It's been awhile folks. I miss blogging. I miss journaling. I miss writing. I miss a lot of things. But I'm ready to get back into it!
So I've been going through and figuring out which posts to keep, which to edit and which to just get rid of. I think I have a fun spattering of posts from throughout the years and I look forward to building on them.
So here's to the good, the bad, the ugly and now the new!
Also, please stay updated with my running blog (yup, getting back into that too) here: https://milestologbeforeisleep.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, January 8, 2019
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Halloween Wars
Some of the great things about October and Halloween are when television shows embrace this time of year. One of the best examples of this is Halloween Wars on Food Network. This is a competition that pits the best of the best teams in sugar, cake and pumpkin carving against each other while they transform those elements into horrific creations.
Every week teams compete in two challenges: the small scare and the spinetingler. The winner of the small scare gains an extra assistant when they move onto to the larger spinetingler, which is the elimination round. Not only do they have to make a scene based on the parameters of the specific challenge, they also have to make a tasty treat the judges can eat, that will still fit into the scene. One team leaves the competition each week until only two remain for the final battle!
Here are some creations from past seasons:
As a creative person, who loves to bake, make treats...and of course, carve pumpkins, this show is right up my alley. I love to see what each artist can do, how they make a cohesive scene and the creepy factor overall.
I know what I'm doing for the next 4 weeks...
Every week teams compete in two challenges: the small scare and the spinetingler. The winner of the small scare gains an extra assistant when they move onto to the larger spinetingler, which is the elimination round. Not only do they have to make a scene based on the parameters of the specific challenge, they also have to make a tasty treat the judges can eat, that will still fit into the scene. One team leaves the competition each week until only two remain for the final battle!
Here are some creations from past seasons:
As a creative person, who loves to bake, make treats...and of course, carve pumpkins, this show is right up my alley. I love to see what each artist can do, how they make a cohesive scene and the creepy factor overall.
I know what I'm doing for the next 4 weeks...
Saturday, October 4, 2014
No One Mourns The Wicked
Those are the first words you hear when you watch WICKED. The story of The Wizard of Oz is global. Everyone knows about Dorothy and her journey through Oz with her friends the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion. They all know that Glinda the Good Witch helps her on her way and that in the end she defeats the Wicked Witch of the West with a bucket of water.
But unless you've read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West or watched the musical, Wicked, you don't know the half of it! Gregory Maguire took L. Frank Baum's classic story and turned it on it's head to give life to a prequel explaining why the green witch, Elphaba, was the way she was.
Not only does WICKED tell about how Glinda and Elphaba get their start, but also Dorothy's trusted friends: the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion. About the Wizard and his past with Elphaba's family. About Elphaba's sister, Nessarose. This history is detailed and weaves the old and new together is a great way.
Which leads us to the musical.
I had the pleasure of being able to see WICKED today in Albuquerque. I've known the story for over ten years, since the musical began running on Broadway in 2003. The music, written by Stephen Schwartz, is distinctive and melodic. You'll be humming the songs as you leave the theater.
But I digress. Some of the most amazing things about this show aren't just the singing or the story, but the effects. Everything from making monkeys fly, the giant wizard head floating about the throne, a dragon coming to life or the unmistakable green skin of the Wicked Witch of the West, WICKED's special effects are incredible. They seamlessly help to create the world of Oz, along with the sets and costumes, and make this show very unique.
Fun facts:
It also didn't hurt that I knew someone in the cast who was a delight to see on stage. Etai (seen below) is currently playing Boq in the first national tour (aka Emerald City Tour). I couldn't help but smile when he was onstage. He lights up the theater.
If you haven't seen WICKED, you should see it. The music is great. The homages to the original Wizard of Oz are extremely evident. And while the ending isn't exactly like the book, it's a great twist.
The Dragon-clock is ticking. While I don't anticipate the production to go away anytime soon...you certainly don't want to miss it!
And what kind of Halloween doesn't have witches?!?!?!?!
But unless you've read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West or watched the musical, Wicked, you don't know the half of it! Gregory Maguire took L. Frank Baum's classic story and turned it on it's head to give life to a prequel explaining why the green witch, Elphaba, was the way she was.
Not only does WICKED tell about how Glinda and Elphaba get their start, but also Dorothy's trusted friends: the Scarecrow, Tin Man and the Lion. About the Wizard and his past with Elphaba's family. About Elphaba's sister, Nessarose. This history is detailed and weaves the old and new together is a great way.
Which leads us to the musical.
I had the pleasure of being able to see WICKED today in Albuquerque. I've known the story for over ten years, since the musical began running on Broadway in 2003. The music, written by Stephen Schwartz, is distinctive and melodic. You'll be humming the songs as you leave the theater.
But I digress. Some of the most amazing things about this show aren't just the singing or the story, but the effects. Everything from making monkeys fly, the giant wizard head floating about the throne, a dragon coming to life or the unmistakable green skin of the Wicked Witch of the West, WICKED's special effects are incredible. They seamlessly help to create the world of Oz, along with the sets and costumes, and make this show very unique.
Fun facts:
- It takes about 30 minutes to fully apply Elphaba's makeup before each show
- Elphaba's 2nd act dress weights 30 pounds
- Glinda's bubble dress is EXPENSIVE, worth around $20,000
- The tour travels in 15 trucks (which hold the set and deck, costumes, lighting and sound equipment, etc)
- There are 263 costumes worn in the production
- Elphaba's name comes from the Wizard of Oz author's initials (L. Frank Baum)
It also didn't hurt that I knew someone in the cast who was a delight to see on stage. Etai (seen below) is currently playing Boq in the first national tour (aka Emerald City Tour). I couldn't help but smile when he was onstage. He lights up the theater.
If you haven't seen WICKED, you should see it. The music is great. The homages to the original Wizard of Oz are extremely evident. And while the ending isn't exactly like the book, it's a great twist.
The Dragon-clock is ticking. While I don't anticipate the production to go away anytime soon...you certainly don't want to miss it!
And what kind of Halloween doesn't have witches?!?!?!?!
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Halloween Costumes
So today's blog post is about Halloween. Yes, most of these have aspects of Halloween but this one is specifically about Halloween, this year's Halloween to be more specific.
I've already been informed that I will be a scarecrow for Halloween this year. This is per the request of Mel for her birthday (she's an October baby and she's combining the events). She suggested that we all go as scarecrows and have a laid back evening in our 'cute' costumes.
I'm ok with that.
But, I would also like to go Trick-or-Treating with my goddaughter, so I will be walking around as a scarecrow before I go out with the girls. Oddly enough, this will work out as my goddaughter's mother is planning on being a witch.
Our plan is derived from these two things. We are now turning this into a family affair and making it a Wizard of Oz evening. We will have the scarecrow and the witch, of course, along with the cowardly lion (Bailey), tinman (my goddaughter) and a flying monkey (her father).
We spent a good amount of time this evening talking over the game-plan and costume designs. I will be working on the makeup for all of us and even taking care of some of the costume pieces. Overall it should be a fun time before I hang out with the girls.
Here are some of the sketches I did this evening (not a lot of detail and my scarecrow sketch is missing at the moment).
Don't you just love the Bailey sketch? I do!!!
More pictures and more detailed sketches to come. Stay tuned!
Monday, September 22, 2014
New Television Lineups
Fall means a number of things:
1. Cooler weather
2. Halloween
3. School supplies
4. Orange, yellow and red leaves
5. State Fairs
6. Haunted Houses
7. Apple cider
...I could keep going...
So...what else does it mean? Fall = tv show premieres. Many of us wait all summer for our favorite shows to return so we can pick up right where we left off. Some of us also look forward to all of the new shows that have been added into the lineup.
For me, the shows I picked up last year were Hannibal on NBC and Sleepy Hollow on FOX.
This year, I'm hoping to follow a few more. Every Fall I make up a TV schedule for myself while I figure out what shows to watch. Yes, it sounds a bit sad...like I have nothing else to do but watch tv...and some nights, that is the case. But, I've always done this and it helps me weed out what I actually want to watch and what's just available.
So the nominees are...
SCORPION is a great show that reminds me a lot of a past CBS show, Numbers. Based on real people, this centers around a team of geniuses that is recruited by Homeland Security to help solve mathematical dilemmas, child abductions, stolen nucs and much more. Elyes Gabel is extremely convincing as genius Walter O'Brien, the leader of the team and I've always enjoyed watching Robert Patrick, who plays Agent Gallo, the man who recruits the team. So far, so good in my opinion. I hope it only gets better.
Of course, I still love my classics, which include ABC's Once Upon A Time and Castle. I can't wait for those to return next Sunday and Monday respectively. Ah, Fall....how I've missed you!
1. Cooler weather
2. Halloween
3. School supplies
4. Orange, yellow and red leaves
5. State Fairs
6. Haunted Houses
7. Apple cider
...I could keep going...
So...what else does it mean? Fall = tv show premieres. Many of us wait all summer for our favorite shows to return so we can pick up right where we left off. Some of us also look forward to all of the new shows that have been added into the lineup.
For me, the shows I picked up last year were Hannibal on NBC and Sleepy Hollow on FOX.
This year, I'm hoping to follow a few more. Every Fall I make up a TV schedule for myself while I figure out what shows to watch. Yes, it sounds a bit sad...like I have nothing else to do but watch tv...and some nights, that is the case. But, I've always done this and it helps me weed out what I actually want to watch and what's just available.
So the nominees are...
FOREVER is an interesting premise. Henry Morgan is a Medical Examiner in New York City. He's also been alive for over 200 years. No, he's not a vampire, he's just cursed and he's trying to find out why. He can be killed, but he comes back...always in water (so, in this case, the Hudson River) and always naked. NICE! ;-) He starts to work with a Detective Martinez to help solve homicides and I really enjoy their banter. Not quite as quirky as in Castle, but more refined in a way. It's a twist on your standard detective drama. I shall be tuning into ABC on Tuesday evenings for this. Ioan Gruffudd isn't bad on the eyes and ears either.
Next option is SELFIE, also on ABC. It is a modern take on Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion. Most people would probably better remember the story as the musical, My Fair Lady. Even the names are the same: Henry, the man who decides to take on the seemly impossible task of molding a young woman, Eliza Dooley, into a better person. Now...this one is a possible. I watched the pilot and was skeptical about the idea. I love My Fair Lady and Pygmalion. I love the actors in the show (John Cho, from Star Trek and Karen Gillan, from Doctor Who) but the characters are missing some depth. It's about the technological age and how people are constantly attached to their phones. I will say that by the end of the episode I had a little tug at my heartstrings. I will give it another go and see how long I stick through it.
This next show intrigued me from the title first, HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER. I mean, who doesn't think about this? Oh, you don't? My bad. Here is a brief synopsis that I've found online: A sexy, suspense-driven legal thriller about a group of ambitious law students and their brilliant, mysterious criminal defense professor. They become entangled in a murder plot and will shake the entire university and change the course of their lives. Sounds entertaining to me. Let's give it a go! Plus...if I had Viola Davis teaching me, I'd be a happy camper. She's amazing!
SCORPION is a great show that reminds me a lot of a past CBS show, Numbers. Based on real people, this centers around a team of geniuses that is recruited by Homeland Security to help solve mathematical dilemmas, child abductions, stolen nucs and much more. Elyes Gabel is extremely convincing as genius Walter O'Brien, the leader of the team and I've always enjoyed watching Robert Patrick, who plays Agent Gallo, the man who recruits the team. So far, so good in my opinion. I hope it only gets better.
Of course, I still love my classics, which include ABC's Once Upon A Time and Castle. I can't wait for those to return next Sunday and Monday respectively. Ah, Fall....how I've missed you!
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Four Corners Brewery
Today's adventure involved BEER! Local beer from a local brewery. After an early lunch in the Trinity Groves area, we headed over to the Four Corners Brewery Company for samples and a tour of the facility.
The tour began with a history of the company, how it was started by a home brewer and his partners. The company itself is coming up on it's 2nd anniversary and it's doing extremely well. After the history lesson, it was on to the tour, where we heard about each step of the brewing process. Pretty interesting.
Then it was on to the best part of the tour...the sampling! I got a flight of beers so I could try them all. The Local Buzz, Red's Roja, Block Party and El Chingon. The Local Buzz was my favorite, but the others were pretty tasty too.
But to be honest...I think we had more fun stacking the glasses when we were finished. Yes, I will admit. I acted like a child...but we were having fun. I look forward to going back soon and trying some of their seasonal beers!
Please note: no glasses were harmed in the making of this blog post. ;-)
The tour began with a history of the company, how it was started by a home brewer and his partners. The company itself is coming up on it's 2nd anniversary and it's doing extremely well. After the history lesson, it was on to the tour, where we heard about each step of the brewing process. Pretty interesting.
Please note: no glasses were harmed in the making of this blog post. ;-)
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Dopey Deferred
Well...today was the day. The day that I had been waiting for since last April. Today...the Dopey Challenge would go on sale for Walt Disney World's Marathon Weekend in January of 2015.
I had told myself last year when I found out about the races that I would do this in 2015. I had talked about it with friends, co-workers, random strangers (yup, I actually did that)...and I was building myself up for it. I even made sure to run a marathon in the Spring when I said I wouldn't in order to get my Proof of Time placement.
Then April hit.
As registration day grew closer, I started to doubt whether I should actually do the Dopey Challenge this year. I had been struggling with my options for the last few days in particular. My biggest worries were as follows (though not necessarily in this order of importance):
1) Money - Let's face it. Disney races are EXPENSIVE. A half marathon outside of Disney may run you $50-80 depending on when you register. A half marathon at Disney will cost you around $185 if you register right when it becomes available and will only continue to get more costly the longer you wait. AND this doesn't include airfare, hotel or even access to the parks. $$$$$. Dopey is $530 right off the bat. That's a lot of moolah to see fly out the door in one whack.
2) Support - I don't have a husband any more nor do I have a current boyfriend. I don't have someone that can say to me "sure honey, I'll come and watch you run these races" or better yet, "sure honey, I'll come run these races with you." Did I want to do all of the races by myself? Not really. Could I? Absolutely. But would I really want to? Some of my friends had expressed some interest in perhaps participating in a race or two (none of them wanted to join me for the full 4-race challenge) or just tagging along, but I really only got one full confirmation. And as much as I love her, would only one person be enough for me? I know, that sounds egotistical and selfish, but I was hoping for something that screamed camaraderie and honestly, I didn't really get that. And that's fine..I just don't think I realized until this week how much I want it. Disney is the happiest place on Earth and if I'm going to spend almost a week there battering my body, I want people there that I can spend time with and have fun with, even if I'm in pain. I want people there (friends and family) to cheer me on. I didn't think I would have that if I participated in 2015.
3) Health - Those who follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter or just know me in general know that I'm breaking down. My body isn't what it was and all of my running is catching up to me. Don't get me wrong, I can still run and I still love to do it, but my body, while in better shape than even 2 years ago or even 1 year ago, doesn't bounce back like it used to. I had to wonder if my body would be in good enough shape to take on the challenge this year versus in another year of better prep, etc.
I went back and forth on my decision. I had the money, as I had been saving for it, and my tax return was going to basically replenish the massive hole in my savings from registering for the race. I knew I had at least one friend that was willing to go with me and even run a few of the races. And I knew with preparation and proper care, strength training and doctor visits, I could make it through physically.
But I was still on the ledge. I talked to a few friends about my thoughts and they gave my their opinions.
I watched Dopey go on sale this morning. And I watched as roughly 4 hours later, it was completely sold out.
I didn't register. I pondered, but I didn't flounder. Before the race went on sale, I had made the decision not to register today.
Will I be upset come January when I'm not there? Sure. I have friends who will be there and I won't be getting to see them. However, I knew I wouldn't be hanging out with them or even running with them, so I would have been lucky just to see them in passing. But will I be devastated to not be running this year? No.
Here's why: I'm going to take care of myself this year. I'm taking a few months off of training and will pick back up in July, as I had intended to do anyway for Dopey. I'm going to focus on the other events I have going on this year including 2 family weddings, a birthday trip for someone who is like a sister to me and another marathon in December.
I'm going to actively find my support team for 2016. I'm going to recruit friends and family and have them commit to a trip just like I'll commit to the training.
I'm going to do the Dopey Challenge one year. It won't be in 2015. Hell, it may not even be in 2016. But I know it's not going anywhere, and honestly, neither am I. I will do it one day.
So, I'm deferring Dopey...and I'm ok with that.
I had told myself last year when I found out about the races that I would do this in 2015. I had talked about it with friends, co-workers, random strangers (yup, I actually did that)...and I was building myself up for it. I even made sure to run a marathon in the Spring when I said I wouldn't in order to get my Proof of Time placement.
Then April hit.
As registration day grew closer, I started to doubt whether I should actually do the Dopey Challenge this year. I had been struggling with my options for the last few days in particular. My biggest worries were as follows (though not necessarily in this order of importance):
1) Money - Let's face it. Disney races are EXPENSIVE. A half marathon outside of Disney may run you $50-80 depending on when you register. A half marathon at Disney will cost you around $185 if you register right when it becomes available and will only continue to get more costly the longer you wait. AND this doesn't include airfare, hotel or even access to the parks. $$$$$. Dopey is $530 right off the bat. That's a lot of moolah to see fly out the door in one whack.
2) Support - I don't have a husband any more nor do I have a current boyfriend. I don't have someone that can say to me "sure honey, I'll come and watch you run these races" or better yet, "sure honey, I'll come run these races with you." Did I want to do all of the races by myself? Not really. Could I? Absolutely. But would I really want to? Some of my friends had expressed some interest in perhaps participating in a race or two (none of them wanted to join me for the full 4-race challenge) or just tagging along, but I really only got one full confirmation. And as much as I love her, would only one person be enough for me? I know, that sounds egotistical and selfish, but I was hoping for something that screamed camaraderie and honestly, I didn't really get that. And that's fine..I just don't think I realized until this week how much I want it. Disney is the happiest place on Earth and if I'm going to spend almost a week there battering my body, I want people there that I can spend time with and have fun with, even if I'm in pain. I want people there (friends and family) to cheer me on. I didn't think I would have that if I participated in 2015.
3) Health - Those who follow me on FB, Instagram, Twitter or just know me in general know that I'm breaking down. My body isn't what it was and all of my running is catching up to me. Don't get me wrong, I can still run and I still love to do it, but my body, while in better shape than even 2 years ago or even 1 year ago, doesn't bounce back like it used to. I had to wonder if my body would be in good enough shape to take on the challenge this year versus in another year of better prep, etc.
I went back and forth on my decision. I had the money, as I had been saving for it, and my tax return was going to basically replenish the massive hole in my savings from registering for the race. I knew I had at least one friend that was willing to go with me and even run a few of the races. And I knew with preparation and proper care, strength training and doctor visits, I could make it through physically.
But I was still on the ledge. I talked to a few friends about my thoughts and they gave my their opinions.
I watched Dopey go on sale this morning. And I watched as roughly 4 hours later, it was completely sold out.
I didn't register. I pondered, but I didn't flounder. Before the race went on sale, I had made the decision not to register today.
Will I be upset come January when I'm not there? Sure. I have friends who will be there and I won't be getting to see them. However, I knew I wouldn't be hanging out with them or even running with them, so I would have been lucky just to see them in passing. But will I be devastated to not be running this year? No.
Here's why: I'm going to take care of myself this year. I'm taking a few months off of training and will pick back up in July, as I had intended to do anyway for Dopey. I'm going to focus on the other events I have going on this year including 2 family weddings, a birthday trip for someone who is like a sister to me and another marathon in December.
I'm going to actively find my support team for 2016. I'm going to recruit friends and family and have them commit to a trip just like I'll commit to the training.
I'm going to do the Dopey Challenge one year. It won't be in 2015. Hell, it may not even be in 2016. But I know it's not going anywhere, and honestly, neither am I. I will do it one day.
So, I'm deferring Dopey...and I'm ok with that.
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