Top 5 Christmas Songs (And the preferred versions....if I have them....)
#1. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Judy Garland (from Meet Me in St. Louis).
Garland's trembling rendition to a family coming together against all odds during the holidays always punches me right in my gingberbreads. This version is my favourite also because it uses the line, "Until then we'll have to muddle through some how" instead of "Hang a shining star..." EMOTIONAL GRIT, PEOPLE. It's what's for (Christmas) dinner.
#2. The Little Drummer Boy - The Jackson 5
Besides the Jackson 5 being awesome by default, this version is one of the few in which a little boy actually sings the role of the Little Drummer Boy.
#3. Carol of the Bells
Epic. And that was before the Trans-Siberian Orchestra cranked it to 11.
#4. All I Want For Christmas
Is you!
#5. Baby, It's Cold Outside -Any version involving Zooey Deschanel
In the version off of the Elf soundtrack, the mellow jazz saunter of her duet with Leon Redbone makes you want to abandon the outside world, stay inside, turn up the ambiance and snuggle up with something hot and alcoholic. (Like a beverage or maybe your significant other. I don't know.)
The quicker tempo and the gender reversal in the She & Him version with M. Ward is a fun take. So there.
#6. Claire Fontaine - Hawksley Workman
Claire Fontaine isn't really a Christmas song, and it's off of a Christmas album that really isn't a Christmas album. "Almost A Full Moon" sounds like Hawksley wandering around his life during the month of December with an acoustic guitar and an accompanying band, narrating the yuletide activities he espies everywhere. (Sample lyric: "Put away the turkey to make sandwiches tomorrow!") However, somehow, he makes it quork. (Yes I just made that up right now.)
That being said, I love Claire Fontaine. Fun story, when I first heard the song, I DIDN'T know it was a brand of notebooks (like Moleskine) and I thought Hawksley was literally singing to his lover who was some quirky indie girl who made her own paper. Then, one day I was in class and the girl sitting next to me had a purple Claire Fontaine notebook and my brain exploded.
BONUS: This Gift by 98 Degrees & Never Knew the Meaning Of Christmas by N*Sync
My least favourite Christmas song, as I ranted to Rebekah on a cold Saturday night where we bundled up and got our march on to an establishment, is Jingle Bells. Jingle Bells is mediocre. Jingle Bells sounds like a baby got eggnog instead of milk and in a nutmeg induced fury, hammered out the same three notes on a piano until it was declared 'music' by everyone else at the party, who also happened to be swamped on Christmas cheer. A one horse open sleigh does NOT sound like fun, either you're going too slow and that's boring, or you pick up velocity, and the winter air cuts into you with a vengeance. HEY.
In other news, tomorrow is my last full day of classes for first semester. What. The. Hell.
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
Showing posts with label list. Show all posts
December 03, 2012
September 17, 2012
Well, there's always next weekend.
Stuff I Did This Weekend:
vendredi
• Went to a "meet & greet" with staff of Concordia's independent student newspaper, "The Link" (and signed up to be a contributor to several categories.)
• Hit up a local microbrew with The Link staff, sampled both raspberry and honeybrown beers. (Notes: both, good.) Also, listened to Bekah debate the merits of different Bowie albums with an Irishman. Met a journalist grad who majored in Russian studies, spoke fluent Russian and gave us three reasons why his apartment was haunted.
• Walked home in the rain, threw on the new Darkness CD and fell asleep even though I was SO SURE I WASN'T TIRED.
samedi
• Slept in. (durr.)
• Trekked out to Value Village to find some back to school garb, and ended up with three pieces and 5 books-- more than I meant to buy. (Oops.)
• Went for a solid 5K run. Upon which I threw down Hans Zimmer's The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack and ran like I WAS the Batman. (Cape not included.)
• Read T.S. Eliot and Allen Ginsberg aloud, lying on my yoga mat, in the kitchen, to Rebekah.
• Split for the evening to the Village, danced like a FREAK, and then split early. Last trains are the despair of my dancing shoes.
• We made the mutual decision that 1AM was a premature turn in on a Saturday night and thus, headed out to the legendary La Banquise, a 24-hour poutine joint. ATE EVERYTHING. Seriously. (Bek: La Elvis. Me: La Matty.)
• Walked home. C'est froid.
dimanche
• grocery shopped
• tidied my room
• made epically good vegetarian chili
• put up the rest of my picture frames
• #occupied Second Cup to steal their internet. (The money I'm going to save when I don't have to buy tea to use their internet connection is going to be awesome. Like. Seriously, 4 bucks a week.)
Stuff I Didn't Do this Weekend:
• laundry
• cocaine
vendredi
• Went to a "meet & greet" with staff of Concordia's independent student newspaper, "The Link" (and signed up to be a contributor to several categories.)
• Hit up a local microbrew with The Link staff, sampled both raspberry and honeybrown beers. (Notes: both, good.) Also, listened to Bekah debate the merits of different Bowie albums with an Irishman. Met a journalist grad who majored in Russian studies, spoke fluent Russian and gave us three reasons why his apartment was haunted.
• Walked home in the rain, threw on the new Darkness CD and fell asleep even though I was SO SURE I WASN'T TIRED.
samedi
• Slept in. (durr.)
• Trekked out to Value Village to find some back to school garb, and ended up with three pieces and 5 books-- more than I meant to buy. (Oops.)
• Went for a solid 5K run. Upon which I threw down Hans Zimmer's The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack and ran like I WAS the Batman. (Cape not included.)
• Read T.S. Eliot and Allen Ginsberg aloud, lying on my yoga mat, in the kitchen, to Rebekah.
• Split for the evening to the Village, danced like a FREAK, and then split early. Last trains are the despair of my dancing shoes.
• We made the mutual decision that 1AM was a premature turn in on a Saturday night and thus, headed out to the legendary La Banquise, a 24-hour poutine joint. ATE EVERYTHING. Seriously. (Bek: La Elvis. Me: La Matty.)
La Elvis
I realize this looks like the most disgusting thing ever (all poutine does), but there is steak and green peppers and gravy and that's all you need to know.
dimanche
• grocery shopped
• tidied my room
• made epically good vegetarian chili
• put up the rest of my picture frames
• #occupied Second Cup to steal their internet. (The money I'm going to save when I don't have to buy tea to use their internet connection is going to be awesome. Like. Seriously, 4 bucks a week.)
Stuff I Didn't Do this Weekend:
• laundry
• cocaine
June 16, 2012
Blog By Numbers
#1. The way to keep your life from being consumed by a fashion blog is to not write a fashion blog.
#2. The way to celebrate your birthday is to first declare loudly you don't want to do anything. Then decide you do want to do something. After this deliberate endlessly over WHAT should be done for it, and with whom and upon what day. Then, sit back, throw your hands down onto the keyboard and and write a blog about. Also, make sure you don't book it off for work so that you can scramble to find someone to cover your shift, because while you're not sure WHAT you're doing, your special birthday ass is NOT celebrating by asking people for their Optimum cards.
#3. The way to cut out refined carbs is to stop eating chips, crackers and white bread. Instead, you find yourself eating lots of yogurt, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and ALWAYS BEING HUNGRY.
#4. The fact that having two jobs is starting to cut into my social calendar is really...discouraging. I need the cash but spending 6 or 7 days a week without being able to see people who I'm going to miss in a few months time is...disheartening. And frustrating. And stupid. I want a real weekend, DAMNIT. It's also hard to be happy about my jobs when I'd rather be off chasing my passions. It's day jobs vs. love in the dark.
#5. Two albums I can't stop listening right now: Jack White's Blunderbuss and Tom Waits' Bad As Me.
#6. My cat just barked. And my barked I mean he ruffed and woofed.
#7. I'm already beginning to stress about money and the move to Montreal in a few months time. I'm already missing people. I'm already getting pangs of feelings. What the hell have I done?! Don't get me wrong. I'm excited. But....Now the excitement is being shaken up with fear and worry as reality sets in. University seems big and cold and impersonal right now...
#2. The way to celebrate your birthday is to first declare loudly you don't want to do anything. Then decide you do want to do something. After this deliberate endlessly over WHAT should be done for it, and with whom and upon what day. Then, sit back, throw your hands down onto the keyboard and and write a blog about. Also, make sure you don't book it off for work so that you can scramble to find someone to cover your shift, because while you're not sure WHAT you're doing, your special birthday ass is NOT celebrating by asking people for their Optimum cards.
#3. The way to cut out refined carbs is to stop eating chips, crackers and white bread. Instead, you find yourself eating lots of yogurt, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and ALWAYS BEING HUNGRY.
#4. The fact that having two jobs is starting to cut into my social calendar is really...discouraging. I need the cash but spending 6 or 7 days a week without being able to see people who I'm going to miss in a few months time is...disheartening. And frustrating. And stupid. I want a real weekend, DAMNIT. It's also hard to be happy about my jobs when I'd rather be off chasing my passions. It's day jobs vs. love in the dark.
#5. Two albums I can't stop listening right now: Jack White's Blunderbuss and Tom Waits' Bad As Me.
#6. My cat just barked. And my barked I mean he ruffed and woofed.
#7. I'm already beginning to stress about money and the move to Montreal in a few months time. I'm already missing people. I'm already getting pangs of feelings. What the hell have I done?! Don't get me wrong. I'm excited. But....Now the excitement is being shaken up with fear and worry as reality sets in. University seems big and cold and impersonal right now...
January 01, 2012
Retrospect
THINGS I DID IN 2011: Started this blog! Survived one (and many subsequent) hot yoga classes. Ran my first 5K. Ran my first 10K, and ended up published in a magazine because of it! Got a new tattoo. Volunteered at PRIDE in Toronto. Got a new job (or two), including my first paid writing position. Graduated from college with honours. Discovered what direction I think my life is heading. Wrote a novel in a month. Attended my first poetry slam. Got punched in the heart and made it through. Visited California. Karaoke'd my heart out in front of a roomful of people. Learned the art of waking up at 5AM for early morning shifts. Dressed with a little more flair. J'ai travaillé sur mon Francais. Discovered my hometown doesn't totally suck. I became legal EVERYWHERE. I feel as though I grew by the bucketful, which is awesome...
But that was last year. Out with the old and in with the new, and what have you.
My resolutions are pretty simple, but they're easier said than done.
• Stop comparing myself to other people.
This one is nearly impossible, and I know that. However, if I want to be a better person, one of the things I need to do is stop getting upset for things that are out of my control. I need to realize that I am an individual, and so are the ones I love, and what makes them different doesn't make them better or me worse. I have a really hard time with this sometimes and it punches my confidence right in the gut.
• Continue my fitness regime, and taking care of myself.
Being honest, yeah, this past week, I've fallen off the wagon a little. But I'm more determined now to get back on. To make time for fitness which not only stabilizes my body, but my brain. To make it a priority instead of a burden. Choosing better foods and really LISTENING to myself and my feelings also fall under this category. If I want to go out, I can go out. If I want to sleep (and I have the time) sleep I shall! That kind of thing.
That's pretty much it. Nothing sweeping or crazy. I just want this to be the year when I feel like most of the pieces come together. When I get out and RUN FOR IT. Seriously. The year when I stop being the thing that is holding me back the most.
I have a bunch of stuff that I would LOVE to do this year, but that's a list for another blog.
But that was last year. Out with the old and in with the new, and what have you.
My resolutions are pretty simple, but they're easier said than done.
• Stop comparing myself to other people.
This one is nearly impossible, and I know that. However, if I want to be a better person, one of the things I need to do is stop getting upset for things that are out of my control. I need to realize that I am an individual, and so are the ones I love, and what makes them different doesn't make them better or me worse. I have a really hard time with this sometimes and it punches my confidence right in the gut.
• Continue my fitness regime, and taking care of myself.
Being honest, yeah, this past week, I've fallen off the wagon a little. But I'm more determined now to get back on. To make time for fitness which not only stabilizes my body, but my brain. To make it a priority instead of a burden. Choosing better foods and really LISTENING to myself and my feelings also fall under this category. If I want to go out, I can go out. If I want to sleep (and I have the time) sleep I shall! That kind of thing.
That's pretty much it. Nothing sweeping or crazy. I just want this to be the year when I feel like most of the pieces come together. When I get out and RUN FOR IT. Seriously. The year when I stop being the thing that is holding me back the most.
I have a bunch of stuff that I would LOVE to do this year, but that's a list for another blog.
December 16, 2011
Forget my two front teeth.
OVER THE TOP, DREAM WISHLIST (Just for fun...zies. Yeah I went there.)
1. Black Milk Cathedral Leggings. Robyn wore these on SNL last week and my face melted off at their complete awesomeness. Unfortunately, they're not $75 awesome. Whatever.
2. Purple Doc Martens. UH. THEY'RE PURPLE DOC MARTENS. I don't even have to justify this one.
3. Smashbox O-Gloss Gold. (Golden peach.) It's a metallic (ish) gloss that turns a little peachy, but leaves a gold shimmer behind. Considering I have a complex spending 5 bucks on a lip balm, this counts as a big purchase. When I first found out about this, I went through a period of white noise where the first instinct I had was to run to the nearest Sephora to see if they had it. But when I got there, I thought it was made by a different brand, so I thought they didn't have it. Good thing.
4. Canon Rebel DSLR. I'm not picky, I'll take basically any make and model. I just want a basic DSL with a decent lense to take cool pictures/outfit pictures/do more recipe posts. True story.
5. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child [Box Set] Why? Because I like cooking. I like French food. I like classical recipes. Basically all of these things come together. I believe that anything worth doing, might just take some time. So. A prep intensive beef bourguignon or some light pate a choux is my idea of a DREAM.
6. Mod Cloth's Coach Tour Dress in Vert. This dress rocks my socks. Straight up.
1. Black Milk Cathedral Leggings. Robyn wore these on SNL last week and my face melted off at their complete awesomeness. Unfortunately, they're not $75 awesome. Whatever.
2. Purple Doc Martens. UH. THEY'RE PURPLE DOC MARTENS. I don't even have to justify this one.
3. Smashbox O-Gloss Gold. (Golden peach.) It's a metallic (ish) gloss that turns a little peachy, but leaves a gold shimmer behind. Considering I have a complex spending 5 bucks on a lip balm, this counts as a big purchase. When I first found out about this, I went through a period of white noise where the first instinct I had was to run to the nearest Sephora to see if they had it. But when I got there, I thought it was made by a different brand, so I thought they didn't have it. Good thing.
4. Canon Rebel DSLR. I'm not picky, I'll take basically any make and model. I just want a basic DSL with a decent lense to take cool pictures/outfit pictures/do more recipe posts. True story.
5. Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Child [Box Set] Why? Because I like cooking. I like French food. I like classical recipes. Basically all of these things come together. I believe that anything worth doing, might just take some time. So. A prep intensive beef bourguignon or some light pate a choux is my idea of a DREAM.
6. Mod Cloth's Coach Tour Dress in Vert. This dress rocks my socks. Straight up.
November 25, 2011
Things I'm Going to Do in Montreal
I've been thinking a lot lately about my life in Montreal, or hopefully my future life. Maybe it's because things at home haven't been ideal (mama and I have bi-weekly arguments, and they're not bad but they are ridiculous!), or because I'm going to have to start putting my portfolio together to apply to school... Or maybe it's because I've started a new 'program' for my health, and so change has been on the table a lot. Physically changing, mentally changing. My life is getting on the move, slowly, like a turtle with purpose.
And because I'm procrastinating on my NaNoWriMo and everything in between, I've been daydreaming about my future life.
Stuff I'm going to do when I live in Montreal
• Befriend my neighbors... As long as my neighbors are cool. I'll start off by bringing them cookies or something when I move in, and we'll start off being friends that way.
• Become bilingual. Even if it's only French-Canadian.
• Throw a party. I want a purple party, a 1920s Speakeasy party, a pot-luck... Anything like that!
• Meet my gay best friend. He's out there. I know he is!
• Eat in local restaurants that aren't chains...and love the hell out of it.
• Bike lots of places. Become one with my bicycle and local transit.
• Volunteer. Though I would do that probably anywhere!
• Spot Xavier Dolan, Niels Schneider or Jay Baruchel. (Possibly all three?) Srrsly
I don't know why I'm posting this. I just like lists! And...it's my blog!
Also: I realized two the the things that make me really happy are working out (YAY CHEMICAL BALANCE!) and cooking delicious food. So those two either work together or cancel each other out or work together like cool works with awesome. Who knows?
And because I'm procrastinating on my NaNoWriMo and everything in between, I've been daydreaming about my future life.
Stuff I'm going to do when I live in Montreal
• Befriend my neighbors... As long as my neighbors are cool. I'll start off by bringing them cookies or something when I move in, and we'll start off being friends that way.
• Become bilingual. Even if it's only French-Canadian.
• Throw a party. I want a purple party, a 1920s Speakeasy party, a pot-luck... Anything like that!
• Meet my gay best friend. He's out there. I know he is!
• Eat in local restaurants that aren't chains...and love the hell out of it.
• Bike lots of places. Become one with my bicycle and local transit.
• Volunteer. Though I would do that probably anywhere!
• Spot Xavier Dolan, Niels Schneider or Jay Baruchel. (Possibly all three?) Srrsly
I don't know why I'm posting this. I just like lists! And...it's my blog!
Also: I realized two the the things that make me really happy are working out (YAY CHEMICAL BALANCE!) and cooking delicious food. So those two either work together or cancel each other out or work together like cool works with awesome. Who knows?
September 11, 2011
The Silver Screen
I just learned they are making a romantic comedy about the invention of the vibrator. Starring Hugh Dancy (one of my FAVOURITE actors, he's an amazing andalsogoodlooking) and Maggie Gyllenhaal... I love her (Dark Knight and Stranger Then Fiction!) and people tell me that I look like her on an almost monthly basis. SO EXCITED though I KNOW it won't be out for quite some time... Oh well. I guess I'll have to watch something else while I wait. Which reminds me... There are a lot of movies I'm looking forward to in the next little while... LIST TIME.
MOVIES I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE FINAL MONTHS OF 2011
One Day
I just want to see it, and Jill wants to see it, giving me an excuse to go to drama/romance movies I don't normally get the opportunity to watch.
Like Crazy
I saw the trailer for this while going to see My Idiot Brother on Labour Day Monday with Bek. The trailer itself was pretty powerful and it had my attention in a way most romances DO NOT. I typically roll my eyes at stuff like this but....I fell in love with Anton Yelchin's face during the Star Trek reboot and now...I just need to see this movie.
50/50
When I was explaining the plot and concept of this film to Jill as we wandered around the mall today, she hit the nail on the head with my feelings about it.
Jill: "It's about time. I just feel like the whole...heart wrenching....cancer movie thing...."
Me: "Has been done to death?"
Jill: "Uh...yeah...It's just good to have something light hearted about it. People need that for cancer."
Moneyball
It looks like MORE than just a sports movie. A combination between real life, drama, comedy and Jonah Hill. Seriously, from Super Bad to Get Him To the Greek, Jonah Hill has always made me smile. I'm really interested to see him stretch his acting skills.
Machine Gun Preacher
Badass title. Based on a true story. Interesting buzz.
The Three Musketeers (kind of.)
I fear that this movie could be AWFUL but it has Christoph Waltz in it, Orlando Bloom rocks a pouf and an earring, and OH YES. It's the THREE MUSKETEERS, which is awesome. You know how awesome it is? The only other movie I've seen with them as characters was the Man In the Iron Mask, which came out when I was EIGHT and has a 6/10 rating on IMDB AND I STILL LOVE IT. I can even forgive that all the characters are from France and Jeremy Irons is still British, Leo DiCaprio for all his acting skillz is still American and Gerard Depardieu is actual French.
My Week With Marilyn
"Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier's, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during production of The Prince and the Showgirl."--IMDB. Did I MENTION that Clark is played by Eddie Redmayne, who captured my heart in the Pillars of the Earth saga? My old hollywood fix meets my ginger fix AND back again.
Immortals
Director Tarsem Singh BLEW MY BRAINS OUT with his debut movie The Fall. It was not like any movie I had seen before and the SECOND I knew he was directing something new, the movie was on the must see list. The fact that it's a violent mythological journey like 300 but without all the meme potential (so far) just makes me want it more. MOAR I SAY.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
I know very little about this film, I have to admit. I know it's a thriller. I know it has an awesome name. I know Colin Firth, Gary Oldman and Benedict Cumberbatch (I have a crush on his face, name AND talent) are in it. Honestly, that's all I need.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
My love of ALL OF THE AMAZING Downey Jr./Law bromance in the first film ALONE would have me running to see the sequel. BUT it's another Guy Ritchie flick, I hear it might be better than the first AND if the score is half as good as it was in the other film, my heart might explode from happy. Also. Robert Downey Jr...IN DRAG.
War Horse
No lies: Benedict Cumberbatch is in this too and that's my main motive for seeing it. I'm a terrible film person.
Also, I kind of wanna see Tin Tin but I don't know anyone else who will ALSO want to see it so I'm going to have to wait until it comes out on DVD and THEN check it out...
What flicks are y'all looking forward to?
MOVIES I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN THE FINAL MONTHS OF 2011
One Day
I just want to see it, and Jill wants to see it, giving me an excuse to go to drama/romance movies I don't normally get the opportunity to watch.
Like Crazy
I saw the trailer for this while going to see My Idiot Brother on Labour Day Monday with Bek. The trailer itself was pretty powerful and it had my attention in a way most romances DO NOT. I typically roll my eyes at stuff like this but....I fell in love with Anton Yelchin's face during the Star Trek reboot and now...I just need to see this movie.
50/50
When I was explaining the plot and concept of this film to Jill as we wandered around the mall today, she hit the nail on the head with my feelings about it.
Jill: "It's about time. I just feel like the whole...heart wrenching....cancer movie thing...."
Me: "Has been done to death?"
Jill: "Uh...yeah...It's just good to have something light hearted about it. People need that for cancer."
Moneyball
It looks like MORE than just a sports movie. A combination between real life, drama, comedy and Jonah Hill. Seriously, from Super Bad to Get Him To the Greek, Jonah Hill has always made me smile. I'm really interested to see him stretch his acting skills.
Machine Gun Preacher
Badass title. Based on a true story. Interesting buzz.
The Three Musketeers (kind of.)
I fear that this movie could be AWFUL but it has Christoph Waltz in it, Orlando Bloom rocks a pouf and an earring, and OH YES. It's the THREE MUSKETEERS, which is awesome. You know how awesome it is? The only other movie I've seen with them as characters was the Man In the Iron Mask, which came out when I was EIGHT and has a 6/10 rating on IMDB AND I STILL LOVE IT. I can even forgive that all the characters are from France and Jeremy Irons is still British, Leo DiCaprio for all his acting skillz is still American and Gerard Depardieu is actual French.
My Week With Marilyn
"Colin Clark, an employee of Sir Laurence Olivier's, documents the tense interaction between Olivier and Marilyn Monroe during production of The Prince and the Showgirl."--IMDB. Did I MENTION that Clark is played by Eddie Redmayne, who captured my heart in the Pillars of the Earth saga? My old hollywood fix meets my ginger fix AND back again.
Immortals
Director Tarsem Singh BLEW MY BRAINS OUT with his debut movie The Fall. It was not like any movie I had seen before and the SECOND I knew he was directing something new, the movie was on the must see list. The fact that it's a violent mythological journey like 300 but without all the meme potential (so far) just makes me want it more. MOAR I SAY.
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy
I know very little about this film, I have to admit. I know it's a thriller. I know it has an awesome name. I know Colin Firth, Gary Oldman and Benedict Cumberbatch (I have a crush on his face, name AND talent) are in it. Honestly, that's all I need.
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
My love of ALL OF THE AMAZING Downey Jr./Law bromance in the first film ALONE would have me running to see the sequel. BUT it's another Guy Ritchie flick, I hear it might be better than the first AND if the score is half as good as it was in the other film, my heart might explode from happy. Also. Robert Downey Jr...IN DRAG.
War Horse
No lies: Benedict Cumberbatch is in this too and that's my main motive for seeing it. I'm a terrible film person.
Also, I kind of wanna see Tin Tin but I don't know anyone else who will ALSO want to see it so I'm going to have to wait until it comes out on DVD and THEN check it out...
What flicks are y'all looking forward to?
August 20, 2011
The Lazy Guide to Health
As you can see, we've done a teeny tiny makeover here. I was thinking about it yesterday and I think the new title reflects a lot more about what this blog is going to be about. Arcade Ragdoll was snazzy and flashy, but Life of Wiley is... well. Self explanatory. I'm probably going to be messing around more with links/layouts/other stuff, but for now, this will do.
I haven't been posting at all because I've been busy: thrift store shopping, working, building my new Ikea desk... (actual workspace, WOO!) and working out. Lots and lots of working out. With the 10K run on the horizon (October 16th!) Jill and I have been trying to add half a kilometer a week to ensure we can run the distance when the time comes. It's all very physical and mental, like getting your mind to hold hands with your body. You can't have one without the other, it all has to work. Two weeks ago I ran outside for the first time in a long time. I was dreading it so badly, because running outside is buckets harder than running on a treadmill. I couldn't push myself to run more than 2 kilometers, running for about thirteen minutes.
This week I ran almost 6KM nonstop. (5.92, so sue me.) The difference? Making up a strategy to run harder early in the week and soften up later, plus keeping a strong, positive mentality. I don't mean sprinting around for miles thinking of sunshine and rainbows, (sometimes, running or pushing yourself takes you to some dark places-- that's why I find it easy to run to Slipknot...) but you have to appreciate everything your body does for you.
You might be thinking I'm crazy, on this sure footed suicide mission to smaller jeans and a finish line that's miles away, so far no one else can see it, but I tell you. There are little things you can do to make small health improvements in your every day life, and yes, it can be fun. Depending on your idea of fun, I guess. They don't even involve working out. Yes, I said it.
Random ideas to improve your health and/or happiness without working out:
Pop a Pill
If you have a bit of extra cash kicking around, you could invest in a multivitamin. A good multivitamin can keep your iron levels up through any tough workouts you might put yourself through. (Iron makes hemoglobin, which helps your bloodcells carry oxyen. It's also good for keeping your mind sharp. Woo!) Besides that, it can lower the risk of heart disease & helps to prevent cancer. It will probably cost between 10-20 dollars, but it could be a little boost that your system needs.
Quit it!
Everyone has a vice. Jill's is chocolate/sweets/desserts, she used to have to eat them every day. I have a Diet Coke addiction, a big issue since lots of people I know and love are expecting me to die from Maybe you smoke. Maybe you guzzle coffee like a Hummer engineered by Starbucks. Maybe you stay up too late! Whatever it is: there's always a little room for moderation, or extreme prejudice when it comes to vices. Jill's boyfriend made a bet with her that she couldn't eat chocolate or candy for a month. In a show of solidarity I'm giving up my precious Diet Coke... (15 days and counting!). Even if it's not for good, trying to cut something back or out is a good way to start.
Try Wholesome Livin'!
No, I encourage whatever debauchery you might have goin' on, I'm talking about food again. When I was in college (god, I feel old now) my darling friend Josh looked at the margarine and the turkey bacon in my fridge and gave his head a shake. I saw lower calorie options, he saw chemicals and processed foods. I saw quantity, he saw lack of quality. Nowadays I tend to prescribe myself to a similar philosophy. The less ingredients, the better it is for me! I may not be able to taste the difference between butter and Becel like he can, but I'm a lot more conscious about picking my foods now. (Thanks Josh!)
DIY
In a train of thought close to the previous one, making your own salad dressing, cookies, pizza, pasta sauce is better for you and lets you light up with culinary ambition and accomplishment! Making it from scratch, do it. It's healthier for you. If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, this one is a gift AND a no brainer. Plus, if you're making it from scratch you'll appreciate the process more and also the final product.
Team Up
You need a partner in crime, don't you? The Robin to your Batman? Find someone close to you, from your best friend, your lovah, your sibling, your co-worker, whoever. Tell them about your goal and ask them to try and keep you on track and encourage you. Then offer to do the same in return. You scratch, they scratch type deal. ;)
Embrace Your Inner Child
If your goal is endurance based, such as quitting or even starting something for a week, a month, a year, try giving yourself visual motivations to keep going. To keep ourselves active and training hard, I stuck a calendar on the fridge, then popped to the local dollar store and bought a jumbo pack of stickers. Everyone in my family got a different kind (I'm dinosaurs!) and every day we work out, we get to put a sticker on the day. It's fun, and it keeps us on track and competitive as we try to match one another sticker for sticker.
Anyway, I have to run now, I'm going to yoga because I need to get my sticker for the day. What small changes have you made/can you think of in the name of better health and happiness today?
I haven't been posting at all because I've been busy: thrift store shopping, working, building my new Ikea desk... (actual workspace, WOO!) and working out. Lots and lots of working out. With the 10K run on the horizon (October 16th!) Jill and I have been trying to add half a kilometer a week to ensure we can run the distance when the time comes. It's all very physical and mental, like getting your mind to hold hands with your body. You can't have one without the other, it all has to work. Two weeks ago I ran outside for the first time in a long time. I was dreading it so badly, because running outside is buckets harder than running on a treadmill. I couldn't push myself to run more than 2 kilometers, running for about thirteen minutes.
This week I ran almost 6KM nonstop. (5.92, so sue me.) The difference? Making up a strategy to run harder early in the week and soften up later, plus keeping a strong, positive mentality. I don't mean sprinting around for miles thinking of sunshine and rainbows, (sometimes, running or pushing yourself takes you to some dark places-- that's why I find it easy to run to Slipknot...) but you have to appreciate everything your body does for you.
You might be thinking I'm crazy, on this sure footed suicide mission to smaller jeans and a finish line that's miles away, so far no one else can see it, but I tell you. There are little things you can do to make small health improvements in your every day life, and yes, it can be fun. Depending on your idea of fun, I guess. They don't even involve working out. Yes, I said it.
Random ideas to improve your health and/or happiness without working out:
Pop a Pill
If you have a bit of extra cash kicking around, you could invest in a multivitamin. A good multivitamin can keep your iron levels up through any tough workouts you might put yourself through. (Iron makes hemoglobin, which helps your bloodcells carry oxyen. It's also good for keeping your mind sharp. Woo!) Besides that, it can lower the risk of heart disease & helps to prevent cancer. It will probably cost between 10-20 dollars, but it could be a little boost that your system needs.
Quit it!
Everyone has a vice. Jill's is chocolate/sweets/desserts, she used to have to eat them every day. I have a Diet Coke addiction, a big issue since lots of people I know and love are expecting me to die from Maybe you smoke. Maybe you guzzle coffee like a Hummer engineered by Starbucks. Maybe you stay up too late! Whatever it is: there's always a little room for moderation, or extreme prejudice when it comes to vices. Jill's boyfriend made a bet with her that she couldn't eat chocolate or candy for a month. In a show of solidarity I'm giving up my precious Diet Coke... (15 days and counting!). Even if it's not for good, trying to cut something back or out is a good way to start.
Try Wholesome Livin'!
No, I encourage whatever debauchery you might have goin' on, I'm talking about food again. When I was in college (god, I feel old now) my darling friend Josh looked at the margarine and the turkey bacon in my fridge and gave his head a shake. I saw lower calorie options, he saw chemicals and processed foods. I saw quantity, he saw lack of quality. Nowadays I tend to prescribe myself to a similar philosophy. The less ingredients, the better it is for me! I may not be able to taste the difference between butter and Becel like he can, but I'm a lot more conscious about picking my foods now. (Thanks Josh!)
DIY
In a train of thought close to the previous one, making your own salad dressing, cookies, pizza, pasta sauce is better for you and lets you light up with culinary ambition and accomplishment! Making it from scratch, do it. It's healthier for you. If you enjoy spending time in the kitchen, this one is a gift AND a no brainer. Plus, if you're making it from scratch you'll appreciate the process more and also the final product.
Team Up
You need a partner in crime, don't you? The Robin to your Batman? Find someone close to you, from your best friend, your lovah, your sibling, your co-worker, whoever. Tell them about your goal and ask them to try and keep you on track and encourage you. Then offer to do the same in return. You scratch, they scratch type deal. ;)
Embrace Your Inner Child
If your goal is endurance based, such as quitting or even starting something for a week, a month, a year, try giving yourself visual motivations to keep going. To keep ourselves active and training hard, I stuck a calendar on the fridge, then popped to the local dollar store and bought a jumbo pack of stickers. Everyone in my family got a different kind (I'm dinosaurs!) and every day we work out, we get to put a sticker on the day. It's fun, and it keeps us on track and competitive as we try to match one another sticker for sticker.
Anyway, I have to run now, I'm going to yoga because I need to get my sticker for the day. What small changes have you made/can you think of in the name of better health and happiness today?
June 16, 2011
Countdown
Lately even though I feel like I haven't been doing much, there seems to be lots of different stuff going on in the near future, which will surely turn into blogs. For now, we're going to have to sit and wait for them to all unfold. Welcome to the FINAL COUNTDOWN post. [Insert Will Arnett dancing here.]
Waterloo 5K Classic Race: 2 days
My 21st Birthday: 4 days
It's my champagne birthday (turning 21 on the 21st!) in four days! I don't really have any big plans, but I'm hoping whichever ones I do have involve cake and dancing.New Tattoo: 8 days
PRIDE: 16 days
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