what if you believed that everything in life was like a prize?

run run

2009-12-16T03:29:48Z

I don't know how much longer I'll keep this journal. But tonight I make a quick post!

ran my first marathon in October. it was very difficult.
ran two half marathons this weekend, one Saturday & one Sunday. that wasn't very difficult. cold though.
love my apartment.
my cat is crazy, he bites a lot and I don't know why, but he's still precious when he's not attacking me.
I got a big promotion & raise, work is a different level of busy now.
I met and exceeded all my 2009 resolutions, hooray! I'd even made a 2010 resolution and already met it this weekend (break 2 hours in a half marathon) so I need to start thinking on resolutions/goals for 2010.

2009 Resolutions & Recaps:
1. Run a half-marathon
(1a. run the half marathon in under 2 hours, 15 minutes. If not at the Shamrock, run another.)
END OF YEAR?: ran 4 half marathons, each under 2:15; also ran one full marathon
2. Go on 2 first dates
(2a. unless one of the dates results in a situation where I don't need a second date)
END OF YEAR?: went on a few dates, but still pretty much alone. I do not understand people who are able to line up dates and significant others so darn easily. I'm apparently too picky when I have absolutely no right to be.
3. Go on one promising job interview
(got to keep options open in a tough economy)
END OF YEAR?: two multi-stage interviews, took the promotion!
mostly I just wanted to post these lyrics from the Dixie Chicks, to try and keep positive for the future:

I made a promise to myself
Locked it away deep down inside
Told my heart we'd wait it out
Swore we'd never compromise
Oh I'd rather be alone
Like I am tonight
Than settle for the kind of love
That fades before the morning light

Silence stared me in the face
And I finally heard its voice
It seemed to softly say
That in love you have a choice
Today I got the answer
And there's a world of truth behind it
Love is out there waiting somewhere
You just have to go and find it

I believe in love, I believe in love
A love that's real, love that's strong
Love that lives on and on
Yes I believe in love
Yes I believe in love

kitten

2009-08-11T22:57:01Z

I will post a real entry eventually, but to assuage my father, here is a nominal update regarding my new kitten Fry. I have had Fry for one month. This week I am bringing him to the vet to be neutered. Poor little guy!

Things Fry likes to play with more than the toys I bought him:

a leaf that comes in off my shoe
a bug
dirt from my plants
plastic bags
popsicle stick
ring/tab off the milk jug
a shoelace (any shoe lace)
my flip flops if they are left out
my feet
my hair
his tail
his reflection in the mirror
electric cords (trying to stop this one)
the shower curtain
magazine subscription paper inserts
the litter in his litter box
his own feces

I'm sure I could continue but that's enough for now.

In short... I absolutely love living alone in my new apartment. I am training for a marathon and it is quite challenging in the heat & humidity of summer. And I'm trying to work on socializing with new people in an attempt to make new friends. You can't meet people if you don't talk to them.

nomad

2009-04-17T03:42:33Z

I want so, so badly to get my own apartment. Space of my own. A semblance of independence. To take out and use all these homegoods I've been stockpiling over the last year. To stop being a nomad and just settle. I want to hang the bevy of framed photos that I have stashed under things.

But... apartments are expensive.

And it won't make my job or social life any more satisfying. There is no magic fix for that.

But where & how do I distinguish between what I want & think will make me happy, versus the wise choice that doesn't hurt my friend and strain my wallet?

What if the apartment is loud? What if my neighbors are terrible? What if my computer/car/phone dies and I have to replace it? What if somehow I lose my job? What if none of those things break?

What if I don't like it after all? What if I don't get over my fears of being alone? What if I love it?

"I can't live my life always worried about "what if"
because what if I die tomorrow, then I never even lived"
-plain white t's

nofxhoar @ 2009-04-11T13:24:00

2009-04-11T17:28:27Z

I am registered to run the Marine Corps Marathon on October 25.

Twenty-six point two miles.

This'll be wild!

I am however the laziest runner ever. Running hurts so much I'm scared to do it because I know I'll be limping for days afterwards. I'm getting fit for custom orthotics (shoe inserts) next week so hopefully that'll balance out my legs and allow me to run with less pain. Because I am doing this marathon.

Hopefully I can lose another 10-15 pounds training for this. That would help greatly in other areas of my life.

Off to go for a short painful run around the neighborhood with my roommate now.

half marathon!

2009-03-24T01:39:09Z

Let me just say I loved my half marathon! It was so fun.

I want to do another.

Oh and I also want to run a full marathon. Need to decide: September, October or November. Perhaps a full marathon in September and a half in November.

Got to keep loose and stretch and stay healthy and run run run!

I ran the entire 13.1 miles in Virginia Beach yesterday, and finished with a time of 2:12:43. My goal was 2:15 so I am very proud of my accomplishment. Only imagine what I could do with the proper training!

Once my post-race jubilation wears off, I may regret my enthusiasm for further distance races... I'm not registering for anything yet, but keeping confident and resting my legs a bit to get back into training mode.

Go me!!

p.s. I chose this icon because finishers get medals. My first medal!

feast or famine

2009-03-17T03:10:16Z

I hurt my leg (IT band for those "in the know") and for about 6 weeks wasn't able to run more than 1.5 miles without severe sharp pains in my knee which forced me to stop. I finally went to the sports med doctor last Monday and he told me about the IT band and how to stretch and strengthen it. Yesterday I was able to run 4 miles with little-to-no pain. It was awesome! However my cardio has really gotten poor, so the 4 miles wore me out.

My half marathon is this weekend and I am still participating, though I will not be able to run the whole way. Unfortunately this means that I won't make my goal time as outlined in my new years resolution, and thus will have to run another half later in the year (Outer Banks in November perhaps). Hopefully with my leg problems under control I'll be able to get back in shape. I may also buy a bike and do a triathlon.

Speaking of my resolutions, I'm doing quite well. Surprisingly so, considering it is mid-March! Guess I didn't set the bar high enough.

I'm getting drowsy now...

nofxhoar @ 2009-01-18T21:43:00

2009-01-19T03:12:56Z

Bullet points of my recent life.

I will be running the Shamrock half marathon in Virginia Beach on March 22. I am doing decently on my training; ran 8 miles today at Salem Lake. It was interesting to see the freeze patterns in the water.
Looking back at my training log, my first step in this new running phase, was 1.7 miles on March 1, 2008. I've come a long way since then! I was planning on the 5K being the longest distance I'd run, and the thought of participating in a race seemed far-fetched as it was. Then I ran four 5Ks and a 10K in 2008. Oh and I also lost approximately 15 pounds. I'm happy and proud of myself on all counts!
I have lost 1.5 toenails to the running. Apparently this is relatively common for runners. 2 of my super fitness frenzy friends applauded me when I mentioned it, because it means I'm working hard!
After enjoying kickball so much last summer, I have joined a dodgeball league in town. It's a lot of fun so far. Makes me want to watch Dodgeball the movie! I'm meeting some new people through it as well, which is key.
Wake Forest is the last undefeated men's basketball team in the country and should be #1 in the national polls tomorrow. This has been a very exciting season thus far. I've been trying to avoid high expectations and getting too excited about the team, but it's getting hard not to. Now I don't expect to be #1 for the rest of the season by any stretch of the imagination, but this team is good. And SO fun to watch. Go Deacs!!
On December 20 (well, early morning the 21st truly), the first day I was home in Maryland for a whole week for Christmas (don't know how I swung getting all those days off!), a deer ran right into my car. BAM. My worst driving fear realized. Well actually there are 2 equal fears, but one of them I'd see coming (emergency vehicle speeding down wrong side of road to avoid traffic and hitting me head-on) and one I would not (deer), so the deer is sort of number one. I was okay, the deer was not killed immediately so she may have been okay, but my car was worse for it. Main damage was losing the driver's side view mirror and a large dent above the front left tire. Had to leave my car in the shop for like three weeks while I took a rental back to NC with me after the holidays. Then I had to drive back to Maryland to pick it up, and it's still not entirely fixed. So I need to find someone in Winston to repair the glass in the window for me. It rattles something wicked.
I've been watching "How I Met Your Mother" in the current season with Rebeka, and have now decided to watch from the beginning. Thank you random Chinese video website for allowing this! I have watched the first 18 episodes of season 1. It is sort of sad I have the time for this undertaking.

I'm being cautious with 2009 Resolutions.
1. Run a half-marathon
       (1a. run the half marathon in under 2 hours, 15 minutes. If not at the Shamrock, run another.)
2. Go on 2 first dates
       (2a. unless one of the dates results in a situation where I don't need a second date)
3. Go on one promising job interview
       (got to keep options open in a tough economy)

I can't think of anything else too exciting that happened since my last entry a few months ago. I'm still reading the friends page often!

Vote.

2008-10-28T00:34:03Z

North Carolina allows early voting. I stood in line for almost 2 hours tonight but darn it I voted!

I hope that everyone who can will get out and vote, however they need to.

Vote!

Oh and I guess I never mentioned that Iceland was beautiful, so different than any place I've ever been, very cold, and the economy collapsed the day I left. But it was amazing.

New Shoes

2008-09-21T19:32:09Z

Well, new shoes soon. Not sure if they'll arrive before I leave for Iceland but it doesn't matter because I wouldn't be bringing brand new shoes on my trip anyway. I just bought these for myself as a birthday present! Yay me!

I also need to look at my running shoes again. I spent almost $200 a couple months ago on my new running shoes and fancy insoles for better support, but now my feet are hurting a lot after I run. I had a 10K race yesterday morning and the pain afterward was just awful. I did ice my foot for a couple hours in the afternoon though and it has helped a lot. I should probably go put some more ice on now actually. The 10K went well though, it was my first race at that distance and I ran it in 59:13, under my goal time of 1 hour. It's about 6.2 miles so that is a good pace for me. And being below the big round number of an hour is nice as well.

After I look into my foot pain and try to solve that, I may register for a half marathon. Ah!

Oh and I went to a Silpada jewelry party this morning and bought myself a pretty necklace and earrings. I'm definitely spoiling myself for my birthday week.

We leave for Iceland in 8 days, HOORAY!

Hurricanes

2008-09-04T23:41:46Z

The hurricanes are coming!

Hanna is supposed to hit Friday night and Saturday morning. It's actually still a tropical storm but is headed over warmer water now so it should pick up speed and probably turn into a Category 1 hurricane. I think it should mostly hug the coastline after it hits the Carolina coast, so hopefully it doesn't dump too much rain on Winston-Salem.

Saturday is the first home football game with a 3:30 kickoff, and I'm also running a 5K at 8:30 am, so I'd really prefer the rain not to bother me too much. Tailgating in the rain just isn't as fun.

But then there is Hurricane Ike. It's following a similar path as Hanna is taking right now, but the difference is, it looks like one hell of a big storm. It is a Category 4 (5 is the highest) hurricane right now, but will probably slow down a bit. I think that'll hit around Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, and if it follows the same path where Hanna has caused damage already, it could be really messy.

Then Josephine is out there too, but she is also just a tropical storm at this point and hopefully will dissipate or just bring some calm rain instead of a raging storm.

Anyway, keep the coast of the Carolinas in your thoughts as they buckle down for the storms!

p.s. it really bothers me that the storm is named Hanna and not Hannah. That name should be a palindrome.
p.p.s. if you don't know where Winston-Salem is, I am like 4 hours from the coast so it's not going to be so bad for me.

football

2008-08-28T21:20:11Z

football football football

that's all I can think about.

football football football.

GO DEACS!

oh and Iceland I'm thinking about that too. Iceland and football. Football and iceland.

Iceland

2008-08-19T03:36:21Z

I just bought plane tickets to Reykjavik, Iceland. I'm going with my sister in the beginning of October.

Wow I am so excited.

ICELAND!

btw, the pig with all the medals in my icon must be Chinese because that's the only team who could get medals like that. Except Phelps of course.

running

2008-08-11T23:05:02Z

So I've been running since March. I mentioned the 5Ks. I'm going to run a 10K next month and may work toward a half-marathon in the spring (if not before). I can't believe it!

I can't believe I ran 6.94 miles (posted trail distance) around a lake yesterday... and I can't believe I didn't even know the lake was there, only 20 minutes from where I live. That is about 2.5 miles more than my previous long run of ~4.5 miles. I feel good too, wasn't too exhausted afterwards. Guess I need to run faster then. And I've lost about 10 lbs since starting running which is a nice bonus, except for the fact that some of my clothes are unattractively loose now. Better than too tight!

And how about the Olympics? GO USA! There are so many events to keep up with, I keep finding out about things after the fact.

I watched "Batman Begins" last night with my roommate and we're going to go see "The Dark Knight" soon. I'm looking forward to it - have heard ever so much about it and need to make sure I see it before it leaves the theaters. A coworker who has already seen it 3 times mentioned she might be going to Raleigh (90 min away) to see it in the IMAX theater which would be cool, but I don't want to go all the way to Raleigh for a movie.

Football season is just around the corner, I even went to a Wake scrimmage on Saturday evening. I'm so pumped.

Life is good my friends.

meme

2008-06-14T01:04:40Z

Time passes and you know what, I realize I'm okay. Well "more than just okay" to quote Switchfoot.
It was a fun way to spend a couple years and aside from still having the house/mortgage in my name, now it's just part of my past. I can deal with that.

Moving on.

And now, a music survey meme thing from Kristen:
(I bet this is going to be silly ridiculous.)

We all know how these surveys work. Put your music player on shuffle, and whichever songs come up are your answers for the questions. Don't skip songs just because they don't fit! That's part of the fun.

And as my own twist, I'm going to try and choose a lyric in the song that makes it semi-appropriate for the category or else post a lyric that shows just how wrong the song is for the category.

Opening Credits: Cake "Never There"

I need your arms around me, I need to feel your touch
I need your understanding, I need your love so much
You tell me that you love me so, you tell me that you care
But when I need you baby, you're never there

Not really sure how this is a good opening lyric to anything.

Waking Up: Spitalfield "Make My Heart Attack"

And we'll make it through this
If I had just one wish
If my dreams all come true
Then your dreams will too

This is sort of good for waking up, it talks about dreams.

Average Day: The Postal Service "Sleeping In"

Last week i had the strangest dream
Where everything was exactly how it seemed
...
Don't wake me i plan on sleeping;
Don't wake me i plan on sleeping in

Well this is just perfect because every day I wish I could sleep in! And on the average day, everything is exactly how it seems.

First Date: Blink 182 "Going Away to College"

I haven't been this scared in a long time
And I'm so unprepared so here's your valentine
Bouquet of clumsy words, a simple melody
This world's an ugly place, but you're so beautiful to me

Perfect first date lyrics, just perfect.

Falling In Love: Midtown "So Long as We Keep Our Bodies Numb We're Safe"

You're miserable
When he is close
So take another drink
Another drink will numb those senses
And make the most of flesh and bones
If it helps you fall asleep

Totally awful “falling in love” lyrics.

Love Scene: Five for Fighting "Superman"

I can’t stand to fly, I’m not that naive
I’m just out to find the better part of me

Not a particularly good love scene song, unless you’re being really cynical.

Fight Scene: Alkaline Trio "This is Getting Over You"

Today I woke up, more awake than I have felt in years.
Not concerned with anything, no tears.
Well I'm done with that shit.
No one is your equal because you're the queen of pain.
Controlling with my mood temps,
Staring at my shoes while running away, way.…
Goodbye. This is getting over you.

Well this would have been so much better as Breaking Up but it works alright for a fight too.

Breaking Up: The Go! Team "Huddle Formation"

Standing on the board, board is on the wheels
Wheels are on the ground spinning round and round.

Frankly I’m not sure if I’ve ever even listened to this song. Definitely doesn’t work here.

Getting Back Together: My Chemical Romance "It's Not a Fashion Statement, It's a Death Wish"

If living was the hardest part, we'll then one day, be together.
And in the end we'll fall apart, just like the leaves changing colors.
And then I will be with you, I will be there one last time now.
When you go, just know that I will remember you!
I lost my fear of falling, I will be with you.

I suppose this works okay, but not spectacular.

Secret Love: Hot Rod Circuit "Let's Go Home"

I can honestly say for the first time
That I'm not alone and you're all mine
"So just drop it and let's go back home"
And I can honestly say for the first time
That I'm not alone and you're all mine
"So just drop it and let's make out"

Well this doesn’t exactly sound “secret.”

Life's Okay: Benton Falls "Swimming with You"

I got to the car. drove far. decided to stay away. with my foot on the gas. drove past. all of the shit I needed to say. I've waited 'till now for the right time. I've waited 'till now for the right time to tell. I've waited 'till now for the right time. I've waited 'till now to open up to you. and I can't breathe. swimming with you Is the hardest. everything you do Is so true. swimming with you Is the hardest thing. and I won't hold my breath. and I won't hold my breath when I'm with you

Um, no this doesn’t work.

Mental Breakdown: Anberlin "Naive Orleans"

And I finally found that life goes on without you
And my world still turns when you're not around

Doesn’t work – this song is totally sane and not near a breakdown.

Driving: The Refreshments "Tributary Otis"

Well I've traveled, and I've seen the things I build working
Workin' to bring me down
Well I aint thirsty no more, I've gone beyond that thirst
And the tears I cried for you, all gone dry

It mentions “travel” but not really a driving song.

Learning A Lesson: David Allen Coe "Mona Lisa Lost Her Smile"

Mona Lisa lost her smile, the painter's hands are trembling now.
And if she's out there running wild, it's just because I taught her how.
The masterpiece that we had planned is laying shattered on the ground.
Mona Lisa lost her smile, and the painter's hands are trembling now.
And the eyes that used to burn for me, now they no longer look my way.
And the love that used to be, why it just got lost in yesterday.
And if she seems cold to the touch, well, there used to be a flame.
I gave too little, took too much, 'till I erased the painter's name.

Well it sure sounds like he gets it. Like it or not.

Deep Thought: Alkaline Trio "All On Black"

I put it all in back of my mind where I hold you
I'm just trying to keep track, how far back it really goes

Well this sounds like he is thinking about something.

Flashback: Ben Folds Five "One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces"

September '75 I was 47 inches high
Mom said by Christmas I would have a bad-ass mother G.I. Joe
For your little minds to blow; I still got beat up after class

Now I'm big and important, one angry dwarf
Two hundred solemn faces are you
If you really wanna see me, check your papers and the TV
Look who's telling who what to do! Kiss my ass good-bye

Don't give me that bullshit, you know who I am
I'm your nightmare, little man
Vic, you stole my lunch money, made me cry
Jane, remember second grade? Said you couldn't stand my face
Rather than kiss me, you said you'd rather die

You'll be sorry one day, yes you will, yes you will
You shouldn't push me around, ‘cause I will, yes I will
You will be sorry when I'm big, yes you will be sorry

If there was a Revenge song, this would be good, but he does talk about growing up and such, sort of flash back. Would certainly be good for a soundtrack of thinking back on what you came from and who you became.

Partying: Alan Jackson "Dallas"

Oh how I wish Dallas was in Tennessee
If I could move Texas east
Then she'd be here with me
Then nothin' else would come between the two of us
If Dallas was in Tennessee

Awful party song. Unless it was a pity party.

Happy Dance: Simple Plan "The Worst Day Ever"

Yesterday was the worst day ever, and tomorrow won't be better
It's history repeating (on and on)…
And every day is never ending.

Not a good Happy Dance song at all, a very un-happy song. Pretty much the opposite of the category.

Regretting: Brandtson "Probably Nothing"

I guess it's my turn to walk away
And my mind has its own library of doubt
Jealousy comes breathing
I'm learning my lesson again, I am ready.

Seems to be a touch of regret in this, leaving something; but not too much.

Long Night Alone: Relient K "College Kids"

I'm poor, I'm starving, I'm flat broke, I've got no cash to spend
Sell all my books for front row tickets to Dave Matthews band
My girlfriends at another school I know this year will test her
I called, found out she had 3 other boyfriends last semester

Well this sounds like the beginnings of a long night alone. But the song is way too peppy and upbeat to actually make this be a good song to play for a long night alone.

Death Scene: Silverstein "Forever and a Day"

There is a place where the sidewalk ends
And before the street begins,
And there the grass grows soft and white,
And there the sun burns crimson bright,
And there the moon-bird rests from his flight
To cool in the peppermint wind.
Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black
And the dark street winds and bends.
Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow
We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white arrows go
To the place where the sidewalk ends.
Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,
For the children, they mark, and the children, they know
The place where the sidewalk ends.

Well this would be a calmer, more accepting death scene, but I think it could work.

Closing Credits: Mae "Anything"

Every now and again sometimes, I get lost on the wind of a dream
The air gets clean and the seas get wide and I can do anything
The pain it won't even cross my mind, there is wonder in everything
The ropes get loose and the chains unbind and I can do anything
Somewhere between the darkness and the light
My spirit takes to flight, the colors fill the skies, and I'm free.

I think this is a fairly good closing credits song, except was the hero supposed to have died in the previous song? Other than that, a good song to end on. Uplifting.

over, so very over.

2008-05-05T22:55:31Z

Well it is definitely a "break up" and not a break. He has a new girlfriend, not sure if they are "official" or what but he's spending a lot of time with her as far as I can tell. I think it likely he was seeing her before I was moved out of the house. I live with a friend now.

Sharing the same group of friends in the same (small) city is hard. He's bringing her, the new girl, to a party we're both going to tonight. I'll have to get used to seeing them together. I need to meet some new people and widen my social circle but I don't even know where to start.
I'm trying to reconcile myself with the fact that I very well might be alone for the rest of my life. Isn't it nice to have nothing to look forward to? All my friends say that if he wasn't right, then my real Mr. Right will be so much better...

No I shouldn't write the rest of what I want to. This self-loathing is best kept to myself. That way people don't think I'm insane.

I guess I need to start dating again. Ugh does anything sound more awful than that? No. The answer is no.

note to self:
Be strong.
You can be alone.
You've done it for a long time.
(even though it has been a while)
And you'll have a long time to work on it.
Like, forever.

Oh but I did successfully finish my first 5K race over the weekend. Ran it in 28:58. Not bad. Got to get better though.

Life.

2008-03-22T15:12:17Z

Remember me? I still read my friends page pretty much every day, but never update.

I pre-ordered this camera on a special deal from Sony where I get $130 credit for using their credit card. So $130 off! That's nearly half price. I've been wanting a nice new camera ever since I broke mine a year ago St. Patrick's Day.

Sony Cyber-shot W170 DSC-170b

This one doesn't come out until "on or about" April 24 but I can wait. I'm psyched.

I've been running lately. I decided I should run a 5K; never run a race before. I haven't scheduled one yet but I will need to soon. This week I sort of felt crappy so I didn't run every other day like I should. I ran 2 miles last Saturday then 2.25 yesterday (Friday) and nothing in between - definitely not the way to get into shape. Fortunately I did the 2.25 yesterday without stopping and didn't feel too awful afterwards so I think I am still doing okay. I've been upping the run by 0.25 each week, so it won't take me too much longer to get to 3.1 miles = 5 kilometers. Then if I enjoy my first race enough maybe I'll run another to try to improve my time. But I'm just concentrating on getting it done for now.

Positive side effect, I've lost a few pounds, yay! I've been trying to watch what I eat a little more, and eat more slowly. The average day at work, I bring a lunch: sandwich, bag of baby carrots, apple, 3-4 fat free fig newtons and a granola bar. I stopped bringing the granola bar a couple weeks ago and just eating more carefully and I haven't missed it! And I'm taking better care not eating the same portion size as Wes does when we make dinner, because he is trying so hard to gain weight and I'm not exactly "trying hard" to lose, but I want to at least stay the same.

Also I gave up candy for Lent which I ate too much of at work - everyone including myself has a bowl of candy on the desk. Of course tomorrow is Easter so I will be able to have candy, and I am so looking forward to the Reese's Peanut Butter Egg and Cadbury Caramel Egg I bought for the occasion. I will not eat both tomorrow though, that'd be too much. After I don't eat much candy or sugary foods for a while, my mouth rebels when I finally do and just hurts. But I love holiday Reese's so that is my first candy. I will try not to eat candy at the office anymore anyway, but sometimes a little handful of m&ms is such a nice pick-me-up.

I donated 3 pairs of jeans to Goodwill last week along with some other stuff from my closet that I just don't wear anymore. I had such hope that the jeans which I've worn for like 5 years, would get longer suddenly, but they haven't. I don't think I am getting taller but who knows, within the past 6-8 months they just seemed too short. I'd put them on and then put on anything but the lowest ballet flats (finally caved and fell for the trend) or flip-flops and they were too short. So I finally gave up (this is really hard for me) and decided they had to go. I have $50 gift card to Gap, so I think I will go get a new pair of jeans there today. I've had good luck with their jeans in the past. I also got a pair of "Curvy Boot" jeans from Ann Taylor Loft in January and like those too. But I don't have a gift card there, so I'll check Gap first and see if they have something I like.

We planted ~250 bulbs a few months ago and the daffodils and crocus are blooming now! I was worried they wouldn't bloom but they are and it is lovely:

That's all for now. I won't lie and say I'll try to update more because that's not going to happen.

nofxhoar @ 2008-01-01T17:31:00

2008-01-01T22:45:02Z

Happy New Year!

I wish you all a fabulous New Year. For those who had a good 2007, I hope 08 is everything and more! For those looking forward to the new start I hope that 08 blows 07 out of the water.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-26T05:27:25Z

Merry Christmas!

yes it is almost midnight. But Merry Christmas nonetheless! I hope you all had a fantastic holiday and are doing well.

hey, remember me!? I haven't posted in months.

Cliffs Notes on my life... house is good (lots of work), lots of gardening, football season and tailgating is awesome, Wake men's soccer won the national championship and I was there, basketball season is underway, Wake football bowl game is in Charlotte this coming Saturday 12/29 and of course I am going, weather is not "wintery" at all down here, things with Wes are great, Christmas was fantastic (though a lot of travel involved)... Don't know if there has been anything terribly exciting.

Our tree!

Our house all decorated for Christmas. That is a second tree in the upper window.

nofxhoar @ 2007-09-23T16:25:00

2007-09-23T20:33:57Z

The amazing Wake Forest football victory yesterday made one of the most amazing birthday parties ever. The Wake marching band came by our tailgate and played/sang "Happy Birthday" to me, which was great! The come from behind overtime football win was one of the best I have ever seen. So fun.

Happy Birthday to me! GO DEACS!!!

So far for my birthday I have gotten:
-a nice black computer bag/purse for the office (or whenever)
-Ann Taylor gift card
-Gap gift card
-crock pot
-crock pot cookbook
-mortar & pestle
-silly picture frame
-new watch (I am picking it out now)

...and my birthday isn't over yet :)

What Do You Have To Say? - Music: My First Favorite Band

2007-09-11T22:31:04Z

What was the first band you became a fan of?

Brought to you by HP | Contest | Vote for Winners!

View 500 Answers

My first band was Green Day. I was straight up obsessed with them from about 1996-1999.

nofxhoar @ 2007-08-24T18:24:00

2007-08-24T22:58:55Z

Okay I have not posted since May. Hi there friends!

-The house is going well. We have had 1 month of drought, then one month of rain, now we've just had another month of drought. The garden is not happy with the weather (neither am I when I have to water the yard in 100 degree temperatures). We've gotten a lot of work done around the house but it still needs more work, as I am sure it will continue to for a long while.

-It has been an amazingly busy summer. I feel like we have gone somewhere every weekend. Visiting our families, going to weddings, weekend excursions, helping friends move, etc. At the end of July we went to San Francisco, Yosemite National Park and back to Las Vegas. What a whirlwind adventure! Our vacations are always jam-packed with things to do, that's the way we like it. Football season starts next weekend, so that keeps me busy almost every weekend through December!

-Next weekend - Wake Forest football game 1 at Boston College. I am taking Friday off from work (well actually as a bonus for a job well done the office is getting a FREE vacation day; so awesome) and flying up to Boston, going to the Red Sox vs. Orioles game at Fenway on Friday night, the Wake Forest at Boston College football game on Saturday afternoon then spending Sat night and Sunday in Rhode Island with friends. We have Monday off for Labor Day so that will be spent exploring RI a bit more and then flying back home to NC.

-Some friends got married 2 weeks ago and there is another friends' wedding tomorrow. Weddings are so much fun. I am looking forward to the one tomorrow. Both the bride and the groom are friends of ours and I am expecting to know a lot more people than I did at the wedding 2 weeks ago (which was still a blast).

-Work has been going okay, this past week has been insanely busy. I am picking up oodles of new responsibilities and assignments, which is nice for the experience and the fact they show my value to the bosses but it's not like I am not busy enough! I am so glad to help with new and different things though.

-Last night there was a weird knocking sound outside, we couldn't figure out what it was... then we looked out on the back deck and there was a raccoon eating out of my new birdfeeder, and the knocking was it hitting against the deck. Stupid animal, eating all of my birdseed! I wanted to throw something at it, but we couldn't get out the door quickly enough. When we turned the deck light on, it looked over at us, and I totally flicked the stupid creature off - I know you saw me raccoon - get out of here and stop eating my birdseed!

Well even months later I can't think of much else to post.

joys of home-ownership

2007-05-07T23:11:52Z

I love our new house.
The yardwork isn't as bad when it's MY yard.
I planted a hydrangea and have potted geraniums and hibiscus on the front steps. We planted herbs (cilantro, basil, oregano) in a pot on the back deck. Spent hours weeding and it looks less like a wilderness now!
The bedroom is painted (gray walls, blue vertical stripes), we got a new awesome pillowtop mattress set and it's soooo soft. It's looking good! I don't like painting very much but it's so personal when it's done, I am almost looking forward to getting the other couple rooms painted. We have picked colors and bought the paint for the dining room (green) and front room/library (mocha brown) so far, I don't know what the guest bedrooms or bathrooms will be. That can be figured out later this summer!

I am so glad the weather is getting nice again. Mmmm bring on the 80s again this week!

Sometimes I am so happy I almost feel guilty...

nofxhoar @ 2007-04-28T11:45:00

2007-04-28T15:48:10Z

bandwagon. jump on.

Read my VisualDNA™ Get your own VisualDNA™

it has been a while!

2007-04-20T20:08:39Z

Wes and I just closed on our gorgeous brand new home. We move tomorrow! I am all sorts of excited. Tonight we'll go and pick up the truck and then load a few things, or maybe bring some of the most fragile things over to the house tonight to ensure they are moved carefully. Then we can decide on paint colors and get some paint purchased (we are going to be spending a lot of time and money at Lowes Hardware and Home Depot in the next months) and get that started before it gets too hot or humid to have the windows open. Oh and we have to go buy a mailbox and get that put in. The things that you have to remember for a new house! Lots of decorating and new furniture we'll need to get. And blinds or some sort of window treatments.

By the way, WarioWare Smooth Moves for the Wii is such a wacky and funny game. Hilarious. Get a Wii if you don't have one! Next game we want to get is Super Paper Mario.

I'm wearing maroon and (sort of) orange today for Virginia Tech. Such a tragedy, I can't even imagine if something like that happened at Wake. I know I would be so torn up, and with my friends from VT, and the proximity of Blacksburg, it really still hits close to home. I am still sending out prayers and thoughts for all affected by it.

Hmmm what else has happened since I last posted (checking... wow that was March 6). We went to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Drove through beautiful Monument Valley in Arizona and visted Arches National Park in Utah. We visited Four Corners (where Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona all meet) and drove through Sedona on the way to the Phoenix airport where we flew home. What an amazing trip. I want to go back to that part of the country a lot more! There are some parks that we did not have time for which we have heard wonderful things about and I would love to see them. I would like to back to Vegas when I have some disposable income. But of course with our house I will have plenty of things to spend my money on for quite a while!

Mostly the house and all of our packing has taken up the most of my time! Just a little more to pack - all my shoes are still loose - and we can start loading up the truck. Well we need to call Penske and make sure it is ready to be picked up.

Holler!

random update

2007-03-07T02:52:24Z

The Wii is so much fun. We have 2 controllers (wii remotes) and one of our friends brought his 2 remotes down this past weekend. We could play doubles tennis - and believe me everyone wanted to play! I am going to have to start charging admission if people keep coming over ;) My favorite games are tennis and bowling from Wii Sports, and shooting range and find mii from Wii Play. Meredith was down this weekend (it was a blast) and she most enjoyed creating Miis.

For the past month or so, Wes and I have been house-hunting around Winston, looking for a great little home. We're running out of space in the condo and it would be so lovely to have our own house. We've found a number of promising ones and I hope we can find more! Wish us luck.

In about a week and a half I'll be off to Vegas - so excited!

"Heroes" is going on a break and that makes me sad. I am so hooked on that show! "24" is still good (I only started watching this season) but I am more excited for Heroes on Monday nights. I watched the first episode of "The Black Donnellys" last week and it was okay but I don't see myself getting hooked on it. "Jericho" is back and I am glad, but it's getting a bit wacky; it confuses me. "Grey's Anatomy" is good as always, I love the drama. I only watch "Desperate Housewives" on-and-off but it is so crazy it is unreal. Hmmm do I watch anything else, not regularly. "CSI" is good, I forget if they've resolved the miniature case yet. Enough about TV!

hope all is well!
ciao.