A note to my local friends

Don't be offended if, over the next few weeks, I insist that you drive when we go places. It's not that I'm emotionally scarred by years of driving with my mother sitting in the passenger seat with a death grip on the door handle letting out sharp gasps and hisses every few seconds*, it's just that I spilled a cup full of milk in my car and it's probably going to smell for a while, thanks in part to my cloth covered seats that are ever so absorbant and the heatwave currently gracing DC's presence. I'm doing you a favor...really!!

*ok, maybe just a little...

Anne - defined

Anne --

[adjective]: Visually addictive

'How will you be defined in the dictionary?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Just realized you can only see my name and definition if you highlight the box, and I have no idea how to change the html. To save you the trouble, I'll tell you:

Anne [adjective]: Visually addictive

I love it!! What's your definition?

14 miles

I love my running club. Just like bikers (as in Harley Davidsons) have their little sign they flash when they pass a fellow biker on the road, so do we. For some it's a wave, others high five (like Coach Eric with his sweaty palms), even others pass along a "Good Job" but my favorite is the girl who raises her arm for a victorious fist pump. It's these things that keep me going. I love my cheerleaders, I need them!

It's been a long time since I've posted my playlist, and because I relied on it a lot today (my partner in crime wasn't there this morning) I thought I'd share it. This is what 14 miles sounds like:

1. Couleurs - M83
2. Brick - Ben Folds
3. Mysterious Skies - ATB
4. Merry Happy - Kate Nash
5. Lets Make Love and Listen to the Junior Boys - team9 vs. Stereogum
6. The Good Od Days - The Lodger
7. Until It Talks - Metallica vs. Coldplay
8. Mango Pickle Down River - M.I.A.
9. Again, Again and Again - Blaqk Audio
10. IntenCity - ATB
11. Song2 - Blur
12. Requiem For A Flame - M83 vs Miss Kitten
13. Bombs (Benny Benassi) - Faithless
14. Dancing With Mephesto - Enigma
15. Black Sick - AC/DC vs teebee
16. Blush (Only You) - Plumb
17. No Ordinary Morning - Chicane (still makes me sad when I hear it)
18. One and Only - Timbaland feat Fall Out Boy
19. Siren (Needle Cranium Remix) - Tori Amos
20. Boyz - M.I.A.
21. Come Around - M.I.A. feat Timbaland
22. 9 Crimes - Damien Rice
23. Believe - The Bravery
24. Athena - DJ Tiesto (this comes from the opening ceremonies of the Greece summer Olympics...I know I'm no Olympian, but I can't help but feel a little swell of pride when I hear this one when I run)
25. Cassie Bear - Cassie vs. Teddy Bears
26. Processed Funk - Kasabian vs. Daft Punk
27. Waitin' for You - Benassi Bros
28. God is a DJ - Faithless
29. Breaking My Heart - Aqualung
30. Tambourine Reckoning - Eve vs. Radiohead
31. Flash Runner Vangelis vs. Grandmaster Flash
32. Laid - James
33. Heroes - DJ Tiesto
34. Allegretto - Bond
35. Earth intruders ( Extended Mark Spike Stent Mix) - Bjork
36. Astonaut - Shy Child
37. Love It When You Call (Lo-Fi-Fnk mix) - The Feeling
38. Cinderella - Aqualung
39. After the Flame - ATB

One step closer to ruling the world

Promotions were announced at work today. You're now looking at the Senior (Administrative) Assistant (to the) Office Managing Partner. I'm awesome. I even got a bonus that will buy me not one, but two new lip glosses. Go me!

Camping?

Historically, I have not been a lover of the great outdoors. Until I was 23 years old I lived less than 15 minutes away from the mouth of several different canyons in Salt Lake and I could probably count on one hand the times I have willingly gone camping or hiking. Fishing, I liked, or at least playing in the river or lake while my dad and brothers did, but I didn't get to do much of that. In the last year or two I've become a little more open-minded about doing these sorts of activities, although the opportunities are fewer, and they're definitely further away. So I kind of surprised myself by immediately agreeing to go camping in the Poconos when my friend Holly invited me to join her and some of her friends from Philly. When I went to the website for our campground in Jim Thorpe, PA, I was quietly relieved to learn that they offer a rec room, free heated showers, modern restrooms, a free-form swimming pool, cable TV hookups (!) and AC in their cabins. This was definitely something I, a camping novice and someone who values a good shower, could handle.

The drive into Jim Thorpe (the town formerly known as Mauch Chunk) was quite lovely. As you're winding through the roads, these little teeny towns will appear and then disappear as you make another turn. Jim Thorpe was one of these towns, and one thing I loved is that everyone seemed to spend all of their time sitting on their little teeny porches. I dream of doing that one day, except on my really big wrap-around porch.

We set up camp when we got there around noon on Saturday, made some sandies, and then decided to go to the lake for some lounging, swimming, and sporting. I don't know why, but the idea seemed so strange to me. It sure was fun though.

Because of this trip I was missing my running groups 12 miler, so I decided to go for a run. After asking the dude manning the kayak rental counter for some recommendations, I decided to check out the ominous sounding switchback trail. Lucky for me, it was not named this because of actual switchbacks in the trail, but instead to honor the old railroad that ran through the town. *big sigh of relief* Needless to say, despite the nice flat trail, I only lasted 5 miles instead of 12. I love my pavement! I think this Saturday's 14 mile run is going to be a little rough...

Me and Holly after my run

Two of my favorite people in this entire world, Tyler and Holly

Me and Tyler

Holly bought a nice new tent just for this trip. We didn't realize until after Brian caught Holly tripping into her pants exactly how much you could see from the outside. At least it was well ventilated!!

After a delicious taco salad dinner, we went into town to enjoy the real reason we went to Jim Thorpe, the Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band concert.

Me and my new friend Amy Jo. Our identical facial expressions were not planned.

If you're from Utah, you probably know who they are, but if not, they're this fun little bluegrass/country band (one of the VERY few of that genre I like). When I think of RSATRB I think of the time I lived in College Park with Abbie. She had gotten their CD somehow and it quickly became our favorite cd ever. We literally listened to it all the time. I am glad that the theater was dark because I may or may not have cried during a few of the songs because they brought back memories of my MD days so clearly. I sure hope Brian and Holly (the bread to my Anne sandwich) weren't paying attention. I'm such a cry baby!

I must say, RSATRB put on a fantastic show. Their choreography might be a little cheesy at times, but they are extraordinarily talented and very entertaining.

Here they are doing a little guitar chain during their encore. At one point one of the guys was using his foot to play the chords on the banjo. Amazing!

Here's a bunch of us with the band. They were way cool. We even invited back to our campsite for smores. We never saw them, but found out later (they did a fireside at my friends church the next day) that a few of them did come up, but couldn't find us. Darn. Oh, and I highly recommend smores with Reeces Peanut Butter Cups instead of straight chocolate. Sooooo good.

All in all it was one of the best weekends I've had in a really long time, and that is no exaggeration. I laughed a lot and made some great new friends, whom I hope to see more of. Big thanks to my new friend Carrie for putting it all together.

And last but not least, I promised Amy Jo I'd post this for her viewing pleasure...

Ragnar Relay numero dos!

So, I did it. I committed to run the DC Ragnar Relay on September 26-27. I think I feel the urge to redeem myself; to make up for my less than stellar performance on the Wasatch Back. Because of that, I am again runner number 4. Really that's the only similarity between the two races. Here's a look at my legs:

Haha, just kidding!! Well they are my legs, but that isn't what you were expecting to see were you?! Here you go:

These are so much less intimidating than the WBR legs I ran. I will take a negative net elevation change over 152 and 238 any day!! I'm also excited that my friend Erica will be handing off to me, therefore be in my van. We're going to have so much fun together.

Oh, and I met a bunch of my teammates last week and they seem like a fun crew. They're all in MUCH bettter shape than I am, but that's ok. There's going to be a slowest runner in every crowd, so it might as well be me.

I can't even tell you how excited I am for this!

Quality time with the fam

Once again, if you're not related to me somehow, you might get a little bored with this photo documentary. However, if you stick it out, there's a little treat for you at the end (read, a little video humiliation).

Jake with the longest line of port-o-potties this side of the Mississippi (41 to be exact...he counted) Oh, and if you look closely, you can see Kater pouting in the background.

A brief reprieve from the sweltering heat.

Mand with her Mary Poppins bag

The fam (minus M&M of course)

Claire in the butterfly house at the Natural History Museum. That black spot above her head is a butterfly. This was NOT a reprieve from the sweltering heat as they keep it at a balmy 87 degrees with 70% humidity (or thereabout)

Taking advantage of the PLEASE TOUCH! signs (part I)

Taking advantage of the PLEASE TOUCH! signs (Part II)

Sisters on the "Lion Egyptian"

The Lewis ladies

Can you spot the girls?

Taking advantage of the good lighting and a good photographer

Claire's treasures

Katie pouts (part II)

Catching fireflies

That Eleanor Roosevelt was one tall lady!!

A little washed out, but cute nonetheless

Me and a little thing I like to call the Washington Monument

And I present to you, the Star Spangled Banner. Sidenote for you locals, every Saturday from 6-8 there is a bell concert at the Carillon at the park between Arlington Cemetery and Iwo Jima, you know, my favorite place in the world. This is the only time during the week you can go to the top of the bell tower. I haven't been up there, but I imagine it provides a lovely view of DC.

Thanks for coming to visit Manda, Katie, Claire and Jakey. Miss you guys already!

weekend fun

I did lots of fun stuff last weekend. On Friday I met up with Nick and Lara for Friday Night Date Night. We grabbed dinner at Potbelly's and saw Wall.E. I loved it so much. It was amazing to me that I could become so attached to these characters, who literally don't speak more than 5 words between them. The way they expressed themselves was so clever and darling, I couldn't get enough. I may or may not have cried during a few scenes. It did rival Happy Feet in the category of "best political statement disguised as a children's animated film" but while I might reconsider my desire of having moving walkways replace sidewalks in my dream universe, I liked the movie as a whole so much that it didn't really bother me.

Saturday morning I woke up at 5:30 for my group run. My new running friend Erin happened to join the 6:00 group (I had previously run with her at 8:00) as well and declared that she would be running 10 miles as opposed to the scheduled 12. Ummm, count me in!! I am so glad to find someone who likes to cut as many corners as I do (besides Chloe of course). I tried Chocolate flavored Gu during this run and I am surprised and pleased to report that I didn't gag or throw up in the process. You don't even know how big of an accomplishment is. I gag at everything, even non food items like country "music" and blue tiled bathrooms.

Saturday night I dropped by my friend Stephanie's house, who is visiting from Montana, to say hello and to wish Amber a happy birthday. I hadn't seen these girls in a long time, and it was fun to see them. I am also pretty sure that I turned down an opportunity to go down to the Richmond International Raceway and do the Richard Petty Driving Experience. What was I thinking?!

me and Amber, the birthday girl

After chatting for a bit, I met up with Erica, Katelyn and Justin for the Nats vs. Orioles game. We didn't actually buy tickets before we went down there and were surprised to learn that the only seats still available were the presidential seats (or something like that) which were going for $325 a piece. Since I don't have that kind of money to blow, we weighed our options; we could either go do something else, or try to bum tickets off of people leaving (it was the 5th inning and the O's were up 7 - 0).

Erica and I outside the gates

Justin and Katelyn took one for the team and secured tickets for us. Wahoo!! One of our main objectives was to eat hot dogs, or a veggie dog in Erica's case, so we did that first. As we were eating our delicious dogs, it started pouring rain.

soaked!!!

It only took them a few minutes to call a rain delay, so we decided to do a little shopping (which required us to run through the rain to the other side of the stadium) while we waited out the storm. Then we decided that funnel cake sounded delicious, so we ran back through the rain to get one. By this time we were all rained out, much like the sopping wet field, so we went home. We never did make it to our (free) seats, but that didn't stop Erica from proclaiming it the best game ever. Check it out:

I will say though that the new stadium is sooooooo nice. Hopefully I'll be able to make it back sometime soon.

lazy days

You know it's going to be a slow day at work when you discover a group of people playing wiffle ball in the parking garage...

Surprise

Look who showed up at my door at 3:30 this morning!!!