Starting a book club

I've started a book club. Yes, there are only myself and one other member, but who cares. The purpose of book clubs, in my opinon, is to share thoughts and reactions to writings. Book clubs expand people's horizons pushing them to read titles that they normally wouldn't.

The Shelex Literary Pose is just myself and a bestie. We do not live in the same state, so I thought this would be another great way to keep in touch. After all, we were both looking for new books to read at the same time, why not enjoy the book together.

The first selection is The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. It is a work that was picked up by Oprah's book club, so right there is a reason I wouldn't have normally read it. I like to stay away from book fads until they have proven the test of time. I like to steer clear of books that are overly emotional or sappy because I feel they do not contribute to my life in a productive way; they do not make me think. Everyone reads for different reasons (or chooses not to read), same as movie watching or t.v. viewings. Our reasons may be different but they are what propels us to pick a certain activity. I read to expand my thoughts and consider new ideas. So far, this is a great book for that.

Who knows what the next title will be for the Shelex Literary Pose, but I'm hoping it will be eye opening for me and leave men questioning certain ideas. I like to read books that stick with you and make it hard to think about much else.

Girls and their candy

It has recently come to my attention that I have fallen into a girly stereotype. Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids are among my favorite candies. I was informed that many ladies list these as their favorites as well. So, what is it about the sugary creations that make the Y gender smile?

I like both Swedish Fish and Sour Patch Kids because they are chewy without being too gummy or gunky on my teeth. The flavors are fruity without trying to overly impress in a disgusting way (banana laffy taffy anyone?). And yet, they're not too sweet. In the case of Sour Patch Kids, they're not too sour and then not too sweet. The perfect combination for a non annoying candy.

However, none of the candy attributes listed above are inherently female. One does not need to be a female to favor candy that doesn't stick to the teeth. Plus, it certainly isn't female to prefer something that is non chocolaty. So then, is the candy declared as a favorite of so many more women because men simply do not admit to their love for it? Do men think they can not equally enjoy it?

I'm asking you, are their gender guidelines for candy preference?

Movie review: The Giant Mechanical Man

Movie review: The Giant Mechanical Man
Directed by: Lee Kirk

Starring: Jenna Fischer, Chris Messina, Topher Grace

Rating: B+

I recently discovered this movie on Netflix and I am glad I did. It is not terribly old, 2012, but it is certainly something that wasn’t on my radar. I picked it because Netflix told me I would most likely love it. A person has to give a little pause when a prediction is so near 100% for favorability. Perhaps this comes from an interest in proving wrong computerized methods of calculating my interests. Well, nice job Netflix. You got this one exactly right. I greatly enjoyed it.

The characters in this movie are sad and lost. Even if you are not sad and lost, they are relatable. I found myself nodding my head in affirmation of their misfit feelings. They are not misfits; they are characters who are just looking for someone who won’t make them feel like they are the odd one out. This thought is even summed up by a line in the movie in the bar scene; we are basically all looking for that one person who will understand.

The lead actress, Janice, is going through a number of life changes as she floats along. Her sister does not make the lack of direction any easier. In fact, Jill projects her own life desires on Janice thinking her life will turn around if she only heads in the same direction. This is not true, Janice does not want what Jill wants and/or has. This causes great frustration.

The lead actor, Tim, is also coasting through life, and the idea of getting a more stable job and existence is thrust upon him. No one seems to understand Tim’s plight. He is a street performer, the giant mechanical man. He dresses in silver from his clothes to his face paint and dons stilts to bring smiles to passersby on the street. It appears that his desire to be a street performer is simply because he is a performance artist, but then we come to understand that Tim’s performances bring to life his detached outlook on life. He has not found anyone to help him make sense of his existence.

Janice develops a fondness for the giant mechanical man because she feels he understands her. She talks to him even though the giant mechanical man cannot react to her, as that would break character. Unknowingly, Janice and Tim begin working at the same zoo, both in jobs that are beneath their qualifications. They develop a friendship that grows into something more romantic. Janice doesn’t know Tim is the giant mechanical man and we don’t know how she will find out that Tim is the street performer she feels so deeply understands her, but we know it will happen. Will this discovery bring happiness or confusion?

This movie has a deeper message to convey. The acting is solid and makes the viewer understand the feeling of hopelessness. The characters really do appear to be lost in life and contemplating the meaning of everything. The directing excellently turns their hopelessness into a trajectory heading toward happiness.  We watch as they realize they don’t have to have everything figured out they just have to be content with their place in the world. The viewer becomes invested in the story because we’re rooting for a happy ending.

A tech savvy fairy tale

Creative writing exercise: Write a fairy tale that incorporates technology.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful little cupcake baker named Brenda. Brenda had hair the color of honey, a dark blond with natural highlights of gold and strawberry, at least that's how the fashionista bloggers would come to describe it. Her eyes resembled the bluest of seas, and had the depth of ocean waters. Her hands were dainty and nimble, perfect for decorating her delicious confections. Her father taught her everything he knew about baking and when he could offer no more guidance Bren turned to Google to find new techniques and trends.

Bren had been making cupcakes for friends and family since she was a little girl. Times had changed quite a bit since her Easy Bake Oven. For one, she was no longer as carefree as she was in her younger days. Her father died in what she still believed was an accident. The news report said it was a fire that originated in the kitchen, however conspiracy theories ran wild on Twitter.  Bren was forced to move in with her grandmother as a result, which was a major insult as she didn't have internet. However, that living situation also did not last as her grandmother soon after fell ill and passed away.

A neighbor reluctantly took Bren in and promised to provide for the curious little girl, and that living situation was much worse than a lack of internet. The neighbor, Harriet, grew to resent Bren's beauty and culinary skill. Harriet mocked Bren for her appearance and skill leading Bren to think she was below average at all she did. She would snap pictures of the girl and post them onto Instagram with odd comments and made up facts. It was all in an attempt to humiliate Bren, and Harriet was very proud of her cyber bullying tactics.

Bren was only allowed to leave their hut for baking supplies and even then, she was made to wear a cloak with a hood that covered her beautiful locks and nearly obscured her rosy cheeks and cherry lips. During one of these supply runs Bren had her face buried in her iPad reviewing the list of ingredients she would have to pick up. She wandered into the path of an elderly bicyclist who swerved to avoid hitting her and was sent careening toward a giant rock. The old man cried out for Her hood fell off her head as she struggled to make sure he didn't fall.

After the man was safely on his feet, Bren noticed the cracked screen of her iPad. She was not happy and began to demand the man pay to upgrade her tablet or at least pay to fix the screen. She'd even accept a payment to her PayPal account. His bike riding was reckless and he really could have hurt someone.

However, the first thing he noticed was the fallen hood and the beautiful and familiar features before him. His response shocked her. The stranger called Bren by her full given name and then revealed that he was her long lost uncle. Her father was actually alive and was a top secret tech developer for an off-shoot of Apple, along side other family members. The company delivered on contracts for the CIA and that's why all employees had to go into hiding. The family and community's safety would be at risk if the enemy knew who he was or where he was, which was actually a futuristic form of witness protection. All employees lived in the same town in Area 51 (the whole Area 51 story is actually a cover for the covert and long existing CIA mission).

Bren was overwhelmed with excited feelings. That totally explained why no one could find any living family members for her to live with. They were all off the grid. Imagine her luck of running into the old man and him recognizing her. She immediately began a plan to wipe her existence off the web and erase any trace of her existence. She would join her father if it was the last thing she'd do.

Book review: I am Malala

I took on I am Malala so that I would be able to participate in the University of Wisconsin Go Big Read this season. Every year the university selects one book for a book club type of event with the goal of getting as many people in the community thinking about and talking about the same book. This book is the perfect pick for this effort as it is about a girl who was attacked for her efforts of fighting for education for girls.

Malala reads like a non fiction selection, which it is. So, no surprise there. It begins with and is filled with much historical and cultural information. While it may seem like these details drew out the prelude to the actual meat of the book, those details are necessary in understanding why Malala was compelled to fight for her right to education, why she was viewed as such a threat by the Taliban, and what she meant to her family. In my opinion, she is truly deserving of the Nobel Peace Prize she won earlier this month.

I really enjoyed that Malala did not seem to have any bitterness at any point in this book. Her life seems disadvantaged and unfortunate  to western observers, but Malala understood that this was her plot in life and only wanted her right to education. She feels education is a right for every boy, girl, woman, and man and instead of her life becoming about making enough money to escape her life, meeting a love who would sweep her away, or settling into what was expected of her, Malala focused on her love of learning and the desire to make sure everyone has the same opportunity.

Further, she did not seem to be bitter about being shot in the head (Not a spoiler alert. This is non fiction and that fact was splashed all of the news for months.). She focused on her recovery and how she would continue to help girls pursue their educational interests. She thought she'd go back to her home and her life would return to normal. This couldn't happen and Malala was also not bitter about the changes that had to come in her living situation to keep her family safe.

With only 50 pages left in the book I learned that I would have to miss the book event my local chapter had planned. I was tempted to just put the book down and move on to something else, however I did want to see how the tragic events happened and how Malala would recover. I couldn't give up. So, I mustered through it and then I donated the book to another chapter member so she could read it and take my place at the book club discussion.

Movie review: The Skeleton Twins

The Skeleton Twins

Directed by: Craig Johnson

Starring: Kristen Wiig, Bill Hader, Luke Wilson

Rating: A-

This is a great feel good movie, although I can see how it might be depressing to some. However, this is my kind of movie. There are troubled characters who are trying to sort out and work through their lives. There is a deeply rooted dynamic that needs to be re-examined and redefined. There are secrets and deceptions. In the end things work out, but that is not to say that it works out the way everyone thinks it should.

This is a movie about people who are lost and are looking for each other to help ground themselves. They need each other because without that other person, the twin, their lives just don't make as much sense. They're not fulfilled. This movie is for anyone who has ever felt like they're missing something, someone who would understand them, often without question. 

This movie is also about how some people seem like they are put together and successful, but are falling apart on the inside. The sibling who appears to have it all together isn't the one who is always the most stable. The facade will always crack in some way, revealing the deteriorated foundation.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie for its darkness, surprises, sorrow, and pure joy. 

365 Days of beautiful

My 365 Day Photo Project is the gift that keeps giving, so to speak. When I was completing the project I had hopes that I would get repeated use out of my efforts. So far I have. I have framed my favorite prints for display in my bedroom, I have taken a photo and turned it into my cell phone cover, I have created magnets for gifts, and now I am exhibiting a sample of my work in an alumni art show.

Sure, to the casual observer it may not seem like a big deal that I am displaying in the UWGB alumni photography show. However, that would be wrong. This is just another opportunity for me to show off my work and gain more exposure. I'm not looking to take my art to great lengths, but it is nice to open more eyes with it every chance I get.

The theme behind the art show is to show how alumni are changing the world through their photography. My concept is simple. I always wanted to open people's eyes to the beauty that can be found in the ordinary, including myself. This isn't changing the world in the typical fighting for change way, but it is meant to change outlooks, and make people smile. I definitely think that is changing the world. After all, we all do what we can in the ways in which we can.

The alumni art show is going on at UWGB the weekend of October 25th as part of the school's homecoming festivities and celebration of alumni.

Allergies: Failure and disappointment

It’s been a while since I’ve written on my allergy injections. The great hope! Well a lot of nothing has gone on between now and then. It is very disappointing actually. This post is about failure and dissapointment.

Let me start out by talking about some of the bad that have happened. I blogged about my swelling and rashes, but I did not write about the respiratory troubles I experienced just weeks later (not as great of a visual). I was driving to Wisconsin through Chicago when my ears all of a sudden got that troubling full feeling. Soon after I felt a ball grow in my throat and I had diminished breathing ability. These symptoms weren’t totally alarming, but I knew I had to do something. Of course, you can’t find an interstate oasis when you need one. I didn’t want to pull off onto a secondary road, so I kept going. Finally, I began fishing around in my purse hoping to grasp one of my allergy relievers. Luckily, I found my fast acting nasal steroid. Within five minutes my symptoms had dissipated and I was better, at least the fear had subsided. All was good in the world.

The next week I had a checkup with my doctor, and my treatment plan was modified. While the drastic swelling and rash were problematic, the respiratory problems were definitely cause for concern. The doctor decided to take my allergen dosage back (on the treatment timeline) and create an in-between level for me, since the level I was at was obviously too harsh for my body (imagine using a 1/500 because the body couldn't handle the change from 1/1000 to 1/100). The doc also decided that I should only come in once a week for the injections instead of twice, and I had to take double antihistamines on my shot days. Plus, I would be questioned by the nurse as to whether I had taken my extra meds and whether I had my epi-pen with me.

This change in my treatment has gone over favorably. When I say favorably I mean that it has not caused me any problems. However, my treatment process is taking longer because we had to add a middle dosage level that doesn’t exist for most, adding at least a month to the process. This is not only taking up more of my time (an hour a week if I have no reaction), it is costing me a lot of money.

Which brings me to the decision I am about to make. I will soon pull the trigger, ending the allergy injections. You see, my symptoms have not gotten better. It has been five months, and I should have noticed a difference by now, other than the worsening of symptoms that I have been noting. I am nearing the end of the building phase of my treatment. Next is the maintenance phase, meant to sustain the level of pollen resistance that was created in the previous phase. However, nothing has gotten better. Things have only gotten worse. While I understand that it has not been a favorable year for allergy sufferers, what year is? I feel like that is said every year. Pollen levels are sooooo bad this season. When aren’t they? This is the new norm. This is my norm.

I have decided not to be too reactionary. I am giving this process one more month, or so. I am waiting until the first frost. Since it has gotten cooler, my ears have stopped feeling an extreme pressure that makes me envision blood streaming from them. Now, I just feel an uncomfortable amount of pressure (the ear thing is a new symptom this year). I also have very itchy eyes, a problem which is causing me to take even more antihistamines before bed. Just so I can sleep. I now need to dope myself to get a good night’s sleep. While the injections have probably not increased the instance of my symptoms or increased their severity, they are not helping relieve them, which is what they are designed to do.

I can't help but feel very disappointed. I had a lot riding on these treatments. The ability to eat an apple, for instance. I know my allergies (oral allergies and regular) are not the worse thing in the world. People are dealing with, coping with, so much more. But I was hoping that after these treatments I would be able to eat normally again and wouldn't have to be so cautious about everything that is brought my way or briefly described on a menu. It is a little depressing. Like I said, this is my norm. 

Okay, that's it. That is all the wallowing I will allow myself. I will not feel sorry for myself. Time to put a positive spin on things or at least move forward with a new action plan. Back to eating pollen with my yogurt in the morning. That wasn't so bad...

Movie review: Gone Girl

Directed by: David Fincher
Starring: Ben Affleck, Roasmund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris

Rating: B-

After seeing a preview for Gone Girl I thought it would be a solid and very interesting movie. I had been meaning to read the book, but I decided the movie looked good enough and there was enough positive buzz going around to make me abandon that thought and decide to just see the movie instead.

Gone Girl is a solid and very interesting movie, but I feel like it fell short of my expectations. It wasn't a transformative film. Instead it played out more like a documentary, guiding the viewer through the many twists and turns. I guess this is what I've come to know in many instances of David Fincher stories. The movie was not predictable (as I had not read the book), although I was able to decide who was responsible minutes before it was revealed. I think it was a shocker to many.

I did not like the cavalier attitude and detached manner the lead actress spoke with as narrating her journal entries. Then, I realized I wasn't supposed to necessarily like her. Good. That could have been a major point of contention, but by the end of the movie that demeanor made perfect sense.

While this movie is enjoyable, I feel I would have been better served by reading the book, contrary to my opinion upon viewing the trailer.

I guess I could just say that I am happy quality and crowd friendly movies are making a return to the theaters as this season progresses. Fall/winter is known for bringing out all of the critically acclaimed dramas that will soon make it onto award ballots.

Inventing a holiday

I’m taking on the challenge of inventing a holiday and with that I have to create a reason for the holiday, include food, rituals, and traditions. This is a creative writing task, but this action is something that was actually already on my bucket list and in the past I had thought about doing this without a plan. I was planning to implement a compliment day, but because I didn’t have a plan I didn’t think that paying people compliments all day satisfied the requirement of crossing it off of my bucket list.

I have been commemorating the Christmas season by recognizing the winter solstice for years. Instead of wishing me a Merry Christmas, friends in the know wish me a Happy Win-Sol. I don’t necessarily celebrate Christmas traditions, so I send people Win-Sol gifts and tie all of the winter holiday charm into the day. This year I think I will actually celebrate it by completing this mission of creating a food, ritual, and tradition.

When I was young, I learned the trick of standing an egg on its head on the spring and fall equinox. For this reason, the egg should be a significant part of every solstice, winter included. Eggs will be eaten in different forms all day long, culminating with midnight custard. Midnight is significant because the winter solstice marks the longest night of the year. Eggs will also be colored deep blue (in an Easter sort of fashion) and displayed to represent twilight and the night sky.

Then there are some traditions that can be adhered to, but aren’t mandatory. First is the wearing of deep blue, the official color of the holiday. Also an attempt to stay awake well into the morning hours recounting the life of Humpty Dumpty.

While this holiday celebration is centered upon a true event/ observation, the rituals and traditions are all created for the purpose of celebrating a non religious winter holiday. No longer do people have to feel like hypocrites for not getting into the Christmas spirit!

Fall TV: I might not get around to it

The fall t.v. line-up is here and I’m not amused. This seems to be the same underwhelmed feeling experienced by many wary media consumers over the past, many seasons of television premieres. There seems to be nothing new and worthy of my time.

I don’t watch much t.v. as I would rather be out there living my life rather than watching scripted actors live theirs. This is not a judgment on anyone; I do not look down upon anyone who watches shows often. Watching is just not one of my priorities or habits.

Some people watch shows with their friends or significant others. It is a ritual and gives them something to talk about. These people will go to work and gossip about what happened with their co-workers. They keep the proverbial water cooler warm with their socializing. That’s just not me.

That being said, it takes a lot for me to decide that something is worthy of my watching time. Most of “my stories” have ended. Series over, leaving me without a favorite and certainly without anything that I appointment watch. I figure if a show is good enough I can catch up on it later, or tough luck if I neglect to watch it.

I will admit to being a pseudo Thursday night Gladiator, of the Scandal ilk. Plus, I have watched the new Shonda Rhimes show, How to GetAway With Murder and I am slightly intrigued. Although, I don’t know if my interest is strong enough to keep my viewing attention. I didn’t watch either show when it aired. I watched afterward on abc.com and will likely continue to do so. Hooray for shows streaming on network websites.

 I continue to be very amused by The Mindy Project and The New Girl (to a lesser degree). However, I wouldn’t mind missing either of these shows. Actually, this week I did miss both and although I am thinking about watching I might not get around to it.

That may be the sum of my tv viewing this season, I might not get around to it.

Adding meditation and yoga to my morning

I am trying out a new morning routine. When I say "trying out," I mean attempting to wake up for a new morning routine. It consists of meditation and yoga. The thought is that if I start my days out with a calm and positive mind, I will continue my day with a calm and positive mind. It's all about getting the right start on the day, and not waking up on the wrong side of the bed.

In the past, I have tried to meditate. I have made feeble efforts every now and then when the mood strikes me. Perhaps I have such a hard time keeping my mind still and have thus failed because I haven't practiced. Meditation takes practice. A person cannot just one day sit down and demand that their mind stop running through the hundreds of things that have to be accomplished that day. It won't happen. However through practice, the practice that I will be able to get if I succeed at my daily mediation, I will calm my mind.

I have previously made the same type of paltry attempt at yoga. I get out the yoga mat whenever the idea crosses my mind on a empty Saturday afternoon. I know a few poses, and can really do none of them well. My balance isn't always there because the stints of time in which I do not practice yoga are longer than the ones in which I do. This should become something more regular in my life as well.

Through these two daily exercises I am hoping for a continued positive outlook and a less frantic approach to the work week.