Monday Night Sushi Club

A wonderful new sushi joint just opened a couple of weeks ago in North Bossier, just a few miles from my house. The sushi and rolls are out of this world. Check out the name - Avocado California Roll & Sushi - it's a mouthful. The first couple of times we dined there the service was really - I MEAN REALLY - slow, taking about two hours to finish dinner. But the food is so incredible that we had to go back for more. I have had sushi all over the globe and I'm putting my stamp of approval on this gem as the best I've found!

This restaurant was founded in Wylie, Texas, and there are currently ten locations. Alexander, the founder, greeted us last week and even showed us that he has a roll named in his honor. How cool is that? The menu is like no other Japanese restaurant I've been to either. There are pictures accompanying each of the dishes...genius. So often I won't try something new because I don't know what I'm getting myself into. This takes all of the guess work out of it. However, it looks like someone needs to go through and spell check the menu - check out item #19 below.

Last Monday, four of us (Ray, Steve - pictured below, and "Sugar") met up for a sushi dinner. Yes, the service was slow yet again - but the food is beyond...I mean it's BEYOND! We decided to make it a Monday night event. It was great having something to look forward to throughout the first day of the work week. I am very happy to report that the service has picked up quite a bit and only took an hour - in and out. We all really hope this place will make it here.

Next Monday = same time, same place.

New Guilty Pleasure

A few weeks ago, some ladies at work turned me on to "Whatever, Martha!" I find the show to be quite hysterical. In case you are in the dark, as I have been for the last year, these half-hour episodes feature co-hosts Alexis Stewart (Martha Stewart's daughter) and friend Jennifer Koppelman Hutt (who happens to be the daughter of the chairman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia) . The premise is that the co-hosts watch old, archive episodes of Martha Stewart's show and critique, mock and provide commentary of what they watch. They make fun of Martha's clothes, rip into her guests, and mix in sexual innuendos whenever the opportunity presets itself. It seems that nothing is off limits to what they joke about. They also attempt to make some of the crafts or meals during real-time while watching the show. I've read that Martha created the show after watching reruns of “Mystery Science Theater 3000." Genius if you ask me! If you are intrigued and have a DVR or TiVo - record a few episodes and check it out for yourself. Apparently they also have a radio show on Sirus Satellite Radio. Here's a sample of the show below, what do you think?

Getting My Om On

Yoga has been a part of my life since September, 2002. There have been times that I've been extremely dedicated - taking multiple classes a week and practicing on my own. There have also been 6-9 month hiatuses. I'm happy to report that I'm back on track and have found a great class that I really enjoy on Sunday afternoons. Typically, I like Sundays to be relaxing and restful - a time to get in the right mindset for another week of work. That is exactly what yoga does for me, it is such a stress reliever. It allows me to decompress and refocus my energy on what is important. Not only is the class fantastic, I can't beat the price. The 9 week package I purchased averages out to $5.00 a class! I'll gladly pay that to get my Om on.

Ya Never Know...

With the power of the Internet and technology in general, you can never be too careful about what you put in writing. Whether it's texting, e-mail, blogging, Twitter, Facebook or whatever means of communication you choose to use, you just never know whose eyes will one day see what you've written. Unfortunately, this girl didn't get the memo...and this is what was posted on her Facebook page:

I luckily learned this hard lesson when I was FRESH out of college. It was my first job after graduation and I was working for a travel agency. Long story short, I was sending personal e-mail via my work e-mail account, saying how much I hated my job and my boss. Well at my 90-day evaluation, my boss asked how I was liking the job. When I said that it was going well, he threw a stack of my e-mail on the table and said, "Well these tell me otherwise." I gave my 2-weeks notice on the spot (which believe it or not, I actually toughed it out for those 2 weeks!) and have NEVER put anything in writing that I wouldn't show to my boss, or anyone for that matter. Lesson learned. I'm thinking the same can be said about the person above.

Mr. Hottie...Not So Fast

Every gym has its own cast of characters. Well, mine here in Bossier City is no different. Today I'd like to tell you about the guy who has been dubbed by all of the women at the gym, Mr. Hottie. You may have heard about the movie, "The Hottie & The Nottie." This guys is clearly the Nottie. I really wish I could've snapped a photo or video of this d-bag in action - I don't know if my description will do him justice, but I'll give it a shot.

This grown man, in his late 40's or early 50's, is trying to cling on to something...I just don't know what that something is, and I don't know why. Mr. Hottie has only one outfit that I have ever seen him in. He wears an old-school, LSU Tigers t-shirt that would fit a seven-year-old. He has made it his own by cutting off the sleeves, cutting a not-so-stylish "V" on the collar and cutting off the midriff --- YES, THE MAN WEARS A BELLY SHIRT! I understand why he has the cut-off the sleeves, it' so we can all get a great shot of his Playboy bunny tattoo, done in Indian ink, on his arm...very classy. What's most disturbing about the get-up is his cut-off sweatpants. You know how sweatpants are on a guy, they leave nothing to the imagination and you can always get a clear outlined shot of everything, not one of my favorite looks on a any man. Unfortunately, I don't think that underwear are part of Mr. Hottie's ensemble because there is WAY too much movement going on down there.

Mr. Hottie LOVES any exercise where he lifts his arms up over his head, so that his shirt raises up and you get a really clear view of everything he's got working. While running on the track today, I threw-up in my mouth a little when he I saw him doing alternating overhead shoulder-presses with the dumbbells.

I'm not judgin', I'm just sayin'!

30, Flirty, and FABULOUS!

Yes, that's correct. Today is my 30th birthday and have to say it has been one of the best to date. I've been celebrating since July 1st when the office threw me a surprise party, today there were lots of presents, phone calls & cards, and the celebration will continue on through the weekend when I'll be in Dallas with my college best friend (who happens to turn 31st next Monday)...it has been much more than I ever expected.

I've always thought in my mind that thirty would be such a great age. Enough years of being young and stupid are behind you and it is the time to really come into your own. By the way, I love that movie 13 going on 30 - if you're a chick and haven't seen it, I say rent it.

Well my batteries are officially fully charged after coming off of a very relaxing vacation in paradise and I'm ready for more! Bring it on world, I'm ready. Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday today, especially to Ray for making it extra special.

Recharging Them Batteries

This is my favorite time of the year. Ever since I can remember, it has always been such a celebration. This year is no exception. Ray's 39th birthday was on July 3rd and my 30th is on the 13th. It is the perfect time of the year to take a vacation and recharge.

Destin, Florida is our vacation spot of choice this year. Yes, we were just here in May but had such a great time that we wanted to come right back. We got into town on the 4th of July and it has been nothing short of wonderful. We have enjoyed some delicious meals at local restaurants, including Camille's and Bud & Alley's. There has been some great shopping at Ann Taylor Loft, Nike, Viking, Naturalizer, and Artful Eye - Creative Eyewear in Seaside (I've been looking for sunglasses for months and finally landed the perfect pair). A quick piece of useless knowledge - Seaside, Florida is a master-planned community where The Truman Show was taped. Several hours have also already been spent beach side. There are some nasty clouds out right now and just discovered via weather.com that it is supposed to be wet here this week. The same thing was said last time we were here, so I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it won't be too bad. I'm sure there will be more sunshine in the very near future.

Wimbledon also make this time of year extra special for me. I don't think a year has gone by that I haven't said, "I want to be a tennis player!" I pretty sure that I'd need to get tennis balls and a racquet first to make this happen, but a girl can dream. This year Wimbledon did not dissapoint! How exciting was the match between Serena and Venus Williams? The answer, VERY. However, it did not compare to the battle between Federer the Great and the American hottie, Andy Roddick. It was a tense 4+ hours watching that match. In case you live under a rock, it was the longest 5th set in Grand Slam history and Federer come out on top, per usual. It was so great seeing Roddick back on top of his personal game and hope that we continue to see him in Grand Slam finals.