Football: Living the Fantasy

I suppose I grew up watching football. Between season tickets to Stanford Football, and Sundays spent cheering on the 49ers on TV, I picked up a certain fondness for the game. Yet over the years, football and I have grown apart. This season however, a small reunion of sorts has occurred all thanks to fantasy football.

Now I am the first to admit that I never thought I would play fantasy football. It focuses on my least favorite part of the sport: statistics. And (though I hesitate to say this since I find this classification to be counterproductive to modern culture) fantasy football is for boys. But, the league needed me.

The office had managed to gather together eleven teams, and were looking desperately for a twelfth. Finally my co-worker and I decided we would co-manage a team. We represent the only two females in the league.

We decided to run with that theme and name our team in the manner of a hyperactive twelve year old girl. This was partly to announce how little we cared, and to simultaneously twist the knife of humiliation in case we actually win. Hence 'Pink Ponies 4 Eva OMG LOL' was born.

Our mascot looking fierce.

Allison, my co-caption took the brunt of the responsibility and was in charge of the draft since I was out of town in Seattle. She says it was one of the most stressful times of her life. With Allison's huge effort, and a few key trades we've managed to get a pretty reasonable team together. And despite some doubts (including our own), we're doing pretty well. So far we have a two wins the past three games.

I'm pretty shocked at how much I'm enjoying not only winning, but talking about and tweaking my team. The game is great excuse to chat a little more with my co-workers. Every Monday, we talk about how the teams did. Mid week is a flurry of trades and picking up players. And Friday is spent agonizing over the line up.

Ahh, camaraderie.

It seems that much like the football itself, it isn't weather you win or lose, but how you play the game.

~Claire Out.

What I’m Reading

It has been a while since I’ve checked in with you all about what I’ve been reading, but rest assured I haven’t been idle.

I’m in the midst of reading The Song of Fire and Ice series by George R.R. Martin. (What’s the deal with the initials Authors?) I’ve finished three books of the published five, in a seven book series. Did you follow all of that?

The popularity of this series has skyrocketed in the nerd world and beyond since the first book of the series “Game of Thrones” was adapted into a mini-series by HBO. I have a pretty strict “read first, watch later” policy, so hearing all of the hype and then the fantastic word of mouth for the series, I decided to dive into the books.

The books feel like gritty, first person accounts of (fantasy) history. It is as rich and complex a world as Lord of the Rings, with more of an emphasis on the characters. The characters are fully developed and in the cast of millions you will find some of them to be relatable. The books are great because they bring world-changing events to a human level. I would not recommend this as a first foray into the fantasy genre.

The weaknesses of the series are the same as its strengths. The rich world is hugely complicated and it is very difficult to keep track of current events and infer the history of the world. The fact that each chapter changes perspective is wonderful at helping you understand what is going on at different places and at different times, however some characters are more fun to read about than others.

While I haven’t finished the series yet (nor am I likely too any time soon, these books are long), but I thought I should pass along an update for those of you worried I’m not reading enough.

Have you read anything good lately?

~Claire Out.

How I Pack for Camping

I was going to title this post, 'How To Pack for Camping', but I found that a little too presumptuous.

I mean, even the word 'camping' means different things for different people. Some folks don't consider it camping unless they are a two day hike away from another person, others couldn't be caught dead without their trailer with a full kitchen. I myself am what they call a 'car camper'. Happily in the middle of the spectrum.

I normally choose camping facilites with fire pits, a picnic tabels, running water and flush toilets. A little too much information? Sorry I'm just trying to be clear.

So without further ado: My Packing List

Shelter

1 Tent - I have a reasonably priced three person tent I bought from Target.

2 Sleeping Bags

2 Pillows

2 Sleeping Pads

2 Sets of Earplugs - A new addition from lessons learned on this little trip.

Campfire

Firewood - The ratio that worked last time was 1 pack for every two nights.

1 Newspaper - To help get you that fire started.

1 Box of Matches - Waterproof is always best.

2 Folding Chairs - It isn't camping unless you can sit around the fire, so I come prepared.

Dining

1 Cooler w/ Re-Freezable Ice Packs

1 Propane Stove - with extra Propane

1 Large Pot

1 Large Skillet

1 Sharp Knife

1 Cutting Board

2 Mess Kits - with cup, plate, bowl and silverware

1 Box of Trash Bags

1 Box of Ziplock Bags

1 Roll of Paper Towels

1 Bottle of Soap

1 Sponge

1 Plastic Tub for Washing Dishes - optional, but recommended.

Entertainment

1 Deck of Cards

2 Good Books - add more if necessary

1 Journal - to write down brilliant ideas or insights you gain while communing with nature.

1 Frisbee

1 (Ton of) - Camera (equipment... if you are Mike)

Smaller Equipment

2 Lanterns and Extra Batteries - I like to keep one on the picnic tabel and keep one in the tent.

2 Small Flashlights with Extra Batteries - One for each of us to always have on hand / in pocket during the evening.

1 Bandana

1 Pocket Knife

1 Bottle of Sunscreen

1 Bottle of Bug Spray

1 First Aid Kit

2 + Water Bottles - We normally do two 1L and a camel bak for long hikes.

1 Roll of Quarters - For Showers.

Trail Map

Clothing

This is a little bit too destination specific for me to cover here but generally I would recommend each person pack ...

1 Pair of Slip-on Shoes - for late night potty runs

1 Pair of Hiking Boots

1 Hat with a brim

1 Bathing Suit

Food

I will share my favorite camping meals in some later posts. With shopping lists and recipes! Can you stand the anticipation?

So there you have it. My personal camping list.

What can you not live without when you are 'roughing it'? What type of camping do you enjoy, backpacking, trailers or car camping? Hotel camping isn't camping... Mom. Did I miss anything obvious on my list?

On The Verge

I am one of those people that gets scared really easily. I mean really easily. A person could walk right up to me, say 'boo', and I'd jump. Spiders? Send me screaming from a room. Clowns? Terrifying. Horror movies? Forget about it.

You know else what is scary? Unemployment.

I've been thinking a lot about this lately.

You see my job is going to be wrapping up in a few months and suddenly I'm faced with the task of finding another job. This task has already started to stress me out. Biting my nails. Check. Face breaking out? Check. Waking up in a cold sweat? Check.

The reason the prospect of finding (or I suppose not finding) a job is so stressful is that I've been down this road. Last year I was unemployed for a total of six months.

I know some of you are thinking, 'Six months? You obviously weren't trying very hard'. And to that I say, 'I actually was trying rather hard. However I concede that when I analyze my behavior in retrospect, my energy was not always put to the best use.'

I know some others of you are thinking, 'Six months? That's nothing! You should stop complaining and toughen up!' To which I say, 'I know! I am unaccountably lucky to be working right now. Nothing makes you grateful for a job like six months of unemployment.'

As I've mentioned before, jobs in the entertainment industry are inherently temporary. Therefore, I'm going to have to get a lot better at the whole looking-for-work thing. To be honest, I feel like I have gotten better. I've learned so much from talking with experts (working editors) over the past several months, that I am much more prepared this time around. Not to mention I'm starting the search a full three months before my job ends.

However, this ... increased preparedness (is that an expression?) ... has not helped my anxiety. Because, there is an obnoxious voice in my head that says, 'What if you fail?'.

For me unemployment was not just the frustration of not finding a job, it was guilt (LOTS of guilt), a feeling of being unworthy, a feeling of isolation, and lead me to question everything I was doing with my life. Whoa, drama queen! I know. But, I'm being honest about how I felt.

I found it was kind of a taboo to talk about how much being unemployed effected me. It was totally cool to talk about looking for a job, but not really about the emotions of it. I suppose society understands it is a downer and doesn't really want to dwell on it. Well, I'm throwing my (public) pity party months late I guess. But I swear it is just to help me share with you all the reason behind my fear.

I suppose all the stress I'm feeling isn't necessarily a bad thing, as long as I use it to spur myself into action. I need to channel this sheer terror of the past repeating itself into productivity. Little steps at a time. But my goal is (some sort of) progress every single day.

I've sent out my first resume today. Keep your fingers crossed for me.

Any advice on how to effectively look for a job and/or find inner peace? I know you are a wise group of people. Thanks for listening to my neuroses.

~Claire Out.

Travel Part 2

In case you missed my first post, I am recounting my adventures of three vacations in one week!

Phase two of my journey was camping at Fallen Leaf Lake.

As a child every summer from the time I was three to the time I was nineteen my family would go to Stanford Sierra Camp for one week during the summer. The camp is located on Fallen Leaf Lake and is a family camp for Stanford Alumni (like m'Dad) and their families. Growing up I looked forward to that week every single year.

The things I loved the most were the feelings of tradition and freedom I felt when I was there. Since you could walk all over camp, I was suddenly free from carpools (Mom was too ... coincidentally). I could go to dinner with just my friends, I could go exploring the woods, paddle in a boat, and swim in the lake pretty much whenever I wanted. It. Was. Awesome.

Earlier this summer I was feeling a yearning to go back. So when this vacation came up, it was near the top of my must-do list.

I booked a campsite, and after visiting my family, Mike and I drove up to the lake.

It was just as beautiful as I remember. (Also it smells amazing. It is instant sensory recall and I'm back at camp again. A happy childhood smells like mountain air, pine trees, dust and lake water. Perfect.)

Our first evening we busied ourselves with the usual camp time activities: swimming in the lake, playing cards, making chili and sitting by the campfire.

The second day Mike and I planned to hike. I chose a trail I had done often before with the kids groups at camp. The easy little trail I remember from my youth was so much harder now that I'm old(er). Though the trail took its toll on me, the views on the way up were beautiful, and we were rewarded with fresh lemonade at the top.

Our last day at camp, Mike kindly endured a quick tour of Stanford Camp. It was great to see the sites, smell the smells, and hear the sounds again. After that we rented a Kayak and set out onto the lake. I love basically anything on the water, but kayaking may be my favorite. (Mike was a little less pleased since he took the brunt of some splashes and ended up sitting in a puddle. Sorry dear!)

It was great to get to vacation in a place with so many built-in memories. Though I am all about the new, (as you should know by now) it is great to remember things that made me so happy and a wonderful setting to re-connect with nature, relax, and explore.

~Claire Out.

Travel Part 3

Phase three of my journey was attending the wedding of two great friends of mine. (Click here if you missed phase one or two)

In order to celebrate the marriage of these two great people I got to travel to Montana near Glacier National Park. I had never been to Montana before, and was so thrilled to explore the beautiful new scenery. Mountains, valleys, lakes, rivers and plains as far as the eye can see. I remember thinking again and again, 'There is so much space!'

With the 'cities' spaced so far apart, it didn't take much imagination to be able to picture what the area must have looked like when settlers were wandering by in covered wagons. The landscapes seems so untouched and empty compared with my usual views of LA. It was breathtaking.

The wedding took advantage of the wonderful setting. Every guest at the wedding boarded a beautiful red tour bus that the park has run tours in since the late 1920's. We then were driven an hour through some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever had the pleasure to see. Winding our way up and over the continental divide we had views of the whole valley.

We arrived at the location of the wedding; a tiny patch of space overlooking a bright blue lake. The ceremony was short a sweet. The bride and groom exchanged heartfelt vows they had written, the rings were exchanged, a blessing was said and suddenly my friends were married.

I should probably confess the ceremony passed doubly quick for me because I was snapping photographs furiously, hoping and praying I wouldn't miss anything. You see, I was there as an assistant (to the) photographer, my boyfriend, Mike.

Normally I have a bit of a hard time being in the 'assistant' type of role, preferring to be the one in charge myself. However, I managed to change lenses, set up tri-pods and when times got tough - to actually take some photographs - without (too much) complaining. I think I was able to help out quite a lot, though I will not be quitting my day job just yet.

I had a wonderful time exploring the natural wonders of a new (to me) state, embracing my helpful side, and most of all, seeing my friends pledge to be together and love each other now as a married couple. Congratulations Leah and Chris. I had a wonderful time.

~Claire Out.

Travel Part 1

Well, the 'blogging three times a week' thing is off to a slow start hu?

My excuse is that I was off gathering content for my new posts. You see, I had an unexpected week of vacation time, and I took advantage of my time away by getting in three vacations. (What can I say I was really excited) In my industry, you normally are either working or unemployed, neither of which lend themselves to much travel. So I wanted to take advantage of this once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity.

Phase one of my journey was visiting home!

It is so great to visit home. It always makes me introspective. Unlike may other people, my parents have been living in the same house for my entire life. Which means when I visit, I'm coming home to the same place my parents brought me home to as a baby. Impressive, right?

It makes me thoughtful about what has stayed the same over all of those years, and what has changed. My dad's sense of humor, my mom's hugs and my brother's huge smile have remained totally intact, while the decore, our hobbies and the photographs on the wall have changed.

Normally I am struck by how much I have changed since living at home. I am confronted by how different my tastes, opinions and goals are than when I lived in those rooms. It helps me re-evaluate, re-calibrate, and re-affirm how far I've come whenever I go home.

Mike and I rocketed out of town on Friday night. I had intended to leave right after work. Which I did. At midnight.

We arrived at my parents house around 5:30am after lots of caffeine, driving snacks, andTheCount of Monte Cristo audio tape. (I've found there is nothing better on long road trips then audio books. The time flys by.)

I hadn't been home since February, and it was great to get to see home in full summer-garden splendor. I also got to ohh and ahh at my parents newly renovated master bath and guest bathroom. I am super impressed.

My brother joined my parents, Mike and I for the first Stanford Football game of the season. Growing up, my family often would get season tickets and root on The Cardinal. It was great to re-live the tradition with Mike. He enjoyed the game but couldn't grasp my obsession with the (super cool) Stanford Tree in my youth.

How can you not love that guy? The game was fun and a resounding victory for the home team. (Yay!)

Card games were played, good food was enjoyed, birthdays were celebrated (Happy 60th Dad!) and much giggling ensued. Ah, the joys of being home.

On Saturday Mike and I went to see a beautiful country estate turned museum called Filoli. It was named after the first two letters of 'Fight Love Live', a personal motto of the man who built it.

Even though this place is right near my hometown, it was my first time ever going to visit Filoli. The property is in a prime location with hills set in the background and meadows all around, the home is beautiful, but really the crowning beauty of the place is it's gardens.

Some apple trees trained along a fence line:

A huge number of beautiful flowers in the 'Cuttings Garden':

The pond, lawn and swimming pool with the mountains as a perfect backdrop:

Really. Wow. Wouldn't mind spending some time there would you?

I had a wonderful time being home, reconnecting, reminiscing and still finding time to embrace the new.

~Claire Out.

Competition Complete

I'm sure you have all been waiting with bated breath to find out how my office Biggest Loser competition went.

Well, much like on the show I'm going to make you wait to find out.

First let me tell you a little about my two month journey.

The atmosphere in the first month was intense. Co-workers were eating salads without dressing, celery sticks and protein shakes of their own devising. There were rumors about people getting nutritionists, Insanity work out DVDs and personal trainers. The spirit of competition was in the air and people were attacking the challenge with visible results.

During this month I lost about ten pounds largely through diet. I ate three meals a day with usually one snack. I stopped drinking soda and started drinking tons of water. Since over-eating crackers and bread is my personal kryptonite I decided to cut out carbs with the exception being my breakfast of oh-so-yummy oatmeal. In addition to eating better I also did occasional work outs. Some swimming, some cardio machines and a little bit of yoga.

During month two people started to get tired out. Weekend vacations, free cupcakes, and overconfidence at the initial success were getting in the way of the healthy foundation we all built during the first month.

During this second month, things went all over the place for me. I started swimming more intensely, attempting the goal of swimming a marathon in a month. I could see how much my body was changing its appearance. I didn't lose any weight during this period (in fact I gained a little weight, due to muscle mass) but I felt my clothing fit differently and saw a more toned lady in the mirror.

Oh how I wish the story ended there.

Because I increased my activity level by swimming more often, I allowed myself more food calories each day. This lead me to make some poor choices in the types of food I ate. Back came the afternoon cracker snacks, and soda. Then after two weeks of intense swimming, I stopped swimming, and kept the unhealthy eating habits. (We don't even need to go into the number of cheese burgers I ate in Seattle. ... It was two.) Some days I ate very healthfully, some days I didn't. Some days I walked/ swam, other days I didn't. Overall in month two I gained three pounds and a ton of muscle, then I lost seven pounds along with some of that muscle.

So over two months, I lost a total of fifteen pounds. I'll hold for your applause.

Thanks!

My fifteen pounds out of (mumble) pounds was enough on weigh in day ...

...

to get me ...

...

third place.

Darn.

However, my consolation prize is to be fifteen pounds lighter. And as my co-worker says, hotness is the gift that keeps on giving. I plan on trying to keep this momentum up. Stay active (without burning out) and eat healthfully (without binging) and hopefully I can build on this great start.

~Claire Out.

Pinterest

I want to take a moment to talk about a website I discovered. Hopefully this will offer you all up a little something new to add to your lives. That website is called Pinterest.

I discovered this little beauty of a website via a glowing recommendation (here) from a blog I follow called Young House Love. (YHL is deserving of it's own post, but that will be for another day...)

Basically, Pinterest provides digital bulletin boards that you can 'curate' by pinning photographs. You can brows a collection of pictures uploaded by other Pinterest users, add them to your boards and add annotations. You can follow friends boards or any other boards you admire. A very simple idea that is incredibly addicting.

My particular weakness is pinning photographs of beautiful home interiors. Here are some examples from my 'For The Home' Board.

Found here via Pinterest.

Found here via Pinterest.

via Tracy Interiors via Pinterest

Basically a wonderful place to daydream about my future zillion dollar mansion.

However, there are also lots of links to fashion, art photography, silly sayings, wise quotes, vacation photography, hair styles, and tutorials on various crafts and home improvement projects. (Keep your eyes peeled for some Pinterest-inspired home improvement projects in the near future).

Basically it is a place to go to be inspired. Inspired to spruce up a room in your apartment or inspired to try wearing your hair in a different style.

Found here via Pinterest.

It is a place to help define your style and spy on some other style points-of-view.

Found via friend's Pinterest board.

Also it is just some fun eye candy that can be consumed in a fun little ten minute coffee break from checking your e-mail.

Found here via Pinterest.

You might want to check it out.

~Claire Out.

A September to Remember

Thanks to my August challenges my internet surfing has been seriously curbed. Hopefully I can maintain that moderation moving forward.

As for my swimming ... check out this post.

My new goal: To write three posts a week on this blog for a month. That's right folks, expect to see a lot more of me. (I can practically feel your excitement.) I feel like writing more often will mean more updates on projects instead of just reading my ramblings about all the new projects I start.

My dropped habbit: Apologizing. My reason to adopt this change is two fold. First, too many apologies seems to decrease their value. Like the girl who says 'OMG I love that' about every thing. Secondly, I think my tendency to over apologize is starting to piss people off. So here we go. I'm on an apology diet.

Are you guys trying anything different as we head into Fall?

~Claire Out

Swimming Challenge Update

Well, in case you hadn't noticed, I didn't complete my marathon of swimming I had planned to this month. In an attempt to catch up on the few days I was behind, I overdid it. I needed to recuperate. By the time I had recovered I realized there was no way I could continue at the pace I needed to complete my challenge and my motivation went out the window. Very disappointing, but true.

So to make up for it, I am planning to finish my marathon and treat my (two week long!!!) break from swimming as merely an intermission. My last day of swimming was on the 15th, and I was 20 meters shy of 20K. So I'm going to pick up where I left off, and spend this month finishing what I started.

It doesn't quite count as finishing a marathon in a month, but at least in spirit I'll be finishing what I started. Keep your eyes peeled for updates.

~Claire Out.