Friday, November 19, 2010

The Trip of a Life Time

Setting: Coffeehouse

“Hey Marvin! How are you?”

“Hey man!” *shakes hands* “It’s been a long time. I am doing fine, how are you?”

“Fine, fine. It’s been at least a year, are you headed out or can you sit, stay a while.”

“Sure” *Marvin sits at table takes a hand full of popcorn*

“So tell me what has been going on with you? What’s new?”

“I just got back from Hawaii.”

“Niiicee”

“Yeah it was a lot of fun. We went to a luau, saw the hula dancers. There was this one who looked like a smurf–not a girl smurf either.” *chuckles* “Alex O’Laughlin was even there.”

“The actor?”

“Yeah apparently he films Hawaii 5-0 there. It was pretty cool, the wife went totally nuts, her go-go gadget powers kicked in.”

“Wow that sounds like quite the vacation!”

“It was. It had everything someone could want drama, suspense, humor, Conan O’Brien (man he got sunburned), I bought a miniature Buddha covered in hair…”

“Hair?”

“Yeah it is a priceless piece.”

“Sounds great. Must have cost a fortune.”

“Yeah I told the wife it was this or the diamond earrings she has been after.”

“I bet you never wanted to come back.”

“Meh. I would miss the snow.”

“You would choose snow over the ocean?”

“I would.”

“Wow. I am jealous. How are the kids?”

“Oh they are good getting excited about Christmas.”

“You know I have the perfect gift idea for kids. I just bought one for my own kid.”

“Oh yeah what’s that.”

“It is in my trunk. I could tell you what it is but you would never understand. You want to come look?”

“Sure.”

*men get up and leave the café*

“What have you been up to Curt?”

“Oh it has been a bad year for me. My car is just around the corner.”

“Really what happened?”

“I died.”

“What?”

“I died. I was legally dead for 3 minutes.”

“Wow! That is awful what happened?”

“Car accident.”

“Oh no. You look ok now, how long ago was it?”

“Not too long.”

“Do you have any pain?”

“No.” *Curt pops the trunk of his car. The men step forward* “You know what it means that I died.”

“No, what?”

“I am undead.”

“I guess, technically that is true.”

“You know what else is undead Marvin?”

“Uh…”

“Zombies. Zombies are undead. So I guess that makes me a zombie.”

“Heh heh. Look you know I think I have to go.”

“You’re not going anywhere Marvin.”

Curt ate Marvin and stuffed his bones in the bean bag in his trunk. His kids would have a great Christmas this year.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

WWZMND?

Ok it isn't often I take requests for blog posts, but this one was interesting.
The pros of being a zombie:
-You may smell but your friends like it.
-Everyone you know is hungry all the time.
-No one can tell your drunk shuffle from the regular shuffle
-You always go to the bathroom together... and really everywhere else together too. Safety in numbers.
-You will never be judged for a bad hair day
-Dirt under the fingernails is all the rage
-If someone messes with you, your friends will eat their brain
-You will never be expected to run anywhere
-You don't remember why the third floor is funny but you still want to go there
-Your friends will never make you read Eat Pray Love... or anything. They are so over reading
-No longer have a reason to fear stalkerish, sparkly bompires

<3 you guys!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Fall = Scary Movies

So...yeah...

I have been missing from my blog for a while. No one's fault, but my own. I have allowed life to get in the way of mindless writing for absolutely zero readers, how could I do such a thing!?!?!

Anyway, running is still going well. I have had some off weeks and all, but mostly I am sticking with it. I feel like I need another surge of energy to push myself harder as I feel like I am beginning to plateau a bit. Hopefully blogging again will give the surge to me. We'll see.

Also October is nearly upon us. I have not kept it a secret that this is absolutely, 100 percent, if I could have Halloween every month I would, favorite time of year. Book club is choosing a scary book for this month (Yay!!), crisp mornings, changing leaves, college football, apples, and most importantly scary movies! I will once again be initiating my 31 days of horror movies. I will try to depart from my tried and true best of the best list. This year I plan on winging it. I want to watch some horror movies I don't watch all the time. Obviously some classics will remain, you can't have Halloween without watching Halloween that is silly.

So stay tuned, starting on Friday I will begin this journey into this wonderful genre known for violence, sex, bad acting, and even worse stories lines and love EVERY minute of it!

P.S. Suggestions of movies are more than welcome.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Shut up and let me go

Watch your thoughts, they become words.Watch your words, they become actions.Watch your actions, they become habits.Watch your habits, they become character.Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.- Upanishads

Eek! It has been ages since I blogged.

Well since I last shared there has been lots of good food, bad food and workouts. I ran my fastest mile 12.2. Still not good, but I am improving and that is what really matters right? I have started reading Eat Pray Love with the girls.

I don't really dig chick books for the most part. This one is ok, I think what keeps me interested is the traveling aspect because I do love traveling more than most anything. Nothing is better than planning a trip then getting to actually be there. There is something magical and freeing about being in a place so completely foreign to you. I love it, it makes my soul happy. So on that one part I completely get the book. But the rest of it not as much. I believe the author could had histrionic personality disorder. That is just my guess based on the first 25 beads (aka chapters). All in all I am glad I am reading it and I do think it is the sort of books any girl could find something to identify with in it.

Speaking of traveling I have also started planning my 2011 vacation. There are so many options but I have narrowed it down to either Scotland and England or Ireland. I am leaning towards Ireland because it is a different sort of tour and it sounds like so much fun. It is a walking tour that sounds like there will be amazing opportunities for pictures and really seeing Ireland, not just the tourist spots. We'll see, currently I am in the process of recruiting people to come with me.

Today marks the beginning of my official 5k training. What was I doing up until this point, well I was training for the training. I was really out of shape. We'll see how the training program goes. I was filling what my runs should be according to Nike plus and I found myself thinking, only a 4 mile run instead of the frequent 7 mile run it has scheduled me for. Yikes!Only and 4 miles should never be together in any sentence I think... at least not pair with running.

I made the best healthified nachos this weekend. They were simply amazing. I have to say they were better than any other nachos I have had...ever. First I used organic Blue corn chips on the bottom of the plate. Then in a skillet I put a can of rinsed black beans and chopped tomatoes mixed with taco seasoning. Then I added in zucchini, celery, spinach, and broccoli. I topped with some onion powder, garlic, and sea salt. Cover and let simmer until veggies are soft. Then i added in 6 triangles of laughing cow swiss cheese and stirred until it was completely melted. Served over the chips and topped with pepperoncini's (from my garden!). Made 4 servings and it was so so so so good. Paired with a glass of wine. Pictured below. Mmmm


Friday, July 9, 2010

At last

Friday is here. For a short week it was horribly long.

Oh well, well yesterday I jog/walked 2.5ish miles and tonight is Zumba (hopefully I do better this week). I am no longer having the issue of not wanting to run, I actually look forward to it. I find it is a nice release after a day at the office, even if it is 1000 degrees outside. So it is wonderful to not have to force myself to workout nearly every night. I find that after my run I feel more alert and energetic (at least for a while) than I do before, like it is clearing the fog.

Tomorrow I am going roller skating, that should be an adventure. I haven't put on my roller blades in such a long long time. I have also been in the mood to do outdoorsy things, which is so not me. I want to ride bikes and go hiking. All of this fresh air is going to my head.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

No pain...

That's fine with me. That's what I like to say. Ugh. Sore for the second day today, but nevertheless I intend to do a short run tonight and then that blasted 30-day shred video again. I will not be defeated by a workout tape. As God as my witness and all that jazz!

My thighs, abs, and shoulders ache. People talk about how it is a good ache. I have never really understood that. I prefer not to hurt, but I understand that sometimes you have to suffer through a little pain to get the results you want. For example a cute pair of shoes that perfectly compliments an outfit is never going to be the most comfortable pair of shoes, yet you suffer through them to get the desired effect. So I choose to look at the soreness as the cute shoes. I may not like the pain, but it is a means to an end.

I did a 2.3 mile run last night in the suffocating humidity. After the run was the best I felt all day. My muscles were warm and relaxed, I had energy, but then flash forward 2 hours and it was hard to stand up from the couch. The best things you do in life are not the easy ones. When it is hard and you start mentally breaking yourself down. Trying to talk yourself out of these crazy feats only seems natural. However, It is always best to keep in mind that the harder you have to work for something the more fulfilling it will be when you get it.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

E-vil

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred dvd was well... not fun. Hahaha it was quite the workout in 20 minutes, I will give it that. My knees hurt after, but that was probably my own fault and improper form. However, today I am sore. This is the first day I have really been sore from working out. It isn't so bad I can't move, but I certainly feel it when I move. I guess this is going to have to be added to the workout routine. I am not sure how I will squeeze it in. Perhaps I will do this on my non yoga days, but in that case I will have to move yoga to be paired with the long run and 30 Day Shred to be paired with the short run, otherwise I will definitely burn myself out. Fridays will stay Zumba and Saturdays may become my off day (however that remains to be seen it could end up being Thursdays.)
Oy! this working out business is starting to take over my life. Oh well, I guess you have to be a little obsessed to make a difference.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Busta Move

So Zumba was not nearly as bad as I anticipated. Yes, I was awkward and terrible at it, but it was fun and I think with practice I could be less terrible, so Zumba on Fridays may be the new order.

I took Saturday as my rest day which was much needed. Sunday aka the 4th of July was super busy so I was only able to run 1 mile which I did at a 13 minute pace (not great but I am getting better). Today I did 1.5 miles and will do my new Jillian Michaels 30-shred workout video, I anticipate being ridiculously tired this evening.

For lunch I had a piece of flax bread with hummus and Mediterranean chickpea salad (recipe from Web MD) on top. It was so so so so delicious and filling. I followed that with a few fresh strawberries for dessert. MMMmmm

Friday, July 2, 2010

Zumba!

Yesterday was a day of bad decisions for me. First, I agreed to be chairperson of a board that I am currently on. That may not seem bad on the surface but trust me this will eat up so much of my time and just hearing of my responsibilities makes me cringe. I tried to say no, but I allowed myself to be talked into it. FAIL!
Then I went running with the girls, always a fun time. Sure we at times giggle and goof off more than we actually run but it was a good time, just what I needed after a LONG day. After the run I was reminded that I said I would do Zumba with them on Friday (i.e. my day off). At the time on the runner energy high that sounded awesome what is one more workout to me I am an average everyday sane psycho super goddess, right...right? Well, now that it is morning and I am tired from doing 14.4 miles this week plus 4 days with yoga added in, I am not so sure. Then I made the huge mistake of googling what exactly Zumba is (BTW it is not what I thought. Nope. Not at all. I told you I was making bad decisions, why else would I agree to something without knowing what it is, oh the arrogance!!).
Anyway for those who do not know what it is, it is Latin dancing. That may not sound scary to you Latin dancers out there, but let me explain to you the last Latin dancing experience I had. I bought towards the beginning of the year a Dancing with the Stars workout video (no I do not actually watch the show I just thought dancing would be a fun way to workout which was a New Years goal). I did the tape once. First of all, I was a complete spazz and embarrassed myself and I was in the privacy of my own home. Seriously, I was a clown. I couldn't put all the moves together fast enough to keep up and most of the time I just flailed around like I was having seizures. Not a pretty sight, I assure you. Second of all, I managed to hurt my knee in all of the flailing. This knee injury kept me from working out for a while which then lead to a 3 month break.
However I am a lady of my word. I will go tonight and I will try not to injure myself or others in my grand flailing. *FLAIL* Wish me luck, I will need it!

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Summer in the city

Holla!

I have been incredibly busy with last week or so. I am still working out like a fiend. I believe the word maniacal was used... Anyway, this week the weather has been gorgeous so I have been running on the trail. First day 4 miles, yesterday 3 miles and yoga, today who knows, tomorrow a blissful and well deserved rest day. We have just over two weeks until we start the official 5k training. My biggest challenge at the moment is that I apparently am unable to do a slow run. Not only can I not pace myself, but it leaves me too much time to think about how I am stepping and then I step on a weird part of my foot. I don't know why. I do best with a faster run but I am not sure how to build up my endurance running that fast. Hmmm. Well I have two weeks to work on it, hopefully I will figure it out before the training starts.
The biggest difference I am seeing is how my clothes are fitting and it definitely motivates me to do more. Also my friends are hugely motivating. We are all so inspired on this idea of improving ourselves that we are also reading a chick book, Eat Pray Love, as well. We'll see how it goes, not really my type of book.
Last's night's dinner wasn't anything to talk about (PBJ) but a couple nights ago I made a delicious Farmer's Market Grilled Cheese (recipe from Good Housekeeping). It was delicious with garlic and herb cheese, spinach, zucchini, and tomatoes.

Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Certifiable

Further evidence of my insanity... I had a dream about a British man driving me around on a tractor last night, which I woke up from extremely happy. I do not remember enough details to make any sense of it but I am pretty sure I would never allow myself to be driven around on a tractor.

Anyway, I did not have a green monster this morning because I had no time. Zero. I have yogurt, cereal (Kashi Go Lean) and strawberries. It was very tasty but I am dragging I think my body believes it needs a green monster every morning. I am sleepy, not focused, and my legs feel like lead weights. Ugh. Hopefully, I will perk up after lunch. I am having White bean, spinach, garlic, tomato homemade pizza with pepperoncini's and an apple.

I do not think I will work out today simply for the lack of time. Oh well I will have to work extra hard tomorrow!

Tuesday, June 22, 2010

Do Endorphins Make You Crazy?

Just curious because I seem to think it sounds like a really good idea to do things that a few months ago I would have thought was nutty. Hell, part of me still thinks it's nutty but I am excited to do it. I was talking with Kim about starting 10k training after I accomplish my 5k goal. Not really crazy, but then I was struck by enthusiasm and decided that maybe we should try a triathlon!?!?!

What the what?!?!?!

At the same time as the thought of doing this scares the bejeezus out of me, I also think it sounds amazing and feasible which makes me really excited. We would hopefully start with the lesser of tri's, the one with only a three mile run (just the mere fact that I just used the words only and three mile run together baffles me a little). The swimming part scares me the most as I am not a strong swimmer. I am an ok swimmer but I am out of practice and that seems to me like that will be my biggest challenge in doing this.

For right now nothing is decided. We will see how motivated I am feeling in October after the 5k before I decide which endeavor I want to take on. Will it be the 10k or the tri? Who knows, you will have to stay tuned to find out!

Goal this week: Do not pass out from the heat while alternating long and short workouts all week.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Yoga today...Yoga tomorrow

Yesterday I bought a book about yoga in a bargain bin. Naturally I started reading the book and it inspired me, to the point of actually doing, to add yoga into my workout last night. I started with 35 minutes of yoga then I hit the elliptical (too hot outside, I wussed out) and only managed to go for 20 minutes. The absolute slowest 20 minutes I have ever done. Holy moley! Yoga before running equals mistake.

I haven't given up on the idea, like all my ideas I think it is genius, but I think I may have had an order issue. I think it will work out better if I run first and end with yoga. That probably makes more sense. I am going to test this theory on Thursday. Today will be a 40 minute run with no yoga.

I still do not feel like I am moving along fast enough in this 5k training but maybe I am. I'm trying to remember to be patient that I will not change overnight though in this world of consumerism and instant gratification it is hard not to expect that. It is hard to maintain motivation when after a couple weeks you feel like you should be awesome but are not...yet.

Then once I recovered from wobbly legs I made myself dinner. I made an extra spicy, healthy version of chilaquiles. It was all types of spicy and tasty. I used chicken, balck beans, tomatoes, green chiles, jalepenos, hot salsa, spinach, 2% cheese, and plain yogurt over a bed of homemade tortilla chips (made with whole grain tortilla shells I found that have 12grams of fiber! 12 grams!?!?!) seasoned with chile powder. It was spicy enough to make my nose run, so basically it was perfect. :-)

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Feeling Good

Last night I forced my tennis shoes on over my blistered heels. I was happy to discover it didn't hurt nearly as much as I anticipated. So I jogged for 40 minutes on the elliptical machine. It felt so refreshing to be moving again.
Normally, I hate working out inside. I only do it if I have to because I get so bored while I am doing it and the workout feels like it will never end. I need the visual stimulus of being outside. However exceptions have to be made like last night. I have found that watching hour long action tv shows are the only thing to keep me going without focusing on wanting to stop. I have tried several different types of shows. Sitcoms don't work because I am not paying enough attention to get the jokes and if I do get them and laugh then that messing with my breathing. Scary movies also do not work because I cannot focus on what is happening enough to care when someone dies. Romantic comedies do not work probably because I don't like them as much even when I am not exercising. Right now the best show for me to watch while I am working out is the BBC Robin Hood. The episodes move fast, lots of action, I have recently watched them all so I don't have to pay close attention to what is happening, and I adore the accents. What more could I hope for?
Last night for dinner I made the rest of the fresh pasta and sauteed some veggies (broccoli, tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, red pepper, and spinach) and then added in some red beans and spices. Served over the pasta with a side of cottage cheese. Delicious and healthy! Mmmm. I even brought the leftovers for lunch today.
Today's goal: Run outside tonight without making my blisters worse.

Monday, June 14, 2010

It's the Eye of the Tiger.

Relay is done!!!! Holla!!

It was a fun, yet exhausting night. I am not sure I could have made it through as well as I did without having the most incredible team mates ever. We cheered each other on as no other team there. I am sure we annoyed other people, but oh well we had enthusiasm in spades. I ate a lot of unhealthy things but I figured I also burned off a ton of calories so I really do not feel bad about having a cheese burger and piece of pizza. It was delicious. :-)

It was also humid. Ridiculously humid. I think I sweated off gallons of water. I have been fighting off some dehydration ever since, not quit able to get rid of this constant thirst. Also lingering behind are two nasty blisters on my heels. Not the end of the world but it will prevent my from running for a couple days. So I have been doing yoga. I cannot describe how amazing it felt to stretch so intensely on the Saturday following the race. I really intend to make a better effort of running and doing yoga most days.

I invented a delicious and carb filled dinner on Saturday night. It had whole wheat fresh pasta I bought at farmers market. I added in some chicken asiago sausage (my new favorite thing at only 110 calories), laughing cow lite cheese, and spices (garlic, onion powder, cajun seasoning, sea salt, and pepper). Broccoli and tomatoes on the side. Mmmmm is was so so delicous.

Thursday, June 10, 2010

Average Everyday Sane Psycho

Hello people (though I have my doubts there are actually people reading this, but on the off chance I feel as if I should offer a greeting, so here it is...glad I clarified that)

This week as expected is crazy busy. I am supposed to meet the girls tonight for a run, BUT I think I am too busy. I think I will have to work out alone so I can finish and get to the Relay stuff.

Ack!!! Relay for life is tomorrow afternoon. There is SO much to do and so little time left. I am not good at putting things off until the last minute. Yes, the stress is motivating but at the same time it is all consuming and I hate that. This week and my time feels like it has gotten away from me a bit, but I am sure I will rally fine and everything will work out smoothly. Besides it is totally worth it. Relay For Life is such a great cause. So many people in my family alone have had and died from cancer. It is a disease that touches absolutely everyone and I want to do my part in preventing cancer for future generations.

This morning's green monster was the same as always (banana, strawberries and blueberries, a little vanilla yogurt and almond milk. I left out the juice this morning because I didn't have time to open a new bottle.), delicious. I am thinking tonight will be some sort of pizza I have an idea for, but we will see what my time situation is. I might have to settle for the always classic PBJ. Mmmm. I took off last night because I was just too busy to work out with meetings and what not. Tonight my goal is to improve my miles per hour by .1 miles per hour. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

That's What Friends Are For

The greatest thing to happen during this get healthy, get in shape, 5k training kick is the wonderful, wonderful support from friends. New and old friends are so supportive of my endeavor and several have even jumped on board with me. The main people training for the 5k with me are friends I have had since high school and elementary. We have been friends for a crazy amount of time. We have known each other through big hair, braces, heart break, rumors, bad skin, bad attitudes, crayons, recess, kick ball, tag, moving, marriage, divorces (parent's and our own), successes, and failures. Basically, I know these girls as well as I know myself. It is so motivating knowing that they are counting on me. There are days I do not want to work out, days I want to make bad choices but then I think doing this isn't going to get me to my goal and I will not allow myself to fail them.

Our running group has made talk of escalating. Why should we only work on our bodies when we can use our time together to strengthen our minds and souls? It isn't easy getting everyone on board but they will eventually come around to the new plan. Meeting once a week or biweekly to go yoga and jog. Then followed with a healthy breakfast. I have lots of ideas for different breakfasts we can try. We are also going to start reading books together as well. First book is Eat Pray Love. Would I have ever read that book without one of the suggesting it. No. But it won't hurt me to read it and if I am lucky maybe it will open my mind to something I had never thought of before and I will be a better person for having read it. The worst that could happen is I will not enjoy and and wasted a couple hours of tv time. But can you ever really consider time spent reading more of a waste than rotting your brain in front of the glorious television, probably not.

I am an incredibly fortunate person to have so many wonderful, strong, and funny women in my life. I hope everyone has friends like this, because it makes life that much more enjoyable to live.

Ha! Enough with the sappiness. Back to the facts. Had an incredibly enjoyable green monster this morning. I added a little more almond milk and cranergy, it tasted fabulous. I also improved my minutes per mile by 45 seconds last night. Huge WIN for me!!!

Tuesday, June 8, 2010

It's all in your mind

I joggled my two fastest miles yesterday. It felt great when the Nike + congratulated me on my time. It also made me realize I haven't been pushing myself hard enough. I think the problem that is easy to fall into is that when you work out with someone you naturally talk to them. While conversation is good, it takes your concentration away from what you are doing and it is easy to slack off.
However, now that I am aware of the problem I can double my focus and push myself harder whether I am joggling alone or with someone else. Playlist is coming along great. It has gotten slightly out of hand with all the songs I want on it. I think I will refocus the effort and make a 30 minute one, a 45 minute one, and a hour one because I can be crazy obsessive about music.
I have a new recipe floating around in my head. I will make it either today or tomorrow and let you know if it is good. (Pictures included, hopefully) I love cooking, I even love it more when I know that I have made something healthy, delicious, and low calorie. :-)

Monday, June 7, 2010

With enough courage, you can do without a reputation

Whew! It was a crazy weekend. It also promises to be a crazy week. Relay For Life on Friday/Saturday and lots to do before then. I joggled on Friday, it was hot but good. Saturday I did a short workout in the morning and Sunday was my first day off from exercising in the last few weeks. It was a much needed break, I am glad I took it, but I am ready to get back out there today. This morning also marks my first morning without a green monster in a while too (because I overslept! FAIL). I miss it.
Oh well a new week is before me and I am still determined… like Scarlet O’Hara determined. So what if my lungs at times feel like they are going to explode, so what my hip and knee now occasionally hurts. I am armed with apsercreme and stubbornness. *cue light breeze*As God as my witness… *cue sunset* I will never give into laziness again.

Goal this week: Make myself a kick-ass running playlist.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Song to the day

Keep On Keeping On

I was tired most of the day yesterday but I went on another walk during work (perhaps to get ice cream... I'll never tell) that woke me up some, then I did 2.85 miles last night when I got home. I was tired until I actually started doing it then suddenly I felt like I had energy. I wonder if this is just another mental barrier, perhaps I am not really as tired as I believe I am perhaps this is my laziness developing sneaky new methods. Will my deep seeded internal laziness will forever be the Dr. Claw to my Inspector Gadget?

Oh, when I got back home I invented a tasty new recipe last night. It is like a cross between red beans and rice and gumbo except much healthier and lower in calories. I didn't take a picture so I will just tell you what is in it.
I started with Chicken and asiago Sausages (only 110 calories!) sliced into bite sized pieces and sauteed. I then added in a rinsed and drain can of red beans, chopped fresh spinach, broccoli, peperoncinis, a can of enchilada sauce, onion powder, garlic powder, and cajun seasoning to taste. Let simmer until veggies are cooked. Served over Parmesan cous cous with flax seed.
Mmmmm spicy yumminess!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Beautiful Wreck

I am tired today! I am glad I have people doing this 5k training with me because motivating them to keep going motivates me. Maybe the tiredness is a result of not taking days off as I know I should, the strange dreams about high school, psychology teachers and tornadoes I had last night, or perhaps it is all the result of eating so unhealthy yesterday. Regardless I have to muster up some energy so I am ready to hit the pavement again this evening. I have finally made a schedule so I can see my day off dangling in front of me like a carrot.... or better yet cheese.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Gray skies are gonna clear up

The rain has cleared and the sun is shining! Work out plan for tonight is a go! Lucky thing too since I had pizza for lunch and will be having pizza for dinner. It is ok that I am breaking my organic food kick today because it is for a good cause, the American Cancer Society. I had my green monster this morning with delicious mango-pomegranate infusion Amazing Grass and went on a photo expedition around campus so today has not been a total bust. Goal for tonight...2.4 miles.

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Monday, May 31, 2010

Nike +

I love three day weekends. They are amazing. So much can be accomplished yet you still have time to hang with your friends and have a little fun too. I vot for all weekends to be three day. Seriously I would gladly work 4 ten hour days and have 3 days off. I'm just sayin', think about it.

Anywho, back to point, operation 5k is underway. I joggled everyday this weekend except Saturday because I was digging so I felt that 4 hours of digging totally gave me a pass. And it does because I say so, no arguing. Start your own blog. I am averaging between 1.5 and 2 miles. I have a ways to go yet.

I bought a Nike + as was suggested by Kim. This device connects to your i-pod. It is like a poedometer on steriods. It tells you the distance, time, calories burned, and average speed. Needless to say I already cannot remember what I did before I had this. I was living in the dark and the Nike + flipped on the light. I am so going to use the crap out of this!

Friday, May 28, 2010

The Dog Days Are Over

5k's have been on the brain. Ever since Devin and I spoke about trying to run one, I have been thinking of little else. We have recruited several more people into our first 5k effort. I think I even have a running group now. The pressure is on. Yikes!

Actually, it is great motivation and I am sure I will need a lot more in the coming months. I found a 12 week training program to start in July, that means I have to be in good enough shape to start said program by July. Holy moley!

Wish me luck and energy!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Where has Liz gone?

Since I have started drinking green monsters I have recruited others. I don't see why I should be the only person enjoying drinking spinach. Everyone should. My most recent recruitee (I know that isn't a work spell check but you aren't offering any helpful advice. Recrudesce, really?) is trying her first one today. I hope she likes them!

Anyway Devin, aka recruitee, has also agreed to start running as well. We decided we would both run our very first 5k this fall (October). I never actually thought I would want to run a 5k but I do. It is good motivation to keep working out. So far I have run 1.3-1.5 miles every night for a week. Yep I'm just starting. I need lots more work to get to where I need to be to run a 5k but I have 5 months and determination. Let's hope it lasts.

Life is what you make of it and I want to make a healthy, happy life so this, my friends, is only the beginning.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Life is Strange

So I am one week into drinking green monsters in the morning for breakfast. I think back to a time when I drank vodka instead of spinach and wonder how I have gotten to this place in my life. I think it has something to do with turning 30. Had you asked 12 year old me if I would ever drink spinach I would have rolled my eyes and given you attitude because I was 12 and that's what 12 year old do (not to imply I was drinking vodka at 12 either).
I can tell that I have more energy. I have trouble assigning the energy increase solely to the green monster I will have to wait and see if it maintains. My skin is noticeably healthier, but I totally didn't make it out of bed early to run this morning like I wanted. Apparently green monsters do not cure laziness. FAIL! Oh well running after work will have to do.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Green Monster part 2

This morning GM is the best one so far. I put flax seed, spinach (raw instead of cooked this time), banana, strawberry, vanilla yogurt, and anti-oxidant almond milk tea. Success!

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Green Monsters

So a while back my bff, Kim, started telling be about green monsters. Now she is not a foil hat wearing sky watcher, so I had to assume she was not referring to our maybe friendly universe neighbors. Green monsters are smoothies which the core ingredient is spinach or kale. Kim sang the benefits and wonders of green monster. I thought to myself "Self, you should try this sometime.", but I ran into a couple problems.

1. I am lazy. I do not get up early in the morning so finding time to make breakfast generally doesn't happen. I normally have to prepare something the night before so I can grab it and go. That is just how I am.

2. I have been, at least at the time she told me about the green monster, a faithful organic food eater so I didn't break from my steel cut oatmeal in the morning.

So it went on for a couple months with me intending to try it and never actually trying. Finally, I decided this week was the week. I revisited the Web site to happily discover reason # 2 is void since the smoothie is made with organic products. Bonus!

The first excuse still applies as I am still lazy, but I have gotten up early twice this week to make myself a smoothie.

First attempt- Not too bad. Basically it has flax seed, spinach, banana, blueberries, strawberries, milk, and ice. I enjoyed it. Couldn't taste the spinach at all. I felt good drinking it.

Second attempt- I managed to turn my green monster purple. I ran out of fresh blueberries and was forced to use frozen blueberries in replace of ice. The result still taste good, but I missed the green. I also made a slight adjustment this morning by trying Vanilla Almond Milk, instead of my normal skim milk. It gave it a creaminess I didn't have before. I also added Wheat Germ to it because I can.

I can see how one would become addicted to these because you can literally put anything into them. I have been thinking this morning about all the different things I could try. I think next I will try to make one with green tea or with pomegranate juice. I am not sure which one yet, you will have to stay tuned to find out.

I encourage everyone to give it a try even if you don't like spinach. You will never know it is there and you cannot beat the vitamins you are getting. Check out the Green Monster Movement Web site.

Friday, May 14, 2010

Untitled Short

Lightning split the sky, providing an instant of light that allowed the minister to see through the wall of rain that separated him from the man in a trench coat across the street. The man appeared to be watching him even though the only light that could penetrate the swirling fog and relentless rain was that of the occasional flash from the heavens. But even those were getting even fewer and further between as the storm moved past. The minister stood in his house with the lights off trying to watch the man across the street. He didn't appear to have an umbrella yet stood, rigid on the other side of the street as the storm raged on in the distance.

The minister first saw this strange man in a trench coat when he arrived home from dinner. The storm was quickly moving in and the minister was worried he wouldn't make it inside before the rain started. The sky was rippled with ominous black clouds outlined in pink, the air sparked with electricity and the leg he broke as a child ached deep in the bone. The ministers rushed towards his door, clinging onto his big umbrella against the swift attempts by the wind to relieve him of its burden. The rain was starting to spit out of the sky as he fumbled with his keys outside of his old townhouse. He dropped the keys as the wind once again tried to rip the umbrella from his grasp. Bending over to pick them up he noticed someone walking on the other side of the street. The minister glanced over at the person giving a sheepish smile.

The man on the other side of the street didn't return his smile instead he stopped halfway between the two lamp post and directly across from the minister's door. The rain began coming down harder, the wind blowing it underneath the ministers umbrella. The minister pushed the door to his house open and rushed inside. Leaving the wet umbrella in the entrance way the minister shook the water from his closely cropped hair as he walked into the living room. Flipping on the light by habit as he walked to the window to look for the man. The rain was coming down so hard now, surely the man had moved on, he rationalized. The rain was thick as flour, he could see the street let alone across the street.

The minister assured himself the man had indeed moved on. He made himself a cup of tea and settled in to watch some television. Halfway through some innocuous sitcom the lights flickered, then second later shut off completely. "Great." he muttered to himself. The minister stood up, stretching his back. The storm raged outside the house. He looked out the window the rain poured, the wind bent the small tree outside nearly to the ground. The lightning flashed every few second like God was taking pictures. It was then the minister saw the man was still standing outside his house across the street. Had the minister not been sure it was impossible he would say the man had not even moved an inch. What was the man doing over there? Why was he watching his house?

The minister stood watching him as the man in the trench coat watched him. This man sent chills down the minister's spine. The hair on his arms and neck stood and fear knotted his stomach. Who was this man? What did he want? Lightning flashed again. The minister stumbled back a step. Was the man smiling? A scream lodged in the minister's throat. He stumbled towards the phone to call the police.

"Da... Da... Da" three notes rang out from his electric keyboard. This was impossible, the electricity is off, the minister internal voice screeched in his head. Instead of feeling his way to the phone the minister felt his way to the stairs running up them two at a time. Someone was in the house he knew it. The minister locked himself into his bedroom. He listened to the slow methodical steps climbing the stairs. How did the man get into the house?

"What do you want!" he scream, crumpling in the corner, covering his ears from a possible answer with his hands.

Knock. Knock. Knock. Sounded through the house like a sonic boom. The door shaking with the force of the knock causing the minister to cower even deeper.

"Stop!" his voice becoming higher with desperation.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The next morning the minister's housekeeper arrived bright and early. She loved when it rained and the smell of new life and growth hung in the air. She let herself in and made a large breakfast like the minister liked. The housekeeper looked at her watch, it wasn't like the minister to sleep this late. She walked up the old wooden stairs to his room and lightly knocks on the door. Receiving no reply she slowly opens the door. The light from the hallway cut through the darkness to find no minister and the room in perfect order. The housekeeper stifled the disappointment at his having left so early in the morning and went about her duties as normal.

The minister was never found.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

The end is nigh

Once upon a time there was a girl, whose name was Liz. Liz was mostly a normal-ish sort of person. She may have been slightly random at times but mostly she tried to keep things in perspective. She often attracted attention from the rare and unusual but handled it well and politely. There were, however, a handful of things Liz had trouble keeping proportional in her mind.

The first was spiders. Liz found spiders to be completely terrifying. Even the tiniest of the nasty little insect made her skin crawl and the fear choke out her screams. The mere mention of one could cause nightmare and restless sleep. Liz was often told that the vile arachnids were more afraid of her than she was of them but she highly doubted it since then ran to her not away from her in fear as she would do to them. It was the highest form of science.

Her next irrationality was books. She had a certain way she read that could not be deviated from. She felt she must read the end of the book first so she could emotionally prepare for the book. Liz became so vested in the books she loved that she nearly felt her character's pain and anguish. If the book ended poorly and she was unprepared it could leave her a broken shell of a person. Many tried to talk her out of this habit but Liz knew that as much as knowing the end could ruin the book it was better the book be ruined than her life.

Liz also had a strong irrational dislike of certain movies she had never seen. She was never certain when or where the root of these dislikes took place but she could and would never watch the movies she felt in the pit of her stomach she disliked. Time and time again people tried to change this in her, but while people would come and go the deep seeded dislike would last an eternity.

Her final idiosyncrasy was the most unusual of them all as it went against the grain of her character the very most. This was the unconditional love she saved for her family, good friends, and pets being extended to include the little tv show that could. If she allowed it to happen the at times obsession with the show could occupy every thought and cloud all other matters. She knew one day the show would end and that was ok. What was not ok was the waiting from week to week for the next installment of the show that so dearly touched her heart. All she wanted was to know the end. Yet it was the ended that constantly alluded her. Finally on the very day that the end would be revealed Liz realized she had made plans in error for this very day. What was she to do? She must follow through with these plans and wait to see she show but she wasn't at all certain she could. She started her count down 12 hours away from the show. Hours 12-5 went by with obsessive thought about what would happen the scouring of the internet for some clue mixed in with the equally obsessive talk about it, only feeding her desire to know. That day Liz was the seeker of truth in the interweb of lies. Finally as the hour approached and she knew she would not be able to watch her head exploded thus ending her life and the chance that she would ever find out the ending to the story she had devoted so many hours.

The end, literally.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Click Click Pop

Once upon a time (because all fairy tales should start with once upon a time otherwise how would you know it was a fairy tale) there was a tiny little fairy name Kimmie of Kabulaleighton Click Click Pop. Kimmie of Kabulaleighton Click Click Pop preferred to be called Click for short though most of the other fairies refused to do as she asked.
Click sighed laying upon her lily pad in the pond of tranquility. She was tired. She didn't know when it happened because fairies never got tired, they hardly even rested. She didn't want to fly around and play the normal fairy games (like stealing one or three socks from human dryers so they would search and search for the pair but never find them). Click let her tiny hand skim across the watch making it ripple as if a fire fly had landed (at least that is what any human would have seen). Click was so lost in her own sleepy world she didn't even see the fearsome cat Little Dorritt creep into the pond and begin to swim towards her. Cats were the natural enemy of the Fae and constantly hunted them, which is a good reason why most fairies never stayed still very long always fluttering from this place to that. Bob the owl hooted to warn Click about the Little Dorritt who was now nearly to her. Click half-heartedly flew away but she waited so long she could feel the cats paw shift the air around her. Click fluttered up to where Bob the owl had stationed himself.
"What is wrong Click?" Bob asked.
"I'm tired." Click said blandly.
"Oh no. Who. Who. Sounds like you have that sleep virus that has been going around. It is something that should no be taken too lightly."
Click was concerned. She wasn't sure what a virus was but it sounded menacing. "What should I do?" she asked.
"You must find Lizzie Butterbreadgroundbottom. She lives in a far away play called the city. It is a dangerous journey for there are less places to hide there than in the forest. She will be able to tell you the cure."
"I am too tired to go"
"Click you must, for sleep is detrimental to fairies."
"How do I get there?"
"You must fly to the land of tall buildings 100,000 times as big as you then look for the trees. Once you get to the large green area that managed to survive amongst the tall building you will look for a bulletin board covered in pink papers. She will be to phallic shaped water bottle to the left of that. Knock to the tune of "Take a Load Off Annie" then whisper your name three times while turning counter clockwise and walking two steps backwards. Then you shall gain admittance."
"This is ridiculous"
"You must."
"Fine."
Click flew off though she had no energy. She found the city of tall building and Bob had not exaggerated. She found the green area easily. She ever found the pink paper and water bottles with very little trouble. However once she was there she couldn't remember the sequence of what she needed to do. Click tried several different variations before she was about to give up. Finally her wings sagged in defeat, she was just too tired to continue. She started to shuffle away when she heard someone say "Wait."
Click turned around and another fairy flew out of the small wooded area.
"I am Lizzie. What brings you here little woodland fairy"
"I am sleepy and Bob the owl said you would know what to do."
"I do indeed." Lizzie said gravely. She whistled and the wind blew. Before Click was certain what was happening a greasy long haired man playing the song from Lost Boys called Jon Hamm came bursting out of the trees. The sweet sweet sounds of his music and the terribly handsome jaw line made Click's heart speed up and she was no longer tired. She decided not to return to the forest for she found she liked the bustle of the city. She stayed with Lizzie and Sergio (as she liked to call him) in the patch of woods. And they all lived happily ever after.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Why I love my friends...

We can have email conversations like this...

K- "I didn't get to leave for lunch. I feel like a prisoner."

L- "Maybe you are. Oh noes! Quick try to go outside then report back."

K- "i've been captured! my escape attempt has been foiled!!"

L- "Ok do not panic. DO NOT PANIC!! It will be ok. We just have to think, use our heads. You still have contact with the outside world so that is good. You must now start carrying a poison capsule in your pocket in case you are ever detained by enemy forces.
DO NOT PANIC!!!
Go to the guard at the exit when he is alone. First try to sweet talk your way out. If that doesn't work you might have to show him some boob, nothing else can be done. If that fails (i.e. the guard is gay) you will have to start making a rope out of your hair. Keep this secret from the other prisoners for they will either rat you out to obtain guard favors or they will want in on it and anytime you have too many people in on something it is bound to fail, it's science. Most importantly remember you are not alone. You will recognize other like minds by their ability to quote random FaLiLV lines and their ability to figure out what FaLiLV stands for. Beware of elevators, monkeys, cheese haters, and bats. Good luck."

K- "Gahhh!!!! I printed your instructions off. I even made myself a makeshift wooden sword. But, they demanded to see my papers and I accidentally showed them the instructions you wrote me. I have been beaten because I would not tell them what FaLilLV stood for. They will not get this out of me!!

i have been beaten. send help.

s. o. s."

L- "Play dead. PLAY DEAD!!!!! Quick like a bunny!

Once you are released try to be more careful. I am sending George Baily over to you his fishy good looks should get him through the door. He will meet in a bathroom in the second stall toilet bowl. IMPORTANT...do not flush. I repeat do not flush. George Baily will have supplies for you. Aspercreme, sedatives, brass knuckles, nunchucks, a snack, something to read, and a cowbell.

You must never tell. NEVER.

Will send more reinforcements soonish."

K- "i tried, yet they poked me with a plastic spork and made me give up my wooden sword.

they are trying to get your location out of me. I am going to try to sneak into the 2nd stall toilet bowl. i am concerned someone else went in there and may have already flushed. :(

they want to know who i really am. I am trying hard to fight them getting anything out of me.

If something happens, please be sure to tell them my story. Call it: The Legend of Zelda. "

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Death is in the Details

A boy with a parrot on his shoulder was walking along the railway tracks. Rhythmically taping a long gnarled stick, which had been surreptitiously shed of its leaves, along the railroad ties in pattern only detectable to him the boy chased away boredom with the grand adventure of his own thoughts. He wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his right hand clutching a worn and tattered hat adorned with a drawn on skull and crossbones. He carefully readjusted the stuffed parrot he had fastened to his shoulder with tape and wire.
The boy jammed the hat back onto his head before diving off the tracks holding his wooden stick like a scimitar.
"Arrr back you scurvy devils!" He said with vehemence to the trees in front of him. "I am the pirate Black John and I am requisitioning this here ship unless any of you are brave enough to stop me!"
The boy danced around swinging his sword with enough force to cause the air to whistle around it. He occasionally jabbed his sword at his imaginary foes then laughed mercilessly.
"Come on you scurvy dogs is that the best you have!" He taunted the quiet forest in front of him. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves but did nothing to relieve the stifling heat from the blazing sun of mid-afternoon.
The boy sighed out of boredom. Playing make believe was only fun for so long when you were alone. He was always alone. The child eyed the forest with curiosity. So many adventures, new adventures could be had in there.
However, his mother’s voice rang in his ears. He wasn’t allowed to play in the forest. The forest was so thick and dark it was too easy to get turned around, lost inside. He was supposed to stay within close enough distance to his house to hear her if she called for him. Those were the rules, simple and clear.
He peered back over his shoulder across the tracks to the back of the small, blue row house he lived in that shook every time the train went by. The boy looked up at the sun. Surely his mother wouldn’t need him anytime soon… though he could not remember how long he had been out playing. Surely he still had hours before she would call him in for dinner.
The boy nervously licked his lips glancing from the forest to his blue house. He wanted to go, to explore the great unknown. The child’s desire to see what was foreign to him far out reached the fear he had of getting in trouble. Without another glance behind he charged into the forest the gnarled stick leading the way.
He ran through the forest dodging tall and looming trees, leaped over fallen, dying branches. The wind in his hair, the coolness of shade on his skin all sang to him of freedom. Freed from the heat, freed from the rules, freed from the imminent boredom he whooped and hollered slapping trees with his sword as he ran past them, an unaffected smile on face.
The boy stopped as he came to a stop at the edge of a small, gentle, bubbling stream. He peered into the rippling water watching it tumble over the rocks in perfect harmony with the world around. The child sat on a thick mossy patch beneath a giant white tree with no bark close enough to still hear the stream as it flowed with no regard to time. He leaned his head against the trunk and closed his eyes.
Immediately he opened his eyes again. When his eyes were closed he saw his mother crying alone in her kitchen. He saw other things too. Bad things. Things he did not think about. He jerked the hat from his head, he did not want to be a pirate anymore. It seemed like he was always a pirate. The child thoughtfully looked around the forest trying to dismiss the bad images that had come to mind by choosing a new game to play. He mindlessly tapped the gnarled stick while thinking about what he could pretend next.
"What's that?" He heard a sharp gruff voice say from deep within the woods.
"What?" another equally gruff voice replied.
The boy scrambled to his feet and hid behind the tree. He peered around the edge looking for the source of the voices. On the other side of the creek he saw two men and a mangy looking dog approaching the creek. The men were both dirty and dressed in many ragged layers. Their skin was worn and weathered like a saddle. One had a snug fitting wool cap on and the other had dirty red hair that fell across his forehead into his eyes. They both had a mean, hard look to them.
"Must be nothing." Said the red headed man, but his eyes narrowed as he scanned the forest once more.
The boy stayed as still and as quiet as he could, hiding behind the tree barely peeking around wanting to see them. Out of the corner of his eye he saw he had left his hat on the other side of the tree.
The man with the hat dropped his cloth sack on the ground next to the creek then ungracefully plopped down next to it stretching his feet out in front of him. The red headed man squatted on the ground next to him like he was perched to attack anyone that came near. Now that they were closer the boy could see the man in the hat was much older than the red headed man. The child worried the red headed man would see his hat and come looking over here. He needed to get it back.
"I hate it here." growled the red headed man.
The man in the cap rolled his eyes. "Oh is poor Jonas scared of the big bad woods?" mockery dripping from each word he spoke.
Jonas stood up pacing back and forth like a panther. "It's strange here." he said stubbornly.
“There's nowhere else we can go. They will be looking for us.”
The red head shrugged his shoulders.
“Had you not shot that gas station worker…”The man with the cap trailed off as he pulled a bottle of amber colored liquid from his sack. He took a long swig grimacing as he pulled his mouth away from the bottle. He offered it to Jonas. "It will be a cold one tonight. Fall comes faster every year." he said.
"Ain’t that the truth, Burt." Jonas said taking the bottle from the old man so he could take his own equally long swig.
The child shifted uncomfortably. He wanted to leave, but he was scared. He was scared they would catch him. He was scared he would not see his mother again.
The boy watched and listened to the foul conversation the men were having, waiting for them to leave or settle down. He impatiently glanced to the sky to make sure the sun was still shining and his mother had not missed him yet, but the sky was turning pink and blue as it was beginning to set. Finally when the red headed man named Jonas sat down the boy decided to make a break for it. He darted forward and snatched up his hat then ran away as quickly as his legs would carry him.
He heard the dog start viciously barking behind him and footsteps which seemed to be catching him. He clutched the hat and ran as fast as he could through the forest. The parrot flew off his shoulder, but the child kept running. No longer with the since of freedom he originally had. He could hear the men shouting behind him and the dog barking, barking so loud it had to be chasing after him. The boy dodged trees, hurdled fallen branches too afraid to look behind him. He couldn’t see the way out of the forest and he was so tired. The boy felt something grabbing at his shoulder.
The sun was bright and high in the sky, the boy could not remember how long he had been outside. He started walking down the railroad tracks with a parrot on his shoulder.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Hair Today Gone Tomorrow

Once upon a time there was a person named Stevie Mulligan. Stevie Mulligan was awesome. Everything about Stevie was completely awesome from the awesome name, to awesome shoes to awesome hair. Stevie could run, jump, laugh, explain, kiss, punch, understand better than anyone else he had ever met. Stevie was an action hero. In fact he wore a Batman belt buckle just so everyone was aware that HE was special.
One day Stevie was walking down the street mulling over exactly how he became to be so awesomely cool in everything he did. He caught a glance of his own reflection in a glass window front. He stopped to admire his own charming good looks when he noticed something funny. His hair did not appear to be his own hair. In fact he wasn't even sure it was attached. I tugged on it gently and nothing happened. Stevie leaned in closer to inspect this outlander hair. He tried and tried to tug, comb, smooth out the hair on his head but no matter what he did it still didn't look like his. Stevie started to have an identity crisis. Who was he? Whose hair was this? How did it get on his head? Why were people staring at him he wasn't being awesome?
Stevie knew everyone could see that this wasn't his hair. They would think it was a toupee and toupee's are not awesome. Stevie couldn't let people believe that of him so he pulled out all the offensive hairs one at a time while staring wall eyed into his reflection in the glass window. When Stevie was about halfway done suddenly he noticed his reflection was moving even though he wasn't. His eyes adjusted and he saw a man who had been dining inside the restaurant stand up trying not to look at the crazy man on the street plucking out his hair. Stevie looked at his reflection again. All of the foreign hair had been just that...foreign. He had mistaken the man's, inside the building, hair for his own. Now Stevie has ruined himself. Wavy blond hair covered the ground below him and his bald scalp on top of his head was red and swollen. Only the sides of his hair remained.
Stevie's hair never grew back because he doubted his own awesomeness.
 
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