Awesome.

Last weekend, we held the most successful Relay For Life event the city has ever seen. Over 500 people attended (most between Kick-off and the Luminaria Ceremony) and we raised over $78,000.00 and counting. The weather was beautiful for us!! No rain for the first time in years. We held an entire event, not to mention our first Fight Back Ceremony. In all it was amazing.

I'm actually allowing myself to feel a little satisfied! Chairing this event is always a little challenging, and leading up to the finish line things were getting nerve wracking. We had almost 400 people signed up on the website prior to the event, so we knew it was going to be big. Speaking in front of that many people is always a little embarrassing! And there's only so much making fun of oneself and muddling through that can be done. But it went over pretty well.

And my mom! Best survivor speaker ever. Of course I'm a little biased. And of course, my committee sort of coaxed her into it. But she did great. I barely choked up introducing her. And she didn't skip a beat till the end. Since a majority of my family participated in or helped run the event this year, it meant all the more.

But now I find myself at a crossroads. I have been looking to step down as Event Chair. However, as long as I'm where I am (location, job, etc), I can't imagine not being a part of Relay. I'd at least be a Team Captain. Attend the event. Walk the laps instead of running back and forth across the stadium for 20 hours.

So much of my time and energy has been spent trying to build this event up to what it's become today. I won't pretend that I'm the reason it's successful, and I know it will go on without me. I'm trying to figure out if I should step back and groom a replacement. Chair from the side. Or vice-chair. I don't want to see it fail.

On the other hand, this would be the perfect year to step back. We beat our city-wide goal of $57K (by $20,000.00!!!). My team raised over $12,000. And we were the second highest fundraiser! Our top team brought in over $20,000.00! Aside from the other event-wide successes, I surpassed my personal goal of $2,500.00.

I might actually let some pride sneak up on me this year.

Alas. That doesn't help me make a decision. And we all know how good I am at making decisions.

I guess we'll see what happens...

Baby baby baby

There's no doubt that the brand new little niece has been a huge blessing in our family. Aside from the fact that she is the most adorable thing I've laid eyes on, she provides so much positive for us to dwell on. Our little 7 lb slugger is pushing back a lot of the worries and fears. Not to mention being a grandma is my mom's newest favorite pastime. (Screw you, cancer.)

It's surprising to me how long I can hold her, or sit there and stare at her even when she's sleeping. I'm amazed by her. (I also take great pride in the fact that I'm usually able to get her to stop crying! Although, I have yet to change a diaper solo.) She makes me laugh hysterically. I don't know how long it takes for babies to develop to the point where they recognize faces or voices or anything. But I talk to her, and sometimes she looks at me.

She also smiles for me. Most awesome thing ever. (Okay, it's probably gas, but let uncle have this little thing.)

I can't wait till we laugh together...

It's away!

Blizzards be damn'd, the portfolio and application are away!

I should celebrate, haha.

The whirlwind

Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year. I'm not really sure what it is--the atmosphere, the snap of the cold air that I don't totally mind just yet, the food--but it's always been pretty cool. Even in college, I spent time filling stockings for friends, playing Christmas music and having an awesome few days before flying home (where I'd usually have an awesome 3 weeks of hanging out not really doing anything, eating home-cooked meals and seeing family).

This year seemed to be extra-packed with craziness. My niece came 5 weeks early in the beginning of the week. I think we're all still in shock. Christmas Eve was full of Santa riding past the house on the firetruck (normal), the mother and [beastly] daughter next door having a fistfight with the grandmother trying to break them up (yay trashy neighbors!), Rocket (ha, I didn't make up that nickname, but he's a cool guy) completely trashed, singing and hanging all over everyone outside when we went out to stop the fight, and two white horses riding down the street pulling a sleigh with carolers (not normal).

Our cousins from SC came up, and we were lucky enough to spend 2 days with them. Always great times and the best laughs.

Tomorrow, I think I'll get to see baby for the 1st time!!!

And there's that pesky OBNJ poster that I'm supposed to finish, not to mention the freelance gig that isn't getting done.

Plus New Year! I'm happy I got a few different invites this year. Not really sure which to accept, and just realized now that I only have about 36 hours to figure it out (Yay decisions!).

I'm thinking of sticking around for baby's first New Year, though aside from sleeping and pooping I don't think she'll be doing anything much.

I don't have to go back to the big house till the 4th and I'm already dreading it! It's going to fast, and dare I say it, I'm having too much fun...

Burrrr-gerrrrr

Dudes.

So, seeing as how I work in a library, and countless books of all shapes, sizes and genres pass through my fingers, I am exposed to lots of awesome, cool, disturbing, exciting, novel stuff. I'm like a literary whore.

Anyway, I currently sit here with Bobby Flay's Burgers, Fries and Shakes and am in awe. I am barely halfway through the burgers and can barely flip another page.

I love burgers just as much as the next guy. One of the best things about summer is the grill, and while fish and veggies and steaks and kabobs [and I'm going to stop there, lest I bore you with all the things I have eaten from off a grill this summer], a juicy cheeseburger is like home. Familiar, happy, satisfying. I'm hungry just thinking about it.

Cookbooks and things are always fun, but ONLY if they have pictures. After all, how can you tell you want to try dates stuffed with chorizo and goat cheese if you can't tell what it's going to look like? Bobby Flay doesn't use pictures of these burgers everywhere, but holy crap. These burgers are scandalous. Cheyenne Burger... Greek Burger... Sante Fe Burger... I'm not even saying these are so extraordinary or exotic. They just LOOK so amazing. Cheese oozing and dripping over fat burger, dribbling down crusty rolls, pooling on the plate.

Love it.

I don't think I can finish going through it though. It makes me hungry(er) and sort of sad that I wasn't more adventurous with this year's burgers. Perhaps I should just buy this book [we'll ignore the fact I've had this one for too long] and start experimenting.

=)

I'm going to be an uncle.

Artoo? Where are you?

In honor of the brand-spanking new phone I picked out in less than 5 minutes thanks to the wonderfully funny and sarcastic Verizon lady, I have changed my blog to a black background.

'Cause that's what my phone has.

Pretty sick. I'm enjoying it thoroughly. Now all I need to do is figure out this music thing... For, you see, I've considered actually utilizing all the functions my phone was meant to have, including for once, sound! At least, sound when I'm hangin around home.

Guess who beeps and boops when I get a text! Haha. Not to mention a Guster ringtone!

Hahah I love it.

And it was good

Pratt was awesome last night, and while I'm still recovering from my lack of sleep it was well worth it.

We got there a little late (I don't care who you are, you can't think it's fun to drive around the city) with traffic and getting slightly lost. But even so, we manage to get in about 6 solid hours of drawing.

We started with gestures, which are always a good way to warm up, even after so many years. Then we moved into the "5-10 minute" room. Out of the 18 or so different models, we probably were able to draw 10 of them or so. Lots of different poses and opportunities. Free pizza!!! Some interesting and fun music. Some of it live. It was so great. And ya know, I really wasn't all that bad. Now I just have to keep it up.

Also bumped into a few friends from college who I haven't seen in years. That was a nice surprise too.

See! Trepidation be damned. This one was more than well worth it.

Now to find naked people in the area...

Pictures

I came across this on PostSecret yesterday. I think I appreciate the sentiment. After all, I have 1200+ pictures I took in college that I haven't been able to bring myself to go through.

Part of it used to be the simple fact of getting bummed out to see how awesome things used to be. Haha. But I think this has something to do with it too.

Oh well I guess.

My State Project

I have been lucky enough to travel allll over the place the past few years. And not just weekends to PA, VT or Boston or down to Florida a bunch of times. I've gone to Houston, Chicago, Portland (Oregon!), Phoenix, New Orleans, Denver, Boulder, Anaheim, San Francisco... I touched the Pacific Ocean, stood on top of Pike's Peak, waded through God knows what in The Quarter, fireworks over the Bay Bridge, museums galore. I've watched good friends marry good people. I've sampled award-winning food. I've slept in former slave quarters, on hardwood floors, in airports. Watched the sun set in one state and rise in another on the same day. So awesome. So many good times. It's like really expensive anti-depressants!

I totally dig this travel thing.

I'm going to task myself to get outta town as much as possible. Maybe even FLY around as much as I used to.

Along this vein, and as per my earlier post, I need out of here. However, I'm married to my commitments and responsibilities until Relay. Too many things depend on me (which is just messed up...).

But I just booked a flight to South Carolina! Haha so a good start, ya? :)

I'd love to go back to San Fran this year too, but not sure. A few people keep telling me to check out Seattle, and I've actually heard nothing but good things about New Mexico. Not to mention a fellow alumna's gallery in Chicago. Plus, there was an article on CNN about how tourism in Hawaii was suffering and the next couple years would be the perfect time to go...

By the by, I could use a travel companion or two. Just tossing it out there.

The Ides...

You haven't appreciated the simple things until you've witnessed the pure bliss on a dog's face while she devours a peanut-butter frosty paws. (The whole thing this time... a birthday treat!) How on earth she bends her nose like that I'll never know.

Here's to my magpie.

"We are alone, absolutely alone on this chance planet: and, amid all the forms of life that surround us, not one, excepting the dog, has made an alliance with us."

–Maurice Maeterlinck

Beach Bum

I've made a very important decision. If there is indeed reincarnation, I am going to put in for "Beach Bum." Maybe even "Beach Bum Surfer Boy." Now, I won't be picky beyond that.

I either ask to be born in Southern California. Preferably near the beach. I'll grow up playing in the sand and sun. I'll accept whatever stereotypes that come with the territory. I'll go bleach blond even. Whatever. Go running with my dog on the beach. Surf. Laugh. Sun. Beer. Surf. Smile. BBQ tossed in there once in a while. Deep conversations under the stars. Pretty chill, right?

Or. I'll take being born in Australia. Also, near the beach. We can stick surfing in there again. (I don't know where this sudden fascination with surfing has come in... was it really watching those dudes surf in the body suits in the 50 degree weather?... Maybe it just looks fun. And I don't have the balance for it in this life. Haha.) Beach bumming. All of the above. And my life-long dream would be to come to America. Because... it's nice to have a dream. Plus I'd have that awesome accent. Sick!

How's that?

(Notice how Hawaii is between these two possibilities. Just in case we have to go with some sort of average-between-the-two outcome, I will settle for the in-between of Hawaii. As if I think I'd ever utter the words "I'll settle for Hawaii" in any context whatsoever. Ever. In any life.)

I wish I was right there, right now...

This is one of the coolest places I've ever been--on top of Pike's Peak in Colorado.

The view is breath-taking. The feeling is amazing.

And I would give almost anything to be on that spot right at this moment.