One foot in front of the other

I'm in my last days of going about my days with reckless abandon. At least as it pertains to my body. So what do I do in preparation? Binge eat of course. I'm planning on cutting my portions as I stated yesterday on July 1st. I want to try for a healthier me. I can't do that if I keep eating the same amount I'm currently used to. However, there are a few things that I want to indulge in before I crack down.

First I want a burger from Burger Island. I've found myself craving one several times over the last few days. I also want to satiate my Chinese craving. These things will not help me in the long run, I am aware. I already feel the strain my bad choices are putting on my body. It's part of the reason I desire a change.

Recently my feet have been hurting in a way that I haven't felt before. Growing up there was a time I had chronic foot pain. It consisted of my feet hurting when I applied pressure as well as when I released pressure if I was on them for too long. I never did find out what caused it. Shortly after that started happening I lost some weight and haven't had that problem since. Now I feel as though a ligament is strained. Except I'm not entirely sure if that is what I'm feeling. All I know is that there is an almost burning pain when I squeeze my foot. It started in my left foot and then I woke up feeling it in both. I was very happy about that.

I am doing a little bit to prepare for the change. I got up and went on my three mile walk. It finally clicked that I was walking with traffic the whole way and that I should change that. I did so today. It. Was. Hell. I don't know if it was because I was having a difficult time getting out of my head. I don't know if it was the drinking that happened on Friday night. Maybe it was the stroganoff and hard cider I had on Saturday night. Maybe it was everything, but today was the hardest three miles I've ever walked. I didn't make it half way before I was acutely aware of my breathing, the blisters developing on my feet, the cramp in abdomen and the other 1.5 miles that was yet to come. There was at least thirty minutes of me telling myself that I could finish, that I had done this walk before. Not to mention the parts where I begged myself to listen to the music and just keep going. I made it though. Being on my feet at work all day after this morning was not ideal, but I did that as well. I'm going to be so sore tomorrow. I can already feel it setting in.

Can I just be less squishy?

I am pushing myself into another diet of sorts. It's not really a diet as those never work. I just want to be healthier. I want to be more active. I feel that if I lost weight I'd be more active. What better way to lose the weight than to be more active. Eh? See what I did there? I have many many problems with losing weight.

For one thing, I need to resist the urge to eat so much. Since I tend to eat so quickly that by the time my body has caught up to the fact I am full, I've overdone it. The problem is the feeling of being hungry frustrates me. It has always been the one thing that bugged me the most. Over the years it was always the only thing that encouraged my brief stints of taking diet pills.

I want to be more thin. By no means to I want to be a toothpick. It's an unrealistic goal that I am not seeking. More accurately, I want to be slimmer than what I am. I just want to feel less heavy. If there is less of me being drug around I may have more energy to bike and run and hike and do things that don't involve being stationary. I can't say how many times recently I've wanted to pick up a new sport. For some reason I want to learn how to penny board. Is it called a penny board in America? A question I keep wondering.

I am trying to figure out this whole thing without going to a nutritionist. I am thinking that I am going to do my best to work out every day. I also want to be more conscious of my portions. Despite hating the feeling of being hungry I want to strive for consuming half my usual portion size. I also want to give myself a cheat day in the month so I am not always consumed by cravings. More specifically I want to do the following things:

• cut soda
• cut juice
• cut sugary sweets
• half my portions
• work out daily

Hopefully I can stick to this. There are a few rewards that I have in store for myself if I succeed. One of which being a day at the theme park riding some roller coasters. It's not that I can't now. Only I've done the walk of shame and I am rather reluctant to find out these hips don't lie. All I want for Christmas is a healthier me. That's my Christmas wish. Truly though, I want to start on July 1st. Here goes nothing.

I want my glasses

I seem to be an arms length yet worlds away from so many things. I can't put into words half of what is going through my head, so instead I'll talk about glasses.

All day long all I can think about is the eminent arrival of my glasses. Of course the thing I am most excited about are the sunglasses. A pair of shades that I can where sans glasses or contact and still see. Huzzah! I probably should have asked after I ordered my glasses (the pair I ordered in person) when they were expected to be in. Alas, I did not. Now every day is a mystery. Either way they are coming. Yey.

Sleep on a day off? Not this time

Finally. I used a day off the way it's supposed to be used. I didn't sleep through the day though at first I thought I would. I fell asleep again without finishing everything the night before. I woke up thinking that I wanted to finish my slightly uncomfortable rest in a more comfortable way. I talked myself out of it.

I decided to earn myself some money. That was easy. I may be able use that to get some prescription sunglasses. I'm excited about that. Then I finally scheduled my eye exam that was supposed to take place in January. I've committed to a more prominent set of glasses that I'm half excited about and half nervous about. It's a bit of a bold statement. I feel like I subconsciously took a step towards being more of a hipster. I shouldn't be surprised, it's been brewing for a while.

I got to hang out with a friend that I hadn't seen in a while. That was cool. We got lunch and chatted about a plethora of things. I even paid the bills today. Things just happened. Well, some things. I did not get around to cleaning my room, doing my laundry, washing my hair, or taking out my trash. Baby steps, I guess. I'm beginning to understand why it's important to have two days off. One is there to recuperate from the beat down the work week delivers. The other one serves as free time to handle business. I should probably make some changes so I can get back to having two days off a week. After five years it's starting to get to me. Interesting.

DPC

The last few weeks have beat me down. It was crazy sauce.

The other night I went to see Driftless Pony Club. They're on tour and came through town. I decided to not miss an opportunity to meet someone who feels like they are in a different universe. I understand that they are just people who make videos. However, I am looking into the lives of people who aren't my personal friends and don't live around me. That feels strangely intimate to me which makes me desire to meet them. Plus I have this thing for live music.

The venue was an coffee house, apropos for the front man who has a catchphrase "I love it when the coffee's done." I loved the vibe of the place and have decided to get my friends back over there sometime. Unfortunately for the band (fortunately for me as I'm an old woman at heart), the band received some noise complaints and had to turn down the volume for their set after maybe two songs. Personally I felt the sound was more rounded that way. Let me explain, the venue was this small concrete basement. With the sound up so high all you heard was an overload of instruments and no vocals. Once the volume came down I could hear the songs being sung. Though it was sad to see that the drummer had to be turn it down. I've recently fallen in love with watching drummers do their thing.

The guys in the band were comedians at heart. They were cracking jokes in between songs. The bassist decided that he was rocking too hard to be on stage. He just backed off the stage, playing all the while. He back about ten feet into the crowd just because. I enjoyed watching them play. I also enjoyed meeting them afterwards. I got to talk to one of the guys about creepy pictures and stage a picture for the heck of it. I also failed to check a picture I took with another guy. I was so disappointed to find that picture was blurry.

Always check your photos or just get better at taking them.

Conversations get you great things.

Weeks of Awesome

My weeks of awesome have not come to a close just yet. It will tomorrow night. I'd say that I'm a little bummed about it but instead I am just excited. As I am always when it comes to being able to the chance to meet a Youtuber. Driftless Pony Club is coming to town bringing their front man, Craig Benzine, or Wheezy Waiter. I'm stoked. They are also bringing with them live music. Another concert to keep up my live music kick.

I've decided to be smart about this. Since I need to open at work tomorrow, sleep needs to happen now. As in right now. I will, however, put it off a little more to finish my thoughts. I have a plan to pack a change of clothes so I don't have to waste time coming home to change. I am thinking that a double lunch needs to be packed in order for me to save my money buying CDs at the concert. My mind is running a hundred thoughts a minute. At least I know where I'm going this time. Yey practice drive. I won't get lost like I almost did going to the Subbox Tour.

In other news, PoPS is releasing it's 8th episode in three days. Maybe that's why I'm not bummed about my weeks of awesome coming to an end. I consciously forgot but subconsciously remembered that it isn't. I now have PoPS to look forward to as well.

That weekend. Man.

My first day back to work after stretching myself way thin this weekend. Talk about a difficult time. Even with yesterday off from life I still ended up staying up until after midnight to bring in my mother's new year on this planet. Happy Birthday, Mom.

It's now been a few days of pushing forward with less than the ideal amount sleep. Unlike Warped Tour work didn't have as much stimulation to keep me feeling energized. I made it through the day but it was a long one. I feel like a dead girl walking all day long Also it's definite that I burned on neck and shoulders. I'm not blistering like my friend, so that's a thing.

Warped Tour

Mother flipping Warped Tour.

Everything I wanted and more. It was incredible. I sweated, burned, danced, found new artist, and stood on my feet for eight hours. I got to see We the Kings (the entire reason I bought the ticket). I even got to find a band that I was familiar with from my years of hearing music but not knowing bands.

However, before I get into Warped Tour I must discuss my mother's party. All of my whining and complaining were for naught. It was a lot of fun. We danced most of the night. Despite me being a crotchety old maiden and feeling like the music was far too loud, the DJ was incredible. He got up and showed us some line dances. He danced with my mother, twirled her really showing everyone up. The food was good. The decorations were nice. My aunt and mother did an excellent job. My mother brought in her 50th year with style.

Now Warped Tour. This day... God gave me so much more than I could have imagined I desired. It started with Gabrielle noticing the tent named Warped YouTubers. I was busy fretting over We the Kings. Not only were there YouTubers but there was one that I was familiar with. What? I didn't even know he'd be there. There he was. I got a picture with him. That was cool.

 

Afterwards, Gabrielle decided that we needed to eat before watching the We the Kings set. We went to the other side of the festival from where the stage they were playing was located. She wanted to sit down for a bit so we copped a squat next to the concession stands. Sitting there I realized that we were right at the entrance gate for the food tent for the performers and crew. Who should coming strolling out but the owner of the Delorean kit himself. On his way to play his set, Danny Duncan walks in front of me and I had to make a quick decision as to whether I should stop him or not. I stopped him. Even though he had his call time to make he stopped and took a picture with me. I thanked him via Twitter.

My face makes it look as though I was ungrateful for the encounter. I had food in my mouth, that's how spur of the moment this was, when I called him over.

The day continued in that manner. Gabrielle got me over to an acoustic set by Yellowcard, reminding me that there is music out there that I like but don't know where to find it. We the Kings did not disappoint with their show. It was just as exciting to watch as I dreamed. I saw this set by a artist named Antiserum. I danced through his entire set. He had the pit bumping. During his set I was making up my mind to visit his merch table to purchase a CD if I could and his hat because it was sic albeit simple. A hat ended up being tossed into the crowd and I got it. Then when I went after his music, turns out it's all free online.

I wanted to stay for Yellowcard's second set but Gabrielle was feeling beat down and needed to get home to her animals. Sensing my reluctance leave she saved my day. She decided that she will go home. Yet, since we both came in her car she would return to pick me up later and carry me home after the last concert. I wish that I could say I refused to inconvenience her in that manner, but alas music is my drug. She left and I underwent the remainder of the festival alone. Something I am not unaccustomed to doing. The day was dope. I think I'm sunburned, my throat hurts a little, I'm beat and I wouldn't ask for it to go any differently.

 

Need sleep because Warped Tour

Gearing up for a weekend by... not getting enough sleep. I never learn. I should be in bed. After all tomorrow night is my mother's party celebrating her 50th birthday. Sunday is Warped Tour. I'm already exhausted and I haven't spent eight hours on my feet in the sun. Thank God I have Monday off. I may sleep away another day off... I still need to do laundry.

I'm extremely excited for this weekend. Although part of me, the part that wishes I never had to get out of bed, is a little worried. I finally had a day to myself. I spent it at the movies forgetting about my to-do list that sat in need of attention here at home. I regret nothing. This weekend marks the beginning of a whirlwind. There's my mother's party, Warped Tour, and the DPC concert. I'm still a little stressed at work. Things are a bit crazy. There are a curious amount of elements present to produce a dead girl walking. I'm not complaining. I love being able to live my life. I'm still testing my limits. I bet I'll find out what they are when I keel over.

Movie day off

Today I learned that I will pretty much do anything to avoid handling basic responsibilities. Okay, maybe I didn't learn that today. Maybe that is a thing that I've known about myself for years. Either way I have managed to waste a day off. Though I like to call it relaxing.

My day started with me waking up after falling asleep at an odd time. After I finished a few things that I should have completed before crashing, I went back to sleep. Later I woke up late to my alarm. It was time to get my day started. I went to go see The Fault in Our Stars. Since a lot, and I do mean a lot, of tweens are interested in seeing this movie I decided to go to a showing that few newly-released-for-summer kids would want to drag themselves out of bed to attend. It was my best decision not to push that to a later time when I had trouble getting out of bed. The theater was mostly empty. Not to worry as the movie is number one in the box office.

I cried just as I expected I would. It was a beautiful and touching story. I left with my eyes burning and a smile on my face. I need to rush through To Kill a Mockingbird so that I can read The Fault in Our Stars. I am touched with a sentiment that seems to be going around: D**m John Green.

The pressure in my chest had me feeling that I needed a pick me up. What better to grant that than the latest Tom Cruise movie? Answer: nothing. He's dreamy. I enjoy his movies. I try to catch everyone he's in. This one being the Edge of Tomorrow. A strange story line that I couldn't grasp from the trailer. It was quite entertaining. There was suspense, comedy, and tragedy all in there. I can't wait to own it so I can watch it an obscene number of times. That is the first time I've ever felt that way about an alien invasion movie. Oh wait, second. There was Oblivion which was also Tom Cruise.

My day off turned into a movie day. I didn't do laundry which needs to be done. I have not straightened my room. I haven't even eaten a proper meal all day, probably the reason for my headache. Day wasted/rested, whatever. I enjoyed it.

♫♪So hard. Yeah, yeah, yeah♫♪

Today was my first day back to work after vacation. It was a difficult day. After spending majority of my week essentially only worrying about hanging out with my friend as she prepares to get married, getting back in the swing of business was almost a miss. Friend time, all week. The only time I thought about either work or the people I work with was when I told a story about sunburn. Other than that I'm that co-worker that doesn't miss her colleagues when she's away. Miss them? More accurately I don't think about them. I leave my work, colleagues included, at work at the end of the day.

Last week was no different. I was away from Wednesday until Monday. My time was spent in hair appointments and dinners. I got dressed up and stood in a spot all pretty like. None of these things reminded me of the "fun" I was missing at work. What did remind me of what I had been missing at work? Going back to work today. The whole day was one drag after another. I was told that I was particularly quiet, something that is not a natural state of my being. The whole day I felt, while not crabby, as though I was in a funk. My smile disappeared at the door and I didn't feel it on my face again until I was driving home. I don't know what the problem was, but it is disconcerting. I don't know why it's so hard.

Gotta change the name in my phone

It's done. The wedding is over. My friend is now a married woman.

The last few days leading up to the wedding were a bit of a whirlwind. Fortunately, being a bridesmaid I was able to hang out with the bride in the midst of it all. Thursday night we had the rehearsal dinner followed by the rehearsal. Friday brought on the nail appointment. Afterwards we went to dinner at Cheesecake factory. That was a lot of fun. We all ate too much.

I spent the night in a hotel, thanks to the parents of the bride. Even though I stayed up too late I was still up early the next. I was ready for the wedding. I started my morning off with an emergency run to Walmart. We ate breakfast. Afterwards we headed out to get makeup done around noon. Well makeup for me, hair and makeup for the others.

The wedding was quite the party. We took picture, ate cake, and danced like crazy people. I was in love with my green dress and by the end of the night I got to take home not one but two bouquets. How is that? Because who has two thumbs and caught the bouquet with all the single ladies? This girl.

It was a great night. I am so happy to have been apart of it.

Rehearsal dinner tonight

The festivities are beginning tonight. My friend is getting married this Saturday and the rehearsal dinner is tonight. I'm driving an hour to get into the town where the wedding will be held. Personally I cannot wait. I love long drives, I give the best concerts while driving alone. Everything that she's been stressing over will be done for me at the end of this weekend. The little bit of drama that has been plaguing her nuptials haven't been too much to handle. Thanks to the expert hand of the Matron of Honor, I am being guided into the correct way to redirect stress away from the bride. We, the bridal party, will get our bride through this weekend so help us God.

The countdown to the wedding winding down has me also thinking about what's to come afterwards. I should be worried about my mother's party but all I can think about is Warped Tour! It's happening in a week and I'm so excited. It's crazy because I'm following the people that I'm looking to see on YouTube. They are in the Philippines right now. I'll be seeing them live in a week and they are wrapping up a tour on the other side of the world. I can't imagine a life like that. I'd love a shot at it though.

So: wedding in two days, mother's birthday party in a week, Warped Tour right after that, then that following week another concert is coming through town. The urge to write let the games begin is really difficult to fight. I'm so excited.

Play ball

Thanks to a co-worker who has Bible study I got to go to the Rangers game. He planned his ticket purchase around the Bible study but after he purchased the tickets the study was rescheduled. Rather rudely, might I add. Though I shouldn't be too overly critical. The reschedule along with his dedication is what got me tickets to tonight's ballgame. I went with my friend from work. The guy, at this point, was desperate to not allow the tickets to go to waste. He asked if we had plans and once we confirmed we didn't he offered us his tickets.

The game was a lot of fun. First we focused on getting our hands on some over-priced food. When at the game you must have hot dogs. Afterwards we went to our seats only to find seat thieves nestled in and comfortable. After we eradicated them we settled in. The game was pretty excited. Fewer people got hit by foul balls. I think this may have been an injury free game as far as the attendees were concerned. Unfortunately, the Rangers lost. By a bit. Ending the game 3-8 Baltimore. Maybe they'll have a comeback later this week.

All in all it was a good night. I had fun.

Let the games begin

It's go time. June has arrived. I have so many things to do this month.

First there is the wedding in which I am a bridesmaid. It's the first week of June, as in right now. I have off most of the week. Schedules for the next week have been nailed down. Dresses have been fitted. I still don't know what to do with my hair but the bride doesn't seem to care. Her only note about the matter when I mentioned her wedding pictures that will forever document her day was that she has never seen a picture of me that she didn't like. She's very sweet to me.

June marks the beginning of my summer of music. Warped Tour is in two weeks. Two weeks. Then another band is coming in the week following that. Also, since the summers are long here I have a concert coming up in August. I want to find one to go to in July because that would be dope. I'll keep an eye on the events websites. Bring on the music.

My mother's birthday party in also in two weeks. It's going to be a big bash. People are coming into town to celebrate. It was a source for a bit of stress for me, then my aunt took over the planning. I still can't thank her enough. While I haven't really had a first hand in planning the party, I will still be glad when everything goes off without a hitch.

The summer has arrived. Things are happening.