Currently… A post on “things of the moment” for me (#7). [Inspired by Marcia and other bloggers.]
State of things: Is it me or does it seem hard to imagine that it is 2015? That number makes me think of the Jetsons and flying cars and foods on conveyor belts. If you are too young for the Jetsons (ouch), google it. January had a pretty whirlwind start for me with a company meeting in San Fran. We have had a bit of a thaw that has made Chicago a bit more habitable than just pretty to look at out the window – phew. I have a bunch of trips popping up in the first quarter of 2015 for work and fun. It is going to get busy over here pretty fast. I guess that means the winter will fly by which sounds good to me!
Books: In addition to some $1.99 mystery guilty pleasures from Bookperk, I read a slew of books in my travels for the holidays. For book club, I read The Boston Girl by Anita Diamant – it’s no Red Tent, but I enjoyed it! I finally started All of the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr. I also read The Secret Place by Tana French who is one of my faves. I downloaded The Girl on the Train which will be my next book after All the Light…
Have you read anything I should check out lately?
Movies: The Oscars’ lists are out. I have only seen two of the nominees for Best Picture: Boyhood and The Imitation Game. I also saw Wild. I loved Boyhood but it is a commitment – almost 3 hours. That said it is really cool to see the kids grow up and the parents, too. The Imitation Game was great, too. I thought that they captured the period well and that the casting was pretty outstanding. I never knew that story and it was pretty amazing and also very sad. I liked Wild but Reese Witherspoon was not “Cheryl Strayed” enough for me (having read the book). Anyone agree?
Have you seen anything good lately?
TV: Other than my Today Show treadmill obsession, I am not much for watching TV. We are on season 2 of Homeland and it is getting really good. Claire Danes can be a bit histrionic, but we like it. We got True Detective for the holidays and I can’t wait to watch that! I may have convinced the husband to watch Downton Abbey with me at some point.
What is on your TV dance card these days?
Website/Podcast: Not a website, but I am still loving my daily news emails from theSkimm. I totally get the tone and humor and come out more informed. A win-win. I have been listening to Nutrition Diva podcasts which I have enjoyed. I started listening to Start Up, too.
Have you been reading or listening to anything good? Has everyone listened to Serial? Guilty or Innocent?
Run: I finished 2014 strong with my best time of the year at the San Diego Holiday Half on 12/28. I also got to meet awesome bloggers Smitha and Carlee. I won the entry to the Phoenix Marathon from Carlee. Last weekend, it was so cold that I ran 15 miles on the treadmill. I watched old Criminal Minds episodes on A & E and it was not that bad. It warmed up today and I did 17.5 with friends outside. Yay for Vitamin D! On tap so far this year, F^3 Half Marathon in Chicago next Saturday (fingers crossed for good weather), Phoenix Marathon on 2/28, NYC Half 3/15, Shamrock Shuffle 8K on 3/29 and the half marathon in SLO on 4/25 with Erin.
Who is running and where?
Non-Run Workouts: I have been keeping up the “Smart Workouts” on The J & J 7 Minute Workout and weekly pilates and yoga. I failed to take full advantage of my ClassPass in December. ClassPass lets you take unlimited classes at boutique studios for $99 a month (3 classes per studio). They are now live in a ton of cities including LA, San Diego and San Fran where I was when I had the free month. I did exercise a lot when I was away – just not with ClassPass. 🙁 I did start wearing my Fitbit again so I am a bit obsessed with getting my steps. Not hard on long run days (I was over 30,000 for yesterday by 4:00 PM) but hard on rest/non-running days as I work from home. I think it will get me up and walking on non-running days and that is a good thing!
Food/Drink: My cupboard runneth over again with great new products from cool companies. I have so many new things to try and lots of giveaways coming so STAY TUNED. I mentioned that I have delicious granola from Cocomama to review and share and some great jerky trail mix from Kooee to giveaway. I have also been trying out InBars, Wild Zora bars, Munk Pack Oatmeal Squeeze packs, Breeze Bars, Coffee Bars, Tail-O Bars and more. I also hooked up with 2014 faves Nakd (I have some new Bakewell Tart bars up for grabs on Instagram and Facebook), Fiona’s Natural Foods (they have a new look) and a Peanut Butter and Co. giveaway in March.
Have you tried anything awesome lately?
Excitement: I am excited to go to DC and NYC in March. I have not been back east enough lately.
Pet Peeve: Warning – this is a stupid first world problem… since I have become one with the treadmill at my gym, it drives me nuts when trainers stand on the treadmill next to me talking to their client who is running. It takes away from my TV watching. A double peeve is when the trainer is giving BAD running advice. You know that it takes a lot for me to keep my mouth shut.
What is irking you lately?
Wish(es): I hope to be able to keep all of my balls in the air effectively. I have had moments of overwhelm lately. Maybe this will be the year when I finally start meditating. It should be.
What is keeping you busy these days? Please share in the comments!
PS. Don’t forget to enter my giveaways.