things that fit

I collect things that make sense. I connect with it for whatever reason. Then I do nothing with it. I'll keep them here.

Quotes from heroes that passed, or unknown nobodies. When it feels like me, I'll put it here.

Brilliance is everywhere. The universe is always reaching out to tell you something. Sometimes we listen then quickly forget the lesson.

Pay attention. Learn from everything.



Keep the messages in your pocket and refer to them when the situation calls.

US VS THEM

it is no secret that i am a bed wetting liberal. some have accused me as being a socialist. i take no offense. i lace my boots up everyday and fight for this country. it is a privledge and an honor to do so. i respect most views as long as they are educated, not based on propaganda or underlying hatred, racism, homophobia, or sexism.

i believe as an american, in the greatest country in the world, we all should have basic rights, be educated, and healthy. we all should be able to earn a living wage, where we can adequately support our families, seek medical attention, go to college if we so choose, make decisions concerning our bodies, marry whoever we want, and live the american dream. why is that so wrong?

this election, and i suppose every election, divides us. US VS THEM.

i find it so hard to believe that people can think so differently. that we breathe the same air. live in the same neighborhoods. see the same wrongs. struggle the same hardships. but have very different solutions. there is straight up anger that comes from the right, directed to the left. enemies on the same team? the same america? what am i missing?

the day in 2008, when president obama was elected, changed the world. whether you love or hate him, life as we know it, would never be the same. the people, those without a voice in the past elections, made this change. 80% of obama's funds came from donations of $5 or less. do you know how significant that is? no big business, not the 1%, we did it. the little people. and that pisses the previous "powers that be" off to no end. we aren't supposed to be heard. better that we are forgotten. what can we do for them anyway but be their worker bees to generate their very hefty incomes? break our backs and often go to bed hungry while their great grandchildren live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

obama was handed a shit show that was generating way before the mess of the bush administration. what does the right expect? he cant perform miracles. i do agree obama needed to be tougher. his way goes like the ways of linden b johnson. an "honest broker" that took no shit and bullied people into submission. obama has been too nice. no matter what he proposes, it was and will be shot down by the good ol boys. and this has nothing to do with policy or procedure. this is strictly the right not excepting the idea of an non-white commander that was actually put into office by the people.

being a soldier, i have to respect the president. whomever that turns out to be. but god help us all if that turns out to be mitt. i have a million reasons why that would be devestating. too many to list. too many to wrap my pea brain around. i love this country. this outcome is the worst outcome for america.

what i find more and more as i grow older, is that i have nothing in common with the right. i have ended friendships and lost respect for superiors with their views. after i find out just how differently our brains work, i realize life is too short to waste time with people who make no sense. how can we build a relationship when we look through different eyes? i do my best to understand, but i just cant. i always thought i had an open mind. i thought of myself as nonjudgemental and excepting. that is not true.

the right comes from a place filled with hatred. blaming the victims. they do not believe in helping their fellow man. but want in our vaginas and personal lives. they sit idlely by while our jobs go anywhere but here and walmart takes over the world. the left lay down while the right shits all over them. occupy wall street/america? in theory was good. but did nothing. they laugh at us. silly little hippies.

tomorrow we'll see where our future is going. im scared. a sleepless night for me.

vote. protest. boycott. write. speak. help. lead by example. do your part. and for gods sake, dont go to walmart. if you do, you are part of the problem. google it. theyre the most evil entity on earth. you go to save pennies? you are costing yourself so much more.

what makes me the craziest are those republicans who are under paid, unemployed, under educated, no health insurance, no savings, no retirement fund, living in poverty, and no hope of ever rising up. you are setting up generations for the same circumstances.

they dont know us. most have never met someone like us. they dont know we exist. those who do, believe we put ourselves in dire straights. they dont care if we have a roof over our heads or food on the table. they want to force us to have babies we cant afford no matter how those pregnancies came to be, but they wont lift a finger to help you with that child. they wont let same sexes marry, but they can marry as many times as they want. they hate the liberals, but the liberals are the ones to pick up the pieces and extend the hand. not just a large donation that really is just a tax right off. liberals get in the trenches, get their hands dirty, sacrifice and fight for your better life.

who will you turn to when youre down and out? not your govt. they want you to disappear.

Chicken-cord-on-blue

That was my costume. I recycled this one. I was this same thing about 13-14 yrs ago behind the bar at EGYPT Night Club on the Waterfront. I stole it from a NYC DJ who was wearing it that same night. because I have new,dope, bright, blue, Pumas and this was a completely different crowd, i figured why not? so check this BUZZKILL out! I give my friend a clue of "Winner, winner, CHICKEN dinner" and he guessed it right away! how was this possible? his waiter from the other night was being the exact same thing!!! WTF!!! It took 13-14 yrs, and it got to that dude. AND it looks like he had the idea 1st! i immediately contacted my gf, who i know has a pic of us all those years ago just to prove it. I put more of an effort into it the last time, but this way was fine.

the boo looked awesome in his batman snuggy. even more awesome, he can use it everyday, not just for holloween. but check out the gene simmons dude. his shoes were like a foot tall. we hung with that guy a lot, but we will never know who he is in real life. good times, good peeps, another holloween. feels like holloween 2011 was yesterday.

hurricane sandy about to hit us. i tend to not take this stuff seriously. i should, considering this is my job. schools closing, businesses shutting down, evacuations. maybe i should have some fear, but i dont. working from home the next couple of days. that makes me happy, considering i was to be on 12 days in a row. i get burnt out. especially because my boss is the biggest moron on the planet and i don't know how he walks and chews gum at the same time. or how he bullshit his way into this position. i really worry about the mission we are on. it is doomed with him "in charge". we let him believe that, as we work around him. he's a tard. enough on that.

going to LA for my birthday!!! woo hoo! 40 is a BIGGIE and i feel aweome and need to celebrate. when i lived in LA, i never got to do anything being saddled to the abusive clown. i never got to just be. the boo cannot get away in december, so i called my west coast bestie and set up a visit. im so excited. yoga, beach, nightlife, sunshine. i want to see just how far i can run on the beach path, visit a friend on the boardwalk, do things i could never do with the clown. i had free yoga and he made it as if even yoga class was sinister. he told his friend that i do yoga to look better for other men. accused me of the same. everything was suspect. it became pointless to do anything, go anywhere just to avoid the abuse.

my boo? says "have a great time. i'm sorry we can't go away together". he feels bad. i say we have a whole lifetime to celebrate. i understand. we can celebrate any ol way. with friends, just the two of us, on a beach or in his basement. i dont care. he is the main reason i feel so great. im happy. that is his gift to me and he worries that not enough. it is waaayyy more than enough. happiness? its new to me. he helped get me here. he keeps a smile on my face. makes me feel safe. cared for. loved. this again is new to me. so good. i do think he's a lil worried about me being out there and being tempted to do something. but i have no intention. why would i risk the best thing that ever happened to me for some dude that means nothing? i just want to hang with my crazy girlfriend and laugh. he knows that. but he knows my past and i can feel his anxiety. i cant let that stop me from living my life. as i have stated in previous posts, i can not sacrifice my wants to make someone else happy anymore. im not hurting anyone by visiting my friend. end of story.

ooooooohhhhhhh. the storm is getting good. time to hunker down with the dog, bon bons, reality tv, the internet and my man. xoxo

Now I say HOOAH!

I completed the Army 10 Miler yesterday. BIG deal for me. I was told distance running was not in the cards anymore after my injury running the San Fran Marathon in 2005. I proved them wrong.

39, about to be 40 any second, I was approached with the opportunity to run as a team. I explained that I really wanted to. I'll train and if my knee is ok, Ill do it, but no promises. And train I did. 4-5 days a week, at stupid o'clock in the morning, I ran. I stuck to the treadmill because it is less impact on your body. I protected my knee and when there was pain, I stopped. Running on a tradmill is very different than road. I could build up endurance, but I knew I would struggle when the race came. Also, I never ran past 8 miles. I worried that I would end up walking during the race, and tried to convince myself to leave my ego back in Philly. I remember trying to sooth my team members who worried about their performance "whatever happens, happens. Let's just try to have a good time". I was really talking to myself.

The day couldn't have been more beautiful. Perfect running weather, trees turning a million vibrant colors, and the Nations Capitol as our backdrop. We did it. All of us. The pride we earned that day is priceless.

We all ran at different paces in different waves. For some of the team, this was not their first ATM. 5 of the 16 run Keyan style. Fast as shit. For a few, this was their first race of any kind. First distance run. For me, I had something to prove. You can never tell me I can't.

Not only did I run the entire race, I did it in 88 mins. BOOOOOOOMMMMMM. The 1st three miles were a struggle. I remember thinking, "Oh shit, 7 more miles". Then my stride became effortless. I started picking up speed with each mile marker I passed. The hills became fun, not an obstacle. I was now passing people from waves that started 10-15 minutes before me. When I crossed the finish line, my thought was what's next?

After the race we clebrated with hugs. We were awarded with coins from the Command Sergeant Major of the Army Reserves who just happened to be getting interviewed by our Rally point. We took the metro back to the hotel, jumped in the car, and made our way back home to avoid the traffic of 40,000 people trying to leave at once. It was a great day.

Again I proved to myself that there is nothing I can't do. I am a product of what I believe. I believe I'm a warrior. Half marathon next.

In the history of the 338th MED BDE, there has never been a team for anything. We started something very cool and we plan to grow. Lead from the front. Be an example. Engage your fellow soldiers and continue to accomplish things you thought you couldn't. Things in our unit changed yesterday. A new morale. We are proud of ourselves and everyone else is proud of us too. We need to use this momentum to inspire others to join us,

Now, I'm not saying there is no downside. I'm barely moving today. Last night was a little rough as well. I am still almost 40 with injuries. Walking is not my friend right now. Heating pads with my knee propped up watching reality TV. Thank God I had off from work. Taking a couple days break from running, but not too long.

More pics to come.

Fitness on the Cheap/My Workout Hustle

Since I have nothing significant to report, I figured I would share some things. Being that I like working out, and my budget is small, i gotta find a hustle. so i will share my secrets.

daily deals are my best friend. especially groupon's "now" deals. that site always has a class at a fancy fitness facility, yoga studio, personal trainers, specialty classes such as;spinning, rowzone, cross fit, boot camps, and the like. often you can buy groups of classes or memberships for a fraction of the real price.

i downloaded a free ap "Deal Drop". this ap combines all the deal sites into one place and knocks it down into categories. there is always something on there at a much lower reduced rate.

Lululemon and Athletica give free in house or off site classes all thru the week. "friend" them on facebook to get the skinny. they even have running groups and clinics for any skill level.

during the summer, "Urban Yoga" holds once a week classes somewhere outside. this year it was at the comcast building. last year it popped up at different parks around the city. again, friend them on fb for info.

every studio/facility wants your business. if you go on their website, 9 times out of ten they have a deal for new students. i just found a week of free classes at The Yoga Garden on south street. think about it. its $16 a class normally. major score. http://www.yogagardenphilly.com/

a new yoga studio just opened in my hood. and while under construction, they invited local yogis once a day for a free practice until they officially opened. even though it was not completed, it was still one of the most beautiful studios i have ever seen. i will definitely go back, even if i have to pay full price. haha. check them out. http://www.digyoga.com/philadelphia-classes.html

meetup.com has several fitness groups. you can find whatever youre into. i belong to "Run Like a Philly Girl". over 400 members and several runs a week at all different times and areas of the city. all paces and distances. beginners to marathoners. i have run with them several times, but now i dont have the time. even their early runs are too late for me.

lucky for me, i have a gym at work. i am there by 6am mon-fri. i always have someone to run with (its our job, we have to do it). im fortunate that way.

Pinterest is my new favorite thing. not only can you find anything that interests you, they have 1000's of workouts that do not need a gym. you don't have to leave your house. whatever your fitness goals, you can get it on Pinterest. the workouts are dumbed down, step by step. you can "pin" them to a board you create just for work outs. heres mine... titled "keeping it sexxxaaayyy " http://pinterest.com/pin/152629874841601602/

another free ap i have, (im new to it, so im still learning), is "Fitocracy" . you do not need a smart phone because it's on line as well. www.fitocracy.com . both the ap and the site are linked together. its a mixture of workouts, tracking progress, ideas, and it also has the social networking side with groups, friends, and strangers getting involved with your routines. they give support and info to reach your goals. it feels like a group effort and makes you accountable. when people are paying attention, youre more likely to get your ass in gear. plus, my Boo's brother is on there and is kicking my ass in points. so it becomes competitive as well.

there is fitness "On Demand". free classes right in your living room, included with your cable. most people don't know this. but its pretty awesome and changes frequently.

you can also find classes on line. back to yoga, there are several sites with classes from amazing teachers. search "free yoga online". there is an overwhelming amount of resources. im sure you can find any class if you search that way.

and last but not least youtube.com. anything you want to learn or see is on there. when i get a workout from Pinterest and it mentions an exercise ive never heard of, i go to youtube.com and in seconds im taught.

i cant think of any other hustles, but im sure i have them. OH! volunteer at a facility for free memberships. sometimes this is as little as 2 hrs a month. i wrote a blog for a studio for a while and it gave me free classes and workshops. pretty sweet.

if you see military personnel...

its ok to thank them. wish them a safe trip. buy them a coffee. carry their bags. but please leave them alone!!!

being in the airport in uniform is a double edged sword. people are nice. bumps to 1st class. smiles and handshakes. but then there are those who think because you are in uniform, you must be sociable.

one time, it was 530 in the am. i had my headphones on, reading my nook. i couldnt have looked more preoccupied or unapproachable. a man actually made me take my headphones out to ask me what "APO" stood for in overseas addresses, because he owns a business that sends to "APO" addresses. then he proceeds to tell me about his business and how it will benefit me and my soldier friends. then he goes on to tell me he was a volunteer firefighter before, asked me personal questions, wants to know my reasons for joining the military and so on. DUDE, IT IS 530 AM!!! IM TRYING TO CHILL BEFORE MY ASS KICKING TRAINING IN WISCONSIN! he didnt care.

on my way back from that trip, same thing. headphones and nook. "my cousin was in the navy. have you ever been to japan? he liked being in the navy. blah blah. blah". another gentleman..."when i was in the army we didnt have MRE's (meals ready to eat), we ate out of tin cans".

today, on my way to Indiana, most of the people just say "thank you" and keep it moving. some will ask you where you're going, how long you'll be there, what will you do there, who watches your dog, and just wont let you have any peace.

just because we wear a uniform and you see us as the "good guys" doesn't mean we are friends or we want to chit chat at stupid o clock in the morning. please leave us alone. does it ever dawn on you that maybe were about to get our asses kicked in a training for the next few days or months? or were on our way to fight a war? that we had to run around like nuts to get our lives squared away just to get here and this could possibly be the only down time we will have in god knows how long? ITS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!!

i know these people dont mean to be pain in the asses, but if you see someone with headphones, reading a book, talking on the phone, or going into a bathroom... that is not the time to make conversation with them!!! say hi. drive on.

i know i sound like a bitch, but its so fucking frustrating. im not your dancing monkey. im not here to entertain you or be your sounding board. i signed my name on the dotted line. that ends my obligation to you.

idiot

i read his most recent crap. his judgemental bullsit. hes the expert on all things "cool". it is so comical. i wonder if he believes hes fooling anyone?

he pretends to be back east helping out his family. that is a big lie. he doesn't do anything to help them. unless by "helping" he means living with them while they support him, clean up after him, give him a car, do his laundry, feed him, blah, blah, blah. why is he still here? bouncing around philly? places i could possibly be. trust me, he does not want a chance run in. this hatred in me, directed at him, has not dwindled a bit. i don't think i will be able to walk away like the last time his stalker ass just happened to pop into the yoga class i was taking. coincidence? total impossibility. i was so freaked out, i bolted. i didn't want him to see what car i drive or what direction i was going. i just wanted away from him. fast.

ill always remember that stupid face he had on. acting shocked and hurt that i would react like a caged animal breaking free. putting on a show. nothing about him is the least bit genuine. he is fake to the core. a walking lie with a lot of expensive education.

the only reason he is still in the area is he cant get back to LA. i would bet the farm he still doesnt have a job, but tells anyone who will listen about all the upcoming projects he has in the works. any day now he'll be a huge success. he's working with so and so on a big budget so and so. yeah, they let him be a part of the process, but in the end, nothing.

but if it means anything at all, his internet friends, who've never met him, think hes something special. but anyone who knows him? really knows him? knows hes a clown.

i can't stop reading his shit. every time there is something new, its like xmas morning. its so laughable. the image he portrays, the guy he so desperately wants people to think he is, is the exact opposite of the person he is.

keep poppin into all the trendy spots just months ago you pretended to hate. i thought west philly is where its at? your gangsta days at the U of P? remember those? ivy league hood rat with the wealthy parents? hahaha. you look real hard when youre lounging out in your parents jacuzzi next to the pool. if i remember correctly, i think you poked fun at those of us who chose to spend our money in cc/no libs? are we changing our image? does this one suit you a little better today?

please raise the money to go back to LA. stand on a corner with a bucket and beg for change if you have to. i would gladly contribute to that fund. the main reason for that? i cant get in trouble. i could lose everything Ive built for myself with just one punch to your face. in reality, i prefer a bat. but what are the chances of me having a bat with me? slim to none.