tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-301343782024-03-07T18:42:44.093-06:00spin lizzyspin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.comBlogger254125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-29092648919094040012007-11-10T19:53:00.000-06:002007-11-10T20:07:14.500-06:00shameless self-promotioni have a confession.<br /><br />i've been cheating on spinlizzy. <a href="http://themoderngal.blogspot.com/">with a new blog</a>.<br /><br />after a particularly rough week at work, i was blubbering to the boyfriend about how i didn't think i'd be able to stand the hours and the demand my career gives to me. he responded by asking what job would get me excited about working, and i repeated over and over 'i don't know.'<br /><br />after a long pause to think about it, i told him that i needed a job that somehow blended my life's top loves: writing, shopping, sports -- particularly football, baseball and snow-skiing -- drinking coffee, eating and relaxing.<br /><br />his response: "you're the modern girl. you can talk most guys under the table about sports but you still love to shop. you know how to balance your budget and pay a mortgage. you're conflicted when sportscenter and sex in the city are on at the same time. you should start a blog for people like you. maybe you can turn it into a magazine later."<br /><br />well, unsure about the magazine part, but two days later i have a new blog up and running complete with fun design and funky widgets.<br /><br />it's my new baby, my new project. it's going to be focused on sharing stuff related to what a Modern Gal, like myself, might be interested in.<br /><br />here's the bad news. while i'm not getting rid of spin lizzy, i do imagine it will be neglected more and more as the weeks wear on. and face it, that may not be a bad thing. the interestingness of my life ebbs and flows, so i'll blog when i've got a funny story to tell, but won't force a post when i don't.<br /><br />so in the mean time, catch me <a href="http://themoderngal.blogspot.com/">at my new blog</a>.<br /><br />did i mention <a href="http://themoderngal.blogspot.com/">i have a new blog</a>?<br /><br />p.s. PLEASE LEAVE ME SOME FEEDBACK EITHER HERE OR <a href="http://themoderngal.blogspot.com/">ON MY NEW BLOG</a>. I CAN ONLY PLEASE YOU IF I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT. TO READ. WANT TO READ. AND I VERY MUCH WANT YOU TO READ.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-61498995473430000872007-11-07T22:44:00.000-06:002007-11-07T22:45:26.374-06:00another one bites the dustlucydog ate my pedometer.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-84217109430447575942007-11-05T14:11:00.000-06:002007-11-05T14:53:24.480-06:00the village people had it all wrongthis is the mission of the YMCA in the united states, according to its <a href="http://www.ymca.net/">website</a>:<br /><br />"To put Christian principles in to practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all"<br /><br />i'm here to tell you that mission is not alive and well.<br /><br />i've been searching for a place to work out in knoxville while i'm stuck here. i'm not buying any memberships so long as i have one to the williamson county recreation center in nashville. but, i figured there would be places around town, say the ymca, that might allow me in on a single-time pass.<br /><br />i sought out a city-owned rec center first, recalling the time i lived in chattanooga and the city owned a weight training room that you could patronize for just 50 cents. the one i decided to try is just a hop and a half away from the boyfriend's house, and the <a href="http://www.ci.knoxville.tn.us/recreation/centers/default.asp">city's website advertised it as having a weight room</a>. false advertising. i found the gym and the bridge center, but no weight room.<br /><br />so i drove over to a nearby ymca. i also recalled a few times while in chattanooga (and too poor for a gym membership) paid $5 to get into the ymca's weight room. a little over priced, but not to expensive to keep me away.<br /><br />gal at the desk of the knoxville y: can i help you?<br />me: yes, i don't have a membership. i'm visiting from out of town and was wondering if you do single-day passes?<br />other gal at the desk: ha!<br />first gal: weeeeeeeeeell, we do, but they're $15.<br />me: $15? that's a lot of money. um, nevermind.<br />first gal: ok, see ya.<br /><br />ok, when i think of Christian principles, i do not think of exclusive, overpriced and unfriendly. but those words pretty much summed up the principles at this ymca (and presumably all the ymcas within the east tennessee region). come to think of it, this is also the case in middle tennessee where the ymcas are COUNTRY CLUBS. seriously. i visited one when i was thinking about getting a membership there and it crossed my mind that i had been in country clubs not nearly as fancy as the y i was in.<br /><br />from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 19: Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Amen, I say to you, it will be hard for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."<br /><br />something to think about, ymca.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-33816828538637430462007-11-05T09:30:00.000-06:002007-11-05T10:06:39.463-06:00halloween ballalternate title: never get stuck in a sphere at the top of a tower with 275 people and two one-stall bathrooms.<br /><br />i regret to inform that i have no pictures of my halloween costume. my camera's batteries died because my camera hasn't been plugged in to charge since the last time i officially occupied my home in nashville. and, i only had triple-A batteries as backups (if you know me and my profession, you will understand).<br /><br />the party was held at the top of this:<br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyugf9_qkHfHvBqz2Rj7D4a6qn5-_CE2ubmDvAdOYXALrUfxMCPq-cmq5r2m7RUmabCniVOIP8DWP8vLlo5ofXqEdVC8crmXchsoBddABksn671QHLzEx2dmxqpvTsoXcUbnb8Zw/s1600-h/sunsphere.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5129382434716157554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyugf9_qkHfHvBqz2Rj7D4a6qn5-_CE2ubmDvAdOYXALrUfxMCPq-cmq5r2m7RUmabCniVOIP8DWP8vLlo5ofXqEdVC8crmXchsoBddABksn671QHLzEx2dmxqpvTsoXcUbnb8Zw/s320/sunsphere.jpg" border="0" /></a>that is, <a href="http://www.sunsphere.info/">the sunsphere</a>, the monument to the 1982 world's fair celebrating energy and the icon which almost singlehandedly makes knoxville cool (almost). the 'sphere closed to the public something like 15 years ago and only recently reopened. upon my first visit, i was disappointed to find that the 'sphere in fact was not full of wigs as <a href="http://www.snpp.com/episodes/3F17.html">bart simpson once told me it was</a>.<br /><br />the view from the top is breathtaking, again almost making knoxville cool. the observation deck as a party venue sucks. it's a ring with elevators and a kitchen in the middle, so when i go to find my boyfriend after he failed to return from the bar, i can't find him because we are, in fact, both circling the 'sphere in the same direction.<br /><br />also, consider this: 275 people + 2 one-stall bathrooms = misery. i found myself in line in front of a drunk 21-year-old wearing a very short marie antoinette-esque getup. her boob was hanging out the top. literally. another girl better than i had the decency to approach and pull her dress up over her boob, telling her to cover up because she was embarassing herself. i did not have this decency. i had to pee, therefore could think of nothing else.<br /><br />this was a party of law school students, obsessive compulsive, bombastic folks who all went over the top with their costumes. it looked like a costume party scene out of a movie or tv show. i could not believe how fantastic some of the costumes were: spinal tap; ms. pacman and blinky the ghost; the price is right showcase showdown complete with light-up showcase showdown contestant booths; and mormons (distasteful, yes; funny, yes).<br /><br /><a href="http://bopp.tennesseepics.com/Q/Proofs.aspx?GroupID=1598">see for yourself here</a> (click chilla). you might even find me dressed in my favorite rock star video game get up.<br /><br /></p>spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-30397302484898251392007-11-02T00:19:00.000-05:002007-11-02T00:21:26.682-05:00displacedi'm tired, but i'm home. for less than a day.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-11910154354006102272007-10-28T21:29:00.000-05:002007-10-28T21:36:06.172-05:00tale of two homesi'm ridonkulously tired today, so i'll just throw it all out there for you:<br /><br />i'm homesick.<br /><br />i've been stuck in knoxville for a week solid so far, and i'm not 100 percent sure when i'll get to return to nashville. i know, the two cities are like less than 200 miles apart and i'm 25-years-old. shuda gotten over the whole homesick vibe, i don't know, my freshman year in college. (for the record, i only got quasi-homesick one time in college, and my home was more like 400 miles away from school). but college was fun and distracting. work is work and exhausting.<br /><br />the thing is, i've still got three more weeks solid of being in knoxville. i'll probably be able to sneak home for like a night here and there, but that doesn't seem like it's going to assuage my illness, especially considering that whenever i do pop home, i still have roommates/roomdog to contend with.<br /><br />i just want my own bed, my own living space, my own laundry facilities, control of the tv and a backyard flowerbed to dig around in on the crisp fall days.<br /><br />i know, i'm selfish. sigh.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-87632843167924357412007-10-26T15:57:00.000-05:002007-10-26T16:01:00.858-05:00say what?i'm sitting at panera bread, trying to get some projects done for work. a guy just sat down at the table next to me, talking to himself. at first i was a bit weirded out, but i eventually remembered that we're in the age of bluetooth technology -- things aren't always what they seem.<br /><br />but i've since snuck a few looks at both of his ears and have realized he has no bluetooth, he really is just talking to himself. and he keeps on doing it too. it's more distracting than the loud, yapping group in the table next to him.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-48901800205743098962007-10-26T13:37:00.000-05:002007-10-26T13:45:42.659-05:00i know why the uncaged bird dancesi have to question this bird's taste in music, but i will never criticize any living creature that wants to groove:<br /><object height="355" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/1uv380voDRE&rel=1"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/1uv380voDRE&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-14963422216183930832007-10-24T22:10:00.000-05:002007-10-26T13:27:20.318-05:00oh, you're soooooooo cooli'm not going to reveal what my halloween costume is because all will be known in due time, but i will say this: an effort to complete it this evening took me to a store at the mall to which i'd never ventured: <a href="http://www.hottopic.com/">hot topic</a>.<br /><br />i thought i was cool. i thought i was hip. what i really learned is i'm now that old bitch who only thinks she can shop in "i'm SO punk, therefore am better than you" tweenland. for some reason my presence elicited glares from the entire U-16 shopping crowd. <em>bitches, i can drive myself to and from the mall. you have to wait on your parents</em>.<br /><br />i do love the fact that the cashier (who looked as old as i am, but was dressed much differently than my for-work khaki pants, grey turtleneck sweater and denim jacket getup) gave me a "frequent shopper" card, knowing full and well that i likely will never return to hot topic.<br /><br />i just needed a t-shirt with a skull on the front. instead i got a shirt with a skull on the front AND a healthy dose of reality. sheesh.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-41143215204564859672007-10-21T22:38:00.000-05:002007-10-21T22:49:01.745-05:00other observations- as i was traveling to mass last night, i got stuck behind a honda civic going half the speed limit. unfortunately, i was on a two-lane road. i followed said civic all the way to church and made mental note of the driver's face so that i could pray for her to learn to put the pedal to the metal.<br />then she left after communion.<br />if she was in such a hurry to get somewhere after church, she could learn to drive a little faster. then everyone would be happy --> she'd get somewhere on time, i'd not be stuck driving at snail's pace behind her and God would be glad that she stayed until the end of mass.<br />- gave the dog a bath. dog is now mad at me.<br />- my fantasy football team sucks. they're running stairs tomorrow at 8 a.m.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-11564114540931800292007-10-21T22:25:00.000-05:002007-10-21T22:37:06.170-05:00the grass is always greeneri have to stop visiting my friends homes. really.<br /><br />i'm not trying to be antisocial. i just have this problem when i visit the homes of my more artistically inclined, design-oriented friends, i find that i become discontent with the contents/decor of my own home. i find they have such fabulous furniture and such stylish paint colors and such trendy knick-knacks and such up-to-date electronics that it's just impossible for me to be satisfied.<br /><br />and i am so not the keep-up-with-the-joneses type. plenty of people have complimented my decor choices, and for the most part i'm comfortable with my home (except for a few pieces of furniture that i could benefit from owning but don't yet have.)<br /><br />but now, i look around and everything seems so college-esque. those old photos in those ratty frames. that old music poster (but at least it's in a poster frame). that ill-fitting slip cover on that dog-chewed couch. that chair and ottoman which i acquired for free.<br /><br />the problem is, i can't afford to make my home look like pottery barn central. i make decent money, but after the mortgage, car payment, grocery bill, gas bill, pet treats, new clothes and other incidentals are all paid for, well, there's just not much left. and what's left either goes toward my six-months' salary reserve or vacation. plus i really, really, really need to get those scratches and dents on my car fixed. sigh.<br /><br />the thing is, these people with the uber-trendy homes really can't afford them either. their jobs pay worse than mine (which at times is hard to believe). i don't know if it's mom and dad paying or the credit side of credit cards, but for me, neither is an option.<br /><br />i need to win the lottery. i need to play the lottery.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-85215872655115489692007-10-21T01:23:00.000-05:002007-10-21T01:31:03.834-05:00what happened to the spin lizzy i used to know?a: i'm right here. i've worked a ridiculous week and all free time is dedicated to sleep. hang tight.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwx5cH-Ws9a9KT7shqq6ow6KE25A0u2Z1vIakqOwFDm60ZYkGdkJLVFm5PciFuv8loz3egNJg51aBo5oWUe7e9Qc1CMmgUQpZz1MyyXHm-MOoEXk6qLVMNgo0Yklj46nBjF9lAA/s1600-h/belushi.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5123671843361522866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGwx5cH-Ws9a9KT7shqq6ow6KE25A0u2Z1vIakqOwFDm60ZYkGdkJLVFm5PciFuv8loz3egNJg51aBo5oWUe7e9Qc1CMmgUQpZz1MyyXHm-MOoEXk6qLVMNgo0Yklj46nBjF9lAA/s320/belushi.jpg" border="0" /></a>spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-35008270999458840592007-10-15T10:19:00.000-05:002007-10-21T01:22:57.425-05:00take some action today!i only just discovered it, but today is <a href="http://blogactionday.org/">blog action day</a>:<br />and in honor of the day that is, i share with you some of my favorite causes. i encourage you to check out at least one and consider adding it to your own list of faves. also, i'd love to hear about your favorite causes, cause i might just find i want to participate too!<br /><br />1. <a href="http://www.thehungersite.com/">the hunger site</a> (in cahoots with the <a href="http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/">breast cancer</a>/<a href="http://www.thechildhealthsite.com/">child health</a>/<a href="http://www.theliteracysite.com/">literacy</a>/<a href="http://www.therainforestsite.com/">rainforest</a>/<a href="http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/">animal rescue</a> sites): if you look at no other cause today, check out one of these sites. they make it amazingly easy to help out. all you have to do is click a button. that's it. in clicking you help provide food/mammograms/healthcare/books/protection/care. make it a part of your morning check e-mail, facebook, myspace routine. it takes 30 seconds.<br /><br />2. <a href="http://www.handsonnetwork.org/">the hands on network</a>: ever feel like you should volunteer more? here's another organization that's all about making it easy, and it's got LOTS of local affiliates (<a href="http://www.handsonatlanta.org/">atlanta</a>, <a href="http://www.volunteermilwaukee.org/welcome.php">milwaukee</a>, <a href="http://www.dc-cares.org/">d.c.</a>, etc.). organizations that need volunteer manpower go to these networks, which in turn publicize the volunteer opportunities. you can volunteer as much or as little as you want, plus you can find opportunities that suit your causes or your schedule. i first got involved with <a href="http://www.handsonmemphis.org/">hands on memphis</a> as a high school student, but it was <a href="http://www.hon.org/">hands on nashville</a> i turned to when i didn't know many people after moving to my current hometown. as a result, i've become a regular volunteer with the <a href="http://www.salarmy-nashville.org/index.html">salvation army's</a> soup truck, providing food at area homeless camps. it's been a real eye opener to in regards to poverty, hunger and homelessness (not to mention shattering a few stereotypes). i've also had the chance to continue my longtime volunteer work at the <a href="http://www.mcdonalds.com/rmhc/index.html">ronald mcdonald house</a>.<br /><br />3. <a href="http://www.one.org/">the one campaign</a>: one is all about fighting <a href="http://www.one.org/issues/">the issues</a> that contribute to poverty, including hunger, disease and accessability to clean water and good education.<br /><br />4. and for those of you who haven't figured it out, i'm an environmental nut. i'm all about going green. thinking about <a href="http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=cfls.pr_cfls">changing some light bulbs</a>, <a href="http://www.reusablebags.com/">carrying reusable grocery bags</a>, <a href="http://lighterfootstep.com/5-reasons-not-to-drink-bottled-water.html">putting an end to the buying prebottled water trend</a> and <a href="http://www.environmentaldefense.org/page.cfm?tagID=1142">parking the car to walk</a>. for more tips, check out: <a href="http://www.environmentaldefense.org/">environmental defense</a>.<br /><br />5. and a few that probably don't need explaining:<br />_ <a href="http://www.habitat.org/">habitat for humanity</a><br />_ <a href="http://www.redcross.org/">the red cross</a><br />_ <a href="http://www.unitedway.org/">united way</a><br />_ <a href="http://www.unicef.org/">unicef</a><br /><br />i challenge you to do one thing today, be it volunteer, make a donation or learn about a cause. and don't forget to share your causes here!spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-55432661530962083882007-10-14T22:43:00.000-05:002007-10-14T22:52:46.432-05:00hell on wheelspicture this: i'm about to turn left onto the interstate on ramp. there's a minivan in the right lane slightly in front of me, hovering. i see the driver's eyes in the rearview mirror. i can tell by the look in them that she wants to get over so she can get on the interstate too.<br /><br />question 1: do you think the driver has her turn signal on to signal she would like to get over in front of me?<br /><br />question 2: do you think i let her over?<br /><br />(i'll give you a hint, the answers directly correlate.)<br /><br />i know, i'm a bitch, but seriously people, using a blinker is like the easiest principle of driving.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-46857422988637189742007-10-12T23:05:00.000-05:002007-10-12T23:41:11.096-05:00target therapyit's been an ass-long week. i've worked something like seven hours of overtime, so when i got off work at 6:30 tonight, i decided i needed to cleanse my brain and visit <a href="http://www.target.com/">the promise land</a> for a while.<br /><br />the front of my house is now decked out with orange lights, <a href="http://www.target.com/Jack-O-Lantern-Orange-L-16/dp/B000Q61NCW/sr=1-3/qid=1192249981/ref=sr_1_3/601-5007611-2887345?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Ajack%20lanterns&page=1">plastic jack-o-lanterns</a> and <a href="http://www.target.com/Hanging-Skeleton/dp/B000R8JFOM/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_4/601-5007611-2887345">bones mcghee</a>:<br /><br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120669403523581042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxt1ceW1cK3qu0IVsj33NwzJSjFC1LTIbvEa7XLMKiEUGEvwRBeuCe0GyZ-btA3erJLtC-i6kqFGf_qSsAHk8mBJ7JYRG_J60LIbJrfkPTomLbu8x_dw7iL0vYdOBv2dAV5eFl3Q/s320/skeleton.jpg" border="0" /> and i have <a href="http://www.target.com/Juniors-Mossimo-Crewneck-Pullover-Sweater/dp/B000TAJ3D6/sr=1-4/qid=1192249621/ref=sr_1_4/601-5007611-2887345?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038576&rh=k%3Ajuniors%20mossimo%20crewneck%20pullover&page=1">cute</a> <a href="http://www.target.com/gp/search/601-5007611-2887345?field-keywords=mossimo+sweater&url=index%3Dtarget&ref=sr_bx_1_1">sweaters</a> to wear now that it's getting nippy:<br />(green, of course) </p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTiOdrYrFBJk_3IeSt_zsle6aCtkxYKshnsjXGyg4kIP_RESWA5Z0W_Lu4haEUtMsS-tAuCyk48E7axLnd-dzIPet1c2dlNrK62OdWO77wl3XkUJFAyRBLf39vvTqYJgmEbvF_A/s1600-h/greensweater.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120670155142857874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqTiOdrYrFBJk_3IeSt_zsle6aCtkxYKshnsjXGyg4kIP_RESWA5Z0W_Lu4haEUtMsS-tAuCyk48E7axLnd-dzIPet1c2dlNrK62OdWO77wl3XkUJFAyRBLf39vvTqYJgmEbvF_A/s320/greensweater.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>(that sweater actually looks a whole lot better on me. i should be a target model! )</p><p>and a <a href="http://www.target.com/Juniors-Mossimo-3-Button-Cardigan-Sweater/dp/B000SATIIW/qid=1192249442/ref=br_1_4/601-5007611-2887345?ie=UTF8&node=13821211&frombrowse=1&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=13821211&rank=%2Bdaterank&rh=&page=4">list</a> of <a href="http://www.target.com/Mossimo-Darby-Mid-Heel-Peep-Toe-Pumps/dp/B000PKJVCI/qid=1192249747/ref=br_1_14/601-5007611-2887345?ie=UTF8&node=359533011&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1">stuff</a> to find when i visit the other target tomorrow. </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxcB6LqqaDvdjG7C43R8OyibuddFJi1Sc_-bW5LzK-yyGTA7R_QDQ74BPIgu8_BL0iE4PmwyOSZbIaoyJ6mNJIogkkleaAMGeyq5jkRo6no-NydHjck1pJ71AHvhuSv7QpzH4KQ/s1600-h/redshoe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5120673986253685922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzxcB6LqqaDvdjG7C43R8OyibuddFJi1Sc_-bW5LzK-yyGTA7R_QDQ74BPIgu8_BL0iE4PmwyOSZbIaoyJ6mNJIogkkleaAMGeyq5jkRo6no-NydHjck1pJ71AHvhuSv7QpzH4KQ/s320/redshoe.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />woe is my target credit card.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-68883670100747790022007-10-11T20:05:00.000-05:002007-10-11T20:09:51.084-05:00off the gravy traini have officially fallen off the dieting bandwagon yet again. i did so well, for about a week and a half. but then i got sent yet again across the state and all bets were off. the three pounds i had lost have mysteriously and ever so quickly returned. my energy has returned to nil and i don't believe i've made an entry into my food diary in about five days.<br /><br />so tomorrow again starts the diet. my sandwich is already made. a salad is in the works. i'm exploring options for cold-weather fruits and veggies.<br /><br />but first, i'm going to bed really, really early and sleeping for a long time.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-87555105905763019002007-10-08T12:13:00.001-05:002007-10-08T12:46:11.366-05:00standing in the shadows of lovethis post will be necessarily vague to protect all those involved, including myself. read it if you like, though i'm more using this as an outlet for my emotions, as a way to think things through in the medium through which i do my best thinking: writing.<br /><br />i'm reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Family-Romance-Story-John-Lanchester/dp/0399153004">a book right now about a writer whose parents never told him any of the important things he should have known about them</a> ... like the fact that his mother was a nun before she married and birthed him. rather, they passively let him discover these things on his own, as previewed by the inside flap of the book cover: "that, too, is the nature of families: parents keep secrets from their children, and children are happy to acquiesce, not wanting to disturb their universe."<br /><br />my universe has been greatly disturbed several times in my life by bits of knowledge about family, friends and lovers that i've obtained unwittingly. today is one of those times.<br /><br />granted, the things i learned today did not come as a complete surprise to me. they were things that deep inside i knew but also found easy to disbelieve. i'd done such a good job of building a bubble of happiness around me that i'd managed to forget about that which i knew to be true and that which re-revealed itself to me today.<br /><br />and granted, what i found dates back to an earlier time, an earlier stage of a relationship that has since, i think, changed dramatically. but now, how can i be sure that it has? are you who i thought you were? am i who you think i am?<br /><br />now i don't know where to go from here. i have questions. lots of questions that must be asked. but how will i know if you're being honest? will i be able to trust?spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-33063823020978996942007-10-04T20:47:00.000-05:002007-10-04T20:56:14.137-05:00delurk, damnit!ahem, i draw your attention to a button that's been located on my blog for a week:<br /><br /><center><a title="The Great Mofo Delurk 2007" href="http://www.schmutzie.com/2007/09/814-great-mofo-delurk-2007.html"><img alt="The Great Mofo Delurk 2007" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v491/schmutzie_pickles/buttons/green.jpg" border="0" /></a></center><br />i know it's dated for yesterday, but i was on the road yesterday and unable to remind you mofos to delurk.<br /><br />so, i beseech you, do your delurking duty and start commenting. i know you're reading my blog. i see your presence on my hit counter. y'all used to be more chatty before i started posting more regularly. what gives?<br /><br />am i boring you? is that it?spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-1177741102031361102007-10-04T19:23:00.000-05:002007-10-04T20:24:51.321-05:00the merits of top chefor: how i lost interest in top chef, a story<br />(review of season finale to follow)<br /><br />in the beginning, bravo created top chef, and it was very good.<br /><br />it had a delicious cast of characters, not the least being a dreamy creature by the name of harold dieterle. it had an expert chef by the name of tom colicchio, and while colicchio was no tim gunn (but really, who is?), he was still good for a smart comment or an encouraging word.<br /><br />the drama was so perfectly seasoned -- not too spicy but not too bland --that the fans forgave the fact that they could not judge the contestants dishes themselves, instead agreeing to resort to trusting the sharp-tongued critiques of queen bitch magazine editor and mrs. roboto aka mrs. billy joel.<br /><br />bravo realized the tasty morsel it had in the drama-filled top chef. so it decided to kick the drama levels up a notch by hiring an even spicer cast of characters for the second season. fortunately for bravo, the powers that be booted mrs. roboto (domo arigato) and hired the especially scrumptious padma lakshmi.<br /><br />all of a sudden, the drama on the show took center stage and the chef's cooking went totally unnoticed by the fans. 'they're going to kick cliff off for trying to teach the annoying marcel a lesson? disgrace!,' the fans cried.<br /><br />when time came for season three, bravo realized their show was called top chef and not top drama queen. so, they decided to turn down the heat on the drama and focus a little more on finding the top chef.<br /><br />'this is the most talented group we've had yet!' colicchio proclaimed. 'this is such a hard decision,' padma cooed.<br /><br />and the fans did not know what to do. they could not tasted what the judges table could. all they knew is that everyone was kumbaya and hugs and it was incredibly boring to watch.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />on that note.<br /><br />i have to say i absolutely loved the fact that they brought in celebrity chefs for the sous chefs rather than the former contestants. i want to meet chef rocco and i want to hug michelle bernstein (and i want her hair.)<br /><br />and bravo, don't think no one noticed the project runway season three-esque "fourth course" curve ball. and did you make the judges wear <em>the same outfits</em> to the live show that they wore during the final meal?<br /><br />as you may have guessed from my story, i really could have cared less who won <a href="http://www.bravotv.com/Top_Chef/episodes/episode_314/index.php">the season three top chef title</a>. i know i said i was supporting casey, but i was doing so half-heartedly (way to crash and burn). when they showed the recap of brian's fall from grace, i kinda wished he was back. when dale got all excited about his menu, i kinda wanted him to win. when hung perfectly executed his duck, i kinda thought he should win.<br />~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~<br />so four season four, which is allegedly taking place in chicago, i propose this: a two-week mall tour during which the cheftestants must cook for the adoring fans, who then cast their own judgement in the form of a vote on who should win.<br /><br />i know it may be expensive and demanding, but damnit bravo, you owe it to your top chef fans who have put up with this crap for three seasons blindly depending on a cast of snooty judges to make the right call. at least with project runway we can <em>see</em> the outfits. how many times have each one of us said "i'd so totally wear that." or "what the <em>hell</em> is that?"spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-57459962321793171202007-10-04T18:59:00.000-05:002007-10-04T19:19:51.534-05:00when you want something doneas i was attempting to do my laundry on monday, i noticed it was snowing purple fuzz into my back yard from a vent above my kitchen window. crap. how does one get their dryer vent clogged with lint EVEN THOUGH one cleans out their lint trap after every use of their dryer.<br /><br />because i do not have the 10-foot ladder needed to reach the vent, i called the homeowners association's "help line" as soon as i discovered the problem, and the dude at the other end agreed to send a maintenance man out to help me.<br /><br />i drive to knoxville. wednesday, i drive home. dryer vent still clogged.<br /><br />i call "help line" again. this time lady at the other end says she'll get right on it. a few hours later, i get call back from original "help line" dude who says, "i'm sorry, we can't help you. keeping the vent clean is not the homeowner association's responsibility."<br /><br />(i'll spare you the profanity that followed ... i made the mistake the other day of saying my homeowners association was much better than most.).<br /><br />so, when i got home today, i put on my macgyver thinking cap, grabbed the stepladder, a broom, a yard stick and some duct tape. let's just say that while the vent may now be broken, the clog is no longer a problem.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-12471758867519419002007-10-03T22:59:00.000-05:002007-10-03T23:51:24.146-05:00cleanse your palateok, here's the deal.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGOo2XBf-d2tZ17-gTkwr1NDP3Cl0Qr-4OStT-kK7_vKqw6UAwDLFJuDGsYJQwNuH8CgKZdH9m0E_ldghPrdjHZYuFdP8toBi7cWjT9kklaLoH-hROLLKDe09I3u1FoBSvYbYJA/s1600-h/fozzie.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117326432908608610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGGOo2XBf-d2tZ17-gTkwr1NDP3Cl0Qr-4OStT-kK7_vKqw6UAwDLFJuDGsYJQwNuH8CgKZdH9m0E_ldghPrdjHZYuFdP8toBi7cWjT9kklaLoH-hROLLKDe09I3u1FoBSvYbYJA/s320/fozzie.bmp" border="0" /></a>i'm freakin' tired after working a full day and then driving 200 miles home only to find myself at a semi-large (for me and my mood, anyhow) gathering of friends. in other words, i'm too tired to dwell on top chef right now, and my dog keeps impatiently telling me she's ready to go to bed.<br /><br />so you can find all the wonderful things i have to say about top chef (and there's plenty) sometime tomorrow night. wocka wocka wocka.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-79006545588440776082007-09-30T23:04:00.000-05:002007-09-30T23:16:59.754-05:00an observation, if you willi've had a lovely day today, but only one thing is sticking with me that seems to warrant its own blog post and that's this:<br /><br />middle-aged women should not wear clothes from hollister. i don't care how hot of a bod you have, any shopping that's to be done at hollister, abercrombie or american eagle is to be done for your tween. that's the only reason those stores exist. go to the gap or something.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-38295930492172058902007-09-29T18:53:00.000-05:002007-09-29T18:58:54.826-05:00you want to do what?boyfriend says yes when girlfriend asks if he wants to go out to dinner + boyfriend decides to have a cookout with his guy friends<br />= very unhappy girlfriendspin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-30956220155230807132007-09-29T10:57:00.000-05:002007-09-29T11:33:20.940-05:00goals, goals, goalsi've decided i need rewards for when i hit benchmarks in my weight loss. my health magazine says you should have rewards for every five pounds that you lose ... otherwise, if you set your goals to be like 10 or 20 lbs, you'll get frustrated before you ever reach a goal.<br /><br />i've done pretty well this week in sticking to my plan. i've eaten almost all healthy food, have exercised several times and have reached beyond my goal number of steps each day on the pedometer. the benefits have been great: i've had a lot more energy, i've lost about two pounds (which is within my margin of daily fluctation, but i'm still happy) and feel like i look a little slimmer when i look in the mirror.<br /><br />so, my goody bag of rewards that i can choose from when i lose a solid three more pounds is as follows:<br />- something from <a href="http://www.jcrew.com/">jcrew</a> because i love their stuff but am usually too cheap to buy it. you have to have a good excuse to spend the money on jcrew, and this seems as good as any<br />- a new pair of shoes. i'm about to need some new <a href="http://www.newbalance.com/classics/retrorunning/W574GS/">new balances</a>, but i'm also interested in some <a href="http://www.moosejaw.com/moosejaw/product.asp?path=Search&path=Womens+Sandals&search_handle=A%3dWomens+Sandals%7eB%3dWomens+Sandals%7eD%3d36%7eE%3d1%5e1%5e2%5enum_Sort1%7eK%3d4%7eL%3d1%7eM%3d2%7e&scid=SearchResults&pf_id=PAAAAAAHGHJFINBA&spoffset=2&s_id=0">sporty outdoorsy shoes</a>, <a href="http://www.zappos.com/n/p/dp/9686811/c/1446.html">boat shoes</a> and <a href="http://www.target.com/Mizrahi-Target-Alysia-Driving-Moccasins/dp/B000PUQTXC/ref=br_1_4/602-5872214-4818262?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=1">a pair of nice brown flats</a> that i could wear to work but still walk in on my break<br />- a facial. i've never had one of these (again, too cheap), but i know i could seriously use one. the skin on my face could rival a 15 year old's.<br />- a few sessions with a personal trainer. this sounds more like a step to losing weight than a reward, but the thing is, i want someone who knows what they're doing to set up a plan that will help me tone my body. i can exercise to lose weight, but i still struggle with getting my muscles to look hot.<br />- pilates class or two. see previous explanation.<br /><br />most of these items, ok all of these items are basically stuff i've avoided buying or paying for because i'm otherwise too cheap. i don't want to replace one problem with another by starting to spend a lot of money, but i know i won't be hitting my goals weekly, so i think it will be ok. plus, i can't reward myself with a big fancy dinner out, cause that would just defeat the purpose.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30134378.post-24548783039892924542007-09-28T14:28:00.000-05:002007-09-28T14:36:30.662-05:00to-do listi worked the early, early shift at work today, which meant i was good and done with work by 1 p.m. YAHOO!!! early weekend!<br /><br />the other good news is i'm in my very own home this weekend and not in knoxville, which means it's time for me to author another of my vital, all-encompassing to-do lists. my to-do lists are hard-core, and i do not rest until i have scratched off every last item.<br /><br />1. clean entire house minus the occupied guest room/bathroom. i've already accomplished the kitchen, which will probably last all of two hours. but we're talking spring-cleaning style scrubbing.<br />2. get oil in car changed. that's happening very soon.<br />3. workout. also happening soon.<br />4. get lucy some antibiotics for her allergies. poor thing has a runny nose and gunked-up eyes.<br />5. sushi with kg<br />6. put away all the crap that i haven't unpacked from my last trip to knoxville which ended four days ago.<br />7. replant my backyard flower bed with fall flowers. get rid of dead stuff.<br />8. take lucydog to the park. assuming her allergies are in check, that is.<br />9. workout<br />10. do something fun and active, like go for a hike. could be combined with no. 8.<br />11. watch football.<br />12. hang out with some friends.<br /><br />it's going to be a full weekend, so i better get on it asap.spin.lizzyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09727917373279439688noreply@blogger.com0