Friday, August 22, 2008

The Typo Eradication Advancement League

I read the linked story below on the Valley PR Blog this morning and it was too good not to post for the reading pleasure of others. To lead in...two men have been making it their mission to go around the country making edit corrections to misspelled signs. Love it!

For a person who will sit down and edit agendas put in front of her or who will actually point out misspelled signage on trucks and buildings in disgust, I understand the mission that these two men are taking on. It is too bad that this miserable state of Arizona arrested them for their dubious act. And, why? Oh, why, was their Web site taken down? There are a few stories about these grammar-defending superheroes as part of the blog post. Enjoy!

http://www.valleyprblog.com/pr-best-practices/good-grammar-a-crime-in-arizona/

Thursday, August 21, 2008

What Have I Been Up to?

It is 10 p.m. and my eyelids are certainly getting heavy, but I so wanted to make sure I wrote some kind of Blog entry today. So I will keep it short and sweet. What have I been up to lately? Here's a list...
1. I had a toe reading and a reiki session at the Summer Spa Series over the weekend. That was wonderful! I discovered some things about myself.

2. I reported to work on Monday at 3:15 a.m. in order to usher in media. The Food Bank was sending food boxes, water, hygiene items and blankets up to Peach Springs for the evacuees from the Grand Canyon. If you didn't hear about it; a dam broke on the Colorado River and so the water rose 10 feet.

3. Ry and I went to the Diamondbacks game against the Padres. The D-Backs are hosting an event for us and I met with our contact to see the venue. As a bonus we got some lovely club level tickets. Turned out to be a close game.

4. I made an appointment with myself to take time out to write and work on my book. I got a decent amount done during my two hours at one of my favorite coffee houses in Phoenix on Wednesday.

5. Today I met James Carville at a Phoenix Forum luncheon. He even posed with me for a photo. He and his wife, both on opposite ends of the spectrum, gave a great discussion on the current presidential race. He was a really engaging speaker. I was incredibly impressed.

So that is what I have been up to. On another note...I was thoroughly disappointed over the weekend. For months I have been looking through my photos from our trips last year to pick out a few and submit them to the National Geographic amateur photo contest. Finally had my photos and was ready to see if I had a chance at the grand prize -- a cruise to Antartica. So, I was reading the rules mid-registration and I saw the most horrible set of words ever..."Residents of Arizona are ineligble." Why??? I wish N.G. had put a reason as to why my state of residence was left out. I was deflated in an instant and obviously I still haven't gotten over it.

I know I will probably still buy National Geographics' Travel magazine, but begrudgingly. I know my Thailand photos would have had a chance. I just know it. I was just a tiny bit close to having one of my photos in an exhibit in New York. Maybe they will let me enter next year?

Good night!!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Yoga

I finally got to go to yoga tonight after about a month and a half of having busy Thursday nights.

Ahhh. Breathing in, breathing out. Stretch. Twist. I love the awakening of my body and its muscles.

Didn't realize how much I had missed it until I had my feet firmly planted, toes wide and spread on the blue smooshy mat.

And, I was able to share the moment with one of my best friends, making strange looks at me when our instructor suggested something that seemed impossible.

Sounds like every Thursday will be yoga night for me and B.

Tomorrow is Friday and I am feeling zen about the prospect at this moment.

p.s. While I am sitting here writing in my blog with spare words. I have this one thing to say. Yes, Michael Phelps is an amazing athlete. But, seriously, can we stop talking about him for one minute. I heard him on NPR three times today. He was mentioned on two different TV stations. And, now they are talking nonstop about him. Yippee, he won another medal. How about talking about some other Olympians? They had to work just as hard to get there.

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Watching the Olympics

I am sure a million people are blogging about the Olympics. So, I will just be one of the sheep in the flock.

Ever since the opening ceremonies last Friday, our evenings have changed. Every dinner is eaten in front of the TV. We root. We yell. We jump and down, encouraging our favorite athletes. Last night's men's gymnastics was outstanding. And, no matter what you may think about Michael Phelps, he is amazing. He makes it look so effortless.

Watching the Olympics with my husband brings back so many sweet summer memories from my childhood. Sitting indian-style on the living room floor, popsicle in hand as drips of purple or red liquid fall languidly on my leg while I look on in suspense. Who doesn't remember Mary Lou Retton winning the gold? I can instantly smell the corn on the cob and hot dogs in the background. Hear my mother squelch out a scream of encouragement with her hands up to her mouth. The Olympics were always a family affair and they continue to be.

I have noticed that this Olympics has been a little more emotional for me. I know that many people have been critical of China and how they treat their own people. They are very much aware of this criticism, but while all of this whirls around, they still opened up their country to people from all over the world, making them vulnerable. I have been listening to NPR for the last couple of weeks and it has made me have a soft spot for the Chinese. They know this can change how the world perceives them. Maybe they will see what it is like to be in the positive limelight and they will change their perspective on Tibet? Can't goodwill beget goodwill?

We have always wanted to visit China, not just because it is part of my husbands ancestry, but the culture, people and places of the country look so beautiful. And, although there has been much to criticize, it hasn't deterred me from wanting to go. And, now, watching the Olympics, I have an even stronger urge to visit. Someday we will get to visit and I know we will love it.

p.s. Can't help but think that it's a sign -- the next Olympics just happens to be held in my favorite city -- London. Maybe we will start saving now for that trip?

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Motorcycles in the Parking Lot

Last night my husband and I had dinner with his cousin from Florida. He was passing through town on his way to Los Angeles, traveling with a motorcycle stunt group competing in the XDL Series. It was fascinating to hear about his job, videotaping their competitions and practice sessions. As he explained to us about XDL, it sounded very cool, but nothing compared to the real thing.

We were treated to a nice surprise when he had us go with him to where the guys on the tour were practicing their stunts. We pulled around and you could smell the fuel and hear the rev of the engines. In a parking lot behind an industrial park, six guys on motorcycles that resembled rockets sped up to nearly 80 miles an hour and then would put on the break to travel down the asphalt on their front or back tire. Wow!

It was just amazing to watch. They would pop up the motorcycle on a wheelie and then proceed to twirl it around as if the bike were a dancing partner. I waited for the sound of strings in the romantic movement of a ballet to begin when one of the riders for maneuver his motorcycle in a circle and then proceed to put one foot behind him like a ballerina.

It was a special treat to see Tim and the treat was made sweeter with the motorcycle acrobatics and performances we got to watch upclose. Thank you, Tim. We can't wait until the competition comes to Phoenix in October so we can see more of what these precision riders can do.

Want to see a little bit of video on the team Tim supports? They are Team Warped --comprised mostly of riders from California, Arizona and New Mexico. We were particularly impressed with Jesse Toler.

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

I Love You, Dr. Horrible!

Battlestar Galatica has long since been off the air and I have to wait until October to find out what the frak is going to happen. Shark Week is over on Discovery Channel. I watched all 12 episodes of Flight of the Conchords on DVD. Argh. And, the second season of The Tudors hasn't been released on iTunes yet for my viewing pleasure.

Frankly all other TV just plain sucks right now. So, what is a girl to do?

Tonight I was saved by my husband when we watched the three acts that comprise Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. What fun! I may have had a slight crush on Neil Patrick Harris when he was Doogie Howser, but that was decades ago. Now, I find him irresistibly hilarious and brilliant in this online-only web-blog created by Harris and Joss Whedon.

Dr. Horrible may be evil, but boy, do I love him. Now, my hope is that there will be more than just the three acts that were released. We need more Dr. Horrible!

On another note, I have begun to read The Post-Birthday World by Lionel Shriver. So far the characters are intriguing and I am really enjoying the writing. And, how could it be too bad? It takes place in my favorite city -- London.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Wasn't This Supposed to be Blond?

Okay, so on Saturday, I decided that I would get some semi-permanent hair color so I could even out my color -- something dark blond so it would look natural and not colored at all. I picked up a color called Golden Honey while I was at Target. It looked unassuming and rather harmless.

On Sunday morning, I decided to use the hair color I purchased. I reaffirmed with a good read and solid deduction that this would indeed be a great way to even out my color. After about 12 minutes on my hair, I climbed into the shower and rinsed away the gel that had been working its magic upon my locks.

Later on as I was blowdrying my hair, I began to notice that the color didn't look anything like the color on the box. In fact, it looked very much like a reddish hue they had on the box called Spiced Cider. Was it the right color in the box? I looked at the container that had the color in it and it matched the number on the packaging. Hmmm?

I now have a lovely Scottish/Irish Auburn color. It doesn't look too bad with my blues eyes and fair skin. Not what I had envisioned, but I am getting used to being a fiery redhead.

Friday, August 01, 2008

Just Call Me Twitterbug

For about a month now I have been Tweeting away on Twitter. I find it quite fun to be able to share small blurbs of genuis with whomever may be looking my way at that moment. The best part of it is the spontaneity because I can Tweet from my cell phone. A simple Tweet can be what I am doing at the moment, but I prefer to write about interesting observations in the world around me, as well as give recommendations on restaurants, books, music or movies. You can find me on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cyndec. And, anyone reading my blog decides to sign up for Twitter, let me know what your username is...would love to follow you.

On another note, I am halfway through Eclipse and I am really enjoying it. Learning a little more history about Edward and Jacob's families. I have been on a righteous heavy metal kick lately. I would like to blame this little excursion into the glam hair realm on playing Guitar Hero way too much. But, I have to say one thing for metal, it sure keeps you going at the gym.