Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

I have found a new website called lala. It's pretty rad and I decided to share a few songs that I am really into right now. Some of these tunes are on the soundtrack of Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, which I have not yet watched but got it on my Netflix!

Maybe I'll create an endless playlist... 

ENJOY!

Our Swords - Band of Horses

A-Punk - Vampire Weekend

Very Loud - Shout Out Louds

The Comeback - Shout Out Louds

A Note from The Doctor

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday when I got an email from "The Doctor"! I posted something a little bit ago about how I fondly remember the first time I met The Doctor and how we traded workout tips. Well, I now have an update for you and his current exercise regime.  Please read his email below...

"Sam,

Today the doc had a very long day of cases which were challenging for a variety of reasons. What this does to a surgeon who is very used to a regimented workout is it makes him extremely irritated. He missed he's standard 2.5 hr workout which usually consists of wind sprints, sledgehammer with tire pounding, pl yo-metrics, circuit weight training, and "mirror sit ups with tight shorts" (picture that plum smuggling).

However, he hasn't missed a workout in 7 years. So he improvises in between cases. Lunges down the hallway with unit assistants on shoulders, followed by 300 diamond push-ups with resistance from his PA, then squats with case carts for added weight. (usually 275lbs but it's a little awkward)

Nothing gets in his way of exercise, NOTHING!"

Isn't his inspiration infectious?! 

For the weekend

I know, I'm a little early but everybody's working for the weekend - (thanks Jim)

Need I say more..

There is a lot happening right now and I am ready to charge my way to the top! No sleep for the weary...

Check out the artist here.

Mardi Gras

Today was Mardi Gras and here is how I celebrated...

Happy Fat Tuesday!

Save-the-Date..

Greg and I are planning on using our engagement photo for our Wedding Celebration Save-the-Date. Below are pictures that were taken this past weekend. Take a peek and let me know which one would best serve as our Save-the-Date postcard.

*one*

*two*

*three*

I cannot wait for September 12th, WooHoo!

My apologies

... to the thousands of Sam-a-lam-a-ding-dong readers for my absence today, but i was off becoming a NEW employee and a FIRST time homebuyer!!  Rest assured Sam-a-lam-a-ding-donger's, I will return tomorrow to feed your insatiable appetites for my muse-full articles. Until then, sweet dreams!

Tell me the rumors are true

for cg

I was recently introduced to the word "Bonita" from my friend...

Say it loud with a papercup!

Drum roll please...

Today is a pretty big day at the Twardilliams House hold and I am happy to share the GOOD News!

1. Today we are due to close on the house! I cannot believe we made this happen with all the highs, lows and drama in between, WE DID IT! At some point we will have those shiny keys in our hands and this house will be OURS... fantastic! (Pictures to come shortly)
2. I am proud to announce that I am "back in the saddle again" I am employed and very excited about this new adventure I'm about to take. I will be a contractor working for Microsoft and looking forward to learning some new savvy tricks and working with some really talented people. I will be getting a PC (Thanks to Dead Leaves!), I think my Client will shun me with my Mac if I show up on campus with it.
3. Lastly, (I know, I have more but this one is kind of fun) Greg and I are getting our Engagement photos done tomorrow. I can't wait and Greg is going to kill me with laughter... he is quite funny lately :8) (Pictures to come shortly as well)

Happy Friday!

My New Girl Crush

Like wwtdd, I have a big girl crush on Lily Allen right now! I am in love with her new song "The Fear"

I have some GOOD news...

.. but it's going to have to wait until tomorrow!

For now, enjoy this picture:

And that's all I have to say about that!

Fruit Mom

Growing up I would call my mom "Fruit Mom" because every time I wanted something to eat or snack on she would tell me to eat fruit. I, being the rascal that I am, would go for the chips and salsa (salsa is healthy for you right?!) She is also a huge fan of having tons of color on your plate when having dinner. Which looks really pretty :)  SO, Greg and I are closing on our house TOMORROW (WooHOO) and I decided that I want to grow a garden with vibrant colors of fruits, vegetables and some edible flowers. Our plates will be filled with color, I don't know if I can stand it! If anything, my mom has it right and I'm glad to keep the tradition of "Fruit Mom" going!  

Horoscope: Sagittarius

Here is my horoscope for the day:

If you're bitten by the shopping bug, go to a thrift store to minimize the damage.

I couldn't make that up if I tried! So, I immediately went to this new ebay shop site that sells vintage clothing for crazy cheap! Here's a taste...

Today's Menu

Breakfast:

Lunch:

Dinner:

I love sugar, yes, I do

I love sugar,

how 'bout you?

David Horvitz

This guy is something else... David Horvitz is the name and I might be completely intrigued by him! How cool would it be to find a note like this and to actually do it?! I think I'm going to give it a shot. On his website he has something for everyday of the week. Pick a day and try it!

$65 T-shirt

Today I wish I had this T-shirt...

On the other hand, I can't decide if the price is ridiculous or brilliant?

Check it out here...

The Doctor

I have a very fond memory of one of Greg's friends, who I will refer to as "The Doctor". I met him during my rowing days and was in the best shape of my life. The Doctor and I would "trade" workout tips on what we thought worked best and showed amazing results. Honestly, all I did was laugh my ass off at him, ESPECIALLY, when he showed me his crunches routine he would do in the car while at a stop light. The Doctor does not waste anytime to stay fit! Just wait 'til you meet him?!! Anyways... I found this YouTube video and thought I would share it with you all. I have to say, there are a few small characteristics of The Doctor in this video, but nothing that is overwhelming or anything.  I'm sure we all know "That Guy"...

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Soon Greg and I will be home owners (YIPPPEEE!) and I was thinking about getting my soon to be hubby a 'lil present and found this:

a Moustache Self Portrait Mirror

I think this would be hilarious to have hanging in our house! How could you ever be in a bad mood when you look at yourself in the mirror with a moustache?!?

Caitlin Rigney Cunningham

My very good friend, Caitlin Cunningham is one of the the most talented people I know. She is crazy with creativity and a very talented photographer. She is the kind of person you meet and want to immediately be friends with and get to know more about. Here is a little background:

Our paths crossed at a time in our lives where we needed some quick cash so we could continue on our journeys. She and I just started at the Container Store in Boston and had no idea what we got ourselves into. People that worked there were on drugs... the kind that are too happy and annoy everyone else. (Example: All the employees would huddle in a circle, clap their hands and get super excited about some product we sold. It was really odd and Caitlin and I felt very uncomfortable.) We were preparing for the store to open by putting up shelves and various products that would go on them, when she overheard me talking about rowing. She had rowed for a bit and I told her I was heading out West to go train for the winter. I asked her what her story was and she said she was heading to New Zealand for a few months to go work on various farms and explore the country. I was smitten!

Fast Forward: It's crazy to think about how people enter into your life at different stages of what you are doing in your life. I thank my lucky stars that she and I met and got into trouble together while working at the Container Store! She and I still remain in touch (via email, unless she calls me ;) ) and extremely proud of us for keeping that connection. She is wonderful!! 

Caitlin is currently living in Australia, going to school and doing amazing work in photography! My point of this blog and I had to give a little history behind it, was to let people know to look at her art work. Seriously, check out her website here: Caitlin Cunningham and get inspired!

Cupid has struck...

Happy Valentines Day!

While Greg is preparing my Valentines Day dinner (super cute!) cupid has struck me and I decided to post something I was forwarded to. These boxes are called "Things I love about You" what you do is create homemade sweets/snacks or whatever it is for the one you love and write on the inside cover of the box the top 5 things you love about them! I thought this was super sweet, inexpensive and can serve for any occasion!

I love Bacon

Imagine if this were true...

I'd be pretty excited! 

Scooter Scoop

This scooter is a beautiful piece of art work... Seriously, I've never seen anything like it and this Portuguese craftsman named Carlos Alberto hand built it out of wood! Imagine riding around on this and having it for your very own!?! What helmet would you accessorize it with? I think I have the answer....

PS - I think I am going through a Lego phase or something  :D

Blogging

Jetty Kolobaric Photography

Jetty Kolobaric has some of the most amazing photos of nature! I just recently stumbled upon her site and think she does a great job using color, texture and shadowing. I would collect her stuff to my hearts content if I could.  

Sequence

I am in love with the game Sequence! I have no shame here and admit that I get super nerdy and highly competitive when I begin playing this game. For example: Yesterday, I played this game with a friend who had never played it before. I was being nice and having fun, trying to make a good first impression (so they would play with me again) until they started beating me. When I am being "schooled" at my own favorite game, the gloves come off and I get super quiet and very competitive. Luckily, he had to run off and we ended it at a "tie". Later that night I asked Greg to play it with me. Poor sucker  :)  He beat me on the first round (needless to say I hated every minute of it) Second round, now this is AWFUL, he let me beat him!! I was in shock and thought that he did that because he didn't want to play anymore. So we went for a third and final round and I beat him good, timing was everything! I love having the last word.

Anyways, if you have not heard of this game, now you have. If you ever want to play it with me I would be more than happy to bring my own Sequence (I don't trust anyone else's game but my own, HA!) Anytime, Anywhere...

Start your day with a Cup of Jo

This women has my dream job of being a magazine writer for a lot of different magazines! She is creative, cutting edge and it just looks like fun. I love the post of "Legos: NYC" very clever! Click on the title and check out her blog for yourself.

The Alchemist

For those of you that are book readers out there and if you haven't read The Alchemist, I highly recommend you do so! In case you didn't pick it up in the first sentence I am not a big book lover. I do however fall upon a good book now and again but for the most part, book stores make me feel overwhelmed and super sleepy. Besides, if there is a movie based on a book, that's totally up my alley. Anyways, The Alchemist was a recommendation to me from my fiance. When he and I first met he told me I needed to read this book. I kind of poo pooed it like all the other book recommendations I get until one day, under my wind shield, there it was waiting for me, The Alchemist! It was a cool surprise. I couldn't pretend I was going to read it because he would have found out so I actually sat down and read this book. I finished this book in record speed (for me anyways) and loved it! This book is very inspirational and I think everyone should go on a journey to seek their Personal Legend. I won't reveal anymore details, but just trust me and go read it!

Here is a taste of the book:

"... there is only one truth on this planet: whoever you are, whatever it is that you are trying to do, when you really want something, it's because the desire originated in the soul of the universe. It is your mission on earth."

momentum

Geeky definition: force or speed of movement; impetus, as a physical object or course of events

Urban dictionary definition: the measure of the difficulty to bring a moving body to a halt

My definition: a sudden change in a routine, a thought or a decision that is forcing me into a new phase of life. 

I will elaborate... 

First: I had been working at an advertising agency in Seattle for a while and loving every minute of my job! After work on 12/3/08 Greg (now fiance) proposed to me and I was shocked and totally turned into a squeaky mouse and started crying. (such a girl moment) Seriously, it was awesome! So, I started planning for a wedding and got very excited at the whole idea of our wedding day that I made a lot of decisions early on. (sidebar: you will learn this about me, i am very organized and and A-type personality. Planning things and having a to-do list is second nature for me. I have to-do list within to-do lists, it's pretty bad actually ) Needless to say, things were moving along very well and I couldn't have been happier!

Second: Greg and I found a house for sale in our price range, in the neighborhood we LOVE and had to put an offer on it. We were beside ourselves when the offer was excepted. We had it inspected and appraised. Honestly, it seemed like the stars were aligning for us. It was such a great feeling, especially since we had just gotten engaged as well! 

Third:  About a week ago, I was laid off from my job and thought the world was over. I had never been laid off before and I actually was even more shocked because I really liked my job and the advertising industry in general.  I felt like the stairs had been pulled out from underneath me. Everything changed before I knew it and I had no say in any of it. Remember how I told you I was super organized and A-type personality... well 'lil miss organized did not see this coming and did not have a "plan B" like I usually do. (sidebar: being a rower for so long it taught me to ALWAYS have a plan b)

Back to Momentum: Having all these things happen in a matter of three months, makes me believe that I need to brainstorm what I am really suppose to be doing with my life. I am still getting married (YAY!), thankfully we are still going through with our house and closing on it in a few short days or so (YAY!) but as for the work thing (BOO)... I don't really have any answers on that right now. The momentum of the wedding and house decisions are launching me into this different phase of my life. A good phase, but it is also making me think about what I really should be doing with myself in terms of work.  I thought by starting this blog it would be a great way for me to filter my thoughts and figure out what my next chapter will be. (If anything, it will be something fun for me to do and keep me busy.) Momentum has helped me a lot in the past with my different endeavors and decisions I have made which as a result has always worked out.  I'll leave it at that for now...

where to begin

So, starting a blog is not as easy as you would think. I've done research on this, I read other peoples blogs and thought, "HA, if they can do it why can't I! Looks easy enough."  Little did I know, some sites recommend having a topic in mind, a theme if you will. Other sites suggest not including anyone's full name, but go by alias's, which I can totally understand because knowing me, I may offend someone and not even know it.  So, where does SAM-a-LAM-a-DING-DONG begin? The goal/objective/plan of this blog is to be have an "open door communication policy" (sidebar: I don't want this to sound too corporate, makes me gage a little, ya know) I want to write about whatever I have in my head at that time. This blog is a "mish mash of thoughts" from myself and with the help of others. I personally think it is important to share the good, the bad and everything in between because let's face it, we are all human and can identify what people are going through if we have gone through something similar ourselves. Right?!... Right! 

Disclaimer: (come on... we all have them)

Please don't get me wrong, I do not want this blog to be shelved in the "self help" section and I am not about to analyze anyone like Oprah or Dr.Phil does in the afternoons. I want this to be fun & lighthearted with a splash of seriousness every now and again. Cool?