I forget if I mentioned it here (and I'm too lazy to read through old posts) but I had been looking forward to the Royal Wedding since Prince William and Kate Middleton announced their engagement! I haven't taken much time off in the past several months but as soon as they set the date I made sure to get that day off. It's been on the calendar for MONTHS! I had the whole day planned, up early for a breakfast of tea and gluten-free scones while I watched the wedding live. Give myself a pedicure using the "No More Waity Katie" nail polish I'd PREORDERED. Perhaps some champagne as I spent the day watching the coverage and recaps on tv and the internet.
So of course events conspired to force me to work on our very special day:( We have canceled cable many months ago so I had no DVR to record the festivities, however when my parents found out about my foiled wedding day plans they offered to record it for me. This was a small consolation, but at least I wouldn't miss everything.
What I didn't expect was to be awakened at 1:30 AM by Lady Jane Grey herself! Well, my cat Lady Jane, not the actual ghost of the brief and ill-fated monarch of England. She gently pawed and licked my face until I got up, groaning at the time. Until I realized this meant I could hook the laptop up to the TV and watch the wedding live! Huzzah!
And that's exactly what I did. I got to watch the arrivals at Westminster Abbey, all the crazy hats, see Kate's wedding dress for the first time with the rest of the world, watch the exchange of vows, and follow along with everyone else who was up at that ungodly hour (at least on the west coast) on twitter. Of course I still had to get ready and go to work for a full day, packed with meetings no less, but I've still got many hours of DVR'ed recordings to look forward to and I've promised myself to take a belated day off and have a proper celebration while I devour hours of wedding coverage!
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Simplifying my Life
Sometimes I just get overwhelmed with so much STUFF. Literally and figuratively.
The past few months I've really tried to start culling the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. It's so easy to add new blogs to Google Reader that I never stopped to think about the fact I was adding STRESS to my life because there were so many posts I couldn't keep up! It's so easy to star things "for later" that I've got years of archives that are too huge to be at all manageable (or even relevant, says the starred 20% off code for Bobbi Brown from 2008). All those magazines I've held on for inspiration? Maybe if I was trying to inspire myself to Hoarders-esque tendencies. And the mental junk - how many past hurts and snubs I still allow in my brain to this day? The worst part - I let failed relationships with former friends or family members affect the good relationships I do have.
So 2011 is the year I start clearing out the cobwebs. I've been working to edit the blogs I follow so that it's not overwhelming and I can actually comment once in awhile! My husband and I have been cleaning out old "stuff" and donating, trashing, shredding, or systematically ripping out pages and archiving them in plastic sleeves. We spend a few hours each weekend working cleaning out new areas and making sure we keep up with what we've already done and slowing but surely things are coming together.
Mentally, I realized a few weeks ago that I've really held myself distant from those that I consider close friends and confidants. Not because of anything they did, but because of things others have done hurt me in the past. This isn't fair to those that I DO trust or to myself, because when I've really needed help or someone to talk to...I felt that I had no one to turn to. Luckily, I had a good old fashioned breakdown and had a series of therapeutic email exchanges with my brother (always my voice of reason) which has resulted in the much needed advice and help. More importantly, I realized what I was doing to myself.
And so I've made the conscious effort to start reaching out again. I can't change things that happened in the past or prevent someone from choosing to stop being my friend or talking behind my back - but I can stop myself from letting what's really such a small part of my life affect anything else.
So that is my Spring Awakening. That, and some flowers I planted that I hope don't die (part of "Yard Renovations 2011"). So far things have survived and I hope to post some pictures soon!
The past few months I've really tried to start culling the wheat from the chaff, so to speak. It's so easy to add new blogs to Google Reader that I never stopped to think about the fact I was adding STRESS to my life because there were so many posts I couldn't keep up! It's so easy to star things "for later" that I've got years of archives that are too huge to be at all manageable (or even relevant, says the starred 20% off code for Bobbi Brown from 2008). All those magazines I've held on for inspiration? Maybe if I was trying to inspire myself to Hoarders-esque tendencies. And the mental junk - how many past hurts and snubs I still allow in my brain to this day? The worst part - I let failed relationships with former friends or family members affect the good relationships I do have.
So 2011 is the year I start clearing out the cobwebs. I've been working to edit the blogs I follow so that it's not overwhelming and I can actually comment once in awhile! My husband and I have been cleaning out old "stuff" and donating, trashing, shredding, or systematically ripping out pages and archiving them in plastic sleeves. We spend a few hours each weekend working cleaning out new areas and making sure we keep up with what we've already done and slowing but surely things are coming together.
Mentally, I realized a few weeks ago that I've really held myself distant from those that I consider close friends and confidants. Not because of anything they did, but because of things others have done hurt me in the past. This isn't fair to those that I DO trust or to myself, because when I've really needed help or someone to talk to...I felt that I had no one to turn to. Luckily, I had a good old fashioned breakdown and had a series of therapeutic email exchanges with my brother (always my voice of reason) which has resulted in the much needed advice and help. More importantly, I realized what I was doing to myself.
And so I've made the conscious effort to start reaching out again. I can't change things that happened in the past or prevent someone from choosing to stop being my friend or talking behind my back - but I can stop myself from letting what's really such a small part of my life affect anything else.
So that is my Spring Awakening. That, and some flowers I planted that I hope don't die (part of "Yard Renovations 2011"). So far things have survived and I hope to post some pictures soon!
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Yelp!
I've used yelp.com, or the associated iPhone app, to find many a restaurant (especially while traveling). However it's only been in the past few months I've started adding my own reviews. And then this past week, I noticed there was an official yelp event going on in Tucson that included a reception at one of my favorite new Tucson restaurants followed by a show at the Arizona Theater Company. All complimentary! This immediately appealed to the penny-pincher in me, as well as the opportunity to meet some new local folks and check out a venue I haven't been to in Tucson.
So I RSVP'ed and showed up at Janos Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails last Thursday with my husband. The event was organized really well, and we enjoyed a variety of appetizers from the menu along with a few "Cuban Sunset" cocktails. The cocktails, while not complimentary, were specially priced and so delicious I'll be back to enjoy them again soon! I never would have thought I'd enjoy habanero infused anything, much less a drink! I also never thought I'd try, much less enjoy, lamb tongue tacos but much to my surprise they were delicious.
We actually walked over to the ATC, it's just a few blocks away and we'd left the car there when we came downtown. The show we saw, The Mystery of Irma Vep, was great. I was so surprised at the quality of the sets and the performance, and we both laughed out loud throughout the performance. I have to say, when the "Friday Song" was included in one scene I nearly lost it! We've bookmarked the site and will be watching for upcoming shows to see on our own from now on!
And even better, we've learned how much fun these yelp events are and are now on the lookout for more opportunities to join in the fun! We met some great people and had a great night out.
Do you yelp?
So I RSVP'ed and showed up at Janos Downtown Kitchen and Cocktails last Thursday with my husband. The event was organized really well, and we enjoyed a variety of appetizers from the menu along with a few "Cuban Sunset" cocktails. The cocktails, while not complimentary, were specially priced and so delicious I'll be back to enjoy them again soon! I never would have thought I'd enjoy habanero infused anything, much less a drink! I also never thought I'd try, much less enjoy, lamb tongue tacos but much to my surprise they were delicious.
We actually walked over to the ATC, it's just a few blocks away and we'd left the car there when we came downtown. The show we saw, The Mystery of Irma Vep, was great. I was so surprised at the quality of the sets and the performance, and we both laughed out loud throughout the performance. I have to say, when the "Friday Song" was included in one scene I nearly lost it! We've bookmarked the site and will be watching for upcoming shows to see on our own from now on!
And even better, we've learned how much fun these yelp events are and are now on the lookout for more opportunities to join in the fun! We met some great people and had a great night out.
Do you yelp?
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Buy These Tanks NOW!
A few weekends ago I had to stop by the Tucson Mall to replace my eyeliner - an eyeliner which is deserving of its own post extolling its virtues! While there I cruised through the H&M which opened a few months ago because I like clothes and I also like saving money. I don't know about you, but one article of clothing I wear year round are tank tops. In the winter under cardigans and sweaters (it does get cold here!) and throughout the rest of the year under lighter tops or on their own for weekends digger in the garden or hiking. It's hard to find a decent tank that isn't too short, too low cut, too loose or too tight. I feel like Goldilocks and the 3,000 tank tops! And if you find one that fits all the above criteria, it either has spaghetti straps (so not wearable on its own at least for me) or is $50!
So all that is to say, when I saw a display of tank tops for $5 and change I tried one on to see if it fit.
It met ALL the criteria, it's longer, fitted but not tight, has wider straps, and isn't low cut! It also comes in great basics (black, white, and two shades of gray) as well as some fun stripes. I bought 6 to get me through the summer. And I recommend you visit your local H&M and stock up too!
*I can't find the tanks pictured online or I'd share a pic!
So all that is to say, when I saw a display of tank tops for $5 and change I tried one on to see if it fit.
It met ALL the criteria, it's longer, fitted but not tight, has wider straps, and isn't low cut! It also comes in great basics (black, white, and two shades of gray) as well as some fun stripes. I bought 6 to get me through the summer. And I recommend you visit your local H&M and stock up too!
*I can't find the tanks pictured online or I'd share a pic!
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
This Post is Not Intended To Be A Factual Statement
I awoke this morning the way I usually do, leaping out of bed before the alarm even went off! #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement
OK, if I'm being FACTUAL I was catching up on tweets between snoozes 2 & 3, begrudgingly becoming more coherent as the minutes ticked by. When what to my wandering eye should appear but a series of HILARIOUS tweets from the always funny, @StephenAtHome. These contained a series of facts about Arizona Congressman John Kyl, all with the hashtag #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. This was in response to a statement from Congressman Kyl's office, when confronted with the disparity between a figure he stated regarding the percentage of resources spent on abortions performed at Planned Parenthood (90%) and the actual figure (3%). Apparently, the use of this figure was not intended to be a "factual statement", and a twitter hashtag was born.
I think that anyone, no matter what your political leanings or personal beliefs may be, can get a kick out of some of these. I've listed some of my favorites below, which represent 90% of the tweets Stephen Colbert has published in the past 24 hours #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement,
The secret to Jon Kyl's success can be found on page 53 of the Necronomicon.
Every halloween Jon Kyl dresses up as a sexy Mitch Daniels.
Along a certain stretch of Mexican highway, Jon Kyl is known as El Autoestopisto Blanco Borracho.
Jon Kyl destroyed love in 1973. All feelings since then have been but a shadow of the original concept.
Jon Kyl can, and will, deny that you're a jolly good fellow.
Jon Kyl was sent from the future to kill Sarah Conner.
Jon Kyl is an accomplished nude hula dancer. He is not welcome in Hawaii.
Jon Kyl sponsored S.410, which would ban happiness.
Once a year, Jon Kyl retreats to the Arizona Desert and deposits 2 million egg sacs under the sand.
Jon Kyl = ax2 + bx + c
Carly Simon wrote that song about Jon Kyl.
Jon Kyl has a $1000-a-day Lik-M-Aid habit.
Jon Kyl assassinated Archduke Ferdinand.
Jon Kyl was the CEO of Enron when they took all those people's pension money.
And now I know what to say the next time I make a mistake or misspeak at work..."that wasn't intended to be a factual statement."
OK, if I'm being FACTUAL I was catching up on tweets between snoozes 2 & 3, begrudgingly becoming more coherent as the minutes ticked by. When what to my wandering eye should appear but a series of HILARIOUS tweets from the always funny, @StephenAtHome. These contained a series of facts about Arizona Congressman John Kyl, all with the hashtag #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement. This was in response to a statement from Congressman Kyl's office, when confronted with the disparity between a figure he stated regarding the percentage of resources spent on abortions performed at Planned Parenthood (90%) and the actual figure (3%). Apparently, the use of this figure was not intended to be a "factual statement", and a twitter hashtag was born.
I think that anyone, no matter what your political leanings or personal beliefs may be, can get a kick out of some of these. I've listed some of my favorites below, which represent 90% of the tweets Stephen Colbert has published in the past 24 hours #NotIntendedToBeAFactualStatement,
The secret to Jon Kyl's success can be found on page 53 of the Necronomicon.
Every halloween Jon Kyl dresses up as a sexy Mitch Daniels.
Along a certain stretch of Mexican highway, Jon Kyl is known as El Autoestopisto Blanco Borracho.
Jon Kyl destroyed love in 1973. All feelings since then have been but a shadow of the original concept.
Jon Kyl can, and will, deny that you're a jolly good fellow.
Jon Kyl was sent from the future to kill Sarah Conner.
Jon Kyl is an accomplished nude hula dancer. He is not welcome in Hawaii.
Jon Kyl sponsored S.410, which would ban happiness.
Once a year, Jon Kyl retreats to the Arizona Desert and deposits 2 million egg sacs under the sand.
Jon Kyl = ax2 + bx + c
Carly Simon wrote that song about Jon Kyl.
Jon Kyl has a $1000-a-day Lik-M-Aid habit.
Jon Kyl assassinated Archduke Ferdinand.
Jon Kyl was the CEO of Enron when they took all those people's pension money.
And now I know what to say the next time I make a mistake or misspeak at work..."that wasn't intended to be a factual statement."
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