Kholakat.net Dissociative Ramblings

Hi guys,

Just thought I would write a quick-ish post regarding the detox. We are currently perched on day 1 of week 2. Last week we had to cut out tea/coffee as well as sweet naughty foods (2 of Nath’s vices gone in one fell swoop). This week we have to cut out dairy, wheat and meat (including fish/eggs). So far I have experimented with chickpeas and curry. Later I will get some silken tofu from Chinatown as well as some of that pretend-meat tofu that isn’t actually too bad! I’m trying to see this as an experiment, and also to see how much of a difference it will make me feel. So far I must say, I am feeling pretty good. It’s taking a lot of will-power to stay away from chocolate though. Yoghurt has been my saviour food at the moment. Mmm…. yoghurt.. Ok, it’s no Baskins, but it will do for now. Next week will be back to the same as last week, so I guess that means we will be going to some steak place for dinner next Monday? Lol!

On another note, I got a bit of a promotion at work (same work, different title, more pay) so I’m rather happy at the moment! I’ve yet to sign the contract so I don’t know how much more I will be earning but anything more has got to be a bonus. It does mean I should change my business cards but I don’t know if I will bother. No one really knows what any of the titles mean in our IT department!

Yesterday we wandered the city and saw the new Queen’s Plaza complete with Tiffany’s. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I can get caught up in the wonderful-ness that is Tiffany’s. I didn’t like the movie at all (Breakfast at Tiffany’s), although the song was ok (hard to sing with karaoke though). I just don’t get it! Anyway, I read somewhere the other day that knitting is like meditation so I thought it might be good for me to get back into it. I bought some wool and have embarked on a knitting journey to make scarves for Nath and myself. I should have them ready by next winter if my track record is anything to go by! I tend to start craft-y projects one winter, leave them over summer, and pick up again the next year. I have a big cross-stitch picture that is still 1/3 done, sitting in a corner somewhere. I really should finish that…

We had a mini LAN at our place on the weekend. We had these great intentions to be playing hours and hours of Lionheart but I think it ended up being about an hour or so (broken up with bouts of cooking and preparing – I got a little carried away with the catering). I was using the little knob mouse thingy on the laptop so my hand was cramped up for the rest of the night. Doh! Must get another mouse.

We have decided to try and do the Herron detox thingy. It all seems pretty straight-forward. Take tablets/powders, try to eat healthily, get less tired. Today was Day 1. These few days are supposed to be the worst when your body goes into chocolate withdrawal or something. I have been pretty good so far – drinking heaps of water and herbal tea, as well as having fairly good meals (that means no coco pops!). For the first week we mainly have to avoid tea/coffee, processed meats, red meat and sugary foods like biscuits and cake. These are things I am supposed to be avoiding anyway due to naturopathic advice so I am pretty confident that it should go ok. Once I finish the detox, I might go back to the calorie counting/points system to stay with the healthy eating. The points system really makes you think about whether or not you should eat that Caramello Koala. Then again, you can always do more excercise to balance it out or just scrap the points altogether for that day! (um, erm, yes. I had a salad… and some porridge… and some air for dinner that day!) We even went to the gym tonight even though I have an early start tomorrow (down to Sydney for the day, and no… there will be no Krispy Kreme delivery). Did a bit of cardio work while listening to old dance music really loudly. Not 80’s stuff but just my old Wild FM cds from 5+ years ago. I just don’t know… kids today….

After 3 failed attempts at signing up for 12+ months on gym contracts, and only ever fulfilling half (or less) of that contractual time, I have decided that my recent foray into study-less-land has given me the opportunity to try and embark on a truly healthy (fit) lifestyle. The plan is to make the gym-going a regular event so it becomes habit. You know, that saying about doing something 7 times and then it is habit? When it comes to gym, I don’t know if this is true… Anyway, we have joined a Fitness First gym which has classes, gym AND relaxation area. I think it is the latter that sold me. Any place with an ‘aromatherapy room’ has my seal of approval. So this means that while I step, pump, jam and pilates it away within a group of people, moving like mindless sheep, Nath gets to work on his abba dabbas and other musc-els too. The downside of it all (apart from the monthly fee), is that it is situated in a busy shopping centre, which will make Thursday nights and Saturdays ridiculous to get a park for. We have yet to attempt this though. On the bright (brighter?) side, another Fitness First will be opening in another shopping centre (also close by) so we can use both. Woo hoo! Jase reckons I should see how I go after a month first before acting so excited about it all. Everyone there seems really nice though, and it does feel positive to be doing good things for my body. The flip side of that is that suddenly I am in a baking mood (perhaps thinking I can ‘burn’ off the calories now!), and have been making batches of muffins and chunky double choc chip cookies. Doh! I don’t think it works that way…

Today we went to Kris’ house and hung out with our friends watching all 3 Lord of the Rings movies, extended editions, no major breaks. After much Coke and crap/junky food, I am too wired to go to sleep (it’s after 2am). I am actually quite surprised that I was able to watch it all without falling asleep. The movies tie in so well together and the extended scenes are awesome – they really add a richness to the movies that bring them up a few more notches. Just to bring it into perspective though, for those who have not seen the extended editions…. these dvds come on 2 disks… this is because each movie is around 4 hours long. That’s right, a grand total of nearly 12 hours of Middle Earth. Kudos to Peter Jackson for enriching my life with such spectacular visions of New Zealand, a haunting and emotional soundtrack, and a decent storyline (although that should go to Tolkein, and Jackson can keep the kudos for not changing the storyline!). Oh, and brilliant interpretation too. I have read all the books (after the first movie came out), and he has brought so much to life in colour and brilliance. Something the books never always seemed to easily convey (*Kathy ducks to avoid objects being thrown in her general direction*). Anyway, that was a long ramble! It must be my low tolerance to caffeine. Doh! It’s gonna be a loooooonnnnnggggg night.

Work has become interesting too. We have had a new guy start, which has been fun. He seems pretty cool and it means we have someone else to share the load with for now, until someone else goes on maternity leave. It also seems like I am getting more responsibility within the department. I have been asked to assist with a project in Adelaide. It’s good cause I have the right contacts and am finding out the right questions to ask, but I think it’s going to be the first time I have done something like this. Yes, there is a fear of failure, but it’s also kinda exciting to be able to prove myself to the team! I’m actually pretty happy about that since my uni-quitting decision. I want to excel at something that means something, or has importance/relevance now. Work has been at the forefront of this ‘excelling’ idea, but so has gym and fitness. This has been my first week since joining and I have been twice for actual classes so far. Ok, track record is not so good but it’s not my fault the gym closes early on Fridays! We might have to start getting up earlier. Eek!

*yawn* A little sleepier now. Might try and get some sleep.

Fav perfume of the day: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea
Fav song of the day: anything LOTR