Seems like all us bloggers have less to say lately. Perhaps it's because we share on the go now through your typical social networking sites. I find it difficult to share anything on there more than on a weekly basis anyway.
However, I do have an update that I have not discussed online...yet.
Last year I saw some pictures of myself during a camping trip and I said out loud..."whoa, I look fat." I knew I had been slowly gaining weight, but I just hadn't really seen the overall look. It made me pretty sad, but I just wasn't at the right point in my life to focus on myself. Sadly.
I did get there around March of this year though. I was sick of not being able to fit into my clothes. My friend Erica had started losing weight (like 100 lbs - GO Erica!) and it inspired me. I had a little extra money and decided to hire a personal trainer. That move probably surprises the most people, since I am a cheap do-it-yourselfer. But, I know how lazy I can be. Trust me, I can talk myself into and out of anything. I knew I would be better off with someone who would hold me accountable though. I also knew that if I spent the money, I would follow through at 100%.
My "holistic coach" Kristen (visit site by clicking here) visits my house twice a week for some grown-up fun. Now, back in March, I would have described it as torture...but I really do enjoy our sessions. I'm at the point I don't get sore anymore. I look forward to seeing her. I push myself harder than she does. I workout on my own (gasp!). I am planning on running a 5K, then an 8K, and perhaps a 10K. Yes, I have become a person that has energy on the level that resembles my sister.
I always described Kristen as the personal trainer with "just the right amount of hippie" in her. We start each session with some yoga to warm up, and then do a couple circuits of exercises. We wrap up with some intense ab work and then a nice meditation. Couple this with my goal of being a vegetarian (well, with a side of fish now and again), and I am really seeing positive changes. Yes, I've lost weight. More importantly, I feel excellent inside and out. I fit into my clothes, my metabolism has sped back up, and my skin is uber happy.
With all of this personal development, I have slacked a bit on my Portland top ten list. It's ok, I know I'll reach that goal. I'm just glad I finally took care of me again. :)
Hope this little status update finds you all doing well!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Friday, April 23, 2010
The Reeling...
On April 12th I was fortunate enough to score a semi-private session to see Passion Pit at Mississippi Studios. For those of you paying attention, that is item #9 on my top ten list.
Here’s how it started. I was looking for a show to watch at Miss. Studios and after much scrolling, I saw one of my new favorite bands listed. I HEART Passion Pit! They have nailed the geeky-electronica-alternative sound. I highly recommend viewing this video!
I immediately wanted to know the cost… and then I noticed it was being sponsored by our local radio station and tickets were available by contest only. All of the sudden I freaked out because the show was soon enough I must have missed the contest. I’ll admit I rarely listen to the radio, but that is why I joined their email list. I went to 94.7’s website to see if I could find information on the contest…to no avail. So I decided to send a friendly email their direction about further details. There was a list of ten or so names and I ended up emailing their marketing representative because I know that marketing runs the contests at our organization.
She responded quickly and said that no, the contest would be announced in 2 days. She then politely asked how in the world I knew about the contest. I shared that I found it on the Miss. Studios site and thanked her for a response (with a “I’ll cross my fingers once the contest starts!”). She emailed me back and said I was invited as her personal guest and to bring a guest of my own. WOOOO!
I immediately texted my friend/work-spouse Loren and asked him to join. I was SO excited I couldn’t wait for his text response I then called and relayed the entire story as I jumped up and down. The cats were terrified. I then called my mom to share the story again, with more jumping.
So Loren and I were set to go for May 12th. After my long long long weekend of driving to pick up new doggie Zoey, I came in to work at noon on April 12th. I promptly received a text from 94.7 saying that whoever wanted to come to the Passion Pit show that afternoon should show up by 2:45. Wait…wasn’t the concert on May 12th? Wasn’t it a contest I won before it was a contest!?! Upon further research it was that day, so Loren and I left work immediately. I was lucky enough to get to change clothes, but poor Loren was still in his “corporate monkey suit.”
WOW, this story is getting long. In any case, we got there with plenty of time to spare and I practically drilled holes into their tour bus as we waited. It was parked right in front of the small venue. Once in, I secured us a double tall jack and coke each…for the price of a single. I think being a girl helped there.
I begged and begged Loren for his videos of the show, but no luck. So here’s a link from 94.7.
There were about 70 or so people there and I made sure we were up front. Michael (lead singer) came out first and sang a song I am unfamiliar with off their EP. Just he and his guitar. If you viewed the video I linked to above, this is surprising. Michael even mentioned that his touring manager didn’t know they could all play guitar. He talked with the crowd a bit and it was nice because he really is just another guy. The group makes great music and they are quite popular, but it hasn’t really sunk in with him. Another band member, Ian, joined him for the next 3 songs. They included The Reeling, Sleepyhead, and Moth’s wings. It was over too soon, but I drank it all in and loved it!
We couldn’t go back to work after that, so we dilly-dallied in a sweet 2nd hand store for an hour. I think the double tall jack and coke settled in as I found this stunning outfit…
Here’s how it started. I was looking for a show to watch at Miss. Studios and after much scrolling, I saw one of my new favorite bands listed. I HEART Passion Pit! They have nailed the geeky-electronica-alternative sound. I highly recommend viewing this video!
I immediately wanted to know the cost… and then I noticed it was being sponsored by our local radio station and tickets were available by contest only. All of the sudden I freaked out because the show was soon enough I must have missed the contest. I’ll admit I rarely listen to the radio, but that is why I joined their email list. I went to 94.7’s website to see if I could find information on the contest…to no avail. So I decided to send a friendly email their direction about further details. There was a list of ten or so names and I ended up emailing their marketing representative because I know that marketing runs the contests at our organization.
She responded quickly and said that no, the contest would be announced in 2 days. She then politely asked how in the world I knew about the contest. I shared that I found it on the Miss. Studios site and thanked her for a response (with a “I’ll cross my fingers once the contest starts!”). She emailed me back and said I was invited as her personal guest and to bring a guest of my own. WOOOO!
I immediately texted my friend/work-spouse Loren and asked him to join. I was SO excited I couldn’t wait for his text response I then called and relayed the entire story as I jumped up and down. The cats were terrified. I then called my mom to share the story again, with more jumping.
So Loren and I were set to go for May 12th. After my long long long weekend of driving to pick up new doggie Zoey, I came in to work at noon on April 12th. I promptly received a text from 94.7 saying that whoever wanted to come to the Passion Pit show that afternoon should show up by 2:45. Wait…wasn’t the concert on May 12th? Wasn’t it a contest I won before it was a contest!?! Upon further research it was that day, so Loren and I left work immediately. I was lucky enough to get to change clothes, but poor Loren was still in his “corporate monkey suit.”
WOW, this story is getting long. In any case, we got there with plenty of time to spare and I practically drilled holes into their tour bus as we waited. It was parked right in front of the small venue. Once in, I secured us a double tall jack and coke each…for the price of a single. I think being a girl helped there.
I begged and begged Loren for his videos of the show, but no luck. So here’s a link from 94.7.
There were about 70 or so people there and I made sure we were up front. Michael (lead singer) came out first and sang a song I am unfamiliar with off their EP. Just he and his guitar. If you viewed the video I linked to above, this is surprising. Michael even mentioned that his touring manager didn’t know they could all play guitar. He talked with the crowd a bit and it was nice because he really is just another guy. The group makes great music and they are quite popular, but it hasn’t really sunk in with him. Another band member, Ian, joined him for the next 3 songs. They included The Reeling, Sleepyhead, and Moth’s wings. It was over too soon, but I drank it all in and loved it!
We couldn’t go back to work after that, so we dilly-dallied in a sweet 2nd hand store for an hour. I think the double tall jack and coke settled in as I found this stunning outfit…
Saturday, March 27, 2010
A little dirt never hurt
YAY! I cannot express how happy I am to have a garden. Not only did I get some great deals on starter plants, I also crossed off another top 10. Visited the Portland Farmer's Market today....and it was packed with people. I'd say the main things there are fresh veggies (can't wait till summer), bakeries, jams, and honey. No one was rude or in a hurry. This is odd due to the fact it was so busy you could hardly move.
About the garden - I was planning on building my own raised garden until the day I almost went to home depot to buy the lumber. I've never been good with "build your own" furniture and it was just my two hands working on this. I decided it would be in my best interest to buy one pre-made. I searched on craigslist and found a man who would build it for $100 out of cedar wood with steel rod reinforcements. GOOD DEAL! Not only that, but he would deliver it with organic soil. Here's where some people question the organic soil...isnt it all organic!?! Nope...here is why.
Then, I sold a computer desk this week and so this was practically free!
At the farmer's market I bought the following organic starts: cilantro, basil, sugar snap peas, early girl tomatoes, mixed salad greens, spinach...and an artichoke plant!!!!! Woohoo. I'll post more as more grows. :)
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Shanghai Tunnels
Visited the Portland underground this last Saturday. First off, they offer tours almost every weekend, with 3 different times available. Not to mention, they also offer Paranormal tours and Halloween tours. Being economical, I went for the regular tour.
So I waited until Saturday to round up my friends and order tickets online...which is the only way to purchase them. Went to the website 2 hours prior to tour and found that tickets were unavailable. Man oh man! There are 45 spots available and this is a random Saturday night! Before I freaked out...I called and got us in, thanks to a kind man named Michael.
We climbed down the narrow cement stairs into a dirt room, which is actually a room with layers of silt for the flooring. Silt is very soft, and I was wearing heels. I know, I went on a walking tour in heels...but you have to understand I spend hours upon hours in the training room at work in heels so I felt confident in my choice. It did make it more challenging to be on silt, but the hardest part was all the standing!
You would think that a tour of the Portland underground would be full of walking...not so much. We really only toured about 1/2 a block, and stood the rest. So heels were a bad choice after all.
On to the meat of this story. I liked the tour overall. It was rich with history and just creepy enough. I'll admit, I tried to be at the end of the pack and hoped for a tug at my leg or a voice in my ear from a ghost. For those of you unfamiliar with the Shanghai tunnels, please click here.
I loved the stories told by our host, which were mostly 2nd hand from a man named Michael. Yup, the guy who got us in to the tour was the man who started everything. When he was 8 he met a sailor who decided to bring him into some of the tunnels. From there, Micheal has discovered many miles of tunnels - even under the Willamette river to the east side of Portland. Most have since been blocked off due to earthquake proof the buildings.
You basically feel like you are in a low-ceiling dirt basement. With 40 of your closest friends. You get reminded that the city of Portland doesn't want the story of the Shanghai tunnels to really get out because it is "bad press." You hear about a little girl named Strawberry Shortcake who died and has been recorded on tape as saying "help me." That recording apparently is played during the paranormal tour.
The more I think back on the tour...the more I like it. It wasn't what I expected, but that is so refreshing. I recommend every Oregonian go...unless you are extremely claustrophobic. There are a couple of "tight" moments. Jen, I know you could do it. Aaron would love it.
Almost 3 months later, and I have only tackled one of my top ten. More to come soon!
So I waited until Saturday to round up my friends and order tickets online...which is the only way to purchase them. Went to the website 2 hours prior to tour and found that tickets were unavailable. Man oh man! There are 45 spots available and this is a random Saturday night! Before I freaked out...I called and got us in, thanks to a kind man named Michael.
We climbed down the narrow cement stairs into a dirt room, which is actually a room with layers of silt for the flooring. Silt is very soft, and I was wearing heels. I know, I went on a walking tour in heels...but you have to understand I spend hours upon hours in the training room at work in heels so I felt confident in my choice. It did make it more challenging to be on silt, but the hardest part was all the standing!
You would think that a tour of the Portland underground would be full of walking...not so much. We really only toured about 1/2 a block, and stood the rest. So heels were a bad choice after all.
On to the meat of this story. I liked the tour overall. It was rich with history and just creepy enough. I'll admit, I tried to be at the end of the pack and hoped for a tug at my leg or a voice in my ear from a ghost. For those of you unfamiliar with the Shanghai tunnels, please click here.
I loved the stories told by our host, which were mostly 2nd hand from a man named Michael. Yup, the guy who got us in to the tour was the man who started everything. When he was 8 he met a sailor who decided to bring him into some of the tunnels. From there, Micheal has discovered many miles of tunnels - even under the Willamette river to the east side of Portland. Most have since been blocked off due to earthquake proof the buildings.
You basically feel like you are in a low-ceiling dirt basement. With 40 of your closest friends. You get reminded that the city of Portland doesn't want the story of the Shanghai tunnels to really get out because it is "bad press." You hear about a little girl named Strawberry Shortcake who died and has been recorded on tape as saying "help me." That recording apparently is played during the paranormal tour.
The more I think back on the tour...the more I like it. It wasn't what I expected, but that is so refreshing. I recommend every Oregonian go...unless you are extremely claustrophobic. There are a couple of "tight" moments. Jen, I know you could do it. Aaron would love it.
Almost 3 months later, and I have only tackled one of my top ten. More to come soon!
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Things I'll do in Portland
After reading through some of Julie and Julia, I've decided I need my own project to work on. So I'm creating my bucket list for Portland, and I hope to do each of these things.
- Walk in the Shanghai Tunnels. The tours begin at Hobo's Restaurant, 120 N.W. Third Avenue, Portland, OR 97209
- Visit the following museums: Portland Alien Museum, Vacuum Museum, and the Velveteeria (Velvet Art)
- Join the crowd at the Collins Nude Beach. I do mean join it. Just once, for fun, to see how it feels.
- Eat a crazy dessert at Voodoo Doughnuts, located at located at 22 SW 3rd Ave.
- Eat at at least 10 food carts.
- Spend a day at Portland Farmer's market. Can't believe I haven't done this! I'll need to wait until May...
- Add to my tea collection by visiting the Stash outlet.
- Walk around the Reed College campus. I've read about it enough in Blue Like Jazz to make me curious.
- Watch a show at Mississippi Studios. Perhaps Mike Doughty in March.
- I'm intentionally leaving this one blank. I've got to find my #10!
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