Heck is a Place

for people who don't belive in gosh. (Reader's Digest - I was at the podiatrist yesterday.) Foot is much improved and I was able to get back to the gym last night. I gained at least two pounds not being able to be really active on my feet since July 19. Amazing how easy it is to drop working out and how hard it is to get back into that routine. Everyone's favourite topic, right? I'll stop.

Big Love here for Big Love. I didn't watch this show beyond the first one or two episodes because . . . I don't know, the parallels to life in Utah were just too much. But lately I've read much buzz about the second season. And since I have HBO and might as well take advantage of the money I'm spending for it, I decided to watch season 2 OnDemand. I'm popping these episodes like Chewy Spree, Shocktarts, and Sour Skittles. It's so good. I'm telling everyone to check it out. B-Lo is hesitant because "Chloe Sevigny scares the shit out of [her]."

I can't believe it's the 10th Anniversary of Princess Diana's death. I was at the Nickelodeon at University Park Hotel when I learned of the crash and was later in Wendover when I learned of her death. It was the weekend before I started law school. On the fifth anniversary of her death, I was in Paris and actually went to the tunnel. Candles and flowers everywhere. (I actually was in Paris at that time because two weeks before I had been to my 10 year high school reunion. So many people were married with children and envious of the still single people because of their freedom to do whatever they wanted - be it travel or carry Prada tote bags, right Ali? So I decided to take advantage of my freedom and I booked a ticket to Paris shortly after the reunion. Went by myself. Had a super romantic time.) And now I can't believe its been ten years. Still so sad. When I was in London this past October, I went running in Hyde Park and her picture was on signs throughout the park due to a Diana related exhibit at Kensington Palace. I swear she was whispering to me as I ran. But that may have just been a combination of jet lag and hangover.

Driving yesterday I heard a Rhiannon song on the radio. And because she's so young, I wondered if she graduated high school. "Probably just got her GED," I thought. Then I asked myself why I didn't just get a GED and leave high school early. "Um, you enjoyed high school and wanted to go to college - not seek out Jay Z and start a hip hop career," I remembered. Coulda woulda shoulda.

VanGogh Punch is still cracking me up.

Today's song: A theme from a movie I heard at the doctor's office yesterday, but for the life of me cannot name. It's good though. Has a feeling of Indian Summer to it. In New England. Don't say Peyton Place because I know it isn't that. Nor On Golden Pond. I'll think of it. Edit: Couldn't find it. So An Actor's Life, Dave Grusin (When I worked at Lagoon, this song played every morning on the midway speakers before the park opened. It's the theme from Tootsie. New Hampshire Hornpipe from On Golden Pond also played. Love them both.)
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ADDENDUM
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The Top 10 "Most Played Songs on My iPod as recorded by iTunes:

10. Your Love, The Outfield - 53 plays (Am surprised it isn't higher.)
9. February, Dar Williams - 55 plays (Am surprised it isn't lower.)
8. Since You're Gone, The Cars - 55 plays (Don't know who "you" are, but I guess I miss you.)
7. Don't Stop, Brazilian Girls - 57 plays (It's pretty catchy.)
6. Rooftops, Lost Prophets - 59 plays (Last summer's anthem.)
5. A Public Affair, Jessica Simpson - 60 plays (Holy shit. A lesser man wouldn't be so honest.)
4. Too Little, Too Late, JoJo - 60 plays (WTF, Justin! Again, value my honesty.)
3. Give Me The Night, George Benson - 61 plays (Much better.)
2. The Next Best Western, Richard Shindell - 63 plays ("Show a little mercy for a weary sinner, and deliver me, Lord, deliver me to the next Best Western.")
1. My Ever Changing Moods, The Style Council - 67 plays (Certainly fits.)

Attitude Check . . .

how do you feel? Well, let's see:

I'm in SLC and not Seattle.

I went to Starbucks this morning and the board said "PUMPKIN LATTES ARE BACK!"

School started today.

The first has little or nothing to do with summer, but the last two are pretty much the death knell to summer. So drrrrr.

Some thoughts:

In this day and age of Google, blogs, and just pretty much the wide world of web in general, are we really to believe that "real people" "real readers" actually do write into magazines with questions about sex, beauty, finances, fashion, etc. Come. On. Who is going to write into, say, Esquire and ask, "Is my belt supposed to match my shoes, or more specifically, can I wear a brown belt with cordovan shoes?" or, shout out to Stella and "Beauty Buzz," "How do you do a 'smoky eye'?" and then sit around indefinitely hoping to be featured/answered in print? I think the editors and writers sit around in issue meetings and talk about what they want to write and then write the questions themselves so they can answer themselves, e.g. "I'm going to graduate from MBA school next month and want to know which briefcase will make me stand out, but not set me back too far in the wallet? Preston J., St. Paul, MN." I want someone to do an expose on that. Actually, I probably will. I know how to Google. You don't believe me? You don't think I can Google? Well, just ask me how fast I can figure out what medication is a round, mint green colored pill with a number 9 on it. Don't ask, I'll tell you. Fast.

Next, who do magazines cater more to - the reader or the advertisers? It's got to be one of those ridiculous chicken and egg situations, right? But then I think, no. To get a magazine started, you start with advertisers and then you try for the readers. So I think the advertisers win. And that's why I have a love/hate relationship with them.

Happy Birthday Ava! Today you turned 84 months old . . . and started second grade. In what looks like extraordinarily high heels. It's unfortunate the public school system is failing you by not offering "fashion styling," "expert eyes," "creative hair techniques," and "advanced MySpace page design" as part of the standard or even elective curiculum (I looked up the spelling on that). Nevertheless, you're doing okay developing those talents on your own.

I tried to style my hair today like a model's in a current Dolce & Gabbana ad. My secretary was taken aback: "You look so sparkling today. Really jazzy. You're going to turn alot of heads. Are you going to a wedding?" The kicker: we don't really talk to each other very often.

Today's Song: Is It Any Wonder, Keane (And actually a song from the movie Once played on my iPod this morning and I really, really liked it.)

Not Leaving on a Jet Plane

When I woke up this morning, I was set to fly to Seattle this afternoon. Plane had been booked for a week. Hotel too. Car was well. I was going up to depose a doctor. I think the doctor's name was Dr. Grey, no wait, maybe it was Dr. Shepard. I forget. The deposition was set to take place at a teaching hospital, and if you think I wasn't going to play Grey's Anatomy - maybe even take a ferry ride - well, you would be wrong. Case settled. Trip cancelled. And I am not happy.

I'm out of Weeds! I blazed through season 1; burned through season 2; and even watched episode one of season 3 on-line. This means I may need Showtime. Does anyone know if you can switch between HBO and Showtime like changing from a Bud Light one round to a Coors Light the next? Like, I can you just call Comcast and say "let's take down HBO for this month and fire up Showtime," and then reverse the process when HBO has the better shows? It can't be that easy.

Has anyone seen the Showtime series Dexter? Is it good? I'm really liking Damages, but I don't know anyone else that watches it.

I'm still reeling from an action packed weekend. Probably best I'm not headed to Seattle this afternoon.

Today's Song: Video, India.Arie (It is still in my head from the weekend!)

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That's my foot. And my personal space. Do you want a better look? I will get you one.

Still that India.Arie one.

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This artist just dedicated a song to "all the endangered species out there" and then "also to the soldiers in Iraq that are defending our freedoms" Seriously. He is playing to both sides. And personally: Iraq has and never had anything to do with our freedom. Comments are open.

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I just love JAZZ!

Today's song: that India.Arie one.

The Well is Dry

This past weekend, I didn't once get in a swimming pool or other body of water. (Yes, I did shower.) Perhaps that is why I feel out of sorts this week.

My on-going foot pain led me to buy a pair of Crocs last night. Cue laughter.

Question: Can a pre-op male to female transsexual go topless? (I don't know where the questions come from.)

Park City Jazz Festival is this weekend. I mean the Fidelity Jazz Festival. Some will recall that it is a party where the sole objective is to get everyone drunk.

On Saturday morning, I got up at 3:45am to be at Social Hall Avenue by 5:00am. I had a ticket to see the Key Bank Towner implosion. From 5:00am to 6:30am I waited in an empty office space with about 25 other people to see the implosion. It was a really nice affair - catered breakfast and all - but I still felt it was probably in the top five of nerdiest things I've ever done (and mind you, I was on the debate team). But in the end, it was really quite interesting and I'm glad I did it.

Today's Song: Rise, Josh Rouse

See ...

I said I smelled patchouli.

Patchouli

Permeates the air.

Today's song: Everyone Deserves Music, Michael Franti

Remember The Gap?

Nordstrom?

Fly Me Away

Some Delta talk.

First, I love that they give you 24 hours after purchasing a ticket to cancel it. See #2.

Second, I loved the Same Day Confirm program whereby on the day of your flight, you could confirm for another flight on that same day by calling Delta within three hours of the new flight's departure and, if a seat is available, pay only $25 to be confirmed for that flight. I do not love that they increased the fee to $50!. See here.

Third, I love that when I checked to see if I could fly to London next week using SkyMiles - SkySaver seats were actually available. (That, however, is of no consequence to me because I remembered that I need a new passport.)

Delta talk: a little boring, I guess, but I thought you should all be aware of point #2.

Today's Song: Somewhere Down the Road, Feist

For the Bravo TV fans.

Interesting article regarding Top Chef and Project Runway contestants.

EDIT: The link is here. Sorry.

Well done Readers

Friday's comments were, well, awesome. I mean, come on: everyone sharing their love for Grease 2, throwing in a 9 to 5 reference, and then tossing in some Sia and mix tape talk. That makes the blog fun for me which in turn makes me want to make it fun for you also. Deanna wins the top prize (assuming I provided such prizes for comments) for her comment.

Has everyone seen the PostSecret video this week? It's sweet and set to Breathe Me, by Sia. Most will recognize the song from the finale of Six Feet Under, and I rarely turn down an opportunity to post the last six minutes of that series. Go on, cry a little.

Am going to take a little quiz posted by DeeDee, and invite everyone to share in the comments, if they wish.

1. What is the oldest CD you own?

Simon & Garfunkel, Live in Central Park (the first cd I ever owned) (Oldest cassette tape - probably No Jacket Required, Phil Collins)

2. What is the oldest article of clothing you own?

A Road Runner mitten that I got when I was maybe two.

3. What is the oldest article of clothing you wear?

Banana Republic brown leather jacket I got when I was 15 is probably the oldest article of clothing I still actively wear and of which I am the original owner.


4. Who is your oldest friend that you are still in touch with?

Ali D.

5. What is the oldest DVD you own?

When Harry Met Sally

6. What is your oldest childhood possession?

Baby quilt; stuffed Snoopy bean bag given to me by my uncle Jim; and a stuffed elephant. All from roughly the same period, i.e. infancy.

7. What is the oldest thing in your refrigerator?

Baking soda

8. What is your oldest Id card ?

Greek ID comes to mind first, but I'm sure I could my hands on a high school ID pretty quickly.

Today's Song: Sunshine On My Shoulders, John Denver

Of Course

I actually meant to post (and report) about a disproportionate number of morbidly obese women wearing Winnie the Pooh and Friends t-shirts at Lagoon yesterday. Is it some sort of new Red Hat Society? Don't get me started.

Today's Song: Big Girl (You Are Beautiful); Mika ("Diet coke and a pizza please!")

Random Thoughts

nothing of substance here today.

Perhaps, by chance, you, like me, wondered recently if Byron Velvick and Mary Delgado are still together and maybe even married? If so, look here and click on "photos". Still together.

I don't mind this being a lead article on the Yahoo! home page today.

I have it on good authority that the outdoor patio at Panache is the place to enjoy the Twilight Concert Series at Gallivan.

Why doesn't Old Navy offer three new jean fits for men? Relaxed boot leg is bored.

Weeds is must see tv. Damages is good too, though I think I missed this week's episode.

Last night I found $11.00 in a pair of jeans I haven't worn for a few months. One of life's simple pleasures.

I'm going to come clean here and proclaim my love for Grease 2. I think I can sing the Grease 2 soundtrack better than the Grease soundtrack. I had a huge crush on Olivia Newton John from about the time I was five and it lasted all through the eighties. But my love for Michelle Pfeiffer goes pretty, pretty deep. I bought Grease 2 on dvd at Shopko this week. (I know, Shopko - right?) The next day, I kid you not, Grease 2 was on HBO when I turned on the tv. "I'll be yours in summer - when we're playing in the sand -we'll spend the day together - making love and getting tanned . . ." (Side note, why do I share this?) Incidentally, I do have a particularly fond memory of singing Grease 2 song lyrics with SJ on the Jubilee line of the London underground on our way back from Chilis at Canary Wharf. Shout out to her.

I need to download some new music. This is a request for suggestions. Comment, comment, comment. Thank you.

Today's Song: And We Danced, The Hooters; but I also have to add Six Different Ways, The Cure (from The Rules of Attraction soundtrack) as I am really appreciating it right this very minute.

So I'm An Overweight Woman with Flat Feet

that favors high heels? Is that it? Is that why this is the problem with my foot? I'm sticking with the stress fracture theory.

Reason for 32 year old men not to buy shorts from abercrombie: shallow pockets. Evidently, little boys do not need the big pockets that shorts from Abercrombie & Fitch feature. And it turns out the thirty to forty dollars you save by buying the boy shorts as opposed to the man shorts does not make up for the shallow pockets. Because your wallet will fall out of the boy shorts.

Lesson learned the hard way: On Monday night I saw a double feature at the Megaplex at Gateway. Bourne Ulitmatum (loved it) and The Simpsons Movie (I slept). At the cartoon film, I sat on the front row and rested my overweight lady leg on a railing to ease the pain to my heel caused by my excessive weight (possibly due to pregnancy) and too much wearing of high heels (primarily Laboutin, of course). You see the problem here? Leg lifted, shallow pockets (I keep my wallet in my front pocket - potential muggers and pickpockets, please disregard that bit of personal information), awkward movie seat, and sleeping.

Yesterday, whilst getting ready to leave for work I couldn't find my wallet anywhere. I searched anything and everything. Nowhere to be found.

I called the movie theater first thing in the morning: no wallet turned in. I raced to the theater at 10:30am - well before the first shows of the day - and searched the areas where I sat. No wallet.

The helpful employees then had me fill out a little white card with my name, number, description of lost item, and told me they would call me if and when my wallet turned up. When I hadn't heard from them by 8pm last night, I went back to the theater no wallet.

I was upset and bothered that the wallet just disappeared, but hopeful it would turn up. I checked my AmEx activity on line and there were no unusual charges. So I decided to wait a day or two to cancel cards and seek replacements. No cash in the wallet. A J.Crew gift card is about the only thing of actual retail cash value. A Visa and an AmEx. Costco card. Bar card. Stella beer opener (the brand, not my friend), and gym membership. And most importantly, a card for a complimentary shoe shine at the downtown Nordstrom - I am holding on to that until mid-2011 when it will again be of value. (See would be muggers and pickpocketers - you don't want to waste your time with me.)

Reason to see movies at the Megaplex theater: They just called to tell me that my wallet was located and in their vault and I can come and pick it up at my convenience. And they were really super nice. Look, I love the Broadway. In fact, I probably see 90% of my movies there. But for the next little while, it's all Megaplex all the time. And I am going to pay for all the movies I see there. No more of this see one and then duck into another for free after. At least for a little while. I learned my karmic lesson - for now.

Today's Song: Gloria, Laura Branigan (". . . if everybody wants you, why isn't anybody calling . . .")

Really, Don't We All?

Today's Song: Stop Me, Mark Ronson

Howard Jones

The Old Navy bell bottom jeans I bought last year finally proved useful and practical. Black sock covers toes because man toes do not belong in an office. (I've veered into sclup's territory here, I hope she doesn't mind.)

Need a tire changed on a fancy German sedan on Main St in the dark ... In less than twenty minutes? Call b-lo.

For those that missed the "Excuse My Beauty" show, find it here. You don't want to miss it, and be sure to stick with it until the end. ("I won't work my looks no more.")

Some Stella quotes from this week:

On being dissatisifed with service at Outback:

"I think I'm going to blow this guy's mind and order a THIRD! [Coors Light]"

"What happened to the days when the servers would hunker down on their knees at your table and say, 'Well, what are we gonna have tonight?'"

Reading the Gay Pages telephone directory:

"This doctor says he does cosmetic procedures, treats anxiety, and all sorts of maladies - plus if you mention the Gay Pages, you get 10% off! My family just got a new Primary Care Physician."

On being told to quiet down at the John Hiatt concert:

"Hmmph! NO! YOU 'shhhhhhhh!!"

Today's Song: No One Is To Blame, Howard Jones ("you can dip your foot in the pool, but you just can't get in" - soft cast and boot have sort of wrecked my plans for Bear Lake this weekend); but I'm also really feeling Twist of Fate, Olivia Newton-John

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Excuse my beauty!

Dear Internet

we are about to take our relationship to the next level. I'm going to get a little more friendly, a little more personal.

I have an appointment with a podiatrist this afternoon. My foot still hurts. Generally, when I have an ache or pain, I just wait for it to go away and forego medical attention. But I use my feet alot. I like to run, I like to walk really fast, I like to jump, I like to bike, I like to kick. Which may well be the reason my foot hurts in the first place. So this morning as I was getting ready for work, I went to town on my feet. I gave them a SuperDeluxe wash, I scraped them, sanded them, buffed them. I made sure my toenails were perfectly shaped. I put foot lotion on them. Why? Because I want to impress this podiatrist with how well I care for my feet. So that he will reward me with medication for my pain.

As I worked on my feet - with the intention of impressing a podiatrist, I remembered a not too long ago visit with a new general care physician. A woman. I hadn't been to her before, but several of my friends had. My first appointment with her was on a Monday morning. First thing Monday morning. I didn't know what to expect. Before she began her examination, she asked me when I'd had my last physical. I told her I couldn't remember (which was basically a lie because I had never before had a proper physical). She said, "well you're having one now." I then had to drop my pants, turn my head, and cough. Ladies, I know in the scheme of things that is nothing compared to your doctor visits, but it was a pretty big deal for me. But not as big of a deal as the next step in the process. She asked me for a urine sample. I was wholly - WHOLLY - unprepared for that. She gave me a cup and sent me into the restroom. (I can't believe I'm telling this story.) Inside the restroom, I put the sample in the cup as required - but I did not like what I saw. Let's just say a first thing in the morning sample is a lot darker than a later in the day after I've had my many glasses of water sample. There was no way I was turning that in. Thinking quickly, I dumped out half the sample and filled the cup with tap water. I found that to be much more presentable. And I turned that in. Imagine my shock, then, when a week later I was asked to come back in to be tested for lead poisoning. I kid, I kid. The results were fine. So feel free to use that trick when you feel it necessary.

I suppose I just really like to make a good impression on doctors.

And one more thing, I'm going by "Chuh-Chin" now. Beck stopped calling me "dad," took a stab at my name, and ran with it. Milestone.

Today's Song: Cry Love, John Hiatt

This May Be The Last Photo

I took with my old phone:

A red wine I found at the Sun Valley Wine Store.