what a disappointing top three this is turning out to be. A final two of Xavier and Kyland would have been epic. A few days ago, Xavier and Kyland were in my opinion the two people who most deserved to be in the finale. I understand that Kyland was blindsided, but his reaction, and the way he talked to Xavier about Xavier's nephew, was uncalled for. That was probably the most uncomfortable eviction I have ever seen on Big Brother. I was afraid they were going to have to call security to break up Kyland and Xavier.

When it comes to Big D, unfortunately I have lost any respect I had for him. The way he treated Azah was also uncalled for. Big D has carried Azah through this whole game, really? I'm sorry, but honestly, neither Big D or Azah deserve to be in the final two. Xavier pulled off a great Survivor blindside, and he will go to the final two with a contestant who does not deserve to be there, which will likely guarantee his win. As long as there is not a nightmare scenario, where Big D and Azah end up as the final two. Please no. It will be embarrassing to see either one plead their case to the jury that they should win this season.

I understand that there had to be drama, and that's why we saw Big D struggle with his decision. But his comments made him look so bad. I wish X had taken Big D's power away, and let Azah make the big move. Azah had nothing to lose at that point.

So now who is my vote for favorite houseguest? Little D I guess. I'm so disappointed by Big D and Azah. And Kyland.

librarianintx

Flow State

I watched a webinar for work about flow states.

In simple terms, a flow state is an activity that you get so immersed in, you can lose track of time.

It is about embracing an experience. 

Flow states are beneficial for mental health and help keep your brain active.

Flow states can provide a welcome break from anxiety and depression, and are tools to boost motivation, confidence, and a positive self-image.

Flow states can be work or school related, or extracurricular.

What are some of your flow states?

I'll list a few of mine:

Reading a good book

Games like sudoku, brain age, and word games

Journaling / blogging

Making Shutterfly books

Making Power Point presentations for work

librarianintx

Dancing with the Stars Season 30, Episode 1 9/20/21

Season 3-0!!! Wow! How did that happen?

SO happy the ballroom is back! And what a premiere! These contestants can dance!! I am amazed!

I'm not going to go through and talk about every contestant, because especially tonight that would be redundant. Fourteen of the fifteen stars all showed promise to go far in the competition. That has never happened as far as I can recall. 

My top three are all ladies, but likely not the three that you are expecting to me to say, based on judges scores. 

I have chosen Amanda Kloots, Melora Hardin, and Olivia Jade as my top three of the night, with Melanie C as a close fourth. 

So why didn't I choose Suni and JoJo, who got two of the highest scores? 

With regard to Suni, there is no doubt that she would win the technical score of the episode. Suni's Jive was flawless when it came to steps and footwork, but it was lacking in entertainment. Derek said it best: "less precision, more expression." I find this an issue with several of the gymnasts that have been on the show. Their performances are often close to perfect with regard to technique, but they sometimes lack personality and showmanship.  

JoJo and Jenna made history as the first same sex partnership on DWTS, and I am here for it! They did not make my top three because I found their routine to be over the top and manic. A Quickstep is supposed to be fast, but that was like a Quickstep on steroids. It was all a little too much - the music, the lights, it was very hectic. I think they both had too much adrenaline, and that caused Jenna to slip. No, that was not choreographed. I was surprised that picky Carrie Ann gave her highest score to a couple that had a partner who fell. So I am all for J&J, I am excited that history was made, but I can't put them in my top 3 tonight. 

The men were not bad (all but one anyway); they just were not as strong as the women. But I see much potential in most of them. 

Some of my favorite things about nite one:

The music.

The matchy/matchy, colorful costumes.

The excitement and enthusiasm. 

The audience is back!

How strong the partnerships are, especially for week one. 

Derek's bitchy comments to Len. 

And Bruno being Bruno, standing up after every routine to emphasize his critiques. 

Added bonus: Tyra didn't annoy me. 

My only pet peeve: Couples who are dating should not be paired together. I think that COULD give Sharna and Brian Austin Green an unfair advantage. Also, Sharna should not be a blond. She is beautiful no matter what, but I think she is extra stunning as a redhead. 

That's all I've got dance fans.

Much love and excitement for this season!

librarianintx

 

Emmys 2021

It was an up and down night at the Emmys for me. Happy and sad.

Happy for the Crown. Sad for Pose and This is Us.

Happy for Olivia Coleman. Sad for MJ Rodriguez.

Happy for Josh O'Conner. Sad for Billy Porter and Sterling K Brown.

Yay for Ru Paul's Drag Race!

Yay for Gillian Anderson!

Congrats to Debbie Allen for her Governor's Award.

For the most part I adored the fashion. Lots of color and flattering silhouettes.

My pet peeve: long speeches. If the music is playing, that means you're out of time. Wrap it up. You know you don't have all the time you want to talk. Plan accordingly. You might have the most amazing acceptance speech ever created, but when you go over, you are potentially taking time away from another winner, and making the show longer. Don't be selfish. Even if you think there's no way you'll win, write a speech and practice it. The audience, your fellow nominees, and everyone behind the scenes will thank you. The only person who deserved to complain about the music was Debbie Allen. Special award recipients should not be "played off" unless their speech is excessive. Hers was not IMO.

My second pet peeve: Conan O'Brian. His first grab for attention was mildly amusing. Crashing Stephen Colbert's acceptance speech was overkill, and super annoying. I bet the guy he was frantically hugging wanted to punch him. Conan, dude, try some meditation or something. You were too extra last night.

Okay, sorry, one more thing. CBS had promised they would make the stage accessible by putting in a ramp. They didn't. As far as I know, there were no nominees that are wheelchair users. But you don't have to be a wheelchair user to benefit from a ramp. What about all the people in those long gowns? What about the older nominees and presenters? What about Paralympian and double amputee Jessica Long? Stages should be accessible at all events, and I'm not talking about some ramp or lift in the backstage area.

Okay. Rant done. Overall, I did enjoy the show. Cedric was entertaining.

librarianintx

Big Brother - My Thoughts on the Top 4

I'm still one episode behind.

I just watched the second double eviction nite. 

Yay for Tiffany being the first member of the cookout to leave the party!

As far as Azah's decision to nominate Xavier and Hannah - well, if her hope was to have a woman win BB, she blew it with those nominations. Did she really think that one of the men was going to vote out their own so she, Azah, could break the tie? C'mon! Putting Hannah on the block was as good as sending her home right then and there. If neither she nor Hannah won POV, Hannah was going home. Period. 

But of course I could see Azah's dilemma. She and Big D have been tight since Day One. She could not put him on the block. And she made a promise to Ky that she did not feel she could break. So X and Hannah had to go up. 

But it all worked out fine for what I wanted. From a personality standpoint, X, Ky, Azah, and Big D are the final four that I'm happiest with. Xavier and Kyland should be the final two, and Azah and Big D should be two people in the running for America's favorite houseguest. If I were thinking about who should be the final four based on how good they are at playing the game - I would probably say X, Ky, Tiff, and SB. Little D was also a good player, and very likeable. I would not be disappointed to see Little D win favorite houseguest. Hannah came on strong towards the end, but for too much of the game she was in the background in my opinion. 

librarianintx

Big Brother - My Thoughts on the Cookout alliance

First of all, this post won't be too spoilery, because I am still three episodes behind. But I wanted to say something about the Cookout Alliance. And what I want to say is, congratulations to the Cookout! They have made history by having the final six contestants all be persons of color.

I know the Cookout is controversial. Why does the game have to be about race this year? The thing is, there would be no need for the cookout if Big Brother did not have a lack of diversity in the seasons, and when there were minority members in a season, they were usually picked off early in the game. That is why the Cookout was created, and I for one am very glad that it was successful. See a need. Be the change.

I give a lot of credit to the success of the cookout to players like Aza and Xavier, who had to sacrifice their personal games in order to keep the cookouts safe. I am relieved that the Cookout survived considering how much Tiffany try to destroy it with her selfish game play.

So who should win and who do I want to win? I think Xavier should win, and I would be very happy but that outcome. I hope that either Aza or Big D win favorite houseguest. Based on challenges and gameplay, I do not think either of them deserve to win, but I would love to see them win favorite houseguest. They have been so great to watch this season, funny and caring and dedicated to the Cookout.

librarianintx

Not Being Ok

There is a certain peace that comes with being able to admit that you're not okay and having the bravery to share that with others.

The struggle to be okay is often the problem and not the solution.

Just admit it.

To yourself and others.

Make peace with your situation.

It really can help you feel better.

And it will remind you that you won't always feel this way.

Life does get better.

And remember that self-care strategies really can help.

Drink some water.

Eat some protein.

Take a shower.

Get out in nature.

Get lost in an activity.

Find your purpose.

Connect with someone.

The people who care about you will understand. 

You might find that someone you care about is struggling too.

Helping them will help you.

No one is okay all the time.

Everyone goes through something.

And then they get better.

You will too.

librarianintx 

The Olympics

Originally this post was going to be about gold versus silver medals - how the media seems to love to say, "So and so lost the gold medal" instead of saying, "They won the silver medal." And this post is about that. Because that is important. These athletes train for years for this event, or series of events, that only happens once every few years. Many of them never win a single medal. But they can still say proudly that they made it to the Olympics. Maybe they finished eighth, tenth, fifteenth in their sport or event. But that is tenth..in...the...world! They are all elite athletes, and they should all be celebrated for their accomplishments. Of course everyone wants to win gold. Everyone wants to be at the top. But silver, bronze, and even finishes off the podium should receive recognition and deserve praise. Michelle Kwan said it best: "I didn't lose the gold. I WON the silver." 

I have seen so much good sportsmanship at these Olympics and it has truly warmed my heart. Gymnastic teams congratulating each other, hugs all around. Even hugs and high fives for a member of another team just for completing a routine. Swimmers reaching across the ropes in the pool to embrace, raising each other's arms in the air. Two male high jumpers immediately agreeing to share gold when their efforts resulted in a tie. The athletes come from different countries, they have different customs and traditions, but they can all speak the language of respect and admiration for hard work and accomplishments. 

And now let's talk about Simone Biles for a minute. Simone Biles, the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of female gymnastics. Simone Biles, who had so much pressure going into these Olympics because she is the GOAT, had the intelligence and the inner fortitude to step back, to withdraw, so she did not risk physically injuring herself or keeping her teammates out of medal contention. And she has received some flak from her decision. But you know who hasn't criticized her decision? Anyone who has ever been a gymnast. Because they get it. Gymnasts understand the stress and the rigorous training and the "twisties" - when your mind and your body are out of whack and you don't know where your body is when you try to land and you risk serious damage to your body. They get it. 

What Simone did should be a lesson for us all. Listen to what your mind and body are telling you. Do what is right and safe for you. Make decisions that are in your best interest. The haters will hate. But the people who matter will love you and be thankful that you are alive and in one piece. And the example of self-care and mental health that you displayed will inspire millions, and likely save some lives in the process. That is what Simone did at these Olympic games. 

librarianintx