Berkeley

Erik & I took a little trip to Berkeley yesterday. We took BART and only took about 20 mins. It was their first home football game though so the train was packed. We looked around downtown and the campus.



Imitating students from the 60's


Erik Chillin

UC Berkeley

Run Tomorrow

Its 930pm on Saturday. I have a team run tomorrow at 930am and I am dreading it. It is 6 miles and I just do not want to do it. I dont want to run this Half in October. I know I can do it but I don't want to.

I have this problem where when I'm training for something, I hate it. When I'm NOT training for something, I hate it. So what is the middle? I guess accept that I really don't mind training for something....I don't know. I'm sure after tomorrow's run, I will be happy I did it.

How Starbucks Saved My Life

I just finished 'How Starbucks Saved My Life'. It is a non-fiction book about a big shot Creative Director at JWT who got fired after working there for 25 years. He is in his 60's, has 5 kids, and is nearly broke. He takes a job working at Starbucks and ends up loving it. He said it was the best job it ever had. I learned a lot about Starbucks and this book seriously, made me appreciate the company & made me want to work there. Then, I realized how bad my back would hurt after an hour and thought against going out to get a job there. However, they PAY FOR SCHOOL and GIVE BENEFITS TO EVERYONE. How about that!!?? I RECOMMEND this book.

Yesterday

To wrap up the summer, our work team, had a fun day. We worked a 1/2 day, then we went to get pedicures, and then had a BIG lunch at Cheesecake Factory. It was awesome!



Jenn, Bailey, & Erica

Lauren & her big lettuce wraps

Me, Bailey, & Cristin

Lauren & Erica

What we ate: Avocado spring rolls, Spinach Dip, Tostada chicken salad, French fries, coffee, and a few bites of Snickers cheesecake

Clothes

I love clothes. I love to shop for clothes. Now that I have realized that I have a certain style, I want to buy clothes that fit the style. This means I want a lot of clothes at once but I do not have the money to go out & shop like a mad man. I know there are other things to spend money on, or save money for, but I love clothes! I guess I will have to get a little at a time. Plus, Tim Gunn taught me that you really only need key pieces to mix & match. Finally, after years of buying lots of clothes, I get that.

Who can not love this stuff though??

Polka Dot Aligator

Evie is our polka dot aligator dog. If you've ever seen her underbelly, she is white with little black spots. Its funny. Alligator comes from two things: 1)she snaps her teeth at you when she is playing like an alligator and 2)a guy told us one day there are 'gator pits' aka pit bulls who have such a strong jaw that they can grab & hang on for dear life. We've seen Evie do that to toys. So today I called her my polka dot alligator dog. I think she likes her new name.

Milk....

Look at this article on milk & exercise. Maybe this is why I crave it after running! Consuming milk can assist muscle recuperation after exercise according to a study published in the August edition of the Journal of Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism.

The researchers found certain proteins and carbohydrates found in milk assisted in mitigating exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD).

What the.....?

Clearly, he picked her to try to get some of Hilary's voters to vote for him.

Here's the 411 on Sarah Palin, McCain's VP Pick:

• Sarah Palin, 44, has been governor of Alaska since 2006
  
• Before becoming governor, Palin was mayor and council member of a small town
  
• Palin known for backing tough ethical standards, focus on energy, natural resources

The Republican ticket can really start to dial back the 'Obama's not ready' lines because look at Mc Cain choosing this woman who has barely been a Governor for 2 years. What sort of 'problems' does Alaska have that this woman can carry over strategic solutions to the US?

Oh, and she SUPPORTS drilling in Alaska. And, she hunts. And her husband works for an oil company.

Cute Movie

I just watched the movie, I Could Never Be Your Woman. It had Paul Judd in it and Michelle Pfeiffer. It was written by the same woman who wrote Clueless. It was cute & funny. I recommend.

"When enough people look ridiculous, it starts to look normal."

Evie is making me CRAZY

It's Thursday night. Evie has gone out, been played with, chased sticks and ran. Its 10pm and she is barking at me and wants to play. She is pissed I am on the computer. I cannot play with her every freaking second of my life. She needs to grow up & learn how to play on her own. Now, she is just standing in the middle of the room barking. I really cannot take her tonight.

Book Reviews

To Have & To Hold by Jane Green

Amazon thought I would like Jane Green. This is the 2nd book I have read by her and I have to say, I'm over her. What's wrong with her books: 1)They are all set in England, which for some reason bothers me 2)It takes a loooong time to get into 3)The endings do not pay off for all the work reading the book


If you want a book about a married man who cheats on his wife chronically, here is a read for you.

Last Summer of You & Me by Ann Brashares

I never got through this book. It was about kids who are like early 20's who grow up on Fire Island. They get separated and come back together one summer. Apparently, they find out all of this stuff about one another and blah blah. I couldn't get into.





I am now reading a non-fiction book called 'How Starbucks Saved My Life' and its GOOD. So I will review that one soon.

Obama '08

Did you all watch the DNC tonight & see Obama accept his nomination? It was really amazing. Of course, I was getting all emotional.

Disney in SF?

If I did not run through the Presidio tonight, I never would have seen this. Walt Disney's daughter lives in SF and they are building a museum about her father in SF. CLICK to check it out.

Diane & her husband also are part owners in Silverado Winery.

Cravings

After I am done working out, I crave chicken and milk. I literally will chug milk from the container & can't get enough of it. Weird.

Fire Dept

This past week, the main fire alarm on the 2nd floor keeps going off. It is one of those old school ones that rings. It needs to be reset or something. The first time it went off, the FD came right away. The 2nd time, it went off by itself. Tonight was the 3rd time. After 5 minutes, I called SFPD non-emergency line & she sent the FD over.

When I say the fire department came, I mean the entire fleet or whatever they are called. 2 fire trucks. 10 men. Full uniform, hoses, axes, tanks of something, etc.

A few of the tenants were outside & I said, 'I should get the camera. This is exciting'. But, I didn't. I felt bad everyone came out to put out some blaze but at least all it was, was an alarm.

Spirit Sticks

After the run, I saw these sticks on ground. It looked like this...

Now, I should know what this is. However, my immediate reaction was, "what is that thing, a Spirit Stick?"


See "Spirit Stick" above

Here is what it is really for...........


Doh!

Ran!

Today, work sucked. I had to work on this big finance report that was a huge pain. I came home and went right back out to meet my new team. Today, I only ran 3 miles but, I did it. It was good to have a coach there. He ran with me a little bit. When I have people with me, I dont stop. Things hurt, I keep going & will figure it out when its over. When I am alone, everything hurts and I quit.

I saw my old coach, Joe, too. He invited me to his Wed night track workouts he holds down at the track. That was nice of him & I will take him up on it.

Speaking of seeing Joe, I also saw my friend Bailey while I was running. I am finally starting to go places & see people who are familiar. I remember when we first moved here, I was like, No one looks familiar & I cannot image them ever looking that way to me.

My outfit...

...I hate my outfit today. And, I am nervous about going to running practice tonight with this new team. I only have to run 3 miles, thank God!

Funny Picture

Look at this funny picture I found of me & Erik. This was in May 07. I had just gotten Evie. She was so tired, she passed out on the couch in a room full of people.

US Open Goes Green

Tingling Toes

I have this cute pair of espadrille heels. However, whenever I wear them, I feel this tingling in one of my toes and 2 other toes start to go numb. I know that is not good. I think the way my foot is, in the shoe, rests on a nerve or something. I switched to my soccer sandals since I am not going to the Client this afternoon!

The Gymnastis are coming....

The Olympic Gymnasts are going to do a tour. They are coming to San Jose in September! I am thinking about getting tickets!!

Beverly Hills Copy

Yesterday, I watched Beverly Hills Cop. Can you believe I've never seen it? It came out in 1984. It was very funny. This is NOT PC but it was the funniest quote of the movie:

Axel Foley: Don't you think I realize what's going on here, miss? Who do you think I am, huh? Don't you think I know that if I was some hotshot from out of town that pulled inside here and you guys made a reservation mistake, I'd be the first one to get a room and I'd be upstairs relaxing right now. But I'm not some hotshot from out of town, I'm a small reporter from "Rolling Stone" magazine that's in town to do an exclusive interview with Michael Jackson that's gonna be picked up by every major magazine in the country. I was gonna call the article "Michael Jackson Is Sitting On Top of the World," but now I think I might as well just call it "Michael Jackson Can Sit On Top of the World Just As Long As He Doesn't Sit in the Beverly Palm Hotel 'Cause There's No Niggers Allowed in There!"

Shakespeare in the Park

I am so excited that SF has Shakespeare in the Park! The show they are putting on is....PERICLES. It starts this weekend. I am dragging Erik.

Erik & Evie

Here is a funny video of Erik & Evie playing. She was barking and barking to get someone to play with her. Notice how many times I say 'Piggle Wiggle'.

Globes

In Crissy Field, there is a 'Globe Parade'. Each globe represents something about the environment. We up there yesterday around 5pm. Look how COLD and Foggy it was.



Erik, Look Happy.


My favorite globe

Food Face!



Where's the bridge?





I am sad due to all of the litter in the world.


Windy & cold........

New Rug

Here it is!

Long Hair

I was going through old pictures last night. I think I would rather keep my hair long. I do not think it looks good shorter.


Short, long, long, long

What do you think???

Rhythmic Gymnastics?

Ok. I think that if we have Rhythmic Gymnastics as a sport then we should have ballet as an olympic sport.

Running Alone

Erik and I went for a run today. My goal was 6 miles. I didn't feel good from the get go. I wondered how much of it was mental. Erik clearly runs a lot faster than me so we start off together & then he's gone. Even if I run with Bailey, she is faster than me.

I realized - I don't like working out alone. I have zero drive & will not push myself. That's why the only reason I go to the gym is to go to classes. The only way I ran a half-marathon was with TNT. I emailed Fleet Feet to see if there is anyway I can get in on their training program. It started a few weeks ago but they have a coach & runs 3x week. That is exactly what I need.

Shorts

Annoyed that these great brown shorts I got in July and am just wearing now do not fit right like they did in the store!

Cleaning

I did a lot of cleaning out again last night. Evie was mad because that means I wasnt playing with her. I went through ALL clothes, shoes, sheets, and jewelry. i have 4 bags of clothes for Good Will. As you know, I am trying to simplify. I don't want ANY clothes that I do not loooove. I dont want anything that I dont love to wear/use anymore.

Colored Pants

On What Not To Wear tonight, Stacy London said "Anyone over the age of 12 shouldn't be wearing colored pants". Uhhh I have pink pants & green pants. Look at the pants J.Crew is selling this year!

PR for my dog

So, Evie, is a rescue dog. From what we know about her, she had a very rough first year of life. She wasnt fed, neglected, and I think, abused. I really think that she lived with a Hispanic or African American family. We could be walking down the street and a Hispanic or Black person could be walking down the street doing NOTHING and she will start losing it. She will bark and jump. Now, I have learned the signs of this happening and know to hold her tight and tell her to keep walking. She is getting a tiny bit better. I also realized to stop letting people pet her because sometimes they pet her & she's fine, and then she loses it.

I feel really bad for people when she does this to them b/c they are not doing anything.

Anyway, I realized I need to do some public relations for her. She is part pit so people already think she is out to eat their face. She is very muscular. She sometimes looks scary, even to me, when she is just sitting on the rug doing nothing. SO - when people ask if she is friendly, I immediately tell them she is a "rescue dog" and warn them that she will bark & jump. But then I quickly follow up to say that its not them, she is just very protective. I dont know if this is helping to say she is a RESCUE dog, but I hope it is.

Freezing

If you freeze meat, like ground turkey, and it says 'Use by or Freeze by 6/30/08' and its been in the freezer sine 6/15/08, its OK to eat right? It was frozen by 6/30. Oh well, I am using it tonight.

Quote

Wow. This will make me self-reflect....

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

— Janet Lane

Unbelieveable

Woman Arrested For Failing To Return Library Books

A woman has been arrested for failing to return two books to the Grafton Library. “I said, what could they possibly do? They can’t arrest me for this… I was wrong,” Dalibor said.Dalibor did not respond to four notices from the library, two phone calls and two letters. The library forwarded the case to police, who issued a citation for Dalibor's failure to return the materials or pay the fine. The citation included a court date, which Dalibor admits she ignored. With arrest warrant in hand, police showed up at Dalibor’s door and led her away in handcuffs.While the police have been criticized for going so far, the police chief said they simply followed the law.

FIND SOMETHING BETTER TO SPEND THE TAX MONEY ON!!!

More reasons to go veg

Chicken prices are on the rise. They are already expensive. Its like $8 for 2 chicken breasts at Safeway!

Evie is...

...fine now. She got special dinner 2 days in a row and is fine. She was jumping on me so I know all is well.

Rug

When we first moved here, we had a light colored area rug. It got very dirty, very quick. Besides walking on it, Evie pooped and puked on it. So, I got another rug back in the spring that was brown/tan/blue. I loved it. But the weave on it was sort of loose so when Evie played with her plastic toys, it made the rug frizz. It was weird. Anyway, she puked on it twice the other day and I really had had it. The rug smelled. It was damp in those spots. I told Erik today, this weekend, we have to go to Home Depot for a new rug.

I went tonight instead.

I couldn't take it! I ripped the rug up and threw it away and put Evie in the car. We got 2 rugs but I like one more than the other. So I guess we still have to go to Home Depot to return the other rug.

Evie looooves the new rug. When I put it down, she started running around like crazy and rolling on it.

Hair

I think I want to cut my hair. I was literally sweating the other day trying to dry it. Here is my dream haircut. I couldn't have it though b/c my hair is OOC. I would have to flat iron the crap out of it, hourly:



So I might have to get something like this: