life+running » dancing

How I spent my summer vacation … part 1: Minnesota

chimes — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 12:00:00 +0000

… now that Summer has been officially over for a few days.

First up — early July. Mark and I went up to Stillwater to celebrate Mark’s brother, Nick’s, birthday. They were doing a downtown Stillwater bar hop.

First up, dinner at Nacho Mamas — an AMAZING Mexican restaurant and bar. Mark and I split some street tacos and I ordered what apparently was the most disgusting drink I’ve ever had — a Sangarita — half sangria, half margarita: all a bad idea.

And of course there was a birthday sombrero, which Nick sports here (yes, you can definitely tell Mark and Nick are related …)

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

Aaaaand there was a discovery that Naked MJ lives in my purse for opportune moments like this:

Then we headed over to a bar that used to be a pretty decent watering hole that turned into kind of a lame pub-themed bar.

Did I mention I was kind of exhausted? But this photo is one of my favorites of all time (thanks, Justin!)

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

At this bar we ran into the infamous (slash probably not famous at all) Johnny Rock (the dude with the hat). He had a business card. With Johnny Rock on it. Yeah.

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

And apparently I wasn’t having enough fun, so Nick made me dance with him. Which was awesome. Because I’m a horrible dancer. And I’m super light-weight … so there was a few airborne moments (one below).

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

And I wish I had MY camera out for what came next: Stillwater’s version of Jersey Shore — The Freight House.

[photo credit Justin Yunke]

Take a moment to look at the website. Then imagine what the rest of the evening looked like. Let’s just say there were 3 of us on the dance floor. But there was intelligent analysis of pop music today going on out on the deck.

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[one of] my best friend’s wedding: recap

chimes — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 15:00:00 +0000

it’s been a month and a handful of days, and my friend Steph and her beau are still happily married.

and my friend Kelly finally posted her amazing photos.

That means it’s finally time for a recap!

We started off the day before the wedding with a fabulous bridal tea thrown by Steph’s future sister and mother-in-law at their home. Here’s Steph with the teacup and saucer I made her for the occasion.

The bridal party

AMAZING sangria. I *need* this recipe.

After tea we went and got our nails did. Which was rather entertaining because I broke off half my thumbnail two days before (yes HALF of it) and I run (in case you forgot) so I told the lady to leave my calluses alone. She was pretty put off by that request even AFTER I explained that if she shaved off my calluses that it would make my feet worse. And it would hurt my training. (ha. training!)

She managed to paint my thumb so it looked like there was a real nail on it.

We went and rehearsed and after rehearsal we went to 801 Chop House for the rehearsal dinner and our significant others joined us.

Mark looks dead sexy in a suit. Just sayin.

Then came the wedding day! The ceremony was outside at Sticks in Des Moines and the reception was inside the warehouse.

I was in love with the flowers — even though Steph said they were definitely NOT what she’d ordered. They were gorgeous.

and so was the cake. also delicious for the record (kelly and I snagged 2 pieces)

the bridal party — ready to rock — glittered up!

After the wedding the bride and groom were showered with white rose petals and left to get some pix taken.

This photo is beyond gorgeous (Amanda does AMAAAAAZING work).

While they were out, we waited for our official photos. Somewhat impatiently …

for the record, the above two shots are probably 2 of my favorite photos of myself ever.

Mark held my flowers so I could take a pee break from the ridiculousness that was ensuing.

oh, and my other BFF Adria was there. Holla!

And our friend Jen made it with her hubby and her month-old baby, Adoree. She had to break Chinese tradition of 30 days of house arrest to attend (BY ONE WHOLE DAY). They are the cutest little family ever!

Dinner and drinks were served. Cake was nommed. Dancing ensued.

One thing I must note — the music, the food — everything — was so significant to the couple. They spent hours and hours on the perfect playlist and even had their string quartet play “Just Like Heaven” by The Cure for the processional and they played “Today” by Smashing Pumpkins as the recessional. I *loved* it. And I know they were hoping that everybody loved the food and music because they put so much of themselves in the selection of both.

take one

take two

take three

WINNING

because we’re classy.

And yes, I ~~had~~ got drunk enough to show off the fact that I worked my butt off the previous week and a hafl to lose the last 5 pounds to fit in that dress.

Note: always get the bigger size if you’re between sizes. I didn’t even THINK about the fact that my hips are hugetastic (11 inches larger than my waist) and that even if I weighed 10 pounds less the dress STILL would have been tight because my hips aren’t going to be any smaller. You can’t shrink bone people!

However, you just got a free pass to the gun show. Enjoy.

all photos are from Kelly, Amanda or Candace unless otherwise noted. Photos without credits are mine.

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Sweet Tunes Thursday: Chris Brown

chimes — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 11:00:00 +0000

So this song isn’t very good. I’m just going to throw that out there. What makes it good is the fact that the entire song aside from the new vocal track is Michael Jackson’s Human Nature.

Okay, so if I was a pop singer, what would the most obvious way to get a hit single be? Sample something from somebody else’s hit single. Namely Michael Jackson. Or maybe Madonna.

Anyway, I’m sure Chris Brown has a following and some talent — he’s obviously a talented dancer as this video shows. It’s basically a giant homage to the King of Pop. He’s apparently a huge fan.

So of course, I’m sharing with you, because I watched the video and pretty much exploded with happiness. It was like MJ reincarnated. But not anywhere near as awesome.

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PROM PIX PART DEUX!

chimes — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:00:00 +0000

My friend Kelly posted her pix from Prom 2011 on facebook. And here they are … note the amazing dancing skills. Mostly honed from the MJ Dancing game Mark got me for Christmas for the Wii.

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Prom Gone Wild 2011

chimes — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 16:00:00 +0000

It’s Sunday after prom and I am spent. Had myself some blueberry banana pancakes and bacon and now am doing some laundry.

Prom — for those of you who don’t know — is not high school prom. Prom in Ames is an awesomely fun night of dancing, drinking and debauchery in which we get dressed up like jackasses and dance our butts off for charity. All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.

This year’s theme was Party on Bourbon Street: Prom Gone Wild. So I finally got to wear this masterpiece of sequins and tulle. I painted a mask on as well because there was no way I was going to carry a mask around all night.

Here are some select photos. Enjoy!

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Fandom has leaked to my dreams

chimes — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:44:30 +0000

Yes. I am SO blogging about this. I’m trying to hold onto it as if it actually happened and wasn’t part of my random sick and twisted dream world.

I met MJ. Yes. MJ. In my dreams (of course. the man IS dead according to popular belief).

I was at one of his rehearsals for This is It and he went backstage. He had shorter hair like he had during HIStory (when I REALLY fell in love with him and when he became a HUGE part of my life). We danced together and he said he liked my moves. Yes. He liked my moves. For those of you who’ve seen me dance, you know this is when I realized this HAD to be a dream.

So we sang “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” together and danced. It was amazing. That man was a genius. His music, talent and heart will live forever.

I’m just glad I could resurrect him in my dreams.

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