Saturday, February 28, 2009

Confessions Of A Crazy Couch Potato....


Radiohead - Creep
When you were here before,
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel,
Your skin makes me cry

You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You're so very special

But I'm a creep,
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here

I don't care if it hurts,
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul

I want you to notice
when I'm not around
You're so very special
I wish I was special

But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doin' here?
I don't belong here, ohhhh, ohhhh

She's running out the door
She's running out
She run run run run...
run... run...

Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so very special
I wish I was special

And I'll tell you why. It is my fault that I am unable to run now. I did it to myself. It was brought on by my own stupidity.










I had another X-ray yesterday and it yielded the same result as the first X-ray and the second X-ray. NO FUCKING HEALING! There is a 2-3 millimeter separation in my bone going into the joint. That is all I know. So, I will be seeing another doctor on Monday. I am hoping against hope that I do not need some sort of surgical intervention. A pin or screw or something like that.

I fucking hate this shit. I am frustrated and confused. And, I did it to myself. This is all my fault. I am unable to grasp why my body is rebelling against me. My sister just said to me that I should concentrate on what I can do instead of dwelling on what I can’t do! Yeah right!!!

I am sure there is some sort of logical explanation as to why my bone is not healing back together. Perhaps it is a lack of calcium in my body?? Although, I doubt that because I am a cheese/yogurt/dairy lover!!!










I really don't want to alarm you but here is what I am starting to look like.

















You can clearly see that it is me. The curly hair and cute shoes. If you look real close you can see the crack in my TOE!!! Also, notice the remote control that I am clutching and the beer I am apparently drinking. I think I am enjoying myself but, I am not entirely sure.

I know, I am a big complainer. I like to whine and cry and get all sorts of attention. SO WHAT???

I just glanced out of my 4th floor window and the sun is shining. It is calling out to me. Teasing me. HAHA, you can't run. Then when I do go outside, guess what I see? People. Running. All around me. That is not very nice Ms. Sun. Do not mock me. I won't have it.

Oh so I am ordering this. yerba mate tea and I have a great recipe for chai.
2 Tablespoons of Yerba Mate
and a 1/2 teaspoon of each
cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, allspice and nutmeg
or you can switch out the allspice for clove
Just put it all in a coffee maker and then you know, put it in your favorite mug and you know, drink it.





It's buy one, get one free. Run and do it. Then let me know how you like it. Lots of raw foodies drink this tea. I do not know why, but perhaps it tastes good???

Speaking of food, this may get your motor running for the weekend 10 delicacies. Before, you say EWWWWW or GROSS consider this. Perhaps, just perhaps one of those items actually tastes, you know....GOOD??? I will never know, because there is no way in a witches tit that I would put any of those things into my mouth.

But, I did consume turtle soup once. I kinda liked it too.















This photo takes my breathe away.
IT IS A FIRE RAINBOW - THE RAREST OF ALL NATURALLY OCCURRING ATMOSPHERIC PHENOMENA. THE PICTURE WAS CAPTURED ON THE IDAHO / WASHINGTON BORDER. THE EVENT LASTED ABOUT 1 HOUR. CLOUDS HAVE TO BE CIRRUS, AT LEAST 20.000 FEET IN THE AIR, WITH JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF ICE CRYSTALS AND THE SUN HAS TO HIT THE CLOUDS AT PRECISELY 58 DEGREES.

The Universe told me:
Actually, the only effective way of changing another person, Michelle, is by changing yourself.
Works every time, guaranteed.


The Universe


AND:

















"I don’t know what’s right and what’s real anymore, I don’t know how I’m meant to feel anymore!!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Am I The Only One???











AM I THE ONLY ONE?????

I am needing to come clean here! During President Obama's speech on Tuesday evening, when he started talking about a young woman named Tyshema Bethea and they panned over to her standing tall, well not tall, standing short, next to Michelle and Michelle was smiling down to her and she didn't even look up or respond, I fucking thought that she was a grown up woman!!!

I DID AND I ADMIT IT!!! What the fuck was I thinking??? Here is this young whipper snapper all like "we are not quitters" and here I am thinking how short she is and how she wasn't smiling up at Michelle. Plus, did you notice what she was wearing?? Is that typical 8th grade attire? I THINK NOT!!!

At about 1 minute into the video Michelle really tried to get her to smile and she just wouldn't. I was all like dude, smile at Michelle. SMILE DAMN IT!!! Then Michelle starts hugging on her, and still barely a smile. I think at that point I picked up my barely used running sneakers and threw it at the TV!!! I missed, by the way!!!

So, I need to know. Was I the only one who thought that Tyshema Bethea was a grown woman???? Because if so, I feel like a fool!!! I am not angry at my President for he did nothing wrong. I am not angry at Michelle for she tried her bestest. I am angry at the person who dressed Tyshema and made her look, for all the world to see, like an adult in a child's body.....

WE ARE NOT QUITTERS!!! That is great and all but still. Tyshema was probably thinking to herself "Yo Michelle why do you keep looking down at me with that strange smile going on??? I just want to get home in time to see Hannah Montana and American Idol ya know??? Can you ask Mr. Barack to speed things up a bit??? Also, I don't like being double hugged, since I am so tiny and all.

Here she is on ABC News, now come on!!! Doesn't she look about 43 years old Tyshema Bethea YES RIGHT?? I knew it!

Ok, I feel much better now knowing that everybody else thought the same thing as I did!! I lost some much needed sleep over this...I am not being facetious although at times I kinda fancy a bit of facetiousness in my life. And in my defense, Tyshema is short isn't she??? Ok, done.

I want to mention those followers that people were talking about all week. I believe I lost 1. Now I see its all different up there. It looks good, but so different and even though I admit, I am different than most, I like everything else to stay the same. I like consistency and I like the security of knowing that things are progressing along nicely without all the hoopla and changes. Can't we all just love each other and follow each other without this blogger bullshit???

Because that is exactly what it was!!! BS!! It's ok though, I am over it.

I did this once, I am doing it again:











It's not that I think lurking is a bad thing, I don't and I do. Lurk that is. I am declaring Thursday February 26, 2009 National Delurking day on Rawcool. All I ask is this....if you read my blog, leave a comment. Just like that blue yak did over at his hilarious blog a while back, leave a comment saying Hi, or Hello, Or where you are from or just one word. And then when you do I will gladly hop on over to your blog and read and comment too. So, its a win win. I meet you, you meet me!!! Easy peasy!!!

Also, since I am asking you nicely to comment, I need to ask this:
Is using disqus.com easier or more annoying than the regular blogger commenting. I want to make it as easy peasy as possible for all of my readers to comment and want to comment without any annoying features or questions. So, I am asking for opinions and thoughts here. Thanks guys!!!

The Universe told me:
Have you ever noticed, Michelle, that the only difference between "think" and "thank" is one letter?
I haven't decided what that means, but it's got to be absolutely HUGE.

Tallyho,
The Universe

"Go on then, run." "Isn't there some kind of like, special technique?" "Well, yeah. You put one leg in front of the other over and over again really fast!!!

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Brain Stew - YUMMO!!!!


Green Day - Brain Stew
I'm having trouble trying to sleep
I'm counting sheep but running out
As time ticks by
And still I try
No rest for crosstops in my mind

On my own... here we go

My eyes feel like they're gonna bleed
Dried up and bulging out my skull
My mouth is dry
My face is numb
fucked up and spun out in my room

On my own... here we go

My mind is set on overdrive
The clock is laughing in my face
A crooked spine
My sense's dulled
Passed the point of delerium

On my own... here we go
























So, since its Hump Day and since I have a bunch of questions to answer I thought I would do just that. A runner friend of mine, Steve sent me some cool interview questions. You need to check out his blog steve in a speedo, not only because he is hilarious and a great runner, but he also features photos of his feet in various stages of blisters and other grossities.

Yep, so lets get on with it!!

1.) What brand of athletic gear are you most loyal to? Why?
When I first started running I was Mrs. Nike all the way!!!. I thought about how cool I would be with matching outfits for every single run. Then, it became apparent that I wasn't Mrs. Nike and wouldn't be inheriting any Nike outfits so I switched it up a bit. And my running outfits became a mishmash of all different brands. Remember the red fanny pack???? So, when I realized that that wasn't working either, I went back to Nike. So, yeah Nike. Just because it makes me look stunning and slender and like a real runner as opposed to a pretend runner.

2.) Which Simpson's character would you get along with the best? Why?

Mindy Simmons for sure....Mindy Simmons

Ever wonder if you've got a female equivalent lurking the lonely streets and lookin' for love? Well, that's exactly what Homer found in his coworker Mindy Simmons, a foxy redhead with an insatiable appetite for chili dogs, double-glazed doughnuts, and beer-fueled sessions in front of the tube. Swoon. Homer finds he's falling in love with Mindy Simmons, the beautiful new engineer at the plant. Things only get worse when Homer and Mindy are sent to represent the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant at the National Energy Convention in Capital City. The more time they spend together, the more Homer begins to fear that there may be more fusion at the hotel than back at the plant. Mindy tells Homer how she feels about him, and even though he's tempted by her beauty and her love for doughnuts and sandwiches, Homer stays faithful to Marge. That would be me. Mindy.


3.) If you had to pick a current game show to be on, which one would you pick? Why?
I am going to have to say Do you want to be a millionaire???? WHY??? DUDE, its not a very hard question to answer is it??? It's simple really. YES, i want to be a millionaire please!!!! Also, I love Slumdog and I think this game show is going to be resurrected again with Mr. Regis Philbin whom I have a crush on. I don't care that he is 78 years old. I just love him damn it..... But seriously, its a fun show with all the tenseness and rudeness and humor that a game show should have. Plus, REGIS!!!! Come on, you love him too right???

4.) On your drive to work, do you listen to alternative, classic rock, NPR, or the local pop station with the trashy and shameless morning show?
Oh, this is a no-brainer - ALTERNATIVE all the way.  But,  my iPod secretly contains lots of pop trash. Too much perhaps. I used to listen to the shameless stuff. I especially loved when they did the crank calls and scared people into thinking something bad happened to their family or friends, only to admit this is a crank call when the person at the other end was hysterical crying thinking they lost all of their savings. It was fucking funny AND i laughed uncontrollably at all the ways that people were fucked over.

5.) Who'd you rather: Angelina Jolie or Jessica Simpson?

AGAIN, a no-brainer - I am going to have to go with Angelina Jolie. First, she has sexy lips. I like big lips. Not over inflated lips like Goldie Hawn's botoxed grossness but sexy when you kiss you have something to hold on to. No i do not kiss with my hands but i like to kiss lips that have some sort of suction going on as opposed to lips that you can just slide off of. Ok, not a clue what I am talking about really. Also, and this is most important, I think, If I rather with Angelina than by proxy I am really rathering with Brad Pitt. Which is really what I would rather do anyway!!! So, yeah Angelina for sure!!!




















The Universe told me:
In both relationships and life, Michelle, trust begets trust.
Generosity begets generosity.

Love begets love.

Be the spark, especially when it's dark.

Hubba, hubba -
The Universe

Homer: Whew! I made it the whole day without seeing her again.
[The elevator arrives and Homer gets in. The door closes and he
notices he's crammed in with Mindy]
Aah! I mean, hello!
Mindy: [awkward] Heh...I guess we'll be going down together -- I mean,
getting off togeth -- I mean --
Homer: That's OK. I'll just push the button for the stimulator -- I
mean, elevator.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Biggest Movie Event Of The Year - Or I AM Wolverine!!!!


Where as me, I'm an Australian who played an Australian in a movie called Australia "HOSTING"

The night was magical. I was going to don my prom dress from 1980, but I thought better of it, when I snuggled into my sushi pajama's and damn, I looked good. Plus, my good blogger buddy b.e.earl green man had this really cool live blogging thing going on where we were all able to chat throughout the show. It was the best Oscar night of my life.

Let me explain why. I got to meet and chat with cool blogger buddies who were actually intelligent and fun and had great opinions and jokes. Also, I learned about bacon infused bourbon and speakeasy in Manhattan. So, thanks green man. You rock!!

As far as the biggest movie event of the year, I liked it. I liked Hugh Jackman and his Broadway style hosting. I liked the gowns, all of them whether they looked like table clothes or like a queen was walking down the red carpet. I loved that Heath Ledger won for best supporting actor for his quintessential performance in The Dark Knight. He is The Joker. Period. I liked how they had former winners in each category introducing the nominees. I liked Goldie Hawns over inflated lips which we all agreed was due to way to much botox. I liked to see all of the youngsters from Slumdog Millionaire at the Oscars even if most of them couldn't speak a word of english. YET!!! I loved to see Tina Fey - Liz Lemon up there with Steve Martin and Steve telling Tina DO NOT FALL IN LOVE WITH ME!!! I liked Beyonce. I liked that Jerry Lewis was greeted with a standing ovation when he took the Kodak Theatre stage to accept a special Oscar for his longtime charitable endeavors.










Do you know that Jerry Lewis is a multihyphenate?? Not a clue what that meant until I went to google. It simple really. It means a person with a hyphenated profession e.g. singer-songwriter, actor-director, but especially a person with several such roles Cool right??

I know you all know this, but what would a Oscar post be without a listing of the winners!!! WOOHOO!!!!

Winners! A Complete List From the 2009 Oscars
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Actor in a Leading Role: Sean Penn, Milk
Actress in a Leading Role: Kate Winslet, The Reader
Actor in a Supporting Role: Heath Ledger, The Dark Knight
Actress in a Supporting Role: Penélope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Director: Danny Boyle, Slumdog Millionaire
Original Screenplay: Dustin Lance Black, Milk
Adapted Screenplay: Simon Beaufoy, Slumdog Millionaire
Animated Feature Film: WALL-E
Foreign Language Film: Departures (Japan)
Original Score: A.R. Rahman, Slumdog Millionaire
Original Song: "Jai Ho," A.R. Rahman and Gulzar; Slumdog Millionaire
Art Direction: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Costume Design: The Duchess
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Film Editing: Slumdog Millionaire
Documentary Feature: Man on Wire
Documentary Short Subject: Smile Pinki
Animated Short Film: La Maison en Petits Cubes
Live Action Short Film: Spielzeugland (Toyland)
Sound Editing: The Dark Knight
Sound Mixing: Slumdog Millionaire
Visual Effects: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: Jerry Lewis

So, there you have it folks. It was a grand evening and I had a blast!!!

Universe told me today:
There were a lot of reasons you chose to come to earth, Michelle, and I am super happy to tell you that not one of them was to master being poor, lonely, or sick. Incidentally, neither did you have any intention of living your life without a Mac Book.
Clutch!

You came to "kick butt," Michelle...
The Universe



AND:

Entry number: 343590
NYRR member number: 74790

Username: Michjoy61

Dear Michelle 

We have received your application for the ING New York City Marathon 2009.

Your entry number is 343590. Please include this number and your name in any correspondence pertaining to the marathon. To check your status, or to update/change personal information, click http://webapps.ingnycmarathon.org/marathonregistration and enter your username and password that you created within the application.

If you applied for guaranteed entry with a fast qualifying time, well get back to you in about one week. If you believe you are eligible for guaranteed entry by one of our other guaranteed entry options, please send an e-mail to marathonmailer@nyrr.org now (or by the May 1 deadline) with a short note explaining your reasons. We'll get back to you in a few days.

The lottery for U.S. applicants will be held in mid-June, and the international lottery will be held in mid-May. Results will be posted on our website as they become available. We will e-mail accepted entrants and process their fees upon acceptance.

For more information about the ING New York City Marathon, please visit http://www.ingnycmarathon.org. To book travel and hotels with the official travel agency of the ING New York City Marathon, click here

Thank you for your interest in the ING New York City Marathon 2009, and best of luck.

SO, WISH ME LUCK THAT
1) I GET IN!
2) I CAN INDEED RUN 26.2 MILES.



Sunday, February 22, 2009

Sarcasm Is Beautiful.......


Snow Patrol - Lifeboats
Hold on, hold on, let me get the words out before I burst.
there´s no truth at all, poking at the giant eyes of ancient gods
Cool heads have failed; now it´s time for me to have my turn.
Kiss me, kiss me, life is far too short to scream and shout.

Flashed up in my wildest dreams, like red blood streams,
Stretching up like vast skies.
The veins of you, the veins of me, like gold forest trees,

Pushing through and on and in.
Gliding like a satellite in the broken night,
And when I wake you´re there I´m saved.
Your love is life piled
Tight and high set against the sky,
That seems to balance on it´s own.

Sing out, sing out, the silence only eats us from the inside out.
I meant no harm but I only get to say these words too late
Wake up, wake up, dreaming only leads to more and more nightmares.
Snap out of it; you said it in a way that showed you really cared.

Sunday WORD OF THE DAY:

Facetious
To make an attempt at being funny, while being sarcastic at the same time.
1 : joking or jesting often inappropriately : waggish

2 : meant to be humorous or funny : not serious



I am not quite sure why I picked these words today, I suppose it could be the way I am feeling.



Legendary NYC Vegetable Peeler Salesman Joe Ades, 75 dies.

"... no one believed his answer to the 'So what do you do?' question: 'I sell potato peelers on the street.'"















Joe Ades was a virtual fixture at Union Square Green Market for the last 15 years or so selling potato peelers. The first time I saw him doing his "spiel" I literally was transfixed to my spot and you can be assured I bought one of his swiss made stainless steel potato peelers. The guy was genius. He was always there too.

I would look around at the other people transfixed in their spots and their faces told the story. Wonder and joy etched with a childlike happiness at this man trying to sell and make a living.

Joe died 3 weeks ago of a heart attack and here is what the New York Times said in his obituary:

His was a particular kind of street theater in a city that delights in in-your-face characters who are, and are not, what they seem. For he was the sidewalk pitchman with the Upper East Side apartment. The sidewalk pitchman who was a regular at expensive East Side restaurants, where no one believed his answer to the “So what do you do?” question: “I sell potato peelers on the street.” Mr. Ades (pronounced AH-dess) died on Sunday at 75, said his daughter, Ruth Ades Laurent of Manhattan. She said he never talked about how many peelers he sold in a year, or how many carrots he had sliced up during demonstrations. She said he stashed his inventory in what had been the maid’s room of the apartment.


The man in the thousand-dollar suit sells his $5 potato peelers on New York City street corners six days a week. Ten hours a day.

Joe Ades could talk a starving dog off a meat truck.. Joe says: "Never underestimate a small amount of money gathered by hand for 60 years," he says with a grin.

And here are some comments from New Yorkers:
I saw Mr. Ades in Union Square and Borough Hall. After 4 years of hearing his pitch, I bought one of those peelers.
God protect the person who breaks or loses it. It's my baby. I love it.
R.I.P. Joe Ades. My condolences to the Ades family.


Peeler Man!!!
Oh, man, he'll be missed.
:(


My wife bought five. She cried when I showed her this clip. Me too. I shall use the peeler tonight and think of Joe and his family. What a treasure.

Sad to see this story. I had no idea.
A little more than a month ago I saw him coming up the stairs at the subway stop on 86th and Lex and he seemed to be struggling with his luggage carrier. When I tried to help he refused....
I never thought it would be my last encounter with this legend!

I wish I had gotten one, too. I always loved hearing his voice and to see those carrot pieces flying.

There was this for him Joe Ades Memorial

So, yesterday, I decided to take a subway ride to Manhattan to do a Trader Joe's - Whole Foods run. I exited the subway at Union Square and wandered a bit at the Green Market when I saw a crowd gathering. I walked up and saw a woman with a familiar english accent selling something. WHAT THE FUCK??? She was selling potato peelers. And not only that, but she was giving the exact same spiel as Joe Ades!! I politely asked, "hi, are you related to Joe"? "Yep, she said. I am his daughter.

She told me "some parents leave you money when they die, well my dad left me with peelers and carrots, so here I am". FUCK YEAH!!!

I bought one from her. She was pretty good at it. Not quite as good as Joe but I think she will get the hang of it and become a fixture in her own right. Joe taught his daughter, Ruth, how to hawk children's books on the street, so she could put herself through Columbia University. "What's the key to your dad's success?" she was asked
"Tenacity and patience," Ruth replies.

And Joe said: "I think that's the secret of happiness. Not doing what you like, but liking what you do."




RIP Mr. Peeler Man, you will be missed!!!!

He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.
» Between men and women there is no friendship possible. There is passion, enmity, worship, love, but no friendship.
- Oscar Wilde



I have an interview post coming as well as a discussion of the Oscars!!! I am going to be watching from 6pm until it is over!! I predict Slumdog Millionaire as best picture!!!

We'll see!!!

Saturday, February 21, 2009

You Could Be Happy.....


Snow Patrol - You Could Be Happy
You could be happy and I won't know
But you weren't happy the day I watched you go

And all the things that I wished I had not said
Are played in loops 'till it's madness in my head

Is it too late to remind you how we were
But not our last days of silence, screaming, blur

Most of what I remember makes me sure
I should have stopped you from walking out the door

You could be happy, I hope you are
You made me happier than I'd been by far

Somehow everything I own smells of you
And for the tiniest moment it's all not true

Do the things that you always wanted to
Without me there to hold you back, don't think, just do

More than anything I want to see you, girl
Take a glorious bite out of the whole world

Something very sad happened Thursday evening to a good friend of mine. Well, not directly to her but to someone she knows. My friend is a pediatrician and has had an office in the same place for over 30 years. She is my running mentor and just a great person.

She was treating a 9 year old girl for about a week with various symptoms. Sore throat, vomiting, nausea, belly pain. This little girl, Nicole was the daughter of one of her nurses. Blood tests came back fine so a sonogram of her belly was done. There they saw enlarged lymph nodes, same as if it was in your neck. Some sort of infection going on. She was vomiting and still not feeling well Thursday evening. She then turned blue and stopped breathing. Her mom called 911 and when they got there, they declared her dead. They tried to revive her to no avail.

My friend now feels that she didn't do all she could to save Nicole and I, in my lame attempt at trying to make her feel better kept on saying to her, NO NO NO!!! Please, its not your fault. It's was just her time to go. You did everything you could to help her. She was having none of it. NO, I needed to get her to the ER and she would have lived.

So, what do you say to that?? I'll be damned if I know. Nicole's mother no longer wants to live. She asked my friend to help her die as she was clinging to her just deceased 9 year old daughter.

I just feel so badly. Bad that a 9 year old lost her life, Bad that my friend is suffering with horrible guilt that she should have done more and Bad that Nicoles mom no longer wants to live.

It kept me up last night. I just couldn't settle down to rest. My mind kept thinking about how fragile life really is. How you must embrace each day that is given to you. How, all the bullshit is just that. BULLSHIT. How fucking selfish i've been complaining about my TOE. I even told my friend that I won't complain anymore. She said to me Michelle, if your feeling shitty about your toe, talk about it.

So, I guess I'm just asking all of you, ummm do you think it was just GOD's plan that Nicole's life was ended so soon??? Honestly, I have no clue. It just seems so pointless to me, that a 9 year old child is taken away so soon.

I know, that is the typical question we ask. Sure when your 95 years old and you pass away, well it was expected and even though just as horrible, just not as shocking I guess.

I just wish there was a way I could help my friend to feel better. But, I don't think there is right now!!!

Whatever it is you want, however you want to have it, no matter why you want to have it, Michelle, you can have it faster if you can first be happy without it.
Sneaky, clever, foxy, wry -
The Universe

Thursday, February 19, 2009

I Am A Distant Dreamer With Clouds Before My Eyes....

















It's just as confusing to me as it is to the doctor reading the X-ray. No healing is showing on the X-ray. No calcification which is what is needed for a broken toe to show healing is happening. He said he is surprised after 1 month that the X-ray looks the same as the first one taken.

I admit though I was not very compliant with what I was supposed to do. That ugly orthopedic boot that I was supposed to wear every day, yeah not so much. Got yelled at for that by almost everybody who said something along the lines of
"NAH NAH TOLD YOU SO".



RUN:
Jan 2009 4 4:31:26 24.16 11' 14 2,813 +191 -188 +3 1.8 --
Feb 2009 1 0:35:42 3.00 11' 54 314 +26 -26 +0 1.9 --
OVERALL 5 5:07:08 27.16 11' 18 3,127 +217 -214 +3 1.9


Up there, those numbers are my stats for the year 2009. You can see it. In January I ran 4 times. In February I ran 1 time. So in the year 2009 I ran a grand total of 5 times. GO ME!!! I burned 3127 calories which I put back on and then some. It's pretty horrifying, those stats huh? When I look at them, I get sick to my stomach.

I know, that is so dramatic and perhaps ridiculous but its how I feel. I cannot help but clicking on that website where all my stats are located and just stare at it in disbelieve. I had so many hopes and goals for my running in 2009. Now? Not so much. It's all up in the air as to when I can run again.

The plan is twofold:
1) See an orthopedic doctor for further ways to get this TOE healed. Perhaps being casted although if that is what is suggested I will probably run out of the office screaming and flailing my arms as a insane person would do, hoping beyond hope they don't drag out the straight jacket.
2) Wait perhaps 10 more days and have another X-ray.

Oh and wear the shoe. So, I am wearing the damn thing. Only time I will take it off is when I shower and sleep. Needless to say, I am not a happy camper. I'm OK, just not happy.

Here is what I am in the mood for. A very nice cocktail served to me on my couch with free refills all night long. I probably would go for an appletini or a mojito!!! Either of those would do. Perhaps some hordeuves too?

Life goes on!!! RIGHT????

The Universe told me:
Dreams are like that, Michelle... Most of the time you don't even know how close you are, until after they've come true.

Sometimes, even, the very day before they come true, it still feels like they're a million miles away.

Something to remember.
Tallyho,
The Universe

"Progress always involves risks. You can't steal second base
and keep your foot on first."

-- Frederick B. Wilcox









AND:














P.S. I took the liberty of borrowing the above Go Suck A Toe from this beauty of a lady annsrants. Go visit her and tell her rawcool sent you!!! She is funny and will make you giggle.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

This Lawn Is Your Lawn....



It has occurred to me that I have not posted about something very near and dear to my heart in a very long time. The name of my blog being Raw Cool. Some of my old time readers know where that came from but for my newer readers, I think it's about time I told my story.

So, does anybody know what raw foodists eat? Who they are and what they stand for??? Do they eat raw chickens? Raw meat?? Absolutely not. Raw foodies eat raw food. Period. Food that is not cooked.

Here is a quick definition via wikpedia:
Raw foodism (or rawism) is a lifestyle promoting the consumption of un-cooked, un-processed, and often organic foods as a large percentage of the diet. If 60-100% of a person's total food consumption is raw food, he/she is considered a raw foodist or living foodist. Raw foodists typically believe that the greater the percentage of raw food in the diet, the greater the health benefits.

Pretty easy peasy so far right?? Read more about it right here LIVINGFOODS.

Ok, let me back up to November of 2007. I was 30lbs heavier than I am right now. I did not like how i felt or looked. I certainly was not stunning like I am now. So, the internets beckoned to me and I started researching like crazy. And somehow I came across this crazy ass raw diet. It spoke to me. Called to me actually.

I received a beautiful juicer for my birthday and green juiced EVERY SINGLE DAY!!! I never missed a day of juicing. What is green juicing you ask? Well, simple really. Juice green stuff. Cukes/kale/spinach/broccoli anything green. Then of course you add in some sweets - apples/pears/lemons/limes also ginger and lots of it. It took me a while to get my green juice recipe down but once I did, I truly enjoyed drinking that sucker down every day!!!

Then I started making raw friends. I wrote about him before on my blog but I want to point you to RAWMODEL Anthony.
















The dude took me to my first raw restaurant and answered all my silly questions. He rocks and he is such a wonderful human being. I took that video up there from his blog so thanks Anthony!!!

I was pretty hardcore for a while. I ran and ate really healthy and started shedding my weight. Not fast but steady.

Now I'd like to talk about some raw stuff. All of this great info is taken from this amazing blog KRISTENSRAW. Kristen is a good friend of mine and a gorgeous soul of a person.

She calls it Five ways For Living and Loving Raw:

A Great First Step!
Stay focused on an objective to incorporate more fresh whole fruits and vegetables into your diet every day. Once you start doing this, you automatically reduce some of the not-so-healthy foods. This could mean having two green smoothies every day, or eating a salad before every lunch and dinner, or eating Raw breakfasts and Raw desserts (instead of cooked breakfasts and desserts), or all of the above.

Be Flexible!
I'm not a purist when it comes to my diet, and I find that most people succeed with this lifestyle when they take it easy, have fun and remain flexible. This can be very important during those first months of transition (and forever for that matter!). For some, eating 100% Raw is the only way to go, and that's great. But, for many, to easily succeed with a predominantly Raw vegan lifestyle, it can mean being flexible (yet still super healthy) and that can mean living a High Raw lifestyle (in the beginning, at different times during the journey, or all the time).

Don't Stress and Don't Give Up!
Don't freak out if you have a bad day of eating, and certainly don't give up. I'm fond of saying, "Every meal is another chance to turn it around." Over time, as you eat more and more fresh Raw vegan foods, you'll naturally find yourself avoiding unhealthy foods anyway, so just let it happen naturally and enjoy the journey.

Got Greens?!
When I first went Raw, I found that the more greens I added to my lifestyle, the less I craved unhealthy foods. Now, my attention is naturally focused on great and healthy choices all the time. A super way to get more greens is with green smoothies, salads, plant blood (a.k.a. green juice) and adding green powder to your life (one of my favorites is Vitamineral Green Powder).

Fresh Fruit Does Wonders!
Keeping fresh organic fruit around all the time is a great way to avoid unhealthy cravings (And! It's soooo good!). The next time your sweet tooth comes a knockin', eat a banana or drink a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice or eat a date (or 2 or 3!) or enjoy some berries. The craving will disappear as you gently nourish your body with nutrient dense food that is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

I highly recommend you take a look at Kristen's blog. She posts great recipes and tips and just glows and is always willing to help. A great gal.

As the months went on my raw ways started teetering. Badly. I wanted it, but I wasn't surrounding myself with the rawness. Sure, I made zucchini pasta and raw icecreams and had lots of raw dinners, but I never really lived the raw lifestyle. Then, I started missing sushi and real pasta and shrimp and italian food and well, I started eating cooked food. A lot. All the time.

And thats OK. In the process of learning about and eating lots of raw, I lost 30lbs. That coupled with running really allowed me to keep the weight at bay. I would love to lose another 10-15lbs but I am finding it difficult. I like to eat. In fact, I love to eat.

Raw foodies are into all sorts of interesting things. Spring water, colonics, juice fasting, coffee enemas. Then there are those that only eat greens or only eat salads. It really runs the gammit and its so interesting to learn and incorporate and make it your own. It really is folks.

There's great raw restaurants too. This one in particular is amazing. PUREFOODANDWINE. Great food, great atmosphere and great people. I had a wonderful dinner there. Raw sushi, raw lasagna and their icecream is just as good as any Ben and Jerry's I've had.

So, thats my story. I was once raw and now I'm not. I now eat lots of pasta, fish and veggies....and yes i admit i am in love with this PEANUTBUTTERANDCOMPANY. The white chocolate wonderful is to die for and I simply refuse to give it up. My breakfast every single day is oatmeal.

I admit, I've let myself eat way too much. I need to find a way to curb my appetite and I am sure that once I start running again, I will lose the extra weight I am carrying around.

So, that great video up there. What do you guys think??? A White House Garden??? Wow, just think of the implications. You know Anthony has done this amazing permaculture project in his hometown of Minnesota. You can read all about it on his blog. When he lived in Manhattan he actually went foraging in Central Park. He told me once that I should find some grass and plant. Yo, not in Brooklyn. It just wouldn't grow. But, hey you never know right??

So, I still consider myself Raw Cool. Just a different kind of raw and always the same kind of cool.

My Universe told me today:
Until the really "great" stuff comes along, Michelle, do the not-so-great stuff.
The not-so-great stuff always leads to the great stuff. Whereas doing nothing pretty much leads to nowhere.

And do it with a passion -
The Universe


"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end."

-- Seneca














Please folks, send me some good vibes for tomorrows X-Ray of my TOE!!! It will be exactly 4 weeks since it was rudely broken. I would really appreciate it and I hope to be back to running sometime next week!!!! *Fingers and TOE crossed*

Monday, February 16, 2009

"Some Living Things Survive Mainly By Irritating Other Living Things."



I found god
On the corner of first and Amistad
Where the west was all but won
All alone, smoking his last cigarette
I Said where you been, he said ask anything
Where were you?
When everything was falling apart
All my days were spent by the telephone
It never rang
And all I needed was a call
That never came
To the corner of first and Amistad

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why’d you have to wait?
Where were you? Where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me

In the end everyone ends up alone
Losing her, the only one who’s ever known
Who I am, who I’m not, who I want to be
No way to know how long she will be next to me

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why’d you have to wait?
Where were you, where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me

Early morning, City breaks
I’ve been calling for years and years and years and years
And you never left me no messages
You never send me no letters
You got some kind of nerve, taking all I want

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor
Where were you where were you

Lost and insecure
You found me, you found me
Lying on the floor
Surrounded, surrounded
Why’d you have to wait?
Where were you, where were you?
Just a little late
You found me, you found me

Why’d you have to wait?
To find me, to find me

















I wasn't quite sure if I should post this photo for a few reasons. Firstly, I know your all going to be loving on me and not able to resist gazing longingly at my amazing legs. That photo is 1991 rawcool about 45 minutes before the start of the 1991 NYC Marathon. Can you dig that red fanny pack and how amazing it accentuates my entire body. I cannot quite remember what, if anything, I had inside that red fanny pack. I probably thought to myself just how fucking cool I would look as I was galloping towards the finish line in Central Park wearing that red fanny pack.

Anyway, I know your also thinking just how amazing that headband looks on me. Oh yeah. Terry clothe all the way. I was wishing they had velour head bands back then, a girl could only look so good in terry clothe. I'm certain, once again that you are entranced with my long, lean legs. Your delighted, I know. Oh and my smile. I was smiling only because I had no clue of what was to come.

The fact that I'd be running for over 5 hours??? NAH!! The fact that the person I ran with, vomited as we were crossing the finish line and I had to indeed jump out of the way of said vomit. The fact that a banana and a bag of Lay's potato chips never tasted so fucking good to me. The fact that after 5 hours and 18 minutes I hated that red fanny pack with all my heart.

I know what your thinking now!!! Ahhh, rawcool is complaining. NO!!! Rawcool is so cool that any and all complaints are an attempt to talk about my stunning long lean legs.

Why is it, that my legs don't seem to look like that anymore?? I mean its only 18 years later. Am i shorter now? Have i lost height like an elderly woman with osteoporosis?? Because, while I still have those same legs, they are no where near lean or long. YIKES!!!















Exhibit B or Number 2:
I have no recollection of the year. I am guessing 1993 or so. A race on my beloved boardwalk. Notice, if you will the long, lean legs are still there. Plus, I am smiling broadly as I was running by the person snapping the photo whom I think was my sista!!!! It was a 5 miler. Don't know who won. Doesn't matter though, I looked stunning!!!

I promised Heidi over at hihorosie that I would honor this award and share with you 7 things that I love, and then I nominate 7 others for this award.













So, let's get on with it eh?
1) My mom! Yep, ok its out there. I love my mom. She makes me laugh and soothes me when I have a boo-boo.

2) My sista Susan! She is smart and sassy and successful. We like the same music and food. People think we are twins. We're not. I am two years older than she is.

3) Running! No surprise there. If after all these years, I can still say without a doubt that I love to run, well then darn it, I DO!!!

4) My Mac Book and Ipod. I lumped these two together because they are techy stuff and Apple stuff and both provide me with hours of fun and music and videos and stuff.

5) Blogging. Why you ask? Because without blogging, I would have never met any of you. So, I love and appreciate blogging because of the amazing people it has brought into my life!!!

6) Friends that know me, get me and accept me just the way I am without trying to change me. I don't like that in a person. Accept or move on. Respect or move on.

7) Music, reading and writing: Just love it all.

I tag all of you. Feel free to take the award as your own and if you will, share 7 things that you love. That is all.

My Universe told me this today:
Anything you could ever hope that I might one day do for you, Michelle, is something you can begin doing for yourself today, making the whole thing happen about 7,000 times faster.
But that's just if you're in a hurry,
The Universe


"It dosn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you, from the inside, when all else falls away." Oriah Mountain Dreamer

Saturday, February 14, 2009

What Michelle Needs...I Am A Bloggerista

What I See When I Run....













Beyonce - Single Ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies, all the single ladies
All the single ladies

Now put your hands up
Up in the club, we just broke up
I'm doing my own little thing
Decided to dip and now you wanna trip
Cause another brother noticed me

I'm up on him, he up on me
Don't pay him any attention
Just cried my tears, for three good years
Ya can't be mad at me

Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it

I got gloss on my lips, a man on my hips
Got me tighter in my Dereon jeans
Acting up, drink in my cup
I can care less what you think

I need no permission, did I mention
Don't pay him any attention
Cause you had your turn and now you gonna learn
What it really feels like to miss me

Cause if you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Don't be mad once you see that he want it
If you liked it then you shoulda put a ring on it
Oh, oh, oh

Don't treat me to the things of the world
I'm not that kind of girl
Your love is what I prefer, what I deserve

Here's a man that makes me then takes me
And delivers me to a destiny, to infinity and beyond
Pull me into your arms, say I'm the one you own
If you don't, you'll be alone
And like a ghost Ill be gone

It's that simple men, if you like it then you should have put a ring on it!!!!


Sunday WORD OF THE DAY:

Sacrosanct:
1 : most sacred or holy : inviolable
2 : treated as if holy : immune from criticism or violation



My favorite definition is right here:
Regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with: the individual's right to work has been upheld as sacrosanct.

It's all sacred and stuff. Sort of the way I feel about you all. Not in a religious way, although I can see some of you thinking that way, but Yo No!!!

Sort of I cherish the air you breathe and the floor you walk on. YEAH RIGHT!!! Ok, here is the way I feel.

As though I am always thanking and needing and asking and wanting. And believe me, I do not want a whole lot. I just want to run. To be able to get out there and feel the wind and the sun and the beauty of it all. I simply cannot explain how it feels for me to run. FREE! FLYING! BRAVE! HAPPY! I just love it so.

For all you non-runners, well your just going to have to take my word for it. Give it a try if you want. I did try my best to get my sister to run. Come on I'd say, lets just run slow. FUCK YOU!! OK!

So, i want to share some fun stuff with you. Please get comfy and read:
It was discovered on a space mission that a frog can throw
up.The frog throws up its stomach first, so the stomach is dangling out of
it’s mouth.Then the frog uses its forearms to dig out all of the
stomach’s contents and then swallows the stomach back down again.

Ha, whatcha think of that? Can you imagine if us humans were able to do that? I can just picture our tummy's hanging out of our mouths, and seeing what we consumed that day. A hunk of meat? Some congealed cow's milk? A half cooked egg? And lets not forget the parasites and worms that may conveniently call your tummy home! It's kinda gross but the truth will set you free!

Funny stuff:
The following is a recent conversation my friend had with his daughters Sienna, age 10, and Rachel, age 8.
Friend "Rachel, if you don't sit down right now I'm going to sell you to the gypsies."
Rachel: "The gypsies? Where do the gypsies live?"
Sienna: "Duh. Egypt."
Friend: "Egypt?"
Sienna: "Well, yeah. Egypsies."

So cute huh? Out of the mouths of babes comes such gems.

I also discovered, out of the mouths of runners comes such bullshit! Well, not runners, but me to be specific. I'm like all "Hey guys, today i'm gonna run a 10K"!!! They applaud me and say cool dude! I'm nearing 3 miles and thinking "ummm, it sure feels like i ran a 10K just now"!! I carefully check my watch and see that somehow the time does not equal the distance i thought i ran. I'm confused to say the least. So, what should i do? Keep running? Stop and regroup a bit? Go home, change my outfit and start over??? Because i now think that my sports bra is not matching my kleenex tissues i took to blow the snot out of my ever running nose.

I face a dilemma. My buddies are quite amused at me by now and sort of laughing at me, not with me. This irritates me to no end. Sure, i like to be the clown in the group, but when they laugh at "MY RUNNING" i take offense. So, i decide to keep going. They applaud me once again. We fall into the familiar running pattern of me on the far right, my mentor on the far left (running on the horizontal slats) and the slower runner in the middle. We always seem to slow down for her too!

Now its 4 miles and once again, i'm thinking YES i did a 10K! Ooops, check watch, time not equal distance. Dilemma...keep going. Yep! 5 miles! YES! Suddenly, it becomes clear to me. Why the fuck a 10K today? The answer: Not a clue.

So, just like Forest Gump, i just stopped. My buddies keep going slowly turning to see i was standing still. They looked, smiled, waved and continued their run home. I, on the other hand started strutting. I once again wedged my in-ear headphones back into my ears, put volume on full blast and listened to the Beastie Boys all the while strutting home. I was not walking, strolling or even skipping. I was strutting.

So, this is what i go through daily. It's a part of who i am. I can easily tell people i just meet for the first time...Hey, i'm Michelle and I AM A RUNNER! Sometimes, i say my name second. Hey, I AM A RUNNER, and oh yeah my name is Michelle. Either way, i feel so proud to be part of such a wonderful community.

I read in a runner friends blog about sort of endorsing the products you use, and maybe getting some free stuff! I was really excited about the prospect of doing that when i realized i don't really know what to write about. I love products and new things to try when running but somehow when i looked in my running drawer, everything that was old was new again. I am loving my sort of capri running pants, i believe i have some Brooks, Nike, Adidas too. I just looked at the Adidas running pants, and i swear it doesn't look like it would fit a barbie doll. IT FITS ME! Makes me look all slender and lithe! Or as my mentor likes to say athletically slim.

Different story when i get home, desperately try to take the running pants off and notice my tummy sort of drooping over the top of the pants. This is quite unflattering to say the least. I don't care really. I am still proud of myself. Everyday, when i complete a run i am proud. I am happy.

I love running. I really do!

The longest place-name still in use is
Taumatawhakatangihangakoauauotamateaturipukakapikimau
ngahoronukupokaiwenuakitanatahu, a New Zealand hill. Wanna run up it and then down it? Let me know!

Last, but never least I want to do this:
Everything you need
Here’s how it works: Google “[your first name] needs” and share the first 10 results. That's it: it is that simple. But be honest!
You wanna do it? Consider yourself tagged.

1) Michelle needs your help
I really do!!!
2) Michelle needs constant proof of love
Hmmm interesting
3) Michelle clearly needs to shut the fuck up
Fuck yeah
4) Michelle needs 2 pee
I DO, I really DO!!!
5) Michelle needs to be more careful with her voodoo
Voodoo do youdo?
6) Michelle needs new hairstylist
Oh come on now google!!
7) michelle needs a family that will be patient, consistent, kind, loving
I have that already google
8) Michelle needs to go poop
I DO, I really DO!
9) Michelle needs is on facebook.
???????
10) Michelle needs to keep her legs closed
YIKES how boring!!!















And to keep it going, I was given some awesome awards by this lovely lady Fhina that I would like to share here please:





The reasoning behind such a lovely award is that:

"These blogs are exceedingly charming. These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends. They are not interested in self-aggrandizement. Our hope is that when the ribbon of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers.

AND;






Fhina goes on to say this:
For 'Blogging in the Face of Adversity': I offer this award up to bloggers who have faced considerable home-based and/or health issues this past week, and yet they have continued to soldier on, as if their lives depended on it - They are wonderful! And this award, yes, I know it might not fit your sidebar, unless you shorten the birds wings, thus making it forever stunted, but I just wanted you to know I thought you were magnificent, okay?!











Then this great one from the ever beautiful Heidi over at hihorosie. I must list 7 things that I love! Dearest Heidi, I will do that pronto. Next post, I promise OK??? Love ya!!!

Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. "Pooh!" he whispered. "Yes, Piglet?" "Nothing," said Piglet, taking Pooh's paw. "I just wanted to be sure of you." A.A. Milne


I am indeed, very sure of all of you!!!!