Friday, January 30, 2004

An Update - Finally!

As Robin pointed out, I really need to update around here more often. So, here's what's been going down in my little corner of the world over the past week or so.

Last Friday was Em's third Tiara Happy Hour. We met down at the Flying Saucer and proceeded to drink a lot (How the hell did I end up with a $70 tab?). Saw lots of old friends (including Katie who proclaimed that I was both tiny and a diva, making her one of my favorite people ever) and a few new people including Adelle who came in all the way from Dallas. I even got to kiss Sarah Sassypants and cuddle with the cute beer guy.

After a couple of hours, Katie, Robin, Angela, and I decided to go to Cindie's, a local "adult" store and have a look around. I won't mention what some of the other girls bought, but I decided to be frugal and not purchase anything. That didn't stop me, however, from trying on this really cute shirt. I even used my camera phone to snap a picture so I could share it with everyone.

From there we all went to a local bar near Katie's house (Ruddyard's, I think it was called) and after some more talking we walked Katie home. The rest of us girls then went to Katz's for breakfast. (Ang, don't forget we're supposed to do dinner next week. Call me, baby!)

This week started off a little crappy since I managed to pick up a sore throat (I sound like I've been smoking cigarettes and drinking scotch all day, but it's kind of sexy) and I only made it into the gym for two early morning work-outs since I felt bad. I did use my new ab wheel on Monday (45 reps) and I need to remember not to do that many again until I get used to the thing. My abs were killing me all week, especially when I coughed (which I was doing a lot) or laughed. Ouchie.

Wednesday (my two year blogiversary, btw) I met Christine for dinner. We had a great time (as we always do) and ended back at her place where the talking continued, but this time it included Mike.

In other news, tomorrow I have a date with a guy that D set me up with. (Know any nice, single guys in Houston? Then be cool like her and set me up!) I've also got drink plans with an engineer for next Wednesday, so good vibes appreciated. I'm still relatively new to this whole dating thing (that's what you get for going from one long term relationship to another, I suppose), but I'm feeling pretty good about it. Helps that absolutely every guy I meet feels compelled to tell me how stunning I am. ;-) Well, that and losing forty pounds. Those two things really do wonders for the self-confidence.

So, that's most of what's going on in my life. I'll now conclude this long, rambling entry with pictures. The white shirt and tan skirt is the outfit I wore to Tiara Happy Hour, the black shirt picture is from the dressing room at Cindie's (I even thoughtfully left the lingerie models in the picture for all my perverted readers), and the crappy picture of me in my tiara was taken in the bathroom of that bar by Katie's. As always, click for supersize versions.

.: 581 words at 07:08 PM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (6) :.

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Monday, January 26, 2004

Power Play

Listening to all my mp3s on random (as I tend to do) and Eddie and the Tide's Power Play from The Lost Boys soundtrack just came on. There's some mixed metaphors in the lyrics (baseball isn't played in quarters, after all) and it's probably a prime example of bad 80s music, but damn, I love this song.

They're out of order in war
They're out of order in love

They need to feed, they both agree
The hawk and the dove

But don't get mad, get even
And don't let 'em get to you

I never promised
It was fair and true
Before they're through
They'll have me hunting you

It's not important

Good and evil
They're neck and neck
Bases loaded
And there's three on left

We're in the final quarter
And it's runnning out
You'll need a father
Like there's no time out

He'll lift you out of the cradle
Help you into the grave

But don't be fooled by all the rules
And don't be the slave

You take a chill pill, and, baby
Relax, float downstream

Life is no rehearsal
You know what I mean
And freedom seems
To be a far-off dream

It's not important

Good and evil
They're neck and neck
Bases loaded
And there's three on left

We're in the final quarter
And it's runnning out
You'll need a father
Like there's no time out

.: 232 words at 01:48 AM in Media Consumption, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (4) :.

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Thursday, January 22, 2004

Legs Day Two

I hit the gym at 6:00 again this morning and did my legs routine (Smith machine for lunges, the butterfly machine, and the leg curl). I added a little bit more weight on the butterfly and the leg curl, but let me tell you, there was no way I was doing that on the lunges. No weight on the bar and I could still really feel it in my muscles. Ouch!

I decided to skip on cardio this week (going to try and do another arm day tomorrow) and start it up next week. Really, though, since I'm not eating all that much and am at about the weight I want to be, I'm not sure if it's as important right now as the weight training. It does speed up the metabolism, though.

I also stopped at Wal-Mart and picked up one of those ab wheels - the ones where you kneel on the floor and roll forward. Should help abs, obliques, arms, and shoulders. I would have already used it, but the one I bought came unassembled and I can't get the damn rubber grip on one side. That sounds like a job for my dad to help with when he gets home this afternoon. I'm planning on using it a lot - while waiting for poker tournaments to start, when I get home from the gym, before I go to bed, etc. I would love to get my abs all nice and firm. Now if only that StairMaster that Steven and I bought together was here, I could really kick ass.

.: 263 words at 09:16 AM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Waiting For That Day

I've been listening to my WinAmp on random and it just hit one of my favorite songs, George Michael's Waiting For That Day. If you want to listen along with me, you can get the song here. As always, right click and choose "Save As" to get it on your own machine. No idea when it's going to be pulled, so get it now.

So every day I see you in some other face
They crack a smile, talk a while
Try to take your place
My memory serves me far too well

I just sit here on this mountain thinking to myself
You're a fool boy
Why don't you go down
Find somebody
Find somebody else
My memory serves me far too well

It's not as though we just broke up
It's not as though it was yesterday
But something I just can't explain
Something in me needs this pain
I know I'll never see your face again

C'mon now
I've got to be strong now

Now everybody's talking about this new decade
Like you say the magic numbers
Then just say goodbye to
The stupid mistakes you made
Oh my memory serves me far too well

Don't you know that
The years will come and go
Some of us will change our lives
Some of us still have nothing to show
Nothing baby
But memories

And if these wounds
They are self-inflicted
I don't really know
How my poor heart could have protected me
But if I have to carry this pain
If you will not share the blame
I deserve to see your face again

C'mon now
You don't have to be so strong now
Come back

Come back to me darling
I will make it worth your while
Come back to your baby
I miss your kiss
I miss your smile
Seems to me the peace I search to find
Ain't going to be mine until you say you will
Don't you keep me waiting for that day
I know, I know, I know
You hear these words that I say

.: 347 words at 05:05 AM in Media Consumption, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Insomnia Work-Out Day Two

I hit the gym again at about 6:15 this morning and did arms. I started out on the shoulder press machine (three sets of about fifteen reps each, very light weight) and then went to the free weight barbells. I used the two and a half pound ones (Yeah, I'm a big baby, but I haven't been in the gym in a really long time, remember?) to bring them up to shoulder length (three or four sets of ten each). I finished up with biceps since the triceps machine was taken (6:00 am and the machine was taken!). I thought about StairMastering, but since my legs are a little sore from yesterday I skipped it. I've got a massage tonight, so it ought to feel really good.

I must admit it feels pretty good to be back in the gym. I never was super buff or anything, but I had forgotten how nice it is to just to work your body. I guess it helps that I dropped those forty pounds - it really makes it much easier to do every thing. Here's to the start of me really getting back into shape.

.: 193 words at 08:57 AM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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36

Just finished up in another multi-table poker tournament, topping my other places. This time, out of 3,073 players I placed 36. Getting better.

.: 24 words at 03:53 AM in In the Cards, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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Tuesday, January 20, 2004

An Insomniac Works Out

I haven't really mentioned this, but for the last two months my sleep patterns have been all out of whack. I may stay up for 36 hours straight, only to crash and sleep for anywhere from three to ten hours. This morning, while contemplating yet another sleepless night, I decided I know one way to benefit from my insomnia - every time I can't sleep, I'll hit the gym. True it was much easier to go when I lived less than ten minutes away as opposed to the half hour it takes now, but it's not like I've got anything else going on.

Since this was my first day in there in forever, I went with a really light legs workout (Monday, Wednesday, and maybe Friday is arms and Tuesday and Thursday is legs with cardio probably every day). I did the Smith machine for lunges, the butterfly machine (I have no idea what it's called, but it's the one where you sit down and basically flap your legs like butterfly wings; good for inner thighs), and the leg curl.

I did about three sets of ten to fifteen reps per machine with little or no weight and skipped the cardio today. No sense in making it impossible to walk tomorrow (you can always tell when I've done too much - I end up walking on the balls of my feet like a velociraptor in Jurassic Park).

Hopefully, not only will this get me back into a regular gym routine, but working out is supposed to help with stress (Hmmm. Do I have any in my life?) and if I get where I can really go at the weights like I used to, I should be exhausted afterwards. Plus, I'll be even more of a hottie than I already am. ;-) Maybe I'll even update Changes - Turning Over a New Leaf and start using it again.

.: 318 words at 09:41 AM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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Thursday, January 15, 2004

Streaked

Yesterday was all about beauty for me. I was sorely in need of a manicure and pedicure since I was missing a huge hunk out of one nail and my cuticles must have been half an inch long. I now have gorgeous nails done in Urban Decay's Big Bang and I feel so much prettier.

In addition to the nails, I also got my hair colored and cut since the last time I'd seen Rita (my friend and hair colorist) was back in early September. It was quite gratifying to walk in and have her almost not recognize me since I've lost all that weight.

We decided that I needed a change and I went from my customary light blonde to light blonde with streaks of strawberry and darker blonde in it. It looks really fabulous and I love how it came out. (Btw, if you live in Houston and need a colorist, get Rita's number from me. Believe me, she's the best.) The picture below doesn't quite do it justice, but it looks great nonetheless.


.: 176 words at 06:41 PM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (15) :.

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Wednesday, January 14, 2004

44

Just finished up another multi-table freeroll poker tournament and had an even better finish than yesterday. Out of 2,621 players I came in 44. Seems my no limit skill is improving.

.: 31 words at 03:47 AM in In the Cards, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (2) :.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2004

Will You Do the Fandango?

You gamers from when the only system was the Nintendo ought to recognize MegaMan (I remember playing that game quite a bit), but have you ever seen him perform Bohemian Rhapsody? Quite impressive, no?

(Link courtesy of Melissa.)

.: 40 words at 07:39 PM in Entertainment Value, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (3) :.

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66

I just had my best finish yet in one of Paradise Poker's multi-table tournaments - 66 out of 2,553 players.

.: 20 words at 03:33 AM in In the Cards, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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If I Had Words...

Back on Christmas Day I made a wish for all of you, quoting the lyrics from If I Had Words on the Babe soundtrack. I've been playing both versions of the song (one sung by James Cromwell and one sung by the trio of singing mice) repeatedly since I just adore this little song.

I'm an incredibly nice person, so I thought I'd put both versions of the song up for download so you could listen to them as well. I have no idea of when I'm going to pull them, so save them today. Enjoy! (Remember to right click and choose "Save As" to get this music on your own computer.)

- If I Had Words (James Cromwell)
- If I Had Words (Singing Mice)

If I had words to make a day for you,
I�d sing you a morning golden and new.
I would make this day last for all time,
Give you a night deep with moonshine.

.: 161 words at 02:15 AM in Media Consumption, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (63) :.

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Sunday, January 11, 2004

Unbeatable

I'm playing in one of Paradise Poker's one table tournaments and I just got a straight flush, quite a rarity.

I was in the small blind with a 6 of diamonds and the 8 of hearts. The flop comes 6-7-9 all hearts, giving me an open-ended straight flush draw (meaning either the 10 or 5 of hearts will give me a straight flush). The flop is bet, raised, and reraised, but since it's early in the tournament, I figured it would be worth the money to call especially since there's lots of players in.

Sure enough, the turn is the 10 of hearts giving me the unbeatable straight flush. I check, a guy behind me bets, one guy stays in, and I raise. The guy who bet reraises, the other guy stays in, and I reraise again. We end up capping it, so I figured the guy had a high heart and was betting not seeing the straight flush.

The river came another six, but since the straight flush beats even four of a kind, I wasn't worried about it. I bet, get raised, and we end up capping it with the other player folding. The guy shows his cards and he had the ace of hearts, but like I said, my hand was unbeatable at that point.

We're still early in the tournament, but I just had to come and put this hand down so I can remember it. When you've got the straight flush, you always want some guy in there to have the ace and not realize what you could be reraising him with.

I don't have anyone to talk cards to anymore, so y'all just have to put up with my long rambling card posts.

Update: I managed to place third despite a poor card run and win $20. Whew.

.: 304 words at 01:01 PM in In the Cards, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (4) :.

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Jingle Bells

For some reason, I decided to look up a comic that I hadn't heard or seen in a while - Louis CK.

Turns out he has a blog, which is cool. He's also got some clips up from his shows including one of my favorites about Christmas carolling. Enjoy.

.: 51 words at 01:19 AM in Entertainment Value, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (0) :.

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Sunday, January 4, 2004

By the Skin of My Teeth

Nothing like being way down in a poker tournament and coming back to finish second place. Talk about close!

.: 19 words at 02:57 AM in In the Cards, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (0) :: All the Voices Say... (1) :.

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Thursday, January 1, 2004

2004

I had a great time at Elaine's last night even if her husband did make me have a shot of Unicum, a vile licorice-tasting drink. I also had way too much vodka, but that's besides the point.

I got to talk to lots of really cool people (several of whom thought that I am the perfect woman which is always nice to hear), find someone to go to the museum with tomorrow, and hear all about Christine and Mike's big news (Congratulations again!).

It's now 2004 and I, for one, and glad that 2003 is over and done with. I expect that this year is going to be a good one for me - one where I get rid of all the baggage that made last year so miserable and move on to things that make me happy. After all, four is my favorite number.

These past couple of months reminded me of just how strong a person I am and I found a me that I had lost in my depression and sadness. She's pretty damn cool and quite a knock-out, if I do say so myself. Check her out all dressed up for New Year's in her new pants.

.: 202 words at 05:39 PM in Fish Tales, ";print substr($entry_cats, 0, -2); ?> :: Link :: Pings (1) :: All the Voices Say... (17) :.

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