October 2011

The End of an Era

One sunny June morning, I believe it’s been three years ago now, I stood in line for hours to get myself a new iPhone.  Well, it was a good run, but every time there was an update, particularly after the 4 came out, my poor little phone just got slower and more insecure about its place in my life.  Even though it was safely ensconced in its OtterBox, safe from most dirt, small amounts of water, and endless falls, little iPhone knew that its time would eventually come.

The announcement that there was no iPhone 5 coming just yet sealed the fate of little iPhone.  We started looking around to see how we could upgrade and make it to 2011.  Changing carriers wasn’t really an option since we’re grandfathered in to having unlimited data for a price that is less than what new customers get for the largest data plan (which still isn’t very much).  I really believe that AT&T doesn’t carry a lot of smartphones because they just think that everyone will fall in line for the iPhone.  Well, for this consumer (and her husband), you’re DEAD WRONG, AT&T.

We searched all around and read reviews and, with much trepidation on my part because I really wanted an HTC, and I might still go trade this in for one, we are now the proud owners of new Samsung Infuses.  My heart said to get the HTC Inspire because I love the display and the feel of the phone and its size.  My head, the sales rep, and my hubby said to get the Samsung because it’s newer and it should still be sweet in another year or two where they tell me the HTC will be behind the times.  This is probably the only time I wish I was with Sprint because their selection of HTC phones is phenomenal.  I also think that the HTC phones are more for social network dorks like myself.  We’ll see if I keep the Samsung.  I have 30 days to give it a test run.

Oh, did I mention that we are superior bargain hunters as well?  We all know that the sticker price on a smartphone is out and out outrageous if you’re not doing a two year contract, but the phone company subsidizes some of that cost or no one would ever buy a phone.  Let’s just say that we walked out with these phones at a deeply discounted price.  1/12 of the sticker price, about 1/4 of the two year contract price.  Plus a great warranty/insurance deal that gives a new, not refurbed, phone if needed AND two free batteries over the course of two years.  That pays for itself.  Awesome sauce.

Since I’m on a fraction kick, it’s 1/3 of the way through the month, so it’s time to look at monthly goals.

  • P90X – Doing well.  Skipped on Saturday to go to boxing though.  Probably burned more calories boxing.  Might switch this out since P90X will be here at the house always but I only have through February at the gym…not going to keep paying for that.
  • NaNoPlaMo – There is nothing currently in my outline.  I still am not considering this a fail though.  I just need to make myself sit down and get it from my head into my computer.  This book practically writes itself.
  • Zumba – Yikes! Perhaps I’ll do better on this one in the second third of the month, lol.
  • Teach/assist – One down, three to go. Will have to discuss making this goal happen with the ladies at Boulder Spirals.
  • Read – Thank goodness I read quickly and could still make this goal happen if I only start with three days left in the month.
  • Stretch – Got in two really good sessions and maybe two other smaller sessions.  I’ll count that as a win.
  • Pole – Didn’t quite make it.  Once in the studio, one day at home.  Already know this week will be better with two trips to the studio already planned.
  • No minds – This one is the most difficult.  If I were better at this one, I’d be better at the rest.  I’m a work-in-progress, what can I say?
Every morning I get an email reminding me that I should write 750 words today.  Some days, it really seems like I could write forever and never get to 750.  Today is not one of those days.  I feel like I’ve barely said anything and I’m already at 750. I wonder if that means I’m getting close to finding my writing mojo again.  That would be nice.
It would also be nice if I could manage to thin out a little around the middle, but that would probably involve not baking and I love to eat so I guess that’s that.  I’ll take my thick but flat tummy that’s so full of yummy zucchini bread (almost done with that one), cornbread (because I made chili over the weekend and damn is it good), and banana bread (next time, no walnuts..pecans instead that may or may not get pralined).  I’m again pushing maximum weight density, but I think I’ve built some more muscle.  Let’s just say that if I get up over 140, then I might have to consider no more bread for a while.
Well, my stolen time has come to an end.  I’ve gotta go pack up my stuff for lunch and work.  I pack a lunch daily so I think I deserve to buy this.  I love my team.
And with that, I bid you farewell.  Have a great Monday because it is what you make of it.  Excuse me while I go make it great.

Sorry spiders

It must be spider season.  I’ve had to (yes, had to) kill two in the last day.  Now, I’m not complaining, because in the year and almost a half that we’ve been here, I’ve seen a total of 4 spiders in the house.  There were 2 last year at about this time, and now these two.  It would be one thing if you guys were maybe right by a door, but when one of you is in the kitchen (hot water down the drain) and one of you is right by where my head would be when I’m doing floorwork during P90X (shoe smash), you just gotta go.  What if it crawled into my hair?!?!  I might never find it, lol.

Last night I taught my second class at Boulder Spirals.  It was an absolute blast!  I’m getting comfy with being in front of the ladies and teaching and everyone is rockin’ receptive.  Of course, I still have things to work on as I’ll always have things to work on, but I feel like in another couple of months, I’ll just be crushing it.  Also, I’m bringing back leg warmers.  In the classes I’m teaching, we don’t really need that part of the leg for grip, so I’m wearing them.  I think a trip to American Eagle or some online shopping is in my near future.  I can’t help myself.  I like to be cute.  And that’s something that I NEVER thought I would say.

Oooh, yeah.  As a group, we’re working on getting that damned front split.  It’s good though, as it’ll make me want it more.  I’m a little competitive like that.  Stretching is in the goals.  Perhaps I get that split by Halloween.

Work is just so worky!  Crazy things are going on and they’re still just gonna get nuttier.  But, my replacement is picking up everything very quickly.  I was thinking I would come home today and put up the pole or maybe go do some boxing, but then I remember we have a work thing from 4-6.  Fun!  Beer!

Well, time to go.  Have a fantastic day, folks!

Going strong

I was just wondering if someone out there might do me a solid and add a couple more hours to the day.  In return, I promise to put them towards reaching my October goals.  I swear that I won’t use them for sleeping, Facebook, or Twitter.  Only for reading, stretching, or choreographing a class, be it Zumba or pole.  I’ll be waiting.  You can reply here.

It’s a good thing that I love my job because it gets crazier by the moment.  Yesterday, in combination with four meetings, I started training my replacement. Apparently, it wasn’t widely known that she was starting today.  Umm, oops?  I don’t think that it’s my responsibility to make those sorts of announcements.  Which is why I didn’t.  Surprise!

There are some other things in the works regarding the goings on at work, but they aren’t definite just yet.  Let’s just say that I may have more than originally thought, sooner than originally planned.  At least they like to keep me busy and they respect my fresh.  Any time that I have even an inkling of disappointment or disgust, I just remember where I was a mere two years ago and that makes me overwhelmingly happy to have what I have now as opposed to the nightmare I had then.  Pass the peanut butter.

About those October goals…..P90X is still going swimmingly (I just wanted to use that word).  Into week 2 now and feeling good.  I won’t lie, I was extremely sore over the weekend. Between doing legs and then a gazillion pull-ups, I was walking around looking like, oh, um, Frankenstein.  Oddly enough, the only thing that fixed me was getting back to the exercise on Monday.  (I know there’s scientific reason behind this, tyvm have a cookie.)

Day 4 of the month and I’m tackling 1/4 of my pole teaching goal.  I revamped my class structure to make it a little more up-tempo and a little bit more difficult in the stretching and conditioning.  “This is Level 2, people.  Come on!” ~ that’s my Tony Horton impression.  Since I’m poling today, I’ll get one of my stretch days in today.  I’d like to get a class in as well, where I do work on my skills, but that may not be in the cards for today.  I do still have to put together a playlist.  We’re either going 80s Hip-Hop and R&B or Hair Metal.  Bwahahahaha, my musical tastes are ridiculous.

Reading is going slowly because one of the books is just a difficult read. The writer writes like I do…too many damn words to say things.  At least I’m not as repetitive as she is though. I hope.  I will still finish the both before the end of the month.

Zumba, I hope to work on you this weekend.  But there’s housecleaning and yard work to be done also.  Why is it again that I can’t clone myself?

Alas, my time has run out for this brain dump.  Until later….

Hello, October!


I love the first day of the month.  Why?  It’s new contacts day.  Putting in brand new contacts feels like they just aren’t even there except that I can see.

First of the month is also a great time to make some goals.  New Year’s resolutions never work for me (or anyone else, probably), so I’m going to go with just some things I want to accomplish in October.

  •  Continue on with the P90X.  One week in and I’m going strong.  Strong and sore.
  • NaNoPlaMo – otherwise known as National Novel Planning Month.  I’ll be trying to head on back to Mrs. C’s eigth grade English class to outline the book I’ll be writing in November.
  • Zumba – I need to put together at least one class so I could sub in emergencies.
  • Teach/assist at least 4 classes
  • Read two books that have been sitting on my shelf.  Both start with ‘w’.
  • Stretch!  Try for 3 times a week.
  • Pole.  Home or studio, but at least 3 times a week.
  • No minds
This is  probably a ridiculous amount of things to try to accomplish in a month, but, as I was recently told and will paraphrase to fit here, I need to just do and stop thinking so much.  I’m off to do.