Chances are, you've never heard of this skin nastiness - I say this because I've never heard of it and now it is ALL OVER MY BODY.

I can't tell you how gross I feel right now. Google it. Look at the images. I know you want to see what it looks like. It's gross.

Here. Have some information:

Pityriasis rosea

Last reviewed: October 28, 2010.

Pityriasis rosea is a common type of skin rash seen in young adults.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Pityriasis rosea is believed to be caused by a virus. It occurs most often in the fall and spring.
Although pityriasis rosea may occur in more than one person in a household at a time, it is not thought to spread from one person to another.

Symptoms

Attacks most often last 4 - 8 weeks. Symptoms may disappear by 3 weeks or last as long as 12 weeks.
The rash starts with a single large patch called a herald patch. After several days, more skin rashes will appear on the chest, back, arms, and legs.
The skin rashes:

• Are often pink or pale red
• Are oval in shape
• May be scaly
• May follow lines in the skin or appear in a "Christmas tree" pattern
• May itch

Signs and tests

Your health care provider can usually diagnose pityriasis rosea by the way the rash looks.
Rarely, the following tests are needed:

• A blood test to be sure it is not a form of syphilis, which can cause a similar rash
• A skin biopsy to confirm the diagnosis

HALLELUJAH

SUCK IT CANCER! BENIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGN!

Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers. They worked! xo

Lumpy

My birthday was yesterday. I turned 33. I celebrated all day with friends and coworker friends and calls with my family. It was a great day.

This morning I am 33 and one day and I had a biopsy done on my left breast.

A couple weeks ago I complained to a few people I had some severe pain in my left breast. It was around my period, so I didn't really think much of it, because if your boobs are gonna hurt, that would be the time, but then it really started to hurt. I couldn't put any pressure on it. I usually sleep on my tummy and I couldn't even do that. I had to lay on my right side.

Yesterday while I was in the shower, I happened to graze my left breast and felt a hard, protruding lump on the bottom half of my breast. I freaked out. I called my doctor. I made an appointment for today.

Each doctor that has seen me today (I've seen 4) can feel the lump. The first doctor I saw, my OBGYN, said it could be a cyst filled with liquid (bacteria). She attempted to extract liquid from it by poking me with a needle and couldn't draw anything. She sent me to a breast surgeon 3 floors up. I waited an hour and 45 minutes for the breast surgeon to fit me in and see me, until finally a PA (physicians assistant) appeared and told me we had to do a sonogram. The sonogram had lots of dark spots and shadows and it was confirmed I had no fluid filled masses. The breast surgeon finally came in and asked to do a biopsy. Fives samples were taken from my left breast. I will know in 3 - 5 days if I have cancer or don't have cancer. 50% chance cancer. 50% chance not cancer.

I am back at work now and decided to tell my boss (also a friend) what was going on.
That's when I broke down. I am trying not to freak out but this whole experience is not pleasant. The waiting and the worrying. My boss reminded me I have people who love me and I live in a first world country where we have some pretty smarty pants doctors if anything is wrong.

This alleviates my fears, at least for a little bit.

Summer Treat: Watermelon Margaritas

via Design Within Reach & SeriousEats.com

Follow Me

I am taking a hiatus from the blog.
Follow me on twitter @ceelolabee to get the 411

Taco Tuesday Twist

Mexican Rice, Corn, and Cheese Casserole

Ingredients 2 tsp canola oil    1 medium green pepper(s), seeded and chopped    6 medium scallion(s), chopped    2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), finely chopped    1 Tbsp Cajun seasoning    1 cup(s) uncooked white rice, long-grain    14 1/2 oz canned stewed tomatoes, chopped    14 oz vegetable broth    8 oz frozen onions, about (2 cups)    1 1/2 cup(s) frozen corn kernels, whole    2 Tbsp Las Palmas Diced green chiles, mild, or other brand    1 medium tomato(es), finely diced    2 cups low-fat shredded cheddar cheese 1/4 cup cilantro, fresh, chopped    Instructions Preheat the oven to 350°F.  Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or flameproof and ovenproof casserole over  medium-high heat.  Add the bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.  Add the scallions, garlic, and Cajun seasoning. Cook, stirring occasionally,  until the scallions are soft, about 2 minutes.  Add the rice, stirring until well coated. Stir the tomatoes, broth, onions, corn, and chiles into the casserole;  bring to a boil.  Remove from the heat and cover.  Bake until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice and vegetables are tender,  about 20 minutes.  Remove the cover, then sprinkle the casserole with the tomato and cheese.  Return to the oven and bake, uncovered, until the cheese melts,  about 5 minutes longer.  Serve the casserole sprinkled with the cilantro.  Yields generous 1 cup per serving. Note: There is no need to thaw the corn or onions. Simply add them to the mixture frozen (step 3).

Not My Best Decision

On Friday I decided to take a half day. My boss and his wife sponsor a team for Race For The Cure every year and as extra incentive to join, he gave all his employees a half day extra to use. So I took mine on Good Friday. Had lunch with some coworkers at Highland Bakery (which I never go to because I'm never willing to stand in it's ridiculous lines on the weekend), got a mani-pedi, did some vintage shopping, went to the craft store, did a whole lot of nothing. Saturday I got up early to clean up and move some furniture because my media center was finally delivered. It looks so good and I'm so proud of myself. It's my first real piece of furniture. I have a couch and a coffee table and some bookcases and the regular pieces but my media center says to me "you did it!" the most. Got nearly 8 inches chopped off my head - just because. Went shopping for odds and ends for the house afterwards. Got organized. Cleaned more. Went to Target, bought some movies. By Easter Sunday I was so bored I didn't know what to do with myself. Can't call Yones anymore, he lives in NYC. Missing him so much. All other friends were out of town or had plans. I've learned my lesson. Go where your friends and/or family are for Easter Sunday. Seriously lonely.

Easter Gift

Mango was going to come visit me this weekend, but since she usually drives and there is rain in the forecast, she moved it to the next weekend. She'll probably keep moving it until I go see her end of June/early July, but whatever. I can understand why she doesn't want to drive in the rain for half a day.

I decided since I can't go shopping with my mom and won't be getting an Easter basket, I would give myself a gift. I think it's time for a Le Creuset - eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I have been wanting one for so long and I'll need one to make Easter dinner. I've got my Bed Bath & Beyond coupons. Here I come!

Easter Dessert

Strawberry Shortcake

Serves 12| Hands-On Time: 20m | Total Time: 1hr 05m

Ingredients

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 3 large eggs
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup sugar, plus 3 tablespoons
• 3 pints strawberries, stemmed and sliced
• 3 cups heavy cream

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil, along with the amount of water called for by the package directions. Beat until well combined. Divide the batter between the pans. Place in oven and bake until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cakes comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Let the cakes cool for at least 10 minutes before removing them from the pans. Cool completely before assembling the shortcake.
3. Meanwhile, sprinkle 1/2 cup of the sugar over the strawberries. Set aside at room temperature until the berries release their juices, about 30 minutes. About 15 minutes before serving, combine the cream and the remaining sugar in a medium bowl and whip by hand or with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Place one of the cake layers on a serving platter. Pile on half the strawberries and half the whipped cream. Top with the remaining layer, the rest of the whipped cream, and the remaining strawberries. Serve immediately.

By Sara Neumeier,  May 2004

Easter Dinner

Recipe: Lamb shanks slowly braised in red wine, rosemary and thyme

Curtis Stone

Ingredients

• 6 1-pound lamb shanks
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 5 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 head garlic, halved crosswise
• 1 onion, coarsely chopped
• 3 celery stalks, 2 coarsely chopped and 1 finely diced
• 3 carrots, peeled, 2 coarsely chopped and 1 finely diced
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes
• 8 cups lamb stock or beef stock
• 1 1/3 cups dry red wine

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Starting at 1-inch from the narrow end of each shank, score the meat, sinew and fat around the bone (this will help release the meat from the bone as it cooks). Sprinkle the lamb shanks with salt.
Whisk the flour, paprika and cayenne pepper in a large bowl. Coat the lamb shanks thoroughly in the flour mixture. Reserve 3 tablespoons of the remaining flour mixture.
Heat 4 tablespoons of oil in a large wide Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the lamb shanks and decrease the heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes, or until the shanks are brown on all sides. Transfer the shanks to a baking sheet.
Drizzle the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in the Dutch oven and add the garlic, and coarsely chopped onions, carrots and celery. Cook for 8 minutes over medium heat, or until the vegetables begin to brown. Sprinkle the reserved 3 tablespoons of flour mixture over the vegetables and stir to coat. Using the back of a large knife, gently pound the rosemary and thyme to help release their flavors. Add the rosemary, thyme and bay leaves to the vegetable mixture. Cook for 2 minutes, or until the flour mixture is golden brown. Stir in the tomatoes, then the stock and wine.
Return the lamb shanks to the Dutch oven. Cover and braise in the oven for 3 hours, or until the lamb is tender.
Transfer the lamb shanks to a baking sheet and cover them with foil and keep warm. Place the Dutch oven over medium-high heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Carefully strain the sauce through a fine-meshed strainer and into a medium saucepan. Discard the solids from the strainer. Skim off the fat that rises to the top of the sauce.
Simmer the sauce uncovered for 15 minutes, or until reduced to 4 cups. Add the finely diced carrots and celery and simmer for 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Season the sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Place 1 lamb shank on each of 6 plates. Spoon the sauce and vegetables over the lamb and serve.

Serving Size

6 servings

Dogwood 420

Lots went on this weekend, I don't even know where to start.
Friday, the other female in the office and I left work early to walk around the Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park. She and I bought artwork from Kana Handel.  I wanted all her originals, but they were unfortunately way out of my price range. We left a couple hours later as a huge storm rolled in that night.
What they say about the rain is true - the day after is always gorgeous. Saturday I cleaned some, but was mostly lazy and only got up and showered and ate in the late afternoon so I could head to the Sweetwater 420 Festival in Candler Park with Mama C, Cray-Z and O. We met a couple of friends there and had fun listening to some cool bands. I don't remember the first one, but the second one was Arrested Development and they were AWESOME! They played all their hits and put on a fun show overall. My biggest mistake that night was eating a nasty ass gyro. When I woke up the next morning it seriously tasted like a dog shat in my mouth. I stunk. I can still kinda smell it and I've taken two showers. I've learned my lesson. Don't ever buy another gyro from a street vendor. Especially at the end of the night when you're not thinking clearly to know you need to shower and brush your teeth before going to bed. Seriously the smell made me want to vomit. I'm not sure how I made it through the night without doing it.
Today I lazed around a bit and got up only to go to the grocery store for ingredients to make a Zucchini-Mushroom-Baby Spinach Rotini casserole. I can't be the only one who's watched those damned Kraft Mozzarella with a touch of Philly Cream Cheese commercials and wanted to eat my TV. As always, I had to share my casserole or risk eating the whole thing. Shared with my favorite trio.
I guess I should document this - my insides have been bothering me again. The area under my ribcage has started to feel hard and it almost hurts to touch it and breathe in and out deeply. Hopefully diet adjustment and running more than twice a week will help.
Bleh.

Proud Moment

Last week, or maybe it was the week before, Steven text me.

"Hi :)"

Deleted it.

That's all.

Stay Classy, Phoenix

Last Saturday, my sister and I donned our finery and went out to party with the Real Housewives of Phoenix at the annual Phoenix International School's soiree. The soiree is for parents (and sisters from Atlanta) only and raises money for the school through silent and live auction of items the parents have gone out and collected from various vendors as well as items the kid's have made in their class. The theme of the evening was An Evening in South America - or something like that. The Phoenix International School is a charter school that immerses kids in either Spanish or French, so the theme made sense.

I didn't know what to expect given the way I came to find out it was cocktail attire. The invitation didn't say anything, so when we got there we spotted everything from black jeans (!) to floor length gowns (though something tells me some of these were re-purposed bridesmaid dresses given the color and fabric) to stripper platform shoes. It was good people watching at the very least.

We were seated at a table with 4 other couples, the parents of kid's in my niece's class. These parents must not get out much because they were downing the free bottles of booze at the center of the table. For the most part, our table were pretty young, not as young as my sister, but still young (my age, I'm 32). The oldest couple (in their 40's at least) was the worst. The wife was already pretty drunk by the time she sat down for dinner.  The first course came out, salad, and you could see her struggling to keep lettuce from falling off her fork and out of her mouth. If she wasn't so obnoxious, I would have felt sorry for her, but it was easier to laugh. Meh. She left right after the main course was sent to our table and had to be lifted out of her chair and practically carried out by her husband.

During the live auction portion of the evening one of the couples at our table bought some ugly ass flowerpot with all the kid's handprints on it for $675. Starting bid, $300. An ugly wooden chair decorated by the French A class was sold for $1,000. A cup and saucer set by another class was auctioned at $1,250. I wonder if any of these parents got home and thought "what the fuck did I just buy?" I mean, it all goes to their kid's school, but still. My sister tells me the event raised $40k that night and there were only about 200 people there. I think this says a lot about the money these people have to spend and given the way they weren't listening to any of the speakers and instead drowning in cheap wine, how you can't really buy class.

I drank a bit, but I wasn't drunk. I kept it classy. So did my sister, but only because she's pregnant. Just kidding, V.

Why?

I flew out to Arizona with Mango on Thursday night to visit my preggo sister and my niece. My BIL is in Florida doing military training. He'll be there for awhile; likely right up until my niece or nephew (Nora or Cody, eh), is born.
My mom and I met at the Atlanta airport, had dinner, and slept through the 4+ hour flight to Phoenix. We got in around 1am EST and took a cab out to Gilbert (another half hour) to my sister's house. She was awake and so were her dogs, Atlas (a Beauceron) and Cargo (purebred black lab). Atlas is a big, scary looking dog, but he is the sweetest boy. He is super intelligent and has the best expressions. He even smiles! Really! Cargo, or Cargo Pants, is my black pig. He looks chunky (though my sister says he is underweight) and is super lazy (like me!). They both gave my mom and I a welcome to remember. So cute.
The next morning, the ladies shopped all day. My sister had invited me to my niece's school soiree. She said to bring a dress because it was fancy. Here's the thing. My sister's "fancy" is different from my "fancy", so I brought a nice work dress thinking thats all I would need, but after talking about the event, I discovered we would need to be in cocktail attire and neither of us were prepared, hence, the shopping. My sister hates shopping and anything girly, so it was definitely interesting getting her to be patient with me while I picked out an outfit and accessories for her. Me? I just made a b-line for Banana Republic, picked up a dress and purse I liked, and was out the door in 10 minutes. The shoes took me about as long to pick out, as did the accessories. Had I left my sister to fend for herself, she wouldn't have come back with anything. She kinda reminds me of the ridiculous women of What Not To Wear. Sorry dude, but it's true.
Later that day, my sister, my niece and I headed to the pool! It was 100 beautiful degrees in Gilbert last Friday and NO humidity. Love it.
I will say I was a bit nervous about how my niece would be with me. Back in January she really didn't want anything to do with me. It wasn't until the last couple of hours I was in town that she really warmed to me, so I was nervous she'd be the same this time. I couldn't have been more wrong. On her home turf, my niece is the sweetest, most playful and articulate 2.5 year old on the planet. She's super inquisitive, asking "Why?" at least a million times a day and wanting to play pretend.
The Saturday Soiree deserves it's own post, trust me.
To Be Continued...

My Heart is Sad

This morning I took Yones to the airport. He's moving to NYC to pursue what people do when they move to NYC. It's always been a dream of his to live there and I'm so proud of him for gathering the strength and the means necessary to do it, but I am beyond sad today. He will be missed.
Yones was my first friend in Atlanta. I already knew my now ex-best friend, so he was the first real friend I made when I got here (even before really, she lived with him back when I used to visit). He's so easy to get along with and he has the best smile and laugh. We would go out nearly every night for the first couple of years I lived here. We laugh now about what was involved in going out. The thousands of dollars we must have spent on clothing and liquor back then. I was 23 when I moved here. I'll be 33 this year. We've aged together and now, instead of throwing down, we usually get together on Sundays for a flaust-fest (*flaust is a verb we created to describe doing nothing). I'll miss our Sundays together and our mid-week Fellini's and a movie.
I realize he's not dead and I can go visit (which I will), but Atlanta just won't be the same without him here.
I love you, Yones.
Suerte!

Blood Faucet

Before going over to Mama C's for dinner tonight, I decided to take a shower and since my shower looked dirty, I decided it was also time to clean it. As I was scrubbing the shower floor on all fours, I noticed the water around me turning red. It took me a second to realize I was bleeding and the red wasn't something else. Then, since I was in the shower, I tried figuring out where the hell I was bleeding from. Honestly, my first thought wasn't that I was bleeding from my nose. For some reason, I thought my eye was bleeding, so when the blood started gushing I freaked the fuck out.  I nearly had a panic attack in the shower. I closed my eyes and tried to calm down. I brought my hands to my mouth which is when I realized it wasn't my eyes, but my nose. I leaned forward to stop the bleeding - contrary to what you hear, you aren't supposed to throw your head back, if you do that, you risk the blood drying or clotting in your throat which could prevent you from breathing if you are also pinching your nose.
It stopped after a few minutes but I was pretty scared. When I was younger I used to get crazy, uncontrollable nose bleeds. I'm not talking pinch your nose and use a few tissues type of nosebleeds. I'm talking nearly an hour of bleeding and needing to use towels to sop up the blood. It was very scary for me. I eventually needed to get a blood vessel in my nose cauterized which is when a doctor inserts a silver nitrate stick up your nose (which I remember being extremely uncomfortable). I haven't had a bad nose bleed since then. That was several years ago.
Anyway. Just thought I'd share.

Vanilla Sky

Ever watched Vanilla Sky? You know that part where Tom Cruise is running down the middle of the street in Times Square, all by himself? I did that this weekend. It was so cool!

I got up early Saturday morning to make a 7:35 flight to New York City to run the half marathon on Sunday morning with my friend and old coworker, W. I have been training for awhile - not as hard as I should have, but I have. 

The course starts in Central Park. You do a full loop and a half of the park (about 8 miles) and then out into Times Square, down to the Piers on the southwest end of Manhattan and into Battery Park. It was freezing at the start line and W and I stood there for at least an hour. Once we got going we warmed up a bit, but it was still pretty cold the entire time. 

Check out where I ran!

The best part of the race was running onto 7th and into Times Square. The entire southbound lane was blocked off, so it felt like me and the city. It was awesome and really emotional. The cars to my left and the people on my right - both cheering me on. 

I will say that I ran the whole thing. I ran it very slowly, but I ran it, and I am pretty impressed with myself for it. 

W and I want to do a yearly NYC race together, maybe the half, maybe not, but it was a good experience and a great weekend!

PS. Apparently Hugh Jackman ran the race (clearly I didn't see him, I'm guessing he finished with a faster time) and I saw Lenny from the Today Show cheering people on.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

No St. Patrick's Day is complete without this gem:

parting is such sweet sorrow

so mama c has a blog and her last entry was about how her son has started to wave bye to her when she leaves for work. i think this is the sweetest thing ever. even sweeter than when he sticks his hand out to give you a high five. well yesterday he and i went for our weekly walk around the park. he loves to be outside and watch the world. such a happy little monkey. we were out for an hour and a half at least. on our way home he almost always falls asleep, but not this time. when i drop him off and go to leave i always make a point of asking him for a kiss and waving goodbye. this time he waved back! HE WAVED AT ME! i couldn't believe it. SO CUTE!
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

no pictures please

this weekend i ran the shamrock n' roll race. i did fine. i kinda don't want to talk about it because this sunday i get to do twice the amount i ran during the NYRR half marathon. super. why do i do these things to myself? i'm super nervous. i can physically do 13 miles, but i'm not sure i've mentally prepared myself and that's what running 13.1 miles mostly is - mental.
anyway, you know what i hate about races? the photographers and the after-race spam (actually, it's pretty bad beforehand, too). i try to hide my number from photographers when i go by them, but sometimes i forget and they take a picture of me i really don't want. then i get an email each day for the next year about how i need an 8x10 of myself looking the worst i've ever looked framed next to my bib number or some shit.
STOP IT.

Losing My Religion

I just got back from Mass. I've been going to Ash Wednesday Mass for several years now - on my own (or with a friend), unforced by my Mango. This is the second year in a row it made me uncomfortable. I consider myself a fairly open minded person so when the archbishop starts talking about "they hypocrites" and how I should never be like them and how awful they are, it makes me cringe. I work with several Jewish men I respect a great deal. I don't feel they are any of the things told to me in today's Mass.
For this reason, I've decided to look into other religions and see if there are any that better fit me and my spiritual perspective.

I am Catholic now because I grew up Catholic. I don't really have a strong tie to Catholicism. I go to Mass not because I necessarily adhere to all the Catholic principles but because the church, any church, is a house of worship and a place I can feel at peace with my thoughts and prayers. Maybe there is a religion that better suits me, maybe there isn't, but I'm going to find out.

Brasil 2014

Every year I take an international trip. Usually by myself. I haven't planned this year's trip, which usually happens in the late fall/early winter. I'm still not sure where I want to go. I thought maybe Germany and people keep asking me what happened to Greece, but I decided the year I go to Greece I am going to collect all of my vacation and go for a month. Anyway...

I decided 2014's trip will be to Brasil for the World Cup. I can't wait!

All You Can Drink Monday and Tuesday

I don't usually disclose what I am giving up for Lent, but this year, because I failed so miserably at my New Year's resolution, I decided I'd share my hope for Lent so that all my friends can keep me honest.

If you know me, you know how much I love Coke or happiness in a can as I like to call it. The fizz, the bubbles, the sweetness, it's just so GOOD. I have a problem, I know.

I am no longer affected by the caffeine. I could drink one right before bed and not lose a wink of sleep. Where I'm sure it does affect me and which I choose to ignore, is my overall health. I drink at least one Coke a day. A regular one, not one of those nasty diet ones. This can't be good as I've seen how much sugar goes in one can. I know its horrible, but I LOVE IT SO MUCH.

So now you know why I need to let it go for Lent. I'm doing it for The Lord.... but let's be honest, I'm doing it to see if I can do it and if I can, think how many pounds I might lose!
I mean... I am TOTALLY doing it for The Lord!

New Glasses

I love my new Ray-Ban eyeglasses, but I hate the adjustment. My eyes feel a little drunk.

Birthday Shout Out

He can't read, but his mom can. 

Happy Birthday Little Dude!

Bargain Shopping

I am not a bargain shopper. I hate TJ Maxx and Ross and Marshalls. Mostly because I am impatient, but also because when I have been in a TJs or a Ross in the past, all the clothes look old or used or both.
A couple of weeks ago, my friend forced me into a TJ Maxx to look at luggage (he is moving to NYC). I wandered over to their designer section not expecting to find anything, but I ended up finding two pairs of Joe's Jeans (the Provacateur style I wear) for less than a price of one pair at Saks (where I usually buy them)! UM. SCORE!
Since then, I have rethought my stance on bargain shopping. Last night I ended up at Nordstrom Rack after my run. I only ran a 5k but I still thought I deserved something. I wasn't finding anything and finally gave up and went into the shoe section to try on ridiculous shoes. Some glittery gold platforms from Steve Madden, some red patent stripper shoes by Guess. Then these caught my eye:

At first I thought, "AWFUL!" They look like a picnic in the park....but I kept going back to them and trying them on. They started looking really hot. I had to have them. They were only $20, if I don't end up wearing them, no big deal, but I think I am going to wear them for sure. I can guarantee you my mother hates them.

7 Mile Think

I've been preparing for the NYRR NYC Half-Marathon on March 20 (eeeee! 18 days), so yesterday I ran 7 miles. Shockingly, running that far gives you a lot of time to think. Here's what I thought:
1) I need a beach vacation. I think I'll go for my birthday (June 28). I'm considering Bermuda. I went last year with my mom for mother's day/her birthday. It was paradise. A really expensive paradise.
2) These long runs make me think I deserve a reward or a treat once I'm done. Yesterday, it was flowers. What will it be tonight? Hmmmm.
3) Men are mostly stupid.
4) I need new music, though I created a Jamiroquai station on Pandora which I listen to while I run. Some of it is slow, but most of it makes me want to dance. It's perfect.
5) While it's true that women are picky and if I wanted, I could find a boyfriend or someone to sleep with by the end of the week (because men AREN'T picky), I kinda like being picky. I've slept with too many losers not to be.
6) I really hate that John Galliano ended up being a anti-Semite. His designs for Dior are beyond words. How does someone who creates such beauty end up being so ugly? Paris Fashion Week is this week. I know the Dior collection is going to be amazing, it always is, but it doesn't seem right to support it.
7) I wonder how long I can go without replacing my cracked iPhone screen. (Second time, sigh)
8) I can't wait to pick out my new running outfit at lululemon. If you are active and haven't tried out lululemon activewear, go. NOW - it is the best fitting, comfiest on Earth!

I'm pretty sure these are the minimum I thought about.
If I think of any of others, I'll let you know, as I'm sure you are dying to know.

Bathroom Wallpaper

Check out the bathroom wallpaper I decided on:

 To see all Filthy Home wallpapers, visit filthyhome.com

Thanks Uncle Sam!

This morning I checked the balances on all my accounts - savings, checking, credit, etc. - like I do just about everyday and guess what happened this morning?

MY FEDERAL TAX REFUND WAS DEPOSITED!

HIP HIP
HOOOOOOOOOOORAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

I've had my eye on a media console from Restoration Hardware for a couple of months now, as my large TV currently sits on a scraped up end table I got on sale at World Market. The second I saw my refund had been deposited, I bought my console. YAY! I put the rest in savings. I'll use my state refund for fun. :)

The Single Life

At lunch with my coworkers today, we got on the topic of weekends. We went around the table, taking turns telling our weekend plans....I heard a lot of the same from the people who are in relationships (read: everyone but me). Baby stuff, boyfriend stuff, husband stuff, wife stuff.... I'm tired. I HAVE to do this and that... I have no time...BLAH BLAH BLAH...well then we got to me and mine sounds like this:
Hmmm. Tonight I am drinking a lot. Tomorrow I'll do a long run. Take a nap. Go out drinking again. Sunday I'll do about the same.
I could have thrown in playing solitaire or Angry Birds in there for good measure, but I figured  I wouldn't rub it in. They kinda looked at me like I'd grown a second head.
Don't get me wrong, I have laundry and dishes to do. Do I do them? Sometimes.
Whenever I get sad about being single I think about my weekends. I have no responsibilities to anyone but myself. No stupid dog that needs to go out and take a shit I have to pick up. No baby to cry through the night. No husband or boyfriend to get on my nerves.
I kinda love my life. A LOT.

Shenanigans

Two weekends ago, I went to a friend's birthday party at Trader Vic's. She wanted to have kitschy fun, so we donned our leis and had a night out on the town. I was warned that the drinks at TV's are pretty strong - but you know me, I never heed a warning. I ordered a Menehune, which is some pineapple and rum concoction named after mythical little people that come from Hawaii. My drinks even came with little people. For real! They were so cute I ordered two more. I probably should have stopped at one.

TV's isn't really a bar you can party at (though it should be), so we left and headed over to Aurum. I was already pretty drunk, but made my way to the bar and ordered a glass of champagne. I was there for a half a champagne before I pulled my latest ninja move. Lately when I get drunk, I shut down, so my single focus the moment this happens is to go home. I don't say bye, I don't announce I'm leaving, I just get up, close my tab and go. So I did.

The funniest part of the evening was stumbling out of Aurum and somehow hailing the same cab that brought me to Trader Vic's earlier that evening. He recognized me, asked me how my night was, etc. No he did not give me a discount (but he should have). I half thought about asking him to take me through the drive-thru at McDonald's, but I was too drunk to articulate anything.

If I didn't have proof of it the next morning, I would have sworn I didn't have anything to eat that night, but when I woke to a massive headache the next morning, totally naked in my bed, I wandered into the kitchen and saw all my clothes and evidence of taco-making. Cheddar cheese strands everywhere, the microwave door flung open, salsa and chips strewn across the counter. What can I say? I'm a classy drunk.

Dooce

I blog for a couple of reasons:
1) legitimately funny things happen to me that I feel need to be shared
2) to remember certain events - I have an okay memory, but by writing them down and having them in black and white, the memory stays for as long as the internet survives
3) I write out of boredom, which means I write a lot.

A co-worker of mine recently pointed me in the direction of Dooce. Just reading the About section and a few of the posts makes me wish I could be a professional blogger: http://www.dooce.com/

Halston Keeping It HOT

I don't normally feature any of the Fall RTW collections. At least with the couture lines you know you could never afford them in your wildest dreams, but they're fun to look at. I could feasibly afford one piece within one of the Fall RTW collections, but who wants a single piece? And when I say a piece, I mean a shoe (one) or a scarf.

Anyway, if you know me, you know my love for all things disco and 70s and who better personifies that then Halston? A few of my favorites from the FRTW '11 collection:

all photos available on Style.com and taken by Filippo Fior for GoRunway.com

Happy Valentine's Day

You should never wait for a specific day to tell your family and friends you love them.
Celebrate today and every day!
I love you!

Turbo Tax

I have been using Turbo Tax for at least the past five years to do my taxes. I didn't really need it right out of college since I wasn't making shit and it only took 5 minutes to fill in the appropriate boxes. If I think about it, I haven't really needed it up until 2 years ago...not because I was making shit, but because 2 years ago I bought a condo.

I just finished doing my taxes which now takes 10 minutes instead of 5 and I have to say, had I known the amounts of money I would get back as a homeowner, I would have bought a long ass time ago. If you haven't bought a place of your own, my advice is DO IT NOW! You'll thank me when you're on vacation in Aruba sipping whatever it is they drink in Aruba.

HOT

I love Valentine's Day. I DO! It's not that I have a significant other to spend it with, and let's be honest, men hate this holiday and most single gals do too, but I just love what it's about. It's a day to celebrate love.
Love for youself, your mom, your friend, your nephew, your cousin, your dog...love for anyone and everyone and anything and everything!
It's pink and red - two of my most favorite colors.
It's chocolate. Who doesn't like chocolate??
It's cards and flowers.
Cute.

I'm single again this year for Valentine's Day, but if I wasn't, I would definitely buy this:

http://www.loveisartkit.com/

My friend said she thought it was kinda gross, but I think it's SEXXXY!

YAN CAN

You Don't Know Yan

I don't have cable anymore for two reasons.
1) I refuse to give my money to Comcast  because they are THE DEVIL
2) I don't want to spend my free time watching Real Housewives or Jersey Shore - I've got better things to do (now, admittedly, if it's on, I'll watch, but I'd rather not give myself that option)

People ask me all the time "HOW DO YOU DO NOT HAVE CABLE?", "HOW DO YOU DO IT??"

Dude, it's not that hard. It's just TV. I will survive.

It's also easy to shake because I didn't have cable growing up. My parents were either too cheap or too confused about the whole thing, so I ended up watching ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS or PBS. Those were the options.

On the Today Show this morning, Martin Yan, one of my FAVORITE CHEFS WITH A TV SHOW EVERRR, was on making Phoenix & Dragon for Chinese New Year. I used to love watching Yan Can Cook on PBS. If I remember correctly, he was on after Julia Child on the weekends. I would actually make a point of watching his show. Not only did his food look amazing, but he always looked like he was having a blast and his audience really got into it too.

I mentioned Martin Yan to my friend this morning and she had no idea who he was. Am I the only one who used to watch Yan Can Cook on PBS? C'mon! There must be more Yan Fans!

Sweet Satisfaction

On Friday night, Tony called me.
Then he left a text: "Call me"
Then he called me again.
Then he text me: "I have a quick question - what are you not talking to me at all?"
Then he called me again.
Then again.

I have to say, not only do all his failed attempts at attention make him look pathetic, but they make me extremely happy, too.
He stops talking to me suddenly and doesn't communicate with me for 3 years and I'm supposed to just smile and move on, but if I attempt to do the same thing he did to me, he can't take it - and it's only been a couple of months.
Karma, Tony, she's a bitch and so am I. I told you I was done.

Pagoda

Think of the gigantic hats at the Givenchy Spring 2011 couture show as the crazy, token couture element Riccardo Tisci had to add. Otherwise, the intricacy of these dresses and the contrast of color is fantastic!

all photos courtesy of Givenchy, available on Style.com

Pass - Chanel & Elie Saab Spring 2011 Couture

Chanel is the same update of the iconic suit season after season. It's getting old.
While Elie Saab's spring 2011 couture collection is beautiful, it doesn't have the glimmer that Dior has.

Christian Dior Spring 2011 Couture

How does John Galliano do it? Every spring his designs amaze me. The Style.com review notes the imagery of Rene Gruau (phenomenal fashion illustrator) as the inspiration for the SS '11 couture collection. This may be true, but I will categorize it as as high fashion from Old Hollywood. It is simply stunning.

all photos courtesy of Yannis Vlamos for GoRunway.com, images posted to Style.com

The Last Will & Testament of Lola

So I went to the doctor today to see what is going on with my left knee. I'm pretty sure it was that one night of P90x that did it to me and not the running I do 3-4 times a week. Of course when I woke up this morning (day of my appointment), it didn't hurt as much. Of course.
Since I am a new patient of Emory Sports Medicine, I had to fill out the usual paperwork. Since I live far away from my family, I never know who to put down for my emergency contact. I would put my mom, but what good is it going to be if she's in Virginia and I'm in Atlanta in the event of an actual emergency? So I put down Mama C. I was happy with this decision. When I text her, she text me back asking me if this gives her power of attorney. Hilarious, Mama C.
But it did get me thinking...
In the event of a medical emergency, here's what I'd like to happen:
1) Take me off the machine. I don't want to lie there while you talk about me.
2) Split my belongings amongst my niece, my nephew and Mama C and Cray-Z's son
3) Cremate me and don't put me in any fancy urn. In fact, if you knock over my ashes, I don't mind if you vacuum me up.
Okay, now you are all legally bound to do what I asked.
Thank you.

Happy New Year

I work with mostly Jewish folk, so it should be no surprise I know today is TU B'SHEVAT
Google it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO MY FRIENDS, THE TREEEEEEEEEEEES!

Compare to Nyquil

I caught a cold somewhere between flying to Virginia and back. Usually I look for someone or something to blame, but there are so many people sick right now, it's kind of hard to pinpoint.

I don't know what grocery chain you frequent, but in Atlanta, top tier is Whole Foods, mid-tier is Publix and at the very bottom is Kroger. From there you have your sub-divisions of Kroger. In the 70s, the Kroger in Buckhead used to be The Limelight - a HUGE disco worthy of people like Elton John. It has since become a Kroger and Atlantans call it Disco Kroger not only because it used to house The Limelight but also because they tend to jam out to some pretty ridiculous music at all hours of the day in there. I once danced up and down the aisles during George Benson's Give Me The Night and I know someone who recently rocked out to a Julian Lennon 80s ballad. Fun, but weird.

Then there's the Crack Kroger, also known as the Murder Kroger, on Ponce in Midtown. I've been in there twice. Once to buy condoms at whoknowswheninthemorning after drinking and doing godknowswhatelse at MJQ across the street. The other time was last night...errrr....early morning.

Let me be clear that you shouldn't EVER go into the Crack Kroger. EVER.
You don't go in there sober (as evidenced by most post-midnight, drunken run to buy condoms).
You don't go in there during the day (it's kinda like a club, you don't want to see anything or anybody in the light of day - you might pass out)
and under no circumstances do you ever buy groceries there.

Crack Kroger is on Ponce which already says a lot. Ponce in Atlanta is about as disgusting as Boulevard which is to say its one of the worst streets in the A. Crackheads smoking crack down the street (I've seen this firsthand), homeless people, prostitutes...it's just filthy. Crack Kroger isn't named that just for grins, I assume that's what goes down there and I'm pretty sure it didn't get it's other name "Murder Kroger" for grins either. 

After hanging out with Yones doing dinner and a movie last night, I could feel my cold getting worse, so on my way home I was racking my brain trying to think of all the close 24 hour groceries or pharmacies. I stopped by a CVS I thought was 24 hours but it wasn't and it was already after midnight. The only other option was Kroger and I wasn't anywhere near Disco Kroger so the only option was Crack Kroger.

I thought about not going, I really did, but I knew if I bypassed Nyquil that evening I would never get to sleep and I would pay for it in the morning. Crack Kroger it was.

I walked in there and there were no less than four armed Atlanta policemen at the door. Not a good sign.
I made my way to the pharmacy aisles as quickly as I could trying not to look anyone in the eye or look at anything to long. If I did, I probably would have reconsidered my visit and left. I found my Nyquil (well, the generic anyway), went over to the self checkout and left. It took less than 3 minutes and I have never been so happy to be alive and out of a grocery store. The thing is, I wasn't the only one in there with the cops. There were people in there. Sober. Buying groceries. At midnight. And they weren't drug addicts, prostitutes or homeless (from what I could tell anyway). It was a bit like watching a talking dog. Fascinating and scary.

When I got home I thought about disinfecting the actual bottle just in case. So I did.

So the moral of the story is?
Don't EVER go into the Crack/Murder Kroger.

2011 Goals

It's my first full week back at work since before Christmas and already it feels like I've been here half my life. Blugh.
I've also been doing 2010 campaign recaps for most all of my clients. All of them end with a "2011 Goals, Strategies and Recommendations" section, so I figured I should probably do this for myself, too. It sounds better than making resolutions...

1) Goal: Meet people, Recommendation: Leave the house
Go ahead and laugh it up, but I love spending time with my existing friends and I don't enjoy dressing up and getting wasted and having one night stands like I used to.

2) Goal: Slim up, Recommendation: Work out
I am kinda already doing this. I'm running the NY Half Marathon in March so I have been training, but I don't necessarily modify my diet (at all) when I workout. That would probably help, no? I'd like to run one half marathon per quarter and another triathlon.

I don't really have a third, but since 2 recommendations on a 2011 recommendations slide is super unacceptable, I'll make one up

3) Goal: Become a Media Director, Recommendation: Sleep at work
Okay, that's not really the best recommendation, but I tend to work my ass off and with all the recommended volunteering and speaking and work I'll be doing (from my boss at review time) I probably will end up sleeping here or at least wearing the same outfit two days in a row...

Cujo and Other Curious Events

Last week I was in the great state of Virginia. Since I hadn't gone home for Christmas, I thought it would be nice to go visit my family for the same amount of time I would have gone for the holidays (just over a week). Looking back, it was way too fucking long.

I flew out on Saturday afternoon....smooth flight and I got some great pictures from the plane. Saw a TOTAL SKY RAINBOW...SO VIVID! SO INTENSE!

About a year or two ago, my parents moved out of the house I grew up in and into a bigass house in a busyass area just 10 minutes from the old house. I don't really understand why. The house has 5 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms and only my 2 parents live there. I guess for occasions when all the family comes to stay, like this past week, its good, but I mean, it's too big for just the two of them. Then again, they fight a lot, so maybe it's nice to have their own "wings"...

 Not only was I in town, but my sister who lives in Arizona was in town with my brother-in-law and my 2-year old niece. My other sister moved out of my parents house about a year ago with my nephew to the same area (literally the same development) I grew up in, but she and my nephew stayed in the bigass house while my
AZ sister and I were in town. Full house. The dogs stayed in the house too.

I have a nephew in Atlanta that isn't really a nephew, not by blood anyway, but he is like family. I know he loves me, he kinda doesn't have a choice since I see him all the time, but he is nice to me about it. My blood nephew in Virginia? I know he loves me too because he likes to spend time with me while I'm in Virginia. We took several "just to be out of the house" trips, just me and him, while I was in Virginia. My niece who lives in Arizona? Totally different story.

I didn't meet her until she was a couple of months old. I've never watched her on my own, changed any of her diapers, fed her or sang to her when she was days old. I did this and more with my nephews. I think this might be why she hates me. I spent 6 days trying to get her to like me and we finally clicked our last day. Of course.

She's the cutest little girl. Lots of personality. She's kinda tomboyish and she has lots of energy but if I ever tried to play with her or chat with her or do anything with her, she ignored me. Every morning I'd say "HI!" and she would pretend she didn't hear me and/or look away. Finally I got pissed and blurted out something similar to "Fine, CUJO! I don't like you either". Actually, I think that is exactly what I said. I know she's only two, but she was seriously pissing me off.

I'm not sure why I even called her Cujo other than it was the ugliest thing I could have called her without using profanity, but in that instant, she started to warm up to me. She looked at me and gave me her sneaky little smile as if to say "ok, I'll think about being nice to you".

Cujo and I had a great two days after that, she'd let me talk to her, we practiced her Spanish and we wrestled at bit like she does with her dad and she even kissed me bye. I don't know when I'll see her again,  but I'll certainly call her Cujo and hopefully she won't be such a bitch next time.

What?

The Year In Review

January: Came clean about sleeping with a married dude. Became deathly ill. Karma can be a bitch.
February: Lent, Fall 2010 RTW reviews, Alexander McQueen dies :(
March: Discovery of Chinese blog spammers, bowling season comes to an end and daily snapshot idea extremely short lived (2 days)
April: Tony called me for the first time in 2010 - also just quickly calculated and this would have been 9 months after he was married. Awesome.
May: Draft on Taft 10, I buy Reeboks that I've worn a handful of times, my shower gets revamped
June: My monkey-love bug-pumpkin-cutie pie is born!!! Mom's birthday/mother's day trip to Bermuda, Lola's Birthday Luau
July: Come back to the A after a long vacation in Virginia, review more Fall 2010 collections - this time couture, Seu Jorge concert, hunt for tango shoes
August: Admit that I have been dating Tony (don't know yet that he was married in September 2009)
September: I'm diagnosed with gastroparesis, find out Tony was married, fly to Argentina for a week, learn the tango, move on...
October: review 2011 SSRTW
November: lots of cooking, apparently. go home for Thanksgiving
December: find out I owe the hospital for most of the bill for my gastroparesis diagnosis, end of year review at work - very good, celebrate the new year with my favorite people

hmm..not a bad year. should probably blog more so i have more interesting things to note at the end of the year ;)