2010-02-05

Photo Friday!

Here it is, the end of the first week of blogging.  Wow, that went by quickly, and surprisingly an easy routine to get into.  Hopefully I'll be able to continue the writing and the thoughts and writing will improve.

Well, today is Friday and one of my 2010 Goals was to post at least one photo every week. I figured it would be easy for me to remember if I just posted a photo that I have taken (either recently or from my archive) here on my blog every Friday.

Here is a photo I took with my Canon 40D while I was home over Christmas 2009.


St. John's NL Canada.   ©2009 
Photographer: Me




I'm looking forward to posting photos from all aspects of my travels and life...

Health-wise:  Today was a weird day, not bad, just 'off'.  Breathing was slow to get to 'normal for me' this morning, but again I blame the change of weather to the cold heavy rain affecting me.

2010-02-04

Schedule

Even tho I am 'retired' and on disability I set my alarm to wake me at the same time every weekday (and an hour later on weekends).  This has a lot to do with my mentality and making sure I just don't sleep/waste my days away.

Every weekday, I wake at 8:30am to my alarm and the smell of a pot of coffee starting to brew.  Even if I am not feeling well, I make sure I get up and go through my morning routine, and end up enjoying a cup of fresh brewed coffee.  After that, I get my breakfast and look at what is on the schedule for the day and week.

This way, I am up and available to do whatever comes up for the day or run errands and deal with the household chores.  I am as productive as I want or need to be each day now.  Feeling that I am doing something, starting something, or accomplishing something everyday goes a long way for me feeling good about myself, and that I am not just a sick man sitting around all the time.

Today was just an average day, and just a day for taking care.

Health-wise:  Just a good day, easily tired, but quick to recover.

2010-02-03

Adult Content?

I sent the link to this blog to a friend of mine today, and they came back with a question:  Why do you have it listed as containing adult content?

I had to let them know, even tho I do not have anything of an 'adult' nature posted yet, nor planned in the near future, I just to not know where this blog will go.  I do have a lot of aspects of my life that definitely fall under an 'adult content' heading.

I life a BDSM lifestyle, serving Mistress LunaSea.  I do have risque photographs printed and hanging in the Ikaros Art Collective.  I also have worked on the DomCon Atlanta and DomCon LA websites.  I have taken photos at fetish, goth, and industrial events, burlesque shows and live music performances.

With a life with so much that can easily fall under an 'adult' category, I felt it much safer to set this blog with an 'adult content' warning now, than have to explain myself later when I mention something definitely 'adult'.

This year continues to be fantastic!  I have had recent news that will allow me to accomplish some of my 2010 Goals much earlier than expected.  My life is good.

Health-wise:  Congested all morning, but cleared up as I got out and moving around running errands.  Feeling good now, while enjoying a cup of hot tea.

2010-02-02

30 Things About My Invisible Illness You May Not Know

I live with COPD, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.  This is often considered an 'invisible disease' because, unless I am coughing, most people will never realize I am sick.

1. The illness I live with is:
COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

2. I was diagnosed with it in the year:
2000 , but previously diagnosed with Chronic Bronchitis

3. But I had symptoms since:
it seems like forever in varying degrees

4. The biggest adjustment I’ve had to make is:
learning that i am limited in my physical activities more and more, and accepting that i can no longer do what i used to do

5. Most people assume:
I smoke -- I DO NOT SMOKE!

6. The hardest part about mornings are:
kick starting my breathing to become active -- caffeine and meds help a lot

7. My favorite medical TV show is:
currently, House, but reruns of ER still have a place in my heart

8. A gadget I couldn’t live without is:
notebook computer, iPhone, or my Canon 40D camera, I just can't decide on only one (1)

9. The hardest part about nights are:
Having to be aware of the time, and cut off eating several hours before i go to lay down.  If I don't have several hours before lying down, I will have a rough night and breathing will become a challenge amongst the coughing.

10. Each day I take __ pills & vitamins. (No comments, please)
too many, plus breathing treatments and O2 (at night)

11. Regarding alternative treatments I:
constantly look for ways to improve my life, but will always proceed with caution when trying something new

12. If I had to choose between an invisible illness or visible I would choose:
I would choose an invisible illness, it makes it easier to not constantly stand out especially with strangers in public

13. Regarding working and career:
I've had to retire and go on disability, an office environment increases my risk of contracting respiratory illnesses, making my life worse.  I've always wondered; why, when people are sick with the flu/fever they just don't stay home for a day and not expose the entire office to their sickness.

14. People would be surprised to know:
I would definitely prefer to work, but am happy with how I am turning hobbies into passions

15. The hardest thing to accept about my new reality has been:
accepting that I either have trouble doing, or can't do what I once was able to

16. Something I never thought I could do with my illness that I did was:
I don't restrict myself, I constantly look for ways to do what I want to do.  It just may not be the fastest way, or the way other people would do it.

17. The commercials about my illness:
they always involve older/senior people, and that is not my case

18. Something I really miss doing since I was diagnosed is:
I seriously miss travelling and going on walking/photo tours of new cities

19. It was really hard to have to give up:
working -- no really, it is difficult to give up, once it is a part of your lifestyle

20. A new hobby I have taken up since my diagnosis is:
nothing new, just i've gotten a lot more serious about my photography

21. If I could have one day of feeling normal again I would:
probably do a walking ghost tour of New Orleans, or Savannah

22. My illness has taught me:
to slow down and enjoy your time and life, and not to stress about things you can't control

23. Want to know a secret? One thing people say that gets under my skin is:
is either: I'm lazy and should be looking for work or I can't do something

24. But I love it when people:
treat me like any other friend, yet accept it in stride if I have to pass on a social gathering

25. My favorite motto, scripture, quote that gets me through tough times is:
"Be who you are and say what you feel... because those that mind don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind." - Dr. Seuss

26. When someone is diagnosed I’d like to tell them:
life is far from over, just take the time to enjoy it every day

27. Something that has surprised me about living with an illness is:
how much my feelings (emotional and physical) can swing on a daily basis based on the previous day/night

28. The nicest thing someone did for me when I wasn’t feeling well was:
there have been many great things people have done over the years, but bringing me a good coffee, unasked, and conversation, not mentioning my illness is always high on my list :)

29. I’m involved with Invisible Illness Week because:
I have an invisible illness and feel a need to help spread the word.

30. The fact that you read this list makes me feel:
very pleased that someone took the time to learn about me.


Health-wise: Today was ok, woke and stayed a little congested -- I blame the weather change to wet and cold. Tomorrow will be better!

2010-02-01

It Begins...

A month into the year (2010), I find that I am looking forward to this year more than I have recent years.  Why? I'm not really sure, but let's just say it is a good feeling.


I spent a fair amount of time in January thinking about this year and what I wanted to accomplish, or achieve this year.  


Here is my 2010 Personal Goal List:

  1. Gain at least 10% body weight
  2. Start and maintain an exercise program
  3. Start and maintain a blog
  4. Get more serious about my photography
    • never leave home without my camera
    • post at least one (1) photo a week
    • create and promote a website
    • complete my 'strobist' setup
  5. Learn HTML 5
  6. Do at least one (1) tutorial for web development/photography a week
  7. Start doing some paid freelancing
  8. See live music at least once a month
  9. Renew my passport
  10. Go on a cruise
  11. Put together a recipe book from family recipes/cook books
  12. Get a MacBook Pro 13.3" nicely equipped 
Well, looking at that list I'm going to have quite the year.  All signs points to this being one of my best years.


Health-wise:  Saw my doctor today and it was a very good report, and I had gained some weight.