"Work Out" written by Hodown on estrip.org

05/04/08 08:24 - 47ºF - ID#44233

Work Out

As I'm sure you've gathered I've started working out regularly and with a trainer. When I turned 30 I was the heaviest I'd ever been. I was terribly unhappy with my self. I had wanted to turn 30 and be fab, but it didn't really happen that way. Then I turned 31 and I was in the same place as when I turned 30. Finally I decided to do something about it. I joined a gym 3 blocks from my house and started pouring all my expendable income into training sessions. I wasn't buying clothes or going out, so I might as well spend the money on improving myself.

Here I am 4 months later and a totally different person. Or maybe the old me has returned, I'm not sure. Either way what I can tell you is I actually like me again. I started buying clothes in a size smaller than I previously was. I try things on and I actually feel like I look ok. Beyond the self esteem boost, I just feel better. I sleep better. My back never hurts. I'm happier. I feel stronger.

I still hate the gym and I'm no where near where I want to be, but I'm well on my way. Its just been a really long time since I've accomplished something and I'm really proud of me!

travisp writes at 03:25:59 05/07/08 - Comment #34806: :::link:::

At least you wont get diabetes.

travisp writes at 03:15:09 05/07/08 - Comment #34803: Really? Proud of THAT? Maybe you need an updated picture.

tinypliny writes at 05:51:18 05/05/08 - Comment #34735: Thanks! This is such an inspiring post. Though I am not going to be hopping on the gym boat, I am certainly going to be hopping on the pursue-your-goals-vigorously-and-with-a-passion boat. Starting today, Starting NOW!

ladycroft writes at 03:34:45 05/05/08 - Comment #34730: way to go!!!

libertad writes at 01:46:11 05/05/08 - Comment #34722: I'm glad you are feeling so good about yourself. Can't wait to work out again myself. Just hope I stick with it myself and don't let myself get too busy or too lazy.

joshua writes at 11:37:22 05/05/08 - Comment #34719: Congrats :)

Who is the old you? I like who you are anyway Jessica. I hope the old you isn't much different than the you I do know. I know what you mean though - I struggle with the same thoughts sometimes and its hard to build confidence when people have negative thoughts about themselves.

You are a great girl... NOBODY I know keeps it real like you do. Nobody gets weirder gifts from the opposite sex then you do either. I hope someday this improves - I will never forget the cheese assortment. Once I was given a rock from the Grand Canyon from a girl, and this may be debatable, but if I had to choose between the rock and the cheese I'd choose the rock. What kind of freaky bastard thinks up a gift like that to give a girl?

I hate the gym too. The difference is that you are doing something about it! If you stick with it I think you'll have an explosion of inner and outer confidence. I wonder which will be worth more to you - the better health or the feeling you get when you realize you set out to conquer an aspect of yourself you wanted to improve... and actually did it!

jon writes at 09:12:32 05/05/08 - Comment #34714: Keep it up! You're inspiring me to get my butt moving.

james writes at 10:59:29 05/04/08 - Comment #34712: Personal trainers are totally worth the money. Congrats.

leetee writes at 10:08:57 05/04/08 - Comment #34709: Congrats on the restored self confidence and self image! You SHOULD be proud of yourself. :O)

paul writes at 09:43:40 05/04/08 - Comment #34708: Thats awesome. I am going to join the gym again soon and try sand stick with it this time.

mrmike writes at 08:52:24 05/04/08 - Comment #34706: Good for you.

Permalink: Work_Out.html
Words: 220
Location: Jersey City, NJ

05/01/08 09:48 - 48ºF - ID#44213

Ok this is really funny

You may or may not know my great interest in blogs. Especially funny blogs. Well I just read this on jezebel and it was WAY too funny not to post. So see the picture below with caption taken directly from www.jezebel.com :

Dude has on a pink shirt with floral cuffs, and he's FREAKING out about SJP. I think it's safe to say that this is the gayest this guy has acted since he started having anal sex with other men.

I just want to point out I'm not mocking being gay (I think we all know I totally heart them. I like to think of them as my target audience). I'm pointing out the hilarity of anyone obsessed with SJP and Sex In The City (which i initially liked but now am so over).

Permalink: Ok_this_is_really_funny.html
Words: 138
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Category: vacation

04/28/08 11:39 - 41ºF - ID#44168

Request for help!

Last week I decided I wanted to take a vacation. I did some research and figured out with my time requirements and budget Washington DC was the place for me. I've also always had a strong interest in politics and our nation and its development. So I'm totally excited to go. I've booked a sweet room at a seemingly nice hotel right downtown. I figured from there I'd be set. Wrong.

Everything is free to visit (sweet) but also complicated and involves months long planning. You have to request a white house visit 3 months in advance through a congressman, same with the pentagon and Congress. Ok so cross those off my list. Next I figure I'll just visit the monuments. Also free, also require tickets months in advance. The next time I can get tickets for the Washington Monument is June 20th. Ok now I'm stuck. I'm fo so going. I have my train ticket and hotel is paid for. There's no turning back. Has anyone else ever taken a DC vacation? Any helpful suggestions? I'm a bit nervous now about what to do where to go. I mean touring the various neighborhoods could be fun but really I want to see the same junk as everyone else and play tourist. Helppppp!

travisp writes at 03:17:05 05/07/08 - Comment #34804: I know some good restaurants. I can see you like eating.

fellyconnelly writes at 08:53:22 04/29/08 - Comment #34518: oo i also hear there is a nifty spy museum which sounded cool. i'm sure its part of the smithsonian though.

drew writes at 08:37:27 04/29/08 - Comment #34512: Yes. Go to the brickskeller. Awesome experience. Giant beer list and knowledgeable staff.

jenks writes at 06:34:45 04/29/08 - Comment #34509: oh yeah! vincent reminds me- there's a bar called the Brickskeller... I can't remember exactly where it is- I want to say dupont-ish- but they have about five hundred beers. literally. the menu is a book. It's worth going just for that.

vincent writes at 11:46:24 04/28/08 - Comment #34506: When I go to D.C./NoVa I end up staying for free with my college buddy & lean towards Virginia. Adams Morgan, DuPont & G-town are all pretty much good bets. Although I would go to Adams Morgan at Night and Georgetown during the day.

If you are downtown kinda of Chinatown way go to Gordon Birsch. It's be the best Hamburger you'll ever have. Plus if you're into micro brews they have some fantastic stuff on tap there. It's right inside the Marriott. Trust me I had a rocking time when I was there last month.

iriesara writes at 03:21:04 04/28/08 - Comment #34484: I went to DC for the Tibetan Freedom Festival in...mmm, 98? mm, maybe 97 as I was pregnant in 98. Anyway, I had very little money, took the bus there, and had no tickets for anything or plans at all. If you're going by yourself, this advice will probably not apply, but I had a damn good time taking some mushrooms at about 10pm & walking around the entire mall & surrounding areas until 8 in the morning...one of the coolest trips I've ever had, and you can take that both ways....
I guess the bottom line is, just enjoy yourself. There's enough to be had & seen without any agenda or plans whatsoever. I recommend a good pair of walking shoes & an open mind to good things....I'm sure you've got the open mind part, the good walking shoes? not sure....(j/k)
BTW, there's a total funky nasty greasy spoon that (according to the rage at that time) people love called the Waffle Stop, or Waffle Spot? No, I think Stop. Great little "real people" dive. Had a perfect coming down breakfast there that hit the spot. Don't remember where it is, although I walked everywhere, so it can't be too out of the way. I think maybe by Ford's theatre, where Lincoln was killed? could be wrong...anyway, have fun!

james writes at 01:52:29 04/28/08 - Comment #34483: You can make a whole vacation out of the Smithsonian.

What is up with these tickets? I have never heard of this before.

jenks writes at 01:11:25 04/28/08 - Comment #34482: yeah, I've never heard of tickets for the washington memorial. But even if you can't climb it, you can go walk around. The roosevelt mem is cool too, and kennedy etc. If it's a nice day, it's gorgeous to just hang out on the Mall.
Oh and the zoo!! It's free. I could spend all day. it's in woodley park- right off the red line. As far as walking around- I agree with adams morgan and dupont. Georgetown is cool too, but not accessibly by metro so it's kind of a PITA.

Oh, and as far as the white house... Just go hang out at some bars on the hill and hit on some intern or something. I'm sure he'll give you tickets. ;)
(I'm semi-serious... I had a friend who worked for a senator and he got me in.)

drew writes at 12:17:37 04/28/08 - Comment #34480: ditto adam's morgan. Also, wait in line early to go to the holocaust memorial. Powerful sad, but worth it.

mrmike writes at 12:09:38 04/28/08 - Comment #34479: Been there a few times. Smithsonian is all free to see that stuff. Georgetown is a good time for a little bit of what Elmwood wants to be when it grows up. There is an area called Adams Morgan which has a little bit of everything to it. Got to see it to be believed. Dupont Circle district can be fun to wander. If you're looking for something artsy, Arlington can be cool too. The Torpedo Factory museum is a fun waste o time.

paul writes at 12:09:05 04/28/08 - Comment #34478: (e:southernyankee) lives there. When we went she took us to see all the monuments an I don't remember anything about tickets. I would talk with her.

chico writes at 11:55:54 04/28/08 - Comment #34476: The Vietnam Memorial is heavy, but an absolute must-see.

Permalink: Request_for_help_.html
Words: 212
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Category: workout

04/26/08 10:26 - 76ºF - ID#44151

post work out

So I made it through the work out. I made the mistake of saying the work out wasnt that bad. that was not smart because the work out then started involving these incline crunches and this sort of hanging thing where you bring your legs up to your chest. im actually suprised my body can do that. Anyways below is the post work out moi:

Permalink: post_work_out.html
Words: 67
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Category: sex

04/21/08 09:49 - 61ºF - ID#44076

Fetish

No not mine, but someone elses who clearly has a few very specific ones:

note: you want to click on that link. It invloves latex, puppets and 1970's masks.

Permalink: Fetish.html
Words: 37
Location: Jersey City, NJ

04/18/08 10:55 - 66ºF - ID#44044

Why is Mario Lopez haunting me

I opened my NY Magazine on the way to work today and saw a full page ad for Mario Lopez and some other dance thing he is doing. Then I checked my favorite blog and was hit in the face with:

Mario why are you stalking me via the media?

Also Paul get well soon.

Permalink: Why_is_Mario_Lopez_haunting_me.html
Words: 57
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Category: comcast

04/15/08 05:14 - 46ºF - ID#44018

Things that make me want to punch people

I just spent 45 minutes on the phone with COMCAST CABLE to get internet. The woman I orginally was working with *seemed great. Got me a great deal, friendly and *seemed like she knew what she was doing.

I was put on hold for 20 minutes so she could schedule an appointment (the package I wanted didn't come with self-install). Next thing I know James thanks me for calling Comcast and wants to know how he can help. WTF?! I just spent 45 minutes going over shit with another operator. Apparently she never finished my job order and I was dumped back in the que. James also informed me the package she was offering me was down-grading my cable which is not an option. Huh? For the rest of my life I have to have digital cable? According to James yes I need to keep those useless 100 extra channels in order for Comcast to also charge me $60 for basic internet. I'd rather spend that $60 a month at my local coffee shop and get free wifi. Fuck you COMCAST.

Permalink: Things_that_make_me_want_to_punch_people.html
Words: 175
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Category: black mac book

04/09/08 08:50 - 42ºF - ID#43966

I'm obsessed

with taking my own picture. I used to think it was so narcissistic, now i realize i was just jealous.

ps- no dirty comments i know what that picture looks like. also i just ordered a fruit bowl and the server gave me a spoon to eat it with. i hate spoons. just because it comes in a bowl doesn't mean it has to be eaten with a spoon. fuck spoons.

Permalink: I_m_obsessed.html
Words: 73
Location: Jersey City, NJ

Category: humor

04/08/08 03:33 - 64ºF - ID#43953

Holy Crap

In response to "stuff white people like" I give you:

Below is a small excerpt:

Seriously, have you ever been to a reeally broke ass country? Do you see people jogging? Probably not, but let's say on the off-chance that you do. Do you think they paid money to have the right to run? If you see someone running in a third-world country...you better run with them, because that means some shit is going down. That's probably why Kenyans are so good at marathons - they only have one speed when they're running: Stay Alive. Let's put it this way, there is no fucking Nicaraguan Marathon every year. And if there is, it's because some douche from Seattle or somewhere started one for him and all his friends to go to.

Also: Facebook is still blowing my mind. Where do I even begin? How come no one forced me to join back in 1999?