The week in review

Happy Leap Day! Nothing exciting happening over here. Just some working, working out, drinking, and sleeping.

• Speaking of working out, it's the end of the month, and unfortunately I'm a pound away from my goal of 145. Boo, yes. But Woot! my skinny jeans fit! (As in my small jeans, not skinny leg jeans, because that is one trend you will never catch this girl in.) I just gave all of my too small pants to pregnant Em, and I might have to ask for some back. Ok, actually only the blue ones...please?I'm still pounding away on the treadmill in an effort to reach my March goal of 140.
• I've had a horrible pinch in my right shoulder for the past week. I actually think it's hurt from me awkwardly sleeping on it when I'm trying to spoon Jota. We decided to try switching bed sides, in a effort to give the pinch a rest. While that idea sounds all fine and dandy, I'm actually sleeping worse. Probably because when I roll to my right to snuggle Jota, I smack my head on his nightstand, and practically roll off the bed. That and now my left shoulder is hurting from spooning to the opposite side. The troubles I have.
• Went to drinks last night with Kate in celebration of...nothing really. She suggested this new bar that just opened on Main Street, called Main on Main, creative bunch, really. The inside was super cute with a nice secluded VIP area, and a great dance floor. We could really envision a sweet girls night out with lots of drinks, laughter, and booty shaking. Oh, and we really had to use our imaginations, because it was completely dead. I mean, we were the only two people there until Jota showed up, then Shilpa, and then Kusi, Doug, and Ben.
• This weekend we're taking Duff to Runyon Canyon, hitting up The Griddle for brunch, and celebrating Liz's birthday with a healthy dose of karaoke!

It's the gym, not a peep show

I've spent the last two or three weeks working my ass off in the gym trying to reach my end of Feb goal. It's definitely paying off, and starting to show, to me at least. I've graduated to the treadmill, have increased my weights/reps, and oh you know, went down a pant size in a month.

I love the convenience of the gym in my building, not to mention the sweet locker room with amazing showers, a sauna, and whirlpool. 24 Hour Fitness Santa Monica, take note. What I don't love is the nakedness. I'm no prude; hello Big Bear '07 trip, but seriously ladies, put some freaking panties on before you bend over to lotion up your legs. Try a tank top, or at least a bra before you go to blow dry your hair and put your makeup on. Oh, and don't lay on the side of the whirlpool with your feet propped up on the railing so the first thing I see when exiting the shower is your nasty whoo-ha. It's called wax, use it.

And dudes who stand in the corner and actually POINT at my ass while talking to their buddies, fuck off. There are mirrors all the way around the free weight room. You think I can't see you?

With only one week left in the month, and three pounds to go, I think I need to be off the booze for the weekend. Unfortunately I don't think that's going to happen. Juan, aka John Martin, is moving back to New Orleans, and we're having a karaoke blowout at the Prospector in Long Beach tonight. You can't go to the LBC and not drink, or pour a little out for the homies. So I guess it's vodka sodas and lime all night long.

Rain Rain Go Away

Because seriously, I was going to run the stairs today. And tomorrow.

I guess I'll just go to the gym. Maybe try the kickboxing class? Only because I really want the pink wraps and gloves!

Obligatory Valentine's Day Post

Oh you pointless day of love, romance, and all things cheesy. Instigator of over-priced dinners, boxed chocolates, nasty conversation hearts, and cuddly stuffed bears. You'd think I would be in a sea of pink and red bliss, but no, I am a hater of Valentine's Day.
So bring on President's Day! Half price chocolates! Dinner that's not prix-fixe and prepared the night before. Barney's Warehouse Sale! And of course, luvin' from my Jota.

A Khaki Mission

J Crew, mecca of all things preppy, you have failed me.  Banana Republic, you too.  American Eagle, I'm almost too old to shop with you anymore, except for shoes.  Love your flats!  Gap, we've never gotten along.  Probably because pretty much every bottom you've ever made looks absolutely heinous on me.  

Anthropologie, you're an angel.  The only store on the Promenade  that carries a basic, bootcut khaki.  Hell, you're the only store that has something other than low rise, wide leg trousers or super duper high rise, tapered at the ankle chinos.  And for that, I thank you.  

Love and Golf?

While the rest of my team is out in NOLA having a blast at All Star, I've been left; home alone, all by myself in the office.  Rather than spend the next week playing Tetris and chatting with Jota, I volunteered to help out another team with the Northern Trust Open here in LA.  Sadly, the weather was not cooperating this morning, and I'm just in from freezing my booty off at the first tee.  But there is a silver lining to this little gray cloud...I met Sergio Garcia.  As in Sergio Garcia the golfer I've been in love with ever since the first day I had to watch an open in the clubhouse while working my first job.  Over the moon I am.  

Shake That Bear Mountain

The 2nd Annual Shake That Mountain Trip was a success! No nudity, no debilitating hangover, lots of fun and games, and plenty of laughs were had all weekend long.

Da, Kel, and I shook the shit out of the mountain while skiing this weekend. I did my first double black, and didn't have to slowly go from side to side either. I guess it helped that I was on 120s (munchkin skis!)...but whatevs, it was a terrific, gratifying day. Top the excellent snow with a dip in our hot tub back at the cabin, and you get a happy James.

My only fall, ok fine, there were 3, but 2 don't count because...The first was at the very bottom of the hill before the lift lines. Jota always beats me to the bottom, and I love how he turns around to watch me come down. The second happened while getting off the lift with Jota and Murph. I somehow managed to get one ski under each of their boards. And they both exited opposite ways. I almost did the splits. My last fall was on the very last run of the day. It was just me and J, and he's quite swift, especially when I'm on the munchkin skis. I decided to totally bomb the last part, and starting shredding like a mad woman. Definitely ending up losing all control, flipping over onto my back, and sliding a good 50 feet. Mmm, cold snow down my pants and up my shirt.

Favorite part of the trip: Sneaking kisses and snuggles with Jota on the lifts.

Worst part of the trip: The freaking drive up there! It took us over an hour to get past downtown, and that's only 12 miles away!
Duff definitely enjoyed himself as well. Begging for food to his little heart's content, and sleeping the entire way home.

Over the river, and through the woods

I'm off to Big Bear this afternoon for some much needed chill time.  These past two weeks have been insanely stressful.  I've found myself nearing tears in the office, screaming at Jota for eating the last english muffin, and getting frustrated with Duff for, well, being Duff.  And how can I get angry at a face like this?

I haven't been sleeping well, ok fine, at all.  In all honesty, I can't even begin to understand where all of my anxiety is coming from.  The only good that's come out of this is the fact that my appetite is all but gone.  Which also freaks me out to say because no one wants "Crazy Diet College James" to come back.    

So Big Bear, here I come.  You better be full of wonderful powder, and your runs had better be kick ass.   

PS new goal: 145 by the end of Feb.  And then I'm only 5 more away from pre - CA James.  

The week in preview

Started off the week right with a wonderful dinner of steaks, roasted asparagus, and fingerling potatoes with basil and thyme. Yum. Capped off the night with a brisk and chilly walk along the beach and through the canals with J and Duff.

Tonight it's off to nitespa with Em for some girly time. You can't beat pedis and wine, especially when it's a bottomless glass. Except Em can't drink because of that whole pregnant thing, so I guess while she's eating for two, I will be drinking for two.
PS - It's Super Tuesday, vote bitches.

The US plays Mexico in a friendly Wednesday night. Watch that shit and get jealous that L is making us dinner to go along with the game. I wonder if I can crochet Duff a USA sweater in two days?

Thursday, I got nothing except the premier of Lipstick Jungle. Dear God, please end the writer's strike.

And Friday it's off to our 2nd Annual Ski Trip in Big Bear! J and Drew are driving up early Friday to get a full day in, while the rest of us will be in town later that evening. Late night hijinks will of course be documented on film, and pending nudity (last year, bad, real bad) will be up on Flickr and YouTube shortly after.