sexual health

Weekly Therapy: my life is prioritized around homework assignments.

- Mel

the week:
The problem with motivation is that when you’re doing too much of one thing, you lose the will or passion to do anything resembling it. I’ve been conscious of how much time I devote to doing school work — and how fried my brain is (and how it doesn’t quite work as well) when I don’t take breaks. I made sure to schedule several fun things this week to prevent my motivation from crumbling (two more weeks in the semester!). Because you can only stare at the same paper for so many hours before your brain is just NOT going to compute any new information.

three dudes

Plus: I miss my friends!

weekend:
Date night Root Beer Tasting at Village Candy! A helluva lot different than last year’s celebrations. I’ve also never been to Sewickley. (Is that weird? Or normal for a Pittsburgher? Is it normal that I had to google the spelling of “Sewickley”? The boyfriend thought it was “Swickley” lolz)

seven things, seven days:
1. I went to the Toadies concert, and they rocked my face off. Generally, I hate live shows, but Rubberneck is my favorite album of all time — and HOLY ROCK GODS, THEY PERFORMED EVERY SINGLE SONG. #recharged
2. I also finally purchased Rubberneck on vinyl.
3. Another successful shipment from Blue Apron! This service is, dare I say, making meals fun again. (And yes, since the service doesn’t specifically cater to food sensitivities, I have to swap some items out.)
4. Coffee with old friends. I really want to make this a weekly habit.
5. Creative mornings: SEX. Finally, a topic that speaks to me AND a free Friday to participate! … and I slept in. *cries*
6. 6 Psych experiments that shed light on your eating and drinking habits.
7. (just because it’s so ridiculous) 8 Most Absurd Lessons Americans Teach Kids About Sex (woof).

Weekly Therapy: taking care of old business

- Mel

the week:
The background colors and layout here at 30-something Therapy were bothering me for a long time. I contacted a few designers about tweaking the blog, but got some serious sticker shock. I decided to figure it out on my own…

So, check out my new site layout — mobile-enhanced now too! And please let me know if something is wonky.

Speaking of new layouts, we met with a contractor about possibly recreating the space on our second level. It’s a weird layout and really doesn’t define a first and second bedroom, mostly because of 12 foot glass doors separating the two spaces, but also because of a terrible bathroom addition. We can’t really do much with our attic space either because of space (and possible historical) constraints. He had some great suggestions, and would solve the problem for us using the space we have — AND only 3-4 months of stress! Next up is a meeting with an architect.

weekend:
A little happy hour with derby buddies on Friday night and an EPIC bottle share with friends on Saturday. Hangover on Sunday, natch. True story: we had to go buy two more dining room chairs to fit our anticipated party size.

seven things, seven days:
1. I am love with this all-natural hot chocolate mix from Silly Cow.
2. Is there nothing better than coming home to a professionally-cleaned house? Especially so when you plan to host 15 guests on the weekend.
3. Finally had x-rays for lingering, nagging derby injuries on my left hand and foot. No visible fractures, so likely ligament damage on each (blargh). So much healing time.
4. Signed up for unlimited month at CrossFit, which includes a strength training program. Did you know that I can deadlift 133 pounds?! Me neither.
5. There is a thing called rice nog from the brand Rice Dream (I use rice milk in my cereal). I *squeed* a delightful squee when I found it in the grocery store. And thoroughly embarrassed myself in the presence of strangers.
6. Special order: Bulleit boubon truffles from Sinful Sweets. Mmm-hmm, that’s right.
7. Who are the “Masters of Sex”? I’ve been wanting to download and watch this Showtime series about Masters and Johnson. Sunday’s hangover might be the perfect opportunity.

Week(s) of Therapy: take some time for reflection and relaxation

- Mel

the week:
With 3 wins out of 4 games in our Division 1 tournament in Asheville (whew, tough games!), our derby travel season for 2013 comes to a close. Bittersweet, knowing that some skaters won’t be returning next season. This was really an amazing (and long) year of roller derby. So proud to be part of this team and league. But also so ready to give my body a rest.

Also, Asheville? What a strange, and beautiful place.

asheville mountains biltmore

The Biltmore estate is incredible, however.

photo 1 photo 3

weekend:
I dunno… something about a Duck.

seven things, seven days:
1. Painful loss of a friend who had some struggles in recent years. I hope now that he’s found some peace. But it’s so tragic, and I’m still in shock.
2. Home & Garden tour in our neighborhood was a success! What we’ve labored over outdoors (and that will soon be covered in fall leaves and then snow) is completed and shown to hundreds of nebby strangers. 🙂
3. I had several emails about my submitted resume and phone calls from recruiters while I was gone. GAH! I can’t believe it, all at once.
4. Love, love, LOVE my new New Balance Minimus cross trainers; they are so light and comfortable (even with a weird food injury right now). They are made with Vibram style outsole, but without the separated toe thing. Maybe there’s something behind this barefoot running…
5. Completed my month-long CrossFit fundamentals classes (and did my first WOD with the regular class)! I’m totally pumped about it (and kinda getting used to the wake-up-at-5am thing).
6. As someone particularly interested in human sexuality, this Kinsey reporter app has incredible data about sexual behaviors. (And you can add your own!)
7. Do sexy breast cancer campaigns demean women? Short answer: yep. {via psychology today}

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Weekend Therapy: recharged and ready

- Mel

the week:
Ah. The first week back from vacation. Usually tortuous, but I feel good. RECHARGED. Like I really had a vacation. But oh, do I miss Costa Rica!

Sneak peek:

Guess what I'm about to do?
Guess what I’m about to do?

weekend:
Staying low key, given that August is busy every. single. weekend. If we get an itch, we might walk over to the Beer Fest at Stage AE on Saturday. I’ve got brunch with the girlfriends planned for Sunday (psssst, the place has a DOUGHNUT MACHINE).

seven things, seven days:
1. Free lunch at work this week because of national “thank a zoologist” (or something) week. It was also birthday cake week. A nice way to ease back into the real world. I also had my yearly review, which was excellent.
2. Ha. We have a push lawnmower now, but we lost nearly all of our new grass. We think the sod might have been bad. *cry*
3. The cats are crazy. The end.
4. Catching up on old favorite — nip/tuck — while I’m doing other work. What a fun show! Season 2 was definitely my favorite. Or, maybe 3. Season 5 is so weird.
5. Finishing up some DIY projects this week. Feeling crafty!
6. Processed my FAFSA – school is getting close!
7. The Truth About Female Desire via Salon