Bucket List: Club 33

In my last post, I mentioned that my 2013 mantra was to "Get it Done", referring to all the things I've wanted to do but, for whatever reason (mostly laziness), have made excuses not to do. This concept is something that I've been working on for months, even during last year while making good on 2012's mantra of "Make it Happen." A big part of my "Get it Done" plan is to work on my Bucket List.

In case you've been living in a well in the ground, a bucket list is a list of all the things you want to do/accomplish before you die, or (in more morbid terms) "kick the bucket." Often, a bucket list comes into play after somebody has received life altering news, such as discovering they have terminal cancer. That kind of eye opener really changes how you view the world and how you want to experience it, spurring you to go after your dreams like you've got nothing to lose.

We can all take a lesson from the people who really embrace life and live every moment to the fullest, to not take anything for granted. In that vein, I think, when it comes to bucket lists, why wait? Don't wait for tragedy to strike and give you a reason to go after what you want. Do it now and when your time comes (hopefully after a very long and fulfilling life), you won't have any regrets.

As an inaugural bucket list post, I wanted to get the ball rolling with an amazing experience I had last June. I've been absolutely remiss in my blogging, especially that it's taken me well over 6 months to report back on my incredible dinner at Club 33. (For a detailed history on Club 33, please visit this site.)

I remember hanging out with my best friend many, many years ago, Facebook stalking people (naturally), and coming across an old friend from high school who had posted pictures from her own visit to Club 33. We were blown away, realizing for the first time that plebeians such as ourselves could ever merit an entrance to the most exclusive restaurant at Disneyland. Club 33 jumped to the top of both of our bucket lists that day. For most Disney aficionados, a visit to Club 33 is the crown victory of all Disney experiences.

It was my greatest pleasure to be able to make that dream come true for myself and my best friend. I happened to have worked for a major corporation that owned a membership to Club 33 and once I discovered that exciting little piece of news, it was all I could do not to beg my boss for a reservation. (Truth be told: there was some begging.)

But you don't really care about this, do you? You just want to get to the photos of one of the most exclusive venues in all of California. (Fair warning, the following is photo-heavy, slightly out of order, and not of the greatest quality, I'm no professional photographer, but you should get a decent idea of how great Club 33 is.)

On opening day in 1955, Disneyland patrons came wearing their Sunday best, including high heels for the ladies. It was my best friend's dream to wear heels on Main St., USA just like those who came before us. Another box checked for unique Disney experiences.

It was my singular goal to ring the door bell at 33 Royal St. There was another party who arrived when we did and the hostess was gracious enough to let the other party in first, then humor us as we rang the bell. Goofy, but that's how I roll at Disneyland.

The view from our table, overlooking the River of America, and the french elevator that takes you up to the dining areas. You could also take the stairs, but I recommend the elevator, which was a replica of one Walt himself saw while on a trip to France.

A bit of the dining room and the decor, very classy.

The greatest people you'll ever meet.

As of June 2012, there were two menus: the Vintner menu, with specific courses, or an open menu that you could choose from. We all went with the Vintner menu, without the wine, and the chef even made special accommodations for my best friends, who are vegetarians. The staff at Club 33 will go out of their way to make your stay as magical as possible.

My dinner was absolutely delicious. Everything was cooked to perfection; I even willing ate seafood and liked it! I do not think you could go wrong with anything on the menu, but I really enjoyed everything that was served on the Vintner menu. I highly recommend going that route, as you get a little taste of everything.

Club 33 is the only restaurant at Disneyland that serves alcohol; having a cocktail was definitely a requisite part of the evening. We were also given complimentary shots on the house, and although none of us are big drinkers, we definitely appreciated the special gesture. Also, we decided it was prudent to have second desserts as the dessert menu is beyond decadent, it's obscene with deliciousness.

The ladies room at Club 33. I really couldn't resist taking photos in here. Nor absconding with a handful of monogrammed Club 33 hand paper towels. No shame here.

On the walls you'll find original concept art from Mary Poppins, The Happiest Millionaire, original photos featuring Walt Disney, as well as concept art for Sleeping Beauty's castle. There are also original prop pieces from the films, such as the table featuring the two vases under the castle artwork, which is from Mary Poppins, and the phone booth, which is from The Happiest Millionaire.

These are photos of the Trophy Room, a separate dining room, meant to resemble a gentleman's lounge.

Through door #1 leads to my favorite ride of all, Pirates of the Caribbean. Next time you're on the ride and are passing by the Blue Bayou restaurant, look up at the balcony to where the wicker chairs are. That door you see? It leads straight into Club 33!

After dinner, we were able to go out onto the balcony and watch Fantasmic! and the fireworks, as well as people watch. Having spent years on the ground and looking up at those balconies, wondering how I could get up there, I feel very accomplished having made it after all.

We had an amazing server, Chase, who made our night so special by bringing us Club 33 swag and tolerating our paparazzi-like tendencies (we unashamedly took photos of everything). Our night would not have been as amazing if it weren't for him!

After several hours (and trust me, we dragged it out for as long as possible), we eventually had to bid adieu to Club 33. With pretend tears, we said farewell, but not goodbye, as we will definitely be figuring out another way to once again enjoy the magic of Club 33.

(*Photos provided by myself and Kimberly Williams)

Wanted: Dream Job

Wanted: Dream Job, via.

Last August, my place of employment was bought out by another company that is based out of Ohio. For several months, my coworkers and I speculated that they would certainly close up shop in California due to the high cost of doing business in this state. Our fears were confirmed at the beginning of December when we were given our notice. As of March 1st, I will no longer be employed. Cue desperation.

Today's job market is not much better than when it was at its worst a few years ago, especially in California. The end of the year/start of the next is a notoriously poor time to find a job as most places haven't confirmed their budget for the next year. Although jobs may be posted, employers aren't really entertaining any thoughts of interviewing until they are certain the job will be funded. Cue panic.

I'm in an interesting place as far as my career goes: I don't really have one. I am in possession of two science degrees but I quickly discovered that, after a stint doing cancer research, science is not where my passions lie. I love words; I want to write. The jobs I'm interested in are in publishing. I think I'd be great as an Editorial Assistant, I'm just a tough sell because of my strange education/work background and lack of the catch-all English/Literature degree. Going back to school isn't a feasible option for me right now, since I'm still trying to pay off my other two degrees. Adding a third just seems greedy.

I'm doing my best to stay positive and I'm sending applications/resumes out everywhere. I'm not the type to put all my eggs in one basket, to my mother's relief, and I'm entertaining jobs outside of my preferred field as well. When it comes down to it, I've got bills to pay and I'll get it done - whatever it takes.

To keep my spirits high, I've made an excellent list of my dream jobs below. Everybody has a list of those jobs that they think they would absolutely love and be killer at, but truly have no chance of ever becoming due to lack of transferable skills - ie rock singer, space cowboy, double agent for the CIA (I'd kill to be Sydney Bristow).

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My Dream Jobs:

Staff Writer for a Sit-Com. Maybe it's because I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks by comediennes, but I would seriously love to be a staff writer for a tv show like Modern Family or The Office. The hyberbolic realism of these kinds of shows are so completely on par with my own semi-ironic-but-no-I-kinda-mean-it sense of humor, we'd be a great, no, fantastic fit. I haven't tackled screen writing yet, but I do live in LA and the starving artist that I'm aspiring to be has to write at least one screen play in her lifetime. Did I mention I live in a loft addition that is more or less a garret? I'm practically there!

Body Double. Even living in LA, I have mostly been immune to the Hollywood influence, with no real desire to Be A Star. Granted, I used to parade around my house when I was 14 emphatically trying to convince my parents that I had "Star Quality", even as I possessed no discernable talent apart from being a world class pain. This eventually turned out to be your standard, run-of-the-mill teenage egocentrism that is quickly squashed by the time junior year rolls around and you still haven't been kissed. That's when the Tortured Artist phase begin. Still waiting to grow out of that one.

No, I've mostly disregarded any real desire to be a famous singer/actress/model/athlete. However, the film process has always been a fascinating topic to me. I often enjoy the behind the scenes special features on a DVD more than the actual film. Anything that gets me a glimpse into the actual cogs of a working film is like catnip, I can't resist it. So, secretly, of course, I have kinda, sorta, always wanted to be a body double. I'm practically average in every way (a pseudo-mediocre Mary Poppins, if you will), including: height, weight, hair and eye color, etc. I'm moderately athletic, so with a bit of training and conditioning, I could probably wield a sword convincingly enough, ride a horse, fall off a tall building, or get blown away by an explosion with minimal to no harm to myself. I think I would rock at it, actually. I'm not afraid of much in terms of physical activity - I'll climb anything, seriously - and I'm not freaked out by gross stuff, I'll sit in a vat of mud if I have to. I'm extremely reluctant to do any nudity, which is probably why I'll never be a body double. Right, that's why my body double career would never work out . . .

I've actually been told on several occassions that I have a passing resemblance to Anne Hathaway, and my aunt is convinced I should be her body double. I would gladly volunteer to do so! (She does her own nude work, so I'm totally set.)

Kinda, sorta? AH photos via here and here.

Voice Actor. Okay, so maybe I lied about not really wanting to be an actor. I don't, not really. Put me on a stage and I'll clam up tighter than Scrooge McDuck's wallet. But voice acting for cartoons or reading audibooks? Sign me up! I already have a voice that sounds childish, often cartoonish (from what I'm able to discern from hearing myself on camera/voice mail, etc), I have even been weirdly complimented on my voice from a stranger in a Communications class I took in college. I'd need to work on my ability to create different voices for different characters, but again, I think I'd enjoy this career enormously.

Travel Correspondent. A la Samantha Brown. She has the best job. I love traveling and would find such great pleasure in learning about different cultures, exploring different cities, and reporting back my findings. I'm not the biggest foodie, but I'd give it the old college try if it meant I could travel anywhere in the world on somebody else's dime. I'd even eat raw fish, which is a HUGE concession for anyone who knows me. I think she's freelancing right now, but Samantha is about to give birth to twins, which will keep her fairly busy for quite a few months. I volunteer to cover any assignment that she is unable to complete. Please?

Meteorologist. Not really, but I do think they're kind of cool. They're the psychics of the science world. What other job lets you make wild Nostradamus-like predictions about the weather with limited accuracy or results, and still get paid?

I could totally do that.

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It may appear that I'm joking around and not wholly serious about any of these jobs - which is mostly true - but if there's a casting director or agency reading this and want to have a conversation about any of the above opportunities, I will gladly sit down with you and explore my options. No, really.

Until then, I'll hang in there and, with a little hard work and some luck, I'll get the job I've been dreaming of.

Someday, via.

2013: Getting It Done

What is the start of a new year without a few resolutions? I'm not a fan of resolutions, as I believe there is an innate shelf-life to them that ends somewhere in the middle of February. On the other hand, I love making goals. Last year, I set a few goals for myself and although I may not have achieved all of them to the degree I had envisioned, I'm still proud of what I was able to accomplish.

A big fan of mantras, last year was the year of "Make It Happen" and I believe I was successful in altering my outlook towards life as one of action versus inaction. You can either choose to be passive and let life happen to you, or you can take the initiative and make life happen for you. I infinitely prefer the latter. As such, I am taking what I've learned from the last year and have set a handful of goals for 2013 in what I am dubbing the year of "Getting It Done". There is so much I want to do in this life, from small things such as figuring out how to apply eyeliner without looking like I got sucker-punched, to big things like getting published.

Dreams are great, but they're all talk until you do something about it - so get it done!

For 2013, I will:

1. Move to either of these three places. There are current job prospects in all three locations, I think I could be happy in any one of them. Each city brings its own unique benefits, as well as its share of sacrifices, but they will all put me ahead in my career in different ways. Here's to moving forward!

Dallas, via.

New York, via.

Burbank, via.

2. Climb Half Dome. I grew up only a couple hour's drive outside of Yosemite, but I never took the opportunity to climb Half Dome. It may be a challenge to complete it if I live out of state, but I am planning to cross this off my bucket list come June. Friends, if you're interested in joining me in this endeavor, let me know - the more the merrier!

Half Dome, via.

3. "Do" Las Vegas. I have only ever driven down the strip, in daylight, no less. I want to do Las Vegas properly, with lots of high heels, impulsive decision making, haphazard dancing, and tons and tons of revelry.

Las Vegas, via.

4. Become a proficient swimmer. Historically, I've despised swimming in all bodies of water with a vehemence known only to the truly pathological. However, I understand the utility of being a decent swimmer - certainly not to an Olympic standard, but well enough so that I can reasonably keep up with my future kids during mommy & me swim lessons.

Become a proficient swimmer, via.

5. Write 12 Short Stories. While also working on my novels, I want to get some practice in, so 12 short stories it is. Short stories, I find, are a million times harder to write than a novel, but can be very rewarding in terms of learning how to become a better technical writer. One story a month, roughly 1500 words or so. I can do this. (P.S. I really want an Underwood typewriter. #love)

Write 12 Short Stories, via.

6. Be more flexible. Being more flexible will help in all areas of fitness, but I just think it would be amazing to be able to bend myself in half like this. The blog where this photo is from has more stretches to improve flexibility, to ultimately improve one's running, but I'd be content to just be able to touch my forehead to my knees.

Be more flexible, via.

7. Buy a dining table. This is a bit contingent on where I end up, but where ever I do go, so long as it fits in my apartment, I will make purchasing a dining table a priority. I went without one all of last year and ate most of my meals on my couch. I want to be a little more sophisticated than that and to actually eat meals at a real table. Plus, table top decorations are fab.

Buy a dining table, via.

8. Pay off a credit card. It's time to be very mindful about making wise financial decisions. I want to pay off one of my credit cards. And. I. Will.

Pay off a credit card, via.

9. Eat better. It's just about impossible for me to stop eating junk, but if I eat healthier stuff first, I'll have less room for the junk. It's basic physics, I just wish I could enjoy veggies more. I will work on it.

Eat better, via.

3. Read 50 classic novels. I have a fantastic list of 1,000 books in literature to read before I die. I haven't made much of a dent in it, so this year I will read 50 books from that list specifically. I tend to read a lot of rubbish and think it would be nice to broaden my knowledge of the classics.

Read 50 classic novels, via.

2013 is shaping up to be an incredible year. If you too have set some goals for 2013, I wish you all the best in achieving what you set your mind to. Get it done!

An Unexpected Journey

This movie season is one I have been anticipating for a long time. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will finally be hitting theaters on December 14th and, boy, am I relieved! I first heard about the possible project being spearheaded by Peter Jackson maybe a year or so after The Return of the King was completed, but then began the long convoluted drama between Jackson and New Line Cinema. I wondered - along with hundreds of thousands of others - if this movie would ever be made.

The wait is over! The movie will be out this December and it gets better: it's going to be released as a trilogy! Oh happy day!

When The Fellowship of the Ring came out, I had yet to read any of Tolkien's works. I was in high school and was going through my uppity, I only read serious fiction, phase (thank God I grew out of that!) and really had no time or patience for fantasy novels.

That all ended the moment Bilbo slipped the ring on at his (111th!) birthday party and disappeared before our very eyes. I was hooked! I must've seen that film a dozen times in the theatre, at least, since it eventually and conveniently made its way to our local $2 theatre, making it a nice way to kill an hour or forty five minutes before moving on to other adventures.

As a sophomore in college, I finally picked up the books and over the course of four months, I spent every available second reading The Lord of the Rings. It only took me so long because I was a Biology major and, unfortunately, had to delegate much of my precious free time to studying. An education in Middle Earth was much preferable, but I was shelling out quite a bit in tuition and had to make an effort, though during my study breaks, I was right there with Frodo and Sam.

I discovered a whole new world of orcs and hobbits, elves and ents, of how good can triumph over evil, of the imposition of modernity and technology against living a simpler life and that you can't always stop change, and what true friendship looks like. The Lord of the Rings opened my eyes to worlds and themes beyond my previous reckoning and, most of all, introduced me to myself.

From there on, I became a fantasy nerd. And thank God for that! Let's face it: the LOTR was pure escapism for me. Why sit through the drudgery of molecular biology texts when you can instead be enthralled by Tom Bombadil? But I found true happiness in these books. I became insatiable, devouring book after book. After LOTR, I read the Hobbit (yes, out of order, but that's okay), then the complete Chronicles of Narnia. And shortly thereafter? Harry Potter. Trust me, that one did not come easy either, but I'll save that for another post.

My mom and I outside The Eagle and Child pub where the Inklings (including JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis) held their meetings.

Eventually, I found my niche, my community, and even my calling in the fantasy genre. I never knew how much I needed whimsy and magic in my life until I found myself in these books. Looking back, it's hard to imagine what life was like prior to LOTR; it's become so ingrained in who I am now that I have to remind myself this wasn't how it's always been.

Many, if they're lucky, find their way into the fantasy world eventually. Some get there by means of a wardrobe, or a police box, or through Platform 9 3/4. For me, Tolkien will always hold a special place in my heart as my gateway drug into fantasy.

I may love Harry Potter a great (great!) deal, but I was an elf in Rivendale long before I was ever a first year at Hogwarts. When life starts getting to be a little bit much, I'm so thankful that I'll be given three more opportunities to dive back into Middle Earth, let Gandalf the Grey's magic restore me, and be ready to slay the metaphorical dragons coming my way.

I leave you with these two wonderful trailers for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and hope you share in my unadulterated glee in watching them:

(P.S. I'm fairly certain I shouldn't find Richard Armitage good looking in his hairy dwarf costume, but I can't help myself.)

Halloween Reads (sort of)

Every year, I like to read a book or two during the month of October that is fitting with the holiday. I love a good theme. In keeping with the seasonal festivities, I am taking my usual habit and kicking it up by 500%. This year, I am making it a point to scare/creep the bejeebus out of me at every reading opportunity.

Last year's read was Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman, a rather tame story in comparison to this year's selections, but very enjoyable. I like the movie quite a bit - who doesn't wish they could join Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman and fly/jump off their roof, holding broomsticks, in front of their whole town? Plus, Aidan Quinn. Although it left me feeling mostly satisfied, it didn't quite hit the Halloween note. You know, the shrill, screeching, knife thrusting towards your face, psycho note.

This year's list brings psycho killers, witches, ghosts, and the End of the World. They may not be precisely Halloween related, but all are suitably creepy or thrilling in nature and should serve their purpose just fine. Naturally, no such Halloween reading list would be complete without Neil Gaiman and Stephen King. Check and check!

Bring on the scary!

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My 2012 Halloween Reads:

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

From Goodreads: After the grisly murder of his entire family, a toddler wanders into a graveyard where the ghosts and other supernatural residents agree to raise him as one of their own. Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead. There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy. But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family . . .

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The Daylight Gate by Jeanette Winterson

From Goodreads: GOOD FRIDAY, 1612. Pendle Hill, Lancashire.

A mysterious gathering of thirteen people is interrupted by local magistrate, Roger Nowell. Is this a witches' Sabbat?

Two notorious Lancashire witches are already in Lancaster Castle waiting trial. Why is the beautiful and wealthy Alice Nutter defending them? And why is she among the group of thirteen on Pendle Hill?

Elsewhere, a starved, abused child lurks. And a Jesuit priest and former Gunpowder plotter, recently returned from France, is widely rumoured to be heading for Lancashire. But who will offer him sanctuary? And how quickly can he be caught?

This is the reign of James I, a Protestant King with an obsession: to rid his realm of twin evils, witchcraft and Catholicism, at any price...

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John Dies At The End by David Wong

From Goodreads: STOP. You should not have touched this flyer with your bare hands. NO, don't put it down. It's too late. They're watching you. My name is David Wong. My best friend is John. Those names are fake. You might want to change yours. You may not want to know about the things you'll read on these pages, about the sauce, about Korrok, about the invasion, and the future. But it's too late. You touched the book. You're in the game. You're under the eye. The only defense is knowledge. You need to read this book, to the end. Even the part with the bratwurst. Why? You just have to trust me.

The important thing is this: The drug is called Soy Sauce and it gives users a window into another dimension. John and I never had the chance to say no. You still do. I'm sorry to have involved you in this, I really am. But as you read about these terrible events and the very dark epoch the world is about to enter as a result, it is crucial you keep one thing in mind: None of this was my fault.

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Misery by Stephen King

From Goodreads: Novelist Paul Sheldon wakes up in a secluded farmhouse in Colorado with broken legs and Annie Wilkes, a disappointed fan, hovering over him with drugs, ax, and blowtorch and demanding that he bring his heroine back to life.

[Sidebar: I am fairly certain this book will end up in the freezer at some point, but I'm willing to give it a go.]

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And for an alternate, in case any of the above creep me out far too much:

Gossip Girl, Psycho Killer by Cecily von Ziegesar

From Goodreads: Just as in the original story, Serena returns from boarding school hoping to make amends with her BFF Blair Waldorf--things just haven't been the same since Nate Archibald came between them. But here's where our dark tale takes a turn: Serena decides that the only way for her to make things right with Blair is to eliminate Nate. If that means killing him, well, c'est la vie. Her attempted murder doesn't go unnoticed by Blair, however, who isn't about to let Serena kill whoever she wants-not when there's Cyrus Rose and Chuck Bass and Titi Coates and everyone else who's ever irritated Blair to get rid of first . . . .

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If the above list isn't to your taste, here is a short list of some of my favorite suspenseful-chilling-thrilling-creepy-leave-the-night-light-on reads:

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

What are some of your favorite chilling and thrilling reads? Please, no Twilight jokes. :-)

A Southern Californian's Lament

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Many are already embracing the coming of fall with Pumpkin Spice lattes, scarves and boots, and perfect 60 degree weather ...

... It was 100 degrees today in Los Angeles, bringing on a serious case of the grumps. I found myself positively chartreuse with envy (That Thing You Do! anybody?) of everyone in the Northern Hemisphere who will soon get to experience true autumn, with the leaves underfoot, their reds, greens, and browns waving in the October breeze like little flags welcoming The Great Pumpkin.

Let's face it, I'm not envious, I'm flat out jealous. I love Southern California and it certainly has it's perks (... not freezing in the winter, world class museums/restaurants/beaches, Disneyland...) but it is highly lacking in seasons.

To that end, rather than wasting the day as an unproductive mope, I took some time and put together a list of things that excite me about my favorite season:

1, 11: Quintessential New England towns in the fall get me all in a lather where I want nothing more than to tramp around the leaf strewn streets discussing Melville and Hawthorne like a third Gilmore Girl. I would adore living in Stars Hollow.

2, 6: Pumpkins and Halloween! Just call me Linus, but spending the night in a pumpkin patch would be a dream come true. I'd pack cozy blankets and sleeping bags, a picnic to include hot cider and candy corn, and lay under the stars and do my best not to freak out that a Scarecrow will come steal my soul in my sleep. Alas, most pumpkin patch proprietors would consider this trespassing so I will have to settle for a day-time visit. I'm not sure I have the skills to do a Hogwarts Crest design on a pumpkin like this picture, but I'm going to give it the old college try! I often end up not doing much for Halloween, but the past two years I've been able to go to Mickey's Halloween Party at Disneyland. I won't be able to attend this year, which depresses me enormously, so I'm going to have to work hard to find a new way to celebrate this year. Breaking out the decorations early may be a good way to start.

3, 15: I'm no foodie, but there is something about the fall that makes me want to eat healthier. Perhaps because many of the best dishes feature lots of greens and oranges, my two favorite colors. I'm encouraged to attempt these two recipes this season: ratatouille and vegetable soup seem simple enough, though I'm sure I can find a way to make it complicated.

4, 9, 10: Not much is more perfect than getting cozy on the couch with a great movie, while the wind howls outside and rattles the windows. "You've Got Mail" is a perennial favorite but is most welcome during the fall. "This place is a tomb. I'm going to the nut shop where it's fun." Love it. A new favorite is "Arsenic and Old Lace", a delightfully quirky 'horror' story in which Carey Grant's character, Mortimer, discovers his aunts have a silly habit of killing people and burying them in the basement. The fall is also the time when Hollywood releases their last bids for Oscar nods. One such film that I'm very excited about is "Lincoln" featuring Daniel Day Lewis as our 16th and (arguably) greatest president.

5, 12: The only thing greater than cozily watching a great film is curling up with a good book - any time, any place, preferably in a comfy chair by the fireplace. I CANNOT WAIT for JK Rowling's debut adult novel: The Casual Vacancy. Hidden corruption in an idyll English village? Always a winner with me!

7, 8: Peacoats, boots, sweaters, scarves, layers! I love it all. As a naturally modest individual, I always feel more comfortable when fully covered, which makes wearing sweatshirts in the summer looks awfully silly (still do it though). Such awkwardness fades away in the fall. I only wish I had unlimited funds and could make such fun outfits like these a reality in my closet.

13: Pumpkin EVERYTHING. Pumpkin cream cheese muffins and pumpkin bread from Starbucks, pumpkin pancakes from Mimi's Cafe, toasted pumpkin seeds the day after carving my Hogwarts Pumpkin ... I want it all!

14: Last, but certainly not least: baking. Baking in the fall is more like a prelude to Christmas baking, more about practice and getting back in the habit before the serious business of Christmas baking takes over. Trust me, December rolls around and it's like I'm a Keebler Elf with all the cookie baking I do ... but in and of itself, baking in the fall is soothing. Sometimes things get crazy around the holidays - working on the perfect costume for Halloween, stressing over time-off at Thanksgiving, struggling to find the perfect gifts at Christmas - it gets a little crazy at times. I find baking to be great therapy with a delicious treat at the end instead of a bill.

It has just occurred to me that I left out the greatest thing about fall from my collage and my list . . . 'Fall Back'! 'Fall Back', the end of Daylight Savings in which we gain an extra hour of sleep, is my third most favorite day of the year (apart from Christmas and my birthday)! Nothing trumps sleep. 2:00 am, Sunday, November 4th - calendar is marked!

Now that I've listed a few of my favorite things (Julie Andrews should be singing in your head right now), I'm making it a mission to find fall in Southern California where ever I can. I've already made tentative plans to visit Julian, a picturesque mountain town outside of San Diego famous for it's apple pies, to hunt down the perfect pumpkin - I can't wait!

Now that I've found a way to make the most of this Autumn, I encourage all of you to make the most of the season as well!

Finish Lines are Dreams with Deadlines

I want to cry.

My knees are screaming inappropriate invectives at me. Every second step feels as if tiny pins are stabbing my foot, sending sharp pains into my back like perverse acupuncture. The sun is rising higher and higher, the temperature with it. My sun screen, which started melting off an hour ago, has mixed with the sweat from my forehead and is burning its way into my eyes.

I'm loving it.

The pain barely registers through the cheers of strangers shouting "Go Nikki!", "You can do this!", "Keep going, the finish is just around the corner!" My parents are also just around the corner, making it even harder to keep down the ball that has formed in my throat, dampening my ability to breathe.

Nine months of preparation, countless runs, and 13 miles have brought me to this point, with that ever elusive .1 mile to go. A few minutes more and it'll all be over, the medal will be around my neck, my knee will be iced, and my face will be beaming. I want to reach the finish line so bad but I'm not ready for it to be over. The euphoria of running down Main Street USA, taking the obligatory photo in front of King Stephan's castle, being cheered on by entire troops of boy scouts and high school cheer squads, seeing myself on the jumbo screen at Angel Stadium, these special moments are still alive and are carrying me through just as much as my legs are. I've had possibly more fun in the last three hours of this race than in any other sporting or fitness endeavor I've ever participated in. Every second has has brought me happiness, excitement, encouragement, bringing me that much closer to the finish line and what I set out to do all those months ago.

I don't want it to end but I can see my parents now, waving and taking pictures. I smile and wave back, fighting back tears of pride, joy, and struggle. This last dose of encouragement is more than enough to carry me home.

Less than a hundred feet away is the finish line. And victory.

***

My official stats:

Overall Time: 3:23:37

Overall Place: 12890 / 14836

Gender Place: 7827 / 9341

Division Place: 1637 / 1848

5K Time: 44:34

10K Time: 1:30:37

15K Time: 2:20:58

I'm pretty darn proud that I finished ahead of ~2,000 people. It was never about finishing with a particular time, it was just about finishing. I had to walk a little bit, my knees were giving me a lot of problems, and I probably walked about 2 miles total. Now that I've finished a half marathon and know what it takes, I really want to run a complete half. I enjoyed this one so much but I wasn't sure if I wanted to do another one. I decided to take some time and think about it, since I'd have to be much more diligent in my training if I want to run an entire half. A couple days ago I found myself researching the San Diego Half Marathon - I think I'm sold on it! I would much rather run the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disney, but it sold out before the Disneyland Half even occurred. That just means I'll be ready for it in 2014.

I thought I'd want to take a break from running once this race was over - the mental stress that I put on myself weighed me down more than the physical stress and I wasn't sure if I really wanted to put myself through that again. It's been 10 days and I'm already itching to lace up my shoes, the only thing preventing me is the plantar fasciitis that I developed on the half. I've got to give my foot some time to heal before I head out again but I am very much looking forward to it.

Now that I achieved my goal - completed a half marathon and developed an enjoyment of running - what's next? While my foot is healing, I don't want to lose momentum so I've decided to do a . . . . 30 Day Ab Challenge!! These challenges are very popular and I'm always last to jump on trendy bandwagons, but better late than never! I'll be starting it soon but if there is anybody who wants to join me on this challenge, I've located a good workout and I'd love to have others join me. Everybody don't jump up at once now. ;-)

Happy Trails!

Can't Stop, Won't Stop!

The Disneyland Half Marathon is only 11 days away and I didn't run last weekend. I am about four months and eighty thousand words away from having a completed manuscript by the end of the year. The George Foreman grill I bought five months ago is still in the box. The last time I updated my blog was back in May.

Hi.

Clearly, it's time to re-evaluate those goals I set back in January.

I really like goals - especially the making of them. The process of creating a strategy for success, planning the timetable, and developing a focus is exciting to the point of intoxicating, all that potential floating about in the ether. It's thrilling!

The execution? The discipline? Those things are a whole lot harder! It's apparent that I'm very nicely suited to be somebody else's life coach, but not so much my own.

The root of the problem is most likely that I bit off more than I can chew, started choking, and refused to let the EMT perform the Heimlich. Now I'm blue in the face and have only myself to blame. I set a lot of lofty goals with unrealistic time frames, resulting in a certain degree of guilt on my part. Subsequently, I started eating my feelings in the form of whole loaves of sourdough bread covered in Nutella. Delicious, but depressing.

What is the solution?

New goals, of course! Only, this time, no pressure, no schedules, no deadlines.

It's very strange to be goal-oriented yet discipline-deficient, but discovering this interesting personality quirk has been invaluable. I do not regret overwhelming myself with goals, since the point was to experience new things and achieve my dreams, but I do want to stop feeling bad about not being on schedule. This self-imposed guilt I've been carrying around has been weighing me down so much that I've practically shut down entirely. This is not good.

The following are the methods I've devised to pull me out of my funk:

1. Twitter. At this time, my twitter is mostly used to stalk Zachary Levi and trade Friends quotes with Audrey - both worthwhile pursuits, but I think it's time to take my Twittering a bit more seriously. The plan is simple: create a presence. Social Media is a huge marketing force and there may come a time when my future livelihood will depend on what kind of following I have. So . . . follow me (!) - @DaNikster46 - and I'll be pleased to return to the favor.

2. Bucket List. I've been thinking a lot lately about my Bucket List - things I want to do before I die (Just in case you were at all unaware what a Bucket List was. And if you were, you should put 'crawling out of my cave' on yours.) - and there are things on that list I've been putting off for no good reason. It's time to actively work on that list! A few notables are: 1) Sky Dive, 2) Do Las Vegas, 3) Conquer a video game, 4) Become a proficient swimmer, and 5) Hike Half-Dome. Let's do this!

3. Write Seriously. I write, but it's erratic. I'm looking for consistency. Recently, a friend recommended me on Twitter as a new writer - such an honor! - and it got me thinking: am I really a writer? Does one have to be published to be considered a writer? Or work in the publishing field, or have been an English major? What are the qualifications? It's all of these things, some of these things, and none of these things. Writing can be a lifestyle choice, a calling, a part of one's soul. First and foremost, for me, it's a decision. I said sayonara to a career in cancer research to write - it follows that I've got to write. What does this mean? More blogging. More tweeting. Finishing my novel. Actively pursuing a career in publishing and not giving up, however long it takes.

4. All Other Goals Still Apply. I'm not giving up on my other goals - running, reading, cooking, etc. To start, next weekend I'll be running a half marathon. October will bring a reprisal of The Warrior Dash with my best friend and my brother and I will give it our all at The Spartan Sprint in December. I think it's safe to say I've become a runner. Hooray!

Dirty = good!

When it comes to my reading goal, I'm about 16 books off track, but I'm still reading - always reading! - and have read 48 books so far. Can't stop. Won't stop! Finally, I'm certainly no Betty Crocker and probably never will be - future husband, hope you like to cook or have an abiding passion for spaghetti - but I'm very pleased to say that I haven't had a freezer meal in ages. I may not cook, but I'm very proficient at boiling pasta, which is enough for now.

I feel good about these decisions and I look forward to where they're going to take me. What is most important is that I'm happy with these choices and that is really the point, isn't it?

Cheers!

If I had a table, I'd put this on it . . .

The hardest thing about moving out on your own for the first time: collecting furniture. It's easy if you don't mind the hodgepodge college method of decorating - whatever you can piece together from your parents, grandparents, old roommates, furniture you found on the street corner, pulled out of the charity dumpster at the end of the school year, etc. However, if you're going for the more sophisticated look, where every piece of furniture actually coordinates, then it takes a while to get it all together.

As such, I do not have a dining table yet.

But if I had one, this would be it:

(World Market, $299)

And if I did have this table, this is what I would put on it:

It's a little odd to have a dining table center piece without a table, like putting the cart before the horse, but I think there's nothing wrong with a little forward planning.

They look just as nice on top of my bookcase until such a time as I have a table to put them on.

They are super easy to make. All you need is:

1) Decorative bottles - $6 each from Pier 1

2) Hot glue gun

3) LED candlesticks - $7 for package of two from Joann's Fabrics

4) Ribbon

Glue the cap to the bottle, let dry. Then add the batteries and replace the candlestick, give it a quarter turn back wards to disconnect the batteries. Then wrap a little ribbon around the base to hide the glue - et voila!

And when you're ready for a romantic, candle lit dinner, twist it a quarter turn to the right.

Now, all I need is the table. And maybe the guest for the romantic dinner.

I heard Johnny Depp is now free . . .