Blogdangit

Damn it’s Hot!!!!

Short, Sweet and Simple! Y'all it's HOT! Damn! If only Mother Nature could just fan a little air this way. And it's gon' be like this all week. WHEW!!!!! Humidity is a mugg too! I miss my Minneapolis and Chicago and Boston this time of year.

Gumbo Gurl Chatter

Hello everyone! I didn't come to just talk about the weather out here in South Chicago, but I will say that this is CRAZY! Dang! I know I've been in this stuff before, and yeah I know it's what they do out here in the Chi, but uhmm, I can't ever be ready for this. When that wind catches you off-guard, you are doomed. I got my coat, hat, gloves and scarf, and it's still not enough! Brrrrrrrrrrrrrzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

Now for other news, work is work! Things are moving along.

I tried out the fitness equipment in my hotel and found it to be jacked up! The treadmill slips. Don't cha hate that? The bike is ancient and uncomfortable. The stair thing looks like it needs to be garbagetinized (yes i did!). I find that surprising, being that the hotel is very nice.

After work today, I stopped by a fitness center not far from my hotel. I met with one of the managers and she offered me a monthly pass for a pretty good rate. I went back to the hotel, changed and returned. There were lots of NEW cardio equipment: treadmills, ellipticals, skis, bikes, etc. They also had crazy amounts of weight-training gear. There's even tanning beds (well not for me), nice showers and loads of lockers. YES!

I was like a kid in the candy store. My body was wanting, nah, needing the workout. It's weird actually! Since I've been exercising from July 06, my body has adjusted to the change. I had a hard workout today and I felt I needed it since it had been a few days without it. I did the treadmill for 30 minutes hard and fast. I worked up a serious sweat. I then got on the ski thing which wasn't agreeing with my knees, but it felt good to my body. I was only able to do it for 15 minutes before the knees started hurting really bad. I should have known better. But I bet I lost a few calories.

Before the exercising, somewhere in there today, I bought a MP3,WMP, iPod-ready Cd player w/remote control for my car. Yep, I did! It's a Sony and it's a music lover's must-have. I found out one of my co-workers knew how to install car systems; so he and another co-worker hooked a sistah up. Chile, you can't tell me nothing now -- It's a beauty in the night time (I'm a sucker for lights and buttons) and now since I can just plug in my iPod with all 1800+ songs on it and press play -- Suwweet! (I never did fall for that FM radio connection for iPods - I heard the sound was cheesy and I can't imagine receiving clean reception from an empty radio channel.) I'm full-blown stereo now baby!

Other than that, I'm just chilling. LITERALLY! :)

It All Ended Up On Me

Good Saturday evening everyone. This 70 degrees weather is spoiling me. I started out this morning around 10ish. I had a few work errands to run before my day was to begin. I ate lunch at Ruby Tuesday's. I had two appetizers: crab cake and spicy buffalo wings. I came back to the hotel to get my camera and then headed toward the beach. (Virginia Beach)

I got there some 10 minutes later or so, as there were people everywhere. I LOVED IT! It was spring again. The sun's out, the shops are opened, bike riders, skaters, walkers, ooh it was ON! I pulled up to the Marriott Hotel and parked. There was a sign indicating only patrons were to park on the lot. I went in and begged pretty please. They obliged, and very nicely too.

I walked toward the beach which was only steps away and ohhhhh my goodness, it was absolutely stunning. Much much different from my stay here back in December when it was quiet and lifeless.
I had the camera around my neck and my extra cartridges and batteries in my camera bag. I was ready y'all. I walked closer toward the ocean and captured some beautiful shots. I aint bragging or nuthin', I really aint! :)

The sun was out, not beaming, but noticeable. The sky was crystal blue with a very slight brush of clouds hanging in the right corners of the skies. The wind was slightly breezy and very comfortable. The sea gulls were chatting away while the waves were singing music to my ears. It was literally a  picture-perfect day. I felt like I was on vacation. Shoot, let me say that again: I felt like I was on vacation!!!!

After about 100 pictures along the beach, I walked back toward the shops on Atlantic Avenue. I browsed and shopped for an hour or so then headed back toward my car which was now a couple of miles away.

I drove onto I-264, and was thinking how nice my day went. Just a few minutes later and some minutes from my hotel, I got sharp pains in my stomach. Actually unusual pains. I began sweating and feeling like I was going to get sick. It got worst within seconds. I couldn't pull over to stop, nor did I want to. I just wanted back to the hotel. I didn't understand what was going on, other than it was all about to come up. I turned in the hotel parking lot and as much as I was trying to hold it in; it came. And it kept coming all over my shirt, my lap and legs. My throat was burning. I quickly pulled into a parking space near my room and I hurriedly opened the car door and more came unto the pavement.

There were people standing near and I was so embarrassed --  but it didn't stop me from rushing out of the car to the entrance door of the hotel (had to stop and use my key to get in) and down the hall to my room. I got in and more of everything I ate earlier spilled to the bathroom floor. I didn't even make it!

I was SICK y'all! I'm thinking what in the heck had happened to me. I looked in the mirror and it was awful. My clothes were ruined and I looked terrible.I put a cold towel to my face and kept wiping. My eyes were watery and my head was pounding. I started the clean-up process, had a long shower and threw on shorts and a tee. I went out to the car to see how much damage was there. I brought the Lysol cleaner with me too. Luckily there wasn't much in the car; a little on the dash and a few drops on the seat. I  made sure to keep the most of it on me.

I was feverish and weak and after a sinus headache all day, which was now worst, I just wanted to feel better. I drove to Wal-mart (Gosh, they really need to not have just 9 registers open out of 25 on a Saturday evening -- that's crazy!) to get some juice, soup, and sinus meds.

I got back to the hotel and started laundry. I didn't feel like it, but I had to now. My head was feeling queasy and I felt like I was going to do it again. I managed to avoid another episode and finished the laundry. Unfortunately, my shirt left a huge dim stain. The jeans looked okay.

I just finished a bowl of chicken-something soup and drank a huge cup of ice-cold-been-in-the-freezer cranberry juice. At this very moment, I'm still not feeling well. The sinus headache is better now, and I haven't taken any meds yet. Whippee!

I can't figure out what happened to me; whether it was the restaurant, something in the air, something near the water or was it the new type of multi-vitamin I started taking this morning. I haven't a clue!

What I do know is that I had a wonderful day in spite of the illness. Virginia Beach is gorgeous, and I'm glad I got a chance to experience what it really feels like when the weather is permitting.

I'm going to bed now. Love ya and u know this!

P.S. Throughout the post, I've included some shots I took today. enjoy! (the first shot is my favorite -- Look closely at the waves - click on them all to enlarge)

P.P.S. Update: I feel much better today (Sunday Jan 07). My body was rejecting something yesterday. So all is well, and it's another beautiful day. Going get on the tread mill now. See ya.

Back On the Set!

Well I made it! Yes I did, back to Virginia Beach, VA and the weather is absolutely PERFECT! It's nicer here than it was at home down in the duurrty! Highs in the 70's and the nights are nice nice nice! Not too hot, not too cold, no jacket, just mild, breezy and perfect days. Did I mention perfect?! I've got to get to the ocean before this thing turns into something weary, cold and uncomfortable; but I think it's going to be like this for while. The picture was taken with my phone back in December and it was cold.

Work was tremendous today, and tonight is going to be a night for me to chill. (Relax, unwind, and re-coup from all the traveling.) I do have some notes to type, then I'm on my own writing time. I'd like to catch a poetry set or a live band somewhere -- hmmm, maybe this weekend!

I'm sitting here thinking of my niece who spent a lot of time with me while I was home for the holidays. I miss her so! She's growing up so fast. She's almost 8-months old, and this lady is becoming a busy body. She's crawling now and loves to climb. She pulls hair, and necklaces too. (She gets me good every time!) Oh, and she loves to EAT! :)

See ya next post!

Where's my Rainbows?

Hi ya folks! Yesterday, during my drive on 64, I saw the most beautiful double rainbows. Of course, I've seen them many times, but these two were nestled in dark gray clouds which made their colors appear heavenly bright.

One of them were full bowed (the bottom one), and the other was half. The full bowed one was the brightest in colors. I pulled over to snap a shot and I swear within seconds the rainbows were gone. The dark clouds were moving fast as the wind was blowing.

I sat there for a minute or so, hoping the clouds would move on through, but they appeared to have settled just over the beauties.

I continued my drive, but wondered what was the purpose, if any, of me briefly seeing the rainbows while not being able to capture the moment? Rainbows have always been astonishing to me -- I feel the same way about mountains.

I drove into the Virginia Beach area last night. I LOVE THIS PLACE! Wow! There's so much to do, and again I was lucky to find all my favorite places in one area. Can't wait to snap shots of the water and other captivating moments. I'll be here for a couple of weeks (working of course), but will try to get in some play time on the weekends.

Until next time...

I Am Cold and Still have a Sinus Headache

What's up all? I'm here for a minute. I need to perm my hair before getting to bed. I'm stuck again with a sinus headache. I haven't taken any meds, and just fighting it out. I can feel the pressure in my face.

Anyway, the real reason I'm here is that I'm cold. Not necessarily now, but when I'm out in that winterizing front outside. Most of my projects are in the northern states and I feel the cold coming on. I'm stuck here in just a jacket, while my wool coat, scarf, hat and gloves are in my closet at home. Anyhoo, I'm cold and I don't like it.

Down in the *dirty*, they are still enjoying the perfect football season weather; Nice nice and NICE! Not too cold and not too hot!

I wanna go home!

I was going to Minnesota! Glad to be back in Ohio!

I feel winter coming on and I'm glad my trip was changed from Minnesota to Ohio. My usual dry skin condition is already kicking in.

Since the foliage is still nice out here, I'm going to get out tomorrow and take a drive for a few pictures -- of course if weather permits. Yesterday, when I got in, it was raining cats and dogs. I hear it is common out here. Otherwise all is good. I'm surrounded by all the things I love; my Marriott, Best Buy, Barnes and Noble, and Starbucks. What more could a sister ask for? (Panera and I are becoming cool friends too!)

I'm just checking in and you know I'll be back with a vent, or something of interest, or just a cool chat about my weekend.

Luvs