A Little Change That I'm Proud Of

I made a slight tweak to my 101 list, which as I've said before, is totally allowed. I changed #53 from "Workout everyday for 1 week, 4 times" to "Workout 6 days a week, 5 times." Workingout every single day is just plain silly. It is good for your body to take a little rest.

This past Sunday I made the change to my list and vowed that I would work out 6 days in a row. I knew I would need help to stick to this goal. I have written about Positive Public Pressure. The idea is to tell people that you are trying to accomplish something. You will be more motivated to stick with it because you will feel accountable (in a good way!). As Positive Public Pressure has worked well for me in the past, I enlisted some help for my Big Workout Week. Matt was on board and provided lots of high fives and gentle nudging to keep me on track. I also reached out to my best friend Mandy, who happens to be one of the most dedicated exercisers ever. Every time I didn't feel like waking up early and getting to the gym, I thought about how she was waking up early to exercise too and how great it feels when I get to report to her that I've checked off another day.

Well I'm happy to report that as of this morning I have worked out 6 days in a row. I feel awesome! Tonight I'm going to celebrate by eating a huge slice of spaghetti pizza. And yes, it is as glorious as it sounds.

Thanks Matt and Mandy. You guys were great! And to any of you out there who are trying to check something off your 101 list or accomplish a goal, I'm happy to provide some very Positive Public Pressure.

Song of the Day

Today's song is La Roux's Bulletproof.

Need Your Help: Planning a Trip to Paso Robles

Hello my helpful readers,

Matt and I are planning a trip to California in August. We are very excited. We will be kicking off the week in San Francisco at our fabulous friends' wedding. We will be there a few days and then will make our down to LA. We plan to stop to in Paso Robles. That is where we need your help. Have you ever been there? Where should we stay? B&B in the heart of the vineyards? Or a downtown hotel near all the wonderful restaurants?

We are at a loss and could use your help.

Song of the Day
I thought Beach Boys would be appropriate. Please enjoy California Girls.

World Cup Cakes

I hope you had fun watching the World Cup. I also hope, for your sake, that you were cheering for Spain.

I whipped up a few World Cup Cakes for a viewing party at a friends.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Shakira's song for the World Cup.

Sara, Prom?

The other day I was jogging along the Hudson (my favorite place to run in the city), and I noticed something written in chalk on the path. Over and over again for about a mile someone had written "Sara, prom?" What a prom proposal! I was swooning! I imagined this mystery girl, Sara running along the Hudson (probably her favorite place too) and being completely surprised.

And maybe Sara is wildly intelligent and interesting but no one in her school notices her because she is shy, a bit of a wall flower. But she caught the eye of the most popular guy at school. He is intimidated by her smarts and understated beauty so he wanted to come up with something super creative to ask her to prom. Very Pretty in Pink.

OH! Or maybe this guy is Sara's best friend, but he has always been in love with her. And he will tell her that when she reaches the end of the running trail. And then she will admit that she has always loved him too. And they will kiss! And all of New York City will cheer!

Or maybe the dude is really a girl! Lesbians are so romantic.

I sprinted to the end of the path in hopes that I would see one of these wonderful scenarios unfold. But Sara wasn't there. Still one of the most romantic things I've ever stepped on.

Song of the Day
I thought Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me would be good for this post. I miss high school crushes!

4 Years! All Cheers!

Today is Matt and my four year anniversary. Last night we were a little mopey. We were complaining about the heat, or the long day at work, or the unfulfilled day at work, or the stuff we didn't have in our lives, or the stuff we had too much of in our lives. We finally made the decision to get it all out of our systems then because we only wanted to have good thoughts on our anniversary. Matt shouted "4 Years! All Cheers!" And that became the slogan for our anniversary (we like slogans).

I won't write about all the things I love about Matt because it will get gross, and those things are just for me. But I will say that I have spent the past four years feeling utterly happy, supported, and loved. And I have every intention of feeling that way for the rest of my life. I love you Matt!

Song of the Day

Today's song is I've Just Seen a Face, the version from Across the Universe. It's our fave!

Blackout? I'ld Rather Not

The only thing that has crossed my mind during this 100 degree weather is, well, nothing. I can't freakin think when it is this hot. I figured heat stroke was my biggest problem until a co-worker mentioned a blackout. BLACKOUT! It hadn't even occurred to me. What a horrific thought. I survived the Transit Strike of 2005, but I think a heat induced blackout would be one of those legendary New York things that would be the end of me.

The Village Voice published a list of the top 10 things you should do to prep for a blackout. While reading the helpful and humorous list, I was feeling like I could handle the B word until it got to the part about not riding the subway. DUUUUUUUDE!

Written by Jen Dole at VillageVoice.com Full article here.
1. Look around for Queen Elizabeth II. If you see her, stick with her, no matter what she says. Charm her. She's your ticket outta this hellhole.

2. Make sure you have old school implements like candles, matches, batteries, and a flashlight. Batteries go in the flashlight, candles get lit with matches. If you mess up, you will know it sooner rather than later, but don't come knocking on our door unless you have lots of #3.

3. Have a good, really good, stash of booze. In fact it's worth it to grab a case of something on your way home from work today. It's not gonna go bad, you know? What's a blackout for, if not to get blackout drunk? Also can be used for barters and illicit deals in case of necessity/you forget about #4.

4. Go to a cash machine, and hold onto the cash for once instead of spending it all in one place like your mom says you do. Stop thinking about your mom, it's a blackout. Call your therapist instead. Thank God you still have that landline.

5. Minimize your movements and find a cool, sheltered place outside of direct sunlight where you can daydream in peace about Edward Cullen.

6. Blackouts are the great equalizer. Short? Ugly? Candlelight makes everyone look good, and pitch black darkness is even better. We suggest using this moment to perfect your blackout pick up lines ("Is that you, Margaret?" "I've aways found you undeniably attractive...") Practice makes perfect. And rejection is so much better when you can't see your hand in front of your face. Bonus: Objects seem bigger when you can't see them. Trust us.

7. Ladies, the key to a man's heart is through his stomach. Have no-cook munchables handy, like fruit roll-ups and no-bake cookies. Good for keeping everyone's strength up, too!

8. Dig up that AM/FM radio and learn how to use it again. There will be a blackout song, and it might as well be yours.

9. Make a list of the worst places to be during a blackout (On the operating table? On the subway? Getting a tattoo?) and don't go anywhere near them until the mercury takes a dip, say, Thursday.

10. If you have a car, get in it and drive somewhere that has electricity as quickly as possible. Don't look back. You won't be able to see anything anyway.

Song of the Day
Today's song is Heat Wave from Martha and the Vandellas