My Punch List....

My friend Jordan just posted her "punch list," which was inspiration from the blog Things I Want to Punch in the Face and I felt inspired to do the same.... Although most people list their top 10, I couldn't stop at 10.... so here are my top 25 (in no particular order):

1. Those annoying stickers that people put on their cars representing how many people are in their family. If you have a giant suburban with greasy finger prints and stickers all over the window, I already know you must have children.

2. Bikers who don't ride in the bike lane. Unless your bike can accelerate like my car does when the light turns green and you can pedal the speed limit, don't ride in the regular lanes. Bike lanes were made for a reason.

3. The word "epic." It is over-used and annoying.

4. Shakira. She sounds like a frog when she sings and she just bugs me.

5. People who update their facebook statuses in third person. Do you talk like that in real life? I didn't think so, so stop it!!


6. Fake designer purses. What is the point? I don't get it. There are PLENTY of nice inexpensive purses out there. Why would you pay $100 for a fake LV or Coach? Doesn't make sense to me.


7. All of the ridiculous virtual games on facebook. If people want to harvest their crops or pretend like they're in the mafia that's fine, but there IS an "ignore" button.

8. Revolving doors.


9. Arizona newscasters. "Carwash on 32nd and Camelback today" does not qualify as news, sorry.


10. Self-portraits people take of themselves on their cell phones in front of mirrors, usually taken in bathrooms. First, do you really need a mirror to take your picture? Can't you take it of yourself without a mirror? Second, you think we can't see the toilet in the background?? Gross.

11. Umbrellas. People who use umbrellas are usually tourists or people who are not used to the rain. Get a jacket with a hood on it, umbrellas are just dumb.


12. Ryan Seacrest. I don't think this one needs an explanation.


13. Anyone over the age of 3 that cannot eat/drink something without making a slurping or smacking noise. It's annoying, obnoxious and disgusting.


14. People who take the elevator to go up/down one flight of stairs.


15. Late people. Usually late people think it's funny when they say "oh I'm always late" - it's not funny. If you say you're going to be there at 6, be there at 6.... better yet, get there 10 minutes early. It's the right thing to do.


16. Ringtones. The last thing I want to hear when I'm sitting in the airport is "Party in the USA" coming from your phone.


17. Political discussions with people on the complete opposite end of the political spectrum. There really is no point to try and persuade me, just like I know you're not going to listen to anything I'm going to say either. It's just not worth it. You believe what you believe, and I'll believe what I believe. I'm not going to change my mind, so just let it be.


18. Parents who update their facebook statuses with "Johnny had the biggest blowout in his diaper today!" or "Katie went pee pee in the big girl toilet today!" This is not what I want to read when I'm eating my breakfast. Yes, I understand this is a milestone, but not everyone on facebook wants to read about it.
 

19. Speaking of facebook, people who talk about working out all the time. "At the gym again for the 15th time today, it's gonna be an intense workout!" Completing a marathon is one thing, but going to yoga, spinning class, pilates, and then running 2470 miles in one day is just annoying (and likely not even true).


20. Bad grammar and misspelled words. There is a difference between they're, their and there. Know the difference. Same with your and you're. Drives me insane.


21. Parents who don't discipline their children and let them run around like wild animals in public places.


22. People who use excessive abbreviations in text messages. I shouldn't have to ask a 12 year old to translate.


23. People who walk slow, or walk slow and then stop right in the middle of a walkway to have a conversation or point at something. If you're going to walk slow or decide to stop, move to the right, just like if you were driving in a car. Come to think of it, these are probably the people who drive slow in the far left lane. Speed up or get out of the way!!!


24. Incorrect use of words or phrases. This goes along with people who constantly use the same words (usually in the wrong context) - GET a new vocabulary!


25. People who sit next to you on the plane and don't get the hint that you do not want to have a conversation. When I have my headphones on, that doesn't mean you should ask what I'm listening to, or if I'm reading a book or magazine, that does not give you permission to ask 20 questions about what I'm reading. Leave me alone!




The end.

Austin is weird.

I'll start with saying how much I LOVE going to Austin. It's really one of my favorite cities, probably because it reminds me a lot of Seattle (minus the rain). It's very laid back, fun music scene, very "earthy" and lots of weird people/things.

Last week I was in Austin teaching a class and had the chance to hang out a little on 6th Street after work one night with my friend Blake.

We weren't out for long, but during the time we had dinner and drinks (and Tiffwiches), we saw the most RANDOM things/people that I was speechless for most of the night.

We had dinner at Paradise Cafe--- enjoying some chips and queso when Blake said "Did you just see the lizard guy walk by?" Lizard guy? Yes, he said lizard guy. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), I didn't see him. But Blake pulled up a picture of him on his iphone... apparently he's famous... famous because he's like a human lizard-- complete with the imbedded beads in his forehead, split tongue, shaved teeth and tattoos all over his body that look like scales. Here he is:

A few minutes later, I see this interesting guy walk up to the bar and sit there for a minute. After getting a better glimpse of his "outfit" I asked Blake what was going on. This guy was sitting pretty close to me so Blake said "I'll tell you about him later." My curiosity was piqued and I kept looking at the guy, so Blake (probably annoyed/embarrassed with me) pulls up another picture on his iphone... apparently this guy is famous too. His name is Leslie. If you google "Leslie Austin" you'll find him.... Here's what you might find:

During the whole Leslie ordeal, Blake said "I swear I just saw a dog walk by with a cat on it's back." Normally, I would probably think anyone who said that was on some pretty strong drugs, but given the circumstances and our already interesting night, I would've believed anything. I turned my chair around at this point because I didn't want to miss anything else that would've walked by. A couple minutes later I saw a bunch of people gathered around taking a picture of something on the other side of the building... One of the beer delivery guys stopped to take a picture and I just figured "ahhh.... probably nothing." Finally when more people continued to gather around for pictures, I grabbed my camera and walked outside to see what was going on.... I'm so glad I had my camera with me:

Then it was time to drive to Tiff's Treats for a Tiffwich.... which, by the way, is quite possibly the best thing ever. Two fresh/warm (better than Otis Spunkmeyer) chocolate chip cookies, with Blue Bell ice cream in the middle. THE perfect way to round off an hour of craziness on 6th Street.

As we were driving back, I saw someone on a bike and did a double-take. I said to Blake, "Is that a girl in a bikini on her bike?" We got closer to the bike, and realized that, no, it was not a girl on her bike in a bikini..... it was a MAN, shirtless, wearing nothing but a g-string. It was terrible. Sorry folks, no picture of this one.... even though I did try. You can thank the weird flash on my phone for that. :)

Our little lioness...

For the past couple years we've helped Zoe stay cool in the summer by giving her a little "haircut." Well, WE don't actually do the cutting, we take her to the groomer. Instead of just a simple haircut, we decided to go fancy.... or exotic. However you wanna put it, she gets shaved like a lion. And she LOVES it!

Phoenix.... the windy city??

So while we were in Vegas a couple weekends ago, apparently Phoenix had a crazy windstorm.. The lady who comes to take care of our cats called and told us there was a little issue with our patio table. Glass everywhere. We thought she might have been exaggerating a little, but we came home to see this:

Stefan has been talking about wanting to "re-do" our backyard for a few months now, so I found this VERY coincidental. If you know my husband, you know that he is ALWAYS wanting to do something that involves spending money and making things look nicer (even though it already looks nice).

So we spent Memorial Day weekend shopping, running errands, and putting together our new backyard furniture... including a giant gazebo that will help add some shade in the summer months! We can't wait to enjoy our little outdoor paradise :)

Now it's time to plan our first BBQ (not cookout) of the year!