candy coated rose petals

Week 3 was a success! Despite a busy week, and other activities going on, I ran my schedule with amazement. I even had a wedding Saturday morning, and made it out there to run six miles beforehand. I’m actually pretty proud of myself.

The fronts of my calves have been tightening, but my kneel stretching has certainly helped loosen things up. I’m looking forward to longer distances next weekend.   [ Read more ]

For 30 days at least. In the month of August, I will be giving up car for public transit, biking, walking, running and all other modes of transportation that don’t include a car.

This effort has a lot of benefits. Not only do I look forward to a cost-savings benefit, eliminating the need for gas, and wear and tear on my car, but also a sustainable benefit with less caustic emissions being released into the environment. On top of that, I will have the pleasure of learning the ins and outs of alternative transportation means. This includes the city of Chicago’s public transit system and safe cycling routes for me and Hot Pinkness. Oh, and there’s always walking.   [ Read more ]

On May 13, 2011, my life may have changed forever.

Dramatic? Perhaps.

Why maybe? Because this is only an experiment. For now. And as any good journalist will tell you, you’ve got to do your research—interview a few sources, gather all of the facts—before you can make your final analysis. So I’m researching and interviewing and gathering the facts. Full analysis will need to wait a few more weeks.

What’s all of this research about you ask?   [ Read more ]

If you haven’t heard about Dance Dance Party Party then you are seriously missing out. If you like dancing, especially in the dark, until you’re all gross and sweating then get your butt to a DDPP class right away.

The concept is simple: Girls dance around in a comfortable place with no boys, booze and, especially, judgment. No judgment of others or yourself. You get a great hour-long workout and an opportunity to hear some new music. This is because the other aspect of this rockin experience is that classmates take turns playing DJ for the day.   [ Read more ]

I’ve had my Dawes Sheila (aka Hot Pinkness) for three years now; I purchased her in 2008 off of eBay. At the time, I added a back rack.

Then after growing tired of getting mud splattered all over my pants and legs, I got some fenders and bedazzled them with Hawaiian flower stickers.

Earlier this week, Hot Pinkness’s new saddle came in. She was going to become all grown up.

  [ Read more ]

Chicago Blizzard of 2011! Holy load of snow, batman. Thankfully my office closed and I didn’t have to struggle with nature that day. Instead I celebrated a snow day by digging out my car!

I’m prepared for the snow with layers. Lots of layers.

Here’s my street. I’m standing in the middle of it because nary a car is driving along it.

Farther down the street.

I forgot to post this around the holidays, but one of my neighbors goes really crazy at Christmas. Here’s this year’s decorations (including music)!

In true lusciousluka style, I put on a small, decorative spread for the holidays. M and I only had a couple over for the evening, but I always like to pull out my entertaining gloves and put on a nice presentation. Hey, I have the stuff, I might as well use it!

We rang in the new year with a game of Trivial Pursuit, homemade pizzas and appetizers, some champagne and watching really bad TV broadcasting. Nothing says, “Goodbye 2010,” like that!