Author Archives

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Free eBook for Kindle – SteamDrunks: 101 Steampunk Cocktails and Mixed Drinks

Attention, Steampunks! SteamDrunks: 101 Steampunk Cocktails and Mixed Drinks by Chris-Rachael Oseland is free on Amazon right now. I don’t know for how long, so better check it out fast (and double-check the price!):

SteamDrunks: 101 Steampunk Cocktails and Mixed Drinks by Chris-Rachael Oseland on Amazon.com

SteamDrunks: 101 Steampunk Cocktails and Mixed Drinks by Chris-Rachael Oseland on Amazon.de

SteamDrunks: 101 Steampunk Cocktails and Mixed Drinks by Chris-Rachael Oseland on Amazon.co.uk

SteamDrunks: 101 Steampunk Cocktails and Mixed Drinks by Chris-Rachael Oseland on Amazon.fr

Let me know if you grabbed a copy, too, and what you think about it.

 

 

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BatFit

Don’t know what BatFit is? Go here and read what it’s all about! There’s a Facebook group, too. Join us!

Here’s how I am doing so far (it’s a comment I left in The Professor’s blog, The Dancing Maenad):

[...] My first goal was and still is to get rid of depression. A healthy body needs a healthy mind, I think. I’m not there yet but I’ve started going to therapy once more.

My second goal is to lose 3 kg.
I have failed there so far.

Third goal: Get fit(er).
Improvement here! :) I walk 2-5 km daily, ride my bicycle, always take the stairs and not the elevator.

Fourth goal: Drink more water.
Success!!! I don’t drink coke anymore, only on special occasions. I try to stick to tea & water (both still & sparkling).

Fifth goal: eat healthier.
Improvement. I eat more salad and other vegetables. Still way to go, though.

I found an app which helps me keep track of what kind of stuff I eat, how much water I drink, how often I worked out (it’s called “Noom Weight Loss Coach”).

Personally, I consider BatFit a success.

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College Memories

I went to college in Muenster, Germany. This week, I returned to campus to take part in a workshop. It is strange to be back. I graduated in 2007 and had somehow hoped never to walk these halls again. I am glad I do not have to take all these exams again. I still get a stomach ache thinking of my years in college.

Later today, I will meet my economics professor from back then for supper. I always got along with him very well and we have always stayed in contact over the years.

I spend my free time here reading and walking through the beautiful city of Muenster, which is actually not very far away from where I live nowadays. Muenster is full of history. Lovers of old churches and cobblestone streets should visit this city and stay a day or two.

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Saturday

Good news! My insurance will cover ALL therapy sessions. Usually, they only cover 5 sessions and then you have to turn in a statement by the psychologist which states why you need therapy and how many sessions. In my case, they agreed to cover forty sessions (usually it’s 25). I am so relieved.

On August 1st, I was ranting about my weight. Since then I’ve downloaded an app which helps you log your workouts and what you eat. I’ve lost half a kilo (~ 1 lb). I feel happy about this. I hope to keep this rate up until September 30th. Then, I just want to hold whatever weight I will have reached. Anything below 56 kg / 124 lb will be okay (I’m 1,63 m/ 5,35 ft).

Is anybody else watching the Olympics? How’s your country doing? The German swimmers have been criticized a lot. They do not seem to be in good form. I enjoyed watching rowing, fencing and gymnastics, though.

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Weight

Hellooo! Hello? Are you still there? Thank goodness. I have neglected this blog for so long that I am really ashamed. Will y’all forgive me?

I have been spending some time with therapy sessions and creative writing during the last couple of weeks. Then, one day, I decided to check my weight… 58.8 kg!!! How awful is that? I am quite small and the weight I am most comfortable with is around 53 kg. Gah, that is so bad.

I have started to write down my daily calories intake on Monday. I really do not each much (meaning I do not eat large amounts) but oh! What crap am I eating!?

The internet tells me that a person my age and height should have a daily calories intake of about 1,900 cal. To lose weight you need to stay below 1,900 calories and/or burn those calories which are 1,900+. But who could have imagined how hard that is? I cannot even have one coke a day without feeling really bad. I just had my lunch break and have already “used up” today’s calories.

I tracked down the amount of calories I burned taking the dog for a walk last night… Approx. 25 calories burned every 10 minutes. That’s not much.

I think I will ride my bike today. And maybe feel a little better about myself.

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Liebster Award

I was tagged by the lovely Goth Mary Poppins (check out her blog!) and received this award:

Thank you, sweet lady! :)

These are the rules that come with the award:

  • Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
  • Answer the questions the tagger has set for you.
  • Create 11 questions.
  • Choose 11 people and link back to them.
  • No tag backs.

Okay, let’s start!

11 things about Sal Kaye:

  1. Here’s why I call myself Sal Kaye: S.A.L.K. (my initials) –> SAL K. –> SAL Kaye. So, no gothic name for me. Only fooling around on the level of phonetics. Mr. K.‘s initials are D.K. Playing around with phonetics again I end up zombifying his initials: D.K. –> D. Kaye –> Decay. Haha. Sorry, guys. I’m still a child inside.
  2. I wear socks to bed unless it’s over 90° F.
  3. I love eating junk food. I’ve tried to eat healthier but I CANNOT.
  4. I published a book when I was 15. Since then, I’ve been embarrassed about ever having written it and never told anybody its’ title.
  5. I took ballet classes when I was little but only for a very short time. I can’t move gracefully. It’s impossible. I can kick ass, though.^^
  6. I allow Flo to sleep in my bed.
  7. I don’t want to live in Germany. I always wanted to live somewhere else, speak a different language and not be recognized as German. Even when travelling to countries in which they know how to speak German I always speak English or even French.
  8. I am obsessed with some branches of Christian religion although I’m not a Christian and won’t be. I love talking to Mormons or Jehova’s Witnesses. They are always nice and patient even when they realize they can’t win me over.
  9. The last book I read was “Wives And Sisters” by Natalie R. Collins. I’m currently reading her book  “Killer Instincts” which is free for kindle at the moment. I don’t know for how long so hurry and grab a copy. I found this author via Letters From A Broad… by blogger C.L. Hanson.
  10. Mr. K. is 16.5 years older than me. People loved insulting us because of that when we got together a couple of years ago. I don’t know if they still do. I stopped caring.
  11. Knowing that countless animals are mistreated, mauled and abused by humans makes me want to hurt the people doing this really, really bad.

11 questions:

  1. Some story, that was embarrassing when happened, but later became funny. – The time I introduced myself to my superior on the first day at that job and then introduced myself AGAIN to him the next day.
  2. Any weird fact about you. – I have a kidney on the left side of my body and one in the middle. No right kidney.
  3. What did you wanted to be when you grow up? – A writer AND a helicopter pilot.
  4. Best Christmas present ever? – My first very own computer, Christmas 1994.
  5.  Funny local tradition that you and/or your family follows. – Riding a bike. I just started. Everybody seems to ride a bike in these parts of Germany. People think you’re funny if you don’t have a bike.
  6. Worst song, that you secretly like. – Haha, that’s a good one.^^ I fear there are many. Like “Morrigan” by Suidakra (I found it on YouTube if you dare to listen). I still love it. I’ve always liked The Morrigan. I also like “Oops, I Did It Again” and “You Want A Piece Of Me” by Britney Spears.
  7. Are you a morning bird or night owl? – Night Owl
  8. Do you prefer boots or pointy heels? – boots
  9. What is your favourite snack? – french fries with mayonnaise
  10. Alcohol: yes or no? – Yes, but not very often.
  11. What was your last dream you can remember? – It was some kind of zombie apocalypse/war of the worlds scenario. I tried to save dogs but one died before I could help him. I tried saving the humans in that dream after I had made sure the dogs were safe.

My 11 questions for you:

  1. Favorite book and why?
  2. To how many foreign countries have you been yet? To which ones? Which countries would you like to visit before you die?
  3. Pink or Purple?
  4. Cat or Dog? Bird or Hamster? Spider or Snake?
  5. Favorite movie and why? Also: Favorite actor/actress.
  6. Would you pay more than 100 $ for a pair of shoes you really like?
  7. Super Mario or Sonic The Hedgehog?
  8. Do you knit/crochet/sew/draw/…?
  9. What was the last thing you bought for yourself?
  10. Do you play an instrument? Which one?
  11. Do you collect anything? Books, candles, yarn, buttons…?

I’m tagging:

Flo – wanting me to throw the ball for her

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Today’s Inspiration

I started decluttering my home office earlier today thanks to this great post in the “Keeper Of The Home”-Blog: 8 Weeks to a Less Cluttered Home. I got rid of lots of old stuff. Even books (although putting these in the paper can really hurt).

Also, be sure to visit my BLOGROLL every now and then. If a good blog is still missing on that list drop me a comment. I love adding more great sites to the collection.

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Black & White

A while ago, I realised how much impact the meds I’m taking have on me. Without them, I’m on an emotional rollercoaster ride. With them, I’m kind of indifferent to everything. I function, but no more. No creative energy, no motivation to do anything. As Mr. K. put it yesterday: I’m a walking sleeping pill. I’m there but you hardly notice me.

I hate this because I have no real choice. Take pills = feeling awful. No pills = feeling awful.

At least, I did a little experimentation with black & white.

First picture: The scarf I usually pair with white clothes.

Second picture: My new fleur-de-lis scarf.

If I had a little more energy, I’d like to try knitting a similar top. Shouldn’t be too hard, even without having a pattern.

Owly Images

New picture on my office wall: Look at what Emma of Little Gothic Horrors sent me! So far, my co-workers haven’t asked about the meaning of “Betelgeuse”. I’m curious how long it’ll take them to ask. ;)

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The Prophetess

Here she is: my beautiful Prophetess. I finally managed to take some photographs of my new bike to share with y’all.

Isn’t she lovely? I named her The Prophetess for obvious reasons… The manufacturer is “Prophete”, a German company (They don’t pay me for writing this article. I just love my bike and want to share who made it.).

Today, the Prophetess and I went to the women’s health & fitness club. I feel incredibly good about pedaling to the gym. :) I worked out and then we rode back home. She even carried my backpack for me. I don’t like front-baskets so my little black basket sits in the back and holds my stuff while I ride.

I am really happy about me finally doing something for my health, fitness and general well-being. BatFit really works for me!

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Tweed Rides & Tweed Runs

Here’s some fantastic Monday inspiration for you! I can’t resist any longer, I just HAVE to share these cool links (I’ve been looking at the photos for days):

Nooooooo! I missed the Tweed Run in Oldenburg, Germany! :(

Wouldn’t it be fun to take part in a Tweed Ride? Wouldn’t it be fun to take part in an ALTERNATIVE RIDE???

Wouldn’t it be just amazing to see black-clad people pedaling through a quiet landscape at night…? Ahh, the possibilities!

Have a great Monday (and get on your bike!)!!!