Be Awesome Instead

Surviving the Drives

2012-01-15T20:24:00.000-08:00

What a game! AND years from now I'll get to say I was there and not be lying!

You can read about my experience HERE

NIIIIIIIIINNNNERRRRRRRRRS!!!

I Can DO It!

2012-01-09T07:24:00.000-08:00

Today I start the insanity that will lead me (fingers crossed) to check off 1 item on my 101 in 1001 list. Sunday leads to a 2nd. Both will help with one of my goals. Want to know what I'm talking about? You can check out my crazy HERE.

Lighten Up!

2012-01-06T06:39:00.000-08:00

It's been far too serious around here lately, and yes, serious can be needed from time to time, but someone needs to lighten up (coughcoughmecoughwheeeezecough). Here are some random things that have put a smile on my face lately. Can this count as Random Musings, Shana?

Everyone's support from Wednesday's post, you all are seriously amazing!
Sending out the New Year in style with some fab friends, and not looking half bad for 30. Take that, aging!

Notice the platinum is mostly gone? I added lowlights of a golden/strawberry blonde shade and I LOVE them. First time I've ever chosen to go darker, so I was scurred. (101 in 1001 item-check).
Feeling much better about the work year after Wednesday, a little recognition never hurts.
All the adorable little ones that have joined the world in the last few months.

The Princess loves her baby, Little Miss (Baby O)

The hilarity that is The Bachelor this season. I'm not usually a fan of reality TV, but the Bachelor franchise is my guilty pleasure. I can't wait to laugh (and sometimes cringe) at all the crazy every Monday night for the next couple of months. There's a special brand of crackiswhack this year.
Downton Abbey coming back on Sunday! I'm a PBS nerd on this one and I don't care.
Finishing 2 books last week! Prince of Tides (FINALLY) and Before Ever After (a historical fiction rom-com, magical must read, recommended by KLZ). Starting The Night Circus this weekend.
Planning trips for this year. So far we have: Stagecoach, NYC, Jackson Hole, Costa Rica, a work training in Orlando or Chicago, and fingers crossed I'll be back to Disneyland (maybe for the half over Labor Day weekend). Good thing I've saved up some PTO!
Where I'll be on January 14th...

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrs!

What I'll be wearing on January 14th:

Got my Rice jersey, thanks to the Brother!

2012 is definitely starting on the lighter side!

PYHO: The Secret

2012-01-04T08:37:00.000-08:00

I've been holding on to this post for awhile, but after seeing Shell's PYHO post today, I knew it was time...

I have a secret and I've never told a soul.

The secret holds the power to change lives and possibly destroy relationships, at the very least it would change certain perceptions.

During my childhood I found something that still confuses me to this day. I waited years for the secret to come out. It never did. So much time has passed, I'm not even sure what I saw was real. But I can still see everything as if it happened yesterday. If I told someone now, I'm sure they'd think I was crazy. No one knows I know.

It's not my secret to tell.

I can go days, weeks and months without thinking about the secret, then an image, song, smell, or just one word will bring everything back to the surface.

The secret plays a huge role in certain beliefs I have today, and I'm guessing plays an even bigger role in the baggage I lug around with me every day.

I've carried the secret for at least 20 years. Today is the first time I've ever mentioned it. If you ask, I will not tell you.

It's not my secret to tell.

12 Goals for 2012

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

In 2011 I set out to achieve one goal, expand the group of friends. With the majority of my local friends settling down and popping out babies, I started to lose my fun, single self. I LOVE my friends and their kids dearly, but we're definitely at different points in our personal lives, and that's OK. I achieved my goal, while still maintaining the friendships I went in to the year with. This year I'm focusing on what I can control related to the3 P's, physical, personal and professional.

Physical

1. Actually stick with the fitness programs I have committed to so far, running and P90x2. I have a history of doing something once then completely dropping it after the program is over or I've achieved my goals.

2. See an endocrinologist and try to get the whole thyroid crap figured out. I recently learned my previous doctor has been under-medicating me for at least a year. In the 6 years since being diagnosed I've never seen a specialist. For anyone who's ever had to deal with thyroid issues you can understand how frustrated I am. For everyone else, your thyroids affect EVERYTHING. Metabolism, mood, endurance/exhaustion, cold tolerance, skin, ability to focus and regularity (yeah I went there, sorry if it's TMI). I miss feeling like ME.

3. Maintain a healthy diet over the course of the year. I may not be able to control my metabolism while the thyroids level out again, but I can control what I put in my body. Don't worry, ice cream we'll still mingle from time to time.

4. Try something new physically. I know this is vague, but I have a few ideas of what I might want to do.

Personal

5. Get my flirting/banter mojo back. A big part of this is more than likely tied in with the thyroids, but I've removed myself from situations this year where I could actually have fun. Dumb.

6. Date. I've never been a big fan of dating, the first few weeks are just annoying, and I could do without the whole vulnerability thing. I kind of miss the college days where you'd just drunkenly make out first and go from there. At 30, I need to grow up and put myself back out there. I'm not likely to meet anyone new by sticking to my comfort zone.

7. Put an active effort in to continuing my spiritual growth. I don't talk about my faith a lot on here, and it's been a bit of a struggle the past couple of years, but I need to stop with the excuses and refocus.

8. Read the books I've already purchased on my kindle, before purchasing any more. I think I have close to 10 or 12 from the last year that I haven't even started.

Professional

9. Try to stay positive. I found myself unhappy towards the end of the year for multiple reasons, but I can do a better job of focusing on what I do like. I chose to come back to my company instead of staying on the Events path for a reason.

10. Continue to volunteer and increase my involvement with the civic/social group I'm a part of, where possible.

11. Find the balance. I'm a bit of an over-committer (funny considering my personal commitment issues) and get to the point of being so overwhelmed I can't do anything, or do everything but what I actually need to do. Gossip sites tend to be the main go-to during these times. Someday my celebrity knowledge will be worth something.

12. Increase my 401k contribution. At this point, I'll be lucky to retire at 95. 65 more years of working makes me want to cry and who likes to cry and be all blotchy for hours after?

You might be wondering why blogging's not on the list, but I kind of like the unknown here. I do need to bring back the Hamburger Alerts though. Rooney Mara? Ew.

Christmas Wishlist

2011-12-20T03:00:00.000-08:00

I love finding the perfect gift and will spend the months leading up to Christmas figuring out just what I want to get for the fam and friends. Watching them open a gift I know they're not expecting truly is a highlight of the holidays for me. If I can get some tears of joy out of my mom? Even better!

I wasn't sure I could top last year, but I know a few people will be quite surprised come Sunday, including myself! I usually have some idea of what I'm getting, but this year I'm completely clueless. Here are a few items I'm hoping I might find under the tree:

West Wing: The Complete Series

via

NorthFace Better than Naked Jacket for running in the rain

via

Rice Jersey

Wine Fridge, would like a 12 bottle dual temp control,
but would really take anything small enough to fit in my place and keep my wine good.

FNL: Complete Series (for when I'm ready to watch again, sigh)

To support my kindle book buying addiction:

Alcohol, TV, Books, Sports and Fitness. Yup, that about sums me up.

I Can Breathe Again!

2011-12-12T03:00:00.000-08:00

No more studying! At least for now, and I'm going with the assumption that I passed. Even though I feel like I'll be right at the cut-off and could go either way. But nothing I can do for two months! I could almost feel the stress melt away as I walked out Saturday morning. Until I found myself in the Starbucks at the mall. Oh that's right, it's holiday season, how could I forget!

I spent the rest of the weekend completely enveloping myself in all things Christmas. I watched Elf and Love Actually twice, wrapped presents and of course, the tree! I'm usually a buy the weekend after Thanksgiving, tree person. With studying this year, I had to wait TWO weeks. Gah! But here it is:

Space is a bit limited in my new place, luckily size doesn't matter, it's the smell that counts! Heh. I also love my Angel tree topper. I still remember putting it on the tree for the first time as a little kid. My mom kept it for me after we changed our family one out. Awwww (I could hear you all saying it, so I threw it in to make the voice in your head actually be on the computer and you wouldn't seem crazy. You're welcome).

After 36 hours of full-on Holidayness, I finally feel like the most wonderful time of the year has infected me too!

That's not all I've been infected with lately. No, ew, not that. Or that! Come on people. I have the running bug. And you can read about it HERE.

Hindering My Favorite Time of the Year

2011-11-29T20:49:00.000-08:00

This is going to be my life through next Friday.

Only the fantasy football updates will be replaced with practice exam questions.

I thought I was done studying when I got my Masters.

Yeah, not so much...

Also, I don't retain as much while drinking as I did in college.

Do you think that's tied to how many brain cells I've already killed?

Eh.

I will beat you, CISA!

Waiting for the "Real" Thing

2011-11-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

Dear How I Met Your Mother writers,

Clearly, I love your show. I mean, hello, the blog is named Be Awesome Instead for a reason.

I supported you when you got Barney and Robin together the first time, even though it went against everything you built the characters to be for multiple seasons. I complained and you listened. Whether directly to me or not, I'm not sure, as others felt the same way. Now, though, I'm disappointed. Not for the outcome of last night's show, but for the message that came along with the single person having a kid story line.

"It's worth the wait" to hold out until you find a significant other.

"Gotta wait for the real thing, no matter how tough it gets."

Guess what? Not everyone finds, or even wants, the "real thing."

I understand you're trying to move the story along, but sitting here at thirty knowing I want kids? Single parenthood is a realistic possibility. Yes, having a child with someone I love and will spend the rest of my life with would be the ideal situation. But how long should I wait? Should I just not have kids at all if I don't find the "real thing?" As a woman, the amount of time for that to happen only exists for so long. This is my reality.

We're in the 21st century here. I appreciate your support on gay couples having children. Truly. I hope everyone else follows suit. But your lack of support for the single parent amazes me. Maybe you think it's ok if the single parent started out with a significant other? I can tell you an unhappy two-parent household can screw a kid up, just as much, if not more so, than a single parent household.

Obviously, I'm not at the point where I have to make the decision on kids alone or no kids, but if that time comes and I'm in a place to support a child with the right group of people around me, the decision won't come down to waiting for the "real thing," as you so choose to call it.

I understand where you're coming from in using that choice of words for the impact it would have on the end of the episode, and I'm not usually one to take offense. This time though, you got me. Poorly played, writers, poorly played.

Sincerely,

A Very Disappointed Fan

Book Review: Your Voice in My Head

2011-11-21T09:00:00.000-08:00

It feels so good to finish a book again! I've seriously missed this feeling!

Your Voice in My Head by Emma Forrest came at the perfect time, similar to my former experience with Eat, Pray, Love. I wanted to read it a few months back, but kept putting it off, not really sure why. Now I know. I've been debating seeing a therapist for a couple months (it's now on my 101 in 1001 list, so the debate is done). I don't feel utterly broken anymore, but at the same time I still don't think I've completely healed from the heart shattering I experienced at the hands of Mr. P. I'm not sure anyone walks away from that kind of betrayal ever completely whole again, but there's got to be something more to smooth over the cracks right? Something to help with the fear of putting myself in a position fall again, instead of just burying myself in everything but. Thanks to this book, I'm confident I will find a way to finally remove the band-aid, air out the wounds, and move on with my life. I just may not be able to do it on my own, and that's OK to admit.

Like Eat, Pray, Love I think this book will touch everyone in a different way. What I took out of it, may not be the same for you. While I can't relate to the extremes of Emma Forrest's emotions, her writing is simply amazing. Of course the celebrity aspect of the book (torrid affair with a certain hottie on many Freebie Five lists) definitely does not hurt, but there really is so much more. I'll probably need to read it a few more times to really grasp everything. For the first time, I'm actually using the highlight feature on my kindle so I can go back and reread specific quotes.

Here is the description from Amazon:

Emma Forrest, a British journalist, was just twenty-two and living the fast life in New York City when she realized that her quirks had gone beyond eccentricity. In a cycle of loneliness, damaging relationships, and destructive behavior, she found herself in the chair of a slim, balding, and effortlessly optimistic psychiatrist—a man whose wisdom and humanity would wrench her from the dangerous tide after she tried to end her life. She was on the brink of drowning, but she was still working, still exploring, still writing, and she had also fallen deeply in love. One day, when Emma called to make an appointment with her psychiatrist, she found no one there. He had died, shockingly, at the age of fifty-three, leaving behind a young family. Reeling from the premature death of a man who had become her anchor after she turned up on his doorstep, she was adrift. And when her all-consuming romantic relationship also fell apart, Emma was forced to cling to the page for survival and regain her footing on her own terms.

A modern-day fairy tale, Your Voice in My Head is a stunning memoir, clear-eyed and shot through with wit. In her unique voice, Emma Forrest explores the highs and lows of love and the heartbreak of loss.

I highly recommend this book. You should find it an easy read in that it's on the shorter side (at least compared to the books I've been trying to finish lately), but it's not a simple beach read. Your Voice in My Head is a true memoir, entirely honest in the emotions, leaving the sugarcoating for someone else.

"Time heals all wounds. And if it doesn't, you name them something other than wounds and agree to let them stay." -Emma Forrest

PYHO: Ohhh, to Never Be 23 Again

2011-11-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

Linking up with Shell for PYHO...

In the past (mainly leading up to the 28th, 29th and 30th birthdays) I would casually say something along the lines of "What I wouldn't give to be 25 again" or 27, or 23. Truthfully, I don't want to go back. 23 might easily be considered my favorite year. I split time between both coasts, got paid for playing in sand or grass and getting my tan on (I'd say playing with kids, but these days you never know how that could be interpreted), still danced regularly, followed my dreams and managed to get in to the top Sport Management graduate program. Would I ever really go back though? Not a chance (I would take my 23 year old body)!

Youthful, Innocent, Stupid and Naive. Soooo Naive.

I enjoy the wisdom and perspective 30 years has brought me. I'm no longer that girl who gets drunk and makes out with whatever ~~beer goggle induced~~ hottie happens to pay me attention. When we were out a few weekends ago, I saw a couple of guys who peaked my interest, based solely on looks, of course. With one in particular, glances, and the slight smile, were exchanged throughout the night. I felt him looking my way A LOT. Yet, I didn't want to fight for his attention with the drunk girl who could barely stand up straight. She went home with him.

7 years ago, I have no doubt that girl would have been me (and maybe 6 months ago, but that only happens on birthdays). I rarely lost out when it came down to competing, man did I had a talent for flirting! Instead, I woke up the next day rested. I didn't have to peek under the sheets, or call up my friends to piece together how I got there. My name didn't come up in conversations when everyone asked for the good gossip.

I have no regrets. I don't want to be that girl anymore. Not to say I didn't have fun when I was, but really it comes down to being too old for that shit. As for the guy, neither of us were really who the other was looking for in the given situation that night*. Chances are pretty good I'll run in to him again in the future. Maybe then we can talk without having to interpret some slurring girls words. Or maybe it will be my birthday...

*He didn't qualify as Cub status, so really what's the point?

101 in 1001

2011-11-09T03:00:00.000-08:00

While visiting Ally and Shana in Kentucky they were crossing off multiple items from their 101 in 1001 list and I was completely jealous. So of course, not to be left out, I'm now making my own list.

Here are 101 things I hope to do/accomplish in the next 1001 days (just under 3 years).

Complete a 5K
Complete a 10K
Complete a Half Marathon (I know I'm nuts, but these running endorphins are like crack)
Learn how to "roll-out" my IT band properly aka Trigger Point
Allow myself to fall again (the idea still scares the shit out of me)
Visit a foreign country outside of North America
Take a tour of, or watch a game at, Fenway
Visit Chicago (and have a Grilled-Cheese off with KLZ)
Visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Finally go to Hawaii
Save enough to travel the world or buy a house
Get a dog
Learn how to cook lamb
Meet more blog friends
Keep in touch with the blog friends I've met
Get a professional bra fitting
Visit the Smithsonian
Attend a Syracuse BBall game in the Garden
Treat both sets of my parents to dinner at a "fancy" restaurant
Finish the Agony and the Ecstasy (I've tried 3 times)
Improve my golf skillzzz
Delete 1 current TV series for every new series I add on the DVR
Hike Half Dome
Camp in a tent
Walk the Golden Gate Bridge (bridges terrify me)
Pay off my credit card debt
Learn more about how cars work
Grow From the Sidelines readership
See California (and how about the entire U.S.) get it right by ending discrimination and legalizing marriage for everyone (I know not in my control but a girl can dream)
Make something with my ridiculous collection of corks
Complete the 26 books in 1 year challenge (I know it's 52, but I'm trying to be realistic here)
Make a pie crust from scratch
Meet Peanut's little brother
Make onesies of a longer lasting quality
Figure out how to turn onesie creations into a business, maybe via etsy
See a therapist to work through the childhood issues I still can't let go of
Bake 5 goodies from pinterest
Snowboard down an intermediate run
Learn more about wine and food pairings
Spoil my "nieces" and "nephews" like crazy
Get a single serve coffee maker
Add pilates back in to my weekly routine
Write thank you notes for all birthday and Christmas gifts
Increase my 401K contribution %
Make an item of clothing
Go an entire week without checking facebook
See a ballet at Lincoln Center
Watch the Star Wars Trilogy
Learn 3 new Line Dances
Attend a Niners playoff game
Play "Keep It or Toss It" twice a year
Continue with my sports curse reversal and help another city
Organize my junk "drawers"
Learn how to Dougie
Divorce blogger and switch to wordpress
Learn how to use Wordpress
Learn basic html
Visit 3 new sports stadiums
Plan and make running night meals in advance so they can be reheated on the night of (for an entire month)
Make my lunch for an entire week
Get back to a size 2/4 and maintain it!
Feel confident in a swimsuit
Complete P90X2
Get monthly massages on a consistent basis
Write at least one blog post in advance each week for a month
Design a piece of jewelry
Watch more "news"
Make tomato soup from scratch, well pre-peeled tomatoes are acceptable (I would like to point out that spell check does not like pre-peeled, but pee-peeled is a suggestion)
Complete a month long photo challenge
Cook 10 new recipes
Make Butterbeer
Reread my favorite book, Little Women
Finish re-watching my favorite TV Show of all time, West Wing
Re-Watch my 2nd favorite TV show, Friday Night Lights (when I'm emotionally ready)
Attempt something new and fun with my hair color (low-lights or maybe a touch of red)
Have a real home office (aka not my kitchen table)
Buy from the farmers market at least one weekend a month during the summer
Carve a pumpkin
Die Easter eggs
Make Chammy's ribs
Make a habit out of drinking a full glass of water when I wake up
Get professionally fit for a pair of running shoes
Finish Arrested Development before the movie comes out
Get an @reply back from someone fames on Twitter (after Joey Lawrence followed me with no initiation on my part, this shouldn't be too difficult right?)
Review more books on Be Awesome Instead
Make a donation to one of my former university programs
Do something touristy in NYC that I never did while living there (should be easy, only thing I did was the Empire State Building)
Pass the CISA (work related exam/certification)
Get my PMP (Big Pimpin...another work cert)
Participate in another Warrior Dash
Have FTS mentioned by a larger sports outlet
Continue to try foods I don't like in hopes my taste buds change (they have for sushi and ham, so there really is hope)
Figure out who the mom is on HIMYM
See a Cirque show
Try 5 new restaurants in Sacramento
Go to The Kitchen
Learn how to whistle
Go to a museum
Work on my posture, especially while sitting at a desk
Figure out who to contact on The Mentalist to let them know how off their Sacramento "locations" are (56th St is not in downtown), and let them know I'd gladly consult for the show.
Trade a pin with someone at Disneyland or World.

Ok, that was waaaay more difficult to come up with than I thought, but there it is. My 101 in 1001!

Mud/Babies/Only in Kentucky

2011-11-02T03:00:00.000-07:00

It feels really strange to be back here. I'm still not entirely positive how often I'll be posting, but the current goal is once a week (probably Wednesday, since I'm still doing FTS every Monday). Two and a half months have passed since my last post and I'm not quite sure how to properly segue back. I could fill you in on everything I've been doing, but there's not enough time in your attention span to try that, although it would be fun to test blogger's ability for super lengthy posts.

Instead, here's what I've been up to in the last two weeks (mostly in photos)...

Swam through mud/participated in the Nor Cal Warrior Dash (read about it HERE)

Met my beautiful new niece, Baby O (WCB's daughter).

Newest onesie creations

AND I got to meet two of my faves Ally and Shana.

The trip was filled with sooo much awesome it would be hard to capture everything,
but here are a few of the things I've learned only happen in Kentucky
(ok, maybe not only, but based on this one trip I've only seen/done in Kentucky)

1. Don't worry about turning around if you missed a road sign, you can just back straight up.

2. The best beverage served in Kentucky is not actually bourbon, but gingerale on crack.

3. Towns named after French locations aren't actually pronounced in French-American

(Versailles = Vur-say-ulls).

4. Tailgating at horse races is a thing.

Of course, if there's no race going on you just sit inside your car in the parking lot.

That's Churchill Downs if you can't read the writing on the building.

5. Vehicle Emission laws may not actually exist, but the air is still cleaner than Sacramento.

6. Streets are named after famous horses and mascots.

7. Sushi is served on a platter shaped like a goldfish cracker.

8. Jockeys might be worshiped as much as the horse, but that deserves it's own post.

9. Santa might wave at you from the inside of a mug well before Christmas.

10. The unofficial state slogan refers to Getting Lucky!

I had to buy the T-Shirt, duh.

So that's been my life for the last two weeks. I have a ton to catch up on, and even though I haven't been commenting as much, I've been reading when I can! Hopefully, I can keep up a bit more as things settle down. Ha!

Something's Gotta Give

2011-08-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

When I started this blog, I was not in the best of places. Mainly in relation to my career and a lack of meeting new people. I needed an outlet to write and make new connections. Enter blogging. These days, I'm happier than I thought possible with my career, I'm meeting new people regularly, whether through the job, social events or volunteering, and I'm writing ALL the time (not just on the blogs).

Lately I've felt a bit off. Maybe my Fu is weak? Chopping my hair definitely helped, but still not quite right. This week the realization that I can't actually do it all hit me. I hate admitting there's a limit, but I need to shift my focus and realign my priorities. It's time for a break.

I'm not shutting down Be Awesome Instead, but I didn't want to disappear and leave you all wondering what happened. The truth is I don't have the time to maintain a readership, let alone cultivate new readers, while keeping up with what's going on with you.

Don't worry, I'll still be hanging around on Twitter and FTS or leaving comments at your place. I may have the urge to write or find inspiration in a sickly skinny celebrity in need of a Hamburger, and when I do the blog will still be here. That may be in a week or it may be 3 months.

Until then I'll do my best not to hook up with anyone else.

Sports + Celebrity = Awesome Combination

2011-08-16T07:37:00.000-07:00

I thought about not promoting the new blog on here as much.

But then today's post by SurferWife happened.

And...

Well...

You need to go CHECK IT OUT!

Summer Fun with Shell (not to be confused with Shells)

2011-08-11T08:01:00.000-07:00

How is it mid-August already? Normally, I spend the summer running around. I thought this year seemed less crazy until I looked at the pics! Today I'm linking up with Shell to show off my Summer Fun:

Wine Tasting in Sonoma County

Hiking on the hottest of days

Getting in ONE Lazy Sunday

Boating on the River

Toes in the water

Finally getting to see a Giants/Dodgers game in SF:

Baking (recipe HERE)

And a short trip to my Favorite Place (Lake Tahoe)

Luckily, my summer isn't anywhere near over and there's still more fun to come!

Link up your Summer Fun for a chance to win prizes from Ubisoft.

Summer Blog Social: Waxing Philosophical

2011-08-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

When I first read the idea for a Summer Blog Social from Liz (aka virtual blog conference for those of us who can't make it in person), created and co-hosted by Jessica, I thought it was brilliant. They did not disappoint.

Today, I'm focusing on Waxing Philosophical with prompt #13

What 1 aspect of blogging and social media is your favorite? (leaving the least favorite part out...I do what I want)

The 1 aspect I love more than anything else is absolutely, hands-down, the community and friends I've made.

Back in the day, when I first started recognizing the Awesome through blogging, I differentiated between blog friends and those I saw daily with the term "IRL." Now that line is non-existent. When I'm having an off day, or just need a good laugh, I find comfort in twitter, gchat, comments, email and text convos. You all have become my personal Funk Masters. Of course, you're also there for the good times, or to laugh at/with me when I do something ridiculous (no shortage there).

The friendships go beyond the computer and phone though. In the last year I met Surferwife (the cherry popper), AuntBT and Jennifer, and got together with some Hometown bloggers Heather, Katie, April and Hayes. In two weeks, AuntBT will be hitting up Sacramento for CalTexAwesomefest2011. She's even going to be my +1 for a wedding in Tahoe! A month later, Fojoy and her Hubs will be here too. Come October, I'll hopefully be on a plane headed to Kentucky for a crazy weekend with Ally and Shana! Makers Mark distillery anyone? Meeting these amazing ladies will definitely be among the highlights of my year! Without blogging, I never would have known who they were, let alone be playing tour guide in Sac (who visits here by choice, really?).

We all struggle with how to explain "blog friends" to people who don't blog (or only blog to provide family/friends with updates). I met her through the internets? She leaves the most hilarious comments? She totally understands what it means to be on The Hook? He throws out That's What She Said's even more than I do? She cringes at the use of "Puddy Tat" too?

Sounds kind of crazy to an outsider I'm sure. For me, it's a friendship just like any other.

Hamburger Alert:: That Actress Who Looks Like Everyone Else

2011-07-28T07:47:00.000-07:00

If you missed the initial post, or need a refresher on the Hamburger Scale, please go HERE

I LOVED the first season of Damages and feel like the show kind of kicked off the cable drama era we see ourselves in now. Maybe without Damages we wouldn't have Franklin & Bash? How tragic would that be? My love for Mark Paul Gosselaar has been renewed. And Breckin Meyer, who knew? I'm guessing some of you did.

Anyhotness/hilarity, I never really knew the main actress on Damages. After what happened to her fiance the first season, I found myself disinterested when the 2nd season rolled around and kind of forgot about her. Seeing her on Jimmy Fallon brought up two epiphanies.

1: She's been in quite a few movies/TV shows since, I just didn't realize they were all the same actress.

2: She's right on the border of the scale between 3 and 4 Hamburgers.

Please, for the love of all that is healthy, find yourself a local Hamburger joint and visit daily until you can't double-up a hair tie around your arm!

After re-reading my Hamburger Scale the "5 Hamburgers" description is extremely eerie:

5 Burgers
Death is fast approaching if the hamburgers don't save her soon
Example: Amy Winehouse

Hopefully, she has found peace!

Meet Carl and Barry

2011-07-25T02:00:00.000-07:00

Starting today, and for the majority of Monday's going forward,

you can find me at From the Sidelines hanging out with Carl and Barry...our mascots!

Badge and site were both designed by Cathy, she's Awesome!

Twitter - The Celebrity Effect

2011-07-21T02:00:00.000-07:00

Remember writing fan letters to celebrity crushes in your pre-teen/teen years? I mean actual handwritten letters. You might have even asked them to attend your school dance (coughcoughTIcough). In response you probably received a signed photo. Getting a package from Devon Sawa (insert Devon Sawa's package joke here) was better than any note from the boy you crushed on for years, but actually knew in real life. Only later did you calculate the odds of the celebrity actually signing the photo themselves.

Now, 140 characters or less can change my day in the best way possible. Whether it's Sports Authority retweeting my story on how I became a soccer fan, my favorite gossip blogger responding to MY response on one of her tweets, or the San Francisco Giants retweeting a pic from Monday night's game to all the Giants fans on Twitter, creating a new hashtag along with it.

#LilFreak

BUT. Nothing compares to the email showing up in your inbox stating a REAL celebrity is now following you on Twitter.

I wasn't even following him first (#humblebrag)! I followed back immediately though, my blonde doesn't run that deep. Then I waited for the unfollow to happen. He must have made a mistake. Miraculously, he still sits there as one my measly 300+ followers. I suppose an invite to the Hollywood parties is the next logical step. I'll keep an eye out in the mail.

200th Post and Where Else You Might Find Me.

2011-07-18T02:15:00.000-07:00

I made it to 200!

Only my excitement today has little to do with Be Awesome Instead.

I'm sure you're aware of my love for sports. I don't hide this fact, but I also rarely talk about my love here other than hot athletes and TV shows like Friday Night Lights (no, I still haven't watched the finale, admitting denial is the first step, or something). I know most of you would rather read about sickly skinny celebs, or guys who refer to their cat as Puddy Tat, than the NFL Lockout.

I get that and I think I've found a solution!

Over the last monthish, I've worked with a few bloggy friends to make this new sports related idea a reality. Thanks to Ally, Aunt BT, Cathy, Fojoy, Kelly, Maegan, Shana and SurferWife there's a new blog on the block (had to get a JLo reference in somehow...over/under on next marriage, 1 year? I'm taking under).

Starting today you can now find me, and the awesome ladies mentioned above, at From the Sidelines, where Chicks tackle sports, fandom and fitness. You can also find us on Twitter HERE. Go ahead, check it out. My favorite aspect so far? The fat camera dude courtesy of Cathy!

Don't worry though, I'm not abandoning The Awesome, just expanding. There's plenty of Hamburger Alerts still to give!

The. End.

2011-07-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

I'm going to offer you a stock tip. Invest in Kleenex. Right now (don't worry, not planning to make you cry).

Today marks the end of two series I've loved for years. Harry Potter and Friday Night Lights.

Swimming deep in the River of Denial, FNL will probably sit on my DVR for days, if not weeks, before I can bring myself to watch it. The "football" show loved by critics and watched by ~~millions~~ hundreds doesn't deserve to end so soon. Since I can't force the crew/actors to film new episodes and hand deliver them to me via Taylor Kitsch, I will just let it simmer with SYTYCD and PTI. Maybe I'll take KLZ's approach and watch from the beginning again. Nothing wrong with delaying the inevitable, right?

sigh

What will not sit on my DVR (at least until it's on TV)? Harry Potter 7-2: Dealthy Hallows: Part B/2: It All Ends: 7.15.11. No that's not the full name, it's ALL the names. I think. Tickets for the Sunday afternoon showing at IMAX were purchased weeks ago. In preparation, I re-watched Part 1 last Sunday, stopping right before the death of my most favorite non-major 3 character. The death is the same reason I can't bring myself to read the book again. Gets. Me. Every. Time. Holding back these emotions makes me nervous for Sunday. I know the waterworks are coming, I just hope I'm not the only one walking out after the Ugly Cry. I have faith Vladeraptor and WCB will be there right along with me. Maybe the 3D glasses will hide the blotchies for us all.

I'm serious about the Kleenex investment.

Make sure to come back Monday for my 200th post and a HUGE announcement!

Wordless Wednesday - Sunset

2011-07-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

There's something so peaceful about watching the sun set over the ocean...

I want to go back!

Going Paleo

2011-07-11T11:36:00.000-07:00

During the summer I usually fall-off the fitness/health wagon. I'd much rather be eating Swabbies Tacos and drinking my Dos Equis or a ~~bottle~~ glass of crisp, white wine. Other than last week, with the 100+ temperatures/no cooling down overnight, I've been great about following my planned workouts this year. Currently, I'm alternating between the Couch to 5K program and pilates every morning with Saturday or Sunday off. Foodwise though, I'm not making the greatest choices. With the heat came extreme cravings for ice cream and wine (sometimes together, sometimes not) and a lack of desire to make my lunch during the week. Now I'm stuck on those last 5 pounds, so close to reaching my happy weight.

I hate calorie counting and the last time I tried, it actually had an adverse effect resulting in weight gain. Not good. Adding to my workouts is extremely unlikely. What's left to try? The Paleo 30 day Challenge.

I first heard about this diet (seriously hate that word) through Tonja at SolaFide. Over the last week I've done a bit more research. Other than breakfast and cooking with olive oil, it's not a huge stretch from where I'm at when I eat at home. Basically, all processed foods are cut out, leaving you with meats, veggies, fruits, nuts and some spices. Might sound kind of blah, but there's no calorie counting or portion control. If you're hungry, grab some food! There's also studies showing it helps with auto-immune diseases. I'm already dealing with 2, so I'm very curious to see how accurate the studies really are.

Starting now, and continuing for at least the next 30 days, I will be eating Paleo.

Drinking Paleo? Probably not so much. I will continue to have my cup of coffee every morning, which I already drink black with cinnamon, so I'm somewhat ok there, but I cannot cut out alcohol. Well, I can, I'm just choosing not to. Why would I take away all the fun? I've found a few sites which allow alcohol in moderation (aka vodka mixed with club soda, not juice or tonic, and wine), just no beer. I can handle that...I think.

Some of you are going to say, Hutch you're crazy! Well, duh, but I'm putting this out there to hold myself accountable. I did the same thing with P90x, I'm hoping the approach works again!

The Best of Friends

2011-07-06T03:00:00.000-07:00

Today is TI's 30th Birthday! It's also our 30th Friendiversary!

To say I've been friends with anyone for 30 years just sounds crazy. At the same time, I realize just how rare 30 years can be. Our story is always fun to tell, especially to co-workers (yes, we also work together). My mom introduced her parents and we've been friends since her birth. I used to hold over her how I was the Older One. You know, back in the day when the 3 months and 2 days mattered, now she gets to say she's the Younger One.

One of my fave pics, TI all prim and proper, me chillin with a book.

We were inseparable as kids. Every time I see the updates on facebook about playing in the streets until dark, I think back to the biking, swimming and dance performances we put on together. If you ever need blackmail on me, she's the one to go to. How she got me to dress up as the genie in Aladdin, I will never know! Or singing along, on video, to Amy Grant?! I can't sing. At all.

Hers was the house I went to on 90210 nights during our pre-teen years. My parents wouldn't let me watch, but with a bit of perspective, I now suspect they knew exactly what I was doing. On rainy days we could be found watching Ferris Bueller and Footloose (of course, dancing along with the opening number). Before being corrupted by city boys fighting dance bans or playing hooky, we loved our Disney movies. I mean the REAL Disney movies. I like Pixar, but they really don't make them like they used to. One of the most underrated, and a true favorite, is The Fox and the Hound. I know when I sit down to watch with my future kids, I will be thinking of TI. She'll probably be sitting there along with us!

Happy 30th to my Forever Friend!!

It's Not You, It's Your Cat

2011-06-29T03:00:00.000-07:00

I'm very honest about my dislike of cats. For some people, snakes or babies make them squirm. For me, it's cats. Why?

1. I'm severely allergic. Itchy eyes to the point of not being able to wear contacts, scratchy throat and let's not forget the Sneezures. Must. Keep. Hands. Away. From. Face.

2. I've encountered several cats that could very well be the Devil's spawn (not the first time I've said this here).

Now before you cat lovers get all crazy on me, there are a few cats who have won me over. In general, I am an animal lover, I just prefer cute pups to creatures that scratch the hell out of me in my sleep. How I didn't wake up is beyond me.

...

Along comes a guy. There's great conversation. He thinks you're really pretty (sigh, guys don't use this word enough). He's highly sarcastic and can keep up with the banter. Then he asks about pets...and sends you a pic of his cat.

Sad face.

He can sense the disappointment, even giving an out.

I'm attempting to convince myself, and him, cats are not a dealbreaker (yes, I went from 2nd person to 1st. I'm literarily versatile, just go with it). It's just an animal right? I can get past this.

I'd be lying if I said the attraction levels didn't drop a bit though.

Monday Minute - 6/27/11

2011-06-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

Linking up with Ian again for The Monday Minute, go check him out after you're done here. Or before. Just make sure you don't get lost on your way back.

1 - What's a piece of advice you'd like to share?
Don't walk around with a stick up your ass, it's not fun for anyone else and I would think it's highly uncomfortable.

2 - Describe the last time you sat on the toilet screaming at someone to bring you some toilet paper.
Living alone, I only have myself to blame.

3 - Explain why anyone would want to eat sushi
They like to be reminded of what a mouthful of ocean water tastes like?

4 - Describe your perfect dinner - one app, one entree, two side dishes, and one dessert.
This might be the hardest question I've ever had to answer. I love food. A LOT.

Appy: Devil on Horseback from The Spotted Pig

Devil on Horseback

Entree: Filet topped with Fois Gras (seared, not patte) and a light Bearnaise. Lamb is a very close 2nd. Both would come from restaurants in the Sonoma Valley area.
Side: Risotto
Side: Baked potato with butter and chives, hold the sour cream
Dessert: Lemon Bar from Rick's Dessert Diner (ask me in the winter I'll prob say the Chocolate Purse at McCormick and Schmicks)

and finally...

5 - When was the last time you pissed the bed?
When I was a kid, although I can't tell you how many times I saw this happen in college. Alcohol does funny things to people.

Anywhere But Here

2011-06-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming about where you would go if you could be anywhere but here? I'm happier than I've ever been with the "here," but my wanderlust has never left. I'm not sure it ever will. These are the places I dream about...

via


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If you could go anywhere but here, where would you go?

The Banter Buddy Rotation

2011-06-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

Every single (as in not in a relationship) lady out there needs a good Banter Buddy. He's the guy you can go to after your ego experiences a good bruising, or you just need need a pick-me-up. There are 3 key points to a solid Banter Buddy relationship.

1. The flirting is natural, not forced.
2. You don't have to worry about repercussions or either side feeling pressured to turn the banter in to more. Rarely are there cases where the line gets crossed, but to keep the Banter Buddy title, both parties need to understand the expectations, or lack of. If more becomes expected, you need to communicate or back away, realizing the status may change.
3. Respect. When either, or both, parties are dating/in a relationship, distance must be kept until the single status returns. If you can not instill distance, the flirting must be as non-existent as possible.

Keeping a solid Banter Buddy Rotation never hurts. At one point I had 4-5 guys across the country consisting of old friends, former co-workers, and guys I previously dated but we both knew it wouldn't work. The rotation allowed me to keep the relationships fresh without overusing one guy. However, my rotation has taken a serious hit over the last year. I suppose it's only natural as I can't expect these guys to put their lives on hold for my flirting needs.

After Sunday's "In a Relationship" Facebook announcement from my midwesterner, I'm now down to 1.5 Banter Buddies. The .5 poses a slight problem as he seems to want the title of Make-Out Buddy more than Banter Buddy. I'm still working this one out. I'm also debating if I need to recruit more or stick with the one I have for now.

Life's many questions...

Do you, or did you, keep a rotation of Banter Buddies going during your single days?

Thankful Thursday is back!

2011-06-16T03:00:00.000-07:00

Recent posts from Fojoy and Shana made me realize it's been FOR-EV-ERR since I've written a Thankful Thursday post. We can all use a reminder to look at the little things in our lives...

This week I'm thankful for the following:

- My girlfriends WCB, TI and Vladeraptor for listening to me vent, cry, scream and ponder life these past few weeks, I would be lost without them. Charlotte, AuntBT and Ally this goes for you too!

- Finally having summer weather. We went from 50 degrees with hail and tornado warnings to 95 degrees in under 10 days and it is absolutely gorgeous out!

- The Favorite coming through with her 6th sense again and of course my super towheaded nephew, Peanut (in a peanut shirt), brightening my day. I see so much of The Favorite in him, and this makes me happy!

How can you not smile when looking at that face?

- Instagram. I sold my soul and now have the iPhone 4 AND some serious photog skillz.

- Ice Cream and Wine. Combined with the girlfriends, they make everything better!

- Super clear ultrasounds of WCB's little one. We're calling Baby O a girl until we find out for sure in October...the wait is killing me!

- SYTYCD. I already have my favorite (Nick the Tapper) and a few that annoy me (Chris/Ashely and kind-of Ryan though mainly from oversaturation), but the overall talent this year is insanely good!

- Ian for making me bust out laughing in the middle of Panera as I read the name of our #WWF baby. I'll let him share what we decided on, should he so choose.

- New blog ventures, I cannot wait to see the vision come together and share it with you all (not quite there yet, but soon)....so, So, SOOOO excited!

- Feeling happy and at peace again with a little help from Zac Brown Band...

You keep your heart above your head and you eyes wide open
So this world can't find a way to leave you cold
And know you're not the only ship out on the ocean
Save your strength for things that you can change
Forgive the ones you can't
You gotta let 'em go

My Never Five

2011-06-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

Lainey, of Lainey Gossip and easily my favorite celebrity gossip blogger, posted about the idea of a Never Five last week. Basically, it's the opposite of your Freebie Five, consisting of people others have on their Freebie lists, but you could never...ever. I then put the idea out on twitter and the responses were hilarious! The most surprising came from KLZ with Brad Pitt (although I totally get it)!

After much deliberation here are my Five:

1. Mario Lopez - I just can't move past his little stocky body and mullet hair from the Saved by the Bell Days. I think I've been forever turned off by wrestlers because of him.

2. Kobe Bryant - Ew, just EW.

3. The Twilight Duo: Robert Pattinson/Taylor Lautner - I know, I know all of you Twi-Hards want to kill me, but I just can't do it. The first is too feminine and skinny, the other is too Tom Cruise TRY-hard for me.

4. The Yankee Pretty-Boy Duo of Jeter and A-Rod - I tried to narrow it down to just one of them, but they're both equally repulsive.

5. Tobey Maguire - If you haven't noticed by now I like my men to be manly. His voice kills it for me every time, so whiny! Hoping Andrew Garfield brings some improvement to the Spiderman franchise.

In Freebie Five update news Bradley Cooper has been temporarily knocked off. I'd like to welcome Charlie Hunnam to spot #2 (Hot Harry is holding strong at #1, see HERE as to why). If you haven't watched Sons of Anarchy you won't get this. If you have, well...you know.

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You're welcome.

Unrelated, but I wanted to say thanks to those who helped provide support and words of "wisdom" over the last 2 weeks, it means more than you know!

The Monday Minute 6/6/11

2011-06-06T07:19:00.000-07:00

1 - What part of 'no' do you not understand?
The part that conflicts with the word "yes." Duh.

2 - Which current reality show do you think you could win?
Dancing with the Stars, the "stars" (let's be honest it's Dancing with the Has Beens) all suck so once I become Hot Harry's mistress I'll totally make the Celebrity E-List.

3 - Would you amputate your right arm for ten million dollars?
This one just doesn't sit right, how is it a fair question? All the left handers out there are saying hell yes while I'm stuck debating whether my good arm is worth $10 million. Ehhh, just take it and give me the monies!

4 - If I say, just bring it - what you got?
It's already been broughten!

and finally...

5 - You are opening a restaurant. What type or theme of food are you serving?
Italian and every dish will have a ton of cheeeeeese. Sorry for the lactose peeps, take your meds first.

Monday on Tuesday Minute

2011-05-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Is the 3-day weekend over already? Do I really have to go back to work? Ugh. Especially following the weekend I had! Wish I could stay in the awesome part of reality forever, but I gots to pay the bills. Thanks Ian, as always, for making it easier!

1 - Aside from your armpits, what body part of yours sweats the most?
After a horrendous cold I had last year I ended up with really sweaty hands and feet. I thought I was dying. Clearly, I lived, but it was definitely touch and go there for awhile.

2 - You have two slices of bread. You can add one additional ingredient to make a sandwich, but as much of it as you want. What are you putting on it?
That's tough. Either PB or Salami. I make most of my sandwiches dry anyway. Gotta make up for the non-dry alcohol aspect of my life...or something

3 - Can you put your entire fist into your mouth?
I have a big mouth, but not THAT big (TWSS).

4 - Open your email. How many emails do you have in your 'Inbox'?
In my gmail? 16,708. Seriously. I've had the account since 2006 or 7 and I don't delete anything except for spam and shit from stupid people I never want to hear from again. I rarely have unread emails though, seeing the number in the parentheses next to the Inbox drives me nuts!

and finally...

5 - If an adult male is taken for ransom, is that considered kidnapping?
Is there a reason it wouldn't be? I'm confused, is there something more to this question that I'm missing?

Hamburger Alert: The SIL of My Future Lovah

2011-05-26T15:58:00.000-07:00

If you missed the initial post, or need a refresher on the Hamburger Scale, please go HERE

This one absolutely pains me to write. I have a small obsession with Royalty and plan to someday be the mistress of Hot Harry. I tried to make excuses for her as I watched her figure fade away leading up to The Wedding (yes capitalized).

She's stressed

Millions of people will be watching

The pictures will be immortalized forever

She'll start eating again after the wedding

Except it's been a month and she still frightens me.


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I just can't support it or make excuses anymore. Kate Middleton, it's time to have a Hamburger. Please, please, please! 2 would be fantastic, but I'll allow for 1...for now. You've got your Prince and you're now the Princess little girls aspire to be, I can't imagine you want them starving themselves to look like you. Where's the woman Wills fell in love with not so long ago? We've all heard about the night. Remember this?

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Ugh. I need to focus on happier things now if you don't mind.

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Much better...

I Was a Senior Hottie - Party Like It's 1999

2011-05-24T22:18:00.000-07:00

When Liz asked who wanted to participate in the I'm a Senior Hottie Link Up,
I immediately raised my hand.

"Oh Ohhh me, pick me, please!"

I don't actually look back on high school with longing, and they sure as hell weren't my hottest days (I'd like to think I've yet to peak), but the photos sure were fun to look through! Not only that, I found a book from after graduation where you fill in facts about Senior Year. Might be better than the pics!

Favorite TV Show: Ally McBeal, Dawson's Creek, Party of Five, Felicity and Friends

Best Video: 98 Degrees "I Do" and Blink 182 "What's My Age Again

Great Movie: Saving Private Ryan, American Pie

Best-Liked Celebrities: Ben Affleck, Joshua Jackson

Top Magazine: People, Teen People, YM

Football/Parade Dance Uniform and Summer Dance Camp going in to Sr. Year

The Price of Life...I Spent:

$8.00 on a movie ticket

$.99 - $1.43 on a gallon of gas (God I miss that!)

$29 for a pair of jeans (ha!)

$3.00 to rent a video

$10-$20 for a haircut

Prom

My Personal Top Ten Music Pics:

1. I Want It That Way

2. Anything by 98 Degrees (didn't realize how obsessed I was, still love you Drew!)

3. I Walk Alone

4. My Hero

5. Somebody Hates Me

6. What It's Like

7. All I Have to Give

8. I Will Remember You

9. Time of Your Life

10. blank

With TI After Senior BBQ

Concerts I Attended:

Janet Jackson/Usher

Quad Twisted Christmas & Summer Concert (don't remember this summer concert?)

Popular Cars:

Civics

Mustangs (New & Old)

May 30th, 1999

My Goal in Life is:

To become successful in the film industry (wanted to be on the production side, tried it and wasn't a fan). Marry before I'm 30 (ehhh, X on that) and hopefully have kids before I'm 35 (still a possibility and the name I want for my future daughter hasn't changed). I just want to live a happy, normal life (most definitely happy). I'll drive an Explorer (have an Escape) and live in Santa Barbara (did for 2 years) and will travel to Paris and the Bahamas (had already been to Paris, haven't been to the Bahamas).

I think I did just fine!

Monday Minute - Taking You Back

2011-05-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else having an insane month besides me and KLZ?

Thankfully, Ian is there every Monday making my life that much easier!

1 - Think back as far as you can, what's the first tape, record, etc you remember listening to?

Dire Straits, Eagles, or Whitney Houston. Couldn't tell you which records, but I remember dancing around and cleaning the house with my mom to these artists...Don't you wanna dance, Say you wanna dance, Don't you wanna dance! Unrelated, but did anyone else have Shell gas stations that gave away tapes of the oldies music? I loved those!

2 - What's the first concert you've ever been to, the year and who performed?

NKOTB. 4th grade. Sat 6 rows from the stage with TI and our moms. Wore homemade puff painted sweatshirts. Mine was Joey Mac, her's was Jordan. My awesome started early.

3 - Ever bleed from your ass?

Nope, I would imagine that's extremely painful.

4 - If you went to your Senior Prom and had a date, do you still speak to said person?

I went with a friend. We didn't really talk at Prom, he was so shy, but nice. I managed to avoid the douchebags who put pressure on you to sleep with them after one date until I got to college. We're Facebook friends now. The prom date, not the douchebags. I do have some standards.

and finally...

5 - Name the one television show that's no longer on the air that could have gone on forever.

I'm curious to see how many will say Friends, but gotta go with West Wing. Aaron Sorkin may have been all coked out while writing, but that show was brilliant!

WW - Perspective

2011-05-18T04:00:00.000-07:00

Stuck in traffic on what I used to think was the Golden Gate Bridge.

Caught the State Capitol Building in my side mirror.

Sacramento may not be "pretty" and I may not like politics, but I love that building!

I still dream Joshua Lyman may show up here one day...sigh.

The Monday Minute in Song Lyrics

2011-05-16T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's Monday and you know what that means...

1 - Do you hear what I hear?

Probably a lot more than you hear actually. I've got supersonic hearing.

2 - How will I know if he really loves me?
I've asked myself this same question for many, many years. Color me jaded, but based on my experience, just because they say the word doesn't make it true.

3 - Have you ever really loved a woman?
I don't know if I'll ever love anyone more than I love my mom. Maybe when I've got kids of my own someday.

4 - Is this the real life?

I hope so. Can you imagine going through all the good and bad times only to find out it was all fake? Although if real means Care Bear cloud bouncing and rainbow slides, I'm all for that!

and finally...

5 - Is this just fantasy?
Caught in a landslide, no escape from reality. Best car song ever! I can't answer this question because I'm too busy mentally driving, singing and head banging (TWSS).

The Best Show You're Probably Not Watching

2011-05-11T06:39:00.000-07:00

Want to know what show that is?

You'll have to follow me over HERE. I'm filling in for one of my favorites!

Go, now!

Super Drunk Brownies + Sober(ish) Hutch = Annoyed

2011-05-09T22:00:00.000-07:00

You will only get the title if you previously read THIS POST

OK, are we all together now?

Good. Now let's talk Stagecoach, since so many have asked for a recap. Get comfortable, it's a bit long. Apologies in advance, but there are pictures and the end is worth it, promise!

We arrived at the timeshare in Indio on Friday morning at 2:30, or was it Thursday night? Regardless, we got in to the room just in time to watch the Royal Wedding dress unveiling and Hot Harry's look/whisper to Wills "Wait til you see her." Hot Harry's now on the Freebie Five. Don't hate on the gingers! I was a ginger before I turned towhead. True Story.

After passing out somewhere during the ceremony, this is what I woke up to:

Can I go back there now?

I know you don't care about the scenery, you want the juicy details right?

Well, I spent the weekend lying by the pool.

Enjoying great live music.

Acting like a fool/dancing.

Watching the WCB get tackled not just once (by the Kid, below), but twice.
The 2nd was some random drunk girl after Rascal Flatts announced Osama's death.

BABY ON BOARD, PEOPLE!

Getting smacked in the face with a blanket courtesy of Capt. Logic.

Eating amaaaazing Hot Dogs following the concert.
If I was that Hot Dog, I would totally eat myself...HEY!

And being told repeatedly my friends are Awesome (duh).

But what about the guys?!?!?!

Fine.

I behaved myself completely, mainly because I found the drunk brownie annoying.
Here's an excerpt of the text conversation from Friday night.

B: Hi!

Me: Hello

B: Hi!

B: How are you?

Me: Good, how are the RVs?

B: We're having a great time!

B: Hi!

B: Are you in Bed?

Me: I will be after finishing this half-naked Jakey G movie

B: Hi :-)

Me: You should really get in a cab, come back and get some sleep
(we were trying to get all their drunk asses safely home)

B: I wanna hang out

Me: You're wasted. Get in a cab then go to bed

B: Hi

B: We're back where are you?

B: Wanna hang out?

Me: I'll see ya in the morning

B: You don't want to hang out?

Me: No, I want to get some sleep and be ready for tomorrow!

B: Hi

B: :-)

Went to bed, got up at some point in the night, checked the phone only to find more texts and a missed call! He's now a baby carrot (somewhat sweet when cooked, but when raw they taste like dirt and make me want to vom, especially when mixed with alcohol). Time to find a new brownie.

Monday Minute - 5/9/11

2011-05-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

1 - Since so many of you were so willing to wrestle naked with another member of the same sex for a million dollars, let's say we double it to $2,000,000 and put it on PPV for all to see. Still willing?

Is this 2 mil before or after taxes? If it's before then we're basically talking a million again.

2 - You just found a $100 bill on the ground while walking around your neighborhood. What's your first thought to do with the money?

I'd look around to see if anyone nearby could have lost it. If not, I just found me $100 dollaaa

3 - Mother's Day is coming up. Name one thing you learned from your Mother that you'd like to share.

I'm not always right (dammit)

4 - We all know that Nickelback, Kiss, Creed, Rush, the Foo Fighers and Axl Rose suck ass, name another band that should be added onto this famed list.

Taylor Swift. Not a band, but I would be tempted to sell my soul to get her off MY radio. I'm only half-joking.

5 - Have you ever had a zit on your ass?

Nope.

Never Forget

2011-05-03T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of catching up to do and won't be posting much this week,
but I wanted to share easily the #1 highlight of my trip to Stagecoach...

The video doesn't quite capture the true emotions, but 55,000 people chanting U.S.A!?

CHILLS came first, then PRIDE!

We all remember where we were when the horror of 9/11 happened,
the vision of that 2nd plane crashing through the tower will never be erased,
but how about remembering where you were on 5/1/11?

I know I will never forget.

You Can Be Jealous...I Would Be!

2011-04-28T07:53:00.000-07:00

Tonight I'm Headed Here:

For This:

And I'll be doing some of this:

With:

Only there's one MAJOR change this year:

WCB and Capt. Logic are giving me a niece or nephew in October!!!

Still trying to think of a creative name.

Baby Logic was suggested, but I'm not 100% sold, more like 90%.

I've been calling him/her Baby O, but that's not fun.

Any other suggestions?

They're All Going to Laugh At You

2011-04-27T07:07:00.000-07:00

We all loooove embarrassing moments. I mean really, who doesn't like to laugh at others?

To find out what happened to me in high school click HERE.

I'm guesting for Jayme today!

The Difference Between Ice Cream and Brownies

2011-04-25T09:20:00.000-07:00

I'm a flirt. I know this. What happens after the flirting can cause problems.

The key? Differentiating between Ice Cream and Brownies.

Have I lost you completely? Let me explain with an example.

Cub #1 = Ice Cream.

I can talk about ice cream, I can even look at it through the glass doors in the refrigerated section with longing. I want the ice cream, I really do! However, I should not buy ice cream, because once I have a spoonful, I lose all ability to say no to the rest. When the carton is empty, I'll immediately regret my actions, and the cycle of abuse continues.

Cub #2 = Brownies

The sweet craving never really goes away, and ignoring cravings is unjust. I'm all about everything in moderation. The quick fix answer = the brownie. I can have a square and be just fine walking away from the rest of the pan. Sometimes even a nibble will suffice. Afterward, the craving is gone and I feel no guilt. If I want to, I can always go back to the brownie, but I don't need it.

During the upcoming trip to Stagecoach (country music festival in Indio, CA consisting of 4 days of complete debauchery) I'm thinking I should stick with the brownie, unless a chocolate chip cookie happens to walk by!

PYHO: A Normal Family

2011-04-20T07:45:00.000-07:00

What constitutes normal?

A friend recently mentioned a single parent household as not being a normal, loving family and it got me thinking. My parents divorced right before my 3rd birthday. I have no memories of them together. To me a family meant living with mom and visiting my dad a few times a year to be spoiled and eat mini chocolate donuts. A couple years later my step-dad joined the family, and then came my brother. Compared to the kids I grew up with we weren't normal.

Sure, I have issues. I'm not good at dating, vulnerability, showing affection and the whole depending on someone else thing. All of which are deeply tied to my childhood and the fear of being let down, don't need a therapist to tell me that. Nor do I need to place blame. Only I can change me and I'm working on it.

I know I will forever be pushing back on the scar tissue covering the wounds from my "abnormal" upbringing, but never once did I doubt my parents love.

One has nothing to do with other.

Why Younger Guys Are Awesome...

2011-04-18T07:21:00.000-07:00

I'm guest blogging at My Pixie Blog and you'll have to follow me over THERE to find out!

Trust me, you don't want to miss this.

I Survived!

2011-04-14T11:29:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday I celebrated the Dirty Thirty with a Pub Golf Crawl.

Hole 2

Hole 5

Hole 8 - Challenging Capt. Logic to a duel. He shot me.

(Also, that's a golf bawl in my pocket, just an FYI)

10th Hole - I wouldn't let Vladeraptor take any more pics

This is Why:

P.S. I may also have committed my first act of Puma-ism...

Words Wednesday

2011-04-12T21:07:00.000-07:00

In 4th grade I celebrated my Spelling Bee championship with a big glass of chocolate milk. Ok, I don't actually know how I celebrated. The Point? I was THE 4th grade Spelling Bee Champ, aka a Rockstar Speller. Regardless of my awesome spelling and grammar skillz, there are still, to this day, words I will continue to struggle with forever and ever. They are as follows:

Queue (shouldn't it just be Que or Cue, why the extra "ue")

Exercise (I always put the C in the wrong place)

Privilege/d (so many ways this one goes wrong)

Balsamic (Basalmic, Balsalmic?)

Prescription (and I grew up in a healthcare family)

Surprise (I have no excuse)

Do you think less of me? What are your words (come on, we all have them)?

Target Tuesday

2011-04-12T08:23:00.000-07:00

At 30, I know my body doesn't have the metabolism it once did, but that doesn't mean I can't get back to a point where I'm happy with my body. A Puma's gotta look good right? I started P90x again in February (see last year's results HERE) and eat healthy, but had no idea about the calories consumed or burned. After talking with my parents, both on the way to their best shape in years, I signed up for My Fitness Pal (username is aghutchinson if you're on there). Solving the calorie intake problem, I still needed to figure out what I burned in my workouts. First place I looked? TARGET!

Meet my new heart rate monitor.

It does everything! Calories, pedometer, stop watch, etc.

AND I got to help support the fight against breast cancer. Win!

With the workouts, also came the hunger. That period between 2 and 4 where you have to eat something so you can work out later, but it needs to keep you full so you aren't dying when you get home at 6 or 6:30.

Target saves the day again!

$5 for a box of 6 and they actually taste good...done!

Target = Awesome

In case I forgot, Facebook was there to remind me

2011-04-06T05:00:00.000-07:00

It's Finally Here!

2011-04-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Owning It!

If you need an explanation go HERE.

Although, technically, by their definition I was already there, hmmmm.

Dirty Thirty is Almost Here!

2011-03-29T21:38:00.000-07:00

Moving past the sads and focusing on the positive...

I love birthdays, friend birthdays, family birthdays, celebrity birthdays (I share with RDJ and Craig T. Nelson, Coach! Awesome right?), my birthday. I love them all! Something about celebrating with all of the people you love brings out the happies, not to be confused with the hippies.

This year the birthday week is filled with so much awesome, I may not survive.

Sunday: Steak dinner with the fam.

Monday: Turn 30! Celebrate at dinner with Crazy G, Vladeraptor and TI.
Even though we're celebrating later in the week, these girls wouldn't let me be alone on my actual day!
I will cheat on lent, but how can you not have sweets on your birthday? God totally gets it.

Tuesday: See Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (my present from Vladeraptor)!!

Saturday: Dirty Thirty Pub Golf Crawl with (almost) all the friends. It's gonna get crazy!

Sometime After: B-day dinner with the Pops.

He's moving from San Diego to NorCal next week for a new job.
Gonna miss visiting SoCal, but the tradeoff is more than ok. Shopping in SF? Wine Tasting? Yes, please!

I'm going to suggest meeting closer to his new area and going here:

YUM!

Could very easily end up being the best birthday week/month ever!

The Sads

2011-03-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

As a friend and his family are going through a devestating loss, I'm having trouble seeing the awesome.

Will be back soon...

Comments are off.

Instead, maybe take the the time to reach out to your friends and family
and tell them just how much they mean to you.

Life is too short for too many.

Sorry Kermit, it IS easy being Green!

2011-03-23T15:47:00.000-07:00

Rarely have I left a training where I learned more about myself than I did about an actual topic. Last week I took a "soft skills" class called Facilitation Skills. I have a ~~HUGE~~ minor fear of public speaking dating back to sophomore year of high school where my English teacher said something which triggered a self-conscious reaction. I never volunteered to read out loud again, and thus my fear of speaking in front of a group began. I'm still fine with offering my opinion of course. The point? I thought Facilitation Skills would be a great starting point to getting over my fear.

We started the class with a survey to assess our communication styles by ranking sets of descriptors from "most like me" to "least like me." Basically, it's a shorter version of the Meyers-Briggs test. Yet, the results of this test, unlike the many times I've taken MBTI (I'm a solid ENTJ) affected me to the point of having an out-loud "OMG that makes so much sense!" moment. I'm a Green!

The 4 colors don't mean much, as I've seen them presented differently, but the Green basics are this:

Green: Inspires

Seeks information
Gives information
Generates ideas
Energized by people
Problem Solvers

Behavior:

Will talk excitedly and touch on several areas in a random fashion (clearly)
Will be reluctant to focus on facts

Needs:

Needs to be responded to on a personal, not factual level
Needs to be praised (why I LOVE when you all reinforce my awesome!)

With a Green:

Be:

Confident (so, so, soooo important)
Admiring

Offer:

Many options
Creativity
Affirmation

We went into more detail in the course, but I've never had a more spot on description of what makes me tick. Maybe I should change my About Me to the above?

We also learned about how our personality types interacted with others AND there's not a wrong type! So often these personality assessments dwell on the negative. What YOU can do to change who you are to better fit into X situation. Guess what? It's ok being Green (and blue, red or gold), everyone is awesome! I may not be over the public speaking fear, but I've already noticed a difference.

I'm curious where most bloggers fall (if there even is a majority). I love the personal interaction that comes with blogging, but as I learned, everyone's needs are different. I'm not sure I can publish the survey on here, but if you're interested I'll email you and we can figure out your color. Takes about 5 minutes.

Don't bother breaking in, I've got a cleaver!

2011-03-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

I mentioned awhile back, how CSN asked me to review one of their products. With the traveling and insanity of the past month I almost forgot to do the actual review! Luckily, I now get a million emails since making the purchase so the reminder is there every day.

I decided to go with a new set of knives. With all the cooking I thought I'd be doing in the new place, I figured my two Chicago Cutlery knives wouldn't be enough.

Via CSN Stores

Problem Encountered: There's no actual vent or window to the outside world in my kitchen. My grill pan hasn't seen the light of the kitchen (not day since, you know, that would require a window and all) since the first week. Grilling causes smoke, smoke causes a burning sensation in the eyes, and I've heard it's bad for the lungs too. Luckily, my smoke alarm battery hasn't been changed since the cottage was built so at least I avoided the annoying beeping.

Anyblacklung, my cooking has been limited to the oven and sautee pan. I've tried to use as many of the knives as possible, but the ones that are meant for cutting vegetables don't compare to the Chicago cutlery. I'm not sure if it's the sharpness or I'm not using the knives right (apparently there's a way to hold them for various cutting needs), but I find myself going back to my old knife every time.

That said, the cheese and bread knife work great. I don't eat as much bread as I do cheese, but I've been able to test out both. The meat knife looks pretty awesome, with the ability to cut and then pick up the piece with the end of the knife. AND the spaces are all numbered so you don't have to sit there and try out different slots until you find the right fit.

Also, I now have a weapon for self-defense. Meet the cleaver:

Scared yet?

Let's Just Be Friends

2011-03-17T04:00:00.000-07:00

Vladeraptor is guesting again today! My fellow single friend (and former roommate, tear) shares her thoughts on the age old debate: Can guys and girls actually be just friends. To find out more about her click on the label. Sidenote: We usually spend this very special Holiday together crawling around downtown. I'm saddened to be stuck in training, but found a solution! There's 4 hours to kill between class and the flight. Can you say Airport Pub Crawl!! Anydrunk, on the to debate...

Harry Burns: You realize of course that we could never be friends.
Sally Albright: Why not?
Harry Burns: What I'm saying is - and this is not a come-on in any way, shape or form - is that men and women can't be friends because the sex part always gets in the way.
Sally Albright: That's not true. I have a number of men friends and there is no sex involved.
Harry Burns: No you don't.
Sally Albright: How do you know?
Harry Burns: Because no man can be friends with a woman that he finds attractive. He always wants to have sex with her.
Sally Albright: Well, I guess we're not going to be friends then.
Harry Burns: I guess not.
Sally Albright: That's too bad. You were the only person I knew in New York.

Was Harry right? Can two single people never be just friends? I’m not asking the question about friends with benefits, that is a whole separate conversation. I’m asking about when two single people meet, does one of them always want more? And if the other person doesn’t feel the same way, do they have to have “the talk” and turn them down? And if they turn them down, can they remain friends? This whole thing is exhausting. Not only do you have to worry about the guys you want to date, you have to worry about the ones you don’t want to date too.

This topic has come up quite a bit in our household this year. I would like to think it is because Hutch and I are such hot, sassy single ladies, but I suspect it is because we are single ladies, period. Whenever two single people meet, they evaluate each other, and ask themselves two questions: do I want to hook up with this person, and do I want to date this person? If you are in, or have never grown out of, your wild years, you can act on the hook up question. For most of us, we ask the dating question. If the answer is no for both people, I would say you can definitely be friends. If the answer is yes for both people, great. If the answer is yes for one of you, and no for the other, here is where the trouble can begin.

I am currently dealing with this situation on three fronts. There is a guy at work, a family friend and a guy in my group of friends that I have all had to tell on some level “let’s just be friends”. I can not just avoid them and never see them again. I have to see them all on a regular basis. I honestly want to be friends with them. I want to be able to chat and laugh and joke with them, just like I would with any other friend. But when I do this, am I leading them on? Every time I see them, no matter how long it has been since “the talk” I feel slightly uncomfortable. So really, we are acquaintances, but if I’m being honest, we’re not friends anymore.

I think two single people can be just friends. If they never wanted to date each other. What do you think?

I tend to agree with her, as long as there are no feelings it totally works. Of course there's always an "IF" involved when it comes to guys.

Single, 30 AND Awesome!

2011-03-16T04:49:00.000-07:00

No guest bloggers today, I actually wrote a post in advance and was saving it for Shell's Anniversary of Pour Your Heart Out...

Last year the idea of turning 30 seemed so heavy, a weight filled with many expectations I had no chance of meeting.

Good job - no check
Financially independent - no check
Homeowner - no check
Married - no check
Kids - no check
30 year plan - what's that?

My mom was married with an 8 month old (me) by the time she was 30. 95% of my friends were married, and a good 40% of those were parents, pregnant or trying (math not exactly to scale). Forget marriage, I wasn't even dating! Why was I so far behind?

Now? I have a great job leading to financial independence and and I'm slowly building my savings back up!

As for the rest?

I'd rather save for travel than home ownership.

I'm not sure settling down and marriage are for me AND I'm OK with that.

I know I want kids eventually, but not right now, and a husband isn't necessary to make that happen.

What a difference a year makes...

In 2.5 weeks I will be 30, Single and STILL Awesome! Screw acting like the idea I had of a 30-year-old, I'm having fun acting like me, making out with the occasional 24 year old (I still got it!). The stigmas, and the pressure associated with them, don't matter as long as I'm enjoying life!

Yup, I'm going to make an excellent Puma.

The Legend

2011-03-15T03:00:00.000-07:00

Meet my girl, PYT from Daterview. Like Charlotte, she also plays on my old playground. Where were these girls when I was living there? Anybummer, I love PYT for many reasons, but mainly for her complete lack of a filter, as you'll see below! I can't wait to visit the city again soon and create some of our own Legendary stories. Until then show her some love!

First I want to give a HUGE thank you to my girl Hutch for inviting me to guest post here! To be perfectly honest with you all I have NEVER written a guest post before and I am honored to pop that cherry on Be Awesome Instead. I mean if you had to choose anywhere for your first time wouldn’t this be the place? Being as “easy” chill as she is Hutch gave me complete freedom on what I could write about. This is a blessing and a curse since I can pick anything…and anything covers everything. Yikes. After much thought and debate I decided to go along with the vacation hook-up theme I’m sporting on my blog while I’m away in Mexico next week. I’m going to tell you a tale of awesomeness which I may never be able to repeat, though not for a lack of trying. I hope you enjoy reading as much as I enjoyed living this craziness. I think this highlights some of the beauty of being single and the freedom you have to umm, do things spontaneously if you will…

My best friends from home and I (as opposed to my best friends from college…you all know you had these too) decided to take a cruise when we graduated from college. It was a 7-day Caribbean cruise on the Carnival Legend out of NYC…aka the trip was slated to be epic. The group was mostly boys, Dipshit, my ex, was one of them (although we were still just friends at this point and he was currently seeing someone else), except for me and my friend C-Lo. Before I get into details of the trip I will preface by saying that while we were best friends, Dipshit and I had a very tumultuous relationship. We weren’t dating but it drove either of us insane to see the other flirting with, kissing or dating someone else. We were fucking idiots I swear. While I wasn’t pleased he was currently with someone else because I really wanted to be with him I at least felt better that I wouldn’t have to see him with another girl during the trip (no SOs were allowed).

So off we go to the gorgeous Caribbean. Being the loud, obnoxious group we were we pretty much took over anywhere we went. Karaoke, dinner, shows, the pool…you name it, we were there and people quickly came to know exactly who we were. We started making friends with passengers and staff. It was awesome. There was a club we went to on the ship every night and there was a couple of girls who kept hanging out with us as well as some of the staff. Being the jealous type I can sometimes be I was getting extremely irritated when I saw one, less than attractive girl, hitting on Dipshit. I made it very clear, in case he didn’t, that he had a girlfriend and swore he wouldn’t cheat on her. Well, imagine my surprise when I find out he had her give him a bee-jay in the shower in his room!!!!! I wanted to throw him off the back of the ship and watch him get chopped up into shark salad by the propeller. Can you blame me? Then he had the BALLS to come to my room later on nearly in tears saying that if he was going to cheat on his girlfriend with anyone he wished it was me. Like that is supposed to make me feel better??? I’m not sure what pissed me off more, knowing what he did, or that gem of a comment.

Well, being the vindictive bitch I can sometimes be I had to do him one better. I marched myself back down to the club determined to make history. You see there was a guy I was crushing on all week. We flirted, we danced, we chatted…but there was one issue…he wasn’t a passenger. He was staff. And not just any member of the staff…he was the Cruise Director. He reminded me on the few occasions that he can’t get close to passengers blah blah blah and that’s cool. So after I changed my outfit, fixed my hair and got the perfect, VS Angel pout on my lips I got my little ass back to that club, found him on the dance floor and made some moves.

I had never done anything like this in my life and can’t say I have since…I can’t tell you how I made it work but everything just aligned. Before I knew it I was in my room waiting…and eventually he was able to sneak up. There I am, in my teeny cabin getting completely ravaged by the CRUISE DIRECTOR!!! It was unreal. He kept telling me how I looked like Mariah Carey, completely flattering but in my opinion giving me way too much credit, and I just ate it up. We had a great time and it was totally worth the risk, well on his part. He actually took my number since apparently after his stint on the ship he was going to be moving about 10 minutes from me (and I did hear from him a couple of times after so there goes my ability to call it a true one night stand…I still haven’t really had one and I think everyone should have one, right?)

After he left I naturally went right back down to the club and all my friends, including Dipshit, knew exactly what happened. While everyone else had to practically scoop their jaw up off the floor I could see Dipshit was fuming. Score one for me. I will admit that while he was livid, jealous, etc we did make up before the cruise was over and there may have been some cuddling along the way. I can’t remember if we kissed or not since despite my “accomplishment” and his less then pleased feelings about it (payback is a bitch buddy) he still had a girlfriend and I do not approve of cheating in any way, shape or form. And while cuddling may perhaps be inappropriate there was no touching, no nakedness or anything just pure cuddling so perhaps its semi excusable?

Needless to say once we got back Dipshit broke up with his gf. No one could stop talking about the cruise director. And a month later Dipshit and I were officially dating and our saga began. Is it any surprise I love cruising??

My favorite quote of the week, which I still repeat to this day…”The Legend…where legendary people sail legendary waters while doing legendary things….” This was drunkenly said by a member of our group and pretty much sums up the trip!

Thank you so much for reading and thank you again to Hutch!! Keep your fingers crossed my Mexico adventures will come close to this!

One Step Closer To You

2011-03-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

While I'm sitting through a week of exciting training in Dallas, I asked a couple of my favorite "single blogger" friends to keep you all entertained. First up, meet Charlotte of My Pixie Blog. She lives in my old Jersey neighborhood, Hoboken, and I get a serious case of nostalgia every time I read her posts. There's a good chance we were in the same bar or restaurant and didn't know it! Her dating stories are filled with humor and honesty (the perfect combination), allowing you to live through each moment with her. If you don't fall in bloggy love after one post you need to see a therapist, because you've got issues!

I’ve been far more selective with who I go out with from these dating sites in recent weeks (if you’ve been following my blog, you know about crusty horse penis guy and why this is so important). In addition to the usual red flags that come up every now and then, I have found it’s helpful to make a list of criteria I’m looking for in a potential mate and stick with that. If someone doesn’t catch my attention in a profile, odds are we won’t have much in common on a first date. And let’s face it: we’re all busy and this dating business takes a lot of time and energy.

Here are just a few examples of men I have screened recently:

The 50-year-old with gray hair from Staten Island. I really don’t think there’s any need for me to go into why this man didn’t make the cut.
The Ok Cupid suitor who asked me if I live in the beard of a guy in one of my photos. That guy happens to be the great musician Zach Deputy and what in the hell kind of question is that anyway? Since I didn’t answer his first email he sent me a follow-up message with “Crazy Hair” in the subject heading and told me I had a hot body. I can’t believe this charmer is single!
The dude who sent me this message: “How are you? Wanna go to the movies? But I think we should have a drink first then karaoke.” Woah! Settle down there, partner. I’m not signing up to paint the town red with someone who can’t even bother getting to know me first via a few preliminary emails.

Okay, now that I’m looking over this list, I realize it isn’t so much “screening” as it is “weeding out the psychopaths.” What is it about my profile that makes me a weirdo magnet?

Though I can’t say I formed a romantic relationship with any of the guys I have gone out with recently, I’ve definitely made a few friends along the way.

Jim is one of these men. He’s a local musician who shares my taste in music (and irrational desire to blow extra funds on concert tickets). A few weeks ago, one thing led to another, and he ended up naked in my bed. I liked him but he had kids and complications I wasn’t quite ready to deal with. So I broke it off gently and we’ve remained friends. Every now and then we go out for drinks and I ask him about his dating experiences and he listens to me while I bitch about mine.

Nate is another one of those guys I met up with recently. Even though I wasn’t attracted to him in a romantic sense, I felt a strange kinship to him somehow. We have since exchanged multiple emails, he’s opened up to me about his ex, and we have tentative plans to hang out again as platonic friends in the near future.

And I expect to bump into a few other guys I've met on Match.com and OkCupid at various Phish shows this summer.

So maybe these sites haven’t been helpful in connecting me with Mr. Right, but they have helped me transition into the underbelly of the dating world. Hanging out with the Jims and Nates reminds me of what dating should feel like: free of pressure, full of fun. By avoiding the red flags and following my instincts, I have met some outstanding individuals and dodged some awful dates. But most importantly, I have warmed up to the idea of dating again.

What more could I ask for?

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

2011-03-10T07:24:00.000-08:00

To honor the birthday of one of the Greatest American Legends I present you with my favorite facts:

Chuck Norris once roundhouse kicked someone so hard that his foot broke the speed of light, went back in time, and killed Amelia Earhart while she was flying over thePacific Ocean.

"Icy-Hot" is too weak for Chuck Norris. After a workout,
Chuck Norris rubs his muscles down with liquid-hot MAGMA.

The opening scene of the movie "Saving Private Ryan" is loosely based
on games of dodge ball Chuck Norris played in second grade.

If you spell Chuck Norris in Scrabble, you win. Forever.

Chuck Norris is the only person to ever win a staring contest against
Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder at the same time.

Chuck Norris once bet NASA he could survive re-entry without a spacesuit. On July 19th, 1999, a naked Chuck Norris re-entered the earth's atmosphere, streaking over 14 states and reaching a temperature of 3000 degrees. An embarrassed NASA publicly claimed it was a meteor, and still owes him a beer.

Chuck Norris is not hung like a horse... horses are hung like Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris discovered a new theory of relativity involving multiple universes in which Chuck Norris is even more badass than in this one. When it was discovered by Albert Einstein and made public, Chuck Norris roundhouse-kicked him in the face. We know Albert Einstein today as Stephen Hawking.

Chuck Norris once ate a whole cake before his friends could tell him there was a stripper in it.

The most honorable way of dying is taking a bullet for Chuck Norris.
This amuses Chuck Norris because he is bulletproof.

Happy Birthday to the Supreme Badass!

Until We Meet Again...

2011-03-08T21:11:00.000-08:00

You were good to me this February, but I had to ~~eat you all~~ say good-bye until we meet again next year.

And you, Jimmy Fallon inspired Ice Cream...

You, I will be meeting for the first time on, or after, April 24th.

Did you give anything up for Lent? Last year I went a bit crazy.

This year I stuck with sweets and added pasta.

With the Dirty Thirty smack in the middle, all alcohol was left on the table.

I contemplated fries, but I gotta have something to eat when I'm hungover.
.
That would be like giving up Advil and ignoring the 4 P's. Proper Planning Prevents Problems.

Just sayin.

Also, I'm not Catholic.

Lent is one of the aspects of organized religion I actually enjoy participating in, like Easter and Christmas.

I still pray though and hope someone's listening.

A post for another day, or maybe never.

In case you don't click on the link to last year's post, I'll leave you with a favorite quote:

God created whiskey to keep the Irish from ruling the world.

I'd much prefer drinking whiskey anyway.

Emails equal Awesome (exclamation point)

2011-03-07T17:51:00.000-08:00

Instead of focusing on the negative and calling out you peeps who STILL have your email addy hidden, I'm going to share the awesome of post-comment email conversations, which usually end up having little to do with the actual post. I would like to thank Mimi for the inspiration.

Comments brighten my day, emails bring permanent sunshine. If I was creative and super awesome like Liz, I would turn them into their own post. But I'm not (at least not the creative part), so here are some snippets from last week's emails that actually made me laugh out loud (I'm not into LOLing, sorry):

Mimi: Yeah! Ice cream is better than boobs and balls! (See why she was the inspiration?)

JG: That and you, like I are fucking awesome. The whole world cowers over our every word and are supremely jealous. (Would have been a sad week if he didn't make me laugh)

KLZ: You SHOULD be showing your toes! DO IT! (I did, on Saturday before the rain came!)

Jayme: There was a serial killer named Jamie J*&%$^#i (bleeped out to protect privacy). That just happens to be my maiden name. No joke! Obviously my first name isn't spelled the same but the last name sure is. How freaking ridiculous is that. When I found out about that I had all kinds of ridiculous dreams.

Ally: You and Foxy are all up in my crawl about saying that all Mexican food tastes the same. (It soooo doesn't!)

Blueviolet: Maybe that was our problem. We killed more of our brain cells than they do today? ;) (Survival of the fittest)

Natalie: The hubs and his friend invented a game one night called Drink Em All. You Take an easy shooting liquor like Parrot bay and pour as many shot glasses a you have in varying levels if liquor. You then try and drink as many as you can. Sort of like hungry hungry hippo but with alcohol. (One of the many reasons I know we'd be friends outside of the b-sphere)

Want to experience the awesome too? Leave comments on a post by one of the above (no pressure guys)!

Can't wait to see what this week brings...

30 Things in 30 Days Before Turning 30

2011-03-03T20:53:00.000-08:00

Throughout my time in the b-sphere I've come across many blogs with a list of 30 things they want to do before turning 30. That day for me just happens to be 30(1?) days from today. Oddly enough, I'm actually much more ok with the idea of turning 30 now, than I was last year when I turned 25 29. Hey, did you hear? I'm turning 30. Yup, I'm joining the Dirty Thirty club. Acceptance, Acceptance, Acceptance. A big change from denial, denial, denial!

Today, I give you a list of 30 things I plan to do before turning into a Puma (please tell me you get this).

Shower (maybe even 30 times)
Finish some wine
Cook something
Read
Write
Watch TV
Brush my hair
Eat breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack
Get a pedi
Watch as many games of March Madness as possible (GO CUSE!)
Drink multiples of beer
Play a Round of Pub Golf
Answer an Email
Write an email
Tweet
Retweet
Watch the World Series Champs kick-off the season against the Dodgers (what's up with them not starting at home?)
Chew gum
Take my daily drugs
Find as many opportunities to say "That's what she said" as possible
Work out
Walk and/or run around McKinley park
Sit on the couch
Give a high five
Flash the jazz hands
Blog
Smile
Laugh
Say something sarcastic
Be Awesome

Think I can do it?

Flip This!

2011-03-01T14:16:00.000-08:00

What did I do on Saturday? Glad you asked.

Well first, on Thursday I made these for myself and 5 other teammates.

Team Name: Flip Off

My new nickname is apparently Hooch

Can you guess what I did?

If not, I'll tell you: Drank a crap ton of beer while participating in a Flip Cup Tourney.

The day was Legendary, but wouldn't be complete without the following:

JAZZ HANDS!

Wordless Wednesday - A Solution, NOT a Problem

2011-02-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

When people first walk into my new place, they might think I have a drinking problem...

From front door


To the right of the door

But wait, there's more.

Mimosa ingredients came from the pops as a housewarming gift.

...I personally like to think of it as a solution.

My wine rack is basically empty, time to go wine tasting. See...Solution!

And Ally, I'm ready for Champagne Friday!

A Little Housekeeping

2011-02-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

Time to take care of a little housekeeping...

I've had this posts in my drafts for awhile now, but as I continue to read more blogs and in turn have new readers here, I want to share 2 things that make me slightly insane (only a little more than I already am) in the b-sphere.

#1 - noreply-comment@blogger.com - I know I'm not alone in my disdain for the noreply-comment. Seeing this when I respond to a comment drives me nuts, especially after I've taken the time to write it out and hit send only to realize I'm writing for no one to see. However, this might not be intentional. I believe the default when creating a blogger account is to hide your email, AND it's super easy to fix!

Go to your Dashboard
Go to "Edit Profile"
Where is says "Share My Profile", check that box
Where it says "Show My Email Address", check that box (It doesn't actually display your email though)

Do this and your blogging experience will be 100 million times better, trust me! The email convos I've had based on one little comment often fall in to the legendary category. Think of the awesome you're missing out on!

Moving on...

#2 - Shortened posts in reader. I do most of my blog reading during work hours, usually while taking a quick mental break or eating lunch at my desk. To get away with this I do 99.9999999% through my reader. I use gchat with a few co-workers so the google based platforms work best for me. Even though I only charge the hours I actually work and what I do on my lunch is my own biz, blogs tend to be pretty flashy and cause people to double take as they walk by the desk. Double takes are never good in the office, unless I'm rockin a new outfit (I need to go shopping). Over the last 6 months, I've mastered the art of opening the blog, scrolling to the comments section and typing a comment in a matter of seconds.

Having said allllll of this. If your blog isn't fully readable in my reader I'm most likely not reading OR commenting, which means I am now missing out on the awesomes. Missing the awesomes = sads. I know click-throughs and being able to tell who your readers are is important, but shortening your post does more harm than good. In one, little-noggin'd person's opinion anyway. Unfortunately, I have no idea how to fix this, please share if you do!

Back to the regularly scheduled Awesome tomorrow (or Friday, or maybe Monday.)

I'll Show You Mine...

2011-02-14T20:06:00.000-08:00

Do you know what happens with the slow move? Not the fast move where everything is boxed and moved in one day, but the slow move where you have 2-3 weeks to get everything in to the new place. No? Well let me tell you. Your muscles (including the very over-worked brain because you're still working 40-50+ hour weeks) will be completely fried, especially following furniture day!

Furniture day was Sunday. I slept in the new place for the first time Sunday night. I didn't sleep well.

Combine fried muscles with exhaustion and you get delirious, like rambling delirious. Similar to what I'm doing here. Perhaps I should get to the point of this post. The point isn't very long, but I find it disturbingly hilarious and Amanda agrees, hilarity is an emotion (you'll have to read my comment for that to make sense and while you're there check out the fab re-design she did). I'm about to get you all emotional...hopefully. Are you still with me?

Over the weekend I worked at a Crab Feed (insert inappropriate joke here) handing out wristbands and checking ID's of everyone, regardless of how old they actually looked. If Gramps comes in, he's getting his ID checked.

About an hour into the night a crusty guy walks up with his group. Normally I'd say crusty old guy, but then you'd think the guy is in his 50s or 60s. He was probably in his late 30s, early 40s, but he looked dirty, with a whole lot of spittle, ew. When I asked for his ID, he said to me...wait for it...

"I'll show you my ID, if you show me your IUD".

You wonder why I'm still single? Because these are my options folks. Not sure if it's as good as being told "You're sexy like a chocolate covered strawberry" though.

I suck, I know.

2011-02-10T20:59:00.000-08:00

There's been a lot of talk around the b-sphere lately about accepting awards, or more accurately, not accepting them. I can't remember the last time I posted about an award I received, and I took down the awards page long ago. I suck, I know (#TWSS). If you gave me an award that I didn't recognize here, I apologize. Please know I truly appreciated it!

What I'm about to do, however, should not set a precedent.

I want to give a shout out to my girl PYT at Daterview. Another single gal living it up on my old playground, NYC. She's hilarious, honest, and lacks all shame in her posts which I LOVE! She passed along an award to me last Friday and this time I'm going play along, kind of. Along with the award are 10 questions, and I appreciate anything that makes my life easier, especially during moving week. So, here we go...

1. If you blog anonymously, are you happy about doing this? If you aren't anonymous, do you wish that you had started out anonymously, so you could be anonymous now?

I started out anonymous and even asked friends to keep my first name off the blog. If you noticed not too long ago I actually referenced my name in a post. Sometimes I wish I had the freedom to say whatever, but then I think there's not much I put out there that would shock my friends and family anymore even if I was anonymous.

2. Describe the incident that shows your stubborn side.

Ask my parents, I was uber competitive (aka a sore loser) and ridic levels of stubborn as a kid. With age comes a higher tolerance for losing and not always being right. Learning to pick your battles or something.

3. What do you see when you really look into the mirror?

Depends on the day, lately I've been noticing how my skin is not as tight and smooth as it used to be and the white circles under my eyes are worse than ever. Yes, white, not dark, where's the make-up for that? Regardless of the day, I always see a whole lotta awesome!

4. What is your favorite cold summer drink?

95% of the time I'd say beer, the other 5% would be Margaritas! Blue Moon/Shock Top were last summer's beers, Bud Light Lime the summer before that. I wonder what 2011 will offer...

5. When you take time for yourself, what do you do?

Main plus of being single? I've got nothin but time for myself! Read, watch TV, go for a run/walk around the park. If I've got some extra cash monies a massage is definitely in order!

6. Is there something you still want to accomplish in your life?

There's always settling down and starting a family, but so much to do first! I want to travel desperately, probably more than I care about buying a house. Italy and Greece are on the top of my list. I'd be just fine with Hawaii too.

7. When you attended school, were you the class clown, the overachiever, the shy person, or always ditching?

In high school I was definitely the shy person with some serious overachiever tendencies. I tended to make jokes more in the college/grad school setting.

8. If you closed your eyes and wanted to visualize a very poignant moment in your life, what would you see?

Wow, this is some deep shit. Saying good-bye to my mom when I left for college might be right up there. All I wanted was to get out of that house, and thank god I had the opportunities available to me to allow for that, but I didn't realize how hard it would be to leave her. Even thinking about it now makes me teary eyed. And after all that I ended up back in Sacramento.

9. Is it easy for you to share your true self in your blog, or are you more comfortable writing posts about other people and events?

Hello, I'm awesome? Who doesn't want to read about awesome? I love writing about other people's awesome though too!

10. If you had a choice to sit down and read a book or talk on the phone, which would you do and why?

Read, because I love books.

And that's all folks. Have a great weekend!

Wordless Wednesday - Ask and you shall receive

2011-02-09T07:34:00.000-08:00

While sitting in traffic a couple weeks ago I saw this:

Done!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes Part Deux

2011-02-07T09:39:00.000-08:00

Over the next week I will be moving from a 2 bedroom, good sized house (for the area) to a 1 bedroom cottage. I'm excited to be on my own again, pee with the door open, dance around half-naked, and all the typical singledom behavior you see in the movies. However, with the move comes the loss of a roommate (not friend, don't worry, this an amicable split) and all her awesome kitchen stuff. I can't decide what I will miss most. The great knife set? Her pots and pans? The tomato chopper?

Luckily, CSN recently asked me to do a product review! While I would love to review something like this Eames Lounge chair, the space in the new place is limited (sorry friends, you'll have to come over in phases). Instead, this next week will be spent cooking with everything Vladeraptor owns that I don't and then I'll decide.

I already know what I will miss most about the house:

and this is just the left side

New kitchen:

There is no left side, yet still bigger than the NYC apt kitchen!

Can we all take a moment of silence please...

Albums You'd Probably Never Guess I Owned

2011-02-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

After chatting with JG on the twat, I realized I rarely talk about my wide range of taste in music. You know I love country, DMB, and who doesn't like a little 90s on 9? But my "alternative phase" gets no love. Just the music, don't worry I've always been this blond slash preppy. I've never done anything crazy in my life. What?! My brother could be reading.

Anyliar, I decided to go back through my CD's and came across some albums you might be surprised to know I own. I even found some I was surprised to know I owned! A post for another day...

My list of albums that take me back in the day when I was young, I'm not a kind anymore:

Also, I still have my copy of Jock Jams Volume 1. Yeah, that's right.
I won't tell you how many of the songs on there I have done a routine to at some point in my life.

Are you ready for this?

He Said What?! And Other Things I Love About the Superbowl

2011-02-02T21:05:00.000-08:00

Even if you don't like sports, there's plenty to love about the greatest championship game. Not the greatest post-season, that's college basketball, and not the greatest overall sporting event, that's the World Cup, but the Greatest Championship Game. Fact.

Normally, media day is full of entertainment. For those not as sports obsessed, the Tuesday before the big game is like a giant press conference with all the key players/personnel and a crap ton of media peeps. However, it's only as entertaining as the participants on both sides allow it to be. With two boring teams like the Packers and Steelers (meh and meeehhh), I wasn't expecting much (where's Wes Welker and Rex Ryan when you need them?), until I came across this gem:

"I like being the Hunter, not the hunted."

~ a la Big Ben, Steelers QB and twice over (that we know of) RAPIST

He is either:

a. An Idiot

b. Doesn't give a shit

c. Both a. and b.

I'm going with c, you don't even have to follow sports to know that much!

Since I clearly don't care about either team this year (Ninnnnerrrrrrrrs), I plan to enjoy commercials (the only time I actually watch them), food and celebrating the WCB's Dirty Thirty! What up!? I'm even making my locally famous artichoke dip. You, my awesome readers, get to be one of the lucky ~~many~~ few I share the recipe with.

First, you take the graham, you stick the chocolate on the graham. Then, you roast the mallow. Oh wait, no, that's s'mores. Here ya go:

1c canned artichoke hearts finely chopped
8 oz cream cheese
1/2 c mayo
1c grated Parmesan cheese (you can buy the store grated, don't do the work it doesn't make a difference) + set aside a little extra
2 cloves minced garlic

Heat oven to 350. Stir everything until smooth, pour into glass baking dish, 8x8 should work, but I like to double the recipe as it goes fast. Put the extra parm as a layer on top. Bake for 15-20 minutes and serve. Bread and tortilla chips both go well as dippers (you're a dipper).

Enjoy...

Completely 100% unrelated, but anyone who's ever been a bridesmaid should check out Tracy's latest post, quite possibly the best idea ever!

Wordless (ish) Wednesday - Hometown Blogger Meet-Up

2011-02-01T21:33:00.000-08:00

This past Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting up with 4 amazing bloggers from my hometown.

L to R: April, Tracy, Heather, Katie, ME

We all grew up in the same town, even went to the same high school, but blogging is what brought us together. The awkward pause never made an appearance. I could joke about NSLG, other creepsters, and the controversial Hamburger Alerts knowing I was in a completely judge-free zone...they already understood my special brand of ~~crazy~~ awesome! We laughed about gigantic spiders (*shivers*) covered with cups, kids awesome photography skillz, roller derby, what wouldn't make it on to the blogs AND what should! We even brought Tracy out of hiding! I'm totally giving the 4 of us credit. Overall, it was a great experience and I can't wait to do it again!

Heather wrote a much better recap which can be found HERE

Lesson Learned

2011-01-30T19:38:00.000-08:00

I promised myself I would never talk about the guy who broke me on here ever again. I made this promise last summer, one year after The End. Still dead inside, I needed to just let go. I can now happily say I don't give a shit about his two-timing, impregnating, married ass any longer. You know how I know? Last week he decided to make a reappearance through Facebook.

Some background info: In December of '09 he sent me a friend request, not sure why since I deleted him about a month after The End. After I called him out/rejected his request, I found myself unable to view his profile and he didn't show up in any searches. The asshat blocked me! Last I checked a few months ago, he didn't exist. Yes, I still checked, but don't yell at me just yet (coughJaime/Amandacough).

Back to the almost present of last week...

I often have to use the restroom in the middle of the night, I drink A LOT of water, and will check my phone to stop the flashing green notification light from keeping me up. Among the emails was a message from Facebook: Douchebag Magee would like to be friends. I immediately forward to the super close girl friends who got me through the hard times with the message "What the eff??" and go back to sleep (the bastard no longer has the power to keep me up at night).

The following morning I log on to Facebook and hide the request (where did the option to reject go btw?). Hell no, I didn't want to be friends with him! I'm one of those with zero desire to be friends with an ex who turned me in to THAT girl (my own fault really). Nor does he have any right to know what's going on in my life. A few hours later I get a Facebook email with the subject of Sorry.

Sorry Amanda, I didn't mean to send a friends request. Apologies.

~DB Magee

Ummm, what? How do you accidentally send a friend request to someone you had blocked? He works for a huge tech company, that kind of thing doesn't just happen. Also, the request is still there. Did I reply to his message? Nope. Did I delete? Sure did!

Sorry guy, but you no longer exist to me as anything other than a lesson learned!

Hamburger Alert - Jennifer Carpenter

2011-01-27T20:03:00.000-08:00

If you missed the initial post, or need a refresher on the Hamburger Scale, please go HERE

I have a new obsession and he goes by the name of Dexter. I've been avoiding him for years and I can't even remember why. Maybe because I couldn't get Michael C. Hall's Six Feet Under role out of my head, or the idea of watching a show about serials killers weirded me out. Either way, please forgive me when I say I was sooooooo wrong! I started over the Holidays and now find myself on Episode 9 of Season 4, waiting on the Brother to burn the rest of 4 and all of 5. I'm desperate to find out what happens next (no spoilers)! Who knew the good Reverend Shaw Moore could be so insane (please readers, tell me you understand that reference)?

From episode to episode you constantly surprise me. BUT, one thing is for certain. The following words will come out of my mouth in EVERY episode "Good lord, she needs a hamburger!" By her, I mean Jennifer Carpenter.

via google

She definitely needs 2 burgers plus a milkshake and some cheese fries! Here's another view in case you don't watch and need more proof.

Via thebosh.com

If you follow gossip, you know her and Michael C. Hall were married, but split this past fall. Their divorce is one that deeply saddens me. They fought his cancer together and I so want to believe they are both good people. Rumor is Julia Stiles may have had something to do with it, or is now enjoying herself a little sumpin sumpin, resulting in drama on the set. Jennifer didn't even attend the Golden Globes. Julia did though...questionable?

Regardless, woman needs some burgers!

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes

2011-01-26T00:40:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the new digs! If you're reading in a reader or on email you should really click through to check out the new look.

I decided to give my blog a Christmas present and I couldn't be happier with the makeover! My goal was to simplify, while still keeping the look fun and awesome. The seriously amazing Becca, of Jumping Jax Designs (you should really go check out her site), literally worked through the night fixing and tweaking until we arrived at what you see here. I've even got a button!

What do you think? Awesome, right?

Problem Solved: Act Like an Alcoholic

2011-01-24T14:48:00.000-08:00

Be Awesome Instead is by no means a dating blog (at least not at the moment). However, after the overwhelming response from Dealbreakers post last week, I think you all deserve an update, in more than the 140 characters allowed on Twitter.

Roughly 97% of you, I calculated (ha! yeah right), said to give the Non-Sports-Liking-Guy (NSLG) a chance, basically because not liking the same thing should not be a dealbreaker. Trust me, I heard you all! I then over-thought the idea of what it would be like. How do you talk to a guy who doesn't know jack about sports? What will he think about me planning my social calendar around the Cuse games coming up? Where does the good banter come from? What would my parents think if I brought home a guy who doesn't watch football? Ok, I didn't actually think about the last one, I never bring guys home to meet my parents. Of course, this was much easier not to do while living on the east coast and the ones I've dated here don't last long enough.

Anyissues, in the end, I decided to let things play out.

The tentative plan (made through text, because guys don't call anymore) was to meet at the park near my house this past weekend depending on the weather. Last Thursday he sent me a text asking about my week and if I was looking forward to the pub crawl the next day (uh-duh?). My response after intentionally waiting 3 hours, since I'm just that busy: "Week has been a bit insane it's a good thing I like my job! Definitely gonna need some alcohol tomorrow, should be a good time."

I went to the pub crawl the following night, enjoyed myself thoroughly and realized how much I enjoy flirting with British soccer players (accents and athletes are my weakness), among others. Have you heard of Das Boot? Apparently they drink beer out of random peeps' "Wellies" in the bars across the pond. Gross?

At some point in the evening, one of the girls on the crawl asked about NSLG, having seen us together the weekend before. Only then did I realize he never replied after I expressed my need for alcohol (and nothing over the weekend). Clearly I wasn't actually interested AND he appears to have his own dealbreakers, girls who like alcohol*. Sweet, now I don't have to stress about having "The Talk," and I can continue to flirt with other people without him commenting (he did the first night...hello, red flag). Problem Solved!

*Disclaimer: I'm guessing the typical male does not have this same dealbreaker

There might be some changes happening here in the next couple days, if you see anything funky, don't be alarmed.

Wordless Wednesday - Who needs a snowman?

2011-01-19T07:12:00.000-08:00

Courtesy of AuntBT and all the snow that dumped in Texas

(although not in Houston, right Tara?)

Wordless Wednesday - Proud to Be Awesome (Instead)

2011-01-11T21:13:00.000-08:00

Wearing my new shirt from TI on top of Mt. Shasta (or whatever mtn the resort is on)

Whiskey - Cider makes all the future soreness melt away

Streets and The Princess aren't loved at all


Freakin couch wouldn't budge!

And that's how I rang in my 2011!

Freebie Five...New #1!

2011-01-09T20:00:00.000-08:00

I've discussed my Freebie Five a few times (go HERE if you need a definition), but I'm not sure I've ever given a full list. After seeing Country Strong Friday night with Vladeraptor and TI, the list needed a full on revision! Garrett Hedlund has pulled far, FAR ahead of all others. I hate his facial hair, but it doesn't matter. He can sing, has that deep sexy voice and looks damn good in a cowboy hat! Need proof? Watch the videos below.

Here's my official list:

1. Garrett Hedlund

2. Jim Sturgess

3. James Marsden

4. Jake Gyllenhaal

5. Bradley Cooper (often switches with Colin Farrell)

Do you have a Freebie Five? Who would be on it?

Victory Is Mine!

2011-01-04T21:41:00.000-08:00

"Victory is mine! Victory is mine! Great day in the morning, people, victory is mine...I drink from the keg of glory."

Checking my phone after trivia, I was treated to this gem of amazeballsness from my personal voodoo master, QuesoBonito: Holy crap! Hey @AwesomeHutch GUESS WHAT?? The voodoo paid off!! Guess who reportedly split?! http://tinyurl.com/28mugvz So long Taylor!

Turning to Vladeraptor, I squealed, yes squealed, did a happy dance and spilled the news.

2.5 months ago I sat in shock as one of my Freebie Five's came close to Lifetime Banishment. How could a 30 year old hottie date a 20 year old singer who can't actually sing? Not that I expect to date the guy, it's not like that, more along the lines of disappointment. Vladeraptor explained our feelings quite well HERE.

Now People (and E!Online) reports the Universe has righted itself once again! If true, welcome back, Jakey G!

De-Lish!

Victory is mine!

(points to those who know the quote)

Wordless(ish) Wednesday - I Got Skillz

2010-12-22T07:53:00.000-08:00

After opening gifts and stuffing our faces during the 3rd Annual No Boys Allowed Holiday Gift Exchange (NBAHGE), Vladeraptor and I had a surprise for our other 6 friends in attendance.

GINGERBREAD HOUSES!
(Yes, we're 5)

Here's Mine:

It's a cartel house that's been broken into by the FBI (notice the door barely hanging on its hinges)
They chose not to use the door handles or knocker and just barged right in.
The thorn bushes (aka PB Cup wrappers) clearly didn't do their job.

Also, I watch too many CSI, Bones and NCIS type TV shows or maybe just too much TV? Nah.

And that would be a spa on the 2nd floor deck.
It's all in the details...

P.S. Mine was by no means the best, my friends have way better skillz than me!
Poor WCB, hers looked so good it was attacked by ~~Capt Logic~~ termites

P.P.S. We picked names out of a hat for the exchange, in some weird twist of randomness,
we were all matched up with the person we picked (I had TI, she had me, etc)

P.P.P.S. Since this will be my last post before the holidays....

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Lots of Oooohhs

2010-12-20T05:00:00.000-08:00

I have to say I'm super impressed with the amount of people who played along with my 6 degrees game. Ultimately, it came down to someone who clearly put in the effort, explaining each degree, and knows her 90210! Below are the responses. I know it's long and most of you will skim to the bottom, but they're hilarious and worth the read! You all are also super fames, btw.

Liz: I went to school with a ridiculous number of reality stars. Most recently, Matt Hoffman from Big Brother. Also, our friend, Jamie's, youngest sister is Natalie from the Bachelor and Bachelor Pad fame.

Gigi: Is there an app for this? :) (Doesn't really count but I can appreciate the question AND there should be!)

Meagan: Chris Rock walked past Hubby and I on our honeymoon in our hotel. That's how famous I am.

AuntBT: Ok, I went to HS with a girl who is now a stunt person in LA. She was in Hot Tub Time Machine with John Cusack, who was in Talking to Dog with Lance Henriksen who was in the Last Cowboy with Jennie Garth, who as in 90210. = 5

Katie: I have two. I date the Boyfriend, who is friends with Matt, and Matt is friends with Lance Briggs (Chicago Bears linebacker). 3 degrees (It should be noted Katie and I went to HS together, and also graduated with Lance, so technically we're both 1 degree). I dated my Ex-Boyfriend, who's Mom worked at CPS with the mother of Jackie Greene (blues/rock musician). 4 degrees.

Cathy: Randy Breuer is my claim to fame. He's an old NBA player from my small home town. I see his dad from time to time and he's a freaking giant.

Mimi: I went bowling once and met Tom Wopat. If you don't know who he is than you are too young . Or. Too cool (Yup, No clue, we'll say I'm too young). Cuz he's sorta...not. OR, okay, his brother is my brother's doctor and was my grandparents' doctor before they died and stuff! So...ME-Grandparents and brother-Their Dr.-Dr. is TW brother. Does that make any sense? I don't think it does.I met a DJ once who is into motocross and knows Pink's hubs and Cameron Diaz...? How's that. OR! I know. SurferWife! She's my connection to hollywood. Girl, I got nothing for 90210. Unless you count this poster of Luke Perry that adorned my bedroom wall for 6 years.

OH!!!! And one time I went to NOLA and I met the gay guy who dressed like the Chiquita banana lady and stood on a bucket on Bourbon street pretending to be a mime...(but he had the shakes). AND, he was on Cops a lot. (I'm still waiting for my picture proof woman!)

Sharlene T: Me; Evan Rachel Wood; Kevin Bacon. So, me and her connection with co-stars. And, Me; George Clooney (Not cool to not fill in the deets!)

SurferWife: This post made me spit my delicious Have 'A Corn Chips out from laughter. My romper room days were huge. Who knows who I was on there with. But really. Should I enter? I think everyone would slap me. I am a REAL one degree from Jerry Trainor. I, too, am 4 for the Bacon.

3rd place

Natalie: I grew up with 2 people who went to college with Matt Long. He's been in several tv shows, the most recent is as Joey Baird on Mad Men. Two degrees here... (Unknowingly playing on my love for Matt Long, Jack & Bobby anyone, put her very close to the grand prize)

2nd place

KLZ: I can't compete with any precision on this 90210 challenge. But. My sister had a professor in college who was in a band with Gary Sinise. Me to Gary Sinise = 4. Which means me to Tom Hanks = 5. And since Tom Hanks has worked with everyone, I'm pretty sure I can get to just about anyone in Hollywood in 6. (Tom Hanks and I were practically neighbors in that he lived in Sacramento, as did his son, Colin. Big, no HUGE, fan of the Hanks and the movie Big actually. Also, go vote for her to go to Blissdom HERE. Today's the last day, so go!)

1st and a half place

Foxy: Oooooh, let's see. Okay, the only person I have any connection with doesn't even look the same as he did when I was growing up. Plastic surgery has not been kind to him. Me-Kenny Rogers' nieces- Kenny Rogers. My parents were super good friends with their parents and their dad was Kenny's brother. Sadly, I never met him, but I do accept the claim to fame. As inconsequential as that fame might be.

Ooo, ooo, ooooo.... I have one more!! But still not a 90210 connection. :( Anyway, I went to high school with Andy Pettitte. I never really talked to him though... but I did talk to his girlfriend, who is now his wife. So, that's like, what? 2 degrees? (woman, you're 3 degrees of Friday Night Lights, that almost trumps 90210! You - Andy Pettite - Derek Jeter - Minka Kelly. Now introduce me to Taylor Kitsch, aka Riggins...now, please?!)

The Winner

JMJE with...

1. Ooooh I like this. I'm going to have to think about this. All I can come up with now is. My good friend and college roomie Morgan is married to Pro poker player Justin who played poker one night with Michael Phelps who guest starred on Entourage with Jeremy Piven who was in smoking aces with Ben Affleck who was in Mall Rats with Shannen Doherty aka Brenda Walsh. Uh yeah that was kind of long and I had to use IMDB. I will have to come up with something better.

2. OOOH ok i have a better one. I'm getting no work done today by the way. My former roommate Amanda went to Wake Forrest University at the same time as Mouth (Lee Norris) from One Tree Hill (AND in OTH he went to Cuse). Mouth worked with Paul Johansson on One Tree Hill who starred as John Sears (frat bro to Steve Sanders) on 90210. Yay!

3.OK, I have one last one. My friends Jenni was an extra on Dawson's Creek, which stars Joshua Jackson. Joshua Jackson and Tori "Donna Martin Graduates" Spelling both had cameo roles in Scream 2. Basically, Pacey and I are pretty much best friends. (This pretty much sealed it, since JMJE and I are TV biffs that totally makes me biffs with Pacey by association too!)

Please send me your address lady, you've got some freshly baked treats coming your way!

3 degrees of 90210 and 1.5 degrees of the Jersey Mob

2010-12-14T05:00:00.000-08:00

I'm sure many of you have heard of 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon, my friends and I like to play 6 degrees of 90210. As I watched Life Unexpected awhile back I realized, Holy Balls! (yes, capitalized this is a big deal and balls because it's the holidays. I'm thinking big shiny ones of the red variety, not blue) I'm only 3 degrees from 90210. Not the next generation version, I'm talking the original, BEVERLY HILLS 90210 (I'm Team Kelly, btw). For reals, friends. See below.

Santa Barbara co-worker Chris

Kerr Smith (Chris' Frat Brother at U of Vermont)

Emma Caulfield (Kerr's co-star on Life Unexpected aka Susan from 90210)

Of course, you are now all a minimum of 4 degrees. You're welcome. I have a feeling there's others out there who might be closer by a degree or two. So I'm putting this challenge out to you all. I want to find bloggers with equal to or less degrees than me. I'm guessing Surferwife is at least two degrees from her waitressing or Romper Room days, but I'm thinking there's more. Heck, even if it's within the 6 degrees, or from another show, I'll take it! Leave a comment, send me an email (bawesomeinstead at gmail dot com), tweet, whatevs. Once received, I'll post a follow-up with all our fames. I may or may not have a special prize for the person with the most awesome degree (not necessarily the lowest #). Deadline = 9pm PST, Thursday, December 16th. It's a quickie, but I have faith you all will come through.

Also, my Bacon number is 4.

As for the Jersey Mob, I can't actually tell you the connection. The person's family is/was for sure a part of it, the only question...was he?

Hamburger Alert - GF of Former Dawson's Creek Not-Quite-A-Star

2010-12-08T21:14:00.000-08:00

If you missed the initial post, or need a refresher on the Hamburger Scale, please go HERE

Lately, the celebrity skinnies have left me very uninspired. There's only so many times I can listen to a skinny bitch say she's average and doesn't believe in the Hollywood body image. Oh wait, that was just Carrie Mulligan and I like the idea of her playing Daisy, so I'll let her be until her jaw goes from normal to bulimic. Plus, she dropped the Douche and may or may not be hooking up with Tom Sturridge who is like the younger, upper-middle-class man's version of my fake-life husband, Jim Sturgess.

Did you get all that?

No matter, today's hamburger alert actually goes out to a woman whose name I don't even know and don't care to look up. Anyone remember Henry from Dawson's Creek? (If you answer yes, we're immediate TV biffs) Today, he's some tortured actor on the HBO show I never get to see because I refuse to pay $300 more a year for shows I can get through Netflix later, Boardwalk Empire. His name is Michael Pitt. Her name can be found under Bulimia in the dictionary and the 4 Hamburger's point on the Hamburger scale.

via google

Alien head? Check

Skeletor/Angelina heroin arms? Check

Concave stomach? Check

Ewwwww? Check AND Check

While she's eating hamburgers (with the hopes that she can actually keep them down), he should take a shower. I'm just sayin. And can someone out there please tell me what guy finds this attractive? I know I'll end up with a boobs guy, not an ass guy (unless he's paying for implants), but what is this guy? A regurging guy? An E.T. phone home guy? Good God.

Jim Sturgess is a boob's guy. At least in my fake life.

Who Am I?

2010-12-06T20:07:00.000-08:00

Clearly I'm awesome, but it's come to my attention (mainly through all those blog must-have lists) that I don't have an About Me section. I decided instead of writing a long, drawn out novel about my history of awesomeness, I would ask those who know me best to describe me. Anylazy, here's what a few of my friends had to say (it's kind of a long one, just preparing you):

WCB: When you think of the stereotypical California girl, what do you think of? Cute, blond, bubbly and full of personality? Well I think that describes Hutch to a T (I think she meant to throw smart in there too, I'm not just a typical blond...oh wait). She's one of those people who can't live without sarcasm...and if you want to be friends with her, you better start practicing. She's witty and spunky and crazy all rolled into one. On the other end of things, she truly is a tremendous friend. She will be by your side cheering you on, crying with you, getting excited for you - sometimes more than you! She has a big heart and will always make enough room in there, even if it seems like there's no more love to give. She loves being outdoors doing fun activities, traveling with friends, and laying on the couch with a good book or favorite TV show. She enjoys a good glass of wine. Throw in some ice cream and cookies and that is a perfect night. ;-) She loves her family and friends more than anything and is loyal to all. Basically, she's exactly what you would expect ... AWESOME!

Vladeraptor (if you're a newbie she's semi-fames locally so no pics): 10 Things You Can Only Find Out About Hutch by Living With Her

She gets ready to leave the house faster than anyone on the planet. Especially compared to me, the slowest person on earth.
She might think that football commentators on tv are actually in our house. She yells at them like they can hear her.
If you need something blue, look in her closet. (but I'm not allowed to look right now, due to Christmas, see #4)
Buying and planning presents for other people is a big deal.
She wants a dog. You can blame me and her massive amounts of traveling for her not having one.
She eats more healthy food than any of you. She also eats some junk, but it balances out. I lost five pounds just by living in the same house as her. True story.
She can slide across a wood floor in socks better than Tom Cruise.
We combined our DVD collections on one rack. Here are the movies we both have, which is pretty telling of the things we have in common: The American President, The Bourne Identity, Flashdance, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun, Honey, Little Women, The Sandlot, Step Up, Swing Kids, and Dave Matthews Band Live in Central Park. And yes, our feature films are alphabetized. Another thing we have in common - slight OCD (she forgot Love Actually, but that's because the 2nd copy is permanently on top of, or in, our DVD player during the Holidays)
She has many leather-bound books. And paperback. And hardcover. Really, just a lot of books in general for someone who has moved so much.
Spiders make her nauseous. Watching her get the long hose attachment on the vacuum ready, stand as far back from the spider as possible, scream, turn on the vacuum, continue to scream as she sucks up the spider and then shiver as she stands there holding the vacuum hose, is one of the funniest things I have ever seen in my life (we'll have to take out the flip cam next time and post here for everyone's entertainment). But I'm the girl who is afraid of dinosaur movies and spiders, so I can't criticize.

The Favorite: Chicken fingers and scrapbooking...Two simple, common, likes that brought together two people who were more alike than they ever realized. Hutch knows how to make you feel better from 2,348.32 miles away (but who's counting?). She is loyal, trustworthy, funnier than anyone, understands what it means when I swear in Italian (If she's doing this to you, back away. Slowly.), and is the only other person who watches the same exact blend of movies I do... think "Chicago" with a blend of "Sandlot" and some "Love Actually" thrown in for good measure. Shake it with a little "It's a Wonderful Life" and some "Anchorman", and you've got yourselves a girls night in. She actually bought me baseball tickets for my birthday... and wanted to go as much as I did. And I love her.

I'm seriously all faclemped just re-reading these. Don't I have The BEST Friends ever? You can find out more about these awesome ladies HERE. AND. If you ever forget who I am, you can always check out the About Me section above.

I Want to Be on Inside the Actor's Studio

2010-11-30T20:17:00.000-08:00

I really, really do!

The SNL skits are some of my faves. What I wouldn't give to go back to the Will Ferrell good SNL days.

I digress.

I really want to be on Inside the Actor's Studio so I can answer James Lipton's Questionnaire. I'm sure it comes from someone else. He mentions the person before asking the questions, but I'm too lazy to look it up. I think it's from some French guy, maybe Mimi knows? Oh wait, she doesn't actually live in France.

Again, I digress.

I always answer in my head, as the guests give their answers. Instead of waiting to become a famous actress, or voice over for a cartoon character, I'm going to ask the questions here. Today. As follows...

(Please picture James Lipton's voice as you read the questions, it's more special that way.)

1. What is your favorite word?
To Hear: Yes
To Say: Erroneous (can I give 2 answers? Eh, I just did)

2. What is your least favorite word?
Moist, ew just typing it makes me want to vom. Do you know how much this was said over the holiday?

3. What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Wine

4. What turns you off?
Whining. And two-timing bastards.

5. What is your favorite curse word?
jackass

6. What sound or noise do you love?
The sounds of little kids laughing, before their laugh changes. That giggle can make everything right in the world.

7. What sound or noise do you hate?
Little buzzing sounds like the sound the TV makes when it's not actually turned off, but the screen is black because the cable is off.

8. What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
I would really, really, really like to be a professional gift buyer. Not to toot my own horn but TOOOOT (that was kind of inappropriate, I'm sorry), I'm really good at finding the perfect gift and I love doing it. I know a lot of people love getting gifts and I'm with ya, but I'm usually the one sitting there last with gifts to open at Christmas, because I love watching others open my perfection. It's selfish in a way, but at least it's a mutually-beneficial selfishness.

9. What profession would you not like to do?
Ghost hunter, see Hutch's Biggest Fear Ever in the Guide to Being Awesome (doesn't actually exist yet, but I'm working on it. No. Seriously. I am. With Barney Stinson.). Also, Astronaut. I tried my parent's astronaut food, diet, nutrisystem crap. That shit's nasty! I'm sure I would adapt, but why put myself in that position if I don't have to?

10. If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
See, all that character building, spiritual guidance, emotional crap I put you through really was worth it. The beer that makes you skinny is over there with Jakey G. Don't worry Taylor Swift doesn't exist here.

And there you have it, more proof of how I'm Awesome. I think you should Be Awesome and answer the questions too. I'm tagging every single one of you!

Do You Know What Today Is?

2010-11-28T23:00:00.000-08:00

It's my Blogiversary!

1 year ago, I wrote THIS POST. I had no idea what I was doing, only that I wanted to share the Awesome. Since then I've learned more about myself than I ever thought possible (like just how blond I actually am), shared some of my younger days embarrassments, celebrated my ~~29th~~ 25th birthday, started the Jazz Hands Revolution (thanks for the reminder Chicken), tried to turn you all into soccer fans during the World Cup, developed a new obsession, and made new friends (even had my first bloggy meet up with Surferwife!).

I almost stopped a few months ago and I'm so very glad I didn't. In case I don't say this enough, Thank You. All of you. You're why I stayed and will continue to Be Awesome Instead.

Thankful Thursday - a day early

2010-11-24T09:35:00.000-08:00

This morning I found myself a little irritated with people overusing the word "blessed." I get it, you're lucky, you have a great life, great family, adoring husband, a brilliant child, amazing job, blah, blah,blah. I don't need to hear about it every single day. Then I thought, What the hell is wrong with me? My life is good, great even. Shit...I'm blessed! So I pulled my Bitter, Table for 1, reservation and decided to focus on what I'm thankful for...

Good news coming in 3's.

Friendships that can withstand just about everything.

Having a job that pays the bills.

Finding the perfect present.

Spending the Thanksgiving holiday with BOTH sides of my family.

Hearing about little ones that are on their way, whether it's tomorrow or in 7 months.
(this includes #blogbabies)

Winning Surferwife's Eyedews giveaway!!!

Wine

Sunshine, it may be butt-ass cold, but the sun is out!

My baking abilities.

The holidays, my most favorite time of the year.

Twitter slash New Friendships.

Advil.

My Dr., she calms my nerves with one email.

Chocolate

My brother, so proud of him this year!

Harry Potter.

Holiday movie viewing starts in 48 hours: Love Actually anyone?

Royal engagements, I'm obsessed.

My mom, always.

Not sure how many will be reading today, but I hope you all have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

To the Canadians, well, um, Happy Wednesday?

Housekeeping...want me fluff pillow?

2010-11-21T21:52:00.000-08:00

Time to take care of some housekeeping items. I've been really bad about accepting awards the last few months which of course makes me feel guilty at the same time as feeling all warm and fuzzy because people like me! The only way to assuage my guilt (yeah, big words!) is by fixing my own bad habit, starting today.

A big, huge ginormous thanks to FoJoy for the Versatile Blogger award.

Now, I'm supposed to state some random facts. Don't be mad, but I'm taking the majority of these from a post way back in the day. Most of you weren't here then, so it'll be new anyway.

#1 I lived in 9 different cities in 6 years: Santa Barbara, Merrimack (NH), Syracuse, Elk Grove (CA), Amherst (MA), Hoboken, West New York, NYC, Sacramento

#2 I used to think the little indentations on my temple (which everyone has) were a result of the forceps used on me at birth. Yes, I'm a natural blonde.

#3 I break sports curses or losing streaks based on where I live/work. Examples:

Obvis, the Niners my entire childhood, first SB win started the year I was born
Cuse National title my senior year
Boston Red Sox first WS win. I was at Boston Billiards right down from Fenway after Game 3, I have never seen so many depressed fans. 5 days later came the rioting in Amherst...awesome! The Sox are now my 2nd favorite team
St. Louis Cardinals - worked for a company based out of St. Louis and even sat in their dugout the year they won the WS, you're welcome STL
NY Giants - move to NJ/NYC, work part-time at one of Eli Manning's favorite restaurants, and what happens? Yea, they win the Super Bowl
Move back home and 2 seasons later the SF GIANTS win the WORLD freaking SERIES!!!

I will move to YOUR city with the proper incentives...I take cash and/or check.

#4 Weird food issues: I love peas, but pea soup is just wrong. Other than Chammy's Ribs, I usually pass on meat covered in BBQ sauce, but I LOVE BBQ chips. Carrot cake is delish, but carrots taste like fresh dirt. If you're wondering, dirt just tastes dirty.

#5 I can remember the small details of events/conversations dating back to kindergarten. Don't tell me something you'll hope I forget someday, unless I'm inebriated.

#6 I firmly believe any food that is dippable can be dipped in either ketchup or ranch.

#7 I can't look at the pictures of authors from books, especially the men...they FREAK ME OUT!

#8 I travel for work almost every other week and have now gotten over my mid-20's developed fear of flying.

You know what happens when you travel a lot? Your skin hates you and your eyes start to look old. New lines have formed to the point where I need something to fix it. You know what would really help? Eyedews!! Surferwife really wants to give them to me, but unfortunately due to giveaway rules, has to open this up to everyone. If you want to enter and take away my chances at a lifetime of happiness go HERE. It ends Tuesday at noon best coast time (pst).

Now I'm supposed to give this award to others, but I'm really not a fan of singling people out. I don't want to offend because I love you all. So take it, please, all of you. It's yours!

Unrelated, but I'm considering changing my comment platform since so many readers still have the no-reply set up for email or don't have a link back to their blog. Any suggestions on which to use? Or pros and cons? Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Tim Gunn is Such a Tease

2010-11-16T21:48:00.000-08:00

Back in the day (when I was young, I'm not a kid anymore) I worked in NYC. You know this already. Not new news. I also may have mentioned the time I saw Tim Gunn in his tighties. Actually, I know I've mentioned it as many of you have asked for the deets multiple times. The Dairy is about to meet up with the Legend my friends, because the wait is over!

The Year: 2007
The Location: My boss' corner office at 47th and 7th

We shared the same entrance/elevator with MOOD, which has since moved. Parsons was across the street and Season 4 of Project Runway was filming. Remember Christian? and Chris? Why is this important?

Well...

As so often occurred while sitting in my boss' office, I found myself staring out the windows into the building next door. On this very fateful day I happened to see a film crew setting up some backdrop and then, THEN Tim Gunn walks in.

As the film crew leaves, Tim Gunn starts to unbutton his shirt. Then his pants (You should know the building was half a floor off from ours so the windows weren't perfectly even). Ohhh-Emmm-Geeeee Tim Gunn is putting on a strip-tease and doesn't even know it. I got a free ticket to the Thunder from Down Under without the hot beafcakes. Make it work, Tim, make it work! Yeah, I went there. Eventually, he's standing in his white briefs (I want to say boxers, but maybe boxer briefs. memory's a bit fuzzy) and undershirt. You know the kind your grandfather wears? Yup.

Fortunately, he stopped there, putting on a pair of slacks, white dress shirt and suit coat. Yes, fortunately. Seeing Tim half-naked is one thing, fully naked might have scarred me for life. I love me some Gunn, but he's no Robert Redford (my hot older man crush). The film crew then came in and blacked out the windows. I can only assume they were filming something for PR. Maybe that's where they all sit when they give their confessionals?

A few months later I moved back to Sacramento without seeing Tim again. I still watch PR religiously. Even though I didn't agree with this season's winner (wanted her out from Day 1, enough preachery woman, take care of your own shit!), I will continue to watch. And I'll continue to picture Tim in his tighties, giggling a little on the inside with every episode.

If this were one of Surferwife's Celebrity Encounters I'd totally give him 5 Margaritas, or ask him to share 5 margaritas (how fun would that be?) but is it an encounter if we weren't actually in the same room?

A Letter to My 16 Year Old Self

2010-11-08T21:44:00.000-08:00

I caught a few of you tweeting to your 16 year old self while I checked in here and there on vacation. Then I saw Heather from alis grave nil take it and put it into letter form and I loved the idea, so I'm borrowing today. I'm not the type to look back on high school with longing or even sadness, more as 4 years that just happened and were so far eclipsed by the awesomeness of college they don't really matter. It feels so long ago and I'm nowhere near the person I was then. Still, there are things I wished I had learned a bit earlier.

Dear me in 1997:

Hi you skinny bitch, I hope you're enjoying all the Fro-Yo you eat while "working" at Zehnder's. Don't worry when you're 29 you'll still be able to put down a carton in one sitting, it will just go straight to your pooch and love handles, instead of burning off after taking 4 steps. OH, and that pooch you think you have now is nothing, just like mom said. She really is always right, btw (this means by the way, I forget when you started shortening phrases and using AIM).

However, I'm not here to harass you about your kick-ass body and how much you should appreciate it (although you should). There's some more important lessons to be learned.

#1 Lighten up and don't be so shy with strangers or classmates you don't know that well. You're good with the friends, but it's ok to let others get to see that side too. Meeting new people will be like a high for you in a couple years.

#2 Your Father/abandonment issues will never really go away, but please don't let that stop you from trusting people and letting them in! You may get hurt, but that's all a part of life (and cliches never stop being annoying, even when they're oh so true). My current self should take this advice too.

#3 Dating is not that scary, well that's kind of a lie. You will get your heart broken, but you would have been so much more equipped for the douchebags, had you learned how to handle them at a younger age.

#4 Adding to that, flirting is fun! You'll get very good at it around the age of 19, but starting a little earlier never hurts. Like with Shawn, your date to winter homecoming Junior year. He's a hottie, if only you could meet him 3 years later. Damn.

#5 Sex is not worth judging over. Each person is ready at a different age and you're clearly not at 16. But, BUT, you'll make your share of mistakes in this area, trust me. (I wish I could tell you to stay away from Blake too, but that's a letter for you when you're a freshman in college). Definitely keep holding out while you can, just don't be a prude!

#6 Drinking is also not worth judging over. See #5, only there will be pictures to prove it. I do like your mentality that you can have just as much fun sober! I hope our future children think like this in high school too!

#7 Jealousy doesn't look good on anyone.

#8 Choosing dance over soccer might have been the best decision, but get back out and play for fun at the very least. It will help when you play college intramurals. Don't stop dancing either. Ever. It's good for you. Your happy dance will be legendary.

#9 Please, please, please learn to let things go. Keeping the anger all bottled up inside and dealing with issues in a passive-aggressive manner is so annoying! Stop it, right now.

#10 Friends change, you may grow apart and that's OK! Also, your friends aren't perfect and the standards you set are pretty high. They love you despite your faults, of which you have plenty, learn to do the same. Amazingly enough, you'll still be friends with a handful of these people after college, and the friendship has very little to do with the high school years.

Lastly, appreciate your family. Mom is the best, we've never doubted this, and your bond will only grow. Give the dad's a chance too. This will be much easier to do when you're not living with one and visiting the other more often, but you could maybe lower the attitude level just a bit. Your annoying little sweetheart of a brother turns out to be pretty awesome too, but will need you in about 8 years in a way you'd never even guess. Another letter for another day.

For now, enjoy the sweets and high metabolism. I kind of hate you a little for it.

~Your 29 year old self via Fall 2010

Why Jakey? Why?

2010-11-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

Today you get a special treat...Vladeraptor (the Roommate/Friend) is guesting! She gets to witness my first sock slide of the fall season and my happy dance on a regular basis (be jealous, you should). She also shares my love for TV and gossip. I've slowly brought her over to the dark side of SF sports, Go Giants!, and she even has a Niners license plate. Not frame, plate. You can read all about her by clicking on the link above or the Vladeraptor/Roommate label. For now enjoy her rant...

Hi Awesome Fans,

This is the Roommate, Vladeraptor. Hutch is on a world tour so I'm your special guest today. I had a variety of topics that I wanted to talk to you about. Is there anything between Wet Seal and Ann Taylor, where do you shop when you're 29? An expert comparison of Disneyland and Disney World, or why Dinosaurs scare the crap out of me, etc. But something happened in the celebrity gossip world that is making me crazy.

Hutch emailed me last week to report our gossip home, Laineygossip.com broke the story that Taylor Swift was back stage at Saturday Night Live to support her girl Emma Stone and she brought Jake Gyllenhaal. As her date. What!!! I actually said that out loud at my office. What!! How do they even know each other? What the hell is he doing with her? Isn't she like 15 years old? It has continued to shock and annoy me and it took me a while to figure out why. I don't know these people. Why should I care? But it offends me on two levels. First, as a fan of Jake. Second, as a single girl in her late twenties.

So first we have Jake. Serious movie star and seriously Hot. If I can't have him, I picture him with an interesting, hip, artsy girl. Maybe someone from New York, not LA. He dated Kirsten Dunst back in the day. At the time I thought it was a really good match. Now she has been to rehab and all that drama, so, not so much anymore, but it made sense back then. Then he was with Reese. She is Way too serious for him and I think he was too young for all of that. She seems like our friend Captain Logic would call her a Fun Hater (annoying wives and girlfriends that don't let boys have fun).

So how in the heck is Taylor Swift the next logical step? It's like he wanted to date the opposite of Reese. (Friends fans can picture me yelling "That is SO not the opposite" from The One Where No One Is Ready with Joey in all of Chandler's clothes). From too-old-for-her-years-bitchface to teenage twinkie. Ridiculous. Taylor acts like a 20-year-old. That's good. I don't wish for her to grow up too fast like most teen stars, but it means that she is not mature enough for our Jakey.

Next, I am annoyed by it as a girl in general. Remember in high school when all of the boys in your senior class dated sophomores? It's just like that. Why do the cute boys have to go and date younger girls when there are plenty of great girls their age? Is it because the younger girls are hotter? Maybe. But I don't see Taylor as the classic sexy chick that you hook up with just to say you did. Is it because the boys are not ready for a commitment so they date girls that are not old enough for commitment? Possibly.

It is even more irritating now that I am in my late twenties. It seems like all of the boys that can handle commitment were coupled up in their mid twenties. Now, all that is left are boys that can't handle commitment or have other serious relationship issues. Yes, I'm just whining. There are good guys out there somewhere I'm sure. I just wish the ones my age would stop avoiding growing up by dating college girls. Boys - it makes you seem a little pervy and a little sad! And it delays your life. Not everyone is meant to commit, but why put it off if you want to some day?

So, to Jake I say pull your head out of your ass and get real. To boys in general I say that girls your own age are awesome, give them a chance. And to Taylor, well, good for you I guess!

Thanks for having me.

Stay Awesome!