Spring Into Fitness - Week 1

Start small, scale quickly...perhaps ;)

Earth

There is no set eating plan but I suspect there won't be a plan, even by the end of the challenge. I've have organic weetabix (wholegrain wheat cereal) with skimmed milk twice this week and only two rolls on potato scone - a good achievement as this is my regular breakfast at work. Today, after Lent, I have returned to eating crisps - I still enjoy them but I don't crave them, so much, so it is a good start. Chocolate - I can take or leave.

Air

I have bookmarked a couple of web sites for breathing exercises, done only a little extra housework but I have opened the windows to let the fresh cold air sweep through the house. I joined the forum on Philosophy Now and noticed that there is a post on the Happy New Year thread for last year's solstice, which was intended for the traditional January 1st wishes, and a discussion on Is Wicca the way forward? which I think I should join in.

Water

I have been a bit more chilled and tried not to over-think emotionally. I do need to buy more peppermint tea and some green tea for work but I am taking less coffee. I have been taking more hot orange and blackcurrant drinks to combat my dreaded lurgy.

Fire

I've been a bit off colour so exercise is out for now, although I do love the broomsticks! Dancing to Rockin' In The Free World by Neil Young, which was being played by my friend's band Rosewood on Friday night may count ;).

Spirit

Maybe not as caring, considerate and thoughtful of others as I could have been, as I squeak hoarsely and sleep lots to get over my physical lurgy.

Week 1 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional)

I performed The Fivefold Kiss for the first time during the full moon, which was fitting for me to do so as I have been told that I have been channeling Goddess energy for most of the year. Unfortunately, I could not find any of my incense but used candle smoke for Air - which is another reason why I need the Challenge. But I did find my favourite incense today :).

Tomorrow is another day - and the start of Week 2... ;)

Spring Into Fitness Challenge

 I have decided to sign up for the Spring Into Fitness Challenge from Serenity Raven and here are my goals that represent all five elements: earth, air, fire, water and spirit:-

Earth

Better eating plan, especially during work week (April!). Less roll on potato scone for breakfast, more weetabix.

Air

Learn breathing exercises, air house, use your mind!

Water

Everything is fluid, lol more, stress less, chill more. Drink even more water, try green tea again, take more peppermint tea, less coffee.

Fire

Do more of what makes me feel alive, what my passions are! Take some exercise

Spirit

I could say be more alturistic but, in this scenario, it would flow from being selfish thus rendering it not alturistic at all *sigh*. Be more caring, considerate and thoughtful of others. Love and nourish my soul.

The Mid-March Festivals

Being a St. Patrick's Day baby, I haven't given much thought to the the other mid-March festivals which occur during the same week.

Yes, I have been aware today, 15th March, is The Ides of March since school and perhaps before (Saturday afternoon movies). The Ides are the middle of the month but The Ides of March are best known for when Julius Caesar was killed. This was not just artistic licence by William Shakespeare to make a good story.


I was not aware that yesterday, 14th March, is regarded as Pi Day because in American date format 3/14 are the first three digits of π in decimal.

Monday 19th March is St. Joseph's Day, celebrating the feast day of Joseph, the husband of Mary, the mother of Jesus. Shockingly I have confused this date with 16th March, to which I attribute having a childhood friend who's birthday in 16th March and mixing that celebration up with St. Joseph's Day.


And 17th March is of course St.Patrick's Day and my birthday. It is a holy day and also a day of celebration of all things Irish in many parts of the world - including New York, where I celebrated my 40th birthday :)


As my year of the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything draws to a close, I have felt humbled and elated by being so blessed with the love of family and friends. Even today, I have felt embraced by the warmest wishes from surprisingly unexpected quarters. 
Thank you all and I will raise a glass to toast you on St. Patrick's Day ;)


Mon 12 - white/white with green leaves/green suede :)
Tues 13 - purple/green with white and purple flowers/ green suede :)
Wed 14 - white/white with black/white flowers/black leather cut-out :)
Thurs 15 - white/black/black leather cut-out :)

A Week of Buying Sundresses (or month?)

I succumbed to the Tesco sale then an ad-hoc visit to Cyber, followed by an early arrival at Cyber later in the week and a visit to East today increased my dress collection. Some are suitable for work but not all are sundresses ;)


I was also inspired by an article in The Guardian today, which I may pursue for some of my offline work...


So here goes:-
Mon 5 - red/white with red and black flowers/red patent leather :)
Tues 6 - a change in theme for bh birthday meal - wine work dress/wine suede boots :)
Wed 7 - dusty lilac/white with lilac flowers and green/purple velvet :)
Thurs 8 - black dress with dusky lilac flowers/black leather boots :)
Fri 9 - away day uniform


P.S. I can re-assure you that I have now started to streamline the contents of my wardrobe, not just continually add to it ;)

Girls In Their Summer Clothes

March has arrived, full of the promise of spring, with bright days of sunshine but still with a slight chill in the air.


I thought I would wear sundresses to celebrate however I don't know if I have enough which would be suitable for work wear so it will probably be suitable separates.


Unfortunately I thought St. David's Day was Friday, not Thursday, so I hadn't prepared a yellow top and skirt ensemble for the day but I started with black and white. Last year I was better organised with white/lace yellow


So here goes:-
Thurs 1 - black satin/black and white flowers/black leather :)
Fri 2 - purple/white with purple flowers/purple velvet :)


And to accompany my theme for March?


Bruce Springsteen - Girls In Their Summer Clothes

Bruce Springsteen - Girls In Their Summer Clothes (Official Music Video)Bruce Springsteen

Roll on Monday :)


Yes, I know the song is not happy smiley and touched by heartbreak 
'The girls in their summer clothes
Pass me by'

Electric Man UK Premiere

Tonight I went to see the UK premiere of Electric Man at the Glasgow Film Festival.


This, as you may be aware, is the movie done by my friend from my long distant past in Edinburgh. 


Launching the movie tonight, starting to tour with it and trying to get it picked up for national and international distribution is another chapter for the idea that has become the movie and is spawning off a back history to support it.


For me, it was the culmination of seeing the process from the later stage of filming, with no inkling of the creative and crucial fund raising which took place to bring the idea to this stage - the idea transformed into the movie: a product distilled from the essence of an idea; this stage also being the CCA Theatre in Glasgow (a revelation in itself in the Sauchiehall Street of shops). And not forgetting the inspiration to go for your dream. And the hard work it must have entailed...


It was never really about the content or production for me but, knowing the influences, I knew I'd be in for a good story. I don't want to spoil it for anyone but I was not disappointed. 


All the key ingredients were there - mystery, romance, a thug, twists and turns, nostalgia and beautiful scenery. You should hopefully laugh at funny bits - I'm sure they all were intentional?, aah at the romance, be scared by the thug, wallow in the nostalgia, aah again at the Edinburgh scenery and generally come out feeling cheered and perhaps even uplifted.  


As he said, Scotland does gritty well but can do happy movies too! 


SO GO SEE A HAPPY MOVIE NOW!
Electric Man

If it is not playing near you, contact the film team and try to set-up a local screening.


Me - I'm looking forward to the Edinburgh screening at The Cameo with the girls (and after of course, hic). Then I'll just wait on the dvd coming out..

Where did February go?

It is almost the second dark moon of the year and I am wondering where has the time went?

Of course when I think about and look back, it has been a mixed month for emotions - or a busy fun-filled month if you believe the fb posts lol.

So perhaps the underlying message is of hope and love and I'm over-thinking it - what a surprise?

Yes, I'll go with that.

1,2,3 Smile! (...again ;) )