I love this band

Last year I downloaded this song from some website -- the band was called The Decemberists and the song was Here I Dreamt I was an Architect.

Everytime the song started to play on my iPod, I would fall into a trance. I needed to know more ...

They've been around for a while -- since 2002, where have I been?? -- and so I'm making up for lost time gobbling up their songs. I feel like I need to turn into some alien from Dr. Who that absorbs people and music and feelings... I can't get enough of their music and the lead singer's voice that only an alien life form will suffice.

The worst bit was that they were at the College that is about 20 steps from my house on Halloween and did I go???? Of course not! I'm stupid and didn't put two and two together that this was the band that makes me go into a coma.

All right, I'm done salivating.

On their website you can download one of their new songs. And here, you can listen to some of the recent album.

Top Chef

I don't know if any of you are watching Top Chef on Bravo this season, but Jeff just got asked to pack his knives and now I have no more reason to watch the show ... my mom is equally sad. Hey, nothing's wrong with some talented eye candy!

This is my 3rd season of Top Chef and I have to say that last season's chefs (as a whole) seemed better. But isn't it weird to watch a show where, as the viewer, you can't taste anything... At least with Project Runway, I can see the clothes.

I guess I'll be the judge when I try to make some of their recipes -- mainly the soup ones since I love making soup and everything else is so complicated.

And as for the winner ... I think Jamie, Stephan, and Hosea will go to the finals. I think Stephan will win, but I hope Jamie wins.

Uma Yoga Uma Yoga

In recent postings, on both Rosey Cheeks and Cheap Rosie, I’ve talked about Yoga -- free yoga downloads, yoga before running, etc. Needless to say, I’ve been doing more yoga now than ever before, and I feel that it’s definitely contributed to my overall well-being.

So naturally, after reading this article I thought, “Of course it’s good for Uma to do yoga. While you’re cramped on an airplane you get stiff and some stretching can really alleviate tension…”

But my next reaction was more like … “Whoa, wait … on the plane? In the aisles?”

Unless you’re a Yogi (like a Jedi-Master of the Yoga world), you can go a few hours without sticking your leg behind your head. I understand the need to stretch on a plane – it’s imperative to do so – but you can do this by going to the bathroom or moving around your legs and such. I doubt Uma was in Coach, so she has plenty of leg room.

I mean, who has enough “gumption” (that’s not the word I wanted to use here) to get up and use the airplane aisle as your own personal sticky mat. Is it a fact that when you’re a Hollywood star, you feel that you can pretty much do whatever you want? Gumption or not, she obviously felt entitled to do something that is both rude and self-centered.

And that is something that Yoga is not all about.

Oh – and I love the bit about the smoking …

Memorial Day Madness: Week 3

Rosey:



Overall, Week 3 was good – not great. Unfortunately, the simple task of eating one piece of fruit every single day eludes me. I ate 1/2 an orange one day, and the other 1/2 the next day. I felt that this didn’t live up to the bargain, and as penalty I didn’t get to buy myself a game – and this pains me!

But I ran on the treadmill all three days that I was at work, and I saw an improvement. When I’m not watching the clock, I can definitely run more and my time shows. For instance, Week 2, I did 1.75 miles with a 14.17 pace; in Week 3, that same 1.75 miles had a 13.03 pace. I’m also doing a series of yoga before I run and I’ve noticed that this really helps. I feel more limber and I don’t have to stop and re-stretch like I’ve had to in the past.

One move that helps conquer shin splints is to sit on your knees (also called Lion’s Pose) while you are stretching your back, neck, arms, etc. Just remaining in that position stretches my leg muscles and eases shin splint pain while I’m running.

Also, I’m keeping a treadmill journal; this really helps me quantify this goal and as I see an improvement it helps me want to stay on target. Matt called me a NERD, but any bit helps – even nerdy spreadsheets.

As for weight … I remain the same as last week. No change.

Matt:


Matt’s simple goal of not drinking coffee lasted up until my mom tempted him with some Mexican coffee on Friday night. Then he had another cup on Saturday morning. I’ve come to the conclusion that Matt’s not a very goal-oriented person (unless money is involved).

And for another week, he hasn’t stepped foot on a treadmill or lifted a weight and still another pound has been shed. [Fist in the air] Manilow! (You gotta know the Colbert Report to get this one.)

Bathroom: More tile issues

The last time I wrote about the bathroom, we didn't have enough tile to finish the job because the marble we bought was such bad quality that any 90 degree cut damaged the tile. So we went back to the store and got 4 free boxes to finish the job.

Well, the boxes of marble came and ... they look exactly like the tiles we saw in the store! And they almost don't even match the stuff we've already installed.

Several phone calls later ... and we're getting all free boxes of tile so that when the existing tile we installed has major leak problems (because of the holes in the tile), we have backup to re-do the job.

Sigh.

And you know what's amazing? The transformation between grouted and ungrouted tile. We just grouted the floor today and it looks amazing. Here's the before and after:

Vermont here we come!

We finally did it; we made plans to go to Vermont. I don’t know why the northeast interests me so much (first Maine, now Vermont), but it does. I keep telling Matt that I want to rent out the house and move to Vermont for one year. We can learn to make cheese and wear long johns most of the year, what’s not to love?!

But before we make any rash decisions, we decided we needed to do a little vacation … in February. If you can make it in February, the rest of the year will feel like a picnic.

So we’re off to Waitsfield, Vermont (about an hour southeast of Burlington) for 5 days, where we plan on doing the following: snowshoe, ski (downhill and/or cross country), eat some good local food, see some cheese-making (in February? I dunno), see Burlington, Middlebury and small towns in between, catch some beautiful views, and try and stay warm…

We started practicing getting used to the snow by going to the Arboretum this weekend (click for photos).

Okay.. but before we get too ahead of ourselves, let’s talk about skiing…

Let me state here that I have gone skiing once, in Wisconsin when I was 17, and I never left the Super Turtle Hill. My legs just didn’t get it. So if we do ski, this will be another moment for me to un-shine as I fall into the snow or break a leg. I looked at the 2 places to ski (Sugarbush and Mad River Glen) and I’m now officially scared. These are real places, not like Wilmot or Villa Olivia; these are real mountains with lifts, not towropes. I don’t even know what to wear?! I’m clueless. Super clueless. Please help.

And what if we decide to cross-country ski instead? I’m not as scared of breaking a leg, but not bringing the right equipment. The pictures I’m seeing have people with shorty jackets and like leggings. Should I bring a short jacket in addition to my longer puffy coat? Do I have to go to a ski store to buy funky legging things? Where will I pack all this?

I've never been so confused over vacation apparel - I usually just throw clothes in a suitcase and go. But this time it's big clothes and too many what ifs.

Bathroom stuff for sale!

Can I interest anyone in ... a medicine cabinet, toilet, and/or pedestal sink?

Get these priceless items while they're available otherwise they are going on Craigslist.

Anyone?