Boyah! 4 miles biotches!! Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh. Look at me go with my bad self.

Fly like an Eagle, shyah, Fly like Michael Phelps

I have been doing a very good job so far, watching the Olympics. I even watch its days later, after I may or may not actually know the outcome. And holy crap the swimming has ruled! I want to glide through the water like Michael Phelps. He is a swimming machine. A killer, I mean a killer.
This morning I decided to test my skills, in our grimey, cloudy apartment complex pool. At first the water was cold, unyielding to my advances. Then, little by little we were working together, I was whooshing through the water with the greatest of ease, and cutting through it's currents with my razor sharp strokes, really it had no choice but to back down and allow me to grace through its curves. Then, when I was crossing the pool doing the butterfly, and envisioning myself propelling through the water just like Phelps, that's when it happened. The pool, bitch slapped me across the face for being so cocky. I propelled myself, face first, into the brick wall of the pool's edge. My teeth jammed up against my bottom lip as it was colliding with the cold hard surface. Instantly I was in shock. I couldn't believe I had reached the end of the pool already, what the heck happened? Then a puckered lip smile crept across my face, because I couldn't believe how fast I had reached the end of the pool already.

It's official: It's hotter than a crotch out here.

Fears, phobias, and uh-ohs

I'm scared of the doctor. And the dentist. And IVs. The problem is, that because of our lapse in insurance and my general laziness, I have not been to regular check-ups for a very embarrassingly long amount of time. Now that we have insurance, I know I just need to suck it up and make the needed appointments.
But, I feel alright, and if it's not broke...
Alas, I know I have to be a grown-up and just get over my fears, and that's just the problem, being a grown-up has not a lot to do with it. I have way more fears and phobias now, than I did when I was younger. That just sucks, when did I lose my cojones?
Oh, and the uh-ohs... they happen when I finally go to these appointments and find out that I have something wrong with me because I have not keep up with a good regime of check-ups.

Here comes the bride---- Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!

I think the term Bridezilla is overused. I've worked with my fair share of brides and bridesmaids and mother of the brides this season (the bridal season), and for the most part, they have all been pretty chill. Maybe I'm just lucky, maybe it's Portland, but I find it refreshing, and not so at the same time. Bridezilla has been overblown to give all women that are trying to create a beautiful day, that of their wedding day, a bad name. But, not all women are this way (note: some women are in fact BRIDEZILLAS, they do exist.......... not temping the universe or anything, but they are less frequent perhaps than "people" may lead you to believe. Kick back brides, low maintance, easy going brides may not have the flashy stories, or the crazy mothers, but they are far better company, and ladies, let me just say, Thanks. Thanks for letting us stylists do what we do, create without drama, judgement, or tears (unless that of speechless impressment).

SNL, You Rock My World!

I'd like to give a shout-out to the crew and writers of SNL this season. It has been one of those shows that I look forward to with rewarded anticipation. A good lot of their sketches have been exceptionally hilarious this year. It's impressive that I'm more excited to see what new comedy the cast will dole out, rather than who's guest hosting or playing the musical sets. Now, that is not to say they haven't had some genius hosts (ie cutie pututie Shia LaBeouf and classic Christopher Walken) and some kick-ass bands (My Morning Jacket and Vampire Weekend), they have been pretty spot-on in that arena as well. Some stand out cast members this year that I can't get enough of would include, Kristen Wiig, Amy Poehler, (ladies really bringing it this year), as well as Bill Hader and Jason Sudeikis. Working in a salon I hear many tidbits of conversation happening, and let me just say that I hear more quotes and impressions of Kristen Wiig sketches than anyone. Kristen Wiig, looks like your rockn' our world especially hard. The only disappointment to speak of would be that the show is not on more often. That's not a bad criticism to have, ya know?

READY? It's running time.

Eric and I have finally committed to running the Prefontaine 10k run in Coos Bay. It has only been a couple of weeks into training, but I already feel quite a difference in my overall health. The actual running has been rather strenuous, but how I'm feeling and looking now, is well worth it. It's amazing how much better I eat when I actually pay a little bit of attention. I am excited to see my progression, and a little nervous about how I will perform the day of the race... yet I am optimistic. We have quite a few friends committed to this adventure, but any others interested are encouraged to join us!

YouTube Addiction

I think I see how people get addicted to YouTube. Check out these videos:

Coast Trip

Eric and I went to Lincoln City a couple of weeks back for an impromptu mini-vacation. It was amazing, just what we needed. I relaxed, ate amazing seafood (Pier 101, get the steamer clams, best I've ever had), played in the freezing Pacific Ocean, relaxed, tortured Rosco by dragging her into the Pacific Ocean, relaxed, and dropped some dough at the old-time candy store. I can't wait to go back.

Thrift Store mania!!!!!!

Holy man, I have put some hurt on the Thrift Stores I like to frequent. I happened to stop by one of them today with my sisterlaw (that's short for sister-in-law) to check out some stuff, and realized to my horror, that I have become one of their creepy regulars. Truth be told, I'm not so horrified, I love, love, love finding a good deal. I'm pretty sure it's a sickness. But, come on people, you know I look good. And, I only spent.... well less than you I'm sure. Now, I know some of you may be haters, but I pull off some sweet 80s shit, now and again, come on, amid it. My good friend Ginger was visiting recently, and we may be the only two people alive that can do some down and dirty thrift store shopping for like 4 hours. Seriously, it was like 4 hours in one place. Then, we thought we'd have another go at it the very next day at a different place. I scored, scored, scored. Don't be jealous, maybe one day, you too may come along.

Mmmm I want some sausage, don't you?

BE KIND PLEASE REWIND

There may be something slightly more romantic about VHS tapes vs DVDs. Back in the day I had quite the collection of VHS movies I would proudly display on a shoe rack (I know what you thinking, "You had extra shoe storage?". No, not quite, more like a very messy room.) I was proud of the collection I had built up, and felt like the choices I made in movie watching said a lot about my personality. Some of you may have not known me before Eric claims to have turned me on to "good movies", but if he's honest he'll tell you I always had good taste in movies. Maybe it's just the nostagia I feel because it reminds me of a different time, the way people collect records or LPs. I also would actually watch the movies I owned, over and over, proving the quality at which I chose them. I used to get so geeked up when Blockbuster (where I worked then) would do a big PRP (prev. rented product) pull, and I could get old, campy comedies for $2.99. Since DVD, I just don't feel that same excitement about buying movies. I also don't watch my DVDs nearly as often, instead I just watch crappy TV, and what kind of replacement is that? Maybe I'm just not buying the same movies, with the same fun, campy quality as before. Maybe now I own "good movies" that I just don't enjoy as much (thanks a lot Eric);)

Ingrid Michaelson

Check out her latest CD, Girls and Boys. Me likey. It's a little on the pop-E/mainstream side, as most of you will be familiar with the single The Way I Am, but still a fun listen, especailly for the ladies... or just Malinda (most likey the only lady that may read this)

That's the way the ball bounces...

With the recent onset of sunny weather, I have been able to play a bit of tennis. I realized that A: I am out of shape. B: My dog is very well behaved, and loves a good roll in the grass. C: I am actually not as bad as I thought I was. D: I am very competitive and could probably keep playing until I pass out or puke (either of which may not take very long considering A). See ya on the court!

Classics... finally I agree.

Eric and I recently watched the movie Swing Time, as a part of Eric's quest to conquer the AFI's top 100 movies. I really enjoyed this movie. Finally I watched a film that lived up to all the hype. Sorry, but some of these so called classics, and best movies ever made, to me, just don't seem to make the grade. I'm really happy to find a film that I can add to my favorite classic movies list. It is not very often that I see a movie that to me, really is a classic, one that I would want to watch over and over again. Ginger Rogers is about one of the most fabulous leading ladies I've watched in a long time. Not only is she extremely cute, she has a fierce personality and dance moves that will knock your socks off. I wasn't so sure about Fred Astaire being a leading man in the beginning of this movie, as he does not possess that usual "look" that leading men seem to have, but by the end of the movie I would've married the guy. His dance solo toward the end of the movie is crazy good. This is a fun romantic musical that I would recommend to anyone. Also some recommends off my fav. classics list, (in case anyone was wondering) would be: Auntie Mame (also fav. movie of all time), Pillow Talk, Breakfast at Tiffany's, North by Northwest, An Affair to Remember, and Charade.

Rosco and Jasmine's acting debut... check it out!

Amber... this is your life

Do you ever feel like you living someone else's life? I've said a couple of times recently that I feel as if I am an actor in my own life, just playing a part... and I'm not a very good actor. I play different roles, depending on what I'm doing, where I am, sometimes playing the part depending on who someone else needs me to be, and only recognizing a small version of myself. It's like I'm watching myself and going really? that's who you decided to be today? It's like my writing, sometimes I feel I am not able to convey what I am trying to say, who I really am, and who I want to be. The only time I truly feel myself is around my husband, dog, cat, and some family and some friends... sometimes. Maybe I'm just having a version of an early mid-life crisis. I do have my 10yr reunion this year, and it's a mile-marker, a reminder of where you thought you would be at this time in life, and where you currently sit. This is not to say I'm not happy with my life, I am lucky in life where others never will be. But, it's all about evaluating, and setting new goals for myself, and then I can get closer to being the true me and not a B version actor of me.

Scams... and Steve-O?

I was logging into myspace.com when I saw an ad, an obvious scam (see I am getting better at detecting them). It was a contest to "party" with Steve-O, of the show Jackass. Not to bust their bubble of luring people into their "sweepstakes", but Steve-O is currently in rehab (I know, real shocker). Seems recently Johnny Knoxville, and other concerned friends of the wildboy forcibly removed him from his home and took him to a hospital where he was placed under a 5150 hold (also what Brittney Spears went under). Basically he was held in a mental ward, or "loony bin" as Steve-O refers to on his website, steveo.com, and the hold means they thought he could be a danger to himself. He is currently on the long and hard road of rehab, and blogs about his experience on his website. Unfortunately no one has let the nice people of partywithastar.com know this. Hopefully, myspace will at least wise up on this fact and pull the ad. And, as jaded as I get, and surprised I am not, I still hope this guy gets better. It seems like he was in pretty deep and will have a very, very difficult time becoming well, but my best wishes to him.

Making the most out of Easter

I am in the midst of a holiday weekend, Easter Weekend to be exact. You know, Jesus, the Bunny, the eggs, whichever way you may celebrate. I choose to celebrate them all. Eric and I actually have most of these days off together, which has not happened in a very long time. Yet, all those friends and family we usually spend time with on the weekends have left us high and dry... or they are just out of town. Anywho, I decided that we were going to make the most out of the holiday. So far, I have made the most amazing cupcakes ever to be seen or tasted by humans. I have also colored two dozen, yup, that's twenty four eggs, with the help of my good friend Karolyn (see I do have other friends) and even Eric decorated a few. Oh, don't worry, I didn't forget about Jesus. Eric and I are going to church tomorrow, for the first time in a very, very long time. We aren't heathens after all.

I'm getting so freakn' old

So, I have some sort of a crook or a kink in my neck/shoulder/back. I can't actually turned my head like a normal person, I am reduced to the swivel. I've been noticing some stiffness lately, that I mostly attribute to my "ladies", and maybe my job. But, I had a full-blown back attack last night. I was trying to catch those ever elusive Zzzz and could not for the life of me find a comfortable position. Not even comfortable really, more like any sort of way I could just be without freaking unbelievable pain. I mean, not to sound like a wimp here, but I couldn't even lay down. I had to walk around the apartment like a zombie waiting for the Advil to take affect. So, so much for being productive, I spent the day trying not to move... it was awesome. I feel like my body is ready to give way at the ripe old age of 27. Ridiculous.