I have fifteen minutes...

• I need a new blog header. You know it, I know it, and the lack of any creative intrigue drives me nuts. I website for a living; I can't believe I've let it go on this long. Soonly! But, for what it's worth, the default image (eww, I don't know I've ever been considered default) is a picture of the Zakim bridge in Boston.

• Last night was the official kick off of for this year's half marathon training. I finally ran last year (I know, I can hardly believe it either) and lost my mind long enough to register again. But Mallory is taking her first big trip cross-country by herself to a) come visit me and b) run the Half as well! It's been so fun talking about and comparing our training. The thought of 13 miles still strikes dread in my heart, but it's fun knowing one of my sisters is coming to be crazy with me as well.

• While at work yesterday I committed myself to running five miles. My first major run of the year and I'm quite pleased with how well it went. I'm listening to a book on my ipod ("Hunger Games") and it's a rather fantastic way to pass the time mindlessly. I'm in better shape than I thought I was -- I ran my fast split maybe ever. Why?

• Not sure if you know what Zumba is, but you really should find out. The easiest way for me to describe it is a latin-ballroom dance cardio linedance class at our gym. The best part is the company. There are six of us gals who routinely attend (3-5 of us each time) and I literally can't quit smiling when we're there. I've never, ever, ever, ever been so sweaty in my whole life. (Not even here.) This is the week I break out the sweatband because the sweat keeps getting in my eyes. Are you sicked out yet? It's fairly amazing. I'll convert you all yet, I promise.

• Twice this week, a Christmas song has hit a random shuffle of iTunes. I've let it play both times.
  

• I'm an adult (I think), but I'm pretty sure I shouldn't be allowed to make my own food choices. The eight-year-old version of me would be head-over-heels for this v27, but I'm pretty sure I need to hire a personal assistant to be in charge of my food. And my shoes. I have a rough time with shoe selection.
  

• Remember when I used to blog about the Celtics all the time? Those were the days. Lest you think I've forgotten about the guys in green, I'm headed to the Garden tonight. The game is against the Knicks who were totally bottom of the barrel until the trade deadline last Thursday and now they own the likes of T-Mac, and Nate Robinson (Kryptonate!) is now wearing green and playing against his old team and half of you have quit reading this paragraph and have moved on. But here's the nugget for those of you who soldiered through: I like to think there are blessings for righteous living scattered all over the place.

• My 15 minutes are up, I'm running to catch the T, meet up with a visiting bestie for dinner and then to the Gaaaaaaaaahden. Oh man I love my life today.
  

And my hair looks good. That's always an upper, yah?

Celtics > Jazz

I can't debate the merits of one musical genre over the other, but when it comes to basketball, the Celtics played a more lively, up-tempo game while the Jazz looked discordant, out of harmony, and out of rhythm. Linda and I had such a blast--we even made it on the jumbotron! (Thanks green hats, you were easy to spot.) We celebrated the C's fifteenth win in a row with a late night Big Gulp and run to the Bell. The *perfect night for my last night in Boston.

*Linda's was almost perfect, save the nachos she stepped in during the 4th quarter while having her photo taken. Sorry L.
**Sorry that photo of me is so big. Picasa collages (FTW!) are the greatest, but are sometimes a bit finicky about rotating out photos of manual sizes. I guess you'll have to deal with staring at my braids.

No one loves December as much as I do

And now, a break from your regularly scheduled cruise recaps....

If I don't blog about the first week in December this very second, I'll never do it at all. I love December. Every. single. thing. about. it. It also helps that I have a holiday birthday -- I love that too. What else to love this December? The parents, Kendall, and Mallory came to visit. Hel-LO fun.

We did what we do best on vacation -- shop and eat. And then I took them to do what I love best to do. The girls thugged it up Celtics-style. My Dad was true to his homeland and rooted for the Blazers. Don't worry, they still lost.

Just like that, the family was gone, and it's the 8th day of December. And all rejoiced with pumpkin pie, cheeseball, and the glory of seeing a sequined, argyle sweatshirt. (Lemme know if you want to borrow.) The white elephant gift exchange was a success; and a rousing rendition of "All I Want for Christmas" performed. Many, many thanks to all the emails, calls, texts, e-cards, f-book shout-outs, twitters, and in-person visits.

Now come over for some pie and cheeseball, there's more left than Linda or I could possibly consume.

PS -- get used to seeing these photo spreads. Picasa upgraded their collage spread, and photos just got oh so much easier to display. Try one, you'll get hooked.

Boston is a Brotherhood

Yesterday, Mallory posted a video that made her tear up. Today is my turn.



Tomorrow night. Opening Game.

Thousands and thousands of words

Opening the Windows

Apologies my friends for the limited updates in the last few days. My work has cracked down on personal internet usage, so I’m being more judicious with my time spent on Blogger. I’ll give you the quick, quick, quick weekend update.

I got bangs. Now I sort of feel like Julie Taylor. If you get the reference—I love you. If you don’t, I tried; I really did.

My camera battery charger is still missing. That’s why these photos are of the utmost quality! Camera phones are great and all, but truly, they’ll only fill the void of a high-res photo for so long.




Julie, Mike, Bryce and I attended the Boston Celtics season opener on Friday night. It was glorious. The Celts solidly beat the Wizards by 20—KG had 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 5 assists. He’s ridiculously amazing. Because I’m a season ticket holder, this lovely sign was waiting on my seat. I think I’ll bring that to work.

But really, the game was all kinds of crazy. I’ve been in the Garden for concerts before, but it was fantastically awesome to see the Celts play on the storied parquet floor and be a part of the full return of Celtic pride. (The Celts beat the Raptors on a Ray Allen 3-point buzzer beater in OT last night, so the Celts are 2-0.) I’mmmmmmm excited!

Because of Hurricane Noel, it rained and rained and rained on Saturday. It was crazy wet everywhere. After sleeping in (ohhhhhh Heaven), I went to Costco, the Dollar Store, and found the Urban Superstore. Think a completely thugged-out Ross or TJ Maxx. Jerseys, sweat-suits, shoes, Baby Phat, Timberlands… It. Was. Awesome. That might just be on my tourist list now. I always wondered where those clothes came from…and for such discounted prices! I’m especially sad I didn’t get to dress up as a gangster for Halloween…

The rest of the weekend was spent eating. Thai, pancakes, Mexican, oatmeal cookies, pumpkin pie… don’t worry. I brought my gym clothes to work today. I’m going to the gym! The triumphant return!!! Mostly, I’m tired of feeling guilty while watching the Biggest Loser on Tuesday nights.

OH. And, I’m having a commuting miracle lately. I decided to give the more expensive Express Bus a try. Hot Dang. I am a happy camper. No more transfer, transfer, transfer. On the Express Bus, I always get a seat, there’s no herky-jerky stop, start, stop, start… it’s basically Awesome. With a capital A. I think someone must have known I was at the end of my rope. That and several other windows continue to open! Isn’t it a miracle?!

AND, I'm meeting my most wonderous fam in NYC in ten days. Then, a Boston-based Thanksgiving. I am loving this time of year. WINDOWS people!