Look, it's June!

Right, so... that whole Janathon thing...

I gotta say, it was a great idea. And I really did hit the ground running - well I hit it right after I pulled myself up off the bathroom floor (since starting a running challenge on New Year's day after a very long and alcohol filled New Year's Eve isn't the easiest thing ever). I really was trying super hard (I mean I did run with a big hangover) and then... I dislocated my knee on day 5.

Needless to say, my hopes of a fabulously fit New Year kinda went down the toilet. On the upside, it was just my patella and I was up and around in no time, and back to wogging with in a couple of weeks.

So that brings us to June (I know, it's not like I couldn't blog about other stuff in the mean time, but I was busy and ...well, just scroll down to see all the other lame ass excuses I've used in past when I haven't been blogging). And what makes June so special? Why Juneathon of course!

So Juneathon is the same idea - only better weather and (theoretically) fewer hangovers. We run (or exercise in some way shape or form) every day and then blog about it. All good. Can't wait. Totally stoked for it. Only, I'm totally booked for the week and, oh yeah - I might die on Sunday. Perhaps I'm being overly dramatic, I may not actually die, but I may no longer have use of my feet or legs after Sunday.

See, I'm running my first half marathon on Sunday and I'm just not sure I'm going to make it. On the plus side there will be champagne and chocolate at the finish line and that's a helluva motivator. But really 13.1 miles?! What was I thinking?! I can barely run a 13 minute mile let alone stack up 13 of those in a row. And yet I have friends that do it frequently and swear that I can manage it. And I can totally walk it, there's no shame in walking right?

All right, enough whining. It'll be a cake walk right? 13.1 miles - no big deal. A month of running - easy peasy.  So now I can just stress out about remembering to blog.

Current Music: London Bridges - Fergie

Routines

The topic of NaBloPoMo for July is Routine. And (as always) I'm not saying that I'm for sure gonna do it, but it's a cool topic. So it's tempting...

Especially given the fact that my routines are about to be blown all to hell for the next week. That's right, it's vacation time! I'm headed home to Cali, for a whole week, no holiday drama (just the regular kind) and Scott free, which means that I'll be able to see my friends with out hearing him sigh heavily (you know that exasperated "I can't believe that I have to endure this again, you're sooooo gonna owe me for this" kind of sigh).

My plans as of this moment are to see a whole lot of friends and a bit of family. In between all that, I'm hoping to spend some time in my old stomping grounds - walk around Noe Valley (stop at my favorite jewelry shop), head out to Livermore and maybe do a little wine tasting, drive along the coast and sit by the ocean.

That's a biggie, sitting by the ocean. I REALLY need to do that. When anyone around here says "beach" they mean the lake - and that's nice, it's sandy and there's nice water. But to me it's just not the same, it's not a "real" beach. I need waves and salt air - that's a beach. And I'm not even sure why I feel such a compelling need to do it, but I do. I can't wait to dig my toes into the sand, sit down and breathe.

As for all the other stuff, I know I'm trying to squeeze a lot in, but I just really feel this need to reconnect with my family, my friends and my home. Ever since I decided to go, I almost cry I'm so anxious to get home (which really is strange, since usually I sort of dread going home). I'm not sure I really get it, but hopefully once I get there things will get clearer.

And we'll see about NaBloPoMo.

Current Music: Daydreamer - Adele

Welcome to Disneyland

I made it to LA. Got to Disney and totally surprised my nieces - it was great! Day one of the happiest place on earth done. Best news yet, it's 70 degrees and sunny - yay.

Hitting the Road (again)

Yep, I've got the road in my blood now - can't wait to get out again!

Ok, not really, but when my mom gave me the dates for her trip I didn't realize that they fell so close to the date that I was supposed to meet some friends (this weekend). And next weekend is the big sailboat race in town and I'm off on another vacation! No rest for the wicked...

So on Saturday I have to get back on the road, this time to Cleavland - that's right I'm headed for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a Gay Rodeo (you can't say I don't know how to have a good time). I'll be hitting the road first thing Saturday morning and returning to my quiet little burg on Sunday evening. In between all that is the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, a contest for "Queen of the Rodeo" (and I don't mean in the royal sense) and some other stuff that I'm sure will be very interesting.

I only ever get to see these friends once a year, so when they called to say they were going to be in my neck of the woods (roughly, if you can call a 4 hour drive in my neck of the woods) I said sure - I'll meet you! Now I'm sort of regretting it, though I'm sure it will be fun. And probably a fairly good photo op.

So that's a wrap for me - end of visit (mom leaves tomorrow), end of June, end of NaBloPoMo and end of sanity for a while. Peace out!

Current Music: listening to the sweet stylings of a sad old printer because I forgot to bring my iPod to work

Awesome!

I had to work both Friday and Saturday nights at the restaurant, I always work when there's a show. Normally I would say that it sucks - but not in this case, because this weekend's show was the John Corbett Band! It's always a lot more fun to work when the show is good. But wait, it gets better..

The shows ran so long that we were allowed to slip into the theater and watch (service in the restaurant was done and the bar was stocked and ready for the after-show party) - not just listen in the bar (with a wall in between). Then, once the show was out the band came in to hang out in the bar. Sadly I had to serve drinks all night, but I got to make sure that all the band members had drinks. I didn't get tipped in cash, but I did get tipped with a cheek kiss and a little snuggely hug - AWESOME!

Oh yeah - I got that tip two nights in a row, he is nothing if not consistent (oh and cute, and tall and pretty yummy).

In other news:
- The concert was really good - he's not just a pretty face.
- You might think that standing back stage and looking at his "good side" is great, and it is!
- There was a big down side - I worked till 2:30am both nights and am currently working on about hours of sleep in 48 hours.
- The vacation has arrived and I am in PA - getting ready to do the history thing with Mom and Scott (thank goodness for wi-fi at this hotel - take that NaBloPoMo).

More on the "vacation" later...

There's No Place Like Home

There's a saying, "Home is where your Mom is." That means that as of now, my home is in California. And I will say that that's very true, even after four years I still feel that my home is out there. But if home is where your Mom is then, Michigan is going to be home for a bit - 'cause Mom's headed this way.

She's headed in for a week and a bit of vacation - we're doing a driving trip to Pennsylvania (you know doing the history thing) and then back home for a little visiting and then she leaves. Should be long and painful, with highlights of fun.

I jest, sort of. It should be fun. I've never been to Philly and I hear there are good cheese steaks and there's an old bell with a crack in it - good times. We're going to hit Hershey, PA on the way - just cause there's chocolate there. Then I'm not sure what, Gettysburg, Yorktown and on to Philly? We'll go where the toll road takes us...

So I guess this means that home is going to be in Pennsylvania for a bit too!

Current Music: Country Roads - Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies

Cheers!

Cheers to being home and sleeping in my own bed! Cheers to the peace and quiet that we are currently enjoying. Ah so many things to be happy about.

Sadly, Scott is not one of those things - he is in the middle of fretting about this evening's festivities. "It's too expensive, I don't have anything to wear, I don't know half the people" - sometimes he whines more than a girl - jeesh! We're off to dinner soon and then we're heading over to J&M's for hot tubbing, and ringing in the new year. Not sure how many are joining us, but it's quite a few - still should be fun.

Have I mentioned that I've never gone out for new years before? So, I'm not going to let him whine his way out - we're dressing up and we're going out and we're going to have fun! I'm not letting him or the impending winter storm ruin it.

Holidalies is just one short day away, so I'll be blogging hungover tomorrow - expect it to be short and maybe a bit garbled.

Cheers to one and all - wishing you all a happy and safe New Year's celebration!

Current Music: End of the World Party - Medeski, Martin & Wood

Wine-o

Here's a new fact about me that you didn't know. I am a wine-o, that is I like wine. I've always liked wine. I used to work for a wine company. I'm no expert, but I know my way around a wine list.

"So what" you say?

Well I had an interesting offer today. My friend is opening a new restaurant and he wants me to be the "wine consultant". I'm not sure what that is, or if I'm even the right person for it, but it's intriguing.

I'm not sure what will happen, but I'll know more on Wednesday - I'll report back then.

Current Music: Alcohol - Barenaked Ladies

My Hood

I do "Hella love Oakland" - it's my hood! Born and Raised (I'd do that gangsta chest thumping thing, but you can't see it so just pretend)!

Now you would think that being from Oak-town would give me some serious street cred, but no, the Oakland hills are not the mean streets. Though I have seen some raised eye-brows when I tell people that I'm from Oakland.

I never really liked it much growing up (always wished I was from somewhere cooler), but since moving away I've found that it has it's charms. Here are just a couple really great things about Oakland:

• It's in a good central position in the the Bay Area (so you can get everywhere easily).
• The real estate prices are still slightly lower than San Francisco or the Peninsula
• There are great views to be had when you go up in the hills and look out on the bay
• There are great little neighborhoods that make it feel like your not living in a big city, but you have all the conveniences of living in a big city

I'm sure there are tons more - but having been away so long, I'm not always up to date on all the cool things. But I am really looking forward to catching up on a few of them!

Thanks to Leah for finding this - she loves Oakland too!

BTW - I am so getting a tee while I'm home - you want one? Get them here or here.

Stalker Clock says just 1 day, 1 hour, 23 minutes and 42 seconds till I'm home!!!

Current Music: Homebird - Foy Vance

P.S. For all of you in search of my new fab mascara it's just the new Maybelline Define-A-Lash. I tried a bunch of expensive ones and they run, plus I'm a sucker for anything in such a great shade of green! It's got a REALLY strange brush (think plastic velcro caterpillar) but damned if it doesn't work!

Going Back to Cali

My sister buys everything she needs (how she does this on their limited budget I don't know, but she does) - and that makes it incredibly difficult to buy her gifts. So my mom gave her the thing that she usually wants most, a visit with me (awww)! Well. she actually gave her a ticket for me to fly out for a long weekend.

Last year I made five trips out to California and had vowed that this year I was only going to come out once - for Christmas. I figured I would go out early next year for this birthday ticket, but my sister (being the force of nature that she is) decided that she wanted me to come out sooner. And given my dad's health and the fact that I'd really like to see him, I gave in. So now I'm heading home next Wednesday for a long weekend of visiting with my nieces and family, scrapbooking and girls nights. I should be toast by Monday!

The best part is, Mer found a Stalker Clock, well countdown clock - and my nieces can watch the countdown till I get there. They're pretty excited, which makes me pretty excited too!

Current Music: Falling or Flying - Grace Potter

Good News - For Real, Well...

Dad's going home from the hospital! He's not better, but he's better enough to go home. His blood pressure is still low, and they're still messing with his medication, and he has to go back for another biopsy on Tuesday. So he's not out of the woods yet -but he's going home.

Oh, did I mention that he's going home (insert goofy grin here)!

It is good news, but I know other news is lurking around the corner (good or bad we don't know yet).

Current Music: My Paper Heart - The All-American Rejects

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

The Good - All my hours of toiling over Pumpkin Lights paid off! We had a record 51 trick-or-treaters and almost ran out of candy (I did have a back up bag just in case). I'm still excited! Oh and my mom is super jealous - that's fun too (shallow, but fun).

The Bad - Of course Scott pouted all night - there wasn't enough candy for him, the kids weren't dressed up enough (he's was right on that one), the dog kept barking, etc. I finally gave up and told him to go to his basement and stop ruining my fun. In the end he was okay with the amount of candy left, plus I promised to get to the store on the way home and buy him some clearance candy (of course he'll bitch later that he's gaining weight and it will be my fault).

The Ugly - It seems like the costumes are a bit lame now. The first group of kids to arrive at my doorstep were, as near as I could figure, not actually wearing costumes (of course I gave them the crappy candy). But through the night it seemed that the best costumes were being worn by the adults. What happened to Halloween? I used to love getting dressed up, I'd spend the year figuring what to be and then the whole month of October figuring out how to do it. Most of the kids I saw last night had seriously half-assed costumes (now maybe that means that they have half-assed parents, I don't know). Whatever the reason, it takes a bit of the magic out of it.

Current Music - I Don't Feel Like Dancing - Scissor Sisters (but I kind of do - could be the song though!)

Bring on the Trick-or-Treaters

When you don't have kids there are two categories you can fall into on Halloween - the scary old couple that never answers the door and inevitably end up with TP in their trees, or you can be the cool, overly decorated house that gives out tons of candy. While Scott will always vote for the first (his favorite part of Halloween is all the left over candy), I would love to be in the second category.

Now I need to say that I have huge issues with Trick-or-Treaters - namely, we've never had many. I grew up on a small dark street that was too spooky to trick-or-treat on (a banner year at my parent's house was 15 kids, and that was the year that I had a Halloween party). So when we moved out to the burbs I got all excited to have my first real Trick-or-Treaters (it's tough getting many kids to trick-or-treat in apartment complexes). The good news is that we had moved to a very nice neighborhood (you know, the kind where people bus their kids in just to get all the good candy), the bad news is that our driveway is so long that no kid dared go down it (too dark and scary - again!).

For the past two years all of our neighbors have run out of candy in an hour and a half - while we're stuck with tons of extra candy - and by Thanksgiving we're left with all the crapy stuff neither of us like to eat.

So I think I've remedied that problem. Three hours and seven sets of Pumpkin Head Lights and six strings of orange and purple twinkle lights later I think we may be festive enough to get some kids down to the house! I've laid in six bags of candy (all the stuff I like, just in case we don't end up giving it all away) and we're prepared for the kids (I hope)!

Current Music: Nightmare on My Street - DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (Old school, yes. But besides Thriller is there any good Halloween Music?)

Can Barely Wait

Happily, I don't have to wait too long - my Dad will be here on Wednesday. Oh, I know that I complain about my family, but I've really been missing my dad lately.

I was on the phone with my sister the other day - and we were talking about talking with Dad, how silly it can get, all the random things that we are bound to talk about with him. Then she said "that's what I'll miss most", like he's going to die any minute - ack! I realize that given his heart transplant, he will (more than likely) have a reduced life span, but I just hate to look at it that way.

I guess the thing that really got me missing him was when I was at the market today - I saw a little old man picking over the butter case - not that my dad was as old as this old gentleman, but it was something he'd do. I nearly broke down in the dairy isle - I hadn't realized how much I miss him. I'm really looking forward to Wednesday afternoon!

Current Music: just the TV, yep Good Eats (seriously, I love that show!)

It's in the Air

I know Summer isn't over yet, but clearly Fall is on it's way! The weather has been cool and breezy, the evenings have been crisp and clear. I love it! I guess I never really appreciated the changes in the seasons till we moved here, Northern California really has only two seasons, warm and dry or cool and rainy.

I went shopping for coats and sweaters yesterday - found two great coats, a leather and a cute puffy down one (don't even get me started on the super red purse or the zebra striped kitten heels)! I may have to get out the sweaters and the Halloween decorations soon!

It's due to warm up into the low 80s next week, so I guess it's back to the the shorts and flip-flops for a bit. Damn - that means I'm going to have to redo my toes...

Current Music: Autumn in New York - Frank Sinatra