Why I love short hair, reason #56

I don't know what I was doing as I was sleeping, but I woke up this morning with a perfect fauxhawk:

Motivation 2009

You might remember that not too long ago I offered to make a CD of some of my favorite workout songs for anyone who wanted one. Well I sent them out earlier this week and thought it might be fun to post the list here (as well as some running memories I have of some of the songs). This was rather an eclectic mix and it's a pretty good representation of what is actually on my marathon machine (although I did leave out the really slow stuff from the mix). I totally feel that music affects my mood, so the mixture of genres and tempos really help keep me on my toes when I'm out working up a sweat.

Run Your A** Off '09

Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones I added this one last fall after playing it on Guitar Hero. The first time it came on during one of my training runs for Marine Corp I was dodging foreign tourists and preppy college students wearing boat shoes and popped collars on the uneven sidewalks of Georgetown. I was able to run the entire stretch of M Street without having to stop at a light. It was awesome and nothing short of a miracle.

Girlfriend (Japanese Version) - Avril Lavigne When I hear this song I always think of the time I ran over by my sisters house in Vienna (passing Robert Hanssen, a russian spy's, house) before watching her kids one evening. It was the most humid and muggy day EVER, probably in August or something, and her neighborhood was HILLY. Not a very good combination as far as I'm concerned. I was trudging along very slowly when this song came on. Without even realizing it, my feet started to run to the beat of the song, which for me is FAST. I love when my music gets me carried away while running.

The Ascent of Stan - Ben Folds

Say It Right Away - Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland vs. Madonna vs. The Egg

As The Rush Comes - Motorcycle This totally reminds me of running along the W&OD trail with my DC Fit group. This song came on a TON.

Untouched - The Veronicas This is another song that makes me run faster than I could normally handle. This one was playing when I unknowingly ran through a tornado (well...it was touching down about 10 miles away). I love the combination of a good rainstorm and running and fast music like this one. I swear it makes me run better.

Barefoot Tonight - Miss Kitten This one is angry sounding and it talks about kicking ass. Sometimes I need angry and ass kicking when I run. (ok, a lot of the time)

The Blood of Cuchulainn - Boondock Saints Oh how I love this song. This is my Marine Corp marathon theme song. I hadn't spent as much time as I thought I would checking out the scenery as I ran that race, but when this song came on I really took the time to absorb my surroundings and realize how freaking awesome the course was. How could I not? I was running down Constitution Avenue headed towards the US Capitol with the White House on my left and the Washington Monument on the right!

The Gutterati? - The Fratellis

I Beg Your Pardon - Kon Kan

Insistor - Tapes 'n Tapes

Polaroid Solution - Faded Paper Figures

American Boy Around The World - Kanye West feat. Estelle vs. Daft Punk This song reminds me of the fun and failure that was the Wasatch Back Relay. Sarah had brought some great CDs and the original version of American Boy was on one of them. In fact, I think it was pumping through the speakers right before I started my final leg which as you might remember I didn't complete. WBR kicked my bootay!

Star - Erasure

Bliss - Muse

Moratorium - Alanis Morissette I haven't actually run to this one yet, since I just aquired it over the holidays and have only run two times since then (and not with music) but I just love the beat. I kinda have a feeling that this is one of those songs that will get me carried away. Can't wait to test it out.

Kingdom Come - Coldplay I have so much caustic music on my marathon machine that I need songs every now and then that clear my head. This is one of them.

Kids - MGMT I first heard this song on my way up to the Poconos for some camping and a concert. While I didn't run to this while I was up there, whenever I hear it I am reminded of that trip; running on the switchback trail, cursing whatever it was that I had eaten that day, and then hanging out with all of my friends (and more) at the lakeside beach in my obscenely short shorts. Sometimes I have no shame. That was a GREAT trip.

Tattooed Love Boys - The Pretenders Another Guitar Hero find. The beat is just tricky enough to keep me on my toes.

End Credits - Spider-man Original Motion Picture Soundtrack This came on at the base of a rather big hill during Richmond. There's nothing quite like listening to a song from movie about a superhero to make you feel invincible. I OWNED that hill.

Hmmm...maybe it's time to stop talking about running and actually RUN. Next week maybe.

Hey shoppers!

I was at JCrew today where they are having an amazing sale; an additional 50% off all clearance items. I found the most darling belt (pictured above) that I was going to make into a headband but discovered I love it too much to cut it up. The problem is, I still think it would be darling as a headband, especially with dark hair, and the JCrew I went to only had the one. If any of you are out and about and find one, would you mind picking it up for me while it's on sale? I bought mine for 4 dollars I think? (it's really not worth it if it's too much more than that) I'd pay you back and give you a prize for finding it. :)

Update: I called around and found one. Yippee! You should all still go and check out the sale. Lots of sweaters and cords at really great prices!

Still no words...

I am really struggling to put into words just how incredible my experience was, so I think I'm just going to stop trying and show you a few videos instead. Thanks a million times over to Abbie for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

The following gives you a better idea of where I was (pardon the wind):


The View from Freckleface on Vimeo.

And here's a sea of flags (which I will refer to again at the end of this post). And my friend Abbie hard at work. Oh, and the cute little San Francisco Girls and Boys Choirs. I couldn't tell if they were lip synching or not. Either way it was lovely...


Sea 'o Flags from Freckleface on Vimeo.

And I think this one captures the energy of the crowd pretty well. Can't you just feel it through your computer screen?! Awesome!


Energy from Freckleface on Vimeo.

In closing (doesn't it sound like I'm giving a speech?), I was asked to write a little blurb about my experience for my company's area newsletter and this is what I had to say:

I had the unique opportunity of watching the Inauguration from the terrace above the platform where the ceremony took place. While I might not have been able to see much more than the back of President Obama's head, the view of the Mall and the sea of waving flags was incredible. The energy of the crowd was palpable, their chants for Obama as inspiring as the words that he spoke. To have been a part of such an historical event is something I will never forget.

Inauguration

What an incredible day! I can't even put into words how amazing this experience was. I'm letting it all soak in and will try to post my thoughts at some point. In the mean time, enjoy these few pics and a video. Can you spot me??

can't wait!

flags

Looks like Union Station is ready for Tuesday....

she knows people

This is my lovely friend Abbie. She has been very busy the past few months organizing the inauguration that the entire world will be watching on Tuesday and she's doing a great job at it. Because she's been so busy, she told me (and understandably so) that the only way she'd be able to chat when I came downtown to pick up my tickets for Inauguration today was if I would follow her around the Capitol and talk to her while she waited for her 1pm meeting with important people.

Abbie is the queen of multi-tasking. The entire time we were together she was simultaneously talking to me, reading and responding to messages on her blackberry, saying hello to the staffers we passed in the hall, chewing gum and patting her head and rubbing her tummy at.the.same.time. (Just kidding on that last part, although I'm sure she could do that too) So anyway, we're hanging out just inside the carriage entrance of the Capitol building waiting for her people when the Capitol policeman manning the door asks us to take a few steps back. We do so, and then a minute later a big entourage of people come through. Abbie glances up and gives a very friendly wave and a big grin to the member of the Presidents cabinet, who responds with a semi-curious smile. "Wow" I thought, "Abbie sure does know people in high places." Or so I thought. Turns out she is friends with the secret service agent who was leading the pack, and the energetic wave was directed at him. She did not realize Mr. Secretary was a part of the crew until he shot that look at her, at which time her face turned bright red. Now there's sort of an unspoken rule on the hill that when you encounter someone of importance, such as a man who reports directly to the president, you don't try to get his autograph or wave at him like you are best friends, and she totally broke that rule. She was so embarrassed, but I have to admit, she recovered quite nicely. Sometimes being only partially aware of your surroundings can lead to things you regret.

Thanks for letting me share the story, Abbie, and best of luck next week. It's going to be a great event and it's largely in part thanks to you. They better give you the rest of the week to catch up on your sleep. Clearly when you start waving at perfect (important) strangers, it's time for a break. :)

I think it's time to do some laundry...

Good things come in small packages

I just got this in the mail today; my Christmas present from my parents and Grandpa. While I will have to wait much (much!!) longer until I will finally splurge on a DSLR, this will do just fine in the meantime. Yay for not having to wait 5 minutes for my camera to turn on or reload between pictures. I was definitely overdue for a new one. Happy day!!

motivation

tagline: "where trying your best isn't even an option"

Don't be fooled by my recent posts about push-ups and races. The reality is that I have had absolutely zero motivation lately to get my bootay out of my toasty warm bed and move around a little bit. As I was on my way home from work yesterday I toyed with the idea of running around my block, but talked myself out of it because you know, my bed is just so comfy cozy. After a few hours or so of lazing (if that isn't a word, it really should be. I love it!) around I actually made a move for my workout gear. I know, I know, it surprised me too! Actually, it was The Biggest Losers fault. You try watching 12 overweight people working their asses off (sorry for the language mom) while you're laying in bed. So I threw on my cropped running tights (I really need to go buy some cold weather, gym appropriate bottoms), grabbed my iPod and headed off. What I love about my gym is that the treadmills come equipped with their own tv's, so I can work out while I get my fix of trashy tv (I have a date with treadmill #4 tonight at 10:00 for the Real World). It's a win-win situation.

Anyway, back to last night. I resumed watching TBL, and can I just tell you, it really should be a rule that you can't watch this show unless you are moving in some way or another. I would run while the show was on, and walk through the commercials. I even took things up a notch when, while the contestants were doing their last chance workout, I discovered they were running faster than I was. Oh no you don't! Last night, Bob was my trainer and I tell you what, I don't know how they all do it! Those speed intervals just about killed me!

This is the time of year that many people resolve to exercize more, eat less etc. In an effort to help those of you who might need a jump start, or even just want to try out some new tunes, I'd like to offer a cd of my favorite running/exercize music to anyone who wants it. Don't be shy. Feel free to email me your address (you can find my address on my blogger profile) and I'll send one off to you, my treat!

cell phone pics - Holiday edition

How many lives did you save this holiday season?

Santa came early, and on a fire truck (he's one of the bright blobs in the picture)

Awesome work party at the Air & Space Museum

Unexpected present from Delta...extra elbow room in the form of an empty middle seat

Special Christmas greetings

How and where I spent the entire first week of my visit

Christmas kisses from my cuties

She has not yet discovered that I'm the cool aunt... (toasty hair wrap from Hip and Humble. If you have short hair, you need to get one NOW)

Bad idea

Pretty...but again, BAD IDEA

Wish I could stand, er squat, like that

I made a quilt! This is what I made it out of.

Trying, unsuccessfully, to capture my permanently cocked brow

Bad idea #2

Aftermath

view from the 'hood (through a dingy windshield)

I'm living in an Animal Planet special feature

I'm sure I've mentioned several times the family of hobbits that live in my attic. Yes, they're still there*, although now I have awesome ear plugs that allow me to sleep uninterrupted most nights. Well I just discovered that we also have snakes (or a singular snake...fingers crossed). Not sure how it gained access to the house...I sure as hell didn't give it a key, but my roommate found it coiled up on the basement steps the other morning. What's next?! Maybe I should just be glad I have something to take care of any potential rat/mice issues?

*yes, we have alerted property management

Push-ups, the soundtrack

I went to the gym tonight and did push-ups to this song, timing them with the claps. It was the absolute perfect speed for me. You should try it sometime.

Flip Video Fun

Sue, Corey's mom and my biggest fan, gave Corey a flip video for Christmas. Have you ever played with one of them?! They're awesome. I think I neeeeeeeeed one!

A special message for Sue:

And Corey being Corey (and me being a little insensitive...)

Disclaimer: The above video is dumb, says Corey

Just for funsies

I'm not gonna lie...

I love me some Real World! And with not one, but TWO Utahns in the cast, how can I resist?! Um, I can't.

Finished product

It's amazing what a good mat and frame can do for a picture. Don't these look awesome?! Now if only I could figure out where to hang them! (after I sign them of course) Thanks Mandy for cutting the mats, I owe you BIG TIME! Oh Holga, how I love thee (when you're not busy intimidating me).

BCS Busters!!

I've said it once before, but I admit that I'm sort of a fair weather Ute football fan. It's not that I'm not proud to be a Ute, I just don't really care for football very much. That said, I'm so happy that my Utes, my alma mater, finished off their season by kicking Alabama's ass in the Sugar Bowl.

GO UTES!!!

Crazy thought

So, my sister in law, Marti, is pregnant with twins and due at the very beginning of April. I was planning on coming to see the new babies, and it just so happens that the Salt Lake City Marathon (and half) takes place on April 18, so I was just going to come out that weekend and kill two birds with one stone. I was originally thinking that I'd register for the half, but maybe I should just sign up for the full. Would anyone be interested in joining me? Christy, Chloe? Anyone else???

Things

I got together with my siblings and cousins for a night of the things we do best...eat and laugh. Tonight, much of the laughter came in the form of a game called "Things." Here's how it's played. You read a sentence that starts with the word "things" and each person writes down something that you would say or do in response to that sentence. You then read them out loud and guess who said what. There's a little more involved, but that's the general idea.

Here are two of the rounds that we played (and yes, I picked them out of the trash for the sole purpose of blogging them...)

"Things kids do that you wish you could do"
-Tell people exactly what you think
-Somersaults
-Stick your tongue out at random people
-Say the absolute truth without feeling guilty, like "You are FAT"
-A somersault without thinking about the week of pain that will follow
-Scratch your bum
-Have someone else wipe
-Get punched in the nuts and keep on going
-Eat your boogers in public
-Squat with both feet flat on the ground

And the round that had all of us in tears...

"Things not to say to a customs officer"
-I really don't think you should open that one!
-You don't want to do that. I've got diarrhea.
-The drug dealer said I could bring these with me.
-I think I left my passport in Baghdad
-Where can I put this elephant tusk?
-It's spelled B-I-N-L-A-D-E-N
-You have the most beautiful eyes, what are you doing Tuesday?
-Can you wait a minute, I really have to take a dump.
-Can I call my lawyer?
-I naturally carry a lot of weight there. Really.

Can you guess which ones were mine???