Wally Lamb

Last night, the annual Art & Letters Live had its kick off authore, Wally Lamb. I found him to be a very good speaker. Sometimes, authors can write well, but they are unable to really connect with their audience in person. For example, Sue Monk Kidd, the poor woman had no clue what she was doing. She spent a hour going through her new book at the time "The Mermaids Chair". She went on and on and on. By the end of her speech, I realized I didn't have to get the book, she had told me the whole story.

Anway, I digress.

Wally read a autobiographical essay he had written and a short excerpt from his most recent book. Then they had question time. It turns out, Wally has some very very rabid fans. A few women ran up to the Mike and proclaimed they were Delores from "She's Come Undone" and how had he gotten into their head. Other people discussed personal emails they had sent to him on specific dates. And there were the last crazy few who had spent hours finding common threads between his three books that even Wally didn't think existed.

But the last question was a good one. The woman said it was obvious to her that all his book titles come from songs. That got me thinking. I immediately realized the first one. I started to sing "Shes come Undone" in my head. The second book title I couldn't place. "I Know This Much Is True". Wally laughed and talked about for a month when he was finishing up that book, he couldn't get the old Spandeau Ballet song "True" out of his head. The next thing you know, half the crowd was singing the lyrics and bopping their head.

Made me laugh.

And now, I can't get the lyric out. I will be sitting here writing a report thinking, and then all of a sudden the phrase "i know this much is true" will go through my head. And of course I have to half sing it outloud. Thanks Wally.

Related?

It was pointed out to me that everytime I become popular with the boys, I get sick. Instead of psychosabotaging relationships, my body physicially reacts. It wants to try to see how disgusting it can be and test the man in my life.

Surprisingly, people seem to find me cute when I'm sick. Seriously. I'm all phlegmy and coughing up hairballs, and I'm told I sound like Kathleen Turner. They still want to meet up with me, but instead of getting wine, how about a cup of coffee.

Its very intriguing.

I don't want to be near a sick man. Ew. I would prefer they call me when they have their sinuses all cleaned out.

Anyway, last night I treated myself to some tom yum soup and pad thai from Sawadika. YUM. I love that place. It's on Campbell near 75 in the old Sushi Sake spot. The soup was nice and a bit spicey, and then the slightly sweet pad thai after. It put me in a good food coma.

You people make me sick

I don't know who you are, but I have a bone to pick with you. I've got gunk in my upper respiratory tract, and it wasn't there last week. I blame you!

I swear I had all these friends text me they were sick this weekend, but I don't really think you can catch a cold via text message. So, they are off the hook.

And what a day to be sick on. Its 30 degrees and raining. I keep saying I'm going to run to the Primacare, but I don't really want to leave the cosey indoors at the moment.

I will not be sick when I leave for Vietnam. I will not be sick when I leave for Vietnam. If I say it enough times, it will come true.

I have been remiss

This week was hard. I just couldn't bring myself to blog. It was one of those work weeks. I was onsite at a client, and they provided our food for the three days. I seriously survived on doritos and coke. It was the only edible thing.

You can really tell a difference when you go from a healthy diet to total crap food. I was completely dragging. I kept saying every night that I was going to work out. I was going to run.

Did I? No.

I just wanted to go to my room, eat, and cash out. For 8 hours I would be on. I would be smiley, smart consultant Victoria, which is fine, but its draining!!

So now I get to go back to the office and pick up the pieces.

One good thing that happened. I was told by a couple of people I looked really good and fit. I guess this running thing, when I actually do it, is working.

I've become a pod person

Yesterday, Obama was sworn in. Half my office was in the kitchen watching. I was at my desk trying to finish up a presentation. A friend came by and tried to get me to move my butt, but I just didn't see the point.

I got my work done and moved on.

Then this morning I had a bit of a flash back. Its 2001 on a lazy September Detroit morning. I'm walking through the reception area at the office and on the plasma tv they keep showing this airplane crashing into the world trade center.

I was in shock. The receptionist turns up the sound, and I stay riveted. Eventually, the entire reception area is full of us just watching. I'm there for a couple of hours with others just taking it all in.

I eventually get back to my desk, and one of my coworkers Michelle calls me. She had been at a client. I tell her what has just happened. Her response, "oh my goodness. Does that mean we won't have the hospital meeting this afternoon? Have you finished the presentation?"

My mouth fell open. That is what she was worried about. I told her no I don't think we have the meeting. We will reschedule.

This morning I realized I pulled a Michelle yesterday. Not good.

I'm going to go to heaven for the weather

and hell for the company.

I heard that in a song the other day, and I can't get it out of my mind.

Bascially, I'm a nice person, but I wasn't very nice these past couple of weeks. I generally tend to try to not stalk on Facebook. I try to stick to my friends, BUT people can easily lead my astray. I'm not saying I'm blameless. I follow them.

Someone messeaged me about a guy I used to date. So, I went to look him up. He is in a relationship now.

NOTE: I never post anywhere if I'm in a relationship. Just not my thing. People keep wanting to hear about it.

So there we sit going off about the girl he is dating. Its just mean, but I can't help myself. Its like some inner, sixteen year old vicious cheerleader comes out. We broke up because he has mental problems. I don't even talk to him anymore, but still. Just surprised.

Is this another one of those human condition things or do I need to just work on being a nicer person.

What Have I Gotten Myself Into

Backstory: I am not athletic. I'm artsy. That's a known fact. When I was little, the only game I was good at was TV tag, not because I was fast, but because I watched so much I could name out hundreds of shows in succession without being tagged.

Back in October 2007, I decided to go on a horse back riding vacation. I started going to the gym a month before in order to prepare for it, and I discovered I was sorely out of shape. Since then, I have worked to try to get to the gym a couple of times a week. This did not result in me becoming in shape, but at least I have felt better about myself.

Fast forward to this December, I wrote a list, and on that list, I decided that it was high time I started to like running. Why? Because I just don't like it. I needed to push myself. So I signed up for running class.

Last week was the first one. We ran what they call the "miracle mile". My friend Elizabeth joined up the class too, and we paced ourselves. We completed the mile in 10:44. I thought that was pretty good. Was pleased with myself, but I know she pushed me. I thought, "this is great, we will be near the top of the worst."

NOPE, Nooooo. We show up for class last night to discover that we are no longer in running 101. We have placed out into running 201. What's the difference? There is no walking in 201. None. Zilch. Its an actual running class.

So, last night we got started. I watched the 101 class. They got to run 4 minutes and walk 1 minute for half an hour. MY CLASS, we ran for 10 minutes and then walked 1. My coach had pity on us, but she said that was just because this was the first class. We would be running in the future.

Surprisingly, I survived. Not only that, I wasn't really that winded. We talked the whole run. It was actually fun. Running ain't so bad I guess. Even if I have to pay people to make me do it.

I am a bit scared about the rest of the class though. I think they are going to make us run faster and for 45 minutes. I'm not to sure about that...

Honestly, I would rather be the best of the worst then the worst of the best.

What I'm Listening To

I popped open itunes this morning to download a couple of songs. I have this thing where I listen to the NPR podcast All Songs Considered, and when its over, I download the songs that caught my interest. And while I'm on itunes, I go and download a bunch of random odd songs.

So, I looked this morning at some of my topped played songs on my ipod. Goodness, its eclectic.

Shake It - Metro Station
Please don't judge. I dance whenever it comes on.

The Twist - Frightened Rabbit
I heard this song on a podcast and couldn't get it out of my head. Very infectious.

Workin Day and Night - Michael Jackson
If you aren't car dancing when this comes on, then you have no soul.

All Over the World - ELO
I love ELO. I'm surprised I have played this one the most. I usually say Mr. Blue Sky is my favorite.

Pot Kettle Black - Tilly and the Wall
Another NPR find. Fantastic group. They use tap dancing as percussion. I discovered them right after they came to town for a show. Hope they come back.

Boys Don't Cry - The Cure
The Cure was the second concert I ever went to. It was at the Summit in Houston. I was in 8th grade. I wore all black and a lot of eyeliner and thought I was so cool. Good memories!!

Surrender - Cheap Trick
The song makes no sense. Have you ever really listened to the lyrics? But I still love it!

In These Shoes - Kristy MacColl
My friend, John Hagopian, put this song on a mix for me before I moved from Detroit to Dallas. It was on permanent repeat, and I wore down the cd. Fantastic song. Me being a shoe girl, it speaks to me.

Liz the Hot Receptionist - Jesus H. Christ and the Four Hornsmen of the Apocolypse
This song just makes me laugh out loud. I see Liz in and around Dallas daily. This group is almost like an adult version of Seasame Street.

Time to Pretend - MGMT
Found this on NPR too. Just such a great song. It was the beat that dragged me in, but the words that really stuck.

Never Miss a Beat - Kaiser Chiefs
I love it when you hear a song and the English accents are so thick you can even hear them when they sing. Just a great beat on this one.

Nothing Better - Postal Service
An oldie but goodie. I was at my friend Doug's years ago and this was playing on his computer. I had him burn me the entire cd. I remember driving home through downtown Dallas listening to it watching the city at night. This whole cd is great.

In a rut

Ok, 2009 is going to get better. I have decided to get out of the rut. I have bought a notebook, and I'm keeping a list. There are all these things I say I'm going to do, but I never do. I complain about Dallas being boring, and yet, I don't do half the stuff there is to do in this town.

So here is an just a smidge of what i'm going to do.

1) Running class - train to run a 5k. I signed up and it was supposed to start last night but the store lost power, and it was cancelled. Someone was listening to my inner most thoughts. Who wants to run in 35 degree freezing rain??

2) DMA membership - i got the one with reciprocal benefits, and I already ordered my tickets to TUT.

3) Volunteer at an animal shelter - lets see if I can actually do this one. I might chicken out after I try to take home 5 cats.

4) Go to Cafe Marakesh - its down the road from me. Why haven't I tried it?

5) Get a security system for my house - that ones for Holly. She keeps getting at me. I swear I will do it.

6) Go out with my friend Melanie - i haven't seen her in forever. We need a get together.

And the list goes on and on and on. I have a lot to do, but I've got time.

So, any other suggestions for food for 2009? Nothing is sticking out to me.

It can only get better

Seriously. How come when you finishe paying off your car, it goes to pot?

So, how did I spend the beginning of 2009? Fixing my car. And it's still not done.

December 31st - I leave my house at noon to meet a friend for lunch. The car does not start. I call my friend and tell her I have to cancel. Of course she is at the restaurant. I feel so bad.

I call AAA. The truck comes out, we push the car out of the garage, and pop up the hood. He looks at my battery, and it's completely corroded. Its really really gross, to put it into technical terms. We clean it off, and he says I need a new battery. I decide to have the AAA battery service to come out.

The second AAA truck comes out, he looks at the battery and says its not dead, but my connection is broken. The corrosion has eaten through the line. The new battery won't fix it. I need to take it in.

At this time, its late, no one is really open. I don't want to deal with it.

New Year's happens.

January 1 - I rest

January 2 - I call AAA for a jump to get to the Firestone. I get there. They look at the battery and the lines. The pretty much tell me they don't have the part. They called the dealership to see if they will sell the part. They won't. They only sell a whole rewiring package, and it's $800.

WHAT!!!

Firestone gives me the name and number of an electrical specialist in Plano. We jump my car, and I decide to take the backroads up north. I am right at the intersection of Greenville and Plano road, and my car breaks down. I call AAA. While waiting for the tow I discover where Owen's country sausage is made.

I get towed to the electric place. We drop off the car. My sweet friend Jen comes and picks me up. I owe her!! We do lunch. I get home. And I realize. I still have my car keys.

I'M A GENIUS.

I call them, and they agree. I need to bring the keys back.

SOOOOO, I call and beg Elizabeth's mom to help me. Thank God for good caring people.

So, now, I'm home. With a broken car. I'm just done. DONE.

2009 can only get better RIGHT??