I have been issued a writing challenge: 500 words a day for a month.
I guess this will be my new habit. I started last week, and so far, so good. I am alternating fiction with non-fiction. Some of the fiction, I might post one day. Some of the non-fiction will be blog posts, some will be other things.
My biggest problem with writing has always been what to write. When I sit down to start, that’s when my demons come out. They say, “None of your ideas are original,” and, “That’s so cliche,” and “What are you thinking?!”
So I sit, and I stare at the page, and every word I’ve written sounds like vomit, and every blank page seems so full of possibilities, waiting for lovely words, flowing words, inspiring words. Words that never come.
I keep telling myself, I will write when something occurs to me to write about. Which is why my blog is empty a lot. But do I really encounter or think of nothing interesting in an entire month? I doubt that.
So how to get those fleeting, occasional moments of inspiration to come when I want them to?
Apparently, the key is to start writing anyway. It’s hard. I stumble, pause, and my demons start shouting. But I ignore them, and words come.
They are not inspiring words. They are not lovely, or flowing. But they fill up the blank pages all the same, and eventually, some of them will be good.
Later, I can go figure out which ones are good, and keep those. At first, I just start writing. It's easiest if I don’t even look at the page, just at my fingers on the keyboard. They move quickly, assuredly.
They are my inspiration. The sound of the keyboard - it’s wonderful.
February 13, 2012
February 9, 2012
Five Life Lessons from Lindy Hop
1. Sink Into Connection - In dancing, you communicate with your partner via your connection. You can’t avoid it, ignore it, or skirt away from it. A depth of connection is crucial to good partner dancing. Connections are just as important in life. You need to develop your connections with people and things you like. Delve into them and discover their intricacies. Don’t be satisfied with what’s on the surface.
2. You Need Balance - This is how you stay on your feet in dancing, and how you stay happy in life. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t obvious how to do this. But as you keep dancing, and living, you will develop this ability. Focus on it.
3. Everything Comes From Your Core - I can’t tell you how to do this, you just have to try it. Your dancing, both leading and following, should originate from your center, and extend outward. In life, pursue those things you hold in your center. Your passions come from your core. Make those your life.
4. Experiment With Footwork - The only way to come up with cool footwork variations is to try dozens, then keep doing the ones that worked well, and try to avoid those that didn’t. In life, there are many different series of steps you can take to accomplish anything. Try many, and you’ll find out which study habits you need, what methods are good for your business, which techniques you need to revise well.
5. Complete Your Movement (Follow Through) - In dance one of the hardest obstacles to get over is self-consciousness. We cut our movements short, because when we do something small, even if it’s wrong, it isn’t noticeable. But neither is your good move. Good moves can’t be great if they’re only done halfway. In life also you need to follow through to be noticed. Don’t give up, or leave projects unfinished. Quality necessitates persistence.
2. You Need Balance - This is how you stay on your feet in dancing, and how you stay happy in life. It isn’t easy, and it isn’t obvious how to do this. But as you keep dancing, and living, you will develop this ability. Focus on it.
3. Everything Comes From Your Core - I can’t tell you how to do this, you just have to try it. Your dancing, both leading and following, should originate from your center, and extend outward. In life, pursue those things you hold in your center. Your passions come from your core. Make those your life.
4. Experiment With Footwork - The only way to come up with cool footwork variations is to try dozens, then keep doing the ones that worked well, and try to avoid those that didn’t. In life, there are many different series of steps you can take to accomplish anything. Try many, and you’ll find out which study habits you need, what methods are good for your business, which techniques you need to revise well.
5. Complete Your Movement (Follow Through) - In dance one of the hardest obstacles to get over is self-consciousness. We cut our movements short, because when we do something small, even if it’s wrong, it isn’t noticeable. But neither is your good move. Good moves can’t be great if they’re only done halfway. In life also you need to follow through to be noticed. Don’t give up, or leave projects unfinished. Quality necessitates persistence.
Coconut Curry Recipe
I am currently working on developing a habit of healthy(er) eating. In an effort to hold myself accountable, I have decided to share some of my progress (and lack thereof) for further incentive.
Healthy eating involves a few things. The most important changes are eating mindfully and cooking lots. Additionally, I am taking slow steps to become entirely vegetarian, and later vegan. I've been vegetarian before, so it's not super scary. (If you're interested in why, you can start here: http://www.britishmeat.com/49.htm, or just ask).
Some of you may be shocked at this proclamation. You may be thinking, "Melanie?! She doesn't have a domestic bone in her body! That poor girl must be suffering from scurvy by now." Or, "Melanie?! Give up ice cream?! Impossible!" Or quite possibly, uncontrollable laughter.
I can't blame you for such reactions. Cooking is a skill I have only recently tackled. Up until now, my most adventurous cooking experiments included cookie dough or pasta.
This weekend I decided to cook a cornucopia of at least semi-healthful foods. My attempts: Coconut curry with cauliflower and potato, fried plantains, and naan. I have compiled a list of tips I learned.
Tip 1: Do not turn your back on anything. Especially plantains. Otherwise, your once beautiful golden-brown plantain slices may take on a black hue. They are not salvageable. Don't taste them. The taste of charred fruit and disappointment cannot be untasted.
Tip 2: Give your dough time to rise. Your recipe may say it only takes an hour. It is lying. Prepare your dough at least four to eight hours in advance. Likely, this will mean starting at perhaps 10AM, rather than 5PM, unless you prefer to make your bread at midnight.
Tip 3: Cook your naan bread. Heating it lightly is not sufficient. Day-old gooey dough is not quite as delectable as warm naan.
Tip 4: Despite my poor track record, you should still try out this curry. It is pretty delicious, if you're into coconut curry.
Melanie's Coconut Curry with Cauliflower and Potatoes
1 onion
1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Fresh Ginger (as much as you can stand - say 2 square inches), diced
4 potatoes (or three or five) cut into half inch cubes
1 head cauliflower cut into florets
Some kale (or carrots, or spinach, or other veggie you like. Squash might work well.)
Enough Water
1-2 cups Coconut milk
Lots of Curry powder (1-2 tablespoons perhaps)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional ingredients include some cinnamon, other spices you love in curry, raisins, and sliced almonds.
In a large saucepan, heat up olive oil. Add diced onion and cook for a few minutes. Add diced ginger, and cook a little longer. Add spices you like, then immediately add potatoes and cauliflower. (You can wait to add the cauliflower - it cooks a little faster than the potatoes. Add enough water to just cover everything. Simmer for a while, maybe 30 minutes, until potatoes are nearly cooked through. This is a great time to taste and add salt as needed, or more curry powder, possibly a dash of cinnamon. If you like spiciness, I would highly encourage some good peppers. Add kale (or spinach; if you choose carrots, add a little earlier so they get cooked through). Add 1-2 cups coconut milk and simmer for another three minutes. Serve over rice or with naan (or both!).
Variations: Add raisins and almonds at the end. If you like thicker curry, take out a cup of liquid from your curry, dissolve in some cornstarch, then add back to your curry. You can add the coconut milk early on, but be careful to simmer gently.
Healthy eating involves a few things. The most important changes are eating mindfully and cooking lots. Additionally, I am taking slow steps to become entirely vegetarian, and later vegan. I've been vegetarian before, so it's not super scary. (If you're interested in why, you can start here: http://www.britishmeat.com/49.htm, or just ask).
Some of you may be shocked at this proclamation. You may be thinking, "Melanie?! She doesn't have a domestic bone in her body! That poor girl must be suffering from scurvy by now." Or, "Melanie?! Give up ice cream?! Impossible!" Or quite possibly, uncontrollable laughter.
I can't blame you for such reactions. Cooking is a skill I have only recently tackled. Up until now, my most adventurous cooking experiments included cookie dough or pasta.
This weekend I decided to cook a cornucopia of at least semi-healthful foods. My attempts: Coconut curry with cauliflower and potato, fried plantains, and naan. I have compiled a list of tips I learned.
Tip 1: Do not turn your back on anything. Especially plantains. Otherwise, your once beautiful golden-brown plantain slices may take on a black hue. They are not salvageable. Don't taste them. The taste of charred fruit and disappointment cannot be untasted.
Tip 2: Give your dough time to rise. Your recipe may say it only takes an hour. It is lying. Prepare your dough at least four to eight hours in advance. Likely, this will mean starting at perhaps 10AM, rather than 5PM, unless you prefer to make your bread at midnight.
Tip 3: Cook your naan bread. Heating it lightly is not sufficient. Day-old gooey dough is not quite as delectable as warm naan.
Tip 4: Despite my poor track record, you should still try out this curry. It is pretty delicious, if you're into coconut curry.
Melanie's Coconut Curry with Cauliflower and Potatoes
1 onion
1-2 tablespoons Olive Oil
Fresh Ginger (as much as you can stand - say 2 square inches), diced
4 potatoes (or three or five) cut into half inch cubes
1 head cauliflower cut into florets
Some kale (or carrots, or spinach, or other veggie you like. Squash might work well.)
Enough Water
1-2 cups Coconut milk
Lots of Curry powder (1-2 tablespoons perhaps)
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional ingredients include some cinnamon, other spices you love in curry, raisins, and sliced almonds.
In a large saucepan, heat up olive oil. Add diced onion and cook for a few minutes. Add diced ginger, and cook a little longer. Add spices you like, then immediately add potatoes and cauliflower. (You can wait to add the cauliflower - it cooks a little faster than the potatoes. Add enough water to just cover everything. Simmer for a while, maybe 30 minutes, until potatoes are nearly cooked through. This is a great time to taste and add salt as needed, or more curry powder, possibly a dash of cinnamon. If you like spiciness, I would highly encourage some good peppers. Add kale (or spinach; if you choose carrots, add a little earlier so they get cooked through). Add 1-2 cups coconut milk and simmer for another three minutes. Serve over rice or with naan (or both!).
Variations: Add raisins and almonds at the end. If you like thicker curry, take out a cup of liquid from your curry, dissolve in some cornstarch, then add back to your curry. You can add the coconut milk early on, but be careful to simmer gently.
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