Today's WWMPD?

I took The Calvinator out for his morning stroll and while we were out and about it started to rain; we continued on our journey.

When we returned to our little corner of NoRO, I tuned into Anthony Yanez at Click 2 Houston: Your Education Station. He said that the rain would come in bands.

It was 6:00a.m. and I really wanted to go for a run. I like to run in the rain if it is one of those nice Summer showers that cools things off before the city turns into a sauna. So I debated and I thought, "WWMPD?"

I went to LeFittes and did a treadmill run with inclines. I HATE running on a treadmill and I HATE running inclines on a treamill. So it was double hatred this morning but I did it anyway. And in my mind, I thought, "This is what Michael Phelps would do if he had to get ready for a Krewe Ball in February."

WWMPD?

I'm really enjoying the gazillion hours of coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games that is being provided by NBC and its myriad of network stations. In fact, it is a bit difficult to type this post because I'm watching Women's Beach Volleyball. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are playing a team from Brazil and it is a good game.

So. I found out that in February 2009 at the Krewe Ball, one of the costumes I will be wearing will be showing every ounce of fat muscle on my torso.

Thank goodness I have Michael Phelps as inspiration.

Instead of eating a donut in the morning, I will eat a celery stick.

Instead of eating a cheeseburger for lunch, I will eat a leaf of lettuce.
Instead of eating fried chicken and mashed potatoes for dinner, I will eat a carrot.
The other day I was at LeFittes and I was on the Stairmaster. I hate the Stairmaster. Instead of setting it on 30 minutes, I set it for 45 minutes. When I hit the 30 minute mark I was ready to quit and then I thought, "What Would Michael Phelps Do?" (WWMPD?)
So I stayed on for the additional 15 minutes and when I finished, there were puddles of sweat around the machine.I previously mentioned that Friday night I was out with AttyHou, Everyday Italian and some others and we ate Mexican Food and drank frozen Margaritas. Saturday morning after running three miles I was ready to stop and then I thought, "WWMPD?" so I ran another three miles.

Will I ever have his physique? Uh, maybe if I go to the Fun House at the carnival and look in one of the wacky mirrors.
Speaking of the Olympics, has anyone else watched the trampoline events? I get dizzy watching those people flying through the air.

And badminton? Who knew a cock could be hit so hard?

I'm really enjoying the track & field competition. I can only dream of running that fast!

50 Is The New 30 (part II)

Birthday greetings go out to Belinda Carlisle who turns 50 today! Belinda was a part of The Go-Go's which was one of the most fun all girl bands ever.

I remember driving in a car with some college buddies from Ft. Worth to Indy during the summer of '82 and listening for hours on end to Beauty & The Beat. To this day whenever I hear a song from Beauty & The Beat I think of my college days.

I saw The Go-Go's perform live on a couple of occasions. The most unusual venue was Billy Bob's Texas in Ft. Worth. You see...

In 1983, David Bowie was on his Serious Moonlight Tour. So in response to that, The Go-Go's did their Serious Barbecue Tour and only played cities in the southern United States.

That night at Billy Bob's was priceless. It was a mix of those of us who were there to see The Go-Go's and the regulars who were there to ride bulls and do some two-step dancin'. I'm not sure about the cowboys & cowgirls but I can tell you that my group of friends had a blast!

So while I'm stumbling down memory lane and trying not to spill the ice out of my cocktail glass, why don't you enjoy this Go-Go's video.

Lucky #8

Congratulations to Michael Phelps on winning his eighth gold medal of the 2008 Olympic Games. Phelps surpassed Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals that was set in 1972.

The eighth gold medal was won in the 4x100m relay. This relay has been dominated by the U.S. Team.

As soon as the team had secured the win, The Calvinator and I could see Michael mouthing the words thank you to his fellow teammates. In a post-relay interview, Phelps said that this could not have happened without his teammates doing their part.

A shout out goes not only to Michael Phelps but also to Aaron Peirsol, Brendan Hansen and Jason Lezak.

Congratulations Dara!

Source: Smiley Pool, Houston Chronicle

"Never put an age limit on your dreams." -Dara Torres, 41

2008 Summer Olympics Silver Medalist in swimming

50 Is The New 30

I have had some unusual coincidences within the past of couple of weeks. Another one happened this morning.

I arrived at Memorial Park for my Saturday run. Wasn't quite sure if I was up to a run. Not the best thing to do after a full Mexican dinner at Cyclone Anayas (with frozen Margarita-Sangria Swirls) from the night before. I was in my WWMPD?* mood.

So I turned on the iPod nano and wasn't really paying attention to the playlist. The first song that played was Madonna's Give It To Me. The coincidence? Today is her birthday! Once again, the nano spoke to me through music.

Birthday greetings go out to Madge, Mo, The Material Girl, Madonna!


Madonna is celebrating her 50th birthday today. I have a few more years before I hit the Big 5-0 so I have bought into the idea of 50 being the new 30. In fact, last week I was told by someone that he thought I was in my thirties.

Her Madgesty is often the target of criticism; some of it from Kaye Sedilla. In spite of that, she is still raking in the dough and adopting kids. Last year I did a brief tribute to Madonna. She is a business woman that knows how to keep us entertained and she knows how to reinvent herself.

One of the things I forgot to mention last year was an interview that was done on the 10th Anniversary of MTV. The president of MTV was asked, "Where would Madonna be without MTV?" He replied, "Where would MTV be without Madonna?" Definitely a symbiotic relationship.

Mo, if you're reading this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! In the words of ABBA, "Thank you for the music..." and in the words of Rihanna, "Please don't stop the music..."

OVERHEARD AFTER DINNER:
Person #1: "I wouldn't pay $20 to see a Madonna concert."
Person #2: "Oh? Hmmm....but you paid $250 to see Kaye Sedilla!"

*What Would Michael Phelps Do?

By A Fingernail

Michael Phelps won his 7th Gold Medal in the 2008 Summer Olympics. He won the race by one one-hundreth of a second. I have a feeling Phelps make think twice about clipping his fingernails from now on.

Congratulations Michael! You and the other U.S. Olympians are representing us well!

To see the video, click here