Jane's Addiction

In speaking about all my many "addictions" I wish that my name really was Jane. It would be amazing to get to pull that joke out all the time.

Currently one of my many addictions is the Macho Taco from Del Taco. Seriously I could eat it everyday....don't think it hasn't crossed my mind. Also the Caramel Frappe from McDonalds. Sadly - starting tomorrow I'm giving them both up for good. Do you ever sit and think....if I were on death row, what would I want as my last meal. I literally think I would choose a belly full of random junky fast food. Or maybe my mom's homemade potato salad. YUM.

I've challenged my dad to a 5k race over Thanksgiving. Which officially means I'll be in So Cal for that weekend (Josie...take note - ps - we're thinking of the Balboa Park 5k if you and Thor want to join in the fun). I figure if I have a goal to work toward that will help. Starting tomorrow morning I'll be following the training guide plus attending my classes at my gym 4 times a week. Overall good plan. Now off to the grocery store!

The Luckiest

Lately I'm obsessed with Ben Folds. Can't get enough. I think that if I ever decide to get married (don't hold your breath people) this would be the song I would have at my wedding.
Plus it reminds me of all the reasons I am lucky.

1. Family - even though I don't seem them a ton. I see them enough and couldn't be more lucky with my amazing brothers and parents. And don't forget the cutest nephew in the whole world (this picture just proves my point. Apparently he wore these goggles swimming for about 20 seconds and then walked around in them for about 20 minutes. And approved the picture - so, as Jake states "he clearly thinks they're bad ass")
2. Friends - this year I've really struggled with my friendships. I know as we get older we grow apart, etc but it seems I've put stock in very selfish people to be my friends. That being said - I am thankful for my friends who love me without rules or expectations. Who I can get together with and just laugh and laugh and laugh. Who I look forward to seeing and doing things with. That getting together isn't a chore. I am lucky to have these people in my life and you know who you are.

3. I'm lucky that I'm so weird. Seriously this used to be a curse. A lot of people never truly "get" me. Most of that is my fault because I don't really open up to that many people. But for those rare few that get to view me in all my weirdness glory....prepare to be amazed. HAHA. JK, but really I do love that I'm not a cookie cutter type person. I think life would be boring for me like that. I'm lucky that I challenge authority and think for myself and don't follow rules in life. Dance to the beat of my own drum (which is usually of beat anyway - did you know I have the worst rhythm?) One of my best best best girlfriends from middle school caught up with me on Facebook and I told her what I'm up to and her reaction was "I'm so glad to hear that you're the same free spirit I knew when we were 14". Seriously made my day.

4. I'm lucky because I'm free. Living in America is great. Lucky to have men and women who fight for our freedom. And while I could never be one of those people - I sincerely appreciate the sacrifice made. As big a fan I am of Pride & Prejudice, Emma and the likes of Jane Austin type books/movies. The real thought in my head is - I would probably be shunned from society or something because of my very vocal opinions. I am lucky to live in day and age where I can be opinionated and a woman. It might not be popular with the gentleman callers - but I still CAN is the point. haha.

All in all - I'm quite lucky. And if you're reading this blog - it means I know you somehow and am lucky to know you too!

SIGH!!!

Did you here that giant sigh all the way from (insert town that you are reading this blog from)!?!

That was me letting out a HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF that my HUGE work project is coming to an end. Our cut-over weekend was a success and I think we're on a very smooth road toward working on a new system. All in all - a pretty uneventful first day on the new system. Only one person started tearing up on me - which I quickly squashed down and ...problem solved.

I had the lofty goal to pack my work out clothes to work and head to a class tonight after work - but have decided one day off before I get back to the routine of going to the gym is not going to kill anyone. Plus this morning - for the first time in 3 weeks I actually slept until my alarm and even then had a hard time prying my eyeballs open. This girl needs more sleep before I jump and kick around at the gym!

So for those of you that have felt like I'm the invisible friend lately - I should be back in full swing starting...well tomorrow :)

Sharp Tooth!

I was at Target a few days ago - and I realized I was nearing the end of my toothpaste. I am also nearing the end of my shampoo AND conditioner but I can't remember everything in one trip apparently. I digress. While in the toothpaste aisle I decide that my teeth need a little spruce up as well and I should buy some white strips. Since I haven't determined if I'm a believer in the white strip yet - I just went for the 7 days of generic Target brand which were like 1/2 the price of the normal brand. I'll try them out. If they work like I want them too - perhaps I'll upgrade next time.

So I get them home and yesterday morning - after a really bad night sleep and needing to get up super early because I had a GIANT day ahead of me...I stumble into my bathroom and have enough clarity to remember I wanted to whiten my teeth while in the shower. So I take out these gems.

Here is my problem with said "strips".
a) they don't actually look like strips to me. It's more like a blue piece of cardboard. Let's call an apple and apple.
b) they stick to your teeth like to other. I'm fairly certain if they do whiten your teeth it's only because they're peeling off any layer you may have. After this - my teeth will probably be white, but will rot out of my head due to lack of enamel.
c) Don't shape the back side of the strip to look like TEETH! It makes the putter-on of aforementioned so-called strips think that part should go in the FRONT. And since there are cleverly no instructions in the box....you can see where this is going.

Only after I realized I didn't have teeth like THIS GUY..
(Sloth, not "Chunk". "Chunk" appears to have very lovely teeth)
did I realize the strips were on backward.
Seriously if I would've been on a show like Big Brother where the world could watch my life - this might've been the demise to any credibility I once had in life. I was seriously trying to match up the notches with my teeth. Thinking - so seriously I'm going to have like 3 white teeth in the front? That's gonna be ugly! Yes at 5am we're all a little S-L-O-W. Some more than others.

GOOOOOOOOAL!

This weekend was full of my Josie & Thor filled time. They are back from their extravaganza in Europe for the past 5 weeks and MAN I MISSED THEM! It was a whirl-wind weekend of time just hanging out with them as they are already gone again. This time for good! BOO HOO!! I will miss my favourite friend that would always indulge my random class addiction and be my workout partner in crime.

We watched World Cup soccer on Saturday (US vs London). I really didn't pay much attention to the game. Saw our ONLY goal on the replay because I was too busy checking out what there was to eat. Wow'ed Josie with my soccer player name drop - who also just happened to be the commentator in the "office". I really know nothing about soccer. I just remember a couple of random names back when they first allowed soccer as a US Olympic sport.

I've pinpointed that I dislike the game of soccer for the following reasons:
a) I'm better with my hands (that's what she said) than running while trying to kick a ball.
b) growing up in central california I always had to play goalie (see "a" regarding horrible at running and kicking said ball) so they stuck me in the post that never really had to move. God Bless my mother who still resolves that "you were a great little goalie". Sure lady - no body is buying it!
c) I had to get a definition of off-sides from Thor on Saturday.

Sometimes I wish I was good. Nothing like running my fat arse around trying to thin it out. Maybe I should join a team? I'm pretty sure I would be laughed off the little kids league - so best to opt out of it. I do think I want to join a summer softball league. Although - what if I ended up on the team that was insanely competitive and wanted to have like 3 practices a week? Where did my competitive nature go to? Although a trophy would look amazing in my casa.

Elvis

There is this guy that I see on my way to work a lot. He's walking. I'm driving. In different directions. I've seen him for probably more than a year. I think he's SOOOO cute. But how does one roll up to a guy walking in the opposite direction of you driving and say "hello sir - I think you're lovely"? Well...you don't. Especially if your name is Jamie Harker! Stupid shy, gets tongue tied around cute boys Jamie.

I think he looks like Elvis Costello. Only cuter of course. But dark hair. Glasses. Loveliness in one package. He may be short - as I've never actually stood next to him...tough to tell. But he's always listening to his iPod while he walks. Saturday as I was leaving work - strolling by my work on the opposite side of the street was Elvis. He was seriously so cute. And I was totally smiley just taking him all in.

...and then I just drove away. Haha. I'm such a weirdo.

Loading up

My iPod has been in a sad state of the same old songs. I listen to it at work a lot (earphones, to drown out the loud-mouthed breathers around me) and have been noticing that a) I listen to the same songs over and over and b) man I'm sick of all the songs on my iPod. So tonight I bought myself an iTunes gift card (because I seriously hate getting a million emails stating my receipt purchases) and loaded up. SO FUN!

Here are some of my new favs:

The Swell Season
Lucy Schwartz
Taylor Swift (I know...but this song just makes me happy)
Maria Mena
Rosie Thomas

And of course A TON more new ones. Ahhhh I already feel better about going to work tomorrow with the iPod loaded up with new stuff.
Now I just need find some of this stuff on piano sheet music/guitar music and start my band (haha) or just play for my own self. Probably better!