the yak occidental

In this second and final video inspired by Dr. Kelly McGonigal's The Upside of Stress , here are three more stress-management exercises. Welcome to Part 2 of the Stress video where I’m focusing on some exercises from Stanford health psychologist and lecturer Dr. Kelly McGonigal’s book  The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good For You, and How To Get Good at It . This video will cover a few more things you can try when you are stressed out in the moment and want to transform that stress into something meaningful. DID YOU MISS THE FIRST VIDEO?  In Part 1 , we talked about remembering what matters about a stressful moment, and helping someone as ways to transform your stress. Watch it here . THIRD EXERCISE: Think Big Picture For this exercise, McGonigal refers to the work of fellow psychology researcher Jennifer Crocker who encourages us to turn our own self-focus into so-called “bigger-than-self goals.” Crocker sat through a professional development workshop where the leaders,...

I can't believe the first three months of 2022 are nearly done! Here are all the books I have read so far this year. My fave non-fiction read so far is definitely Girly Drinks by Mallory O'Meara, and my favourite fiction has been Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton. High Wages by Dorothy Whipple Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia  Guard Your Daughters by Diana Tutton  The Woman in the Purple Skirt by Natsuko Imamura The Bird’s Nest by Shirley Jackson Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi (re-read) St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves: Stories by Karen Russell (re-read) Consolations by David Whyte If Nuns Ruled the World: Ten Sisters on a Mission by Jo Piazza The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good For You and How to Get Good At It by Kelly McGonigal, PhD My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok (re-read) Return of The Trickster by Eden Robinson Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcoho l by Mallory O’Meara The Invention of Miracles: Language, Power, and Alexa...

Here are the new and tasty vegetarian things I tried cooking in March!  A little bit of everything: Cooking from Library Cookbooks  I recently got a library card and discovered they have tons of recent and relevant cookbooks that I've been wanting to check out. As such, I've been able to cook stuff by Joy Wilson , Bobby Flay, Rachel Khoo, and more! It's been a great way to try a bunch of new things. One thing that is really simple but has made a difference for us is the basic fried egg and poached egg recipe techniques that Joy Wilson describes in her book , Over Easy: Sweet & Savory Recipes for Leisurely Days Cookbook . We had great success with both - she recommends using a strainer! Crack your egg in there first, let the runny stuff drain off, then gently transplant to the simmering water or frying pan. Also practical from Wilson - how to season and clean your cast iron skillet . Trying to avoid food waste:  Cozy Cavatappi Pasta I normally don't go in for very...

How can we manage stress other than taking deep breaths? In this first video inspired by Dr. Kelly McGonigal's The Upside of Stress , here are two new ways to cope with stress. I recently read The Upside of Stress: Why Stress is Good For You, and How To Get Good At It by Dr. Kelly McgGonigal, a health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University. The premise of McGonigal’s book is simple if controversial: stress is not always a bad thing. In fact, if you change your mindset about stress and embrace it you might end up stronger, smarter, happier, and even inspire compassion and enhance your empathy.  McGonigal shares, “Embracing stress is a radical act of self-trust: view yourself as capable and your body as a resource. You don't have to wait until you no longer have fear, stress, or anxiety to do what matters most. Stress doesn't have to be a sign to stop and give up on yourself. This kind of mindset shift is a catalyst, not a cure. It doesn't erase your suffering o...

Here is a selection of memorable quotes from Pat of Silver Bush by L.M. Montgomery I read this on my e-reader so I can only provide locations, not page numbers. Please be cautioned that if these quotes inspire you to read Pat of Silver Bush , there is some racism and colorism in this book. You can read more about racism in L.M. Montgomery's writing here . “If ye don’t be belaving innything what fun are ye going to get out av life?” asked Judy unanswerably. loc 124 “I think Sylvia Cyrilla’s mother just worships her parlour. She keeps it locked up and the blind down and only very special visitors ever get into it. I’m glad we live all over our house, mother. loc 3243 Roots?” “Sure and that’s what’s the matter wid yer Doreen Garrison. She hasn’t a root to her. Nothing to anchor her down and hold aginst the winds. loc 3849 Pat...

Spring has arrived! Here is a playlist that's not really about flowers to celebrate. Painting above:  Untitled (Still Life with Tulips and Figurine) , c. 1940-45 by Laura Wheeler Waring   bouquet Track List: RHODODENDRON by Hurray for the Riff Raff Lilacs by Waxahatchee Electric Roses by Basia Bulat Magnolia Blues by Adia Victoria Rose/Lotus/Violet/Iris by Hayley WIlliams Cherry Blossom by ALA.NI Mushrooms & Roses by Janelle Monae Orange Blossoms by Half Waif Violets for Roses by Lana Del Rey The Flowers by Regina Spektor Dandelion by Daddy Issues Carnations by Palehound Orchid Child by White Poppy Daisies by Emme Sunflower, Vol. 6 (Harry Styles cover) by Molly Tuttle  And I Will Send Your Flowers Back by HINDS

I think we should stop asking "how would your coworkers describe you?" in interviews. Here are three reasons why. I have been interviewed about ten times in the last twelve months. On the other hand, as someone in a managerial role, I have conducted about six interviews for someone I would work with directly on a daily basis. In doing these interviews, there is one question that I have come to dislike above all others:  How would your boss/coworkers describe you? or What would your boss/coworkers say about working with you? ....and other such iterations. At its core, this question is inviting the interviewee to self-evaluate what they are like to work with, and the efficacy and accuracy of their performance at work. Here are three reasons why I reallllly don't like this question. The first reasons is practical. Even if I am very interested in a candidate, I'm still going to check their references. Checking references is oftentimes a security requirement, at least in a...

Presented without comment, here is a collection of quotes about women and drinking. Above: Woman Drinking (c.1690) by Arie de Vois One could hardly be overstocked with good wine and it was not going to go off for about fifty years. Phryne could drink a lot of wine in fifty years and intended to do so. -from Queen of the Flowers: Phryne Fisher #14 by Kerry Greenwood I was new to champagne, but as soon as I tasted it, spark after gold spark, I thought, well, there’s magic in this water, no wonder Mia said to wish on it. - from Boy, Snow, Bird by Helen Oyeyemi 'Oh, have some more brandy, Alison, and try to pay attention. This is a serious matter,' Phryne said crossly. - from Murder in the Dark: Phryne Fisher #16 by Kerry Greenwood Alice orders a glass of beer. It arrives quickly, dark and thick and workmanlike. She smacks her lips and Peter nearly calls the whole thing off then and there. He had imagined her drinking…what? Delicate things. Tea. Champagne. Rain filtered through a ...

Here is a selection of memorable quotes from Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O'Meara The foundations of alcohol craft and culture were laid by female hands. The first known depiction of drinking was of a woman, and the first alcohol-related deity was a goddess. Thousands of years before Christians drank the wine of the Eucharist, thousands of years before Dionysus was worshipped with wine in Greece, Ninkasi was honoured with beer by the Sumerian women who brewed and drank it. Her dominion over all aspects of alcohol is a symbol of how influential women have been. p.27 But we do know that women in ancient Egypt liked to drink, and they also liked to get men drunk. Drinking and sexuality were closely linked. there was an affluent Egyptian woman named Chratiankh (birth and death dates unknown) whose tomb inscription read I was a mistress of drunkenness, one who loved a good day, who looked forward to [having sex] every day, anointed with myrrh and p...

It gets a little better (and worse) than 24/7 sweatpants. Here are the pros and cons of work-from-home from my perspective as a manager I was privileged that when the COVID-19 pandemic started, I worked in an industry where I had the choice of being able to safely work from home (WFH).  When I started WFH I thought I would like it - I’m an introvert and a homebody by nature, it’s like WFH was made for me. Fast forward a year and I have some pros and cons on WFH that I wanted to share from a manager’s perspective. THE CONS OF WFH Bad news first, right? I will definitely say that when I started WFH I really struggled to get into a routine, stay focused, and feel like I was working well and efficiently.  Fortunately I had a great boss at the time who encouraged me to give it a chance - she gently explained its definitely something to get used to and just takes time. I also had friends who gave me lots of great advice and tips for getting used to WFH which got me through that pain...

Painting above : Country Road with Farm Buildings and Milkweed (c.1940s) by Prudence Heward "She was avid of experience, restless and dissatisfied.   It was the Spring, she told herself." - from High Wages by Dorothy Whipple

Welcome back to more videos from A Course in Production ! Starting us off for the spring series: 6 ways you can practice being an ally at work Discrimination at work based on race and/or gender is a pervasive and ongoing issue in all industries from tech to transportation, and in animation or entertainment as well. Today I want discuss 6 ways that you can practice being an ally at work, particularly if you are white and/or identify as a man. I hope to offer a range of suggestions so that whether you’re an artist or a CEO, you will have a solid action you can do almost immediately to support women and minorities in your workplace. I should emphasize that these suggestions are based on my own experiences* or things I have witnessed at work and greatly appreciated, they are not necessarily a one-size-fits-all practices
. *I am mixed-race, cis woman, heterosexual, enabled, thin, and university-educated If you’re not familiar with the term “ally” or unaware of racial and/or gender-based dis...