You've got (less) mail

I think it's good to have interests in a variety of subjects. One could get spread too thinly though with time and energy spent by being involved or catching up on issues.


In an attempt to reduce my electronic distractions - especially that of mailing lists - I have decided to review the ones to which I subscribe.


The groups and organizations that send frequent messages hold varying degrees of importance to me. My catlike curiosity makes me want to know what's going on in different corners of my world. My limited time and patience meter though take precedence in my choices. Besides newsworthy items, if it doesn't help with my skills development or earning power, it will have to wait until a later time in my life.


Spring is here and the walking areas are clear. Time to get out and move the body more. Then there's that novel I have been avoiding...


So far this week, I have unsubscribed to three mailing lists. There will be more...

My Closet, My Self

Deep Blonde Thoughts on the Fashion Industry

I will admit that I cannot provide an authoritative opinion on the fashion industry since I am likely not one of its frequent investors. People may know me for my practical fashion sense. I dress for comfort. I shop for ease-of-care. I will visit thrift shops yet I will spend extra for new, petite sized pants if I don't have to hem them!

Anyone who has seen or read "The Devil Wears Prada" can agree on the apparent absurdity, flightiness and wastefulness of the fashion industry. Any middle-aged mother who shares my "physique" will agree on the unlikeliness that one of us would consider wearing any of the ridiculous outfits being strutted on the catwalk by hungry human clothes hangers.

To begin my de-cluttering project, I must start with my closet and my own bedroom. You can't change or improve the world without first taking a look inside yourself, your habits and tastes.

Without pulling readers too deeply into my OCD tendencies for organizing my closet, I will make brief posts over the next few weeks about progress with spring wardrobe preparations and down-sizing my entire closet, dresser drawers and my room.

Come back often :-) I welcome helpful comments and tips. Below are some links I gathered during a brief search on the topic of Fashion.

• Fashion Industry Pressures Teen Girls to Be Skinny: Survey
  http://www.empowher.com/news/2010/02/02/fashion-industry-pressures-teen-girls-be-skinny-survey
• Fashion Criticism
  http://topics.cnn.com/topics/fashion_criticism
• Selling Beauty and Fame
  http://www.lilith-ezine.com/articles/fashion/Supermodels.html
• Self-Regulation in the Fashion Industry: Too-Skinny Models
  http://www.businessethics.ca/blog/2006/12/self-regulation-in-fashion-industry.html
• Frugal Fashionistas
  http://www.frugal-fashionistas.com/

I don't think Ann Coulter is a natural blond

CBC News - Ottawa - Coulter's Ottawa speech cancelled


"Coulter is a darling of the U.S. right wing who, according to critics, uses incendiary language to sell millions of books, as well as her syndicated column."

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2010/03/23/ottawa-coulter-speech.html#ixzz0j6Jnfaus"

(Chills. Shivers. Shame.)

Not wanting to offend

This past week, a friend who helps me with my house cleaning came back from a trip overseas. She gave us some lovely jewelry and an ornamental tea set from the Middle East. I was touched that she thought to bring us a gift. I was also worried about where to put it!

Coveting furniture

Okay, I admit to coveting a writer's desk I saw at English Butler last week. I remember casting my eyes upon it a couple of years ago. It is oh-so-nice, so pretty, compact and organized.

I know this goes against my goals to downsize the house contents. The justification is that it would take up less space than the one currently in my bedroom.



Downside?

1. Will it help me have more time for writing?
2. Will it help me be a better writer?
3. Who will pay for this?
4. Where will the cats sit to look out the window? >^..^<
   

Decisions, decisions...