Sigh...my poor neglected blog.
I didn't want it to be like this. I wanted to post frequently, with witty, insightful posts. Not whiny self-serving diatribes about how things suck, or with pointless wandering posts about books and movies.
But here I am. I'm sure both of you still reading have just about given up on me by now, and I don't blame you. But, for what it's worth, here's where I'm at.
The weight loss train has come to a dead stop I'm sad to say. For those of you who have supported me, I'm sorry I may have disappointed you. Know that it is nowhere near as much as I've disappointed myself.
I have no excuse except for the fact that I like food and I hate bad feelings. When I feel sad, or mad or otherwise not "jolly" (as people expect us fat folks to be) I eat to numb the pain. I guess it's slightly better than drinking a fifth of vodka, but not as good for my waist-line or my arteries.
I wish I could stop the negative feelings. I'm not a nice person when I'm like this. I lash out at everyone: family, friends, loved ones. Especially family. A wise person once said you always hurt the ones you love. So, look at the bright side, if I've been a bitch to you, that means I love you. Yes, even you Kelly.
So, what are the negative feelings? I'll lay it on the line, here's some insight into what that ugly little voice says. "You're fat." "Your career's a joke. You'll never amount to anything without a degree." "You're ugly." "No one will ever love you." "You're going to die alone."
Not nice to read, is it? Really not nice to have to constantly tell those little voices to shut the hell up. It's one hell of a lot easier to eat a cheese steak and an order of fries. At least that keeps the voice's mouth busy - it can't tell me what a loser I am.
So, where to go from here? I don't know.
I do know that have some work to do - repairing relationships, getting my life back in order. Getting a gag order for that little annoying voice. Clearly communicating what I need when I ask for help.
To anyone still reading, who I haven't hopelessly alienated, I need your support. Not necessarily advice, not even your physical support.
Is it strange to say I need happy thoughts? Ok, how about moral support. I need you to support my morals...what?...wait...that doesn't sound right.
Ok, you know what I mean.
Thanks :)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Adaptation
I love books, and I love movies, so it would stand to reason that I would j'adore books turned into movies. Unfortunately, like many a blind date, I've been disappointed with what has been in front of me.
Like a lot of people, when I read a great book I start casting the main characters. I'm still ticked off that the casting director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire didn't read my mind and know that Sean Connery was born to play Professor Moody.
In no particular order, I wanted to share my top 5, bottom 5 and some books that I love so much I'm not sure I ever want to see a move made out of them.
1. Bridget Jones Diary - I can't say for sure that I had even read the book before I saw the move. What I do know is that I love this move, and not just because apparently Bridget and I share the same birthday (November 10 - seriously). The fight scene between Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver was one of the best "pretty boy" movie fights I've ever seen, and the reality of wanting to improve oneself yet somehow falling short in the execution is so true.
2. A Time to Kill - amazing movie that at the time I read it I couldn't imagine that a move would (or could) be made out of it. The opening scene in the book is the brutal rape of a child, and the repercussions of that echo through the movie. No easy way to film something like that, yet it was handled in a way that you knew the father had no choice. It was also cool to see Matthew McConaughey before the naked bongo playing fiasco.
3. The Princess Bride - so many quotes, so little time. There is a part of me that wants to have the officiant start my wedding with speech impediment. No, not really. OK, maybe a little.
4. Interview with a Vampire - I struggled with including this one. There are parts of this movie I hate, hate, hate - see below. But the point of redemption for me is at the very end. If you haven't seen it, I won't ruin it for you. If you have: Tom Cruise driving a convertible, Guns 'N Roses covering the Stones on the radio. Made the previous 90+ minutes worth it for me.
5. The Devil Wears Prada - Meryl Streep...Anne Hathaway...Gucci...Prada...sigh. Perfection - truly porn for the Vogue set. I also get to laugh because my father DVR'd it thinking it was something very different. I'm not sure he was prepared for Stanley Tucci playing someone in the fashion industry.
Honorable Mention: The Stand - ok, technically a TV movie, but still captured the book pretty well, even if Molly Ringwald was Frannie. True confession, the book scared me so much that when I read it I would throw it under my bed when I was done reading for the night. Not as bad as Joey on Friends putting The Shining in the freezer, but close.
5 Worst Book Adaptations
1. Confessions of a Shopaholic - I'll never forget the first time I read this book in 2001. Back when Bridget Jones Diary came out, there were so many people proclaiming that they felt Bridget Jones was the story of their life. This was mine. I was at first thrilled when I heard a movie was being made - less so when I heard Becky was going to be American, and even more disappointed when I found out they were smashing the first two books together. Ugh...
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Ironically one of my favorite Harry Potter books, but I didn't love the adaptation. The lighting was too dark and strange and I didn't love some of the casting. Just overall not my fave.
3. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason - too much of the second book was left out of this move (hello? Where was the contractor?). Some people have cited the fact that Helen Fielding didn't write a 3rd Bridget Jones book as an obstacle to a 3rd movie. I say the fact that the 2nd book was for the most part ignored didn't stand in the way of the second movie. Maybe the the 3rd movie could be the film the 2nd one should have been.
4. Interview with a Vampire - before Brad Pitt became my fantasy baby daddy, he did some movies that I didn't love. The character of Louis in this move was a tough one to even like. Whiny, mopey, hair was way too long - I wanted to shove him out of the house and lock him outside at broad daylight.
5. The Firm - saw the movie, read the book, had to go back and see the movie again to make sure it was the same animal. My biggest beef was the completely different ending. In my opinion, all that the two had in common was a title and character names, other than that, two different animals.
Honorable Mention: P.S. I Love You - I read this book and sobbed. I saw the move and fell asleep. Again committing the mortal sin of changing venue, this time from Ireland, and setting the main action to the US. Harry Connick couldn't save this movie for me.
This is the list with the longest title, and the hardest for me to write
Books I Would Like to See Made into Movies, but With Strict Supervision
1. Bitter is the New Black - if you haven't read Jen Lancaster's hilarious books, then go read them now. Seriously - I'll wait. Her voice sounds like mine (at least I wish it did). Her sarcasm should be licensed and her knack for story telling made me laugh out loud on a flight from Philadelphia to Seattle, complete with snorking. People were staring at me I was laughing so hard. I read her latest book, Pretty in Plaid in roughly 24 hours it was that good. I wanted more and can't wait for her next book.
2. Everywhere That Mary Went - one of Lisa Scottoline's first books. As a suburban Philadelphian, I love reading Lisa's books and noting the city scape - her mentions of the Round House, the Blue Route, Philly accents - if you aren't from Philly, you might not get the references, but her stories are great, and her steady characters like Mary DiNunzio and her family, Mary's friend and co-worker Judy and her boss Bennie Rosato are all memorable. And who the hell names a character Pigeon Tony? Only a Philly girl would.
3. The Queen's Fool - another one of Philippa Gregory's books was made into a movie - The Other Boleyn Girl. This tells the story of Queen Elizabeth's court from the eyes of an outsider. This was the first book I read by this author and it had me hooked.
4. Jemima J - a great book by Jane Green about an overweight single woman who creates a fantasy dating profile. She enters into a virtual relationship with a man who believes her to be something that she is not -oh and just so happens to own a gym, and then has to deal with the consequences when the time comes to meet him in person. Side note - I'd like to see Hollywood made a move about a fat girl starring an actual fat girl - not Cameron Diaz wearing a size 6 or Kate Winslet in a size 8.
5. One Hit Wonder - the title is just what it implies - it's about a one hit wonder, estranged from her family, who is never heard from again. She is found dead in her flat in London 15 years later. Her half-sister, long estranged, travels to London to find out more about her sister. By Lisa Jewell.
So, how about you? What books made into movies do you love? Which ones were you disappointed in?
Like a lot of people, when I read a great book I start casting the main characters. I'm still ticked off that the casting director of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire didn't read my mind and know that Sean Connery was born to play Professor Moody.
In no particular order, I wanted to share my top 5, bottom 5 and some books that I love so much I'm not sure I ever want to see a move made out of them.
By the way, the jury is out on My Sister's Keeper - I've heard the ending has been changed so that makes me nervous. Very nervous.
Top 5 Awsomest Book Adaptations
1. Bridget Jones Diary - I can't say for sure that I had even read the book before I saw the move. What I do know is that I love this move, and not just because apparently Bridget and I share the same birthday (November 10 - seriously). The fight scene between Mark Darcy and Daniel Cleaver was one of the best "pretty boy" movie fights I've ever seen, and the reality of wanting to improve oneself yet somehow falling short in the execution is so true.
2. A Time to Kill - amazing movie that at the time I read it I couldn't imagine that a move would (or could) be made out of it. The opening scene in the book is the brutal rape of a child, and the repercussions of that echo through the movie. No easy way to film something like that, yet it was handled in a way that you knew the father had no choice. It was also cool to see Matthew McConaughey before the naked bongo playing fiasco.
3. The Princess Bride - so many quotes, so little time. There is a part of me that wants to have the officiant start my wedding with speech impediment. No, not really. OK, maybe a little.
4. Interview with a Vampire - I struggled with including this one. There are parts of this movie I hate, hate, hate - see below. But the point of redemption for me is at the very end. If you haven't seen it, I won't ruin it for you. If you have: Tom Cruise driving a convertible, Guns 'N Roses covering the Stones on the radio. Made the previous 90+ minutes worth it for me.
5. The Devil Wears Prada - Meryl Streep...Anne Hathaway...Gucci...Prada...sigh. Perfection - truly porn for the Vogue set. I also get to laugh because my father DVR'd it thinking it was something very different. I'm not sure he was prepared for Stanley Tucci playing someone in the fashion industry.
Honorable Mention: The Stand - ok, technically a TV movie, but still captured the book pretty well, even if Molly Ringwald was Frannie. True confession, the book scared me so much that when I read it I would throw it under my bed when I was done reading for the night. Not as bad as Joey on Friends putting The Shining in the freezer, but close.
5 Worst Book Adaptations
1. Confessions of a Shopaholic - I'll never forget the first time I read this book in 2001. Back when Bridget Jones Diary came out, there were so many people proclaiming that they felt Bridget Jones was the story of their life. This was mine. I was at first thrilled when I heard a movie was being made - less so when I heard Becky was going to be American, and even more disappointed when I found out they were smashing the first two books together. Ugh...
2. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - Ironically one of my favorite Harry Potter books, but I didn't love the adaptation. The lighting was too dark and strange and I didn't love some of the casting. Just overall not my fave.
3. Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason - too much of the second book was left out of this move (hello? Where was the contractor?). Some people have cited the fact that Helen Fielding didn't write a 3rd Bridget Jones book as an obstacle to a 3rd movie. I say the fact that the 2nd book was for the most part ignored didn't stand in the way of the second movie. Maybe the the 3rd movie could be the film the 2nd one should have been.
4. Interview with a Vampire - before Brad Pitt became my fantasy baby daddy, he did some movies that I didn't love. The character of Louis in this move was a tough one to even like. Whiny, mopey, hair was way too long - I wanted to shove him out of the house and lock him outside at broad daylight.
5. The Firm - saw the movie, read the book, had to go back and see the movie again to make sure it was the same animal. My biggest beef was the completely different ending. In my opinion, all that the two had in common was a title and character names, other than that, two different animals.
Honorable Mention: P.S. I Love You - I read this book and sobbed. I saw the move and fell asleep. Again committing the mortal sin of changing venue, this time from Ireland, and setting the main action to the US. Harry Connick couldn't save this movie for me.
This is the list with the longest title, and the hardest for me to write
Books I Would Like to See Made into Movies, but With Strict Supervision
1. Bitter is the New Black - if you haven't read Jen Lancaster's hilarious books, then go read them now. Seriously - I'll wait. Her voice sounds like mine (at least I wish it did). Her sarcasm should be licensed and her knack for story telling made me laugh out loud on a flight from Philadelphia to Seattle, complete with snorking. People were staring at me I was laughing so hard. I read her latest book, Pretty in Plaid in roughly 24 hours it was that good. I wanted more and can't wait for her next book.
2. Everywhere That Mary Went - one of Lisa Scottoline's first books. As a suburban Philadelphian, I love reading Lisa's books and noting the city scape - her mentions of the Round House, the Blue Route, Philly accents - if you aren't from Philly, you might not get the references, but her stories are great, and her steady characters like Mary DiNunzio and her family, Mary's friend and co-worker Judy and her boss Bennie Rosato are all memorable. And who the hell names a character Pigeon Tony? Only a Philly girl would.
3. The Queen's Fool - another one of Philippa Gregory's books was made into a movie - The Other Boleyn Girl. This tells the story of Queen Elizabeth's court from the eyes of an outsider. This was the first book I read by this author and it had me hooked.
4. Jemima J - a great book by Jane Green about an overweight single woman who creates a fantasy dating profile. She enters into a virtual relationship with a man who believes her to be something that she is not -oh and just so happens to own a gym, and then has to deal with the consequences when the time comes to meet him in person. Side note - I'd like to see Hollywood made a move about a fat girl starring an actual fat girl - not Cameron Diaz wearing a size 6 or Kate Winslet in a size 8.
5. One Hit Wonder - the title is just what it implies - it's about a one hit wonder, estranged from her family, who is never heard from again. She is found dead in her flat in London 15 years later. Her half-sister, long estranged, travels to London to find out more about her sister. By Lisa Jewell.
So, how about you? What books made into movies do you love? Which ones were you disappointed in?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Recap
So it’s been a little while since I’ve blogged, aside from my admittedly odd Kenny Rodgers homage. For the record, The Gambler is a great song, and one that I wish I had really listened to a few years ago.
Anyhow, I’m going to try not to get bogged down by the negative, but if I’m being honest, here is where my head’s been at over the past few weeks.
The Run
I ran a 5k about three weeks ago. To be honest, the wind was zapped from my sails before I had even run the race. Someone close to me hurt me in connection with the race, and I never really recovered my enthusiasm. I know that this person never intended to hurt me, but there it is.
Nevertheless, I ran on race day, but the joy wasn’t there. I still haven’t quite found my mojo again, but I’m working on it.
The Diet
Sadly, the run and the diet are pretty closely connected. Let’s just say that once I recover my mojo there will be a bit more of me recovering it. ‘Nuff said.
The Darkness
Not just a fairly awesome Brit band, but also what I call my depression. For the record, I also call it The Blackness. When I get like that, the world sucks. I feel like food has no taste, even though I eat enough of it. Water doesn’t quench my thirst, sleep doesn’t refresh, and coffee doesn’t wake me up. I’ve been in that pit for the past couple of weeks.
People offer to help, but I don’t know how to accept it. If I’m being totally honest, there is a part of me that doesn’t want to accept it. I almost relish the feeling of despair while hating it at the same time. I want people to want to help me, but not actually help me. I’m a mini Sylvia Plath without the gas oven. I feel as if I am marinating in a pit of self-pity, not to put too fine of a point on it, and I like the pruny fingers.
I’m just a big old ray of sunshine.
Fortunately, I’m finally coming out of it.
Once the cloud starts to lift I can see how miserable I’ve been, and feel regret for the bitch I’ve morphed into. If I have hurt you, let you down or otherwise disappointed you, I am sorry.
I wish I could say it won’t happen again, but I’m pretty sure it will. Fatalistic? Maybe. Realistic? Yep.
I’ve been this way for a long time – easily since the age of 12. I like to think that as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten a little bit better at masking the symptoms, but nobody’s perfect.
Life is noting but a series opportunities to learn.
I’m still learning.
I have a great deal to learn.
Anyhow, I’m going to try not to get bogged down by the negative, but if I’m being honest, here is where my head’s been at over the past few weeks.
The Run
I ran a 5k about three weeks ago. To be honest, the wind was zapped from my sails before I had even run the race. Someone close to me hurt me in connection with the race, and I never really recovered my enthusiasm. I know that this person never intended to hurt me, but there it is.
Nevertheless, I ran on race day, but the joy wasn’t there. I still haven’t quite found my mojo again, but I’m working on it.
The Diet
Sadly, the run and the diet are pretty closely connected. Let’s just say that once I recover my mojo there will be a bit more of me recovering it. ‘Nuff said.
The Darkness
Not just a fairly awesome Brit band, but also what I call my depression. For the record, I also call it The Blackness. When I get like that, the world sucks. I feel like food has no taste, even though I eat enough of it. Water doesn’t quench my thirst, sleep doesn’t refresh, and coffee doesn’t wake me up. I’ve been in that pit for the past couple of weeks.
People offer to help, but I don’t know how to accept it. If I’m being totally honest, there is a part of me that doesn’t want to accept it. I almost relish the feeling of despair while hating it at the same time. I want people to want to help me, but not actually help me. I’m a mini Sylvia Plath without the gas oven. I feel as if I am marinating in a pit of self-pity, not to put too fine of a point on it, and I like the pruny fingers.
I’m just a big old ray of sunshine.
Fortunately, I’m finally coming out of it.
Once the cloud starts to lift I can see how miserable I’ve been, and feel regret for the bitch I’ve morphed into. If I have hurt you, let you down or otherwise disappointed you, I am sorry.
I wish I could say it won’t happen again, but I’m pretty sure it will. Fatalistic? Maybe. Realistic? Yep.
I’ve been this way for a long time – easily since the age of 12. I like to think that as I’ve gotten older I’ve gotten a little bit better at masking the symptoms, but nobody’s perfect.
Life is noting but a series opportunities to learn.
I’m still learning.
I have a great deal to learn.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Wisdom
An update to my sorry little blog is sorely needed, but I'm out of time, more importantly inspiration. Until inspiration and a time turner show up on my door step, I'll share with you some words of wisdom imparted to me by a prolific singer/songwriter...
"Just dance...gonna be ok...da da doo-doo mmm...."
Ok, not that singer/song writer, but another one. One that some may find a bit out of character for me, but the words resonate.
I tend to hold on longer than I should...things, relationships, etc...it's cheesy, but still truer words were never spoken.
Here goes....
On a warm summers evenin on a train bound for nowhere,
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
So we took turns a starin out the window at the darkness
til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.
He said, son, I've made a life out of readin peoples faces,
And knowin what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
So if you dont mind my sayin, I can see you're out of aces.
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice.
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
Said, if youre gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin when the dealins done.
Now ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin
Is knowin what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
cause ev'ry hands a winner and ev'ry hands a loser,
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.
So when he'd finished speakin, he turned back towards the window,
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done
© Sony/atv Tunes D/b/a Cross Keys Pub
"Just dance...gonna be ok...da da doo-doo mmm...."
Ok, not that singer/song writer, but another one. One that some may find a bit out of character for me, but the words resonate.
I tend to hold on longer than I should...things, relationships, etc...it's cheesy, but still truer words were never spoken.
Here goes....
On a warm summers evenin on a train bound for nowhere,
I met up with the gambler; we were both too tired to sleep.
So we took turns a starin out the window at the darkness
til boredom overtook us, and he began to speak.
He said, son, I've made a life out of readin peoples faces,
And knowin what their cards were by the way they held their eyes.
So if you dont mind my sayin, I can see you're out of aces.
For a taste of your whiskey I'll give you some advice.
So I handed him my bottle and he drank down my last swallow.
Then he bummed a cigarette and asked me for a light.
And the night got deathly quiet, and his face lost all expression.
Said, if youre gonna play the game, boy, ya gotta learn to play it right.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
There'll be time enough for countin when the dealins done.
Now ev'ry gambler knows that the secret to survivin
Is knowin what to throw away and knowing what to keep.
cause ev'ry hands a winner and ev'ry hands a loser,
And the best that you can hope for is to die in your sleep.
So when he'd finished speakin, he turned back towards the window,
Crushed out his cigarette and faded off to sleep.
And somewhere in the darkness the gambler, he broke even.
But in his final words I found an ace that I could keep.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done.
You got to know when to hold em, know when to fold em,
Know when to walk away and know when to run.
You never count your money when youre sittin at the table.
Therell be time enough for countin when the dealins done
© Sony/atv Tunes D/b/a Cross Keys Pub
Friday, May 22, 2009
Hell with Pizza
My aversion to large groups of children is well documented. I get nervous when I’m out-numbered by people under the age of 16. Heck, when I was a kid I was nervous pretty much all the time while in school, girl scouts and summer camp. I think it explains a great deal.
It’s not that I don’t like children – I’m quite fond of individual children one on one. It’s just the large groups where the adult to child ratio is not 1:1 (or 2:1 for that matter) that I get uneasy.
This past Saturday was hell. On the one hand, there was pizza, on the other it was being served at 11:00 am. And on yet another hand, there was no beer. To top it all off we were at Chuck E Cheese for my niece’s 8th birthday party. Including Tara, there were 19 children in just our party. That’s not counting the two parties that were also being held at the same time, and the kids there that were not part of the parties.
Truth be told, I kind of like Chuck E Cheese. The pizza isn’t all that bad (it’s that good either, but I’ve had worse) and there are games. I’m not gamer per se. I have a Nintendo Wii and a DSi, and from what my friends “in the know” have told me, that doesn’t mean a whole bunch in the gaming world. But give me a game of Ski Ball or Wheel of Fortune and I’m in my element. I actually made up excuses to go to the arcade at Disney so I could win more tickets. By the time we left, I had won a two foot tall Mickey for Tara, two Matador Mickeys and a load of random arcade crap. I was a bit worried the staff thought I was a child molester.
It’s the surplus of knee-high children hopped up on a mix of caffeine and sugar along with carbs and cheese that makes the experience less than palatable. Add in a camera happy sister and mother (mom at least understands my camera aversion) along with the general lack of coffee, and I was not a happy camper. I drove, so my original plan of bringing a flask wasn’t going to happen. You can say a lot of things about me, but I at least try not to drink before noon, and I absolutely don’t drive when intoxicated.
All told, I blew about $15 of my own money in tokens, and was given a fresh infusion from my sister. I became the game ringer, earning tickets for the kids who didn’t have the attention span for the less interesting but higher ticket yielding games. At one point I resembled a gerbil hitting the food bar trying to get more food pellets. I knew I was out of control when a cherub came up to me and told me she wanted to play the game I had been hogging – I checked myself, wiped the sweat from my brow (hey, competitive Ski Ball is hard!) and yielded control of the game to her. I went back to my other favorite past time, stuffing my face with pizza and diet coke.
During the break, I got to sit back and watch the kids. When Chuck E Cheese made his appearance, it was pretty cool, even I have to admit that. For those kids it was as if David Beckham had descended shirtless from on high, but less sweaty and a bit furrier. They paraded around, sang along with the party crew and feasted on cake. Ahhh…to be 8 again.
After the chaos, I grabbed my mother and we high-tailed it out there, thrilled that there was no guilt in skipping out on helping with the clean up. As I type this, I’m actually craving rubber pizza and wanting to play games that I know I’ll never hit the jackpot on. I’m wondering what it would take to get a liquor license for them and have the next work happy hour hosted there.
Oh well, a girl can dream. Maybe AC is more up my alley.
It’s not that I don’t like children – I’m quite fond of individual children one on one. It’s just the large groups where the adult to child ratio is not 1:1 (or 2:1 for that matter) that I get uneasy.
This past Saturday was hell. On the one hand, there was pizza, on the other it was being served at 11:00 am. And on yet another hand, there was no beer. To top it all off we were at Chuck E Cheese for my niece’s 8th birthday party. Including Tara, there were 19 children in just our party. That’s not counting the two parties that were also being held at the same time, and the kids there that were not part of the parties.
Truth be told, I kind of like Chuck E Cheese. The pizza isn’t all that bad (it’s that good either, but I’ve had worse) and there are games. I’m not gamer per se. I have a Nintendo Wii and a DSi, and from what my friends “in the know” have told me, that doesn’t mean a whole bunch in the gaming world. But give me a game of Ski Ball or Wheel of Fortune and I’m in my element. I actually made up excuses to go to the arcade at Disney so I could win more tickets. By the time we left, I had won a two foot tall Mickey for Tara, two Matador Mickeys and a load of random arcade crap. I was a bit worried the staff thought I was a child molester.
It’s the surplus of knee-high children hopped up on a mix of caffeine and sugar along with carbs and cheese that makes the experience less than palatable. Add in a camera happy sister and mother (mom at least understands my camera aversion) along with the general lack of coffee, and I was not a happy camper. I drove, so my original plan of bringing a flask wasn’t going to happen. You can say a lot of things about me, but I at least try not to drink before noon, and I absolutely don’t drive when intoxicated.
All told, I blew about $15 of my own money in tokens, and was given a fresh infusion from my sister. I became the game ringer, earning tickets for the kids who didn’t have the attention span for the less interesting but higher ticket yielding games. At one point I resembled a gerbil hitting the food bar trying to get more food pellets. I knew I was out of control when a cherub came up to me and told me she wanted to play the game I had been hogging – I checked myself, wiped the sweat from my brow (hey, competitive Ski Ball is hard!) and yielded control of the game to her. I went back to my other favorite past time, stuffing my face with pizza and diet coke.
During the break, I got to sit back and watch the kids. When Chuck E Cheese made his appearance, it was pretty cool, even I have to admit that. For those kids it was as if David Beckham had descended shirtless from on high, but less sweaty and a bit furrier. They paraded around, sang along with the party crew and feasted on cake. Ahhh…to be 8 again.
After the chaos, I grabbed my mother and we high-tailed it out there, thrilled that there was no guilt in skipping out on helping with the clean up. As I type this, I’m actually craving rubber pizza and wanting to play games that I know I’ll never hit the jackpot on. I’m wondering what it would take to get a liquor license for them and have the next work happy hour hosted there.
Oh well, a girl can dream. Maybe AC is more up my alley.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Off to the Races
Today was race day – A Brother’s Love 5k in Collegeville. As I’ve shared, I went into the race woefully underprepared. If I’m being perfectly honest, I had decided to bail, and changed my mind around 10:00 last night, after several glasses of wine. I think I just wanted an excuse to eat pasta at 10:00 in the evening, but whatever gets you out the door.
I woke up to a humid but chilly rainy day. Ate an egg, thin slice of pork roll on toast, drank half a cup of coffee and drove to Ursinus. I picked up my race number – ugh, #1. I was hoping that wasn’t an omen. First to start, last to finish?
Met up with my nervous sister (who was extremely chatty, so not what I need pre-race), along with my brother in law and my niece. Tara’s 8th birthday is today, so she was bouncing off the wall, more so than usual. That’s saying something.
We went to the starting line, and the air horn blew. I started strong for a 200+ pound woman who hasn’t run in 3 weeks (I told you I wasn’t prepared). Perhaps a bit too strong, but I pushed. I made it about 10 minutes before I had to take the first of many walk breaks. I followed that pattern. Run for as long and steady as I could, walked when I needed to.
My goal stayed the same as when I registered – try to finish in under 45 minutes and on my own two feet (or knees and palms if I had to crawl). I have to admit the unoccupied running car on one corner was awfully tempting.
I picked out landmarks, run to that black mailbox, then you can walk. Get through this hill, then you can walk. Pass those two little girls who were walking, then you can walk. This went on for a while.
I crossed back over Main Street and got into the home stretch. I popped in a fresh piece of gum, big mistake - cookie toss #1. I pushed on – got a little lost. No arrows, and nobody in front of me to lead the way, but I figured out the rest of the train and ran toward the finish line. The folks who had finished before me were along the sides encouraging me.
I gave one last push, ran across the finish line, went behind a trash can and tossed my cookies for a second time. Classy, aren’t I? I was happy I didn’t finish last. It may not have been pretty, and it may have been 4th or 5th from last, but not last.
So, what’s next? Get back on the WW Wagon and exercising regularly. Thinking about another 5k in July, and am definitely doing another one for the LiveStrong Challenge for Team Mak in August. But for now, I’m going to be proud of what I accomplished.
For the record, I’d still rather drive 3.2 miles :)
I woke up to a humid but chilly rainy day. Ate an egg, thin slice of pork roll on toast, drank half a cup of coffee and drove to Ursinus. I picked up my race number – ugh, #1. I was hoping that wasn’t an omen. First to start, last to finish?
Met up with my nervous sister (who was extremely chatty, so not what I need pre-race), along with my brother in law and my niece. Tara’s 8th birthday is today, so she was bouncing off the wall, more so than usual. That’s saying something.
We went to the starting line, and the air horn blew. I started strong for a 200+ pound woman who hasn’t run in 3 weeks (I told you I wasn’t prepared). Perhaps a bit too strong, but I pushed. I made it about 10 minutes before I had to take the first of many walk breaks. I followed that pattern. Run for as long and steady as I could, walked when I needed to.
My goal stayed the same as when I registered – try to finish in under 45 minutes and on my own two feet (or knees and palms if I had to crawl). I have to admit the unoccupied running car on one corner was awfully tempting.
I picked out landmarks, run to that black mailbox, then you can walk. Get through this hill, then you can walk. Pass those two little girls who were walking, then you can walk. This went on for a while.
I crossed back over Main Street and got into the home stretch. I popped in a fresh piece of gum, big mistake - cookie toss #1. I pushed on – got a little lost. No arrows, and nobody in front of me to lead the way, but I figured out the rest of the train and ran toward the finish line. The folks who had finished before me were along the sides encouraging me.
I gave one last push, ran across the finish line, went behind a trash can and tossed my cookies for a second time. Classy, aren’t I? I was happy I didn’t finish last. It may not have been pretty, and it may have been 4th or 5th from last, but not last.
So, what’s next? Get back on the WW Wagon and exercising regularly. Thinking about another 5k in July, and am definitely doing another one for the LiveStrong Challenge for Team Mak in August. But for now, I’m going to be proud of what I accomplished.
For the record, I’d still rather drive 3.2 miles :)
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Going Back to the Well
My name is Beth and I'm a food-a-holic.
I've been off the wagon for two and a half weeks now.
Sure, I've tired - oatmeal with brown sugar and one (or two) slices of bacon for breakfast and not a sesame seed bagel with full fat cream cheese and three slices of bacon. A turkey sandwich (with cheese (and sometimes even more bacon)) for lunch and a quasi-decent dinner. An improvement over the cheesestreak and fries and medium pizza. Still, nowhere near where I should be.
Curves has been more hit than miss, and the treadmill is getting that layer of dust back on it.
I knew I was in trouble when I got one of the specials in the cafeteria today for lunch - chicken breast with cheese and bacon (have I mentioned how much I love bacon?) on a kaiser with a side of fries for lunch. To be fair, I didn't take the full portion of fries - the "boat" was about 1/4 full as opposed to overflowing, but still, there were fries in it.
Where did it all go wrong? Two weeks ago I got a new car, fairly stressful, at least for me. I'm not sure where it ranks in the new job, new house, death of a loved one, etc. ranking of stressful events, but seeing as how I live with the 'rents and I consider myself one step away from living in my car, it's up there on my list.
The worst part? I lost just under three pounds the first week I was quasi-off the wagon, and down 1/2 lb on my second week off of the wagon. My large ass is pretty much fully off the wagon this week.
I wonder what the scale is going to say this Friday?
Still, I'm determined the pay the piper, and I'm trying to focus on the positives.
I ate 1/3 of the superfluous bag of Cheese-Its today, and not the full bag. The fry boat was only 1/4 full. I haven't gone over to the bagel with cream cheese side - yet. So I'm trying to stop it now.
To paraphrase Usher, these are my confessions...
I have a 5k this weekend. Nowhere near trained for it, but I've signed up for it and I suspect that rather than running I'll be walking. That's OK. The fact is, I'm going to haul my ass 3.2 miles by foot when I'd much rather drive.
I'm also down 18 pounds since I've started on this journey. I may have gained some back - I'll know on Friday - but it stops now.
I'm rededicating myself - I'm committing myself to losing 30 pounds this summer via www.biggestloser.com, the Pounds for Pound challenge and Weight Watchers. I'm going back to the well for inspiration before my 18 pound loss becomes a 25 pound gain. I hope this qualifies as change.
I've been off the wagon for two and a half weeks now.
Sure, I've tired - oatmeal with brown sugar and one (or two) slices of bacon for breakfast and not a sesame seed bagel with full fat cream cheese and three slices of bacon. A turkey sandwich (with cheese (and sometimes even more bacon)) for lunch and a quasi-decent dinner. An improvement over the cheesestreak and fries and medium pizza. Still, nowhere near where I should be.
Curves has been more hit than miss, and the treadmill is getting that layer of dust back on it.
I knew I was in trouble when I got one of the specials in the cafeteria today for lunch - chicken breast with cheese and bacon (have I mentioned how much I love bacon?) on a kaiser with a side of fries for lunch. To be fair, I didn't take the full portion of fries - the "boat" was about 1/4 full as opposed to overflowing, but still, there were fries in it.
Where did it all go wrong? Two weeks ago I got a new car, fairly stressful, at least for me. I'm not sure where it ranks in the new job, new house, death of a loved one, etc. ranking of stressful events, but seeing as how I live with the 'rents and I consider myself one step away from living in my car, it's up there on my list.
The worst part? I lost just under three pounds the first week I was quasi-off the wagon, and down 1/2 lb on my second week off of the wagon. My large ass is pretty much fully off the wagon this week.
I wonder what the scale is going to say this Friday?
Still, I'm determined the pay the piper, and I'm trying to focus on the positives.
I ate 1/3 of the superfluous bag of Cheese-Its today, and not the full bag. The fry boat was only 1/4 full. I haven't gone over to the bagel with cream cheese side - yet. So I'm trying to stop it now.
To paraphrase Usher, these are my confessions...
I have a 5k this weekend. Nowhere near trained for it, but I've signed up for it and I suspect that rather than running I'll be walking. That's OK. The fact is, I'm going to haul my ass 3.2 miles by foot when I'd much rather drive.
I'm also down 18 pounds since I've started on this journey. I may have gained some back - I'll know on Friday - but it stops now.
I'm rededicating myself - I'm committing myself to losing 30 pounds this summer via www.biggestloser.com, the Pounds for Pound challenge and Weight Watchers. I'm going back to the well for inspiration before my 18 pound loss becomes a 25 pound gain. I hope this qualifies as change.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)