[Social Media] *Like*

I can't help but think of how lazy and impersonal we're becoming with the ride of social media. It's quite sad, actually, and I would like to make an effort to return to the old ways, even a little bit.

I've never been a fan of short-form. Abbreviations make me cringe...that's part of my crusade against a lack of respect in communication.

Anyhow, my reason for posting is this. I'm realizing that "Like" and "Favorite", and any other similar one-click thumbs-uppery is just incredibly lazy. In keeping with my "laziness is a lack of respect" view, simply clicking the 'Like' button is just kind of rude. True, I love it when people 'like' a post of mine. But I love comments even more! I want to know exactly what people are thinking, how they feel when they click. Exactly why did you click? Do you have anything to add?

It's kind of pathetic how lonely I feel when someone 'likes' a post, and leaves no comment. I'm just not worth the time of day? I'm sure that's not it, but I just can't help but feel a little empty inside.

I doubt many others feel this way, happy with their social lives...but, I'm making it a goal, from this point forward to take the time to leave a real comment on any post that I enjoy, or respond, or whatever the medium calls for.

I think the biggest issue I have in this respect is on DeviantArt. I work very hard on my art, and I frankly find it quite disrespectful for someone to simply click. 'Favorite' or 'Collect'. Please, let me know what I'm doing right! I appreciate the small token of love, but it really does me no favors.

I don't mean to sound harsh, I just wish people would be more respectful, and take the time to properly communicate with each other. This world and its technology has us distanced from each other, so disconnected. It's quite frightening!

Show your friends and family some textual love, and time! Next time you enjoy someones post, I encourage you to share a little with them in return. I can't imagine anyone who would dislike getting comments on their art, page, tweets, wall, whatever.

Keep spreading the love, my beauties!
~Jenicsaco

[Movies & Philosophy] End of the World?

So, I haven't been around much as I've been pretty darned sick. My apologies, if there's anyone out there that actually follows me. ;) I'm finally starting to think I may be getting better, which is fantastic news after almost a full week of misery and grossness. I'll spare you the details, don't worry.

Anyhow, there's one thing that's been on my mind a lot lately. The end of the world. Yeah, it's pretty dark. But, I can't stop thinking about it! A friend is writing a story revolving around that topic (which I can wait to read), some crazy people say the world will end this year, and I recently watched a related movie.

Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World

The same friend writing the story recommended this to me, and not being in the mood to do much but lounge around, it was the prefect time to watch this! Cuddled up with the fiance and hit the 'play' button. 

First off, I really enjoyed this movie. There's a lot of comedy in it, and I quite enjoy Steve Carell. He didn't play quite such an over-the-top character as he usually does, and it was good. I'm really terrible and writing synopsises...sinopsis? I can't without giving away everything, so I'll refrain. There are a lot of sweet, hopeful moments. There are also some sad ones. The movie ended, and my fiance and I sat in a moment or two of silence, tears rolling down our cheeks. 

The big reason I really enjoyed this movie was because it made me think. The world learns that the world is going to end in three weeks. What would I do in that situation? Would I try to carry on a normal life? Bite the bullet early? Quit everything and cram in as much adventure as possible? Spend time with loved ones? I would say a mix of the latter two, if my time were that short. Suffice to say, the world would more or less be chaos. 

What if it were farther in the future? Say, fifty years? The world still needs to function...food still needs to be produced, electricity, other essentials. Knowing our time was limited though, would most throw out any 'green' habits, or race to try to save it? I suppose it depends on the apocalypse. Still, there are so many variables to factor in, so many outcomes. So many ways one could react. One thing breaks my heart when I put myself in this situation, is that I wouldn't be able to have a child. My one big dream in life is to raise a kid.  Obviously, that would just be cruel, to bring a child into a world you know is doomed. 

Then again, that far in the future, what if they develop something that will save the planet by then? 

Ugh, deep thinking is not good for this sick gal...Anywho, this is just what I've been pondering fervently for the last week or two. What would you do if the world was going to end in a month? Fifty years?

Live long and prosper, friends.

~Jenicsaco 

[Health] Sick Kit!

So, we have first aid kits for medical emergencies, and all sorts of things like that. Make-up bags for well, make-up. A thought occurred to me that we don't have Sick-Kits! I'd love to make and sell these, but from a legal standpoint, I don't think it's a feasible idea. So, let me tell you about my awesome idea.

It sucks being sick. Even more so when we have to leave the house to work or whatever. You should at least be prepared and when you're sick, you're probably not thinking too clearly to begin with. Have a specal bag set up for just such a case!

You will need:

• A make-up bag, or other little bag with a closing mechanism (fancy word for zipper) to hold all of your goodies.
•  A bottle of hand-sanitizer (I find this is often more for everyone around me's peace of mind rather than mine. Remember not to over-use it! Antibiotic resistance is a very bad thing.)
• A travel-pack of facial tissue. (You don't want to be that person on the bus sniffling the whole trip.)
• A zip-lock baggie for somewhere to tuck away your used tissues. (It's better than having a bunch loose snotty tissues floating around in your bag!)
• A plastic barf bag -just in case- (Make sure there are no holes! I'd say, double-bag it to be safe. You shouldn't leave the house if you're throwing up, really. But, sometimes it can just sneak up on you. Better safe than sorry and apologizing to whoever you just threw up all over. )
• Medicine! (I won't tell you what medicine to pack because everyone has their preferences. I like Daytime Advil Cold & Sinus, but that's just me.)
• Pain killers (Great if you're prone to head and body aches when you're sick)
• Tums (Keep that tummy settled! They make nice little travel-sized bottles now)
• Gum/Breath Mints (People's breath tends to worsen when sick. Also, if you've been throwing up, a little fresher breath is a God-send).
• Cough candies (Nothing like a cough that just won't go away)
• Taxi money (if you find yourself needing to get to a doctor's office quicker than a bus will get you)
• Chapstick - I know my lips tend to dry out a fair bit when I'm sick. This is just a lil something to make me feel better. 

And there's my suggestion for a quick and easy Sick-Kit.  I really love this idea, and if you do too, please spread the word! I haven't heard of anyone else doing this before, so I'm pretty excited. :)

Stay healthy, my lovlies!
-Jenicsaco

[Food] Dirge's Kickin' Chimaerock Chops

So I've decided to try and do my take on some recipes from World of Warcraft.  The first was suggested to me by a friend. Dirge's Kickin' Chimaerock Chops (that's a whole lot to type!).

I am sick today, so I was feeling pretty lazy...but, this is what I came up with. 'Recipe' will be posted below.

Unfortunately, I had a difficult time finding any Chimaerock...So, I had to settle for pork chops. I seasoned them with deeprock salt ( seasoning salt ) and some spicy Mrs. Dash. I threw them in the oven for 40 minutes at 375°.

While the porkchops were cooking I threw on some basmati rice, and got working on my sauce.

In  a little saucepan I added some chopped onion and garlic with a little butter, and sauteed them until they were nice and soft, then I threw in the rest of the saucy incredients. Bear in mind, unless I'm following a recipe, I just don't measure things. I eyeball it, taste, that sort of thing. If I like something, I add more of it. Into the pot went tomato paste, Goblin Rocket Fuel ( white rum ), more spicy Mrs. Dash, Death Sauce. I let it simmer for a while before deciding it needed more...Then I added some milk to cut the acidity a little, cumin, chili powder, and red chili pepper flakes.

After that was all done, I threw the chop of a bed of rice, and added some more sauce.

Well..it tastes better than it looks. ^^; 

The verdict? It was pretty tasty, but I would have added maybe a little more milk...and diced mushrooms, if I had any. If I liked peppers, I probably would have added some of those, too.

[Health] Incoming Cold!

So, I'd like to thank my friend for getting me sick. :P I found out after I woke up this morning, feeling a little more phlegmy than usual, that she's got a cold. At least I know where it came from. Besties gotta share everything, right?

I had a lot that I wanted to get done today...it's been a really productive 3-day weekend, and I don't like the idea of slowing down. I also don't like the idea of getting full-blown sick. So..I need to start up my prevention methods. I also have company coming for fun times tomorrow, so I need to at least make sure the house is kinda tidy. And I have work, so I want to be as close to healthy as I can be.

Anyways, prevention involves drinking a whole lot of tea...like, chain drinking. Starting off with a raspberry pomegranate matcha. I'm pretty excited about that. Even if the work I planned to do today isn't strenuous in the least, I've gotta put it on the back-burner. I think it's important to let your mind rest when getting sick, too.

With no work, I'd be pretty darned bored...I'll probably watch a movie or two, and a lot of World of Warcraft. Get all bundled up in my robe and fluffy orca slippers.

Now, this is the worst bit...I kid you not, I hate naps. I feel like I could be doing so much more with my day. Could be having more fun, getting more work done. Whatever. Naps are awful. But, sleep is SO important when you're sick. I spent nearly an entire day sleeping once when I was sick, and was almost 100% the next day. It was beautiful.

I'm also going to take a multivitamin to help my body out a little. It's not much, but that's my battle plan. When I'm able to do this for a day or two, I'm generally sick no more than two or three days. I think it's gotta be fairly effective then, yes?

What do you do when you start getting sick? Double up on vitamins? Trudge through the malaise? Take lots of medicine? Or maybe you have a ritual that you go through as well?

Stay healthy, my friends!
~Jenicsaco

[Budget & Holidays] Christmas Planning

So, here's the deal...I love Christmas to bits...but it can sure be stressful! Espescially on a budget.
I'm currently digging through articles and websites on cheap gift ideas...but I have yet to see anything that really applies to me. Not of it is really 'cheap'.

There is the default of baking for everyone. People seem to appreciate that. But that isn't always as easy as it sounds...I thought about it, and I may have to resort to that, but it's incredibly time consuming...Time that I don't know I'll have. There's the mixing and prep which, if you're making multiple cookies like I do (because one type of treat is boring),  takes forever. The baking (I'll only be able to bake 6-8 cookies at a time, of perhaps 100 or so that I'd need to bake.), and the decorating!

I certainly can't buy conventional gifts...and it's very frustrating! I have friends and family that I love dearly, and would really like to be able to give them great gifts. One year, I spent $80-ish on each family member...That was great! It's the worst feeling of disappointment to wonder how you can possibly show everyone how much you care.

I'd really wanted to post a list of gift ideas that are both easy on the time aspect, and the wallet. Unfortunately, everything that I could find is either very time consuming, or costs more than I assume any normal person on a budget these days could afford!

I had pondered maybe just hand-making a bunch of Christmas cards..but again, time consuming. I have also sworn off cards. I will make birthday cards for my fiance, because I know he really likes to keep them, but that's about it. The way I see it, they're a wast of money. If you're buying one, that is. It seems like a huge waste to spend $5 for some paper with writing that a person will look at, and throw out. Or maybe put it on display for a couple days. I'm sorry, but if you don't know how I feel, I haven't effectively communicated that to you, and I'm sorry.

The holidays are indeed stressful...everyone seems to have different reasons for it, too. For me, I just can't give everyone what I want, and that eats me up inside.

I think perhaps a trip to the craft store is in order...ideas are stewing, and I don't want to spoil it if I follow through. If it doesn't work out, I'll let you guys know what I'd wanted to do. :)

[Gaming & Nails] Craptastic nerdy nail art!

So, I decided to paint my nails for Video Games Live . This, if you haven't heard, is video game music performed by an orchestra. Oldies, new games, it's all epic. Lots of fun, and I can't recommend it enough, if it's playing in your city!

Now, I'm awful at painting my nails, so this isn't "good" by any stretch. But, here we go.

At 10:30am I got all of my polishes and tools set up. Bobby pin and toothpicks for finer details when I realized my pain brush was going to be tricky to use.

At 5:00 pm I declared myself finished. I could have done more touch-ups...but again, 5pm. I was done..and battling a pretty nasty headache to boot. I'm pretty sure it was all the fumes...
Polishes I used were:
Sally Hansen - Hard as Nails - Xtreme wear -" Black Out", Cherry Red
Claire's scented polish - Orange, Lime, Fruit Punch, Strawberry
Fascino #59, #40
GOSH - Black Passion
butter London - Cheeky chops
Crafter's Acrylic - Flesh chair (yes, acrylic paint)

So, here are the final results.

Blue portal, Mushroom, Tetris, Space Invader, Alliance (World of Warcraft)

Horde (World of Warcraft), Pac-man, Pokeball, Triforce, Orange portal

I'm pretty sure this will be my last big nail venture...This was just too much work, for such a crappy result. Oh well, live and learn! Now to keep them from chipping...not easy, in my line of work.

[Holiday] Letter to Santa

Santa Claus asked that we send him our blog-posted gift lists. I gave it some thought, so here I go.

Dear Santa,

I really don't think I've been very good this year, but goodness I've tried. I just can't succeed no matter how hard I try. It's been weak, but as least I've tried, right? If I'm worthy of gifts, I would ask for the clothes that I can't afford, to replace the ones that are falling apart. That is the only thing I truly need that I don't have. I don't like to ask for things for myself though...What I really want, is to be able to give my fiance a fantastic honeymoon next year, so that we can both have the one big adventure of our lives. We won't be able to do anything like it again ever, so I want to try very hard to make this happen for us. I want to make him happy.

Always a believer,
Jen

[Health] Killing Depression

So, I feel that I need to write the post in order to help myself, mostly. It will be a very dark post, and if you're not interested, I do suggest you skip this one. it does get better as it goes, though. There will be much better ones soon to follow too, I promise!

I mentioned in my last post that my depression was making a comeback. It had vanished more or less since that post, but Thursday night, it came back with a vengeance. I can't think of anything in particular that brought it on. Just home alone, surfing the web. I spent a good three hours sobbing on the couch. At one point, I did consider suicide, the first serious time in...I want to say in five years or so. This is where it gets really sad...I looked at the knife, and realized that I was just too lazy. I didn't even have enough motivation to do anything but sit and scream and cry my heart out. I'd just given up on everything. I guess that's when it hit me that I need help.

I started then posting pathetic little subtle cries for help through social media, and googling therapists in my area. One of my besties noticed what was happening, and really helped me through the last few waves of real despair. (I can't thank you enough for all the pits you've helped me out of.)

As the sobbing subsided, and I got to thinking about things more and more, I realized that I have a very serious problem with motivation. I think that is the root of all my problems. I can never get motivated to do anything for more than a short while, if at all. The constant failure just brings me farther and farther down. I really have completed very little in my recent years. I'm always looking for a fresh start, a do-over. If I'm not happy, I hit the reset button.

After my google journey, I realized that therapists are very expensive, and I can't really afford one. If I really need to, I will though. For the time being, I'm going to try and help myself. Looking up ways to get and keep myself motivated. On my next real day off, I'll be working on a personal growth plan, setting easy goals, etc. I also got my fiance to pick me up a few things to hopefully help me out.

-Melatonin to help me sleep through the night. I wake up constantly, and I'm more often than not, very tired.
-Garcinia Cambogia to help with weight loss. I know I need to be physically healthy to help with the mental bits, and I need every ounce of help I can get.
-Magnesium glycinate to help with sleep, stress, and a few other little things.

I'm also going grocery shopping today, and will be looking for plenty of healthy meal ideas. Fresh food = fresh mind and body!

With all of this, plus I hope the encouragement and support of my family and friends, I think this may be just what I need to become whole. I realize that I need to get to this point of mental health before I can even think about having a child, my biggest dream.

If you made it to the end of this post, thank you, from the bottom of my heart. <3

All my love,
-Jenicsaco