three step program

   

home plate

If you've lived in the United States of America for, well, at least a summer... you're familiar with Home Plate.  It's the sacred spot on the baseball diamond.  It's where it all starts... and if you're doing well... where it's going.  Just to tap it is important, and sweet.  Last week, after my eventful week with Ann, my little visit with Dawn (sorry if this is a little confusing... I'm posting it in chronological order, but you're reading it backwards... bear with me, use your imagination... or scroll down and read up... whatever works) I went home for a long weekend.  I put 1000 miles on Max.  He didn't mind.  I had such a great trip.  Sunroof open.  Good tunes.  It rocked.  And I ate more steak last weekend than I've eaten in the last year!  It was awesome!  It was so great to see my family.  My mom, my sister and her husband, my precious nephews, my dad, my granny... everyone.  Oh, how I miss them.  Here are a few pictures taken at Tracy's:

   

Also while I was home I was able to meet my friend Susan's baby boy, Christopher.  He was sleeping, so I didn't disturb him for a picture... but trust me.  He is perfect.  So perfect.  Susan, congratulations.  Enjoy him.

old friend, new do

Also new in my life since I last blogged at any length.. is my hair.  Michael the marvelous worked a wonder with a diffuser.  Not sure if I spelled that correctly.  It's the thing that comes with a hair dryer that I usually throw away.  Now I need to go out and buy a new hair dryer so I can have the attachment.  I was a bit skeptical, but I liked it when he was done.  My hair looks red in this picture, that's not true... probably bad lighting.  This is what you get when you take a picture of yourself in your own car, driving.

  That same night, I met up with an old friend I worked with about 3 years ago.  Dawn Pellas!! She was in town visiting family, and by the way, interviewing for a job at the station (keep your fingers crossed) we met up at Denny's and got caught up over things like french fries and a super bird.  Super Bird.  What a name for a sandwich.  It was greasy and good. The meal that is, Dawn is not greasy at all.  She is so cute and funny and I had a blast "rollin' out" old school style with her!  I miss that girl!

Ann, meet Pittsburgh

The last time I wrote here, I was anticipating Ann's visit to Pittsburgh.  She came, she went... we had a blast.  There was a lot of shopping, eating, talking, and not very much sleep.  Such is the life of best friends.  Please please pray for Ann.  She's a teacher, and apparently it's incredibly hard to get a teaching job in this town. (Like trying to get into Harvard hard)  Ann wants to move here.  I would love to have her here.  It just doesn't make sense that we are both spending lonely single Friday nights, two states apart.  If we were roommies again, at least there would be someone to eat dinner with, rent a chic flic with, etc.

Here are some highlights from Ann's visit:

Of course, I did a fabulous job of driving around to all of the cool sites, to sell the Steel City as the happenin' place that it is.  There were moments we were lost... but welcome to life in a car that I am driving.  You must be patient.  I have no real sense of direction, but for some reason remain confident that I know where I'm going, much like a male.

Yumm.  One of the things I miss most about rooming with Ann is her cooking.  We grilled out, and it was so good.  Salmon. Ahh...

I had my first trip to PNC Park to see the Pirates play... I told you I was going to be their new fan, right?  Well, guess what?  I must be a lucky charm.. they beat the Cardinals like 12 to not very much... don't remember the exact score... I didn't wear my glasses.  Note to self for next time: Must be able to see score, it's worth sacrificing cuteness.

  And of course, no trip would be complete with out taking our ceremonial bad picture together.  Ann's cheesing a little hard here, and I just... well, quite frankly.. look like a corpse.

ipod envy. period.  The persuasive powers I have truly are amazing.  Ann, welcome to 2006.  You have officially gone from not knowing what an ipod really was.. to having a cooler one than me.  You're welcome.

It went by too fast.  I had to work way to much that week.  I miss Ann already, and of course, we had our same conversation again tonight "I wish we just lived in the same town again."

anticipation

Today my best friend is coming to visit.  I can't wait.  Ann is awesome.  Too bad we can't seem to ever get a good picture together.  Here we are in Myrtle Beach a few years ago.

quote of the day

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy: They are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

— Marcel Proust

Tonight I got a pep talk from an unlikely person.  It was just what I needed to hear.  Some perspective. Thanks.  Work was more bearable today.  Not so Sisyphus.  Thank God.  This morning I woke up late because I took Tylenol PM too late last night.  Ever had a TPM hangover?  Not fun.  Two words. SLOW MOTION. All morning.  Now, I usually enjoy about 3 cups of home brew before it starts coating my teeth, and I've had about enough.  This morning, I required a full pot.

I received a precious Easter card from my Granny.  Seriously, one of the sweetest, kindest people alive.  She put an old newspaper article in there with a picture of my Papa handing out guides at the polls in November of 1970!  I didn't even know this article exsisted.  It is precious.  She also put in some really funny pictures of me when I was little.  Most are too embarassing to share.

I was a rebel tonight.  Totally didn't do my Tuesday night routine.  No gym. Bad Dana.  I ate a Pepperoni Roll from GetGo for dinner.  Bad Dana again.  Hopefully, I won't be adding to my 3 lb gain, but at the rate I'm going... no promises.  I need to get it together!! 

Back to GetGo.  Now I'm all about the fuel perks (only Pittsburghers will get this one, don't stress.. if you're curious, e-mail me, I'll explain) so I work the GetGo.  Bad news.  Bad, very bad coffee.  Now I home brew the hazelnut Market District coffee, and it's quite enjoyable, however, I've tried it not once, but twice now, from the GetGo and it's disgusting.  Like right up there with the tv news station sludge nasty.  Unacceptable.  The pepperoni rolls, on the other hand, now they're fabulous.

I missed my girls tonight.  Gilmore, that is.  If you saw it... please fill me in!! I'm dying here without my DVR.  I couldn't watch because I was talking to Granny and my pep talk giver on the phone.  I know I made the right decision... but Rory and Lorelai, what's going on?

manic monday

Man, did these girls have it right!  24 hours post my bliss from yesterday, I find myself having "just another ..... ......" Yep.  It started this morning.  I stepped on the scale. Bad news bears.  me + 3 pounds! 3 pounds! Ew!! I guess I've been a bit of denial lately.  I have been scarfing down chocolate like it's on the endangered species list.  Don't know why.  Hmm. 

Then, there was work.  I woke up extra early which was nice because that gave me plenty of time to catch up on all of the newspapers, websites, etc. more than usual.  But on my way to work, I got a headache on the Parkway that pretty much lasted until well... I still feel it throbbing.  But I don't feel right complaining about that because I know people dealing with REAL health issues, and my baby throbber just doesn't count in the grand scheme of things. 

Okay, back to work.  So, there I was thinking I had a pretty good day, until I was filled in on how I fell short. Gee, thanks.  I'm such a grump tonight, sorry!  There's probably more of this ahead, so if you're already making that little violin sign with your thumb and your index finger, go ahead and stop reading.

Anyway, so, as I've hinted before... this job is crazy.  And I'm trying, trying, trying. Yet it seems my best is never good enough.  There's always something that could have been written better, produced up, broken out, something.  When?  When will I get it?  When will I be victorious?  I realized tonight, however, that I produced my first show here just 2 months ago, today.  And that was only half of a show, really.  So geez, chill.  I'm doing okay, right?  I just hate this.  I know this is a bigger league, that there's a different pace, a learning curve, that I'm hard on my self, all of the above... please... I just want my confidence back.  Nothing shakes you like losing that.  Even if you suck, but you're confident, it's better than actually being good and thinking you suck.

Okay, enough of that.  I also learned today that the Pirates are losers.  That stinks!  I'm going to be a fan anyways.  Who says you can't come back from a 13 year slump?  Hey, they've been at this a lot longer than me, pushing a boulder up a hill... perhaps they have a thing or two I could learn.  By the way, today was opening day here in Pittsburgh, and the game was sold out.  The Pirates lost... just as everyone thought they would.  But they had quite a crowd, so who cares.  I already have plans to attend a game in the near future, and I'm psyched!! Go Pirates!!

Back to work... the one good thing about having a manic monday... it's fodder for a good workout.  Kindling for a fired up cardio session.  Thank you!  I need to lose these pounds that have found me!

Random: I heard an old school song by Mary J. Blige tonight, and even though I was nursing my headache... I still got up and danced by myself in my house.  Download "family affair." It's probably not the family-friendliest song... but I will take you back and get your booty shakin'.  Good times.

"It's only gonna be about a matter of time
Before you get loose and start loose your mind
Cop you a drink, go head and rock your ice
Cause we celebrating No More Drama in our life
With a great track pumpin', everybody's jumpin'
Goin ahead and twist your back and get your body bumpin'
I told you leave your situations at the door
So grab somebody and get your a** on the dance floor"

such a monday theme song.  sorry bangles. I need more bump than you can offer tonight.

Bliss

Sunroof open.  No traffic.  Yummy coffee.  I heart weekends.

The Saturday Evening Post

Yesterday was Saturday.  And it was fabulous.  Gretchen and I met up and went a jewelry party.  Ha!  Don't we sound fabulous!  These parties always crack me up.  Fill in the blank parties.  Tupperware parties.  Pampered Chef parties.  Candle Parties.  They're all quite cultish if you ask me... think about it... everyone kind of feels a little pressured to go/buy something.  Then once you get there, you feel yourself getting sucked in.  I kind of like this stuff!  What will I buy?  Should I have a party?  See?  You get hooked.  I kind of vow to never host one of these things, much in the same way I vow to never drive a mini-van.  We'll see.  I also once tried to stir a coup for not wearing 3/4 inch sleeves and also vowed I would never have bangs again. (both of which I'm sporting right now)  All cult jokes aside, I had a good time... and I will at least be a little more accessorized in a couple of new weeks when my marvelous new bracelet arrives.

So after the party, we were driving around, and mid-conversation, Gretchen stops me. We have to turn around because she saw something completely hilarious.  Totally worth turning around for:  Look closely..  yeah, it totally says "A Poor Man's Hummer."  Don't we look cute and all "Price is Right," modeling next to the sweet ride? And it's a Kia!!  Kia's are cool if you have one, my dad has one, no diss... but it was just so funny.  And even better than this clever marketing campaign was the price!  The Poor Man's Hummer will set you back about $8,000.  Isn't that a bit much?  You'll have to ask Abba.  Or maybe Abba's son. The Poor Man's Hummer is available at this fine establishment.  Surprisingly, however... it's not parked in the showroom! Now is that any way to show off your prized seller?  The Poor Man's Hummer was however parked on the corner of the lot... prime real estate in used car sales, I'm guessing.

So after the party, and the above mentioned outing, we headed to one of my favorite places on earth: Target.  Only this Target was special.  It was all mod and well lit, and it's a good thing, because look what we found lurking in the women's clothing aisle! Somebody better check on the Tin Man, he's probably cold... because Issac Mizzrahi stole his coat, and is now making them in all sizes.  They're available at a Target near you, and they're on sale.  Not everybody jump at once!  Check out these gangsta modeling skills! You know you want one! They were not our list however, so they remain at the store.  I checked to see if the silver rubs off on your hands, it doesn't.  I'll remember this coat though, the next time I need a light jacket for moon exploration. I had a great Saturday!  After Target, Gretchen and I ate out at Outback, from which I just dusted off my leftovers.  Yum.  The Outback Special truly is special!  And so is Gretchen.  All kidding aside, I don't know what I would do in this city without her.  It's awesome to have a friend that gets you, and shares your bizarre sense of humor.  Shout out Gretchen! Thanks for the memories!  Watch out Pittsburgh.. these models may be on the move again soon! 

 

The News Becomes The News

I've been terribly busy this week.  A lot of people want to know my opinion about the state of evening news as we know it.  Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the new faces of network news:  That's right, it's Brian Williams versus the ladies.  Talk about a whole new ballgame!! It's an exciting time to be alive!! What, just two years ago, there were 3 different faces.  Three faces that were practically institutions in this business.  The days of Brokaw, Rather and Jennings are no more.  God rest Peter's soul.  God bless Tom's vacation, and God just be with Dan Rather.  It has to hurt to go down like that.  Okay, now to Katie's news.  So, yeah, I'll admit it... I'm a Katie fan.  It used to be cooler to be a Katie fan than it is now.  She's become quite the diva, they say.  But whatever.  Katie was queen of morning news for 15 years.  You top that!  She did it all.  Interviews with presidents, Columbine parents, rode in a bobsled, etc.  And she did it all well.  She totally deserves this next move.  I think it's a little hard to imagine Katie's personality shining in the evening news the way it did on 'Today,' but she's more than just a bubbly personality.  She has the journalistic stripes to prove that, and maybe this move is for all of us to realize that too.  Plus, if you had been waking up at 3am for the last 15 years, wouldn't you be ready for a schedule change too?  Go Katie.  I'll watch, at least once I promise, to see how you do.  But there's no kidding.  Brian, I still remain with you.  You are "the man" in more ways than one, and for some reason, I have the crazy notion that I have to stay true to the peacock.

Also this week, new pictures were released of ABC's Bob Woodruff:  Bob went home this week to complete his recovery on an outpatient basis.  I know his family is happy to have him.  God bless Bob too.  He risked so much to go to Iraq to tell the story of this time, and got hurt doing just that.  Blasted by an IED, like so many of our troops have been also.  I'm glad to see he's doing better.  The most interesting part of this story to me is the friendship that his family shares with David Bloom's family.  I never knew that.  But apparently thier wives are best friends, and when David Bloom died in Iraq in 2003, the Woodruffs were really there for the Blooms.  Now it's the other way around.  I wish him the best.  Soon, hopefully we'll have another new face to watch in the evening.

Okay, now my thoughts on Meredith Vieira. I like her, and I think it's a wise move on NBC's part.  I'm sure Jeff Zucker is now pleased that he has won the approval from a 26 year old local news neanderthal, such as myself.  Seriously, Meredith has what it takes, and she's not some young beauty.  She's been around the network block, as a journalist and as a host, and she and Matt seem to get along... so I hope it will work for them too.  NBC will have to come up with a new "America's First Family" song though... "Meredith, Matt, Al and Ann" just doesn't roll off the tongue the same!  Meredith has to totally be psyched though.. wouldn't you trade a spot in a chair next to Star Jones for a spot on the couch next to Matt Lauer anyday?  I know I would... notice how he holds me just as close as Meredith... now that my friends, is CHEMISTRY. Besides, that day I met Matt Lauer, he signed my business card, "All my best, Matt Lauer."  Matt, my best too.  May 'Today' remain on top!!

 

sister act

Tonight I talked on the phone with my sister for like an hour.  It was like being plugged into the wall, and getting recharged.  I needed it so bad.  My bar was totally flashing on low.  My sister is the greatest.