dinner AND a show!

so when it comes to the fourth and final book in the twilight series, i've come to the conclusion that there are two kinds of fans:  those who loved breaking dawn, and those who despised it with the fury of a thousand suns.

because i'm really not that deep and just enjoy breezing through a fun book, i'm firmly in the first group.  i was pretty sad to hear that BD really was the last book, although i suppose there really wasn't anywhere else stephenie meyer could've taken that story.  and if you haven't read it (and actually want to), i'm not going to spoil any of it here.  so when the release date for part 1 of the movie loomed near, i started making plans in my head to take the teen for a midnight show, just like we did for new moon and eclipse. 

somehow i've got myself a membership with amc theater's "stubs" program.  i don't know how, because i sure didn't pay for it.  whateverz.  anyway, a couple of weeks ago i got an e-mail that invited me - you know, as a "stubs" member, heh - to buy tickets for a special advance screening of BD...at 8:00PM.  a full four hours before the rest of the west coast.  uh, yes, please.

the only catch?  well, the teen was at her dad's for that week.  and the showing was on thursday - a day before she was scheduled to come home.  crap.  but she was interested enough to promise to ask her dad if she could come home early so that we could go and see it together.  and in the meantime, i filled in my friend lilcee on the plan and invited her to come along.

and then as the teen found the perfect opportunity to ask her dad about it, her aunt came downstairs and invited her to join her for the midnight showing.  mothereff.  i was pretty butt about it, but i understood that she really didn't have much of a choice in the matter.  and it wouldn't have been very nice of her to be all like "uh, well, i really wanted to go with my mom..."  oh, well.

but it was okay - i still had lilcee as my movie buddy, who also invited one of her cousins to join us.  plus, i found out via twitter that there was a smallish food truckfest going on just down the street from our theater.  bonus - movie and dinner!

after a slight miscommunication, i found myself picking up lobster rolls for all three of us from my beloved lobsta truck, as well as a lobster roll burrito from jogasaki burrito.  i hadn't eaten much because i'd spent most of my day working on several dozen of these:

so i added a crab roll to my order and wolfed that thing down like nobody's business in the drive from the trucks to the theater.  heh.  i was starving, don't judge.

as i headed towards the theater to pick up our tickets (online ticket purchasing is fantastic), i walked past some amazingly long lines for the 12:01 shows and was pretty thankful not to have to deal with that mess.  i ended up having to try four different ticketing machines before i finally found one that hadn't run out of paper and then we made our way inside, where this greeted us:

lilcee offered to take a picture of me with it, and you know me - i sure don't have to be asked twice.  besides, poor jacob looked lonely.  he needed me, yo!

although even hunky taylor lautner wasn't enough to separate me from my precious lobster roll and burrito, as you can see from the death grip i have on the bag.

proof that i'm really not special was presented to me when we walked in here and found almost every seat taken in the entire theater.

we walked into the next one over, where we ended up taking the last three seats together - in the very front row.  talk about getting up close and personal.

i'd figured that i could pick up something to drink at the concessions stand...yeah.

i seriously waited for a solid half hour before finally getting to order my soda.  to make it worth the wait (not really), i added a box of butterfinger minis that i never did end up cracking open in my twilight stupor.  from the opening titles, i was almost too captivated to eat.

when the movie was over, we found that the lines had grown...and multiplied.  yikes.

oh, and shocker:  i loved the movie.

the end.

edit: if you go, make sure you stay past the credits.  there's a few minutes of extra added bonus footage!

just a-workin' on my fitness

five months ago-ish, i shared my measurements in a post titled "accountability." 

since then, i've completed the couch-to-5K program, conquered a tough (for me) 5.3-mile run over a ginormous bridge in san pedro, worked my way up to level 3 of the 30-day shred DVD, and signed up and am training for a half marathon in late january 2012.  plus, i took advantage of one of those deals-of-the-day for a boot camp not too far from home, and hope to start that soon.

holy shit, who AM i?

oh, and i love blow-drying my hair because when i look in the mirror as i reach up with the brush and the dryer, i see ab muscles.  AB MUSCLES, PEOPLE!  i have never seen such a thing on my own body in my whole entire life.  of course, there's still a nice, insulating layer of fat that forms a krispy kreme donut-like shape when i squeeze it, but whatever.  i'm pretty excited to be starting my fourth decade in pretty much the best shape i've ever been.

after perusing those measurements in the above mentioned post, i decided to bust out the ol' measuring tape again and see exactly where i stand.  i've noticed my pants feeling looser, which is a good thing aside from the fact that i don't really want to spend money on new ones.  and i was really happy to discover that i've lost inches in each spot i measured before:

natural waist:  1"
hip:  2.5"
thigh: .5"
bicep: 1"
bust: 1.5"

yeah, that last one is kind of a bummer.  a definite "boo" to the rest of the "yay"s, eh?  but it's okay.  i'm good.  i'd already resigned myself to having no boobies before anyway, remember? 

i kind of lost my running juju this week somehow - i got about halfway through my first 4-miler before my left shin started to hurt.  i tried to power through it after taking a walk break, but it just kept getting worse.  i was grimacing and sweating and was the opposite of cute as i trudged back home, doing a mere 2.75-ish miles at a horrible overall pace.  boo.  i'm thinking it's time to pick up some new running shoes.  it's the only thing i can think of that could be the problem.

got any other ideas?

pre-thanksgiving turkey day

it's been a while since i did a disneyland-related post, right?  right??  heh.

whatever.  we actually went for two whole weeks without visiting the parks, and so when i found us with nothing to do on tuesday - well, it wasn't hard to figure out how to remedy that little issue.  plus, i'd had a rough time with my training run that morning and so it was nice to do something cheerful for both me and the bean.

we've been trying to hit up different things during our visits - stuff that we either have never done or rarely get to do.  this has been a fun mission for us, and because the bean is rather set in her routine of things she must see or do when at disneyland or california adventure, it'll probably take us all year to accomplish our goal.  i'm okay with that.

although i'm extremely anti-christmas/holiday anything until after thanksgiving (respect the turkey, man!), it was hard not to get swept up in the holiday cheer here.  it was only the second day of the fun decorations and giant tree being up, so hey - when in disneyland, do as the mouse does, right?

as we headed down main street towards the castle in all its glory, we found that the entrance was blocked off by cast members and people were gathering around for...something.  we managed to find a spot in front, and a few seconds later an announcement came over the speakers - the disneyland band and mickey were coming to perform right in front of us.  the bean was stoked to hear this.

because we were off to the side, i didn't get any decent shots.  it's okay.  imagine a handful of older gentlemen in full band regalia standing in a circle playing disney music while mickey and pals prance around and wave at the crowds.  you get it, right?

as soon as it was over, we headed into fantasyland with the intent of checking out the holiday-ified "it's a small world" ride, but found ourselves distracted by the storybook land boats.  the bean hadn't been on this ride before because it was always closed down for parades when we tried before, so we got in line.  her favorite part was riding through the whale's mouth.  "look at his teef, mommy!"

then attempt #2 at "small world" was again foiled when she decided that what she really wanted to do was go to mickey's house and visit him.  so into toontown we went, bypassing the rather long line to see minnie right next door, and found ourselves with a mere 10-minute wait to meet the mouse.

but of course, she wanted to say "what up" to his galpal.  the line was still long, but it moved fairly quickly.  and it was hilarious to watch and listen to her and the little girl in the line behind us - they traded the basic info (name, age, favorite color) and monkeyed around on the handrails all the way up to the front of the line.

inside minnie's house, they insisted on taking a photo together.  i never did ask if they were local, and so i'm thinking this is the last time these two will ever lay eyes on each other.  anybody know this little one?  hook us up - the bean asked me the rest of the day where her friend was, and if they could play some more.

we visited goofy's house, donald's boat, and sat on the "jolly trolley" for about five minutes before we finally learned that it didn't go anywhere.  heh.  and then finally, it was time for "small world," all dressed up for the holidays.  the bean was absolutely entranced - so much so that we got right back on when it was over.

as with most disney rides, it conveniently lets you out right into a souvenir shop - typically themed after the activity you just enjoyed.  here, the bean decided to add some stuff to her ever-growing christmas wish list.

in an effort to save some dough, i'd packed us some sandwiches and snacks into my backpack.  as we headed through the park and across the way into california adventure to see the disney junior show for the bajillionth time, we munched on our tasty tidbits and chatted about what else we'd be seeing before heading home.  i'd made her a deal - we'd go to everything she wanted to see, but we'd leave the stroller in the car.  and i could tell she was hitting bottom by the glazed look in her half-mast eyes.  but we have a "1 treat per day" rule at the parks, and so she savored this as we waited in line for the show:

i picked up a treat for myself on our way out, too.  i sampled it and then wrapped it up into a plastic bag to enjoy on the way home.

the double-takes and incredulous glances i got from other drivers as i zoomed along in the carpool lane were hilarious.  the bean was passed out in the back while i munched, danced in my seat and pointed and gestured with my turkey leg in hand. 

best. ride. home. ever.

thanksgiving already?

i can't believe it's already been a whole year since we celebrated thanksgiving a week early with the bean and the rest of her preschool.  i swear, the older i get, the faster the time goes by.  ugh.

the party is done potluck-style with sign-up sheets posted at the front desk.  of course, by the time i got to see them, most of the items had already been claimed.  although this left me with easy stuff to pick from, and i ended up committing to bringing 25 rolls, 8 rectangular tablecovers in fall colors, and 40 matching plates and napkins.  i figured i could find most of it at my trusty dollar tree and be done with it.  but in typical wan fashion, i procrastinated.  i kept driving by the store and thinking, oh, i'll stop in next time.  you can imagine how this bit me in the ass.

monday morning came, and i threw on my running clothes so i could go for my 4-mile training run after dropping the bean off at school.  and as the hub was sitting with her at the table having some breakfast, it dawned on me:  the party was TODAY.  shit.  and it was already 7:50 - i typically get in the car with her a little after 8.  crap.

i scrambled to change back into regular clothes, mumbled a garbled explanation to the hub, and hopped into the car.  thank goodness the dollar tree opened at 8.  except that the moment i set foot in the store, i realized that it was a total fail - the retail rush to celebrate christmas starts earlier and earlier every year, and there was absolutely nothing to be had in the entire store that was fall or thanksgiving-themed.  i thought for sure i was totally screwed, and scurried across the parking lot to the grocery store.

i picked up packages of rolls and found my way to the paper goods aisles, where i stumbled across the most awesomely life-saving display ever of paper plates and napkins with turkeys and leaves on them and plastic tablecovers in orange and brown.  even better?  the paper goods were on sale for $1 a pack.

when i got back, i looked at the bean and realized that it was also brown day - and i'd dressed her in pink.  luckily, i had a backup outfit from when we took our family pictures that worked perfectly.  i got her changed and in the car and we still managed to get her to school on time.  damn, i'm good.

when the hub and i returned to the school for the party an hour-ish later, we again found ourselves seated right in the very back, just like last year.  dang.

after the first two classes came up and did their thing - so cute, in handmade hats and cautiously singing and hand-gesturing along with their teacher - i made my way up to the front to capture the bean on film.  she locked eyes with me the second she walked in behind a bunch of her friends, and waved happily.

they recited a bible verse and sang a song.  the bean sang with gusto, throwing her arms out and watching her teacher intently for cues.  she was really into it.  i have video of it, but it's like 3 minutes long and none of you fools would want to sit through that.

after the performance, she squeezed her way through to join me and the hub at the table and wait our turn to take our place in the line for grub.

i even got a present.

despite the fact that i'd just eaten breakfast an hour earlier, i served myself up a nice plate of thanksgiving eats.

the bean's plate was...a little less full.

oh, and here's her outfit.  i love that sweater so.

yay for thanksgiving parties!

girls' day out

lilcee and i spent our sunday hanging out at the beautiful terranea resort in swanky rancho palos verdes, site of a super-girly, day-long event called "pamper me fabulous."  we'd been talking about it for weeks, even learning that a friend of mr. lilcee was the event organizer, and were super stoked to go and have some fun girl time. 

we got there nice and early, although others had the same idea.  we were about 25th in line behind a bunch of chattering, giggling, lululemon-clad chicks.  the website had mentioned dressing comfortably and ready to work out at the various fitness sessions available, but we'd gone in regular clothing and just brought along some exercisewear to change into.

let's face it, though.  i totally knew we wouldn't be putting that stuff on, and i'd even neglected to bring a different pair of shoes.  and the boots i was wearing wouldn't exactly go with my nike capris.  heh.

so instead, we explored the offerings that were open - the ballroom, where "the bazaar" was being set up, didn't open for another hour.  the "expert corner" consisted of a handful of folks we'd mostly not heard of, discussing all sorts of different topics. 

there was quite a line already forming for a photo booth sponsored by hyundai.

but we found another one right next to it.  yeah, yeah, i know.  but where else can you get super cheesetastic if not a photo booth?

we tried a diet drink that was actually pretty tasty.

and found other beverages just outside the door.

alas, it was a little too early for any of that.  so we wandered around the gorgeous grounds and basked in the sun.

and found yet another photo booth.

we managed to score a free coffee cup here.

scored discounted tickets for the next event.

and came across...well, this.

by this time, the bazaar was open.  after overhearing snatches of conversation here and there, lilcee and i headed right for the OPI booth.  they were doing free nail polish changes, and it was already crowded just a few minutes after the doors had opened.  we still managed to find two open spots, because we're lucky like that.

gah, i have ugly hands.

there were lots of fun things to check out and sample.  i was SO tempted to pick up one of the clarisonics, on show special for $95, but i held back.  maybe santa will bring me one...in pink.

a familiar sight.  i'd looked into doing this last year, but the event coordinators wanted a crapload of money.  ugh.

at the just fabulous booth, there were shoes and bags and jewelry to peruse.  it's one of those sites where you pay $39.95 a month to pick one item to be shipped to you.  they had a wheel to spin too, where i won a pair of those foot pad thingies to put in a pair of stilettos.  because i wear those all. the. time.

being a glutton for punishment, i tested out the gadget for measuring body fat percentage and BMI.  i'm normal, by the way.  yay.

although this is how we first met, lilcee and i smirked as we passed the table laden down with the current issue of the knot magazine.

kim barnoin of the "skinny bitch" series was there signing her books.  she might have just come out of the "expert corner," too, but we'd skipped most of the seminars in favor of cupcakes.

lunch selections were limited, but pretty tasty.  they were offering gyros with shrimp, chicken or grilled veggies.  we were hungry by then, so we bought our tickets and grabbed some grub.

anybody know who this chick was?  we'd seen her getting dressed and doing her own hair and makeup in the restroom, and here she was clutching a microphone and doing some sort of on-camera story about the event.

we managed to squeeze into an afternoon spot for a hair consultation.  i got lucky and scooted in for a hand massage first, and then got seated in the salon owner's chair.  he was super nice and upon hearing that my last haircut was in june, immediately offered to snip off my dead ends and freshen up my layers.  uh...a free cut?  yes, please.

and then since normally-pricey kerastase hair products were 20% off that day, i decided to give one of their products a shot.  still $36, but hey - i'd gotten my hairs cut for free.

we sat back and watched the s-factor session going on in the fitness corner.  feeling motivated by the beautiful weather and the fact that we'd never see anyone here ever again, we decided to join the second session - jeans and all.

i looked absolutely ridiculous doing this, and not just because i'd been too lazy to go back to the car and put on my workout pants.

as our final activity for the day, we joined the "red carpet style" talk led by adrianna costa of the tv show "extra."  we were rather dismayed to find that it was really just an infomercial to push that just fabulous website.  meh.  and the three models came out to show off shoes and outfits that were hardly red carpet-worthy.

oh, and we caught a glimpse of the "millionaire matchmaker" herself, patti stanger.

i also ran into one of my friends from the local knot board.

back in the car, we unzipped our goody bags to see all of the loot.  and at home, i spread it all out to check it all out piece by piece.

and this is all of the stuff i managed to scoop up from the booths.

so much fun!  and now we know exactly how to prepare for the next one.  march 11th, downtown l.a.  who's coming with us?