Birkham yoga

So I tried Birkham yoga tonight (not sure of spelling). It was interesting. I felt pretty good physically afterwards. The yoga studio is 105 degrees to keep the muscles warm for the deep stretches. Sweaty! I have a 30 trial membership. We'll see how it goes.

On the way to yoga, in the Sunset, I was stopped by a young guy and asked the time. Then he asked if I was a UCSF student, I said no. He asked if I was running, I said I was going to yoga. Then he asked if I had a boyfriend. I laughed and said yes. This was all in the space of 45 seconds. I walked away laughing to myself. He looked all of 19.

Tigers & Orang-utans... Oh My

From the BBC:

"A pair of Sumatran tiger cubs and a set of young orang-utans, all abandoned at birth, have become inseparable after sharing a room at an Indonesian zoo. The four have lived side by side for a month without a hitch, although this goes against their natural instincts. "This is unusual and would never happen in the wild," zookeeper Sri Suwarni said. "Like human babies, they only want to play." But the friendship is not destined to last as tigers start eating meat when they are three months old and will need to be separated from their new playmates. "

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6404425.stm

Love the BBC for neat pictures

"Sea squirts - gelatinous tubes "

"One of the extraordinary adaptations which evolution generates in the extreme Antarctic cold is found in the ice fish. It has evolved to have no red blood cells and no haemoglobin, meaning that its blood flows more freely. The oxygen which its muscles need simply dissolves in the blood.

This sea star, found near a glacier mouth, is unusual in having 12 arms instead of the usual five. "

First try at Meditation

Slightly tense this morning at work, the feeling away this afternoon. Went to a meditation class this evening. I was relaxed but the guy just kept talking and reading from a book, not well I might add, then talking about the reading during the final meditation. Half way through I was done. My legs kept falling asleep and I just wanted him to shut up. I'll try a different group next time. But it did thunder and hail during the class. And one guy brought his dog. Who slept until the final meditation when he got up and visited everyone. Kind of funny.

I had a headache before and all through class. So when I got home I went running. Much better for physically relaxing.

Hopefully I should be catering this weekend. Craigslist has a "gigs" section and I signed up for a catering gig. Pays $16 an hour here. Hopefully no taxes : )

Different rock wall...

From the bbc news
"British explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes scales a climbing wall in preparation for an attempt on the north face of the Eiger in the Swiss Alps in March."

Pinnacles

Saturday I went climbing at Pinnacles National Monument which was really beautiful. Another place I have to get back to for hiking. No dogs allowed though : (


http://www.nps.gov/pinn/


I was terrified! My first climb was really a two pitch 110 ft climb. I don't do multiple pitches! The only way I made it up and through my paralysis of fear, was because my belayer was ABOVE me! It would have been scarier at that point to be lowered down to the ground. The second climb was also really long, not fun. The 3rd and 4th climbs were really fun, however. They were easy short cracks. Below is a picture of one of the cracks - not me in the pic. Most sport in CA is very run out for the bolts. At Pinnacles, the bolts start around 20-30 feet and are 12 feet or so apart. I'd call them "mixed gear" routes. You can top out on most of them but repelling off at 110 feet may be more then I can handle unless there is a bear/lion/mean-alien after me.


Interestingly enough, fear for your life does not bring on panic attacks. I did take a Xanax up in my chalk bag just in case.


We did meet Charlie, the crag squirrel. He came out towards the end of the day and investigated each of our climbing packs for food. He'd stick his head in the pack then pop out. Then scamper over to the next pack. He did the whole circuit before heading off. Apparently he's a regular. Too cute.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/picturesofsharon/sets/72157594557201433/

Panic

Sucky news here...I had a big panic attack at work Thursday. In front of my boss and department. No one was from the area and didn't know where a walk-in clinic or ER was. I finally came out of it by running around the block. I was dizzy, chest was tight, arms went tingly then numb, and my heart was racing. Then of course, I freak out that I'm having a panic attack and that makes it worse. I didn't feel like I was hyperventilating but that is where the dizziness and numb limbs came in. The ER nurse said to carry a paper bag with me so I don't pass out. In retrospect I felt it coming on all morning and just didn't know what it was. This totally sucks! So now I have a prescription for Ada-something (like Xanax) in case I get another attack. And I found a General Practitioner to see me Tuesday.

Now that I know what it was I've realized I had two before. One in KY before a day of climbing last June, thought it was dehydration mixed with coffee and sudafed. The other the night I arrived and freaked out about driving the auto transport in the city and getting lost. Luckily I had a Xanax left over from my last flight and I took it right away and didn't get the full symptoms. That, however, was a really stressful event. Thursday at work wasn't!

I think I do have a family history of anxiety. I believe that both my Grandmother and Aunt were worriers and may have self medicated with alcohol. I did find some methods to control the attack online. They resemble some techniques of meditation...

Grab and object and describe it in great detail using all five senses: touch, sight, taste, smell, audio. "Describe proportion, color, contrast, pattern, and texture. These tasks require concentration; you have to engage several different parts of your mind to be able to observe, measure, translate, compare and explain." Keep explaining in detail until the attack is over. I'm practicing this so that it comes easier during an episode. Each night I'm grabbing a different pet. However I do not taste them... I do plan on signing up for meditation classes. A friend told me that it has really helped her to relax.

Went running tonight on the beach with my friend and the dogs. I feel really relaxed after, a nice change. Plus I ran longer running with someone. Running on the beach really works you out so when I run on concrete I run faster and longer. Climbing tomorrow...will take pics!

I almost believe...

...that everything happens for a reason.


I brought in some of my programming books today including "The Practice of Programming" which was recommended to my by the VP of software during my interview. Which was in plain view when I was asked to lunch by the VP today. However, my "time estimate" for replacing my window was 10-2pm so I couldn't go to lunch : ( Next time...



Here is a picture of the "dogs" after running on the beach tonight. Note the sandy snouts : ) It was really windy and misty. The mist almost felt like sleet incidentally... The mist skimmed over the ground like a speed up version of clouds. It was really cool.

Darn GNU...

Arrg, not a productive day. Very Mad in general! Regret Reno but I know I would not be happy living there.... If only Hamilton Co was in the Bay. Pete, a guy I climb with, works for a Biomedical company and said that Hamilton Co was very good, robust products and great people. It's all a crap shoot. I can only get 50% if that. What's the point in even trying for more (or any at all).

Realized a few things climbing...

Realized a few things climbing on Sat:

1)Use my rope so I can configure it to my liking. I like the belay end of the rope to be through the draws so I can grab them and not swing when top roping. Some people don't like this because it can cause the rope to rub against the rock more and cause a lot of rope drag. I'm fine with that! I like the peace of mind.

2)Some more ideas on how to help my shoulders. Find a physical therapist who will really work with me by hand guiding my shoulder blades during exercises. And more ideas on static strengthening them at home. The new sheepskin rug I have makes for a great exercise mat. And the dogs like it!

3)Work on vertical-to-overhung climbs in the gym using any hold, not following the route. To build up strength with moves I can do which won't stress out my shoulders. I need to make a list of this and write a book or at least an article. It is an unusual problem that has PTs and doctors puzzled.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/picturesofsharon/sets/72157594547673255/

Holiday Weekend

The Holiday weekend We had a "Leap" day Friday which is a half day off before a holiday weekend. Did some consignment shopping and bought a new climbing rope. My 1yr old rope has a string coming out of it which is not the color of the outer sheath. May be nothing but it's not worth my life to find out it is. $150 for a new rope is not much for peace of mind and bodily safety! And it's pretty - burgundy pink : ) Saturday went to public land close to Yosemite, Sonora/Jamestown, for climbing. We were on Golden Wall, 5.9 and up. When the sun sets, the wall looks golden... Dogs are allowed on public land so we'll be back there to hike around the lake. There were several float planes on the lake.

Sunday was not a good day. My manic week+ disappeared.

Monday was some of the same although I did get a lot accomplished. I did some more shopping, Pres day sales. And found some awesome boots at another consignment shop. Then went to a Ben Kweller concert with Karoline in the eve. Karoline was the first person to see my new haircut, of my friends, and she really liked it. She said it was different but very much me. Karoline is from Illinois and is going back to school for Dentistry. The concert was fun. In this small, but ornate, theater in the Tenderloin. The music was good and they put on a fun show. Two of their songs sounded familiar, they may have been on the radio ??

Buena Vista Park

Some pictures of Buena Vista Park from a couple of weeks ago. It's located right next to Upper Haight
http://www.flickr.com/photos/picturesofsharon/sets/72157594547621921/

Ack, that's just weird to read! http://litsite.alaska.edu/aklibraries/palmisano.html

Dogs are great! http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,252852,00.html

Pictures from my exciting Valentine's Day

I like the hair cut but I think it may be a little too light. I really liked the stylist though. She was very nice and knowledgeable - and from Singapore. English is the main language in Singapore due to British colonization, I did not know that!

Cute Giant Panda Pictures
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/6350023.stm

Mythbusters episode # 71 Pirate Myths
Myth: Pirates wear an eye patch over a perfectly good eye so when they go below deck (out of the blinding sunlight/relected light) they can see very well.
Result: True! The episode features tests and obstacle courses. Too cool.


www.511.org is awesome! You can even call 511 for FREE and get traffic info, bus times, etc AWESOME!http://traffic.511.org/traffic_map.asp

Latest earthquake info Map. Fun to check out!
http://quake.usgs.gov/recenteqs/latest.htm

So Yesterday was Valentine's Day here is my burning question. Does Mr. Valentine celebrate with a party???? If there was a St. Palmisano's day I'd sooooo have a party or shindig!! A paintball party with teams of cupids & hearts would be fun : )

Rope Assender invention
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,251888,00.html

Exciting Day so far...

Had my hair cut and highlighted after work. It is a different style and so far looks cute... Need to hit Lancome's free gift for some fun new make-up.

When I got back to my car it had been broken into. Passenger window. Only thing gone was my book bag with 1 12hr old boiled egg, some figs, and my shoes (that I really liked). Thank God I didn't bring my laptop home with me today. Anyway, now I know to keep everything in my trunk. Only way in is with a key or crowbar (inside mechanism doesn't work). So now I have to replace my window tomorrow...

I ate at an awesome restaurant tonight. Burma Superstar, Clement St between 4th & 5th ave. Burmese food which is similar to Indian with a little Thai thrown in. Fabulous!!!!! So far it is my favorite food place in San Francisco.

Some restaurants I've seen and put on the "list": Nepalese, Tibetan, Senegalese, Persian(Afghan), Peruvian, and Zachery's (famous Chicago style pizza in the Bay).

Funny thing!
Snake is going into shed so she sneezes a lot (loose skin in nostrils). Ladybird FREAKS out when snake sneezes. She gets up, comes really close to me, shakes, and looks very worried. Very funny and kind of annoying in the middle of the night...

New Job at Toy Company

The reason I started this was to record the interesting things I see daily for my friends/family and for future perusal.

This past weekend at Fort Funston (dog park) we saw several things:
-5 hang gliders that stayed in the air for hours riding the wind drafts
-Mini Aussie that looked very similar to Sawyer
-3 legged basset hound (it's hard enough being a tall dog with 3 legs....)
-2nd full Dalmatian I've seen in SF

So I made it though my first week at my new job after 2 months off. Not nearly as bad as I thought returning to 8hr work days. And the change didn't even faze the dogs. Not working, however, was really traumatic for them.

New company seems nice but all I've done is install software and wait for developer drive/website passwords all day for many days. Should start working with product manufacturing engineers soon on neat computer/imaging system....Once the software is finished loading tomorrow...

Went rock climbing on Mt Tam 2 weekends ago. It was fun but mostly trad anchors, not fun. And I don't want to have to buy trad gear and learn how to place it. Supposed to go to Pinnacles next weekend.