Lego Advent Calendar: December 24

Santa and his "sleigh" or snowmobile type vehicle. Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas! I've spent the holidays with my family relaxing, laughing, and eating lots of good treats!

Lego Advent Calendar: December 23

Presents!

Lego Advent Calendar: December 22

A trailer of sorts.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 21

Two traffic cones and a traffic sign.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 20

A wheelbarrow, shovel, and more snow.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 19

A firefighter with a scruffy beard, hat, and a cup of coffee.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 18

A fire hydrant as the cutest little dog.

An Inherited Trait

My mom was never the best about sending cards or packages in the timeliest of fashion. I think I have inherited this trait from her. I would say that there is probably a 50/50 chance something will get out on time if it involves a trip to the post office and/or stamps.

I have had a package I've need to mail for a week now, but just couldn't get around to finishing it up until yesterday. And to make the Post Office trip even more fun, I also had to fill out the Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note. Form 2976-A, in case you were wondering.

I found a spot in the parking lot and the line was out the door. I filled out the form making sure to print legibly and write hard as it was a quadruple copy I was making. I got in line and waited and waited and waited some more. I worried that I hadn't filled out the form right or I wrote the address out incorrectly. I noticed a lady a few people behind me with the same form. Hers was not filled out as complete as mine was and wondered if she knew something I didn't know.

I finally made it to the counter and told Jim the Postman that I hoped I had filled everything out correctly. He took the form from me and started to literally peck away at his keyboard. As he was pecking he asked me if I had filled out this form before. I told him I had not. He then told me that it was very thorough. I replied to him saying that I try to be thorough in all that I do. I received a compliment from the post man!

I may not be timely but at least I am thorough.

Esther, I am sorry your birthday/Christmas package will most likely be late (you can blame it on my mom for passing this trait down to me)!

Lego Advent Calendar: December 17

A snowball launcher.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 16

Another mini fig. A girl with a super cute cross from sweater/shirt. And what you can't see is that she has a ponytail too! And I guess some snowballs.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 15

A rack for the fireman's hat and oxygen tank

Lego Advent Calendar: December 14

A box and some fire? Like life, some days are better than others.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 13

I loved the skis, but this desk, chair, computer, and coffee mug are pretty tops too.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 12

Today marks the first female arrival in the Advent Calendar. While she doesn't have a wrench or a tool, she has a walkie talkie. Hmmm. Girls can work on cars too Lego! But I do have to say, I really enjoy her hair style.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 11

Today is a snowmobile/atv that I suppose the wheels for the 10th ate for.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 10

If you eve have a child and I buy said child a gift, it will probably be Legos. I WANT THEM ALL. But then I snap back to reality and realize I have zero storage and what will I do with the $100 Lego Dinosaur sets that look so awesome???

So now I make do with a once yearlytreat, my advent calendar (and way too much time in the Lego aisle for any childless adult). Today, 4 tires and a tire cart.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 9

Another mini fig, a worker with blue jean overalls and a wrench almost as big as he is tall.

An update to the duplicate mini fig: I went to the Lego website and you can request missing parts. I requested all the ones missing and received an email that my parts were being shipped from Denmark! So I should have them in 2013, you know after the end of Advent.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 8

Folks. Today might be my favorite. A ski rack with skis and poles!!!

Lego Advent Calendar: December 6

Houston we have a problem. I just got the same mini figurine as December 2. I think there were some problems at the Lego factory the day my calendar was made.

Another skater? With snowballs.

Lego Advent Calendar: December 5

A weapons wrack and cleaner?

Lego Advent Calendar: December 4

And sometimes I just wonder WTF? A wand and a step?

Lego Advent Calendar: December 3

A Christmas Tree!

Lego Advent Calendar: December 2

I opened the little flap today and saw this picture: a catapult.

What I found? The pieces for a mini fig with a helmet and what I assume are snowballs?

Lego Advent Calendar: December 1

Its that time of year! Lego Advent Calendar Time! I'm starting a day late this year because of a busy Saturday filled with a 6k, a beer festival, and a great day spent with friends.

A mini figure with a megaphone. Maybe a construction worker?

Race Recap: Marine Corps Marathon 10/28/12

So I did it. I completed my second marathon on October 28, 2012 in Washington D.C.- The Marine Corps Marathon. (My first was the 2011 Chicago Marathon.) Everything about the Marine Corps Marathon was different from the first.

I based my mileage off the same Hal Higdon plan I used last year, but I add speed work with the Yasso 800's starting 10 weeks prior to the marathon. I even changed things up a bit and went on vacation for a week two weeks before the marathon. Vacation was great and I would totally do it again this way. However, I do not recommend diving off a Segway. That my friends is another story for another day, but I fell/dove/superman-ed off of a Segway. Thank goodness I only suffered from some bruises on my left leg, left shoulder pain that eventually went away in a few days, and sore right ankle.

I met up with my friends Margaret and Gabe on Friday morning at the airport for our non-stop flight to Reagan. We caught the shuttle to our hotel and our rooms was ready so we were able to check in early. We ditched our bags and headed to the expo. I don't usually buy a whole lot at the expo, but I needed to pick up some body glide.

At the expo, we got our bibs, bought t-shirts, and were a little underwhelmed by the actual expo itself so we didn't stick around too long.

We spent the rest of the day wander around the city and grabbing dinner. In for an early night.

On Saturday I had made prior reservations and we got one of the White House Walking tours. Right as we were about to start the tour, on the South Lawn we saw Marine One land. I made my friends wait by the window for about 15 minutes because I had read that the President may be either boarding or getting off. We waited and we saw President Obama board Marine One.  Basically he was wishing us good luck at the Marathon. After our self guided tour, we headed to Georgetown for lunch at an Italian restaurant. A friend told me you should make lunch, instead of dinner your bigger meal before a marathon. Makes total sense. We all wandered around Georgetown and then Gabe and I caught a cab to the Rossyln station and we saw the start/finish area. That little cab ride started to put my mind at easy just a little bit. And soon we were back at the hotel to rest our feet.  Dinner was had at Chili's and then it was early to bed.

We had prepped everything the night before so basically all we had to do was get up and get dressed. We headed over to the shuttle stop, which was about .2 miles from our hotel, waited in line for about 15 minutes, and then we were at the runner's village before I knew it.  At the runner's village there were port-a-potties galore. I got in the line first thing. Grabbed a quick photo. Dropped our bags. Went to the bathroom again. This whole time there were only a few sprinkles of rain. We were feeling pretty good about the rain staying away. And then it was time to make our way to the corrals.

I feel like we were only in the corral for a few minutes before the race started. Gabe and I said goodbye to Margaret as she made her way to the 3:45/ish pacer and Gabe and I stayed back near the 4:00 pacer.

My big, scary, maybe I will, maybe I won't goal was to complete the marathon in under 4 hours. So I picked up one of the 4:00 hour pace bracelets at the expo and new it was within reach. But if I was running in the rain or if something started hurting I knew it wouldn't be possible. As the race started I tried to stay as close as I cold to the pacer, but there were just so many people. I kept sight of the balloons, but after the hill at mile 2, I had pretty much decided there was going to be no way I could keep up with the pacer and would just need to pace myself.

There was another large hill at mile 6. Having trained in Nashville and done several runs at Percy Warner I wasn't too concerned about the hills. But the hill at mile 6 was no joke. My dreams of a 4 hour marathon were kind of disappearing before my eyes. At least I thought they were. And somehow after the hill at mile 6 I caught up with the pacer, well at least I was a more comfortable distance away from him. By the halfway mark I could have ran up to the pack and ran with him and the group following him. But I decided to stay back and just keep him in my sights.

The park that we ran through at 12-15 was kind of miserable. There weren't a whole lot of people out there and it was windy. Like 20 mph winds. But on this part was the only time I got really emotional during the run. Family and friends of Marines who had died in action were lining one side of the course holding flags with the picture and name of the person they were honoring.

Miles 16-20 were great. Lots of crowd support and we were running by all the monuments.

Miles 21-25.5 just kind of sucked. We ran on the freeway, the roads were tiny, and it felt like we made a lot of turns. It also could have been that I was on the backside of the course and just ready to be done. During mile 22, I knew I had my goal within reach. I just had to keep up what I was doing and I should be fine.

About 15 minutes before I was estimating my finish, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis came on. Same Love is such an uplifting battle cry for human rights and it was the calm I needed. No joke, I just listened to it 3 times and I was done with the marathon! )Funny thing, at Chicago last year my favorite songs were two other Macklemore and Ryan Lewis gems: My Oh My and Can't Hold Us.) Oh and the hill at mile 26 is no joke. I felt like was one of those bikers on the tour d'france trying to climb a hill and the crowd starts making the course.

I immediately stopped my watch after crossing the finish line and got chocked up. I did it. I finished in under 4 hours. Barely, but I did it. And the rain held off! Last year it was just great to finish the marathon. This year it was a great feeling to finish and achieve a goal. That finisher shirt would be mine! I may have told myself that the only way I was going to buy a finisher's shirt was if I finished in under 4 hours. But, I am sure I would have bought one even if I hadn't finished in under 4 hours.

My official results. My second half was faster than my first half!

We did it!

So last year my mantra was "if Oprah and Al Rocker can do this, I can do this." This year it was "Clear Eyes. Full Heart. Can't Lose." I am little late to the game, but Friday Night Lights I love you.

For the time being I don't see any marathons in my immediate future. I like the challenge, but I also like my weekends and the flexibility that training for a half marathon provides. 

Thank you to all my family and friends. Your support truly means the world to me. An even bigger thank you to all those who have served our country in the armed forces. 

Next up, Seaside Half Marathon in March!

Thankful in November

Last year my good friend Krissie started a movement of thankfulness on the interwebs. During the month of Novemeber, post a picture of something you are thankful for. I made it about halfway and then just stopped. My goal is to keep it up this year. Come follow at Sarah is Thankful.

No Spend November

October was an expensive month. I took two big trips- Vancouver/Seattle and Washington D.C. And I also had my birthday at the end of September. While I didn't get all crazy with my spending, things add up when you travel and celebrate. So enter No Spend November. While I won't technically spend nothing this month, I am going to keep my expenses to a minimum. It's really to keep my eating out and random purchases to a minimum. I don't need that Subway sandwich for lunch and those 3 chocolate chocolate cookies or those mittens that will work with my iphone. Basically, if I can't buy it at the grocery store or if it is gas for my car, chances are I won't be buying it. (Exceptions: My best friend's birthday and a baby shower)

Let's do this.

A Welcome Distraction

Sometimes things go as planned and other times they don't. I had no clue there was a Crossroads taping until two weeks ago or so when I was told about it. And told I would get a ticket. I may have been told this before recently and it didn't pan out. I wasn't holding my breath. But show day came and my name was on the list. I was going to see The Avett Brothers and Randy Travis.

The Avett Brothers are one of those bands I've seen a few times. A few being more than five. I have seen them in quite a few different types of venues and know they do their best in more intimate settings.  Randy Travis, now I've never seen him. But I am familiar with his music. I knew he had been in a little bit of trouble with the law recently, but didn't know to what extent. I looked it up while at the show and was pretty shocked. Randy Travis is going through some hard times. At the show he just made some really, really awkward jokes. I imagine we would all make awkward jokes if only two months ago we had been arrested for a string of alcohol related incidents. The songs that had to be redone were mainly because of him. It became clear that Randy Travis didn't know the Avett Brother's songs as well as they knew his.

I called my mom after the show to tell her who I had just seen perform. Her first question was "was he naked?".  We laughed for a few seconds and then the next thing she told me, "I've been praying for him." My mom is just a good person. When most people are making fun of a celebrity down on their luck, my mom goes and prays for them.

The Avett Brothers performed Murder in the City last night. I had almost forgotten about the song. And was so glad to be reminded of it last night.

Mom, I sure am glad we share our last name.

Make sure my sister knows I loved her
Make sure my mother knows the same
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name
Always remember, there was nothing worth sharing
Like the love that let us share our name

I needed last night more than I knew. My mind has been racing this entire week from nerves, or excitement as my dad calls it. I leave tomorrow for Washington DC. And I have no clue what the weather will hold on Sunday. It looks like I might be running my second marathon in the rain. But, I am throwing this out there. My goal is to finish as close to 4 hours as possible.

The Avett's Performing Murder in the City on the Conan show (a slightly different version)

Week 1: Yasso 800's

For the past 10 weeks or so my friend and I have been talking about running Yasso 800's in preparation for the Marine Corps Marathon in October. What are Yasso 800's exactly? According to this Runner's World article you start with 4 800's with the same amount of jog time between each repeat and each week and an additional 800 repeat until you have hit 10. In an ideal and perfect world you hit your time goal for each 800. Now, according to Bart Yasso, the time you run your 800 in should be used as a predictor for your marathon finish time. If you want to a 4 hour marathon, you should run 4:00 minute 800 repeats. Easy enough?

So last Thursday I was at the track at 5:50 AM. Also, at the track that early? Two other guys also doing some sort of speed workout and eventually we were joined by a local college softball team and a men's soccer team. (Side note, there was one girl on the softball team who was clearly the slowest one on the team. It was really encouraging to watch and listen to her teammates cheer her on and motivate her while they ran WITH her. GO KATIE GO! Sometimes I miss team sports. ) My friend and I started the warm up with a 2 mile progressively faster warm up. My friend is faster than me and I encouraged her to run faster when she felt she needed to. After the warm up we did some dynamic stretching (which I hate), but know is good for me- lunges, high knees, but kicks, etc. And then it was time to start the actual workout.

Over the past month I have gained a little bit of my confidence and fitness back and feel like I am ready to set a goal for Marine Corps: run as close to a 4 hour marathon as possible. Following Yasso logic that means I need to run my 800's at 4:00 minutes. My friend wants to run around a 3 hour 35 minute marathon so her goal was to run 3:35 minute 800's. My first 800 was about 3:43. Definitely need to slow it down a bit.  The next 3 were between 3:43 and 3:53. I am fully aware that this workout will get progressively harder each week so I need to work at getting my time as close to 4 minutes as possible. After the workout was finished, it was a 1 mile cool down for a total of about 6 miles.

I am trying to decide if I want to bring my ipod this week.

Super thankful to have such a nice track to run at and an accountability partner to meet me at the track.

Thirty and Beyond

Sh*t is about to get real folks. I turn thirty 8 weeks from tomorrow. And I am at my highest weight in probably 7 years. This is incredibly scary. Not the turning 30 part, but the part about my weight. My clothes don't fit like they used to fit. I feel slow and slugish while running. I am lacking self control when it comes to dessert. And I could go on and on. But starting yesterday, I am making a few changes. These changes aren't meant to be a temporary solution for a lifelong struggle. But to help me get back to a healthy place and stay there.

• I am returning to boot camp in the mornings at least 2 times a week. It's funny how once you quit something, there is such fear in returning. I stopped going to boot camp consistently in March. I went a few times in April/May, but nothing consistent. On my Tuesday night trail run I saw two people from class who asked me when I was coming back. I don't know why there is such a fear of returning when the people who can help and support me the most are ready and waiting for my return. I emailed the owner to see if my leftover classes could be used even though they technically expired and the outpouring of support was pretty awesome from the owner and the instructors. Are you looking for a boot camp in Nashville? Start Fitness is where it is at. 
• I am journaling my food. Pen meet paper. No more My Fitness Pal app for me for the time being.
• Every Sunday I am going to plan out my workouts for the week. I usually have a good idea of what my social and work activities will be for the week. I know that things will pop up, but I have found I operate best with structure.
• I will loosely be following Bob Harper's Skinny Rules...A life without beer and Diet Coke would be really scary for all of those around me.

I've laid it all out. It's going to be an exciting few months. I'll be turning thirty and then a month later running my SECOND marathon. It's on. Looking to be healthy at Thirty and Beyond. 

Race Racap: Yazoo Barely a 4k Brewer's Fest Edition Nashville, TN 7.28.12

On Saturday, one of my favorite Nashville events took place- The Yazoo Barely a 4k. I wrote about the second one here  and I had to miss the 3rd and 4th one because of work and vacation. So, I was pretty excited for this one. The cherry on top? Instead of a race t-shirt? We got capes! They divided us into three different groups and the the route you ran was based on the color of your cape. I was hoping for a red cape and red cape I got!

If you like to run and you like beer, this is the "race" for you. Even if you don't like to run, this is still the race for you. There are no timing chips. There are no road closures. There is no official start or finish line. It's just great people having a good time on a Saturday morning.

Personally, this race was a little different for me because my morning started at 5 AM with the first part of my run starting at 5:45 AM. A 9.5 mile run as part of my marathon training. Margaret and I planned this length to get in 12 miles total once we counted the 4k. We finished our 9.5 miles with about 30 minutes before the start and just enough time to get our cape and raffle ticket. I also changed my shirt and chugged some water.

The course was a loop and after a pretty fast for me 9.5 miles, I took the 4k at what felt like a snails pace. But this course was also no joke. Hills, hills, and more hills. And also more than a 4k. About 3 miles instead of 2.5. When it was all said and done I ran a total of 12.5 miles.

And then it was time for my favorite part of this race- The Beer and Raffle! This time we had bottles instead of kegs. The actual brewery, instead of just the tap room, was opened up for us to spread out since there were so many more runners. We drank some beers. We laughed. And then the raffle started.

The raffle is one of the best parts. Neil the race organizer gets random crap from his office and hands it out. Some people leave early and boy do they miss out! If you ever run a Barely a 4k, stay for the raffle or don't and up my chances of winning an awesome prize!

I'm already looking forward to the next Barely a 4k!

Red Capes!




Neil starting the raffle.


Jenny won a growler and a Yazoo santa hat.


I won an unbreakable pint glass and a t-shirt.


Steve and Danny didn't win anything. Oh the shame.




Running Buddies!

There Are Bad Times But That's Ok.

Woah! I am alive. Barely it seems. Actually things are going quite well. The past few days have been interesting. Work is busy. I coordinated a funeral (not for myself or family or friends, but for work). That is one event I never considered would be a part of my work duties and I have coordinated all types of events. It's be rainy and humid and hot. Oh the joys of living in the South. And a cooler leaked in my trunk and it smells like something died in the trunk. No joke. I am working on the smell, but if you walk by my car, I apologize in advance. And if I have to give you a ride, you deserve a cookie... It's just hard for things to dry out when it is so darn humid!

Anyway. I am 3 or 4 weeks into marathon training. I am not really sure. Who's counting anyway? But it's going well given the previously mentioned heat. I am doing lots of yoga. One of my teachers is really challenging me and pushing me out of my comfort zone in an awesome way.

Whenever I have a crappy to me day I usually find myself listen to the Dave Matthews Band song Pig. Seriously, just the kick in the butt I needed. A day that started with tears ended with a run and good friends. And Pizza. (And still trying to get that darn smell out of my car, but I'll forget about that for a few hours...)


There are bad times 
But that's ok 
Just look for love in it 
Don't burn the day away

This Is My Jam: Call Me, Maybe?

So, one of my best friends turned me on to Carly Rae Jepson's Call Me Maybe. It is seriously MY JAM.

One of my favorite videos is from the Staples Center Staff who made the video when they had a mind boggling 6 events in the arena in 4 days.

I just got back from a work conference where I met several people from the Staples Center. I so wish i had video of the 5 guys from the Staple Center performing this song while they were at the conference.

And here is one of my favorite cover versions by Ben Howard.


And in case you haven't seen the Harvard Baseball team's version...


It can't be all bad... NPR's Bob Bollen even considers it as one of the favorites of the year thus far.

I don't know much, but I do know that come October 28 this jam will be on my marathon playlist.

Show Review: Sara Bareilles with the Collective 4.15.12 Nashville, TN

I'm a little behind and need to play catch up (ie. Mumford & Sons, Fanfarlo, and The Head and the Heart...), but this show was just so different I needed to share it now.

Why was this show different? Because it was actually a part of my job. I don't write a whole lot about my work, but it centers around events. All different kinds of events. Some high profile. Some not so much. As I was thinking about it, I have been employed by the same place for 7 (SEVEN!!!) years. This is pretty rare, I get that. There have been ups. And there have been downs. But the stars aligned and my department was finally able to act as not only the venue, but the promoter. It was an amazing experience. I learned a lot. Met some great people, reconnected with old friends, and just had a good time. Last night was something I've wanted for not only myself, but also my co-workers and the students I work with on a daily basis. It was such a rewarding experience to put on a show that people were truly excited about. It's my hope that this will become a more regular occurrence.

Apparently, I put together a pretty rockin' gift basket. How do I know this? Sara Bareilles asked who put it together and said it was one of the best gifts she had ever received and thanked me personally.

Some of Nashville's Best:
A T-shirt from Imogene + Willie. 
A travel kit from Thistle Farms.
Various Olive and Sinclair Southern Artisan Chocolates.
A few different types of toffee from Nashville Toffee Company.
Handmade gourmet marshmallows from The Bang Candy Company.
A notebook from Hatch Show Print, as well as the Hatch we had made for the show.
A few Spirit of Nashville Art Deco Style postcards.
A copy of the current Nashville Lifestyles Magazine.
A copy of Garden and Gun.
She gave me another hug on the way out thanking me again. She probably won't remember me, but hopefully she will have good memories of her show in Nashville.

The Collective opened and if you have heard of the show The Sing Off, they were on it last season. They were amazing and I couldn't have picked a better opener. A great group of people and so much fun. I wasn't able to grab a picture, but I did find this You Tube video from the show.


I also got to see one of my good friends Erin, who just moved back to Nashville to start an artist management company. She's going to be big time.


I have to say one of the highlights for me was seeing so many alums come to this show and who were also a part of this show. We are all in our mid-to late 20's now, I can't wait to see the face of Nashville in 5+ years!

The meet and greet. Official non-crappy picture to come later.


Holy Moly the CROWD! This exceeded my wildest dreams.





Sara opened the show with her song Gravity. I've seen a lot of shows in my time. The crowd was so quite and Sara KILLED it. Like I had goosebumps. And the sound was great! After hearing her perform this song, I wanted to download everything she's ever done.


I didn't get to see the whole show, but from what I understand the encore was pretty awesome.

I am so glad that I will be able to look back on the past few months and weeks leading up to this show and the actual show itself and smile. We did it. We really did it.

So do you listen to Sara Bareilles?

This Is My Jam: Ho Hey by the Lumineers

I go through phases where I will listen to a particular song almost daily. Usually multiple times a day. And then I will move onto another song that I love equally as well. Right now, I am obsessed with Ho Hey by The Lumineers.  Have you heard of them? Their first album comes April 3 and I can't wait. They are tour across the US and the shows are selling out. I have my ticket for their show in April and I can't wait!

Ho Hey is such a fun little song. Here is the official video.


And here is an acoustic version.


Any new music I need to check out? Any songs you just love?

Race Recap: Tom King Half Marathon 3/10/12 Nashville, TN

Why hello there! I am still here. After a 3 straight weekends of travel I am back in Nashville for a while and I am here to stay. I am looking forward to some wonderful spring weekends spent with my wonderful friends and likely a few Sunday long runs.

I am not really sure why I signed up to run the Tom King Half Marathon, especially given my social calendar. January was rocking in terms of exercise, training, and eating. But isn't everyone's January the best month of the year in those regards?

Being out of town for 3 weekends straight really put a damper on my training schedule. For serious. I only went on one long training run where I needed a Gu. FAIL. I had a few 12 mile training run days split between morning and night runs. Whoever said those could substitute for long runs? I don't think it works, at least for me. Also, I don't suggest staying out 4 nights in a row past midnight (and drinking) before a race. While there were completely worthy reasons for staying out and it was so much fun, it probably wasn't the kindest thing I could do to my body. Like the time before I ate an entire pizza and pint of ice cream the night before a half marathon, I wasn't sure what affect it would have on my body...

The.Race.Was.Hard.

Really hard.

I learned that running a half marathon that you have quasi-trained for is much harder than running a full marathon you have really trained for. Go figure! Lesson learned.

Miles 1-7 were pretty easy. Miles 8-10 were probably my slowest miles. 11 and 12 were much easier because I knew I would see the East Nasty water stop at mile 12. The last mile of any race just kind of sucks and you want it over.

1:55:41. Not my best. Not my worst and certainly better than my first.

No pictures and I'm ok with that. I am sure when they appear they will not be suitable for viewing by young children.

Oh and I signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon in DC in October!

Show Review: The Civil Wars at the Ryman Auditorium January 12, 2012

While watching The Civil Wars "open" for Taylor Swift tonight on the Grammy Awards I realized I never posted about the show.

I liked the Civil Wars before I saw them live.

I loved them after the show.

They were amazing. Their energy and chemistry was great on stage. And at times it was hard to believe they are married to other people. Joy Williams is such a treat to watch on stage too.

I felt like all of Nashville's music industry was there. While they might not have all been there, a good deal were. Amy Grant was in the pew in front of me. No joke. Did anyone else have the Heart in Motion tape??? I know I can't be the only one.



Taylor Swift came out and they sang Safe and Sound from the Hunger Games Soundtrack (Who else is excited for this movie???) With the bright lights and her pale skin, you can't really tell it's her, but it is. I swear.



In case you didn't know, the Ryman is one of my favorite places to see live music.

Besides playing their own songs they also covered Billie Jean by Michael Jackson, Disarm by Smashing Pumpkins, and Dance Me to the End of Love by Leonard Cohen.

Anyone else like The Civil Wars?

Mumford and Sons. Ryman. YES!

Good things are on the horizon folks.  Back in 2010, the Mumford and Sons show I went to at the War Memorial was one of the best shows I saw that year, and I saw some pretty stellar shows which also included Arcade Fire, Conan, Bonnaroo, and DMB.

My friends and I were just lamenting last week about the lack of shows coming to the Ryman this spring. Well we hit the jackpot. Not one, not two, but THREE nights of Mumford and Sons. Yep. I'm lucky. Life is good. And now I just have to wait two months for these shows.

Happy 2012!

Well wouldn't you know? It's 2012 and I have been sort of absent. I may have gone MIA on the blog front, but I guess that's because I have been living life and staying busy and trying to lose the Christmas weight I found between all Belgian Beer and stroopwaffles I consumed while in Europe. And I know personally it has been a little hard for me to deal with the creeping number on the scale when I want so desperately to be back in marathon shape, but I don't want to put in a marathon effort. And I want cake. And I want to eat it too.

I rang in 2012 in The Hague, Netherlands with my brother, my friends Esther and Lauren, and a few new friends. It was a great way to start the year. Considering I almost threw up after an attempt at eating herring and onions in typical Dutch fashion, the year can only get better!







Half marathon training is in full swing and I am leading a 1:59:59 pace group for East Nasty. I am also trying to find another half to run before Country Music. Probably Tom King an/or Run the Bluegrass.

2012 is the year I turn 30. Um, holy shit. Where have the years gone? I thought about making one of those 30 for 30 lists, but I am horrible at stuff like that. If I want something I usually go do it or go buy it. However, the things that would be on my list would be things like go to Hawaii, go to New Zealand, climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, etc.. And those are things I can't all do in a year...unless I win the lottery or marry rich. And considering I haven't bought a lotto ticket in years and am not currently dating anyone, the odds are not in my favor.

So instead, I have been focusing on a few goals.
1. Read more (this always seems to be a goal).
2. Get together some sort of budget (again, this is usually always a goal). But I am actually doing ok with this one and I am using January as a baseline for the rest of the year.
3. Bring my lunch to work more.
4. Limit my Diet Coke intake. Friends this is huge. I have had about one Diet Coke a week since getting back from Europe. I was on a couple of bottles a day habit before I left.

For the most part things are going well and I really hope the first three week of 2012 have been good to you too!