To Blog..or Shoe Shop

I am literally writing here because its either this or internet shoe shopping..I am trying to restrain from the latter part on the internet excercise. After searching for photo to go with blog entry and getting this FAR into the entry without returning to my "shopping cart" I am pretty happy with myself right now. Do I hear a round of applause from the audience?

Let me explain..I play this game with myself on Zappos.com (the BEST internet shoe site) where I put everything I want into my shopping cart - I deny myself NOTHING..then, when I see the total of the shopping cart and I am shocked back into the choice of buying all the shoes I want or selling my house, I am forced to winnow down my choices. I usually make very discerning choices...and keep it to a reasonable cost. The biggest exception to this is in between seasons, when everything is ON SALE - and there are also new styles..whooooo-eeeee! And so, this is how I am having a hard time choosing boots for next season..and the sexiest pair of black shoes (YES - I DO NEED ANOTHER PAIR) I have ever seen. However..one of these choices would be a splurge..both would be shameful.

ANYway...stay with me here...because I need you right now. I need your support. Phew. OK. I have closed the Zappos.com window. I have gotten through it..without spending. Let me tell you how hard that is when the site keeps your CC# on file and you don't even have to get up from the couch to get your CC.

Now that you have taken a tour through my scary little mind...I would appreciate it if you applauded my restraint. Because its either this blog or my bank. Tonight...I choose the blog.

Shoes...shoes....shoes...

Skiing with Piper

So next week - its finally here! Mom, Jeff and I head to CO to see Mia, Brooks and Piper and go skiing together! I'm certain that Piper will learn to ski at an early age (that pic actually looks like her!) Mia and Brooks aren't QUITE ready to strap a pair of skis on her. I asked Momma Mia if there was a way that she could ski with Piper. She demurely said "I don't think so." Then I suggested that she use that "knap sack baby carrier thingy" that I got her..Momma Mia reminded me that hiking with baby and riding a chair lift are really two different situations. Oh, see..I was thinking it was a balance situation and now..I am in sales, so I don't really accept "no" too easily..so I pressed on and said maybe she should wear it in the front? Then Momma Mia firmly put an end to the conversation by saying "NO. I'd rather just ski 2 half days." Hm. Shut DOWN. Well, who would'a thought that Mia's OLDER sister would be preparing her for the day when her very own Leo won't take "no" for an answer. She handled it brilliantly, I must say. I expect, she will handle many other "Mommy Moments" with both her daughter and her sister!

Anyway - expect pictures. Just not of Mia actually skiing with baby Piper. Those are yet to come.

Weekend Report

So - we (Jeff and I) spent some time with Sandra and Adam this weekend. Sandra nominated Jeff and Adam to make she and I dinner - and I must say, Lobster and Steak was an excellent choice..and they did a GREAT job...it was YUMMY!

Adam actually mentioned his visit to my blog, but said my political ranting left him unable to publicly comment on said blog. We always end up arguing politics. The funny thing is, that we really aren't that far apart on what we believe, we just strongly disagree who should carry the torch of our beliefs and represent this country on PA Ave. Anyway - I nominate the gentleman at the left for the '08 election. I think both Adam and I could make peace with this choice...and after all, if Adam and I can agree on politics..then Isreal and Palestine have a chance at peace too.

Sandra and Adam will probably be unable to comment on my blog tonight since they are at the Violent Femmes concert which I wimped out on because I have a long week ahead of me...they have a stressful day at the FBR (Phoenix) Open with Greenskeeper passes to manage tomorrow. I'll be thinking of them while I relive my own Violent Femmes memories: first concert EVER..in 1986 in GB. Imagine my parents response when I asked to go see the Violent Femmes. They had the good humor to see the irony and let me go. Its ironic that its my own self who won't let me go to night. Growing up sucks.

I'm voting Gonzo in '08 - if he's President then going to the Femmes on a Sunday night would be a reality.

BOOOOOR-ING

What's a girl gotta do to get your internet attention? I know ALL of you are online AT LEAST an hour a day (some of you MUCH more than that..yah, you know who you are, and so do I)...so couldn't you use a break from all that internet monotony and read my internal monotony?

I know your busy. Really I do... But REALLY..CAN A GIRL GET A COMMENT OR TWO?! Hmm?! Geesh. Writing the only blog on the internet without interaction is starting to lose its luster. A little love. I mean, really. I'm a Leo...do I need to roar to get your attention? Because I will..oh, yah. I will.

Looking forward to your sassy, loving, hilarious comments about my musings!

Ciao!

Smart TV takes Dive

So there it is. We all knew that a smart show about a smart president couldn't last when it is so clearly out of touch with reality. While the show was often ahead of the headlines and covered world events in an even-handed way, after 7 years, we can no longer imagine a smart, fair, educated, articulated, unselfish president in the West Wing. Yes, its true - after 7 glorious years as the president we were all dying to have, Jeb Bartlett and the entire West Wing is exiting stage left permanently in May.

Hell yah, I'm bitter. Its bad enough that we still have two more years of "W" left. (We can only hope that either the Republicans wake up and nominate John McCain or the Democrats have a special meeting with a world class magician who teaches them to pull more than a rabbit out of thier ears.) I digress. This is why an unnamed person stopped talking politics with me and even the West Wing became off limits. You all know - when I have an opinion...I normally share it relentlessly. Its one more reason I love you all.

ANYWAY ....back to TV. Now - I am hardly a TV hound. I usually have a couple of shows I am dying to see every week. I was thrilled when West Wing went to Sundays, because I could watch it before switching over to Desperate Housewives. I won't say DH show is super smart, but I'll take it over that stupid "Earl" show. PLUS - its juicy as hell. Can we all get over the white trash obsession...I mean how much can we take of the southern hick...Oh. Uh. Huh. Two more years.

Network TV is generally "ugh" and ENOUGH with the Reality TV already...OK..I admit to watching "The Biggest Loser".
Discovery Channel has turned into..I don't know what. What exactly do I "Discover" by watching "American Chopper"? Its as scary as "Pimp My Ride" on MTV which gratefully doesn't bill itself as intelligent TV.

Bravo has my heart these days..with Actors Studio, Queer Eye and my guilty pleasure: Heidi Klum's Project Runway...so catty its YUMMY.

So you see? I lament because as titled...Smart TV takes a dive..and CATTY TV is the new MUST SEE TV.

Ah Well. Perhaps things will be less catty in 2 years.

Bra Burner

Roe v. Wade is 33 today. That means I was only a couple of months old when the Supreme Court finally recognized the the right to privacy included a woman's body..novel concept huh? I find it fascinating to have grown up as a woman during this backdrop and the fight that has ensued ever since. Most of you know that I am supporter of the Supreme Court's decision 33 years ago. And today, while a majority of Americans believe in the right to choose, for some reason, the more impassioned and vocal are the activists looking to overturn it.

Why is it that as Americans when we get a right, we forget that it still needs fighting for? Do we need our rights to go away before we understand their importance? Over the last several years, we as a country have seen our rights slowly eroded in the name of protection (Patriot Act), economy (Eminent Domain) and morality (Stem Cell Research and Abortion). Somewhere along the way, the government decided it could make better decisions than we could. Please, sometime this month, in honor of R v. W, take the time to make your feelings heard about your rights and especially about this important, landmark decision. Write your Senators and Representatives. The Supreme Court's dynamics have changed and we need to continually remind them that we, as Americans ARE watching them and we DO want a voice.

Democracy should take work. All things important take work. This is no exception.

Gym Rat

Well, Ladies and Gents. You may or may not know that I hired a personal trainer at the gym..he's advising me on diet and of course kicking my BOB (big ole butt) all over the gym. I'm VERY paranoid that this trainer who seems to have all this control over my body is going to change the parts of my body I actually like..like my BOOTY...today when I mentioned that to him, he laughed and said that wasn't likely. Hm. OK - I didn't take offense. Much. I think I am paying him too much.

I'm proud to annouce that I have lost 8% points of body fat! Can you believe it?! I won't tell you what I started at..suffice to say that I believe I am about 1/2 to what my realistic healthy goal should be. This loss of body fat is not reflected by weight loss, and I am chalking that up to the replacement of fat with muscle.

By the way - those women in that picture...on the treadmills..in case your wondering..I look nothing like that when I am on the treadmill..the sweat doesn't so much glisten as it does drip off. Anyway...despite my glamourous efforts...I am pleased with my recent results.

Miss America..Who Will Save You?

Did you hear this?! The Miss America pagent, the country's oldest women's scholarship fund is pretty much broke. This year's total scholarship dollars are around 292K down from 528K in previous years. The terrible trial is a result of lost revenues from being booted from network TV to CMT (ah! the SHAME!) and is trying to revitalize by leaving tired, old Atlantic City for Vegas, for a "glitzier, sexier" image...does anyone else see the irony of having that event in Vegas?
The nonprofit organization even asked former pageant winners to donate money to this year's scholarship fund..prompting 2004 Miss America Ericka Dunlap to shake her over-sprayed hair style while generously observing " It's too bad that the young lady (this year's winner) won't be able to benefit as much as we did," Ericka won't be able to donate because she is using her winnings for law school and to pay for the promotion of an upcoming (and surely a hot item on itunes) country music album.

So all this prompted me to ponder: maybe we're all sick of seeing tomorrow's TV anchors prance around all night...when I can just turn it to network TV and see them in 3 months.

Then I wondered..."maybe this nonprofit needs a Duck Race?"

The Talk of the Internet?

So - I really didn't share the blog with a whole bunch of people...because..well...its..kind of like showing everyone your underwear! But - just about everyone I told about it either emailed or called..and I even got some comments (thanks Kimmie!!). I knew I could count on Kimmie to read and comment as she recently admonished all of her blog viewers for lack of participation.

Of course reactions ranged from "why?" to "that's awesome" to "be careful". The last one I took as a caution that perhaps publishing my social security or gossipy details about specific people is a poor use of the internet..since its entirely searchable. Ah...well..that's why my readers, the dear intimate group that they are, will have to endure nonsense and random thoughts as opposed to the nitty gritty. Of course..all good news that's fit to print will be found here...because, afterall..what's a celebration is you can't share it?

I've also found that I'm entertained by myself...which...only means that at least one of us is laughing while they read this...and if it remains that only one of us is laughing, well then..it also means that I am pathetic. Entirely possible.

Sir Anthony Hopkins

I'm watching the Golden Globes...Anthony Hopkins is accepting a lifetime achievement award. I have to say - I love that man. Of course, he is talented, there is no doubt. I love his class and elegance...and it isn't just the English accent.

One evening when I was working at the Marquesa at the Scottsdale Princess, very late, an elegant man and his striking date requested a table. They did not have a reservation, and when I looked up to greet them, I could see why. Of course, he did not give me his name, nor of course did I ask. He looked me right in my eyes, I knew HE knew I knew who he was. My interpretation of the moment was that he was begging me not to officially recognize him - as if to say.."yes, you've recognized me, please allow me to enjoy dinner without having to endure the usual hassle." He was shorter than I imagined and his eyes were absolutely arresting..but most striking was his class. He the famous, accomplished, wealthy man treated me, a hostess in a short skirt with class and grace. I placed them at a quiet table, but not our most beautiful location..but it was away from the chaos..somehow I thought he would prefer to be unrecognized in a restaurant full of people - I was rewarded with a brilliant smile and a wink accompanied with a gracious "thank you for the lovely accomodations".

I don't do the experience justice with my explanation. Suffice to say only a few other people whom I briefly encountered during my time in that business left me with such a warm and engaging feeling. The other was Mayor Herb Drinkwater, who flirted with me shamelessly and told me to "keep smiling - it was good for Scottsdale!" I miss him.

I digress...congrat's Sir Anthony Hopkins. If there were an award for outstanding class act - I'm sure you would have a lifetime achievement recognition there too.

New Avatar

I know - I'm a dork. I like to update my Avatar on Yahoo to reflect either a trip I'm taking or the time of year. I just changed it to the one here - I've got skiing on the brain..for the first time in FOREVER...because I'm going skiing with Mom, Mia, Brooks, Piper and Jeff. The reason this Avatar doesn't have SKIS in it is b/c the only choice was SNOWBOARDS - ICK!! I'll never snowboard...I hope.

I think I'm a bigger dork because I'm keeping this blog, but no one has seen it. I guess I figure its not something anyone else has the time for. Oh, well - its funny. My Avatar is cute. Its Sunday..and I'm relaxed and well rested.

Life is as good as it could be without actually being skiing!!

Looking Forward

So - its a new year...its hardly my first, but I have to say that I am excited to start this year. I feel like '05 was an amazing year: I met the love of my life....my best friend...I became an AUNT...I accomplished some professional goals, in all - it was pretty empowering. Everyone should have a year like that once in awhile..and mine has been a long time coming. Don't get me wrong - parts of it were exhausting: I worked my booty off!

Its an amazing way to start the year because the work out gig has been making me quite stinky..but I haven't been able to say much about it, except for its a money suck UNTIL THIS WEEK: I lost 5 percentage points of body fat!! WHOO--HOO!! YAH baby! I finally get it - its so cool to accomplish a physical goal..I have actually been tossing around another one. I AM NOT GOING TO ANNOUNCE THAT UNTIL I AM COMMITTED!

Here's to '06. Here's to hoping that everyone in my life has a year as empowering as mine was last year...its totally great!