Seattle 5K (3.1 mi): Love 'Em or Leave 'Em Valentine's Day Dash, 2-8-09

I'm training for this half marathon in March and last week when I was talking about my training (I did 4.6 miles at the gym yesterday- hooray!), one of my friends (that I recently got back in touch with) mentioned the Greenlake Valentine's Day Love 'Em or Leave 'Em Day Dash.

Since I need to work on my outdoor portion of the half marathon training, I am going to sign up and the long sleeve shirts they give out are pretty darn cute. I always love free clothes!

I thought I would share the details of the event:

Sunday, 2/8/09, Starts at 8 am
$25 for registration before the day of the dash (up to the 2/7/09 and includes the shirt)
$35 for day of the dash
You can register online or in person

Here's the link to the site for registration, course detail, and information.

Barack and Michelle's First Dance!

History in the making: Barack Obama's Inauguration

8:58 am: One down, one to go! We have our VP!!!! I really like his blue tie.

8:59 am: I am glued to my computer screen- good thing that's where I do my work!

9 am: This composition is really pretty.

9:05 am: Barack is swearing on Lincoln's bible with Michelle holding it!! I'm getting chills!!

YAY!!!!!! WE HAVE OUR NEW PRESIDENT!!!!

HOW CUTE IS OUR NEW FIRST FAMILY???

I LOVE WHAT MICHELLE IS WEARING!

9:08 am: So far, his speech is very appropriate and he thanks Bush!

9:09 am: He's being realistic about the hard times ahead. Health care, energy crisis, education.

9:10 am: He's taking ownership about our challenges! Hope over fear!

9:11 am: As needed, and discussed by politicos, he's bringing us together and talking about how greatness must be earned.

9:19 am: He's blending our religions and cultures! Hope for the lines of hatred to pass :), oh he makes me want to cry!! My eyes are tearing up.

9:27 am: I have chills all over my body.

9:27 am: Elizabeth Alexander reads her poem.

9:31 am: She's talking about love!!

9:37 am: I love this color and action speech for the benediction. That was the best part- white man will do right.

9:42 am: The speech was a combination of John Kennedy and who?

Support a Washington Artist: Love, Natalie

If you're looking for adorable and affordable baby onesie gifts, diaper bags, play mats that will be unique, handmade, and long lasting then you NEED to visit Natalie Carr of Love, Natalie's blog and her fabu Etsy shop.

In this time of the economy downturn (I know we all hear that everywhere we go), I think it's great to support local artists and get back to the simpler things. It's hard to ignor someone like Natalie who is a true budding talent.

Tara & Bella: Animal Besties for Life!

I've been a consistent reader of Dooce and I religiously read Lainey Gossip, so when both sites that contain extremely different kinds of content (a woman's life vs. celebrity gossip), posted these flights within a week of each other, I had to post this extraordinary video as well.

I never knew that elephants had best friends for life!

Another New Favorite Song: Tech Romance

Apparently, I'm in the mood to listen to songs that have a guy singing to a girl (well at least that's what I imagine- I put myself in her shoes), telling, asking, pleading with ther to leave her current guy for him.

Because this song plus Bonafied Lovin' are all about how the girl is with the wrong guy. A guy who isn't good enough for her.

I think that these songs appeal to me so much because someone is confessing their feelings and don't want her to hurt.

Because I've been with some many guys that just haven't cared enough. Like everyone I deserved to be loved and with someone who is more than good enough for me. And really, that's what I am after in this life. I don't want to settle for anything less.


Tech Romance

I'm sick of seeing you cry
And wasting all your time
On someone who will never care enough
To make you feel loved
To make you feel safe
I would drop my life to take his place

To show you just how good
Being touched could be
Commit these words to memory
For when you find yourself
Pinned under his demands
I am still an option that you have

So carry me around
Like a picture in your purse
Pull me out when things are at their worst

You can show up at my house
Completely unannounced
We'll have that movie kiss we talked about

Where there are no words
Just a soft and gentle score
Our ears will ring from all the strings

We'll let the screen go black
And watch the credits run

And see the names of everyone

Who we ever met
And who we ever missed
Each one had a role in this

It's just another film that won't get made
I'm sick of seeing you cry

Choose a Man like Me- Bonafied Lovin' Chromeo Lyrics

As I mentioned here, I got a couple of new burned CDs for Xmas and here's another favorite of mine:

Bonafied Lovin':Let me tell you that I saw your boyfriend walking down the street, he was standin' all shaky,
hands all sweaty and he could hardly speak. I might as well take a minute or two, to
put you on to some game, you want a boy like him and a man like me and that's just not the
same.

Never mind an SMS, what you need is a sweet caress, everybody wanna talk too
much, what you need is a special touch. What girl wouldn't that feel right, a little dinner
with a candle light and really when it comes down to it, pick a man that's down to fight.

(Chorus)
I'll give you bonafide lovin' (oh oh oh oh)
The type that makes me feel old
I'll give you bonafide lovin' (oh oh oh oh)
The type that makes me feel old (ow)

(Verse 2)
Let me tell you that I saw your boyfriend walkin' down the road, he was standin' all
shook, couldn't even look, and I was extra cold.
I might as well take a minute or two to talk about the perks,
'Cause he can't compete with a man like me, and that's just how it works.

Look, this comes as no surprise, what you need is an older guy with a little bit of life
experience, the right clothes and the right appearance. What girl wouldn't feel nice,
hot dinner with the candlelight, and really when it gets down to it, pick a man that's
down to fight.

(Chorus)
Ill give you bonafide lovin' (oh oh oh oh)
The type that makes me feel old
Ill give you bonafide lovin' (oh oh oh oh)
The type that makes me feel old (ow)


oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh (X4)

I'll give you bonafied lovin'
The type that makes me feel old
I'll give you bonafied lovin'
The type that makes me fee l old (ow)

A side note: My most recent ex always got me to try to listen to Chromeo and I didn't think I would like it and now that we're broken up and have been for months, I find that I LOVE them. Funny how that works out sometimes. . .

Lauren's Review of Wish You Were Here GA Epi

A week ago, Grey's Anatomy (GA) returned to the small screen and I was more than a little disappointed.

Usually, when I watch GA I have some sort of emotional reaction. I either yell at the screen, throw a pillow (which usually misses the television), cry, or at a minimum tear up but this epi didn't do anything for me.

Here's BuzzSugar's rundown.

Notes:

-Again, we have a new doctor. Maybe Shonda Rhimes was speaking through Richard about the show, when he said, "No one will come to this hospital. I had to beg." Because GA seems to have a revolving door when it comes to the cardio doctors and now we keep getting more new doctors- will any of them actually stay?

-It's good to have Bailey humbled from time to time and her speech with Richard reminded me of something- People usually can't stand traits in others that they themselves possess- so when the Chief is stating that Arizona like Bailey was the best in her class, Chief Resident, etc. it made me wonder a little more about Bailey. . .

-Yay for MerDer staying healthy and happy! But most normal relationships still have a little drama, like small fights here or there or maybe they just need more screen time? Anyway, I still heart them but I'd like to see some more progression or saying "I love you" on a regular basis???

-I still really like Owen and Cristina, so yay for them! And I like that it is intense and that Owen is trying so hard in his own way to like her, maybe love her? Although it is imperfect, he's trying and wants to make something out of it. I know some men who could learn from that.

-I think Slexie (Sloane and Lexie) are pretty hot and I want this to be a relationship!!

-The whole Denny thing is driving me NUTS! Please explain why Izzie thinks she's having it all??? I know that seeing Denny has to do with some sort of brain problem and I would just like it solved! It's too much. Keep Denny dead or bring him back altogether.

-I do love Callie and Sloane's friendship. It has a natural progression that I've been through myself and it's just cute. They're besties.

-I still don't get Callie's sexuality. She is seemingly bisexual now yet when Erica had her "A Ha Moment of seeing the green leaves" Callie freaked out and couldn't deal. It seemed that when Erica was claiming to understand that she is a lesbian and always has been, Callie was claiming to understand that she is not a lesbian. I AM CONFUSED!

Click here to go to the Grey's Anatomy's writers blog about this epi.

Another Reason Why I like Anne Hathaway aka Quote of the Day

I'm a big fan of quotes as you read about here and here.

So when I came across this quote from Anne Hathaway (btw- who I think is one of the best actresses from my generation AND managed to transition from the Princess and Ella Enchanted movies successfully to mature adult fils as we are watching Dakota Fanning do the same- makes me happy to see successful actresses!) and I just had to post it:

"I was talking with someone the other day about the whole idea of kissing frogs," she tells USA Today. "You're told you've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince. But what they don't tell you is that you're going to kiss a lot of princes as well, but they're not going to be your prince. You find someone great, but that doesn't mean they're great for you." Anne then sensibly adds, "By the way, I am not the person to talk to about relationship advice."

It goes along with my current attitude towards dating and relationships- which is that right now I either want a) something very, very casual without commitment or b) someone to date because I feel strongly about them. My reasoning behind this is similar to what Anne said- just because you fall in love or have found a prince it doesn't mean that you'll end up happily ever after. Maybe it's because he's not your prince or maybe he isn't the best for you.

Some time ago, I read somewhere that someone said, "Just because you're a great girl and he's a great guy, doesn't mean that the two of you are great together or that he or she is great for you."

And at the end of the day, I wish for everyone to find his or her great guy or girl because everyone (most everyone) deserves to be happy and well, to love and be loved is one of the best things that exist in this world. Whether it be: a great guy for a great guy or a great girl for a great girl or a great guy for a great girl- whatever you want.

I Should Have Stayed in Bed

I am having one of those days when I just should have called in sick. Stayed in bed.

The real world sucks today.

Quote of the Day

"Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater.

If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby.

If you give her a house, she'll give you a home.

If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal.

If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart.

She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her.

And the punch line:

So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit."

New Favorite Song: You're the Only One by Maria Mena

"You're The Only One"

Well I saw you with your hands above your head
Spinning around, trying not to look down
But you did, and you fell, hard on the ground
Then you stumbled around for a good ten minutes
And I said I'd never seen anyone look so dumb before
And you laughed and said I still know how to turn you on though

You're the only one who
Drags me kicking and screaming through fast dreams
You're the only one who
Knows exactly what I mean

And I probably forgot to tell you this
Like that time when I forgot to tell you about the scar
Remember how uncomfortable that made you feel?
See you're not what I expected
But you're the only one who knows how to handle me
And you're such a great kisser and I know that you agree

You're the only one who
Drags me kicking and screaming through fast dreams
You're the only one who
Knows exactly what I mean

I hope you can forgive me for that time
When I put my hand between your legs
And said it was small
Cuz its really not at all
I guess there's just a part of me that likes to bring you down
Just to keep you around
Cuz the day that you realize how amazing you are
You're gonna leave me

You're the only one who
Holds my hair back when I'm drunk and get sick
You're the only one who
Knows exactly what I mean

You're the only one who
Drags me kicking and screaming through fast dreams
You're the only one who
Knows exactly what I mean

Exactly what I mean

Well I saw you with your hands above your head
Spinning around, trying not to look down
But you did, and you fell, hard on the ground

Got Money from the Holidays? Seattle Boutiques are having sales!

Hallelujah!

What: Polite Society Winter Sale
Why: The entire store (Baum und Pferdgarten, Helmut Lang, Ted Baker, Pine IV) is discounted 30-40 percent, with last season’s merch up to 75.
When: Thru Jan. 31.
Where: 1924 First Ave. (206-441-4796).

What: Impulse/Totokaelo Semiannual Sale
Why: Thirty to 60 percent off creations from A.P.C., Rachel Comey, and Steven Alan at Impulse; Mayle’s last collection, Whyred, and MM6 at Totokaelo.
When: Now, not later.
Where: Impulse, 3516 Fremont Pl. N. (206-545-4854); Totokaelo, 913 Western Ave. (206-623-3582).

What: Juniper Winter Sale
Why: Find John Patrick Organic, Virginia Johnson, Souchi, Loyale, and Stewart + Brown marked down 30-50 percent.
When: Starts Tues.
Where: 3314 E. Spring St. (206-838-7496).

What: Tulip/A Mano Semiannual Winter Sale
Why: Nili Lotan, Annelore, and Loeffler Randall, plus shoes by Fiorentini + Baker, Chie Mihara, and Cydwoq all 30-50 percent off.
When: Thru Jan. 31.
Where: Tulip, 1201 First Ave. (206-223-1790); A Mano, 1115 First Ave. (206-292-1767).

What: Promesse Winter Sale
Why: Shave 40-70 percent off Ports 1961, Lauren Moffatt, Imitation of Christ, Alberto Fermani, and more.
When: Starts Thurs.
Where: 128 Central Way, Kirkland (425-828-4259).

What: La Ree Boutique Winter Sale
Why: Fifty percent off M Missoni, Hannii Y, and René Lezard, with clearance items marked down 85 percent.
When: Hop to it.
Where: 11 103rd Ave. NE, Bellevue (425-453-7868).