Reboot the Machine

I'm on another juice fast/cleanse that begins July 1st and will go at least a week, perhaps longer. In order to get through a fast like this (I did one in January of 2013) I make sure to keep a clear schedule. Any friends or family members that I hang out with must realise that our time together cannot involve food. Thank GAWD I have Kat in my life. This is the only gal I know that will go to a juice bar with me and make it fun.

To keep myself motivated and strong I re-watch some fantastic and inspirational documentaries. Starting with the film that pushed me forward and on to my quest for better health, Joe Cross' Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. Then I follow that with the sequel to that, aptly titled Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead 2. Other documentaries that keep my spirits up and on the right track are Hungry for Change, Forks Over Knives, and Vegucated. Vegucated is actually the film that convinced me to transition from vegetarian to vegan. In addition to these shows, I make sure to watch lots of funny movies and TV shows such as The Office US and UK versions, as well as Grace and Frankie. I need to keep laughing and feeling good.

I'm not as experimental as I was in 2013 when it comes to trying different juices. It's kinda expensive to buy all these veggies and fruits only to discover that I really don't like them. I pretty much juice Mean Green for lunch and dinner with apple juice for breakfast. I drink tons of water throughout the day, as well as some coconut water and bottled juices, like Suja Elements, Bolthouse Farms, and Evolution Fresh. I'm going to try my damnedest to stay on track but if I get weak and have an apple or whatever, I'm not gonna beat myself up or feel like a failure. That's the best thing that I took away from Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead 2. It was when Dean Ornish said, "What matters most is your overall way of eating and living. If you indulge yourself one day, doesn't mean you cheated or been bad. Just eat healthier the next. You didn't have time to exercise one day, do a little more the next...The more you change, the better you get." That statement completely changed the way I view my eating habits.

Tomorrow it all begins and I think I'm ready. Seven days of no food and only juice. I can totally do this. In the words of Joe Cross - juice on!

(photo credits: Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead - fatsickandnearlydead - Mean Green juice - juicefast - Suja Elements - ehgrp - Joe Cross - everyconversationcounts)

July 6th - ps: Yesterday I stopped over Marina's to spend time with her and Mateo. While standing in her kitchen and chatting, Marina stopped, looked at me and said, "Oh my God. You look so thin!" (I'm down about 6 lbs. since we were last together.) I laughed and then Marina asked, in all sincerity, "Are you wearing a corset?" Um, with jeans, a t-shirt and flip flops? No, I was not wearing a corset. But oh man, what a hilarious response to all my hard work. One day left and I'm feelin' grand!

This is so me.

Abi Bump's Progression

Following along with Kat's pregnancy has been such fun. Her hubs isn't as interested this time around (why, I have no idea - he's totally missing out!), so she's sharing all of her weekly pics with me and I love it. She is such a great mom to Evie and little Miss Abi Grace is in good hands with Mama Kat! (thankfully kat doesn't read this blog. i doubt she'd be thrilled that i've posted all these photos online...)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Below photo added July 4th - Kat's due date. Miss Abi refuses to leave her mother's comfy womb. Kat and I have discussed rental options on Airbnb.)

She's here!! Abigail Grace 9lbs 6oz was born July 8th at 10:43am. (look at that nose!!! those chubby cheeks!!!)

Orange is the New Black

I started watching this show back in August of 2013. I like it, I'm not hooked on it like a lot of people, but I do like it. I watch it primarily because of the beautiful cast of women. Women of various size, age, sexuality, race - and a variety of complexions within said race, from dark to light - and especially women that look real. Real women representing all females. It is unbelievably refreshing to see all of these ladies on one show.

The only cast members I knew of prior to seeing episode one were Kate Mulgrew (from Remo Williams!!!), Taylor Schilling (from part one of Atlas Shrugged which I did not like, but thought she was wonderful as Dagny), and of course Natasha Lyonne (from Dennis the Menace, Everyone Says I Love You, Slums of Beverly Hills, But I'm a Cheerleader, and Die, Mommie, Die!). However, since that first episode I have come to love Lea DeLaria as Big Boo, Laverne Cox as Sophia, Constance Shulman as Yoga, Barbara Rosenblat as Miss Rosa, and of course, Yael Stone as Morello. Oh, yeah, and I'm one of those gals that thinks Ruby Rose as Stella is un-believably sexy. Just absolutely stunning.

In particular, I like how each episode centers around a specific character, like on Lost. I think seeing Pennsatucky's background this season helped me to gain a different perspective on her and change my opinion completely. I never thought I would ever like her, but I genuinely do. I guess If I had to pick my absolute favourite character...I gotta go with Red. She's tough, but real and emotional and I admire the hell out of her. But honestly, all of the ladies, main cast and just some-of-the-time cast, are all outstanding and I'm definitely looking forward to season 4. 

(photo kidnapped from orange-is-the-new-black.wikia)

Same-Sex Marriage Is a Right, Supreme Court Rules, 5-4

Did I seriously read that right? Has my country finally realised that not allowing gays and lesbians to marry is indeed unconstitutional? I am excited, but is it for real?? It's gotta be because this is what The New York Times just told me:

Justice Kennedy said gay and lesbian couples had a fundamental right to marry.

“No union is more profound than marriage, for it embodies the highest ideals of love, fidelity, devotion, sacrifice, and family,” he wrote. “In forming a marital union, two people become something greater than once they were.”

“It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage,” Justice Kennedy said of the couples challenging state bans on same-sex marriage. “Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”

As someone who has supported gay rights since I was a teenager, this ruling makes me so unbelievably happy, because it shows progress. A movement forward. Tolerance. And after tolerance comes acceptance and then finally respect. Something everyone desires and so many deserve. Hooray for equality!!

(photo kidnapped from sodahead)

Buck Angel

I remember stepping out of the bulk closet back in my days working The Aisles, possibly 2005ish, and bumping into Bill from produce. He sidled right next to me, as if to tell me something dirty or let me in on a secret, and asked if I had heard about a guy named Buck Angel. I hadn't. Then he showed me Buck's picture, I'm pretty sure on his phone or maybe we went up to the office and Googled him. One photo was Buck without a shirt and the other (if memory serves) he was in a blue plaid cowboy shirt with a big-ass belt buckle. Buck was bald, tattooed, goateed, and big. Very beefcake. Bill then, with a bit of glee, dropped the proverbial bomb on me with, "He's transgendered." I'm pretty sure Bill came specifically to me to share his new crush because he knew instinctively that I wouldn't say anything negative, like, "Ew!" and that more than likely I'd say, "That's hot." Which I'm certain I did. Bill's eyes rolled back in his head as he imagined his ideal - a man with a vagina.

Over the years I still haven't seen any of Buck's films (he's an adult film actor), because I'm not really that into porn. And I say that with no disrespect or judgement to those that are. I did however, check out some interviews online and he just seems like such a good guy. Definitely BFF material. When I saw that Netflix was streaming Mr. Angel (thank you gphilly for hipping me to this!), I jumped on it. I love documentaries and this one was good, but left me wanting more. I wanted more one on one interviews with Buck about how he overcame his struggles and I really, really wanted to hear more about his romance with his wife who is AWESOME. Oh man, I adored Elayne. Sassy, sweet, supportive and that smile! Adorable. I wanted more about his advocacy work, but an hour and ten minutes was not enough time to go as in depth as I would have liked. If you get a chance, check out Mr. Angel, but I warn you, when the credits roll you will groan with annoyance at being left unfulfilled.

(photo kidnapped from wearemoviegeeks)

Donna and Matt

My Mum snapped this pic of my cousin Matt and his then girlfriend, soon to be my friend for life, Donna, in July 1989. They're both so young, but Donna's goofiness was present, even back then. Miss that lady. Especially when watching Orange is the New Black. I have a feeling that she woulda gone bananas for Big Boo.

The Accords

It was super strange and purely coincidental, but myself and two of my closest pals from high school all drove Honda Accords as our first cars. Mine was a '92 (inherited from my dad and named Morrison) and is pictured below followed by Lori in her '84 Accord and then Rachel in her '85. Mine was stolen when I lived in Philly but Lori and Ray drove theirs into the ground. Hondas are like tanks. They last through damn near anything.

 

Melissa on the Porch

This is a self portrait Melissa took during her photography class years in the late 1990s.

Kathleen in Out Mag

Back in the late 90s I subscribed to Out Magazine. I remember coming across the below photo and article in, I guess maybe, the Summer of 1998. I had no idea who Kathleen Hanna was, or knew of Bikini Kill, but something made me tear this page out and put it in an album. First off, her face is perfect, like a China doll's, and I loved her heart-on-the-sleeve tattoo and the sexiness of her underarm hair showing. I guess me at twenty-two wanted to save this pic for me at thirty-nine to discover again, scan, post on my blog, and then cut the picture out and add it to my home's "office" bulletin board. For inspiration. Because Kathleen Hanna inspires me in so very many ways.

Boatwright Road

Snapped this photo out the car window while leaving the University of Richmond. Boatwright still remains one of my favourite roads that I ever got a chance to drive. No clue why, I just thought it was beautiful and winding. It also led to a gorgeous campus and my childhood BFF, Amy.

By the Way...

Everyone's nasty comments about Rachel Dolezal? Yeah, that's bullying. I think we all agree of late that bullying is wrong, so stop making cruel jokes about someone you don't even know. Sure, you can absolutely have an opinion about her, but stop tearing down someone who is living their life in their own way. She is a human being. A person. Someone with feelings and the world does not need anymore hatred. What happened in South Carolina showed us that. Being mean isn't funny or clever or winning. It's pathetic and it is not making the world a better place. So just effing stop. STOP.

Apparently, I'm the Best Sister Ever

(It's kinda true.) My oldest brother, Wayne, recently purchased his first home. When we met up in Center City on Saturday to see The 7th Voyage of Sinbad at The International House, we chatted after the film about favourite classic TV shows. I shared my obsession with Hart to Hart and Wayne mentioned wanting to go back and watch Dallas. So, as a housewarming gift, I went to Amazon and had seasons one and two sent to his new abode. Here is his response:

 

Aunt Helen and Uncle Bud

Simeone with Jaeden

In my quest to see more of the City of Brotherly Love, Jaeden and I went to the Simeone Automotive Foundation Museum yesterday afternoon. Just a stone's throw from the Philly Int'l Airport, I got Jaeden in Fishtown and we were at Simeone in under twenty minutes. I had no expectations, just a hope to see a Maserati and I was not disappointed - it was exquisite. Jaeden had a blast and took pictures of every single car so that he could post them on Facebook and make his dad jealous.

Thankfully the place wasn't crowded at all and we could leisurely walk a few paces behind the fellas in front of us and take our time checking out the cars. I'm no gearhead, but I can definitely appreciate a beautiful automobile, and this place had plenty.

1951 Allard J2

1931 Bentley

1926 Bugatti Type 35

1933 Auburn V12 Speedster

My absolute favourite was the 1938 Bentley Coupe in a shade of green both hideous and gorgeous with red rims that are to die for. I could be a World War II undercover agent or a gangster's moll in this baby. Scratch that, I could be the detective posing as a gangster's moll and then bust the whole lot of them and be on the front pages of every newspaper in the country. "Extree, Extree - Federal Agent poses as mob mistress to take down the Suggins Gang - read all about it!!!!"

1955 Mercedes Benz Gullwing

 Jaeden, goofing off in front of the 1966 Corvette Stingray

The scary side seat on the 1922 Paige Daytona Speedster left us perplexed. Who on Earth would ever choose that seat? I mean, run along side the car before you take that option. That passenger is just asking for a face full of bugs and a couple whacks in the puss with some low hanging branches. Yeesh!

1956 Jaguar D-Type - so funky and space age!

And I got to see my Maserati (1956 300S) - what a beauty...

1962 Ferrari 250GT

1936 Bugatti 57G "Tank"

The next time I go I think I'll plan ahead and bring my big ass Nikon and take better photos. For now, these will have to suffice, even though nothing beats seeing these incredible vehicles in person. If only I could sit in one...I know, I know, fat chance. But a girl's gotta have dreams!