How to Survive a Migraine...

"Hello, my name is Emma Lou and I'm a long time migraine sufferer."

Anybody else a member of this exclusive club? Well, I know I would love to revoke my membership! Especially today, as I'm trying to survive finals week and handle one of the worst migraine's I've ever had...

I started getting migraines back in 2006 and have spent the last few years complying a list of helpful ideas on how to survive these random and earth shattering headaches. (Okay, I know I'm being a little dramatic but, if you'd ever had a migraine with an aura so bad that you lose your sight than you'll understand...)

So here's my guide:

How to Survive a Migraine

1. Relax
I repeat: RELAX! Trust me, I know how difficult this is to do but it's very important to stay calm and try to resist the urge to panic. Migraines have a lot to do with blood flow and tension (I'm not going to even try and explain what my Neurologist has told me a million times...) so it's important to try and relax both your mind and body.

2. Take a Shower
My mom and I have found this to be a very important step for two reasons: 1. It helps to relax your body and relieve tension. And 2. If things get bad enough that you have to see your doctor, at least you won't smell! Lol? No, seriously... There have been many a time where I've been sitting in my Dr.'s office wishing I had showered before being rushed over to see her!

3. Eat Simple
Usually when I get a migraine, I completely lose my appetite and feel incredibly nauseous. But unfortunately, in order to take my medication (Step 4), I need to have something in my stomach. So, I've learned that it's very important to eat something simple: toast, wheat thins, rice crispy treat, cereal and fruit are a few of my no-fail simple foods. Also, don't eat anything "aged" or "smoked". There's something about the chemicals in these foods that can trigger and/or make a migraine even worse!

4. Don't wait to take Medication
Here's where people with Chronic Migraines have a little bit of a leg up over people who get Infrequent Migraines: I have prescription medication (Thanks Imitrex!). Now the thing about prescription medication is that it needs to be taken at the first sign of a migraine to be the most effective. For me: As soon as I start to lose my peripheral vision, I know to pop a pill.

5. Sleep
Last, but certainly not least... When you have a migraine, go to sleep! The best thing you can do for your body is lay down and try to fall asleep.

Oh and here's my last piece of advice... If you have a Migraine, never, ever, EVER watch this video... Trust me, it's a bad idea.

Got skateboards on my mind…

If you follow on me on Twitter (thewildcard), then you already know how much time I spend working at 44 Board in White Plains, NY. Don’t get me wrong: I love my job and it’s the best way to pay the bills but I spend a lot of time trapped behind a skate case!

This is where a lot of my “learning” takes place. For example, I learned how to grip a skateboard a few weeks ago (And I even videotaped it: How to Grip a Skateboard or you can just scroll down and check it out!).

Like always, I learned something new while at work today:
How to make your own Skate Wax sticks.

Random: Yes!

Useful: Of course!

D.I.Y. Skate Wax Sticks

Here’s What You’ll Need:
A glue stick
Wax (you can use an old candle)
Olive Oil
Tin can (opened and clean!)
Pliers
An oven mitt
A Stove

Procedure:
1. Take you tin can and you pliers. Use the pliers to make the lip of the can pointed. This is so the liquid wax and be poured out easily.

2. Put some wax into the tin can, and add a little olive oil (about 1 tablespoon).

3. Take your glue stick and remove all the glue (but not the glue base piece!). Screw it all the way down to the bottom.

4. Put the can on the stove and heat up the wax until it melts. Once it is completely melted, let it cool for a few minutes so that you’re not pouring boiling-hot wax into the empty glue stick.

5. Use an oven mitt to pick up the hot can of melted wax, and carefully pour the wax into the empty glue stick. NOTE: Place the glue stick on a piece of newspaper or tin foil incase you spill the wax. It makes clean-up a breeze!

6. Set the wax stick aside and let dry.

Now you’ve got a retractable wax stick that’s perfect to stash in your pocket for that sticky ledge at the park, or for slapping some wax on your trucks for skating tranny. It won’t get all melty, leave a nasty film in your pocket or get all over your iPod.

Thanks to Solid Foundation Skatepark & Skateboarding Zine for the idea and instructions!
Check ‘em out!

Oh jeez… now I get it!

In recording and posting my video “How to Grip a Skateboard” it has dawned on me what this blog should really be about…

I seem to learn something new every day.
Why shouldn’t I share what I’ve learned with everyone else?

I realize it’s a little late in the semester, (okay, let’s be real: it’s REALLY late in the semester) but it’s finally dawned on me what is so important/useful/great about blogging.

So, here we go: I’m going to share something new that I’ve learned every day until the end of the semester…

Wish me luck!

Ya' learn something new everyday...

I've learned a lot of new things in the last 6 months...
how to change a tire
how to share a room
how to make some kickass artichoke dip (recipe coming soon!)
how to sell a snowboard
etc. etc. etc

So, I thought it would be a good idea to share one of my new found talents with the world: how to grip a skateboard!

So, here we are...

It's a little awkward, no?
Like first date awkward;
We're sitting at dinner.
You're looking at me.
I'm looking at you.
I open my mouth to say something and...
Nothing comes out.
How embarrassing...

Oh well, let's see if I can save our hypothetical date with the always classic, always reliable topic of music.

Watch this. Think it over. Let me know what you think.


Playing For Change | Song Around The World "Stand By Me" from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Allow me to introduce myself...