My Life, As Told Between (Baby Cakes') Naps

Realized today that I just don’t have enough clutches. For all my purses, I only have one clutch. Sure, I rarely use the one I have, but that’s just because it’s a beautiful bronzy snake skin print that isn’t horribly practical. I’m CONVINCED that if I had a more subdued one, I’d use it all the time, so I’ve taken the plunge and bought a second clutch for my collection.

Now to be invited to clutch appropriate occasions. Also need to go to the beach and on more picnics so I can use my new purse. Hmm, I think what I really need is to acquire an appropriately fun lifestyle to match my purse collection. Where does one go to buy one of those? And can I get it in a size that’ll fit the three hours a week that I’m not working or sleeping? =)

My friends and I call our friend DJS (whom I adore – just in case you’re reading this DJS!) “The Grump” sometimes.  When he’s tired, you can almost see the clouds forming over his head and the mope lines settle across his face.

I’ve been feeling a bit like The Grump the last week or so.  I’m normally a very upbeat person, I fear irritatingly so sometimes.  For the last several months, I’ve surprised even myself by bounding out of bed at six every morning excited about going to the gym.  This morning, I had to drag myself out of bed and only managed to do so after a very stern talking to.

The Frog thinks it might be the weather.  It’s been abnormally cold for Los Angeles and I think I’m suffering from a bit of seasonal depression, which is extremely odd because (a) it hasn’t been that bad, (b) it hasn’t been “bad” for long, (c) there have been several really nice days between the “bad” days, and (d) (as the Frog astutely pointed out), I freaking lived in Boston – aka Bad Weather, USA – for three years and was (relatively) fine.

You know you’re a spoiled Californian when…

Well, not really, but I feel much, much better after having taken the weekend off (despite all intentions of coming into the office Sunday).  Roomie’s in London for the next three months, so I spent a good portion of the weekend cleaning and straightening up the apartment.  Since I’m never there, I’m hoping it’ll remain clean until she gets back to take over the ordinary household duties. 

Didn’t manage to get around to doing my taxes, or even organizing my paperwork enough to get my taxes done by someone, but did do three loads of laundry, went grocery shopping, went running with some friends from my running group (the official group disband after the LA Marathon), ate entirely too much, had drinks at Lola’s and tried to catch up on my sleep.  Unfortunately, some of this sleeping happened over dinner at the Cheesecake Factory on Saturday.  I’m starting to worry that people will be afraid to be seen with me in public for fear that I will spontaneously nap on them. . .and I mean this literally.  I was reclined so far back in my chair that (I didn’t realize this until after the dinner was over) my head was practically in the lap of the poor unfortunate stranger sitting to my right. 

A random gay man complimented my shoes this morning in the elevator.  I was really flattered.  Somehow compliments mean more when they come from gay men.  I don’t question it.  I just accept it.  That was pretty much the highlight of my week.

It’s been a tough week.  There are days I really enjoy what I do and love the fact that it’s challenging and allows me to use my brain in a way a lot of other jobs, even other legal jobs, wouldn’t.  Then there are days where I’d like nothing better than to turn off my brain and do something that isn’t so intellectually draining.  Every day this week has been one of those latter days.

Here’s hoping your week’s been better than mine.   

Oh, and on a more upbeat note – I signed up for another marathon in San Francisco this October!  I’m also contemplating running one in San Diego this June (unfortunately, I have a trial in the middle of June that’ll likely get in the way).  They should be fun – assuming I’ll be able to stay in shape for them. Help.  I think I may be developing an addiction.  (Speaking of which, I ended up buying the purse.)

Today was a great day for a marathon. As some of you know – i.e., anyone who’s so much as glanced at this blog* – I just so happen to have run my first one today. The weather was fantastic and I finished within my goal (04:50:24 – approximately 11 minute miles). See horribly-boasty medal below!

A few miles into the run, I was talking to my running group about the future marathons I wanted to do. By the end, I was cursing the fact that I was even doing this one. One of the quotes I’ve heard a lot is that you run the first 10 miles with your feet, the next 10 with your head, and the last 6 with your heart. It’s really true. The last 4 or 5 miles were really, really, really difficult, especially since my running group had completely disbanded by then due to various injuries and I finished the last 7 miles on my own.

Thanks again to all those who came out to support me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it. And thank you for everyone who called, texted and emailed. As for the rest of you (I’m talking to you mom and dad!), you’re on my shit list.

*Note to G – So I talked to ML last night. She ratted you out. =) You who read and comment frequently on my blog seriously didn’t know I was running in the LA marathon? Seriously? It’s the only other thing I talk about aside from purses and shoes! In fact, now that it’s over, I don’t know how I’m going to fill the content gap. There are only so many pictures of purses and shoes I can post before my readers will rebel! =)

I know, I know.  I owe y’all a new post.  I actually have one in the works which started out as a cute concept but proved to be too difficult to execute.  So, like everything else difficult in my life, I’ve decided to give up on it.  At least for now.

In the meanwhile, you, my loyals readers, will just have to bear with yet another ill-conceived, stream-of-consciousness, random hodgepodge. 

Since I’m sure you’re all dying to know what purse I currently covet, here it is. 

Isn’t it great?  Can’t you just see me walking along the beach with it at sunset?  I showed the purse to my sister, who first scoffed at the notion that I was contemplating yet another purse purchase, then drooled when she saw it and started emptying out her piggy bank (she’s a student). 

I also really like these shoes:

I see these resting on my feet as I sip a latte at a cute European cafe.

When not dreaming of trips to the tropics or a life of leisure in Europe, I’ve been working.  Work’s been a little crazy recently, everyone’s stressed out and slightly on edge, and I’ve been much busier than I’d like.  (Sigh.) 

Managed to sneak away from the office long enough to see the Ashes and Snow photography exhibit in Santa Monica this weekend.  The photographs were fantastic.  The rest of it was…interesting.  There were some great video images (mostly humans in repose next to wildlife – elephants, orangutans, and cheetas, etc.), but the accompanying faux-deep running commentary was kind of crap.  To paraphrase, “In the beginning, elephants used to fly and would sleep with one eye open to watch over us.  When you look into the sky, that’s what you see…”  (Seriously.) 

The marathon’s this Sunday.  (Yay!)  I’m super excited.  I just have to avoid injury for the rest of the week!  Being tied to my desk should help with that…

Diet’s going okay.  (Eh.)  I actually managed to wear my thin jeans for an extended period of time and not die though.  Admittedly, I may have blacked out for a few moments from lack of oxygen.  Whatever.  Breathing’s overrated.

Oh, and if you haven’t tried it – Starbuck’s toffee nut latte.  (Yum.)  Get it.

There’s a great article in today’s New York Times about Trader Joes.  There’s one in my neighborhood, but I haven’t been in months – the parking lot’s always crowded and it’s not on my way to or from anywhere.  Plus, as a very good friend of mine once pointed out, only “pointy-nosed white women” (remember – her words, not mine!) shop there.  =) 

More importantly, Trader Joes doesn’t carry 8th Continent’s fat free vanilla soy milk, a staple in my diet.  They do carry fantastic chocolate covered soy beans, caramel rice snacks, and dried strawberries however.  Yummmm. 

Wait – I think I feel my nose growing…I’ll be at TJ’s if anyone needs me…

Favorite gmail chat exchange of the day:

J:  I’ve been really busy at work recently.

Me:  Yes, I remember reading that you guys made more money than the US mint last year.

J:  That’s because we’ve been twice as evil.  We have two oil spills planned for this upcoming year.  Maybe one near a pony ranch. 

Me:  Yeah, oil-soaked penguins are old news.  (Actually, I just made this up right now.  I was too busy laughing at the time to come up with a response of any sort.)

Oh, and FYI, apparently oil-soaked penguins are so par for the course that there’s an organization that knits sweaters for them.  

All together now – Awwwwwwwwwww.