Costco

Today was a pretty normal day. I worked from home (yes, I'm rubbing it in) and actually got a lot of stuff done. I had lunch with my friend Dan from high school and swung by Jason's house to return Season 4 of "24" that I've had forever (thanks J, I'm TOTALLY hooked now). But the highlight of the day was my trip to Costco to pick up my contacts.

As you well know, there is never an uneventful visit to Costco. It just invites far too many interesting people. Today it was the lady in the leggings. People, leggings should stay in the 80's. It's bad enough that little girls are wearing them now under jean skirts, but what I saw today was an absolute monstrosity. There was a lady in capri length leggings and a tank top. Nothing over. Wrong in so many different ways. Spandex is for the gym and even then, it should be used sparingly.

Now, my pet peeve with Costco. What's up with the carts? And how the heck do people decide where to set up those little clusters of carts that look like an empty parking space but end up being just a cluster of carts? Seriously, who decides which spot is going to be the cart return spot? And why the heck don't they just take them to the cart return?

Finally, I'm sad to report that I think the ghost shrimps are no more. I can't find them, which doesn't necessarily mean that they're dead, but I'm pretty sure they ended up a nice afternoon snack for the angel fish or Sucka. *sigh*

Coolest Thing Ever!

Tonight was the first rehearsal this year for SCSO, so I'm in a great mood anyways, but it gets better! So I do my section leader duties, have a fantastic rehearsal and then rehearse to sing the national anthem at Country in the Park. That's right people, me and 29 of my closest SCSO friends are opening the show! WOO HOO! We get cool little performer passes to wear around our necks that get us back stage and sweet parking (VIP/vendor!). I'm so stoked... I was going anyways, so why not sing in front of 5,000 people? :) I'm so excited I can't even think!

Oh yeah, we're doing some great music this year - come see us if you can!

What a weird weekend.

It never ceases to amaze me when life totally blindsides me. Maybe not totally, but when I manage to make myself think it's all going well when it's really not.

P.S. I love you Matt. Thanks for the pep talk. :)

Ghost Riders In The Sky

There are several new additions to my fish tank (29 gallons of fishiness, for those of you who don't know). The first is a plecosthemus (one of the fish who sucks all the algae off the sides of your tank) that I've cleverly dubbed "Sucka". The other four are tiny little creatures called "ghost shrimp". I was completely perplexed by them at the pet store and, after making sure they couldn't crawl out of the tank (see the whole blog section about the crab that kept escaping) I bought them. They're about an inch long and completely see-through. It's the coolest thing ever. I'm hoping they're big enough to not get eaten by the angel fish... I had a little "issue" with my tiny tetras. I bought 10 of them, tossed them in and went to bed. Within the next few days, I ended up with two left and an angel fish with a very fat belly. Hopefully that kind of massacre does not occur tonight.

Here's what a little ghost shrimp looks like:


Kinda scary, kinda cool. I definitely don't think they're going to give me nightmares like the crab did. Thank goodness.

Other than that I've been crazy busy at work. I think I finally caught up today, but we're diving into some more crazy stuff for the next few weeks. I need a vacation, stat.

In other exciting news, Adam and Eva are coming tomorrow! Woo hoo!

Fun in the Sun

Friday night was loads of fun - after I woke up from the longest nap ever. I laid down at about 4:30, only intending to sleep for just a little while. Apparently my tired little body had other ideas and I woke up about two and a half hours later. Brigitte, Tim and I went out to Tim's dad's karaoke show. As always, a blast. We sang our little hearts out and ended up staying later than we meant to. It's amazing how 11pm somehow turns into 1am when you're having fun! Of course, when we got home, neither Brig nor I could fall asleep, which worked out really well since we were getting up at 7am to leave for Oroville! There was the most hilarious man ever at karaoke this week. He sang several songs... well, sang being a relative term. You see, he chose to do them William Shatner style... more speaking than singing. The most hilarious part was that they were songs that definitely don't lend themselves to speaking such as "Baby Got Back" and "Superfreak". We pretty much laughed our heads off every time he got up there.

We spent the rest of the fun filled weekend at the houseboat! We floated:


We jetskiied:



And we just plain had an all around good time. I love being out there - I think I must have been a fish in another life! Poor Brigitte got bounced all over the lake. Every time I looked over at her and Amber on the jet ski Brig was flying through the air. Then we were on those double tubes...



... when Brigitte and her tubemate fell off. Mine and Amber's tube pretty much ran them over. It was hilarious at the time, although, in hindsight, it probably could have been serious. Good thing the driver of the boat is a paramedic and firefighter!

I did get a little bit of a sunburn, but I think it's going to turn into a nice tan... I HAVE TANLINES! :) People, this is a very exciting thing for me!

And, Eva, very sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving for the weekend. Won't happen again. :)

Season premiere of "Prison Break" tonight. I can't wait, although I hope it doesn't end up being a crummy second season!

Ok, I'm off for a little run.

Products That Scare Me: The Vibrance Razor

Tonight I saw a commercial for a new women's razor blade - the Gillette Vibrance Razor. Here's the claim: by using this special razor blade not only will you get a closer shave, but you'll also get more radiant skin. How, you ask? Well, you simply turn on the soothing vibrations and shave like normal to gently exfoliate. Not only that, but it has new moisture strip technology and three comfort coated blades.

I have several problems with this.

1. You have to turn it on. Does anyone else have a problem taking battery operated things into water with them? The only way you could make it any better is to say "plug it into the wall and then jump into the shower for the most invigorating shaving experience of your life!"
2. "Soothing vibrations" sounds a whole lot like itchy skin, doesn't it?
3. New moisture strip technology? Are those the little things that dry up after the first time you shave and fall off after the second time? Maybe the new technology is that they last more than 2 times.
4. Three comfort coated blades. Two issues here. Number one, how many blades could you possibly need? I would take one sharp on that gets rid of the hair over three that do an "eh" job. Number two, "comfort coated"? That translates to dull if you ask me...

If any of you out there have tried this fun contraption, I'd love to hear your review...
Bought the new Christina Aguilera CD today. I know, I know. It's actually a very good CD - a throwback to the days of the great jazz singers like Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. I love it.
I'm a sleepy girl and I'm off to bed. Good night!

Backpacks, Boxing and Music!

What a day, what a day!

This morning I helped deliver 400 backpacks to a local school - the employees of my company filled them with the supplies. It was more backpacks than we had ever done before, and I was a little worried that it wouldn't all run very smoothly (I was heading up the project). Fortunately, everything worked out - the kids were so cute and incredibly appreciative. It was great to see their little smiling faces!

After work Julie and I took our little booties to kickboxing class. First things first - I neither kick, nor box. However, this class was really a lot of fun - Julie and I were both a little nervous that we wouldn't make it through an hour, but we did. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't exactly easy and was definitely a challenge. The most hilarious part was running around like we were on crack. Not sure how that fits into kickboxing, but we rolled with the flow. We're going back next week for sure!

Today I finally received the SCSO 2006-2007 performance schedule - mark your calendars!!! I'm really excited about this year's music - it's definitely going to be amazing!

• October 21, 2006: Ralph Vaughn Williams' "Sea Symphony" - 8pm
• December 9, 2006: Home for the Holidays - 8pm (good starter concert for the classically challenged)
• December 10, 2006: Home for the Holidays - 4pm (good starter concert for the classically challenged)
• March 3, 2007: Verdi's "Requiem" - 8pm
• May 12, 2007: "A Broadway Suite" - 8pm

I can't wait! Monday night rehearsals here I come! :) Thank goodness for TiVo or I'd miss my "24" and "Prison Break"!

Tim McGraw & Faith Hill Concert

Holy moly, what an amazing concert! Worth every penny of the $100 we paid to be there. They put on a 2 1/2 hour show, with no opening act, no intermission. The stage was set up in a big x shape so every part of the audience got to see. I don't think I have ever seen Arco as packed as it was last night, even at my Kings/Lakers game. Here's the stage:



It started with Faith coming out of the stage singing "Like We Never Loved At All". Then in the middle of it Tim comes out of the other side. They finished the song and he disappeared back under the stage. Faith then did about an hour set of her own music. In the middle she had the whole crowd sing happy birthday to their daughter Maggie and throughout the concert Faith was just totally cute - playing to the crowd and dancing around. Here she is on the Jumbotron - too beautiful!



After she finished her set, she and Tim came out of the middle of the stage and sang "Let's Make Love" and another duet. She dropped back down and Tim started his set. Brigitte, Amber, Kelly and I screamed like little school girls. Let me tell you, the man is good looking.



At one point, this lady in the front row flashed him. You could tell it kind of caught him off guard because he stumbled away and then said "Do you know my wife is under this stage?". Later when Faith came back out to sing she walked right over to the lady and belted the song out in face. She looked really mad because the lady started laughing and so as she walked away she said "You ain't that funny, honey". The audience went crazy and Tim McGraw dropped to his hands and knees laughing.

At the very end they did this amazing duet (I think the sing is called "I Need You", but I could be wrong). They came out of the center of the stage and were each sitting on one side of one of those old 50's style microphones. They hand their hands on each other's legs and sang to each other on it. So romantic and absolutely amazing.



At the end Tim planted a big old kiss on her and that was the end of the concert.

Here's us girls looking all cute before the concert (look Kati, I curled my hair!):





What a great time! Today I fully intend to relax until I can't relax any more. I have a few errands to run this morning and then I have the rest of the day to do nothing! Woo hoo! Have a great Sunday!

Wait

Brigitte sent me this the other day - it really resonated with me:

Wait for the boy who pursues you, the one who will make an ordinary moment seem magical, the kind of boy who brings out the best in you and makes you want to be a better person. Wait for the boy who will be your best friend, the person who will drop everything to be with you at any time of the day no matter what the circumstance. Wait for the boy who makes you smile like no other, and when he smiles you know he needs you. Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot, who will stay awake just to watch you sleep. Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who calls you back when you hang up on him, who holds your hand in front of his friends, Wait for the one who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares about you and how lucky he is to have you. Wait for the one who turns to his friends and says, "...that's her"

Hmm... is he really out there?

Sorry I've been a little MIA for the last few weeks - work has been crazy! I'm heading up our backpack drive and the final day is on Monday. We've successfully filled 400 backpacks - more than any other year! It's been a huge project for me and I've had to run it remotely because most of the action took place in Folsom. Once that's over I think things will settle back down. Plus the Choral Society is starting up soon, so I'll have my singing outlet again. :)

Tonight is the Tim McGraw and Faith Hill concert. I can't wait! I love them both as individual artists, but when they sing together it's perfection! I'll be sure to take lots of pictures! :)

Sushi!

So tonight I made my first attempt at sushi.

Those of you who really know me are probably laughing your heads of.

You see, my "attempt" at sushi translates to the following: it was my friend Jason's birthday so 10 of us went out to dinner. They ate raw fish. I ate cooked teryaki chicken. Hey, I sat in the same room - that has to count for something, doesn't it?

Oh yeah, and I'm pretty sure my physical therapist is trying to kill me. Apparently last week's idea of "poke her hip until it hurts" wasn't working, so today we tried "make her other leg hurt so she doesn't feel her hip". I can't tell you what's going on in my right leg except for a whole lotta ouch. We're working on building the muscles there that are weak (because apparently I favor that side from having surgery), but all I'm feeling now is shooting pain.

Off to bed.

Disappointment

Well, today was meet with the banker day. As it turns out, there are TONS of hidden costs in buying a home (yes Mom, you were right). So I can get the loan, but it would put me quite near financial ruin. Not exactly how I planned it. That means back to the budget... and saving for another 6 months or so. Then I'll have enough cash and some for backup. I would hate to lose everything because I rushed into it and didn't have a little patience (which we all know I have lots of to begin with). And I definitely don't want to get into weird loans where my payments will skyrocket in a year.

That said, I cried my little eyes out.

On the other side of the coin, chances are that the market is going to get even better over the next few months and perhaps interest rates will come down a little. That way I'll get a better house for less money. Either way, it was a great (but tough) life lesson. I plan on looking for the next few months to make sure I know where the market is going and watching the interest rates.

I'm off to eat. Late.

House Stalker

So I've officially become a house stalker.

Let me explain. On Saturday Alyse took me and my parents out to look at the list of potential houses that I found. Surprisingly, the one that I loved from the outside turned out to be weird on the inside (who makes the master bedroom only have a half bath?!) and the one that I felt kinda "eh" about the front I fell in love with. It's a three bedroom two bathroom ranch style home with the most amazing back yard. There are mature fruit trees (oranges, lemons, grapes) and a cool little shed for all of my outdoor stuff. The inside has been completely remodeled and looks amazing! It's nice and roomy and very bright. I'm hoping to meet with my mortgage consultant tomorrow to prepare to make an offer this week. I'm scared to death and completely excited all at the same time!

Now back to the stalking. I have driven through that neighborhood four times since Saturday. We've talked to the neighbors, checked out the grocery store around the corner and looked it up on the Megan's Law website (no sex offenders for me!). The good news is that I think the neighborhood is very nice. The people all seem very friendly and the houses around it are taken care of.

*crossing my fingers and holding my breath*

Who Smokes Pot At A Kelly Clarkson Concert?

For real, it happened. We had lawn seats at the concert and lo and behold, there is a whiff of pot in the air. Now, just in case you had any doubt, the Kelly Clarkson demographic just so happens to be about 99.9% female between the ages of 5-30 and about 0.01% of the men who date or are married to one of those females. So I would really like to know who within that demographic was puffing the magic dragon. A little bit scary.

Seriously, the concert was a blast. We got there just in time, heard the opening act do their thing (Rooney was the name of the band) and then Kelly did about an hour of music. She did some stuff off her new album that's coming out as well as some old stuff and some borrowed music. Towards the end Brigitte comments on how amazing it is that singers remember so many songs - just a few minutes later Kelly totally forgot an entire verse. She was good about making a joke, but Brigitte's timing was hilarious. No doubt about it, that girl can sing. She is just as good in concert as she is on her CDs and on TV! The only really crummy thing was that she chopped off all her hair. It really bugged Brig and I!

Leaving the concert was pretty fun as well - Brigitte put her "mad driving skills" to use. We were out of there in under 15 minutes - the last time I was at a concert there it took 2 1/2 hours to get out! She pulled some pretty amazing freeway maneuvers (no need for the oh $&%^ handle) and we were home in no time.

Here's Brig and I before the concert:
Here we are in between the opening act and Kelly - just goofing off. Eva, recognize the sweatshirt?

Today was a blast and tomorrow is house hunting day! Woo hoo! :)

Concerts, Houses and Muscles

I know, probably the weirdest blog title ever. Eh.

Tomorrow night is the Kelly Clarkson concert. Is it weird that at 25 I'm super excited? Out of all the winners, I really like her the best - the girl can sing (ok, so I voted for Justin. I liked the hair). We'll see - it promises to be a good show!

In other exciting news, I'm going house hunting this weekend! Like actually INTO the houses house hunting! I can't even begin to describe how excited I am - this has been one of my dreams and I've been waiting a very long time for it to happen! I'm trying not to get my hopes up - there are a few houses that I've driven by that I really like, but I'm prepared for them to suck on the inside. That way, if they don't I'll be pleasantly surprised!

Finally, I started physical therapy for my hip this week. Three times a week for the next four weeks. Fun times. As it turns out, I favor the foot that I broke (shocker, isn't it?), but haven't really noticed until I started training for the triathlon. Now the opposite hip is hurting because I'm using it to compensate for a weak ankle and foot. I can't believe how horrible my balance and how weak my ankle have become! He did some deep massage today (read: dug his elbow into my hip) which helped at the time but has now made me really sore. That and ultra sound. Which was super embarrassing because I had to lay on my stomach and pretty much pull my pants down. He's just chatting away while my white little butt is hanging out there. So much for modesty... But, I'm determined to make this work, so I'm diligently doing my exercises.

I'm off to bed now. I meant to go to sleep much earlier so I wasn't tired for the concert, but that didn't happen...