Disturbingly good

The following commercials are a few of my favorite of 2012, for various reasons...concept, music, visuals, fake Scottish accents, homage to "28 Weeks Later." I'm all about music so that played a large part in why I chose the ads that I did.

Southern Comfort - I have had this beverage on very few occasions, usually mixed with coke, but after seeing this very stylish spot with the great soundtrack, I may have to give it a second look.



I love a Scottish accent - real or fake. Claire Forlani does it well. Plus she's like the English version of Angelina Jolie. I've never had Dewars - probably never will. No, not probably - definitely. But I will remember it now, due to this ad.




Put the soundtrack to "28 Weeks Later" to any visuals and zombies immediately come to mind. It's such a trigger! Louis Vuitton, bravo for letting your agency have fun with this. Does this spot make me want to purchase something made by LV? Hell yes. Will I purchase something made by LV? Um, no, because I don't have 3K lying around...enjoy the show.




I cannot resist this man. If I have to go old-school and on the cheap, I'm a Stylee or PBR kinda girl.

New header

Buzzfeed had a great "Top 12 Stock Images Never Used" and the pita-pit photo was one of them.

Had to use it.

Had to.

Cinematic Music or This Sh*t Helps Me Run

My Sigur Ros station has been in heavy rotation on Pandora of late, and I've come across some really great post-rock bands that have become staples in my running playlists:

This Will Destroy You
Rafter
Mogwai
Explosions In The Sky
The Album Leaf
And So I Watch You From Afar
Efterklang
If These Trees Could Talk

This music is strangely uplifting, and lends itself to creating moody, dramatic movies in my head while I run, which gets me into a very nice zone.

Here are a couple of my favorites:

Elf On The Shelf

Ew.

I believe...

...I just saved $110 and some change.

Yay me.

Yup.

Let go....or be dragged. -Zen proverb

Don't let anyone determine your path or stand in your way.

Embrace your basic human right to make a decision that's in your best interest.

Reframe the situation. Change up your mindset.

And on those rare, lovely occasions, it may come down to just hitting the "delete" button.

Simple as that.

I find that on these occasions, an impromptu dance party to Vampire Weekend's first album is called for...required, even. Every single song. Nonstop.

Pondering

The profound appreciation for what it means to be alive, and whole, and contributional.

Tangible and unspoken connection.

Conviction that the choice you make will bring you peace.

The ability to put one foot in front of the other, a million times over and then some.

The depth of happiness that steals your breath.

The comfort and peace in sharing a sleeping space with someone you'd trust your life with.

The shining moments.

Truth.

Tchotchke love...

I found this ornament the other day.

It’s my favorite. Of all time.

Cheese toasties rock.

I also splurged on a new mug:

Do what you like. Like what you do. Life is good.

Yup.

Much like a personal puzzle...

...all the pieces are falling into place.

I’m a little scared to list it all for fear I will jinx it. SO I will just hit the highlights:

-The 1/2 marathon training kicks off in a month, and I’m well prepared. The Fleet Feet coach who is reworking my training plan has participated in the tris I signed up for so she’s shared a lot in terms of prep, course, weather, etc. She agrees that a 1/2 is a big enough bite in tandem with my 70.3 tri training. I'll do the full marathon training in the summer to train for Chicago.

-The spinning classes at Rogue, which is ONE BLOCK FROM MY FRONT DOOR, are in full swing and I’ve just signed up for a couple later this week.

-I chatted with a couple people over the weekend who are now keyed up for some long weekend rides this winter, waiting to hear back from my buddy at Momentum to see if there are any others.

-My bikes are tuned up and working great. Still, I’m going to hit up a flat repair class tomorrow so I can get a discount on some new tools.

-I have all of my winter riding/running clothes & gear. Check.

-Might need another pair of running shoes to switch out with…so that’s on the list.

-I STILL LOVE RUNNING.

-Planning a quick weekend getaway prior to the 1/2 marathon training. I need a minibreak.

Life is ridiculously good.

All that’s left is for this PMSy-crabbiness to subside. Lol

Is it wrong....

....that I want this designer bag....

...instead of this one?

...or these shoes...

 

...instead of these?

Or this suit...

...instead of this one?

I think not....

In a word

Outstanding.

That's how I would describe this weekend.

And ya know, it never fails...when I don't make plans, my last-minute ones turn out to be fantastic.

Had amazing workouts, due to amazing weather and sticking to my schedule. Didn't get to kayak, but I had some great excursions this summer with the bananaboat, and I'm grateful for that.

Lots of time spend with friends - hiking, brunching, biking and late-night funning around.

I signed up for another race, and have one more on my radar that I'm not ready to pull the trigger on just yet. Registration opens tomorrow, and last year it sold out in March, and Feb in 2010. I figure I have until January 2nd to decide and the fee goes up to $275.

Also, a couple concerts have turned up on the radar, one of them being The Business. They are an original UK Oi! punk band who will be gracing the Firebird on 12/16. A couple fellow punk afficianado friends have expressed interest in checking out these old dodgers with me, so it could be a very fun school night, lol.

Weekends like this one fuel me for a productive and happy week. I am banking on next weekend to be a repeat. Hopeful and banking, but realistic that they all can't be as lovely as this.