Friday, December 19, 2008

My chica mamas

What is it about craaaazy laughing and lots of love among friends that is soooooo awesome!??!?! I just have to share... I had an amazing time with my crew tonight and life doesn't get much better then this.

I'll set the stage... I've just been having one of those weeks. Serious stress, late nights at work, airplanes and cold weather. And then I meet up with my girls for our annual holiday exchange fiesta and some margaritas... serious laughs and good stories... and BOOM! I'm happy, happy happy and have no stress in the world. As my mom likes to say... friends can be good medicine! I really wouldn't know what to do without em. They are always there for me through it all... they know how to make me laugh hysterically and analyze me to death all in the same sentence. Its genius. We really do have an amazing thing goin....


Monday, December 15, 2008

Muddles... as in mud + puddles

WOW. I took off running this morning with my new running partner (yep, you heard it here!) in the POURING rain. Crazy!!! Nothin like startin early and in the craziest conditions. It wasn't so bad at first, kinda nice, kinda refreshing... until... the puddles started taking over. Our feet were SOAKED. 5 pounds extra per foot kinda soaked. And then the mud. OOOOh the mud. We were down on the beach and trying to get back up to Ocean and of all days, we took the stairs up to Montana. My feet sank straight into the gooey mud on each step - almost to the ankle. It was rediculous! We finally made it back to 7th street, soaked and dirty beyond words.

And needless to say....

I dont think I've ever had so much fun running!!!!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Need a hug?

We all need hugs... always. I'm a huge fan. And I love to cuddle, no doubt. Just a thought...how bout sneaking a hug each night from this:



















Imagine yourself all snuggly and cute like this.....

















Or maybe this is more your style. I think this is my favorite one - definitely.
















And if anyone is curious... go here to buy your new boyfriend. OMG, imagine being that model! LOL!

Saturday, December 6, 2008

Slow n Steady

I went out for a grrrrrreat 5 mile run last night - as in Tony the Tiger Grrreat - and killed it. I took it slow but skipped the walk breaks completely. It was easy peasy! YAY! My sis motivated me to start running continuously so now I'm all about it. Once I actually pick up a normal pace, this might be an entirely different story, but for now... slow n steady rocks.

OOOOH! I MOVED! I completely forgot to share the exciting news. I love-love-love-love living on my own. I'm in such peace these days... I actually get a good night sleep with a clean shower and its sooo fantastic. I get to pick out my clothes out of a CLOSET and paint my face in a mirror I can actually see out of. Yes, the days on the road and living out of a suitcase/Marriott are over... for now.

BTW, my new word that I'm bustin out all over the place is 'fantasitcal'. What?? Where does that come from!?! Ok, I know, random.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

So I was thinking...

I went bowling the other night and it was just plain old good fun. It was innocent and hilarious (since I'm a rock star bowler!!) and we all need to have a little more of that in our life, right??? We even went on to play air hockey (again, another impressive game of mine) and this weekend - I'm SOOO excited - my crew and I are dressing up in ugly sweaters for ice skating and a turkucken feast. I know there will be some cranium and some random apple game (thanks Gab!) busted out... bring it!

Oh, and just a little update... my week in Tahoe was awesome! I think I pulled out a PR on the 10k turkey trot... IN ELEVATION! And then my sis and I ran a 6 miler one morning in 30 degrees. That is ball bustin, snot freezing type of weather. But even so, it was refreshing and my body actually appreciated a dirt path over the LA cement. So maybe I'm trail convert after all...??

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Warm and Cozys

What is it about the cold air and tall trees that make me want to curl up, drink hot cocoa and read a juicy book?! Not sure but I'm all about it... I just flew up to Tahoe this morning to hang with the fam and eat a big phatty meal on Thursday and I can't get enough of the crisp air and bright stars. LA is awesome and I dig it... but its pretty refreshing to step away from the noise and busy days for some real RnR.

And not to mention my nephew might just be the cutest kid on earth. And I'm not being biased, I swear. We played flag football together after school today and played battleship before dinner. MMM, I could squeeze him all day....
AND... I get to run trails here all week plus a 10K turkey trot. Good times... maybe I'll turn into a trail snob?????

An old school picture of my sister and the fam....

Sunday, November 23, 2008

Music and questions

Does anyone feel this way? I HATE the question... "so what kind of music do you listen to?" I get that question waaaaaay too often. It just annoys me. Its a stumper. And I think its because, yes folks... I list to trashy pop music. There it is. Just like I love LC from The Hills on MTV and almost any trashy reality show... I dig pop music. And thanks to my country pennsylvania friends, I've known to rock out out to country every now and then. But I like good stuff too... its just SO embarrassing to admit that I really listen to pop.... or maybe more embarrassing that I LOVE ryan seacrest's morning show. He's makes me laugh like no other and his voice (plus Ellen K) just makes me happy!! I know, so bad... but just don't ever tell me he plays on the other team because denial is a genius coping mechanism!

Anyway... to my peops reading this, please don't ever ask that question. You know things are doomed if thats thrown out there.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Its a done deal!

I signed my lease!!!! OMG, I'm sooo excited to move and decorate and live 7 BLOCKS FROM THE BEACH! I know, rough rough life. :)

I've been officially apartmentless for 4 months now... yikes! It was definitely worth it though... I paid off all my debt and saved a nice little pile of dough (all to be spent on furniture!). But its MY furniture and MY food in the fridge and MY trash to take out. Theres nothing worse then coming home Thursday nights to a place thats been shat on by the roomies.

So one more week of the homeless days and then I'll be paying the most absurd amount of money on rent. My co workers have mortgages with lower rent then what I'll be paying. BUT... they don't get to wake up, walk down the street and see the bright blue ocean. YAHOOOOOOOO!

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

...And we're back!

I made it to run club tonight and had a kick ass run! No falling or knee twisting and got a good sweat on. We all wore these flashy little red lights so no one got lost in the dark. We actually looked pretty smashing if you ask me!

I even ran-whored myself out. HA! I talked to 5 different guys tonight - I figured if I'm back in LA, its time to get out there and meet some people. No one captured my little heart, but it was just nice to be social again. Good times!

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

We did it!

Hi All! I'm soo excited about the election results. So so so excited. Despite the polls, I really thought Obama had a slim chance on winning... you just never know how people are going to vote once they go private with their ballot. THANK GOD, we are moving forward and a little less racist than our history makes us out to be. Its a huge victory and a new time for our country.


For the first time in years, I'm proud to be American. I'm also so thankful that if I ever make my way back to Canada or Europe, I wont cringe from embarrassment when I tell folks I'm from the states!!


GO OBAMA!!!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

A new day

Today is THE day. GO VOTE PEOPLE!!! And to my California peops, vote no prop 8 while you're at it!

I got a surge of butterflies this morning thinking about the election. How awesome would it be to be a fly on the wall with Obama's campaign?

As I anxiously await the results tonight, I'll embark on my first training run... I'm starting to train for a half in February... Huntington Beach. Anyone in?

Thursday, October 30, 2008

Not so fast

I found out last week that my project in LA is postponed a week. BUMMER! It was pretty funny timing actually - I just got home (ah hem, my hotel) from my going away dinner with the work crew and I checked my crackerberrry... a nice sweet little message saying to hold out and stay put. So all this means is that I'm back in Atlanta for another week... sigh. one big fat sigh. I guess the good news is more hotel and Delta points. I guess.

But I do have some FANTASTIC news!! :) I did a walk through on Saturday in my new pad... YAAAY! I love it and can't wait to spice it up and make it home. I got butterflies in my stomach yesterday just imaging my clothes out of a suitcase. Its all about the simple pleasures in life.

I never got my vote-by-mail form so I'm one of the losers thats not voting tomorrow. Ever wonder who wouldn't vote after almost 2 years of campaigning. ME! So pick up my slack and get yourselves to the polls. And no on 8. A big fat NO on Prop 8. Happy Voting!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Beautiful

I saw an incredible!!! documentary last night... America the Beautiful by Daryl Roberts. The film makes the connection between media/fashion/movies/celebrities and women's self image (or lack thereof). It had both laugh-out-loud and tearful moments. I'm not sure I know a single woman out there who hasn't struggled with some sort of body image issue and the film illustrates how we are trained to think that if we aren't a tall stick-think blond chic, we aren't beautiful. But in fact - each and every woman is beautiful... whether its her smile, her eyes, her soul, personality or long legs... there is something that makes us unique and beautiful.

I hope everyone - women AND men see it (there are some veeery funny dude moments too!!) and of course, we need to teach our men to stop thinking that a chic must be a model to be beautiful. Fact is, the average woman in this country is 5'4 and 140 pounds.... a far stretch from the average model of 5'11 and 115 smackers...

So to help you right along.... the movie is playing at:

Los Angeles, CA -
Mann Beverly Center 138522 Beverly Boulevard, Suite 835Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 652-7760

Otherwise... for the rest of you out there not smack in the center of the universe (HA!) check out the movie - it should be opening soon!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Undecided

An excerpt from my favorite comedian, Aaron Karo. Some good laughs...

Ruminations
by Aaron Karo

Issue #141 - "Ruminations on Electoral College Life" - October 20th, 2008

-We are in the midst of one of the most divisive elections in history. Democrats hate Republicans. Conservatives hate liberals. Everyone hates the debate moderators. But there is really one group that we can blame for all the negativity and vitriol that has enveloped this campaign: “undecided” voters. Obama and McCain don’t care about those of us who have already made up our minds, and with good reason. All their speeches and ads are now targeted to those people who claim, that after a year-and-a-half-long media blitz, they still don’t have enough information to make a decision. I don’t call these people “undecided” – I call them fucking idiots. Forget about hockey moms and Reagan democrats; what the candidates are really courting… is the moron vote.

-First of all, I don’t quite understand Sarah Palin’s strategy of constantly referring to herself as a “hockey mom.” Isn’t she alienating all the parents whose kids are awkward, ungainly, and don’t play sports? There’s got to be fewer hockey moms than there are Dungeons & Dragons moms.

-Many voters compare the candidates’ lives with their own to see if they can relate. This isn’t the best yardstick of who will make a great president, but I’ll admit, I’ve done it. For instance, it’s odd to consider that Obama and I are alike in that we’ve both written two books, but different in that he’s tried cocaine and I haven’t.

-John McCain and I both delivered speeches at my graduation from Penn in 2001. I spoke at the business school ceremony in the morning, and he spoke at commencement for the entire university. An excerpt from my speech: “After all the 9am classes that we had to sit through, did graduation really have to be this early? All kidding aside though, I am confident that each and every one of you sitting before me today will become a great success by meeting any challenge that comes your way.” An excerpt from McCain’s speech: “Will you specifically, with all the confidence and vitality that you claim today, assume the obligations of community, national, or world leaders? I'll be damned if I know. I'm not clairvoyant, and I don't know you personally.” Way to inspire, Senator.

-During the vice-presidential debate, Joe Biden said he spends “a lot of time” at Home Depot. Is that really something he should be touting? Generally the guys loitering in Home Depot either hate their wives or are clinically insane and just like talking to people.

-Think about how old your dad is. Now think about how many years you’d have to add for him to be 72. Now think of your dad at 72. Now think about your dad at 72 running for president. Even if you love your dad as much as I do mine, your conclusion will invariably be the same: no fucking way.

-One last message to all the moronic, er, sorry, “undecided” voters out there: did you notice that the jokes I just made really have nothing substantial to do with who is better able to lead our country? That’s because all of the important facts are already out there. Us decided voters are bored. This is what we’ve been reduced to while you’ve got the candidates pandering around in circles. So put us all out of our misery and make up your minds already. But come November 4th, if you’re still wavering, don’t stop the car at your local polling station. Just keep on driving. I hear Canada is lovely this time of year.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I'M MOVING!!!

OMG OMG OMG! I just got word today that I'm off my Atlanta gig and heading back to LA. WOO HOO! I've done 10 months of weekly travel from LA to Atlanta and its been quite a ride. I've met ALL sorts of people.... on the plane (cheaters much?), at the gym, in the hotel, at the hospital and even at Piedmont Park. I'm gonna miss my tasty spinach salads from Fresh 2 Order (you know you've been somewhere too long when the gay dudes at the sandwich shop remember you and your order. HA!)

So... back to having a life and an apartment. I can't wait. I'm ready for the traffic and long hours!! LA here I come!

Friday, October 17, 2008

Welcome Home!

I just wanna send my love out to my best friend today.... she just got home after a month stint in Argentina shooting a reality show. While she was gone, she kindly let me crash at her apartment. It was SOOOOO nice to have a place to sleep - not to mention I could throw a rock and hit the ocean - shes that close to the beach. I'm so happy she's back and if I ever leave Atlanta, I'll get to see her cute lil face! :)

On a side note - I went out for my first 3 mile run this morning after my 26.2. My knee held up - sans knee brace - and I'm feeling great. I'm a wee bit tired this morning as I stuffed my face with incredible food yesterday.... my project team has been eating some killer meals lately and I have a sweet tooth like no ones bizzzness. YUM! If you're ever in the Atlanta area, the original Rathburns is to die for. Their side dishes are a meal on their own and their desserts are fan-effing-tastic. My fav is the banana cream pie on a peanut butter something or other. YUM YUM YUM!

Monday, October 13, 2008

Fast Friends

I've got some CRAZY fast friends.... everyone killed in this weekend. Loosh and Kim qualified for Boston and Greg broke 2 hours on his half marathon debut. AMAZING! SO SO impressive. Kim actually came in first for her age group - what kind of juice are these guys on?

On a side note, I'm back in Atlanta for a few weeks. I'm kinda sad actually. I LOVE what I do - and especially this project - but I miss home. I miss Santa Monica, I miss my friends, I miss having a life. My last 2 weeks were perfect - I slept a ton, watched the debates, read a couple great books, ran a marathon and even went out a few nights with my crew. Its the little things in life that make up "home" and I guess I'm just missing all that.........

Friday, October 10, 2008

Kick some booty!

A huge shout out to Lucia, Kim, Laurie and Greg this weekend... running Hartford, Biz Johnson, Chicago and Long Beach. YAAAAY! Run Forest Run!!!!

Extra special running love to Lucia 'n Kim - both trying to qualify for Boston. An insane accomplishment all on its own. And, if they qualify, we all know this means I have to run with them as a charity runner. GOOD LUCK!!!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Race pics!

Mile 2... feeling good, gettin in my grove.

I FINISHED!!!


Celebration time!

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Who Knew?!

I'm borrowing this article from my favorite blogger... how funny, ironic, sad...? And be sure to note the date.


September 30, 1999

Fannie Mae Eases Credit to Aid Mortgage Lending
By Steven A. Holmes, New York Times

In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders.

The action, which will begin as a pilot program involving 24 banks in 15 markets -- including the New York metropolitan region -- will encourage those banks to extend home mortgages to individuals whose credit is generally not good enough to qualify for conventional loans. Fannie Mae officials say they hope to make it a nationwide program by next spring.

Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people and felt pressure from stock holders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits.

In addition, banks, thrift institutions and mortgage companies have been pressing Fannie Mae to help them make more loans to so-called subprime borrowers. These borrowers whose incomes, credit ratings and savings are not good enough to qualify for conventional loans, can only get loans from finance companies that charge much higher interest rates -- anywhere from three to four percentage points higher than conventional loans....

In moving, even tentatively, into this new area of lending, Fannie Mae is taking on significantly more risk, which may not pose any difficulties during flush economic times. But the government-subsidized corporation may run into trouble in an economic downturn, prompting a government rescue similar to that of the savings and loan industry in the 1980's.

''From the perspective of many people, including me, this is another thrift industry growing up around us,'' said Peter Wallison a resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. ''If they fail, the government will have to step up and bail them out the way it stepped up and bailed out the thrift industry...."

I'm excited... kinda sorta.

Tonight's debate is gonna rock. Maybe. I hope. I'm way more into this election then I ever have been before and I'm usually pretty into these things.

I have to be honest and I don't think I'm alone here, but I can't say I'm a guru on many of the issues. I know there was a bailout passed and this credit crisis has wreaked havoc on the stock market, but I have a lot to learn when it comes to the economy, foreign policy, etc etc. BUT, I do know a thing or two about health care and I want to SCREAM at McCain when he talks about his "plan". AKA, more of the same. What we have now has FAILED and more and more people are getting sicker, older, and broke because of health care in the US. Its just gonna get worse if no one does something radical. I know that word "radical" is scary, but radical is the only way to make a true difference. Band-aid approaches are crap.

From what I've heard over the debates, McCain wants to give a $5K credit to any family who gets health care. Great. BUT - getting individual insurance is the issue that no one is talking about. Even if you're a normal person, you can't get individual insurance - its impossible! You have to be perfectly healthy 100% of the time for your entire life. (And FYI, thats what makes employer based health care so awesome - that rule is not there.) OK, but lets just say I'm a total pessimist and the 46 million uninsured have a perfect bill of health... the 5K isn't going to do squat! My health premiums are way over that each year. And, I've had some crazy medical bills this year (car accidents rock) so I've paid a ton into coinsurance, co payments and deductibles. Yep, I've had all three. Awesome. So - now we'll be turning the issue from uninsured to underinsured. This means people still won't go see the doctor when something comes up. And the whole cycle will begin again...

The difference with Obama... he's basically trying to expand what Congress gives itself to those that don't have employer based health coverage. He's also requiring coverage of kids through either expanding Medicaid or CHIP (low income state run program). The nice benefit of requiring people to have insurance - once everyone is insured, the overall risk is lower and premiums go down. Until then, individuals are assumed more risky because they basically know that they are sick and the insurers have no idea.

Anyway...Obama's plan could be better, but at least its a step in the right direction. I know I'm biased (thanks to my public healthification), but I could go on and on about why a national health system is way better. I know the free market is the foundation of our economy, but we have nationalized programs all over the place... Social Security, Medicare, education, police, fire... why did we stop at health care? What makes health so special?

And at the very least, I don't cringe when I hear Obama speak - but I want to puke all over McCain. And um, not to mention... McCain is old. Too old.

Check out the details from CNN - its a pretty easy read.

Monday, October 6, 2008

I DID IT!

I FINISHED! It was one crazy race, but my knee held up and I busted out a 4:59 marathon. YAY!

It was raining from mile 7-21, but it was all good. I met a couple crazys who had run a gazillion marathons. One dude was on his 57th and planned to run til he was 75 to make 75 marathons in his running tenure. Then there was the guy who was running his #76 and was retiring. One chic was a full time grad student with 4 kids at home. OMG! How she ever trained with all that going on....

A HUGE shout out to Edwin (my all loving physical therapist) and Stacia for running miles 21-24 with me. Its just amazing how running with someone changes the dynamics completely. She knows when to talk and when to just run - every second helps.

Pictures to come...

So... whos in with me next? Any suggestions?

Friday, October 3, 2008

Run Run Run

CRAZY! I take off in a couple hours for Portland, OR to run a marathon on Sunday. Am I crazy??? YES! This will be marathon 2... I've heard 2nd marathons are always harder then their predecessor, so I'm living in major gut wrenching fear at the moment!

I'm super excited (and nervous - as in I wanna $%#& in my pants sorta nervous), but of course... I sprained my knee Wednesday night on a run with the Top 2 Top running club. UUUGH! I was running a kick ass sub 9 minute mile (with walk breaks!) and slipped on a pine cone around mile 2. My ankle rolled to the right and my left knee stopped cooperating and tweaked out. As I tumbled to the ground, I had a heart wrenching flashy image of my marathon dreams ending once and for all. Sigh...

So after icing, elevating, resting, and a mother of all braces - we'll see how this little puppy holds up for 26.2 miles.

Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned for an update!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

My Virginal Debut

Hi All!

After much agony, I finally got the chutspa to start a blog... YAAAY! My best friend gave me a little courage with a rockin blog name... and it couldn't be more fitting. Please comment - I can't wait to hear your thoughts!!

Aight, so heres what really started this whole bloggin thing...

I had an "aha" moment on women vs men (or maybe me vs men) today... heres the situation:

Guy 1 offered to have me and Guy 2 over to watch the VeePee debates tonight in Los Feliz. He said 8pm... in my mind, I'm coming from downtown so Guy 1's place is easy for me, but 8 is late since I get out of work by 6. Hmmm, what should I do? I tell myself "oh well, I'll figure it out later" and tell Guy 1 "Perfect! See u tonight!" Guy 2 on the other hand... straight out says 8pm is too late for him and wants to be at Fathers Office eating a burger by then. In sum: sorry, he can't do it.

OMG - sucha difference! Men are straight up and say it how it is... but women figure it out and rearrange to either 1) please or 2) not to cause issues, discomfort, whatever. OR, maybe I'm totally loony... I just thought this was SOOO interesting... I guess its just one of those things I've been wondering about myself lately... why do I so often feel the need to please others even though its totally inconvenient for myself?