The Weirdness

                                         
If I were to ask my friends or family to describe me in one word it would probably be weird, if I catch them on a good day it would be "unique".  Even Craig calls me the weirdest person ever, and thats coming from someone who gets excited because they are boiling beets on a Saturday night.  So abiding by the law of attraction I always have weird things happening to me.  I think that's why people always tell me I should have a reality show.  Since I am pretty much only hanging out with myself I have become even weirder and am definitely doing things I normally dont do.

I wouldnt call myself shy but I am not the kind of person to just spark up a conversation with a stranger.  Until now.  It all started when I went to Six Flag's last weekend.  I was the weirdo who went to am amusement park alone, pretty sure I was the only one in the park riding solo (que Jason Derulo).  So everyone stands in line taking selfies of themselves and talking to their friends and I find myself conversing with the employees.  Like I was really bothering them, did you know they only get 30% off food but they do get to go free AND bring a guest.  Then I just randomly turn around to a group of teenagers and I am like did you hear that the Superman shut down?  Do you know when its going to open?  Then thank god someone finally wanted to talk to me.  I was enjoying a funnel cake and a little boy walks up to me dressed as a banana (fright fest at the park)

Asks me if he can use my cell phone to call his brother because he went to go #2 and dropped his shorts in someone elses #1.  I didnt have my cellphone so the conversation was pretty short.

We had our Welcome to Texas party at work yesterday and usually I hate these things, and I was really dreading it because I am leaving soon so talking about adjusting to TX seemed silly, plus who really wants to get to know someone that is going to be gone in a short time.  Well I dont know what was going on again, because I literally was Chatty Cathy.  Someone would ask me how work was going  and next thing ya know I am telling them my life story.   A poor Ph.D. fellow informed me that he was UNH Alum too, what a mistake for him. Did you know someone with 30927392 Ph.D's, 2329832983 honorary professorships, 23729382 MD's and probably a Master's in everything under the sun doesnt care that I thought movie Gravity was boring?  I mean you know you are talking to much when someone says "well nice to meet you" 3 different times during your conversation, and then do that awkward shuffle away from you while your still talking.  So when you finally wrapping up your conversation they are like 10 feet away.



So even though I spend alot of time on the phone with friends and family I am obviously desperate for real conversations.


The first weird thing that happened to me was that I found a dead body on my way to work, or at least I thought I saw a dead body.  Doesnt it look like it?!?!  And that was from like 300 feet away.  I called the Police and said,  I think there is a dead body or at least unconscious under the freeway. So of course she puts me on HOLD and then transfers me to an automated system that tells me I can report it online. Like HELLO LADY I just told you I found a dead body.   I reported it online "there is a dead body under 1604 by walgreens"  I mean what is going on in the world today that someone sees a dead body and is put through to an online help center.  I drove by the next day and the mass was gone, so RIP or glad you found another napping spot that doesnt scare the crap out of me.







I think I mentioned that you get this free BMI/health screen when you sign up at my gym??  Well you do so I signed up and I was suppose to have my screening the first Saturday I was here.  I get a text message from the trainer at 12 am kinda late saying that she couldnt make it because she had a family emergency yada yada okay whatever fine but I mean sending a text that late is kinda weird.  Fast forward to last Friday night I am getting out of the movie Gravity and I check my phone and I have a text from the same number that says " I did you one better, I took one in real time, wtf am I doing?!"  and that is followed by kissey face and boob shoot.  Ya you read that right my suppose to be trainer sent me a nudey photo.

AWKWARDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD


Besides me being weird and other people getting weird Texas has been fine.  Its not good its not bad its just hot.  I miss the foliage, fall apparel (chunky sweaters, boots, and scarves), but being able to lay by a pool in October isnt so bad either.

                                                  

Work has been pretty stressful.  Last Friday my boss said the worst thing a boss can say on a Friday night "Do you mind staying late" and then the government shuts down and made work even worse.



I cant really comment on the situation due to my lack of interest in politics but it would be really nice if they could get along relatively soon.  President Obama I know you read my blog so I am begging you to play nice so we can continue finding a cure for HIV.

I have been able to cross a couple things off my Texas bucket list. Josh and I went to a BBQ cooking competition.  Josh?  Josh is my coworker, we worked together at Beth Israel and then I got him a job in our lab here, so I have known him for about 3 years now. He was born in Kenya, but has lived in Boston for the past 15 years, and its really funny because although he has been in the US for a while now there are still some things that he hasn’t been exposed too.  So I spent the day teaching Josh about farm animals, grilling and country music.   

     

This band absolutely killed it!  They were ahhhh-mazing.  I almost got up and danced but I didn’t want to embarrass Josh…or myself.  

What happens at these competitions is they cook all day and during the course of the day there are different turn in times for different meets.  Like ribs are turned in at 11, pulled pork at 2, brisket at etc. I was told that smoke rings and plating are the most important part of the competition (and cold beer). 

  

 We got to the BBQ portion at the right time because they had just turned in their last submission for the day.  Each BBQ master team has its own little cooking area decorated with their personal flare.  Some were pretty extravagant and obviously it wasn’t there first rodeo ; )

So what they do is they open their areas to the general public.  You walk in make a donation to their charity of choice, greeted by real cowboys, and you can eat and drink as much as you want.  I made the rookie mistake of chowing down heavily at the first stop, but it was soo soo good. 

I also saw my first Mutton Bustin’ competition. 

“In the event, a sheep is held still, either in a small chute or by an adult handler while a child is placed on top in a riding position. Once the child is seated atop the sheep, the sheep is released and usually starts to run in an attempt to get the child off. Often small prizes or ribbons are given out to the children who can stay on the longest.”

Not really sure how I feel about this, but the kids seemed to love it and it was pretty hilarious. At least they wear helmets?!  

Great day, great food, and good company!

Friday nights have been movie night.  Here are my reviews:

Prisoners- a must see.  Not for the faint hearted, and I almost cried at one scene because it was that intense.  Probably not the best movie for mothers, but if you like suspense, twists, and WTF moments then you would love it.  So I loved it.

Gravity- 

First off I have to say that whoever made the trailer for this movie did a horrible job, because it didn’t even remotely make me wanna go see this film.  I watch Live with Kelly and Michael every morning and she was just going on and on about how its life changing and blah blah so I cancelled all my Friday plans ; ) and went to see it. I really don’t know what all the Oscar hype is about. Yes Sandra nailed it, and most of the movie is just starring her but I didn’t walk away with this life altering flood of emotions. There are a couple parts where I was like COOOMMMEEE ONNNNN SANDYYY!!!!  But the audience gave a round of applause at the end and I just wasn’t feeling it.  According to my friend colleen, I didn’t like it because it wasn’t a horror film and she is probably right.  Did I want my 11 bucks back no, would I see it again no.

When I first was deciding about moving here, I of course googled “things to do San Antonio”   Six Flags Fiesta was one of the first things that came up and I was sold, seriously it had a weighing factor on me coming. I am a huge fan of rollercoasters, possibly obsessed.  It can never be too fast, winding, or stomach turning for me.  I actually have discovered that for me carnie rides are the scariest, I think because while turning upside down your not really sure if the dude below you who is smoking a cig and reeks of booze is qualified to run a ride, so it adds a double scare factor.

Anyways I had a complete blast being a kid for the day.  I was dying laughing on every ride.    I rode all the over 48” rides twice and my favorite ride the Iron Rattler, best rollercoaster I have EVER BEEN ON.  Okay just freaked myself out, went to google to find you guys a picture of the Rattler and 2 months ago someone was thrown from the ride and died.  Excellent.  I also went on the log ride, when is the last time you went on a log ride?!  Canobie Park on your elementary school field trip? 

It was also Fright fest there so everyone was dressed up in costumes running around the park scaring people. I don’t know when the last time I laughed uncontrollably because I was doing something fun.  Obviously I laugh all the time at TV shows and conversations with friends etc but to laugh because you are flying upside down is something completely different, and after having the week from hell it was perfect.

I have been going to the gym about 4-6 times a week depending on my mood sometimes I just go to the pool lol.  I have become obsessed again with spinning (thanks Al for all the tips they helped so much!) but there is one class that is kicking my ass and its really bothering me.  Its called total conditioning and I mean I considered myself to be pretty athletic before I started this class.  Its ridiculously hard and I am all over the place and when the instructor is on the next exercise I am still recovering from the last.  I look like a complete idiot and I do things half ass just to keep up.    My jumping jacks just moving my arms, do every other lunge, and don’t even get me started on the plank holds because I have both knees down the entire time (Meg, Innsbruck hot yoga has nothing on this class).  So my new gym goal is to successfully complete the 90 minutes of hell without looking like this:

Ask me if I bring this to the gym everyday…

I am officially in the Halloween spirit, and am dedicated my whole weekend to hocus pocus, decorating, possibly seeing the new Carrie, and making my costume (its gonna be gooooooooooood!).

THE CUTENESS:

If you live or are around the Plymouth, NH area you should definitely stop in at Simply Sunflowers.  They have got some amazing fall/winter accessories, the latest trends, winter classics, and home decor.  For some fashion inspiration check out Jaime's blog on http://www.simplysunflowersnh.com/  she has got THE best style ever. Huge fan and even bigger copycat.  Love the store and love her even more!