Stuff About Brad

Wunderlist helps with disability

I am physically disabled. I have chronic pain and feel physically sick most of the time. This kind of impairment, much like sleep-deprivation, can make following an everyday routine very challenging. Beyond “normal” things, I must remember medicines and supplements, to stretch for an hour or two, and to rest every few hours.

Most of the time, having a disability sucks. Sure, there are some perks, but those are more akin to the consolation prizes of an arcade crane game; a small, token piece of candy instead of the large, desirable plush bear. A handicap placard ― my consolation candy. The price of that tiny sweetness? Everything hurts, all of the time. Everything is harder. Constant pain, nausea, strong medicines, side-effects, doctor visits, immobility, soreness, aches, muscle fatigue, cramps… Most days, I’m stuck at home. Friendships are hard to maintain — nobody is crashing my non-existent party. I’m tethered to my pill bottles; I must take medicines with me everywhere I go, whether that’s out to dinner (on that rare occasion) or into the other room. If I am out in public, I face varying degrees of intolerance, stares, and strange looks from passersby.

Living with a disability is also very expensive, and being disabled makes earning a living and managing money much more difficult. With my condition, a standard workday is an impossibility, and if I’m not careful, debt can become near insurmountable. Because of this, I need to save money anywhere I can, any way I can — shaving off one dollar here and there makes a big difference at the end of the month. (I never saved and used coupons before my disability, but those are great, too.)

Where Wunderlist enters my story. 

I’m really not sure how I managed to do anything properly several years ago. I’ve dealt with my disability for about five years now. Going anywhere requires a set of backups and precautions; I must plan around mobility limitations, remember to bring and take my medicines, tell people where I’m going, and remember where I’m going and why. This requires a good list. 

I’ve tried other to-do list programs in the past, but none seemed to fit. Some were cumbersome — others, too basic. The “best” apps are usually expensive, like “Things:” iPhone version, iPad version, desktop version. That’s three separate expenses for one tool. I tried one version, and found it too complex and irritating. Wunderlist, however, has truly filled a void in remarkable ways. 

For me, it’s changed everything. 

My disability has made many things impossible for me, and makes everything that I can still do a lot  more difficult. I just don't have the energy or the strength to constantly fight with an organization or “GTD” app. I need something flexible, reliable, and simple. I need something I can afford. Thanks to 6Wunderkinder and the Internet, I have Wunderlist.

I love Wunderlist. First, it’s free, and available on every device I use. In my condition, using a desktop is often difficult, and I rarely have all of my devices with me simultaneously. I need something portable that stays synchronized, accessible and easy to use… that’s Wunderlist. Available on iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad), Android, Windows and Mac, and via web interface — Wunderlist incredibly easy to learn and usable within minutes.

Being disabled, I rely on lightweight, mobile devices and help from other people. It’s sad and humbling to admit, but I can’t take care of myself, by myself — there’s too much that I can’t do.

Fortunately, many people have been kind to me, and help me with basics. With Wunderlist, I can remind myself to take medicines, stretch, exercise and keep hydrated, but I can also use Wunderlist to share lists with other people.

Sharing lists makes it easier for others to help me: I can make a list of groceries that I need — or medications to be picked up at the pharmacy — and can share that list with friends and family. This is particularly great for groceries and supplies; with one list, there’s no confusion about what I have and what I still need. 

Helpful features. 

In particular, the option to receive push or email notifications of tasks is crucial. Some medications are easy to forget about because the effects aren't instantaneous and unfortunately, the consequences of forgetting can be serious ― even life threatening. With Wunderlist, I can create a task “take medicine” (a specific type), get a reminder to take the medicine at a specific time, and check off the task once I've taken the medicine. I can then set up another task for the next interval. 

Two features would make Wunderlist perfect (for me): repeating tasks and detailed timestamps for completed tasks. This would leave less room for mistakes, specifically with medications. A repeating task could be set up for each medication at each corresponding interval, and a timestamp marking “task completion” will record exactly when each medicine was taken — in case I think I forgot a dose, actually missed a dose, or didn't take the medicine on time. This would help me reset the repeating tasks to the new time intervals.

I hope my story and use of Wunderlist helps other disabled people get things done just a bit easier.

Homefront: America in Chaos

With Independence Day one day away, days ago, Canada Day, and the Wimbledon men's final in the UK today, I hope and pray that we're doing okay. (Like that?) I am all right, but what about America her/itself?

Watching the news recently has been more depressing than usual. Things are falling apart. Even our sports industry is messed up — NFL & NBA lockouts — thankfully, I'm a Tennis fan. Tennis; another thing Americans aren't excelling at. (Though Mardy Fish has had a commendable run. The Williams sisters were knocked out of the grass Grand Slam early, Andy Roddick's game was eaten alive, and where'd James Blake go?)

I hope Minnesota pulls through. And the rest of America. The stock market is going okay, and the economy has turned around somewhat, but no one seems to realize that. Small business owners are still getting shafted; bad, big banking won't extend much needed credit, even to people with perfect credit histories. I don't have enough time or patience at the moment to get into Obamacare... certainly not enough to write about Obama himself.

God bless our soldiers, though.

Here on the home front, crime is increasing while police officers are being laid-off and retired early. I suppose, like a silly, idealistic optimist, I could look southward and say, "at least it isn't as bad here as it is in Mexico..." yet.

How does this effect the disabled? Well, first, it's upsetting being physically unable to help. It's always hard missing out on simple pleasures — a long walk, a game of tennis, a morning jog with a loyal dog — but it's even harder missing out on necessities. Disability checks are minuscule; the cost of living isn't.

I've been considering these things, pondering the state of the Union and the world, in part because 6Wunderkinder GmbH, creator of Wunderlist, is running a writing contest of sorts. It's actually more of a storytelling contest — they want to know how people use Wunderlist, and the "most creative" wins an iPad 2 plus smart cover signed by the 6Wunderkinder team.

I don't know that my usage is the "most creative," but Wunderlist has certainly been amazingly helpful, in part because it's free and available on every platform I utilize.

<strong>Maybe if our governments could learn from past mistakes</strong> (I was taught in school that that was part of the point of "history") and learn something from the <em>Twitter Age,</em> they'd realize that fixing problems and solving the budget deficits can be done. America wastes billions of dollars per year (and that dollar is becoming pretty darned weak)... Wunderlist is free.

Apple iOS developers have proven that 1000+ employee companies aren't required to make great, innovative tools (and super fun games!). A small, dedicated team could change the world. Again.

Twitter started out small. So did Wikipedia. What's next?

Whatever it is, I hope it comes quick.

<h2>Hello world, you need saving!</h2>

Vertigo

A few days ago, I was struck suddenly and shockingly by vertigo. I'd been dizzy before, but never like this. It wasn't until after that I thought about the massive car accident that caused the traffic jam (photographed). I don't know what caused the collision, but I can imagine vertigo being involved.

The feeling was incredibly disorienting. One moment, I was seemingly fine, and the next, it felt like the world toppled over itself and reoriented with up being down and vice versa. With my eyes closed, the blackness spun in circles. Eyes open, the room oscillated.

I felt nauseated for several days. I'd taken <strong>prochlorperazine</strong> and <strong>Bonine</strong> (meclizine); my doctor said that it could make me feel better within an hour, but I continued to feel awful for days.

The experience was horrible. I think it's over now, and I'm thankful. My temperature was dropping and spiking; 96.6 to 100.1, very, very uncomfortable. I couldn't take my other meds, either.

Hypnotherapy

As part of my quest to heal and help others do the same, I'm going to study psychology and hypnosis. Related to this, I'm also looking at some paranormal/fringe science stuff, NLP and mentalism. That's mostly for fun, but as much as words can hurt, they can help heal.

Thanks for being patient.

OmmWriter Dana II Thoughts and Review

Thoughts on OmmWriter Dāna II, part one.

First, I’d like to point out that I’m creating this blog entry using OmmWriter Dāna II, at the moment, [with the fourth font selected, the largest font option, the (first) chromatherapy background, music off (“Lost in Translation” movie soundtrack in the background, and keystroke sound No. 07]

So far, I can tell you that OmmWriter is a deep, thoughtful, ambitious project under the direction of “The OmmWriter Crew” out of Barcelona — though I’ve only had contact with ‘Collin.’ He’s been extremely gracious, responsive, and interested in my thoughts and feedback. I’d told him that I was going to share my thoughts on this app with everyone, but that I was specifically interested in OmmWriter Dāna II as an application for people with disabilities, pain problems, and those in recovery (of some kind). 

The app is available at the OmmWriter website and through the Mac App Store. OmmWriter Dāna II is about 100MB and available at the App Store for just $4.99 USD. At the OmmWriter website however, there are both PC and Mac versions available, and you can choose your own price for the app, anything beyond four dollars. 

So far, so good. 

I was initially reluctant to use this app for blogging because it seemed to lack “smart quotes” (slanted ones), but it does have them, as well as several other substitutions: ‘smart’ text and links, as well as text replacement — utilizing Mac OS’ Languages & Text system preferences. OmmWriter Dāna I and II both lack formatting options, text markup (bold, italics, underline, etc.) and custom fonts, but I only have an issue with the last item. 

Using this app for blog writing, I don’t want to worry about formatting, because online, it’ll all change. I don’t need to markup my writing yet — I’ll do that in the blog editor (in HTML). For blogging, I’d rather work in plain text. 

I do wish that OmmWriter would allow for custom fonts, however. 

The inability to change fonts in iA Writer for iPad doesn’t bother me, because the developers have chosen a clear, simple, superb, readable ‘special’ font — it fits the app beautifully. By contrast, the font options in OmmWriter aren’t pretty, and one of them isn’t very usable (clear). 

My rough analysis tells me that the available OmmWriter fonts are: Helvetica, Georgia, Snell Roundhand and Bitstream Vera Sans Mono. Of these four, only Bitstream Vera Sans Mono is tolerable to me… and it’s because the leading and tracking for the fonts just isn’t set right. 

This ‘issue’ might only bother graphic designers and typographers, and the OmmWriter ‘philosophy’ states that the set fonts are part of the minimalist, streamlined approach. For me, however, it just about makes me want to change apps. The chromatherapy background is making me stay at the moment; but I do hope that, in the near-future, Herraiz Soto & Co (OmmWriter creative and concept designers) allow a typographer to pick better fonts and set them properly. 

Now, with that out of the way: another issue that I have with the app is its limited font sizes. The margins, width and height of the text field can be modified, but the size of text inside of the box only has four settings, from 00 to +3. The smallest size is fine (small enough), and the very largest (+3) might be fine on a netbook or notebook computer… but on my iMac, it’s too small. Sometimes I want huge text (I’m sure some will relate; don't let your mind wander about now) — large enough to read from eight feet away — because my eyes might be tired, or because I’m writing with help from someone seated farther away from the screen. 

OmmWriter doesn’t accommodate. 

It’s clear; OmmWriter (Dana I & II) is more lifestyle app than true “text editor” or writing tool, one suited for those fond of ‘new age’ stuff and unconventional coolness. There’s a definite feeling that I get from this app, and it’s obvious that the devs are comfortable with its style, and aren’t trying to be cool or make their program look cool (just to look it). Behind every aspect of the app there's a thought, a reason; there is purpose behind each feature and limitation… and that, I can respect.

But I’m not sure that I really like it, or agree with it… yet. 

Things change, apps change — OmmWriter might very well one day be my go-to, catch-all, get-things-done writing tool. 

Presently, however, it’s a toy (but a beautiful one) — a toy that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I know that it fits some people marvelously — and they’ll wonder what I’m going on about. I’m equally aware of the fact that some people will hate OmmWriter to its core, and won’t want any of the included keystroke sounds, color-shifting backgrounds, or the strange, new-age soundtrack. 

Beyond the desktop application, OmmWriter may soon be available for the iPad — and I could see it working well on that platform. With less competition, a defined resolution and working space, and the iOS’ unique strengths and limitations, The OmmWriter Crew may soon drop a gem for iPad users. I’m anxiously awaiting that release… and hope that the fonts look better on the smaller screen. 

I’ll have to come back to the desktop app later, to analyze it specifically as a tool for the disabled. I’d intended to just share a few thoughts about this writing tool and segue to thoughts on lucid dreams, but I got wrapped up, thinking about what is truly the most exciting least boring text editor ever made. 

Part of the deviation occurred when I realized that what I had to share about lucid dreams wasn’t just for this blog. For now, I’ll say this: I think that lucid dreams are critical in the recovery process, and can offer people a perfect, cathartic release as well as a method of healing. 

Lastly, I wonder… have you seen Crysis 2?! 

Hurts

Keeping track of progress dealing with a disability is difficult due to the number of setbacks endured.

I was playing around with the idea of responding to Macworld magazine's thoughts on the iPad 2 — my migraine and myoclonus however, severely limits my ability to do everything.

Even simple things hurt; Looking at backlit screens.

At a new point.

Kind of at this new point. I'm sitting in my car at the moment, typing on my iPhone. I'm waiting outside my doctor's office. Today however, I'm not here for me.

I was writing a post for this blog three days ago; after several hours, it became quite obvious that what I'd written was too long for this. In essence, it's the start of a book.

The past five years have been a grueling journey; each day, week, month, battles fought uphill — in the snow... without shoes.

No, really; I don't want to exaggerate the story beyond believability, so excuse that. I'm reminded often, those classic "in my day, we had to..." stories. I do get it. I do believe that life, in general, is easier now for most people most of the time. America, along with the world, has its problems, but altogether, things aren't too bad.

Whenever I feel that my pain is overwhelming me, I think about the things that I want to fix and people I want to help (and help set straight).

Fortunately, about two months ago, I stumbled on a breakthrough. Though it's put a serious damper on the amount of stuff I can get done during the day, it's reduced my pain tremendously.

I've been using a process involving lucid dreams.

Two years ago, I'd considered hypnosis as a treatment option, an alternative form of therapy for my condition. I knew a pot less about the mechanics of what's going on inside my brain and body, and frankly, I was grasping at straws.

I've been on pretty serious medications for five years, and I want it to end. My life is governed by a once-per-month prescription, the side effects and physical consequences of the opioids and the stigma surrounding pain killers. Far too many people, some talented, have died due to overdose; most of the people worrying about me aren't all that informed — but that doesn't stop them from judging and suggesting things.

I've tolerated and placated, but I have limits. I'm tired.

Luckily, my new form of therapy involves sleep — and it's dually productive.

First and foremost, my lucid dreams allow me to control my pain, even temporarily eliminate it. For years, pain had been a pervasive and consistent element, and the condition was felt while asleep as well as awake. I've found that by controlling the physical nature of my dream world and screwing with its physics, I can end the pain... in my dream.

The most amazing part: the lack of pain persists even after I wake up.

There's obviously a catch. If there wasn't, I'd be screaming prayers (or possibly profanities) from rooftops with a loudspeaker. I'd publish my method and immediately begin trials to treat others. The problem is that the pain inevitably returns; sometimes it comes back within an hour, sometimes after several.

So far, I haven't been able to be pain free while awake for longer than three hours. Meaning: I have to go back to sleep... frequently.

Nevertheless, this breakthrough has been truly remarkable. The basis came while watching some untitled (according to my dumb Comcast DVR; the thing is junk, I'm not happy with it — and it's pricy. Lose, lose!) PBS documentary on the nature of chronic pain. My parents called to tell me it was on, and I caught the tail-end of it.

What I took from that show was that chronic pain physically changes the brain, and that over time, the brain begins to "expect" pain, whether it should be there or not. The brain has an amazing ability to ensure that everything perceived is consistent with its worldview.

I knew that I needed to work on my brain. So I did.

Lucid dreams are amazing. More on that, later. (Time for me to go!)

Wants

Living with constant pain frequently feels impossible. Life for me has been made easier by modern conveniences, Stephanie's help and the support of family and friends, but it is still very difficult.

I've recently stumbled across a method of pain management that has been working well for me much of the time. There are definite drawbacks, but I really like the prospect of being off narcotic painkillers. Opioids have dominated my existence for over five years, and I want to experience life with full faculties again — without the tremendous and unbearable pain that, at present, undoubtedly accompanies being medicine-free.

Luckily, I've been able to do almost all of my digital tasks on the iPad and iPhone 4. I can get books on my Kindle, read emails and browse the net on my iPad, as well as draw, write, take notes, shop and watch movies and TV.

Squarespace has even released an iPad app for use with their service. Why hasn't TypePad?

I hope that SAY releases an app soon. I don't like typing on my iPhone 4, and my Bluetooth keyboard is too far away at the moment. I think if I had a new MacBook Air, I'd use it for things like blogging (the Mac App Store is really sweet) and copy writing... but if I were to get a new machine, I'd want something powerful enough to run Adobe CS5, Starcraft II and the soon-to-be-released Darkspore and Diablo III. More importantly, I want to get a machine that I can hook up a WACOM Cintiq monitor to, for use with Autodesk's SketchBook.

I know this doesn't really have a lot to do with the "new topic," but it is me — my life. Just doing simple things is tough; when technology can make things just a little less painful, I'm happy. Living month to month on controlled meds is stressful at its best.

A distinct change, Bradtastic redefined

I've been in Oakland for six years, the last five mark serious change. Year to year, my life was up, down and sideways during my attempts to build some form of stability that included persistent happiness.

It hasn't been easy — I could simply say, "I have a chronic pain problem and a disability," but that would be grossly inadequate. There are so many other facets and factors —from family and friends, to doctors and meds.

Side effects, withdrawal, depression, isolation, confusion, anger, denial... it's cyclic. I know through experience that I'm not the only one suffering — I know that I have it better than most. Though I have trouble doing a lot of simple things, I'm not confined to my bed or restricted by a wheelchair.

I want to be a voice for the unheard disabled, and add mine to the chorus of chronic pain sufferers whom are far too often misunderstood and treated as heroin junkies because they're currently dependent on narcotics (opioid analgesics; vicodin, percocet, oxycodone, OxyContin, methadone).

Often it is those closest to the one in pain with the misconceptions. They've heard about overdose deaths and by the hype, and mix in their loved ones with the drug users whom abuse the medical system to score a fix and get high.

I've dealt with all of it.

I've kept quiet for long enough, sharing only the fluffed up positive junk. It's time to expose some grit; I think it'll do some good, maybe even open some eyes and ears. Further, I'm not going to hide behind anonymity — I don't need my voice altered or my face obscured. Why should I feel ashamed? Certainly not just because society will try to look down upon me.

I want to share my struggles, my thoughts, encounters — things good and bad. I want to discuss pain killers — the pros and cons — and the side-effects. I want to enlighten others, deal in facts about health risks and alternative treatments.

I'm planning on getting a service animal. I have a disabled parking placard. I use the electric easy-cart at the supermarket. I overheat easily. I'm in pain, and sometimes, I'm miserable.

Unfortunately, I'm not the only one.

I feel especially bad for the elderly with disabilities; sometimes cars won't stop at a crosswalk, or the drivers get impatient with slower walkers. Average people might poke fun at anything abnormal — sometimes they'll make their disgust and ignorance overtly apparent, evident for all to see (and hear).

Life is hard enough without a disability. This is for the crippled and the broken still trying to make life better, improve themselves, and make our planet a nicer place for everyone.

This is for hope and catharsis, light and darkness.

This is for me, for them, and for you.

Change starts with a belief, followed by action.


[Posted from my iPad using BlogPress.]

Note: Please Americans, treat our veterans with dignity and respect. Give them your time and appreciation — care for them. They've fought for you in hellish conditions. Whether you support war or not doesn't matter; the simple fact is that they would've died to protect your freedoms, choices and way of life, and survived. If you know or meet a disabled veteran, help him or her... please.

Location:Oakland, CA

As the world does what it does

The people of this planet continue to do screwy things. Keeping up with crime reports — even casually — is a full-day's effort... and then there's tomorrow. I won't start into politics, but there's one thing that I'd like to note. Law enforcement needs an upgrade; with modern technology and an infusion of insight from consultants — *ahem* — and criminologists, we could increase crime prevention efforts, secure faster, more efficient, proper convictions, clean up the DOC (Department of Corrections), and lower recidivism.