Buzz Buzz... Buzz Buzz

I've buzzing about getting things done and haven't had much time to read my regular blogs. I miss them! The pace for this week looks geared for more buzzing. It's been interesting though. Here are some tidbits I've picked up in the hustle bustle of things.

• Meat can be tenderized by rubbing kiwi all over it and leaving it for 30 minutes to an hour.
• There is a nice list of accent codes for Mac.
• Tomatillos can survive in the refrigerator as long as two months without going bad.
• Puig means 'hill or mountain' in Catalán.
• Bonuses are taxable, but performance incentives are not.
• Central European Time (CET) is two hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
• Genetic variation causes cilantro to taste like soap for some people.
• Syracuse University has a non-competitive gymnastics club with a 70-year-old trainer.
• Regular, commercial shampoo can be highly toxic for autistic kids.
• Headstands are good for your hair and skin.

Phew! Random and jumbled, I know.

Lately I kind of feel like everything is just coming at me from all directions. I'm talking mostly about good things, so it's great and very exciting. As for the not so good things... well that's what all the headstands are about. I just have to yoga my way through them and breathe.

Word of the week: Juggle.

I just hope I'll get a chance to escape for a few days sometimes soon--maybe during the summer.

Beware of Good Moods

I'm so happy today! I know rants are much more popular than explosive joy, but I can't help it. I'm just happy today. No reason, just am. Hubby man is watering the plants outside, I'm feeling inspired to write, part of my day requires novel reading, this cup of oatmeal is awesome... yep, just in a great mood.

I would love to figure out how this happens. Just two days ago I was in a horrible mood, also for no reason. I tried to distract myself into happy, but the furthest I got was basic indifference. Most notable bad-mood indicator: zero patience.

What's changed? Nothing. Just got up on the right side of the bed. Yay! And while the distraction game--Internet, TV, books, etc.--helped, it was more of a strategy to keep my grumpitude to myself, rather than improving my mood.

So today I'm reflecting on mood. As it turns out,according to an article in the Journal of Behavioral Decision Making, thinking about our own mood appears to increase our concern with the positive feelings linked to the decisions we make.

"The more mood is salient, the more attractive are alternatives that promise to maintain a positive mood or repair a negative one."

Sounds good? Well it's bad. And now I'm laughing!

Anyway, it's bad because a) we're deciding based on what we anticipate our mood to be after our decision, not on the quality of the decision itself, and b) we--imperfect little creatures that we are--often miscalculate what we will actually want or do (or really feel) once the decision is made.

There you have it. It's awesome to be in a great mood, and I'll ride this high tide for as long as it lasts, but I am definitely sticking to the cold hard facts for any decision I make while overwhelmingly cheerful.

New Gig at Green Diva Mom

I chase writing gigs all week long. Landing one is always exciting--who doesn't like to get a yes?

My most recent job is with a blog called Green Diva Mom. Yes, I realize I'm not a mom--a small detail I thought might be a problem. Glad it wasn't--yay!--but, I obviously won't be writing "What I do with my kid" stories. That would involve a whole lot of lying. Still, there are plenty of useful directions to go in.

GDM covers:

• Autism
• Beauty
• Drinks
• Family
• Food
• Health & Nutrition
• Home Environment
• Living
  

There is also a book section, a club, an information and resources section, interviews, and a newsletter.

So far I've written two articles for the Autism section and have planned another four. The first one, Martial Arts for Children with ASD, just came out yesterday. Give it a read and let me know what you think.

And if you have article ideas for me, I'm ready for them. Just drop me a note in the comments section.

Thanks!