Monthly Archives: January 2010

In Defense of Patti

“Millionaire Matchmaker” has returned to Bravo.  I brushed this show off as trash until I was recovering from severe food poisoning two years ago.  I spent three solid days lying on the couch, looking like a sub-Saharan starving kid with a belly full of parasites, watching a “Millionaire” marathon.  I was completely hooked after two episodes.  Pattie pulled me through my illness with her straight-talk, no-bullshit baditude.

My favorite Patti-ism: Patti was trying to explain that men are visual creatures and women can take longer for attraction to set in.  She got all worked up at the camera (I love it when she gets worked up and starts flailing her arms.  It makes her muppet resemblance so real) and said, “Men are like microwaves and women are like crockpots.”  Pure gold!  So true on so many levels!  This woman is a genius.  I can easily overlook her blatantly mean comments about the women with short hair or weird noses because she speaks the truth.

The other part of the show that gives me the warm fuzzies are the millionaire bachelors themselves.  Do you feel bad about being single or having a non-millionaire boyfriend?  You won’t after seeing the freaks Patti dredges up from the bottom of the money lake.  “Money does not buy social skills” could be the alternate title.  Awkwardness abounds.  You’ll squeal in delight under your snuggie as you watch socially clueless (but somehow wealthy) men try to make painfully awkward small talk with women.  You can make it into a drinking game by taking a shot every time you see a woman looking offended, remorseful, or regretful.  Looks that makeup cannot hide.

-Martha

Making Changes

It’s been a little more than a month now into 2010 and all those people that made New Year’s resolutions are starting to come to terms with the fact that they have already fallen off the wagon and messed up their resolution.

At this point they have three options.  The first would be to tell themselves “I only missed a week of working out, or that one pack of cigarettes doesn’t really matter, I just won’t count that” and continue to work on their resolutions cheating the whole way.  The second approach would be to just say screw it and go back to the way they were living their life before they made any crazy promises to themselves. The third approach happens to be my approach, make a new resolution to never make another New Years resolution again.

While I fully support examining your lifestyle and deciding to make changes to better your life, making a decision to do that based on the start of a new calendar year is just ridiculous.  Statistics show that 97% of New Years resolutions fail.  Instead of deciding to change things in your life because “it’s the thing to do at that time” decide to make those changes because it is right for you at the time that is right for you.  Your chances of succeeding are exponentially better and when you do mess up, which you will because we are all human, it will be much easier to just look at it as a setback and not a broken promise.

So far?  I’ve had a 100% success rate with my resolution!

-Lindsey

Ready, Set, Go!

Marcus and I are leaving for Hawaii and it is going to be FABULOUS.

That being said, we are not bringing computers with.  And I AM TURNING THE E-MAIL OFF ON MY PHONE.  OH MY GOD, EVACUATE THE DANCE FLOOR.  Our Hawaiian adventure is going to be something like Pioneers on the Oregon Trail meets 1999 Early Technology Adopters meets Dial-Up Internet for emergencies.  I die.  And Marcus is going to be in heaven.

So where does that leave Tenaciously Yours, then?  Like I would leave without a plan.  Get serious.  I have such a treat for you!  I’ve taken the time and liberty to line up some guest-posters who I pulled from a group of my brothers from other mothers, sorority sisters, confidantes and kin.  Translation: They are going to be keeping you BUSY and I AM SO EXCITED!  Some of them wrote about things that you would never, ever expect to come from me, others are just hysterical and all of them are fantastic.

Things you can imagine me doing whilst I am away…

  • Popping Lorazepram like it’s candy to make it through the flights.  For the record, Lorazepram is the one thing the late MJ and I have in common.
  • Laying on the beach like a lizard on a rock.
  • Eating Macaroni Salad (gross, but SO Hawaiian)
  • Climbing a Volcano!
  • Watching the Whales :)

It’s safe to say that Marcus will be doing most everything that I’m doing with the exception of the self-medication.  Even though he’s able to fall asleep on the plane before it even takes-off, he’s learned very quickly that flying with me means that we get to hold hands.  FOR FOUR HOURS.

I know most of you are given towards sharing your feedback with me via e-mail, text or Facebook.  This week, PLEASE comment on Tenaciously Yours, and show these people some love.

And, because I wouldn’t leave you all high and dry, be sure to check out the Grocery Shopping Challenge 1.31 – 2.6: Special Edition.

Discoveries!

Mmmm…Free Stuff.

Today I used some of my Groupon Bucks to nab a $20 for $50 @ Solera Groupon.  Except for the fact that it was totally free because of the bucks.  I love my life.  Marcus and I still need to use the moto-i one that I grabbed about a month ago.  At this point in time, all signs are point “yes” for he and I to go on some really fun dats post-Valentine’s Day.

The life lesson I learned this afternoon is, Don’t brew tea in a black mug.

For most people, that’s probably an intuitive one, but I had absolutely no clue until I peered into the watery depths of my drink and realized I HAD NO CLUE as to what was going on in there.

God, the discoveries.

Pierce Strikes Back

In the spirit of having a dialogue on Tenaciously Yours, my Dad (aka Chevy Chase’s character Pierce on Community’s soul-bro) wanted to throw in his two cents about non-traditional students.  Enjoy!

Pierce Replies

Last week my Son wrote a guest post (He Strikes Again, Jan 22) taking the time to demean and excoriate non-traditional students.  Apparently he was concentrating on an old Mom when he should have been learning the lesson that ends with, “don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”

If fact, “Billy” is correct, I do inject my sage advice in class. Often. Unlike the average 18-23 year old, I actually do have decades of experience in a variety of subjects and have been called by colleagues and in performance reviews, ‘creative’, ‘expert’, and ‘world class’.  While not a “movie snob”, I am actually paid to give my advice and opinion on a daily basis.  Since I’m on my second round of college, working on my MBA, I learned something that I did not comprehend the first time around.  The lesson: If you read the text in advance and listen to the professor, you can actually participate in class, learn more, and your grades will be higher. Plus your cost per class hour goes way down.

Interestingly I have an old Mom in my class and she has waaaay too much time to post and reply online.  I have to agree with “Billy’s” irritation. But, please remember, the non-traditional student is like you, the traditional student, in that they are trying to learn something new.  They may have had failures in the past and are now trying hard to make sure not to make the same mistake again.  They probably have not had the same advantage that you do in attending college full-time while young, but remember, where they are, you may someday be.  Follow the golden rule. Try talking to them sometime.  Non-traditional students can actually be pretty cool and may know something or someone who might benefit you someday.  And who knows, maybe they’ll learn something from you.

-Dad

If Santa Claus was a Pharmacist…

Most girls pull out an old purse and find like, a long-lost tube of lipstick, or $20.  I pulled out an old purse and found Lorazepram.  I win.

All that aside, I am 100% positive that I was stricken with RLS this afternoon.  I think we can all agree that some days are longer than others, but that was really just the icing on the cake.

On the positive side, with the exception of a few toiletries, I am completely packed for Hawaii!  When I stopped by The House on the Hill before Dad and I went out for dinner at Mort’s, I grabbed a suitcase, purposefully picking out one that was relatively small in order to curb my impulse to pack everything in sight.  Good plan, right?

Yes.  Except for the fact that it was just a tad bit too small for the essentials.

So where did that leave me?  Not quite in a bind…But, can you say Ladybug Bag?

Yes, I mean that vibrant, most-beloved satchel that Marcus and I picked up in a shady part of Miami last January prior to our cruise because the airline lost our luggage.  Post-vacation, Marcus relinquished full custody of the bag to moi.  It’s actually a very spacious bag, and it rolls.  What more could you need?

And, on a  separate note, I just realized, the magic pill-purse I mentioned at the beginning of this post is also in that picture.  You see?  It’s TOTALLY a vacation purse.

Two more wake-ups, and I’m hightailing it into the sun!

The Big 1-4-0!

Happy Founders Day Kappa Alpha Theta!

It’s pretty incredible to think that 140 years ago, four ladies found one another at a school that men didn’t want them to be able to attend, and that they managed to create something so enduring.

So, I thought I would entertain you all with some photos of the WONDERFUL, life-changing, incredible, selfless, bossy sisters that Theta has given me.  They are my strength and my joy.

My Alphas, the largest family in the house.

Meeting Chairman Bob with the Seniors during Sisterhood Week…

My GORGEOUS littles + moi!

Fighting for my family’s honor…And winning.  But OH MY GOD, the pain.

Spring Jam, obviously.

We add another to our ranks.

We make like Boxcar Children and hit the tracks.

We learn life skills essential to the northern climes…

Best Valentine’s Day gift, ever.

And we help one another down the aisle.

God, in the interest of time, this was only the last year of school and my first forays into the real world.  So I truly didn’t even get to show you half of the women who make my life complete.  I am so blessed.

Planning-Planning.

Planning?  It’s what I do.  It stops on Friday morning.

I finally got around to making a rough-draft packing list last night and when I opened my closet this evening, I realized I forgot to include the pink Polo dress that I purchased specifically for the trip on my list.

At this point I promptly proceeded to realize that I needed to carve some time out of my schedule to go shopping this week to pick up some last-minute supplies.  So you can fully expect that Thursday night will be a hot-mess of driving around the NW ‘burbs, last-minute laundry doin’ and pack-a-licious ness.  The anticipated result? A girl who can enjoy Friday to her heart’s content and not even have to worry about a thing.  Yipes. 

So where am I going with all of this?  Roll with me.

Hawaii is supposed to be a vacation.  Obviously.  So you had better believe that if it looks delicious, it will go in my mouth.  No questions asked.  But at the same time, I want to be able to pack some healthy snacks before we leave so that I have some good “go to” options that aren’t chips from the gas station or something horrible of that ilk.  Let’s get serious, we all know there are certain times during the day that I get hangry if I haven’t had a little something to nosh on.  What’s the point of acting surprised when it happens?

To that end, I am SO fortunate that a college homegirl, the Foodie in the City was willing to ask her readers what their thoughts were on Lara Bars v. Clif Bars v. Luna Bars as meal replacements and snacks and what their favorite flavors are (there’s no sense in taste-testing when someone’s already done that for you!).  Check out the Battle Of The Bars.

And, to share a bit of irony with you all before I get my life together and go to sleep…After the great NBC debaucle of 2010, I’m proud to share that tonight is the first time that I’ve seen an episode of Conan.  And naturally, it’s a re-run.

We are all victims.

It was really lovely this morning to be able to wake up and not feel like death warmed-over.

In an effort to get set for Hawaii, I did a fridge-purge on Sunday to get rid of all of the old, malingering, dressings/condiments/foodstuffs that just needed to be cut loose.  At least I can sleep soundly knowing that I won’t return on the 7th to find a bad surprise, despite the fact that I haven’t written a packing list yet.  My priorities are totally in order.

Because I’m captivating, I find it necessary to tell you that I finally managed to mobilize and get myself to Target to pick up some eyeliner.  Which was totally necessary because though I’m a fan of the au naturel look, it rarely suits people on a daily basis.  While my parents will be the first to tell you that my eyes look perfect without any embellishment, I feel naked.  For the record, I’m super-basic when it comes to makeup.  A stick of Revlon Colorstay eyeliner suits me just fine.  A couple swipes and I’m good to go.

And finally, a new concept for you all: Weather Terrorism.  I was introduced to this phrase by my little bro, Brian one morning via Twitter.  Today, I think it’s safe to say that we are all victims.  What is Weather Terrorism?  When the weather men/ lady-meteorologists of the Twin Cities get a hold of the microphone and proceed to tell us that the driving for that day or the next will be some of the worst we have seen this month/this season/ever.  And immediately, regardless of the actual condition, you have people crashing into each other and guardrails all over the place

We are all victims.

Parched.

The most pesky part of this ’bout of crud that I’ve been dealing with over the weekend is the thirst.  I am by nature, an over-hydrator.  But this weekend I have been thirsty like someone who has been crossing the desert, or who has to haul their own water each day from a well several miles away.

Example: I woke up at 3 am this morning with a headache I would expect at the onset of a hangover.  Except for the fact that I haven’t been boozing.  What was going on?  THE THIRST.

To prove to you all how unstoppable the thirst is, I’m on my second carton of orange juice for the weekend and have been drinking water like it’s going out of style.  I cannot win.

To make today slightly more productive than yesterday, I’m going to make a variation on Tomato-Bread soup that Claire Robinson made yesterday on Five Ingredient Fix (it sounded delicious and I am still in hearty food-mode, but since it’s pretty much ALL tomatoes, it’s healthy) and start writing the packing list for Hawaii.