Constant Craving......

Food and Exercise Update- I've been doing pretty well lately. I continue to "Tap and Track" my calories and grams of fat on my IPod. It has definitely helped. I also set a personal goal of going to the gym seven days in a row. I made it! I took two days off, and have done eight more in a row. I definitely feel like "I'm back". Now the challenge will be keeping all of these plates spinning in the air when I go back to school.....

Now the title of the post is a nod to my current obsessions, not all of which are food.


1. Sex and the City repeats- In an effort to trim the fat in my life (and save some $), I cut down my cable and lost several key channels including my beloved "SoapNet". TBS shows sanitized versions of Sex and the City at 1:00 a.m. Since I've been looking for new things to watch, I've set the old TiVo to record them all. I actually saw an episode that I had never seen before! Don't you love when that happens! I had never had the pleasure of the one when Trey buys Charlotte a paper cut-out of a baby because they haven't been able to have one. Yikes- I don't know how I ever missed that one! When I say sanitized, there are definitely episodes you watch and realize that cut out great lines, and even better sex scenes. Both usually belonging to Samantha.


We're just coming up to the "Berger" episodes. Some of you know of my "Berger" that I had hanging around this year. It's so funny to watch/listen to Carrie's thoughts after she asks him to be her Plus One at her book launch- and suddenly he has a girlfriend- "I have a girlfriend, BOOM, We live together, BOOM, this whole flirtation is in your head, BOOM!"


Having a couple of these to watch when I get home from school should help me transition back into the year!


2. Bravo- I think Bravo is now my new VH1. I used to watch a lot of shows on VH1, but it's a network that I've apparently aged out of- or something. I watch just about anything/everything on Bravo. Kathy Griffin- I adore her! Top Chef (kind of boring this season) but I've learned a lot from. I also finally committed to watching/trying "Flipping Out" and "The Rachel Zoe Project". Mommy Esq loves crazy, anal Jeff Lewis. I have to admit, I kind of love him now too. Some of his befavior has to be an act. Although on the flip side, I now see what some of my rigid/spectrumy kids will grow up to be. I'm puzzled by the fact that he has pets. I think I'll stick longer with Jeff then with Rachel. Her teeny tiny frame, and old looking face are kind of tough to look at. She seems like a genuine person, needy al beit, but nice. Seriously though, her health issues- her headaches, etc and she can't figure out what the problem is, "stress" apparently. Rachel, if you can't eat anything more than soup and always have headaches, you have a MAJOR eating disorder. Get yourself some help, stat!

3. Tzatziki- Whole Foods got me one day with their free sample tub and some pita chips that they left out right in my view at the store. I definitely enjoy different aspects of Middle Eastern Food- falafel, yum. I will eat this creamy, Greek yogurt with garlic and cucumber, on anything it seems. One of my favorite things to eat it on right now are.....

4. Olive Chips- these chips are not cheap, but their packaging makes me think they are practically a "health food". They are marketed as tortilla chips/crackers that are made with Black, Green, Kalamata olives, garlic and sea salt. Usually I pick olives out of everything, but recently I ate a few that were in something. And....they weren't too bad.....do I actually like olives? Oh my god, am I officially a Jenkin?

I wonder how long my obsession with these things will last, especially the food. Do you ever find something that you like, and then you basically OD on it, or is it just me?

Quick update

I have about five separate blog post ideas in the works, but first a quick update.

The Job- I finally snapped myself out of a bit of a funk on Wednesday and went outlet shopping with my mom and Amy. When I got home there was a message from the Superintendent's Office- No Grant. So at least the wait is finally over and I can move forward with getting ready to teach fifth grade again (i.e. spending oodles of money I don't currently have on books and supplies). Thanks for all your support!

Food- Still trying, some days are better than others. I'm shocked when I use my ITouch and look up some food when I'm out- yikes! I'm trying to get to the gym. If I don't go now, I know I will never get back into the groove once school starts. My gym is a pretty friendly place and a woman who I know casually (i.e. i have no idea what her name is) was saying today was her fourth day in a row getting to the gym, and the rest of us bemoaned that we've been unmotivated too. But it inspired me- so I went today, and I'm going tomorrow and I'm going to try for some days in a row too!

More commentary on a lot of reality tv to follow!

An apple a day.....

I'm having some issues with food. I don't know too many adult women who don't wish something different about their body, especially their weight.


Since I've had too much time on my hands this summer (see previous post about Job agony). Stacey hit it on the nail when she said job agony= life agony! I seem to be encountering news about "health" and "weight" every where I turn which is forcing me to come to terms with my reality.



I've known for a long time that I fall in to the "apple" category and not the "pear" category. It was solidified for me today when listening to that show "The Doctors". They showed two women's bodies; the pear woman carried her weight around her hips, butt, and thighs, the apple lady carried all her weight in her stomach. They asked which body shape was healthier- and yes it was the pear. They talked about BMI- and any BMI above 25 is considered overweight. I am hovering right around 28 right now. What's deceiving about BMIs is that its based on your weight and height, but it doesn't take into consideration your amount of muscle. A couple years ago (when I probably weighed five pounds less) I had a good go-around with my doctor telling her that I was healthier if my BMI was slightly above the magic 25 number because I lifted a lot and had a lot of muscle. One of the "doctors" mentioned that specifically today. So, okay if my BMI is a little high and I have a lot of muscle that's ok. But I know I'm overweight.

I put on between 3-5 lbs every year. I can't keep doing this.

Everything about being an apple is bad, bad, bad. Carrying all your weight around your middle leads to like everything bad imaginable.

Now the other problem is that I know I am fighting genetics. Remember my trip to the beach with my mom and sister, well seeing them in bathing suits is just a reminder that we are all "apples". My sister and I have rolls in the exact same places. My stomach has always been my "problem" area. I can remember all the way back to high school and early college when I was till pretty thin, that I never had washboard abs. Both my siblings have have issues with High Triglycerides, my brother is pre diabetic, and my sister just went on meds for high blood pressure. Probably at least in part to the fact that we are all apples.

I'm suddenly freaked

I've started tracking my calories on my Itouch. This has been very eye opening. It allows me to search restaurants and I'm pretty horrified to find out how many calories are in many things. Case in point- Panera. I'm a Panera junky, plain and simple. I usually eat their at least once a week. One of my favorite things to eat- a simple tuna fish sandwich. Guess how many calories in the tuna sandwich? 720.....720!!!! I'll be sticking with the half size choice when I eventually return there. (Seriously for the amount of time I spent there I'm surprised they haven't put out an A.P.B. looking for me!)

When I can follow a really strict plan, and basically always eat at home, I do ok. When I have to go out, it all falls apart. I have such issues with will power. It's the late at night that kills me. I have to turn often to gum to get me through the witching hours where for no reason I start to eat a whole box of croutons!

I've been avoiding going to the doctor, which isn't usually like me. I keep telling myself I want to lose some weight before I go so I don't get a lecture- but who am I kidding. I should just accept my fate and take my scolding. And if I get blood work done and I am meant to suffer the fates of my siblings maybe the truth of that will finally be the real wake-up call!

"The Job"

Did you ever get sick of talking about something? That's how I feel currently about the state of my "new" job.

Many of you are my real life/facebook friends so you were privy to the exciting news back in MARCH that I had applied for and got a new position. This position would be as the Project Director of a Federal Teaching American History Grant. I basically would be in charge of the programming to help improve the content knowledge of teachers of American History in Grades 3-5. As I was a History major in college, I am kind of an anomaly in the elementary school world. I never thought this awesome opportunity would pop up for me.

I was hesitant to apply initially for a bunch of reasons. I wasn't sure I was ready to leave the classroom for three years. Yes, it's a three year gig. I love teaching because I love the kids and this would be a lot of paper pushing, phone call making, etc. This past school year proved to be kind of tough, and since it was my tenth year teaching I thought maybe it was time for a change. By far the biggest reason I was unsure about the job was just that- the uncertainty of it. The grant application was due in March and I knew best case scenario we would hear by the beginning of June. Worst case scenario, it would be more like mid July. My district had previously applied for, and received, these million dollar grants two times. The one we have currently is more high school focused.

You see in my world the fourth graders learn that I'm their teacher at the end of the school year. Not to toot my horn or anything, I'm kind of a celebrity to these fourth graders after ten years. I've had everyone's siblings, I'm very friendly and know lots of their names and say hello to them around the building. The fourth graders start their "campaigning" for me usually at the end of May. (They have no say in anything, but it's pretty funny to see them try to get my attention and one's who have never spoken to me suddenly know my name.) I was not excited about the idea of lying to the kids that I would be their teacher, and then they would get a letter in the summer saying never mind. I was also not sure what parent reaction would be. Everything actually went fine, and several parents I knew told me how excited they were for me to have this opportunity. When the job came through, one of my teammates would take my job (we were four classrooms this year, but three next year). And if no job, that teammate will teach fourth grade. Are you seeing how complicated this is?

When I was away in early June, I got an email that the decision would hopefully come through around July 10th (which was weirdly a Saturday, but whatever). Ok- and the following week would be the 15th so mid July right? July 14th comes- new email from "insiders" who say now it's the end of July. Ugh....ok. One week after that, another email- beginning of August. Now all those involved, the grant writer, other director, etc say this is so strange, can't believe it. No, this is just What the Helen.....

So it's July 26th- and I'm still waiting. I really thought my summer would start when I knew which job I would be doing. Now I just kind of feel like my summer is gone and I've spent it with a knot in my stomach:( I honestly don't care which way it goes anymore, I just need to know! My teammate deserves to know what grade she's teaching, my students deserve to know who will be their teacher and someone might need to be hired at the last minute and that never works well!

So please cross your fingers for me that this is all resolved soon because I can't take too much more of this!

Conversations heard at the beach

My lazy, crazy summer continues. I owe you all a post of the misery that is the status of my supposed fancy new job- but do you ever find that you just don't want to talk about something anymore (or definitely type out all of your mixed up feelings about it!). But I promise that will be the topic that is conquered soon.

First a trip to the beach.....

I'm not a huge beach goer. I'm not really a sun worshipper (although I have found more enjoyment over the last few years) and this isn't that surprising if you know me well enough to know the fairness of my skin, and my propensity to burn:( I loved the beach as a kid, what kid doesn't, right. I live moderately close to beaches- 45 minutes or so. I hate packing up all the gear that you will need, I hate sitting in traffic, I hate sand in your shoes or stuck all over your body. I especially hate having black blotchy marks all over my hands and legs courtesy of deadly combination of sun tan lotion and an US Weekly. (does this happen to anyone else?)

My family are big beach goers, especially my mom and my sister. In the summer, my sister and I look like we could be two different races based on the level of our tans. I always attribute the others love for the beach over mine due to how our childhood summers were spent. You see, in my family we measure time BH or AH; Before Helen and After Helen. I am the much youngest in my family and in some ways my siblings had very different experiences then I did. My grandfather owned a chain of Five and Dime stores, and the last one that they owned was at Hampton Beach in New Hampshire. My parents would spend every summer living there with my grandmother, working at the store and my siblings frolicked on the beach. The store was sold the summer before I was born. As a kid, I spent every day (of the week) at day camp in the local state forest. Spending every summer from age 5-18, then 20-23 at this camp made a big impact on my life and I wouldn't trade it for anything. My beach experiences were contained to weekend jaunts an occasional rental cottage.

Needless to say, my mom and sister love to go off to the beach and I am always welcome. I'm not usually interested for many of the reasons that I listed above. This past week I decided to make my once a summer pilgrimage with them. All of the things listed above happened and it was also a pretty windy/cloudy day.

We ended up sitting fairly close to some others who were behind us. Two loud mouthed blonds....very quickly I ascertained at least one was a teacher. Ahh....my people, but by what she was saying she's the kind who gives the rest of us a bad name. Now, I admit I really enjoy listening to other people's conversations (beware if you're around me), but these two gave you no choice but to listen. My sister and I rolled our eyes at each other many times. They were reading and discussing all sorts of pop culture information, which ordinarily I would have been fine with but their People magazines were months old- not acceptable.

A great discussion ensued about the Sandra Bullock cover with her new cherub Louis. One of the ladies asked the other, "what country did she adopt him from?". I'm not kidding- I almost fell out of my chair. Louisiana is a lovely country....

Now there is a punch line to the story- email me or Facebook if you want to hear it!

R.I.P.

I plan to honor Theresa's request and cover all the proposed topics, but the spirit of blogging is to discuss what is relevant in your life at the moment, right. So, I will first go with the drama of yesterday.

I have a really hard time sleeping. I am so jealous of those people who are very sound sleepers. My sister for one says to me, "as soon as my head hits the pillow I fall right to sleep". Yeah, well that's not me. I don't remember having tons of sleep issues pre-college, but adjusting to the noise of the dorm was really tough on me. I'm also someone who's mind races if I'm not tired enough to fall asleep. In college I quickly found love for a small fan; the cool breeze on me year round, and the beloved white noise that it created. That fan burned out in my junior year and I remember a humorous trip to Home Depot in the middle of the winter of 1998 trying to to purchase a new fan. That fan is still kicking.

Four years ago I moved to my new condo. Part of me knew there could be trouble because this place was basically on the second floor with someone else above me. This person has no rugs and is a stomper. Very quickly I went to Sharper Image to find a noise machine. It was love at first listen. This machine had all sorts of harmonious sounds; like Everglades, Rain, Summer Night, and Surf's Up. My only sound of choice- white noise. Oh, how I love white noise. In the summer I love that I get to have the fan, the noise machine, and the air conditioner. When the power goes out in the middle of the night, I immediately wake up because all of these go off, and along with the beep of my charging cell phone, and I feel like I am on many life support machines that are being shut down!

I've often joked that I should work for Consumer Reports. I'm kind of "tough" on my things, so that if they can survive me, they can survive anything. My beloved machine has traveled with me and there may have been some bumping, dropping, etc. It has the option to run on batteries, but I realized quickly that I would be sucking those puppies dry pretty quick in order to run the machine all night, every night. I had to buy a separate 12 V adapter- which is GIGANTIC, and weighs like five pounds.

I've had a busy few weeks and the machine has been many places with me. Our first morning back on our bed, around 6 a.m., the machine just went off. I reached for the button- nothing. Later in the day, I unplugged it, gave it a rest, and it resuscitated briefly. Now- nothing again. I'm off to Bed, Bath, and Beyond to see if I can find a replacement.

So, rest in peace my beloved noise machine. I wish we had had many more years together but you've been a great friend:)

"So much to say, so much to say, so much to say"

In the words of Dave Matthews.....

So have you totally forgotten about me! Did you know that this blog even still existed? Well it does- and since Lost is over I have some defnitely blog things to sort through!

I have several topics I would like to share with you my wide viewership (ha!) and I'm going to give you a choice about which topic you would like to hear about first.

1. My exhausting end of the school year/still waiting in job limbo agony

2. My recent road trip (In the past two weeks I've slept in five different beds- I'm so ready to be home!)

3. Russian Spy scandal- I have so many thoughts on this hillarity

4. The death of Reality TV

So please comment below and let me know which topic to start with!

Cheers!

Queen of the Re-runs!

I had long thought about writing this post about my favorite network, a network that 90% of the time is running programming that I've already seen before. Ahem, that I have memorized.

That network is SOAPnet. I had "heard" of SOAPnet for years and I was jealous of those who had it, especially when FX stopped airing the reruns of BH 90210 and they moved off of basic cable. A couple years ago when I changed cable plans, low and behold I had SOAPnet. Lord, I thought I am never leaving the house now. I love "Breakfast in Bed" every weekend as I get four or five of my precious 9-0 episodes, along with some One Tree Hill, OC, and Gilmore Girls. All shows I've watched and enjoyed; over and over and over again. (This isn't a new habit for me by any means. I spent all of college writing papers with a favorite move like "Shag" or "Steal Magnolias" playing in the background.)

SOAPnet also has a little bit of original programming- or newer programming that they've purchased from other countries like Canada. I know my friend Melissa was a big fan of their silly hockey show, MVP, with the tagline, "He shoots, she scores!". Truly one of my favorite things to watch is the delightful Being Erica. I think I may have mentioned this show before. It's a sweet little show that I really identify with in many ways. The main character is Toronto native Erica Strange. She is 33 years old and life hasn't turned out quite the way she thought. She beings "therapy" with Dr. Tom that allows her to relive her list of biggest regrets. Erica is played by the adorable Erin Karpluk.

You might recognize her from other roles on shows that are filmed in Canada- especially the CW's Life Unexpected. She plays the radio show producer and since this show was just picked up, I hope that means will be seeing more of her.

Erica is a bit of a disaster and although I say that I identify with her, I will say that my life is a lot more "together" than hers is. What you will love though is her flashbacks- to magical times like 1992 where you will revel in the fashions and the music that we all wore! They've had two seasons so far, and I honestly find that I wish there was a new season coming sooner than it is.

You can imagine my unhappiness on Friday when I glance at my phone and see a headline that my SOAPnet is going off the air! Now granted, not till January 2012, but still! Apparently parent company Disney is going to relaunch a Disney Junior station. (Damn kids....) Also annoying is the fact that viewership is up to SOAPnet 75 million viewers! I get it- it was launched as a platform for people to watch their soaps at night, and with streaming video online and DVR it really isn't necessary anymore. I can live without re-runs- I can watch them on DVD, but what about Being Erica? I hope that this show lives on and makes it to DVD!

So what's wrong with me that this is how I want to spend my time? Is this a greater indicator of the stress in society? I'm too tired to focus on watching and enjoying a new show, and would rather half pay attention to something I've seen before.

I guess I have to take this a sign- to find some new hobbies and get out of bed on the weekends and do something more productive. I guess I didn't need Dr. Tom or therapy to help me figure that out.

I think Erica Strange would be pleased.......

On this latest episode of "What the Helen"

I live on the edge apparently. Well, not really. If you know me (and most of you reading this are some of my nearest and dearest) you know me to be fairly cautious and not a huge risk taker.

Since about five years ago when I became aware of the idea of a USB drive, I was excited to find a away to hold a large amount of information and carry it around easily. I bought my first drive, a little pink one that probably had 1 GB at the most. I pretty quickly had tons of important things on it. I also found that I was bumping it and bending it a lot. I also lost the cover to it. This is me people. I soon discoverd a different kind of drive that would have a retractable usb piece. Perfect, I thought. Something I could protect more easily and not lose a cover to. (See I was problem solving.) I took my whole pink drive and dropped it onto my new SanDisk Black retractable drive. I've often thought I should work for Consumer Reports. If things could survive me, they can survive anything.

The little black drive mostly lived and traveled in the inside pocket of my handbags. Sometimes my bag would fall over in the car and I would find the drive between the front seats of my car. Again, that's my life. Eventually I thought I needed a little more security in carrying it, and I purchased a holder for two drives (and purchased a nother SanDisk drive for just pictures). The little black holder continued to live mostly in my purse. Sometimes I would leave it at school or forget it at home. Sometimes it would slide beneath the cushions on my couch. Are you starting to see a pattern with me here.....but see I always found it.

Two weeks ago, I was being especially lazy when putting my school laptop back in my Cole Hahn leather bag that I will sometimes carry it back and forth in. I left the drive sticking out. I will admit that I've done this before. Well it got bent. Now I think I mentioned that I bent the previous pink drive and I've kind of bent this one too- even though I bought it because I thought it was "unbendable". Here's where I make the big mistake- I bent it back. I'm pretty sure that this was the kiss of death. Now this was the night before a really, really big day at school (Thursday) and right before vacation. I never checked the drive situation until the following Monday.

On Monday, I needed to use the drive to retrieve something. Have I mentioned that basically my whole life was on this drive. I have a lot of stuff on my school server, but this black drive contained my GRADES, my REPORT CARDS, my COMMENTS, tons and tons of files everything. Ready for this- I haven't backed up any of these things. Nada. Zippo. You see, I live on the edge.



I don't know what would possess me not to have these things backed up, especially since we moved this year to a stupid electronic report card in Excel. I just "didn't". So, I'm freaking out realizing that the computer doesn't "recognize" the drive at all. It's not like the good old days when you could force the computer to recognize the disk drive. I try several different computers. Nothing.

I start hunting on line- for forums, or other people in the same boat. Some leads point to talking directly to the Sanddisk people may help. Guess where they are located? West Coast, of course.

Next morning, I'm waiting to talk "live" with someone at Sanddisk. To quell my stomach, I decide to go up to Best Buy and talk to the Geek Squad. Geek Squad makes me sign away my life before they will even stick it into one of their computers. They were back in like two minutes- sorry, there's nothing we can do. We could send it away and they can probably recover everything for HUNDREDS of dollars!


I begin to panic a little more. I go home and log on to the West Coast. The nice SanDisk guy says he can help me. Then he hears the break down and he delivers the bad news-he can't help me either but here's the name of company in Florida they use and their phone number.

Lord. So I immediately go to that company's website. I start scanning their information. Good news- my drive is so small, 1GB, and they have an arrangement with San Disk, that this will only cost me $75! I immediately call (which should show you I mean business since I hate to order pizza) I get to speak with Ray. He is very kind. Emails me something else I need, which I immediately fill out. I run to CVS and buy a little package mailer. Off to the Post Office.

This was Tuesday of my vacation. I mail away my "life" on a busted USB drive and my credit card number.

Friday, Ray calls and leaves me a message. Ready for this- all set Helen, we have all your files and they are on a CD and are in the mail back to you. I got them on Monday, one week after I mailed it away. I want to send SanDisk and this little company in Florida a big thank you!

That's my life, ladies. That is "What the Helen". I almost totally screwed myself, but it all worked out. And yes, I have learned my lesson. For this aspect of my life.....

Make me feel better- have you ever done something stupid like this, when you know better in theory?

To your corners, ladies...

Started this post a few weeks back....it's hard to keep up with both blogs:)

Raise your hand if you're watching "Real Housewives of New York City"? Good. I knew you must be out there. It's the only one of the trashy Bravo series that I indulge myself with and very much enjoyed the first two seasons of it.

Although I still enjoy it, lately I'm finding it kind of painful to watch. I really can't stand the setups anymore- the fake friendships, and the fake situations they are put in. The first few episodes back are spent with each of the ladies going after each other for things that were said behind each others backs, especially in the press during the "off season".

But the granddaddy of them all is....

Jill vs. Bethenny, Bethenny vs. Jill-

Ok, so I loved the two of these bozos the first season. They seemed to be genuinely friends (mean girl friends, al bet). Obviously their egos have gotten the better of them. Both of their stars on the rise, but Bethenny with her SkinnyGirl empire, own Bravo show, and now new husband and baby, has eclipsed the usually funny, "Jill Zarin". (Side note- is Bethenny's new main squeeze, Jason, too good to be true or what? Is there something about him that rubs anyone else the wrong way?)

They are bitching each other out left and right. And they are both "collecting" allies. I have to say that Jill seems to be the bitchier; love how she's adopted the "Countess" and Kelly. How funny that Alex and Bethenny are turning into "genuine" friends? (their words,not mine) How surprising that no one wants Ramona on their side? Bethenny tried to make amends. Jill wouldn't have it, she wasn't being ambushed. Even her beloved Bobby tried to tell her to talk it out with Bethenny.

What did it take Jill to want to talk to Bethenny? Her ring.....interesting......


Can these two be saved.....before Bethenny leaves for her own show?

Kristy, Claudia, Stacey, and Mary Anne

Did you know these fine young ladies? Were you as obsessed with The Babysitter's Club in the 1980s as I was? I'm not sure I can express the love I had for this Ann M. Martin series. I loved the girls' friendships and their misadventures. I was the last kid in Andover to ever get to go to Disney World (or at least it felt that way) and I lived vicariously through that Super Special Disney Edition for years!I can remember so clearly the excitement of the new book order paper coming out at school so you could see what the newest book cover would look like. I remember being tucked away in the back of Waldenbook's in Andover reading through the books and trying to figure out a way to convince my mother (who worked at the Andover Library) to buy me yet another one of these books. I think even then I realized the books weren't the greatest of literary merit- but I still loved them. I would definitely consider these books to be in the "digestible" category and as a teacher of ten/eleven year olds I work really hard to teach them how to balance their choices of reading; between the digestible, which everyone loves to read once and awhile, and the quality.

Well, apparently- Ann M. Martin has written a prequel- click below!

http://shelf-life.ew.com/2010/04/02/a-night-with-the-creator-of-the-baby-sitters-club-ann-m-martin/

How sad that I may have to run out and buy it! Well, I suppose I could write it off as necessary for my job:)

Did you have a favorite girl or storyline?

I (usually) love a parade!

Hi, My name is Helen and I am Olympic junkie. I love, love, love the Olympics. I'm not sure what it is because I wouldn't say I am a huge sports fan, but maybe it's the Social Studies teacher in me.

One of my favorite parts of the Olympics is the Opening Ceremony. I love to see the show that the host country puts on. I love to watch the countries march in. The geeky Social Studies teacher in me loves seeing the population of the country and the number of athletes they have brought to the games. (I believe that Russia brought the most athletes to these Vancouver games.)

My favorite was the 2004 Athens ceremony. The Art Historian in me was giddy when the performance art created a Cycladic figure! I remember vividly narrating the event, much to Natalie and Amy's enjoyment (or chagrin). You see, I am a wealth of useless information and I love relaying all the stupid factoids I know and learning a few more along the way.

For the parade of nations, Greece always enters first (summer or winter) as they were the inventors of the Olympic games. Followed by the other nations in alphabetical order, except for the host nation that comes in last. This past Friday, Canada and Vancouver gave us their stab at it- and, well. eh. It wasn't all bad. I was fascinated to see the country of Macedonia enter between Finland and France. Well, come to find out the official title of Macedonia is "the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia". (FYROM) I'm sure this tidbit of information will benefit me at some future cocktail party or trivial pursuit game:) I teach a very small amount of Canadian geography so I already knew that the whole country of Canada has less people than our state of California. I did not know, but find fascinating, that 90% of the Canadian population lives within 100 miles of the US border.

You have to expect some level of performance art at these opening ceremonies. I thought, Canada is home to Cirque de Soleil-this should be cool. Well, it was kind of painful. It just didn't seem to flow. A great deal of the performance was dedicated to the aboriginal native peoples of Canada. Which I'm totally fine with, but it seemed to go on, and on, and on.......

And seriously-

Two words = Slam Poetry

The torch was lit (even though the giant crystal thing malfunctioned) and the games have begun. Yay for figure skating, mogul skiing, biathlon, and even curling!

Thank goodness I'm on vacation to enjoy it all:)

Update: Tag your it

Just thought I would give a little update.

As I walked around my place this weekend, I was ripping off tags. All those ones
that appeared in pictures, are now tagless and whatever issues I have that go along
with keeping the tags on, I'm working on them

Thanks for the support!

Is it the weekend yet?

Tag your it!

In an effort to be the best me (doesn't that sound Oprah like), I've been working to declutter and clean up my big storage closet. You see, I have a TON of Christmas stuff and the last few years my parents have been nice enough to let me store it in their attic in lieu of it taking up precious space in my closet. After a couple of years of hauling it back and forth, I'm made the executive decision to make the space in the closet come hell or high water.


If you know me well, you know that I previously moved quite a bit. Six times in years to be accurate. And before you ask, no the FBI wasn't looking for me or anything. The moves lead to many jokes from friends that I take up whole pages in their address books. The one good thing I could say about the moves is that it forced me to limit the amount of stuff that I had.


I've been living at my condo for 3.5 years. As the anniversary of the first year approached, it felt strange to think that I would be staying. With that began the keeping of too much stuff! I have so many strange boxes and sterilite containers filled with simply, junk.

I think I'll be happy with the time I've spent this weekend purging. I also bought myself a new shredder. Very cool, has a handle for easy dumping. I of course managed to get it all over my previously vacuumed rug. Sigh...


So, while working away something struck me. I have a lot of stuff that still has the tags on it. I do use them and display them, I just never take the tags off.

Like Comet here for example.....

or this cute Teddy Bear, also from Hallmark.

It must be some weird OCDish thing that people like Natalie have pointed out to me in the past.

Why not just rip the tags off? I don't plan on returning them. (No, don't worry I don't do this with my clothes, just decorative items.) Do you think it is some weird carry over from those don't rip the tag off the mattress thing?

Here's one more- a cute new thing to put my mail in from the Jean Chatzky (Today show and Oprah guru) collection. I only bought this a week ago, but it's already hanging on my wall, and it still has the tag on it........how long do you think I'll let it stay there? I wonder what Peter Walsh, Oprah's new Clutter guru, would have to say about this habit?

Can Project Runway be saved?

To be upfront- I will admit that I stole this title from the Boston Globe. But my feelings were very similar to theirs, even before I read their article.

Many years back, my dear Stacey had a list of shows that she said were a must. And you see dear readers, that Stacey is most often right. One of those shows was my now beloved Veronica Mars, and another was Project Runway.

With the start of the second season, I bought in to the then Bravo show hosted by the surprisingly delightful Heidi Klum (now Samuel). Through several seasons of the show we were treated to a whole host of characters, and many talented designers. There may have been a little backstabbing and copycatting but it was a show that you looked forward too. I'm not a huge fashionista myself, but I know I'm a better judge of clothes construction than of singing completions. There was no denying the breakout star of the show was Tim Gunn. "Make it work". Who wouldn't want to have lunch and do a little shop with this guy.

Then, the show jumped ship to Lifetime. Fine. But NBC, Bravo's parent company, wasn't letting them go without a fight. As a result, we had to wait quite awhile before we got our new season. (I think Heidi Klum had five or six kids while we waited for the new season.)

Last August- Finally the premiere of the new season on Lifetime and it would be this time from L.A. (Thank goodness Mood has a branch there.) Part of my problem is that I watch it alone. This is one of the things that I miss about having a roommate. There are some shows (Lost) that people should not speak during. But there are others, where it's nice to have a little banter about. For my birthday this year, I actually asked my friends to come over for dinner and watch the show. It got my friend Melissa hooked for the first time. She ended up really liking the season. (I think. Maybe she will comment and tell us.)

I felt a little guilty because I kept telling her that Season 6 lacked something, a certain je ne sais quo. For me it can be summed up in a couple things.

1. Judges- This season shot in L.A. Fine for Heidi, she lives there now with her family. Not so for Michael Kors and Nina Garcia. Both had to fly back and forth to New York and as a result, I think the three of them were maybe in a total of two episodes. This left us with lots of guest judges. Most who didn't do too much for me. Lindsay Lohan, no thanks. Rebecca Romjin, boring. I would actually like to see a more permanent fourth judge, and a sometimes fill-in. I would kind of like to see Tim more at the runway.

2. Contestants- Season 6 was a pretty blah, bunch. I liked Carol-Hannah. I liked Althea. I didn't like Irina, but she was talented. Christopher cried TOO much. I really wan't passionate about any one of them. Sometimes too, a designer can do fairly well with the challenges they are given throughout the season but when it comes to their own collection, it's weird or boring.

3. Challenges- nothing too exciting. Was there one where they had to work with something natural? I missed the trip to the M&M store and the use of wrappers or something.

What does Season 7 hold? Back in NYC. Good. Familiar judging faces return, check. Nicole Richie.....eh. Contestants who look pretty talented, yeah. It's always hard to tell at the beginning because there are so many of them.

Do you watch?

Is it wrong to feel bad for Jennifer Aniston....

Happy 100th Post to me- didn't think it would be about this, but hey that's blogging right!


So, I'm exhausted as this was my first day back to school and I should be heading for bed but
instead I just checked the headlines on People.com to see the news that Vince Vaughan got married.


Now- I didn't read the accompanying article but I can only imagine that it mentioned poor Jennifer Aniston and the fact that they dated, and broke up and starred together in
"The Break-Up".


I can't imagine what it's like to be Jennifer Aniston. Your name is always in the press. You got divorced from one of the Sexiest Men alive, and he basically left you for the Sexiest Woman alive. You were always talking about wanting a family- and bang your ex has an instant one with this new woman.


You're constantly hounded and followed. You even talk casually with your latest co-star and your dating him, moving in with him, marrying him. (Of course, I buy all those junk magazines that stalk her but....)


I know many dislike her. I've always found her sweet, girl-next-doorish. She doesn't seem all that threatening. Not the world's greatest actress- but I always enjoyed her "Rachel" as part of the ensemble of Friends. (and I also never turn the channel when Picture Perfect is on.) Oh, and I definitely wanted that haircut.



So what do we think it really is? Is she unlucky in love? Is she a dud? Does she really not care, which is why she would date such a tool as John Mayer? Maybe she doesn't really want ALL of this anymore. Maybe it's just want everyone else wants for her or assumes that she wants. I'm not sure I would really blame her.

My hope for her is that she ends up in a Halle Berry situation- hot boyfriend, no ring, adorable daughter or just a little bit of peace from the paparazzi.

Your thoughts......

10 years ago....

Wow 2010. Wow. Weren't we all just fearing the stupid Y2K, millenium thing....

In January of 2000, I was half way through my student teaching year, and half way through my Masters program. I was loving both and felt like I had finally found the thing that I wanted to do.

This January 2010, I'm halfway through my TENTH year of teaching. Yikes!

In January of 2000, I was living with my parents and dreaming of moving out.

In January of 2010, I ironically live up the street from my parents in the condo I bought myself three and half years ago. ( I did live in a bunch of other places, before landing back in my hometown. I sometimes regret the move back to the 'burbs, but during a snowy winter I love knowing I always have a parking spot. And someone else will plow it out.)

In January of 2000, I was driving my second card- a red two-door 1992 Toyota Tercel. It was like my wind-up toy. I felt like there should be a giant key that goes in the back to get it to go. It had teeny tiny tires, and I always felt like I was being blown all over the highway. And it had no air conditioning!

In January of 2010, I have a 2009 Ford Escape. Yes, air conditioning. Blue tooth....love it.

In January of 2000, I had surprisingly short hair. It must have also been a non highlighting time, because it looks pretty dark! I'm going to work on scanning a picture.

In January of 2010- I maintain sunkissed locks all year long- and speaking of long, but hair is a little ridiculous right now. I have incredibly thick hair. Isn't straight or curly, but strangely wavy. I was supposed to see my beloved hair dresser this week, but she went on bed rest :( I'm scrambling to find someone to color and cut this mane.

In January of 2000, I think I weighed around 1** lbs.

In January of 2010, I weigh twenty lbs more. Ugh....I have done quite a bit of fluctuation in these last ten years. Including a brief time about four years ago when I was just about at that magical weight above. It really isn't about the number anymore, but how I feel and how clothes fit. There was a definite ephinany over this cookie filled vacation that perhaps I will write more about another time. (I could use a little moral support.)

In January of 2000, I got my first passport. (In hopes that I might visit my good friend Elizabeth while she studied abroad in Sweden.)

Guess what I need to renew before the end of January 2010......hmmmm......something I probably should've taken care of this week.

Where were you 10 years ago?