Enough already Alia

Really, I Can Eat That

Alia — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 14:25:54 +0000

When I first started this whole vegan thing, I figured I would lose weight and feel amazing instantly. I have to say, my skin is way clearer and I do feel “lighter,” but I haven’t really lost all that much weight. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve lost some weight, but not the pounds and pounds I anticipated. I think I know why. A vegan diet is not an inherently healthy diet. While my consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has definitely increased, I still want to eat junk food. And I am very skilled at finding junk food. I bet you never thought about it but did you know that Fritos are vegan? So are Skittles, Twizzlers, and Dr. Pepper. I’ve managed to make those my comfort foods. Dried fruit is also very dangerous. I try to pretend it’s not like eating candy, but it totally is candy. Oh, let’s not forget the most delicious and dangerous vegan treat; alcohol. That’s right. I can drink Jameson and ginger ale all night long and not be cheating. And beer is oh so many calories of frothy deliciousness. I’m almost done with my third week of this. I think my goal for week 4 is going to be steering clear of my unhealthy vegan snacks. The Jameson may have to stay though.

Still Hanging in There!

Alia — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 16:45:01 +0000

I promise, I haven’t given up yet. I’m really surprised I’ve lasted this long! Today begins week three of going vegan and I have to say, I’m pretty okay with it. Certainly, I miss eggs for breakfast in the morning and I saw some cheesecake the other day that looked mighty good, but all in all, it isn’t bad at all. In fact, I find my biggest obstacle to be other people.

When I tell people what I’m doing, I get all sorts of crazy looks. That’s usually followed by comments like, “are you sure you don’t want some of my burger?” I don’t really get why it bothers other people so much. I certainly don’t judge people for eating whatever they like. I also find these are the same folks who allege that vegetarians and vegans are “preachy” and try to make everyone feel bad for eating meat. I don’t blame people for eating meat. It tastes really good! I just know that my body is working better these days and maybe I have to sacrifice delicious animal flesh to keep this up.

In any event, I’m thinking I might post some recipes soon. I’ve been experimenting a lot more lately and having a ton of fun with it. I may even get crazy and post pictures!

80 Steps

Alia — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:40:19 +0000

There are exactly 80 steps on my walk to the 4th floor. This doesn’t seem like many but trust me, it is. A few weeks ago, I decided I needed to be a new Alia. This is really the old Alia re-energized/rebooted. The first thing I did was decree that I would take the stairs everyday at work. Who needs an elevator!

The first day I walked the stairs, I was short of breath, dizzy, and sweaty. “Well,” I thought, “I REALLY NEED to do this everyday!” After a week or so, this should be easy breezy. Now, in the middle of week three, I am still huffing and puffing. How much longer will this take?!?! There are days I wish I could just walk to the second or third floor then ride the elevator. However, these are full commitment stairs. The only floors that are unlocked are the first, fourth, and fifth. Once I enter that lonely stairwell, I have to be in it to win it.

All of that aside, I’m not even 40 and I can’t comfortable walk up stairs! I suppose if I keep doing it, eventually it will get easier. It may even become effortless. I really hope that’s soon.

Day 1 Done

Alia — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 15:22:53 +0000

I keep telling myself I’m going to do this. But, alas, it never happens. Anyway, this time I’m determined to post. I even have something to talk about! I’m going to try a whole MONTH of vegan. Now, I am a meat lover but I find that I’m sluggish and tired lately. I’m hoping that giving my body a break from meat will do the trick. I wanted to start on April 1st. That didn’t happen. There was a stone crab dinner, followed by a steak dinner, followed by Passover and Easter. Anyway, yesterday, April 9th I managed to go an entire day without any animal products! I was truly surprised I made it. I’m going to try for day two now. Wish me luck!

Why Can’t I Do This?

Alia — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:43:36 +0000

It has become very clear to me that I lack the ability to stay on task. I really would love to update this with clever things. However, I just don’t. I know I have plenty to say. Anyway, I suppose I’m making a belated New Year’s resolution to post something of substance on here at least once per week. Any suggestions of how to not fall of the wagon?

The Adventure Begins

Alia — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:20:28 +0000

So, I started juicing hardcore today. No, no performance enhancing drugs; just juice. There’s a bit of food involved but nothing exciting. You may be wondering why on earth anyone would do this. I am questioning my decision as well. I’ve been feeling out of sorts lately and thought this could help me pull it together. I may start posting again as I need something to distract me from food.

As for day one, it went surprisingly well. I really wasn’t hungry at all. In fact, after finishing my afternoon juice I had no desire for dinner. I’m hoping it stays like this for the long haul. I do however still have cravings. I’ve discovered there’s no fruit or vegetable substitute for chocolate. Now it’s time to start day 2. I hope I can survive.

I Think I’ve Forgotten How to do This

Alia — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 11:37:16 +0000

But, I’ll try again anyway. Tomorrow I’m starting a fifteen day juice fast. Pray for me.

Back on the Wagon

Alia — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 10:56:01 +0000

So, I quit writing here for what seems like forever. I think it’s time I start again. I have plenty to say but I seem to find other things to occupy me. Some things are great; other things, not so much. Anyway, I’m figure the best way to come back is try have a theme. Seeing as I gained an uncomfortable amount of weight over the past couple of months, I figure I could treat anyone who cares to read this to weekly updates on me working out and getting back in shape. I figure I’ll write about other stuff as well, but having a task will make me write. I haven’t really started doing much yet. I’ll let you know when I actually come up with a plan.

Barbri Sucks!

Alia — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 18:53:53 +0000

I thought I had won the war against law school when I got that fancy piece of paper. I was wrong. Prepping for the bar exam has got to be the most boring thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. I don’t think I realized how terrible this was until I graduated. I wasn’t focused on it. I was focused on making sure my name was on that graduation list and not falling on my ass when I got hooded. I managed not to wipe out thankfully. But now the weather is nice, my friends are going to the beach and to ball games and I am sitting in a windowless room in a basement in the Loop watching pre-recorded lectures. I can think of SO many better ways to spend my afternoons but alas, I cannot. I must be prepared, lest I fail. That would be really embarrassing. So, I study. I am even making flashcards. My final summer living as a non-adult is officially ruined by bar prep. Booo. Maybe I should’ve just gone to B school.

Procrastinators’ Film Festivals

Alia — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:49:51 +0000

While I am still very confused about a career or what I want to do with myself, one thing has become abundantly clear after three years of law school. I hate studying; and not just a little bit. It pains me to do it. I will clean the dust from my ceiling fans before I study. I’ve been known to spend hours at the gym instead of studying. One of my favorite delay tactics is the all day film festival. For those of you preparing for finals, I’ve listed a few of my favorite themed film festivals. Netflix, cable television, and the internet have made it wonderfully easy for everyone to enjoy a day of fine movie watching.

A Day with Charlton Heston: We know it’s his God given right to carry a gun. He does it exceptionally well in so many roles.

Touch of Evil: Orson Welles directs Chuck as a Mexican police officer newly married to Janet Leigh. Actually one of my favorite movies.
Ben Hur: Chuck likes the Biblical roles and in this one he plays a wealthy Jew who is enslaved then freed. Along the way he meets Pontius Pilot and Jesus.
The Ten Commandments: He’s Moses.
Soylent Green: Spoiler Alert! Soylent Green is people!!!
The Omega Man: Before Will Smith, but after Vincent Price, Chuck portrays Dr. Robert Neville trying to stay alive as the last man on Earth.
The Planet of the Apes: Maybe his greatest role of all time

Screwball Comedy Day: If you just want to laugh and don’t mind black and white, this is the way to go. Many of these films have modern versions that aren’t nearly as clever or fun to watch. Another plus is that most of these movies only run about 90 minutes so if you really want to get back to studying or whatever after one, it’s not that much of a time suck.

His Girl Friday (1940): Scheming newspaper publisher (Cary Grant) is confronted by his ex-wife (Rosalind Russell) and her fiancé.
It Happened One Night (1934): Classic story of boy (Clark Gable) meets girl (Claudette Colbert), boy and girl hate each other, boy and girl are stuck together, and finally boy and girl fall in love.
The Philadelphia Story (1940): The night before Tracy Lord’s (Katharine Hepburn) wedding, her ex-husband (Cary Grant) and a sneaky reporter (James Stewart) show up and turn things upside down.
Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936): Small town Mr. Deeds (Gary Cooper) inherits $20 million from a long lost relative and everyone around him is trying to get a piece of it.
Sullivan’s Travels (1942): A director (Joel McCrea) disguises himself as a hobo to see what the real world is like.
My Man Godfrey (1936): A socialite (Carole Lombard) takes in a homeless man (William Powell) after finding him on a drunken scavenger hunt.

Ray Harryhausen, a Retrospective: If you love classical mythology or just love stop-motion animation, Harryhausen is your guy. He is most certainly a special effects pioneer who recreated dinosaurs and walking skeletons without CGI! His films require no description. Just watch and learn.

Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger (1977)
It Came from Beneath the Sea (1955)
One Million Years B.C. (1966)
Clash of the Titans (1981): Release the Cracken!!!
Jason and the Argonauts (1963): This one is my favorite.

Well folks, if you want to take a break, this is as good as anything. If you have any film suggestions, please add them. I will post more film festivals as I formulate them. I never get tired of watching things.