One Cooked Meal A Week. Make It Good.

Since I started this 101-day challenge, The Husband has had to fend for himself for dinner more often than usual. And I do feel bad...

No, not because I see it as the wife's job to cook dinner every night, and I am neglecting my duty. I feel bad because I actually enjoy cooking dinner a few times a week. Usually, he only has to fend for himself three nights during the week. I cook for us three nights. And we go out on Saturday nights.

This is our pattern. The Husband can't cook anything but hot dogs or grilled chicken with potato chips. So it is "frozen meal city" a lot of times for him. And with this challenge, it means that the only night I cook is Sunday nights. And tonight's dinner was chicken with mushroom white wine sauce over pasta...

No recipe needed. Easy to make. And The Husband cleaned the dishes. "Dinner night together" was a success!

BYOB Bitchiness.

Up here in Ontario (Canada) we have a law for grocery bags. It is a law I very much agree with too...

If you don't bring your own bag (BYOB) to a store, you are charged five cents per bag.

It is meant to help cut down on waste. And I am pretty good about bringing my bags with me usually. Occasionally I forget. But I am quite faithful about bringing them when I go grocery shopping. Though, I may stop doing that.

What I have noticed since this law came into play last June is that at grocery stores, the associates at the check-outs aren't all that good about packing your bags for you. I believe this is because in the past, whenever someone brought their own bag, they would just quickly fill it themselves. But if you were relying on store bags, the associate would have to pull it out and pack it for you.

I let this slide for a few months... Never saying anything. Trying my best to a good Canadian resident and very polite like most people in this country. But I have recently decided I am done being polite about certain things. And I am fully willing to be a bitch.

The place that I am the biggest bitch is at the Wholefoods in my neighborhood. And I feel this is completely justified. See, I am more than happy to pay for organic groceries and products. It is part of the reason I work and want to have a double-income household... I don't mind spending $$$ on groceries from Wholefoods. I love the products. I love the quality.

However, if I am spending dearly on products from this store... And I am making an effort to be a good citizen and bring my own bags each week, I think it is perfectly acceptable to expect the associate to at least make an effort to pack things for me. I don't mind helping, in order to move the line more quickly... But to not even make a move to pack them?

Well, fuck you.

This, of course, is all fresh in my mind... As I just got back from the store a few minutes ago. I had my weekly groceries on the check-out belt. I made sure to put all my bags at the front, so that the associate knew I wouldn't need ones from the store. They scanned all of my items. I paid. Then they just stood there.

"Could you help me get these packed?" I asked, very bitch-tastically.

They gave me a slight attitude. But they really couldn't argue with me. I asked for "help," and didn't make them feel like it was totally their job.

Which I believe it fucking is. Am I crazy for expecting this?

Two Thousand Nine Hundred Seventy-Six.

I realized something today, right in the middle of my second Bikram class for the day...

"I have been blogging for over four years now."

Holy crap! Four years? Has it really, truly been that long? I honestly never thought I would stick so consistently with this blog thing for so long. I thought after a year or so, I would let it die. But that never happened. And now, I can't imagine more than a few days going by without getting a post onto the Intertubez.

Back when I started this thing, was ecstatic to get a hundred readers a month. Now, I get close to 300,000 visits a year. And this blog has introduced me to so many wonderful people. People I consider friends, even though I mostly know them from my blog and their blog. And this blog has helped keep my husband and my family updated on everything that goes on in my life and my brain.

I, of course, will continue to write and post on On Common Ground (which I named because when I looked out the window of the high rise I lived in back in Boston for the first few years, my view was of Boston Common)... But I need to find time to sit down and actually begin writing more substantial things.

I started this blog as a way to see if I had something to share and say... And now, four years later, I see that I do. At least for 2,976 posts I have.

(Well, counting this post, it's 2,977.)

Thanks for reading everyone. It means a lot to me.

High Heels On Children? Hell no!

When I was 10 years old, I was obsessed with two things:

• High Heels
• Make-Up

Unfortunately, for my fifth grade self, my mother would not allow me to wear either of these things. Make-up had to wait until I was 13 - a teenager. But the heels... I got to wear those a little earlier.

By the time I was 11, and in sixth grade, my mother permitted me to wear shoes with a very small "kitten heel." I loved them and felt so sophisticated in them! But Mum had her rules...

No wearing them to school, only to special occasions and church.

Nothing higher than a kitten heel till I was in high school.

Back then, I thought these rules were strict, and a bit harsh. But now, I completely agree with them. And I find it shocking that girls as young as three are trotting around in 2-inch heels.

Oh Suri. You are almost 4, and you are already a little fashion trendsetter! But I don't necessarily think this is a good thing.

I found this article interesting... But disagree completely with the sub-headline:

"If Child Insists, Only Allow In Moderation"

What??? Um... How about "No." Better yet, how about, "Fucking no way in hell"?

Sorry, but I have no problem saying "no" to anyone... To employers... To family... To husband... To fake homeless people on the street... And mostly to children. I was said "No" to a lot as a child. And you know what? It prepared me to better handle rejection in life as well as not fear going after what I wanted.

As my Dad used to say, "All you can do is ask. The worst anyone can say is 'no.'" He said that to me after I asked if I could stay out past my Cinderella-midnight curfew for prom one year. He said, "No."

So, dear future son or daughter that my psychic says I will be having in the next two years even though I don't know that I want children, "If you ask me if you can wear high heels before you are in junior high, I will decline your request."

Floor Bow: Oh My Legs!!!!

I am 26 days into the Bikram 101 Challenge. My practice has ebbed and flowed in terms of energy.

Yesterday, for example, I was so freaking tired. So sleepy. I could not stop yawning in class. And I was too sleepy to even care about my water bottle. I barely took a sip the entire class. And whenever the teacher opened the door to let in fresh air for everyone else (who was dying), I found myself curling up from the cold. But that was yesterday. Today...

Today I had a kick ass class. I had great energy (because I went home and crashed after class last night). My leg seemed to find a new depth of "locking the knee" in the balancing poses. And my core seemed to be holding me up more strongly in class. Also new tonight... Sore legs in Floor Bow.

I know teachers have always told me that you should be using your legs in Floor Bow, and not your arms. But tonight was the first real time I have ever felt my leg muscles tire out in this pose. They shook and crumbled towards the end of both sets of the posture. But I am not worried. I am labeling that "progress."

You can't stop progress!

Style Oppression.

In the fall of 1995, I rushed a sorority as a college freshman. I spent about a year and a half in that sorority. Ultimately, I decided the bonds of artificial sisterhood weren't strong enough to warrant my time... And I moved on to other things. Plus, I really didn't have a lot in common with my "sisters." But during those 18 months that I was in the sorority, I never once was told specifically how to act or what to wear.

Apparently I wasn't in a real sorority. Because, nowadays at least, your "sisters" tell you exactly how to dress. What to wear and what not to wear...

According to this entry on Jezebel, there are a number of "DOs" and "Don'ts" for the rushees of Pi Beta Phi at Cornell.

What Makes The Cut:

• Skinny jeans
• Dark skinny or straight-cut cords
• Jeggings
• Flat boots worn OVER jeans
• Tory Burch flats
• Non-sky high hooker heels
• Cardigans over tank tops
• Boyfriend blazers
• V-neck or crew-neck sweaters
• Flowy (non-frumpy) blouses

What Will Get Your Ass Thrown Out of the Chapter House:

• Super-flared jeans
• Cropped pants
• Leggings worn as pants
• Khakis
• Having a muffin-top
• Low-cut tops
• Sleeveless tops
• Tank tops
• Open-toed shoes
• White shoes
• High-heeled going out boots
• Cheapo-looking shoes

There is more to the list... And it makes me wonder, "How do any of these potential girls express themselves style-wise if they are told specifically what to and what not to wear?"

Man! And I thought my sisters were bitchy whores because they didn't like that I didn't like to party and act like a bitchy whore myself.

We Get The Toronto Star?

Since the new year began, something odd has been happening in the early mornings at our house in Yorkville...

The Toronto Star (a newspaper) keeps showing up on our front doorstep.

May not seem that peculiar to you, right? Well, we don't subscribe to it. And I fear that someone else is not getting their paper because it is accidentally being delivered to us. And because we don't read local news (though we probably should), the papers just keep piling up in the recycling bin, still rolled up in their bands.

There's no identifying information on the paper, such as a label, to tell us whose it might be. And we both keep meaning to call The Star and tell them, "Hey! We didn't subscribe! Stop delivering this to us!" But we're lazy. We're hoping the problem will just fix itself.

If it doesn't, I may just actually start reading the paper in person... Rather than online.

Super Eff Yeah!! Cheez-Its!!!!

OH MY GOD!!!!!

All my peeps back in Boston have been so awesome since I have left. They've offered to ship me things all the time. Including my beloved Cheez-Its. But the few who have dared to try shipping me these things have been met with a strict, "Shipping food to Canada is not allowed" rule by various shipping agents.

Well, one of my friends was very sneaky. And crafty. And for this, he rules.

See, my friend MC worked for me at my last company. He is funny. Random. And quite frankly, a little scary sometimes with what comes out of his mouth. But that's what we liked about him. He was entertaining, and he was actually good at his job... Despite distracting the others around him. A few weeks back he said he had a Christmas gift that he wanted to send The Husband and I. And I won't lie, I was worried about what would be in it. I honestly thought he would try to send me marijuana... Or pictures of pornography... Because he knew I would find it funny and scary. But no... He kept it straight and sent me what he knew I missed much from home...

Fucking Cheez-Its!!!!! And American ketchup! And some kick ass chocolates!!!

Props to him for sneaking it to me. Mad props!

Novocaine & The Hot Room.

After surrendering to antibiotics for a week, I finally got to have my root canal yesterday morning.

I had a root canal done on another tooth almost six years ago... And it was a bitch of an experience. I was in pain, and the dentist couldn't get me completely numb. So he had to shoot Novocaine directly into my tooth's nerve. Afterwards, he had to prescribe me LIQUID PERCOSET for pain. Needless to say, it was a shit experience. So, naturally, I dreaded this new root canal. But that was silly of me.

Because the brilliant dentist at the emergency dental place put me on antibiotics, within a a day or two of taking them, I had no more pain in the tooth. The pink liquid (yes, liquid) was killing my infection. I still needed to get the root canal done, but by taking the med I killed the pain before hand. And that was the smartest thing ever.

As I laid down in the dental chair yesterday morning, the dentist first number my mouth with a topical agent. Then he gave me two shot of Novocaine. I didn't even feel them. Then, for the next two hours, I laid there with my mouth open as he drilled, shaved and extracted bacteria from the roots of my teeth.

I felt nothing. Nothing at all. Well, that is a lie... At one point he was drilling really hard, and I started to laugh because the vibration from the drill was making my whole head feel funny. But now that I look back on that, I have to ask...

"Who the fuck laughs during a root canal?"

The dentist finished up and offered me some pain killers. I declined them. I didn't feel any pain. And I knew any that I did feel could be treated with Children's Tylenol. So I left the office and went straight to work... Where I proceeded to have two slices of pizza, a red velvet cupcake and an Americano from Starbucks...

Yes. Exactly what you should be eating right after a root canal, huh? No matter. I was fine. And a few hours later, I headed to the Bikram studio for class 21 of the Bikram 101 Challenge. I went up to the teacher before class and told her...

"Yeah, I just had a root canal. So it may be a rough class for me."

She was impressed I was at the studio at all. But, again, I wasn't in any pain. I just didn't know if the Novocaine would cause me any dizziness as I began to sweat and move. So I didn't want her to worry.

Turns out, she didn't need to. I had a KICK ASS class. I was very strong and extremely determined.

I honestly think that Bikram yoga has done amazing things to how my body functions. Any substance I put into it... Such as alcohol, antibiotics, over-the-counter children's medications, coffee, dental numbing agents... It all works so quickly with small amounts. And it is because I sweat out my toxins in Bikram... So I am a "clean slate" after each class. And my body can react to what I put in it.

I am so grateful for that.

Dreams: Elevator Ride.

First dream analysis of the year!

Last night, I found myself drifting off in my huge bed all alone. The Husband was up in Northern Ontario for business. So I got the bed all to myself for the night. And a nice big, warm bed all to myself meant a nice deep sleep. Which meant nocturnal brain activity. A very vivid dream...

I am waiting for an elevator. It arrives and I hop into it. I press the button for my floor. And the elevator doors close. The elevator starts to go very fast. And I realize it didn't stop at my floor. So I quickly hit another button... Number 32... To get it to stop. But it is moving too fast.

"I don't want to go to the top floor!" I say.

But I know that I will have to go all the way to the top, because that is the path the elevator is on... And it frightens me. This is a tall skyscraper. And the elevator opens up to the outside at the top.

When the elevators doors do open, I clutch to a piece of railing on the inside. And the elevator cart moves around the top of the building - in the open - from corner to corner.

Then I wake up.

Elevator - Ascending in an elevator represents rising to a higher level consciousness, status or wealth.

32 - In numerology, if you add the two numbers together, they equal 5. And 5 represents spontaneity and a change in course.

Skyscraper- Creativity and imagination.

Sideways - Represents a need to be more direct in how life is approached.

Scared - Represents self-doubt.

I'm clearly heading in a direction that is successful, but that I am afraid of... And I am not confronting it head-on, as I should be. I keep trying to change my course, but fail each time I try.

Skinny Jeans!

Oh how I used to hate skinny jeans! But now, they are my new favorite type of jean. Why?

Because I can tuck them into my boots!!!

Best decision I ever made was to give these a try. They feel comfortable. And they are so easy to style! Boots... Ballet flats... Sneakers... They go with all shoes. And my favorite way to wear them is with a longer blouse that hits just below my hips.

I need more pairs!

I Am Grateful I Don't Use Medications Often.

Bad news...

Earlier this week, I developed an ache in one of my back top right molars. I booked a dental check-up for the week after next... Thinking I could hold out till then to see what exactly the problem was.

Man was that a stupid idea.

After a back-to-back Bikram class today, I decided to get a smoothie as I walked home. I immediately felt a rush of painful cold go up my teeth and into my brain. The freeze left my brain... It didn't leave my back tooth.

I kept telling myself, "I can wait till at least Monday. Then I will see if a dentist can get me in quickly." But by 6:30pm, I couldn't take it anymore. I Googled "emergency dentist" and found the only only emergency dental service in Toronto. I called, and they told me they could see my at 8pm.

The Husband took me, and after some x-rays and $83 in total cost, the dentist informed me that I would need a root canal. The nerve in my very back molar is dead. And it was unable to heal itself from extreme heat or cold... Which is why I am now suffering from an ache and need a root canal.

Ugh. I hate root canals. I had one six years ago. And they didn't knock me out for it. All I got was Novocaine... Followed by a prescription for liquid Percoset for pain relief. I took two small doses of the Percoset over the span of three days... And I hated it. That stuff knocked me out. I couldn't function. And all from just a QUARTER OF TEASPOON dose.

I've always been like that... Any medication or substance I put into my body, it seems to work pretty quickly. Alcohol. Pain killers.

However, the emergency dental place does not do root canals. Only in very extreme cases. And mine was not extreme. So the dentist wrote me a prescription for liquid antibiotics (cuz I can't swallow pills - don't hate!) and told me to call a dentist on Monday and get a root canal booked for the end of the week.

So I left the office, still in mild pain. And walked across the street to a drug store. Ten minutes later, I had my prescription filled (which I didn't have to pay a single cent for - I love you Canada! No co-pay!) and also picked up a small bottle of Children's Tylenol. I got home and took both immediately.

Twenty minutes later... Almost no pain. Just a hint of throbbing, But I barely notice it. That's how quickly my body reacts to medications. And I am actually very grateful for that.

Two Weeks In, A New Fixed Firm?

I am still playing "catch-up" in the Bikram 101 Challenge. I am scheduled to do two classes tomorrow, and perhaps another two on Sunday. But no matter what... I a more or less two weeks into the challenge. And so far, I am feeling great!

I've had a few rough classes, I won't lie. Teachers here in Toronto keep the room much hotter than I had been used to the previous five years I practiced in Boston. Great for detoxing... But it totally drains me! Two nights ago I really pushed myself in Standing Bow Pulling pose. Then, after that, I was spent. My head began to hurt. Things were getting blurry. My hands were shaking.

You're going to have bad classes in a challenge. And good classes. And breakthroughs. Like tonight...

Class was going well. I felt good. I had energy. Things were rocking. And I guess it wasn't just me that was thinking this about my practice. The teacher must have thought I was doing well too.

After the first set of Fixed Firm, the teacher came over to stand by me. She instructed the class to go back into the pose for the second set. After I went back and got into position, she wrapped my towel around my knees. She held them down securely, and told me to bring my hands and arms crossed in front of my chest. Then, instead of coming back up the usual way, she had me pull myself up using purely my abs with my arms still crossed in front of me.

"What the what?" I thought. "A different version of Fixed Firm?"

It took a lot of ab strength for me to bring myself straight up. But I did it. Don't know if I will do it again soon... But It was good to see myself progressing after having a week of rough classes.

Shrooms, Trolls, Autism, Milk Saucer.

I manage a team of three people right now. I walked out of my office this afternoon to get some tea. As I walked to the kitchen, I saw the three of them huddled in a circle... Laughing so hard that they were heaving in silent fits.

"What the hell is so funny?" I intrude.

They indicate that one of them has the funniest story to tell. They heard it from a couple they met at a bar in downtown Toronto. I prod them to tell it to me...

"This couple was up north at their Summer cottage in the woods a few months ago. They had two of their male friend with them. They opened a baggie of shrooms and each took some. Three of them felt nothing. But one of the guys started freaking out a little. They ensured the guy he was fine, and the three of them left to run to the grocery store to pick up some food... Since the shrooms weren't working for them.

While at the grocery store, each of their cell phones kept ringing. It was the guy they left at the cottage. He was out walking in the woods. And he kept insisting that a troll was following him. They told him, 'Dude. You're tripping. Just go back to the cottage. You will be fine. There is no troll following you.'

A few minutes later, the guy called back again. 'The troll is still following me. He asked for some milk. Oh my god! What am I gonna do?'

They, once again, told him to chill the hell out. They reminded him that there is no way a troll could be following him. And that they would be back soon.

A while later, they got back to the cottage. Their friend was sitting in there, hugging himself on the couch.

'I locked the troll in the closet with some milk,' he told them.

They laughed. They said there was no troll in the closet. He insisted that their was though. So they went to the closet and pried it open...

Inside was a young boy. He was laying on the floor, next to a saucer of milk.

Turns out, the kid was autistic and had wandered off from a neighboring cottage. They took the kid to the police station, where his parents had already been to report him missing."

I guess the lesson here is, "If a troll asks you for milk... Don't invite him into your house. And don't give him milk before locking him in the closet."

Currently Reading: The Feminine Mystique.

Well, actually, I just picked it up at the bookstore the other day. And I am starting it tonight. It's an old book, having originally come out in the early 1960s.

You may ask, "Why are you reading a highly criticized feminist book about the women's movement? Haven't we evolved? Isn't it already known that women kick ass over men?"

Well, I like reading books that examine the role of women throughout different parts of history. Additionally, in the past year, I have found myself coming to a many-pronged fork in my life path. I am absolutely grateful for what I have... And I count myself extremely lucky (despite the depression it has brought) to have a large number of options blatantly available to me, without having to search for them.

But therein lies my problem. Too many options. How to pick the right path? People often tell me, "Just follow your dreams." But I don't know what my dreams are exactly. I have things I want to do... But prioritizing them and getting the timing correct? That's the hard part.

I am hoping by reading a number of books over the next few months, in addition to my yoga practice, will help me quiet my mind and choose a path. I've been coasting for the past year. And it is coming down to decision time.

And in case you were wondering, the variety of books I will be reading include:

• The Feminine Mystique
• What To Expect When You're Expecting (Just to give me more information.)
• Lucky Everyday
• Committed

Oh Natalie... This Doesn't Work On You.

I saw this picture over on Style.com this morning and thought the same thing as one of my fellow Tweeters...

"What's the point?"

This is the lovely Natalie Portman wearing the Rodarte for Target mustard dress.

This dress photographed beautifully in an issue of Vogue of few months back... And the style-chic geeks on the Internet got all excited.

"Rodarte at Target?" we sqee-ed.

We could barely wait for that December day when the products would launch in stores and online. But then it came... And our excitement died down dramatically... The pieces mostly would not do. The polished whimsy that you normally get from the high-end Rodarte line was scratchily done goth-style for Target line.

No woman over the age of 25 could get away with wearing this line for the most part. There were a few pieces that made the exception... But overall, the line was a dud. Targeted mostly for teenage girls. The whole look lies "flat."

That's why I don't get what Natalie Portman was thinking. Yeah, it's cook of her to wear a piece from the low-end line and mix it with some high-end stuff. But this dress does not work on her. I am used to a more gamine and fun look on her... This whole look is just limp.

Balenciaga Giant Day Bag, Will You Ever Be Mine?

Bummer...

I was planning on ordering the Balenciaga Giant Day bag for myself as a reward, after I finished the Bikram 101 Challenge in April. And because the challenge ends the day before my birthday, I was also going to call it a, "New Life Cycle B-day Present!" But it looks like my purchase of the bag may have to wait a few months. If I am able to get it at all.

See, I stopped by the local swanky department store yesterday afternoon... Which, as far as I can tell, is one of the only places in Toronto that sells Balenciaga. I saw the Giant Day bags on the shelf in the Balenciaga area on the first floor. But they only had two colors...

Palm

Maldives

Both are very pretty colors. However, I already have a green hobo bag I bought almost five years ago. And Maldives isn't really a color I want to add to my collection. I like colors that POP for my accessories, because I wear a lot of black and grey.

The sales lady in charge of the Balenciaga told me that the Raisin color was a designated Fall color. And they won't have any of them until September at the earliest.

"We're in Spring colors now," she informed me. "And the Palm and the Maldives are Spring colors."

She also told me that when anything in the purple colors comes in, it gets snatched up pretty quickly. So she gave me her card and told me to email her in late August to see what they might have coming up.

I may just have to take a weekend trip to NYC this Spring and find me a Balenciaga in a color I like there. There are so many places in that city that sell the line. I am abound to find a color I like there.

I'm Throwing A Bridal Shower...

Because my sister, Red, knew there wasn't anyone who could master the task of being a matron of honor than me... I have, in all my anal-retentive glory, already booked the details of her bridal shower.

It's exactly four months away.

Now, when I say all the details, I pretty much mean that. I have decide on the date. The time. The fabulous location. The menu. The cocktails. The shower favors. I've even scripted out what the invitations will say. In fact, the only two things I haven't done are decide on the invitations and actually mailed them.

But they don't need to be mailed out until late March.

So this weekend, I will spend some time researching the invitations that will go with the type of event I am hosting. So far, I am liking these...

Pretty, huh?

"It's Part Of The Healing Process."

I've spent the past 33 (almost) years of my life abusing my body.

No. Don't get me wrong. I haven't done drugs... Had drinking binges... Or random promiscuous sex... (Man, my life is boring.) But I have lived like many of us live. I have spent a lot of time mistreating my body with the following wonderful (sincerely) things:

• Arby's & Taco Bell... And all kinds of fast food.
• COFFEE!
• Processed junk food.
• CHEESE!
• Diet soda after diet soda. (If you're gonna drink this shit, just drink the real stuff. At least it will cause you to be more contentious of your caloric intake.)

On top of all this, I never drank water. Not even when I lived in Arizona. In fact, I never drank anything, except for maybe two sodas a day. I guess my body was like a camel when it came to water... It was preserving every ounce I did drink. But don't be misguided... This is a bad thing. And now, I at the age of 32 and three-quarters, I am trying to reverse all the damage I have done to my body.

But the human body is a magical thing. Probably one of the most magical things in the Universe. Because the human body has the ability to heal itself. Sure, not in every case. Some damage is irreversible, whether you did something to cause it or not. But in many cases, you can stimulate your body to begin healing itself.

• You know if your body needs healing. If you pay attention to it, it will tell you. Putting the wrong things in to it? You probably will gain weight, or lose it if your body can't digest what you give it.
• Putting too much stress on your joints with some activity you like to do? You main sprain or tear something.
• Can't sleep at night? You're not able to calm your mind and quiet your thoughts.

These are just a few obvious examples. And in order for me to avoid these things, I do Bikram yoga. It works for me. I don't have back problems anymore. And I never have trouble sleeping at night after I have gone to class. But even after practicing for over five years, I still have trouble in class... Like tonight. (You can read about it here.)

Yep. Too much coffee before and too much water DURING class made for an uncomfortable session this evening. But I know enough about my body to know that this mistreatment made my body want to get rid of what I had just put into it. And the quickest way for it to do that was to give me acid reflux and throughout the entire second half of the class.

Not fun. I couldn't even just lie on my belly during class. I had to roll on my side to take the pressure of my chest and stomach.

But I learned a lesson because my body "spoke" to me. "Don't fucking drink coffee right before class or guzzle your water down during class, asshole!"

Ah... The magical healing process.

Balenciaga Giant Day Bag.

Was reading gossip online this afternoon, and came across this photo of Salma Hayek and her daughter, with an accessory I must have...

No, it's not the baby or the stroller. It's the bag. The beautiful bag!

It's a Balenciaga bag, that I could tell from the photo. The signature studding and flaps... I can easily spot a Balenciaga from nearly 100 feet away once I see those bright shining metallic beacons!

This is the bag I think it is...

It's called the "Giant Day Bag." And it perfect for work. It measures 16 inches high, 13 inches wide and five inches deep. That is big enough to hold everything I need! Yoga clothes... Laptops (yes, plural!)... Work shoes... Avocado-chicken salad...

I like that it isn't stuffy like most the bags I see women carrying on the subway as they scramble off to their jobs in the mornings. This is a bag for a "gypsy-esque" professional. Not top-handled structured totes for me, thankyouverymuch! And no androgynous messenger bags either! I need something fabulous!

I may have to special request this bag from the local department store. Because I don't think the Balenciaga website ships to Canada. (Boo-urns!)

The Holidays Are Over.

Boo! I don't want to go back to work!

I've enjoyed my time off the past week and a half. Normally, I am not a big fan of time off... But it helps when you travel and go somewhere during that time. Rather than just stay at home doing the same ol' same ol'. (I did plenty of that most of last year.)

While I intend to stay put for the first few months of the new year, by the time mid-Spring rolls around, I will begin to travel again. Travel and make plans.

For now, I am just recovering from the holidays. And spending the afternoon washing a ton of dirty laundry. Tomorrow, it's back to the daily grind.

Bikram 101: Day One - Let The Healing Begin!

Ugh. Who knew two glasses of champagne could inflict so much damage?

Today was the first day of the Bikram 101 Challenge. I went to the only class offered by the studio closest to me today... The noon class. It ended up being the perfect time, as I didn't get out of bed till 10:30am.

By 11:35am, I was at the studio. I purchased an annual pass for the new year. And I went into the practice room and laid my Scooby-Doo yoga mat on the hot floor. I laid down to zone out. I was relaxed. Then class began.

It wasn't my worst class. Not by a long shot. But it wasn't close to being the best. My body was not limber and pliable. It was stuff. And I had the obnoxious acid reflux feeling in my stomach and throat, despite not having eaten anything since last night.

Yes. Clearly my body needs to do some serious healing. Day two tomorrow.

We're Gonna Call it "Twenty-Ten."

The debate has already started... "Do we call it 'two-thousand-ten' or do we call it 'twenty-ten'?"

My vote is for "twenty-ten." It sounds more significant this way. And this will be the year we start some significant things. Here is my list of significant things I have to look forward to in the new year...

Sex and the City Movie 2. This one, I feel, doesn't really need an explanation. The title is representative-enough of what kind of serious shit this is.

Turning 33 and beginning a new nine-year cycle. I love numerology. Call my a gypsy-mystic-loser... I don't care. But I begin a "Year One" on April 12th, Twenty-Ten. Time for some new paths to begin.

Finishing the Bikram 101. I will do this. Taking it one-day-at-a-time. The only expectation I have of myself with this challenge is that I show up every day. I will have great days and shitty days. But I will show up each day.

Final Season of LOST. I can't believe this will be the final season. It hasn't even begun yet, and already I am bittersweet about it.

Redecorating my office. Yep. Gonna repaint it sometime this Summer. And gonna have the carpet ripped out and replaced with hardwood.

South Africa. I want to go there. I want to drink wine there.

What are you looking forward to this year??