Archive for February, 2008
Last week, most of the world’s top pro cyclists made a rare visit to the United States, including current world champion Paolo Bettini, and former world champions Mario Cipollini and (my favorite) Tom Boonen (pictured here taking a stage 3 win with “Cipo” in his wake). They rode 650 miles from Palo Alto to my home town of Pasadena.
Though I’d like to pretend it was just to see me, they were all here to compete in the 2008 Amgen Tour of California. This eight-day stage race, first held in 2006, just keeps growing in popularity. This year drew the best peloton so far, and to top it off, they decided to end at the Rose Bowl.
For those of you not into cycling, let me give you a small example of how it felt to have these guys riding where I could see them with my own eyes: Imagine your favorite celebrity, one you’ve long wanted to meet, and then imagine having known for weeks in advance that today, when you open your front door, they’ll be walking right past your house. I could barely contain my excitement!
As the hostess with the mostest, I felt it was my duty to volunteer and do my part to ensure their experience in the City of Roses went well. Originally, I was scheduled to work Anti-Doping, which is the equivalent to having a backstage pass, but some crazy lady screwed it up for me the day before by showing up in the showers. Since it was males only, my Ninja handled that job, and I directed other volunteers instead.
No complaints though. We attended the last two stages, met a ton of pro cyclists, had a great time at the finish, and even got to hang with security afterward to meet more of our heroes (even Hincapie!) once the press conference was over. Now, I can hardly wait until next year!
February 28th, 2008
So, umm… You know how almost everybody wants a Wii, but (at least where we live) they’ve been chronically difficult to find in stock? Well, umm… The most fantastical boyfriend ever tracked one down at a local Game Stop and presented me with it on Valentine’s Day. And, umm… Since then, I’ve been so “busy” that I neglected to post about it.
My Ninja also hooked me up with Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga and Super Mario Galaxy, both of which are terribly fun. Even the Sports game that comes with the console is a blast. Of course, the very next day I scooped up all my old games and traded them in (what a joke, I still had to fork out a chunk of change on top of that) for Guitar Hero.
And speaking of that game, I am reminded that my dear Smizzo wanted to know the details about a matter involving a certain famous lady whose first name starts with “O” and if you’ve been following me on Twitter, you already know I was busy playing Guitar Hero with the kids, so I missed out on being introduced… and honestly, I don’t mind.
When the birthday party started to buzz, I knew exactly what was up. However, after spending all night yearning to get away from the adults to spend some time with two of my favorite kids on earth, there was no way I was going to send the message that anything else was more important than playing with them. It was an easy decision.
February 22nd, 2008
February 14th, 2008
Step 1: Open Mouth. Step 2: Insert Foot.
Naturally, the very moment that I spout off about having almost completely given up television, I learn that one of my childhood friends is starring in a new series.
Lindsay Price and I go way back. Like every week at Sunday School as kids, back when she was starring in Toys R Us commercials. We haven’t crossed paths in ages, but since there’s no expiration date on my loyalty, you know I’ll support my girl’s new show.
Even though I was loaded up on Benadryl after inadvertently consuming dairy before running last night, I managed to keep my eyelids open long enough to catch the season premiere of Lipstick Jungle.
This new series is yet another work based on the novels of Candace Bushnell of Sex & The City fame. My friend stars along with Brooke Shields & Kim Raver (of the hit show 24) as three high-powered friends.
Lindsay plays fashion designer Victory Ford, and she simply stole the show. The premiere episode of Lipstick Jungle didn’t wow me, but I can see that it certainly has potential. Good luck, Lindsay, and congrats!
February 8th, 2008
Scene at 6:45 on Friday mornings: The alarm rings, I realize it’s the last day of the work week and I crack a little smile. A moment later, that grin is wiped out by frustration as I pull the covers over my head and pretend to sob, because I remember it’s business casual time again.
Folks, it’s been a long time since I last had a decent wardrobe. During the last two years I wasn’t able to find much to help alleviate the stress of figuring out what to wear to work every blasted weekday. It’s bad enough when you don’t like where you work, but just try getting out of bed when, on top of that, you have nothing to wear.
I don’t even want to know what people at the office have said behind my back. Probably things like, “Didn’t she wear that last Tuesday, and the Tuesday before that, and the Tuesday before that?” – And the sad part is, they’re right. Staying on track financially through some tough times took everything I had and then some. No budget for clothes.
But, now I’m out of excuses, so I finally went and picked up a few pairs of trousers and coordinating tops. Though my problems from Monday through Thursday aren’t solved, come Friday morning I’ll wake with that little grin and keep it on all day (that is, unless I weep for joy) because for the first Casual Friday in ages – I have something to wear! 
February 7th, 2008
Did I ever mention that I pretty much gave up television a few years ago? Yeah. Reality TV marked the decline and fall of my tenure in front of the tube. At first, I gave it up temporarily just to see how my life would be affected. But after a few weeks without it I realized that I had become far more productive, and was getting a lot more out of life.
This Week: Ten Ways to Avoid Watching TV 10. Find a human and strike up a conversation.
9. Surf the Internet to learn about something.
8. Get to work on chores you’ve been avoiding.
7. Be Creative: Draw, Create, Cook, and Dance.
6. Weigh yourself and consider going for a jog.
5. Sell things you don’t use any more on eBay.
4. Find someone to hug and squeeze and kiss.
3. List your big goals and write up action plans.
2. Grab a book from the shelf and start reading.
1. And my personal favorite: Go ride your bike!
People often say “life is short” and fantasize about all the things they’d still like to accomplish, but then go on to waste huge amounts of time on things that don’t contribute to their goals. If you spend more than a couple hours each week watching television, I recommend taking a tv “hiatus” to tackle some of those more important things.
Who knows, maybe (like me) you’ll never go back!
February 5th, 2008
