SYED 004: Week 3

Yeah... it didn't quite go the way it should have :-D 004 means the fourth DAY, not the fourth post. X-]

#14 and #15 were filming a video and posting it on YouTube, so there will be only six things for this week.

#16 Geocaching - now this I should do, now that I have a smartphone with GPS. There are even a couple of caches within walking range from my home. It's on my bucket list, too :-D

#17 Exposing Myself on Reddit

#18 Working on Not-So-Forever Alone - asking someone out

#19 Reveal My Crush 

Oh, crap. Been there, done that. Don't recommend it. Now I'm the crazy stalker "nice girl" to this guy. 
What the heck. Of course, I recommend it. Sure, it hurts like hell when you really like someone and that someone thinks you are disgusting, but there really is more fish in the sea. There is no "Mr. Right" or "One True Love" out there. Everyone is part of everyone else, and there is plenty to love in everyone. Or most people. There might be some totally horrible people out there, but, just think of the most horrific people you know. I'm pretty sure they have had relationships. Just look at Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The other important thing is that you will survive. You will survive rejection. And it's highly likely that you will find someone better. After all, that a-hole rejected you. They wouldn't have been that nice in a relationship anyway, would they? 

#20 Throw a Dart at a Map and Go There

Now, why wouldn't I do this with a smaller map? It doesn't need to be the whole world. (With my luck and dart throwing skills, I'd probably get the dart in the middle of the Atlantic ocean:-D)
I could start with an SL traffic map. (SL is the public transportation company here in the Stockholm area. I have the travel card.)
Hmm... it's a bit like that thingy... what was it called... Randonautica! Except that this is TOTALLY random coordinates with no one knowing where I'm going because it's not being recorded anywhere until I have done it. :-D
And after a couple of times adventuring the Stockholm area, I can expand the map into Scandinavia, Europe, World...

#21 Breaking the Work Barrier

With other words, making a real friend of a coworker. Now, I don't have any coworkers. I could find out one of my acquaintances from previous jobs, and try my luck there... but that's a bit stalking. :-D 

SYED 003 - 2nd week

 Another thing I forgot from the previous post, traveling alone. Basically, doing things alone. Several years ago, I was planning on flying to Paris very early in the morning and then flying back home very late in the evening, not staying in Paris overnight. Alone, managing with my very limited French. It never happened, because I'm afraid. :-(

Anyway, to Greg's second week. #8 was Seeing an Old Friend

My mother has Alzheimer's. I haven't been able to see her since my father died and my mother's Alzheimer's became undeniable. It felt like she failed me, that she wasn't my mother any longer, that my mother had died when my father died. I wished she had. I didn't want to have this stranger in my life pretending to be my mother. I think I need to go home and face my mom. 

#8b Went to a "strip" club. 

Well... maybe doing a burlesque act myself could be this.

#9 Fear of Failure

THINGS PEOPLE FEAR
- hard work
- standing up
- doing the right thing
- sucking
- rejection
- asking for help
- asking for more
- chasing dreams
- cooking
- equality
- accepting criticism
- apologizing
- letting go
- committing
- leading

I'm not afraid of hard work, I just can't do it for long :-D I'm not afraid of cooking either, but I'm terrified of sewing :-D Especially cutting the fabric. I have no problems accepting criticism, and the Karen that could make me cry or cower hasn't been born yet, and won't be. :-D I have no problems or prestige in apologizing either.  Also, no fear of committing. It's more the other way around, chasing dreams, jumping into the deep water, leaving the safety and security and daring. That's scary. 

I don't think I'm afraid of standing up and doing the right thing. 

Rejection is a bit hard. Asking for a "chance". Asking for anything, really, help, more, love, companionship... But I'm married, so it's not a good idea to start asking for love :-D I have no problems asking for love from my husband. Or anything else. No problems. It's the "world" I have problems with, I don't think they want to give me anything. 
And I have huge problems using money on myself. I would need a new laptop, or take the old one to get a new screen, and that is something I'd NEED. *sigh*

Hmm... what can I ask for "more"?

#10 "Telling My Friends About This Blog"

Well... writing a book and telling my friends about that book, marketing my books, that would be a big thing. I think my friends all know about my blogs.

#11 Spilling the Beans: The Aftermath and The Long Ohm

I would really want more interaction about my bucket list. :-( I don't know how that's going to happen, because I cannot find anyone near me who is interested in bucket lists. Hard to plan to do things together when one is alone :-D (And my hubby's things are not my things. Also, he doesn't like bucket lists. :-()

#12 was that he started writing screen scripts again. Now, that would be something. 

#13: Going Home Again

This ties with #8... Maybe I'll do this. It would be nice to rent a car and take Henric with me, drive through Lapland (from Stockholm to Finland, my parents' home), and visit some places on the way... we could sleep in the car, or maybe borrow my BIL's tent and sleeping bags... That would be scary :-D

#14 Shoot a Video

Yes, definitely scary :-D

(Now, the #15 is to post the video on YouTube for all to see... Yes, definitely scary :-D)

SYED 002 - first week, plans

The second thing that scared Greg was spring cleaning.

Now... it doesn't scare me, it's bothersome and I don't like it. I would need to do a Mari Kondo, and get rid of everything that doesn't make me happy, or is necessary and beautiful, that just junks up my home, and all that. I mean, we live in a pretty run-down highrise, but the worn-out surfaces are better when they are clean.

Also, it would take more than a day to clean all this up. I'm a bit of a hoarder.

I think I'd like to do the Red Paperclip thingy.

His #3 was Work Presentation. I don't have that kind of work. I don't know what would be equivalent in my life... 

His #4 was going to the back of the yoga class, as he was usually in the front. He didn't go to the back back, just not in the front.

I find going to yoga classes very scary :-D So, maybe starting a new class? They are just really expensive... :-(

So, I need to get more money. I read about this woman who wrote a 100 "books" a year, and two years later had $10.000 income a month. Basically passive income. I'd love to have that, but... trying to get one's books published, that's scary :-D What if I don't have her success? If I had $10.000 income every month, I could do everything I've ever dreamed of, and get a lot more things to my "scary things to do" list, and then, perhaps, they wouldn't be that scary any longer. You know, I want to take all kinds of classes and join all kinds of clubs and activities, etc. but I don't, because it costs money I need for other things. There's also some more affordable activities being organized for people, which I could do, but I won't because I'm scared... 

#5 was "admitting defeat". More likely, admitting being wrong and redoing a work that wasn't good enough. Anyway, I don't have problems with that. 

#6 "Talking to someone new". I'd like to do the 100 strangers project.

#7 was "Alone in LA" - he went to a club alone at the night. That would be something... 

syed 001:

Greg did it. I can do it, too. This is my SYED

Now, I don't think half of the things he did were scary at all. We all have different things we find scary.

So, start by making a list of things you find scary. 

His first scary thing to do was to go to a party by himself. Now, I do find that scary, but I am never invited to any parties, so it's not something I could do... perhaps I need to work a bit to get to that point. Hmm...

So - something similar; go to a Meetup meeting alone.

Take this as CBT - you go to the party to see what you need to train, practice, get better with, and what you like. What about parties you find annoying, boring, stupid, scary? What would make the experience better? 

It might be that you are shy and you are afraid nobody will talk with you. Then you should learn to talk with other people. Learn to mingle. Learn to be a good guest. Learn some party tricks. All this is just a question of practice. 

The secret of being an extrovert is finding others more interesting than yourself, being enthusiastic and open-minded, and having a streak of entertainer and exhibitionist in you :-D Now, the last one isn't something one should train if you don't have that streak. It's totally fine to be quiet and not the center of happenings. You can let the true extroverts have that scene. But finding people interesting is not difficult. See them as characters from books, for example, if you cannot see anything interesting in actual human beings. Also, being enthusiastic and open-minded - practice saying "yes" to most things. 

Another thing that makes your parties more enjoyable to you is to dress appropriately and comfortably and see you are clean and smell nice. And smile. Be friendly. Be open and welcoming. 

From rapping to campaigning, Barbie has done it all

So I got the crazy idea of that I want to "have done it all", too!

But what is "it all"? 

This list is compiled of several I found online.

actress
aerobics instructor
air force thunderbird
ambassador for world peace
american beauty pageant girl
animal trainer
architect
arctic rescuer
army medic
art teacher
artist
astronaut
baby doctor
baby photographer
babysitter
bakery chef
ballerina
ballet teacher
ballroom dancer
baseball player
boutique owner
business executive
canadian mountie
cat burglar
ceo
chancellor
cheerleader
chef
chef doctor
children’s doctor
computer engineer
concert pianist
cowgirl
dance teacher
dc comics superheroines and villainesses
dentist
designer
doctor
doctor army officer
dog washer
dog park sitter
dog trainer/competitor
dolphin trainer
downhill skier
dress designer
elementary teacher
engineer
equestrian
executive (career girl)
fashion designer
fashion editor
fashion magazine intern
fashion model
figure skater
firefighter
flight attendant
football coach
formula 1 driver
guest editor of international fashion magazine
gymnast
gymnastics coach
hair dresser
ice capades star
ice skater
junior designer
kid doctor
lifeguard
magician
major league baseball player
make-up artist
marine corps sergeant
marvel comics superheroines
mcdonald's cashier
miss america
movie actress
movie star
music video star
nascar driver
naval petty officer
nba player
newborn baby doctor
news anchor
nurse
ocean treasure explorer
olympic athlete
olympic gymnast
olympic ice skater
olympic skater
olympic swimmer
owner of willow's cafe
paleontologist
pan am flight attendant
paratrooper
pediatrician
pet doctor barbie
pet sitter
pet stylist
pet vet
photographer
pilot
pizza chef
police officer
pop singer
preschool teacher
presidential candidate
princess
producer
professional wnba basketball player
race car driver
radio city music hall rockette
rap musician
rock star
scuba diver
seaworld trainer
secretary
see's candy cashier
sign language teacher
singer
skier
snowboarder
soccer coach
soda fountain waitress
space camp
space explorer
spanish language teacher
special education teacher
squadron leader
stewardess
street rapper
student teacher
summit diplomat
surgeon
sweets chef
swim instructor
swim teacher
teacher
teacher barbie
teenage fashion model
tennis pro
tour guides
tv chef
tv news reporter
us air force pilot
unicef ambassador
united airlines flight attendant
united states air force jet pilot
united states air force thunderbirds
united states army officer
united states marine corps officer
united states navy petty officer
united states president
veterinarian
waitress
wedding stylist
women’s world cup soccer player
yoga teacher
zoo doctor
zoologist

There's over 160 "careers" on this list.
What do we say about people who have had over 160 "careers" in 50 years? ;-)
I really don't think you can call any of those "a career"... Maybe being a model, as that she has been through all these years. 

Now... are all of these "careers"?

Firstly, are superheroines "careers"? I don't think so. Unless you're Black Widow, perhaps. >:->
But - I would say she is DRESSED UP AS a superheroine. "Barbie AS Catwoman"
So - those can be counted as acting.

"Actress", "Movie Actress" and "Movie Star" are basically the same thing.

 "Model", "Miss America" and "Beauty Pageant Girl"... Kind of the same thing.

Stewardess and Flight Attendant - the same thing

Pediatrician, Baby Doctor, Kid Doctor - same thing

The first Ballerina outfit wasn't a "career" choice but a hobby.
So was the tennis outfit and the ice skating outfit

I always thought that babysitting was something she did to earn some money when she was a teenager, not a career. Like cheerleading and marching band majoring.

"Ambassador for World Peace" and "Unicef Good Will Ambassador" are not careers. You do that on top of your occupation.

Running for President is not a career. Though considering that Barbie does that every fourth year she might qualify :-D
No, the career is "politician".
And because her "political career" consists solely of running for President every 4 years, I don't think that counts either.

"Pet Doctor", "Pet Vet" and "Veterinarian" are basically the same thing.
Also, a "Zoo doctor" is a veterinarian, unless she is working on the people working at the zoo... that might be possible, too.

Musician, singer, rapper, rock star, yadayada... 

"I can be... space camp"? I don't think so, Barbie.
I don't know what the camp instructors, leaders, guides or what ever they are called, are called, but I suppose that's what's meant with that.
Considering that she is an astronaut, I think she's more than qualified to lead space camp.

And "Concert pianist"? Because she has a grand piano? X-[ Come on!

It really starts to feel a bit like this famous person, who lists as hobbies, talents, careers, whatnots anything this person has ever tried, practiced, been interested in or read about.

Or the list of Polymaths that counts George Foreman as a polymath because he was a boxer and then gave his name to be used to sell grills. Oh, and he's an ordained minister, too. And a father.

I really don't want to diss Barbie, because she is supposed to be every woman - or every girl's dream of womanhood, which makes her by necessity a polymath having hundreds of "careers", but... there are people out there who actually have made a career of sports, arts, etc.

Also, there's no shame in being a homemaker and a mother. How about that as a career for Barbie? Can feminists take that?

13 Fascinating Careers You Never Knew Barbie Had
What A Barbie Doll’s Resume Looks Like After 55 Years

Alien, Bizarre, Weird & Mysterious Places On Earth

Mount Roraima

Mount Roraima is the highest of the Pakaraima chain of tepui plateaus in South America.
It was first described in Europe by the English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh in 1596.
The mountain serves as the triple border point of Venezuela (85% of its territory), Guyana (10%) and Brazil (5%).
The plateau on top of the mountain is 31 km² and has some unique plants and animals. It is a national park and protected, and the access is highly restricted because of the vulnerability.
Most of the nutrients flush away over the edges in the several waterfalls, falling some 400 meters, making them some of the highest waterfalls in the world.
It rains every day.
The mountain is holy to the people of the area, and there are myths explaining it as the stump of a giant tree once holding all the fruits and edible vegetables in the world.
There is only one route to the top that doesn't require mountain-climbing skills and equipment.

Fly Geiser

 It used to be an ordinary well. Then it started shooting hot water. Since that the waters have brought up minerals and that has been collecting during the years. This pile is about 1.5 meters high. The colors are due to algae.
Fly Geiser is not a tourist attraction but on private property.

Bermuda triangle

There's a lot of myths about this place. Most of it is just that, myths.
It is a very large area with no islands and not much traffic, so there are no eyewitnesses, nor can the disappearances be proven, as the Gulf stream takes any possible debris quickly away.
They say that "At least 1000 lives are lost within the last 100 years. On average, 4 aircraft and 20 yachts go missing every year."  (I have my suspicions about this data, though. Also, how many do not go missing? I can imagine there's quite a lot of small planes and yachts in that area that are not influenced in any way by this mysterious force.)
Most of the disappearances can be explained with natural reasons like equipment dysfunction and storm. but the people who want to believe explain these as part of the mystery. "It might be natural, but it ain't normal and it happens there more often than not..."
Some of the disappearances haven't happened even close this place, but as they are disappearances, people are saying that it is POSSIBLE they DID happen here.
These "disappearances" have been explained with aliens or Atlantis and other such things.
US government has their Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center in this area.
People claim that there is "electronic mist" and "time warp tunnels" in the area.
The first person to report about Bermuda Triangle was Christopher Columbus. He wrote in his journals that inside the triangle, the ship's compass stopped working and he also saw a fireball in the sky.

Blood Falls

 This is in the Antarctis, South from Australia. It is, of course, iron oxide - rust - that colors the water, but the interesting part of this is that the water is highly salty and there are micro-organisms living in it. It also look pretty impressive.

Travertine Pools Of Pamukkale

Pamukkale, meaning "cotton castle" in Turkish, is a natural site in Denizli Province in southwestern Turkey. The city contains hot springs and travertines, terraces of carbonate minerals left by the flowing water.
People have been pretty horrible using the site and the water, so people are not allowed to the terraces and bathing is only allowed in some selected small pools. It's worth visiting, though.

Richat Structure

 This is the "Eye of Sahara", in West Sahara in Mauretania. The thing with this is that we don't know how it was formed. Was is a meteorite? A volcano? Atlantis? Aliens? As many theories and explanations as people, nothing certain.

Moeraki Boulders

The "giant's marbles" are round stones about the size of a person. They say it's calcified mud - basically natural cement - and have been eroded from the surrounding stone, which was softer. As the shell is harder than the heart, these boulders break sometimes, and people like to sit inside them or so. As far as I know there are no restrictions on visiting this beach in New Zealand, just be mindful of your behavior, manners and the environment, AS YOU ALWAYS SHOULD.

National Potato Day

Decorate with potato theme - color brown in all its varieties, from gold and beige to chocolate - have a rustic, autumnal theme, like potato sacks and crates, and potato harvest - don't think "Irish", think earth, soil, dirt, think potato flowers, think Peru

* Play Hot Potato with an actual hot potato

There are other games with potatoes as well. Like spoon race using potatoes in stead of eggs and pantyhose bowling/golf with potatoes

Learn to prepare potatoes

* How to boil potatoes
* How to oven bake potatoes
* Mashed potatoes
* Potato tart
* Potato gratin
* Hasselback potatoes
* Potato hash
* Potato latkes
* Potato sallad

There are dozens of other recipes using potatoes. There are tons of way of using potatoes.

marzipan potatoes

Don't forget these:
Irish potato candy
mashed potato candy
potato cake (made with mashed potatoes - doesn't taste like mashed potatoes)
In Sweden they make these cute little "potato cakes" - with ordinary cake layer, topped with creme patisserie and formed to resemble potatoes, then covered with marzipane, shaped to look like potato, and dusted with cocoa powder to look like dirt on potatoes. Delicious.
In Finland they make these cute little potato balls, it's basically mashed potatoes mixed with cake crumbs and sugar, rolled into potato like shapes and rolled in cocoa or covered with chocolate.
Potato petit fours

They have identified over 100 different varieties of potatoes in Peru. There are cultivated and wild varieties. The wild potatoes are usually much more irregular in shape, have often very deep "eyes" and sometimes look like they are made of a bunch of tiny potatoes.

* potato is related to nightshades. The potato fruit (the tomato like berries that develop from the flowers if allowed) are poisonous. This same poison, solanum, exists in green potatoes.
(Dorothy L. Sayers wrote a short story "Leopard Lady" about a murder committed using this poison.)

* Potatoes have fascinating use as traditional medicine.
For example, potato tea (tea made of raw potato, potato peels, dried flowers and leaves of potato) is said to have a soothing effect to ingestion problems and help bile, liver etc. I wouldn't know.
Also, raw potato supposedly has anti-inflammatory and  qualities, so you can put a slice of raw potato on top of wounds, bruises and swelling.

* potatoes have more potassium than bananas, more vitamin C than oranges and more fiber than apples. In fact, potatoes have enough nutrients so that a human being can survive with only potatoes and dairy. (Milk fat (cream) has everything the potatoes lack concerning human essential nutrients, that is, fat soluble vitamins,)