Actual magnet on my fridge.

Decaf is not the same. I have been trying to ease my guilt about bringing a caffeine addicted child into the world, by making the switch to decaf. Results are not the same. I am a Starbucks snob, and I only buy Starbucks brand make at home, but with my recent experiments in half caff and decaf, it is not so flavor in rich. Now, my problem may even stem from the fact that I don't usually buy house blend to begin with, which is categorized as MEDIUM. My favorite caffeine rich blend is Komodo Dragon, which is categorized as BOLD. I tried mixing the two with lackluster results. I am still playing with the ratios and it is getting better, also getting increasingly more caffeinated. What can you do, does a cheetah change its spots?

Mmmm

Sausage. I can't get enough. When I'm not eating it, I'm thinking about eating it. So I'll go ahead and add it to my list of favorite pregnancy foods. I especially love the flavored links like Maple or Brown Sugar, yum! I feel as if I have blogged about sausage before... strange.

The Return of Music

I drive a used car. Used, abused, she's a tired old thing. The stereo, for instance, is very touchy... or it used to be. These days it doesn't even play a practically brand new CD. This can get very frustrating and lead to resign oneself to the radio, and a constant stream of Nirvana. (Hey people, I enjoy Nirvana as much as the next 90s kid, but seriously the radio stations around here could easily ruin it for me.)
Well, I think another sad result of this has been my disinterest in music in general. We got the newish Killers CD which I love, but I can't play it. I tried my luck with a burnt copy of the Kings of Leon, which is the only band I have gotten really excited about getting into lately, and it worked for about a day, then no such luck. Then I grabbed a CD of a band Eric and I were able to see in concert last year, Grand Ole Party, and miracle of miracles, it works... mostly. Still, I realized how much I have missed really digging on a good CD. This group is one that I highly recommend, especially if you like groups like the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Really strong lead female voice, who also is the drummer for the band. I would go as far to say they are pretty kick ass. I am only surprised they have not gotten more well known by now. So, check them out, you won't be disappointed.
Oh, and as far as the stereo... got it covered. Eric and I have realized the severity of the situation and are getting a new CD player installed promptly. There are just certain things you can only put up with for so long.

Ding Ding Ding Goes the Trolley...

It has come to my attention that I indeed have fallen off the blogger train. I didn't think to much of it at first realization, but the past couple of days I decided that I would renew my ticket. One friend in particular, reminded me of how hilarious I can be, and I said, "You're right. Why should I deprive others of my slick, witty commentary on life." So, we'll see how this goes for a while. I mean, it's not completely unusual, since I've blogged for a bit 'o years now, and I tend to go through phases of writing a lot and then not at all. Wish me luck!

Sooo.... bout the snow... umm.. ya.. guess I got my wish. Does that mean if I will for Spring, it too will come in full force?

Let it snow...

So far I am a little bit underwhelmed by the supposed snow storm. I mean, maybe I should be just grateful for the white dusting we've received. I am. Yet, is it too much to ask for like a couple of feet of snow? Okay maybe that's a little crazy thinking, considering we live in a valley, but I want to go sledding. Badly. I want to see the yard in a blanket of soft plushy snow. I want to make snow angels, and snow men, and torture my dog by burying her in snow. Too much to ask? I think not.

My love's got me behavin' so crazy right now

I've been on hiatus. I've been pregnant. Oh, and still am. This whole first trimester thing has kicked my ever growing behind. I've been sick a ton, no energy, no motivation, cranky, and let's not even talk about what goes on during bathroom time. Frankly, I am over it. Luckily for me I have officially been in that hallowed 2nd trimester for a full week now. Yay me, right? Wrong. Everyone keeps saying how much better I should be feeling, and yet I still puke routinely every morning. I don't have a rush of energy, and am as cantankerous as ever, and my food aversions are worse than ever. If one more person tells me how much better I am feeling, I may just tell them where to stick it. ....See, crazy and cranky as ever. But, I am still a little hopeful, that soon I will be able to eat again, and maybe my time is just slow to come. Ah well. On the upside, I wrote a post! No longer on hiatus... I hope.

I am craving deviled eggs something fierce!! I am going to make them tomorrow and it will be awesome... you'll see.

Memories... like the corners of my mind

Man, I really miss running. Since being pregnant, I've exercised like once. I feel icky, and unhealthy. And, I know, Charlotte's doctor in Sex and the City said it was okay for her to run. Well, A: it's a movie, and B: she (the character) had always been a runner, as I have just recently taken up the habit. It's not like I have that much energy anyways, I just miss it, and I loved all the endorphins. Plus, I was just starting to lose weight, now I'll be gaining it. Boo-Hoo me... I think I'll go console myself with my good friends Ben & Jerry.

My animals are driving me bonkers!!

Ever since I became pregnant, (oh yeah, surprise!!) my cat Jasmine, and dog Rosco have become increasingly needy. They will not let me go to the bathroom without their presence, and I go to the bathroom rather frequently these days. Everywhere I go, there they are, and all over me, it's like I'm freakn' Ace Ventura or something. And Rosco's crazy nighttime behavior has been getting back to the crazy-super-paranoid dog that we dealt with in the apartment. How would you like crazy eyes starring at you, jumping on your bed, and the constant smacking of dog mouth/saliva hour after hour in the middle of the night. I need my sleep people, it's making me a little batty.

It's been a very hectic couple of weeks. I'm afraid the chaos is not completely through, but I now can see a small shimmering light at the end of a very long tunnel.

Tabitha's Salon Takeover

So I finally started through the 5 or so episodes of this show that I had recorded on my DVR. I was not really that excited about this show, even though it's my profession, mainly because I thought the host, Tabitha, was annoying and kind of a giant Biotch. Yet, I really, really dig it. I think she has so many valid points, and as she probably acts out a little extremely for the show, but she still is telling it like it is, cutting through the bullshit, and giving these salons the tools they need to survive. It inspires me to do better, and be better as a hairstylist, and contribute as much as I can to the success of the salon I work in, and my own career. I seriously feel if she came to our salon, things may get shook up, and some people would get upset, but in the end there is always room for improvement, and I believe she would bring that. I don't think she is some magical hair wizard, that she and only she could fix these salon problems. But, it's all about bringing in an observant outsider with some experience to help a business help themselves. Kind of like a therapist. So my peeps, my recommendation is a big thumbs up for this show, even if you're not in this industry, because it still may inspire you to do better in your own jobs.

Let them eat cake...

I stumbled upon Marie Antoinette on one of the movies channels this evening. It was already about half-way through, and I could not stop myself from watching it for a bit. I absolutely love this movie. Seriously, I just watched it again the other day, and I enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time, and probably even a little more. The clothes, shoes, food, colors, and hair is like a giant bowl of candy. (I love candy!!) I had a hard time tearing myself away, but I needed to head for bedy-bye. I also realized I must must must go to a masked ball. Masquerade ball?? Anyway, I am on a quest now to find such an event, so if anyone out there knows of one, drop me a note. For now I will only dream up the perfect outfit for such an occasion, and dream of frills and ruffles and the perfect C-curl. Oh ya, and did I mention that Kirsten Dunst was amazing in this role, I could not picture anyone else, it was pitch-perfect!

On a side note: When I was searching for the perfect picture for this post, I came across a review of the film when the critic said "Coppola lacks the committed, demented genius Baz Luhrmann brought to Moulin Rouge, and when Marie Antoinette isn't being crazy and decadent it becomes a bit too pretty, proper and trivial for my taste."-- Andrew O'Hehir, SALON, May 24, 2006

Ummm, sorry, but Moulin Rouge sucked an egg... a big one... like an emu egg. Oh and I'm not sorry, because as much as some critics were not big fans of this movie, plenty of, you know smart and sophisticated people could appreciate it's crazy, decadent, pretty, and proper portrayal of a woman placed into privilege and power, when she may not have chose it for herself.

If you want to read another rave review on this movie, check this out: THE BACK ROW MANIFESTO: http://blogs.indiewire.com/twhalliii/archives/011359.html

I Can't Move...

I cannot believe how sore I have been since moving. I've done this a few times in the not so recent past, but I don't remember not being able to walk correctly for two days after. It's totally screwing my running schedule as well, and seeing as Pre-(10k) is next weekend, I am more than a little freaked out. On the upside, I'm pretty sure that by the time my calves actually heal, they will look like this.

Moving!!!!!!!!

So... yay! We are finally moving into a house in NE Portland. I can't wait. I'm not even that bummed about the physical labor that lies ahead, because I'm so absolutely excited about moving into a rad house. And, don't worry Lucas, I'll save a lot of big and heavy stuff for you.

I'm stalling for time, so I don't have to go for a run.

It's hot.

Got to find and actually put on running clothes.

I'm still enjoying the cuteness of my current outfit, (might have just outdone myself today).

It's hot.

ummmmm......

I busy... you know, writing. Duh.

Aaaannnndddd I'm out.

Much cooler than I, and she's not even in high school yet...

Meet Tavi. She is too freakin' fun. Check out her blog:
http://tavi-thenewgirlintown.blogspot.com/

Rods and Coins

I rocked out a grey and white perm today. Let me tell you, I have not forgot how, and I was proud of my little silver lady, or silver fox, after I was done with her. She loved it!! Yet no tip, what gives? Hey, I know how it works, but even a handful of change is better than nada, you know? Really it's the thought that counts, like "Hey, you did a good job, here's a couple of rolled packages of nickles". Ah well, maybe next time.

Boop

I have creativity bottled up inside, I promise. Just wait one more second...