I was driving to work this morning and the sun had started to rise and probably due to the smoke in the air, it looked like this huge red sphere, it was stunning. Unfortunately my camera phone could not capture this whatsover and this is the picture I ended up with: You can see the sun better in the reflection on my hood, not exactly what I was hoping to capture.
I love sun rises though and I am glad I am up early enough to see these things that most people sleep through, which I assure you was far prettier than this pic shows:)
Wednesday, September 2
I just made a purchase from Etsy that has me feeling like quite an adult. I bought these two vintage decanters: I am a home owner now, I need to class up my liquor:) I am going to start creating a lounge type area in my family room (the room with the fire place). I have that huge wall that I didn't know what to do with but I think I am going to go for something like this: I think a longer, thin rectangular table against that wall like that will allow a good traffic flow in that area, and it won't be the unused space that it is now. I want to collect more vintage glasses and decanters and find a metal tray like that to place them on. Of course now I also want to put two leather lounge chairs in front of the fire place to give it a Mad Men lounge like feel, but that will have to be done later. Still, I can picture what I want and that is the hardest part. Now I just have to be patient and collect things one at a time.
As my grass continues to grow, I have been browsing a lot of websites to come up with ideas for my patio. I love to look at Apartment Therapy, which is where I found this: After getting past the adorable puppy I saw the really cool DIY succulent planter that was in the background. Obviously I love succulents and I love how simple this is to do yet has a strong visual impact.
The materials that were used were 12" cinder blocks (the kind you would use to build a column) and liquid nails to hold them together to eliminate grout lines. To make the cinder block planters that stick out, the blocks were cut(something I have no clue how to do)and liquid nails were again used to adhere them to the rest of the planter.
I think it is a fantastic idea and would look great underneath my living room window. Anyone know what you would need to cut cinder blocks?
Tuesday, September 1
"Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high Take a look, it's in a book"
If you recogize these lyrics then you, like me, were a watcher of the PBS program Reading Rainbow hosted by Levar Burton (AKA Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation). Remember this?:
Sadly that show will be going off the air after a 26 year long run on Friday.
Ok so I didn't know that show was even still on but it was my favorite show as a kid and helped me develop a love of reading and I am sure it did the same for a lot of kids.
If you are feeling nostolgic, here is a clip from that show from 1983 featuring an awesomely bad song about checking out library books. That Levar Burton has some moves!:
Last night I saw Dave Matthews Band with opening guest Jason Mraz and it was an amazing show, I don't think I have ever been to a happier concert. This is my second time seeing DMB, but the first time was at Staples Center and I quite literally was sitting behind the stage at the very top row. I mean it too, saw a bunch of asses the entire time so I was looking forward to seeing them again from the front and when my brother in law asked if I wanted him to order tickets for me through the fan club, I said absofuckinlutely. Turns out the seats I got were on the floor maybe 10 rows back, just a slight improvement from last time.
Although I am not extremely familiar with the music of Jason Mraz, he is the type of artist where you needn't be to enjoy the show. All of his songs were upbeat and happy and the guy can really sing. I will definitely be listening to more of his music in the future.
Then DMB came out the two things that I think of when I think of their live performance is 1) there is some serious musical talent on stage, and 2) these guys love life and love their jobs. Ok so I guess it is a lot easier to love life when you make a shit load of money doing something like playing music but I have seen plenty of shows where the artists don't so much look happy to be there and it really brings the audience down. I am not sure how far into the tour they are but you would think it was their first show and they hadn't played live in years they were having such a good time. And of course DMB fans are pretty hard core and for them seeing DMB in concert is some sort of tantric orgasmic experience, but that excitment just rubs off on you. You look around and even the hard core looking skin head is dancing around having a good time. DMB concerts could possibly be even happier than Disneyland, but the weed everyone is smoking probably helps that quite a bit;)
Yesterday I tried something new at the gym. I always talk about changing things up in your workout routine so I took my own advice and when I was asked if I wanted to take a spinning class I said sure!
Like most people, I tend to get uncomfortable when I don't know the proper protocal for things and this was my first spinning class, actually my first class EVER so I was a little out of my element. I didn't know how the bikes worked, I didn't know how the class was structured, I didn't know what the commands the instructor was calling out meant etc. It is really good for me to get out of my comfort zone though and I picked things up as I went along. It reminds me of how people must feel when they try to hit the weight room for the first time. There is a lot of machinery there that you have to figure out if you don't know how it works so it isn't easy!
I knew that this was going to be a difficult class. Anytime I walk by and it is going on I look in and everyone looks like they are working pretty hard and sweating profously which is a good sign. The class was also an hour long so I was a little afraid I wouldn't be able to finish without dying. I know I am in good shape but I also know that I will do whatever it takes to keep up with everyone, even if I pass out in the process. This would be my first time when they were old pros so trying to keep up probably was not a good idea but I knew that I would be trying my hardest to do just that.
So I climbed on the uncomfortable looking bike, attempted to get squared away with some much needed assistance and people started trickling in. The music started pumping, the instructor yelled something and everyone started peddaling. My philosophy was just do whatever everyone else was doing because I couldn't hear a word the instructor was saying over the music. The music was helpful to get my rhythm when we were standing up though and I started to feel like I might look like I knew what I was doing, until my foot came flying out of the pedal. Oops.
The class flew by though and I don't remember the last time I sweated that much. I was dripping profuse sweat. In other words, it was awesome. I definitely found it difficult as well. I did not breeze through it by any means. I tried very hard to keep up with the instructor but I couldn't quite hang the entire time, my legs were definitely burning. I loved the continual change of pace and challenges she threw at us though and found it to be a great workout. What's also great is you can go at your own pace. Sure she yells at you to work harder, go faster etc. but if you don't listen what is she going to do? Just by looking around everyone looked like they were going their own pace anyway.
I am a little sore today and one thing that I always have problems with is my hand, specifically my pinky finger on my right hand, going numb when I ride bikes. No matter how I position my hands, it always seems to happen. Not sure what that is about. I will definitely be incorporating this into my weekly workouts though.
First, a slightly lesser known fruit I absolutely love that you should know about (if you don't already) is the Asian Pear. They have a high water content and a crisp, grainy texture that make them very refreshing. It is great on its own as a snack and would also be good sliced up in a salad. They are more expensive than an apple or a pear would be but it is worth it.
Second, a great snack that I am currently loving is the peanut butter banana roll up. You get a low carb tortilla, slap some natural peanut butter on it, sprinkle it with slivered alonds if you have them (I really like crunchy food), plop the banana on the tortilla, roll up and enjoy. Whats nice is it is mess free, you dont have to worry about discarding a banana peel if you are on the go and it is delicious. Good for a pre workout or mid morning snack because it contains carbs and protein.
Lastly, the fast food industry is at it again. KFC is trying out a new chicken sandwich in two test markets called the Double Down. Chicken sounds good for you right? Um not when the deep fried original recipe chicken filets are actually the buns of the sandwich and in the middle you have swiss cheese, jack cheese, bacon and the Colonel's sauce (I will let you decide that is on your own). They havent released any offical nutritional info but they are trying to say it is around 600 calories. Bullshit! Other agencies are estimating around 1,300. In any case, it can't be very good for you.
Amy Ruppel, a Portland based artist, recently released a new series of state animals paintings. Each one of her wax paintings measures 7.25" by 7.25" but you can also get a print instead for a much more affordable 20 bucks. I don't know what it is about these images that I love so much. They are a bit retro and kitschy but I am completely charmed by them and may need to order me some.
Tennesse, our project manager, and his daughter has swine flu. It is not really suprising since he is always sick that he would get this but hopefully it doesn't become a severe case. So far it is just a bad flu with respiratory problems so I wish him and his daughter a speedy recovery.
My Dad, although not the most handy, is a visionary. He may not be the best at doing the actual work but he has good ideas and here is what he has come up with for a new patio layout: The pavers have a irregular shape, there is a spot for a table and chairs and a bench that separates the patio area from some flower beds behind it. The legend says "rocks" but it is more of a crushed rock that can pack down well as opposed to actual big rocks or pebbles so it retains a patio feel and not a flower bed feel. Behind the bench I might put in mulch instead of the gravel and plant sprasely. That area also gets a lot of shade so a garden probably won't do well there, however the smaller flower bed to the east would probably be a great place for a garden because it gets a lot of sun. I have always wanted to grow my own veggies so that would be exciting. So that is the tentative plan, any thoughts, comments, suggestions?
Yesterday at the gym I went to the weight room to use the treadmill. Weekends aren't very busy and there was one man back at the cardio area standing in front of the tv watching the Giants game. The rule of the tv in the gym has always been whoever is there first gets to decide what to watch and even though he wasn't working out I didn't say anything and started running. After a few minutes he left and I even waited a few minutes to make sure he wasn't coming back before I got off the treadmill to change it because I loathe watching baseball on tv, particularly when exercising because that game is just so damn slow. I happily found some UFC on Spike and started watching.
After around 25 minutes of running a man came in and got on the stair master. He was on the machine for about 5 minutes when, in the middle of the second round of a pretty good fight, he gets off and changes the station on the tv without so much a glance in my direction. And what does he change it to, the Giants game. Which was over. Are you fucking kidding me fucktard?? Do you think you own the tv and don't find it neccessary to consult me, the person who was here before you, if you want to change the station? Do you think because I am a girl I don't like to watch UFC? Or do you think because you have a dick you own every tv you come across?
Common curtesy and gym etiquite says that the rule of the tv is as follows: 1. Whoever was there first has control of the station. 2. If someone was there before you and you want to watch comething else, you ask whoever was there if it is ok to change the station. If they don't want it changed tough shit, you should have gotten there earlier. 3. If there are multiple people there before you, you consult all of them before changing the station.
If he had asked if he could change it, I probably would have said that was fine since I only had about 15 more minutes anyway. But the fact that it didn't even cross his mind that he should ask if it was ok is just rude. I could have said something but I am not that confrontational so I just shot him a look of pure disgust and decided to blog about it.
I know this is out of character of me but right now I am really looking forward to fall and cooler temperatures. The clouds this weekend reminded me how long it has been since it has been anything but sunny and hot. I would love to be able to curl up in blankets and not wake up with a stuffy nose because the AC was on all night. Of course I will be over it as soon as it has been 50 degrees for a week and start bitching about it being cold but that's just how these things go.
Well the sprinkler system has been fixed and the sod has been laid. Here is a before: And the afters: I like it so much better already. It looks a lot cleaner with all of that crap cleared out. It is going to look great when the grass comes in and when I decide exactly how to continue the patio. I am going to use pavers but I am still deciding if I want pavers in the entire area or just some pavers and gravel or pavers, gravel and flower beds, I am just not sure yet. Any suggestions?
...girl! My sister called me bright and early this morning to let me know that they found out they will be having a little girl. It appears my Dad is destined to be surrounded by women his whole life. Lucky guy;)
For anyone who has seen my collection of muscle and fitness magazines or my big binder of weight training, you know that I love lifting weights. Having those resources available help me to change my routine on a monthly basis and prevent workouts from getting stale and boring, not to mention preventing my muscles from getting too effecient and thus not working as hard. You have to confuse the muscle to continue to build it.
The biceps are a part of the body that on men especially, are something people like to show off. You ask someone to flex and typically they flex their bicep and not say their calves. Most people though don't do a lot of variation on the lifts they use to build this muscle. Barbell curls and dumbbell curls are the most commonly performed. There are variations of these lifts such as hand placement, grip and the position your body is in when they are performed, all of which work well. My favorite bicep exercise variation though has to do with the hammer curl.
The hammer curl is basically holding dumbbells and with your plams facing in to your body, you lift the weights up, keeping your elbow close to your body. It mimics the motion your arms make when you run. Doing this exercise doesn't quite give you that same squeezing feeling you get in your bicep with a regular bicep curl though. I admit, I like that feeling. A variation of the hammer curl is the cross body dumbbell hammer curl. I really like this exercise but I have never seen anyone else at the gym doing it.
The movement begins the same as a hammer curl, but instead of lifting straight up you cross the weight over to the opposite side of your body that you are holding the weight. So if you are performing this lift with your right arm, you bring it up and across your body towards the left side of your chest. More of a visual person? Me too, here is a video of a buffed out veiny man performing this exercise complete with death metal playing in the background:
I like that this guys head is cut off so you can picture any mug you want. I like to think that this guy has glasses, acne and is a total geek. Chances are he probably just looks like a douche bag though. Anyway use your imagination.
So if you are at the gym and looking for a way to change up your routine, try this variation. Oh and consult your physician before starting any exercise program (ha, does anyone actually do this?)
I have had a busy week and have been neglecting my blog but I was waiting to have some things to post that haven't yet panned out.
We were supposed to find out the sex of my sisters baby yesterday but unfortunately the doctor cancelled so we will have to wait until Friday. I have no feeling one way or another as to what it might be but I am looking forward to finding out. My sister is doing really well though and has virtually had no pregnancy symptoms.
The backyard project is going really well. I got home too late last night to take pictures (it is getting so dark so early already!) but all of the trees and bushes are gone from the west side of the patio as well as the bushes in front of the patio. It makes that space feel so much more open and the backyard feels bigger to me too. What has been taking up most of the time though is the sprinkler system. It is whacked out. Sprinkler heads side by side, the pipes only 6 inches from the surface and a whole bunch of other stuff that I don't really understand but am told is a mess. Hopefully they will be able to finish it today but there is a good chance that may not happen. In any case it is shaping up and yes Adam, hopefully in the near future a game of croquet can happen.
Other than all of that I was supposed to hike Half Dome with a group from Centerpoint on Sunday but I got a weird call from some random guy saying that Centerpoint was no longer hosting it-he never did say who was-but the trip was still on and I could get a ride from him if I wanted to. I am not very comfortable with that whole arrangement so I don't think I am going to go. I am a little disappointed but Half Dome isn't going anywhere anytime soon so I will get another chance to make it up there again.
I will post some pics tomorrow of my backyard and solicit some opinions on what I should do with my new pation space!
On Saturday I was planning on just mowing the lawn but when I was out there I noticed that a few of the pavers had been removed when they poured the curb. Upon closer inspection it looked like the pavers would be pretty easy to remove and since they left an axe pick, I picked it up and went to town.
It only took me about an hour and 15 minutes but I removed all of them and stacked them at the side of house. I figured since this was something I knew I could do I would get the work done so the guys can do the stuff I can't. Plus I really like manual labor. The weather was so nice I really didn't want to be couped up inside doing housework either. So here is a before and after: I admit, it was fun using the axe pick:) My grass is also starting to come back! I have been watering longer and the weather has been a little more forgiving so it is nice to not have all dead grass again. Very slowly the backyard project is coming along.
