Wiiiiiiiiii

Because I'm still my parents' semi-spoiled little girl, they were kind enough to pick up a Wii Fit for James and I when they were waiting in line for their own (For the third time. [At 7 a.m.]). My mom has been using it diligently, especially the yoga, for a few weeks now, but she cautioned me that it may not be as difficult and interesting for my video-gaming generation--though she must have forgotten that Game Boy was as far as I ever got into video games, so they aren't my forte.

Nonetheless, I have been waiting for a couple weeks until I went back to Ohio to get the Fit. I had to carry it on the plane, and let me tell you, it caused quite a stir! The man in line behind me wanted to chat about the part where you have to head soccer balls while dodging flying cleats and panda heads. The TSA employee running the x-ray machine couldn't figure out what it was when it showed up on her screen, and another wanted to have an in-depth chat about how I got it and how it worked. When a gentleman retrieved it from the overhead compartment, it sparked a conversation spreading three rows each way.

I've played/used the Fit for a little while each day since I brought it home, and it really is a lot of fun! The Balance Board is about two feet by one foot, and it communicates with the Wii consul the same way your remotes do. You choose your Mii and set up your profile by inputting your age, being weighed, calculating your BMI, and testing your balance. Then you are given your Wii Fit age; the first time, mine was a staggering 36! Yikes! The more you do the exercises, become toned and find a better center of gravity, your age gradually lowers. It's interesting though, because simple repetitive testing can easily lower your age. After using the Fit for three days, my age as dropped to 20.

The activities are very fun, though. There are sections of yoga, strength training, aerobics and balance. The more you do each activity and the better you get, more tasks and higher degrees of difficulty are unlocked. My only complaint is that there is not a whole program for each category; for example, you have to stop for a minute or so in between to choose each yoga pose individually. It isn't the most time-effective practice. I have been a little sore after doing them, so I know I'm hitting some muscle groups that don't normally get my attention--especially my side abdominal. Your success is measured by your balance, steadiness and ability to keep in time with your "trainer," either male or female, who coaches you as you work.

Overall, I think it's a lot of fun, especially for someone like me who hates free weights and machines, but isn't getting a full workout by running. It's also turned me on to yoga, which I never tried and didn't understand why friends are so enthusiastic about. It's not going to make anyone drop major weight or become body-builder buff, but it's fun, it's better than no physical activity and it is oddly invigorating. Now if only I could get my husband into it......

My Take on the News

These people rock. Seriously. Read this.

Welcome to Atlanta

It’s way too early But I'm up anyway, enjoying my coffee as I watch the sun come up. If I look over the formerly abandoned projects and past the old folks high-rise (They're under rennovation now. I hope they're not going to be projects again.), it's quite nice! :) I got a note from our property manager in the door last night, sometime post-10:30, and it brought two questions to mind. One, who the hell is wandering around sticking notes in our doors at that hour (not that it's that late, but goodness, the office closes at 5! Someone must have stayed VERY late!) Two, WHO THE HELL IS ROBBING PEOPLE AT GUNPOINT IN MY PARKING DECK? (well, visitor parking anyway). And as it it wasn't bad enough, the perpetrator took not only the man's wallet, but also his dog. Talk about fucking up someone's day.

Find Your Spot

Find YOUR Spot

Botz told me about this Web site called FindYourSpot.com, which is supposed to help you figure out where you want to/should live. It asks you all kinds of questions about your life, hobbies, interests and preferences for everything from government to climate.

While I have no opportunity to move at any point in the near future, I found my results intriguing.

Augusta, GA - quite close to there, actually, but not the city I'd prefer.
Phoenix, AZ - I love, obv.
Tuscon, AZ - Never been, but I love Arizona, so I'm sure I'd like this, too.
Chesapeake/Virginia Beach, VA - I found this interesting. I think it's because of my preference for weather, convenient mountain/woods/beach terrain & culture.
Orlando, FL - No clue why? Warm? Beach?
Charlotte, NC - I think this is along the lines of Virginia Beach

I won't go through all the rest, but I found an interesting trend--one of big ol' Texas-size proportions. Nearly 1/4 of the cities on my list are from that state. I also hit the three major cities in Tennessee as well as three in Florida. Similarly interesting is that an Ohio city came up on the list before Atlanta.

I guess I mostly learned that the south is where I belong (I consider that Cincinnati nonsense a fluke), and other than Texas, the southeast, especially.

Charleston SC
Houston TX
Norfolk VA
Memphis TN
Fort Worth TX
Oklahoma City OK
Tampa FL
Austin TX
El Paso TX
West Palm Beach FL
St. Louis (dangerous!) MI
Nashville TN
San Antonio TX
Dallas TX
Jacksonville FL
Cincinnati OH
Atlanta GA
Knoxville TN

They should pay me

Ms. Jessica Wojcik can truly appreciate my affinity for hair products, I do know that anyone who has lived with me (which is a lot, thank you Chi Omega house) is aware of my dedication to AquaNet. I know where to get it (not sold everywhere!), how much it costs and that it pairs perfectly with a teasing comb. Surprisingly, I have found something better. If I possessed enough celebrity to benefit financially from product endorsements, I would whole-heartedly support BigSexyHair Spray & Play Harder. It's firm but not helmet-hair inducing, holds well and has thus far surpassed all prior hairspray experiences. And combined with the same brand's Root Pump Spray Moose, I really do have BigSexyHair.

Quotes

"Don't be dismayed at goodbyes. A farewell is necessary before you can meet again. And meeting again, after moments or lifetimes, is certain for those who are friends." - Richard Bach

Quotes

If only somehow, somewhere, there was a way to live again the days we have darkened with our blind haste - the innumerable occasions when our indifference trod on all the pearls of God’s graciousness; the times when our pride, or our fear, or our meanness poured the acid of contempt over the fair countenance of another’s soul! If this grace were ours, how we would leap to the chance. --Unknown