tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58587923715515067492024-03-05T04:20:03.460-08:00Confessions of a Twirly GirlThis blog blossomed in 2010 to chronicle my adventures in pole dance after weight loss surgery. Although I am pole dancing less these days, I still hike and do yoga. I sometimes still have to remind myself that the size of my body doesn't dictate my worth. I believe living a life full of gratitude and joy helps lead to a true mind, body and spirit connection. You have the power to manifest your best life!lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.comBlogger554125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-65024601538893655362022-06-13T15:36:00.000-07:002022-06-13T15:36:21.521-07:00Nature Goddess: Pirate's Cove at Muir Beach<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8_MhDFfwc08esXWlDDhK3Q_lQwtxMpZS6ETTPp747g8x6YUOdT6RY7E36UgumoRyQni7k7iJyzQcrjuzy10po9EY9HD1TiybXLfjHKsl2aH7Aa_10en_MGyC4hUQTkO2534jn8s9zz7E9JGW6TzDycmf4qNTxdTK4fb_SrXlUvjzqrcXwBEQgl01/s1800/A63F95B3-1C32-4274-8854-E34A3D229E10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8_MhDFfwc08esXWlDDhK3Q_lQwtxMpZS6ETTPp747g8x6YUOdT6RY7E36UgumoRyQni7k7iJyzQcrjuzy10po9EY9HD1TiybXLfjHKsl2aH7Aa_10en_MGyC4hUQTkO2534jn8s9zz7E9JGW6TzDycmf4qNTxdTK4fb_SrXlUvjzqrcXwBEQgl01/s320/A63F95B3-1C32-4274-8854-E34A3D229E10.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>Last weekend, Jade and I went on a hike at Muir Beach to see Pirate's Cove for her birthday (via Coastal Trail). Although we have done this hike before (more than once), it is a lovely hike with ocean views that I will happily do again. We did four miles out and back. There are some steep parts (the beginning gets your heart rate up pretty quickly) and there are some "scrambles" if you decide to descend into Pirate's Cove. I understood there was a long loop that includes Tennessee Valley Trail, but I am looking more closely at the map, and it looks like there are other trails that can shorten that loop. I haven't yet gone up to finish the loop because I wanted to stick close to the ocean views. I didn't think I was ready for a 6-8 mile hike. I guess next time, I can try continuing up the stairs outside of the Pirate's Cove to see what those views have to offer.<p></p><p>This particular day, the fire department was doing an evacuation drill at 9 AM. We could hear multiple sirens and an announcement -- and we initially thought there must be a fire. We turned to look at the multi-million dollar homes on the hill across the other side of the beach. There were about four "rows" of roads on the side of the hill, each with a fire truck on it with sirens blaring, announcing that it was a drill (you couldn't hear the words at first, so it was scary in the beginning; in fact, some people behind us turned around, and I don't know if it was because they thought it was a real evacuation, or if the uphill intimidated them). It just added to the adventure for us.</p><p>The biggest drawback to this hike is that there is almost zero shade. I don't know what I was thinking but I did not put any sunblock on. I am burnt to a crisp today. The morning had a little haze but the sun was blazing by the time we were done. So make sure you have lots of water and plenty of sunblock.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4DqbTTguS75bct-JBcaY7smkxo57VmeoXxVoxOp7_0KvKVPfY4twFtPue4vIxe9Eo7VjrEvRE8Q68OpGMLrGscYjnT4YEZyzd5NpNE3ecUZIt65S83gdC1ebdj3woHkG7JYp0I7Vaad6Xun1MObIQbEJWI1M4iqXWldzmm0ylcyhI-bIdPdYJ7oV/s4032/IMG_2874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz4DqbTTguS75bct-JBcaY7smkxo57VmeoXxVoxOp7_0KvKVPfY4twFtPue4vIxe9Eo7VjrEvRE8Q68OpGMLrGscYjnT4YEZyzd5NpNE3ecUZIt65S83gdC1ebdj3woHkG7JYp0I7Vaad6Xun1MObIQbEJWI1M4iqXWldzmm0ylcyhI-bIdPdYJ7oV/s320/IMG_2874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The second biggest drawback is the parking (anywhere near Mt. Tam, parking is an issue). If you are on Mt. Tam proper, then you can't start later than 8 AM in the summer; otherwise, there will likely not be parking near your chosen trailhead. At Muir Beach, the crowds seem to show up a little later, but I would say not to chance coming after 9 AM. The crowds are there setting up at the beach and I feel like the parking is gone before 10. Then you're circling the parking lot like a shark, hoping someone will leave. <p></p><p>Otherwise, this is a great place to hike. You get gorgeous views during your hike, then you can soak your sore tootsies in the ocean before you head home. Muir Beach does have bathrooms, but no sinks, so bring wipes or sanitizer.</p><p>The hike starts with a big uphill, then the trail splits. We chose to continue straight ahead to Pirate's Cove instead of heading up any further. Pirate's Cove has a little climb down to the beach. I've been there when high tide has removed the beach and you can only get to one of the cliffs. I've also been there when its completely out and you can walk out past one of the large rocks. This time was somewhere in the middle. You could climb down to the beach but you couldn't get around the rock from the ocean side. We walked to the other side of the beach and there was this awful smell. I could see large rib bones and vertebrae sticking out of the sand. Then I realize there is essentially a "melted" whale right in front of us. I've never been so close to a dead whale. We took some photos then sat down on the other side of the beach, away from the smell. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdinbFOvVWKtLdW4medBPfK9e8ZBcTvTeOSxx6W1i2o-H1Uo98b0C9stjN2IV71duzZarXP3VdTfZZFNjx5aumSDkmwsHxoWjZsGSoPvEdxjuoySye7Tdrhic_xU5sB1RZWd27cOkwNNr-o8BKoJgGXAO_zAcUIjlrqf6D4pK_9i1nWsIgT1Vo298/s4032/IMG_2931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBdinbFOvVWKtLdW4medBPfK9e8ZBcTvTeOSxx6W1i2o-H1Uo98b0C9stjN2IV71duzZarXP3VdTfZZFNjx5aumSDkmwsHxoWjZsGSoPvEdxjuoySye7Tdrhic_xU5sB1RZWd27cOkwNNr-o8BKoJgGXAO_zAcUIjlrqf6D4pK_9i1nWsIgT1Vo298/s320/IMG_2931.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>A few minutes later, a solo hiker walked up to us and asked if we'd seen the whale. We said we had but got up to chat with her and take photos. It turns out our new friend is visiting from Texas. (We reconnected with her later in the day and I am planning to meet up with her next weekend to hike around the Golden Gate.) So we went back over to see the whale. She is a molecular biologist so she was super interested in the whale's decomposition. We saw that one of the rib bones was up on a cliff. She climbed up so I could take a picture, and at some point, it fell down. Score! We picked it up to take more photos. Two things. First, it was a lot heavier than I expected. Second, it smelled so disgusting. I feel like I couldn't get that smell off me the rest of the day. I thought briefly about bringing it home, but I wasn't sure if it was illegal to take whale bones off a beach. Also, it would have been a rough two miles uphill with a heavy rib bone across my shoulders. And finally, the smell that would have filled my car for the hour and a half drive home may have killed me. As we hiked out, a lot of people were heading down to the beach. Apparently the whale is mentioned multiple times in comments on the AllTrails app, so many people were specifically there to see the rotting whale corpse.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qjPgHvYe_TnJu7o9z0E7tYeIo9kX_p74izEGjZVdW0XBni942fGo5itjU5kT_elFOi8NVnhrr8QEdk9x_zffwFm1c7fEeU3xVrn3xetq120p-8ajksoeAhz1GecG-5Xilm2xXKJpJNJsMuut9UqhJH0efeMAOcqRQ_eBewU6a9XNOjG9PxNcozOb/s4032/IMG_2916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qjPgHvYe_TnJu7o9z0E7tYeIo9kX_p74izEGjZVdW0XBni942fGo5itjU5kT_elFOi8NVnhrr8QEdk9x_zffwFm1c7fEeU3xVrn3xetq120p-8ajksoeAhz1GecG-5Xilm2xXKJpJNJsMuut9UqhJH0efeMAOcqRQ_eBewU6a9XNOjG9PxNcozOb/s320/IMG_2916.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p>The walk back was fairly uneventful. I would say that we saw a lot more people coming in than I ever had before. Not sure if that was due to the whale report, or the heat drawing more people to the coast. We finished the hike by sticking our toes in the sand down at the beach and chatting with our new friend for awhile before starting the trek home. </p><p>The heat in the East Bay is already getting into the 100's, so it seems like the summer hikes may have to be on the coast for the next few months. It was 84 degrees even as I left my house at 7 AM on Saturday. I can't really do many hikes here because most parks don't open until 8 AM and by then, it is already just too hot. </p><p>While I don't feel compelled to write here about every hike I go on, I do like to report on some of the more popular hikes that might encourage people to get outside of their comfort zone. If you have any hikes you'd like me to try, let me know in the comments!<br /></p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-22137047208551141862022-04-14T10:40:00.003-07:002022-04-14T10:43:28.625-07:00Mobility Update: The Yoga Body Trapeze<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrZGwJcjCxQb7h7ydfnBzynLwRHbBnHukirikiPjC9Tx0lIMVWarE7CwYNCTZxuKx7UgqqVEqY9HMPt2-0L1fHxOX4h5yDxkcm2uZkJlMDZjVwIaN6fqgHFw1ZH-75BtRUiirTKiHUI7TDd3pRBy6zCvWAUydFxWKeXlWi8Y4RNcKVUNJr2_mwll6/s2112/IMG_1842.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="1636" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrZGwJcjCxQb7h7ydfnBzynLwRHbBnHukirikiPjC9Tx0lIMVWarE7CwYNCTZxuKx7UgqqVEqY9HMPt2-0L1fHxOX4h5yDxkcm2uZkJlMDZjVwIaN6fqgHFw1ZH-75BtRUiirTKiHUI7TDd3pRBy6zCvWAUydFxWKeXlWi8Y4RNcKVUNJr2_mwll6/s320/IMG_1842.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>It has been a year since I <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2021/03/mobility.html" target="_blank">posted about losing mobility</a>, and two years since the world shut down for covid. I complained of weight gain and loss of energy. I consciously started moving more (and sitting less) about a year ago, so I have successfully maintained the same weight for the last year. I am ready to drop some of the weight, but that is always a tightrope walk for me. I gave up those sugary Vitamin Waters again. No weight loss. Gave up drinking alcohol every night. No weight loss. It gets frustrating. I know if I just start heavily restricting calories, it will cause a binge eventually. So I have to cut a few calories and burn a few calories. Slow and steady. I guess due to my age, the weight has gone into a weird place too. It is my mid-section, which would have been fine if I didn't have that tummy tuck scar holding certain areas so tightly. The fat is squishing into weird places, making my organs feel crowded and giving me pretty epic back fat when I'm wearing a bra. Good luck in child's pose during yoga. I almost can't breathe. <p></p><p>Last month, I passed the 18th anniversary of my weight loss surgery with no fanfare. I guess I don't see it as something to necessarily celebrate anymore. I think I had hoped that surgery would get me out of the "diet world," and that's just not the case. I am still very focused on food and diet and body image issues. I think I have finally accepted that I'm still essentially the same person, whether I'm 350 pounds, 180 pounds or somewhere in between. </p><p>I am getting married later this year, and while I don't want to do a crazy diet and take a bunch of "skinny" pictures at my wedding, only to balloon up again the next day, I would like to take myself to a healthier weight so my joints and body don't hurt as much. The "unintended consequence" would be feeling more comfortable in a wedding dress. At the end of the day, I remind myself not to hate my body, so I should be okay at this weight or 40 pounds lighter. </p><p>Another fun thing that's happened in the last couple of years are night sweats. Yeah. I guess I'm at that age where all the fun aging stuff for women starts to happen. By chance, however, while trying to rehab some thinning hair, I found a DHT blocker vitamin. The night sweats went away immediately. If I forget to take the vitamin, I sweat that night. So, that's the one vitamin I won't miss for any reason. I also have increased my protein and iron intake. That seemed to help take care of the hair issue and the whole feeling exhausted thing. This is life though, right? As soon as you think you have everything figured out, something changes. </p><p>For the last year, I have been seeing Facebook ads for the Yoga Body swing, so I finally ordered one. I thought it would be nice to get upside down ("inversions are the fountain of youth" ~ Bel Jeremiah, former owner of Twirly Girls Pole Fitness). It is not quite aerial hammock width (it is not wide enough for me to cocoon completely in it like I can a hammock), but it holds enough of me to be comfortable. I just started using it this week. Mostly I do a little strength training (holding the handles and trying to bring my knees to my chest), and a little stretching (tipping backwards so I can hang upside down, which leaves me prone to dog licks straight to the face). I am finding that it is taking some time to get used to being upside down again. My head felt like a grape that was about to explode the first time. Now I'm able to hang upside down for a minute or so. I just tip myself upright to rest for a few seconds, then I can go right back to it. </p><p>Anyway, I hadn't done an update in a few months, so I thought I would post about my yoga trapeze. Yes, I get it, everyone thinks its a sex swing. I've heard all the jokes already. But you can make anything sexual if you really want to. This is set up out in my bonus room (yoga space/office), for my backyard neighbor to see if they really want to. I'm thinking about getting rigging to hang it in the tree in the front yard. That should get more neighbors talking! Maybe I should be more concerned about it being in the background of my Zoom meetings, but I'll wait to see if anyone is brave enough to ask me about it.</p><p>I've been trying to find some good yoga trapeze classes on YouTube, but haven't found anything I love. If you have any suggestions, please send me the links. Thanks! </p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-29470291724184979002021-12-30T10:33:00.000-08:002021-12-30T10:33:16.140-08:0052 Hike Challenge: The Update<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_tGJb-D0ja8y1fKLNDuqf9QxJCYQgYFtQPyPzncgv6S4ae2O7GKs-xvupYlSqxcghmr2Gl2uMAcTJcQTIiOeRlEz9nC7qeynx266B0UXx1sTuJypUoO5SOwfEKbjMrANC_KmzxhFQUTexb0qg2vFtmn9-VLnc9Q6idQlTCaWtYxN6vIjXVowFsmvR=s1800" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_tGJb-D0ja8y1fKLNDuqf9QxJCYQgYFtQPyPzncgv6S4ae2O7GKs-xvupYlSqxcghmr2Gl2uMAcTJcQTIiOeRlEz9nC7qeynx266B0UXx1sTuJypUoO5SOwfEKbjMrANC_KmzxhFQUTexb0qg2vFtmn9-VLnc9Q6idQlTCaWtYxN6vIjXVowFsmvR=s320" width="256" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Natural Bridges - Santa Cruz</td></tr></tbody></table>In October, I had <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2021/10/52-hike-challenge.html" target="_blank">written about taking on the 52 Hike Challenge</a> in 2021. In 2020, I had signed up to do a hiking challenge through the East Bay Regional Parks website, but that kind of went to shit after covid hit. When I wrote about the challenge in October, I had about 8 weeks left in the year, and 17 hikes to get in. Facing bad weather in the last month or so, I really had to lighten up on my rules for the hikes, but I am proud to announce that I DID hit my 52 hikes. I had to do a couple of "urban hikes" through town since the recent rain caught me off guard, but I feel like I stuck with the spirit of the challenge. I got outdoors and got moving after a very slow-moving 2020. <p></p><p>In total, I hiked 166 miles in 2021 (which is separate from the increase in general "steps" I am trying to get after getting my Apple Watch in August). According to my AllTrails app, for the 40 events I recorded through the app, I spent 60 hours in the outdoors and climbed a collective 17,067 feet. I wish I'd used the app for all of my hikes and walks! </p><p>Some of my favorite hikes in the last two months include visiting Natural Bridges to see the monarchs and the Old Landing Cove trail in Santa Cruz. I have spent a lot of time at Black Diamond Mines and Contra Loma in Antioch, but there are so many trails, that I didn't repeat any specific hike all year. In fact, with the exception of maybe two trails/locations, almost all of these hikes were unique trails. I also decided a couple of weeks ago that there must be a way to hike from Contra Loma to Black Diamond Mikes -- and there is! That hike was under 5 miles roundtrip. That hike was kind of special because the parking lot I planned to use was full so I had to park deeper in the park. At the end of that hike, I found someone's keys in the grass. I knew as soon as I saw those keys that it was the reason I was forced to park elsewhere. I turned them into the park ranger and she said the man had lost the keys the day before but had just returned to the park to start looking for them again. He called me and thanked me profusely. He said he had hiked ten miles the day before looking for those keys, and that his wife assured him he was a good person and someone would find those keys and return them to him. It felt really nice to make someone's day. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_XhKtZmPrJNpmz3dDp9ySS2YivanhPZVG2osn8O65iyBReI1yJ7w4acwRAW7YdfizUnD9xeX5dnutkEhw_h5AbKWE8BQH2ONckLxObFHoglnu8lf3uDbL-fuamY3iPcqnnPqFhZDcPjH9sZrYC6HKu2RsmpPd-iALRV8Y7pNT-8mOi7aa1oIQ4bBs=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_XhKtZmPrJNpmz3dDp9ySS2YivanhPZVG2osn8O65iyBReI1yJ7w4acwRAW7YdfizUnD9xeX5dnutkEhw_h5AbKWE8BQH2ONckLxObFHoglnu8lf3uDbL-fuamY3iPcqnnPqFhZDcPjH9sZrYC6HKu2RsmpPd-iALRV8Y7pNT-8mOi7aa1oIQ4bBs=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Contra Loma to Black Diamond Mines</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I tried a trail in Santa Rosa with Jade -- Annadel State Park. While I loved the trails and the park was beautiful, the cyclists were very aggressive and rude -- unlike anywhere else I have hiked (not calling out, running up on us going way too fast and making us feel like we were in their way). I don't know that I would return there for that reason. Side note: cyclists are supposed to yield to hikers, and it really isn't difficult to yell out, "on your left" so I can step off the trail.</p><p>I also went to Sycamore Grove in Livermore, which is really only about half an hour from my house. There were so many trails and once you got up into the hills, you could walk for so long before you saw anyone else. It was also crazy to see where fires had burned some of the tress. You would see a blacked out tree trunk with beautiful green grass in the background. </p><p>There is a regional trail within walking distance of my house. My final hike of the year was supposed to be Lands End to the Golden Gate, but the rain and freezing weather caused us to reschedule for another time. I ended up walking that regional trail to check out the swollen creek. It wasn't the spectacular end I had planned for my 52 hikes, but it was the safer and warmer choice. </p><p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWP1EsV9KgVC9Gi79CXTTtzjsg4OZSSZNe3U4rxZFEUicquGIJA-UVECpiVAADACxIzL3p4hrT-va1dxe8GuKyzCJfOe8O-oM6ffkkUdTc3_KcIHQsHYBeaURSllm7byxqeWZug1h07_1dSON9N2szx5elRxpP7EWX9mR_wSLKwp-HGhbY9mQLw2iu=s1440" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWP1EsV9KgVC9Gi79CXTTtzjsg4OZSSZNe3U4rxZFEUicquGIJA-UVECpiVAADACxIzL3p4hrT-va1dxe8GuKyzCJfOe8O-oM6ffkkUdTc3_KcIHQsHYBeaURSllm7byxqeWZug1h07_1dSON9N2szx5elRxpP7EWX9mR_wSLKwp-HGhbY9mQLw2iu=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Annadel State Park</td></tr></tbody></table>Although I am happy I completed this challenge, it almost became a second job in the last two months. I was so obsessed with getting those hikes in -- I was trying to run out after work before the time change caused it to get dark so early. I was hiking unprepared in cold weather. I was cramming hikes in before family events. It started to become less enjoyable, and the whole reason I want to be outside hiking is to enjoy nature. I don't think I will participate in this challenge again in 2022, but I do think I will continue to plan fun hikes at least once a month, and put more emphasis on getting outdoors in general, no matter what I'm doing. </p><p>I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a very active and nature-filled year in 2022!</p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-81203989676854241002021-10-28T10:40:00.000-07:002021-10-28T10:40:25.341-07:0052 Hike Challenge<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeKP00iQQPocbOXZLRFVapNl2Cra8631cUWAxq-fmOVlswKL5qLlG8IWWKXyMEMT3kSldKc4yeq8GicVB6hLJ0wtsIYnSEAb6rxpLM75JeeTRuV0TTYevsufymjJFQ-bXEKdOftR6dug/s960/242824255_5039653882714814_8896199237756824526_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeKP00iQQPocbOXZLRFVapNl2Cra8631cUWAxq-fmOVlswKL5qLlG8IWWKXyMEMT3kSldKc4yeq8GicVB6hLJ0wtsIYnSEAb6rxpLM75JeeTRuV0TTYevsufymjJFQ-bXEKdOftR6dug/s320/242824255_5039653882714814_8896199237756824526_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>In January, I saw people on social media talking about a 52 hike challenge for 2021. I figured I could handle one hike per week, so I jumped on the band wagon. I started the year strong, getting hike 1 on January 1 and hike 2 on January 2. <p></p><p>Despite some injuries throughout the year, I have successfully had at least one hike every month. I have done 35 hikes total. However, with only about 8 weeks left in the year, I need to fit 17 hikes in to hit my 52. </p><p>I have done a lot of local hikes -- the Black Diamond side of Contra Loma is a favorite dog-friendly, off-leash hike. I have been to Devil's Slide on the coast, and Little Yosemite in Sunol. I hiked up north at McCloud Falls. I have been down south (well, Bay Area south) to Uvas Canyon. I hiked around the Salt River in Arizona. I did Diamond Head in Hawaii. I have walked over and around the Golden Gate Bridge. I have done the Burney Falls loop. I tried the Cleo's Bath hike in Pinecrest. I did Alamere Falls, as well as Lands End in San Francisco. I really have seen some of the most beautiful outdoor locations in our area this year.</p><p>So what's a "hike" to me? It is outdoors (obviously), with some hills, and at least 2 miles (although I had a couple of hikes fall slightly short). I have hiked a total of 125 miles this year. My shortest hike was 1.5 miles (Burney Falls loop). My longest hike was 8.5 miles (Alamere Falls). Choosing a location can be difficult. We had A LOT of 100+ degree days over the summer, which made local hikes dangerous. However, driving two hours to the coast every single weekend to get my hikes started to become overwhelming. Plus, the coast is usually foggy in the summer. The gorgeous views are usually best in Fall. A lot of coastal hikes (especially on my favorite Mt. Tam) are not dog-friendly. And I now have a dog who knows when she is being left behind, so I have a little guilt when I leave for a hike without her.</p><p>I have gone through my calendar and set a fairly aggressive hiking schedule to get myself all the hikes I need to hit my goal. Weather-permitting, I should be able to get them in before the end of the year. It will require a double-up of hikes pretty much every week, but I know I can do that. On Saturday, in fact, I will be heading to Walnut Creek to find a hidden labyrinth. I have to get in a hike tomorrow after work, and probably one on Sunday as well. </p><p>If you have any favorite hikes, let me know! Even if I can't fit it in this year, I am already setting my hiking schedule for next year!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QnJtK8L94WYw7dXTexuw3bq5C9dQwi_khw7oU0R_D3UN8WyUyevhGUlB0lVwZlCQSSvYMKtD_bpeOsB7jBMDjZ7Gy-RoK80i3VSfkZPZER3ze0iB_inA8Xc6iw2tV6a4lR30ibrAplw/s1440/244667222_5090441340969401_2994132840840669373_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="1440" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3QnJtK8L94WYw7dXTexuw3bq5C9dQwi_khw7oU0R_D3UN8WyUyevhGUlB0lVwZlCQSSvYMKtD_bpeOsB7jBMDjZ7Gy-RoK80i3VSfkZPZER3ze0iB_inA8Xc6iw2tV6a4lR30ibrAplw/s320/244667222_5090441340969401_2994132840840669373_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>\</p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-46451264919657137352021-10-14T09:52:00.000-07:002021-10-14T09:52:41.224-07:00Nature Goddess: Lands End Hike<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCjf8ucs5NoY4V3GhBb9voOL3AYGvjrSm3cypMAwxrIOqRGbSPPB6pm4y76WfJb8dzwaQF8UE6n_xhL-hT4j01Zh5pj0UMt6rTPvGnWRHDTxMv-eFgDe1ODGsdFJHuryE3FlkUVXpfTU/s4032/IMG_1491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCjf8ucs5NoY4V3GhBb9voOL3AYGvjrSm3cypMAwxrIOqRGbSPPB6pm4y76WfJb8dzwaQF8UE6n_xhL-hT4j01Zh5pj0UMt6rTPvGnWRHDTxMv-eFgDe1ODGsdFJHuryE3FlkUVXpfTU/s320/IMG_1491.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Last weekend, Jade and I braved San Francisco during Fleet Week to do the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/goga/planyourvisit/landsend.htm" target="_blank">Lands End hike</a>. This hike is one of my favorites. Although there are some stairs, this is a fairly flat and easy hike. If you go at the right time (i.e., not summer when the fog is the worst in the mornings), you have gorgeous views of the ocean and Golden Gate Bridge for the majority of the time you're on the trail. And you can hike a mile, or you can wander into the multi-million dollar neighborhoods and continue your exploration. My ultimate goal is to hike from the Lands End/Sutro Baths point to the Golden Gate Bridge. My understanding is that you have to walk through neighborhoods, down to the beach, then back up onto the trail, to make it happen, so it will be a little more challenging. I believe it is about 4.5 miles one way. <p></p><p>I park at the lot near the Lookout Visitor's Center. It is right past Ocean Beach (if you're coming from the south), and the former Cliff House restaurant (which closed last year due to lease issues), at the lot that overlooks the Sutro Baths. I prefer this lot because there have been an increased report of break-ins in the area, and I feel like it's a busy lot with enough people around to (hopefully) deter the criminals. The lot fills up pretty early, so I would suggest you start your hike by 8 AM (or go in the afternoon when it might be less crowded). 10 AM seems to be the busiest time.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbvozdZ7kxLCtsTFd1AnmL3833enyuhBDMYRFzF455zur1OiWuM2E40f4RwTXDnxIDxdGwiyO0dPnKjwBeJnNQWMPD-TwzV-p5u67j_4mRKIMFQnLWr-HgR2BvhweP3r8u9pHEGk1vjs/s2048/IMG_1542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihbvozdZ7kxLCtsTFd1AnmL3833enyuhBDMYRFzF455zur1OiWuM2E40f4RwTXDnxIDxdGwiyO0dPnKjwBeJnNQWMPD-TwzV-p5u67j_4mRKIMFQnLWr-HgR2BvhweP3r8u9pHEGk1vjs/s320/IMG_1542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Once you're on the trail, there are so many options. As discussed above, you can get right on the trail and head out for as far as you'd like. You can take the stairs down to the Sutro Baths to explore the remains of the buildings. You can just go chill by the Cliff House and hope for a view of dolphins or whales. Jade and I got lucky the first time we hiked here and got to see dolphins from the window of the restaurant (we had breakfast before the hike because rain and 50 degree weather was not the biz...). It's a beautiful place with a mix of ocean and trees against the Golden Gate backdrop. </p><p>This trip, we got right on the trail at 8 AM. It was Fleet Week and I had looked up the schedule for the Blue Angels, only to find that activities were running 10 AM to 4 PM. My goal was to see the Blue Angels from the trail. Technically, the show is on the other side of the Golden Gate in the Marina District, but they fly over the Golden Gate, so I knew we would get to see it as well. We wandered down the trail, and even into the neighborhood to oooh and ahhh at some of the gorgeous ocean-facing homes. Eventually, we turned around because my hope was to see the jets flying through the Golden Gate. As we walked back, we took a side trip to a cliff that overlooks the ocean. It would have been the perfect place to see the Blue Angels. Except...their show didn't start until later in the afternoon. The generic schedule I got didn't tell me exactly when they were flying. In fact, no one was flying until almost noon. Since it was only about 10:30 AM, we decided we wouldn't wait another hour or more to see planes. However, while we were excitedly waiting for the show to start, we got to see whales in the ocean. At first I thought it was a pack of sea lions, but they had blow holes and they moved more like whales. It was pretty cool. I always hope to see something like that on my ocean-front hikes, but it is pretty rare it actually happens. It definitely made the trip that much more special.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoSoNasSJCoce1WIaOyAhftUGTCHfx-1cSW64qh9LV3r2OMMd6Hij3F2rec5DEYPrfO5ysYH1tRi9we1VpRTAGo6afEweHCjIIz5UnxwDaJYV6gCPKrYHs8Z_9jKwSww7yv8xDCS39YY/s4032/IMG_1477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZoSoNasSJCoce1WIaOyAhftUGTCHfx-1cSW64qh9LV3r2OMMd6Hij3F2rec5DEYPrfO5ysYH1tRi9we1VpRTAGo6afEweHCjIIz5UnxwDaJYV6gCPKrYHs8Z_9jKwSww7yv8xDCS39YY/s320/IMG_1477.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>There are a couple of cut-outs with benches along the trail, which are nice for breaks, a snack, or just to take in the views. The trail is dog-friendly (which has been difficult for me to find lately). Although, my dog really does better off-leash, so dragging her away from every other dog or awesome smell she needed to check out wasn't all that fun. Many dogs we ran into were off-leash. I couldn't trust my dog there since she will chase a squirrel over a cliff without a second thought. Our hike ended up being about 4.5 miles. <p></p><p>If you're looking for a San Francisco hike, this is my number one pick. I had scheduled the Lands End to Golden Gate hike last Thanksgiving then ended up hurting my knee, so I canceled. Now that my six month long run of injuries are healed, I think maybe it is time to reschedule so I can make it in for this year's 52 hike challenge. </p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-25229780605845278872021-10-11T11:38:00.001-07:002021-10-11T11:40:10.864-07:00Return To Twirly Studios<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dUt-DzC03p642ia8sAT0JTpb9Y69hBG4SQzqSbtcGxi6Fdw7WiKLwtIZSE2-ZHfwKIJzsy5QwlzdqGzEiyvHGG4X2ETjRkDGC8wUYOZNf58-9iKUVPHDdR5xGPptfzcDI2ridj3dt9A/s2048/90842DD3-22CE-4462-A725-4C1DD809B377.JPG" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7dUt-DzC03p642ia8sAT0JTpb9Y69hBG4SQzqSbtcGxi6Fdw7WiKLwtIZSE2-ZHfwKIJzsy5QwlzdqGzEiyvHGG4X2ETjRkDGC8wUYOZNf58-9iKUVPHDdR5xGPptfzcDI2ridj3dt9A/s320/90842DD3-22CE-4462-A725-4C1DD809B377.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>After a two year hiatus, I returned to Grace at Twirly Studios to take a class with my friend and my sister-in-law. <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2019/10/one-last-ride.html" target="_blank">I have barely touched a pole since my last surgery in 2019</a>. I worried about all of the reconstruction, implants, and mesh in my chest, so giving up pole was something I decided needed to happen. I have a tear in my shoulder, as well as just a general degradation of my knees and hips that were causing pain after I would pole or roll around on the ground too long. <p></p><p>Anyway, I have to say that I really enjoyed the class. As the other two people were complete newbies, I returned to basics to re-learn all the baby pole dancer spins. My pole kisses (aka bruises) were epic! I have to admit dancing in a mask wasn't awesome (but it is a mandate, and I'm not trying to be an asshole). And I still sweat like a pig, which makes hair whips essentially impossible. But I still love the music and movement, and wish there was a way I could get back into it without injuring myself over and over. </p><p>I received many comments welcoming me back. I can't say that I am "back" permanently, but you may catch me in a class or two in the future. </p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-35083596638467200362021-09-16T10:18:00.001-07:002021-09-16T10:29:38.777-07:00Nature Goddess: Alamere Falls Hike<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvdMw_k818ywCrogxiRISiBBf3YuYV4OVJTl1422_3k8PwrLAnneIwTghiq4VuUtpttsNZHHNjiNoZwBCnmQcz_A0eyUze8G12WG5UhGmlFWmdiWHhffodHmi3IIAKkdilF-At95m9SY/s2048/IMG_5277.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1893" data-original-width="2048" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdvdMw_k818ywCrogxiRISiBBf3YuYV4OVJTl1422_3k8PwrLAnneIwTghiq4VuUtpttsNZHHNjiNoZwBCnmQcz_A0eyUze8G12WG5UhGmlFWmdiWHhffodHmi3IIAKkdilF-At95m9SY/s320/IMG_5277.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I did the <a href="https://www.nps.gov/pore/planyourvisit/alamere_falls.htm" target="_blank">Alamere Falls hike</a>, on the Point Reyes National Seashore, in July 2019. Roundtrip, the hike is 8-1/2 to 12 miles, depending on your route. There are a couple of scrambles that require a little faux rock climbing, a ton of poison oak, but lots of gorgeous views. It is about a two hour drive for me, ending in a long rocky dirt road, with little to no cell service (so download your All Trails maps, and maybe print out some paper maps). You really have to get there by 8 AM if you want parking, so that means leaving the house by 6 AM.<div><br /></div><div>When Jade and I started talking about doing the hike again, I was slightly worried because I am carrying around some of that covid weight, but I was participating in the 52 Hikes Challenge this year, and at that time, was on par to complete a hike every single weekend. I felt strong. I had rehabbed some knee issues. I was ready. Then I wasn't. I don't even know what happened, but I went almost two months without much hiking, and the weekend loomed. We pushed it out once, but decided Labor Day weekend was time to make it happen. It was my 32nd hike for the year, and we clocked about 8-1/2 miles using my new Apple Watch (I accidentally turned it off early in the hike, so that's why I don't have the exact mileage). I am currently off-track for hitting my 52 hikes for the year, but who knows...maybe I'll put some doubles in over a few weekends and get back to it. I have been extremely tired lately, and it is hard to get up and go hike in 100 degree heat. Many coastal hikes I would love to do are not dog friendly, and it is difficult to look Belle in the face and leave her behind when she knows I'm going on a hike (she watches me pack the car and judges me harshly when she thinks she's being left at home).<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGcCkH0oRIouhXv6fBa7SLLH6Wg7jJwxIAGaFrpNv5bnJVqPSzZoyhX2LokUOML3q3kwgEfT_AjeAHw6npsguLo-t4BYddsyA4pcX2QQhZZsXfd_Mmb8bX5EuJVgbTRrl-DU7TjkCFTk/s4032/IMG_5137.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGcCkH0oRIouhXv6fBa7SLLH6Wg7jJwxIAGaFrpNv5bnJVqPSzZoyhX2LokUOML3q3kwgEfT_AjeAHw6npsguLo-t4BYddsyA4pcX2QQhZZsXfd_Mmb8bX5EuJVgbTRrl-DU7TjkCFTk/s320/IMG_5137.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I remember the last hike being extremely hot (for the coast), the trail was packed (we started later in the morning), and parking was full so we had to park down the dirt road and walk in. Ness, Ant, Jade and I logged over 10 miles on that trip. This trip, Jade, Steph, and I got there early, and the walk actually seemed faster and easier. We were almost surprised when we turned the corner and saw the rock arrow for the shortcut out to the coast. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkdld_fLs-j0r_jSJV9CjDHrxU7sMevnYXzP_n9nv343FSNXSR0cNCs9W11TwLe1PZ3TqoRHL84hCbNW66DMfQCGNd59dt9T0yPRLgEYerYUfvnYy2XNQuTj7dCtaIrqvoaYWhUnvhaE/s4032/IMG_5234.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWkdld_fLs-j0r_jSJV9CjDHrxU7sMevnYXzP_n9nv343FSNXSR0cNCs9W11TwLe1PZ3TqoRHL84hCbNW66DMfQCGNd59dt9T0yPRLgEYerYUfvnYy2XNQuTj7dCtaIrqvoaYWhUnvhaE/s320/IMG_5234.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The shortcut requires you to walk through some pretty closed in areas with a lot of poison oak (leaves of three, let it be!). I really don't suggest you do it unless you are fully covered -- long pants and sweatshirts. I have never had poison oak and, knock on wood, hope to keep it that way. I understand it gets worse each time you are exposed to it. We saw some people trying to do it in shorts, and I really hope they didn't end up with some itchies and scratchies. Note that the shortcut is NOT the official trail, so if you are a stickler for rules, you'll want to spend the extra couple of miles walking past the shortcut to the campground, down to the beach, and back up to Alamere Falls. If you did this roundtrip, you'd add about four miles to your hike. You really have to keep an eye on the tides, though. High tide often traps people on the beach, and no one wants to be the beach rescue that didn't know how to watch the tides. </div><div><br /></div><div>Once you're through the poison oak lined tree tunnel, the two scrambles down to the mid-way point to the beach (which has several beautiful falls to view, and plenty of space to sit and eat lunch) weren't terrible. I find as I get older (or maybe my fall at McCloud Falls in May scared me), I'm a little more nervous when I hike steep spots, and I carry at least one hiking stick on every hike now. When we arrived there were maybe only three other groups on the flat. It was essentially empty (last time, there were easily 100 people hanging around). By the time we left, everyone else had shown up, so I definitely encourage people to go early if you want some peace and quiet. </div><div><br /></div><div>The falls were also interesting because they had watercress floating on top of the water. Anywhere we had seen water last time, had greenery on it this time. It was beautiful but I understand watercress is actually an invasive species, so I wonder what is making it grow now. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocATbBODo5rvVh_oqtW_mKphlFV1sMgPr0QZc62DNaXgrxKNesjp2Yyd7OgwtgcgHz55Yj_UfoRIPBX7JcQpS-mMFOANkkIC16bC_v58AtKwQqJNx3Oyfde8YM8hdTjzp3MTasOvRuPo/s4032/IMG_5142.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgocATbBODo5rvVh_oqtW_mKphlFV1sMgPr0QZc62DNaXgrxKNesjp2Yyd7OgwtgcgHz55Yj_UfoRIPBX7JcQpS-mMFOANkkIC16bC_v58AtKwQqJNx3Oyfde8YM8hdTjzp3MTasOvRuPo/s320/IMG_5142.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>We sat and ate our lunch, then Steph and Jade decided to brave the steep scramble down to see the official Alamere Falls from the beach. I peeked over and decided I didn't want to chance not being able to get back up. Although the tide was going out so it was safe, I knew that it would add two miles to my hike if I wasn't able to climb back up, and had to walk down to the campground to get back to the main trail. In fact, while I was up top exploring while Jade and Steph were on the beach, I watched a group trying to help a woman of about my size down the rocks. It was a slow process, and she was clearly terrified, so I knew I had made the right decision. Maybe I'll shed a few pounds, gain a little more strength, and try next time we do this hike. </div><div><br /></div><div>After Jade and Steph were done exploring the beach and falls, they climbed back up to the mid-section where I was, and we returned to the trail. I was surprised when I had to use more upper body strength than I remember to get up the middle scramble. If all these words (scrambles, etc.) are confusing, its like minor rock climbing. You definitely need to be able to pull yourself up a little, but you have enough room to wedge your body, or leverage yourself, so it's not as bad or scary as it sounds. I was feeling it the next day. My upper body was sore. I should do some push-ups and pull-ups or something before we go again. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGWG14RnizD1z4BrIx8kjfegdCoP0l6EbQqS8jlptIVDuCdAmFrGVYAyyCBkGkJ7yMj_519HKcU3Wis9qC1mRB2lmRrdLqw7c49iRNNbj0dUCiljDw7D-Jj-puji_AEDuNP9v88w4gac/s4032/IMG_5214.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSGWG14RnizD1z4BrIx8kjfegdCoP0l6EbQqS8jlptIVDuCdAmFrGVYAyyCBkGkJ7yMj_519HKcU3Wis9qC1mRB2lmRrdLqw7c49iRNNbj0dUCiljDw7D-Jj-puji_AEDuNP9v88w4gac/s320/IMG_5214.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>The walk back was fairly uneventful. We had talked briefly about stopping at one of the lakes we passed on the way in, but it was colder this time, and there looked to be a lot of poison oak around the path, so we just continued back to the parking lot. We could hear a lot of people yelling and swimming. I know the algae blooms are dangerous right now, and those lakes are pretty green, so that would have made me nervous too. The walk back definitely seemed longer than the walk in. I was tired and sore, plus the walk always seems uphill both ways. The trail was filled with more people as it was later in the day. The entire hike, including our exploration time, was about five hours. </div><div><br /></div><div>Alamere is one of those touristy type hikes. Again, if you're looking for peace and quiet, either go early, or at least not on a weekend. I would advise against hiking alone. Although this trail doesn't have a lot of turn offs were you can get lost, I've been listening to a lot of podcasts about hikers going missing in National or state parks (Park Predators and Missing 411). I've always felt safe hiking alone, but maybe I've just been lucky so far.</div><div><br /></div><div>I turned 45 the week before this hike. I have been struggling with some weight gain and covid depression lately. I deemed this year my year to get healthy (yet again). So my hashtag is #45more. I don't care about the pounds as much as how I feel. And I know that some of the exhaustion is just being overwhelmed by the state of the world. But I keep plugging along and I know things will be just fine. Everything always ends up working out. </div><div><br /></div><div><b>If you've ever hiked Alamere Falls, I'd love to hear about your experience! You can leave a comment below. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9XLgHSLEccThZ_WOjdoL_qLPFlJ3y2pYJSJmusEtjDebo1E_b7bf9X4fCLyMI2SHkAbnWOG9-fjf9h4aao-sSY_1RfGF1yIoGTlZr_hgEqEvQfMCzIhlF3LlabZbFApW8wycKJ1AsuU/s2048/IMG_5265.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9XLgHSLEccThZ_WOjdoL_qLPFlJ3y2pYJSJmusEtjDebo1E_b7bf9X4fCLyMI2SHkAbnWOG9-fjf9h4aao-sSY_1RfGF1yIoGTlZr_hgEqEvQfMCzIhlF3LlabZbFApW8wycKJ1AsuU/s320/IMG_5265.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv8HfakHqNK9OYUeV2zdebt0yg-lbcKXOjHxfsmo3rRXJ5Yasviy3rZj4yXJCw62XTsUKTJl9o68zjsuxDLhaIxUWfpRXiB35naDidmeyjJ5Cuq-5gbcOjwYuOFdI4EE6C_OdYefUgfs/s2048/IMG_5271.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAv8HfakHqNK9OYUeV2zdebt0yg-lbcKXOjHxfsmo3rRXJ5Yasviy3rZj4yXJCw62XTsUKTJl9o68zjsuxDLhaIxUWfpRXiB35naDidmeyjJ5Cuq-5gbcOjwYuOFdI4EE6C_OdYefUgfs/s320/IMG_5271.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuK09FCmbZtaez2mgmSip04TjyprXYd3wdtRBGS6NC3Bw77UXyWPgQiGNNnuy3-Mnn_wVCzzh6MdTZN3TJlF11wus5aclTgETm4pxScgH1qHKWVKFuHP95q2bcvilwQU_C5hca0BiRYo/s2048/IMG_5284.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuK09FCmbZtaez2mgmSip04TjyprXYd3wdtRBGS6NC3Bw77UXyWPgQiGNNnuy3-Mnn_wVCzzh6MdTZN3TJlF11wus5aclTgETm4pxScgH1qHKWVKFuHP95q2bcvilwQU_C5hca0BiRYo/s320/IMG_5284.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-77773644916990451022021-07-26T12:16:00.000-07:002021-07-26T12:16:00.805-07:00Twirly Turns 16!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToUAumlGX6rtGYscli3RjvSvPFSPwkppboZnet3IChwgkJzUX1oO3Oj4bZZKC3c08KWGzyTaxDYTdFxQMjEMbYyLAKP8K2ZPP1blEZ8k5zWEFz-vLTWVK_IT3Osp0n3L62miznWhuq7s/s4032/IMG_5316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToUAumlGX6rtGYscli3RjvSvPFSPwkppboZnet3IChwgkJzUX1oO3Oj4bZZKC3c08KWGzyTaxDYTdFxQMjEMbYyLAKP8K2ZPP1blEZ8k5zWEFz-vLTWVK_IT3Osp0n3L62miznWhuq7s/s320/IMG_5316.jpg" /></a></div>Last year, <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2020/07/becoming-twirly.html" target="_blank">I posted about Twirly Girls being sold</a> (in the middle of a pandemic no less), and reminisced about the previous ten years of being a Twirly Girl. As of last month, California is open for business again, and Grace and Rosanne couldn't let July pass without throwing a Sweet 16 party for the Twirly Tribe. I think it has been over two years since I have stepped foot in the studio. I had a self-diagnosed SLAP tear to my right shoulder. It happened in pole, but I also think certain poses in yoga helped contribute to it not healing (I never went to the doctor as I figured they would only offer exercises or surgery, and I could look up the exercises myself). <p></p><p>Earlier this year, <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2021/03/mobility.html" target="_blank">I posted about a loss of mobility</a>. Weight gain. Age. Depression (covid-related). Time. Scars. Exhaustion. Pain. Sometimes just pure laziness. These are some of the things getting in the way of my being "in shape." I successfully rehabbed a self-diagnosed LCL strain to my right knee last year, only to fall in May on my left knee (causing me to think it was actually broken), which led to another hyperextension (swelling and major pain in the LCL/IT band area) of the right knee in June. This led to about three months of very gentle yoga (nothing on the knees, so mostly seated poses). I noticed my SLAP tear pain went away. However, last week, I visited Twirly and did all of two pole sits, along with returning to "real" yoga. Guess what -- that SLAP tear burn is back in my shoulder. Between shoulder and knee issues, my commitment to staying off the pole is renewed. I look fondly back on my pole days, but am definitely having to leave that in the rear view mirror. The Twirling Viking Warrior has officially, and fully, retired. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHbdkXEF1VpIaI9-9oeYSrQgzKAPG745o17iwiBasxip-g8MQR9Lbsr-ItLiYr0ZBP0nfnvywIlFhqCsILJ-ue1pmkIy2b1rqag6tBwB3NUq8vJTQBCUgLZc54yvaFNk3KKH8qWY0zUQ/s4032/IMG_5533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHbdkXEF1VpIaI9-9oeYSrQgzKAPG745o17iwiBasxip-g8MQR9Lbsr-ItLiYr0ZBP0nfnvywIlFhqCsILJ-ue1pmkIy2b1rqag6tBwB3NUq8vJTQBCUgLZc54yvaFNk3KKH8qWY0zUQ/s320/IMG_5533.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p>It was, however, awesome to be in the studio, seeing people I haven't seen in a year or two. The remodel is beautiful. It looks like a completely different space, while still feeling familiar like home. I am so happy that Twirly will live on. I took my 6 year old nephew and 2 year old niece with me -- and told them we were going to circus school. They had a blast. In fact, my nephew told me he loved it more than me but not to be upset because it was just different. We explained to Tyler that people who climbed to the top of the pole got to put their dollars on the wall. He got to work figuring out how to climb. When he got to the top, he put his dollar with mine. The Twirly torch has been passed. <br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO0MwJ0QuvOcrWH9TgTwy8HEedTlFIcWAT17ydli4wb868f345d61jQXZKZsXIHhHQxJHHM23z_3YngB8g9X2Mo6lBj2rkb36dbf4YoTotAmx3PVvoLTKq5SxmZ0m70ehzril4lgZqqw/s4032/IMG_5305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOO0MwJ0QuvOcrWH9TgTwy8HEedTlFIcWAT17ydli4wb868f345d61jQXZKZsXIHhHQxJHHM23z_3YngB8g9X2Mo6lBj2rkb36dbf4YoTotAmx3PVvoLTKq5SxmZ0m70ehzril4lgZqqw/s320/IMG_5305.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRjTd97sYTzbhzbycgP5LzPNYbvntdrOUBZjUEnQpBbrJhCUIPa-QalP-H1ijPRAa7-xJgzH2YXW6I-vY2IgnT0kU4WApoLS4SRrRzcsil_uSITAQfwOZGVwMskx8i7rksAZC5S_8eOE/s4032/IMG_5314+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBRjTd97sYTzbhzbycgP5LzPNYbvntdrOUBZjUEnQpBbrJhCUIPa-QalP-H1ijPRAa7-xJgzH2YXW6I-vY2IgnT0kU4WApoLS4SRrRzcsil_uSITAQfwOZGVwMskx8i7rksAZC5S_8eOE/s320/IMG_5314+-+Copy.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p>Thanks for the stroll down Memory Lane, Grace and Rosanne! The studio is gorgeous!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOySWHafRh_pvadRrZwCiyAZ53zx8lU_TGPF79U7fYWzT3D3vl1pYrY7HI1M8nOs9jvVmtVdW5PKNrc92c8AbNWgPkidIJoIjJ2nqBgXuQ82hmvJEE8KmZAQsApZqda4AO1c4U8ItIKFY/s2048/IMG_8186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOySWHafRh_pvadRrZwCiyAZ53zx8lU_TGPF79U7fYWzT3D3vl1pYrY7HI1M8nOs9jvVmtVdW5PKNrc92c8AbNWgPkidIJoIjJ2nqBgXuQ82hmvJEE8KmZAQsApZqda4AO1c4U8ItIKFY/s320/IMG_8186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-864134519077740552021-03-17T03:17:00.062-07:002021-03-17T03:17:00.126-07:00Mobility<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sru0aDy94nWlec1ExouMSBAlwOhofFaLgJ6GNklN6cZ6P8TNxOJs1uVYOwbLEAe2KlwcHdgLhi3r-WDAcxZEMIu9suc40mPP3JhJpp8vJPm20DSlnqzHoa7ESoWEAk-qYGE9g2U5xis/s2048/Attachment-1.jpeg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1539" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1sru0aDy94nWlec1ExouMSBAlwOhofFaLgJ6GNklN6cZ6P8TNxOJs1uVYOwbLEAe2KlwcHdgLhi3r-WDAcxZEMIu9suc40mPP3JhJpp8vJPm20DSlnqzHoa7ESoWEAk-qYGE9g2U5xis/s320/Attachment-1.jpeg" /></a></div>Mobility. I'm losing mobility. I feel old even saying that. <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2020/12/pandemic-burnout.html" target="_blank">Today is one year since California shut down for two weeks to "bend the curve."</a> Friday the 13th was the last day I was in my office working a traditional "8-5," and California issued a mass quarantine order relating to the covid-19 pandemic effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020. Also, today is the 17th anniversary of my weight loss surgery -- a journey that helped me lose 165 pounds. <p></p><p>I have had so many surgeries in my lifetime. <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2019/10/one-last-ride.html" target="_blank">Ten times, I have gone under anesthesia to allow a surgeon to cut into my body,</a> sometimes having multiple procedures during the surgery. Each cut is a scar. Each scar locks my body down a little bit more. You know, when my plastic surgeon did my "arm lift," he cut a "Z" into my arm pit. This was so that I wouldn't lose the ability to raise my arms over my head. Whenever I get a new massage therapist, even when I warn them, I feel them pause dramatically when they get to my lower body lift scar. The scar itself is thin and well-done, so looking at it isn't all that exciting. However, when you touch it, you can feel the thick scar tissue underneath. It holds one part of my body tight, pushing gained fat into weird places my body normally wouldn't have carried it. </p><p>The last year has been rough. I've gained weight (with fat in places I've never seen it squish into before). This is certainly not the highest post-gastric bypass weight I've ever been, but I'm not trying to make that a contest. However, when I look at photos of myself from just a year ago, I can tell a huge difference (no pun intended). In the world of loving your body, I know I shouldn't judge myself, but let's be real -- I'm judging myself (plus I feel like crap and everything hurts). I'm not moving as much. I'm consuming too much sugar. My knees and hips ache. My hamstrings are weak and short. My calves are knotted. My core is weak. My mid-back hurts (if I'm being honest, so does my lower back). I'm pretty sure I have a SLAP tear. I shuffle like an old lady when I first stand up. I couldn't squat without intense pain. My hips are so tight, that thinking I could handle frog pose is a fun little joke I play on myself (which is a move I could do ten short years ago). My new neck pain is sometimes unbearable. I assumed it was my pillow and have tried all different brands. I used the foam roller and a lacrosse ball for self-massage. I saw a chiropractor and did all the exercises to strengthen my back, which was supposed to lead to less strain on my neck. Didn't really help. Finally, I saw a physical/massage therapist. Her brand of massage is more therapy - what I imagine Thai massage might be like. She contorts me into strange positions, then starts to work out the knots. When I first walked into her office, she said, your chest is pulling your entire body forward! She's right. My shoulders and back round forward, toward all of those scars around my chest, arms and side, which is putting strain on my neck. The two types of mesh anchored to my insides aren't helping either. It all hurts. All the time. </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa3gxZNfST0Nrm6qQnILWij9fV-ucX4EvcHy47M5vlNHHxpYXLi1EFEyLOz_ipW4dkNUDaMnMXcyVWXby2W3D1TjLfJgyDXvNBEBODXH_BY4mU6veBKxdM8ZRFovLprnwwTKAmS0_63U/s960/IMG_6598_Original.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRa3gxZNfST0Nrm6qQnILWij9fV-ucX4EvcHy47M5vlNHHxpYXLi1EFEyLOz_ipW4dkNUDaMnMXcyVWXby2W3D1TjLfJgyDXvNBEBODXH_BY4mU6veBKxdM8ZRFovLprnwwTKAmS0_63U/s320/IMG_6598_Original.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2019</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>My running joke for years has been how I will feel like I'm doing the craziest, deepest backbend and someone will take a photo, and I will just be standing up stick straight. In fact, I bought this little contraption that you can lay on that will give you a little back arch. I figured it would be good to use if I'm going to be doing something like watching TV. It has three levels. Level 1 makes me feel like I'm doing a deep, painful backbend. It causes maybe a two inch arch in my back. Level 3 might kill me (I've never even tried it), but its hardly full wheel pose. I have contraptions all over the house. Foam rollers, yoga mats, straps, blocks, yoga wheel, neck traction hammock. I even have a brace to wear to remind me to keep my shoulders back. We just re-did the bonus room (i.e., my office and yoga room) so that I would have more room for my exercises. All in the name of erasing pain.</p><p>Recently, I decided it was time to change up whatever I'm doing. I purchased a physical therapy system. It was designed to rehab a single certain injury. I decided my entire body was the injury. So I have some basic exercises I'm doing each morning to separately rehab my feet, hips, shoulders, hamstrings, knees, neck and back. I also found a website offering mobility exercises (probably the first time I'm glad Facebook was listening to me complain since it showed up as a suggested ad). It's called KaisaFit. I have been doing those three times a week and am now going to subscribe to her entire site so I can have access to additional classes. I'm still doing yoga with my favorite instructor, but I let myself get out of shape so I needed a little different care. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU7JJxL6YID7N8bNCiok2hdLTmStXSeilQsANb6_MCBDUNs-6baNABBXl58Kx8acDcytkJpdkdij_dflPDCxsBfbdJKhqreSKYhUN8ZI-8GRFHAXxXY_vZgiZplm9u-zE7Mo5Kn4F1uk/s4032/IMG_3037.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuU7JJxL6YID7N8bNCiok2hdLTmStXSeilQsANb6_MCBDUNs-6baNABBXl58Kx8acDcytkJpdkdij_dflPDCxsBfbdJKhqreSKYhUN8ZI-8GRFHAXxXY_vZgiZplm9u-zE7Mo5Kn4F1uk/s320/IMG_3037.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2021</td></tr></tbody></table>In November, I had a self-diagnosed LCL strain (knee), right before a big hike I had planned for Nature Goddess Adventures. The pain was excruciating. It killed me to cancel that hike, but I didn't have a choice. I wouldn't have made a ten mile hike. Shoot, I wouldn't have made it a mile. Now only a few months later, I did a deep squat (all the way to the ground) without pain for the first time. Sure, my heels pop up and I can't keep my feet as wide as I'd like, but I was able to squat. That was a huge win for me. I feel a little silly saying this but some days my exercises include things like: "sit on your knees." I can't do it for long, but I <i><b>can</b></i> do it again. I can also relax in child's pose (and am almost completely flat in pigeon on the right side). I had continued yoga after my injury, but child's pose was painful (and I couldn't lay my chest on the floor in pigeon). Now I am just back to regular stiffness during yoga, not pain. They say (whoever "they" are) that one of the signs of how you're doing as you age is the ability to get up off the floor. So I am on the floor all the time. Nothing makes you feel older than saying one of your exercises is just getting up off the floor! How am I facing this at the age of 44?? <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2016/06/hip-check-this-viking-is-healed.html" target="_blank">I faced the same question with my hip around the age of 33</a>. I thought I was going to be in a wheelchair by the time I was 40, but I completely cured myself (with help). I can do it again. Perhaps it is metaphysical, perhaps it's a real injury. I need to do some soul searching to figure it out. <p></p><p>Twice in the last few years, I have purchased those "do the splits in four weeks" or "be more flexible" types of programs. In four weeks, I'm no closer to doing the splits than when I started, and I usually feel like I've pulled something (no matter how much I warm up beforehand). I should know better. I know my body. Forcing it into weird shapes is never the right way for me. My new programs are different. More gentle. And more appreciative of what my body can do instead of what it can't. </p><p>The last year has been a lot (for everyone in the world). There have been a lot of changes for me personally. Yes, covid changed everything, but I bought this house and moved to suburbia. I started working from home more often. I was moving a lot less. Maybe I'm happy in my relationship so I let myself get fat (also, all those people who said if you make more food at home, you'll lose weight, lied). Maybe some of it is age. But I wonder if this is how people get diagnosed with diseases like fibromyalgia. Everything huts but there's no obvious cause for the pain. I have been through this similarly before with my hip, although that was an acute pain and this is more like a general ache all over my body, especially in my knees and hips - they just kind of feel tired all the time. I don't necessarily think it's my joints. When I eat gluten, my hands hurt, and I believe that is joint pain. The knees and hips are something else. Generally, I can gauge inflammation by a psoriasis flare. It is also an indication that I am stressed out. But my skin looks okay right now, so that is confusing. I also went through a minute of adult acne (I now believe it was related to wearing a mask, but I was worried it was hormonal), and that also caused some concern. I've always had clear skin, so I get worried when issues pop up for no known reason. I know I need to figure out what to balance to put my body back into homeostasis. </p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImGjPePd_2v5mHE8jCEDEgCeXEjik2SNV2r113KNxCtwTeza1PgmvmMjJCTyLy_U2LSy8ugLJCSxKjv8v54CQt7XQtBV_W7MRSe9hUHWb3LoW2L8FgDUyAtAm8btDVAH_vVexc9wvo44/s960/IMG_2831.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiImGjPePd_2v5mHE8jCEDEgCeXEjik2SNV2r113KNxCtwTeza1PgmvmMjJCTyLy_U2LSy8ugLJCSxKjv8v54CQt7XQtBV_W7MRSe9hUHWb3LoW2L8FgDUyAtAm8btDVAH_vVexc9wvo44/s320/IMG_2831.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">January 2018</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I sometimes wonder how I got to where I am in my life (like, how my body works). Sure, we are born with certain limitations, but I believe most of mine were probably nurture over nature. (<a href="https://abalancedtable.net/" target="_blank">The day after I wrote this blog, my friend Ellen sent a newsletter with a most fantastic subtitle: Genetics loads the gun, lifestyle pulls the trigger.</a>) I was the oldest child and took some weird mental responsibility for my family's well-being. I was put on birth control at 15, which was probably one of the worst things that could have happened to my body. Although I took on the chunky kid role around the time my parents split when I was 12 years old, I really gained weight after I started taking the pill. Even worse, I stayed on it 24 years, completely messing up my hormones and my body's natural ability to regulate itself. I preferred reading books over playing softball. I took a job at 18 that causes me to sit all day, which has clearly blessed me with a shortened psoas. I went to college and worked full time, choosing lots of fast food as my easy meal option. I gained all that weight in my late teens and early 20's, leading to a decision to re-arrange my insides at the age of 27. I then decided to have even more surgery to remove the sagging skin at the age of 30 (and multiple other times), which gave me all these scars. I sometimes wonder what my life would have been like if even one of those choices had been different. My mom is thin and had knee replacements in her 50's, as well as hip replacements in her 60's. Perhaps I was destined to have these issues, but my life choices contributed to the problem.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSwuQyE32A7rFwgHLOM_5-CGpl-pS5MmKOvJDlqMsTyYCTRMeXRa6U5EoLdtu0IpRCRgVIySHl_0c8GPa-NhPFGbQc4a6iNchWe_gNpYw4hA73W_GPvnk0B6O47CSk7FV5wu_oWdNrKQ/s811/IMG_2832.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="546" data-original-width="811" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMSwuQyE32A7rFwgHLOM_5-CGpl-pS5MmKOvJDlqMsTyYCTRMeXRa6U5EoLdtu0IpRCRgVIySHl_0c8GPa-NhPFGbQc4a6iNchWe_gNpYw4hA73W_GPvnk0B6O47CSk7FV5wu_oWdNrKQ/s320/IMG_2832.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 2018</td></tr></tbody></table>Anyway, here we are. Seventeen years after weight loss surgery changed my life (not necessarily for the better since lower weight doesn't automatically equal healthier body). One year after covid changed it some more. I've thrown around the idea of joining a program like Noom, or maybe even doing a cleanse. I've already tried intermittent fasting with almost no weight loss (I thought giving up my morning sugary vitamin waters again should have given me something). But I worry about what <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2017/10/a-unicorns-journey-toward-enlightenment.html" target="_blank">diet culture does to my mindset</a>. I know when I try to "diet" (i.e., concentrate on losing weight/count calories), I end up in a binge and a huge gain. Instead of the number on the scale, I try to gauge my health by how I'm feeling (currently, like a sausage) and how my vitamin levels are (iron was low last year and it is time to get them checked again). I'm currently taking tons of vitamins and recently added my protein shakes back into my meal plan. My best bet is usually to "set it and forget it:" come up with a plan to make healthier choices and allow that to flow into my life. <a href="http://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2015/01/fear-of-hunger.html" target="_blank">I lost 35-40 pounds five to six years ago without counting calories. I can do it again</a>. <p></p><p>I keep pondering how long I will keep up this blog. I know I'm not writing much anymore. I feel compelled to write on occasion just so it doesn't completely die (since I have been here for 11 years!), but I have no clue if the clicks I'm getting are real people still reading what I have to say. I feel like, at one point, I was helping the cause, whether you were a plus sized poler, a gastric bypass patient, or just a regular person dealing with body issues. Now I feel like I'm mostly using this like an online diary complaining about getting old, fat, and ugly. Plus, I can tell Facebook hides my links in order to get me to pay for ads, which further lowers my audience reach. So, if you're still out there reading these posts, feel free to leave a comment! How's the last year been for you? </p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-59196206831469763872020-12-09T15:12:00.008-08:002024-02-22T16:42:57.855-08:00Pandemic Burnout<p> </p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq4SQA3oFGlANa29-2m7Xb6czqF5aeigY3RXnNtCoRaSR8IidrNSGc2C7B7QLCKVZh1GeqyYk5s21UpaKRIscqYcVdGVeF20orehM67Slvxp7xzMn8Kd_0SZIF7PWWRX6oMmKVEBXhiw/s1024/rainbow.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGq4SQA3oFGlANa29-2m7Xb6czqF5aeigY3RXnNtCoRaSR8IidrNSGc2C7B7QLCKVZh1GeqyYk5s21UpaKRIscqYcVdGVeF20orehM67Slvxp7xzMn8Kd_0SZIF7PWWRX6oMmKVEBXhiw/s320/rainbow.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Never lose your sense of humor<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Two weeks to bend the curve! Or was it three weeks? I don't remember. That was ten months ago. And we are still here, in the United States (California specifically), being ordered to stay home so that covid-19 patients don't overtake our hospitals...again. I guess we are finally in the predicted second wave. <p></p><p>I've had a hard time vocalizing how I've felt recently. 2020 has been amazing to me. I bought this house. I have an amazing relationship. I live close to my family, and I still see them on a regular basis (so I am not isolated). I have a job (even if I am furloughed one day a month), which allows me to work at home, but also allows me the autonomy to go into the office if/when I choose. </p><p>But 2020 has also kicked my ass. I am exhausted. I have gained some weight. I am eating decently, but I am definitely not moving as much as I used to, so my body hurts. Working at home is nice, but then there is no separation between home and work. Breaks aren't real breaks. They mean time to do dishes or laundry. I don't take an hour lunch anymore. I just eat at my desk, continuing to do work, because why not? I'm not commuting but I feel like I have less time, not more. I still can't seem to find time to do a lot of the spiritual woo-woo stuff that I used to do on a daily basis. No card pulls. No journal writing. No full moon rituals. I just can't pull it together. Why?</p><p>I was listening to a podcast a couple of weeks ago and they gave it a name: pandemic burnout. Our adrenals are essentially shot because we don't know what's going to happen next so our bodies are just constantly in stress-mode. </p><p>I am on social media (probably a bad idea) watching the world fall apart. Businesses are failing, and people are (or will soon) lose their homes. There is no real guidance. Politicians are making all of these seemingly arbitrary rules, some that change on a daily basis, while they are privately doing whatever they want to do. Unemployment has run out for many, or was never offered to some, yet people are being fined for trying to keep their businesses open. It is appalling that we as a society aren't being allowed to take care of ourselves, but also can't rely on the government that is telling us that we cannot work. </p><p>In California, some counties (like the one I live in) are setting more strict health orders than the state, but then expect already-overloaded city police departments to enforce these constantly-changing rules. No one can keep up. The district attorneys aren't prosecuting many "petty" crimes, and a lot of criminals aren't being taken to jail because they don't want to bring covid in. Yet people just trying to run their businesses so they can feed their families are being threatened with citations. It's sick.</p><p>Our government has failed us. You can blame Trump or your governor, but all of these politicians have failed. People are losing homes and businesses. They are telling you that you can’t work and feed your families. They aren’t giving money to the people who need it (but are happily approving claims for people who don’t qualify). They think a one-time payment of $1,200 was helping, when all it did was create more debt for the country to dig out of. The government is broken. You can pretend things are going to change in January but they aren’t. These people aren’t smarter than you. Many of them are decades in and have been part of the problem for the entire time. If they didn’t work for the government, they likely wouldn’t qualify for a job that even pays into the six figures. They aren’t taking pay-cuts. They are still visiting their families and getting their haircuts. </p><p>I kept hearing that we are destroying the economy for a virus with a 99.9% survival rate. And I thought, that can’t be right. So I looked it up. According to the CDC, that’s right. If you are young, it’s a 99.99% survival. If you’re over 70, it’s a 99.5% survival rate. We aren’t even to the hard part. In California, there’s a moratorium on evictions for covid affected people. But they still owe all that money. And what if the landlord loses the house in the meantime? What happens then? It’s trickle down. In another year, when this all comes due, we are really going to feel the effects of what is happening right now. For a virus. With a 99+% survival rate. The end of the world is seemingly here. And it certainly is not our government who is going to take care of us.</p><p>My belief is that adults who want to work should be allowed to work so they can feed their families. Those who have compromised immune systems should be the ones who stay home and safe. Sure, wear the masks and social distance, but if the government cannot afford to pay everyone to stay home, they should expect people will do what they need to do to feed their families. These small businesses being targeted with fines are not getting rich off this pandemic. They are just trying to survive. Please explain to me how walking through Walmart is safe but shopping at a small mom and pop shop is not. </p><p>Now, I am also not stupid. I know why these large companies are allowed to stay open. They are the ones providing the jobs. But mega corporations thank the government for putting their smaller competition out of business.</p><p>I'm not smart enough to claim I have any answers, but I do know that what we've been doing isn't working. Anyway, this wasn't meant to be a rant. I just realized I hadn't checked in since the summer, and it was probably time to say hello. Apparently, I needed to get all of that out. I hope each of you are coping better than I appear to be. I am here if you want to share your story. </p>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-70769586003780499512020-07-16T14:25:00.000-07:002020-07-17T15:18:38.540-07:00Becoming a Twirly<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVw5e6QI0ymwIb3764ci3Qlw7yobXqTgmukrQ8Gj2MTirmhK_J4KfyQ3QPZcT-vS9OacH4U5X0CYZ1mR1DJF3-6upay7FhPMlXBgSK7Nf5199DbQg_b84kcDUi54RLbWt2jx1Z8q95Lg/s1600/4.18.2010+Rita+Fundraiser+TG+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrVw5e6QI0ymwIb3764ci3Qlw7yobXqTgmukrQ8Gj2MTirmhK_J4KfyQ3QPZcT-vS9OacH4U5X0CYZ1mR1DJF3-6upay7FhPMlXBgSK7Nf5199DbQg_b84kcDUi54RLbWt2jx1Z8q95Lg/s320/4.18.2010+Rita+Fundraiser+TG+262.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Rita 2010</td></tr>
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This morning I woke up to an Instagram post requesting OG photos from Twirly Girls alumni. Share your #TwirlyThrowback photos for Throwback Thursday! I started going through the ten plus years of photos and took a walk down memory lane...<br />
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Bel, the owner of Twirly Girls Pole Fitness, recently passed the Twirly Torch to Grace and Rosanne, who re-branded as Twirly Tribe Studio (I believe this is the final Bay Area studio to be turned over to the younger generation). During a pandemic no less, while "gyms" aren't allowed to be open. I know Bel has been ready to retire and hoping to find the right person to take over for awhile. Grace mentioned the recent flood in the studio had Bel in tears, and made her want to step up and do for Bel what she has been doing for years -- taking care of us. And, as I know from experience, it really does take a tribe to take on these types of endeavors. Finding the right partner is key -- and Rosanne seems like the perfect match for Grace.<br />
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I started thinking this morning about what Twirly Girls has brought into my life. I wanted to chronicle every cool thing that's ever happened to me related to Twirly or pole dance. I realized this would be a 27 page blog that no one would read. I've had this blog for over ten years. It has almost 900 posts (I once tried to order one of those hard copy books of your blog and it was going to cost me thousands of dollars, so I had to let that dream go). You could spend weeks reading through my already chronicled adventures. So I'll hit some highlights to celebrate Bel's 14 years as the legit OG TG, my life as a pole dancer, and to create a warm send off for the amazing adventure Grace and Rosanne have ahead of them.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkQDBbdf57tqUmGVVVTsUVaykKQGGrNzgijTKXL9GCl6mJldBTFYHFpEY983O-bvtT4ZoZrSpVXhHPZ6rEmWWZEMUXjZi3CII65V2qakVG6OJPv7JOFodIm7dqihHwmgoHouRCpCSG_Y/s1600/Grace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGkQDBbdf57tqUmGVVVTsUVaykKQGGrNzgijTKXL9GCl6mJldBTFYHFpEY983O-bvtT4ZoZrSpVXhHPZ6rEmWWZEMUXjZi3CII65V2qakVG6OJPv7JOFodIm7dqihHwmgoHouRCpCSG_Y/s320/Grace.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace cooling me off</td></tr>
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My first class at Twirly Girls was with my friend, Rita (yes, THE Lovely Rita!) on December 2, 2009 (you can read about the lead up <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2010/02/to-pole-or-not-to-polethat-is-question.html">HERE</a> if you want). The short answer to how we ended up there is this: I heard a radio show interview with instructors from S-Factor. They had a studio in San Francisco. I took one class there in early 2009 but it was really difficult to get to and I couldn't spend my entire Saturday going into the City every weekend. Later that summer, a friend mentioned she had received an email from Pleasanton about a pole studio opening up. We all decided we should go. Initially, we had a group of four or five planned. When it was time to go, it was only Rita and me. We had the best time laughing and being silly. It was a class that literally changed my life.<br />
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I started this blog in January 2010 to chronicle my journey and met my then-online (now real-life) friend, Heather, who was a poler and blogger (check out a post about Heather <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2012/02/now-thats-how-i-pole.html">HERE</a>). I didn't really expect it to lead anywhere. I just thought it would be nice to keep everything in one place. Ten years later, I have almost 900,000 views. Not earth shattering numbers or anything but pretty decent for someone who wasn't trying to get famous with a blog. I started interviewing pole celebrities for my blog (and later did video interviews for The Pole Dancing Shop). I was a board member of a pole blogger association. I was the self-proclaimed pole ambassador and started visiting studios all over the Bay Area (and California). I started teaching my class at Twirly Girls in 2012, Boys, Girls and Twirls, which brought Robert -- aka cowboywild -- into my circle. That story almost requires its own blog. Long story short, watching Robert come out of his shell and start to use pole dance as a fundraiser via Twirl for a Cause has been extremely rewarding. (<a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-un-pole-lievable-show-rocked.html">HERE</a> is a post about Robert's 2013 show.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMYEzgO922ZuvgrpU_hp8lR5kkjBVldRVxWqk4bwdI63O5WCh_UzFDHYDn-JwAJOia52pUOP3-g5cxdcCsm5nd_3as7u-fm_j9FEQ5ZA8GdhQk0xFDCOPDI_0K9OnGL3rPJ-C7BEKPzs/s1600/2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="641" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTMYEzgO922ZuvgrpU_hp8lR5kkjBVldRVxWqk4bwdI63O5WCh_UzFDHYDn-JwAJOia52pUOP3-g5cxdcCsm5nd_3as7u-fm_j9FEQ5ZA8GdhQk0xFDCOPDI_0K9OnGL3rPJ-C7BEKPzs/s320/2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Liquidpulp Photography - Rita, Bel and me</td></tr>
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Being a Twirly also brought me to Marisa and Chunky Girl Comics (I am pretty sure it was Twirly Girl Jenelle who tagged me in the post where Marisa was looking for someone to cosplay as one of her characters). It was also Twirly Girls that gave me the confidence to walk around in my underwear for Chunky Girl events and faux drag performances. (You can read about our attendance at Comikaze <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2013/11/comikaze-2013-from-perspective-of-nerd.html">HERE</a>.) I have multiple blogs about Chunky Girl Comics and, again, I could write another one specifically directed at how much my life has changed from meeting Marisa and being introduced to Chunky Girls.<br />
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In 2010, Bel started a fundraiser called Lovely Rita to raise money for the National Kidney Foundation (as Rita is a three-time kidney transplant recipient). (You can read about our first Lovely Rita <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2010/04/lovely-rita-fundraiser-was-huge-success.html">HERE</a>.) We did that fundraiser for nine years! These fundraisers got me out of my comfort zone and performing. I was never an amazing dancer or performer but I always had fun. We used to have Andrew (aka Liquidpulp Photography) do these epic photoshoots at the studio (in fact, my first meeting of Grace was at one of those photoshoots). One of my favorite shoots was a calendar we did with Andrew to benefit the Lovely Rita fundraiser. It brought the whole studio together.<br />
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Pole dancing at Twirly introduced me to hundreds of people. I started going to events -- Pole Con in Los Angeles and Pole Expo in Las Vegas. Guys, I've seen Jenyne Butterfly perform in person, met Timber Brown before he was on America's Got Talent, saw Kenneth Kao JUMP between poles live, and I was at the show where Jamilla's flying shoe almost killed a photographer! I watched "beginner" competition moves start at a then-shockingly impressive ayesha or jade split and work up to a mind-blowing fonji. I wrote for multiple pole magazines and websites. I attended pole competitions and showcases. Bel nicknamed me the Twirling Viking Warrior. I started using "pole dance is for everyBODY" and promoting pole for plus sized dancers (I still have a group on Facebook dedicated to plus sized polers). I met my East Coast plus sized counterpart, Roz THE DIVA Mays. I met Amy Bond, who introduced the idea of Northern California Pole Presentational, which I took to Ellen, which turned into six shows (wow, so overly simplified, but if you know me, you know how much of my life was devoted to this for almost eight years...you can read my wrap-up after the first show <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2014/08/confessions-of-pole-show-producer-ncpp.html">HERE</a> and my farewell after my final show <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2020/01/time-to-pass-torch.html">HERE</a>).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 Birthday surprise</td></tr>
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I don't even want to mention the names of people I've met and who have influenced me for fear of leaving anyone out (I mean, I need a whole other blog about Kate and Volare Variety!!). Lifelong friendships were forged (shout out to Ginger who has taken me to multiple surgeries and recently helped remodel my kitchen!!!!). The connection to one of my closest friends, Jade, happened because we were both on an online website for pole dancers, and I introduced her to Twirly Girls. We bonded one day when we were both at a Twirly Girls clothing swap. I remember once being at lunch with a friend I hadn't seen in years. We were eating outdoors in San Francisco. She had heard about the pole dancing and my writing, and asked if I was famous. I said, not even close. Not five minutes later, I heard someone yell from across the street: "Is that Lori from Confessions of a Twirly Girl?!" A fellow Twirly, who had read my blog, ran across the street to give me a hug. And I could not convince my friend that was a fluke. I got a good laugh out of it. <br />
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I got into pole dancing when it was...how best to word this...socially acceptably brand new (the true OGs started in the strip clubs and did the leg work, no pun intended, in the late 1990's and early 2000's to bring pole to the mainstream -- but I have a whole blog series about that if you want to read them). In 2010, I had a list of every known pole event in the world, and every studio in the United States. I essentially KNEW (or at least knew of) almost every pole dancer in the US, and probably even the world (there were only like five plus sized polers, and maybe three pole bloggers). I knew everyone at the first Pole Expo. It only took a couple of years before there were so many people, I could no longer keep up. Pole dance was trendy. It was supposed to burn out in a year or two. Yet now they're talking about putting it in the Olympics. I'm part of pole history.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely Rita 2017 with Jade and Alana</td></tr>
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Twirly has seen me through some bad break-ups, and the birth of most of my nieces and nephews. Twirly has been there as I've purchased a new home and transitioned from Walnut Creek socialite to Brentwood suburbanite (I went from happy hours to watching Baby Shark; #AuntyLife). Good times or bad, someone from Twirly has been there. I've always felt like Twirly gave me a purpose in life. I often felt lost or unimportant -- never knowing where I was supposed to be or what I was supposed to be doing. I had a career. That was fine. But there had to be more. Why was I put on this earth? Helping other humans find their self-worth and heal their body image issues became my purpose, and that started with becoming a Twirly Girl.<br />
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After years of abusing my body and having way too many surgeries, I hung up my stilettos last year (which I could never walk in anyway). You can read that post <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2019/10/one-last-ride.html">HERE</a>. The thing is, you can stop pole dancing but you never stop being a Twirly. Bel created an environment where people felt loved and supported. New people would comment constantly that they loved how Twirly Girls felt like a family.<br />
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Anyway, like I said, I could go on for pages and pages about what Twirly Girls, now Twirly Tribe, means to me. I am excited for Grace and Rosanne to continue the legacy. Who could have known where I would be ten and a half years after a single introductory pole class? Forget the six degrees of Kevin Bacon. I have the six degrees of Bel and Twirly Girls -- which has spider'ed into thousands of connections, both online and in real life. Thank you to Bel for providing a safe place for me to grow as a person, and learn how to love and appreciate my body at the size it is. Thank you for the adventures. Thank you for being part of my life journey. I love you all!<br />
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<b>If you have any Twirly memories you'd like to share, please feel free to comment on this blog or head over to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TwirlyGirlConfessions">Confessions Facebook page</a> to add your photos and memories!</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZYAReItLAYfEQAAqYIx2EUj8zc8yEOPvVqpYar1FGo6KVbVTSa1dHNyQl4hIL5tA3dbPTwSXBVlQSLQAaZWTZDkuE3hd5yUNuTZp1wLhvARF6fEYtik7Skw0ZtxJe2HjP_UH_IXQ1o0/s1600/3.23.10+iPhone+240.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="720" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZYAReItLAYfEQAAqYIx2EUj8zc8yEOPvVqpYar1FGo6KVbVTSa1dHNyQl4hIL5tA3dbPTwSXBVlQSLQAaZWTZDkuE3hd5yUNuTZp1wLhvARF6fEYtik7Skw0ZtxJe2HjP_UH_IXQ1o0/s320/3.23.10+iPhone+240.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2010</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV3kamzfQdr-4_9sCYRwAf7H25TSqaToUbMauscAbd3Jo4cNX5ZppjJwZSjlIp-PrQmbPBVTHLzM9gYkKgMcux8brU8oTyeboihvCe8wSVc3TFq1Emgw0COSPDRn9YDfHLTNg494a-4g/s1600/2010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="833" data-original-width="1250" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJV3kamzfQdr-4_9sCYRwAf7H25TSqaToUbMauscAbd3Jo4cNX5ZppjJwZSjlIp-PrQmbPBVTHLzM9gYkKgMcux8brU8oTyeboihvCe8wSVc3TFq1Emgw0COSPDRn9YDfHLTNg494a-4g/s320/2010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Liquidpulp Photography</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaQ-Xd1r8WKUA85HIRk9eJ6CnWVz41Fi0raKSaW6znBH8Be-vmkZHBQKR_o50fjJM-d-jYeAV1KRcKUm7R5c4wGSw_XjBMcun-ch8MYMXTePvFbLJjvwSZ70jwNEOjSUjKTi1KK4iteY/s1600/2011+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAaQ-Xd1r8WKUA85HIRk9eJ6CnWVz41Fi0raKSaW6znBH8Be-vmkZHBQKR_o50fjJM-d-jYeAV1KRcKUm7R5c4wGSw_XjBMcun-ch8MYMXTePvFbLJjvwSZ70jwNEOjSUjKTi1KK4iteY/s320/2011+%25282%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzsmk5u2s7hB1EYsQYVpuqte6Wi5V1U3zOv58EpzCTZ8fBY8ZfmtJEiMyvDfjAhHVsMaFbHsoxz6hX10Kr13bHei648Q87p-rjOizNxBfgAjaxl23CVjVEwk_OGZ2Mgz6hrDEBHohyphenhyphenR4/s1600/2011+%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzsmk5u2s7hB1EYsQYVpuqte6Wi5V1U3zOv58EpzCTZ8fBY8ZfmtJEiMyvDfjAhHVsMaFbHsoxz6hX10Kr13bHei648Q87p-rjOizNxBfgAjaxl23CVjVEwk_OGZ2Mgz6hrDEBHohyphenhyphenR4/s320/2011+%25284%2529.JPG" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2011</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghumNZNx0fhyphenhyphenwL3oN83I6_fK09aVeW3s9Ui-OPX44Q6C2ruIR3QdFowfc5WSh7Yqtn4Ci-DCWLeOV1c8J2wyDzk64lN4VCxBreZj33LcclpLO-3h1BFiJeqJ66jNf_A7aPPbKSKRG3bN0/s1600/2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="683" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghumNZNx0fhyphenhyphenwL3oN83I6_fK09aVeW3s9Ui-OPX44Q6C2ruIR3QdFowfc5WSh7Yqtn4Ci-DCWLeOV1c8J2wyDzk64lN4VCxBreZj33LcclpLO-3h1BFiJeqJ66jNf_A7aPPbKSKRG3bN0/s320/2011.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Liquidpulp Photography</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfcr4-tY7M5qhgJ4pkcRpBn1JSgZ1URQ09VUoMzQShd2sENWN2LHjAXAmg8Rw5-rRzRzbf0hVS8AyfiRVB25suh0-T-FZP3hAfQNLm2T2lHiSR4N1ATbcNhuIcZtBkvzQBN3dE30TtaM/s1600/Nadia+boobs+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="865" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcfcr4-tY7M5qhgJ4pkcRpBn1JSgZ1URQ09VUoMzQShd2sENWN2LHjAXAmg8Rw5-rRzRzbf0hVS8AyfiRVB25suh0-T-FZP3hAfQNLm2T2lHiSR4N1ATbcNhuIcZtBkvzQBN3dE30TtaM/s320/Nadia+boobs+2013.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nadia's romance with my boobs 2013</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIFT_Wr2-d4w4K2Uko0CLU-1NO8ysm1h5iDCE4tn8AR7bYDAi_lVWnbMURrUAEHApVrSc8rRtjPr3OmLDt3cQfwlVHc_U_cEQ5TzdxGXYUTFAFlB0QUnSICe8zdWsVSADVVAKLYd5IzQ/s1600/Handstands.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="556" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFIFT_Wr2-d4w4K2Uko0CLU-1NO8ysm1h5iDCE4tn8AR7bYDAi_lVWnbMURrUAEHApVrSc8rRtjPr3OmLDt3cQfwlVHc_U_cEQ5TzdxGXYUTFAFlB0QUnSICe8zdWsVSADVVAKLYd5IzQ/s320/Handstands.JPG" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Handstands everywhere we go</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj562R9jx8y6mBvHRaW4WYDAiQOgaPtdjypPlHC87fsxDW51QUCEsANwIgLcK3zxPjoxRFZSYIh6W7z3TXxYHN6Y0VDQqu6MAdul-W_YyygAzFWrXZEq_nF8zPA9ooUv81wnPg9rF2g4-I/s1600/2016+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj562R9jx8y6mBvHRaW4WYDAiQOgaPtdjypPlHC87fsxDW51QUCEsANwIgLcK3zxPjoxRFZSYIh6W7z3TXxYHN6Y0VDQqu6MAdul-W_YyygAzFWrXZEq_nF8zPA9ooUv81wnPg9rF2g4-I/s320/2016+%25282%2529.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Somer Ahonen - </span>2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Brett Stanley - 2016</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLPSA26oWhxWXsf5ZbN5HZuxf5MHBBkbr0f421YTMUJUNHM0KTkSUzIZ3rvhHCedg41fti4ZG602-EVzwImxkK6oEbc57hS1cfVi07s5-e3XXBYcCIgUaq69Gx-5Y4ql1eE1vheQdVTo/s1600/2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="936" data-original-width="1404" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLPSA26oWhxWXsf5ZbN5HZuxf5MHBBkbr0f421YTMUJUNHM0KTkSUzIZ3rvhHCedg41fti4ZG602-EVzwImxkK6oEbc57hS1cfVi07s5-e3XXBYcCIgUaq69Gx-5Y4ql1eE1vheQdVTo/s320/2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Photo by Somer Ahonen - </span>2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0QwzoYREKtBC58FbTgvGuACjduFcTJ9w_uC9-g5oxFgUDRLrQrZK8QbLKGzDFAFjpeUSBmtifkci7DcZzrCXs2wBe3rEtzOX-Pw36pY5q-sAkfroTdy3kESiyr3Koa_q81AcIhjbVSQ/s1600/Artista+2017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="1600" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0QwzoYREKtBC58FbTgvGuACjduFcTJ9w_uC9-g5oxFgUDRLrQrZK8QbLKGzDFAFjpeUSBmtifkci7DcZzrCXs2wBe3rEtzOX-Pw36pY5q-sAkfroTdy3kESiyr3Koa_q81AcIhjbVSQ/s320/Artista+2017.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Somer Ahonen - Representing Artista Activewear</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roz the Diva 2017</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Little Boxes Theater - 2019</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Final NCPP with Ellen 2019 -- That's a wrap!<br />
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lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-83572367467986330902020-06-29T17:41:00.000-07:002020-06-29T17:41:25.767-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Rachel!Depending on where you are, we are about four months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers over a month ago.) One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.</b><br /><br />Rachel – I’m a 44 year old single mother, raising my son with my parents in the California town of Oakley. I am currently working as a Special Education teacher with an emergency credential and plan to start my Education Specialist credential program this summer. I also hold a master’s degree in psychology and my interests include spirituality, addiction recovery, authentic self-expression, holistic health, self-care, and more. I am 3 years and 9 months sober from alcohol. My food addiction battle continues. Had it under control for 9 months, then fell off the wagon a year ago. I’m a hardcore Supernatural fan (the TV show) and read Supernatural fan fiction daily.<br /><br /><div>
<b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br /><br />I am sheltering in place with my 9 year old son and my two retired parents. My son is kind of bouncing off the walls, but overall handling it really well. He chats with his cousin via video chat on Facebook Messenger for Kids and they play Minecraft together. We’ve established a good routine for getting his schoolwork done while I work. My parents are up to the usual stuff they usually do, just in a modified way. For example, my parents attend their spiritual center via Zoom every Sunday.<br /><br /><b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b><br /><br />I give myself an 8, maybe it’s a 7. I leave the house to go to the grocery store once a week and go to two stores. I used to go way more than this, so this is shift. I occasionally go to Target to pick up an order. I’ve gone to my school twice to get things from my classroom. I take walks in the neighborhood. I occasionally indulge myself and have a chat, from a safe distance, with my neighbor friend. That’s it.<br /><br />I do, however, let my son play with the neighbor kids. There was two weeks were I didn’t, but now that things have eased a bit, I’ve let him again. But he’s constantly told to not pass items back and forth, not touch the same things, and keep a distance. He’s an only child and he also needs outdoor active time. I really don’t know what to do.<br /><br /><b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19? </b><br /><br />Nope</div>
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<b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br /></div>
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I’m kind of going nuts not having ANY real alone time. I’m an INFJ and I read once that INFJ’s desperately need time where then can be 100% sure that no one is around, will interrupt, or might need them. I don’t get that ever. It wasn’t much in the past, but now it’s never. It’s exhausting. There’s been no major blow up between the adults. Well, my parents have them, but that’s normal. But I haven’t lost my shit on either of them. I did kind of lose it with Ethan last night, but that was a long time coming. I was surprised it took that long.<br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?</b><br /><br />My parents have taken Ethan to Big Break twice and, early on, I went a couple times. I’ve been swamped with work since we returned from Spring Break on March 30th and I caught a case of really bad allergies that manifested as a chronic cough, so I haven’t been out as much and when I do I try to not encounter people, because I don’t want my cough to freak them out.<br /><br /><b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?</b><br /><br />Well, at first, and I know better: nada. None. Just lots of binge eating. And I promptly added 15 lbs to the 25 that I was already up since last May #knowyourunhealthycopingmechanisms<br /><br />So that sucks. I know me, so I was waiting for the click. For my moment of clarity that kind of feels like hitting bottom. It finally came and my head is back on straight and I’ve got my food on lock for the first time in a long time, and reaping all the benefits of peace and pride that I’ve desperately missed.<br /><br />I’ve also signed up for Gabby Bernstein’s “Meditation Challenge” which starts on Sunday, because I like structure and really want to get back to a regular meditation practice. She annoyingly pretty, perky, and privileged, but I like her teachings and find them really helpful despite all that.<br /><br />I’m trying to integrate daily yoga—again. Another thing that fell off when I fell off the wagon a year ago.<br /><br />I did clean my very trashed room (my only space that’s mine) on my birthday (April 26) and that deeply felt like self-care. I took hours attending to all the piles while listening to Janelle Hanchett’s “I’m Just Happy To Be Here” (5-star, definitely recommend). It was good.<br /><br /><b>If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?</b><br /><br />Not bad. He’s insanely resistant and homework has always been a battle, so I guess I was kind of prepared. I set up a check list with what he needs to do each day. The things he can do independently via online apps are bolded, so he knows he needs to do those himself. The rest he does with my mom, while I work, which is great. There’s a fair amount of drama: whining, wailing, resisting. I went back to his daily reinforcement chart and clarified the expectations, so hopefully knowing that Points are on the line will motivate him to stop being such a brat.<br /><br /><b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?</b><br /><br />I am a Special Education teacher in a classroom for students with extreme behavior challenges. I am extremely lucky to be able to do this from home and still get my regular pay through the end of my contract (June 30th). It’s going pretty well. At first I was worried I wouldn’t keep up, but I am. I love my job and it matters, so I keep showing up and keep moving forward. I do all class Zooms twice a week and meet 1:2 with each family (a parent and their student) each week to focus on a goal related lesson. I have regular meetings with colleagues and also run special education team meetings all from Zoom.<br /><br /><b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?</b><br /><br />Of course! But I do that anyway. I haven’t paid for a haircut in years. For my hair at least.<br /><br />The real challenge was cutting Ethan’s. That was scary! He wouldn’t stop moving. It came out pretty good.<br /><br /><b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br />We haven’t killed each other yet. Does that count? I’m only kind of kidding. I’m genuinely surprised that my mom and I haven’t had a major blow out, but we’re getting along pretty well, which has been the case for around 2 years now.<br /><br /><b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?</b><br /><br />I mailed my nephew his gift, but he lives 4 hours away, so I would have done that anyway.<br /><br />There was a parade for the boy next door and we stepped out for that and gave him his gift.<br /><br />For my birthday we didn’t do anything special.<br /><br />For Mother’s Day we ordered Melo’s in, for the second time that week, lol.<br /><br />I sent Amazon gift cards to my son’s teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week.<br /><br /><b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br /><br />My life was already pretty unexciting and now it’s just more so. I really can’t think of any change that will continue.<br /><br />I signed up for Disney+, I’ll probably keep that. Hamilton is coming!!!!<br /></div>
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<b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br /><br />Yes! I miss going to school and being in the classroom. Also, I was looking forward to attending school in person this summer and now my pre-service program for my credential will be all online, which is a bummer. I want to be able to see people’s faces when I smile and talk to them at the store. I want to go to the movies.<br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br /><br />I’m currently watching the second season of Dead To Me.<br /><br />I really enjoyed the first season of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist these last few weeks.<br /><br />I’ve also watched a ton of others, like good ole Tiger King, as well as Everything Sucks, Atypical, The Morning Show, The Mandalorian, and rewatched Firefly with the kiddo. He and I are currently watching Parks & Recreation and The Office (he’s only 9, but he loves the humor and I’m not worried about the semi-inappropriate stuff, he handles it)<br /><br />Right now, I would recommend something light, but thoughtful, like The Good Place, if you haven’t watched it yet. Another fun escape is Superstore.<br /><br />My all-time favorite show is Supernatural. I will never not recommend this. Anxiously awaiting the last 7 episodes, which are on hold due to the current crisis.<br /><br /><b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”</b><br /><br />Having my classroom trashed by students when they spin out of control and waking at 5:40 a.m. for work.<br /><br /><b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”</b><br /><br />Less rushing and less expectation, fewer demands. I can just focus on what I think is important and necessary in my daily life. A lot is out of my hands and that’s rather freeing.<br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br /><br />Go to the Oakland Zoo. We have a membership and we miss it so much. We signed up for the online live, behind the scenes, zoo show and it’s been great, but we really miss being there in person.<br /></div>
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<b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?</b><br /><br />My sister, but she lives 4 hours away, so I don’t see her enough anyway. I actually “see” her more, because we’ll sometimes talk when the boys are connected via video chat.<br /><br />Second, my students and all the kids at school. I’m very happy to see kids when I go for a walk.<br /><br /><b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br /><br />For this time in general, I always come back to Doom Days by Bastille. So good.<br /><br />For the time at home itself, I can’t really think of anything; though maybe Doom Days applies there as well.<br /><br /><b>What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?</b><br /><br />My plan is to go back to school to get my special education credential as an intern. Due to the virus the third test I need to pass keeps getting rescheduled. I need to pass it by September 30 (and it takes 4-6 weeks to get results, so I need to take it by mid-August to be safe). Ideally I would have it passed before my job starts at the end of July (if I get a job). Everything is kind of up in the air, but I just keep moving forward and hoping for the best.<br /><br />Other than that, everything is pretty much the same.<br /><br />We had to cancel our vacation in March to Monterey and I don’t know when we’ll be able to reschedule given both the virus and my upcoming school and work schedule. It is what it is.<br /><br /><b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br /><br />Ugh, that’s way too hard. I’d love to do the full Disneyworld experience, never been. But Hawaii, Scotland, Ireland, Italy, and Manchu Pichu are also high on the list. Or just a basic Disneyland vacation, which is beyond my financial reach right now and I really want Ethan to go before he leaves his childhood behind.</div>
lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-86774195820646758892020-06-18T16:19:00.000-07:002020-06-18T16:19:24.493-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Heather!Depending on where you are, we are about three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.</b><br /><br />Hey, hey! I'm Heather - a 37 year old Christmas Baby, 4x cross-country mover, cartoon loving, ex-roller derby playin', dog momin' weirdo. I'm one of the most resilient people I know. Nice to meet you! <br /><br /><b>In which part of the world do you live?</b><br /><br />Salisbury, MD<div>
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<b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br /><br />My quarantine family consists of my husband Jason, and our two dogs, Vader & Chewie. <br /><br /><b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b><br /><br /><div>
8<br /></div>
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<b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?</b><br /><br />There are a couple acquaintances of acquaintances that I'm aware of. <br /><br /><b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br /><br />I'm so grateful for our situation, and we're all handling it great. I feel like I've been "in training" for this for many years, lol. My husband and I are very used to being around each other and genuinely enjoy each other's company (that's what 15 years of being together can do!), our dogs love having more time with us, and I work from home. So, not too much has changed for us. <br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?</b><br /><br />There's a really nice park with trails about a 5 minute drive away. I've went a few times since the quarantine started. Need to go more!<br /><br />What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?<br /><br />Let's see....I've gotten into the habit of washing my face! Sounds weird, I know. But, I've always been the type of gal who just wipes her leftover eyeliner off with a makeup wipe, or I wait until I'm in the shower to wash my face. But I found this really nice face cleanser by TULA skincare that I really like, and have gotten into the habit of actually using it! <br /><br />I also bought a treadmill and yoga bench, both of which I'm really enjoying :) <br /><br /><b>If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?</b><br />Don't have any kids, and I'm SO grateful for that too! LOL - I think parenting and homeschooling would be the death of me. <br /><br /><b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?</b><br /><br />I'm the Director of Talent & Strategy for a company that works with online publishers. I recruit, train, and manage freelance celebrity entertainment writers. So fun! I do work from home. I've done so for about the last 6 years, spanning several different companies. I'm never going back to an office job if I can avoid it! <br /><br />Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?<br /><br />HELL YES! Cut, AND dye. I learned years ago that for me going to a salon is a waste of my money, and that I like the results better when I'm in control. :) I'm also not afraid to just let my hair go willy-nilly. Grey hair, or a bad cut or dye job doesn't spook me. It's whatever.<br /><br /><b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br /><br />The hubby has finally gotten me into gaming. That's right, I said gaming! LOL. I'm currently addicted to Stranded Deep; a hella fun survival game where you're stranded on an island (so much so that I even downloaded it onto my laptop!) - AND we're currently awaiting delivery of our Openwheeler GEN2 Racing Wheel Stand Cockpit, steering wheel, pedals and stick shift so I can get the FULL Forza Racing experience! Ha!</div>
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Because we're spending so much time at home we've also upgraded our sound system. The house literally SHAKES now when we have our impromptu dance parties!<br /><br />And - despite all the shit we've been ordering, we've actually been able to SAVE money! Yay!<br /><br /><b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?</b><br /><br />There haven't really been any occasions on the calendar that we've missed yet. There are a few coming up, so I'm sure we'll order gifts online, do drinks and dance parties! Wait, that sounds like just a regular day....I guess we try to celebrate life here on the daily! :)<br /><br /><b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br /><br />Like I said, not much has changed for us. I can't think of anything that will major that we'll be doing differently. <br /><br /><b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br /><br />Meh, yes and no. I miss going to Goodwill, and restaurants. That's about it, lol. <br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br /><br />I downloaded the new Quibi app on my phone, and have been loving the bite sized stories they offer!<br /><br /><b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”</b><br /><br />I wish there was more I could leave behind, like stupidity, ignorance, negativity...bahahaha<br /><br /><b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”</b><br /><br />I'm so excited that companies are finally realizing that working from home CAN work. Sucks they were forced into it, but it's been a long time coming!<br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br /><br />I'm really looking forward to going to our favorite sushi spot, actually sitting down and being served, and being able to chat with strangers!<br /><br /><b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?</b><br /><br />Video chat and phone calls have been keeping me in touch, so I don't really feel like I'm missing anyone :) <br /><br /><b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br /><br />R.E.M. "It's The End of The World" (as we know it...and I FEEL FINE!)<br /><br /><b>What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?</b><br /><br />Nothing that I can think of!<br /><br /><b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br /><br />I've always wanted to go to Bali!</div>
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lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-46805946059955786852020-06-10T14:15:00.000-07:002020-06-10T14:15:04.108-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Caroline!<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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Depending on where you are, we are about three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br />
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<b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.</b><br />
<br />
Caroline Alexander, I am 53 years old and employed in an animal shelter.I enjoy pole dance, animals, and websurfing. I was pet sitting but not now due to no one traveling!<br />
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<b>In which part of the world do you live?</b><br />
<br />
Gilroy, California.<br />
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<b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br />
<br />
With my husband and pets (many of them!) 2 cats, 2 dogs, bunches of reptiles, and 4 birds.<br />
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<b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b><br />
<br />
8<br />
<br />
<b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?</b><br />
<br />
No.<br />
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<b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br />
<br />
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If I was alone, I would call friends/text them. I'm handling it okay sharing with my hubby.<br />
<br />
<b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?</b><br />
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Yes, went on a walk on a trail yesterday at the park down the road.<br />
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<b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?</b><br />
<br />
Web cam pole classes, walking, coloring, eating healthier.<br />
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<b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?</b><br />
<br />
I am an Executive Assistant at an animal shelter. I work from home 3 days a week and go in physically two days a week. It is going okay but I do miss seeing all my coworkers!<br />
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<b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?</b></div>
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No, I wouldn't dare try. I have colored it using color depositing shampoos though.<br />
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<b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br />
<br />
I have learned to appreciate my husband more than ever.<br />
<br />
<b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?</b><br />
<br />
Via Zoom or just facetiming.<br />
<br />
<b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br />
<br />
Staying more connected with others.<br />
<br />
<b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br />
<br />
Hell yeah!<br />
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<b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br />
<br />
What We Do in the Shadows<br />
<br />
RuPaul's Drag Race<br />
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<b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”</b><br />
<br />
Bad traffic.<br />
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<b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”</b><br />
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Less traffic, more me time, more time for home projects.<br />
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<b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br />
<br />
Go back to pole classes at studio and set up a color appointment with my stylist.<br />
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<b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?</b><br />
<br />
My pet sitting clients and their pets.<br />
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<b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br />
<br />
Marilyn Manson's "Odds of Even"<br />
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<b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br />
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Australia or Galapagos Islands.</div>
lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-11958989075355910082020-06-08T11:39:00.000-07:002020-06-08T11:39:11.481-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Robert!Depending on where you are, we are about three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) In addition, the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer has caused civil unrest and forced curfews in many areas recently, adding to the isolation and frustration for many. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.</b><br /><br />My name is Robert. I am 47 years old and have been with my husband over 25 of those years. We live in a townhouse with our three boys, Killer, Butch and Diesel. <br /><br /><b>In which part of the world do you live?</b><br /><br />Hayward, CA<br /><br /><b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br /><br />I am Sheltering in Place with my Husband and our three yorkies. However, I spend the day alone, working at home, as my husband is still operating his business. <br /><br /><b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b><br /><br />8, I go out for the essentials and to help my husband at his shop. Other than that, I pretty much stay home.<div>
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<b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?</b><br /><br />I know five people that have been infected with Covid-19. <br /><br /><b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br /><br />I spend the day alone, answering the incoming phone calls for the law firm that I work for. I have found that the lack of face to face social contact has affected me and my depression levels. I am just taking it day by day, some better then others. <br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?</b><br /><br />I take my boys out at lunch and spend a half hour a day in our courtyard, but that is about it.<br /><br /><b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?</b><br /><br />Keeping the home clean, plants watered and so on have helped me stay distracted of the whole situation. I also join in on Zoom gatherings for AIDS/LifeCycle when I can to have face to face conversations with others. Also, cutting strings, I have started to clean up my Facebook and un-friending people. I want to read about and see the people that contribute to our society, not the ones that feed off of it.<br /><br /><b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?</b><br />I am a receptionist for a law firm out of Oakland. I was sent home with a lap top that allows me to answer the incoming calls and transfer them to the right recipients. For the most part, it’s been seamless and works the way it should. The one thing that does suck, I am tethered to the lap top as the head phone are not wireless. <br /><br /><b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?</b><br /><br />Yes, I have cut my hair a couple times, during Shelter In Place, but I have been cutting my own hair for years.</div>
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<b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br /><br />Well, the plants are happier as I have been more responsible on watering them. <br /><br /><b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br /><br />I know there will be permanent change by the time this is all over, I just don’t know what all it will be. I hope that it’s the stars will stay a little brighter, the air a little cleaner and neighbors a little friendlier. <br /><br /><b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br /><br />I am ready to get back out there, hang out with friends, make new ones… oh, and go to Disneyland<br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br /><br />I have been watching movies and a lot of ID channel. Let’s just say, don’t piss me off, they will never find your body! <br /><br /><b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”</b><br /><br />I am not sure there is anything I would be happy to leave behind. I find that I am pretty lucky for the things that I have.<br /><br /><b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”</b><br /><br />I don’t think it will last forever, but I do like that there is less traffic on the roads. More than that though, I think society is a little better in terms of supporting one another in ways we didn’t before all this started, I hope that sticks around as part of the new normal. <br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br /><br />I’m going to Disneyland! Actually, it will be to schedule my AIDS/LifeCycle fundraiser, Twirl For A Cause.<br /><br /><b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time? </b><br /><br />There is no one person that I think that I miss most specifically. I miss seeing friends, I miss co-workers, I even miss greeting people when working the door at Club 1220.<br /><br /><b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br /><br />I would say The Rainbow Connection, wanting to believe in the best that people have to offer and dreaming of a better world.</div>
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<b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br /><br />I have always dreamed of going to the north east during autumn time to see all the colors. Maybe someday it will happen.<br /><br /><b>What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?</b><br /><br />One of the hardest things about this virus, that has impacted me mostly, it has canceled a yearly event that I look so forward to, the AIDS/LifeCycle. It’s the one week where I get to get away from everything, no politics, no hate, no religion, all of that is gone. It’s just a bunch of people, united in one cause, riding our bicycles thru California. A true love bubble, where everyone is equal and respected. That has been taken away from me. The ramifications even go beyond that, it’s a loss of funding for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Last year the ride brought in near $17 million and right now they are only a little over $7 million. They are hoping to reach $13 million raised so that they can continue to offer the much needed support and programs for those living with HIV and AIDS. Then there are all the fundraisers that happen along the ride, like the school in Bradley. Last year, they raised $70,000 by selling lunch to the riders. That won’t happen this year. However, we don’t give up. We continue on. I am still committed to reaching my goal of $20,000 raised for AIDS/LifeCycle. I have been raising money for Bradley, over $8000 already. I hope in time, the real story about this virus will not be the virus itself, but the way we responded.</div>
lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-66199376259618912752020-06-05T10:52:00.001-07:002020-06-05T10:52:57.218-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Kimberly!Depending on where you are, we are almost three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. (Keep in mind regarding timing, these blogs are being rolled out slowly, so some people may have filled out their answers up to a month ago.) In addition, the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer has caused civil unrest and forced curfews in many areas this week, adding to the isolation and frustration for many. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself. </b><br /><br />Kimberly. I am a writer, and mother of a beautiful teenage son.<br /><br /><b>In which part of the world do you live? </b><br /><br />West Coast USA<div>
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<b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br /><br />Currently alone. I occasionally social distant at a private club for change of scenery and to get some nature walks in<br /><br /><b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.) </b><br /><br />8 - although this is my normal routine with just a slight change of social distant (no hugs are hard!) and wearing masks. The life of a writer doesn't change a whole lot.<br /><br /><b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19? </b><br /><br />NO<br /><br /><b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b> <br /><br />Alone and used to it, however I do have my moments of depression while I'm trying to do things that I would typically get relief from with some social attention. I really miss hugging my friends. Touch is really important.<br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you? </b><br /><br />Yes but not as much as I would like.<br /><br /><b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane? </b><br /><br />I had many and they are starting to dwindle as I am trying to keep up with stressful things this week. So at the present moment I cannot even remember what I do....wait, baths! I take salt baths to relax :)</div>
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<b>If you have kids, how is homeschooling going? </b><br /><br />I do not homeschool any longer. My son is away and that is also a stressor during this time but we do have video chats twice a week now.<br /><br /><b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going? </b><br /><br />Writer, yes I work from home mostly and sometimes I go on drives or in nature to do it for a change of scenery. It is nice (I've been loving it) however it's the people that are stressing out and watching too much news that stress me out when I encounter them.<br /><br /><b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right? </b><br /><br />YES. lol Just a trim so it came out ok :)<br /><br /><b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family? </b><br /><br />I've packed up a lot of my house and moved it into the storage. I've been trying very hard to write and research proper placements for my son..."stuck" at home has forced it.<br /><br /><b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place? </b><br /><br />I don't but I did buy myself some flowers for mother's day and some for my own mother.</div>
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<b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience? </b><br /><br />Continuously looking for a balance of using technology and going in nature, etc.<br /><br /><b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)? </b><br /><br />YES but I don't know it will change much depending on the rest of the population's readiness.<br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br /><br />Hmmmmm. not sure...not a big TV watcher anymore.<br /><br /><b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?” </b><br /><br />Not sure.<br /><br /><b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?” </b><br /><br />Hopefully people will slow down more and have more compassion for others now.<br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted? </b><br /><br />Go on my regular hike trail!!!!! I wish I could do it now but it's too far since part of the park is closed.<br /><br /><b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time? </b><div>
<br />Honestly, my ex (we split up after the SIP). I would say my son but I have been able to maintain the same communication with him all year as usual.</div>
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<b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home? </b><br /><br />Still learning by Halsey is a good one. Many others but it all depends on how I feel on that day.<br /><br /><b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination? </b><br /><br />The beach. I don't care where...just get me to the water and I will be happy. :)</div>
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lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-88923923422360597322020-06-03T10:12:00.000-07:002020-06-03T10:12:02.329-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Gina!Depending on where you are, we are almost three months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. In addition, the horrific death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer has caused civil unrest and forced curfews in many areas this week, adding to the isolation and frustration for many. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.</b><br /><br />My name is Gina Marie, and I am a self-employed Massage Therapist and Personal Trainer. I am married to a great guy, and I have a pretty freaking good life.<br /><br /><b>In which part of the world do you live?</b><br /><br />I live in Pleasanton, California, right in the middle of downtown. Nauseatingly beautiful.. like a fairy tale.<br /><br /><b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br /><br />My quarantine family includes me, my husband (who is an Interior Designer with an office that he always runs from our home), a neurotic dog, and a year old cat who is very fucking confused as to why the people never leave any more. :D I will also include my best friend and our next door neighbor- although we don't "live together", she is a single woman and we weren't going to make her stay completely away for her mental health.<div>
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<b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b><br /><br />The first 4 weeks.. we were a 10. We didn't leave the house for anything. We lived off whatever groceries we had, frozen veggies, etc. We didn't leave for anything. For the next 3 weeks, we went to the grocery store once, and to Home Depot once but didn't see anyone else or go anywhere. In the last 3 weeks, we have had our very closest friends who have also been socially distancing over for dinner in the back yard every week, because the social isolation is just too much. My mental health has started going to shit- and this helps. I also saw my daughter (again, out in my back yard) and I hugged her before she left because I just can't see my child and not hug her. She is so precious to me and if that's how I die, then that's how I go. :D<br /><br /><b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?</b><br /><br />I do. My very good friend has a 17 year old daughter in London who had it and was TERRIBLY sick. My neighbor's sister also died from it a few weeks ago.<br /><br /><b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br /><br />I love my husband, with every ounce of my being. But at 66 days in (but who's counting?) we have started picking at each other which is COMPLETELY not us. I am so tired of Zoom meetings. I am the president of our networking group and I have to run the call and I just hate it. I was doing ok until a few weeks ago... I don't know what changed but my mental health is just in the toilet. I cry a lot. I sleep 11 hours a day because I really have no reason to get up early. I miss my gym and I have done all the online workouts.. but they are losing the meaningfulness that they have for the whole quarantine. I am tired of exercising on my living room floor. I need a massage. I want to wander the aisles at Target again, Life is just so.. Boring.<br /><br /><i>[Note from Lori regarding timing: I am rolling these blogs out slowly, so responses were filled out a couple of weeks ago. Therefore, even more time has passed since this timing was mentioned…]</i><br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?</b><br /><br />I walk outside every single day, and I love to play in my garden. It has never been more beautiful- I water every day and I have had time to play in my roses. I love being outside. And, of course.. I have been donning my Unicorn costume, making inspirational signs, and dancing on the corner of my street every single day. I find it brings a little normal back and it makes people smile (including me.) That has been a life saver for my mental health.<br /><br /><b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?</b><br /><br />I still try to do my Zoom workouts with Prodigy Fitness every day- they really are amazing and almost all my friends are from the gym. I get to see my friends that way. I take my supplements and vitamins every day (totally a new thing for me). I go for a walk with my best friend most days to connect, be outside, and get some movement. <br /><br /><b>If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?</b><br /><br />I have 5 kids, 4 are adults- my son is finishing his Senior year of High School. He is doing this by himself, and it has been very hard for him finishing up high school like this. He is bummed about prom, graduation, all the senior stuff- it is all cancelled. <br /><br />I have NEVER been so grateful that my mids are older- I can't imagine trying to homeschool right now.<br /><br /><b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?</b><br /><br />I am a Massage Therapist and self- employed so I am a Phase 3 (and late phase 3, apparently) worker. I haven't worked since March 16. The CAMTC (my licensing board) has prohibited me from working since that date, so I am dead in the water in my career. I miss my clients, who are mostly seniors and cancer patients. Much of my anxiety and depression stems from me having no idea if I will have a career to return to when all of this dust settles.<br /><br /><b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?</b><br /><br />I have cut my husband's three times, but mine is still intact today. But hey.. tomorrow is a new day and I am definitely a "race car in the red" these days :D<br /><br /><b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br /><br />My hands have finally got a rest, and I have been able to see what my husband does at work every day while I am usually at work. I have really connected with my next door neighbors and that has been wonderful. We have started a Family Zoom Call night every week with my husband's parents in Florida, his 2 kids (one in Florida, one in Arizona), his sister, and I and we totally get to connect as a family, and we didn't ever do that before. It has been really nice.<br /><br /><b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?</b><br /><br />We did a Zoom birthday for my husband's birthday March 22nd- it was early in the quarantine. I have done a few birthday walk-by's of friends dressed as the Unicorn!</div>
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<b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br /><br />The weekly family Zoom call has been nice, and the neighborhood "sit in the yard 6 feet apart" parties have been great. I would love to keep that going.<br /><br /><b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br /><br />Part of me is so ready to throw caution to the wind and get back to a normal life. The other part of me is absolutely terrified that if I do, I will die alone in a COVID unit- this is TRULY my greatest fear.<br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br /><br />The Tiger King was garbage- I watched it anyways. I've been watching Orange is the New Black while I sew masks. It's an older show but I decided to watch that right now because I am in jail too haha <br /><br /><b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”</b><br /><br />People can be such selfish pricks. Maybe they will see that there are so many important things that just don't matter. Also, that Actors and Sports personalities weren't the people we needed during this time- it was doctors, nurses, farmers, and people who get food and supplies to us. It would do us well to remember who REAL heroes are.<br /><br /><b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”</b><br /><br />I loved seeing neighbors volunteering to help other neighbors, especially seniors. Groups are helping people get groceries, sewing masks for medical workers, bringing food to children, and just helping people in need. The new world is FILLED with people who want to help.<br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br /><br />I want to go to Yosemite- it has had so much time to heal from the disease of humanity and I would love to appreciate its beauty. I have never been there, and I have lived here for my ENTIRE LIFE!<br /><br /><b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time?</b><br /><br />My 28 year old daughter, who used to spend every single Sunday with me. I miss her terribly.<br /><br /><b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br /><br />"All You Need is Love" - The Beatles<br /><br /><b>What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?</b><br /><br />My son was supposed to move to California and go to UC Santa Cruz in the fall- that is all on hold. Our Hawaiian vacation was supposed to happen in April, and that didn't happen and we have looked forward to that for 6 months. Monetarily, we are devastated from this quarantine. It will take YEARS to recover from it financially- if we do at all.<br /><br /><b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br /><br />I want to go to Europe with my husband for a month, and see it all. I want to see the Coliseum in Rome. I want to see Big Ben, and the amazing architecture in old towns. I want to see it all. I want to REALLY live.<br /><br /><i>Note from Lori: Okay, so what Gina doesn’t fully mention is how she’s the dancing unicorn of Pleasanton (although she did attach a photo)! She goes out on the corner near her house and dances to spread joy. She’s been on the news and everything! And she has a Vespa club! At Christmas, she dresses up in a Santa suit and drives her adorable little Vespa around, also spreading joy. Anyway, I know the situation doesn’t garner a lot of joy right now, but her posts give me life!</i></div>
lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-62714666590970691162020-05-28T14:42:00.000-07:002020-05-28T14:42:38.760-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Ginger!Depending on where you are, we are a little over two months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself. </b><br /><br />Ginger Merriman. I’m 57 I live in Fremont ca USA. I have worked as a hair dresser, an EMT and an Administrator.<br /><br /><div>
<b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family. </b><br /><br />I’m sheltering in place with my husband. We have been married 28 years this August. He is retired and I was between jobs for 5 months and had just gone back to work part time when the shelter in place order was issued. That 5 months gave us some practice on how to spend a lot of time together without killing each other. <br /><br /><b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b><br /><br /> I’m going to say around a 2 or 3. Our daily life hasn’t changed much I’m still working in an essential business for a shipping company. We walk a 2.5 mile loop in our neighborhood most days. We still shop for groceries the same way (every few days) the things that have changed for us are the restrictions from outside. We have also had company, 2 very good friends of my husband’s have visited him. They hung out in the garage (normal for us) with the door open and visited from across the garage it was really cute.</div>
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<b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?</b><br /><br />No... I do know 2 people who have died of non covid related issues since the shelter in place order.<br /><br /><b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br /><br />I’m not alone but I have to say I feel very restricted and oppressed.<br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you? </b><br /><br />Yes we are still walking in our neighborhood and so are some of the other regular walkers in our neighborhood. We are also seeing some new regulars. <br /><br /><b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?</b><br /><br />Walking, avoiding the news, being kind to others, practicing gratitude. I would however really like to get a massage and a pedicure.<br /><br /><b>If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?</b><br /><br />No kids... <br /><br /><b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going? </b><br /><br />I work for a shipping company. I work in a department that subcontracts to Amazon. When the order was first issued we were still working out of the Amazon fulfillment center in Newark. 2 weeks in Amazon made the choice to restrict all subcontractors for the facility. So now I work at the Ontrac hub in Fremont. I have to say I do feel less exposed. In contrast to Amazon’s huge and very populated facility, I’m now in an office by myself. I share a work station, my counterpart works at night. We each clean the work station at the beginning and end of each shift. Because we are a separate department I only have in-person contact with one other person. I feel safe there as far as my exposure goes.<br /><br /><b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?</b><br /><br />Nope!!! I’m very lucky I have a hair cut that is growing out really well. And I stopped coloring my hair 2 years ago. <br /><br /><b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br /><br />I’m going to say that for the most part everyone has been very respectful. I haven’t been the recipient of anyone’s ignorance or anxiety. Although I personally know people who have. A friend of ours who is Vietnamese was verbally accosted at Costco. And the elderly neighbor (89) got really distressed when the neighbor boys mowed everyone’s lawns one afternoon. My husband had to defuse the situation because the boys’ dad doesn’t speak much English and the boys would never talk back to an elder. So in light of those two things I am grateful every day for ALL the good interactions I have with our neighbors and service providers in our community. <br /><br /><b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?</b><br /><br />Well we haven’t had to cross that bridge personally but I did get to be part of a zoom party for my niece and I got to see a video of my sisters children and grandchildren giving her a birthday parade. That one made me cry... <br /><br /><b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br /><br />Not much as I have really not had to change much.<br /><br />Nationally my husband thinks more people will continue to work from home now that companies have figured out that process. <br /><br /><b>What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?</b><br /><br />Our annual trip to Calistoga for the World of Outlaws sprint car show in September will most likely be impacted. Not sure if spectators will be allowed at that time. <br /><br />I’m going to put this here because it is not addressed directly in any of your questions. Managing health care during this time. We have each had a significant event for which we needed medical care. We did receive treatment but it was difficult to get that ball rolling. My husband needed an X-ray and PT and I needed blood work. I felt there was a reluctance to order those tests and in both situations I had to be persistent to get them ordered. The protocol in place is strict to enter Kaiser for said tests and I am impressed with that even though it was a pain in the patootie. <br /><br /><b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br /><br />OH GOD YES.... Please. <br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br /><br />Old stuff... past seasons of CSI and Bones<br /><br />New Stuff... 911 and date line. I have to say I’m not happy with some of the commercials with a COVID / shelter in place spin while they are tastefully done, TV is my escape and I really don’t want to be reminded of COVID during my TV time. Thank god for DVRs and being able to fast forward past that shit. <br /><br /><b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”</b><br /><br />I’m going to be pessimistic here and say I don’t think much will be left behind.<br /><br />Well maybe individuals will find growth and maybe to a small degree as a society but definitely not as a political body.<br /><br /><b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”</b><br /><br />Again Debbie Downer here... I think the world will just find new dysfunction at least politically. I hope I’m blown away by a major societal shift but I just don’t see that happening on a global or even a national scale. And that makes me sad. <br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br /><br />Get Chinese food at the little restaurant we like that is currently closed.<br /><br />Go shopping at Ross, Marshalls and Home Goods.</div>
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Get a massage and a Pedicure. <br /><br />I put them in the order I think they will be available.<br /><br /><b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time? </b><br /><br />Because we live away from our families how we interact with them hasn’t changed.<br /><br /><b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br /><br />Under Pressure Queen/David Bowie.<br /><br /><b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br /><br />If money and travel time were not an issue and Scotty could just beam be over. An African Safari OR the Dead Sea.</div>
lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-16929181823575126332020-05-20T09:49:00.000-07:002020-05-20T09:49:39.012-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet Christine!Depending on where you are, we are a little over two months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times. <br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.</b><br /><br /><div>
My name is Christine and I currently live alone. I was supposed to start peer support classes right before all this happened, but then everything got shut down. I'm just trying to survive, but it's been hard. <br /><br /><b>In which part of the world do you live?</b><br /><br />Quincy, Massachusetts<div>
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<b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br /><br />I'm by myself.<br /><br /><b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b><br />I'd say I'm about a 7 or 8. <br /><br /><b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?</b><br /><br />Yes, my aunt passed away on April 5th from it.<br /><br />And my mom, she recovered and is actually back to work. <br /><br /><b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br /><br />It is/has taken a toll on my mental health. I miss my family. I just wanna give my mom a hug. <br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?</b><br /><br />I go on walks and try to take it all in but honestly I'm tired of seeing the same thing.<br /><br /><b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane? </b><br /><br />Doing my hair at least 2x a week, masks, doing my nails.<br /><br /><b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?</b><br /><br />I sure have! But, to be fair, I went to cosmetology school. <br /><br /><b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br /><br />Mmmmmm.......<br /><br /><b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?</b><br /><br />Zoom!<br /><br /><b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br /><br />Everything is gonna be different!<br /><br /><b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br /><br />Yes<br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br /><br />Shameless,tiger king, good girls, Nicky jam <br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br /><br />Give my mom a hug.</div>
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<b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time? </b><br /><br />My mom<br /><br /><b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br /><br />It's the end of the world....<br /><br /><b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br /><br /><div>
Hawaii</div>
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lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-5147720008800352532020-05-18T12:29:00.000-07:002020-05-18T12:29:07.765-07:00Covid Chronicles: Meet ME!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Date "night"</td></tr>
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Depending on where you are, we are a little over two months into a shelter-in-place in response to the covid-19/coronavirus pandemic. One hundred years from now, how will we look back at the unprecedented “closing” of the entire world in response to a virus? There is a lot of hate being thrown at governments and politicians. One side feels they aren’t taking this seriously enough. The other side feels like our freedoms have been taken from us and we should re-open immediately. No one is happy. Underneath all of that are individuals and families just trying to make it. Some of us are single and sheltering alone. Some of us are in crowded households with no time or space to ourselves. I wanted to capture the stories of those individuals...my friends. How are they dealing with all of this? I wanted to do this blog to celebrate those people who are holding it down during some really difficult financial and emotional times.<br /><br />I couldn’t write this blog and ask others to answer my questions without making myself answer them first...so I will kick it off!<br /><br /><br /><b>Tell us your first name and a little bit about yourself.</b><br /><br />My name is Lori and I am the blogger behind Confessions of a Twirly Girl. I am in my 40’s, newly in a relationship, and (until recently) had been excitedly spending a lot more time in nature.<br /><br /><b>In which part of the world do you live?</b><br /><br />I am in the San Francisco Bay Area in California.<br /><br /><b>Are you sheltering in place alone or with others? Tell us about your “quarantine” family.</b><br /><br />I recently moved across the street from my brother, so our households are operating as one family unit. It consists of my brother and his wife, their five year old son, and 18 month old daughter. My boyfriend is also here, and we have his ten year old son every other weekend.<div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family hike</td></tr>
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<b>On a scale of 1-10, how have you been at this whole sheltering thing anyway? 1 means you are essentially carrying on as if nothing is going on. 10 means you’re not leaving your house for any reason and having everything delivered to you. (No judgments here...just curious how people would self-rate.)</b></div>
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<br />I recently threw this question out on Facebook, not realizing how different everyone’s ideas would be on what a model (I want to call it prisoner, but I know that’s not fair to use) quarantiner (also not the right word, but whatever) would be. I initially rated myself a 6-7 but quickly dropped myself to a 4-5. I am working from home most days. I go into the office at least once a week. I have chosen to visit with certain family members though. And I do grocery shopping myself. However, I wear the masks (which is required when in an “essential business” in Contra Costa County) and use tons of hand sanitizer (which I hate because I feel like we overuse antibacterial products anyway). So I don’t feel like I am being extremely irresponsible but I am certainly not being a model quarantiner either.<br /><br /><b>Do you know anyone who has/had covid-19?</b><br /><br />Not to my knowledge (although I do know a couple of people who believe they may have had it before testing was available). <br /><br /><b>If you are alone, how are you handling the isolation? If you are with others, how are you handling that?</b><br /><br />I have a unique situation in that I moved into a new house just a few weeks before the shelter-in-place was ordered for our county. I moved to be closer to my family, and also got into a new relationship right before my move (with someone I’ve known for a few years). My boyfriend is sheltered in place with me. I essentially went from a single girl with a full social calendar to a stay-at-home working secondary mom with a full house. This house is full of love but it has definitely been hard on me at times. I miss being able to go out and be social with friends, as well as simply being able to go to a beach or hike anywhere I want. I have a brand new relationship that went from zero to sixty in like five seconds. Although we are getting along great, I do sometimes need some time to sit alone. I haven’t been writing or doing other witchy things like I used to. I need to get back to that.<br /><br /><b>Are you able to get out and enjoy nature anywhere near you?</b></div>
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Yes, we ride bikes a lot. Many of the parking lots and bathrooms to local trails are closed, so I only have a couple of places I can safely hike. I know it is better than nothing but I am ready to get back to all of my favorite places (like the Muir Woods/Beach area, which is completely shut down). I also did a coast drive about a month ago, which was nice but some counties are writing $1,000 tickets simply for being out of your area. We went to Santa Cruz to see a beach the weekend after that (and after reports that the beaches were to be opened), but a park ranger was not letting people sit. You had to be engaged in some kind of activity. So, I feel like, yes, I have access to nature, but I will be happy when my options are opened back up.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Social distant hellos</td></tr>
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<b>What kind of self-care habits have you put in place to keep you sane?</b><br /><br />I try to do yoga 5-6 days per week. I also try to ride bikes with the family most days. I know this may sound kind of stupid (like, of course people know how to do this), but I make myself engage in normal care, like I shower every day and put on clean clothes. I think it can be easy when you’re working from home (or not working) to skip showers or wear the same thing for a few days. I think it contributes to a downward spiral in the mental health department for me. I also started trying to do yoga first thing in the morning instead of waiting for lunchtime or doing it later in the afternoon or evening. It just gets it out of the way and starts my day off better. Then it leaves me time to ride bikes at lunch or in the evening before dinner. I also noticed I’m snacking a lot (which has added up to a few pounds on the scale). So I am also trying to get back to eating normal meals, and no snacks. I don’t like to obsess on my weight but I have been at a fairly steady weight for a while and I don’t want to get too far away from that.<br /><br /><b>If you have kids, how is homeschooling going?</b><br /><br />I don’t have kids but I am watching my sisters-in-law and friends through Facebook. Holy smokes. Good on all of you. I don’t think I could do it!<br /><br /><b>What kind of work do you do? Are you able to work from home? How is that going?</b><br /><br />I have been in the legal field for about 25 years. I have been in local government for the last five. I am able to work from home, although I go into the office once a week to pick up mail and do things that are just easier to do there. I guess I thought I would love working from home (I did it before and liked it). I think the difference this time is the general isolation from not being able to go do other things. I have been working from home since March 16, but we have been kept from doing anything social since then as well. So two months of feeling like I’m stuck at home is kind of my upper limit (<a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2019/10/the-ordinary-goddess.html">see my blog about freaking out when I was trying to go back to school</a>). I do appreciate being able to ride bikes with the kids at lunch, or being able to throw in a load of laundry while I’m working. So there are some perks. I wouldn’t mind, when we return to a new normal, working from home maybe one or two days a week. But I will be happy to get back to my office. I will also say I am so grateful to be in this new house during all of this. I have a three bedroom well-lit house as opposed to a dark and crowded condo. I have more room to work, a backyard to take sun breaks in, and have plenty of room to do yoga right by my desk. In order to save money, our government agency has opted to impose furlough days on us, so we have to take some unpaid time off every month. Plus I lost my cost of living increase scheduled for July, as well as the 401k contribution they used to give me. Unfortunately, this pay cut isn’t being given across the board at work, so it is creating some animosity. I am just trying to remind myself that I am grateful to have a job when so many are out of work. <br /><br /><b>Be honest...you’ve cut your own hair, right?</b><br /><br />No but I got it cut literally days before the shelter-in-place was ordered and I really only need it cut every six months. I have dyed it a couple of times already. Thankfully, I learned how to do this a couple of years ago, so I haven’t completely fried my hair. Also double thankfully, I gave up highlights a few years ago, so I can do my own hair fairly easily. My boyfriend, however, had been begging me to cut his hair, which I begrudgingly did last week. It turned out way better than I expected. My sister-in-law and I also cut the baby’s hair about a month ago. We called my mom, who is a hair dresser so she could talk us through it. It didn’t look awesome but it didn’t look as bad as I thought it would either. Luckily, she’s a baby and we can’t go anywhere anyway so she doesn’t have to know we gave her uneven hair. At least it isn’t in her face anymore.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stretching with the baby...pre-haircut</td></tr>
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<b>What surprising positive thing has happened because of the time being spent at home/with family?</b><br /><br />I love eating dinner with my family every night. I appreciate my boyfriend because he often cooks for all of us (we switch back and forth between households each night). My house and heart are full every single night. One of my favorite things is my 18-month-old niece has a special chair at my house that she knows is hers, and as soon as she gets here, she runs to it so my boyfriend can put her in. We use a yoga strap to seat belt her in and she lifts her arms for it like she knows the drill. It is so cute. <br /><br /><b>How are you doing birthdays and other celebrations with all of the restrictions in place?</b><br /><br />We haven’t really had a lot of these but expect some will be coming. We did spend Mother’s Day at my brother’s house but they have plenty of space for social distancing. I actually have a couple of baby showers in June and am wondering if we will get to have them! I moved my housewarming party from April to May to June. If the shelter orders are extended anymore, I will probably just cancel and party another time.<br /><br /><b>What changes do you think you will permanently implement after this experience?</b><br /><br />I don’t know that I will personally implement any changes that aren’t forced upon me by the government or social pressure. For now, I wear the mask because I am told I have to in public (and the understanding that it is supposed to make those around me feel more safe). I respect the social distancing in stores because, again, I am trying to make those around me feel safe (although the number of people rolling around the stores not respecting anyone’s personal space is kind of awesome). But I personally don’t feel like those are things I will continue once they are not required of me.<br /><br /><b>What significant impact, if any, will the virus have on your plans for this year?</b><br /><br />Well, luckily, I bought this house just a month or so before the shelter-in-place was ordered, so I think I’m tapped out for big plans in 2020. The only thing it has really affected is the house warming party I had planned for April, which was moved to May, which is now scheduled for June. I wouldn’t mind being able to take a vacation. I would also love to be able to get back to hiking my coastal places.<br /><br /><b>Are you ready to get back into the world (with safety precautions in place)?</b><br /><br />Yes. Like I said above, I’ll wear the masks to some level and practice social distancing, but I don’t believe that I should be forced to stay home.<br /><br /><b>Which TV shows have you been watching and what do you think everyone else should start?</b><br />We are currently watching Zoo. We also watched American Horror Story Cult and Apocalypse. We watched Tiger King (because, duh, everyone should). We have watched quite a few movies. Honestly, I was trying to watch less TV before this, so I feel almost defeated that I have watched more TV in the last two months than in probably the previous two years.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NM4sq4ohirbJJA2vmJ26hnGfP1BydeB0fDZdUUa-Q4hDArvGRWr0SMj-Oliow6wk5yEk48W5xMdyL6T862Q6BKbkmUjHq9DEVdHT1MptgveY8gmxMlh22BVpRtT2rif_M3Nna9D1Dp4/s1600/91679235_3430042950342590_5650517729770209280_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1NM4sq4ohirbJJA2vmJ26hnGfP1BydeB0fDZdUUa-Q4hDArvGRWr0SMj-Oliow6wk5yEk48W5xMdyL6T862Q6BKbkmUjHq9DEVdHT1MptgveY8gmxMlh22BVpRtT2rif_M3Nna9D1Dp4/s320/91679235_3430042950342590_5650517729770209280_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">He's obsessed with "farting fire" </span><br style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;" /><span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">so we made it happen</span></td></tr>
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<b>What are you happy to leave behind in the “old world?”</b><br /><br />I do think forcing people to work at home has showed a lot of companies, who wouldn’t allow it before, that it can work. I think it would reduce traffic and increase morale. Obviously, not all jobs have that luxury, but if more people who were able to do it are allowed to do it in the future, I think it would be beneficial to our society as a whole. Let’s leave behind that whole Monday through Friday nine to five mentality and recognize that responsible adults can get their work done without micromanaging. Also, imagine the rent saved for businesses who don't NEED to be in an office together!<br /><br /><b>What can you appreciate most about the “new world?”</b><br /><br />I love how many families are spending more time together. I also think that being forced to be at home might show some parents the benefits to having one parent at home. Right now it might seem a little overwhelming since everyone might be stuck at home and going a little stir crazy, but I hope the future shows more parents staying at home with their kids rather than sending them to daycare (this might be the healthiest I’ve been with the kids in my life not in daycare). <br /><br /><b>What is the first thing you’re going to do when the shelter-in-place is lifted?</b><br /><br />I don’t even know. Probably at least one night away next to a beach. Go hike around Muir Woods. Drive around the Golden Gate Bridge. <br /><br /><b>Who is the person you have missed seeing most during this time? </b><br /><br />My friend Vanessa. Last summer, we hiked pretty much every weekend. I am hoping we can get back to that soon.<br /><br /><b>What song would best represent the time you’ve spent at home?</b><br /><br />You know, when I wrote this question, it didn’t occur to me that I too would have to answer it. I guess I want to choose something crazy, but my time at home really hasn’t been crazy. It hasn’t been overly depressing either. It has just been the new reality. Maybe moving at the same time helped since I knew my life was going to change anyway. I guess I will go with Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds (Don’t Worry About A Thing). <br /><br /><b>In a fantasy world where the virus doesn’t exist and money isn’t an issue, where is your dream vacation destination?</b><br /><br />The Maldives. In one of those gorgeous over-water villas, or even better, the underwater room that goes for about $50,000 per night. <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitglxoh9hcEk9DldIlugu2Jzk5uebc1f6v2Ss18EBzEgjOONMuScdQ7QeYyowXUUpeRO7pCdcCErN3BcyeRftO9UdY7YmyslKyGOCmBpDFaR2rruhsmozaJL0KvkflmzyQnCf-D3syq1s/s1600/93973915_3468395243174027_4498975231787925504_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitglxoh9hcEk9DldIlugu2Jzk5uebc1f6v2Ss18EBzEgjOONMuScdQ7QeYyowXUUpeRO7pCdcCErN3BcyeRftO9UdY7YmyslKyGOCmBpDFaR2rruhsmozaJL0KvkflmzyQnCf-D3syq1s/s320/93973915_3468395243174027_4498975231787925504_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">family beach trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br /><i>Soapbox</i>: While I may have asked others not to get too controversial because I wanted a feel-good blog post, this is my blog, so I don’t have to follow the rules. I know that I can be quite oppositional and often poke the bear on social media, but I really do it hoping to get people thinking. I also love a good conspiracy theory, but it doesn’t mean I always believe them. I enjoy a healthy, respectful debate. I don’t think I’m smarter than a bunch of experts, and I do believe in science. I just want people to think about the bigger picture. There is no easy answer here. And science takes time to prove things, so we are dealing with a lot of ever-changing theories right now. Initially, we were flattening the curve to save our hospitals from being overwhelmed. Now somehow we think we are going to save all of these lives (even though a vaccine is easily a year away). It is never my intention to belittle anyone or their beliefs or their feelings. I just believe that black and white thinking is never the way to live a balanced life. We all live in the grey area, whether we realize it or not. Wanting to be home keeping people healthy is okay. Wanting to be out in the world trying to save the economy is okay. We are all entitled to our opinions. Or we should be. That’s the beauty of living in this world today. I remind myself that whether it is loss of life or financial ruin, each side is living in fear. Perhaps if we can see that, we will have a little more compassion for opinions that differ from our own. I would never expect anyone to change their mind. I would just hope that we could be respectful of someone who may feel differently.</div>
lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-7012179178859982992020-01-27T18:34:00.001-08:002020-01-27T18:34:49.515-08:00Time to pass the torch<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On September 28, 2019, Ellen and I produced our sixth and final NCPP. Life is taking us in different directions. Ellen with her nutrition empire and me buying a house and moving to the outskirts of the Bay Area. I am so proud of what this event has become. When Amy Bond brought the idea to me years ago, I thought it was a great idea, but just couldn't launch it by myself. When Ellen came on board, that changed everything. Every year presented new challenges, but the end result was the same: people felt safe to participate in our event and express themselves in ways they may not have felt comfortable to do otherwise. That is the reason we showed up every year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Initially, when I first mentioned to Ellen that I might be done (surgeries ending my love of pole and a plan to return to school), there was no thought we could find a way to let it live on without us. However, we realized there are probably other polers with event experience and/or time and passion to carry this event into the future. So, we started our search after the show was over. After speaking to several people, we found what we believe will be the perfect people to carry on the love and acceptance that I believe defines NCPP.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On January 17, we made the announcement:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">NCPP LIVES ON!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lori and Ellen are thrilled to announce that, under brand new ownership, NCPP will continue! It has been an absolute joy and privilege to provide this space for dancers in NorCal over the last 6 years. Despite our busy lives pulling us away from this, we wanted nothing more than to see NCPP continue to grow and thrive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Announcing the new owners: Morgan Castillo and Kimmy Fitzpatrick!</span></div>
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"When we heard the news that Ellen and Lori were looking for someone to take over NCPP we were both so excited at the opportunity! Morgan, a Bay Area pole dancer, who has successfully competed and performed for the last few years, has had nothing but positive experiences when participating in NCPP events. With her incredible history of event planning including starting her own event company in 2011, and successfully selling it to what is now Live Nation, she’s had the itch to get back into the event industry. Being able to combine her love for pole and her love for events is just icing on the cake. Kimmy has also been in the Bay Area pole scene since 2010 and has competed and performed all over the United States. She is a 4x Nationals Runner up, and is the founder of By KimB and Endless By KimB, where she keeps us all outfitted in sparkly accessories and affordable pole gear. We are both incredibly grateful to Ellen and Lori who have paved the way for this event, and created something that continues to unite our community year after year. We hope to continue this legacy and keep this space available for all of us in the community to enjoy for years to come."</div>
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We know NCPP couldn't be in better hands! Thank you again to everyone who has supported and encouraged us, our vendors and judges over the years, and to all the beautiful dancers who have graced our stage: we truly could not have done this without you. Keep your eyes peeled for news and updates about NCPP 2020!</div>
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I am so excited that NCPP is in the capable hands of Kimmy and Morgan. I want to thank everyone who has supported us over the years. I also want to thank Ellen. Our partnership was always so effortless and I couldn't have done this without her. I am so proud to have been part of this small piece of pole history. I can't wait to see what the future holds!<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOqw93kQ54ElYHZVTbc7H80EBAkyK8Q5p1P8YP1tl8Zlj3WPeZ5wBC8QlzVBIBecks0c1P3kK2YYZs_p7nW0jiE0NQoQK-B0cbgDBU9wk0_ijb9bcUpKGCRAk6kBYC6OBJfwHa0llwRo/s1600/NCPP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="960" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOqw93kQ54ElYHZVTbc7H80EBAkyK8Q5p1P8YP1tl8Zlj3WPeZ5wBC8QlzVBIBecks0c1P3kK2YYZs_p7nW0jiE0NQoQK-B0cbgDBU9wk0_ijb9bcUpKGCRAk6kBYC6OBJfwHa0llwRo/s400/NCPP.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's a wrap!</td></tr>
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lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-6404535110279959742019-10-10T11:13:00.000-07:002019-10-10T11:32:33.632-07:00Tales of the Traveling Burrito Blanket<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LUNEND7anthTVo2DhxquZ6BJXTyX0AwA2XsbowmIQafrWPIUCKjQyHRM7aPiWX4SHNoOPgrfNiqJtgOs87JselrAe-l2pVqMhpfTDxJs45vF2It0ZfMjVdI9I5FrmgiH9BFeO4Bw8bk/s1600/Hawaii.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LUNEND7anthTVo2DhxquZ6BJXTyX0AwA2XsbowmIQafrWPIUCKjQyHRM7aPiWX4SHNoOPgrfNiqJtgOs87JselrAe-l2pVqMhpfTDxJs45vF2It0ZfMjVdI9I5FrmgiH9BFeO4Bw8bk/s400/Hawaii.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawaii</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Earlier this year, I saw a Facebook ad for a burrito blanket. It's a blanket. That looks like a tortilla. And I needed to own one. Immediately. I ordered one for a ridiculous price. I think I paid more than $30. When it arrived, there was something wrong. It looked nothing like a tortilla. It looked like someone was stabbed while wearing a white blanket (we called it the murder blanket or the period blanket). It was horrible and looked nothing like what was advertised. So I emailed the company and demanded my money back. They responded that they had been given a "bad batch" but that they had new ones and they promised it would actually look like a tortilla. So, I let them send me a replacement. When it arrived, I was ecstatic! I could make a burrito!!! Finally! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">So, with what you know about me, you can guess that I did the only thing you could possibly do with a blanket that looks like a tortilla: I decided to make a photo album of the burrito blanket's adventures. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrBccc20y1xzO20InDGplhqQbnIe-YV2XV64oJtngJoQvzbY0_vUxTTdv50Sm2HS_9EXHRZIpLXVXDrPtEZ0cAY7cOr57bV2OzqQmDFljE8ytSO4-27TfaC3riAhyphenhyphenMgtnqAypHp-w7DM/s1600/Muir+Woods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrBccc20y1xzO20InDGplhqQbnIe-YV2XV64oJtngJoQvzbY0_vUxTTdv50Sm2HS_9EXHRZIpLXVXDrPtEZ0cAY7cOr57bV2OzqQmDFljE8ytSO4-27TfaC3riAhyphenhyphenMgtnqAypHp-w7DM/s400/Muir+Woods.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Muir Woods</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">First stop: Hawaii. I thought my burrito blanket deserved a vacation, so I took it with me on my trip to visit friends in June (in addition to looking like a tortilla, it is actually a light, soft blanket that is perfect for air travel). We had adventures all over the island of Oahu. On my last night, I packed up my little blanket, in preparation for flying home the next day. When I got home, I couldn't find my blanket anywhere. I was devastated. I checked with my friends to see if I had left it on accident. They didn't see it, and I very specifically remembered packing it into my bag. So, I did what anyone would do...I took to social media to shame the TSA for stealing my burrito blanket! I also immediately went to Amazon to order myself a replacement. I figured I would have more protections if I used Amazon, plus they had a million options for size and color. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZS51spoedpQ5K_PsCJxpDQWeFJiiD5qvJh458txBAdP3Q5Zm3Bnbzfs79lXex5BadpD5DqpdoFipfiiPl_M4bRVJHRXTsASU-JUz2mbyMrJe7Z2mNQKdzBmuP13LK9MCndf2glmaIiR8/s1600/65373458_1193339204179167_4274374688752271360_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZS51spoedpQ5K_PsCJxpDQWeFJiiD5qvJh458txBAdP3Q5Zm3Bnbzfs79lXex5BadpD5DqpdoFipfiiPl_M4bRVJHRXTsASU-JUz2mbyMrJe7Z2mNQKdzBmuP13LK9MCndf2glmaIiR8/s400/65373458_1193339204179167_4274374688752271360_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meet the Murder Blanket</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">A day later, my friends sent me a photo of the burrito blanket, still living in Hawaii. And then I remembered that yes, I did pack my burrito blanket, then I worried it was still damp, so I took it out of my bag, and it got thrown into the washer with some towels. Whoops! Sorry, TSA! I quietly took my post down, and told my friends that they were now the proud owners of a burrito blanket. A day after that, Amazon Prime paid off, and a package showed up at my door. I picked it up off the doorstep and excitedly opened my new burrito blanket. A second later, there was another knock at the door, and another box was delivered. It was the same exact size and weight as my first box. Could it be?? Was the Universe rewarding me with TWO burrito blankets?! YES! Yes, the EXACT same burrito blanket was in the second box. Again, I took to social media to talk about my amazing good fortune. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvo3qx7txJlWPmjhpBjm-fVMghGvCkzR447hVNC_AGe5r5VBTOxV9WiPab-u5eqnGrs_OdO5mJ8FnB4vNHdcy03B18kAsot0P2EJSAuE8LrRaxnr0Mw1e-L0jDW3d6izpcTxPWarN1gI/s1600/SLO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhvo3qx7txJlWPmjhpBjm-fVMghGvCkzR447hVNC_AGe5r5VBTOxV9WiPab-u5eqnGrs_OdO5mJ8FnB4vNHdcy03B18kAsot0P2EJSAuE8LrRaxnr0Mw1e-L0jDW3d6izpcTxPWarN1gI/s400/SLO.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Luis Obispo</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I got a message from my friend Heather a minute later. She couldn't stand the thought of me being without my burrito blanket, so she bought me one as well. She literally chose the same brand, size, and color as the one I chose! She's so amazing. So, now I have two burrito blankets. One lives in my car for those impromptu burrito blanket photoshoots. And the other lives in my house, ready for any travels we may want to take together. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">I know some people question my mental state sometimes. I don't consider myself immature. I am able to hold down a good job and pay my own bills. But I do appreciate the silly things in life. So, I will leave you with this quote and a few photos of my burrito blanket's adventures: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><b>It's okay to be absurd, ridiculous, and downright irrational at times; silliness is sweet syrup that helps us swallow the bitter pills of life.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>~ Richelle E. Goodrich</b></span></span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHCpNIJE3NCBLUSYOQsre26QnerugdJgZcS-4I_UU8ehT1BOqOeHbrwLbbT7T94FrlWYi_DNM_Klh4de6U38Gk2LAmtj_PijmVNznwHkLTrx2AgtZ7BG4RZCMfOq-5iAlfiZMG8qeyEk/s1600/Vegas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhHCpNIJE3NCBLUSYOQsre26QnerugdJgZcS-4I_UU8ehT1BOqOeHbrwLbbT7T94FrlWYi_DNM_Klh4de6U38Gk2LAmtj_PijmVNznwHkLTrx2AgtZ7BG4RZCMfOq-5iAlfiZMG8qeyEk/s400/Vegas.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Las Vegas</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93y6dDiAzwODEPD0BfCa877HJSTUgPl-LuWvX7Me4AVHrhiGP73o0ju0lQcJYKw53nMBGwgSWHyColR_8fpbnUWbZ7Ua60lbqfbhjy1hctrcFdLXCQnDGQyCSkJw6Vlb6XlSlcUKU5xQ/s1600/Tracy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93y6dDiAzwODEPD0BfCa877HJSTUgPl-LuWvX7Me4AVHrhiGP73o0ju0lQcJYKw53nMBGwgSWHyColR_8fpbnUWbZ7Ua60lbqfbhjy1hctrcFdLXCQnDGQyCSkJw6Vlb6XlSlcUKU5xQ/s400/Tracy.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Family Reunion in Tracy</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #1c1e21;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></span>lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-3003415816337645832019-10-10T10:33:00.000-07:002019-10-10T10:33:05.941-07:00One Last Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJB55eW0var1-Dx8w2ONYhBSgzY-uvxvhWzt2JsnI075wcBmGOfP4yArOMxSaSatIUI8VAdt5VpxxbtTHZKz5-UMTMWLhOghfp3Xanzd_GGqX_rrzNdq3cdlufPBCZb9fHBOdn7JjQwk/s1600/71863674_2976772865669603_2753278550193733632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGJB55eW0var1-Dx8w2ONYhBSgzY-uvxvhWzt2JsnI075wcBmGOfP4yArOMxSaSatIUI8VAdt5VpxxbtTHZKz5-UMTMWLhOghfp3Xanzd_GGqX_rrzNdq3cdlufPBCZb9fHBOdn7JjQwk/s400/71863674_2976772865669603_2753278550193733632_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Buy nine, get one free... There should be a punch card for surgery. Strangely, that kind of happened.<br />
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Last week, I went in for my tenth, and hopefully final (for now) surgery. <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2018/11/recovery-begins-here.html" target="_blank">Last year, I posted about my ninth overall surgery,</a> a (surprise) replacement of a leaking breast implant. I had to go back in for another surgery because they were so uneven. Any time I did downward dog in yoga, one nipple was constantly coming out of my sports bra. Just one. I have an all or nothing requirement for nipples hanging out of my bra. So, this surgery was a scar revision to even them out. Everything appears to have gone well. My pain is well-managed. I'm resting fine. I am hopeful that this will be the final resolution for my poor abused boobies. The next surgery I have on them will be when I have my implants removed when I'm 70. <br />
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What does this mean for my (already non-existent) "pole career?" I'm essentially done with pole. Other than teaching a few classes for friends here and there, I haven't poled regularly in a long time. It is very uneven and painful for my body. I have had a good ten year run, and appreciate the opportunities pole has provided for me, but it is time to retire my hooker heels. I never could walk in them anyway. <br />
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I am also in the middle of some other life changes. I had started school a couple of months ago (which I don't enjoy), and am going to be buying a house in a few months. I just have new priorities. I would like to focus on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naturegoddessadventures/" target="_blank">Nature Goddess Adventures,</a> which I believe still embodies the Confessions of a Twirly Girl message of loving yourself and finding joy in life. So, this blog will continue because I believe the Twirling Viking Warrior will live on, just in a different form. Although, I do need to decide how helpful it is to write these blogs publicly. Facebook very clearly hides the links in order to force me to pay to boost them, and I have noticed that my clicks have gone down significantly in the last couple of years. I guess as long as I'm getting something out of it, I should continue.<br />
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So, thank you to all of you who have come along on this bumpy ride with me over the last ten years. I hope that you will continue along with me as I transition more to hiking and yoga with Nature Goddess. I appreciate all of you!lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-83994030353388737212019-08-12T14:49:00.000-07:002019-08-12T14:49:42.756-07:00Little Boxes Theater<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYthXrEUd-cXF9hGSuJ112IPqqyFf8QwtUY2aVbZ5XrRgA348DHdSAT2kscejNGe5i-UP0YUyAqJZ67GMZA0ssUCpzUipUFNfhXgNDgJ5i9-vSAsfQcqv9LN87YDSSZ5ybu1pv629257U/s1600/_1170796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1202" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYthXrEUd-cXF9hGSuJ112IPqqyFf8QwtUY2aVbZ5XrRgA348DHdSAT2kscejNGe5i-UP0YUyAqJZ67GMZA0ssUCpzUipUFNfhXgNDgJ5i9-vSAsfQcqv9LN87YDSSZ5ybu1pv629257U/s400/_1170796.JPG" width="300" /></a>Although my pole dancing "career" is winding down (more surgery ahead, heading back to school, etc.), I couldn't pass up the opportunity to do a sparks photoshoot with the dynamic duo from <a href="https://littleboxestheater.com/" target="_blank">Little Boxes Theater</a> last May. They have a space in San Francisco, but this shoot was actually done at Twirly Girls in Pleasanton. Someone is quite literally grinding metal to create sparks behind you during the long exposure. You have to find a move you can hold for about 10-20 seconds (which was hard for me in heels, so I chose really simple moves and was still surprised at how bad I was shaking), and then he moves behind you in the dark to create the effect. It was pretty cool. <br />
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The sparks never hurt but my thigh highs came away with holes in them, so be careful with certain materials. My bathing suit was fine. <br />
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They are also known for rain and glitter shoots, and I understand they recently started doing underwater shoots. <br />
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Anyway, I don't know why it has taken me this long to post these photos, but I wanted to share them here. Please contact Little Boxes Theater to book your shoot!<br />
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<br />lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5858792371551506749.post-44365974900001300992019-06-29T21:55:00.001-07:002019-06-29T21:55:57.323-07:00The Koko Head Challenge<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lulumahu Falls</td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: center;">A couple of weeks ago, I was very fortunate to be able to visit my friends Jake and Wendy in Hawaii - on the island of Oahu. I haven't been to Oahu in 20 plus years. I last stayed in Honolulu/Waikiki Beach. It was kind of like San Francisco, just on better water. Tall buildings. Crowds. Beautiful and I'm certainly not complaining about being in Hawaii, but it wasn't my favorite trip. Staying with friends outside of the big city was a much nicer experience. I got to hang with locals in cool spots and saw things I never would have seen had I been in the tourist trap. </span><br />
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My first full day on the island, we hiked Lulumahu Falls. It was funny because there were fences and signs to keep out but everyone was happy to point you in the right direction. Even a police officer told us how to get started. It wasn't a super difficult hike, but it wasn't easy either. You're crossing streams and climbing over fallen trees and rocks. But the falls are beautiful and swimming before we came back down was a treat. I fell a couple of times on that hike. Once trying to climb over a fallen tree or rock (got into those splits I don't have). The second fall was a pretty awesome slo-mo fall on my face in the water when I slipped on some moss. I also had a couple of slips on the way down. I started chronicling my falls on Facebook because they were so funny. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to Lulumahu Falls</td></tr>
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After that, we headed to Waimanalo, which a travel website named as one of the ten most beautiful beaches in the world. It did not disappoint. We saw a turtle hanging out around the rocks. It would poke its head up to say hello every once in awhile. My friends told me a "hilarious" story about their friend who was almost eaten by a shark and had to swim to this island to save himself. His friends never came looking for him and he eventually had to swim back. When they tell it, it is pretty funny, but I can't imagine how terrifying it must have been in the moment. On the way home, we stopped at the Makapu'u Lookout and Halona Blowhole. We ended the tour with sunset at China Walls. I can't even describe the beauty that was China Walls. You walk out on to this cliff and people are surfing along the rocks. There is no beach in site. The waves and sunset were indescribable. It was amazing.<br />
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The next few days included hanging out, a pinup contest (Congratulations to Wendy for taking third!!!), and the full moon at a gay bar. We did so much but if I go into it all, this blog will be a 20 minute read. It was such a fun time. From my friends' backyard, I could see a mountain with some stairs on it. <a href="https://www.best-of-oahu.com/koko-crater-trail.html" target="_blank">Koko Head</a>. I wanted to do that hike. (Well, what I REALLY wanted to do was the "stairway to heaven," the <a href="https://www.journeyera.com/stairway-to-heaven-oahu-hawaii/" target="_blank">Haiku Stairs</a>, but they are closed to the public and I didn't want to risk the $1,000 fine or wrath of the locals who live near there. Also, it is four times as many stairs as Koko Head, so I should probably be relieved I couldn't try them.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ez3Xn9nnDWKxykbStj7YYKm_nPY65i4syDyZ6p0JIEOHTxSJHZC-w0rXqO4lKeey3Iw77L9-XaS-k0Uqafa-Pj-0QlLNxUr4wUnNNAv336SpCrACvuwFkC18T6PCJYG7Va9AsN6MtX8/s1600/64580481_2736838109663081_6777883272727756800_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="770" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ez3Xn9nnDWKxykbStj7YYKm_nPY65i4syDyZ6p0JIEOHTxSJHZC-w0rXqO4lKeey3Iw77L9-XaS-k0Uqafa-Pj-0QlLNxUr4wUnNNAv336SpCrACvuwFkC18T6PCJYG7Va9AsN6MtX8/s320/64580481_2736838109663081_6777883272727756800_n.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinup ready</td></tr>
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On my last full day before leaving, Jake took me to Koko Head. Now, from far away, it looked totally doable. Once you're standing at the bottom of those stairs, you realized you've probably made a horrible mistake. This is over 1,000 "stairs." Not stairs. This used to be a railroad for the military to get supplies up to their lookout. It is often steep and the railroad ties are not evenly spaced. Before we even start, I know I'm going to die. It is also later in the morning, so the sun is beating on us, and it is humid. I am sweating before we even take our first step. I ask Jake how long it takes him to do the stairs. He says 20 minutes. So I say, then I can do them in 40. And so we begin. I don't want to bore you with too many details, but let's just say that it doesn't take me long to realize I am not going to be able to hike this as quickly as I thought. My heart rate almost immediately gets up to max level, and stays there. I was often having to take breaks every five steps. There are parts where it is steep, or you are going over a ravine, so climbing like a ladder is easier than standing straight up. There was a point where I am huffing and puffing and I hear a guy on his way down on the phone. He says something about grandma being up there still. I was like, your grandma did this?! Jesus. I saw his grandma later. She told me it took her two hours to get up there. I just keep telling myself to keep moving. Even if its slowly. One step at a time. But I get five steps in and I need to take a break and drink some water. It was embarrassing. I kept telling Jake, I know I'm not in the best shape, but I shouldn't be THIS bad. He was super patient and just kept saying to rest as much I needed to. I realize now that I probably didn't fuel up properly for this hike, and maybe didn't drink enough water. There's a video of me coming up the last few steps and I look delirious. Also, once I was on top, I took some "panoramic" photos, yet they aren't on my phone, which means I didn't do it right. But I went through the motions as if I had taken them. Anyway, I was slowly making my way up, and I saw an Australian girl sitting on the other side. She said she was in good shape and had trained for it, and she was also struggling. So we decided it was the humidity and heat. Finally, I am almost to the top and Jake is taking a video. Later, I'm watching myself sway and kind of lumber up the steps. I look down and I see a squid painted on something with Lolo under it. Although Lolo is my nickname, it means crazy or stupid in Hawaii. I laughed and walk up the last few steps. It totally motivated me to keep moving. <br />
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Along the hike up, almost everyone who passed me offered encouragement. You can make it! It will be so worth it when you get up there! Jake wanted to make it a drinking game but we would have died from alcohol poisoning. You're probably wondering how long it took me to get to the top? Only 0.7 miles, but it was practically straight up. An hour and 20 minutes. That's how long. At least I beat that guy's grandma. And people weren't lying. The views were worth it. Once I had the chance to sit and eat a snack, I was a whole new person. Jake and I made a friend at the top of the stairs that day. She was an Australian girl traveling alone. She hiked down off the mountain and came to Cockroach Cove for a celebratory swim later. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD957PgIp9CTPXiVR5cNPu9mG3GnSmWdGMGayLTW5m_mKTgVrfqx2HnnHisBP8hEFFsl08RoOOXzrsPBnmhwT_KIma8GXStexjsNIDolI4Y3cVxyP-44qx1Xevh73s9X-zR9WeHwO6XNk/s1600/64639719_2739919052688320_2647800771948576768_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD957PgIp9CTPXiVR5cNPu9mG3GnSmWdGMGayLTW5m_mKTgVrfqx2HnnHisBP8hEFFsl08RoOOXzrsPBnmhwT_KIma8GXStexjsNIDolI4Y3cVxyP-44qx1Xevh73s9X-zR9WeHwO6XNk/s320/64639719_2739919052688320_2647800771948576768_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing Koko Head "stairs"</td></tr>
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Jake and I talked about that hike later. He said some people give up. I couldn't imagine being that close and not finishing. There's certainly no shame in respecting your body's limits, but I just kept telling myself, "take one more step." There were points where I was literally pushing down on my knees to keep myself moving. Failure was not an option. It was a mini version of my <a href="https://lolorashel.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-path-of-least-resistance.html" target="_blank">Half Dome</a> trip. I was going to finish that climb no matter what. And I owe that to the encouragement of the friends who took me on those hikes. <br />
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On the hike down, Jake ran ahead and our new friend Mallory stayed with me. Within the first couple steps, I tripped and scraped my leg and elbow. Then another couple of steps later, I twisted my knee. I could put weight on it, but bending it hurt a lot. Getting down one sided was going to be a challenge. So I sat on my ass and crab walked down most of it. Way easier on my knees. Not so much on my butt and hands. I ripped my pants. But we made it down in under 30 minutes. <br />
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We then went to Cockroach Cove to swim in the ocean. The beach is beautiful. We bobbed in the waves for a bit. Then I ran to get my phone to go up along the side to take some photos of Jake and Mallory. I hit some weird sand cliff and did another slo-mo roll down the sand, completely covering myself in this super fine white sand. It took me forever to get that sand out of all of my crevices. It was hilarious. I don't know why I fell so much on this trip, but I provided some good entertainment for others. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uOgsXPA4jZdhLKmdMrHtcUfyZk7RGQC87hCbwknvDPdwuKMFFE3D50SeWMtEI41wNasmWjcYjnQ7mEeXKbtmcsynObzS4-m0Qnq7dPOwHzE6AJv-7h3EXL6_74F24PrsXeiXnH_kZx4/s1600/64720919_2734382176575341_8421804613979602944_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3uOgsXPA4jZdhLKmdMrHtcUfyZk7RGQC87hCbwknvDPdwuKMFFE3D50SeWMtEI41wNasmWjcYjnQ7mEeXKbtmcsynObzS4-m0Qnq7dPOwHzE6AJv-7h3EXL6_74F24PrsXeiXnH_kZx4/s320/64720919_2734382176575341_8421804613979602944_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">China Walls</td></tr>
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Once we left the beach, Jake's coworker took us out in the ocean on his boat. We saw turtles and rays. The water was so beautiful. It had rained, so we worried it was going to be too cold or rainy to be out, but it cleared up perfectly. He took us to Kaneohe Bay Sandbar. You're in the middle of the ocean but you can get out and you're just in waist deep water! It was so beautiful. His friend's three year old son kept telling me he wanted to look at turtles or find treasure. ("Aunty, let's look for treasure!!" He is so adorable.) So we picked up coral and looked at it (don't worry, we left it there). Once we were done, as we were driving back, he goes, "oh look over there, its a tiger shark." What. The. Fuck. We were just swimming in this water! Still, so amazing. <br />
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I haven't taken a "real" vacation, an entire week off just for fun, in a long time. I've done long weekends. I've hung with the family. But mostly, for the last few years, I've just been saving my time off work for surgery recovery. This trip was so wonderful and I am so grateful to Jake and Wendy for hosting me. It's sad how quickly time gets away from us, and we look up and years have passed without taking any significant time to recharge and do something for ourselves. While I do have to have another surgery this year, the recovery should be much shorter, and this is going to be my last for the foreseeable future. <br />
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I'm super proud of myself for that Koko Head hike. One thing I appreciate about myself is that I rarely give up once I decide to do something. Even if it takes me longer than someone's grandma, I will get there one step at a time. If you want to check out some other photos of the hike, as well as some videos, check out Nature Goddess Adventures on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/naturegoddessadventures/">https://www.facebook.com/naturegoddessadventures/</a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwAQTG_hTah4N6HJecnSmi6DbB3urT0WubKJHoXqEN44LxqIvkdedMwrWtcXGDca86EB838eNmp3rZBDPVEQ1Tn-LO5JrnyZS9lS1Hid_KHMDQdmsVRcEaTKMDP9s00QhW_W8uzVbr6Y/s1600/63462382_2734262903253935_7319186397703700480_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinwAQTG_hTah4N6HJecnSmi6DbB3urT0WubKJHoXqEN44LxqIvkdedMwrWtcXGDca86EB838eNmp3rZBDPVEQ1Tn-LO5JrnyZS9lS1Hid_KHMDQdmsVRcEaTKMDP9s00QhW_W8uzVbr6Y/s400/63462382_2734262903253935_7319186397703700480_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waimanalo Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKfRQaUIpDxM1E81BPFIrX1FT3OuEjGBQMP-6JCcSrfV5lWFaVCIqdOmXtHKliJ-wnpBdk8m3fL4qWPxSo0K9PfA7ygtuEMvogs3-lC0L7-b9DmptbpeRUJbNyPZdrWGnp0skA9IzK3I/s1600/64254156_2739925769354315_6806446918370066432_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvKfRQaUIpDxM1E81BPFIrX1FT3OuEjGBQMP-6JCcSrfV5lWFaVCIqdOmXtHKliJ-wnpBdk8m3fL4qWPxSo0K9PfA7ygtuEMvogs3-lC0L7-b9DmptbpeRUJbNyPZdrWGnp0skA9IzK3I/s400/64254156_2739925769354315_6806446918370066432_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cockroach Cove</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFrQ9gTqhVjtuDGaBN3ecSRtOs1374BDsPF7U4tnoqe6nik5M8JgXPFbupnltuJ9S6nSY2ug-SMlKoXEmnD4jOqxre72uUJPt3pTpcSuHbbnhfev3SP5Com_OWG9qoU5FaK1sSgKss8Y/s1600/64269763_2739919046021654_8833105718925066240_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="540" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFrQ9gTqhVjtuDGaBN3ecSRtOs1374BDsPF7U4tnoqe6nik5M8JgXPFbupnltuJ9S6nSY2ug-SMlKoXEmnD4jOqxre72uUJPt3pTpcSuHbbnhfev3SP5Com_OWG9qoU5FaK1sSgKss8Y/s400/64269763_2739919046021654_8833105718925066240_n.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Climbing Koko Head</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVAetzmaZk_3sYXzLEFDZGawBgNantcBYtNMDh6emXVaV7AxF3acZ8lmgwBLEUXLeZOpHGubZaM0xouIiM5VamdD5R7eqevJ_Wt6S-Md3A8AaoCR1L1hgk2uQCDzBiNz4iSSwBQnYhXI/s1600/64653627_2739921452688080_8195328956941991936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSVAetzmaZk_3sYXzLEFDZGawBgNantcBYtNMDh6emXVaV7AxF3acZ8lmgwBLEUXLeZOpHGubZaM0xouIiM5VamdD5R7eqevJ_Wt6S-Md3A8AaoCR1L1hgk2uQCDzBiNz4iSSwBQnYhXI/s400/64653627_2739921452688080_8195328956941991936_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Koko Head</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E7HXEEvm5xEzSjo47kA9jFB5P5qYbyMSZSp1WhbBOmdFVZNsU88stp41BbGLyQGtoYCrmlEdn6-dtBoaYo9ug36h17Kf48hwbm36zaBcIB6jetztqEuylkZXOGZnuhnSTst1GCJAYFo/s1600/64927289_2739919646021594_1696068562122178560_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8E7HXEEvm5xEzSjo47kA9jFB5P5qYbyMSZSp1WhbBOmdFVZNsU88stp41BbGLyQGtoYCrmlEdn6-dtBoaYo9ug36h17Kf48hwbm36zaBcIB6jetztqEuylkZXOGZnuhnSTst1GCJAYFo/s400/64927289_2739919646021594_1696068562122178560_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View on the other side of Koko Head</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-5_upED36PpYs_S7pihHIgY9PmYw7IKHVB1BqgihggIXeiBMHDO-rf_qXGn4cnKCkZDJ1I1J3d3YofdzzdGPO-cnDYWXhHrDGb5VLUhmHRjdL4akME8uQen9_qmK8Kj3yoHBSvMAR-U/s1600/65005987_2739922782687947_8282480822699687936_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY-5_upED36PpYs_S7pihHIgY9PmYw7IKHVB1BqgihggIXeiBMHDO-rf_qXGn4cnKCkZDJ1I1J3d3YofdzzdGPO-cnDYWXhHrDGb5VLUhmHRjdL4akME8uQen9_qmK8Kj3yoHBSvMAR-U/s400/65005987_2739922782687947_8282480822699687936_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it to the top of Koko Head</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7d5JdAQW8_0I-uBGiB5X7xFLTzTopwh6UwohuKXwHBlR4Oe_BobJFj298SsBPBJb9y-2GkFyWdZ29F6z6CqVlrhe1ZJZsca6mZdtG0dqjI3myLkVWxNUm4h7VR4Q54GWPLntEaimtN4/s1600/64283441_2739922922687933_9206361002835181568_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK7d5JdAQW8_0I-uBGiB5X7xFLTzTopwh6UwohuKXwHBlR4Oe_BobJFj298SsBPBJb9y-2GkFyWdZ29F6z6CqVlrhe1ZJZsca6mZdtG0dqjI3myLkVWxNUm4h7VR4Q54GWPLntEaimtN4/s400/64283441_2739922922687933_9206361002835181568_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it back to the bottom of Koko Head</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMuoeZN4HTLMK-ezk5i4P6_JJfLAr93mIeXglHw5-R0zMLmeAgUbHb_uxVcjU_hRiiya0H7JdGsuO6VP7iH0I9JpIyr4cjdwaPMdY6pzcvfT6qRTytjpEu6Zd50xdoPQQv4YI1Aw39as/s1600/64464580_2739926462687579_7552085985786331136_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMuoeZN4HTLMK-ezk5i4P6_JJfLAr93mIeXglHw5-R0zMLmeAgUbHb_uxVcjU_hRiiya0H7JdGsuO6VP7iH0I9JpIyr4cjdwaPMdY6pzcvfT6qRTytjpEu6Zd50xdoPQQv4YI1Aw39as/s400/64464580_2739926462687579_7552085985786331136_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Celebration swim at Cockroach Cove</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bk5lcNxidWph1uTA8jWZCiBk8x8cC8xwrnKBYwzj4GViSCV0uozsM_eqRDQF8HLx66RpJB31bKTISyTsJPnyiNkDzObO3E9mIjftSfKkFopG4LW2MWK_MRW7gDeqbpXiK17kOk1jhRY/s1600/64823871_2740156625997896_7149036951830528000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bk5lcNxidWph1uTA8jWZCiBk8x8cC8xwrnKBYwzj4GViSCV0uozsM_eqRDQF8HLx66RpJB31bKTISyTsJPnyiNkDzObO3E9mIjftSfKkFopG4LW2MWK_MRW7gDeqbpXiK17kOk1jhRY/s400/64823871_2740156625997896_7149036951830528000_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kaneohe Bay Sandbar</td></tr>
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<br />lolorashelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05529819162056380086noreply@blogger.com0