Random Favorites and Annoyances

I got to thinking about what some of the things that make the happy. Not of course the ‘usual’ things like family, friends, the fact I’ve made it another month without winding up living in a box…not those kind of things. The things that are seemingly little but give me a rush that is proportionately much greater than it should be. Things that other people might not give a second thought to, but to me it might make my day. (okay, scratch that in some cases it has made my week, or even a month) So here are some of the weird little things that give me a secret rush:

1) Someone giving me cutsies. If I’m in the store and I only have a few things but the person ahead of me has a boatload, and they let me cut in front of them. I think this is one of the nicest things ever and I try to return the favor to others when the roles are reversed.



2) Randomly coming across the episode of a show I love. There aren’t many shows that I follow along for the premieres of, I usually catch up OnDemand or just muddle along in reruns. I have seen every Seinfeld episode too many times to count but they never get old, and the same goes for a few other shows. But we all have our favorites, right? I get much too excited when one of my favorite episodes randomly pops up…I feel it’s like a little gift just for me from the TV gods.

3) Waking up in the middle of the night with a really good idea. It’s crazy where good ideas hit you, for me it never fails that it’s around 3am, my eyes pop open, and I’ve got this mental picture to draw, perfect little tagline, or some other kind of inspiration. The bummer of this though, is I’m super lazy and hate actually moving to write it down or make a note so I don’t just forget it.

4) Biting into something REALLY doughy. Really fat, doughy pizza crust, bagels, those country style biscuits, cornbread, muffins…you get my drift. I’ve got my love affair with chocolate chip pancakes and they make the cut, but the things that give me an extra lift are things that you can pick up and hold. It’s weird, but I like to kind of squeeze the ‘fluff’ (forget not playing with your food) and then take a big honking bite.

5) Saving a TON at the grocery store. I kind of eluded to the fact earlier that I’m a bit of a tight-wad and a sucker for a bargain, but I’m also one of those dorks who look through the circulars to see if some of my usual staple are on sale at places or if there are coupons for said items. I’ve also kept a mental PR for just how much I’ve whittled a total cost down too…now, I’m not in the ranks of those crazy coupon women you see on TV, hardly, but there are a few times that stick out in my mind. My most thrilling escapade came a few years back when I was eating a ton of Balance bars, I mean I went through I think three or four a day. Those suckers are expensive, well I found a couple books of coupons that gave you $1 off every two Balance bars you buy. Later that week Fred Meyer put their bars on sale: 2/$1. What did that mean? Well, I picked up literally HUNDREDS of these bars, but with my dollar off coupon they ended up being free. I felt kind of bad watching a couple hundred dollar totals wind up being zero for me owing them, so I’d pick up an apple or something and then pay them $1 or so in the end. Don’t worry, I’m not stingy and I also shared this plethora of bars with my friends. 🙂

6) When my new US mag comes in the mail. I am actually a bit ashamed to post this, but I’ve got a weakness for the trash mag’s and my mom got me a subscription…thank you, mamma! 🙂

7) Standing in a hot shower until my skin is red all over. This is usually after I’ve been outside and it’s really cold or something like that. I love me my hot showers.

8) Said it a million times, but what the heck, finishing a really good run/workout.



9) Coming across a picture of my little bro and sis when they were young. Sappy, yes, I’m sorry, but had to add it to the list.

Okay, sorry for an epic post here, but I have to round it out with a few of my least favorite things:

1) Touching doorhandles on public places. I admit I’m OCD, but I’m not nearly as bad as What About Bob, and I don’t carry around a papertowel. Most places I’ll just grab the handle, but in the back of my mind it gives me a niggle, and if I’m wearing a jacket or something I’ll pull my sleeve over my hand. Don’t worry, it’s not in people’s homes, I mean high-traffic areas. But when it comes to public restrooms, not gonna lie there I always snag a papertowel and use that.

2) Admitting I forgot someone’s name. I’m HORRIBLE at remembering names, I remember faces forever, but placing the name to the face is my bane. I don’t know what my deal is, but even the second the person introduces themselves to me it’s like their name is just in that Peanuts teacher voice. I feel horrible about this because there are plenty of instances where I’ve been good friends or at least good acquaintances with people and it was a few years before I ever remembered their name. I’ve gotten pretty good at getting around using a name, but every now and again I get caught and feel like a royal douchette.

3) The smell of peanut butter. This is probably going to offend some people, but I can’t stand that smell. I actually used to love PB as a kid, but somewhere I stopped and now it makes me feel kind of sick if the smell is too overpowering.

4) Close-talkers. It gives me the skeeves if I feel someone’s breath on my face, I’m also paranoid that their spit will fly on my face too. Again, here I’m just stealing from Seinfeld but this one really makes my list.

5) Being one quarter short for the laundry machine. I never have quarters, and I hate laundry in general, so this one drives me up the wall.

6) Being overly hot or overly cold. I’m a weather wimp, thank heavens I’m a West Coast dweller because I’d never make it in some of the states with real weather swings.

7) It also bugs me when people misuse your/you’re and there/they’re/their. And misplacing apostrophes.

That is it for today…I hope I haven’t bored you to tears and scared away my one or two readers. But now I throw it back to said one or two readers, what are some of the things that give you that little rush and what are some of your least favorite things?


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Canes, Winco, and The Kankled Avenger

Happy Wednesday! Okay, I have a couple random thoughts to share for today, so here goes. The fist thing I’ve been informed of is that the new hot fashion trend is a cane. Alright, don’t fault me for not becoming aware of this news when it firs premiered on Kourtney and Kim because I really only catch the reruns of that one every now and again. I’ve kind of decided that the they are the two most boring of the bunch so pairing them up for an entire show doesn’t hold much promise in my book. BUT there is the gem that is Scott Disick and usually offers up at least some entertainment value. But I think for the most part it’s wholly unintentional because he is being dead serious with what he is saying.

Anyways, I just now saw the one where he’s decided that because he is the latest fashion icon it was high time he found a distinguishing item for himself. A cane. If I knew how hot canes were going to be, I should have tried to one-up the trend, pulled out my bedazzler, and got to work on them crutches.

Second item for today, Winco. I love Winco, actually. I know some people probably think it’s totally grungy or seedy (I mean they don’t accept credit cards and if you pay with a check they really do ask for your ID and they won’t accept any out of state checks.) but I’m a total cheapo and if I’m going to save a few bucks I really don’t care at all. In fact a Winco shopping trip is a fun experience not to be missed, take that Safeway. Here’s why I love Winco:

1) Greeting Sam the bearded homeless guy who hangs out in front of the bottle return. They actually have people on Winco staff in charge of shooing Sam and his friends away but you can’t keep a good dog down.

2) Getting evil looks from the three punk kids just hanging out in front of the shopping carts. I think they call themselves emos, the ones that are really just much cooler than any of us losers who dare crack a smile.

3) Screaming kids around every corner. Also trying not to run over one of these little brats wreaking havoc around the aisles, picking up cookies and throwing things around. Their moms never seem to care, they always travel in packs of about four or five and it kinda looks like even if you DID actually run over one of them their mom may or may not really care all that much.

4) The look of death from a person when you accidentally bump your cart into theirs. Like it’s a real moral offense, sorry, Bud, the aisles are just kind of narrow and your cart is hogging up most of it.

5) The check-out people wearing those latex type gloves. I like this because it kind of makes you wonder if they a) are afraid of picking some kind of disease up from the actual food they are scanning and you will later be eating b) are trying not to get sick from you, the people actually coming into contact with them or c) some other reason altogether which may be even scarier.

So, if you haven’t yet, hit this place up. I may sound snarky here, but I’m really not joking when I say their prices are insane…you will save a bundle. Oh, and I forgot to add that you do pack your own bags. But the BEST part of that is you get to control that little conveyor belt thing! YAY!

Last thing, in case you missed it yesterday, there is a new Runner Superhero on the block: The Kankled Avenger. I promised the first actual comic of that one so here ya go. In looking it over after I finished I realize that it kinda looks like the guy in the picture gets hit by this wayward driver. That wasn’t my intention, but rather it was a close call that caused him to dodge out of the way but in doing so he winded up in a face plant. I know all of us have had more than enough close calls so that is what I was going for. (I’m also kind of annoyed because with Blogger I can only make it so big without having the image quality look junky, but if you want a better look to read things better just click on the actual comic and it’ll pop up bigger.)

That’s it for today, hope your Wednesday is shaping up well. And if there is anyone reading this, I’ll ask you a few questions:

1) Do you watch any of the Kardashian shows?

2) Where do you do your grocery shopping?

3) Have you ever hit one of those big concrete pillars in a parking garage?

Yes, I have it was at a downtown Safeway, the pillar was bright yellow and it left a big yellow streak along the side of my car. Nice.




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The Birth of The Kankled Avenger

So I had thought that it was certainly time that us runners had a superhero all our own. I mean, okay, there is The Flash, but really he’s not really a runner runner per se. And besides, while he is out there supposedly hunting down the ‘real bad guys’ he seems to be ignoring the MANY other plagues of the runner. Wayward drivers, leashless dogs, people who don’t know that lane 1 is to run FASTER in, and all the rest of our banes. We need someone fighting on our side. Fear not fellow fleet-footed friends, our time has come…

The Story of The Kankled Avenger

She was a runner, just like many others. Had the itch for the miles, felt compelled to log more and more to nudge that weekly total up. Some were faster, some were slower, some were grueling, some were euphoric, and many more falling somewhere in-between. Plenty of society thought her mad for having such an affinity for track of all things, but that didn’t bother her. She actually kind of liked it and found her place amongst other fellow runners. A unique kinship, a quick wave to the stranger running on the opposite side of the road, others who just ‘got it.’

It was a pretty normal day, nothing out of the ordinary. She got up, laced up the shoes, set out for a run and started the watch. The first five minutes clicked off as per the usual, six minutes, then a rumble came from behind. Not just the regular rumble of an engine but more like the sound an 80 year old smoker for life makes as they hack up a really juicy wad of phlegm. The kind of sound coming from a car whose door is a different color from the body and the bumper is sagging more on the left side than the right.

The noise got louder and the runner knew it was just too close for comfort. BAM! She got it, the damage was done. No need to further detail the nastier parts, but needless to say it wasn’t pretty. She was patched up, it took some time, but she eventually got back to running. The reminders of the day though, were that of an atrocity usually only reserved for those who probably couldn’t run a mile if their lives depended on it. The ones who thought a farkleck came from a horse’s behind. This runner was left, along with her scars…a KANKLE!

She shuddered to admit it, pulling on the low cut sock that was the only kind that now fit, but it was a kankle she had. She figured that it was a just reward for making fun of kankle sufferers all her life, she never thought she’d ever have one. But, it was what it was and ‘eh, she could still run so whateves. And from there The Kankled Avenger was born.

From that day forward she felt compelled to take back the rights of the runner. There were plenty of things she could put on the list of offenders and she thought it high time to start checking them off. The hunt to make the roads, the tracks, the cross-country courses, the trails, and all other places a better place for the harrier. And so it begins…

Alright folks, as with any good annoying summer blockbuster (although don’t worry I’m fully aware this is hardly a blockbuster!) you gotta build up as much fanfare and also leave the audience with amble cliffhangers. So you get the background story today and the actual first episode tomorrow…sorry, I hate myself too.



ALSO, as with any good superhero, our Kankled Avenger needs a posse, a crew, some friends. She’s got a few in mind already but will be holding a casting call to anyone who thinks they’ve got the stuff. If you’d like to apply, please leave your resume as a comment. Let us know your name, preferred distance, distinguishing trait, why you should be chosen, and lastly the offense that tops your list as the runner’s bane.


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On Pancakes and Sundays



Sooo, it was a L’eggo Monday morning. Chocolate chip actually. I’m really super lame in cooking skills, trust me I take the whole ‘I can’t cook’ thing to a whole new level. Seeing people who just whip up stuff off the top of their heads or are complete whizzes in the kitchen have my complete and utter respect. I can’t fathom that kind of talent. I think I’ve made pancakes from those just add water mixes maybe once or twice, but I absolutely LOVE pancakes. Waffles will do, but I’m a pancake gal.

This has to go back to my childhood because growing up we had pancake Sunday. It wasn’t a question, it was expected. Trust me, there would be hell to pay if my brother and I woke up and there weren’t a huge stack of jacks already in the works. Sunday, because my dad works at the post office and got a pretty much slave shift. He worked Mon-Sat, from 1am to probably about 2pm. Sunday was the only day he had off and we’d take full advantage. I’m not really sure when or how this whole thing started but from the ages of at least seven until I think junior high it was a weekly staple. (as a side-not, my mom, who just barely ranks above me in the level of suckiness in the kitchen, would do her part in contributing to weekend suger-fest and for awhile we had donut Saturday. Master Donuts, if you’re ever in Fair Oaks, CA you HAVE to hit this place up!)

Not just pancakes for Sunday would do either. No, my dad is a creative man and he’d play around with things. Food coloring, sprinkles, he tried to sneak in some bananas but was met with backlash…sorry, nothing healthy allowed. But what reined supreme was of course chocolate chips. He’d toss in some white chocolate too every now and again. And of course the powdered sugar. Drown those suckers in syrup and it was utter bliss.

It was also a full fledged gorge-fest. No joke, the Chocks, thank God we all exercise because it can get ugly out there. My brother and I would of course try to one-up each other and see who could eat the most. We also put off finishing for as long as we could not just because of gluttony but also because while Sunday pancakes rocked, we knew what followed. Chores. I was in charge of vacuuming, he the dusting…oh, and what, you ask was our reward? A whopping $2 a week! I also like to bring this up every time I visit home because I swear my two youngest siblings are raised by two completely different people. Chores? What? But allowance they know. I didn’t get a cell phone until I think a senior in college…everyone in that house has an iEverything…but I digress.

So after mass pancake consumption would be chore hell. We dragged it out to be an all day venture too, I don’t understand why we would stall so long that it would take us the entire day. You’d think we’d want to just get it all over. Maybe it was just our body trying to absorb all the sugar and fat without going into a diabetic coma that made us so slow.

Anyways, sadly pancake Sunday bit the dust somewhere along the way. It was I think around the time more and more commitments fell on the weekends, sports games, track meets, practices, sleepovers, the usual. It was a trooper and put up a good fight, there might be the token one tossed in there one week out the month or every few months. But it died.

And so I have a special place in my heart for chocolate chip pancakes…even if they aren’t colored green, purple, or whatever food dye my dad had in the cabinet. I crave them anytime I’m happy, sad, or just sometimes randomly, like today. Now, sorry Eggo, you don’t quite live up to ALL the hype, but you’ll have to do because like I said I suck. But please, let us all have a collective moment of silence for the all-mighty pancake.


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I Own up to the Fact I’m Boring…Oh, and I Had a Great Run

Okay, so as you can tell this blog is pathetically bare. I mean if you passed it on the shelves in the store it would be the Bran flakes on the dusty bottom shelf. Not even the brand name flakes either, but the kind that comes in those big old bags not even worthy of the cardboard casing. Pathetic, I know. But hopefully I’ll move it up a rung or two…ever closer to the good stuff. I know I’ll never make it to the Cinnamon Toast Crunch level, I’m far too lame for that rocking status, but at least move on from bag status.

Enough talk about cereal because I’m sure it isn’t helping my cause. I’ve been debating what kind of direction this blog should go in. What do I write about, what should it look like, what kind of ‘writing style’ it should be in? Professional, informative, funny, sharp, witty, trendy? I’ve done a few blogs of my own in the past, written for other people, done the guest blog bit, and have an ongoing one for fitness related info. But I think with this one I’ll just stick to ‘letting it all hang out’ kind of thing. I do enough writing for ‘a purpose’ or what other people ask me to do, so here I’ll just be more random.

I told myself I didn’t just want to do a blog that turned into something akin to a roided up Twitter thing: “Today I got up, went to the bathroom, oh, I’m out of TP…what to do?!?! I used a tissue.” So I wanted to have a clear kind of niche or I guess direction. I also just think I’m too boring to try something like that, nothing interesting enough to post! But we’ll see.



So, I’m laying it out on the line here, there isn’t going to be a real ‘direction’ here, or at least at first. Random most likely. I’m SURE I’ll be talking about running a lot, throw in some quirky short stories, cartoons I’m sure, and I’ll keep it visually interesting with plenty of pix and art. If no one reads this, that’s cool, but it’s always nice sometimes to just ramble along and see what comes out…like a walk with no clear direction but it’s nice to enjoy the scenery.

On an unrelated note, about the running. I haven’t really talked about specifics with anyone since my accident, outside of saying that I’m just super ECSTATIC that I’m actually able to do it. Now, to the scorn of I’m sure plenty of other road warrior runners, I will admit that I’ve become a treadmill junkie. In my defense, a big part of that I think is because I’m freaked out a bit after my accident. I mean even in the parking lot, if I hear the kind of roar of the engine a bit TOO close, I’m kind of jumpy. I need to just get over that, face the beast as they say, and I will…I promise. I know if I was running with someone else it would probably be a lot easier. But for now, I’m treadmilling it. A little mind-numbing at times, yes, but eh, if I’ve got a TV or music going and I’m set.

I haven’t even really attempted any kind of real ‘training’ for a consistent amount of time…mostly just getting in an easy run and running how I feel. But every now and again I do miss that little ‘rush’ of a harder workout effort. Or more correctly, how you feel afterwards, like you’ve accomplished something. I get curious too. My favorite workouts have ALWAYS been tempo runs, I suck at shorter stuff and in tempos I like gradually cutting down the pace. Anyways, not having run ‘fast’ in forever I knew going in that even my ‘tempo’ type effort would be pathetically slow and so I really tried to go in with some pretty low expectations. I did want to at least finish the full distance, and I wasn’t going to try to make it a kind of balls to the wall type effort anyways, it was just a kind of tester. A first one type thing. Usually I don’t like the aim low type attitude, but I just wanted to get a baseline reading.

Anyways, I did it. Yay! Nothing to brag home to Mommy about, but you know what, it felt REALLY GOOD to finish it and get that rush. I missed getting into that workout zone. So to end this now epic (and random) post, I’m feeling good after an early morning workout (though it really stunk because NOTHING good is on TV early Sunday morning!),and now I’ll try to get some work done! 🙂


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