Season 6

American Idol is back!

Since I had to finish a paper, I couldn't join any other fans for the Season 6 premier. So at 9:45pm, after I turned in my stupid paper, I pulled on the recorded list on my DVR and jumped into it! I love this show, but I am getting a little tired of the formula. Most of the singers right now suck, and that is begin nice, the rejected swear and/or cry at the camera after they leave the audition room, Simon is rude, the judges laugh at many of the contestants (if you can even call them that), etc. etc. Maybe today was just bad because the auditions were in Minneapolis, where I assume celebrities are generated once in a blue moon (who knew Prince was from Minneapolis?!). There were only 17 singers sent through and the ones we actually got to see weren't that spectacular. The person that stood out the most tonight was Sarah Krueger. We'll see how she fares. Tomorrow night is Seattle - looks twice as odd.

I also watched "24" for the first time Sunday night. I loved it as I expected I would. I haven't heard anyone who doesn't! I had to record part 2 yesterday, so that lies in wait for me! Oh so much to watch yet school tugs at my time constantly. June 11th can't get here fast enough! But I digress...

What the heck is with infomercials? Well I mean why are the people on them so stupid and dramatic? They are really stupid! Oh wow how does this work? That's amazing! It's a hair dryer, Einstein. Relax.

For those keeping track, I had a couple beers tonight.

Leg up!!

Running on Full

Full of idol energy! And I have finally starting running again to use it.

I haven't been running regularly or even semi-regularly since probably the end of the summer. The usual suspects kept me busy then the holidays showed up. Exercise was a distant thought. And since I was keeping busy and not just being a couch potato, I didn't feel too much like a slug. But there is always that let-down feeling after the holidays when the family dispurses and the fun gatherings are over. The after-holiday-blues coupled with friend drama lead me to the realization that I was in desparate need of an endorphin fix. Plus I needed to start exercising again in order to reach my goal of losing 10 pounds before my birthday. So I hit the road....er sidewalk.

Shannon came over yesterday with Annie for our voyage treck. I had measured one leg of the tour, and on her way home, Shannon measured the other. In total we legged out 3 miles in the chilly darkness of Manlius...well there were street lights but still...we could also see stars. After 3 miles, I was seeing stars in a different way. It actually wasn't too bad. I was surprised I went that far without passing out. The cold definitely helps though as it did when I used to run before softball workouts started in January at Le Moyne. I used to run on the back roads of Otisco in two feet of snow. Okay maybe it was only two inches but I am sure there was ice under that snow making it much more dangerous. ha not really - that's a fabrication as well...or is it (I was watching "Dodgeball" tonight and have the overwhelming urge to keep contradicting myself).

After my run, I cleaned up and headed to Hafner's to watch the game with the crew. That was the best I had felt in weeks! And I hadn't been out for a game in a while. I had dinner, a couple beers, and lots of laughs. And the run kicked it off.

I even looked forward to heading out in the cold again today, which is strange because I hate the cold normally. I piled on all my clothes, laced up the Saucony's, and weathered 1.5 miles today. I figured I would give my knees a little bit of a break today. Tomorrow will be a full day off then I'll hit the indoor soccer field on Thursday. Hopefully these last pesky 10 pounds won't hang on too much longer.

It's 11:49 pm which means I am obsorbing the show every single (as in not married even though I am sure I'd still love it if I was hitched) woman should watch to know that we are totally sane when we start to think we aren't. It frequently gives me something to think about. The following line is particularly timely:

"It's the reviews that you give yourself that matter." --Carrie Bradshaw, "Sex and the City"

Leg up Carrie!!

What a Year

I was thinking about posting a year in review but wasn't sure how much I could remember. It was a crazy, life-changing year - my head is still spinning. But Donna's post helped clear the cob webs.

January - I too was in Buffalo to see Bon Jovi with Donna and Xtine. What a great show (duh), plus it was the first time I had really been in Buffalo. We went out after the show, and saw a local band who was fantastic. I signed up to be on the email list. Next time I'm in Buffalo (I still haven't been to a Sabers game), I would like to see The Hitmen again.

Februay - Oy. The month in which my life as I knew it would never be the same for obvious reasons. But I did turn 30 and celebrated with lots of friends and family! It was a great time and good memories...even the stupid blizzard that we were hit with that day. The next day was sunny!! I also went on my first wing walk - so many chicken wings! Yummy! I am looking forward to my sophomore year on the walk. Oh and I got to see Brian Regan again - he came to Syracuse! What luck!

March - Jaime and I headed to Virginia for St. Pat's day celebration in Old Town. Two weeks later we were joined by Xtine and Jill for the Syracuse celebration of St. Pat's day. That was an interesting and liberating day and night.

April - I went to opening day at Shea with Donna. I had just bought my new Mets hoodie but that was not sufficient for the weather. We traded our Miller Lites for hot chocolate that day. I was so happy to be back - it had been a few years since I had been to opening day. Overall the weekend in NYC was SO MUCH fun. I can't wait to go back to Scruffy Duffy's!

May - hmmmm I can't think of anything that interesting that I did in May. I probably did school work!

June - more of the same...probably did school work and hung out with Jaime.

July - I spent a long weekend for the 4th at the beach with Donna. What a weekend! I became a huge fan of Burnt Siena. So fun every time. I can't wait for next year - I'm staying the whole week!

August - I headed to Virginia again, this time to attend four Mets games vs. the Nationals. This is where we met "Karen" who has a very deep voice when he yells "MILLER LITE!"

September - Labor Day weekend and the Fair! End of the summer but a good way to end it. The family softball game was a blast. It's amazing how competitive family members can get. I played softball in college and even I don't get that competitive in this game. It's family! :-) This is the month I also decided I needed a new look and chopped my hair. I love it! The final weekend of the month was Jill and Chris's wedding and when Paul and I met.

October - PUT-IN BAY! Best place on Earth! None of the 9 participants can come close to explaining in words how much fun that was. I can't wait to go back there in May? July? October? I don't know but it'll be some time within the next 12 months! Upon my return to NY, Paul asked me out. During that high came the low of the Mets losing in the NLCS. Stupid Cardinals!

November - Bills vs Packers - we got to see Brett Favre! Closing weekend in Dewey - wow that was something I had never experienced before. And it was fun to torture Ian.

December - Christmas parties with Paul's work, my friends, and visiting family and people who are like family - the Harty girls. Oh wait we are "sisters"! Back to the Duckling!

Here is to 2007. It hasn't started out so great with a split in friendships and an unsubstantiated label on me and Jaime. Concern is appreciated, but some times a label like that can be hurtful especially for someone like me. I go to work, school (3.71 gpa after 9 classes), take care of my cats, my finances, my apartment, play sports, travel, hang out with Paul and my friends, and yes, drink. Considered abuse? Maybe at times. A disease? No way. This is a good source of information: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/alcoholism/DS00340

I realize how hard it is to show one's point of view. People believe what they believe and you can only do so much before you throw in the towel. I definitely don't and have never given up easily, but I am smarter now and am at least better at spotting when I've come to that point where I can do no more. It's pretty much how my year started and how it ended. Live and learn as hard and draining it can be, and then there are always the good times to remember and look forward to again!

Leg up in '07!