Weekly Therapy: “Everyday we have the opportunity to create a living masterpiece.”

April 4, 2015 - Mel

the week:
I had big plans for my week… but I cannot get over this stupid cold/sickness thing. Then I started having some weird mouth inflammation (I don’t know how to describe it) that I’m unsure if it’s illness-related or a food allergy (oh, god help me) or something else weirdly related to my getting two old silver cavities replaced a few weeks ago (mercury poisoning?).

In any event, I’d like some of feeling normal back, please.

weekend:
Off to Ohio for family and holiday things. And apparently some more winter-like temperatures. *groan* I’m also planning to run around Columbus for a couple short runs (maybe a portion of the Hot Chocolate 15k route?).

seven things, seven days:
1. The first Arts & Drafts event was AMAZING — and I wrote about it for Pittsburgh Happy Hour!
2. It was fun to get away from my desk at lunch one day this week too, even if Six Penn took away their daily pizza special (they have a great gluten-crust, be-tee-dubs).
3. So I officially submitted my derby retirement paperwork. Felt weird to make it “official,” but at least I don’t have to stress about being in some weird purgatory. And I can still attend practices and do contact if I want. And I can always go back full-speed if that’s what I decide to do. So… That’s that.
4. Placed an order with Bake Me Happy for some gluten-free goodies (and a full-size carrot cake) on my return to Ohio this weekend.
5. I had to find a new team already (in just Week #1) for group project in this HRM course; two people in my first selected group have already dropped the class (Imma guess it’s the phonebook-sized book).
6. I’m listening to this Rich Roll podcast with Michael Gervais (again) because it just has me stopped in my tracks. There is no doubt that performance psychology is where I want to go, in terms of education path.
7. How to stop buying crap you don’t need (like a box full of gluten-free sweets? NAH.). {via lifehacker}

Weekly Therapy: Spring forward

March 13, 2015 - Mel

the week:
I hate the time change. I haven’t been able to sleep properly all week, even being purposeful about going to bed at a decent hour and ~~sleeping through three different~~ waking up with my pre-set alarms. And GAWD, isn’t it just the most-draggiest week?

weekend:
Road trip to DC for the Rock n’ Roll series of running events — 5K for me, and my friend Lauren will be running that with me. The rest of the crew will be tackling the half: Chelsea, Steff, and Kelsey. I volunteered for a RnR marathon in Phoenix over a decade ago, but have never participated. It’s a super-fun race environment, the medals are awesome, AND Better Than Ezra at the finish party?! TAKE ALL MY MONEY. Ok, please not all of it.

Also, I think this is my first race since… November? To be honest, I’m a little nervous about my knee. And the rain. SIGH.

52 books in 52 weeks:
#8 A Memoir According to Kathy Griffin: I’m on a female comedienne-author book club kick. I was ALL IN to this book… until the weird chapter about Woz. I didn’t laugh out loud, but overall this one was a fun and juicy read.

#9 Bossypants: by Tina Fey. HILARIOUS, actually laugh out loud. I couldn’t read it in bed because the chuckling would annoy my boyfriend. Definitely recommend!

seven things, seven days:
1. New curtains for the living that I found on Overstock for, like, half of what others are selling linen panels for. Although 1 out of 4 panels they sent was shorter length (even though the package says otherwise). HOW DOES THIS HAPPEN?!
2. Taxes are done — holy crap, I’m getting a refund this year! After a few years of mostly freelancer income, this is so wonderful.
3. Dentist took two more old silver fillings out this week (a super-fun appointment scheduled before work). While I am happier about the whiter molar smile, OMG did my face really need to be numb until 1 in the afternoon?
4. Obsessed this week with mid-90s punk and alt-rock music. Thanks, YouTube!
5. I really want the opportunity to volunteer (undergrad-style) as part of a Psyching Team this summer for a marathon. Send me leads!
6. Daylight-Saving Time is bad for your relationships {via WSJ}
7. Speaking of your valuable time: is it worth more than money? Finding the balance between time and money {via NYTimes}

Weekend Therapy: traveling for something other than roller derby feels weird.

October 4, 2013 - Mel

the week:
Holy crap, THE SORENESS. Good sore, but still. I’m working out with the regular athletes and doing real WODs now, and O.M.G. But my post-workout exclamations go something like this: I JUST PRESSED A BAR! I JUST SQUATTED WITH WEIGHT ON THE BAR! I JUST DEADLIFTED 50 POUNDS! I JUST CLEARED A 30″ BOX JUMP!

Drinking the kool-aid, and loving every drop.

Also, how about them Pirates?!

Living near the stadiums, we could hear the roars of the fans stream through the windows during the wild card game. IT’S SO AWESOME! Though I’m an Indians fan at heart (sad trombone), it’s hard not to rally behind the Bucs and their success.

weekend:
Road trip to Columbus for friends and fun! (and the President’s Cup) I have plans for dinners, plans for brunches… and I’m looking forward to some room service (and possibly an in-room massage) too. FOR REAL.

52 Books in 52 Weeks:
Definitely not meeting the goal this year, as I started around Thanksgiving last year… and have only finished, like, 20 books. DO BETTER. But no time like the present to start again!
#1. Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert

seven things, seven days:
1. I signed up for two upcoming 5Ks. *gulp* The one next weekend ends in HOT APPLE CRISP, which… I’m so easy.
2. Scored a couple items from Poshmark this week. I am obsessed with window shopping the app (and have been finding some amazing deals).
3. See also, it was time to do a closet and makeup drawer purge — soooo, I finally purchased the Naked 2 palette.
4. A carafe-less coffee pot is the answer to all my coffee-making prayers!
5. My left pinky finger still hurts from two weeks ago (derby injury, natch). It hasn’t really impacted my workouts, but when I set my hand down or smash it into something… YEOWCH. Putting a timeline on it for healing before seeking our urgent care.
6. Our neighbor invited us to a Sundays meatballs dinner (they’re rumored to be award winning). One of the guests was the contractor who remodeled their BEAUTIFUL home… and built their amazing rooftop deck. WANT.
7. Gender as non-fiction in The Atlantic {shared via Dan Savage (*swoon*)}

Week(s) of Therapy: take some time for reflection and relaxation

September 27, 2013 - Mel

the week:
With 3 wins out of 4 games in our Division 1 tournament in Asheville (whew, tough games!), our derby travel season for 2013 comes to a close. Bittersweet, knowing that some skaters won’t be returning next season. This was really an amazing (and long) year of roller derby. So proud to be part of this team and league. But also so ready to give my body a rest.

Also, Asheville? What a strange, and beautiful place.

The Biltmore estate is incredible, however.

weekend:
I dunno… something about a Duck.

seven things, seven days:
1. Painful loss of a friend who had some struggles in recent years. I hope now that he’s found some peace. But it’s so tragic, and I’m still in shock.
2. Home & Garden tour in our neighborhood was a success! What we’ve labored over outdoors (and that will soon be covered in fall leaves and then snow) is completed and shown to hundreds of nebby strangers. 🙂
3. I had several emails about my submitted resume and phone calls from recruiters while I was gone. GAH! I can’t believe it, all at once.
4. Love, love, LOVE my new New Balance Minimus cross trainers; they are so light and comfortable (even with a weird food injury right now). They are made with Vibram style outsole, but without the separated toe thing. Maybe there’s something behind this barefoot running…
5. Completed my month-long CrossFit fundamentals classes (and did my first WOD with the regular class)! I’m totally pumped about it (and kinda getting used to the wake-up-at-5am thing).
6. As someone particularly interested in human sexuality, this Kinsey reporter app has incredible data about sexual behaviors. (And you can add your own!)
7. Do sexy breast cancer campaigns demean women? Short answer: yep. {via psychology today}

Want more group therapy throughout the week? Follow 30-something Therapy on Facebook.

Positively Awesome Cleveland Trip: Day Two

September 3, 2013 - Mel

My weekend trip to Cleveland had LOTS going on — read more about it here and here.

Before I started my day with the group, I headed over to Erie Island for a fantastic Americano. Sitting on the cafe’s outdoor patio on East 4th in the early morning was just perfection.

Day Two itinerary:
We started off with brunch at Lucky’s Café in the Tremont neighborhood (my favorite! yes, I have also previously been to Lucky’s). There was no swaying me away from my breakfast burritos either. I know how good those things are.

lucky burrito

Afterwards, we stopped by the Christmas Story House (we did not do the tour) and shopped its neighboring gift shop — leg lamps galore! The movie was on loop too, naturally.

leg lamp bag leg lamp cookie cutter

xmas story bunny outfits xmas story house

Our next stop was the Westside Market, which is probably the number one “thing to do” on a tourist guide to Cleveland. Every visit I find something new to see or eat. And I always leave with meat sticks from Mel’s Deli (which is now some strangely-named Tony Baloney’s or something). Man, do I wish I saved room for one of those giant apple fritters though. We also toured the neighboring City Farm, which has its own farm stand.

WSM

city farm stand

Still walking off all that incredible breakfast, we went back east to tour Lakeview Cemetery. This was definitely on my Cleveland Bucket List, and it an amazing place to explore. Garfield, the Rockefellers, Higbee: they’re all buried here. Garfield has a massive monument built here — he is also interred there with his wife and some family members — it’s a magnificent structure, really, with winding stairs up to a beautiful lookout point of the city skyline.

garfield monument

garfield monument stairs

Also within the cemetery is the historic Wade Chapel. You need to enter solely for its Tiffany-designed interior; it is breathtaking to see in person.

The rest of the group went off to the Cleveland Museum of Art for the afternoon (jealous!) and Hodge’s for dinner, while I had to get ready for a game down in Akron (we won!).

When I arrived back to CLE, the group was turning in for the night (they also had a nightcap at Society, which I need to put on the list for my return visit). I needed some grub (and still smelled like stinky, sweaty derby pads). Thankfully, Greenhouse Tavern has late-night food options (and a bar seat for a casually-dressed guest like myself). This hungry, hungry hippo ate up a local beef burger with pommes frites and a Mikkeller I Hardcore You beer. I also took a cheese plate and can of Dale’s Pale Ale back to my hotel for “dessert.” I usually get pretty wired after game days, so I knew I wasn’t going to sleep any time soon (Love it or List it marathon, what’s up?!).

take out hotel

There’s still more Cleveland! Day Three coming up in the next post.

Disclosure: Positively Cleveland provided accommodations, meals and admission prices for my participation in this socially-driven trip. All opinions herein are my own.

Weekly Therapy: deine Katzen sind wilkommen

August 30, 2013 - Mel

the week:
My sister had major surgery this week to remove a tumor (the size of a football o_O). Thankfully, it wasn’t cancer, but she still has 4-6 weeks of recovery (she had one ovary and tube removed because of this). Please send good healing (virtual) wishes her way!

duolingo german iphone app

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer (and I guess I can get rid of those white shoes and bottoms that I never wore this season). It’s a little surreal to think that my favorite season is around the corner (fall-flavored beers and pumpkin lattes and Halloween candy). It’s also a super-slow time at work, which… boring.

Because I donated my well-loved tennis shoes to the Tough Mudder’s foundation, I am on the hunt for a new pair. I’m no marathoner, but I can DEFINITELY get behind stomping around in the woods and mud again for fun, so trail running shoes specifically. I hope this will not be a tortuous process (but if so, THERE ARE MACAROONS TO BE HAD). See also: where did all my bandanas go, and why can’t I find the old school 100% cotton ones anywhere?

weekend:
My boyfriend is away for the weekend on a bachelor party somewhere on a farm in Pennsyltucky-nowhere. I don’t know. I heard there would be skeet shooting. His (our) friends are weird.

For me, a ladies-only neighborhood happy hour Friday night, an extra Saturday afternoon practice and work Sunday.

seven things, seven days:
1. You know I lost my driver’s license TWICE last weekend at Tough Mudder? Seriously, found it in the grass the first time I realized it was dropped from my hands (thankfully I found it!); and somehow my boyfriend ended up with it the second time.
2. Skating outdoors is fun!
3. Remember that guy who came to seal up the chimney? Yeah, it’s basically raining into our living room now when it’s raining outside. And of course he hasn’t returned our calls to fix it. FML.
4. Am I crazy to sign up for a 6am Crossfit class? Probably. But it’s about the only time I can fit it in.
5. I started brushing up on my German again via Duolingo. It’s really fun to see what I can remember and laugh at some of the verbs that I still misinterpret.
6. With all this talk about road trips, here is Seventeenth & Irving’s Road Trip Essentials
7. Now I’m obsessed with this Weekender bag from Everlane.

Got any road trips planned for this last weekend of summer?

Positively Awesome Cleveland Trip: Day One

August 27, 2013 - Mel

There is so much to write about this trip! Catch up on my Cleveland summary post first, then continue along with Day One’s itinerary below.

Day One:
After checking into the fabulous Holiday Inn Express downtown, we met our “tour director” April for our first meal. By social media poll, Positively Cleveland fans selected Jonathan Sawyer’s Noodlecat. This casual Asian spot on Euclid Avenue is a follow-up to the popular Greenhouse Tavern (just around the corner on East 4th Street!). A newbie to the noodle craze, I enjoyed my short rib ramen, but the fresh tomato steam bun was definitely the standout for me (sandwiches, man!). The lunch combo I selected came with a half salad (I picked the Asian chopped) and half aforementioned noodle choice — it was so much food for a midday meal. Yes, even for me.

After lunch, we ventured out to Rocky River Metroparks reservation for a little kayaking on the river with 41 North Kayak. We were able to paddle all the way out to the lake (where we ended up hitting some choppy wake waters… yikes). You all know that I LOVE being on the water — and miss being on a lake — and this was such a relaxing and enjoyable way to check out the Cleveland skyline.

There was a decided excitement from the group after being outfitted with Aquapac lanyards for our iPhones. I mean, we are a bunch of visiting bloggers… and yes, the phones worked inside the pouches! This is definitely going on my Christmas list.

Did I mention how beautiful the weather was? Because that definitely added to the trip.

After our outdoor adventure (and a short break), we met our minivan for an evening activity over in the Gordon Square Arts District. Our first stop: Third Fridays at the 78th Street Studios (another highlight of the trip for me). The studios are in an old American Greetings warehouse that was converted into work/art space and galleries.

As it sounds, every third Friday of each month there is an “open house” of sorts. There are lots of unique things to see (and buy!). Bonus: some of the galleries sell wine and beer. I was especially drawn to the driftwood store and a delicate silver branch necklace from another independent gallery. Unfortunately, we ran out of time, and I didn’t make it up to the third floor. Regardless, I have a few more things to add to that gift list.

cleveland terminal tower euclid avenue

For dinner, we had a strong competition in the online polls among our four choices: Luxe, Happy Dog, Spice & Pier W. Clevelanders picked Happy Dog (what is it with these weird hot dog places everywhere?). I was hoping to try something new (I’ve been to Happy Dog before), but I made sure to stray from my standard-dressed dog to kick up the adventure factor (that’s probably Adventure Mom rubbing off on me — the girl had OCTOPUS for lunch!): Spaghetti-O’s, Mac n’ Cheese, dill pickle and some kind of special hot sauce (that last one was a mistake… woof). Yes, I’m a 12-year-old in a 30-something body.

Our visit to the neighborhood (I’m unsure at this point if it’s still Gordon Square or Detroit-Shoreway?) resulted in an impromptu stop into Valerie Mayen’s store Yellowcake. Seriously, if I hadn’t just splurged in an online designer closeout sale, I would have come home with a new dress (with pockets) and a new skirt (with pockets). Gah, her stuff is adorable! Added to gift wish list.

Anyways, I ate my feelings in ice cream at Sweet Moses down the street. Keeping my 12-year-old self close, I loaded that sundae up with butterscotch sauce and marshmallow cream. The treat shop — named after Mr. Moses Cleaveland, the man behind the city’s namesake — is a throwback to old soda fountains and even has its own syrups and sodas. If you’re up for a challenge, Sweet Moses makes a Terminal Tower sundae that includes TEN SCOOPS of ice cream (one of each flavor) and is topped with hot fudge, sprinkles, pecans, marshmallow cream, whipped cream and cherries. That one will set you back $29.00. And probably a few Rolaids.

Saturday would prove to be an even busier itinerary, so it was early to bed for this blogger.
More about my Cleveland trip coming up in the next post!

Disclosure: Positively Cleveland provided accommodations, meals and admission prices for my participation in this socially-driven trip. All opinions herein are my own. Thanks to Positively Cleveland for the group pictures!

A 30-something in Cleveland: Positively Awesome Road Trip

August 22, 2013 - Mel

Go ahead, get your Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh hangups out of the way. I’ll wait…

Like Pittsburgh, Cleveland can get a bad rap sometimes. But they are both two beautiful (former) Rust Belt cities that are often misunderstood. And seriously underrated. I was thrilled to be invited by the Convention & Visitors Bureau of Cleveland to a special bloggers-only excursion. The itinerary for our three-day stay was suggested and decided by fans of Positively Cleveland on social media. Along with two bloggers from Cincinnati (Adventure Mom and The Food Hussy!) another fellow Pittsburgher (The Steel Trap and a breakfast blogger from Columbus (Breakfast With Nick) we got a look, taste and feel of the locals’ favorites.

LODGING: we stayed at the newly-remodeled Holiday Inn Express downtown — and this hotel is BEAUTIFUL. The room itself was very large — furnished with a super-comfy king bed, chair-and-ottoman, desk and bar area; I was in a corner suite that had high ceilings, wood floors (*swoon*) and a window facing Euclid Avenue. Did I mention it’s in a perfect location? The bed had those stupid square pillows that I hate, but THANK THE CLEVELAND GODS there were two firm (labeled, even; nice!). My bathroom was also big, clean — and contained a shower (no tub). The hotel also serves breakfast at 7am every day (I didn’t have the opportunity to check it out). I can’t begin to tell you how friendly the staff was upon my arrival too.

When I checked in, I had a welcome package reserved for me too; a messenger bag filled with Cleveland-centric items: coffee mug, coozie, bag of Campbell’s Dichotomy popcorn and a Lilly’s Chocolate bar. What a nice touch!

FOOD: Besides my hotel snacks, you might have heard that Cleveland is an epic foodie city, with local celebrity chefs a-plenty (um, Michael Symon, Jonathan Saywer, Zach Bruell, Chris Hodges to name a few). Not to mention, there are entire DISTRICTS devoted to the food scene.

ADVENTURE/LEISURE: Cleveland borders Lake Erie and is home to a park system of epic size. If the outdoors doesn’t appeal to you, there’s a block of theaters or a neighborhood filled with several world class museums — most of which are centered around University Circle; you’ll find the Cleveland Museum of Art, MOCA, Western Reserve Historical Society here. I love a city that appeals to the adventurous and outdoorsy and cultured traveler all alike.

NEIGHBORHOODS: Similar to Pittsburgh (maybe on a bit smaller scale), Cleveland is divided into neighborhoods — Ohio City, Detroit Shoreway, Tremont, Gordon Square, Uptown, etc. Each has its own character and highlights (many anchored by one of those aforementioned amazing restaurants), and unique entertainment, culture and shopping options.

OVERALL: We were positively EXHAUSTED (but well traveled!) by the end of the long weekend. There were definitely a few places that I wish I could have spent more time exploring (MOCA, one of several highlights of the trip for me), and there are only so many meals in one day for so many amazing restaurants. At only a two-hour trip from the ‘Burgh, this certainly won’t be my last trip to Cleveland.

THERAPY: I made some new blogger friends!
And hey, sometimes you just can’t beat a bed to yourself.

Stay tuned for all the details on the fun!

Disclosure: Positively Cleveland provided accommodations, meals and admission for my participation in this socially-driven trip. All opinions herein are my own. Thanks to April & Corinne at Positively Cleveland for the group pics too!

Weekly Therapy: I’m eating very well.

August 16, 2013 - Mel

the week:
Trying to manage a week where we had something going on every night (dinner with friends, date night dinner, dinner with friends, repeat). It’s Pittsburgh Restaurant Week, so food tends to happen. A lot.

We had an incredible meal at Toast! Monday night — the restaurant is showcasing two unique menus this week (each, five courses): vegan truffles or his n’ hers foie gras. We went with the latter. FOIE GRAS DONUTS was a course. GET THERE THIS WEEK IF YOU CAN. But seriously, get there any time because the food at Toast has always been delicious.

The other (new) restaurant we visited was just OK. I didn’t order from the Restaurant Week menu because it was mostly uninteresting (bonus, not: they have a limited menu because of PRW) and went a’la carte. There was kind of a “sticker shock” involved here and slow, mediocre service which led to an overall feeling of… meh. Too many amazing restaurants in Pittsburgh to complain about the bad ones.

weekend:
Taking a social trip to Cleveland. Follow along on twitter (@30sTherapy). While you’re at it, like 30sTherapy on Facebook too.

Also, we’re playing our last away game in regular season Saturday in the Akron area. Then it’s PLAYOFFS!

seven things, seven days:
1. Cakestyle is no more (sad for the company), but that doesn’t mean I didn’t score a few awesome pieces during their closeout sale!
2. My new piano book is missing almost 20 pages — total misprint on behalf of the publisher. What the hell.
3. The (gigantic) bruise I got at last weekend’s game has plank marks in it from the floor of the skating rink. FOR REAL.
4. Hey, I had a make-your-own Asian noodles meal this week! I never understood the trend, but naturally, I’m just another 30-something (fashionably) late to the party — LOVE!
5. We finally rented a carpet cleaner to deal with the cat “mistakes” on the area rugs around the house. We figured it would be a bonus to clean the upstairs carpets too… until the cats peed on them, too, immediately afterward. I can’t deal anymore.
6. Anyone have experience with Blue Apron or Hello Fresh (or similar food delivery services)? I’m interested.
7. Life’s Priorities: are you too busy… or are there just more important things right now? {via Art of Non-Conformity}

Vacation flashback: LA to Phoenix road trip

June 19, 2013 - Mel

road trip from LA to Phoenix

On road trips, I usually drive. One, because I get extremely car sick; two, because I generally hate being a passenger (thanks anxiety!). I don’t know if it was the car or the scenery or my general well-being, but I didn’t not get motion sickness on the entire trip around Southern California and Arizona. I also never got to drive our awesome rental car. Alas, not driving provided me the opportunity to really take in my surroundings. These were taken during the final leg of our adventure — driving from Los Angeles to Phoenix to visit my siblings for a couple days before heading back home.

Just… beautiful.

Also, that bottom picture with our shadows? Totally getting it framed.