Thursday, February 25, 2010

Cowboys at Cowboy Stadium


I'm not sure what I expected when I decided it was a good idea to attend a PBR event. Most people are familiar with Ty from Dancing with the Stars and of course his lovely wife Jewel, whom I follow on Twitter. I don't think I really know anyone outside of my house that actually watches it outside my home but I will admit, its quickly becoming one of my favorite ways to pass the time. (Its carried on Versus, check to see what channel that is in your area). I have enjoyed learning all the interesting stories behind the riders, particularly all of the international riders but you gotta love a sport where some of the main character (this equals $$$) are those with names like Code Blue, Big Tex, Voodoo Child, Chicken on a Chain and Moebandy.com.



These animals are amazing. Seeing them projected on the giant screens in HD no less also highlights how BIG they are compared to the poor soul who climbs on top of one. They go out and shake their money makers and roll back through the gate for the most part. Occasionally its funny to see the ones more independent minded ones give the wranglers a big eff you as if to say "put a strap on my nads, that's what you get".

It started out as a concert by Gary Allan, who I will go on record as saying is Probably the single HOTTEST country singer I have ever seen. :). Aside from that, he's a snappy dresser and most EXCELLENT musician. As I was Twittering during that time, I did a search and found tons of other folks there doing the same. GARY! Get a Twitter! People are trying to tell you how hot you are! (Looks like they have been working on updating his site this week so maybe that's not far behind, woot!)

Afterwards, as if it weren't hot enough already, to the cry "Are You Ready to Rumble?" the top one and two seed jump a ramp and motor cross into the area. Clearly these guys are number one and two because they firmly squeeze the life out of that good ol Mr. Death Wish every day. There are explosions, flames, sparks and fireworks. "PBR" GLOWS IN FLAMES IN THE DIRT. I could not make up stuff like this. Firework inside the stadium. That's all kinds of awesome.

Their bull fighters (not rodeo clowns) are amazing athletes in their own right and Captain Enterprise, well he is something special. A man that will crawl across the dirt doing a stripper dance to "Dude looks Like a Lady" in clown makeup gets my vote every time. He made it worth the price of admission. (Because it sure wasn't the 5 dollar bottles of water, fuck you very much Mr. Jones)

Check out one if its coming to your area. I think you will enjoy it. :)

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Money Making Madness

So, amidst all the New Year's intentions and learning to make exercise a self-loving habit, I have also been busy learning new ways to have the things we want without the cost. The prospect of being a full time graduate student, aside from the work, brings about visions of the ridiculous expense. While it is temporary, I thought I would share what I have learned over the last six months in case you are looking for ways to afford more of what you want during these tough times:

Swagbucks This one has been completely effortless. While there are many, many ways to earn points here, the easiest is by using it as a search engine ALL THE TIME. I have begun even putting in my favorite sites or even those I book marked because it goes towards my points tally AND moves them up in the search results. These point can be traded for all kinds of "swag" as they add up but I turn them into Amazon gift cards. I started this in November along with Opinion Outpost and paid for about half of my Christmas gifts between the two. This year, I am saving both up and using them to pay for Christmas gifts exclusively. Whatever I accumulate will be my budget for those items and I will not spend out of pocket this year for that. What a concept right?

Opinion Outpost I have loved this one for several reason. Unlike Swagbucks, this is CASH folks. You can turn in into Amazon gift cards immediately (Swagbucks posts on the 16th and the 30th) but instead, you can get a check cut directly to you. I have earned $70 since November and its super easy. You will get email notifications as soon as something matching your demographics pops up and the faster you can complete them the better (once they have enough applicants, it closes). I have gotten to see preview of new movies, video games, foods, etc. and voice my opinions on my everyday purchases all the way to public policy. It allows me to contribute on a larger scale to influence the things I would use anyway. I can't gush enough about this one.

Coupon Geek This is my favorite money saving blogs. She compiles SO much good info on all the sales and where she cant, she finds the links to folks that do. I used to think I could not afford to spend the time to do the clipping and research but now I simply pick up the paper, clip on Sunday and check in with Jaycie on Monday or Tuesday. I am also on her mailing list so I don't miss any free samples! I stock my pantry and organize the weeks meals based on what is on sale. I regularly get approximately $40 off my bill each week and am working to cut my already small grocery budget even smaller. It is now a fun challenge instead of an overwhelming task.

House Party This site is cool. You can throw parties for you and 10 friends and receive free stuff and coupons for free products for you all. My first one is for Oscar Meyer Turkey Bacon. Free is always good!

Vocalpoint This site is great because it is a place where you can voice your opinion and doing so puts you on the list for special offers to purchase before items are available in stores, coupons, contests and loads of other things. I got the new Tide sticks and wrinkle release this way at a discounted rate.

W Originals This is one of my favorite magazines and most of them have a similar program so check the website for your favorite. I am part of a reader panel where I complete surveys for a variety of things. Last year I won $500, a study of Lancome eye cream in which I received a full size jar and a new skincare trial of something not yet on the market that I am currently participating in. Totally worth the time.

Recycle Bank Similar to Swagbucks this site allows you to earn points for free stuff. I am currently stocked up on pistachios for a couple of months because I combine free bag and $2 off coupons with a BOGO sale at Kroger netting me bags for 99cents a piece (these are normally $6.99). Great deal and healthy snack.

Kashless This site is great. Put in your zip code and find things in your area people are getting rid of for free. There are appliances, furniture and more, just for your willingness to pick it up. A great way to find treasures.

There are a TON of other things. I am thinking about doing this weekly. Hopefully you find something here that will help you too!

Lator gators. :)

Monday, February 15, 2010

Happy

it is indeed this thing i see

making life so glorious

rarely did this breeze blow by

and now my days are a dream

it is indeed this thing i see

keeping my heart safe and whole

that you have done within your hands

and your gentle smile

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Days 27-29: 30 Days with Jillian

I am done.

Well, I am kind of done. Tomorrow is day 30 and I never in my life would have thought I would have made it to level 3, much less continuing for more than 30 days. My goal was to establish a routine or habit out of getting up and getting active. I have succeeded because I am way too guilty to miss more than a couple of days of exercise...Jillian seems to keep creeping into my head. I did a few more days of level 1 so that I knew I was ready to move on, by the time I got to ten days of level 2, I just found myself bored so I started level 3. I have found a couple of DVDs to substitute on days when I don't feel the Jillian. I will let you know how those go as I progress.

I bought a scale (boo hiss). This was weird for me because unlike most women, I have never been scale obsessed. I know what size I am comfortable as, I know I haven't been gaining weight since Little Monkey, just struggling to make it come off. I decided to weigh myself now at the end of every month as well as tape myself so I know what progress is being made. I regret now not doing this when I first started because I don't have a number to measure from at the end of December.

I am still doing protein shakes on the day I do a very physical exercise. Sunday has become truly a day of rest while Saturday is a day BF in the evening. Saturday AM I walked a mile with the BF, did some yoga with Little Monkey and went for a western dance class with the BF in the evening (we are moving to Latin dances after this first session of classes). I think I have managed to incorporate physical activity into my daily life and I am excited to see what this brings me.

So, tomorrow with be day 30 but I won't be blogging on it daily any more. I like to write about a lot and Jillian is driving me nuts so I am going scale back on that progress. Since I have set the last day of the month for weigh-in, I have decided that I will post my progress as I go.

Here is hoping you are all working on a happy, healthy life! It's so worth the sweat equity. :)

Peace and Chicken Grease!

Monday, February 1, 2010

Day 22 - 25: 30 Day Shred with Jillian Michaels

Geeze, time flies as they say.

Wednesday, no significant issues. Noticing I really like the second cardio set in level three a lot but it causes me to push harder so that by the third set, I am dying. Gotta figure out how to pace myself better.

Thursday was interesting. BF had to be home because of appointments, etc. he is attending.

QOTU: You wanna work out with me?

BF: Sure, you have been asking me, let's do this.


Afterwards:

QOTU: Well, what did you think?

BF: You are right, she's the devil.


Rotflmao. Okay, so if you don't know him, he's a former Army PT stud. It was nice to see that even he struggled with some of the moves. I swear she is trying to kill me with the plank stuff. Sometimes I have pulled muscles in my feet...how is that even possible?

Friday was uneventful in terms of the workout but I have dubbed this "Stripper Friday" from here on out. A couple of years ago, I took an AOED workshop and just LOVED it. This would be the same workshop that friends said they would take with me then, at the last minute (shocker) decided not to. It was great and very liberating. I bought the core moves video and have decided to pick that back up...I figured it would come in handy with the shoes! I worked through the "walk" and stationary hip rolls. This will be my little fun thing at the end of the week.

Saturday I opted for walking, which may have been a mistake. While I didn't do the over exaggerated, hip swinging walk, I walked faster than I have previously jogged and MAN did my legs hurt Sunday. Mental note there, more stretching. Sunday I took the day off because of the 100 million things I had to do this weekend...I am not sure I sat down and all. Today, I got back on it and upgraded to the 3 lb weights. We will see if that is a problem tomorrow or if its time to just go back up to the 5 lb weights that started this total fun fest.

Next weekend is Superbowl which means fatty foods and beer. This also means I can't take a day off on the weekend, UGH. Regardless, I am looking forward to it.

Have a great week!