Posts filed under 'Atomic Bombshell'
Spring has sprung, and with it came the return of sunshine and flowers. It’s at this time of year even the thoughts of a ninja may turn to love. This phenomenon is evidenced by the fact that one such Ninja, my best friend in the whole wide world, is soon to wed.
I want to extend my congratulations, bestow my blessings, and let the future Mrs. Ninja know that she is one very lucky lady. (Though I presume she has discovered this already.) Because her beloved Ninja just happens to be one of the finest humans alive.
Continue Reading May 7th, 2008
After two years of riding my bike I figured it was high time I entered a competitive cycling event. Since I’m still not super confident riding closely in a peloton, it was decided that my ideal premiere would be an individual time trial. On my own going as fast as I can for a specific duration. Competing with others to achieve the best time without risking getting tangled up in the fray.
The results: I finished 4th… Out of 4.
That last-place finish doesn’t do much for my ego, but I learned a lot from the experience. Mainly that when you’re nervous it makes you have to pee. A lot! And wearing bib shorts, having no restrooms in the vicinity, showing up too late to warm up, and riding an unfamiliar course, are all things that don’t help.
Not only that, but it should also be mentioned that in many women’s cycling events they group all categories together since there are so few women involved in the sport. So where men might race with no more than 2 categories, my pathetic little category 4 slow newbie ass is up against professional and semi-professional female cyclists from all over. Kind-of makes that 4th place finish not sound so bad after all.
Since I have that first event under my belt, I’ll be trying a few more throughout the season. Maybe even a road race and/or a criterium toward the end of this month, and I’ll keep you posted on my results as they come. Originally my goal was not to be dead last, but I think I’ll set my sights a bit lower from now on… Finishing at all is good!
Watch me jinx even that. 
PS: Happy Birthday Jordan!!! XOXOX
April 17th, 2008
So, the Ninja and I hopped in the car and drove to Vegas. We stayed at the Signature at MGM Grand, which was made even more enjoyable thanks to a free upgrade to a penthouse suite. Pretty nifty. Not that we spent a lot of time there, since we were in the other city that never sleeps, and there’s no shortage of fun things to do and see.
However, the whole point was to meet Misty, Dena, Shelly, Lisa, Gina, Monica, Tasha, and Salena. Regrettably, only 5/8ths of that goal was achieved because (despite my best effort) I couldn’t track down the last three. However, it was lovely meeting those first five special ladies. Turns out your blogs very accurately portray who you are and what you’re all about… You’re each as fantastic as I’d imagined, and more!
Now that I know how awesome you are, I wish that Virginia Beach were right next door to Southern California. Though the Ninja and I are a couple of premature (yet immature) fuddy-duddies who don’t drink, smoke, or gamble, we hope there will be many more fun times to spend together soon. Maybe with hubbies and kids even… No? …Or not.
I should have done this in person, but I didn’t want to get all serious on you in the midst of all the fun, so listen: Blogger friendships may seem too distant or detached from outsider perspectives, but the laughter and support we share means a lot me. Thank you for sticking around through some very tough times, and for never forgetting that I exist even when my posts dwindle down to once or twice a month.
You’re each amazing, wonderful people, and I love you… XOXOX!
March 31st, 2008
We’re hitting the road one weekend after another in March. Last weekend we went up the California coast to participate in the Solvang Century. It was my first time riding over 100 miles in a single day, and boy was I beat when it was over. Seven hours of riding, and a significant stretch of it fighting strong headwinds on uphill climbs. Looking back, I’m proud of that accomplishment, but it’s not something I’d enjoy doing on a regular basis.
(The bunny on my handlebars helps though.)
Normally, I prefer 30-50 mile rides while surrounded by ten to twenty of my other road biking buddies, and of course, the one and only Jordan. I’m stoked that we’re once again enjoying daylight savings time (also known as cycling season). My office life sucks, but it’s made more tolerable when I can ride off the stress after work.
This weekend we’re heading out for yet another road trip. We’re gearing up for Las Vegas where we’ll be meeting a few of my favorite peeps on earth! I’m so excited. Good thing I’ve been so busy lately, otherwise I’d be obsessing over what to pack, dreaming about the fun we’ll have, and stressing that I’ll be too shy to enjoy it all.
As it stands, I’m worried about not having appropriate shoes for all the walking required in that town, so I wrote to Manolo the Shoeblogger for advice. To my great pleasure, he wrote about it and made suggestions. I’ll try and head over to a nearby Cole Haan boutique later tonight and find some of those Nike Air heels he recommends.
See you gals soon! XOXOX
March 13th, 2008
Last weekend The Ninja and I had the extreme pleasure of watching over two darling children for some dear friends who were away on a skiing trip. The pair of siblings consists of a girl about 10 or 11 and a boy around 6 or 7, who were in our care from the moment school let out on Friday until it resumed again Monday morning.
The best part was the kids. They were awesome. Just the way kids should be. Quirky and fun and sloppy and charming. Caring for them was a pleasure. We played nonstop. We baked cookies, picked up a new Webkinz, went to baseball practice, went bowling, rode our bikes, and spent way too much time rotting our brains with video games.
But, let’s set the stage. These kids aren’t from any normal suburban town. They live in Rancho Santa Fe, known to locals as “The Ranch” - the second most exclusive residential area in the nation. Mind you, the reason it’s exclusive could be the curvy, poorly marked roads that caused me to get lost once, leaving me in tears of frustration.
If you’re ever able to find their home and get inside without setting off the alarm (like I did, accidentally, resulting in a confrontation by armed security… again, leaving me in tears) you’ll find that it’s not normal either. Even the toilet seat has a secret life, keeping the seat warm, deodorizing the air, rinsing and drying you off. It’s an unusual place.
All weekend I thought about all my mommy blogger friends, wondering what tales I’d bring back to empathize with your frequent struggles. But, the only complaint I now truly understand is about laundry. You’d think over one measly weekend there wouldn’t be much, but I ended up having to wash, dry, fold, and put away five super-sized loads.
Not much to complain about. Except when you consider that when you’re caring for two kids in a house with like five bedrooms and five bathrooms, that equals a whole lot of running around. There are weekends where I’ve put in over 100 miles on the bike, but never has it made me as tired as a weekend of traversing that house.
It may have been only a glimpse, but my hat is off to you, ladies.
March 6th, 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
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