Nice to meet you, Alki.

Alki Beach and I have officially started what I believe will be a long-lasting relationship. We hung out not once, but TWICE this weekend. Friday for a late night stroll and Saturday for a 6 mile wonder run. It feels like a little California coastal town. Me gusta mucho.

But seriously, with a running trail like this:

And a view of downtown Seattle like this:

I can tell this is going to be an amazing love affair.

pics via and via

I covet

I put this dress in my shopping bag online. It's pretty. The picture doesn't do it justice. I've actually already tried it on while taking a little detour to Anthropologie. It definitely suits me. Now the waiting game begins. (Please go on sale. Please go on sale.)

Dip-a-Palooza VI

[This is what happens when you win DAP - flag, champagne, french bread, DAP plaque]

This weekend is Dip-a-Palooza VI. A dip-making contest that draws people from far and wide. It's on Superbowl Sunday. Two years ago, I had a monumental win and now my names resides with other greats like Holden, Walker and Jaison.

This year, I'm not going to win, I'm going to eat. Think about it: 30 options of delectable dips? Yeah, I'm pretty sure I won't be watching any football. Who's playing again? (Just kidding, I'm predicting the Saints will take it, but I'm just picking them because I really want to go to New Orleans and their symbol is the fleur-de-leis which reminds me of my mom. Because she really likes them. And has them all over her house. They look pretty.)

Rules of DAP from the invite:
Everyone brings one dip
Everyone gets one vote for the best dip
The winner gets their name on a plaque and achieves dip immortality
Absolutely no dip lobbying towards friends, family or wives - it's not in the spirit of DAP

This year's trailer...

Last year's trailer...

I have a problem

I hit the snooze alarm for 30-40 minutes every morning. At least. I wish I didn't, but I don't know how to stop. This morning I typed "snooze alarm addiction" into Google and found my answer.

Meet: The clocky.
The description from the website:

The patented alarm clock that runs away and hides to get you out of bed. Clocky gives you one chance to get up. But if you snooze, Clocky will jump off your nightstand and wheel around your room looking for a place to hide, beeping all the while. You'll have to get out of bed to silence his alarm. Clocky is kind of like a misbehaving pet, only he will get up at the right time.

I don't think this alarm clock would survive more than a couple mornings of beatings, but it might actually be worth a try. Again, I feel bad for people who have had to sleep in the same room. Not only do I talk in my sleep, I hit the snooze button like it's my job. I'm sorry.

buh-bye, alex.

I confess: I put a picture of Alex Rodriguez on my ceiling, above my bed when I was 10. My parents were gracious enough (or just not interested in the ceiling decorations of their now-guest room) and have left it as is.

Until now.

My mom just called to tell me a little story about Kamron; I'm sure one of many to come now that he and Richelle are living at home.

Here's how it played out:

"Grandpa! Can you come lay down with me for a minute?"
"Sure. What's up, Kam?"
"Well, I have good news and I have bad news."
"Ok, what's the bad news?"
"I really don't like that poster."
"No problem. I'll take it down. What's the good news?"
"The good news is that you don't have to take it down now."

On Kam's order, after 16 years, Alex will be retired... and probably quickly replaced by Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Wanna go ride bikes?

Autumn apparently doesn't let the weather get in her way (look at the excitement in her eyes!), but I'm a bit of a fair-weather biker. However, I'm thinking that a nice bike ride might be in my near future. Maybe not all the way to Redhook again, but something to get the pedals moving. I think I'm just ready for the season to change. Then I can also get back to my work on this!

Dear Spring,
I can't wait for you to be here. Please hurry.
Sincerely,
Petes

SB4Pv8

IT HAS BEEN RELEASED!

You heard me. Sweet Beats for Petes Vol. 8 has officially hit the airwaves (of my car) and let me tell you, it quite possibly might top the charts.

For those of you who are unfamiliar (and I feel bad for you if you've never experienced the glory of SB4P), it is a kick-ass (and I rarely swear on this blog, so this apparently means I'm super pumped) compilation of the best songs of today and yesterday that is only released every 4 months, by the one and only, MadTronics.

One of my fave songs on Volume 8 so far is "Battlefield" by Jordin Sparks. Mainly because of the story that goes along with it. So Karen has this friend down at OSU who was singing the lyrics as such:

"Why does love always feel like a battlefield, a battlefield, a battlefield?...

I guess you better go get SHARONDA!"

[Real lyrics: Sharonda = Your armor.]

But I can totally see where she was coming from. I mean, if you ask me, Sharonda sounds like quite a bad ass. I think she'd have my back in the battlefield. So from this day on, if we ever need someone to have our back, we just gotta go get Sharonda.

(But Lizzie said she'd fill in as Sharonda whenever we need her. Thanks, Lizzie!)