Fern-tastic

I feel much better today, which convinces me further that my crappy attitude Sunday and Monday were caused by horrible nutrition. I also went to PiYo yesterday at Refinery, and that did wonders for my mood (unfortunately not my knee). But best of all - I worked in the yard.

Since buying a house in Champaign over 4 years ago, I've worked pretty much nonstop inside and out. That's okay most of the time, because it gives me a sense of satisfaction and makes me really happy. The rest of the time it makes me manic and aggravating. The weather was beautiful yesterday and I didn't feel like painting the bathroom trim - and I needed to plant the ferns my cousin gave me over the weekend. Those 8 little shoots should multiply and spread, filling two beds that desperately needed help. They look pretty great already! Everything was wonderful except for the weeding, which as usual was excessive and neverending. I've realized that even if I do my very best, the creeping charley and clover will ALWAYS win.

People were everywhere and as always, neighbors smiled and waved and actually SPOKE. I love our street. I've battled weeds and roots, rocks and _______ (insert inclement weather of your choice here) and NOTHING has been easy. But it's great therapy and exercise, and when a stranger walked by and said how great my hostas were I beamed with pride. lol

Now I have to get my act together and plant a garden. The bed of knee-high weeds has to go.

Imbalanced

Rode my scooter today! Rain - stay away!

OMG, I'm a big crab lately. I had a really great weekend with my parents but I ate so much sugar and salt that I think I'm off kilter and it's messing with my head. I'm not trying to be all foodie-preachy, but it was really ridiculous. KFC extra-crispy chicken, Taco Bell, rocky road ice cream, popcorn, jelly beans, chocolate, soda, corned beef hash, biscuits - the salmon I had Friday night (in an attempt to start off right) seems laughable now. I can't be around bad stuff - I'm unable to stay away. A fast 40-minute walk Saturday morning was great but really didn't help much.

Life has really slowed down around here, though, thank God! My goal this week is to get back into my gym routine (sciatic issues permitting) with PiYo today and maybe spinning tomorrow. That'll do a world of good for my bad attitude and blood sugar. I'm walking the Kirby Derby 5K Saturday in Monticello. : ) Can I get another PR for this one? I can walk pretty damned fast.
Sadly, I can walk faster than I run....if you've ever played our team in softball, you know exactly which one I am. I joked the other night that I'll be playing at 80, and the walker will help me move faster than I do right now.

OMG, where am I?

Can I say that I HATE how difficult Blogger can be sometimes? This entry is done and spaced all stupid, no matter what I do. Sorry if I end up giving up and it looks terrible...

I've been so stinking busy that I have totally abandoned some things, like writing in this blog. The past month or so has been just crazy - the Keyword to Cash contest has me occupied on two of our four stations, we pulled off another successful Working Women's Expo, and the 3rd annual Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon has come and gone, What else? (these were supposed to have bullets, but it wouldn't work correctly)

I've started physical therapy for a degenerated disc causing sciatica, blah blah blah.

We did a complete bathroom remodel that was wonderful but not without its complications and stresses.

My parents visited Easter weekend and I ate everything that wasn't nailed down (with the grand finale chowfest at the Holiday Inn brunch).

Parkland Concert Band ended with a great concert Sunday, and softball is in full swing two nights a week.

The weather sucks and I've barely done anything outside except mow a couple times. My garden (currently fantastically healthy weeds) is waiting to be planed...after Mother's Day. Of course I'm going home for that this weekend. Because I can't slow down, I checked out three book tapes for the occasion (have to decide en route). There's no such thing as down time with me, really.

Despite all the chaos, things are good. I walked a personal best in the half marathon Saturday - 3 hours, 10 minutes even. That beats my time last fall in Indianapolis by 4 minutes, and my time at last year's C/U race by 12!! Considering my hip/back issues with this disc, I'm thrilled. I love the Illinois Marathon so much....what a tremendous event. If you were a volunteer or enthusiastic spectator, THANK YOU. If you're the guy who was pissed on WCIA because he sat in traffic for so long, you might want to check the race guide (or listen to our pre-race broadcast) for traffic info before you drive right into the mess.

This is a pic of me and my great friend, Bettina, after we crossed the finish line together.

"Heaven in Your Eyes"

That was my Prom theme - yes, I'm pretty much putting my age out there, but that's all right. The only option to being my age is not being ANY age anymore, and between the two I'll take getting older wholeheartedly. I bring up Prom because I just had a really happy moment on the air. Our audience is mostly comprised of women in their 30s and 40s, and when you say "Prom" most either roll their eyes (overrated event) or can barely remember that night so long ago. I agree with both sentiments, personally. But today I got a super sweet email from a boy named David, asking if I could help him ask "Lori". Long story short, I went on the air and passed that on...she heard it and screamed...and said yes. : ) It's a tiny moment in my day, but will surely be a HUGE memory for both of them. That makes me really happy. I know I haven't written in a super long time, but between the Keyword to Cash contest and a bathroom remodel (starting tomorrow) at home, I'm crazy stressed and distracted. Of course my stress is nothing compared to how it must've felt to publicly ask that girl to Prom!

I miss you, Don Draper

I'm a HUGE Mad Men fan. I love everything about the critically-acclaimed show - the characters, the dialogue, the style, the unwavering attention paid to EVERY detail, and it's luxuriously slow pace. I love the drinking and smoking, I'll admit it. It's so sinful...and accurate. (Heck, I was watching Carrie last night and the gym teacher was smoking in the principal's office! Things used to be a lot different.) Mad Men is gorgeous and indulgent and amazing. The men are infuriating yet somehow charming (e.g. Roger Sterling). And don't get me started on Don Draper. OMG. It's an odd thing to say, but I really don't like watching Jon Hamm on SNL or 30 Rock. He's funny and smiles too much and it weirds me out. If you watch MM, you know what I mean. If you've never given the show a chance, get the first 4 seasons on DVD. They're all available...and you'll have PLENTY of time to catch up in time for season 5. It was finally announced that creator/producer Matthew Weiner has resolved contractual issues, and we'll get three more seasons (with no casting cuts)! Unfortunately, 5 won't start til March of 2012. Thank goodness Nostradamus isn't calling for the end of the world til December!

Wow!

If life were a yearbook and there was a "Best Nails" award, I'd win today.

I went for my 3rd manicure at BJ Grand Salon and Spa, and Lisa said I was ready for french tips. My nails have really grown a lot and while I loved the purple from last time, I think the look above is really ME. Wow! A friend at work just asked, "Are those YOUR real nails?!?" Yes, they are. For the first time in my life, all 10 are perfect. I'm telling you, if you're desperate to stop biting (so nasty), THIS is the way to do it. I've never looked down and actually seen PRETTY, feminine hands...and I'll do whatever it takes to keep them.

Really, Miley?

I've been shaking my head for the past few hours at a statement Miley Cyrus made. I typically don't pay her much attention and since I don't have kids I've never been subjected to "Hannah Montana." I realize many little girls love(d) her, and I get the whole teen idol thing. We've all worshipped stars only to laugh (or cringe) years later. I had a Shawn Cassidy iron-on t-shirt. I had Teen Beat pages taped all over my walls. If your daughter loves Miley/Hannah, I'm sorry if you're offended that I'm critical. But on USA Today's website, I couldn't miss this headline: MILEY CYRUS BITTER ABOUT REBECCA BLACK LOL! That just makes me laugh. Miley is NOT happy about Rebecca's ridiculous rise to fame after "Friday!" went viral (nearly 70 million views), and had the nerve to say, "It should be harder to be an artist." I can't even fully wrap my head around how crazy that is coming from her. I totally agree with you, Miley. And to you I say, "A person should be able to sing before they become a star."

Seaweed?

I'm exhausted today...for a sad reason. I stayed up til nearly midnight WATCHING A MOVIE. At home. I went to bed right after, but you'd think I closed the bars and then went to Merry Ann's for a gravy nightcap. I'm super tired and blah. I hope seaweed will perk me back up. I'm running over to BJ Grand Salon and Spa after work and gonna try out A Seaweed BODY MASK. I know, it's a big question mark for me too - but someone recommended it and I think it'll help get the "ick" out. Their website says that it'll help get rid of dead skin cells and release toxins, after my skin is exfoliated. I'm really curious about the seaweed wrap and wonder if I'll feel like a giant Unwich. I'll let you know! We got a complete upgrade to our operating systems at work today. Everyone has been really thrown off their routines and it makes for a bit of stress. I wish I could close the door and take a teeny nap. No one would ever need to know...

Beanies recipe

This has been copied from an email from Fooducate, a blog whose self-proclaimed goals are

• to healthify your supermarket choices
• to eliminate nutrition label confusion
• to offer independent, objective food recommendations

So here's the recipe for Black Bean Brownies:

This recipe, courtesy of celebrity chef Amanda Freitag and nutritionist Julie Barto employs… black beans. Beans are a low calorie, protein and fiber packed ingredient we could all consume more of. Here is an opportunity to enjoy beans for dessert.

Ingredients:
1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and drained very well
3 eggs
3 Tbsp canola oil
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch of salt
½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup brown sugar, packed or ¾ cup white granulated sugar
½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray an 8” x 8” baking pan with cooking spray.
In food processor, process black beans until smooth.
Add the eggs, oil, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, vanilla extract,
and sugar, and process until smooth.
Add ½ of the chocolate chips and stir, so that the chips are mixed in.
Transfer the batter to the baking pan, and sprinkle the remaining chips on top of the brownies.
Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted at the center comes out clean.

After I put the beanies in the oven I sampled some of the batter left on the bowl (of course!), and was kind of weirded out by the flavor. I swore I tasted beans. But after the brownies cooled, I thought they were really, really good. Would've never known their little secret.

Maybe next time I'll share my equally amazing "margaritas made from beer" recipe. Yum!!

Beanies

I'm not all that into cooking (mostly a time/lack of focus thing), but I do really enjoy baking. I doubt that even my good friends realize that. I'm not talking about fancy cupcakes or creme brulee or bananas foster. I'm a basic midwesterner when it comes to recipes, like my mom but not nearly as ambitious. She used to make up to 10 pies or 13 loaves of zucchini bread on a Sunday afternoon (cause she worked all week), moving like a one-woman assembly line for hours. They'd go into the freezer for my dad to take out after he'd finished the last. Oh, and her pie crusts were FROM SCRATCH.

Anyway, her influence pointed me in a sensible, simple direction when it comes to baking. I don't make many things, but I do them well and (in my opinion) the right way. I like cookies made from scratch, pancakes that didn't start in a box (although who has the time some days?), and zucchini bread baked after a trip to the Urbana Market at the Square. I don't bake often but when I do it's a really relaxing and even meditative thing. I make a mess and clean it up at the same time, I talk to myself, and I feel like I'm doing something that women have done for hundreds of years. Having said that, I'm not going to make my own crusts. It's hard to even want to make a PIE, when you can buy a really awesome one at Sam's for like $6. There are just so many hours in a day and you have to consider the cost - store bought in this case is probably cheaper.

And while we're on the topic, I'm guilty of running to the big store and buying something packaged for a party more often than not. That's fine - we're all rushed these days. Still, it makes me feel sort of bad. Baking for someone else is a real GIFT. So this winter when my neighbor repeatedly snowblowed (is that a word?) my sidewalk, I baked him cookies. That made me happier than him, I think. During the summer, I take my dad loaves of zucchini or banana bread at least once since my mom no longer bakes. He told me that my zucchini bread is better than hers...and if your mom is a good cook. you KNOW that was a huge, HUGE thing to hear.

So tonight I'm all alone, and spent most of my downtime in the kitchen. I broiled marinated shark steak (wow - that was a first) and had a good dinner...then I made what I'll now call "Beanies." I was extremely skeptical but thought, what the hell. It has chocolate chips - how can it be all that bad?

But this brownie recipe also has BLACK BEANS. It was in my Fooducate daily email for Valentine's Day, and I've saved it ever since. I had to use my old hand-held blender because I don't have a food processor (and my Magic Bullet just couldn't cut it) so I worried that the beans weren't pureed enough. Well, I think it tastes pretty incredible. If you prefer semi-sweet rather than super sweet, you should give this recipe a shot. I'll post it separately, as this has gotten long enough.

First, I have to go check my oatmeal whole wheat bread kneading in the machine. My hopes are in check; it was looking a bit sad a while ago as I peered through the window, flashlight in hand. Live and learn. Even bad bread isn't THAT bad, right? It's still bread.

More than a thousand words

Apparently, pictures can be worth a hell of a lot more than a thousand words, at least to some people. I sat in on a conference call at work yesterday where a lawyer explained how fragile and tricky the policies are regarding copyrighted materials. She spent most of the time discussing the use of music in advertising, but there was a lot of talk about online policies as well. Because this blog is linked to Mix 94.5's website (which ultimately has commercial goals), it falls under the same rules. So...all the photos that I didn't take with my own camera had to go. I confess I use Google Images ALL THE TIME. Who doesn't? Oh well - I just went through all my entries (glad this is relatively new) and got rid of images that could cost the radio station (and me) big bucks. I guess not showing Gaga riding in her egg isn't the end of the world. It makes for a pretty bland-looking blog, though.

You're killing me!

Anyone who cares about Illini basketball is a nervous wreck right now, watching Illinois battle Kansas. It's been a pretty amazing game, with a 4-point difference at halftime. DJ Richardson just sunk a 3 with 7 minutes to go, and it's a 7 point game. Wow. I'm proud of these guys. No one even thought they'd make it to the NCAA Tourney, and they're putting up a fight against this 1 seed.

I wasn't here in 2000 when Bill Self left, so I don't have those emotional scars...but he sure does look smug to me.

In related news, my bracket is a disaster. No shock there.

Yikes, I got distracted and it's suddenly a 13 point lead. : (

Friday!

" subpar production values, grating hooks and extraordinarily stupid "

Mike Cation knows that I can be a bit square, and he was right when he sent me the You Tube video for 13 year-old Rebecca Black's "Friday." By the time I saw it, 18 milion other views had been racked up - apparenly everyone else in the world had seen it BUT me.

If you don't know what I'm talking about (that IS possible), click HERE to watch.

I watched the video last night. My first thought was that it was catchy and cute (ala Justin Bieber, Rebecca's idol)...then I heard the lyrics and thought, "okay, this has to be a joke." I read today that some people suspect it could be a viral prank, along the lines of Joaquin Phoenix's so-called performance art. "Nothing this perfectly horrible could be unintentional," one commenter recently told Rolling Stone. The lyrics are so dumb they're funny:

"Kickin’ in the front seat
Sittin’ in the back seat
Gotta make my mind up
Which seat can I take?"

I also love the part where she runs down the days in order.

"Yesterday was Thursday, Thursday
Today i-is Friday, Friday...
Tomorrow is Saturday
And Sunday comes after...wards"

Haters have posted vicious things about the 13 year-old and the song. It's disgusting how the anonymity of the internet brings the worst out in people who'd NEVER (have the guts to) say anything face-to-face. But Rebecca has her share of fans, too. Chris Brown: "Honest opinion? It was great. I'll be jammin' to it on Friday, Friday," he sang. Simon Cowell called the song "brilliant." I think he's mostly just enjoying how angry some people are at its success.

How did "Friday!" come to be? Here's how it all happened, according to Bohemian:

The answer is Ark Music Factory, a Los Angeles-based company operating as an industry hybrid of Maurice Starr and John Bennett Ramsey. Their casting calls are perfect bait for starry-eyed parents: “If you are a great singer without any material and you want to get discovered,” one reads, “then Ark Music Factory is looking for you.”

The formula is simple: They’ll fly your child between the specified ages of 13-17 to Los Angeles, write her a “hit,” record it in super-compressed Autotuned production, shoot an edge detection-overlay video and BAM! Maybe your kid can notch up a couple thousand YouTube views while you watch your dreams of being a pop-star parent percolate.

Does that explain Willow Smith?

So, all that aside - what's to say about the song/video? It made me smile and even laugh a little. Totally ignorant, but fun. I might even put it on my MP3 player. I don't care how it came about or what her parents' motives are - we are in the age of self-promotion and internet superstars. Plenty of people rely on auto-tune because they're really not very good underneath all the production. The girl is THIRTEEN! What do you expect, really? Charlotte Church?

Just laugh and sing along. If she becomes a star, it's because we bought her crap and allowed it to happen.

Spring is in the air...

While I think Nicole from WIXY is a bit ambitious with her flip flops and short-sleeved shirt, today is INCREDIBLE! We've waited so long, suffering through a miserable winter, that this St. Patrick's Day feels like Christmas. We could hit 70 this afternoon and I plan to celebrate with a walk to Refinery and back (from work), so I can do my cardio outside. Yesterday was my first long ride (well, to the library and back) on my scooter. I think I've mentioned it before, but here's a pic. If you see a giant egghead riding it around C/U, that's me. I am really disciplined about wearing my helmet, even though lots of people think it's silly on a scooter. Ummm, it goes 40 mph! I'll look silly.

Get outside today! It feels too good to be true.

Progress

Sorry if the nail biting stories are becoming tedious - I just want to update my progress and mention that thanks to the shellac at BJ Grand Salon, I'm having continued success, although my three dreams about biting indicate I'm still stressed about it. It's IMPOSSIBLE to bite or even chip the stuff. I have finally met my match! I went into the salon yesterday (after 2 weeks, typical) and Lisa removed the clear shellac with acetone - the only thing that will safely and easily take it off. Since I'm starting to have some length (on ALL TEN!) I went with bold color - a purple called "Rock Royalty." Heck yeah! All the compliments I've gotten prove that Lisa was right when she said it's BJ's most popular color.

I smashed my finger between 2 shopping carts.

I took like 18 pictures before I was satisfied - I hate how old my hands are starting to look. : ( My mom always used to say that a woman's hands and neck give away her age. As far as I can tell my neck is still okay, thank God. (That always makes me think about Ally McBeal and the waddle...)

I also had a hydrotherapy treatment AND a massage at BJ yesterday, but I'm still too relaxed from them to type much more. I'll tell you about that another time.

Put me in, Coach

I noticed tiny shoots popping up in my yard yesterday, amid the sad brown and yellow grass - tulips on the way! Shouldn't these 30-degree days be done by now? Some parts of Missouri got as much as 6" of snow this morning, so I guess I shouldn't complain. But I am. I'm ready for warm weather and colors in the yard and SUNSHINE!!

It's definitely time, because I realized today that my first softball game (at Dodds, by Parkland) is a month from today. Wow! Time will fly and suddenly it'll be June and we'll be in that summertime going-in-a-million-different-directions mode...and this long, miserable winter will seem like it couldn't have possibly happened. At least I hope it feels that way. I'm ready for a HOT summer. (yes, I said it)

Congrats, Illini

To quote the Fighting Illini website:

"The University of Illinois men's basketball team received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament on Sunday evening and will face No. 8 seed UNLV in the second round on Friday, March 18 in Tulsa, Okla. Illinois is the No. 9 seed in the Southwest Region."

Time to start my tourney research, if you know what I mean. I love sports and March Madness is awesome, but I'm never very clued in when it's time to make predictions. Sometimes I read a ton online and go with that - other years I've just played my hunches or hurried through the bracket. Regardless, it's such a fun time of year!

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's a bit suprised that we got a bid, but I won't dwell on negativity. My volleyball team wins all season long then loses the tourney at the end (cough! RINGERS!), so who knows?

My cousin Nick was really wonderful at Caffe Paradiso on Friday, by the way. He'll be playing there again as part of the Boneyard Arts Festival - Thursday, April 7, 2011: UI Campus (education day).

Rest of the Festival:

Friday, April 8, 2011: Downtown Champaign
Saturday, April 9, 2011: Downtown Urbana
Sunday, April 10, 2011: Out & About Champaign County

Wow, I'm all over the map today! It has to be the time change. Toss in a goodbye party for a favorite coworker at Esquire last night (love those seven and sevens) and a cloudy day, and I'm sort of fuzzy. But I think Sunday nights are perfect for that - chili for dinner, an afghan on the couch, and something on Netflix! Yay!

All that jazz

I'm daring to venture down to the Campustown area tonight, since my cousin will be playing jazz piano (keyboard) at Caffe Paradiso. His name is Nick and he's a senior at U of I, actually doing his student teaching in Spanish Ed right now (Centennial). Click HERE for his My Space page, where you can hear some of his stuff. I have to say I'm a sucker for the standards like "Autumn Leaves" and "Moonlight Serenade," but I know writes music, as well.

I've only heard him play live once before, at his parents' house a few Thanksgivings ago. He played the keyboard while his dad was on vibes. What a cool sound! They've been performing together for years and were so good that my dad yelled from upstairs, "What CD is that?" Tonight he'll be playing alone from 7-8, then joined by a drummer. I'm really psyched...and find it a huge compliment that he invited me. : ) Maybe I should leave the beret and bongos at home and just try to blend into the crowd. I am, after all, a bit older and a whole lot less hip. But I'm a proud and enthusiastic fan, and isn't that really what any performer wishes for in the audience? I'm looking forward to hanging out at a coffeehouse, too - never been to Caffe Paradiso but it looks fantastic.

...like it's 1999

I feel like I've just joined the rest of the 21st century! Tonight I became a Netflix member, after years of avoiding the trend in favor of free movies from the library or cheap Family Video rentals. We bought a Memorex streaming Blu-Ray from Woot a few weeks ago, and finally got things set up. I would still be outside looking in if it weren't for a 6-month membership I received as a birthday gift. : ) Now that I'm here, I wonder what took so long!! The selection is pretty overwhelming, and we've already downloaded and watched Fathead tonight. Holy crap, Arrested Development is available instantly!!

Honestly, I'm a bit afraid of the pressure I'll put on myself to watch tons of movies and "get my money's worth." I spend enough time in front of the TV, and I certainly don't want to spend even more time staring at the screen while the real world passes me by. Still...I love movies and so far Netflix seems pretty amazing.

On my DVD cue so far:

Nurse Jackie Season 2

The Fighter

I Love You, Phillip Morris

Conviction

The Town

I usually try to use a witty title to sum up a blog entry...but there's nothing witty about what's been running through my mind for the past several days. We heard yesterday that 21 year-old Bradley Bunte had passed away from his injuries suffered on Friday evening. He'd been on life support after he was hit by two vehicles while crossing University Avenue against the light. The accident is under investigation but no tickets have been issued, as it seems to be the most tragic of situations that happened in a split second. His family is adamant that this was NOT related to Unofficial celebrations that evening.

Brad's parents issued a statement through the University (where Brad was a junior in journalism, and a writer for the Daily Illini) that was published Sunday in the News-Gazette. It was profound and heartbreaking, and BRAVE. Read it HERE. Their eloquence and the kindness they showed toward others involved in the accident bowled me over. I can't even imagine their pain, or how life has instantly (and forever) changed for that family...and for those who were driving the vehicles in the accident. It's horrific on every level.

We can all give examples of people who were taken "too soon." When I was about 12, a 3rd grader at my school died of leukemia. Her name was Amy. We barely understood death at that age, but kids recognize a senseless loss. A brilliant classmate died violently my senior year and his grave is not far from my grandmother's. She died at 82 after a long, happy life - he was murdered at 18. In January one of my close friends from high school was killed when she was thrown from a snowmobile. The helmet didn't save her. I still can't fully accept that one.

My heart goes out to Brad's family and friends, and to the drivers that night. I'm so, so sorry. It feels insufficient and awkward to say as a stranger, but I really mean it. And I know I'm not the only person in this big small town who may not have known Brad, but who grieves for you still.