The Battlefield

2012-02-03T14:58:00.000-08:00

When you think of the word "war" terms such as "carnage", "destruction", "guns", and "waste" usually come to mind—but I am waging a war of a different kind.

For the past eight months or so, I have been in a fight with food- not the kind where you throw things, but a fight of a much different nature. In a war like this, terms like “nausea”, “pain”, “loss of appetite”, “frustration”, “hunger” and “dizziness” come to mind.

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Each time a meal rolls around, we step out on the battlefield, ready to fight to the death (or at least to the pain). So far, food has been winning this battle.

In a relationship like this, sometimes the best rule is to play nice. I’ve tried not to get too angry, vengeful and depressed (although I have had my share of breakdowns). Instead, I have been trying to work through it, pulling out all the stops to end this war.

At first I figured it was a minor tiff that would soon dissipate, then it became an unfriendly neighbor—popping over to rile things up. Now this enemy of mine has declared all out war.

I always have to be on guard- ready for an attack at any moment. While I have mostly been on the defense, I've engaged a few strategies of my own. I have tried cutting things out of my diet that might rouse the enemy, I've tried over-indulging the enemy, and even trying to starve it out—which only succeeded in adding fuel to the fire.

Slowly the other side has been whittling away at me, taking down my defenses, leaving me weak and vulnerable. I've succumbed many a time, calling for a truce or retreat. Finally I had to call in for backups. Now I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve that just might turn the tides.

We just may sign a peace treaty, food and I.

Behind the Times

2012-01-25T12:28:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been extremely busy- but despite my schedule, it seems I am always behind the times. I don’t know what movies are coming out; I don’t know who won the Oscars (that’s the one that just happened, right?); I don’t know what shows are on TV now; and I definitely don’t know who the latest hit singers are.

Fortunately it doesn’t bother me too much- I’m usually too busy to notice. But I recently had a chance to catch up, at least a little bit. Of course I’ll never be up on the times, but now I feel like I’m not as far behind..

Last week I started watching “The Voice.” I know-the show ran last year, but, not surprisingly, I missed it. In fact, I’d never even heard about it until someone mentioned it and I looked it up last week.

Watching “The Voice” quickly became my extracurricular activity (of course I did other things while watching it, like the dishes, etc. Just can’t bring myself to sit down and watch something anymore).

I was immediately sucked in. That show is pure genius. In case you are even further behind the times, allow me to fill you in on “The Voice.”

The show starts with four judges with their backs to the stage (Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, and Christina Aguilera). One by one, singers come out in hopes of winning over one of the judges. If the judges like what they hear, they can turn their chair around and take the singer under their wings. Each judge selects 8 singers to train.

With each new singer I became more and more invested. I cheered when a chair turned for a singer I liked and yelled at the screen when it didn’t.

Once the teams were complete, the judges had to pair up their singers for “the arena.” A couple from each team came out and sang a duet, after which one was sent home—but here’s the catch, each judge had to decide which of their team members to keep and which ones to send home- heart wrenching!

The teams were then narrowed down to 4, and the live competitions began. I don’t want to give anything away- in case you haven’t seen it (you should). But I will say that the end just blew me away. Literally I went into shock- pounding my head against the floor and once more yelling at the screen (which was apparently quite entertaining for my friends watching the finale with me).

To give you a little taste (and hopefully get you hooked), here are a few of my favorites:

Vicci's Audition- amazing! First time I heard an Adele song- love it. (my favorite)

Xenia's Audition- Just so you know, she's only 16- Shocking, eh? Such a great, unique voice! (my second favorite- wait, no- it's a tie).

Sonia's Audition- First time I heard this song- love it! Also, soo sad she didn't make it :(

Vicci v. Niki - Super intense sing-off, "Perfect"

Dia's Finale - Inventing Shadows, really catchy.

I've already downloaded quite a few of these- soo good. Oh and in case you haven't heard, Season 2 starts in 2 weeks!

I can't decide if I want to watch it as it unfolds or play catch up..

Notations of a Night Owl

The Battlefield

Behind the Times