highlights of my life

Most of my highlights consist of my puppies, going to concerts, being with my family, health and the work I do...oh, and don't forget...FOOD! It's all the things I love and enjoy.

I recently, at the last minute, went to see Puscifer and I am so glad I did. I've been a Tool fan since I was in middle school and have seen them and A Perfect Circle and had not been all too impressed. Maynard mostly stands back and you can barely see him. He hardly moves and there's not much of a 'show'. I'd be better off lying on my living room floor blasting his music, it'd all be the same.

Puscifer was different. It was in a much smaller venue than Tool and A Perfect Circle, it didn't sell out and we took the floor seats. He showed himself and hung out with the crowd after the show up front on stage, in chairs. They played loud and there was a ton of bass, you could feel your hair and your bones shake with the music. I wouldn't even think twice to see them again.

My friend had gotten a threat about being kicked out if he filmed so I didn't take any video, which is such a bummer. So, I can't share any video. I would suggest a search for them on YouTube to find some good live videos of those who took the chance. UPDATE: they just posted a really good video on their Facebook page, embedded below for your pleasure...and, mine :)

Lots of <3

P.S. I see you, St. Cloud. You stole so much from me and are hurting me, yet I stole nothing from you and do not hurt you on purpose. Please leave me alone.

seriously excited

{ -- rockin' the walking treadmill at work, love it! -- }

I have some really great news and I can't wait to share it with you but it'll have to wait. Why?! Well, I'm working on protecting myself further as my recent breakup still wants to haunt me but it's getting fixed and it'll just take time. I'm really in no hurry so it's all okay. I still can't wait to talk about it!

In the meantime, I am kicking a** and taking names when it comes to working out. I feel 10X stronger than I was weeks ago. New Jazzercise routines are in and they're so much fun and get my heart rate going. The one thing that always bothered me though was this one instructor brags about her heart rate being so high but from what I've learned from trainers and from a ton of articles, is that you're not supposed to let it get that high. However, she is super fit so I have to give her credit. At the moment, I'm keeping mine in the fat burning zone which means, I don't work as hard and do all the high impact moves as often but I'd rather be burning fat than anything else on my body.

Also, today is my dad's birthday! <3 him so much :) I've been spending a lot of time with them lately and I love it. Watching The Walking Dead, The River and cooking dinners. I'm very lucky to have them in my life and the support is amazing. I don't know if I could do it without them.

Keep on keeping on with yourselves.

<3

i dedicate this song to

The lonely one. This will be vague but is necessary because these are the emotions I deal with on and off, and now on because this person just won't go away. I'll share more later...maybe.

Your dreams, they slowly fade.
So uncommitted and it's such a waste.
You're left alone and afraid.
Now just confine your problems, 
And figure out your own way to solve them.


I'm not sorry.


I'm not sorry for all the things I've said, 
Go *oh dear* yourself if you can't handle it.


Don't act like you're the one who's innocent.
Have you still learned nothing from this?
When will you face your shameful actions?


Don't act like you're the one that's better off.
I know that you planned this to just let go
It didn't matter the cost.


I'll never need the things you're offering.
You turned your back on me, 
It's such a shame to see.


When we believed we all could live out our dreams, We all stood up for something.
Now that you're left with nothing, 
Don't act like you're better off.
Cold conscious slowly fading, 
You can't get back what you've lost.


Your conscious is slowly fading away, 
Go face the path you've paved.


I watched your dreams die, 
They fell in front of your eyes.
Watch your dreams die, 
They fell in front of your eyes.


I'll never need the things you're offering.
You turned your back on me, 
It's such a shame to see.


When we believed we all could live out our dreams, 
We all stood up for something.
Now that you're left with nothing, 
Don't act like you're better off.
Cold conscious slowly fading, 
You can't get back what you've lost.


Cold conscious slowly fading, 
Cold conscious slowly fading.
You can't get back what you've lost


With that said, I am in a really great place in my life now and I've moved on from most of what's happened. However, because of him taking advantage of me (because he ruined his own life), I am still dealing with those consequences. It's really sad but I'm not one to let that get me down.


So, with that, here is to the new year that has started off with a freakin' BANG of awesome sauce and moving past all of your obstacles that you face. Life is what you make it and I've seen the proof, on both spectrums. I'm just glad I'm on the right side.


<3

when i grow up

I never, in a million years (cause I am totally going to live that long), thought I would ever partake in this:


However, I am! I signed up and I cannot wait. Begin training...NOW!

<3

jazzer...wha!

{ -- my girl doing her workout thang -- }

I have tried most workouts...seems like I have. I've done yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, personal training, boot camp and general workouts in the gym by myself or with a friend. I go back to the gym atmosphere every once in a blue moon and I'll push in a yoga DVD when I'm just too tired or feel more like stretching than getting a ton of cardio in but none of these workouts have ever stuck with me.

In 2002, I was at my first full-time gig, doing my real-time career along with a couple of other young girls starting out as well and I was on a mission to count calories and do all the necessary steps to avoid gaining weight. I'd like to say I have this amazing weight loss story...but, I don't. It's more of a preventative weight gain story.

I always hated working out in High School but I started to get heavier and as soon as I hit the double digits in jean size (women can relate), I joined a gym and worked out like crazy. I lost the weight I'd initially gained and got back to my 'normal' size but I hit my plateau and started to hate the gym. But, when I started this new job, one of the girls commiserated with me and introduced me to...Jazzercise.

Now, my GRANDMA did Jazzercise...years and years ago and my perception, like most, was not necessarily good? Anytime Jazzercise is brought up in any conversation, there are always smirks but I tell you, it's a workout not to be messed with. I went with this co-worker and was immediately addicted and have been a member and kept off the weight for over 9 years now. It is the one workout I look forward to, feel challenged in and know I will finish to the end. Who doesn't like to shake their booty...literally off their body?

Jazzercise is an hour long class consisting of cardio, weights, target training and stretching. It's an entire body workout and you burn up to 500 calories a class! Go to the gym and burn 500 calories on your own...boooooring! Just last week, I went to four classes (one was a half class) and burned over 1,500 calories. Feels great and I'm not stopping. I'm back in my grove this year and there's no turning back :)

<3