Other sites that I use occasionally are: 

Flickr is an interesting site. One that I love looking through. I don’t take enough good pictures to use it properly though, hopefully that will be remedied, but in the meantime – I love looking at the works of people with a talented eye. Some readers of CFS Squared use this site, to showcase their talent – and I am in awe of them.

I use a site called Good Reads, to keep track of the books I am reading.  I have tried others before, but the maintenance was too much.  This one, doesn’t take up too much time – and the people are friendly, and don’t force themselves upon you.  I like that.  But I always end up feeling guilty that I don’t read enough.

And finally, I was invited to a networking site called Alopecia World – because of the Baldiness blog that I write.  Unfortunately, I have not spent enough time there, to know how it will work for me.  However, it does sound like an interesting idea.  I won’t be able to spend any time there though, until I have completely recovered from my facebook experience.

What social networking tools do you use – and how do you use them, so they don’t overwhelm your life.  If you don’t use online social networking sites- tell us what kind of activities you do to reach out to people.   I am all for real life interaction- so let us know what you are doing.

Post from: Blisstree

Is Social Networking Tiring You Out?

Last week, I mentioned on Baldiness that I wanted to wear a pink wig, which led me to fantasize about pink feather boas (oh not that kind of fantasy!)…..which led me to convince a co-worker, and family members to participate in the CIBC Run For the Cure race, in October.  Its’s a 5km run to raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer. 

So I am going to do it, I have already started the training process (I know October is a long way away- but baby steps are key for training for anyone with CFS).  In the next couple of weeks, I will submit my registration, and then will start fundraising for this cause. 

So why this cause?

Well, I am personally affected by breast cancer, with a member of my family currently fighting the disease.  I would like to do something to help and support her.

Why participate or volunteer, instead of baking a loaf of bread?

Volunteering and participating is important.  Making money is needed to spend on research and a lot of necessary things for non profits.  Personally, volunteering was the very first thing I did, to get out of the house, and on the path to wellness all of those years ago.  As for participation, it’s very important….it gets you involved, as opposed to being an observer.  Which is something that we (persons with CFS) do way too much.

So I am going to do this, and upgrade you on my training progress once a week.  Feel free to join me in the Run for the Cure – which is happening in lots of cities across Canada this fall.

What do you say, if you don’t live in Canada….surely there are other events that you can do.  Let me know, and I will write a little blurb about whatever is going on in your neighborhood, that needs a little attention – if it somewhat relevant.

**Picture Source – flickr via baldiness

Post from: Blisstree

I am Going to Help Beat Breast Cancer

One of the things that I love about CFS Squared, is the community. I am very lucky to have such a great group of regular readers. Knowing that you all visit regularly, makes it easier to write this blog.

I also write another blog for b5media, called Baldiness. I have been writing this blog since last summer, and while I am enjoying it – and learning loads, I don’t have much of a following. Or if I do, they are very very quiet. It’s not like people aren’t reading it – its just that I get very few comments….and that makes me feel lonely and unloved. Can you hear the violin music playing in the background???

Anyway, I would love it, if you would stop by and say hello. Basically, the blog is a lot like CFS2 except its about hairloss and really bad hair days.

In case you didn’t know, I lose my hair when I suffer from long bouts of illness – specifically when a there is a recurring fever. For example, when I get mono – my hair will fall out in large chunks, and will break off mid-strand. I do not have alopecia, but rather the hair loss is a side effect from CFS.

Anyway, please drop by and leave a salutation. Your friendly chatter just might prompt some others to chime in as well.

Post from: Blisstree

Come Visit – It’s Lonely In There

First of all, I need to apologize (again) for being so quiet. I am being attacked by virus and illness from all sides. What’s worse is that the enemy appears to be winning. I am still fighting, but am considering taking the white flags out of retirement.

Now that I have issued my apology statement, I just want to say that I still write for CFS Squared and Baldiness, and am a proud blogger for b5media – but at the moment my health needs are just a bit more important. So for the next little while (hopefully only another week) posting will be sporadic, while I concentrate on getting better.

I had begun to think that my time of living in pain and sickness were over. I had been living fairly well with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome for quite some time (with the exception of related illness such as pneumonia) – but honestly, this past month has thrown me for a loop. I have a whole lot of re-evaluating to do. I am still not a fan of the medicine route – and will be doing my best to explore other alternatives….at least I will after this latest virus goes away.

Please know that I am not far away, and will be doing my very best to write whenever I feel up to it – in the meantime if you miss me, read some of the archived posts, and enjoy some of the posts (and great comments) that you may have missed the first time around.

I hope this new season is finding you all well (or at least doing better than me).

Picture Source – flickr

Post from: Blisstree

I Didn’t Think it was Possible, But…

I consider myself to be really lucky to have one of the most active communities in the Science and Health Channel of b5media. It’s something that I am very proud of.  So thank you all, for being a part of something that is very special to me.

This week, I started writing on another b5media S & H blog.  Don’t react yet, I am not going anywhere…I love writing CFS Squared. This is a little something extra, that I am putting my attention towards.  I am the new blogger for Baldiness.

Some of you may recall, that I have had hair issues for a number of years.  When sickness comes my way, my hair reacts by falling out, either at the root – or breaks off mid strand – or both.  So while I am not completely bald, I certainly know what its like when your hair falls out.  The original writer (whom I will refer to as Bald Man), was the one who helped me connect Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and hair loss together ~ something my doctor and hair stylist weren’t able to….and so I will always be grateful to him.  Early this year Bald Man interviewed me for his blog, which you can read here.  I am going to do my very best to make sure that Baldiness will be a place to get information on alopecia and other types of hair loss, and have as much fun as possible.  I am just starting to get my feet wet there, and hopefully will soon find my rhythm.

I would really love it, if you guys would check out the new digs…and leave a comment – sharing your own hair issues (if you have them) – or just to say hi.  It would mean so much to me.

Post from: Blisstree

Blog Squared

I have been interviewed about my battle with hair loss (by the way, I won this battle) over at Baldiness. Cory asked all of the hard hitting questions, and I tried my best to answer as honestly as I possibly could.

Of course, when this last bout of hairloss happened, it was way back in August – and so it might seem a little bit sugar coated.
August to January is a long time.

Please check out the interview, and Cory’s blog. Both are fantastic. Oh and he is very funny. Even if he isn’t Canadian
You can read all about the hair issue here.

Post from: Blisstree

My Interview With Cory Aldrich on Baldiness