Currently looking forward to: Visiting Traverse City over Labor Day weekend; cooler temperatures for running; and seeing some beautiful fall foliage in the coming weeks. I enjoy the transition of summer into fall.
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I was also very inspired by some of the great music I heard at the Broadway in Chicago concert this past Monday. I'm planning on downloading a few new songs from 42nd Street; Carole King; and Cabaret.
Currently reading: Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll. It was one of a few selections considered by my book club this month. We ended up going with The Rosie Project instead (my cursory thoughts on it are here). However, I thought Luckiest Girl Alive sounded intriguing so I decided to read it on my own.
The book touches a LOT of issues. At the outset, I didn't like the main character. It was to the point that I considered DNF-ing the book! But I pushed through, and was really glad I did. The character development became more and more insightful as the story progressed.
Currently craving: Cheese-laden dishes. [Best Forrest Gump imitation:] Cheese pizza, cheesy lasagna, enchiladas with cheese, cheesy nachos, grilled cheese sandwiches, cheese and crackers...
Currently drinking: Water, straight-up, maybe with a little bit of lemon juice.
For a long time, I had cut way back on my orange juice consumption (this is for various reasons). But I have to admit I am starting to revert back to my old ways here and there...
Currently experimenting with: Coconut oil. (As per usual, I jumped on a food trend bandwagon very late in the game.) Someone told me that coconut oil is terrific in pancakes and baked goods, and I definitely agree! I am a huge fan of the tropical scent, too.
Currently annoyed by: Customer service representatives who are supremely inefficient and unhelpful; and who operate in ways that are completely nonsensical. No further comment.
Currently wishing: I could go to Disney. I know it sounds cheesy (not to be confused with the cheese cravings I mentioned above). I've heard about future Disney offerings from the D23 Expo. These include new Star Wars features; the opening of Soarin' Around the World (instead of just California); and a new nighttime show at Animal Kingdom called Rivers of Light, etc., etc. It all sounds amazing!!!
I've also been getting updates about the Wine and Dine Half Marathon and other upcoming RunDisney events. Now I am wishing I was registered!
Currently in disbelief that: The Chicago Cubs hold the second wild-card playoff spot in the National League and are competing heavily for the first. I am shocked at how well they've played down the stretch. It'll be interesting to see if they can keep this up. (Never mind the anxiety it is causing Adam as a Pirates fan. He is experiencing his first-ever baseball fan conflict in Chicago!)
Can you imagine the mayhem if the Back to the Future prediction comes true???
Love this!! I just downloaded that book and it is in my queue. We had an hilarious customer service experience yesterday at MIA (well 2)... we went to AA customer service to ask to be put on the standby list for an earlier flight. The woman punched a bunch of keys on her computer and said "you are at Gate 5, I don't know what you want." Um, I WANT to be put on the standby list b/c there is no one at the gate to take my name AS I SAID. Then she said "well, that costs $75." Um, I am Gold, thus it is free. Sheesh. Hope you get your mojo back! I can't see you as lethargic! It's the weather, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Erica! Let me know what you think of the book after you finish it!!! When I got into the meat of the story, I was stunned. Yikes on that AA customer service incident. Sadly, that seems pretty typical of all U.S.-based airlines, with the exception of Southwest. Also add utility companies and large banks to that list! Thank you for the kind words on my lethargy and I very much hope that you're right about the weather being a big factor!!!
DeleteI hope you are having a fabulous time in Colombia - can't wait to hear more details!!!
I am not looking forward to fall bc after fall comes winter....Yuck! I don't mind summer and the heat. I wish I could go to Disney too. I have to wait til marathon wkend in January though. I love cheese as well..... Any kind!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the fear of winter coming shortly after fall! Hopefully it won't be as bad this year as it has been in years past, despite the conflicting predictions from the Farmer's Almanac and whatnot. Ahhhh, so excited for you to go to Disney for the Disney Marathon!!! It's on my to-do list to be there that weekend one of these years. YAY for us cheese-lovers across the world!!!
DeleteWant to join me at Brooklyn Boulders? I get guest passes. That would certainly change up your workout routine for a day at least!
ReplyDeleteI would love to cook with coconut oil more often but Jason says it smells bad and he doesn't believe that it's good for you. So, no coconut oil in our house.
Great suggestion, Erin - thank you so much! You just reminded me that I received a few guest passes to Brooklyn Boulder myself from an event a few months ago. I completely forgot about them and it would be terrific to redeem them!!!
DeleteJason thinks coconut oil smells bad, eh? That is a bummer! What oil do you use instead? Olive oil or canola oil?
MMMMmmmm.... cheese.
ReplyDeleteDid I mention I ordered frozen deep dish pizza for delivery by mail?
Cuz I did!!
(Sharing with company coming into town this weekend)
Cheese, glorious cheese!!!
DeleteOoooooh, frozen deep dish pizza at your doorstep? OH YES!!! What kind did you get? I know there are a few different places that do nationwide delivery. One of my coworkers sells frozen Lou Malnati's every year to help her daughter fundraise for their school, and I always buy a couple. You never know when the craving might hit!!! Your guests are going to be so happy!!! =D
Seriously, it is this crazy and hot weather. I hope you feel better. Oh, and that is a good song. Definitely one to add to a running playlist.
ReplyDeleteThanks Zenaida - I really hope so! It sounds like you've been having a very strong marathon training cycle this year, even despite the ridiculous heat and humidity. Rock on!!!
DeleteGlad you like the song, too! I've had it running through my mind all day since I tested the video for posting here. =)
I used to LOVE Shut Up and Dance With Me, late last year/early this year. Now I associate that song with my ex-boyfriend (I liked the song before I met him, but he really liked the song, too), so whenever I hear it, it now makes me ragey haha. Ah, life.
ReplyDeleteI DNF-ed a book this week. I very, very rarely DNF a book, but this one was so, so painful that I dreaded reading it. I figured that was as good of a reason as any to cut my losses and move on to something else. When you get 150 pages into a 272-page book and you STILL haven't gotten to what, according to the description on the dust cover, is the main conflict, I think you have a major problem.
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions
Awwww, what a bummer that the song has bad associations with your ex. I can definitely relate. Many years back, there was this R. Kelly song that I really liked, but I developed an association with it to an ex, too. For years and years afterwards, I couldn't stand listening to it. I would always change the channel whenever it came on the radio, etc. Ah, life indeed.
DeleteWhich book did you DNF? On the spectrum of book-DNFing, I think I am little closer to the higher range compared to most. I've had the experience of progressing very far into a book and not yet getting to the main conflict, and it is frustrating. I also dislike when an author spends 90% of the book building up to the conflict, then suddenly resolving everything all at once in the end. There are some TV shows like that, too, (NCIS is one of the biggest offenders, in my mind).
I am late to the game about coconut oil too - just started to experiment with it! And yay about the Cubs! I'm still not really sure I believe it... but it's awesome! ha
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo for coconut oil!!! I love it, but I do have to admit I think it looks a little unappetizing when it is in its solid form. It's much better in liquid form. =)
DeleteTo rephrase the famous song, "Go Cubs go, go Cubs go, hey Chicago whadya say..."
Running in Traverse City on Labor Day weekend sounds awesome. Here's to fall colors and cooler weather!
ReplyDeleteThanks Pete!!! Cheers to fall colors and cooler weather, indeed! Fall always makes me think of the Chicago Marathon, too. Tis the season for marathon running!!! =)
DeleteTraverse City will be divine! I love everything about Pure Michigan in fall. Good running to be had there! My FIL says he can die once the Cubs win the World Series, so I'm definitely conflicted.
ReplyDeleteI get so sentimental when I see those beautiful Pure Michigan commercials on TV with the music! Michigan is heavenly in the fall, indeed. I've heard a lot of folks say they can die once the Cubs win the World Series!!! It's sad to think about how many millions of people have gone through their entire lifetimes without witnessing one. There might be five people left in the whole world who were alive for the last one!?!?!?
DeleteCheese is good! Ahhh.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I looked, the WDW marathon in January still had spaces. I'll be there! Come on!
I am really surprised that the WDW marathon hasn't sold out yet! I don't think I have the motivation to train for the full, but I am intrigued by the idea of potentially running the half... I'll keep an eye on their registration numbers. =) It would be awesome to catch up with you there!!!
DeleteYour Labor Day weekend is going to be amazing! I'll be in Michigan too, back in my hometown for my baby shower! I'm currently on hold for The Rosie Effect. I want to read it so bad!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Katie!!! Maybe at book club next week I can get some of your Traverse City recommendations!?!?!? Your Labor Day weekend is going to be amazing, too! You must be so excited for your hometown baby shower! I've got The Rosie Effect on reserve at the library, as well. =D
DeleteI"m feeling a little burnt out too. But I think this cooler weather is just what I need to love running again!
ReplyDeleteAhhhh, Wendy, this morning has felt so glorious!!! It was such a wonderful reminder of how fabulous the fall feels for all of us runners!!! Just what the running doctor ordered. =)
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