One Word Meme

Okay, I took the bait...

The answers were limited to one word and one word only. No explanations.

I had to think about some of these.

Yourself: alone
Your Lover: nonexistent
Your Hair: colorful
Your Mother: dead
Your Father: distant
Your Favorite Item: ring
Your Dream Last Night: unremarkable
Your Favorite Drink: martini
Your Dream Home: cozy
The Room You Are In: living
Your Pets: allergic
What You Are Now: tired
Who You Want to be in Ten Years: myself
What You Want to be in Ten Years: happy
What You're Not: perky
Your Best Friend: Karen
One of Your Wishlist Items: wetsuit
Your Gender: female
The Last Thing You Did: swim
What You Are Wearing: shorts
Your Favorite Weather: sunny
Your Favorite Book: Palahniuk
The Last Thing You Ate: rice
Your Life: challenging
Your Mood: ambivalent
Favorite article of clothing: tank
Favorite color: black
School: UCSB
Song: Vedder

A bit of Hamlet

"There are more things in heaven & earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Today's Cup of Tea

I just flew in from Chicago

and boy are my arms tired! heeeeeee!!!

Business and pleasure. Visiting with my friend Lorali. Great fuds! Even Pizza Hut pizza was awesome!!! If you travel to Chicagoland, a visit to Oberweis for ice cream is a must!!!

Some highlights...

Baha'i Temple at night, Wilmette, IL

Riding the 'L'.

Downtown Chicago from the Ferris Wheel at the Navy Pier

Chicago Tribune Building

Cloud Gate in Millenium Park (The Mirron Bean)

Sea Dragon at the Shedd Aquarium (Isn't it lovely?!)

Chicago Skyline at twilight from Evanston, IL (Out of battery juice darnit!!!)

Pretty colors at the Fountain Square Art Festival

bad painting (neo-expressionism)

Today while I should have been packing for my trip to Chicago I was procrastinating. I watched the movie Basquiat and was inspired by his life and his art. Basquiat gained fame with his graffiti art, then in neo-expressionism. At one point, he became friends with and collaborated with Andy Warhol. Tragically, he died in 1988 of a heroin overdose at the age of 27.

Street to Studio, The Art of Jean-Michel Basquiat is a website for kids, but its cool and interactive, and includes a bio of Basquiat, as well as examples of his art and descriptions of his artistic process.

Butterfly Factoids

Butterflies and moths make up the order Lepidoptera. The name means "scale wing," and lepidopteran wings are covered with microscopic scales, which are iridescent and brightly colored.

Primitive lepidopterans retain functional chewing mouthparts as adults, but more derived ones have partially or completely lost the mandibles and developed a long proboscis for drinking nectar from flowers.

Butterflies have taste sensors that are located in the feet, and by standing on their food, they can taste it!

The top butterfly flight speed is 12 miles per hour.

Monarch butterflies journey from the Great Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico, a distance of about 2,000 miles, and return to the north again in the spring.

Butterflies cannot fly if their body temperature is less than 86 degrees.

Antarctica is the only continent on which no Lepidoptera have been found.

There are about 24,000 species of butterflies. The moths are even more numerous: about 140,000 species of them were counted all over the world.

People eat insects – called "Entomophagy" (people eating bugs) – it has been practiced for centuries throughout Africa, Australia, Asia, the Middle East, and North, Central and South America. Why? Because many bugs are both protein-rich and good sources of vitamins, minerals and fats.

Butterflies and insects have their skeletons on the outside of their bodies, called the exoskeleton. This protects the insect and keeps water inside their bodies so they don’t dry out.

All butterflies have six legs and feet. In some species such as the monarch, the front pair of legs remains tucked up under the body most of the time, and are difficult to see.

Information from University of California Museum Paleontology and The Butterfly Site

I took this photo at Ridge during the bridal shower. Isn't it nice when nature cooperates?

Underwear Man Update!

Unfortunately for all my fellow bloggers I will not have the opportunity to post a picture of Underwear Man on my blog. Upon coming home from running with the ladies this morning, I saw a U-haul van in the driveway. Parked in front of Underwear Man's apartment. He has moved OUT. Off to torture a new neighbor with his loud phone calls and peek-a-boo underclothing.


Try not to cry from the disappointment. I will toast the Saint of Small Favors with a nice glass of Zin.

Pull Buoys and Other Swimming Accoutrements

So, Thursday during swim class I TOTALLY lucked out!!! We practiced diving again in the dive well and because of that, we had a lifeguard (Marlon, more on that soon!) help those who don't swim very well or are intimidated by deep water get to the side of the pool after diving. During warm-up I had asked him to watch my stroke and afterwards, he said "lets work on it at the end of class."

I got the "learn how to swim the freestyle stroke in 60 seconds or less" lesson! I used the pull buoy (awkward, "controlled drowning?") and practiced slowing down, pointing my nose to the bottom, breathing every 3rd stroke, and leeennnnggggtttthhhhiiiinnnngggg my stroke until I reduced the number of strokes necessary in a 25 yard length from 26 to 22!!!!!!

Yahooo!

Marlon: "You're not breathing as hard as you were."
Phin: "Yeah!"
Marlon: "You're not as tired as you were."
Phin: "Heeeey, yeah!"

Cah-lick!!!

Funny side note: We had rookie life guards train with us a couple of weeks ago. In my group was "Marina."
Life guard support for diving. That was "Marlon."
My nickname is "Phin."

Is that synchronicity? I am a Pisces too. All signs point to learning how to swim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Art with Sis!

Today, my friend Sis and I are hanging out. Its sort of a celebration of her 10th birthday. I picked her up, we went to lunch at Sara's Kitchen (breakfast, yum!) and then to my house to swim and art & craft. I showed her some postings on Illustration Friday where the theme this week is "Jungle." We decided that would be a great stepping off point for our art today.

Above are the results of our interpretations of the theme in watercolor. Sis started right away on her piece. (No inner critic!) I was stuck and she suggested that there was more than one type of jungle, African, Tropical, Chinese jungles, that include bamboo. She's really learning a lot in school!!! I am always amazed at how smart she is.

Can you guess who's painting is whose?

There are some things you just don't want to see!

I just got home from the luncheon, and lo and behold was my neighbor, pacing in the carport area, talking VERY LOUDLY on his cell phone, in his FREAKING UNDERWEAR.

First of all, dude, I don't want to hear your conversation. Second of all, I DO NOT and I repeate DO NOT, want to see your hairy body in your seriously worn out, see-thru, white boxer shorts. Go in the house!!!

I was so tempted to take a picture and post it here since dude obviously has no problem being exposed to the public, but I couldn't do it surreptitiously. In the end, I should have done it, because I doubt he would care anyway.

Clean Kitchen, Calm Mind?

Its already been established that my forté is not domestic engineering. I'm not exactly sure what happened during the evening, but my kitchen is immaculate!

I needed to bake brownies for the luncheon that the running ladies and I are throwing tomorrow at Ridge Vineyards in celebration of Aidymar's upcoming nuptials. The sink, however, was full of dishes, the floor covered in muck, and I couldn't concentrate on baking with the kitchen such a disaster. The clutter and mess were making me really anxious.

I did all the dishes, I bleached the sink and counters, I swiffered, I got on my hands and knees with a rag and scrubbed the floor. (You just cannot do justice to a floor unless you use a lot of elbow grease.) While I was there, I noticed the mess on the floorboards and the walls. They were cleaned too. The stove and the fridge are sparkling! Ragged would be so proud! (I thot of you the entire time! You were inspiration! : .)

Kitchen - clean, brownies - baked, experience - blogged, big ole chocolate covered butt on couch - CHECK!!!

Yes, you can have the recipe...

Barbara's Killer Brownies (From the back of Nestle's Unsweetened Chocolate)

3/4 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 ouncese unsweetened chocolate
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 ounces chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped nuts (I omitted these)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8X8 inch pan.
2. Mix flour and salt in a bowl, set aside.
3. Melt chocolate and butter or margarine in the top of a double boiler or in a heavy saucepan over low heat. Set aside and cool to room temperature.
4. Combine eggs, sugar and vanilla extract in a large bowl.
5 . Fold in chocolate and butter or margarine.
6. Gradually stir in flour and salt mixture.
7. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.
8. Pour into greased 8X8 inch pan.
8a. Lick the spoon & bowl. (Unless you have a thing about raw eggs.)
9. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes.
10. Cool in pan on rack.
11. Cut into squares and
Enjoy!

Just a Doodle

Rosé inspired, while pondering Illustration Friday's topic, Self-Portrait.

Sometimes I look in the mirror and only see a broken heart. Those moments protected by barbed strands of humor, sarcasm, stanoffishness and indifference.

Breathe

I wish I was always so composed.

Pencil, Caran D'Ache Neocolor II's and a little bit of fingerpainting.

Submitted to Illustration Friday - Theme: Self-Portrait

Gyne-Fetti!!!

Disclaimer: Some material may not be suitable for all readers. I apologize in advance if I offend your tender sensibilities : .)


You're still reading...Okaaaaay, here we go!

MadRetz and I were having an email conversation about a fellow blogger...

M: She’s so cute sometimes, and she throws me off. Like, the self-tanner…I took her as the, it-doesn’t-matter type of gal…maybe because she's older?

I did always wonder how, hypothetically speaking that is, I would be able to shave my legs before giving birth. Cuz who wants prickly legs in their face when they’re elbow deep in your vaginal canal?

P: OMG!!!!!!!!!!! ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Ohmygosh, rolling on the floor laughing my ass off!!!)

Ummm, I think you'll have so many other things to worry about.

I did have that moment myself b/4 my gynecologist appointment last week, you know, toilet paper flecks?

Call it gyne-fetti!!!

M: Right back at ya babe!!

ROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!

Gyne-fetti!!! LOVE that!

P: Yeah, too bad that's the ONLY celebration going on down there!!! hahahahha!!!

Well, you make your own fun, huh?!

LOL!!!

M: I’m about to pee my pants!

(Wouldn’t ____ be surprised that all of this is going on w/ her name in the subject line?)

This whole conversation should be done in, like, stand up or something!

(P: Or on my blog... : .)

Tell me what you really think!!!

Yesterday, I was thinking about a specific male who shall remain nameless. Someone who hasn't bothered to communicate with me lately. I was feeling neglected, frustrated, mad. I looked down at my printer and saw this...It used to say "CREATE." I lost the "C" and two "E's" flipping a towel across the cover.

Yep, I agree : .)

(By the way - He gave me the skull sticker. There's no irony here, nope.)

A Mini Break

A favorite way to spend a long weekend, getting in a bunch of exercise.

On Saturday I did the usual long run with the ladies. I finished 8 miles at a 9:45 minute/mile pace. [pat, pat] I haven't run faster than a 10 or 11 minute pace so far this year, I'm quite proud of myself.

Sunday I took step class taught by my girlfriend. Her routine is choreographically, as well as physically challenging and she's known to play good tunes. Gotta love movement and music!

Today was a gorgeously sunny day and with the wind rushing by my ears, I took Monchichi out for her first ride. No more will she sit patiently in the corner of the living room, there's no turning back now, she's had a taste of the road.

Its a different experience, riding...Being on a a pedal driven, human-powered vehicle, I'm expending a bit less effort than running. More time to contemplate the scenery and listen and hear what's going on around me. A few chuckles from the road...

The little boy on a walk with his brother and parents said, " I don't want to get out of the way of the bicycles" (Little sassy pants!), the man reading while he was jogging (All that bouncing would make me nauseous) and the dog trotting after his owner, carrying his leash in his mouth (Way to take yourself for a walk, Puppy!), last of all, the happy guy, pacing behind me, greeting absolutely EVERYONE on the trail. (Okay, it must be the endorphins, no one is that perky that early in the morning!!!)

A suggestion for multi-use trail compadres...Lets share the trail! Peds, we know you have the right-of-way. We are willing to ride around you. Help the riders out. Please pay attention!!! You're not the only person on the trail. Don't hoard the entire trail. Don't stop in the middle of the road. If you want to look at the squirrels and the birds, please step off to the side. Also, look both ways before you step back on the trail. Its a lot easier for you to stop and start than a bicycle rider. I think we can all get along and enjoy the trail with a little effort.

The area beneath my sit bones and my calves are sore (I did wear padded biking shorts), AND my nose ran, A LOT!!! Overall it was such a good time.

(Today wasn't just a day off either...It was a day for honoring the Soldiers who have fought and died for our country. Thank you for your bravery and courage, and making the supreme sacrifice in protecting our freedom. You have a special place in all of our hearts.)

Cutesie Tootsies

Its that time of year again. I'm breaking out the sandals. That means a pedicure was in order. I just wanted the icky thick winter skin removed, and, and all those calluses from running. Nope, I don't care about french pedicures, cute flowers and rhinestones, sheesh! Its so girlie!

Really, I don't... : .)

100% Cotton

I'm not known for my abilities as a domestic goddess. One task that I'm notoriously lax in is folding laundry. I usually have a gigantic pile of clothes from which I pull the daily wearables, work clothes, running clothes, socks, jackets, etc...Well, today I decided to do something about it and I folded every last piece of clothing that was in the baskets in my bedroom. As I was putting items away, I notice the stack of t-shirts in the corner of the closet, mostly comprised of the shirts I received for running in races.

So, this is my collection of running t-shirts. I thought I'd share. Its just so completely excessive. This isn't even all of 'em. I'm also wearing one. When I moved a couple of years ago, I went minimalist and got rid of part of my collection. Yep, I had oh so many more. Really now, just how many t-shirts do I think I need?!

I heard that you receive a Tiffany's bracelet placed on your wrist by a gorgeous man in a tux upon finishing the Nike Women's Marathon. I think I'd like that more than a t-shirt!!!

My favorites...Of course, my BSIM shirt (the one I'm wearing in the Big Sur International Marathon Happy Dance avatar photograph on this very blog), but I also dearly love the Christmas Relay shirt in the top left corner, the one with the skinny Santa and his hairy legs, in the running gear.

Recent Acquisition

I picked up my newest toy today, a 2006 Fuji Tahoe Comp mountain bike. (For those who are interested you can view the specs at Fuji Bikes.) I couldn't exactly participate in a triathlon without having a bike to ride, could I? I think I may be in love!!! I really don't like to be attached to material items, but boy oh boy!!! I can't wait to hit the trails, navigate rocks, ruts, sand, and be barrelling down hills at top speed, WHEEEEEEE!!!

Nate at Performance Bike in Mountain View was so helpful, disscussing sizes, components, tire types, etc...He let me try out multiple bikes and almost convinced me that I wanted a road bike, (yes, there is a difference) but I truly see myself doing trails more than riding on the road. I may be putting myself at a disadvantage during the tri, riding a mountain bike instead or a road bike, but I wanted something I would ride after I trained for the event.

Of course, as always with a purchase of this magnitude, I had that moment of panic, of buyer's remorse, but this isn't as frivolous a purchase as that $400.00 handmade/hand-dyed sweater I bought at an art festival last summer. Yes, the one that the artist promised wouldn't shrink. I will so ride this bike more than I will wear that now itty-bitty sweater.

I think I'll name my new friend Monchichi, which means monkey in Japanese.

Chaos Theory

Wikipedia sez:

In mathematics and physics, chaos theory describes the behavior of certain nonlinear dynamical systems that under certain conditions exhibit a phenomenon known as chaos. Chaos appears to be random, and the word suggests disorder, however there is underlying order and determinism. Every action, or cause, produces a reaction, or effect, and every reaction, in turn, becomes the cause of subsequent reactions.

Life these days seems really chaotic. I haven't had time for anything except work and a few workouts to maintain my sanity. Life seems all about the "no" right now. I don't feel like I have control over anything. However, as noted above, there is underlying order and determinism in chaos and actions produce reactions, so that must be a sign. Maybe my reactions are creating the situations that I'm in now. I'll have to ruminate on that for awhile.

Many thanks to my blogger friends who have checked in on me! I appreciate it!!!

Photo courtesy of http://www.free-nature-animal-butterfly-wallpaper.com/wallpapers/butterfly5.jpg">