I'm moving to a new place in September, after I return from New York.

The yard will be enjoyed, that's for sure!

anitram

I spent eons researching hybrid bikes and I finally decided to go for it, against common sense and my bank account.

And then I had to take Simon (my old Civic) in to get his timing belt replaced, and the struts fixed and $600 later the dream of the bike evaporated.

Foiled again!

anitram

I am going to be working there half the summer! My firm is sending me and it will be most fabulous given that they are financing EVERYTHING so I can live in Manhattan luxury, heaven knows my ass demands no less! I can't WAIT! I've never been in the summer, so July/August will be a nice break from the December visits. I'm so excited!

There are so many things I want to do while there.

anitram

I'm sick of looking pasty.

Somebody recommended Mystic Tan - has anyone done this? Apparently it works amazingly well but you have to keep doing it once a week and it's quite costly. I'm tempted to try it, though.

I have very pale skin which doesn't bug me at all except when other people bring up how untanned I am. Well, hello, I don't have pigment! I can sit in the sun for weeks, all it will do is get me burned and then I peel. I don't really want skin cancer,...

anitram

It has now been 3 months of going to the gym 7 days a week, with a few obvious exceptions where I literally could not find the hours in a day. I would say that in 3 months, these exceptions maybe number half a dozen.

At first, my goal was to lose 15 lbs so I could look fabulous in a sari at a wedding in August. Can't have a gut hanging out! For the record, I've never been larger than a size 8, and every time size 8 stuff got tight on me, I'd get panicked and lose the weight. But...

anitram

I'm always looking for new things to listen to while working out, so feel free to recommend stuff.

Here are a few I like:

Love Changes (Everything) (Original Radio Edit) - Musikk feat John Rock
I'm Not Dead - Pink
Africa - E-Type
One Night In Bangkok (Vinylshakerz Screen Cut) - Vinylshakerz
Welcome To Africa (Club Mix) - Paffe
I Like To Move It (Jens O Mix) - Zoo Gang
Straight Lines - Silverchair
Move In My Direction...

anitram

I just got new running shoes as my Nike Free were really past their expiry date. I really like them, and they're still okay for the treadmill, but they are too worn out to provide really good support while doing other things. I bypassed the new Nike Free (mostly because I wanted a stiffer runner so I could work with free weights in it while feeling a bit more stable) and got a higher end Nike running shoe. I nearly got New Balance, but although their shoes are incredibly comfortable, they are...

anitram

I've never seen such an odd group of people - and I don't go to a sketchy gym either, but a rather nice one.

First, there is the woman who showered, walked out naked into the locker room (this is not uncommon), put her foot up on the bench by the lockers and proceeded to insert a tampon.

Then, there is the weird woman in the spin classes who always puts her head down halfway, stops pedalling and starts moaning and groaning. It's like she purposely refuses to eat breakfast...

anitram

I've been thinking of getting a bike this summer. I have one now, but it's a cheap CCM $200 thing that I got years ago when I was in high school. I'd like something a bit better than that which would last me. I'm not sure I really want a road bike, though, I think I'd be better off with something that would be good for city use.

I do 6 days of spin classes at the gym, so I'm in great cardio shape and I really do like the spin bikes. I have indoor cycle shoes (with the SPD clips),...

anitram

I uploaded these to Facebook a while ago and forgot to post them here, but I know a few people will love them, so here goes.

This is in the Ugab River area, the baby was born about 15 minutes ago and that's why Mom is still supporting it with her trunk:



A little bit later, steadier on its feet:

...

anitram

I have 24 interviews.

I'm not complaining; in fact I'm really pleased with it. At the same time I can't do that many nor am I willing to try, and now comes the hard part of turning some people down. I have less than 24 hours to decide. Yowza.

At least House is on later!

anitram

I'm of two minds about Martha's Vineyard. On the one had, I had ridiculously fantastic seafood there. On the other, evil mosquitos sucked out at least half a litre of my precious O-neg blood.

On a more serious note, it's a pretty large island. Definitely much larger than Nantucket (even if it doesn't look that way on maps). Forget about seeing it on a bike unless you have a leisurely week there. As far as towns go, Vineyard Haven is a bit dumpy for my tastes. It's crowded and...

anitram

I was told by a local guy that the biggest problem they are having on Nantucket these days is that the billionaires are driving out the millionaires. Which doesn't sound like any kind of issue at all except that it makes a lot of sense. Nantucket used to be full of "quiet money" - rich people who were not famous and who wanted a quiet vacation. Now you've got the nouveau riche, who are a completely different breed, stepping in, used to getting their way by tossing money around....

anitram

I have so many pictures to sort through. I'll post the Cape Cod ones now since I was just e-mailing some to my parents.

I LOVED the area. Although I went in mid-August and I heard stories of really bad overcrowding by tourists, it wasn't terrible at all. The weather had cooled down so it was comfortable (too cold to swim if you're like me, though), and the beaches weren't that packed. I had a fantastic time, some great food and way too much fudge. I don't even eat or like fudge...

anitram

Just a few....it's a beautiful place to visit, although it's really tourist overrun these days.

I really do miss the Mediterranean a lot sometimes. The Adriatic in particular has a high salt content and there is a very distinct smell in the air because of it (the magnolias don't hurt either!).

Off to Cape Cod and the islands for a couple of weeks! Finally it's that time of year....beach time! And I really have a strange obsession with sand dunes too.

...

anitram