I've been very productive. Definitely have over-produced.
I managed to fit in 3 episodes of Oprah, a nap, a run, some lifting, and Shout House all in one night.
Followed by today..waking up late. Not showering. Deleting all my voicemails. Forgetting i had a lunch meeting with the Global Director. Looking up all the tracks mixed in Girl Talk trying to figure out one song. (answer: Ooh Child by Five Stairsteps). Drinking 3 liters of water. Writing a list of things I need to do tonight once I'm let off my leash. (answer: a lot) Thinking about rewriting that one song... 'All She Wants to do is Nap.'
April 30th, 2009 will go down in Christory as the day that never quite was.
I'm not sure what that means other than I'm having an off day and haven't got much done. Which actually..I'm either Off more than I'm On or my Offs and Ons are mixed up. So maybe I'm having an On day since this seems to be the norm. Maybe there's still time to turn myself Off.
or at least you. and this. bye.
4.30.2009
4.29.2009
Half-empty
Christa is drinking the Scott Baker of coffee. You can only take so much before you just need to dump it.That was my Facebook status for 1.8 seconds. I took it off because I forgot how much I hate when people put opinionated things in that little box. It just opens doors for comments, good and bad, and then you're not sure if you should respond because what's the etiquette on responding to comments on your own Facebook status? I'm not sure..so I don't do it.
I'm not sure how other people really feel about Baker. He hasn't been all that impressive which is why I compared him to cheap, watery, lukewarm coffee, but there are three reasons why I opted out of adding my negative opinions on to your Facebook news feed this morning.
1. It's still early. As in both the season and the day. I do not want to jinx either. Both could just be off to a lukewarm, watered down start, but the potential for turning things around is definitely still there.
2. What are the other options? Seriously. Pitching-wise..I have no suggestions. Coffee-wise..I could pay 85 cents for a dixie cup of French Vanilla from the 1989 vending machine. Any bold statement needs a solid argument to back it up. Since I have no suggestions or spare change, I'll leave it up to Soulja Boy to Tell Em. But until then..
3. I forgot my third reason. So I'll just tell you that I listened to Falling Slowly, the Kris Allen American Idol version, 8 times this morning with no shame. Also, my tighter than normal pants are a constant reminder of the 8 different types of cake I ate last night at the Biggest Loser Cake Luck.
Here's to running the Cedar Lake Trail until I find myself walkin on walkin on broken glass..at the Shout House..ok..cheers.
4.28.2009
Stare Master
Last night. Life Time. I was feeling good, listening to Girl Talk, running a mean 7.5 and staring at the tv because it's more interesting than a. my feet or b. the second by second count of the treadmill. Every once in awhile my eyes would wander slightly below the tv since I really wasn't watching, just thinking about running and Girl Talk and running to Girl Talk. I realized a little too late that I was staring right at some man in a red shirt. Like full on eye contact, just staring at each other. Not in like a romantic, our eyes caught across the gym way, but like an intensely awkward why are we looking at each other, please stop! sort of way. Mutual I think. Fine..if it happened once. But it happened upwards of 12 times throughout a 60 minute time period. He wasn't cute. I didn't know him. He was just wearing a red shirt and my brain had clearly checked out allowing my eyes to glaze over and make it look like I was either trying summon him over to the open treadmill next to me or..something else. I think it was the red shirt.
Fast forward to me at the biceps machine. A man was waiting patiently for me to be done, but I didn't realize it until I had sat and stared at the feet of the man in front of me wearing the Dingbat and Geezer shirt for roughly 2 minutes. I heard a throat clear and snapped back to reality.
I moved over for a little triceps work and quickly moved as it is unfortunately, but probably strategically placed across from those hip abductor machines where you spread your legs apart more than necessary and then press them back together. There was an older lady mounting it so I figured I'd save up both some embarrassment and call it a night.
Today, I stared at a scar on a girl's face for almost the entirety of an hour long meeting. You stare so long that you are lost floating somewhere inbetween reality and...somewhere non-reality. Your eyes start to water and you kind of think your eyes might be crossing, but you can't do anything about it because you're not sure if it's physically possible to even blink. ...Ok, I don't want to talk about it anymore.
Also, I just stared at my name..and now I'm not sure if it's a legitimate name.
Can't stop won't stop.
Fast forward to me at the biceps machine. A man was waiting patiently for me to be done, but I didn't realize it until I had sat and stared at the feet of the man in front of me wearing the Dingbat and Geezer shirt for roughly 2 minutes. I heard a throat clear and snapped back to reality.
I moved over for a little triceps work and quickly moved as it is unfortunately, but probably strategically placed across from those hip abductor machines where you spread your legs apart more than necessary and then press them back together. There was an older lady mounting it so I figured I'd save up both some embarrassment and call it a night.
Today, I stared at a scar on a girl's face for almost the entirety of an hour long meeting. You stare so long that you are lost floating somewhere inbetween reality and...somewhere non-reality. Your eyes start to water and you kind of think your eyes might be crossing, but you can't do anything about it because you're not sure if it's physically possible to even blink. ...Ok, I don't want to talk about it anymore.
Also, I just stared at my name..and now I'm not sure if it's a legitimate name.
Can't stop won't stop.
When Tuesdays feel like Fridays..
You know it's going to be a long day when you eat your lunch by 10am.
Other signs your day is better spent in bed..
1. Your head starts nodding before your computer turns all the way on.
2. You're pretty sure there is nothing more difficult than holding back yawns in a 10:30am meeting.
3. You buy a 2009-2010 planner and plan out the next two years of your life. Assuming M-F will be spent head nodding, you just have saturdays and sundays to worry about.
4. You practice writing your name on an entire pad of Post-its.
5. You practice writing other people's names on another pad of Post-its.
6. You hide a book under your desk and throw it behind the trash can when someone walks by.
7. You anticipate texts because your computer screen shakes right before your phone goes off and you dive into your desk drawer to get it and everyone asks you 'are you ok!?'
8. Your work phone rings roughly every 3 days, usually a wrong number.
9. You sneak into the cube next to you and count how many stuffed poodles are in there. (27!)
This is my life? This is my life.
I'm currently exploring new hobbies that don't involve tvs and laptops.
Other signs your day is better spent in bed..
1. Your head starts nodding before your computer turns all the way on.
2. You're pretty sure there is nothing more difficult than holding back yawns in a 10:30am meeting.
3. You buy a 2009-2010 planner and plan out the next two years of your life. Assuming M-F will be spent head nodding, you just have saturdays and sundays to worry about.
4. You practice writing your name on an entire pad of Post-its.
5. You practice writing other people's names on another pad of Post-its.
6. You hide a book under your desk and throw it behind the trash can when someone walks by.
7. You anticipate texts because your computer screen shakes right before your phone goes off and you dive into your desk drawer to get it and everyone asks you 'are you ok!?'
8. Your work phone rings roughly every 3 days, usually a wrong number.
9. You sneak into the cube next to you and count how many stuffed poodles are in there. (27!)
This is my life? This is my life.
I'm currently exploring new hobbies that don't involve tvs and laptops.
4.27.2009
Semi-Charmed 5th Grade Life
Usually I lean towards the 80's, but the cold front moving in seems to have thrown me off course because I've been listening to the counting crows, matchbox 20, third eye blind and ben folds five like it's 1997.
Mr. Jones and me will blame it on Pandora.
1997 was a blur, probably because I took my glasses off, but it could have been because i spent so much time at the dentist getting cavities filled from all the dew and airheads that i was buying with nickels and dimes at Wally's Market. At least I got a little exercise. Purple Huffy or walking, it was probably a mile round trip and I went super fast so I could make it home on time to watch Full House reruns.
I also had demanding hobbies of shooting airballs on the basketball court, collecting Hakeem Olajawon cards, and throwing four square balls at girls I didn't like. I guess I took that Matchbox 20 song a little too literally about pushing people around. I think I tried to shower at least 3 times a week at this point in my life (which was a significant increase from 1996).
All I'm saying is..what were you like in 5th grade?
That's what I thought. I'm totally lol-ing at you and would totally throw a mud rolled four square ball at you if this was 12 years ago.
Mr. Jones and me will blame it on Pandora.
1997 was a blur, probably because I took my glasses off, but it could have been because i spent so much time at the dentist getting cavities filled from all the dew and airheads that i was buying with nickels and dimes at Wally's Market. At least I got a little exercise. Purple Huffy or walking, it was probably a mile round trip and I went super fast so I could make it home on time to watch Full House reruns.
I also had demanding hobbies of shooting airballs on the basketball court, collecting Hakeem Olajawon cards, and throwing four square balls at girls I didn't like. I guess I took that Matchbox 20 song a little too literally about pushing people around. I think I tried to shower at least 3 times a week at this point in my life (which was a significant increase from 1996).
All I'm saying is..what were you like in 5th grade?
That's what I thought. I'm totally lol-ing at you and would totally throw a mud rolled four square ball at you if this was 12 years ago.
The end of the beginning
Another April 26 has come and gone. I feel different. I feel older, slower, less witty, less in tune with what's cool, and more inclined to live for the moment than I have been these past 23 years..like my life is suddenly on the decline and I better make the most of it. I also have lower back pain from lack of lumbar support as well as I'm more susceptable to bunyons now more than ever. I started drinking coffee almost daily because of lack of energy and I'll probably start shopping in the misses section anyday now. 23 will do that to you.
Although I'm growing older, I have this overwhelming fear that I'm not growing up. Like..I will always like Zac Efron movies and I will always OD on candy and I will always expect my dad to do my taxes and I will always sit at the kids table at holidays. At what point do I turn adultish?
At first I expected it to happen when I was 18..but clearly 18 is much too young to have real responsibilities, so I decided to bump it up to 21. 21 is the gateway to adulthood so it made sense..but no, because by the time April 26, 2007 rolled around, I was still too into tween movies and sleeping in til 11. I graduated when I was 22, so that would be the natural ending to my 'childhood' because I now have a salary and student loans and my parents don't claim me as a dependent..but I think I was scared..so I put it off for just a little longer...because 22 is still young, right? I'm still a little irresponsible and a little more selfish than I should be.
Which brings me to 23. The age says I am old enough to know better. Old enough to want to join the marriage bandwagon. Old enough to stop going to the Shout House on Wednesdays. But I just don't see any of that happening.
So..here's to April 26, 2010. 24 seems like a good adult starting point age, but until then, I'm going to ride the coat tails of irresponsibility for just a little longer.
Also, I'm going to start lying about my age.
I tried to get ready to turn 23 at The Otter.
Although I'm growing older, I have this overwhelming fear that I'm not growing up. Like..I will always like Zac Efron movies and I will always OD on candy and I will always expect my dad to do my taxes and I will always sit at the kids table at holidays. At what point do I turn adultish?
At first I expected it to happen when I was 18..but clearly 18 is much too young to have real responsibilities, so I decided to bump it up to 21. 21 is the gateway to adulthood so it made sense..but no, because by the time April 26, 2007 rolled around, I was still too into tween movies and sleeping in til 11. I graduated when I was 22, so that would be the natural ending to my 'childhood' because I now have a salary and student loans and my parents don't claim me as a dependent..but I think I was scared..so I put it off for just a little longer...because 22 is still young, right? I'm still a little irresponsible and a little more selfish than I should be.
Which brings me to 23. The age says I am old enough to know better. Old enough to want to join the marriage bandwagon. Old enough to stop going to the Shout House on Wednesdays. But I just don't see any of that happening.
So..here's to April 26, 2010. 24 seems like a good adult starting point age, but until then, I'm going to ride the coat tails of irresponsibility for just a little longer.
Also, I'm going to start lying about my age.
I tried to get ready to turn 23 at The Otter.
4.24.2009
FACTS #1
FACT: When you try to drink half your body weight in ounces of water in a day because Dr. Jen told you to, your productivity plummets due to a 650% increase in bathroom breaks.
FACT: When you sign up unlimited online netflix movies, your interaction with humans takes a significant dive, also excuses become harder to come up with..you can only use laundry and tiredness so often..apparently those sound better than 'I want to watch a movie by myself'..the upside- you find some rare jewels that for some reason went straight to dvd.
FACT: If you have the option to 'like' a status on The Book, you should have the option to dislike it as well. Maybe it's the HR in me, but equal opportunity, Mark Zuckerburg! Where's the compliance? There are A LOT of things I would dislike, especially with the people who are in the list I made called 'People I don't really know or wish I didn't know.' I keep them solely for quantity reasons and because it's less painful for them to be on a list they don't know they're on, rather than find out I defriended them. Don't worry, you are not on the list.
FACT: If you thumbs-down so many songs on Pandora that you reach your hourly limit in the first 45 seconds, you should probably make a new station.
FACT: When you find yourself blogging daily, it's usually a cry for help because no one you work with will talk to you. Case and point.
FACT: When you sign up unlimited online netflix movies, your interaction with humans takes a significant dive, also excuses become harder to come up with..you can only use laundry and tiredness so often..apparently those sound better than 'I want to watch a movie by myself'..the upside- you find some rare jewels that for some reason went straight to dvd.
FACT: If you have the option to 'like' a status on The Book, you should have the option to dislike it as well. Maybe it's the HR in me, but equal opportunity, Mark Zuckerburg! Where's the compliance? There are A LOT of things I would dislike, especially with the people who are in the list I made called 'People I don't really know or wish I didn't know.' I keep them solely for quantity reasons and because it's less painful for them to be on a list they don't know they're on, rather than find out I defriended them. Don't worry, you are not on the list.
FACT: If you thumbs-down so many songs on Pandora that you reach your hourly limit in the first 45 seconds, you should probably make a new station.
FACT: When you find yourself blogging daily, it's usually a cry for help because no one you work with will talk to you. Case and point.
4.23.2009
TGITh
No one should be remotely surprised that I'm writing about TV and no one should be remotely surprised that I'm throwing all modesty out the window when I say I think I would be great on these tv shows. That being said, let's dig in.
POP-UP VIDEO. I like music. I like trivia. I like the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. I'm just sayin...I could do good things. If only music videos were still popular.
WORLD SERIES OF POP CULTURE. Sonj, DoctorK, and myself...that's all we need to take home the $250,000 cash prize. Sonia is a movie/pop culture genius, Adam's got music covered, and I come in with the TV and celebrity gossip. We would be serious contenders.
SUPERMARKET SWEEP. I would for sure win this. I know where the expensive groceries are...health and beauty section. Small things, big prices. I would also for sure do the extra things like grind coffee for bonuses. Once I demolished the competition, I would go for the $5000 bonus round and kill it there since I watch so many commercials. This would be an easy $6000+ for me to make.
CASH CAB. Again. Trivia. and just like in Jacks or Better video poker at Mystic, you GOTTA double-up..how could you not? The video double-up is the key to the big bucks in this game.
NEXT. I would lie and make a lot of suggestive comments. If I had to guess how long I'd last...I'd say no less than 30 minutes with a high chance of a second date offer. Naturally, I'd take the money.
WHEEL OF FORTUNE. Grandma Pankonin used to give us a nickel for every puzzle we could solve. I used to practice on our 1990 Mac computer, we had the floppy disk game of Wheel of Fortune and 'Vanna White' was just a blinking cursor with a face. I think we used to call her Chicken McNugget. Anyway, if I have one talent, it's filling in blanks.
AMAZING RACE. I tried out for this show and we made it to the semifinals. Besides being a fun show to be on, I've always wanted to put my fast walking to good use. I also have the inability to relax which I think is probably the #1 quality of a good TAR contestant.
SURVIVOR. Made it to the Top 30 for Survivor: Gabon..no, really, it's not a big deal..I would play the nice girl who never wants to lie or stab anyone in the back...but would anyway. I'm also competitive to the point that I know I would be kept around until they merge the tribes and from there, I can manuever my way to the final four, tag teaming alliances because I have commitment issues. Does anyone still watch this show besides the McClouds? Didn't think so.
Shows I would not be good at: Jeopardy, Rock of Love: Bus, Top Chef, and anything involving a talent other than manipulation and solving puzzles.
POP-UP VIDEO. I like music. I like trivia. I like the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon. I'm just sayin...I could do good things. If only music videos were still popular.
WORLD SERIES OF POP CULTURE. Sonj, DoctorK, and myself...that's all we need to take home the $250,000 cash prize. Sonia is a movie/pop culture genius, Adam's got music covered, and I come in with the TV and celebrity gossip. We would be serious contenders.
SUPERMARKET SWEEP. I would for sure win this. I know where the expensive groceries are...health and beauty section. Small things, big prices. I would also for sure do the extra things like grind coffee for bonuses. Once I demolished the competition, I would go for the $5000 bonus round and kill it there since I watch so many commercials. This would be an easy $6000+ for me to make.
CASH CAB. Again. Trivia. and just like in Jacks or Better video poker at Mystic, you GOTTA double-up..how could you not? The video double-up is the key to the big bucks in this game.
NEXT. I would lie and make a lot of suggestive comments. If I had to guess how long I'd last...I'd say no less than 30 minutes with a high chance of a second date offer. Naturally, I'd take the money.
WHEEL OF FORTUNE. Grandma Pankonin used to give us a nickel for every puzzle we could solve. I used to practice on our 1990 Mac computer, we had the floppy disk game of Wheel of Fortune and 'Vanna White' was just a blinking cursor with a face. I think we used to call her Chicken McNugget. Anyway, if I have one talent, it's filling in blanks.
AMAZING RACE. I tried out for this show and we made it to the semifinals. Besides being a fun show to be on, I've always wanted to put my fast walking to good use. I also have the inability to relax which I think is probably the #1 quality of a good TAR contestant.
SURVIVOR. Made it to the Top 30 for Survivor: Gabon..no, really, it's not a big deal..I would play the nice girl who never wants to lie or stab anyone in the back...but would anyway. I'm also competitive to the point that I know I would be kept around until they merge the tribes and from there, I can manuever my way to the final four, tag teaming alliances because I have commitment issues. Does anyone still watch this show besides the McClouds? Didn't think so.
Shows I would not be good at: Jeopardy, Rock of Love: Bus, Top Chef, and anything involving a talent other than manipulation and solving puzzles.
4.22.2009
Happy irthday.
I recognize the fact that it's Earth Day and I also recognize the fact that I spit my gum out in the parking lot on the way into work today as well as the fact that I drive nearly 60 miles roundtrip everyday in order to make my student loan payments and pay for gas in order to drive 60 miles daily.
Now ask me if I'm sorry.
I wish I could afford a hybrid car. I wish my 'office' was downtown so I could ride public transportation. I wish I could telecommute. But no can do, Mother Nature.
I did, however, manage to make a few small contributions.
So in honor of Earth Day, I refilled my Evian bottle twice at the drinking fountain, said 'No thanks!' to the receipt in the cafeteria, and dimmed the brightness on the laptop. One function f9 at a time, people.
I might run to life time instead of driving today too. Not for the earth..more so because it's nice out.
Now ask me if I'm sorry.
I wish I could afford a hybrid car. I wish my 'office' was downtown so I could ride public transportation. I wish I could telecommute. But no can do, Mother Nature.
I did, however, manage to make a few small contributions.
So in honor of Earth Day, I refilled my Evian bottle twice at the drinking fountain, said 'No thanks!' to the receipt in the cafeteria, and dimmed the brightness on the laptop. One function f9 at a time, people.
I might run to life time instead of driving today too. Not for the earth..more so because it's nice out.
A day late and a quarter short
14 games in 14 days makes 2 days without the Twins seem like...a long time. Which means 2 games in one day (and at Fenway, at that) should make me and any other Twins fan pretty happy.
Let me just tell you...no. I will be missing out on both games. I'm over it.
In local news, I used my last quarter at the vending machine this morning. Also, I'm really into Anoop from American Idol..I think he's great and underrated. But then again, I'm a root-for-the-underdog kind of girl which is why I watch The Cougar on TV Land and pray it's not cancelled. If you have an hour of life to waste, this is highly recommended. At least watch the kiss off.
And in other news, I got paid today and immediately signed the check over to the Target Wedding Registry. There was that awkward 'No really, just take it,' back and forth, push it away sort of thing, but Target finally gave into my persistance and took my money.
That was a lie, I have purchased only 3 of 46846280682568 wedding/shower/bach presents thus far. And will stop talking about it and thinking about....now. Just like those bank statements, if you don't open them they go away almost like they never even existed...so maybe if I stop thinking about them, I won't have to buy any more. Yes? Yes.
disclaimer: if you are reading this and invited me to your wedding, I'm mostly kidding.
Let me just tell you...no. I will be missing out on both games. I'm over it.
In local news, I used my last quarter at the vending machine this morning. Also, I'm really into Anoop from American Idol..I think he's great and underrated. But then again, I'm a root-for-the-underdog kind of girl which is why I watch The Cougar on TV Land and pray it's not cancelled. If you have an hour of life to waste, this is highly recommended. At least watch the kiss off.
And in other news, I got paid today and immediately signed the check over to the Target Wedding Registry. There was that awkward 'No really, just take it,' back and forth, push it away sort of thing, but Target finally gave into my persistance and took my money.
That was a lie, I have purchased only 3 of 46846280682568 wedding/shower/bach presents thus far. And will stop talking about it and thinking about....now. Just like those bank statements, if you don't open them they go away almost like they never even existed...so maybe if I stop thinking about them, I won't have to buy any more. Yes? Yes.
disclaimer: if you are reading this and invited me to your wedding, I'm mostly kidding.
4.20.2009
Happy 80's
Gina works the diner all day, Josie's on a vacation far away, and Janie's got a gun, but come on, Eileen! I know we all have our differences, but if there's one thing these ladies can agree with me on, it's that nothing hits the spot likethe 80's in MINNESOTA?! %$#$% That's right. Sven Sungaard, Dave Dahl, and man in the meer-ah are all telling me just what I want to hear-ah..that Thursday and Friday will mark the (brief) return of 80 degree weather to Minnesota.
and then a forecast of rain for the weekend. My birthday weekend I might add.
It's a great thing being in a climate that gets you accustomed to a temperature and then BAM throws something at you that you're not expecting. Like when you hear 2 or 3 awesome songs in a row and then BAM something totally unexpected catches you completely offguard..just THE MAN trying to show he's still running the show, I guess.
So the lesson to be learned in this embarrassing post about weather is enjoy the 80's while they're being played, because BAM it's going to rain on your birthday.
Lesson learned. That being said. Welcome back to the 80's. I hope this starts a trend that lasts longer than I did in my walker by the basement stairs in 1987.
and then a forecast of rain for the weekend. My birthday weekend I might add.
It's a great thing being in a climate that gets you accustomed to a temperature and then BAM throws something at you that you're not expecting. Like when you hear 2 or 3 awesome songs in a row and then BAM something totally unexpected catches you completely offguard..just THE MAN trying to show he's still running the show, I guess.
So the lesson to be learned in this embarrassing post about weather is enjoy the 80's while they're being played, because BAM it's going to rain on your birthday.
Lesson learned. That being said. Welcome back to the 80's. I hope this starts a trend that lasts longer than I did in my walker by the basement stairs in 1987.
4.17.2009
Party in the city where the heat is on
Wow. I'm embarrassed. Be sure to ask me about the events of Thursday April 16, 2009. It is likely I will nervously laugh, blush, and change the subject. But go ahead and try. I'm a tough nut to crack and a hard cover book to read, but we all have our weak moments. Plus it's a bad economy, the Twins are losing, and my emotions are running high. It's worth a shot.
Meanwhile...
Wedding season officially kicks off for me tomorrow. Showers, Bachelorette parties, and dancing with the single groomsmen is all included in my 5 month forecast. Private schools should include some sort of financial aid package post-college for all the weddings you have to go to from the friends you meet at their school. It will be a meek and mild summer judging by the supply of my Tuesday paychecks and the demand for fine china (which let's be honest will come in the form of a Target gift card).
Wedding filled weekends aside, I have a few other summerish things that I have been waiting 6 months to enjoy again..........................................
1. CHAIN OF LAKES. Despite my annoyance with people who casually walk in these areas, I genuinely do love running around minneapolis in the summer. I love that I have a solid 3 hours after work to get a good long run in before the sun sets.
2. BRIT'S PUB. In my humble opinion, this is the greatest place to spend a summer night. Nothing beats a Snakebite on the roof.
3. TORCHLIGHT 5K. The 2nd most anticipated race by yours truly. It's at night..I like that. It's short..I like that. It's mid-week..I like that. It's basically happy hour but with running and I LOVE that.
4. COUNTRY MUSIC. That's right. This is coming from a girl who could not tolerate country music of any kind roughly 5 years ago. But fast forward to my 22nd birthday the spring of 2008 and I'm singing Redneck Woman at The Otter. It's simple math, really. Sunny warm weather + country music = good time.
5. PEOPLE..in general. Everyone seems a little more fun, a little more optimistic, and a little more spontaneous in the summertime. It's hard to be my normal bitter, sarcastic, grudge holding self when it's 75 and sunny. It's also hard to turn down last minute road trips, five consecutive days of happy hours, and taking in as many baseball games you can handle.
6. WARDROBE. I generally stick to the summer basics of running clothes or dresses. Usually wearing the same thing several days in a row because that's the beauty of summer.
That being said. Happy 70's, I need to go count down the next 35 minutes.
Meanwhile...
Wedding season officially kicks off for me tomorrow. Showers, Bachelorette parties, and dancing with the single groomsmen is all included in my 5 month forecast. Private schools should include some sort of financial aid package post-college for all the weddings you have to go to from the friends you meet at their school. It will be a meek and mild summer judging by the supply of my Tuesday paychecks and the demand for fine china (which let's be honest will come in the form of a Target gift card).
Wedding filled weekends aside, I have a few other summerish things that I have been waiting 6 months to enjoy again..........................................
1. CHAIN OF LAKES. Despite my annoyance with people who casually walk in these areas, I genuinely do love running around minneapolis in the summer. I love that I have a solid 3 hours after work to get a good long run in before the sun sets.
2. BRIT'S PUB. In my humble opinion, this is the greatest place to spend a summer night. Nothing beats a Snakebite on the roof.
3. TORCHLIGHT 5K. The 2nd most anticipated race by yours truly. It's at night..I like that. It's short..I like that. It's mid-week..I like that. It's basically happy hour but with running and I LOVE that.
4. COUNTRY MUSIC. That's right. This is coming from a girl who could not tolerate country music of any kind roughly 5 years ago. But fast forward to my 22nd birthday the spring of 2008 and I'm singing Redneck Woman at The Otter. It's simple math, really. Sunny warm weather + country music = good time.
5. PEOPLE..in general. Everyone seems a little more fun, a little more optimistic, and a little more spontaneous in the summertime. It's hard to be my normal bitter, sarcastic, grudge holding self when it's 75 and sunny. It's also hard to turn down last minute road trips, five consecutive days of happy hours, and taking in as many baseball games you can handle.
6. WARDROBE. I generally stick to the summer basics of running clothes or dresses. Usually wearing the same thing several days in a row because that's the beauty of summer.
That being said. Happy 70's, I need to go count down the next 35 minutes.
4.16.2009
30 degrees and overcast.
That's what I tell myself anyway. Because knowing that it's pushing 70 degrees/beautiful out makes sitting in a half-basement room with no windows seem just wrong. The only thing more wrong would be for McHale to remain the Wolves coach. It just doesn't make sense to waste something that could be so good, so perfect..on something (or someone) that leaves you watching the clock, waiting for it all to be over.
In other news, time flies when you listen to Lisa Lampanelli. I went from breakfast to lunch in one swift racist joke (or an hour's worth I guess). Worth it.
I'm having a hard time knowing what to think of the Twins these days. I've spent the better part of my last 2 weeks on these guys, the least they could do is show me a little consistency. Even if it's bad. Lord knows I'll still go to games. You are talking to a Timberwolves season ticket holder here, folks.
Today I met a man whose name is Master. Endless humor for the afternoon for this girl...office level and kept to myself, of course, but still funny stuff.
I got lost running in St. Louis Park yesterday after work. If you saw me at Cedar Lake Road/Louisiana 6 times, sorry about that.
In other news, time flies when you listen to Lisa Lampanelli. I went from breakfast to lunch in one swift racist joke (or an hour's worth I guess). Worth it.
I'm having a hard time knowing what to think of the Twins these days. I've spent the better part of my last 2 weeks on these guys, the least they could do is show me a little consistency. Even if it's bad. Lord knows I'll still go to games. You are talking to a Timberwolves season ticket holder here, folks.
Today I met a man whose name is Master. Endless humor for the afternoon for this girl...office level and kept to myself, of course, but still funny stuff.
I got lost running in St. Louis Park yesterday after work. If you saw me at Cedar Lake Road/Louisiana 6 times, sorry about that.
4.10.2009
Walk This Way
I have a love-hate issue with spring in Minneapolis. Mainly because everyone goes nuts when it hits 40 for the first time...then 50...then 60.
I am an avid runner and avid people watcher so naturally Calhoun is the ideal place for combining these two..as long as I remember to wear sunglasses (to avoid awkwardness and/or eye contact, something Scott from American Idol should have considered). However, there is one thing that stands in my way, or should I say slowly walks in my way, of having a perfect run on a beautiful spring day like today: walkers.
Allow me to break it down a bit.
1. STROLLING COUPLES. Maybe I've been unattached for too long and the bitterness of hundreds of couples gets to me, but I'm just not too fond of the hand holding strolls, the most common site at Calhoun.
1A. NEWLY DATING. I usually fake listen to my ipod and slow my pace around these ones, just for a good laugh. One person is usually dominating the conversation, however, you can sense that whole I'm-not-telling-you-the-whole-truth-sort-of-thing about the story because they're still trying to make themselves seem like a good catch. In which case, they would then become the generic strolling hand holding couple in just a few short weeks.
1B. OLD COUPLES. I don't mind these ones as much. Chances are she's just trying to get him to lose a little weight and he's just going because she makes him. Whatever the case may be, they usually walk at a normal pace and are aware of the people around them. They don't hog the path and they initiate the smile, smile back routine more than any other demographic.
1C. TEEN COUPLES. These make me uncomfortable. They walk slower than regular couples because the guy is usually trying to do the swagga walk and the girl is usually wearing something too tight or uncomfortable to walk at anything more than baby step speed.
2. FAMILIES. I'm ok with a couple with a stroller, but when it's 3 kids on scooters plus Grandma, a dog, and Uncle Frank...no thanks. Keep it in the neighborhood, not the busyiest running and biking areas in the city.
3. OLD FRIENDS. Usually women or homosexual men and they typically talk obnoxiouly loud and speed walk at the perfect speed that makes it hard to get away from them fast enough.
4. GROUPS OF 3 OR MORE. This is not ok with me. I refuse to be a part of a group of 3 or more walkers at Calhoun and I encourage all others to adhere to the same high standards I set for myself.
5. PETS. I'm ok with dog walkers on two conditions: short leashes and owners who pay attention. The fateful fall of September 2008 could have been avoided had it been for those two factors.
6. WOBBLERS. These may or may not be the same people in one of the above mentioned groups, but what makes them stand out is their inability to walk in a straight line with their weight somewhat evenly distributed. Not only do they keep you guessing as to which side would be better to pass on, they also take up valuable path space on a two way path. If this were a one way system we had going on, ok, I could deal with it, but instead I am stuck jogging in place waiting for 12 inches of room to pass so I can get on with my run.
Luckily my running feeds off the frusteration I experience at Calhoun so perhaps I have these people to thank for my PR time in the 2008 Twin Cities Marathon. So...thanks.
I am an avid runner and avid people watcher so naturally Calhoun is the ideal place for combining these two..as long as I remember to wear sunglasses (to avoid awkwardness and/or eye contact, something Scott from American Idol should have considered). However, there is one thing that stands in my way, or should I say slowly walks in my way, of having a perfect run on a beautiful spring day like today: walkers.
Allow me to break it down a bit.
1. STROLLING COUPLES. Maybe I've been unattached for too long and the bitterness of hundreds of couples gets to me, but I'm just not too fond of the hand holding strolls, the most common site at Calhoun.
1A. NEWLY DATING. I usually fake listen to my ipod and slow my pace around these ones, just for a good laugh. One person is usually dominating the conversation, however, you can sense that whole I'm-not-telling-you-the-whole-truth-sort-of-thing about the story because they're still trying to make themselves seem like a good catch. In which case, they would then become the generic strolling hand holding couple in just a few short weeks.
1B. OLD COUPLES. I don't mind these ones as much. Chances are she's just trying to get him to lose a little weight and he's just going because she makes him. Whatever the case may be, they usually walk at a normal pace and are aware of the people around them. They don't hog the path and they initiate the smile, smile back routine more than any other demographic.
1C. TEEN COUPLES. These make me uncomfortable. They walk slower than regular couples because the guy is usually trying to do the swagga walk and the girl is usually wearing something too tight or uncomfortable to walk at anything more than baby step speed.
2. FAMILIES. I'm ok with a couple with a stroller, but when it's 3 kids on scooters plus Grandma, a dog, and Uncle Frank...no thanks. Keep it in the neighborhood, not the busyiest running and biking areas in the city.
3. OLD FRIENDS. Usually women or homosexual men and they typically talk obnoxiouly loud and speed walk at the perfect speed that makes it hard to get away from them fast enough.
4. GROUPS OF 3 OR MORE. This is not ok with me. I refuse to be a part of a group of 3 or more walkers at Calhoun and I encourage all others to adhere to the same high standards I set for myself.
5. PETS. I'm ok with dog walkers on two conditions: short leashes and owners who pay attention. The fateful fall of September 2008 could have been avoided had it been for those two factors.
6. WOBBLERS. These may or may not be the same people in one of the above mentioned groups, but what makes them stand out is their inability to walk in a straight line with their weight somewhat evenly distributed. Not only do they keep you guessing as to which side would be better to pass on, they also take up valuable path space on a two way path. If this were a one way system we had going on, ok, I could deal with it, but instead I am stuck jogging in place waiting for 12 inches of room to pass so I can get on with my run.
Luckily my running feeds off the frusteration I experience at Calhoun so perhaps I have these people to thank for my PR time in the 2008 Twin Cities Marathon. So...thanks.
Mediocre Friday
Apparently, Good Friday is a popular day to take off from work..something I will keep in mind for 2010. I'll go ahead and call 2009 a trial and error, but in my defense, I did have several things working against me in this unfortunate case of 'showing up at work when everyone else takes the day off.'
1. NEW EMPLOYEE. That's right. 2 weeks are being completed as of today. I'm still struggling with names, eye contact, and handshakes, so naturally I have not made it to the point that anyone is willing to give me any insider information. You know, the essentials in any workplace like who is the moody menapausal you should avoid (my guess is there are several), who actually has a personality and/or social life, is it ok to facebook during work hours (I'll find out soon enough), and which half-hearted holidays to take off. (ie. Good Friday, Bad Friday, Really Nice Day Friday, etc.)
2. CONTRACT WORKER. OOH, this one hurts because although I have a badge, laptop, and excessive amount of responsibilities, I am still just a contract worker. It is made evident to the hundreds of people roaming the hallways (clearly, all looking at me) by giving me a nice yellow border around my badge mugshot so everyone knows that they will not be seeing me in the workout area, underground parking lot, or company clinic. This automatically puts a permanent barrier between me and the 'real' employees who have the luxery of paid time off. If I wanted to take the day off, I would need to call for back-up and forfeit a day's wages, something that is not an option for a girl who is paying off a trip to Cancun, student loans that will last until I retire, oh, and that trip to LA I took in 2007 and never paid for.
3. TOO YOUNG. If I had a dollar for everytime someone said 'you're so young! you're just a baby!' I would have approx. $6. One from that older man I went to HH with last summer, and the other 5 in the past 2 weeks of working with empty nesters complaining about carpal tunnel syndrome and not knowing how to work a mouse. I don't know that either of those are of signs of being old, but it seems like a commonality for the people that I work with so just go with it. Anyway, when you're significantly younger than everyone else, they assume you don't have a family, any responsibilities outside of work, vacations, etc. Because you're so young, you're just a baby!
There you have it. Three strikes, they're out, and here I sit.
Holidays I would take off if I had PTO: every Thursday so I could go to Shout House with no inihibitions.
1. NEW EMPLOYEE. That's right. 2 weeks are being completed as of today. I'm still struggling with names, eye contact, and handshakes, so naturally I have not made it to the point that anyone is willing to give me any insider information. You know, the essentials in any workplace like who is the moody menapausal you should avoid (my guess is there are several), who actually has a personality and/or social life, is it ok to facebook during work hours (I'll find out soon enough), and which half-hearted holidays to take off. (ie. Good Friday, Bad Friday, Really Nice Day Friday, etc.)
2. CONTRACT WORKER. OOH, this one hurts because although I have a badge, laptop, and excessive amount of responsibilities, I am still just a contract worker. It is made evident to the hundreds of people roaming the hallways (clearly, all looking at me) by giving me a nice yellow border around my badge mugshot so everyone knows that they will not be seeing me in the workout area, underground parking lot, or company clinic. This automatically puts a permanent barrier between me and the 'real' employees who have the luxery of paid time off. If I wanted to take the day off, I would need to call for back-up and forfeit a day's wages, something that is not an option for a girl who is paying off a trip to Cancun, student loans that will last until I retire, oh, and that trip to LA I took in 2007 and never paid for.
3. TOO YOUNG. If I had a dollar for everytime someone said 'you're so young! you're just a baby!' I would have approx. $6. One from that older man I went to HH with last summer, and the other 5 in the past 2 weeks of working with empty nesters complaining about carpal tunnel syndrome and not knowing how to work a mouse. I don't know that either of those are of signs of being old, but it seems like a commonality for the people that I work with so just go with it. Anyway, when you're significantly younger than everyone else, they assume you don't have a family, any responsibilities outside of work, vacations, etc. Because you're so young, you're just a baby!
There you have it. Three strikes, they're out, and here I sit.
Holidays I would take off if I had PTO: every Thursday so I could go to Shout House with no inihibitions.
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