Playlist update

So for those who have been following along for the past couple years, I like to give an update on my playlist of the moment every now and again. This time around, I'm going to focus on artists rather than just songs. It's nothing special really, but I've found that music tends to play a rather large role in my life these days...especially as a commuter.

I don't like people, so headphones help me avoid them at all costs :). Ok, so that's not entirely true, but I do like to chill out to music on my way in and out of the city.

Here's what's tickled my fancy lately.

1. Collective Soul - Something told me to download one of their albums a couple weeks back and I've been hooked ever since. Run has been on the top of my playlist but I like pretty much everything of theirs. It's motivating and soothing all at the same time.

2. Angels & Airwaves - These guys have been a staple in my iPod since 2008. There's no wearing these songs out.

3. Theory of a Deadman - These guys came into my life via Pandora. Believe it or not, it was a Boston station, and so I downloaded their latest album and have started peppering songs into my playlists. Their music is real. I like that.

4. Owl City - Though I have to be in the right mood for Owl City, I still find that turning 'em up during a hectic work day can really help me get the productive juices flowing, so to speak.

5. Boston - From #3 above you probably already guessed this was coming, but I've usually got a good classic rock band on hand...right now it's all about Boston. There's something about closing your eyes and just listening to the sounds. Feelin' Satisfied is a great starter song for that practice.

6. Sick Puppies - Like Theory of a Deadman, their music is very real.

7. Sublime - just because it's fun.

8. 30 Seconds to Mars - This is one of those bands that I've found people either love or hate. I used to be undecided, but they have a good sound and I find that I'm rather drawn to it. So, rock on Jared Leto.

So tell me dear readers, what bands are on your playlist right now?

Cheers!

-A

It's a small, small world

I'm sure this is something you already know, what with the whole 6 degrees of separation thing, and likely something you've experienced first hand. But I have to tell you that within a span of 10 minutes at lunch today, my head was spinning.

Here's why.

So in order to get to Union Station from my building, I need to take this express bus shuttle. I mean, I know I could walk, but who has the time for that? And I'm certainly not going to pay $6 each way in a cab that is too hot and makes me nauseated. It's kinda nifty, this express bus, and you can buy 10-ride passes for less than $20 at the bank in my building.

As I go to do this, I find out that I can get $5/month off if I open up a checking account. Naturally, I want to know how I can get this account for free, so that I'm not actually paying more in the end.

Long story short the branch manager comes over to explain. It comes up that I grew up in Michigan, as did he, and his family lives a stones throw away from mine (okay, so not quite that close, but you get the idea). His little cousins even graduated from the same high school as me, though they were much younger, so I'm not familiar.

Cool, none the less.

So then I head out of the bank to get the bus schedule from the front desk. Why they don't have them where they sell the tickets is beyond me, but that's not the point.

As I'm walking up to the desk I see a co-worker in the lobby as she's meeting up with a friend for lunch. Turns out, this friend used to work for my company and we did a couple projects together back in the day. Not only that, he went to college with one of my best friends....in Florida.

You following?

1. Random manager of a bank grows up practically my neighbor in podunk Michigan.

2. Friend of a colleague used to work with me.

3. Said friend went to college, 1,000 or so miles away, with one of my best friends.

4. All within the span of 10 minutes.

For just having moved to this city, I'm amazed with how many connections have already been made. Most of my friends in Texas were acquired by these same means - small world, we both went to MSU...you know, that kind of thing.

So tell me dear readers, what have been some of your small world experiences as of late? Am I the only one encountering this craziness?

Cheers!

Ashley

Apple a Day

(What I imagine the following interaction would have looked like face-to-face.)

Okay, before I get into an actual review here, I have a personal rant. That's allowed, see my tagline. 

I thought sleep would help refresh my emotional tie to this, but it didn't. I'm still pissed.

So yesterday was busy. Work was crazy, I have some administrative stuff I'm taking care of in my life at the moment, and Twitter was suffering. But in the afternoon I finally had time to settle in and share some valuable info with my followers (valuable being subjective, of course).

I won't share with you the gruesome details of the exchange, but I posted something that one of my doucheface followers didn't agree with. That's fine, it's my opinion, you are certainly entitled to yours.

HOWEVER...

I don't feel he was entitled to speak to me the way he did; a man I've never met before. He was elitist and acted as though he was a better human being than I - given that he called me a moron, childish, and pathetic, all in a single Tweets. That's saying a lot in 140 characters my friend.

This was even after I controlled my ego and sent him an apology Tweet for any confusion I may have caused with my previous update.

Not only that, after his last direct message where he was clearly fuming, he immediately unfollows and blocks me on Twitter.

Who's being childish again?

Anyhow, at least I don't have to worry about him anymore...

Okay, I feel better. Thanks for listening. On with the show.

.....................................................................

I have to admit that I'm an Apple junkie. No, not the red (or green) crunchy variety, but Apple as in Mac, iPhone and iPod.

It's gotten to a point where I just have to admit to myself that I'm a junkie. I've done things like drop $2 grand on a new MacBook within 5 hours of thinking, "hey, that might be a good idea," and replacing my iPod purely because I walked by the Apple store and saw a pretty purple

one I liked.

I even paid $200 to get out of my Alltel plan so I could dump the BlackBerry for an iPhone. And of course, I eagerly awaited the latest software update so I could be one of the first to make the switch.

Yes, I may have a sickness.

But of course, these products do not come without their issues. We're all aware that Apple has serious battery problems. Though I have to admit, my iPhone battery lasts way longer than the one in my BlackBerry Pearl did, especially when I am using it as a phone.

So in keeping with the negative trend, here are some things that irk me about the Apple products on my shelf.

iPhone:

• The latest software upgrade is screwing with my passcode. Because I use the device for my work e-mail, I have a passcode to get into my phone. Now, every 24 hours, it's asking me to change that code. No one knows why or how to fix it. Damn.
• The battery life, as I've already covered, is something to be desired. But it charges quick, so that's a bonus.
• Why isn't there a flash available for the camera? C'mon, BlackBerry even does it!
• Shazam: let me preface this by saying I LOVE this app. But why does it take so long to load prior to tagging? Hurry up, the song's almost over!

MacBook:

• Again with the battery - I've already had mine replaced once because it completely died. It's only a year old!
• Internet connection speed - sometimes it takes this beast two minutes to connect to my wireless. What gives?
• Overall speed - I used to be impressed, but lately it's been running really slow, and pictures on Facebook and Flickr sometimes never even load.

MacBook Pro:

• I love this computer, it's for work, but parallels are a bitch to use.

iPod:

• There needs to be a function that allows you to shuffle a playlist, not just all the songs you've uploaded. Sometimes I want to listen to the upbeat songs in my running playlist, but in a different order, without having to skip over the songs from my mellow playlist.

Of course, I must admit that the battery in my iPod still works swimmingly and I've had it almost a year now. GASP!

If you have any recommendations for my issues above, please let me know!

So tell me dear readers, are you a Mac, or a PC? And why?

Cheers!

-A

4th recap

Okay, so as y'all are probably aware, I'm not a huge fan of weekend recaps. However, this weekend was especially eventful, and honestly I don't have much else to talk about. So here goes.

Like most people in the corporate world, I had Friday off. Even better, our office closed at 3 p.m. on Thursday. So I had a couple more hours of weekend to enjoy.

Of course, I spent it cleaning and working out*, but that's just what a girl's gotta do. 

Then I had a 9 p.m. appointment for an airbrush tan with Lisa from Optima Sun Labs. Which by the way, I have to say was fantastic. She was quick and super personable. And I even recruited her for skydiving! It was a little pricey, but definitely worth it for the occasional tan.

On Friday the SO and I headed to Cedar Point for our first trip of the year. It was rather nostalgic for us as this is where he first kissed me - in line for Top Thrill Dragster actually (awww).

We hit up all the big rides - Raptor, Millennium Force, Maverick, and of course Dragster. By that time we'd had it. Our feet were tired, our heads hurt, and we were sunburned. Being stuck in an office day in and day out has really made us soft, yeesh!

So we headed home for a nap, woke up absolutely ravenous, and headed to the Winking Lizard in Lakewood to feed my craving for nachos. Mmmm...

We followed this up with a trip to visit some friends who recently got a puppy - a 3 month old coonhound-ridgeback mix. Other than the constant digging and attempts to dominate the SO, he was adorable. Corona's and cornhole ensued.

The night closed with an at-home viewing of Gran Torino. If you haven't seen this movie, it's a MUST. Clint Eastwood is beyond phenomenal in this role.

Saturday was a sleep in day. And boy did that feel great. The day actually started out pretty slow - leisurely breakfast, got in another workout and then I had to bite the bullet and get some groceries (given that breakfast included my scraping the sides of the peanut butter jar with a butter knife in hopes of getting a little more sustenance). 

So off I headed to the cluster-f**k that was Giant Eagle. A minor panic attack rose to the surface as I tried to figure out the logistics of how to maneuver the last-minute picnic shoppers and their carts full of hot dogs, but then I realized I had no choice. I literally ran around the store to get the basics, found the shortest checkout line and peaced out as quickly as possible.

With fridge fully stocked, it was off to the East side with the SO for a cookout and cornhole - again. Now I have to stop and say this was a big step for the SO as he's one of those West-siders that doesn't cross the Cuyahoga. EVER. In fact, this may have been the first time we'd been to the East side together.

Anywhosits, it was a great time. I tend to get a little squirmy when I'm around a group of 10+ people I've never met before, but everyone was so nice and so laid back, it was easy to relax. I felt like I fit right in.

The food was great and the SO and I even beat the old guys in cornhole. The night was capped off with a walk down to Lakewood park for fireworks and then back home where we both passed out on the couch.

Grandma and Grandpa were tired!

Sunday was another early start to head to the drop zone for a couple jumps. It'd been two weeks so I was definitely nervous, but of course I fell right back in (no pun intended) like I'd never missed a day.

(All smiles in my new gear!)

I got to fly my new jumpsuit and altimeter and even got Lonnie to come up with me for jump #13 and get some new solo pics. You can find some here. Or on my Facebook or Flickr pages.

So tell me dear readers, how was your 4th of July weekend?

Cheers!

-A

*I'm keeping up with my EA Sports Active challenge. Entering a successful 3rd week on the program. What's up!?

Morning person

I've always prided myself on being a morning person. My brain seems to work so much better in the early mornings. And the fact that the office is dead until 8:30 really helps my concentration too.

But what I'm not that best at in the mornings is talking to people. At least not until I have my coffee.

I've found that on the days where I decided to get a little extra shut eye and get into the office after my cube neighbors that, until I've had time to caffeinate and settle in, I'm rather annoyed by the pure existence of others.

In fact, I find anyone who has already consumed caffeine to be highly irritating first thing in the morning.

I need a sign that says: BEWARE! Use caution when speaking to the Bitch before 9 a.m.

Even on those days when the SO sleeps over it's not usually a problem because he's just as mute as I in the mornings.

That is, until today. Given that we both have so much work to do before the holiday weekend, we decided to set the alarm earlier and get into the office for a productive morning.

Groggy, I pull myself from the warmth of my bed and stumble toward the bathroom, only to be met by the SOs foot swinging through the air - you know, as if he were attempting to kick me in the face.

He was chipper and had energy like I'd never seen before 10 a.m. What gives, SO?

Thing was, with only 6 hours of sleep under my belt I didn't have the energy to do more than grumble a "you're hyper this morning" in his general direction.

Hindsight, if he would have kicked me in the face maybe I could have called off today. Only kidding...unless he broke my nose.

Ha. J/K again! He couldn't get his foot up that high anyhow.

Just kidding, Just kidding. SO, you're the best.

Really, his chipperness was a refreshing change from our typical silent mornings. But when it comes to anyone else, if I have to see you before my coffee, I prefer a silent interaction.

Though I'd love to not see you at all!

So tell me dear readers, what does your routine look like prior to coffee consumption?

On another note, it's a long weekend! YAY!!  I'm excited to report that I'll be spending tomorrow at Cedar Point riding roller coasters and Sunday falling through the air at 120 mph (skydiving, naturally). I'll get to put my new jumpsuit and altimeter to good use. And I'm hoping to have some solo skydiver pics to share with y'all next week!

Any big plans for the 4th?

Cheers!

-A

Obsession

For all y'all who may not know me very well, let me tell you something about me. I'm a highly passionate person.

This is a trait I've come to love about myself. However, if not handled properly, it can backfire like that '56 Chevy truck parked on your grandpa's front lawn. Loud. Explosive. And everyone notices.

Personally, I have a tendency to get wrapped up those things I'm passionate about - to an almost obsessive extent.

Like when I started cooking a few months back and have found a new love for food. Sure, I wrote about the Food Network a lot but, to squash any beliefs you may have, no, I did not stalk Bobby Flay.

Though I still believe that one day Bobby will find my blog and decide to head to the Cleve for a guacamole Throwdown.

It's more like healthy obsession, if there is such a thing.

Take right now, for instance. I'm beyond obsessed with skydiving. 

*GASP* Shocker, right?

When I'm not working I'm thinking about, planning for, or participating in the sport. It's all I want to talk about, as you probably noticed. Sorry if it's annoying.

I'm constantly reading about it, watching videos, meeting new jumpers on the Skydiver Network. I want to soak up every aspect of the sport and learn everything I possibly can.

I even dream about it.

The last few nights my dreams have been consumed with visions of me and my skydiving friends throwing ourselves from perfectly good airplanes.

But, what usually happens when I get like this is that I run out of steam. The obsession subsides and I slowly start to lose interest. 

Though, I definitely don't see that happening here. Sure, the dreams may stop and I may read a little less, but my passion for skydiving isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

So tell me dear readers, what is your current obsession? What are you most passionate about this summer?

Cheers!

-A

Can you hear it skipping?

I'm going to sound like a broken record here, but I still feel as if I'm sucking at life. 

I thought maybe if I wrote about it last week that things would change - but they haven't. Not one bit.

A few weeks back I read an interview with Lost's Evangeline Lilly in Women's Health where she had a great line that hit close to home: "I'm not a highly social person. I'm a highly productive person."

Now, for many of my blogger friends this may seem confusing, since getting me to shut my yap, even in the virtual world, is nearly impossible. However, if you look at my daily patterns, I have a tendency to keep to myself.

Regardless, this isn't exactly the point. The point I'm trying to make is that I'm not only sucking at my social life, but at being productive, too.

So what am I doing then? Seems to me like I'm half-assing a lot of things. Though I'm trying my best to stay engaged and dedicated to my work.

And, naturally, get in as much skydiving as possible. Even still, I feel a little guilty that I'm not out at the drop zone more.

Enough whining about it. This week I'm really going to set my goals high and accomplish everything I set my mind to - including regular trips to the gym, studying and practice for skydiving, tying up loose ends on the numerous chores I have started, and spending some quality time with the SO. Who knows, maybe I'll even catch up with a friend or two.

So tell me dear readers, how do you do it all without being preoccupied with the other things you should be doing?

Cheers!

-A

It'll take you back

Guess what? I'm back in the Big Apple again!

GASP!!!

Huge surprise there, right? Given that Manhattan has become my home away from home these past 6 months.

Anywhosits. As I sit here, catching up on my Google Reader, I came across a post from my blogger buddy Susan over at Transient Travels. (She writes an amazing travel blog...a must read.)

Her most recent post entitled, "When Music Takes you Places" really hit home with me. 

As a lover of music and someone who finds memories attach easily to sound  - only beaten by smell in my book - I found there to be an endless number of songs that correlate to specific events or past times in my life.

So rather than record them all in Susan's comments, I thought I'd steal her post idea and make a list of my own.

What do ya think about that?!

Ha. Right, like I care what you think. I'm making the list anyway!

When I hear AC/DC's Thunderstruck I'm instantly back in Spartan Stadium, pre-game in the student section, back before they started using clips from the movie 300. This was a huge crowd booster as Sparty beat down the mascot from the opposing team.

As I mentioned to Susan, Untouched by The Veronicas takes me back to the Cessna-185 that I jump from at Cleveland Parachute. Somehow it's become the song I sing to myself as I climb to my knees and mentally prepare before each jump.

No Sunlight by Death Cab for Cutie takes me back to last year's trip to San Francisco. Actually, the entire Narrow Stairs album reminds me of my time in the city and the trip up to wine country. 

If I want to travel back to my high school band camp days (shut up) all I have to do is turn on Hysteria by Def Leppard and I'm back on the top bunk, curled up with Marilyn Manson's autobiography and relaxing from a day of field marching (shut up!).

Slide by the Goo Goo Dolls takes me back to a summer pool party I had in high school. It definitely reminds me of a more innocent time. Though I still have a little crush on Johnny!

Fall Out Boy's Thanks for the Memories has strong ties to when I first moved to Cleveland and some decisions I made along the way. Enough said.

Rihanna's Disturbia is by far one of her best, and will always remind me of the 10 days I spent in New York City, gallivanting around Manhattan and hosting a week long even in Chelsea. 

So tell me dear readers, what songs bring back vivid memories from your past?

Cheers!

-A

The Three Day Weekend

(Editor's Note: with my 200th post I tried switching it up a bit and discussing a topic that's a little more serious. Well, with a whopping ZERO comments we can see how well that went over. So, it's back to talking about me I guess.)

Gotta love a good three day weekend!

With Memorial Day right around the corner I have decided to add to this lovely extended weekend by extending it just a little longer - yep, I took Tuesday off, too. w00t!

Normally I'd have something great planned for these four days, but to be honest, with my busy business travel schedule as of late I'm excited to have a little down time.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not entirely without plans. 

Tomorrow morning I have to get up early to head down to Cleveland Parachute for a little ground school and a couple of jumps.

These are the first two solo jumps toward my license. And I couldn't be more excited about it. Though I am a little nervous - going out on my own. But what's life without a little challenge, right?

The rest of the weekend is going to consist of relaxing, catching up on my reading, meeting up with some girlfriends and doing some much needed spring cleaning around the apartment. There are clothes in bins that I've had stashed away for way too long now.

Anyone know of any good second-hand stores?

Tuesday tentatively is reserved for a 'chute packing class. Girl's gotta learn sometime, right?

So tell me dear readers, what are you doing with your long weekend?

Cheers!

-A

It's already a quarter over!

My life, that is.

This week I turn 25. Ugh, just looking at that statement makes me throw up in my mouth a little. What the hell happened to "the best years of my life" or whatever?

Rather than dwell on the fact that I'm now an adult - with the ability to rent a car at standard pricing - I've decided to make some changes and set some goals for myself along the way.

Sort of like New Year's Resolutions for the 25th year of life, if you will. I'll be damned if the quarter-life crisis is going to overtake this girl. *insert double thumb point in my direction*

It's time now to take a look at the direction I'm heading and make the necessary alterations. After all, I really only have 5 more good years in me before things stop functioning properly.

Hello adult diapers!

I kid, I kid.

But by the time 30 hits I'd like to have accomplished a lot and be well on my way to having the life I've always dreamed.

Like, for instance, focusing my attention on the people in my life. I've spent the majority of the last three years focusing solely on my career - and the four years before that on getting a career, and the four years before that getting into school so I can get a career...you get the point.

Now, with the addition of the SO and his wonderful family, planned trips with the old college crew, my brother getting married to the love of his life, and my beyond supportive friends and family who have seen me through moves across the country and back - and are still in my life, mind you - it's about time I threw a little of my positive energy in their direction.

The older I get the more I realize just how important the people who support you are to your success. It's true that I'm not going to be lying on my death bed wishing I spent more time working. Thank heaven for my employers encouragement of a work/life balance.

Here are a few other goals I intend to accomplish in my 25th year of life:

1) Run a 1/2 marathon. I've been saying it for the last few years and have been hindered by injuries every time. I think I've got the training figured out - now it's time to follow through. Chicago, here I come!

2) Get my skydiving license. I'm going for my A by the end of the summer. Then I can jump anywhere I travel. Maybe my B license by 26?

(I dream of one day being on a team like this)

3) Take on a new challenge at work. I need something to get me out of my comfort zone, that's where I grow the most. I will find this project.

4) Get my finances in order. Lately, I've been a whole lot of talk and not a lot of action on this front. And with my rather expensive hobbies saving hasn't been easy. To be out of debt and living comfortably by 26 is the goal.

5) Read a book every month. This might be a long shot, but I really want to get back into my reading habit. 

6) Focus on my health. This is the time to get and stay healthy. It won't always be this easy.

 

I'm sure there are more, but that's a good start, and I've got a couple more days to lay out all these goals.

So tell me dear readers, what are some of your goals for the next year?

Cheers!

-A

In need of a change

There are two types of people in this world:

1) The ones who fear change and,

2) The ones who embrace it.

I fall into the latter category. Not only do I embrace change, I thrive on it. 

In fact, without frequent change I get bored and uninspired and restless. So for me, change is more of a need than anything else.

Yep, change is an addiction.

Is there some sort of support group for this? Probably not, eh? With people like me we'd get bored with those supporters way too quickly.

Anywhosits.....I've found that with regular change, I tend to operate at optimal performance levels.

Why this is has remained a mystery to me, but the more frequent change occurs the happier I am. And the larger the change, the more productive I am.

Stupid, right? Maybe it's this constant need to adapt new technologies that my generation feels that's driving my desire for something different every day. It's a good thing I'm in marketing - we're always up to something new every day.

Even still, it's not enough. I've found that I seek out opportunities for change - from small things like new workouts that are bound to encourage soreness the next day to more substantial changes like moving across the country. 

For the last two years I've lived and worked within a 5 mile radius. Just reading over that sentence makes me shudder a little. You might as well have told me I've been locked in a padded room - it's essentially the same for this adventure-driven girl.

I've settled for minor changes like becoming a brunette and slowly blonding (yes, that's a word, I just made it one) back again, picking up new hobbies like rock cli

mbing and skydiving, eating at new restaurants every chance I get (lucky for me the Cleve is filled with awesome restaurants), and even dabbling in the cooking arena myself.

But lately I've been in a rut and I'm starting to feel the change itch coming on.

This is where you come in. I need HELP. Desperately. 

How do I fulfill this need for change without doing something drastic?

So tell me dear readers, how do you satisfy your need for change? What have you done differently that you've enjoyed?

Cheers!

-A

p.s. As promised - here's my value add for the day. Inspired by one of my favorites, Anna's daily read, Pearls Before Swine.

Whoa that's hot!

LIAR!

My pants are on fire, but just a little bit. Hey, I never said it was going to be a long break. 

What can I say, I couldn't stay away! Blogging is just too much a part of me to give it up for very long; even if I don't really have anything interesting to say.

I'm still wondering how I bring value in to y'alls lives, cuz it's certainly not my brains or my wit.

Maybe I'll start posting a comic strip every day. That's valuable, right?

Growing up I loved Garfield. Okay, so it was more of an obsession.

I still miss the days where I sat in the living room before school, eating my cereal and watching Garfield and Friends.

Oh that Jim Davis, he gets me every time.

But I never did get into the Garfield movies - they just weren't the same.

These days, I'm a big fan of Dilbert. My friend and colleague Luke Armour often shares these with me. Definitely makes my day.

The SO is a big fan of Calvin & Hobbes. HA!

It is pretty cool that he's from Chagrin Falls, OH. Gotta love a good Cleveland shout out every now and again. It does explain why the comic takes place in the winter for 9 months of the year.

So tell me dear readers, what's your favorite comic of choice? Who knows, it may just appear in an upcoming blog post.

Cheers!

-A

But...it won't fit in that bucket.

In reflecting on my amazing weekend with the lovely Christina, a conversation about our bucket lists comes to mind.



This was a branch off from a previous discussion about passions - and living for what you're passionate about, and most importantly, finding someone to share your life with that's equally passionate about something....anything.



Most definitely an important quality - but that's a topic for another day.



Given that we've been skydiving, multiple times now, that's a scratch off the ole bucket list for both of us. But a question that came to mind is this: can you alter your list? Because now, my ambition has changed - instead of "go skydiving" can I change my list to reflect my desire to earn my USPA license?



It also got me to thinking more about the other things that I hope to experience in this life.



Up until now, I really haven't developed such a list.



Shocker right? The queen of obsessive list making doesn't have a list of things she wants to accomplish in this lifetime? WHAT?!?



I guess the closest I've come to doing so is through my New Year's Resolution making each year.



Well it's about damn time that changed. So I'm starting one. Right here. In public.



Because who better to share this with than y'all?



While my list doesn't nearly compare - what can I say, I just don't have the guts to try out for a show like Survivor -here’s a snippet of what I’ve got so far:



1) Skydive Earn my B skydiving license from the USPA.



2) Teach a creative writing course.



3) Eat sushi in Japan.



4) Attend SXSW and Austin City Limits.



5) Scuba dive the Great Barrier Reef.





6) Ride in a hot air balloon.



7) Visit the Taj Mahal.



8) Ski the Rockies.



9) Own a dog.



10) Volunteer at a soup kitchen.



11) Learn the last dance from Dirty Dancing.



12) Visit Rio de Jenero.







13) Hold a koala bear in Australia.



14) Run a marathon.



15) Swim with dolphins.



16) Complete a HALO skydive.



17) Throw fish in Seattle.

18) Recycle and become more Green.



19) Visit the zen and lotus gardens in Kyoto, Japan.



20) Win the lottery.



This is just a small glimpse at my list. What can I say, as I started putting it together my ambitions started rolling in.



And of course, some of these I've completed, like skiing in the Rockies, and many of them require world travel - some are even dreams that may never come true (ahem, the lottery. But I'm trying, and you gotta play to win, and someones gotta win so you never know...).



This is a list that will definitely continue to grow and maybe even change over time.



So tell me dear readers, what's on your bucket list, and what have you already been able to cross off?



Cheers!



-A

Detox Delight

Alliteration!

...now I'm just doing it to be annoying.

And apparently super cheesy in the process. Honestly, I'm a little embarrassed this time.


Anywho, for those who follow me on Twitter (@ashleymead for those who don't) you may recall past tweets about my 3-day fruit detoxes.

Note: I just spent the last 10 minutes searching for these tweets so I could show you...to no avail.

Twitter search just doesn't want me to find these gosh darn things.

Twit FAIL.

Regardless, I have done these detoxes twice this year already. The first was to get my body back on track after the holidays and the second was to drop some extra poundage before my vacation. Successfully I might add. In three days I averaged 5-6 pounds. Not too shabby.

Well, given that willpower is not my strong suit (read: I have none), I'm back at this detox thing again.

Only this time, it's for one day, juice only, as a sort of reset.

I've found that one day of this detox is all that's really needed to stop cravings in their tracks.

Granted, it's one day of pure withdrawal HELL, but what's 24 hours, really?

I've found these Naked juices to be the best. They are a little expensive but tasty and natural - and honestly less expensive and time consuming than juicing your own fruit. I'm a fan of the Red Machine, Pomegranate Acai, and Watermelon Chill flavors.

So I'm hoping that by tomorrow I'm craving salads and wheat germ. Okay, so it's not that good, but if your body needs a reset, I highly recommend giving it a shot.

Just be prepared for the ensuing caffeine withdrawal headache.

So tell me dear readers, what's your technique for a health reset?

Cheers!

-A

Back to reality

Did you miss me?

Okay, don't answer that...but I'm back from a much needed seven day vacation in the Caribbean, and honestly, I'm not ready to be home.

Normally, after a vacation I'm ready to be back to a routine and feel rejuvenated. Not this time. Don't get me wrong, I'm relaxed and feeling more like myself than ever, but I spent the last day of vacay contemplating a strategy to sneak onto a neighboring cruise ship and do it all over again.

And as you've probably guessed, this week will be filled with stories of the people we met and adventures had. Trust me...there was a lot of both.

What a better way to kick it all off than by sharing the best part of the trip first.

It's pretty self-explanatory, really...skydiving in Miami.

We left this for our last day, going out on a high note - no pun intended. And boy was it ever!

The entire experience was perfect. It was a gorgeous 85 degree day. The staff at Skydive Miami was amazing and I had the best tandem instructor ever - Randy. 

For a guy who's jumped over 1,400 times in his career he sure enjoyed our tandem experience, which made me enjoy it that much more. It's inspiring to meet someone who loves what he does so much that he's excited to share it with others. But really, who wouldn't be, if jumping out of an airplane was how you made a living?

On the plane ride up he asked about my job, and once he pulled the 'chute he welcomed me to his office. 

And quite the welcome it was...

I have to say, it was the most thrilling and liberating experience of my life. I've conquered the sky and I can't wait to do it again. The next jump is already on the books for this spring!

So tell me dear readers, what has been one of your most exhilarating experiences?

Cheers!

-A

My very own confessional

In sticking with my recent list theme, it seemed like a good idea to get a few things out in the open.

Believe it or not, I have flaws.

*GASP* - I know, you couldn't believe it either.

But believe it people, and there's more than you might think. Some of which I seriously need to work on.

And what a better way to kick my ass into gear than to share these issues on the interwebs for all to see, and subsequently mock me for.

No, ending sentences with prepositions is not on the list...apparently it should be.

Oh Lord -- on that note:

1) I am a social media over-sharer - as you're about to find out first hand.

2) Sometimes I like really bad music - currently, I'm listening to Nickelback's "Gotta be somebody." Yes, as someone who preaches her hatred for this group, I'm extremely embarrassed!

3) I procrastinate constantly - not just at work, but generally in life as well. Last year my boss told me I was an adrenaline junkie during my review. I'm pretty sure he wasn't complimenting me.

4) After the SO sleeps over, I use his pillow - it still smells like him, and for some reason that makes falling asleep a little easier. Sorry for the mush...but it's true.

5) My spending is OUT OF CONTROL - how is it possible that the economy is doing so bad when I'm out there feeding it daily?! This needs to be nipped in the bud immediately! Saving tips appreciated...

6) Keeping in touch with friends is hard - unfortunately, after college my friends and I scattered across the country for job offers, because even back then jobs in Michigan were scarce. And now we're all so busy with our careers and separate lives that phone calls are few and far between. Luckily this summer some of us are having a little reunion in LA, but that's not enough to tide me over. I dream everyday about living in the same city with them again....sigh.

7) It's rare that I disconnect - from phone, Internet, I even have Facebook on my Blackberry - probably for the reason above. I fear losing touch altogether. Though I never, ever take my phone into the gym or on a run with me. Gotta have some Ashley time every now and again.

And with #7 we loop back into being an online over-sharer. Though y'all seem to enjoy it so maybe I'm doing something right, eh?

So tell me dear readers, as I walk away slightly red in the face, what confessions do you have to share with us? C'mon, don't leave me blushing alone.

Cheers!

-A

Things about spring

As I look out my window at the rising sun, the corners of my mouth are turning up slightly - yes, just slightly, I haven't had my coffee yet, alright - because it's starting to feel like spring is here.

Living in the North, a frozen tundra from November until March, April, or even May, sometimes it can feel like the warmth will never come. Of course, once the 80+ degrees and 99 percent humidity of mid-summer hits it's easy to forget the cool breeze that accompanies a crisp winter morning.

When it comes down to it, I tend to be a fan of the North. I know, I know. After this brutal winter I must sound f-ing crazy. But truth of the matter is, it's only socially acceptable to take off so many clothes before you just have to suffer the heat and sweat it out, but you can always put on more clothing...

Yeah...now you see my point, eh?

If not, come back in the heat of the summer and then tell me how you feel about it.

Anyhow, so not the point.

Spring has a way of getting me excited - in more ways than one.

Now would be a good time to remove your head from the gutter, because I'm talking about a few other little gifts of spring that I enjoy:

Daylight savings. Now, I know I bitched about this last week, because it definitely threw me off - way more than it ever has before - but I do love the longer daylight hours at night, and honestly, it's great to get out of bed and head to work when it's still dark in the morning.

Leaving the windows open. At the house, in the car. Oh how I love the feel of spring breeze.

Warm rain. Though most of the year I bitch incessantly when it rains, a good spring rain has this way of making everything green, and it smells so refreshing. It's also pretty great to run in - and speaking of running...

Running outside. Sure, I do this on occasion in the winter, when the roads aren't icy and I know I won't kill myself. But it's so much more pleasant in the warmer months and your lungs aren't screaming from sucking in the below zero wind chills.

NCAA basketball. Can you say March Madness?



Seasonal fruits and veggies. Seeing ripe avocado in the grocery store makes me want to make a big batch of guacamole, pick up a case of Corona and throw a party for my friends out on my porch. Oh wait, I just might do that...



Baseball season. Though I've never been much of a follower, because 100+ games a season is just too much to handle, baseball screams American fun. Watching the sport on TV is out of the question for me - there's just not enough going on and the men aren't pretty enough to watch chewing and spitting and scratching in the dugout - but going to games with a group of friends is always a great time. What's even better, I'm an Indian's fan! So for once I can actually watch a sport with my friends in this town and be cheering on the same team. W00t!

(Front row, upper deck at Game 3 of the ALCS in 2007. Last play before the win!)

Peaceful walks to the park, sitting by the lake. The park is just a short walk from my apartment, and the first summer I moved here I found this great little spot to perch on a rock by the lake. It's secluded and really helps me clear my head.

(A shot from perched atop my favorite rock.)

Patios. Come springtime everyone is out and about. In the North, 40 degrees means shorts weather for some. And you gotta love when all the bars open up their patios for the summer. There's nothing like a refreshing beer on the patio with good friends.

Flip Flops. Enough said.



Of course, these are all in addition to the obvious benefit of being able to walk outside without snot freezing to your face.

So tell me dear readers, what is your favorite spring past time?

Cheers!

-A

Quite the imagination

Last night was consumed with vivid dreams. And this is not at all uncommon.

In fact, I can't really remember a [sober] sleep night where I didn't wake up remembering, in detail, at least one dream from the night.

As far as I know, it's just always been this way.

Even as a kid I would regularly wake up having been so involved in a life-like dream that I would experience those thoughts and emotions in the physical world.

Like once, I woke up from a dream about hanging from a cliff and my body was half flung off the mattress, arms dangling on the floor. No wonder I was a little freaked out. And on numerous occasions I would awake from a scary or sad dream only to be sobbing in my bed.

Thankfully, my physical involvement in dreams has subsided with age. As far as I know I've never been one to walk or talk in my sleep, though I did recently have a sleep over with one of my favorites and she informed me that I was laughing in the middle of the night.

I suppose a little unconscious chuckle never hurt anyone, so I'll take it.

Regardless, my vivid dreams continue well into my adult life. I still even have the occasional tornado nightmare that's followed me from childhood. Though I must admit, the visions have become much less scary over time, but quite the picture all the same.

Someone once told me that people who regularly have vivid dreams are highly creative in the conscious world - but that could be a farce. Regardless, it sounds good so I'm sticking with it.

So tell me dear readers, do you often have vivid dreams? What about recurring dreams?

Cheers!

-A

Celebrity Spouse

While in NYC this past week, a few colleagues and I ventured out to the bar to celebrate our arrival to the city.

As drinks were flowing, conversation turned to a rather interesting topic: celebrities.

More specifically, the question of the evening was, if you could choose, who would be your celebrity spouse?

We heard everything from Eva Mendez to Common to Lucy Liu. None of which should be a total shock to any of you.

I felt put on the spot for this question - I guess there's never really been a celebrity that just makes me all warm and fuzzy.

So I said this guy:


For those who are not familiar, Derek Luke played Antwone in the movie Antwone Fisher. Highly recommended if you haven't seen it.

This also was the moment where I revealed, in my oh-so-tactful fashion, that I'm into black guys.

Yes, that's exactly how I said it too. "I'm into black guys." As if it was this fact that's as ordinary as my having green eyes. Yipe! Smooth, Ashley. Just what your co-workers wanted to know.

Oh well, cat's out of the bag now.

So I proceeded to mention that my favorite part of the Superbowl was the post-game interview with Santonio Holmes.

(Ugh, he makes me melt.)

And yes, I'm aware that he's a former Buckeye, but his smile totally makes up for that.

I was so engrossed that I completely missed the conversation that the SO was trying to have with me at the time. Zoning out during football - talk about role reversal.

Anyhow, after thinking more about this question, I'm pretty sure I'd change my answer. If I could hand-pick my celebrity spouse, it'd definitely have to be Rob Lowe.

YUMMMMMM.....

Absolutely beautiful.

So tell me dear readers, who is your celebrity spouse?

Cheers!

-A

The dreaded budget

Budgeting is something that, for me, is a constant struggle. Even as a single 20-something who's climbing the corporate ladder, saving is still nearly impossible. What can I say, I'm an impulsive spender.

Last year one of my friends went on an all cash diet, spending little and paying off his debts in lump sums with every pay check that rolled around. It seemed to be working for him, but I just don't think I have the will power to do that.

Let's be honest here, I'm a girl who loves to travel, experience good food, and spend a night on the town with friends from time to time - none of which are inexpensive.

There are a couple lengthy trips coming up that I desperately need to save for, so I've been doing my best to cook at home and be as frugal as possible. This weekend I even managed to go to the mall and not buy a thing! I know, right?

So tell me dear readers, what are your saving strategies? Do you develop a full out budget or just hope that you have enough will power not to spend?

Cheers!

-A