Thursday, January 31, 2008
CLASSY
Warning: this blog entry might make you jealous...
So, the school where my friend MB works has been planning a special benefit concert at the Symphony Hall to raise money for a Habitat for Humanity build. They even roped some of the students' parents into performing, too. Kind of like a talent show, but starring grown-ups. Grown-ups named Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
So MB had been telling me about this concert for a while and I knew it would cost a ton of money but would be really cool. A once in a lifetime special concert.
So imagine my glee when she calls me yesterday and offers me a pair of tickets. Yay! I made some calls, picked up the tickets, and met my wicked hot date at the Schermerhorn, which by the way, is beautiful.
The show was great. The first half was just the Symphony, and knowing that they weren't playing to a typical Symphony Hall crowd, played recognizable classics such as "Hoedown," "Dance of the Hours" and a Berlin Medley. As wonderful as the music was, the conductor was my favorite part. My date said he looked a character from a Pixar movie, while I was seeing Georges Hautecourt from the Aristocats. He had the funniest Dutch accent and white hair and was a very animated conductor. Quite a character!
After the intermission, Faith came out to do her set. She sang "Lost," "Breathe," a beautiful song called "Paris" ("I love this song, it's one of my favorites that I've ever recorded, and I have no idea what it means"), the Janis version of "Piece of my Heart," an Aretha Franklin medley and more. Then Tim joined her to sing "I Need You" which was my favorite part of the night. The Symphony played very softly and we really got to hear their voices. Tim's set was a lot more exciting than Faith's. He was much more energetic and seemed happier to be there. He sang "If You're Reading This," "Watch the Wind Blow By," "Please Remember Me" ("This next song I love, one of my favorites I've ever recorded, but I don't do it a lot 'cause it's hard as hell to sing, I'll be honest with ya"), "Tiny Dancer," "Live Like You Were Dying" and a few others. Then Faith joined him again and they closed the evening with "It's Your Love." It was fantastic. All in all it was a great show, very intimate. I liked that they got to sing some of their favorite but lesser-known songs, like "Paris" and "Please Remember Me."
Then, the wonderful evening continued on the next block over with my very first trip to the The Palm. This was just as much of a treat as the concert. We saw Tim and Faith, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant, Vince Gill and many more famous people... in caricature form, drawn on the wall, I mean. And the only thing better than the food? The company, of course.
It was quite an evening. A concert at the Symphony... dinner at the Palm... a great date. If I'm not careful, I just may have to change my name to Fancy!
So, the school where my friend MB works has been planning a special benefit concert at the Symphony Hall to raise money for a Habitat for Humanity build. They even roped some of the students' parents into performing, too. Kind of like a talent show, but starring grown-ups. Grown-ups named Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.
So MB had been telling me about this concert for a while and I knew it would cost a ton of money but would be really cool. A once in a lifetime special concert.
So imagine my glee when she calls me yesterday and offers me a pair of tickets. Yay! I made some calls, picked up the tickets, and met my wicked hot date at the Schermerhorn, which by the way, is beautiful.
The show was great. The first half was just the Symphony, and knowing that they weren't playing to a typical Symphony Hall crowd, played recognizable classics such as "Hoedown," "Dance of the Hours" and a Berlin Medley. As wonderful as the music was, the conductor was my favorite part. My date said he looked a character from a Pixar movie, while I was seeing Georges Hautecourt from the Aristocats. He had the funniest Dutch accent and white hair and was a very animated conductor. Quite a character!
After the intermission, Faith came out to do her set. She sang "Lost," "Breathe," a beautiful song called "Paris" ("I love this song, it's one of my favorites that I've ever recorded, and I have no idea what it means"), the Janis version of "Piece of my Heart," an Aretha Franklin medley and more. Then Tim joined her to sing "I Need You" which was my favorite part of the night. The Symphony played very softly and we really got to hear their voices. Tim's set was a lot more exciting than Faith's. He was much more energetic and seemed happier to be there. He sang "If You're Reading This," "Watch the Wind Blow By," "Please Remember Me" ("This next song I love, one of my favorites I've ever recorded, but I don't do it a lot 'cause it's hard as hell to sing, I'll be honest with ya"), "Tiny Dancer," "Live Like You Were Dying" and a few others. Then Faith joined him again and they closed the evening with "It's Your Love." It was fantastic. All in all it was a great show, very intimate. I liked that they got to sing some of their favorite but lesser-known songs, like "Paris" and "Please Remember Me."
Then, the wonderful evening continued on the next block over with my very first trip to the The Palm. This was just as much of a treat as the concert. We saw Tim and Faith, Trisha Yearwood, Amy Grant, Vince Gill and many more famous people... in caricature form, drawn on the wall, I mean. And the only thing better than the food? The company, of course.
It was quite an evening. A concert at the Symphony... dinner at the Palm... a great date. If I'm not careful, I just may have to change my name to Fancy!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
TECHNOLOGICAL
My phone has been acting screwy lately. Turning off, being uncooperative, requiring full battery charge every night, etc. So I went into T-Mobile yesterday just planning to get another Razr for $30.
Until I saw that the Blackberry Pearls were on sale. Mega sale.
I WANT ONE SO BAD.
I will be the first to admit that I am not so important or needed that I need to be that accessible at any given time of day. My employer or clients don't need me that badly and neither does anyone else. I just LIKE to be that accessible at any given time of day. I like being able to check my e-mail whenever I want. I would love to be able to get the internet wherever I am. Hooray, technology.
But the monthly service fees? Not on sale. It's the equivalent of re-buying the phone (at its current sale price) every month. I can't get on board with that. Especially when I know full well that I can check the internet any anytime at my office or house.
If you have a Blackberry, are they worth it? If you're married to someone with a Blackberry, are they not worth it? If YOU pay for it (and by YOU I do not mean your employer or your parents), are they worth it?
Or should I wait until the iPhone goes on sale?
Until I saw that the Blackberry Pearls were on sale. Mega sale.
I WANT ONE SO BAD.
I will be the first to admit that I am not so important or needed that I need to be that accessible at any given time of day. My employer or clients don't need me that badly and neither does anyone else. I just LIKE to be that accessible at any given time of day. I like being able to check my e-mail whenever I want. I would love to be able to get the internet wherever I am. Hooray, technology.
But the monthly service fees? Not on sale. It's the equivalent of re-buying the phone (at its current sale price) every month. I can't get on board with that. Especially when I know full well that I can check the internet any anytime at my office or house.
If you have a Blackberry, are they worth it? If you're married to someone with a Blackberry, are they not worth it? If YOU pay for it (and by YOU I do not mean your employer or your parents), are they worth it?
Or should I wait until the iPhone goes on sale?
Monday, January 28, 2008
UNFULFILLED
I was jumping around the other night after my (cough 4 mile cough) run, stretching a little and trying to stay warm, when I started doing a two-step. Well, every good two-step needs some arm motions and before I knew what was really happening, I was doing Bodda Getta. Which led to the Free Ride Dance Band Chant.
Are you ready for this? I miss cheerleading.
It's been more than six years since I last had on a uniform, but I miss it (though I sure don't miss our "coach"). Maybe I just miss high school in general because it was a simpler existence. The biggest decisions I had to make in high school were who to take to the Valentine's dances and how many colleges to apply to. And even that was a no-brainer when I saw the UAT application actually had a box to check if anyone in your family played football under the Bear.
Does anyone else relate? Maybe you didn't cheer, but am I the only one who misses high school extracurriculars? You former volleyball/soccer/majorette stars — I'm talking to you!
To remedy this, I've been looking on message boards to see if any local junior high or senior high schools need a cheerleading sponsor or coach. I think I would be so much fun as an advisor/coach/sponsor. God knows I'd better than this woman.
Are you ready for this? I miss cheerleading.
It's been more than six years since I last had on a uniform, but I miss it (though I sure don't miss our "coach"). Maybe I just miss high school in general because it was a simpler existence. The biggest decisions I had to make in high school were who to take to the Valentine's dances and how many colleges to apply to. And even that was a no-brainer when I saw the UAT application actually had a box to check if anyone in your family played football under the Bear.
Does anyone else relate? Maybe you didn't cheer, but am I the only one who misses high school extracurriculars? You former volleyball/soccer/majorette stars — I'm talking to you!
To remedy this, I've been looking on message boards to see if any local junior high or senior high schools need a cheerleading sponsor or coach. I think I would be so much fun as an advisor/coach/sponsor. God knows I'd better than this woman.
(STILL) STUNNED
It happened again, y'all. I went back to Carrabba's on Saturday night and guess who waited on me? This guy.
He was just as bad as before. As soon as we sat down, I could tell from his twitching and overzealous welcome that it was going to be a very long night.
My mind went numb. I was kicking my friend under the table while typing into my phone all the dumb things he was saying. He managed to make fun of Parkinson's patients, Latin Americans, African Americans, Run DMC, Journey's Shoe Store, his parents, the religious right, wine snobs and more. He didn't bat an eye when he told us his hourly salary. He showed no remorse as he complained that another table didn't leave him a tip and actually asked us if we thought it was bad to fill an 18 percent tip in on the credit card receipt anyway.
I wanted to ask him how his lactose intolerance issues were working out but I wasn't prepared to sit there and listen to the answer.
To his credit, the service was fine. We got our food and bread and drinks all very promptly. But his table-side manner is enough to make you want to stab yourself (or him) in the eye with a fork. And I don't think he has any idea how annoying he comes off! He seemed shell shocked when that table left him absolutely no tip, especially because he "was so nice to them and gave them great service!" I think he equates great service with a lot of talking. Now I'm not so mean that I wouldn't leave a tip at all, but it's like, news flash: I did not order a side of personal history pasta to accompany this salad!
Anyway. Go to the Carrabba's at Green Hills and ask for Eric. If he's not the most awkward and annoying waiter you've ever had, I'll pay for your meal.
P.S.: If he's not there, check behind the restaurant's dumpster, where I spied him smoking a cigarette while I was driving away.
He was just as bad as before. As soon as we sat down, I could tell from his twitching and overzealous welcome that it was going to be a very long night.
My mind went numb. I was kicking my friend under the table while typing into my phone all the dumb things he was saying. He managed to make fun of Parkinson's patients, Latin Americans, African Americans, Run DMC, Journey's Shoe Store, his parents, the religious right, wine snobs and more. He didn't bat an eye when he told us his hourly salary. He showed no remorse as he complained that another table didn't leave him a tip and actually asked us if we thought it was bad to fill an 18 percent tip in on the credit card receipt anyway.
I wanted to ask him how his lactose intolerance issues were working out but I wasn't prepared to sit there and listen to the answer.
To his credit, the service was fine. We got our food and bread and drinks all very promptly. But his table-side manner is enough to make you want to stab yourself (or him) in the eye with a fork. And I don't think he has any idea how annoying he comes off! He seemed shell shocked when that table left him absolutely no tip, especially because he "was so nice to them and gave them great service!" I think he equates great service with a lot of talking. Now I'm not so mean that I wouldn't leave a tip at all, but it's like, news flash: I did not order a side of personal history pasta to accompany this salad!
Anyway. Go to the Carrabba's at Green Hills and ask for Eric. If he's not the most awkward and annoying waiter you've ever had, I'll pay for your meal.
P.S.: If he's not there, check behind the restaurant's dumpster, where I spied him smoking a cigarette while I was driving away.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
IMPRESSED
Someone told me last night that the Country Music Marathon and Half were already full. I hope that's not true, because I'm still working on getting a few people to run with me (hint hint). Anyway, I Googled it today to see if it is true, and I found this instead. I think what this CEO has offered to his employees is awesome. Companies like that one and this one really reassure my faith in corporate America.
RACEY
Hooray! Yesterday I ran in my first race and lived to blog about it.
First of all, let's go ahead and get this out of the way - this might have been a race but there was absolutely no racing going on in my head. All those people that were in it to win it had one less competitor in me. My goal was to finish at a decent time and not get eaten by a zoo animal.
I woke up at 6 to go meet my team for our group run. I only ran half of what my goal was since I was planning to run again that day. I ran without my iPod but with a buddy, so it was a good trade, and I even ran a big hill. Then I ate breakfast, ran some errands (I picked up shoes from the cobbler... that is so much fun to say), came home and planned to take a little nap. Just 30 minutes.
Well, I ended up oversleeping and I didn't wake up from my little nap until 20 minutes until I was meeting my friend. I threw on my running clothes, grabbed a snack and ran out the door. I got to our meeting spot late, and then realized I'd left my wallet at home.
If you know me well than you will understand why I got so flustered. I was nervous about being in a race environment for the first time (some of those people are crazy), not having stuck to my plan of what to eat/drink that afternoon pre-run (Gatorade and carbs), forgot my wallet which had my ID (which I thought I needed to pick up my timer), etc. Yes, I know that none of those complaints would really be a factor in my ability to run that afternoon, but in my head they were, and I had thrown myself off big time.
We got to the Zoo and there were a ton of people. I was laughing at how bundled up some of them were - if you think this is cold, try 7 a.m. We went and got our ChampionChips (timing devices). Turns out I didn't need my ID to pick that up after all, so that was one less thing to fret about.
We stood in line and hopped around to stay warm. There were so many people that I started to get intimidated. Finally, the gun fired and we were off. We started off pretty fast and I was doing fine until about the 1 mile mark, when my legs sent a memo up to my brain that read "Hey moron - didn't we already do this today?" I let my friend keep going at her pace and slipped into one that was good for me.
We didn't hit the actual Zoo exhibits until more than halfway through, unless you count the empty elephant exhibit that was all uphill. I smiled when I saw one tiger prowling around his cage, and saw some fish and goats (not together) closer to the end of the race.
Near the end of the run there were spectators with cameras and signs. I can see now how important it is to have someone cheering/watching for you, especially when you're running more than 5k, and it made me really glad to think that when I do that, my family will be there.
Just as I was processing that thought, I saw the 3 mile marker and knew I was almost done. I also saw my sweet friend running toward me. She'd crossed the finish line, turned around, and came back to finish with me. It was thrilling to run under that big sign and know I'd finished. I did it!
We went to get some water and waited for our times to be posted. I don't know if 32:45 is a great time or not, but I don't care. I was just proud of myself for accomplishing a goal.
Midway through the run I started to get really discouraged. If this is hard, imagine what 13.1 miles is going to be like? And if I get this worked up over a 5k, imagine how worked up I'll be the morning of the half? The past two weeks or so I have felt really good and confident about my ability to do this, but for about 6 or 7 minutes yesterday I was panicking. In fact, I'm starting to panic again just writing about it.
My friend had somewhere to be so we didn't stick around too long after the race, which was fine with me. I came home and got ready to meet up with some friends, but got ready early and went to the mall to buy myself a treat for my efforts.
One more last bit of exciting news: I decided to raise my fund-raising goal to a nice even $2000 because my online campaign is going so well. Thank you Kate and everyone else who has contributed. I have the best friends in the world!
Ignore the hair. I overslept and it was windy.
First of all, let's go ahead and get this out of the way - this might have been a race but there was absolutely no racing going on in my head. All those people that were in it to win it had one less competitor in me. My goal was to finish at a decent time and not get eaten by a zoo animal.
I woke up at 6 to go meet my team for our group run. I only ran half of what my goal was since I was planning to run again that day. I ran without my iPod but with a buddy, so it was a good trade, and I even ran a big hill. Then I ate breakfast, ran some errands (I picked up shoes from the cobbler... that is so much fun to say), came home and planned to take a little nap. Just 30 minutes.
Well, I ended up oversleeping and I didn't wake up from my little nap until 20 minutes until I was meeting my friend. I threw on my running clothes, grabbed a snack and ran out the door. I got to our meeting spot late, and then realized I'd left my wallet at home.
If you know me well than you will understand why I got so flustered. I was nervous about being in a race environment for the first time (some of those people are crazy), not having stuck to my plan of what to eat/drink that afternoon pre-run (Gatorade and carbs), forgot my wallet which had my ID (which I thought I needed to pick up my timer), etc. Yes, I know that none of those complaints would really be a factor in my ability to run that afternoon, but in my head they were, and I had thrown myself off big time.
We got to the Zoo and there were a ton of people. I was laughing at how bundled up some of them were - if you think this is cold, try 7 a.m. We went and got our ChampionChips (timing devices). Turns out I didn't need my ID to pick that up after all, so that was one less thing to fret about.
We stood in line and hopped around to stay warm. There were so many people that I started to get intimidated. Finally, the gun fired and we were off. We started off pretty fast and I was doing fine until about the 1 mile mark, when my legs sent a memo up to my brain that read "Hey moron - didn't we already do this today?" I let my friend keep going at her pace and slipped into one that was good for me.
We didn't hit the actual Zoo exhibits until more than halfway through, unless you count the empty elephant exhibit that was all uphill. I smiled when I saw one tiger prowling around his cage, and saw some fish and goats (not together) closer to the end of the race.
Near the end of the run there were spectators with cameras and signs. I can see now how important it is to have someone cheering/watching for you, especially when you're running more than 5k, and it made me really glad to think that when I do that, my family will be there.
Just as I was processing that thought, I saw the 3 mile marker and knew I was almost done. I also saw my sweet friend running toward me. She'd crossed the finish line, turned around, and came back to finish with me. It was thrilling to run under that big sign and know I'd finished. I did it!
We went to get some water and waited for our times to be posted. I don't know if 32:45 is a great time or not, but I don't care. I was just proud of myself for accomplishing a goal.
Midway through the run I started to get really discouraged. If this is hard, imagine what 13.1 miles is going to be like? And if I get this worked up over a 5k, imagine how worked up I'll be the morning of the half? The past two weeks or so I have felt really good and confident about my ability to do this, but for about 6 or 7 minutes yesterday I was panicking. In fact, I'm starting to panic again just writing about it.
My friend had somewhere to be so we didn't stick around too long after the race, which was fine with me. I came home and got ready to meet up with some friends, but got ready early and went to the mall to buy myself a treat for my efforts.
One more last bit of exciting news: I decided to raise my fund-raising goal to a nice even $2000 because my online campaign is going so well. Thank you Kate and everyone else who has contributed. I have the best friends in the world!
Ignore the hair. I overslept and it was windy.Friday, January 25, 2008
MESMERIZED
OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH OH MY GOSH. Did y'all watch the Gauntlet like I told you to? Was it not the greatest? Where do I even start?
I know - with BROOKE! First off, I don't know if you saw but during the Tug of War challenge, while all her team was digging deep and trying to win, Brooke was in the back standing up. Totally upright. I'm not fully convinced she was even holding the rope.
"This rope just said I have a DOUBLE CHIN!!!!"
Didn't like that so much Brooke? Because that's probably going to be the easiest/cleanest of all the challenges.
Then, because the Rookies lost, they find out they have to sleep in basically an army barrack. When they got there, they found bugs crawling on the beds:
"Did that bug just say I have a DOUBLE CHIN?!?!!"
After everyone claimed a bed, that night at thebrothel house, we FINALLY get to see Tyler and Brooke talking. Tyler did not disappoint me. We see him listening to Brooke go on and on about the pros and cons of being with men and being with women, and he finally announces to Brooke that she is going to be a "dream case" for him. AKA - I'm going to be on you like white on rice until you crack up or go home, whichever comes first.
"This is going to be SO MUCH FUN." 
"Is he looking at my DOUBLE CHIN!?!?!"
Then Tyler bestows upon us what I'll name the quote of the week:
"I was DYING to meet Brooke... because she is Bat Shit Crazy!!!!"
And with that, the Gauntlet got good. Yay!
Other tidbits: Raise your hand if you are pulling for Beth to win so that she can finally afford to get that Rosacea fixed?
Nothing else really caught my eye. CT is a meathead, Beth is ridiculous, Coral is butch, everyone hooks up with everyone else, so on and so forth, Alex goes home, end of episode one.
If you don't watch this show, I'm sorry. But I do, and it's hilarious, probably because I've seen shows with these crazy people on it before. So if you just tune in to see what the fuss is about and haven't watched a season of Real World or a Challenge ever before, then you probably won't think this is funny. This may help explain the double chin thing. But if you're like me, have seen these people before and can appreciate what's unfolding before our eyes, then this is going to be a fun Spring.
I know - with BROOKE! First off, I don't know if you saw but during the Tug of War challenge, while all her team was digging deep and trying to win, Brooke was in the back standing up. Totally upright. I'm not fully convinced she was even holding the rope.
"This rope just said I have a DOUBLE CHIN!!!!"Didn't like that so much Brooke? Because that's probably going to be the easiest/cleanest of all the challenges.
Then, because the Rookies lost, they find out they have to sleep in basically an army barrack. When they got there, they found bugs crawling on the beds:
"Did that bug just say I have a DOUBLE CHIN?!?!!"After everyone claimed a bed, that night at the
"This is going to be SO MUCH FUN." 
"Is he looking at my DOUBLE CHIN!?!?!"Then Tyler bestows upon us what I'll name the quote of the week:
"I was DYING to meet Brooke... because she is Bat Shit Crazy!!!!"
And with that, the Gauntlet got good. Yay!
Other tidbits: Raise your hand if you are pulling for Beth to win so that she can finally afford to get that Rosacea fixed?
Nothing else really caught my eye. CT is a meathead, Beth is ridiculous, Coral is butch, everyone hooks up with everyone else, so on and so forth, Alex goes home, end of episode one.
If you don't watch this show, I'm sorry. But I do, and it's hilarious, probably because I've seen shows with these crazy people on it before. So if you just tune in to see what the fuss is about and haven't watched a season of Real World or a Challenge ever before, then you probably won't think this is funny. This may help explain the double chin thing. But if you're like me, have seen these people before and can appreciate what's unfolding before our eyes, then this is going to be a fun Spring.
CREEPED OUT
When I woke up yesterday morning, I found an e-mail from You Tube informing me that I had a new message. A new message? On You Tube? Weird.
I open it up and here's what I find:
hmm... never sent a message over youtube. And its 4am so why the hell not. So... you need to sing more songs. I heard you and commented like 2 months ago and now I just spent like 30 minutes trying to find you again and you havent added ANY songs... like, what the hell. So, if you could please, I would much appreciate it, even if they are just cover songs :)
-Ross
I haven't decided if I am creeped out, flattered or both by this 41-year-old man's message. My favorite part is "like, what the hell."
This reminds me of that line in That Thing You Do: "Hey, wasn't that our fan?"
I open it up and here's what I find:
hmm... never sent a message over youtube. And its 4am so why the hell not. So... you need to sing more songs. I heard you and commented like 2 months ago and now I just spent like 30 minutes trying to find you again and you havent added ANY songs... like, what the hell. So, if you could please, I would much appreciate it, even if they are just cover songs :)
-Ross
I haven't decided if I am creeped out, flattered or both by this 41-year-old man's message. My favorite part is "like, what the hell."
This reminds me of that line in That Thing You Do: "Hey, wasn't that our fan?"
Thursday, January 24, 2008
MOTIVATED
I had a chili lunch fund-raiser today at work. A few people volunteered to bring chili, cheese, dessert, salad, bread, etc. and then everyone paid $5 to eat from the yummy spread. I raised $250 for my TNT campaign, so I am excited!
Also, I ran 4 miles last night and when I came in, I found that I had not one but TWO new donations! While I was running! Isn't that cool? Again, great timing. Thanks Drew and John. You are both way generous!
One other funny story: I'm not going to lie. Losing weight as a byproduct of all this running is pretty nice. Yes, I am more interested in finishing my goal of 13.1 miles and raising money for LLS, but let's get real - dropping some pounds is icing on the cake. So while I've been raising money for a few months now, and have told plenty of people about the half marathon, the third "element" is just starting to get noticed. And it's amazing how far one tiny subliminal compliment on your... ummm... assets... will make you want to run! So who knows - maybe I've found the motivation to keep this up after April!
Also, I ran 4 miles last night and when I came in, I found that I had not one but TWO new donations! While I was running! Isn't that cool? Again, great timing. Thanks Drew and John. You are both way generous!
One other funny story: I'm not going to lie. Losing weight as a byproduct of all this running is pretty nice. Yes, I am more interested in finishing my goal of 13.1 miles and raising money for LLS, but let's get real - dropping some pounds is icing on the cake. So while I've been raising money for a few months now, and have told plenty of people about the half marathon, the third "element" is just starting to get noticed. And it's amazing how far one tiny subliminal compliment on your... ummm... assets... will make you want to run! So who knows - maybe I've found the motivation to keep this up after April!
COMPETITIVE
If anyone in Nashville is looking for something fun to do tonight, you can come with my friends and I to the Nashville Bacchanalian Society's first event at Cheekwood.
This is so amazing - I wish I had thought of it. You get in a team of 3 and bring 3 bottles of the same wine with you to the event. Everyone brings the same kind of wine - as in, Thursday is Pinot Noir night. So you pay $10 at the door where they put aside one of your team's bottles and keep the other two out for tasting. Those two bottles are covered up and randomly assigned a number, so you don't know which bottle is which. Everyone goes around and tastes all the wine and votes for the best and worst. At the end of the night, the top five teams with the best tasting wine (as voted on by attendees) get to take home all the third, unopened bottles! Think how much wine you could get! And the team whose wine is voted the worst wine gets to take their yucky unopened bottle home.
My team and I went to pick out our wine on Tuesday during our lunch break. We set a budget before we went in the wine store and came in under; hurrah! Indicative of how big a party this is going to be: the Pinot Noir shelves were already almost empty, and all the boxed Pinot Noir is gone (yes, we asked). Our bottles of 2005 Parducci have been resting comfortably in my office this week in a Grey Goose box, prompting about 10 inquiries/strange looks from passerbys. Look, if I were so unhappy that I had to resort to bringing caseloads of liquor into work to get me through the day—Water bottle? Check. Lunch? Check. Case of Vodka? Check.—believe me, it wouldn't be Grey Goose. Maybe if I was paid more, I could afford to hypothetically buy cases of nice vodka and bring them work with me. Or, not need hypothetical cases of vodka altogether since, after all, I would be making more money.
I'm guessing there'll be at least 100 teams there, and all the wine is going to start tasting the same after taste 7 or 8, so I'm estimating that it won't take but like 10 votes to break into the top five wine-winning teams. So,our my plan is to get as many people we know to go to the event with us and then rig it by all voting for the same team's wine and then splitting the loot.
Okay, I'm only kidding, we're not going cheat.
...Well, maybe not. More than likely not. I mean, we will probably not cheat. Could it we cheat? Totally. But will we? There's a chance. But it's a small chance. But a chance nonetheless. Maybe. We'll see. I don't know. Just ask me when you get there.
This is so amazing - I wish I had thought of it. You get in a team of 3 and bring 3 bottles of the same wine with you to the event. Everyone brings the same kind of wine - as in, Thursday is Pinot Noir night. So you pay $10 at the door where they put aside one of your team's bottles and keep the other two out for tasting. Those two bottles are covered up and randomly assigned a number, so you don't know which bottle is which. Everyone goes around and tastes all the wine and votes for the best and worst. At the end of the night, the top five teams with the best tasting wine (as voted on by attendees) get to take home all the third, unopened bottles! Think how much wine you could get! And the team whose wine is voted the worst wine gets to take their yucky unopened bottle home.
My team and I went to pick out our wine on Tuesday during our lunch break. We set a budget before we went in the wine store and came in under; hurrah! Indicative of how big a party this is going to be: the Pinot Noir shelves were already almost empty, and all the boxed Pinot Noir is gone (yes, we asked). Our bottles of 2005 Parducci have been resting comfortably in my office this week in a Grey Goose box, prompting about 10 inquiries/strange looks from passerbys. Look, if I were so unhappy that I had to resort to bringing caseloads of liquor into work to get me through the day—Water bottle? Check. Lunch? Check. Case of Vodka? Check.—believe me, it wouldn't be Grey Goose. Maybe if I was paid more, I could afford to hypothetically buy cases of nice vodka and bring them work with me. Or, not need hypothetical cases of vodka altogether since, after all, I would be making more money.
I'm guessing there'll be at least 100 teams there, and all the wine is going to start tasting the same after taste 7 or 8, so I'm estimating that it won't take but like 10 votes to break into the top five wine-winning teams. So,
Okay, I'm only kidding, we're not going cheat.
...Well, maybe not. More than likely not. I mean, we will probably not cheat. Could it we cheat? Totally. But will we? There's a chance. But it's a small chance. But a chance nonetheless. Maybe. We'll see. I don't know. Just ask me when you get there.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
NAMED (part 2)
You may notice I have reset the new name poll over on the right. Gone are Lindsay Knows Best, LindsayKathleen, and Eric's personal favorite, Tennessingle (make sure you're pronouncing it right -- it's not Tennessee Single. Just one word: Tennessingle). Listed instead are the top four finalists for the new name of this blog.
Apparently, not all of the options were clear the first time, so to ensure that we are playing on an equal field, let me just run through them:
"Pearls Of Wit" - You know the phrase Pearls of Wisdom? A pearl of wisdom is like a little proverb or bit of good advice. Well, no one's ever called me wise, but I do write little witty stories. And I wear pearls 6 days out of 7. So I think this fits.
"Pass The Sass" - I don't even know where this one came from except that it rhymes and indicates that I am usually sassy.
"Bunny Fitch" - Swap the first letters. I have been called this before (the swapped version).
"Tap That Sass" - This is a play on the phrase that in pop culture means to.... pursue?... someone. Come to my blog if you wanna tap that sass!
So there you go. Vote away. After all, you'll be the ones typing it in, not me. And once again let me remind all of you that are reading this "anonymously" that voting actually is anonymous, so feel free to participate/cast your vote without blowing your cover.
Apparently, not all of the options were clear the first time, so to ensure that we are playing on an equal field, let me just run through them:
"Pearls Of Wit" - You know the phrase Pearls of Wisdom? A pearl of wisdom is like a little proverb or bit of good advice. Well, no one's ever called me wise, but I do write little witty stories. And I wear pearls 6 days out of 7. So I think this fits.
"Pass The Sass" - I don't even know where this one came from except that it rhymes and indicates that I am usually sassy.
"Bunny Fitch" - Swap the first letters. I have been called this before (the swapped version).
"Tap That Sass" - This is a play on the phrase that in pop culture means to.... pursue?... someone. Come to my blog if you wanna tap that sass!
So there you go. Vote away. After all, you'll be the ones typing it in, not me. And once again let me remind all of you that are reading this "anonymously" that voting actually is anonymous, so feel free to participate/cast your vote without blowing your cover.
SMARTER
I got an e-mail yesterday from my mom letting me know that "someone" had "told her" that I put the picture of her mattress on my blog and "IF it is true" to please take it down since I embarrassed her "IF in fact I put it on there." I saw through her poorly constructed lie and told her I would take it down when she told me from where she got the blog address and how long she'd been reading it. But what's that phrase about how smart people don't ask questions unless they already know the answer?
Guess what? An Oompa Linda who can barely run an iPod on her own is no match for a cunning and technologically savvy bored but employed mid-twenty-something, who not only knows whose blog you visit to get to mine, but when you visit, how often, and what you read when you do! And whom you send the link to in oh, I don't know, Denver? Oh, young grasshopper. How quickly you will learn.
So, without further ado, let's all officially welcome my mom to the blog. It's okay, Mom. I won't even change the address this time.
PS: I still stand by my assertation that if she ever joins Facebook, I'm done.
Guess what? An Oompa Linda who can barely run an iPod on her own is no match for a cunning and technologically savvy bored but employed mid-twenty-something, who not only knows whose blog you visit to get to mine, but when you visit, how often, and what you read when you do! And whom you send the link to in oh, I don't know, Denver? Oh, young grasshopper. How quickly you will learn.
So, without further ado, let's all officially welcome my mom to the blog. It's okay, Mom. I won't even change the address this time.
PS: I still stand by my assertation that if she ever joins Facebook, I'm done.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
HUMBLED
I was sitting at my desk last night when my g-mail notifier pinged me to let me know I had mail. I was giddy to see that it was another donation to my active.com TNT campaign site. "Hurray!" I thought to myself. "My friends are so generous!" Little did I know just how generous this particular friend was.
Read the g-chat conversation that ensued:
Me: OMG!
Friend: Hi.
me: ARE MY EYES DECEIVING ME?
Friend: I want you to meet your goal.
me: I can't take that much from you!!!! I have until April to meet my goal!
Friend: It's not like that... my parents give my brothers and me money each year for Christmas that we get to give away to a good cause. You are my good cause.
me: I am your good cause? You are too kind!
Friend: Well I like to help. I'm done til next year though...
me: I'm about to cry!
Friend: Don't cry!! I just love you and love what you are doing. I don't have the determination to do it.
me: Well I love what you're doing... being really sweet to your pathetic friends like me! I'm just overwhelmed. Thank you so much!
Friend: You are in no way pathetic. You are welcome dear friend!
me: You are the dear one. Can I talk about my amazing anonymous friend on my blog?
And obviously, she said yes.
My friends are incredible! I am so blessed. Y'alls timing is perfect. For instance, yesterday morning, I went into the kitchen at work to check on the sign-up list for food for my chili fund raiser, and was a little disheartened to see it was still pretty empty. But when I got back to my desk, I found an e-mail from active.com letting me know that Sarah and Clay had just made a donation, and I almost cried. What divine timing! Thank you!
I stand humbled. Honestly. My friends are my heroes. Your support is overwhelming. I can't wait to run again. You have faith in me! I can do it!
PS: True story: while I was typing this, ANOTHER donation was made! AAAHHHH! Thank you, Star!
Read the g-chat conversation that ensued:
Me: OMG!
Friend: Hi.
me: ARE MY EYES DECEIVING ME?
Friend: I want you to meet your goal.
me: I can't take that much from you!!!! I have until April to meet my goal!
Friend: It's not like that... my parents give my brothers and me money each year for Christmas that we get to give away to a good cause. You are my good cause.
me: I am your good cause? You are too kind!
Friend: Well I like to help. I'm done til next year though...
me: I'm about to cry!
Friend: Don't cry!! I just love you and love what you are doing. I don't have the determination to do it.
me: Well I love what you're doing... being really sweet to your pathetic friends like me! I'm just overwhelmed. Thank you so much!
Friend: You are in no way pathetic. You are welcome dear friend!
me: You are the dear one. Can I talk about my amazing anonymous friend on my blog?
And obviously, she said yes.
My friends are incredible! I am so blessed. Y'alls timing is perfect. For instance, yesterday morning, I went into the kitchen at work to check on the sign-up list for food for my chili fund raiser, and was a little disheartened to see it was still pretty empty. But when I got back to my desk, I found an e-mail from active.com letting me know that Sarah and Clay had just made a donation, and I almost cried. What divine timing! Thank you!
I stand humbled. Honestly. My friends are my heroes. Your support is overwhelming. I can't wait to run again. You have faith in me! I can do it!
PS: True story: while I was typing this, ANOTHER donation was made! AAAHHHH! Thank you, Star!
WORKING
Was I the only one working yesterday? A lot of my friends, and apparently a lot of my possessions, were off the clock.
For instance, my cell phone. I got up to turn off the alarm and noticed the screen was black. Weird. I turned it off. I turned it on. Nothing. It was making all the right noises but nothing was showing up. Really, cell phone? How am I supposed to send/receive texts or know if I miss a call because I am "working"? I turned it off then on again and still nothing. I packed a lunch to eat at my desk so that I could go get a new phone on my break. I was driving to work, pondering where the closest T-Mobile is to my office, when I decided to try one last tactic: the old-fashioned, last-ditch Whack It Hard Against Something method. So I slammed my cell phone 5 or 6 times onto my steering wheel. I'm sure the drivers beside me thought I had some hardcore road rage. I would have kept going but then I got scared about the air-bag deploying, like that's something I wanted to deal with. But turns out I didn't need to keep going because The Whack It Hard Against Something way worked and guess what? My cell phone screen came to life. That's right. If I have to work on a national holiday, cell phone, so do you. And I'll beat your head against my steering wheel again every time I catch you slacking off.
I'm talking to you too, earring backs. I'm not sure why yesterday of all days you both decide that plunging off the back of my pearl earrings, freefalling down my shirt and lodging into my bra is your new hobby. Don't get me wrong, I am totally impressed by your ability to do this since after all, I did have on a turtleneck. But honestly? Not the best day for me. Can we save the high-dive training for another day? Or may I interest you in another olympic sport, like the sport of Staying Where You're Supposed To? That is your only job, earring backs. To sit still. It's not hard. Get together with earrings and come up with a plan to entertain yourselves (I'll beat up the cell phone against the steering wheel again if you want) but guess what? I have to work and so do you.
For instance, my cell phone. I got up to turn off the alarm and noticed the screen was black. Weird. I turned it off. I turned it on. Nothing. It was making all the right noises but nothing was showing up. Really, cell phone? How am I supposed to send/receive texts or know if I miss a call because I am "working"? I turned it off then on again and still nothing. I packed a lunch to eat at my desk so that I could go get a new phone on my break. I was driving to work, pondering where the closest T-Mobile is to my office, when I decided to try one last tactic: the old-fashioned, last-ditch Whack It Hard Against Something method. So I slammed my cell phone 5 or 6 times onto my steering wheel. I'm sure the drivers beside me thought I had some hardcore road rage. I would have kept going but then I got scared about the air-bag deploying, like that's something I wanted to deal with. But turns out I didn't need to keep going because The Whack It Hard Against Something way worked and guess what? My cell phone screen came to life. That's right. If I have to work on a national holiday, cell phone, so do you. And I'll beat your head against my steering wheel again every time I catch you slacking off.
I'm talking to you too, earring backs. I'm not sure why yesterday of all days you both decide that plunging off the back of my pearl earrings, freefalling down my shirt and lodging into my bra is your new hobby. Don't get me wrong, I am totally impressed by your ability to do this since after all, I did have on a turtleneck. But honestly? Not the best day for me. Can we save the high-dive training for another day? Or may I interest you in another olympic sport, like the sport of Staying Where You're Supposed To? That is your only job, earring backs. To sit still. It's not hard. Get together with earrings and come up with a plan to entertain yourselves (I'll beat up the cell phone against the steering wheel again if you want) but guess what? I have to work and so do you.
HORRIFIED
I was perusing InStyle.com when I came across this image of Miss Lohan, a.k.a. one of my least favorite celebrities (she's ruining the name Lindsay, but that's another blog post in itself).
Look at those awful self-tanner lines!!!!! This is one of my biggest pet peeves. And like I wrote on the photo, don't even get me started on the hair.
Self-tanner is a bad bad invention. Next to the phrase "slippery slope" in the dictionary, they should include the definition of self-tanner. I know it's bad and dangerous to tan the old-fashioned way, but if self-tanning is the only safe solution we can find, then I really think we should all just have to be pale instead of walking around looking like a bunch of splotchy calico cats.
Or, those who elect to self-tan should have to get a license, and your tanning lotion is confiscated and all rights removed after you screw your lines up three times or the first time you overdose.... which brings me to my next victim.
My mom is addicted to that Jergens Natural Glow lotion, which is kind of ironic, because there is nothing natural about how it makes her look. In fact, when my sister got married a year ago, my mom had overdosed on Jergens, and then went and got Mystic sprayed on top of that, and I swear she looked like a Cheez Doodle:
Oompa, Loompa, Loompady, Doo...
www.NotAttractive.com
One of these things is not like the others....
Me informing Mom that she just missed the tryouts to be Syracuse's Otto the Orangeman.
She looked like Ross in the Friends episode where he gets eight 2's in the tanning booth and ends up being a 16. Am I wrong? I had to print half of my photos from the weekend in black and white because she looked so discolored compared to the rest of us.
That weekend was the orangest she's ever been, and yes I blame the Mystic Tan, but don't get me wrong, she's orange year-round. When I was home for Christmas, she asked me to help change her sheets and when she stripped the bottom sheet, I about vomited. Her mattress pad is stained orange from slathering self-tanner on her legs every night before she goes to bed. I went and grabbed my camera to document this filth and she jumped on the bed to trying to cover it. I was too fast for her though.
ANYWAY, she even asked me to put the lotion on her legs when I was home after her surgery but I wouldn't have anything to do with it. I told her she couldshoot up lather up on her own time.
Anyway. I meant to make fun of Lohan, not my mom, but oh well. The bottom line, to quote Bobby Boucher's Mama: self-tanner is the DEVIL!
Look at those awful self-tanner lines!!!!! This is one of my biggest pet peeves. And like I wrote on the photo, don't even get me started on the hair.Self-tanner is a bad bad invention. Next to the phrase "slippery slope" in the dictionary, they should include the definition of self-tanner. I know it's bad and dangerous to tan the old-fashioned way, but if self-tanning is the only safe solution we can find, then I really think we should all just have to be pale instead of walking around looking like a bunch of splotchy calico cats.
Or, those who elect to self-tan should have to get a license, and your tanning lotion is confiscated and all rights removed after you screw your lines up three times or the first time you overdose.... which brings me to my next victim.
My mom is addicted to that Jergens Natural Glow lotion, which is kind of ironic, because there is nothing natural about how it makes her look. In fact, when my sister got married a year ago, my mom had overdosed on Jergens, and then went and got Mystic sprayed on top of that, and I swear she looked like a Cheez Doodle:
Oompa, Loompa, Loompady, Doo...
www.NotAttractive.com
One of these things is not like the others....
Me informing Mom that she just missed the tryouts to be Syracuse's Otto the Orangeman.She looked like Ross in the Friends episode where he gets eight 2's in the tanning booth and ends up being a 16. Am I wrong? I had to print half of my photos from the weekend in black and white because she looked so discolored compared to the rest of us.
That weekend was the orangest she's ever been, and yes I blame the Mystic Tan, but don't get me wrong, she's orange year-round. When I was home for Christmas, she asked me to help change her sheets and when she stripped the bottom sheet, I about vomited. Her mattress pad is stained orange from slathering self-tanner on her legs every night before she goes to bed. I went and grabbed my camera to document this filth and she jumped on the bed to trying to cover it. I was too fast for her though.
ANYWAY, she even asked me to put the lotion on her legs when I was home after her surgery but I wouldn't have anything to do with it. I told her she could
Anyway. I meant to make fun of Lohan, not my mom, but oh well. The bottom line, to quote Bobby Boucher's Mama: self-tanner is the DEVIL!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
SNOOPED
I accidentally left a show out of my post about the good shows on TV right now.
Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood is not going to win any Emmys, but who cares? It's hilarious! Snoop's vocabulary lessons are great. My favorite is "Church on the move!" And his kids are entertaining too. His youngest son says he likes money because it's green and green is his favorite color. Really? Cause it can also buy you a lot of other green stuff. That'd be why I liked money if I were him, but whatever.
My only hang up? I don't really think that's their house.
Snoop Dogg's Fatherhood is not going to win any Emmys, but who cares? It's hilarious! Snoop's vocabulary lessons are great. My favorite is "Church on the move!" And his kids are entertaining too. His youngest son says he likes money because it's green and green is his favorite color. Really? Cause it can also buy you a lot of other green stuff. That'd be why I liked money if I were him, but whatever.
My only hang up? I don't really think that's their house.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
BETTER
I'm back, woohoo!
I got a run in while I was out of town and then this morning, did 5 hilly miles with my team in the Freezing Cold (capital F, capital C). There were 4 of us that stayed in a pack together. The new shoes and in-soles are helping, and so is being conscious of what I eat the night before long runs. I about carbed myself to death last night on pasta, and then woke up this morning at 5, ate a Power Bar, went back to sleep for an hour and then got up to go for my run (good tip, Sarah). Speaking of what's helping, you know what's not helping? My iPod, who died on me again this morning at mile 2.5. If my instincts are as correct about technical matters as they have recently been about matters of more importance (e.g.: of the workplace and of the heart) then I call that Rod the Pod will have been replaced by my 25th birthday. Hey, is it too soon too start talking about my birthday?
Thanks thanks thanks to those of you who have made donations to my campaign! It's like a little voice of affirmation each time I see an e-mail from active.com letting me know someone contributed. I'm having a fundraiser at work this week, so in addition to my donations from Jessica, Margaret, Corrie and Eric, that should really help get the ball rolling.
I had a new perspective while running this week. A lot of times when people are asking for money, it may be to send them on a missions trip or to pay a support salary or something. I'm not knocking that, I've done the missions trip fund raising before. But, an interesting angle about this campaign that I'm doing, is that of all the funds I raise, I get $0.00 of it. Nada. Zilch. I'm running this half-marathon whether or not you donate. But I hope you do. It's just encouraging for me, to know people believe in me. And don't let the donation site fool you - any size gift would be appreciated, not just the ones listed by donor level.
A couple of girls from my office and I are running a 5K this Saturday - my first official race! It's at the zoo and is going to be really fun. If anyone in town wants to join me, come on! And are any of you Alabamians running the Mercedes? I am interested in the relay option. Anyone want to get a team together? It only takes 5 people! And last but certainly not least, if anyone wants to run the Country Music half with me, let's do it! (Sarah? Jamie? Erin? I'm talking to you!)
I got a run in while I was out of town and then this morning, did 5 hilly miles with my team in the Freezing Cold (capital F, capital C). There were 4 of us that stayed in a pack together. The new shoes and in-soles are helping, and so is being conscious of what I eat the night before long runs. I about carbed myself to death last night on pasta, and then woke up this morning at 5, ate a Power Bar, went back to sleep for an hour and then got up to go for my run (good tip, Sarah). Speaking of what's helping, you know what's not helping? My iPod, who died on me again this morning at mile 2.5. If my instincts are as correct about technical matters as they have recently been about matters of more importance (e.g.: of the workplace and of the heart) then I call that Rod the Pod will have been replaced by my 25th birthday. Hey, is it too soon too start talking about my birthday?
Thanks thanks thanks to those of you who have made donations to my campaign! It's like a little voice of affirmation each time I see an e-mail from active.com letting me know someone contributed. I'm having a fundraiser at work this week, so in addition to my donations from Jessica, Margaret, Corrie and Eric, that should really help get the ball rolling.
I had a new perspective while running this week. A lot of times when people are asking for money, it may be to send them on a missions trip or to pay a support salary or something. I'm not knocking that, I've done the missions trip fund raising before. But, an interesting angle about this campaign that I'm doing, is that of all the funds I raise, I get $0.00 of it. Nada. Zilch. I'm running this half-marathon whether or not you donate. But I hope you do. It's just encouraging for me, to know people believe in me. And don't let the donation site fool you - any size gift would be appreciated, not just the ones listed by donor level.
A couple of girls from my office and I are running a 5K this Saturday - my first official race! It's at the zoo and is going to be really fun. If anyone in town wants to join me, come on! And are any of you Alabamians running the Mercedes? I am interested in the relay option. Anyone want to get a team together? It only takes 5 people! And last but certainly not least, if anyone wants to run the Country Music half with me, let's do it! (Sarah? Jamie? Erin? I'm talking to you!)
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
MISSING
I'm heading out of town on business so don't expect anything new or exciting until this weekend. Here are some things to do until then:
-Send me or someone else you love an e-card from Someecards.com.
-Continue to talk amongst yourselves in the comments section.
-Donate money to my TNT campaign because yes, I am taking my running gear on the business trip with me. Dedication, y'all!
-Call me because I'm driving alone and will get bored.
-Send me or someone else you love an e-card from Someecards.com.
-Continue to talk amongst yourselves in the comments section.
-Donate money to my TNT campaign because yes, I am taking my running gear on the business trip with me. Dedication, y'all!
-Call me because I'm driving alone and will get bored.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
TELEVISED
Set your Tivos. Unplug your phones. Grab your remotes. TV is about to get good again.
Writer's strike, schmiter's strike. I am talking about the small screen return of 2 of my favorite shows ever to air: American Idol of course, and another installment of MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet III.
I'll get to American Idol in a moment. First, let's talk about The Gauntlet III. Not since Sorority Life have I anticipated a show on MTV this much. And I can tell you in one word why I am so excited: Brooke.
Yes, Real World Denver's Brooke is bringing all of her personalities back to Wednesday nights for all the world to laugh at. She is a walking, talking, three ring circus. Ring One: Brooke is crazy. Her parents are clinical psychologists, and I think they cancelled each other out while raising her because she is a total nut-job. She is a screaming, hooked-finger wielding, blindly lunging in a fit of rage maniac, who nearly killed poor Davis for saying she had a double chin, and went Naomi Campbell on Tyrie for teasing her about using the word "ghetto" in describing her nail salon experience. Best of all, Brooke pulls this face when she finds something unsatisfying/unappealing. It's more than a frown but funnier than a scowl. Watch the show. You'll know it when you see it.
Ring Two: MTV tells us that Brooke has - and I quote - "a new sexual preference, as she has decided she needs a little time away from men. Who could she possibly hook up with? Hmm." Enough said. (cough Evelyn cough)
Ring Three: these Challenge shows are physical competitions. Did Brooke miss that memo? She whined and complained about everything strenuous or remotely challenging in Denver - remember the whole rappel off the cliff issue? She's going to be doing physical challenges! With heights! Over water! In a harness! I cannot wait. Judge me! I don't care! She's going to flip out. I bet she freaks out and goes home in the first episode.
But let's hope not. Because also in the house? Beth, or as her cast-mates dubbed her, Bethesaurus. I CANNOT WAIT FOR BETH AND BROOKE TO BE IN THE SAME HOUSE. Crazy and Crazier. I am beside myself with anticipation. Honestly. Also back is Meat-head CT, and his "wicked ahhhsum girlfriend" Diem. I wonder who he'll punch first? Brooke's former roommate Alex is on this show too. I predict an early fight between those two, and an early fight between Brooke and Key West's Tyler. Remember the hell Tyler gave Svetlana? Brooke is a crazier Svetlana. Tyler is going to chew her up and spit her out. And I think Kenny is going to do something to push her buttons too. Heck. Let's just give Brooke her own show. I'd watch.
You know what? I don't even want to talk about American Idol anymore after that. I am just too excited. Plus, Idol isn't good yet. I HATE watching the audition episodes. It just depresses me. Wake me up when the real singers take the stage, please.
What shows are you looking forward to this spring?
Writer's strike, schmiter's strike. I am talking about the small screen return of 2 of my favorite shows ever to air: American Idol of course, and another installment of MTV's Real World/Road Rules Challenge: The Gauntlet III.
I'll get to American Idol in a moment. First, let's talk about The Gauntlet III. Not since Sorority Life have I anticipated a show on MTV this much. And I can tell you in one word why I am so excited: Brooke.
Yes, Real World Denver's Brooke is bringing all of her personalities back to Wednesday nights for all the world to laugh at. She is a walking, talking, three ring circus. Ring One: Brooke is crazy. Her parents are clinical psychologists, and I think they cancelled each other out while raising her because she is a total nut-job. She is a screaming, hooked-finger wielding, blindly lunging in a fit of rage maniac, who nearly killed poor Davis for saying she had a double chin, and went Naomi Campbell on Tyrie for teasing her about using the word "ghetto" in describing her nail salon experience. Best of all, Brooke pulls this face when she finds something unsatisfying/unappealing. It's more than a frown but funnier than a scowl. Watch the show. You'll know it when you see it.
Ring Two: MTV tells us that Brooke has - and I quote - "a new sexual preference, as she has decided she needs a little time away from men. Who could she possibly hook up with? Hmm." Enough said. (cough Evelyn cough)
Ring Three: these Challenge shows are physical competitions. Did Brooke miss that memo? She whined and complained about everything strenuous or remotely challenging in Denver - remember the whole rappel off the cliff issue? She's going to be doing physical challenges! With heights! Over water! In a harness! I cannot wait. Judge me! I don't care! She's going to flip out. I bet she freaks out and goes home in the first episode.
But let's hope not. Because also in the house? Beth, or as her cast-mates dubbed her, Bethesaurus. I CANNOT WAIT FOR BETH AND BROOKE TO BE IN THE SAME HOUSE. Crazy and Crazier. I am beside myself with anticipation. Honestly. Also back is Meat-head CT, and his "wicked ahhhsum girlfriend" Diem. I wonder who he'll punch first? Brooke's former roommate Alex is on this show too. I predict an early fight between those two, and an early fight between Brooke and Key West's Tyler. Remember the hell Tyler gave Svetlana? Brooke is a crazier Svetlana. Tyler is going to chew her up and spit her out. And I think Kenny is going to do something to push her buttons too. Heck. Let's just give Brooke her own show. I'd watch.
You know what? I don't even want to talk about American Idol anymore after that. I am just too excited. Plus, Idol isn't good yet. I HATE watching the audition episodes. It just depresses me. Wake me up when the real singers take the stage, please.
What shows are you looking forward to this spring?
Monday, January 14, 2008
FOCUSED
1 pair of Asics Gel Evolution 3
+ 1 pair of Superfeet Premium Insoles (in Berry)
+ 1 pack of Balega Hidden Comfort X Athlete Socks
+ 2 packs of Clif Shot Blocks (Black Cherry and Strawberry)
+ 1 pack of Jelly Belly Sport Beans (Berry Blue)
+ 2 packs of Accel Gel(Strawberry Kiwi)
= This Just Got Serious
+ 1 pair of Superfeet Premium Insoles (in Berry)
+ 1 pack of Balega Hidden Comfort X Athlete Socks
+ 2 packs of Clif Shot Blocks (Black Cherry and Strawberry)
+ 1 pack of Jelly Belly Sport Beans (Berry Blue)
+ 2 packs of Accel Gel(Strawberry Kiwi)
= This Just Got Serious
This weekend I returned my inadequate Nike shoes to Fleet Feet, where I then spent an hour being fitted in and deciding upon a new pair of shoes just right for my flat, archless feet, as well as some high-tech, arch-supportive insoles to go in them.
While I was there, I received some very bad news. Even worse news than a stress fracture would have been.
Are you read for this? MY FEET ARE GROWING.
Technically, not "growing" so much as "elongating." Pounding the pavement is causing what hint of an arch I had to collapse and my feet to get flatter and therefore longer. I almost cried right there in the shoe store, especially when the 5'1" waif beside me starting complaining about the size she was being fitted in, which I outgrew in 7th grade.
Regardless, growing feet is a condition that until yesterday, I understood my body and I to have agreed upon would only happen again as a side effect of pregnancy. The only reason I would allow it then is because I would be gaining a baby in the process and someone would have already avowed to love me for better or for worse (and I'm pretty sure having feet so big you have to extend the walls of the house is as "worse" as it can get.) But, I flatly stand corrected. My body broke the deal. And I shall have my revenge.
In my state of despair, I also bought a pair of non-cotton socks for long run days and an assortment of energy/refueling snacks. We were advised to start figuring out through process of trial and error what works best for us to replenish nourishment/energy on long runs. Accel Gel is what will be handed out on the course in April, so they told us to start there until we find something that works, be it as novice as gummy bears and pretzels or as official as Power Bars and any of the other high-tech high-cost snacky things I listed above. Now all I need is a fanny pack to carry it all in!
You know what's really sad? My mom reminded me over Christmas how in fifth or sixth grade the doctor wanted me to get fitted for arch supports for my shoes to correct my overpronation problem, but she decided to put it off until my feet quit growing. Thanks a lot, Mom. My bill for all this equipment to fix it all fifteen years too late is in the mail.
So now I am ready. I am going to do this thing if it kills me! And then afterward, I'm having my feet bound.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Saturday, January 12, 2008
PENSIVE
This is so funny. I keep getting lost on my runs! Today's was a group run, so we had directions and everything. My running buddy and I were at the end of the pack, but we weren't necessarily following anyone.
We are running along, looking for the street to turn on and eventually realize that we must have missed it. We decided to create our own route. My goal for the morning was 5 miles, but the route we ended up taking was 6.3, according to the map I tracked when I got back home. I had to stop to walk a few times, but I would guess I ended up running 5 or 5.5 miles. Yay! Progress!
I promised I would wait until the new year to harp about donations. The marathon is almost three months away and I am pretty shy of where I should be with my fundraising. I'm about to send letters out and all of that, but you guys are the ones I "talk" to everyday and know the most about my training. If everyone that visited this blog gave at least $10-15 two times between now and my fundraising deadline in April, I'd probably have it met.
I had to have an MRI done for my leg this week and was flipping out. Meanwhile, a lady that works with me finished her third-to-last round of chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma. While I was lying perfectly still and waist-deep in the MRI machine, I tried to spend some time thinking about how fortunate I was they were only scanning my leg for a stress fracture, instead of my body for cancer cells and such. I guess the big scary machine just put it in perspective for me, and now I am actually kind of glad I have a little pain to run through. It's like a little reminder of why I am raising money and who I am running for.
I've mentioned before how initially, I wanted to join an American Cancer Society running team (in memory of my grandfather) but there wasn't one in Nashville. Well, at this morning's group run, a lady shared how her father was undergoing chemo for pancreatic or liver cancer, but the technology/procedure his doctors were using originally developed from blood cancer cure research, which is what I am raising money for. It's interesting to me how this all relates/connects. While the ACS may not be getting my funds directly, the more money spent on research for cures of any kind of cancer, the better off we all are.
Sorry to get all deep this morning. Running makes you think! The point - if you are able to, please make a donation.
We are running along, looking for the street to turn on and eventually realize that we must have missed it. We decided to create our own route. My goal for the morning was 5 miles, but the route we ended up taking was 6.3, according to the map I tracked when I got back home. I had to stop to walk a few times, but I would guess I ended up running 5 or 5.5 miles. Yay! Progress!
I promised I would wait until the new year to harp about donations. The marathon is almost three months away and I am pretty shy of where I should be with my fundraising. I'm about to send letters out and all of that, but you guys are the ones I "talk" to everyday and know the most about my training. If everyone that visited this blog gave at least $10-15 two times between now and my fundraising deadline in April, I'd probably have it met.
I had to have an MRI done for my leg this week and was flipping out. Meanwhile, a lady that works with me finished her third-to-last round of chemotherapy for Hodgkin's lymphoma. While I was lying perfectly still and waist-deep in the MRI machine, I tried to spend some time thinking about how fortunate I was they were only scanning my leg for a stress fracture, instead of my body for cancer cells and such. I guess the big scary machine just put it in perspective for me, and now I am actually kind of glad I have a little pain to run through. It's like a little reminder of why I am raising money and who I am running for.
I've mentioned before how initially, I wanted to join an American Cancer Society running team (in memory of my grandfather) but there wasn't one in Nashville. Well, at this morning's group run, a lady shared how her father was undergoing chemo for pancreatic or liver cancer, but the technology/procedure his doctors were using originally developed from blood cancer cure research, which is what I am raising money for. It's interesting to me how this all relates/connects. While the ACS may not be getting my funds directly, the more money spent on research for cures of any kind of cancer, the better off we all are.
Sorry to get all deep this morning. Running makes you think! The point - if you are able to, please make a donation.
TOOTHLESS
Last week after my audition, I fell asleep on my couch with a fire going and Friends on TV. The dream I had creeped the bananas out of me. I dreamed that my two front teeth mysteriously disappeared up into my gum and the rest of my teeth slid forward at an awkward, severe angle. Then, the front teeth fell out the side of my gum and one by one, my teeth started cracking and crumbling and breaking. I was spitting out bloody shards of tooth into my hand. Disgusting, I know. But I woke up and was so paranoid that I had really lost all of my teeth! So I Googled it this week and the results are interesting. Apparently, losing your teeth is a pretty common dream. I've talked to three people just this week that said they have that dream all the time. So, in case you are among the masses, here's a compilation of what I found:
One theory is that dreams about your teeth reflect your anxiety about how others perceive you. Teeth are an important feature of our attractiveness and presentation to others. Everybody worries about how they appear to others. Caring about our appearance is natural and healthy.Is it just me, or is that a lot of interpretation for one dream?
According to some, our teeth are related to our sense of power and our ability to communicate. Losing our teeth not only makes us embarrassed by our appearance, which hinders our communications, but it also lessens our power because we may not speak our minds.
Teeth are used to bite, tear, chew and gnaw. In this regard, teeth represent power. The loss of teeth in your dream may be from a sense of powerlessness or difficulties expressing oneself or getting a point across. There is frustration when your voice is not being heard. You may experience feelings of inferiority and a lack of self-confidence in some situation or relationship in your life. This dream is an indication that you need to be more assertive and believe in the value of your own opinion. A dream about your teeth falling out usually symbolizes that you are having a challenge getting your voice heard or feelings acknowledged. This may be referring to conversations with a particular person such as significant other, boss, or friend.
Another rationalization for a falling teeth dream may be rooted in your fear of being embarrassed or making a fool of yourself in some specific situation. These dreams are an over-exaggeration of your worries and anxiety.
A scriptural interpretation for bad or falling teeth indicate that you are putting your faith, trust, and beliefs in what man thinks rather than in the word of God. The Bible says that God speaks once, yea twice in a dream or a vision in order to hide pride from us, to keep us back from the pit, to open our ears (spiritually) and to instruct and correct us.
And according to the Chinese, there is a saying that your teeth will fall out if your are telling lies.
Friday, January 11, 2008
EXPERIMENTAL
Wednesday night I did something "MAY-JUH" as Posh Spice would say. At dinner with my boss, her boss, and our client team, I tried and enjoyed fresh salmon. I define enjoyed as didn't gag upon, and this is monumental seeing as how I do not eat seafood. Any of it, cooked or not.
In fact, the one time in my "adult" life that I tried seafood was on a date and it was sushi. And by "adult life", I mean past the age of five when my parents gave up trying to force feed me crab claws, etc., when at the beach and accepted the notion that their baby girl didn't like seafood. So on this date I skipped cooked fish altogether and tried some sushi for this guy, whom I stopped seeing after that night because "don't be a baby" are hardly the words of comfort I want to hear when I am honest-to-God gagging on the raw fish and SEAWEED you put in front of me. So naturally after that, I was done with fish (and men) for a while.
Don't get me wrong - I would like to eat seafood. I wish I enjoyed it, because I know some of it (salmon) is so good for me. The problem is it tastes too fishy and has such a slimy texture that cannot be ignored!
But the other night a man at our table was raving about how good the salmon always is at the particular restaurant we were patronizing. He said it was the best salmon he's ever had, better than salmon anywhere in the world, even better than in Alaska where he'd eat salmon three times a day. This is exactly the kind of I expertise and knowledge I wanted before I tried salmon: I wanted a salmon scholar to tell me where to find the best fish and apparently, we were already there. Also winning points for this particular cut of fish was the presentation: it looked gorgeous. He assured me it didn't taste fishy and cut me a bite. To my surprise, it was okay! It wasn't great, like my wonderful tender filet mignon, but it wasn't bad.
Since you all had so many opinions on where to get a calendar, any suggestions on where to find really good salmon? Maybe now I can grow to like it, especially if that whole mad cow thing comes back and steaks begin to pose a real threat.
In fact, the one time in my "adult" life that I tried seafood was on a date and it was sushi. And by "adult life", I mean past the age of five when my parents gave up trying to force feed me crab claws, etc., when at the beach and accepted the notion that their baby girl didn't like seafood. So on this date I skipped cooked fish altogether and tried some sushi for this guy, whom I stopped seeing after that night because "don't be a baby" are hardly the words of comfort I want to hear when I am honest-to-God gagging on the raw fish and SEAWEED you put in front of me. So naturally after that, I was done with fish (and men) for a while.
Don't get me wrong - I would like to eat seafood. I wish I enjoyed it, because I know some of it (salmon) is so good for me. The problem is it tastes too fishy and has such a slimy texture that cannot be ignored!
But the other night a man at our table was raving about how good the salmon always is at the particular restaurant we were patronizing. He said it was the best salmon he's ever had, better than salmon anywhere in the world, even better than in Alaska where he'd eat salmon three times a day. This is exactly the kind of I expertise and knowledge I wanted before I tried salmon: I wanted a salmon scholar to tell me where to find the best fish and apparently, we were already there. Also winning points for this particular cut of fish was the presentation: it looked gorgeous. He assured me it didn't taste fishy and cut me a bite. To my surprise, it was okay! It wasn't great, like my wonderful tender filet mignon, but it wasn't bad.
Since you all had so many opinions on where to get a calendar, any suggestions on where to find really good salmon? Maybe now I can grow to like it, especially if that whole mad cow thing comes back and steaks begin to pose a real threat.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
DELIGHTED
They opened a new house of worship by my office. I decided to go spend some time there during lunch today. By the way, it's called JASON'S DELI.
Now what could be so great about another deli? Panera, Atlanta Bread, Bread & Co., does Nashville/the world really need another deli chain? Yes (well, until this moment yes, but not anymore).
You see, the beauty behind Jason's Deli and the reason that I predict I will have to begin paying rent to them, is the Salad Bar. The closest thing to it in town is Bread & Co., and I try to avoid going there because it is really hard to get to as well as really overpriced. Good thing Jason's Deli is not (as) overpriced, because as I found out today, it is actually even harder to get to than Bread & Co. So at least it's got the price factor on its side. And the free yogurt.... OH the free yogurt. If you ask really nicely, sometimes Bread & Co. will give you a free child's cookie which is nothing more than a 3" sugar cookie in the shape of a star that was originally a scrap of dough cut out from another cookie that some bright employee decided to pop in the oven and give away to children. If you are lucky, that's what you can land for free. Jason's Deli, on the other hand, gives EVERYONE, child or not, free frozen yogurt. Case closed.
So I pass the building on my way to work from the doctor's office this morning and notice the COMING SOON sign is gone and in its place are red balloons, rays of sunshine and what appears to be manna from Heaven scattered about the sidewalk. I nearly had a wreck. I got to work and immediately found the number and gave them a call. Yes, they were open; yes, today was their first day; yes, the frozen yogurt machine was up and running.
The day passes and finally it's lunchtime. No one wanted to go with me in the rain to spend time kneeling at the altar/visiting the salad bar, but I didn't let that stop me.
Ya'll, it took me 20 minutes to get from my office parking lot to a parking spot at Jason's. It's on this really busy street and when I say on, I mean, ON. I could spit from the front door onto the cars whizzing by (if I was into spitting). I miss the subtle "Additional Parking This Way" sign just before the building because I was too busy waving to the Jason's employee that was out front beckoning people inside. "I'M ON MY WAY!" I mouthed, like she could really tell/care what I was saying.
Anyway, the street immediately after the building is one way. So I drive one block farther, make a right, drive what I think is a whole block and then take another right onto what I think is the street before the Jason's block, but is actually just the one way street I passed that is after Jason's block. I had come up short. So I turn right again, continue even farther in the opposite direction, turn right again, and head back towards Jason's Deli, making sure to go far enough down so that at my next right turn, I come out Jason's street before the turn for additional parking. Or, to put it more clearly: I WAS GOING IN CIRCLES. Anyway, I finally pull in the "Additional Parking This Way" lot so fast I gave myself whiplash. My efforts were rewarded when I discover that at the end of this maze there is a well-concealed parking deck below my Jason's Deli, with plenty of spots. I whip in there and sprint up the stairway to heaven/the sidewalk.
I place my order and am handed a neatly organized To Go box. An organized To Go box: they knew who they were dealing with. There's a package of flatware, a small cup and lid for my salad dressing and a larger cup and lid probably for pasta or soup but soon to be occupied by my yogurt. I help myself to the salad bar and all its glory, swing by the yogurt machine, and then skip back to my car.
Long story short: it was great great great. Especially the frozen yogurt. I will be back. Albeit, I might return on foot or on a bike (or in this weather, an ark), but I'll definitely return. I think Otter's has some real competition.
Now what could be so great about another deli? Panera, Atlanta Bread, Bread & Co., does Nashville/the world really need another deli chain? Yes (well, until this moment yes, but not anymore).
You see, the beauty behind Jason's Deli and the reason that I predict I will have to begin paying rent to them, is the Salad Bar. The closest thing to it in town is Bread & Co., and I try to avoid going there because it is really hard to get to as well as really overpriced. Good thing Jason's Deli is not (as) overpriced, because as I found out today, it is actually even harder to get to than Bread & Co. So at least it's got the price factor on its side. And the free yogurt.... OH the free yogurt. If you ask really nicely, sometimes Bread & Co. will give you a free child's cookie which is nothing more than a 3" sugar cookie in the shape of a star that was originally a scrap of dough cut out from another cookie that some bright employee decided to pop in the oven and give away to children. If you are lucky, that's what you can land for free. Jason's Deli, on the other hand, gives EVERYONE, child or not, free frozen yogurt. Case closed.
So I pass the building on my way to work from the doctor's office this morning and notice the COMING SOON sign is gone and in its place are red balloons, rays of sunshine and what appears to be manna from Heaven scattered about the sidewalk. I nearly had a wreck. I got to work and immediately found the number and gave them a call. Yes, they were open; yes, today was their first day; yes, the frozen yogurt machine was up and running.
The day passes and finally it's lunchtime. No one wanted to go with me in the rain to spend time kneeling at the altar/visiting the salad bar, but I didn't let that stop me.
Ya'll, it took me 20 minutes to get from my office parking lot to a parking spot at Jason's. It's on this really busy street and when I say on, I mean, ON. I could spit from the front door onto the cars whizzing by (if I was into spitting). I miss the subtle "Additional Parking This Way" sign just before the building because I was too busy waving to the Jason's employee that was out front beckoning people inside. "I'M ON MY WAY!" I mouthed, like she could really tell/care what I was saying.
Anyway, the street immediately after the building is one way. So I drive one block farther, make a right, drive what I think is a whole block and then take another right onto what I think is the street before the Jason's block, but is actually just the one way street I passed that is after Jason's block. I had come up short. So I turn right again, continue even farther in the opposite direction, turn right again, and head back towards Jason's Deli, making sure to go far enough down so that at my next right turn, I come out Jason's street before the turn for additional parking. Or, to put it more clearly: I WAS GOING IN CIRCLES. Anyway, I finally pull in the "Additional Parking This Way" lot so fast I gave myself whiplash. My efforts were rewarded when I discover that at the end of this maze there is a well-concealed parking deck below my Jason's Deli, with plenty of spots. I whip in there and sprint up the stairway to heaven/the sidewalk.
I place my order and am handed a neatly organized To Go box. An organized To Go box: they knew who they were dealing with. There's a package of flatware, a small cup and lid for my salad dressing and a larger cup and lid probably for pasta or soup but soon to be occupied by my yogurt. I help myself to the salad bar and all its glory, swing by the yogurt machine, and then skip back to my car.
Long story short: it was great great great. Especially the frozen yogurt. I will be back. Albeit, I might return on foot or on a bike (or in this weather, an ark), but I'll definitely return. I think Otter's has some real competition.
STRONG
The verdict is in and I do not have a stress fracture in my leg. It's only shin splints, yay!
So while it could be argued that I just paid a buttload of an insurance deductible to be told something I already knew, the important thing to focus on is that I can continue safely running and training for the half marathon. He gave me some arch supports to wear in all my shoes, told me ways to stretch, how to ice and to make Advil my new best friend. He recommended I get new running shoes; I recommended he not charge me for the MRI. But if all of that doesn't work, he's going to put me in physical therapy. So hopefully the combination of all of that will nip this shizz in the bud and there won't be any more posts like this.
I go back to see him in two weeks, unless we are at the same steak house again like we were last night, which is unlikely to occur since he probably paid for his own meal and I did not.
And PS - everyone that told me I should have bought New Balances instead of Nikes, feel free to (continue to) gloat in the comments section.
So while it could be argued that I just paid a buttload of an insurance deductible to be told something I already knew, the important thing to focus on is that I can continue safely running and training for the half marathon. He gave me some arch supports to wear in all my shoes, told me ways to stretch, how to ice and to make Advil my new best friend. He recommended I get new running shoes; I recommended he not charge me for the MRI. But if all of that doesn't work, he's going to put me in physical therapy. So hopefully the combination of all of that will nip this shizz in the bud and there won't be any more posts like this.
I go back to see him in two weeks, unless we are at the same steak house again like we were last night, which is unlikely to occur since he probably paid for his own meal and I did not.
And PS - everyone that told me I should have bought New Balances instead of Nikes, feel free to (continue to) gloat in the comments section.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
SCATTERED
I don't have a 2008 calendar yet and it's driving me crazy!
The past two years I have hit up TJ Maxx for a particular spiral bound calendar filled with pretty pictures by Monet (2006) and Van Gogh (2007). I saw the 2008 editions on the shelves in TJ Maxx back in November, but the line was so long that day that I didn't feel like waiting in it just to buy a calendar. Plus, I hadn't decided if I wanted to spend the year looking at Monet, Picasso or Van Gogh again.
Well, now they are all gone and guess who has been writing everything down on an index card? Haircut, dinner, doctor's appointments, meetings, etc., all on a sad little 4x6 index card. To those newer to my life and my blog, THIS IS VERY UNLIKE ME. Not unlike me? Being insanely picky about something like, oh I don't know, a calendar.
I left TJ Maxx last night and went next door to the bookstore to try to find a planner/calendar, just to finally have one, since I have abandoned hope of getting the kind I have had the past two years. This was a wash both figuratively and literally: I didn't find a calendar I liked and it was raining so hard that I actually had to take off my shoes and pour water out of them before I went into the store.
No one will respond to this besides Jenn, I'm guessing, but if you are addicted to a certain brand/kind of planner/desk calendar, please share what kind and where to buy it. I'm running out of room on my index card.
The past two years I have hit up TJ Maxx for a particular spiral bound calendar filled with pretty pictures by Monet (2006) and Van Gogh (2007). I saw the 2008 editions on the shelves in TJ Maxx back in November, but the line was so long that day that I didn't feel like waiting in it just to buy a calendar. Plus, I hadn't decided if I wanted to spend the year looking at Monet, Picasso or Van Gogh again.
Well, now they are all gone and guess who has been writing everything down on an index card? Haircut, dinner, doctor's appointments, meetings, etc., all on a sad little 4x6 index card. To those newer to my life and my blog, THIS IS VERY UNLIKE ME. Not unlike me? Being insanely picky about something like, oh I don't know, a calendar.
I left TJ Maxx last night and went next door to the bookstore to try to find a planner/calendar, just to finally have one, since I have abandoned hope of getting the kind I have had the past two years. This was a wash both figuratively and literally: I didn't find a calendar I liked and it was raining so hard that I actually had to take off my shoes and pour water out of them before I went into the store.
No one will respond to this besides Jenn, I'm guessing, but if you are addicted to a certain brand/kind of planner/desk calendar, please share what kind and where to buy it. I'm running out of room on my index card.
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
NAMED
You may notice that over to the right, I have added a polling feature to my blog. I have decided to ditch the blogspot part of my blog address, which the rest of you can also do for a small $10 per year.
So, I have been trying to come up with witty and interesting names for this blog. DiaryOfABoredButEmployedMidTwentySomething.com is a little long, right? So I've been trying to come up with names, and I'm finding that they fit into three categories:
1. This blog is gaining a tiny bit of a following because a few of you think I am a little witty. So Thesaurus.com and I have been tossing around words like witty, funny, sarcastic, sassy, saucy, etc. Wit Happens has already been taken. Not taken? BunnyFitch.com!
2. It doesn't take long to figure out what my obsessions are: pearls, the South, Auburn, FRIENDS, etc. Something about one of those would be appropriate.
3. I've been trying to think of some of my favorite song lyrics or movie quotes because sometimes those make for good blog titles as well. What about ImLivingAlone.com (as in, "This house is so full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone. Do you hear me? I'm living alone! I'm living alone! I'm living alone!")
So the best of what I have come up so far with is listed on the right. You can vote (it's totally anonymous), or if you have a suggestion for me, add it in the comments (but make sure it's not already taken). If I like it, I'll add it to the poll. I want to do this by the end of the month, which means I've/we've got three weeks to come up with good names, so I imagine I'll be adding new ones regularly. So vote for your favorite. And remember, if you think it's too long, it probably is.
*Update: I can't add names to the poll once it's been created. But after receiving some wise advice, BunnyFitch is definitely in the running. Vote for it in the comments section if that's the one for which you want to cast your vote.
So, I have been trying to come up with witty and interesting names for this blog. DiaryOfABoredButEmployedMidTwentySomething.com is a little long, right? So I've been trying to come up with names, and I'm finding that they fit into three categories:
1. This blog is gaining a tiny bit of a following because a few of you think I am a little witty. So Thesaurus.com and I have been tossing around words like witty, funny, sarcastic, sassy, saucy, etc. Wit Happens has already been taken. Not taken? BunnyFitch.com!
2. It doesn't take long to figure out what my obsessions are: pearls, the South, Auburn, FRIENDS, etc. Something about one of those would be appropriate.
3. I've been trying to think of some of my favorite song lyrics or movie quotes because sometimes those make for good blog titles as well. What about ImLivingAlone.com (as in, "This house is so full of people it makes me sick. When I grow up and get married, I'm living alone. Do you hear me? I'm living alone! I'm living alone! I'm living alone!")
So the best of what I have come up so far with is listed on the right. You can vote (it's totally anonymous), or if you have a suggestion for me, add it in the comments (but make sure it's not already taken). If I like it, I'll add it to the poll. I want to do this by the end of the month, which means I've/we've got three weeks to come up with good names, so I imagine I'll be adding new ones regularly. So vote for your favorite. And remember, if you think it's too long, it probably is.
*Update: I can't add names to the poll once it's been created. But after receiving some wise advice, BunnyFitch is definitely in the running. Vote for it in the comments section if that's the one for which you want to cast your vote.
Monday, January 07, 2008
REJECTED
Sad news. I will not be winning a million dollars on Don't Forget the Lyrics.
I went to the open casting call with my lovely application in hand. I took a number, filled out another piece of paper, and waited a few minutes before it was my turn. I met with a nice guy and we talked for about 10 minutes, including my singing a song for him and he appearing impressed. We talked about why I'd never auditioned for Idol, what I would do with a million dollars, Carrie calling me a loser and more.
Later that day my phone rang and I was invited back to the next round of screenings on the following day at the Hermitage Hotel.
So I get dressed all cute and trendy, in my Nashvillesque "I ♥ Y'all" t-shirt and jeans and head downtown. I tried to find a meter spot, but didn't want to be late (or walk in the cold) so I just decided to park at the hotel's lot. I pull in, turn off my car and get a ticket from the valet.
I had just sat down to begin my lyrics test when the valet came in and told me that my car was locked and the keys were in it. Awesome. After a phone call to the police - who don't unlock cars anymore, my "insurance agent" told me to call a Locksmith and I can get reimbursed. So I told the valet man to get a locksmith and I'd pay for it. The ray of sunshine was that I passed my lyrics test with flying colors.
Finally it was my turn. I had the best time with the producers. I was as peppy and energetic and enthusiastic as I knew how to be (without seeming fake, I think) and even ended up singing twice for them (they wanted to hear some Wicked when I mentioned it was my favorite Broadway show). I felt like they really liked me and also felt that I had shown them a pretty accurate glimpse of my personality.
The locksmith showed up soon after my audition. The valet guys didn't even make me pay for the parking because technically, I never used the lot... just the entrance to it.
So maybe they thought I was too young ("You did so well on this lyrics test and you're only 24! How do you know so many songs?"). Maybe they knew I was going to do well on the show and they didn't want to pay me the million. Whatever their reason, I never heard back. My hopes were up, but now I'm over it.
BUT! Last night I went to get PeiWei with Evan and we each got two fortune cookies. The first one I opened said "wondrous opportunities will come in the days ahead" and the second one said something like happiness is right around the corner. It was the best pair of fortunes ever. And both of Evan's were great too; very appropriate for his job hunt. So maybe I WILL win a million dollars... just not on TV.
So morals of the story: reality TV casting is silly, and fortune cookies never lie.
I went to the open casting call with my lovely application in hand. I took a number, filled out another piece of paper, and waited a few minutes before it was my turn. I met with a nice guy and we talked for about 10 minutes, including my singing a song for him and he appearing impressed. We talked about why I'd never auditioned for Idol, what I would do with a million dollars, Carrie calling me a loser and more.
Later that day my phone rang and I was invited back to the next round of screenings on the following day at the Hermitage Hotel.
So I get dressed all cute and trendy, in my Nashvillesque "I ♥ Y'all" t-shirt and jeans and head downtown. I tried to find a meter spot, but didn't want to be late (or walk in the cold) so I just decided to park at the hotel's lot. I pull in, turn off my car and get a ticket from the valet.
I had just sat down to begin my lyrics test when the valet came in and told me that my car was locked and the keys were in it. Awesome. After a phone call to the police - who don't unlock cars anymore, my "insurance agent" told me to call a Locksmith and I can get reimbursed. So I told the valet man to get a locksmith and I'd pay for it. The ray of sunshine was that I passed my lyrics test with flying colors.
Finally it was my turn. I had the best time with the producers. I was as peppy and energetic and enthusiastic as I knew how to be (without seeming fake, I think) and even ended up singing twice for them (they wanted to hear some Wicked when I mentioned it was my favorite Broadway show). I felt like they really liked me and also felt that I had shown them a pretty accurate glimpse of my personality.
The locksmith showed up soon after my audition. The valet guys didn't even make me pay for the parking because technically, I never used the lot... just the entrance to it.
So maybe they thought I was too young ("You did so well on this lyrics test and you're only 24! How do you know so many songs?"). Maybe they knew I was going to do well on the show and they didn't want to pay me the million. Whatever their reason, I never heard back. My hopes were up, but now I'm over it.
BUT! Last night I went to get PeiWei with Evan and we each got two fortune cookies. The first one I opened said "wondrous opportunities will come in the days ahead" and the second one said something like happiness is right around the corner. It was the best pair of fortunes ever. And both of Evan's were great too; very appropriate for his job hunt. So maybe I WILL win a million dollars... just not on TV.
So morals of the story: reality TV casting is silly, and fortune cookies never lie.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
OVERDONE
Is this necessary?
"The great taste of Diet Dr Pepper is now mixed with a sweet cherry dipped in chocolate to bring you Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper. That's zero calories and 100 percent satisfaction. So go ahead and lick your lips to savor every sip. But you'd better hurry. Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper is only available for a limited time."
Oh come on. Dr. Pepper, (and I mean the plain, non-chocolate, non-Diet, non-lime, non-lemon non-vanilla version) is WONDERFUL as is. And if it's not broken, why fix it? The soft drink market is getting out of control. I predict next well have Chocolate Peanut Butter Diet Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper With Lime.
I can't believe I used to drink Diet Dr. Peppers 4 or 5 a day. Now its rare that I have more than one soft drink a month.
"The great taste of Diet Dr Pepper is now mixed with a sweet cherry dipped in chocolate to bring you Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper. That's zero calories and 100 percent satisfaction. So go ahead and lick your lips to savor every sip. But you'd better hurry. Cherry Chocolate Diet Dr Pepper is only available for a limited time."
Oh come on. Dr. Pepper, (and I mean the plain, non-chocolate, non-Diet, non-lime, non-lemon non-vanilla version) is WONDERFUL as is. And if it's not broken, why fix it? The soft drink market is getting out of control. I predict next well have Chocolate Peanut Butter Diet Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper With Lime.
I can't believe I used to drink Diet Dr. Peppers 4 or 5 a day. Now its rare that I have more than one soft drink a month.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
DISCOURAGED
Update on my leg situation: I went to the doctor Friday and after an x-ray, he still couldn't tell if I had shin splints or a stress fracture. So I have to go have a MRI Monday after work and am meeting with the doctor again on Thursday. If it's shin splints, it's ice, heat and Advil. If it's a stress fracture, the game's over, at least for a while. And unfortunately, I have a feeling it's going to be the latter of the two. He told me to stop running until we met again but I may do it anyway.
So in case I didn't say it, this is kind of a big deal to me. I have been unconfident in my ability to do this from day one. This is exactly what I was afraid of.
BUT. Enough about that. What really matters is what I'm listening to while enduring this pain and suffering!
Here are the ones that I love but don't necessarily have a good tempo for running:
Promiscuous Girl, Nelly Furtado
Miss You Much, Janet Jackson
Give It To Me, Timbaland
Here I Come, Fergie
Fergalicious, Fergie
The Way I Are (Feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.), Timbaland
Love Stoned/I Think She Knows Interlude, JT
Stronger, Kanye West
Whatever You Like, Nicole Scherzinger
Clumsy, Fergie
Rock Your Body (live), JT
Sexy Ladies (live), JT
FutureSex/LoveSound (live), JT
Here are the ones I love and have a good running tempo:
Maneater, Nelly Furtado
U + Ur Hand, Pink
Who Knew, Pink
Mr Brightside, The Killers
Glamorous, Fergie
The Potential Break Up Song, Aly & AJ*
Be Mine, Robyn*
Clothes Off!, Gym Class Heroes
I Got It From My Mama, Will.I.Am
Somebody Told Me, The Killers
Shut Up and Drive, Rihanna*
Do It Well, Jennifer Lopez*
I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem), Good Charlotte
Nasty Boys, Janet Jackson*
Ooh Ooh Baby, Britney Spears
Get Low, Flo-Rida
Go Girl, Pitbull ft. Trina
Toxic, Britney Spears
Me Against The Music, Britney Spears
Get Me Bodied (Extended Mix), Beyonce
Crazy In Love, Beyonce
My Humps, Black Eyed Peas
She Ain't Got that Boom, Blaque
Gimme More (Remix), Britney Spears (Feat. T.I.)
And here are the ones that I added that weren't on the playlist before:
You Dropped A Bomb On Me, The Gap Band
Knock On Wood, Rachel Stevens*
Hollywood Nights, Bob Segar
We Didn't Start the Fire, Bruce Springsteen
Summer Of 69, Bryan Adams
River Deep Mountain High, Celine Dion
Cupid Shuffle, Cupid
Heaven, DJ Sammy
Zombie Nation, DJ Scribble
She Works Hard For the Money, Donna Summer
Fake Your Way To The Top, Dreamgirls*
Take It Easy, The Eagles
Lose Yourself, Eminem
Rockefeller Skank, Fat Boy Slim
U Sexy, Fatman Scoop
When I Grow Up, Garbage
It's Raining Men, Geri Halliwell
I Just Wanna Be Happy, Gloria Estefan
Vacation, Go Gos
You Can't Stop The Beat, Hairspray*
We Built This City, Jefferson Starship
The Middle, Jimmy Eat World
Rock and Roll All Night, Kiss
My Sharona, The Knack
Omigod You Guys, Legally Blonde The Musical
Never Leave You (Uh Oh) (Remix), Lumidee
Hung Up, Madonna
When God Fearing Women Get the Blues, Martina McBride
Love Today, Mika
Lose Control, Missy Elliott
Spiderwebs, No Doubt
Hey Ya, Outkast
Swing, Savage
Temperature, Sean Paul
I Ain't No Quitter, Shania Twain
Down in Mississippi (Up To No Good), Sugarland
I Can't Hold Back, Survivor
Hey Mickey, Toni Basil
Defying Gravity, Wicked*
Switch, Will Smith
Perfect Gentleman, Wyclef Jean
Talk Dirty To Me, Poison
We Got the Beat, The GoGos
I'm still working through that last list, finding what works and what doesn't, so I make no guarantees. Also, I keep the playlist on shuffle so I never know what's coming next. The ones with asterisks are what I turn to when I need a "power" song. And yes, Justin Timberlake could sing his ABCs and I'd still try to run to it.
Hope some of that works.
So in case I didn't say it, this is kind of a big deal to me. I have been unconfident in my ability to do this from day one. This is exactly what I was afraid of.
BUT. Enough about that. What really matters is what I'm listening to while enduring this pain and suffering!
Here are the ones that I love but don't necessarily have a good tempo for running:
Promiscuous Girl, Nelly Furtado
Miss You Much, Janet Jackson
Give It To Me, Timbaland
Here I Come, Fergie
Fergalicious, Fergie
The Way I Are (Feat. Keri Hilson & D.O.E.), Timbaland
Love Stoned/I Think She Knows Interlude, JT
Stronger, Kanye West
Whatever You Like, Nicole Scherzinger
Clumsy, Fergie
Rock Your Body (live), JT
Sexy Ladies (live), JT
FutureSex/LoveSound (live), JT
Here are the ones I love and have a good running tempo:
Maneater, Nelly Furtado
U + Ur Hand, Pink
Who Knew, Pink
Mr Brightside, The Killers
Glamorous, Fergie
The Potential Break Up Song, Aly & AJ*
Be Mine, Robyn*
Clothes Off!, Gym Class Heroes
I Got It From My Mama, Will.I.Am
Somebody Told Me, The Killers
Shut Up and Drive, Rihanna*
Do It Well, Jennifer Lopez*
I Don't Wanna Be In Love (Dance Floor Anthem), Good Charlotte
Nasty Boys, Janet Jackson*
Ooh Ooh Baby, Britney Spears
Get Low, Flo-Rida
Go Girl, Pitbull ft. Trina
Toxic, Britney Spears
Me Against The Music, Britney Spears
Get Me Bodied (Extended Mix), Beyonce
Crazy In Love, Beyonce
My Humps, Black Eyed Peas
She Ain't Got that Boom, Blaque
Gimme More (Remix), Britney Spears (Feat. T.I.)
And here are the ones that I added that weren't on the playlist before:
You Dropped A Bomb On Me, The Gap Band
Knock On Wood, Rachel Stevens*
Hollywood Nights, Bob Segar
We Didn't Start the Fire, Bruce Springsteen
Summer Of 69, Bryan Adams
River Deep Mountain High, Celine Dion
Cupid Shuffle, Cupid
Heaven, DJ Sammy
Zombie Nation, DJ Scribble
She Works Hard For the Money, Donna Summer
Fake Your Way To The Top, Dreamgirls*
Take It Easy, The Eagles
Lose Yourself, Eminem
Rockefeller Skank, Fat Boy Slim
U Sexy, Fatman Scoop
When I Grow Up, Garbage
It's Raining Men, Geri Halliwell
I Just Wanna Be Happy, Gloria Estefan
Vacation, Go Gos
You Can't Stop The Beat, Hairspray*
We Built This City, Jefferson Starship
The Middle, Jimmy Eat World
Rock and Roll All Night, Kiss
My Sharona, The Knack
Omigod You Guys, Legally Blonde The Musical
Never Leave You (Uh Oh) (Remix), Lumidee
Hung Up, Madonna
When God Fearing Women Get the Blues, Martina McBride
Love Today, Mika
Lose Control, Missy Elliott
Spiderwebs, No Doubt
Hey Ya, Outkast
Swing, Savage
Temperature, Sean Paul
I Ain't No Quitter, Shania Twain
Down in Mississippi (Up To No Good), Sugarland
I Can't Hold Back, Survivor
Hey Mickey, Toni Basil
Defying Gravity, Wicked*
Switch, Will Smith
Perfect Gentleman, Wyclef Jean
Talk Dirty To Me, Poison
We Got the Beat, The GoGos
I'm still working through that last list, finding what works and what doesn't, so I make no guarantees. Also, I keep the playlist on shuffle so I never know what's coming next. The ones with asterisks are what I turn to when I need a "power" song. And yes, Justin Timberlake could sing his ABCs and I'd still try to run to it.
Hope some of that works.
Friday, January 04, 2008
IMMORTALIZED
In case you were curious, here is my self-portrait for my TV show application... not that any of you (besides Margo, Star, Meghan and Jessica) were of any help. Harumph.
Don't even think about making fun. I am not the artist in the family anymore. And besides, I was too busy trying to answer the questions regarding what my friends would say about me to worry about the portrait. Apparently, I either have four friends, or my friends would say nothing about me. Neither one sounds very good.
Don't even think about making fun. I am not the artist in the family anymore. And besides, I was too busy trying to answer the questions regarding what my friends would say about me to worry about the portrait. Apparently, I either have four friends, or my friends would say nothing about me. Neither one sounds very good.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
INDIGNANT
One of my favorite scenes from Father of the Bride is when George, in a fit of rage, went to the supermarket to get dinner for the family. The stuff hit the fan on the bread aisle, when the stock-boy asked George what he is doing:
"I'll tell you what I'm doing. I want to buy eight hot dogs and eight hot dog buns to go with them. But no one sells eight hot dog buns. They only sell twelve hot dog buns. So I end up paying for four buns I don't need. So I am removing the superfluous buns. Yeah. And you want to know why? Because some big-shot over at the wiener company got together with some big-shot over at the bun company and decided to rip off the American public. Because they think the American public is a bunch of trusting nit-wits who will pay for everything they don't need rather than make a stink. Well they're not ripping of this nit-wit anymore because I'm not paying for one more thing I don't need. George Banks is saying NO!"
Well. No disrespect to George Banks, but my indignation is over something far more substantial than buns and wieners which will be gone after dinner anyway. I have stumbled across another truth, hid until this moment by the big-shots who think nit-wits will pay for everything they don't need rather than make a stink. Hold your nose, y'all, cause I'm about to make a stink.
THE DENIM COMPANIES AND THE BOOT COMPANIES ARE IN BED TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me explain. It took me like four years to decide I finally want some Ugg boots, or something that looks really close for a quarter of the price. So off I trot to the shoe store. They ended up not having my size in the color I want, but I tried on another color in the same style just to see if I liked the fit.
I folded up and tucked in the leg of the boot-cut jeans I was wearing, put my foot into the boot and looked in the mirror.
I looked RIDICULOUS. Stupid, even, and no, it wasn't the boots. I looked like I was wearing some shoddy blue jean knickers, all puffed at the knees from being haphazardly stuffed into the boot with about three different pleats/folds exploding from inside the bootleg. It looked horrible. Sloppy, unkempt and atrocious. There is NO way that I could wear these jeans, or any jeans in my closet for that matter, with this kind or any other kind of boot unless I was trying to get cast on Flavor of Love since that is the only place you can look like a mess and get away with it.
I put the shoe back in the box, headed to my car and thought "Well, if I find the shoes in my size, I guess I'll just get some skinny leg jeans to wear with them."
And that's when it hit me. Since when should America buy clothes to wear with our shoes? Hasn't it always been the other way around? Clothes are the priority, and then eventually you accumulate shoes that go with certain clothes in your closet. Some years, you buy new shoes. The point is that the clothes come first, then the shoes. It should not be that you buy shoes and have to go buy certain clothes to wear with them.
I am outraged. Absolutely furious. How come people haven't been whistle-blowing this already? Am I the first one to realize that someone at GAP has made millions of dollars based on the sales of skinny jeans? Notice they came back in style suspiciously close to when Uggs got really popular.
But here's the thing that I am most outraged and furious about: unlike George Banks, I will not be able to say no to this tandem, wallet draining combo. I bought the boots. And since they are a quarter of the price of real Uggs, it's okay that I have to buy new jeans to wear with my new boots, right? Riiiiight.
"I'll tell you what I'm doing. I want to buy eight hot dogs and eight hot dog buns to go with them. But no one sells eight hot dog buns. They only sell twelve hot dog buns. So I end up paying for four buns I don't need. So I am removing the superfluous buns. Yeah. And you want to know why? Because some big-shot over at the wiener company got together with some big-shot over at the bun company and decided to rip off the American public. Because they think the American public is a bunch of trusting nit-wits who will pay for everything they don't need rather than make a stink. Well they're not ripping of this nit-wit anymore because I'm not paying for one more thing I don't need. George Banks is saying NO!"
Well. No disrespect to George Banks, but my indignation is over something far more substantial than buns and wieners which will be gone after dinner anyway. I have stumbled across another truth, hid until this moment by the big-shots who think nit-wits will pay for everything they don't need rather than make a stink. Hold your nose, y'all, cause I'm about to make a stink.
THE DENIM COMPANIES AND THE BOOT COMPANIES ARE IN BED TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me explain. It took me like four years to decide I finally want some Ugg boots, or something that looks really close for a quarter of the price. So off I trot to the shoe store. They ended up not having my size in the color I want, but I tried on another color in the same style just to see if I liked the fit.
I folded up and tucked in the leg of the boot-cut jeans I was wearing, put my foot into the boot and looked in the mirror.
I looked RIDICULOUS. Stupid, even, and no, it wasn't the boots. I looked like I was wearing some shoddy blue jean knickers, all puffed at the knees from being haphazardly stuffed into the boot with about three different pleats/folds exploding from inside the bootleg. It looked horrible. Sloppy, unkempt and atrocious. There is NO way that I could wear these jeans, or any jeans in my closet for that matter, with this kind or any other kind of boot unless I was trying to get cast on Flavor of Love since that is the only place you can look like a mess and get away with it.
I put the shoe back in the box, headed to my car and thought "Well, if I find the shoes in my size, I guess I'll just get some skinny leg jeans to wear with them."
And that's when it hit me. Since when should America buy clothes to wear with our shoes? Hasn't it always been the other way around? Clothes are the priority, and then eventually you accumulate shoes that go with certain clothes in your closet. Some years, you buy new shoes. The point is that the clothes come first, then the shoes. It should not be that you buy shoes and have to go buy certain clothes to wear with them.
I am outraged. Absolutely furious. How come people haven't been whistle-blowing this already? Am I the first one to realize that someone at GAP has made millions of dollars based on the sales of skinny jeans? Notice they came back in style suspiciously close to when Uggs got really popular.
But here's the thing that I am most outraged and furious about: unlike George Banks, I will not be able to say no to this tandem, wallet draining combo. I bought the boots. And since they are a quarter of the price of real Uggs, it's okay that I have to buy new jeans to wear with my new boots, right? Riiiiight.
STRUGGLING
I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later. I'm not terribly familiar with all the streets in this area, and so when I mapped out a 3 mile run Monday night and studied it for 30 seconds before heading out, I kind of knew I was asking for it.
I had a good speed, was enjoying some new tunes on my running mix (more on that later) and was probably at 1.5 miles when I took the wrong turn. It's not like I ended up in a bad part of town. I was only minutes away from my house; I just wasn't sure exactly how to get home. But, just like Forrest Gump, I just kept running until I got to a street I recognized, and then I ran home.
So last night I went running again, and had my route down fine only except for one thing: it was oh, I don't know, 12 degrees outside. Consequently, it was the worst run I've ever attempted. I had trouble breathing, my leg was hurting, and mid-run my iPod died. Just turned off. I had charged the battery all day so I think the cold made it quit. Stupid thing. AND, as I'm bundling up to head outside, I stepped on and broke my ear buds. But that's not so bad because I want a new pair anyway. Additionally, I was crazy uncomfortable: I'm not used to wearing two pairs of leggings - let me say that again in case you missed it, TWO pairs of leggings - two thermal shirts and a fleece on top of that so I was pretty uncomfortable. That + all the hills + shortage of breath cause it was so stinking cold... it was rough. Nights like last night are when I wonder what I have gotten myself into.
Boo, hoo, hoo. I'm trying to suck it up and not be a baby about it but I hate feeling like I failed when I run. It's hard enough for me as is, so I want to be happy and proud of myself that I'm at least out there, sticking to my training schedule, but when I struggle, I get frustrated. I'm going to see a doctor about my leg tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's just shin splints or sore muscles but I am nervous it's going to end up being a stress fracture or something. Stay tuned.
Anyway. As I said, I added a bunch of songs to my running mix. You wouldn't think Shania Twain's "I Ain't No Quitter" or "Defying Gravity" from Wicked or Hairspray's "You Can't Stop The Beat" would make for good running songs, but they are 3 of about 50 I pulled Monday because they are super upbeat. As much as I love Fergie and Justin, some of their songs slow me down. I need a fast tempo, with a beat I can literally run to. It sounds weird, but try ditching the bass-heavy cliche workout mix for a steady stream of really up-tempo songs, and you'll see what I mean. Others: "Down In Mississippi (Up To No Good)", "When God Fearing Women Get The Blues", "Omigod You Guys" (from Legally Blonde), "We Built This City on Rock n Roll", "When I Grow Up", "You Dropped a Bomb On Me" and "Fake Your Way to the Top" (from Dreamgirls) and more!
Now that Christmas has come and gone, please consider saving some cash to put toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by way of my fundraising campaign. It's not for my benefit, guys.
I had a good speed, was enjoying some new tunes on my running mix (more on that later) and was probably at 1.5 miles when I took the wrong turn. It's not like I ended up in a bad part of town. I was only minutes away from my house; I just wasn't sure exactly how to get home. But, just like Forrest Gump, I just kept running until I got to a street I recognized, and then I ran home.
So last night I went running again, and had my route down fine only except for one thing: it was oh, I don't know, 12 degrees outside. Consequently, it was the worst run I've ever attempted. I had trouble breathing, my leg was hurting, and mid-run my iPod died. Just turned off. I had charged the battery all day so I think the cold made it quit. Stupid thing. AND, as I'm bundling up to head outside, I stepped on and broke my ear buds. But that's not so bad because I want a new pair anyway. Additionally, I was crazy uncomfortable: I'm not used to wearing two pairs of leggings - let me say that again in case you missed it, TWO pairs of leggings - two thermal shirts and a fleece on top of that so I was pretty uncomfortable. That + all the hills + shortage of breath cause it was so stinking cold... it was rough. Nights like last night are when I wonder what I have gotten myself into.
Boo, hoo, hoo. I'm trying to suck it up and not be a baby about it but I hate feeling like I failed when I run. It's hard enough for me as is, so I want to be happy and proud of myself that I'm at least out there, sticking to my training schedule, but when I struggle, I get frustrated. I'm going to see a doctor about my leg tomorrow morning. Hopefully it's just shin splints or sore muscles but I am nervous it's going to end up being a stress fracture or something. Stay tuned.
Anyway. As I said, I added a bunch of songs to my running mix. You wouldn't think Shania Twain's "I Ain't No Quitter" or "Defying Gravity" from Wicked or Hairspray's "You Can't Stop The Beat" would make for good running songs, but they are 3 of about 50 I pulled Monday because they are super upbeat. As much as I love Fergie and Justin, some of their songs slow me down. I need a fast tempo, with a beat I can literally run to. It sounds weird, but try ditching the bass-heavy cliche workout mix for a steady stream of really up-tempo songs, and you'll see what I mean. Others: "Down In Mississippi (Up To No Good)", "When God Fearing Women Get The Blues", "Omigod You Guys" (from Legally Blonde), "We Built This City on Rock n Roll", "When I Grow Up", "You Dropped a Bomb On Me" and "Fake Your Way to the Top" (from Dreamgirls) and more!
Now that Christmas has come and gone, please consider saving some cash to put toward the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by way of my fundraising campaign. It's not for my benefit, guys.
Wednesday, January 02, 2008
PLEADY
So, I wasn't kidding about needing help with that Don't Forget The Lyrics Application. Y'all are my friends, so please help me and answer the questions about what my friends would say! Sister, Brother, Katie, Wes, Jenn, Jon David, Jamie, Sarah, Star, Sam, Jessica, Carlee, Eric, Leslie, Meghan, MB, Melissa, Michael, Corrie, Lilley, Margo, Erin, Natalie, all you other people that read and think that I don't know because you don't comment... let's go! Here's a deal - If your word/answer ends up as an answer on the application and I win money on the show, I'll give you some of it. Not a lot, but some.
PS - If you are worried about offending me by saying my "worst qualities" then comment anonymously. But odds are I already know those are my worst qualities anyway.
PPS - Also wasn't kidding about needing people that know lyrics to take on the show with me. Clearly, my mom is not going to be much help.
PS - If you are worried about offending me by saying my "worst qualities" then comment anonymously. But odds are I already know those are my worst qualities anyway.
PPS - Also wasn't kidding about needing people that know lyrics to take on the show with me. Clearly, my mom is not going to be much help.
ANNOYED
My mom is obsessed with the song "Crank That" by Soulja Boy.
I don't know exactly who we are to blame for her penchant for this song, but she got bit by the Soulja bug. Hard. Actually, I take that back. I think it all started with this, which is weird, because Auburn lost that game.
She doesn't even get the lyrics right. She just sings nonsense. And on top of that, she has NO IDEA what it means. Or, what it would mean if she were singing it correctly:
"Soulja boy up in eh HOOO wa me crank it wa me ro Superman uh HOOOOO!"
She actually says "Wa Me Ro." Even Soulja Boy himself puts forth more effort into the song. I tried to explain that "Wa Me Ro" sounds like something you order at a Chinese restaurant and if she's going to sing it, to sing it right.
"It's 'Watch Me Roll' and if you really knew what that song meant, you wouldn't be singing it," I warned.
"Wa Me Ro! Wa Me Ro! What's it mean?"
I explained the song to her.
"It does not mean that. You made that up. Wa Me Ro!"
Sigh. Sometimes I wonder who is raising whom.
I don't know exactly who we are to blame for her penchant for this song, but she got bit by the Soulja bug. Hard. Actually, I take that back. I think it all started with this, which is weird, because Auburn lost that game.
She doesn't even get the lyrics right. She just sings nonsense. And on top of that, she has NO IDEA what it means. Or, what it would mean if she were singing it correctly:
"Soulja boy up in eh HOOO wa me crank it wa me ro Superman uh HOOOOO!"
She actually says "Wa Me Ro." Even Soulja Boy himself puts forth more effort into the song. I tried to explain that "Wa Me Ro" sounds like something you order at a Chinese restaurant and if she's going to sing it, to sing it right.
"It's 'Watch Me Roll' and if you really knew what that song meant, you wouldn't be singing it," I warned.
"Wa Me Ro! Wa Me Ro! What's it mean?"
I explained the song to her.
"It does not mean that. You made that up. Wa Me Ro!"
Sigh. Sometimes I wonder who is raising whom.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
NEW
2008! 2008! Sakes alive, it's 2008!
I can't believe that whole Y2K thing was 8 years ago. Do you remember that?
I also can't believe I am going to officially enter my mid-twenties this year. Can't I just stay 24?
I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve. I've always been weary of New Year's Eve. I hate nights like New Year's or Valentine's where you're supposed to have the most amazing awesome night of your life, because what if you don't? Why so much pressure? I have amazing awesome nights plenty of other days of the year. So I never expect New Year's Eve to be spectacular because I don't want to feel like I let myself down or missed out on something just because it's going to be a new year.
So I guess I was due for an amazing awesome New Year's Eve. Because last night certainly was nothing short of amazing or awesome. Maybe my favorite New Year's Eve ever?
Of course, I've already made my big resolution, but two smaller areas I think I'll work on are to cook more and become a better steward of my finances (that sounds a lot better than "stop buying crap" and "actually stick to a budget").
Lastly, I was too busy having a kick ass time to watch this, but speaking of kick ass:
Happy New Year everyone! It's going to be a great year.
I can't believe that whole Y2K thing was 8 years ago. Do you remember that?
I also can't believe I am going to officially enter my mid-twenties this year. Can't I just stay 24?
I hope everyone had a great New Year's Eve. I've always been weary of New Year's Eve. I hate nights like New Year's or Valentine's where you're supposed to have the most amazing awesome night of your life, because what if you don't? Why so much pressure? I have amazing awesome nights plenty of other days of the year. So I never expect New Year's Eve to be spectacular because I don't want to feel like I let myself down or missed out on something just because it's going to be a new year.
So I guess I was due for an amazing awesome New Year's Eve. Because last night certainly was nothing short of amazing or awesome. Maybe my favorite New Year's Eve ever?
Of course, I've already made my big resolution, but two smaller areas I think I'll work on are to cook more and become a better steward of my finances (that sounds a lot better than "stop buying crap" and "actually stick to a budget").
Lastly, I was too busy having a kick ass time to watch this, but speaking of kick ass:
Happy New Year everyone! It's going to be a great year.