This past weekend was quite a lovely one. It began on Friday evening with Piano Bar...most of the usual suspects attended, and the typical hijinks ensued. Disney songs, interpretive dance, 100 Greatest Love Songs (Oh, how I love 80s rock ballads!), and tons of fun. Serious kudos to our main piano player Erika for being our workhorse and spending most of the evening at the piano!
On Saturday, Maureen, Phyllis and I made a visit to the Talbots Outlet North of Baltimore where I picked up a few more spring/summer tops and skirts. For dinner, we ventured out to The Helmand in Mt. Vernon, which serves Afghani Cuisine. I have never had Afghani food, and it was delicious. Typically Middle Eastern, with some tasty spices! Following dinner, we attended Peabody Chamber Opera's Production of Dora. I had already seen the performance on Thursday (my boyfriend played Freud in the opera with the Thurs/Sat cast). I thought it was an edgy opera, and was performed well.
Sunday, I went to church and then ran a few errands. After an afternoon swim, Maureen and I had a seafood extravaganza on the grill, and spent the rest of the lovely evening on the back deck. I really didn't want to get up Monday morning...
On tap for the rest of this week? Well, it's a concert week for the Chorale (we are performing with the Symphony), so that means rehearsals every evening. Except, I'll be heading up to Baltimore Wednesday night to see Baltimore Concert Opera's "A Flight of Puccini". I'm expecting it to be quite good. The Annapolis Symphony Concert is Friday, and then Saturday I'm attending a wedding. All in all, a crazy but fun week ahead...
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
Everest, My Everest
Continuing on with my "Spring" theme, another thing I always do in the Spring is follow climbers on Mt. Everest. In the new Blogging/Podcasting/Video/Twitter days, it's easy to track the progress of a few Everest Expeditions. Most expeditions make Summit Bids during May each year. The trekking and acclimatizing begins in April...along with the deliciously detailed blogs.
I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with all things Everest...as I wrote a few years ago ...there is a part of me that would LOVE to climb Everest. But, since my doctor would never clear me, I have no climbing experience, and I am poor (comparatively)...I am left to attempt to live vicariously through climbers I find on the web. And really, let's face it...I am much more suited to vacationing in Paris at the Ritz with a glass of wine in my hand than freezing my rear end off on the side of a mountain in the Himalayas for 2 months. 2 months of freezing temperatures, and hours of sheer boredom resting...punctuated by a few minutes of sheer joy at the Summit while oxygen deprivation reduces your brain power to the level of a heavily intoxicated person. And even as I write that, it still sounds exciting to me. Ah well, cheers to those dreams that go unfulfilled.
I still plan to trek through Nepal to Everest Base Camp at some point...but going up the mountain for me simply isn't an option. In the meantime, here are links to a few of the expeditions I'm stalking...I mean following...this year:
First Ascent Team- Experienced Climbers back for more (and guiding a 17 year old up the mountain for her first Summit attempt).
On Top of the World- Apa Sherpa goes for 19. Everest Summits, that is.
My Everest Challenge- Gavin Bate waxes eloquent on the Mountain.
If you Tweet...I think all of these expeditions are on Twitter as well.
Happy Trails!
I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with all things Everest...as I wrote a few years ago ...there is a part of me that would LOVE to climb Everest. But, since my doctor would never clear me, I have no climbing experience, and I am poor (comparatively)...I am left to attempt to live vicariously through climbers I find on the web. And really, let's face it...I am much more suited to vacationing in Paris at the Ritz with a glass of wine in my hand than freezing my rear end off on the side of a mountain in the Himalayas for 2 months. 2 months of freezing temperatures, and hours of sheer boredom resting...punctuated by a few minutes of sheer joy at the Summit while oxygen deprivation reduces your brain power to the level of a heavily intoxicated person. And even as I write that, it still sounds exciting to me. Ah well, cheers to those dreams that go unfulfilled.
I still plan to trek through Nepal to Everest Base Camp at some point...but going up the mountain for me simply isn't an option. In the meantime, here are links to a few of the expeditions I'm stalking...I mean following...this year:
First Ascent Team- Experienced Climbers back for more (and guiding a 17 year old up the mountain for her first Summit attempt).
On Top of the World- Apa Sherpa goes for 19. Everest Summits, that is.
My Everest Challenge- Gavin Bate waxes eloquent on the Mountain.
If you Tweet...I think all of these expeditions are on Twitter as well.
Happy Trails!
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Enjoying Life in the Spring
I always think that I like Winter...that is, until it's March here in Maryland and the temperatures are still in the 40s. But then, before I know it, the trees are blooming, the weather is a bit warmer...and it's Spring! It's been 5 years since I moved to Annapolis, but I'm still always struck by how beautiful it is here near the Bay in the Spring.
The past 2 springs, I've begun my triathlon training in April. This year is no different, so I have been back on the bike a few times this year. Last week was the start of my official training plan, so I headed out from the house for one of my standard 10 mile loops. It was a beautiful spring evening- coolish, crisp and sunny. The loop I rode takes me from my house, down to the Bay Ridge area of Annapolis and back. For those of you not familiar with Bay Ridge...it's basically located at the edge of the peninsula that Annapolis sits on, jutting out into the Chesapeake and at the mouth of the Severn River. See Map Here (zoom in to see Bay Ridge)
The road that I ride/run during this loop is hilly and wooded. There is one last hill right before the first view of the Bay. I'm always huffing and puffing up the hill...and then suddenly the Chesapeake stretches out in front of me. For those of you who have been on this route...you know what I'm talking about. In the winter, it's pretty and cold. In the spring and fall on a clear day...it's stunning. Someday, I'll have to take pictures. In any case, last week when I traversed this lap, the sun was low in the sky shining on the water. As I headed up Bay Dr towards the corner ridge, I was looking at the Bay Bridge. Then, when I turned the corner and headed up River Dr, I could see Annapolis and the Naval Academy Dome. It was so breathtakingly beautiful that I had to stop and just look. Every time I take this route, I'm reminded of how beautiful the place I live actually is! If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be able to get home from work, hop on my bike and see something like this...I would never have believed you!
I've also enjoyed wandering around town in the lovely weather. On Saturday, my roommate and I walked through the Murray Hill neigborhood and then got brunch at 49 West, a favorite hangout of ours. The day was so lovely, and I kept thinking about how much I love Spring here! I've also planted all of my plants in containers on the back deck at the house, and they make me smile. Hooray for Spring!
The past 2 springs, I've begun my triathlon training in April. This year is no different, so I have been back on the bike a few times this year. Last week was the start of my official training plan, so I headed out from the house for one of my standard 10 mile loops. It was a beautiful spring evening- coolish, crisp and sunny. The loop I rode takes me from my house, down to the Bay Ridge area of Annapolis and back. For those of you not familiar with Bay Ridge...it's basically located at the edge of the peninsula that Annapolis sits on, jutting out into the Chesapeake and at the mouth of the Severn River. See Map Here (zoom in to see Bay Ridge)
The road that I ride/run during this loop is hilly and wooded. There is one last hill right before the first view of the Bay. I'm always huffing and puffing up the hill...and then suddenly the Chesapeake stretches out in front of me. For those of you who have been on this route...you know what I'm talking about. In the winter, it's pretty and cold. In the spring and fall on a clear day...it's stunning. Someday, I'll have to take pictures. In any case, last week when I traversed this lap, the sun was low in the sky shining on the water. As I headed up Bay Dr towards the corner ridge, I was looking at the Bay Bridge. Then, when I turned the corner and headed up River Dr, I could see Annapolis and the Naval Academy Dome. It was so breathtakingly beautiful that I had to stop and just look. Every time I take this route, I'm reminded of how beautiful the place I live actually is! If you had told me 5 years ago that I would be able to get home from work, hop on my bike and see something like this...I would never have believed you!
I've also enjoyed wandering around town in the lovely weather. On Saturday, my roommate and I walked through the Murray Hill neigborhood and then got brunch at 49 West, a favorite hangout of ours. The day was so lovely, and I kept thinking about how much I love Spring here! I've also planted all of my plants in containers on the back deck at the house, and they make me smile. Hooray for Spring!
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Why I Use Social Media (and other comments on the topic)
In the industry that my company serves (Public Relations) social media is the biggest buzzword around. When I first heard that companies were interested in social media, I was amazed. Why would some company want to know what I like...what I'm doing...oh wait. I'm a consumer...duh. The platform that drove the social media into high gear (at least from my perspective) is Twitter (if you are not tweeting yet...don't worry, I'll tell you my thoughts on why you should/shouldn't later). Since social media is what is buzzing around me all the time, I got to thinking about the reasons that I use social media sites like blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. And, since this is my blog, I thought I'd write about those for you and my personal pros and cons for each.
Blogs
Blogs were really my first foray into social media. I started reading some blogs of friends about 6 years ago strictly as a way to keep up with them. On community-oriented sites like Xanga, I started finding random people that I didn't know whose blogs I enjoyed reading. Call it voyeuristic, but something about getting a peek into a stranger's day-to-day life entertains me. I started my own blog when I moved to Maryland in 2004 so that I wouldn't have to send mass email updates about my life to my friends back in SC. I found that I liked the cathartic aspect of blogging, and also made a few blog friends on Xanga. When you say "I have a blog", it means different things to different people. Some bloggers are anonymous, some aren't. Some people see blogs as strictly a way to update real-life friends on their life. Others use blogging as a way to write about things they can't talk about. Some blogs are "information only" and focus on a specific subject (like political blogs). Some people feel the blogging community is another level of friendship, and like to meet other people like (or not like) themselves. For me, my blog is combination of all of these things. I write about all kinds of subjects...what I like/dislike, how I live my life, what I believe, and I occasionally include photos. Blogging is such a versatile platform and is so accessible that a blog can truly be about anything. However, know that when you blog, you are basically putting yourself out there for anyone to read about you and what you write.
I read blogs for many different reasons. Mostly because I love information. See this old Xanga post for my thoughts on that. But I digress (about 2.5 years if you read that old post). I read blogs of my friends to keep up with their lives. I read blogs of random people because their lives seem interesting and I like the way they write. I read Music blogs to get insight into music itself, and I love reading about up and coming opera singers. I read blogs about topics I find interesting. While occasionally I will make a friend who is another blogger, it's not the main reason I blog. I have a limited capacity for having what I think of as "close" friends, and I think I have to keep them in the real world. While I often fail at blogging regularly, I do enjoy reading the updates of those who do.
Facebook
Ah, Facebook. The great time-suck and bane of some folks' existence. For me, Facebook is less a social networking site to meet people and more of a way to keep in touch with friends. I think that out of my 350 friends on FB, only one or two are people I don't know in real life. Granted, I may have met them only once IRL (in real life), but I have at least laid eyes on them. I love that I've gotten back in touch with high school friends on Facebook. I even was able to correspond with my old gymnastics coach, who I haven't seen in 12 years!
My favorite thing about Facebook are the status updates and photos. I love reading and seeing what people are up to. It helps me connect to them. That's part of the reason I don't like the new FB layout...I want to be able to see what my friends are up to without all the other junk that clutters up the News Feed. Thus, my least favorite aspect of Facebook are the quizes and links that people post. Though they are occasionally interesting, they are not what makes Facebook enjoyable or worthwhile for me. While many companies would like to monitor Facebook for people's status updates and to see what their comments about particular companies may be, FB is a closed system. And thus the popularity of Twitter...
Twitter
I must admit, the popularity of Twitter baffled me at first. Why go to Twitter to read status updates when you can go to FB for them? And who cares about what other people think on certain topics? But then, I started hearing more about Twitter, and considering that status updates are my favorite part of FB, I thought I'd give it a try. I was turned off at first because I thought you had to have device updates (where others' "tweets" are sent as texts to your phone) turned on and I didn't want to get someone's random status on my phone. But, as more of my blogging friends (or stalkees, if you will) began tweeting, I started to enjoy it. Tweeting is sort of in between FB and blogging...you have to say what you will in 140 characters or less. While I don't really want tweeting to replace blogging (like it has for my most favorite music blog, the concert...please come back to blogging ACB...I desperately miss your witty and insigtful writing!), I've recently started following people/organizations I'm interested in on Twitter, and I'm enjoying it (incidentally...click here to follow me on twitter if you'd like). However, one of the popular uses of Twitter is to get other's opinions on products and such. I don't know that I'd ever completely trust a Twitter opinion...can I really believe JoeShmo in Texas' opinion that the Silver Oak Napa Cab from 1999 tastes awful? (It doesn't, by the way). I don't know JoeShmo, what his tastes are, etc. However, if Joe has a blog, and I've read it for awhile and agree with most of his other opinions, I'd be more likely to trust his assessment of the Silver Oak Napa Cab. So, I think I'll stick to reading blogs for recommendations on most subjects.
The downside to Twitter for someone like me is that it's completely public (unless you make your updates protected..and where is the fun in that?). So, for example, if I mention my company name in a Tweet, that is going to go to my boss and the execs at my company. Also, some people mix personal and private lives on Twitter...one update says something like..."at work for PR firm XYZ and building media lists" and the next says something like "got so drunk last night that I peed in my closet". Personally, I don't think that's the way to build a professional reputation for interacting with people outside of your organization!
The Public vs. Private nature of social media is one aspect that is a bit daunting. It's easy to read about someone's life when you don't know them. I had an interesting encounter the other day that made me think about whether or not reading someone's blog is violating their privacy. There is a blog of an opera singer in Baltimore that I read on a regular basis. She is not anonymous on her blog, and when I first started reading, I had no idea who she was. But, in the past year or so, I discovered that we have some mutual friends. I finally officially met her IRL at a bachelorette party a few weeks ago. Even though we were meeting for the first time, from reading her blog I felt like I already knew her pretty well. It felt awkward. As the night went on and we were drinking wine, I wanted to tell her that I read her blog. I really did...but it felt weird. So I didn't. And then I felt kind of sneaky. Like I had been gossiping about her. I know it should be fine...she puts herself out there as a blogger, and it's not like I am stalking her...but it still felt strange to know so much about her and have her not know. So Jessica, if you happen to stumble across this blog...please don't be weirded out...and know that I love reading your blog!
And now that I've rambled here for awhile...it's time to check Facebook!
Blogs
Blogs were really my first foray into social media. I started reading some blogs of friends about 6 years ago strictly as a way to keep up with them. On community-oriented sites like Xanga, I started finding random people that I didn't know whose blogs I enjoyed reading. Call it voyeuristic, but something about getting a peek into a stranger's day-to-day life entertains me. I started my own blog when I moved to Maryland in 2004 so that I wouldn't have to send mass email updates about my life to my friends back in SC. I found that I liked the cathartic aspect of blogging, and also made a few blog friends on Xanga. When you say "I have a blog", it means different things to different people. Some bloggers are anonymous, some aren't. Some people see blogs as strictly a way to update real-life friends on their life. Others use blogging as a way to write about things they can't talk about. Some blogs are "information only" and focus on a specific subject (like political blogs). Some people feel the blogging community is another level of friendship, and like to meet other people like (or not like) themselves. For me, my blog is combination of all of these things. I write about all kinds of subjects...what I like/dislike, how I live my life, what I believe, and I occasionally include photos. Blogging is such a versatile platform and is so accessible that a blog can truly be about anything. However, know that when you blog, you are basically putting yourself out there for anyone to read about you and what you write.
I read blogs for many different reasons. Mostly because I love information. See this old Xanga post for my thoughts on that. But I digress (about 2.5 years if you read that old post). I read blogs of my friends to keep up with their lives. I read blogs of random people because their lives seem interesting and I like the way they write. I read Music blogs to get insight into music itself, and I love reading about up and coming opera singers. I read blogs about topics I find interesting. While occasionally I will make a friend who is another blogger, it's not the main reason I blog. I have a limited capacity for having what I think of as "close" friends, and I think I have to keep them in the real world. While I often fail at blogging regularly, I do enjoy reading the updates of those who do.
Ah, Facebook. The great time-suck and bane of some folks' existence. For me, Facebook is less a social networking site to meet people and more of a way to keep in touch with friends. I think that out of my 350 friends on FB, only one or two are people I don't know in real life. Granted, I may have met them only once IRL (in real life), but I have at least laid eyes on them. I love that I've gotten back in touch with high school friends on Facebook. I even was able to correspond with my old gymnastics coach, who I haven't seen in 12 years!
My favorite thing about Facebook are the status updates and photos. I love reading and seeing what people are up to. It helps me connect to them. That's part of the reason I don't like the new FB layout...I want to be able to see what my friends are up to without all the other junk that clutters up the News Feed. Thus, my least favorite aspect of Facebook are the quizes and links that people post. Though they are occasionally interesting, they are not what makes Facebook enjoyable or worthwhile for me. While many companies would like to monitor Facebook for people's status updates and to see what their comments about particular companies may be, FB is a closed system. And thus the popularity of Twitter...
I must admit, the popularity of Twitter baffled me at first. Why go to Twitter to read status updates when you can go to FB for them? And who cares about what other people think on certain topics? But then, I started hearing more about Twitter, and considering that status updates are my favorite part of FB, I thought I'd give it a try. I was turned off at first because I thought you had to have device updates (where others' "tweets" are sent as texts to your phone) turned on and I didn't want to get someone's random status on my phone. But, as more of my blogging friends (or stalkees, if you will) began tweeting, I started to enjoy it. Tweeting is sort of in between FB and blogging...you have to say what you will in 140 characters or less. While I don't really want tweeting to replace blogging (like it has for my most favorite music blog, the concert...please come back to blogging ACB...I desperately miss your witty and insigtful writing!), I've recently started following people/organizations I'm interested in on Twitter, and I'm enjoying it (incidentally...click here to follow me on twitter if you'd like). However, one of the popular uses of Twitter is to get other's opinions on products and such. I don't know that I'd ever completely trust a Twitter opinion...can I really believe JoeShmo in Texas' opinion that the Silver Oak Napa Cab from 1999 tastes awful? (It doesn't, by the way). I don't know JoeShmo, what his tastes are, etc. However, if Joe has a blog, and I've read it for awhile and agree with most of his other opinions, I'd be more likely to trust his assessment of the Silver Oak Napa Cab. So, I think I'll stick to reading blogs for recommendations on most subjects.
The downside to Twitter for someone like me is that it's completely public (unless you make your updates protected..and where is the fun in that?). So, for example, if I mention my company name in a Tweet, that is going to go to my boss and the execs at my company. Also, some people mix personal and private lives on Twitter...one update says something like..."at work for PR firm XYZ and building media lists" and the next says something like "got so drunk last night that I peed in my closet". Personally, I don't think that's the way to build a professional reputation for interacting with people outside of your organization!
The Public vs. Private nature of social media is one aspect that is a bit daunting. It's easy to read about someone's life when you don't know them. I had an interesting encounter the other day that made me think about whether or not reading someone's blog is violating their privacy. There is a blog of an opera singer in Baltimore that I read on a regular basis. She is not anonymous on her blog, and when I first started reading, I had no idea who she was. But, in the past year or so, I discovered that we have some mutual friends. I finally officially met her IRL at a bachelorette party a few weeks ago. Even though we were meeting for the first time, from reading her blog I felt like I already knew her pretty well. It felt awkward. As the night went on and we were drinking wine, I wanted to tell her that I read her blog. I really did...but it felt weird. So I didn't. And then I felt kind of sneaky. Like I had been gossiping about her. I know it should be fine...she puts herself out there as a blogger, and it's not like I am stalking her...but it still felt strange to know so much about her and have her not know. So Jessica, if you happen to stumble across this blog...please don't be weirded out...and know that I love reading your blog!
And now that I've rambled here for awhile...it's time to check Facebook!
What I've Been Up To...
...working, editing training videos, recording training videos, training, celebrating Easter, eating, not eating, sleeping, vegging, hanging out, consuming Easter chocolate, not seeing enough of certain people, seeing too much of others, watching the rain, running a tiny bit, driving, enjoying my coffee in the mornings, listening to audiobooks on my iPod, watching Wildfire on my iPod, rehearsing, churching, cooking, and cleaning.
Hopefully, everyone now feels updated on my life...:)
Hopefully, everyone now feels updated on my life...:)
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Just Inject the Toxins, Please
This weekend, I decided that it would be a good idea to try a detox diet. I've been reading about them for awhile, and thought that it would be a good way to "cleanse" my body and exercise a little bit of discipline. Plus, this is Holy Week, which is always an appropriate time to practice self-deprivation. My detox diet involved eating only fruits and veggies all week. Easy, right? Ha!
Well. I began by eating just fruits and vegetables for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Monday. Not too bad, although I was a bit wiped out by the end of the day. I should also add that this detox involved no coffee. I have one cup of coffee every morning...it is part of my routine and helps me get going. By the end of Monday evening, I had a mild headache and was crashing. Tuesday morning, I woke up with a tension headache that stretched from my shoulder to the top of my head. I went off to work with no coffee again, and ate a banana for breakfast. I was in a terrible mood, and it's surprising that I made it through the day without snapping at someone!
By 4:00, I knew that I would never make it all week without protein or bread. By 6:00, I had decided to have a chicken sandwich for dinner. So I did. It tasted fantastic. By 8:00, my raging headache had started to recede. By 10:00, I felt my mood lifting.
This morning, I woke up and had my coffee. Driving to work, I was listening to Disney tunes and was in a fabulous mood! When my 9:00 training session cancelled, I decided it was a sign that I should have Crack (Chick-fil-A) for breakfast. So I did. By 10:00, I was in an even better mood. Tonight, I got home and made Pasta Fagioli. I also had some wine, which is apparently a toxin as strong as coffee. Yet, I highly recommend it.
Moral of the story? Apparently, toxins are what keep my mood lifted. So, I'll be consuming them...no more detox diets for me!
Well. I began by eating just fruits and vegetables for breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Monday. Not too bad, although I was a bit wiped out by the end of the day. I should also add that this detox involved no coffee. I have one cup of coffee every morning...it is part of my routine and helps me get going. By the end of Monday evening, I had a mild headache and was crashing. Tuesday morning, I woke up with a tension headache that stretched from my shoulder to the top of my head. I went off to work with no coffee again, and ate a banana for breakfast. I was in a terrible mood, and it's surprising that I made it through the day without snapping at someone!
By 4:00, I knew that I would never make it all week without protein or bread. By 6:00, I had decided to have a chicken sandwich for dinner. So I did. It tasted fantastic. By 8:00, my raging headache had started to recede. By 10:00, I felt my mood lifting.
This morning, I woke up and had my coffee. Driving to work, I was listening to Disney tunes and was in a fabulous mood! When my 9:00 training session cancelled, I decided it was a sign that I should have Crack (Chick-fil-A) for breakfast. So I did. By 10:00, I was in an even better mood. Tonight, I got home and made Pasta Fagioli. I also had some wine, which is apparently a toxin as strong as coffee. Yet, I highly recommend it.
Moral of the story? Apparently, toxins are what keep my mood lifted. So, I'll be consuming them...no more detox diets for me!
Friday, April 3, 2009
A Nice, Hot Bath
One of my Fall/Winter/Spring luxuries is a pre-bedtime bath. It's too hot for a soak in the warm tub in the summer, so I stick to baths in the cooler/cold months. When I'm freezing to death going back and forth to my car in the evenings during January...I so look forward to that hot bath!
Usually, I pour myself a small glass of port or madeira, get my book, put some soothing music on my iPod and just relax. Baths are especially nice when I'm in training for some race or event. They are also the best way for me to unwind...particularly on nights when I get home from rehearsal at 10 or 10:30 and need to be asleep by 11 or 11:30!
I have always loved evening baths, but lost the routine part of it in college because I had no tub. As soon as I graduated and rented a house, baths again became a part of my bedtime routine. When I lived in SC, I often would start bathtime at 9 PM (I was much less busy then!), light candles all around my room, turn off all the lights in my room and the bathroom, and soak for hours! Now, if I lit candles, I'd have to blow them out in 30 minutes, so I typically leave that step out. I do occasionally add bubbles, bath salt, or scented oil to my bath experience to make it special, though.
When I was at Disney World last month, Lauren and I stopped off at the Grand Floridian and popped into Basin to check out their wares. They had a special where you could fill a tube with Bath Bombs for $20. I got about 8 bombs, and have been enjoying them every now and then with my baths. My favorite so far has been "Serenity". Anyway, Monday night I threw a Lemongrass bath bomb in...and started noticing little flowers popping out of the bomb. Ok, really, they looked more like weeds. And the water was reeeeeaaalllly yellow. I guess that is supposed to be luxurious or spa-like...but it felt really weird to me! Like I was bathing in a yellow lake of sorts...definitely not my favorite! Once I drained the water, I had to clean out the tub. I would have taken a picture, but....you get the picture...I couldn't go get my camera downstairs because I had nothing.....ok, please don't get that picture!
I'm hoping that the rest of my fancy bath bombs don't have any strange weeds embedded in them!
Usually, I pour myself a small glass of port or madeira, get my book, put some soothing music on my iPod and just relax. Baths are especially nice when I'm in training for some race or event. They are also the best way for me to unwind...particularly on nights when I get home from rehearsal at 10 or 10:30 and need to be asleep by 11 or 11:30!
I have always loved evening baths, but lost the routine part of it in college because I had no tub. As soon as I graduated and rented a house, baths again became a part of my bedtime routine. When I lived in SC, I often would start bathtime at 9 PM (I was much less busy then!), light candles all around my room, turn off all the lights in my room and the bathroom, and soak for hours! Now, if I lit candles, I'd have to blow them out in 30 minutes, so I typically leave that step out. I do occasionally add bubbles, bath salt, or scented oil to my bath experience to make it special, though.
When I was at Disney World last month, Lauren and I stopped off at the Grand Floridian and popped into Basin to check out their wares. They had a special where you could fill a tube with Bath Bombs for $20. I got about 8 bombs, and have been enjoying them every now and then with my baths. My favorite so far has been "Serenity". Anyway, Monday night I threw a Lemongrass bath bomb in...and started noticing little flowers popping out of the bomb. Ok, really, they looked more like weeds. And the water was reeeeeaaalllly yellow. I guess that is supposed to be luxurious or spa-like...but it felt really weird to me! Like I was bathing in a yellow lake of sorts...definitely not my favorite! Once I drained the water, I had to clean out the tub. I would have taken a picture, but....you get the picture...I couldn't go get my camera downstairs because I had nothing.....ok, please don't get that picture!
I'm hoping that the rest of my fancy bath bombs don't have any strange weeds embedded in them!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)