This Generation - Sex Sells

So I'm watching MTV VMAs last night and I was so excited. I haven't watched anything from MTV lately because it's mostly over dramatized reality shows. The new "Scream" series has got me thinking maybe they are changing their ways...I was wrong.

Anyway, so the VMAs began with a killer Nicki Minaj performance. She's so talented with her voice and she can dance while singing. She had an amazing concept going back with her style of dance. Then pops Taylor Swift. I'm unfamiliar with their "fight" so I was just enjoying two performers on stage. Blew me away! Then cut to Mackelmore: wow! He has so much energy and really brings excitement to any stage. Just wow!

Then comes Miley. I knew what to expect but I wasn't as prepared. I completely respect her for trying to discover herself like we all do as young adults. She went over the top a couple times with the Mary Jane references, but that's just my opnion. 

So throughout the night I am blown away by performances: Tori Kelly (true artistry and talent), The Weeknd (that voice!), and Demi Lovado. I had one major issue with Demi's performance: why was she half naked??? She's an amazing vocalist and she could have performed that number in a more "covered" outfit without the vagina squats (dancing). It kept me thinking about how different the pop performers are now. It's more about sexualizing the female performers and it upsets me. This has always been a thing in the music industry but I believe it's getting out of control. 

Want to be a top female pop star? Better be prepared to wear next to nothing. It's not about the talent anymore like Tori Kelly. It's about the publicity of Nicki's "beefs" and who's got the best looking body while performing. That's sad to me. I care more about the sound and quality of the music rather than who's the "hottest in the industry." 

So why is this happening? Thoughts?

Low Grade Pain = Productive Until Migraine is Triggered

This morning I had a bad migraine, which gave me a stiff neck so I had to wait to go to work. Man, I love when that happens. When I got to work, my vertigo was at a minimum and pain was just at "light switch level" (turns on and off in an instant) so I was able to get a lot of work done until I triggered a migraine and had to go home.

I made sure to buy my dog a new bone and toy because I felt I'd be able to conquer the world this evening and I was RIGHT! I've been organizing paperwork, dishes are done, laundry in progress, dinner is probably going to be quick, and now I can do some writing! I have a bad feeling all this productivity will trigger a migraine though. Does anyone else have this issue?

Here's what I've tried to minimize it:

1. Pace yourself - Take breaks when you can and keep hydrated. Remember, water is always your friend. When you live with chronic pain, simple activities are like running to "normal" people. Keep a good pace and don't rush.

2. Distraction - I love music and tend to play my 90's Pandora Station while accomplishing my tasks. Not only does each song bring a new inspiration and emotion, but the music itself distracts me from the throbbing pain in my hands/head when I try to work.

3. Smile - Ever notice that things don't seem so bad when you just take a moment and smile? Sometimes I need to stop, force a smile, look in the mirror, and I've fixed myself for at least five minutes. Each moment of relief is a blessing.

4. When your psychic ability tells you it's time, then stop - We can't overdo our activities and cause more pain than intended. You know when pain is coming (although sometimes we don't) so when that "feeling" hits you, then it's time to call it for a while.

I hope you all have low-grade days! **Virtual Hug** I made this e-card today to describe this feeling.

Anger Management: Goosefrabba

How do you constructively deal with the anger and resentment that arises as a result of living with migraines?

If I said I didn't have anger or resentment, I'd be a liar and my pants would surely catch on fire. When you live life with uncertain pains and agony, why wouldn't you be angry? Migraines can sneak up and ruin a perfectly planned day. So how do I keep from losing my mind?

1. Music is king - Many on Twitter see my constant posts that say "Music is king" because I firmly believe music is the way to serenity. No matter what you're feeling, there's a song for that. If you want to cry, there are plenty of songs to let it all out. If you want to be distracted, then there's some great jams to dance to and take your mind off the pain. If you need to just be alone with your thoughts, you can play music while gathering yourself. 

2. Dance baby dance - When I get really mad, I find dancing is extremely therapeutic. I play my Dance Cardio Pandora station and let all the anger out. My dog gets confused and thinks I want to play so that always turns interesting.

3. Watch a movie/TV - When I need to let all my emotions out, I tend to reach for my Nicholas Sparks movies. He's one sadistic man to create these sappy books, but the movies add the visual and make it that much sadder. "The Notebook," "A Walk to Remember," "Nights in Rodanthe," and "Les Miserables," "Armageddon" (just the last part when Liv Tyler and Bruce Willis say goodbye) all let me just flow those rivers out. I'm cleansed and ready for a new day!

4. Talk - We all have some kind of support system (friends, family, social media, therapist, doctor, etc) that is ready to listen. Please be open and honest to them. If you are having suicidal thoughts, then you need to get some help. No pain should be too much to leave behind the ones you love. 

5. Write - The great thing about writing is it can open gates to so many forms of creativity. You don't necessarily have to write about your pain, but some form of writing could be a distraction from your frustrations. You might have a best selling novel or award winning screenplay in your mind ready to pop out. Channel your anger into words and give all your expression to educate others. I wrote my emotions for one entire day and was amazed at the end of the day how many different things I felt with each type of pain. 

6. Paint - Some of the most amazing art can come from emotion. Get that brush ready for a masterpiece! 

Evita: Don't Cry For Me Argentina

We don't want to be pitied. So how do we want to be helped?

The biggest impact in my life is to hear these words: I'm here for you. Sometimes just having an ear helps. So many emotions are kept in that sometimes I need to just let it out. My audience changes because I can't stand to burden just one person.

Music is another way to help. For every emotion, there's a song for that. I can't wait to make music of my own and share with other spoonies.