The outline for victorius post game comments

1.America’s Introduction (…play for the love of the game,despite the record)

2.Family Shoutout (gotta let your baby mama’s or …err other jumpoffs know you got a check with their name on in)

3.Put swaggerless mouthin players in the place by saying “I do it for the love they do it for the dollar,i do it for the west, they do it for the prada” -# @TheRealConflict -via twitter “dream killers” freestyle

…Ladies & Gentlemen Gatorade’s & Carolina’s Panthers Steve Smith

Powerade

An athletic Tidyman on the packaging for Powerade, an isotonic sports drink.

Gatorade made probably their worst move financially, EVER! This is the perfect opportunity for Powerade to gain the biggest name in sports.
I personally will no longer purchase the pallets of Gatorade for our businesses that was a usual practice for us. I am sure that many other businesses will follow suit. Just because there is some turmoil, you dont give up on a prized celebrity. MORONS!

You hear it over and over and over again – you need to replace your electrolytes!

But what exactly are electrolytes? Where do they go, and why do you need to replace them? What products actually work, and which are just backed by big marketing budgets?

An average healthy person gets more than a sufficient amount of electrolytes through their diet, but those of us putting in the miles are sweating them right out – and electrolytes are not someting that you can afford to be short on in those final miles, or later in the day.

Running Times published a very good article, in plain english, that explains what an electrolyte actually is, its chemical function in the body, who does (and doesn’t) need to concern themselves with supplementing them and how to best do that. It’s important to understand the science behind the ‘rules’ and to know what it is exactly that you are spending your money on and, much more importantly, putting into your body. Read on.

Coca Cola has cornered the drinks market for the 2012 Olympics with their aptly named “Powerade” (sounds like a mickey take doesn’t it?) which will be the official sports drink of the games.

In a glamorous advertising campaign they persuaded several British athletes to strip for a photo shoot and the results are spectacular. Award winning photographer Nadav Kander captured the power and athleticism of their bodies very successfully in a way which would make even the worst British couch potato (and that is most of the population!) want to get up and exercise:

Rebecca Romero is definitely in shape for 2012

Swimmer Gregor Tait went skinny dipping for his shot:

Gregor Tait shows off his physique and his skills in a naked shot

Let’s just hope they perform as well in the real thing as they did for the camera.

Recently I’ve been trying to get better at taken candid photos and getting that “captured in the moment” vibe. Today’s photo was one of the  first photos I’ve taken that was not staged that I’m still happy with. I took it at lunch today while my friend Will was sipping on his powerade. For some reason, his face reminds me of a malnourished monkey.

Fiecare invingator are propriul sau mic dejun si din pacate, al meu nu contine nici fructe, nici suc de portocale si nici macar paine prajita.

Pot spune ca meniul este extrem de usor de alcatuit, dat fiind faptul ca nu avem nevoie de tigaie sau alte ustensile greu de utilizat, ci doar de 5.50 lei si cateva minute de pierdut in magazinul din coltul strazii.

Micul dejun este alcatuit din doua elemente esentiale:

1 – Twix. Dupa cum puteti observa, e absolut necesar sa optati pentru variata King Size (supranumita “Xtra”). E de la sine inteles ca toate efectele pozitive, pe care vi le aduce meniul meu, sunt reduse de orice abatere de la cuvintele scrise aici.

2 – Powerade (Mountain Blast – ceva ce seamana cu fructele de padure, sau cam pe acolo). Din punctul meu de vedere, Gatorade si Powerade sunt bauturile care aliniaza planetele in sistemul nostru solar. La micul dejun, dupa cateva ture de parc sau in orice alta situatie, Powerade se potriveste perfect.

Bineinteles ca exista abateri si aici: sortimentul de portocale este folosit doar in situatii de urgenta, in timp ce varianta cu lamaie e atat de proasta incat nici n-as mai pomeni-o. In orice caz feriti-va de ea, daca vreti cu adevarat sa o incercati, preparati-o acasa: 1 pahar cu apa, un sfert de lingurita cu sare iodata si o lamaie. Acum serios, vedeti-va dracu de treaba. In orice caz, stelele s-au aliniat pentru mine si la magazinul de pe strada nu exista decat cel albastru,singurul demn pentru micul dejun al campionilor.

Pro tip #1 : Beti inainte sa mancati. Stiu ca n-re niciun sens, dar taci! Twix-ul e mult mai dulce, daca iei Powerade-ul dupa, nu mai are niciun gust si nu faci decat sa ne irosesti timpul, banii si intelepciunea.

Pro tip #2 : Am inteles, de la un adept al micului dejun, ca in cazul in care aveti carii, aceasta combinatie poate provoca neplaceri. Acum, pula mea, de parca am eu vreo vina ca n-aveti voi plombe.

Christian: In Your Minds and In Your Face

Joe Stern-McGovern, global agent and President of Universal Artists, Interntional,  and Shaka of Shaka Productions, have made of their smarter moves to date by bringing into the fold a young, quick tongued genius named Christian Levi, or simply put, Christian. Hailing from Bessemer, Alabama by way of Brooklyn, New York, Christian’s venture into the world of hip hop and Dirty South has certainly spanned polar opposites. He’s played both sides of the Mason-Dixon Line, while sitting on the fence of neither, proving victorious on all accounts, in spite of his youth of only 24 years.

A short locked, tall young man, Christian cuts a handsome, light skinned figure fresh and ready for the cover of Gentleman’s Quarterly in a suit by Hugo Boss. While his looks are striking, it’s his deadly placement of vocabulary which stands out so poignantly, as he takes to the microphone like a young hellion fresh out of the nest, wings spread wide and ready to soar. Who will fall the next victim to this classic bird of prey?

While the idle and foolish of Birmingham, Alabama, rest on their laurels, Christian is fastidious in his consumption of language, a proverbial, “Walking thesaurus”, arming himself with the arsenal he will require for future hurdles, future battles, and the unwary opponent he will so easily bring to bow his head in shame with adept delivery and a curious, beguiling smile, as if to say, “Yes, you’ve just been handed your ass.”

You Talkin' to Me?

Featured on several of the Black Flock Gang’s soon to be released CD, BFG, as well as Universal Artists, International’s personal brainchild, World Mixtape: Artists Against AIDS, which can be found shortly at www.endhivaids.com, young Christian is proud to devastate the competition and rise like cream on such singles as, “Put Me in Coach,” and, “This is How Money Sounds”, where his language coupled with delivery crack the skin and skulls of his opponents like a bull whip.

Like Wyatt Earp at the OK Corral, Christian is more than prepared to mess up your day should you call him out or look at him sideways. Like the old serpent flag said, “Don’t Tread on Me”. To the adventurous MC, Don’t be unwittingly fooled by his casual manner or disarming smile, this double agent lives to shame the boisterous, scramble the brains of the thoughtless, and level the stage with his clarity and epic bounce.

For all the bounty of his labor and toils, or his stature as hip hop royalty, Christian is surprisingly down to earth, so to all of his fans, should you happen to come across this icon, feel free to approach him with a smile and expect one in return.

Again, make sure to look for Christian Levi to be prominently featured as he helps in the fight against HIV/AIDS on our coming site, www.endhivaids.com. You can also find more information about young Christian at www.myspace.com/universalartists as well as our main site, www.universalartists.net.

Don't Let the Glasses Fool You...

To book Christian for a show domestically,  please write to shaka@universalartists.net, and for all international matters, please write to joe@universalartists.net, or feel free to call our San Diego/LA Metro office at 1(619)757-1301.

For the latest in Universal Artists, International’s videos, please visit us at www.youtube.com/universalartistsintl. To donate funds to the cause of building the www.endhivaids.com site for future generations, please go to www.paypal.com and submit your donation of $5 and up in increments of $5 to payments@universalartists.net. Your help in fighting the world’s plague known as HIV/AIDS is greatly appreciated and recognized.

Christian with Ms. Kesha Lee

I am officially sick today. It all started yesterday, once I got home, I got a sore throat. This morning, I woke up with a sore throat, dizziness, and stomach ache. The sore throat is pretty much gone now, but everything else has stayed the same. I am so dizzy that I am walking weird, and I am leaning my head to the side as I am typing this (if there are any grammatical errors in this post, then I’m sorry. I am just really dizzy). I’ll bet that this is a reaction to my H1N1 vaccine that I had on Saturday. My dad got sick a few days later, too. Hopefully, that is all it is, and I’m hoping that I’ll be better by the weekend, as I have to go for an eye exam and new glasses, which I want done before I get my state I.D.

Anyway, I’ll be mostly laying in bed today, and drinking tea and powerade. I’d watch TV, but as you know, all that’s on right now are the syndicated talk shows, so I’ll pass.

-Tony

Last week I went to Healthworks with the plan of meeting one of my friends and co-workers who has been a member of Healthworks for 12 years. We had a plan to do our own “mini-BURN” session where we challenge each other on the treadmills. She is a faster runner than me, so by going on the treadmills we are able to work out together while challenging ourselves personally and encouraging each other to do well. We’ve done this routine a few times, and when we are walking in between intervals, we catch up about what is going on in our lives.

However, when we arrived, we were invited to a special Healthworks Open House event called “Rock Star Spin” with master trainers Diane, Jane, and Nicole. They had dressed up in fun outfits while we spun with a disco ball going – for over an hour! We also got free Powerade samples and free t-shirts for answering Healthworks trivia and for participating in the event. Just another example of why I enjoy going to Healthworks – I was pulled into the event because all the trainers knew my name (and my friend’s name) and that I love spinning! And of course, they know I love a challenge, too.

Afterwards, my friend and I did some weight training for our arms and got to catch up a bit. Weight training in front of a mirror is important so I can check my form and make sure I am doing my workouts correctly. However, I am of course faced with my image in the mirror, which can be distracting! Even if I start out checking out how sweaty I am or if my hair is staying up in the ponytail, I end up also looking at how my body looks in the mirror and how my clothes fit. When a negative or critical thought pops into brain, I try to refocus on what I am doing in the gym and what muscle groups I am working in order to think positive and focus on the positive change I am making by being at Healthworks! Does anyone else have ideas about how to think positively when you look in the mirror and are faced with critical thoughts about your appearance? I would love to hear from you!

-Kelli

Leave your comments and advice for Kelli!

Sports drinks such as Gatorade and Powerade can serve an important purpose in an athlete’s diet — when they’re consumed at the appropriate times. The carbohydrates and electrolytes in sports drinks can provide much needed energy immediately before or during activity lasting longer than one hour. These drinks can be especially helpful for athletes who can’t tolerate a small meal or snack right before they begin exercising.

It’s best to replenish fluid losses with water after a practice or competition and to stay away from energy drinks and vitamin infused waters. These beverages almost always contain too much sugar (a small can of Red Bull contains over 8 teaspoons!) and many of them also contain dangerous amounts of synthetic vitamins, herbs and other substances that can be harmful to an athlete’s body.

This past week-end the combined teams of the iris London — integrated, Experience and Digital — put on a fun event at the NBA Take to the Streets event at Clapham Common.

It was quite a nice integrated event / sponsorship leverage idea which in 2 sec was a Powerade sponsored a freethrow competition.

The event was a huge hit and all of the onsite signage and engagement ideas were fantastic, but more importantly, clearly,

check out the basketball tracking robot!

As people took their shots, Noah the robot captured the angle the ball hit the hoop and took a picture of the player which was printed out well adorned with Powerade branding.

http://animoto.com/play/Ildcu3jIotEDGMyRImdmyg?utm_campaign=share_email&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_email

Reminds us why we are all here – and why we love this business.  Helping our clients to do good fun effective marketing … one robot at a time.

God, as I was out on my 10k run today, I was about halfway, running down the riverbank trail, and there were three kids on bikes on the same track not far in front of me. I sort of wondered where their parents were or where they were going, but I didn’t think much of it because I was in my running “zone”. Anyway, I got to the track opening and passed the kids playground which is where these kids were headed, then, their parents came past on bikes too. And the thing that annoyed me, was that they weren’t wearing helmets.

This really really irked me because I cannot stress the importance of wearing helmets enough!! They could save your life if you got into an accident! A prime example of that is here. Kelly was run over by a car including her head. The only way she survived that accident is because she had a helmet protecting her head.

I was particularly angry at the parents because parents are a child greatest influence. Kids will copy everything you do! Parents are the example setters, and if kids see parents without helmets, then THEY’LL go without helmets and be in HUGE danger for if they were to be in an accident.

Wearing a helmet is worth looking like a bit of a dick if it means it will save your life. If you’re not prepared to get over what you look like, then you shouldn’t bother riding a bike at all. I ALWAYS wear a helmet. ALWAYS!!! And I hate the fact that I look like an idiot, but I would never ride without a helmet. It’s just not worth the risk. And besides, I’m not going to let what other people think of me affect my choices for a healthy lifestyle, a healthy lifestyle includes protecting yourself, which is what helmets do.

So I was really angry to see those parents being so slack and setting such a negative example. They need to be showing children how to be safe and take care of themselves.

Anyways… Moving on from stupid adults…

I ran my 10, nearly 11 kilometer today. By the end I seriously thought I was going to collapse. And once I got inside, I did. On my bedroom floor lol. I was SO exhausted, but it was a great run. Nothing went wrong, I didn’t get rained on, although it was still yuck and cloudy when the forecast said it was supposed to be sunny >:(

I didn’t get any knee-pain! I was really glad because I had expected some. In all of my past 10k’s I’ve gotten some pretty nasty knee-pain, but I had my knee sleeve on today and I was fine I’m gonna have some pretty interesting tan-lines for summer lol.

Eats for today included:

- French toast using egg-whites with ground cinnamon. Real maple syrup and sliced Pear on top.
- A small bowl of Granola and some leftover roast veges for dinner for lunch.

Then I went for my run and it’s taken away my appetite, so I’m just drinking up the water now to help stay hydrated.

Have a great evening!!

Do you wear helmets when you ride your bike? Have you ever been in a bike accident?

I think that if it doesn’t stop raining soon, I’m actually going to lose my mind. We’ve had crappy weather for TWO WEEKS STRAIGHT. that’s just a ridiculous amount of rain. I’m amazed we haven’t had flooding! And then, on the ONE day it’s beautiful and sunny, the tell us we’re gonna get hit by a Tsunami. Yay. Good stuff.

We’ve seriously had torrential rain for the last 3 days and on-off rain for the rest of the time. WHERE’S THE SUNSHINE GONE??!! Come on people, I live in Whakatane, it’s supposed to be the sunshine capital of new zealand! I DON’T SEE NO SUN!

I’m seriously starting to get Cabin Fever.

But anyway…. forget my grievances on the weather, I could complain for hours. Moving on to more positive things…

I went to the gym today for BodyPump, My Biceps were a tiny bit sore from last time, but once I got the blood pumping all was well. I thoroughly enjoyed the class this time too, though it did seem harder. Oh well, I just kept picturing Jillian Michaels buff body in my head and that was enough motivation to get me lifting those weights with gusto lol.

Check out those rockin’ arms! I love it!

After 60 minutes of bicep curls, tricep dips, lunges, squats, crunches etc etc etc, my muscles were quivering. But it was a mean workout! I still want the 30 Day Shred, i’d have the buffest arms from it haha.

After my hour of strength training, I went upstairs to get some decent cardio in. I used a treadmill for the first time in my life!! It was strange as, so much different from running outside like I usually do. I liked it though because it tells you how fast your going, what the time is, how many calories you’re burning etc. I burnt 352 calories in 30 mins I thought that was pretty sweet. I also liked being able to increase the level as I chose. I decided to sprint the last 2 minutes and it was great!

Walking felt weird though when I got off. My legs hadn’t quite registered that they weren’t on a treadmill anymore and I almost fell over haha. I went and did another 30 minutes on the stationary bike. I hated it, seriously, i hate it every time I do it because it’s BORING. It’s so gay. And it doesn’t burn nearly as many calories. I only burnt 126 in half an hour! I would’ve gone back on the treadmill, but I didn’t because the point of me getting on that stupid bike was to work different muscle groups. And I guess it did the job…

After that, I did something insane… I WALKED HOME IN THE POURING, TORRENTIAL RAIN. It’s ok, I had an umbrella. But still, that’s pretty hard out! lol. I was FREEZING and my feet got drenched, but I did it coz I needed the walk for a warm-down. I was so glad to come home and warm up my hands in front of the fire.

“October Ab Challenge, Making Abs Fun!” Day 3.
The October Challenge is all about strengthening my abs with a variety of different, easy exercises that I can do at home. It will go for the duration of the month and every 2nd day I will complete one and post an update

Well we did some hardcore ab work in Body Pump today, so once again, that’s what I did. We did things like push-ups, crunches, knee lifts and a few others which I don’t know the name of. It was harder this time because my poor abs are still sore from last time lol. But it was good. It’s cool to see my stomach toning up even after only a few ab sessions. Can’t wait to see how they’ll look at the end of the month!

Eats for today included:
-Granola with milk and a pear for breakfast
-Left over mac and cheese from last night with a banana for lunch
-A small cup of granola + one piece of bread with marmite for post-workout fuel
-Mince with peas and roast vegetables for dinner
-A banana and peanut butter smoothie.

Anyway, it’s just a short one today, I’ll have more tomorrow as usual

What do you use for inspiration when you’re lacking motivation during a workout? Do you like rain? or do you hate it like I do?

Oh. My. GOD. I have had such an insanely busy day. It’s 11.25pm and this is the only time I’ve had all day to sit here and tell you what I’ve been up to!

It’s been busy, but very fun and productive It started out like this….

I woke up at 8am, thanks to my alarm, had a cup of coffee at 10 past, checked the latest blog posts of the blogs I follow, then at 8.30 I had breaky. It was two pieces of wholemeal toast with Peanut Butter and Tomato on top. So yummy!

Peanut butter is officially my all time favourite food product. It’s so versatile! You can pretty much use it for/with anything. It’s really good for pre-work out fuel and snacks afterwards. Definitely an essential item in my humble opinion.

After breakfast I sorted out a little bag of almonds + a water bottle with 500mls of home-mixed powerade, because I was off to the gym for the first time in my LIFE to take a body pump class “Bodypump: is the original barbell class that strengthens your entire body. This 60 minute workout challenges all your major muscle groups by using the best weight-room exercises like squats, presses, lifts and curls”.

The class started at 9.30am so I arrived there at 20 past. Well.. It was not off to a great start. Within 5 minutes of being there I had tripped over and gotten nasty carpet burn on my knee… YAY. But it wasn’t so bad because all the other woman there were so kind and friendly! One woman in particular who I believe was Canadian, was unbelievably kind. She got me ice for my knee (thank god), a towel for my bench (which you’re sposed to pay $2 to hire), and set up my bar, my dumbbells, and my bench! Also, whilst we were doing the workout she gave me little tips here and there to make it easier + more effective.

I had wanted to thank her at the end of the class but she disappeared before I got the chance

Anyway, I had an absolute BLAST during the Bodypump class! It was SO SO much fun, perfect level of difficulty for me, had an AWESOME instructor called Robin, (who I later went and spoke to to thank her for being so awesome lol) and I loved it because I’ve never done strength training before and it’s so drastically different from the exercise I’m use to, being running.

I felt great to change things up a bit.

I have developed a new love for that class and I shall definitely be returning. This Saturday as a matter of fact, for the 8.30am session. I loved lifting weights, I felt so strong and confident. It was an excellent confidence booster

After the class ended, I walked home and got back at around 5 to 11 because I spent ten extra minutes at the gym putting away my gear and chatting to the instructor.
I sat down, Iced my knee for another 15 minutes, and then mum announced that we were all going for a bush walk and I was coming too. Yay. I protested ever so slightly because my poor Quads were still quivering from all the lunges haha. But nevertheless, I came anyway.

Our walk lasted about 45 minutes all up and was COMPLETELY up hill the entire way there. I’m not even kidding. Not even one little bit of downhill, completely uphill with quite a few stairs. It felt good to keep moving and prevent me from getting stiff and sore, but I still wasn’t 100% because I was also STARVING!!! I’d had the almonds I packed once I got home and after we came back from our walk we didn’t get home till 1.30pm, so naturally, after all that exercise, I was absolutely ravenous.

The walk was totally worth it. We walked up to Kohi Point which is where I’ve been quite a few times before with a very very close friend of mine, so that lookout is very dear to my heart and it was cool to walk there.

Once we got back, I wolfed down lunch, which was a wholegrain bread sandwich with cottage cheese with chives, shredded chicken, tomato and mayonnaise + a pear. After that I showered, it felt SOOO good. I was finally clean and smelling like roses again!!

Once I got out of the shower I contacted Karla and arranged to go over to her house for a couple of hours. At about 20 past 2 I biked over to her place which takes about 10-15 minutes each way since we live on completely opposite sides of town. I was feeling a bit sore but pretty much fine. I got to hers and we had a fantastic catch up. I love having great catch ups with friends where you just sit, talk and listen to good music I hadn’t really stopped all day so It was nice to just chillax for a bit.

I biked back home at 4.50pm because I knew I had to clean my room, it was looking disgusting and I had big plans for clearing it out.

I got home and cleaned my room for about an hour, then we had dinner, which was so delicious, it was Mum’s fantastic Asian Salad, but this time she added a few bit of beef into it. YUMMA!  Then my friend came over and we arranged to go to the hot pools together with my mum and brother later.

I stripped all the sheets off my bed and then off we went to the hot pools! (It was 8.00pm by now). My friend agreed to meet us out there and they did. We chilled for about 30-60 minutes before coming home at 10 coz they close.

I got home, snacked on some leftover salad, had a glass of milk and resumed cleaning my bedroom.
I am happy to report that bedroom is now spick and span!!! Thank GOD lol. It’s been a while

NOW. Back to my “October Ab Challenge”. Today for Making Abs Fun, I worked those babies in BodyPump We did crunches, bicycle crunches, push ups and a few more exercises which I thought were excellent. I will be in some serious amounts of pain in the morning, but it’s totally worth it

Stay tuned for more Ab workouts tomorrow!

I have a Duathalon style workout planned for tomorrow so I’ll hit you up with that. It’ll be exciting and intense. I love changes up my workouts. I’ve decided not to set my alarm tomorrow morning, I shall wake up when my body feels ready and well rested

Have a fantabulous evening!

Do you have any tips on “working those abs”? What is your favourite form of exercise?

The title of this post is a quote by Albert Einstein. I’ve had a really stink and stressful day, I decided to cheer myself by looking up and writing down positive mantras, affirmations and quotes.

It really did help to be honest
Here is a list of some of my favourites:

-I understand that no one is more important than I am, and that no one else is less important.

-I am strong, calm and confident.

-Everyday is a fresh start

-”When everything seems to be going against you, remember an airplane takes off against the wind, not with it” – Henry Ford.

- “Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you are right” – Henry Ford

-”If you want to live a happy life, tie to to a goal, not to people or things” – Albert Einstein.

(One of my all time favourites:) -”If we did all the things we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves” – Thomas Edison.

-”There is only one personal who could ever make you happy, and that person is you” – David Burns.

-Every chance taken is another chance to win.

Aren’t they great? I found they really inspired me and picked up my mood. Some people are just so darn philosophical lol. What would we do without them?

Anyway, I’ll start from the beginning of my day so you can get an idea as to why it turned out so bad…

Well, I woke up at 7.30am, reeealllyyyy tired, but I got up anyway because I knew I had a busy day, I had to go for a run and then I had a friend coming over sometime after 10am, so I needed to shower, have a snack and clean my room before they got here.

Well, I had two cups of coffee and two slices of toast with peanut butter on them as pre-run fuel, then a glass of water, checked my emails, read some of the blogs I follow, then off I went at around 9am.

Well BOY HOWDY did I run like the wind this time! I’m not sure what it was, but that’s the fastest I have ever run 5k’s. I think my time was around 28-30 Minutes. That’s a new PR! But I didn’t time it so I don’t know for sure.

I’m surprised I ran so well because I woke up feeling quite sick and when I was running I was starting to feel worse and worse, and at times, thought I was going to vomit (I blame it on the disgusting fried food that I ate last night at the quiz night at Spot 81. It was the only food available and my post-run hunger was kicking in and I was absolutely RAVENOUS). I just stared up ahead, zoned out and thought about anything BUT running whilst my feet pounded the pavement. It was really good that I managed to distract myself, because otherwise I would’ve focused on the negative things like sore legs, feeling tired and sick.

Also, I ran without my Ipod this time, just so I could focus on other things, and I actually think it was a really good idea. I was able to concentrate my focus away from running and think of things unrelated that made me happy.
It worked a charm

Anyway, I was VERY relieved to get home and stretch and drink up my glass of Powerade, then, I received a phone call from Mum who was at work…..

She told me there had been a Tsunami warning issued to us in New Zealand because of the MASSIVE 8.2 on the richter scale earthquake in Samoa. I had in fact heard the alarm go off, but was so puffed from running so hard that I didn’t really process it.

At first, I wasn’t worried, I was just like “Ok, sweet as”, and went back to stretching. But then I went on twitter, and there were News Reports about it and I was home alone and started to freak out. Everyone was evacuating and moving to high ground and I had no way of getting there.

Then mum rang again, and this time she REAALLY scared me. She rang and said “I just asked Mark to come back and get you and take you to high ground… I care about you very much and I want you to be safe. Or I thought it would be a good idea for you and [insert name of particular friend here (sorry, I can't disclose who it is)] to go up to Kohi point right now… I’d hate for anything to happen to you” or something along those lines. I really starting freaking out after that because she made it sound like I might drown. I was extra frightened because I have a tendency to have really really awful, vivid and horrific dreams, and once I had one that a Tsunami hit my town and caused massive damage.

I thought “Oh god, my nightmare is about to come true….”

Thankfully, I went on facebook and had a few friends reassure me that we were pretty much safe and that even if it did hit, it would be really small so we have nothing to worry about.
I was so relieved!!!!!!!

I flicked on the news and they also reassured us that it wouldn’t be very big and wouldn’t cause much damage because it coincides with low-tide.

I felt heaps better and finally got to shower after my run haha. Best shower of my life. Though I wasn’t feeling very friendly with water at the time.

After that scare (the whole palaver  lasted about 2 hours), I went into my room, relaxed on my bed and read my book “Deliciously Natural” for about an hour while I waited for my friend to show up. Which was a lost cause, because they never did.

That just added to my bad mood. I felt really hurt and as a result, angry! That’s when I started looking up positive affirmations and quotes and now I feel a lot more relaxed.

All that was topped off by me feeling disgustingly sick all day. I could barely eat lunch, which I had at 12pm, (pan cooked carrot, spinach, silverbeet and parsley with two eggs and a small tub of yoghurt), it is now 4pm and I’ve only been hungry for a cracker.

I really need to eat because I need to refuel after my run. But I just don’t think I can stomach anything atm… I was guttered because I was going to hang out with Emma and Robert and I started walking to town but just felt so sick that I had to turn around, come home and cancel I was really really guttered.

I had an afternoon nap to try and chill out, but I didn’t sleep very well.

Anyway, here I am writing all of this. It’s been an emotional day all round and I’m glad it ending.

I’ll update more later

Have a lovely night everyone.

Have you ever lived in an area that was issued with a Tsunami warning? How did you react?

Ugh, well, this morning’s 10k was not very enjoyable at ALL. The only way I managed to complete it was by pushing myself mentally, and using good, positive mantras. Also, I was contemplating finishing at 5k instead because I was so worn out and run down, but when I got to the 5k point I said I’d do 7, what’s two more k’s? Then once I got to seven I said I’d go on to do 10 coz it was only 3 more k’s. And thank god I looked at it like that, or else I don’t think i’d have made it.

I took a water bottle with me today for the first time, I filled it up with Powerade instead though for fast hydration when I needed it. It was good to have drinks there, but it was annoying to have to hold it the whole way. I’ll use a camelbak next time.

I ran very very slow today because I was not feeling well and I was lacking motivation, I completed the 10k in 1hr, 20mins. That’s not to crash hot… But I’m not bothered because at least I managed to finish. That’s all that matters is that I motivated myself enough to run the full distance.

I HATED the new running shorts I bought the other day. God they were terrible and I plan to take them back tonight. I shouldn’t have run in them, it added to my bad mood and lack of motivation because they were uncomfortable and ill-fitting. Bloody awful to be honest and I will never use them again.

I was so relieved to get back home and I couldn’t really believe I had managed to finish the full 10 Kilometers. I had a fantastic stretch and then an AMAZING shower that I didn’t want to get out of. Felt so good to relax, wash off the sweat and just chill.

After that, I cooked myself the yummiest lunch and I’m so proud of it! I’m starting to just improvise with recipes these days, and today I decided I wanted vegetables because I never have cooked veges for lunch. I chopped up some carrots and fried them in a pan with a splash of Canola oil, some Moroccan Seasoning and Lemon Pepper seasoning. GOD it was good! It was so yum, I’m cooking it for everyone tonight for dinner
Aswell as the carrots, I made an omelette with cheese and milk and had a small tub of yoghurt.

Was definitely a good lunch and has kept me sufficiently full till now it’s 10 past two in the afternoon and I had lunch at 11.30am, so that’s pretty good!

I just had one of those amazing, melt-in-your-mouth Banana and Peanut Butter smoothies. I’m so addicted to those right now. Who new Peanut Butter could be used for so many things??

After lunch I had my Dentist appointment I hate going to the dentist. I walked into town and posted two Operation Beautiful notes on the way A little pick-me-up for me and whoever reads them.

It was so dumb, my dentist appointment lasted a full total of like 2 minutes. No kidding. There was absolutely nothing wrong with my teeth and she sent me along on my way with a tube of toothpaste and a tooth  brush lol. YAY.

I really hate Dentists. It so icky to have someone you barely know, all up in your personal space, their face ten centimeters away from yours with their hands all in your mouth with their creepy tools, scraping away at your teeth with that weird hook thing. YUCK YUCK YUCK. I don’t like it at all.

Good thing I don’t have to go again for another year unless my teeth start having problems! (Which they won’t, I have brilliant dental hygiene).

After  my yucky encounter with the dentist, I moseyed on over to Kope. Had a wander through the video shop and decided to come back later to rent some since it’s $2 Tuesday.
Then I went to visit Mum at work because the hospital is seriously like 400 meters from the video shop. She gave me a banana and a nice cold glass of water (banana which I used for my KILLER smoothie), we had a little chat for a bit and then I decided to head off.

It’s been such a beautiful day thankfully and I feel like I’ve been good and productive Yesterday was amazing too and I’m looking forward to tomorrow because I’m hanging out with Robert and Emma again. My family have decided to go to Hamilton NEXT thursday because this one wasn’t working for all parties involved in the little excursion. I can’t wait. I have a friend coming and I’m counting my lucky stars that he’ll be able to make it.

Tomorrow I’m going to run an easy 5k. I don’t wanna push myself too hard, especially not after today. Gotta take it easy on my poor little leggies. Tomorrow expect a blog post on Body Confidence. I’ve been inspired by a few other healthy bloggers

Right now I have to go study, clean my room and read tonnes of books I have piled up :/

As for you? Have a great day.

Today was attempt 3 at trying to selling my body in the ghetto. Although my goal was accomplished, third time is certainly not a charm. I made the 30 bus, but just missed the 21 (despite my sprint two blocks across traffic along North Ave.) Fortunately, I made another 21-year-old ex-con friend at the bus stop. His name is Nick, and he’s had a terrible smoking habit since the age of eleven. He’s also had issues with several ex-girlfriends and fiances, so we had some therapy bonding time. Good kid.

Got off at the plasma center, where I was a little late since my alarms were set to mute (!) this morning, but was accepted at the bottom of the list. After watching Armageddon, Coach Carter, and Hitch, I finally got through the screening and got on the table. Six and a half hours, thirty dollars, two bottles of orange Powerade, and one missed class after my arrival, I left Talecris. When I made it home, I realized that I left my house key in my running shorts yesterday. FML

At this point, about the only thing that was going to cheer me up would be Noodles & Co., and that is precisely where I went. I paid for my Penna Rosa and small pop with a Visa Suntrust gift card…that is until the chick behind the counter says it was rejected. When I explained that it was a gift card, I was told by another girl that they couldn’t accept it, but no worries, she’ll pay for it . And that is why karma’s a bitch. – nic

Mmmm. Irish Coffee should fix this right up!

It’s no secret that much of the college social life revolves around drinking. We drink to celebrate, mourn, express loyalty to our football teams, to ease boredom, hell,  some people drink to make homework a little more interesting (no, no one else does that?).  Well, all that super fun drinking  sometimes results in not-so-fun consequences: mysterious bruises, ruined shoes, hours’ worth of un-tagging on Facebook, that dude lying next to you, and the raging, horrific hangover trying to escape your brain by splitting it open.

What’s a girl to do? Your mind jumps to Gatorade (don’t have any), Egg McMuffins (dammit, it’s past 10:30!) and water (your Brita pitcher is full of hunch punch) before remembering that bottle of Bloody Mary mix in the back of the fridge. Should you suck it up, stir in some vodka and take a hair of the dog that bit you?

Nope.

The phrase itself refers to an old school Rabies cure (literally, they would place a hair of the dog that bit you in the wound), but has evolved into the idea that if you drink a small amount of whatever got you into this hung-over state, you’ll feel better. It didn’t work for rabies, and it won’t work for your hangover.

A hangover results because of the dehydrating effect alcohol has on your body. Remember what we learned about breaking the seal? Alcohol suppresses your brain’s ability to create anti-diuretic hormones, so you lose essential water, electrolytes, salts and glucose via bathroom breaks. The morning after, your body is frantically trying to replenish all that lost hydration, resulting in fatigue, headache, nausea, etc. These symptoms get worse as your body tries to rid all alcohol from its system, leading some to believe that all this hangover nonsense could be cured by simply drinking more.

Unfortunately, more alcohol will only postpone your hangover. It might temporarily relieve some of the symptoms of a hangover (and keep you in those beer goggles until the boy actually leaves), but when it wears off your body will still have to recover, only now it your liver has extra toxins to break down and remove. So in the end, your headache and nausea will probably be worsened by more alcohol, definitely not relieved.

The best cure for a hangover (besides, you know, not drinking in the first place) is to drink plenty of water to fight dehydration, some Gatorade or Powerade to replace electrolytes, lots of rest, and at least 4 hours worth of mind numbing TV, preferably Real Housewives or True Hollywood Stories, but whatever’s on VH1 will do in a pinch.

Woke up very wobbly from the casino last night!  Felt a curious lightness without my Coin of Destiny.  But at least Week 9 really went out with a bang!  Sometimes it seems like every Wednesday is New Years Eve.

But now I’m born again… again. Welcome to Day 1 of GEEK WEEK!

This week, I’m being lived by a brave understudy: Ben Trafford! Some of you might be familiar with him by now.  He’s having me do all sorts of nerdy things– read his bizarrely formatted schedule & you should get the picture.

The Chancellor doesn't like geeks. He's sleeping on the couch!

After hobbling downstairs for some coffee I hobbled back up again.  Today was actually bright & sunny!  I wanted to work on my tan.  Can you be a geek & have a tan?  Well, the answer is irrelevant, as I was too busy.  I had to 1. write Ben a 500 word essay with my thoughts on geekdom.  I was generous & gave him over a thousand.  I led him on a truly magical journey, liberally peppered with chummy personal anecdotes & candid self-examination.

"I'll take the balcony, loser!"

In it, I come to the conclusion that while I share a geek’s love of art, pop culture, & trivia,

[...] the world of make-believe stopped interesting me as a child.  I like my reading & viewing material to be hyper-real, ultra-real, fiction that helps unlock the reality I inhabit.  The mysteries I’m fascinated by are the real mysteries of the unknowable world that is actually around us, rather than constructed mysteries of a simpler fantasy world.  I don’t know if I could say that I’m an escapist.  I think I might be the opposite.  But my experience of the world is so opposite to escapism that it actually ends up approaching it.  I may embody escapism’s mirror image.

This may be a luxury afforded to me by my high IQ, admirable pedigree, & stunning good looks.  If I were somebody else, I can imagine wanting to escape to a simpler & more just world.  As it is, I don’t need simplicity or justice.  Actually, the only thing I need is a maid.

I don’t consider it a day until I’ve mis-misrepresented myself on the internet.

My lovely little essay also includes several keywords I think that geeks might like.  Words like:

hamster, Ancient Egypt, Trekkies, cheerleader, midriff, skinny-dipping, student council, schoolgirl uniform, suicide poetry, child bride, schizophrenia, instant message, livejournals, S&M, childfree, Star Wars, Harry Potter, comic books, fantasy, computers, Marvel, Klingon, internetspeak, Star Trek, escapism

I sent it along to Ben, along with my choice of 2. Klingon word #2.  I must work “maj’” into everyday speech when I feel like it.  Funnily enough, I haven’t really felt like it.  Which isn’t to say everything isn’t maj’.  I’m also supposed to say 3. QALPA’! anytime someone impresses me or bids me farewell. Well, lots of people have said bye to me, but no one has yet bade me farewell.  & since I am always impressed by everything, for practical reasons I can’t say it whenever someone impresses me!  Or else my speech would be replaced entirely with QALPA QALPA QALPA QALPA QALPA QALPA & we wouldn’t get anywhere.  I only managed a few today, but I’m sure I’ll work it in more in the future.

Anyway, I went to the video store to 4. get The Prisoner but they didn’t have it.  Harder to find than the Criterion Collection, even!  & I still had to go 5. hang out at a comic book store. I’ve ordered the series from Amazon & it should arrive Monday-ish.  Till then, 6. no other TV! That shouldn’t be hard.  I don’t watch TV anymore.

I figured the comic book store might close at 5:00 so I rushed on over to make it there shortly before four.  After all, I had to 7. spend at least a full hour there!  Made it by about 3:40 & thus began my education at ELFSAR.

Not quite sure what I was supposed to be doing, I approached the guys at the front desk, Ethan (owner & proprieter) & Omar.  Told them I’d need to hang out for an hour.  First, did they have the 8. Sandman series? Second, did they need help with anything? Like unpacking boxes? I mean what else would I do in an hour? I could tell from their responses they thought that was pretty weird.  They explained that people hang out in comic book stores all the time.  Oh.  I never realized that these places are hang outs.  I thought they were just places where you buy things!

I was kind of at a loss as to what to do.  I asked them about role playing games & Klingon.  I don’t know what kind of geek Mr. Trafford is, but he said that role playing games last 4-8 hours normally.  These guys said they can be as short as an hour!  & that four hours is a long time.  Relief!  I’ve got to do one of those games tomorrow.  Sounds like it won’t be the chunk of time I thought.

Then Omar politely showed me where the Sandman was.

He pretends to show me for the very first time.

WHAT?  It was four enormous volumes that would’ve taken up almost my entire budget.  Ridiculous!  No way!  But wait… I pulled up Trafford’s directives & consulted Omar very seriously about them.  There must be a loophole.  There must.  There must.

Omar & I discovered we both love e.e. cummings.

Where is the loophole?

Omar & I discovered we both like Yeats.

Where is the loophole?

Omar & I debated the grammar in Ben’s phrasing: You must get either Neil Gaiman’s Sandman or Warren Ellis’ Transmetropolitan series of graphic novels.

I hold that I was not legally required to get the Sandman series & thus could get only one book.  Omar thinks that for my case to stand up in court a comma would be needed somewhere.  Hmmm.

Then he hit upon it! There are lots of Sandman series.

Them's just jokes, baby.

I picked up TWO, because I am a kind & generous overachiever.  Omar & Ethan, fluent in all things geek, assured me my logic was airtight!

I just had another half an hour or so to kill.  Not so bad!  But what else was I to do.

Suddenly it struck me.  Did they have cartoon pornography?

YES!  Omar helped me find some erotic comics, exactly to my taste!! One of them is by a local artist called Cinema Sewer.  Adults Only!  I got the “Shocking Times Square Special!” — can’t wait to break that out of the plastic.

& then, THEN I found out that there are erotic comics based on fairytales!  Be! Still! My! Heart!  I picked up some sort of preview edition of Beyond Wonderland. Perfect for the project.

I'm sorry there's gum on it.

Omar also showed me a delightful book, wrapped in plastic, that was very thick & fancy looking.  It’s called Lost Girls & it’s banned in the UK.  It’s full of the pornographic exploits of various fairy-tale characters like Dorothy Gale & Jack (of Beanstalk fame) & Alice & so on.  Wow!  I kind of lusted after it, but it was over $50 & I hadn’t even seen inside.  So I reluctantly set it aside.

Comics ARE fun.  At this point, euphoria set in.  I experience a lot of euphoria lately.  Omar & Ethan were my very first mentors! They guided me through my conversion experience & once I was one of them we were ready to have fun.

We celebrated with lightsaber fights!

By George! I think she's got it!

Only the good (comic book store proprieters) die young!

It was so fun I could barely stand it!  We started to talk about the exact nature of the project & this week’s participant (After explaining, I said: 9. “Hey, you sass that hoopy Ben Trafford? There’s a frood who really knows where his towel is!” — whatever that means).

Then we hit on a great great idea.  They could comment on my blog from the store, right before my eyes! In my very presence.

Wonderful!

& they then composed a comment more masterful & hilarious than my wildest dreams. You’ll see it under this week’s schedule.  But I want it preserved for posterity here:

Exploiting loopholes with this strange girl who has entered our shop. Our Geek is stronger than your geek, Ben. Maybe one day you will meet her too, and we have never even heard of her. She played with our lightsabers Ben and she liked it, in fact she is playing with them again as we speak. She has been seduced by the dark side of our force.

Ben,
we looked at your directives and found your lack of geek disturbing, come visit us and learn from the masters.
http://www.elfsar.com

These guys have blown all other gold star candidates out of the water.  I paced around the store laughing hysterically for around half an hour.  (“Like the laughter of children” said Omar).  By now I’d spent much longer there than required.  It was past 5:00!  Ethan headed out & I decided I’d leave too, but first… oh I was very dizzy.  I faint sometimes.  & last night took a lot out of me! I just needed to… sit down for a moment & catch my breath.

I sat down with my head on my knees.  But even the chair seemed awfully high.  I crawled to the ground.  “This is so embarrassing!”  But Omar assured me that he sees much stranger behavior all the time.  He fetched me a little cup of water & an Ugly Doll for a pillow.  Oh, Omar.  He’s so dreamy.  I’m not sure if it’s a Geek Week version of Stockholm Syndrome or what, but I think Omar is seriously dreamy.  He’s probably taken, but ladies, if not– RUN, don’t walk, over to Elfsar & try to pick him up!

I lay on the ground for awhile.

Today I am all funny faces

At first I would try to sit up when people came into the store but then I realized that a comic book store is the absolute best place to behave like a weirdo.  Even though I was doubled over on the ground laughing quietly to myself & using a doll as a pillow, most people did not even give me a single glance!  Have I found my people?  Well, not exactly… but maybe I will stop by Elfsar every now & then for naptime.  I also have another project related idea that incorporates the store.  But we’ll see.

When I sat up, Omar treated me to a blue Powerade (yuck, but good for me?  “Do geeks drink this?” I asked.  & he said yes & told me about the history of Gatorade).  Then, he even took the aforementioned Lost Girls out of the plastic!  & I read it while I recovered.  It was VERY obscene!

Storytime comes after naptime.

So fun.  I can’t believe I got to spend so much of the day sitting on the floor of a store with a stuffed animal, reading pornography & being waited on by handsome men!  I recovered around 6:45 & left just before closing at 7:00pm.

The only problem is that I don’t really like comic books.  Why can’t other stores be as fun as this one?

Anyway, I hope the men at Elfsar know they can help me exploit my loopholes anytime.

I returned home, ordered The Prisoner, then spent some time 10. link-following or whatever Trafford calls it?  Then I headed out to 7-11.  I thought that in order to think like a geek I should probably eat like a geek.  So I got some ramen noodles, dill pickle flavored potato chips, Kraft Dinner, & Dr. Pepper.  (I was supposed to 11. drink something fizzy & caffeinated).

Chancellor's tender ministrations are probably inspired by Omar

Then, after a light appetizer of pickle chips, I dined on ramen & egg.  Then I 12. watched the intro to The Prisoner, which was all I could find online.

I also watched The Prisoner.

You know the one.

I thought a bathroom mirror self-pic, especially with mirror-face, especially with a sign, especially if said sign contained allusion to Pinky & the Brain, would be appropriate for Geek Week.  Also, before you ask, I wrote it backwards. But that doesn’t make me a geek.  DaVinci entertained himself similarly, I believe.

Now all I have left to do is 13. read my Sandman before turning in.  Tomorrow I have to do some role-playing, blahh.  I still don’t exactly know what it is.  I talked to a few guys in Elfsar about it & asked them if there’s anyway I could do a really boring kind.  Like I’d really like to do a roleplaying game where I’m Janet from Sales & I’ve got to return some pillowcases but Madison gets out of daycare at 6:00 & I don’t know if I’ll have enough time anyway how will I stop the dog from chewing on the coffee-table & does my husband still find me attractive?  But apparently nobody does that kind of role-playing.  Maybe I can invent it.

So tired!  Hope I don’t faint while walking the dog.