Tina Turner redux ("We never do nothin' nice and easy.")

I planned ahead. Honest!

I outlined the script for my job application cooking demo last week. I speak better from an outline than I do from a full script.

I listed the tools and ingredients I needed and had them ready.

I worked Thursday, Friday and Saturday to figure out the lighting and the camera position. (That was in between doing laundry, dishes, etc.)

Also Thursday, Friday and Saturday I learned about shooting digital video. I experimented with my camera. The storage card included with the camera held only 16Mb -- no wonder I thought it could only record 15 seconds of video! I discovered that with my 128 Mb card the feature was actually useful. I also discovered the clips are stored in a format that can't be read on my computer. The current release of QuickTime requires a newer operating system than Win2000. In order to see my videos I have to upload them.

I created a YouTube account. I uploaded test clips. I varied the resolution. I varied the sound. I varied the camera position.

I cleared the island, which usually holds more than just my mixer. I cleared the refrigerator, which usually has library due date notices, the poison control center magnet and a magnetic shopping list. I cleared the shelf that contains my spice racks. It usually has all the spices that don't fit on the racks plus the clip-on lamp I use for food photography.

I planned my clothes. I planned my hair. I planned my makeup.

I was unable to finish the preparations on Saturday, so I started out today (Monday) behind schedule. I called my friend and asked to push back the time. She agreed, but had an appointment not much later.

She arrived, we put her camera on the tripod, we made a very short test clip, we added more light. The camera was getting confused by the intense sunlight shining through the blinds onto the white refrigerator behind me, so we figured out a way to block the light without being obvious. We shot another test clip and were happy with it.

I wanted to do a test run first, to review the script and check the timing and lights. My friend agreed. We started the dry run, with the camera rolling. Halfway through I stopped dead as I realized I had just cut my only lemon in half. The beans were in the food processor. I had totally forgotten about the test run. I had also just come to a complete stop in the middle of what was now my submission clip.

I continued, but was flustered. I babbled a little, then found my stride. Well, I thought I found my stride. The lemon hummus I was making usually requires two or three tablespoons of liquid to adjust the consistency. I was up to six and it was showing no signs of cooperating. At that point my friend asked when I was going to add the lemon juice.

The lemon juice. I had become so flustered about cutting the lemon that I forgot to add the juice. No wonder the hummus was the consistency of cement! I added the lemon juice and the hummus started to blend beautifully. I finished my presentation and served the wraps that I had prepared earlier, along with carrots and pita to dip in the new batch.

We ate our snacks while watching the replay on the camera. It was not five minutes long; it was fifteen. We were happy with it. My friend had to leave for her appointment before it finished. When it did I uploaded the file to my hard drive and started the upload to You Tube...

Which died. It seemed to be working, then it just stopped. I needed a break by then. I set the project aside, checked my email, paid some bills, played a computer game.

When I returned to YouTube to try again I noticed some text off to the side; it was a link to a different upload process for files more than 100Mb or for loading multiple files at once. That seemed like the solution to my problem until I followed the link. At the top of the next screen was a warning that files must be less than 1 GB and less than ten minutes. Oops!

I've sent a desperate letter to friends asking if they know anyone with the software and expertise to help me edit the clip down to ten minutes. We could delete some of our conversation, and we can definitely eliminate some of the two minutes that are drowned out by the food processor. I can shorten the segment following my discovery that this was the submission video, not the trial run, but I think I'll leave in the part where I looked straight at the camera and explained what had just happened.

But, just in case I can't edit the file, I need to go get some lemons. I'll get several this time. You never know....



Update: I just checked YouTube. After taking more than 30 minutes to upload, and about that to process the file, YouTube rejected the video for the length. I knew they would, but I had to try.

The job...

When asking permission of two friends to list their names as references on the job application I'm preparing I included a description of the job and the way I see it fitting into my life. I'm very happy with the way it turned out, so I'm including it here.
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I am applying to become an instructor for the Food for Life program of The Cancer Project. I have been taking this class at The Wellness Community in Phoenix. Each week, for eight weeks, participants watch a 10 minute video in which Dr. Neal Barnard shares the science of that week's topic. The instructor then answers questions about the material and talks about the foods he's going to prepare. The participants watch the instructor prepare a meal, then share it. How much each gets depends on the size of the class.

It is much easier to change something as fundamental as eating habits when you've had some experience. Seeing the food prepared, seeing that it can be quick and easy, seeing that vegan food is not all roots and twigs, and doesn't require exotic ingredients, does much to eliminate the psychological obstacles that hold many back from these changes. Actually sampling the food gives them a starting point for trying the recipes at home.

This program teaches the whole foods, plant-centered way of eating that I have been promoting for nearly fifteen years. It would give me credentials and credibility that I simply don't have right now. It would more than replace the income from the mystery shopping that I've given up. More importantly, it would permit me to more effectively share the lifestyle changes that I believe are the key to relieving the plague of chronic illness affecting our population.

It will be physically challenging for me, but I think I've worked that out. The course is typically offered for eight consecutive weeks. While I'm teaching I would do basically nothing else. I would have food in the freezer, ready to eat. I would have the laundry and the housework caught up before I started, and let them slide during the course. A customer has offered to "carry and clean" for me.

The Project asks that applicants commit to teach at least two courses per year. My initial goal is to teach one course per quarter, which would allow me to get caught up at home and serve my Creative Memories customers between courses. Eventually, as the process becomes routine and the recipes more familiar, I would consider teaching more than one class per week. My instructor currently teaches five or six classes each week; I would aim for two.

I believe my health challenges will actually increase my credibility with the patients. I can tell them, "I have spinal injuries, I have leukemia, I have fatigue. This is how I eat this way without a lot of work...." I can also explain that this way of eating has permitted me to manage my diabetes without medication for more than ten years.

My becoming an instructor would also make the program available to patients who are currently not served. There is only one instructor serving the three million people in the Phoenix area. He offers classes in the north and northeast suburbs. There has been a huge amount of growth in the south and east suburbs. For patients living in those areas, especially those more ill than I am, driving to the existing classes is just not an option.

The application is oriented to professionals with a medical or culinary background, but my instructor has encouraged me to apply. He can tell from my participation that I'm well read on nutrition, that I have extensive experience with this way of eating and with cooking, that I express myself well and that I interact with the other students well. He has agreed to provide a reference for me.

I have been retired for 11 years and have no background in the expected fields, so I'm at a loss for professional references. [Here I explained to each person what aspects of our relationship I feel support my application.]

Thank you!

The rest of the story... (re: March 15 post)

After posting such a discouraged entry two weeks ago I wanted to share the flip side.

I've lost the weight I gained. My blood sugar is down. The lymph node in my neck has returned to its previous size. My energy level is better. My mood is vastly better. I've significantly reduced my consumption of Dr. Pepper, my drug of choice.

My kitchen is drastically better, and will be completely back in order tomorrow.

My tops are clean, my sheets are clean, my towels are clean, my underwear is clean. The jeans aren't as urgent, since I switched from jeans to denim capris last week.

My current goal with my wellness coach is increasing my activity by wearing my pedometer regularly and progressively increasing my steps.

I've gone from being clueless on Thursday about digital video and YouTube to having successfully uploaded a test clip, in preparation for filming a cooking demo tomorrow for my Cooking for Life application. A friend is bringing her camera to shoot the video. (Mine won't shoot five minutes at the resolution I want.)

Someone whose opinion I greatly respect has agreed to provide a reference for me. I'm waiting to hear from a friend whom I've asked.

I'm spending more time with people and less with my computer.

I've given up mystery shopping. It's been several weeks since I accepted any assignments, but I hadn't said, "That's it; I'm done." Now I have. I don't know how I'm going to replace the income in the short term, but I feel good about the decision.

I'm walking more, singing more, scrapping more, cooking more.

I need to be more diligent about maintaining balance in my life. Overscheduling myself, or pushing too hard, has in the past started a cascade of poor decisions: I'm tired, I drink more Dr. Pepper, I don't cook from scratch, I don't clean the kitchen.

I have the tools to maintain balance. I'm getting better about using them. I'm getting better at stopping the cascade early.

Life is good.

Well. [A busy morning.]

It isn't yet 11:00 a.m.

I've picked up my produce share.
I've eaten breakfast.
I've studied the scriptures pertaining to the institution of the Passover.
I've taken photos of Flat Stanley at the largest annual outdoor Easter pageant in the world.
I've picked up some citrus gleaned on the temple grounds.
I've taken a photo of the Christus statue that I needed to finish my 2007 Gratitude album.
I've walked 3800 steps.
I've picked up some things I needed at the Distribution Center in Mesa. On foot.
I've returned a video.

All of this on two hours sleep.

I need to get the produce out of the car.
I need a shower.
I need a nap.

I cannot do everything [at once]....

I have seen pieces of this quotation used, with various attributions, but this is the earliest source that I've seen. I'm glad to find it.

Like Tina Turner, ... (MLB)

Like Tina Turner, "[I] never do nothin' nice and easy."

I had a long day, with lots of obstacles.

I'm tired and in pain, even though I've taken more painkillers than usual.

Lots of things went wrong, and I nearly turned back.

But Flat Stanley and I made it to an Oakland A's spring training game today. I got lots of photos. I also got sunburned.

I wanted to record more, but I'm really too tired. I'll try to get back to it.

Hmm... New apartment service?

When I cleared the patio last Monday for the painters I swept, but not thoroughly, and I left the mess in a pile. Between the desert, the dry air and the wind, my patio is a dumping ground for dirt and leaves. After moving the furniture into the closet I did not feel up to sweeping up the mess and hauling it through the apartment.

The patio is a lot lower on my list of priorities than the laundry, kitchen, bathrooms, etc.

Someone just cleaned my patio. He swept it thoroughly and carefully, then swept the mess into a shovel and passed it to someone outside. It was (what I consider to be) a manure shovel, and it took three loads.

He then hopped the fence back out. The fence that comes nearly up to my shoulder. He just, put his hand on top and ... hopped the fence! And he's not that tall!

I thought maybe it was the painters, but they were supposed to finish last Saturday. As he was finishing I saw a landscaping company logo on his shirt.

Hmmm. It looks very nice.

Update, 3/31/08: They did it again last week. Apparently it is a new service.

It's spring here today...

which is a nice change, because last week it was summer.

It's nearly 1:00 p.m., and the temperature hasn't yet reached 60F. There's a nice breeze. The sky is blue, with fluffy white clouds. Lots of clouds, actually, more grey than white, which seems sort of appropriate.

I had a very emotional day yesterday. I'm still grieving for my friend's young family, but buoyed up by sharing that grief with others around the world who miss her.

I went to a church supper yesterday. A small group, not the entire congregation. It was very casual, lots of time to visit. We needed that. I needed that.

Somethin's gotta give....

It's been a tough week.

I woke up Monday morning to the sound of compressors running, too close. Uh oh. I was supposed to clear the patio because they were painting our buildings. I had to get up before I was ready, move all of the patio furniture into the storage closet. Which was full of dirt, because it's a low spot in the concrete, so first I swept out the closet. And I had to lift the 5 gallon planter of aloe up onto the chair, because the closet isn't that big. (I have to remember to let it out, once I'm sure the painters are finished.)

I was on a roll so I also moved some furniture in my office. One piece was on wheels and the other I used those carpet sliders for. I'm happy with the progress, but it's far from done. My back has hurt ever since.

On Wednesday I got together with a new online friend at an Internet cafe, to help her learn to use the site where we met. I had a blast, but I was tired. Late Wednesday I learned that a friend's only child, 20, had died. The funeral was today.

Thursday is my long day. I had my weekly coaching call, which is a positive thing in my life, and the final Cooking for Life class, in the next city.

Also on Thursday members of another site I belong to held a tribute day for a member in hospice care with cancer. She was the driving force behind the "Managing Your Life" forum there, with the goals of decluttering, simplifying, etc., so the tribute day focused not only on prayers for her and her young family, but also on doing those things that were important to her: decluttering, organizing, taking photos, scrapbooking. (It's a scrapbooking site.) I did a few things early, but was out most of the day.

I have not been keeping up at all. I've been tired. My kitchen, which had been in very good shape early in the month, is unusable. I haven't done laundry in weeks. The dresser is bare of clean clothes. I've known I needed to wash underwear.

The lymph node in my neck is even larger. That means my lymphocyte count is up. It was already the highest it had ever been when it was checked in January.

Last night I lay down to listen to Scriptures. When I finished I decided that, rather than getting up again, I would just stay in bed and get an early start today.

I woke up and sorted the laundry. I started the underwear wash. I had two hours before the funeral...

and learned online that my other friend died last night. She leaves two very young children with autism. I spent so long reading the messages that I really cut it close on getting ready for the funeral, and discovered...

that even with clean underwear, I had no clothes clean that were appropriate to wear to a funeral. I generally live in jeans or sweats, with tee shirts. I have two denim jumpers that I love. Denim wouldn't have been my first choice for a funeral, but it didn't matter -- none of the tops I wear under the jumpers were clean.

It's summer here in the desert; the clothes I have that would have been appropriate for the setting would not have been appropriate for the weather. Last summer I gave away virtually all of my church clothes. They really were too big, and unflattering. Then I gained weight.

So here I sit, with the clean laundry still in the dryer, tears running down my face. I missed my friend's son's funeral because of my disorganization. There was no room in my schedule to spare for learning of my other friend's death. And my kitchen is still unusable.

Things will get better. Things will look better. This, too, shall pass.

WHAT was I thinking? (World Trade Center)

I have enjoyed my Blockbuster Online subscription. I took full advantage of the Total Access feature, which allowed me to exchange a DVD at a local store for another movie, instead of mailing it back, but when they raised the price recently, I dropped to a plan without that feature.

Last week I returned my final DVD shipped while I had the exchange privilege. I wandered the store, considering which movie to choose for my last, hands-on, selection.

I saw World Trade Center on the shelf and rented it. What was I thinking?

I had intended to see this movie. I heard that it was very well done. My friends recommended it.

But that is not where I need to be mentally this week! I have stuff that urgently needs to be done. The last class of the current Cooking For Life session is today. I'm tired. Really tired.

Sigh. I may return the movie without even opening it.

It's guaranteed! (Automatic Shower Cleaner)

Update: the product is "The Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner" by S. C. Johnson.

It's guaranteed. It says so on the box.

A bathroom "tool" was introduced a couple of years ago that promises to clean your shower or tub for you. It promises not only to clean them, but to eliminate soap scum, mold and mildew, even if you start with the fixtures dirty.

I looked at them when they were introduced and decided that, while the idea was appealing, the refills were overpriced. I also doubted that I could install the appliance along with my hand-held shower unit, which I am unwilling to give up.

Tonight I saw them on sale, and bought one. What changed? A plumbing disaster last fall.

I haven't cleaned the back shower since my neighbor's kitchen garbage backed up into it last fall. I cleaned the floors. The apartment management had the carpets cleaned. My sister washed the towels that we used to sop up the mess. I washed the tub into which we threw them as they became soaked. I cleaned the sinks where we washed up.

But I haven't dealt with the shower itself. I threw out the damaged blanket and quietly closed the door. And kept it closed.

Other things simply had higher priority. A lot of other things. It's been a tough winter. The fatigue and distraction are insidious. I'm doing better now, but I'm still tired, and there's so much lost ground to recover....

I just looked in the shower a day or so ago. And closed the door again.

But the appliance is guaranteed. If you use it daily for 14 to 21 days, the shower will be clean, even if you start with it dirty. It says so on the box.

We'll see.

Just the headlines...

I haven't been keeping up my blog. I'm tired, and have stuff that urgently needs my attention, but I don't want to leave you all in the dark.

So here are the headlines:

• My sister and I had a good visit.
• The apartment makeover has been postponed until late April or May.
• I've decided to apply for the position teaching Cooking for Life classes for The Cancer Project.
• I've started the telephone Healthy Living coaching program offered in conjunction with my fitness club membership, courtesy of my Medicare HMO. My second session is tomorrow.
• I'm making progress at home slowly.
• I've resumed giving things away by freecycling them. www.freecycle.org

Thanks for checking in!