Mother's Day Is Upon Us

Another year, another Hallmark Holiday... Mother's Day. I really find nothing wrong with buying my mom a gift and showing my appreciation, but picking out gifts for people is hard. Ok, sure I can go with the cookie cutter, cliched gifts of flowers and a card. It will do the trick. The five seconds of shock and awe that I did something may be worth the price, but my common sense kicks in. Why buy a gift that will be dead in a week? Plus, why buy some shmaltzy card that I could have created on my own?

And thus the pressure mounts as the search for the perfect gift continues.

Nothing Like a Good Run

In high school I used to be a big runner, not a fast or talented one, I just used to run a lot - anywhere from 7-10 miles a week. In college I kept up the tradition but by senior year, either from old age or tennis, or both, my knees started to hurt and it made running rather uncomfortable. Plus, the altitude in Colorado doesn't help.

These days the only running I do is for the Turkey Trot - whether I am prepared or not I run the 10k Thanksgiving Day Race every year. It is tradition.

I could say I miss running, but let's face it that would be a lie. Why run when you can walk, bike, or even drive for that matter? While I don't miss the actual act of running, I do miss that sense of accomplishment that comes after getting through a tough run, you know, that on top of the world feeling.

Today, I grabbed my iPod and walked outside with the intention to walk, but something came over me. I had that runner blood flow going, the kind where the run isn't torturous but actually enjoyable. Ok, I did walk a little bit along the way, but the last 1.5 miles I ran.

The tunes were pumping, I had a solid running rhythm going, and yeah... did I mention that I was running? Rounding third and heading home I began to raise my arms in triumph like Rocky. Alright, that part is a lie, but I sure felt like Rocky running on top of the steps of the Capitol Building in Philadelphia.

As for tomorrow - I'll probably be back to walking.

Nike, My Sneaker Adonis

I am sneaker obsessed, Nike kicks in particular. You know, the ones made in Malaysia by children sweat shop workers. *Ok that last sentence was sarcasm. But yes I do truly love nike sneakers.

Instead of collecting works of art I collect sneakers. And even though I have way more than I could possibly wear or use, I want my collection to grow and grow. They are so freaking cool. My sneaker fetish started a few years ago, when Nike decided to kick it old school with their retro look, and ever since I have been hooked. Currently my count of Nike shoes stands at 7, my total collection of awesome trainers stands at 10.

I used to go for the 50/50 split of comfort and style when buying shoes but now the breakdown looks like this 80- style, 20- comfort. Of course I won't wear any blister machines, but style must come first. I've also found it possible to color coordinate most of my Nike sneakers with a matching hoodie.

And when there is time to spare, I visit Nikeid.com and play around with my own creations.

Nike is so awesome that they've even made tennis shoes look cool to wear. Now that is impressive, and almost too good to be true. But my three most recent pairs of tennis kicks stand as daily reminders.

Thanks again Nike for truly being my sneaker Adonis.

The Test of a True Gentleman

Today as I headed to my weekly body sculpt class, I ran into the question of what makes a true gentleman? I was right behind a guy who I have seen at the club many times and we have a mutual friend. His first misstep came in the form of not holding the door open for me, but that really wasn't the kicker.

This class is packed every Saturday, and today was no exception. I had to run to another room and get two risers - one for me and one for my friend (the mutual friend in fact). I placed my risers on the ground and was headed to pick up some other materials when the dude in question nabbed one of my risers. He did not ask if it was saved for someone else. He did not ask if he could take it. He just took it as if it were no big deal. Hmm... maybe I am blowing this out of proportion, but whatever happened to a little common courtesy?

A minute or so later, my friend who I had been saving the spot for arrived. She was perplexed as to why she had no riser. And then I told her, "your so called gentleman friend is not such a gentleman afterall." Actually, my language was a little more descriptive (wink-wink).

Acting nice and polite to a fellow friend or person of a similar disposition would not be the qualifications of a gentleman, but rather, not doing such things would simply make that person an ass.

A true gentleman is one who treats everyone with the same generosity of spirit - friend, foe, or stranger. Now the question of what makes a lady... I shall leave that for another day.