Weekend Recap: Boys & Bikes (the perfect combo!)

here goes...

Ok I am totally over work. Yes, I am totally over it in that 'my god we're adults can't we all act like it' kind of way. It's the same way that made me once march into my boss's office and tell him that I refused to ever again be on the same spine with a female (sorry, workspeak-- share a section of cubes with another female supervisor). I just can't take the drama. Well, I do spine share with another female right now, but the funny thing is that she isn't even the problem. WHAT is it about WOMEN?! This is why I hang out with boys. No freaking drama. But, this is also why I have heard a rumor at work about myself sleeping with every boy I hang out with at one time or another, but I guess that's the price you pay...

So anyway, onto better topics-- BOYS! oh wait, k not a new topic, but still fun. SO-- first of all-- meeting the friends at Friday's party! GREAT! You can tell so much about someone by the way he is around his friends. And, well, now I'm hooked. The boyfriend is great, the boyfriend's friends are great (for the most part), and I am just very very happy right now. Steph and I definitely had a good time. And he was pretty much perfect-- just the right amount of cuteness. You can totally tell we've gotten a lot more comfortable. But, it's still early and I still don't know him inside and out... I'm just trying not to get too caught up too soon. Still too many unknowns. we'll see.

In other boy news, let me just tell you that my favorite boys on earth are BIKERS! noooo not the old bearded drunk kind, the young hot superbike racer kind!!! This weekend the company paid for us to go see a big race for one of our sponsored racers, who happens to race in the AMA Superbike class. And, well, bikes are hot. And I totally have a new crush. His name is Ben Spies and he is soooo cute. (and he WINS!) And c'mon girls-- how can a fearless guy who drives bikes 180 MPH around curves so tight that his knees hit the ground NOT be hot?! ok, so Al will disagree, but I am hooked. I am making one of my co-workers who goes to every race get me his autograph and just happen to slip him my phone number this weekend. hehehehe. I may even decide to like bikers more than pirates... ;) maybe I can convince the new boy he needs a bike. HMMMMM the possibilities...

So anyway, an awesome weekend. The trip away was great, the hotel was even very nice for the usual company fare, and the races were AWESOME! Thanks to some connections, we watched the start of Saturday's race from the Pit right up at the track. We found out later even our special paddock passes didn't really extend to the Pit, but luckily we found out AFTER we got to watch the start of the race. It was us, all the mechanics and crew, and the media. Very cool. And I even got to watch the second race on TV when I got home, so I got to see all perspectives. I now understand why people think racing is cool. (BUT- disclaimer: I will NEVER understand NASCAR. And thank god the boy is not a fan. there would have been issues!)

So, I am attaching some pics to check out below-- I am including the best shot I was able to get of our rider on the track (hey give me a break! it's 180 MPH!), a pic from the start right as they were all revving and about to take off, and a pic of my new crush (see, I meant to get the #20 bike that's in the center-- but the crush is to the side looking right at me as I'm taking the pic... love at first sight? :Þ)

k I am off. I am STILL recovering from last night's accounting homework :) gnight all! have a good week!

The Return of Picks & Pans!

Yup, I'm in one of those moods again! Here we go...

PICKS

saving Oceana-- woohoo! Thanks BRAC commission! I know a lot of people aren't so crazy about the idea, but I can't imagine what Virginia Beach would be like if Steph and Matt had to move. Now to see if the city is REALLY going to stop encroachment and condemn over 1800 homes under eminent domain... seems a little crazy, huh? we'll see what happens. may end up sucking in 6 months anyway.

old friends-- well, my brother saw one of my high school friends at a wedding, she asked for my email address, a big reunion type email went out to all the old girls, and now we're all talking again and getting together over Thanksgiving. She and I have known each other since first grade, and most of you know I had an absolutely fabulous time in high school. Plus, there's just something great about old friends who have known you long enough to know what you're really about. anyway, should be fun to see everyone again.

GAP Jeans-- still my favorite! and on sale all month for $39.99 AND a free iTunes song!!! I'm in heaven! :)

technology-- weirdest thing ever-- I am going to Accounting class on campus for a few weeks (explained below), and my classroom is just tables with brand new computers all hooked up to the Internet. And Blackboard is way cooler than when I was in college-- they have all the book guides and flashcards and poerpoints all linked, so I could basically follow along in front of me while he was lecturing, and even pause for a little if i needed longer to get the notes. And I could type notes and email them to myself right from my desk. sheesh! technology makes things so freaking easy!

TiVo-- and speaking of technology, I seriously like never watch live TV anymore. what a fantastic gadget!!!

Hawaii-- who put a cap on gas!!!! EVERY state needs to follow suit!!!!

Tarte lip glosses-- check these out! SO cute! all named after famous pairs. took me awhile to figure them all out... :)


PANS

sunburn-- got it hiking, it started peeling, and it is STILL a pain in the ass!!!! grrrrrrrrrrrr. I am moisturizing like crazy and it's STILL gross!

corporate America-- STILL the crazy BS. My two latest pet peeves: people who live to backstab, and being labelled a troublemaker just for questioning things (politely) that really don't make any sense! k moving on before I get myself in trouble...

stress-- the next few weeks (actually, maybe even months) are going to be rough. I think I need to lose some of my high-strung personality.

freak boys-- okay GET A CLUE! (no, this does not apply to my current boy-- more on that later). boys need to find happy mediums-- NOT crazy intense all up in your business, but also not so indifferent it's hard to know if they even care. my god. they all need to grow up. or grow a set. or just, like I said, get a clue. (and I have now decided "get a clue" will be the phrase of the evening...) :)

Virginia drivers-- don't worry, just one new comment: WHY when the guy almost hits me because he pulls through in the parking lot, does he literally throw his hands up in the air and shoot ME a dirty look! get a clue! don't pull through! hey that rhymes. I could totally write traffic jingles :)

going back to school-- because of a conflict with an already exisitng work class, to take the second half of accounting, I have to go to a different class on campus a different night. But, I still have to keep up with my class and turn in all my homework and stuff on time. this is NOT ideal. I have no idea how I'm going to figure out whose work to do when to be able to still learn anything!

ok well, I will be away most of the weekend at the party and then at a bike race for one of our sponsored riders overnight on Saturday. Should be a good time, though!!! Hope you all have good weekends. gnight all!

yeah yeah yeah I'm back...

Okay I know I haven't blogged in forever, but it really feels like I've been gone forever! After all, I spent a weekend all over Philly, flew to California, spent 5 days in Kings Canyon National Park, hung around CA a little longer, spent some more time with the family... all in one vacation! and what a week and a half it was...

After the first night of being in the woods, it was SO weird not to be able to call friends and tell them about the day. I thought I'd never survive! After all, most of you know that I am not exactly great at relaxing. But, I must say, that by the fourth night, I really felt relaxed! It was actually AMAZING to get away from civilization for awhile. But, it all had to end sometime-- I came out to 3 voicemails from work, the usual hassles of flying and driving, and 500 emails in my box when I got back to work. But at least the trip was great!

So, there's no way to fit everything I have to say, but I'll try to highlight. First of all, let me just say that backpacking is HARD!!!! I knew it would be difficult, but I really had no idea. First of all, I thought it would be up for a little bit, then maybe even for awhile, then the same time going down as up. WRONG! It was the 4th day before we even SAW a downhill, and we did 8-10 miles a day! I've also learned to think in elevation changes now instead of distance. believe me, when we got to camp every night I was EXHAUSTED!

BUT there was one great thing about the trip-- all the hard work was SOOOOOO worth it! I can't BELIEVE the scenery we saw, and it was satisfying knowing that if I hadn't been backpacking there's just no way I EVER would have seen these places. It is just absolutely CRAZY that there's just nothing around except you and nature! We spent lunches sitting on the shores of lakes watching fish, we walked meadows that suddenly would open up to into amazing valleys, we slept by streams and walked by amazing waterfalls... it was just awesome. I am including some pics below, although they can't possibly do the scenery justice.

The one thing I definitely did NOT realize is how AMAZINGLY DIRTY I would get. I have never been so disgusting in my life! There has to be nothing more gross than going to bed every night caked in dirt. ick. and really, filtering water to make it useable totally sucks, and the bug stuff may even be worse than the mosquitos themselves! and don't even get me STARTED on going to the bathroom in the woods!!!! damn wilderness ethics!

k one last complaint-- freeze dried food has to be the nastiest stuff ever. BUT, the wilderness food DID lead to a new obsession-- everyone picked what they really wanted when they got real food again-- my Dad picked a steak, my Aunt picked a float, and I, well, I have always wondered why celebrities are always eating at In-N-Out Burger. BUT, NOW I KNOW! omg best fast food burger ever. I am thinking of calling them up and FORCING them to franchise in Virginia :)

so, we got back, we got showers, we cleaned up the blisters and the nasty smelly stuff that had been in our backpacks, and then we got to relax. My Aunt has the CUTEST house ever, and she lives in this adorable old gold rush town that was just so cool to hang around. I have decided California is just a really cool place to be. Everyone is so laid back and so friendly, SUCH a change from the surly Philly attitude I hold so dear :)

so anyway, I am back to Virginia and I am tired, but I have probably never felt this refreshed in my life. And oddly enough, I'd really love to do it again, especially since I know now what I'm getting myself into! so, I am off for now (still haven't unpacked, but I'm going to try!) but enjoy the pics! later all.



me after conquering Glen Pass (at 12,000 feet!)













Dollar Lake (day 2-- 10,000 feet)










The view on the way down (day 4- 8,500 feet)















water water everywhere...















the view from Glen Pass-- AMAZING











home sweet home :)
















Middle Rae Lake (day 3-- 10,500 feet)









one big dirty nasty tired but happy family :)

Top 10 List Part I: On the Way Home

Well, I am packing for my much anticipated backpacking trip, and I am realizing that really I haven't taken a vacation since the summer before my senior year of college! I mean, I go home for a few days at Christmas every year, and I went to Chicago last year for a long weekend, and every now and then I get a week away for business... but really this is the FIRST real vacation I have had in forever! And how am I spending it? hiking 9 miles a day in ridiculously high altitudes in the wilderness of California with 30 pounds strapped to my back. what did I get myself into?! :)

So, as I prepare to drive home to Philly in preparation to fly out with my Dad on Sunday, I've decided I need to get excited. So, I am going to remember my roots tonight and make my list of the things I hate about Hampton Roads:

1) WORST DRIVERS EVER! they think leaving a safe amount of room in front of you means there's a space for them to move over (no blinker of course), they turn right on red in front of you (on high speed roads) without blinking an eye, and they have NO clue who turns first on green lights!

2) REDNECK CENTRAL-- I'm talking jacked up trucks covered in mud, NASCAR tees, beer guts, goatees, mullets, and beer hats. EVERYWHERE! too much!

3) people here have NO idea what important things in life are: Tastykakes, Cinnabons, scrapple, Jax, Yuengling, etc.

4) they eat foods I've never heard of: chitlins, hush puppies, okra, "greens"... HUH?!

5) SUMMER TOURIST SEASON-- can't go to the oceanfront! thank god for Navy friends who will take you on base to go to the beach :) and man, all the damn traffic!!!

6) It is the home of my JOB which can only mean stress and hard work. Philly means visiting friends and family & relaaaaxing

7) no Macy's, no Container Store, no Sephora! need I say more?!

8) no perfect radio stations. just a bunch that are okay, but if you want any variety, you have to flip around ALL day

9) no professional sports! and no really rowdy drunk screaming fans! what fun are sports the civil and good sportsmanship way?!

10) it's a freaking 6 hour drive to get home! And Delaware cops hate me!!!! :)

Well, with that said, it's almost time to get on the road again, so I'm out. and by the way, this list was tongue in cheek-- I really like living here! So, when I get back, you'll get Top 10 List part 2 with an opposite theme... if I return alive and am happy about it anyway!

So, wish me luck! I'm off til next Wednesday, and I'll be in the wilderness for most of that time, so who knows what'll happen. Hope you all have a good couple of weeks!!!

Weekend Recap: Being Clutch, Soaked, and Pregnant (but maybe not in that order!)

What an odd weekend! But, it ended up being a good one for the most part. Here's the scoop...

First of all, I passed my Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course! wooohoooo! watch out world, I know how to ride a bike and I'm NOT afraid to use one! :)

Yes, after getting up ridiculously early Saturday and Sunday and sweating my butt off riding around in long sleeves and jeans in the summer heat, I now know how to ride a bike. I was afraid I wouldn't pass at first. I SUCKED after the first day!!! Riding is definitely much more complicated than I thought it would be! My lord, by the time I figured out how much throttle to use and when to have the clutch in, the rest of the class was cruising around in like 3rd gear weaving in and out of cones. It was nuts.

BUT, I passed! I have decided I am totally clutch-- because I finally figured it out on the second day, even after it started completely POURING and we rode anyway. and even after being freaked out and watching one of my friends drop his bike on the sudden stop exercise (don't worry-- he wasn't hurt at all, but he did automatically fail), I passed the test with no trouble at all. And now all I have to do is take my card to the DMV, take the computer test, and I have a motorcycle license! woohoo! Now to figure out what kind of bike I want... Bikes are HOT! :)

And a new reason to like the boy-- when I was telling him about my class when he was here Saturday, he said learning how to ride has always been on his list of things to do. mmmm bikers... ;) but seriously-- things are better than ever. I still feel like I have a lot to learn about him, though, but there's plenty of time for that. There's so much good in what we have right now. I'm just trying to be fair and not write him off over the little stuff, because things really are working out so well. we'll see I guess.

So, sort of on the same lines, I go to work today and find out there is a rumor about me going around. And, normally rumors don't bother me much, because I figure if someone really feels the need to talk shit about me, I must be doing something right to be that important. But, today's rumor is a little bit different-- counselors apparently are saying that I am PREGNANT! WHAT?! I was super pissed. (and no, I am NOT unless they know something I don't!) So, I'm guessing someone just got confused, because there ARE three pregnant women on my team right now (which is just NUTS!) or, someone thinks I am fat (?) But, I am not sure what to be more offended by-- whatever the reason behind the rumor is, or the fact that when my team heard, they talked about immaculate conception. so should I be upset that no one even considers that I am actually getting any?! oh LORD!

Anyway, in random other notes, my team won the decorating contest from last post (hey, if we can't have the best stats on the floor, we'll have the best food days and decorations!), my weekend horoscope was eerily correct, AND the new Ikea catalog is out (sorry, but you all need to know! that's big!)

Ok one last thing. Anyone out there have any thoughts on friends with benefits in your 20's? good? bad? done it? not your style? I know this is a ridiculously random thought. and no, I have no plans to have one, but that's kind of it-- I have NEVER had one. I have never had a friend (random college hookuppage not included) that I wanted to be like that with. But apparently (after listening to much discussion), I am out of the norm. So, let me know what you think. If you do, I'll explain why I'm asking :)

ok guys. I have so much to do before going home for backpacking this weekend! CRAZY! so, if you need me for any reason, catch me before I'm in the California wilderness next week with NO cell phone (the horror!)

'til next post, be good kids! :)