Okay so I thought this would be fun...
http://www.myheritage.com/FP/Company/tryFaceRecognition.php
I used the photo to the right, personally I think it is one of my better photos and my best match was PEARL BUCK???
She is a great writer and The Good Earth has always been one of my favorite book, but I've never aspired to look like her. I need a drink.
Friday, February 23, 2007
The Magic Hour
Atlanta Traffic
I am one of the lucky people that lives pretty close to where they work. Seven miles to be exact. Lately, this short commute has been taking me upwards of 35-40 minutes some days. UNACCEPTABLE. Generally, the only problem is the
Hurricane Bingo
While not quite the level of Katrina destruction, Hurricane Bingo (or just Bingo the Dingo) made a big mess of my house in her 4 week stay. Most of the damage was to my doors and their trim. Slight damage to the couch also occurred but is mostly hidden from view.
Bingo went to her new, temporary home when I left for Indiana. She seems to be adjusting well, has begun her treatment for heartworms and has possibly found a new home. I wish the little girl the best but I'm glad she is gone.
Bad Laura
I ate almost all a frozen pizza last night. I got home late I was tired and hungry. That is all I have to say.
A Week in Review
Well it is Friday and time to assess how've I've done for the past week.
Pro:
- I made it back from Indiana in one piece with no speeding tickets
- I've worked out every day after work this week (at least 60 mins a day)
- I gained very little weight despite all the temptations in my sister's pantry
I am one of the lucky people that lives pretty close to where they work. Seven miles to be exact. Lately, this short commute has been taking me upwards of 35-40 minutes some days. UNACCEPTABLE. Generally, the only problem is the
Hurricane Bingo
While not quite the level of Katrina destruction, Hurricane Bingo (or just Bingo the Dingo) made a big mess of my house in her 4 week stay. Most of the damage was to my doors and their trim. Slight damage to the couch also occurred but is mostly hidden from view.
Bingo went to her new, temporary home when I left for Indiana. She seems to be adjusting well, has begun her treatment for heartworms and has possibly found a new home. I wish the little girl the best but I'm glad she is gone.
Bad Laura
I ate almost all a frozen pizza last night. I got home late I was tired and hungry. That is all I have to say.
A Week in Review
Well it is Friday and time to assess how've I've done for the past week.
Pro:
- I made it back from Indiana in one piece with no speeding tickets
- I've worked out every day after work this week (at least 60 mins a day)
- I gained very little weight despite all the temptations in my sister's pantry
Con:
- I could be eating better
- Weight loss has stalled, I doubt I will make my goal of 4 pounds for the month of Feb
- The weekend hasn't started and I already feel like I'm behind
So what am I going to do about it?
1) Cook at least 3 meals next week (black bean tacos do not count)
2) Complete at least 1 thing off my 'to do' list every day
3) Finish up the immediate repairs on the house
4) Lose 1 more pound by the end of the month
5) Get up by 6:30 am every day next week.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Is it really only Thrusday?
I'm starting with a short work week and it is still dragging.
I'm so ready for it to be Friday or at least for me not to be at work. I have a list of stuff to do this weekend and I would love to get a jump start on it. The office is slow right now, most of what I need to do my job isn't working...
Cooking up something new
Literally that is what I need to do. Generally, I love to cook but lately I've been uninspired and stuck in a rut. I think there are two reasons for this 1) it isn't much fun cooking for one and 2) I've been reluctant to cook because then I have to eat it and I'm a bit obsessed right now with losing some weight.
I have a few 'healthy' cookbooks but it either doesn't look good, its too much trouble or I don't have what I need. I've been pretty lax about stocking the pantry as well. So I keep falling back on black bean tacos, they are really good but eventually I will be so sick of them I won't eat them again for a year and then what?
Sirius, Swedish Rock?
Another rut I found myself in was only listening to Sirius 21 First Wave...I have what? 150 channels to listen to and I pick one? On my trip back from Indiana I added a few new stations to the presets including:
I'm so ready for it to be Friday or at least for me not to be at work. I have a list of stuff to do this weekend and I would love to get a jump start on it. The office is slow right now, most of what I need to do my job isn't working...
Cooking up something new
Literally that is what I need to do. Generally, I love to cook but lately I've been uninspired and stuck in a rut. I think there are two reasons for this 1) it isn't much fun cooking for one and 2) I've been reluctant to cook because then I have to eat it and I'm a bit obsessed right now with losing some weight.
I have a few 'healthy' cookbooks but it either doesn't look good, its too much trouble or I don't have what I need. I've been pretty lax about stocking the pantry as well. So I keep falling back on black bean tacos, they are really good but eventually I will be so sick of them I won't eat them again for a year and then what?
Sirius, Swedish Rock?
Another rut I found myself in was only listening to Sirius 21 First Wave...I have what? 150 channels to listen to and I pick one? On my trip back from Indiana I added a few new stations to the presets including:
- Strobe - Disco/Classic Dance
- BackSpin - Old Skool Rap (see how kool I am?)
- '90s Alternative (I think that explains itself)
- Laugh Break - Comedy
One I didn't add but I must try to listen to is Specturm. If for no other reason than they have a new show on Sunday night called Nordic Rox - to spotlight the best music from Sweden and more. Okay I don't know a lot about music, I just listen to it. Other than ABBA and crap now I can't even remember the name of the group Ace of Base how much music comes from Sweden?
Apparently a lot. According to the article Sweden is the 3rd largest exported of music only behind the UK and the United States. Who would have guessed?
So will Ah-Ha be included? They are from Norway.
In case anyone cares...
Brittney is back in rehab...again, I think that is 3 times in the last week. K-feds attorneys must be in heaven right now.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
The Not-So-Great White North
What does -5 + 17 + 3 + my family = ? One very bored Laura.
Yes I've spent the last several days back home in Indiana. It was -5 degrees the first morning, 17 inches of snow on the ground and 3 more inches fell the second night. My family isn't exactly the active type so a lot of time was spent sitting around watching TV and wandering the Mall. The only saving grace was, for the first time, I got a hotel room to run away to when things got to be too much.
Babies and such
The reason for my visit was my first introduction to little Olivia Mae Walton, my second niece.
To be honest babies aren't really my thing. I held her a little and fed her once and that was enough for me. I much prefer it when they get a little older and can start interacting. My other niece Elise is 5 and she is a hoot. My sister asked if I thought Elise was feeling jealous or neglected because of the new baby and I told her no, Elise is quite sure the world revolves around her and no new baby is going to change that.
You can't go home again
I did spend sometime on Sunday visiting campus (Purdue). Boy, things have changed (it has been over 10 years). They redeveloped the part of town called the Levee. It use to consist of an old Sears and limit access to a 'park' and by park I mean a strip of green next to the river. It now has a real park, a movie theater and more than a dozen new resturants. Many of the old business where still there, Nick's where I use to go for .10 pitchers on Wednesday night, the grocery store where I work while in school, Jake's where on my 23rd birthday I fell on the floor and told everyone I was a turtle and I couldn't get up (did I mention I was drinking). Some places had changed most notably Garcia's Pizza (it was god awful) had changed hands and it's look. The coolest thing about the place was it was huge and had many different levels. Now it is called Hop Box Pizza and the entire upstairs is gone (I don't know where it went) but the pizza was pretty good and I noticed my favorite, 3am the bars have closed resturant was gone. They have another location on the other side of town so I wandered over and grabbed my steak and chrizo burrito and two roasted pork tacos, it was yummy but I couldn't move for awhile.
All in all I felt really old and somewhat out of place wandering around.
Old boyfriends never die
My sisters new boss just happends to be an old boyfriend of mine. We dated some time around my freshmen year in college. It didn't last long and we manged to stay on good terms. That being said I had no desire to see him after almost 20 years (god did I just type 20 years???). My sister kept asking me if I wanted to go see him, it was kind of werid.
The Midwestern Diet takes its toll
I was pleasently suprised today when I got on the scale and it was only 1 pound more than when I left. I did get a few work outs in while at the hotel but I also ate constantly since there was little else to do (see above burrito comment). My sister is a big fan of meat, potatoes, cheese and butter. I ate more fat in 2 meals there than I probably do in a week here. My GI track it happy to be back home.
Somehow I did manage to go the whole visit without a drink...but I am in need of one now!!!
Yes I've spent the last several days back home in Indiana. It was -5 degrees the first morning, 17 inches of snow on the ground and 3 more inches fell the second night. My family isn't exactly the active type so a lot of time was spent sitting around watching TV and wandering the Mall. The only saving grace was, for the first time, I got a hotel room to run away to when things got to be too much.
Babies and such
The reason for my visit was my first introduction to little Olivia Mae Walton, my second niece.
To be honest babies aren't really my thing. I held her a little and fed her once and that was enough for me. I much prefer it when they get a little older and can start interacting. My other niece Elise is 5 and she is a hoot. My sister asked if I thought Elise was feeling jealous or neglected because of the new baby and I told her no, Elise is quite sure the world revolves around her and no new baby is going to change that.
You can't go home again
I did spend sometime on Sunday visiting campus (Purdue). Boy, things have changed (it has been over 10 years). They redeveloped the part of town called the Levee. It use to consist of an old Sears and limit access to a 'park' and by park I mean a strip of green next to the river. It now has a real park, a movie theater and more than a dozen new resturants. Many of the old business where still there, Nick's where I use to go for .10 pitchers on Wednesday night, the grocery store where I work while in school, Jake's where on my 23rd birthday I fell on the floor and told everyone I was a turtle and I couldn't get up (did I mention I was drinking). Some places had changed most notably Garcia's Pizza (it was god awful) had changed hands and it's look. The coolest thing about the place was it was huge and had many different levels. Now it is called Hop Box Pizza and the entire upstairs is gone (I don't know where it went) but the pizza was pretty good and I noticed my favorite, 3am the bars have closed resturant was gone. They have another location on the other side of town so I wandered over and grabbed my steak and chrizo burrito and two roasted pork tacos, it was yummy but I couldn't move for awhile.
All in all I felt really old and somewhat out of place wandering around.
Old boyfriends never die
My sisters new boss just happends to be an old boyfriend of mine. We dated some time around my freshmen year in college. It didn't last long and we manged to stay on good terms. That being said I had no desire to see him after almost 20 years (god did I just type 20 years???). My sister kept asking me if I wanted to go see him, it was kind of werid.
The Midwestern Diet takes its toll
I was pleasently suprised today when I got on the scale and it was only 1 pound more than when I left. I did get a few work outs in while at the hotel but I also ate constantly since there was little else to do (see above burrito comment). My sister is a big fan of meat, potatoes, cheese and butter. I ate more fat in 2 meals there than I probably do in a week here. My GI track it happy to be back home.
Somehow I did manage to go the whole visit without a drink...but I am in need of one now!!!
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Making my list and checking it twice
Nope it isn't Christmas, I'm getting ready for my trip to Indiana and right now I have no less than 3 lists I'm working on for the trip.
I'm a list person, I have post-it notes all over my desk at work, not so much at home, but I usually carry around a notebook to keep my thoughts in while I'm out and about.
Ruben is going to Indiana with me this time so I have a list of everything I need to for him, I have a list of stuff that is going with Bingo to her new home and of course a list of stuff I need to do before I leave. I won't make a list of stuff I need to take, since I'm driving I can take just about everything with me.
Major Update:
As of 4:30 pm I now have my car, 9 days and $2700 later I am on the road again. I was starting to get nervous that I was going to have to delay my trip, now if the weather cooperates all will be well.
I got to work from home today. My boss is really cool about stuff like this and she trust that I will do my job. I have mixed feelings, while it is nice to just get up, grab some coffee and log on, I sometimes feel I'm missing something. Plus it throws my schedule off and I eat too much while I'm sitting at home. However, I was able to get a 5 mile run/walk in around noon right before the rain moved in. That saved me a trip back to the office to work out.
Sometimes I feel a little obsesive about working out, I do it 5 days a week after work and then usually do something at least one day on the weekend, usually both. I'm afraid if I stop I won't start again.
I'm a list person, I have post-it notes all over my desk at work, not so much at home, but I usually carry around a notebook to keep my thoughts in while I'm out and about.
Ruben is going to Indiana with me this time so I have a list of everything I need to for him, I have a list of stuff that is going with Bingo to her new home and of course a list of stuff I need to do before I leave. I won't make a list of stuff I need to take, since I'm driving I can take just about everything with me.
Major Update:
As of 4:30 pm I now have my car, 9 days and $2700 later I am on the road again. I was starting to get nervous that I was going to have to delay my trip, now if the weather cooperates all will be well.
I got to work from home today. My boss is really cool about stuff like this and she trust that I will do my job. I have mixed feelings, while it is nice to just get up, grab some coffee and log on, I sometimes feel I'm missing something. Plus it throws my schedule off and I eat too much while I'm sitting at home. However, I was able to get a 5 mile run/walk in around noon right before the rain moved in. That saved me a trip back to the office to work out.
Sometimes I feel a little obsesive about working out, I do it 5 days a week after work and then usually do something at least one day on the weekend, usually both. I'm afraid if I stop I won't start again.
Monday, February 12, 2007
I'm back, did you miss me?
Sorry for the lapse in posting, I was still feeling a little sorry for myself last week. I'm better now.
Good News:
Good News:
- My keys have been found, that saves me $100 right there.
- I got my badge replaced within a day and with little hassle
- My ankle is feeling better, it is still a little sore and swollen but I've been able to work out at the gym and I ran 4.5 miles on it yesterday.
Bad News:
- I still don't have my car back
- It looks like I might have some bad weather for my drive in Indiana
Marta it's Smarta??
Do they still use that anymore? I'm going to have to disagree with them. Since my car has been in the shop and it seemed too expensive and too much trouble to rent a car for the week, I thought I would do the responsible thing and take MARTA. On paper it seemed oh so easy. I catch the bus 3 blocks from my house, transfer at Inman Park and then another bus drops me off at the front door of my office, 45 -50 minutes. I have yet to make this trip in under 70 minutes. Some evenings it is almost 90 minutes. This is for a journey of 7 miles. It is no wonder the only people that use MARTA are those that have no other option. Also my new Breeze card didn't work quite as planned. I added 10 trips to the card, enough to get me through the week. However, by Thursday the card was empty??? I'm guessing some of my transfers didn't work and I was charged twice for one trip. Such is life...
Riding MARTA has given me the chance to read my book and I'm almost half way through it. I hope to finish it during my trip back to Indiana.
Spring Cleaning in January
Since I am without transportation and I didn't need to bring the beer I took the rare Saturday off from the hash. I feel like I've let things go the last few weeks, between the new dog, extended commute times, not having anyone over, etc. the house hasn't been looking (or smelling) its best. I took the opportunity to clean the dog beds, wash all the bedding and some curtains, clean out the fridge, etc. I knew it had been too long when I found a pair of D's underwear behind the dresser. :)
I pretty much spent the day at home resting up from the 12+ hour days I had all week.
Sunday Run
Yesterday was the bi-weekly Sunday run, yesterday it was held at Betsy, cute but tiny apartment in the Highlands that she share with her dog Reece. It was a smaller than normal crowd many of the more serious runner where in Birmingham running a race. I would say it was a quality crowd. Paul, Lisa, L'Willy, and myself headed out on the short option of 4.5 miles while Priscilla and Dave showed us up by heading out for 8 miles.
I won't say it was the worst I've done, I lost Lisa pretty early and I was able to keep up with the guys for the first 1.5 miles until my shoes became too tight (my feet started swelling) and I needed to stop and readjust. I guess I did the whole thing in just over an hours. I'm not breaking any records but I'm out there.
Geographically Challenged
After getting a ride home from Betsy's place I got a call from her seeing if I would like to meet her and the Bosnian out for Pizza at Grant Central. Sounded great too me, between preparing to head out of town and little desire to schlep groceries home from the store, I've had a pretty limited diet this week. So I walked up to Grant Central East, it took me a little longer than I had planned so I assume they would be there waiting for me. They weren't, I hung out a little longer and thought to myself "I wonder if they are at the original Grant Central in Grant Park"? They were. I didn't feel like eating by myself and the pizza would be cold by the time I got home so I just turned around, empty handed (stomach also) and went home. On the bright side it wasn't a bad evening for a walk and I got to add an additional 3.2 miles to my daily total.
Monday, February 5, 2007
What a weekend!
I am so glad last week is over...it was a rough week for me. I wasn't feeling 100%, my ankle was sore, I did something really stupid and wrecked my car and I never found my keys. I've just felt I've been in a daze, forgetful and dopey for the last two weeks or so. Today is the day to get things back on track!
The one bright spot was I became an Auntie for the second time, Olivia Mae came into the world Thursday evening. I got the news while having beers with friends before the hockey game. She got a round of applause from the group. I'm heading up there next week to see her and the rest of the family. I'm not really into babies...when they get a little older they can be interesting but babies, eh. I guess I figure since I'm not going to have one there isn't much use in getting to worked up over them.
I haven't really worked out in the last few days. I rode my bike to the start of the hash and managed to finish a nice trail on Saturday and that was about it. Unless you count the 60 trips I made up and down my friend Paul's stairs while I was helping him with this annual Super Bowl party. The party was fun, I wasn't nearly as stressed out as I thought I would be, everyone seemed to have a nice time, enjoyed the food and the Colts won!! What more could I ask for?
On the Bingo front things are going well. She finally took food out of my hand last night, the girl has good taste, the only thing that seems to work is my roast beef. She even came up to me and let me pet her, I was a bit emotional about it. I'm not use to people/dogs being scared of me and it was really bothering me that she wouldn't trust me. I know she just need time but patience is not one of my virtues.
She was much less happy with me this morning. After a brief struggle I managed to get her in the car for her trip to the vet. She quickly proceded to poop in the car...I had to pull over and do a quick clean up, it was just God Awful...right before we got to the vet she also puked in the back seat. I guess the guys at the body shop are just going to have to deal with it. We got her to the back and into a cage, she growled, I hope she does okay today.
The car also went into the shop to day to fix the BIG dent I put in the right side last week. Stupid. I've taken MARTA twice in the last week. Once to the game and then today for work. I'm going to try to make it this week without a car and see how it goes. Partly penance, partly just to prove I haven't gone soft. I was carless for years, all through college and the entire time I was in London. London was easy, public transportation is timely, accessable and convienent. It was a little tougher in college but the town was managable and I lived near campus. I tried to read my book but I started to get car sick so I guess there goes that plan.
The one bright spot was I became an Auntie for the second time, Olivia Mae came into the world Thursday evening. I got the news while having beers with friends before the hockey game. She got a round of applause from the group. I'm heading up there next week to see her and the rest of the family. I'm not really into babies...when they get a little older they can be interesting but babies, eh. I guess I figure since I'm not going to have one there isn't much use in getting to worked up over them.
I haven't really worked out in the last few days. I rode my bike to the start of the hash and managed to finish a nice trail on Saturday and that was about it. Unless you count the 60 trips I made up and down my friend Paul's stairs while I was helping him with this annual Super Bowl party. The party was fun, I wasn't nearly as stressed out as I thought I would be, everyone seemed to have a nice time, enjoyed the food and the Colts won!! What more could I ask for?
On the Bingo front things are going well. She finally took food out of my hand last night, the girl has good taste, the only thing that seems to work is my roast beef. She even came up to me and let me pet her, I was a bit emotional about it. I'm not use to people/dogs being scared of me and it was really bothering me that she wouldn't trust me. I know she just need time but patience is not one of my virtues.
She was much less happy with me this morning. After a brief struggle I managed to get her in the car for her trip to the vet. She quickly proceded to poop in the car...I had to pull over and do a quick clean up, it was just God Awful...right before we got to the vet she also puked in the back seat. I guess the guys at the body shop are just going to have to deal with it. We got her to the back and into a cage, she growled, I hope she does okay today.
The car also went into the shop to day to fix the BIG dent I put in the right side last week. Stupid. I've taken MARTA twice in the last week. Once to the game and then today for work. I'm going to try to make it this week without a car and see how it goes. Partly penance, partly just to prove I haven't gone soft. I was carless for years, all through college and the entire time I was in London. London was easy, public transportation is timely, accessable and convienent. It was a little tougher in college but the town was managable and I lived near campus. I tried to read my book but I started to get car sick so I guess there goes that plan.
Thursday, February 1, 2007
Home 'Sick'
Well I'm not feeling my best, if I had to go to work there really isn't a reason I shouldn't but I just don't feel like it. I'm certainly coming down with something. I went to bed last night at 9 and couldn't drag myself out of bed before 8 this morning. I did get up to let the dogs out at 5 and when I almost feel on the ice on my deck I knew I wasn't going into work early today. I had already made arragnements to work from home today in case of the bad weather.
I may go take a nap I need to be ready for the hockey game tonight. I've been wanting to go for months, the ex never wanted to go with me and now I have a chance, thanks to a birthday present from a friend, so I better be there!
So there will be no work out for me today and I'll probably have at least 1 too many beers at Gorin's tonight before the game, so be it!
I may go take a nap I need to be ready for the hockey game tonight. I've been wanting to go for months, the ex never wanted to go with me and now I have a chance, thanks to a birthday present from a friend, so I better be there!
So there will be no work out for me today and I'll probably have at least 1 too many beers at Gorin's tonight before the game, so be it!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
