Welsh Stew

I came thisclose to using one of WordPress’ “writing prompts” to feed today’s blog post. But I realised any 500-word thing I’d write about “guest-starring on my favourite TV show” would devolve into a diatribe about violence against women as entertainment, so I figured I’d just stick with the usual trick of writing about whatever random things are floating through my head at the moment.

Thing One
I used to scoff at all those concepts for relaxation and relieve that seemed vaguely unorthodox–stuff like biofeedback, acupressure, reflexology. Then my husband began to cure bouts of nausea and headache with acupressure points he found in a library book. And then I got VERY sick and found out that the single best pain-reliever in my arsenal was self-hypnosis. I’m now a master at separating mind from body, at using mind to visualise destruction of pain. It works and I will advocate that everyone try to learn at least a measure of self-hypnotic skills as they face the aches and pains of aging. I do suspect, however, that it comes a bit easier for those of us with more practice in the art of imagination.

I’m rambling about all of this because one of the newer things I’ve been trying my hand at is Brainwave Entrainment. There are reams of scientific research out there, interwoven with sales pitches and man-on-the-web testimonials. The short explaination is that by listening to a series of synchronised tones one can engineer any type of mood. It sounds a bit woo-hooey, I admit, but after a year of off and on use of a Brainwave Entrainment app for my iPhone, I can vouch for its authenticity, at least in my own case. It works for relaxing, for concentrating, for falling asleep. I love it.

The only drawback is that when I’m NOT plugged in, I get stuck with the world’s worst brainworms. The last time I used the app to sleep well, I spent the next three days with part of a showtune running through my head. Constantly. I still think it’s worth it, but be forewarned. You need to really like showtunes.

Thing Two

My dogs are addicted to watching Babylon 5. It is the strangest thing ever. They pester until I turn it on, and then lie on the floor staring at the TV with dogsmiles on their faces. If I pause the show or turn to another program they immediately whip their heads around and stare malevolently at me. The best I can tell is that they like the soundtrack. Or else they’re huge scifi geeks.

Thing Three

We’re going on an anniversary trip in just a few weeks and I am getting beyond excited. It’ll be the first non-visiting-family trip I’ve taken in about three years.

Thing Four

Check out my friend Andrea’s blog. I’m kind of embarrassed because she wrote an entry that talks about me in a way that is both moving and blushish. (She’s sprung for her own domain name, and I’m beginning to think I may have to do the same thing. The Other Mycropht is nipping at my heels.)