Inspiring Guitar Solo!

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Kate

Jeff accidentally took my iPod out running with him the other day. The resulting aftermath is why smart people don’t have the same color nanos.

Now, to be fair, he did select the playlist called “Cheesy Workout Songs.” Still, apparently, my taste in workout playlists is suspect enough for me to never hear the end of it. Now he’s playing half of these songs while I’m trying to unload the dishwasher or fold laundry, to “inspire me”.

(I would be lying if I said it didn’t kind of work, but it’s still ridiculous.)

Maybe (okay, totally) I tend towards the cheesier end of the spectrum, but 70s and 80s music makes me run faster and jump higher. Call it aural PF Flyers, I guess. He thinks it’s super lame, I think it’s epic.

Anyhow, because someone intimated that I wouldn’t ever show this to another human, I present to you, the internet, my favorite workout playlist:

  1. Sirius – Alan Parsons Project
  2. Holding Out For a Hero – Bonnie Tyler
  3. You’re the Best - Joe Esposito
  4. You’ve Got Another Thing Comin’ – Judas Priest
  5. Carry on Wayward Son – Kansas
  6. Panama – Van Halen
  7. YYZ – Rush
  8. Black Betty – Ram Jam
  9. Song 2 – Blur (Seem out of place? Sort of, but it was the Pens’ goal song last season. It works.)
  10. Crossroads – Cream
  11. King of the Night Time World – KISS
  12. Enter Sandman – Metallica
  13. Don’t Stop Believing – Journey (I know, I associate it with the Red Wings, too. But it’s so good.)
  14. Eye of the Tiger – Survivor
  15. Real American – Rick Derringer
  16. The Final Countdown – Europe (No, I can’t listen to it without thinking of Gob Bluth, either.)
  17. Renegade – Styx

Embarassing? Maybe, but I think it’s actually pretty awesome. And you know you want a copy.

What’s on your workout playlist lately?

 

Posted in Daily Life, Lists, That "Balanced" Part | 6 Comments

Favorite Things: November

Posted on November 2, 2011 by Kate

When I find good things, I like to share them. These are a few good things I’ve found over the past month that you might like, too:

Kailey’s Apple Pie and Pumpkin Spiced Pecans


You know those nut stands that sell glazed almonds and make the entire state fair/mall/theme park smell like warm buttery vanilla goodness? These are those — but exponentially better. Crunchy and sweet, but they actually taste like an apple pie or pumpkin spice goodness. I’m throwing these in oatmeal, on salads, and just eating them straight out of the bag because, well, I can’t stop. They’re that good.

Cooking Light’s Soy and Cola Braised Pork Shoulder

Oh my heck, this is good stuff. Goooooooood stuff. Sweet and spiced and asian-y and barbecue-y…just do yourself a favor and make it. As a bonus, it’s as easy as it is delicious. I added a few thai chilis to the braising liquid to spice it up a little, and I can highly recommend doing that, as well. We liked it best as a filling for lettuce wraps topped with some quick and spicy asian pickles (I only use one cucumber and add in some radish, carrot, and onion.)

Kendra Scott Jewelry

I love jewelry — enough that I don’t buy it for myself unless I’m on vacation. (Why? Because then everything — in addition to being awesome — has a story that goes with it. And it’s much more fun to say “Oh, these? I got them when I went to (someplace exotic, or at least not here)” than “Oh, these? Target.” (Note: this has not kept me from buying things at Target when I’m traveling, so it’s not entirely foolproof.)

Anyways. Kendra Scott is one of my favorite jewelry designers and her flagship store just happens to be in Austin, so of course I had to drop in and walk out with far more than I should have. Not only is her jewelry gorgeous, but lots of it is customizable, making it easy to find just the right something you (may or may not) need — whether that’s something for game day or just to dress up jeans and a t-shirt. The Darby earrings (pictured above) are my new favorites, but I also came home from the Blathering with a new pair of Danielles and Anitas (which I can’t find in a linkable format, but I promise they’re cute.)

Pineapple Upside Down Cake Martinis (Pinnacle Vodka)

I love, love, love Pinnacle’s Whipped vodka. (If you aren’t familiar,it’s whipped cream flavored vodka. Yep. Let that one sink in for a while, because not only does it exist, it’s delicious.) A friend recommended their cake-flavored version and Oh My Goodness, do I have a new favorite drink. It is girly and sweet and dangerously easy to forget how many you’ve had — just mix pineapple juice, a splash of sprite, and a fairly heavy-handed shot of cake flavored vodka. Add in a cherry. Thank me later, or invite me over to share. If you want to get fancy, a caramel/brown sugar rim would be an excellent way to do so. These are millions of miles better than the vanilla vodka/grenadine/pineapple juice version, and just as simple. (There’s no pretty picture of the drink because even though we were gifted with gorgeous glassware for our wedding, I usually drink out of a tervis tumbler, which, while practical, isn’t exactly photo-worthy.)

Obligatory disclaimer: These are all my own opinions, none of these companies/people/things are compensating me in any way, shape or form.

Posted in Conspicuous Consumption, Lists | 6 Comments

Post-Blather

Posted on October 25, 2011 by Kate

So, the Blathering. Undoubtedly at this point, you’ve read recaps that are funnier, more insightful, and just plain better than mine, but you’re here now and you will read mine and like it.

(One thing people learned about me this weekend: I am maybe a little bossy.)

My nerves almost got the best of me on the way to the airport.

I don’t know these people, I’ve only met one of them before and have not seen her in over a decade, very few of them have a clue who I am, and clearly no one would notice if I just didn’t show. They would probably have more fun without me! I would really be doing them a favor if I just stayed home! Yes! I will be a hero and avoid ruining everyone’s weekend by being a weird wallflower by just not going…oh, hey, I’m at the airport already. Hmm. Might as well show up. When everyone hates me and kicks me out of the parties, at least I’ll be in Austin and can drown my sorrows in migas, tacos and Shiner.

So I went, because I was already at the airport and was going to get charged for parking either way, and it was more than worth it.

There is a peace that comes with being among your people, and when it washes over you in an Applebee’s on a Friday afternoon as you barely even touch your salad because you are laughing so damn hard with people you’ve literally just met* (awkwardly, of course — as is my preferred style — in the lobby of a Hyatt Place), it is a powerful thing.

Somehow, the weekend just got better from there. Reconnecting with Tara, who is as strong and smart and funny as they come, finally (finally!) meeting Jennie and feeling like I’ve known her forever, hearing Emily‘s stories in person (as funny as they are on the internet, they are exponentially better when acted out in front of you), trying on the world’s best 80′s cocktail dress as Temerity Jane tweets pictures of you in it before you can even run back to the dressing room, holding ‘s Regan‘s adorable, perfect baby girl, falling a little bit in love with Sarah, Elsha, and Miriel, getting all fangirly over Jonna, spotting #theblatheringhooker in the hotel lobby with Andrea and -R-, marveling at A’Dell‘s planning and hosting abilities, enabling Miranda in developing a new jewelry addiction (confidential to Miranda’s bank account: I am so sorry.), talking hockey and everything else in the world with Jen, spotting houndstooth on South Congress for Sarah and Julie, kind of wanting to be Natalie (even with her neighborhood’s chicken problem), being uberjealous of Lauren‘s amazing hair, Katie sitting there and quietly taking it as I harangued her about her distant relative-by-marriage while she was trying to eat her salad, discussing all things Mike Leach with Becca, perfect hugs from Christina (who I would like to hire as my personal accessory buyer), nearly spitting my drink out laughing with Kristie and Manda, and, and, and…I could write 2000 words and still not get to everyone. I loved every minute, every woman there, and hate that it had to end.

I came home with an even worse case of baby lust than I left with (even after the pregnancy & newborn horror stories — and lo, there were horror stories), an extra five pounds of queso & cupcake weight (WORTH IT), a purse full of Canadian candy (that totally perplexed the TSA guy), a renewed love for Austin (as my long-distance relationship with Texas continues), and most importantly/best of all, the beginnings of what I know are going to be some incredible friendships.**

I can not wait for next year.

*Many of whom were warned not to talk to strangers, before boarding planes to go to another city to spend a weekend doing exactly that.

** I also came home with a $168 speeding ticket that I got on my way to the airport, but that is slightly less fun. Austin, I love you, but we need to talk about your idea of a lovely parting gift because I have to say, while something personalized is always appreciated, you’re still not quite hitting the mark there.

Posted in Nerdery, Out of Town | 16 Comments