Tennessee Valley

While I should have spent the weekend at the office, I did not. While I have probably doomed my next week, it was worth it, as I had a wonderful, restful weekend. Exactly what I needed.

Chris and I crossed a million little tasks off of both our lists this weekend. That's always a nice thing to do.

The house is dressed for fall. We purchased our pumpkins! Last year I was sad that I didn't carve a pumpkin for Halloween, so this year we set out early. I am ready with a beauty.

I went to pilates for the first time in almost a year. Pilates after a year off does not feel good.

Today my friend Ashli introduced me to a part of Marin I had never been. I love that I still discover the area in which I live, even though I have lived in the Bay Area for 4+ years. After we met for brunch, we had a lovely walk down to Tennessee Beach, accessible only by foot or bike. It was a perfect little post-brunch walk -- about a 5K out and back.

While it was foggy, it was still beautiful. There were so many people out there. I cannot believe I hadn't been after witnessing the number of people in the know! But then again, it was only last year that I discovered Rodeo Beach, one of my favorite places in Marin. And, I have yet to make it out to Muir Woods... something that has been on my list for years.

I was really nice to spend some time with Ashli catching up and planning our next triathlon -- California 70.3. A good goal to keep us going through the winter (not to mention the running events we have both signed up for).

Best part about the weekend -- AMAZING RACE IS BACK! I can't wait.

Election Insanity

Where have I been? WORKING. It has been so busy... way beyond the usual election madness. I can't catch my breath! I cannot wait for for November 4th!

Work has left little time for play. I am lucky if I get home while it's still light out. I need to be training, however when I get home I often still have more work to do or have no desire to anything.

Despite the craziness, I am enjoying living in Mill Valley. I have settled into the new house and am loving the neighborhood. I was able to get out for a short run last weekend and enjoyed exploring the area.

I am very much looking forward to getting up into the trails and exploring Mt. Tam. I have not yet had an opportunity to do so. Maybe this weekend!

Nautica Malibu Triathlon

I had forgotten that triathlon can simply be fun. In the middle of the bike portion of the Nautica Malibu Triathlon I remembered why I had become addicted to triathlon when I participated in my first event about five or so years ago. Triathlon is fun!

Particularly when you are standing at the start line and realize you are standing next to Marc Anthony. Whoa! Wait, if Mark Anthony is right here, J.Lo must be near by. Oh wait, she's right in front of me. Wow, she's not that tall!

Many informed me before we headed south for the weekend that I was not allowed to return home unless I beat Jennifer Lopez. I am happy to report I beat Jennifer Lopez, by about 11 minutes. One can fake a sprint after all! (Me, not J.Lo.)

I was shocked to see Chris McCormack out on the race course. What on earth was he doing here? An Ironman champion doing a sprint? He was SO FAR ahead of everyone else that it was a joke.

The celebrity spotting that proved to be the most entertaining was Matthew McConaughey. Chris and I were standing on the beach talking to Jon Cryer (Duckie!) when Matthew McConaughey strolls by with a pack of paparazzi. His stretching for the cameras was priceless.

Who did we see besides Jennifer Lopez? Other stars at the race included Felicity Huffman, William H. Macy, John Hamm, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Jon Cryer, Monique Coleman, Heather Tom, Andy Baldwin, Chris Harrison (host of the Bachelor), Eliza Dushku, David Chokachi (of Baywatch fame), Anna Kournikova and my personal favorite, Scott Foley. There were many other stars I recognized as television stars, but I could not tell you who they were.

Cindy Crawford was the MC of the event and we all agreed that she is a beautiful woman. And her children! They are STUNNING.

I was glad Chris and I had fun at the race, because Saturday was a big disappointment. Chris and his family had been looking forward to the USC v. Ohio State game for months, and the game was a horrid loss. We had a great time, however, at the pre-game tailgate. My first real college football game was an adventure, even if Ohio State lost.

The rest of the weekend wasn't so great. We crashed our rental car. Not fun. I was pretty happy to return home knowing I didn't have to travel anytime in the near future.

Off to LA...

Getting ready to head to LA for the weekend... It's going to be one crazy weekend.

We land and then immediately have to rush off to pick up the bikes we rented for our race on Sunday. Then we dash off to tailgate at the USC v. Ohio State football game. How sad is it that my age I am going to my first real college football game? I guess that is what happens when you to to a school that isn't a football school. (While we had a football team my first few years, it went away...) I imagine the game is going to be insane, as Chris' family is an Ohio State family, in USC territory. Good times.

Sunday we race! I am looking forward to seeing how awful it is to race without having done any training. For those of you who think I might be over exaggerating... I am not. Burn out from Ironman has lead to exactly SIX workouts since June. Nice, huh? I am hoping this weekend gets me moving again, because I really need to get going!

I finally downloaded my photos from last weekend's adventure in Universal City and at Universal Studios. There were some very funny photos in there, so I am sharing a few.

Celebrity Chef Spotting No. 4

Life has been a whirlwind as of late. Last weekend I found myself in Universal City for the California Political Attorney’s Association annual retreat.

Chris came with me, which was wonderful, not only to have him there, but because we were able to meet his parents for dinner on Friday evening to celebrate Chris’ birthday a few days early.

Continuing on our theme of celebrity chefs, it wasn't too surprising that we ended up meeting Wolfgang Puck while at dinner at Spago. It was lovely to visit with Chris’ parents, and we both felt spoiled, as were are going to see them again this weekend, as we will be in LA for the USC vs. Ohio State football game and the Malibu Sprint Triathlon. (Yes, the very same race Jennifer Lopez is doing.)

While I am not a fan of continuing legal education, which is the point of our annual CPAA retreat, it was nice to have Chris there and we had a very fun evening with other members of the firm. Most of the lively conversation revolved around harassing one of our partners. It was quite entertaining.

All of the members of our firm in attendance also spent an afternoon at Universal Studios. While I found Universal Studios not all that exciting, it was fun to spend an afternoon with my colleagues and their significant others outside of work. My favorite moment was on the Jurassic Park water ride and somehow everyone got soaked but me. (This is because I am brilliant and wore a baseball cap.)

I did NOT enjoy the Simpson’s “roller coaster” ride, as by this point I was feeling a bit queasy after our first roller coaster ride (a real one) and being jarred around in place was not fun. (The Simpson’s roller coaster is a simulated ride – you feel like you are on a roller coaster, when in fact, you are simply in a roller coaster car that stays in place.) All and all, however, it was a great retreat and a good weekend, even if most of it was spent in class.

I returned to work for one day before I jetted off to Washington DC for less than 24 hours for a client meeting.

While I am very much looking forward to this weekend, I cannot wait to spend some time at home, so I can settle into the new place a bit. I haven’t been home since I moved in!

Next up, the Malibu Sprint Triathlon. While normally a sprint wouldn't cause me a moment’s pause, this race should be interesting since I haven’t worked out in two in a half months. A less than brilliant plan, I know. Wish me luck!

Labor Day Weekend: Bayless and Chihuly

Chris and I have been very lucky at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market -- not only with the food finds, but with celebrity chef sightings. This weekend held a treat even better than when we spotted Chris Cosentino... we saw Rick Bayless. I freaked out.

Me: "Chris, Oh My God! It's Rick Bayless!"
Chris: (Of course) "Let's go say hi."
Me: "No way."

Chris, ignoring me, walked over to Chef Bayless and introduced us. Chef Bayless was very kind. It was fun to meet him.

Most of the remainder of the long holiday weekend was spent unpacking and enjoying the new home in Marin. We finished unpacking Sunday afternoon, just in time to depart for dinner party we were attending. It is so nice to be done. I cannot stand living in box-madness. Chris was a sweetheart and made it happen.

In celebration of unpacking, Chris and I decided to head down to the De Young as a Labor Day activity and check out the Chihuly Exhibit. Even better, we met up with my aunt, uncle and cousin, who were also looking forward to seeing the exhibit.

All I knew about Chihuly heading into the exhibit was that he had done the beautiful glass ceiling in the reception area at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Little did I know Dale Chihuly a Washingtonian, born and raised in the same town where my mother was born. Even better, he now lives in Seattle!

The exhibit was amazing. The colors were so vibrant and stunning. The glasswork seemingly impossible. I highly recommend the exhibit for anyone who has not yet seen it.