Sunday, August 30, 2009

Little bastid


Out in Glacier last night, hanging with friends when I felt something messing around in my hair. When I went to brush it out I discovered a wasp stuck in the strands. The little bastid managed to sting me twice, bam, bam!

My finger is still swollen.

Little bastid! I drowned him in margarita. What a way to go.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Glamour model: Step in the right direction?

What is a model? Is it a pretty face? A ‘good’ body? If it is someone with a ‘good’ body, what is that? A girl who is skin and bones? I know that isn’t me, and it definitely isn’t the majority of America where the average size is a 14.

It is hard growing up as a girl in this country and being bombarded with those images. It takes a toll on young women- I know it did on me. Some companies are taking steps to help- Glamour magazine put this picture of Lizzi Miller in their latest issue to illustrate what a real woman looks like. Lizzi is a “plus size” model- although at a size 12/14 she is hardly plus size, in fact, in America, she is average. So I don’t get it, is average the new plus?

Lizzi Miller
Lizzi Miller

I applaud Glamour for putting Lizzi in their magazine and showing us real women but clearly we still have a ways to go. On the cover of the same issue that Lizzi proudly shows off her soft belly, the magazine teases an article inside about “3 Flat Belly Secrets.” Now isn’t that sending a bit of a mixed message?

I remember vividly being about 8 years old and posing in front of my mirror in my bedroom like a model- Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ was big back then (don’t judge me). At the time I thought I was pretty; my parents told me I was and I was too young to be affected by things in magazines and on TV.

I also remember that blissful ignorance disappearing at an early age as I entered what is now commonly referred to as my ‘tween’ years as I was barraged with images on television, in magazines, in ads at my favorite clothing stores and on my favorite pop singers. I wanted to get a perm because I wanted curly hair like Stephanie Tanner on Full House; then a few years later I had to have a straightener because I needed my hair to be as straight as Britney Spears. I was the first of my group of girlfriends to go through my growth spurt and as I struggled to fit into the teeny tiny clothes that they still squeezed into from stores like Abercrombie & Fitch, I would sit at home and look at the catalogue and wish I were as skinny as the bony models. I was 14. I look back now at the pictures of myself and think, ‘if only I could go back and talk to that girl and tell her…’

What do you think? Should more magazines show realistic images of women like Lizzi Miller?

Marquee.blogs.cnn.com

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Ah...jeez

It had been a quiet Sunday morning. Mmm...I slept in until almost 10:00, heaven in my bed with the soft flannel sheets and blankets.

Got up, made coffee, took the dog out.

And walked into a fist fight!


No shit! Not kidding. Went around the corner and here are my neighbors, screaming, yelling and two guys duking it out on the front lawn.

I quickly assessed that there were no knives or guns involved. Decided the police did not need to be called as they seemed like they could handle it. Hoped that Midget would hurry her business up so we could leave. Tried like hell to not stare and ignore the fracas going on right next door.

Finally, made it back inside, continuing to hear them yelling at each other etc. Within a few minutes it had died down but I had to chuckle at some of what I heard: "you never pay for pizza, you're a cheap ass bastard" Gotta love family fights.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Return to Sperry Chalet

Eeeeeeeeeeeee...

(that's my excited voice)

I'm off to Sperry Chalet again this weekend. Aren't I a lucky girl? I am hiking up to Sperry Chalet on Sunday for two nights and two whole sunrises at Sperry (one of my favorite things). Plus, I am hiking to Sperry Glacier on Monday (finally!). I am so excited I can't hardly stand it. Yes, it's a long hike. Yes, it's 6.5 miles all uphill but it is so worth it.

Usually when I go to Sperry it is to volunteer. To work my tail off in the short amount of time I'm there and get as much done as possible. Usually when I'm at Sperry I'm a worker bee.

Hehe, not this time (although I did volunteer to help out in the hotel, changing rooms over etc.). This trip I plan to hang out behind the hotel looking for Sperry eyes. I plan to hike to Lincoln Peak to watch the sunset. I'm going to Sperry Glacier come hell or high water. I plan to glass the hillside for signs of the sow grizzly and her cubs. I plan to read my book out on the patio and enjoy the incredible sunrises at Sperry.

Lately the weather has been kind of sketchy, fog, rain etc. That makes for some awesome moments at Sperry in the early morning as the fog rolls up the valley, past the chalet and over the mountains behind.

~sigh~ I can't hardly wait!!

Friday, August 07, 2009

Some randomness I'm flinging your way...

Usually morning walks are quiet around here. The Midget and I get up early and go for a walk or run around 6:00. It's a nice, cool, quiet time of the day to be out exploring the neighborhoods. Ha! Not today. Today I had crows making a cacophony of cackles and wails. Today I met several people on the street either walking or biking and they all said hello (it's a friendly town). Today I had the woman come out of her office building to meet my dog. Unusual morning!

Do you ever want to tell your boss to mind their own freakin' business? Yeah, I'm there. Since returning from vacation she has been incredibly desultory AND all up in the flavor of my Kool-Aid. It's a bad combination that's bugging me!

I have a bridal shower to shop for and attend on Saturday. The girls are all going to get together and laugh, drink and be merry. Hehe, I found these naughty dice as part of her gift. I'm so bad! ;)

I'm thinking of a hike to Iceberg Lake on Sunday. New territory to cover and it will mean one more trail on my map that I can cross of. Woo hoo!

Have good weekends kiddies. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!