He says, she says... very different!

Tonight we watched Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Aniston's movie, The Break-up and frankly, it's not as bad as all the critics say! I liked it, and even my boyfriend (who didn't want to see it) gave it a "B"!

I think the reason I liked it was because it was such a relatable topic. It's really true when they say men and women think differently, which is usually why there are arguments. Without giving the movie away, the crux of VV and JA's characters' disagreement surrounds what JA wants from VV and how VV just doesn't get it, which is a common theme in many relationships.

Women don't like to have to ask for everything from their men... women want their man to just want the things the woman want without having expressly asking --- even if they say the complete opposite. Call it passive aggressive or whatever, but that's just how it is. If a woman says she doesn't need flowers, men should understand that that means to the woman, flowers aren't practical and are not necessary all the time --- HOWEVER, it is still nice to have every once in a while because it is romantic and a nice surprise. Most women will never say "yes, please bring me flowers," they want men to WANT to bring them flowers! There is no logic to that --- relationships are not logical, they're built on gut and emotion, and perhaps a little mind-reading... perhaps that's why men and women differ so much, because men are always looking for logic.

Here is some interpretive guidance to help you men out there...

If you ask a woman "what's wrong" and she says "nothing" --- pursue it because 90% of the time, something is wrong and she wants you to drag it out of her. Ask at least seven or eight times (and simultaneously think hard about what you could have done wrong!)...

If you ask a woman "what she'd like" and she says "it doesn't matter" ---- of course it matters! She doesn't want to force her choice on you, but she wants you to choose what she wants. So put yourself in her shoes and make your choice what you think she would want.

If a woman goes off somewhere or does something by herself, make sure you TELL her you'd like to do that with her or go with her, if it's OK with her. (Don't ASK her if she wants you to go with her or do it with her, cuz the obvious answer will be no because she doesn't want to force you to do that.) She'd rather you want to do that with her or want to go with her on your own, without having to be asked. Women don't want to nag men because we know you don't like that. But don't make us nag you!

Bottom line, men ---- stop trying to be logical! Spend your energy learning how to think like her.

I'm looking for a bike!

Last year, my boyfriend and I ran our first half marathon and for me, it was quite an accomplishment! We trained for about two and a half months, which allowed me to turn in a respectable time (at least by my standards), and finished without needing too much recovery time. We're thinking about doing another one this year, but are still unsure. Training is really time consuming and tough on the legs and knees. And let's face it, I'm getting O-L-D!!!!

As an alternative to running, we're looking into cycling! My boyfriend already has two bikes and was an avid cyclist before. For me, I just started shopping around --- my last bike was a so called "ten speed" when I was in ninth grade. Who knew how complicated bikes are now!?! Ultegra and 105s! Carbon frame or carbon fork! Thick tires, skinny tires! Disc brakes?? Felt! Giant! Cannondale! Specialized! Novarra! K2! Scott! Where is a girl to start?!?

Who knew that a "cool" bike has no kickstand? Who knew it's not cool to have handbrakes at the top of the handlebar? Who knew pedals are sold separately? Who knew you actually have to hop off your seat when you stop to balance yourself? Who knew you actually have to be pedalling to shift gears??!? There's so much to think about... (and hey, do you HAVE to wear a helmet?)

Well, we're going to shop around some more over the next few weeks... I just hope I find one that comes in a cool color!

Stay tuned....

this is the name of my baking business that I have yet to launch. my friend sherri came up with the idea of the name and I thought it was kinda catchy. "where did you get that cake?" someone might ask --- "from my friend annie!!" see how catchy??

so far I have a name, a domain name that my boyfriend reserved for me (with nothing on the website except something that says it's under construction) and an off-and-on dream. that dream is usually more "on" on weekend mornings when I'm spending it with the fn ladies: ina, rachel, giada and even paula! (but never sandra cuz she's just a big cheater.) ina went from being a budget analyst at the white house to caterer and owner of her specialty food store ---- she went from doing something she didn't like to something she loved. well, I'm halfway there!! I'm currently doing something I don't like so much...compliance at a bank! :( certainly doesn't make me leap out of bed in the mornings like baking does....

i LOVE to bake! there is nothing more satisfying to me than putting the finishing touches on a cake ---- it's perfection when that cream cheese frosting swirls out of that star tip onto the cupcake; it's bliss when your offset spatula smoothly spreads that icing on top of a layer cake; it's pure satisfaction when you unmold that chocolate tart from the tart pan that creates those even ridges ---- I can go on and on!! I'm getting all tingly inside... [she shivers.]

what am I going to do with my friend annie?? I dunno. will it become of anything? what would I make? what would I sell? would it sell? will I lose my love for baking if I'm forced to do it everyday? will I overcome my aversion for risk?

stay tuned.....