Migraine Monday

Dear Monday Migraine,

I dearly hate you. You crept up on me when I woke up this morning as a warning that I am too stressed right now. Thank you captain obvious. I do hope you realize that your presence was in fact even more stressful!
I couldn't afford to take time off work and yet you so cleverly induced tunnel vision so bad that I didn't have a choice.
My efforts to thwart your path of destruction then backfired: Since you stole my appetite and ability to think clearly, I took the caffeine infused Excedrin on an empty stomach, leading to severe nausea. Then your anything-but-kind throbbing behind my right eye made it impossible to move.
You left me curled up in bed. Throbbing head. Nauseous stomach. Tunnel vision. Caffeine wired. All I wanted to do was fall asleep and hit reset on waking up again. But the Excedrin had my mind racing and yet had absolutely NO effect on you.

All I could think about was how much I had to do and yet I was physically incapable of doing because of you.

Minutes turned to hours and eventually I was able to stumble downstairs for some food. By the time lunch settled and nausea subsided I convinced myself you weren't going to totally defeat me so I slowly made my way to work. The drive in the bright sun was painful. As was trying to look at my computer screen. I stayed long enough to collect non-computer related work. The Excedrin seemed to have some minute effect on your throbbing but couldn't touch your "blessing" of light sensitivity.

You may have been trying to get me to slow down and relax, but you did anything but.
I took the day off but it means I have twice as much to do tomorrow.
I took the day off and it was a perfect sunny 75F but I think you forgot that by creating severe light sensitivity you made it unbearably painful to look at anything bright, never mind actually going outside.
I took the day off but I couldn't sleep or rest because of the caffeine.
I took the day off but your presence resulted in me being curled up, stressing, curtains drawn, sunglasses on inside.

You may have retreated some tonight but you are not forgiven. Your friendly reminders that you are still here, threatening that you will make my head explode every time I sneeze is also NOT welcome.

Mr. Migraine, in case you didn't catch the drift, I hate you.
Please go away and never ever come back. Thank you.

DBB

Location:My head

I Sea Turtles

When vacationing in paradise there are few things more relaxing than piña coladas on the beach.
That is until you go scuba diving in clear, warm, fish filled amazingly blue water.
Todays dives were a highlight. The fact that my husband and I were the only ones diving at the resort meant we had a boat, crew and dive guide all to ourselves.
I like coral, my husband likes fish. So our guide chose reef sites today that had both.
Each dive was 50 minutes of drifting with the current enjoying the tranquility of the reef and all the life everywhere you look. Relaxing.
Swimming in the worlds most beautiful aquarium.

If that wasn't enough... I got to see my most favorite thing ever in the world: Sea Turtles.
They are the most elegantly graceful animals. Seeing them made my day, my week, my month. I love sea turtles. Seeing them truly distracts me from everything and cures any signs of a foul mood. The one thing that will make me giddy without fail. Truly magical.






DBB

Location:Waldorf Astoria Maldives Reef

Piña Coladas

I like piña coladas.

They are arguably the best adult beverage to consume while laying on the beach in a tropical paradise. As I sip on one of the better creations I've ever had I wanted to share the recipe since I had the pleasure of watching the bar tender create it.


Combine in blender:
Fresh pineapple, 1cut disk from whole pineapple, remove rind, cut into quadrants
Light cane syrup
Bacardi, 1 (generous) shot
Pineapple juice
Ice, handfull of cubes

Blend in blender to smooth purée
Pour into chilled tall glass
Add tropical stir stick
Enjoy!


DBB

Location:Paradise

Happy Song

I'm high energy and easily distracted. Think of the Dug, the talking dog from the movie "Up" - "Squirrel!". Sitting in one spot and concentrating is hard for me. There's always something else that needs doing. Being insanely busy doesn't help either. So since I've committed myself to a 8-5 desk job I've found over the years that listening to music calms me and helps me focus on a task.

This past year I've further refined my music methods to further distract the squirrel mentality to help my focus. The solution has been to not just listen to music, but listen to the same song on repeat - all day. By doing this it not only tunes out the distractions around me but the music becomes consistent background noise. I found that changing songs was in itself distracting.

As a result I have to pick my song of the day carefully since I will inevitably hear it a bajillion times. Usually the selection ends up being my "Happy Song" of the day/week. My happy song rotates but is usually upbeat, positive and fun. The type of song that regardless of how you're feeling when it comes on the radio makes you smile, tap your feet, and sing along.

Happy songs can apply to anytime, not just work. For example, right now I'm laying on the beach - listening to my happy song of the day and I couldn't be more relaxed.

My plan is to share with you my happy song of choice as it revolves. (My links are usually YouTube videos that are lyrics based to avoid any vulgar videos or viewers comments).

Happy Song (May 28):

Ellie Goulding - "Lights"

(the fact that I'm obsessed with lighting and the song name coincides is just an added bonus ;) )

DBB
- Posted from my iPad

Location:My own world

I don't always fly, but when I do...

I have flown a variety of airlines in my life before but I have to say that I am impressed with Singapore Airlines, and I'm only in the economy class.
*Who knew that airplane food could be edible? Let alone good?

Airplane Food

*Fast and efficient boarding
*The staff are all very kind and organized.
*Inflight games and movies in every seat back
*I have a electrical plug and a USB port to charge my various electrical devices.
*Free alcohol. Granted its only 10.30AM on a Saturday local time but it feels like 8.30PM on a Friday so why not try the local top selling "Singapore Sling"? (A "concoction of dry gin, Dom Benedictine, Cointreau and cherry brandy, shaken with a lime and pineapple juices and a dash of Angostura bitters and Grenadine")

Singapore Slinger

*Baggage rules that restrict carry on to 15lbs is great. It saves boarding back up of the aisles since people don't spend 10minutes trying to shove bags that are clearly too big into the overhead bins.
*Security scanning gives you a tag that corresponds to your plastic tote being X-rayed to ensure people claim the right totes on the other end
*Did I mention free alcohol? A glass of Baileys Irish Cream (my favorite) mixed in with my Ben & Jerry's chocolate fudge ice cream served with lunch is perfection.

Baileys & Ice Cream

Two thumbs up Singapore Airlines. You're right up there with my praises for Qantas.

DBB
- Posted from my iPad

Location:38,000 ft

Roadrash

Laugh at yourself and don't take life too seriously.
So this past weekend I finally made time to invest in some bike cleats and clipless pedals for the new bike I got back in February. I was avoiding the upgrade because I honestly was extremely anxious about falling. It took me a year of riding my hybrid, with is heavy low center of gravity and wider tires, to even contemplate the upgrade to the Quintana Roo Tri bike that I have now.
I successfully completed my maiden voyage attached to my bike without any problems (other than it took me 5 minutes to get my left foot to attach to the pedal). Granted it was a slow ride, with no stop signs, traffic lights or cars. So today I decided to commute to work, clips, cleats and all. It is a short 8.5mile bike, mostly on a bike trail. I got the hang of clipping both feet in before I reached the end of my driveway, and made it to work without even a wobble. The uphill climb also meant that I very quickly fell in love with being able to pull and push while pedaling.
On my way home, with only a mile to go, I had just finished climbing the steepest part of the commute and as I effortlessly, and proudly, unclipped my right foot and as my toes started to touch the ground at a red light - it happened. The inevitable. My deepest fears came true, and to the one car in sight, I'm sure appeared as a comedic slow-mo action as I fell.
I'm not sure whose idea it was to put a bike lane on a steep, curving off ramp that banks to the left, let alone to have the nerve to put a light at the top - ha! As I unclipped with my right, and came to a near stop, the road was banked to the left and well... gravity won.
However since the bloodshed was inevitable, I like to dwell on the positives; Only one car was around to witness the spectacle, it wasn't a busy intersection, I wasn't (really) moving, I managed to save "Blue Roo" from any scratches, and managed to only beat up my bad left knee (positive since I can't afford to beat up my 'good' right knee 2 weeks outside of my next Triathlon).
So now that I got the first fall out of the way, and the skinned, roadrashed knee/shin to prove it - I still love my pedals/shoes. I'm VERY grateful that I opted for the adjustable (since getting used to them was so fast), and I can already tell that both knees are very grateful that I went with the style that allows 15 degrees of rotation.

HIGHLY recommended:
Garneau Tri Speed Shoes
"Zero" Clipless Pedals

I honestly can't remember the last time I had roadrash, but from what I hear - I'm glad that I shaved my legs this morning! ;)

Yarnbomb

I saw on the local news last week that a small group was "yarnbombing" stop signs in the Clairemont area.
On the way to work today - I saw one on the stop sign in front of my house! I'm told there is some controversy with the yarn leaves, but I think it's harmless fun, and if anything it brings more attention to the stop signs. If it can help reduce the number of people who run the stop signs in the area, all the better.

Yarnbomb

DBB
- Posted from my iPad

Location:Clairemont, San Diego, CA

B+ve

Last year I set out on an new adventure to complete my first Triathlon while fundraising for Team Challenge in support of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation. The experience was life changing, and gave me the opportunity to meet some truly inspirational people.

One of those inspiring people was Joey Morstad. Diagnosed and hospitalized with ulcerative colitis 4 years ago Joey has taken every opportunity to be positive and make the most of life. He has recently moved to share his knowledge and love of health and nutrition with others.

This past weekend I attended Joey's fitness boot camp class and book signing for his new book. I've known that there is fitness classes and boot camps every weekend in almost every park in San Diego, but I've never been. Joey's boot camp made working out fun, and it truly kicked my butt! I didn't realize 20 second circuits could make every muscle in my body hurt like this, but its a good hurt. Enough so - I think I'm hooked. What better way to spend a Saturday morning than outside in the perfect weather with a fun group of people burning calories?

Try new things and always be positive (B+ve).

Check out Joey's website and book here:
http://www.strengthandnutrition.com/

And don't forget to check out our website for Crohn's & Colitis!
http://www.active.com/donate/trirock12sd/dborys

DBB
- Posted from my iPad

Location:Point Loma, San Diego, CA

Tutu you

When you sign up for a Ridiculous Obstacle Course race with your closest friends what better craft to do - than make tutu's!
All you need:
Tulle (~20yds/tutu) - find at Jo-ann Fabrics or online at http://www.giftsintl.com/ (~$1.50/10yds).
Elastic (3yds/tutu) - thickness is personal choice. We used 1/4".
Scissors
Fun friends
Cut 6" wide tulle into 2ft lengths. Tie elastic around pillow. Fold tulle strips in half and loop over elastic. Try on and enjoy! :)

Girls just want to have fun!



Share the fun with your most cherished loved ones :)



Consider donating to a fabulous cause!



DBB
-Posted from my iPad

Location:San Diego, CA

Small Fortune

It's been a while since I've had a fortune cookie. Much to my dismay todays "fortune" was less than inspiring.

"Your lucky number this week is 8. Seek the significance"...

I'm open to suggestions! :)