This will be my last post for CFS Squared – Tales of CFS. I have enjoyed writing here, for the past two years. But it’s time for me to move on now.
I must say, that this last word stuff is a little daunting. I kind of want to sneak away – and leave you with fun and quirky posts. But, I owe more than that to all of you, and to myself.
On more than one occasion, I have written about Do No Harm. I am going to share a little secret with all of you. Writing and/or following a health …read more

Image details: Hammer breaking alarm clock served by picapp.com
Today’s theme is all about the alarm clock. I have posted a poll in the sidebar, asking if you use an alarm clock in order to wake up.
Please vote in the poll, and then come back here – and let us know what effective method you use for waking up on time…if you use one at all. If you don’t have a method, that’s fine too – just let us know how you wake up.

I have a lifestyle where I rely on the use of an alarm clock.  I hate being late for anything, so time pieces are very important to me.  I use a simple clock/radio for when I am home.  But have been known to use alarms on my computer or cell phone (when I remembered to use it).  Once upon a time, I used to rely on the sun.  However, the sun doesn’t shine in my neck of the woods very often – so that method didn’t last long, after I moved here.
I have previously written about how I use my …read more

Image details: Man asleep in bed holding large alarm clock served by picapp.com
Every morning at 5 am, my radio is set to play selections from the classical music station. I listen to the music for an hour, before starting my day.
This is the only way for me to wake up properly. I can not wake up without assistance. If I decided to wake up, when my body (and mind) was ready – I might now get out of bed until well after noon (such is my curse of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome). The 5 am …read more

I try to post videos (especially music ones) on CFS Squared, because I think music can help us achieve restfulness, and sometimes even stillness. I listen to music all the time. In the morning when my alarm goes off, a classical music station quietly nudges me out of slumber. On my commute to work, I listen to whatever my ipod thinks I should – but usually it has something with a quick pulsing beat behind it (for energy), at the office- I listen to top 40 pop radio (because my coworkers like it), and when I get home, …read more

Last night, I had an opportunity to speak to a group of CFS Sufferers. I am not a big fan of support groups (outside of 12 step programs, and then again not exactly a fan – just believe they are necessary). I suppose one could argue that this blog is somewhat of a support group – but then again, I am not asking for weekly attendance – or participation (although I love it when you do). I don’t really have much to do with people feeling sorry for themselves, and from my experience, that is what support …read more

If you are anything like me, you try to get more fruit into your diet (because you know its good for you), but you either can’t seem to commit – or the good fruit that you like, seems to be seasonal. I fall into both categories, by the way. I always have good intentions, and buy fruit at the produce market. But when I get it home I tend to lose interest. Or I can never find what I am looking for, because its out of season. For example, I will only eat apples during …read more

Today, was the third time this week that I stayed home from work. I am not able to do much of anything except sleep and drag my laptop into bed with me, to watch a movie. Even writing this little post is taking up a lot of effort!
In between sleeps, I managed to watch Fahrenheit 451, a totally trippy movie made during the 60’s based on the book of the same name by Ray Bradbury. It got me thinking about things that I missed, when I read the book when I was 14. Things that applied …read more

Insomnia, is a major part of my living with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  In fact, up until recently it is the one symptom that has given me the most trouble.  So, whenever I find a helpful hint I will try it.  It doesn’t matter how crazy it sounds.
I came across this hint recently (not sure where) but it sounds like a good idea.  Next time the insomnia monster comes to visit, I will be putting it into practice.
Here is the hint:
Start counting backwards from 100.  I know sounds too simple, right?  There is more to it.  Instead of just counting backwards, …read more

This past week, people in British Columbia recognized “anti-bullying day”.  By this, many people wore the colour pink.  Parts of my life are spent in hostile environments.  And even though several people “acknowledged” this day, not everybody did.  Too bad really.  Because, these people have no idea how much harm they cause.  Hours go by, where people give barbs to each other (me included, most often to protect myself).  People who know better, are encouraging this behavior.
It has come to my attention, that this “bullying” is even worse than I suspected.  There is back stabbing. I suspected it, of course. …read more