tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68329057922746618002012-02-26T12:52:22.324-08:00Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.comBlogger1011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-31112116268651297592012-02-26T10:41:00.005-08:002012-02-26T10:51:01.714-08:00

Just returned from New York last week with the Advanced Reader's Copy of Perfect Chaos in hand! So amazing to hold our book in a solid, compact, book sized form as opposed to endless pages on a computer or a 320 loose printed manuscript. Preorder now through MacMillan's list of book sellers: http://us.macmillan.com/perfectchaos/LineaJohnson. Perfect Chaos (St. Martin's Press), out May 8th!

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-79903909077821054252012-02-23T09:42:00.002-08:002012-02-23T09:47:13.079-08:00

Hello all, Though it has been ages since I last blogged I promise that I will update you in the days to come, but first I have a very pressing message.  The State House of Representatives released it's budget yesterday, and it contains over $26M in reductions to mental health services. This will place more people struggling with mental health conditions on the streets, in emergency rooms, and in

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-25313944743298236502011-06-05T14:38:00.000-07:002011-06-06T18:57:08.884-07:00

@font-face { font-family: "Times New Roman"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }table.MsoNormalTable { font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; }             In the last week I have been on 8 planes, in 6 cities, been to 3 conferences and had 3 hotel rooms. I have

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-29022015294127495102011-02-26T13:49:00.000-08:002011-02-26T13:49:00.904-08:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-65075487514799601002010-12-15T15:04:00.000-08:002010-12-15T15:04:49.836-08:00

The following post is a letter I wrote to the creator, writer, and director of Glee. Though it is one of my favorite shows I was recently very disappointed in the episode, "The Substitute" because of its discriminator and stigmatizing language and actions. Please check out the episode here  (http://www.fox.com/glee/full-episodes/674574657001) or on itunes and write to Ryan Murphy and Fox about

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-40469856284784665352010-12-06T11:11:00.000-08:002010-12-06T11:11:00.330-08:00

Please check out this amazing video that I found through the blog, "Actively Ariel: A Voice with a Commitment". It is from Dove's Campaign for Real Beauty. And though it focuses on women, it is something that really affects us all. Please talk to your kids before the beauty industry does. Their are wonderful online activities and toolkits on self-esteem for kids that are also helpful for adults.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-44354118343279051832010-12-04T09:28:00.000-08:002010-12-04T09:28:00.284-08:00

 Bar Harbor, Maine

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-51962320647440756632010-12-03T09:38:00.000-08:002010-12-03T09:38:21.817-08:00

My first video blog. Let me know what you think. For more info on the people I talk about check out Delaney Ruston (http://www.unlistedfilm.com/), Patrick Kennedy's newest mental health project (http://www.moonshot.org/), Glenn Close's mental health anti-stigma campaign (http://www.bringchange2mind.org), and Pete Early's book Crazy (http://www.peteearley.com/books/crazy.html).

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-6586683582154295072010-11-28T09:23:00.000-08:002010-11-28T09:23:00.584-08:00

 Still trying to convince myself growing up is a good thing.I just like the cake.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-6806638347895337342010-11-20T09:20:00.000-08:002010-11-20T09:20:00.723-08:00

 Newport, RI

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-54916153962133490822010-11-13T09:16:00.000-08:002010-11-13T09:16:00.452-08:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-28551750670532273742010-11-10T09:45:00.000-08:002010-11-10T09:45:00.148-08:00

I am less here than others. Practicing the art of poise upon a slender ledge that drops down days, resolving not to sing a favorite nocturne, pruning back the edge of dreams--all these are such consuming tasks. And morning means that I must nurse a flame so I can study what the daylight asks, and research whyand memorizemy name. --Jean Lenski

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-56225977580986934132010-11-06T09:12:00.000-07:002010-11-06T09:12:00.367-07:00

There is something within me that really loves things that are falling apart.Sometimes decay can be so beautiful.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-6055320179989268502010-10-31T09:23:00.000-07:002010-10-31T09:23:00.679-07:00

here are some of my favorite cemeteries: Savannah, Georgia Mazatlan, Mexico Somewhere in Western Ireland

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-83022365201975353852010-10-23T09:18:00.000-07:002010-10-23T09:18:00.360-07:00

 I'm not going to lie, I am very self-conscious. I occasionally have paralyzing attacks of insecurity where I don't even want to leave the room or let anyone see me. So what is the best thing to do in these moments? Sit in a windowless room full of mirrors and make funny faces with a friend. Works sometimes.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-12514803031770686172010-10-17T08:15:00.000-07:002010-10-17T08:15:00.288-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-37995420015996145392010-10-16T08:09:00.000-07:002010-10-16T08:09:00.553-07:00

Spending the weekend hanging out with BringChange2Mind friends, college friends, and hopefully meeting my editor for the first time!

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-12267019615246065632010-10-13T09:31:00.000-07:002010-10-13T09:31:00.965-07:00

We say that some are mad. In fact if we have all the words and we make madness mean the way they act then they as all of us can see are surely mad. And then again if they have all the words and call madness something else, well then-- well then, they are not mad at all. --Miller Williams

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-33257793582333270492010-10-09T08:50:00.000-07:002010-10-09T08:50:00.484-07:00

 Met a very friendly monster in New Brunswick

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-80708499158196687472010-10-05T10:32:00.000-07:002010-10-05T10:32:00.369-07:00

My mom and I have been given an amazing opportunity to speak at the educational "Show Talk" before the Tony Award winning show Next to Normal at the Fifth Avenue Theater in Seattle on the 22nd of February.  By ordering with the Promo code "Sound" you will not only get discounted tickets, but will help support an amazing organization, Sound Mental Health. Please click the image below to see an

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-45378503947510837902010-10-04T15:00:00.000-07:002010-10-04T15:01:10.944-07:00

Just posted a new blog on Advocacy on the BringChange2Mind blog. Hope you find it interesting and/or inspiring. Have a wonderful Monday!

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-80860010437886994752010-10-02T08:33:00.000-07:002010-10-02T08:33:00.198-07:00

 Boston, sitting in this little upstairs Vegan restaurant was the greatest sign taped to the window:"Please do not touch the flowers. They're real.Thank you" 

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-29637007061252479242010-09-27T22:23:00.000-07:002010-09-27T22:29:02.615-07:00

Once again I have disappeared into a land of excitement, confusion, and way too many things to do. But now I'm back! If you have missed hearing my longer pieces please please visit my posts on the BringChange2Mind blog where I am a writer and editor. I recently did a series of blogs on my journey from diagnosis to empowerment, the "empowerment" post is not up yet, but I will update you when it is

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-74479290821161711522010-08-01T15:40:00.000-07:002010-08-01T15:40:39.716-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-11674543446124101132010-07-25T21:55:00.000-07:002010-07-26T09:40:54.142-07:00

This morning I returned from a weekend where eighteen family members (three adopted family members) came to one house to celebrate being together. We ate and ate, practiced some old family traditions (Scol!) and slept anywhere we could that wasn't too damp or lumpy (though this usually changes by morning). It was a beautifully sunny weekend and I felt so much love between all of us as we sat

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-75158824318810203492010-05-31T20:01:00.000-07:002010-07-20T13:45:33.491-07:00

It has been quite a while since I have posted anything on here so I must apologize.  With all the work we have been doing the blog has fallen a bit behind. I would also like to let you all know that I have been given the honor of creating and manning the brand new BringChange2Mind blog (http://bringchange2mind.wordpress.com/) so when I am not writing here, please check the BC2M blog to see if I

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-28078495428468518332010-04-24T09:38:00.000-07:002010-04-24T09:42:42.573-07:00

If you have been flowing my blog throughout the last year please forgive me for recycling this post, but I thought it was perfect for my "Treatment Month" posts. Here is my treatment plan, and my ways of staying stable:Whenever I speak to a large group of people about being bipolar, they always want to know about my coping strategies. They want to know what I do when my life is going a little too

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-21908339338751721612010-04-19T18:39:00.000-07:002010-04-19T18:45:57.408-07:00

(Polson, Montana) Within the last week I have attend two vastly different conferences, the Empowerment of Native Americans with Disabilities Conference, and the Pacific Rim International Conference on Disabilities. Though they had very similar focuses, and often similar outlooks, the cultures and people were extremely diverse. At both of these conferences I found myself feeling very small, and

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-25026519817018111472010-04-06T11:06:00.000-07:002010-04-06T11:07:16.612-07:00

The first thing I like to say when I hear people struggling with a new diagnosis of anything is: "thank god you can now start figuring out a treatment to help you feel better/to help your life get put back together/to help you stop hurting so much". In my previous post I ended saying, "why do we love the diagnosis..." because we can finally start getting treatment. I have been reading a lot of

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-45744028378174841842010-04-04T13:04:00.000-07:002010-04-06T11:08:49.200-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-51036152593142291652010-03-21T13:37:00.000-07:002010-04-06T11:07:55.625-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-91009563151813654472010-03-18T20:19:00.000-07:002010-03-18T20:20:01.508-07:00

I think this is a question that many people with a mental illness ask themselves. Why am I feeling like this? Why am I acting like this? Why can't I make it stop?! These were the thoughts that were rapidly firing in my head as I tried to figure out why I just couldn't be happy and go out with my friends, or why I just couldn't slow down and relax. For the longest time I hated myself for not

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-48015470088124511692010-03-08T21:02:00.000-08:002010-04-06T11:09:23.667-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-32857911495952214982010-03-03T21:56:00.000-08:002010-03-04T09:43:11.561-08:00

The momma and I have decided to make March the month where we talk about the diagnosis. So in the next month I am hoping to share my thoughts on the diagnosis (and more specifically that of bipolar disorder, since that is the one I know most intimately), my thoughts on the pain of having a new label ("bipolar"), and my thoughts on the importance of finding an eventual diagnosis so that you can

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-20094960693009310152010-02-26T23:56:00.000-08:002010-02-26T23:56:41.950-08:00

Pardon my brief absence. Having gone to the conferences and a week of excitement and adventure (five airports, 2 conferences, 1 keynote, four break-outs, and five states) I came home to a leaking bathroom ceiling and wall and a large photography midterm. So, now I am back and ready to roll and keep on bloggin. The problem for now is that I am minutes away from bed and have to leave you with this

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-70534104272436794452010-02-11T21:11:00.000-08:002010-02-11T21:11:58.080-08:00

I am going out of town next week to present at two conferences, one in Wisconsin and one in Texas. At these conferences I always share my story and read from my personal journals written during my most painful moments. Presenting to teachers, mental health professionals, and others who are somewhat well-read in the subject of bipolar and mental illness, I know that I want to share my most

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-12682356212673679132010-02-03T23:07:00.000-08:002010-02-04T07:11:49.587-08:00

To follow up from the last post I want to once again say that we are making February our "share your story month". Because of this it is probably appropriate that I continue to share my story in February not late January. After sharing my story last week I know many people are wondering where I am now, maybe not necessarily occupationally because you can follow that on our website, but

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-35084331872471247092010-01-28T22:05:00.000-08:002010-01-28T22:06:52.729-08:00

We (the momma and I) have decided to make February a month of sharing stories to fight stigma. So, along with our newly posted video on YouTube we are going to start sharing our stories and learnings on our blogs, starting conversations about it on our Facebook and Myspace sites, and commenting on it on our Twitter page. So, visit us, chat with us, and learn with us. And without further adieu,

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-54029601409434322652010-01-26T21:36:00.000-08:002010-01-26T21:38:08.015-08:00

Unfortunately I am going to be sharing a somewhat depressing and sad blog, and though I feel that most of my blogs try to end with an uplifting note, this one must just be said. Yesterday the father of one of my best friends passed away. It is one of those things that was possible but completely unexpected. I had planned to spend the evening with my friend, and when I finally got the call that

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-54715979417556331272010-01-18T21:58:00.000-08:002010-01-18T22:00:52.247-08:00

I believe that I have already spoken about the difficulty and fear that can encompass romantic relationships when someone sees themselves as unstable, depressed, or "mentally ill", so I won't try to go too far into that direction. (If I have not gone enough into it please let me know in a comment so that I can be sure to write my next blog on the topic.) What I think is important to talk about

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-9202999132282559432010-01-15T12:31:00.000-08:002010-01-15T12:35:09.333-08:00

Found a beautiful poem by Tino Villanueva in the wonderful poetry book, Living in Storms: contemporary poetry and the moods of manic-depression edited by Thom Schramm. This book was suggested to me by my amazing and lovely poetry teacher Sam Green. (Everyone should check out his poems as well). But for now, read this and feel revived: Again So I depend again upon myself. I've taught this part

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-7020195476382037462010-01-12T21:25:00.000-08:002010-01-12T21:34:45.721-08:00

I have an exciting "informational interview" tomorrow with someone I look up to, someone who I would happily follow in their footsteps if it was only that easy. But when I think about this interview tomorrow, or the fact that I am in the midst of trying to figure out life after college, the only thing I can think of to say is this: "Hello, I'm Linea. I am twenty-four years old and in the middle

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-77425868361122036442010-01-05T19:36:00.001-08:002010-01-05T19:42:07.518-08:00

now the next question is, what should I do first? a bath? a book? yoga? meditation? what about yoga, bath/book, meditation. sometimes its good to let yourself just be...

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-12197247251169868932010-01-04T22:44:00.000-08:002010-06-01T14:49:41.637-07:00

(I have no idea who did this art, but if anyone knows please let me know so I can give them the credit they deserve for such an awesome piece of work!) My it has been a long time since I wrote a post. With school ending, the holidays, and a trip to Chicago I've been a little distracted as of late. However, its back to work, ultimately leading me back to blogland. As I have somewhat discussed in

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-67734584042037587862010-01-04T22:01:00.000-08:002010-01-04T23:03:15.687-08:00

This Christmas I decided to use all recycled paper and ribbons from last year (or different things I found laying around the house) and I found the attention to details, the reminder of the things I can use as creative means, and the love and care I put into the packages allowed me to find a soothing and almost meditative calmer for the hectic holidays. (The flower on top of the glittery packages

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-89510516380957303982009-11-23T14:42:00.000-08:002009-11-23T14:51:07.058-08:00

So, I had this paper that I was supposed to write. It was a simple paper, four to six pages synthesizing my biggest ideas throughout college and talking about my favorite classes. I was supposed to simply write about the ideas that snowballed in my mind. The ideas that connected with thoughts in other classes and the way they changed the way I understood the world. Normally, this assignment would

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-83030467720970394852009-11-22T13:32:00.000-08:002009-11-22T13:36:30.731-08:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-13982977805881203452009-11-09T19:18:00.000-08:002009-11-23T14:12:20.521-08:00

On Friday I was forced to think about my future as I met with my college advisor regarding my upcoming graduation. Still being in a somewhat sensitive state I became extremely, overwhelmingly anxious. It was at that point that I remembered the importance of family (whoever that may be: friends, community, etc.) and support when it comes to stress, and especially when it comes to complications

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-44209849563083087382009-10-17T13:25:00.000-07:002009-10-17T13:36:13.776-07:00

This is something I wrote a long time ago after my first panic attack in months. Thought it might be something useful to share... Okay Linea. Here we are. Here we are again. You on the bathroom floor. Your boyfriend tired and worried. Your mind numb. Now, given that this hasn’t happened in months and months we must figure out where this came from. It’s time to use the skills that you have

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-11894026013033125162009-10-14T21:30:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:23:37.308-07:00

I just read an article by John Frow called "A pebble, a camera, a man" on "Thing Theory" where he talks about the concept that "things, too, embody human will". He speaks about the fact that the speed bump is not merely a thing in the road, but something that gives an "instruction, on behalf of the police or some traffic control authority, to slow down on this stretch of the road". He explains

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-57015011232379785712009-09-20T11:34:00.000-07:002010-01-04T23:04:26.051-08:00

Given that I have been continuously trying to calm down through my techniques of self-care (yoga, lake-sitting, etc.), I am frustrated that I still find myself freaking out about my future. I find that I build up so much worry and anxiety that everything seems to spin around me making it impossible to even grasp onto a calming impulse. Last night I had a conversation about the human ability to

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-10952465383513061722009-09-02T15:51:00.000-07:002009-12-12T17:31:34.742-08:00

The Swans of Coole. Well, actually they are the Swans of Galway, (but they're close enough to Yeats' swans...) A friendly heron just hanging out on people's boats. The head in the background belongs to a sea lion in the Galway bay.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-31772855046153608172009-08-31T22:50:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:26:32.059-07:00

Being that I am getting closer and closer to the end of this six year bachelors degree I am suddenly having that future focused, world ending, life-crisis that every college grad eventually feels. Well, that most every grad feels. I tell myself, if I would have been working harder towards a specific goal, i.e. grad school, I wouldn't be feeling like this. Or I say, if I would have chosen a

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-12481341314864491372009-06-18T19:02:00.000-07:002009-10-16T14:56:29.005-07:00

I just found an amazing site called Facing Us. It is pretty amazing for anyone experiencing bipolar disorder because it allows you to track your moods with the DBSA Wellness Tracker, you can create your own wellness plan, journal, gather wellness tips from others, and find new ways to use creativity as a key to wellness. I like the site because it is super easy to use, it basically takes the form

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-91262864565623451612009-06-05T22:09:00.000-07:002009-10-16T14:55:28.528-07:00

I haven't written in a while because I have been swiftly falling towards finals week. And now, its here. So, I can't write but I will leave you with this tree.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-71549944502590107522009-05-20T23:52:00.000-07:002009-10-16T14:57:12.849-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-87343458735343707332009-05-10T17:36:00.000-07:002009-10-16T14:47:15.261-07:00

Lately I have been thinking about trauma a lot. I have been thinking about how people deal with the terrifying, heart-shattering, un-breathable moments in life. I think it all began with several interesting conversations with the boyfriend about people and tragedy. I have also been reading books that deal with similar topics (Atwood's Alias Grace, Faulkner The Sound and the Fury). So I thought

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-26093977782227318622009-04-27T14:06:00.000-07:002009-10-16T14:58:31.017-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-57854827694323395692009-04-25T19:43:00.000-07:002009-10-16T14:59:23.752-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-59268469200576383442009-04-23T07:51:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:00:07.564-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-27238116513792425082009-04-22T18:45:00.001-07:002009-10-16T14:44:34.114-07:00

So I'm going to Hawaii next Thursday to speak at a conference and I have found myself being VERY weird about my body insecurities. I am often insecure and worried about the usual girl things: flattering clothing, the right coat, make-up, not wearing anything the common sense fashion committee hasn't okayed, etc. But, I am not usually as bad as I have been these past two weeks. For those who

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-90106203894841114742009-04-22T18:00:00.001-07:002009-10-16T15:00:48.328-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-44412955907417286882009-04-08T22:07:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:01:35.993-07:00

like I'm in Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-47967135594539710302009-03-27T20:58:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:03:54.412-07:00

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to visit the town I grew up in: Manson, Washington. A tiny apple farming town on a beautiful lake, surrounded by snowy mountains. I have found my mind going back to Manson quite a lot lately. I remember how simple everything was and how easy it was to be happy. I am not sure if it was the town itself or my wonderfully enjoyable childhood, but I am

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-32045009430969670092009-03-26T23:44:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:04:47.035-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-66037387384021429672009-03-14T22:36:00.000-07:002009-10-16T15:07:06.433-07:00

It has certainly been a while since I posted anything. I am nearing the end of finals, and prior to this have been busy writing, editing, and rewriting everything from poems to long non-fiction essays to articles for some teaching magazine. I have one class left for the quarter so I'm beginning to feel a little less pressure. Tonight I have been glueing, folding, and sewing chapbooks which has

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-61181052670556698112009-03-14T22:28:00.001-07:002009-10-16T15:08:36.492-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-28792134733243909802009-02-25T14:19:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:24:10.855-07:00

What do we choose to broadcast? What do we choose to take in? How do we negotiate our media as both individuals and a country. I often find myself having a hard time moving from the tvs in front of me, feeling like a child blinded and enthralled by so many moving pictures. Sometimes I just can't sleep. (art by Chris Applehands)

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-3976700998990901682009-02-21T23:08:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:24:44.055-07:00

Sleepwalkers -Barbara Einzig- The moon rises, a vengeance on anguish, on my own arrogant privacy. The hands of sleepwalkers, of their own accord, rise, follow. The ponderability of daily fatigue- on wings consciousness runs wild, transparent creations are flying, they've heard the reflection of the moon. It flickers cold, stingy, not promising anything, draws out of me distant art, demands my

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-76899229983046424072009-02-17T19:54:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:17:10.664-07:00

like I'm in a Francis Bacon painting.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-65143775089793254582009-02-15T20:14:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:17:56.558-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-35471727409912064282009-02-14T20:00:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:19:29.437-07:00

This is something I wrote two years ago: A couple cuddling on the couch, warm coffees in hand, are being intellectual, talking about things that aren’t really intellectually challenging but have a moderately impressive use of vocabulary. Another couple is doing that thing in the beginning of a relentless relationship when everything about your partner is overwhelmingly interesting. I sit here

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-84777038003303937912009-02-13T19:01:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:22:56.562-07:00

(Image by Chris Applehands) I have been thinking a lot about rest lately, (if you haven't already figured that out by my last rant about doing too many things.) But I have been thinking about it even more because I haven't been getting very much of it in the last few months. I'm not quite sure what has gotten into me, maybe it is my medication, (lamictal and trileptal,) or maybe it is a small

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-61779416069940073372009-02-12T19:58:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:27:35.353-07:00

like i'm tank girl, jet girl, and sub girl all in the same bathtub; all of my personalities encompassed in one expanse of bubbles and water.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-25644410417235894512009-02-10T19:14:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:29:26.543-07:00

I have been feeling extremely overwhelmed lately. I find it funny that I always wonder where the stress or anxiety comes from, when all I have to do is consult anyone I know. I have the ability to tell myself that I am not doing enough or that I am not working hard enough when I am in fact doing a million things. I think it is my natural process and patterns that leads me to detach my mind from

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-46874244804128043192009-02-08T20:06:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:30:32.825-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-55197124315337015102009-02-07T19:34:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:34:06.392-07:00

I always used to think that the reason I like to play dress-up is because of my mom and sister and our constant lip-syncs, barbie cities, fashion shows, dress-up tea parties, and mask-making parties, but that was until I got to have a visit with one of my dad's old friends. One of my dad's closest college friends, Z, is that cool aunt that everyone is suppose to have, the one who tells you 

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-40524412340226409422009-02-03T11:36:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:37:36.563-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-67001985096142880632009-02-02T11:08:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:40:53.462-07:00

Whenever I speak to a large group of people about being bipolar, they always want to know about my coping strategies. They want to know what I do when my life is going a little too fast, or when I am moving to slow to get help. They want to know, how I get through each day, month, year and remain safe, stable, and happy. I feel that though my strategies are based on my individual personality,

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-46793173193495425252009-01-30T12:00:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:41:34.653-07:00

Sometimes I miss the movement and noise of Chicago. The brightness of night. The invisible noise of darkness when not a person is seen but you can feel their ghosts shuffling around you. I miss falling asleep to the cacophony of no one. A constant chatter as the city breathes for itself.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-40995772777326330382009-01-22T10:33:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:42:26.427-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-12092973388309500342009-01-21T22:40:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:44:30.388-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-32340542672441895032009-01-21T12:06:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:46:25.155-07:00

i had a conversation with my friend steve yesterday, (as we were devouring burritos after a mad target run,) and we began talking about bipolar and relationships. now steve is bipolar too and while we only met last summer we have an affinity towards one another and a knowledge of each others struggles without even having to say a word. so we began talking and we went on about certain friends

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-87219200748185359242009-01-21T04:17:00.001-08:002009-10-16T15:47:27.332-07:00

television. i have a confession to make: i have been worrying alot about the current season of 90210. now you see i am not a tv fan, and this is what bothers me. you see i happened to watch one or two episodes late at night when i was alone and had nothing better to do but eat some fatty food and be a closet television fiend and ever since then i have been worrying about them. there is this

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-9865597855747335562009-01-20T10:00:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:51:25.500-07:00

(The first picture was Josh's idea and I feel I need to give credit to the true artist.)

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-25379010627871585392009-01-19T21:07:00.000-08:002009-02-14T21:19:45.381-08:00

Its MLK day, and so I think it is important to speak a little about heroes. Heroes to me are people who are able to weather horrible tragedies and yet continue to lead. People who, though their heart may be breaking, are still able to inspire. People who are willing to put their own lives in harms way simply to show people that we must move on, we must move forward, we can move forward. Heroes to

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-49756076079803722222009-01-13T12:02:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:53:17.831-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-44822063118810997722009-01-08T00:22:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:56:43.096-07:00

i found a rather eerie picture of myself at 19. it appeared through an email from a past internet self. i feel that the look in my eyes can only truly be described through part of Jane Kenyon's "Having it out with melancholy:" 8 CREDO  Pharmaceutical wonders are at work  but I believe only in this moment  of well-being. Unholy ghost, you are certain to come again.   Coarse, mean,

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-43995484219537798232009-01-07T23:16:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:57:17.862-07:00

i liked what people used to do in the old days when they took pictures of the dead, so when my dear beloved axel passed i felt it right to preserve his memory through one last portrait.

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-40753442891459196782009-01-07T20:58:00.000-08:002009-10-16T15:58:54.385-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-20455456032159343582009-01-07T15:20:00.000-08:002009-02-14T21:25:14.049-08:00

I was tagged for the meme- 6 random things about me by: The Safety of MadnessI'm not sure what a meme is, but thought I would give it a try. I am supposed to post the rules, but given that I am not going to follow them exactly, I will just tell you that I am supposed to write six random things about myself and then pass it on to six more people.I am not going to send this to six people, so I hope

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-41492788582794195592009-01-06T10:09:00.000-08:002009-11-01T18:47:13.958-08:00

i find it amazing how i tend to break things into sides. as i have been told all my life, i am very "black and white." i find this interesting considering my being defined as bipolar. is my tendency to break things into good and evil, happy and sad, beautiful and ugly something that follows these newly defined brain patterns, or is it my natural disposition? could i have instead simply been

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-39811665505659171602009-01-02T16:17:00.000-08:002009-10-17T00:18:47.096-07:00

two weeks ago... one year ago...

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-45294179181986012052008-12-31T15:13:00.001-08:002009-10-16T16:02:40.481-07:00

well, these are the years in which i am plagued with symbols. when i went into my "cave" i did not see a penguin as the narrator of Fight Club did; i instead saw a bunny. and then they followed me, popping up whenever life was ripe with meaning: the last night i was in chicago, drinking forties in the park with the man who saved my life, the first time i went to look for apartments with a boy,

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-50260346093309594912008-07-14T18:46:00.000-07:002009-10-16T16:03:21.287-07:00

there are certain things that accentuate our existence: a 5am 5 mile hike on dry sand, a bald eagle ten feet from your face, a dried otter on the beach, smiling flirting seals

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-86065854735743964882008-04-17T18:28:00.000-07:002009-10-16T16:04:37.433-07:00

on a day of sun and joy and plenty of free boyfriend time we decided to take an adventure, so we moseyed on down to the SLUT (or the seattle trolly thing whose initials are all i happen to remember, and i suppose that the true name isn't truly needed when we could simply call it the SLUT). Anyways, slut abound, we rode all the way to the city center. we wandered in and out of various seattley

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-24057613384215354772008-03-17T14:37:00.000-07:002009-10-16T16:05:09.913-07:00

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-60302969297320818392008-02-25T06:33:00.000-08:002009-10-16T16:05:58.710-07:00

i cannot express my excitement for the life that is soon coming into this world. how to concentrate when my sister is in the hospital dilating to a 3. when do i go? what do i say? how do i hold him? i dont know the first thing about babies other than the fact that they scare me. i was in the hospital once. it was rather traumatic, and i was in a lot of pain. My every thought went

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-68650021329865418172008-02-05T13:01:00.000-08:002009-10-16T16:10:13.548-07:00

(picture created by some amazing artist whose name i don't know) im sitting here in my living room reading extremely dense german philosophy and drinking a gigantic cup of hot chocolate and listening to red house painters in my underwear (which i suppose is irrelevant, but it does create a sense of the freedom of this scene) and as i am reading about the effects of the french revolution on

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832905792274661800.post-58621759985103005142007-12-20T14:40:00.000-08:002009-10-16T16:11:08.098-07:00

the move from Chicago to Seattle went well, now it's time to live with my parents until we find our own home...

Lineahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10115460483821272478noreply@blogger.com0