Random

So I have a few things to say, but they don't relate at all so hold on for an assortment of thoughts! First up, we're going to discuss gym etiquette, or why the fuck are you doing that in a gym?! Granted it's January so we know it's ripe time for amateur hour. On Monday though, ALL of these egregious things were committed in the weight room.
1. Woman doing Jazzercise in the middle of the weight room. If you're still Jazzercising like it's 1994 that's cool with me. I mean who am I to judge, but the middle of the weight room is not the place for it.
2. Wearing slippers/designer moccasins/whatever those things were to lift weights. They make sneakers for a reason so buy some and wear them to the gym.
3. Wearing cologne. I don't even need to elaborate.
4. Hanging out on a machine or a bench. This isn't your living room. Either do a set or move your ass to an open space.
5. Lifting weights that are so heavy you can't complete more than five reps and they go crashing to the ground in the middle of the fifth rep. Men are so guilty of this. It's okay. You're not that strong. Just lift lighter weights, no one else will notice. However, I do notice when 80 pounds of weights hit the ground ya poptart.

Onto the next one. Subject that is. So, there's this random bar called Ragtime near my apartment. I met up with my coworker and her boyfriend for happy hour last night. Oh my goodnessssssssss! Best happy hour ever. I am not even talking about the drinks, but the food! You can get crab legs, mussels, oysters, clams, and shrimp and they're only $3.45 per half dozen. Yesssssssssss, this is my kind of place. It's definitely my new spot on Tuesdays. You know I crushed a dozen crab legs, dozen oysters, half dozen shrimp, and 2 Sam Adams Spring Seasonals. The life.

Last random thought. I am currently obsessed with the band Stars. I especially love their song Personal. You're welcome!

Perspective

Sometimes I get down (the dancing kind), but right now I am talking the depressing down. I guess that's a stupid thing to say because who isn't down sometimes? However, there are times (this past week for example) where it's hard for me to put my life in perspective and pull myself out of it. I know how to do it; you have to fake it until you make it, but sometimes I just let myself spiral into misery.

Well I got some perspective today from a neutral source, and as always it really helped. My friends (love them) gave me awesome advice this week too, but sometimes it's hard to really hear what they're saying. I mean I hear it, and I know they're right, but I don't really want to hear it. I guess sometimes I just want to have a pity party and thankfully my friends generally don't take part in that, as they really should not. I do have one friend who is particularly good about listening to my whining, while also giving good advice that is spot on.

So with that being said, my life is not bad--I have a great job, tons of amazing friends, family, a place to live, car, and more. I need to remember to be in the moment and focus on the now, not yesterday, tomorrow, or years down the road. It doesn't matter. We cannot change any of that, but we can make things happen TODAY.

My biggest problem right at this moment is whether I should go out or not tonight. So I'd say things are pretty good!

Music

I love music. All kinds. I want to write something, but I can't think of anything worthwhile to say. Truth is, I'm kind of down and it would just be a negative post that might make you laugh, cry, or both. (Everything is fine.) So I have just been listening to a lot of music from these artists below and I'm going to post four of my current obsessions. Just a warning: the first three are kind of downers, but the fourth is very upbeat and positive!

Cosign

I went to a few places this weekend, which I'll cosign on for you people. First, Friday night I had a massage at Elizabeth Arden Red Door Spa in Pentagon Row. (There are locations all over the place so depending on where you live you might have one). I had a gift certificate for my birthday and decided to get a Swedish massage. I wish I could afford to get a massage every week because it was so relaxing and I felt great afterwards. Then I went to Trader Joe's in Clarendon. If you know me, you know I've been cosigning Trader Joe's for about 89 years. Love that place. If you live in Arlington I highly suggest you suggest out the new location because it's actually not as cramped or crowded as many of the other ones.

Next up we have Saturday night in which I went to Dupont to get a pedicure (I know, I swear I don't pamper this much normally), which was awesome because you get free wine or champagne! So while I caught up with Erin and Shawn we drank some red wine and had a nice pedicure! It's called Mimosa Salon & Spa if you're interested.

 Pure bliss

We decided to have dinner at Ping Pong Dim Sum in Dupont. If you live in DC area I highly suggest you check this place out if you haven't yet. I am sure some of you are thinking, "WTF?! Who is this amateur? I've been there a bajillion times." Well, yes this was my first time and I loved it. They have some really delicious cocktails and then a wide-range of small plates. We ordered a round of plates and then did so again two more times. It wasn't too bad price-wise either. We ended the night at MiG Bar in Adams Morgan. It was this dive, hole-in-the-wall, hipster bar. It was interesting and I guess I would go back, but it was super small. They had a good selection of beer.

On an unrelated note, this weather is ridiculous, and yes I am complaining about it. Earlier this week it was in the twenties! Then Friday and Saturday it was in the sixties?! Umm, GET IT TOGETHER mother nature. I know this sounds crazy, but I really prefer running in really cold temperatures. I ran on one of those days when it was only twenty-something out and had an awesome run. I can breathe better and the frigid temperature is a real motivator.

That brings me to my last point, which I DO NOT cosign. The day I had that awesome run was the day I suffered another indescribable heartbreak. The Hokies losing in OT in the Sugar Bowl. Yes, I know, I am one dramatic bitch, but come on! IT WAS A CATCH! And even if it wasn't there was no indisputable evidence to overturn the call. It shouldn't have come down to that one last play though. Another game that we should have bagged early on, but blew it here, there, and everywhere. I was seriously upset about it the whole next day. I think I am only now starting to get over it. Again, I know how dramatic this is and there are MUCH worse things going on in the world, but I get a little too emotionally vested in Virginia Tech football.

2012 Goals

I would say this is a post about New Year's Resolutions, but I think those are dumb. Why would you resolve to make changes at the beginning of the year when you can make a change whenever you want? On a Monday, in April, weekend, yesterday, whenever. If you're ready for change, then change. With that being said, I do want to accomplish a few things this year. This list in no particular order.

1. Double savings account and increase retirement contribution.

2. Stop spending money on things I don't need. Seriously, I used to be really good about this and I don't know what happened. Maybe it's because I make more money, but from buying coffee out to just buying a shirt I've gotten bad about it.

3. Eat more quality food, while continuing not eating low quality food. I don't mean food that is bad for you. Hello, I love cake, ice cream, chocolate, biscuits, and fries as much as the next person. What I mean is don't eat something unless it's truly good food!

4. Visit a new city/place.

5. Read more books.

6. Learn something new, both professionally and personally.

I might add onto this list.

And I'm adding.

7. Don't put so much weight on what others think. Sure, consider other people's feelings when appropriate, but do not make decisions based on what other people might think.

8. Do something new fitness related. Last year I was introduced to baptiste yoga at Dancing Mind Yoga, and it was the first time I was really able to enjoy yoga and the studio. It has so many benefits and I always feel like a new me when I finish a session.

9. Be more patient. Okay, this has been a resolution, goal, ideal, everything since like high school. I.am.so.impatient and I own it. It's not a good thing though and I really need to practice more patience in EVERY ASPECT of my life.

10. Cuss less... hahaha... maybe. I dunno, I am always trying to work on this and sometimes I catch myself. Other times I don't give a flying f... oh. So, yeah, we'll see.