"I'm gonna kick, strech, annnnnnd kick!"

Did I tell you guys that I was on an adult Tuesday night co-ed kickball team? Yes, you read that right. Kickball...co-ed...adult. A little back history, our team formed at the end of last Summer in an attempt to join the ranks of the Dallas Social Sports softball league. Let's just say that our hopes of coming out on top were high and our crushed dreams were even higher by the end of that season. In an attempt to find our social sports niche, The Beers? (apparently it's a Flight of the Conchords reference, that's what you get when you let guys name your team) have gone through three different sports, spanning three different seasons to find our sweet spot. We finally found glory in a sport that we could all play with a little gusto, while simultaneously having fun.

And that, my friends, is kickball.

Believe me, I had my reservations. We have had our fair share of ups and downs this season, however, during Tuesday night's game I looked around and realized that everyone was really into it. And by really into it, I mean that two girls came out with grass burns, one guy on our team was not only challenging our referee (who he lovingly referred to as "Jeff Gordon") all the while the rest of us were engaging in heated amounts of trash talk between the other team. You could just feel the intensity. Blood was flowing, emotions ran high and we felt good. Now, before you guys think that I've taken a turn for the worse between March Madness and kickball playoffs I will assure you that everything is in balance (I think that the girls-only Saturday combo of red wine/New Moon helps with that). I am happy to report that we ended our season on Tuesday with a loss and a promise that we'll get 'em next time.

My friends, we've only just begun.

Here are two not-so-great pictures of our team on Tuesday night. Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the 2010 co-ed third place team (out of four - ha!), The Beers?

Can I just say?

Buzz Aldrin on Dancing with the Stars

+

Oscar, the rented Havapoo

=

Too much cute

G-chat Trash Talk

I don't know about you, but this March Madness has made everyone I know a little...well, mad. I joined an all-girls bracket and have let the rush of the tournament go straight to my head. We each joined in the pool with a $20 gift certificate to the store or restaurant of our liking. Because like they say, "hell hath no fury like girls competing for Anthro gift cards!" I mean, I'm exploring a whole new side of myself with message boards, to-the-minute scores and live streaming. It's a rush.

All of this to say, I have filled my Friday with an average amount of fist pumping and a whole lot of trash talking. Below is a conversation I found myself in with my friend Bailey. Don't let the torment of tiny bangs and mid-calf capris fool you, we really are good friends; good friends on a mission for gift cards and free meals. You're going down, Frerich.

me: hahaha - i replied all...

Bailey: replied all?

me: to your precious message board

Bailey: i thought it was blocked?

me: i have my ways :)

Bailey: like how you picked dominion?

me: dawg, that was all my braaaaain

Bailey: boooogus

me: ok, you're right. that was all T-rog...

Bailey: he's really going to enjoy all those anthro gift cards

Bailey: my cousin is michael jordan maybe i should have had him help me.

...

Bailey: i'm sad you won't be at din din tonight, that way i could punch you in the gut

and then pull your throat

me: i know! i want nothing more than to scissor kick you and then give you bangs

Bailey: hahahaha

me: tiny bangs

Bailey: i'd cut your tunic...oh wait*
me: haha - i'd steal your roommate and then scratch on your windows at night

Bailey: i'd cut your jeans into mid calf capris

me: i'd glue shape ups to your feet

Bailey: and shave your head bc i know how you really like short hair

me: i'd give you tattoos of tears on your cheek, write thug life on your knuckles and then make you go to dinner w/ ... (you'd rather have the tattoos, wouldn't you?)

Bailey: and give the birds in your neighborhood tiny bird enemas and then capture them and put them in your house.**

Bailey: i would literally rather have a tattoo that said fabulous on my forehead

me: hahaha - in old english script?

Bailey: preferably sign language drawings

*I had borrowed her tunic for the day...
**We've had some bizarre bird occurrences this past week. They're going loco on everything in Dallas!

Search History

There is this common theme among my friends that in the event that we find ourselves "stumped" on a particular subject we always refer to Google. I realize that this isn't an uncommon practice, it has become a verb, after all.

Friend 1: "Hey, what's the name of that 90s actor that had a brief stint on Charles in Charge?"
Friend 2: "I dunno, Google it."

Whether I'm at work or on the go there is always something to be looked up. Side note: what on earth did we do before the advent of the iPhone? No, really - what.did.we.do? Because I can't remember life without it. I know that sounds ridiculous and elitist, but it's true. If I need to sound even remotely intelligent in a conversation that I know nothing about the chances are I will likely pause, look it up on the fly, and then spout it off as common knowledge - does anyone else do this? That's rhetorical, because I know you all do.

Anyway, I happen to think that it's entertaining to keep my recent searches on my phone for awhile. If nothing else, it takes you to that random place you can't believe you went on a Friday night. For instance, the other day I went to pull up directions and came across eight different pages worth of information that had been looked up on a various night out. You know those nights when you're just sitting around, shooting the bull and the conversation ends up going there? And by there, I mean the weirdest place possible. For example:

• joy and pain, sunshine and rain lyrics - Yep, it's that song. You know the one. Early 90s, bad rap - pure gold. It was on at a bar the other night and we just had to look it up. A real gem.
• Jim Bob Duggar - there is an uncanny resemblance of old Jim Bob and a friend of ours. Uncanny.
• Ginnifer Goodwin - this was during the doppelganger week. A. Vest was being compared.
• garth brooks as chris gaines - When trying to explain the brief time in Garth's career when he went AWOL in a big, big way.
  
• what happened to billy gillespie - What? We were just wondering.
• pink's feet - Yes, we were talking about the entertainer. That's right, the woman - Alecia Moore. Apparently her feet look like pig hooves.

That's all I have for now. I hope that these gave you a good laugh or at the very least a good, "huh?!"

I think my work here is done.

Amen y Amen

via Etsy

Going Green

So I know that tomorrow is the "official" St. Patrick's Day celebration, but Dallas jumped the gun on festivities and had a day-long event on Saturday. In what seemed like the longest parade ever, we arrived to the scene around noon and still managed to catch a glimpse of the crazies. It was all in good fun as everyone cheered, drank and basked in the afternoon sun, that is, until discussions of a bathroom break were revealed.

I swear, tears were shed at the thought of people abandoning ship and leaving those that were left behind in an attempt to find a suitable restroom. And of course by suitable, I mean a port-a-potty. Do not even get me started on my views of a traveling restroom...it gives me chills - we'll leave it at that. Needless to say, desperate times called for desperate measures as I pulled a "worst friend in history" move and cut in line with Amy as she was one person away from restroom glory (after having stood in line for 30 minutes, no less). I cut in line after deciding that I just couldn't take it any longer, only to be met with resistance from the tipsy fella behind us. He started in on his, "hey hey hey...you can't just cut in line like that," when I suddenly whipped around and said, "it's ok - we're going in together."

Yep.

Without hesitation (and/or consultation), I signed Amy up for a two person bathroom break. It took the "girls go to the bathroom together" theory to a whole new level. I looked at her wide eyes, mouthed "I'm really sorry," and braced myself to forget that this ever happened. Needless to say, she was a great friend in that moment. She held back any tendency to tell me that I was a bad friend and just let it slide. The rest of the day was spent in a sea of green 20 somethings partaking in some college-like merriment, something I haven't experienced in quite awhile. We decided to end a great day of our early morning flea market, stop at the local taco stand, and St. Patty's madness with the tried and true movie/Mi Co combo. No better way to call it a day - don't mind if I do...

Polyvore 4 Food

Sometimes I become a woman obsessed, and it just so happens that today is one of those days. I recently found the site, Polyvore, where you can mix and match literally hundreds of fashion styles to create personal style boards. I would make a few of these if I were a Creative Director or Fashion Editor of my very own.

Seriously, d-i-e.

Can you tell I'm ready for Summer?

wisdom of the heart

“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” - Psalm 90:12

I came across this verse a few days ago, wrote it on a post-it note, stuck it on my monitor, and have let it sink in over the last few days. It seems simple enough to think of wisdom as an admirable quality, but what about wisdom of the heart? It seems invaluable. All of this to say, this verse reminded me of a passage in A.W. Tozer's The Knowledge of the Holy that I read years ago and has stayed with me since...

"But even here and now, whenever the heart begins to burn with a desire for God, she is made able to receive the uncreated light and, inspired and fulfilled by the gifts of the Holy Ghost, she tastes the joys of heaven. She transcends all visible things and is raised to the sweetness of eternal life...Herein truly is perfect love; when all the intent of the mind, all the secret working of the heart, is lifted up into the love of God."

I love the personal attributes Tozer gives to the heart, almost tangible qualities. I can’t imagine what the “sweetness of eternal life” must be like, but it sure sounds like something I want in on.

I hope that your heart is doing well today -

love,

Kristen

In The Heights

During our New York heyday we became familiar with the appreciation of a nice building that had a rooftop view. When we first arrived to the City our standard of living involved working outlets, running water, and possible affordability. It wasn’t until we moved into said apartment that we discovered the perks to living in the City for a few years. We would visit our new friends and NYC mentors New York apartments and marvel at their exposed brick and rooftop views while asking them, “how on earth did you find this place?!”

We got settled in the City and realized exactly what it was - luck. That’s it. You look at apartment-after-apartment, you deal with Craigslist scams, scandalous brokers, 5-floor walk ups, and then one day...you just find it. All of the headache (and heartache) suddenly becomes worth it when you find yourself resting in a quaint 3-bedroom in Manhattan. It’s interesting to note the “suburban” amenities that impress in Dallas are not exactly the same things that blow up the skirt of a New Yorker. For instance, granite counter tops seem like a staple here and yet I couldn’t tell you who even had a stove in the City. Another example, central air conditioning*. Find me a Texas resident without central air conditioning and I will gladly buy you a frozen yogurt because you will be hard pressed. However, a few months of mildly toasty conditions in the Northeast hardly warrant a/c installation and Freon.

All of this to say, some of the nicest accommodations that we had the pleasure of milking were those of the corporate variety. Our friends that would breeze into the City for company training always had the most glorious of digs. Robbie was put up for a time in a 2 bedroom/2 bath 10th Avenue highrise with the craziest view. You could see the Hudson to your West and the entire City to the East. It was so perfect during the day and so magical at night that it completely filled the void of having no access to a pool - we were sold. I had countless post-work Chipotle dinners atop that building and way too many “game” nights to admit. It was our Cheers bar, free hangout, and haven all in one. And while this wasn't the only rooftop that we graced during our time in Manhattan, it was easily one of our favorites.

It’s days like today with optimal “roof” weather that make me a little nostalgic for some time at elevated heights...

“I’ll do anything you want me to do...on the roof.” - Megan Kever

*Please note that we hauled (and installed!) our a/c unit from Bed, Bath & Beyond (4 blocks) all by ourselves. Let it be said that we used a J.Crew shoebox to keep it in place...for the entire Summer. Which also reminds me of the high heel we used as a hammer for a year and a half.

Legit.

And the Oscar goes to...

This has to be one of my all-time favorite duos.

Meryl Streep & Stanley Tucci - love em.

More than likely the answer will be Avatar, but I am hoping that it won't be a sweep this year and we'll actually get a few surprises in there. (I'm pulling for Sandra B!) I have watched the Oscars for as long as I can remember. Looking back through the years, I remember the days when Billy Crystal and Whoopi were the hosts, the fateful night that the Queen won for Best Supporting Actress, and who could forget all of those memorable (and not-so-memorable) outfits? There's always the good, the bad and the ugly on Oscar night, which makes for one entertaining evening.

I proposed making a bracket for this year's event, but apparently there's some other March event that requires a bracket. Whatever that means...

(just kidding)

Some Like it Red

I know I'm a little late on the "Team Conan" bandwagon, but it's not for lack of love. That lanky red head gets me every time. In fact, there was once a time that I shared a room and watched Conan almost every night. Those were the days of endless freedom, relaxed wake up times, and never-ending sleepovers.

Man, I miss college.

Anyway, all of the late night madness caused quite the ruckus and had everyone choosing sides. Leading me to question - is anyone on Team Leno? Clearly Babs and her friend aren't...she means business.

I laughed so hard when I saw this. So ridiculous, and yet, so brill.


Speaking of red heads - happy birthday, Sister! I hope it's as glorious as you are...

California Dreamin'

As promised, I'm bringing you a post full of pictures! Better yet, they're pictures of everything but people. Sure, we took a few together but I feel like these best represent the trip through my eyes. I had a great time laughing with friends, eating (way) too much food, and exploring the Cali landscape, all the while embracing the San Diego vibe.

Side note, I ate an authentic burrito from a local joint that completely blew my mind. It had fries in it. Not good or bad, just...interesting. The culinary mistakes were vast, my friends. Vast.

Can wait to move there! Oops - I mean, go back...