Going on a Break

I'll be off until October 1st - so check back then, mateys. Arrgh...and btw - 22 days smoke free!

Shoe of the Week - Issue #25

Sorry...I didn't realize I hadn't checked in all week. I don't like to mix business with pleasure here (the business being my shoes, and the pleasure being my complaining) BUT, I must say it's been one of the worst weeks EVER. But I'm gonna save that story for another day....Remember I said I got new boots? Well, here they are...it's the Victory by Report. So yummy. I totally wouldn't look at a boot like this and think it's for me, but I tried them on for fun and fell in love. Just like men, no? Anyway, I did wear them once already and can safely confirm a 5-star rating. They are cute, comfy (even for lots o walking)....AND...notice the cargo pocket on the side? No purse, ladies! I.D. in one boot, lip gloss in the other. Love it! Happy shoe-hunting!

2 weeks smoke free....somebody shoot me, already.

What I did on my Sunday Vacation

There's this really cool place in Fresno that, apparently not too many people in Fresno know about. But people from all over the world come to see it. In fact, they told us that recently Leonardo DiCaprio and fiance came for a private tour. Follow my link for more details, because I'm sure I can't do it justice....Anyway, it's called Forestiere Underground Gardens, and it's this massive underground house. Like I said, I can't describe it well, so check out the website. It was really cool, but they're only open for tours for 2 more weeks. They won't be open again until next May. So, if you're local, get your butt up there - it's totally worth the 10 dollar fee.

And then, oye vay! I went shoe-shopping... again...I gotta get some help...But I should give a shout-out to my girls over at One Thousand Steps - I had a great time, ladies! Look for my new boots coming soon in Shoe of the Week.

Now I'm trying to wrastle up some mini-golf, but I don't think anyone is game, so methinks I'll do a shoe count and get back to ya.

13 days cigarette free and counting!

Shoe of the Week - Issue #24

Since we're talkin' about red shoes, here's another pair I have. They're red leather wedge sandals by Nine West. I've never been crazy about slip-on's or slides, so I'm not sure why I got these. I don't wear them often. But they are comfortable and well made, and they make me look taller...so let's give them...3 1/2 stars. Happy shoe-hunting!

Cigarette withdrawal ramblings...

I guess in TV land the big debate is whether Meredith is going to pick McDreamy or the vet. (I'm talking about Grey's Anatomy for those of you who don't know) Listen, people, we all know that the whole thing with McDreamy isn't going to be resolved until it's series finale time. Which is looking like it might be a really far way off. Why am I talking about a TV show? They're showing previews for the season premiere and, well, it just reminds me of other great love stories like, Carrie and Mr. Big, Hamlet and Ophelia, E and F, Batman and Robin...you get the picture...
I just wonder... Is it better to be with the one who loves you? or with the one you love? Can you have it both ways? "♫...and if ya can't be with the one you love, honey, love the one you're with..."
Is that the answer? I sure don't know. I'm still unmarried with no children. I know it's hard to believe, what with all my weird medical issues, my nicotine addiction, and my strange fondness of shoes, that some yummy man hasn't yet snatched me up. Maybe I'm still waiting for my Mr. Big. Right now, I'll love the shoes I'm with.

It just keeps gettin' better...

Why did I say I was going to get a massage instead of shoes? Why can't a girl have both? The massage is actually a gift from a friend, so I don't feel badly at all for spending "a little moneys on those little honeys" to the right. Ya see, I was having a particularly hard day and just being really tired of fighting the good fight. SO I went to Macy's today after work - just to look, really. But then it happened. They had THIS shoe in MY size. (Again, for those of you sending in shoes, I'm a 5) Yummy red, patent leather...I'm feeling muuuuch better now.
I'll put these up in a Shoe of the Week as soon as I get to wear them, but for now I'll tell you that they're J Lo's and you can find out more about them here.

Fitness Update

The pull-up contest and the marathon are both looming in the not-distant-enough distance, and as you can imagine, this whole stop-smoking thing has kinda sorta messed up my work-out routine. I'm still exercising, but really, it's feeble and not regular enough. (Don't cry for me, Argentina, my left bicep is still hotty-po-totty.) I've lost weight because the meds I'm on kill the appetite. Which really throws a wrench into the whole "eating six times a day" thing. You'd think you could force it, but that just builds resentment between you and your healthy food. So, I'm still pluggin' away as much as I can right now. And breathing a tincey bit easier, thank you. And as much as I really do want a new shoe reward, I have instead, booked an hour massage for the upcoming weekend. It's supposed to get the toxins outta my system. It really works, people. A couple of years ago, I had a half hour back massage, and I was warned I might get sick afterward. I thought it sounded crazy, but WOW, after it was over, I felt like I'd been run-over by a truck. Nausea, dizziness, bad smells and tastes...they say if you get massages regularly, it isn't a problem. But like I said, that was 2 years ago and only a half hour long. This one might kill me. Should be neat.

9 days cigarette free and counting....

Virtual rewards...

...I love it! I have to share with you this shoe pic sent to me as a "virtual reward". Too cool.

Team Fuzzy Initiative Update: 1 Week cigarette free!!! Did somebody say "shoe reward"?

Just say "No" to do-it-yourself Internet research

Since I'm not exactly in agreement with my doctor about why it is I'm having trouble breathing, I decided to go on-line and have a look-see at side effects of the drugs I'm taking as well as search for info about my symptoms. Apparently, the pill I'm taking can cause anxiety and panic attacks, so that could be the reason for the shortness of breath (but I don't feel anxious). The pill and the patch together can raise your blood pressure and heart rate so, that could be it (except I know it isn't 'cause I'm monitoring for that). The patch could be too strong (but going without it seems to make no difference). According to my research on the Net, I should stop taking any drugs, cease chewing my favorite sugarless gum, have a dentist remove my silver fillings, stop using a cell phone, never eat microwaved food, jump up and down while repeating "take me to my happy place", and never, ever use the Internet again to diagnose myself. Wise advice indeed.

Shoe of the Week - Issue #23

So, let's take a break from all the talk of smoking and of quitting for a moment, shall we? Here are some of my favorite (and well-worn) run-around shoes. From left to right they are: Pink suede lace-ups by Creative International, Blue-suede lace-ups by Simple, and the Brown leather/pink suede lace-ups "Clarita" by Diesel. Each of these shoes carries its own set of stories, and I treasure them all. SO, I'm giving this set of shoes a 5-star shout out, for comfort. Ya can't run around in 4 inch heels all the time, right? Happy shoe-hunting!

Could things get any worse?

Of course they could; things can always get worse - at least up to the point that they kill you, and not, as some would argue, to the point that you wish they would kill you.

Allow me, a few quotes:

"Tobacco withdrawal symptoms include irritability, craving, cognitive and attentional deficits, sleep disturbances, and increased appetite... symptoms may persist for months."
MONTHS?!?

"Studies have shown that tobacco can be harder to quit than heroin or cocaine."
Why, why, why didn't I take up heroin instead???

"Nicotine has a half-life of 2 hours..."
I just put this one in 'cause it sounds all science-y.

So yes, I'm having a bad day (maybe not the worst as I still seem to have some of my sense of humor, such that it is). In fact, I've already been to the doctor today. It's funny, I never had any trouble breathing until I quit smoking. Apparently, my inability to "catch" my breath today is due to:
1. overdose of nicotine patch; patch is too strong (pharmacist's view)
2. anxiety from the meds or lungs are just trying to heal themselves or just plain crazy (the doctor's view)
3. who cares? give me the damn inhaler! (my view)

So, can things get worse? At 60 hours, 46 minutes I can say that if they do get much worse, I may literally go insane. And why write about it? I don't know - maybe it could help someone else, but mostly, I think it's so that I'll have a record of all this madness in case I ever consider going back to smoking - which is about every 5 minutes.

Picture me running away from the keyboard now, pulling my hair out, sobbing, and waving goodbye.


Disclaimer of sorts: Sorry about this grim entry; please bear with me. Also I'd like to apologize for using the word "damn" (twice now). I do try to keep a clean site. And lastly, I'd like to thank the Academy...

For all you bargain shoe shoppers, here's a little site that gives you ideas for knock-off and cheaper brands (just keep in mind - you get what you pay for): Shoewawa

ok, so now we're up to like 42 hrs, 47 minutes....but, hey, who's counting? Must find chocolate.

Team Fuzzy Initiative Update: 40 hours, 10 minutes cigarette free!!!

Guest Reader Shoes #1

I've been meaning to solicit pictures (from you guys of your shoes) for quite a while, and I was reminded of it recently when Birgit from Vienna sent in this awesome shot of her new shoes. I believe they are Pierre Hardy's, although I don't know the name of the shoe. Thanks for the smokin' hot pic, Birgit!

Now everybody, join in and send me some shots of your favorite shoes so we can all share in the delight!

Quit Day: "How NOT to Quit Smoking" and other business

So, I got home from my day-trip to the coast (it was lovely, thank you) pretty late last night, and since I didn't get much opportunity to smoke whilst out-and-about, (long story short) I stayed up until 2 a.m. smoking every last cigarette I had in my possession while continuing to plow through that physics book. I then only had roughly 3 hours of sleep before getting up, realizing "today's the day", and sticking the first of many nicotine patches to come, on my left scapula. Apparently, I still had quite a bit of nicotine in my system from the Camel-fest last night, and I soon found myself at work, slightly overdosed and completely unable to keep track of my thoughts. Luckily, it was a slow day at the "office", so to speak, so no one seemed to be bothered by the fact that I spent the first hour and a half pacing, rambling and wondering at my lack of mental acuity. Thank goodness it didn't last long, and now, I am able, once again, to focus on things like physics. And math...here's an example of a complex equation I just figured out: This time next year, with all the money I would have spent on cigarettes, I'll be able to buy approximately fifteen hundred dollars worth of lovely shoes! Who says you don't use math in the real world?

Some things I've learned from reading my physics book thus far (145 pages and counting):
1. Laser is an acronym for "light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation.
2. Positrons exist in the real world (outside of Star Trek)
3. When it comes to relationships, I would be an atom of helium. (Sorry, it's an incomplete and pathetic attempt at a personal joke for anyone up at 4:55 a.m. and having trouble sleeping...)

If you don't know about Steve Irwin...where have you been? It's terribly sad and weird.

Other weirdness for the day: click here

Labor Day Weekend

I wonder what everyone else is doing for the holiday weekend. I spent yesterday and most of today working out, cleaning, watching movies, surfing the web, dreaming of shoes, preparing for a day trip to the coast tomorrow (my last day as a smoker), and reading. At the risk of sounding like a complete nerdo, I'll tell you that I'm reading a book called In Search of Schrödinger's Cat - Quantum Physics and Reality by John Gribbin. It is absolutely fascinating. At least the first 84 pages anyway. Normally, I'd have a book this size (about 275 pgs) read in about 2-3 days, but this sucker is taking me some serious work to wrap my mind around atomic particles, electrons and photons. I was probably redundant just now, but I'd have to go re-read those 84 pages first to be sure. Anyway, it's good, clean fun, and although I haven't finished it yet (wish me luck!), I'd definitely recommend it to all my fellow wanna-be science geeks. There's even a sequel (Schrödinger's Kittens and the Search for Reality) And who doesn't love sequels?

I hope everyone has a safe holiday free from labor. See you Tuesday!

Shoe of the Week - Issue #22

When I can find a picture of a shoe on the net, I try to use it instead of my own shoddy work. But I thought I didn't do so bad this time and I couldn't resist putting up the professional photo AND the one I took. Besides, you can't have too many pictures of a great pair of shoes. This is the Kari by Betsey Johnson. You know that scene in Sex and the City where Carrie sees the pink ruffled Louboutins in the window and says, "Hello, lover"? Well, these are those kinda shoes. I haven't gotten a chance to wear them much so I feel I can't rate them accurately. They are dangerously high, but absolutely fantastic to look at, so I'll give them a tentative 4 stars. If you love unique and in-your-face shoes, be on the look out for more of Betsey Johnson's line. What I've seen so far kicks butt. Fortunately for my pocketbook, most of her sizes are too big for me. I got lucky with these, I guess.
Happy shoe-hunting!