Let's LC Chat! March 10th thru March 16th
 

Hi aud! And hi everyone!
there´s two LC Chats, I didn´t know which one to post in, but wen for the top one lol!

Buuu Aud, seems u´re not feeling very good, you know what works great for me? To exercise like crazy and sweat like a pig, then have a hot shower and go directly to bed, it´s like a "sweat off" the virus.. Donpt know if it´s healthy or not but it has worked for me a few times!!

I had an early start today studying procesal law (I´m studying for the equivalent of the BAR exam)! Now I´m on a break but have to go back in a while!

Hope u all have a great monday!!!

I'm new to the weekly chats, just kept waiting to catch it at the beginning!

I am the only low carb vegan I know. Yes, that's right...Vegan and low carb! I'm in ketosis even. My diet is pretty limited for the time being and I may go to a higher carb level or switch it up soon, but for now, it's working, so I thought I'd jump in.

I've been sick (just found out yesterday I have bronchitis :( ) and haven't been eating much of anything at all. I plan on trying to eat today. I need some greens in my system!

Aud, I hope you feel better soon!

Rafaela, are you studying alone or in a group/class? Best of luck!

Hi SoulBliss!!! Welcome! I´m new too, just joined yesterday!
A little question, whaat do u eat if u´re a vegan? I mean what are ur protein and fat sources? Just curious..

Mmm I finished law school, now I´m studying for the final final exam and I´m studying alone, it sucks, but it´s the only way for me! I´ve been stdying for like 6 months already and still have a lot left.. hope to take the exam (which is an oral 2 hr exam with 3 or 4 professor and public) the first week of June, and hopefully with a few kgs less!

Well then, welcome to you too! :)

I eat soy and tofu, soy, hemp, and other vegan protein powders, nuts, seeds, occasionally seitan (wheat gluten), olive and coconut oil (sometimes other vegetable oils too), homemade dressings for salads, kale, chard, collards, broccoli, asparagus, cabbages, bok choy, basically all green leafy vegetables.

I also make my own dark chocolate with erythritol and stevia and drink a lot of green tea, herbal tea and unsweetened almond milk.

So many sick chaters, I hope everyone feels better soon!

Aud, swiching from nights to days and back , and dealing with the supplier strikes, it's no wonder you're worn out!
I like how you use the little symbols for your exercise.

I have added Jemina J to my list of requests from the library so I'll be getting it soon.

Good luck with your studying Rafealla!! It sounds like a very tough course.

Soulbliss wow, you are the only person I've heard of who is both vegan and doing LC, I think your diet looks great.

Have a good one , Low carbin' ladies.

Soulbliss, you eat a lot of great things, I thought it was almost imposible to be vegan and low carber but u probed me wrong!!

Tks 4 all ur nice wishes girls!

I´m officially angry... yesterday I used my last ketostix, luckily it went purple, but that means I have to buy new ones. Here in Chile we have 3 main pharmacy chains, and they only bring KetoDiabur Test, those are the strips made by Roche, and they cost $18.800 chilean pesos, that´s more than 40 dollars!!!!
I can´t believe it.... the Diabetes Association sells them at 35 dollars but only for member (which I´m not cause I´m not diabetic).. well, I´m really angry, I´ve read some of you buy the strips for 5- 10 dollars and here it´s really expensive.. and as a student I don´t have too much money grrrrrrrrr I hate living so far away!

Hello All and Welcome SoulBliss & Rafaella!!!

SoulBliss - Wow! Your diet does seem great...I also didn't know that you could do low-carb and be a Vegan..coool! Can you post your recipe for making home-made dark chocolate...I just bought some erythritol, but I don't have stevia? I can get it at my local health food store though. I'd really appreciate it if you could...been looking for a recipe for homemade chocolate for a long time.

Rafaella - Sometimes we forget how much things costs abroad cuz of customs/shipping, etc. So sorry the Keto sticks are so expensive where you live. However, there are other signs of Ketosis other than the strips. Bitter taste in your mouth, Bad Breath (unfortunately...and only in the beginning), and some people report an unexplainable "sweet taste" in the mouth. Good luck though...on passing the Bar! I'm sure you'll be looking fabulous upon receiving your degree!

Hello to everyone...Aud, SIC, BAB, Lily, Azure, Lynnar!!! Hope you are all feeling well. I agree with Rafaella on the exercise tip. When I was sick...I worked out, sweat like a monster, and slept...it did seem to help shake the flu faster...but may not help everyone...so take care of yourselves!

Well, on the accountability tip...I worked out yesterday (level 6...yeahhhhh!) on the recumbent bike for 20 min. I really pushed as I've been on level 4 for the past week. It felt great...gosh I love cardio! I'm going to do another 20 min...higher intensity today on the eliptical (level 4-5), and try to get in some weight training (30 min.) upper body! Been slacking on weight training. Didn't close on both homes last week, but did close one. I'm waiting to hear back from the bank today for a clear to close on the second home (anticipation....hmmmmm). Hopefully, I'll get at least a verbal clear today (this way my mind can rest)! Dealing with idiot tenants all day...not fun. But..hey...it's a livin'!

CONGRATS TO ALL OF OUR BIG LOSERS!!! HURRAYYYY FOR YOU! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!

Joyce

Hello, I'm still sick and now I know it's my own fault. DS20 called a while ago and I told him I was home sick at the exact same time I remembered lecturing him about using his sick days frivolously. That was Saturday when I was just starting to feel bad. I told him I never use my sick days, so naturally I had to get sick enuf to use one!!! I gotta go in tomorrow. I have too much to do!!!
I can't imagine exercising right now. For one thing, it hurts to cough! More power to you guys who can sweat out a cold. We used to drink hot toddies for the same effect, but they're not low carb.
I did make good lc chicken soup for lunch and DH finally got home from his business trip. I may make him make me dinner!! I'm debating if I should I go in for a meeting at DD's new school. I know the new principal and told her I would be there. I have a question about her schedule. But if I keep coughing it's really not even an option.
Nice to see new posters and some old ones returning too! I gotta go lie down. Lynn

Awwwhhh...I'm so sorry for feeling bad Lynn! Just the few weeks ago...I was suffering too so I know how you feel. Pleazzzze remember to take as much fresh lemon as you can stand! Wishing you a speedy recovery...and don't worry too much about work...it'll be there when you get back, I promise! Take care. Joyce

Hi everyone! Good to see you back Soul. Wow. You have really found a way to work with the low carb and vegan thing. I have not excuse to whine about trying to keep variety and stuff in my wol. You rock.

Lynn: Sorry you are still feeling punky.

Rafe: Yay! a great legal mind! I can't believe the cost of the ketostix for you. If they were not 5 bucks here at Walmart I wouldn't use them. Of course, I'm measuring rather than weighing regularly because I was focusing too much on the destination and not enough on the journey. I use the stix once a day or every other day to make sure I'm on track. I don't know if I would be using them if it cost me 40 dollars for something I'm going to pee on and flush. Sorry to be gross. tee hee.

Now I want to read J.J. So many good books out there.

Have a great day.

ox
sc

Owch!

I feel your pain, Rafaella! Although I'm impressed that you CAN get them - to be honest, I've not even considered looking for them here in Bangkok. Which is probably silly - they may very well be available. Hmm. I'll have to check it out, and see how expensive they are, if they ARE available.

Soulbliss - welcome! I know I've seen you around here, either on the Low Carb board or maybe over in Alternachicks? Very impressed that you're managing to do Low Carb and stay Vegan! Awesome! (I'm rather a reluctant carnivore myself, so it's decidedly weird chowing down on chicken and meat all the time. I'm doing quite a good job of finding meat-based things that I enjoy, but it's been a real sea-change, menuwise. Up until January, the only protein in the house would be cans of tuna. Now I'm eating chicken legs for breakfast!)

Getting the wide-awakes but determined to pass out . . .
I like the little unconscious guy myself puncie!;) Can't find Febs Exercising Thread - gotta find the little weight lifting guy - had a super upper body work out at the gym today that I need to Post - took your advice w/o even knowing it was your advice raffie & bambi!:p Sweated like a Warrior P.!:carrot: Still fell kind of achy but better.

Went to the library tonight - jemima j not even in the catalog at all.:(

Did get: Outsmarting the Midlife FAT CELL . . . every complaint addressed on the back jacket sounded like I wrote it!:p Can't wait to find out how to "EAT my estroven daily" - going bankrupt buying OTC Estroven, ya know? Also checked out a 3 books in 1 P.D. James Mystery Series . . . always have a prob remembering what detective series I've listened to vs read the printed word.:^: This detective isn't ringing any bells so think I'm safe: "Adam Dalgliesh" of Scotland Yard.:?:

Anyone know if its a good 'un?:cool:

One more day shift day to get thru & then OFF for the forseeable future . . . have a Terrific Tuesday All!:D

Auddie: I can't believe you are doing so well with the exercise with that crazy schedule of yours. I'm really inspired by it. I did not exercise yesterday and I probably won't today. I think exercise is my biggest challenge. I also have to get back to Bodypump and will try to motivate myself to do that on Wed. I think I am one huge midlife fat cell. tee hee.

Sooo. Here is a minor victory. I just caught sight of myself sideways in the mirror as I was changing from my perspiration soaked pjs into some sweats. I have some definition in my waist again. Just a minor indentation between the ribs and my belly but it is there! For the longest time it was just, a huge stomach going from right below my breasts to the tops of my thighs. Happy day.


DH got a treat last night. I gave him his fajitas in a low carb tortilla with lettuce. He rarely gets those kinds of products but he had been yearning for some mexican food with a tortilla. I faked it as best I could for him by frying the thing so that it was nice and greasy. He was thrilled. I had my fajitas plain though on a bed of lettuce.

OK I have a rant for today. I have the dreaded 8 a.m. operations meeting this morning. It goes on for hours with accounting fighting with management fighting with HR, fighting with customer service fighting with production. I hate it. Everyone always seems to want to hire more people and then shove more and more of the work they don't like onto the real estate managers. These meetings are such a challenge for me because I don't want to act fed up but honestly, here is what it is like. "I think the managers should try to collect all the receviables (then why the **** do we have an accounting staff?). I think the managers should stuff the billing envelopes every month and stand at the copy machines to make copies of the newsletters (we mail out 30,000 pieces each month. Why do I have four people who only have one job and that is copying things, stuffing envelopes using a $25,000 dollar stuffing machine and taking crap to be mailed?). I think the managers should do marketing and solicit accounts(as opposed to the people in marketing?) . I think the managers should set up new vendors, chase their insurance and W9s (then why do I have AP staff?). I think the management staff should place all ads in the newspaper, review all resumes, do all interviews and write up all new hire paperwork and status change paperwork. Also, the management staff should collect and approve all timecards and process all vacation requests and dicipline all employees about dress code, company equipment etc. (then why do I have HR?)

I sound petty when I say that but I do get irritated when the least qualified, least educated or least skilled staff don't like the job they were hired to do and think it is reasonable to expect the expensive, skilled, trained and qualified staff to waste time stuffing envelopes, ordering paper supplies or standing at a copier. I always have to point out the obvious at the operations meeting, "The real estate managers are the ones who generate the monthy management revenue by managing their properties. They don't get paid overtime, quite often have to work into the night until 8 or 10 p.m. and also are oncall 24/7 for two weeks at a time on a rotating basis. Everyone else here has a job because those jobs were created to service the accounts that the managers oversee. That is why they are called managers instead of accounting assistants, copy clerks, administrative staff, or receptionists". Lord give me strength for this today.

Have a wonderful day.

SC

Good Day All!

Aud - Yeah...working out is hard when your sick...but I find if I rough it out...I feel a little better each time!

I worked out at 10:40pm last night! Couldn't seem to go to sleep without my cardio! Felt great! This late night working out thing is becoming a habit though!!! Guess it's better than nothing. Wanna try for a.m.'s (pleazzze let me become a morning person!!) This cottage cheese thing is working out great! I've been having it for the past 2 days for breakfast! It seems to be quicky and easy and a great way to squeeze in food in the a.m. (cuz I have absolutely no appetite)! Any other quick breakfast ideas (hi-protein preferably)? I tried the Dannon low-carb yogart yesterday in the Strawberry flavor. Hmmmm....it was really good. Seemed to be thicker than the blueberry (which s*cks!). Haven't been checking the scale lately cuz the mirror is totally loving me (and I don't want the scale to disappoint me!). I now have a "flat" stomach! Yeahhhh! No more side fat...just down to the last little pouch bubble in my lower abs! Legs are really starting to form (muscularly)...so I'll get on the scale in about 2 weeks (after TOM). Hopefully, it'll be good to me as well.

Hope you ladies enjoy your day today! Joyce

SIC-you crack me up although I know it isn't really funny. I've been in similar situations. I do my own billing. That's a really good use of my time don't you think?

I have to go to court today. Not my favorite part of this job but I don't have to do it very often. This judge doesn't know what to make of me because I'm not like any other psychiatrist he deals with. I make my own assessments and don't just write what someone else has been writing for the last 10 years and I interpret the committment law quite strictly.

I had a little GI problem last night. Not sure if I ate something that didn't agree, it was the antibiotics I took, or it is some other aspect of this nasty cold that won't let me go. Seems better this morning. Well, better get to work. Will be another long day. Also have a family meeting at a nursing home planned that I have to keep from turning into a screaming match. Talk to you later.

SIC - We must have cross-posted! It's nice to see changes in the mirror...huh??? That's really the best judge...I think the scale's a demon! Sometimes a "demon" I just can't escape...but I'm tryin! I agree totally with you...it's protocol. The higher-ups should handle the "management" and "supervisory" tasks...(that's why they get paid the big bucks!) and the administrative staff or "support" staff definately should take care of at least the "mailings"...I mean..common! I see your frustration...but don't let it ruin your mo-jo girl! As Forest Gump always says..."Stupid is as Stupid Does!" Leave them to their wonderful decisions (powers that be) and try not to stress yourself out too much over the things you cannot change. Hey...BTW, how was the fajita on the lettuce. I just bought a head of lettuce and some ground beef. If it was good, can you post your recipe (I've got a sneaky suspicion that you're a great cook from previous posts..and I'm not sooooo....)

I'm sure you'll make it back to Bodypump (oooohh....I just like the name!). I never really feel like working out when I'm slumped on my couch watching "Flavor Flav" or "Rock of Love" or "Whatever of Love", but my mind tells me I've just gotta do it. Thank goodness I have a TV in my workout room (this helps)...so I don't miss "eliminations" But then, about 10 min into it...those endorphenes start flowing and I feeling great...ya know..pumped! Try to push through it...I routing for ya!

BTW, anyone ever notice that Flavor Flav has a striking resemblence to an actual "turd" with eyeballs? :lol::lol:

Morning,
I made it to work and I guess I'll stay, but today is one of my long days. I have a meeting tonight, so I can't get home until 9 or 10 p.m. Not looking forward to that!!
I did finally get a good night's sleep last night. I think it's the decongestants that keep me awake, and I did take just one yesterday, but complete exhaustion must have overcome it. Either that or the hot toddies. I know, not L.C., but the very best thing for the sore throat. I spent an hour in the bathtub with Vick's Vapor Rub and hot toddies. I sweated up a storm.
I didn't even bring my work out clothes today and I haven't worked out since Friday. I hate it (and I'll hate it more when I get back) but I can't stand the thought of coughing. It feels like a peice of lung is about to come loose every time I cough. I expect to see blood every time, but so far only mucus which no one wants to hear about.
It's funny how everyone has stuff they hate about their job. Being non-management my list of stuff is completely different from SC's, but I can relate a little. Too bad we can't all just take the parts we like of our jobs and dump the bad parts.
Joyce, I had my fresh lemon yesterday, but I did have it in diet coke. I've been severly limiting my diet coke, but I just can't drink plain water when I'm sick!! It just doesn't taste good. So I had diet coke and lemon and flavored water (no calories, no carbs) with fresh lime. I think I drank three bottles of flavored water! I was peeing every 30 mins all day.
Well, since I'm here, I might as well be working. I'll check back later.

Heyall! Just quickly checkin in. I also had Court today (evictions). I won every case...so woo hoo! deadbeat tenants are outttahere!

Aud - I say we friggin have a bon fire for our scales...just chuck em'! At least for a while!:lol: The mirror is the truest measurment of success. It can also be brutal (mirror doesn't lie!) I'm gonna try and stick with that (especially now that I'm PMS'ing)! Glad you battled that damn flu and WON! Hurray!!!!

Lynnar & Petra - Glad to hear you both coming around (healthwise)...it really s*cks to be sick!!! This strain usually likes to hang around for at least a week...but hopefully you guys will continue to have a speedy recovery!

SoulBliss - Where r ya?? I was so looking forward to that choco recipe. Look forward to hearing from ya soon.

Rafaella - I know that preparing for the Bar can be quite time consuming and stressful. Hope your staying OP and motivated. Miss hearing from you too!

To al that I may have missed...have a fun day! Til' later. Joyce

Down two pounds since yesterday, which I'm sure was primarily water but I'll take it!

Hi everyone, sorry I haven't been able to keep up lately. I'm still sick with this FLU. Only good thing is that it is very weight friendly. I'm dropping the lbs. without even trying. Of course, I can't seem to eat more than a few bites of anything and what I do eat doesn't stay down. I'm now on 2 kinds of antibiotics which are giving me diarrhea. I feel horrible! My skin is so dehydrated that no amount of moisturizer is helping the dryness/scaliness. The constant headache is also a real Pain.

I'll catch up more later when my health and my mood improves.

Calm, I know what you mean about those meetings. The power struggles are just ridiculous.

Petra, you may need some acidopholis to help balance out the bacteria in your intestines. You can get this in pill form at a health food store [it should be refrigerated]. However, you can also get it isn yogurt. Although, yogurt is not Induction acceptable, but you may need to eat some to help with the stomach problems. Hope you feel better.

Aud, sorry your library doesn't have Jemima J. You should try a used book store or even Abebooks.com. This is a book broker website, similar to Ebay but only books. The shipping is reasonable, too.

I just remembered another book about being okay with not being perfect. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie. I liked this book, too. For those who like a little supernatural, there are the vampire queen Elizabeth Taylor series, Undead & [Unwed, Unemployed, Unpopular], by MaryJanice Davidson. These are light and fun. And for the suspend lovers, there's the a series by Linda Fairstein.

Have a great day everyone!

Way to go cj! Congrats!

Aud, http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/gen026.gif this guy kinda looks like he's trying to do pushups, in a pool of his own sweat. Or maybe you should take up skipping so you can use this one http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/sport016.gif. As for " the joy of a perfect push up & sit up " I Can't say I've ever felt this joy. Sad to think I'm not in as good of shape as some 90 yr olds.
Your library may take requests, I wanted the great cholesterol con, so I asked the library to buy it and they did.

Lilybell, I hope you're better soon, missing your posts.

Get well everyone and have a great day!

Hey, ladies! I just wanted to drop in to say that so far today, I'm doing great! I slept a little too late, and didn't have time for lunch until 2:00...but I'm on plan, anyway. I have cardio kickboxing class tonight, which should be fun. I also have a LOT of homework to do!

I have some AWESOME news, though! My mom called yesterday to say I had a letter from the University of Vermont--I had originally said that I didn't want them to read any letters before I came home for break...but I couldn't resist! I asked my dad to read the letter to me over the phone, and I'm in!

I got accepted into UVM Grad school for their Masters of English program :D I didn't get a teaching assistantship or fellowship for my first semester...but it's such a relief that the first of the 5 grad. applications I got word back on was an acceptance letter! I was so worried I wouldn't get in anywhere. So, now I wait for news of the other 4 grad. schools. I'll probably choose whichever one gives me the best financial aid package--they're all good choices :) I'm keeping my fingers crossed for UConn, though.

Good for you Azure! Are you from New England? I have a Masters of English from Eastern Kentucky University (of all places!). We just happened to be living there when I started grad school. But I can't say the degree has helped me much with my career, but you probaby have much better career plan than I did. (Plan: Write a best selling novel and live off the proceeds forever!!)
It seems like everyone I talk to today is sick!! I guess I don't have to worry so much about catching it, except my symptoms are all sinus and I'm a little concerned about the stomach stuff that's going around. That's all I need, right? The absolute worse thing is when you're in a super-serious meeting and you have a coughing fit that you can't control. And you have to chose between getting up and stumbling out (and I do mean stumbling today!) and missing what ever happens in the meeting. Or you can try to choke and sputter and regain control while everyone in the room stares at you and the people closest start moving away. Can't wait for that tonight. Or maybe tonight will be the night when my head actually explodes and snot, mixed with brains, shoots out my ears.
I guess I may as well announce my stall in advance. Between the extra carbs from cough syrup, cough drops, sugar free popsicles, and hot toddies, and then vacation next week, I'll be lucky to maintain for the next two weeks. I'll probably try induciton again when I get back from vacation. I had hoped I would be much further along by now, but at least I can wear my second to the largest jeans, even if they're tight. I should bring them on vacation and then i won't have room to eat anything!!!

Congrats Azure !!! Thats fantastic!

Posted By Lynnar
"Or you can try to choke and sputter and regain control while everyone in the room stares at you and the people closest start moving away. Can't wait for that tonight. Or maybe tonight will be the night when my head actually explodes and snot, mixed with brains, shoots out my ears."

:lol::lol::lol: That was hysterical!...brains/snots shooting out of your ears!!!:lol: Wow...that one made my day! I wouldn't worry too much Lynnar about the "weight thingy"...it's only been a few days of bits and pieces of that "not so good stuff". You've been doing very good with your diet from what I've read. I do envy you though...VACATION...boy do I need one! So, GO ENJOY YOURSELF...try to make good food choices and look for a gym (wherever you may be)...then, if you indulge while on vacation, at least you won't set yourself back. Enjoy!

Ya know...that's one thing I've been thinking about too. Vacation! Ooooh the temptation! When I'm home/work (pretty much same thing), I do just fine with food...I really don't feel I'm missing out...nor do I have cravings, I don't drink alcohol (and really not missing it), drink lots of water, etc. But, for some reason when I go on vacation (let's say...a cruise or something like that), I feel compelled to drink large quantities of alcohol (i.e., Bahama Mama, LI Ice Tea's, Alabama Slammers, etc.)...and less compelled to want to exercise! I think I could get over the exercise thing on my next vacation, but don't know how I'll do without those damn tropical drinks!!! I mean...Bacardi reps await you at the airport in Miami with a huge drink laidened with gobs of sugar and bacardi (and a cherry)! Any suggestions on this...I may start a thread on this issue. Seems like, if I were prepared, I may (??) make better decisions and not set myself back! Don't want to go overboard...ya know...but don't want to ruin all my hard work either. Thoughts anyone??? Joyce

Must have missed ya Azure...CONGRATU-FRIGGIN-LATIONS GIRL!!! GO YOU!!! I know you've been under alot of stress with school and all...this is just wonderful. You must feel great (all your hard work finally payin off!) I hope you get accepted to your college of choice too! Let those colleges compete for YOU! Yeaahhhhhh! Joyce

Thanks! Yes, I'm from New England--I've lived in Massachusetts since the age of 12 (I was Floridian before that). All of my Grad. Schools are generally New England, too (though I did apply to Penn. State--which is North East...kinda).

I feel like I've got a lot of options open to me. I'm a Literature girl, and know that if I don't end up getting my PhD to teach at the University level, or teach at the High School level, I could work in publishing or generic corporate America just fine. I like writing, but I've never thought I'll be the next Stephen King ;) I'm looking forward to being able to research and learn about what interests me as a Grad. student, as opposed to just doing all the stuff you're "supposed" to learn as an undergrad. It's very exciting :carrot:

Thanks for the congrats, everyone ;) I'm so pumped!

Grad school was alot of fun, even for Stephen King wanna-be's like me. You're right. You can read and research the stuff you like. I got to do a lot of writing including some fiction. I was American Lit too (EKU didn't offer a creative writing degree- neither did my undergraduate school). The one regret I have now as I'm getting closer to the end of my career is that I didn't take any education credits. I never would have believed (back in those days) that a time would come when I would even consider teaching, but now, I can see how that could be a good career. I have all this English, but to be a public school teacher I'd need to go back and take lots of education credits. I would be better prepared for teaching at the University level - but college kids scare me. They're way too smart.
Joyce, I have some of the same challenges with vacation. I usually do fit in a work out of some kind and I can probably control my eating to an extent, but I like to drink some adult beverages while vacationing. I'll probably limit it to diet mixers with some kind of hard liquor, but that's not really very good either.
This is DD's vacation. It's spring break and I feel like we should take her somewhere. It's DD23's last spring break (she graduates in May), but she's working so she'll only be there for part of the vacation. DS20 isn't interested in any of it! Not a real exciting trip, but it's nice to get away! I have two bicycles in the process of being repaired, so we'll have four bikes if we can figure out how to transport them all!

Aww, Lynn! You graduated with a Masters degree! From personal experience with Freshman through Seniors as an Undergrad...I can tell you that most of us aren't "way too smart" ;) I'm sure you'd be great! I'm going to be more of an Early British Literature concentration, as opposed to the American Lit side of things--but that's just my area of interest. It's too bad your Universities didn't have a creative writing program, since that was your interest. Most of the places I applied did, and had a whole separate entry criteria for them.

Azure-congratulations! That's fantastic news. Hope you get into the school you want. I have to say, I'm glad I'm not in your shoes at this point in my life though.

Lynn-I know what you mean about the coughing fits. I've been having them too. And you should hear me blow my nose.....or maybe not. I keep waiting for the brains to come out.

Bambi-I won both of my court cases today too.:lol:

Sylvia-thanks for the advice. You must have missed the part where I mentioned I'm a doctor. I eat a lot of yogurt and kefir anyway.

WTG AZ!!!:carrot: Will keep the )))))UCONN((((( vibes headed your way!:hug:

I LOVE that lil guy puncie! Trying to steal him now for the Exercise Thread . . . he even LOOKS like me . . .

YAY - it worked! Now off to enjoy the rest of the evening here at home - such a nice change!

GET BETTER LILY!!!!!

ttyal!

Nice! PD James is great, imho.

Azure, fantastic news! Go Team You! (I'm very much an Arts Person myself - I'm interested in science, and do dip into Layman-friendly Science books, but I'm a Word Girl at heart. Do love visual arts, but narrative* is my crack cocaine. I love to read and I love to write. Corporate life, on the other hand, I really do NOT love. Been there, done that, bought the suit and binned it with delight when I left. Yay teaching!) Anyway - I'm delighted for you!

Petra - congrats on your success in court!

Soulbliss - if you swing by again, I'll chime in with my interest in how you make your own chocolate.

Meanwhile, in The World Of Me, there are two things on my mind:

(1) Gosh, the boy who's directing the short play that we're performing next week is lovely, and I enjoy his company, but he couldn't direct his way out of a paper bag. Ack. Really. He doesn't understand the characters or the structure or the rhythms of the play. He isn't sufficiently familiar with the lines and he's not bothering to follow them while he's watching us (which has an impact upon his suggestions). And the play is TINY, just a few pages long. Ack! Very frustrating. I mean, it's fun - but It's doing my head in a bit. It's going to be quite good, but it's not going to be as good or as focused as it should be, because he doesn't even realise where he's falling short.

(2) So I'm apparently a fourteen year old girl at the moment, because I'm developing a bit of a crush on a bloke, and last week there was flirting, and today there was a kind of flirty phone conversation. Which apparently is all it takes for me to be reduced to a blushing teenager.

It is, I realise, PATHETIC. But it's been a while since I've fancied anyone, and it's sort of fun. Even though I half expect that soon I will realise that (a) he isn't as bright as I think, (b) he doesn't fancy me, (c) he's secretly a Cylon or (d) he's secretly gay. Or, most likely, (e), I will freak out and engage in frantic unflirting to make sure that any chance of either of us fancying one another is killed stone dead, in order to pre-emptively avoid being rejected. Because I do that. Because I am MADE OF CRAZY.

However, just now I'm enjoying the whole flirting thing.

*which isn't to say I DISLIKE novels where the focus is more on how the story is told - I'm well disposed to Virginia Woolf and James Joyce (and one of these days I WILL finish 'Ulysses'), but at the end of the day I do love storytelling. Love love love. (...I suppose this isn't taking poetry into account is it? And God knows I love TS Eliot and Donne and wonderful word-spinners too...)

Way to go Azure. That is just great.

Yes, Petra, I missed that. Hope your stomach feels better.

Broad, you should definitely not try to blow this guy off. Men don't flirt just to be nice. Women do, but when a man flirts he means business and he does like you. You need to show him confidence. You are georgeous and funny. This is what he must see also. There is an awesome article in Time magazine, Jan 28, The Science of Romance, that you should read.

Sounds intriguing!

I think the thing is that once I start making it into A Thing in my head, I sort of turn into a gauche, tongue-tied, awkward teenager - in short, I suddenly revert twenty years. Whereas if I'm not making things into A Thing in my head, then I can just be Confident!Chick, with the flirty banter and nonchalent charm and wisecracks and all that crap. So I'm trying quite hard to not overthink things. If that makes ANY sense to anyone outside of my head . (I think I'm saying that I'm much better at flirting when I'm not actually bothered about trying to make someone like me. Which I guess is true of everyone!)