Category Archives: music

icy weather will not win

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Today was cold. Really cold. Bitter cold. The whole day, at work, looking outside at the icy coldness (clear skies in the winter are rarely warm skies), I kept thinking of all the reasons to not go running. Then I thought of going on the treadmill, knowing how easy it would be to get off the treadmill if I got tired. Even on my way home, I was still debating whether I was going to run. Such a mental game.

And then I remembered the sweatshirt I didn’t want to wear on Saturday because it wasn’t cold enough. This sweatshirt makes it possible for me to run when it’s freezing cold outside because a) it has a high neckline…like too high for normal wear…and b) it has a hood. I purchased this sweatshirt at H&M back before people in the U.S. even knew what H&M was (thank you Switzerland) and I it was one of two sweatshirts that made it through the Great Closet Clean Out of 2010 (thank you, New York Relocation). I don’t know why I kept it, but it was perfect for tonight. And for some reason, the desire to wear that sweatshirt was motivating. (I am seriously amazed at how normal and weird I can be simultaneously.)

So, after realizing that running on the treadmill (at first I typed dreadmill…talk about a serious Freudian slip) would surely end in disaster (me quitting after half a mile) and deciding that I would, in fact, survive running outside, I donned my winter running wear and was ready to head out the door. And then I remembered the joys of the runny nose that happens in the freezing cold. So, I coated my nose in Aquifor (basically petroleum jelly) so that it wouldn’t be totally raw by the end of my run. And then I was off.

In case you were wondering, there is nothing sexier that winter running. Nothing. (Runners everywhere wish that was true.)

The run was fantastic in terms of my cardiovascular stamina. I took it at my normal slow pace and was doing great…and then a cramp struck my left calf. Serious muscle pain. You’ll be happy to know that I did not let this slow me down. I just pushed through it. Sadly, it was so cold that my poor calf only managed to loosen up with a half mile left in my 3.5 mile run, but it made for an amazing last half mile.

And, because I know you really wanted to know this…the Aquifor on my nose kept me from touching it (there was a lot of sniffing) or wiping it, so my nose is perfectly happy and in tact. Totally worth it.

Finally, the song that accompanied my super fast last half mile (and then some)…Michael Jackson’s The Way You Make Me Feel. As I ran, I imagined myself doing a little MJ dance, with the hand snap and all. It was awesome.

If you ever want to feel hard core, just go running in the freezing cold. I swear people were looking at me like I was amazing…or maybe like I was crazy (hard to tell, but I’m going to go with amazing).

Tomorrow, speed work. I can’t decide if I want to try to do this outside since I can do 1/4 mile sprints easily given the street system here in NYC…or if I want to use the treadmill. We shall see.

top 20 of 2010

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And on the music note (pun intended), I will now post my top 20 songs from 2010…the songs that will always remind me of this year in my life. I tried to make it 10, but…with my life being so clearly cut into two this year “Before New York” and “In New York”, it was just too hard, but I did divide it appropriately. In no particular order (and only including running music if I listened to it outside of running…that needs to be its own list):

Before New York

  1. Turn to Stone – Ingrid Michaelson
  2. Sick – The Lovemakers 
  3. Search Your Heart – Pete Yorn & Scarlette Johansson
  4. Your Hand In Mine – Explosions in the Sky
  5. I See You – Mika
  6. The Poison – The All-American Rejects
  7. Poker Face – Idina Menzel & Lea Michele
  8. Uprising – Muse
  9. Brooklyn Blurs – The Paper Raincoat
  10. Corner – Allie Moss
  11. Little House – Amanda Seyfried
  12. Comes and Goes in Waves – Greg Laswell
In New York
  1. Dog Days Are Over – Florence + The Machine
  2. A Little Bit Stronger – Sara Evans
  3. Empire State of Mind – Alicia Keys
  4. California Gurls – Katy Perry
  5. Alors On Danse – Stromae
  6. Teenage Dream – Glee Cast
  7. Raise Your Glass – P!nk
  8. One Last Time – The Kooks
That was a lot harder than I thought it would be…and I’m missing a lot of songs, but limiting it to 20 made me have to cut things down quite a bit.

top five

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I love music…probably more than I love anything else (even chocolate :-). I grew up with parents who loved it and made music a part of our lives everyday…sometimes to our chagrin. (Listening to my dad play the same four bars of music on the piano all day long did not do a lot to motivate me to learn how to play the instrument, nor did it to anything for my dislike of Cannon in D.) 

Moving on. Music has always been a huge part of my life. I can think back to any point in my life and name a song that reminds me of that time. If I were to create a “mix for my life” it would include anything from Metallica to David Lanz, and include really random stuff like The Party (anyone else remember them?). 
As I have been thinking about all of the music-related posts I would like to write, I’m going to start with this; the top five albums from my youth (through high school…not after). These are albums that I can (to this day) listen to end-to-end without skipping more than one song because I love them that much (and they hold so many memories).
  1. Shawn Colvin – Fat City
  2. Counting Crows – August & Everything After
  3. Dave Matthews – Under the Table and Dreaming
  4. U2 – War
  5. Madonna – True Blue
Eventually, I’ll make a list of all of the songs that represent my life (for my own sake…and that of my posterity), but this is where I’ll start. 

i’m a crappy blogger

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I seriously have so much to say. And so many fabulous NY things to share. But no time to do it. As it is, I’m averaging between 4 and 5 hours of sleep a night and if I try and add blogging in…well, let’s just say it’s not a great idea. 

So, here we go, bullet point style:
  • My friend, Kari, is in town from Arizona. I have been playing the role of tourist (and really, just because I cross the street when I’m not supposed to and get upset when people stand on the left side of the escalator does not mean I’m a native). We have had a great time. Circle Line Cruise around the island, night time bus tour, etc.
  • I saw Wicked for the third time. I still love it! Probably my favorite musical of all time. Admittedly, I didn’t get chills this time like I did when Stephanie Block played Elphaba, but it was still amazing.
  • Taking full advantage of Restaurant Week…although the restaurants are probably winning since I keep ordering off the regular menu. If
  • Saw (500) Days of Summer…fell in love with this song (two versions…one live, one not):
  • Had my mid-summer review with my boss. So far, so good. Hopefully it stays that way, although today was rough…I had serious ADD.
  • Speaking of internship, I’m over halfway through. It has been an incredible experience. I’ve been given some really amazing opportunities. I’m loving the company. I’m loving my boss and the three other women in my little space. I love the building in which I work. 
  • London might be where I’m living next fall…it’s a long shot, but wouldn’t that be amazing!!!
  • I have no money to show for my internship, but lots of pictures and lots of…pounds? Yes, I am eating my way through NYC and loving every minute of it.
  • I’m starting to get excited about seeing all of my school peeps, but the thought of leaving New York really is starting to break my heart!
I’m tired. It’s past my bed time. That’s all for tonight.Â