The Las Vegas Strip is a great people-watching spot

You see people from all walks of life in Vegas and all walking along the strip there. It can be very eye opening because it isn't just Americans from all walks of life but people from all over the world.

To the graduating class of 2009

Enjoy your next steps, whether it is college or a first job - these are the experiences that continue to mold you into the adult you will become. Have fun because the entire rest of your life will be there for responsibility - do the things you HAVE to do but make sure you have fun in the process.



1. Go to college. I know it isn't for everyone but the people you meet, the things you learn and the experiences you have are all things no one can ever take away from you.



2. Travel. Go to a foreign country, state or EVEN city! It is important to see how other people live and learn about their culture. It will give you a greater understanding of your own and a better appreciation for the people around you.



3. Fall in love. It is the most wonderful feeling. It too, will change you forever.



4. Learn from your experiences. You are no better off for having experiences if you don't take the opportunity to learn from them. For better or for worse.



5. Make mistakes - that is the only way to get better judgment.



6. Be kind, caring and compassionate as much as possible. You never know when you will need to have those things in return.



7. Recycle! We need this earth for years to come and it is our responsibility to take care of it.



8. Read books - you don't want to meet the love of your life, your new boss, or the President of the United States and not be able to carry on an intelligent conversation, right?



9. Enjoy the outdoors. A nice sunny, breezy fun day is just the "pick me up" you may need for motivation to do just about anything.



10. Cherish your family and friends. You will be going through a lot of changes in the coming years and they won't be around forever, so make sure you spend as much time with them as possible and always show them how much you care.



Party on!!

'Tis better to have loved and lost

Being truly in love makes all the crap you deal with in relationships worth it. The excitement and anticipation of being with them, seeing them, spending time with them - makes you view the world in an entirely different way. For me, it has been a life changing experience for the better. I had so much fun, so many unique experiences and have been able to be more myself than with anyone else before. I am the person today because of the people I've loved and lost. And I kick ass so why would I want to change it...

Relaxation

Midnight at the Oasis....

Lonely Hammock

I meditate in order to relax. If a hammock is available and there is a nice breeze that is the best (since I don't live close to the beach). Otherwise, every night when I'm winding down from the day and getting ready to go to bed, I use the "lottery scenario" and think about what I would do if I won the lottery. Vacations, houses, cars, furniture, family, etc... I find that it puts me in the right frame of mind for a good night's sleep and when I take the time to relax I have better dreams.

Songs that need to be blasted!

Break Stuff by Limp Bizkit

It is the ultimate RAGE song

Free Falling by Tom Petty

I know all the words and it is just fun!

Enter Sandman by Metalica

It is just a great song

birthday rounds

I went to 2 birthday parties today for friends' kids. I always feel a little odd at those types of parties because I have no children, no spouse and seemingly nothing to talk about with the parents that aren't my friends. Luckily the parties I went to today had parents that I knew other than the b-day child's so I felt a little less awkward.

I did have some fun while shopping for presents though - how many people (with or without kids) can name most of the characters from Thomas the Tank Engine? That must be what's taking up all the space in my brain!

5K... bitching and moaning

So my friend M decides that she wants to start doing charity walks this year as a way to not only "give back" but also to rebuild her waning t-shirt collection. I plead with her that I would be happy to buy her $100 worth of t-shirts if she'd just find someone else to walk with but she declines. Secretly (or maybe not so much) I think she wants to do this in an effort to help me shed some (read: A LOT of) unwanted lbs.

And we are off - the first walk benefits the Women's Center of Fort Worth - a great cause. The morning starts off with us playing phone tag bitching and moaning about the weather, sunscreen, water, parking, etc - it is WHAT we do. We decide that our warm up should be getting a jump start on the walk so we head down the path. We get caught starting early so we hide out on the side about .25 mi up the trail and once the runners start we join the pack.

Mile 1 - 14.5 minutes - my legs are feeling good, I am a little out of breath but pushing through.
Mile 2 - 31 minutes - my legs start hurting a little, but I'm still breathing all of the sudden I have the urge to go to the bathroom and there are NO facilities along the way.
Mile 3 - 51 minutes - the most difficult of all the miles, I'm battling a serious need for a bathroom, a slight burn in my shins and the fear that tomorrow I am going to hurt like a SOB.

The finish line is in sight - We made it!! AND in under an hour. Now this may not seem like a feat to anyone else but for me (quite overweight AND totally out of shape) I was SUPER excited.

The new goals is completing the Jingle Run in December in 30 minutes or less. Stay tuned.