Day 2 - Walk It Off

Another rough day for my wedding weight loss challenge.  Normally, my Sundays are spent lazily reading in the morning, then finishing up chores to prepare for the work week (this weekend, I started The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest and it would have been super easy to spend all day on the sofa with this book).  Today, however, began with a World Cup Finals party at Blake and Lamanda's place.  So, another day of early drinking and shenanigans.  I slept it off early this evening, then walked it off for 30 minutes with Pace in the Barton Hills neighborhood.  (Lindsey = 2; Laziness = 0)

Day 2: 30 minutes walking through Barton Hills

Taken alone, the 30 minutes spent walking through my neighborhood wouldn't seem like much...but take into consideration the fact that I was slightly hung over from drinking too many wine spritzers early in the day, and I'm feeling pretty pleased with myself.  It would have been so much easier to nap on the couch in the A/C.  Plus...Pacers got in on the exercise today...and loved it!  (He's still happily panting on the hardwood floors...cooling off underneath the fan).  Two days down...100 to go!

Day 1 - Getting My Feet Wet

So, day 1 of the wedding challenge went about as expected for a Saturday (remind me why I didn't start this thing on Monday???).  While I spent most of the day lounging on the sofa, watching Avatar or in front of this computer researching honeymoon destinations (Tahiti, Bora Bora)...I did actually manage to log in my activity for the day.

Day 1: 20 minutes of laps in the pool

Even though I only put in 20 minutes, I was quite proud of myself for following through today.  It would have been much easier to continue sipping mimosas in the sun, and trust me, the thought crossed my mind.  Not bad for a Saturday!

Wedding Challenge

So, it's 113 days until the "big day," and I still have lots of work to do to get in shape for my wedding gown.  The summers in Austin always lead to a bit of weight gain for me...I can't resist sipping margaritas on a patio somewhere with chips and salsa...which inevitably leads to the skipping of my morning workout routine.  Increased alcohol calorie consumption + too much Tex Mex = 10 pounds to lose in less than 4 months.

The challenge:  Lose 10 pounds in the next 112 days and firm up to look super fab on my wedding day.
The plan:  Engage in some sort of physical activity every day and log my calorie intake every day.  And, of course, blog about it.

112 days.
10 pounds.
1 dress.

I start my adventure tomorrow.  Wish me luck!

When We Were Young

You had gone away for college, and I was still home.  It was a school night for Jeff, but we were out and about.  We hopped in the lizard and headed to town to buy beverages.  At that time, I didn't really drink, so I opted for some Zima, and you grabbed a 6 of whatever lite beer the small town convenient store proffered. 

We went cruising...my first exposure to Radiohead.  I don't remember if it was OK Computer, or The Bends, or both...but I was mezmorized.  And, for the first time, I felt like we were in this thing together...like I wasn't alone.  Drive drive drive.  Through town and to the next.  Bottle caps tossed quickly and without apology...out the window.  We headed to the cornfields...the spot where only 2 years earlier I had learned to drive stick shift.  Where the high school kids would party after football games and we all knew to flash our lights twice as we approached the spot...as to not scare off all our under-aged drinking friends. 

This night it had been raining for days, and the fields were muddy.  We sloshed along in your 4 cylinder truck...slowly...happily.  Until, the wheels continued to spin, but we sat still.  Stuck...and had to call our little brother, awaken from his slumber to tug us out with his Jeep.  To tug us out of that moment...when we drove...when we listened.  When nothing mattered but the music and the open air.  To our parents' divorce.  To the fact that no success in our college courses could ever compensate for the fact that we would never learn.  Not really.  Not what mattered.  It was only a moment.  But it's what I keep.  I've always loved my brothers...but this was one of the first times I knew that you understood what it was like to come from our family...what it meant to always try but never quite get it.  From that day forward, I listen.  I keep listening.

Encore!

I know you just finished listening to "Like Ice In Water," as I recommended in my post a few minutes ago.  So, why not move on to my next favorite - "Endings."  Before you know it, you'll be in love with The Rocketboys, just like me.

Encore!!!

Encore?

M-W online defines the word encore as "a demand for repetition or reappearance made by an audience."  Sounds to me like the owners of the new Austin music venue, Encore (611 Red River St), missed the mark when they were naming their new bar.  I ventured out to the locale for the first time last Friday, and I can tell you, there will be no demand for repetition coming from me...and you can count me out for reappearance at this venue.

I bought VIP tickets for the Simple Massive Release - to check out one of my new favorite bands - The Rocketboys.  I should have known something was slightly off when the bartender working the VIP bar was pouring our free beer with 1/2 glass full of head (too much pump, not enough pour from that keg).  I was willing to overlook that - the beer was "free" with the extra $15 spent on VIP tix - and the bartender was a sweetie, so we can move on to the real issue.  About 3 songs into the Rocketboys' set, the power on the speakers went out, thus interrupting the show for at least 30 minutes (we left after 30 minutes because my fiance had to work the following morning, and there didn't appear to be much progress on the speaker situation).

Although I was super disappointed in this lame ass venue, what little I did hear from the Rocketboys was great.  Lucky for me, these guys are located in Austin now, so odds are in my favor that I'll have an opportunity to see them again.  If you haven't checked out their music yet, it's a must have album for 2010.  "Like Ice In Water" is currently my favorite.  If you are a member to Paste digital downloads, you can get a copy of their album for free.  If not, check it here: 20,000 Ghosts

With that, I'm signing off.

March Madness

Aah, March in Austin.  It's sunny...it's cool...music fills the air and people hit the streets once again.  My bike has been calling to me all week, and I think she'll get a little tune up this weekend to prepare for the many rides to come.  What a wonderful time for my little outdoorsy heart!  So, for today...3 things:

1.  Red's Porch is the new Uncle Billy's.  Okay, here's the thing...I LOVE Uncle Billy's.  They brew their own beer (and make a damn good pale ale), they are walking distance from my condo, and they allow my awesome dog on the patio.  It's great if you want to share a locally brewed pitcher on the patio with your favorite pooch.  Even though I'm not a big fan of BBQ (especially overpriced BBQ) the beer is so good, I was even willing to overlook the fact that they blocked me on Twitter (I wasn't stalking them...promise!).  Then, I made a discovery - Red's Porch on South Lamar.  No, I can't walk there (but I can drive and only have to go through 1 stoplight), and Pacer can hit the porch with me.  Add the outstanding view, super yummy spinach salad, and the fact they have New Belgium's Ranger IPA on tap...and I'm completely sold.  I'm not saying goodbye to Uncle Billy's for good...we just need a break.  And, Red's Porch is my rebound.
2.  SXSW - no, you don't need a wristband.  The truth?  I've never purchased a wristband for SXSW.  I know, as a self proclaimed music junkie, I should be ashamed of myself!  But, here's the thing...you really just don't need one.  Sure, I was disappointed last year when I couldn't see St. Vincent play at the awesome church venue that everyone was talking about...and yes, I'm sure I missed out on loads of other shows.  But...this is Austin, people...and the bands you missed out on will surely come back soon to play a $15 show at Emo's or Mohawk, anyway (with longer sets!).  I can still spend 4 days riding my bike downtown, enjoying copious amounts of free music and beer (the day shows at Club Deville and Mohawk have yet to be topped I must say) without an official wristband.  From Spoon to Ice Cube...the Rosebuds to Port O'Brien...and my favorite little Swedish gem, Jens Lekman...I've seen it all without spending a dime on entry fees!  This year, I'm stoked about Saturday's lineup on Auditorium Shores!  With bands like Deer Tick and She and Him...what more do you need?  I'll be on the hunt for free shows featuring Rogue Wave and Surfer Blood, as well.  And who knows...the best shows are sometimes the ones you stumble upon randomly while in route to find a slice of pizza to help soak up the free beer you've been drinking all afternoon.  Keep your wristbands...I'll go my own way.
3.  Surfer Blood - my springtime crush.  I'm going to be completely honest here...I stumbled upon this band by mistake.  I had just returned from Hawaii, and I'm completely addicted to Amazon mp3, so naturally I was online searching for Hawaiian music to fill my iPod and take me back to the island where I was engaged.  So, when I came across an album by a band called Surfer Blood, I was immediately drawn in.  While the music is definitely not Hawaiian, the name took me back...way back to January and the 5 minutes or so I spent attempting to surf before deciding that I'd rather lie on the beach with a beer in my hand.  I can't seem to stop listening to this amazing indie rock alblum.  Those who know me know that I don't have a knack for describing music...just listening to and collecting it.  When I hear this band, I think a little Animal Collective (but more catchy), and maybe some Rogue Wave and early Weezer.  Just take my word for it people...it's super cool, and the perfect addition to your iPod, just in time for Spring.  And, best of all...you can download it for only $5.99.

With that...I'm signing off.  Going to crank up the SB and get back to work...and before you know it, happy hour will be here (and maybe Red's Porch, too).  xoxo