because apparently I don't feel like writing anything original lately. whatever, get psyched.
"Success isn't permanent and failure isn't fatal." Mike Ditka
"Show me a man who never failed and I'll show you a man who never tried anything hard enough." Allen Waimsley
"If not you, who? If not now, when?" Garry Herbert
"Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence." Vince Lombardi
"I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying; I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." Arnold Palmer
"I never thought about losing, but now that it's happened, the only thing is to do it right. We all have to take defeats in life." Muhammad Ali
"The vision of a champion is someone who is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion when no one else is watching." Anson Dorrance
Wednesday, May 05, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Random - good - quotes.
"I've heard that it's possible to grow up, I've just never met anyone who's actually done it. Without parents to defy, we break the rules we make for ourselves. We throw tantrums when things don't go our way. We whisper secrets with our best friend in the dark. We look for comfort where we can find it. And we hope against all logic, against all experience, like children, we never give up hope."
meredith grey
"After careful consideration, and many sleepless nights, here is what I have decided, there is no such thing as a grownup. We move on, we move out, we move away from our families and form our own. But the basic insecurities, the basic fears, and all those old wounds just grow up with us and just when we think life and circumstance force us to be an adult your mother says something like that, or worse something like that. We get bigger. We get taller. We get older, but for the most part we're still a bunch of kids running around the playground desperately trying to fit in."
meredith grey
"You don't run against a bloody stop watch, do you hear? A runner runs against himself, against the best that's in him. Not against a dead thing of wheels and pulleys. That's the way to be great, running against yourself. Against all the rotten mess in the world. Against God, if you're good enough." — Bill Persons
meredith grey
"After careful consideration, and many sleepless nights, here is what I have decided, there is no such thing as a grownup. We move on, we move out, we move away from our families and form our own. But the basic insecurities, the basic fears, and all those old wounds just grow up with us and just when we think life and circumstance force us to be an adult your mother says something like that, or worse something like that. We get bigger. We get taller. We get older, but for the most part we're still a bunch of kids running around the playground desperately trying to fit in."
meredith grey
"You don't run against a bloody stop watch, do you hear? A runner runs against himself, against the best that's in him. Not against a dead thing of wheels and pulleys. That's the way to be great, running against yourself. Against all the rotten mess in the world. Against God, if you're good enough." — Bill Persons
Musical help please?
I decided to run the half marathon this weekend with my iPod to see how it compares to my experience running the one in Charlottesville without my iPod. Therefore, I need to make a playlist that will last roughly 2.5 hours (I AM SLOW, get over it...maybe I should get over it first). Would you be a dear and tell me what your favorite workout/pump-up/energy songs are so I can include them on my playlist? I am in desperate need of some new inspiration...
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Wow that got out of control fast
Alright, I have to tell you the whole story. I thought I could get away with not doing it, but I can't.
Today I was talking to my friend Paul and I said "And you know, that's another stone in my...court." and Paul was like "What? What does that mean? Is that a thing? I don't think I've ever heard that before"
me- "yeah, I just made it up. feel free to use it."
So then I was talking to my friend Heather ABOUT that conversation because she made dragony a word (another story, another day) and I told her about the phrase and she said "its really weird and makes no sense you know. i'm not using it. ever."
me - "it makes a TON of sense. whoever has the most stones in their court wins. I WIN."
her- "haha, what court? like a basketball court? or a kingly court? and is someone throwing stones AT you?"
me - "a kingly court, obvi. no one is throwing them at me, they're too large to be thrown, so they have to be pushed. i am sitting on a throne observing."
Then I included this illustration: (caption says me, sitting in my stately robe (not a snuggie) on my throne as more stones are pushed into my court. i'm holding my golden scepter with the giant ruby on top.)
So she shows this picture to her table and a girl at her table thinks that the representation of me in the drawing is meant to be JESUS and this is JESUS overseeing the rolling of the stone away from the mouth of the cave. So I write back:
"i feel compelled to destroy her argument step by step:
1) jesus never carried a scepter
2) jesus never wore a purple robe as far as i know
3) jesus always wore sandals or went barefoot
4) no one else was PRESENT at the rolling away of the stone, hence the MYSTERY as to where jesus was when the others arrived and the stone was already moved. had he been present, i doubt he would have been wearing a robe, sitting on a throne, and holding a scepter. "
response:
"ha- emily wants to rebuff your arguments as follows:
1. in her mind, it as a visual representation of jesus "king of kings" in his robe and sceptor as the stone was rolled away.
2. she wants to know how you know what the rolling away of was like? "
my rebuttal:
"1) see point 4 below
2) i just spent 5 minutes on www.bible.com trying to find the description, but as i recall some women came upon the cave where his body was laid and the stone at the mouth of the cave had been moved and the only thing in the cave was the fabric his body had been wrapped in. there is no mention of witnesses so i doubt anyone was present. aside from me, that is. i was there. that's how i know.
3) when i typed wrapped above, at first i typed cwrapped, which, when you say it out loud and you're referring to the body of Christ, is really funny. "
so then i get:
"emily wants to sing you a song:
jesus loves me this i know for the bible tells me so, bridget is full of crap, this i know because jesus told me so last night in my dream. "
and i say:
"sing her this back:
jesus doesn't appear in dreams you little effing heathen, only gabriel does, so you're a charlatan, and jesus pities you, as do i, lalalalala"
response:
"um, jesus doesn't like your potty mouth."
and finally, mine:
"she started it."
Phew. The end. But I hope you thought that was as funny as I did.
Today I was talking to my friend Paul and I said "And you know, that's another stone in my...court." and Paul was like "What? What does that mean? Is that a thing? I don't think I've ever heard that before"
me- "yeah, I just made it up. feel free to use it."
So then I was talking to my friend Heather ABOUT that conversation because she made dragony a word (another story, another day) and I told her about the phrase and she said "its really weird and makes no sense you know. i'm not using it. ever."
me - "it makes a TON of sense. whoever has the most stones in their court wins. I WIN."
her- "haha, what court? like a basketball court? or a kingly court? and is someone throwing stones AT you?"
me - "a kingly court, obvi. no one is throwing them at me, they're too large to be thrown, so they have to be pushed. i am sitting on a throne observing."
Then I included this illustration: (caption says me, sitting in my stately robe (not a snuggie) on my throne as more stones are pushed into my court. i'm holding my golden scepter with the giant ruby on top.)
So she shows this picture to her table and a girl at her table thinks that the representation of me in the drawing is meant to be JESUS and this is JESUS overseeing the rolling of the stone away from the mouth of the cave. So I write back:"i feel compelled to destroy her argument step by step:
1) jesus never carried a scepter
2) jesus never wore a purple robe as far as i know
3) jesus always wore sandals or went barefoot
4) no one else was PRESENT at the rolling away of the stone, hence the MYSTERY as to where jesus was when the others arrived and the stone was already moved. had he been present, i doubt he would have been wearing a robe, sitting on a throne, and holding a scepter. "
response:
"ha- emily wants to rebuff your arguments as follows:
1. in her mind, it as a visual representation of jesus "king of kings" in his robe and sceptor as the stone was rolled away.
2. she wants to know how you know what the rolling away of was like? "
my rebuttal:
"1) see point 4 below
2) i just spent 5 minutes on www.bible.com trying to find the description, but as i recall some women came upon the cave where his body was laid and the stone at the mouth of the cave had been moved and the only thing in the cave was the fabric his body had been wrapped in. there is no mention of witnesses so i doubt anyone was present. aside from me, that is. i was there. that's how i know.
3) when i typed wrapped above, at first i typed cwrapped, which, when you say it out loud and you're referring to the body of Christ, is really funny. "
so then i get:
"emily wants to sing you a song:
jesus loves me this i know for the bible tells me so, bridget is full of crap, this i know because jesus told me so last night in my dream. "
and i say:
"sing her this back:
jesus doesn't appear in dreams you little effing heathen, only gabriel does, so you're a charlatan, and jesus pities you, as do i, lalalalala"
response:
"um, jesus doesn't like your potty mouth."
and finally, mine:
"she started it."
Phew. The end. But I hope you thought that was as funny as I did.
Impromptu playlist sharing
So I just made a new playlist. General theme: being single is awesome (yeah yeah yeah, no, I don't really want to talk about it anymore but thanks for asking, and no, Austin, this doesn't mean that you can stop playing phone tag with me).
I know some of you will never need this playlist as you have already found your lobster, but I guess it could also just be a general female/self empowerment mix, so, ya know. If you want it...it's below. Lizzy maybe I will burn you a copy of this since you didn't like the hardcore rap mix I sent you for some ridiculous reason.
Some of the songs are just included because I just downloaded them (cough...all glee madonna songs...cough). But where it applies, I've put in the lyrics of the song that made me include it.
Btw, if you have any suggestions of songs I should listen to right now, please send along. And no, before you ask, I'm not heartbroken or insane as many of the below lyrics suggest, but sometimes it's just to not be the most dramatic thing around trying to express what you're feeling.
stand beside me - jo dee messina
"Stand beside me
Be true, don't tell lies to me
I'm not lookin' for a fantasy
I want a man that who stands beside me"
acoustic #3 - goo goo dolls
"And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming?
No one's listening anyway"
apologize - timbaland featuring one republic
"and you say sorry like the angel
heaven let me think was you
but i'm afraid
it's too late to apologize"
back that thang up - juvenile
before he cheats - carrie underwood
"I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up 4 wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seat
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights
Slashed a hole in all 4 tires
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats"
(and no, i didn't, but in my head, i did)
the best is yet to come - michael buble
"the best is yet to come, and won't that be fine,
you think you've seen the sun, but you ain't seen it shine"
blah blah blah - ke$ha
"stop talk talk talking that blah blah blah,
think you'll be getting this? nah nah nah"
borderline/open your heart - glee cast
bossy - kelis
"you don't have to love me
you don't even have to like me
but you will respect me
you know why?
'cause i'm a boss!
...
can't stop starin',
she's fine and she's pretty
...
flossing, you say "how much it cost me?"
about a million dollars, playa, she's bossy!"
breakin' dishes - rihanna
"i'm gettin' restless, i'm gettin' tested,
i can't believe he's always out every night and never checks in
is he cheatin'? i don't know
i'm lookin' around for something else to throw"
cleanin' out my closet - eminem
"give 'em hell long as i'm breathin'
keep kickin' ass in the morning,
taking names in the evening"
(as an aside, we almost had that put on t-shirts for the UVA women's rowing team at the South Central Championships Regatta because we would race heats in the morning and finals in the evening...we won the regatta. I really wish we had made those tshirts. Pretty sure I'd wear it every single day.)
come on get higher - matt nathanson
dead and gone - TI feat. JT
"that part of me left yesterday
the heart of me is strong today"
defying gravity - wicked original broadway cast
(i could basically put in this entire song, but in particular...)
"Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap"
...
"Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost"
...
"And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity"
dirrty - christina aguilera
don't stop believin' - glee cast
"some will win, some will lose
some were born to sing the blues"
fifteen - taylor swift
"'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen feeling like there's nothing to figure out
Well, count to ten, take it in
This is life before you know who you're gonna be"
...
"But in your life you'll do things greater than
Dating the boy on the football team"
...
"Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday
But I realized some bigger dreams of mine"
the heart of the matter - india.arie
heartbreak warfare - john mayer
"How come the only way to know how high you get me
is to see how far I fall
God only knows how much I'd love you if you let me
but I can't break through at all."
i do not hook up - kelly clarkson
"oh, no, i do not hook up, i go slow
so if you want me, i don't come cheap
keep your hand in my hand
and your heart on your sleeve"
i still haven't found what i'm looking for - u2
"well i believe in the kingdom come
that all the colors will bleed into one
but yes i'm still running
you broke the bonds and you loosed the chains
you carried the cross of my shame
you know i believe it
but i still haven't found what i'm looking for"
like a virgin - glee cast
the long way around - dixie chicks
"Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I opened my mouth and I hurt myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
Guess I could have made it easier on myself
But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow
Well I never seem to do it like anybody else
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
If you ever want to find me I can still be found
Takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around"
long way down - timbaland feat. daughtry
"I hear it's such a long way down
And the climb back up ain't as easy as it sounds
I hear it's such a long way down
And the climb back up is just something I can do without
Something I can do without"
manhattan - kings of leon
me and mrs. jones - michael buble
the moment i said it - imogen heap
"The moment I said it,
The moment I opened my mouth
Lead in your eyelids,
Bulldozed the life out of me"
mother mother - the veronicas
"mother mother, can you hear me?
sure i'm sober, sure i'm sane
life is perfect, never better
still your daughter, still the same"
poor lil rich - 50 cent
ring the alarm - beyonce
(this song is really effing awesome if you're an angry woman)
"tell me how i should feel when i know what i know
and my female intuition tellin' me you a dog
people told me 'bout the flames i couldn't see through the smoke"
single ladies - beyonce
(umm, no explanation required)
solsbury hill - peter gabriel
"Till I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" he said "Grab your things
I've come to take you home.""
somebody to love - glee cast
"Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
I'm ok, I'm alright
Ain't gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Someday I'm gonna be free, Lord!
Find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love?"
stuntin' like my daddy - birdman & lil wayne
"it ain't my birthday but i got my name on the cake"
swing ya rag- TI
unusual you - britney spears
"nothing about you is typical
nothing about you is predictable
you got me all twisted and confused
...
didn't anyone tell you,
you're supposed to
break my heart, i expect you to"
what it feels like for a girl - glee cast
"hurt that's not supposed to show and
tears that fall when no one knows
when you're trying hard to be your best
could you be a little less?
do you know what it feels like for a girl?
do you know what it feels like for a girl in this world?"
womanizer - britney spears
"you can play brand new to all the other chicks out here
but i know what you are, what you are, baby
baby you got all the puppets with their strings up
fakin' like a good one but i call 'em like i see 'em
i know what you are, what you are, baby"
I know some of you will never need this playlist as you have already found your lobster, but I guess it could also just be a general female/self empowerment mix, so, ya know. If you want it...it's below. Lizzy maybe I will burn you a copy of this since you didn't like the hardcore rap mix I sent you for some ridiculous reason.
Some of the songs are just included because I just downloaded them (cough...all glee madonna songs...cough). But where it applies, I've put in the lyrics of the song that made me include it.
Btw, if you have any suggestions of songs I should listen to right now, please send along. And no, before you ask, I'm not heartbroken or insane as many of the below lyrics suggest, but sometimes it's just to not be the most dramatic thing around trying to express what you're feeling.
stand beside me - jo dee messina
"Stand beside me
Be true, don't tell lies to me
I'm not lookin' for a fantasy
I want a man that who stands beside me"
acoustic #3 - goo goo dolls
"And I wonder where these dreams go
When the world gets in your way
What's the point in all this screaming?
No one's listening anyway"
apologize - timbaland featuring one republic
"and you say sorry like the angel
heaven let me think was you
but i'm afraid
it's too late to apologize"
back that thang up - juvenile
before he cheats - carrie underwood
"I dug my key into the side
Of his pretty little souped-up 4 wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seat
I took a Louisville slugger to both head lights
Slashed a hole in all 4 tires
And maybe next time he'll think before he cheats"
(and no, i didn't, but in my head, i did)
the best is yet to come - michael buble
"the best is yet to come, and won't that be fine,
you think you've seen the sun, but you ain't seen it shine"
blah blah blah - ke$ha
"stop talk talk talking that blah blah blah,
think you'll be getting this? nah nah nah"
borderline/open your heart - glee cast
bossy - kelis
"you don't have to love me
you don't even have to like me
but you will respect me
you know why?
'cause i'm a boss!
...
can't stop starin',
she's fine and she's pretty
...
flossing, you say "how much it cost me?"
about a million dollars, playa, she's bossy!"
breakin' dishes - rihanna
"i'm gettin' restless, i'm gettin' tested,
i can't believe he's always out every night and never checks in
is he cheatin'? i don't know
i'm lookin' around for something else to throw"
cleanin' out my closet - eminem
"give 'em hell long as i'm breathin'
keep kickin' ass in the morning,
taking names in the evening"
(as an aside, we almost had that put on t-shirts for the UVA women's rowing team at the South Central Championships Regatta because we would race heats in the morning and finals in the evening...we won the regatta. I really wish we had made those tshirts. Pretty sure I'd wear it every single day.)
come on get higher - matt nathanson
dead and gone - TI feat. JT
"that part of me left yesterday
the heart of me is strong today"
defying gravity - wicked original broadway cast
(i could basically put in this entire song, but in particular...)
"Something has changed within me
Something is not the same
I'm through with playing by the rules
Of someone else's game
Too late for second-guessing
Too late to go back to sleep
It's time to trust my instincts
Close my eyes and leap"
...
"Too long I've been afraid of
Losing love I guess I've lost
Well, if that's love
It comes at much too high a cost"
...
"And if I'm flying solo
At least I'm flying free
To those who'd ground me
Take a message back from me
Tell them how I am
Defying gravity"
dirrty - christina aguilera
don't stop believin' - glee cast
"some will win, some will lose
some were born to sing the blues"
fifteen - taylor swift
"'Cause when you're fifteen and somebody tells you they love you
You're gonna believe them
And when you're fifteen feeling like there's nothing to figure out
Well, count to ten, take it in
This is life before you know who you're gonna be"
...
"But in your life you'll do things greater than
Dating the boy on the football team"
...
"Back then I swore I was gonna marry him someday
But I realized some bigger dreams of mine"
the heart of the matter - india.arie
heartbreak warfare - john mayer
"How come the only way to know how high you get me
is to see how far I fall
God only knows how much I'd love you if you let me
but I can't break through at all."
i do not hook up - kelly clarkson
"oh, no, i do not hook up, i go slow
so if you want me, i don't come cheap
keep your hand in my hand
and your heart on your sleeve"
i still haven't found what i'm looking for - u2
"well i believe in the kingdom come
that all the colors will bleed into one
but yes i'm still running
you broke the bonds and you loosed the chains
you carried the cross of my shame
you know i believe it
but i still haven't found what i'm looking for"
like a virgin - glee cast
the long way around - dixie chicks
"Well, I fought with a stranger and I met myself
I opened my mouth and I hurt myself
It can get pretty lonely when you show yourself
Guess I could have made it easier on myself
But I, I could never follow
No I, I could never follow
Well I never seem to do it like anybody else
Maybe someday, someday I'm gonna settle down
If you ever want to find me I can still be found
Takin' the long way
Takin' the long way around"
long way down - timbaland feat. daughtry
"I hear it's such a long way down
And the climb back up ain't as easy as it sounds
I hear it's such a long way down
And the climb back up is just something I can do without
Something I can do without"
manhattan - kings of leon
me and mrs. jones - michael buble
the moment i said it - imogen heap
"The moment I said it,
The moment I opened my mouth
Lead in your eyelids,
Bulldozed the life out of me"
mother mother - the veronicas
"mother mother, can you hear me?
sure i'm sober, sure i'm sane
life is perfect, never better
still your daughter, still the same"
poor lil rich - 50 cent
ring the alarm - beyonce
(this song is really effing awesome if you're an angry woman)
"tell me how i should feel when i know what i know
and my female intuition tellin' me you a dog
people told me 'bout the flames i couldn't see through the smoke"
single ladies - beyonce
(umm, no explanation required)
solsbury hill - peter gabriel
"Till I thought of what I'd say
Which connection I should cut
I was feeling part of the scenery
I walked right out of the machinery
My heart going boom boom boom
"Hey" he said "Grab your things
I've come to take you home.""
somebody to love - glee cast
"Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat
I'm ok, I'm alright
Ain't gonna face no defeat
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
Someday I'm gonna be free, Lord!
Find me somebody to love
Can anybody find me somebody to love?"
stuntin' like my daddy - birdman & lil wayne
"it ain't my birthday but i got my name on the cake"
swing ya rag- TI
unusual you - britney spears
"nothing about you is typical
nothing about you is predictable
you got me all twisted and confused
...
didn't anyone tell you,
you're supposed to
break my heart, i expect you to"
what it feels like for a girl - glee cast
"hurt that's not supposed to show and
tears that fall when no one knows
when you're trying hard to be your best
could you be a little less?
do you know what it feels like for a girl?
do you know what it feels like for a girl in this world?"
womanizer - britney spears
"you can play brand new to all the other chicks out here
but i know what you are, what you are, baby
baby you got all the puppets with their strings up
fakin' like a good one but i call 'em like i see 'em
i know what you are, what you are, baby"
Monday, April 19, 2010
I finished my first half marathon!
And because of that, I am tired, so to see pics from the finish line, look at Lizzy's blog.
I had SUCH a great support group this weekend. Lizzy made me a good luck banner and let me sleep in her bed the night before the race so I would be well rested (I still tossed and turned all night but that was my anxiety's fault, not her bed's). She made cute posters for Annie and me (see pics on her blog), and waited to cheer us on at the finish line (she had to wait a little longer for me, haha). Josh brought me a Koala (long story) who I carried across the finish line with me (I'll post pics when the official pics are posted). Quotes from the people I passed with the koala: "Look, she has a koala!" "She's got her TEDDY!" Koala really enjoyed wearing my medal after we crossed the finish line. I think he is going to train for his own half marathon now. My sister Meghan also drove down for the day on Saturday and spent time with me and my friends.
The race was hilly, it was hard, but most of all, it was FUN. It reminded me how much I love racing (from my days of rowing). I am way less competitive when it comes to running though - in rowing I was out to beat my competitors, in running I am really just sort of along for the ride, the sweat, and the scenery. This weekend was a reminder that there really is no more beautiful place than Southern Virginia. And a reminder that I have WONDERFUL friends! Thanks everyone :-)
I had SUCH a great support group this weekend. Lizzy made me a good luck banner and let me sleep in her bed the night before the race so I would be well rested (I still tossed and turned all night but that was my anxiety's fault, not her bed's). She made cute posters for Annie and me (see pics on her blog), and waited to cheer us on at the finish line (she had to wait a little longer for me, haha). Josh brought me a Koala (long story) who I carried across the finish line with me (I'll post pics when the official pics are posted). Quotes from the people I passed with the koala: "Look, she has a koala!" "She's got her TEDDY!" Koala really enjoyed wearing my medal after we crossed the finish line. I think he is going to train for his own half marathon now. My sister Meghan also drove down for the day on Saturday and spent time with me and my friends.
The race was hilly, it was hard, but most of all, it was FUN. It reminded me how much I love racing (from my days of rowing). I am way less competitive when it comes to running though - in rowing I was out to beat my competitors, in running I am really just sort of along for the ride, the sweat, and the scenery. This weekend was a reminder that there really is no more beautiful place than Southern Virginia. And a reminder that I have WONDERFUL friends! Thanks everyone :-)
Monday, April 12, 2010
All geared up
OK so I think I'm ready for the race on Saturday morning (did I just jinx myself?).
1) I have my outfit ready. I did my long run this weekend in my super cool aerodynamic (nerdy) running hat and it was pretty great. Also in my running shirt (hottest hot pink there is), also pretty great.
2) I am officially tapering. 6 miles this Saturday, 4 miles this morning...just a couple more workouts before the race.
3) I am (I AM! STOP ARGUING WITH YOURSELF BRIDGET) making myself get up at 6 every day this week so it won't be quite a shock to my body when I have to start the race at 6:30 on Saturday morning. 1 day of this down, 4 to go. Will be especially hard on Friday morning when I'm not going to work that day...
4) I got a new water bottle that I kind of "wear" on my hand (pictured below). It has a little strap on it that makes it so I can just slip my hand in and carry it effortlessly. I think it's cool because it looks like it's wearing its own little backpack. It carries my "Shot Blocks" which are basically just jelly energy supplements (candy) that I eat when I'm doing long runs. They're tasty. I got home from my dance class yesterday and wanted to eat one but I have to restrict myself because they're only for serious workout time.
1) I have my outfit ready. I did my long run this weekend in my super cool aerodynamic (nerdy) running hat and it was pretty great. Also in my running shirt (hottest hot pink there is), also pretty great.
2) I am officially tapering. 6 miles this Saturday, 4 miles this morning...just a couple more workouts before the race.
3) I am (I AM! STOP ARGUING WITH YOURSELF BRIDGET) making myself get up at 6 every day this week so it won't be quite a shock to my body when I have to start the race at 6:30 on Saturday morning. 1 day of this down, 4 to go. Will be especially hard on Friday morning when I'm not going to work that day...
4) I got a new water bottle that I kind of "wear" on my hand (pictured below). It has a little strap on it that makes it so I can just slip my hand in and carry it effortlessly. I think it's cool because it looks like it's wearing its own little backpack. It carries my "Shot Blocks" which are basically just jelly energy supplements (candy) that I eat when I'm doing long runs. They're tasty. I got home from my dance class yesterday and wanted to eat one but I have to restrict myself because they're only for serious workout time.
Thursday, April 08, 2010
I apparently can't stop posting today
This one is interactive.
You need to watch the below while reading this post:
These are just my comments on this video, if you want to know them. And yes I do like this song. And yes this is my 5th time listening to it today.
Now, press play.
0:25 -- Justin's little crush turns to her friend and says (what I think is) "I can do that" after he bowls a strike.
0:31 -- She can't. There are clearly pins standing when they pan away. The pins they then cut back to show falling are not the pins that were still standing. FAKE. She's an idiot.
0:40 -- Are Justin and his crush wearing matching grey jackets? Bad sign.
1:00 -- Justin are you old enough to be at this bowling alley without your parents?
1:03 -- She just pushed you away for the 3rd time. Take a hint.
1:14 -- When did Jazzy Jeff show up? Does Will Smith know he's there?
1:16 -- Dance move clearly stolen from Brit Brit. Bad sign #2. Justin are you sure you like this girl and not maybe...her brother?
1:17 -- No (see 1:00)
1:30 -- I'm sorry, what the EFF was that dance move?
1:35 -- Yeah, rolling over pool tables, not the best way to get women back. Not the best way to do anything, really.
1:51 -- If I were that girl I'd rather date his breakdancing friend than Justin. Or, for that matter, her breakdancing friend.
2:00 -- It just got all West Side Story up in here.
2:13 -- Luda, you might as well have yelled "SELLOUT!"
2:53 -- And commence Vogue-ing
3:16 -- exactly.
3:32 -- WHAT? Does that ending make sense to ANYONE? What won her over? I don't think it was the pool table rolling...
You need to watch the below while reading this post:
These are just my comments on this video, if you want to know them. And yes I do like this song. And yes this is my 5th time listening to it today.
Now, press play.
0:25 -- Justin's little crush turns to her friend and says (what I think is) "I can do that" after he bowls a strike.
0:31 -- She can't. There are clearly pins standing when they pan away. The pins they then cut back to show falling are not the pins that were still standing. FAKE. She's an idiot.
0:40 -- Are Justin and his crush wearing matching grey jackets? Bad sign.
1:00 -- Justin are you old enough to be at this bowling alley without your parents?
1:03 -- She just pushed you away for the 3rd time. Take a hint.
1:14 -- When did Jazzy Jeff show up? Does Will Smith know he's there?
1:16 -- Dance move clearly stolen from Brit Brit. Bad sign #2. Justin are you sure you like this girl and not maybe...her brother?
1:17 -- No (see 1:00)
1:30 -- I'm sorry, what the EFF was that dance move?
1:35 -- Yeah, rolling over pool tables, not the best way to get women back. Not the best way to do anything, really.
1:51 -- If I were that girl I'd rather date his breakdancing friend than Justin. Or, for that matter, her breakdancing friend.
2:00 -- It just got all West Side Story up in here.
2:13 -- Luda, you might as well have yelled "SELLOUT!"
2:53 -- And commence Vogue-ing
3:16 -- exactly.
3:32 -- WHAT? Does that ending make sense to ANYONE? What won her over? I don't think it was the pool table rolling...
Cold prickley
I just remembered this story and it was so characteristic of me that I HAD to share it with you...
In 4th grade my teacher's name was Miss Prehn. It was her first year teaching. She decided to introduce the concept of "Warm Fuzzies" to our class (bad idea, we were terrible people). She told us that a "Warm Fuzzy" was when you said or did something nice for someone without expecting anything in return. We would have a little cubby or mailbox in the classroom, and you could pick up a piece of paper designed for the warm fuzzies (they had a picture of Calvin and Hobbes hugging on them) and write a note to someone else and leave it in their mailbox anonymously.
So then Miss Prehn asked us to give an example of what a good warm fuzzy would be, and Sara Morgan (sorry if you read this blog Sara, but I haven't talked to you in years so I'm gonna go with probably not) raised her hand and gave Miss Prehn an example of how to impart a warm and fuzzy feeling to another human being. Not being familiar with/supportive of this practice in general, I elbowed my friend next to me and rolled my eyes at her - and Miss Prehn TOTALLY called me out and said "Bridget, that would be a good example of a cold prickley."
So yeah, I've been an asshole since I was 9. What I want to know is, where were the notes designed for Cold Prickleys so that I could tell everyone else how much I hated them and that their haircut was stupid?
Tellin' it like it is...
In 4th grade my teacher's name was Miss Prehn. It was her first year teaching. She decided to introduce the concept of "Warm Fuzzies" to our class (bad idea, we were terrible people). She told us that a "Warm Fuzzy" was when you said or did something nice for someone without expecting anything in return. We would have a little cubby or mailbox in the classroom, and you could pick up a piece of paper designed for the warm fuzzies (they had a picture of Calvin and Hobbes hugging on them) and write a note to someone else and leave it in their mailbox anonymously.
So then Miss Prehn asked us to give an example of what a good warm fuzzy would be, and Sara Morgan (sorry if you read this blog Sara, but I haven't talked to you in years so I'm gonna go with probably not) raised her hand and gave Miss Prehn an example of how to impart a warm and fuzzy feeling to another human being. Not being familiar with/supportive of this practice in general, I elbowed my friend next to me and rolled my eyes at her - and Miss Prehn TOTALLY called me out and said "Bridget, that would be a good example of a cold prickley."
So yeah, I've been an asshole since I was 9. What I want to know is, where were the notes designed for Cold Prickleys so that I could tell everyone else how much I hated them and that their haircut was stupid?
Tellin' it like it is...
BMONEY!
So you know how Ludacris yells his name to announce himself before he starts rapping? I think I should do that in like, general conversation. Just be like "BRIDGET!" and then start talking because obviously everyone else will have shut up to stare at me. I started talking with my friend Heather (the one who wanted to high kick me recently) and she thinks my rapper name should be "Bridgety Bridge" but I think it should be "BMoney." What do you think?
Tuesday, April 06, 2010
I have listened to this song roughly 10 times today.
"Edge of Desire" by John Mayer from Battle Studies.
If you haven't heard it before, please go here right now to listen to it.
The lyrics are amazing (below). I decided today that if John Mayer and I ever ended up in a romantic relationship, all of the emotions in the world would be absorbed into our relationship and there would be no emotion left over for anyone else. Stranger things have happened.
If you haven't heard it before, please go here right now to listen to it.
The lyrics are amazing (below). I decided today that if John Mayer and I ever ended up in a romantic relationship, all of the emotions in the world would be absorbed into our relationship and there would be no emotion left over for anyone else. Stranger things have happened.
"Young and full of running
Tell me where has that taken me?
Just a great figure eight or a tiny infinity?
Love is really nothing
But a dream that keeps waking me,
For all of my trying
We still end up dying, how can it be?
Don't say a word just come over and lie here with me,
'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see,
I want you so bad, I'll go back on the things I believed,
There I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me.
So young and full of running, all the way to the edge of desire
Steady my breathing, silently screaming,
"I have to have you now"
Wired and I'm tired
Think I'll sleep in my clothes on the floor
Maybe this mattress will spin on its axis and find me on yours
Don't say a word just come over and lie here with me
'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see
I want you so bad I'll go back on the things I believe
There I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me
Don't say a word just come over and lie here with me
'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see
I want you so bad I'll go back on the things I believe
There I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me"
Tell me where has that taken me?
Just a great figure eight or a tiny infinity?
Love is really nothing
But a dream that keeps waking me,
For all of my trying
We still end up dying, how can it be?
Don't say a word just come over and lie here with me,
'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see,
I want you so bad, I'll go back on the things I believed,
There I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me.
So young and full of running, all the way to the edge of desire
Steady my breathing, silently screaming,
"I have to have you now"
Wired and I'm tired
Think I'll sleep in my clothes on the floor
Maybe this mattress will spin on its axis and find me on yours
Don't say a word just come over and lie here with me
'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see
I want you so bad I'll go back on the things I believe
There I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me
Don't say a word just come over and lie here with me
'Cause I'm just about to set fire to everything I see
I want you so bad I'll go back on the things I believe
There I just said it, I'm scared you'll forget about me"
Monday, April 05, 2010
I heart Preppy Things.
Work is extremely slow this week (again) so I was catching up on some blogs, etc this morning - read my book news on the NYTimes website and saw that they're releasing a sequel of sorts to The Official Preppy Handbook this year. If you haven't read The Official Preppy Handbook, you should. Especially if you attended The University or you plan to attend The University at some point in the future (you know who you are). I usually don't employ the phrase The University because I know how obnoxious it is, but I figured that since I'm writing a post about being preppy, it worked.
Anyway I stumbled across two interesting blogs that are mentioned in the article I was reading and thought you might want to check them out too...the first one (very cute) is like a stereotypical UVa srat girl in blog form:
Monograms and Manicures --> she mentions going to college "in Virginia" for a year before transferring to Minnesota -- chances she meant UVa ???
Summer is a Verb
Meow meow, Happy Monday, Welcome back Jesus.
Anyway I stumbled across two interesting blogs that are mentioned in the article I was reading and thought you might want to check them out too...the first one (very cute) is like a stereotypical UVa srat girl in blog form:
Monograms and Manicures --> she mentions going to college "in Virginia" for a year before transferring to Minnesota -- chances she meant UVa ???
Summer is a Verb
Meow meow, Happy Monday, Welcome back Jesus.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
What happens in Vegas ends up on this blog
I have returned from Vegas 100% intact. Well, my wallet took a beating (more at JCrew than in the casinos) but you know, you go to Vegas to spend money, and at least I came back with goodies to show for it.
Some of my favorite Vegas stories:
We (Lizzy, Molly, Annie, Bridget) are walking down Las Vegas Blvd and a guy runs up next to us and says:
"Hey ladies are you going out tonight?"
"No" (all of us)
"Well I wish you would because it's my brother's 21st birthday and we're trying to make this a real party so I wish you would come. So will you be there?"
"Probably not." (me)
"But-" (him)
"We're all married" (Molly Vaughn, flashing her ring finger while I try to hide my conspicuously bare one)
"Welp, see you later!" (him)
There may as well have been a smoke path behind this guy he ran away from us so quickly. I loved it. I laughed all the way back to the hotel.
Molly Vaughn kissing Annie's chin when Annie tried to say goodbye to her (Molly I beg you to please post that story on your blog in more detail, I don't want to steal it)
Annie sitting on Molly's lap while she applied sunscreen to her back instead of both of them standing like capable adults
The shouts that Annie and I got while we went running/jogging down the strip on Saturday evening:
"You're in Vegas!"
"Stop running, you're making me feel lazy!"
"You're ON VACATION!"
"Did you see that? They were jogging"
"Where the hell is the University of Virginia?" (I was wearing a UVa tee. I particularly liked that comment)
Then there was the one aggressive woman who decided to jog alongside the two of us until we lost her...it was obnoxious.
We also passed approximately 7 able bodied (we assume) teenagers racing down the sidewalk on motorized wheelchairs. They each cheered us on as we ran, but the last one was our favorite who simply looked up and said "Hello" as he scooted on by.
All in all the trip was a success (minus my flight being delayed 40 minutes which made me an angry angry girl last night as I didn't even touch the ground until 11:30 pm and I had to get my luggage and be up for work this morning). We ate at Mesa Grill (yum), saw Love by Cirque du Soleil (fun and a little creepy - sorry Lizzy), laid out by the pool at the Wynn and the Encore, gambled a tiny bit (Lizzy DOUBLED HER MONEY!) and basically bought everything on sale in JCrew. If you haven't been to Vegas yet, I urge you to go. It's not what you think it's going to be - everyone can create their own unique version of Vegas.
Some of my favorite Vegas stories:
We (Lizzy, Molly, Annie, Bridget) are walking down Las Vegas Blvd and a guy runs up next to us and says:
"Hey ladies are you going out tonight?"
"No" (all of us)
"Well I wish you would because it's my brother's 21st birthday and we're trying to make this a real party so I wish you would come. So will you be there?"
"Probably not." (me)
"But-" (him)
"We're all married" (Molly Vaughn, flashing her ring finger while I try to hide my conspicuously bare one)
"Welp, see you later!" (him)
There may as well have been a smoke path behind this guy he ran away from us so quickly. I loved it. I laughed all the way back to the hotel.
Molly Vaughn kissing Annie's chin when Annie tried to say goodbye to her (Molly I beg you to please post that story on your blog in more detail, I don't want to steal it)
Annie sitting on Molly's lap while she applied sunscreen to her back instead of both of them standing like capable adults
The shouts that Annie and I got while we went running/jogging down the strip on Saturday evening:
"You're in Vegas!"
"Stop running, you're making me feel lazy!"
"You're ON VACATION!"
"Did you see that? They were jogging"
"Where the hell is the University of Virginia?" (I was wearing a UVa tee. I particularly liked that comment)
Then there was the one aggressive woman who decided to jog alongside the two of us until we lost her...it was obnoxious.
We also passed approximately 7 able bodied (we assume) teenagers racing down the sidewalk on motorized wheelchairs. They each cheered us on as we ran, but the last one was our favorite who simply looked up and said "Hello" as he scooted on by.
All in all the trip was a success (minus my flight being delayed 40 minutes which made me an angry angry girl last night as I didn't even touch the ground until 11:30 pm and I had to get my luggage and be up for work this morning). We ate at Mesa Grill (yum), saw Love by Cirque du Soleil (fun and a little creepy - sorry Lizzy), laid out by the pool at the Wynn and the Encore, gambled a tiny bit (Lizzy DOUBLED HER MONEY!) and basically bought everything on sale in JCrew. If you haven't been to Vegas yet, I urge you to go. It's not what you think it's going to be - everyone can create their own unique version of Vegas.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
NO PARENTS!
So I had an awkward moment on my birthday. We were sitting at the dinner table and there were like 10 of us, and I think we had just finished cutting the birthday cake or something, and someone said "Happy birthday!" and I said "BIRTHDAYYYY!"...so when I said "birthday" excitedly, my friend Paul put up his hand for a high five, and then I followed it up with "NO PARENTS!" He kindly kept his hand there while I completed the high five, but he looked at me like I was crazy.
No one here has ever heard of No Parents. Do you guys remember that?? Was it just us? We used to say that, right? It was a thing? Or did I make this up? I distinctly remember this being yelled (I think by Foley) at FIJI parties, (except it was usually "COLLEGE! NO PARENTS!") so now I can't figure out if it was a FIJI/XO thing, or just a FIJI thing, or really just something I made up and then attributed in my head to one of my favorites.
Can someone please clarify this for me? Because I am totally planning on yelling "VEGAS! NO PARENTS!" this weekend and I don't want it to be awkward.
No one here has ever heard of No Parents. Do you guys remember that?? Was it just us? We used to say that, right? It was a thing? Or did I make this up? I distinctly remember this being yelled (I think by Foley) at FIJI parties, (except it was usually "COLLEGE! NO PARENTS!") so now I can't figure out if it was a FIJI/XO thing, or just a FIJI thing, or really just something I made up and then attributed in my head to one of my favorites.
Can someone please clarify this for me? Because I am totally planning on yelling "VEGAS! NO PARENTS!" this weekend and I don't want it to be awkward.
Monday, March 22, 2010
As seen on Facebook
I have got to stop cross-contaminating my storytelling devices (ie posting the same things on Twitter as I do on Facebook and my blog). You may have already heard this story from my status message this weekend on Facebook, but even if you did, you didn't hear the whole story, so here it is.
Four years ago I started working in Columbus, Ohio. One of the first weekends I was out in Columbus, I went to a bar called Brothers with some friends from my training class. Brothers has a large outdoor patio. They specialize in $1 shots some nights of the week - this might tell you what kind of bar it is and what kind of people patronize Brothers (but I was there, so what can I say). Let's just say it was a good bar to use to transition from college to professional life. And again I use the term professional loosely as it relates to my job.
So my friends and I were standing in a large circle on this outdoor patio and a guy comes up, taps me on the shoulder (kind of aggressively, actually), and says "Hello, you are looking very cool tonight" with a thick accent. I said thanks and tried to go back to my conversation...he persisted. He introduced himself as "Ali-sahn" and stood there talking to me until I gave him a phone number (fake) to get him to leave. He then said "I'll call you right now so you have my number" and I said "Oh I don't have service right now so it must not be coming through" (honestly, men, if this ever happens to you, it is a SURE SIGN that she is fake-numbering you. Just delete the number immediately). Life went on, but my friends and I never forgot the legend of the guy-named-Alison-who-said-you-are-looking-very-cool-tonight. NOR have I forgotten that my friend Paul who was standing next to me at the time did NOT pretend to be my boyfriend to get that CREEP to go away.
Fast forward 4 years to this past Saturday night. I was feeling preeeeetty bad for myself because a guy who I wanted to call me hadn't (he has since gotten in touch and claims he had the wrong phone number for me...I don't know if I buy it, but he's getting the benefit of the doubt for the moment), so I went to Trader Joe's, by myself, at 8 pm on a Saturday night. I am the ultimate of cool, in case you were wondering.
In my self-pity-frenzy, I buy the following (let's see how good my memory is):
apple slices
garlic hummus (love)
2 bags of pretzel thins
1 bag of pita chips
cheese sticks
2 frozen pizzas
sugar snap peas
gallon of milk (this becomes important)
3 frozen-indian-food meals
2 bags of salad greens
Ok I think that's it. Regardless, I buy all of these groceries and I'm struggling to get from the store to my car with two full bags in one hand and my car keys + gallon of milk in the other hand. I exit the store and walk past a guy who appears to be kind of confused (he's just kind of lingering by the entrance). As I walk by he says "Excuse me, miss?" and I turn, thinking that he's lost (he has a foreign accent, and there's a hotel next to Trader Joe's, snap judgement). Guess what he says to me.
No really, just guess.
"You are looking very nice tonight."
Do you see where this story is going?
It was the same mother-effing dude. He, again, talks to me for a solid 5 minutes, even though I repeatedly shift my weight, indicating how uncomfortable I am standing there with my pounds and pounds of groceries, not to mention frozen and refrigerated goods. He says to me "I'm surprised you didn't ask about my accent, I'm French Guinea" to which I thought "I didn't ask because I don't effing care," but to which I replied with some unintelligible bit of murmuring. I mean, at LEAST the guy has updated the word from cool to nice in 4 years, but COME ON.
He asked for my phone number, and I again gave him my go-to fake number.
My life has reached an all-time low.
I mean, yeah, I should be flattered that the same person (really, that ANY person) found me attractive enough multiple times to work up the nerve to speak to me and put himself out there in that way, but COME ON PEOPLE. First of all, women do not appreciate being picked up SO BLATANTLY solely on the basis of their looks. He knew nothing about me aside from the fact that I shopped at Trader Joe's on a Saturday night by myself (scent of desperation?) and that I am female. Oh, and that I wear casual clothing. The end. To me, that is not a good enough reason to ask someone for their phone number, but maybe I just need to carpe my diem a little more. I don't know.
But before you ask, no, I do not for even a second feel bad for giving this guy a fake number. I have zero interest in ever seeing him again, but maybe I'll just give it 4 more years and see how it goes next time around.
Four years ago I started working in Columbus, Ohio. One of the first weekends I was out in Columbus, I went to a bar called Brothers with some friends from my training class. Brothers has a large outdoor patio. They specialize in $1 shots some nights of the week - this might tell you what kind of bar it is and what kind of people patronize Brothers (but I was there, so what can I say). Let's just say it was a good bar to use to transition from college to professional life. And again I use the term professional loosely as it relates to my job.
So my friends and I were standing in a large circle on this outdoor patio and a guy comes up, taps me on the shoulder (kind of aggressively, actually), and says "Hello, you are looking very cool tonight" with a thick accent. I said thanks and tried to go back to my conversation...he persisted. He introduced himself as "Ali-sahn" and stood there talking to me until I gave him a phone number (fake) to get him to leave. He then said "I'll call you right now so you have my number" and I said "Oh I don't have service right now so it must not be coming through" (honestly, men, if this ever happens to you, it is a SURE SIGN that she is fake-numbering you. Just delete the number immediately). Life went on, but my friends and I never forgot the legend of the guy-named-Alison-who-said-you-are-looking-very-cool-tonight. NOR have I forgotten that my friend Paul who was standing next to me at the time did NOT pretend to be my boyfriend to get that CREEP to go away.
Fast forward 4 years to this past Saturday night. I was feeling preeeeetty bad for myself because a guy who I wanted to call me hadn't (he has since gotten in touch and claims he had the wrong phone number for me...I don't know if I buy it, but he's getting the benefit of the doubt for the moment), so I went to Trader Joe's, by myself, at 8 pm on a Saturday night. I am the ultimate of cool, in case you were wondering.
In my self-pity-frenzy, I buy the following (let's see how good my memory is):
apple slices
garlic hummus (love)
2 bags of pretzel thins
1 bag of pita chips
cheese sticks
2 frozen pizzas
sugar snap peas
gallon of milk (this becomes important)
3 frozen-indian-food meals
2 bags of salad greens
Ok I think that's it. Regardless, I buy all of these groceries and I'm struggling to get from the store to my car with two full bags in one hand and my car keys + gallon of milk in the other hand. I exit the store and walk past a guy who appears to be kind of confused (he's just kind of lingering by the entrance). As I walk by he says "Excuse me, miss?" and I turn, thinking that he's lost (he has a foreign accent, and there's a hotel next to Trader Joe's, snap judgement). Guess what he says to me.
No really, just guess.
"You are looking very nice tonight."
Do you see where this story is going?
It was the same mother-effing dude. He, again, talks to me for a solid 5 minutes, even though I repeatedly shift my weight, indicating how uncomfortable I am standing there with my pounds and pounds of groceries, not to mention frozen and refrigerated goods. He says to me "I'm surprised you didn't ask about my accent, I'm French Guinea" to which I thought "I didn't ask because I don't effing care," but to which I replied with some unintelligible bit of murmuring. I mean, at LEAST the guy has updated the word from cool to nice in 4 years, but COME ON.
He asked for my phone number, and I again gave him my go-to fake number.
My life has reached an all-time low.
I mean, yeah, I should be flattered that the same person (really, that ANY person) found me attractive enough multiple times to work up the nerve to speak to me and put himself out there in that way, but COME ON PEOPLE. First of all, women do not appreciate being picked up SO BLATANTLY solely on the basis of their looks. He knew nothing about me aside from the fact that I shopped at Trader Joe's on a Saturday night by myself (scent of desperation?) and that I am female. Oh, and that I wear casual clothing. The end. To me, that is not a good enough reason to ask someone for their phone number, but maybe I just need to carpe my diem a little more. I don't know.
But before you ask, no, I do not for even a second feel bad for giving this guy a fake number. I have zero interest in ever seeing him again, but maybe I'll just give it 4 more years and see how it goes next time around.
Friday, March 19, 2010
This is the best birthday present ever
(except for the ones all of you sent me ;) )
XOs check this out to learn about Alby the skateboarding owl!!
(credit goes to Mr. Paul Soper for sending me this link. And for getting me a cozy horse for my birthday.)
(credit goes to Mr. Paul Soper for sending me this link. And for getting me a cozy horse for my birthday.)
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Poetry and motion
Two separate stories for you today.
The first I have been meaning to tell on here for a quite a while, and Molly Laufer, this one goes out to you again because I hope it will make you laugh long enough to get you through the VERY FEW DAYS you have left before you return home!!
So I have started taking this dance class at the gym on Sunday afternoons. I can't remember if I've mentioned this class before or not, but it is amazing. Seriously it's me and a bunch of 60+ yr old women shaking our booties to "Oh hot damn, this is my jam" (which, coincidentally, IS my jam). So anyway a few weeks ago we were dancing to "Single Ladies" and I got super excited...I have been seriously considering freeze-framing the video for months in order to learn the dance. There's really no reason for me to be learning this dance, other than the potential fulfillment of my lifelong dream that someday my life will become a musical. Anyway, the dance was slightly modified from the video, and there was one part where we do (this is all very technical, please try to keep up) - spin spin clap right, spin spin clap left, stripper booty drop, shoulder shoulder shoulder. So I was so into this dance and thinking I was so awesome that instead of the above, I did spin spin clap right, spin spin clap left, spin spin clap right, ohgodnooneelseisspinningilooklikeanidiot.
While everyone else was stripper booty dropping, I was still spinning around the middle of the room. By myself. Luckily none of the ladies my mom's age are too judgemental...no one laughed (audibly, at least).
The second is - I'm not sure how many of you know this - but I write poetry frequently. This past summer I got up the courage to go downtown to an open mic poetry reading and read some of my poetry. It's usually in a park but the weather wasn't the best so it was moved into a local dive bar, and the two readers that night were myself and a Vietnam vet. My friend Meghan and her boyfriend Cam came to support me. I drank some of our shared pitcher of beer and went up to the mic and read my two poems - both about the same guy, one written at the beginning of our relationship, one at the end. After the reading was over, I went up to the bar to settle up my tab, and the bartender - this big, burly dude with huge muscles and a shaved head - said "I liked your poems. They were real good," with the most earnest, sincere expression on his face.
It made my day.
The first I have been meaning to tell on here for a quite a while, and Molly Laufer, this one goes out to you again because I hope it will make you laugh long enough to get you through the VERY FEW DAYS you have left before you return home!!
So I have started taking this dance class at the gym on Sunday afternoons. I can't remember if I've mentioned this class before or not, but it is amazing. Seriously it's me and a bunch of 60+ yr old women shaking our booties to "Oh hot damn, this is my jam" (which, coincidentally, IS my jam). So anyway a few weeks ago we were dancing to "Single Ladies" and I got super excited...I have been seriously considering freeze-framing the video for months in order to learn the dance. There's really no reason for me to be learning this dance, other than the potential fulfillment of my lifelong dream that someday my life will become a musical. Anyway, the dance was slightly modified from the video, and there was one part where we do (this is all very technical, please try to keep up) - spin spin clap right, spin spin clap left, stripper booty drop, shoulder shoulder shoulder. So I was so into this dance and thinking I was so awesome that instead of the above, I did spin spin clap right, spin spin clap left, spin spin clap right, ohgodnooneelseisspinningilooklikeanidiot.
While everyone else was stripper booty dropping, I was still spinning around the middle of the room. By myself. Luckily none of the ladies my mom's age are too judgemental...no one laughed (audibly, at least).
The second is - I'm not sure how many of you know this - but I write poetry frequently. This past summer I got up the courage to go downtown to an open mic poetry reading and read some of my poetry. It's usually in a park but the weather wasn't the best so it was moved into a local dive bar, and the two readers that night were myself and a Vietnam vet. My friend Meghan and her boyfriend Cam came to support me. I drank some of our shared pitcher of beer and went up to the mic and read my two poems - both about the same guy, one written at the beginning of our relationship, one at the end. After the reading was over, I went up to the bar to settle up my tab, and the bartender - this big, burly dude with huge muscles and a shaved head - said "I liked your poems. They were real good," with the most earnest, sincere expression on his face.
It made my day.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Just in case you were wondering...
The forecast for Friday, March 26 in Las Vegas, NV is 75* and sunny.
Viva Las Vegas!
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Text based conversation strikes again
(Thanks to Molly Vaughn for reminding me about this story with her latest comment)
So a couple of weeks ago I was talking to my best friend on Gchat and she said "that's what she said" and, being the 5 year old I am, I assumed that she meant it in the pop culture way that Michael from the Office says it (if you don't know what I'm referring to, you probably shouldn't read this blog, it will probably offend you). So, I'd never heard her say "That's what she said" before that I can remember, so even though I couldn't for the life of me figure out what she was referring to, I just tried to be supportive and said "Oh, haha!" while trying to figure out how it related to the conversation.
So eventually I say "You saying that is funny to me" and I tell her that I'd just told everyone at my table that she'd said it (and that I still couldn't figure out why) - so she goes "What are you talking about? That's what she said? I just realized I said that" and I was like Oh my gosh, she like, subconsciously typed That's what she said without meaning to, this is weird. We go back and forth like this with a ton of "What? What did you realize? What was funny?" for a few minutes until finally she says that she meant to include a question mark when she originally said it - as in, really asking the question of "That's what she said?" and in no way trying to make a dirty joke, which, when you think about me sitting here typing "Hahaha!" and trying to figure out what was funny, is great. I was just really trying to be supportive of her foray into inappropriate jokes.
Sigh. I need to grow up. And I just realized no one will probably find this as funny as I do.
So a couple of weeks ago I was talking to my best friend on Gchat and she said "that's what she said" and, being the 5 year old I am, I assumed that she meant it in the pop culture way that Michael from the Office says it (if you don't know what I'm referring to, you probably shouldn't read this blog, it will probably offend you). So, I'd never heard her say "That's what she said" before that I can remember, so even though I couldn't for the life of me figure out what she was referring to, I just tried to be supportive and said "Oh, haha!" while trying to figure out how it related to the conversation.
So eventually I say "You saying that is funny to me" and I tell her that I'd just told everyone at my table that she'd said it (and that I still couldn't figure out why) - so she goes "What are you talking about? That's what she said? I just realized I said that" and I was like Oh my gosh, she like, subconsciously typed That's what she said without meaning to, this is weird. We go back and forth like this with a ton of "What? What did you realize? What was funny?" for a few minutes until finally she says that she meant to include a question mark when she originally said it - as in, really asking the question of "That's what she said?" and in no way trying to make a dirty joke, which, when you think about me sitting here typing "Hahaha!" and trying to figure out what was funny, is great. I was just really trying to be supportive of her foray into inappropriate jokes.
Sigh. I need to grow up. And I just realized no one will probably find this as funny as I do.
What the what?
So I was at the gym last night, and during my running training I have found that one of my favorite activities is to make awkward eye contact with fellow runners/exercise enthusiasts as I make my way around the track. Last night some creepo on the stairmaster wiggled his eyebrows at me. I kept my eyes straight ahead from that point forward (except for one point where I caught my trainer watching me while he was training two older ladies and I then proceeded to smile for the next lap. No movement in that area yet though (that's what she said)).
But to the point of this post - last night I was running my laps and there came a point where there was a big holdup on the track - I glanced over my shoulder after I passed the group to see who the heck they were, and I kid you not, this group of people was 7 asian guys and 1 white guy in a Panda Express t-shirt. Did he really think that was going to help him fit in better?
But to the point of this post - last night I was running my laps and there came a point where there was a big holdup on the track - I glanced over my shoulder after I passed the group to see who the heck they were, and I kid you not, this group of people was 7 asian guys and 1 white guy in a Panda Express t-shirt. Did he really think that was going to help him fit in better?
Thursday, March 11, 2010
More hilarious typos
I frequently make mistakes while typing and I think that the results of those mistakes can provide a lot of humor. Another thing that is quite humorous is when you type something into your phone and it suggests what it thinks you want, but it's totally wrong. So I encourage you to record those things here so that everyone can enjoy.
In an e-mail to a friend, I just typed "Columbus Rubbing Company." Which is NOT the same as "Columbus Running Company." I'd like to know what a Rubbing Company would do.
Happy Thursday.
In an e-mail to a friend, I just typed "Columbus Rubbing Company." Which is NOT the same as "Columbus Running Company." I'd like to know what a Rubbing Company would do.
Happy Thursday.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Bob Loblaw's law blog
UPDATE:
Things that have happened related to the halter monitor (for clarification's sake, I am wearing the monitor part on a belt around my hips, and I've covered the electrodes on my chest today with a more coverage-friendly t-shirt):
1) a guy in my department walks by and says "Are you wearing a digital fanny pack?"
2) my boss' boss asks how my crotch clock is doing
3) i tell people i'm part robot
4) i tell people i'm part bomb
Say the title out loud. It's from Arrested Development. It makes me laugh.
Things that have happened related to the halter monitor (for clarification's sake, I am wearing the monitor part on a belt around my hips, and I've covered the electrodes on my chest today with a more coverage-friendly t-shirt):
1) a guy in my department walks by and says "Are you wearing a digital fanny pack?"
2) my boss' boss asks how my crotch clock is doing
3) i tell people i'm part robot
4) i tell people i'm part bomb
Say the title out loud. It's from Arrested Development. It makes me laugh.
- Today at lunchtime I had to leave work to go to the cardiologist (something's bothering me about my heart lately), so I stopped at Subway to get lunch, and at their soda fountain, I mixed Diet Coke with Coke Zero, and let me tell you, the results were pretty good. I find Coca Cola to be too sweet now that I'm used to Diet Coke, and there's something a teensy bit too acidic/chemical about Coke Zero for me (sorry), so the mixture was perfect. Try it out sometime.
- So I am currently part robot because I am wearing what is essentially a portable EKG machine. I have little electrodes all over my chest (like you see in the movies) and they're connected to a little box I am wearing on a belt around my hips. I have to wear it for 24 hours and it's going to monitor my heart activity. People are kind of looking at me funny. I'll let you know if anything interesting comes of this...
Saturday, March 06, 2010
Blessed and Lucky
So if you came around today looking for a light hearted, "Bridget's sharing her most embarrassing (daily) moments with us again" post, maybe skip this one and continue on to the one below from yesterday - it will fill your requirements much better. This one is lighter on the random and heavier on the honesty.
I got out of bed super late this morning. As in, the "almost this afternoon" kind of "this morning." As I was lolling about in bed, I checked Facebook to see what people were up to and saw a status update of my friend/college roommate Sara Rich. Sara is - and always has been since I've known her - extraordinary. Naturally, I mean, I try to make it a habit to only befriend extraordinary people :-) You can find her blog here. (I almost didn't post that link because her blog made my blog feel so intimidated). Anyway, Sara lived on the same hall as me in Lefevre (one of the "Old Dorms" at UVA) and then we lived together for our 2nd year in an apartment back on Preston.
I think when I knew Sara, I must have had a six pack because she made me laugh so often. She also convinced me to join the rugby team where I got my ankle broken, but that's a story for another day. If you've heard Sara Rich laugh, you never forget it. She literally changed the way that I laugh. I know that sounds funny, but it's like her laugh is an infection, and your laugh hears her laugh and gets laugh-envy and changes to be just like hers. She laughs like a crazy person (in the best way possible) and it's amazing. Try it sometimes - just totally let go while you're laughing and you'll see - it will be come this screaming/laughing thing in your voice. Anyway, this post is not about her laugh. It's about her life and who she is, among other things. I'm not going to get into what she's doing right now because she can tell you much better in her own words on her blog, but basically, Sara quit her job as a teacher, picked up her life, and moved it all to Goma (not gonna lie, I just Googled "Where is Goma?"...it's in the Congo, to save you the trouble) to be a volunteer and to make a difference in the educational programs for young people there.
What?
This chick and I lived together for two years, and after school she moves to the Congo to help people and I move to Ohio (which I'd like to compare to the Congo but I don't want to because I don't want to disrespect what Sara is doing) to make clothing that encourages a lack of self esteem in young people. I just had one of those "What the HELL am I doing?" moments this morning.
Sara. You are an inspiration.
So after I eventually forced myself to get out of bed, I watched some DVR, and then went to Panera to get some lunch. Or breakfast. Brunch. Whatever. Let me tell you, if you go to the Panera on Hamilton on the first sunny Saturday in Columbus in MONTHS, you better really effing want to be there. That place was packed. It reminded me of what it must have been like that time that the manager at the Panera in Barracks asked Austin to leave while she was studying because there were too many people there. I don't know why I remember that. But I digress. You know what I'm really good at? Digressing. You know who else is? Molly Laufer.
Seriously, back to the point. I order my food at Panera and go to wait in line to pick it up, and there's a woman there who is trying to pick up her food as well. She already has her drink in her hand and it's shaking - the drink is shaking, her hands/arms are shaking, and she's really struggling. Then her food is placed on the counter and she tries to get it and when she picks it up, that starts shaking too. I was paralyzed. I had no idea what to do. Do I offer to help, or is that offensive? As if saying to this woman, oh, you obviously can't handle yourself, so why don't I swoop in here and help you because I am so capable? It felt like an argument in favor of all those who believe that volunteerism is really just an exercise in narcissism. In the end she handled it fine and got to her table, but I can't stop thinking about it. What is so hard about my life, after all? Nothing, really. Yeah, I get irritated about every 5 minutes with things that I'd like to change, but let's be real. In the end, I am extremely, embarrassingly lucky. I am able-bodied, I am smart, I've had all the opportunities anyone could want, but what have I done with them? Not enough. Not yet.
And then I think about you people. One time I told my Planner (the person who tells me how much of each item I have to buy in order to make the amount of money I need to make) that I have a couple of blogs, and he said "I always thought blogs were for people who needed another way to talk about themselves." And you know what? He's kind of right. Now, don't get me wrong, I love reading the blogs of all my friends and if you stop blogging I will come to your house and tape your hands to the keyboard (don't think I'm above that. I'm not above much). But the thing is, I have these friends who don't care that all this blog is is another way to talk about myself, and you like it and you read it and you care. How great is that? You don't care when it is just random honesty, you still want to hear what I have to say. That's pretty great.
So I come back to the title of this post - I am blessed and lucky. And the reminders that I get of just how blessed and lucky I am are blessings in themselves. The question then becomes, what am I going to do with this knowledge? Move to Goma? Let's be real, there's a reason that people like Sara are extraordinary - because they have the guts to do something like that. I am not one of those people, and that's another reason on the list of reasons why I respect Sara so much. Maybe I'll just be a little better about letting (or rather, not letting) all those silly little things that I cannot control irritate me. Maybe it's as simple as remembering all the time just how blessed and lucky I am.
I got out of bed super late this morning. As in, the "almost this afternoon" kind of "this morning." As I was lolling about in bed, I checked Facebook to see what people were up to and saw a status update of my friend/college roommate Sara Rich. Sara is - and always has been since I've known her - extraordinary. Naturally, I mean, I try to make it a habit to only befriend extraordinary people :-) You can find her blog here. (I almost didn't post that link because her blog made my blog feel so intimidated). Anyway, Sara lived on the same hall as me in Lefevre (one of the "Old Dorms" at UVA) and then we lived together for our 2nd year in an apartment back on Preston.
I think when I knew Sara, I must have had a six pack because she made me laugh so often. She also convinced me to join the rugby team where I got my ankle broken, but that's a story for another day. If you've heard Sara Rich laugh, you never forget it. She literally changed the way that I laugh. I know that sounds funny, but it's like her laugh is an infection, and your laugh hears her laugh and gets laugh-envy and changes to be just like hers. She laughs like a crazy person (in the best way possible) and it's amazing. Try it sometimes - just totally let go while you're laughing and you'll see - it will be come this screaming/laughing thing in your voice. Anyway, this post is not about her laugh. It's about her life and who she is, among other things. I'm not going to get into what she's doing right now because she can tell you much better in her own words on her blog, but basically, Sara quit her job as a teacher, picked up her life, and moved it all to Goma (not gonna lie, I just Googled "Where is Goma?"...it's in the Congo, to save you the trouble) to be a volunteer and to make a difference in the educational programs for young people there.
What?
This chick and I lived together for two years, and after school she moves to the Congo to help people and I move to Ohio (which I'd like to compare to the Congo but I don't want to because I don't want to disrespect what Sara is doing) to make clothing that encourages a lack of self esteem in young people. I just had one of those "What the HELL am I doing?" moments this morning.
Sara. You are an inspiration.
So after I eventually forced myself to get out of bed, I watched some DVR, and then went to Panera to get some lunch. Or breakfast. Brunch. Whatever. Let me tell you, if you go to the Panera on Hamilton on the first sunny Saturday in Columbus in MONTHS, you better really effing want to be there. That place was packed. It reminded me of what it must have been like that time that the manager at the Panera in Barracks asked Austin to leave while she was studying because there were too many people there. I don't know why I remember that. But I digress. You know what I'm really good at? Digressing. You know who else is? Molly Laufer.
Seriously, back to the point. I order my food at Panera and go to wait in line to pick it up, and there's a woman there who is trying to pick up her food as well. She already has her drink in her hand and it's shaking - the drink is shaking, her hands/arms are shaking, and she's really struggling. Then her food is placed on the counter and she tries to get it and when she picks it up, that starts shaking too. I was paralyzed. I had no idea what to do. Do I offer to help, or is that offensive? As if saying to this woman, oh, you obviously can't handle yourself, so why don't I swoop in here and help you because I am so capable? It felt like an argument in favor of all those who believe that volunteerism is really just an exercise in narcissism. In the end she handled it fine and got to her table, but I can't stop thinking about it. What is so hard about my life, after all? Nothing, really. Yeah, I get irritated about every 5 minutes with things that I'd like to change, but let's be real. In the end, I am extremely, embarrassingly lucky. I am able-bodied, I am smart, I've had all the opportunities anyone could want, but what have I done with them? Not enough. Not yet.
And then I think about you people. One time I told my Planner (the person who tells me how much of each item I have to buy in order to make the amount of money I need to make) that I have a couple of blogs, and he said "I always thought blogs were for people who needed another way to talk about themselves." And you know what? He's kind of right. Now, don't get me wrong, I love reading the blogs of all my friends and if you stop blogging I will come to your house and tape your hands to the keyboard (don't think I'm above that. I'm not above much). But the thing is, I have these friends who don't care that all this blog is is another way to talk about myself, and you like it and you read it and you care. How great is that? You don't care when it is just random honesty, you still want to hear what I have to say. That's pretty great.
So I come back to the title of this post - I am blessed and lucky. And the reminders that I get of just how blessed and lucky I am are blessings in themselves. The question then becomes, what am I going to do with this knowledge? Move to Goma? Let's be real, there's a reason that people like Sara are extraordinary - because they have the guts to do something like that. I am not one of those people, and that's another reason on the list of reasons why I respect Sara so much. Maybe I'll just be a little better about letting (or rather, not letting) all those silly little things that I cannot control irritate me. Maybe it's as simple as remembering all the time just how blessed and lucky I am.
Friday, March 05, 2010
I've taken agin' snow.
So everyone knows Ohio is super snowy, right? The other day in an e-mail to my friend Noodle I called it "SNOWhio" and then patted myself on the back. Had anyone else thought of that before? Because I am pretty proud.
Anyway, this story relates to the snow. In the month of February (also known on some calendars as the month-before-bridget-was-born), it snowed probably about a foot a week in the Columbus area (I may or may not be exaggerating, but you don't really know, do you?...because I don't either), and some of the storms were just a foot piling onto the previous foot when the previous foot hadn't had time to melt yet. Temperatures haven't risen above freezing in Columbus....ever, I don't think, so the snow is still just chillin' (pun intended), hanging around taking up precious space on our sidewalks and in our parking lots. It's been so long since local inhabitants have seen grass that the deer on our campus at work have given up on trying to hide and have just started standing directly outside the buildings to eat the patches of grass that are exposed there.
Moving on...so a week ago I was trying to walk to my car, I decided that the snow had had its selfish way with the sidewalk I usually take for LONG ENOUGH! So I proceed stomping down the sidewalk, really showing that snow who's boss, until I come to the point where the sidewalk meets the parking lot and I am met by a 6' tall MOUNTAIN OF SNOW! Ok so it was really more like 3' tall, but it was big. It's too late to give up now, so I climb up the little mountain of snow, reach the top, and come tumbling down the other side. I couldn't find my footing as I slid down the other side, so I basically come sliding hands/face-first into the parking lot and land sprawled across the hood of the first car parked in that row, which is embarrassing enough already, but gets even better when you know that the person who OWNS said car was, at that moment, trying to open the driver's side door to leave for work.
Seriously? My timing is impeccable.
I mumbled apologies and scampered around her car to make it to my own, parked next to hers. I wonder how many people she's told that story to ("So this idiot falls on my car..."). Anyway, I thought this would make you laugh so I wanted to pass it along and brighten your Friday a bit.
Anyway, this story relates to the snow. In the month of February (also known on some calendars as the month-before-bridget-was-born), it snowed probably about a foot a week in the Columbus area (I may or may not be exaggerating, but you don't really know, do you?...because I don't either), and some of the storms were just a foot piling onto the previous foot when the previous foot hadn't had time to melt yet. Temperatures haven't risen above freezing in Columbus....ever, I don't think, so the snow is still just chillin' (pun intended), hanging around taking up precious space on our sidewalks and in our parking lots. It's been so long since local inhabitants have seen grass that the deer on our campus at work have given up on trying to hide and have just started standing directly outside the buildings to eat the patches of grass that are exposed there.
Moving on...so a week ago I was trying to walk to my car, I decided that the snow had had its selfish way with the sidewalk I usually take for LONG ENOUGH! So I proceed stomping down the sidewalk, really showing that snow who's boss, until I come to the point where the sidewalk meets the parking lot and I am met by a 6' tall MOUNTAIN OF SNOW! Ok so it was really more like 3' tall, but it was big. It's too late to give up now, so I climb up the little mountain of snow, reach the top, and come tumbling down the other side. I couldn't find my footing as I slid down the other side, so I basically come sliding hands/face-first into the parking lot and land sprawled across the hood of the first car parked in that row, which is embarrassing enough already, but gets even better when you know that the person who OWNS said car was, at that moment, trying to open the driver's side door to leave for work.
Seriously? My timing is impeccable.
I mumbled apologies and scampered around her car to make it to my own, parked next to hers. I wonder how many people she's told that story to ("So this idiot falls on my car..."). Anyway, I thought this would make you laugh so I wanted to pass it along and brighten your Friday a bit.
Monday, March 01, 2010
Bad and random signs
So I am wearing this top today (I just searched for like 10 min and couldn't find a picture of it, so you're just going to have to imagine in your mind). It has all the colors of the rainbow on it, it's a jersey knit material, deep v in the front and back with a navy band that cinches under the bust and ties in a bow in the back. It's not striped or anything, just kind of colors splashed in an abstract geometrical pattern.
Anyway, people keep complimenting me on my top and telling me how cute it is, and my thing is, it's not from any of the brands that our company owns. It's from a different brand (Lizzy, you'll not be surprised to learn it is from Anthro. They called me when you stopped shopping for a month and said I had to help make up the deficit in their sales, so I helped them out a bit). Don't you think that's a bad sign? 95% of the time, I'm wearing stuff from our stores, and 95% of the time, I don't get compliments on my outfits. But then I wear something not by us, and I've gotten more compliments than I can count today. Well, one girl did say "Your top makes me feel like I'm on drugs" because of all the colors, but I'll take that as a positive thing. Anyway, don't think it's a good sign that I've gotten all these compliments based on wearing something not from our brands.
On another note, one of the things I really appreciate about this company is that they provide free name-brand tampons (Not entirely sure it matters that they're name-brand, but it makes me feel better) in the women's bathrooms (I mean, they may supply them in the men's too, but that would be weird if I were in there, and it would also be weird if they were in there), but the tampons have been missing from the bathroom for the last week (which, depending on what week it is, can be very inconvenient). So today I go into the bathroom and there's a post-it on the mirror that says "TAMPONS PLEASE."
I laughed. I thought you might too.
Anyway, people keep complimenting me on my top and telling me how cute it is, and my thing is, it's not from any of the brands that our company owns. It's from a different brand (Lizzy, you'll not be surprised to learn it is from Anthro. They called me when you stopped shopping for a month and said I had to help make up the deficit in their sales, so I helped them out a bit). Don't you think that's a bad sign? 95% of the time, I'm wearing stuff from our stores, and 95% of the time, I don't get compliments on my outfits. But then I wear something not by us, and I've gotten more compliments than I can count today. Well, one girl did say "Your top makes me feel like I'm on drugs" because of all the colors, but I'll take that as a positive thing. Anyway, don't think it's a good sign that I've gotten all these compliments based on wearing something not from our brands.
On another note, one of the things I really appreciate about this company is that they provide free name-brand tampons (Not entirely sure it matters that they're name-brand, but it makes me feel better) in the women's bathrooms (I mean, they may supply them in the men's too, but that would be weird if I were in there, and it would also be weird if they were in there), but the tampons have been missing from the bathroom for the last week (which, depending on what week it is, can be very inconvenient). So today I go into the bathroom and there's a post-it on the mirror that says "TAMPONS PLEASE."
I laughed. I thought you might too.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
I get by with a little help from my friends
UPDATE: Presents in the mail. Be on the lookout!
I thought that since I whined and got some much needed love & support from you ladies this week, from comments on the blog to a pre-run text from Lizzy, I thought I should let you know how my long run this weekend went.
I got up yesterday morning and thought I should go to my local running shop and see if I needed new shoes. I spent a while with the (cute) salesman looking at my shoes/stride/etc and eventually decided that what I needed to get my running groove back was 1) my third pair of Brooks Adrenaline running shoes (I've worn out the previous two, I'm not just collecting them, I promise) and 2) a fancy little heart rate monitor (I've been having some weird heart concerns lately, pretty sure so far it's nothing serious but figured a heart rate monitor never hurt anything).
So I went to the gym yesterday after I got my new shoes, I put on my iPod and headphones, started out around the track (I had 54 laps ahead of me to complete my 6 mile long run of the week) and got into my rhythm. It definitely wasn't easy at first, but I just kept putting one foot in front of the other, and you know what? I did it! I ran 6 miles straight without stopping! I was so proud of myself and when I was feeling really tired I just kept thinking about you guys and your support and it pushed me along!
I am making a little thank you for each one of you tonight and will hopefully be able to get it in the mail tomorrow, so look for it! Smolls I'll send yours to SD and it can meet you when you get home! :-)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I desperately need a pep talk.
Running a marathon is on my bucket list. So I figured the first step to running a marathon is running a half marathon, right? So I started training for this half marathon. And by training I mean vaguely running more than I had run in the past. I stopped running for a few weeks in there when my shin splints were unbearably painful, but then my friend Annie and I agreed to run the half together in Charlottesville (because really, if you have to run 13 miles, why not do it in the best place on Earth?) and I got myself back on track...no pun intended.
Anyway, I've been in intense training mode since I returned from Jamaica. My steps in training for this half have included:
1) joining the gym next door to my apartment complex (this may or may not have also included an ulterior motive in that I wanted to find a place to meet men...preferably straight men, I know plenty of un-straight men but I'm not their type)
2) running 3 days a week (2 shorter runs + 1 longer run on the weekend), cross training 2 days a week, lifting weights 2 days a week, and resting 1 day/week.
3) signed up for 1 session a week with a (supercute) trainer (again, may or may not have same ulterior motive as above)
I have been successful so far, and I've managed to increase my "longest mileage run without walking" from 3 miles to 5 miles, of which I was pretty gosh darn proud, but I did that 5 mile run this past Saturday, and I am totally hitting a wall this week. I did 4 miles on Monday, went to meet my trainer on Tuesday, and was supposed to do 4 miles again last night but ended up having to complete said 4 miles in sprint/walk intervals because my shin splits wanted a piece of the action again.
I have to do 6 miles on Saturday and I can think of roughly 1 million things I'd rather do instead (top of the list: staying in bed). I know I'm just having an unfortunately extended case of the Mondays this week, but I need some help to snap out of it. Anyone got any advice on how to break down this wall I am running into??
Anyway, I've been in intense training mode since I returned from Jamaica. My steps in training for this half have included:
1) joining the gym next door to my apartment complex (this may or may not have also included an ulterior motive in that I wanted to find a place to meet men...preferably straight men, I know plenty of un-straight men but I'm not their type)
2) running 3 days a week (2 shorter runs + 1 longer run on the weekend), cross training 2 days a week, lifting weights 2 days a week, and resting 1 day/week.
3) signed up for 1 session a week with a (supercute) trainer (again, may or may not have same ulterior motive as above)
I have been successful so far, and I've managed to increase my "longest mileage run without walking" from 3 miles to 5 miles, of which I was pretty gosh darn proud, but I did that 5 mile run this past Saturday, and I am totally hitting a wall this week. I did 4 miles on Monday, went to meet my trainer on Tuesday, and was supposed to do 4 miles again last night but ended up having to complete said 4 miles in sprint/walk intervals because my shin splits wanted a piece of the action again.
I have to do 6 miles on Saturday and I can think of roughly 1 million things I'd rather do instead (top of the list: staying in bed). I know I'm just having an unfortunately extended case of the Mondays this week, but I need some help to snap out of it. Anyone got any advice on how to break down this wall I am running into??
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
At least I'm consistent.
Last night I was talking to my friend Brad on the phone and this happened:
me: "I have to tell you this story, it's classic Bridget, you'll laugh"
him: "Did you fall in love with some guy and then do something embarrassing?"
me: "I hate you...yes."
In case you're wondering, the "some guy" is my trainer, and the "something embarrassing" is me thinking (to myself, thank you) "How long do we have to be dating each other before I can stop paying him to train me?"
Thursday, February 18, 2010
This article is SO INTERESTING.
I'm not saying I agree or disagree, but she does make a convincing argument. The jury is still out as to whether or not I even want to get married (ever...which makes my mom have panic attacks), so I found this article to be fascinating. Take a few minutes and read it (it's quite long) and let me know what you think. The basic premise of the article is that women who have not yet found Mr. Right should settle in order to get married and have a family.
So I need some help with my groin.
Bahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
OK so to all my running homies out there, I've made the transition from treadmill to track (I just typed treadmilly and giggled a little bit) and my right hip is really bothering me. I know I put groin in the title, but it was way more scandalous than hip, and it's in the same general area. Anyway, Molly V, you suggested standing with one hip out to stretch my hip flexors, and if you could have seen me trying to do this last night at the gym after my run, you would have peed your pants. I seriously thought to myself, how could I set my iPhone up to tape myself doing this and then send it to Molly? It was. Unbelievable. Imagine me looking like I'm trying to do an imitation of a 5 year old with attitude. Needless to say, the laughter impeded the success of the stretching.
Just as my laughter is currently impeding the success of my work as I Google the following:
1) 5 year old with attitude
2) 5 year old hips jutting
3) 5 year old hands on hips
4) child hands on hips
This was my favorite result because it follows my clearly stated rule that children must be dressed in animal costumes until age 5, but it really doesn't display what I was trying to get at:
Please note I saved this image as "wtf.jpg"
But I digress. The whole point of this was to ask - do you have any suggestions for how to stretch my hip/make it stop aching in general? Videos/pictures welcome.
Monday, February 15, 2010
My iPod is so topical
So on Saturday I was at the gym and I had just done my "long run" for the week (still only up to 5 miles, but that's 5 miles longer than I would have run had I not been training for this half marathon, so that's good! Let's stay positive here people) and so I was trying to stretch out my hips and I was lying on the ground and thrusting (hahahahaha, anytime anyone says thrust it makes me start laughing, even if it's me and I knew it was about to happen) my hips into the air to try to stretch, and the song "Dirrty" came on my iPod.
Please recall the other time this happened, when I was using the "good girl/bad girl" machines as I like to call them (where you push your knees together or apart depending on the machine). My iPod is apparently really judgemental/prudish or it has a great sense of humor.
Or I just build a ton of playlists with Dirrty on them (likely).
Oh, and if you can think of other ways to stretch my hips pls let me know.
Please recall the other time this happened, when I was using the "good girl/bad girl" machines as I like to call them (where you push your knees together or apart depending on the machine). My iPod is apparently really judgemental/prudish or it has a great sense of humor.
Or I just build a ton of playlists with Dirrty on them (likely).
Oh, and if you can think of other ways to stretch my hips pls let me know.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
To the love(s) of my life.
My friends Molly (and I meant that to be plural, two of my best friends are named Molly) suggested that I write a post about how much I love people named Molly, and while I would happily oblige (I could write a very very long list about reasons I love these two ladies in particular), I didn't want anyone to feel left out, especially not when I am so lucky to have so many people in my life that I love.
Some of my best friends have husbands, some have boyfriends, some have cats, dogs, imaginary friends, whatever. Everyone has a different set of circumstances, a different hand of cards to play. But the one thing we all have is each other. I'm not quite sure how I would have made it through the past few years without my best friends, but I do know it would have been with a lot less laughter. I am so so SO lucky to have each of you in my life and I thank 8 pound 9 ounce baby Jesus every day that you all tolerate me as well as you do. So whatever your circumstances are - whatever your hand of cards - just remember how lucky you are to have your friends. You guys are the loves of my life. 
Friday, February 12, 2010
My one and only Valentine
The greatest love of my life, Diet Coke, now officially loves me back. How do I know? It sent me a Valentine, of course:
I am really looking forward to spending a happy Valentine's day with my beloved. Hope you all have a great Valentines day as well!
I am really looking forward to spending a happy Valentine's day with my beloved. Hope you all have a great Valentines day as well!Supporting an awesome fellow Wahoo
Just wanted to get this blog out there for even more people to see - I really enjoy reading the blog of my friend (and fellow COMM06 Classmate) Carter at http://the-kitchenette.com/. I also follow her on Twitter. One time she got retweeted by Whole Foods (who I also follow) and I felt so cool to know someone being retweeted by an organization like Whole Foods!! Her blog posts always make my mouth water - so check it out and enjoy!
Friday Friday Friday Friday
A few things:
- Tonight is the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Therefore, I am prepared to lose my friend Lizzy (www.thebeeandlee.blogspot.com) to the dark side of the moon for the next two weeks. I just really enjoy saying the dark side of the moon. It seems...dramatic.
- Earlier I meant to type "meet" and instead I typed "meat" and then started laughing. I think meating a person is very different from meeting a person. I'm telling you, typos are where it's at. And by it, I mean the Funny.
- Just in case you haven't already seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_udqEp_YR4 Prepare to giggle uncontrollably.
- I had something else to say but now I can't remember. If I remember later I'll update.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Mixed nuts
The girl who sits next to me gave me her can of mixed nuts so I could have a snack, and I pulled out one of those giant nuts (Brazil nuts?...yes, Brazil nuts. Confirmed below.) 
and I was like "Seriously, who eats these giant nuts?" and I look up to see the two boys across from me smiling in a very creepy way.
So then I say "Idiots" and drop the nut back into the can, and one of the guys goes "Well clearly you like big nuts" and I was like "What does that even mean?" and he...was gross.
Anyway so then I was starting this blog post, and this happened:
"Yeah, they're Brazil nuts" - me
"How did you figure that out?" - my friend with the mixed nuts
"I googled it" -me
"Googled what?" -friend
"Brazil nuts."-me
"Oh. Good. I just wanted to make sure you didn't Google giant nuts."
For new readers, I promise the blog isn't normally this dirty.
Chili cheese Superbowl dip...for Cookie
I make this every year for the Superbowl and my friend Cookie requested that I post the recipe on the blog...so here it is...it's super simple.
1 8 oz block of cream cheese at room temperature
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (suppose you could try another cheese if you want)
1 can of chili (I usually use Hormel w/no beans. It's up to you. I tried using homemade chili once and it turned out way too watery, but maybe your homemade chili is less liquidy than mine).
Preheat oven to 350*. Spread the cream cheese into an even layer on the bottom of a pie dish. Spread the chili on top of the cream cheese, and then sprinkle the cheddar on top. Bake in the 350* oven 15-20 minutes (until cheddar is completely melted and getting bubbly on top). Let it cool just a bit before digging in - the middle chili layer will be VERY hot.
I usually serve it with Fritos scoops, but some people prefer it with Tostitos or the like. Leftovers are also delicious microwaved and mixed all together - it doesn't have to be in the layers :-)
1 8 oz block of cream cheese at room temperature
2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese (suppose you could try another cheese if you want)
1 can of chili (I usually use Hormel w/no beans. It's up to you. I tried using homemade chili once and it turned out way too watery, but maybe your homemade chili is less liquidy than mine).
Preheat oven to 350*. Spread the cream cheese into an even layer on the bottom of a pie dish. Spread the chili on top of the cream cheese, and then sprinkle the cheddar on top. Bake in the 350* oven 15-20 minutes (until cheddar is completely melted and getting bubbly on top). Let it cool just a bit before digging in - the middle chili layer will be VERY hot.
I usually serve it with Fritos scoops, but some people prefer it with Tostitos or the like. Leftovers are also delicious microwaved and mixed all together - it doesn't have to be in the layers :-)
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Also
A guy who works in my department just yelled "How 'bout you put that in my box?" across the floor and I started laughing.
Can and will this be used against me in a court of law?
Another thing you could convince your children of as a social experiment -
Snow = icing. I am thinking of this right now as I look at the trees out the window at work and they look like they were iced lovingly by a baker. How delicious would that be? If snow were just icing falling from the sky? It would be easy to convince them of because:
Snow = icing. I am thinking of this right now as I look at the trees out the window at work and they look like they were iced lovingly by a baker. How delicious would that be? If snow were just icing falling from the sky? It would be easy to convince them of because:
- children are stupid
- you could argue that's why ice is called ice, the words are related
- children like sugar and will believe you out of pure hope that you're not lying...
- ...which you are.
Anyway, this experiment wouldn't last very long because they would immediately try it and realize that no, it is not, in fact, icing, but you could try to keep it going by saying that it only tastes good to children who are not terrible, evil little children in the hopes that they would use it as motivation for the future to be awesome.
You could also convince them that the mounds of snow that they see around after the plows go by are really snow dragons lying in wait to eat them. I tried this on someone last night and she said it was all she could think about as she drove home last night, making it the scariest car ride of her life.
Thursday, February 04, 2010
Yummy recipe
Hey team,
So I figure most (if not all) of the people who read this blog are young professionals. What do young professionals always need? Good ideas for dinners that are easy to make, nutritious, easy to clean up, and yummy! I found one such recipe recently and wanted to pass it along to you all.
It's for White Chicken Chili. The recipe comes from Bush's beans, but I've modified it a little bit. If you want to see the original recipe, just go to http://www.bushbeans.com/recipes/printRecipe.php?RecipeID=282.
My (very slightly) modified recipe is below:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can (4-ounces) chopped green chilies, drained (don't worry, this will not be too spicy)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cans (16 ounces each) Great Northern Beans (you don't need to drain these)
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth (I recommend the reduced sodium kind because otherwise the dish leaves you pretty thirsty)
1 lb cooked chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces (I poached my chicken and it left it a little bit less tender than I'd like, you could bake or saute or grill, whatever you want)
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional...I used cheddar and it was good)
Sour cream (optional)
Salsa (optional)
In large skillet, cook onion in oil for 4 minutes or until transparent. Add chilies, flour and cumin; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add beans and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken; cook until hot. Garnish with cheese, sour cream and salsa, if desired.
It looks too watery at first but it thickens up quite a bit. I also had some red and yellow bell peppers on hand so I chopped them up and threw them in with the onion. I liked the additional veggie element, but I would have preferred them to give more crunch, so next time I will probably throw them in later in the process. Also, I had cherry tomatoes, so I sliced those up and put them on top of the chili fresh and it lent a really nice sweetness to the dish.
Enjoy!
So I figure most (if not all) of the people who read this blog are young professionals. What do young professionals always need? Good ideas for dinners that are easy to make, nutritious, easy to clean up, and yummy! I found one such recipe recently and wanted to pass it along to you all.
It's for White Chicken Chili. The recipe comes from Bush's beans, but I've modified it a little bit. If you want to see the original recipe, just go to http://www.bushbeans.com/recipes/printRecipe.php?RecipeID=282.
My (very slightly) modified recipe is below:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 can (4-ounces) chopped green chilies, drained (don't worry, this will not be too spicy)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cans (16 ounces each) Great Northern Beans (you don't need to drain these)
1 can (14.5 ounces) chicken broth (I recommend the reduced sodium kind because otherwise the dish leaves you pretty thirsty)
1 lb cooked chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces (I poached my chicken and it left it a little bit less tender than I'd like, you could bake or saute or grill, whatever you want)
Shredded Monterey Jack cheese (optional...I used cheddar and it was good)
Sour cream (optional)
Salsa (optional)
In large skillet, cook onion in oil for 4 minutes or until transparent. Add chilies, flour and cumin; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add beans and chicken broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes or until thickened. Add chicken; cook until hot. Garnish with cheese, sour cream and salsa, if desired.
It looks too watery at first but it thickens up quite a bit. I also had some red and yellow bell peppers on hand so I chopped them up and threw them in with the onion. I liked the additional veggie element, but I would have preferred them to give more crunch, so next time I will probably throw them in later in the process. Also, I had cherry tomatoes, so I sliced those up and put them on top of the chili fresh and it lent a really nice sweetness to the dish.
Enjoy!
Monday, February 01, 2010
Typo fun
A couple of things:
- Last week I saw an e-mail where someone said "type-o." Do people say that? How did I not know that?
- I just meant to type "eyeball" in a sentence (long story) and instead I mistakenly typed "yayball" and then started giggling to myself.
Some were born to sing the harmonies
So lately I have been listening to a lot of acapella/Glee soundtrack music. I've been wishing that there were a way to turn down the melody in a song and just listen to the harmony because I have always been jealous of people who could just naturally pick the harmony out of a song and sing that part instead of the melody.
Just as I was typing this I realized that I am essentially admitting to singing very seriously in the shower and/or car. Welp. See you later, any remaining personal cool factor.
Anyway, I was wondering if it says anything about me that I'd rather sing the harmony than the melody, and what exactly that is if it does. That I'm a super supportive person? That I'd rather let someone else have the spotlight? Maybe. More likely I'm just a showoff who wants to prove that I can do complicated things.
In the shower, or the car.
This just got worse.
Anyway, on a somewhat related note, it is SUPER fun to sing the harmony on "Don't Stop Believin'" and I must admit that I feel the lyrics that follow really speak to me personally and therefore usually warrant a fist-pump when I hear them (but not Jersey Shore style):
"some will win, some will lose
some were born to sing the blues (fist pump)
oh, the movie never ends
it goes on and on and on and on"
Just as I was typing this I realized that I am essentially admitting to singing very seriously in the shower and/or car. Welp. See you later, any remaining personal cool factor.
Anyway, I was wondering if it says anything about me that I'd rather sing the harmony than the melody, and what exactly that is if it does. That I'm a super supportive person? That I'd rather let someone else have the spotlight? Maybe. More likely I'm just a showoff who wants to prove that I can do complicated things.
In the shower, or the car.
This just got worse.
Anyway, on a somewhat related note, it is SUPER fun to sing the harmony on "Don't Stop Believin'" and I must admit that I feel the lyrics that follow really speak to me personally and therefore usually warrant a fist-pump when I hear them (but not Jersey Shore style):
"some will win, some will lose
some were born to sing the blues (fist pump)
oh, the movie never ends
it goes on and on and on and on"
Thursday, January 07, 2010
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
My favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe
Hey friends,
So I have been on a quest for quite some time to find the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. (I want everyone to know that I'm blogging this while watching the Biggest Loser). I tried a NUMBER of different recipes - ones that led to crispy cookies, ones that led to really soft cookies, ones that led to cakey cookies, ones that left to chewy cookies. I tried recipes that involved corn syrup, I tried recipes that involved vinegar (the cakey ones, actually pretty good, just not my favorite...you can't taste the vinegar, don't worry).
Anyway, I finally found a recipe that I've been sticking with. One stipulation: the recipe has shortening in it instead of butter, so if that's not your thing, it might not be the cookie for you. You could always substitute butter for the shortening, but I happen to make it with shortening for 2 reasons:
1) I typically have shortening on hand for use in pie crusts (I make a pie crust that includes both butter and shortening)
2) You don't have to refrigerate shortening, which means that it's always at room temperature, which means that when you decide to make cookies, you don't have to wait for the fat to come to room temperature. Granted, you should still wait for the eggs to come to room temperature before you use them to ensure that all the ingredients blend together at their maximum potential, but you can get there quickly by just putting the eggs in a bowl of warm water - microwaving butter often leads to melted butter which is a bad sign for your cookies (they will turn out super flat)
I wanted to share that recipe with you here. I'll admit, my all time standard cookie is basically the Toll House cookie recipe, but I wanted to find something that tasted just a little bit different. I also really enjoy this recipe because it only uses brown sugar instead of a combination of brown and white sugars - which I enjoy because I heart brown sugar. This is where I ended up:
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon salt (I like to use an extra 1/8 tsp salt because I like salty cookies)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts (optional, you could always use 2 cups total chocolate chips, or a different nut, or a mixture of different chocolates)
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat egg into creamed mixture.
2. Combine dry ingredients (flour, salt and baking soda). Mix into creamed mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough 3-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies, or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet on a cooling rack. Remove cookies to rack to cool completely. I find that 10 minutes is the perfect time for my particular oven, but yours may be different. Don't be afraid to take the cookies out if they look done but they're still super soft, they'll firm up while they're cooling and become wonderfully chewy :-)
Enjoy!
So I have been on a quest for quite some time to find the Best Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe. (I want everyone to know that I'm blogging this while watching the Biggest Loser). I tried a NUMBER of different recipes - ones that led to crispy cookies, ones that led to really soft cookies, ones that led to cakey cookies, ones that left to chewy cookies. I tried recipes that involved corn syrup, I tried recipes that involved vinegar (the cakey ones, actually pretty good, just not my favorite...you can't taste the vinegar, don't worry).
Anyway, I finally found a recipe that I've been sticking with. One stipulation: the recipe has shortening in it instead of butter, so if that's not your thing, it might not be the cookie for you. You could always substitute butter for the shortening, but I happen to make it with shortening for 2 reasons:
1) I typically have shortening on hand for use in pie crusts (I make a pie crust that includes both butter and shortening)
2) You don't have to refrigerate shortening, which means that it's always at room temperature, which means that when you decide to make cookies, you don't have to wait for the fat to come to room temperature. Granted, you should still wait for the eggs to come to room temperature before you use them to ensure that all the ingredients blend together at their maximum potential, but you can get there quickly by just putting the eggs in a bowl of warm water - microwaving butter often leads to melted butter which is a bad sign for your cookies (they will turn out super flat)
I wanted to share that recipe with you here. I'll admit, my all time standard cookie is basically the Toll House cookie recipe, but I wanted to find something that tasted just a little bit different. I also really enjoy this recipe because it only uses brown sugar instead of a combination of brown and white sugars - which I enjoy because I heart brown sugar. This is where I ended up:
1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup shortening
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups All Purpose Flour
1 teaspoon salt (I like to use an extra 1/8 tsp salt because I like salty cookies)
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup walnuts (optional, you could always use 2 cups total chocolate chips, or a different nut, or a mixture of different chocolates)
1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Combine brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat egg into creamed mixture.
2. Combine dry ingredients (flour, salt and baking soda). Mix into creamed mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
3. Drop rounded tablespoonfuls of dough 3-inches apart onto ungreased baking sheet.
4. Bake 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies, or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool 2 minutes on baking sheet on a cooling rack. Remove cookies to rack to cool completely. I find that 10 minutes is the perfect time for my particular oven, but yours may be different. Don't be afraid to take the cookies out if they look done but they're still super soft, they'll firm up while they're cooling and become wonderfully chewy :-)
Enjoy!
Ode to size 11
I really like font size 11. I don't know why. I think it's the same reason I adored college ruled notebooks instead of wide ruled notebooks back in the day. It's a little bit different, not something you're really used to seeing. Font size 12 totally sucks, 10 is pretty cool, but 11, I think, is the best. It's the unsung hero of the font size world. I'm a fan.
You should check it out.
You should check it out.
Monday, January 04, 2010
The Wii is back, and it's pissed
So when I bought my Wii, or lovingly adopted it from its previous owner, rather, I played with it ALL THE TIME. For a while, it got constant attention. Then I stopped playing it quite as much as I had been. And then, it kind of got put away. I got a really cute storage cube from Target and I used it to store all my Wiimotes and games while I wasn't using them.
Then, for Christmas, I got the Super Mario Bros Wii game, and it is SUPER FUN, so I started playing the Wii again, and it was quite happy to come out of storage, but I think it's kind of pissed that I ever put it in storage in the first place, and is now constantly demanding reassurance from me in the form of attention. Which may or may not be why I devoted hours of my time this past weekend to playing the Wii. I'm on level 7 out of 8. Pretty intense stuff.
Saturday night I even drove downtown to my friends' house to play the same game on THEIR Wii until 1 am. The great thing about this game is that you can all be playing simultaneously (up to 4 players) - and while you are supposed to be a team working towards the same goal, it is much more fun to terrorize each other while you're on the course -- ie, picking other characters up and throwing them off the course to their death, stealing their mushrooms, stealing their extra lives even when you have 20 and they have 5 (all behaviors developed and exhibited by my friend John, and then by myself and Paul in retaliation). My favorite, though, is when you're all riding on Yoshis (they even have a pink Yoshi now!) and one of you gets knocked off your Yoshi, the other people can PICK THAT PERSON UP IN YOSHI'S MOUTH and run off with him!! Paul and I played Yoshi catch with John's character for a while and it was hilarious. Especially because John had gotten knocked off the pink Yoshi which I then, naturally, stole from him.
Less hilarious, though, when I got knocked off my Yoshi and they did it to me.
Then, for Christmas, I got the Super Mario Bros Wii game, and it is SUPER FUN, so I started playing the Wii again, and it was quite happy to come out of storage, but I think it's kind of pissed that I ever put it in storage in the first place, and is now constantly demanding reassurance from me in the form of attention. Which may or may not be why I devoted hours of my time this past weekend to playing the Wii. I'm on level 7 out of 8. Pretty intense stuff.
Saturday night I even drove downtown to my friends' house to play the same game on THEIR Wii until 1 am. The great thing about this game is that you can all be playing simultaneously (up to 4 players) - and while you are supposed to be a team working towards the same goal, it is much more fun to terrorize each other while you're on the course -- ie, picking other characters up and throwing them off the course to their death, stealing their mushrooms, stealing their extra lives even when you have 20 and they have 5 (all behaviors developed and exhibited by my friend John, and then by myself and Paul in retaliation). My favorite, though, is when you're all riding on Yoshis (they even have a pink Yoshi now!) and one of you gets knocked off your Yoshi, the other people can PICK THAT PERSON UP IN YOSHI'S MOUTH and run off with him!! Paul and I played Yoshi catch with John's character for a while and it was hilarious. Especially because John had gotten knocked off the pink Yoshi which I then, naturally, stole from him.
Less hilarious, though, when I got knocked off my Yoshi and they did it to me.
Sunday, January 03, 2010
This happened.
At some point I apparently became a housewife from the 50s.
No, you didn't miss anything - I'm not married, it's still 2010, and I live in a rented apartment, not even a house. But this morning, I got dressed and put on my pearls because why the hell not? along with a pink cardigan my Dad got me for Christmas. I went to the store and got groceries then came home to make Chex Mix and chili (unrelated, I just wanted both of them). I already took care of baking cookies earlier in the weekend. So I made the Chex Mix and the chili, then put them in Ziploc bags/Tupperware containers to store in the pantry or freeze (have I mentioned before how much I effing LOVE Tupperware?). I passed by the mirror in my entryway at one point and was startled to see that the transformation was complete...this is what I saw...pearls, cardigan, apron, the whole shebang.
Who knew?
No, you didn't miss anything - I'm not married, it's still 2010, and I live in a rented apartment, not even a house. But this morning, I got dressed and put on my pearls because why the hell not? along with a pink cardigan my Dad got me for Christmas. I went to the store and got groceries then came home to make Chex Mix and chili (unrelated, I just wanted both of them). I already took care of baking cookies earlier in the weekend. So I made the Chex Mix and the chili, then put them in Ziploc bags/Tupperware containers to store in the pantry or freeze (have I mentioned before how much I effing LOVE Tupperware?). I passed by the mirror in my entryway at one point and was startled to see that the transformation was complete...this is what I saw...pearls, cardigan, apron, the whole shebang.
Who knew?
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Pretty sure that doesn't work anymore.
So I was at home last week for the Christmas holiday and I was set to work in the kitchen making baked goods galore (I think I made 4 dozen Christmas cookies, a pan of chocolate chip cookie bars which were really good, I'll put the recipe below, and a gluten free cheesecake). I was looking for the baking powder and my mom supplied me with a tin that looked like she may have picked it up at the antique mall instead of the grocery store.
"What is this?" I asked her
"I thought you wanted Baking Powder" she answered
"I'm pretty sure this is older than I am," I said, looking around the tin for a "use by" date. I didn't find the use by date (because it was made before those were popular), but I did find the "packaged on" date. December 1976. Yep. The same age as my 33 year old sister.
The thing that I think is more impressive/disturbing than my mom being unable to use a small tin of baking powder in 33 YEARS is the fact that this tin has moved with her through 3 states (Illinois, Missouri, to Virginia) and at least 4 houses. Maybe 5. Think about that the next time you're moving and you need to decide what to keep and what to throw away...maybe the baking powder can stay behind. I'm pretty sure they're going to have baking powder at the grocery store in the town to which you're moving. I'm also pretty sure they're going to have it 33 years in the future.
That said, I am my mother's daughter, proven by the medicine I found from 2006 in my medicine basket yesterday...which has moved with me from Charlottesville, back to DC, then to my apartment in downtown Columbus, and finally out to my apartment in the 'burbs. Glass houses, stones, etc.
Oh, and for the recipe of these cookie bars -- they end up basically just tasting like soft cookie dough:
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 8 crackers crushed up)
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 pkg (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (3 1/2 ounces) flaked coconut, or about 1 1/3 cups (optional)
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Melt butter in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over melted butter; press down to make a crust. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Top evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool before cutting.
"What is this?" I asked her
"I thought you wanted Baking Powder" she answered
"I'm pretty sure this is older than I am," I said, looking around the tin for a "use by" date. I didn't find the use by date (because it was made before those were popular), but I did find the "packaged on" date. December 1976. Yep. The same age as my 33 year old sister.
The thing that I think is more impressive/disturbing than my mom being unable to use a small tin of baking powder in 33 YEARS is the fact that this tin has moved with her through 3 states (Illinois, Missouri, to Virginia) and at least 4 houses. Maybe 5. Think about that the next time you're moving and you need to decide what to keep and what to throw away...maybe the baking powder can stay behind. I'm pretty sure they're going to have baking powder at the grocery store in the town to which you're moving. I'm also pretty sure they're going to have it 33 years in the future.
That said, I am my mother's daughter, proven by the medicine I found from 2006 in my medicine basket yesterday...which has moved with me from Charlottesville, back to DC, then to my apartment in downtown Columbus, and finally out to my apartment in the 'burbs. Glass houses, stones, etc.
Oh, and for the recipe of these cookie bars -- they end up basically just tasting like soft cookie dough:
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 8 crackers crushed up)
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1 pkg (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (3 1/2 ounces) flaked coconut, or about 1 1/3 cups (optional)
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350°.
Melt butter in a 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over melted butter; press down to make a crust. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumbs. Top evenly with remaining ingredients; press down firmly. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool before cutting.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Quotes.
"When her friends began to get engaged, instead of feeling jealous or antsy to do the same, Celia realized something: there was a very real possibility that no one was coming to save her. She would have to make her own plan. If she wanted to someday leave her job and write books, then she'd have to write books to do it, not wait around for some hedge fund guy to finance her fantasies. When she felt ready to have kids, she wanted to have them, regardless of whether or not she had found lasting love.
It was hard for girls like Kayla and Sally to understand this -- Celia got the sense that they thought she was just putting on a brave face to mask her disappointment and fear of being alone. But what scared her far more than loneliness was the thought of waking up one day and realizing that she had attached herself to the wrong person, out of fear or pressure or God knows what. As a result, she had decided to view men as fun and nothing more, at least for now."
from Commencement
"There are kinds of human problems which really do seem, as our tidy expressions would have it, to "come to a head" and "demand to be dealt with." But there are also problems, often just as serious, which come to nothing that we can recognize or openly deal with. Some long-lived, insidious problems simply slip us off to one side of ourselves. Some gently rob us of just enough energy or faith so that days which once took place on a horizontal plane become an endless series of uphill slogs. And some -- like high water working year after year at the roots of a riverside tree -- quietly undercut our trust or our hope, our sense of place, or of humor, our ability to empathize, or to feel enthused, and we don't see impending danger, we don't feel the damage at all, till one day, to our amazement, we find ourselves crashing to the ground.
Peter had one of those kinds of problems."
from The Brothers K
It was hard for girls like Kayla and Sally to understand this -- Celia got the sense that they thought she was just putting on a brave face to mask her disappointment and fear of being alone. But what scared her far more than loneliness was the thought of waking up one day and realizing that she had attached herself to the wrong person, out of fear or pressure or God knows what. As a result, she had decided to view men as fun and nothing more, at least for now."
from Commencement
"There are kinds of human problems which really do seem, as our tidy expressions would have it, to "come to a head" and "demand to be dealt with." But there are also problems, often just as serious, which come to nothing that we can recognize or openly deal with. Some long-lived, insidious problems simply slip us off to one side of ourselves. Some gently rob us of just enough energy or faith so that days which once took place on a horizontal plane become an endless series of uphill slogs. And some -- like high water working year after year at the roots of a riverside tree -- quietly undercut our trust or our hope, our sense of place, or of humor, our ability to empathize, or to feel enthused, and we don't see impending danger, we don't feel the damage at all, till one day, to our amazement, we find ourselves crashing to the ground.
Peter had one of those kinds of problems."
from The Brothers K
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Am I the only one...
...who thinks it's strange that dogs eat whatever is put in front of them, as if the entire world is their own gigantic food bowl? I just watched my dog stick her face into my carry-on bag until she found the one piece of popcorn that had fallen in there, and then proceed to eat the piece of popcorn without regard for whether or not it was in fact ok that she eat it. What is that about? Why do they do that? So selfish.
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