Los Angeles vs Chicago vs New York

Los Angeles needs more Runners!!



Help us out, don't let Chicago win!

My Lazy Sunday

My lazy Sunday yesterday consisted of the following:

- Ikea shopping
- Mall shopping
- Movie - Bottle Shock
annnnnd...
- Dollar Used Bookstore Shopping

Shop shop shop is what I say!

The mall was weird yesterday, I don't know what was with it. I went into Victoria's Secret and they have this new bra they're asking everyone to try out. I get it. I fend off one salesperson, "No, no thank you, leave me along with the lacy things." when another approaches me, and asks if I need anything, I told her no, I'm good. She then proceeds to tell me about their new bra, how many women, of all sizes like it and blah blah blah. She then says "Oh yeah! I'm wearing one right now!" and pulls out her bra strap.

Thank you, but no thanks, I say, you probably don't even carry my size. I am blessed, but Victoria's secret is that she doesn't cater to the more endowed ladies of the world. She might try, but it's always a last ditch effort. The salesperson kept going about how lots of women love this bra, it gives them what they need. Now, she's holding one in her hand and I can tell by looking at it that it won't work for me. The thing with the VS bras is that they push everything out and to the middle. This type of thing doesn't work for those of us with larger than a C rack. It doesn't. There's only so much pushing together you can do before they spill out the front and it looks like you've got 6 breasts your hiding under your shirt.

It just doesn't work.

So Victoria's Secret...no, I don't want to try your new bra. Not until you come to realize that not EVERYONE can wear the same bra. Design a different bra for the larger cup sizes and then, maybe, and only maybe, will I try your bras again.

It made me very uncomfortable and defensive for some reason. Once I fended off the saleslady, who was really nice otherwise, I tried to be polite about it, I couldn't stand it. I walked out of the store in a huff. I kind of wanted to cry out right then, "YOU DON"T GET IT, YOU HAVE AN A CUP!! I CAN"T WEAR ANY OL' BRA!! SHUT UP!"

That leads me to the Dollar Bookstore. Love this place. I don't think I've gone in there without walking away with a large armful of books I had to think twice about buying. But, c'mon they are each only a dollar! And books are magical.

When I walked out, I imagined all the characters and joy inside the pages I was buying. I bought a few Young Adult books for my cousin. Some books I thought she should have in her collection. I had been talking about this one book at work, so I bought 2 copies of it for my co-workers. I sat down last night and started to read one and noticed a transcription on the inside of the front cover...this is what it said.

This is one of my favorite books because it reminds me of my feelings when I had just turned 15 and went to live with Janet Mumford and her family in my beloved Laguna Beach for the entire summer of 1968. It was like living a whole lifetime in one summer.

That's all it says. No name, no date, nothing. I loved that. This book found ME. It chose ME. So sorry co-workers, this one's mine copy to keep.

That's the magic of used books. They are well loved. Finding writing or notes within books is a little slice of life, a slice of something beautiful.

I'm going to keep buying used books.

It's only funny because it has SOME amount of truth

Paranoia

paranoia |ˌparəˈnoiə|
noun
a mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance, typically elaborated into an organized system. It may be an aspect of chronic personality disorder, of drug abuse, or of a serious condition such as schizophrenia in which the person loses touch with reality.
• suspicion and mistrust of people or their actions without evidence or justification : the global paranoia about hackers and viruses.

From a quiz on Tickle.com

You are a Sporty Girl

Which Spice Girl are you? That's easy — Sporty Spice! Fit, energetic, and ready to go for a bike ride or head out for a weekend backpacking trip on a moment's notice, you probably have more old trophies than your brother. Not to mention a closet full of athletic gear that you actually use. Your uniform is a sports bra and running shorts, and guys find you irresistible in sweats with your hair in a ponytail. Men love your tolerance for sporting events and can't believe you're willing to watch a game or two on TV. Spontaneous and open, you're friendly but not intentionally flirty. When you're on someone's team, he can't help but feel like a champ.

Wha? Sporty eh...ooook...not really...but okkk...

Pot Luck Pro??

9, originally uploaded by icmags.

I took a Design quiz here:
http://mydeco.com/imagini/test/

And came out with the Pot Luck Pro distinction...hmmm... Here's what it's supposed to mean:

Your home certainly stands out from your neighbours'! There's nothing average or ordinary about the place, and that's just the way you like it. You have a maverick approach to interior design and decoration, gleaning ideas, inspiration and objects from the unlikeliest of places. Over the years, though, this has synthesised into something unmistakably 'you'. No one dares tell you how to furnish your home: you've got your own set of unique guidelines and that's all that matters.

Living Room

You go for a fusion of styles that express your taste and personality. In the wrong hands, an eclectic approach can end up looking like a living room of leftovers. The great thing is that anything goes (well, almost). The challenge is to seamlessly pull everything together. Build up the elements of the room around key pieces of furniture, and exercise some discipline: lucky dips are all well and good, but what if you end up with the proverbial bad penny? By accessorising the room with broadly retro-style pieces you can help pull the look together without ruining the impact of key pieces of furniture. Bold splashes of colour indicate a confident sense of style, while glamorous prints and patterns are fun and stylish. Make comfort the priority in your living room: it's where you naturally go to watch TV, relax and de-stress.

Bedroom

You're in retro heaven in your bedroom. Sleep is fundamentally important to our well being. In busy towns and cities, noise can often hamper a good night's sleep. Soft furnishings really do absorb sound, and touch is such an important sense in the bedroom, from crisp, linen sheets to wool or even sheepskin underfoot. You show a quirky sense of style in your bedroom, using light, bright colours to create a refreshing retreat that's easy on the eye.

Dining Room

You're a clean slate waiting for a dash of spice. Different meals and types of food lend themselves to different styles of dining. Think about how you live your life and even the sorts of places where you like to eat out, and use these to create a dining area that suits your needs and reflects your personality. When it comes to entertaining, you like to make an effort for family and friends.

Home Office

A little of what you fancy does you good -- even when you're working. Gone are the days when the home PC was the preserve of nerdy geeks. These days, most of us need a home office: a simple table and chair in one corner of the room with adjustable task lighting and adequate filing is all it takes (and may be all the space you can afford). Your innate sense of style will probably lead you to creating a work space that's as individual as the rest of your home. Just bear in mind basic ergonomic principles, especially when choosing a desk and chair.

Conclusion

You revel in the juxtaposition of furnishings and objects that have caught your eye. Who needs rules when you've got great style?

True story.

I agree.

Back to work.

The Best Damn Daily Show ever!

Brian Wiliam + kick ass election coverage promo + opening headlines = kick ass-ness!

JB in the House!

Jonas Brothers Fan I, originally uploaded by odibusmacsimus.

I recently learned how to play "Burning Up" on my guitar.

Sue me.

I like it. ;)


And i have to admit, c'mon how ADORABLE is Nick Jonas? And Joe? AND KEVIN! Makes me want to set them up on dates with my cousins...;)

Be Ira Glass!

Be Ira Glass!, originally uploaded by frank-c.

Our cable offer recently ran it's course, Shannon renegotiated with Charter to get us Showtime for roughly the same price we were paying before our offer ran out.

I've been watching "This American Life" on-demand. LOOOOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE this series.

I can't even begin to explain.

I just watched the first 2 from the second season, well episodes 6 and 7 I think. The first episode entitled "Escape" is all about people trying to retreat away from where they are. The second "Two Wars" is the one I loved the most. This one made me smile, laugh, cry, concerned, and also made me want to take a stand.

THAT"S GOOD TELEVISION!

CHEERS IRA, CHEERS!

I have so much I want to blog about!

Oh my goodness...so much to blog about, so little time.

First of all a rant:
I went to the Americana today in Glendale...big outdoor-type mall/theme park celebrating shopping and consumerism. I spent what was probably too much money in H&M there. I pulled out my parking ticket - ya know...the kind that they give you upon entering - and the cashier's response was this: "Oh, we don't validate."
"WHAT?! WHAT do you mean!? I parked here...yes you validate."
"No actually, we don't."
"I parked here in the Americana Parking Lot, you must validate! Your store is IN THE AMERICANA!"
"Well, we don't validate."
Me: *FUMING* "I JUST SPENT BLANK DOLLARS HERE AND YOU CAN"T VALIDATE MY PARKING?!"

SO I walked over to Barnes and Nobles and bought an Iced Tea for $2 and got my parking validated by the Cafe inside the bookstore...which...which...is even a store INSIDE another...and they freakin' Validate?! WTF H&M?!

And then...the cashier at H&M wouldn't accept my American Express Credit Card. ????

I am YELPING that.

So annoying.

Another thing...on a totally and completely different subject...maybe I'll just post another entry for this one because it has a COMPLETELY different tone and subject matter.