If I wait until I have something truly gripping to write about - there would be very few posts on here. So, here's a general update.
Still doing well on the cokes. I haven't exactly stuck to no cokes on weekdays, but I have stuck to 2/week. So that's a big accomplishment. I am drinking a lot of tea - so now I realize I need to limit that to one glass/large cup per day...I'm wondering how much caffeine it has in it and if I'm getting more caffeine with all the tea. It's hard to find a definitive answer on that. I know I'm getting less sugar, so that should be good.
So after that very interesting paragraph - let's move on. I was home alone this past weekend. B went to a bachelor party in Vegas. It's so funny how I approach a weekend alone. I didn't want to clean the whole weekend...so I nixed that. Friday night I was thrilled (I'm not being sarcastic) to throw a Totino's frozen pizza in the oven, pop in Bridget Jones' Diary and drink some wine. This night was awesome...I LOVE that movie and hadn't seen it in so long! Verdict? Still love it.
Saturday I was productive and went to yoga, the dog park with Ellie and shopping...then out to dinner with friends.
Anyway - I ended up at home a lot in an effort to save $ and also, in part, because I am extremely lazy. It was a nice weekend and in anticipation of the Mad Men Season 5 premiere, I re-watched some old Mad Men episodes. Bran and I recently watched all 4 seasons of Mad Men via Netflix. It was addicting and awesome. Re-watching some of the episodes just reminded me how great this show is. Jon Hamm (Don Draper) is really a great actor, and I LOVE his relationship with Elizabeth Olson (Peggy). It's one of my favorite, all-time tv relationships. And for those that don't watch - it's not a romantic one. The show prides itself on being historically accurate and it's really neat to learn more about the 60s. When you first start watching, it's a little unsettling to see how the secretaries are treated, and the work world, in general pre EEOC, pre Civil Rights Act, pre sexual harassment. Wow. It definitely goes to show that if Mad Men accurately portrays the work world - those laws and agencies were SORELY needed!
So I guess I'll close this random post. I did enjoy all my alone time this weekend. I love Mad Men. And I've successfully laid off the cokes. I could've just typed those 3 sentences and it might've been just as interesting.
March 28, 2012
March 16, 2012
SXSW
So I took today off to do some SXSW stuff. SXSW is a huge music, film and interactive festival that renders downtown Austin into complete and total chaos. It started last Friday...interactive first, then film, then music. There are TONS of things to do - but the amount of people downtown makes it all very difficult.
B volunteers every year so that he can get a badge. A badge (which sells for $500+) gets you into a lot of events, often with free food/drinks. For the music portion, badges get you into the coolest shows. B got into Bruce Springsteen, Jack White and more this year.
Being not quite the same level of music enthusiast as B, I do not volunteer and obviously do not pay for a badge. This year I did 2 "days" of SX events. I went out on Monday to the Chronicle film party and another show. And I went out today to day parties. Day parties are mostly open to everyone (even us non-badged losers)AND you can find free food/drink at day parties as well!
We started off at MWTX...it had an indoor and outdoor stage. We went to see Purity Ring. (Let me mention that we slept in and caught the 1:34 train downtown. We hadn't eaten yet. We got downtown and I went to find a trailer for some food. I found a trailer that had fried chicken in a waffle "taco" of sorts. I got it. I regretted it. The trailer/trailer "chefs" were really dirty. I'm grossed out thinking of it now.) Anyway, here's a fuzzy pic of the band - they were pretty good.
After that show, we headed to Nuevo Leon for real lunch. It was delish. Then, headed to see another band, Tennis. They literally played for 15 minutes - but they were good! It was at this show that I was lucky enough to spot a modern, hipster mullet:
And this outfit:
What intrigues me about this outfit is I know someone who had that same skirt circa 1989 and I just can't figure it out. I'm not always on top of the latest trends, I'll freely admit- but I hope that this outfit isn't one of them. Gotta love SX.
Next, we finally found the party we should've been at all along! The Google + party was on top of a parking lot, had a lot of space, was clean (nobody parks on top) and we could sit for awhile. Granted, we sat on concrete, but it was nice. And then, the best thing of all - FREE BEER & WATER! So we sat and listened to Talib Kweli..it was a fun show. Next up, the Shins! B ditched me before they started to go stand in line for the Jack White show (he left at 6:40, Jack White takes the stage at 11:45pm - he did get in).
Anyway, it was a great show and I was really close!
Then I took another crowded train home. As I was walking to the station, I got a pic of 6th St. You really cannot imagine Austin this weekend - it is crowded, crazy, every empty corner is a music venue - but it can be a lot of fun. I don't know if you can tell, but 6th St is wall-to-wall PEOPLE. Mostly hipsters.
B volunteers every year so that he can get a badge. A badge (which sells for $500+) gets you into a lot of events, often with free food/drinks. For the music portion, badges get you into the coolest shows. B got into Bruce Springsteen, Jack White and more this year.
Being not quite the same level of music enthusiast as B, I do not volunteer and obviously do not pay for a badge. This year I did 2 "days" of SX events. I went out on Monday to the Chronicle film party and another show. And I went out today to day parties. Day parties are mostly open to everyone (even us non-badged losers)AND you can find free food/drink at day parties as well!
We started off at MWTX...it had an indoor and outdoor stage. We went to see Purity Ring. (Let me mention that we slept in and caught the 1:34 train downtown. We hadn't eaten yet. We got downtown and I went to find a trailer for some food. I found a trailer that had fried chicken in a waffle "taco" of sorts. I got it. I regretted it. The trailer/trailer "chefs" were really dirty. I'm grossed out thinking of it now.) Anyway, here's a fuzzy pic of the band - they were pretty good.
After that show, we headed to Nuevo Leon for real lunch. It was delish. Then, headed to see another band, Tennis. They literally played for 15 minutes - but they were good! It was at this show that I was lucky enough to spot a modern, hipster mullet:
And this outfit:
What intrigues me about this outfit is I know someone who had that same skirt circa 1989 and I just can't figure it out. I'm not always on top of the latest trends, I'll freely admit- but I hope that this outfit isn't one of them. Gotta love SX.
Next, we finally found the party we should've been at all along! The Google + party was on top of a parking lot, had a lot of space, was clean (nobody parks on top) and we could sit for awhile. Granted, we sat on concrete, but it was nice. And then, the best thing of all - FREE BEER & WATER! So we sat and listened to Talib Kweli..it was a fun show. Next up, the Shins! B ditched me before they started to go stand in line for the Jack White show (he left at 6:40, Jack White takes the stage at 11:45pm - he did get in).
Anyway, it was a great show and I was really close!
Then I took another crowded train home. As I was walking to the station, I got a pic of 6th St. You really cannot imagine Austin this weekend - it is crowded, crazy, every empty corner is a music venue - but it can be a lot of fun. I don't know if you can tell, but 6th St is wall-to-wall PEOPLE. Mostly hipsters.
March 15, 2012
Testing...
The blogging app. This is my office "bulletin board". My friend made the sign Amanda's Office when my "office" was a desk (not even a cube) in the middle of the room. Obviously, this does not warrant a post but since I put up the pic might as well explain it.
Hopefully tomorrow I can post something while out and about at SXSW!
Hopefully tomorrow I can post something while out and about at SXSW!
March 13, 2012
SHAME.
So, I cheated today. It's Tuesday and I had a diet coke this morning. I could tell you some excuses, but bottom line is I had a coke. SO - to make up for this, I am only going to allow myself 1 coke/soda if at all, this weekend. I'll post next week to let you know my success with that.
I will say that this past weekend I did have 2 cokes (1 per day), but they were almost an afterthought. It definitely wasn't necessary.
I will say that this past weekend I did have 2 cokes (1 per day), but they were almost an afterthought. It definitely wasn't necessary.
March 11, 2012
VEGAS, baby!
So, since my parents are awesome, they wanted to have my dad's official retirement party in Las Vegas. We went Mar 2-5. It was a great trip! I hadn't been to Vegas with my parents in about 8 years and that time was the only time I had been with them where I could gamble.
B and I love Vegas. Sadly (or not), it's probably where we've traveled most together as a couple. :) We definitely have the disease. We always think we'll win it back. And we usually do OK. Never a really huge profit, but if we're lucky, we come back with our gambling budget mostly intact.
Since this was my dad's retirement party, it was us, them, my brother, 3 of my aunts/significant others and my grandma. Big trip, tons of fun. My family also, very much has the "disease". We get there at 9, join them as they're finishing up dinner and then they were like...ok, see you in the morning, good luck! And they all spread out to gamble. Even my grandma! They all mostly did slots except me, b, my brother and my uncle. And somehow, they all kept winning. My grandma was up almost $400 on Saturday! From penny slots. Every time I put money in a slot, it was gone. Craps was crappy (haha) luck as well. We finally started winning on Sunday playing blackjack.
Anyway, here are a few non-people photos. It was a great trip, loved being with my family and really had an amazing time with them.
Ok, this is a terrible one of me, but it has a person, so I'll include it. I really thought I might get lucky here:
The Strip
...and last but not least, the always impressive Bellagio fountain. Seriously, I love it, every time!
B and I love Vegas. Sadly (or not), it's probably where we've traveled most together as a couple. :) We definitely have the disease. We always think we'll win it back. And we usually do OK. Never a really huge profit, but if we're lucky, we come back with our gambling budget mostly intact.
Since this was my dad's retirement party, it was us, them, my brother, 3 of my aunts/significant others and my grandma. Big trip, tons of fun. My family also, very much has the "disease". We get there at 9, join them as they're finishing up dinner and then they were like...ok, see you in the morning, good luck! And they all spread out to gamble. Even my grandma! They all mostly did slots except me, b, my brother and my uncle. And somehow, they all kept winning. My grandma was up almost $400 on Saturday! From penny slots. Every time I put money in a slot, it was gone. Craps was crappy (haha) luck as well. We finally started winning on Sunday playing blackjack.
Anyway, here are a few non-people photos. It was a great trip, loved being with my family and really had an amazing time with them.
Ok, this is a terrible one of me, but it has a person, so I'll include it. I really thought I might get lucky here:
The Strip
...and last but not least, the always impressive Bellagio fountain. Seriously, I love it, every time!
March 7, 2012
Progress...
So I posted about my new coke-free (mostly) lifestyle last Friday. How have I done? Well, clearly no cokes on Friday (and I think I had officially stopped Weds or Thurs). Or Saturday. Sunday I did have a morning coke, but didn't even drink the whole thing. I told myself I was allowed a weekend coke. Plus, we were in Vegas. But then Monday morning, on our way home, I had another coke. Again, didn't really even drink half, just got it with my value meal (2 strikes). And that's it!
Honestly, I consider that progress because I was in Vegas Fri-Mon, eating crap food - which usually requires a Coke to go with it. It's harder to not get cokes when constantly eating out.
So, we'll see - I have done well here at work yesterday and today - no cokes. Went to a movie last night - no cokes.
I'll write about Vegas later - was a great trip!!
**full disclosure** I did drink 1 Jack & Coke Sat night - I don't think that counts AT ALL.
Honestly, I consider that progress because I was in Vegas Fri-Mon, eating crap food - which usually requires a Coke to go with it. It's harder to not get cokes when constantly eating out.
So, we'll see - I have done well here at work yesterday and today - no cokes. Went to a movie last night - no cokes.
I'll write about Vegas later - was a great trip!!
**full disclosure** I did drink 1 Jack & Coke Sat night - I don't think that counts AT ALL.
March 2, 2012
Giving up Coke...for the 100th time.
So I recently read a few articles about Coke - soda, in general that have made me decide to give up soda - for now.
I have these types of ideas frequently - for awhile I wanted to be vegetarian - but it was hard to come up with all those meals with no meat (I will be generous and say this lasted 1 week). I frequently say I am "giving up" coke, or fried foods, or fast food - and never really stick to it.
But this article about soda was responsible for my most recent pledge to give up my daily, carbonated joy.
So, a history. My addiction to coke (in Texas we call all sodas coke - so I could be talking Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Sprite, Diet Coke) began at an early age. We often had it at our house, and I hated water, so what's a girl to drink? In middle and high school, I probably bought a daily coke to go with my lunch. In college - sometimes I'd buy my own coke for our apartment and proceed to drink 2 or 3 a day somehow! And that was all regular coke (no diet).
As I graduated college/moved into the working world, my habits continued. When I started my relationship with B - he helped me to see that perhaps I drank too much coke/not enough water. Slowly, I began to drink more water - but still kept the cokes in. I learned that buying cokes for my house was a big NO - because then I would drink 2 or 3/day.
In my late 20s, I began drinking Diet Coke. This, I figured was fine because there are no calories, no sugar, no anything! Then I started reading a lot of articles about being "organic" and thought - what do they put in here so that there are no calories? Answer: Fake Sugar. I've read plenty of articles that this fake sugar causes me to crave more and more sugar throughout the day. But I am definitely addicted to caffeine - and I don't love coffee, particularly on summer mornings in Texas where it can be 80 degrees at 8am - so I drink coke. I figure one/day can't hurt me. I tried to be more conscious of my sugar intake to combat the coke's fake sugar or high fructose corn sugar - but sugar is another thing I'm addicted to.
So what's so different now? It's well known in my circles ;) that I'm a hypochondriac. The health issues brought up in the article above are just too much for me (I think). I'll outline them briefly, but really - read the article:
1. Weird liver fat - although this first reason applies to regular coke drinkers, I routinely switch between diet and regular...I go through phases.
2. Diet soda belly - gross...so I'll switch to regular. Wait, see #1. :/
3. Caramel Cancer Causers - say cancer and I generally listen (see hypochondriac admission above)- although sometimes ok to dismiss because these days - what DOESN'T cause cancer?
4. Accelerated Aging - as a woman now "into my 30s" (ugh), this matters to me.
5. Water Pollution - eh...I'm a liberal, so therefore care about the environment - but honestly not about this water issue as much.
6. Mountain Dew Mind - I don't drink the Dew - but I'm sure this flame retardant chemical is also in stuff I drink.
*side note - I recently have sworn off Taco Bell and McD's because of gross stuff in their food (silica and pink slime, respectively). So I'm thinking this idea of knowing something chemically gross is in there will help me.
7. Whacked out hormones - because of BPA. Infertility, obesity, diabetes? No thanks - Already have a predisposition for diabetes - why make it worse?
8. Dead Birds - again...I care, but don't feel this is paramount to my resolve of giving up cokes.
9. Unknown side effects of GMOs (Genetically Modified crops) - since a lot of coke ingredients come from corn derivatives, which these days are mostly genetically modified - who knows how that will affect us? This is a good reason for me, because sometimes, I want to be a "natural" "hippie".
So - long story short, I need to give up my daily soda. Every morning at work, I pop open a can of Coke Zero(my current phase) and drink it along with my super sugary breakfast. I only allow myself one per day, most days - but it is definitely a daily staple. My pledge is to eliminate my daily work coke. I think this will be a big step for me. If I don't drink coke at work, I won't at home (because I don't buy them). I may still if I go out to eat during the week(but usually I just drink alcohol at that point, which may lead to a different addiction post in the future), but mostly it will eliminate 5 cokes from my weekly average. I guess I'll still allow weekend cokes for now. But since I rarely drink more than 1/day for the past 3 or so years - that would mean cutting down from 7 cokes/week to 2. And that's my goal.
Now my reader, Katy will most likely scoff at this, as she has seen and heard these things from me before. But as I get older and worry more about death, unhealthiness and looking old - I'm slightly more serious. And, I have this post to remind me of why I want to do this.
We'll see! Enjoying my iced tea this morning!
I have these types of ideas frequently - for awhile I wanted to be vegetarian - but it was hard to come up with all those meals with no meat (I will be generous and say this lasted 1 week). I frequently say I am "giving up" coke, or fried foods, or fast food - and never really stick to it.
But this article about soda was responsible for my most recent pledge to give up my daily, carbonated joy.
So, a history. My addiction to coke (in Texas we call all sodas coke - so I could be talking Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Sprite, Diet Coke) began at an early age. We often had it at our house, and I hated water, so what's a girl to drink? In middle and high school, I probably bought a daily coke to go with my lunch. In college - sometimes I'd buy my own coke for our apartment and proceed to drink 2 or 3 a day somehow! And that was all regular coke (no diet).
As I graduated college/moved into the working world, my habits continued. When I started my relationship with B - he helped me to see that perhaps I drank too much coke/not enough water. Slowly, I began to drink more water - but still kept the cokes in. I learned that buying cokes for my house was a big NO - because then I would drink 2 or 3/day.
In my late 20s, I began drinking Diet Coke. This, I figured was fine because there are no calories, no sugar, no anything! Then I started reading a lot of articles about being "organic" and thought - what do they put in here so that there are no calories? Answer: Fake Sugar. I've read plenty of articles that this fake sugar causes me to crave more and more sugar throughout the day. But I am definitely addicted to caffeine - and I don't love coffee, particularly on summer mornings in Texas where it can be 80 degrees at 8am - so I drink coke. I figure one/day can't hurt me. I tried to be more conscious of my sugar intake to combat the coke's fake sugar or high fructose corn sugar - but sugar is another thing I'm addicted to.
So what's so different now? It's well known in my circles ;) that I'm a hypochondriac. The health issues brought up in the article above are just too much for me (I think). I'll outline them briefly, but really - read the article:
1. Weird liver fat - although this first reason applies to regular coke drinkers, I routinely switch between diet and regular...I go through phases.
2. Diet soda belly - gross...so I'll switch to regular. Wait, see #1. :/
3. Caramel Cancer Causers - say cancer and I generally listen (see hypochondriac admission above)- although sometimes ok to dismiss because these days - what DOESN'T cause cancer?
4. Accelerated Aging - as a woman now "into my 30s" (ugh), this matters to me.
5. Water Pollution - eh...I'm a liberal, so therefore care about the environment - but honestly not about this water issue as much.
6. Mountain Dew Mind - I don't drink the Dew - but I'm sure this flame retardant chemical is also in stuff I drink.
*side note - I recently have sworn off Taco Bell and McD's because of gross stuff in their food (silica and pink slime, respectively). So I'm thinking this idea of knowing something chemically gross is in there will help me.
7. Whacked out hormones - because of BPA. Infertility, obesity, diabetes? No thanks - Already have a predisposition for diabetes - why make it worse?
8. Dead Birds - again...I care, but don't feel this is paramount to my resolve of giving up cokes.
9. Unknown side effects of GMOs (Genetically Modified crops) - since a lot of coke ingredients come from corn derivatives, which these days are mostly genetically modified - who knows how that will affect us? This is a good reason for me, because sometimes, I want to be a "natural" "hippie".
So - long story short, I need to give up my daily soda. Every morning at work, I pop open a can of Coke Zero(my current phase) and drink it along with my super sugary breakfast. I only allow myself one per day, most days - but it is definitely a daily staple. My pledge is to eliminate my daily work coke. I think this will be a big step for me. If I don't drink coke at work, I won't at home (because I don't buy them). I may still if I go out to eat during the week(but usually I just drink alcohol at that point, which may lead to a different addiction post in the future), but mostly it will eliminate 5 cokes from my weekly average. I guess I'll still allow weekend cokes for now. But since I rarely drink more than 1/day for the past 3 or so years - that would mean cutting down from 7 cokes/week to 2. And that's my goal.
Now my reader, Katy will most likely scoff at this, as she has seen and heard these things from me before. But as I get older and worry more about death, unhealthiness and looking old - I'm slightly more serious. And, I have this post to remind me of why I want to do this.
We'll see! Enjoying my iced tea this morning!
March 1, 2012
Catching Up...
So it's been quite some time since I've blogged...I'll do a quick summary of what's gone on since mid-August.
NADA.
;) I kid. Let's see - September was a fun, busy month. One of my best friends got married in Seattle and it was an awesome, 3-day affair! Both B and I were part of the wedding parties, and we were in Seattle from Tuesday-Sunday. It was a ton of fun, super busy and great learning more about Soni's Indian/Hindu culture! Here's a pic of B and I in our wedding day Indian outfits:
After we returned from that vacation, we had ACL, which was fun, per usual. Stevie Wonder closed out Saturday night and even though the sound was a little off, it was amazing to see him in concert.
I think October was mostly uneventful. I went to another reception for Soni in her hometown of Dallas and that was a really fun night. I can't really think of anything else that went on.
In November, I took advantage of a work trip to jump start a vacation for B and I! I guess I could detail the trip in another post. We went to Boston/Montreal and had a great time!
Boston!
We came back and the holiday season started - beginning with our nephew's first birthday right before Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving was great, it was B's family's turn this year so we got some great food and great times with his family and grandparents.
December was a rush, per usual. Got a great visit with my fave little cousin, Miranda (& fam) - who, incidentally is not so little anymore. Had a fun ACGNOE (Annual Christmas Girls' Night Out Extravaganza) complete with delish food and AWESOME karaoke. And ended December with a wonderful Christmas with my family in New Mexico (complete with SNOW!!) and Bran's (after Christmas).
Ellie LOVED the snow!
New Year's was a fun pot-luck with friends, I had a chill birthday in January (32 years OLD) and that pretty much brings us to present day. :)
NADA.
;) I kid. Let's see - September was a fun, busy month. One of my best friends got married in Seattle and it was an awesome, 3-day affair! Both B and I were part of the wedding parties, and we were in Seattle from Tuesday-Sunday. It was a ton of fun, super busy and great learning more about Soni's Indian/Hindu culture! Here's a pic of B and I in our wedding day Indian outfits:
After we returned from that vacation, we had ACL, which was fun, per usual. Stevie Wonder closed out Saturday night and even though the sound was a little off, it was amazing to see him in concert.
I think October was mostly uneventful. I went to another reception for Soni in her hometown of Dallas and that was a really fun night. I can't really think of anything else that went on.
In November, I took advantage of a work trip to jump start a vacation for B and I! I guess I could detail the trip in another post. We went to Boston/Montreal and had a great time!
We came back and the holiday season started - beginning with our nephew's first birthday right before Thanksgiving! Thanksgiving was great, it was B's family's turn this year so we got some great food and great times with his family and grandparents.
December was a rush, per usual. Got a great visit with my fave little cousin, Miranda (& fam) - who, incidentally is not so little anymore. Had a fun ACGNOE (Annual Christmas Girls' Night Out Extravaganza) complete with delish food and AWESOME karaoke. And ended December with a wonderful Christmas with my family in New Mexico (complete with SNOW!!) and Bran's (after Christmas).
New Year's was a fun pot-luck with friends, I had a chill birthday in January (32 years OLD) and that pretty much brings us to present day. :)
January 4, 2012
Another year...
Decided to update the blog's appearance and perhaps post again. I can never get my banners quite right but it's not too bad! 2011 was a great year, perhaps I'll do another Year-in-Review...though I have some catching up to do on here since August.
Anyway - just a nibble now, will try to really post later. Happy New Year!
Anyway - just a nibble now, will try to really post later. Happy New Year!