Ode to Me

So Adrian wrote me an "Ode" the other night. Kirsten accused her of being drunk and bored. Adrian claims she was sober and laying in bed with her blackberry (guess SilentNoah was out protecting people who don't deserve or appreciate him).

Anyhoo, here is Adrian's "Ode to _ _ _ " [note: Adrian is one of 2 people allowed to call me by the shortened form of my name . . . the other one being the Hamster].

Without further ado:

" _ _ _ XXXXXXX (insert my name -- leaving it out for privacy reasons)
She's not foolin
Major politicians
They be wishin'
What she's dishen
(Toss red hair)
She's got flair. "


Kirsten, is Adrian just a frustrated cowgirl poet? I guess so long as she doesn't go all Brokeback on us, we can tolerate her new hobby. It sure beats her collection of quarters, or taking blurry photos of birds through rainy windows.

Of course, her true skill remains building bars, and copping to her "vonage" moments.

Time For Presents!

Okay, so the past week or so has been a ROUGH one for me, for several reasons, and my girlfriends know it. And I wish with all of my heart I could shower them back with affection -- cause there aren't enough words or money for me to properly express my gratefulness for all that they have done to prop me up.

SO INSTEAD . . . I have decided to use this blog entry to send them virtual gifts, as a sign of my endless love.

Girls, here you go:

* ADRIAN -- a.k.a. ManHands -- For being the quirky, strange, yet glamorous, beautiful, cowgirl, I salute you with (quote inserted as to what I thought you would utter when opening the gift):

• "Oooh, ooh, Chrissie, I think I just saw another bird!"
• "Angels, I told him it was you two sluts who convinced me in the first place!"

* KIRSTEN -- a.k.a Chrissie, a.k.a. 2.0 -- For cheering me up, and cheering me on, and yet still being the materialistic b*tch I adore, you are receiving:

• "When I heard the fire alarm, I grabbed one of my twins, and LV, and dashed for the stairs. I think my husband grabbed the other twin."
• "I am 2.0, and have fans all over the world to satisfy. Now leave Mommy alone and go hassle Aunt Adrian - but watch out she doesn't crush you in the palm of her ManHand, and don't knock over Aunt Adrian's martini, whatever you do!"

* LORI -- a.k.a Coach -- For continually being the greatest treasure I have ever found, my closest friend, and the one woman I completely trust with all of my shit:

• "Oooh, Red Velvet . . . the South rises again!"
• "Sure, I'll help you shop -- and you deserve it!"
• "So long as we wind up in San Diego!"

* LISA -- a.k.a. Hamster -- For being supportive about me needing to cut ties with the past, and move on with life, and being an amazingly sensitive friend, who never fails to elicit a giggle out of me:

• "I know it's odd, but I just have this really strong urge to go there!"
• "Wait, ClooMan, what does YOURS say?!"
• "Let's Get This Slumber Party Started!"
• "ClooNNan, would you see to it that JOY gets one of these? Bob, too!"
• "Oh I'm UP for another round of surveillance! Now do we wanna get pizza or tacos to drop off? And remember, no meat on Mitul's delivery!"

* SANDI -- a.k.a. Pooper-Scooper, a.k.a. Inch High Private Eye -- For having the best ear and most comforting shoulder, for being witness to the wacky people who raised us, and always reassuring me that I am not crazy after all:

• "Just so long as your Dad or my Mom aren't driving us there!"
• "Wait, when are you going next? Can you hold Maya while I try on something?!"
• "I'm just gonna lie and say I had a kid not long ago and forgot to wear 'em."

Luckily for all of you, I will NOT hold you to writing me a thank-you note (though you all know you are dealing with "Queen of The Notes")! Just send me a lil' virutal token in return!

MWAH!!!!!!!!

Work Hard . . . Play Harder

Exercise, for many years now, has been of great importance to me. Sure, sometimes my commitment is stronger some months than others, but it never completely wanes. Probably because I don't let it. I know how important it is to my health and my self-esteem, and how it carries over to all other aspects of my life, both personal and professional. And since I am not one for excuses, I know the buck stops here, and I take responsibility for my body.

There are few things better than the sense of accomplishment after a good workout at the gym. Except maybe for the rush your body feels just at the end, which lingers on afterwards, making you feel calm, satisfied, relaxed, proud, and so on.

I love the feeling of when I am really pushing my body hard, at what I think has got to be it's limit, breathing hard, sweaty as all get out, and certain I am gonna pass out from exhaustion at any moment . . . when suddenly, that little extra burst of endurance or strength kicks in, and I find myself going further than I thought possible. And the feeling after such a workout? Amazing. It's somewhere between a craving or intoxication, and it keeps me coming back for more.

Sure, not every workout achieves such maximum levels of fitness, and sometimes you either feel like going slow or you need to. But on Friday, having the day off from work, I was inspired to really kick it up a few notches. So I did.

Of course, the saying goes "No Pain, No Gain" . . . and I can't deny my body had a few aches on Saturday when I woke up. But I think that just goes to prove that the workout was in earnest.

I can be soft and make excuses when I am old. For now, I am more interested in being the best I can be.

Random Thoughts From A Scheduled Weekend

During a very "busy" weekend, my mind managed to wander significantly. All sorts of unconnected thoughts ran through my head, especially when I was taking one of much-needed long walks, with my Ipod turned up as loud as it would go. So much has occurred since Friday, and at times it kind of ran together . . . so what better way to honor these events and thoughts by recording them?

• I told Kirsten I feared I was developing a callus, and she in turn me her charming yogurt story. What a riot! The moral of the story? Air it out.
• Lori's boyfriend Jay was in the same fraternity as Dr. J . . . oi vey, was the bonding in earnest when they discovered that about each other?! Oh yeah, "Men of Excellence - since 1852."
• I would forgo sex for a plate of Pamela's home fries. Unless the sex was with Pippy.
• Thank gawd Dozen is as many miles away as it is. Or I'd lose all self-control.
• I want to go see Nicole, Adrian, and Kirsten almost as badly as I want a reason to not be able to go see them.
• Theme Songs are important, and telling.
• WHCG is really coming together!
• Despite an Ipod full of choices, there are probably only 5 songs I truly rely on to kick my ass into high gear at the gym. And 1 song I need to avoid, because it still makes me cry.
• I am desperate need of a sign. Or resolution.
• Dr. J is probably thee best person to people-watch with, because he's downright brutal.
• A used up tube of toothpaste makes for a great comedic device.
• I feel like I've won the lottery when Father Mike is at Mass. And like I'm being punished when it's Father Bernie. And it's obvious the rest of the congregation feels the same.
• Lori enjoyed my theory that "When people stop having sex, they go to Lowe's."
• Dime-sized hail makes a damn funny sound on our fire escape. Oh shit, I hope our future house is okay? And an even BIGGER "oh shit" thought -- if I am thinking something like that, maybe I am turning into a homeowner after all?!?!
• My husband's chicken cacciatore still rocks.