Meet Henri.

Have you met Henri??  Please tell me that you have met, Henri.

Tell me that you love Henri.  That you understand Henri.  That you have an Henri of your very own.

No, well - meet Henri:

De Rein.  Muah!!  *insert french laugh here*

When I run the world.

Yes, you read that right "when" not "if" - you see I have super secret plans for the zombie apocalypse, and you'll all elect me madame president.

In other news...  given 5 rules to make, as said leader, what would mine be??  This make take a little more time and effort than I am prepared to put forth (as they change daily) but here are those on the top of my head.  To keep from offending the entire Universe - I'll leave my handy dandy examples out of these.

1.  If you get caught participating in hypocrisy of any kind - Face punches. 

2. I would automatically institute Fat Sunday (thanks, Becca) - anything and everything you eat on Sunday doesn't count, doesn't effect you, won't make you gain weight, won't hurt your tummy, nada.  It's magic.  Hooray for Fat Sunday.

3. You must dance daily.  No exceptions.

4.  When you make a statement of opinion that will be offensive, and you begin it with "no offense, but" - your ability to speak, write, type, or otherwise communicate will be removed for 24 hours.  Just don't be an ass.  Pretty simple.

5.  You will not be allowed to take yourself too seriously.  I understand that there are times in which we need to be adults, and be serious.  Of course there are serious things that effect the world.  However, if you can't let your guard down, laugh at yourself, smile at others, dance in the store, or smear oreos all around your mouth and ask if you have anything in your teeth - then, well, if you can't do that - magic will make you fart in public.

Now, as you can clearly see - when I am ruler the world will be a much better place.

Until then, carry on!!

Let's Not Break The Rules.

I am pretty upset by a RULE that is being broken.  I like rules, I follow rules, I will tattle on you if you break the rules.  They are the RULES for a reason (at least that is what I would like to think).

WHHHHHHHHEEEEEN, my friends, did it become okay to wear white after Labor Day??  Maybe it is the strength of my southern roots showing, but my dear grandmother would roll over in her grave (well, she was cremated - but you catch my drift) if she knew people were breaking this very significant, very cardinal rule of fashion.

I googled this very rule to see when people decided to lose their damn minds.  What I found was people have decided that, "you should just wear what you want," and that "that rule is old fashioned."  I say, "bullshit."  I say the fashion industry is offering up some ruse to insight mass rule breaking hysteria.  Don't fall for it.

Between Labor Day and Easter keep your white stuff in your closet.  If you chose to break the rules, I can't help but judge, and say (in my very best southern accent)... "well bless her heart."

(oh, and just in case you were wondering - "winter white" double bullshit).

Awkward Runners.

We're talking a lot about running lately.  It's on my brain.  I can't help it.

In every sport you have your outliers, the weird, the strange, the wonderful, those that make it seem as though it's art, and those that make it effortless.

... and then you have these.

I swear I have seen each and every one of these runners on campus, and I am pretty sure that I have been the T-1000, and the stiffy. 

You know, it's funny cause it's true.  Keep it up fellas, keep it up!!

It's a girl anthem, get your damn hands up.

It happens every so often - this girl anthem.  A song that, when played, turns normal, sane, ordinary ladies into finger waggin', fist shakin', power jumpin', group dancin' girls.  We flock to the dance floor and raise our fists in girl power unity.

These songs go way back, think: I Will Survive, You're So Vain, What's Love Got to Do With It, I'm Every Woman, Single Ladies, You Outta Know, Domino, Respect, Since U Been Gone, Express Yourself, are you with me??

It's true, we may not BE angry with our significant other, we may not BE dealing with a break up, or cheating hearts, or jack wagon dudes, but this need to fight the man rises to the surface.

And so, ladies (and gents) I present to you the new girl anthem.  Ladies, join me on the dance floor.  Dudes, just nurse your drink - we'll return to normal shortly.

Here's to shakin' your fist - at no one in particular!!

It's beginning to look a lot like...

26.2 miles.  Were you aware that 26.2 miles is a REALLY LONG WAY?!?

Joe says we take training day by day, run by run, mile by mile.  We put in the hard work, and relish in race day.  As one runner put it, "the training is the labor, and the race is the baby."  (hopefully the race involves less puke and poop than said baby....)

Sunday I had 16 miles.  I felt great.  No one stole my water.  No raccoons were fighting.  No wild animal attacked me.  It was nice. 

Then mile 13 - BAM, bug in my eye.

What's running with out a few speed bumps to keep you on your toes.

28 days and counting.

It's My Anthem.

Look, I know I am going to lose a couple of you right away - sure.  But I have a new anthem.  I play it when I need a lift, when I am feeling down, when I am feeling up, basically it's my get your booty in gear song.

I love it.  I know it's not the most current thing out there.  I know that some of you can't see past the fact that it is rap.  But apologize for it - I will not.  I CAME TO WIN!!

I've learned that in every task you undertake you'll find haters.  People who believe that to be happy for you means to not feel good about themselves; and to give you credit means to take the spotlight from them.  I don't have time for this. 

We do not get this life twice.  I plan to soar.

In Store Meltdown.

This is probably going to be an "andrea" thing, but I suspect a few of you may also participate in "in-store meltdowns."

http://www.auntsallys.com/products/pralines/creamy/214.html

I was walking through Cost Plus World Market, when my eagle eyes spotted something that I have NEVER seen in this part of the country.  AUNT SALLY'S PRALINES!!!!

I dropped my purse, ran over, knelt down, and may said something like, "oh my gawd, you have traveled so far.... you must be so tired, let me take you home." Then I jumped up, "squealed", turned around and came nose to wrapper with BANANAS FOSTER PRALINES - OH.MY.GOD!!!!

I practically skipped to the front of the store, all the while guarding my treasure: my preciouses. 

If you have lived your life without one, then there is quite a gaping whole in your heart.  You need to eat one of these tasty things.  NEED TO.

"Prah-leen, Pray-leen" Here's to them all!!

Best Running Playlist Ever.

Well kids, I think I have finally done it.  I have created a 30 minute running playlist that is genius.

I've been testing it out for the last three months, and yup - it's badass.  Oh, I see... you want me to share with you??  Oh, alright. 

1.  Enter Sandman - Metalica.  (work with me here)
2.  The Distance - Cake
3. Written in the Stars - Tinie Tempah
4.  I'm So Excited - The Pointer Sisters (think BPM - not Grammy award winning)
5.  Dancing With Myself - Billy Idol
6.  We Found Love - Rihanna (just when your kinda getting tired... the rev up portion of this song helps).
7.  Otis - Jay-Z and Kanye
8.  Untouched - The Veronicas

I love this set, LOVE IT TO PIECES!!!  Some other add ins can be:  Jesus Walks - Kanye, Hand that Feeds - NIN, Midnight City - M83, Till I Collapse - Eminem, and Bonkers - Dizzee Rascall.

Anyone else out there create awesomeness??  Let me know.  I need to know.  Tell me your secrets!!!

Here's to finding the right BPM (beats per minute).