Sci-fi Laptop for Sci-Fi writing

Loving my new HP laptop.  6Gig RAM, fingerprint scanner, and Beats Audio for ambiance.

The screen is wide enough to be able to work in two documents side-by-side. 

The keyboard is smooth and not too "clicky."  The touchpad has pinch-to-zoom capability.

And, if I really feel creative, there's an HD video camera built-in.

I've ripped some CD's for background music, copied in my book files, and even spent time going through all the updates (67 updates for Windows 7 and several reboots for HPupdates, as well).

I even did some family history research so that I wouldn't have anything to feel guilty about when working on my book.

Now, if I can just find someone to shop, cook, clean, and chauffeur, I'd have plenty of time to write.  ;-)

Feeling like I should start writing again

A friend asked me about my book over the weekend.  I had to explain that the book was on hiatus since last August.  I almost did that without apologizing.  Almost.

I've been thinking about writing again...  In the pondering stage.  Book ideas are starting to come to me again.  It feels good.  Not quite ready to type, yet, but soon. 

A break can be good.  Brings perspective. 

Now, I just have to decide if I'm writing a YA or an MG, and stick with it.

Good Things Come to Those Who Wait

... I don't think so!

The good:  my triglycerides are down (but still high).  I've lost 10 pounds.  My blood glucose is normal.  My blood pressure is nearly normal.  The bad: my HDL is way down.  The ugly: my LDL is still too high and my Dr just doubled my statin dosage.

OK, so it's only been 3 weeks.   I must be doing something wrong for my HDL to be way down.  Not sure what, but I've got to figure it out.   Adding more Niacin and flax for Omega 3's.  Maybe I'm of a people who needs to eat fats to stay healthy. 

I'm Russian by heritage.  Best as I can tell, I'm 100 percent Russian.  All 4 grandparents were 1st generation US babies, best as I can tell.  I need the 1930 AND 1940 AND 1950 census records to be sure.  Only a few more years to wait. 

What would a native Russian's diet consist of?   (not counting alcohol--not going there)
OK, a quick glance shows high fat/high carb foods, boiled veggies, salted veggies, potatoes, and grains.   The fat comes from meat, eggs, fish, and dairy... 

At least now I know why I don't crave salads.  :-)  It's not in my genetics. 

Anyway, I'm not waiting around and moping around.  (OK, I did mope a little bit).  I've been moving a lot this week.  Walked 1-1/2 miles on Tuesday and 2 miles on Thursday.  Moved a lot more on the other days, too.   I weigh less than I have for the past 2 years.  It's a good start.  I just need to maintain focus.  Focus.  Focus.

Author Poll: Windows v. MAC and what writing software do you use

Author quick poll.  Please post a comment and tell me:

1) Windows PC or MAC (or ?) (I was using an iPad for writing)
2) Which writing software do you use?  (Word, Pages, or ?)

Thanks for your input!

The Hunger Signals G.a.m.e.s.

Blogging a bit about hunger signals tonight.  Specifically, what I typically confuse with hunger and also what crazy indicatations I get of fullness (instead of feeling full).

I'm not experiencing true hunger when:
1) I'm actually thirsty.
2) My blood sugar is high-normal, even though my stomach is empty.
3) I'm craving a specific food.
4) I'm craving a second helping of the same food, just for the taste.

I'm done eating when:
1) I lose interest in what I'm eating. 
2) The food starts to taste yukky, when it tasted wonderful a few bites earlier. 
3) I get a quick twinge of "maybe I'm full?" that passes if I happen to take a few more bites. (oops!)
4) I stand up AND THEN feel full. 

Excercising when I didn't feel like it

I really just wanted to be a couch potato yesterday evening.  Sometimes, the easiest exercise is simply walking.  It doesn't take much pre-thought or preparation.  Walking outside is a constantly-changing environment.  Some people prefer a treadmill, either for consistency, convenience, or safety.

Me, I like walking outside, hearing the birds, sampling the smells of springtime.

Moving Right Along (?)

There are times when I just want to eat shoe leather.  Today was one of those days.  Worked at my day job so much that there really wasn't time to exercise...  I'll do better tomorrow.

The small success that I can celebrate today is that I completed Day 5, and the scale is starting to move in the right direction.  Baby steps.

OK, more steps...many more steps.  I think the key is getting enough sleep.

On that thought...I really should go get some sleep now.  :-)