:: skydiving in stilettos ::

Me 1 :: Snowstorm 0

2011-01-11T11:22:00.002-05:00

Mwa ha ha ha. I snuck out for my 4-mile run this morning and turned into my driveway just as the first snowflake fell. My run may have been slow but apparently it was just fast enough.

Tonight I have a hot date with my runner fiancee to see the Hood to Coast movie. One-day only in theatres. Glass City Marathon on April 17 to get motivated for! Marathon number 3! It still shocks me as a struggle to run a mile at times that because of this life list I made a few years ago, the number of miles I've run since (uh... over 1300!).

I still don't think of myself as an athlete... but I will definitely confidently declare that I am one determined little chica.

Get Pumped People

2011-01-05T16:19:00.002-05:00

I was just trying to continue to fake my body into feeling better by downloading some new songs from iPhone compliments of the pickle present iTunes gift card I got at Christmas. And I saw an article on fitsugar that names the top songs of 2010 for working out. As I downloaded "Dog Days are Over" by Florence + the Machine, I was reminded of this amazing video... I'm feeling the kids enthusiasm and even more pumped up for a little worky workout.

Enjoy!

Tips to Prevent Muscle Soreness

2011-01-05T14:57:00.004-05:00

Ok -- launch of my marathon training for 2011, not going so well. I've been hit with some horrible bug literally the day training began Monday. Fever, puking, and so many body aches and weakness, I couldn't make it from my bed to the kitchen for a while there! Bad news. I'm not 100% yet... still a bit nauseous and weak but I'm determined to fake my body into thinking I'm better. Frankly, I think my main struggle right now is re-introducing food that my body is not used to any more after several days of toast, chicken soup and applesauce!

But I'm going to do a light run/walk tonight to get back on the bandwagon that I never even started. As I recall from my last 4 mile run though, I was left sore and achy for literally 4-5 days! Unbelievable for a girl who's used to taking 6 months off and then tackling a 6 miler like its no big deal. I chalked it up to 1. getting older and 2. the cold cold weather (my legs were freezing that entire run... that couldn't have been good). Between that experience the other week and the kick-off of the Biggest Loser last night, I wonder... what do I need to remember to do before/after/during/whenever a run to keep myself from being incapacitated (btw, my new favorite word after being so sick and delusional the other day that I replaced it with "decapitated"). Here's what my research/experience came up with as a nice reminder for all you with your running resolutions:

1. Exercise the day after. I know... that's harder said than done. I know the best remedy for when you're sore from a hardcore run or workout the day before is to get the juices moving, but that doesn't mean I don't just try a few quick stretches and continue to moan about it and lay around as well. But really... a nice swim or bike ride is really going to do more for me than 7 days of whining. Just remember not to do the same exercise that initially made you sore... you want to get the blood pumping without re-injuring those same muscle fibers.

2. Massage. Yes... again, one easier said than done. I have a pretty wonderful fiancee who is also a runner so I find that if I offer him a nice massage after a workout, I'm more than likely to receive one back. But I know I'm in the minority there and I'm eternally grateful to the guy for it. And that obnoxious smelling Tiger Balm (sold at your local drugstore) is the best thing to add on to a nice massage for even more relief. But this is just to combat the pain of soreness... I've also read stories that it just contributes to the breakdown of the torn microscopic muscle tissues. So there's your warning... although I personally won't be turning any offers of massage away no matter what the supposed experts say!

3. Ice bath. Wow... these suggestions seem to get harder and harder, huh? This is 10 minutes of pure torture but it honestly works wonders. I've heard that the worst thing for your muscles is a hot shower/bath. It will feel better at the time but not in the long haul because you're muscles will hurt just as much after that bath is over. An ice bath does the opposite thing... the few times I was nutty enough to try this, I was wearing stilettos the same night/next day. It truly is a miracle worker. Read a book or something to keep your mind off the pain of the cold!

4. Finish off your workout with a good protein shake or even just a glass of chocolate milk. Protein repairs those muscle fibers that are damaged during a workout and if you have it within 30 minutes of your workout, its powers are multiplied. I used to end my runs at Starbucks and treat myself to a Venti Soy Chai. Yes, the calories probably counteracted my workout, but I felt great. ha. Maybe I shoulda stuck with a Tall. Also, while you consume your protein, be sure to stretch too since that also needs to be done within 30 minutes to have the most effectiveness.

5. I say avoid pain relievers for a few reasons... studies show that acetaminophen and ibuprofen may also block muscles from making essential proteins after exercise. I've heard that it negates the workout you just did as well in terms of making yourself any stronger. I also highly say that unless its the day of the race (in which case, you should still only do so sparingly and research correct dosage because it can be dangerous if not taken appropriately), you should avoid taking pain relievers on a run in general. As a girl who breaks easily... tendinitis, stress fractures, all kinds of problems, I like to feel what my body is telling me. Yes, even the pain. Because I don't want to push my body to do more than it should. That being said... if I am SEVERELY sore the next day, its almost better to take a small dosage of pain reliever just so I can get moving but, let it be known, this is just temporary relief and if you don't get moving and try some of the other options above, its just going to fade to the same soreness in a few hours anyhow so its almost not really worth the cons.

6. A new fact for me is that I read more antioxidants like in Vitamin C and E especially will aid in your recover as well. True or not, any excuse to eat healthier sounds like a good one. Grapefruits, melons, berries, lemon juice, and oranges are great sources of vitamin C. Wheat germ oil, vegetable oil, nuts, dark green veggies, and whole grains are great sources of vitamin E. So eat some of that after your next hard workout and let me know if you think it works!

7. Drink water. This is another struggle for me. Why do I hate water so much? I'm pretty much always dehydrated, dang it. I'll make an effort knowing that dehydration exacerbates soreness though!

Readers, please contribute a few more ideas if you know of any!!! I love having your comments.

Enjoy your run!!! See you at the Toledo Glass City Marathon!

New Years Resolutions and such...

2011-01-03T10:21:00.003-05:00

Ok... I know there are a lot of folks out there that shun the whole New Year's resolution thing. And, yes, it is overhyped... but obviously as a girl with a strong life-list goal, I buy into the hype. I make resolution on my birthday in April as well, for Pete's sake. So I have a few... and I'm publishing so I stick to 'em.

1. Get in better shape/run a marathon: God bless the two-fer's. I already feel a little unaccomplished from my 2010 running resume. I only started running in 2006 and I'm very proud to have 6 half marathons, 2 full marathons and two triathlons under my sometimes very-snug fitting belt. But last year... I attempted the Nashville marathon only to be sidelined by a stress fracture. Then I tried the Dayton Air Force half marathon and despite being FULLY ready and fit for it, I collapsed for no explainable reason at mile 7.

So I need redemption people... and the fact that I have a wedding in August where I wanna be a supa hot bride is not enough motivation! I need a race besides... its the competitiveness (with myself really) that makes me workout. I hate running... no lie. But I love that feeling of accomplishment.

So I signed up with a local running store (Dave's Running) to train for the full Glass City marathon in April. Although the training is more runs per week... they're much smaller sessions than I'm used to. And this will be the first time I incorporate strength training which I think will be essential to losing weight/improving my time/remaining stress-fracture free. I'm pretty excited to train... for now. ;)

2. In my business, I need to start self-marketing myself. Finally update my super outdated design portfolio website. Start pitching myself to businesses (especially local ones). Making nice business cards and joining some small business groups locally. I'm actually pretty good at pitching myself to new clients... so I should actually start doing it even though I was lucky enough to be successful alone last year based on word-of-mouth from other clients.

3. I also want to become a more integrated part of the Toledo/Whitehouse area. Obviously after buying a house last year and with plans to marry my wonderful fiancee this one, I ain't going nowhere folks. And although I have a few wonderful friends here, I need to network more and meet some more great people. I think the running group, and the business groups will help... but I'd also like to start volunteering as well somewhere. Its a lot harder here to find the opportunities as it was in NYC and Boston, but I'm a pretty determined lady, you know.

That's it for now... but its an evolution. I'm sure there are a few items on my life list that I'll knock out too. Let's pick a few to push for now, shall we? How about these:
13. run a half-marathon in less than 2 hours (PR is 2:08:59)
16. drink 8 glasses of water a day for one full month
27. target practice at a shooting range
67. read the Bible (I started this in 2010 but it has dropped off a bit)
68. grow and eat my own herbs + vegetables
70. learn to pray the rosary (in memory of my grandmother + with her rosary)
75. watch all 100 of the AFI's 100 years, 10th anniv edition :: 67 out of 100 so far... I think I can knock off the last 33 this year esp now that we can now order Netflix on demand with our Blu-Ray
78. develop a better/stricter budget and stick to for at least 3 months
79. pick back up my contributions to my 401K/IRA
83. take up art more regularly (though drawing, painting, photography, or mixed media)
86. sell some type of art/product
104. wear a bikini and feel 100% gorgeous + confident with my body
111. go on a picnic complete with basket, blanket, wine, and a cute guy

Proven Urban Legend

2010-12-31T15:00:00.002-05:00

I've heard the rumor before the drinking a hot tub or jacuzzi gets you drunk quicker. Well, its 3pm on NYE and in an attempt to initiate getting ready for the big night, I took a nice Epsom salt soak in my jacuzzi tub (while my fiancee went for a run and made me feel lazy)... with a glass of wine. One glass of wine. And now as I type this, I find myself backspacing almost every word to correct my horrifying spelling and semi-double-vision.

Its true... one glass of wine + jacuzzi = sloppy girl.

That's my 2010 piece of wisdom for you. Be warned.

Happy 2011!

Take Those Chinese Fortunes SERIOUSLY!!

2010-09-30T08:57:00.005-04:00

Check out the message from the Chinese fortune cookie I got about 4 months ago. Ironically, I actually think I got it at Bangkok Kitchen in Maumee (although, do Thai places give Chinese fortune cookies? That doesn't seem right... shouldn't they give Thai fortune cookies?)

Nevertheless, we had literally just started house-hunting when I received it and now today we are closing on our wonderful "treehouse" in the lovely village of Whitehouse. We won't be moving in for a month or two because we are giving ourselves also the most wonderful custom kitchen ever (more on our wonderful cabinet company in another post). Photos to come... but I'll just wait until I have the keys in hand. Forgive me if I'm slightly skeptical of a fortune that comes inside a cookie!!! HOORAH!!! Life list item #102 shall be completed in a few hours!

PURCHASE REVIEW!!!

2010-09-29T22:33:00.006-04:00

Ahhh... the blessed purchase reviews. That's a throwback to my fabulous days working at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston when our offices were offsite in the Copley mall and myself and 5 other lovely ladies worked in one room together (with a handful of other lovely ladies just outside the door) and would oftentimes come back from our lunchbreaks with new goods to show off. Someone would come back with bags and we'd all yell "PURCHASE REVIEW!!". Loved it.

So here are two recent purchases... both that I am very proud of and cannot wait to showcase in my new home (which by the way, I close on tomorrow! Eek! Yay! Scary!).

The first item I found at an estate sale... not just any estate sale but the one of a sweet Edith Franklin... a famous and established Toledo pottery artist. I bought a handful of lovely pottery from the sale and some nice pastels so I can create my own "masterpieces" (notice I humbly put that word in quotations!). But my favorite purchase was this large oil painting. A complete abstract I have discovered that the artist John Black actually had a one-man show at the Toledo Museum of Art back in 1963... when this painting was made. Hmmm... I wonder if this piece was perhaps made for that show and once hang in the wall of a fancy art museum. Ironically as well, after some research I found that Ms. Franklin (who I had the pleasure of having a nice yet short conversation with that day) is actually a graduate from Boston's School of the Museum of Fine Arts! What a fun coincidence! Anyhow, I got a complete steal on the piece... I paid less than I probably would for a framed Pier 1, Pottery Barn or even IKEA piece. But I love it as if I paid 10x as much.

The other item I just purchased today at a WONDERFUL antique shop in Ann Arbor called Treasure Mart. I went there to visit a craigslist sale that featured a tan Barcelona chair... that was actually not in great condition and a weird greenish shade of tan so I passed. But luckily I hit up this gem of a store while I was in town.

First of all, let me add that Ann Arbor is a GORGEOUS town. I have never been there and the downtown area is all charming and tree-lined with amazing old homes. I'd love to go for a run there or sit in a local cafe and drink my cappuccino on a Sunday morning. But this store was RIDICULOUS! I loved it. Amazing everything -- furniture, lamps, art, books. And tons of it. Three different levels plus it was pouring in the garage, porch and driveway. Immediately I noticed things were all reasonably priced and in reasonably good shape but when I stumbled on a Duncan Phyfe mahogany dining room table for a mere $125, I lept on it before I even walked through the rest of the store. With that price, I couldn't risk losing it by 5 minutes! Upon claiming it and going to walk through the rest of the store to see if I wanted to buy anything else, I immediately noticed that it had an additional two leaves in a wonderfully custom-made crate underneath the table... which was a complete shock because already this table measured about 96" long! I later learned that it had 5 total leaves and expands from 48" to 108"! Talk about a dinner party! It will look even better when I pair it with some contemporary chairs and a shiny chrome light fixture of sorts. It was in impeccable shape as well... check out the images... but even more exciting for my $125 purchase, check out the similar listings for the exact same table (with less leaves) that have it listed at $1000!

Additionally, let me just add that the service at Treasure Mart was just amazing as well... two men shrink-wrapped and carefully loaded the "treasured" table into my pick-up truck with furniture pads (that they lent me under the condition that I return them in 2 or 3 weeks when I get a chance). They literally spent about 15 extra minutes just making sure I was all set and they were the nicest, friendliest guys to boot. I will DEFINITELY be coming back to this wonderful gem. Apparently the turnover there is pretty amazing which isn't a surprise given its great location and the amount of people there on a random Wednesday afternoon!

Listing 1 http://www.goantiques.com/detail,mahgany-drop-leaf,2269878.html

Listing 2 http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380234518982&rvr_id=147418976914&crlp=1_263602_263622&UA=M*F%3F&GUID=4111aec512b0a06c1b770637ffded6dd&itemid=380234518982&ff4=263602_263622

That Crazy Panda

2010-09-29T11:17:00.003-04:00

I want... no, I NEED to buy some of the Egyptian brand Panda cheese. I'm frightened to see any Panda's in my daily routine otherwise. (PS: If you lived where these commercials aired, this would be an excellent and FREAKY Halloween costume -- you'd have to play that music from a boombox to get the full effect).

For some reason they won't let me embed this youtube video but all the other ones are missing my favorite part at the end of the first grocery trip scene... view it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X21mJh6j9i4

Designer Squared

2010-09-27T23:15:00.004-04:00

Hopefully my graphic design skillz will translate to interior decorating skillz as well. I've had fun at least impersonating an interiorista and even if it doesn't look professional -- it certainly is getting me excited for the new pad. It may seem like I'm a bit anal-retentive here, but actually the MORE I seem to plan out kitchen renovations and furniture plans, the more flexibility I feel when I'm actually out buying the pieces that will go into the room because I'm so familiar with my final vision (hence also why these sketches are still in erasable pencil format in my sketch pad).

Check out my big plans for the living/dining areas of the new house. Sure, there's a lot of new fancypants furniture in there (including that silly Arhaus Reese chair that I'm just praying will be ours after we hit the Powerball), but its a long-term goal and with the drawings here as a guide, I know I won't just comfortable and end up stuck in a rut too easily. I think I may just frame the drawings and hang them so I can admire them from my bean-bags chairs until I get there.

HGTV Internationale

2010-09-27T16:26:00.001-04:00

Yes... prepare yourself readers because if you haven't already figured out, you will be getting a LOT of home decorating posts in the upcoming months. Its better than me just going on and on about my wedding colors or other shenanigans associated with 08-06-2011. But the priority right now is pimping the house that I'll be closing on this Thursday out and making it as cozy and livable as the pictures in my bursting head. Now that that disclaimer is over...

I'm obviously given the situation, OBSESSED with HGTV. Except it seems that 90% of its programming is House Hunters. I find that show interesting but now that I've hunted and captured my wild game, I'd like some more details and how to make it look all DWR on an IKEA budget.

Even more so, for every one traditional House Hunters (which by the way, do often make me feel even MORE confident about our purchase and deal), they show like 4 House Hunter Internationals!!! Having just bought a house, I feel pride and excitement -- I really don't need to watch these folks that already own 6,000 sq ft homes shop for their Italian villa or Barbados beach house. Sheesh. Its a good thing we have such wonderful trees and landscaping at our new place... I can pretend that I'm vacationing in the mountains of Tennessee or Vermont or something until I find MY perfect French countryside cottage... in like 40 years.

Dear Arhaus,

2010-09-27T16:08:00.003-04:00

I'm obsessed with your Reese chair (hey readers: its so much prettier than this photo in person... with a beautiful weathered look that is just delicious). Its like the most caramel-ly lovable version of the classic Barcelona chair that is just not my thing in its traditional black or white leather. I kind of need to have it. Even my fiancé is pretty infatuated with it.

However, even at your sale price of $1299, it is still more expensive than the ENTIRE sectional sofa I've picked out at West Elm. Yet, it doesn't seem like the look will go very well with the plastic folding chairs that I'll have to buy on marked-down-twice-fire-sale if I indeed spent that kind of money on ONE FREAKING CHAIR! For that price, I would like a nightly foot massage thrown in for a year.

Let me know if you could possibly arrange that and we'll talk. Otherwise, I'll just continue to stalk and dream of that damn stupid chair that I love so much.

Thanks.

Oh and PS: if I do break down and somehow decide to buy all of my other furniture at Big Lots so I can afford this chair, I really don't appreciate spending that kind of bank and waiting 10+ weeks to sit my butt on it. Just saying.

Life List #102: buy a house/condo/2-square-foot-of-land!

2010-09-24T12:11:00.004-04:00

Ok -- this life list item is soooo close to being completed. Inspection went swimmingly except for that crazy radon test. But luckily the sellers were kind enough to get that taken care of (or it will be as of this Monday) so thankfully we don't have to deal with that or add that to our ever-increasing budget. Closing on the 29th or 30th. We cannot wait... we've even gone over once in the meantime to spray the bee's hive that we need to nix pre-move. Funny that we're doing all this maintenance already when it isn't quite legally ours!

The kitchen renovation continues... I met with the third kitchen cabinet folk today for cabinet pricing. Stopped at Lowe's to get a quote on this Black Walnut island countertop I'm slightly obsessed with. And we've officially bought all of our appliances except the stupid wine refrigerator. Such a pain trying to find an undercounter/built-in version with hopefully dual zones that is actually cheaper than our full refrigerator. WHO KNEW?! But I think we've saved so much money on the other items that a few extra hundred will be well worth it.

Anyhow, with the pre-planning I've done and sketches and research, we will most likely be ordering these cabinets the day after closing and hopefully installing a mere month later. Knock on wood... literally.

So, if any of you friends or blog-readers out there ever need a kitchen re-do, please consult me... I ask more questions than should even be legal, so I can tell you the upcharge for those roll-out pantry trays, or the paneling on the other side of the refrigerator, or those super nice soft-close doors and drawers. And I can also give you the tips on granite savings, where to shop for appliances in Toledo/on-line, differences between frameless and framed cabinets (not to mention overlay and inset) and the costs as well. I've even discovered that not only can you make a cool grand off of selling pre-existing cabinets on Craigslist... you can also sell them to a contractor who prefers to remove them carefully and correctly themselves (saving US a ton of extra work!). I'm a damn kitchen nerd. And thankfully for my lovely fiancé's sake, I'm adoring every second of it.

Check out my pre-planning sketches!!! Talk about ridiculously specific!!!

Life List #13: Sorta???

2010-09-22T11:10:00.003-04:00

This weekend's half marathon in Dayton, Ohio was... well, interesting. In all technicality, my race was finished in 1:16. So I (sorta) completed my goal of doing one is less than 2 hours. Of course, there's a hitch. Just around mile 5, I started getting one helluva headache. Weird. Around mile 6, I was slightly nauseous and a bit light headed (I'll tell ya what, if you're feeling dizzy, having hundreds of runners passing you is not so helpful). Just shy of mile 7, I turned a sharp corner and my body kinda kept turning. Until I was collapsed on my bootie and sitting on the grass sobbing. I knew I wouldn't finish and I had NEVER quit a race. I felt defeated and embarrassed. As the Air Force cadets and the medical team rushed to help me and take my vitals (an hour after sitting on a cot and my heart rate was still well into the hundreds), I kept insisting that I'm not a quitter. When I started getting the chills and I put on my New York City 2008 marathon t-shirt one cadet goes: "You've done a full marathon?! Don't worry about people thinking you're a quitter then. You're just having an off day." that made my feel better.

Also I kept insisting that I had to get transported to the finish line to meet up with my fiancee and my cousin. Many hours later, I finally did with the other lady in the tent that dropped out from knee problems... only to find my poor fiancee roaming the crowds looking completely freaked out more than two hours after I should have finished. He's never hugged me so tightly in my life and he insisted "Who cares about the race... I'm just so glad I have you again!" So although it was sad and I felt horrible that he worried so much... it was a beautiful moment in the end.

Off day it was. Although I'm not scratching that item from my to-do list obviously, it is still ironic to think that somehow I did actually complete that item. Not what I had in mind!

Columbus half marathon in October! I need redemption!!!

Memmmmories.... like the corners of my minddddd

2010-09-17T15:34:00.006-04:00

Hey bloggie. Sup?

Remember me? I bet I've lost all of my viewers. I've neglected them and you for so long, bloggie. I'm a horrible blogger. But I have a job. And a fiancé. And a house. For Pete's sake.

But after sending a good friend my "life list"... I'm inspired again to come back to you more regularly. I know you've heard this before so just support me and I'll do my best.

So as an FYI, I am now up to 33 items done on my list of 111 (78 items done). Done in the last few months:
65. get CPR certified
102. buy a house/condo/2-square-foot-of-land! (swoon... more details to come of my lovely "treehouse" in Whitehouse)

I'm also still chipping away at a few others, such as:
13. run a half-marathon in less than 2 hours (PR is 2:05:07) :: doubtful, but I do have a half-marathon tomorrow... maybe a miracle will happen (or I'll find a shortcut)
67. read the Bible :: I started reading it around Lent. Its slow-going with my busy schedule but at least I've started
75. watch all 100 of the AFI's 100 years, 10th anniv edition :: now at 66 out of 100 so far
78. develop a better/stricter budget and stick to for at least 3 months :: I'm at a month and a half of monitoring Ryan's and my bills and allocating them to line items. Granted with wedding planning and house renovations/decorations, it will be out of whack for a while. But the key is, I have a system and so far, its nice to track everything and just know.
111. go on a picnic complete with basket, blanket, wine, and a cute guy :: next warmish Fall day, maybe I'll take Ryan into our beautifully landscaped new backyard for a picnic and some champagne to toast our new purchase/new life! Oddly enough, his back up proposal was to have a picnic set up for us when we were out for a run... his actual proposal was perfect as is, but I can't help but swoon over how awesome he is and how well he does know me and what I love.

Cheers! Have a great weekend... post a hello to show me you're still here and encourage me to post more entries soon!

Sometimes I Think I Might Just Be Crazy

2010-06-25T08:57:00.003-04:00

Seriously... tomorrow I venture on the MS Bike to the Bay Challenge with my boyfriend and pals Jeff and Kristinna. Its 75 miles each day... 150 miles. Have you noticed yet that I seem to take a life list item and beat it to death yet?

1. run a marathon :: finished two now in 2007 and 2008. Was attempting #3 for this past April but got a stress fracture. Healing up and getting used to orthotics so I can attempt #3 again for this Fall in Columbus.

2. complete a triathlon :: finished a sprint in Fall of 2008. Just did another this past weekend but I was slow as heck so I'm now shopping around for a new bike and looking into my next races.

4. ride a century (100mile) -- finished 100 miles with Tessa in August of 2009. Now I'm doing 150 this weekend even though its already been checked off my list.

Its kinda annoying that I'm not repeating things like visitng Japan or Kenya! But at the very least, all these repeat life list items above are helping me get one step closer to this one:

104. wear a bikini and feel 100% gorgeous + confident with my body

I do have to report that although I have bought some BEAUTIFUL swimsuits recently before my last vacation... my wonderful boyfriend does actually do a great job and making me feel gorgeous even when the mirror doesn't. However, I want definition in my stomach and to svelte down my legs/hips and to just lose that 10 lbs of Ohio weight I've put on (no more beer or fried foods!).

Music for the Emotional Wacko

2010-05-12T17:39:00.005-04:00

My momma sent me this super cool website the other day that chooses your music for you based on your mood. Such a cool idea! It seems a bit dangerous and confusing since I'm self-admittedly a pretty emotional person... one minute I'm happy as a clam and loud and outgoing, the next I'm super quiet and introspective (although my friends will tell you it must simply by 3pm in that case and that it can all be cured with a latte).

Anyhow, neat site. Check it out! Perfect for a gal like me who needs mellow music to work to and then obnoxious top 40 pop and hip-hop to workout to!

http://www.stereomood.com/

PS: God bless my awesome hip mom for sending this to me although I am a little concerned that I must be losing my own cool if my mom is the one informing me about the latest trends. Oh well, thanks mommy!

Running on the Brain

2010-04-22T09:40:00.002-04:00

As I head into my 32nd birthday which happens to be on the exact day of the Nashville Marathon that I was SUPPOSED to be running, I'm naturally a little bummed to be sitting on the sidelines (although I'm wicked proud to cheer on my dad, sisters, boyfriends and pals).

So let me just take a few seconds to pat myself on the back. When I made this life list, it was April of 2007 and I hadn't ever done longer than a 5k race at that point (although I was training for my first half marathon). I put run a full marathon as my number 1 item on this life list... and here's where I stand today (even without that stinky hilly thunderstormy marathon this weekend):

2 full marathons (2007 Marine Corps in DC and 2008 NYC // PR = 4:28:14)
6 half marathons (3 in 2007, 1 in 2008, 2 in 2009 // PR = 2:05:07)
1 7.5 miler (PR = 1:15:00)
2 10Ks (PR = 55:31)
2 5-milers (PR = 46:44)
6 5Ks (PR = 26:12)
1 Sprint Triathlon (PR = 1:30:24)

THAT'S EXACTLY 20 RACES!!! I can't believe the world's most unathletic and clumsy girl has accomplished so much. Two stress fractures over the years is a small price to pay and with the new custom orthotics I'll be fitted with next week, hopefully the next three years will be with even less injury!

So, I guess I'll get over sitting this one out. But don't think I'm not spying a whole list of triathlons and running races for the rest of 2010 as I recover and try to regain my fitness level back!

Out to run 3 measly little miles. Although with two months off, its actually pretty tough. No wonder so many runners still don't think they can run a full marathon (you can! you can!).

HAPPY RUNNING!!

Tuesday Duathlon

2010-04-21T08:23:00.002-04:00

Well... I'm back! Finally healed (at least I feel like it) from my SECOND tibial stress fracture in the last 3 years of my marathon career (the first happened after I finished my first and was two inches above my current one). Last night I did a 5K run with a decent 9:24 pace and then immediately after did a 20 mile nice bike ride on some serious hills through Waterville, Perrysburg, Maumee (Sidecut Park is SO pretty), up the crazy Fallen Timbers memorial hill and then back home.

As far as the running, I felt great. It was the perfect crisp weather and the sun was shining and glorious. My leg and ankles felt fine but I was huffing and puffing and sweating as if I'd never run a day in my life. I'm kinda flabbergasted at that. My last run before I ended my training for the Nashville Marathon (which is BTW this weekend -- so excited to cheer on my sister on her second full, boyfriend at his first (which he blames me for!) and dad on his first half marathon!) was on February 18. So basically its been two months since I've really run. But why do I feel so out of shape? I used to be able to pick up 5 or 6 miles easily after 3 or 4 months off! And this time, I've actually been swimming hardcore several miles a week anyhow! I'm pretty irritated and as my birthday looms on Saturday wonder: is this old age?!? Let's hope its a fluke and will subside soon because there are a lot of road races and triathlons I have my eye on this summer.

Anyhow, despite feeling so outta shape during my run portion of my workout, I'm still awfully proud of myself. I feel like I'm finally feeling like myself again!

Back on the Google Reader Bandwagon

2010-04-09T11:43:00.002-04:00

This post is dedicated to my little sister... who mentioned to me yesterday that she literally goes to my blog everyday to see if I post. I wonder how much time she has wasted in the last 10 months of my sporadic blog career? Anyhow, I'll try to do better.

It started this morning. Well before I usually even begin work around 9, I like to spend an hour watching the Today/GMA shows and eating my breakfast and getting the sleep out of my eyes. I force the beau to not leave the house unless my two feet have hit the carpet because it would be too easy to just lull around in bed for half the morning. Therefore, I'm up at 7:15am and I spend the time I would previously have used primping and commuting to work -- being a total couch potato. No mas, mi amigos.

Whether its household tasks or a short bike ride or just reading the blogs that have taken over my bookmarks or the endless tabs I always have in my browser (I have an average of 20-30 webpages open at any time with articles that I want to go back to and read). I will henceforth be more productive with my mornings... and hopefully, with my blog posting too! My vacation is over... I have a ton of new clients for my own business here and I'm officially detoxed from my Boston/NYC overload from the past few years. I even usually go to bed around 11. Do you even recognize me, people?

So if any of you actually remember a post from a while ago, I had picked up the lovely Google Reader tool. I think I stopped using it around the time I also killed my former laptop. This morning... I updated it with all the new blogs I check. And deleted all the old cruddy ones I never really liked (and the blogs that have gone defunct in the last two years). And I'm freshly updated with new posts whenever they come in... no more checking and re-checking blogs that haven't been updated in a while. And while I added to google reader, I deleted from my bookmark. I have enough crazy articles and favorite pages to keep up with that I don't need those bookmarked as well.

I highlllly recommend that you all get a google reader for your blogs. It basically lets you know how many posts you haven't reviewed from all your fave sites. I honestly don't know how I survived with out it for so long but I can tell you it wasn't very efficient!

ACCOMPLISHED: #65: Get CPR certified

2010-03-19T11:37:00.003-04:00

After learning all sorts of CPR and first aid for adults, children, and infants, I am officially certified (perfect scores on both tests, thank you very much). It was a full day of life-important lessons! And hopefully, it means that by being prepared, I'll never be tested (much better than the alternative of being in a scary situation and knowing I keep MEANING to take that course).

I highly recommend everyone to get a similar course like this so they know what to do! You don't need to be a medical professional to do what you can!

31 items on my list done. Only 80 more to go!!!

New Pet in 2010?

2010-03-18T07:51:00.003-04:00

Ok... so the BF/roommate isn't a cat person at all. And he is really opposed to even joking around with the idea of getting a dog (he likes them but 1. he thinks they're too much work (agreed) and 2. he seems to have a preference to little dogs: chihuahuas and yorkshire terriers... and I'm very much more into labradors or at the very least a good medium-sized pup).

So maybe... the the only type of pet I'm heading towards is a goldfish (hopefully this one won't commit fishy suicide like the last one I had as a child that leaped out of the bowl to his carpet death). I think with a tricked out house like this, that fish would never wanna jump...

Via notcot.org

Log-Rolling Champion!!!

2010-03-11T12:44:00.002-05:00

So a handful of years ago we took my girlfriend K out for a night on the town after a breakup with her boyfriend. We sat in the bar talking and drinking but thought the night would get more interesting if we brought some of the cute male clientele into our conversations. You know... a "more fish in the sea" reminder. So as L, K and I sat in that little bar in Boston with some random log-rolling competition being shown on the television, I started luring in the boys by polling them with a very important and tough question: "if the three of us competed against one another in a log-rolling competition, who do you think would win?" Somehow, they all kept picking L... which being that K & I grew up on farms seemed implausible (apparently my super high stilettos were causing the guys to question my ability to chose appropriate log-rolling footwear, one of them said).

Anyhow... the night was a hilarious memory that I forever think back fondly on but we never did have our log-rolling showdown. But I'll tell you one thing, I will NEVER go head-to-head with that crazy scary Kool-Aid man!!! He looks like he's been practicing!

Check out the commercial that totally reminded me of our fun night:

Best Cookbook of all Time

2010-03-11T12:27:00.002-05:00

As my leftovers from last nights dinner are warming in the oven now, I figured it was an appropriate time to share my fabulous little gem of a cookbook. I'm kind of a cookbook slut. I have huge stacks in my kitchen of them. Probably no less than 30. But a few years back, my mom asked for this book for Christmas and I gladly gave it to her. After a year of her cooking some truly amazing dishes out of it, I asked for it the following Christmas for myself. It is the "The All-New Complete Cooking Light Cookbook"... although its a few years old so "All-New" doesn't really apply anymore (dumb title choice!). Buy it here.

Its healthy but amazing... and I love when cookbooks tell you how long its going to take before you get in over your head. My mom also pointed out that on the Cooking Light website, you can even view reviews of the recipes from other guests. A tool I'll definitely be using although their indication of "All-time Favorite" recipes has been working pretty well for me.

Some of my favorite recipes from here:
Asparagus with Brown Butter
Gruyere, Arugula and Proscitto-Stuffed Chicken with Shallot Reduction Sauce
Four-Cheese Macaroni (seriously? this is healthy!!!)
Margarita Pizza

Oops... My oven just went off. Time for yummy stuffed chicken leftovers!

Oooo... Gummy Bears

2010-03-02T14:27:00.004-05:00

I have always adored gummy bears and despite my crappy soft teeth that are prone to cavities and more, I always will. Therefore, as gorgeous as this looks, it's a wise decision to never have a chandelier like this hanging in any house of mine!

(from hello bauldoff and found via swissmiss)

Coolest Wedding Details of 2009!!!

2010-03-01T15:02:00.005-05:00

OK - obviously after some amazing trips and wedding celebrations of 2009 in Kenya, Connecticut, Russia/Fort Loramie, Pittsburgh, and Toledo last year, how could I ever pick one as my favorite?

Well, I didn't but one photographer selected Miss Lynn's wedding as the best details. And wouldn't you know it... that was the one I helped out so much with designing pinwheel table cards, programs, favor cards, menu cards, vintage childhood photo lanterns, guest book, etc etc etc etc etc etc. It really was an amazing day and the photos from RAW photo design make it even more spectacular. Congrats to Lynn & Matt again!

Life List #112: Check!

2010-02-25T08:03:00.002-05:00

Ok... if you've been following me, you know I only have 111 life list items. And I'm not just making up items as I do them so there really isn't nor will ever be an item #112. But after the last few days attempts and fails, this morning's triumph seemed like it should be listworthy.

Yes... you will laugh when you realize that a 31-year-old who has always been known to her friends as a pretty darn good cook & baker with some pretty over-the-top dinner parties on her record, did not know how to make an sunny-side up egg until this morning. I can roll sushi, bake bread from scratch, cook mussels, and even fry my own handcut truffle french fries. But even after resorting to google for tips on the "dippy" eggs (as I used to call them as a little girl), I could not master it! This morning -- done! I feel like I've been so productive today and its only 8am and I am just turning on my computer! (It may have to do with the website I designed in the last few days and my great response from the client last night though too).

Wow. I hate to be all cocky but as a breakfast-making, marathon-running, bible-reading, butt-kicking business entrepreneur over here, I'm getting so good at my life list, I'm now accomplishing things not even on it! ha!

On a side note: my good friend Carrie sent me this Sandwich Sprinkle spice mixture a few years ago to make her famous stuffed jalapenos with. Its ridiculously good on eggs -- "dippy" or not.

Move over Sheryl Crow

2010-02-22T16:42:00.003-05:00

As I weigh my days wondering "To Run, or Not to Run" and start getting seriously bummed at the fact that my ankle/leg pain, while not getting worse, does not seem to be getting better... I'm looking for good distractions. Being in Ohio in an uber-small town with all of my friends a phone call or plane ride away, the idea of not being able to train for this marathon is a pretty big bummer. I'll find out more on Thursday when I go to the sports doctor -- stay tuned!

So I'm looking through my list... and checking it twice (Tee hee. Sorry.) for some ideas to pre-occupy myself.

I've already signed up for my CPR class, might as well do something that could (but hopefully won't) put it to the test... so I just signed up for a Masters Swim class at the nearby YMCA. A good workout since I'm sitting around and trying to stay off my leg. And although I've checked off "#6: Learn how to swim properly" and "#2: Complete a triathlon", I'd still like to keep moving forward on those items and improving both!

And because that class will be Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:45-10pm, I noticed there was Adult Beginner Guitar classes on Thursdays from 7-7:45pm at the same Y. So there you go: "82: learn at least three songs on my guitar."

We're making progress people...

Running Update

2010-02-19T12:26:00.003-05:00

After one run... I had wicked Plantar Fasciitis (par for the course with my wicked flat feet). After another run... crazy achilles pain. Next time... my calf was on fire and it felt similar to when I had that stress fracture in 2007. I decided that despite the pain (idiot that I am) I was going to go back to the gym and squeeze a slow 4-miler in just in case I couldn't do my 11-miler this weekend. My run hurt like hell and the only time the pain really went away was about an hour after my workout. Huh? Running on it fixed it? That's entirely counter-intuitive!

Today, my heel is slightly sensitive and I'm just a bit sore on the top of my foot/ankle. But compared to how I was feeling before my run, I'm SO much better. My calf hardly hurts at all! YAY! And I've come to realize that at least I'm lucky to be running one of the few marathons in April that has a half marathon option -- that wasn't a possibility in New York or the Marine Corps. So as bummed as I would be not to run the full (its my birthday wish, after all!), at least I can do something!!!

In other endorsements, after my treadmill run, I limped over to Dave's Running in Perrysburg to talk to them. How perfect that I came right before closing when there was 4 employees with no other customers. They all patiently listened to my long list ailments and the remedies I've tried and although the didn't sell full replacement legs/feet, they did actually point out that maybe the treadmill usage in the last two weeks is a huge contributor (more give and it inevitably changes your gait!). HMM! Interesante! They also highly recommended (short of visiting an actual podiatrist for custom orthodics) the PowerSteps Pinnacle inserts, which is the same brand I vaguely remember my orthopedic doctor recommmending in '07. So I put the money down ($40! Not cheap!) and will keep you posted!!! I also dug up the physicl therapy exercises from that same orthopedic doctor and will start doing those too in high hopes.

Soon All Will Be Safer in My Presence

2010-02-18T16:14:00.008-05:00

Life List #65. get CPR certified

This will be happening on Thursday, March 18. 9-6pm. That's one long day of resuscitating dolls of adults, children and infants!!!

This item was put on my list a long time ago not for the actual overarching idea of helping my fellow man (although that IS pretty clutch), but because four years ago, I actually almost choked to death on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It was the day before my 28th birthday and I was just hanging out in my apartment on a lazy Sunday morning after a night out. I made myself a basic PB&J (smooth PB -- I've now switched to crunchy). On literally the first bite, it got lodged deep in my throat. I didn't quite chew it enough (I SAID it was a lazy Sunday, didn't I?). I scurried around my apartment trying to find countertops to push myself into in an attempt to dislodge it -- I had seen my older sister do this once at my parents' house long ago. It wasn't working and although I had considered running into the hall to my neighbors apartment, I was just in a t-shirt and underwear so my weird twisted idiotic logic said "I can't go out in the hall while I'm choking with no pants on!!!" Funny now... pretty stupid then. Or not... I still don't know.

In any case, I went into the bathroom (this had to be over a minute or maybe even two) to try to push myself on that counter with its rounded corners and as it wasn't working, I looked up and saw a purple scary face peering back in the mirror. My panic took control and I literally bent over and puked my guts out. That reaction literally saved my life... my airway was free and I had avoided death by PB&J. However that next week I literally couldn't even take a sip of water without excrutiating pain. Turns out after a visit to the Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor, I had pretty severely "burnt" the inside of my throat from the friction of the lodged sandwich. In any case, I learned my lessons: 1. Its a pretty good idea to take a CPR class at least once so I have some sense of what to do in an emergency. 2. Take smaller bites and chew them obviously. And of course, 3. Put some pants on, for Pete's sake.

So I'm really looking forward to this class and just knowing that I have the power to do something in that sort of scary situation God forbit it ever happened again.

Also, on a side note: why is it that the Toledo-area seems to have so much more First Aid/CPR classes than all of Boston and NYC areas? Do they realize its a lot smaller population? I've been looking into taking this class for years and not only do I suddenly have tons of options, but its also ridiculously cheaper!

Be inspired yourself -- take a CPR/First Aid class if they are available near you (Red Cross, Salvation Army, YMCA, local hospitals). Sadly, you never know when you'll need it!!!

Lenten Sacrifices & Ashy Wednesdays

2010-02-18T13:10:00.004-05:00

Last night I actually went to Ash Wednesday service for the first time in about 3 or 4 years. It was nice and a de-stresser to sit there in church after dark. Of course, poor BF of mine had to work late bc his company's president was in town for a 5pm meeting so I blessed him by touching his forehead to mine when he got home and sharing some of my ashes! I know it doesn't technically count but I also know he would have gone if he could.

I admit... my faith has sort of took a backseat in the last 10 years off an on. I've been put through hell and back with awful jobs, loss of loved ones, erratic schedules, repeated heartbreak and just general cruddiness. But that's no excuse because I've also been blessed with amazing friends and family, inspiring trips, and amazing accomplishments to make it to where I am today. So looking back on my life list, there are two spiritual items that are an effort to pick up on that religion that has inspired and driven my parents, grandparents, and ancestors to make me who I am today. Obviously my spirituality and beliefs are very personal and its always hard to make sense of it all in this modern world but if I don't start making a bigger effort to learn about it, how will I ever truly and not hypocritically be able to teach these things to my children someday.

So without going on a tangent of what I believe and getting all preachy (especially since I respect and am equally inspired by different religious ideals as well), I'll simply report what my 40 days of sacrifices are:

1. No candy. This isn't a huge issue for me actually but I learned that the BF has this weakness occasionally. So I'll do the same in solidarity.

2. No cursing. Hello!!?!?! Life list #98! BF is as well doing this in solidarity for me. I don't think I'm necessarily the sailor that I was before when I had such a cruddy job and entire situation going for a year or two. But I do slip up occasionally (proven when a "beeper" slipped out of my mouth while I had two teeny guests under 3 over the other night -- I'm hoping the dinner I cooked them and children's books I read them made up for it!).

3. And my third, rather than give something up, I'll do something I don't usually do: I'm starting to read the Bible. I have a great study version with lots of Cliff's notes and maps and timelines (and additionally the world's SMALLEST type ever -- this may take a LOT of lent seasons to get through!). Yet again, BF is on board with this one and really excited about it... so maybe I have to give him a nice bible to help him out! So there it is: Life List #67 as well! Anybody have any tips for reading it? Do I really just start at the beginning or is there a better order (New Testament first, perhaps?).

Runner up sacrifice: I considered giving up beer and pizza but since those seem to be the official food & beverage food choices of the state of Ohio, I decided now's not the time. I will however, try to limit it as well as make better eating choices across the board! Maybe a whole-grain home-cooked pizza is in our near future...

So I'm pumped for Lent (that's not a phrase that people usually utter, is it?). And although the homily last night was about sacrificing without doing it just to brag about it and focusing on the idea that He will know even if your sacrifices are secret... I'm still broadcasting it on my blog. Partially because, is anyone reading this thing anyhow? And partially because I need some accountability to help me stick to it.

So, if you need the accountability to... tell me, what's your 40 day sacrifice(s)??

Birthday Wishes

2010-02-16T10:45:00.002-05:00

So this year, the marathon I chose to train for is on my birthday -- April 24. My parents, little sister, boyfriend and a handful of other favorite people of mine are all schlepping down to Nashville for the Country Music marathon so some of us can run 26.2 miles (and I will celebrate all of my 32 years).

However, I've had problem after problem this year. Bad shoulder. Wonky toes. Super sharp plantar fasciitis. And now I have yet another eerily familiar woe -- the dreaded posterior shin splints. My right leg's calf is soooo sore on one little spot specifically on the inside of that leg. Been there -- done that. In 2007 I had a sore posterior shin on that same right leg the month or two before the Marine Corps Marathon. I completed... in a lot of pain and with a handful of advils. And within three days afterwards, I couldn't put any weight on it at all and I learned I had a stress fracture in my tibia. Cut to 6-7 weeks of wearing an evil boot and having to go to the world's creepiest and flirtiest sports orthopedist. Bad news.

So I'm paranoid that this is what I may have again... I sit here with ice on my stupid calf and worry that I'll have to spend my birthday tortured as I watch all my loved ones run the race that I was supposed to be in. That could be a REALLY crappy birthday. I know I'm insane to want to run a full marathon on the one day of the year that is all about me... but the actual race day is the only reason I dare run in the first place. I hate running coincidentally... but the glory of the finish line always give me amnesia to the hard work and exhaustion of training. So I'm saying my prayers and hopefully this Cobra kicks in so I have health insurance (they say it will be retroactive but I don't trust it). I have 67 days to try to get back on this bandwagon that I can't seem to stay on for even a solid week. Here's hoping!

Life List Update 2010

2010-02-01T12:22:00.006-05:00

Last time I've done an updated list check in was September of 2008. Since then I've moved to NYC for a year and then back to my roots of Ohio. And had conquered 21 of the items. Now... I'm at 31 done!!! So let's recap!! Stuff in italics are DONE!!! Stuff in blue are hopefully within reach in 6 months!

WISH ME LUCK!!!

STRENGTHEN MY BODY
1. run a marathon :: completed first on October 28, 2007 (Marine Corps in DC - 4:42:44). Finished my second at the New York Marathon in 2008 at 4:28:14. And I'm currently (I cannot believe it either) training for my third on my birthday: April 24 in Nashville! Do I get extra life list bonus points for completing above my
2. complete a triathlon :: completed at Douglas, MA 5 Star Triathlon on September 13, 2008
3. buy a bike :: completed on April 24, 2007
4. ride a century (100mile) bike ride in honor of my Uncle Ray :: completed with my sister Tessa on August 31, 2007. Rainiest bike ride ever ended up in the longest bike ride ever. We projected 8 hours but with Tropical Storm Daniel, we finished in 11!
5. run 10 5ks :: 5 out of 10 so far (PR 26:12)
6. learn to swim properly :: finished course at Y on 4/29/08, fluent with freestyle and backstroke
7. surf in New England
8. surf in Hawaii
9. surf in Indonesia
10. go rockclimbing outdoors
11. run in Central Park :: completed on 8/5/07 during NYC Nike Half Marathon
12. run up the stairs of the Chicago Sears Tower (now called the Willis Tower)
13. run a half-marathon in less than 2 hours (PR is 2:08:59) :: next half marathon will be Churchill's in Maumee, Ohio on March 21, 2010
14. take boxing classes
15. do a yoga 30-day challenge
16. drink 8 glasses of water a day for one full month :: why is this one SO hard for me?!?
17. no soda for a full year :: finished on 10/1/08
18. compete at least three seasons of tennis league

FEEL THE ADRENALINE
19. go skydiving for my 30th birthday :: have to reschedule this... my initial attempt on 4/12/07 got canceled because of weather
20. ride an elephant
21. ride a camel :: completed in July 2009 at Diani Beach in Kenya
22. go skinny dipping :: completed in Fall 2008, not the sexy encounter I was envisioning in my head when I wrote this item but a hilarious memory of a camping trip gone silly
23. gamble in Vegas :: completed on 5/9/07 on a work trip
24. go white-water kayaking and/or sea kayaking
25. scale/belay down a building
26. climb a volcano
27. target practice at a shooting range
28. play paintball :: finished on 4/13/08 with sisters, Bill, cousin Todd, and Tim... want to do it again!
29. go snowboarding out West
30. go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef
31. swim with sharks
32. swim with dolphins
33. drive a sportscar around a track
34. go dog sledding
35. climb Mt. Kilmanjaro

SEE THE WORLD
36. climb Macchu Picchu
37. go on an African safari :: Jen & TC's wedding in July 2009. What an amazing adventure. I still cannot believe it.
38. visit the Pyramids
39. drive across America from coast-to-coast
40. visit Japan :: completed on 5/14/08
42. visit 200 places in the "1001 Places to See Before You Die" :: 51 out of 200 so far
43. visit Stockholm
44. visit Kenya :: trip of a lifetime!! completed July 2009
45. visit Montreal
46. visit Morocco
47. ride a mule in the Grand Canyon
48. go on a mission trip
49. spend a weekend in a log cabin in the wilderness :: October 2 in New Hampshire with Laura, Braden, and Emily. No running water... no electricity. And the most amazing food and more stars than you could ever ask for.
50. spend New Year's in an exotic location
51. ride in a hot air balloon :: completed on 7/12/08 in Stowe, Vermont (thanks, Steve!)
52. go on a yoga vacation/retreat
53. visit a rainforest :: completed in Belize on 12/24/07
54. fly first class
55. visit India
56. visit all seven continents :: 4 out of 7 so far
58. visit Graceland
59. attend Maine's Lobsterfest
60. attend the Head of the Charles Regatta :: completed on 10/21/07 - thanks Jeff & Sarah!
61. watch the sunset on the West Coast in a romantic setting
62. watch the sunrise on the East Coast in a romantic setting
63. spend an entire weekend on a sailboat
64. take a helicopter tour

FEED MY BRAIN
65. get CPR certified
66. learn to make paella :: completed on 5/26/07
67. read the Bible
68. grow and eat my own herbs + vegetables
69. learn to roll sushi :: classes on 9/19/08
70. learn to pray the rosary (in memory of my grandmother + with her rosary)
71. bake bread from scratch :: completed 9/29/07 (rosemary bread... mmm)
72. learn to chop food like a pro :: finished cooking chopping class on 6/8/08 given to me from Danielle, Kristen, + Liz! I can't wait!
73. learn another language fluently
74. read/reread all 100 of the "Radcliffe 100 Best Novels" :: only 9 out of 100
75. watch all 100 of the AFI's 100 years, 10th anniv edition :: 60 out of 100 so far
76. learn more about investing
77. learn woodworking + make a piece of furniture :: finished a lovely teak coffeetable on 1/24/08

ADVANCE MY FUTURE
78. develop a better/stricter budget and stick to for at least 3 months
79. pick back up my contributions to my 401K
80. write a will
81. start a new 111 to-do's once this one is halfway finished

PLAY UP MY CREATIVITY
82. learn at least three songs on my guitar
83. take up art more regularly (though drawing, painting, photography, or mixed media)
84. commit at least three balloon animals to memory :: almost!
85. knit an entire sweater
86. sell some type of art/product
87. teach a class
88. be in another play or musical
89. write/illustrate a children's book and submit it to a publisher

GIVE BACK
90. convince someone else to start a list of life to-do's :: completed on 7/29/07, Lori and Missy
91. adopt a family for thanksgiving or christmas
92. volunteer once a week for at least 6 months
93. organize a charity event
94. be someone's mentor
95. donate hair to Locks of Love charity

SACRIFICE UNNECESSARIES
96. give up coffee for at least 3 months :: finished 1/1/08
97. go to bed no later than 11pm every weekday for a month
98. one week without a single curse word
99. go one week without complaining a single time
100. no computer for one whole week :: completed week of 5/14/08 while in Japan, Vancouver, Seattle

OH YEA... SUPERFICIAL STUFF TOO
101. buy a car
102. buy a house/condo/2-square-foot-of-land!
103. own a pair of manolo blahniks or jimmy choos :: completed on 9/16/08 (thanks, you know who you are!)
104. wear a bikini and feel 100% gorgeous + confident with my body :: P90X and marathon training?1? come on... it HAS to happen.
105. eat at a Michelin-rated restaurant
106. be on a silly TV gameshow (reality TV shows DO NOT count)
107. do a keg stand with both my sisters :: completed on 4/12/08
108. kiss someone in the pouring rain (a la The Notebook... *sigh*) :: completed on July 31, 2009. First weekend reunited with Ryan... stuck in the Ryan trying to get to dinner with my sisters as our cabbie got pulled over by a cop for a wrong turn and we chanced trying for another cab. Umbrella broke. And we were soaking wet. It was frustrating as hell but every moment with him that weekend was still romantic and magical.
109. throw an old-school all-girls pajama party sleepover :: completed on 4/26/08
110. go to the movies once a month for a full year
111. go on a picnic complete with basket, blanket, wine, and a cute guy :: got the basket and the guy... now I just gotta make it happen once the weather warms up!

Where in the world is...

2010-01-28T12:05:00.003-05:00

I don't know where the hell Carmen Sandiego is, but I'm here in Ohio. And despite the slow-pace of Midwestern lifestyle (at least in comparison with the Big Apple), its been a busy week trying to find my groove, unpack, work and miscellaneous shenanigans.

More posts later, tater.

New York Public Library

2010-01-18T23:35:00.004-05:00

I'm ashamed to confess that after living in NYC for over a year, I have never been inside the New York Public Library. I went on Saturday looking for some peace and quiet to do some freelance work. However, I was a bit too distracted by the amazing decor that I had a hard time focusing (that and there was oddly no place to plug in my laptop in the computer study room I was in).

Anyhow... take a peek at some of my quick snapshots and visit promptly if you haven't. I look forward to coming back in the warmer weather when the scaffolding is off of the building for another gander.

Spookiest. Run. Ever.

2010-01-15T23:02:00.004-05:00

So what did Tessa and I do on our hot Friday night in NYC? Well... we went for our belated tempo run. We had to do 7 miles which was exactly the distance to and from Roosevelt Island including a loop of the island. It was perfect... I have exactly one week left in my sabbatical in Manhattan before I return to my boyfriend and all of my stuff in Ohio... and I have never been to that island before despite the lure of a nice running path and a super cool tram to Manhattan.

We ran past the super cool lighthouse on the northern tip. And then back down to the southern tip... where the path stops and doesn't go to the very edge because of a metal fence. That fence had a gated door that was open tonight. And the allure of a brightly-lit super spooky abandoned insane asylum on the other side. Now under renovation and always lit at night, it actually goes by the name of the Renwick Ruins or the Smallpox Hospital. Tessa said she had never gone to see it because its too scary. I was pretty freaked out too but thought we should at least walk up and get a closer peek. So we did... not too close but just close enough to be spooked about the asylum ghosts that may be haunting at dark on a Friday night. But we survived... and then we had to suffer the achy run back.

Here's some more about Roosevelt Island's Renwick Ruins from a favorite podcast of mine about NYC history, the Bowery Boys... so interesting:

The almost fairytale Gothic structure was designed by James Renwick -- most notable for St Patrick's Cathedral, Grace Church, and the Smithsonian Institute in D.C. -- as the location of a hospital for smallpox patients. It was built in 1856 using labor from the neighboring lunatic asylum.

Roosevelt's relative isolation made it an ideal spot for a smallpox hospital, and the rooms were soon filled with hundreds of patients, many of them poor immigrants too distrusting of our country's immunization practices, or Union soldiers shipped here to recover from the illness. Within twenty years, the New York Board of Health took over the building and made into a nurses residences and school maintained by City Hospital. That too was then abandoned when City Hospital was transferred off of Roosevelt to Queens.

Luckily the deteriorating structure was saved by the Landmarks Preservation Commission in the 60s and has only been preserved to the extent that its structure is maintained. It remains beautifully spooky to this day and a testament to the notion that not every inch of New York real estate need be functional.

I've Missed You Too...

2010-01-15T16:58:00.004-05:00

Hello, blog. Have you missed me? Special shout-out to Mademoiselle Danielle over in Paris who has been begging me to re-visit you. For all you blog-fans, you better thank her!

Well, its been an eventful 6 months. Crap, has it been that long? And the 6 months before that I was kind of a slacker blogger with little substance. But its a new year and lots of new changes are beginning so its a good time to reinvigorate my favorite family, friends & follower updater (sorry Facebook status updater. I do love you too.). So... I will re-hash a quick 6 month summary of my personal life so I can resume without guilt.

- THE MAN & THE MOVE: Okay, so this isn't in particular an item on my life list so I'll try not to gush or start rambling too much about my love-life. But in June of 2008, I got a lovely LinkedIn message from a past love from about 10 years ago. We had lost touch and hadn't emailed in about 6ish years. I had often thought of him over the years and vice versa. Oddly enough, I thought of him a lot when I was in the pain of mourning my cousin last March. I guess deep in my mind, he was more than just an old flame and my subconscious knew he could comfort my sadness. LinkedIn messages led to a few emails and photo exchanges which led to a week of daily 2 hour phone calls... and pretty much daily calls since and visits to Ohio/NYC/and in-between every other week over the past 6 months. We knew pretty quickly that this was a big re-connection. And although I've always been convinced I didn't need a man to be happy (and still do), I've never been happier in my life than in the last 6 months. Soon, I made the decision I swore I never would... I moved back to Ohio. And you know what? I could not be happier that I did.

Its funny... I spent the last ten years playing big city hotshot. Getting glammed up. Shopping at Saks for designer ensembles. Rocking stilettos so high that they should really have a health-advisory-warning on them. Climbing the ladder at work and in the design world. And just trying to be as glamorous and far away from the little farm girl I grew up as. Deep inside, I knew I shouldn't hide that friendly & sentimental Midwesterner who missed her family and the quiet of the country and small towns. But it took a man from the past to remind me that although its fun to play dress up, I'm just as special being the same person I was way-back when. He loves me no matter what I wear, where I live, or how successful I am. And finally... I do too. What an amazing man that can show me that.

- THE JOB(S): dbox has been great to me. Like every company recently, we've had a few bumps in the road but because of their quality, much less so it seems than pretty much any other agency out there. And, even better, unlike my previous gig that left my insecure and unconfident, they've made me feel capable and talented to rock any project. I don't want to sound conceited by any means but, damn it, I've been designing a long time and my eerie good memory along with my attention to details has made it inevitable that I would become one of the best at what I do. In most cases throughout my whole career, I end up the sole art director/designer on most projects because I earn the trust from both my boss and client to be able to do it all. So its time to retire the insecure and scared designer and embrace my new life and my new business finally. Its scary as hell but somehow without any effort or push or requests for referrals, I've got new business requests flying at me -- and amazing dream clients at that! I've worked hard to get here and I'm finally more than ready and entirely inspired.

- THE RIDE: I did it. #4 on the list. Ride a century bike ride (100miles) in honor of my Uncle Ray. My Uncle Ray passed away a few years ago from cancer but not without leading a life that inspired. He struggled with spina bifida his whole life and despite having been told as a child he would never walk... his determination and persistence made it inevitable that he eventually did. Beyond that, he additionally went on to ride TWO century bike rides. For a man that I walked with a severe limp his whole life, I sat at his funeral and listened to these stories and thought about how I should try a century ride too... I didn't even OWN a bike then either. And he could join me as my angel and ride in his third century ride. So on a very rainy day on August 31, 2009, my sister Tessa and I taped photos of my Uncle Ray onto our trusty bikes and took off to ride 100 miles out to Montauk from Babylon, Long Island. We were tested for sure... Tessa had three flat tires and though we started out tentative, by our third flat we were practically an Indy 500 pit crew. We had our tears, irritations with one another, sang songs along the way, and I think I prayed about 40 exhausted Hail Mary's during the last 10 miles uphill. I've never been so muddy, cold and wet. And our 8 hour prediction turned into an 11 hour reality with the weather and tire problems. Ironically, the rainy storm was remnants from Hurricane Daniel. So apparently the angel of our lost cousin Danny decided to also join us and play a trick on us that day... that's just like him too. But we enjoyed it nonetheless... and finished proudly and without injury.

What else...
I'm training for my THIRD full marathon. Who would have thought? Do I get extra credit for finishing #1 on my life list three times?!? When I wrote this list in April 2007 I hadn't even done my first half-marathon and I had only been running for about 4-5 months. Who would have thought the little unathletic, clumsy girl would become a runner?!? I'm still unsure of it... we'll see how many marathons it takes before I finally feel like a real "athlete" rather than some sneaky regular person posing as one. All I know is that this marathon will be on my 32nd birthday. What a great way to assert how young I actually I am!

Lastly, life is just good all around. Friends and family are healthy and happy. My life is on the cusp of finally finding a better balance and peace with the patience and help of some amazing people in my life. And if you would have told me one year ago, that my life would be what it is now and I'd be so happy... 1. I wouldn't believe it. 2. I would be pretty proud of myself.

Although I have to do better on my blog updates, I know. Life can't be perfect now, can it? I'm making a list now of other things to update you on from the past 6 months too -- weddings, design projects, vacations. So stay tuned. I swear I will write again before another six months go by!!!

Gone Fishin...

2009-08-11T09:11:00.000-04:00

I apologize. I'm sure I'm totally dead to the blog world at this point. But if you knew the insanely busy and consumed summer I'm having toiling away at friends' wedding stuff (both designing things and attending things), you might understand. And its only begun! Its going to be a rough few months but I hope to be back...

In the meantime, enjoy this wacky youtube video with a toddler "fishing".

dbox.com

2009-05-21T19:33:00.005-04:00

DBOX now has an AWESOME new website... I assisted a little where they needed but cannot claim the gorgeous design as mine. Nonetheless, I'm so proud of it. Our web team is simply amazing. Check it out!

Life List #12: Run the Stairs of the Chicago Sears Tower

2009-05-21T19:27:00.002-04:00

Update: Not possible. Boooo... I put this on my list after becoming interested after raising money for the Damon Runyan Cancer Research Foundation in 2004 by running up the 1062 steps (63 flights) of Boston's Hancock Tower. The Chicago Sears Tower beats that at 2109 steps (108 flights). However I just saw this from the DRCRF:

Go Vertical Chicago Announcement
After seven terrific years, we are greatly disappointed to announce that as a result of a decision made by Sears Tower building management, Go Vertical Chicago will not take place in 2009.
With many thanks,
The Go Vertical Chicago Team

So I'm making my FIRST swap to my life list, and change #12 to now by: Run the Stairs of the Empire State Building. Being a New Yorker now, there does happen to be a very cool race to the top of the Empire State Building. This race has 1,576 steps and 102 stories. Its a bit harder to get into since it is a shotgun start and has a smaller field of runners (rather than releasing runners every 10 seconds as the Hancock Tower did where the field is unlimited). Luckily, it HAS to be a little easier to gain entry to this race than the now defunct Boston Go Vertical (Hancock Tower) and Chicago Go Vertical (Sears Tower). See ya at the top... maybe in 2010???

OHHHH you....

2009-05-19T15:25:00.002-04:00

You bloggie... you. You have been on my to do list but I've been neglectful and I am ashamed of myself. I'm a busy lady. But I will update you, Mr. Blog. At the very latest this long weekend.

As my older sister used to write as a sign-off in her diary when she was ten:
"Thanks for listening."

Celebrity Sighting: Birthday Edition

2009-04-24T15:15:00.003-04:00

I walked past America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker on Bleeker Street at lunch today. He was tall and super super hot.

He did NOT come up to me and say, "Happy birthday, baby. I'm your present. This is going to be the best damn year of both of our lives."

He did however make a funny look at me... probably because I was using profane and unladylike language while I was on the phone with my sister.

I'm so damn classy, I just can't help it.

Rooting for Hall Even More

2009-04-20T10:55:00.002-04:00

From the Boston Athletic Association ticker:

10:40am At 8 miles, the split is 38:14 (4:54). As the group overtakes the legendary Hoyts, Rick and Dick, Hall offers them a word of encouragement.

I did the same when I passed them on my bike in the triathlon last Fall. Of course, I wasn't competing for a laurel wreath... what a class act that Ryan Hall is!

History in the Making

2009-04-20T10:41:00.002-04:00

I'll put money that an American makes history today... whether its Kara or Ryan, I'm not sure. But I'm watching every mile (albeit from NYC).

I'm giddy with excitement.

Oooo. This is an Excellent Halloween Idea!

2009-04-19T18:31:00.001-04:00

Watch the ending... it gets pretty good.

via Jimmy Fallon blog

Opportunity Knocks and BMW Kicks Ass

2009-04-16T16:17:00.004-04:00

Geez, Audi... way to set up the perfect situation for BMW to kick your advertising ass!

I love this:

BMW billboard from Juggernaut Advertising on Vimeo.

Via Notcot.org and BMWblog.com

Give us money!

2009-04-16T16:06:00.004-04:00

I know the economy is rough... but at least I haven't resorted to this yet!

Via ffffound.com

Smart Stuff from the University of Cincinnati

2009-04-08T10:04:00.003-04:00

Ah... love you DAAP. The confusing hallways. The smell of spraymount. My regular Sunday all-nighters (compliments of NoDoze). The design crits where the same 4 students voiced their opinions. It did me good...

now check out this brilliant idea from a fellow DAAPer to solve the crappy iPhone images.

High tech meets low tech with this simple corrugated cardboard stand, that makes capturing document images with your iPhone a snap. If you've ever attempted to scan a document by just holding up your phone, you'll know that a blurry image is often the result. This simple stand created by University of Cincinnati DAAP student Kyle A Koch, is an elegant and green solution that holds both the phone and document in the perfect position to get a sharp capture. The stand comes flat packed for just $16 through the Ponoko design store.

Via DVICE

Can you find the REAL Waldo?

2009-04-03T15:02:00.005-04:00

I love this story. I kinda love Waldo too. Not just because I have a thing for brunette tall skinny guys with glasses either.

A few years back for Halloween I was "Where's Wanda Gone Bad"... if you remember, Waldo had a doppleganger girlfriend named Wanda and I dressed as her gone goth with a pimp cane, dog collar necklace, safety-pinned ripped red-striped shirt, and a Waldo heart tattoo. It was particularly fun because as people at that party got drunker, they all kept coming up to me enthusiastically screaming "YAY! I FOUND YOU!"

Before that I randomly spotted a tall skinny guy who was wearing a red and white striped shirt and glasses one night at Boston Beerworks with my old roommate... we later found him drunk off his rocker and groping a young hottie blonde. We laughed the whole night at the thought of the horror of children across the world who were looking for him that night.

However, I would have been for the overwhelming thrill of my life had I been at Rutgers University the other day. 1,052 Waldos (and Wandas from what it looks like)... to break the Guinness World Record for The World’s Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Waldo (ha ha... I love that that's even a CATEGORY!). They also repaired some of the damage of drunky Waldo above by donating 3,000 books to the local New Brunswick School District.

Meanwhile... Waldo turns 21 this year. So look for him in more bars soon!

Via Gothamist

Confessions of a Picky Eater

2009-03-12T16:21:00.004-04:00

I'm not nearly as picky of an eater as I was when I was a child... back then, I didn't care for plain chocolate, hated hamburgers, gagged at the thought of a pickle, didn't like the "texture" of strawberries, and was not a fan of messy casseroles (I even went through a weird phase of not eating food if it touched... I was an odd kid).

Now, I'm not AS picky but I still have some dislikes. I realized a few months ago that I'm not much of a salad person. My main complaint is the lettuce really. A garden salad? BORING! Salad in fancy restaurants is a little different... I generally like those but I can never seem to replicate it at home. The only other times I can change my tune about salad is when it has, what I lovingly refer to it as, "candy" in it — fruit like pears and yummy cheeses or nuts. Something to mix it up... and distract me from all that boring lettuce.

What I am also not a huge fan of is sandwiches. One HUGE exception is the ridiculous Bresaola sandwich I have every Thursday with coworkers on our walk back from weekly meetings in Soho. And every Thursday, we stop at Grandaisy Bakery on Sullivan Street and walk back to work in bliss eating our yummy sandwiches and still gushing as if it were our first time trying them. Their lemon coconut tart is also pretty ridiculous. Mmmm.

The website Scanwiches posted on Swiss Miss pretty much gets my point about the grossness of sandwiches though. Its solely scans of sandwiches. And there is nothing remotely appealing about them to me. Blegh!

Avoid Central Park on June 20!

2009-03-10T15:01:00.002-04:00

Eek. I do NOT want to see this! Found in the New York Post:

NAKED BIKE BUFFS
By JEREMY OLSHAN

Posted: 2:14 am
March 10, 2009

As if spandex didn't already leave too little to the imagination, hordes of cyclists plan to ride through Central Park in the buff on June 20.

The event is part of the World Naked Bike Ride, which began this week in Australia.

Participants are encouraged to go "as bare as you dare" in protest of the world's dependence on oil and in celebration of the human form.

The ride, which started in 2004, has led to several arrests over the years, but in general, the lack of clothing was barely noticed by authorities.

Running in 2009

2009-03-07T14:21:00.003-05:00

So I went on my SECOND run of 2009. Hard to believe, huh? Only two runs this year? I'm not a fan of cold weather running and I haven't joined a gym in NYC yet, so I went on a 4-mile run two weeks ago with the Achilles Track Club and another today with my friend Lauren.

Its 60° and gorgeous so Lauren and I did almost a 10K in Central Park which was a blast... the miles went by fast because we just couldn't stop talking!

Then I decided (after a looooong wait for the bus on my way TO the Park) to just run home as long as possible before I got on the bus. Instead, I ran ALL the way home. For a grand total of, WHAT?!?!, 10 MILES! Insane. It was pretty slow especially since I had to keep stopping for 8 million red lights but still . . . a long distance to pull out of nowhere. I feel pretty good too! HOORAH!

Introducing www.dominicchavez.com

2009-03-07T13:47:00.006-05:00

Another photographer website up and complete for my very dear friend Dominic Chavez. I've known Dominic since I worked with his wife and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and was even there when they first met. I adore him and he was so patient with me as I worked on his site over the last 6 months while going through a major move to NYC. But its done and I couldn't be happier — its easy to design a site around gorgeous photographs like these! Check it out: www.dominicchavez.com.

And congratulations, Dominic, on all your well-earned success.

Marathon Inspiration

2009-03-06T16:04:00.004-05:00

From the April 2009 issue of Runners World:

JONATHAN BRUNOT, 19, of West Hempstead, New York, is autistic and speaks only 10 words. In November, he ran the New York City Marathon in 4:49 with Rolling Thunder, a special-needs running program. At the finish, he clapped and waved to his parents for the first time.

Says Brunot's trainer, Vincent Del-cid: "At the marathon, Jonathan was confused at first by the crowds as they cheered for him, but then he liked it and started to run faster. When he received his medal, he looked up at me and said, 'Malathon.'"

I couldn't possibly be more moved. Half-marathon training (and maybe another full in 2009) starts tomorrow.

Love MoMA Even More

2009-03-06T16:01:00.003-05:00

MoMA just launched their new website this morning. Its a HUGE improvement. Lovely, simple, easy to navigate.

Kudos.

Everything is amazing but no one is happy . . .

2009-03-02T19:31:00.002-05:00

My sister posted this on her Facebook page, and I quickly followed but I thought I would share again with my bloggers. I have to be honest I don't know who this guy is but he's so damn spot on (and hilarious) that I adore him anyhow.

Hudson River Landing Animation

2009-03-02T19:30:00.003-05:00

Fascinating!

Found on swiss-miss.com

Great Artwork

2009-03-02T15:51:00.002-05:00

Click image to enlarge so you can read it. I LOVE this.

Found via ffffound.com from Jordan Wolfson's art portfolio. . .

Invest in what truly matters . . .

2009-02-13T11:15:00.003-05:00

This is a new campaign for an extraordinary green building in downtown NYC that I wrote with my boss at dbox. . . the Visionaire.
Apparently the ad made people think too. And act. They got several phone calls and walk-ins from it immediately!

That residence has amazing features too. . . and I truly believe that every detail that makes it eco-friendly is a huge asset in this tough economy. Its a much smarter purchase to know that your new home will have all the latest in water filtration, solar panels, air filtering, and environmentally friendly materials that are obviously becoming more and more important every day. So, in the end, marketing this building was a pretty simple task since their priorities are definitely in the right place.

Now go recycle, folks!

And check out the site: www.thevisionaire.com

Damn you, Peggy

2009-02-13T10:56:00.000-05:00

Compliments of Lynn

Rendezvous with Mr. President

2009-02-12T23:02:00.004-05:00

So, the lovely reporter to the right of Mr. President in the ethereal soft focus, is my darling big sister Jessica. The only way this could be cooler is if she were giving him the bunny ears or making one of her signature awesome faces.

There is only one photo of her (in my eyes at least) that trumps this and that's the spontaneous moment of excitement that was captured on Mr. Clooney's face when she mentioned that she had a lovely single younger sister he should meet.

Photo by White House Photographer Pete Souza

One Extra Random Fact About Me . . .

2009-02-06T18:15:00.004-05:00

This other random fact about me was a suggestion from my older sister. It didn't make the original list but because of her pointing it out, I purposely did not have this happen even once in my entire list. Apparently, she says that I use the word "FABULOUS" constantly (and I confess that it is indeed true). Of course, she uses the word "CREEP" constantly so at least she gives me proof that it could be worse. Ha.

Thanks, creep!

25 Random Notes

2009-02-06T18:13:00.000-05:00

It's a big trend on Facebook now and I actually succumbed after being tagged and nagged than no less than 10 people within a few days. . . so now I share with you, 25 completely random things about me:

1. 24 is my lucky number so I'm only doing 24 "random things" instead of everyone else's 25 . . . I declared it as my lucky number confidently in Kindergarten when I realized all signs pointed to it: a. when we lined up in class alphabetically, I was always 24th, b. my birthday is April 24th, and c. I had 24 crayons in my crayola box.

2. When I was 4 I wanted to be a "ballerina, a kitty cat, a lollipop, or a Solid Gold dancer" . . . when I was about 10 I wanted to be an archaeologist. in high school I first wanted to go into musical theatre until I got my first gig as a graphic designer at the age of 15. I cannot believe I've been doing this now ever since . . . I still love it most days but know that my path could always change someday.

3. In men, I have the following physical attractions: 1. brown eyes, 2. brown hair, 3. glasses. I also get weak in the knees when a guy has a fresh haircut.

4. I love to cook but only with a recipe usually — I'm not good with impromptu cooking like most. I think its because I learned how to bake first. That and probably because I'm a perfectionist and I want to get the meal as perfect as possible.

5. My actual first 15-minutes of fame was not actually that stupid reality TV show a few years back . . . in the third grade, my classmate wrote that he was thankful for Children's Medical Center in Ohio on our hand-drawn turkeys at Thanksgiving. It was published in the Sidney Daily newspaper and when the hospital saw it, they decided to put our class in a TV commercial. I had a pretty decent profile close-up in it and have since then been famous throughout the world as a child star gone wrong.

6. I adore all the biggest, fastest, and scariest of roller coasters but nothing puts me into a frozen state of panic like that dumb Viking ship ride that swings back and forth. Pure terror.

7. When I first interned in Boston in 1999, I had a really bad car accident where I ran a red light and I barreled into a woman going about 40. My car was just shy of being totaled as was her car, she was fine and I was left with bruised ribs and a partially torn ACL . . . and a date with my ambulance driver who asked me out when I was strapped to the gurney on the way to the hospital.

8. I love revealing that my mom was a "professional" clown for a couple of years. She took classes for it (clown college) and did parties and parades. I think I became a pretty cool second-grader because of it at the time. To this day, she still makes the best balloon animals and I couldn't be prouder.

9. Oranges, pineapples, and grapefruits (and similar citrusy fruits) make me literally get sick.

10. Facebook messages helped me get through the horror of putting my cat to sleep last week. I was literally constantly checking Facebook when I wasn't on the phone crying to friends and family over the weekend. I'm not over it yet and doubt I will ever fully be but it felt good to know I have such great people in my life that care about me. So that really helped (thanks) as did being distracted for hours with that stupid Tetris marathon. Dang it.

11. I've pretty much taken up a new sport each year: 2008 - triathlons/swimming. 2007 - marathons/running. 2006 - bikram hot yoga. 2005 - snowboarding. 2004 - surfing. 2003 - golf. I kinda like this trend: 2009 - I'm going to do a long (hopefully a century) bike road race. 2010 - badminton? rhythmic gymnastics? synchronized swimming? I'm looking for suggestions.

12. I am the middle child of three girls. Most people hate being the middle child but I wouldn't want it any other way . . . its great to have someone to look up to and also someone to give advice to . . . although it seems like we all three do both for one another despite our birth order! I'm also lucky to have a large collection of girlfriends that are as close as sisters as well. What up, ladies?

13. I have a dream of making my own line of product . . . my main challenge is I have too many ideas and cannot decide which one I really want to pursue.

14. Although I'm a little bit ashamed to admit it, I was actually a cheerleader for a very brief stint in high school and also in a sorority girl through college. Although looking back on the people I met, I'm pretty grateful for both experiences. My sorority gave me a scholarship that paid for my last three years of college as well so it was definitely well worth it in many ways!

15. My nickname as a kid was Lissa. Which Tessa as a baby turned into Lila. Which somehow means my sisters both call me either Lila or Lily to this day. But my nephew randomly started calling me Amica over the summer even though no one could really figure out why and that seems to be sticking as well. I HATE when people call me Missy though because that term can be used as a generic "hey you missy" . . . and I am certainly anything but generic.

16. I love mashed potatoes. My life wouldn't be the same without them. They were there for me in the last year of painful braces. They are indeed the most comforting food to me. I love them so much that I rarely ever want gravy. There's even a rule in my family's house that has been in effect since I can remember that I don't get to serve myself potatoes until everyone has some on their plate.

17. I grew up on a corner plot of my grandparent's dairy farm. Getting dirty, feeding calves, playing in the cousin's clubhouse (an abandoned chicken coop), throwing the hay through the floors of the barn lofts to torment the cows below. The smell of cow shit still reminds me of childhood.

18. My middle name is Lynn . . . which is also the name of a super close friend. That is NOT however the only reason I like her.

19. I am so good at randomly finding obscene bargains that friends and family will literally say "I totally pulled a Melissa" . . . its just dumb luck too because I don't even shop that often or really enjoy shopping. But I feel so validated though when someone compliments a dress I'm wearing and I can say "Yea. Its Diane von Furstenberg . . . Regularly $300, I got it for $40!" or when I can give my friends a $400 Dwell Studio crib set for $75 at a sample sale.

20. I'm a pretty quick and determined learner: trapeze, knitting, sushi-making . . . most things i can accomplish to some degree pretty easily . . . except gardening. *sigh*

21. Let's reveal the real reason I wear high heels so dang often right here and now — I claim that its because they make my ginormous size 10 feet look smaller (which is sorta part of the reason), but really the added height just makes my proportions seem thinner and my butt look better!

22. With college internships across the country and a very restless situation in Boston, I have now lived in 21 different houses/apartments and moved a grand total of 25 times over the last 30 years!

23. When asking my older sister for some "random fact" suggestions, she offered that I remember EVERYTHING. it's true. I still remember the phone number of my elementary school best friends' house which I have not dialed since the third grade (kelly — 2095 right?). Its really not a good thing because it annoys the crap out of people and it makes me feel a lot of pressure sometimes since it can make it hard to relax!

24. I hate wearing shorts — even when I'm running in the hottest weather, I wear either running capris or pants. I think since my coolot days I've probably only owned about three shorts and those never got much use anyhow. (PS my sister also dared me to mention my childhood obsession with coolots somehow although I pointed out that most girls in our generation could probably claim that they wore them when they were young too so its NOT actually that random).

25. See number 1.

Sad days

2009-01-27T10:31:00.004-05:00

So, for those who don't know, I had to put my best friend and cat of 18 years to sleep on Saturday. It was heartwrenching for so many reasons even beyond the loss because of the guilt and remorse afterwards. I could go on forever about the experience but in light of my really sad demeanor right now, I'll just say that.

And not to expect any posts for a week or so because I definitely want to write more about her and share some sweet photos and memories but its just too painful right now still. I never knew it would hit me so hard . . .

Snuggle all your cats, dogs, ferrets, chimanzees, or goldfish for me in the meantime.

xo

I Burned 40,000 Calories in 2008 — How 'Bout You?

2009-01-23T15:38:00.003-05:00

My run down in 2008 running is attached. Curious what 2007 would have been since I ran three half marathons and a full and I actually did my training runs.

This year I will be faster, I can feel it . . . and keep saving gas and burning calories.

The Evolution of Obama (the Logo)

2009-01-23T13:36:00.004-05:00

Great post on New York magazine about the evolution of the Obama logo. Its pretty great.

Kudos to artists Sol Sender, Andy Keene, and Amanda Gentry.

In fact, I'm going to check out this exhibition at the Danziger Projects gallery this weekend on the Obama political graphics. It looks AMAZING.

Busy is My Middle Name . . .

2009-01-21T12:36:00.003-05:00

. . . but not in a "gettin bizy" kinda way, you pervs.

2009 is sure to be a VERY busy (and VERY great) year.

In the next month I have several weekend trips (one from a Boltbus frequent rider program free ride and one from USAirways frequent flyer miles — yay for free trips!).

I also have four HUGE weddings this year. All involving travel — one internationally to Africa. One I'm in the wedding (and doing major planning for which is fun albeit a lot to do!). Two I'm designing the invitations and collateral for. And one I'm singing in!

BUT! This busy schedule cannot stop me from running once it finally gets up to . . . I dunno +10 degrees? Its the best way to really see these places I will be traveling to in 2009 not to mention familiarize myself with my new city!

Here are the possible races I am planning for over the next 6 months. No full marathons although for some deranged reason I have the bug . . . even though my training was entirely inconsistent last year because of a lack of motivation. I think the later 6 months will consist of at least one more triathlon and possibly a century (100-mile) bike ride as well:

Sunday, February 15: Valentine's 5K, Brooklyn
Sunday, March 1: Coogan's Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks Run 5K, Manhattan
Sunday, April 26: More fitness Half-Marathon, Central Park, Manhattan
Sunday, May 3: Five Boro Bike Tour, 42 mile bike ride through the five boros of NYC
Sunday, May 17: NYPD 5K, Manhattan
Saturday, May 30: NYRR Half-Marathon Brooklyn
Sunday, June 28: Achilles Hope & Possibility 5M, Central Park, Manhattan

Anyone care to join me with any of these? I love having buddies to talk about war stories with over bagels and gatorade.

Summary of January 20, 2009

2009-01-21T10:26:00.002-05:00

Thanks for emailing this to me Blogorelli. Thanks for writing someecards. I couldn't have said it better myself.

2 out of 3 Wehrman girls mentioned in this news article

2009-01-15T23:34:00.003-05:00

Yea . . . I was working and didn't see squat. And I don't work for a newspaper. So there wasn't much to mention about me.

Published in the Dayton Daily News . . .

Urbana native witnessed plane crash
By Jennie Szink
Staff Writer
Thursday, January 15, 2009

Urbana native Tessa Wehrman was sitting next to a window on the 33rd floor of a building in New York City when she heard the worst words a New Yorker can hear.

"Someone goes, 'Oh my God is that a plane?'" Wehrman said.

Turning around to look outside, Wehrman watched as a US Airways jetliner crashed into the Hudson River about 3:30 p.m. Thursday. She and her coworkers at Nickelodeon saw the plane "smoothly" cut through the frigid water and waited to see if passengers would exit.

"We said 'It can't be a water plane,' and at that moment we saw the side doors open and (the passengers) were standing on the wings," Wehrman said. "We first thought, 'Where is a boat, where is a boat?' "

The river's current carried the plane about 10 blocks before ferry boats reached it, she said. The boats carried the plane's 155 passengers and crew to shore to meet the many ambulances that lined the banks.

"It's good to hear everyone's safe for the most part," said Wehrman, the sister of Dayton Daily News Washington correspondent Jessica Wehrman.

Wehrman said her office was "pretty crazed" and her coworkers were glued to the TV since seeing the falling plane out their windows. She has lived in the city for two-and-a-half years and sympathizes with the alarm the reported accident set off in the city.

On Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists crashed hijacked jetliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Center, causing them to collapse. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attack.

"It's not something you want to see in New York," Wehrman said. "It's still very sensitive for everyone, even if you haven't lived there."

Water Rescue in the Hudson River!!

2009-01-15T16:58:00.005-05:00

Breaking news from NYC . . . US Airways flight to Charlotte, NC made a water landing. Check it out here.

Also check out a friend of a friend's camera phone pic from the ferry. Thank God everyone's safe although I can't imagine they'll be too eager to get back on a plane soon.

Gap + Pantone!

2009-01-14T17:24:00.003-05:00

Designers rejoice! Pantone has been embraced by Gap! On Fifth Avenue there is a temporary store open with Gap T-shirts in a large selection of Pantone colors. Love it! I'm going to check it out this weekend!

Details about Gap & Pantone T-Shop:
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 9 through Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009
HOURS: Monday – Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Sunday: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: 680 Fifth Avenue (between 53rd and 54th Streets), New York

Disney Rejection Letter

2009-01-14T14:45:00.003-05:00

Look at the response some ladies in the 30s got when they applied for a position at Disney as an illustrator (click the image and it will appear full-size).

(via Buzzfeed)

Where the cat eating spaghetti did that come from?

2009-01-13T21:29:00.002-05:00

This kills me. . . so I first saw this clip on my cat sitter's blog. Yes, you read that right folks. I found my phenomenal cat sitter by her blog in a drastically desperate December the week before Christmas. Not only do I love her and her friend (and they love Midnight), I also love her cute blog.

This clip she posted had to be published here as well. It makes me laugh at the complete randomness of it. Even better is that FOX network purposely inserted this random photo as a "bleep photo" to cover up an inappropriate remark made by one of the guests.

Enjoy.

The Arrows Point to a Bummer

2009-01-13T17:26:00.002-05:00

Here's a pretty wild (although not tweaked to perfection) arrow illustration I did for a client a while back that we never used. Its kinda creates a very cool floral pattern almost.

Sad that they didn't go in this . . . DIRECTION.

Folks Just Love Those Burritos

2009-01-13T14:14:00.002-05:00

From consumerist.com:

Yesterday, a magical new application appeared in the iPhone App Store. What did it do? Well, it allowed you to order burritos from Chipotle (for pick-up). From your iPhone.

There's apparently such a huge demand for this service that it broke the application.

Wow. So it was SO successful that they pulled it (for two weeks or so until they can streamline things). Expect many many more iphone ordering services from other restaurants soon!

Official Member of NSS

2009-01-11T12:52:00.002-05:00

I wish I could figure out where I found this but I've had it for a while and just stumbled upon it again.

Hot Mess #2

2009-01-09T11:41:00.005-05:00

So yesterday — inside out day — in addition to my shirt being inside out all day long, I also had the arched piece of plastic that is sold with shoes to keep their form, inside my boot all day. Except for the annoying squeaking of that foot (which I blamed on the shoe itself), I didn't notice until I went to put the same boots on this morning.

Wow.

Inside-Out Day

2009-01-08T15:19:00.002-05:00

Its 3:20pm on an average Thursday . . . and I'm JUST NOW realizing that I have had my shirt on inside out all day long.

A New Brilliant Discovery

2009-01-04T21:58:00.003-05:00

This discovery brought to you by Lynn (and her peep). And it's genius, if I do say so myself.

12 Angry Men and a Lady

2009-01-02T22:24:00.004-05:00

Maybe being on a jury just seems so glamorous to me because my friend Sally was recently on one with Queer Eye for the Straight Guy's Thom Filicia.

But I just watched what could easily be one of my top five favorite movies from the AFI Top 100 List (Life List item #75). 12 Angry Men. 1957. Starrying Henry Fonda. Black-and-white (dang I love B&W movies). Absolutely riveting. I picked it tonight because I have a lot to do and thought the plot sounded interesting enough to keep my attention while I cleaned my apartment and finished up a few things. WRONG. I couldn't look away. In fact, I had my dinner finishing up as I started the movie and I ended up eating it cold!

Here's an attempt at my top five movies of the 40 I've seen on the list (in no order between them):
12 Angry Men
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
West Side Story
To Kill a Mockingbird
Vertigo
Honorable mention to the Godfathers though . . . I liked those way more than I expected to

And here are five I could have gone without seeing (oh boy, I know I'm opening myself up to some serious backlash):
Raging Bull
Dr. Strangelove
Midnight Cowboy
A Streetcar Named Desire (not so bad, and definitely at the very least worth it to see a hot young Marlon Brando)
Raiders of the Lost Ark

And here's the most up-to-date:
1. Citizen Kane (1941) WATCHED SENIOR YEAR IN COLLEGE
2. The Godfather (1972) WATCHED 09-30-07
3. Casablanca (1942) WATCHED 09-08-07
4. Raging Bull (1980) WATCHED 04-01-08
5. Singin' in the Rain (1952) WATCHED 12-31-08
6. Gone with the Wind (1939) READ BOOK FIRST!
7. Lawrence of Arabia (1962)
8. Schindler's List (1993) NEED TO REWATCH ITS BEEN AWHILE
9. Vertigo (1958) WATCHED 01-05-08
10. The Wizard of Oz (1939) WATCHED MANY MANY TIMES
11. City Lights (1931)
12. The Searchers (1956)
13. Star Wars (1977)
14. Psycho (1960) WATCHED 8-3-08
15. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
117. The Graduate (1967) WATCHED 1-08
18. The General (1927) WATCHED 05-12-08
19. On the Waterfront (1954)
20. It's a Wonderful Life (1946) NEED TO REWATCH SINCE ITS BEEN AWHILE
21. Chinatown (1974)
22. Some Like It Hot (1959) WATCHED 2-08
23. The Grapes of Wrath (1940) — READ BOOK FIRST!
24. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) WATCHED MANY MANY TIMES
25. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) WATCHED WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
26. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) WATCHED 9-10-07
27. High Noon (1952)
28. All About Eve (1950)
29. Double Indemnity (1944) WATCHED 12-5-07
30. Apocalypse Now (1979)
31. The Maltese Falcon (1941)
32. The Godfather Part II (1974) WATCHED 10-08-07
33. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) REREAD BOOK FIRST!
34. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) WATCHED MANY MANY TIMES
35. Annie Hall (1977) WATCHED 9-22-07
36. The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
37. The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
38. The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948)
39. Dr. Strangelove (1964) WATCHED 9-2307
40 The Sound of Music (1965) WATCHED MANY MANY TIMES
41. King Kong (1933)
42. Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
43. Midnight Cowboy (1969) WATCHED 12-14-08
44. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
45. Shane (1953)
46. It Happened One Night (1934) WATCHED 12-30-08
47. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) WATCHED 12-18-08
48. Rear Window (1954)
49. Intolerance (1916)
50. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) WATCHED IN THEATRES
51. West Side Story (1961) WATCHED MANY MANY TIMES
52. Taxi Driver (1976)
53. The Deer Hunter (1978)
54. MASH (1970) WATCHED ON 10-6-07
55. North by Northwest (1959)
56. Jaws (1975) WATCHED WHEN I WAS YOUNGER
57. Rocky (1976) WATCHED ON 10-1-07
58. The Gold Rush (1925)
59. Nashville (1975)
60. Duck Soup (1933)
61. Sullivan's Travels (1941)
62. American Graffiti (1973) WATCHED 2-08-08
63. Cabaret (1972)
64. Network (1976)
65. The African Queen (1951)
66. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) WATCHED 9-29-07
67. Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
68. Unforgiven (1992)
69. Tootsie (1982) WATCHED 9-23-07
70. A Clockwork Orange (1971) READ BOOK FIRST!
71. Saving Private Ryan (1998) WATCHED IN THEATRES
72. The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
73. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)
74. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) WATCHED MANY MANY TIMES
75. In the Heat of the Night (1967) WATCHED 9-14-08, MAY NEED TO REWATCH, DON'T REMEMBER MUCH (I WAS PROBABLY MULTI-TASKING)
76. Forrest Gump (1994) WATCHED MANY MANY TIMES
77. All the President's Men (1976)
78. Modern Times (1936)
79. The Wild Bunch (1969)
80. The Apartment (1960)
81. Spartacus (1960)
82. Sunrise (1927)
83. Titanic (1997) WATCHED IN THE THEATRES WHEN IT CAME OUT
84. Easy Rider (1969) WATCHED 10-31-07
85. A Night at the Opera (1935)
86. Platoon (1986)
87. 12 Angry Men (1957) WATCHED ON 1-2-09
88. Bringing Up Baby (1938)
89. The Sixth Sense (1999)
90. Swing Time (1936)
91. Sophie's Choice (1982) — REREAD BOOK FIRST!
92. Goodfellas (1990)
93. The French Connection (1971)
94. Pulp Fiction (1994) REWATCHED 9-27-07
95. The Last Picture Show (1971)
96. Do the Right Thing (1989) WATCHED 4-08
97. Blade Runner (1982)
98. Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
99. Toy Story (1995)
100. Ben-Hur (1959)

Happy Holidays!

2009-01-02T18:33:00.004-05:00

This weekend. . . two MAJOR holidays hit us.

Saturday, 1/3/09 is Festival of Sleep Day (I've been celebrating for the past two weeks really).

And Sunday, 1/4/09 is National Spaghetti Day.

Weird? Kinda.
Awesome? Absolutely.

Have a sleep and spaghetti-filled weekend!

Back in Black

2009-01-02T13:04:00.005-05:00

Due to a horrifying incident on my travels to Ohio over Christmas (helpful hint: just because you still have the factory-seal on that water bottle, does not mean that the whole top of it cannot bust off in your bag), I am now the owner of a new pretty MacBook.

Thank you MacMall for your awesome after-Christmas sale (no thank you for spelling my dang name wrong even though I spelled it out for you about 12 times). Thank you Santa for helping me out since times are rough at this moment (too many expenses in 2008!).

I love that my computer is now 13" and much more transportable. And I adore the matte black fabulousness (the glossy screen will take an adjustment). And I REALLY adore how zippy and fast it is. Now I just have to get up and running with all my programs.

However, if anyone comes within ten feet of it with a beverage, I swear I will judo-chop them. Don't test me, folks. I am, after all, wearing a black belt today.

Introducing www.essdrasmsuarez.com

2008-12-19T16:27:00.005-05:00

Finally finished a very huge website for Boston photographer Essdras M Suarez. Very clean and elegant. Highlighting the beautiful images.

Another website announcment soon to follow in the next few weeks for another Boston photographer!!! BUSY BUSY!!!

May be a bit buggy still. He mentioned there are a few links that are glitchy (no shock for a 170-page site with over 530 supporting images/files!).

I'm so glad I finished this one before the holidays!

What's Your Wireless Name?

2008-12-18T10:49:00.002-05:00

One of the great things about apartment living USED to be free wireless internet. Now, of course, everyone's is locked and password protected. However, I do still love perusing the names some people give their wireless account.
My sister can attest how much time I invested wondering what I should name mine (for the last few years it was the default apple9shgkanc... blah). I finally ended up on "Pee Wee's Big Adventure" . . . I like to think that gives my neighbors a chuckle. Because who doesn't secretly love that obnoxious movie?

I've seen some interesting ones over time, but this one made me laugh out loud this morning. Its definitely a bit snarky, eh?

(via matiasjajaja navega)

Revelation of the Day: December 17, 2008

2008-12-17T14:35:00.001-05:00

Holy Moly, I do really love those cookies with the Hershey kisses on top.

I just had one. Although I wish I had four.

Oh Yea . . . That Crazy List!

2008-12-16T15:35:00.000-05:00

Sweet Baby Jesus forbid that the world wide web should forget my mission with this blog, I did originally start this as a journal of my mission to accomplish as many items as possible on my Life List. As a reminder, I don't truly plan to accomplish everything on this list because lives change, people evolve, and, frankly, I really don't care anymore if I really do run up the stairs of the Chicago Sear Tower (#12). That's why I cleverly wrote item #81 so that I could make a new list and keep/delete whatever ones I haven't already done. I'm smart, eh?

Anyhow, life has distracted me with new jobs, more marathons (who would have thought I would accomplish list item #1 TWICE?!), and moving to fabulous new cities... but I've still checked off 16 items in 2008. However I haven't really been working towards any lately beyond my movie and book lists (#74 and 75) since I've moved over a month ago.

So since its so much of a motivation to declare my goals to the world . . . I will now share with you the items I'm thinking of tackling next:

15. do a yoga 30-day challenge :: since I haven't joined a New York gym yet and I'm not currently training for any other races, I may just make use of one of the yoga studios deals for these 30-day challenges in January or February. Plus those are both really good cold months to be in the mood for the hot yoga I love.

16. drink 8 glasses of water a day for one full month :: this may sound easy but I am a camel. Yesterday, I didn't pee once during the day (sorry to reference my pee schedule). And its because I hardly ever drink water. Which means that on my recent budget, I'm not drinking the juice and sparkling water I love so much either. Just lots of coffee at work. . . which as we know for every one coffee you need to drink TWO waters. So I've poured myself a glass now and I'm going to actually start counting. Now's as good a time as any. . . with the holidays, there will probably be a lot of hangovers that need hydrating!

78. develop a better/stricter budget and stick to it for at least 3 months :: really in this economy, who ISN'T on a budget? I definitely have been but not as formally as I'd like to. More lists here I come (sorry, I ain't sharing my expenses list with ya'll though).

85. knit an entire sweater :: totally. I need a good sweater and the super cute knitting store I discovered on my lunch break today is definitely urging me to start now.

98. one week without a single curse word :: I haven't really established that I have been trying to conquer this but I rarely cuss at all any more (I think its because I'm no longer at my last job. tee hee.) so let's start now! hopefully I can scratch another item off on December 23!

99. go one week without complaining :: gosh darn it (see life list item #98. . . I'm starting already), I am SO in a good mood with all this holiday cheer and they super fluffy snow today. Let's start this one now too and see where I am on December 23. call me out if you hear me complaining or cussing (or probably both since they do seem related).

And best of luck to all of you on your lists and/or New Year's resolutions!

I Will Always Love You, Boston

2008-12-16T00:17:00.005-05:00

Ha! Tomfoolery on you, bloggees. You think I'm talking about my last hometown (I will always love you too, fine city of Boston). However, I am speaking of another Boston in my life. I haven't yet met the dear little scoundrel but after seeing this photo, I can guess I'll get along with him JUST fine.

Meet Lynn & Matt's new baby (ahem . . . out of wedlock): Sir Boston Rodrigo Wilmer Fandango, III (or as they call him "Boston." They don't know I've tweaked it yet).

Nostalgia Train in NYC

2008-12-15T01:01:00.000-05:00

So last weekend I rode the "Nostalgia Train" . . . I was like an excited little girl. It was such a great experience.

The smell.
The vintage advertisements.
The dreaming of what I would have worn in 1930 if I was riding that train back in its hey-dey.
And especially . . . the charming collection of total train enthusiasts and groupies. Wish I had taken some photos of the nerds standing in groups exchanging factoids.

It was excellent. Here are some of my favorite ads (that last one makes me want to not leave the house . . . a little graphic!).

Supper for Brunch

2008-12-15T00:58:00.003-05:00

The other day I had brunch at the fabulous restaurant Supper. . .
man, any restaurant that can do this to a cappuccino is OK in my book.

Happy Belated Birth of Christ . . . i

2008-12-15T00:46:00.003-05:00

So. I sent Christi (aka Blogorelli) her Christmas present to Boston early because I have her birthday present in NYC with me still. So I'm not sure if its now her birthday present or an early Christmas present and I'm just even LATER with her birthday gift. Whatev. Details schmetails.

Anyhow, I thought I would share with the cyber-world. Its a gorgeous piece of design and fabrication fabulousness. And the goofy song with the video makes me giggle too.

I Know Times Are Tough But SERIOUSLY!?!?!?

2008-12-12T15:33:00.003-05:00

Found by a coworker on the New York Craigslist (this place happens to also be one block from mine):

I have a huge bathroom.

Date: 2008-11-06, 4:01AM EST

I am a female in my mid 60's and I am looking for a room mate. Times are tight and I need some extra money.
I am willing to rent out my bathroom in my 1 bedroom east village home.

My bathroom is large. You can easily put a twin air mattress in there. I only ask that when I need to use the bathroom, you or your air mattress are not in it.

I do ask that when you are in the apartment, you confine yourself to the bathroom. I do not feel comfortable with a stranger walking around my living room. This might change as I get to know you better.
You may have guest over as long as they are cnfined to the bathroom as well. This might seem a bit odd but please remember the rent is $400 and the bathroom is large.

1 at A google map yahoo map

* cats are OK - purrr
* it's NOT ok to contact this poster with services or other commercial interests

PostingID: 907788944

Holy crap (he he . . . pun intended). What happens if she needs to use the restroom in the middle of the night?! Too weird for words.

Ooooo . . . Break me off a piece of that!

2008-12-09T20:19:00.000-05:00

If you see me licking any park benches, ya know why.

(via ffffound from designyoutrust.com

Sweet! (and kinda gross at the same time)

2008-12-09T19:57:00.004-05:00

This just out from the Daily Mail Reporter and BuzzFeed:

Revealed: Women feel at their sexiest aged 34 but enjoy love-making more as they get older
By Daily Mail Reporter

According to a new study, women feel sexiest when they're 34 years old (which is, for instance, Elizabeth Banks' age). And although women in their 20s and 30s are having the most sex (10.4 times a month), women between 45 and 60 (who're doing it 4.5 times a month) say they're enjoying sex more than when they were younger. Somewhere, a Sex and the City fan is excitedly emailing her friend.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

First of all, "10.4 times a month." If there was a boyfriend in the picture well obviously (or more I'd hope) but, if not, holy slutness, batman. I will reveal that my new life in NYC is anything but "Sex in the City."

Secondly, "women between 45 and 60 say they're enjoying sex more than when they were younger". . . please Lord, no comment Mom.

Marathon Madness

2008-12-09T08:30:00.008-05:00

No . . . I'm not talking about the big sales going on (but seriously! They ARE so good!).

And so commences my novel of the 2008 New York City marathon.

So, yea. I ran a marathon. No biggie right? Its my second after all! However, with the ups and downs of getting laid off, being unemployed for two months, moving to NYC, and job hunting, and then starting my new job 5 days before the race — to say I was ignoring my training is a severe understatement. I was very nervous before the race because I had really only been running once a week for the past two months. It was hard to feel like going out for a run when I knew there was my website to design or my resumés to send out or things I need to pack (I packed and moved in TWO weeks people!!! And I have a lot of crap!). So when the marathon came, I knew I wouldn't do as well as the previous year (4:42 — 2007 Marine Corps marathon). And the funny thing is with so much on my mind, I wasn't really stressed about the race and, in fact, it went by in a blur because I spent those 4+ hours just assessing my new life!

So on November 2, 2008 the New York City marathon commenced after a really cool ferry ride out to Staten Island. Over the long bridge and into Brooklyn I ran — trying not to start out too fast (a fatal flaw in marathons which usually will result in what the call "the wall" in mile 18-ish). I knew the Brooklyn part would be long. Jesum, its almost half the race! So when I finally got through that particular Borough, I was thrilled and had a much-needed boost of energy. Both that and my sister Tessa was at the half-marathon point (on a side note, Tess ran with an epileptic woman as her guide for the last 13.1 miles. How inspiring she is cannot be described. She volunteers with the Achilles almost every Saturday and I hope to start joining them once my life becomes a little more balanced! Not to mention, she only found out she was running as a guide three or four weeks before and hadn't been training! What a badass!). When I saw Tessa, not only was I thrilled and excited to see her, but I couldn't believe that I was actually keeping pace with the 4:15 group! And slightly faster perhaps because I had caught up with them from the 4:30 group! Anyhow, I stopped to say hello but she wouldn't let me rest more than a minute before I was back on my way.

After the Queensboro Bridge, I entered Manhattan. I must confess, it wasn't the enormous crowds and craziness as much as I had read (although there were of course still lots of crowds and craziness) but knowing Jen, Lynn, and Lauren were at mile 18 was motivating! And my old high school buddy Wes was ahead as well (actually he's my high school buddy's little brother).

Anyhow, I made it to them (the girls, never found Wes) but yet again they wouldn't let me rest for even a minute. At this point, damn I was getting tired. I hadn't walked once which I usually do so every 5 miles or so for a minute or two on my traditional training runs. I told myself to run to the Bronx and then I would let myself walk a few minutes. I crossed the bridge and told myself 'at the end of this song, I'll walk'. By the end of the song I could see the bridge back into Manhattan and again I pushed myself to the next milestone. At this point, I was like 'only 5 more miles, maybe I could make it without walking a single time!'

2 miles to go as I entered the park, I checked my time. . . if I hauled ass I could break 4:30 — a feat I hadn't even expected to aim for! So haul ass I did. And that last .2 mile, I think I upped my 10:14 pace and was hitting around 8 or so. I almost puked a few seconds before it was so intense. I knew I exerted exactly my best effort, no more or less.

And finished I did — 4:28:14. I beat Oprah's time (which funny enough, I joked with my fellow racer Emily that there was no way I would be remotely close to that). And I bested last year's time by 14.5 minutes. That's almost unheard of in marathon running. So there's something to this undertraining thing. Last year, I was sore before the race and ended up with a stress fracture afterwards. This year, no problems at all (except of course descending my new 5-floor walkup for the next three days!).

I'm fighting the urge to run another next year. Maybe again in 2010. Or maybe I'll run half as a guide. Next year will be strictly half-marathon(s) and maybe another triathlon. I need a year off. . . I miss my autumn Friday nights and I was so unmotivated training solo this year that I need to really miss it before I put myself through that again.

But, man, it was a great race. I think I liked the Marine Corps a bit better though. Partially bc I got to run with Tessa. Partially bc my family was there. Partially bc the day was sunny and gorgeous (this year was gray and cold).

But there's something to be said about running 26.2 miles in a city you just moved to only 5 days previously! Even though it went through in a blur... it was a pretty great 4 1/2 tour of NYC and I'm glad and proud that I did it.

d to the box

2008-12-09T08:28:00.003-05:00

Started at dbox advertising and design (dbox.com) on October 30. I can't believe its been over a month already. The work is very cool — although of course for now I've adopted a lot of older projects but I'm interjecting some creativity where I find my windows so I'm definitely into it. Its kinda fun being more of a designer than an art director. Don't get me wrong — I'm definitely more of a manager if I can eventually find a spot for that where they didn't desperately need more designers (like the last job) — but its a fun little vacation for the time being. I'm also doing a lot more things that I haven't had the opportunity to before — web, interactive, advertising, books — its great to get more variety into my work. I hope dbox grows more (present recession period excluded of course) and I can along with them. The clients are amazing and its fun to be working w such amazing and inspiring architecture. I'm definitely learning a lot about the real estate sector.

Additionally, the people are just plain amazing. Very friendly. Very hip. Very international and diverse. And I really like that its not just graphic designers but animators & videography artists, photography managers, web designers/programmers, production artists, account directors, and of course a crew of AMAZING 3D renderers. Everyone's so supportive as well and its nice to be fitting into a place where I feel like I'm contributing both great ideas and good and unique design. I don't need to be babied of course — but who doesn't need to be told their work is good every now and then?

Oh, and the espresso machine and cute digs in an adorable neighborhood don't hurt either.

Here are some links to our work:
www.delliscay.com
www.thevisionaire.com
www.15cpw.com
www.talisker.com (currently under redesign though)
www.dillon53.com (teaser site only for now)
www.50unp.com (teaser site only for now)
www.535wea.com

Turkey Sandwiches

2008-11-26T18:27:00.002-05:00

As I'm about to head to the bus to DC for Thanksgiving, my sister Tessa who is my travel buddy decided to be adorable and offer to pick up dinner. I asked her what she was thinking about getting and her answer:

TESSA: Maybe a turkey sandwich and some chips.
ME: *long pause* um. . . really?
TESSA: Yea! There's a great deli across the street.
ME: Are you being serious?
TESSA: YEAA!! I LOOVE turkey sandwiches.
ME: On the day before Thanksgiving?
TESSA: *longer pause* oh . . . I didn't even think about that.

Then she proceeded to try to convince me to go turkey sandwich anyhow.
A for effort. C- for the actual concept.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!

Inspiring Automakers . . .

2008-11-26T14:11:00.004-05:00

OK — this article doesn't really discuss the whole economy crisis and pending bailout with the big 3 auto manufacturers. But it is quite an interesting read. Now, I'm obviously quite partial being that my father works for Honda and I won't lie to you there. I'm entirely proud of him and this article really embraces the things that make him so passionate for what he does.

But, additionally, I just adore their mission statement. What great words to live by in this rocky time: "We see the world not as it is, but as it could be."

G.M. should look at Honda, a model 21st Century Company
November 26, 2008

If General Motors (G.M.) wants to emulate another auto maker, it should look no further than Honda. Honda is what a 21st century “mobility” maker should look like. And it clearly the most innovative of all auto makers.

The company gets more U.S. patents than any other auto maker by a wide margin. With 677 in 2007, it was awarded nearly double the number of Toyota and GM which were second and third, respectively. And Honda’s new Greensburg, Indiana plant (its fifth in the U.S.) that just opened is a model of efficiency.

Honda is also the greenest car company. It largely ignored the gas-guzzling SUV and pickup craze. Sure, it has the Pilot and ungainly Ridgeline which at best (read: highway) deliver 20-23 MPG. But Honda’s seven other models get 25 MPG or better – much better in some cases.

What spurred me to write this post was nothing in about the auto business. Rather, it was what Honda is doing in the Combined Heat and Power area. American Honda just introduced a new home cogeneration unit for heat and electricity. It’s basically a very smart generator that runs on propane to produce heat and power. As part of the freewatt system that can deliver as much as three quarters of a home’s heating and electricity, the freewatt system it promises 30% reduction in greenhouse gases over conventional heating systems and annual electric bill savings for $500-$1,000.

It’s worth reading Honda’s entire mission statement. But I will excerpt the top three paragraphs which emphasize its value proposition in terms of mobility and benefits for society:

“We see the world not as it is, but as it could be.

We see the world through the eyes of dreamers. Because we are a company founded by a dreamer. And we are a company built on dreams.

We see the pursuit of impossible dreams as an empowering force, capable of producing revolutionary ideas. Dreams inspire us to create innovative products that enhance human mobility and benefit society. Honda encourages all of its associates to pursue their dreams. And it’s our mission to share these dreams with others and to make them a reality.”

I could not find a GM mission statement per se at gm.com, but did find one on Google. It’s as follows:

“G.M. is a multinational corporation engaged in socially responsible operations, worldwide. It is dedicated to provide products and services of such quality that our customers will receive superior value while our employees and business partners will share in our success and our stock-holders will receive a sustained superior return on their investment.”

Which one do you find more inspiring? More accurately, which of the two companies are designing and making the right products for the 21st century?

When Honda named its first American model the Civic, one senses they really meant it.

Posted by John Dodge on November 26, 2008

Kitty Mobile

2008-11-24T11:09:00.001-05:00

Man, I don't even have any carpets in my new place yet. But I'd consider getting a Roomba only because I'm sure my cat would love it (and frankly, she's been quite lazy lately).

Latest Obsession: Globetrotting

2008-11-18T17:25:00.004-05:00

So a few months ago on my way to Jeff + Sarah's wedding in Maine, Blogorelli and I stopped at a whole lotta vintage shops enroute (with her fabulously patient fiancé Mark in tow . . . or at least napping in the car). Anyhoo, in the basement of one of these spectacular shops, I discovered something that immediately brought me into a series of Fort Loramie elementary school flashbacks. It was this entirely awesome vintage globe. Bright colors popping off of the black of the water. Gorgeous. $50 seemed like a great deal for a wealth of reference and knowledge and future travel planning, not to mention the aforementioned nostalgia. It was in perfect condition and even in its original box with a informational leaflet. *sigh* But I didn't bite the bullet because I knew I was moving soon to NYC and didn't know how much space I would have for even the loveliest of globes and I was also fearful something would break in the move.

Since then, I have been continually thinking about it. When I assembled my new bookshelves the other night, I instantly thought that those three feet between the top and the ceiling would look SO much more stylish with that globe sitting there. And then yesterday, I stumbled upon an adorable West Village vintage shop with THE EXACT SAME GLOBE IN THE WINDOW! I almost squealed with glee but I think it was almost immediately choked with shock when I saw the pricetag: $350.

Boo. I remain obsessed with my escaped globe. I must have it. I am lost without it. ha.

Randoms & Ramblings: Week of November 17

2008-11-17T18:41:00.003-05:00

**This is a new series I'm developing for the ole blog. I find that most of my interesting tidbits are mere blurbs and not full posts. Look for one weekly (in addition to the 8 thousand posts I'm delinquent on about camping, sushi class, moving, my new job, the marathon. . . obv it goes without saying, I've been a bit too busy to post!)**

- So I was walking down a street in Soho this weekend (after going to the Moss sample sale and being thirty seconds too late to score a $50 Cycloc. CRAP!), and some dude with a clipboard approached me. I was skeptical and then almost laughed my butt off when he said they had filmed me walking down the street and wanted to get my release to use it on a TV show. What TV show, you ask? The Hills on MTV. I'll tell Lauren Conrad you said 'sup.'

- This was only my second time ever doing it, but there's nothing better and more New York-y than running over the Brooklyn Bridge (or walking for that matter). I heart it so much and it brings back memories of my high school NYC field trip (oh and when Miranda and Steve reunited in the Sex in the City movie too, OF COURSE!). There was a crazy high school marching band playing on this particular Sunday morning. But I find not too much strikes me as odd in NYC any longer.

- Speaking of something that isn't as odd as it sounds. . . so I was on the subway on Saturday afternoon when a group of 5 men boarded. The one comes straight to me and declares very loudly "Miss. My brotha fell in love with you the second he boarded this train. Can we dedicate this song to you?" I just laughed. He turned to his "brotha" and said "She said its OK, man. She said its OK." To which I declared "Uh. . . I don't think I actually said anything." He was a little thrown off his routine until I said "I'm just kidding. Its OK." And they continued on to sing a very lovely barbershop song and give me a nice fist-bump . . . they were pretty good too. They better have been though because I was obviously obliged to give them a dollar since it was dedicated to me. That was just sneaky trickery.

- And speaking of TRAINS (sheesh, I should be a broadcast journalist with my lead-ins, eh?), I was wondering this morning on the F train: those people you see that are asleep on the train (like 20% of commuters) — don't they have somewhere to be at a certain time?!? Aren't they totally freaked out that they'll miss their stop?!?

- And lastly. . . my week's revelation. I have a serious obsession with Asians (pears, that is). Damn, that must have been the fruit someone was eating when the term "nature's candy" was coined. Thank you DBOX for buying fresh fruit every week. And thank you Asians. You make a helluva pear.

Oh Espresso Machine . . . you are my new NYC best friend.

2008-11-14T10:18:00.003-05:00

OK — Every night I have big lofty goals to write the list of 10+ blogs that have been in my back pocket in the last month.

But right now (pardon me, while I become "excuses" girl), I am seriously juggling 2 full time jobs. One that follows me home every night . . . because I still have so many unfinished freelance projects from when I was in between jobs. No worries — I can handle freelance occasionally on a night or weekend. But I have so many and they're so huge that the combination is making me stay up til about 2am every night! I'm the queen of multi-tasking and super efficient at my craft, so what gives workload?

But LUCKILY! Its the weekend. I am not making any "just one drink" plans any longer until I get through the bulk of this. Very sad for a new New Yorker not to go out and get to know her new buddy but its better for me to focus and barrel through! But maybe I will at least find a cute coffee shop to do a few hours of work at so I can feel productive at the same moment!

And then I can ease up on the three espressos a day (thank GOD dbox has a kick ass Nespresso). I can enjoy being in the same city as some of my absolute favorite friends. I can finally get to my apartment and put stuff away and buy new things to . . . I don't know . . . sit on? ha. And I will finally come back to you, dear patient bloggers.

Interestingly enough, on swissmiss there was a stat the other day: According to the Technorati 2008 State of the Blogosphere, of the 133 million blogs the site tracks only 7.4 million have been updated in the last 120 days. (For those that don't feel like doing the math, that's 125.6 million abandoned or at least unloved blogs.) Not I! I could never abandoned the readers who are so interested in my roller coaster of a nutjob life. ;)