Friday, May 9, 2008

I'm Moving!

I'm finally making the move to Wordpress. The blog title is staying the same, my new address is http://throughthepriszm.wordpress.com/.

There's pretty much only one major reason why I'm moving to Wordpress. Many years ago when Gmail was still invite only, I had set up an account but I hadn't started using it. When I decided to join the blogging world, that's the account information that I used, since that's what I already had. Shortly after that I got fed up with Yahoo Mail since the new update kept giving me problems. I got the bright idea to create a new email persona when I switched services. It was a little strange, I've been Priszm for so long. And I still am, anything that requires a username for posting, that's who I am. But I wanted a change for my email address.

So CraftyCritter was born. Only one problem. While Blogger will allow me to use ANY other email address I may have, it will not change the associated account from whichever form of Priszm I used to my brand new account with gmail. Not only will blogger not let me change the account association, it doesn't maintain a list of usernames and passwords. So I can't just click on the Username field and then select the username I want. So I'm moving!

Wordpress did all of the hard work for me, for the most part. They have a handy dandy import/export tool that let me move all existing posts over. It didn't let me move my blog roll though. So I am officially moved into Wordpress! Come visit me at my new home http://throughthepriszm.wordpress.com/ I'll see you there!

Hugs and kisses,
Priszm

Thursday, May 8, 2008

Stem Cell Research

Hey guys! I'm sharing this from the blog I'm an MS Activist. This something that can not only help those suffering from MS; it can help those suffering from many many other things.

"Press Release: First-Ever Stem Cell Hearing in the House
Energy and Commerce Committee Vice Chair Diana DeGette (D-CO), the chief architect of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, today applauded the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee for scheduling the first-ever Congressional hearing in the House of Representatives on stem cell research. The hearing entitled, “Stem Cell Science: The Foundation for Future Cures,” will be held on Thursday, May 8th. Click here for more information.

Weyman Johnson, National Multiple Sclerosis Society chairman of the baord, who lives with multiple sclerosis will testify. At the same time, MS activists will be on Capitol Hill talking with their legislators about the need to advance medical research."

Monday, May 5, 2008

Clarification

I need to clarify Mom's role in my decision to ride in the MS 150. When I wrote posts one and two it was pretty much right as I had gotten home Sunday after the ride. I was very tired and it's been brought to my attention that some things can be and were taken in a way I totally didn't intend and never occurred to me that it could be taken that way.

Mom is one of my best friends. She is someone that I can go to with any problem, any story or any time I need her. When I first told her I planned on doing the MS 150 she told me she was concerned about my ability to actually do the ride and finish. NOT that this was something I couldn't do. But something she was concerned about my ability to do and not have my body get wore out or give up on me.

Mom's concern was actually a good thing for me. It made me more determined to do what I could to complete the entire 150 miles. Her concern made me want to "prove Mom wrong" and, in a sense, prove me wrong. Although I can go to Mom anytime I have a problem or concern, this was something I didn't share with her. I didn't share with John, or anyone else. It's not even something I really admitted to myself. After all, I was the one who's legs felt like they were wrapped with saran wrap after getting off the stationary bike, the one who can no longer do a simple cardio class because my legs get too tired. The one who occasionally gives in and cries in the shower because my body won't let me do those things anymore.

I didn't want to admit to anyone that maybe this was going to be too much for me. So I clung to Mom's concern. I let it drive my determination. And no matter how concerned Mom was, she still was behind me every step of the way. She has supported me through everything in my life. And I'm very very thankful that she's not only my mom, but also my friend.

Oh the irony...

Actually, I'm not sure if this can be considered ironic or not. But, since this is my blog and therefore my little world, we're gonna say it is :)

Everyone everywhere is getting hit with the high price of gas. Many people are cutting down on extra trips and expenses because they're having problems affording gas and other necessaties. I'm no different when it comes to the cost of gas. But I finally put my money where my mouth is so to speak and started doing what I've been saying I'm going to do. Last Thursday I rode my bike to work. For me, it makes a ton of sense. I live less than 5 miles from work and I belong to the gym at work so I have access to the on site showers. It takes me only slightly longer to bike than it does to drive.

Not only am I so close to work, but I'm also very very centrally located to everything else. Within probably no more than 2 miles I have at least one of: Super Walmart, Sam's Club (ok, that's actually only a block away!), Costco, Target, Mall, bookstore (3 within the same distance!), Public and various other stores and restaurants. With everything so close, it really doesn't make sense to drive every place all the time. Except for the summer heat and the storms. So I'm working on getting some panniers for my bike so I can do my shopping by bike. And I'm trying to ride to work more on days I'm not working my part time job.

That's how I started out today actually. I got up, packed my work clothes, put on my bike clothes and headed out. And made it less than two miles. This is my irony part. When we did the MS 150 we were kinda laughing at all the uber bikers with the super skinny tires. Those tires tend to blow out a lot quicker and easier than our fatter tires. So neither of us had to have a tire replaced at all during the ride. This morning however, my front tire went flatter than a pancake. And I couldn't get the cap off of my valve stem to try and fill it up with air to at least ride home. I guess when my chain was being repaired and the guy put some air in my tires, the sealent glued the valve cap in place. So there went my good intentions for today.