"Your Dream Stinks... I Was Talking to Her."

You would expect that someone who idolizes Walt Disney, has Disney songs on her Ipod, kinda sorta has a Disney blog, and quotes Disney movies on the regular would have a dream list a mile long. The truth is... I'm annoyingly pragmatic. A dream may, in fact, be a wish your heart makes. But a steady job puts food on the table. I've never really been a dreamer regardless of how many cheery, inspirational quotes I post to social media that would suggest otherwise. If you asked me right now what my biggest dream is, I would stumble around and eventually mumble something highly unlikely such as my standard "I want to win the lottery and open my own animal sanctuary" (which might not be so bad if I ever actually BOUGHT a lottery ticket) or something that doesn't really involve me at all, such as the Buffalo Bills winning the Super Bowl.

You know what else I'm not? Athletic. Not even close. As a spectator, I'm a sports fanatic. But personally I'm about as graceful as Bambi on his new legs, trying to maneuver around on the ice. So what would prompt me to think that doing a 5K (for the first time ever) with a ton of people on a hot summer night would be fun? The official diagnosis? FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. My friends were doing it, and I wanted to hang out with them.

It wouldn't be a fun blog post if everything went as planned! It wasn't the greatest time. Feelings were hurt. And I made the ridiculous decision that I would run the entire thing the next year and be really fast and then I would do a race at Disney! I downloaded Couch-to-5K. I bought magazines! I bought running shoes! And what I learned was that I'm a really lousy runner. My body hated it, so I gave up. Well, not entirely. I just did a LOT of walking. And I got better at it.

And I continued to get better at it. One winter I signed up for a 5K and walked the entire thing. I was thrilled that not only did I NOT come in last place, but I finished in under an hour. And then I kept signing up for more races. And every once in a while, on the treadmill, I would increase my pace and run. For like a minute. And then I would wonder if I was going to die. But I didn't. So I would throw in a couple more minutes. And then I would be SURE that I was going to die. And I didn't! I would start throwing in a little bit of running when I was outside. I would get really excited and post my times on Facebook and then the craziest thing happened.

One day, about a year and a half ago, my best friend from high school messaged me. She said we should sign up for a runDisney event together. We hadn't seen each other in over twenty years, but we are both huge Star Wars fans and she had been running and even doing triathlons. (I know, I'm tired just thinking about it too!) What could be a better way to finally see each other after all that time? And... here's the crazy thing. We actually DID sign up for it! I mean, come on. How often do we say to each other, "hey, we should do this?" and then get all happy about it... and then never actually DO it?!

So yeah. What actually started out as a silly thought after getting my feelings hurt (partly because people are mean, but also partly because I'm a baby) actually came to fruition! We went to Walt Disney World! We did the Dark Side 5K together! We actually RAN part of it. And I smiled. And I had a blast. We had so much fun getting out of Epcot as quickly as we could. We high-fived cast members. My friend spoke in German to the CMs at the Germany pavilion. We got our picture taken with Ewoks! And I cannot wait to do it again. My body still hates running. But I am getting better, just much slower than most people. But it's okay. Because I actually DO have a dream. I want to be a runner. Or at least, someone who doesn't just sit around doing nothing. And I'm kind of there.

So I guess now I need a new dream. Or do I? I mean, the Bills still haven't won the Super Bowl. But every year, I KNOW that THIS is the year!

(Disney Photopass photo)

A Mysterious Light

Last night was one of my favorite days of the year -- Star Wars Night at the ballpark! My Buffalo Bisons have been doing this for the past seven years and each year it gets better and better. It actually started out as one of several "movie" nights that the team hosted and the popularity has increased exponentially and the last two years (possibly more) have sold out before game day!

I went a couple times with my mom and the last three years I've gone with friends. The gates always open early because the North Ridge Star Wars fan club are there in character. There is an assortment of original trilogy, prequel trilogy and expanded universe characters as well as characters unique to this chapter of the fan club. They will pose for pictures and last year I got a great picture with me and my friend's daughter hanging out with Chewbacca and R2D2. Unfortunately, the lines were SO LONG this year that we didn't get any character pictures. Moving through the concourse was extremely difficult because of the sheer number of people milling about.

The players wear special Star Wars jerseys each year that are then autographed and raffled off for charity; this year it was the American Heart Association (can't remember if that's what it always is, or if it changes). Starting in the fifth inning and continuing every half inning, a special Star Wars movie unfolds on the big screen scoreboard. It takes place at the ballpark and includes the Bisons mascots, etc. The story concludes after the game is over... on the field with an epic lightsaber battle!

There are always other fun little touches that go on throughout the game:

The grounds crew usually has some fun on the field:

One of the characters throws out the first pitch:

Instead of showing each player's picture on the scoreboard, a villain is shown for the opposing team and one of the heroes is shown for the Bisons. The box score will also show the opposing team as "Sith":

Darth Vader will lead everyone in singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame":

There are also lightsabers for sale during the game and once the game is over, the lights get turned out and everyone waves their lightsabers around. After the on-field battle, there is a fireworks display.

I wasn't able to get a good picture, but the moon was out through most of the game and it looked an awful lot like the Death Star! Unfortunately, the Force was not strong with our team last night as we lost to the Sith. But it was an amazing time and I can't wait to go back next year!

They Go Together...

Like rama lama lama ka dinga da dinga dong

Yeah. I totally just copied and pasted that, because I had no idea what the actual verse was. So hopefully the Google search was accurate. But if not, you get the picture.

Macaroni and cheese
Peanut butter and jelly
Peanut butter and chocolate
Peanut butter and just about anything!

I love it when two things I love combine together to create one amazing thing. Like baseball and Star Wars! You weren't expecting that, were ya?? Saturday night was the annual Star Wars Night at Coca-Cola Field and I'm happy to say that I was part of the sold-out crowd who had a great time enjoying all the festivities!

Unfortunately, my camera battery died and all I have to show are some less-than-stellar cell phone pictures that aren't even worth sharing. But the Buffalo Bisons always do an amazing job with this event. Costumed characters are walking around throughout the game, happy to pose for pictures. Darth Vader, surrounded by his entourage, throws out the first pitch. When players come up to bat, the standard headshot of each player is replaced by a "good guy" from Star Wars. When the visiting team is batting, their faces are replaced by Darth Vader, Jabba the Hutt, Darth Maul, Boba Fett... so cool.

Each year, the Bisons players wear a specially-designed Star Wars jersey. After the game, the jerseys are signed by the respective players and some lucky fans get to take home an amazing keepsake. I bought a ticket (the proceeds benefit the American Heart Association) but didn't win. Boo. The Force was not with me.

The Bisons staff put a lot of work into a very creative six-part mini-movie revolving around SW and the ball club. During innings, a new episode is shown and at the end of the game the whole thing is concluded live on the infield, complete with an intense lightsaber battle. Finally, the lights are turned off and everyone turns on their own lightsabers. The evening ends with a fireworks display.

The Nerdy Girl 5K

Since January, I've been faithfully either going to the gym or going for walks around my neighborhood. At the gym, I alternate between the treadmill and the stationery bike. I've always enjoyed walking, but running and I do NOT get along. Even in high school when we were supposed to run a mile for the President's Fitness Test (or whatever is was), I always walked. A couple years ago, I tried very had to take up running. I read all about the Couch-to-5K program and for three solid months I tried my hardest to get past the first level. It never happened. So, walking it is. I've been steadily lowering my average pace per mile (thank you, Nike chip thingy) and I'm excited to do the Color Run (ahem, Walk) with some friends in August. (You can buy those fabulous little 0.0 stickers here)

For the past three years, I've walked in the JP Morgan Chase Corporate Challenge through my company. This year, I wasn't able to participate and it turns out that I'm actually kind of grateful, because it rained all day. Walking 3.1 miles in the rain would be bad enough. But then you have to factor in finding a place to park (which usually winds up being in a different zip code), walking to the picnic area to meet up with your friends, waiting for the race to start.... by the time the walkers actually start the race, you've already been waiting around for at least an hour. In the rain? No thanks. (Yes, I'm made of sugar. Yes, I WILL melt.)

But I was still disappointed, so I decided that I was still going to walk a 5K. I just wasn't going to pay an entrance fee or get a tshirt or a number. What I was going to get was the ability to open my front door and start my walk! So I logged on to mapmywalk.com and plotted a very easy 5K course that I could complete without ever having to get into my car.

Do you remember the episode of Big Bang Theory where Leonard was telling Penny about how he and Sheldon became roomies? After Leonard passed Sheldon's version of the Kobayashi Maru, Sheldon presented Leonard with a welcome packet that included, among other things, an apartment flag. That is something I would totally do... the welcome packet, the flag, the multiple choice tests. Well, if I ever decided to have a roommate. Which I would never do. That is actually something that surprises me about my beloved Mr. Cooper. [Just an aside... I have a Sheldon bobblehead that sits on my computer monitor. As I'm typing, Sheldon is nodding his head as if he remembers that episode. *grin*]

I did bring that up for a reason... after I mapped out my route, I decided that simply mapping it and walking it wasn't enough. I HAD to name it! So I dubbed my 5K the "Nerdy Girl 5K". Doesn't that make it so much more entertaining? Like it's a real thing?

And guess what? I came in first place!! Ahhh, the beauty of making up your own stuff. (Yes, I also came in dead last. But where's the fun in focusing on that?!)

I'm quite proud of myself. Sheldon would be proud, too. Okay, maybe not; he hates the outdoors. Obi Wan would be proud. The Force is strong in this one.

Someone should make me a tshirt.

Happy Star Wars Day!!!

Channeling Sheldon

Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur.

Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr.

Lightening Up the Mood

So heartbroken over the shooting in Colorado this morning. And that's all I can really say about it, because it's just so utterly senseless.

It's the weekend, and I'm ready for some fun. Not sure where I'm gonna find it, but I'm ready for it! Ha.

Found this funny little card on Pinterest... and I have a feeling it was created because of Christian Grey (althought I really have no idea):

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Clarissa on Pinterest

Personally, I'm not a fan. Haven't read the books, have no intention of doing so. But I totally get the concept of being in love with a fictional character! I have a loooong list of those I've become smitten with throughout the years:

Steve Andropolous on As the World Turns was probably my first fictional crush. He was followed by other TV characters: Lujack on Guiding Light, Alex P Keaton on Family Ties, Dylan Walsh on 90210, Joey Tribbiani on Friends, Peter Petrelli on Heroes.

*sigh*

I'm a huge Tony Stark fan... and as much as he was criticized, Anakin Skywalker holds a very special place in my heart ♥

My current fictional crush?

Dr Sheldon Cooper.

Bazinga!

Who is your fictional crush?