It's taken a year

but I am finally in the swing of things at the gym. I go at least 3 times a week and it shows. I'm losing weight and feel healthier 'lighter'!

I try to take the Step Class 2 times a week and am now able to keep up with everyone! I feel so good about sticking with my goal last year of getting in shape. I try not to think of a ideal 'weight' but instead focus on being healthier and able to keep up with friends (walking, hiking, etc).

I also seem to be attracting guys! I can't figure out if since I'm more confidant about my body that I'm meeting men or if since I'm losing weight more are just more interested.

I think it's a combination of a more self confidant woman that is chatting with more people (men and women) and since dating is a numbers game I am increasing my chances to meet a great guy!

Almost back to work

I'm really focusing on positive changes for 2010. I spent the weekend working on updating my wardrobe and cleaning my apt. Wow I can't believe how much stuff I have after only being in LA for about 8 years. Urggh such a pack rat!

But it's kind of good to go through all my things so I can get rid of my old life and memories that kept me stuck in a 'holding pattern'.

I think the biggest change I'm making is that I refuse to put my life on hold any longer. I'm going to live my life since I want to enjoy myself. So out goes stuff that I'm holding on to because of the associated memories. Toss stuff I 'plan' to repair/fix that I never get to fixing. Donate all the clothes, shoes and stuff that I have & don't need!

I plan to be all ready for the year by 2010 with an apartment that is ready for new memories and a bit of decorating to brighten it up.

2010

I hope that 2010 is a continuation of all the positive things that happened last year. I am still happy with my company/job/department, am working on getting in shape and am focused on my interior self (exercise of mind and body).

My goals are to keep busy with my JLLA commitments, going to the gym a minimum of 3 times a week, cooking more to control my weight, make new friends and to date. I will be able to start to pay off debts by the end of February after taking care of a few unexpected emergencies.

All in all if I keep my mind on my goals I will make major changes in the coming year

My positive love list for 2010!

This my list of what I think is important in the man I am in love with

Must Have’s – Not Negotible:

1. Good sense of humor
2. Smart
3. Kind
4. Honest
5. Dependable
6. Sci Fi/Fantasy interest
   
7. Creative
8. Intellectually curious
9. Attractive (my type) -- geeky
10. Nice smile
11. College educated
12. Single and emotionally available
13. Well read
14. Politically aware
15. Omnivore
    

Can Compromise:

1. Type of humor/sarcastic personality
2. Dog lover
3. Politically active
4. Book lover
5. Romantic gestures
6. Sci Fan/Fantasy Fan
7. Comic Con Attendee
   

Definitely Don’t Want:

1. Dishonest
2. Mean
3. Cruel
4. Lazy
5. Not ambitious
6. Not interested in family/marriage
7. Doesn't like animals
8. Drug user
9. Smoker
10. Right wing conservative
    

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/horoscopes/2009/12/29/2009-12-29_positive_thought_love_list.html#ixzz0b7Ys0sls

Well a new year is coming -- 2010

I'm happy to say that 2010 looks like it will be a great year for me with lots of changes. The big one is that I kept my resolution to eat healthy, exercise, diet, focus on making myself over inside and out. It's been work but I've lost almost 50 pds this year! I feel better about myself since I'm focusing on my positive attributes and abilities. I'm keeping busy with LA Junior League and expanding my circle of friends.

I hope that everyone focuses on just 2 or 3 new year resolutions that you can attain and will be positive for the new year.

Successful Tactics for Health Care Town Hall Meetings

Thanks Cheri Cabot (Political Chick) for forwarding this to everyone!
Subject: Successful Tactics for Health Care Town Hall Meetings
To: "Drinking Liberally - Pasadena"
Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 10:21 PM

To Fellow Health Care Reform Supporters,

While attending Congressman Adam Schiff’s successful town
hall meeting last week in Alhambra, CA, I made observations of several
important tactics that were used to keep the meeting under control
and out of the hands of right-wing fringe groups and those fanatically
opposing any health care reform.

If you know of any Congressmen or Congresswomen holding
such town hall meetings you may want to pass these suggestions along to
them.

1) Hold the meeting outside in a large area. There can be no complaints about not getting into the meeting and having the right of free speech abused. Also, an outside venue dilutes screaming and yelling, including bullhorns. Even with a large crowd there were 3,000 at this meeting, so far the largest regarding health care reform the noise gets diluted.

2) Pre-printed signs, those printed off the Internet or professionally, are much easier to read. They don’t need to be large, but neat & easy to read, front and back. Keep the message simple. Avoid clutter. Oversized signs are difficult to hold, so keep them of moderate size. If they are too heavy, people get tired of holding them. Also, with continuity in the signs it is easy to see where like- minded people are gathering.

3) Plenty of security. There were 80 policemen scattered around, as well as on the rooftops. They moved about in pairs and were easy to find.

4) The stage was quite high. This took away the intimidation factor of
getting in the face of the speaker. The panel sat behind draped tables, back from the crowd, which allowed them to look out and down over the crowd. There was also a dais the moderator stood behind putting him even higher above the crowd. Policemen surrounded the stage so no one could rush the stage or jump up on it and try to take over the meeting or create havoc.

5) There were enormous sets of loud speakers on either side of the
stage as well as huge stage lights. The loud speakers allowed the Congressman and panel members to continue to talk even when there was
jeering and yelling. The loud speakers were much bigger than any voices on the ground.

6) This factor was huge. No one in the crowd was ever allowed to have
a microphone. Detractors are told to get to a microphone as quickly as possible, using it to disrupt and/or take over the meeting. The panel took questions for almost an hour, and anyone wanting to ask a question had to line up in front of the stage. They had to tell the moderator their question, who in turn repeated it into the microphone and directed it to the proper person on the panel. Taking this power element out of the hands of potential disrupters was especially effective and frustrating for them.

The pre-printed signs are available at http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/health-care-action-center/, a
project of the Democratic National Committee, or Health Care for America NOW, a coalition of national organizations.

To read about successful tactics used by health care reform supporters
at the meeting read my column at this link: http://personalpolitics.gather.com/

This is the most important issue for our generation! Please make every
effort to show your support. Write, e-mail, call and meet with your Representatives and Senators

TGIF

I'm so looking forward to this weekend. I'm going to 'relax' and just enjoy myself. I am looking forward to attending a really interesting art exhibit in Santa Monica with friends tonight, going to a volunteer meeting & out with a friend Saturday and Sunday just a lazy day. Maybe brunch and a long walk in the hot sun.

I'm going to have a good weekend!