When I was little with a regular, early bed-time I would apparently start sleep talking at 11 pm, like clockwork. My family tells me that I would sometimes be agitated, or happy, or upset, but always talking at light speed. I never remembered anything the next day, and always felt rested.
Then, when we were camping, I'd roll onto my poor sister and start chatting in her face, or sit up and claw at the nylon or something. Strange, to be sure, but luckily for me my family was always forgiving. I genuinely had no idea I was doing it. I was asleep!
Well, I've apparently entered the next age of my active dreaming. Years ago when I went to Bermuda to visit my cousins, I half woke up in the night/morning. What happens is my imagination/dream gets combined with partial awareness of actual situations, and I fabricate a situation that needs to be solved RIGHT AWAY. I get up to fix it, that wakes me up a little bit and I realize what's going on. I fall back asleep immediately. Up until the Texas trip I had "actively dreamed" 4 times. Twice in Bermuda, once in Ottawa, once in Waterloo right before Texas. The Ottawa one involved Rob waking me up and asking what I was doing. I said "catching the things on the mantel". I was kneeling on the bed at about 2 am, trying to catch things from falling on his sleeping head off the mantel above the bed. Those of you who have visited us might remember that there is no mantel above the bed. Whoopsie! In Bermuda, I thought the window air conditioner had caught fire. When I leaped out of bed to save us all, I found that the air conditioner was loud because it was rattling in the wind, and the pink/orange "fire" was really the rising sun coming through the plastic around the unit. Back to bed for me!
Anyways, it was always a funny story to tell and a rare enough event. Till Texas. I did this active dream thing 3 times on the trip! Aieee! Sorry, strangers who are sharing a room with me! A few times they had short conversations with me, once I had to get up and "fix" a computer (which wasn't in the room) and turned out to be a flashing camera. Anyway, now I think it may be related to having a lack of sleep combined with some stress and a new place. Somewhat.
The night after I got home from Texas I was asleep and Rob came in after finishing work at midnight, and I called out Hello? Hello? Because, while not afraid, I couldn't figure out who the hell this was. It wasn't anyone on the trip, and I don't remember which hotel I'm in, and who are you? Rob told me later that I was okay, but I kept peering at him and not really answering any of his questions. Yipes!
So. What used to be rare kind of isn't anymore. I think I should keep a list of these events and what happens and what I thought was happening. Should be interesting, psychologically, right?
Heh. Anyway, consider it documented, at least partially.
Showing posts with label texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label texas. Show all posts
Saturday, March 03, 2007
Friday, March 02, 2007
Snow!
I'm so happy and so lucky that we didn't get caught in the snowstorm that hit yesterday on our way back from Texas. A snowstorm on the way out and n the way in would have been pretty unlucky.
So I'm back! Texas was really fun and I learned a lot especially about green buildings and water conservation. I know I've said it before, but it's heartening to witness Texans (mostly on a local level) getting something done in terms of non-petroleum based energy and water recycling and conservation.
Some of the stuff was weird, like the conservation program for fish called LunkerShare. A lunker is a fish that weighs 13 pounds or more. The program, sponsored by Budweiser, works by having fisherman call in any lunkers they catch, while alive. The conservation officers will come, pick it up and enter the fish in a breeding program. The fisherman gets a fiberglass replica of his fish, the fish stays alive, gets bred and then released back where it came from. So, technically the word is to prevent catch and kill for no reason and promote conservation of fish stick. But, because it's Texas, they only do that for the big ones, as they are in competition for the biggest fish with California. So, take from that what you will.
We went to San Antonio, Austin (stayed in the green hotel! it was awesome!). We went to the biggest wind farm out in west Texas (so beautiful) and to see a "green " Wal-Mart. We went to a "green " Toyota dealership and met the only woman certified two different ways to sell only green real estate. We met city planners, we met bio gas plant operators, we saw enormous tubs of manure being turned into a cleaner, cheaper alternative to petroleum based fuels. I saw and anti-Bush car sticker in Texas. In Texas, people!
We drove through and made some stops in Kentucky, Arkansas (Hot Springs Arkansas...we went to a traditional bath house and had the whole treatment in ancient marble tubs and steamers, with pure natural mineral hot springs water the whole time), Tennessee (Nashville! Graceland!), we hit up Mardi Gras in Austin and so-on.
It was a good adventure. We had fun. I caught some kind of bronchial cough (whee!) and we drove about 8000 km. Not bad at all.
I have lots of hope about what people can really actually get done in communities, when they really want to. We don't have to rely on petroleum fuels, and it doesn't have to mean a sacrifice of anything except the old ways of doing things. Ans also, we'd be sacrificing dependence on war-bent countries an other fun issues, but hey.
I skimmed over most everything. If you wanna know more or have any questions, please ask or shoot me an e-mail since I don't really know where to start. I hope you all had a great couple of weeks. I'm on catch up for now, so I'll see you sometime later :-)
xoxo
So I'm back! Texas was really fun and I learned a lot especially about green buildings and water conservation. I know I've said it before, but it's heartening to witness Texans (mostly on a local level) getting something done in terms of non-petroleum based energy and water recycling and conservation.
Some of the stuff was weird, like the conservation program for fish called LunkerShare. A lunker is a fish that weighs 13 pounds or more. The program, sponsored by Budweiser, works by having fisherman call in any lunkers they catch, while alive. The conservation officers will come, pick it up and enter the fish in a breeding program. The fisherman gets a fiberglass replica of his fish, the fish stays alive, gets bred and then released back where it came from. So, technically the word is to prevent catch and kill for no reason and promote conservation of fish stick. But, because it's Texas, they only do that for the big ones, as they are in competition for the biggest fish with California. So, take from that what you will.
We went to San Antonio, Austin (stayed in the green hotel! it was awesome!). We went to the biggest wind farm out in west Texas (so beautiful) and to see a "green " Wal-Mart. We went to a "green " Toyota dealership and met the only woman certified two different ways to sell only green real estate. We met city planners, we met bio gas plant operators, we saw enormous tubs of manure being turned into a cleaner, cheaper alternative to petroleum based fuels. I saw and anti-Bush car sticker in Texas. In Texas, people!
We drove through and made some stops in Kentucky, Arkansas (Hot Springs Arkansas...we went to a traditional bath house and had the whole treatment in ancient marble tubs and steamers, with pure natural mineral hot springs water the whole time), Tennessee (Nashville! Graceland!), we hit up Mardi Gras in Austin and so-on.
It was a good adventure. We had fun. I caught some kind of bronchial cough (whee!) and we drove about 8000 km. Not bad at all.
I have lots of hope about what people can really actually get done in communities, when they really want to. We don't have to rely on petroleum fuels, and it doesn't have to mean a sacrifice of anything except the old ways of doing things. Ans also, we'd be sacrificing dependence on war-bent countries an other fun issues, but hey.
I skimmed over most everything. If you wanna know more or have any questions, please ask or shoot me an e-mail since I don't really know where to start. I hope you all had a great couple of weeks. I'm on catch up for now, so I'll see you sometime later :-)
xoxo
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Quick one
I'm sure you'll all be relived to know that the vet thinks Ludwig is so much better that he doesn't need his originally scheduled 3rd visit! Yay! That's about a $40 savings which is nice, to say the least. And also the healthy cat is good. Obviously. He's still a fatty bu they are surviving on their 1 cup of food a day so they'll stay on that for a month or two and then we'll seek advice to lower it more. Maybe we'll invest in a a little diet cat food or something.
In other exciting news, our washing machine which has been broken since before christmas has been fixed! No more hand washing important stuff only! We did about 4loads yesterday and have a few more to do if we can find the change to do it. Look at all the clothes we have! It's nuts, but so, so nice to have to have that modern convenience back. We also can kind of see the bedroom floor now.
In following with my Vegan with a Vengeance cookbook obsession, I've now made muffins out of the book. The mocha chip ones, but whatever, they're super good. That means I've made 2 kinds of waffles, a fabulous spinach curry, muffins, split pea soup and more from this book. It never disappoints and the ingredients are simple but fabulous. I ed-veganize sometimes since we now seem to use cow's milk more than soy milk, but the recipes are. SO.GOOD.
I can't wait to pick up the same author's cupcake book. I've tried the chai latte cupcakes and they are amazing. Yay delicious food!
Anyhoo, I haven't done any Texas prep yet, but I still have US traveller's cheques from Australia so that's nice. I'll pack the night before/the day of. Mostly I'm worried about having stuff to do in the car. I plan to knit a lot, and I am on a mitten kick so I'll have to hit up the second hand stores for mitten wool to get that ready too. An adventure! I can already feel that I'll be a bit homesick though. I like our little home and I'm pretty used to being with Rob most every day. A little time to make the heart grow fonder, I guess.
I am currently avoiding more thesis work, though that won't go away, so research I must. I know the info is there if I'd only look, but it's all about breaking the ice and getting into it.
Rob's at the walk in clinic. Hes been a sickie all week and this weekend was the worst. I've got him on fluids like mad and he thinks he may need a little more to fight whatever he's got. wish him luck :(
Back to it. Hey, as a placeholder thesis question (it'll get refined over time, that's for sure) what do you think of:
What role to environmental innovators play in promoting sustainable communities?
I like it.
yay.
In other exciting news, our washing machine which has been broken since before christmas has been fixed! No more hand washing important stuff only! We did about 4loads yesterday and have a few more to do if we can find the change to do it. Look at all the clothes we have! It's nuts, but so, so nice to have to have that modern convenience back. We also can kind of see the bedroom floor now.
In following with my Vegan with a Vengeance cookbook obsession, I've now made muffins out of the book. The mocha chip ones, but whatever, they're super good. That means I've made 2 kinds of waffles, a fabulous spinach curry, muffins, split pea soup and more from this book. It never disappoints and the ingredients are simple but fabulous. I ed-veganize sometimes since we now seem to use cow's milk more than soy milk, but the recipes are. SO.GOOD.
I can't wait to pick up the same author's cupcake book. I've tried the chai latte cupcakes and they are amazing. Yay delicious food!
Anyhoo, I haven't done any Texas prep yet, but I still have US traveller's cheques from Australia so that's nice. I'll pack the night before/the day of. Mostly I'm worried about having stuff to do in the car. I plan to knit a lot, and I am on a mitten kick so I'll have to hit up the second hand stores for mitten wool to get that ready too. An adventure! I can already feel that I'll be a bit homesick though. I like our little home and I'm pretty used to being with Rob most every day. A little time to make the heart grow fonder, I guess.
I am currently avoiding more thesis work, though that won't go away, so research I must. I know the info is there if I'd only look, but it's all about breaking the ice and getting into it.
Rob's at the walk in clinic. Hes been a sickie all week and this weekend was the worst. I've got him on fluids like mad and he thinks he may need a little more to fight whatever he's got. wish him luck :(
Back to it. Hey, as a placeholder thesis question (it'll get refined over time, that's for sure) what do you think of:
What role to environmental innovators play in promoting sustainable communities?
I like it.
yay.
Thursday, February 08, 2007
Texas on the horizon
I leave for Texas on Tuesday after tutorial...around 6-ish in the evening.
I got my F-class licence! I can now (legally) drive a 15 passenger van. Man, I forgot how freaked out a person can get waiting to do a practical test. Also, I waited until less than 10 days before the trip, meaning a fail would have left us in a pickle. Generally you have to wait 10 days to re-test...anyway it's done. Phew! It's cool because I will get experience and have the licence forever (with a written test maintenance every few years) and it'll come in handy I'm sure.
My thesis is coming along well. I have a pile of research to do to get it up to snuff, but I at least know what to look up. It's good. I might get to talk to eccentric excellent people! very good!
I can't really believe how fast Texas snuck up on me. I'll be gone for 2 weeks then it'll be March and school will proceed to kick my ass. Awkward! I'm hoping g to get a good stab in on getting things done in advance because I know that every little thing I do now will help me in the long run.
Tomorrow I'm taking a new knitter to a yarn store! I'm excited because it's always fun to talk yarn with people who actually care and I like to go back to this shop as much as I can because it's kind of discount-y and thy sometimes have wicked deals on clearance needles or yarn. I absolutely don't need more yarn, but whatever. I like to look. I'm a yarn porn voyeur!
Tomorrow Ludwig goes back to the vet for a check-up. he started scooting along the carpet and looked really uncomfortable [non-cat people STOP READING]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And he has an anal gland infection. He had to get them, uh, expressed, and take an antibiotic every day. He "takes" his pill like a trooper every morning and I'm hoping he shows a good improvement tomorrow. He hasn't scooted since the antibiotics started, so I'm taking that as a good sign.
[/gross cat stuff]
The vet also said he was too fat, so we've started restricting their food. 1 and 1/4 cup per day for the two of them. And I add some psyllium husk as extra fibre. They don't seem too worried, though they complain if the food is getting low. Ah well, as long as their bums are good.
Awesome! aren't you glad you stopped by! At least this'll be a travel blog of sorts again soon. No pictures sue to our wonky camera, but I will try to be descriptive and tell compelling stories of 12 people crammed in a van for 15 (think of the luggage! aaaaah!) and trying to figure out hotel room etiquette and so-on. Should be guaranteed laughs!
I'm also still biking to school every day, despite wind and blowing snow. That's the worst I've had so far. The blowing snow drifts make it slow going, and it's harder to control the bike in deeper snow. It has helped me get a better idea of a rear wheel drive though. I really like biking in the winter. I have a great route where I can stay off the roads and go through a park and I can keep a tight schedule and I don't have to take the bus! It was a personal challenge for myself this winter and feel good that I've stuck with it and am doing okay still. I like the idea of setting personal challenges for myself, and setting myself up for success. Small, manageable things that still improve my life. Building good habits. I have lots of those I could still work on getting!
I'm also still thinking about the next big adventure. Carolyn, Murray , Rob and I think we've got the next trans-continental idea set for after graduation, but I also have other idea of hings to pursue. I'm glad I'm going to Texas because it feels like I've been in one place for a long time. The thing I really like about this one is I'm coming home to the same place. I'm coming home to home! That hasn't happened for my last 2 trips at least.
I've been knitting up a storm and have completed a neck warmer which was too big for me but Rob loves. I also just finished a pair of plain, lined mitts. They are extra long on the cuff to stay tucked into jackets, and they are lined with soft wool roving, which I stranded along the inside like I was changing colours. It added an extra layer and now I'm worried that they are too warm. Hopefully they'll get some use! I've cast on my next small project, but I'm not ready to say what it in case it works out and I send it to the intended recipient.
I feel so relieved about the driving test! Now all I have to do is drive to Texas. Should be a piece of cake, right?
I got my F-class licence! I can now (legally) drive a 15 passenger van. Man, I forgot how freaked out a person can get waiting to do a practical test. Also, I waited until less than 10 days before the trip, meaning a fail would have left us in a pickle. Generally you have to wait 10 days to re-test...anyway it's done. Phew! It's cool because I will get experience and have the licence forever (with a written test maintenance every few years) and it'll come in handy I'm sure.
My thesis is coming along well. I have a pile of research to do to get it up to snuff, but I at least know what to look up. It's good. I might get to talk to eccentric excellent people! very good!
I can't really believe how fast Texas snuck up on me. I'll be gone for 2 weeks then it'll be March and school will proceed to kick my ass. Awkward! I'm hoping g to get a good stab in on getting things done in advance because I know that every little thing I do now will help me in the long run.
Tomorrow I'm taking a new knitter to a yarn store! I'm excited because it's always fun to talk yarn with people who actually care and I like to go back to this shop as much as I can because it's kind of discount-y and thy sometimes have wicked deals on clearance needles or yarn. I absolutely don't need more yarn, but whatever. I like to look. I'm a yarn porn voyeur!
Tomorrow Ludwig goes back to the vet for a check-up. he started scooting along the carpet and looked really uncomfortable [non-cat people STOP READING]
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
And he has an anal gland infection. He had to get them, uh, expressed, and take an antibiotic every day. He "takes" his pill like a trooper every morning and I'm hoping he shows a good improvement tomorrow. He hasn't scooted since the antibiotics started, so I'm taking that as a good sign.
[/gross cat stuff]
The vet also said he was too fat, so we've started restricting their food. 1 and 1/4 cup per day for the two of them. And I add some psyllium husk as extra fibre. They don't seem too worried, though they complain if the food is getting low. Ah well, as long as their bums are good.
Awesome! aren't you glad you stopped by! At least this'll be a travel blog of sorts again soon. No pictures sue to our wonky camera, but I will try to be descriptive and tell compelling stories of 12 people crammed in a van for 15 (think of the luggage! aaaaah!) and trying to figure out hotel room etiquette and so-on. Should be guaranteed laughs!
I'm also still biking to school every day, despite wind and blowing snow. That's the worst I've had so far. The blowing snow drifts make it slow going, and it's harder to control the bike in deeper snow. It has helped me get a better idea of a rear wheel drive though. I really like biking in the winter. I have a great route where I can stay off the roads and go through a park and I can keep a tight schedule and I don't have to take the bus! It was a personal challenge for myself this winter and feel good that I've stuck with it and am doing okay still. I like the idea of setting personal challenges for myself, and setting myself up for success. Small, manageable things that still improve my life. Building good habits. I have lots of those I could still work on getting!
I'm also still thinking about the next big adventure. Carolyn, Murray , Rob and I think we've got the next trans-continental idea set for after graduation, but I also have other idea of hings to pursue. I'm glad I'm going to Texas because it feels like I've been in one place for a long time. The thing I really like about this one is I'm coming home to the same place. I'm coming home to home! That hasn't happened for my last 2 trips at least.
I've been knitting up a storm and have completed a neck warmer which was too big for me but Rob loves. I also just finished a pair of plain, lined mitts. They are extra long on the cuff to stay tucked into jackets, and they are lined with soft wool roving, which I stranded along the inside like I was changing colours. It added an extra layer and now I'm worried that they are too warm. Hopefully they'll get some use! I've cast on my next small project, but I'm not ready to say what it in case it works out and I send it to the intended recipient.
I feel so relieved about the driving test! Now all I have to do is drive to Texas. Should be a piece of cake, right?
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