August afternoon

Hi! I've been on vacation, moving into a new office, staying up far too late watching the Olympics and trying to get back into normal life. So no bloggin'... Here is a picture to make sure I don't make August a one-post month. Hope you enjoyed the weekend!

I want my money back

mama mia. I'm not even capitalizing it. worst. movie. ever. But it did beat being at work this afternoon, so not a total loss. On a brighter entertainment note is the musical version of The Color Purple. Brett and I took my mom to see it at the fabulous Fox Theatre (sorry, you have to include the fabulous, it's an Atlanta thing) last weekend and I was amazed. As a rule, I can't sit through much live entertainment, especially improv comedy and musicals. But this was seriously captivating the entire way through. And I actually feel happier this week, I think, because of it. I mean, after seeing what that, albeit fictional, character went through, my life is pretty good. Not to bore you too much, dear reader, or to get up on some childless soapbox, but one of the strongest things I took away from this performance was to remember that children don't ask to be born, but once they're here, each one deserves to be loved. I actually think about that a lot. And I think a lot about all the homeless people who live in my neighborhood and how different I'll bet our childhoods must have been. Extremely sad, and really I don't have any clue what to do or how to really help in any significant way. In the meantime, I just try to offer them a smile, or um, a drink of my water.

3 more weeks!

I am obsessed with the Olympics. To the point I'm a little concerned it will interfere with the first impression I make on Brett's family when we visit them in August. We will be there during the opening ceremonies and I can just see it now, "Um, Mrs. Smith, you're blocking the tv. Ahem, Mr. Smith, could you keep it down? I can't hear the Chinese national anthem. Dinner, yeah I'll be right there, right after fencing."

When I was 9, I remember watching the '88 Olympics and having a teensy crush on Greg Louganis, which my grandmother liked to rub in. Hmm, I guess she had more finely tuned gaydar than I did back then. But, he was hot.

Today I am wasting time and watching some track meet going on in France. They just called a 5'8" woman diminutive. Right.

But since we're talking serious athletes :) here is a pic of me and Kate, sleepy eyed, before a July 5 5K.



Have a great weekend!

Someone recently told me that I have a nice life

...and I tend to agree. Fourth of July weekend was spent at my sister's beautiful new house in Glen Burnie, MD. I got to see one of my BFFs, Courtney, and her handsome family. We all got crabs from Kyle and I burned my leg on a sparkler trying to be cool. Courtney and Katie gave me the thumbs up on Brett, a good thing because even though I would still love him, I think I love him more now that he passes inspection from my girls. Katie and I spent many hours on sisterly pursuits, including but not limited to sleeping side by side on twin air mattresses, splitting 2 pitchers of beer among ourselves and Kyle and taking shelter from a soaking summer rain with a pashmina. After I got back to Atlanta, another BFF, Megan, showed up for two days! We had a fabulous time eating and drinking at my favorite Atlanta spots and trying to figure out exactly why Megan didn't come to Emory for law school. M also approved of Brett, so another little victory.

But alas, now it is Sunday and the fun is almost over. But the someone who told me I had a nice life included in it my job, so I guess I shouldn't complain. Hope everyone is well!

hmmm...

Can't decide if I would love or hate to be the designer who created this graphic... Oh well, off to get a facial!

softy or stupid?

I got a new water bottle last weekend that has a hand strap with a little pouch for keys or snacks. I tried it on a long run last weekend and again today and have come to the conclusion that while I like having water with me, it puts too much stress on my shoulders and back to have something in my hand. But that's not the only reason I think I'm going to abandon my $17 folly. Today I took a short break to adjust my shoe on Peachtree Street. As I lift my head and start to get up, there is a homeless guy in a wheelchair right in front of me and he looks like he's in real rough shape. As best he can without teeth, he tells me he is really thirsty and needs water. I'm hesitant at first, but I felt really sorry for him and I was glad he wasn't asking for money. So I said, can you drink out of my bottle with out putting your mouth on it and he says yes, so I HAND IT OVER TO HIM! He squirts some in his mouth. Then I tell him he can have more (what the hell, right? What's a few more germs on the bottle I am planning on putting in my mouth in a minute.) and he starts showing me these awful bloody sores and scabs all over his arms that I guess I hadn't noticed at first. He is actually poking at blood, smearing it on his skin. I'm like, um sir please don't get any blood on my bottle. So he takes another swig and I take it back and move on. I am so conflicted. What is the right thing to do? People make me so sad and if I can do something small to help... But on the other hand, sharing fluids with a sickly stranger is just dumb. Ah, the joys of city life. Thoughts?

food and whine

I have slight butterflies as tomorrow is a milestone in my internet dating career. My first date with a girl! JK, it's a mountain bike date with a girl I met online. Luckily we are meeting at a trail I've done a few times so I feel somewhat comfortable. Wish me luck! This is actually my second workout date this week, Wednesday I ran with a girl I met at a trail race recently. We hit it off, I think I'll ask her out again. OK, enough with the not very witty dating references. Too creepy! But it has been fun making some new girlfriends. I'll leave it neatly at that.

Let's see, what else? Last night we saw the Promotion. Save your money. And since we're sort of on the subject of internet dating and butterflies, last night Brett and I decided to bite the bullet and make travel arrangements for marathon weekend. In San Francisco. In October. Eek! Things are going great with us, so I guess it's not too crazy, but it is easy for me to feel like I'm jinxing this by planning a big trip four months in advance for a 4 month old relationship. Hmmm, and he wonders why I don't feel the need to let him read my blog :)

On a less paranoid note, here is a fantastic summery meal we made the other night:

Chicken Satay Salad

chicken marinade:
1 c plain yogurt + 1 tsp grated ginger + 1 tsp minced garlic + 1 tbsp curry powder
mix all ingredients right in a big zipper bag and then add boneless chicken tenderloins. marinate a few hours.

peanut sauce:
1 cup smooth peanut butter + 1/8 c soy sauce + 2 tsp red chili paste + 2 tbsp brown sugar + juice of 2 limes +1/2 c hot water
combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, red chili paste, brown sugar, and lime juice in a food processor and puree to combine. drizzle in the hot water to thin out the sauce, you may not need all of it.

grill the chicken, serve on a boston lettuce salad with the peanut sauce. I snuck a bunch of chopped spinach into the boston lettuce because I know it's good for me, but I just can't do a spinach only salad. Texture thing. I also added blanched snow peas (cooled), cilantro, chopped peanuts and raisins. Oh, and sauvignon blanc.