Odds and Ends

Remember when I started this blog and said that I get to write about anything I want? Ha! Well, this is going to be one of those posts. To make up for the lack of updates recently, I'm just going to write a little about everything.

Fantasy Basketball

Draft Rejects

So this is the first week of the season and already, I've forgotten to set my line-up! Oh well. I think the novelty and excitement wore off for me by round four of our draft, when all the obvious "good" picks were taken. Rounds five and six went something like this (with Gabe covering the phone so the others on the line couldn't hear him coaching me):

Me: Oooh, I want him! (Me enthusiastically pointing to #50 or something on ESPNs top 100 ranked players*)
Gabe: No, you already have a Point Guard.
Me: Oh, okay. How 'bout him? (Me scanning the list for another name I recognize)
Gabe: He's a Point Guard, too.
Me: Bummer.

**Side Note: Let me explain. In an effort to educate myself, I actually spent time reading ESPN's Draft Kit for Dummies (that's not really the title but close enough). And after diligently studying 10 pages of player profiles (and highlighting all the relevant stats), I realized I had only managed to get through the section on Point Guards! Feeling overwhelmed, I just decided to rely on dumb luck (and Gabe) to get me through.

So anyway, the rest of the draft went like this:

Me: Okay, what about Bibby?
Gabe: No, he's injured.
Me: Artest?
Gabe: No, he's unstable. He's the guy that caused all those fights and got suspended, remember?
Me: Oh yeah. Nevermind. You just draft for me. I'm going to watch CSI.

Maybe Fantasy Basketball just isn't for me...

Warehouse Sales
The first warehouse sale I went to was about a year ago for designer denim. Long story short, it was a total bust and I left disappointed. So much effort, so little jean! After lots of long lines, pushing and elbowing my way through the aisles, and MORE long lines, I left empty-handed. My sister, Angie, bought one pair of jeans that she was only so-so about. I suspect she did so only because she didn't want the trip to feel like a complete waste.

After that experience, I thought to myself that I would never go to another one of those things. Then, last Friday, I found myself sitting in rush hour traffic on my way to the BCBG warehouse sale in the city of Vernon, which is I-have-no-idea where. (Pretty much anything around the 110/Downtown area is a big mystery to me). The only facts I know about Vernon are from a friend's wife, who used to work at BCBG: a) It's really ghetto b) It's just a bunch of factories and warehouses and c) It smells like sausage because of the Farmer John factory.

By the time I made it to the sale, I was tired, hungry and had to pee very badly. (FYI - those are all very bad conditions under which to shop). Thankfully, I was able to find a porta-pottie in the parking lot and take care of business. I had to wait half an hour to get in, but three hours and two porta-pottie trips later, I left with my plastic garbage bag of bargains:

Sweater - $5 (original price - $98)
T-shirt - $5 ($39)
Going out top - $15 ($88)
Tube top - $15 ($78)
Dress - $35 ($228)

Total $ spent: $75

What a steal, huh? I guess the ordeal was somewhat worth it but part of me wonders if subconsciously I only bought those things because they were so cheap and I felt like I had to buy something, otherwise the trip would've been another big bust.

Eating Better
Gabe recently pointed out to me that ever since the wedding, my will power has completely gone out the door. Sadly, he's right! Lately, I find myself indulging in all sorts of unhealthy food - croissants, fries, pizza, you name it. This week, after feeling how tight my pants have become, I decided to get back on the eating better/workout wagon. No more Starbucks pasties for breakfast, no more sneaking pieces of chocolate from the candy jar at work, and no more pizza!

If I can stick to my plan for eating better and working out regularly, I am going to reward myself with a big ol' lemon tart baked by yours truly. I just saw a recipe in the most recent issue of Cook's Illustrated that looks Y-U-M-M-Y! (Of course, I am not going to eat it all by myself. Sheesh!)