Race Day part II: "I really rocked that half-mile when Ke$ha was playing..."

Race day is here, and we rocked it.  It was good weather, a good pace (this is a relative statement), and good tunes.  It is always a motivating and humbling experience to run a race as a normal person.  It is incredible to see all of the real runners who ran a half-marathon in less time than I ran 6 miles, and I am also amazed at the number of people who are less prepared to run a 10-K than I am.  Both are helpful motivators. 

I am a slow runner, so I always pick a few people out of the crowd that I am running near and race them.  Good news, I beat all of my fake competitors.  I was not so lucky at the last Brewers' race that I ran where I was actually beat by a real racing sausage, the Hot Dog.  Today was a nice day and a great route to run - we ran through Miller Valley and Miller Park, which is a route that you normally don't get to run and certainly not without traffic.

Let's talk about race day "Do's and Don'ts" based on my observations today.  Do wear exciting colors, people are mostly drawn to neon yellow (the kind that the cows, my running buddies, like).  Do have funny signs if you are in the crowd cheering people on, we love that.  Don't have three different flavors or Gatorade strapped around your belt for a six mile run, you'll just have to pee.  I wanted to do a top ten cool running shoes blog, but the hubs convinced me that it was creepy to walk around and ask people if I could take a picture of their shoes.

The best moment(s) of the run was first when the hubs started running really fast, and I was like, "WTF?" and ran to keep up.  This phenomenon was explained later with the quote, "I really rocked that half-mile when Ke$ha was playing."  It all began to make sense.

All in all, a worthy project for us to train and run the race. Now let's eat some of that leftover spaghetti.

Race Day part I: Pasta for me, the hubs, and 30 of our closest friends.

Race Day eve is here, and it already has been entertaining.

In preparation for the hubs and I running the Brewers' 10-K tomorrow, we are doing the standard pre-game routine: Pick up the race packets, eat our body weight in pasta, and finalize outfits and playlists.  I asked my husband if he picked out what he was wearing, and we was like, "Um, shorts? And a t-shirt?"  Bo-ring.

 

I go to pick up the packets, and make a few key observations.  First, if the lack of traffic control at packet pick-up is any indicator for the race, I am a little concerned.  Second, I got to drive behind this guy, who I could safely assume was going where I was going:

 

 

The walk to the packet pick-up was oddly long.  As I was walking I thought, well, it is for a half-marathon race so what is an extra half mile?  Well played, Brewers, well played.  While I was walking this guy totally speeds past me...walking.  Good thing that I am just running for fun because he can walk faster than I run.

 

When I got home, the hubs had made enough pasta to feed ourselves and 30 of our closest friends.  Except, it's just us.  It was delicious, and I can't wait to eat it through next Thursday.  Finally, I check the weather to make a final decision on the race day outfit, and spruce up my playlist.  Bright colors (obvi), and some bitchin' new dubstep.  At least I will look legit right up until I start running, and take a pasta-coma nap after 4 miles.

 

Wish us luck!

I can't go for that. No can do. Well, ok, yes I can.

Via www.last.fm

I don't think that I have properly mentioned my undying love for Hall and Oates.  I didn't understand the value of Darryl Hall and John Oates until slightly later in life, and now I am trying to make up for lost time.  There are three main reasons why H&O are awesome:

1. Mullets and moustaches:  These guys know how to make hair look good.
2. Withstanding the test of time: H&O are still rocking out, as are there tunes, even in movie soundtracks. (Ref: 500 Days of Summer "You Make My Dreams" dance sequence)
3. Rich Girl, I Can't Go For That, Maneater, and You Make My Dreams: Seriously some of the most feel-good "rock and soul" genre songs of all time.

If you love Hall and Oates, you are going to love this.  Call this phone number: 1-719-266-2837.
If you don't love them, then something may be wrong with you.  You should get that checked out.

Happy 30-somethings: Resiliency, happy surroundings, and the heralded mix tape.

Via recitethis.com

I came across two very interesting articles this week that discussed the topic of happiness.  Reading them together helped highlight some of the key factors to happiness, particularly for my Gen Y age group, and some of the skills that I learned in some unlikely places to ensure my happiness at this stage in my life.  Here are the articles, in case you would like to partake in reading:

Why Generation Y Yuppies Are Unhappy - Huffington Post

The Habits of Supremely Happy People - Huffington Post

 

The first article does an exceptional job explaining how Gen Y-ers are wildly ambitious, have high expectations, and think that they are unique among others their age.  The high expectations mixed with a dose of reality ends in feeling let down and unfulfilled.  Facebook and other social media don't help, as we watch everyone else live what appears to be a "better" life, which is really just digitally enhanced and never really better.

 

Fast forward to the happy people habits.  While the first article gives only three basic pieces of advice for the unhappy Gen Y-ers, the second article provides habits that can help our wallowing generation.  Here are a few of my favorites, mostly that pertain as actionable items to the unhappy Gen Y problem.

• Surrounding yourself with happy people: This is critical to keep up momentum, and perhaps surrounding yourself with quality people will reduce the instances of Facebook-enhancing your life.  I don't even like to read or hear from unhappy people, so I do not surround myself with them, and that includes social media.
• Cultivating resilience: I truly believe this is a critical missing ingredient from our kids, and even Millenials' lives.  We have lost this in the world of teams without tryouts and cuts, baseball games with no outs, and the continued promise to our kids that they are great at everything.  I learned this skill twice over before I left the house for college.  It's called Racine public schools.  I know an incredible number of successful people who graduated with me and learned realism and resiliency in just the right dose to be awesome adults and parents.
• Appreciating simple pleasures: Finding meaning and joy in the small details in life.  Some of my favorites? Getting a cheeseburger that looks just like picture, and nearly anything with polka dots.
• Valuing a good mix tape: Music reduces anxiety, which is a great reason to "soundtrack your life."  The young folks of the world may know this as a "playlist," but the careful craft is still the same.  Except for when I had to stop, start, and rewind cassette tapes, that was the best worst thing ever.

These are small things, that add up to a big change in expectations and happiness.  If you are looking for some inspiration try just one happy habit, and really stick to it.  See if it works.  You can even borrow my cassette deck if you need to.

It would be...sooo...nice.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcwIEupH7UU

 

Every time the song "Holiday" by Madonna comes one, the hubs and I can't help but sing it just like this...

 

"He's losing his mind!  And I'm reaping all the benefits."

New music to check out.

Image Source

I love music.  This must be what people feel about cigarettes when they smoke a pack a day.

I very much dislike getting in a music rut, so I am proactive to find new music all of the time to avoid this problem.  Some of my favorite ways to find new music include the following:

• Switching to a new station on the radio, Sirius XM especially if you have it, because it is arranged by genre
• Music choice stations: Do you ever check out those cable TV stations? A few gems here and there.
• Pandora or Songza: Try different stations and let it ride.
• 88.9 RadioMilwaukee: New music Wednesdays in the evening are fun, and a good source for eclectic new tunes.
• iTunes research: Dig deep in the "other artists you may like information"

But, in case you don't have time to do the leg work, you can check out these new favorites of mine:

• If you like Bon Iver, try King and Cross, "Asgeir"
• If you like Jack Johnson, try Michael Franti, "Life is Better With You"
• If you like female singer/songwriter, try Sonsick, "San Fermin"
• If you like covers, try Jake Shimabukuro, "In My Life" or Nouvelle Vague, "Blue Monday"
• If you like Prince, try, well, Prince, "Breakfast Can Wait"

Enjoy!  Now, if you could do me a solid, leave a comment with any good tunes for suggestions below.

Top Songs of Summer Part II: 2007 - Present

Yeah, this happened. (Via www.last.fm)

So you are back to see us finish the list, eh?  You should be, it only get's better from here.  If you are just joining us, see yesterday's post for 2000 - 2006's top songs of summer.

2007:
Party Like a Rockstar - Shop Boyz
Umbrella - Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
"Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie was also there, but we cannot put any songs by Fergie on the top of the list by principle.  I mean, she peed on herself on stage, and we are keeping it classy here.  Obviously.

2008:
Forever - Chris Brown
I Kissed a Girl - Katy Perry
Honorable mention:
Viva La Vida - Coldplay
Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
"Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield was also out that year, but was only acceptable in the format of a musical greeting card, as illustrated by the movie "Easy A."

Via tumbler.com

2009:
Use Somebody - Kings of Leon
I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas
Boom Boom Pow - Black Eyed Peas
Taylor Swift was big too, but we think she's so two-thousand-and-late.  The Black Eyed Peas owned this year, so we will give them due credit.

2010:
California Gurls - Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg
Airplanes - B.o.B. feat. Hayley Williams
Love the Way You Lie - Eminem feat. Rihanna
Apparently, no one can produce a hit record without the help of a buddy anymore.  We're ok with that, because it produced some winners just the same.

2011:
Party Rock Anthem - LMFAO feat. Lauren Bennett and Goon Squad
Give Me Everything - Pitbull feat. Ne-Yo, Afrojack, and Mayer
Rolling in the Deep - Adele
Even though LMFAO is a joke, they came in, conquered, and got the hell out just as they planned.  This is still one of my favorite running songs.  Adele also proved this year that big hair is better.

At this point, you are probably wondering about the lack of Lady Gaga.  This is not to discount Gaga's awesomeness, but her many hits were often at their popularity peak during non-summer months.  She is amazing, and I don't want her to be left off the list ("Edge of Glory" was also popular this summer).

Photo Source

2012:
Call Me Maybe - Carly Rae Jepsen
Somebody That I Used To Know - Gotye feat. Kimbra
We Are Young - fun. feat. Janelle Monae
"Call Me Maybe" was the obvious winner, and whether you want to admit it or not, you bopped to the beat.  If angry break-up music is your game, Gotye has you covered.

2013:
Blurred Lines - Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell Williams
Get Lucky - Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers
Solid contributors this year, and you can be the judge of which one wins your vote as the best song of summer. I dance unknowingly in public to both of them.  Obviously the real winner here is Pharrell Williams - he is on BOTH songs!  Well played, Pharrell, well played.  You've come a long way since writing verses for "Rump Shaker."  Stephen Colbert has been weighing in this summer as well:

Via slate.com

We hope you enjoyed the walk down memory lane, and are updating your playlists accordingly.  Special thanks to the hubs, J-Ra, as my research partner in crime and debater extraordinaire.

Top Songs of Summer Part I: 2000 - 2006

Via Vibevixen.com

After a heated discussion regarding the song of the summer for 2013, the hubs and I realized that we needed to complete some much-needed research regarding the best songs of summer since we left high school.  Here we bring to you our joint research project to determine the most popular songs of summer since 2000.  Let me be clear, most popular does not always equal our favorites, because sometimes the public chooses terrible music.  You may disagree, but whatever, you didn't do the research.

2000:
The Real Slim Shady - Eminem
It's Gonna Be Me - 'N Sync
This was the year of the two opposite ends of the spectrum (who likely had no respect for each other) battled it out for the airwaves.  Both are either "love them or hate them."

2001:
Bootylicious - Destiny's Child
Ride Wit Me - Nelly
Let Me Blow Your Mind - Eve and Gwen Stefani
What?  So much awesome packed into one year, it hardly seems possible.  Also, bonus points for the year I graduated high school.  I didn't know if you would be ready for this jelly.

2002:
Complicated - Avril Lavigne
Without Me - Eminem
Hot In Herre - Nelly
Nelly totally takes this year with "Hot In Herre."  I  mean, the spelling alone wins.  The others are distant but notable second places.

2003:
Crazy In Love - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
Bring Me to Life - Evanescence
Music obviously was taking a bit of a turn south in quality, seen in the depth (or lack of) in the top songs that year.  Sean Paul's "Get Busy" was also popular that year, which explains why everyone had to cling to "Crazy In Love" for any hope in the future.

2004:
Yeah - Usher feat. Lil' Jon and Ludacris
Usher is one sexy mo-fo, and he proved that in 2004 with three really big hits.  Plus, everything else in music was still terrible.

2005:
Don't cha - Pussycat Dolls
Holla Back Girl - Gwen Stefani
We Belong Together - Mariah Carey
"Holla Back Girl" is hands down my favorite seeing as I don't usually like "musical" groups that are one notch off of strippers without talent.  Also, Mariah Carey was on one of her many comebacks, so kudos for keepin' on.

2006:
Promiscuous - Nelly Furtado feat. Timbaland
Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
Ridin - Chamillionaire feat. Krayzie Bone
The spelling of these names are ridiculous.  "Promiscuous" is probably the winner here, but it was nice to welcome a new hit by Gnarls Barkley.  "Ridin" is just plain ridiculous.  Here is a picture from the video so that you can see what I mean:

This is definitely not from the video, just seeing if you are paying attention.

That is the first half for you, hopefully you found some inspiration to pull out a few old CDs that you haven't heard for a while and dance around your living room.  Stay tuned for Part II tomorrow!

Dance Running: The hot new thing

Via friends.wikia.com

I have been developing a new kind of exercise, and I think it is ready to be unleashed onto the world.  Dance running is here.

Do you remember the friends episode, "The One Where Phoebe Runs" (pictured above)?  It is not quite like that, but it is equally freeing, and other people who are susceptible to caring about other peoples' opinions might be unwilling to run with you.  But don't knock it 'til you try it.

The origin of dance running for me goes back to my early dance days where I used to dance three miles in the 4th of July Parade every year in Racine.  I assure you, dancing and travelling forward three miles is much harder than it looks.  After much training, we would basically do dance running in the parade and it is a great workout.

Fast forward many years, and combine my constant dancing with a new hobby of running and a love for music, and I just can't help myself.  I go running, pump up the tunes, and insert forward moving dance moves here.

Here are some moves to introduce to your run for the novice dance runner:

• Skipping
• Galloping
• Snaps or jazz hands
• Shuffles
• Kicks
• Leaps

Please stretch before the leaps so that you don't pull something important.

Here are some songs that I can't help but dance to while I run:

• Dancing on the Ceiling, by Lionel Richie
• Most anything by Katy Perry, particularly Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)
• Party Rock Anthem, by LMFAO
• You Are the One, by Shiny Toy Guns
• Forever, by Chris Brown
• Some Nights, by Fun.
• Footloose, by Kenny Loggins
• Stuck Like Glue, by Sugarland
• Stompa, by Serena Ryder

It is SO much fun, you should try it.  Dance like nobody's watching, as the internet says.

Why The Joshua Tree album might be all that you need in life.

Single cover by U2, from The Joshua Tree album, 1987
Photo via Wikipedia.org

This is the melancholy face that I make when I can't find what I am looking for.  I often have a vision of something that I am looking for, like a certain pair of shoes or the perfect piece of furniture, but simply can't find it because it doesn't exactly exist.  And so, I end up having to get creative and manufacture it myself.  This is how I end up spray painting all of my picture frames, making my own wedding invitations with paper from three different websites, and have small breakdowns in furniture stores, like today, for example.

I hate furniture stores, they creep me out.  I hate all of their fake little living rooms and bedrooms with ugly accessories organized in a giant cluttered maze.  And then, you get to the even creepier mattress section that has undressed mattresses all lined up like a Red Cross hospital.  This mixed with ugly furniture usually causes me a mini-panic attack.  The hubs says to me today, "Oh my god, are you crying?"  I said "NO!" and got the hell out of the land of ugly couches with cup holders.  And if it had a soundtrack, a melancholy U2 song would have seemed fitting.

The lesson to be learned here is that you could pretty much get by soundtracking your life with one single album, and I argue that it could be The Joshua Tree.  Now, I am certain that some people would argue their own opinion on an album, but I am going to shoot down your suggestions for anything resembling junk like Nickelback or One Direction.  Here is an example of what I mean of the "A" side of what was a cassette tape when The Joshua Tree was released:

1. Where the Streets Have No Name - For when you are lost and you forgot to update your GPS since 2007.
2. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - For when you have an anxiety episode in a furniture store.
3. With or Without You - For when you can't decide if you should break up with someone, OR if you can't decide if you can live with or without that cupcake.
4. Bullet the Blue Sky - For when you are angry at Ronald Reagan and military interventions.  Oh wait, that was actually Bono.
5. Running to Stand Still - For when you go running and you realize that you aren't moving very fast because you have sausage legs.

See? Music is like a religion, it can have all of the answers.  Unless you listen to Nickelback, then you can't be saved.

We are not meant to win at trivia, and other sad stories.

Via en.wikipedia.org

We like to play bar trivia on Tuesday nights, and almost exactly one year later from our best third place finish, we blew it.  We are not meant to win at trivia.

First of all, on the last question, we ALWAYS bet all of the points, and then get it wrong, which takes us out of the running.  This last time, our lack of confidence got the better of us because we got the question right but didn't wager enough and lost what would have been tied for first.  Bollocks.

The saddest moment in our trivia career, though, was when we were in first place, and somehow we lost the whole game by getting a Michael Jackson Thriller album question wrong.  What a travesty, since this is one of my finer subjects.  The good news is that our goal is not necessarily to win, but to offend the general public.  Since we register weekly with easily the most offensively hilarious trivia team name of all time, we are all winners.

Our greatest hits in trivia to date:

• Realizing that the trivia lady plays songs as clues
• Yelling "Science!" every time it comes up as a category. SCIENCE!
• Waiting for the long drawn out groan when they announce our team name, "Other than that, how did you like the parade, Mrs. Kennedy?"

Aca-scuse me? Aca-believe it.

Soundtrack Your Life

I've posted before that one of my favorite things is to pretend to soundtrack my life, and I am totally one of those people who are affected by the meaning of music.  Here are a few new or old favorites that you might enjoy to soundtrack your own life.  Sometimes it is just fun to pretend that someone made a movie about you, and that it was the most epic. soundtrack. ever.

If you want to dance around the house:

• Electric Feel, by MGMT - A feel-good dreamy little tune.  Perfect for those of you whose only method of dance is the bounce and sway.
• You Make My Dreams, Hall and Oates - Worthy of a choreographed flash mob in the park a la "500 Days of Summer."
• Dancing on the Ceiling, by Lionel Richie - Just go for it, you know you want to.

If you are feeling melancholy:

• Gravity, by Sara Bareilles - A song about not being able to let go of something you should.
• Endless Melody, by Clarensau - Pretty much the whole album is mellow and sad (but not all), and that is why it is great.
• This Isn't Everything You Are, by Snow Patrol - A good reminder that you aren't only your mistakes.

If you want happy music:

• No Rain, by Blind Melon - This is my all-time favorite happy song, and it just won't quit.
• Feel It All Around, by Washed Out - Chill, but pleasant and content with itself.  And yes, you did recognize it from the introduction to the show "Portlandia."
• Don't Stop Believin', by Journey - Cue the fist pump.

If you are angry:

• Long Way Down, by Goo Goo Dolls - This is the power song on my Nike Running playlist, and I push it when I am angry that I have to keep running.
• Sabotage, by Beastie Boys - I don't like to listen to this in the car because it makes me speed 20 miles over the limit.

If you want to feel love:

• Young and Beautiful, by Lana Del Rey (on The Great Gatsby soundtrack) - A beautiful new song that is the essence of a good Baz Luhrmann crazy soundtrack.
• You Are the Best Thing, by Ray LaMontagne - Pure, joyous love, and the damn truth.
• In Your Eyes, by Peter Gabriel (New Blood Orchestra version) - A new version of an old favorite, and the orchestra is awesome.

If you are working out, or need to get pumped up:

• Right Now, by Van Halen - This song personally got me through 8 years of swim practices.
• I Can Transform Ya, by Chris Brown - Black card, they won't decline that.
• Stronger, by Kanye West - Good pace, just enough gangsta, not to be confused with Kelly Clarkson.
• Live Like a Warrior, by Matisyahu - A reminder to live life as you want to, and it is not about others.  Give yourself some credit.

If you are looking for a good beat:

• Royals, by Lorde - This girl is sixteen and from New Zealand, check it.  I want tigers on a gold leash too.
• Disparate Youth, by Santigold - Good introduction, synthpop borderline dub-step (which is my most recent favorite genre) by a cool chick from Philly.

If you just need a good cover:

• 99 Problems, by Hugo - Don't forget to stomp your country foot.
• Somebody That I Used to Know, by Walk Off the Earth - Fun to sing to, and you know the words because of the overplayed Gotye version.  Even if you don't admit it, you know them.  This could also fit the "angry" category, with the "relationships" sub-category.
• Wonderwall, by Ryan Adams - Ryan Adams is a cult favorite that can do no wrong, and this is no exception.