tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73965272024-03-06T23:37:22.869-06:00Feet Firmly Plantedtaking things too seriously since 1979Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1590125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-31430234061809819482012-08-08T10:29:00.000-05:002012-08-08T10:29:03.891-05:00TornadoWell THIS is a surprise, no? I honestly never thought I'd be back online, on this blog - I'd made a list of goals for 2012 and the eventual, deliberate demise of this journal was one of them. I guess it all just became too much to handle for awhile.
Why, you ask? Well a lot of the reason is this:<br />
<br />
Sean and I got engaged: March 2011<br />
Married: October 2011<br />
Bought a house (gut renovation! whee! we are so in over our heads!): April/May 2012
Left my long time job for a new one: mid-late May 2012<br />
Discovered that I was pregnant: mid-May 2012<br />
<br />
So...yeah...writing on my blog sort of fell by the wayside. The last year and a half have been so full of blessings, I just didn't want or need to write. There are only so many outlets a girl can handle, am I right? Until I tweeted last night about some pregnancy-related heartburn, it honestly never even occurred to me that people were still paying attention after all this time. <a href="http://www.icanhasissues.com/">Dysfunction Junction</a> and <a href="http://www.lawyerish.typepad.com/">Lawyerish</a> DM'ed me back on Twitter with their surprised congratulations...thanks, ladies!<br />
<br />
I won't apologize for my absence, as I feel it was warranted given the developments in my "real" life, but I can promise that I'll make a more concerted effort to write. I always enjoyed it (and continue to enjoy it) but never made it a priority. That changes now. Not sure where I'm headed on this journey, but I'm grateful to have you all along for the ride.<br />
<br />
Take care, all, and thanks for the love!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-91367301087844123532011-02-25T19:12:00.000-06:002011-02-25T19:14:08.299-06:00But I Listen to it Anyway, DammitWhy can't I hear the song "Straight from the Heart" by Bryan Adams without bursting into tears?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-21179564542721434972011-02-20T12:08:00.002-06:002011-02-20T12:24:32.090-06:00A Touch of Grey Kind of Suits You AnywayYeah, wow. Did everyone have a good Halloween? Gah.<br /><br />I would apologize for my absence, but I think it would somewhat presumptuous to do so, given that my readership in 2010 wouldn't really suffer from my extended absence. Heh. But I will say that everything is fine - I am still in good health, reading other blogs as actively as before, and marveling at all of these people that make the time to keep up with the online life chronicle thing. Seriously...who has the time for stuff like search engine optimization, deep statistical dives into site traffic, and staying on top of online trends? That is not now, nor has it ever been, my interest in writing here. Last time I checked, I had time enough for just 1 job, and that would be the one that PAYS ME, the corporate job I keep so carefully anonymous here.<br /><br />Time. Ahh, time. There has been a dearth of that lately. Also? Inspiration to write...where did mine go? But as they say, to cure writers block, one must just make the effort to sit down and write, with perhaps a disregard for the quality of what is produced. But you don't come here for quality, so I will take my own advice ands just write something. ANYTHING. <br /><br />Did you know that I am not really a Starbucks person? I don't understand the appeal of paying 4 dollars for coffee that tastes like tar, filtered through someone's used underwear? Maybe my palate isn't refined enough to truly appreciate it, whatever. I patronize Starbucks approximately 3 times a year. Mostly for peppermint mochas and oatmeal. Draw your own conclusions. I will tell you that I am sitting in a Starbucks rightthisverymoment, drinking a green tea, and loving the rain outside. The fact that I am writing this post WHILE at Starbucks, however, well let's just chalk that up against my "total cliche" allowance for 2011.<br /><br />Hope you have all been well, that you had memorable holidays, and thank you for visiting, as always.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-48297427226833426712010-10-30T15:52:00.005-05:002010-10-30T16:10:22.538-05:00Picks/PansI shall make my weekly "triumphant" (aka lazy) return to blogging with another round of Product Picks-n-Pans. <div><br /></div><a href="http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P218700&om_mmc=GooglePA&_requestid=42976&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=1121797">Josie Maran Argan Oil</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPeqi7cIqvhXFPUKE9RRQJtMbKlRne27jCl-y4h0vc_gKlPvBDm7iyCXeB6igMTS0hr2Hcc9xuoWclzyKKAav8koqFf9x7cYIGt6R8FaeeQo9uhb5Xzw3UgRqxv9u-tmuFe-yQQ/s1600/IMG_4248.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLPeqi7cIqvhXFPUKE9RRQJtMbKlRne27jCl-y4h0vc_gKlPvBDm7iyCXeB6igMTS0hr2Hcc9xuoWclzyKKAav8koqFf9x7cYIGt6R8FaeeQo9uhb5Xzw3UgRqxv9u-tmuFe-yQQ/s320/IMG_4248.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533945589441931858" /></a><br />Honestly? This stuff does all the things it promises and more. Do I remember to whip it out when I need a cuticle softener? NO. Do I think of it when dealing with split ends and flyaways? NOPE. It's a fabulous product, it's natural, and it's good for your skin. But if you can't remember you have it when you need it, what's the point? I don't know, but I know that I love it. <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">PICK</span></b><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3867626&cp=4213376.4257186">PocketBac Deep Cleansing Hand Gel</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzggYNRGiqv58LkLBORAEWfck1JQMSeWpb9g62FRjRg56EiR59wGsyH_EwRhs6Ipr2G9ZcYVVIuW8ATJcqEqzS338J_npON6sSqBw9cAN301cQNqDJKpOHFGkhx-YmvRUK092fw/s1600/IMG_4257.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEzggYNRGiqv58LkLBORAEWfck1JQMSeWpb9g62FRjRg56EiR59wGsyH_EwRhs6Ipr2G9ZcYVVIuW8ATJcqEqzS338J_npON6sSqBw9cAN301cQNqDJKpOHFGkhx-YmvRUK092fw/s320/IMG_4257.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533946452895421842" /></a><br />I am getting older. It's true. We all are, if you think about it, so when my mom put this in my Christmas stocking, I was inappropriately excited to get it. Not because I think antibacterial products are exciting, but because it's unscented - and it's from Bath & Body Works. Allow me to pause while you wrap your brain around that combination. Yes, it might be the ONLY thing in the entire BBW product line that doesn't stink to high heaven. And while I once loved BBW more than I am comfortable admitting on this website, those days are pretty much over. This product goes on and works quickly - no stink, no stickiness, no nonsense. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;"><b>PICK</b></span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/tea-tree/prod170278">Body Shop Tea Tree Oil</a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZKcj0c4NqFQK8KmtNCxFSNxZWT4YmHlwhGPesykZibU9YX_CJ8DRX0pi5uCXFH2VV0DLsSdXrRLgBPjETi3i9WeukFe_UXQJZ1ynoI9JACPMcyVbVJkDDIZkD0bPAQSPOJbLCA/s1600/IMG_4252.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZKcj0c4NqFQK8KmtNCxFSNxZWT4YmHlwhGPesykZibU9YX_CJ8DRX0pi5uCXFH2VV0DLsSdXrRLgBPjETi3i9WeukFe_UXQJZ1ynoI9JACPMcyVbVJkDDIZkD0bPAQSPOJbLCA/s320/IMG_4252.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533947648096686882" /></a><br />This stuff is amazing on blemishes. Tea Tree Oil is one of nature's most effective astringents - and without sounding like an obnoxious hippie, I appreciate the Body Shop's policies on community and fair trade products. I dab this onto any blemishes with a cotton swab, go to bed, and wake up to clearer skin. Word of warning: Tea Tree Oil has an unpleasant odor - it's very sharp and a bit sour. It fades, but MAN can that be a romance killer. I'm just sayin. Despite the stench? <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#33CC00;">PICK</span></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-19024775052464731762010-10-23T09:12:00.009-05:002010-10-23T09:45:05.860-05:00Style Saturday<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF6600;">Welcome to the first edition of STYLE SATURDAY, the newest feature to this blog.</span> I've decided that lifestyle blogs drive me crazy (and yet, I still read them, discuss my hypocrisy amongst yourselves)...I mean, they're sort of out of control. Do any of you actually know someone that is so obsessed with design and decor that they could drive unique, photographed, online content to the tune of 6-10 postings a week? Do you?! I don't, due directly to the fact that the people in my life have JOBS and FAMILIES and don't have TIME to post about how they trimmed out that Edsel bumper they found last weekend in a junkyard into a wall mantel that is now trimmed with organic gourds and raffia in autumnal shades.<br /><br />I mean, really. REALLY?<br /><br />So here it is: the inaugural installment of my own lifestyle section, Style Saturday. This week, we're going medieval on you.<br /><br /><b>Medieval Times, that is.</b><br /><br />A month or so ago, my parents (who while not exactly wacky or spontaneous <i>are</i> rather fun-loving) decided that they would make good on a promise to my niece and nephew to attend a show at Medieval Times. And so ensued our evening experience with what I consider to be the weirdest dinner theatre in the entire world, replete with the smell of horse poop and *just enough* theatrical lighting to frighten children under the age of 8.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerRFqtdk03QRzEOhFYENv-XQomyqLQbO65jXO8N36390X2ac0FwpwzWkSS_ZKhIDw7PC9C-CGYrMrhRnZ0QZyHPjBaCiYn1Bu6YIgEr5n67C45v8U_9zgtSHEJDRn5t8x08P1Ww/s1600/IMG_4725.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjerRFqtdk03QRzEOhFYENv-XQomyqLQbO65jXO8N36390X2ac0FwpwzWkSS_ZKhIDw7PC9C-CGYrMrhRnZ0QZyHPjBaCiYn1Bu6YIgEr5n67C45v8U_9zgtSHEJDRn5t8x08P1Ww/s320/IMG_4725.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531249893132954530" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The economy is alive and well...inside the great hall of your local Medieval Times, that is.</i></div></span><br />Thing the first: Medieval Times is interactive. It's so sensory that I almost wonder if it's a bad place for epileptics and people on the autistic spectrum to hang out. (No judgment, just a thought) They give you crowns and streamers to use in cheering on your knight in battle, and there is no silverware and you are forced to eat with your hands. To wit: my entree -<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-P2Y03ydQimDBoe1EXlOlT3aSoVsGd1l1buaxBwxO1dd26iaclRfGbXuB53uNmnIhDt97iVNfyzLkoJcNxG_qPVv6jhG6Yz1ygxzvwbei7GYHrodYprGA23DXFdJa07dBfJnvQ/s1600/IMG_4753.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-P2Y03ydQimDBoe1EXlOlT3aSoVsGd1l1buaxBwxO1dd26iaclRfGbXuB53uNmnIhDt97iVNfyzLkoJcNxG_qPVv6jhG6Yz1ygxzvwbei7GYHrodYprGA23DXFdJa07dBfJnvQ/s320/IMG_4753.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531248913698514066" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Apparently there were no medieval vegetarians?</i></div></span><br />Thing the Second: the seating assignment is random - where you're seated determines your loyalty to a certain knight-slash-wannabe-actor-with-gross-long-hair. We cheered on the red/gold knight, who looked suspiciously feminine. (As it turns out, he's a HE - I checked after the show at the autograph signing table (by LOOKING AT HIM, not whatever you gutterbrains were just thinking, oh HEY HI MOM - the fey appearance comes from his extreme youth. I would be surprised if he was legal to drink) He lost in the second battle, but not after using all the tools in his disposal, which included a giant spear, something metal and spiky on a chain, and this other thing that I'm still having nightmares about.<br /><br />Speaking of booze, they have it there. THANK GOD. You can get your medieval margarita in a pimped out glass, if you want:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlyHchh3RlGQafULzJj-CVQBPghCSyZY2TDFDBRT8cIJPPkj6dpV5umLqYOwagsVqBKrxezlnya0ymfPC1UX83XHzcT7Y_H-of737ve-f0ygK490np4s2S458JIAfkrlCUnLmLA/s1600/IMG_4734.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRlyHchh3RlGQafULzJj-CVQBPghCSyZY2TDFDBRT8cIJPPkj6dpV5umLqYOwagsVqBKrxezlnya0ymfPC1UX83XHzcT7Y_H-of737ve-f0ygK490np4s2S458JIAfkrlCUnLmLA/s320/IMG_4734.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531248494019899762" /></a><br />Not surprisingly, I opted for the hologram cup 'o Bud Light. What can I say? I'm a renaissance woman.<br /><br />Nothing is more chic than getting dressed in whatever was clean that morning, and donning a flimsy, hair-flattening paper crown.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYUEM4s7Zdcle0JugygrRFjx8NNbDcwyGwxu64E7H-JtTPLcUYCyslhsrX1Qx9YybnDsCKNfyYaUr10R4NRESDfMiZ6OKsE0d1YqzD79ATTvmCKIh9msxjmK8sP8bAiAFHL0uDw/s1600/IMG_4731.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdYUEM4s7Zdcle0JugygrRFjx8NNbDcwyGwxu64E7H-JtTPLcUYCyslhsrX1Qx9YybnDsCKNfyYaUr10R4NRESDfMiZ6OKsE0d1YqzD79ATTvmCKIh9msxjmK8sP8bAiAFHL0uDw/s320/IMG_4731.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5531248254217462786" /></a><br />What's most stylish of all, really, is quality time spent with my family - medieval in nature, or not. Spend some time styling it up with YOUR family this week, and enjoy. (with or without ye olde Heineken)<div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-71106205833251673012010-10-19T08:07:00.002-05:002010-10-19T08:45:58.500-05:00In Which I am Characterized by Repeating Unpleasant EventsThere is the small matter of that half marathon that I ran with Sean a couple weeks back. I'm not sure I can do it justice (the good kind) in such a quick post, but I can share one strong memory of the event with you. My iPod nano (which I hastily procured prior to the event b/c running with my Touch seemed annoying despite the fact that I've done it numerous times, and which prompted me to have to upgrade to Snow Leopard the night before we left omg stabby stabby evening) nearly crapped out on me in the middle of the race. I'd never run without music before - I consider it necessary for any race - and the prospect of running without it left me cold. So I stopped waking up the nano to switch songs, and just let it play itself out. <br /><br />That was right before I realized that the shuffle feature was not enabled. Seriously?! Stupid new nano. It was, admittedly, a hasty oversight on my part - in starting up my Nike+ workout, I must have neglected to turn the shuffle feature on within my new "Disney Half Marathon" playlist. As a result, my half-marathon consisted of every song I had from A to roughly K. <br /><br />It was weird and distracting - even though, by the end of the race, I was laughing at Elton John popping up where I would normally need Rihanna, it could have been better. Argh. So instead of listing all the random crap I had to endure, I'll give you my top 25 songs to run to: <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(in alphabetical order, OF COURSE)</span><br /><br />Eat the Rich - Aerosmith<br />Magic (feat. Rivers Cuomo) - B.o.B.<br />She's No Good (feat. Eli "Paperboy" Reed) - Basement Jaxx<br />Intergalactic - Beastie Boys<br />Break Ya Neck - Busta Rhymes<br />The City is at War - Cobra Starship<br />Fresh - Devo<br />'Til I Collapse - Eminem / Nate Dogg<br />Freak (feat. Kardinal Offishall) - Estelle<br />Jesus or a Gun - Fuel<br />Get Involved (feat. Timbaland & Missy Elliott) - Ginuwine<br />Sexy! No No No - Girls Aloud<br />Vacation - The Go-Go's<br />Tightrope (w/Big Boi) - Janelle Monae<br />Give a Little More - Maroon 5<br />Heartbreaker (feat. John Legend) - MSTRKRFT<br />Gifted (feat. Kanye West, Santogold, Lykke Li) - N.A.S.A.<br />Super Freak - Rick James<br />Filthy Gorgeous (Original Radio Mix) - Scissor Sisters<br />Talking in Your Sleep - Space Cowboy<br />Feel It Now - Tonic<br />Giving Up the Gun - Vampire Weekend<br />Panama - Van Halen<br />Blue Orchid - White Stripes<br />Check It Out - will.i.am & Nicki Minaj (ed. note: Buggles sample FTW!)<br /> <br />I rounded out the half-marathon with my new favorite song, a rediscovery of sorts, "Can You Feel It" by the Jacksons. I don't care who you, where you come from, or what your age is - if this song doesn't make you feel like you conquer the damn world, then your heart is made of stone. It's only a matter of time until someone huge in the hip-hop world smartens up and uses this as the sample track behind their newest song. Nerdy as it might sound, this song literally sends goosebumps down my spine. That's why I'm naming this song as the 26th on the list - the best song to which a person can cross a finish line. Running.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-83065643241580823822010-10-12T19:44:00.002-05:002010-10-12T20:39:49.063-05:00As it Turns Out, You CAN Buy HappinessHappiness can be found virtually anywhere, so why do we spend so many of our waking hours complaining, grousing, or otherwise unsatisfied with ourselves? Given that my last entry was a tad...erm...heavy, I committed to opening my eyes a little wider over the past week. <br /><br />I have spent the last several days staying in our family's condo downtown - a small, casual nest located 31 floors above the city. It's been a welcome reminder of both why I love living downtown (and resultingly, miss my condo), and why I left the city (parking and crowds). Plus, high-rise living is inherently novel: sleeping in a glass box with the city outside is much like camping under the stars. I do so love it here.<br /><br />Tonight, I had no special place to go after a post-work appointment so I hit State Street. Official story? I need a dress for the company holiday party. But I think we all know that I have at least 4 dresses that would work, and do I really need to spend that money unnecessarily? NO. So instead of diving head first into the petites section, I spent an hour aimlessly wandering through my favorite place in the city: the bookstore.<br /><br />It was unexpected, unhurried, and unbelievably lovely. It was! It was LOVELY. Nowhere to go, no one to answer to, nothing to do but ponder the purchase of a running-related hardback and have an internal debate about whether or not to spend $24.95 on something Sean is likely to buy eventually on his e-Reader anyhow. So I spent about half what I would have on a party dress, and walked out with some holiday gifts and treats for me:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/413965.If_I_Am_Missing_or_Dead">If I am Missing or Dead</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/315425.In_Defense_of_Food">In Defense Of Food</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2818494.Power_of_Giving_The">The Power of Giving</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9017871-on-gratitude">On Gratitude</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6076387-a-gate-at-the-stairs">A Gate at the Stairs</a><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/97782.Then_We_Came_to_the_End">Then We Came to the End</a><br /><br />And now? Now my only problem is deciding which one to read first - which in my book is an embarassment of riches. Best. Tuesday. Ever.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-29466379984691450752010-10-09T19:31:00.007-05:002010-10-09T20:07:56.748-05:00(Please Don't Really) Send In the ClownsJust got off the treadmill, and as it turns out I AM STILL OVERWEIGHT. Despite my wishes, a 3.3 mile run/walk session did not (a) eliminate all my cellulite, (b) make my pants look any better, or (c) make my ankles skinnier. Ah well. Someone once told me that regular exercise and a healthy diet are the key to weight loss. I'll have to look into that.<br /><br />I've been thinking a lot about myself lately (shocker!) but not in the normal, vain, woe-is-me-and-my-first-world-problems way. Someone recently told me that I am mean when I've had too much to drink. The B word may have been tossed in there, too, and while I assure you this was said in the most straightforward, diplomatic way possible, it was still said. And it still hurt my feelings. Because, on occasion, I suppose it's true. The sting has, for the most part, worn off now but the message is stuck like glue to the inside of my brain.<br /><br />So imagine my arched eyebrow when I read <a href="http://www.mooseinthekitchen.com/2010/10/06/things-i-dont-want-to-admit-to-myself/">Moose's inspiring post</a> which was derived in spirit from <a href="http://www.ordinarycourage.com/my-blog/2010/9/26/the-perfect-protest.html">this post by Brene Brown</a>. Sometimes it's good to remember that not everything is perfect, and that despite our inadequacies and faults, life will shake out just fine. I need to remember this more often.<br /><br /><strong>So here's mine - the good and the bad:</strong><br /><br />I'm not entirely sure I'm doing the best I can. And I'm not entirely sure I care.<br /><br />Sometimes, I drink too much. Not often, and before you ask, no - I'm not concerned about it, but it is a hard fact - and one that probably isn't helping the whole weight loss thing.<br /><br />People compliment me on my skin and hair.<br /><br />Everything I'm thinking shows up on my face. I can help it sometimes, and I do try (when appropriate) to remain discreet. But mostly I just let it fly. I'd rather be remembered/appreciated for being genuine than for being polite.<br /><br />I'm judgmental and critical, most often of myself.<br /><br />I can make almost anyone laugh.<br /><br />I am afraid that if I slow down too much, I'll never get going again.<br /><br />The phrase "if you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life" is annoying to me - not just because I find platitudes like this convenient and cloying, but also because I'm jealous that can't say I've ever done what I loved for a living. <br /><br />Saying no is not easy for me, but as life gets more complicated, I'm learning.<br /><br />I am relatively well-traveled for my age.<br /><br />I am concerned that if I don't start soon, I won't be able to have children.<br /><br />Jobs that I used to dream of having are: ballerina, morning radio DJ, high school english teacher, professional organizer, life coach. I'm sure that last one would be the best option, as I'm GREAT at giving advice to others but never applying it to my own life. Hehe.<br /><br />I still harbor fantasies of moving to another state, even though I've already done that and it didn't turn out well.<br /><br />Asking for help scares me.<br /><br />I am jealous of my friends who got married right out of college and had their children young. I know they missed out on the things I've done and might assert the "grass is greener" response, but still. I feel like they're ahead of me somehow.<br /><br />I need to remember that life is not a race, and that we are all on our own tracks.<br /><br />(deep breath) <br /><br />Now you can all do me a huge favor and put one of your own in the comments field - make it anonymous if you wish - just so I know I'm not the only one out here with a case of the crazies. Thanks for listening.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-34708336261889791742010-10-08T12:42:00.002-05:002010-10-08T12:46:32.598-05:00MisunderstoodDear Youth of America,<br /><br />What is with the super long skateboards? Are you surfing a concrete wave? Please help me understand.<br /><br />On second thought, don't. <br /><br />Sincerely, Jamie<br /><br />*********<br /><br />In other news, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/sns-ap-nobel-peace-prize,0,2899976,full.story">how DO you solve a problem like China?</a> Can you send 2+ billion people to therapy for denial?<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-89196022235392466152010-09-29T23:08:00.007-05:002010-09-29T23:35:43.367-05:00Rocket Town<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUFDzE2uIFSbxdg2wyuHlfQzUyMvIcl96e9pvsSAzu0fb-Xp9ihjE8e_Rxm0liTs_jkKYuIuvvvQXPyoWWQhMUuA-_j20RWgFH_JhBwo5sUT8Khe5zyYPcDVYm171Am3lofQJvA/s1600/IMG_4653.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXUFDzE2uIFSbxdg2wyuHlfQzUyMvIcl96e9pvsSAzu0fb-Xp9ihjE8e_Rxm0liTs_jkKYuIuvvvQXPyoWWQhMUuA-_j20RWgFH_JhBwo5sUT8Khe5zyYPcDVYm171Am3lofQJvA/s200/IMG_4653.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522555000417560466" /></a><br />Every year (well, as of two years ago) in the later parts of summer, Indianapolis becomes a biker heaven when <a href="http://www.motogp.com">MotoGP</a> comes to town for the <a href="http://www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com/redbullindianapolisgp/">Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix</a>. As Sean has been a speed bike fan for several years now, having owned and ridden one himself, naturally he was keen to get tickets as soon as the event was announced. I <a href="http://parallelfirst.blogspot.com/2008/09/vroom-vroom.html">blogged about our first trip to the event</a> - and how we survived the inland hurricane (but our tent didn't). <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotXQJJq-Yx9oYja6werMS_iha4UKyYac3efZklovVpyPDx-rfRTknt8Oa8cx88jNGE3dHcrHxreF4xj_d3wOi12dnk2iV26H4DuNrd8lw7umcR5tkaz3A03XQ7aHxujwI0H3CCQ/s1600/IMG_4932.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgotXQJJq-Yx9oYja6werMS_iha4UKyYac3efZklovVpyPDx-rfRTknt8Oa8cx88jNGE3dHcrHxreF4xj_d3wOi12dnk2iV26H4DuNrd8lw7umcR5tkaz3A03XQ7aHxujwI0H3CCQ/s200/IMG_4932.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522555678142388274" /></a><br />This year, we were blessed with spectacular weather - not too hot, not too sunny. No one got rained on, no one got burned. They changed the shower truck vendor on us this year (not cool, IMS, not cool at all) but other than that, it was a great time! I realized again how lucky I am that I, for the most part, find Sean's motor-related interests even remotely intriguing and/or fun. Plus, I love camping!<br /><br />Commence slide show:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_D2AvZJrnPNLvmkGIV7crrIcHZkkWBhW1TO-GBZPpeTfS5cQjGM2ijHtShIh7riUXnRsjIYODEDe7WKhPsO3LvZqFpDSywyBcvgA57t79mt2gbT_tC9qahdvFQyl7Jy0crwzVw/s1600/IMG_4809.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie_D2AvZJrnPNLvmkGIV7crrIcHZkkWBhW1TO-GBZPpeTfS5cQjGM2ijHtShIh7riUXnRsjIYODEDe7WKhPsO3LvZqFpDSywyBcvgA57t79mt2gbT_tC9qahdvFQyl7Jy0crwzVw/s200/IMG_4809.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522556567026593058" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXbqO0jM2WQ0ROtS-rgSK9kWheJ6lwnHQ8h_J6t_A1sg3xKBcnwsuY5ZXWzScQfdI-uNZv1votDF2sUHTDBe8LGE0XgcHMArbEsE6giDnDvy-ZuUmrnLvS4A4FErSguXEUSJV2A/s1600/IMG_4628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgXbqO0jM2WQ0ROtS-rgSK9kWheJ6lwnHQ8h_J6t_A1sg3xKBcnwsuY5ZXWzScQfdI-uNZv1votDF2sUHTDBe8LGE0XgcHMArbEsE6giDnDvy-ZuUmrnLvS4A4FErSguXEUSJV2A/s200/IMG_4628.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522558415474836738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThgPMCzSIg69zE8lANI3p_LFfImK54hsh3kL4Zc1Z8I00qlCtGOhxRN8J2cQ48ghogkWTIyQyz5GtJdXqQRxssR75RMF6rRHoMI8dSItmsMCXxFaE7UKcIb0aZFlJYqmfuctQQw/s1600/IMG_4604.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThgPMCzSIg69zE8lANI3p_LFfImK54hsh3kL4Zc1Z8I00qlCtGOhxRN8J2cQ48ghogkWTIyQyz5GtJdXqQRxssR75RMF6rRHoMI8dSItmsMCXxFaE7UKcIb0aZFlJYqmfuctQQw/s200/IMG_4604.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522558408620578434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2j2ewXHSGIyxw-8eOI3DgfxVps3Ev7MEvWWbBTovZY9TT1Hs8SMjtS2_kDrcgJ-vZvBKTuPf7-89EYpax_4Hd-_lZMoOkcPAiFnkiTE8_mKLZQ60eh98WVYc5KhRyhUAonHncQ/s1600/IMG_4663.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG2j2ewXHSGIyxw-8eOI3DgfxVps3Ev7MEvWWbBTovZY9TT1Hs8SMjtS2_kDrcgJ-vZvBKTuPf7-89EYpax_4Hd-_lZMoOkcPAiFnkiTE8_mKLZQ60eh98WVYc5KhRyhUAonHncQ/s200/IMG_4663.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522558404110723762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXXxla10hHioGk_9OUtwhz_egGsO4DL6zMS48wxacuB9pE7rKrupQ7pZN_AfEYySPNWCbm_T9JjQkIqziRkPzo0BQTNKvFdjczItTocMhNmHFeYnHkJ3buhNWIoTYoxLama8auw/s1600/IMG_4654.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXXxla10hHioGk_9OUtwhz_egGsO4DL6zMS48wxacuB9pE7rKrupQ7pZN_AfEYySPNWCbm_T9JjQkIqziRkPzo0BQTNKvFdjczItTocMhNmHFeYnHkJ3buhNWIoTYoxLama8auw/s200/IMG_4654.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522557879074995138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FDGKfagPxAEG1rkPUWqvCL4G4qgiHEAEx9BtAnewG2c3mZMnYMJt1Im7eMS1LZbcq0sR6esZgf7xuwj8ehrPqAhDw8hF7i2Emz6n-A-BLqS2Y1YxsrBxPJBFG4xoMlPTJ44-ig/s1600/IMG_4640.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5FDGKfagPxAEG1rkPUWqvCL4G4qgiHEAEx9BtAnewG2c3mZMnYMJt1Im7eMS1LZbcq0sR6esZgf7xuwj8ehrPqAhDw8hF7i2Emz6n-A-BLqS2Y1YxsrBxPJBFG4xoMlPTJ44-ig/s200/IMG_4640.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522557868298476082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV82kQJqGJHakOV-dAGVBiFgcnObmKSaRYZ8HCsmEhbhKRvZPgf1u7kCjbwE0XfqS7AAckK99cLLSFgtg8ExapXG5t7dRCf9aAp2RLgEc0TJWk2G0rVgCeGOpzfGtmZWXF37eMw/s1600/IMG_4852.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrV82kQJqGJHakOV-dAGVBiFgcnObmKSaRYZ8HCsmEhbhKRvZPgf1u7kCjbwE0XfqS7AAckK99cLLSFgtg8ExapXG5t7dRCf9aAp2RLgEc0TJWk2G0rVgCeGOpzfGtmZWXF37eMw/s200/IMG_4852.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522557860651533826" /></a><br /><br />You want to know the coolest part of it all? Sean submitted our photos from the weekend's events (He probably took 60% of them - particularly the midrace and paddock shots) to <a href="http://www.superbikeplanet.com">Superbike Planet</a> for inclusion in their fan photo galleries - and several were published! See <a href="http://superbikeplanet.com/image/2010/motogp/indy/fan13/">one here of Valentino Rossi adjusting his...umm</a>, well you know, <a href="http://superbikeplanet.com/image/2010/motogp/indy/fan11/index.htm">three here</a> - one of me, one by me (of the wall), and one by Sean (of the Ducati stands), and <a href="http://superbikeplanet.com/image/2010/motogp/indy/fan14/">one here</a>. So if you ever wondered who my favorite rider is, <a href="http://superbikeplanet.com/image/2010/motogp/indy/fan11/4.htm"><span style="font-style:italic;">NOW YOU KNOW</span></a>.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-18767755901295535462010-09-23T10:02:00.005-05:002010-09-23T10:12:06.294-05:00My Life Was Just a Cheap, Meaningless Void Until NowHow is it that I've survived the past 31 years without <a href="http://www.sciplus.com/index.cfm">this website</a>?! HOW?! Found it via <a href="http://swistle.blogspot.com">Swistle</a> whose adorable <a href="http://swistle.blogspot.com/2010/09/thrilling-promotional-materials-as.html">husband bought</a> her 2 <a href="http://www.sciplus.com/singleItem.cfm/terms/15668">pounds of pens for $10</a>. Which makes me love her (and by extension, her husband) even more. Not only because I really abhor pencils, but also because freebie pens always end up being the best and longest-lasting - like county fair goldfish.<br /><br />Anybody need some plastic graduates for Christmas? A Figure 9 Carabiner makes an excellent (if a bit sharp) stocking stuffer! Hannukah just wouldn't be the same without a Digital Multimeter, now would it? I DON'T THINK SO.<br /><br />Nerdy as it is, this might be my new favorite website. Everybody is getting science stuff for the holidays! You bring the egg nog, I'll bring the <a href="http://www.sciplus.com/search.cfm?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=search&utm_content=cf&utm_campaign=celsearchtest&formfield1234567891=0&formfield1234567892=7&formfield1234567894=&term=beaker&btnHand.x=0&btnHand.y=0">500 mL Erlen Flasks</a>. <br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-34802927405159620232010-09-19T17:45:00.005-05:002010-09-19T18:06:05.050-05:00Happy TrailsThere are things about camping that I find serve as a refresher to my system - maybe not distant, community restrooms, but fresh air and laughter? Definitely. I had a chance this past weekend to spend time with my favorite people in the world (outside my biological family that is) and it occurred to me several times throughout our time together that we are so incredibly, ridiculously lucky to have one another near by. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3ue_R8jLvU6kX9uMvRj-0jKRGsa4I9eZ04C108F9T8uS2bQDqf37mTNL1AaNTvBebyE7-EYO-Dxf8PA8Y9H2_zdCrvwSIo9R2ZOwRAFnC1Tu92bkDtnVNM_E11IXqUj9pndo_w/s1600/IMG_4713.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju3ue_R8jLvU6kX9uMvRj-0jKRGsa4I9eZ04C108F9T8uS2bQDqf37mTNL1AaNTvBebyE7-EYO-Dxf8PA8Y9H2_zdCrvwSIo9R2ZOwRAFnC1Tu92bkDtnVNM_E11IXqUj9pndo_w/s200/IMG_4713.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518764185214927666" /></a><br />I mean, c'mon - with who else am I supposed to discuss things like the origin of tampons, ankle goatees, weird vocabulary, and fracture mechanics? (well that last one was an education for me, really - mah frendz r RLY smahrttt). Despite the initially frustrating weather, and those last two fireside cocktails that I REALLY didn't need last night, I had a great weekend. We are all so busy these days and I know it will only get more difficult to figure out once our lives become happily complicated with children, pets, or whatever else the universe has in store for us. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ROMqA8nbdx5DZsGWUQ0aVMA9AyaiZDw2fiz5MC_o9b-mGMPaSiKnwmIs6MproFePwOsKKd8tn-097n-vXcmb99m-uwPrpQ1000QEgO_Xf1gkH_3BK7XeoBTCg9TGt86wvfTZJA/s1600/IMG_4719.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ROMqA8nbdx5DZsGWUQ0aVMA9AyaiZDw2fiz5MC_o9b-mGMPaSiKnwmIs6MproFePwOsKKd8tn-097n-vXcmb99m-uwPrpQ1000QEgO_Xf1gkH_3BK7XeoBTCg9TGt86wvfTZJA/s200/IMG_4719.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518763693574139730" /></a><br />I am so blessed to have people in my life that aren't afraid to shush me when I become very loudly animated in my speech, who go camping when they *really* don't want to, who support my bitching out of a long training run when I really just want to sit and chatter and read magazines, and who know how to make a mean flapjack breakfast taco. How do you say "pigs in a blanket" in Spanish? <br /><br />I'm sure one of them could tell me.<br /><br />Have a great week, everyone. I'm off to go do another load of smoky laundry.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-66709768498023048602010-09-16T18:28:00.004-05:002010-09-16T18:33:35.712-05:00Top 3 Reasons Why Working from Home is Awesome1. I'll take this view over the Chicago River any day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5oZmzxvoklFncF9XXVoo4Alof9_T30ysC00MvBkdHjNNCPRm43ojrpo4s0KhDzrKJFZQ-7mn820jDRp36ChEjeJzgLJ8n9sfMhHeZhrcFYRUKTD7RPzgabOmWHeK4IPLtxn90A/s1600/IMG_4701.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS5oZmzxvoklFncF9XXVoo4Alof9_T30ysC00MvBkdHjNNCPRm43ojrpo4s0KhDzrKJFZQ-7mn820jDRp36ChEjeJzgLJ8n9sfMhHeZhrcFYRUKTD7RPzgabOmWHeK4IPLtxn90A/s320/IMG_4701.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517657805471315842" /></a><br />2. When I'm alone, no one can see me eat yesterday's Pumpkin Cupcake for breakfast.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kIZWe_aScSljZpJViAgkJIeIAVhvSZVn73ddxIkei76O_srWJyQyshGJIRWNtmV9B1-6ibz44Hc7bh_VYgcyAIjU_VlVo36Ud9fL6pHj-iT7j1UBRPOu0ZQPE9_eDcuDgD8ndw/s1600/IMG_4705.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7kIZWe_aScSljZpJViAgkJIeIAVhvSZVn73ddxIkei76O_srWJyQyshGJIRWNtmV9B1-6ibz44Hc7bh_VYgcyAIjU_VlVo36Ud9fL6pHj-iT7j1UBRPOu0ZQPE9_eDcuDgD8ndw/s320/IMG_4705.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517658010227440786" /></a><br />3. Sweatpants and no make-up! Love it.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOv0WgkIMueja4bW6uJqQh6gVCT7VnPcntt5EPx2SDmLai1t929A-AuZpcLYLoWr3af-AGB8AsM5B7m4ij2Ahv0NT2Swl26s5_7Om2-u6z6IaPkDbb729pLNSwq_C3jxn9KSdBEw/s1600/IMG_4704.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOv0WgkIMueja4bW6uJqQh6gVCT7VnPcntt5EPx2SDmLai1t929A-AuZpcLYLoWr3af-AGB8AsM5B7m4ij2Ahv0NT2Swl26s5_7Om2-u6z6IaPkDbb729pLNSwq_C3jxn9KSdBEw/s320/IMG_4704.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517658182873345570" /></a><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-84777485443019739072010-09-05T12:29:00.000-05:002010-09-05T12:29:00.217-05:00Reading<a href="http://fearlessstories.com/magazine/may-2010/?do=get_old">Fear is a natural reaction to moving closer to the truth...So the next time you encounter fear, consider yourself lucky. This is where courage comes in. Usually we think that brave people have no fear. The truth is that they are intimate with fear. When I was first married, my husband said I was one of the bravest people he knew. When I asked him why, he said because I was a complete coward but went ahead and did things anyhow.</a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Book excerpt by Pema Chodron, as published in the May issue of the online magazine, </em></span><a href="http://fearlessstories.com/"><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>Fear.Less</em></span></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><em>.</em></span><br /><br />I'm not entirely prone to Eastern thinking, but who can deny the appeal of this Buddhist take on the challenges of life? I'm always looking to calm down, to settle, to rest. This article was like a philosophical safety blanket - and a welcome realization that my inner chaos is not unique, nor should I allow it to rule my decisions and actions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-91628882412256129412010-09-02T16:00:00.000-05:002010-09-02T16:00:00.445-05:00Reading<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3854818-nights-of-rain-and-stars">Elsa walked slowly through the narrow streets looking around her at the way life went on. The people washed the sidewalks in front of their little stores and laid out their wares. In the cafes and restaurants they were laboriously writing their menus on big blackboards. There wasn't the same carefree, cheerful way as before the accident. But at least they were getting on with it. Or pretending to. Like Elsa herself.</a><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-24679720386163520932010-09-01T09:48:00.002-05:002010-09-01T09:55:17.564-05:00Things I Don't Understand1. Why can't it be, when I say that I am LMAO, I am not *actually* LMAO. Hey, I'm not a mathematician, but even I can recognize that <em>laughter = skinny</em> is just about the best equation ever. Eat my pencil dust, Fermat!<br /><br />2. Why McDonald's apple pies taste so incredibly good. How is my diet going, you ask? Oh...um...fine, I guess.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://tvwatch.people.com/2010/09/01/dwts-pairs-bristol-palin-mark-ballas/">Season 11's DWTS lineup</a><br /><br />4. The way the summer has disappeared so quickly. I have recently issued a scheduling moratorium for September and October. All plans that are already made are kept - any other requests for my time will be denied. Yes, you heard me. No more plans. I'm fresh out of patience, so you'll have to ring me back in November.<br /><br />5. How I could suddenly have crow's feet this week, but not last week. NO REALLY, they are for real and they appeared Monday morning, and it doesn't appear (regardless of the amount of water I consume) that they are going away anytime soon. I hate you, 31. <br /><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-50321973821079302562010-08-26T09:02:00.002-05:002010-08-26T09:07:25.025-05:00Reading: Food AwarenessWhat a brilliant idea. I certainly hope it doesn't stir up a lot of flack, because a little awareness can go an awfully long way.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/ct-talk-eng-slaughter-column-20100826,0,225489.story">11-year-old Gabby spoke for many of us when she stared at the designated black pig and announced, "I wish bacon didn't taste so good."</a><br /><br><br />I've often considered doing something like this, just as a reminder. But after a childhood of county fair pet shows, and 4 collegiate years spent in an agricultural town, I feel I have a certain respect for (and knowledge of) the animal products I consume. I don't always make the right choices, but the source of my food is almost never a mystery to me.<br /><br />Hmm. This is absolutely something I would do with my children. Would you?<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-79672418142778279322010-08-24T15:34:00.003-05:002010-08-24T15:49:59.958-05:00Buddha Belly Turns 1May I take this brief moment to wish my adorable, imp of a nephew a very merry first birthday? OK then!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCJYmibERp9AMemoFbNS_hsNVI5UuOVmtjoF5xpAAkqDTvNzJAFrn1GvCMG8lpUjXPn4Huy313rePx7duVM1soKhSe-Gn1yTFc9kG9wOBS95lvRuk89M4vmOgCzrWI9c19cTDaQ/s1600/chase+imp.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509078813960450434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 270px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvCJYmibERp9AMemoFbNS_hsNVI5UuOVmtjoF5xpAAkqDTvNzJAFrn1GvCMG8lpUjXPn4Huy313rePx7duVM1soKhSe-Gn1yTFc9kG9wOBS95lvRuk89M4vmOgCzrWI9c19cTDaQ/s320/chase+imp.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color:#000000;">Happy Birthday, Chase!</span> <a href="http://parallelfirst.blogspot.com/2009/08/third-times-charmer.html">You've come a long way, baby.</a><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-88325854150353176832010-08-24T13:29:00.001-05:002010-08-24T13:31:31.980-05:00Reading: Under the Sycamore<a href="http://ashleyannphotography.com/blog/2010/08/24/oh-happy-happy-joy-joy/">...my friend Lars made the comment, “Comparison is the thief of joy.” I’ve been thinking about that a lot lately too. I consider myself a pretty joyful person. I don’t struggle that often with comparison. However, as I think about joy this week I have noticed that when joy seems to vanish in my own life it is usually related to comparison. I don’t want anything stolen in my life…especially joy.</a><br /><br />Truer words were never spoken.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-78755993365849621902010-08-20T09:27:00.002-05:002010-08-20T09:32:39.567-05:00Reading: Architecture EditionIt appears my old neighborhood has a big, big project in the works. I love everything about it - should they be able to pull it off to spec, this will truly alter the sophistication level of the neighborhood, and also provide a sparkling addition to our skyline.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.designboom.com/weblog/cat/9/view/11231/voa-architects-roosevelt-university.html">Check out Roosevelt U's newest project</a><br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-6193964797612520872010-08-16T21:33:00.003-05:002010-08-16T21:53:04.355-05:00Old Lang SyneSo all acquaintances, as my college years have proved, cannot in fact be forgot. I'm just sayin'. What does that song mean, anyways? Furthermore, WHY am I always curious in a rhetorical way? <br /><br />Today was my first "thirtysomething" birthday - not thirty, but rather, thirty and change. Thirty with benefits. (umm...OR NOT) And instead of popping over here to complain about how I'm not married, thin, successful, or possessing a house full of fiery-headed children in tutus and gym shoes, I'm just going to carpe positivity and remember why today was a pretty great day indeed.<br /><br />1. Finding a birthday note from my mom under my car keys this morning.<br /><br />2. INCREDIBLE, beautiful weather today in Chicago. As I said briefly to my friend Jen, it was as if Jesus knew it was my birthday today. He just knew! Can you believe it?! Truly awesome weather - cooler, breezy, sunny, lovely.<br /><br />3. A sunshiny cab ride to work along the incredible, vibrant streets of this city. MY GOD, this city is gorgeous. I was in such a good mood this morning, I nearly snapped a cell photo of the back of the Civic Opera Building to remember it by.<br /><br />4. The smell of <a href="http://www.blommer.com/default.htm">fresh chocolate</a> in the air. Did you know that Chicago <a href="http://www.bethkimmerle.com/2010/01/chicago-candy-series.html">was once</a> the world's capital of candy and confectionery companies? It's true! As food and consumer packaged goods companies combine and slowly take over the world, it's nice to know that some of the good stuff is still being made right in our backyard.<br /><br />5. Lunch with a friend at <a href="http://www.unclejulios.com/">my favorite "guilty pleasure" restaurant</a> to chat about nothing and gossip. <br /><br />6. Phone calls and FB messages GALORE from the people that care about me. Honestly, what is better than that? Thanks to everyone who took a moment to recognize the day - even though you all knew that I would hate the attention. ;)<br /><br />7. It sounds cliche, but I have my health - as does my entire extended family (close friends included). Some things may not be perfect, but for the most part, I am so lucky to be relieved of this particular worry in life. Thanks to God (or whomever you choose to worship) for that one. I am so grateful.<br /><br />All in all, not a bad day. <br /><br />PHEW!<br /><br />I wonder what the next year will bring?Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-21222751840415056112010-08-11T11:00:00.002-05:002010-08-11T11:05:49.163-05:00Don't Hate, StagnateThings That Have Been Keeping Me Elsewhere These Days:<br /><br />- earworms at night (argh)<br />- illness (minor, more of a nuisance, really)<br />- upcoming garage sale<br />- upcoming-birthday-related depression/frustration<br />- my recent (and uncharacteristic) inability to keep my bedroom tidy<br />- dying cilantro and roma tomatoes<br />- 4 year-old t-ball hilariousness<br />- big decisions<br />- bad news<br />- travel<br /><br />Will be back to posting as soon as I can get my own life under control. Sorry to be cryptic - just need to reign it all in, and scale it all back these days. More soon.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-12383353824298404772010-07-26T23:40:00.004-05:002010-07-26T23:53:29.437-05:00A Thousand ApologiesOr maybe just the one - b/c it's been a week since my last post. I'm sorry, did you actually want me to WRITE in this space? I thought it was just a place to regurgitate out my random thoughts about nothing in particular. I hear they call it a <span style="font-style:italic;">blog</span>. <br /><br />In other news, I'm running another half-marathon:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqho01KDEersiy_kVRJxsE5nhJLpU1AHQtW0pvtnEH3pJ8yaE3BHLc1mxPA-c6_U-0iecbHEc6EXpnoVkVJsJDWvDrLjPd8IvA3FRtvLoeS-HoO7gLqwBAW6Y0ksTRPpZLdAQjIQ/s1600/IMG_4293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 186px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqho01KDEersiy_kVRJxsE5nhJLpU1AHQtW0pvtnEH3pJ8yaE3BHLc1mxPA-c6_U-0iecbHEc6EXpnoVkVJsJDWvDrLjPd8IvA3FRtvLoeS-HoO7gLqwBAW6Y0ksTRPpZLdAQjIQ/s200/IMG_4293.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498442276723784274" /></a><br />Crazysaywhuh?! Yes, it's true. I am repeating the very act that <a href="http://parallelfirst.blogspot.com/2009/08/things-that-cross-my-mind-half-marathon.html">I claimed I would never do again.</a> Masochist? Nah. (shrugs) I'm not even entirely sure why I decided to do it (Sean is joining me again, bless his heart), I guess I just thought it might be fun to do another one - this time around, <a href="http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/events/endurance/wine-and-dine-half-marathon/">Fancy Doorbell Style</a>. HALLO. Wine and cheese.<br /><br />So if you can pardon my posting the heinous photo above, you'll have to understand it is necessary for me to complain at least once a week about the training I'm not doing for this dang race. Not that I'm racing - right now, it's more of an enthusiastic shuffle. Regardless, it's happening and I'm going to be there, like it or not. Hopefully it will all turn out for the best, and this time around, I won't be <a href="http://parallelfirst.blogspot.com/2009/08/adhd-in-action.html">bored and restless.</a> I promise not to stop around mile 11 to walk and text people about how much my hips hurt. Promise promise.<br /><br />Maybe.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-35584527563180458992010-07-18T22:50:00.002-05:002010-07-18T23:11:25.332-05:00Vacation MusingsSo after the small, insignificant matter of my best friend Kate's wedding this weekend (cough - KIDDING, OBVIOUSLY), there is the matter of my cousin's wedding at the end of the month. And while I am excited for this matrimonial back-to-back, it is made somewhat more complicated by the location of my cousin Becky's ceremony: Mexico. So what was a peaceful, sunshiney destination wedding has morphed into a family reunion of sorts - complete with nearly all the family on my dad's side (with very few exceptions). It's like a wedding on steroids, with a heavy dose of fabulous - a week of all-inclusive drinking and eating, with breaks taken only to reapply some 75+ multi-spectrum SPF. <br /><br />So what is a girl to do? Obviously the only logical thing to do is worry about the really important stuff - like what to put on my iPod, how to assist Sean in deflecting what I can only imagine will be 2 straight weekends of questions like "so when are you two finally going to get engaged?" and "haven't you guys been dating since before I met my husband and had three kids?" and other REALLY IMPORTANT, earth-shattering problems like figuring out what event requires which dress and shoes. Never mind that I've got to work before we leave, and that the rest of my life needs to continue steaming along while these fantastic events unfold. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Obviously the details are the place to start</span>. (cough) First things first, am I right?<br /><br />Naturally, my mind has suddenly clued in on the most unnecessary details regarding our trip to Mexico - primarily insignificant ones like (a) what music I absolutely HAVE TO download onto my iPod for the beach, and/or (b) whether or not I can get my beach hat to unwrinkle from its post-Greece, carelessly determined resting place inside a giant duffel. I've been surfing <a href="http://mightygirl.com/2010/07/16/friday-mixtape-13/">Maggie's Friday Mixtapes</a> for awhile now to find great ideas, but I have to be honest - some of it is *just* a little hipster-y for my tastes. So while I will gleefully download just about ANYTHING from Fleet Foxes and the Avett Brothers, there is something clubbish missing. Like the greatest hits of John Secada - remixed by Mark Ronson. Or something. Whatever.<br /><br />So what say ye? What music do I have to get before leaving for my vacation? Leave a comment with your suggestions, or else.<br /><br>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7396527.post-20005217410238884352010-07-15T23:40:00.006-05:002010-07-15T23:50:51.798-05:00Picks-n-PansI haven't done a feature like this in awhile, so here goes...today's picks and pans are brought to you by the letter C for cosmetics.<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;font-size:11px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS59bdjYCsPW3brdw41KpqEc4sbUXfwrxhz2SXCP20WGkceCvjL6_B8YQKs4KvhkCAuoOZvY04hQ6w2Qx0Va0cTCIXB64POgF-INYmjgaHOj2fwgTm3z1pZ0yCfu7PopLf7oGoJA/s1600/IMG_4254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS59bdjYCsPW3brdw41KpqEc4sbUXfwrxhz2SXCP20WGkceCvjL6_B8YQKs4KvhkCAuoOZvY04hQ6w2Qx0Va0cTCIXB64POgF-INYmjgaHOj2fwgTm3z1pZ0yCfu7PopLf7oGoJA/s200/IMG_4254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494361043929072770" /></a></span></div><div><b>L'Occitane Wild Cherry Solid Perfume</b></div><div>Smells sweet but not cloying, fruity but not immature, and has major staying power! Great for those who like to travel with a unique scent, but not a giant glass bottle. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;">PICK!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtScTOtN_aKbtcmiLBhA_oPHh-lrxOczhAROO37awg6X0uQJ2WUia4ve4ANE_ByigTxdsoCMyN3pQ0bH6NimgskQuSraoeiPYXKTIvCGVzKZ8oTWH9hkU1xQjVpoOob915-4-L3Q/s1600/IMG_4253.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtScTOtN_aKbtcmiLBhA_oPHh-lrxOczhAROO37awg6X0uQJ2WUia4ve4ANE_ByigTxdsoCMyN3pQ0bH6NimgskQuSraoeiPYXKTIvCGVzKZ8oTWH9hkU1xQjVpoOob915-4-L3Q/s200/IMG_4253.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494361401058117090" /></a></span></div><div><b>Sonia Kashuk "Recede" Undereye Treatment</b></div><div>Meant to de-puff undereye bags and brighten up undereye circles. That is, assuming you can get the product out of the cartridge, across the forever-stuck ball bearing applicator tips, and onto your face. Me? After the first use, I mostly just gave myself extra eye wrinkles when I didn't realize it wasn't ever going to come out of the packaging again. A total waste of money and time. (sad trombone) <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">PAN</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AbpRKu-yW5geKsrGo1yewObE0X4R0QQEBWymEmxH304bGoN1W8GoNil4AoK8VQG3-4MQGNtLIbbxgJJ0rOaIcTOY6bjNYD5TzCfQrfuZPzSxsdt7-SNQ5bP6n0FlwOu1mjMI7Q/s1600/IMG_4249.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AbpRKu-yW5geKsrGo1yewObE0X4R0QQEBWymEmxH304bGoN1W8GoNil4AoK8VQG3-4MQGNtLIbbxgJJ0rOaIcTOY6bjNYD5TzCfQrfuZPzSxsdt7-SNQ5bP6n0FlwOu1mjMI7Q/s200/IMG_4249.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494361247868358594" /></a></span></div><div><b>Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish</b></div><div>Fabulous colors (wish there were more!), fast-drying (no, really), and usually only takes one coat to do the job. Need I say more? This stuff is the best.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#009900;"> PICK!</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UJG-m8p8Z9sU7-UGSudUnmmNNLFbZoU8dhodX6zTMdpf2iCZmMJERSKLyKT9oDcKK71BShVMNlWoHUfuHH5HF-wRNDNbEmGLjoTyHwoLGdcD4FPHU-bcE9RGyaZYKxsIx1EdBw/s1600/IMG_4256.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UJG-m8p8Z9sU7-UGSudUnmmNNLFbZoU8dhodX6zTMdpf2iCZmMJERSKLyKT9oDcKK71BShVMNlWoHUfuHH5HF-wRNDNbEmGLjoTyHwoLGdcD4FPHU-bcE9RGyaZYKxsIx1EdBw/s200/IMG_4256.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5494361666548384690" /></a></span></div><div><b>Kiehl's Acai Damage-Protecting Toning Mist</b></div><div>Smells weird - dusty is the first word that comes to mind - and made my skin far too tight. I'm not even sure this stuff really works. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">PAN</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0