My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

Check out this fascinating site I just discovered, courtesy of another awesome site! Upload a picture and you can see what you’d look like if you were the opposite gender, a cartoon character, older, younger, etc. Super neat and perfect for the super self-absorbed.

Been feeling blah all week.  Partly because it’s abnormally cold here right now (seriously, how in the world did I survive three years in Boston?), partly because I’ve actually caught a cold (T has taken to calling me the Germinator), and partly because work’s been really busy (ack). 

To make myself feel better, I caved and bought this dress (in blue) during my lunch break today.  It’s amazing what a new outfit can do for your mood!   

For those interested, I had a nice, relaxing three-day break this past weekend. 

On Friday, I left work early so I could make it to downtown LA for a friend’s birthday party.  It was a fun, casual get together at an Irish pub, topped off by the most amazing banana cream cheesecake ever, made by the birthday girl herself.   

Motivated by the aforementioned amazing cake, I dragged myself out of bed at 6am on Saturday morning to do a 12 mile run with my running group.  It was one of the most miserable runs I’ve been on, mostly because I was freezing cold the entire time, despite my long pants, long sleeves, gloves and hood.  Also, my new waterbelt was chaffing the small of my back.  Oh, and because my contact lenses have been bothering me lately, I wasn’t wearing them and consequently couldn’t see anything.  Woe is me.  Fortunately, I survived (barely).  Spent the rest of the day recovering and preparing for a small dinner party we were throwing later that night.  And by “preparing” and “throwing,” I mean “not really doing anything” since my wonderful little sister B did all the cooking (panini’s, spinach and artichoke dip, and tiramisu).  

I was sinfully lazy on Sunday and did absolutely nothing, unless you count watching Battlestar Galactica all day as something. 

Monday found me slightly more productive.  Tried a new dim sum place with Roomie, T and T’s brother and then saw Pan’s Labyrinth (good, but definitely not my usual light-hearted fare).  Bemoaned having to go back to work the next day for the remainder of the night. 

My new year’s resolution to eat better (mostly to cut down on the amount of sugar I consume) is not going as well as I had hoped.  Unfortunately, we still have an obscene amount of chocolate sitting around the apartment, left over from the holidays.  I’ve been snacking on a box of truffles all week.  Lately, I’ve taken to hiding the box from myself.  Sadly, I’m always able to find it though. 

I am deeply addicted to the new Battlestar Galactica (“BSG”) tv show.  I’ve always been a closeted sci-fi nerd, but I’m finding my newest obsession too hard to keep to myself.  I’ve been spreading the joy that is BSG to all of my friends.  Poor Frog was infected after I lent her T’s brother’s season 1 dvd collection.  (I’ve lent this collection to several people, all of whom are now big fans.  I only hope T’s brother doesn’t notice that we’ve had the dvd’s for almost a year now!)  There’s a marathon covering the first half of season 3 (which I haven’t seen yet) coming up soon which I’m super excited about.  Thank god for Tivo!

On a totally unrelated note, T noticed a rather large hairball congregating on the bathroom floor this morning.  It was lurking near the door between the bathroom and the bedroom.  He thinks secret hairball men are forming in the bathroom and are poised to strike soon.  I’m guessing this is his subtle way of saying I should do something about all the hair collecting in the apartment.  Poor T.  He has no idea what he’s getting into.  Fighting them is useless.  They always win.  Anyone who’s ever lived with me knows I shed worse than any pet! 

Oh, and for those at all interested, I’m currently reading The Omnivore’s Dilemma, which examines the food we eat.  It’s (as expected) very disturbing and is enough to put me off meat (poor, poor cows).  And processed foods.  And organic foods.  Maybe I’ll just stop eating altogether. 

Since I’m still trying to stick to my new year’s resolutions (well, at least one of them – I haven’t started doing weights yet and my diet went to h*ll and back the first day) here are some things I really, really, really want to buy but am not going to.  Really.  No, seriously.  I mean it this time… 

I love this top.  Yes, it’ll make me look stunted and stubby, but it’s oh so pretty.

Also, how cool is this dress?  It’s more fall than spring, but still, so cute.  If my office were just a tad cooler, I might be able to get away with wearing it to work, but alas, we’re still technically “business” and not even “business casual.”

The color’s all wrong for me but I love the design of this top.  If only I was 6’5″ (instead of 5’2″) and could actually carry this look off!

I love cowl-neck sweaters.  They’re just so comfy.  The bigger the neck, the better for hidding in.  You could be lost for days in this sweater.

I received many wonderful, thoughtful Christmas gifts this year.  Among my favorites was TomTom, a portable GPS system.  It is the best thing ever (no offense to all non-TomTom type things).  

Those of you who know me, and who know my propensity for getting lost, know how absolutely perfect this gift is.  Especially if you’ve been subject to my periodic calls asking you to direct me from point A to point B.  Not that you are at either point A or point B.  You usually just happen to be the first person I was able to reach on that particular day. 

Now I have TomTom and no longer need friends and family.  TomTom always knows the way. TomTom always knows to remind me miles before I have to make a turn that I should change lanes.  TomTom memorizes all of my favorite addresses so I don’t have to.  TomTom never gets disoriented when I accidently ignore his advice and make a wrong turn.  TomTom is acceptance.  TomTom is love.  All embrace TomTom.

Happy New Years everyone!  May this year be full of love and happiness.

T and I were discussing our resolutions yesterday.  Mine was to exercise more, eat better and spend less.  His was to make sure I was happy.  Sigh.*

Anyways, T, Roomie and I had a small group of friends over for New Year’s.  Roomie’s holiday plans were unfortunately canceled at the last minute so she was forced to celebrate it with us.  It was supposed to be a casual gathering before we walked to a local bar, but Roomie believes in being a good hostess.  What had originated as a get together with some beer and pizza turned into a four course meal.  Roomie spent much of the weekend making dumplings, fudge and cookies – all from scratch.  I “made” lasagna (i.e., stirring what Roomie asked me to and sneaking off the minute Roomie looked away).  T and I bought an assortment of appetizers and sides and our friends brought a sea of beverages.  

We spent the night eating, drinking and playing board games with some of our best friends.  T and I had a slightly tense moment during Taboo – perhaps our second official “fight” of the year? – related to our competative natures (well, his more then mine!) but it quickly passed.  Taboo has always been one of my favorite games, but it may now have some competition.  A friend of T’s gave him what may be the best game of all time. 

We ventured out from the apartment around 10pm and rung in the New Year’s at a nearby bar.  It was exactly the environment I wanted, a low-key sparsely populated Irish pub full of friendly regulars and bar staff and surrounded by some of my favorite, funny people.  

*Note:  Sorry for the sap.  I couldn’t resist sharing.  =)