Friday, September 17, 2010

Recipe for Fibromyalgia Management

951 Words

Over the past four years, Fibromyalgia has completely changed my life. Though all of my experiences with the Fibromyalgia are not wholly negative, learning to live with Fibromyalgia has certainly presented, as my good friend says, many opportunities to overcome adversity. Fortunately, I’ve met some fantastic patient advocate folks along the way and have some wonderful family members and friends who have helped me find the path to a greater quality of life.

This article documents my road to diagnosis and a recipe for Fibromyalgia symptom management.

Friday, November 6, 2009

Dysfunctional dinner theatre for hipsters

Staged Readings is a unique way to experience your most beloved of movies. Actors, musicians and lighting crew work in an almost-improv setting. The non-union acting company has put on monthly performances for the past 18 months and every performance has sold out (admission to the performances requires only a small donation). Producing Director, Beth Spencer's, troupe historically has selected only the most delightful of cult, or at least cultish, films. Past performances include such treats as The Wrath of Khan, This is NOT Spinal Tap and The Royal Tennenbaums.

When asked about the preparation involved prior to the latest offering from Staged Readings The Lost Boys, Vi Tran ("Laddie"), explained, "the director picks out a movie and selects the actors. The company gets together for an informal screening of the film. We have one rehearsal the night before the show, and then, we're on."

Music Director, Cody Wyoming, added, "this structure keeps it fresh; it keeps it true to the way we started - just a bunch of friends with no lives getting together to do what we love the most."

Click here to read full review.

REVIEW
Westport Flea Market Bar & Grill
Staged Readings
The Lost Boys
October 26, 2009
817 Westport Road, Kansas City MO
Tickets available at door. Donations only.

Published on: KCMETROPOLIS.org

Sunday, September 27, 2009

In the works

Homeschooling in a schooled world
500+ words


St. Nicholas Day - Our Croatian history
500+ words with local Kansas City references
Sidebar on Strawberry Hill - the Kansas City, KS Community


Both will be available for publication by November 1, 2010.

Sweet Basil Herb Garden in Recycled Coffee Container

180 words
3 photos

Herb garden science project with instructions and photos.

Art Springs in Gladstone - Sunshine on a Cloudy Day

527 words

Our family headed out to the show last night to check out some art and to support the Ryan Kruse Foundation for the Arts. We were happily surprised by the number of artists presenting and the great turn-out. The Gladstone Community Center is an interesting space and worked well for the set-up. Though, at times, the walk-ways melted into a sea of people; the atmosphere was a buzz of friendly conversations and "ooos" and "ahhhs." Artists set up booths along the entrance corridor and within a large meeting space off the corridor and offered a variety of themes, mediums, and price ranges - a little something for everyone.

Review
Art Springs in Gladstone
April 24, 2009
Gladstone Community Center

Women’s History Month: Diane Arbus (1923-1971)

1196 words

Diane Arbus is my own personal study during this month's celebration of Women's History. Inspired by the movie Fur, a fantastical and imaginary tale, released in 2006 and starring Nicole Kidman, I've been digging into the personal, professional, and artistic history of one of America's most important photographers of the 20th Century - Diane Arbus.

Wrote this piece for Women's History month in 2009.

This stuff really works

698 Words

We're now about four months into our homeschooling experience, and the rhythm and benefits came much sooner than I ever expected!

An anecdotal article on our unschooling experiences four months in.

Schedules and lists and things

1105 words

When we made the decision to pull Cole out of school, I knew I wanted to pursue a classical ("trivium") method of homeschooling combined with an unschooling environment. I spoke to experienced homeschooling parents and hung out with their families. I liked what I saw - open, loving, intelligent and engaged families. Four months later, this is still my ultimate goal.

Homeschooling anecdotal article regarding schedules.

Busy little bees

734 words

What are our children actually learning in school?
I've been doing a lot of thinking on this lately, and these are my thoughts.

I wrote this article the week we removed our then 5th grader from public school to begin homeschooling.

Terrifyingly electric

Spine-tingly sights and sounds kick off the Coterie Theatre's season opener "Tell-Tale Electric Poe." Upon entering the darkly lit theatre from the mid-day hustle and bustle of Crown Center, the atmosphere noticeably changes. Grim and ambient metallic music fills the room.

To read full review, click here.

REVIEW
The Coterie Theatre
Tell-Tale Electric Poe
Runs September 15 - October 9 (Reviewed: September 20, 2009)
2450 Grand Boulevard, Suite 144, Kansas City MO
For tickets call 816-474-6552 or online http://www.coterietheatre.org/

Published on: KCMETROPOLIS.org

It's midnight at AHT

Award-winning playwright, Peter Colley's, "I'll Be Back Before Midnight," currently running at the American Heartland Theatre, kept audience members on the edge of their seats and guessing right up until the end. Somewhere between an Agatha Christie mystery and an Alfred Hitchcock thriller, this fast-paced comedy thriller doesn't disappoint.

To read full review, click here.

REVIEW
American Heartland Theatre
I'll Be Back Before Midnight
Runs September 11 - October 25 (Reviewed: September 16, 2009)
Crown Center 2450 Grand Boulevard, Suite 314, Kansas City MO
For tickets call 816-842-9999 or online at http://www.ahtkc.com/

Published on: KCMETROPOLIS.org

Times, they are a-changing

This everyman, or more aptly put, everywoman, story takes place in an unnamed small Midwestern town outside of "The Cities" in Minnesota during 1969-70. It is a tale of personal and national growth and of discovery told through the lives of Pastor Gunderson, played by Barry Williams (a.k.a Greg Brady), and the four ladies who run the church kitchen.

Read the full review here.

REVIEW
New Theatre Restaurant
Church Basement Ladies 2 - A Second Helping
Runs September 2 - November 29 (Reviewed: September 11, 2009)
9229 Foster, Overland Park KS
For tickets call 913-649-7469 or online http://www.newtheatre.com/

Published on: KCMETROPOLIS.org

Open Your Mind to Your Market: Apply Your Personal Brand While on the Job Hunt

1756 words

In the most simple of terms and as it relates to job-seekers, it means – BE REAL. Think about your own unique experiences and expertise in your field and as they translate into a realistic job search. The market is tough right now, so don’t waste a lot of time spinning your wheels, applying for every lead that comes along. Your resume is going to be scrutinized and weeded out by frontline HR employees if you do not meet some fairly basic hits on the job specifications anyway. Your time is valuable. It’s time to realize this, and stop wasting it.

This article describes how job-seekers can set themselves apart for greater success in securing their dream job.

Fear and Growth are NOT Synonymous

870 Words

So I say, feel the fear! Go ahead...you're doing it subconsciously all day long anyway..it's dragging you down, little by little....so feel it. Just let the fear wash over you. Let the adrenaline get your heart pumping, feel it in your fingertips and in your neck, and then take all of that excited energy and do something positive! Take control of your life instead of waiting for something to happen.

This article addresses the paralyzing fear many in the US feel due to the current economic state and gives a motivational perspective on empowerment.

Diane Thompson


...is a freelance writer, an artist, a small business owner, and a homeschooling mom. She is the President of Innovative Design & Marketing LLC, a business planning and marketing consulting firm as well as the owner and agent at Thompson Insurance Agency, which serves KS & MO. Diane is the founder of the Annual Innovative Short Fiction Contest, which provides a creative outlet and an opportunity for competition and publication to Kansas City metro area youth writers between the ages of 14 and 18. She is a Kansas City native with a passion for writing.

Diane has been a contributing writer to National Fibromyalgia Association - Fibro Blog, PresentMagazine.com, Life Without School, maintains several business and art related blogs, and is a member of the KCMetropolis.org collective of writers. You can also find Diane at Raves & Rants of a Homeschool Mom, her variety blog which includes topics such as art, history, writing, homeschooling/unschooling, going-green, book/film/theatre reviews, life and career coaching, business, health, and daily life with kids.
Diane also provides technical writing services to businesses of all sizes and for all types of media (brochures, web content, presentations, flyers, etc.). Current and past clients include: Society for Adolescent Medicine, Transamerica Insurance & Investment Group, Real Dog LLC, Jeweler in the Dishwasher, Advisors Excel, McKibbon Jewelers, AOC Marketing, Summit Alliance Financial, Stevens Remodeling, Beasley Greens, and more.

In her spare time, Diane enjoys spending time with her family, making art, writing short stories and haiku, reading, and studying various genre of philosophy and science. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Missouri, Kansas City.