life+running » thriller

See ya later, Y’all + Swagtastic Trail Mix Cookies

chimes — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Guess what I did yesterday …

… besides bust into Thriller* at the gym?

Hey. There were some creepos staring at me. So I gave them a reason to stare. Thanks, MJ.

I finished LIVEFIT. Finally. Oh, and I RAN. Yeah. Considering my blog is life + running, I’ve been seriously slacking on the running part. I’m going to come clean: It’s because I’m slow. And I can’t run as far. This bothers me. But what’s the only way to get back into peak running shape? I’ll give you a hint — it’s ACTUALLY running. Slowest run of the decade (I can say that honestly because I’ve averaged 8:30/mi since 2009! Previously about 10/mi).

And sorry. There aren’t any awkward bikini photos to share. I don’t think I look any different than I did at the end of Phase 2. So clearly, I didn’t kick as much ass as I should have in Phase 3. I’m going to repeat Phase 3 again sometime. But not until after Fitmixer Boot Camp.

And speaking of Fitmixer? I’m giving some amino away. Enter if you’re interested. AND if you are unlucky, like me, and don’t have access to any in your area, you can purchase some from the link on my blog by clicking on this (or click on the one in my sidebar):

BUT THIS ISN’T WHY I’M SO EXCITED THAT I’M TYPING IN ALL CAPS!!! AND USING MULTIPLE !!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!! !!!!! (ok you get the point)

As of 4:30 PM today I will be on my way to Austin, TX for the Renegade Craft Show. My friend Amanda is selling her ceramics. And she was kind enough to invite me along to help her. Why yes, please. I’m going to be using the hashtag #howdychimes on twitter and instagram so I can easily stalk myself later for blogging purposes, in case you want to follow me.

I have a slew of interesting guest bloggers lined up for this weekend. So please come back and read. Some of the posts are from non-bloggers (who should start a blog, cough cough, Calee Spinney). All of the guest posts have to do with healthy living — mentally and physically.

While I’m out, why don’t you make some of these cookies and let me know how you like them? It was my first experiment with Xagave. And I was pleasantly surprised when I bit into a cookie and didn’t get the sugar rush that I normally get from regular cookies.

I also used a bunch of granola samples that I got in my swag bag from Blend. Along with some other great finds from my local co-op’s Incredible Bulk sale (yeah, they did that — and Mark and I made the executive decision to become members. Finally. It took a jug of beer to convince him. Boys.)

And in an effort to integrate my profession (graphic design) into my blog, I’ve started setting up my photos a little nicer. And I’m giving them some pizazz — making them pop — if you will (I’m cringing just writing those two things — I HATE when clients ask me to “make something pop”. Really? How does one make something POP?). Though, I haven’t found my groove yet. This is looking a bit slapped together. Sorry. It’s pink? Sorry if I give you a migraine or a seizure (no kidding there).

And I am fully aware that my photos of food can be better. But that requires getting out my big kid camera and setting up lights, and that’s just a step I’m not ready to take yet (though, I do have some amazing tilapia taco photos that I’m a little proud of. Next week kiddos).

Anyway. Here is the recipe. I made these for my dad and grandpa for the cookie of the month club this month. Let me know if this works out for you! They’re semi-healthy. And you can tweak your mix-ins to make them even more healthy.

swagtastic trail mix cookies

ingredients
1/4 c butter (1/2 a stick)
2/3 c Xagave OR 1 c brown sugar if you don’t have Xagave
1 t vanilla
1 egg
1 egg white
1/2 c peanut butter
1/4 c Nutella (could use 3/4 c peanut butter OR Nutella OR nut butter of choice instead)
2 1/2 c granola, oats, hot cereal mix (I used a mixture of granola sample packets from Blend and 7 grain hot cereal, which is the consistency of rolled oats)
1/2 c crisp rice cereal (could use 3 cups of granola / oats mixture, but this gives a fun texture)
1 c chocolate chips (or other mix-ins like white chocolate chips, craisins, etc.)

directions

Preheat oven to 350°.
Prepare 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
Mix butter and Xagave (or sugar) together until blended.
Add egg, egg white and vanilla and stir until combined.
Mix your nut butter in.
Add granola mixture.
Pour in rice cereal. At this point if it seems too liquidy, add more rice cereal OR granola mixture (I think I added about a half a cup extra of the granola mixture).
Stir in your chocolate chips or other mix-ins.
Drop by tablespoonful onto the parchment paper-prepared baking sheets.
Bake 15-17 minutes (these take a little while longer because of the extra liquid from the Xagave instead of sugar — if using sugar, bake for 10-12 minutes).
Remove from oven. Let cool on cookie sheets for 5-7 minutes before transferring to a wire rack.

How do you feel about substituting sugar or other things when baking to make something more healthy? OR Have you tried the Fitmixer Amino yet?

\\\\\\\\

PS I realize I linked to Bollywood Thriller. That wasn’t an accident. You have to watch. Try not to pee your pants.)

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gone too soon.

chimes — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000

It’s been two years, and I still forget that he’s gone.

But, his memory lives on! In plastic. Which is kind of perfect if you think about it.

What am I talking about? I’m taking about MJ. Naked. And plastic.

It’s an action figure. The 1984 Michael Jackson doll that I obtained 2 years ago from eBay. Sans clothing. I didn’t set out to buy a naked doll. Sickos.

I thought it would be cool to own an MJ doll, so I bid on it, thinking I wouldn’t win anyway and that if I did, I could definitely just buy an outfit. But MJ doll outfits are crazy expensive. And I’m not going to make clothes. Tiny things on sewing machines are not fun.

Anyway, I’ve had MJ for 2 years. And he’s just kind of hung out in obnoxious places around my apartment. But why not DO something with him?

I introduce to you: Livin’ Off the Wall — nakedmj.tumblr.com

So MJ is now in my purse and he goes where I go so I get the best photo ops.

Today’s installment is appropriate, but kind of depressing. Not usually the style. I’ve been taking lyrics and other MJ-inspiration for the material.

ENJOY. And yes, I realize this is probably the most hipster thing that I’ve done, but realizing that makes me NOT a hipster. Or something like that.

**if you’re looking for my crazy weird obsessive sad MJ blog post, you should probably look two years back.

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New Threadless Threads

chimes — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:00:00 +0000

Threadless was having an awesome deal on two shirts I’ve wanted forever.

Eating Brains, Throwing Shapes is a play on the Thriller dance. So of course, I have to have one.

I also picked up one for Mark’s brother-in-law as he’s a huge MJ fan too and was saying that he wanted this shirt. And for 5 bucks, how could I not get him one?

And I nabbed the Beat It T as well.

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Night of the Living Prom!

chimes — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 03:03:46 +0000

Are you ready for this awesomeness?

Every year Ames has a throwback prom to raise money for American Cancer Society and this year’s theme was Night of the Living Prom. Zombies. Prom. Zombies. Prom. Prombies?

Of course, I had to cram myself into this awesome black dress I bought for last year’s prom that isn’t made to actually fit a human being. It’s a size … ?? I don’t know. 28 inch waist with 24 inches for a chest? Hmm.. yeah. I turned the back into the corset and laced it up to fit me. Frankensteined a dress for zombie prom.

Mark and I decided to do 80s glam punk — Billy Idol style. I made Mark a shirt out of a PBR t-shirt and some fabric scraps. And of course, I made us a corsage and a boutonniere.

It was a good mix of zombies and prom goers. We had a fabulous time. The band showed up in Ghostbusters costumes (complete with proton packs) and played the ghostbusters song! Thriller was played halfway through the night and a group of us danced to it. I didn’t learn it, but I jumped in and improved anyway.

That’s about it. Free beer and punch. Lots of dancing. Lots of fun times. Undead. And alive.

Here are some pix!

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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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MJ dead? Sad. I’m devastated.

chimes — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:38:01 +0000

WARNING: There is not one cohesive thought in this post. Also – if you don’t know me very well, I am a HUGE Michael Jackson fan.

Where were you when JFK died? Where were you when Elvis died?

Whenever I heard people ask those questions I always thought that my generation’s “where where you when _______ died?” person was going to be Michael Jackson.

Well. I never would have imagined in my 10-year-old mind that I was going to get a text message from several people all at once with the news while I was driving home.

I always imagined he would be shot by a crazed fan or collapse on stage in the middle of a performance. Not a cardiac arrest at home. Michael Jackson was inhuman. I didn’t think something so common would lay him to rest.

Normally I don’t get sucked into the media and the celeb hype - mostly due to the fact that I’ve seen how the media treated MJ and other talented people like him and pretty much drove them insane.. or to their death (Princess Di? Anybody remember her? I do).

Well, I can’t really help it this time. I’m really truly sad about the death of Michael Jackson. More or less I saw it coming, but didn’t actively think about it until it really happened today. I remember hearing a while back that his estate was being auctioned off…then hearing he was going to go on his last tour in Europe. I thought to myself, “That tour will be the death of him. He’s not going to make it through one performance.” I swear I thought he collapsed at a performance a few years back. Those concerts are intense if you’ve ever seen a live taped show. He was way too frail for all the dancing, let alone the singing.

I havent seen much of him lately, mostly because I’ve been trained to ignore most of what gets shown in the news or in tabloids when it has to do with MJ. And because after I saw him hold his child out the window of a balcony several years back (and yes, I remember exactly where I was when that happened because it was such a scary/bizzare image), I decided from there on out I was going to remember him for what he was and for the way he was when I grew up watching him - a talented musician and dancer and a loving person.

His career has been over for a long time. It’s been hard for me to watch the decline. And sad for me to see him pop up in the news ocassionally. The media just can’t get enough of him, even when he’s not doing anything interesting.

It was only a matter of time before this happened. He’s been slowly deteriorating along with his career. He was so frail back in ’95 when he released HIStory and has been declining even more since then. I remember hearing at one point that he weighed 98 pounds. It’s like he’s just been miserable and living in an alternate reality for the last 15-20 years. Somebody said something about him abusing prescription drugs. I don’t blame him if that’s true. How else would you get through a day in an alternate reality?

As I’m listening to Thriller, I notice, again, how he’s singing “girl I could thrill you more than any ghoul could ever dare try.” All of the songs he ever made that were about women or had sexual undertones (In the Closet anybody? I was so not allowed to watch that video when it came out) have seemed…well…off. Even forced. I never really saw him as a man, which was why it was weird to me when he had children.

Not to mention, I’m more sad for his children. It’s so horrible that somebody with that much love to give wasn’t able to sanely give it to his children and provide for them in an acceptable way. I always thought his children should have been taken away from him because he wasn’t mentally fit to be a parent. Besides that, those poor kids have been getting the same kind of negative attention that MJ was, and might end up growing up and having the same sorts of problems. This to me is the biggest tragedy. All he ever wanted was to have a real childhood and he thought that by having his own children he might get to enjoy some of the same simple pleasures of childhood he missed or at least watch from afar. It seemed like he was too interested in enjoying them himself to be a proper father to those children. I just hope too much damage hasn’t already been done and that those kids can grow up knowing their father loved them and that he was a very talented and gifted person.

As far as the molestation allegations go, I hate that topic. I’m torn as to whether or not he did it. It could have been a ploy to get money from him, or the allegations may have been true. Either way, it was a terrible situation, and if it’s not true, this exremely gifted, talented and caring individual’s name will be forever tarnished. I feel like more people from my generation are going to remember him for THAT than for the wonderful things he gave to the world (more than just his music).

Anybody remember Ryan White? MJ spent a lot of time with him when he was dying from AIDS. White was one of the first major cases of AIDS that was popularized in the media as being not related to the homosexual community – thus a huge step forward for LGBTs in the 80s. His school kicked Ryan out because of fear and ignorance, and MJ and a few other key celebrities stepped up and spent time with him and helped get his story out. MJ wrote Gone to Soon for Ryan White after he died in 1990.

What about USA for Africa and We Are the World? C’mon people. Who put that together? Heal the World? He was into the environment before it was as imperitive as it is now, and before it was ultra hip. Man in the freaking Mirror for crying out loud.

That’s the Michael Jackson I’M going to remember.

Ask anybody who’s anybody in the music industry (not even limited to R&B or pop) and I will bet that MJ was one of their influences. I know he’s on my list. Billie Jean was a huge reason that I always wanted to play bass. Maybe now I’ll finally pick it up and learn how.

I feel like I grew up with MJ. In a weird way. I used to tape all the stuff on TV about him and watch it for hours on end. I knew everything about him – the good stuff that the media would show when he was producing music and videos that were popular – not the bad stuff they would show when he wasn’t doing much of anything. It’s like they were poking him with a stick sometimes.

I remember Michael kidding around behind the scenes in the making of Thriller. I always remember him smilling and happy … I guess that was Thriller-era MJJ. Before all the media hype. The Elephant Man’s bones… bubbles the monkey… child molestation…oxygen tank…countless nose jobs (okay maybe this one has got to be true)… bleaching his skin…etc. Anybody rememeber the video for Leave Me Alone? Even his attempt to poke fun at these weird tabloid allegations didn’t make the situation any better.

For the record, if anybody’s ever seen his mother OR La Toya, they’ve got the same kind of skin pigmentation disease. I can’t remember the name for it, but it’s basically when you lose all your pigment in your skin.

And Blanket… oh my god.

I can’t even collect my thoughts. It’s all so ridiculous when I get to thinking about it. What a shame. I’m glad he was here and that we were able to enjoy all the gifts that he was blessed with. I will continue to enjoy his music and talent – maybe not so much in the closet anymore.

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