Ode to Lisa

Went to the Paramount again tonight to see Damien Rice perform. It was a fantastic show! Only bummer was that Lisa Hannigan was not there performing with him. Here's one of my favorites, sorry if the sounds isn't so hot!

So sad....

I haven't put an update in a while in regards to my fantasy racing team. Perhaps it's because I'm now doing so pourly!! This week I finally hit rock bottom. I'm actually being beat by a guy that hasn't made a pick since week one! Luckily you can only pick the same driver 9 times so he can't get any points next week. At least I'll be in 7th! If it goes like this for a long time I'm going to have to get this sign to put in my front yard....

Race for the Cure

I've still been training for the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I did a walk today about 8 miles. It felt good and I still feel like I could do more. It does get tiring, but nice to have distractions and things to look at while walking. I'm joining up with Ellen to do the Race for the Cure this month. It will be a 5K, so roughly 3 miles. That's going to feel like a cake walk! It will be nice though getting the feel for walking with other people.

Long drives....

These are the kind of things I do to occupy myself on long drives!

Regina Spektor

Tonight I joined Kristin and Becki for the Regina Spektor show at Empire. It was a fantastic show! I've heard some of her music before but I'd have to say that she is even better live. The only thing I didn't like was Empire. Just gave me the creepy "pyrotechnics gone wrong" kind of vibe. Good thing Regina didn't need any sparklers to enhance her performance!

Damn that Jcrew!!!

Why in every flippin catalog is there a new adorable dress that I feel like I must wear in the wedding?! I'm going to have to have costume changes at this rate!!!

Latte Art

Our cafe at 18th and Capitol is currently being remodeled. We have all new staff working there and are teaching the staff latte art. This is something I have to learn myself but I'm really excited about it. Today my friend Danny at work made me a white mocha and I got this beautiful design! It made the mocha that much more enjoyable!!

Little Miss Strawberry!

My girlfriend Carisa entered her daughter in the Little Miss Strawberry contest that was held at the Strawberry Festival in Placer County. Little Katelyn won!!! She got to appear on Good Day Sacramento and looks adorable. Good job Katelyn!!

http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=19680@kovr.dayport.com

Happy....

Training continues....

Last week was officially 12 weeks till the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. I've been training and trying to walk about 4 miles 3 times a week. My teammates and I particpated in the Avon Expo to get a feel for the race. It was basically a way to get some information on the race and participate in some group walks. We did the 6 mile walk and it was great. I was moving a little slow at first, but once I got warmed up I was movin and grovin. It was nice to walk somewhere with lots of things to look at. This was the first time I had to do hills and it was definitely a challenge. I know we have some big ones on the walk so I need to get better at it.

If anyone out there is still interested in donating to the walk, visit:

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?px=3190358&pg=personal&fr_id=1286&et=HDxZAwFOz3KF-5JXsCZXYw..&s_tafId=154280

Thanks everyone for your support!

Bring on the bubbles!

I finally leave Reno today. It's felt like a really long week and I'm happy to be going home. Of all the things in Reno my favorite thing on this trip was the gigantic jacuzzi tub in my room. Being 5'10" tall it is very rare that I find a bathtub that I fit in. This fit me like a glove and I surrounded myself with bubbles almost every night (speaking of which there is no hot water in my room now and I'm wondering if they cut me off?!)

I will miss you bubbly bathtub!

Bring on the brown!

Have to take another wonderful trip to Winnemucca. It's really only a 2 hour drive from Reno, but it is just sooo boring. There really is nothing to see other than truck stops, tumbleweeds and a prison. If anyone out there has any exciting recommendations of things to check out in Winnemucca, please let me know. I'll go today and then be heading back again in June...ick!

Bring on the Benjamins!

The only good thing about Reno is sometimes you win!!

Bring on the dead wildlife!

I had to go to Reno for work Monday and will be here all week. Reno is not one of my favorite places to visit, sorry anyone from Reno. It's smoky, brown and unless you like to gamble there is not much to do. That all changed once I got here!

I got in the elevator today and it was just me, a man and a giant taxidermied buck head. This was the first time I've ever seen dead wildlife in the elevator so I had to ask questions. Apparently the WORLD, yes you read that right, World Taxidermy and Fish Carving Championship is happening right here in my hotel. Who knew that I could be so lucky? Unfortunately I won't have time to go check it out. I didn't have time to take a photo either, spent too much time asking questions. So you'll just have to use the picture above and your imagination to grasp what I saw. Let me point out that the buck head took over more space in the elevator than I did!!

http://www.taxidermy.net/wtc/

Break out your fins and goggles!!

1. go to www.google.com

2. click on "Maps"

3. click on "Get Directions"

4. type "New York" in the first box

5. type "London" in the second "to" box

6. click "Get Directions"

7. scroll down to step #24 and read!

8. Gather up your goggles, fins and wetsuit for the swim of your life

Yum-O! (but no EVOO)

Let me start by saying that I'm a huge fan of Rachel Ray's RECIPES. I like her ok, but I have yet to find a recipe that I dislike! Friday I made a cowboy cooking spread from her most recent magazine. It consisted of Dr.Pepper soaked tritip, wedge salad with homemade ranch and a bread pudding. It was delicious!! The one thing that lingers with me the most though is the bread pudding. It was soo easy to make and even easier to eat. I highly recommend that everyone gives it a try.

Sourdough Bread Pudding with Warm Caramel Sauce
2 eggs
2 cups milk, at room temperature
1 stick (4 ounces) plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted
2 tablespoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 1/2 to 4 cups cubed sourdough bread
1/3 cup chopped pecans
3/4 cup honey
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash cayenne pepper
Dash salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
1. Preheat the oven to 325°. Using an electric mixer, beat the eggs, then beat in the milk, 2 tablespoons melted butter and the vanilla. Gradually add the sugar and mix until dissolved.2. Place the bread cubes in a 9-inch round baking dish and pour the egg mixture on top. Sprinkle the pecans on top and press them into the bread. Bake until set, about 50 minutes.3. A few minutes before the pudding is done, in a medium saucepan, heat the remaining 1 stick melted butter with the honey, cinnamon, cayenne and salt over medium heat, whisking to combine. Remove from the heat and whisk in the cream. Drizzle half of the warm honey sauce over the bread pudding and serve the rest alongside.

Second Saturday

I've been making more vintage button rings since Christmas and wasn't quite sure what to do with them. One of our cafes called Weatherstone has music every Saturday and this weekend was Second Saturday so I decided to set up a table and try selling them. I had rings, bobby pins and then also magnets and buttons.

It went pretty well! I made about $70 and sold 3 rings total. I think I can definitely sell more if I set the table up outside. There was tons of sidewalk traffic! I'm going to give it a shot next Second Saturday and in the next month will make more. Come check it out if you are a Sactown dweller!

PARASKAVEDEKATRIAPHOBIA

Paraskavedekatriaphobia: The fear of Friday the 13th

I'm just afraid that I can't say the word!

The Tudors

Since I'm all caught up with Deadwood, I started watching this new show on Showtime called "The Tudors." It's all about Henry VIII and his relationships with MANY women and of course Anne Boelyn. It's a very interesting show, with amazing costumes and amazing MEN! What a fine cast of cuties they have. My favorite would have to be the Duke of Suffolk played by Henry Cavill. Oh, did I mention that most of these men are half naked in every episode? Just thought I'd throw that out there for you! For you male pillsplace readers, the reason these men are naked is because they bed many many women so there's something in it for you too.

Don't Forget The Sauterne!!!!

Today is National Fondue Day! I find no better reason to melt up a big bowl of cheese and dip bread in it all night. Just remember, fondue is not as delicious without the Sauterne! Oh, and apparently from the photo you should also perform Tarot by candlelight while nibbling on this delicious delight.

Pet peeve, but funny...

Since Bill and I have gotten engaged we have the occasional comments from people about how it's all going to change when we get married.
"Better take that trip now, cause once you get married..."
"Don't wait, the fun is soon almost over."

It drives me F%*$)@*N crazy!

This brings we to the current story. As I've said about a million times, I really like Ray Lamontagne so of course I am on his mailing list. I got an email today saying that he is playing at the Lyon's Folk Festival in Lyons Colorado for a weekend in August. Here are the reasons I would LOVE to go to this show:
1. A weekend full of music
2. I've always wanted to go to Colorado
3. I like the Folk variety
4. I love camping
5. Ray is going to be there!

Here are the reasons that I won't be able to attend:
1. I'm planning a wedding.

Uh oh, it's started already.

If only I'd known.....

When I mailed the save the date cards last week I had to use three different stamps. The postal lady actually thanked me for not being upset by this. Apparently many "Brides to Be" have fits over not having one stamp for their mail. I, on the other hand, really didn't care. In fact I have to say that I liked the way the three stamps looked and was pleased to discover, just one day later, that Martha's new Wedding issue had a page devoted entirely to the use of multiple stamps. I one upped Martha....ha!!

Then I just discovered that there was a Star Wars edition of stamps released! Damn I can just picture Chewbacca, R2D2 and C3PO on the invitations already. he he

Happy Easter!!!

What is Easter with Peeps?? If you want to find out more about Peeps check out:

http://www.peepresearch.org/

Another dress.....

Everytime I turn around I find a dress that I'd like to wear in the wedding. Jcrew has another one that I find super cute. I'm really digging the button down styles!!

Abs of Steel

I got myself an Ab Lounge Plus. I'm hoping that by the wedding I will have rock hard abs. Or it will end up like every piece of exercise equipment and collect dust in the garage and be sold at the next garage sale!

My Humps

I find this disturbing and hysterical on SO many levels!!

Save the Date!

Not very safe.......

Someone might want to share with their kitty where it is and isn't safe to take a nap!!

Help Me Walk for a Cure

Some coworkers and I have decided to participate in the Avon Walk for the Cure in San Francisco. The walk starts on April 7th and continues until the 8th. We'll be walking a marathon the first day and a half marathon the second day for a total of almost 40 miles!

I need your help though! I've committed to raising at least $1800.00 for this event and I surely can't do that on my own. Perhaps you can help me? If you are feeling up to donating please visit my pledge page at the following link:

http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR?px=3190358&pg=personal&fr_id=1286&et=HDxZAwFOz3KF-5JXsCZXYw..&s_tafId=154280

Also be sure to tell you friends, friends, aunts second cousin too in case they want to donate!

Trek Bike for Sale

So, now that I have my nifty beach cruiser...I must get rid of my mountain bike. It's looking for a good home to anyone that is interested. It's a Trek 830 with aluminum frame, has mountain and slick tires and is in good shape. I barely rode it I'm embarrassed to say. If you are interested, let me know! I'd like to get $150 for it, I'm seeing these sell online for around $200-250.

Oh, and this isn't an April Fools Joke by the way!