tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64437909984259430532024-03-12T20:03:21.925-07:00The Crossfit Girls Guide to LifeLife, love, food, working out, dating, friends... and everything in between.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.comBlogger91125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-49165589232097563922016-01-04T20:19:00.003-08:002016-01-05T08:00:13.139-08:00Let's Have An Adventure Shall We? <span style="font-family: inherit;">When I think about 2016 - I have a hard time verbalizing my thoughts on it. 2015 was a rollercoaster on a few different levels - but it was definitely a good year. Honestly, I think that the older you get, the more you realize that life just IS a rollercoaster - at least if you're doing it right. That means that you are taking the chances that you need to open yourself up to failure and torment - but also taking the chances on the the really awesome things that make you insanely happy. Thus leading to the highs and lows that make up the Thunder Mountain Railroad of Life. (Wow... that sounded deep, huh?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2015 had some pretty awesome experiences, but also included a lot of lessons that I had to learn. Seriously - I thought that by 31, I'd be done learning life lessons. Nope. Apparently that isn't a thing that ever stops. And I am by no means saying that all of these lessons were bad - to the contrary, most of them were good.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">So what about 2016? What's going to be different? Well... I don't really believe in resolutions. But I do believe in changing your life for the better. So that's my goal - to do little things that change my life for the better. I mean, my life is pretty good (despite all my complaints to the contrary) so we aren't talking a total life overhaul here. And while many of these goals are private (please... I am NOT sharing all my dirty little secrets with the world) - there are a few that I can share:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Think less. </b>Turns out that anyone who knows me even a little bit, knows that I am an over thinker. Seriously. I can turn almost any situation into a life-ending tragedy in my brain. My brain is the supreme pessimist. I don't know when I stopped trusting my instincts and started overanalyzing. So... 2016 is the year to stop it. Breathe. Trust. Let go. And just see what happens.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Disconnect from social media. </b>Let's call this more of a social experiment than a goal for the year. For the month of January - I am deleting Facebook from my phone (I'll still have access to it via computer and/or iPad - so I won't go totally off the grid.). I've read several articles about how social media affects the way we see ourselves - and I feel like having it at my fingertips 24/7 is just too much. So... I'm giving it up for January. Maybe for longer. We'll see how I do. So far, I'm on day four and I haven't caved yet. Stay tuned.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Travel more. </b> I don't care if it's a day trip to the coast or a weekend trip to eastern WA or a weeklong trip to Central America. I just want to get out of the city more. Seattle is bustling and I think is probably a top contributor to what makes me anxious sometimes. Sitting in traffic and dealing with being surrounded by people all that time can be exhausting and I am just not built like that. I love the city, I really do - but I find that I'm happier when I can get away from it all. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Make my bed every day.</b> Why? Discipline, that's why. Don't worry that the last two days - Grace has totally removed the throw pillows from it when she wants to snuggle up - but at least I can say that I've tried. (And to clarify, it's not like I was a delinquent before who never made the bed - I usually do. I'm just making the concentrated effort to take the extra minute before work to do it correctly, throw pillows and all. I know... I'm weird. Whatever. I'm okay with it.)</span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And so here we go. Let's have an adventure. </span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7nBrDzGGwU/VotBSU0JdtI/AAAAAAAABtU/HvgUR2qNTEU/s1600/d4e01d5e26f05ecc53c6287808818e81.gif" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i7nBrDzGGwU/VotBSU0JdtI/AAAAAAAABtU/HvgUR2qNTEU/s320/d4e01d5e26f05ecc53c6287808818e81.gif" width="210" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-5964089435550340572015-09-16T22:01:00.000-07:002015-09-16T22:07:42.124-07:00A Letter to the EditorI said I was going to do it... and I did. I've never actually written a letter to the editor in response to anything (and those who know me, know that lots of articles actually piss me off). But this is something that I know. And something that I love. <br />
<br />
Here is what I wrote in response to <a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/should-colleges-get-rid-of-fraternities-1442368892" target="_blank">the article</a><a href="http://www.wsj.com/articles/should-colleges-get-rid-of-fraternities-1442368892" target="_blank">: Should Colleges Get Rid of Fraternities?</a><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Ms. Robbins:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I could not be more offended by your piece in the article “Should Colleges Get Rid of Fraternities?”. I am a sorority woman. I am a university graduate and an alumna of an NPC sorority. I was an active member of my sorority – serving on my executive board and also serving as the President of the Panhellenic Council at my university. As an alumna – I have volunteered my time as Chapter Advisor and Panhellenic Advisor to my local chapter. I am a well-educated, successful woman who is still actively involved in my sorority. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not deny that poor choices have been made by fraternity and sorority members over the years – and most especially recently. These fraternities and sororities have deserved every punishment that is coming to them. But lumping all fraternities and sororities into the same category is simply not fair. <span class="" style="color: #262626;">According to the National Panhellenic Conference website -</span><span class="" style="color: #262626;"> each year, NPC-affiliated collegians and alumnae donate more than $5 million to worthy causes, provide $2.8 million in scholarships to women, and volunteer 500,000 hours in their communities.</span><span class="" style="color: #262626;"> </span><span class="" style="color: #262626;">Does that sound like the works of terrible organizations that no one should be a part of? </span><span class="" style="color: #262626;"> </span><span class="" style="color: #262626;">And that’s just sororities – fraternities have amazing stats too, just like the ones listed alongside your article.</span><span class="" style="color: #262626;"> </span><span class="" style="color: #262626;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="" style="color: #262626;">You ask <i class="">“</i></span><i class=""><span class="" style="color: #262626;">How many students have to die before universities step in and protect the young adults whom parents entrust with their care?”</span></i><span class="" style="color: #262626;"> The answer should be zero. No students should die at college. When parents drop their children off at the university steps, they should be able to trust that their children will come home safely. But that is not the world that we live in. It’s estimated that 1,825 students between the ages of 18-24 die yearly from binge drinking. That number is too high and it’s tragic. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But I have watched hazing take place across all college organizations. If one of the drunk freshman that I watched jog through a crowded shopping center in a Speedo in 30 degree weather last Christmas as ‘swim team initiation’ had an unfortunate accident and died – would that have been enough to make people take a look at hazing across the board? It’s time that people realize it’s not just Greeks who make mistakes and poor decisions. Just two weeks ago, a man was sentenced to four years in jail for the 2011 hazing death of a FAMU drum major. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With regards to the study that fraternity men are twice as likely to rape – are you also using that logic to suggest that we ban sports teams from college campuses? UVA, Vanderbilt, FSU, University of Montana, William and Mary – these colleges are just a tiny sampling of schools that have had athletes’ accused of and/or found guilty of rape. Take a look at the professional athletes who have been accused and/or found guilty of rape post-college – Ben Roethlisberger and Darren Sharper just to name a couple.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just yesterday, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton praised the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity for fighting sexual assault. She must not have seen the report that those men were twice as likely to rape someone. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On another note, shame on you for not giving your fellow women any credit. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i class=""><span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“As long as fraternities exist, sororities will revolve around them, focusing their considerable womanpower on demeaning activities like wooing Homecoming or Greek Week escorts rather than women’s activism and empowerment.” </span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">
<i class=""><span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are clearly a fan of womanpower, but you think so little of all sorority women. We empower girls through our various philanthropies – many which focus on working with young girls, fighting women’s health issues, and even creating foundations of our own for leadership development and academic excellence in women. Our friendships alone are testament to womanpower. I have been out of college for 10 years and my sorority sisters are still my best friends. When my fiancé was killed almost four years ago – my sisters traveled from all over the state and country to be with me at his funeral. Even girls who I wouldn’t consider part of my ‘inner circle’ dropped everything in their lives to sit there and hold my hand during the worst time of my life – because we were bonded by the sisterhood and rituals that you make light of. You have no way of understanding what that is like because you never took the time to take a sorority seriously – you went in looking for anything bad and you made (and continue to make) a mockery of what we love. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have great friends who are fraternity men. They are smart, driven, successful, wonderful men. Some of these men would not be the men that they are today without fraternity life – it taught them invaluable leadership skills and expected excellence of them. It taught them how to grow from boys into great men who I am proud to call my friends. To call for a universal shut down of fraternities shows your ignorance into what a fraternity really is. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have read your book. I read it when it first came out as I needed to know what the anti-Greek argument was going to be as I headed into recruitment in one of the most important Greek life leadership roles at my university. When I read this Wall Street Journal article, I also wiped the dust off your book on my shelf. For some reason, I have held onto it through all these years. Your book and this article do nothing but perpetuate the stereotypes that I, and all the Greek leaders that I have ever known, spent all of their college years (and many years after) fighting against. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="" style="color: #262626;">Greeks are not the people that you make them out to be. And as sorority women, I am proud to say that we will continue to harness our 3.5 million members towards vital causes. And we will do it alongside fraternities who support vital causes of their own. I am, and always will be, proud to be Greek.</span><span class="" style="color: #262626;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sincerely,</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="" style="color: #262626;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Danielle Molle</span></span></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-4023167529926076232015-06-10T21:13:00.000-07:002015-06-10T21:13:28.022-07:00The Rules of Attraction (Or Lack There Of)Attraction is a funny beast. It's one of those things that sometimes it's there - and sometimes, it just isn't. And it's SO RIDICULOUS. (And no, this is not just because I got sucked into a 'Married at First Sight' marathon and now I'm overanalyzing EVERY relationship I've ever had.)<br />
<br />
I have been dating for at least 17 years - ever since the 8th grade when my very first boyfriend held my hand on the bus. Our relationship lasted the three hour bus ride home from the state capital during that particular stage in life when having a boyfriend was everything that a girl needed to be popular. Pretty sure we broke up immediately afterwards - I probably had one of my friends call one of his friends and break the bad news to him. And that still didn't stop him from trying to feel me up during an innocent back rub during freshman year. And sophomore year. And probably senior year too. (For the record - it never worked.) <br />
<br />
During the last few years, I have gone on a lot of dates. I'm not sure it's more than the average single person (it's actually probably not - I have friends that have gone on LOTS of dates. Like multiple dates in a day kind of dating) - I'm not like that. But I've still gone on my fair share of dates. And have spent even more time talking to various dudes via messenger and text. And generally - I can tell within a few short messages if this is something that has potential or not. <br />
<br />
I don't mean that to sound so judgmental. But seriously. It is baffling to me how someone who is great on paper - handsome, successful, charismatic - can fall so flat on my attraction scale, while on the other hand, I can be so crazy attracted to someone who I only have a few hilarious text message exchanges with. Is chemistry truly a result of a physical meeting? Or is it something that we can develop before we actually lay eyes on each other? <br />
<br />
These are the ultimate questions of dating. How much 'foreplay' is too much? When you meet someone via online dating (or really - any relationship where a face-to-face meeting isn't immediately possible), how long can you text, message, call, and flirt before the spark wears itself out? If the spark isn't there during initial contact - should you even bother meeting? And heaven forbid - what if the spark is so good during the foreplay that it puts too much pressure on for the actual meeting and you blow it? What then? <br />
<br />
Seriously. I'm exhausted just thinking about all these questions. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anSF5nqZEJg/VXkJ12oBE2I/AAAAAAAABoY/YnXcHaanwPs/s1600/6a00d8341c6a0853ef01a3fcd8b9e2970b-800wi.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anSF5nqZEJg/VXkJ12oBE2I/AAAAAAAABoY/YnXcHaanwPs/s400/6a00d8341c6a0853ef01a3fcd8b9e2970b-800wi.png" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_1910637783"></span><span id="goog_1910637784"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-75640183445998558802015-05-18T21:03:00.002-07:002015-05-18T21:03:43.429-07:00A Girl Walks Into A Bar...Alright... so it wasn't a bar. It was a wedding. And really, the heading should be 'Two Girls Walk Into A Wedding in the EXACT SAME DRESS'. It's like every girls nightmare come true - no one ever wants to be the one who shows up in the same thing as someone else (it's bad enough when you are a bridesmaid and forced to match up to 10 other peeps). Well... nightmare realized. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtDTrGnZX6c/VVqcxCiMpDI/AAAAAAAABm8/ppQTcUEE_QQ/s1600/IMG_6841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dtDTrGnZX6c/VVqcxCiMpDI/AAAAAAAABm8/ppQTcUEE_QQ/s320/IMG_6841.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A guy friend asked me how my weekend as a bridesmaid was. Well... it was awesome. <br />B-squad bridesmaids - just in case you need backups. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_219484063"></span><span id="goog_219484064"></span>For the record - one of the most annoying things you can do is walk up to a set of girls at a wedding and ask 'do you know that you're wearing the same dress?'. Nope. Hadn't noticed. Unless you see that one of us with a seeing eye dog - it's probably safe to assume that we are aware. <br />
<br />
Although it was mildly annoying - there is no one that I would rather match than this girl. She obviously has great taste. <br />
<br />
The wedding was one of my sorority sisters and while I have expounded on the joys of being a Gamma Phi Beta before - let me just do so again. My life would be drastically different if I had not walked into the house and met these women. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX5AOYAIBLk/VVqey0XBVXI/AAAAAAAABnI/G_W7iXHcjhc/s1600/IMG_6958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kX5AOYAIBLk/VVqey0XBVXI/AAAAAAAABnI/G_W7iXHcjhc/s320/IMG_6958.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. We're all wearing green and blue. It was apparently a Seahawks themed event. <br />Unbeknownst to the bride and groom of course. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
No matter how much things change - marriage, kids, death, divorce - some things never change. We're all older and wiser (okay - it's guaranteed that we're older. Wiser is still up for debate.). We can still reminisce about the old days - but we know when we've hit our limit (or most of us do - some of us still end up kissing boys outside the wedding. Me? Never. I'm an adult.) We are there for each other thru thick and thin, that's just how we roll. It's like a marriage vow - only without the benefits. <br />
<br />
Joining a sorority was the best decision that I ever made. Not just because I can now call myself a sorority girl for the rest of my existence (you are welcome future children!) but because the girls that I met will be stuck with me for the rest of forever. For. Eh. Ver. (Just like the Sandlot folks, just like the Sandlot...)<br />
<br />
In other news. I caught the bouquet. So... stay tuned for updates in that realm. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RDh0WZcFx4/VVq091muGGI/AAAAAAAABnY/1V_1FCaxGdY/s1600/IMG_6849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6RDh0WZcFx4/VVq091muGGI/AAAAAAAABnY/1V_1FCaxGdY/s320/IMG_6849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-50538771514053546702015-04-21T21:18:00.002-07:002015-04-21T21:18:33.458-07:00Hawaii... Part 3 (And 4. And Maybe 5)Well, my Hawaii adventure is officially over. I seriously think I'm having withdrawals from the beach and the sunshine. And I'm already agonizing over losing my tan. <br />
<br />
Anyways...<br />
<br />
<b>Part 3: No one told me to bring long johns. </b><br />
<br />
What they should really put in the Big Island guidebook is that you probably won't see any actual lava. Don't get me wrong... seeing the glow of lava at night was pretty darn cool. But besides the illusion of lava, we really didn't see anything but rocks. A lot of rocks. So. Many. Rocks. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJkg6FOwRIM/VTcQ0JonrYI/AAAAAAAABjk/7rDgw-tzvOg/s1600/IMG_6447.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MJkg6FOwRIM/VTcQ0JonrYI/AAAAAAAABjk/7rDgw-tzvOg/s1600/IMG_6447.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking the lava rock wasteland.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The other thing that should be in the guidebook? How bloody, freaking cold it was on the volcano side of the mountain. At least we brought sweatshirts and wore yoga pants. It could have been worse - I saw people grossly unprepared. That gift shop must make a killing off of sweatshirt sales. It's probably the only place in all of Hawaii that sells more sweatshirts than anything else.<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We saw almost every major volcano site on the Big Island. We even saw where the lava flowed into the transfer station. For those of you who don't know what a transfer station is - it's a dump. We saw hardened lava at the dump. That's not in the guidebook either. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Bucket List Item #394: See a volcano. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Check. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Part 4: We would have been terrible Vikings. </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Let's just get back to the fact that the ocean is terrifying. The creatures that swim in the ocean are ginormous and sneak up on you. I'm prepared to handle the predators of land - I can hear a bear crashing through the woods a mile away (okay... that may be a little exaggeration) but you get the idea. Sharks? Those suckers sneak up on you. Urchins? They just sit there like silent jagged rocks. Manta rays? Don't even get me started... </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While my first snorkeling experience didn't exactly go swimmingly (pun intended), my second was much better. We look a sea kayak tour that included some snorkel time - and after a serious internal battle (one in which my body was pretty adamant about remaining in the kayak and my brain was saying 'stop being a baby'), I jumped out of the kayak and snorkeled around a bit. Actually... it went something more like this: put feet over edge of kayak. Pull them back in. Get yelled at by Paige for being a weenie. Put feet back out - touch them to the water and try not to think of the story of the guy having his legs bitten off by a shark out of a kayak (thanks for that, Maui guy). Fling self into water (yup... just as graceful as it sounds). Immediately try to curl up into a floating version of the fetal position. Realize I'll drown if I don't swim. Tentatively swim. Finally... snorkel. I definitely never let the boat get more than 20 feet away from me. But I did it. And I didn't cry. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Z9cP5AHa7U/VTcYtNWIisI/AAAAAAAABj0/HXKBsC5m_jM/s1600/DSC00147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Z9cP5AHa7U/VTcYtNWIisI/AAAAAAAABj0/HXKBsC5m_jM/s1600/DSC00147.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Proof that I was, at one point, totally submerged in the ocean. <br />And not because I was drowning. Two thumbs up!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
Sea kayaking on the other hand was something COMPLETELY different than what I've gotten used to doing around here. This was for several reasons: </div>
<div>
<ol>
<li>There are waves.</li>
<li>There is seasickness. </li>
<li>There are shadows under the water that you are convinced are manta rays (and come on, at least one of them must have been something slightly more terrifying than a rock). </li>
<li>We were terrible at rowing in tandem. </li>
</ol>
<div>
Oh well... you can't be good at everything. </div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjUoFt__Tp8/VTcblFEVAaI/AAAAAAAABkA/RhFVIKMBkxY/s1600/DSC00132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zjUoFt__Tp8/VTcblFEVAaI/AAAAAAAABkA/RhFVIKMBkxY/s1600/DSC00132.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When no one else is on the water to take your picture - selfies become your only option. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXNQJNPwXxs/VTcblMrl6nI/AAAAAAAABkI/Dd1MtwyqUK8/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nXNQJNPwXxs/VTcblMrl6nI/AAAAAAAABkI/Dd1MtwyqUK8/s1600/DSC00140.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're in a sea cave. (If you sing it to the tune of 'I'm On A Boat', it gets way more exciting) </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOdj-FAzFe4/VTcbnwiCqlI/AAAAAAAABkY/ynOdkovuEhI/s1600/DSC00153.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JOdj-FAzFe4/VTcbnwiCqlI/AAAAAAAABkY/ynOdkovuEhI/s1600/DSC00153.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Things we learned while on our kayaking adventure? <br />We would have made terrible vikings. <br /> Rowing in tandem? Not our thing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-61238143335973450442015-04-14T22:12:00.000-07:002015-04-14T22:12:43.107-07:00Hawaii... Part 2 (Or... How I Puked in a Hawaii Costco Parking Lot)I realized as I typed 'Part 2' that there may be many parts to this series... I'll be like the never ending Fast and the Furious franchise that is already up to like 18 or something mind-boggling like that. Although I legitimately would like to see the newest edition to the franchise - mostly as a tribute to Paul Walker, who I had a gigantic crush on after the first movie - which I saw at least 5 times in the movie theater and totally fan-girled out over the cars at Universal Studios when I was a senior in high school. I almost wish I had access to those pictures just so I could share the total dorkiness that was me at 18... almost. <br />
<br />
Anyways... back around to Hawaii... <br />
<br />
Hawaii is still beautiful and I am still a shade of cherry tomato red. Apparently my ability to rock a tan abandoned me when I became a Seattle resident. Fingers crossed that the latest in my battle with the glowing orb in the sky is a tan tomorrow. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW2s3jmrwH8/VS3tZG4OwQI/AAAAAAAABi0/sgR_EuPUsPU/s1600/IMG_6507.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW2s3jmrwH8/VS3tZG4OwQI/AAAAAAAABi0/sgR_EuPUsPU/s1600/IMG_6507.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PBR smells like college.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In other news... I SNORKELED!!! And I didn't drown, cry, or freak out. Okay... maybe I freaked out a little bit. But the lifeguard didn't have to swim out to get me - so we're going to go ahead and call it a win. I'll be the first to admit that I didn't love the general snorkeling experience. There's something unnatural about breathing through a plastic tube with your face in the water. My depth perception was all out of whack and so fish that were 20 feet away looked like they were right in my face - it's freaky. When I saw a sea urchin that was no less than 12inches across, I was done. <br />
<br />
So while yesterday started with some innocent snorkeling - it ended with a night out on the town. For those of you who are familiar with my schedule - you are aware that generally my bedtime is early. If I'm up til 10, I start to get concerned that I'll be all yawn-y the next day. And I wish I could say that this only applies to 'school nights' but it doesn't. It's all the time. I like bed. And sleeping. It's a thing. 8 hours of sleep and I are a match made in heaven. <br />
<br />
Let's just say that I didn't get 8 hours of sleep yesterday. I probably didn't even get 4. <br />
<br />
We shut down the bar. We made friends with locals. We convinced a guy who wouldn't go away that we were a lesbian couple here for our wedding (to which he still didn't get the hint and hung around telling us how beautiful our love was and getting teary eyed over the fact that he isn't married. True story.). We played giant Jenga. We drank all the beers. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXswK2robko/VS3yntHxMqI/AAAAAAAABjI/lrJ9ZNzEWCc/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EXswK2robko/VS3yntHxMqI/AAAAAAAABjI/lrJ9ZNzEWCc/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Today we went to one of the beautiful white sand beaches near Kona. (What I have learned is that Hawaii is the newest of the Hawaiian Islands and is full of lava. Most of the beaches are really rocky because the rocks haven't broken down over hundreds of years into sand. Just a quick knowledge bomb for you.) And I woke up this morning feeling like I had been hit by a Mack Truck. Apparently 72 IPAs and two Gilligan's Girl coconut cocktails will do that to you. <br />
<br />
So a little known fact about me is that I get terribly motion sick - the back seat of cars, rides at amusement parks, probably boats on the ocean - all of them make me want to hurl. Well. Today I did. In the parking lot of Costco. Awesome. Vacation high point. But, like Paige pointed out, at least it wasn't in the parking lot of a Walmart. Touché.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-50478682027743559282015-04-13T09:12:00.001-07:002015-04-13T09:15:47.847-07:00Hawaii... Part 1<i>First off, I know that I've been a terrible blogger for the last year. I've had a lot of personal things going on that have made it hard for me to be collected and put my thoughts down on paper and definitely, I have not been funny. So... moving on. </i><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IWryXu2f-CQ/VSvrWgWWZ7I/AAAAAAAABiM/EbCxw79QW7g/s1600/IMG_6510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IWryXu2f-CQ/VSvrWgWWZ7I/AAAAAAAABiM/EbCxw79QW7g/s1600/IMG_6510.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawaii!!! The land of secret beaches in the middle of lava flows. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have been talking with one of my best friends for at least two years about taking a vacation somewhere - we've talked about London and Paris, all over the United States, and finally, Hawaii. Paige is one of my sorority sisters from college and we are very much like two peas in a pod - minus that she carries a gun for work and I'm typically accessorizing the crap out of myself. Well... she turned 30 this year, and I never took a 30th birthday trip - so we decided to make Kona, Hawaii, our big trip. It's perfect - her family has a condo here and so basically all we had to do was get here. Perfect. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfDt-65U-uY/VSvm2S_DGtI/AAAAAAAABh4/B1GqrTYUOoY/s1600/IMG_6495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cfDt-65U-uY/VSvm2S_DGtI/AAAAAAAABh4/B1GqrTYUOoY/s1600/IMG_6495.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She brought me a lei at the airport! HAWAII!!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I've never been to Hawaii. Growing up, our family vacations consisted of wherever we could go in the camper (i.e. NOT Hawaii). I did get to spend a lot of time camping on a beach in Mexico - something that most people will never get to do (namely because now people get beheaded for even stepping foot in parts of Mexico). <br />
<br />
Even growing up in California, I was never much of a beach kid. I can't remember ever spending much time there (with the exception of Mexico). I'm sure we went, but I just can't really remember it. I have a vague memory of camping near the beach with my parents and my cousin and it being cold and rainy the entire time. That being said - this could just be some dream I had once and it never actually happened. <br />
<br />
Moral of the story? I haven't spent much time in the ocean. One time, in Mexico, a kid camping near us stepped on a sea urchin and impaled himself with no less than 70 quills in his foot (that's why you wear water shoes kids!). It led to my first child-sized anxiety attack - in a less than ideal location - a boogie board in the middle of a deep tide pool. There's some debate in my family about what happened next - but the general consensus is that I screamed my head off until my mom crawled out on the rocks and rescued me (thanks Mom). I was 8. Add in the discovery of movies like Jaws and the ocean has been ruined for me since.<br />
<br />
I am now 31 and am generally consider myself to be relatively tough. Well... tell that to the sea turtle who scared the shit out of me yesterday. (And yes, he was 20 yards away - something I didn't know when Paige said 'Oh look - a sea turtle!') Here's the thing about the ocean: it is TERRIFYING. For those of you who think sharks are the only scary things out there - you'd be wrong. I have discovered my new greatest fear: manta rays (no - not manatees - I've conquered that fear - or at least laid it to wait until my next Florida or Puerto Rico trip). <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIrKWO2p2uE/VSvmefdAyxI/AAAAAAAABhw/V0eHOwUe7MM/s1600/images.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eIrKWO2p2uE/VSvmefdAyxI/AAAAAAAABhw/V0eHOwUe7MM/s1600/images.jpeg" height="228" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See. Terrifying. And no, I didn't take this picture. I will never in this lifetime be that close to one of these sea monsters. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Manta rays are like the giant bats of the sea (and I don't particularly love the bats of land either) and here in Hawaii, they grow to a wingspan of something like 12 feet (sometimes bigger). 12 feet. 12 FEET. We saw one at a distance yesterday - I mean a LONG distance, like 100 yards - and while it was beautiful, it also made my stomach jump into my throat. People do night scuba diving with these creatures here and let them swim all around them - they are attracted to the flashlights. Hell to the no. Those people be crazy. <br />
<br />
I'm looking forward to trying snorkeling (yes, I'm 31 and haven't snorkeled since I was probably 8) but I'm also terrified that I'll have a full fledged freakout in the water. Water creatures are squirrely and the current adds to the mystery of where they are going. On top of that, I'm not a super great swimmer - I can swim to save my life and the life of someone who is drowning - but besides that - not really great. I didn't grow up swimming... that's not a thing we did in Montana a lot. Floating the river? Yes. Jumping off the bridge into the river? Yes. Swimming? No. <br />
<br />
Turns out that I'm much better with scary land animals. Maybe it's because we're on the same playing field. When I get into the water, I very much feel how a fish out of water must feel. I have been raised to know how to handle running into a bear in the woods - but put me in the water with a sea turtle and I have no idea what to do. And before you say it, those suckers bite - I've seen it on NatGeoWild. <br />
<br />
So... fingers crossed for my impending snorkeling experience. I've borrowed an underwater camera so I can chronicle the entire experience - complete with scared face underwater selfies. Maybe I'll even get a picture or two of fishies.<br />
<br />
I should be off - Hawaii is a land where everyone gets up at the crack of dawn and sitting out here on the lanai (can I please start calling my patio that?), I'm pretty sure I just saw a small child out jogging with her parents. That probably means its time to get my butt in gear. Unfortunately, no one that I'm staying with understands the importance of coffee like I do. At least Paige knows that I'm much more amenable to life in general after a cup of coffee. That's the joy of having a friend for 10+ years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhysQ-R-nUQ/VSvqvSgr2-I/AAAAAAAABiE/7eYG42dvQ8o/s1600/IMG_6514.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PhysQ-R-nUQ/VSvqvSgr2-I/AAAAAAAABiE/7eYG42dvQ8o/s1600/IMG_6514.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-80664197228286500522014-10-20T20:03:00.000-07:002014-10-20T20:04:05.147-07:00But First, Coffee... When I tell people that I coach CrossFit at 5:30 in the morning, I get a whole range of appalled faces staring back at me - generally followed by the 'how do you do that?!' question. Coffee, people. So. Much. Coffee. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igrCXyQBrtA/VEXL2DI3G5I/AAAAAAAABfI/5W5MB3GhNFM/s1600/1837a85c790ab9eca870cf8ff71b9693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-igrCXyQBrtA/VEXL2DI3G5I/AAAAAAAABfI/5W5MB3GhNFM/s1600/1837a85c790ab9eca870cf8ff71b9693.jpg" height="400" width="295" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But lately, when I've been waking up (at 4:30am) - I've been noticing that there are several distinct stages to the wake up process. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stage 1) Denial. </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Is that my alarm clock?! There is absolutely no way that it is already 4:30. I just barely fell asleep. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stage 2) Snooze. </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
9 minutes more sleep will make my life better. Just 9 more minutes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stage 1) Denial. Round 2. </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Is that my alarm clock?!?! No way it's been 9 minutes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stage 2) Snooze. Round 2. </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
9 more minutes. I just need 9. More. Minutes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Stage 3) Acceptance. </b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Okay. No more snoozing. Must get up. But at least there's coffee. </div>
<div>
<br />
<b>Stage 4) Hope. </b><br />
<br />
Wait. Maybe class is cancelled. I should check my email. Maybe no one is signed up for our most popular class of the day. <br />
<br />
<b>Stage 5) Resignation. Round 2. </b><br />
<br />
Of course class isn't cancelled. Okay. Time to get up. Must get coffee.<br />
<br />
<b>Stage 6) Annoyance.</b><br />
<br />
Dog crawls into warm spot in the bed. I feed you AND pick up your poop - you should at least be up when I am up. <br />
<br />
<b>Stage 7) Anger. </b><br />
<br />
Where is my sports bra?! Why do I only have one sock?! Why didn't I get organized last night?! It's so much easier when I'm organized. It's like I'm new. <br />
<br />
<b>Stage 8) First sip of coffee. </b><br />
<br />
I officially feel sorry for people who don't drink coffee. This is amazing. <br />
<br />
<b>Stage 9) Ready to roll. </b><br />
<br />
10 minutes, one cup of coffee, a giant to-go cup and some mascara. Let's do this. <br />
<br />
<b>Stage 10) Caffeinated enough to annoy the crap out of my athletes. </b><br />
<br />
Winning!<br />
<br />
That, my friends, is how you get a functional CrossFit coach at 5:30 in the morning. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-am6_m-3NyMo/VEXMQmpYwqI/AAAAAAAABfQ/CtNB9aAUXgk/s1600/91cf049aafba838a6c4dcb9eddbf21b2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-am6_m-3NyMo/VEXMQmpYwqI/AAAAAAAABfQ/CtNB9aAUXgk/s1600/91cf049aafba838a6c4dcb9eddbf21b2.jpg" height="400" width="282" /></a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-35284054859561343682014-10-19T19:46:00.001-07:002014-10-19T19:46:49.477-07:00Throwback WeekendThis weekend, I went back to Spokane for a quick trip down memory lane. And by memory lane - I actually mean Cheney/EWU - my alma mater. Okay, college was probably some of the best four years of my life. And that doesn't mean that all the awesome stuff that has happened since or before doesn't matter - but I wouldn't trade my years at EWU for anything. This weekend was so much fun - great time with great friends. So glad I went. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1g2xrYijc34/VERwRwEVmoI/AAAAAAAABe0/tsL7slIqiZY/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1g2xrYijc34/VERwRwEVmoI/AAAAAAAABe0/tsL7slIqiZY/s1600/IMG_5378.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
That being said, this weekend made it grossly apparent that I am now officially an adult and not a 20 year old kid. This is why:<br />
<br />
<b>#1) My appreciation of clean bathrooms. </b><br />
<br />
Wait. <br />
<br />
Let's actually make this more general. My appreciation of clean spaces period. I was in a sorority. Hands down - joining Gamma Phi Beta was one of the best decisions of my life. But I'll be the first to admit that sorority and fraternity houses aren't always the cleanest places. This weekend, I definitely had a moment of 'wait... were frat houses always this gross? is this a new thing?'. <br />
<br />
Yeah... I'm pretty sure they were always that gross. I was just impervious to the grime. And I probably drank enough vodka that I was immune to the germs anyways (shh... don't tell). <br />
<br />
<b>#2) The bar at 11:50pm. </b><br />
<br />
Okay - lies. <br />
<br />
The bar at 9:45pm. <br />
<br />
I know that I lost my cool factor like 5 years ago (maybe I never had it? Unsure), but seriously, I'm too old to show up at a bar later than 9:45. At 9:45 - I'm pretty sure that if I'm not already out, I am probably in my sweat pants. Old? Yup. <br />
<br />
<b>#3) I actually go to the football game and care about who wins (us, obviously). </b><br />
<br />
When we were in college, I'm pretty sure that I went to approximately 50% of the games that I tailgated at. EWU was only mediocre when I was living in Cheney and so, unfortunately, no one really cared. We were way more concerned with how much beer we could drink (again... shhhh... don't tell!). <br />
<br />
EWU games are a totally different beast than they were when I was there. The tailgate situation is awesome. The team is AMAZING. It's just so much more fun. <br />
<br />
<b>#4) Day drinking is fun. Until it's not. </b><br />
<br />
As an adult, there is a wall that I hit during day drinking. That wall is directly proportionate to the amount of sleep I get the night before and the amount of food that I have eaten that day. And for every hour that goes by - you should probably make sure that I have food - I'm like one of those guys in the Snickers commercials. <br />
<br />
I officially hit a wall after the game. And was tired. And hangry. And thirsty. And a little bit car sick. And therefore SUPER grumpy. <br />
<br />
And THAT never happened in college.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-81771774313200327252014-10-04T20:56:00.001-07:002014-10-04T21:17:56.859-07:00CrossFit Girls Guide to... The Rules for Dating. <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lately, I’ve had several conversations with friends about
dating and what we are ‘supposed’ to do.
We live in these constraints of when to call, when to text, when to
wait, what to say, what not to say. But
do these rules really matter?
Seriously. Do they? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m not sure that they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Maybe I’m the wrong person to be questioning these rules, as
I’m still very much the most single person alive. So I guess there’s a good chance that I’m doing
everything wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have to wonder – would things be different if we stopped living under this crazy cloak of fear that we are going to mess things up?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we didn’t play these games of ‘I don’t
want to seem too eager so I’m going to make them wait for a response’ or if we
didn’t feel weird about asking for what we want – would that change things in
our favor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I would love for someone to say what they mean and do what
they say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if this just happens to be
a hot dude who drinks whiskey and does CrossFit – even more the better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m pretty sure that I spend way more time that I should
being concerned over what someone meant when they responded ‘Cool.’ to a text
message. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I dwell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wish I could say that I didn’t – but I
do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And honestly, many of my friends do
(dudes included).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And if we do, it means
a lot of people do. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have to think that some level of dwelling is natural.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have spent the last year dwelling over
something that I screwed up with someone who was actually pretty great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See… I don’t just dwell over what other
people do and say – I also dwell over the stupid stuff that I do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We all do it – I think it’s just rare that
we’ll admit it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m trying to be slightly less obsessive over the crazy
unspoken (or spoken in hushed voices) rules that seem to rule the dating world
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I’d like to exchange these
unofficial rules for a couple of official ones. </span></div>
<ol>
<li><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don’t say ‘Drinks definitely’ if you don’t mean
‘Drinks?! Definitely!’</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; text-indent: -0.25in;">Never use the words ‘I have quite a lot of board
games’.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">The word ‘cool’ and the 'thumbs up' emoji, don’t
actually mean anything.</span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">Use your
words. </span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSn35Dhg0WM/VDC_kLPmoUI/AAAAAAAABeM/DPd-8MSd4tE/s1600/7b7c91640585cea502c4957d3ede719c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KSn35Dhg0WM/VDC_kLPmoUI/AAAAAAAABeM/DPd-8MSd4tE/s1600/7b7c91640585cea502c4957d3ede719c.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-24173087164367660442014-04-02T18:10:00.002-07:002014-04-02T18:11:41.187-07:00My Next 30 Years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today is the last day of my 20s. Holy crap. Some things just sneak up on you - and 30 was one of those things. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l7Ont8Ugu8/Uzy0Eilze-I/AAAAAAAABX8/cuF-CWIYEqU/s3200/15c198f4ebd319b2fdbb129459da79b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8l7Ont8Ugu8/Uzy0Eilze-I/AAAAAAAABX8/cuF-CWIYEqU/s3200/15c198f4ebd319b2fdbb129459da79b1.jpg" height="224" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were many things that I thought I'd have figured out by 30. I thought I'd be married, I thought I'd be well on my way to kids, I thought I'd be well established in my career. But it's like they say <i>'Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans'. </i>Seriously. Nothing in my life is as I thought it would be on the eve of turning 30. Even though I'm not where I thought I'd be, it doesn't mean I'm in a bad place. My 20s included some of the best and worst times of my life, both which will be hard to duplicate in my next 30 years. Let's recap my 20s, shall we? </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I graduated from college with some of the best friends and sorority sisters that I could ask for. I literally couldn't have asked for a more awesome 4 years at Eastern. It was incredible. The friends that I made there are my sisters, my best friends, my soul mates - I could not ask for more from them. The experiences that we had together were/are unforgettable (even the ones that we don't remember). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I moved to Seattle. This was supposed to be a 3-5 year venture. It's now going on year eight and I can pretty much say that I've made this wet, rainy place my home. I have made wonderful friends here (Fab 5 + Lisa!) and seriously couldn't imagine a world without them for happy hour, brunch, lunch, cocktails, cocktails, cocktails, and gossip. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I fell madly in love. At 24, I met the love of my young life. Even though it was touch and go for years (y'all who were around then know exactly what I'm talking about), we pulled through and had the most incredible relationship I could have asked for. Even though it didn't work out how we all hoped - it doesn't change the fact that Will was the one for me in my 20s. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I got engaged. IN PARIS. That just doesn't get to happen to everyone. I'll consider myself lucky for the rest of my life that I got to have that experience. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I dealt with earth shattering loss. And I survived. Sometimes I don't know how. But I did. I kept seeing the quote: <i>'You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have'</i>. I don't even know if I can appropriately call me getting through that being strong - I just did what I had to do to survive. And if I can make it through the loss of my person - I know that I can make it through pretty much anything. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I found a new passion in CrossFit. The loss of Will was soul crushing and CrossFit gave me something to be excited about again. And now as I coach - I try to share that enthusiasm with our athletes (or annoy the crap out of people who just want me to shut up and let them workout. It's 50/50 really.). </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I left my job and ultimately decided to start my own business. If you can't do this at 29 - when can you do it? Biggest professional risk I've ever taken. But I'm happy again. And I was miserable at my old job. There is definitely something to be said for being happy and terrified. I'll take it over miserable any day. </span></li>
</ul>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There were a lot of really exciting things about my last decade but I'm excited (albeit terrified) about the next 30 years. I'm a different person that I was a few years ago - I'm older, stronger, and hopefully wiser So let's see what's next... </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LzEj6nGnUg/Uzy0Eew5mlI/AAAAAAAABYA/2D3YOmgQg_w/s3200/thirty-flirty-and-thriving-.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LzEj6nGnUg/Uzy0Eew5mlI/AAAAAAAABYA/2D3YOmgQg_w/s3200/thirty-flirty-and-thriving-.png" height="320" width="274" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-21040757266947684702014-04-02T07:53:00.000-07:002014-04-02T07:53:55.608-07:002014 CrossFit Open: A Recap<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let's talk about the 2014 CrossFit Open. Now that it's over, I feel like I am much more able to look back at it objectively (as opposed to looking on it with sweltering amounts of hatred). Let's take a look at each of the individual workouts and how they stacked up: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">14.1 - 10 min AMRAP: 30 Double Unders, 15 Snatches (55lbs)</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I did this workout twice officially and once unofficially. That may have been overkill. But the first 'unofficial' time was really just to practice and I did it light (at 35lbs). My first official attempt was terrible. I probably spent 8 minutes doing double under attempts and I left the gym super irritated by the whole thing. My third (and final!) attempt was significantly better - a 50 rep improvement and included a new PR of 30 unbroken double unders for me. Yahoo! This workout felt like an awesome start to the Open, it was a manageable weight, the movements were tough but doable and it did nothing but raise my level of optimism at this year's Open. (I should have known it would go downhill really fast.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">14.2 - A Terrible Concoction of OH Squats and Chest-to-Bar Pullups</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It made me feel better that all but two people competing in the Open at Sound got scores of 10 because chest-to-bars were just not happening. This workout was awful. I can't get chest-to-bars and there wasn't really anyone who could even coach me through it. I'm getting close enough to the bar - I just literally can't touch it. Which is aggravating... and soul crushing. This workout was a disappointment because I'm actually really good at overhead squats and I love doing them. I wish they would have been paired with something else because I think I could have killed it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">14.3 - The Posterior Chain Torture Device of Heavy Deadlifts and Box Jumps</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In what may be the most controversial Open announcement EVER - Dave Castro brought us an ascending ladder of deadlifts, where not only did the weight increase, but so did the reps. CrossFit affiliates were outraged, even going to so far as to publicly announce that they would not be participating in such a terrible workout for their athletes (ironically, some of these gyms also have Regionals level athletes who had to complete the workouts in order to qualify - so I'm not sure how they worked around that.). I, for one, was PSYCHED about this workout. I LOVE heavy deadlifts. I KILL at heavy deadlifts. <b>BRING ME MY TROPHY!!!!!!!!!!! </b>Okay... so that may have been a little bit overzealous of me. I ignored everyone for days who kept telling me how bad it was for me and how much danger I was putting myself in. Didn't care. <b>I LOVE DEADLIFTS. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And then the day came to actually do the workout. And holy crap - deadlift set #2 at 135lbs suddenly felt way heavier than it should. And then 20 at 155lbs felt like approximately 1000lbs. 25 at 185lbs? Barely made it through. But I did. And then I could barely walk for three days. Okay... maybe these arguments denouncing this workout were justified. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">14.4 - The Chipper From Hell</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This workout was just as labeled. The Chipper From HELL. Okay... it wasn't actually that bad if you like/are good at toes to bar. Which I'm not. Let me simply explain the physics of this to you - you have to touch your toes to the bar - above your head. So when I'm standing - I can grab the bar when my arms are fully extended - that's what? 9 feet?? And I have to get my feet up there? AT THE SAME TIME!?!? No. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This wasn't my proudest workout moment. It also didn't help that I had gotten home from California two hours before, I was tired, I was hungry, I was cranky and my heart was just a little bit smooshed from everything going on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This workout was literally soul-crushing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">14.5 - Never Ending Burpees and Thrusters</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because who doesn't like doing 20+ minutes of strenuous work under heavy load with no rest time? Fuck you, Dave Castro. Seriously. A descending ladder from 21 of thrusters and bar-facing-burpees? No. This workout left good athletes sucking wind and wanting to die. The great athletes finished like it was a warm up - but the rest of us struggled. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay. Here is my thought on this. It seems to me that while Rich Froning and Sam Briggs were done in 8 minutes - the rest of us mortals were still in our sets of 18, 15 or if you were exceptionally lucky, 12, at the 8 minute mark. But no one, except super star athletes were finished in sub 10. How exactly is this a test of your fitness? I seemed more to me to be a test of who doesn't puke.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To Recap: </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I actually really liked the first workout. It was tough, it was heavy, it was an overall physical challenge - but it didn't make you want to die at the end. People could get through it (well... I guess if you had double unders - if not, you were spending 10 very frustrating minutes jump roping). But the rest of the Open was pretty much awful.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The 2014 Open was soul crushing, body crushing and a killer. Personally, I don't feel like a whole lot of these workouts were a test of overall fitness - but instead a way to definitely divide the super CrossFit athletes from the normal folks. I have been lucky enough to have amazing athletes as friends - and they struggled through these workouts. There was a clear dividing line between the athletes that would be moving forward to regionals and those of us who won't. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Could I have trained more and done better? Absolutely. I'll be the first to admit that. Honestly, this year's Open couldn't have come at a worse time. Trying to get Brand M off the ground, dealing with my Grandfather's passing, and all of that - it was just a terrible time for me to try to focus on anything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh well. Onto the next. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-65354659674871032672014-03-26T19:26:00.001-07:002014-03-26T19:28:31.758-07:00Toes in the Sand<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This last weekend, I got to spend a much needed weekend in the sun in California. I've needed a vacation for a while - but more than anything, I've needed some time in the sun. This winter has been especially rainy and dark and as much as I love Seattle - there is a time when it starts to wear on you. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I left on Thursday - it couldn't have been more horrible timing with my Grandpa going into the hospital. I spent a lot of time on the phone with my family trying to decide if I was going to go to Idaho to be with him or keep my vacation plans. These are, of course, the worst kinds of decisions to have to make as there really is no right choice. After a conference call with my dad - we decided that I should still go to California. Although there will some people who would argue that I made the wrong choice - I know that it was the right thing to do for me. That being said - I probably wasn't the best version of myself on this trip. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">California is where my oldest and longest friend lives. I have been friends with Diana for as long as I can remember - I literally can't remember a time when we weren't friends. Her family has been my extended family and I'm glad I got to spend this weekend with them. They don't care if I'm off my game or a little less social and smiley than normal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I headed to California with certain hopes for this trip. And although I had a blast - it wasn't exactly what I was hoping for. But... sometimes that's how the chips fall and I'm trying to be okay with it. While I'm bummed about certain things - I'm thrilled that I got to spend time with Diana and her family, especially while I was going through everything with my own family. Sometimes, when you can't be with your own family - you get lucky enough to have the next best thing. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_PEcFiMt-I/UzOJFju_6hI/AAAAAAAABUk/oRg-2NUoIag/s3200/IMG_2832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t_PEcFiMt-I/UzOJFju_6hI/AAAAAAAABUk/oRg-2NUoIag/s3200/IMG_2832.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Santa Monica Pier </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkzRqOLPoFE/UzOJH6VVk9I/AAAAAAAABU0/MP699rLnnb8/s3200/IMG_2836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkzRqOLPoFE/UzOJH6VVk9I/AAAAAAAABU0/MP699rLnnb8/s3200/IMG_2836.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0uapMxpOT8/UzOJHJJyyHI/AAAAAAAABUs/6Si1S_cdNtM/s3200/IMG_2835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G0uapMxpOT8/UzOJHJJyyHI/AAAAAAAABUs/6Si1S_cdNtM/s3200/IMG_2835.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahO8e1ny1Ko/UzOJM6cJZZI/AAAAAAAABVk/cQkIfv27r5I/s3200/IMG_2844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ahO8e1ny1Ko/UzOJM6cJZZI/AAAAAAAABVk/cQkIfv27r5I/s3200/IMG_2844.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the Getty Villa</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2U9HzJzK3w/UzOJPLGeBzI/AAAAAAAABV0/UgAkPwdaLCU/s3200/IMG_2846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-i2U9HzJzK3w/UzOJPLGeBzI/AAAAAAAABV0/UgAkPwdaLCU/s3200/IMG_2846.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt1A2tJ5k-M/UzOJSD2lu5I/AAAAAAAABWI/O3b5IrSC-3M/s3200/IMG_2848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xt1A2tJ5k-M/UzOJSD2lu5I/AAAAAAAABWI/O3b5IrSC-3M/s3200/IMG_2848.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9d08J_lHe7U/UzOJULjx-mI/AAAAAAAABWk/Sqbih3Vv1TA/s3200/IMG_2854.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9d08J_lHe7U/UzOJULjx-mI/AAAAAAAABWk/Sqbih3Vv1TA/s3200/IMG_2854.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Huntington Beach</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYmoE9KbqwU/UzOJVPSZapI/AAAAAAAABWs/q4PqV_j9jT8/s3200/IMG_2859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PYmoE9KbqwU/UzOJVPSZapI/AAAAAAAABWs/q4PqV_j9jT8/s3200/IMG_2859.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">#letmetakeaselfie</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzdjWiinVws/UzOJTBo7hoI/AAAAAAAABWY/3lZ65rchJU4/s3200/IMG_2853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mzdjWiinVws/UzOJTBo7hoI/AAAAAAAABWY/3lZ65rchJU4/s3200/IMG_2853.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Because wine in the sun is better than wine in the rain.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHKuB28f7eg/UzOJVRxW15I/AAAAAAAABW8/dh3H5v6a804/s3200/IMG_2864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mHKuB28f7eg/UzOJVRxW15I/AAAAAAAABW8/dh3H5v6a804/s3200/IMG_2864.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">#letmetakeanotherselfie (but this time I'm wearing a hat) </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1vJS87-lZs/UzOJEN2OriI/AAAAAAAABUM/0SmqoDZ3D9s/s3200/IMG_2828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y1vJS87-lZs/UzOJEN2OriI/AAAAAAAABUM/0SmqoDZ3D9s/s3200/IMG_2828.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zimJcFfrT9M/UzOJEcCBQ6I/AAAAAAAABUQ/EtXMhw4HK0c/s3200/IMG_2830.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zimJcFfrT9M/UzOJEcCBQ6I/AAAAAAAABUQ/EtXMhw4HK0c/s3200/IMG_2830.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-75405412540181311312014-03-23T09:15:00.002-07:002014-03-23T09:15:53.269-07:00The World Is Just A Little Bit Smaller<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This weekend, the world lost someone who I was pretty sure was going to live forever, probably out of pure stubbornness and refusal to die. My Grandpa passed away early on Friday morning. He was the last of my grandparents still around - and that is inexplicably sad to me. While I know he'll never get to see some of the awesome things left to come in my life - he was around for some of the cooler things that have happened in the last (almost!) 30 years. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grandpa and I have gotten pretty close in the last few years. We talked every couple of weeks - sometimes longer, sometimes less - but nothing was better than this year when the Seahawks swept the Superbowl. Grandpa (a lifelong Cowboys fan - even if 'that quarterback ain't worth nothing!') acquiesced that he could go for the Seahawks and even found the perfect hat: </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bpV6rr_Gy8o/Uy8BbQHGgEI/AAAAAAAABT4/d_70ccLz0R0/s3200/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bpV6rr_Gy8o/Uy8BbQHGgEI/AAAAAAAABT4/d_70ccLz0R0/s3200/photo-3.JPG" height="400" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I didn't even send it to him. I swear. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even though he was totally wrong about the score (31-17 Broncos) - I think we talked four times that week to debate the game and what we thought was going to happen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Grandpa had been there for almost every significant moment of my life. High school graduation, high school sports (he even stood in the stands and yelled 'Run Forrest Run' at me when I did track - because that wasn't horrifying or anything), college graduation. He made a trip over from Idaho to meet Will when we had our meet the family/engagement dinner. He instantly liked Will and let me know that it would be acceptable for me to marry him and have him be part of our family. When Will passed away four months later - Grandpa came to his memorial in MT. I don't think that he really knew what to say - he just hugged me and then tried to get me to eat. And eat. And eat. I think that's the way that he was able to show me he cared - by feeding me. After, he called me a couple of times a week, just to check in and make sure I was okay. I was obviously not okay - but having him call meant a lot. Probably because I don't think he'd ever called me directly before - ever. I was actually surprised that he had my number. We had always talked when I called there - one of those 'check in with your elders' kind of things. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dad and I took a quick trip there this summer - I really wanted a chance to see him at home and have always thought that it's important to make the time to see family. Life can get so hectic and so busy, but as his death has reminded me yet again, you never know when someone isn't going to be there. I'm really grateful that Dad and I took that trip - not only did we get like 13 hours of daddy/daughter time time in the car (where he realized that I'm slightly less patient in the car than I was at 10 years old and that I will tell him to drive faster) but Grandpa got to show me around the house, show me his shop, and just generally show his granddaughter off to his friends. All things that I think are more important to grandparents than they would ever admit out loud. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It had never crossed my mind that my Grandpa wouldn't be there to see me walk down the aisle, or to have kids of my own. He's been a constant fixture in my life forever - and he taught me how to fish (AKA letting me cast into the branches over and over and over again until he just started giving me the crappy lures because he knew I was just going to lose them anyways), and taught me to shoot (and discovering that although I'm right handed - my left eye is dominant which makes for a complicated aiming situation). </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Thank you Grandpa for the life lessons - especially: 'don't drive drunk', 'Run Forrest Run', and 'Romo sucks'. You will be missed and loved every day. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-37693509755399406152014-03-16T19:53:00.002-07:002014-03-16T19:54:06.993-07:00A St. Patty's Day to Remember<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay... in all fairness.... today isn't actually St. Patrick's Day. But it was the St. Pattys Day Dash and that's practically the same thing. We signed up for the 5K a couple of weeks ago and it was finally time to actually do it. In the pouring rain. And the cold. Ugh. Nothing screams 'Yay! I'm going to run a 5K' like rain and wet. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_bOAUgsSx8/UyZhlJbGzSI/AAAAAAAABSw/5rBbn4u1sp4/s1600/IMG_2783.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_bOAUgsSx8/UyZhlJbGzSI/AAAAAAAABSw/5rBbn4u1sp4/s1600/IMG_2783.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="font-size: medium; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Big bow ties? Winning. </span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So... confession time - we didn't actually run. Except for the last 10 feet over the finish line. We walked (but at a pretty quick clip!), drank our coffee, chit chatted, and gawked at costumes. There were a lot of people in tutus. And let me tell you... tutus droop in the rain. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Best costume I saw? Guy in a rainbow tutu and suspenders. And that's it. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eLKnyq_tDQ/UyZhnJ_BrwI/AAAAAAAABTM/gU7wBdAZAl0/s1600/IMG_2794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eLKnyq_tDQ/UyZhnJ_BrwI/AAAAAAAABTM/gU7wBdAZAl0/s1600/IMG_2794.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54ADAxHvL_s/UyZhlF10fVI/AAAAAAAABS8/r_GlhhhAqfM/s1600/IMG_2781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-54ADAxHvL_s/UyZhlF10fVI/AAAAAAAABS8/r_GlhhhAqfM/s1600/IMG_2781.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Biggest perk of the race? The beer garden. I mean... do people even run 5Ks for any other reason?? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9HHtoLdY-M/UyZhm5okawI/AAAAAAAABTI/gTw8krmofuo/s1600/IMG_2782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k9HHtoLdY-M/UyZhm5okawI/AAAAAAAABTI/gTw8krmofuo/s1600/IMG_2782.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7c82-zFNlQ/UyZhnbgNiNI/AAAAAAAABTY/blyutoGd3ms/s1600/IMG_2787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V7c82-zFNlQ/UyZhnbgNiNI/AAAAAAAABTY/blyutoGd3ms/s1600/IMG_2787.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ux5gL9u50tA/UyZhpjEbM0I/AAAAAAAABTk/MydcI4-0WCM/s1600/IMG_2797.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ux5gL9u50tA/UyZhpjEbM0I/AAAAAAAABTk/MydcI4-0WCM/s1600/IMG_2797.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When there is drinking and revelry - there is also lots of left over plastic keg cups. Therefore, there is also drunken artistic shenanigans. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And I shall leave you with this. Happy St. Patricks Day. Wear your green tomorrow or I shall pinch you. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-coZ03VwNxPU/UyZho44PLdI/AAAAAAAABTg/Y_ToD7iesSs/s1600/IMG_2799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-coZ03VwNxPU/UyZho44PLdI/AAAAAAAABTg/Y_ToD7iesSs/s1600/IMG_2799.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-5865307073828641662014-03-09T18:34:00.000-07:002014-03-09T18:34:09.169-07:00The Truth About Shelter Dogs<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We all know that for the last six months, I have been having a bit of a love affair with my dog. Like the 'who needs a boyfriend when you have a dog' kind of love affair. I have taken hundreds of pictures of her just being adorable and spent countless hours having doggie play dates, snuggling on the couch and just being ridiculous. But what most people don't know is that my dog, Grace, is a rescue pit bull. She's a mix of something else (probably lab) and I could have her DNA tested to see exactly what she is - but for the most part, she's a pit bull. If you look at picture of an American Staffordshire Terrier - it's my dog. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhKa4ESEZkI/UxVUGvv0NSI/AAAAAAAABP8/hDq6xjUgwFs/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xhKa4ESEZkI/UxVUGvv0NSI/AAAAAAAABP8/hDq6xjUgwFs/s1600/IMG_2069.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Look how cute (and how pissed) she is. Go Seahawks! We all wear jerseys in this house.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've had a couple of friends lately who are looking to get dogs and I highly recommend for them to get a shelter dog. I don't have any problem with purebred dogs that you get as puppies - my parents have always had labs and they are amazing, amazing dogs. But for me personally, I'll all about the shelter dogs.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some things you can expect when you bring home a shelter dog: </span><br />
<div>
<ul><ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They'll jump all over you when you come home - even if you were only gone for 15 minutes. Dogs have no sense of time, no way to read a clock and they are just so excited that you came back. Shelter dogs have a reason to be excited - they were most likely left somewhere and their people never came back. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They'll follow you everywhere and be unhappy when left alone. Probably because they were left alone in their past life most of the time. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They won't take treats in a polite fashion - most likely because no one has ever given them treats before. If they were especially unlucky - they didn't know when their next meal was coming and it will take a while for them to realize that you'll always feed them.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It may take them a little bit of time to trust you - you don't know what their lives were like before. Be patient. It will happen. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They will be amazing dogs. Even the 'aggressive' breeds are amazing. Any dog can be taught to be aggressive but all the pits that I've met are more likely to roll over so you can rub their belly then to growl at you. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They'll take over your life. And your couch. And your bed. And you will probably step on one of their bones when you get up at 4:15am. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They will love you more than anything else in the world. Not only are you their person, but they know that you rescued them. And if you are lucky, they will rescue you too. </span></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And for the people who didn't want my sweet dog or thought that she wasn't good enough or well-behaved enough or whatever.... thank you. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She's a pain in the ass. She eats my shoes. She's peed and pooped and thrown up on the carpet. My cats refuse to come out from under the bed when she's around. But she also sits at my feet when I work. She sleeps with her head in my lap. She licks my face when she wants to get up in the morning. She knows all my deepest, darkest secrets and I know she won't tell. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Seriously. Shelter dogs. They will love you unconditionally because you are their person. And I am by no means saying that other dogs won't - not at all. But I just look at the animals in the shelter or in rescues and it breaks my heart. (And yes... there is a good chance that I've been sitting at home all day feeling crappy and watching a marathon on NatGeoWild that included at least one ASPCA commercial every 30 minutes.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-5735588113540956112014-02-25T21:17:00.004-08:002014-02-25T21:27:36.543-08:00What's Brand M?<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I've been getting a lot of questions lately about what I've been up to since leaving the WBA - have I found a job, am I still looking for a job, am I freaking out? Yes, yes and yes. All of the above... yes. BUT... I'm finally ready to announce what else I've been working on: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am starting up my own consulting company - Brand M Consulting LLC. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tP-fnC7xybg/Uw1tV6QoQZI/AAAAAAAABPg/Tz52CKiWdp8/s1600/brand+m_logo_color.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tP-fnC7xybg/Uw1tV6QoQZI/AAAAAAAABPg/Tz52CKiWdp8/s1600/brand+m_logo_color.png" height="215" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Logo design by Bill Reilly Design. Yay! Thanks Bill.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Holy shit balls. I'm starting my own company. Actually, I've already started my own company. It's a real thing. I own a company. Or better... I am a company. I'm the whole kit and caboodle. And I have clients. Clients. Real clients who are paying me for my expertise. WHAT?!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is the most exciting and terrifying thing that I've ever done and therefore I'm simultaneously panicking and celebrating. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So... what does Brand M do exactly? At this stage - we are simply meeting our customers marketing needs and helping to create marketing plans and implementation strategies. Specifically, we focus on social media, website content and marketing collateral. There are obviously more specific details - but for the purpose of not boring you to death, I'll spare you the full descriptions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even though I'm terrified, this is something that feels right. I saw a quote (on a Lululemon bag of all things) that said 'If you wake up uninspired more than two days in a row - change your life'. Doing this stuff - it inspires me. I get to be creative, I get to work with amazing small business and start ups and help them achieve their dreams. It's awesome. My clients are small businesses with staff of 1-12 people - the kind of businesses that don't have huge budgets for marketing and need to make the most out of what they have. I love coming up with creative ideas, writing blog posts and getting them involved with their communities - always a must-do for small business. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm totally freaked out... but I'm happy. I know that one client will lead to another as long as I continue to work my ass off and prove that I deserve it. I have an awesome mentor who gives me great advice and I've had an awesome group of people supporting me from the get-go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's awesome and I'm psyched. So... go Brand M!!! Hope that this explains a little bit more about my long hiatus from blogging and just about the crazy amount of work I've been doing lately. </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-55103798681413128532014-02-23T17:37:00.000-08:002014-02-23T17:37:58.465-08:00Things I Learned This Weekend (Or Why My Neighbors Think I'm a Hot Mess)<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This weekend was the wedding of one of my favorite couples. You know those couples that you just knew were perfect for each other from the first time you saw them together? This wedding was for that couple. There was never any doubt in any of our minds that Julie and Danny were perfect for each other and their wedding was absolutely beautiful. However, with every wedding that you attend, comes much anticipation and preparation. I'm so jealous of men... suits on, run a hand through the hair and done. We spend HOURS on preparation - not to mention the amount of time it takes to just physically get into the dress (which is never just as easy as putting on a pair of pants). Being a girl sucks sometimes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anyways... this is what I learned this weekend:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just because your adorable hair dresser can McGyver her broken high heels, doesn't mean that you can too. Anything that involves super glue, pliers, and heavy books is probably not a plan that you are going to be able to do well in a time crunch. At least not well enough to be able to put it on your feet and wear successfully for the evening. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even if yo</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">u think you are badass enough to McGyver your shoes - get a back up pair just in case your plan fails (as it almost inevitably will). This will save you from having to make not one, not two, but three trips to Nordstrom in the course of the day with the last being in a panic 45 minutes before you are scheduled to be picked up. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Even though you've made it home, in one piece, and alone - it will still look like you are doing the walk of shame out of your own house in the morning. Last night's pretty bouncy hair plastered to your face and mascara/eyeliner smudges all over. It is times like this that you will inevitably run right into your neighbors and apparently the weekend guests that they had staying with them. Awesome. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After you mumble something about having a wedding last night to try to explain your disheveled appearance, you'll get your dog in the car and go for lunch. And by go for lunch, I obviously mean go to Wendy's (seriously, a Wendy's delivery service would make bank) - as nothing cures a slight hangover like a spicy chicken sandwich and a frosty. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's also inevitable that you will return home from your adventure for lunch to find your neighbors still standing outside by your parking spot. Shame is having to walk past them again - this time, with a giant bag of Wendy's goodness. Especially because Wendy's is literally one block away - and you quite obviously drove there.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Awesome. It's been an awesome day. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1naiKnxxBHw/Uwqh7q-WxTI/AAAAAAAABPE/oF1OJuEEfAI/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1naiKnxxBHw/Uwqh7q-WxTI/AAAAAAAABPE/oF1OJuEEfAI/s1600/photo.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My date and I practicing our sorority girl pose. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-77440813117726309602014-01-27T07:58:00.003-08:002014-01-27T07:59:10.678-08:00The Coaches Corner: Snatches & Burpees<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hey yo! It’s one week
closer to the start of the 2014 CrossFit Open.
Who is with me? </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This week I’ll be going over burpee and snatch
standards. Who doesn’t love this wicked
combination of movements?!</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content"><b><u>Burpees</u></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content">Before you start doing everyone’s favorite
movement – we’ll need to set up a target.
The target must be at least six inches above the athlete’s fingertips
when they are standing and reaching as high as possible. Athletes must touch their chests to the
ground at the bottom of the burpee and hit the target with both hands at the
top. Easy peasy, right? </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content"><b><u>Snatches</u></b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content"> </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content">Snatches are a little bit more
complicated. And by a little bit more, I
mean a lot. Each rep counts once you
have control of the barbell overhead. Pressing
out the arms at the top to complete the movement is allowed as long as the
barbell does not touch the shoulders or head. Also, sorry to tell you – but you
are responsible for loading your own weight on the bar. If the workout includes a ladder – I’d recommend
having all the weights that you need lined up and ready to go. Doing math when you are hopped up on
adrenaline is not something that anyone wants to do. Snatches must start from the ground and
return to the ground at every rep. </span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content">You can definitely expect to see
these movements in the 2014 Open. They
will be brutal and you’ll want to quit.
Don’t! You’ve got this.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span class="field-content">Past Examples of Burpee/Snatch Workouts<b> </b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="field-content"><b>13.1</b><br />In 17 minutes<br />40 burpees<br />30 snatches (75/45)<br />30 burpees<br />30 snatches (135/75)<br />20 burpees<br />30 snatches (165/100)<br />10 burpees<br />AMRAP snatches (210/120)<br /><br /><b>12.2</b><br />AMRAP 10 minutes<br />30 snatches 45/75<br />30 snatches 75/135<br />30 snatches 100/165<br />As many reps as possible, 120/210<br /><br /><b>12.1</b><br />AMRAP 7 minutes<br />Burpees </span></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-66685864627537695892014-01-21T10:23:00.001-08:002014-01-21T10:24:31.773-08:00Things Often Left Unsaid<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's that time of year. The time where I need to take some time to recognize the most important person to ever come into my life. Two years ago, I lost my fiance, Will, in a skiing accident. I don't talk about him a lot but there isn't a day that goes by that I don't miss him. I always hesitate to post about him - it's so unbelievably private and hard to share - but here goes. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tomorrow (Jan 22) is the actual date that he died but today is almost just as hard. It's the last totally normal day that we had - filled with hair cuts, trips to the Post Office for wedding stamps, homemade dinner, and a bad made-for-tv movie. Today is the day that I really miss him - tomorrow is a day I remember to be totally filled with chaos and shock. Nothing about this week is easy - I don't think that it ever will be. But I stay busy and smile and go about my regular life - all the things that he would want me to do. Even when I'm older and hopefully have a family of my own - he will never cease to be a crucial part of my life and his death was one of the defining moments that made me who I am now. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Will was my other half. He was that person who made my life complete and the last two years have been harder that I ever like to admit. It's hard to explain, but you move forward knowing that someone can't come back - but yet you are still holding out hope that it could somehow happen. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I remember him every single day and I know that I will for the rest of my life. I'm a different person now than I was when I was with Will - neither is better, neither is worse - I'm just different. It's impossible to go thru something like that and not come out differently. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In November, Will was honored by the military by having a room at the European Command Center in Stuttgart, Germany dedicated to him. During Will's time in Germany - he helped design and implement a communications suite. It was a huge project and one that he was incredibly proud to be a part of. I remember him talking about it almost daily during our long-distance phone calls and chat sessions. He worked his tail off on that room and the military honored him by naming it after him. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Will would be incredibly humbled and honored to have his name on a room
that he worked so hard for. It sounds so silly. After all - it's just a
room right? No. It's not just a room. One of Will's best friends (who happens to be married to one of my best friends and is the reason that Will and I were together in the first place) sent me an email explaining to me just how big of a deal this is (and I hope he doesn't kill me for including it here): </span></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">There are currently 10 Combatant Commands. Each with a 4 Star General
or Admiral in charge. These commanders along with the service chiefs
(top ranking officer of each service) run the <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">DOD</span>.</span>
It doesn't get any higher than a Combatant Command unless you are at
the Pentagon. Will having a bronze plaque, dedication and room named
after him is monumental. To put things in perspective: I have served
in the Navy for 18 years and have never known anyone to receive this
honor and I have been fortunate to serve with a lot of great Americans that
people refer to as Heroes. There have been roughly 6,500 Service
members who have lost their lives serving their country in both Iraq and
Afghanistan. I would guess less than a 100 have a bronze plaque with
a room named after them. Even less at a Combatant Command. Think about
this, <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_819535583" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ">50 years from now</span></span> meetings will be held in the William J. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: scroll; background-clip: border-box; background-image: none; background-origin: padding-box; background-position: 0% 0%; background-repeat: repeat; background-size: auto auto;">Barnette</span> </span>room. </span></span></i></blockquote>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I've always been proud of Will. Ever since I met him over six years ago. Everything he's done has made me proud to call him my boyfriend, my ex-boyfriend, my boyfriend, my ex-boyfriend (and so on and so forth for a solid two and a half years), and finally, my fiance. We were together for just over four years at the time of his accident and no matter how mad at him I was - I was always proud of his dedication to his service to this country. Because of this, we did most of our relationship apart - deployments, being stationed abroad - we did it all. But because he loved this country so much and was so proud to be part of the military - I was proud of him. And it was okay to be apart, because he was making a difference. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I have never been more proud of him than I am now. He has been gone for two years - but the things that people still say about him are incredible. He is making a difference, even in his passing - this room will be a crucial role in the military operations at that base from here forward and Will was an integral part in that. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YbtcwG3sVSM/Ut32CU8v28I/AAAAAAAABOQ/SlMJdNS-RZQ/s1600/plaque.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YbtcwG3sVSM/Ut32CU8v28I/AAAAAAAABOQ/SlMJdNS-RZQ/s1600/plaque.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Will was the best person that I have ever known. I remember telling someone that I knew I wanted to be with him because he made me want to be a better person. I feel that way even now - there is hardly anything that I do without thinking of him first. I have lived my life since his death thinking about what would make him proud. He was one of the good ones - kind, compassionate, loving, smart, loyal, funny - everything that you want in a husband and a friend. If anyone has ever deserved their name to be molded in bronze and installed on a wall at a DoD building - it's Will. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLoxS9Aw_Qs/UpLeVQFgGwI/AAAAAAAABIk/HXUGi9iO270/s1600/Cold+Beach.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xLoxS9Aw_Qs/UpLeVQFgGwI/AAAAAAAABIk/HXUGi9iO270/s320/Cold+Beach.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHtKbAtyXhE/UpLeEmEhsdI/AAAAAAAABIU/ipBXVTbea_A/s1600/DSCN1371.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vHtKbAtyXhE/UpLeEmEhsdI/AAAAAAAABIU/ipBXVTbea_A/s320/DSCN1371.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MIVBkpQnzg/UpLeozvEbmI/AAAAAAAABI8/7N-drv5Xg9k/s1600/DSCN0918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4MIVBkpQnzg/UpLeozvEbmI/AAAAAAAABI8/7N-drv5Xg9k/s320/DSCN0918.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></span><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uVZ6YsqLek/UpLedxoYpoI/AAAAAAAABI0/M9bh1JoOAqk/s1600/CIMG0864.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7uVZ6YsqLek/UpLedxoYpoI/AAAAAAAABI0/M9bh1JoOAqk/s320/CIMG0864.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-18762559150093056562014-01-17T12:06:00.002-08:002014-01-17T12:06:41.860-08:00The Coaches Corner: CrossFit Open Prep<div class="WordSection1">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's time to start signing up for the annual CrossFit Open and therefore - time to start getting ready to kick ass in the workouts! I've had a lot of questions about the Open is and how it works - below, you'll find some answers to those questions. And every week for the next six weeks - I'll select a couple of movements you'll likely see in the workouts and break them down to CrossFit standards for you, plus give you a couple of helpful competition tips. If you have specific questions or want more information - shoot me an email or leave me a comment! </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>CrossFit Open: What is it?</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The 2014 CrossFit Games season begins with the worldwide
Open competition. Everyone in the world is invited to compete in five workouts
over five weeks, posting their scores online. In 2013, almost
140,000 athletes competed in the Open. Competitors will be ranked both
worldwide and by region. The 48 fittest individual athletes and 30 fittest
teams from each region will earn invitations to one of 17 Regionals. The registration fee for the Open is $20 and
you can sign up online at games.crossfit.com. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>How do I get
judged?</i><br />
Every Open workout needs to be judged to count. Athletes will be able to do
the workouts at a specific time weekly at SoundCrossFit. SCF coaching staff will serve as judges but
individual athletes are also encouraged to take the online judging course. Not only does completing the judging course
allow you to serve as a judge for your fellow athletes – but it also helps to
even better define what standards are expected of you as a competitor. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>When does it start?
</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Open kicks off on February 27 and will run for five
weeks. Every Thursday at 5pm (PST), a
new workout and demo will be posted online.
Competitors have until Monday at 5pm to complete the workout and have
their scores posted and validated online.
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>What should I
expect? </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Open workouts are designed to test competitor’s
physical strength and endurance. Each of
the five workouts will test different skills and the standards to complete the
movements will be clearly laid out. To
see a full list of the 2012/2013 workout, visit the Games website. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>What happens if I
can’t finish a workout or lift the weights required? </i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No big deal.
You’ll be scored for as many Rx reps as you finish – and each workout
has different requirements. I want to encourage all of my athletes to try the workouts but I also recognize that some
of these movements and weight standards aren’t manageable for all. As coaches and judges – we will work with you
to make sure that you are able to compete what you can without causing injury. If you can't quite complete a movement or make the weights - don't get down - you'll know what you need to work towards for next year! </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Movement Standards</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Chest to Bar
Pull-Ups</i></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">At the top, the chest must clearly come into contact with
the bar. At the bottom, arms must be
fully extended. Kipping and/or
butterflying pull-ups are allowed as long as both of these standards are met. </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Os5Zu-Wri9U/UtmJr4W41cI/AAAAAAAABNw/8Zpat8Inido/s1600/tara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Os5Zu-Wri9U/UtmJr4W41cI/AAAAAAAABNw/8Zpat8Inido/s1600/tara.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make sure that your chest touches the bar below your collarbone to count for a good rep. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Thrusters</i></span></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is a standard barbell thruster in which the barbell
moves from the bottom of a front squat to full lockout overhead. The bar starts
on the ground. Use of the rack is not allowed. The hip crease must pass below
the knees. A full squat clean into the thruster is allowed if the bar is on the
ground. To finish the movement, the
barbell must come to a full lockout overhead with the hips, knees and arms
fully extended, and the bar directly over the body.</span></span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbSx2qVd3GY/UtmJr9_s7xI/AAAAAAAABN0/lx21HJxurrI/s1600/thruster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SbSx2qVd3GY/UtmJr9_s7xI/AAAAAAAABN0/lx21HJxurrI/s1600/thruster.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fully extended and locked out at the top. Don't drop into your next rep until you hear your judge count your rep. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>MOBILITY, MOBILITY,
MOBILITY!!!!!!</b></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Athletes competing in the CrossFit Open MUST be doing
mobility at home on their own. It is
highly recommended that each athlete has their own foam roller. <b>Don’t
have one yet?</b> Get one. Here are my Amazon recommendations</span></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">TriggerPoint Foam Rollers are excellent and run between $30-40 for a 13”
roller. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">High density rollers are also available for $20. They are a bit longer (usually 3') and can be harder to store for those in smaller spaces. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Other great mobility resources? </span></span></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span><i>Becoming a
Supple Leopard</i> by Kelly Starrett.
Fantastic book with tons of mobility movements and tips. $40 on Amazon - worth every penny!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Lacrosse balls.
These guys are so easy to carry around or put in your desk at work that
there really isn’t an excuse not to have them!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">CrossFit <span style="-moz-font-feature-settings: normal; -moz-font-language-override: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"></span>Coaches.
Ask any one of the coaching staff at your gym – they’ll be able to give
you some good guidance.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #cc0000;">Drink lots of
water.</span> </b>Water is crucial to recovery
from competition. Make sure you are
drinking a lot of it – even on days that you aren’t working out. My tip? Get a 40oz bottle and fill it at least twice during the day. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #cc0000;"><b>Nutrition.</b></span> Make sure that you are eating healthy. Competing takes a lot out of your body – it’s
crucial that you are giving it the best food and nutrients that you can. Also – <b>start
taking a fish oil supplement</b>. It
does wonders in helping your recovery.
It reduces inflammation and helps with blood flow – both things that
will help after you’ve given a workout 110%.
Questions about fish oil? I found some good information here: <a href="http://whole9life.com/fish-oil-faq/">http://whole9life.com/fish-oil-faq/</a>. </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-54384318514289601412014-01-14T21:18:00.001-08:002014-01-14T21:19:12.246-08:00Why Will You Compete?<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Tomorrow is the day. The day that registration for the 2014 CrossFit Open begins. You can register up until the day before the first workout but the majority of us overzealous crazies will register early. Somebody asked me the other day - 'are you trying to make it to regionals?' Ummm... no. That isn't even on my radar.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So - why do I do it? Why put myself through five grueling and painful workouts if I know I'm not going to 'win'? Well. Lots of reasons. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Here are the top five reasons why I compete (and why you should too): </span></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because I can. And really... anyone can. The first workout in 2012 was 7 minutes of burpees. <b>ANYONE</b> can do a burpee. Don't let the weights and times of all the other workouts intimidate you. Last year, a gal at my gym did almost 150 fourteen pound wall balls to a 10' target. I don't know if she'd ever picked up a 14lb medicine ball, much less done a workout with it. And she KILLED it. That's the point of the open - to crush your limits.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To beat myself. Last year I came in 19,220th place out of the 27,820 women who completed all five workouts. Awesome right? Okay... not that awesome. But this year - I want to beat myself last year. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To compete with friends. There aren't very many opportunities that you have to compete against your friends at the gym - trying to beat them while cheering for them to get one more rep. You work your ass off, give each other sweaty hugs, and then you go have a beer afterwards. It's the best kind of competition. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">To feel awesome. Last year, I didn't think there was any way that I could do ANY of the workouts for the Open. I was so intimidated. The workouts are long. The workouts are heavy. But you finish it - and you feel awesome for finishing it. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Because why not? Seriously... why not compete? It costs $20 and you get to see where you rank against all the competing CrossFitters in the world. In. THE. <i><b>WORLD</b></i>. Where else can you see where you rank against a whole world of athletes? I'm not positive - but I think no where. (Unless you are an Olympian. And in that case - having you compete in the CrossFit Open is remarkably unfair and I protest.) </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0JOp9xxjbg/UtYXJoldpXI/AAAAAAAABNk/BwDBc46v2PA/s1600/2013GamesPicture_rotator2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0JOp9xxjbg/UtYXJoldpXI/AAAAAAAABNk/BwDBc46v2PA/s320/2013GamesPicture_rotator2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So... have I convinced you? Why will you compete? </span></span> </b><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-25304109116243602722014-01-13T21:49:00.000-08:002014-01-13T21:49:08.333-08:00Total Case of the Mondays<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay, I know that one of my 2014 goals was to blog more - and I'm already failing miserably. But here's the deal - I don't have that much exciting going on. I feel lame just being like 'here's what I did in my workout today' or 'here's what I ate today'. And unfortunately, there is no dating going on in my life. Zilch. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So... I don't have that much to say lately. But here are few highlights of the last two weeks: </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I'm taking an Olympic Lifting class and it's kicking my ass. However, I'd like to think that my snatch is getting a million times better. Oh yes... I said it. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">While CrossFit will prepare you to 'not suck at life' - it will not prepare you to be an awesome ice skater. As was proven by my weekend girls trip a couple of weeks ago. Yowza. I'm awful.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The Seahawks have done it again - cemented one of the reasons why I love living in Seattle. I LOVE the team spirit in Seattle. For those of you who live in Seattle (or have spent even a miniscule amount of time here), you know that Seattle is like a tiny town stuck in a big city body. And the small town is super annoying when you can't go anywhere without running into the top ten people you never want to see but it's AWESOME on game days. Everyone wears blue, everyone has on a Seahawks logo and the city practically comes to a stop when the game is on. I love it. It's hard not to be a Seahawks fan in this city. Soooo... GO HAWKS!!!!!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">The inventors of Cards Against Humanity deserve a medal of awesomeness. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I finally got 10 double unders in a row - it may have been a freak accident. We shall see. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I never thought I'd say this but I'm ready for a new job. I'm bored with being retired. One can only look for jobs for so many hours a day. It's exhausting. And boring. Did I mention it's boring???</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That's about it for exciting highlights in the last two weeks. Aren't you glad you're caught up? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Also... I finally joined the modern blogging world and signed up for Blog Lovin'. You can make it super easy to follow me here... <a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/8919485/?claim=2akyayzf7cm">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a> </span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-67238399570907497482014-01-02T21:16:00.000-08:002014-01-02T21:16:50.783-08:00And on to 2014!<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Do you ever have one of those moments where you look around and think 'Holy Crap!!! It's 2014?!?! When did that happen?!?!?!'. Ummmm... No? Hmmm... </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Well. I did. Yesterday and today I've been pretty darn shocked that it's 2014 already. And I'm pretty excited about it. 2014 is going to be my year. It's totally in the bag. I saw this yesterday and yes... just yes... </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdOsRcFcJVo/UsZAVHjFVeI/AAAAAAAABLg/mLg8I5O7p5Q/s1600/newyear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XdOsRcFcJVo/UsZAVHjFVeI/AAAAAAAABLg/mLg8I5O7p5Q/s320/newyear.jpg" width="309" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">It's going to be a good year. I refuse to settle for anything less. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So... what's up on the priority list for 2014? I don't really do resolutions - that just seems to set me up for failure. But I do have priorities for this year... most are private (as they should be!) but here are a few that I'm willing to share: </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Call
my grandpa more often. There will come a time when he won't be around
to talk to - I want to make sure I take advantage of him while he's just
a phone call away.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Be
more organized and keep my house clean. It's so easy for me to get
cluttery (is that a word?!) - time to be a real adult... with an
organization system. </span></span></span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Spend more time in the kitchen. In 2013, this came in waves - but since I've moved into my house - I really haven't cooked a whole lot. I'm doing this in 2014!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Blog more. You are welcome. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Okay... enough about my 2014 goals. I wish that I had something awesome else to say... but I don't. It's been a slow couple of weeks. I did do the Polar Bear Plunge yesterday - that was awesome. Even though I'll be the first to admit that I chickened out and didn't put my head under. I learned two important lessons of polar bear plunges: 1) Wear shoes, and 2) Don't stop moving when you hit the water. Next year, I'm going all in. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KpXKcRkS0A/UsZGSCqz7-I/AAAAAAAABLw/5dWdbzJuhdE/s1600/polarbear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4KpXKcRkS0A/UsZGSCqz7-I/AAAAAAAABLw/5dWdbzJuhdE/s320/polarbear.jpg" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6443790998425943053.post-28846806608504059702013-12-25T13:33:00.004-08:002013-12-25T13:36:20.959-08:00Merry Christmas Y'All!<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Merry Christmas y'all! Tis the season - the presents have been unwrapped, the annual Molle Mexican food fiesta is in the oven, 'A Christmas Story' has been watched at least twice, and I'm drinking my 2pm glass of wine (don't judge me - it's a holiday). </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This time of year can be incredibly stressful for some people - myself included (hence the 2pm glass of wine). I think it's very easy for people to review the last year and start to panic about all the things left undone, messed up, or not yet started. It's even easier when you start to add massive amounts of family time into that and all the inevitable questions that come from great aunt Shirley, like - why aren't you married? how is your job? why can't you deadlift 300 pounds yet? yada, yada, yada. (For the record, I don't have a great Aunt Shirley - but I do picture the voice in my head sometimes. And if I did have a great Aunt Shirley - she'd probably not ask me about my deadlift.)</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So... instead of thinking of the unfinished, questionable, and bad things from 2013 - I've decided to take a minute to review what went well. So... here are some of the highlights of 2013:</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Started the year with friends in Tahoe. Fabulous trip. Got back to Seattle just in time to do my first CrossFit competition. Didn't do well but had an awesome time. Also, didn't die. Victory!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Became a CrossFit coach. Scary but fabulous. So glad I did it. </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Ran Tough Mudder Whistler. Okay... by ran, I really mean ran/walked/complained for 13 miles. But didn't die. Victory! (And now that I've forgotten how badly it hurt, I would totally do it again.) </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Bought a house and rescued a dog. Pretty much turned my life upside down.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Competed in my first solo CrossFit competition (Bacon Beatdown). Didn't do bad. Didn't do well. But didn't die. Came in right in the middle. Victory!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Competed in my third CrossFit competition with a team of friends - did well! Didn't win. Didn't even feel close to dying. Victory!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Left my job. Am taking early retirement. (Just kidding. I'm totally looking for another job.)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">So... instead of being stressed about all your 2013 to-dos that have been left undone - how about you take a minute to make your own highlight list? Look forward to 2014 and a chance to get it all done. That's what I'm doing anyways. </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qCk7sF8xNLY/UrtN-aJHtmI/AAAAAAAABK8/OHGxSEbLKn8/s1600/3c8ee247b4e47603b4962605b21a3512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="307" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qCk7sF8xNLY/UrtN-aJHtmI/AAAAAAAABK8/OHGxSEbLKn8/s400/3c8ee247b4e47603b4962605b21a3512.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18049039196241172425noreply@blogger.com0