The Commoner and the Awesome 80s

This was a month of nostalgia.  There was TGIFridays in Westbury where I spent my college years eating potato skins, onions soup and I liked Pina Coladas and mudslides.  Then there was the ESPN special about Greg Lemond and Bernard Hinault-cycling superstars from my decade the 80s who kind of ran in the same sort of cycling circles as me.

I was feeling 80s nostalgia big time so when I was asked if I wanted to go to see Rick Springfield and Pat Benatar with Commoners Kristen and Rosa and not so common Nicole I was like YES.

He may have had only one hit but my GOD he was the original Dr. McDreamy playing Dr. Noah during GH's biggest days.  Oh yeah he had a hit song too.

Also performing would be my home girl (hello she's a Long Islander) Pat Benatar.

She was the quintessential 80s rocker-the answer to that annoying early Madonna and did you know?  The first woman to have a video played on MTV !

So here we go.  This blog is so jammed pack I'm writing it in song. Mind you not all the songs are by Dr. Noah and Pat but they are all relevant.

This song is called Folding Chair.  I don't go to concerts much since moving to California because I have to be honest-the artists don't try that hard-Frankly there's not much bad press if you suck in San Jose like there is in New York. So when I heard we were going to Mountain Winery my question to Sosa was do I need to have a chair?  This song is called Folding Chair.  I had mine ready to bring.

It was so hot I couldn't put on pants.  So I wore a dress I bought last year in Fancy Newport Beach that needed very little.  Off we went in Nicoles FANCY Audi listening to hits on Sirius.  This song came on twice.  But we were FANCY as we adjusted our personal seat warmers -Kristen is your butt cold yet?  We careened our way up the la di da mountains of Saratoga.  I was pretty sure that we were in one of those Tour De France stages in France.  It was really twisty.  But WE WERE THERE!

We did talk about the fact that this summer had no great songs like last year and this one!

(That's for you Beth Matsui)
We ate our fish and chips and drank our wine and beer and found our seats.  This place was super beautiful and intimate and we were way close to Dr. McSteamy

He still looks good doesn't he?  Anyway he only has a one hit wonder so he had to sing a bunch of other songs.  It didn't matter it was fun.  The crowd was interesting.  In front of us was this woman who looked like this-

and her two sons who looked like this

We knew it would be fun.  The crowd was full of women my ages dancing to our heartthrob Dr. Noah and a few guys who for some reason knew all of the words to songs that don't really exist and danced the night away.  

Rick knows his limitations so he began the intro to every song with the riff from Jessie's girl.  When he played Human Touch he ran around the entire arena!  Up and down every aisle.  I tried to jump out but I literally froze like when I saw the snake.  I couldn't believe that!  Dr. Noah hugging all of us and I couldn't move.  Finally he sang this one

McDreamy was done and it was time for my girl to come out and sing.  I had to go to the bathroom and we were right by the velvet rope for the VIPs.  I really wanted to ask the bouncer from the Allman Brothers to let me in but I know what these guys expect for small favors.  So I used the regular bathroom and got back in time enough to watch Greg Allman tell the people behind us that they couldn't smoke-not anything.  That didn't last for long

During the intermission I almost used the power of second hand medicinal marijuana to talk the commoners into going to see Jay and Beyonce-I had to sing a bunch of Jay Z songs so Kristen could figure out who he was.  So like every blog entry -here's the obligatory JayZ Video

Pat cam on and MY GOD she looks fantastic.  Plus her and her husband were celebrating 35 years together.  Whatever this rock star does to preserve her body, voice, and attitude should be what all rockers must do.  She's ageless.  

I couldn't really take any pictures of her it was dark and Greg Allman was getting mad.  But I danced and I sang and suddenly The Situation who was still sitting in front of us was turned around watching us, the women screaming behind us that they loved Pat, and the couple dirty dancing and baby making behind us when he noticed that Sosa looked really sad.  Sosa did not listen to Pat Benatar growing up.  Plus she's not a middle aged white woman so she was a little lost.  and it was during this song when Sosa received her own promise in the dark and was proposed to -that's right proposed marriage.

The concert went on and the women behind us were going to start a rumble.  Some were screaming while others really wanted to hear Pat's story of young love and MTV fame.  Love wasn't the only battlefield -so were the middle age white women on the Battle field of the Mountain Winery.

She closed with Heartbreaker -which will never be the same after this Seinfeld scene

And we ducked the handrail and were off to the parking lot.  It was crowded getting down the mountain and we kind of felt bad for Sosa who knew nothing of Ms. Benetar other than Guitar Hero so we played some crazy Mexican Rap music which I apparently am not aware of-I liked it though-I think I could run to it actually.  But we blasted it out of the window for all of Saratoga to hear.  But you know what?  That made every body yield so we got out of that parking lot and down the mountain super speedy.

It was a long ride home.  Sosa told us stories of her magical arrival to the United States.  We are used to these stories of Sosa's so we knew better than to ask any questions but Sosa advised Nicole to listen to the lyrics of the song on the radio and 

We originally wanted to stop for fondue on the way home but the GPS didn't take us that way.  But we had a yearning for some of these from In and Out burger on the way home.  In spite of the fact that Nicole missed the opportunity to ask for napkins and we almost were able to collect more meals we made it down the road and back home drinking these

We had so much fun and we are so thankful for Nicole including us and for Kristen suggesting us when Nicole said do you know anyone fun who wants to go.  It was absolutely maybe the most fun I had all year.

The Commoner's Play List!

I don't know what's on my play list but it's been a while so lets do this!  I'll press play on the shuffle and let's see what comes up. I have a rule where I can't change the song that comes on but in the last mile i can skip all of them.  Ironically these would probably all be skipped.  But they are good for the first 25 miles anyway!

Macklemore is a fixture on my IPOD because his music like Aloe Blac is so positive.  This song is not only deep but beautiful -this kind of slower music is all over my playlist -sometimes you need to relax not pound on your run-Same Love-plus he's from Seattle and their pride parade took four hours. I love that city.

Run This Town-Rhianna, Jay Z, and Kanye-I love all of those guys and gal and the song says Run-it's has that pounding beat for running this little town.

Tom Ford by Jay Z-not one of my favorites-it probably should be removed-it kind of made it on the list because it's Jay

All Alone by Fun-A strange little song.  I do feel All Alone when I run but that's a good thing

Can You Do This-Aloe Blac-I love this whole album.  This is a great running song because you can do this.  Then BRAVO made it's it's summer commercial song and now it's even better.

Wagon Wheel by Hootie-that's right Hootie-I just like his voice it's like velvet. I'm glad he revived his career -plus this song has a pretty good running beat.

Roar by Katy Perry-last year this was a mainstay on my marathon playlist but then like all her songs I got really tired of it.  Then I needed it again just to get through my days.  Now it's a victory song-here to get me through another marathon cycle.

Fighter by Christina Aguilera-Like Roar this is an old song who I pulled off of my running playlist long ago.  Then I needed it again just to get through my days and it's another victory song-and pretty good for running as well.

Impossible by Kanye-I just love it.  I love the fast rapping and it's a little inspiring.

Finally Hall of Fame by the Script.  It's the perfect inspirational workout song plus they are Irish so they get a little plus .

That's what I'm listening to-well these and 100 more!

The Commoner Thinks Marathon Training is Fun

I'm not even kidding.  Do you think I'm being sarcastic?  I'm not!  I love it and here are some reasons why.

The race is actually a lot of fun.  You've done all the work and there's lots of people and excitement and things to buy!

Your metabolism starts to rev and you are kind of hungry all of the time!  But you also slim down-this hasn't happened yet but it's starting to.  This year I started training 5 pounds heavier than last and they are just starting to come off now after the first month.  I think of my long runs as calories.  Last weekend we ran 11 miles -that's almost 1200 calories!

The training starts in the summer in summer vacation.  It's great because I have so much time to focus on it.  It's a great distraction from real-life because you are focused on the training.  But also there's the sweating.  It seems all I have to do is hit start on my Garmin and the sweat starts pouring from my head of all places.  I'm not sure what the deal with head sweating is but i like to wring out my Lebron James head band to see how sweaty I was.

My Garmin because it keeps my runs in check.  I can't cheat.  It doesn't yell at me like the Nike Bi**h used to but I do love it.

Quality time with my IPod shuffle and my great great play list.  I am the master of the running playlist and really when else would I be able to listen to music for such a long time.  I know I've increased my commute to 20 minutes a day up from 10 (round trip) but still that's only about 2 songs.  I love to zone out to the music.

Am I making this all rosy?  No!  I feel like my body is in constant states of pain.  Right now my foot is taped and I'm wearing a compression sleeve on my calf.  But somehow those pains make you feel more alive-tough-strange I know.

My trail!  I love my trail.  Last year I tried to find different places to run instead of the trail but now I embrace it.  I know what I will see at each new mile marker-and I'm ready for it.  I love my trail.  I don't love the snake but I love my trail.

And then there are all the cool running clothes you get to wear.  I buy a lot of them because I figure if I have them I'm obligated to run in them.

That's a cool new running shirt!

So right now my foot is achy but you know what?  I'm loving not having to run fast and only having to run far.  Run on everyone!!

Just Do It!  

Plus if you are running too-even if it's not a crazy marathon-you are even more awesome because you are not crazy!

The Commoner's Random Summer Thoughts

My hammock is my best place to be this summer.  I lay there for a long time.  Doing nothing.....I love it!

It's almost time for my trip to New Orleans and I am SO EXCITED!!!!!!!

This summer my cousins and I decided we needed #Truthdaytuesday.  This is the day when you could call bullish*t on all of those stupid Facebook posts which you know are lies.  You know the ones-here are me and my wonderful husband having breakfast together.  When you want to say #truthdaytuesday  your husband is a jerk-you always say so.  We haven't really been able to pull this off.  It's really hard to do.  It's such a great idea though.  If you want to do it you can just hashtag it so the world can see.  And if you're brave enough?  Good for you!  I'm proud.

Music has been terrible this summer.  There have been no great hits.  I must be getting old because I don't even know the difference between an Iggy and an Ariana.  But this song?  I love this song.  It's called Come with me now by a band called Kongo.  It's my go to running song this year and it makes me bop around when it comes on.  Granted it's a little angry -but for a lot of people this summer has been a little angry just like this year so that's okay.  But it's great and the best part is that this video owns all of what belongs to this song like working out, working, and accordions.  Listen to it-like every thing else its the best 2014 could do for a summer song.

Have you checked out the latest ice cream treats available in your ice-cream freezer (in Target I found them)  These are not for people but for your dogs.  All the dogs on Long Island eat them and I was sure they didn't exist on the west coast.  But you know what?  They do!  Right there in your freezer section.  Most likely I've bought them and eaten them myself because you really have to read the fact that they say treating your dog doesn't get any cooler.  Benjie loved them Bella couldn't figure out how to eat them.  They were a little pricy for a treat but it kept them busy for a little while.

Have a great weekend

The Commoner's Homecoming

Hey Lebron James isn't the only one who returned home.  I just got back from my visit to New York.

I haven't been home since that botched attempt a few years ago and I really missed my family.  So I decided to go.  I didn't go to the city, I didn't see a show.  But I did get to visit and I did get to eat.  Here are some highlights.

My Uncle asked if I wanted to make any plans while I was there.  I really just wanted to visit and catch up with all the littles that I miss.  Also my only real plan was to eat as much pizza and as much Dunkin Donuts as I could.  Mission Accomplished.  WHY DON"T WE HAVE THESE THINGS HERE?

I ran a few times but Good God the humidity sucks the life out of you.  It wasn't even really humid -it wasn't even really hot.  But since I was running like this after Monday I didn't bother anymore. I did go for walks with my cousin Jenn and assorted babies but literally those accounted for a bite of a donut.  I don't care I said I'll run when I get home.

This is my cousin Pat.  He runs the NYC Marathon every year and this year he is injured.  He didn't run last week either.

This is Citi Field.  It's where the New York Mets play.  People think I'm a Yankees fan but really I'm a Met's fan.  People in California don't get that so I just say Yankees.  I didn't go to a game but I watched a lot on TV and it seems I'm a lucky charm for the Mets.  They never win but they do when I'm around AND they are still winning.  I love that-I miss them.

Long Island is famous for not only being Howard Sterns home but also for Charles Lindbergh.  He was from here and flew from Mitchell Field.  They built a museum there called The Cradle of Aviation.  This is my niece Reilly.  She posed at ever display for me.  She is super super smart and a lot of fun to hang out with.  If we lived closer I know we'd be shopping buddies.

Every one in my family almost-has a built in pool.  This makes summers super fun.  Here we are at my cousin Kim's pool also known as Utopia-she didn't name it that Taylor did.  And it fits the place.  It's a huge home.

If I were Lebron James I would have signed for the Knicks and moved to Long Island so that I too could be home.  I would have a school district hire me and then give my whole family their jobs here.  I would also bring the California weather.  Because really?  Our pizza may suck and we have no Dunkin but you can't beat our weather.

However I would not bring the snake I saw today.  Who told this snake (and his friend right near where I took this picture) that they could run on my trail.  I don't know who this guy was but he stood on the other side of the snake and then walked with me until I wasn't afraid anymore.  It was weird that there were no other runners or bike riders or walkers around-I think this guy was my guardian angel. I don't think he was real.

This snake can not come back to New York with me.

Until Next time New York......

The Commoner and Virgin America

Here are ten quick reasons why you should always fly Virgin whenever you can.  (Let's see if I can come up with 10)

1.  They fly out of San Francisco's beautiful Terminal 2-where could be a destination all of it's own with it's great NAPA inspired cafeteria and shops-like Pinkberry AND a candy store too.

2.  There's free wifi in the terminal and outlets and chairs everywhere.  Because if you've ever flown through parts of Kennedy or O'Hare you would sell your soul to have access to an outlet to charge stuff.

3  They have the best ever I've ever seen safety video complete with rappers, dancers, and safety information too.

4.  They have outlets on the plane.  I know again with the outlets but come on!

5. They fly direct to the east coast and if you have to transfer it's usually out of Los Angeles which is no big deal and if you are severely delayed going home you can always drive instead.

6.  Their flight attendants are professional and nice but not in a creepy way or a snotty way or a stupid unprofessional way-and their uniforms are outfitted by Banana Republic.  (Side Note-I once interviewed with them a few years ago to be a flight attendant but these people make NO money)

7.  The on board TV and movie selections.  Oh yeah and games and chat feature for meeting cute strangers in other seats or I suppose talking to your family or friends not sitting with you.

8.  You can purchase WIFI so you can work on research for your masters-or check out face book-or update your blog because yes there are outlets.

9.  If you are hungry you can order right from your seat and they bring it to you.  You can buy food or you can even order free drinks-or not free drinks.

10.  The seats are leathery and roomy and the mood lighting -that's right the mood lighting is really cool.

This blog entry has been bought to you from 2500 miles from JFK -wherever that is.