The Balenciaga Motorcycle Bag

For eons, I have been lusting after the Balenciaga motorcycle bag in dark gray or dark blue , and now, thanks to Bag Snob (www.bagsnob.com) I have a hankering for the bag in rose and brown also. (I know-but a girl can dream can't she)? For you that don't know about the famed Balenciaga motorcycle bag it's sometimes called the Le Dix and it has been around since about 2001. The bag was designed by Nicolas Ghesquiere, a truly amazing designer. I love the bag because of it's soft distressed leather (it only gets better with age) and the rocker edgyness that I admit takes me back to my "groupie" days. Ahhhh, good times. (A special shoutout to Miss Pamela Des Barres, Queen of the groupies- girl,you still rock)! The price is a little out of my budget but I'm saving up for it. If you are a true fashionista, and have never read The Bag Snob - shame on you. Tina and Kelly do all the legwork to bring us the latest and greatest bags in an interesting and entertaining way. Go now, you won't regret it.

The Success Principles

I've been wanting to read and apply the concept of The Success Principles to my life for quite some time now and I think it's about time I actually dove into the book to see if I can figure out what's wrong with me. I used to be so happy, but now, I'm not only unhappy, I'm lonely and depressed also. I need a life altering event to pull me out of this funk. A nice man would be great, but it's not looking too good for me there. I guess my dating days are over now that I'm older. It's not that I'm extremely unattractive. Yes, I could stand to loose a little weight but I'm not a true bow wow. It's just that all the guys my age want to be with 20 something little girls (by the way guys-that's really creepy-it's like sleeping with your daughter).
So, I've pulled the book out, dusted it off, and am now starting to read it. I've only gotten through the first Chapter, but so far so good. I think I'll like doing the "homework" that goes along with the book.
In case you're not familiar with The Success Principles; it's written by Jack Canfield, one of the Chicken Soup for the Soul authors. By the way, I now know how he came up with the Chicken Soup name. I think if I tell all of you here how my progression is going, I'll be more likely to actually progress instead of procrastinate. I'll keep you informed of my progress and in return can I ask of you to help me stay on track?

Johnny Gage is truly dedicated to EMS

Randolph Mantooth, aka Johnny Gage from the 1970's television show "Emergency" is truly one of the nicest men I have ever met! As you know from my previous post, I was so excited that I would get to hear Johnny Gage (of Gage and DeSoto fame) speak today at the opening ceremony of the expo.
Not only did I hear him give an amazing, and very amusing, lecture on the history of the EMS system (and the role Emergency played in it-which was huge), but I also got to meet him, shake his hand and thank him for his contribution, and got his autograph twice.
After the ceremony was over (it lasted at least an hour, maybe two) we were told that Randy would be signing autographs in the exhibit hall to raise money for the Los Angeles Fire Museum. Since he had already spoke for about an hour, and he was a tv star, I assumed he would take a while to get over to the expo hall. Boy was I wrong. Randy went immediately over to the booth to start signing autographs, and he was signing, and personalizing, everything that was put in front of him. No matter how insignificant it seemed.
After standing in line for almost two hours (he only took one 15 minute break) it was finally my turn! I felt like I was 11 again, meeting one of my heros. I was all giddy and speechless and anyone that knows me can attest to the fact I've always got something to say. Speechless, me? Never! Randolph Mantooth is one of the reasons I ended up in the medical field, and the main reason I've been an EMT since 1986. Plus, I had a huge crush on him during the entire 70's.
I got a black and white photograph, which I asked his lovely wife Kristen to choose for me since I could not decide which one I liked the most (it was her favorite of all of them) and a Limited Edition Code 3 Crown 51 Engine autographed- for myself. Not for anyone else. For little ole selfish me. (I'll post the photo's as soon as I can find the connection to my camera).
I want all of you to know that Mr. Mantooth not only signed autographs on Wednesday, but he came back two more days and patiently signed everything that was placed in front of him. He is truly a remarkable man. I just want to say "thank you Johnny" for all you have done for Paramedics, and being one of us. Also, a special thanks to his wonderful wife Kristen Conners for sharing him with his fans.

EMS Expo Day 1

I attended the afternoon Moulage class presented by Laura Haven of Image Perspectives (during the class she admitted she used to have an act in Vegas under the name Laura Bright); Image Perspectives is a company founded by her mother and father many years ago. As a moulage "expert" at my job, I found this class to be very beneficial for me. I have Laura's products, I just needed to know how to properly apply them. Soon, I will be able to order a DVD that explains exactly how I can use each item to make different wounds. If you are not familiar with the company check it out at http://www.moulage.net/.
As for the Hilton Las Vegas-not impressed yet. I have found their housekeeping staff to be extremely lazy. The housekeeper will make the bed, but do little else. I don't think this room has been vacuumed in months, and I know they haven't wiped off anything. I intentionally left a small glob of toothpaste on the sink to see if it was wiped up. Yep,it was- by me.
For $200 a night you would think that I would get better service than this. This hotel does not live up to the Hilton quality I'm used to. Mr. Hilton might consider removing his name from this one.
Since I'm feeling a little under the weather I ordered up room service, a nice Chicken Picatta. WOW! It was, in the words of Rachel Ray, YUMMO! A bit pricey though. I had been told that the food in Vegas was cheap. Not so my friend. The food in Vegas is more expensive than the food in Honolulu, and I didn't think that was possible.
Headed for bed now (I know, I know! I should be out gambling)!!! I'm still with a cold and a bit of jet lag, maybe tomorrow.

Project Runway

I have been looking forward to the new season of Project Runway for two weeks. It's probably the only thing I'll watch on the Lifetime channel when PR actually moves there, and WTH happened at Bravo for them to move one of my favorite shows? Ha! Jokes on them though, PR got five Emmy nominations; Heidi got two herself for being so gorgeous (not really, but she should). Is Bravo sure they want to let PR go?
I'm not a big reality show person, but I do like Project Runway and (wow I cannot believe I'm actually saying this out loud) Tyra's America's Next Top Model. I love that show. I've been watching ANTM since the beginning. I actually started because I adore Janice Dickinson. She's a frigging CRAZY bitch-and I love crazy bitches. Twiggy is a doll and Paulina, she's bitchy too! If Tyra gives up ANTM will Paulina take the show?
Aaaaanyway, back to PR. I was expecting it to be different this season, and I was right. I'm not sure who made the designer choices for this season, but they must have been on acid. These peeps are weird. What's up with the punk, grunge rock look? And what is up with Suede talking in the third person. He's got to go-SOON! I definitely didn't see another Christian Siriano in the midst of them. Christian ROCKS!!!
I must admit, I did actually like the dress that Kelli made out of marbelized vacuum cleaner bags; and who would think to use the wire from a spiral notebook to make a hook and eye closure? Right now she's my favorite.
I wasn't disappointed by Tim though. He was on point about the lack of originality for most of the designers, but it is the beginning of the season so there is plenty of time. I really enjoy when he walks through and lectures the designers about their designs. Most of them look as if he slapped em. Heidi looked beautiful as always, and didn't that dress she wore rock! Damn, if I could look like that for a week. Nina's back but not she's the fashion director at Marie Claire this season, although she was introduced as Elle Editor at Large. Maybe she hasn't started at Marie Claire yet.
Yep, I'm looking forward to a very eventful PR this season. Won't you watch it with me?

Under the weather today

I've been sick today. I woke with a really bad sinus headache. I've done everything I can think of to get rid of it. I took my fioricet and sudafed, then I used my flonase and a saline spray. Nothing! I'm so exhaused from the medication but I cannot sleep and my headache is still around. Thank goodness I have an appointment with my doctor this week. Hopefully, he'll give me some levaquin which is pretty much the only antibiotic that works for me.
I had so much I wanted to do today. I needed to get my car cleaned and return some items to the outlet mall up the road. Me and Paco were going to take the Oahu Hummer tour too; see http://www.honolulutours.net/tours/tourDetail.cfm?tour_id=1681. Most likely I'll be able to go next Saturday. Not going today was very disappointing though.

The Hale Koa

I was so happy standing at the airport waiting on my son and his friend to arrive from Pennsylvania where he is studying Communication design; his friend I believe is studying Marine Biology. I really wanted to show them Waikiki but the 12 hours on the plane, the six hour time difference, and the fact he arrived around two hours late didn't give us a lot of bonding time. I ended up just getting them something to eat, walking really quick up to the end of the beach so they would know where to go for breakfast in the morning and then dropping them back off at the hotel.
The Hale Koa was the hotel I chose for the boys to stay in this trip. I felt that would be so much safer since it has mainly military (active and retired). The website is here http://www.halekoa.com/.
The boys room at the Hale Koa is on the 14th floor. It's roomy with two full size beds, a tv, a desk, and a small fridge (I called to find out if there was a fridge and was told they are not allowed at the hotel by the very rude and uninformed front desk clerk). I found the hotel to be clean and so far very quiet. The view the boys have from the lanai is of Waikiki since the ocean views were all already taken by the time I got around to booking his room. It would be gorgeous except for the vog (volcano fog). I guess I can't complain because the room only set me back $135 per day, plus the boys are close everything that they need. I would definitley recommend this hotel. Check eligibility though because they do have requirements to stay there.

Da Big Kahuna

During lunch today I went to "Da Big Kahuna" , at 550 Paiea St 134, Honolulu, HI 96819. It's a nice little place with a sort of surfer chic decor. There are surfboards along one wall and several pictures of Duke Kahanamoku, the world famous surfer from here in Honolulu. The place was quite packed and all of the five tables were full. We managed to grab a barstool against the wall which is not where I like to sit when I eat but it was the only place to sit.
I ordered the 6" Haole pizza (ham, pineapple, and green peppers) at the counter and was told that they were out of the small size but I could order the larger pizza. I didn't understand this since the pizza is made when I order it, but went ahead and got one because I was quite hungry. I finished up with a coke ( one size only ) and an order of the wedding cake.
Since the wait for the food was so long my friends were given an order of the garlic cheese balls which were amazing. After extensive research I found that the yummy little treats are baked in butter, garlic and olive oil, and topped with a five cheese blend. Although the cheese balls helped with my one and a half hour wait, I was starved by the time my pizza got to me (in a to go box since I needed to get back to work).
I did have the pizza later that night and as everyone knows, reheated pizza isn't as good as when it originally comes out of the oven. It was still pretty tasty though. The wedding cake was so sinful.
I must say in the words of my Hawaiian friends....Da Big Kahuna is 'ono.

Pole Dancing

OK, here it is. My very first post.....and it's about pole dancing. No, my friend, not stripping. Of course it does have a little of the naughtiness of stripping, but not geared towoard you going out and being a stripper. (Yes, you can remove your clothing if you want, but only down to your boy shorts and sports bra or a bathing suit). If you need justification for taking one of the classes just remember that everyone has a right to feel sexy. It's not only for the skinny girls either. I weigh 150 pound and I'm right in there with those 110 pound bean poles. Plus, I'm old enough to be their mother.
I got into this because I decided I wanted to have fun with exercise. had heard that pole dancing is a great way to get into shape so I, of course, googled "pole dancing + Honolulu" and found what I was looking for on the website http://www.fit4agoddesshi.com/. If you live in Honolulu, you should check it out.
So, I find this site and sign up online for an introductory class. It's not the full course class, but more like a teaser. I liked the fact I had a chance to try it before I paid the big money for the full class. Anyway, I decided to go to the one in Pearl City with Kimberly. It took me a while to figure out just where it was. I walked into the room and was warmly greeted by this very pretty, perky, young girl with the most amazing body ever. Kimberly is such a sweet person and she really loves to dance. She made me feel completely at ease which is important when you're going to pretend you're a wanna be stripper in front of ....well, just about anyone who shows up. There were three regulars and four of us newbies ranging from 18 to a sexy fifty something.
There were 6 poles in the room and the windows were covered so no one could see in. The door was also locked for privacy and for our safety. Kimberly had us put our yoga mats in a circle so we could see what she was doing and bond with each other. We had to do the "tell me a little about yourself" which I hate to do. I don't know what I said, but I'm sure it was something really stupid. Then we did about an hour of floor exercises mixed with "dance" moves. It was low key but I felt it very much, especially in my legs. Granted, I'm not in the best shape of my life so it doesn't take much exercise to hurt me.
After we worked up a sweat by rolling around on the floor and stretching- the three instructors that had been dancing for awhile gave us a little show of what they had learned. It was amazing!!!!!! Plus it looked like so much fun! I decided right then that I wanted to bring sexy back too.
After the show it was our turn to learn to be sexy. We learned just the basics of pole dancing, and I had a blast. I usually have no inhibitions, but found myself just a little on the shy side here. I know once I get the basics down I'll be a pole dancing diva.
I know some of you would like to know if it really is good exercise. I'd have to say that it is the best upper body workout I've had in a really long time. I noticed a lot of core exercise, plus I'm feeling the effects of the class in my butt, back and neck, as well as my arms and legs. I noticed my butt was sitting a little higher today and my boobs were just a might bit perkier (which is kind of hard to achieve at my age).
So ladies. Get out there and release your inner goddess. I guarantee you'll have the time of your life.