Yesterday, I took a vacation day off from work.
I slept in and then went out for morning coffee ( which i never do..i make it at home)
I went to a place that i believe has the best coffee in atlanta. i bought a raisan scone and they warmed it for me. I took my coffee and scone and sat in a comfortable chair on the outside patio. The sun was shining and the day was warming up. It was gorgeous. I just sat and soaked in the moment.

Soak them in. Whatever they are.

Happily stolen from gumdropgal

FOUR JOBS I HAVE HAD:

a) paper route as a child. i really enjoyed it. especially the tips in quarters or better yet, dollar bills
b) cashier at Winchell's Donuts ( used to eat many glazed twists. yum)
c) project manager for a spanish and asian yellow page directory company
4) housecleaner/yard helper person

FOUR MOVIES I COULD WATCH OVER AND OVER (i'm sure i could name MANY...)

a) the hours
b) crash
c) heat
d) rocky

FOUR TV SHOES I LIKE

a) the closer
b) grey's anatomy
c) law and order (CI, SVU)
d) private practice

FOUR PLACES I'VE GONE ON VACATION

a) nepal
b) seattle
c) ny
d) florida panhandle

FOUR FAVORITE FOODS

a) burritos
b) yogurt w/ granola
c) bagel w/ scrambled egg & cheese
d) perfectly baked potato w/ cheese

FOUR WEBSITES I VISIT DAILY

a) yahoo finance
b) yahoo sports
c) my blogs
d) google

FOUR PLACES I'D RATHER BE

a) lake tahoe
b) sitting in a cozy room w/ a great fire going and have it be cold outside
c) on a retreat somewhere
d) palm springs


Consider yourself tagged if you wish to be...

help in the kitchen!

I CANNOT cook! Um...let me re-phrase this. I CANNOT FOLLOW A RECIPE. UUGGHHHH Every Freaking time I try to follow a new recipe, I botch it so bad that either it is barely edible or not at all. Tonight, it was the later. WTF??

I'm in my kitchen, delighted to try something new, happy to cook instead of go out or grab something to go. I had some Wynton Marsalis Jazz playing and I felt relaxed....up until I realized the sauce I was making for the pasta was pretty gross and I threw it out!!!! And because I never keep food stocked, I ended up just tossing a little olive oil on the pasta and put some parmesean cheese on it. That was what I ate for dinner. And then a bowl of frosted mini-wheats.

I was so discouraged. I don't know what went wrong, so please don't ask. 6 out of 7 days, i either eat out or get something to go. If I eat at home, it is usually a sandwich or cereal or mac n cheese. I used to cook more, but I don't really enjoy cooking in my kitchen. I do know how to cook some other things more involved, but i just don't. I just want to know why I can't freaking follow a recipe. And a friend of mine keeps giving me recipe books as gifts....I am gonna have to tell her to stop. They are of no use to me. I may as well just make the shit up as I go along.

I want to win the lotter for the sole purpose of being able to hire a LIVE-IN-CHEF

UURRRRRR

“Live this day as if it will be your last. Remember that you will only find ''tomorrow'' on the calendars of fools. Forget yesterday's defeats and ignore the problems of tomorrow. This is it. Doomsday. All you have. Make it the best day of your year. The saddest words you can ever utter are, ''If I had my life to live over again. ''Take the baton, now. Run with it! This is your day! Beginning today, treat everyone you meet, friend or foe, loved one or stranger, as if they were going to be dead at midnight. Extend to each person, no matter how trivial the contact, all the care and kindness and understanding and love that you can muster, and do it with no thought of any reward. Your life will never be the same again.”
-Og Mandino

the body

Isn't it amazing what our body does for us? I mean, really! Just ponder for a second that while you sit and read this post, your eyes are moving across the computer screen...there are muscles in your eyes that are working to make the movement happen. And as you read, information is interpreted and sent to different areas of your brain for processing or what not...

And all the while, blood continues to circulate throughout your body...your heart pumps the oxygenated blood out to your extremeities and various organs...your dinner is being processed and broken down by your digestive system and your kidneys are hopefully working so that you can hit the toilet later on...

THE BODY IS FREAKING AMAZING!!! And that stuff is all just automatic. it happens. from birth. it just happens. And the other thing that amazes me is MEDICINE....how a pill can be taken to pinpoint one particular ailment and it works. It's all a trip to me. Really.

And then i think about the people for who some of these things aren't automatic. I'm just amazed that it is for most of us.

Have you thanked your body lately? Go ahead, Give your BODY a hug! Isn't it deserving??

A favorite post

ThinkerGirl

Scroll Down when you click the link

Streetlights

After my 17 plus mile run today, I stood on a corner waiting to cross the street. In front of me there was a woman in an SUV with her window rolled down. Attractive, short blond hair. We made eye contact. Her light turned and she was moving and ready to turn. She looked back my way twice and grinned....

On my way to dinner tonite, I was at a stoplight. There was a man holding a sign that said, "Homeless. Please help."
He was thin, maybe 40 yrs old, looking worn, tired.

I gave him a 5 dollar bill. His words to me were, "God Bless You."
I said the same thing back to him. I guess I felt fortunate to be able to go eat and wanted him to be able to get something too maybe....

Tuesday Commentary

I woke up earlier than usual. I was alert, eager, and excited for the day.

Sometime about 10am, I lost that feeling....sigh...

The man who died in Sunday's Chicago Marathon was a police officer who had a heart condition, the autopsy showed. Did not die of heat problems. This is what I read in the paper today.

I got angry today and then I got angry AND frustrated at myself for feeling angry. BECAUSE, too often, i allow myself to get angry at the same shit....uugghh. Bang my head against the wall!!! I need to meditate. Seriously.

Went to the gym after work and as I was about to leave the dressing room to go out and run on the THRILLMILL when I noticed about 4 women sitting or standing and watching ELLEN on the TV in the lounge. I stopped to see what was the big deal: KATE WALSH was on. You better believe I grabbed a seat and watched the show....ahhh....the day got better. :)

Two good looking flicks are coming out this friday: We own the Night and Michael Clayton.....will be a good weekend at the SHOW!

I wonder what the world would be like today if Martin Luther King Jr. was alive today and sending his messages. We don't have anyone like that anymore. What figure out there is inspiring? Motivating? Uplifting? I cannot think of anyone. Maybe it's up to us...each of us in our own individual ways.....

I went to a coffee shop i don't normally go to and got a small coffee to go. As I was about to add cream, i noticed it was way too full and I needed to dump some out. The only place I could see was the trash can, but i didn't want to put the hot liquid in there. So, I noticed some water cups right there that I could use. By the time I had "fixed" my cup of coffee, the barista had come over and I said, "oh, the cup was too full, so i put the extra in this cup instead of the garbage." She smiled. "oh, that's nice. that was very kind of you."
That made me smile. And I went on my way.

Sometimes, people REALLY need to think before they speak. Seriously.

enough said.

More Commentary

I am of the belief that people come into your life and there are lessons exchanged. I also believe the people who occupy a lot of your time, energy, etc...(positively or negatively) are those where the lessons are the biggest. But, sometimes....it is just plain TOUGH to GET THE FREAKING LESSON....

I drink gatorade and powerade after long runs and i do like gatorade better. it doesn't seem as sweet. But, the flavor i like best is called "Citrus Orange (or orange citrus)" and it is not available at too many places AND if it is, it is usually in the 32 oz. bottle, which i prefer not to buy. What is a thirsty girl to do??

A couple of friends surprised me the other night with a homemade dinner, 'happy birthday' streamers and signs and a homemade birthday cake with candles. IT WAS SOOOO COOL! I cannot even remember the last time I made a wish and blew out candles. It was pretty neat.

I'm itching to go roll some dice and trying to figure out where and how to make it happen. Where is my magic carpet when I need it?

i LOVE going into running stores. I slowly walk around and check out all the stuff: apparel, shoes, magazines, race postings/entries. It's truly my candy store. Just recently I bought a new pair of UNDER ARMOUR shorts.

I do not like the GEICO caveman commercials...they gross me out! And i don't think they are funny. Please tell me I am not alone....

Got word from my brother. His letters are wonderfully simple, tender. In my last letter to him, i told him i was waiting to hear on the promotion at work...
"I'm praying for your promotion at work...keep up your great work at your job. if no one pats you on the back for appreciation - God sees you."
He is my only connection to family. His letters are comforting.

I'm 3 for 3 on some baseball bets! AND I CANNOT BELIEVE Cleveland Browns are 16 points underdogs vs. New England on Sunday. Browns will cover. You heard it hear.

Happy Friday!

I read this somewhere a long time ago and have always remembered it:

Rather than measure our days by the usual standards of productivity, perhaps we can ask these questions: how have i loved today? what are the qualities of the gifts i have given? have i laughed?

Commentary

I dreamt of a very old friend last night. Someone I have not seen or spoken to since i was about 15 years old. Weird. What the heck does it mean....
After dinner last night, I went to see THE VALLEY OF ELAH with Tommy Lee Jones, Susan Sarandon, & Chalize Theron. A good show! Jones was AWEsome. A sad flick, though. I didn't get popcorn, but did get Peanut M&M's. I NEVER BUY PLAIN M&M's....
I have been having such a hard time with being "hooked" into a good book lately. I have started about 5 and had to put them down because they just didn't grab me...the most recent victim was Ayn Rand's ALTAS SHRUGGED. If i am missing something here, please let me know....I am not reading another dectective thriller by Michael Connelly
Have I ever mentioned on this blog that part of me wanted/wants to be a detective. I think it would be so cool...to find/collect evidence and find the assailants of different crimes. I dig that stuff. My mom used to say, "DIG".
I got a little scrapped up today during my room and it was kinda cool. It was such a beautiful day. AHHH. Perfect weather. Not a cloud in the blue sky. The warmth was soothing on my body as I sat outside to ice my ankle after my run.
I want a few things that are a bit costly: a digital camera & a new Apple Laptop. I don't NEED either, but I want them and I seldom want STUFF....
I got an gift card to REI for my b-day. Can't wait to use it. YIPPEE....
I have a little Weeping Buddha on my desk and it is one of my most favorite things in my house.
I have not heard from my brother who is in prison and it makes me wonder if he is in trouble and cannot write or what....?

When I first began drinking coffee, the only drink I would get was a Mocha with whipped cream. Funny. I never ever order that now. Have not in years....

Funny....

Also..how sad and disturbing monks are being killed in Myanmar

Climbing

"The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher." ~Thomas Henry Huxley

I have been on the same rung of a ladder for what feels like a VERY LOOOOONG TIME. I have had been patient, i have worked hard and i have had to dig deep to keep fighting ahead for that which is important to me. The time on the rung has not been easy. I kept looking up at the rung ahead and knew i could stand there, but i couldn't, just yet.

Well, after much planning, sweat, and yes, tears, i am on my way to the next rung.

On my 37th birthday yesterday, i found out i got the promotion i have been wanting at work.


I am thrilled, to say the least.

T2 would appreciate (or give me hell about this!):

One of the little quirks about me is that I have a tendency to keep strange things....like protective wrappers on things that need to be taken of. When she and I first became friends, she talked me into getting a cell phone. It took me a long time before I threw away the protective wrapper on my little Motorola StarTak cell phone. Boy, she used to get on me a lot about taking it off....after a long while, i finally did.

But...there are other things as well. I also have found I have a tendency to keep the valet tags on my keychain long after I have left a restaurant or whatever place i was where valet was needed. Why? Why and the heck do i keep the tag? I have no idea....i just do and it's always a bit sad when i finally tear the tag off...

I am not bringing all this up out of the blue, as might be imagined. I was making a smoothie the other day in my too cool blender and I noticed, yikes, a piece of protective covering on the buttons and such. I had never noticed it before. I was tickled. So, what do you think I did?

I left it on....

In other news....I am extremely grateful to be getting a massge in about 15 minutes. I need some body healing after logging some good miles this past weekend.

The CLEVELAND BROWNS WON!! 51-44 yesterday over intrastate rival, Cincy Bengals. Obviously, no defense here, but a win is a win, baby! Go Browns!

September has got to be maybe my most favorite month of the year. It often reminds me of a new soccer season beginning. When I was in high school, this was definitely on of the best times for me. I recall the smell of the grass up there on 9500 Stearns Ave in Oakland, CA. It always smelled as though it had just been cut and the cool air from the bay would make it's way over to our area and just become suspended, it seemed. It was cool, not cold.
I recall lugging my bag into the locker to change...my shy self, so self-conscious about my body, back then....putting on my shorts, shirts, shinguards and cleats and making my way down to the field. I felt we were a select group, me and my teammates. And soon enough, we would form 2 lines and run our laps to warm-up. A precious time, that was. Very memorable. And so, Fall....reminds me of those later afternoons, early evenings at B.O.D.

mirror mirror on the wall

when was the last time you really looked at your face?

really looked. without judgement of good/bad...but just really looked at who you are. what you look like.

take a look.

there doesn't need to be a body for there to be a death

she combed my long hair and fixed it into something nice instead of my usual ponytail. she bought me my first ever pair of Nike shoes. she made the best scrambled egg sandwiches. she had pudgy fingers. she drank pepsi, coors. she loved motown music. she always referred to San Francisco as "the city", her hometown. she was loyal to All My Children & General Hospital. she bought me my first bike, a red Schwinn 10-speed. she saw me run. she listened to my horrible attempt at playing violin. she cried while reading every card i gave her. she was very sentimental. she liked to sing. she was strong in her convictions. she would not back down. she was open to all people, regardless of color, etc.. she enjoyed celebrating all the holidays. she made wonderful chicken and rice soup. she called me her angel. she said she knew i would make something of myself.

her name was Eileen Delia Funtanilla
she died at 40 years of age. today she would have been 64

Happy Birthday, Mom. Somewhere, their is a hellavua tear-jerker hallmark card addressed to you.

questions for you

are you more the pursuer or the pursued?

is it important to you that the people in your life know you care about them? do you show it or say it? both? neither?

do you have faith?

what was the last spontaneous thing you did?

do you feel valued in your work/profession?

would you feel comfortable being nude at an optional clothing beach?

has anyone ever sent you a drink at a bar?

do your parents tell you they love you?

how would you feel if your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife said they wanted to explore having an open relationship?

what do you want more of in your life?
what do you want less of?

do you believe in love at first sight?

what job, other than your own, would you like?

if you put down a bet on a rouleette wheel, what number what you bet on?

father & daughter

At the end of my run today, i walked about .5 mile as a cooldown to my car. Walking in front of me was a man and a little curly blonde girl. she was wearing lime green Crox sandles. she looked about 3-4 yrs old. as i was about to pass them, the man said, "let the lady pass."
she was sooo cute. her little body. her little Crox. he was well built, in-shape looking. he was carrying a bag in one hand.

I walked straight to my car and just leaned across from it on some concete edge of a yard. I was just sort of in a daze. sweating and just content to lean, stretch and watch people walk by this busy part of the neighborhood.

i looked to my left and saw the man and little girl coming towards my direction. he picked her up and carried her. as he got closer to me, i said "she didn't wanna walk anymore, huh? "Yeah" he replied. "That's exactly what she said." they passed and kept walking forward. he carried her in his right arm and bag in left arm. i watch them for awhile. she put her hand on his face and was touching, poking him, playfully, it seemed. so sweet. so tender.

i felt. a missing.

sports notes

I've got my CLEVELAND BROWNS cap on right now. I KNOW it's not football season YET ...but its a comin'! I just hope our freakin' new QB, Brady Quinn, actually SIGNS a freaking contract. This could actually be a very interesting season for the Brownies. Mind you, i said "interesting", not good. But, every year, i hope. i hope. i hope.

Now that Michael Vick has utterly embarassed himself, the team, the fans, this city....I will have a very hard time rooting for the Falcons. I know he most likley will not be around, but i just feel so sick of it all. He provided the excitement for this team and it was pretty cool. What a freaking waste.

Baseball season is going strong and even though SF Giants are in the cellar right now, it was pretty sweet to watch them take 2 out of 3 from the LA Dodgers in LA! I hope Bonds crushes some more balls and I hope Giants have a great rest of season. I'm Hoping. I'm Hoping...

Other than the Giants, I really have a hard time truly rooting for another team. i guess when you are a fan, you just ARE A FAN.
But, I feel like once playoffs come, i will have to root for a team. Maybe Arizona. They have a pretty cool, young team. I would also root for Florida, but they are not much better than SF. Oh well, there is always hope.