Holga-riffic

I just got this contact sheet back with pictures I took with my holga. Developing film from a holga is like Christmas morning. Pulling out the contact sheet and discovering the images you have taken is always a surprise. Please excuse the dark pics, it was sunset at the hot air balloon festival and clearly they didn't work out. There are a few goodies though!

(click to enlarge)

message from the Universe

Virtually every single time I come to Utah for a visit, I get sick. Bronchitis, a mystery virus and this time a nasty nasty cold. I guess it's a good thing I will be here for two weeks because I spent all of last week passed out on 1/3 of the easy chair in my sisters kitchen/computer corner. Thanks to a Vicks Inhaler (those things are AWESOME), Halls cough drops and a slew of other random pills I'm feeling much better.

This must be the Universe's way of telling me that I am not meant to live here.

bread making

As promised, my dad taught me how to make bread today. I've decided that bread making is more than a little intimidating, because you don't just throw a bunch of ingredients together and they practically make themselves, it demands multisensory knowledge. While I'm not confident in my abilities to discern the difference between sourdough hot and yeast bread hot water, or when exactly to switch from kneading in yeast to using just butter; I do know that I can beat the crap out of a big wad of dough and that's got to count for something, right?!

Despite my insecurities, I will try this again. Fingers crossed it turns out better than the orange goo...

Some pictoral documentation:

Bah humbug!

One of my duties at work is to prepare and send my partners (I have two) professional Holiday cards. In the span of two days I typed out 600 labels (because mail merge wasn't working), put the labels on the envelopes, waited to receive the signed cards, folded the cards, stuffed them in the envelopes, removed the sticky backing on the envelopes and closed them. It was a lot of work, to say the least.

For a few months I had tried to think of the perfect picture/sentiment to follow up last years Christmas card, but was drawing a blank. No babies, no weddings, no engagements, (or even dates for that matter), no exotic vacations, no new jobs (getting the title to accompany the responsibilities I took on last October aside), nothing new. But then, while I was running Richmond, I had an idea. It was braggy and ridiculous (two of my most endearing qualities), just perfect! Too bad after sending out 600 cards that didn't include my signature I had absolutely no desire to do my own. Not to mention the fact that I wasn't certain everyone would appreciate the humor. So imagine if you will, going to your mailbox, finding a hand-written envelope with my return address, and opening it to reveal this (in all its cheesy glory):


Merry Christmas everyone!

It's A Wonderful Life!

Well, here's your hat, what's your hurry? All right, Mother, old Building and Loan pal, I think I'll go out and find a girl and do a little passionate necking.

~George Bailey

I went to AFI tonight to see It's A Wonderful Life! on the big screen with Erica and new friend Irene. (hi Irene!!) I had never seen the movie the whole way through, and what a treat to see it in the theater. That George was such a great guy, so generous and funny and to watch him fall in love with Mary was so sweet. Need you ask, of course I cried!

If you haven't seen it yet this holiday season (or ever) go to your local Blockbuster (if they still exist) and rent it. It's a great example of what Christmas is all about. (and it's soooooo funny)

Hee Haw!

Obscenity

There is a guy at work who must live in my neighborhood because I would pass him all the time when I was running during the summer. He's one of those "in the zone" runners, not paying attention to anything around him, so it's very possible that he has no clue that we're neighbors.

Today as I headed down to the 2nd floor to escape the fat farm for a while he followed me into the elevator. We didn't exchange any words on that three floor journey, but the whole time I thought to myself "He's seen me in my obscenely short shorts." Poor guy.

procrastination

I have a laundry list of things I need to do before I leave for Utah on Saturday, but I just can't find the motivation to start tackling it. Instead...I present to you the random things I've been up to lately:

Saturday I woke up earlier than any human should ever have to wake up to watch the sun rise from the steps of the Lincoln memorial. I thought that the pre-sunrise was cooler than the sunrise, but unfortunately for me, I needed to have brought my tripod in order to get a good shot, and I didn't. Sadly this means the few that I did take are mucho blurry. Oh well, I'll show you one anyways.


Looking at this makes me want a telefoto lens (and a digital SLR for that matter).

I really wasn't too impressed by the actual sunrise, but it did provide some really great light and shadows on the Lincoln (but not necessary on Lincoln). See:



This is Ben, our trusty leader. He's always planning cool stuff like this. Like that time I ran up a mountain? It was his idea.


After we were sufficiently numb, we headed to Eastern Market for a delicious breakfast. I got the french toast, which was delightful, but I think next time I'll order the bluebucks (blueberry buckwheat pancakes), mostly because the guy who takes the orders and shouts them to the cook seems to enjoy saying bluebucks more than anything else.

Saturday night was the fancy work party. It was our centennial celebration so they went all out. It is usually held at some cookie cutter hotel, but this year it was at the Air and Space Museum and it was super great, they even had a photo booth. These are my friends Monica (we're birthday twins) and Edgar (we're competitors, he beat me in the Marine Corp Marathon, I got him back by giving blood faster than he did), and my non-work friend Erica.

I'm glad I went. Thanks to Erica for being my date!

Sunday Erica and Katelyn had a Christmas gathering, so I decided to try my hand at baking, crossing my fingers for better results than the last time, and made a peppermint truffle bundt cake. Oh my, it was DELICIOUS! I took pictures, isn't it pretty?? Does anyone want to invite me over for dinner so I can make it again?


Today was my last day of training (at least for this series) and I was supposed to get my measurements taken and my body fat tested. I didn't think I'd ever say this, but when we discovered both of the tools needed were missing, I was actually sad. I know that some of those numbers would have been bigger than they were when I got my initial measurements, but I was hoping to be able to see some progress on the parts of me that have not been affected by my move to the 5th floor (and the pounds that have accompanied it).

In related news, my trainer has decided to stop working nights, which means if I choose to continue, I would be working with a different trainer. I really like her, and since she is going to continue teaching her 6 am session, I'm going to give it a shot. Heaven help me...the session ends 45 minutes BEFORE I NORMALLY WAKE UP! Lucky for me, I live so close so I could easily go home and take a power nap before I officially have to wake up.

One more day at work until I get to go to Utah for two weeks. I'm excited to see my favorite kiddos (and the rest of my fam, especially Marti's baby bump). I'm going to have a lot of free time, so for my friends in Utah, we should play! I'll be honest though, I say this and then I spend all of my time laying in my sisters lovesac watching TV. I tend to get a little overwhelmed by Utah, wanting to see everyone, and then doing nothing so I don't hurt anybody's feelings by not seeing them. Weird, I know. Maybe this time will be different, I've never been there for this long before. We'll see how it goes, but I make no promises.

Evidence

This is how I have gained 10 pounds in 4 months:

'Tis the season (part II)

My mom and dad are pretty darn selfless. They are always helping those around them in various ways, whether it be with goods, money or service. This year, to help my nieces and nephews get into the Christmas spirit, my mom has started an Elf Club. The families have been given an elf doll to keep watch over them and report to Santa whether or not they have been good, and each week all the kids get together with my parents for an activity. Last week they made a ton of cookie dough, frosting and all the fixins, wrapped it up and took it to the Ronald McDonald House so that the families staying there would be able to make and decorate cookies. Other activites on the schedule are a trip to the homeless shelter to deliver socks and underwear, sewing bags and stuffing them with school supplies to take to the Humanitarian Center, baking brownies for the sack lunches that a local church hands out to the less fortunate and sewing baby blankets for dolls to hand out at the homeless shelter or the YWCA. How great that my favorite little people in all of the world are learning so young what it means to give. I can only assume that this is the beginning of a lifetime of service.

A few months ago I told you about my co-worker who ran the New York marathon in honor of his son, who has been diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a deadly childhood cancer. He continues to raise money for pediatric cancer research; this holiday in the form of cookies. He brought some in for us to sample this week (the big stack of deliciousness I spoke of in my last post) hoping that we'd love them so much that we'd want to buy some. Well his evil plan worked. They were the most delicious Oatmeal Raisin cookies I have ever had (and I've had A LOT of oatmeal raisin cookies). Of course I bought some. Just in case you are looking to support a good cause (and eat some delicious cookies while you do it), you should check out www.cookiesforkidscancer.org. In addition to the oatmeal raisin, they also have lemon sugar and chocolate chip cookies. If you decide to buy some, direct your funds to "Band of Parents Neuroblastoma fund MSKCC."

When I was younger, I was dragged kicking and screaming by my mother to go serve at the homeless shelter and the food bank. From what my mom tells me, the only way I would go was if I was bribed with a stop at McDonalds afterwards. This sounds about right to me. I think even today, if I was told I must go to the food bank I would still demand a happy meal. Horrible I know, but it's the truth. Now this isn't to say that I'm opposed to serving and giving to others, I just do it differently now.

I hope you all remember that Christmas is more than just getting presents (and eating lots of food) and take the time to do some good for others whether it be a big action or small. There isn't much that feels better than service.

'Tis the season

It turns out that working for the big man on campus isn't all that great, at least for my waistline. There was a huge stack of the most delicious oatmeal raisin cookies yesterday, and today he got a big tub of popcorn, which he insists I keep at my desk.


It's days like these I wish I had even just a LITTLE bit of self control.


My Christmas list now consists of one thing:

sweatpants

It just occurred to me

I look like Christmas today.

cell phone pics

It's time once again for me to clean out my cell phone. Sorry my blog is so boring these days mom.

I just love this coat, even though it takes me 5 minutes to unbutton all the buttons. (no joke.)

I took some stealth pictures when I was at the guggenheim. This picture cracked me up. It says "I went to the guggenheim museum, and all I got was this richard print." This little exhibit was cool too. It was a series of walls made of cardboard and wood which winded through the hallway.

Betsy playing High School Musical Sing It for what seemed like hours.

My favorite part of Thanksgiving, the rice crispy turkey drumstick. Thanks Clara!!

Our Thanksgiving dinner decorations, courtesy of Ben. I named mine Britney; she was kind of flashing us.

On the way to our Thanksgiving festivities. It kind of looks like I photoshopped that coat in.

My boss wrote this on his board after the BYU/Utah game and then invited his Cougar staff in for a chat (or most likely a gloat.)

Me and Erica watching the big game.

Remember that one time I said I was going to wear red lipstick every day? It lasted about 5 days. Mainly because after a few hours I looked like a clown because the lipstick bled through all of my lip wrinkles.

Stealth photo #1 by little N

Stealth photo #2 by little N

Photo shoot with the girls

Little L making me pretty

The day after Richmond. Of course I wore my medal.

Starting line at Marine Corp

Me at Marine Corp

The box of my new shoes: "13.1 Miles should have gone before I left." So true...so true

The only piece of artwork I liked in the Georgia O'Keefe museum. Ironically not one of her pieces, but Andy Warhols.

Oh, the difference a few years make

writers block

I have nothing to write about, other than my discovery that running is not just like riding a bike (at least for me), so here is a list of random things that I found on some random blog. I'm pretty sure I've done this one before, but whatever. The things I have done are in bold.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band (only if Rock Band counts)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo (in high school, the choir director asked me to sing a solo during one of our practices. That was the first and only time. hmmmm)
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (uhh no, but I have been to the dock of the island. I was a bratty teenager and wouldn't get off the boat.)
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon (or three!!!)
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise (just up and down the Potomac, but it was a cruise...)
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (do pictures count?)
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted (before I die I want to be able to say that I have)
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (no, but I sure have eaten a ton)
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt (but I'm going to start one ASAP with Kristi's help)
7 3. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job (but not because I was a horrible employee, the family I was nannying for didn't need one anymore.)
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House (Several times. Oh the perks of working on the Hill!)
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous (Do politicians and Alan Greenspan count?)
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Loving

Inspired by my trip to New York this weekend, today I am loving:


Empire apples. So crispy and juicy and just the right amount of tart. My uncle says they only exist in New York, but Shan swears she's seen them here in DC. I will definitely be performing my own investigation.

Slumdog Millionaire. Such a great little film. Heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time. You must go see it.



This coat:

Pumpkin Ravioli from Puttanesca. The only reason I ordered the Thanksgiving menu. It did not disappoint.

Central Park Reservoir running track. The perfect distance for a little jog (even if I did go only once all weekend).

Guggenheim Museum. The building itself is awesome, which is worth the ridiculous admission fee, at least in my opinion. The current exhibits are pretty great as well, even though a few of the images are haunting me still (and not in a good way). If you have 5 minutes, you should check out the video about theanyspacewhatever. It would have been so cool to see it in the dark!

Oh man, I forget how cool New York City is. Have I said lately how much I would love to live there?!