Dream dream dream..

At my office, we currently share space with the company we bought the building from (they shall remain nameless as shall my company). And my co-worker told me about a man who works in their office who is lovely. I didn't notice him until the other day (I am far too busy most days to notice anyone who isn't in my direct line of sight) and wow, I'm in luuuuuvvvvvv. He's quite dreamy even though he's probably old enough to be my uncle. But I don't care - he's hot...gorgeous bright blue eyes, slight Southern accent & nice manners. Sadly his company leaves our building this weekend. But until then, I'll be secretly sneaking glances at him...

Tired, Wired & Rewired

I had quite possibly the most boring & uneventful weekend of my life this past weekend. Denver's temps hovered in the single digits, dipping below zero frequently. I don't do frigid air like that - ridiculous I say. Human beings aren't meant to endure such tundra-esque weather. I HATE cold and it makes me cranky. Let me define cold for you before you get up in arms about my Wisconsin heritage & call me a pansy for not liking the cold. Cold according to my terms is anything under 15 degrees be that wind chill or not. If it's below 15, I ain't doin' a dayum thing. PERIOD. So that's what I did this weekend - nothing. I called a few friends, called my family, walked to a nearby thrift store & bought a new top and purse, and read 2 books. Yep, 2 books start to finish. I also worked on my book proposal but barely. Saturday night I did make it a friend's house - Sean's - and we watched the Olympics. I was mainly interested in the short-track and boy was there some skatin' to be watched!!! 3 heats of the men's 1000m and two Olympic records (one set by Rusty Smith and then later broken by Ahn Hyun-Soo of Korea). It was incredibly tight final - Ahn won the silver, his teammate Lee Ho-Suk and Apolo Ohno took home the bronze. If you didn't catch it, you missed out. Never fear! The 500m is Wednesday night - Apolo is the only American skating - and Saturday night is the crazy, hectic & often cataclysmic 5,000m relay. Five teams will be competing in this race - all 4 members of each team will be on the ice. It's fun to watch so tune in!

Eekk

It looks like I lost that last post I started. It wasn't anything terribly important! Yesterday was a crap day - got off to a bad start with random meetings and unfulfilled client requests. It seemed I could do nothing to help people and the people came in droves. It did improve slightly in the afternoon and my evening yoga session sent me home in an even state of bliss. Yoga always, always, always calms me and adds a pick-me-up at the end of my day. Just walking into my studio is soothing! However I was perturbed to realize I missed part of the short track 1000m heats - I missed Rusty's heat. I did see Apolo qualify and then I watched some incredible skating during the team relay. It was fantastic! To the inexperienced eye, short track relay races look like mass chaos on skates. But once you understand what's going on, who's supposed to be where and can train your eyes to follow - it's amazing. Great skating by the US team. It certainly helped when Japan & Italy fell & dropped off by a 1/2 lap. DQs followed later allowing Italy to qualify for the finals. The finals air Saturday night for both the 1000m & the 5000m relay. You know where I will be!! Tonight I am supposed to run with a friend and then go to a book signing. I want to do neither - I simply want to go home, call a few friends, read a book & watch some Olympics. We'll see. I may be a bum and opt out of both. I haven't been home at all this week. Monday I ran after work and through a series of unfortunate events, I didn't make it home til 9pm. Tuesday was Anti-Valentine's Day and last night was dinner & yoga. Maybe tonight will be the night for some quality Lara time. :)

Weekend wrap-up

Well I realize it's Tuesday but this is the first second I've had to post. My weekend was all right. Friday night was my first real date and it turned out to be my last. I've decided I'm not ready to get out there just yet - I need a little more healing time. It upsets me that this past relationship has caused a lot of heartache but that's life I guess. At least I've had the internal knowledge & insight to know that before I've hurt anyone. So back to the single life for me. Saturday I snowshoed and sucked it up. I was pretty exhausted after a short hike with relatively little elevation gain. So I've now added interval training to my weekly work-outs and hopefully that will help. And if it doesn't, I've got to figure out a way to deal with altitude. Saturday night I went to dinner with a few friends at a place called Proto's. We sat in the tiny entrance area for 40 minutes, waiting to eat. Now do you know why we waited 40 min? Because 2 men decided they needed to have coffee for the entire duration of those 40 minutes. There were 3 of us waiting to eat and we needed a larger table that seated all of us. There were several larger groups seated but none of them had eaten yet. These 2 men - the coffee clutchers - had finished their meals & had finished dessert just as we walked in. I thought they were incredibly rude to dawdle over coffee (3 refills mind you) while the 3 of us stood in the cramped entranceway. So after 40 minutes, a table opened up. And do you know which one it was? NOT the coffee clutchers. Another group left and we took that table. You may ask why wait that long? Why not go somewhere else? Well it's the principle of it. Once you've committed more than 10 minutes some place, you're in. If you leave, you have to start the whole process over again and for all you know, there may be 7 groups of coffee clutchers at the next place you try to eat. We dug in our heels, I glared at the coffee clutchers and made threatening comments under my breath and we stayed. Was the food worth it? I don't know if any food is worth a 40 minute coffee clutcher wait. But Proto's was good. The sparkling wine I drank was excellent, the pizza fresh & tasty and the chocolate cannoli (spelling??) was DIVINE. It may have been the most exquisite chocolate dessert I've ever had. Well maybe not ever but definitely Top Five classification. And people I eat a lot of chocolate, I know a thing or two. :) And Sunday I did next to nothing - watched some Olympics, read a book, went for a walk & talked on the phone for awhile. Overall, pretty dull but that's what Sundays are for - leisure time. Adios to last week & welcome to this week! Enjoy your week folks.

Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day all. Today is nothing special for me - just the usual. No flowers, no candy, no romantical dinner - nothing. And I'm ok with that. As I posted in earlier, I'm not ready to date again but I also don't feel great about being single. In fact, I hate it. I had just started to accept being single and 30 when I started my last relationship. I didn't expect it to be over so soon (or ever really, I was pretty smitten. Apparently blindly smitten...). But it is and now I have to get back in the groove of being single. So I'm struggling with it but that's what I do - struggle and persevere. But as much as I hate V-Day, I've decided to spend the evening at a party. It's an anti-Valentine's Day party mind you - filled with wine, candy & lots of singletons. Whether or not they're unhappy singletons, I can't comment. I'm on the fence about it personally - there are lots of positives to being single (a LOT) and a few drawbacks. Now being alone is another story - not many +s there and sometimes I feel very alone...not just single. I've felt quite alone for the last year until I settled in and made some new friends. Now I usually just feel single which is all right with me. Single I can handle, alone I don't do so well. Anyway, I better get back to work...enjoy your day everyone!

A real true date

So I have a date tonight - it's probably the first real one I've had since my last break-up (which was about the only relationship I've had in the last 5 years). I joined eHarmony about a month ago and am now getting to the "let's meet up" stage. And do you know what we're doing? Going to a bar to catch the Olympics. Yep it was my idea. Other than the date, I'll be outdoors most of the weekend - snowshoeing tomorrow with Sean's Snowshoeing Sweethearts. :) That's what we call ourselves and we're a fun group. Sunday I am hiking with MiD - unless my X shows up to hike. Then I won't go as I don't want to be within 100 feet of him right now..I'd probably try to kick him (ok probably not but I'd visualize it A LOT. In fact, I'm visualizing it right now. -pause- I feel better.). And I'll fit in yoga somewhere in there. What are you all doing? Enjoy your free time whatever you do!

Insomniacs for yoga

Today is another day in Lara's land of the grouchies. I'm a complete and absolute crab ass - hence I'm posting here and not working like I should. Ever since I've moved to Colorado, I've been an intermittent insomniac. There will be times I cannot sleep for a few days (not much more than several hrs at a time anyway) or a few weeks. Then it will pass and I'll be fine for several months. I'm afraid the insomnia is back. I awoke around 3:15am this morning and after seeing The Exorcism of Emily Rose, I freaked myself out for the entire hour (and I'm pretty darn sure I heard weird noises at one point). But by 5:45am, I fell back to sleep til about 7:45am...which meant I didn't go to my morning yoga class. Yoga has replaced my weight training because I don't go to the gym. I don't belong to a gym anymore because the cost of the Y is too high. And the Y is one of the few gyms close to my apartment. If it ain't close, it ain't happenin'..period. So instead I run, walk to work, hike or snowshoe and go to yoga. Yoga is an incredibly uplifting experience for me so when I miss it or can't fit it in, I get disappointed. I don't know if I'll make it at all this week because my social calendar is jam-packed. I gotta fit it in at some point though or I'm gonna get even crankier...and that's no good!

Torino

So I'm a fan of the Olympics - in particular the Winter Games. I'm never around during the summer time (far too much daylight and I feel compelled to be outside!). Since 2002, I've been a follower of the sport short-track speedskating. It's fast, furious & unpredictable. And as much as I enjoy watching it on TV, it's nothing compared to the live stuff. But I digress... I love the Olympics. I do recall sitting in a friend's living room in '02 watching curling on a Saturday night. That's how much I love the Games - not just the sexy sports but all the competitions. It's incredible to see so many competitors gathered together from across the globe, learning from each other, sharing in the spirit of the moment. Nowhere else will you see selfless displays in the ego-driven sporting world. The men & women of the Olympics are absolutely incredible - they don't earn millions of dollars from contracts; they don't piss and moan when they have to go to practice day in & day out. They compete because they love the sport - the sport itself, not what the sport brings them. It's amazing and we should all tip our hats to them. I love the display of humanity - that's the most indelible mark of the Olympics. It renews my faith in the beauty of the human spirit. If you'd like to see a schedule of the Games, click here. Enter your zip code in the upper right and the TV listings will pop up. Cheer on our athletes from all countries & in all the competitions.

The ABCs of Me

Because I love quizzes...I stole this from Christine. [A is for age:] almos the big 30! 4 months & 10 days (but who's counting?!) [B is for booze of choice:] beer, wine & the occasional tequila. I like salty dogs, greyhounds & lemonade & vodkas as well (all of those have vodka in 'em). [C is for career:] All around do-everything-to-make-the-office-run-gal; I truly don't have a title but I've been promoted from a Program Manager to something like an Executive Asst. My career is writing though. [D is for your dog's name:] don't have one but I dog sit for Buddy a lot; he's a pal. [E is for essential items you use everyday] 'puter, books, pens, paper & phone - the big Ps [F is for favorite song at the moment:] Hmmm..anything by Prince, The Cure or Norah Jones currently [G is for favorite game:] NOT video games but I dig Monopoly, poker, Catch Phrase, Trivial Pursuit [H is for hometown:] Mayville - aka Mayberry [I is for instruments you play] nada [J is for jam or jelly you like:] grape, strawberry & marmalade [K is for kids?] ain't got a one but I do baby-sit, does that count? My brother & sister are my kids currently. [L is for last kiss] I'd rather not go there... [M is for mom's job:] speech therapist in a school [N is for name of your crush:] There are several I guess: Rusty Smith, Jensen Ackles & a guy named Larkin. [O is for overnight hospital stays] Not a single one and hopefully not for a very, very long time.. [P is for phobias:] being alone and dying alone, not being able to help the people I love when they need it most. [Q is for quotes you like:] Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possiblity. -Oprah Winfrey [R is your relationship that lasted the longest]: 2 ex's who are tied at 2 yrs (approx) [S is for sexual preference:] Yes - men please. [T is for time you wake up:] rarely if ever before 7am - anything earlier is outrageous [U is for underwear:] just bikinis or none.. [V is for vegetables you love]: taters, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, collared greens, broccoli, brussel sprouts, snap peas, tiny tiny baby peas, carrots, banana peppers, water chestnut [W is for worst habit:] overly-critical of myself and of others (only sometimes for others) [X is for x-rays you've had] just my toofers [Y is for yummy food you make] stir-fry, banana bread, chocolate cake, tilapia, tortilla soup with my brother; I can make lots of food but I'm not sure it's always so yummy! [Z is for zodiac sign:] Taurus baby - but a few days from being a Gemini

Carbs, carbs & more carbs

I've been tracking what I eat to make sure I'm getting enough of the good stuff. My running suffered the other day because I didn't eat enough the night before and I dragged some serious arse last weekend snowshoeing..wasn't sure if it was the elevation increase or my lack of carb intake. I've been using this web site: www.fitday.com. You can sign up for a free account & keep track of what you eat. They break down your carbs, protein, fat & alcohol. You can print out reports, track your activity levels & calories burned. It's pretty all right. Other than that, I've got some possible dates coming up with eHarmony matches. There may be lots of fun stories to share - not holding my breath but ya never know. Time to get back out there! I'm off to run but will hopefully have a moment to post more tomorrow. Ciao folks!

Little Red Corvette

It was my favorite song when I was little and I've been a Prince fan ever since. Yes I suffered through those awkward TAFKAP years and have endured his lack of curse words in his vocab. (It really sucks that I'll never hear Irresistible **tch or ***ssy Control live). And contrary to popular belief, Prince has not suddenly found God or religion; he's always been open about his faith. It's in several of his songs and that's the venue for his most open expression he says. Despite the fact that he's in his mid-40s, he can still rock a venue HARD. He's an incredible musician & a true music lover. I'm sure I had a point to this but I'll be damned if I can remember what that point was...carry on.

A case of the Mondays

*sigh* What a day. I've been a grumpy pants since Saturday and it spiraled out of control today. I've been swamped with work (which is usually ok by me) and have very little time for myself in the evenings. And the time I do have is not well spent because I'm typically drained and exhausted - I expect the same today. I'm not sure where it's coming from really - perhaps still recovering from a recent break-up, an unsettling Meet the Press yesterday (Frist might run for Prez...I seriously may move to Canada and just fly in to my job every work week) or maybe it's just the January Slumps, don't know. Did you know an English dude created an equation to find out which day of the year is the most depressing? January 23 I believe is the date. I can't believe someone paid him to figure that out. Sometimes it's just the dreariness of the same stuff every day that bores and depresses me to tears. Who the hell wants to get up and go to work everyday? Don't get me wrong, I love my job...love it love it love it. But damn if I want to go every single day of the year. I'd like a 4.5 day work week - that would suit me just fine. Give me Friday afternoon off so I can go play in the mountains. I really wonder where this 40+ hr work week started - I shudder to imagine not enjoying my work and spending so much time there. I spent my weekend either on the couch or snowshoeing. We did a tough 6 mile trip on Saturday in the achingly cold wind and I didn't quite finish. It ticked me off that I didn't finish it but the altitude was killing me. My body doesn't respond well to it - even when I'm in fantastic cardio shape (which I'd say I'm only a little above average right now). Don't know how to fix that really but I better find a way; I want to do a hut trip in April. We'll see. Ciao for now peeps~~~

A Q&A

I love these things...I grabbed this from Christine who stole it from Tara. Thanks ladies! 1. You have $10 and need to buy snacks at a gas station; what do you buy? Depends - if I haven't had my one soda & one chocolatey item for the week I'd buy a Mtn. Dew and Suzy Qs along with a bag of Bugles. 2. If you had to be reincarnated as some sort of sea dwelling creature, what would you be? I would be a seal - but not the leopard seal because they eat penguins and I love penguins. Do penguins count as sea dwellers? I want to be one of those too. 3. Who’s your favorite redhead? CarrotTop? I don't know... 4. What do you order when you’re at a pancake house? Pancakes..duh. Actually, waffles. I luuuvvvv waffles. 5. Do you own any naughty toys? Define naughty toys - like a tazer gun? No but I'd like to if we're taking tazers. :) 6. Have you made out with anyone on your link list? I don't have a link list. 7. Describe your favorite pair of underwear: black lace from Vicki's Secret 8. Describe the last time you were injured: sprained ankle - running. I hit a pothole while in the midst of a run and turned my ankle. It swelled up & turned purple - all before I had to fly down to AlbuQ for an Americorps training. 9. Are there any odd things that make you feel comfortable? I don't know really... 11. Tell me a weird story from your high school years: There are lots... 12. What is the wallpaper on your cell phone? he he he...SpongeBob Squarepants and the starfish dude... 13. Soda? Sun-drop, Mtn. Dew, Cherry Coke & Coke in a bottle. 14. Flavor of pudding? chocolate and banana 15. What type of shirt are you wearing? one tank top with ladybugs on it and a red & pank sweater over it. 16. Prescription medication? Ortho Lo 17. If you could use only one form of transportation for the rest of your life what would it be? Man I guess I'd go with the limo too but only if I could get a hybrid. Maybe not a limo but being chauffeured would be killer. 18. How many people are on your links list? Again, none. 19. How many people on your links list do you know in real life? Again, none. Gosh stop asking these questions, I feel like a loser. 20. What are you listening to right now? Foo Fighters, Prince, Johnny Cash & Leann Rimes. 21. Most recent movie you watched: Exorcism of Emily Rose and then Alex & Emma. Next up: The Skeleton Key. Man I love Netflix. 22. Name 5 things you have with you at all times: purse, wallet, keys, sunglasses & lip stuff. 23. Would you rather give or receive a foot massage? Receive, duh. 24. Name a teacher you had the hots for: that one psych prof I had for a semester - he was older but he was hot... 25. What is a saying that you use a lot? yep-a-do and bloody hell 26. What’s one piece of advice that you think should be passed on to every child? Pass the cheesey pooffs ya bastard. Just kidding, I would say always believe in yourself and remember to be true to your own values and your own inner voice. Screw everybody else.

My latest read

My true confession for the day: I ate some fast food last week and it didn't make me sick. Currently I'm reading Don't Eat This Book! by Morgan Spurlock - the same man who gave us Supersize Me (also a bloody good film if you haven't seen it). Personally, I think he's brilliant and I love him. But if you ever want to eat fast food again, don't read this book or watch this movie...because you won't. I can't pass the Golden Arches without feeling revolted at what they pass off as food - and charge us for! I want to slap that crap out of people's hands every time I see them eating it. It's just disgusting and I wish more people really thought about what they put in their bodies. What do you think? Are we a fatty overeating food-obsessed nation who doesn't care what we eat so long as it's fast and cheap ---- or is fast-food merely a symptom of underlying problems in our culture (ie two-parent working households where no one is home when kids leave school and no one cooks anymore)? Or some sort of combo? I've got my thoughts but I'd rather hear yours...

What does Maww mean exactly?

Well Maww is really a description of a state of being - it's a no-holds barred approach to life. I can't say I always live in this vein but I certainly attempt to! It means full honesty with just the right amount of tact when necessary and always, always full all out sass. But I liked the nickname Maww so much that I'm writing a book around it. It's a sassy, young in years or at heart, single gal's guide to life, love and work. It's currently under construction. My goal is to finish the proposal this year and shop it around or self-publish depending. So this blog will be my true confessions page. I doubt it will be anything as scintillating as taxi cab true confessions or that old magazine - did y'all ever read that? My grandma got that for awhile and it was readers true confessions stories, mainly about love. Nothing too scandalous - c'mon, my grandma read it, but it was entertainment nonetheless. My true confession for the day: I hate this administration. And I don't hate too often and rarely with such vehemence. I reserve that for special occasions and people; these are people who deserve it. Don't worry, this won't be a political blog. I'm not that savvy nor politically-informed. However I may vent every now & again. Thanks for listening.....

My first post!

Well I do hope someone reads this one day! This blog will be a place to share my thoughts, insights and feelings on the everyday world around me as well as my inner workings. I'll post more but let me get this whole thing set up first!