One Down, Five to Go

My brilliant little sister Alicia introduced me to a new fitness program that is a six days a week, six week program.  The first two weeks are a bit of an introduction/warm up (cleverly called "Ramp It Up") and the next four weeks are the tougher, nitty gritty part of the program ("Burn It Up").  At first I was a bit skeptical and thought this wasn't going to be too tough.  However, even the Ramp It Up sessions – which are about 50 minutes long – have been a challenge.  The program works muscles I haven't worked in a really long time and requires constant movement. 

After this morning's workout, I've officially made it through "Week One" of a six week program.  My assistant college soccer coach Bill Palladino (aka Dino) used to cruelly call out, "One down, nine to go," after our first 120 or cone.  Our grueling fitness sessions required 10 reps of these 120s or cones.  So in a shout out to Dino, one down, five to go in my aerobics program.  But hey, you gotta start somewhere.

My Car is a Heat Sinking Missile...

...for attracting other cars to hit it. Earlier I blogged about being hit by a drunk driver after the Coldplay concert up in Anaheim. After backing into my car, he claimed he didn't hit me and then tried to run, but couldn't run because the parking lot was all jammed up with people trying to leave. I called 911 and reported the incident and a couple of days later had to make a three hour round trip drive up to Anaheim to report the incident with their police department. After all this stress and hassle, the Anaheim police still haven't found the person whose license plate I called in. This incident will be continued on the blog...

With that as a preface, Thursday night around 7p I was walking out to my car in the garage of our office building. I saw a light blue Camry pulling out. The car kept going and going, and I thought to myself, "That car is going to hit me." And, yes, a solid month after the Crossfire took a beating from a Tercel, the Camry did a number on my bumper. The woman was very apologetic and kind, so at least this damage can be fixed ASAP, but it is still an annoyance. And my poor car is apparently a red-headed stepchild. Ugh!

A Confession

I have a confession to make.  Yes, a deep, dirty secret that only my roommate knows about.  Here it is (brace yourself): I love listening to Britney Spears, especially when I am working out (shudder).  I can't help it and I can't deny it.  

My wise younger sister introduced me to a new workout program called "Slim in 6" featuring Debbie Siebers.  This workout involves 2 days of "Start It Up," followed by 4 days and 1 week of "Ramp It Up," and finishes with 4 weeks of "Burn It Up."  I am currently in the "Ramp It Up" phase, which is an all-body 48 minute aerobic workout.  I make myself get up and do it in the morning, or else I know I won't do it at all.  However, when the alarm goes off at 5:30a, I am typically not too excited to "Ramp It Up" with Debbie and the gang...

Then enter Britney Spears.  I blast my iPod with "Blackout," her second newest album (I don't have "Circus"), turn on the aerobics DVD on my 47" LCD and work out in my tiny living room, which is all glass by the way.  I think I'm starting to scare the bums in the abandoned lot our living room overlooks.  However, when I hear "Gimme More" or "Break the Ice" my adrenaline gets a nice burst and I am really ready to "Ramp It Up."  Thank you, Britney.

If You Think You're Having a Bad Day...

...it could be worse.  I typically try to generate my own content on this blog, but the link below, which was forwarded to me by a colleague, made me laugh out loud (and very loudly!).  Good thing he was only stuck up there for seven minutes; I imagine shortly after is when the frostbite starts to set in.  Given the humiliation factor, I bet the seven minutes seemed like seven hours...

Find the story at: (www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2009/0106091vail1.html).

My New Favorite Song...

...is "You Don't Know Me" by Ben Folds, featuring Regina Spektor.  It is quite a catchy tune that I haven't been able to get out of my head since my fabulous little sister Alicia introduced me to it over Christmas break.  Outstanding.  Check it out when you have a chance.

Ch-Ch-Check Out M Bod's Blog

I am happy to pass along another interesting blog to all of my (three) avid readers - "From Beantown to the Hills" (marissabod.blogspot.com), authored by none other than Marissa Bodnar (M Bod).  Marissa Bodnar and the entire Bodnar family were my Cincinnati family after the DePlatchett clan abandoned me in Cincy in order for the Budman to start his new job with Ciba Specialty Chemicals in Virginia.  I had the pleasure of coaching Marissa for two years when she played with the Cincinnati Classics Hammer.  She went on to play soccer at UNC-Greensboro and transferred to Northeastern in Boston.  

M Bod has moved out to L.A. for an internship with the Ellen Degeneres Show.  In the worst economic environment since The Great Depression, M Bod has managed to get herself some incredible working experience.  Way to go M Bod and we'll keep an eye on you via your blog. 

Holidays + Work Project = Slacking on the Blog

Hello friends and family!  First, I must apologize.  My sister reminded me today that I have been quite a slacker on the blog.  This is definitely not the tone I want to set with the New Year.  However, while vacationing with my family in Smithfield, Virginia, I spent most of my time relaxing, watching movies and trying to beat our young neighbors at Wii (Bryson and Baylor are 6 and 4, respectively).  Needless to say, it was great to have a break from work and just spend some quality time with the family.  I really miss spending time with them and coming home to two happy dogs...

When I returned to San Diego (after miraculously not getting delayed in the airport even with several connecting flights), I immediately launched myself into finishing a work project with a time sensitive deadline that I had put off during the holidays.  All turned out well but last week was filled with hustling to get the project done on time.  I can now breathe a big sigh of relief and make sure I continue to post the latest happenings in the life of KD on the internet.

I learned a very valuable lesson yesterday: respect the ocean.  Actually, the title of my sad surfing experience yesterday should have probably been, "The Ocean Kicks Kristin's Ass."  Which is good, I guess.  Everyone needs a good butt kicking now and then to bring them back down to earth.  As I've blogged about before, I am in the process of learning how to surf.  My previous attempts have been largely in amiable conditions where the waves were small and relatively consistent.  Yesterday's session consisted of a constant pounding of large waves coupled with wicked winds.  Trying to paddle out with an 8'6" longboard in these conditions is not pleasant.  I spent about an hour trying to get out and then gave up.  To make matters worse, even carrying a longboard around with wind like that is horrible.  My board got blown over as I was taking the soft rack off my car downtown and now has a small ding.  It was a very sad day and my calves are aching from trying to brace against the waves yesterday.  Hopefully my next surfing experience will be more pleasant...