Flip-flops = chemical burn?

My mom would say, "This is why I didn't let you wear cheap shoes as a child."
http://www.lamanaphotography.com/walmart2.htm

Pictures are quite graphic, so if you're easily grossed out, don't bother with the link.
Basic premise is that $3.00 flip-flops from Wal-Mart gave this woman massive flip-flop shaped chemical burns. The burns are taking a long time to heal and have caused her serious pain. She's not allergic to latex or rubber, so it's more likely that there's some toxic chemical (aside from the petro-chemicals probably in the shoe bottom...) in the "thong" part of the sandal. She tried to get Wal-Mart involved and has been shot down.

FTW.

Sometimes Googling people does not do anything good.
I'm angry and hurt today. FTW.

In other news, I did go for a run last night.

I'm hoping that a 1pm yoga class will help calm me and clear my head.
Until then, FTW.

Pedicure emergency.

I want/need a pedicure.
(Really, it's a tough call at this point. I think my last pedi was at the beginning of April.)

Pilates: good times. I will try to make this a normal Tuesday, Thursday practice. Great break in the work day.

Can I take the time that I was going to use for a run and get a pedicure instead?

Grumble grumble grumble. Whine whine whine.

Sunrise in SF: 6:38am

Classic. Friend LM and I did this once a few years ago in the fall when it was getting dark early and we couldn't run after work.

Today, Thursday, August 30, I woke up early. 5:30am. So I could run in the morning before work. Only, it's now late enough in the summer that 5:30am is before sunrise. So it's really, really dark outside. Not safe for running out to Golden Gate Park.

Anyway, because I didn't get to work out yesterday, I'm planning for a 1pm pilates class at the 24 Hour Fitness near work. And apparently now, a post-work run. If I hurry, I can get to work by 7am and get outta there around 3:45pm!

Efficiency in September

Survived the first residency of classes. Whew!

Project for the month of September: keep sane. I'm working full time until October 1 AND in school full time. It's doable, but will leave me with limited social time - I need to do homework on the weekends - and I need to be hyper-efficient. That means NO spending hours on websites like cuteoverload.com, gofugyourself.com and perezhilton.com . That means planning out my day ahead of time and bringing a school book to read at lunch and on the bus. And being efficient at the grocery store, where I have a tendency to dawdle.

I also need to continue to run, bike, swim, yoga, etc as a means of stress relief. I'm also going to Cabo for a bachelorette party in early November & need to be bikini-ready :)

So... I will try to blog my exercising. If I don't post anything for a while, bug me, fair readers. Bug me and send pictures of beautiful beaches.

Monday - swam for 45 minutes. A good 30 minutes were hard-core, the other 15 were more cool-down/backstroke.
Tuesday - bike to work (20-30 minutes each way, but a lot of stop and start, so not really a big deal, energy-expenditure wise) and 40 minute run at lunch.

As Seen on Public Transportation, Part II

Yesterday:
Cutest girl ever, all dressed up in her Apple Bottoms outfit (I'm not going to get into if this is really appropriate - though it was normal little girl clothing, just with the Apple Bottom logo).
"We have to wait to cross the yellow line until the bus stops. That yellow line there."
Walks to the door
"Mommy!!! There are even yellow lines on the STAIRS!"

Today:
Guy in workout wear and boxing gloves. Walking/floating like a butterfly up Fillmore Street. Air boxing. At nothing in particular.

Quote of the Day

SS:
"You need to start treating your love life like your business."

SC:
"You mean I have to start charging now?!?"

V8 = Ass

Bleech.

I'd really like to drink V8 or tomato juice. Good for you, you know - veggies & all that. I know it's not as good as eating vegetables raw, or even cooked, but well...it's a low-cal "juice" drink when you want something besides just water. And you can also use it for bloody marys. And gazpacho is essentially (in my opinion) tomato juice.

So I recently bought a bottle of low-sodium V8. It is ass. I have to drink it fast, like a V8 shot or something. Maybe there's something I can do to make it taste better? Besides adding vodka (which, I remain unconvinced will make it palatable). Seriously.

Starting Thursday...

Surfing Attempt #3

Was in Santa Cruz on Saturday with intentions of giving surfing another shot. There was pretty much no surf - meaning that there were no waves. The water was completely calm.

Still, very good times. I did manage to get up onto my knees and ride two mini waves. :) AND saw dolphins and seals and tons of dive-bombing for fish pelicans.

Most importantly, NO injuries.

new blog feature ... a list!

new blog element - listing of free BYOB in SF. a big salud to RB for sending in two additions - without any weekday limitations!

hmmm... a nice spicy curry with a calming beer or slightly sweet white?

Politics in an Excel spreadsheet. Brilliant!

2008 Presidential Candidates in a fairly comprehensive (and they're working to add more topics) spreadsheet...

http://www.2decide.com/table.htm

Keep or Sell Fido?

I've added a poll up in here.

My car, Fido. Fido has been been a source of many posts (see transportation label). He's had his share of mechanical problems, been towed and most recently, Fido was broken into.

Yep. On Saturday, July 28th, I went to my car and found that someone had broken a window, stolen the radio, scratched up the paint and made me very sad. Fido's back now - I just picked him up from the shop yesterday. He's all shiny and new.

Well, except for the lack of radio, broken speedometer & odometer and lack of power doorlocks.

So... do I get rid of my 97 VW Golf? It's got just under 100k miles. Looks great now after the body shop fixed up the paint. Few issues (see above). Kelley Blue Book puts it at $3400 for private party sale. I'm guessing I could get $3000 or so for it, depending on what *else* is wrong with it.

Pros & cons...

• Cheap to maintain, totally paid off ... until more stuff breaks
• Parking's not horrible ... except that I spend more time moving it each week to avoid street cleaning than I do driving it
• I don't need it now, but what about next summer when I may get a job somewhere outside of SF?
• I could join CityCarShare or ZipCar for trips out of the city (mountain biking, when guests come to visit, stuff like that)
• I could use the cash, but I'm not desperate for it
• I really hate driving around the city
• I haven't lived in the city during the rainy, cold season (not snowy, but still crappy for bike riding & walking)
• Getting rid of my car would be a move in-line with my sustainable ideals... but is it too idealistic?

So... step right up and click Yes or No. Comments are, as always, welcome and encouraged.

SF Free BYOB?

Wine tasting (and wine-buying) on Saturday brought about the discussion of BYOB. Anyone know of free BYOB restaurants in San Francisco? I'm happy to post a list here and update when I get new listings!

Tuesday - Cole Valley - Zazie
Wednesday - Alamo Square - Fillmore Street Grill

Green trends in business

This article, which was posted to my school's online discussion/bulletin board, does a great job summarizing some of the green trends in business.

http://www.smallbiztrends.com/2007/08/green-taking-care-of-business-ourselves-and-the-planet.html

A quick excerpt...

Here are five major indicators demonstrating the phenomenal growth in “green” business and why it appears to be a long term trend and not just a fad.
1. Customers are increasingly aware of environmental issues.
2. Customers are increasingly drawn to businesses, products and services that are green, organic, natural, clean, sustainable — you get the idea.
3. Local Governments are forcing green issues all over the United States
4. Personal and Professional Investors are Going Green
5. The Green Business Infrastructure is Growing

The author includes examples under each point, some with links, some with numbers. Based on some discussions that I had this weekend about craptastic recycling in Chicago (failed "Blue Bag" recycling) and how over half of Americans don't know that plastics come from petroleum, I think that we need a lot more education to create awareness to support points #1 & 2. That said, the author is, hopefully, correct about green business being a long term trend... I'd go so far as to say the "new way to do business." End of story.

Girls Weekend = Total Success

I just got back home from Girls Weekend in Sonoma County. It was wonderful. A big, big thank you for everyone who made the trek (some from near, some from far) to enjoy some girl time together.

We stayed at a house in Glen Ellen - 3 bedroom, 3 bath... grill, hot tub, peaceful settings in the woods. Wine tasted on Saturday in Dry Creek Valley and managed to go to SIX wineries!!! That's some sort of a record for wine tasting.

On Saturday, seven of us visited...
Preston
Quivira
Lambert Ridge
Armeda
Hop Kiln
Arista

It was an amazing weekend. Great to be out of the city and enjoy some time drinking, eating and, of course, lots of talking and laughing with friends. Big hugs all around.

Who's in for Girls Weekend 2008? Taking ideas for locations and timing now :)