RUN: 2 miles @6:50+6:20?, Home <-LL-> WM

I got home late from work but decided that sure... I wanted to add a couple more miles to this week's total, so I promptly stripped my bedsheets and put them into the wash, changed clothes, and was out the door.

I ran a quick mile to Wal-Mart. My watch read 6:41, but it felt like 7:15. I picked up some ibuprofen and some surprise gifts for my older sister (it'll be in the package I mail out to you this weekend).

The mile back home was also at a quick pace, though I did stop a couple times - once to be sure I didn't drop anything, and the other to tell someone that their dog was roaming free outside at night (yeah... That dog). The watch read 6:11, but it must've been kidding... I was running with goods and music (listening to Maroon 5).

Anyways, that's basically this evening. I posted a couple of music entries (Jordin Sparks and Maroon 5), which are lengthy with the lyrics, but below that, there's an new entry about today's Toastmasters Table Topics Contest (link). And my sister put up the post for our Christmas vacation in Ohio/Maryland, which I back-dated (so here's a link).

I couldn't get a good sweaty Ceddy pic, but here's one anyway:

Oh, and a picture of my new shoes (Brooks Adrenalines GTS7):

:)

EVENT: "Top 3 @ 3" on 107.1 FM - WA1A

Like home where I can only get one tv station (NBC), I can only get one radio station at work, and it's WA1A 107.1FM.

Anyways, I like them. I even listen to them at home (where I have more options) in the morning as I prepare for work. Listening to WA1A is the closest thing I have to being on any sort of regiment (which I need). They have a number of contests throughout the day, such as the "Avenue Viera 5-Question Quiz" at seven in the morning and the "Drive at Five". The radio programming keeps me "regular"... helps me pass the day.

The contest that I personally look forward to is their "Top 3 @ 3", where Tony Banks plays the three most requested songs of the day then gives the seventh caller the opportunity to say back the list for a prize. I started calling in a couple weeks ago but I'd always end up being caller #1 or 2 then getting busy signals afterwards.

I tried again today. I could feel my blood surging through body as the last song of the list ended and the dial tones played on the radio. I picked up the phone and started to call. I got a busy signal and tried calling again, and on my third try, I got a dial tone (waiting... waiting...)

VOICE ON THE LINE: "You're caller number one, try again!"

VOICE IN MY HEAD: "Frick!"

So I did it: I dial again. Busy. And again. Busy. And again and again until... a second dial tone!

My body was paralyzed, receiver-to-the-ear... paralyzed by the over-eager delusion of possibly being the seventh caller, then...

VOICE ON THE LINE: "Hello."

ME(after a couple long seconds of silence): "Am I caller number seven?"

VOICE ON THE LINE: "I believe you have something for me."

ME: "HOLY CRAP!"
...

So I read the three songs back to him:
           #3. Pink "Who Knew?"
           #2. Eliot Yamin "Wait For You"
           #1. Fergie "Big Girls Don't Cry"

and BOOYAH!

I won a couple tickets to the Rave Motion Pictures theatre (which is only 1.8 miles from my house!) and a gift certificate to the new Japanese restaurant in town (teppanyaki!) -- I'm taking MOM there next week when she comes to visit!

I did my happy celebratory dance in the office.

Oh, it still feels good!

JOURNAL: Mr. Gay USA Rs&Rs

After a short and surprisingly pleasant week of work -- steady and successful stream of coding work, resolution to an operating mystery, Lots of Panera bagels, and good/healthy/positive interaction (and help!) from my officemate -- I'm just taking it easy at home today... cleaning and catching up -- it can't always be fun and games. Anyways...

I was cleaning papers and all when I came across a brochure for the Mr. Gay USA pageant that I received at the Expo during Gay Days. It's purpose was to encourage people to try out for it. Included was a description of the contest phases:
       1. Personal Interview
       2. Creative Formal Wear
       3. Talent
       4. Swimwear ("Thongs are not allowed.")

Also included was its list of its rules and regulations. It is here that I found something that prompted this entry:

Rule #13: "No excessive glitter, fire, water, unwrapped straw (hay), or live animals may be used in any category in this competition."

A few of my immediate thoughts...
       - You can use live animals?
       - What's considered excessive?
       - Haaaay

So I ventured to the USAUnlimited.org site and checked out the current list of Rs&Rs and noticed that the rule (now rule #5) had been clarified.

"5. Any type of talent presentation is acceptable, except those that may cause injury to the audience or any other person. No excessive glitter will be permitted. No fire, water or bales of straw/hay that are not wrapped may be used in any talent. No live animals or reptiles may be used in any category. **This rule falls for all categories that you will compete in."

Boo :P

VIDEO: Fun Picture-Takings

I really should be in bed right now.

Photo Mistakes - The most amazing videos are a click away

JOURNAL: Clemson is #7!

Wasn't sure what category this goes into, and I didn't want to create a special "SPORTS" label, so "JOURNAL" it is. Clemson made #7!

MISC: Screaming Flying Monkeys have arrived!

MOVIE: 300 -- It's Reigning Men!

Mmm... Meat. Raw, bloody, scantily-clad Meat.

But 300 offers more than chiseled men in strappy leather sandals, tight leather briefs, and gorgeous free-flowing red capes... I think... I was concentrating on the aforementioned eye-candy.

The standout for me was David Wenham as Dilios. I absolutely adored his hair - all of it.
Yummy.

JOURNAL: Thanks Cindy

plus stone runner keychain and silk button-up shirt (not pictured)

MISC: I should get this for you, Cindy...